AND thanks too for the beautiful flowers & scrumptious chocolate!!
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Thursday, 30 November 2017
Let Praises Rise
Wednesday, 29 November 2017
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 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.
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?
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 :-)
Sunday, 26 November 2017
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?
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
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 Pertwee2. 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
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.
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
* 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
* 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.
Friday, 24 November 2017
WHY?
Thursday, 16 November 2017
Friday, 10 November 2017
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!!).
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.
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 >>>
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.
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.
Thursday, 9 November 2017
Make Poverty History
Wednesday, 8 November 2017
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.
Tuesday, 7 November 2017
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.
Sunday, 5 November 2017
Fireworks Night
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Guess whose big head that belongs to?! |
32 students joined us for games after the display.
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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!! |
Friday, 3 November 2017
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! |