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AUGUST 2021
ON THE COVER: OTHMAN QALFAS (@othmanqalfas) INTERVIEWED BY: JAMEEL ARIF (@jameelarif) PHOTOGRAPHY: RIYAS (@riyas.photokw) LOCATION: BILLY JOE'S (@billyjoes_kw)
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AUTOMOBILE
74. Evolution Of Vans
BEAUTY
50. Alqvimia - Unites Beauty, Wisdom, Love
And Consciousness. 58. Rose Gold Makeup Look
ENTERTAINMENT
SOCIAL DIARY
22. What Is Formerlyme? 32. Seven Simple Tips From Fitness First 76. CP Journal
To Ensure You Stay Hydrated, Happy And Healthy
INTERVIEWS
24. Othman Qalfas 38. Raquel Gonzalez and Jon Mikel 62. Agata
68. New August Book Releases 69. Writing Movie Wrongs 70. Famous Lines From Movies
72. The Next Chapter In Mobile Innovation
TRAVEL 12. What Instagram’s Most Famous Travel
Entrepreneur Can’t Live Without 30. Bonus Miles - The Revolutionized Cortijo 44. A One-Of-A-Kind Country Club 49. A Room With A View
FASHION
36. Birkenstock 52. Work From Home - Editorial
16.
FEATURES
8. My Equine Adventure 11. ترتيب االولويات 22. Discovering Saudi Heritage
REGULARS
FITNESS
20. 6 Small Changes That Lead To Big Results
TECHNOLOGY
12.
78. Homework For Grownups 80. Horoscopes
Dear CP magazine readers, Welcome to another amazing issue of your favourite magazine. We have a lot of interesting things happening here at CP magazine and I am happy as life is getting back to normal, we are trying our best to make the magazine more active and relevant. Let's dive into the issue and check out our special "WORK FROM HOME" editorial - a tribute to everyone who had to embrace the new concept of working from home during the pandemic. I hope you will like it. We have a cover interview with Othman Qalfas who is a radio presenter and now been assigned as the new General Manager for CP magazine. We welcom him to the CP team. Check out our other interesting interviews with Raquel Gonzalez and Jon Mikel and the designer - Agata. Our travel segment is again packed with some amazing travel destinations and ideas to plan your next trip. Do share your feedback about our contents and let us know what else would you like to read about.
Thank you for reading! See you next month.
Fatima Hamad AlJutaili Managing Editor
gillsherryauthor
MY EQUINE ADVENTURE Gill Sherry
I can’t remember the last time I was on a horse. It was certainly a long time ago, decades, in fact. As a child, I was obsessed with the graceful creatures and dreamt of owning my own faithful pony. But horses were an expensive hobby, as my parents were fond of telling me, so having one of my own was out of the question. To compensate, I would often visit the horses in the field beyond our house. I fed them apples, stroked their soft, velvety noses and ran my fingers through their long, silky manes. On family holidays, I would jump up and down with excitement at the prospect of horse riding or pony trekking and, during one memorable trip to Scotland, fell in love with the native, pint-sized Shetland pony. Inevitably, perhaps, my obsession diminished with age and I eventually grew out of my equine infatuation. Just recently, however, I’ve found myself drawn, once again, to these spirited animals. Perhaps it’s because my home is surrounded by fields and I’m able to watch them graze on a daily basis. I see them roll on the ground, groom each other and bat away flies with the swish of a tail. Last weekend, I decided to reacquaint myself with these wonderful creatures and arranged to ride a beautiful, white Percheron named Tilly. I was surprisingly nervous and needed a helping hand to mount the gentle giant. Thankfully, however, my anxieties didn’t last long and I was soon enjoying a leisurely ride through the countryside, courtesy of my four-legged companion. It was a treat to appreciate the landscape from a different perspective and to hear the gentle clopping of the horse’s hooves. It was extremely therapeutic and, coupled with the distinctive stable smell, conjured magical memories from my childhood. After a gentle, hour-long ride, I was reluctant for the experience to end. The thrill of being back on a horse was intoxicating and I enjoyed every minute of my journey with Tilly. That said, my legs were decidedly shaky when I dismounted (somewhat clumsily) and stood back on solid ground. It felt a little like getting off a boat, my balance temporarily deserting me. Back at home and reflecting on my long-overdue ride, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. It wasn’t what you would call exhilarating – I never progressed to a canter or, indeed, a trot – but it was an enchanting adventure that combined the charm of the past with the joy of the present, not to mention the pure delight at simply being back in the saddle. Based on the feeling of well-being induced by my one single horse ride, it’s no wonder the activity is considered invaluable when it comes to mental health. Being in contact with horses is proven to improve confidence and reduce stress and riding hoses benefits both physical and psychological health, regardless of age or gender. That said, never venture out on a horse without a back protector and a riding hat. Now, more than ever, I’m determined to live life to the full and to embrace every opportunity. With this in mind, I followed my short horse ride with a jaunt in a horse and carriage. My miniature dachshund, Maverick, also came along for the ride (what a spoiled little pooch he is!). It was absolutely delightful and an experience I will never forget. 8
What shall I do next, I wonder? AUGUST 2021
www.cpmagazine.net
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. مميز. حصري.حلو
.مع أحمد الزامل
NEW
Iced AZ Latte
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AUGUST 2021 JANUARY DECEMBER 2020 2019
NEW
AZ Latte
ترتيب االولويات
lulwa.lifecoach
اهال ً قرائي االعزاء ... اليوم موضوعي عن ( ترتيب االولويات)...
Lulwa AlKhamees
الحظت الكثير ال يعي ان موضوع ترتيب االولويات يقف عندك فقط ك شخص … وكل منه لديه اولويات مختلفة عن االخر … الكثير يظن يجب ان يكون العمل من االولويات … العائلة من االولويات … ال تستطيع تحديد االولويات ك قائمة موحدة ثابتة وناجحة … لكل منه احتياجاته الخاصة و عند فهمنا ل احتياجتنا الخاصة هنا فقط نستطيع تحديد اولويتنا بشكل صحيح … أربع حاجات إنسانيّة … حتى نصل للرضا عن أنفسنا ،هناك ُ و المهم ان نرتبهم ونحددهم … واالهم الموازنة بينهم .. ،وهي كالتالي: الحاجات المادّية. الحاجات الروحيّة. الحاجات االجتماعيّة. .الحاجات العقليّة.
تذكر عزيزي القاريء اهمالك او تجاهلك ل حاجة منهم … س يؤثر عليك … المطلوب منك … افهم نفسك … رتب احتياجاتك و اولوياتك …ثم حددها.. وال تنسى االهم ان توازن … واتمنى لك حياة ناجحة متوازنة … 11
www.cpmagazine.net
tifahtravels
WHAT INSTAGRAM’S MOST FAMOUS TRAVEL ENTREPRENEUR CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT Latifah Al-Hazza
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AUGUST 2021
Stopped at a red light or riding the Red Line, chances are you’ve scrolled across the Beautiful Destinations Instagram page. Launched in 2012, it captivates would-be travelers multiple times a day with striking photos and videos from around the world, and to date, the account has accrued more 19 million followers. The company has also expanded into digital marketing, and past clients include the Egypt Tourism Authority, the Jamaica Tourism Board, and Air Canada, just to name a few. But behind every behemoth Instagram account is a singular man with a vision, and if you peer behind the curtain of tourism industry juggernaut Beautiful Destinations, you’ll find CEO and Founder Jeremy Jauncey. “I am a passionate believer that [travel] is a force for good that can help us better understand different cultures and connect with each other,” Jauncey, 36, tells us. Down-to-earth, cultured, and with Instagram-worthy looks of his own, the Scottish and Colombian entrepreneur has traveled to more than 75 countries, though he says it’s impossible to choose his favorite. Much easier: where he’s dying to travel to next, which includes Norway, Madagascar, and Panama.
Like those he’s inspired, Jauncey says that his own influences for his successful business are myriad and worldwide. “In the early days of Instagram we realized that people from all walks of life were connecting over a shared passion for travel and photography and that social media was a way for them to express themselves,” he says. “We wanted to be the place they could do that and foster a community that would celebrate the power of travel.” Beautiful Destinations is truly a community and platform for everyone.
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So what keeps him going? Jauncey revealed to us a list of essential items for his own personal and professional travel, easing the stress on the mind and body. “You’ll notice that a lot revolve around health,” he says. “This is the one non-negotiable for me when I travel, as taking care of yourself when you’re on the road is critical.”
Athletic Greens Travel Packs While dining options on planes and in airports have grown more refined in recent years, it can still be tough to source a healthy meal if you’re in a rush. “It’s always hard getting good nutrition in airports, on planes, or at gas stations along your route,” Jauncey says. “I have [Athletic Greens] travel packs with me in my hand luggage, checked luggage, and just about anywhere else I can when I’m on the road.” Mixed in water, a single serving provides 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients to support immune system, gut health, energy, and recovery. “I take it every day without fail, sometimes twice if I’ve done a longhaul flight or had a particularly hard workout,” he adds.
Dreamers Glasses When you’re a professional traveler, jet lag is nothing to sleep on. Dreamers eyeglasses claim to help get you to dreamland faster by blocking blue and green light, which can confuse the body’s natural circadian rhythm. “Sleep is always my biggest challenge when I travel — with airlines, airports, taxis, and hotel rooms blasting you with toxic blue and green light. Dreamers are scientifically proven to block 99.9% of [green and blue] light so you can improve the quality of your sleep when you travel,” he says.
Hyperice Hypervolt Go “My body aches after travel, especially long haul flights, so having this in my hand luggage to get blood flowing and ease pains has been a lifesaver,” Jauncey says. This massage gun weighs less than two pounds, has three speed settings, and has enough juice for more than 2.5 hours of use. The TSA has already approved it for your carry-on luggage, though we can’t vouch for your checked bags.
Master and Dynamic MW65 Headphones These headphones may look like a retro find from your grandparents’ record cabinet, but underneath their vintage exterior are wholly modern components, cuttingedge sound, noise-canceling performance, and dual microphones for focused-in calls. It’s no wonder that a refined gentleman like Jauncey would select them for audio experience both in-flight and on the ground. “With work-life now remote and meetings happening on Zoom, I need good audio equipment to stay connected and productive,” he says. “These have been my go-to for years.”
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AUGUST 2021
Ten Thousand Workout Apparel and Loungewear “The most versatile workout gear I’ve ever had,” Jauncey says. “I wear the recovery line when I travel.” A favorite with both professional athletes and the everyman, Ten Thousand’s fabrics are second to none and its fits have to be experienced to be believed. In our humble opinion, its gear represents the epitome of men’s activewear right now (and the Instagram entrepreneur’s abs would seem to agree).
www.cpmagazine.net
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Yassa_KSA
DISCOVERING SAUDI HERITAGE
AL-BALAD
Vibrant history in the heart of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Yana Murash
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AUGUST 2021
Discovering Jeddah, involves discovering Al-Balad. Al-Balad is the historical area of Jeddah , and it can be translated as "The Town". Al-Balad was founded in the 7th century. In 2014 Al-Balad was accepted to be added to UNESCO's World Heritage list. The active vibrant life in Al-Balad begins after 5pm, when the sun goes down and Arabian fairytales come back to the tiny streets of the multi-storied mud brick and stone buildings. Mixing with the local people who are still living there brings this area to life. These days you can see some western tourists in the Al-Balad Cafes and in the area of the vibrant marketplace. The market offer to visitors everything - from textiles and sparkling silver and gold ornaments to spices and honey. There are hundreds of small shops along the narrow alleys, filled with everything from watches and clothes to incense and antiques. Be prepared to haggle for a fair price. You may even have to pretend to leave before you and the seller agree.
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If you visiting Al-Balad in the morning hours, the streets are mostly empty and spacious. There is often a slight wind from the west, coming from Jeddah’s Red Sea coast. This is best time to see the historical building architecture of the Old Town. The architectural style is characterized by the imposing tower houses decorated by large wooden window enclosures and shades built in the late 19th century by the city`s mercantile elites, and also characterized by lower coral stone houses, mosques, souq’s and small public squares that together compose a very active space. The older buildings have elaborate hand-carved wooden shutters and balconies. Some are painted bright green or blue, others are naturally brown. Some of the buildings have risen to more than 30 meters. Their construction is still in good condition after decades. Jeddah Old City is a home for 500-year-old buildings that are now subject to restoration as the Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman pledged an amount of $13.3 million to restore 56 buildings. The restoration project will be implemented by the Ministry of Culture. The aim of the project is to boost the artistic culture in Saudi Arabia. Al Balad has 600 protected buildings which cannot be taken down, at least not according to the law.
In another part of Al Balad, where the once-walled-in city opened up via the northern gate Bab Jadid, residents have put up wooden sofas near the street. This is a majlis where people gather in the evenings. Hisham Binjabi is one of the most celebrated Saudi artists, and who opened an Art Gallery in the historic district of Al Balad. A chance encounter at the age of 14 catapulted him to be the artist of Kings and Royals. After which, he painted for several notable subjects and patrons including King Faisal, King Khalid, King Abdullah, as well as objects of Saudi culture and the Arabian environment such as the Arabian horses. 18
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Many buildings in Old Jeddah are now being propped up, renovated and cleaned. The change is gradual, however, the effort to date is rewarding. This is very much a location worth visiting while in Jeddad, especially at the present time which shows a mix of buildings, some in good condition, and some to be refurbished. The feeling here is of living history, and visually different from other cities in Saudi Arabia. www.cpmagazine.net
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fatemahfitness_
THE POWER OF
HEALTHY HABITS
6 Small Changes that Lead to Big Results Fatema AlOthman
When it comes to our health, sometimes it can be hard to see the progress that we’re making. Weight loss, for example, is a lagging measure of our eating and exercise habits in addition to stress or illness. If weight loss is something that we’re intentionally working towards though, assuming that we are generally healthy, the gap between the time when we start exercising and eating healthy and the time when we actually see the payoff from all of our efforts can be a while, and this can be pretty demotivating. So what can you do?
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Build Healthy Habits Focusing on habits is a much more effective way to achieve results. Habits are about the little things we do every day that are often part of a routine. Understanding the main process of building a habit can help us change them. 1. Identify Cues and Response 2. Do A Little Less 3. Remove Obstacles 4. Reward Yourself 5. Temptation Bundling 6. Habit Stacking
Baby Steps Remember that the small things that we do each day can have big results, which can have big consequences on our lives. We may not see or feel the difference right away, but we also won’t achieve any results at all if we don’t change anything. The sooner you start establishing healthy habits, the sooner you will see and feel the difference. Any step that you take today is important, even if it’s just thinking about what you’re going to start doing or eating one less cookie in that bag. Your future self will thank you.
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formerlymeofficial
FormerlyMe.com presents “Bethany Hope Sessions”
WHAT IS FORMERLYME?
Jim West
FormerlyMe is an online movement to motivate and inspire people to become the best version of themselves by showing them my journey and experience in trying a new workout and lifestyle regime every 30 days. Every post, update, and video is ‘formerly me’ as I endeavor to become the best version of myself and become FormerlyMe. Each month CP Magazine will showcase a part of my journey to becoming the best version of myself. I hope that in turn this inspires and motivates you to start your own journey as well. For this month’s story we will focus on the “Bethany Hope Sessions” days of my journey. 22
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My last trainer during my preparation for my Slam Dunk Challenge would be Bethany Hope with Bethany Hope Fitness. I had seen her training during my first year of FormerlyMe and would watch her do amazing feats of strength and body control that most would consider insane. I call it Level 99 flexibility.
I would work and train hard and it came down to the day of the Slam Dunk Challenge, and unfortunately I came up short on accomplishing a slam dunk. Yet I would not give up. I would still keep training and retry this challenge again a few months later.
Bethany is certified NASM Personal Trainer, NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist, NASM Nutrition Specialist, NASM SAQ (Speed, agility, quickness) specialist, and TRX Suspension Certified. She has over six years of experience training people to become the best versions of themselves and I was excited to have sessions given her very busy and filled schedule.
Our first session was an hour long assessment, and like with Ali Wetzel the previous month we found that balance was still a significant issue. Bethany had me do a lot of jumping exercises combined with core strengthening planks and crawl type motions. I even worked my way up to 1300 pounds (589.67 Kg) calf raises! That is over half a ton!
Follow my journey online at FormerlyMe.com and on the YouTube channel. Next month I will cover more unique experiences. Until next time that has been FormerlyMe! facebook.com/FormerlyMe twitter.com/MeFormerly instagram.com/formerlymeofficial www.cpmagazine.net
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othmanqalfas
"enjoy your life and do what makes you happy." Meet Othman Qalfas a young Kuwaiti presente, producer, and director. He has recently been assigned the role of the General Manager for CP magazine. Othman has great energy and passion to bring some new flavour to the already very popular magazine. We took the opportunity to interview him for our readers to know more about him and to look forward to his more active participation in the magazine from now onwards.
INTERVIEWED BY: JAMEEL ARIF (@jameelarif) PHOTOGRAPHY: RIYAS (@riyas.photokw) LOCATION: BILLY JOE'S (@billyjoes_kw)
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AUGUST 2021
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Hi, please introduce yourself to our readers?
Hello, My name is Othman Qalfas and I work as a presenter, producer, and director in Kuwait Radio Station.
Tell us about your education.
I have a Bachelors degree in Public Relations and Advertising as major and a minor in Marketing from Gulf University for Science and Technology.
What got you interested in the field of media and communication? To be honest it happened by chance, I was studying accounting and suddenly I changed my mind to join Public Relation and Media.
What has been your favorite radio show? Which was most challenging? Why?
My favorite radio show is my first show, I produced it but couldn’t join the team to present it. It was a competition game and the winner gets money as gift. The challenge was to persuade the management about my idea since I was new and it was my first show.
Tell us about your experience as a Youtuber?
I started my youtube channel in 2013 and I was releasing a daily vlog. I have stopped doing that because it’s tiring but I have learned a lot from this experience.
What is your motto in life?
“YOLO” you only live once. So enjoy your life and do what makes you happy.
Are you smart, or do you work hard?
I’m a little bit from both. I like to play it smart and plan it well, with hard work to maintain a high level of achievement.
What is the best advice you got and from who?
Don’t try to impress people. I really believe in that. He who likes you will find thousand excuses and who hates you will find thousand reasons to blame you.
What are some of your hobbies?
I like to play video games and I like photography. These are my most favourite hobbies but I also share a hoby with my father which is to collect old cars.
How did you get interested in writing and how has been your experience writing for CP magazine?
Somehow the good things in my life happened by chance. One of them is writing, but I really like how CP magazine handles my articles and how they encourage the writers to be part of their family.
You are young but still love magazines. What are the benefits of reading magazines? I believe the magazine brings you the knowledge of many aspects together.
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What do you dream of?
I dream of wealth and health. Being a part of an international movement or company, I’m part of this magazine and it’s just the beginning.
What has been your biggest achievement last year?
Being able to stick to a workout routine and changing the mindset of curfews and corona.
What would you like to achieve this year?
To bring the best of CP Magazine and being able to work on new ideas that I have for radio shows.
Now, congratulations on being appointed as the new General Manger for CP magazine. How did this happen and how do you feel about this new role? Thank you, I wasn’t expecting it but it happened and I believe that there is a way decided for each one of us. I’m looking forward to put my mark on this magazine.
Tell us about the most interesting or inspiring things you learnt from your meetings with Mr. Jameel Arif – The Founder and CEO of the magazine? Mr. Jameel is more than a friend even before me being offered the new role. We used to meet and exchange ideas and discuss business stuff even with being part of CP. I was happy that he offered me this position.
What motivated you the most to accept this role?
It’s a challenge and I know that I can add to CP. I believe that I can help and improve it more.
During these challenging times, what makes you feel that you can achieve what is expected from you in this new role? As I said it’s a challenge specially during this time and I like to put my flavor into it. Just be ready for some changes.
What are some of the new ideas that you will be introducing immediately?
I can’t tell you all of my ideas ;), but I will share one of them. I will be focusing on making it more bilingual magazine to attract all readers.
How will you ensure that content is relevant to the target audience of the magazine?
We will keep our target audience and impress them but I believe we need another target audience too.
What is your favourite quote?
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” - Walt Disney
www.cpmagazine.net
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joseberrocoso
since 2010
Immerse yourself in the charm and beauty of an Andalusian country estate. Enjoy the true Mediterranean lifestyle, the best comfort in a design and avant-garde resort where the gastronomic offer stands out.
www.so-sotogrande.com
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AUGUST 2021
THE REVOLUTIONIZED CORTIJO
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The story of Sotogrande began in 1962, when millionaire Joseph McMicking, impressed by the luxury Forbes Park estate in Manila, in the Philippines, thought it would be an interesting idea to build something similar. The Filipino-American businessman, who served in the US army during World War II, bought four neighbouring fincas around the Guadiaro River estuary, in Cádiz, Spain. And his dream became true. Since its inception, Sotogrande has become the largest private enclave in Andalusia and undeniably one of the finest residential and leisure destinations in the world. 60 years later Sotogrande is an exclusive home where the elite enjoys the Costa del Sol in total discretion. With an impressive marina, world-renowned golf courses, famous polo clubs and nature reserves. This summer this beautiful location has a new member in the family. Accor, the largest hospitality company in Europe, set out in this incredible enclave in Southern Spain to open the latest property of SO/ Hotels & Resorts, a playful mix of sophistication and the dynamic style of each locale. The properties of SO brand are the places to see and be seen. With SO/’s unique ‘Just Say SO’ attitude, guests can enjoy service excellence delivered with an audacious and fashionable twist. Blended between Sotogrande’s vibe and the soul of SO/Hotels & Resorts, the French hotel group has created a unique resort experience in a revolutionized Andalusian cortijo. SO/ Sotogrande offers a contemporary touch, with rebellious spirit and it is the most idyllic place with a healthy and contemporary lifestyle, where families and friends savour together. From the moment you arrive, you are swept away to a world of wellness and serenity. A world where each day starts like a blank canvas for you to paint with the colours and emotions of your choice. Choose to explore the surrounding tapestry of verdant hills and valleys by foot, bike or horseback. Dive into the aquamarine waters of the Alboran Sea, then sail across them on a majestic yacht. Practice your swing on one of the many world-renowned golf greens that surround the hotel. Or simply spend indulgent days within its white walls, shady arcades and idyllic grounds. The hotel rooms are divided according to category: 19 rooms SO Cosy, 97 SO Comfy, 12 SO Studio, 10 SO Suite, 6 SO Lofty, 6 SO Two and 2 SO VIP, which are the jewels of the crown, with majestic terraces and wonderful views of the Mediterranean Sea. All 152 rooms have a terrace or balcony, most of them with large windows. 32
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CULINARY DESTINATION SO Sotogrande is a paradise for food lovers. The fusion of the local products together with the inspiration and modernity of SO/, inspires Cortijo. This family style restaurant focuses traditional cuisine with the best Andalusian products. HI-SO, located in the pool area with a relaxed atmosphere, presents a menu based on alfresco dining with a special feature: a massive barbecue of firewood of five meters characoal grill. In addition, guests can also enjoy buzzing atmosphere vibrant encounters at Social Club, the favourite place for locals to enjoy the panoramic views of the golf course; MIXO, the hotel’s modern and livery bar tnat combines high-enery fun with sophistication. MIXO VVIP, SO/ Sotogrande’s elegant and intimate bar is ideal for parties and private events or experience fine-dining ahute cuisine at SOCIETY.
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RELAX, SWIM, SUNBATH AND CARE SO/ Sotogrande is more than just a 5-star hotel that takes great care of your physical needs. It is also a wonderful place to come to when your innr wellbeing needs some tender loving care. The SPA and Health Club is surrounded by greenery, evoking an oasis of peace and luxurious gardens where the Mediterranean breeze calms. With a hand-picked collection of treatments inspired by science, for body and mind, it aims to be one of the best and most luxurious wellness centers in Sotogrande, proclaiming itself as a benchmark on the Costa del Sol. 8 spa rooms with natural therapies, 3 treatment cabins, cryotherapy, flotation therapy and physiotherapy, termal and hydraulic pools, hamman, relaxation and meditation areas and a state-of-the-art gym. Should you wish to explore beyond this bubble of tranquility, your options are endless. The jet set appeal of Marbella and Puerto Banús is only 40 minutes away by car. The big city vibe of Seville is a 2-hour drive, while the exotic Moroccan coast and the whitewashed medina walls of Tangier are a short ferry ride away. www.cpmagazine.net
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BIRKENSTOCK FALL/WINTER 2021 MENSWEAR & WOMENSWEAR
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For fall winter 2021, BIRKENSTOCK introduces a diverse range of matte colors and minimalist designs evoking feelings of tranquility. Launching across the region, the collection brings a sense of calm and adds new styles to the Big Buckle and Shearling ranges. The edit stands out with its calm and saturated colors and soft, high-quality materials, such as suede, nubuck leather and shearling. A sense of warmth and homeliness is the central theme of the collection, combining comfort, function, and style. This fall, The Big Buckle styles – be it the Madrid or the Arizona – stand out without being over-the-top. The soft shearling footbed and lining as well as the classic silver color of the extra-large buckle create a contrasting effect. The Big Buckle style made from oiled leather with shearling lining in dark brown or black with a subtle silver buckle is perfect for snuggling up. BIRKENSTOCK’s shearling styles in new colors guarantee warm feet when the temperatures start to drop. The range is expanded by the Arizona and the Boston in a soft rosé shade. The Madrid stands out with its new update featuring tonal shearling; the silver Big Buckle makes for a charming change of style whilst the straps lined with shearling guarantee optimum comfort. As a new interpretation of the Zürich classic, which was created in 1964, the Kyoto is a must-have for sporty yet elegant styles. Inspired by the elaborate design of the kimono, its fastener is individually adjustable, making it the perfect minimalist choice for him and her. The Zermatt, made from suede and lined with shearling, stands out with its soft grey and warm cognac shades in a semi-closed design that offers both, support and freedom. Lined with white shearling that will keep you cozy, these snug slippers are ideal for wearing indoors. The legendary footbed flaunts a supple shearling lining, and in the Zermatt Premium styles, the entire upper is lined with extra soft shearling that hugs the foot like second skin. Subtle, modern designs with fine materials for functional comfort – BIRKENSTOCK’s 2021 fall/winter collection reconnects us with nature and offers space for unique moments of peace and quiet. The BIRKENSTOCK fall/winter 2021 collection is set to launch online (on 6thstreet.com) and in stores across the region this September.
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KAITXO QUALITY AND FLAVOUR CityPages Magazine dives into a chocolate and coffee lover’s paradise. Kaitxo is the result of the continuous search for the best aromas, flavours and textures of the chocolates and coffees from around the world. Founded in 2017 in Balmaseda, in Bizkaia, in the heart of the Basque Country, by Raquel Gonzalez and Jon Mikel. There is a story behind each Kaitxo coffee or chocolate, the story of people who select the seeds, care for their crops and harvest using environmentally friendly techniques. We meet Raquel the learn much more about the brand, their philosophy and their handcrafted process to produce probably the best chocolate bars in the world. 38
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Talent Radar Words: José Berrocoso
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CityPages Magazine: Where does the name Kaitxo come from? Raquel Gonzalez: Our name, Kaitxo, comes from the two main products we work with, that means KAI Ifor kafe and TXO for chocolate...it was a simple way to describe what we have to offer. Meanwhile, this word is very similar to the basque language word for HI, Kaitxo. CPM: Tell us a little bit about the story behind the brand. RG: We created the brand in 2017, but we had been working separately with coffee and chocolate for several years. I had experience in the chocolate world, judging in competitions, teaching about chocolate and having tastings and pairings, and of course, making chocolate for other people.
very interested in coffee and chocolate. We realized that they had many things in common...starting from the plants and the different origins. And, as we come from a family that is very interested in quality food, and feels a bit frustrated over how difficult was at that time to find interesting and good chocolate and coffee in the area, we decided to put together a project where specialty coffee and good quality chocolate could meet. We also wanted to create a space where people could learn to appreciate both.
CPM: You are really concerned about the people who select the seeds, care for their crops and harvest using environmentally friendly technique. How was the process to find the right supplier? RG: The years working with fine quality chocolate and coffee helped us to get a network of contacts that has helped us to At the same time, Mikel had had a café since 2007, and since have a better understanding of cacao and other ingredients. 2015 he started to roast his own coffee for the café. We both were Nowadays we do not work with just one supplier, but we choose 40
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what we consider the right supplier for every kind of cacao we use, taking in consideration many different aspects. CPM: Can you explain us the entire process since you find your suppliers until the chocolate bar is available to purchase on line? RG: When we get in contact with a supplier, or the supplier gets in contact with us, the first thing we do is asking for samples to check how the product is. If we like it, then we buy it… for coffee is more “simple”... we just find the right roasting profile to get the best organoleptic qualities of each kind of coffee. With cacao, the process takes a bit longer. We start finding what we consider the best roasting profile for that specific cacao, always trying to not overroast (coffee or cacao)...so we roast the cacao, then we crack it, and separate the husk from the bean itself...so we get clean cacao nibs. And here start the process when we put the nibs in the melangeur to refine them. At some point we add sugar, some cacao butter, and eventually other ingredients depending on the bar. When we get this mix, that is now proper chocolate and is enough refined, we conche it so it can develope the flavour and aroma, and then we take it out and let it rest for some weeks, depending on the cacao used and the bar. After some weeks, when the flavour has continued developing, we melt it at the right temperatures to get the snap and desired consistence, and put it in molds as bars. And when they are cold, they are ready to pack, in flowpack, for a better flavour experience. CPM: What are the key strengths of your products? RG: We could say that the search for quality in every single ingredient is a key factor in our products. We try to find interesting flavours in the cacao, putting the focus on it, in all our dark chocolate bars, at the same time that we look for traceability in it, and in the other ingredients. The same criteria apply to the coffee. Violets, pistachios, oranges, no matter what, we try to www.cpmagazine.net
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find the good quality ones and when it comes to the flavoured bars, we try to give a different experience in them, different flavours than the ones we can find usually everywhere else. CPM: What trends are likely to affect domestic chocolate consumption in the near future? RG: We have observed that more and more people is focusing on health when they buy chocolate. They look for chocolate bars with a higher percentage of cacao. The higher the percentage, the healthiest, it is what people think. It has been happening the last years, and that is actually good, but when we learn more and more about chocolate, we discover that the percentage is not everything, and it does not tell us about the quality of the bar. CPM: What has been the most rewarding moment so far? RG: Probably, when we won a Gold in the World edition of the International Chocolate Awards in 2018 with our white bar made with salted and caramelized pistachios… exactly one year after have created that bar for a pairing with beer... that was a very special moment! CPM: Any plans for a future expansion into the Middle East market? RG: It is a very interesting market for us. There is a deep appreciation in the Middle East for high quality products and we would love to expand and introduce our brand over there in the short term. We will set our strategy over the Middle East market in the next coming months.
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A ONE-OF-A-KIND
COUNTRY CLUB Words: José Berrocoso
La Reserva Club is an exquisite Andalusian paradise: an avant-garde club overlooking the Mediterranean and surrounded by stunning countryside where the days are filled with diverse leisure and sports activities.
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Rarely can golfers experience a truly world-class destination where a superb course is combined with sublime gastronomy, a wonderful array of sporting facilities and the first and only in-land beach oasis in Southern Spain, with stunning full sandy bottom fresh water expand surrounded by large loungers, chambaos, an adult pool and sports lagoon. This ground-breaking resort amenity brings the pleasures of the seaside to a truly private and exclusive setting with complete comfort and enjoyment for the entire family. Experience the feeling of walking on the fine sand of Cádiz, in the middle of the hills. In bringing the beach to the hills of La Reserva, Sotogrande has the best of many worlds, not least of which is the fact that this is the first and only private beach in Spain. This will be the first time that a man-made lagoon has a full sandy bottom surrounded by elegant loungers and Chambaos with full waiter service both on the terraces and 2,800 square metres of sandy beach – bringing the pleasures of the seaside to a truly private and exclusive setting. It is where families, adults and children of different ages can come to relax and enjoy themselves, with superb service, amenities and areas dedicated to each to ensure this is an experience even the most discerning will want more of. The gastronomic offer is light and refreshing, with a range of carefully conceived and prepared lunchtime à la carte 46
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dishes that are a visual and sensory delight yet also designed to be healthy and made from natural, organic ingredients. Chef Daniel Artega and sushi man José María Veira are the men behind the “eat to meet” revolutionary concept. Tuna from Almadraba, prawns from Sanlucar, red veal, ripe and juicy tomatoes from Coin... Endless local products with which all the dishes on The Beach menu are prepared. Cadiz taco made with Almadraba tuna and marinade, guacamole and Dutch onion; La Reserva salad, served with organic tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, red onion, carrot, tuna, green asparagus and beetroot; black rice with cuttlefish and monkfish accompanied by aioli; Osaka ceviche with a dashi and garum base accompanied by corn, pickled onion and tender shoots; spicy red tuna tartare; a great variety of sushi: makis, nigiris, temakis and uramakis; Grilled octopus with truffled puree, low temperature egg and La Vera paprika’s powder are some of the dishes that can be found on the menu. The Beach is the perfect environment where you can relax, taste succulent meals and immerse yourself in an incomparable summer atmosphere. An ideal setting to live unforgettable experiences. www.cpmagazine.net
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by travel-expert José Berrocoso
PREHISTORIC LUXURY FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO ESCAPE IN THE DESERT
www.kaggakamma.co.za Nestled against natural rock formations in the Cederberg and far away from big city lights lies Kagga Kamma Nature Reserv, a few hours away from Cape Town, South Africa; a location which connects visitors of today with the soulful heritage and landscape once inhabited by the Khoi and San of the past. Kagga Kamma is unique in that it comprises an untouched Karoo-like wilderness: decorated in bursts of wild flowers, scattered and fascinating rock formations and an intriguing ecosystem of small creatures scarcely seen or found anywhere else.
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alqvimia_official
ALQVIMIA UNITES BEAUTY, WISDOM, LOVE AND CONSCIOUSNESS.
Alqvimia was born with the premise of creating 100% natural cosmetics out of the utmost respect for nature and beauty. The label believes in the power of flowers' souls to help rebalance ourselves cosmetically, emotionally and spiritually.
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Words: José Berrocoso ALQVIMIA was founded by Idili Lizcano, alchemist and master perfumer. With his Mediterranean roots and passion, Paris was where Idili grew up and spent his childhood. There he discovered a love for aromas and developed his innate gift for fragrances. Walking the streets of Paris in search of perfumeries, he captured a something that others did not perceive: the scent of the soul of plants on each olfactory strip. Intoxicated by a mixture of curiosity, the hermetic knowledge of alchemy and the science of perfumery... he set himself a challenge: “in the future I will do it better”. From there Idili began a tireless search to materialise his vision of beauty ("beauty transformed into light") using certain products able to carry off that transformation. It is in his dreams that the alchemical formulas are revealed to Idili. After travelling around the world, it was at a meeting in India with his Spiritual Master, when he decided to create Alqvimia: a cosmetics company to transform the world, based on the individual transformation of each person. After 34 years, ALQVIMIA upholds its values of love, passion, creativity and respect for nature. Thanks to the art of aromatherapy, the magic of perfumery and the ancestral science of alchemy, we extract the soul of plants that connect with and transform our own souls. The new Body Sculptor Body Lotion sculpts your silhouette in a natural and ultra-effective way. Reduce up to 1.4 cms in 28 days with the power of the Holy Thistle and an innovative combination of anti-cellulite active ingredients of natural origin. In the ALQVIMIA Silhouette range nature helps you perfect your figure. True balance and beauty, where harmony between body, mind and spirit resides. The new Body Sculptor body lotion helps to transform body treatments into an effective unique all-over sensory experience. Sculpt your silhouette and hydrate your skin with this light and soft emulsion formulated with natural active ingredients and specific essential oils to effectively reduce localized fat. It also contains Jojoba esters that help counteract the dryness of the skin and provide a soft and velvety touch. The Body Sculptor product line is indicated for people who want to reduce fat in localized areas, especially in areas such as the abdomen and thighs. It is a line of products that promotes weight loss, dissolving fat and helping to contour the figure. The purpose is to sculpt the body contour and provide a firming and tightening effect on the skin as well as improving its quality by hydrating and nourishing it. The results are noticeable in a few weeks. The result is fantastic: combats cellulite and the appearance of orange-peel skin; reduces fat deposits, especially on the abdominal area, belly, waist, hips and thighs; reduces the size of any adipocytes and fat nodules in the form of cellulite; stimulates oxygen consumption and the metabolism as a source of energy; improves microcirculation in the treated areas; stimulates muscle contraction to improve the appearance of orange-peel skin; increases the moisturisation of all the treated skin tissue; shapes the figure; reduces swelling and fluid retention with a draining effect; strengthens the skin, giving it a more consistent texture; softens the skin, giving it a silky, velvety effect and its fragrance of plants and plant extracts provides a comfortable and relaxing experience www.cpmagazine.net
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WORK FROM
HOME
Model: SHABNAM (@iamshabqureshi) Concept, Direction & Styling: JAMEEL ARIF (@jameelarif) Makeup Artist: MARIA (@maria_q8makeup) Photography: RIYAS (@riyas.photokw)
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SanaMakeupArtist
CHARLOTTE TILBURY
ROSE GOLD MAKEUP LOOK Sana Mrad
*WONDER GLOW INSTANT SOFT FOCUS BEAUTY FALSH *MAGIC AWAY LIQUID CONCEALER *AIRBRUSH FLAWLESS FOUNDATION STAYS ALL DAY AND NIGHT *FILMSTAR BRONZE & GLOW *CHEEK TO CHIC BLUSHER PILLOW TALK *ROCK ‘ N ‘ KOHL ICONIC EYE PENCIL *LEGENDARY LASHES VOLUME 2 *lIP GLOSS IBIZA NIGHTS * LUXURY PALETTE COPPER CHARGE EYESHADOW
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AGATA “What Makes You Different, Makes You Beautiful”
Polish fashion designer Agata who sharing her life between Riyadh and Dubai, talking about her latest sustainable collection - inspired by Saudi Arabian culture and heritage.
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photoshoot team: Photographer Raad Jamil @raadjem Model Norah @n.infinite Makeup artist Rula Zughbaba @rulzzz
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How and where did the AGATAH brand story begin? My fashion affair started when I was a little girl, surrounded by the extravagant, bohemian Polish society of the 1970-80ʼs. My mother was a singer so I was spending hours admiring stage costumes and the fashion of the artists. This unique lifestyle became my everyday inspiration. While raising my family and moving to Dubai I was again inspired as I was as a child in Poland. Dubai, famous for its love for fashion, is a global crossroads where beauty and sophistication combine with individuality and flair. As a result in 2009 I established the AGATAH brand. My idea was to create clothes to empower women, to make them feel confident and beautiful, regardless of age, body shape and personality. I didn’t want to create just garments, my aim was to cater wearable pieces of art which could convey the uniqueness of the wearer. I look for the inspiration in the rich local culture and heritage of places where I live or used to live, as well as different sources of art like paintings, movies and of course the 70’s fashion era.
'Noticeable Elements of Sadu' in the latest collection, what does this mean for you? The latest AGATAH collection “What Makes You Different, Makes You Beautiful” was inspired by Saudi Arabian culture and heritage. My idea was to apply decorative elements of Saudi national clothes into contemporary bohemian designs. The Sadu belt is one of the most outstanding handwoven decorative elements used in Bedouin traditional crafts known as AlSadu. The Sadu weaving craft, in its day, was an important indicator of the skill level and artistry of the weaver from specific regions. I’m truly amazed by the beauty and diversity of Sadu art, hence I found the importance of incorporating the elements of Sadu belts and giving them deserved recognition.
With your international fashion background experience, where does this bring you these days? There are two main aspects of my work in the fashion industry, designing and styling. I started my career as a fashion designer, since the beginning of this journey I have been working closely with my clients, which allows me to understand that women are looking for clothes which reflect the message they want to convey to the outer world and simultaneously to flatter them. This discovery motivated me to deepen my knowledge as a personal stylist and image consultant. Today, along with my themed collections which I release at least once a year (as a sustainable brand we don’t have to follow fashion seasons) most of the time I’m dedicated to helping women with a variety of backgrounds to look and feel their best, through personal style consultations and styling workshops.
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As an image consultant do you feel that a modern woman must build up her wardrobe in a sustainable fashion line? I believe that a modern woman, who is daily juggling many tasks needs to build her wardrobe according to her personal style, body shape, coloring and a lifestyle. That requires understanding all the aspects of using fashion to her benefits. This process requires establishing a sustainable capsule wardrobe. The concept of a capsule wardrobe is based on the collection of a few essential items of clothing (usually 20 staples for each season) that won’t go out of fashion, are made from high-quality fabrics, have flattering cuts and are in neutral colors that can be mixed and matched with the rest of the wardrobe to create multiple outfits for different occasions and seasons.
Tell us more about your Personal Styling Online Course, are there real benefits compared to a live styling course/session? The Personal Styling Online Course "Be The Woman You Want To Be” is a series of interactive Style Workshops for ladies, which helps women to create or elevate their unique personal style. Throughout this path, women learn to use fashion as a confidence tool from the comfort of their home. During the course I teach how to create a personal style, how to dress according to the body shape, face shape, body proportions and coloring, as well as how to build a sustainable wardrobe. It's a very convenient way to obtain the knowledge which can be used for personal growth and success. The course is designed to be conducted to a group and also to individuals. This means that every woman can improve her styling skills in a suitable time and place.
Bohemian Style as your personal preference - how it is connected to the modern shopper's society? Personally, the Bohemian style is a perfect way to embody my adventurous nature, femininity and my love for the fashion from the 70’s. To get a better feel for the Bohemian Style we need to understand its background. The bohemian style has its beginning in the 70’s when people started breaking rules and looking for freedom in every aspect of their lives. That was a time of political division, spiritual awaking, people were looking for freedom, they were questioning politics, civil rights and gender inequality. Looking at it from today’s perspective we can easily relate to these circumstances. Therefore, the bohemian style has become the signature look of many modern, creative and confident women all over the world. A woman who expresses herself through bohemian styling, lives her life respectfully to human beings, cultures and planet. Moreover, currently women with a higher purchasing power are those who started their fashion relationship in the 70’s, with their moms, aunts and other fashion icons who had a Bohemian Style wardrobe. It's an emotional element which plays a significant role in buying decisions.
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What are your Online platforms for sales. As I mentioned, AGATAH collections are made according to the sustainable fashion requirements, hence they are produced in limited quantities, some of the pieces are also made to order. They are available in the Middle East on my website www.agatah. com and exclusively on Wolf&Badger e-comers platform which collaborates worldwide with premium independent sustainable fashion and lifestyle brands. At the moment the recent AGATAH collection is almost sold out, but we are planning to launch a new collection on both platforms in late December.
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since 2010
New August Releases
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line:
The Real Valkyrie: The Hidden History
by Mari K. Eder
by Nancy Marie Brown
Untold Stories of the Women Who Changed the Course of World War II
of Viking Warrior Women
by Sara Nisha Adams
The 2020 National Book Award–nominated poet makes her fiction debut with this magisterial epic—an intimate yet sweeping novel with all the luminescence and force of Homegoing; Sing, Unburied, Sing; and The Water Dancer— that chronicles the journey of one American family, from the centuries of the colonial slave trade through the Civil War to our own tumultuous era. The great scholar, W. E. B. Du Bois, once wrote about the Problem of race in America, and what he called “Double Consciousness,” a sensitivity that every African American possesses in order to survive. Since childhood, Ailey Pearl Garfield has understood Du Bois’s words all too well. Bearing the names of two formidable Black Americans—the revered choreographer Alvin Ailey and her great grandmother Pearl, the descendant of enslaved Georgians and tenant farmers—Ailey carries Du Bois’s Problem on her shoulders. Ailey is reared in the north in the City but spends summers in the small Georgia town of Chicasetta, where her mother’s family has lived since their ancestors arrived from Africa in bondage.
For fans of Radium Girls and history and WWII buffs, The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line takes you inside the lives and experiences of 15 unknown women heroes from the Greatest Generation, the women who served, fought, struggled, and made things happen during WWII--in and out of uniform, for theirs is a legacy destined to embolden generations of women to come. The Girls Who Stepped Out of Line are the heroes of the Greatest Generation that you hardly ever hear about. These women who did extraordinary things didn't expect thanks and shied away from medals and recognition. Despite their amazing accomplishments, they've gone mostly unheralded and unrewarded. No longer. These are the women of World War II who served, fought, struggled, and made things happen--in and out of uniform. Liane B. Russell fled Austria with nothing and later became a renowned U.S. scientist whose research on the effects of radiation on embryos made a difference to thousands of lives.
In the tradition of Stacy Schiff’s Cleopatra, Brown lays to rest the hoary myth that Viking society was ruled by men and celebrates the dramatic lives of female Viking warriors. In 2017, DNA tests revealed to the collective shock of many scholars that a Viking warrior in a high-status grave in Birka, Sweden was actually a woman. The Real Valkyrie weaves together archaeology, history, and literature to imagine her life and times, showing that Viking women had more power and agency than historians have imagined. Brown uses science to link the Birka warrior, whom she names Hervor, to Viking trading towns and to their great trade route east to Byzantium and beyond. She imagines her life intersecting with larger-than-life but real women, including Queen Gunnhild Mother-of-Kings, the Viking leader known as The Red Girl, and Queen Olga of Kyiv. Hervor’s short, dramatic life shows that much of what we have taken as truth about women in the Viking Age is based not on data, but on nineteenth-century Victorian biases. Rather than holding the household keys, Viking women in history, law, saga, poetry, and myth carry weapons.
An unforgettable and heartwarming debut about how a chance encounter with a list of library books helps forge an unlikely friendship between two very different people in a London suburb. Widower Mukesh lives a quiet life in the London Borough of Ealing after losing his beloved wife. He shops every Wednesday, goes to Temple, and worries about his granddaughter, Priya, who hides in her room reading while he spends his evenings watching nature documentaries. Aleisha is a bright but anxious teenager working at the local library for the summer when she discovers a crumpled-up piece of paper in the back of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s a list of novels that she’s never heard of before. Intrigued, and a little bored with her slow job at the checkout desk, she impulsively decides to read every book on the list, one after the other. As each story gives up its magic, the books transport Aleisha from the painful realities she’s facing at home.
Never Say You Can't Survive: How to Get Through Hard Times by Making Up Stories
The Women of Troy
The People We Keep
Made in China: A Memoir of Love and
by Pat Barker
by Allison Larkin
by Charlie Jane Anders From Charlie Jane Anders, the award-winning author of novels such as All the Birds in the Sky and The City in the Middle of the Night, this is one of the most practical guides to storytelling that you will ever read. The world is on fire. So tell your story. Things are scary right now. We’re all being swept along by a tidal wave of history, and it’s easy to feel helpless. But we’re not helpless: we have minds, and imaginations, and the ability to visualize other worlds and valiant struggles. And writing can be an act of resistance that reminds us that other futures and other ways of living are possible. Full of memoir, personal anecdote, and insight about how to flourish during the present emergency, Never Say You Can’t Survive is the perfect manual for creativity in unprecedented times.
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The Reading List
AUGUST 2021
Labor
by Anna Qu roy has fallen. The Greeks have won their bitter war. They can return home as victors - all they need is a good wind to lift their sails. But the wind has vanished, the seas becalmed by vengeful gods, and so the warriors remain in limbo - camped in the shadow of the city they destroyed, kept company by the women they stole from it. The women of Troy. Helen - poor Helen. All that beauty, all that grace - and she was just a mouldy old bone for feral dogs to fight over. Cassandra, who has learned not to be too attached to her own prophecies. They have only ever been believed when she can get a man to deliver them. Stubborn Amina, with her gaze still fixed on the ruined towers of Troy, determined to avenge the slaughter of her king.
Little River, New York, 1994: April Sawicki is living in a motorless motorhome that her father won in a poker game. Failing out of school, picking up shifts at Margo’s diner, she’s left fending for herself in a town where she’s never quite felt at home. When she “borrows” her neighbor’s car to perform at an open mic night, she realizes her life could be much bigger than where she came from. After a fight with her dad, April packs her stuff and leaves for good, setting off on a journey to find a life that’s all hers. As April moves through the world, meeting people who feel like home, she chronicles her life in the songs she writes and discovers that where she came from doesn’t dictate who she has to be. This lyrical, unflinching tale is for anyone who has ever yearned for the fierce power of found family or to grasp the profound beauty of choosing to belong.
As a teen, Anna Qu is sent by her mother to work in her family's garment factory in Queens. At home, she is treated as a maid and suffers punishment for doing her homework at night. Her mother wants to teach her a lesson: she is Chinese, not American, and such is their tough path in their new country. But instead of acquiescing, Qu alerts the Office of Children and Family Services, an act with consequences that impact the rest of her life. Nearly twenty years later, estranged from her mother and working at a Manhattan start-up, Qu requests her OCFS report. When it arrives, key details are wrong. Faced with this false narrative, and on the brink of losing her job as the once-shiny start-up collapses, Qu looks once more at her life's truths, from abandonment to an abusive family to seeking dignity and meaning in work. Traveling from Wenzhou to Xi'an to New York, Made in China is a fierce memoir unafraid to ask thorny questions about trauma and survival in immigrant families, the meaning of work, and the costs of immigration.
THE SUICIDE SQUAD Directed by James Gunn Written by James Gunn
WRITING MOVIE
WRONGS moviewrongs.com by: JIM WEST
The 2016 Suicide Squad film was written and directed by David Ayer and wasn't the best outing for a DC film, but given the popularity of Margot Robbie's portrayal of Harley Quinn they had a standalone film Birds of Prey (2020) this film had been essentially waiting for a gifted writer and director that has enough quirkiness to bring a new fresh vision to life. James Gunn is best known for the Marvel Guardians of the Galaxy films, and boy did he bring his full potential with this film. Visually this film is stunning. The pace and action is funny and just takes you by surprise because this film dares to go against the typical grain of most superhero films. Opening with characters that get wholesale slaughtered is such a amazing way to kick things off. Directors and writers like this need to gain more popularity so that we get fresh new visions brought to life on the big screen. This film is so close to being perfect, but there is a minor detail that should be corrected which I will get into later. Yet for the most part this will be a writing a movie RIGHT review.
Here comes the spoilers.
The film opens with a mission that quickly puts this new Suicide Squad team with a few old faces from the previous film on a plane headed to a covert mission. Once the mission starts we are quickly surprised to see character after character get killed in spectacular fashion. The fact that the audience are laughing while this happens is a testament to how ready the general public
is for more from James Gunn. Amanda Waller again leads the government program that enlists super villians to work missions to get time off of their multiple life sentences. Colonel Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) leads the team and this time they enlist a couple new characters to rebuild the team for a huge mission that as usual is to save the world. We get John Cena as Peacemaker and Idris Elba as Bloodsport who seems to butt heads from time to time and that is a matchup fight I really wanted to see happen in this film. THAT is essentially the only thing I would've changed is insert a prolonged fight scene between these two. The team must stop a secret experiment called “Starfish”. We discover that the government is trying to cover-up this experiment and the team uncovers the data and ends up almost being terminated by Waller before her own team knocks her out to save the squad so they can continue to save the world. I don't want to give more plot or story line away with this film as it is packed full of humorous moments and surprises that it is well worth the watch with as little information as possible. Again just a extended fight between Bloodsport and Peacemaker would have been the only thing I could add to make this film a tad bit better. Kudos to an amazing writer and director James Gunn. Keep being weird and quirky. Thanks for reading Writing Movie ‘WRONGS’. www.cpmagazine.net
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FAMOUS LINES FROM MOVIES Othman Qalfas
This month's article is all about our the famous lines from the movies that we liked the most. Some of them, we are still using today and some has been used in other movies too. These are related to the character and the actor himself.
Why So Serious? (2008)
This is the second part of the Dark Knight trilogy by the famous director “Christopher Nolan”. This movie won two Oscars for best achievement in sound design and for best supporting role by “Heath Ledger” for the Joker. In this morive, we find this phrase coming “Why So Serious?”. The Joker is Batman's villain enemy. Many people say that this is the best Joker.
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Say Hello to My Little Friend (1983) One of the most successful movies in Hollywood and the movies industry. Scarface is a movie that talks about a Cuban immigrant who moves to Miami in 1980 and becomes a drug lord but his greed prevents him from achieving better things. “Al Pacino” is the main actor and representing the famous Tony Montana. This phrase is used in other movies too.
I Will Make Him an Offer He Can’t Refuse (1972)
This movie is in the list of the best 100 movies of all times. It has 3 parts which features “Marlon Brando” as Don Vito Corleone and “Al Pacino” as Micheal with many other great cast. Godfather is based on a novel by Mario Puzo, the story talks about an organized crime family (Mafia) living in the United States which controls the life of the Italian community.
Hasta La Vista, Baby (1991) A movie that talks about the future and robots featuring “Arnold Schwarzenegger” as the Terminator. A cyborg or a robot shown in Terminator 2 after failing to kill Sarah Connor in Terminator 1. But this time this cyborg must protect her son from the advanced cyborgs coming to kill him.
’m Your Father (1980) I personally like this Saga and I also bet that you know this phrase or have seen it somewhere. This is the Star Wars movie which features the super villain of all time, Darth Vader. With many famous characters like Luke Skywalker by actor “Mark Hamill” and Han Solo by “Harrison Ford”. It’s indeed a well known saga.
This is Sparta (2006)
One of the most violent movies of all times. A war between Spartans with King Leonidas and The Persians. It happened in 480 B.C. But the remarkable note is the one between a whole army of the Persians against 300 Spartan men. Directed by “Zack Snyder” and featuring “Gerard Butler” as King Leonidas. There is also part two for this movie.
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THE NEXT CHAPTER IN MOBILE INNOVATION UNFOLD YOUR WORLD WITH GALAXY Z FOLD3 5G AND GALAXY Z FLIP3 5G
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. opened the next chapter in foldable innovation with two new smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and Galaxy Z Flip3 5G. Both devices are premium foldable smartphones built with the craftsmanship and flagship innovations Samsung users have come to love and expect. The third generation of these categorydefining devices incorporates key improvements that Samsung foldable users have asked for—making them more durable with more optimized foldable experiences than ever before. From iconic design to immersive entertainment, Z Flip3 and Z Fold3 offer users unique new ways to work, watch, and play. For those who need the ultimate device for productivity and immersive entertainment, Z Fold3 is a true multitasking powerhouse with next level performance, an undisrupted 7.6-inch Infinity Flex Display, and the first ever S Pen support on a foldable device. For those who want style that comes with function, Z Flip3 is the ideal device with its sleek, compact, and pocketable design, enhanced camera features, and a larger Cover Screen built for quick use on the go. “With Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3, Samsung is once again redefining the possibilities with foldable smartphones that empower users with the flexibility and versatility needed for today’s fast-paced world,” said Dr. TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business, Samsung Electronics. “As a pioneer and industry leader in the foldable category, we’re proud to build on our legacy of innovation with the Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. These devices equip consumers with technologies that unlock new ways to maximize and enjoy every moment with an ecosystem built on openness and innovation.”
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Advanced Craftsmanship Built to Last
Samsung users expect foldable devices that are built to last. That’s why this generation of Galaxy Z devices is built with unrivaled craftsmanship. For the first time ever on a foldable smartphone, Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 are equipped with IPX8 water resistance, so users no longer have to worry when caught in the rain. Both devices are also built with our new Armor Aluminum—the strongest aluminum ever used on a Galaxy smartphone—along with the toughest Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus™ to protect against scratches and accidental drops. In addition, both devices include a new protective film made of stretchable PET and optimized display panel layers resulting in a Main Screen that’s 80% more durable than previous devices . Samsung continues its legacy of foldable leadership with rigorous processes to create devices that remain reliable after years of use. The revolutionary Hideaway Hinge, first introduced on Galaxy Z Flip, enables the devices to stay in place at any angle for innovative user experiences with Flex mode . And thanks to enhanced Sweeper technology, the bristles inside the Hinge are now shorter, helping to repel dust and other particles and maintain the devices’ durability and seamless user experiences. Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 were also put through a strenuous folding test, verified by Bureau Veritas, to withstand folding 200,000 times . Plus, they’re equipped with the latest powerful 5nm AP and 5G band compatibility for the best experience inside and out.
Galaxy Z Fold3 5G: Ultimate Productivity and Entertainment
Unfold Z Fold3 to immerse yourself in theater-like viewing experiences and stay fully engaged in your favorite content on the uninterrupted 7.6-inch Infinity Flex Display—thanks to our new Under display camera technology. With minimum pixels applied on top of the camera hole, Z Fold3 features an increased viewable area so users get an unbroken canvas for their favorite apps. With the new Eco² display technology applied to the screen, it’s 29% brighter while consuming less energy . Experience even smoother scrolling and quick device interaction with the Super Smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate now on both the Main and Cover Screens. For the first time ever on the Galaxy Z series, Samsung is bringing its beloved Note series technology to Z Fold3—the S Pen functionality. Users can take advantage of fully optimized S Pen features on their foldable screen, which is a perfect fit for on-the-go multitaskers. On Z Fold3’s massive Main Screen, it’s easier than ever for users to jot down notes during a video call or check off a to-do list while reading emails, and Z Fold3 users can also power their creativity and productivity with our fanfavorite S Pen. S Pen for Z Fold3 comes in two options: S Pen Fold Edition and S Pen Pro . Both feature a specially engineered retractable Pro tip with force limit technology to protect Z Fold3’s Main Screen for peace of mind while using the S Pen. This is Samsung’s best S Pen experience yet, with even lower latency for true-to-life composition—ensuring that notetaking and sending messages is seamless and intuitive.
Productivity seekers will also enjoy Z Fold3’s enhanced Flex mode features, which let you do more at once, such as joining a video call on the device’s top screen while checking meeting notes on the bottom. With Z Fold3’s updated Multi-Active Window , it’s even easier to make dinner plans over text while checking your calendar, all on the device’s large screen. And now on Z Fold3, users can create a shortcut and reopen apps in the same way later thanks to enhanced App Pair. Plus, they can use Z Fold3’s new Taskbar to quickly switch between apps without returning to the Home screen. Z Fold3 is built with a sleeker, thinner, and lighter design for even better portability than Galaxy Z Fold2. It comes with a choice of three timeless colors: Phantom Black, Phantom Green, and Phantom Silver.
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EVOLUTION OF VANS: OPEL’S ALL NEW ZAFIRA LIFE AND THIRD-GENERATION VIVARO NOW AVAILABLE IN THE UAE
Opel is continuing its comeback in the UAE with two new models, the attractive, flexible and practical van, the Zafira Life, available in both the Business Innovation and Business trims and the third-generation Vivaro. Both models feature Opel’s new 2.0 litre BlueHDi diesel engines projecting 150 horsepower and 370 nm of torque as well as a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission that contributes to the high efficiency of the engines. Both the Zafira Life and Vivaro are comfortable and capable vehicles that feature enticingly bold looks and balanced proportions, spacious legroom for all passengers, making it a competitor of midsize vans in the D market segment, with luggage capacity of around 1,237 litres. The newly developed fourth-generation Zafira Life is available for the UAE with two model trims, the six or seven-seater Business Innovation line which features sensor-controlled sliding doors, versatile 74
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interiors, sophisticated driver assistance system, head-up display, radar-based active cruise control and FlexCargo load-through that provides even more functionality.as well as the nine-seater Business trim, which features a 6100 litre cargo capacity. Both Zafira Life trim levels features good all-round visibility which is particularly important in larger vehicles, for example in narrow streets or when making turns in urban areas. Ultrasonic sensors in the front and rear bumpers on the Zafira alert the driver to obstacles of every kind when parking. The image from the rear view camera is displayed on the interior 7.0-inch screen. The third-generation Vivaro is a practical commercial van that offers, sculpted lines and class-leading fuel economy. It is equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters for a smooth and agile ride, making every journey safer for the driver.
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since 2010
OPPO Unveils Next-Generation Under-Screen Camera Technology, Delivering an Immersive FullScreen Experience
Leading global smart device brand OPPO, today unveiled its next-generation underscreen camera (USC) technology for smartphones. By combining the best in hardware innovation and OPPO’s proprietary AI algorithms, the new under-screen camera solution discreetly places the front-facing camera under the smartphone display in a way that maintains the integrity and consistency of the entire screen, both during use and while in standby. Offering the perfect balance between consistent screen quality and camera image quality, it is an under-screen camera solution with no compromises. This new under-screen camera solution solves many technical and manufacturingrelated challenges that have plagued under-screen camera technology since the beginning of its development. Breakthroughs include resolving issues such as inconsistent display quality in the screen area above the under-screen camera, poor image quality caused by obstruction of the camera by the screen, as well as issues with product reliability and lifespan. Thanks to advances in these areas, OPPO has been able to deliver an upgraded under-screen camera solution that takes end-to-end, fullscreen experience to new levels.
Fitbit Charge 5: Redefining strength This past year we’ve endured sickness, loss, increased stress and changes with sleep, diet and exercise. As a result, we’ve been forced to become stronger and more resilient. But strength has taken on a new meaning for most, and being strong in today’s world is more than what we can lift or how fast we can run. It’s also what the mind and body can handle. As our approach to strength evolves, we’re introducing Fitbit Charge 5, our most advanced health and fitness tracker, to help keep a pulse on your fitness, stress, heart health, sleep and overall wellbeing – all in a thinner, sleek design. With a brighter, color touchscreen and up to seven days of battery life (varies with use), Charge 5 delivers the convenience features you need to focus on what’s most important. And, with six months of Fitbit Premium included,1 you’ll get deeper insights, actionable guidance and a range of more than 500 workouts, plus mindfulness and nutritional content to empower you to do what’s best for your body each day. Sweat the smart way With Fitbit Premium’s new Daily Readiness experience, coming soon to Charge 5, as well as Sense, Versa 3, Versa 2, Luxe and Inspire 2 devices, you can understand if your body is ready for a workout or if you should prioritize recovery instead. Each morning, you’ll receive a score based on your fitness fatigue (activity), heart rate variability (HRV) and recent sleep. You’ll also get an analysis of what impacted your score, and suggestions like a recommended target Active Zone Minutes goal, along with Premium content to help you make the best decisions for your body. Charge 5 also includes built-in GPS, 20 exercise modes, automatic exercise recognition and an estimate of your V02 max. Plus, with Premium, you can access more than 200 workouts from certified trainers and popular brands like Daily Burn, barre3, obé and new high energy workouts from LES MILLS. Reduce your stress and relax your mind During 2020, a record-high 40% of adults said they experienced a lot of stress. To help you better manage stress, Charge 5 is our first tracker to include an EDA sensor, which measures your body's response to stress through tiny changes in the sweat glands on your fingers. We first launched EDA last fall with Fitbit Sense and have found 70% of users reduced their heart rate during a two-minute EDA Scan session, showing these tools can help reduce stress
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HUAWEI WATCH 3 Pro is a beast of a smartwatch! It is the most elegant eSIM smartwatch with the longest-lasting battery life offering a never seen before Super Device experience that needs no interactions from users!
Smartwatches were always different from traditional classic watches, be it in terms of design or functionality. Huawei’s latest most elegant eSIM smartwatch with the longest-lasting battery life, the HUAWEI WATCH 3 Pro, brings the two together, taking the next step of smartwatch evolution and aiming to give users a premium look and feel with smart and powerful technology . The HUAWEI WATCH 3 Pro is a beast of a smartwatch! Here is why. The HUAWEI WATCH 3 Pro comes in Classic Edition and will be available for purchase from Huawei’s Official website and select retailers in Kuwait. Pre-orders will start from 26 August at a price starting from KWD 119.900 The Pre-orders come with free gift. Redefining Smartwatch Aesthetics HUAWEI WATCH 3 | 3 Pro adopts a curved 3D glass for the display; the display is not only bright and round-edged but also scratch-resistant and fingerprint-proof. Also, it is a 1.43-inch AMOLED high-definition touch screen with a resolution of 466*466 and 326 PPI. The field of view is larger and clearer, and the information display is more complete. The watch body is made of 316L stainless steel body. After cold forging and hardening PVD coating process, it can resist daily small abrasion and sweat corrosion. The back body of the HUAWEI WATCH 3 Pro is made of a hi-tech ceramic material that uses nano zirconia powder. The HUAWEI WATCH 3 Pro is made of an aerospace-grade titanium alloy fused with sapphire glass that guarantees durability. The smartwatch is not only aesthetically pleasing but also capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions
and the test of time, offering an incredible level of protection at any given moment. The HUAWEI WATCH 3 Pro comes with a rotating crown with tactile feedback. With a fine-ripple pattern, it represents the epitome of craftsmanship in a smartwatch, offering high-precision finger movement recognition for the users. The HUAWEI WATCH 3 Pro debuts with a more expansive selection of watch faces and watch straps that provide options for users to personalise their smartwatch. With a wide range of innovative and interesting themes including technology, gaming, DIY and short videos, the watch faces can be mixed and matched with fluoroelastomer, nylon, leather, stainless steel and titanium straps to create the perfect accessory to go with any outfit. eSIM + Long Battery Life: Independent intelligence, as powerful as a smartphone The HUAWEI WATCH 3│3 Pro support standalone connectivity. By activating the eSIM service on their smartphones, users can share the phone number as well as voice and data plans between their smartphone and smartwatch. Besides that, users can also answer incoming MeeTime calls on either device simply by tapping the notification on the device of their choice. HUAWEI WATCH 3 Pro feature ultra-long battery life , supporting up-to fiveday battery life in smart mode and provides up-to 21 days in ultra-long battery life mode. Longer battery life ensures that users can wear it all day, use it continuously, and use it all the time even during sleep. Whether users are wearing it for workouts, meetings, or sleeping, HUAWEI WATCH 3 is always connected and offers support.
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1. Concurrently ice-cream is: Solid; Liquid; Gas; or All three? 2. What creamy beverage is named from Dutch 'lawyer's drink'? 3. What does the WD stand for in the spray oil WD40?
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4. What natural form of water is popular slang for people said to be spoilt, over-protected and emotionally special or fragile?
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5. Smartphone users touch their screens typically how many times per day: 400; 800; 1100; or 2700?
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6. The precious metal purity grade of 3N5 is an abbreviation of what percentage?
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7. What sport traditionally uses goose feathers of the left wing: Fishing; Hang-gliding; Boxing; or Badminton?
ANSWERS: 1.BLURT, 2.THYME, 3.TIDBIT, 4.FIASCO, 5.ROTATE, 6.APART
TEST YOUR VOCABULARY “The ones behind the counter? They get minimum wage.”
In this sentence, minimum means:
8. In Dutch tradition the controversial Spanish Moor character Black Pete (Zwarte Piet) is whose companion? 9. Futsal, devised by Uruguan teacher Juan Carlos Ceriani, is the global official indoor form of: Polo; The Marathon; Association Football; or Rowing? 10. What anxiety disorder is named from Greek meaning fear of the public/market square? 11. 1000% is how many times more: 5; 10; 100; or 1000?
a. progressively more vigorous
c. the least possible
b. very active
d. producing a strong effect
12. In telephony what does SMS stand for? 13. The gums of the Boswellia and Commiphora plants are more commonly known as which two aromatic resins? 14. What famous city means 'house of meat/bread' in Arabic/Hebrew? 15. Name the first modular space station, built in orbit, meaning world and peace in Russian?
Minimum is Latin for smallest, so clearly English speakers have done less than the minimum amount of messing with the meaning of this word. Obviously, the opposite is maximum. At minimum, you should know that the word means the smallest limit of something. At most, you should be able to talk about its Latin roots.
ANSWER: c.The minimum is the lowest or smallest amount possible or acceptable. If you do the minimum amount of work at your job, you might not get fired — but you definitely won't get promoted.
16. Volcán Cayambe volcano in Ecuador is the only place where (What?) (What?) exists naturally (two answers required): Digestible; Snow; Grass; Seawater; Equatorial; or Llamas?
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17. What is the traditional mulled wine called in Germany, meaning 'burning wine'? 18. Etruria and the Etruscan people were originally in: Italy; Ireland; Russia; or USA?
Factors of 9 are…..
19. Abraham Maslow's 'Hierarchy of Needs' theory seeks to explain: Warfare; Communism; Human motivation; or Christmas shopping?
A. 1, 2 and 3
20. The enduring Classical Ballet feet positioning defined by Pierre Beauchamps in the late 1600s is the '(How many?) Positions': Two; Three; Four or Five?
B. 1, 2, 3 and 9 C. 1, 6 and 9 D. None of these.
ANSWERS: D
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ANSWERS: 1.All three, 2.Advocaat, 3.Water Displacement, 4.Snowflake, 5.2700, 6.99.95%, 7.Badminton, 8.Sinterklaas/Santa Claus, 9.Association Football, 10.Agoraphobia, 11.10, 12.Short Message Service, 13.Frankincense and Myrrh, 14.Bethlehem, 15.Mir, 16.Equatorial Snow, 17.Glühwein, 18.Italy, 19.Human motivation, 20.Five
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HOROSCOPES (March 21 - April 19)
(July 23 - August 22)
ARIES
LEO
Feel the surge of energy in your heart, Aries. As the sun and new moon meet in your solar fifth house of love and passion on August 8, you’re ready to move into fresh territory. This is the most auspicious new moon of the year for single Aries to begin dating, put themselves out there, or pursue a connection with a soul mate. Coupled Aries can share in this beautiful period too, and you should plan some sweet and romantic events for you and your partner to enjoy. If you have children, they could require extra attention now. If you’re seeking to have another, the stars could align. Benevolent Venus darts into Libra on the sixteenth, further enhancing the gorgeous astrological weather that favors all relationships and negotiations for the weeks to come. Harmony and accord are guaranteed with her standing across the sky from you.
(April 20 - May 20)
TAURUS August brings attention to your domestic life, Taurus. With a new moon in your solar fourth house of home and family taking place on August 8, you could see a shift in one of these areas. Some Taurus could decide it’s time to move, renovate, or fix up their living space. A family member—particularly a parent—could also be especially important now and may require your assistance. With Mercury in this same sphere until the eleventh, you could make a lot of progress. Fiery Mars ignites your solar fifth house of love, passion, and recreation all month too. This means you’ll be ready to spice up your romantic life or meet someone new. Fertility concerns are especially favored—this is the best time in two years. If you’re seeking to have a child, make this a top priority. Your ruler Venus also remains in this same sector until August 16, so if you’re single, don’t waste this incredible potential to connect with a soul mate. Electric Uranus turns retrograde in your sign on the nineteenth, meaning that you could review your progress since 2018 and decide if you want to make any changes in the months ahead. Once it goes direct in 2022, you’ll be at full power to embrace the most authentic version of yourself.
(May 21 - June 20)
GEMINI With mighty Mars firing up your domestic sector all month, you could be very focused on a home or family situation, Gemini. This could be due to a large move, renovation, or major refresh of your living space. Conflict with a roommate or landlord could also be indicated during this time, so if this is the case, do your best to handle it with compassion and grace. August’s new moon takes place on the eighth, highlighting your solar third house of communication. You may now be focused on moving forward with a new writing, speaking, marketing, or advertising endeavor. A contract could also cross your path for you to complete. Next to note is the shift of Venus into your solar fifth house of passion on August 16. The weeks ahead are the best of the year for single Geminis to find a soul-mate connection or line up dates with prospective suitors. Coupled Geminis can also share in these beautiful vibrations by setting aside more time for pleasure and fun with their significant other.
(June 21 - July 22)
CANCER Powerhouse Mars is blazing a trail through your solar third house of communication this month, Cancer. This means that you’ll be especially fired up about your ideas and could be hard at work on a writing, speaking, advertising, or marketing initiative. Launch the project soon and you’ll have quite the audience ready to hear what you have to say. Next to note is a new moon in your solar second house of prosperity that dawns on August 8. This lunation can open a doorway for you to bring in more money through a raise, new job, side hustle, or lucrative client. However, don’t just wait for it to come to you—go after it! Assessing your budget will also be quite helpful. Sweet Venus shifts into your solar fourth house of domesticity beginning on the sixteenth, bringing more pleasure and harmony to your home and family affairs in weeks ahead. Use this period to buy comfortable furniture for your living space or give the walls a fresh coat of paint.
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Mighty Mars is heating up your solar second house of finance all month, Leo. This could increase your expenses more than in any other time within two years. You could be spending money much more quickly than you’re making it, so do your best to control your finances. However, this intense focus on money can also be harnessed to make more too, whether that’s hustling to find a better job or taking on a side gig. Also, with the sun sizzling in your zodiac sign until August 22, it’s birthday season! This is the most important time of the year to set goals and intentions for how you’d like your year to transpire. The eighth brings the most important new moon of the year because it falls in your zodiac sign and opens a doorway for you to pursue personal projects. Launch initiatives, step center stage, and draw the attention of the world. Cosmic messenger Mercury is also in your zodiac sign until August 11, giving you clarity and an extra persuasive quality.
(August 23 - September)
VIRGO You are on fire, Virgo! With mighty Mars igniting your zodiac sign all month, you are unstoppable. Use this energy to assert your dominance over your entire life. Launch important initiatives, show the world your star power, and don’t settle for less than what you deserve. Having Mars in your zodiac sign can make you hypnotic and magnetic, as well as amp up your sex life. If you’re looking to energize yourself to tackle new fitness goals, get moving now. This is the most vital period in two years for you to make things happen and set up patterns for what you’d like to see manifest. Yet with the new moon falling in your solar twelfth house of rest on August 8, you could be focused on lying low, recharging, and relaxing in the early part of the month. Daydream and develop your plans, because birthday season arrives once the sun darts into your sign on the twenty-second. Venus graces you until August 16 too, so focus on recharging your beauty and attracting love into your life during this time. If you’d like to update your look, try a new hairstyle, or find a new partner, do so at this time. When birthday season arrives, you’ll feel an even further jolt of adrenaline and energy to command your world.
(September 23 - October)
LIBRA With Mars firing up your solar twelfth house this month, Libra, you’re likely working on projects behind-the-scenes. This might have you working in solitude on a major endeavor, such as writing a book, developing an app, or mapping out your year ahead. Mars will join you in September, so lie low and use this energy to plot your way to victory. Also, a new moon in your solar eleventh house of friendship arrives on August 8, surrounding you with many friends and acquaintances who adore you. You might attend a magical and festive event near this time and make some new connections. This is an auspicious time to expand your personal and professional network with powerful and influential individuals. Sweet Venus, your ruler, enters your zodiac sign on the sixteenth, bringing you a magnetic glow. In the weeks ahead, focus on updating your wardrobe, refreshing your hair, or indulging in some extra pampering. Romance should glisten like gold for you now, so whether you’re single or attached, make it a priority.
(October 23 - November)
SCORPIO Prepare for fun, passion, and excitement, Scorpio. As your co-ruler Mars soars through your solar eleventh house of friendship, you’re likely seeing many events filling up your calendar. Many acquaintances could be reaching out to you because you’re quite popular. Whether you’d like to expand your personal or professional network, take advantage of this greater magnetism! Also, your ambitions are on your mind as a new moon in your solar tenth house of career dawns on August 8. This lunation opens a doorway for you to reach higher toward achievement, and it may deliver news of a promotion, award, media opportunity, or new job. Keep hustling and you’ll be ecstatic about what lies ahead! If for some reason you feel you aren’t in the right profession, now is the time to ask your network for recommendations on how to shift direction. Last to note in August is a full moon in your solar fourth house of domesticity that appears on the twenty-second. Last month, you had a disheartening full moon spotlighting this sector, possibly bringing some bad news around home or family. This month’s lunation is sweet as sugar, though, and it could help you improve these areas, whether through a move, renovation, or memorable event with your kin.
(November 22 - December)
SAGITTARIUS Prepare to see your name in lights, Sagittarius. Mighty Mars has just begun a biannual transit through your solar tenth house of achievement and will continue to power up here until mid-September. This means that you could see significant progress and momentum in your professional life and career. Some of you could be stepping into a promotion, launching a major initiative, or finally seeing the breakthrough you’ve long hoped for. Time is of the essence, though. You must not waste this energy. Hustle as hard as possible and you could ascend higher than ever before. Next to note is the arrival of a new moon in your solar ninth house of expansion on August 8. This lunation is eager to help you soar in new directions and integrate new wisdom into your life. If you’d like to pursue academics, a media project, or a traveling or international endeavor, now is the time to do so. Sweet Venus dances into your solar eleventh house of friendship beginning on the sixteenth, adding many invitations and events to your calendar. The universe is smiling on single Archers, too, bringing you luck in dating through your network or with online matching services.
(December 22 - January 19)
CAPRICORN With mighty Mars sizzling in your solar ninth house of expansion all month, you could be hard at work on an academic, media, or traveling endeavor. If you’ve wanted to plan international business travel or immigration, now could bring the breakthrough you’ve been looking for. If you’re ready to pursue that book you’ve always wanted to write, don’t miss this opportunity to get busy! The new moon this month falls on August 8 and spotlights your solar eighth house of shared assets and intimacy. You may now be assessing the balance in your business or romantic relationship to make sure that you’re on the same page and getting everything that you desire emotionally, sexually, or financially. This same lunation is splendid for applying for a loan, venture capital, or scholarship, because the universe could tip in your favor and green-light it just for you. Sweet Venus turns a corner to enter your solar tenth house of professional achievement on the sixteenth, bringing applause, awards, and recognition in the weeks to come. Superiors, bosses, and VIPs could decide it’s time to help you rise.
(January 20 - February 18)
AQUARIUS With Mars igniting your solar eighth house of debt and investments, you could be spending quite a bit of money this month, Aquarius. This could be propelling you to pay off everything you can or else creating a waterfall of wealth cascading down upon you! All of this will be determined by how hard you’ve been working up until this point in time. Also, because this same sector holds ties to sexuality and intimacy, you could be feeling the urge to merge quite intensely. Coupled Aquarians will be able to discuss and shift the balance in their relationships at this time. A new moon in your solar seventh house of partnership dawns in the sky on August 8, helping you to grow closer, make plans, or else walk away. Single Aquarians should set up dates with prospective suitors in the week after this lunation. If you’re in a relationship, some of you could move in together, get engaged, or even marry. Last to note this month is the arrival of a full moon in your zodiac sign on the twenty-second. This lunation is the second of two back-to-back full moons in your sign. The first on July 23 may have brought an ending or obstacle to your life, making it much more difficult to get exactly what you want. However, this lunation in August is splendid and dazzling, likely bringing a bounty of blessings and opportunities your way. Step into the spotlight, know what you’re after, and show the world what makes you truly unique.
(February 19 - March 20)
PISCES Prepare for a huge focus on relationships, Pisces. Powerhouse Mars will be blazing a trail across the sky from you all month until mid-September. This could make you feel an incredible need to work with the right partner, teammate, or collaborator now. Going solo won’t serve you well, so it’s key that you find someone who can aid you in your endeavors. However, if there are conflicts under the radar between you and a significant other, they may well bubble up and demand to be dealt with. Pisces in strong unions will make important plans, even moving in together, getting engaged, or marrying. Sweet Venus is dancing in this same arena until August 16, so by all means make love a top priority and you could be in luck finding a soul mate, especially if you’re single! Next to note is the arrival of a new moon in your solar sixth house of productivity on the eighth. This lunation could bring a new job your way, more responsibilities at your current employer, or a lucrative side hustle.
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