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CONTENTS
50. ENTERTAINMENT 66. Writing Movie Wrongs 68. Movies 70. Top Reading Picks For January 75. Music FASHION 80. Fashion Update FEATURES 12. Dubai Parks And Resorts Celebrates Its Inauguration With Gala Spectacular 14. Scrapping New Year’s Resolutions Could Leave You Happier And Healthier 15. معسكر القراءة
16. George Michael: Amazing 24. Dinner In The Sky 40. Getting It ‘Write’ FITNESS 28. Best Exercise Ever FOOD 46. Life With Cake 48. Humble Burgers HEALTH 32. Endocrine And Diabetes Program
CONTENTS 62.
INTERVIEWS 20. Mohammed Faisali 26. Elie Bernheim 36. Rima Sauma 42. Siegfried Boerst 50. Sons Of Yusuf 62. Sami Yusuf NUTRITION 30. The Truth Behind Weight Loss TECHNOLOGY 72. Cool Gadgets
TRAVEL 58. Top Five For Athens 60. The City Guide 76. Jumeirah Al Naseem REGULARS 18. Social Diary 34. In Permanent Pursuit Of Perfection 67. Book Club 84. Press 88. Fuel For Your Grey Matter 90. Horoscopes
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DubaiParksandResorts
DUBAI PARKS AND RESORTS CELEBRATES ITS INAUGURATION WITH GALA SPECTACULAR
Dubai Parks and Resorts is aligned with HH Sheikh Mohammed’s vision for Tourism 2020
A
t a press conference on 17th December in front of the world’s media, Dubai Parks and Resorts marked the opening of its third theme park, MOTIONGATE™ Dubai and confirmed the destination’s inauguration ceremony the following day in the presence of UAE dignitaries. Over 1,500 of the world’s media, UAE dignitaries and celebrities attended the formal inauguration of Dubai Parks and Resorts, the region’s leading theme park destination. 200 children were also invited to attend the event in cooperation with the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation and the Make A Wish Foundation. The event, which was held in a specially built arena over the river at Riverland™ Dubai, showcased each of its three theme parks in a very special show involving the dancers and actors from Dubai Parks and Resorts’ live entertainment team.
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The show also featured a live performance of the Dubai Parks and Resorts official theme song entitled ‘All the Wonders of the Universe’ by the composer himself, academy award winner Alan Menken who has written the scores for many of the world’s most famous animated movies. The finale lit up the sky above the 30.6 million square feet destination with a pyrotechnic spectacular. The show was filmed live by the official media partner, Dubai Media Incorporated (DMI) and screened for guests in the parks and for residents and visitors at locations across Dubai. The festivity marked the official inauguration of all three theme parks: MOTIONGATE™ Dubai, the first ever collaboration between three of Hollywood’s most legendary studios, Columbia Pictures, DreamWorks and Lionsgate; LEGOLAND® Dubai, the first LEGOLAND
theme park in the Middle East; and Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, a first-of-its-kind theme park that showcases rides and attraction based on some of Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters. It will also host the LEGOLAND® Water Park, the region’s first water park catering to families with children aged 2-12. The entire destination is connected by Riverland™ Dubai – a uniquely themed retail and dining destination, and guests will be able to stay at the Lapita™ Hotel, a Polynesian themed family hotel part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi, CEO of DXB Entertainments PJSC, the owner of Dubai Parks and Resorts said: “After three years, it is a very proud moment for us to present the region’s largest integrated theme park destination and we look forward to welcoming our guests to this very special inauguration event.” “Our aim was to create a legacy for entertainment in the region, for the communities and charities we will support
and for the residents and tourists who will make great memories and visit us again and again. We are immensely proud of the destination we have created for the UAE and its visitors and would like to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues and partners for everything they have done to bring Dubai Parks and Resorts to life.”
1,500 of the world’s media, UAE dignitaries and celebrities in attendance www.cpmagazine.net
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Scrapping New Year’s resolutions could leave you happier and healthier London Business School behavioural expert talks ‘fresh start’ delusion
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Madan Pillutla
quarter of New Year’s resolutions will be broken in the first week of January, estimates suggest. But according to an organisational behaviour expert from London Business School, scrapping your resolution could be the start to a happier and healthier New Year. Madan Pillutla, Professor of Organisational Behaviour, London Business School, explains why: “The intriguingly named what the hell effect refers to our tendency to over indulge when we overstep a self-set limit”. “By making resolutions, we impose limits on ourselves. If these limits are very strict (for example I will go to the gym five times a week), and we fail them (it is Wednesday already, and I have not gone to the gym), we are likely to over indulge. We think the week is shot anyway (so I will not go at all this week and I resolve to make a fresh start on Sunday)”. The what the hell effect is strongest when we make resolutions which are a tall order according to Professor Pillutla. Apparently, these resolutions are the most dangerous for three reasons. First, we are more likely to over-indulge as we inevitably over-step over-ambitious, self-set limits. Second, we are likely to take longer to get back on the wagon, waiting until next week or next month. Third, we are far more likely to give up entirely, because we consider it a failure if we have not stuck to these strict
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limits from day one. We quickly conclude that the whole year is shot! “Compare this to a person who has no such resolutions”, says Professor Pillutla. “Not having been to the gym by the middle of the week might act as a strong motivator to go now. Ironically, the New Year resolution of going to the gym five times a week leads to worse outcomes than if we had never made the resolution in the first place”. In spite of the high failure rate, a surprising 60% of us will make exactly the same resolution next year, when the vast majority of us will fail again. “We are generally overly optimistic about our ability to meet goals and also do not learn from past failures. This means that we are more likely to make grand, rather than realistic resolutions”, Professor Pillutla says. If you want to make and keep a resolution, Professor Pillutla urges you to examine your failures for situational and personality barriers, set realistic goals and make resolutions that are not difficult to keep on a day to day basis. “But”, he says, “Beware the delusionary promise of the ‘fresh start’. Remember that not making a resolution might lead to a healthier and happier life than making one that can lead to the what the hell effect!’
معسكر القراءة
أ .نور الزعابي
ماجستير إدارة األعمال مدربة معتمدة موجهة تخطيط شخصي Plan it 💟رئيسة نادي المحاسبين الثقافي 💟شريك مؤسس معسكر القراءة
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ان ِم ْن َع َل ٍق{ْ }2 { ْ اس ِم َر ِّب َ اق َر ْأ نس َ اق َر ْأ ِب ْ ك ا َّل ِذي َخ َل َق{َ }1خ َل َق ا ْل ِإ َ َ َو َر ُّب َ ان َما لَ ْم نس َ ك ا ْلأكْ َر ُم{ }3ا َّل ِذي َع َّل َم ِبا ْلقَ َل ِم{َ }4ع َّل َم ا ْل ِإ َ َي ْع َل ْم{} }5 نحن أمة إقرأ التي أمرنا اهلل تعالى ونبينا الكريم محمد عليه الصالة والسالم بالقراءة ،وتثبت عدة دراسات أننا أقل األمم قراءة وثقافة حتى تكاد تكون معدومة عكس أمم أخرى ،فمن هذا المنطلق حدثني الزميل /سليمان العبدالهادي ( مدرب في مهارات القراءة) وهو قارئ نهم ورئيس نادي نور الفكر للقراءة التابع لمبادرة الجليس للتحفيز على القراءة بمشروعه وحلمه .أخبرني يومًا أنه يحلم بإنشاء معسكر للقراءة يتم فيه توفير بيئة مناسبة لمن يحب أن تكون القراءة اسلوب حياته ،ودون تفكير أو تردد وافقت. فبدأ العمل ألول معسكر للقراءة خالل شهر وكانت تجربة جريئة ومجازفة نوعًا ما ،خصوصًا في مجتمع ال يقبل فكرة أن يكون الشخص قارئ وكأنها هواية للمثقفين فقط وليست مطلب أساسي. وانطلق أول معسكر للقراءة في شهر نوفمبر ،٢٠١٦لم يكن سليمان أو أنا نتوقع هذا االقبال الكبير والدعم الذي حصل عليه المعسكر في اللقاء األول .وكان من أساسيات المشاركة في المعسكر الذي يستمر لمدة يومين ،هو زيارة
المكتبة واختيار الكتاب المناسب للشخص حسب حاجاته ودرجة قرائته. أما في المعسكر ،فقد كان يتم سحب أي اجهزة تشوش على القارئ من هواتف أو غيره ويركز مدة ٣ساعات بالقراءة وهي قراءة ليست قراءة سريعة انما حسب قدرة القارئ ،بحيث يستطيع القارئ يقرأ ما يقارب ٥٠صفحة في ساعة .ومن النتائج المبهرة أن هناك مشاركة استطاعت قراءة ٣كتب خالل يومين بدون قراءة سريعة ،وفقط في وقت المعسكر ،اما المشارك األصغر كان عمره ١٣سنة فقد استطاع قراءة كتاب يحتوي ١٠٠صفحة في يوم. من هنا نعرف أن القراءة ال تحتاج لمعجزة ومزاجية ،انما مهارات بسيطة تساعد الشخص ،وال أنكر دور اختيار الكتب ،فمن أهداف المعسكر أن تقرأ باستمتاع. في الختام ،أشكر الشريك ومؤسس معسكر القراءة الزميل سليمان العبدالهادي على ثقتة فيني ألكون شريكة في مشروع رائع كهذا الذي أضاف لي الكثير والشكر لكل شخص آمن بالفكرة وشجعها ،وفي الشهر القادم سيبدأ المعسكر الثاني وسيتبعه معسكرات كثيرة ،على أمل أن تكون القراءة اسلوب حياة الجميع كبير وصغير لينهض هذا المجتمع بمن فيه.
George Michael: Amazing
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Gill Sherry
t is with great sadness that I find myself writing, once again, of the loss of a music legend. The news of George Michael’s death on Christmas Day came as a great shock and has robbed the world of an undisputed musical genius. I have been a fan of George Michael ever since he burst on the scene as one half of the pop sensation Wham! in 1981. Alongside Andrew Ridgeley, George performed some of the best pop music of the 80s. Their broad appeal was an instant hit and the pair continued to entertain until they announced they were to split in 1986. Even in those early days, George Michael’s talent was obvious. It was no secret that he was responsible for the majority of the duo’s songwriting and the sale of over 28 million records spoke volumes of this talent. However, it was the launch of his solo career that really put him on the map. Born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou in 1963 to a Greek father and English mother, his musical aspirations soon became apparent. George began busking on the London Underground and later worked as a DJ at local schools and clubs. He first met Andrew Ridgeley at Bushey Meads School in Hertfordshire and along with Andrew’s brother and two other young hopefuls, they formed their first band, The Executive. After Wham!, Andrew took a back seat and withdrew from public life. George’s career, on the other hand, seemed to know no bounds. His first solo album, Faith, sold more than 25 million copies worldwide and earned him instant respect as a solo artist. It produced six top five singles and won several awards
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including a Grammy for album of the year in 1989. From my own point of view, Faith remains one of the most iconic albums ever to be released and one every music fan should have in their collection. Four equally impressive studio albums were to follow; Listen Without Prejudice, Older, Songs from the Last Century and Patience. Patience, released in 2004, became one of the fastest selling albums in the UK and went straight to number one in the UK albums chart. Although only 53 at the time of his death, George’s career spanned four decades and my own George Michael collection includes vinyl, cassette, CD and digital; an indication of just how far his talent stretched. But his career was not without controversy. In 1998, George was arrested by an undercover policeman for ‘engaging in a lewd act’. Despite the scandal, the event ultimately worked in the singer’s favour. He no longer had to hide his homosexuality and rather than cower in shame following the police ‘sting’ operation, he publicly mocked the policeman involved by writing and releasing the hit single ‘Outside’ accompanied by an ironic video. But the star’s problems were not over. A bitter legal battle with his record label Sony resulted in a lengthy absence from the recording studio and, in 2006, he was arrested for possession of Class C drugs. This was followed in 2007 with a further arrest leading to a conviction for drug-impaired driving and another drug related caution in 2008. Two years later he was sentenced to eight weeks in prison following yet another drug-driving incident. He served four of the eight weeks, leading to an all-time low and a huge
dent in his reputation. His health also made headlines on a number of occasions. In 2011 he was hospitalized and spent time in intensive care as a result of pneumonia. After his discharge from the hospital he made an emotional public speech thanking the staff who had saved his life and promising to perform a free concert for them. In May 2013, the singer fell from his moving car on one of the UK’s busiest motorways and again spent time in hospital. Despite his troubled personal life, his musical talent continued. So too did his charitable contributions; many of which didn’t come to light until after his death when stories began to emerge of his kindness and generosity. Amongst others, George had supported charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, Terrence Higgins Trust and Childline. There’s no doubt the star had his share of ups and downs and it’s particularly sad that at the time of his ‘unexplained’ death, he seemed to have eventually settled down to a more content and trouble-free life. He was working on numerous projects including a second documentary on his life, entitled Freedom. I was lucky enough to see George Michael perform live during his 25LIVE Tour in 2006; a celebration of his 25 years in music. It was also the first time he had performed his own songs for his own fans in 18 years. It was, as you would expect, an evening to remember; and one I feel blessed to have witnessed. His death is certainly a huge loss to music and it’s sad to realise we have been deprived of his outstanding and unmistakable songwriting prowess. So, along with the rest of the world, I am left to listen to his many previous songs and to appreciate his immense talent as a singer, songwriter and record producer. My own list of personal favourites is endless but include the classic ballads Careless Whisper and Different Corner as well as the more upbeat Amazing. One thing is for sure, he most certainly was that.
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c n u a L a r e m a n a P e h c s r The New Po Event
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SOCIAL DIARY
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Back in 2009, Mohammed Faisali recognized the need for a new payment method; an alternative to the traditional cash or card transaction. Capitalizing on Kuwait’s desire to adopt the latest trends and technology, he began the development of a new mobile wallet concept. ‘Bookeey’ is now fully operational and is enriching the lives of the customers and businesses that use it. With a full transaction history inside the application and the ability to instantly transfer money between accounts, isn’t it about time you changed your style of payment to take advantage of this digital revelation? Hi, please introduce yourself to our readers:
Hello, my name is Mohammed Faisali, Founder and CEO of Xenon Prepaid Electronic Card Payment Company established in 2015 – the company that created the Bookeey mobile wallet application.
Tell us a little about your education and previous experiences:
I obtained my 1st Bachelors of Science degree from East Anglia University (Cambridge) in Computer Science and the 2nd Bachelors of Science degree from Buckingham University in UK in Business Studies. Afterwards, I began my formal career as a consultant with KPMG in Kuwait and, after 8 great years, joined Commercial Bank as their Head of Information Technology. I left the bank to begin the development of the mobile wallet concept, which is now Bookeey.
So, how and when did the idea of BOOKEEY application originate?
The interest in developing a new payment method began way back in 2009. After many years of studying the market conditions and the growth in the utilization of mobile based application, we decided to put plans into action and began the development of what is today BookeeyWallet.
What inspired you to create BOOKEEY?
I always knew that there has to be more to the relationship between a buyer and a seller; it does not have to stop after payment is made. Trading in cash and cards has so many limitations and is very impersonal. Unless the merchants have implemented after sales services such as loyalty and rewards programs they really have no other means of interacting with their existing or potential customers. New easily accessible technology, like mobile based applications, has enriched the lives of users and provides businesses with a tool to interact and develop new offerings that their customers have demanded of them. Businesses can now become proactive and not reactive to market conditions.
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How long did it take to get the application developed and when was BOOKEEY officially launched and available for download? Designing and finding the right development partner took almost a year but after we finalized the logistics, the actual development of the application, and its supporting back office eco-system, did not take that long. Bookeey, like all applications, continues to be work-in-progress as we continue to add new features and improve on user experience. We are currently working of new offerings that will enrich the lives of our users.
What were some of the key challenges you faced during the development and launch process of the application? In providing a relatively new and unique service, the main challenges were obtaining the necessary approvals. However, one advantage we did find was the introduction of the Electronic Payment law which we used as our guide in developing our services, making sure we not only met, but exceeded the requirements. The ongoing challenge is educating the market on the real advantages of the future of payment and how they can really begin to manage and save in their purchases. Cash and plastic cards are no longer the only methods of payment and Bookeey is here to prove that.
How easy is it to open an account with the BOOKEEY app? Opening an account is relatively simple. After the user has downloaded the app from Android play store and/or Apple store, they will have to complete a simple form and capture their original Civil ID. Then within 24 hours, they will receive an email with their activation PIN (which they have to change) and that’s it! Next, all they need to do is load their wallet with any amount they wish and they are ready to pay. We are asked why the capture of the Civil ID is necessary. Well, it’s part of any Know Your Customer (KYC) process and more importantly, it is for the user’s protection and rights.
Mohammed Faisali
Founder and CEO of Xenon Prepaid Electronic Card Payment Company
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Can you go through the process how the app works?
The app is designed with users in mind. We have clearly identified menus, which allow the user to navigate and take advantage of every feature. Bookeey was designed to be more than just a new payment method. It also has various products and services that are available to the users without having to leave the application or use different payments other than the credit they already have in their account. You can load your account through the local debit card payment gateway, or by receiving funds from other Bookeey users. Searching and finding participating merchants is simple and categorized; we even help with directions by utilizing Google Maps. Our merchants also provide special offers. Two additional value added services we have included are international topping up of prepaid mobile lines and purchasing virtual prepaid cards for international sites, such as iTunes, Google play, Netflix, PlayStation, Xbox and many more.
What differentiates BOOKEEY from other payment apps?
Bookeey is designed to be a prepaid store value account with the user controlling how much they wish to load into it and where to use it. The other payment players in the market are mainly acting as an aggregator for clearing debit and credit card transactions through local payment gateways. This means that only those who have debit and credit cards can use their service. Bookeey allows even those without any debit or credit card to make payments by receiving funds through the local Bookeey to Bookeey funds transfers. Bookeey also offers competitive rates to support both users and businesses in cash and cost management.
How many merchants do you have currently accepting payments through BOOKEEY? Can you name a few?
We have more than 50 participating merchants spread over more than 220 locations across Kuwait, from Jahra in the north to Julaia In the south. Our team is working hard and soon we will be adding more merchants, some of which will be big named restaurants, retail outlets, supermarkets and transportation companies. Some of our key participating merchants are Caribou Coffee, 022
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Coffee Republic, Oriental Restaurants, China Village, CafĂŠ Banc, Zahr Wa Lemon, Spice Club, Waterlemon, Baba Taher, Hassan Optics, Marafie Jewelry, Cake & Bake, Sable, Naif Chicken, AlBustan restaurant, Chic Clinic and many more.
How can Bookeey help businesses collect their fees?
Bookeey has a special merchant’s application that supports all types of businesses in collecting their fees. The application can be used by those who have stores and visitors wishing to pay using their Bookeey wallet and those who are only doing deliveries and need a simpler more efficient method of collecting money without the headache of managing cash. Bookeey online gateway is for those selling their products and services directly from their applications or websites. We offer our merchants our entire services for a small transaction fee without any other hidden fees. We also offer our merchants a simple marketing engine that will allow them to create physical and digital campaigns targeting a specific group or all Bookeey users. Again for this service there is a small fee structure based mainly on usage so our aim is to make sure that the business is taking maximum benefit at low cost. Our merchant registration and setup is very simple and in a matter of days they can begin collecting their fees from Bookeey users.
Does the app work only in Kuwait or also internationally?
We began in Kuwait but our aim is to roll out Bookeey across the GCC, Middle East and North Africa; and with partnership with our banking partners we are also looking at introducing a virtual credit card that will be embedded within the Bookeey app, which can be used globally.
Can we make online purchases using BOOKEEY?
We do have an online payment gateway and are currently working with some of the local online sites to include our payment services for our users. This will be limited to local stores until we receive clear directions on the possibility of adding our services to international sites.
Is it safe for use by children?
Bookeey is safe for all ages, especially children. Using Bookeey will protect our children from losing their money, getting
incorrect change or even when they are out with their friends or family and they run out of cash. Through Bookeey to Bookeey transfer a parent can credit their child’s wallet in seconds.
How secure is BOOKEEY and how do you ensure its safety?
Bookeey is fully secure and we have ensured that we have implemented industry standard solutions and measures to protect our users. The other real advantage of Bookeey is that we don't keep any of our users debit, credit or banking details; therefore we ensure that the only data that can be seen is the users name and Civil ID Number.
Can the users transfer funds with BOOKEEY?
Locally, Bookeey wallet users can transfer funds between their accounts. For international funds transfer we are currently working with our banking partner to obtain necessary regulatory approvals.
are working on and planning to add to the BOOKEEY application?
We are currently working on adding new services that cover international bill payment, international remittance and gift vouchers. One example is that soon we will be including a digital voucher product for the Philippine community. This product will allow the user to purchase and send a digital voucher for various products and services to their family and friends back home; so gifting with what they actually need will reduce the need for remitting small amounts to cover certain expenses.
Your message for our readers:
We would like to thank all readers for taking the time to read about Bookeey! We truly believe that Bookeey is the future and encourage everyone to download and register. Give it a go; we would like to hear your thoughts and suggestions. In the end it is your wallet therefore you should feel free to ask for new merchants and features.
How can we manage or check our transactions?
The Bookeey eco-system provides real-time access to full transaction history for both users and merchants. Transaction history and reports can be accessed through the app as well as our online portal.
Your message for us at CP magazine:
First we would like to thank you for your interest in Bookeey application. We wish CP magazine and your great team continued success. We are certain that Bookeey will more than meet with your reader’s expectations.
Are there any limits or we can transfer any amount to our account?
We do have a maximum limit of KD500 set per month for now but based on the purchase history and demand from our users this limit can be increased.
What are some of the new or additional features you
You can follow ‘Bookeeywallet’ on Instagram and Facebook or contact 22023230 for more information. Alternatively, check out their website: www.bookeey. com. www.cpmagazine.net
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Reach New Heights with ‘Dinner in the Sky’ at Dubai International Marine Club, Mina Seyahi Gravity-defying dining experience returns this January for a limited time with prices starting at AED 499 per person ‘Dinner in the Sky’, the world’s most unique dining concept, comes to Dubai from January 10th at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC) located in the heart of new Dubai. There, groups of 22 thrill seeking guests will be lifted 50 meters in the air to experience breathtaking views of the city off the idyllic 300-berth marina. As one of the most unique social culinary experiences in the world, guests at ‘Dinner in the Sky’ can mingle with fellow diners during the experience. Once in the air, a small staff will serve an exquisite meal with a view, cooked up by dedicated chef hosted at a table with an exquisite view. “This is a truly unique dining experience and we are excited to bring this opportunity to Dubai at the start of the New Year. Whether you are attending as a group or joining on your own, we promise an interactive and social affair filled with superb delicacies, music, and laughter,” said Ahmed Ishbair, CEO at Dinner in the 024
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Sky in the UAE. “The experience, not limited to private dinners, can be utilized as a powerful business tool to host exclusive events such as corporate functions, confidential board meetings, and product road shows”, continued Ishbair. Once at DIMC, guests will be transported via shuttle to the take-off site and taken to an exclusive lounge. There they will receive a safety briefing which embedded in the experience and a safety staff ensures all guests are settled and harnessed securely into their seats, checking and double-checking everything before the table assembly is hoisted off the ground. For an exclusive period, guest chefs will be serving a special menu which includes brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner options. ‘Flights’ are available daily from 2:40PM until 11:10PM on weekdays and from 11:50AM until 12:35AM (Midnight) on weekends.
المطعم المع ّلق "دينر إن ذا سكاي" يستقبل زبائنه األسبوع المقبل انطالقا من موقعه الجديد في نادي دبي الدولي للرياضات البحرية ،المينا السياحي المطعم يو ّفر تجربة فريدة لتناول الطعام بين السماء واألرض بأسعار تبدأ من 499درهم سيبدأ المطعم المع ّلق "دينر إن ذا سكاي" باستقبال زبائنه في دبي اعتبارا من يوم الثالثاء القادم 10يناير انطالقا من موقعه الجديد في نادي دبي الدولي للرياضات البحرية (المينا السياحي). وسيحظى زبائن المطعم بتجربة تحبس األنفاس عند تناول الطعام بين السماء واألرض واالستمتاع بالمنظر الخالب لمنطقة "جي بي آر" ومنطقة "دبي مارينا" ،إذ سترتفع الطاولة التي تتسع لـ 22زبونا إلى ارتفاع 50مترًا عبر رافعة مخصصة لذلك .ويوفر المطعم فرصة رائعة للتعرف على الضيوف اآلخرين الموجودين على الطاولة في أجواء مميزة ،في حين يقوم طاقم المطعم المتواجد مع الطاولة بخدمة الزبائن وتقديم أشهى الوجبات لهم والتي تتضمن المقبالت والوجبة الرئيسة والحلويات. وبهذه المناسبة ،قال أحمد شبير ،الرئيس التنفيذي لمطعم "دينر إن ذا سكاي" في اإلمارات" :نوفر لزبائننا تجربة ال مثيل لها في االستمتاع بتناول الطعام ضمن بيئة مميزة ،وإننا فخورون بإطالق خدماتنا في دبي والبدء باستقبال الضيوف مع العام الجديد ،ونحن نضمن لضيوفنا تجربة رائعة وأجواء ال مثيل لها، سواء كانو على شكل مجموعة تود حجز الطاولة بأكملها أو أرادوا االنضمام إلى ضيوف آخرين على نفس الطاولة ،والمميز 025
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في هذا المطعم أنه يناسب مختلف الفعاليات التي ال تقتصر على تقديم الطعام ،بل تتعداها لتوفر بيئة مثالية الجتماعات األعمال واالجتماعات المغلقة لمجالس إدارة الشركات والمؤتمرات المخصصة إلطالق المنتجات الجديدة". وعند وصول ضيوف المطعم إلى نادي دبي الدولي للرياضات البحرية يتم نقلهم بباصات خاصة إلى موقع المطعم بعد إعطائهم شرحا موجزا عن إجراءات السالمة المتبعة ،ثم يتم التأكد من ربط أحزمة األمان للضيوف وتطبيق إجراءات السالمة على طاقم المطعم قبل أن يتم رفع الطاولة في الهواء عبر الرافعة المخصصة لذلك. تبدأ مواعيد خدمة الضيوف في األجواء يوميا من الساعة 2:40 ظهرا إلى 11:10مساء خالل أيام األسبوع ،وتمتد هذه الفترة خالل عطلة نهاية األسبوع من الساعة 11:50صباحا إلى ما بعد منتصف الليل ،ويقدم المطعم خالل هذه الفترات وجبات اإلفطار المتأخر والغداء والعشاء ،إضافة إلى أوقات مخصصة لتناول الشاي والحلويات. ويمكن للضيوف حجز تذاكرهم منذ اليوم عبر الموقع www. ، dinnerinthesky.aeكما يمكن شراء التذاكر مباشرة من صالة االستقبال في نادي دبي الدولي للرياضات البحرية (المينا السياحي) ،علما أن المقاعد محدودة.
ELIE BERNHEIM CEO OF RAYMOND WEIL
RAYMOND WEIL is one of the few independent brands in the Swiss luxury watch industry, what are the main challenges you face because of this?
The main challenge we have to face today as an independent brand is distribution and the fight for space against big groups in points of sale. The current worldwide economic situation is obviously another big challenge for us. We need to be cautious, but we remain optimistic. Being a family business gives us a lot of opportunities. We can react much quicker and count on our very reliable partners with whom we have built long-term relationships since the beginning. Continuity and consistency are keys for us, our greater flexibility also allows us to adapt quicker to changing trends and requirements and our agility as a brand will stand us in good stead.
As an 'affordable luxury brand', how do you position your brand and keep it relevant?
It has always been the priority at RAYMOND WEIL to produce and offer qualitative products at a reasonable price. Beginning with my grandfather, we as a family company have always stuck to this principle. We are focusing on products between the middle to upper middle price range and we continue to stress on providing customers with the best craftsmanship at very reasonable price points. This is I believe one of our USPs.
Which are presently your best performing markets internationally in terms of sales?
The US and UK are our biggest markets. Historically, the Middle East market has always been important for our Brand and it is growing in significance as one of our chief driving markets, which is expected to outpace many other regions.
What is your preferred distribution strategy?
As an independent Brand, we have to remain profitable and that’s the reason why we do not have any own-name boutiques. We’d rather work with our strong and reliable partners to build a successful long-term distribution strategy.
its character: having an urbane personality, with an elegant yet casual appearance, with bevelled horns and emblematic screws.
Which do you consider as the most effective communications channels? As a family-owned Company, it is very important for us to be close to our aficionados and provide them with information in an efficient way. We have a strong online presence and we fully embrace social media as it enables us to talk to our customers and fans that are increasingly using alternative channels to get in touch with the brands.
To what extent does your brand relate to lifestyle? RAYMOND WEIL offers a wide range of products to please the taste of our wide range of clients. Our collections are inspired by the dear passion of the Weil-Bernheim family for music, but also reflect the personality and lifestyle of our different customers. Distinctive, powerful and determinedly masculine, nabucco is destined for a new generation of strong-minded men – confident in their own style and appearance. The Feelancer is dedicated to free spirits and personalities wanting to remain in control of their own destiny whereas the maestro collection symbolises harmony, elegance and timelessness with its classic lines. Every RAYMOND WEIL watch carries a lot of emotions and this is what we want to share with our clients.
Have you ever considered diversifying into other product categories i.e. smartphones, accessories etc.? I’m a great believer that a brand should focus on its core business so we’d rather concentrate on ours, which is watchmaking! However, we must keep our eyes open and carefully listen to our customers’ needs. The arrival of smartwatches definitely opens new horizons for example as it attracts a new range of customers who previously had little or no interest in Swiss watchmaking.
What will be your focus for the future? What are your best selling men’s watches to date?
The freelancer collection is, today, one of our best sellers. Launched in 2007, this collection underscores that RAYMOND WEIL is one of the last independent watchmaking companies. Free of all constraints, the freelancer has never stopped evolving since its creation in 2007, but it always keeps true to 026
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Our strength lies in what we are: a recognised name worldwide, with clearly defined positioning and elegant and affordable luxury products. We shall focus our efforts on where we are strong. We will further develop our key markets and continue to enhance our music marketing strategy with strategic partnerships in key regions.
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BEST EXERCISE EVER Jamie & Alana Karehana
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ait! Don’t just skim down to see which exercise we’ve labeled as the best - get the whole story! We're often approached and asked to pin down a single exercise as the one that will help lose the most fat and tone the quickest. That’s not an easy question to answer. You see, we are aware of the fact that though an exercise may be perfect for Cindy, it may not be the best choice for Bob; hence our hesitation to label any exercise as the universal best. That being said, some exercises are definitely better than others. And, yes, there are even a few that we would call the best.
ball held at your chest, or even with no weight at all). You take a large step forward and lower your back knee, keeping your front knee at a 90 degree angle. Now you push off your front foot and pull your back leg forward, repeating the movement. How many muscles did you utilize while performing the lunge? Probably too many to count. You certainly worked your quadriceps, gluteus, hamstrings, calves, abdominals, supporting muscles in your shoulders, arms and back - just to name a few. You also raised your heart rate and really kicked your metabolism into high gear. That’s what we call a great exercise.
Other ways to increase intensity What makes an exercise the best?
Using complex movements are just one of many ways to kick your workout intensity up a notch. Try incorporating a Super Set into your routine. To do so simply perform two or more exercises in a row and then take a short rest. Or how about a Compound Set? Perform one exercise, rest and then perform an exercise with opposing body parts. To find exercises that complement one another, choose ones that have similar but opposite motions such as a chest press and a row. The key to finding the best exercise is to find the ones that bring your workout intensity to a whole new level. We’d be shortchanging you if we named any exercise as the best. The fact of the matter is that it is a combination of changing your workouts up, using interval training, and even some good old cardio that will ultimately see you to your goal. What is a complex movement? These methods will help you to burn more calories, increase A complex movement is a multi-joint movement that recruits your metabolic rate and will stimulate the production of more large portions of the body to complete the exercise. Let’s fat burning and muscle toning hormones. Of course, there is compare a simple movement leg exercise with a complex more involved to achieving your fitness goals. movement leg exercise: The leg extension machine uses a simple, isolated movement You need to incorporate fat burning into your routine. to work the quadriceps. You’re in a seated position moving only You need to consistently challenge yourself during workouts. your knee joint. There isn’t much involvement, if any, from other You need to take control of your eating habits and to get your muscles and it doesn’t burn very many calories. Now let’s look at a free weight walking lunge. You start by diet dialed in. standing with your feet together and a dumbbell in each hand So what’s the best exercise for you? To find out, email us today at your sides (or a barbell across your shoulders, or a medicine at admin@karehanafitness.com When you decide which exercises to include in your routine, it is important to consider the type of movement involved. The simpler the movement, the fewer calories you’ll burn and the fewer muscles you will strengthen. On the other hand, the more complex the movement, the more calories you will burn and the more muscles you will strengthen. To put it simply, exercises that use complex movements will deliver better results than exercises that use only simple movements. Complex movements recruit multiple muscles, some to stabilize and others to perform the movement. This process keeps your heart rate higher than a simple exercise would, giving you a more intense workout.
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The Truth behind Weight Loss What makes it so Hard for us to Lose Weight and Keep it off?
Zainab Almousa, MS, RD
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Zainab Almousa is a Registered Dietitian who received her Bachelors in Nutrition from the University of California, Berkeley, and later on pursued a Masters degree in Applied Physiology and Nutrition from Columbia University. She worked in various hospitals and government institutions in the States before coming back to Kuwait. She currently works at Kuwait Counseling Center offering nutritional counseling for adults and children.
f only I could get a dime every time I heard a person say “I’m on a diet.” As women, we spend our entire lives jumping from one diet trend to another. Our obsession with diets usually starts in high school when our self-confidence is still on the rocks and moves along with us to college when we pack on those freshman fifteen. After that, it accompanies us when we’re trying to reach that pre-wedding dream weight and on and on after that to when we’re trying to get rid of those lingering extra pounds we gained while pregnant. So the question is why is it so hard to lose weight? Is our motivation and willpower to blame, or is it a matter of physiology? What is it that makes dieting the most dreaded word in the dictionary? In the nutrition world, the concept of weight is often explained using a simple equation known as the energy balance equation. According to this equation, if you take in more calories than you burn, you will gain weight, and if you eat less calories than what your body burns, you 030
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will lose weight. With an explanation so simple, why is it that 1.9 billion adults around the world are obese? Ask anyone who has ever been on a diet and they will give you the answer. Dieting is not as easy as it sounds because it often leads to hunger, mood changes and feelings of deprivation, all of which are unpleasant and make it extremely difficult to get through the day. Our bodies are designed in a way to conserve energy as much as they can during times when food intake is reduced. This was a great gene to have for our ancestors who lived during times where you had to hunt in order to have dinner and when food was quite scarce. This thrifty gene allowed them to survive during periods of famine. However in our modern day world, where a burger and fries can be delivered to you with just a click of your finger anywhere and anytime, even during the wee hours of the night, this ability to store fat and conserve energy has not been very desirable for our waist lines. The way our body works is quite interesting. Let’s say you are watching the weather
forecast and hear that a snow storm is heading your way. The smart and rational thing to do would be to go to the grocery store and load up on food supplies to ensure that you have enough food to last you through the storm. And of course you would not finish all the food you bought in one night, but rather make sure you have enough food to last you through the poor weather conditions. Well our bodies are designed to do pretty much the same thing. When we eat less calories in an attempt to lose weight, our bodies think that we are going through a period of famine or starvation. So in order to extend our survival, our bodies start burning less calories in order to preserve our fat stores for as long as possible. Sadly for us, this means our weight loss will be slow and quite difficult. When we eat less, certain hormones start circulating in our bodies leading to feelings of hunger, which anyone who has ever been on a diet will tell you is quite frustrating. So the question is then, is dieting a lost battle? No, not necessarily. Every day we hear and see weight loss success stories that happened without the use of weight loss surgeries or medication. There is even an online registry called the National Weight Loss Control Registry, which is a research study that keeps track of thousands of individuals who are 18 years or older and who have managed to lose at least 13.6 kg of weight and keep it off for a year or more. So what is the secret to long term successful weight loss? The most important factor that leads to weight loss is caloric restriction. You have to consume less calories than you are currently eating in order to lose weight. A reduction in caloric intake is the basis of all diets out there, both fad diets and healthy diets. The difference between the two is that very low calorie diets, such as the juice cleanse, offer extremely low calories which lead to fast yet short lived weight loss; while healthy diets that include meats, grains, fruits and vegetables offer slightly slower weight loss; yet their results could last a lifetime. The key to successful long term weight loss is to make a complete lifestyle change. As with any major life change, we might need a support system that can help us succeed in our journey. It is always a good idea to seek guidance from a
dietitian or a licensed health professional who can help guide you and support you along your path. To follow a healthy lifestyle is not to deprive yourself of all your favourite foods until the day when you crash and start driving to every possible fast food joint you can think of. A lifestyle change means that you start by teaching yourself to like new foods that are considered healthy, so that while you’re on a diet you are actually enjoying what you are eating rather than sulking over all the foods you are missing out on. Unhealthy foods can be enjoyed, but occasionally. And of course any healthy lifestyle is not complete without some form of physical activity. And just like with healthy foods, you need to enjoy the activity you plan to engage in so that getting off the couch and exercising doesn’t feel like a death sentence. If you loathe walking on the treadmill, then don’t. Choose an activity that appeals to you such as dance or squash or tennis. Think of your lifestyle change like you think of traveling. If you travel to the same country every year and eat at the exact same restaurants, you are staying within your comfort zone, which is not bad, but it prevents you from experiencing new cultures and sights. So don’t be afraid to try new foods and new activities because you might really enjoy them. And keep in mind that losing as little as 5-10 percent of your body weight will yield great benefits to your heart health, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Weight loss is not easy and it does not happen overnight. No matter how many drug companies tell you that their miracle drug can make you lose weight overnight, it won’t. However weight loss is not impossible and it can be enjoyable. Don’t be afraid to seek help and allow professionals to help you. Have confidence in yourself and your ability to change your eating habits and exercise routine no matter how high that number on the scale is, because according to The National Weight Loss Control Registry, thousands of people have done it and you are no exception.
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Cook Children’s Health Care System Introduces Endocrine and Diabetes Program to its International Patient Services Ground breaking research and treatments in Hyperinsulinism to be promoted within GCC
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ook Children’s Health Care System, a not-forprofit pediatric health care organization based in Fort Worth, Texas, now offers international patients an Endocrine and Diabetes program, specializing in the treatment of hyperinsulinism (HI). HI is a rare and severe disorder that frequently causes persistent hypoglycemia in newborns and children. Cook Children’s multidisciplinary Endocrine and Diabetes program offers a Hyperinsulinism Center that is only one of two such centers in the United States. This center provides a specialized team dedicated to treat HI in kids and young adults. Says Executive Director International Patient Services Cynthia Gonzalez at Cook Children’s Health Care System: “Cook Children’s embraces an inspiring Promise – to improve the health of every child, through the prevention and treatment of illness, disease and injury. We are aware that many children living in the Gulf region are affected by diabetes and congenital HI. By including our Endocrine and Diabetes program within our international services, we look forward to making a difference with the assurance that each child will receive the most advanced care available, in a family-centered care environment.” Cook Children's physicians and staff are experienced in treating all diabetes-related issues in children from birth through their transition into adulthood. With diabetes, education is a key component of treatment and disease management. As such, Cook Children’s Health Care System provides certified diabetic nurse educators and dieticians to assist children and their families.The Cook Children's diabetes program is also recognized by the American Diabetes Association for Quality Self-Management Education. Since the opening of the Cook Children’s Hyperinsulinism Center in 2010, more than 150 children have been evaluated and treated for congenital HI. The center is led by Medical Director Paul Thornton, M.D., one of the few physicians in the United States with extensive clinical 032
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and research experience in congenital HI. Dr. Thornton’s work is so well respected, he was recently named a Rare Disease Hero by Rare Disease Communications. The award recognizes five physicians each year for groundbreaking research and treatment in the rare disease community. Says Dr. Thornton: “As we continue to treat children from across the country and the world, we’re excited to share information about our program and the excellent team providing quality, family-centered care.” Actively involved at the international level, Dr. Thornton and the specialty medical team work with other renowned physicians, researchers and specialists to continually improve the care and treatment of children with HI. The result is that the Cook Children’s program is continually delivering the most advanced treatments, and even cures, for infants, children, teens and young adults with this very rare disease. Children who are newly diagnosed with hyperinsulinism are admitted to Cook Children's Medical Center to receive a comprehensive medical evaluation. Depending on the type of hyperinsulinism and the treatment plan, the initial admission is two to six weeks. Starting from day one, the Cook Children’s team assists parents with the full understanding of their child's condition – a service that is now also provided in Arabic. The program teaches parents how to take care of their child, so they'll have the skills necessary to manage the disease in their daily lives. After leaving the medical center, routine follow-up care continues on an outpatient basis. For those who've traveled a long distance to receive care, Cook Children’s Health Care professionals work with the patient’s local endocrinologist both during and after their visit to Cook Children’s. For more information about Cook Children's International Program for Endocrine and Diabetes, as well as the Congenital Hyperinsulinism Center in English and Arabic visit: cookchildrensinternational.org.
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DIET? FAT CHANCE!
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ew Year’s resolutions - oh, how I loathe them; mainly because I usually manage to break them before the end of January! Each year, despite the fact that I know I’m unlikely to stick to my latest pact, I persist, along with millions of other hopefuls, in setting myself a nigh impossible goal that deep down, I know is destined never to materialize. So why do we bother? The two most common resolutions, made by countless people every January, are quitting smoking and losing weight. Never having been a smoker, I’m unable to empathize with those wishing to extinguish their constant craving for nicotine. However, I can understand the need to shed a few pounds and appreciate how difficult it is to say no to your favourite treat; especially when your so-called friends are trying to tempt you with forbidden calories. Yes, like it or not, it’s our friends (and family) who hold the key to our dieting success. There’s no denying it’s hard to stick to a diet, but it’s twice as difficult without the support of those closest to us. And the fact of the matter is, some of those people don’t actually want us to succeed. Harsh but true. A recent survey in the UK revealed that most dieters gave into temptation at the insistence of a so-called friend. And further studies suggested that those same so-called friends actually didn’t want us to lose weight at all. The shocking truth behind these reports sites jealousy as the main reason for preventing other people from losing weight; along with the insecurities that accompany that well known green-eyed monster. Remember those school days when you felt good if your friend was slightly fatter than you? Apparently, that selfish, childhood behaviour follows us through to adulthood and still rears its ugly head if our feelings of superiority are threatened. Sound familiar? Hopefully not; but the fact of the matter is, this self-centered attitude can be found
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in abundance – particularly in January! Your favourite coffee shop is the ideal place to test this theory. You’ve been on a diet since January 1st and you’re meeting your ‘friend’ for a coffee and a catch-up. Despite knowing you’re trying to lose weight, she offers you a slice of carrot cake or a chocolate brownie. When you decline the calorieladen treat she insists you should have one, voicing the line we dieters know all too well: ‘Go on, one slice won’t hurt you’. This scenario, and many others just like it, are played out in countless venues across the world; more so in January than any other time. And, I’m embarrassed to admit, more often than not they involve females. A true friend is one who steers you away from the counter and insists you don’t need a cake. She will encourage you in your bid to lose weight and may even sacrifice her own sugar cravings to support you in your endeavor. In the home, things are a little different. Apparently it’s the male in the house who is reluctant to see his wife lose weight. Perhaps he fears his own excess weight will become more apparent if she slims down to a smaller dress size. Maybe that green-eyed monster will appear if he thinks she is suddenly more attractive to other men. Or, could it be that he gets some level of satisfaction from ridiculing her obesity? Whatever the reason, it’s a common theme in many homes and one that is sadly, very difficult to overcome. Of course, he could just be worried he’ll be made to eat salad every day for the next six months; a popular misconception of what’s involved in a weight-watching diet. So, now you know the truth about those less than supportive friends and family members, what are you going to do about it? Show them you can do it without them! Don’t let them scupper your plans for a new, slimmer you. Stick to your guns, throw out those cookies and succeed in at least one New Year’s resolution. Happy dieting!
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Rima Sauma ‘W’ Jewelry
“My collection is a tiny, concentrated part of me” An encounter with precious stones in Germany was the trigger that ignited Rima Sauma’s passion for jewelry; but she found the inspiration for her own jewelry line, much closer to home. 036
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name; and the letter itself is very fascinating to me by its shape Tell us about yourself and your education. After finishing school in Beirut, I studied interior design in Paris and pronunciation. and worked there for some years. I am now working in this field; W is also Why, When, Who... it is my passion and first source of inspiration.
Did you always love fashion?
Since my childhood I have been passionate about the beauty in Lebanon; despite its ugliness after being ravaged by war. I have always looked for an escape by creating imaginary worlds around me, made from little things. I can still see myself spending hours neatly arranging my doll house; imagining her clothes, accessories and furniture; or even helping my (Italian) mother in her kitchen prepare wonderful dishes for sumptuous meals.
Tell us about your design style. What makes your collections unique in the industry?
I don’t think my collection is particularly unique; everything that is created is inspired by something, this is how it works - sometimes by antique pieces, sometimes by designs or drawings etc. My collection is a tiny, concentrated part of me. It’s my philosophy; my way of seeing beauty.
What type of woman did you have in mind when designing the line?
What was it like living in Paris? ‘W’ pieces are coloured and sophisticated yet simple. Most At 17, I was in Paris discovering the beauty of the City of Light. of them are unique in that I don’t reproduce them, so the I spent ten wonderful years surrounded by inspired individuals collection, in my opinion, fits perfectly with elegant women with and beautiful things. I discovered art and the culture of beauty, a simple but exclusive way of dressing. simplicity and elegance.
What material do you like to use in your creations? When did you first discover that you wanted to be a First there are the stones, precious and semi precious, this is jewelry designer? the starting point. And I work only with 18 carat gold - white,
I was visiting a fair in Germany and discovered a stand selling pink and yellow. precious and semi precious stones. Seeing all of the colours and shapes together was a real revelation. That encounter with precious stones was the trigger for my passion for jewelry. As a designer, where do you draw your inspiration
from?
Everywhere and everything - without limits. The magic of a When did you launch your brand and why did you place also has its share of influence. Beirut, where the jewelry is call it ‘W’? What does it mean? produced, is a city where talents and craftsmen harmoniously It all started in 2007. W is the first letter of my husband's last blend for exceptional creations. www.cpmagazine.net
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Is there a symbol that you like that’s always present in your designs?
I don’t favour a particular symbol. I love to reproduce animals with stones and colours. It always starts from the shape and the colour of the stone, but sometimes from the current mood.
What is the favourite piece you’ve ever created and what made it so special? A pendant and earrings inspired by Faberge Eggs. It looks fragile because it is built around a hollow core but at the same time, very solid because of the roughness of the diamonds and the gold.
What’s the most challenging part of your work?
Starting with a sketch. I hand draw all of my pieces and then see the piece come to life.
A frog! It was actually a pendant with a big frog - it took a lot of work and time to achieve it.
If it is your passion, follow it. It sounds like a cliché but like every business it is hard to start, to succeed and to keep going, especially when you have to create. But if you’re passionate, everything will be easier. .
What’s it like to see someone on the street wearing one of your creations?
Tell us a little bit about your style. What do you wear every day?
What is the biggest risk you ever took with a design?
I cannot describe it! It is a special mixed feeling; a sparkling cocktail of pride, happiness, fear, interrogation….
Can you share some upcoming trends in the jewelry design industry?
I don’t follow trends in jewelry. I believe that when you create a beautiful piece, it is made to last. These days, trends are so disposable and jewelry is not. I always think of my triplets -daughters of 21 - and I think that a piece that I create today should be interesting for them in the future. 038
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What advice would you give to someone interested in getting into the jewelry design business?
I am hard worker, so my every day style is comfort trousers and shirts. I'm in love with shoes……
You’re active on social media, how do you like it? Nowadays you cannot have a business and be active without being present on social media. Yet I am very selective. I also believe you can find passionate and interesting people that you would never have discovered without it.
What advice would you give women?
Be yourself.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I don’t have free time!! Besides working on my jewelry line, I love spending time with my husband and children. My home, or rather our home, has been designed with the complicity of my husband, especially for our way of life. This is our safe haven, our base. This is also where I get inspired for my work as an architect and for my line of jewelry. As a family, we love boating and travelling.
Where is your jewelry available to buy?
‘W’ jewelry is available at Vivre, Beirut and also on my website www.wjewelry.net
Your message for us at CP magazine?
Thank you for this beautiful source of inspiration and for pushing regional business and talents.
www.cpmagazine.net
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GETTING IT ‘WRITE’
Gill Sherry
I
wouldn’t be the first person to declare ‘I want to be a writer’ and I certainly won’t be the last. But having admitted this long-buried desire to ourselves the question is, what do we actually do about it? Fortunately for me, my personal circumstances presented me with the perfect opportunity to kick start my writing ambition. Previously I was among the majority who, when asked why they hadn’t put pen to paper, would say ‘Oh, I just don’t have the time’. Time is the excuse for most things and as we all know only too well, life must go on. A full time job was my own justification for not pursuing my dream and with a hefty mortgage to pay, the switch to an unpaid hobby seemed destined to remain just that; a hobby. But just when I thought my creativity would remain forever stifled, fate showed its hand and handed me a pen. Well, it was actually a flight ticket to Kuwait but you get my drift. Without the financial pressure of a mortgage or the commitment of a full time
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job, for the first time in my life I was free to follow my heart rather than my head. And what a truly liberating feeling it was! It was also pretty terrifying. Self-doubt is a particularly destructive emotion. It’s also the biggest obstacle on the path to success. ‘What if I can’t do it?’ and ‘What if I’m not good enough?’ are just two of the confidence knocking questions the self-doubt enemy will ask. The key is to turn them around and focus on positive statements rather than negative questions; and remember, the last thing you want is to look back and say ‘I wish I’d done that’. So, having made the life changing decision to follow your dream, what next? When it comes to writing, I can’t recommend strongly enough the experience of a writing retreat. It’s one thing to sit at a desk and scribble ideas down at a fast and furious pace but what happens when the telephone rings or a neighbour calls round? Your concentration evaporates quicker than rain drops in Kuwait. Not forgetting the constant distracting temptation of
your social media accounts. After much deliberation (and nail biting) I booked myself on a writing retreat in France. It sounded idyllic – a hideaway hamlet surrounded by sunflower filled meadows below a magnificent mountainous backdrop – and was guaranteed to inspire. It was, undoubtedly, one of the bravest things I had ever done but armed with pen, paper and a well-worn French phrase book, the first steps towards my writing career began. Not only does a writing retreat give you the time and space to really blossom, it also provides you with essential feedback from your tutor (usually a published author) as well as your fellow writers. And, more importantly, you’re surrounded by people who truly understand. I mean, let’s be honest, how many people actually take you seriously when you say you want to be a writer? The negative reactions from those around us are often the final nail in the self-doubt coffin and can bury our writing dreams before they’re even born. That said, the jibes and criticism are usually just a mask to disguise a different, more genuine response – jealously – which brings to mind one of my favourite quotes: ‘Don’t let someone who gave up on their dreams, talk you out of following yours’. So, after a brilliantly inspirational, motivational and thoroughly enjoyable week in France, I booked to go again! So too did my four fellow writers who obviously got as much out of the retreat as I did. This time, we travelled to a different part of France and our host, another novice writer, joined us each day while her husband prepared our meals – parfait! Choosing a writing retreat is not easy; there are many to choose from, particularly in Europe. The most important thing to consider is your tutor. Make sure you read their biography as well as the reviews from previous attendees. The duration of the retreat will probably be determined by your budget and can consist of anything from a weekend to a month. I would recommend at least a week and I guarantee you won’t want to leave at the end! Armed with a new-found confidence, a mountain of experience (as well as ideas) and a glowing reference from my tutor, I let nothing stand in my way of my writing dream. But, as all writers will tell you, it’s just
as important to read as it is to write. I’m surrounded by books. Admittedly, for travelling convenience, most of them are invisibly stored on my Kindle but when I return to the UK, I’m quick to lose myself within the cover of a good novel. Reading, often subconsciously, can improve grammar and vocabulary as well as your style of writing. It can also provide ideas and inspiration and, whether fact or fiction, can keep you entertained between your own writing exercises. Joining a book club is also a fun, but useful thing to do. Previously, I’ve always rejected the idea of joining a book club – I prefer to read books of my own choice, at my own pace – but I recently decided to join a writing group. This, I felt, was more up my street and would provide valuable critique from fellow writers. It would also ensure I was surrounded by people who truly understood. The members were very hospitable and quickly welcomed me into their throng, each keen to learn about my writing aspirations. It also proved an excellent way of meeting people, some of which have their own, very interesting stories to tell. ‘What about you?’ I asked one of them. ‘I wrote most of the Postman Pat stories’ came her reply. Gosh! The group’s schedule of events is particularly impressive with well-known guest speakers furnishing members with valuable writing tips. They also arrange regular competitions across a wide range of genres (poetry, short stories, nonfiction, flash-fiction). As the newcomer, I was astounded (but delighted) to win second place in my very first competition (a humorous life story); an honour indeed among such renowned writers in one of the biggest and most successful writing groups in Scotland. Another good thing about joining a writing group is that it broadens your writing horizons by encouraging you to try different genres. I may previously have baulked at the thought of writing poetry but, as it transpires, I’m actually rather good at it! So if your hopes and dreams for 2017 include picking up a pen or dusting down that keyboard, get writing! Even J K Rowling had to start somewhere…..
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Siegfried Boerst
General Manager - LEGOLAND DUBAI “We look forward to welcoming many families from Kuwait….. we have a model of the Kuwait Towers in MINILAND!”
It’s not easy building a new city, especially when the bricks are only 8mm high! Siegfried Boerst, General Manager of LEGOLAND Dubai, tells us what’s involved in the making of a new LEGO-themed park and what surprises the new attraction has in store.
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When was LEGOLAND® Dubai officially outdoor attractions with shade. This will enable us to offer year round activities in the park. opened? We opened on 31st October 2016. It’s a very exciting time for us as it’s the first LEGOLAND in the Middle East and the seventh in the world.
Tell us about your past experience with LEGOLAND®?
I have been with LEGOLAND for over 15 years. I was there for the opening of the LEGOLAND in Germany and then opened LEGOLAND Malaysia four years ago.
Do you have any exclusives to Dubai LEGOLAND®? Dubai is definitely a very good location as UAE is home for lots of different families with children. Also, many people from all over GCC visit Dubai regularly. The rides and attractions are very similar. We took the best rides from everywhere and brought them to this park. Dubai is always very special and we tried to adapt to the climate here. MINILAND, for example, is the only covered and fully airconditioned MINILAND in the world. It has models of various different interesting landmarks from Dubai, UAE in general and elsewhere in the Middle East. There is a good mix of indoor and
How long did it take to complete the project?
The construction took around three years, although the planning started much earlier. Discussions like what space is available and what attractions should be included started several years ago.
What ages does LEGOLAND® attract?
It’s not only a park for children but rather a park for the whole family. The attractions are designed in such a way that the whole family can come together and enjoy. We have attractions in the park where parents and children can play together and have an experience they can talk about. For example, we have our rescue academy where the whole family participates and the parents have to move the fire trucks and pump water while the kids have the pipes to extinguish the fire in a building. It’s a collaborative effort and a very interesting experience. However, the best ages for children to enjoy the park is from 2 to 12 years.
What was the total cost of developing the LEGOLAND® park?
We do not have the separate cost for LEGOLAND because www.cpmagazine.net
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it was part of the complete Dubai Parks and Resorts project where the investment is over 10 billion Dirhams. It’s part of a huge project. This includes LEGOLAND’S waterpark that recently opened with its separate entrance.
What security measures are in place to ensure the safety of the visitors, especially children?
Safety and security of our guests is a top priority although Dubai is a very safe place. We work very closely with the local police. Besides, we have a proper security check at the entrance. The whole park is designed with children and their safety in mind. Everything is designed to ensure a safe environment for children and families. We have a first-aid office within the park with proper paramedics and work with local clinics in Dubai who are fully trained for all kinds of emergencies. We have a civil defence building just outside the park that was specifically built for this area. Also, a fire department and ambulances are stationed for this area.
According to your experience how much time would a family typically spend at the LEGOLAND®? I would say if you would like to experience everything then one day would not be enough. An average family spends six to eight hours in LEGOLAND alone and in the waterpark another two to three hours. We offer individual tickets for LEGOLAND and the waterpark or a combo ticket for both of the parks to come back and forth.
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Will you have special events during the year?
Yes, throughout the year we will have special events within the park. We just had special themes and activities for the holiday season where children could build ornaments using LEGO blocks; take a picture with Santa Claus and his sleigh, all made of LEGO bricks. We also have several building experiences within the park and we have walking characters like Buddy, Bricky and Princess appearing so families can take pictures.
Please describe LEGOLAND® Dubai?
We have six different theme areas within the park: FACTORY, LEGO® CITY, KINGDOMS, IMAGINATION, ADVENTURE and MINILAND. We have different educational workshops and there is a 4D cinema within the park.
Any idea about how many Lego bricks are used within the park?
I am sure no-one counted them but we do have an approximate idea. We have over 15,000 LEGO models within the park ranging from very small ones built with about twenty bricks to the ones in MINILAND where Burj Khalifa was made with 439,000 bricks; and the Abu Dhabi mosque with over a million bricks. So, in total we used around 60 million LEGO bricks within the park.
What are the park timings and ticket prices?
The park is open everyday from 10am to 6pm and on weekends and holiday seasons the hours are extended to 7am to 8pm. One day ticket to LEGOLAND is 250Dhs for a child and 295Dhs for an adult. You can buy a combo ticket as well to combine the
water park which is 395Dhs for an adult and 350Dhs for a child. The ticket for the waterpark alone is 240Dhs. We also offer annual passes so people who live here can come regularly and enjoy the experience unlimited times during the year. The annual pass is priced at 765Dhs for the theme park alone and 995Dhs for both and gives unlimited access to the park for 365 days. It also includes an invitation to special events and regular newsletters will be issued to keep pass holders updated with the special events happening at the park. For any new attractions, the annual pass holders will be able to visit and experience them. There are also discounts at various shops in the park and free car parking for the annual pass holders. The price is very attractive so even families from GCC, who may only visit twice a year, can benefit from the annual pass prices.
Do you think there will be new expansions in the park?
Yes, we have several areas of expansion both in the theme park and waterpark. We plan to increase something every year. Over the course of time we will also ask our visitors what they would like to see more in the park and with that feedback we may introduce new attractions.
just monuments; each monument has some fun added when visitors press the buttons on each one!
Which is your favourite area of LEGOLAND®?
Like everyone else, I am really impressed with MINILAND. Lego factory is another favourite where we demonstrate to the visitors how an actual LEGO brick is made and visitors can take a brick with them as a souvenir and have their name printed on it.
What dining options are available in the park?
We have five different restaurants and five food stands for snacks within LEGOLAND. Each restaurant has indoor seating and offers a different menu. We have a bakery café at the entrance that offers sandwiches, croissants and muffins. We also have a pizza and pasta restaurant that offers all you can eat options for a single price. Each restaurant has a special kids menu.
Do you offer any special packages for local schools?
Yes, we do have several educational programs for children. We offer special prices for schools and this can also be offered to schools from the GCC.
Will you be adding more monuments in Your message for our readers? MINILAND and what will be the criteria for any We look forward to welcoming many families from Kuwait at new model to be placed there? Yes, we still have one area in MINILAND which is not filled and we will certainly add something there. The criteria would be something that stands out and represents the region and something that the communities can recognize. These are not
the park. I am sure they will love LEGOLAND - we have a model of the Kuwait Towers in MINILAND! LEGOLAND is so unique for a wonderful experience for the whole family to enjoy. It’s both fun and educational.
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LIFE WITH CAKE
Upside down to turn your day right-side up! Sherifa Alasousi
A
n upside down cake is a classic ‘non-classic’ cake. Fruity, fresh, warm and sweet; these elements are just what we need in our everyday life to turn those sad days rightside up. This recipe is so simple, it cannot fail! Easy and fun, your kids can help make it; or you could even have a cooking date night and enjoy quality time with your husband baking it. Let’s get started with what you will need:
lbutter (for greasing) l 2 tablespoons sugar l 6 slices canned pineapple in juice (plus 3 tablespoons of the juice) l 11 glace cherries l 2 large eggs l 100 grams caster sugar l 100 grams soft butter l ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda l 1 teaspoon baking powder l 100 grams plain flour l 2 tablespoons cinnamon powder
Steps: 1- Preheat the oven to 200°C/gas mark 6/400ºF. Butter a cake tin (9 inch round)
2- Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon on top of the buttered base and then arrange the pineapple slices to make a circular pattern as in the picture.
3- Fill each pineapple ring with a glace cherry and then dot one in each of the spaces in between. 4- Mix flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, butter, caster sugar and eggs into a food processor and run the motor until the batter is smooth.
5- Pour in the 3 tablespoons of pineapple juice to thin it a little. 6- Pour this mixture carefully into the tin; it will cover the pineapple and cherry, so spread it out gently.
7- Bake for 30 minutes, then ease a spatula around the edge of the tin, place a plate on top and, with one deft move, turn it upside-down.
8- Mix 1 tablespoon of cinnamon with 1 small can of condensed sweetened milk and pour the sauce over the cake while it’s still hot.
l 1 can condensed sweetened milk
This cake will look so sophisticated no-one would believe it was so easy to bake. It is one of the most satisfying desserts ever! Remember: Bake for love and bake with love! Let me know how your recipe turns out: www.sherisnovember.wordpress.com Bon appetite!
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HUMBLE BURGERS FRESH – TASTY – HUMBLE
T
he standards we’ve come to expect from Kuwait London Company’s establishments continued to impress us when we visited their Humble Burger restaurant in Fintas. The vivid whitewashed walls and smart, wooden features were fabulously inviting and set the scene for what was to be, a very satisfying experience. As with all Kuwait London Company brands, Humble Burger was developed and built locally with the intention of offering diners the freshest and highest quality ingredients – and we weren’t disappointed! We began our feast with Buffalo Wings (freshly breaded wings topped with buffalo sauce, served with blue cheese dip) and Bacon & Cheese Bites (freshly breaded crispy beef bacon filled with mixed cheese and served with marinara sauce). Both were bursting with flavour and a delicious indication of what was to come. Other appetizers included Sticky BBQ Wings, Mushroom Poppers and Chipotle Chicken Quesadilla – not forgetting their delectable Humble Bites (freshly breaded roasted red peppers and jalapenos with mixed cheese, served with blue cheese tip). Even vegetarians can enjoy the Humble Burger experience! 048
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When ordering salads, we opted for the Avocado & Corn and the Portobello Mushroom. Both were crisp, fresh and exceptionally tasty; as was the Signature Coleslaw – our absolute favourite! Two other salads graced the Humble Burger menu (Caesar, with or without chicken, and Caprese) so those looking for something a little lighter, were also spoilt for choice. Next came the main event – Sliders! With nine different varieties to choose from, it was a tough decision! We decided on the Humble Burger (an absolute must), the Spicy Chicken (an explosion of flavours and textures) and the Slaw Burger (ideal for those with a sweet tooth). But the winner on our table was the Classic Burger - a juicy burger topped with Cheddar cheese, salad, pickles, ketchup and mustard, served in a freshly made potato bun – perfect! There was no shortage of side dishes – seven in total – and for all potato lovers out there you could enjoy not just the familiar fries and wedges but also roasted potatoes (seasoned with rosemary) and mashed potatoes (topped with parmesan cheese and parsley). Potato heaven! We’re well familiar with KLC’s signature Chubby Balls, so we tried something different for dessert – Salted Caramel Brownie and Sticky Toffee Pudding. It’s hard to believe we still had room for dessert but Sticky Toffee Pudding is always a must; and this one was no different. Deliciously sweet and sticky it was everything you would expect and more. The warm Salted Caramel Brownie, topped with chocolate sauce, was also a delectable sweet treat. The Humble Burger team was efficient and attentive throughout and more than happy to help with our menu choices. After sipping on fresh orange juice and Chamomile tea, we were left to reflect on a delicious dining experience and one we were all anxious to repeat. At Humble Burger, they believe that all good things should reflect quality over quantity. With that in mind, they produce everything in-house, from salads and sides to burgers and desserts. So, whether you visit their funky restaurant or take advantage of their delivery service, you can be sure that only the freshest ingredients make a humble burger. You can now also order your Humble Burger favourites through ‘Carriage’ as well as ‘Talabat’ making it even easier to satisfy your Humble Burger cravings! Humble Burger is open seven days a week from mid-day until 3am. You can find them at Fintas (23900012), Shaab Al Bahri (22610007) and Ardhiya (22301906) and follow them on Instagram @humbleburgers.
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The leading Hip Hop duo from the Middle East, bridging gaps and connecting cultures.
Rap artists Ya’koob and Abdul’Rahman Al Refaie, better known as Sons of Yusuf, are taking the Hip Hop world by storm. Using both Arabic and English lyrics, the talented duo hope to connect with more people and share their stories and culture with the world. But what makes them different from other rappers and what do they hope to achieve from their music? 050
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PHOTOGRAPHER: Hamad Al-Ainati - @7mdphotography
‘We’re bringing something new to the table and that’s what makes it special’ www.cpmagazine.net
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Please introduce yourselves to our readers: We are brothers Ya’koob and Abdul’Rahman Al Refaie, known as Sons of Yusuf.
How long have you been doing what you’re doing and how did you get started in the first place? We’ve been doing this for as long as we can remember and it keeps growing and manifesting. But honestly, we just started as Sons of Yusuf a few years ago.
Who were the first influences on your music and style?
PHOTOGRAPHER: Hamad Al-Ainati - @7mdphotography
Our father Yusuf. Also, artists like Yasiin Bey, Talib Kweli, Sade, Bob Marley and Lauryn Hill, to name a few.
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Do you make your own beats and write your own lyrics? Most definitely! Ya’koob does all our beats and production and we both do all the writing.
What are your songs about? Do you support any particular subject? We like to connect with the world; all nations and cultures. We support peace and unity. We also wish to spread and share our stories and culture with the world. As we all know, there is a lot of negative and false media out there and we wish to help change that.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music and why? Mostly our passion and commitment keeps us moving forward. Just being a human in the world today gives us inspiration to write and make new music. We are living in amazing times and we’re witnessing this new era that we are all a part of.
What are the reasons for you rapping in Arabic and English? Do you think your message has more impact in the Arabic or English language? Mixing Arabic and English is dope, we enjoy it! Plus it gives us an opportunity to connect with more people and share our language with the world. We’re living in a time where everything is westernized. Everyone speaks English now mashallah, which is great but we can’t forget where we come from either. Plus this is the evolution of Hip Hop! www.cpmagazine.net
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Do you think your music is mostly enjoyed for the beats or for the lyrical flow and content? Everyone has a different taste. Some people like our real messages and poetry, others like our remixes and how we turn up! Personally, we think we’re bringing something new to the table and that’s what makes it special or different.
What do you hope to achieve from your music, what is your main goal? So far this is our main goal. To do this interview with you, to be able to reach out to people across the world, get invited to the Grammy’s and work with some of our favourite artists. This is all happening right now; we’re very thankful and we’re just getting started. Mainly, we want to make a difference, bring people together, spread peace and love; also make an impact and pave the way for the next generation. We want the racism to stop and the media to shed more light on the artists and on the positive things going on in the Middle East. That’s why we need more writers, film makers, producers etc. We want to help uplift the youth; our future artists, entrepreneurs and leaders.
What inspires you to keep up your music career?
PHOTOGRAPHER: Hamad Al-Ainati - @7mdphotography
The support we get from the people, it’s been amazing. Especially seeing the impact we can have on the youth. Nothing beats that. Also our friends and family. Our ambition feeds off the motivation we get from them.
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Which ingredient do you think is most essential in making your sound and style the way it is? Being authentic - and doing what comes from the heart, not doing it for the money or fame. People need to stop looking at what other people are doing and copying other brands and styles and come up with their own. That’s what makes us who we are, being ourselves and not looking to compete with anyone. We wish the best for everyone.
What are the differences and similarities between the various music scenes in the Arab world? Which do you find more active and expanding? There is major talent in the Arab world. The art scene in general is expanding. I think we’re going to witness some amazing things coming from the Middle East; from music, to film, art, movies etc.
How does your performance on-stage differ from when you are in the studio? It’s very different. Performing is interacting, engaging and connecting with the audience. We tell our stories with visuals, do new material and give out merchandise. Being on stage is the best feeling in the world. When we’re in the studio, it’s just another day at the office.
How involved are you in the recording, producing, mastering, marketing and other processes needed to make and sell your music? Do you outsource any part of these processes? It’s a lot of work. When it comes to recording, editing and producing, we do everything. The marketing and publishing all depends on the project or situation at the time.
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Sometimes we record our vocals in Kuwait, send them over to Detroit for mixing, then have them mastered in Los Angeles and sent back to us. Sometimes we do it all ourselves. It’s really a process but we love the whole experience. I mean, we market and promote our own work as well as manage and do all the bookings, but we’re very grateful and again, we’re just getting started, inshallah. This is all a part of the process.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most and what aspect discourages you the most? Everything is exciting! Every day there’s something new to look forward to. It does get difficult and tough at times but that’s the beauty of it, because that’s what makes us succeed. Having a good intention with what you do is very important. We can’t make music without any intention, or just for the sake of making music. We can do that at home and feel good about it. But as this is our career, we have to make sure we stay on the right path because this is the media; it can be a shady business and we don’t want to get caught up or distracted in this industry.
Do you think the advent of internet and all the new technology has helped your music and independent musicians in general, or do you think it just creates a mass of mediocre ‘copycats’ who flood the web, making it difficult to distinguish yourself? No doubt, the internet helps in so many ways. Our company is working internationally through the internet. It gives us the opportunity to reach out to anywhere in the world and build our brand. But we definitely think there are times where we have to shut everything off because it can get a little over whelming sometimes; the social media and all that. We want to stay connected to Mother Nature and to God so sometimes we have to disconnect from the internet in order to reconnect and just try to keep that balance.
In your experience so far, what is the best piece of advice in this business you actually followed? And one you didn’t follow, but now know for sure that you should have? Be yourself and be clear. Ask yourself why you are doing what you’re doing. What do you wish to accomplish? What could be the results? What’s your intention? We had to learn all that along the way but most importantly, don’t get too attached with all the material in this world. None of that matters when your life is over. Be content. Be good to your family. Wish the best for everyone, pray for people, even your enemies. And stay awake!
How important do you think video is to your music and how do you produce your videos? Visuals are very important. At first we couldn’t really find anyone who would relate to what we were doing, so it was
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hard to work with directors and producers out here for a video. We had to learn how to direct, shoot and edit on our own so we started making our own videos. Now we’re finally starting to collaborate with great artists and directors to produce our upcoming videos.
What, in your opinion, is the biggest barrier artists like yourselves have to face and overcome to gain any commercial success in the Arab world? Having fear. Being afraid of failure or what people might think. If you have fear, you can’t be free or be creative or see your true potential. For us, a few years ago rap music was almost unacceptable, now we’re touring around the Middle East and performing for universities, embassies and so on. We just had to keep doing what we’re doing even if people didn’t get it at first. Just keep believing in what you do.
What can you say about your new album? Our debut album entitled ‘Sheikh the World’ is in the works right now, featuring artists like Yancey Boys, Consequence, Narcy and Hip Hop legend Talib Kweli. It is produced by Grammy Award winning producer Shafiq Husayn, who also worked with major artists such as Kanye West, Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper and Anderson Paak. Sheikh the World, means let’s change the world, let’s shake the world, but in our way. We feel like the media has hijacked our identity, as Arabs, as Muslims, and with this album we wish to bring some sort of hope and change in the world.
Tell us about your upcoming music tours? As of 2017 we have an upcoming tour in a few different countries and cities. We wish to share with you right now but it’s still being confirmed so we’ll update you on that soon. We’re going to be performing in Kuwait this February, inshallah, and will keep you posted. You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter and soundcloud @sonsofyusuf for our latest news and updates, or visit our website www.sonsofyusuf.com
Your new year’s resolution? Cut out any negative energy - good vibes only!
Your message for our readers: If you’re reading this, thank you for your time. God bless you.
Your message for us at CP magazine: Thank you for having us. It was good hanging out with you and we hope to collaborate with you again in the near future. Stay real, stay creative.
www.cpmagazine.net
057 PHOTOGRAPHER: Hamad Al-Ainati - @7mdphotography
Top Five for
Athens Jim West
Food, weather, history; and did I mention great food? A country called the ‘land of a thousand islands’ actually has more than one thousand islands, but only 227 are inhabited. With history at every corner and perfect Mediterranean weather most of the year, you will quickly fall in love with Athens and quite possibly never leave!
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1. the MUST see... Everywhere you go in this large city you can’t miss the enormous hill in the center with the world famous Parthenon standing atop. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and rightfully so as it has endured centuries of empires at war. Be sure to visit the Acropolis Museum. It opened to the public in 2009 and sees about four thousand visitors a day. http://www.acropolisofathens.gr/aoa 2. the MUST eat…Atitamos, just north of the Acropolis won’t dent your wallet and the food is delicious. Their meat platter is perhaps the most ordered item, but don’t leave without trying their baked feta cheese. https://www.facebook.com/atitamos 3. the MUST shop…Not far from the Acropolis lies a vibrant area of flea markets and shops along Monastiraki Square. You can find souvenirs, clothing, shoes, jewelry and all sorts of artwork. Bear in mind this is in an old
neighborhood where the streets are narrow – it might not be for the claustrophobic types! http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/main_cities/monastiraki 4. the MUST stay…With its old world style décor and a rooftop pool with fantastic view of the Acropolis and city, nothing quite compares to the King George Hotel in Syntagma Square. It’s within walking distance to just about everything in the city center and a metro stop is just a short walk across the lively square. http://www.kinggeorgeathens.com 5. the MUST do off the beaten path…Why not hop on a ferry to one of the many islands nearby. There are so many options to travel the water and get away from the mainland. I recommend the nearby island of Aegina for a day trip. http://www.ferries.gr/greek-islands-ferry/ferry_athens. htm
For more information check out http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/main_cities/athens
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THE CITY GUIDE
SAN FRANCISCO
WHERE TO DINE China Live
San Francisco, in northern California, is a hilly city on the tip of a peninsula surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay. It's known for its year-round fog, iconic Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars and colorful Victorian houses. The Financial District's Transamerica Pyramid is its most distinctive skyscraper. In the bay sits Alcatraz Island, site of the notorious former prison.
WHERE TO STAY
ATwater Tavern The Ritz-Carlton Along the California Street cable car line, this upscale hotel in a Neoclassical landmark is 8 minutes’ walk from Union Square shopping and a block from Chinatown.
Four Seasons Hotel A 5-minute walk from Union Square, this high-end, modern hotel is 4 minutes from the Yerba Buena Gardens, and 1.1 miles from the Ferry Building Marketplace.
In Situ Taj Campton Place A half-block from Union Square and surrounded by high-end shops, this elegant hotel dating from the early 1900s sits just outside the Financial District, and is 5 minutes from the Montgomery Street BART rail station.
Grand Hyatt Less than a block from Union Square, this stylish high-rise hotel is an 11-minute walk from the Moscone Center and 1.9 miles from Pier 39.
THINGS TO DO Barcha
Golden Gate Bridge
San Francisco is incomplete without the mention of Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, it is very very long and after a while, it becomes redundant. Fortunately, you can choose how much of it you want to walk.
Mission Dolores Park
There's nothing quite like it anywhere else. There's also a recently renovated playground that appeals to kids young & old. Birite Creamery and Birite grocery store are across the street on 18th St. Namu Gaji also sells Korean street food across the street. It's really tasty.
Babu Ji
Fisherman's Wharf
Fisherman's Wharf is a neighborhood and popular tourist attraction in San Francisco, California. It roughly encompasses the northern waterfront area of San Francisco from Ghirardelli Square or Van Ness Avenue east to Pier 35 or Kearny Street.
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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
The newly reopened SFMOMA is absolutely incredible, from the architecture of the new space, to the art and sculptures inside. A must see!
Bon voyage!
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Sami Yusuf
Musician - Singer – Songwriter – Composer – Record Producer – Humanitarian
For one night only, on 4th December 2016, Kuwait was privileged to witness the world renowned and internationally acclaimed musician, Sami Yusuf, take to the stage at the Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Centre. Thanks to the British Council and National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters, music lovers were able to enjoy a journey of selfdiscovery as Sami, accompanied by master musicians, performed some of his greatest hits. Preferring to use traditional instruments over modern alternatives, Sami’s music is an expression of Divine Love and a celebration of the Sacred. With over 34 million albums sold, Sami is able to use his celebrity status to help the world’s underprivileged, and at the same time, make the world a better place through music. Special thanks to the British Council for their participation in the ‘Kuwait Capital of Islamic Culture 2016’ by inviting the multitalented English musician to Kuwait and promoting stronger arts partnerships between the two countries. Thanks also for their help and co-operation in arranging this interview.
Hi, what is the general message you like your listeners to get from your music? My music generally is underpinned by spirituality. I am a lover of God, I am a lover of spirituality, and I am a lover of human beings. When you love the creator you must love the creation and vice-versa. So, I see what’s going on in the world and my first album was made in many ways as a kind of response to the challenges of the British Muslim community in the year 2003 post 9/11. So, if through music, I in some way, praising the sacred and through somehow reviving the traditional arts, traditional instruments and bringing people closer to the sacred, bridge the gap between people, cultures, religions and faiths, it would be a wonderful thing. Music to me is the most powerful medium in this world today. So, in a sense the general message that my music delivers is to make the world a better place through music. 062
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You have released seven studio albums so far. What are the different messages that each of them convey and how do you think your music has evolved over the years? ‘AlMuallam’, my first album was a devotional album in 2003. With very few instruments, there were mainly backing vocals and minor harmonies and percussion instruments like Tabla, bongos and conga and various percussion instruments from all over the world which gave a very interesting sound. I was the first person to start the concept of singing in English with an eastern tone. So, in general the message it conveyed was of unity, holding on to one’s identity, love and ultimately, the love of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It was a devotional album. And then came ‘My Ummah’ in 2005. This had more of a
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social, political dimension to it with a religious tone; because that’s what I was feeling at that time. It talked about the problems in the Palestinian plight, the atrocities that took place in Beslan. I then had my disillusionment with music in general because I had become so famous so quickly. Within a span of three to four years I was Islam’s biggest rock star. I won so many accolades and with things being said about me, I started thinking seriously and questioning myself as to why I was doing what I was doing, as any sincere person would. Was it for glory? Was it for more fame? But that’s not what I wanted. Was it for more dominion, more success, more accolades? My answer was no. So, I took a break from music. However, I was forced by my record company to deliver new albums. I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. I wasn’t feeling it; and to make new music I had to feel it. So, I took a five year break, aside from a few singles here and there like ‘AsmaaAllah Al Husna’. My next album came in 2010 called ‘Wherever you are’. This album was a very inward personal album; like a mini diary of what went on during those five years. There were songs about hypocrisy; songs about what happens when you have so much worry; putting myself in the place of other people. The next album was ‘Salam’. It was a happy and joyful album which was again about what I was feeling. It was the Arab spring and many people had many high hopes from it. It was a really exciting time. I went to Egypt and was with the people there. The next album was ‘The Center’ which was the first overtly Sufi album that I did. In other albums it is there, but it’s more hidden. I collaborated with SeyyedHossein Nasr who is a great philosopher, a muslim sage and Islamic studies at George Washington University. All of the songs on this album are original pieces and not covers, except for one song. It was the first spiritually deep album; more sophisticated. It was on another level intellectually but it was so well received that I was shocked and surprised. After that album came ‘Songs of the Way’. It was similar to ‘The Center’ but deeper and in collaboration with professor SeyyedHossein Nasr. It’s his poetry actually. It is again a very traditional and spiritual album. Then came my film score for the film ‘IbnAlHaitham’ which was Omar Shariff’s last film before he passed away. After that came ‘Barakah’ my last album. ‘Barakah’ is different. I did it because of the religious extremism we are facing today from everywhere; from the east and the west. This album took one year to research. There were university professors from Stanford, Harvard and Cambridge who were involved. It’s an intellectual endeavor. To my shock (Subhana Allah) it was the best selling album in the middle-east. It’s a celebration of 1000 years of sacred Islamic music from Hazrat Amir Khusroo all the way to Rabi al Adawia, and the geniuses of the Muslim world. It’s not secretarian, it’s the mainstream music of Islam. It’s from the Indian sub-continent to Andalusia and everything in between. It was not an easy project to do because nothing about it is modern; there are no modern instruments used. All the instruments performed are traditional instruments either from the region or a synthesis. For example, I used the Tamboor which is a traditional Islamic instrument to sing an Andalusian piece. Although they are from different regions there is a certain barakah that connects them. It’s not a fusion. The first song of the album is ‘Awake’. It was composed by a renowned 17th century Ottoman Polish scholar and musician, Wojciech Bobowski (1610- 1675) who embraced Islam and adopted the name Ali UfkiBey. Sultan Murad IV (r. 1623-1640) employed Ali Ufki in his court as a language interpreter and musical composer. The lyrics for this particular song, which are ascribed to sultan Murad III (1546-1595), express the poet’s remorse for having slept through the dawn prayer. The album has other songs such as Mast Qalandar which is a Qawalli. That is the most important form of Islamic music but unfortunately we see many modern people trying to destroy it. This album really is a celebration and preservation of traditions.
You have enormous titles assigned to you by various authorities. Which one of them are you most proud of? One should never take accolades and awards seriously because all these things are simply strengthening the ego. If you really want to take it seriously then one would ask why someone who committed war crimes
gets the noble peace prize. Not to discredit it or be ungrateful, I am very thankful and honored to all those who thought I deserved something. It’s wonderful but ultimately I wish to have a good place with the sacred. I wish to be known with him. Not to sound disingenuous and to answer your question, I believe playing a part in reviving the tradition is a great accolade. My album ‘Baraka’ has received great accolades and critical praise from university professors, scholars, priest and rabbis; most notably from Yusuf Omar Farooq Abdullah. Many of the greatest scholars alive today have said nothing but praise for this project and that really means a lot to me. My goal or dream is to revive this tradition; not only our tradition but reviving the traditions in general. Historically, there has always been a great exchange of knowledge among traditions and the plain truth is that we are living in a time of complete ignorance.
Who or what inspired you to sing ‘Mast Qalandar’? ‘Mast Qalandar’ is an example of a genius of saints and sages of the Indian sub-continent. Anybody who hears this piece will appreciate it. I always loved this and loved Qawali in general, although I am not a Qawalli singer. For Qawalli, you have to train and there is a whole procedure or Adab to sing it. However, I always wanted to do it because this album is a traditional Islamic album and it wouldn’t be complete without including something from the Indian sub-continent. I first wanted to do it with Aabida Perveen but for various unfortunate reasons that could not happen, so I did it with RahatFateh Ali Khan. I don’t think I did it justice but amazingly it was number 1 on iTunes.
You had a fantastic collaboration with RahatFateh Ali Khan. Are you planning any future collaboration with other singers? Yes I would love to, especially from the Indian sub-continent. I would love to do something with Aabida Perveen because she is really at the pre-eminent of spiritual singing.
You have performed in so many different countries. Which has been your most unforgettable so far? The ones you would least expect! The ones in smaller countries - and it’s not one but many. For example, we had a concert in Norway in 2011. It was a tiny venue but it was filled with unbelievable people; there was so much love there. Similarly in Barcelona in Spain I had an incredible experience.
In your view, what is the reason for the lack of cooperation between the Muslim nations? How can this be rectified? It’s called modernity. Remember it took 600 years for Europe to reach where they are now but the Muslim world is barely 80 years old. In a nutshell, it’s philosophical. We are living in a time where we don’t know who we are. I am an optimist and I believe it’s a cycle. We are witnessing the dawn of sunnatAlHaya which is a cycle of life. It’s a difficult time but we should not be pessimistic. We also had the Mongol invasions where millions of people were massacred; and we had plagues. There are lots of things to be grateful for. We have plenty of problems but we have to keep trying. It’s very easy to be cynical or gloomy but that’s the easy way out.
What special message would you like to give to your fans in Kuwait? I love my friends and fans in Kuwait, God bless you all. Thank you for having me again. You are awesome and amazing. I am really happy to hear that there is an effort here to preserve the traditional musical culture and that is really important. Kuwait is rich in music and culture. Each time I come here it gets more beautiful (Mashallah).
Your message for us at CP magazine: Thank you so much for having me. Thank you for gracing us this lovely interview. www.cpmagazine.net
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Directed by Gareth Edwards Written by Chris Weitz, Tony Gilroy, John Knoll, Gary Whitta Jim West
I
am usually one to say that a movie should not be split into two films just for the sake of profits; which is just the case for films based upon bestselling books like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Yet for this particular movie it actually and honestly needed a second film to expand its character development. With two screenplays, two story writers and news of reshoots and re-edits, it’s easy to tell that this film had a personality disorder. First of all, our heroine Jyn Erso, played passively by Felicity Jones, isn’t given much to do other than be a plot point because of her father. The trailers for this film would mislead you to believe she has a bigger part in the mission to retrieve the plans for the Death Star. But mislead they do, as it really falls to the men surrounding her to ‘save her’. In one scene they show her taking a club and beating up some Stormtroopers, but by the film’s end they have another guy save her form a confrontation with the main bad guy. Geez, I see the galaxy has come a long way to expand on gender equality and female empowerment! This movie forgoes the title crawls we are accustomed to from other Star Wars films; and it definitely needed to with so much going on - it felt as if it was on hyper drive the whole time, as if they tried to cram as much as they could in their running time. Big mistake. Spoilers ahead! The biggest failure of this movie is that you have little or no time with the characters the writers want you to care about, so when they kill them off in battle you just don’t feel the emotional impact. In fact, I already knew the whole team would bite the bullet. Even Forrest Whitaker’s Saw Gerrera character gets less than what feels like five minutes screen time. To get people to connect with characters you either have to show a tragedy 066
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WRITING MOVIE
WRONGS moviewrongs.com by: JIM WEST
much akin to Bruce Wayne watching his parents get murdered - or you need time to bond. The most logical end point for a first film is when Jyn finds her father and he dies in her arms; then end the film with the banding up for their ‘rogue’ mission. Film two could then really expand upon flashbacks and further character development to let the viewers connect more and, when their deaths come, really feel a loss. Also in this first movie, they should’ve taken some time to show perhaps a montage of Jyn growing up under Saw Gerrera’s care and becoming his best soldier. As fans, we are simply left to assume she is a great fighter. I am a fan of montages perhaps it’s from being a child of the 80s - and how else can we see her progression to a capable fighter? Then there are the two characters played by Donnie Yen and Jiang Wen who appear just in the right place at the right time - just too deus ex machina for me, even for a Star Wars movie. It was poor setup of a scene; I would have inserted a sequence showing them ousted form their jobs as protectors of the temple and then crossing paths with Jyn. Don’t get me wrong, the jokes and dialogue are good (K-2SO has some of the best lines in the film) and I give the writers credit on bringing levity to the film. Yet without the emotional connection to these characters you cannot feel the rise in stakes and their deaths are like ‘whatever’. I’m not sure of the original direction this film meant to head in, but it does provide good digital representations of Grand Moff Tarkin, R2D2, C3PO and Princess Leia. Yet if you want this film to go from good to great, you need better writing and a studio with the confidence in the writing to allow for two films to be cut. This is a film that so deserved to be either 45 minutes longer or split into two films. Thanks for reading Writing Movie ‘WRONGS’.
Love Letters of Great Men
I
would like to wish you all a wonderful new year; may 2017 be everything you need and more. I am always thankful for the support you give year after year and would like to start this new year in the best way I know; filled with love.
Nada Soliman
I picked up this book randomly as I usually do when I am away on a trip. The title intrigued me and being a hopeless romantic myself, I was curious to know exactly what great men have written in their letters before. Just as the title suggests, it’s a book about many great men throughout history who have written love letters to their lovers, girlfriends, mistresses and wives, in times of wars and peace. What I truly love about this book is it doesn't show you the classic love letters of known lovers like Romeo and Juliet, but all the other love stories we failed to hear about. Not only that, it also gives you a bit of background history about the couple so while you are reading the letter you are in the right historical mind set to understand what they were going through. The letters include those from Henry VIII, Alexander Pope, Mozart , Robert Burns, Napoleon, Daniel Webster, Victor Hugo, Charles Darwin and many more great men whom you wouldn't expect to have written a love letter. But in the end we forget that even politicians, writers and scientists are human and are filled with emotions just as the rest of us. If anything, this should set the bar up high for our own generation of men and women who forget the meaning of true love and what it really does to our souls. These famous men were not all writers; some were not even known for their words. However, I think they took the time to express the true meaning of their feelings to their partners, which is more than any of us can say about this generation's romance. Love Letters of Great Men (2008) is a must read by all of you out there - lovers and friends. The notion of love is still there, we just need to step back from technology and let it flow through us. In the end, love is in everything we do if we just pay attention. Have a wonderful year filled with love. www.cpmagazine.net
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THE BYE BYE MAN
LIVE BY NIGHT
PATRIOTS DAY
A horror-thriller that exposes the evil behind the most unspeakable acts committed by man. When three college friends stumble upon the horrific origins of the Bye Bye Man, they discover that there is only one way to avoid his curse: don't think it, don't say it. But once the Bye Bye Man gets inside your head, he takes control. Is there a way to survive his possession?
Live by Night is set in the roaring '20s, when Prohibition hasn’t stopped the flow of booze in an underground network of gangster-run speakeasies. The opportunity to gain power and money is there for any man with enough ambition and nerve, and Joe Coughlin, the son of the Boston Police Superintendent, long ago turned his back on his strict upbringing for the spoils of being an outlaw.
In the aftermath of an unspeakable attack, Police Sergeant Tommy Saunders joins courageous survivors, first responders and investigators in a race against the clock to hunt down the bombers before they strike again. Weaving together the stories of Special Agent Richard DesLauriers, Police Commissioner Ed Davis, Sergeant Jeffrey Pugliese and nurse Carol Saunders this visceral and unflinching chronicle captures the suspense of one of the most sophisticated manhunts in law enforcement history and celebrates the strength of the people of Boston.
CAST: Douglas Smith, Cressida Bonas, Lucien Laviscount, Doug Jones, Carrie-Anne Moss, Michael Trucco DIRECTOR: Stacy Title
CAST: Ben Affleck, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, Elle Fanning, Chris Messina, Chris Cooper DIRECTOR: Ben Affleck
CAST: Mark Wahlberg, J.K. Simmons, John Goodman, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin Bacon, Alex Wolff DIRECTOR: Peter Berg
GENRES: HORROR THRILLER
GENRES: DRAMA ADAPTATION
GENRES: DRAMA THRILLER
MONSTER TRUCKS
SHERLOCK: THE FINAL PROBLEM
SPLIT
Looking for any way to get away from the life and town he was born into, Tripp, a high school senior, builds a Monster Truck from bits and pieces of scrapped cars. After an accident at a nearby oil-drilling site displaces a strange and subterranean creature with a taste and a talent for speed, Tripp may have just found the key to getting out of town and a most unlikely friend. Melding cutting edge visual effects and state-of-theart CGI, Monster Trucks is an action filled adventure for the whole family that will keep you on the edge of your seat and ultimately touch your heart.
Emmy AwardÂŽ-winning actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman return to cinemas as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in this feature length special that caps off the highly-anticipated Season Four.
While the mental divisions of those with dissociative identity disorder have long fascinated and eluded science, it is believed that some can also manifest unique physical attributes for each personality, a cognitive and physiological prism within a single being.
CAST: Rob Lowe, Thomas Lennon, Jane Levy, Amy Ryan, Lucas Till, Barry Pepper
CAST: Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Rupert Graves
CAST: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Betty Buckley, Jessica Sula, Haley Lu Richardson
DIRECTOR: Chris Wedge
DIRECTOR:
DIRECTOR: M. Night Shyamalan
GENRES: ADVENTURE ANIMATION
GENRES: DRAMA EVENT
GENRES: THRILLER SUPERNATURAL
JANUARY 2017
MOVIES
SLEEPLESS
THE FOUNDER
XXX 3: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE
Follows Jamie Foxx as undercover Las Vegas police officer Vincent Downs, who is caught in a high stakes web of corrupt cops and the mob-controlled casino underground. When a heist goes wrong, a crew of homicidal gangsters kidnaps Downs’ teenage son. In one sleepless night he will have to rescue his son, evade an internal affairs investigation and bring the kidnappers to justice.
Tells the true story of how Ray Kroc (Michael Keaton), a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers' speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.
Focuses on extreme athlete turned government operative Xander Cage (Vin Diesel) coming out of selfimposed exile and on a collision course with deadly alpha warrior Xiang and his team in a race to recover a sinister and seemingly unstoppable weapon known as Pandora’s Box. Recruiting an all-new group of thrillseeking cohorts, Xander finds himself enmeshed in a deadly conspiracy that points to collusion at the highest levels of world governments.
CAST: Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney, Gabrielle Union, T.I., Scoot McNairy
CAST: Michael Keaton, Laura Dern, Linda Cardellini, Patrick Wilson, Nick Offerman, B.J. Novak
CAST: Vin Diesel, Samuel L. Jackson, Tony Jaa, Jet Li, Nina Dobrev, Deepika Padukone
DIRECTOR: Baran bo Odar
DIRECTOR: John Lee Hancock
DIRECTOR: D.J. Caruso
GENRES: COMEDY ACTION REMAKE
GENRES: DRAMA BIOGRAPHY
GENRES: ACTION ADVENTURE THRILLER
A DOG'S PURPOSE
RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER
GOLD
Shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love. The family film told from the dog’s perspective.
Picking up immediately after the events in Resident Evil: Retribution, Alice (Milla Jovovich) is the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity’s final stand against the undead. Now, she must return to where the nightmare began – The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.
Gold stars Matthew McConaughey as Kenny Wells, a failing businessman and modern-day prospector desperate for a lucky break. As a last ditch effort, Wells teams up with an equally luckless geologist, played by Edgar Ramirez, to execute a grandiose plan: find gold deep in the uncharted jungle of Indonesia.
CAST: Britt Robertson, Dennis Quaid, Peggy Lipton, Juliet Rylance, Luke Kirby, K.J. Apa
CAST: Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts, Ruby Rose, Eoin Macken, Rola
DIRECTOR: Lasse Hallstrom
DIRECTOR: Paul W.S. Anderson
CAST: Matthew McConaughey, Edgar Ramirez, Bryce Dallas Howard, Corey Stoll, Toby Kebbell, Bruce Greenwood DIRECTOR: Stephen Gaghan
GENRES: DRAMA ADAPTATION
GENRES: ACTION SEQUEL SCI-FI
GENRES: DRAMA ADVENTURE
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TOP PICKS FOR
GEORGE LUCAS: A LIFE
THE PATTERN ARTIST
by Brian Jay Jones
by Nancy Moser
On May 25, 1977, a problem-plagued, budget-straining, independent science-fiction film opened in a mere thirty-two American movie theaters. Conceived, written, and directed by a little-known filmmaker named George Lucas, the movie originally called The Star Wars quickly drew blocks-long lines, bursting box office records, and ushering in a new way for movies to be made, marketed, and merchandised. It has become one of the most adored–and successful–movie franchises of all time.
English housemaid Annie Wood arrives in New York in 1911. On her own for the first time working as a Macy’s sewing department clerk, Annie catches the eye of a salesman at the Butterick Pattern Company. Through determination, hard work, and God’s leading, Annie discovers a hidden gift: she is a talented fashion designer—an artist of the highest degree. As she runs from ghosts of the past and focuses on the future, Annie enters a creative world that takes her to the fashion houses of Paris and into a life of adventure, purpose, and love.
THE INNKEEPER OF IVY HILL
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by Julie Klassen
FROM SAND AND ASH
On a rise overlooking the Wiltshire countryside stands the village of Ivy Hill. Its coaching inn, The Bell, is its lifeblood along with the coach lines that stop there daily, bringing news, mail, travelers, and muchneeded trade. Jane Bell lives on the edge of the inn property. She had been a genteel lady until she married the charming innkeeper who promised she would never have to work in his family's inn. But when he dies under mysterious circumstances, Jane finds herself The Bell's owner, and worse, she has three months to pay a large loan or lose the place.
As children, Eva Rosselli and Angelo Bianco were raised like family but divided by circumstance and religion. As the years go by, the two find themselves falling in love. But the church calls to Angelo and, despite his deep feelings for Eva, he chooses the priesthood. Now, more than a decade later, Angelo is a Catholic priest and Eva is a woman with nowhere to turn. With the Gestapo closing in, Angelo hides Eva within the walls of a convent, where Eva discovers she is just one of many Jews being sheltered by the Catholic Church.
by Amy Harmon
JANUARY 2017
FOREVER, AGAIN
18 AND LIFE ON SKID ROW
by Victoria Laurie
by Sebastian Bach
Lily Bennett is less than thrilled to be the new kid as she starts her junior year in high school. But soon after classes begin, she meets a classmate, Cole Drepeau, with whom she forms an immediate and intimate bond. As Cole and Lily grow closer, Lily learns about the murder that divided the town more than thirty years before. In 1985, graduating senior Amber Greeley snapped, killing her boyfriend Ben—Cole’s uncle—and taking her own life.
In this uncensored, unfiltered memoir, the musician and former front man for Skid Row tells the story of how a choir boy became a megasuccessful hair metal god, rode the wave of fame in Heavy Metal’s heyday, and came out alive on the other side when glam rock went the way of the cassette tape and the Walkman. Sebastian Bach is an iconic rock vocalist who has sold in excess of twenty million records worldwide. Best known for his powerful high vocal range and his flowing blonde locks, he’s been a stand out member of the metal music scene since he was fourteen. From first joining Kid Wikkid, Bach has rocked out with Skid Row, Madam X, The Last Hard Men, The Frogs, and Frameshift, and with famous friends such as Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Soundgarden, Pantera, and Guns ’N Roses.
ISLAND PEOPLE: THE CARIBBEAN AND THE WORLD THE PRINCESS DIARIST by Joshua Jelly-Schapiro
by Carrie Fisher
A masterwork of travel literature and of history: voyaging from Cuba to Jamaica, Puerto Rico to Trinidad, Haiti to Barbados, and islands in between, Joshua Jelly-Schapiro offers a kaleidoscopic portrait of each society, its culture and politics, connecting this region’s common heritage to its fierce grip on the world’s imagination. From the moment Columbus gazed out from the Santa María's deck in 1492 at what he mistook for an island off Asia, the Caribbean has been subjected to the misunderstandings and fantasies of outsiders. Running roughshod over the place, they have viewed these islands and their inhabitants as exotic allure to be consumed or conquered.
The Princess Diarist is Carrie Fisher’s intimate, hilarious and revealing recollection of what happened behind the scenes on one of the most famous film sets of all time, the first Star Wars movie. When Carrie Fisher recently discovered the journals she kept during the filming of the first Star Wars movie, she was astonished to see what they had preserved—plaintive love poems, unbridled musings with youthful naiveté, and a vulnerability that she barely recognized. Carrie sadly died in December 2016 but will always be remembered for her fame as an author, actress and pop-culture icon. In 1977, however, Carrie was just a (sort-of) regular teenager.
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TECHNOLOGY
COOL GADGETS The coolest products curated especially for you
01 1. Asus Fx502 With a 15-inch super-fast-wide panel which provides a 178-degree viewing angle, the new ASUS FX502 is powered by the latest 6th generation Intel processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 to elevate your gaming prowess. Built with up to 24GB of DDR4 RAM, it has a Hyper Cool Duo-Copper cooling system to tame its CPU and GPU
04 4. WD My Passport Dressed in new designs with a textured bottom available in trendy colors, the redesigned set of WD My Passport can hold up to 4TB of storage capacity and now comes with 256-bit AES hardware encryption for password protection.
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02 2. Sandisk Ultra Dual Drive M3.0 The SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive M3.0 sports a new retractable design with both micro-USB and USB 3.0 connectors for faster file transfer of up to 150MBps. With memory capacity from 16GB up to 128GB, this external storage device paves easy access to expand storage or share content in an instant.
05 5. Canon Pixma Ink Efficient G4000 Made with an integrated ink design, the Canon Pixma Ink Efficient G4000 has a Canon Hybrid Ink Sytem responsible in combining pigment blank ink and color dye inks that can print up to 6,000 monochrome and 7,000 color pages in sharp, vibrant colors.
03 3. Alcatel Pixi 4 Plus Power Carrying a large battery pack of 5000mAh, the Alcatel Pixi 4 Plus Power can be used as a powerbank to fuel other devices. Flaunting a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display in HD resolution, it carries a 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage expandable up to 32GB.
06 6. JBL Reflect Response One of JBL’s newest line of wireless in-ear headphones, the Reflect Response offers more than 10 hours of audio playback to let music accomodate you even during your most intense workout. With touch control technology, the JBL Reflect Response has ergonomic, sweat-proof eartips with reflective cables connected through a neckband.
07 7. HP Deskjet 3777 Built half the size of other HP InkJet All-in-One printers but equally outstanding in performance, the HP DeskJet 3777 provides users with key features including printing, copying, and scanning wirelessly from most smartphones and tablets through the HP All-in-One Remote mobile application.
10 10. LG Cordzero Handstick Redefining the way we clean our homes, the new LG CordZero Handstick combines vacuuming and mopping in one appliance, made possible through its Cloud Mop microfiber cloth and its 330ml container for water and cleaning agents.
13 13. Arctic Cold Brew Coffee Put coffee grounds into a filter, add some water and brew it in your fridge for 12 hours and you’ll have enough cold brew coffee to last up to 12 cups - which is less acidic than normal coffee.
08 8. Moshi Urbana Elegantly tailored to protect gadgets and laptops with sizes of 13- to 15-inch, the ultralightweight and durable Moshi Urbana packs a Proprietary ViscoStrap to avoid shoulder strain, and has internal pockets to easily organize stuff.
11 11. Frankfurter Brett Basic Every cook needs an organised worktop, and this board has holders for multiple containers to sort ingredients. It also has a stand for your tablet, so you can easily follow online recipes.
14 14. ZENCUBE Himalayan salt lamps are said to release negative ions into the air to improve physical, mental and emotional health. The ZenCube is a modern and more compact take on that tradition, delivering the benefits of enhanced mood and improved sleep that you can control via an app.
09 9. Brother Scanncut CM700 Designed with different types of crafters in mind, the world’s first home and hobby cutting machine with built-in scanner and Wi-Fi capability - the Brother ScanNCut CM700 can scan, cut, and draw patterns with ease and precision.
12 12. PancakeBot ‘Print’ your pancakes by having the batter automatically poured onto the griddle. Designs can be downloaded from PancakeBot’s website and uploaded to the printer via an SD card.
15 15. Frywall Designed to stop any messy oil splatter covering your hob while frying eggs, pancakes and more, the Frywall cover rests on the rim of the pan and is made from silicone so it doesn’t melt.
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MUSIC TOP MUSIC CHARTS 1
Closer Chainsmokers & Halsey
9
Juju On That Beat (TZ Anthem)
2
17
25
33
Pop Style
Blue Ain't Your Color
This Is What You Came For
Drake
Keith Urban
Calvin Harris & Rihanna
10
18
26
34
Starboy
I Hate U, I Love U
Fake Love
Perfect Illusion
This Town
Weeknd & Daft Punk
Gnash & Olivia O'Brien
Drake
Lady Gaga
Niall Horan
3
11
19
27
35
Heathens
Unsteady
My Way
Hallelujah
In The Name Of Love
Twenty One Pilots
X Ambassadors
Calvin Harris
Pentatonix
Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha
4
12
20
28
36
Let Me Love You
Sucker For Pain
Caroline
Send My Love (To Your New Lover)
No Shopping
DJ Snake & Justin Bieber
Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine
Amine
Adele
French Montana & Drake
5
13
21
29
37
Broccoli
Cheap Thrills
Rise
Don't Let Me Down
Ride
D.R.A.M. & Lil Yachty
Sia
Katy Perry
Chainsmokers & Daya
Twenty One Pilots
6
14
22
24K Magic
Cold Water
One Dance
Bruno Mars
Major Lazer, Justin Bieber & M
Drake, Wizkid & Kyla
7
Treat You Better Shawn Mendes
15
23
38
30
Setting The World On Fire Kenny Chesney & P!nk
31
Rise Katy Perry
39
All We Know
Chill Bill
Make Me...
May We All
Chainsmokers & Phoebe Ryan
Rob $tone
Britney Spears & G-Eazy
Florida Georgia Line & Tim McGraw
8
16
24
32
40
Forever Country
Needed Me
Can't Stop The Feeling!
The Greatest
Don't Mind
Artists Of Then, Now & Forever
Rihanna
Justin Timberlake
Sia & Kendrick Lamar
Kent Jones
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Jumeirah Al Naseem A breath of fresh air
W
e had long been hearing of the opening of Jumeirah Al Naseem resort as part of Madinat Jumeriah in Dubai. We wanted to ensure our recent trip to Dubai was a special one and therefore opted to book and stay at the Jumeirah Al Naseem for our New Year’s holiday break. Jumeirah Al Naseem is situated on the city’s longest private beach within Madinat Jumeirah, the Arabian Resort of Dubai; and adjacent to sister properties, Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah on Jumeirah Beach Road. The resort is located less than a half hour drive from Dubai International Airport. Jumeirah Al Naseem - meaning sea breeze in Arabic - is the youngest and the fourth and final property of Madinat Jumeirah resort’s family. It expertly blends heritage and vision. We were always fascinated by the distinctive sail-shaped silhouette of Burj Al Arab and what better opportunity to see this amazing structure than to stay at Jumeirah Al Naseem and 076
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get an excellent view. Another reason for us to select Jumeirah Al Naseem was that it is nestled amongst the inland waterways and bustling souk and joins the grand Jumeirah Al Qasr, the peaceful Jumeirah Mina A’Salam and the exquisite summerhouses of Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf, therefore giving us more reasons to stay at the resort and enjoy our short break. We reached the resort a little earlier than our check-in time and upon arrival our attention was caught by a stainless steel sculpture, designed by Emirati artist, Mattar Bin Lahej, to tell the story of Dubai. We were told that there were two further statement art pieces dotted inside the lobby of the hotel by the same artist. We were made to feel so welcome at the reception and were immediately in love with the place. The front-desk staff was very friendly and professional, our check-in process, fast and smooth, and we were provided with details of all the facilities we were able to enjoy as part of our stay at the resort. We
Jumeirah Al Naseem - Ocean Suite
were so excited when we heard there were several facilities that were complimentary during our stay! We were informed that on Wednesday we could visit the Turtle Lagoon, part of the Jumeirah Turtle Rehabilitation Project, and see the turtle feeding. The kids could also have fun in the Kids Club while we relaxed in the adults-only pool and ventured to nearby Wild Wadi Waterpark. The resort offered a stunning choice of 430 rooms and suites. More than 100 adjacent rooms and 12 specifically designed Family Suites are available; as well as Ocean Suites, two Presidential Suites and a Royal Suite located at the highest point of the hotel. We were given a Resort Deluxe room facing the iconic Burj Al Arab, just what we wanted. As we were escorted to our room, we realized that every element had been thought through to reflect the hotel’s unique inspiration. Each selected art piece, for instance, had a connection with Dubai’s past and present history. The theme also extended to the female staff at the hotel proudly wearing the traditional abayas but with a twist, exclusively designed in Al Naseem inspired tones by local luxury fashion brand Slouchy’Z. As we walked to our room, we noticed the hotel’s extensive landscaped gardens edging the sandy beach, inspired by the wadis found in the region, featuring 14 species of palm trees and providing pockets of privacy and peacefulness. We were told that the resort offers a complimentary buggy service to move around the entire Madinat Jumeirah property. Decorated by local Emirati artists, in collaboration with Dubai Culture, the buggies help to further tell the Dubai story; with their patterns inspired by Arabic calligraphy, women, local sea life and traditions.
Jumeirah Al Naseem - Presidential Suite - Pearl Bathroom
Jumeirah Al Naseem - Sand Room - Family Room
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Our room offered a soothing ambiance in a relaxed and contemporary setting; its elegance conjured by the unique colour palette of the region’s sand dunes and Dubai’s rich pearl diving heritage. The room was spacious and designed to adapt to our needs; open plan and accented with Arabian touches delivering a strong sense of place. The room had a beautiful resort view to gardens and swimming pools and most importantly, the Burj Al Arab. The room could easily accommodate two adults and two children. The bathroom was generous in size and included Arabic features and walk-in showers. We were so excited by our choice of stay and were ready to discover more of this huge resort and start our experience. Jumeirah al Naseem features eight restaurants and bars, interwoven by the common theme of The Arabian Explorer. Going back several centuries, Arabs visited and settled across the Mediterranean, leaving behind a strong influence - across architecture, gardens, art, fashion; and especially food - which remain today. You will be transported on a culinary journey; from the Moroccan inspired Al Mandhar Lounge in the lobby, tempting and healthy options at Kalsa Pool Bar - named after the area of Palermo where the Khalifa lived back in the days when Sicily was an Emirate – to the fabulously eclectic Rockfish beachfront restaurant offering a Mediterranean seafood experience with an Arabian twist; and relaxed Summersalt Beach Club, featuring a spice route theme. We enjoyed our complimentary breakfasts at the The Palmery which was located very close to our room. The food offering at The Palmery celebrates healthy eating and fresh produce from around the world. Open all day, this resort restaurant offers a combination of buffet and family style dishes. Besides the restaurants at Jumeirah Al Naseem, as part of our full board package, we also had a choice of dining at the existing 40 restaurants and bars in Madinat Jumeirah. However, during our stay we only tried the Segreto restaurant and bar nestled amidst the resort’s waterways and summer houses. Segreto is a hidden secret and one of the best Italian restaurants in Dubai where we enjoyed incomparable Italian delicacies. Using the complimentary buggy, we visited the Souk Madinat Jumeirah in the evening. A unique recreation of an ancient market place, Souk Madinat Jumeirah has a vibrant bazaarlike atmosphere which greets visitors with 95 boutique-style, open-shuttered shops and intimate galleries. Throughout the meandering pathways, we saw visitors buying goods from barrows and shops which spill out into the streets selling spices, oud, gifts and souvenirs, handicrafts, clothing, jewelry and gold. The shops are open from 10.00am to 10.00pm seven days a week. The Souk also housed a wide variety of restaurants, cafes and bars and is also home to the Madinat Theatre, premium dining and nightlife destination in Dubai. Talise Fitness is situated next to Jumeirah Mina A’Salam. Its extensive gymnasium and state-of-the-art equipment,
Jumeirah Al Naseem Hotel - Lobby Lounge
Madinat Jumeirah - Al Qasr
Madinat Jumeirah - Dar Al Masyaf- Exterior Sky View
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including a high altitude training suite and an extensive outdoor gym for cross fit, provides an ideal environment for fitness and health enthusiasts to keep in shape; with personalised and challenging fitness programs delivered by highly trained staff. In addition to the high-tech cardiovascular and resistance equipment, 25-metre temperature controlled indoor swimming pool, aerobics studio, two squash courts and an unrivalled weight training zone, the club also offers regular supervised classes encompassing the most contemporary forms of exercise including Body Pump™, CXWORX™ and RPM™, suitable for all levels. During our short stay, we discovered the complete resort and realized that Madinat Jumeirah has several different hotels, each with its own unique features to suit the needs of anyone and everyone. Each hotel is clearly differentiated, offering guests a wide choice based on their individual preferences and style. Jumeirah Mina A’ Salam, or ‘The Harbour of Peace’ for example is a luxuriously comfortable hotel located at the heart of Madinat Jumeirah. It offers authentic Arabian experiences and a family friendly service. It was completely refurbished in 2015. Jumeirah Al Qasr, or ‘The Palace’, features a majestic arrival experience and a journey through luxury; offering palatial guest rooms decorated in traditional Arabian style, with stunning views across the sea and opulent surroundings of the resort. Inspired by the traditional Arabian courtyard summer houses, the intimate and exquisite Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf is set among tranquil gardens, waterways, exclusive pools and the resort’s private beach. It offers newly-refurbished elegant and spacious guest rooms and courtyards, a personalised butler service, and an understated Arabian luxury experience. In addition, the multi award winning Talise Spa is located near the main entrance of Jumeirah Al Qasr; set amidst semi– tropical gardens with bamboo, palm trees, frangipani and hibiscus flowers, and bordered by gently flowing waterways that allow guests access to the spa. The spa ambience is soothing and serene which is further enhanced by an interior scheme of earthy warm tones and soft, velvety fabrics. Talise Spa is setting new standards in holistic care and beauty treatments, offering 26 renovated treatment rooms; some of which feature private gardens and balconies. Additional features include a crystal and light therapy room, hydrotherapy rooms with indoor and outdoor baths, as well as steam showers; along with a Watsu pool and Kneipp basins. We really enjoyed every moment of our stay at the resort and highly recommend Jumeirah Al Naseem to adventurous travellers who seek an authentic experience, without compromising on luxury; as well as those who may not have considered Dubai before.
Talise Spa - Single Treatment Room
Mina A Salam Exterior View
Sinbad Kids Club - Play Area
For further details and reservations, visit their website: https://www.jumeirah.com/en/hotels-resorts/dubai/ madinat-jumeirah/jumeirah-al-naseem/ www.cpmagazine.net
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Banana Republic Holiday 2016 Holiday 2016 is inspired by the landscape and lifestyle of the Pacific Northwest. The Banana Republic design team drew inspiration from the region’s unpredictable and theatrical weather patterns, focusing the collection on seasonless dressing with layers and performance properties equipped for every adventure.
REEBOK CLASSIC X KENDRICK LAMAR: SS17 Club C January Capsule Taking direct inspiration from his latest album, the sneaker’s aesthetic focuses on the themes of anonymity and abstraction while also calling for unity. Inspired by his ability to invoke conversation around race and social injustice, this Club C forces people to think deeper and celebrates Kendrick’s ability to create art with meaning in a stylish, provocative manner. Commenting on the design, Kendrick said, “Now more than ever is it important for individuals to come together as one. This sneaker represents that call for unity and equality, while also pushing people to look beneath the surface and uncover the hidden messages. This is something I try to do with my music, and now here with the Club C.”
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ّ Base المفضلة لدى المشاهير تُطلِق مجموعتها الجديدة "عالمة النظارات "جالسينج تصاميم عصرية بسيطة مع نفحة تحاكي أسلوب الحياة الحضرية
Le Coq Sportif Spring - Summer 2017 Once again, le coq sportif - proud of its French identity and its 130 years of savoir-faire - is committed to producing high quality collections with fitted cuts, in premium materials, dyed with unique, luminous colours. These lines were developed in its workshops in Romilly-surSeine, in the Aube, the brand’s birthplace. Since it was founded, le coq sportif has celebrated French sport. The Tricolore line features sporty items in blue-white-red. This range is the very embodiment of the brand’s roots that make it so unique. Offering classic pieces for everyday wear, the Tricolore collection plays skillfully with the concept of combining three colours and subtly signs off each item with its famous placket.
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ساعات هاميلتون :عالم السينما
ً فيلما ،هاميلتون تواصل ريادتها مع مشاركات مذهلة في صناعة األفالم بظهورها في أكثر من 450 وألكثر من ستة عقود ،ظهرت ساعات "هاميلتون" المميزة في أكثر من 450من أفالم هوليوود الناجحة .إن أشكالها الملفتة للغاية ،وموادها وتصاميمها الفريدة منحتها أدوار هامة في مختلف أنواع األفالم ،من األكشن مثل "داي هارد" ،و "أوشينز إيليفن" ،و "جاك راين:شادو ريكروت"؛ ً وأيضا من األفالم إلى الخيال العلمي مثل "إنترستيالر" ،و "ذا مارتيان" ،و "مين إن بالك" و "إنديبندنس دي ريسيرجانس" ،و "سبايدر-مان ،"2 الكالسيكية الكوميدية مثل "يو‘ف جوت ميل" ،و "هيرسبري" ،و "ليغالي بلوند" ،و ناتي بروفيسور :IIذا كلومبس" ،و "بلو هاواي" ،إلى الدراما مثل "أ بيوتيفل مايند" و "ذا غوود جيرمان".
Certina presents its sporty DS Podium Chronograph Collection
Certina’s DS Podium Chronograph collection takes sportiness to the next level thanks to its large numerals, contrasting elements, polished bezel and bold design. Available in four different models, the DS Podium Chronograph is assembled using the renowned Double Security Concept featuring a Swiss Made ETA PrecidriveTM movement inside its brushed all-black PVD-coated 41mm case. JANUARY 2017
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Gifting just got easier with unique Kuwaiti boutique Aubade Jewelry There is no better gift than one that will last a lifetime. Kuwait based boutique, Aubade Jewelry has the perfect set of gifting options from diamond rings, stunning earrings to statement necklaces for the festive season delivered to your doorstep.
SHINE, ELEGANT EVOLVING DESIGN TO COMPLEMENT YOUR LIFESTYLE FROM RAYMOND WEIL The new shine collection by Swiss watchmaker RAYMOND WEIL is dressing up in different colours. Feminine, elegant and sensual, this model is the perfect timepiece to complement the demands of a modern lifestyle thanks to its unique patented system enabling the strap to be changed in seconds to match the colour of any outfit.
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Acclaimed Lebanese Restaurant Babel arrives in Kuwait
babycottons launches Babel promises unique new winter collection dining experience in iconic in Kuwait new location
Amouage Launches Bracken Woman
AUB named ‘Best Regional Bank - GCC 2016’ by Capital Finance International for second time
Amouage has launched an exquisite new creation "Bracken Woman". The luminous and carefree green floral fragrance was created by Creative Director, Christopher Chong, and was inspired by the heady and lighthearted pleasures of the ‘Summer of Love’. It is an olfactory tribute to nature and the bohemian hippie spirit of the 1960s. Reminiscent of the beguiling time of freedom, mysticism, love and peace, Bracken Woman reveals itself through a magical marriage of vibrant Violet Leaf and Galbanum green notes of the bracken fern accord with the luscious fruity accents of Wild Berries, opening up to a sensuous heart of Lily, Narcissus, Camomile, and Leather. In an intoxicating finale, the seductive smoky woody base lavishly blends Patchouli, Vetiver and Birch to exude playfully the insouciance of summer days and star-filled nights in the woodlands. A kaleidoscope of colour, the swirling fern design of the delectable Bracken Woman presentation box evokes the spirit of the fragrance’s woodland influences. The dramatic opaque coral bottle with its white cap, reflect the underlying passion and pure spirit of the flower child, while the rose peach Swarovski crystal is a sparkling reminder of the magic of Mother Nature. Bracken Woman joins Bracken Man as part of the Midnight Flower Collection, which also includes Sunshine, a fragrance available for Man and Woman, as well as ‘Hope’, ‘Love’, ‘Happy’, ‘Smile’, ‘Joy’ and ‘Sassy’ candles with complementary room sprays.
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Ahli United Bank B.S.C. (AUB) has been named ‘Best Regional Bank – GCC 2016’ by Capital Finance International. This is the second time AUB has won this prestigious award from the London based publication following the first award in 2014. The CFI.co award identifies organizations that truly add value to the banking industry. The CFI. co judging panel recognized AUB’s exemplary financial performance over the years while adopting and adhering to a strict corporate governance framework, in line with the best international practices. Mr. Hamad Al-Humaidhi, Chairman of Ahli United Bank, commented: “This award is a strong testimony to AUB’s well-managed business model based on prudent and diversified growth, proactive risk management, intelligent cost spend and focus on cross border business development. Despite tighter fiscal policy and weaker private sector activity resulting in moderate regional economic growth, AUB continued to deliver strong performance on its strategic and financial objectives during 2016.” This latest award joins a string of regional accolades awarded to AUB by the leading publications like The Banker, Global Finance and Euromoney over the years. AUB has also recently received recognition as “Best Bank in the Middle East - 2016” from The Banker magazine.
The award-winning Lebanese brand Babel, known for its authenticity, exquisite culinary offering and dining experience, has opened its first outlet outside of Lebanon at a stunning custom-built location overlooking the Arabian Gulf in Kuwait. Babel has been providing unique culinary experiences to Lebanese diners since 2009, and has become known for its progressive cuisine through a contemporary fusion of flavours, using the finest Lebanese ingredients. Babel is also known for its breathtaking architecture, dazzling décor and spacious interiors. The opening of the magnificent new outlet on Gulf Road, Kuwait, was celebrated at a ribbon cutting event hosted by Dory Rizk, Chief Executive Officer of Afkar Holding Group, and Mohammed Alshaya, Executive Chairman of M.H. Alshaya Co. “This opening marks the first major expansion of the Babel brand outside Lebanon and represents the largest development deal in Babel’s history. We see Babel as a beacon of culinary sophistication, using food as a common language that brings together the best ingredients of the Lebanese cuisine,” said Mr. Rizk. “We are committed to remaining true to our traditions while adapting to the cultures and tastes of our new locations. By partnering with one of the world’s leading international franchise operators, Alshaya, we are confident that Babel’s expansion strategy is on the right track,” added Mr Rizk.
babycottons, a children’s clothing brand developed to dress babies as babies using the finest cotton in the world, has launched its new Winter 2016 collection across its stores in Kuwait. The new collection features winter designs and warmer fabrics for the colder season. babycottons, which has stores throughout the Americas, focuses on using premium pima cotton in their garments and accessories. The latest launch includes themes such as Rufus, wintertime, Juliette, playtime, yoko and my little friend lines for both boys and girls from newborn up to six years old. “Each season we welcome new and exciting clothing into each of our Kuwait stores, presenting our customers with the finest cottons from Peru. I am excited to introduce the new Winter 2016/17 collection which includes some great pieces that look great and provide comfort for children of all ages,” said Dima Nuseibah, the Operations Manager of babycottons in Kuwait. “Our commitment to only using the best cotton from Peru ensures that parents can rely upon our quality, durability and comfort when dressing their child.” Positioned within the affordable but high quality segment of children’s clothes, babycottons offers clothing, accessories, shoes and perfumery items for newborn through size six for both girls and boys. The key differentiator of babycottons’ against other children’s apparel shops is the premium pima cotton, which is found only in Peru, being used in its clothing line. Pima cotton is very soft and safe to use especially on sensitive newborn children up to the age of six years. Having first launched in the Middle East in 2013, with the opening of its store at The Avenues Mall, babycottons opened its second store at The Promenade in 2015. Customers can call each of the stores directly to find out more about the current availability on 22200848 for The Avenues Mall, and 22251299 for The Promenade, or visit babycottons.com for more information.
PRESS
Eating healthy has never been this delicious with Dean & Deluca Gulf Bank’s “Catch the Cash” Competition at the Guinness World Records TM Setting Al Danah Millionaire Draw A Big Success
Following the indulgence of the holiday season, DEAN & DELUCA, Kuwait’s destination gourmet café and grocery store, is bringing back its popular Healthy Living menu – but eating healthy has never been this delicious! The Healthy Living menu will be available from January 8 to February 26, 2017, and will include a wide selection of fresh and light dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast options include the Light Labnah, a succulent blend of mixed berries, nuts and honey; and the savoury Egg White Omelette, which features a fusion of onions and mushrooms. For customers with a sweet tooth, the sugar-free Signature Waffles and Pancakes drizzled with sugar-free mascarpone cream and topped with fresh red berry puree, maple syrup and fresh berries - offer a healthier alternative. The lunch and dinner menu includes an Organic Quinoa & Giant Couscous Salad, with baby spinach and lemon olive oil dressing; and the flavourful Wood-Fired Rolled Chicken Thighs & Mushroom, accompanied by healthy green bean salad, carrot puree and marinated woodfired tomato. To complement the Healthy Living menu, DEAN & DELUCA is offering nutritious cold blends and smoothies, including the Orange Dream, the Pineapple Banana Blueberry Blend and Fresh Berries. It’s never been easier to get to the healthy side of life with DEAN & DELUCA!
Gulf Bank’s highly anticipated Al Danah Millionaire Draw not only was the largest draw event in Kuwait, but it has also set a new Guinness World Records TM Achievement for the “largest prize linked to a bank account” in the world through its KD One Million Al Danah prize! Al Danah Millionaire Draw took place on 5 January at the Avenues. At this year’s event, Gulf Bank revealed its “Catch the Cash” competition, another first-ever event in Kuwait. The competition was open to all, but you had to be present in order to participate. Participants were randomly selected to play the game throughout the draw event and it was enjoyed by players and attendees. Participation was free of charge; participants needed to just register at the registration desk next to the stage at Grand Avenues. The game was simple, but fun and entertaining, contestants stepped inside the money box and tried to catch as many flying notes as they could in 10 seconds. Those notes were then counted on stage by hosts “Weld Al Deera” – Mr. Khaled Al Agrooga, Mr. Khaled Al Ansari, Gulf Bank team member Mr. Mohammad Al Sarraf, and Ministry of Commerce representative Mr. Abdulaziz Ashkanani.
Reading is fun at KidZania’s new Creative Corner! Kuwait University KidZania and That Al students showcase Salasil work together designs for Jazeera Airways’ new terminal to inspire a love of reading in our children
From locally inspired designs to avant-garde and ultra-modern designs, 30 students from Kuwait University’s College of Architecture showcased 15 architectural designs for Jazeera Airways new terminal in an exhibit hosted by Jazeera Airways and attended by university faculty, senior executives from Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Jazeera Airways. The student exhibit received a warm welcome from Jazeera Airways staff, and was toured by Kuwait University’s Dean of College of Architecture Dr. Omar Khattab, student project supervisor Dr. Mohammad Al Jassar, and from Jazeera Airways, Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager Abdullah Al Hudaid, Vice President for Ground Operations Naser Al Obaid. Following the tour, the airline awarded the top three designs as part of its support for initiatives taken by the students. The awarded students were lFirst place: Aisha Al Saraawy and Nouf Bin Nasser lSecond place: Mohammad Al Mansour and Yehya Adnan lThird place: Hussa Al Fozan and Haya Al Anjari Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager Abdullah Al Hudaid said, “The projects we saw today exceeded our expectations by all measures. We often see architecture students focusing on designing residential buildings in their university years, however, this exhibition reflected a move to infrastructure driven by their need to find solutions to the problems and challenges they are facing first hand. I thank the Dean of College of Architecture Dr. Omar Khattab and the project’s supervisor Dr. Mohammad Al Jassar for taking this initiative and giving their students the new Jazeera Airways Terminal assignment and congratulations to the winners who we hope to become pioneers of the aviation infrastructure sector.”
KidZania Kuwait, the exciting kid-size metropolis, and That Al Salasil, the leading book publishing and distributing chain in the Middle East, are going to work together to inspire children to love reading through a range of fun learning activities. As part of the collaboration, That Al Salasil will sponsor the Creative Corner in KidZania. Here, kids will be encouraged to stimulate their creativity by making original art pieces inspired by the theme of the story which they have listened to. In this way, kids will enhance their listening, critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as their ability to focus and be imaginative. Fernando Medroa, Vice President of Leisure and Entertainment at M.H. Alshaya Co., said: “Being an educational brand at heart means that everything we offer children should enhance their learning experience. Our collaboration with That Al Salasil, a regional leader in advocating literacy which represents a very important aspect of education, will help children better engage with books by introducing something fun that will stimulate their imagination and keep them excited.” Marketing Manager at That Al Salasil, Heba Mansour, commented: “we are pleased with this new expansion by joining hands with KidZania, and we hope this new step would further help us in our aim to foster a generation that appreciates reading and seeks information.” Each quarter, That Al Salasil will introduce a new fun story based on their latest in-store book collection, which will then inspire children to create uniquely crafted art pieces. Additionally, the Creative Corner will introduce activities based on the different programs taking place in KidZania at any given time, including Kids for a Greener World, Summer Camp and Winter Festival. The Creative Corner in KidZania is open to children between the ages of 4-14. www.cpmagazine.net
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PRESS
Al-Zayani - New Jaguar F-Type Debuts With World-First Gopro Technology
Eyes Wide Open 7th edition of the Splash Calendar
Tamdeen Group’s ‘My Book My Friend’ 2016 reading session culminated with Amal Al-Randi’s creative workshop The G 500 4x42 now available at Mercedes Kuwait
Already recognised as the most dynamically capable, performance-focused Jaguar, the F-TYPE sports car continues to evolve, with a fresh look, state-of-the-art infotainment system and world-first ReRun app that combines vehicle data with GoPro video to enhance the driving experience. Since launch in 2012, Jaguar’s all-aluminium two-seater has firmly established itself as the best-selling sports car in its segment in its home market and has won nearly 160 awards worldwide. The unrivalled balance of seductive design, stunning performance and outstanding dynamics has always made the F-TYPE unique, in a range that has evolved to include Coupé bodystyles, manual transmissions and intelligent all-wheel drive. The new F-TYPE range offers even more driverfocused technology and a broader model range than ever, comprising 28 derivatives from the purist appeal of the rear-wheel drive, 340PS F-TYPE to the 200mph (322kmph), all-wheel drive F-TYPE SVR – Jaguar’s all-weather supercar. Every F-TYPE now features the Touch Pro infotainment system. Its super-fast responses, intuitive tablet-style operation, intelligent navigation functions such as Share ETA and online services such as real-time traffic and live weather reports make every journey more rewarding and put a world of information at the driver’s fingertips True enthusiasts will be able to capture and share their driving experiences using the new ReRun app developed in collaboration with GoPro. In a world-first, ReRun combines realtime video from the driver’s GoPro with key vehicle performance data including speed, throttle position, gear selection, braking force and g force. The high quality video – including unique ‘highlights’ sections – can be downloaded to the driver’s smartphone and shared on social media. The F-TYPE’s award-wining design is stronger and more focused, with clearer visual range differentiation thanks to model-specific front bumpers. Full LED headlights boost visual appeal still further and help improve driver safety and comfort.
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When do we really stop to experience what we feel? Those fleeting moments, which we miss in our day to day humdrum of life. The Splash Calendar 2017 calendar attempts to capture the raw emotions one feels incorporating the core elements of nature. The thought provoking calendar was unveiled by Reem Acra the Lebanese fashion designer . Renuka Jagtiani, Vice-Chairperson, Landmark Group and Mr Raza Beig, CEO-Splash and ICONIC and Director, Landmark Group at a glittering party at Vii Lounge, Dubai. This year the calendar is special. Splash opened the model castings for its customers who are aspiring models giving them an opportunity to be involved with a brand they love and are loyal to for years. 12 of our customers graced the calendar this year shot by the Tejal Patni, celebrated photographer and an integral part of the calendar every year. The styling of the calendar for the first time was envisioned and designed by the in-house team who has created the masterpieces. Each image invites you to experience a world of dreams. Those small magical moments that we experience like a ray of light, a whiff of air, a ripple in the ocean that sometimes transcends you to a realm where every imagination is possible, every dream a reality and every reality a dream. It is in this bliss that we see the power, the power of being, the power in small things. “The 2017 calendar is powered with emotions and reflects on the hurricane of sentiments we feel weaved into the fashion route that Splash knows so well. It is also a very unique calendar where we have on board 12 of our customers carefully chosen to experience this journey of the brand that they have loved for years,” said Mr Raza Beig, CEO-Splash and ICONIC and Director, Landmark Group The calendar will be gifted to the region’s movers and shakers which include media, opinion makers, partners and VIPs. To stay updated regarding the association and for exclusive content, login to http://www. splashfashions.com/calendar
Inspired by the Mercedes-Benz G 63 AMG 6x6 superior all-wheel-drive powertrain, the new series is powered by an all-new Mercedes-Benz biturbo V8 engine with 422 hp and a choice of 22-inch wheels or 18-inch beadlock wheels, carbon-fibre fender flares and roof spoilers with LED lighting body parts, and seductive designo Exclusive range for the interior. Portal axles from the legendary 6x6 with a newly-developed variable chassis and one reduced portal axle increases the ground clearance from 240mm to 450mm, ensuring the machine powers up, or through, any terrain. Commenting on the arrival of the G 500 4x4² to Kuwait, Michael Ruehle, Chief Executive Officer of A.R. Albisher and Z.Alkazemi Company said: “So popular among customers that it entered series production, the G 500 4x4² is proving the ultimate machine for outdoor thrill seekers. It drives through bends so dynamically that occupants feel as though they are in a sports car rather than a cross-country vehicle, while optimised tyres conquer even the trickiest of offroad trips. Given the longstanding admiration the region has for the G-Class, this new model is testament to the fact Mercedes-Benz will never rest on outstanding.” The chassis is fundamentally based on the series-production G model and offers a perfect symbiosis of sporty dynamism and relaxed comfort, both on the road and off. During dynamic cornering the sporty setting performs sterling work, as the tauter connection of the chassis allows higher cornering speeds. If the driver is more in the mood for pleasurable cruising, the COMFORT setting effortlessly dampens all the unevenness in the ground. In extreme situations such as abrupt evasive manoeuvres, the system automatically switches over to the firm setting for the sake of maximum possible handling safety. The comfortable setting also helps during off-road sessions, because the wheels retain better surface contact. Even on heavily contoured off-road terrain, every surface traction possibility can be utilised effectively.
‘My Book My Friend’, a CSR reading program by Kuwait’s Tamdeen Group, hosted its last reading session for 2016 in association with the wellknown Kuwaiti author Amal Al-Randi. The Arabic reading session was held on December 17 at Make Meaning, 360 MALL, for children between 9 and 13 years old. As the finale for the season, the eminent author organised a special workshop for children on ‘How to Write a story’, with the aim to get children to freely explore their imaginative storytelling skills. Muath Al-Roumi, General Manager, Corporate Marketing, Tamdeen Group, said: “While writing and reading skills are closely connected, writing is an often overlooked tool for improving reading skills and content learning. Studies have shown that the process of creating content prompts children to be more thoughtful and engaged when reading text produced by others.” Al-Roumi further added: “We are glad to associate our last reading session of the year with Amal Al-Randi as she has been strongly advocating the importance of reading within the region. Our initiative is impelled by the directives of TAMDEEN group’s responsibility towards future generations to spread knowledge and encourage reading among community members as a daily habit. ‘My Book My Friend’ is focused on creating a community of readers in Kuwait.” Al-Randi, who has won Kuwait's children's literature award, has been strongly supporting reading programs and praises the efforts of national organizations in developing a reading culture within the region. The 2017 ‘My Book My Friend’ reading program will further offer children the space and opportunity to enjoy reading and storytelling sessions with their parents. The program will further aim to challenge not only children but also their parents in fostering a culture of reading which will see Kuwait grow even greater in the years to come.
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FUEL FOR YOUR GREY MATT Y L H T ER ON
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUIZ
JUMBLED WORDS 1
1. Paper thickness is generally measured/shown as GSM (e.g., 80, 90, etc), standing for what?
V O S H E
2.St Andrews, Cypress Point, Augusta, and Muirfield are famous: 2
Australian beaches; Golf courses; Walking boots; or Fair Isle knitting patters?
K U H N C
3.Butterfly, Trudgen, Back, Side, and Breast are: Cuts of beef; Swimming 3
X N B
strokes; Heraldry designs; or Poodle haircuts?
I O G
4.Referring to an Earthly feature, what is the only common word in the 4
T
5
D T A U S
English language to begin with the letters FJ?
B R E E T
5.Put these creatures in order of causing most human fatalities in modern years, most first: Sharks, Dogs, Mosquitoes, Humans?
J
6.Which of these became extinct on Earth roughly 40,000 years ago: Dinosaurs; Woolly Mammoth; The Dodo; or Neanderthal Man?
6
P E N T
7.The dark volcanic plains of the Moon, once thought to be seas, are called: Sophia; Maria; Georgia; or Kylie?
I
8.A hiatus is a: Pause; Climax; Inflammation; or Trapeze? 9.The inventor/first trapeze artist (Paris 1859) who also originated the
ANSWERS: 1. SHOVE, 2. CHUNK, 3. BOXING, 4. BETTER, 5. ADJUST, 6. NEPIT
eponymously named clothing was Jules: Dungaree; Leotard; Tutu; or Nylon?
10.The UK physical gesture and expression 'cock a snook' refers to the use of which three of these body parts: Tongue; Nose; Thumb; Ears; Fingers; Eyes; or Knees?
TEST YOUR VOCABULARY Ravi was already there, and like all younger brothers, I would suffer from following in the footsteps of a popular older ________________. a.
sibling
c.
parent
b.
friend
d.
fiance
11.Systolic and Diastolic refer to the measurement of what? 12.Labyrinth, Broad-crested, Sharp-crested, Piano keys, and Compound are types of: Weirs; Stalactites and Stalagmites; Stairways and steps; or Men's suit designs?
13.Shakespeare's romantic tragedy written c1598 is called 'Much Ado about (What?)': Something; Nothing; Everything; or Anything? 14.The Anglicized-Latin court term 'in camera' means proceedings are: Recorded on film; Televised; In private; or Rehearsal only?
15.Paramount and CBS Studios went to court in 2016 to enforce rights over what fictional language when the fan-funded Axanar company sought to produce a prequel to a popular 1966-founded franchise set originally in the 23rd century?
16.'Pulse fishing' - an increasingly common modern alternative to deep
The word sibling once meant anyone who is related to you, but now it's reserved for children of the same parent or parents. It is a word that was once out of use but then brought back into English in the early 1900s as a useful word in anthropology. If you and your brother fight all of the time, your parents might call it sibling rivalry. You might just call him annoying and run from the room.
a. A sibling is your brother or sister. It's that simple.
sea beam-trawling - uses: Sound waves; Electric shocks; Vibrating nets; or Flashing lights?
17.The web 'error' code 404 means: Insufficient memory; Not found; Password required; or Broken mouse?
PUZZLE
18.King Julian and Mort are which creatures in the film Madagascar: Replace the ? by the correct Mathematics symbol to make the expression true
Lion and Zebra; Lemur and Bush baby; Bear and Wolf; or Whale and Worm?
19.The Ape, genus Pongo, is generally spelled: Oran-Utan; Orangatan; Orangutan; or Orangetan?
ANSWERS: 18 x 12 / 4 + 5= 59 JANUARY 2017
ANSWERS:
088
and-socket; Dovetail; Pivot; Hinge; or Gliding? 1.Grams per Square Metre, 2.Golf courses, 3.Swimming strokes (Trudgen is front crawl with a scissor kick as used in breast stroke), 4.Fjord (a steep sided coastal inlet formed by glacial erosion, found especially in Alaska, New Zealand, Chile, and Norway - the word 'fjord' is Norse, from Norway), 5.Mosquitoes, Humans, Dogs, Sharks (Generally Tsetse/Tik-tik fly are third or fourth in the list, and a vast array of creatures including crocodiles and elephants kill more people than sharks, which account for only about 10 deaths per year), 6.Neanderthal Man, 7.Maria(from Latin 'maria', meaning seas; singular is 'mare'), 8.Pause (from Latin hiare, gape), 9.Leotard, 10.Nose, Thumb and Fingers (thumb touching nose with fingers spread upwards and waggling - a gesture or expression indicating contempt, mockery, usually in disagreement or play - first recorded in 1700s England of unknown origin), 11.Blood pressure (Systolic is pressure while heart is beating; Diastolic is heart resting between beats), 12.Weir (river barriers controlling water flow), 13.Nothing, 14.In private (literally 'in chamber' - no press or public), 15.Klingon (or Klingonese, of Star Trek), 16.Electric shocks (forcing deep-dwelling fish to rise from the sea bed - it is controversial because its effects are little understood - supporters/users argue it is less damaging to the sea bed than beam trawling), 17.Not found(typically when a webpage is not available for some reason, or a faulty address has been entered), 18.Lemur and Bush baby, 19.Orangutan(alternatively Orang-utan, or Orangutang), 20.Dovetail(is a carpentry joint)
18 ? 12 ? 4 ? 5 = 59
20.Which one of these is not a type of joint in the human body: Ball-
HOROSCOPES
ARIES
LEO
SAGITTARIUS
(March 21 - April 19)
(July 23 - August 22)
(November 22 - December)
The Moon/Uranus conjunction on January 5 injects fresh energy into a sagging spirit if you're suffering from a bout of holiday burnout. The January 12 Full Moon shines straight into your home and family life. You may think that a work concern is more important. Important? Yes. More? No. Do what's necessary and then get back to being happy at home. Social life expands and blooms with the New Moon on January 27. You could make several new casual friends who introduce you to a much wider social circle. You aren't obliged to let it eat your life, though, or last forever.
A secret desire could try to get out of control when the Full Moon shines on January 12. You may be overflowing with energy and eagerness, but for what? It might be hard to put your finger on it. Just don't get too wild. The Sun enters Aquarius on January 19 and the world might suddenly get much bigger and more patient. Relax and tone down those workaholic tendencies. The New Moon on January 27 zaps your love life and opens your heart. Feel more altruistic and see who responds. You could be surprised. More affection and admiration wants to come your way.
Someone may ask you for a favor or advice around the Full Moon on January 12. Or you may figure out the solution to a friend's problem or dilemma. You shouldn't be expected to go too far out of your way, but offering an easy fix is fine. Take control of a challenging situation when the Moon conjoins Saturn in Sagittarius on January 24. You have the skill and authority. The New Moon on January 27 could bring out a lot of friends who have great plans for how to spend your time. You may just say yes to a few of them.
TAURUS
VIRGO
CAPRICORN
(April 20 - May 20)
(August 23 - September)
(December 22 - January 19)
During the intense Sun/Pluto conjunction of January 6, the Moon is in unflappable Taurus. No matter what the world tosses at you, you can make it something beautiful. On the January 12 Full Moon, nothing is better than being with special friends. You may be willing to pitch in more than your share, but they won't let you get away with that. The New Moon on January 27 ignites your career and work situation. A door could open to admit you to a big, new, exciting project. Or you might be cast into a prominent position on a project that lets you strut your best stuff.
You might be a bit bored around the January 12 Full Moon. Or you might just need to get out and be with a few more people. There's a whole world of social fun out there that you may have overlooked. Break free and have some fun. On January 23, it becomes easier to think about love when Mercury sextiles Neptune. Be sensitive and willing to listen to everything. A health issue may clear up at the New Moon on January 27. Don't expect a dramatic change or improvement. You may simply notice that something that once bothered you has gone away.
Be ready to face a radical change when the Sun conjoins Pluto in Capricorn on January 6. The Full Moon on January 12 shines with love and romance. Feel secure in your private life and see if someone new has what it takes to be special. Your heart may be looking for something or someone fresh or different. Get a fresh perspective on a financial matter around the New Moon on January 27. A charitable attitude could now create a source of income that hadn't occurred to you before. Think big and you may have the chance to act and receive big.
GEMINI
LIBRA
AQUARIUS
(May 21 - June 20)
(September 23 - October)
(January 20 - February 18)
Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius ends on January 8. If the year started off a bit bumpy, things should smooth out now. The January 12 Full Moon lights up your finances and material possessions. If you don't love that holiday gift, exchange it. It's yours and you can do what you want with it. The New Moon on January 27 reminds you that the world is bigger than you can imagine. You might discover a major new interest that holds your attention for a long time. Someone else might suggest it or already be engrossed in it. Explore it in depth! You'll be glad you did.
The January 12 Full Moon could find you getting emotional about a work or career matter. You could put in a few extra hours or make some other personal sacrifice, like agreeing to a short business trip. Or you might give a presentation on short notice. Feel lucky in love on January 18 when the Moon conjoins Jupiter in Libra. Any feelings of loneliness dissolve into thin air. For the New Moon on January 27, have more fun just eavesdropping and listening to others enjoy themselves. Feel a part of a bigger group without doing anything more than showing up and being there.
You may feel mired in the details and minor chores of daily life during the January 12 Full Moon. You don't need to feel suppressed by this. It's also a chance to make some little changes that please you deeply in a very personal way. The Sun enters Aquarius on January 19. It feels good to participate, contribute, and maybe take a lead in a work larger than yourself. The New Moon on January 27 is all yours. Take a fresh look at how you feel and present yourself. Redefine yourself and maybe create a whole new look and attitude toward life.
CANCER
SCORPIO
PISCES
(June 21 - July 22)
(October 23 - November)
(February 19 - March 20)
At the Cancer Full Moon on January 12, you're willing to make a sacrifice for love. It might be time for a big change. A bold new lover could appear out of nowhere, intending to sacrifice for you. Feelings are delicate and easily hurt on January 16. Speak with great care because it would be easy to say the wrong thing. The New Moon on January 27 opens your eyes to a solution for what really isn't such a big deal. Someone else might be overwhelmed, but you'll have a much better perspective. Be calm and confident. Don't let somebody else's nervousness rattle you.
Is there something or somewhere beckoning you as the January 12 Full Moon approaches? You might be ready to inconvenience yourself to have that satisfaction. You get to decide if it's worth it. It may be. Love gets serious and intense on January 21 when the Moon trines Mars in Scorpio. Love rarely gets easier - or deeper - than this. Be sincere. The January 27 New Moon hits the reset button on your home life and environment. Make the most of this next lunar month to make your home exactly the way you want it. A friend could have helpful observations.
Venus enters Pisces on January 2 and love is looking for you all month. For the Full Moon on January 12, get creative and a bit daring. Do something out of the ordinary. Don't be afraid to reach outside your comfort zone. And don't let a busy social life dictate what you should do. The January 27 New Moon is full of big dreams and deep meditations. You may get so preoccupied with the cares and needs of the world that you forget to take proper care of yourself. You don't have to do that. You're a big part of the world already.
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JANUARY 2017