June Y7 Mag

Y7Magazine celebrity l luxury l diversity l nutrition

An Actor...

A Human PAGES 16-17 SUMMER SPECIAL

Hydration Tips!

Fasting Tips!

Don't Pay the Price! Avoid Ransomeware at all costs! Edy Hourany tells us how!

Similarities in Fasting Between Muslims and Christians!

The Facts will suprise you!

Plus: Learn how to fast properly!

SO SMOOTH!

Flip to the middle pages

for loads of Smoothie recipes!

The Most Direct Way Ever EDY HOURANY

Bored from searching the web to download movies? Here is a quick solution.

Whenever you want to download a movie for an offline watch, the first thing you do is to go to google and search for it. However, this method is not always fruitful. You have low chances of figuring out where you will end up. Lots of advertisements, a lot of untrusted sources and even some fake download links that will install malware onto your machine.

Therefore, we will be exploring in this article two techniques in which some google tricks will be discussed for a more reliable pursuit.

In both methods, you will be first required to launch your preferred browser and go to google. com.

For the first technique, you will proceed by writing down the following in the google search bar intitle:index.of? mkv yourmovietitle. And you will finish by clicking on Enter, allowing google to show you all direct links for your movie.

As for the second procedure, you will need to write yourmovietitle -inurl:(htm|html|php|pls|txt) intitle:index.of “last modified� (mp4|wma|aac|avi), then press on Enter to receive all direct links for the desired movie.

Not a Girl...

Not Yet a Woman CARLA AL-HADDAD She was a shy little girl, bullied by her friends at school.

She slept every night, hoping for the better soon.

That little girl was hurt, crushed and destroyed by her closest friends.

Despite all of the pain that she was suffering from, she decided to get back on her feet and start over.

She graduated high school ‘College here I come’ Was all that she had to say.

She threw the past behind her and moved on with her new life.

Life at college means new friends, new people, new surroundings.

‘I am ready’, she said.

Suddenly, she found herself diving into much bigger responsibilities, Much bigger disappointments and many complicated circumstances.

Her heart was broken two times, She lost the person who she loved the most The reason?

He couldn’t handle her lifestyle and her problems.

She sacrificed everything she had and tried to do the impossible to get him back.

The result?

She lost him for good He couldn’t see the power she had within her He was blinded by her weaknesses.

After losing so much already, She decided once again to move on.

How? By prayer.

It was the only way that helped her get through everything.

Today, that little weak girl exist no more, She said goodbye to her weaknesses.

She welcomed her new self with happiness.

Who is she now?

She is a strong, determined, young lady.

She buried the little girl she once was.

She became a young woman who is ready to conquer the world.

Ready to prove to the one who underestimated her abilities, That she is not weak, She is no longer that little girl, She is not yet a woman, She is an angel with the ability to destroy you in every way possible.

Islamic Diet Exercise and Diet According to Islam

Islam teaches its followers many etiquette’s of eating and living a healthy life. The Prophet made a point of developing remarkably clean and healthy eating habits among his followers. With its rich bazaars and political and caravans streaming in from desert oases, it would have been easy for a man of Muhammed’s stature to live a lavish life of immoderate eating and unhealthy habit. But that’s far from what happened.

Y7 STAFF He shares many insights in the Qur’an on how to lead a natural and healthy life, and many of these health and fitness tips are the foundation of social customs in the Islamic religion. Read on to learn the top 10 health and fitness tips from Muhammad.

1. Eat In Moderation Prophet Muhammad stressed the practice of eating less to prevent sickness and diseases, which is now supported by doctors today. The Islamic practice of eating suggests your stomach should be filled by ⅓ of food, ⅓ liquid and ⅓ breath.

2. Eat Slow It was narrated from the Prophet Muhammad was a strong advocate of eating slowly to help with the digestion process. It takes about 20 minutes for the body to tell our brain that we are full. Slow eating helps digest our food, because efficiently chewed food aids the digestion process and doesn’t require as much energy and churning in the stomach or intestine.

3. Participate in Sports to Strengthen Your Body In Islam, sports are perceived as important to gain a healthy body. Sports like archery, swimming, horseback riding are especially encouraged. Islam encourages exercise and be in good physical shape. The Prophet said, “A strong believer is better and dearer to God than a weak believer, though in both is good.” The one who is physically stronger is better before God because they are more active and energetic in the performance of worship and taking care of the needs of others.

4. Sleep and Salat (prayer) The Prophet recommended adequate sleep. He never deprived himself of sleep nor overslept. He also advised and practiced to sleep at the early part of the night, and to wake up early in the morning. Science research shows that going to bed early can help maintain a healthy weight, stay more productive, and avoid serious health problems (such as diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases).

Salat is one of the five fundamental requirements that a Muslim is obligated to perform. According to a hadith (authentic narrations from the prophet), the Prophet has reported to have said, “verily there is a cure in salat”. There are some physical benefits in salat, such as : In the beginning of the salat, we move our hand and shoulder muscles therefore increasing the blood flow towards the torso. The heart in the most important organ in our body. Because it supplies fresh blood to all body tissues, the movements during prayer are a crucial source for exercise in our heart.

Certain positions makes our hips, elbows, knee and wrist joints, and backbone move in a way that forms a relation in our body.

5. Share foods Prophet Muhammad told his followers about the benefits of sharing as opposed to over-indulging in the good things in life. He said, “He is not a believer who eats to his full but his neighbor goes without food.” Islam emphasizing sharing food with neighbors, friends and the poor. This principle of moderation is thanks to the Prophet’s own life and ideas.

6. Foster a strong community The Prophet brought attention to muslims the significance of eating together. He said it’s crucial to eat food with family and romantic relationships and with children to build a better connection. People are usually relaxed when eating in company and brings harmony and understanding among people. He said, “Eat together and not separately, for the blessing is associated with the company.”

Within the past 20 years, studies have shown that mindful eating can help you reduce overeating and binge eating, lose weight and reduce BMI, cope with eating problems, and reduce anxious thoughts about your body and food.

7. Fasting Recent evidence has shown that the foods we eat and timing have impacted our health. Fasting was a practice that the Prophet would do not just during ramadan, but Monday, Thursday, and the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Islamic month. Intermittent fasting has become increasingly popular as it shows numerous benefits to the body. Fasting helps with weight loss, improves insulin sensitivity, speeds up metabolism, curbs hunger, improves eating patterns, enhances brain function, and boosts immune system.

8. Dental Hygiene The Prophet would always brush his teeth before and after bed using a part of a fruitless yet fragrant branch called arak. This small wooden branch was used, and is still used today, as a toothbrush. Muhammad gave special attention to cleanliness and personal hygiene in respect to faith. Re-

search shows that poor dental hygiene were 70% risk of heart diseases according to a study called Scottish Health Survey.

9. Drink water slowly The Prophet said to not drink water in one gulp like a camel, instead take small sips. Today, science shows that when a person drinks water too much in a short period of time they can imbalance blood electrolyte levels and experience dizziness. Drink water slowly as it will help you absorb the fluid and get the most out of it.

10. Mental Health The Prophet taught his followers to have a peaceful mind though acceptance in life changes. He warned them not to be engulfed with anxiety, depression, or anger. ” A man said to the Prophet, ‘Give me advice.’ The Prophet said, ‘Do not get angry.’ The man asked repeatedly and the Prophet answered each time, ‘Do not get angry.’ ” Prophet Muhammad knew that if a person controlled his anger he would be able to control everything else. That is why the Prophet mentioned in another hadith (authentic narrations from the prophet), “The powerful man is not the one who can wrestle, but the powerful man is the one who can control himself at the time of anger.” Anger opens the door to all bad qualities and staying away from it opens the door to all good qualities. Health studies show that anger can raise your chances of a stroke, puts your heart at a greater risk, and weakens your immune system.

STORY

FUSION

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t CES 2017, it showed off its next-generation Fusion Hybrid autonomous vehicle, set to build upon earlier successes. he new car will use the current Ford autonomous vehicle platform, but with improved processing power, and superior hardware. Adjustments to the detection technology via new LiDAR sensors ensure it has a sleeker design, alongside more targeted field of vision. That means the car now only needs to use two sensors rather than four, while still gaining as much data as before.

MERCEDES EQ

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argeting the Tesla market, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its all-electric SUV concept car— the Mercedes EQ. It’s not going to be available until 2019, but it’s likely to shake up the EV market. xpected to have a range of up to 310 miles, the Mercedes EQ will come with a 24-inch display that highlights speed, range, driving data and navigation information. Running low on battery? The display will give you directions to the nearest charging station.

Touch controls will also be available on the steering wheel.

Y7 STAFF

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ES 2017 has offered us a glimpse into the future of T Vs, laptops and gadgets as a whole. It’s also provided some key insight into the vehicles we’ll be able to drive in the near future. It’s an exciting time for car enthusiasts, with electric cars becoming more commonplace, and forms of autonomous driving turning much more advanced.

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e take a look at the key refinements being made by existing car manufacturers, as well as the introduction of a new names for the highly competitive market.

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oyota’s latest concept, the Concept-i, includes an artificial intelligence assistant named Yui. It adopts a gradual approach to selfdriving cars, with Yui able to read human emotions, thereby learning more about a driver over time.

TOYOTA I

HONDA VEU

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ather than providing a high performance experience, Honda’s NeuV focuses on appealing to the ride sharing driver. A cube like vehicle, it’s clearly drawing inspiration from the Google Car. It’s distinctive, if not as instantly stylish as some other options. Lightweight and small, the vehicle is optimized for city driving and is sure to be easy to park.

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nderneath the hood, the NeuV comes equipped with AI in the form of its “emotion engine” called Hana. With a lofty ambition of being able to provide human emotion through your driving experience, it offers face recognition and heart rate monitoring. By keeping an eye on you, Hana can converse with you, while also dealing with some monotonous parts of car ownership such as reminding you to recharge.

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he NeuV will also be able to navigate roads in most situations, although it doesn’t offer full self-driving capabilities, still requiring you to take over during certain scenarios.

FF91

THE NEW COOL

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lectric-car startup Faraday Future demonstrated its first production car concept in the form of the FF91. A crossover SUV, it promises to offer more than 378 miles of range via its 130 kilowatthours of battery energy. With an open charging system, it’ll be able to charge from any charging standard, too. oasting 1,050 horsepower, it can go from 0 to 60 in only 2.39

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The Invasion of Ransom Lately, we have been hearing a lot about the invasion of ransomware. All around the globe, the growth of such malware has gone viral. Thousands of devices are being affected every day. A good knowledge of what a ransomware is will help us avoid it, taking into consideration that even the toughest malware detection software is being tricked and is not able to recognize them.

Edy Hourany A ransomware is a malware that Besides, the user is advised to keep is installed without the user’s ac- the operating system updated to knowledgment on his device. its latest version. The operating system updates usually contain seThe devices can vary from smart- curity upgrades and bug fixes prephones to computers, laptops, or venting malware from penetrating any wearable device with compu- your system. Moreover, it is importational ability. It drives benefits tant to limit administrative prifrom the victim’s machine and en- vileges by restricting untrusted or crypts all its data. uneducated users to gain access to critical roles on your system. AddiThe only way to decrypt the data tionally, the consumer must make is to pay for the attackers to send frequent backups and store them you the decryption key. offline since some ransomware can Many strategies can be followed spread through the network or any to remain unharmed from such a connected device. Furthermore, threat. the client should use advanced, yet intelligent security tools that The user’s mindfulness is vital for prevent against malware. the prevention of ransomware attacks. The user should be aware of Ransomware infections are so posuspicious websites and phishing pular these days. Until now, there emails that are defined by being is no effective or efficient way the fraudulent practice of sending that will keep users fully protecemails purporting to be from repu- ted against these kinds of threats. table companies in order to induce However, better be safe than sorry. individuals to reveal personal information.

mware

Having a Maid in the A SALIBA DR. RAND House Nowadays, it became normal for a family to have a maid in the house. Most of the women work outside the house and they need to spend quality time with their families after work so they choose to have a maid in the house to facilitate the tasks.

In addition, after a long tiring day at work, the maid can give you a massage when your body ache, which can make you relax and encourage you to sleep well.

On the other side, having a maid in the house has also some disadvantages. When you have a maid slacking in her household chores or has an attitude problem, being disobedient, moody or unhappy, this may cause you stress instead of facilitating your life.

A maid can be an incredible help in such a large number of ways.

She keeps things clean around the house, she can do any difficult housework like cutting the grass or cleaning the glass, she can take care of the kids while you're away and some of them even cook for the family. However, when is it viewed as fundamental for a family to have a maid and when is it considered only as a show-off?

Also, having a maid means allowing a stranger to live in your house. As much as you have researched the maid experience and asked the agency you brought her from, it is different when you have her around the house all the time. The trust you put in her, particularly in leaving your children with her while you're not around, is something relatively few individuals can do. It might require some time or even quite a while before you can, at last, get the stress off your brain over allowing the maid to sit alone in the house with the kids.

Each family has distinctive requirements, different needs, and individual schedules. Before choosing to have a housekeeper or not, many things are to be considered. We should take into account the pros and cons of having a maid in the house. We ask ourselves the following question: Do I truly need a maid?

Maybe one of the most striking disadvantages of having a maid is that there is no true sense of privacy for your family anymore. Even if your maid is not included in the family time, to have an outsider in the house while you are having the most private moments with the ones you love can be a little bit awkward.

First of all, having a maid in the house would give us more time with family. This is maybe one of the greatest favorable circumstances of having a maid. After spending a tiring day at work and planning supper when returning home, it is nice to know that there is somebody who is going to clean the dishes and tidy up the place while you invest some quality energy with your family in the living room. Having somebody to do the housework for you implies you have extra free time, and this time can be spent with your family whom you have not seen the entire day, or you can spend this time on yourself. You are able to do the things you want and like. For example, you can go out with your spouse, or go to the hairdresser without the worry that your children are being left alone.

What really gets on a mother’s nerves is when she feels that her kids become more attached to the maid than to her. This is not surprising as the maid will spend more time with the kids while the mother is away.

Moreover, it is nowadays so expensive to hire a maid. There are costs like documentations, immigrations, licenses and processing fees and later the monthly salary that needs to be paid to the maid when your application is approved. This doesn’t include any medical bills or personal items that your maid is going to need. There are many expenses that need to be considered when it comes to having a maid.

Sometimes, when the maid is familiar with your schedule and timing, she can allow people to enter to your house when Second, having a maid in the house means you can keep your you are away, or she can steal valuable items as she knows their children with her in the house, especially on rainy days, instead place, and also a clumsy maid can most of the time break things of driving them to kindergartens or hiring a babysitter when you you have been protecting and caring your entire life. have work or you need to go to the market. Children will stay warm in the house, and you won’t need to worry about them getOne more important disadvantage of having a maid in the ting sick or catching diseases from other kids in the nursery. house is that she can become a lover, a replacement to the wife which may lead to divorce and family problems. What is worse, Third, a maid will give a hand with almost anything around the is that she can come to work in your place while leaving her lohouse. While certain people count on maids in everything, some ver in her home country, thinking about him all the time and others still prefer to cook and do some of the housework them- being distracted from the instructions you give her will cause selves. In this case, you're ready to accomplish more at a fraction you stress and make your life more difficult. of the time as you can divide the house chores amongst you and the maid.

Finally, there is no right or wrong when it comes to having a maid, as long as you are able to afford one for a good, strong reaMoreover, a maid can keep the house clean on a regular basis as son. It is a good idea to make a list of all the pros and cons and she can do the cleaning every day, and you do not need to worry think if your family really needs a maid or are you still able to get about people coming over without previous notice. through things without one?

A CHIDIAC

Father's Day History

Y7 STAFF Father's Day falls onSunday, June 18, 2017 in the UK, as well as a host of other countries around the world.

Why do we celebrate Father's Day? The idea originated in the USA and has been officially celebrated there on the third Sunday in June since 1966.

She put forward the idea following a mine explosion in a nearby town which killed more than 360 men – arguing that children in the town needed a time to remember their fathers.

The exact origins of what we now know as Father’s Day are Mrs Clayton may have been inspired by Anna Jarvis' work to disputed, though we do know the movement for a day which establish Mother's Day; two months prior. celebrated fatherhood began roughly 100 years ago.

Now, the day exists simply to remind everyone that dads are great.

Many believe that Sonora Dodd, from Washington, came up with the idea after hearing a Mother’s Day sermon in 1910 and wondering, not unreasonably, why fathers did not have their own day too.

Dodd and her siblings had been raised by their father as a single parent after their mother died in childbirth.

With the local YMCA and the Ministerial Association of Spokane, a city near where she was born, Dodd began a campaign to have the day officially recognised.

The first such “Father’s Day” was held in Spokane in 1910, with a number of towns and cities across America later following suit.

Others say it is Grace Golden Clayton, from Fairmont, West Virginia, who should be credited with the concept of Father’s Day, after she suggested a day celebrating fatherhood in 1908.

A NATIONAL HOLIDAY? While American presidents unofficially supported the day, it was not until 1966 that it was put on the country’s official calendar by President Lyndon Johnson.

In 1972 it was made a permanent national holiday by President Richard Nixon, though in the UK it does not enjoy this status. Which, of course, is a scandalous oversight.

The move came after a campaign by a number of public figures, including Senator Margaret Chase Smith, who in 1957 wrote to congress: “Either we honour both our parents, mother and father, or let us desist from honouring either one.

Eighty-eight per cent of parents surveyed felt that the role of fathers had changed dramatically over the last generation, with a man's career increasingly seen as being of secondary importance to his family.

“But to single out just one of our two parents and All the more reason to spoil the old geezer rotten. omit the other is the most grievous insult imaginable.”

How is Father's Day celebrated around the world?

While in the UK fathers can expect, at best, breakfast in bed and handmade card and, at worst, the day to be completely ignored, elsewhere the festival is done a little differently.

In Germany it is called Vatertag (Father’s Day) but is also sometimes known as Männertag (or men’s day).

In certain regions it is traditional for groups of men to go into the woods with a wagon of beer, wines and meats. Heavy drinking is common and, according to official statistics, traffic-related accidents spike on this day.

In China, Father’s Day used to be celebrated on 8 August as the Chinese for eight is “ba”, while a colloquial word for father is “ba-ba” – so the eighth day of the eighth month sounds similar to “daddy”.

The day has since been moved to the third Sunday of June, in line with the UK and US. Is there a stepfather's day?

No, but many people believe there should be, including Neil Lyndon, who wrote this piece about it.

Are dads more hands-on than they used to be?

According to a recent Netmums survey published this week, the most important job for dads is "to be a role model and show how a good man acts for both boys and girls".ver roller coaster ride 04:22

19

An Actor...A Human Dr. Laurence Ajaka George Kabbaz is a name synonymous with theatrical genius in Lebanon and the Arab World.

His abstractive yet profound delivery on stage has made him a favorite for audiences that crave his unique blend of humor and depth.

Kabbaz was born in Batroun in 1976 to a family he describes as being democratic; Georges and his sibling were given a large margin of freedom to express themselves without stifling inhibitions.

Both his parents were actors and Georges was named after his father. Kabbaz jokes that his father was probably too lazy to come up with a new name. His mother and father had a fairytale romance whose chapters lasted seven years on the stage where they acted together. In the year preceding their nuptials, they both acted in a play adapted after Mar Takla with his mother playing the role of Takla and his father the Roman soldier who was in love with her. Georges was the first born and his siblings Lara, Nicholas, and Laura.

Georges followed his father’s footsteps to become an actor; his sister Lara is pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Behavior; Nicholas obtained his Ph.D. in cinema and Laura studied graphic design but she now acts with Georges.

Kabbaz reminisces about being brought up in an artistic family where both his parents were actors and members of his mother’s side were musicians.

Although he didn’t appreciate the fact when he was growing up, he has come to be deeply grateful for his artistic upbringing. His conviction in life is that art and sports are the means for elevating the human from the mundane to the special. He quotes the famous Raymond Jbara when he said: “Teach the child how to draw a bird and the adult will not dare shoot it”. If something as simple as a sketch can do that to a soul, then what about the theater that draws vivid portrays of the human essence?

Georges believes that theater was a stepping stone for him to assimilate the human spirit. It has helped him bypass many hurdles and trails others have had to go through to learn about life.

He feels as if he has garnered the experience of a seasoned eighty years old instead of his humble forty. Already he feels the time remaining is too short to realize the million and one ideas struggling to be birthed.

Kabbaz credits his early start in theater at the age of four to having parents who are actors. Even at that green age, he was aware of the joy to be had from making people happy and bringing a veneer of peace to their lives. As he matured, he realized that entertainment is not the only gift theater has to offer; it can be the bringer of intellectual stimulation and emotional serenity.

He still strives to balance all three in every one of his works; no one should feel bored while watching, the

audience needs to be intellectually engaged and they should also explore the emotional perspectives of the human experience being portrayed. He believes that the theater chooses him, same as any artist. Real art chooses those they want to gift with the talent to touch others through any medium of art. Kabbaz believes that theater is the means of expressing and living the purpose of his life. He wants to inspire young people, many who regard him as an idol, and he regards their devotion as a privilege and burden he is more than willing to uphold. He thinks theater is one of the last interactive domains left in a world ruled by social media and superficiality.

Theater brings people from all walks of life to witness a spectacle of humanity, each one resonating with a personal experience they see on stage. He quotes the great author Moliere who said that he was the one who laughed the most at the play “The Miser” because he recognized the character being played as a resonate of himself, something that gave him peace and self-reconciliation. Kabbaz stresses on the need for proper human communication in our society. He recalls watching a Shakespearean play called “King Lear” in London last September in “Globe Theater” where Shakespeare held his own plays. He saw more than fifty students in proper era customs in the audience, and when he asked their accompanying teacher, she informed him that watching this play is part of the curriculum. He was taken away that despite all the technological breakthroughs, these students are still being exposed to the human experience of the theater.

With regards his lengthy career, it was full of hardships and hurdles. Kabbaz started at home then school then studied musicology at the University.

He, later on, got his masters in theatrical musicology which cemented the type of theater he wants to offer. He also performed numerous classic plays during his college years. When he wanted to work, he found out that there are two categories of plays: the elitist theater watched by few and the commercial theater based on sexual and political gratification.

He found his calling in the middle in what he called the popular theater. He bases his success on this mix of the common and unique, the simple and the complex, simplicity, and philosophy. He decided to create an identity for Lebanon made up of the multiple facets of our society. On a side note, he worked in the Children’s Theater with Gisele Hashem Zard and took on low profile television roles during his university years. He continued in television after graduation and eventually wrote the script to the popular Lebanese sitcom “Abdo & Abdo”. He delved into the elements that make up two distinct perso-

popular Lebanese sitcom “Abdo & Abdo”. He delved into the elements that make up two distinct personalities and created funny situations. The series was supposed to run for fifteen episodes but ended up running for fifty due to its great success.

After leaving television, he went on to create his blend in the theater that has gone on for thirteen years. This success allowed him to be more selective in his television and cinema roles. One of his most cherished roles was in the cinematic movie “Ghadi” that talked about how a local community is rejecting a boy with Down’s syndrome. Being as he has lived this rejection from others, this role remains close to his own experience. Kabbaz views people in three categories; the one who has gone through an experience, people with an intellect to understand an experience, and a humanitarian artist that hasn’t lived it nor studied it, but is able to portray it. That is the real definition of an artist in his opinion. He believes that the common pains are the most important such as our rejection of others for shape, religion or origin. He questions why we live in a society that is so adamant on creating a cocoon around ourselves.

On a personal note, Kabbaz describes himself as a passionate, sensitive, easily excited and professional to a meticulous degree. He processes everything so quickly that others are often left lagging behind, something that annoys him and frustrates others.

His humanity remains his focal point that governs all his actions; it’s the source and reason. He refuses to let go because it would be akin to losing himself.

He still enjoys a warm family bosom and the understanding of a very patient girlfriend. He doesn’t have any plans for marrying because he believes that even if he succumbs, marries and had kids, he would still be questioned about what’s next. He loves children,

but he doesn’t believe in the importance of having a genetic progeny. He is wary of family life because his talent might not make him a loving father or it could lure him away from his theater because he wants to invest more in his family. It depends on the partner because she is who would boost him forward or drag him down, but love cannot be trusted to choose for anyone. He believes that any child must be born out of a passion for being special, and he uses his own parent’s marriage that created four extremely talented children. Kabbaz doesn’t rule out having a family in the future, but it’s not a focal point of concern for him. He might even berate himself one day for taking so long to have children, but he also believes that the more mature he becomes, the more deserving of having said children will he be.

With regards to his personal faith, he believes in the ultimate power of God, but he does not stand on semantics. He questions how he can create a play without he himself having already been written by the greatest creator of them all. All art is a proof that God exists. Love is proof that God exists and He is the source of all that is beautiful. All you have to do is close your eyes and purify your intent, and God will be waiting for you with open arms. The love you will feel will radiate from you and shine through all your words and actions. This positivity will infect all those around. He equally sees those who reject God as a testament to our struggle between the earthly body and the ethereal soul; the body anchoring the soul to this earth when all the soul wants to do is to go to a higher place. Faith is either absolute or it is faulty and hallow.

George Kabbaz is from the very few lucky enough to have created his own unique character in the time of conformity and consumerism. His ingenuity is the solace of millions in a career that promises more innovation to come.

Are you are a world traveler, wanting to visit an exotic country while being a tourist at the same time?

Have you always wished to travel to the Arabian Peninsula?

Are you thinking about sandy beaches, blue water, and palm trees?

Do you want to indulge yourself in gourmet food and shopping, clear skies and a little rain?

Then Dubai is your place.

Dubai is one of the seven United Arab Emirates on the Persian Gulf. It is located between Saudi Arabia and Oman and considered as a very rich nation in the UAE. In fact, it is one of the richest nations in the world, due to its vast oil resources. Many of the residents in Dubai don't even have to work to support their luxury lifestyles. Supported by oil profits, they are free to shop and play all day.

Dubai is the sports capital of the region, hosting world-class, tennis, horse racing, camel racing, boating, sailing, and rugby. You simply cannot travel to Dubai and not experience indoor snow skiing at the Mall of Emirates. This shopping center includes a "mountain" over three football fields.

a V t x e N r Dubai...You

CARLA AL-HADDAD

! n o i t a n i t s acation De One of the most fun activities to do in Dubai is shopping. Tourist guides recommend visiting the famous Gold Souk district in Dubai where 18 to 22 karat gold jewelry items are featured. In fact, Dubai has taxfree shopping. With an open port, the city has opportunities to purchase high-end goods for a fraction of the cost you might otherwise pay where you live.

In addition to sports and shopping, you will want to visit the Burj Khalifa, currently the tallest building in the world: over 800 meters tall, 160 floors, 57 elevators and 8 escalators and more than 26,000 glass panels.

Dubai is the perfect vacation destination, especially during winter because the average temperature is 75 degrees F in January and February.

Even though the nation is known for its Islamic traditions, it showcases an international lifestyle. People from all over the globe wish own property in Dubai. As a result, it became one of the top real estate hubs of the world.

If you are considering a trip to Dubai and planning on a luxury vacation, there are plenty of hotels and restaurants for you

to try. You may want to plan a "tour" of the amazing hotel lobbies throughout the country, just to see what the buzz is all about.

Hotels include the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, which sits on white sandy beaches and is as family-friendly as it is luxurious.

Do you love Disneyland?

Then check out the Madinat Jumeirah, a self-contained resort comprised of a number of villas, restaurants, shopping and a water park, through which a waterway winds. You have the option of traveling on water taxis or golf carts to reach all ends of the 2-mile long property.

Dubai is becoming more and more popular among the rich and famous... as well as ordinary travelers that want to experience all that this nation has to offer. Starlets and stars are buying islands and other properties that have yet to be constructed. The flow of money, fueled largely by oil, shows no end in sight.

In the end, whether you're looking for an exotic honeymoon location, a shopping area, or simply to bathe in the lap of luxury for a few weeks, consider visiting Dubai.

Maria Montessori Carla Al-Haddad

Maria Montessori developed a theory that changed the whole concept of education and continued to thrive more than a century after she opened her first school.

Perhaps your children attend a Montessori school or maybe you homeschool with inspiration from her method. Noticing how children were challenged by the expectation to behave as adults in a world created for grown-ups, this amazing woman is responsible for, among other things, the revolutionary introduction of child-size furniture.

Maria Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, Italy in 1870.

Her mother encouraged her to continue her education and became the first woman to receive a medical degree from the University of Rome in 1896.

She developed her teaching methods while working as a pediatrician in a psychiatric hospital for "deficient" children. She began creating educational equipment for children who were considered unteachable. The results were surprisingly amazing.

Montessori used the term "scientific pedagogy" to explain her continued study, research, and observations of young children. She designed lessons and equipment to help children develop their muscles, care for the environment (Practical Life), and educate the senses (Sensorial Materials). She also created innovative materials for different disciplines such as language, math, history, geography, and science. Teachers till today use these didactic to help children learn skills from the simple to the complicated, and from the concrete to the abstract.

Dr. Montessori created a school for "normal" children: that's when she opened Casa del Bambini (Children's House) in the San Lorenzo district in Rome in 1907. As a result of her teachings, the children dramatically changed.

They learned to take care of themselves as well as their school while being exposed to lessons and tools that taught them how to succeed in life.

After many careful observations, she developed theories on how children learn best. She gave her students freedom within a carefully prepared environment equipped with what they needed to grow and learn. What mattered to her the most was cultivating a respectful attitude toward the child She used to give lectures about her discoveries. Since then many schools opened in Italy and she held her first training course for teachers in 1909. During that year her first book, The Montessori Method, was published.

By 1911, the Montessori system of education had spread around the world - to the United States, Argentina, England, Switzerland, Mexico, and Korea, to name a few.

During her trip to the United States in 1915, Dr. Montessori's "glass classroom" allowed attendees at the PanamaPacific International Exposition in San Francisco to see children at work. During this visit, she also trained teachers and addressed the National Educational Association (NEA).

Montessori continued to teach courses throughout Europe and expand her influence over the next 20 years. As political situations changed before and during World War II, she moved from Italy to Spain, then to the Netherlands.

While giving a three-month course in India in the summer of 1939, Italy entered the war with Germany as an ally.

Montessori and her son were held in India by the English as "alien enemies" until the war was over. Fortunately, she was allowed to continue her work in India, training those who came from around the world to learn her educational system.

In 1946, Montessori moved back to Amsterdam, which enabled her to help re-establish her schools throughout Europe. She expanded her theories to include adolescents and infants, stressing that children are the future and our hope for peace.

Having lived through two world wars, Montessori continued to lecture and write about the importance of education in promoting peace. With interest and support from Gandhi, Freud, Edison, Graham Bell, among others, she was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times. She continued to lecture and give training courses until her death in 1952.

One of the Montessori famous quotes: "The highest honor and the deepest gratitude you can pay me are to turn your attention from me in the direction in which I am pointing - to The Child."

Ask For a Raise Withou Carla Al-Haddad Are you stuck with the same salary for a while now?

Do you think that you should be awarded for your work?

Is your boss not appreciating your hard work?

Well, let me tell you, my friend that it is about time to ask for a raise.

How may you do it?

It is indeed quite difficult to have the courage to approach your manager and ask for a raise. Experts assume that there are many ways that can help you accomplish the task without being rejected.

Gathering evidence and preparing yourself is highly important. After many experiences and researches on the field, experts have discovered that every employee who is seeking a raise should gather evidence before making his request. Gathering facts about your own unique contributions such as money-saving efficiencies implemented results from a project you’ve just overseen, positive customer testimonials and praises. Your boss may not be aware of all of your accomplishments over the past year. Therefore, you should gather as many information and proof as possible about your work.

You should also take into consideration to make your raise request at the right time.

Most people make their pitch at review time. But if your boss is overwhelmed by the pressure of completing everyone’s evaluations, he may be less inclined to grant your request. In fact, it is highly recommended to ask for a raise just before taking on new responsibilities or right after successfully completing a project. If your boss still doesn’t seem receptive, suggest revisiting the issue in a few months.

It is also very important to stay confident and well prepared before asking for a raise from your boss. In that matter, experts propose exercising out loud what you are going to say before saying it in front of a friend that you trust or in front of a family member. You may also write down, record it and then replay your recordings.

That way, you will be able to correct and improve your arguments.

Always strive for a tone of mutual respect or according to experts, the ‘Three C’s: calm, conversational, and establishing collaboration. Also avoid making statements

in the form of questions such as: “Would you agree I’m due for a raise?” or qualify them “I believe that my work has been very good…” Instead, be direct and confident.

You may also pitch your raise as not only a recognition of your past achievements but also as an acknowledgment that you are a dedicated team player committed to growing with the company. Lay out your contributions, and then quickly pivot to what you hope to do next. Assure your boss that you understand his pressures and goals and that you are capable of helping him in that matter.

If your request is declined, always have a Plan B. If your boss’s answer is still a no, ask what it will take to shift the answer into a yes. Ask what tasks you can take on, what changes you can make in your job that would lead to that raise. With this attitude, you will prove that you are committed to growing within the company.

In the end, asking for raise is a difficult matter to handle; therefore, he who wants to do such a task should be well prepared in advance and confident enough to be able to face his boss with all of the facts.

ut Rejection

Fasting Ritual and Christian

We always hear that Ramadan is the "Great Fast/ the lent" for Muslims. But practice varies even though the principle seems very close. With the beginning of Ramadan, we offer you points of similarities and differences between the two religions: Islam and Christianity.

To begin with, the “Great Fast” or what we call “Lent" means Carême derived from the Latin Quadragesima which means forty (the day forty). The number 40 is a symbolic number frequently repeated in the Bible.

The Israelites walked forty years in the desert after leaving Egypt; Jesus spent forty days in the desert, where Satan tested him.

Lent is a transit to the desert, a return to the self, a heart-to-heart dialogue with God, in order to purify the soul, change the inner and better life, by charity, prayer, and fasting. In the Christian tradition, the time of the Lent is a preparation for Easter, a period of fasting and austerity, in order to prepare for a new life in the light of the resurrected Christ. The Church mentions three possible ways: According to ancient tradition, there are three main ways to apply the principle of divine repentance: prayer, fasting, and charity, although the Church has always recommended refraining from eating meat”.

Since the Protestant Reformation, Lent practices became gradually more flexible and changed from social and collective path to individual path. In addition, in his Apostolic Constitution Poenitemini of 1966, Paul VI reorganized the practice of Catholicism for fasting and austerity. The Ash Wednesday (the entrance to the Lent) and the Great Friday (the Week of the Passion of Christ) became obligatory days.

As for Ramadan, it means the ninth month of the lunar calendar shorter than the solar calendar by ten days. During the month of Ramadan, the group of Muslims fasts from the rise of the sun until sunset.

Fasting in Ramadan is the fourth pillar of Islam according to the second Sura of the Koran from verse 183 to verse 187. The other pillars are prayer, Zukat (charity), worship of Allah and faith in the Day of Re-

surrection.

In Islam, fasting is mainly about food, but it also includes abstinence from sex to keep purity before God. However, at night, Muslims can break their fast by eating meals that are often ceremonial. During this period, believers are also called to pray and read the Koran in depth.

Mohammed Al-Sammak, Secretary-General of the National Commission for Muslim-Christian Dialogue in Lebanon and a member of the World Council of Religions for Peace, clarified that The Qur'anic verse that speaks of fasting as a duty in Islam states that God imposed fasting on believers even before Islam: As He wrote to those before you. "For this reason, fasting is regarded as one of the symbols of the unity of the Jewish people, Christians, and Muslims in believing in one God." Finally, one principle applies to fasting for Christians and Muslims: to refrain from responding to physical desires and pleasures over a specific period of selfhumiliation and to urge them to devote themselves fully to the worship of God. It is one principle but its application is different. Ramadan is an opportunity to send a message of peace to the Muslims around us and to respond to Pope Francis' call to all Christians to build bridges.

Ramadan Karim to all our Muslim friends

ls: Muslims ns Dr. Randa Saliba Chidiac

Stay Hydrated When the temperatures rise, getting enough to drink is important whether you’re playing sports, traveling or just sitting in the sun.

And it’s critical for your heart health.

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Keeping the body hydrated helps the heart more easily pump blood through the blood vessels to the muscles. And, it helps the muscles work efficiently.

“If you’re well hydrated, your heart doesn’t have to work as hard,” said John Batson, M.D, a sports medicine physician with Lowcountry Spine & Sport in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and an American Heart Association volunteer.

Dehydration can be a serious condition that can lead to problems ranging from swollen feet or a headache to life-threatening illnesses such as heat stroke.

How much water do you need?

What does being well hydrated mean? The amount of water a person needs depends on climatic conditions, clothing worn and exercise intensity and duration, Batson said.

A person who perspires heavily will need to drink more than someone who doesn’t. Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, may also mean you need to drink more water. People with cystic fibrosis have high concentrations of sodium in their sweat and also need to use caution to avoid dehydration. And some medications can act as diuretics, causing the body to lose more fluid.

Thirst isn’t the best indicator that you need to drink. “If you get thirsty, you’re already dehydrated,” Batson said.

Batson said the easiest thing to do is pay attention to the color of your urine. Pale and clear means you’re well hydrated. If it’s dark, drink more fluids.

If you want to know exactly how much fluid you need, Batson recommends weighing yourself before and after exercise, to see how much you’ve lost through perspiration. It’s a particular good guide for athletes training in the hot summer months.

“For every pound of sweat you lose, that’s a pint of water you’ll need to replenish,” Batson said, adding that it’s not unusual for a high school football player, wearing pads and running through drills, to lose 5 pounds or

more of sweat during a summer practice.

Not sweating during vigorous physical activity can be a red flag that you’re dehydrated to the point of developing heat exhaustion.

Water is best.

For most people, water is the best thing to drink to stay hydrated. Sources of water also include foods, such fruits and vegetables which contain a high percentage of water. Sports drinks with electrolytes, may be useful for people doing high intensity, vigorous exercise in very hot weather, though they tend to be high in added sugars and calories.

“It’s healthier to drink water while you’re exercising, and then when you’re done, eat a healthy snack like orange slices, bananas or a small handful of unsalted nuts ,” Batson said.

He cautioned against fruit juices or sugary drinks, such as soda. “They can be hard on your stomach if you’re dehydrated,” he said.

It’s also best to avoid drinks containing caffeine, which acts as a diuretic and causes you to lose more fluids.

Batson says drinking water before you exercise or go out into the sun is an important first step.

“Drinking water before is much more important,” he said. “Otherwise, you’re playing catch-up and your heart is straining.”

Not just for athletes or exercise.

Hydration isn’t just important during physical activity. Sitting in the sun on a hot or humid day, even if you aren’t exercising, can also cause your body to need more fluids.

People who have a heart condition, are older than 50 or overweight may also have to take extra precautions.

It’s also a good thing to keep tabs on your hydration if you’re traveling.

“You might sweat differently if you’re in a different climate,” Batson said.

Some foods can make your blood sugar shoot up very fast. That's because carbohydrates like refined sugars and bread are easier for your body to change into glucose, the sugar your body uses for energy, than more slowly digested carbs like those in vegetables and whole grains.

Eat a lot of those easy carbohydrates and you'll have a hard time controlling your blood sugar, even with insulin and diabetes medications.

The glycemic index gives you a way to tell slower-acting "good carbs" from the faster "bad carbs." You can use it to fine-tune your carb-counting and help keep your blood sugar more steady.

What Is the Glycemic Index?

Glycemic index is a number. It gives you an idea about how fast your body converts the carbs in a food into glucose. Two foods with the same amount of carbohydrates can have different glycemic index numbers.

The smaller the number, the less impact the food has on your blood sugar.

• • •

55 or less = Low (good) 56- 69 = Medium 70 or higher = High (bad)

Look for the glycemic index on the labels of packaged foods. You can also find glycemic index lists for common foods on the Internet. Harvard University has one with more than 100. Or ask your dietitian or nutrition counselor.

Foods that are close to how they're found in nature tend to have a lower glycemic index than refined and processed foods.

Glycemic Index Can Change That number is a starting point on paper. It could be different on your plate, depending on several things.

Preparation. Fat, fiber, and acid (such as lemon juice or vinegar) lower the glycemic index. The longer you cook starches like pasta, the higher their glycemic index will be.

Ripeness. The glycemic index of fruits like bananas goes up as they ripen.

Other foods eaten at the same time. Bring down the overall glycemic index of a meal by combining a highglycemic index food with foods that have lower ones.

Your age, how active you are, and how fast you digest food also affect how your body reacts to carbs. If you have a diabetes complication called gastroparesis, which delays your stomach from emptying, your body will absorb food much more slowly.

The Glycem

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mic Index

The Bigger Picture: Glycemic Load and a Good Diet The glycemic index shouldn't be the only thing you consider when making choices about what to eat.

The fact a food has a low glycemic index doesn't mean it's super-healthy, or that you should eat a lot of it. Calories, vitamins, and minerals are still important.

For example, potato chips have a lower glycemic index than oatmeal and about the same as green peas. But oatmeal and green peas have more nutrients.

Portion sizes matter, too. The more of whatever kind of carbs you eat, the more they'll affect your blood sugar. That's what the glycemic load tells you. It's a number you may see along with the glycemic index in lists. Think of it as the glycemic index for a specific amount of that food.

Glycemic load helps you account for both the quantity and the quality of your carbs at the same time.

Less than 10 is low; more than 20 is high.

For a diet with a lower glycemic load, eat: • More whole grains, nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables without starch, and other foods with a low glycemic index • Fewer foods with a high glycemic index, like potatoes, white rice, and white bread • Less of sugary foods, including candy, cookies, cakes, and sweet drinks You can still eat foods with a high glycemic index.

Just enjoy them in smaller portions, and offset them with nutritious, low-glycemic index foods when you do.

When Frien

“When we can no longer change a situation, we must change ourselves.” ~Victor Frankl

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nds Grow Apart There are a million reasons why a friendship may change over time. You grow older, relocate for a job, have a fight, or start having kids.

It is an inevitable fact that life takes people in new directions; growing apart from old friends becomes a part of our lives.

But, somehow I thought that I was immune, that this was someone else’s story.

My friends would be there with me forever.

We celebrated every single New Year’s together. We survived college, break-ups—you name it. Our bond was unbreakable, and we had loads of photo albums to prove it.

But after all these years I found myself feeling disconnected, and discovering that my best girlfriends did not really know me at all.

As we made summer plans and played catch up during our routine get-togethers, I had run out of things to share. I was irritated by the same old conversations. I felt like we couldn’t relate.

A few years earlier, I relocated for a job in a city away from home and found a new rhythm for myself. With a fresh interest in yoga and spiritual practice, I was the best version of myself, but I spent my time on hobbies and in places that were unfamiliar for them. Our passions were no longer the same.

week at work, I turned to my yoga practice for some much needed clarity.

During the class my instructor repeated a phrase she had said often, but it hit me with a deep profoundness, providing me with a completely new perspective on my situation.

“Take what you need, give what you can, and forgive the rest.”

For the first time in six months, I realized that our friendship was not over. I didn’t have to feel a loss at all.

I loved my friends and all we had shared. I could take something from those memories, and forgive the natural ebbs and flows of life that had moved us apart. Foremost, I could forgive myself.

There was a new view that I could adopt in order to make sense of the changes and loss I experienced in seeing my old friendships fade.

I realized that there were three basic understandings that could guide me toward acceptance and happiness for all my relationships.

1. Take what people have to offer, and forgive the rest.

Sometimes we expect individuals to be all things to us at once or know exactly how we feel. Each of us faces challenges, all of which are not apparent, even to the best of friends.

I learned to see each friendship for the unique quality it offered me. Some friends were great for deep conversations, some were great for a night on the town, and others offered I waited it out for a while. “Maybe it’s just me,” I thought. I a funny banter. needed to try harder, call more often, and be more available. My situation taught me to value what people had to give, even when it wasn’t all encompassing, and seek out anything else It was on a vacation to the Grand Canyon that I knew I wouldn’t I needed in other places. We have to forgive one another and shake this feeling. Amidst the giant open landscapes in front seek fullness from within. of me, I felt a deep loneliness and sense of obligation about these important relationships.

2. Give only what you can.

If a friendship starts to feel like an obligation, or if you feel My best girlfriends, the ones who had known me deeply and guilt, you may be trying to give too much. We all need to longer than anyone else, couldn’t relate to me anymore. Our be realistic about the ways we can engage with others, and lives were too different. We had grown apart and I felt incre- remember that friendships are best when they’re mutually dibly sad. beneficial.

It was hard for me to accept that we might move forward, planning our weddings and living our lives without the bond You have amazing things to give, and your best friends should we had as teenagers. It kept me up at night with anxiety, and I want what you are able to share, and not expect more. did not want to let go so easily. I found it difficult to understand how I had let this happen to my friendships.

3. Keep the memories close.

The good times you shared with a friend don’t have to fade if This was not our first road bump. Of course, there had been your connection does. Think of your friend often, laugh about fights and disagreements along the way, but we’d always old times, and share great stories. hugged, made up, and moved on. I worked hard to find a solution. I contemplated talking it out over wine or writing long Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting all of the meaningful ways letters. you and your friend connected in the past. You can continue to love your friend and experience your friendship long I found it hard to move on for months. I thought about my old beyond the times of late night phone calls and regular getfriendships with a great sense of loss, and spent a lot of time togethers. consulting family and friends. I could not just forget about all we had shared for the decades before, could I? This new perspective offered me a whole new way of looking at all my relationships. I discovered that I could find a deeper fullness and quality in others by putting things into this view.

People come into our lives for particular reasons, and things My mind was heavy with anxiety. One evening after a busy are likely to change.

Ramadan Kareem!