FEBRUARY 2012
know more on page 12
THE DREAM PLAYERS KICKS OFF! + PLUS
GHADA MAAMOUN CARICATURIST page 15
2012 | february issue
www.tempoplanet.com
welcome
My husband and I were invited for dinner at an Australian friend’s house recently. All her other guests were from Western countries. The discussion invariably veered to a comparison of social gatherings between Arabs and Westerners. A few of those present said they wished they had an opportunity to get to know Emirati families more intimately, and spoke about how it appeared that Arabs seem to be insular and prefer to stick to their own. I told them that as an Arab-American I often heard the very same comments from Arabs about Westerners, and how this was an egregious misconception. Imagine, straddling two civilisations and hearing the very same stereotypical comments from two peoples about each other! I explained to the group at my Australian friend’s home that Emiratis, and other Arabs, are genuinely interested in establishing friendships with people from other lands... and that they would do this with warmth, kindness, and sincerity, and usually within the parameters of their traditions.
editor’s letter
I find it fascinating to see how much all humans, regardless of their nationalities, are so similar deep down, and how far we are often tragically divided by the most mundane of things. Talk to each other, listen well, and be kind .
Sana Bagersh
contents:
04 > letters to the editor 05 > uspace 06 > what’s hot 07 > the bottom bottom line 08 > campus view / game hedz 09 > tempo’s top 10 songs / on my ipod 10 > my style blueprint 12 > the dream players 14 > city bites 15 > the face of the artist 16 > people calendar 18 > youth talk 19 > time capsule 20 > valentine stories 23 > emirati bride 24 > articulate / mum unlimited 25 > just handcrafted 26 > media 27 > intelligent business 28 > mini minx / just a thought
Managing Editor bagersh@tempoplanet.com
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ADDRESS To reach editorial at Abu Dhabi Tempo email: editorial@tempoplanet.com. If you need to find out where you can pick up your copy call: 02 491 8624/25 or check out the list of Tempo distribution points on our website. NOTE TO ADVERTISERS Advertisers can request brand tagging with all advertisements. To reach advertising call: 02 491 8624/25, fax: 02 491 8626 email: advertising@tempoplanet.com
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Cover story: The Dream Players have arrived! In case you haven’t caught the bug yet, the Dream Players is a community driven talent event and show aimed at promoting talent in the community and giving aspiring performers and artists a platform to showcase their talent.
MANAGING EDITOR Sana Bagersh FEATURES EDITOR Alma Kadragic EDITORIAL COORDINATOR Sharon Carvalho MARKETING COORDINATOR Manjul Abhishek Laskar Laipubam
PUBLISHED BY:
MAGAZINE DESIGN Mark De Castro DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Melaku Muluneh
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Angeli Castillo Neena Rai Jan D’Sa Ian Mason Manar Al Hinai Sarah Widdup Ahmed Samir Justin Thomas Rohith Bhat Noura Abdullah Al Noaimi
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letters to the editor Dear Tempo,
I’m one of those people who make resolutions every single year, but never keep them. I love your “Resolution Keeper” idea. I’m telling all my friends about it.
Hey Tempo, a unique art event in AD! “Bridging the Gap 2012” with Emirati artists Khawla Marri held at L’Atelier Des Arts with DIOGIA Studio - Anais A
Hi guys, really I love reading Tempo. Keep going guys! - @alsaadi999
- Annabelle
Hello Tempo,
I thought the story about the Filipino taxi driver was sweet. Keep it real, guys, we need these stories. - H. Hassan
Hi Tempo,
Thank you for supporting The Dream Players! We look forward to seeing you at our show!
Dear Ed, The Dream Players was a ridiculous amount of fun, seriously - I’m not just saying that – more, more, more please! Tempo and the entire community need to support getting the word out on DP. - Hana Makki
Thank you for focusing on film, Tempo. I don’t get that anywhere else. - Saira
Happy, happy day! Review out; open day Tempo offices with good finger food. Stuffing myself now - Azza El Masri
- The Dream Players team
RESULTS OF LAST MONTH’S U VOTE:
u vote
Tempo asked our online readers, If you were allowed to use only one of the following, which would it be? This is what you said:
QUESTION: If someone next to you in a movie theatre was talking on their phone. What would be the first thing you do: 1. Tell them to be quiet 2. Tell the cinema attendant to tell them to be quiet 3. Move to another seat
Dear Ed, January’s Tempo was wicked!!! Love the tempo! - Angus
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talking books > By Azza El Masri
u space
BOOK REVIEW: Mornings in Jenin
The Truth? You Can’t Handle the Truth
Author: Susan Abulhawa
By: Aditya Jain
While the world today sets foot on a new year, and new beginnings, Palestine still suffers the condemnation of a war that started in 1946, that robbed people of their rights, took away their homes, and brought with it destitution, misery, loss, and bloodshed. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict had long ago been discarded from the main headlines, but Susan Abulhawa pulls it right back, bringing along a new and long-awaited perspective through her novel Mornings in Jenin.
Can anyone explain the irrational zeal for honesty in this world? Why is it that society has an obsession with the truth? The truth must be uncovered, no room for deceit here...blah blah. From hearing stories about taxi drivers returning large sums of money found in their cabs to wellmeaning friends advising you to ‘just be yourself ’ when meeting new people, we are constantly encouraged to be honest with the world. Well what would happen if everyone went around carelessly blurting out the truth wherever they went? For one thing, unemployment would increase.
Born as a refugee herself, Abulhawa tells the story of the Abulheja family that led a simple life as farmers in the simple village of Ein Hod, and followed four generations of an established and reputable bloodline. The Abulhejas led a life filled with love –of God and of their land – until they were forced to leave their village in 1948 and flea to Jenin. They settled in a massive refugee camp teaming with people who faced similar circumstances, and grew closer to strangers through a shared allegiance to a lost land. Torn apart, only to find ways to fall in love and become reunited again, this family bore the deepest scars the injustices of war could inflict. They grew stronger through their resistance and perseverance. Mornings in Jenin is a heart-wrenching story about lost loves, stolen rights, painful historical events, but, perhaps most importantly, a story about the endurance of the Palestinian nation. Indeed the Abulhejas emerge as an analogy of every Palestinian whose daily life has been transformed into a struggle. This novel is absolutely not for the lighthearted: it will have you sobbing your heart out long after you’ve read the last sentence. Incredibly candid, Susan Abulhawa’s story will gnaw at your consciousness late at night and leave you wondering about what can be done to save an entire nation. Azz’a el Masri interviewed Susan Abulhawa. Here is an excerpt. Read the entire interview in www.tempoplanet.com What made you write this story?
{ Author: Susan Abulhawa }
“I had been writing political commentary while working as a biologist for a drug company. When the massacre in Jenin was happening, I decided to use my vacation time to go and see for myself. I didn›t know anyone there or what I was going to do when I arrived. I just knew I wanted to be there. I was one of the first international observers in the camp when Israel finally withdrew. What I witnessed was sheer horror. I had only ever read about things like this before. It was a life changing experience to see death so close and personal. To smell it everywhere…”
album review > By Kera Thompson SNOW PATROL- FALLING EMPIRES Snow Patrol’s latest album, Falling Empires dropped January 10 in the States and debuted at number five on the Billboard charts. The U.K. band strays a bit from their previous five albums, adding a bit of “synthi-groove” to their usually more subdued sound. I’ll Never Let Go, starts the album off right with a memorable U2-inspired anthem, but the album’s single, Called Out In The Dark, will have you singing along immediately. “We started writing songs that were more playful, even rawer than before - we were brave enough to do what we wanted as a band, rather than what convention dictated to us. It was tough at times, we were out of our comfort zone for most of it, but I think it›s given us a great album.” says singer Gary Lightbody. The result is something that is fresh and bold, yet still familiar.
Interviewer: “Relax and be yourself, we just want to get to know you and make sure you’re a good fit for this company.” Be yourself ? Really?? Well, imagine the horror if you saunter in wearing khaki shorts, fist bump the coffee boy (“hook me up with some karak chai, won’t you”) and start discussing whether Wiz Khalifa’s inspiration for his music happened to be bumblebees… Believe me, if you’re lucky you could get away without a shoe print on your shorts. No. Do not be ‘yourself ’ under any circumstances, especially as the next candidate will probably wear a smart suit, greet the interview panel with a firm handshake, make small talk about the weather, how he had no trouble finding the office, and get the job! Meetings would be fun, but again, you’d probably be fired. You: (out loud) Hmm…I can’t really read the presentation from here, I’ll just pretend like I’m listening. This room feels kind of hot. I think I’m getting a headache from that perfume she’s wearing. Why was Anil Kapoor such a moron in MI4? Co-star? No, barely a cameo, I say. I wonder if that constitutes false advertising… Your boss: Ahem…ahem…can I see you outside for a second? Of course, being in a relationship long enough to get married would be an impossibility. Honesty would spell out the end of humanity. You’re both at a restaurant, the waiter’s pouring out a glass of wine, and you decide to shove a foot in your mouth, by discussing her best friend. You: I think Amanda looked really amazing today. Her: (with accompanying head jerk) Really? You: I think it’s that dress she was wearing, I’ve always seen her in jeans, but she looked great tonight. Her: (gripping knife a little too hard; with a silvery laugh) Hmm…I guess I didn’t notice. Listen to me. Do not be honest. Honesty ruins friendships and relationships, and it generally makes daily life a little more complicated than it has to be. Politicians would never get elected if they were completely honest. No president in any country (ever!) has won an election with a campaign slogan like “You’ll all probably be poorer when I’m through”. Imagine the effect on international relations if our heads of state were more honest. “Pleasure to meet you, shame your face resembles a turnip”. We would be stuck in perpetual war with every single nation. So the next time someone asks you, “Can I be honest?” realize that it’s unlikely to be something you want to hear, and for the sake of the relationship, have the courage to just say “No”.
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what’s hot >
Gourmet Abu Dhabi
8th-23rd February | Various Locations in the Capital Abu Dhabi’s annual event for the refined foodie kicks off its fourth year on the 8th of February with a glittering gala opening. Gourmet events will be hosted at various venues across the capital, such as the new Hyatt Capital Gate, the ever-fabulous Emirates Palace, and the luxurious Shangri-La. This festival of food is a combination of innovative cuisine and local culture, with some of the best restaurants in Abu Dhabi hosting their own culinary events. International chefs are expected to pay homage to the region’s history, and add a sprinkling of modernity to classic dishes. As well as the opportunity to dine on a wide selection of gourmet food, there will also be master cooking classes. the final night of the gourmet calendar will see the Abu Dhabi Gourmet Stars awards dinner, which will recognize the most significant contributions to the industry.
Skywards Dubai International Jazz Festival 16-24 February | Dubai Festival City
Music lovers take note! Dubai Jazz Festival’s 10th anniversary promises to be one smooooth musical smorgasbord. You may want to double-mark your calendar because of some of the major international acts lining up to get you grooving to their tunes. The Jazz Festival has a new, grassy venue this year, near the Al Badia Golf club in Dubai Festival City. Big names such as James Blunt, James Morrison, Jason Mraz and Jools Holland (legend!) are among the scheduled acts, with a host of other musical offerings. There will be a total of 27 concerts to pick and choose from throughout the nine festival days, and two huge weekends of main gigs. Detailed information on the festival can be found at www.dubaijazzfest.com.
The Bride Show | 8-11 Feb | ADNEC Getting married? Know someone who is? Maybe you just love fashion and beauty? Whichever it is, you may find something feminine and sparkly to make you go ‘oooooooh!’ at this year’s Bride Show. With loads of major fashion and beauty brands exhibiting, this show has the bride-to-be’s wish list covered, and for the slightly nervous among us, will include marriage counselors on site to offer advice to ladies about to take the plunge. There’s even a day just for the girls, with the Friday of the show being declared a ladies only affair. If walking the exhibits tuckers you out, head to one of the fashion shows for a breather, and look out for entrants into the Abaya Design Awards – one not to miss. Fashion show times can be found on the event website (www.thebrideshow.com) so you can plan your day.
WWE Raw® World Tour
9-11 Feb | Zayed Sports City Right after all that fru-fru and vanilla softness, here’s one for the boys. It’s big, loud, and coming to Abu Dhabi. It’s the WWE Raw® World Tour, and it’s all spandex, fighting excitement, and will present big names such as John Cena® and Kane®, to battle it out in the ring (and probably outside it too) for your entertainment. There’s a live event each evening starting at 7pm, with doors opening at 5.30pm. Match cards, information and tickets can be found on Zayed Sports City’s website – www.zsc.ae.
Ripe Market
Every Fridays | Desert Garden Centre, Khalifa Park This is not strictly an event just for February, but hey, what better time to start perusing a market than when it’s not too hot! Fancy some lush organic produce? The “Ripe Market” famers market at Khalifa Park may just be the place to get locally grown and extra fresh produce, direct from the supplier. As well as all that organic goodness, organizers promise artisana focused activities to entertain the entire family. Local artists, crafts-people and cooks will come together to showcase everything from preserves, to baking and boutique food items, to toys, handmade stationery and fair trade crafts. The market runs from 9.30am to 1pm every Friday.
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Romeo and Juliet: Live it, feel it, love it Sky Events Management announces the return of the award-winning British theatre company Shakespeare 4 Kidz with their entertaining and critically acclaimed adaptation of “Romeo & Juliet”. “Romeo & Juliet” will run from Sunday 26th February until Friday 2nd March 2012 at the Jaheli Theatre in Armed Forces Officers Club & Hotel the main sponsor for the event with two shows during the day for schoolchildren, Tickets for this will go on sale at the BoxOfficeMe, Timeout, Virgin Megastore, TicketingCo and through the organizer’s website www.skyevent.ae. The show has already toured the UK and Middle East to much critical acclaim. The Times newspaper has hailed it as “The Number 1 Show for kids” and What’s On Stage advises ‘If your child gets the chance to see one of their productions, do not hesitate. It could be the start of a lifelong passion,’ as the show has made a strong impact on its young audiences everywhere. For more information about the show please visit www.skyevent.ae or call 0503376335.
Big Boys Toys
9-11 February | ATLANTIS, The Palm Got a hankering for some high-octane entertainment? Then you may be interested in Big Boys Toys! Held at the BIG venue that is Atlantis, this BIG show brings together all those manly pursuits, as well as few sensible lifestyle sections to balance out all that macho madness. Bit of a petrol head? Muscle cars, concept vehicles and motorsport are some of the vroom-vroom sights to behold, and even the off roaders get a look in, with dune buggies and quad bikes sizing up next to their road based brothers. Technology features large, with gadgets and gizmos aplenty, but if you’re a bit more rough and ready, the extreme sports action will do the trick in the Adventure Zone. There’s also a relaxation zone – complete with exercise, health and grooming, or fashion. This event runs from 9-11 February. More info at a. (Ladies, fake moustaches are optional; you don’t have to be a boy to go!)
• Borders is opening up in Abu Dhabi Mall, and there’s another branch that appears to be doing well in Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates. So how come Borders is closing down in the US and other countries, and sprouting up over here? There must be a story there somewhere. • A couple of quirky incidents with Mawaqif machines on the Corniche facing CBI Bank . Concierge was trying to print out tickets and noticed the writing on the machine screen was completely flipped. Maintenance time? • Do you sometimes meet someone so special that you wish you could clone more of them? The Concierge feels compelled to thank a wonderful government employee named Saif Ashour Mohamed Al Katheeri, an Emirati who works at the Ministry of Labour’s branch in Mussafah. Saif is what everyone who works with the public should be: exceptionally polite, sincerely helpful and totally empathic. And another huge plus: he treats people with humanity and kindness. Thank you Saif for making life easier for others. • The Concierge ordered a cup of hot chocolate from Dunkin Donuts recently and found out quickly that this is not a drink that you drink, but rather something that you scoop out in big globs and swallow. Concierge went back to DD and was told that the chain lives by their product pledge that “if you put a spoon in the hot chocolate at Dunkin Donuts it stays where it is.” This is not Concierge’s same definition of the drink, but we won’t say more for fear of sparking the ire of chocolate lovers who clearly eschew drinking their hot chocolate. • The capital says goodbye to the photo exhibit experiment at Manarat Al Sadiyat. It was fun while it lasted, and we still don’t know where to hang those huge posters. • The Bayti chain always appeared to be one of those organic brands that had its own sense of product range and style. Recently Concierge visited the “new and improved Bayti” and was disappointed. Guys, we say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But if it is a little broke, don’t go out and destroy it completely either. Which we segue to… • We still think Imagenation is much better branding that Image Nation. The first is pretty unique, cool-sounding and innovative. The second is well… not, not and not. That’s all for today. Send me your rants, raves, gripes and grumbles.
Write to me: concierge@tempoplanet.com
The Concierge
www.tempoplanet.com
campus view >
tech talk >
Rohith Bhat
Shahid Saeed | Talker for the Non-Techies
Me versus my mom: The (war) room situation
What’s new?
The winter break has come to an end and I once again I have to relearn the fact that the day does not begin at 11 am. Like Dracula, I too hate the day. Why can’t school start at a more respectable time… like… never! But anyway, I regress; apart from the happy thoughts of facing quizzes, assignments and seeing my professors’ faces again, I have to endure the post vacation battle of the generations. This is where my Mom (after nearly a month of carefully avoiding my room) decides to pop in for a visit to my room. She comes armed with an artillery of cleaning supplies and invariably breaks into tears at the sight of the nuclear wasteland I call “my room”.
BLACKBERRY BOLD 9790
It starts out simple enough: my mom insists on wailing about the clothes on the floor, the unfinished assignment under the bed, and the sandwich on the ceiling (oh come on like you’ve never done it!). I faithfully follow the Ostrich theory and hide under the blankets with the hope that what I can’t see and pretend not to hear can’t hurt me! Unfortunately the bloody bird turns out to be wrong every time and after merciless being poked and prodded by a broom I graciously decide to ‘participate’ in the cleaning activities or, as I like to called it, in the destruction of my fortress of solitude. Being from different generations, my mom and I have a slight difference of opinion when it comes to what constitutes “clean”. While my mom believes that clothes belong in the cupboard folded and colour co-ordinated, I on the other hand believe that piles sorted in orderly piles of “dirty,” “marginally dirty” and “not dirty” constitute adequate dressing efficiencies. To give you a sense of what I’m against, my mom is of the opinion that even my books should be in order; alphabetised, by author, on the shelves. I concur with her that books are sacred, and that is precisely why I think they should be kept as far away as possible from the eyes of mortal man! We debate the various aspects relating to the cleanliness quotient of my living area while she shrieks and screams at the rat in my room which I politely insist is a valued roommate. She insists that I should clean the sandwich off the ceiling and I in turn try to explain that the sandwich is part of a performance art piece experiment I’m working on called “sandwich sur le plafond”. She is not amused, and insists that I remove the bio hazard sign from my door and I, to be honest, don’t remember how it got there in the first place. But no matter how compelling my arguments are, how sound my reasoning (if it ain’t broke don’t fix it) and how soulful my rendition of ‘Oh Danny Boy’ (during which my rat usually breaks into tears of empathy), the end results are always the same: the clothes get folded, the books are arranged and the rat is made homeless. And now, although I do appreciate the extra walking space and the lack of toxic odours in the room, I can’t seem to find a single thing!
The bold 9790 is new because it has the Blackberry 7 OS, a touch screen and contemporary design that make it a totally different device. It has a powerful 1GHz processor, 768MB RAM, 8GB internal memory, expandable memory MicroSD up to 32GB and with regards to connectivity there’s Wi-FI (b/g/n), 3G , GPS and Bluetooth. The phone comes with a 5MP camera that has a single LED Flash and VGA video recording. It may have smaller screen size as compared to Bold 9900 but it has a longer-lasting battery with 5.2 hours talk time and up to 18 days of standby. You should be able to buy it from all major mobile outlets across the UAE.
SONY HDR-XR150E
The Sony HDR-XR150E is small in size and comes with an attractive price; a pretty good follow-up to the CX100. It comes with 120GB internal memory, and has a MicroSD card slot. It is equipped with “Exmor R” CMOS sensor built for superior low light performance, 1080i Full HD video recording, 3-megapixel still images, “SteadyShot” image stabilization with an active mode and 3-way shake canceling. Other specs include Carl Zeiss 25x Optical Zoom Lens and 300x Digital zoom with less distortion, a 2.5” slim LCS with wide view angle, iAuto and Quick AF. Not a bad deal for what it costs.
NEWS & GOSSIP Ultrabooks Dominate CES
At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show there was a good showing of ultra-thin laptops with powerful specs widely dubbed “ultrabooks.” Indeed, they seem to be the hot new thing. Asus, Samsung, Hewlett-Packard, Acer and Lenovo are just a few of the companies debuting ultrabook models. If you listen in to analyst talk, however, ultrabooks aren’t necessarily a marketplace slam-dunk but the price is more reasonable than they used to be for comparable PCs.
Palmsecure - The Key For Your Laptop
my fav app >
{ Muhammad Hassan }
My favourite app is the Abu Dhabi Sports Council app for iPad. I like sports and this app helps me to see all current and upcoming sports events in the UAE. I can also read the latest news in addition to viewing pictures and videos. The special thing about this app is that it has both Arabic and English interfaces which I can select within the app.
Long before “face unlock” on Android 4.0, Fujitsu developed an even more intimate method for secure user identification: your blood flow. PalmSecure is a technology that’s actually been around for a few years now in Japan, and is in a number of business applications ranging from health care to banking. It uses a biometric authentication system that reads your palm vein pattern. It works only on veins with an active blood flow. Pretty cool stuff. Follow me on @shahidaasi
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View the #1 SONG IN THE UAE
Hansel Punnam, 26 year old music enthusiast loves the kind of music that sounds incredible while driving and anything that’s electronic and rock. He detests pop music and soft romantic songs.
Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO We Found Love - Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris The One that Got Away - Katy Perry
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Stereophonics - Maybe Tomorrow Teddybears - Lil’ Red Rooster vs The Robodog The Knux - Run Ft. Kid Cudi Bloodshy & Avant - Little of your time The Dewarists - No I.D. Required
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Kanye West - Power Deadmau5 - Professional Griefers Example - Dirty Face Plan B - Stay Too Long Kavinsky - Nightcall (Alcala Remix)
Without you - David Guetta ft. Usher It will Rain - Bruno Mars Ours - Taylor Swift Marry The Night - Lady Gaga Jessie J - Domino International Love - PitBull ft. Chris Brown Pressure - Nadia Ali
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
We Found Love - Rihanna Featuring Calvin Harris Set Fire To The Rain - Adele Good Feeling - Flo Rida It Will Rain - Bruno Mars Sexy And I Know It - LMFAO The One That Got Away - Katy Perry Ni**as in Paris - Jay Z Kanye West Rack City - Tyga Young, Wild & Free - Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa Featuring Bruno Mars Turn Me On - David Guetta Featuring Nicki Minaj
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
Domino - Jessie J Mama Do The Hump - Rizzle Kicks Titanium - David Guetta Ft. Sia Antidote - Swedish House Mafia vs. Knife Party Good Feeling - Flo Rida Dedication To My Ex (Miss That) - Lloyd (feat. Andre 3000 & Lil Wayne) Levels - Avicii Kiss The Stars - Pixie Lott Troublemaker - Taio Cruz Paradise - Coldplay
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my style blueprint
Name: Elaine Kimchi Age: 26 Occupation: Freelance artist and full time gamer! Fashion Statement:
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
FAV BUY OF THE PAST MONTH: ARAGORN’S RING OF BARAHIR FROM LOTR SHOP. Which is your fav store in AD? Top places to shop in AD? Lulu super-hyper-drive-discount market. Isn’t that where all the kids go these days? Not me. My favourite stores are back in Auckland, where I grew up and they are The Paperbag Princess and Recycle Boutique which are both second-hand stores where I sold and bought clothes, I haven’t really come across a shop like that around here. The “vintage/thrift” shops I found here basically have label bashing and/or overpriced goods.
Does AD have style? I could probably tell you if I had X-ray vision maybe? AD has a sort of Edo Japan charm about it. The shadows are safe though, I checked.
Do you have any fashion pet hates? Personally, I would rather run bare foot than in running shoes, but then again I could say that about any shoes. My fashion pet hate is probably fashion pet hates. You should have fun with fashion, even if it looks funny, I despise rules and boundaries with just about anything. Freedom of expression is so scarce these days I wouldn’t want to limit anyone when it comes to dressing themselves.
We had sound checks and run-throughs and we were totally prepared and ready to perform for the live audience and judges. Having the live audience was fantastic and I think, even though made me quite nervous, gave me the confidence boost I needed and loved the idea of getting feedback on the spot. To win was just amazing and it has given me so much confidence and opportunities to go forward with my singing and songwriting. I’m really thankful to everyone who made The Dream Players happen and I encourage everyone in Abu Dhabi who has a talent to audition for this wonderful experience because above all else, it was a whole lot of fun.” Hana Makki, audience member and director said, “In all seriousness, The Dream Players was one of the best nights out I’ve had in a very long time. It’s so great to have everyone not afraid to comment on the talent. I can’t wait for the next one and I know this is going to be huge!”
A STAR IS BORN
(AND NURTURED)
By Sharon Carvalho
The Dream Players have arrived! In case you haven’t caught the bug yet, the Dream Players is a community driven talent event and show aimed at promoting talent in the community and giving aspiring performers and artists a platform to showcase their talent.
“What an entertaining evening! Dream Players was a really unique event in Abu Dhabi. Each contestant had something to offer: an original song, a strong voice, skill on the saxophone and piano, and some cool moves. I am definitely coming again,” said Camille Heaton, an audience member and Senior Environmental Scientist with RTI International.
Once the word was out (mostly social media and word of mouth) the Dream Players was inundated with entries. There were singers, drummers, photographers, painters, pianists and so many more talented people! Auditions began early in January and the entries were whittled down to a final five. It was the toughest thing The Dream Players organizers had to do but the top five finally performed on January 19. Now the February event is being organized and the doors are open to submissions! The process is the same every month. The final five contestants get a photo shoot and professional ‘Composite Cards’ developed for them. The Comp Card is a professional resume that is submitted to get performing jobs, while the photo shoot gives contestants a chance to glam up and experience the spotlight. ‘When I found out that the finalists got to have a photo shoot a few days before the competition itself, I was thrilled. It was fun, different and inspiring,’ said Rebecca Morrison, the winner of January’s The Dream Players. The Dream Players event brought with it a lot of excitement for the contestants, judges and organizers. “I was pleasantly surprised to see so much fantastic talent in Abu Dhabi. This is an initiative that should have started a long time ago but I’m glad that the community now has this opportunity to showcase their talent and I’m positive that this is only going to get bigger and better, “said Manar Al Hinai, Dream Players judge, the creative designer behind “Lucky Nooni” and the winner of the prestigious Abu Dhabi’s Arab Woman of the Year awards in 2011. The audience loved The Dream Players’ unique formula, the solicitation of viewpoints from the audience. “I really enjoyed myself at The Dream Players. It is a very innovative idea and has given artists and performers an opportunity to express themselves and widen their horizons. I especially enjoyed the time when the audience were asked to participate in helping choose the winner. A much needed initiative for the community of Abu Dhabi. Keep it up!” said Sahar Abu Omar, a manager at SEHA. In the end Morrison, a 16 year old student at the British School Al Khubairat, stole the show by singing an original composition on the piano. “The competition was great!
I was pleasantly surprised by how warm and welcoming the process was at “The Dream Players”. Unlike many talent shows, the emphasis is very much on supporting and nurturing the artist’s career. So you can’t help but feeling part of something wholly positive.” - Laurel Moore, singer, saxophone player and participant. Being a part of The Dreams Players was such a wonderful experience as it was the first time I had ever participated in a talent contest. It was extremely nerve wracking but being able to perform made it totally worth it. I really enjoyed the night of The Dream Players. It was fantastic getting to meet new people and be in a different environment. Overall, it was an amazing, unforgettable experience and watching the other talents inspired me to do more and be better.” - Angela Ching Performing at The Dream Players brought out mixed emotions for me. On one hand I was so nervous that I had to pretend that I was practicing alone in my bedroom just to be able to shake off the jitters. On the other hand, being in front of the judges and live audience helped me boost my confidence. I loved the support I got from them and I know that the feedback will help me become a better performer. Thank you The Dream Players for the wonderful experience!” - Briggett Kylie
THE JUDGES Khalid Al Ameri
Michelle Nickelson
Khalid is a columnist and blogger to various publishers such as The National Newspaper and Sail Magazine, covering areas such as youth, education and social development. Khalid is a regular speaker on areas of youth and entrepreneurship and is also cofounder of Abu Dhabi’s latest food outlet “Slices”, which promotes healthy eating and education through its various community outreach programs.
Michelle is the President and COO of Mirage Foundations, along with being the owner of MENA Cinefinance Fund, which is the first film investment fund from the GCC. She has worked at Warner Brothers Studio and iBeam Broadcasting. Michelle produced the first ever world-premier of a Hollywood film in the Middle East “The Last Legion”, starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Aishwarya Rai. She is currently developing the feature film franchise, “Antar the Black Knight”, and is also the Executive Producer of the film trilogy.
Kera Thompson Kera Thompson has over 10 years of experience in both the fashion and design industry. In 2000, Kera reigned as Miss Indiana Teen USA, and traveled the country as her state’s representative. The Miss Teen USA competition was aired nationally in which Kera placed 8th out of 51 state delagates. Now a seasoned professional model, she has gone on to work as both an actor and model in the international commercial, film, and fashion industries for many high-profile clients such as Sony, Yahoo, Nicole Miller, Hilton, and Microsoft. Ms. Thompson has been playing the piano since she was 6 years old, and has both performed and competed at a state level. Kera, who is a lover of anything creative represents The Dream Players promotional team.
Manar Al Hinai Manar Al Hinai is a writer and a fashion designer. She holds a Master’s degree in Diversity Management from England, and prides herself as being the first Arab to hold a degree in that field. Her writing has been featured in prestigious publications in the UAE such as The National Newspaper, Abu Dhabi Tempo, and Abu Dhabi Week. She is also the creative designer behind her casual line “Lucky Nooni” which is carried in different boutiques across the region. In 2011, Manar received the prestigious Abu Dhabi’s Arab Woman of the Year award.
THE PLAYERS Angela Ching
is a passionate dancer born in the year of the Tiger. She loves watching talent shows, and has been dancing since birth. It has always been her ambition to be a famous performer, and after moving to Dubai in 2008 was a member of the Filipino Dancesports and Sports Club where she learned to perfect basic dance moves and competed and even became a dance instructor! She is always ready to perform and says: once a dancer you’ll always be a dancer!
JANUARY’S DREAM PLAYER Rebecca Moore, has a real passion for writing and singing songs and it comes to her very naturally. Rebecca is always ready to take part in anything she can do to improve her skills and has taken part in numerous workshops with her school including working with the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra where she participated in writing lyrics, melodies and singing and performed at the Emirates Palace Hotel with them. Rebecca has also taken every opportunity to perform her own songs at school concerts and is very serious about pursuing what she loves to do.
Can you sing, dance, write poetry? Do stand up comedy? Then you can be a Dream Player! To participate in the Dream Players, as contestant or audience member, go to www.thedreamplayers. com or email contact@thedreamplayers.com.
Briggett Kylie 16 years, a hyper, all-smiles
home-schooled student of Asia Pacific that has been dancing and singing since birth. She started acting workshops and modeling in the Philippines at the age of 13. Briggett has dreamed of performing live in front of huge crowds and wants to make a mark in this industry. Joining The Dream Players will be another stepping stone and an experience worth remembering. Despite being a first timer in a talent show, she’s more than ready to show you all what she’s got!
Laurel Moore is probably best described as a woman who wears many different hats: Artist, Art Curator, Jazz singer, Saxophonist and Song-writer. Laurel graduated with a teaching degree in England in The Arts, and from the earliest age Laurel found great satisfaction in drawing and music. The Arts seems to take her into a different state of peaceful consciousness - a private, creative place where anything is possible. Vidhya Subramani is a second year undergrad at Heriot Watt University, Dubai. She has been studying classical Indian Music since the age of 6 and her passion for music has grown stronger with the years. Vidhya has always wanted to do something more with music. Dream players has given me a wonderful opportunity to take my love for music beyond being a bathroom singer.
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city bites
Mawaweel : A rose by any another name > By Justin Thomas
ith its origins in Roman Catholic martyrology, February the 14th has become a global celebration of romantic love. Feb 14, or Valentine’s Day - if we must - is also one of the hospitality industry’s busiest days of the year. If you’re seeking a romantic meal for two, or even three, then you may need to book early. My valentine’s destination last year was Mawaweel, a Lebanese restaurant on Al-Falah Street, just off airport road, in the Medina Zayed district of downtown Abu Dhabi. Like most of the city’s eateries, the restaurant had shed its usual decor, in favour of what I like to describe as: “garish ubiquitous redness”. Red table cloth, red, heart shaped, balloons, and of course, a red rose at each candle lit table. Our waiter, thankfully, did not wear red, he wore a purposefully I’llfitting black suit, which gave him the air a “night-club bouncer”. After presenting the menu, he rather aggressively barked the word “Drinks”. This guy had the unnerving ability to make a polite request sound like a threatening directive. Not in the mood for a fight, I allowed myself to be
bullied into ordering a grapefruit juice. Wifey submissively acquiesced to his suggestion/threat of pomegranate juice. Awaiting the drinks we turned our undivided attention to the menu, trying desperately not to make eye contact with the scary waiter.
At first glance it is obvious that Mawaweel is Lebanese to the core, from decor, to music, to main courses. The word, mawaweel, is Arabic and describes the poetic preamble to a song, those short spoken verses uttered before the music begins - perhaps the musical equivalent to an appetizer. For our gastronomic preamble (starters) we chose the hummus beiruti, it was fabulous, the best I have tasted anywhere, and I consider myself something of a hummus connoisseur. We also had the fattoush salad, it too was perfect; ice cold, fresh, sprinkled - not saturated - with dressing, and generously bejeweled with the deepest red pomegranate seeds. For a main course I had the mixed grill, while my wife went for the chicken arayis - minced chicken with parsley, cooked between two flat breads. The mixed grill was well crafted balance of delicately marinated chicken and lamb in various incarnations; skewered, filleted, on the bone and minced. Of particular note were the accompanying fries, chunky cut, and I suspect fried in good quality olive oil. Delicious. The mixed grill was also served with a compliment of intense garlic mayonnaise; not one for the fresh-breath enthusiast. The chicken arayis was excellent too, and such a huge portion. There was no room left for desert on this occasion, but on subsequent visits I›ve enjoyed Mawaweel’s excellent “mahalabia” - a kind of milk based desert with pistachios and rose water. Our appetites satiated, we began to discuss the “valentine-ization” of the UAE. The conversation drifted to the significance and origins of the rose as a symbol of love and romance.
Photo by: Shaikha Al Tunaiji
Interestingly, the modern European love affair with roses actually has its origins in the Middle East. A French nobleman, Thibaut IV, the Count of Champagne, is reported to have returned from the crusades with a hitherto unknown red flower - the rose. Perhaps this explains the close connection between champagne and red roses? The Arab world, of course, already had a longstanding appreciation of the rose›s beauty and medicinal properties. Ibn Sina, (Avicenna) 9th century scholar, describes in one of his works how the Rosa Damascena (Damascus rose) was widely cultivated in Syria for use in medicines. The Damascus rose is still highly prized for its aesthetic, medicinal and culinary virtues. No doubt the chef at Mawaweel adds a drop or two of Damascus rose water to choice recipes, especially on Feb 14th.
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the face of the artist
Ghada Maamoun >
By Sharon Carvalho
GHADA MAAMOUN, AN EGYPTIAN CARICATURIST TALKS ABOUT HER ART AND HER INSPIRATION AND SHARES SOME OF HER WORK WITH TEMPO. Tell us about yourself. I am an artist living in Abu Dhabi with my husband Yasser and our awesome daughter, Talia. I studied art and interior design at a fine arts college in Cairo. I worked as an interior designer but I now prefer to follow my passion for art and painting. I’m especially passionate about caricature, low brow art and pop surrealism. How did you get in to the business? It started two years ago when Mark Ryden’s work introduced me to the art of pop surrealism. As I read more about this art, I came across caricature by Jason Seiler. Being a fan of both types of art, I started to mix both in my work. What separates you from other graphic designers? I prefer to be called an artist although I do graphic design when asked to. Is there a market for caricaturists? I am new to this field, but in my humble opinion I can tell that people are starting to pay attention to new and contemporary art more than traditional paintings. People like to figure out what lies beyond the scene and see the ‘different face of the same face’!
QUICK QUESTIONS
Where do you showcase your work? As the internet is the widest window of all galleries, I started a fan page so people can see my art wherever and whenever they are. But we can’t overlook the importance and joy of seeing original paintings live, so, I am looking to participate in art exhibitions, especially those in Abu Dhabi and Dubai that provide large spaces to artists and are flexible with accepting new mediums of art. So far, I have exhibited my paintings in the Bianco Rosso restaurant in Abu Dhabi and I will participate in a show at Café Arabia in February.
What is your inspiration? Human feelings, disturbance, sorrow, suffering, love and joy. All aspects of life give me good ideas.
What advice would you offer aspiring artists? Stick to what you love and have the patience to carry on, and to always remember that there is no easy way to winning. They say that no pain means no gain! I also say don’t do what is expected but do what’s insane! And you must do that which you think you can’t.
What is your motto? I like “Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other” by Laurence Sterne, and “Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential” by Sir Winston Churchill.
Where would you like to be in five years? I would love to display my artwork in an international art exhibition.
What would you pursue if it wasn’t art? If it wasn’t art, I think I would go into politics as it is also about reading people’s minds and revealing their intentions.
February
MY FEBRUARY TO DO LIST
7
Basheer
6 Arjun Suria
5 DSF 2012 Carnival
Sweet Potato Month!
Parades
Classic Omega Dubai Desert 6-12 b Clu lf Go tes ira Em @
Ankit Lodha
19
Saoud Al-Maamari Dany Jaber
Pakista n vs En T20’s 2 gland 3-26
Pet Love Your
27
Jun Suarez
21 Nana Christie
20
Mehreen Malik Merwin Mathias
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Gulf Bike Week @ Dubai Festival Cit y 9-12
Singapore Takeout World Tour in Dubai, 18-20
26
14
Mid Exhib dle East E xclu itio Trade n @ Duba sive iW Cente r 27- orld 29
Day!
Dubai Duty Fr Championsh ee Tennis ip Club till 3rd @ The Aviation March
28
Zainab Khan
@
i ys Duba o T oys Palm iB g B , The 1 is ant 9-1 l t A
Hansel Punnam
13
Gail D’souza
12
GESS @ Dubai World Trade Center 28 Feb- 1 Mar
Dubai Internation al Boxing Champion ship @ Aviation Club
9
The B
ridal S @ A how Abu DNEC D 8-11 habi
Davina Lewis
11 Kasabian perform @ Sevens Stadium, Dubai
17 Mariam Abdul Kareem
16 Mariam Abassi
Laveezah Khan
15
Amin
10 Series UIM X-CAT World Powerboat r ate akw Bre bi Dha @ Abu
Chris Xaviour
James Blunt @ Dubai Festival City
World Op
hthalm @ ADN ology Congre ss EC 1620
Dubai Traditional Dhow Sailing Race @ Dubai International Marine Club
Marlene Vaz
u Ab et
urm
Go i8
ab Dh -23
Jason Mraz @ Dubai Festival City Zeeshan Razzaqi
MY FEBRUARY ECO PLEDGE
25
Saira Aslam
24
Saif Al Madani
23
Richard Brown
22
Year!!! p a e L a It’s
WWE RAW @ ZS World To C Abu ur D 9-11 habi
18
Almost, Maine @ DUCTAC 14-18
29
C @ T arpets he A and irpo Arts rt Ex Oas po t is ill 5 Feb
Dubai World Cup Carnival @ Meydan Race Course
Veronica
8
4
Estevan
Alaa Mohamad
dinat Theatre The First Group Ma Madinat present Misery @ Jumeirah 1-11
3
Alena
2
Adelle Lumalang
1
ional Jazz Dubai Internat C 16-24 Festival @ DF
Grapefruit Month!
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youth talk Speaking to my Generation: Save the Novel! By Ahmed Samir
Reading for many, has become a form of labour. It has gone from being the activity of choice of the masses to being one that is sidelined and neglected. Why has that happened? Why has the once-loved pastime become hated, and more so with my generation? Teenagers are reading less and less, and losing themselves the boundless benefit and enjoyment it brings. Something is clearly wrong with a generation that values the written word less by the day. Hear me out, guys: not reading is bad…like, really bad! The reason behind that (which I hate with all my being) is that one part of it is due to misunderstanding, one part is because of distraction, and the third is failure of initiation.
The Burqa: Dying Tradition? > By Shamma Al Suwaidi rowing up, I remember wondering about the burqa my grandmother and most of the women of her generation wore. It was made of a golden fabric that would be tied around their heads revealing their eyes and masking their noses and cheeks. It was a significant part of our culture that all women embraced.
The misleading aspect of it is perhaps the most obvious: How many times have you - or people around you - made the association between reading and nerds? And not reading and being cool? Many of you, I’m sure! It has become a prevalent notion that reading is for the outcasts and the socially inept. And given our need to be accepted within our respective social circles –let’s not pretend, we all want that – we strive to do what we see as our best ticket to Acceptance Land, where everyone likes you. The herd effect triumphs over most of us: teenagers do, teenagers emulate, teenagers emulate the emulation, repeat, ad infinitum -- and so reading has been made redundant and unwanted, and is slowly being phased out.
Burqas were made in different sizes for different age groups. The younger the woman, the slimmer the burqa, while the older she was, the thicker it was made. It was a symbol of womanhood and beauty. When a woman changed her status from single to married, she wore a burqa, as a means of letting her status known to society.
The second part is a little more elusive. Here the reader is presented with a colourful array of distractions that, on the surface, seem better than reading. Social media, perhaps most prominently, along with TV and videogames…. Everyone reading this, with little exception, uses these in some form. But overuse is when trouble arises. Who has time left to read when the entire day has been spent on these black holes that suck up all time?
The death of a tradition is caused by a new generation taking a different route; changing a belief or a custom, and replacing it with a new one. Nowadays we find it strange to see a young woman in a burqa, and the sad thing is that what’s keeping the “burqa” alive is an older generation of women. It’s as if a strong force of wind is blowing, and taking with it a part of us away and we’re just watching it happen.
All that is added to by the fact that many teenagers have not been introduced to writing beyond the often uninteresting compulsory reads we’re given. Who wants to read the boring things we’re forced to read, right? Yep, a near-perfect conspiracy against reading. Evil!
The death of this tradition causes the death of a skillful profession too, just like the end of pearl diving. Burqa makers will not be needed anymore, because the demand for burqas would decrease to nothing.
The solution? Find a bookstore, a library, scan the shelves, and yes, just read what interests you! Trust me; you’ll be spoilt for choice. Heck, start a book club with your friends, and have them join in! It’s more fun that way. The book and novel has lost its place in many of our hearts. Let’s give it back its rightful place. Save the novel! Act now. Follow me on Twitter or email: AhmedSamirSalama@yahoo.com
Some would say that since marriage was very important to women, they used the burqa as a way of flaunting their success. Some would say they believed it to be beautifying, because it revealed the loveliness of a woman’s eyes and smile while masking possible flaws.
We have always tried our best to stick to our culture and traditions, but due to the constantly evolving world around it, the unbreakable protection we used to have around us is slowly fading away. The world used to be a sphere full of tradition, a vast wide sea filled with a range of different cultures. The fact of the matter is that beauty never lasts. Just like all beauty, this beauty is beginning to die, like a flower that withers and rots, and all its precious treasures stay locked away in a box that’s sealed forever, never to be seen, or experienced.
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time capsule
Name: Manal Age: 21 Profession: Student Nationality: Algerian Motto:
5. 6. 7. 8.
some random café in Abu Dhabi with a large group of friends One thing you cannot live without… Cheese The person who inspires you the most: My mother Five things you need for survival: A book, my blackberry, my laptop, my ipod and food What car would like to own? 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Leading my own scientific research team What is your idea of peace? Love, harmony and lots of food Your goal in life? To be happy
9. 10. What item do you keep buying even though you have plenty? Books 11. Who in your life deserves a big old thank you? My
mother 12. Have you found your purpose yet? Not yet 13. What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Gone to university in another country alone at 16 14. What is your earliest memory? How old were you?
Running in the rain with my aunt in Belgium, I was 4 years old 15. If your life was a book, what would it be called?
For the love of cheese
happy music can make everyone happy and excited, I always play some old school nappy roots or spice girls. 17. What’s your current Last SONG syndrome (LSS)? Moon River by Frank Sinatra
3. 4.
Your most valued possession: My books Where can we find you hanging out most? In
16. How can the right music make a party better? What music do you usually put on to get the party started? Upbeat
1. 2.
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
PERSONALITY
It’s better to regret the things you did than the things you never did
TRAVEL 18. If there is a place, hangout, café, mall or hotel (any place) that you feel at home- which place would that be? The Karak place in
mina zayed 19. If today is the last day- where would you rush to go? The beach 20. What is your idea of a perfect weekend? A large group of
friends in a very small car, singing very loudly while driving to Dubai 21. Where in the world have you travelled? Your wishlist of countries to visit. Algeria, Tunisia, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, Thailand, Turkey, Oman. My wishlist includes: Brazil, Chile, Spain, Italy, Cambodia and Vietnam.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT 22. What was the best thing before sliced bread? CHEESE 23. What is your favourite dessert? Raspberry Sorbet
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valentine stories FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH OF LOVE AND ROMANCE With Valentine’s Day smack in the middle, it’s all about making plans with your Valentine or deciding to sit down with a tub of ice cream and a soppy love story to get over the fact that you’re all alone. In the end, it’s about being able to survive the month, keeping the faith and believing, in the end, that we will all find our prince or princess and live happily ever after. Or something like that. Tempo took it to the streets to find out your views on matters of the heart…
A New Year’s surprise
? h t i a f e h t g n i p e e k r ve o
lo g n i d n i F
Valentine’s Day Baby The 13 of Feb 2001, one day before Valentine’s Day. Will I go through labour today? I hope not because I want to have a Valentine baby. What better gift of romance than a baby in hand? But wait! I can feel the pressure; I need to get to the hospital and yes my baby has decided to come to the world. I thought “Oh well! St. Valentine already made Feb 14 special to the world; but my daughter has made my world special on Feb 13. I felt so silly for not wanting my child on earth before Valentines! This made me ponder the significance of Valentine’s Day. It is there to celebrate love and affection between lovers and for them to express their feeling. So our world has come to a point where we require a day to actually express our feelings better… Really? We actually need a day to remember to love? It hurt when I read Mother Teresa’s words that the greatest poverty man faces today is the lack of love. So let’s do anything to bring back love and affection in people; indeed, everyday must be Valentine’s Day! Nine years later my arranged marriage came to an end. But the beauty of hope, love, romance, Valentine’s Day and the message my daughter has brought into the world for me will remain forever.
Shania Mathews | Age 33
Love Across the World It has been more than seven years since I fell in love with D, my high school sweetheart, and at 22 I’m positive we have a very long way to go. We are from vastly diverse backgrounds and it’s safe to say that even our best of mates didn’t think we’d make it this long. In our relationship, we’ve had more ups than downs (thankfully) and we faced our first real test when I left for Australia to further my studies. Although I would still be coming back every six months, the much frowned upon “long distance” relationship was not something we thought was possible. However, we had to give it a go and we’re real glad we did. D is the most kind, compassionate and loving girl I’ve ever met and that went a long way in helping us get through those few years. Her bubbly, energetic personality tends to rub off on anyone who meets her and in hindsight, it’s probably the main reason I fell for her. D is not only my partner, but also my best friend, and I trust that is never going to change. The next few years will probably be the hardest as we try and sort out our future, but we believe we have destiny on our side.
Ali Fasmi | Age 22
Twice a week I would prep up just to see his face, walk past the door and flash a smile that sets my heart aflutter. I was the shy kind; I would quickly smile back and pretend to work on something. I was the wallflower desk girl and he was the company’s prize money. His status was intimidating and overwhelming. Luck brought us a moment where he initiated a talk, fate led us to bump into each other at the oddest places, and destiny tapped him on the shoulder when he asked me out. Six months of laughter, movies on the couch doubled in with (a heck of a lot of ) popcorn, surprise visits and food tripping. Grief decided to barge through the door, I was devastated when I found out I had to leave the country with my sister. That didn’t stop me from nurturing what we had. He said he’d wait for me. Six months of frequent skyping and I knew he was worth the wait. I got myself a job in Abu Dhabi again but what I didn’t expect was that distance was two-faced. It wasn’t the same when we met again. He said he missed me and he loved me. And then a few minutes before New Year’s Eve, I was at the Coldplay concert and I called him readily excited to exchange greetings. “Happy New Year. I lo…,” I started. And his words cut through me: “I’m not attracted to you anymore, we should stop seeing each other, don’t call me after this.” ‘Every teardrop is a waterfall’ was the last song that played in the background and that’s exactly what it felt like for me.
Lady Gago
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To Believe She walked quickly, with strong, forceful strides, trying her best to go as fast as possible without drawing any attention to herself. In her haste and confusion, she ran head first into someone. She peered through her bloodshot eyes, only to see her best friend, his face set into a mask of concern. One look at her tearstained face and red nose would alert even the stupidest person... He grabbed her as she tried to pull away; she struggled violently, hissing under her breath, threatening him to let her go. He gave up and let her go, but refused to leave her side. He walked where she walked and he sat where she sat. Never saying a word, never looking away. After an hour or two, he left her side, only to be back with a tray laden with food. He fed her when she refused to eat. This continued throughout the day. With him never prying, and her not saying a word. Every time she needed more tissue, he gave it to her, and the tears kept coming. When her head was pounding so hard she could barely walk, he helped her to their apartment, never saying a word. He tucked her into bed and sat there, watching her as she drifted off. He stayed by her side that night, watching her as she tossed and turned, occasionally whimpering. He leapt to her side when she woke up screaming. He quietly cradled her in his arms and stroked her hair, all the while not saying a word. He watched patiently as she cried herself to sleep. He sat by her throughout the night, never asking questions, never saying a word. Only when he was certain that the crying had worn her out, and she had finally fallen into a peaceful slumber, did he allow a few of his own tears to slip down his cheeks. He didn’t bother wiping them. Her hand lay gently on her abdomen. As he reached forward to touch her, there was the slight clink of their wedding rings. He carefully placed his hand on her stomach, and prayed for a miracle. He wanted nothing more than to see her tummy grow larger every day, to see her swell up to the size of a balloon, to experience constant mood swings and backache. He wanted to hold her hand at the gynecologist’s office during her ultrasound, to see her belly button flip inside out, to comfort her as she complained about not being able to see her own feet. Most of all, he wanted to apologize. He wanted to tell her how sorry he was for giving her the gift of life only to see it being snatched away from her. He wanted to show her he cared. He wanted to prove to her that he would be there for her no matter what. He stared out her window, running his hand along her stomach and prayed to every deity, and wished upon every star he saw in the sky, because he know it was only a higher power that could save him. That could save them both. By some twist of faith, he had now become a believer, and he now understood that in times like this faith was the only thing left.
Mason Franklin | Age 34
Arranged Love I had never met her before. My parents set the whole thing up. We walked in to her house and I barely got to say two words to her. But something about her left me smitten. Absolutely spellbound. And I knew that I wanted to be with her for the rest of my life. We got married and have just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. 25 years on and I’m still in love with her now as I was then. Maybe even more.
Joseph Victor | Age 55
A Turn of Events It was a lovely day. Celebrations going on.. I was to meet this person.. Someone I’ve heard who’s jolly and full of energy.. I wasn’t in the mood to talk to someone I’ve never met but definitely heard of before. But I was up for it.. Hours later, we’ve finally met. And it’s like we’ve known each other for years! Exchanged laughs, stories, jokes.. It was a happy and good-humored meeting. It sucked out every negative vibes in me. I didn’t want the night to end.. As I left, the memories we’ve shared for just a few minutes lingered.. I’m glad fate brought us together.. That day, everything changed.. Happiest change in my life.. A smile lasted all throughout.. It was a chapter worth remembering.. And the story didn’t end there.. Today we still meet.. Constant small talks and assuring conversations.. The relationship has developed so much.. And in such a short period of time.. Trials here and there but we manage to prevail over them in tandem Distance didn’t even become a hindrance. Tears, mishaps, adventures.. All spent side by side.. This may not perhaps be the expected “love” story.. And I know valentines is the season of love.. But love not only happens between sweethearts or so called boyfriends and girlfriends. It can also happen in friendships.. And this is one of them. That day.. I’ve met my best friend. The one who stuck up with me despite my stubbornness. The one who kept me standing. The reason I have pulled myself together during my downfalls. I may not be the greatest friend, But this friendship is the greatest one I’ve been in. It taught me how to look at the bright side of everything. A turn of events. Happy Valentines to you! Fill this season and the rest of the year with love and happiness! Wahid Puso
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emirati bride: all dressed in white
Noura Abdullah Rashid Al Noaimi { my personal story } “The loudness of her compressed heartbeats rang in her ears as she tried to wear a layer of calm serenity. Getting ready to be gazed at from unknown eyes as she stepped into a distant light like she’s staring at the sun from underwater. Holding her breath, waiting... anticipating. It’s time to walk down the aisle, dressed in white, entering her new kingdom.” They say in every eye lies a story longing to be told, in every oblivious smile is a reason waiting to be revealed and with every bride is a potential fairytale waiting to be unfolded. I, as a Muslim, have been proposed to by someone who could be the one I’ve been waiting for, someone I have not seen, met or knew existed. The principle of the arranged marriage is that it requires me to hold onto blind faith by trusting the fate God has set me. It is never an easy task to walk towards utter uncertainty, but then again with every risk comes a great prize. Some might consider 20 years too young of an age to be thinking about marriage, but each story varies from the rest. I’ve had intense thinking bouts; long nights of “what if ?” and longer days of imagining many scenarios to guide me through my decision-making process. What if I’m not ready to leave the comfort of being under my parents wings? What if his family and I don’t get along? What if we don’t “click”? ....and these were the least of my worries. On the night my mother told me about the proposal, I prayed to God, asking for guidance to make the right decision. Later on, I took a week to think it through,
going through many thoughts and contemplating my decision. Meanwhile the investigation of my potential husband had begun! As soon as I had known everything I could know from family members and relatives, I felt ready to take the next step and meet him. I, personally, needed to meet him face to face instead of depending on the opinion of others. After all, a lifetime will be determined by the words you trust. The word “nervous” is an understatement of how I felt during our family meeting. Thankfully, he passed the test! He got me to loosen up four minutes into the conversation and as we were finally left alone we ended with a few laughs. I knew then that we had clicked and that this was meant to be. I then accepted his hand in marriage and became an engaged young lady. Two weeks later, I was on my way to Europe to find every bride’s most important asset, her perfect dream wedding dress. Realization of being a bride-to-be didn’t sink in till I was in that long-trained, full sleeved laced wedding gown. Reality hit me as my mother’s tears trickled down her cheeks and a wide smile drew upon mine. I was happy and the purity of it all began to shine through my days, brightening my nights. Planning a wedding might be a stressful task but after every decision made, every dime spent and every thought provoked, comes a lifetime of building a new shared life and determining the rest of your days side by side. Every girl envisions her dream marriage. All it takes is the right mentality to connect your matching dots and indifferences and the rest simply falls into place throughout time. To every reader gazing at these words, I wish you the clarity of mind and heart to find your way to your match and the right marriage. Hopefully if it clicks, love will set in.
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Neena Rai | An artist with a flair
Sarah Widdup | Living the dream, needing the sleep
Peruvian Wonder: Nazca Art
Happy Valentines Year Happy In Love
I have always been fascinated by ancient cultures and often, to have a better understanding of them, I travel far to go and study their art. Call it a hobby, call it a quirk, call it adventure or whatever else you want, but it is one of the most interesting things to do.
Ah February. It’s that time of year when shops are full of wee hearts and cupids, and we all go mad – either buying cute bits of fluff for our loved ones, or indulging in some bah-humbugging and renouncing the commercial evils of Valentines Day.
I was in Peru recently. Peru is one of the most fascinating countries in the world. Most of us are well aware of the World Heritage Site of Machu Pichu but what we don’t know is that there are numerous other treasures to see and discover.
My husband, bless him, is not a Valentines Day devotee. His keen, blokey eye is trained to notice other things – be they mechanical, electrical or have flames painted up the sides. Hearts and flowers? Not so much. And that’s fine, I know this about him…after all it’s been ten years and it’s not likely to change. Changing him has never been on my ‘to do’ list anyway - I’m quite fond of him how he is. I’m pretty sure he puts Valentines Day into the “why should I buy stuff just because greeting card companies tell me to?” basket, and frankly I’m beginning to see his point.
One of my favourites is the “Nazca Lines” built between 200 BC and 600 BC. One can describe these lines as ancient art in the desert, spread over 100 square miles in the inhospitable barren desert plateau of Southern Peru. It is an area that does not receive more than 20 minutes of rain in a year. At the ground level, you will not be able to distinguish anything much more than burrows in the arid soil. But when you view them from an airplane the figures take on a whole new meaning. Spread over the desert are the outlines of the hummingbird, spider, dog, lizard, llama, whale, monkey and a humanoid figure named “the astronaut”. No one has ever been able to determine the purpose of this one-of-a-kind art form. The 800 straight lines and 300 geometric figures have been called ritual mazes, an astronomical calendar, symbols of various gods/goddesses, and even extraterrestrial landing strips. Even though geoglyphs have been found in other places like Egypt, Malta, United States, Chile, Bolivia and other countries, the Nazca geoglyphs, which were made and remade throughout the whole pre-hispanic period are, in my opinion, the most impressive, enigmatic, mysterious geoglyphs of all. This is because of their numbers, characteristics, dimensions and cultural continuity. Unfortunately, the Nazca civilization mysteriously abandoned the desert and disappeared by 800 CE and all we are left with are assumptions of why these lines were built.
I love to do things for the people I love. And in that way, I’m the perfect consumer for all the Valentines hooha. Walking through long aisles of strategically placed stuffed animals and sparkly cards, it’s almost as if the retail fairy is telling me that my nearest and dearest neeeeeeed these things. Oh yes, and of course my husband needs a stuffed bear with “I Wuv You” written on it. He was just saying that last week. He’ll LOVE it. Ah, no. No he won’t. He’ll think I’m mad. He’ll be secretly thinking “what a waste of money”. Well, maybe not so secretly. For him, (and as much as I love presents I have to agree), expressions of love are best made by things not bought at the mall. In fact, they’re usually not “bought” things at all. Having a wife who is a loving mother to her children seems to be pretty high on his list of things that prove his wife’s love, much like having a husband who is a hands on dad with his kids is right up there on mine. I looked at it - looked at how we are together, as a couple and as a family - and I saw it. Our entire life is Valentine’s Day. That sounds lame, but it’s true. The true romance is in appreciating the efforts of your partner, matching them with your own, and then just being happy. Happy is the goal. And that’s really as it should be, not for one day, but every day of the year. Check out her blog
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just handcrafted > Jan D’Sa | Scientist artiste hybrid
When love blooms In silk
It’s that time of the year when the air is filled with fluffy lovey dovey stuff ….romance, cupid-like activities and burgundy floral bouquets. Talking of which I want to present to you Humaira Khan, a talented floral designer who specializes in contemporary style floral arrangements. I first came across her work when I discovered the concept of silk flowers on the internet. This talented lady has lived across the globe; USA, Canada, the UK and now the UAE. Let’s talk a bit about silk flowers. These are artificial flowers devoid of the cheap plastic look often seen at bargain shops. At first sight they actually look like real flowers. If you search the internet you’ll see that silk flowers are actually made of polyester because they retain the shape and colours better than silk, and that also reduces the cost. While the cutting and shaping process of the silk flowers is automated, each petal is hand painted to give it a more realistic effect. That is why many modern brides go for silk bridal bouquets. And the biggest bonus is that they get to keep it forever. Humaira specializes in both silk and fresh floral arrangements. She loves working with tropical flowers such as calla lilies, ginger heliconia, orchids, tulip and anthurium. She says, “I learned flower arrangement techniques when I lived in Texas. At the time, the university offered horticultural courses using fresh and silk flowers and I was hooked on both from day one.” “There is something about working with flowers that makes my heart blossom. The most enjoyable part about working with floral arrangements is when I decorate someone’s house for weddings. The expression and appreciation that I get is what makes me feel great.” If you have a unique handcraft and want to share it with me, drop me a line on info@writedsaign.com Jan D’Sa is the artist-designer behind Janys De. Follow this handcrafting advocate’s trips ’n treats at the Cultural Arts Travelogue.
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media >
By Alma Kadragic
Energy and the Media uring the second day of the World Future Energy Summit this past month, I had the luxury of wandering around the spacious halls of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center without anything specific in mind. If I were still covering news for ABC, I would have been looking for key people to interview and companies with exciting products that came out well on video. The biggest problem was getting everything done in time to return to the studio and produce the piece for that evening’s news program. These days I don’t have that kind of pressure, and as director of a new master’s program in media and communications, I usually have some time to reflect before writing this column each month. When I decided to visit the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) this year, it was to see if I could get some ideas about the role that media plays – and could play - in making energy sustainability a reality everywhere. I started by talking to local heads of some big energy companies and asking them how well local and international media was covering their industry. As one might expect, the comments were mild. The media is doing a good job, they said. No one said anything even slightly negative. The heads of big companies are used to being chased; they control interviews; in the local market, they come first. International media deal with these
companies from the head office – both have headquarters or at least very big offices in the same countries. Their relationship is dominated by ritual – everyone knows what is supposed to happen and plays the part. As I worked my way through Halls 5 – 8, I stopped at some smaller less elaborate stands and got into some interesting conversations. The owner of an SME committed to an innovative energy-saving system was critical. The media, he said, cover only the obvious news about energy. They are not doing a good job informing the public about new technologies that don’t come from the big companies. The history of technology upgrades and innovations shows that many – probably most – come from new companies, from people who figure out something that headquarters would never have encouraged if they were working for a big company. One of the most interesting sessions at WFES was a roundtable discussion among 10 people, two discussion leaders from Shell, the rest like me attracted by the title: Innovation – Only in Technology? We were mainly academics although several like me had spent years in industry before moving to a university. Mandar Apte and Hans Haringa both work for Shell International in something called Game Changer, a way that one of the world’s biggest companies tries to encourage ideas from outside the box and the company. As we talked about the problems that the project manager for a major drilling platform, for example, could face, it became clear that technology problems were only the beginning. The more difficult problems could come from resistance by local residents. Any project manager who didn’t spend time informing local media and building relationships could find public opinion retarding and even ending the project.
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intelligent business >
By Ian Mason
Make this year of the customer aybe it was the festive cheer, the silly season or even the thrill of a new year, but I have recently experienced a rush of great customer service in Abu Dhabi, some from unexpected sources. By great customer service I don’t mean an attendant who smiles like a robot and drones automated phrases like “have a nice day”. That is not customer service. No, I am talking about genuine, out-of the-ordinary customer service that makes you feel good about the company, compels you to tell dozens of friends and keeps you returning to experience the brand.
It was genuinely offered, and showed she cared. Thank you! Honourable mentions must also go to two other companies we have recently had dealings with (and I am not personally affiliated with them): Delight International Movers and the Subscriptions Department at The National. In different ways, they provided a rapid and flexible response to my queries. Both customer service representatives listened, cared and followed through on their promises to deliver brilliant outcomes, and deserve this public recognition. They are my new customer service heroes.
Customer service is the simplest and easiest way to increase revenue; your customer is already doing business with you. It is critical to develop this contact into a long-term, loyal customer. What a priceless asset that is to your business! Current customers are more cost-effective than new customers and easier to maintain... that’s if you look after them.
I can’t finish without acknowledging my all-time Abu Dhabi favourite which is Frankie’s Restaurant at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr. Again, I have no personal gain here, but every time we go there – more than ten times now – the service is unfailingly friendly, efficient, personal and outstanding. Not once, not twice, but every time which is the hallmark of excellent customer service.
Do loyal customers come in an IKEA box? No. What it takes is a bit of C-A-R-E. Care and attention and a genuine desire to please. Frankly, I am sick of the well-worn phrases that come straight from the “Customer Service 101” manual. It makes me want to reach for the nearest bucket.
What’s more, they add extra touches to entice us back again and again. For example, when my parents visited from Australia, they inscribed “Welcome to Abu Dhabi” on the plate of their (knee-wobblingly delicious) chocolate dessert. A simple and thoughtful gesture, and one I will never forget.
Excellent customer service comes from throwing away the manual. Sure, there are some basic “rules” but excellent customer service is about bending the rules, being flexible, listening intently to the customer and giving them what they want, not what the company wants. I mentioned excellent customer service from an unexpected source. I am talking about Etisalat.
That’s why Frankie’s is in my Customer Service Hall of Fame, and I refer to them regularly during my customer service training.
We recently made a new internet connection and had the pleasure of being served by a lovely young Emirati lady at Etisalat’s main Airport Road building – I only wish I knew her name so I could write a praising letter to her manager. She said she was there to help us, and when my wife expressed concern about e-Life, insisted she wanted us to be happy and comfortable and would explain anything we didn’t understand as many times as she needed to. Which she did. After closing time!
Ian Mason is a Tamakkan trainer specializing in customer service and customer relations. Tamakkan offers a range of business workshops for companies and individuals, including selling skills, leadership, marketing, social media, customer service, project management and many more. Contact Ian on (02) 4918624 or email info@tamakkan.org for a workshop schedule.
Faced with complicated plans – and endless terms and conditions – this was so refreshing.
So throw out the “Customer Service 101” manual, and demonstrate genuine care and attention to your customers. It might just increase your business.
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Manar Al Hinai | A Khaleeji girl who overthinks a lot and loves to write
Angeli Castillo | Making minutes out of molehills
Valentine’s Day: A Dedication
Broad Spectrum Antibiotic Music through the mayhem Ever had that brand spanking new moment where you look at something and realize this could be it…like, the name an awesome band! Well these guys have that name: introducing, Broad Spectrum Antibiotic, Palash Bhise and Joe Exit.
Out of the darkness of the night, the approaching headlights shine with a soft glare upon my cheek as I sit cross-legged on the balcony overhanging the third floor of my villa. From my birds nest view I watch the nightly Abu Dhabi commuters drive East and West. I pull my pink robe tightly around my shoulders, as shivers run down my spine from the brisk winter night weather. A stressful day always draws me to this particular balcony. In this miniature paradise, my own secret hideout, I do my best thinking. Simple contemplation, such as thinking about my next fashion collection, is easy when I relax to the soothing sounds of late night power-walkers’ footsteps. Or, I can indulge in deeper meditation when my mind tackles endless questions about life, drifts into meaningful thought about love, and mesmerizes me into countless dreams. Although rush hour has already passed, a blur of speedy automobiles continuously pass by. I always wonder where the mass of drivers who pass by are headed to, what they are thinking about at that very moment, and if they are living their dreams. In such a fast paced world today, the dreams we have about love and finding it can sometimes be erased by the overwhelming responsibilities with which we are confronted. Too many times people caught up in the everyday hassle miss out on life, and before they know it, they find their lives lack joy. Life changes and so do romantic relationships. But one thing remains constant - family love. I do not see my siblings as much as I wish to ever since they travelled abroad to study, but I do know that our bond is great, even greater than that by the Kennedys and Osmonds. I am still not sure about many things in my life, but I am confident about one fact: I can always count on my family, for they are my Valentine, my first love, and not only on February 14, but every day for as long as I can breathe.
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A two man band of many talents who realized that living in the same area of Abu Dhabi was just too good of an opportunity to pass up and since they get along so well, what with their knowledge and comprehension of music is “pretty much on the same level.” All that was missing from this dynamic duo’s master plan was to “record the album and put it out without wasting anytime looking for other members.” Good plan, I say. Some may wonder while reading this how can a two man band create such mad music? Simple, just add Palash Bhise who is the lead vocal/ guitar player with the magical powers of Audio Production, thanks to the SAE Institute, and Joe Exit who plays drums and does the backup vocals while holding magical powers in graphic designing and art. No wonder such a creative force of combination produces musical mayhem. Now to the technical part, the production quality of Broad Spectrum Antibiotic will sound like the album has been recorded at a professional studio but what a lot of people don’t know is that they recorded everything in Palash’s apartment. Joe, on the other hand, did all the artwork with the help of talented friends such as Martin Sammel and Keaton Goode. Being fairly new to the scene, this underground band has already made appearances at gatherings in underground gigs and they are big on supporting fellow bands. Broad Spectrum Antibiotic advise anyone wanting to start or already in the process of being in a band to simply “Believe in yourself more than that guy who thinks you can’t sing, while also keeping in mind that he could be very right. Don’t listen to something only because “people” are into it. The music that selflessly makes you happy is going to be there for you during hard times, while most people won’t. So hold on to your music real close and cherish it for as long as you can. ” If you listen to their music, you will realize that you can’t really put them into one or two categories. There are many musical styles collectively giving rise to the Broad Spectrum Antibiotic sound. They claim to be an “easycore” band which is basically a concoction of modern pop punk and hardcore. What sets them apart is that they have electronic elements, unexpected “genre switch” hints of metal here and there, comic gangster rap, American accents, the whole package. You can get a hold of their album and hear for yourself. It is entitled “A Remedy to Suicide” and is readily available on iTunes. Note: Find these guys https://www.facebook.com/BSA.official like their page and let them know what you think of their music.
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fun page > horoscope Aries (21 March - 19 April) Tasks for Aries this Month and month are tending to all responsibilities, making others feel important, making self important, too, assessing daily all goals, accepting recognition, praise, and acknowledgements with grace. Parents may also need care and chores also need to be done. Tend to time very carefully. Taurus (20 April - 20 May) Communication with distant people seems necessary and prudent concerning legal matters, finances, and projects related to future endeavors. You are also weaving a new spiritual and perhaps religious sensibility and value into what’s to come. As you provide vital information to others, be aware of constant changes of plans. Steady now. Gemini (21 May -20 June) Things may be and/or feel secret to you this month. What that could also mean is your gifts are a secret mostly to you. While seeking to recognize them, it’s important to tend to finances very carefully, all debts, and everything you and another hold in common. Accepting what you have now allows much more to appear later. Praise it. Cancer (21 June - 22 July) You truly seek an emotional stability and balance and you tell everyone what’s troubling you so perhaps it can be found through the advice and care of others. Good try. Sometimes it works but not always. About work&endash;back away from anything that’s uncomfortable and/or difficult. Give it time. Use Right Human Relations. Leo (23 July - 22 August) We’re still working with order and efficiency in the workplace. You’ve sort of become a Virgo these days and therefore the animal kingdom is most important, all those you work with will depend on you, and you will need to discriminate more than most what new work methods work best. Drop any sort of therapeutic contribution with others. Just get the work done and the decisions made. Virgo (23 August - 22 September) Show to others how much you care for them. This will ease some of their wounds in a gentle and assured way. It is most important that you step aside from your own concerns and begin to offer praise and sustenance. Not only will others unfold but you will also. It’s an alchemical transmutation of the heart of the lotus. Libra (23 September - 22 October) Do attempt completion of all things on hold and waiting for your attention. Visualize all that needs to be done first. Do this over and over and quickly, making pictures in color in your mind of what needs tending. This is a magical process of bring activity into manifestation. Magic is an ancient word for manifestation. Be patient. Scorpio (23 October - 21 November) You need communication with others so you can share your beliefs, ideas, ideals, values, and how you feel you want to serve. Very short trips here and there would benefit your thoughts. Be in touch with neighbors. Call the family. Chat with everyone and everything. Commitments are most important now. Make them with pride. Sagittarius (22 November - 21 December) More ambition assails you. This is good. It’s refining and determining your values (of the moment). As a special exercise so that you can receive even more, think about giving people special gifts. They can be little offerings. But they will be appreciated far into the future. Expect nothing in return, though the return will be even greater than you imagine. Capricorn (22 December - 19 January) Yes, we’re back to the health issue, which you must finally master, or at least begin, during this time of the year when it’s dark and often dreary. Should you begin that long awaited health regime, the Sun will begin to shine again. Perhaps not externally but within. Old conflicts arise during the New Moon. Keep walking. Then run. Aquarius (20 January - 18 February) Let’s see if I can find the gift I bought for you. It’s somewhere. Neptune’s in your sign. So you can feel a bit confusing, a bit foggy, to everyone. Don’t take this personally. It’s astrology. You may seek more grounding than is available now. Something artistic is best to do/see/be among. Dance. Pisces (19 February - 20 March) You need quietude, a sense of being on inner levels so you can plan and think with no worldly distractions. While this is occurring financial responsibilities intrude. They need tending with finesse and a schedule. Do both, inner and outer work. Be conscious with time. It’s precious and it’s flowing by like a swift river. Don’t get in it.