International Person of the Year

Dave, our friend who lives in Bray (he of the New Year swims), begged a favour. His sister had been selected as International Person of the Year, and the awards ceremony was on tonight, which involved an overnight stay for Dave and in turn led to the favour request, which was for Carl and me to act as dog minders. We were delighted to help out, as Ozzy (the bigger one here) is as placid as can be, and was bound to be no bother.

I was hosting the music session, so didn't join the others afterwards for their pub visit, but went straight over to Bray. We half-watched The Adjustment Bureau, ate the gorgeous food which Dave left ready for us, took Ozzy for his evening walk, and settled down to watch the TV coverage of the awards (I blipped the TV screen). The citation for Dave's sister reads as follows:

Edith Wilkins is this year?s International Person of the Year for her compassion, selflessness and unfaltering commitment to improving the lives of the people of India. A nurse by profession, Edith worked in conjunction with Mother Teresa in her early years and since arriving in India in 1982 has undertaken several pioneering initiatives, including the establishment of the Edith Wilkins Street Children Foundation to provide a safe haven for street children, child labourers and those who have fallen victim to child trafficking, through the provision of night shelters and halfway houses. Edith has also opened outreach clinics and drop-in centres in the slum colonies, providing free nutrition, medication, counselling and basic education to children. Over the years Edith has fostered 20 children, and in September 2010 she returned to live in Cork with her Indian-born children Omer (18) and Karishma (10), where she continues her work for the Foundation.

Afterwards, we half-watched Rango.