Paper Hearts Project

We did it!!!! 

Thank you to everyone who contributed their hearts

to this special project!

Status
CURRENT RECORD HOLDER

Date of attempt/verification/discovery
09 February 2019

Attempt location
Chatham, Kent, United Kingdom

Measurement
53,704 total number

Record holder(s)
Paper Hearts Project, United Kingdom

Thought for the week ...

Change is Here to Stay

This is the title of one of my favourite TABLEtalk evenings, and one we've not actually done for some time. 

Our evening began with some discussion about the words we might use to describe change and how is makes us feel. Below are just a few examples of what was said.

We then heard from students about events or inventions they think have brought about most global change and also changes within the nations they represent. This resulted in an interesting discussion about how progress - through such things as medicine and technology - has been positive but in some respects is now turning against us. Our conversation included the topics of climate change, artificial intelligence and social media.

In the final part of our evening everyone shared two events that had brought about significant changes within their own lives.  I am always amazed and blessed by the stories people tell and the vulnerability with which they share. Many thanks to those who came and took part.

Body World

What an amazing exhibition  ...  though possibly not for the squeamish!

Body World is a journey through the human body, discovering the mysteries that lie beneath our skin.

All of the anatomical specimens are real people; donors have given their bodies in order that you and I can see and appreciate how this 'earth suit' of ours truly works.

One of the things I found most interesting was a display called the 'Tyranny of Choices' which talked about the fact that too many choices or options doesn't often lead us to a greater sense of well-being. The plethora of choices that face us in today's society - whether it's which TV channel to watch or what technology to choose - is actually uncomfortably overwhelming.

Another display talked about the 'DNA of Happiness' which said that 50% of our sense of happiness in inherent in the make-up of our genes. I found that very interesting and a potential discussion topic at TABLEtalk sometime.

I learned some interesting facts too  ...  
** an adult has a network of veins, arteries and capillaries that measure more than 60,000 miles
** every day our heart pumps around 7,000 litres of blood

I very much appreciated the fact that there was a lot within the display not just about our physical being but also about aspects of mental health and stress.  All in all, I would highly recommend this fascinating display!!

GKU Volunteering Awards

Always great to celebrate all those students who, in addition to their studies, give a crazy number of hours to a whole variety of activities. THANK YOU to all of you who have worked hard for the benefit of others both on campus and within our local community.

Three awards I was personally thrilled about  ...

Our very own Kesia Balsters won 'Freshers' Helper of the Year'  ...  "Kesia, it's been great being part of your journey at university, and a privilege to walk alongside you through the rough and the smooth."

The Sports Studies Society won 'Fundraiser of the Year' for their work with the Paper Hearts Project  ...  "Ian, who would believe we'd miss you walk around campus laden with boards and glue and origami paper?  It was a fabulous project to be part of and I hope and pray the effects will be felt for a long time to come."

Last, but by no means least, the 'Event of the Year' award went to MADS for their play The Addams Family Musical  ...  "I brought several friends along to the Sunday performance and we laughed long and hard. Don't know which adjective to use - it was FANTASTIC, FUNNY, CLEVER, BRILLIANT, the list could go on.  They say that laughter is the best and cheapest form of well-being therapy and I went away feeling simply marvellous!"

Thought for the week ...

Truth or Lies ... you decide

As usual our TABLEtalk evening began with some discussion around which professions we are inclined to judge as trustworthy or untrustworthy.  For the first time I divided our students in to a male and a female group ... not sure how wise a move it was with the guys accusing the girls are complicating the exercise. Oh well, such is life!!

One interesting factor was that of magicians who the girls judged as untrustworthy on the basis that their very profession is based around deception. Whilst the guys placed magicians in the trustworthy category because you're trusting them to do what they do, which is deceive (I wasn't really sure about the logic there!!).

Then we played the dictionary game, based on Call my Bluff. I am always amazed at the creativity of students in creating definitions for obscure English words they've never heard before.  Check out how you score on guessing the correct definition of the following words ...

BOMBYLIOUS
1. A person who is jolly in nature and likes to party
2. The accumulation of gases in the digestive tract
3. A mortal fear of popping balloons
4. Buzzing or humming sound
5. A person with a very good sense of humour
6. The feeling of being so angry you are about to explode
7. To feel overwhelmed by many things
8. A term to describe showing off, especially in a flirtatious manner

IMPAVID
1. An adjective that describes the separation of something
2. Someone who has impeded vision
3. Someone who is fearless, undaunted
4. Used to describe the feeling of being insular, lonely, low self-esteem
5. Adjective meaning non-confrontational
6. A stretch of road or pavement that is rough or unpaved
7. The condition of not being surrounded by a thing or persons.

ABDERIAN
1. A person who chooses to give up responsibility or power
2. The ability to challenge
3. A synonym of brobdyngnagian, meaning of monstrous proportions
4. A devout religious person who supports and maintains buildings and structures within an abbey
5. A person living in an isolated area with little or no knowledge of the present developed world
6. A librarian who is particularly poor at their work
7. Defines a group of people that have survived a particular calamity
8. Someone with incessant or idiotic laughter

Our winners were as follows:

BRONZE MEDAL - Rhandi & Wayne

SILVER MEDAL  -  Walter & Sonali

GOLD MEDAL  -  Nadya & Lesley

ANSWERS
Bombylious  (4)
Impavid  (3)
Abderian  (8)