B&W fortnightly mag Issue 14

Jumada II 7-23

Vol.1 Issue 14II May 21-June 6, 2010

Su d o k u

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

It's

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

time with B&W p6

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Glimpses of Traffic Safety Symposium p26 Break some health rules p68

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AUTISM CAN'T SPEAK. LET US! p36

FRIDAY BRUNCH AT AL KHIRAN TERRACE

Friday is the perfect day for indulgences, and Al Khiran Terrace at Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat is the ideal setting for getting the most from your Friday.

Our Friday Brunch is offered at OMR 21* per adult and OMR 10.5* per child (aged 6 to 12 year old).

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FORGERY PROOF WRITES 3,000 METERS

BREAK RESISTANCE BODY

NICKEL TIP

Grand Finale

On June 3, 2010 Guidelines & Rules

Preliminary at Indian School Ghubra

On May 28, 10am

Entry fees: RO1/- (Individual members only) Registration forms: The registration forms will be published in Black & White magazine. Please fill in the form and drop it off at the Black & White office 212, Hatat House, second floor.

Trophies will be given to the top four 'finishers'!

For more details contact: 24565697 / 98675976 Tournament Format: Please arrive early. On-venue registration/payment will be accepted if there are seats available.

The tournament will consist of two separate divisions.

Elimination Preliminary Rounds (May 28, Indian School Al Ghubra at 10am) All participants will take part in 20-minute preliminary rounds where the first 40 'finishers' (persons who correctly complete the Sudoku packet) will be shortlisted.

Semi final Rounds: The semi final round will be of 20 minutes duration. The top 40 selected will be given new Sudoku puzzle packets. Top 16 finishers will be selected to move on to the final on June 3, 2010.

Guests or players from another tournament cannot stay in the tournament room during the first rounds; however, they can stay in the tournament room during the final round if they want to watch. Guests/ eliminated players must follow the same etiquette the players have to during the tournament.

Tournament Rules: All players must be expected to know how to play Sudoku. Cheating, fighting and threatening is forbidden. Talking is not permitted (as it distracts players), nor making distracting noises, nor distracting a player/ judge to give another/other player(s) an advantage. The only person a competitor may talk to is a judge. Food and drinks are not permitted in the tournament area, unless directed so by a judge. Keep papers covered at all times. Not covering your papers can be considered as cheating! If you have to use the rest-rooms, you do NOT have to ask for permission, but you must place your Sudoku packet face-down on the table. Additionally, after the time expires, all players must immediately put their pencils down and turn in their Sudoku packets. All electronic devices must be silenced and cannot be used during the tournament. Do not bring any stationary materials. All participants will be provided with the required pencils, working sheets and the Sudoku puzzle package. Write neatly! Numbers that you write will stand interpreted by the judges. When finished, stand-up and raise your number placard provided with your Sudoku kit.

Selection: Placing will be based on the following (from most important to least important): Accurate Completion of Puzzle(s) Tie-Breakers: The number of individual squares that were correct. The top 4 finishers will receive awards. Only four finalists from each tournament sub division will move on to the final round in order to compete for the top four spots. Only papers needed to be graded will be graded. However, all papers graded will be double-checked. Rulings will be based on the judge’s discretion. All rulings are final, unless superseded by a superior judge’s authority.

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Bring out more tales like the ‘Say Cheese’ story I was browsing through your magazine (issue 11) and came upon this remarkable woman, Khalsa bint Said Al Ma’amari. I am really proud of what Khalsa is doing and hope that more and more people follow this wonderful Omani woman’s footsteps.

She is a real example of an Omani woman and I would like to urge Black & White to feature more of such people in Oman. Everyone hears of Omani hospitality, but not many know of Omani charity. Of course, we all adhere to the principle that the left should not know what the right hand gives, still, some tales like this can be brought to inspire and infuse confidence in Omani youth.

Salim bin Saif Al Harthy, Seeb

Men suffer for women’s mistakes More men die than women on the roads of Oman (issue 12)! Have you ever wondered why? Very simple: these men die because of the mistakes that women cause on the roads. We are the victims of the foolish mistakes that women make. More often than not, women make horrible mistakes while driving on the road, and when men try to avoid that, they go and bang somewhere.

Everyone is quick to blame men for bad driving, while on the roads, it is an established fact that women drive badly.

Statistics (issue 12) show that more men die on the roads because there are more men driving out there. Correct me if I am wrong.

Ali bin Suleiman Al Raisi, Qurum

8 May 7-20, 2010

Better late than never Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi’s golden moments (issue 11) was really an inspiring article for all sports lovers. Such articles are really worth reading as it would inspire and motivate many youngsters to bring out their own talents in whichever field they are.

His enthusiasm and abilities, which has always motivated the players, have resulted in a significant increase in winning so many matches.

His efforts and assistance and dedication shows how much love he has towards the sports, which has made him to be a good coach and a good player too.

We should also thank all the higher authorities and dignitaries who had given their full support and cooperation. It’s also great to know that he will donate all his valuable collections to the OHA, after his time!

I am indeed very proud to say that this legend happens to be our dear neighbour. He is a wonderful, friendly, helpful and active gentleman with his noble qualities which attracts everyone from tiny tots to elders.

Though Naqvi has been feted and rewarded by so many associations, let us hope and pray that this sports personality gets added recognition, not only from the Indian government, but also from the government of Oman!

Malar Mahen, Ruwi

Don’t waste your breath!

I agree with Sarah White (issue 12) that ‘Men are from Mars and Women from Venus’. Otherwise you will not see such a big difference in the way both (men and women) drive.

And believe me you just can’t advice a man to drive properly! Don’t waste your breath on such impossible tasks. They are not going to listen!

Alice D, Al Khuwair

Mail your views and opinions at editor@blackandwhiteoman.com Black & White 9

Xclusive

Let us talk about Autism & White decided 36 Black to organise a charity cum Sudoku event, to bring about much needed awareness on autism in Oman and perhaps provide a stepping stone for starting a centre for autism in Oman

Bitter Batter We heard that a lady, who was stuck in an unusual situation on the walls of a building in town, was rescued by the authorities concernedâ&#x20AC;Ś

An Omani Einstien?

Dr Yahya, who along with other dedicated SQU researchers have conducted (not concluded) the first-ever research on autism in Oman

Contents

52

48

Published by: Muscat Press & Publishing House SAOC Black & White BPA Consumer Postal address: P O Box 86, PC 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos Audit applied for Office location: Hatat House, Office no: 212, II Floor December 2009 Ph: 24565697 Fax: 24565496 Website: www.blackandwhiteoman.com Editorial: editor@blackandwhiteoman.com

Editor-in-chief Managing editor Work editor Design & production Photographer Advt. & marketing

Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Priya Arunkumar Adarsh Madhavan Beneek Siraj Najib Al Balushi Swithun Fernandes Ali Al Raisi

All about X, Y & Z

Copies, copies everywhere, but nowhere to be seen

By Adarsh Madhavan “Your copies are not seen anywhere…where do you keep them? We have not seen any copies since the last two to three months now…”

This is a charge that we sometimes encounter when we approach some people for business.

Somehow, they will say that they have either never seen the magazine at all, or they haven’t seen it since sometime now.

“Actually, how many copies do you have?” they will ask. Some would get more sophisticated: “What is the print run?”

We are 20,500 copies we would say, with a certain amount of pride. We are the only magazine in town that has these many copies, we would add.

But, with some people, we would never get the desired impact.

And there are those who would just raise an eyebrow and then guffaw: “You’ve got to be kidding! No, actually how many copies do you actually print? 1,500? 2000? Less?”

We would grit our teeth and say, no Sir, it is true, we ARE 20,500 copies! You can check with our printers. And, we are also being audited. So, there is no way we will cheat, even if we want to.

“And where do you reach these copies – I have not seen them anywhere. Could you tell me where I can find these copies? Are you actually putting them at key locales,” they would ask us in an accusatory tone, as though we were twisted enough to go and dump our own precious copies in some obscure, dark corner; sabotage our own efforts to reach our copies everywhere by printing it and not giving it out!

We try to tell them that we have around 500 outlets in and around Oman and we publish them in our magazine, but they are more bothered about hearing their own voices telling us what to do and what not do. We are in the other side of the fence, so we listen.

There was this very senior man who kept telling us that he did not understand all the noise we were making about “what was the big deal about our magazine”? “After all, you read one, you read everything!”

Oh really, so, since he was part of a big organisation we asked him how he rated his company. “First class, we are at the top…” Oh yeah, we said and told him why and how other companies were better than his and also, his own company had ‘x’, ‘y’ and ‘z’ faults. We also told him that every person has a great opinion of the company they worked or the product they are promoting. But, people are entitled to their opinion too, yet, that did not mean what we are promoting is bad. He shut his mouth for a while and then started getting mad.

“How can you talk like this? How can you compare your magazine with my company (and so on, so forth…)” But, he caught our drift, I guess, for he has not contacted me ever since with the usual “I have not seen the copies anywhere”. If he says that once more, ‘believe you me’, he is going to see much more than that, and a bit of stars to boot!

SUDOKU PRELIMS AT ISG Now folks, an all important announcement: Come join us for the prelims of the first-ever Sudoku competition in town. Let us all meet – providing you have registered with us -- at the Indian School Al Ghubrah this Friday at 10am.

The Sudoku puzzles are put together by one of the world champions Thomas Snyder.

Come and Sudoku with us! The final is on June 3. We have roped in George Widener, a world renowned autistic savant as the celebrity chief guest! George is flying down all the way from America to be part of this all-exciting Sudoku final. editor@blackandwhiteoman.com

Black & White 11

HE

20

14

Sleepless and dying young Earlier research reveals that men with insomnia and sleep duration of six or fewer hours of nightly sleep are at an increased risk for mortality

Life and death digits for men

17

For Him

Do men fear women?

Men are dominant in nature and they have this ability to perhaps physically dominate women, but there too, not in that considerable degree. Gone are the days when a man (the cave man of course) could club his woman and drag her by the hair to his cave

12 May 21-June 6, 2010

Doctors scythe through your numbers list and get to the numbers that you really need to know.

And that is, you need to know your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, blood pressure, fasting glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), and resting heart rate

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Men health 14 May 21-June 6, 2010

FEAR Do men

women?

Hey, man, who runs things at your home - you or your spouse?

Ask 10 men this question and you will hear almost all of them – save one – say in unison, “of course my spouse runs the home”!

Yes, she is the boss at home.

The 10th man will nod in the negative, but his reply, that he runs his home, will not be that loud and clear.

Let us ask the same men: are they afraid of the women in their lives? Yes, they will chorus (save for man No. 10). And do they bow to their every command? Nah, not every command, but at least 99.9percent of them!

Hey, man, are you afraid of the woman in your life?

Well, we don’t want you to answer that, but the truth is that in majority of the cases, men do. Although men portray this macholike image or seems to be super-tough or generally display a larger-than-life disposition, when it comes to their ladies, they might just tuck their tails in and scramble for cover if the women so much so raise their voices. Men fear women in many different ways. It is not just the spousal fear or the fear of the woman boss.

Black & White 15

Men are so jittery of what women will think and how they will judge so much so they fall head over heels when it comes to breaking the ice

When it comes to the romance thing too, men dither in nameless fear.

They get up all in knots when they are trying to woo their women. And from a normal telephone call, to a request for lunch or dinner could go all wrong just because the men get self-conscious when they are dealing with women in matters of the heart and beyond.

Men are dominant in nature and they have this ability to perhaps physically dominate women, but there too, not in that considerable degree. Gone are the days when a man (the cave man of course) could club his woman and drag her by the hair to his cave.

There are some who do attempt such crude practices, but largely, with men, getting more and more effeminate, or should we say, more metrosexual, there are many common areas, which could not be thought of in earlier days. Earlier, very few men could be bossed over by their women, but, today, many men lay claim to this factor – they have been or are being bossed over by women (be it their wives, girlfriends or colleagues).

Men health

The reasoning today is that feminism has systematically undermined men for the last so many decades that today they live in a world where prejudice is leveled against them. Yes, there are women who suffer at the hands of men worldwide, but this gap is reducing and men are increasingly being sidelined over many such relationship issues, so much so, one would require a movement to cut down the promotion of this man-is16 May 21-June 6, 2010

inherently-bad syndrome. As women continue to gain an upperhand both at home and in the office, men are slowly, but surely losing their control of things and this has made them more insecure. Men are also afraid to handle women who are more successful than them.

It seems that women’s power and success make many men feel threatened. Men don’t feel that they are up to it romantically with powerful, accomplished, ‘leading the pack’ kind of women.

Just understand first that the biggest cause of fear of women is that men put too much of importance on what the woman thinks of them. There is this automatic fear that women are going to judge them and even if they put up a brave act, inside they are putty, perhaps a bit nervous and insecure.

However, the best approach with women is not to get too hot under the collar when you are with them. Just get this into your head that it does not matter. It does not matter what happens, and it should not matter what the women think of you. The fears here are basically a matter of wrong programming than from reality.

Men are so jittery of what women will think and how they will judge so much so they fall head over heels when it comes to breaking the ice. Instead, if they reprogramme and make themselves understand that it does not matter what they think, things will go just fine.

LIFE & DEATH digits for MEN Ask any man what are the numbers that are closest to his heart; he is going to reel out his three or four-digit salary figure, or, he will probably unveil the number of girlfriends he has had so far, or on a decent basis, he might reveal his wedding anniversary date or his child’s birthday (we are giving credit that he is going to remember it)?

But, doctors here will cut through these and tell you one important number: five (5). These doctors will simply scythe through your numbers list and get to the numbers that you really need to know. And that is, you need to know your LDL and HDL cholesterol levels, blood pressure, fasting glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), and resting heart rate.

To be honest, these are your vital signs. And, it is vital that you know them and improve them if they are not optimal, doctors stress.

CHOLESTEROL Cholesterol can be lowered by a variety of means, which traditionally begins with therapeutic lifestyle changes (diet, weight loss, exercise) followed by drug therapy. Diet alone may be able to lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol from 7 to 30 percent if you adhere to a restrictive dietary plan. Most diets recommend limiting fat and cholesterol intake, specifically saturated fats and trans-fatty acids, and increasing the intake of plant steroids and fiber. A variety of specific foods such as walnuts and soy proteins and dietary supplements such as green tea and cholesterol lowering margarines have been shown to have a modest effect in reducing cholesterol. Smoking cessation

is another lifestyle change that can improve cholesterol. Swap your morning coffee for tea.

Researchers found that drinking tea can cut LDL by 11 per cent.

BLOOD PRESSURE They say that high blood pressure and hypertension are silent killers. If they are left untreated, they pose serious health problems such as heart attacks, diabetes and strokes.

High blood pressure can be caused by unhealthy diet, high cholesterol, drugs and even genetics (hereditary).

When it reaches bursting point it will burst and your blood vessels are no different. “But, even if you avoid a messy blowout—i.e., a hemorrhagic stroke—hypertension can still level a hit,” a health report notes. “Somehow, learn to handle life’s headaches. And also pray a lot.”

RESTING HEART RATE Think about it: Your life isn’t in your hands—it’s in your heart!

Resting heart rate is one of the better predictors of longevity,” say doctors. In a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, men whose resting heart rates were above 75 beats per minute (bpm) were three times more likely to die of a heart attack than those with lower rates. Aim for 65 bpm.

Black & White 17

Playground

High blood pressure can be caused by unhealthy diet, high cholesterol, drugs and even genetics (hereditary)

18 May 21-June 6, 2010

Also, if you do cardio training at lower intensity and add higher intensity once or twice a week, your resting heart rate will drop.

Train for a half hour at 60 to 80 percent of your maximum heart rate three times a week—but on one day, pick a random point and run (or bike) to it as fast as you can.

Return at a slower pace, so it takes twice as long to get back to the start. Choose a new point, either nearer or farther, for your second sprint and make the return trip in the same manner as before.

Repeat to fatigue.

FASTING GLUCOSE Your fasting glucose level is your diabetes meter: As it rises, so does your risk of developing the disease. Diabetes leads to devastating consequences—an elevated risk of heart disease, kidney disease, and eye damage.

Worse, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows that those with glucose levels over 140 mg/dl—40 mg/dl

above normal—have a 29 percent higher risk of dying of cancer.

Develop your sensitive side. To lower your fasting glucose, you need to improve your body’s ability to utilise blood sugar, a.k.a. your insulin sensitivity. And the best way to do that is by losing weight—and lifting some.

C-REACTIVE PROTEIN Lower your CRP and you may never need CPR. That’s because elevated CRP is often a sign of arterial inflammation—and heart disease.

Vitamin E and Coenzyme Q10 were found to lower CRP by an average of 30 percent (in research with baboons fed a high fat and high cholesterol diet). Vitamin C (1000 mg daily) in human research reduced CRP levels by 25 percent.

Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits daily can lower CRP levels by an average of 30 percent.

Regular, small amounts of dark chocolate can reduce CRP levels by an average of 20 percent.

Black & White 19

Men health

This may not come off as new, but it is something that men with insomnia are going to lose sleep over: insomnia increases their risk of an earlier death.

Earlier research reveals that men with insomnia and sleep duration of six or fewer hours of nightly sleep are at an increased risk for mortality; they were about four times more likely to die over the course of 14 years of follow-up than men without insomnia who slept more than six hours.

20 May 21-June 6, 2010

INSOMNIA MEANS HAVING difficulty in falling asleep, waking up too early, or waking intermittently, resulting in insufficient sleep.

CAUSES OF INSOMNIA There is no single cause for insomnia, but a number of factors are known to contribute: •Psychological - including stress, anxiety or depression •Lifestyle - jet lag, smoking, consuming drinks with caffeine or other stimulants just before bed-time •Environment - noise, light or strange odour, insect bits, or uncomfortable bed or extreme room temperatures (hot or cold) •Physical - frequent urination, coughing, pain and other forms of discomfort.

IT AFFECTS OTHERS TOO Occasional nights of disturbed sleep will not have a great effect on your physical health. If insomnia lasts for an extended period of time, it can cause: •Reduction of creativity •Slowing of response •Loss of memory •Inability to perform complicated tasks •The irritability that results from insomnia may also affect your partner, family and work colleagues.

TEMPORARY INSOMNIA CAN BE TREATED Determine and treat the cause of insomnia. If insomnia is only temporary, it can be resolved by methods, other than medication, such as: •Get into a daily routine, especially in relation to sleep •Stop smoking •Get regular exercise, but avoid strenuous activity immediately before going to bed •Do not go to bed with a full or empty stomach. Avoid caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee, cola or tea •Make your sleeping place comfortable: dark, quiet, not too warm or too cold SEE A DOCTOR •Do something to relax, such as meditation, listen to soothing music, or have a warm bath.

•If you can’t sleep, get up and do something else until you feel sleepy again.

•Persistent insomnia needs professional support. Do not take over thecounter treatment. Consult your doctor (*) who will look out for any underlying cause of insomnia and prescribe appropriate treatment for you.

Other studies have also found serious medical risks associated with insomnia and objective short sleep duration. People with insomnia should seek evaluation and treatment from their medical provider. Although the results suggest that people with insomnia have a lower risk for physical problems if their sleep duration is normal, they still are at increased risk for depression and may suffer from the behavioral effects of insomnia. (*- All health articles in this magazine are just that – articles. Always consult a doctor or health expert in all these cases and never indulge in self-treatment methods.)

Black & White 21

Getting

RIPPED OFF

Menread

(and liking it)!

Now, it is not what you are thinking.

This is not a piece on how to avoid getting ‘ripped off’ – in the sense, we are not giving you tips on how not to get cheated or how to ensure that you get what you have paid for

22 May 21-June 6, 2010

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;GET RIPPEDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; HAS OTHER MEANINGS, especially when used in a body-building term. What does it mean actually here: well, get very lean, with visible muscles; grow very big muscles and get very lean and so on and so forth...

With modern techniques and software getting ripped is very easy! There are plenty out there who want to know how to get ripped or how to get ripped abs or how to get a ripped chest and so on.

BICEPS Getting ripped biceps requires building muscle in your arms and shedding some fat on your arms as well. By doing both, you should get more definition and strength. Your biceps are the top upper part of you arms; so if you want to work on building muscle in that area, you should do some weight lifting exercises that target those muscles.

BUILDING ARM MUSCLE The following exercises should help you out on your way to getting ripped biceps.

Dumbell curl: Grip a dumbell in each hand and lower them at your sides. Let them hang freely. Curl your right arm up with a somewhat twisting motion, and then lower again. Alternate between your right and left arms. Try doing three sets of 10 reps. Start by using a comfortable amount of weight.

Barbell curl: For this exercise it is recommended that you use a curl bar. This will save your lower arms and wrists from a lot of unwanted strain as well as give you better form when doing the exercise. Place the desired weight equally on each side of the barbell and secure the ends. Pick up the barbell, being sure that you keep your back straight. Let your arms hang freely with the barbell directly in front of you. Keep your upper arms straight and curl the barbell upwards until it almost reaches your chest, then go back down. Be sure that you are only

bending at the elbows. Also be sure to use a comfortable amount of weight so that you are not throwing your body into the curl just to complete the exercise. Try doing three sets of 10 reps.

Pull ups: Pull ups are basically a given.

For bigger biceps, use an underhand grip rather then an overhand grip. Be sure that you are keeping energy in your arms and upper body. Do not kick your feet or swing to complete the pull ups. Start out by a weight that is comfortable for you. As you progress, you can add on more weight.

Tricep extensions: Tricep extensions do not directly work the bicep like the other exercises listed. However, if you are looking to get ripped arms and biceps, then it will not hurt to work the backside of your arms as well. To do this exercise, you will need a lateral pull down machine.

Grip the bar or rope with a close-grip. Pull the bar down until you are holding it at midchest level. Now, pull the bar down, keeping your upper arms straight, and only extending your lower arms. Try doing three sets of 10 reps with a desirable weight.

RIPPED The above exercises should give you what you need to build more arm muscle. After doing them, your arms should naturally get larger.

However, if you do not still have that ripped look, then try adding some cardio to your workout.

This should help to build definition in your arms.

Black & White 23

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Off the wall

What do you call such people?

O

By Adarsh Madhavan It happens like this. You are an illegal Indian, you don’t have any official documents (passports, labour card etc) with you and you have heard of this one golden opportunity to get back home thanks to the amnesty offered by the benevolence of the government of Oman. So, you somehow reach to the Indian embassy, but when you reach this huge edifice and see scores of people there, your legs begin to tremble. You have never been in front of such a big building and you have never seen such a huge gathering of people.

Other than native speak, you do not know any language, you do not know anyone there, you do not have any money and you do not have any influence and you feel down, depressed and do not know what to do.

It is hot and you are already sweating profusely, your unwashed shirt is clinging to your body but that is nothing. You always sweat and since there is no air conditioning in your room that you share with many others in a rickety shack in a remote area.

Your one hope was to get back home through this amnesty scheme and you desperately want to get this done. You see some people who are running around and seeming to have an official air about them and so you approach one of them. He ignores you. You persist in your efforts and he finally tries to give you some attention but still do not act as if he is going to help…

Someone who has seen you desperately making your pleas, whispers to you that the only way you can get through is to sort of grease his palm. You don’t know how to because you are wondering how to arrange money for your bus fare back home.

Something wells within you and you approach this ‘official’ again with a stronger plea and indicate that you will pay for the ‘services’. The man suddenly seems to drop his pose and slowly asks you to follow him to a corner and he now seems to listen to you.

You tell him everything. He takes some things down and then he tells you a fee. It is not much, but for the last three or four months, you have not seen that

f

he ft

wall

amount, yet, you don’t want to let this golden chance go and you tell yourself that you will raise the amount, when he delivers. But, you are appalled when the man bares his fangs at you again. It does not work that way, pay up or go take a walk! He will pay, for heaven’s sake, he will pay, but he did not have a baisa with him now. So get it and then we will see, the so-called official looking man said rudely and trundled off.

The truth is that this man is not an ‘official’ in any sense of the word; he is not even one of the many genuine volunteers who have offered their services – free – to the embassy.

He is someone who has seen an opportunity, and was going to make a fast buck, even though it meant taking money from the poorest of the poor.

This is a small tale related to me by one of the main protagonists in this whole Indian amnesty scenario. He has been part and parcel of this scheme and he was incensed by such elements who were taking advantage of such a situation. “It is a classic case of ‘making hay while the sun shines’, but the ugly part of it is that some are taking advantage of people with no means to live and are desperate to get back home. I don’t know, what do you call these people? I think it is only the worst of humanity that preys on the poor, weak and defenseless,” he vented his fury out to me.

I couldn’t agree less. It is only the scum of this earth that exploits the poorest of the poor; the weakest of the weak… adarsh@blackandwhiteoman.com

Black & White 25

Traffic safety 26 May 21-June 6, 2010

TRAFFIC SAFETY SYMPOSIUM

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Traffic safety

More than 7000 dead in TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS in 10 years Around 7,033 people (men, women and children) have died and 85,542 people have been injured in 9,984 traffic accidents that took place between January 1, 2000 and March, this year. And, there were around 2.07 million traffic violations, which took place between 2005 and 2010. These statistics were revealed at the recently concluded road safety symposium, which was held at the Traffic Safety Institute.

28 May 21-June 6, 2010

THE FIVE-DAY SYMPOSIUM, inaugurated

by His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, advisor to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and chairman of the scientific research council, which was held under the theme, ‘Yes for Limiting Road Accidents’ to raise road safety awareness in the country, was in response to the Royal Order of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said during the meet-the-people-tour in Saih Al Makarim, last October.

“War-like situation”, “road behaviour needs to be improved”, “huge loss of life and property”…These were some of the emotions expressed by the speakers at the symposium.

Road accidents in Oman and other parts of the world have reached alarming proportions and have thus become a matter of serious concern to families and to the community at large, they opined The five-day traffic safety symposium concluded with an announcement of 20 proposals. These recommendations were approved by His Majesty, the Sultan. The recommendations include: TheNational Committee for Road Safety (NCRS) shall work out a national traffic safety strategy for the years 2011to 2020; a National Centre of Road Traffic Statistics and Information will be established by the NCRS to provide comprehensive information for those concerned and researches on road safety.

October 18, has been fixed as the annual Traffic Safety Day and a trophy and prizes will be awarded to any governorate, region, wilayat, institution or individual initiative, which excels in enhancing the traffic safety; enforcing more control on road traffic in line with the expanding road network and heavy motor traffic to ensure safe flow of traffic and to seize reckless drivers who tend to commit accidents; finding engineering solutions for black spots where frequent accidents occur, set up clear policy for correcting them according to international standards…are some of the other recommendations.

Photos by Najib Al Balushi

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Guess who’s coming to dinner

Bikram Vohra, internationallyknown Gulf based scribe

Sunny side up Wordpress

By Bikram Vohra THEY were not on the A list in social terms. More like a B or B plus. Not rich enough, not famous enough, not powerful enough. So, while they were pretty active on the city circuit they were never at the best places. Just second best. Sort of like there but not there, second stringers at best, desperately seeking the front row.

This irked both husband and wife so they devised a strategy to get themselves into the ‘in’ parties. They gate-crashed. If it was a top shelf gathering they’d be there.

Not in the clumsy or crude manner you might expect of barging in but with a little bit of panache.

They’d call the hostess and say, awfully sorry, we were out of town and must have missed the invitation, but don’t worry we’ll be there, wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Once they called a friend of mine and said, our houseboy is such a nuisance, he never gives us the messages, no good help these days, hahaha, so sweet of you to be giving this dinner for the visiting MPs, sure you don’t need any help, we could get our cook to make something, On another occasion they gatecrashed a private dinner by explaining how they had just landed from the airport and how they are so fortunate they got back tonight, right in time. And they always carried gifts or a bouquet of flowers to soften their entry.

The A list crowd were cruel in their comments but the ridicule was in private and even though they joked about the couple they never really came out and said, get lost.

Over the months the gate-crashing continued and the game took on a new twist. There was now speculation over whether the gate-crashing husband and wife would fetch up at a dinner or not.

And then one evening at a small dinner party for twenty of fairly important people the hostess looked distraught and uneasy. Guests asked her what was wrong but she wouldn’t say.

Finally, she couldn’t hold back and she blurted 30 May 21-June 6, 2010

out what was on her mind. The gatecrashers hadn’t gate-crashed. It was way past ten o’clock and there was no sign of them.

They didn’t come, she whispered.

Maybe they don’t think we are good enough for them, said someone half jokingly.

And a legend was born.

Almost immediately the gatecrashers had been lionised and turned into society barometers. If they gate-crashed your party you were to the manner born, if they stayed away you were a has been, not worth the bother.

The whole ludicrous scenario was further validated by the tacit approval of the giddy social circles. There was even an honour system that evolved in that the true test of your party’s worth and your standing lay in their gate-crashing you. If you invited them it did not count, it was a natural disqualification. They had to fetch up on their own.

Things came to such a pass that the hosts would sweat with suspense until the couple fetched up or have a completely wretched evening because they had been dumped. Very soon the A list had been transformed according to this arbitrary yardstick and the gate-crashing couple had become famous and very powerful indicators.

If they didn’t come to your party the message flashed across the city. These are yesterday’s people, not even worth gate-crashing.

My friend, who knows them well tells me they are still in the game but now that they have become madly powerful and power has gone to their heads and they are far more mean-spirited and people are afraid of them.

So there is this conspiracy afoot to cut them to size. How? By ending their reign of gatecrashing terror. Simply invite them to every party.

Then they won’t have a base for their stamp of approval.

Ah, how the rich live. You think I jest. You think wrong. This is a true story.

Al Mazyona RO 400,000 prize winner Ali Mahmoud Abdulrahman won the RO400,000 jackpot prize of BankMuscat’s popular Al Mazyona Savings Scheme.

Abdulrahman has been banking with BankMuscat for over 20 years.

As an Omani businessman with global business interests, he maintains banking relations with other banks, but prefers BankMuscat for the excellent service he receives from the MBD branch.

Abdulrahman said: “The staff of MBD branch always remembers and welcomes me with personalised services. Everyone knows me at the branch and it is like coming home. I fully believe that God has been on my side and I thank God for this bounteous gift. I intend to retain the RO400,000 prize in my Al Mazyona account and hope to win again.”

Brand Oman’s 2nd Muscat Youth Summit The future of Oman’s economy, cities and enterprise culture will come under the spotlight at the 2nd Muscat Youth Summit scheduled for November 1 to 4 this year. Organised by the Brand Oman Management Unit (BOMU), and supported by the ministry of education and Unesco, college and university undergraduates, and young professionals aged between 15 and 24 will join students from secondary schools at the summit to hear presentations and participate in workshops on the growth of Oman’s economy over the next 20 years. According to BOMU’s Coo, His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said: “BOMU has crafted a unifying vision for Oman’s brand

and that is to build on our ancient seafaring and trading history, and by 2020 have a world-wide profile, attracting an increasing number of visitors, talent and businesses. In simple terms, we want to be recognised as a centre of outstanding commercial, tourism, education and cultural excellence. However, it’s Oman’s 15 to 24-year-olds that will be in a position of influence in the next 10 years or so and we want to ensure they have the opportunity to be involved in the nation’s plans.”

Given the resounding success of the 1st Muscat Youth Summit the BOMU created initiative has attracted substantial interest from key international organisations.

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All new

Chevrolet Malibu The smooth handling and refined ride of the 2010 Chevrolet Malibu might as well have been created specifically for uneven Middle East roads, while this Chevrolet’s latest midsize sedan also features a number of segment firsts which further underline its relevance to this region.

The OTE Group is the exclusive dealer for Chevrolet in Oman with 14 showrooms. Contact: 800-77007 / 24566267

Abou Nabil launches the

Wordpress

FireKiller

Abou Nabil LLC, a subsidiary of Darvesh (credibility since 1909), launched its ultra portable flame inhibitor – 'FireKiller' recently. The newly launched FireKiller is a revolutionary aerosol dispenser that is of tremendous value while subduing and extinguishing fires. Ahsan Hassan Darvesh, managing director, Darvesh said, “This is the first green product which is completely non-toxic and non- pressurised and has a small, compact light weight cylinder. The upper part is a metal tube containing the extinguishing charge while the lower part is made of plastic handle and acts as a support.” The FireKiller is available in three models across the sultanate – 5B (ES P004) household and commercial model, 8B (ES P004) household and commercial model, and 13B (ES P005) industrial models.

32 May 21-June 6, 2010

Nawras

‘stop the clock’ offer Nawras announced the launch of its latest great value promotion named ‘stop the clock’; an amazing deal that is allowing the company’s postpaid customers to pay as little as 19 baisa per call and never more than 57 baisa, even when talking for a whole hour. This offer is available 24-hours a day and is open to every Nawras Ajel customer when calling any other customer in the Nawras family. ‘Stop the clock’ can be enjoyed as often as customers like, up to and including the last day of July 9, 2010.

New IDdesign catalogue in store IDdesign Oman launches its very own catalogue revealing a new season of exciting design and furniture for your home. The brand new exclusive IDdesign catalogue reveals a small taste of what will be in store in 2010.

The catalogue is available at the newly furbished IDdesign Store in Markaz Al Bahja shopping mall. The catalogue can also be ordered by mail or call 24545658 for more information.

Khimji’s House of Travel appointed GSA for Air Arabia Air Arabia has appointed the Khimji’s House of Travel as General Sales Agents (GSA) in Oman. The appointment highlights the confidence that has been placed in the House of Travel by the first and most successful low cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa.

At a recent event that was attended by senior management from both sides, M. C Jose,

Ceo, Khimji Ramdas’, Projects & Logistics Group said “We are happy to note that Air Arabia has chosen us as partners to work closely with, in Oman.

This is our first venture into being GSA's for an online carrier and we are confident that the House of Travel with its well defined growth strategy is perfectly poised to best leverage the Air Arabia brand to deliver

maximum benefits to all parties”.

Pankaj Khimji, director, Khimji Ramdas who was present on the occasion added, “This new appointment further outlines our quest for leadership in the travel and tourism industry in Oman.

Along with our partners Air Arabia we will seek to offer innovative travel solutions and will ensure positive customer experience to all our clientele.”

Zubair automotive sizzling summer

OAD holds

15 year anniversary

In support of social integration for individuals with special needs, Oman Oil Marketing Company (omanoil) joined hands with the Oman Association for the Disabled to celebrate the ‘Gulf Week of the Disabled’ and ‘Arab Deaf Week’ during the Association’s 15 year Anniversary. The event was held recently under the patronage of Sheikh Salim Abdullah Al Rawas, Chairman of omanoil.

Zubair Automotive Group offers its Mitsubishi, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge customers a free summer service intended to help drivers prepare their vehicles for the scorching summer months ahead.

Mark Tomlinson, Zubair Automotive general manger; said: “When faced with the extremely hot temperatures Oman brings during the summer, some drivers find their vehicles struggling to cope with the heat. Our comprehensive summer check pays particular attention to both the car’s air-conditioning system and overall mechanical safety aspects.”

The summer service offer will include on June 30.

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Fly & Cruise with

Al Araimi Complex

Indulge yourself this summer – get an all-paid cruise to Singapore on one of the region’s most popular cruise line. All you need to do is treat yourself to a shopping binge at Al Araimi Complex during its two-month summer promotion that began on May 8.

Shopping for just 20 Rials gets your name into a draw. Two lucky winners will win two tickets each to Malaysia from where they embark on a fournight voyage with Star Cruise on Superstar Virgo to Singapore. The two draws will be held on June 12 and July 10.

“Al Araimi has always endeavoured to offer

A dialogue of letters at

Wordpress

Bait Al Zubair Museum His Highness Sayyid Mohammed bin Thuwainy Al Said will officially inaugurate an exhibition entitled Dialogue Of Letters at Bait Al Zubair Museum on May11.

This solo exhibition by Mohammed Al Sayegh is presented by Bait Al Zubair Foundation in partnership with Khimji Ramdas.

Mohammed's first show was in 1986, and this is his third solo exhibition. The exhibition will run from May 12 to 23 and is situated in Bait Al Oud,in the Bait Al Zubair Museum complex and can be viewed from Saturday to Thursday from 9.30am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm.

34 May 21-June 6, 2010

something unique and exceptional to its customers.

This is another opportunity where vacationers can enjoy the best of both worlds – explore Singapore as well as revel in the impeccable hospitality on board of one of the leading cruise liners of AsiaPacific, which is an experience in itself.

We have also tied up with corporate companies such as Nawras and LG to offer value gifts to our customers,” said Uttam Kotian, manager advertising. These include Blackberrys courtesy Nawras, LCD TVs, refrigerator, washing machine and microwave courtesy LG as well as i-Pad and Al Araimi gift vouchers.

Omantel

sign as official partner to 2nd Asian beach games Omantel has signed with the Muscat Asian Beach Games Organising Committee (MABGOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) as the first 2nd Asian Beach Games Muscat 2010 'Official Partner' in a ceremony held under the auspices of Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, minister of sports affairs and chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee.

With the product category of ‘fixed and mobile telecommunications,’ Omantel will be providing MABGOC and the estimated 5,000 games participants from across Asia with the highest level of telecommunications services and support during this first ever international multi-sport event to be held in Oman from December 8 to 16.

In Black & White

In Black...

Numbers play a significant role in human lives. Playing with numbers when you are growing up, actually betters your comprehension levels, enables you to memorise better Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Editor-in-chief HOOKED TO SUDOKU I got hooked to Sudoku some seven years ago!

I love logic and solving puzzles and within days I was browsing the net for all sorts of clues, shortcuts and techniques of the game. I was totally addicted to it! But, the funny part is, once I got the hang of it, I quit playing!

Numbers play a significant role in human lives.

Playing with numbers when you are growing up, actually betters your comprehension levels, enables you to memorise better, clears your thought process and helps you see things in the right perspective with a clear and logical mind.

LANGUAGE OF NUMBERS But, the other side of it is that many get bored of learning mathematics; some children grow up hating math. But, the first step in making math interesting is to understand the importance of numbers in our daily life. Can we actually live without numbers? Look at the basic questions you answer everyday… how old are you? What is your weight? Your mobile number please? A day doesn’t go by without numbers. If we are well versed in this language of numbers, it can help us make important decisions and perform everyday tasks.

FALL IN LOVE…WITH NUMBERS That is why we at Black & White are organising a Sudoku competition. I would urge all parents to make children fall in love with numbers through simple and absorbing games. As they grow

up loving and playing with numbers, they become smarter and healthier.

NOBODY’S FAULT Talking of health, we are addressing autism in this issue. Ill health and disease can attack the adult as well as the toddler. And it is extremely painful when we see little children suffer. As adults and parents, it is our duty to take care of our little ones.

They are our future. Even if they are physically and mentally challenged… So what? It is not their mistake that they are born that way, neither is it our mistake. So, we should stop blaming ourselves, stop hiding and running away from the truth and get involved in identifying the problems and take up early intervention.

LET US BE THERE FOR THE AUTISTIC Together we can create a better society and help each other live better lives. Let us not leave the autistic to live in their own world, all alone! Let us speak for them; let us be there for them!

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“There are ‘10,000’ AUTISTIC CHILDREN in Oman…”

B&W Xclusive

Not true.

That was just to get your attention.

We have to confess that we have no clue about the exact number of autistic children in the Sultanate and no idea of what to tell a parent with an autistic child/children or where to advice parents to go to if they have an autistic child.

36 May 21-June6, 2010

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B&W Xclusive 38 May 21-June6, 2010

If it was about physical disability, there is the Oman Association for the Disabled.

If it is about cancer, there is the Oman Cancer Association…in short, for most diseases there would either be a cure, or at least an association or a centre to go to, but when it comes to autism, you are met with a brick wall.

Are you a parent with an autistic child or children? Then, you must have either taken them to the Centre for Special Education, the Creative Learning Centre, the Association for the Welfare of Handicapped Children, etc.

Or, perhaps, you would have taken them to the only child psychiatric clinic at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) for the whole of Oman.

NO CENTRE Now, ask yourself whether there is one dedicated centre for autism or whether there is an association for autistic children/adults, and you are met with a ready answer ‘no’. There is nothing of that sort.

Which is why Black & White decided to go ahead and organise a charity cum Sudoku event, which we hope will bring about much needed awareness on autism in Oman and perhaps provide a stepping stone for starting a centre for autism in Oman.

WHY SUDOKU? Why NOT Sudoku? Sudoku is about numbers and if one may have noticed, autism has also its relevance in numbers and so we thought let the Sudoku lovers unscramble the numbers in their head on to the sheets and at the same time, make an event that shed light on the plight of the autistic in Oman and also take this disease from the shadows and into the light, even limelight, if needed.

MIRACLE MAN And what best way to do that than to rope in the man, that extraordinary human being, George Widener, an autistic savant, who will inspire many to climb over the challenges that face them today, like he has done many years back.

George, who despite being autistic, is today a man with incredible memory talents and an exceptional artist.

George’s story is of a young man with autism and a miracle. He has led a life of anything but the ordinary.

Events and people in his life, beyond his ability to understand them, forced him early in life to consider the subconscious and alternative solutions.

George was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1962. He struggled successfully to overcome a tough inner city childhood and joined the American military at 17.

He has visited many countries and been in several war torn areas. He has always had a love of drawing and turned to art seriously after being significantly influenced by his multicultural experiences.

Completely self taught for a number of years, today, he is a top selling artist.

He tells us how he was once struggling and lived on the streets several times, in Dallas, London, Amsterdam…

But today, world famous ‘rock stars’ sometimes buy his work and invite him to their mansions in Europe and he gets to take private tours of the vaults of museums.

George has been an inspiration to many who have heard him speak and he is bound to move the autistic here, their families and perhaps stimulate even a campaign that will perhaps, one day, bring about a change in the sad situation of the autistic in Oman.

We believe George will be that one shining star that will lead all of us through the confusing maze of autism.

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B&W Xclusive

George Widener Photo courtesy: Henry Boxer Gallery

40 May 21-June6, 2010

EMPHASISE your strengths, rather than correct weaknesses Black & White 41

What would you say if someone told you that you are going to be 35 years, 456, 789 minutes old in 2014 and that your birthday is going to be on a Thursday by just hearing your birth date? You might freak out!

You may have every reason to, especially when you get to know about the exceptional autistic George Widener, a prodigious savant with multiple talents.

In 2004 he easily defeated a former NASA scientist (“What day of the week will June 25th be in the year 47,253?”) who was using paper, pencil, and formulas (and eventually a laptop computer) in a ‘contest’ shown on a Japanese TV science documentary.

B&W Xclusive

Despite being autistic, progress has been made in George’s life by emphasising his strengths rather than trying to ‘correct’ his weaknesses. All his life George has made various drawings and had numbers in his head and so this is what he focuses on today versus trying to have some career with broader interests. He is a lightning calendar calculator with a seemingly unlimited range.

He also has instant recall of thousands of historical trivia, 42 May 21-June6, 2010

facts, world and US census figures (“Population of Boston, Mass is 589,141 in last census”) that has had some sort of interest to him. Mention the ‘Powers of Two’ to him and he might reel them off in rapid fire progression up to 20 digits (1, 2, 4....1073741824, 2147483648....) or so. George graduated from college at age 37 while in a special education programme for learning disabled persons at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, eventually earning a general Liberal Arts degree, Cum Laude.

George has drawn all his life and his early artwork was of a more stereotyped savant style, a sort of recording of something he was looking at or had seen in the past. He drew landscapes and portraits. His very talented draughtsmanship gives him a range of technical abilities. He has had to work to overcome his literal nature and visual memory to create original artwork.

George’s emergence as an expressive, original artist came as he began to place his revered numbers, calculations, calendars, facts, machine parts, and letters into works on found paper, often napkins. In this interview with the Black & White, George speaks about the simple side of his otherwise exceptional and unusual life.

Excerpts: You are called a ‘prodigious savant’ with ‘outstanding computational ability’ and a ‘date genius’… do these tags mean anything to you? What do you feel about it?

I know it is talking about my fascination with calendars and numbers associated with them.

I have always been able to see calendar numbers in my head.

I’m proud that I can do them, because I had some learning problems in other ways. I did do something original with dates when I blended them with ‘Magic Squares’ but I don’t look in the mirror too long. I have work to do!

Who is George Widener?

George Widener is a talented self-taught working artist who can draw in a multitude of styles, often from memory. Shows his work in galleries and museums on occasion. Is diagnosed with ‘Aspergers Syndrome’, a mild form of autism. Had several ‘low functioning’ autistic people in his family.

Give us an idea of a day in the life of George Widener?

These days I am quite busy with work so my time revolves around

that. I usually get up, have breakfast, and then go to the library. I work until the afternoon, then come home and go for a walk in the forest near my home. I like to read books in the evening.

I am presently reading about archeology.

Do you lead an interesting life?

Well, I was once struggling and lived on the streets several times, in Dallas, London, Amsterdam... today world famous ‘rock stars’ sometimes buy my work and invite me to their mansions in Europe. I get to take private tours of the vaults of museums. So yes, you could say I am having an interesting life! But I’ve always been a positive person I think.

What do you love; what do you hate?

I love to draw. Hate is a strong word, but I can’t stand being laughed at, or ridiculed, like I was sometimes when I was younger.

That doesn’t happen much anymore.

What do you fear?

I am afraid of certain social events people do because I can’t seem to understand them. I am sensitive to sudden noises and light.

Have you ever thought of what you would have been without autism?

No, I haven’t. I think I am lucky that I am not a ‘lower functioning’ person because then someone would have to take care of me all the time.

What is the single-most thing

you love or hate about being autistic?

I think as a high-functioning autistic person gets older, they can really become a productive expert sometimes in the subject that they are interested in.

Do you miss or regret anything?

No. What are you inspired by?

I was deeply inspired by Kim Peek, who had the world’s most amazing memory, whom I met and knew and who recently passed away. Kim was the model for the movie ‘The Rain Man’ and was a one of a kind person. I will never, ever, forget him.

What are your dreams? What do you want to achieve?

I want to achieve a great work of art someday. I know I can do it. But it takes a lot of work and patience.

What can you tell or advice the autistic (both children and adults) in Oman?

I think it is good if you can find what you are good at, in some type of work or activity, and find some happiness with it.

What do numbers mean to you?

Numbers are an activity that I do. This year I turned 17, 533 days old on a Monday and I keep track of these things.

Do you Sudoku?

I don’t Sudoku, but am going to check it out to see if I can link it to calendars.

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In a world of their OWN People with autism can live very productive and satisfying lives, says Dr Darold A.Treffert, a world-renowned savant expert. Dr Treffert, a psychiatrist specialised in the epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders, is an internationally recognised researcher on a condition known as savant syndrome. He was also a consultant to the movie, Rain Man, in which Dustin Hoffman portrayed an autistic savant. The doctor also stressed that not all persons with autism are mentally retarded. “Autism and mental retardation are two separate conditions,” Dr Treffert said in an e-interview with Black & White According to him, one in 150 children are on the autistic spectrum. “And about one in 10 persons with autism spectrum disorder will have special skills, or they are ‘islands of geniuses’ with special skills in music, art, math or virtual-spatial abilities,” Dr Treffert said.

B&W Xclusive

Excerpts: Are all of those who are afflicted with autism mentally retarded?

Not all persons with autism are mentally retarded. The IQ is difficult to measure in some persons with autism because they have problems with language and IQ testing is very dependent on verbal skills. Thus IQ testing in many autistic persons is not very reliable. About 30 percent of persons with autism, in fact, can have IQ scores as high as 120 or more. Autism and mental retardation are two separate conditions.

It is said that no one can be cured or can recover from autism? Is this true?

Many persons with autism do improve with interventions and treatment to where they can 44 May 21-June6, 2010

become much more independent and less impaired by their condition. While perhaps not ‘cured’ completely, the progress can be impressive allowing these individuals to lead much more productive and satisfying lives.

People with autism are unable to feel emotions or develop personal attachments?

While it is true that personal relationships and expression of emotions can be difficult for many persons with autism, over time such barriers to feelings can be loosened to where while awkward still, these persons can give and seek affection. That process of being more comfortable with feelings, and be less isolated, can be a very slow one, but I have seen it improve in many autistic persons.

Will anyone with ASD have some amazing talent or genius?

About one in 10 persons with autistic spectrum disorder will have some special skills, or what I call ‘Islands of Genius’. These tend to be in music, art, math or visual-spatial abilities. Sometimes these abilities can occur at a prodigious, or genius-like, level.

How different is an autistic from a ‘normal’ person?

Persons with autism tend to have problems with ordinary language or day to day communication. They also tend to be quite isolated and alone and have difficulty with social skills, socialisation and just ‘fitting in’.

They often seem to be ‘in a world of their own’. They may have rituals or routines and insist on sameness in the environment.

But all of these difficulties range from mild to severe, and, over time, intervention or treatment can soften those symptoms in all but severe cases.

Were Mozart, Beethoven, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein autistic?

There is a tendency these days to paint all geniuses as if they were all Asperger’s or persons with autism. Genius can exist without autism. Some geniuses have sizable eccentricities, but those do not qualify, in my view, as symptoms on the autistic spectrum.

One has to be careful not to apply the diagnosis of autism or Asperger’s too casually and that seems to be happening.

In my view (but I wasn’t there) I would categorise Mozart as a prodigy and Beethoven, Einstein and Edison as geniuses, and not having autism or Asperger disorders.

What percentage of the people in this world are autistic?

The current figure is that one in 150 children are on the autistic spectrum. Some put that figure at one in 100. But again, we seem to keep expanding the diagnosis and the diagnosis of ‘autism’ has lost its specificity. We have to be careful not to apply that diagnosis prematurely, or too causally or liberally.

Is autism genetic?

Current thinking is the autism does have a genetic component which can be triggered by certain environmental or other factors.

So there appears to be a genetic vulnerability in some children to autism but it is not a certain 1:1 relationship. This would be similar to diabetes, for example, where some children (or adults) are more vulnerable to getting diabetes, but certain other factors determine whether that condition is actually ‘triggered’ or not. Current research is looking at certain environmental factors (heavy metals, contaminants in food or water, immunologic issues) etc. to see what those ‘triggers’ might be.

Is autism caused by bad parenting?

Autism is NOT due to faulty parenting. There is no evidence to suggest such link and my work with the many families of children with autism has shown them to be very caring and loving parents with no hint whatsoever that ‘bad parenting’ had anything to do with the presence of autism.

What is the future for those with autism?

There is good news for the future regarding autism. First, early intervention and treatment benefits most children with autism and treatment can help adults with that condition as well.

Second, resources to provide such treatment are becoming available in most countries.

Third, research is intensive now to find even more effective

treatments and to share such advances and insights with all families, caregivers and treatment personnel. Fourth, research efforts have been accelerated markedly into finding the cause of autism so it ultimately can be prevented.

Efforts such as yours (B&W charity cum Sudoku event) inform the public about autism, raise awareness, help provide resources and give parents and caregivers vital support and hope.

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MOTHERS can easily detect autistic children

B&W Xclusive

A mother can easily find out whether her child has ASD (or Autistic Spectrum Disorder) or not. All that the mother has to look out for are these signs: A new born child senses its mother's touch, smell, sound, everything. The child responds to the mother. A child with ASD will not.

It will not react to the mother, or smile at her. The ASD child will avoid eye contact. Reluctance to smile, to interact are the early symptoms.

The baby will be silent too; the normal baby sounds will be missing.

AN AUTISTIC CHILD is basically lacking in communication. It is lost in its own world. Outsiders don’t exist. There is something happening in the child’s brain in its developmental stage.

“This is the time when the child has to be screened for autistic disorders. Mothers can easily sense whether her child is normal or not. A mother is the most important point to finding whether a child is normal or not. That apathy towards her can generally be sensed by the mother,” notes Dr Marwan M. Al-Sharbati, associate professor, child and adolescent psychiatric consultant, College of Medicine, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH).

Dr Marwan, who runs the only psychiatric clinic in the whole of the Sultanate, added: “I would only say to the mothers, do not fear or avoid accepting that your child may not be normal. It is not the end of the world. You can diagnose the disorder at the earliest stage, say 18 months onwards.

How does ASD happen?

“Maternal health problems, low birth weight, jaundice at birth, head injury, genetics, there are 46 May 21-June6, 2010

many factors that lead to these disorders.

In Oman, the Nizwa region shows the maximum rate of prevalence of ASD according to our first research.

Consanguineous marriages could be one of the adding factors.

There genetics can be blamed.

But, environmental factors are also playing a major role in the increase of autistic incidences,” Dr Marwan, said.

ASD symptoms Autism is a developmental disability characterised by difficulties and abnormalities in several areas: communication skills, social relationships, cognitive functioning, sensory processing and behaviour. The range of IQs reported in people with autism is one source of the tremendous variability in the population of persons who share this diagnosis; another source of variation is the scattering of skills within each individual. Most individuals with autism show a pattern of relative or even significant strength, usually in certain aspects of memory, visual perception, or unique talents (e.g. drawing, perfect musical pitch).

Dr Marwan noted that diagnosing autism can be difficult because it resembles other disabilities of behaviour, communication and learning.

“Over a period of time, autism has been misdiagnosed as many different disabilities: mental retardation, schizophrenia, development language problem, hearing impairment, or pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified. Then, there are also parents who panic and confuse symptoms. Some mistake autistic indifference as deafness.

Some consciously ignore it believing that the kids will grow up and become normal!”

Non-responsive and indifferent to others, children with autism can also be misdiagnosed as hearing impaired language and hearing impairments can also be confused with autism.

Language impairments in children with autism include delayed development of vocal expression and language comprehension, echolalia, pronoun reversals and problems with sequencing.

But, with recent researches and world conferences, health specialists and child psychiatrists are reaching out to each other for help and support, Dr Marwan said.

“Papers are submitted, research data and results are shared too. Every two years, there is a conference on autism organised in the MENA (Middle East, North Africa) region. The next one in 2012 will be held in Oman.”

Parents who suspect autism in their child should ask their family doctor or paediatrician to refer them to a child and adolescent psychologist, who can accurately diagnose the autism and the degree of severity, and determine the appropriate educational measures, Dr Marwan said. “With appropriate treatment and training, many autistic children can develop certain aspects of independence in their lives.”

Low priority given to mental health Worldwide, there is a shortage of psychiatrists. And on the other side, there are a growing number of psychiatric disorders. The perceived increase in mental disorders in developing countries could be due to factors such as drastic changes in lifestyle, migration from rural to urban areas, and even negative effects of media. The apparent increase could also be attributed to the improved awareness amongst

parents and teachers.

“While in the developed countries and the west, there is a lack of psychiatrists, the Arab world suffer from another type of crisis due to the low priority given to mental health care. In Oman, for a population of more than one million children and young people, there is only one child and adolescent psychiatry clinic. It is very important to develop an easily accessible mental health services for the young people,” Dr Marwan said.

More child psychiatry clinics should be established in all the

available district hospitals in Oman. Parents, teachers, primary health personnel should be trained to check list the prevalence of mental problems in children and adolescents.

Wanted: a national association for the autistic “It is also my recommendation that there should be a specific and specialised association in Oman for the autistic. It is better that way, since ASD children will be their main focus. Autism cannot be a side or optional subject,” Dr Marwan stressed.

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An Omani EINSTEIN? There is bound to be a genius out there among the autistic children in Oman. “Maybe an Omani Einstein or an Omani Bill Gates,” says Dr Yahya M Al Farsi, assistant professor of epidemiology and public health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). And he is not laughing. He is dead serious. “History says that Einstein was autistic and so was Bill Gates. Perhaps, we could have a genius out there, waiting to be discovered,” Dr Yahya continued in the same vein in this interview with Black & White

B&W Xclusive

AND THE ONES WHO are going to stumble on these geniuses are the teachers, counsellors, the caregivers etc. So, it was imperative that this lot are properly trained and have enough qualifications to understand and yes, even discover such talent, says Dr Yahya, who along with other dedicated SQU researchers have conducted (not concluded) the first-ever research on autism in Oman.

“Most of the developmental years are spent at school. It is very important that the teachers who spent the maximum time with the kids should know the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and report.

During our research, no data was obtained from teachers because of the absence of a periodic record-based surveillance system for the behaviour of the children in Omani schools. Implementing such a system could be expected to result in the diagnosis of additional ASD cases.

“The peak prevalence is eight years and it’s the school going period. If we don’t implement 48 May 21-June6, 2010

including qualified, trained teachers/counsellors at schools, we are going to lose out in the long run. Let us look at the big picture. History says many big names were autistic. Let us jointly find that out too!”

Autism can’t speak – let us speak for it Dr Yahya explained to us how he got into doing research on autism in Oman. “Everybody has some sort of a learning experience in their lives, probably one or more that will change their lives drastically. I have had many such experiences and one on a personal level with family as far as autism was concerned. This put me on the autism track.

Besides this, I have had the chance to interact with many families where autism was prevalent. Those were very humbling experiences that underlined the philosophies of my life.

The family members showed such level of humbleness, nobility and love that made me realise it is time we all spoke and did something about autism prevalence. “

Autism Research Group - ARG With a vision to alleviate the suffering of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) children and their families in Oman, a small research group started its work to lead research activities concerned with ASD. The basic objective was to study the prevalence of ASD in Oman and to establish a national registry of all cases.

1.4 cases per 10,000 Oman has an approximate population of 3.5 million, 42.7 percent of which is below the age of 15. (Annual Health Report, 2008). In a nutshell the result of the study, (which is still ongoing) was that prevalence of ASD in Oman is unknown. A cross sectional study was conducted from June 2009 to December 2009 to estimate the prevalence of ASD among 0-14 year old children.

A total of 113 cases of ASD were enumerated nationwide, indicating an overall prevalence of 1.4 cases per 10,000 children aged 0-14 years. Most prevalent cases were amongst boys (75 percent and among low income families.

The report concluded that the low prevalence in ASD in Oman is due to under diagnosis and under reporting.

The ARG team study resulted in a very low estimate, relative to other countries, and is believed to be under representative of the actual ASD prevalence due to omission of many cases as a consequence of under diagnosis and under reporting.

ASD increasing worldwide Worldwide, the prevalence of ASD has been growing in numbers, a dramatic rise, probably attributed to rise in awareness of ASD through media etc. But, there is no similar increase in

research on autism and other child psychiatry topics in this part of the world. The ASD is not a frequent subject of research in the Middle East.

In developed countries, the overall prevalence for all forms of ASD was estimated to be 60 cases per 10,000 children.

A recent study carried out in Saudi Arabia, which borders Oman, revealed an overall prevalence of 18 cases of autism per 10,000 children.

Dr Yahya points out to a recent research done in Oman in 2009, where the results showed that 17 percent of the high school/ adolescent children reported some form of depression!

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A GP should look beyond the current illness of the child brought to his clinic.

Anaemia, malnutrition, the other developmental milestones can be checked out

The internationally accepted indicator for this is 15 percent. But, when it came to ASD cases, the registry was quite low.

B&W Xclusive

Just one child psychiatry unit in Oman “Our research used clinical information about cases from medical records from the only child psychiatry clinic in Oman, which is at the SQUH, whose database was the sole source of records for formally diagnosed ASD cases in the study’s target population.

As the entire nation is serviced by a single psychiatry unit located in the capital, a majority of the population may find it logistically or financially challenging to reach the clinic for diagnosis or treatment. Others living in regions adjacent to international borders may have been using the services available in the neighbouring countries,” Dr Yahya said.

Look beyond the current illness He noted that their findings highlighted the need for more diagnostic facilities and establishment of record-based surveillance of abnormal 50 May 21-June6, 2010

behaviours in public schools. “The primary health care doctors should be trained to note the symptoms.

It is the first gate to discovery. If we can create a system to include the primary health GPs to have a checklist at the first point, we can have data of ASD cases.

Normally the symptoms for such cases are present from 18 months onwards. During vaccination visits, these tests can be done. A GP should look beyond the current illness of the child brought to his clinic. Anaemia, malnutrition, the other developmental milestones can be checked out,” Dr Yahya said.

Every single day counts “Every single day gone without diagnosis is detrimental to the child. Every single day counts.

Early detection and early intervention can save your child from total retardation.

But, the human brain is very complex. Just to cite an example let me tell you this… the stars on the sky are more in number than the sand grains on the beach… and the brain cells are more than the stars on the sky.

So, till date no one can pin point

one reason for the cause of ASD. It has many reasons attributed to it. Genetics, environmental factors, an infection during pregnancy, a sick mother, many reasons... But, we have no say at all on these factors. What we can humbly do is make a system that will help in early diagnosis,” he added.

Don’t waste time “So, let us not waste time, let us speak for autism, about autism and create the much-needed awareness for autism in Oman,” Dr Yahya concluded.

(Autism research group is a research entity formulated at the SQU in order to lead research activities concerned with autistic spectrum disorders. It is made up of a group of academicians and professionals who share common interest in ASD research.

Founding members: Dr Marwan Al Sharbati, MD, associate professor of child psychiatry, SQU, Dr Yahya Al Farsi, MD MPH, DSC, assistant professor of Epidemiology and Public Health and Dr Mostafa Waly, MPH, PhD, assistant professor of nutrition, SQU.)

Think autism, think Rain Man THINK OR SAY AUTISM and one immediately conjures up the image of Rain Man, or more precisely, actor Dustin Hoffman, who won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award, for his portrayal of Raymond Babbit, an autistic savant.

As autism is becoming known, more film makers are starting to incorporate autistic characters into their scripts. But, reports note that sometimes these characterisations are positive and uplifting and other times they can create quite a negative stigma for those with an autism spectrum disorder.

Rain Man is responsible for the general assumption that individuals with an autism spectrum disorder are either great at math or have a thing for numbers. The character, Raymond Babbitt, was actually an autistic savant.

Other movies include: Mozart and the Whale, a story of two individuals (Josh Hartnett and Radha Mitchell) with Aspergerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Syndrome who develop a romantic relationship after meeting at an autism support group. Mozart and the Whale, released in 2005, has drawn praise by many in the autism community for showing that individuals on the autism spectrum can and do have happy, loving relationships.

SNOW CAKE Released in 2006, Snow Cake stars Golden Globe winner Sigourney Weaver playing the role of Linda Freeman. Freeman is a highfunctioning autistic who gets entwined with an ex-convict and her small townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harlot.

Snow Cake has also received rave reviews by members of the autism community for showing that individuals with autism are more dynamic than the media stereotype placed upon them.

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We have been thinking of it since quite sometime now.

Finally, we have taken the plunge to bring home to you some offbeat stuff. Here goes, if you like it, give us the green signal for more; if not, just take it with a pinch of salt. For this fortnight, here is some nitter natter for the B&W Bitter Batter:

A strange tale of an Indian lamb leg

Nitter natter

Going, going… not going

52 May 21-June 6, 2010

At the display counter, the item will have one price, and when it reaches the payment counter, it will have a different price. Is this a new rule, asks an irate customer who claims that he was almost cheated by a well-known hypermarket here.

“I clearly remember seeing the price of the Indian lamb leg as OMR10.650. So, when I was at the billing counter and accidentally saw the lamb being billed as OMR16.450, I felt that there was something wrong. Did the lamb suddenly grow from the display counter to billing counter, I wondered out aloud,” a customer, who is a master at another trade, said, recounting his bitter experience to Bitter Batter.

When the bill was printed, the customer pointed out the discrepancy to the billing counter staff who did not seem to have a clue, nor did he seem to care. “I know mistakes can happen, but this was the limit because the counter staff did not care about my predicament,

so, I asked for the official in charge, who was nowhere to be found.

Finally, I went to another counter to get him and he was equally flippant about the problem and it was at this stage I blew my lid!” Finally, after a bit of haranguing, the customer got the discrepancy rectified, but has vowed never to go back to the hypermarket again.

“I felt that the staff of the hypermarket did not care at all for customers even when they were at fault. They claim that that the discrepancy happened because of some technical fault of the billing machine, but the worst part was the staff’s ‘don’t care’ attitude!

And, also imagine, this must be happening so many times at not only this hypermarket but several others too. Majority of the customers don’t even check their bills. I chanced upon this, but, otherwise, who will even check…

Shouldn’t some monitoring be done about this at the hyper and super markets here?”

Speaking about the amnesty, we are quite happy to learn that close to 7000 – but, this is not an official figure -- illegal Indians have left Oman after availing of this open facility, which allows them to leave the country without any fines. But, despite all these facilities being provided to the illegal expats to leave the country, many are still hoping against hope that they can still continue to stay here as

they have always. They do not realise the enormous problems that they cause the government and the embassies concerned. Everyone is doing a great job in expediting this flow, yet, people at whom this facility is aimed at are not serious about it and are not taking the golden opportunity that has presented itself to them. Some are known to have gone through the full process, but have gone into hiding at the last minute…what a pity!

Heard on the street:

We heard that a lady, who was stuck in an unusual situation on the walls of a building in town, was rescued by the authorities concerned…

She was trying to escape from one room to the other, and took

the unusual way out: she got out of the parapet and was attempting to reach out to another area, when she got stuck and this was high above the ground…People saw and the authorities swung to the rescue.

(Note: stock photo)

Who is next?

GRQ guys have no GK

They are dropping down…without any rhyme or reason... Don’t know what is wrong, but we are constantly beleaguered with news of people -- whom we know – dying. So many people whom we know, here, there and elsewhere have met with sudden deaths (in the sense, it was not a prolonged case where they were already

What is the attraction with these get-rich-quick (GRQ) operators in town? There are many who run after GRQ schemes, which obviously burst in your face when you are all gung-ho and ready to rip with it.

There are so many of them, right from the good old pyramid stuff to selling vacations. Lately

dying of disease) in a short span of time and it has put in a certain somber air over us. All of us are going to do die one day, but, when it happens suddenly, we feel a bit odd, a bit nervous, a bit confused, a bit down…No, it is fine if we were to go, but, it is this uncertainty about others and we fearfully wonder: who is next?

we have been followed closely by these people who claim to get us rich and happy, but we have kept away, not because we don’t want to be rich – no, simply because we don’t want to get busted! Yes, these people are harmless, but, they are time consuming and time is money, or, didn’t these GRQ guys know?

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Kidstuff 54 May 21-June 6, 2010

FOOD for thought…

Did you know that the average person eats almost 1500 pounds of food a year? And that you are more likely to eat more if you are cold? Here are some funny and amazing facts about food…

SWEET LEMONS Lemons contain more sugar than strawberries.

CRY ONIONS The onion is named after a Latin word meaning large pearl. Cutting onions releases a gas which causes a stinging sensation when it comes into contact with your eyes. Your body produces tears to dilute the irritant and remove it from your eyes.

RICE IT IS! Half of the world’s population lives on a staple diet of rice.

SALARY FROM SALT? The word salary comes from salt! Salt, our oldest preservative, was extremely rare in the past. So rare, in fact, that it was often used as pay. Imagine...

SLICE OF LEMON It has been traditional to serve fish with a slice of lemon since the Middle Ages, when people believed that the fruit’s juice would dissolve any bones accidentally swallowed.

FAST FOOD IS ANCIENT! Fast food is not new. The remains of fast-food shops have been found in ancient ruins! Even ancient Greeks enjoyed take-out. The only thing that is new is the mass production, standard menus and recipes of fast-food chains.

What’s black and white and red all over?

Ans: a zebra with a rash!

LAUGH A LOUD!

earning a couple of tablespoons of salt for a hard-day’s work. Today, salt is so common that restaurants give it away for free, and packaged food contains so much that it’s far too easy to eat too much salt (salt is also known as 'sodium').

TONGUE TWISTERS: TRY EM! How can a clam cram in a clean cream can?

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Your stars ARIES March 21-April 20 Expect family members to be highly sensitive to group opinions. At present loved ones may need to sort out their roles in intimate relationships. Shared family duties or small power struggles at home may now be a key factor. Stress may cause others to be introspective: be supportive. Work officials or business partners will be reluctant to provide complete financial information. Relations with clients, short term budget adjustments or brief contracts may all be at issue.

TAURUS April 21-May 20

ANGELINA JOLIE (born Angelina Jolie Voight; June 4, 1975) is an American actress. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and

Business or financial discussions will this week cause irritation in working relationships.

Unreliable work information may now trigger lengthy delays or cancelations; expect authority figures to quickly assign new duties or procedures. Demand concrete answers from business officials and set firm time limits for recent proposals. A key business project may soon need to end or be dramatically changed. Ask colleagues and authority figures to seriously consider your suggestions.

three Golden Globe Awards. Jolie promotes humanitarian causes, and is noted for her work with refugees as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Though she made her screen debut as a child alongside her father Jon Voight in the 1982 film Lookin' to Get Out, Jolie's acting career began in earnest a decade later with the low-budget production Cyborg 2 (1993). Her first leading role in a major film was in Hackers (1995). Jolie achieved wider fame after her portrayal of video game heroine Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), and since then has

Horoscope

established herself as one of the bestknown and highest-paid actresses in Hollywood.

56 May 21-June 6, 2010

GEMINI May 21-June 21 New workplace definitions or roles will soon arrive. You will be completing a fairly demanding period of disjointed business communications and low physical energy. Confidently state your short-term goals or intentions and expect a quick response. Promotions, renewed work ambition and career advancement will also be a strong theme for the next 15 days. This week also marks the start of four weeks of improved health and increasing social interest.

CANCER June 22-July 23 Past business contracts or agreements may soon require attention. New assignments will now demand a subtle change in past policies or office procedures. Find new ways to complete important tasks: the next four weeks will require creative solutions and confident expressions of authority. Distant messages or new social information may demand a quick response. Expect loved ones or isolated friends to now ask for emotional support and guidance. Key issues may involve strained relationships with family members or past history between siblings.

LEO July 24-August 23 Group awareness and publicly discussed business solutions are a continuing theme over the next few days. Expect recent workplace negotiations to leave the private realm and enter a phase of open consideration. State your case confidently: this is a positive time for searching out group support or approval. Social invitations may quickly change your schedule: be flexible and expect others to change plans several times. Pay attention to recent workplace or social disagreements.

VIRGO August 24-September 23 Romantic or family relations will now begin a period of social change. Expect loved ones to soon begin actively addressing their past roles in relationships. Discussions or public debates concerning responsibility to the group may require delicate attention. Key influences may involve group dedication versus loyalty toward the individual.

Avoid gossip or romantic speculation where at all possible: at present others will be highly sensitive to issues of privacy and control. New business messages or instructions may arrive.

LIBRA September 24-October 22 This week, previous misunderstandings and social complications will fade. Expect subtle emotional power struggles between friends to be quickly resolved. Past romantic triangles or family disagreements may have recently been a major issue.

However, loved ones will approach delicate emotional differences with humor or a philosophic attitude.

Expect key relationships to now move into a period of acceptance and mutual commitment.

SCORPIO October 23-November 22 Even though workplace officials may have recently instituted new procedures, business roles and success rates will remain unchanged. Expect workmates to calmly accept past limitations or return to previously established ideas.

You may find this quick reversal of workplace ideas to be quite unnerving: dramatic business changes can be expected for the next few days. Romance may be disappointing. Expect lovers and relatives to avoid deep emotional issues.

SAGITTARIUS November 23-December 22 Previously withdrawn or reflective friends may become firmly involved in social dynamics. Expect both friends and lovers to resolve deep emotional issues and begin participating in group activities. Be supportive: this period of inner contemplation may have brought powerful wisdom to loved ones. Accept unusual emotional changes or social reversals: friendships will soon improve as a result. After mid-week watch also for business demands to steadily increase.

CAPRICORN December 23-January 20 Financial management or home budgets may soon be restructured. A new income source or financial investment will begin offering concrete rewards. This is an excellent time to change or discuss family spending habits and money routines. You will now begin a powerful phase of business and financial productivity.

Expect unusual communications to lead to fast opportunities. A romantic proposal may be highly sensual or inviting.

AQUARIUS January 21-February 19 Family or close romantic relationships will require delicate negotiations. Your emotional support or social information may no longer be required by relatives or lovers. You may initiate subtle but important changes in long term relationships. New social definitions or group roles will soon bring emotional clarity: remain focussed on subtle power struggles and pay close attention to unethical business requests. Insight and social awareness are extremely high this week.

PISCES February 20-March 20 Close business and social relationships will now begin a period of important discussions. Expect both colleagues and close friends to present new ideas or group suggestions.

After mid-week recent social events or romantic decisions will begin working in your favour.

Confidently state your feelings: over the next few days others will quickly admit the wisdom of your suggestions. Early next week plan refreshing social or romantic distractions.

Black & White 57

PICK-UP PICK UP POINTS MUSCAT WADI KABIR Bait al Zubair Bait al Baranda Marina Bander Al Bustan Palace Hotel Oman Dive club Shangri-La- Barr Al Jissah Sri Lankan School NHI Pencil Building (Stationery shop) Al Maha bunk –Wadi Kabir Ajay Enterprises (Khimji) – (Next to Jingles nursery) Hotel Golden Oasis Sana Fashions Al Maya markets – (Old Rawasco) Scientific pharmacy – Opp to al Maya market ( Arab Udipi Rest)

CBD AREA TO DARSAIT Al Amana Building materials – Opposite Jawad Sultan Al Omaniya Financial Services office Oman oil bunk Khimji mart shopping mall – (Old shopping & saving) Khimjis Bait al Ahlam- CBD area Pizza Muscat (Opposite ministry of manpower) Pizza Hut/TFC – CBD area Centre point-Splash Muscat Securities market Times of Oman Shell petrol Bunk (Next to Sheraton) OCCI Library – Oman Chamber of commerce (OPP MSM) KFC – Ruwi Oman International Bank – Ruwi Palayok Restaurant – Filipino restaurant Ever ready supermarket New India Assurance Office Al Fair – Ruwi high street Lakhoos Money Exchange, Ruwi High street Damas Jewellery/office – Ruwi Oman UAE Exchange – OCC Centre Air Arabia Office- Shanfari Travels Ruwi Hotel Gulf air building – Gulf air office Saravanabhavan Restaurant Sarco – Samsung showroom Khimji Megastore – Swarovski showroom OTE Moosa Abdul Showroom – next to al Jadeed Toshiba Showroom Al Jadeed shopping Badr Al Samaa Samara video (next to Talentz, old bait al ahlam) after 5pm Ministry of Education – Opp Wearhouse – Ruwi Future management consultants -(opp Toshiba showroom) Haffa House Hotel Al Falaj Hotel Muscat Bakery- Near church Pakistan School (after temple & church Darsait) Naranjee Hirjee office (before Hotel Golden Oryx) Hotel Golden Oryx Bank Muscat corporate office (Opposite Hotel Golden Oryx) Kamat Restaurant Uptown Restaurant Turtles Book shop Al Rima Clinic Lama Polyclinic Oman Air – CBD NBO- CBD area

Bank Muscat Bank Sohar HSBC Standard Chartered Oman Arab Bank Harmony Music Centre – Next to OAB Bahwan Travel Agencies – CBD banks area OTTB – Oman Travels Bureau Air India office – CBD next to Costas Costas Papa John Supa Save – CBD Woodlands Bank Dhofar Horizon Restaurant – (Next to Moon travels) Oman post office Lulu Darsait Khimji Ramdas Head office, Muttrah (Kanaksi Khimji & pankaj Khimji) Majan College – Darsait junction (canteen) Indian Social Club Melody Music Centre – Next to ISM German Embassy – Hamriya roundabout Apollo Medical Centre Computer Xpress – Hamriya Roundabout Atlas Travels (Wadi Adai Roundabout (next to polyglot) Hatat House Passage to India Best cars Hyundai/Subaru/GM showroom Al Asfoor Furnishing Ahli Bank Shell marketing office SEAT car showroom- Wattayah DHL office- Wattayah Honda Showroom Sabco Head office wattayah NTT travels Wattayah Toyota Bahwan Advertising – Ist floor – Toyota showroom Lexus Ford showroom Shanfari Automotive Wattayah Motors- VW showroom Khoula Hospital Institute of Health sciences – opposite Khoula Kia showroom- wattayah

QURUM AREA TOWARDS AL KHUWAIR Al Harthy ComplexPizza Muscat – next to Sultan Center in al Harthy complex Sultan Center Nissan showroom BMW showroom Muscat Private School Qurum city centre Pizza Hut – Qurum Capital Store Al Asfoor Plaza KFC Hardees Fono showroom next to Sabco centre Shah Nagardas Sabco Centre- Barista coffee shop only Al Araimi Panasonic Showroom NBO Qurum Al Khamis Plaza Al Wadi commercial centre – Coffee shop Mercedes showroom CCC- Stand CCC Al Fair Bollywood chat Pizza Hut – Qurum

Second Cup Nandos McDonalds Salman Stores Jawahir Oman Hamptons Business Services & Travel Amex office Ernst & Young buildg (OUA Travels) Starbucks Hawthorne institute- ELS Fahud Street, opp Qurum park Mumtaz Mahal Left bank Oman Association for the disabled Ministry of education (20 +20=20) Muscat Intercon Jawaharat Al Shatti complex- stand Oasis by the sea - crepe café stand LNG Office Al Qurum resort Bareek Al Shatti Complex Al Qandeel head office -, Entrance of Bareek al Shatti Al Shatti Cinema - Dunkin Donuts Al Sahwa Schools– principal’s office next to Ramada hotel Hotel Ramada Al Muriya Offices- next to Al sahwa schools Grand Hyatt Muscat Al Masa Mall Radio Shack Al Sarooj Complex Shell Petrol Bunk- Al Sarooj Al Fair Ramee Guestline Rock Bottom Classic Institute of Arts- next to Asas Oman Asas Oman Apartments Crowne Plaza Coral hotel Qurum Pvt school PDO Ras Al Hamraa Club Omanoil head office

AL KHUWAIR/MSQ TOWARDS AZAIBA ELS – Al khuwair service road British School Muscat – MSQ British Council Oman oil- Madinat Qaboos Pizza Hut Khimjis mart – MSQ Kargeen Café Al fair Family Book shop- MSQ Tavola – Al Noor Hall buildg Starbucks Hana slimming centre – Ist Floor Fotomagic Al Noor Hall Al Jadeed Eqarat office Above Welcare Clinic – al Khuwair Domino Pizza Oman mobile Safeer Hypermarket Mustafa Sultan Souk Technia Omantel Oman international Bank – Al khuwair main office Ibis Hotel Park inn Hotel Friendi Office Muscat Bakery Tropical Ice creams Subway Pizza Hut service road

Ice Skating Rink National Training Institute Golden spoon Restaurant Shell Select- Al Khuwair Mcdonalds Mct holiday Inn Hotel Oman Bowling Center Halliburton Café Vergnano Khimji Mart – Next to Verganano Safeer suites Axa insurance (opp assarain Al khuwair) Zakher shopping Mall PAN Furnishing Harley Davidson Thrifty Al Amal Medical Centre – Dr Bashir Hotel Radisson Pizza Hut Al Khuwair Ozone Video Shop(Next to Pizza Hut) American British School Omar Khayyam Restaurant, next to V kool Grill House (next door) V Kool TAISM Centre for British Teachers – CFBT Baushar Complex Café Aviation Club Restaurant

AZAIBA TOWARDS SEEB Lulu Hyper market – Baushar Oman Medical college College for Business & financial Studies opp Oman medical, baushar Azzan Bin Qais school - Baushar Muscat private Hospital Dolphin Village – Bausher Royal hospital Ghala industrial area – NTI National mineral water – Tanuf ( next to Al Madina Holiday Inn) Oman oil Azaiba Spicy Village – Rusayl Pizza Hut – Ghala Oman oil – Ghala Towell head office – Enhance & Ist floor Mazda showroom Mcdonalds – Azaiba Select shell Azaiba Oman Tribune – Al Watan office New India assurance Azaiba office Safeer Hypermart Nawras head office Zubair showroom and Yamaha corporate office(two places)- Yamaha Showroom – close to Zubair showroom – 1st floor Polyglot Institute GU Tech – Beach road Azaiba Chedi Muscat The wave Muscat corporate office NACA – national cancer Awareness Assn MCC – Crepe Café Al Bahja– Mood Café & food Court Al Maya Super market Oman air Seeb office (Below Flyover, before Golden Tulip) Oman Tourisn College Golden Tulip Hotel Air port Select Shell – Seeb Pizza Hut airport KFC Muscat golf hills, SEEB KOM SQU – SQUH hospital , SQUH 2- canteen, 3Diplomatic Club, 4 – College of Commerce, 5 – Students banking area) Pizza Hut – al Khoud Sultan School al hail service road –

MUSCAT, SALALAH, SUR, SOHAR, NIZWA, BARKA, KASAB MUSCAT continued... principals’ office Caledonian college – principal’s office Oman Foot ball association

RUSAYL AREA Rusayl Industrial Estate Oman Cables Sadolin Paints Jotun Paints Al waqia shoes Mehdi Foods Areej veg oils

MINISTRIES AREA – AL KHUWAIR Ministry of tourism(Ghala, next to ISG) Ministry of social Development(next to Regional municipalities, Bank Mct) Ministry of foreign affairs

SOHAR Spicy Village Restaurant Lulu Hypermarket Jumeirah Shopping Centre Khimji’s Mart Al Salem shopping Centrepoint Moosa Abdul Rahman – GMC Toyota Nissan Mitsubishi LG showroom Sohar Bakery Sohar University Bank Muscat Habib Bank Bank Sohar Oman International Bank Al Raffah Hospital Badr Al Samaa Oman Arab Bank Bank Dhofar HSBC Travel City National Travels and Tours Universal Travels and Tourism DHL Dhofar Insurance Al Ahlia Insurance Taeeger Finance Co Omantel Al Jazeera Group Narenjee Hirjee (International)

SALALAH SHOPPING MALLS Lulu shopping center Al- Istaqarar shopping center (Salalah) Dhofar shopping center Bab Al- Salam market Al- Mashoor (Salalah) Al- Mashoor (Saada) Al-Khareef K.M Trading Al-Isteqarar (Saada) Al-Hoq super market Hamdan commercial market Fresh super market (Al-Sarat) Union Salalah Market Family bookshop

HOTELS Crown Plaza Hilton Salalah Hamdan plaza Dhofar Hotel Salalah hotel Haffa House Redan Hotel Al- Hanaa Hotel BAMSIR hotel Al- Jabel hotel Al- Nile suite (Saada) Salalah Mariott

MINISTRIES Ministry agriculture & fisheries Ministry of education Ministry of defense Ministry of housing & electricity Ministry of water Ministry of tourism Diwan of Royal court (Salalah) Ministry of primary court and justice Ministry of Commerce & industry Dhofar municipality (Baladia) Ministry of man power

SUR

NIZWA

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SHE Shopaholic or a smart shopper?

66

Some of us go to a shopping mall and end up buying more than what we require. And then after a period, we realise that we have bought so many things that we have not even touched and would not do so for a very long time either. Why do some of us buy things that we do not need?

72

Change your bathroom into a spa

70

After a long hard, stressful day at work, you should have a place where they can get away from it all. But, if your master bathrooms are all going to be bland and even ugly, that is bound to stress you out even more.

Why can’t we ask women their age?

Suddenly, you realise that you don’t want to grow old or age anymore. You try out everything under the sun to make sure that you look young. You don’t want anyone to mention your age… have you ever wondered why there is this big secrecy about a woman’s age?

for

Cooking

applesâ&#x20AC;Ś Salads are a great way to get more vegetables in your diet, especially if they are going to be made of apples. Though crisp, juicy apples are great in lunchboxes, they taste fresher when they are made in to salads. Select apples that are firm, without blemishes, wrinkles or bruises.

The best choices of apples for salads are Baldwin, Cortland, Granny Smith, Red Delicious varieties, because the raw flesh on these apples resists browning better than other varieties.

Here are some quick apple salad recipes for you to try at home: 62 May 21-June 6, 2010

APPLE AND SPINACH SALAD

Ingredients •2 tbsp fresh lime juice •2 tbsp fresh orange juice •2 tsp dijon mustard •2 tsp honey •1/4 tsp salt •freshly ground black pepper to taste •1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion •8 cups fresh baby spinach (about eight ounces)

•1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced

SIMPLE APPLE SALAD

Ingredients •6 cups cubed unpeeled cored apple •1/2 cup raisins •1/3 cup chopped walnuts •1/2 cup vanilla nonfat yoghurt •2 tablespoons honey

Method Combine apples, raisins, and walnuts in a bowl. Mix yoghurt and honey, then toss with apple mixture.

DOUBLE APPLE SALAD

Ingredients •1 (14 oz.) spiced apple rings, chilled •3 med. apples, sliced •1 med. stalk celery, finely chopped (1/2 c.)

•Salad greens •Mayonnaise or salad dressing

Method Cut apple rings into halves; arrange with fresh apple slices on salad greens. Sprinkle with celery. Serve with mayonnaise.

Method Combine juices, mustard, honey, salt and pepper in a small bowl and whisk together. Place onions and spinach in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss together. Top with cheese of your choice.

Black & White 63

A lesson from the birds

By Laila Al Gharbi

Laila, Omani graduate student of Nizwa University

When I think of birds, my mind soars; my heart develops wings and take solo flight. I love birds and I see them with my mind’s eye.

I know birds were designed by nature to fly. Their wings are God made, God given. They, like any, are God’s creatures…

I see more than a bird, when I see one. There is some inner sense, some inner confidence that propel them and give them the confidence and the power to fly. This power is within them always.

Have they developed it by themselves; is it inborn, I don’t know…

They push off from their perches – just like that! They leap into the air, believing that they will be safe, that they will not fall, and in case, they fall, they will be caught in mid air by some power.

I think the birds just leap from their perch with the full belief that they will be given the power to fly! It is amazing!

And this is the lesson from the birds that we should learn.

Obviously, we are not able to fly as they do, but it is this leap of faith that we should acquire, imbibe and practice.

The birds do not wait for things to happen, they do not wait for their wings to flap or be propelled by some force – the just do it, they just fly! And that is the unquestioning faith that we must posses, that faith that by doing it, we will receive the power, not to fly, but to surmount, in our own way, the obstacles of life. And if birds can fly, we need to follow suit -- not fly -- with action!

And I believe that the more we do, the more we receive for doing, and our own action becomes the generator of greater action!

Learning Curve

If a little bird can have faith to reach its destination, surely, you can have the faith that will propel you to not only great heights, but also give you the power to surmount all obstacles, until you reach your destination.

Do it! Fly like the birds! lalgharbi@yahoo.com

64 May 21-June 6, 2010

By Vandana Shah

It's my life

Become 20 years younger with no surgery

Vandana, award winning author (‘360 Degrees Back to Life')

“He really likes me, now tell me what to do?” Last night as I listened to these words I started, albeit reluctantly, to give advice. The setting was a Tony hotel in Mumbai, with us sipping tasty coffee and calorie laden munchies. Only the peripherals were different...rest ...nothing had changed.

I was with my childhood friend who had met with me after a decade. With childhood friends the chats are seamless and endless.

With them you share your darkest secrets–a crush on a married man, your guilty wants and desires like wanting to work not really for money but for more power at home, needing a break from a child at home, sometimes wanting a vacation alone without husband and family.

It’s only with them you can discuss personal tragedies, some of them, which they were a part of and cry shamelessly and say “I may be all grown up but I miss my mum and dad and wish they were around to see me now” (This was me sobbing away).

Tears lead to laughter as you remember the time you were trying to impress the hot guy in school by wearing heels and then tripped and fell on your face. The biggest childish satisfaction is in discussing that our so called arch enemy in school, the teacher’s pet, is not doing so well in life. We reflect and say “Karma for all the misery she caused us…”

What makes childhood friends so special? The reasons are just so many. They loved you when you were a nobody -just a girl with two ponytails struggling with a heavy schoolbag, running to get to class on time. With them there are no pretences because they knew you before you got polished enough to hide your true feelings.

They never judged me then and don’t do so now. So it’s like talking to a mirror and even the silence is a conversation. That evening I got my childhood back and became 20 years younger with no surgery.

I hope that all of you have a childhood friend tucked away somewhere with whom you can get your childhood back.

I especially dedicate this article to all our childhood friends.

Vandana Shah, Author 360 Degrees Back To life, www.vandanashah.com Email me what you’d like to say on 360degreesbacktolife@gmail.com Follow me on twitter Vandy4PM

Black & White 65

Transform from

SHOPAHOLIC to smart shopper

By Daniella S. Roth

Watchout

You visualise yourself looking like a million bucks. But, do you realise that you have just bought an expensive designer dress when there is really no occasion (for it)?

This is not to make you feel guilty, but, sometimes, there is a tendency among us women to go on a shopping spree and splurge!

Agreed that shopping is fun. But sometimes shopping can eat into your budget and add to clutter. Isn’t it high time that we learn how to be a smart shopper?

SOME OF US GO TO A SHOPPING MALL and end up buying more than what we require. And then after a period, we realise that we have bought so many things that we have not even touched and would not do so for a very long time either. Why do some of us buy things that we do not need?

buy. Sometimes the offer may be so tempting that you just fall for it. Yes, you already have nearly a dozen (or more) of lipsticks but, who is complaining if you get a new shade; or, for that instance, would you be stepping on someone’s foot if you dared to pick yet another pair of booties to add to your growing collection?

Forget it: make a list of what you really need to buy and do not buy anything more than that. Try this method out once and you will be hooked. Learn to be a sensible shopper; transform yourself from a shopaholic to a smart shopper.

Nobody will complain and no one is going to step on anyone’s foot except yourself. And that is when you have to understand that it is high time that you shift from yes, yes, yes to shopping to a simple, firm, ‘no’.

Admittedly, malls are a rage.

The ambience is shopping friendly and there is so much available in a mall that you are confused about where to enter and what to

Time now to say ‘no’ to shopping! No, don’t keep on saying, just this time, just once more and falling into that same defeatist pattern.

66 May 21-June 6, 2010

Smar

shop

tips

t

per

* Avoid carrying multiple credit cards * Make a list of things * Shop in the mornings; Crowds are less and you can freely spend time thinking * Take trials and take time to decide * Pay by cash as much as you can * Avoid picking up from baskets near cash counter. You are done with your shopping * Negotiate for prices even in malls. Ask for further discounts

MAKE A LIST It is always helpful to make a laundry list. You will never forget things that you need and save second rounds of shopping. Making a list also makes it clear that the things on your list are the ones you really need.

RESIST TEMPTATIONS If at all you end up liking something beyond your list, do not buy it. Move away from it and think if you really need it and how much would you use it if you did buy it. Stay away from words like free, discounts, sales and off. They are the biggest crowd pullers. Remember that even the pleasant central air conditioning is not for free.

MANAGE SPACE Where would you park your car if you did not have parking space? The same logic applies to your house. Where would you store things in cupboards

and cabinets already overflowing with stuff? Always think of the space you can afford, before you buy anything. You can lessen clutter by avoiding unnecessary shopping.

CARRY A LIMITED AMOUNT OF CASH Avoid paying by your debit or credit card. Paying by cash shows you how much money you are blowing up. So keep those power cards way to avoid debt and over expenditure. Carry extra money for conveyance and be smart.

AVOID FREEBIES Buying things because there is another one free is a sure trap to buy something that you do not need. It will definitely eat up space at home.

Try to stay away from the word, sale.

Do not get carried away with discounts.

Even if it is discounted you are surely paying a high amount. Ever wondered how retailers make profit?

Black & White 67

OK

to some

health

RULES

Beautyshop

Sometimes, it is okay – even good, some say – to break a few health rules. It may sound a bit irreverent and even cavalier to say this, but, why not break some health rules. There are too many people dictating what you should do, how many hours to sleep, how many glasses of water to drink, how many servings of fruits and veggies…just keeping track of these health recommendations can make you weary.

So, let us indulge in some offbeat stuff and break these rules.

68 May 21-June 6, 2010

BREAK IT: Of course, why indulge with people who have disease?

RULE: Stay away from But, the truth is, unless you have lung disease or bad asthma, it’s not that people with colds much of a problem to be around people with colds. Just because someone is having a cold doesn’t mean you have to indulge in antisocial behaviour. But, if you don’t want to catch a cold, make sure to wash your hands afterward with soap and warm water or use a hand sanitiser, because cold germs spread through contact.

BREAK IT: Today, in this day and age, where do you find time to RULE: Get eight hours of sleep eight hours? Sleep experts may recommend eight hours of sleep, sleep a night but everyone is different, and data show that people who sleep seven hours a night actually live longer. Are you well rested the next day after few hours of sleep, or are you tired? It could be a mindset. The most important thing is how you feel. If you feel okay after four and a half hours of sleep, then be okay, please!

BREAK IT: You read about this everyday. Every health article is RULE: Eat five to seven punctuated with this must do: eat five to seven servings of fruits and servings of fruits vegetables. But, to date, there is no study showing that amount is optimal. and vegetables Studies do show that people who eat more fruits and veggies tend to be healthier. every day But no one has compared five to seven servings to, for example, three to five. Eat plenty, if you like, but don’t get too obsessed with that ‘5-7’ number.

BREAK IT: Some of us are so obsessed with exercise that we tend RULE: When it comes to over do it. Besides that, there is this belief that you need to work to the to exercise, no pain, point of exhaustion if you want to be really healthy. Do you, really? The thing no gain is, do make an effort. And enjoy your exercise. But, don’t kill yourself exercising!

Black & White 69

Change your bathroom into a

Beautyshop

Here is a chance to change your dowdy bathroom into a swanky spa. Who will not want it? Get rid of your dirty showerheads, slippery cold tiles and fix up some water therapy, music etc into your bathroom and have your own homespun spa.

70 May 21-June 6, 2010

AFTER A LONG HARD, STRESSFUL DAY AT WORK, you should have a place where they can get away from it all. But, if your master bathrooms are all going to be bland and even ugly, that is bound to stress you out even more. However, with new technology, environment friendly and energy-efficient products, homeowners can turn any bathroom into a luxurious retreat or a private haven.

Sometimes, you may have to do with what you have and make a tiny spa out of your small and cramped bathroom. But, there are people who use the space of adjoining rooms to extend the bathroom for the sake of mind and body indulgence. Also, an endless array of new concepts like steam saunas or showers, multiple shower heads, air-bath therapy, tubs with reflective colours and fragrances, luxurious sinks and toilets, warm floors, and silent ventilation can give any bathroom the soothing comfort offered by a spa.

MASSAGING OR MULTIPLE SHOWERHEADS Replace your old showerhead for a massaging one, which is guaranteed to melt away stress.

Choose pulsing, rotating, strong, or soft streams of water. It’s instant home water therapy.

Or you may also upgrade by adding multiple showerheads for maximum body coverage and relaxation. You can tap into spa-status relaxation with simple budget-friendly fixes or if you can afford, luxury splurges.

STEAM SAUNAS AND SHOWERS Warm, moist air has soothing qualities. But forget the crowded gym sauna or steam room.

Install one at home for privacy and convenience. Special prefabricated steam shower units trap billowing steam and set your stress free.

Whirlpools AIR JETTED A popular choice in whirlpools is the air-jetted kind. An air-jetted tub gives off gentle, bubbles by forcing air into a high-pressure stream of water. With an airjetted tub, a homeowner can receive the full experience of a spa by adding bath oils, sea

salts, or bubbles that won’t clog or damage the system. An airjetted system doesn’t circulate water, lessening the build up of residue and the growth of mold, bacteria and fungus. It also prevents hair or small objects from getting sucked into the openings.

WATER JETTED Water-jet whirlpools are still an economical option that many homeowners can have in their bathrooms. A water jet sucks in water and shoots it back, creating stronger blasts through fewer and larger openings, and causing some bathers to scurry away. A drawback to a water-jet whirlpool is the potential growth of fungus, mold, and bacteria because the water from the system doesn’t fully drain out. Water jet tubs offer therapeutic massages, but proper maintenance is required to get its full effect in every use.

CANDLES AND AROMATHERAPY Lighting candles sets the scene for serenity. And scents are proven to affect mood. Make yours mellow by trying candles, potpourri, or air fresheners in soothing scents.

For relaxation try lavender, bergamot, patchouli, ylangylang, jasmine, juniper berry, or geranium.

HEATED FLOORS Stepping out onto cold tile floor after a nice shower or soak can be a shock. Try heated floors.

Thin electric wiring or tubing for hot water lies underneath tile. Adjustable heat radiates up, keeping your toes toasty.

Installation: Pre-assembled warming mats keep cords neatly in place. Just rollout and install flooring and thermostat.

LIGHTING Low lighting is relaxing. But you need to see to get ready.

Try multiple lighting sources.

Sconces at head level near your mirror eliminate face shadows.

Shower lighting helps you spot grime. Turn them all on or flip the switch on key spots.

Black & White 71

Why can’t we ask WOMEN their

AGE?

Say ‘Gerascophobia’ and it might sound like Greek to you. But, no, we are not speaking a different lingo! However, not many will know the meaning of this word, which is the name given to the fear of growing old. What is the big deal about growing old? There are many women (and men of course) out there for whom the mere thought of growing old sends a cold shiver down their spine.

IN MANY WAYS, THE WHOLE ASPECT of growing old is soaked in irony. For, remember how it was when you were young: you couldn’t wait to get older. You couldn’t wait to try on your mom’s wardrobe or her stilettos.

Shape n sound

And then you almost turned crazy thinking of how you will reach 18 and it seemed to be so far away.

But then 18 came and went and suddenly there you were shooting ahead and you were hoping of screeching to a halt (well, at least as far as the age was concerned).

ASKING A WOMAN HER AGE IS IMPOLITE Suddenly, you realise that you don’t want to grow old or age anymore. You try out everything under the sun to make sure that you look young. You don’t want anyone to mention your age…have you ever wondered why there is this big secrecy about a woman’s age? Many feel that it is bad etiquette to ask a woman her age.

The rule implied here is that a woman loses her value as she gets older. Some would like to see it as an archaic rule, but it is not so for even today, there are plenty of women who lie about their age and some are also able to carry it off because of the way they look.

72 May 21-June 6, 2010

Of course, those who are comfortable with themselves embrace age. They know very well that they cannot outrun biology or time, but then try telling that to so many other ladies out there who are the kind that are prone to pressing the panic mode the moment they spot the first strand of grey hair.

DAYS ARE NUMBERED “I am 25 and my mother tells me that I have to get married soon, and at the other side, I see my younger sister, who is just 17 and already seeing me as a ‘has-been’.

She and her friends stop talking when I near them and giggle like idiots. I don’t feel left out because I have my own gang, but lately they have also been talking about this age factor,” says Amanda, a young marketing executive, who already talks like she is old. She says that every passing year reminds her that her days are numbered and expectations from her family keep swelling.

WASTED MY 20s For 30-year-old Julianna, a dentist, completing three decades was her initiation into real adulthood.

To the vast majority of women, ageing is something that they cannot accept, nor are they prepared to reveal their age. For them, youth is a world filled with opportunity and that is the time when you are able to achieve most of your goals

“At this age, I am keener on how I spend my time and resources.

My 20s were rather wasteful. I am now catching up,” she says.

Youth, she adds, makes you feel untouchable and immortal and so planning for the future is a relegated to the future.

“When I turned 30, I was actually shocked. Here I was at this auspicious age but with nothing to show for it,” she tells us.

For these women and more, youth is a powerful thing and loss of it is something that bothers them. There are of course women who have embraced their age and moved on comfortable with the fact that they have reached an age where wisdom has also dawned on them. Such women feel they are more confident, more assertive, wiser, and more beautiful than they were when they were younger.

YOU ARE AS OLD AS YOU FEEL But, to the vast majority of women, ageing is something that they cannot accept, nor are they prepared to reveal their age. For them, youth is a world filled with opportunity and that is the time when you are able to achieve most of your goals. Because, when you age, the biggest struggle is keeping your identity. Most lose their sense of self and even sight of their goals.

However, what they are missing most of the time in their desperate stride not to grow older is the fact that getting old actually is something to celebrate about. As we look at an age of shrinking life spans, isn’t getting old actually a boon, a blessing?

And the final word on this is that whether you are man or woman, you have got to understand that you are as old as you feel and it is up to you to decide how to approach each stage of your life.

Black & White 73

Battles, big and small

By Priya Arunkumar

Hooked

Can you do one thing right and pick up the kid from school, she barked on the line.

It came as a jolt to me, not knowing who the caller was, she went on, and cut the line before I could answer.

It was a wrong 'number'!

I fretted, fumed and swore!

Someone had the nerve to call up and yell at me and for no reason?

I tried to call her back. But the line remained busy for the next half an hour.

Finally, I got her on line.

Hello, a voice said very softly.

I was already furious and I needed no motivation to be nasty.

“I am that person you called up and yelled 30 minutes back, if you could tell me your kid’s name and school, I can pick the kid up,” I sneered.

Silence.

Not a word.

Next time, I went on to say, have some sense before you start yelling, check whether the number is right! I pity the person it was meant to be!

Silence again.

She said sorry and asked my name.

I spluttered. My name?

But, there was something in her voice that made me speak softly too.

My anger fizzled out; I suddenly felt that she was in some sort of trouble.

Is something wrong? Can I help, I asked her?

She did not reply.

Instead she apologised and asked whether I am married and had kids.

Once again I volunteered to help, and

she started sobbing.

It was my turn to be silent.

After a very heavy 60 seconds, she spoke again.

Life has not been kind to me. I am in all sorts of trouble. But, it’s ok, I will manage. I don’t think anyone can help me. I have to help myself.

This time she ended the conversation with a thank you.

I wanted to protest, no words came out.

Thank me for what?

She wished me a good day and said goodbye.

I felt like a moron.

I have a doctorate in ‘heat of the moment’ decisions and declarations.

Being emotionally impulsive, my life has been of highs and lows.

It will do me good to remember that the next time I find myself about to be ungracious with someone.

Maybe, just maybe, we tend to meet people on the worst day of their lives and may not know it.

There are many around us… living their own different lives.

Fighting their own battles, big and small.

Sure, the world would be a better place if we all can be a little more kinder than necessary.

Because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

I know the ones I am fighting everyday…

And there are many days when I wished that someone be a little more kinder to me! priya@blackandwhiteoman.com

74 May 21-June 6, 2010

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Do You

Prelims at Indian School Al Ghubra on May 28 at 10am

Sudoku?

4

5

6

Grand Finale at Al Bustan Palace Hotel Auditorium on June 3, 2010 at 7pm

By Invitation only

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8

Loads of prizes to be won!

AUTISM CAN'T SPEAK. LET US!

Celebrity guest for the Grand Finale: Autistic Savant George Widener

9

Rush!

Sudoku for a cause

Deadline for Sudoku entries: May 26 Call: 24565697 / 98675976

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