Let Praises Rise

Thanks guys for organising such a great evening of worship. Thanks for letting me be a small part of the evening. 

AND thanks too for the beautiful flowers & scrumptious chocolate!! 

The Aiste & Basel Travel Company

Communication prior to a trip to Bruges ...

Dear Dr Marvellous, this is a reminder
that you forgot to add items to your 
shopping basket from the 'Aiste & Basel 
Travelling Company'. Please note that 
you have two days to complete your 
sweet order. Thank you for your 
collaboration.

Thank you for your timely reminder.

I would like to order 1 x bar of dark

chocolate either with or without nuts. 

PS. I checked FAQs and could not  find

any mention of EU delivery charges?

Thank you for your order. Because of 
the current status of the United Kingdom 
and its very unstable relationship with 
the EU we have a system error that fails 
to accept any UK currency (English and 
even Scottish £££). As a result delivery 
will be charged in the form of hugs. 
Thank you for your understanding.

How marvellous!!

Delivery has arrived

safely today.

Can't hardly wait

to tuck in!

This company comes

highly recommended :-)

Let's get QUIZZical

A VERY BIG THANK YOU to all 81 people who came along to our fundraising Quiz Night at St Mark's last Friday (24th).

For those of you who missed out, here are a few examples of what went on ...

Round 1 - Doctor, Doctor
1. Who played the third Doctor Who? 
2.What is tridecaphobia?

Round 2 - Black & White
3. Which fictional character shared a home with Ginger & Merrylegs?
4. Who was the first black actress to win an Oscar for a lead role?

Round 3 - Sports with Balls
5. In 1950, India withdrew from the World Cup because FIFA refused to let them do what?
6. Which sports playing area is 2.7 metres by 1.5 metres?

Round 4 - The Number Four
7. Mount Rushmore which features four American presidents is found in which US state? 
8. What gift is traditionally given on a 4th wedding anniversary?

Round 5 - India Bound
9. Which India based film released in 2009 won 8 Oscars?
10. Which city is known as ‘The Silicon Valley of India’

Round 6 - Planes, Trains & Automobiles
11. What is the name of the main character in the film ‘Cars’?
12. What is the name of the famous hood ornament on Rolls-Royce cars?

Round 7 - Famous Teds
13. What is Paddington Bear’s favourite food?
14. In the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands, who played his teenage girlfriend?

Round 8 - Into the Woods
15. What instrument does Ronnie Wood play?
16. Which 1950s TV programme featured “the biggest spotty dog you ever did see”?

The picture round was a toughie, unless you're in to 70s and 80s rock and pop. Can you name either the artist or the album of the 30 represented in this picture?

In the process of all that fun,

we raised £435 for our

India project next year.

ANSWERS

1. Jon Pertwee
2. Fear of the number 13
3. Black Beauty
4. Halle Berry
5. Play bare foot
6. Table Tennis
7. South Dakota
8. Fruit or Flowers
9. Slumdog Millionaire
10. Bangalore
11. Lightening McQueen
12. The Spirit of Ecstasy
13. Marmalade sandwiches
14. Winona Ryder
15. Guitar
16. The Woodentops

Communication Breakdown

COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN was our theme at TABLEtalk last Thursday. Although student numbers were down slightly (because of end of term assignments) we still had some good discussion time.
For what it's worth, here are Lynne's Top Ten Tips for Good Communication:

1.  STOP TALKING & LISTEN
* Understand the difference between hearing and listening. Hearing is simply about perceiving sound; whereas listening is more about an active giving attention to what's bring said.
* Hearing is a natural, physical ability; true listening is an art, a gift.
* Mark Twain said, "If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two mouths and one ear."
* Don't interrupt, don't finish people's sentences for them; don't assume you know what someone is about to say.
* True listening cannot happen if you are already formulating your response before the other person has finished speaking.

2.  CONSIDER TIMING & REMOVE DISTRACTIONS
* If now isn't a good time, be honest and make a more suitable time when you can give someone your full attention.
* Put other distractions aside and avoid unnecessary distractions.
* Don't doodle or shuffle papers.
* Don't let technology distract you.

3.  VALUE OTHERS & OFFER RESPECT
* Use people's names.
* Respect the individual and value what is being said.
* Don't judge or patronise people.
* Learn to see things from other people's perspective. The fact that you do not hold the same opinion as someone else does NOT invalidate the opinions and feelings of others.
* Let go of preconceived ideas about the individual or the situation.
* Offer others the same level of respect that you yourself would want.
* Know that it's possible to stand firm in your own views without de-valuing the other person.

4.  REFLECT & CLARIFY
* Never assume that you have heard and understood someone correctly.
* Learn to reflect back to people what you have heard them say. Use questions to clarify understanding; or re-phrase what someone has said in order to ensure understanding.
* Learn the art of open-ended questions.
* If needed take notes, don't rely on your memory; however, be sure to value confidentiality.
* Giving and receiving feedback is an important part of communication skills.

5. BE PATIENT, EMPATHISE & ENCOURAGE
* Allow people to speak freely.
* Give people time to think.
* Don't be afraid of pauses.
* THINK before you speak ... is what you are saying True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind.

6.  REMAIN OPEN-MINDED
* Avoid personal prejudices; be aware of your own unconscious biases.
* Don't let a person's habits or mannerisms distract from what is being said.
* Remain open to listening and trying to understand another person's viewpoint.

7.  BEWARE NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION ... both yours and theirs
* Body language, eye contact, hand gestures all colour the message being spoken.
* Learn to feedback not only what you're hearing with your ears, but what you're seeing with your eyes. Occasionally, the non-verbal can communicate more than what is being spoken.
* Be aware of your own mannerisms and body language; ask trustworthy people to give you honest feedback.
* Maintain appropriate eye contact.
* Does the tone of voice match the words being spoken.

8.  BE CLEAR & CONFIDENT
* Avoid jargon and over-complicated language
* Be aware of and pay attention to differences in culture, religion, gender, age, experience, ability. etc.
* The more to tend to ramble the quicker others will zone out.
* Confidence does not equal arrogance!

9.  WHAT NEXT?
* Review the next steps or appropriate action points.
* Always follow through!
* Give people options where appropriate.
* Clarify expectations, deadlines, etc.

10.  LEARN THE ART OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION
* Avoid accusatory language, such words as 'always' and 'never'.
* Don't let conflicts fester; ignoring them will not make them go away.
* Sometimes compromise is better than conflict.

WHY?

WHY? WHY? Why is there so much hatred in the world?!  I just don't understand.
I have so many wonderful Egyptian friends here.
My heart goes out to all the families of those whose lives have been cut short and those who have been injured and traumatised by this horrific event. 

Happy 60th!!!

Hi Wayne, this is rather belated but wanted to say a BIG HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY from all of us!!

Inter-Faith Conversation

Our Inter-Faith event today went well. A number of people joined me for some colouring and  approximately 20 students and staff engaged in our inter-faith quiz. Getting at least eight questions right earned you a lolly  ...  both Dushan and Aiste scored 100% (that's a two lolly score!!).

Thanks Daria, for your beautiful colouring! And congrats on the job :-)

Where are they now? Suvarna

Hey guys!!! For all those people who do not know me, I am Suvarna Lenin (I know lot of people read Lynne’s blog). I graduated from Greenwich in 2016 and I am working as a QC analyst for a Pharmaceutical Company in India. Lynne had this beautiful idea of giving us a chance to update our friends about how life has been after leaving them but before I get there, I want to say, thank you Lynne for being as wonderful as always by letting us do this.

Leaving UK has been hard for me in a lot of aspects. At first I was constantly nagged by the idea of not getting a job there but honestly, right now I feel blessed for not finding one. I feel, the happiness you get being around your family cannot be worth the sacrifices you do for the salary there! Life in the UK was different. I got to meet and make lots of friends. Lynne is definitely one such person who has a special place in my heart. I know she is just doing her duty towards all the new students but every time she did that for me, I felt more cared for and loved. 

I will never forget the things she has done for me, especially the Christmas in 2015, where I got to celebrate with my new “family” in the UK. It would not have been possible without her. Now that I am in India, life has been a bit more serious because I have entered a different and responsible phase. There is the cultural difference too. Here it is more work and less “friends” time. I am so fuelled up with work for the week that weekends are the only time for good rest and sleep. I think the only time I get to enjoy is when I take a week off to meet my family and friends.  

I enjoy my work life and I have made some amazing friends at work too but there are so many restrictions that I constantly end up missing all the fun nights with my friends there. I think both lives are different and I should accept the way it is. Coming back to what I miss the most about UK are things like making chapattis with my cook-mate Andrew, all the girl talks with my buddies Jill, Veroni, Christina and Wisnu (this one is not a girl, but we often drag him in all the talks), teaming up with Dev and Wisnu for the games and definitely all the fun filled video game nights. These people accepted me the way I was and made my days in the UK worth living. I will never forget the night before I left the UK, these sweethearts had taken their wonderful time out to spend the whole night with me. I have never thanked them enough for their care. I have been lucky to get these friends who have always been there for me and never felt abandoned because every time I felt lonely or missed them, they would cheer me up with a message or a call.

 

These guys are the true gifts I got from the UK. The credit goes to Lynne because of whom I got to meet those lovely people. She is the cupid who gave me Dev (my other half). I am also glad I made many other friends whom I still keep in touch with. I always tell Lynne she is doing a beautiful job by organising events for all the international students. She is definitely the first name that comes to your mind when you look back at your life in the UK. Hope this whole idea of hers to make people meet and help all students keep continuing. Lynne you will definitely be in our hearts!!!

Stress Management

Our theme at TABLEtalk last night was that of 'Stress Management'.  There are many things that influence our own abilities when it comes to how we deal with stress and within our regulars at TABLEtalk I immediately recognise different approaches from ...

THIS >>>

TO THIS >>>

Remembering, of course, that not all stress is bad, we spent the evening considering three key things  ...

1. Identifying the triggers
What is it that causes us stress? Is it a one-time event such as exams, deadlines; or is it an on-going health, work or relational issue that is causing stress?

2. Recognising the signs
Stress affects us all differently but can be manifest emotionally, physically, mentally or behaviourally. 

3. Addressing the causes
What things are within our power to change and which are beyond our control?  Do we need to make some necessary changes to our own attitudes and lifestyles in order to combat stress, for example learning to say 'no' and better time management.

Unfortunately, the lessons of stress are often learned the hard way but the most important thing is to seek help and advice before you hit crisis point.

Make Poverty History

The focus this month for our blue board outside Chaplaincy is Make Poverty History.  Why not call by sometime and take a look.

Sunday, November 19th is World Toilet Day

 

Where are they now??

Where are they now??

is my latest idea for our blog.

If you are a former student of Greenwich,

Kent or CCCU at Medway but you have

left us to either return home or

do further studies we would love to

hear how life is for your now.

Please email an article (approx 400 words)

and about six photos and we will enter

it on the blog for all to see.

A Message from Basim

"I feel great to be part of this blog, an opportunity given by Lynne Martin that is not to be missed on my farewell from the UK. Most of you know me and the ones that don’t, my name is Basim Chishty, an engineering graduate from University of Greenwich. I came to study in September 2015 and in no time it is already time to say Good Bye to all the loved ones I have met in the past 2 years and 1 month. I will miss you all, it is about the beautiful people more than the place. People’s presence makes it all unique and worthwhile.

Soon, all the good times will become memories that I will cherish forever in my life. This beautiful chapter in the UK has changed me in many positive ways, I do have something to say to all those who read. I believe all the people I have met were meant to cross my path for a reason, it was not by accident. The reason is to learn from them, whether it is kindness, generosity, love or the opposite. Everything has its own purpose. I have learned that is important to always be open to those who cross your path, you never know what they can teach you or what they may end up doing to make your life better.

I am very much thankful to the people I have met in my life that are real. I am thankful to those who crossed my path and will never forget what they have done for me. Thank you for all the wishes and prayers for my future career. I believe when one door closes, the other gates open for bigger and better blessings. I have applied for more than thousand jobs in UK, however, I did not give up! You shouldn’t do it either no matter how hard life hits you. Every stepping stone is a step towards success.

This is for you Lynne: You are an incredible lady, if it were not for you and your support, I would have given up a long time ago. You were always there for me, as a mother is there for her child. I felt welcomed as an international student for the platforms you provided for me to be part of which are TABLEtalk, World Café, International Welcome meals, Fireworks Night, the Car Rides, Beach Trips, Castle Trips and those cozy Movie Nights, BBQ days and Sunday lunches. The list goes one, these platforms gave me an opportunity to be part of a community and learn so much from others, and importantly to share laughs and jokes with each other that has led to many friendships. Above all, Lynne you have a special place in my heart. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I will come visit you or invite you over to the other side once I'm settled or on my wedding.

I miss you all already! God Bless you all! Stay focus on your goals! God has a gift for everyone, patience is the key to that gift."

A thought for today

Fireworks Night

Guess whose big head that
belongs to?!

Over the past few days I've been cooking up a storm and have several soups on offer for after Fireworks Night  ... spicy Thai Sweet Potato, Potato & Lentil, or French Onion :-)  
32 students joined us for games after the display.

We had a great time playing PIT and Don't Panic
... it all fell apart a bit when Shane claimed that
a 'floppybottomus' was a type of dinosaur!!

Quiz Night

There were 33 students at our TABLEtalk Quiz Night last night.   For some reason I only seem to have photos of nine out of our ten teams  ...  The Invincibles have very sadly been missed out!!

The Beautiful Minds

Lost!

Pokemon

Girl Power

Alpha

Dragon Breathers

Super Stars

Brown Skin, Long Hair & a German Guy
(by far the best team name!!!)

And the winning team ...
Try Again!