Christmas Day 2007

What a fabulous Christmas Day we had!!

Our day began by all attending a short Christmas Day
family service at Hopehall church.
When we got back to my flat we had drinks and snacks
whilst dinner finished cooking. Everyone wanted to help,
but I wouldn't let them all in the kitchen at the same time.
Dinner was a great success (even if I say so myself).

Bora, Heather, Lisa and Sugu

Fu Yu, Lynne and Jessica

Opening presents was great fun ...

The rest of the day was spent playing games, watching TV,
and generally enjoying the day together.

Aberfoyle Walk

Munish and Kate joined us for our annual Hopehall walk

from Gartmore to Aberfoyle with a very welcome lunch and
coffee at the Wool Centre. It was a cold, icy day but the
sun shone and everyone enjoyed themselves.

TABLEtalk - Christmas Party

A great time was had by everyone who came to our

2007 Christmas Party.
Twenty-six students came and were joined by more than
a dozen volunteers and hosts.

A HUGE THANK YOU goes to Ernie Lindsay who did a
fabulous job in the kitchen - it was a great meal!!
Other than eating, drinking and chatting we spent time
singing some Christmas carols and learning
'The 12 Days of Christmas'


Eric Garner performed an excellent monologue entitled
'The Innkeeper'

Jenny He (China), Graeme & Christine Clark,
Elaine (UK) and Munish (India)

Bora (China), Lynne, Tom (China), David Kennedy,
Tereza (Czech Rep) and Jessica (China)

Nan Magee, Raymond (China), Oliwia (Poland), Jack Peakman,
John Stickley, Arthur (China), Sebrina (China), and Billy Magee

Joyce (China), Ania (Poland), Anne-Martine (France),
Florent (France), Audrey & Scott McPhail

Fu Yu (China), Sugu (Malaysia), Cheryl & Roy Adair,
and Lena (Russia)

Aileen & David Clark, Pavas (India), Raj (India),
and Chang (China)

Jenny Wang (China), Tina (China), Mary & Eric Garner,
Hafsa (Pakistan), Peace (UK) and Kate (China)

Commemorative Ceremony

On Friday December 7th I was thrilled to be invited to the
Commemorative Ceremony for the official name change from
Paisley University to the
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND.
This change of name better represents the university,
which has campuses not just in Paisley but also in Ayr, Dumfries
and, most recently, Hamilton


Among the four people who received honorary doctorates at
this event was ALAN JOHNSON, the BBC correspondent
who was kidnapped earlier this year in Gaza
and held for four months.
His speech was very inspiring.