My top 3 picks
FROM THE EDITOR
Are you ready?
Magic of music
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s it September already? It seems that no matter what stage of life one is in, the ninth month of the year always represents one thing — backto-school. However, for many children, going back to school means the end of fun and free time. So help them see that there’s a way to return to school buses, backpacks and books with a genuine smile instead of a grimace. If you don’t have a fun back-to-school tradition, start one. For instance, make a BTS cake (that’s back-to-school cake) for your kids every year before school starts. They’ll still talk about this when they become adults. Organise a special dinner for your children the night before school starts by serving them their favourite dishes, or start chatting up your kids about the friends they can’t wait to see at school. No matter what, give a positive spin to the fact that school is back in session.
Can you imagine life without music? For most of us, living without all those wonderful songs and compositions is simply unimaginable. P.50
Marvelous Montreal
Indeed, it is very important for parents to train their children to be confident. Try it out and you are sure to see the results in a short span of time. Turn to P.30 and find out how small actions can make big impacts on a child’s belief in self. Support them through school and life challenges. Help them embrace fear, failure, and imperfection as opportunities to cultivate wisdom. Moving on to this month’s ‘real life’ story on P.41, read the incredible story of Mohammed Hamza, a teenager who is paralyzed below his neck due to an early infancy accident. He is dependent on his family members and the support system they offer to carry out many of his tasks. However, like many teenagers these days, Hamza spends a considerable time on social media, and he is on Facebook and occasionally reaches out to new friends online. Hamza uses his chin to move the mouse as he clicks away, thereby connecting with the virtual world and his friends in that world. Remember, children like Hamza are not disabled – they are differently abled.
Whether you are an architecture buff, a jazzhead or art lover, or need a breath of fresh air in a green oasis in the heart of the city, Montreal has something for everyone. P.58
Exploring the beauty of world
Happy reading! Qatar’s young adventurer Salman al Khanji’s Mubno movement aims to develop a sequence of positive responses amongst the youth community in Qatar and elsewhere worldwide.
Amjad Vanimal
Society • ISSUE 73 • SEPTEMBER 2018
Editor amjad.m@gulf-times.com
P.12
Director- Marketing James John Editor Amjad Vanimal Features Editor Dr. Sudip N. Copy Editors Rajith R Shemna Bijith Steve Joseph Advertising Marketing team
Design & Layout Majeed Nadapuram Available at
Contributing Writers
Editorial Enquiries
Homayra Billah Sondra Hope Rekha Sarma Sonia Fazal Jalpa Zubin M Katya Hvass Rabi’ah M Ruchika Dubey Dr Aruna Dhade
Tel: +974 44466413 society@gulf-times.com Advertising Enquiries Tel: +974 44466620 Fax: +974 44418811 Email: advr@gulf-times.com Printed & Published by Gulf Publishing & Printing Co. W.L.L. Website : www.society.qa
CONTENTS
SEPTEMBER 2018 Kaleidoscope Can you imagine life without music? For most of us, living without all those wonderful songs and compositions is simply unimaginable.
SCOPE
50
34
To create an effective ecosystem, educational resources need to seamlessly work together, AP Sharma writes
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TRAVEL
38 FREQUENT Photo of the issue
Whether you are an architecture buff, a jazzhead or art lover, or need a breath of fresh air in a green oasis in the heart of the city, Montreal has something for everyone.
HEALTHCARE Are you in rhythm with yourself? The latest research shows your internal rhythm affects health, all the way down to the molecular level.
FLAIR
GOURMET Whether you are cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, these scrumptious shrimp dishes are bound to have a special place on the buffet table.
52
FOCUS
Scope
To create an effective ecosystem, educational resources need to seamlessly work together, AP Sharma writes P.34
Healthcare
Are you in rhythm with yourself? The latest research shows your internal rhythm affects health, all the way down to the molecular level. P.38
Kaleidoscope
Can you imagine life without music? For most of us, living without all those wonderful songs and compositions is simply unimaginable. P.50 Captured by Animesh Prakash
Outlook
P.62
P.12
Style P.44 Gourmet
Whether you are cooking for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, these scrumptious shrimp dishes are bound to have a special place on the buffet table. P.52
Travel
Whether you are an architecture buff, a jazzhead or art lover, or need a breath of fresh air in a green oasis in the heart of the city, Montreal has something for everyone. P.58
Available at
Next >>
CONTENTS
SEPTEMBER 2018 SPOTLIGHT
REAL LIFE
‘I believe there is no such thing as failure’:: Preeti Trivedi, a Qatar-based UK national of Indian origin architect, is vying for honours in the Classic International Woman Contest in Las Vegas.
41
When Mohammed Hamza sends someone a ‘friend request’ on Facebook, those who know him personally wonder if there is a mistake.
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COVER STORY
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7 Intriguing NonFiction Books for Kids: Here are some brand new non-fiction(ish) books that we know you and your little ones will enjoy.
PARENTING It is crucial that parents promote self-belief in today’s generation, Jalpa Zubin M writes
FOCUS
SPOTLIGHT Exploring the beauty of world: Qatar’s young adventurer Salman al Khanji’s Mubno movement aims to develop a sequence of positive responses amongst the youth community in Qatar and elsewhere worldwide.
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Spotlight Exploring the beauty of world: Qatar’s young adventurer Salman al Khanji’s Mubno movement aims to develop a sequence of positive responses amongst the youth community in Qatar and elsewhere worldwide P.12 ‘I believe there is no such thing as failure’:’ Preeti Trivedi, a Qatar-based UK national of Indian origin architect, is vying for honours in the Classic International Woman Contest in Las Vegas. P.16
Real life When Mohammed Hamza sends someone a ‘friend request’ on Facebook, those who know him personally wonder if there is a mistake.. P.41
Cover Stories
Scan the QR Code with your smartphone or log on to www.society.qa
7 Intriguing Non-Fiction Books for Kids : Here are some brand new non-fiction(ish) books that we know you and your little ones will enjoy. P.24 Top Back-to-School Trends : A recent Etsy survey uncovered exactly what styles kids are loving and parents are buying this back-to-school season. P.28
Parenting It is crucial that parents promote self-belief in today’s generation, Jalpa Zubin M writes. P.30
Available at
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PHOTO OF THE ISSUE Your cam. Your shot Submit a favourite photo you’ve clicked on any topic of your choice for possible publication in an upcoming issue of Society. Send your photos to : society@gulf-times.com
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Captured by: Animesh Prakash Location: Doha Film City
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FOCUS
Spotlight
EXPLORING the beauty of
WORLD Qatar’s young adventurer Salman al Khanji’s Mubno movement aims to develop a sequence of positive responses amongst the youth community in Qatar, Rabi’ah M writes
I
f you have the passion to explore the beauty of this world and enhance your knowledge through various experiences, then perhaps the Mubno is the one ─ an inspirational movement you should certainly know about, the founder Salman Al Khanji talks about the dire need for such a movement.
Rabi’ah M An experienced journalist with a passion for exploring and learning new things, adventures, Rabi’ah M graduated from London with a background in journalism. She enjoys writing about an array of subjects – arts, culture, entertainment, lifestyle and fashion.
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The story of Mubno is inspired by Qatari national Salman Al Khanji and his Mubno partner Ronan Friel by their team’s South Pole Expedition. At the heart of Mubno, is its motives to merge and motivate the youth residing in a world which is full of doubts. The purpose of Mubno is to provide a solid platform for the youth who otherwise do not get an opportunity to express their inner struggles. By converting the tide on the ‘Nos’ with the objective of elevating the voices of the youth who are saying
‘Yes’. When talking to Salman, he defines himself as an experienced and value-driven individual who likes to experience new challenges which hold great significance. As he explains: “I have a very low tolerance for assumption and hence prefer experiencing things first-hand to avoid suppositions.” But why the need for going to expeditions and what role do they play in helping an individual’s personal and professional development? He corrects me by emphasizing:” I wouldn’t say that expeditions are a good idea instead they are beautiful experiences for some. I only used human power to transport myself and the necessary equipment for survival in the arctic conditions.” It is through these expeditions he has learnt the importance of teamwork and making decisions within a pressurising context, fol-
Salman al Khanji
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lowed by not forgetting to enjoy himself when things would go south. The existence of Mubno comes around a time when there is an unprecedented degree of doubt regarding the future; these include environmental, social and political issues. One of the primary reasons being the world seems to be drowning in a massive influx of questionable and unreliable information. Despite the fact, technology, which was designed to connect us is driving human beings further apart.
“I have a very low tolerance for assumption and hence prefer experiencing things first-hand to avoid suppositions”
As he points out a very interesting point pertaining to challenges: “By pursuing challenges in nature, helping to rethink and reestablishing the humanity in the individual. When you ask Salman about his South Pole expedition, he narrates the experience: “The South expedition is a dream I had for some time, I aimed to ski from the coastline of Antarctic to the geographic South Pole, covering about 1,300 km in 55 days.” Regarding the one mantra he lives by he says, “I do not know until I experience.” In terms of the current activities Mubno is conducting, Salman expresses their proactive approach: “I meet every Friday to provide the necessary support and consultation with individuals who are interested in adventures and polar expeditions.” From a support perspective, he says the local community in Qatar has been very helpful and motivating, whether it is their family and friends. With anticipations that the Mubno movement would develop a sequence of positive responses amongst the youth community in Qatar and elsewhere worldwide. How to get in touch with Mubno: Instagram: @salman_bin_nasser Twitter: http://www.mubno.com/
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FOCUS
Spotlight
Preeti Trivedi
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‘I BELIEVE THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FAILURE’ Preeti Trivedi, a Qatar-based UK national of Indian origin architect, is vying for honours in the Classic International Woman Contest in Las Vegas By
M
eet Preeti Trivedi, a long-time resident of Qatar, charismatic married woman, mother of two sons, and a finalist in the Mrs India UK 2018 ─ a unique pioneer pageant in the United Kingdom for British Indians and Asian married women with British nationality. Mrs India UK aims to encourage, empower women and provides opportunities to married women which was hosted by a London based television channel. Preeti would like to work for empowerment of women and believes in inner beauty rather than outer beauty. Preeti is glad to share her happiness with our readers in Doha as she is nominated to represent London UK on international platform. Shortly she will be taking part in the Classic International Woman Contest 2018 which will be held in Las Vegas, USA.
Excerpts: Q Tell us about yourself and your pageant journey during Mrs. India UK 2018? A I am an architect by profession, a proud winner of the title Mrs India UK 2018 - “Community Queen” & Mrs India UK 2018 - Colors TV UK special recognition award “Women Of Determination”. In addition to this, I am a fashion blogger, a philanthropist and a mother of two young boys. My journey to the Mrs India UK has been really phenomenal and full of new learnings. During my whole journey, I have rediscovered myself and realized that the best side of pageantry is the community involvement, giving back to the society,
Ruchika Dubey
spread awareness and much more. It has given me the liberty to share my own views and opinions, educate or influence people and become the voice of hope. It has developed my confidence, boosted my self-esteem and transformed my personality completely. I feel the true essence of this beauty pageant is learning and sharing. Learning from our various grooming sessions, learning from our mentors and also from our co-contestants. Sharing our knowledge and skills and sharing awareness in the society to make this world a better place to live. During the whole pageant journey, we had received very intensive training in various grooming sessions, which has really transformed my personality. We have had a session on nutrition and diet, fitness, and zumba, very useful tips during our makeup and beauty sessions, catwalk, acting, photography and lot more. All these sessions helped us to improve our personality, uplift our confidence and change us to be a better version of ourselves.
Q Can you tell us more about your upcoming pageant?
A Well, I must admit that I am enormously honoured to represent London - UK and Mrs India UK in my upcoming International pageant “Classic International Woman 2018” which is going to be held soon in Las Vegas, USA. Let me take this opportunity to thank Classic International Woman 2018 team and Mrs India UK team for giving me this wonderful opportunity and platform. I really feel privileged to be one of the delegates at “Classic International Woman 2018” which is www.society.qa 17
Being a mother, I believe that every child deserves love, care and a secure environment to live in. I stand for girl child education as I believe by educating girl child we are not only empowering woman but we also empower her family, community and country too. I am wholeheartedly supporting Nainika Tikoo Memorial Foundation for Allergy Care & Brain Research, London, UK along with other NGOs in India working to meet the needs and protect the interests and rights of children and I am also associated with SOS Children’s villages in India SOS Children’s Village Bhopal in India, SOS Children’s Villages India for girl child education.
Q What’s the best advice you would give to married women who want to take part in the beauty pageant? A I strongly recommend to all those visionary women who want to challenge themselves, come out of their comfort zone and want to follow their dreams. I advocate every woman should join any activity which helps her to develop her confidence, boost her self-esteem and create leadership qualities in her so she can empower herself as well as other women as well. I trust there is no age limitation to follow your dreams and listen to your heart. As long as you have passion and commitment you can be what you want to be.
focused on equality amongst women. Classic International Woman showcases each contestant’s individual journey, what that journey taught her, how that journey impacted her life, and, ultimately, her message to others on embracing possibilities.
Q What would you like to do for the welfare of your first home and second home? A I feel really blessed to be a British national of Indian origin as both UK and India are cultural epicentres of the world, with a strong and rich heritage and much to share. Furthermore, I am thankful to the almighty God for giving me the opportunity to stay in this beautiful country Qatar and therefore I do feel my responsibilities towards all these three countries who has contributed in my growth. Thus my learnings and experiences in those countries ultimately shaped who I am and how I perceive the world. I aspire to contribute to the society in every way possible. My aspiration in life to serve and 18 Society
give back to the society in as many ways as possible, because I believe throughout our life we have been using this world for our needs and purpose and now it is the time to give back to society whichever way we can.
I believe beauty contest is a doorway for those who wish to learn that a real woman should not only be beautiful but also be intelligent and capable of taking interest in various social issues. Beauty pageant not only makes us confident, strong individual but also provides liberty
Preeti Trivedi with her husband and two sons
to share our opinions, educated and influence people and become the voice of hope.
What inspires you the most and why? Q
A My dreams and my desires inspire me most. My dream is to become a woman with voice and opinion which can have a positive impact on society. My desire to be the best version of myself so I can do something admirable in the world. Also, I desire that one day I can be as humble as my father and as compassionate as my mother. True aspiration of my life is to be a person who can become an inspiration for others in such a way so I can enlighten other people’s life.
make my travels as much stress free as possible.
brother etc. In my case it is undoubtedly my husband - Mr. Pankaj Trivedi.
At the beginning of this year we have had the plans to relocate back to the UK and this was one of the reasons for me to enter in to the contract with Mrs India UK as it was making sense to do this whilst we stay there, however things didn’t work out as we planned and we stayed back in Qatar and this was the critical point when I was little concerned as how I will manage my participation in this pageant, especially when the contract was signed. At this crucial juncture, my husband really boosted me and suggested me to go ahead further to participate in this prestigious pageant.
Q What do you like most about yourself?
A I feel the most ever difficult part of
He said it is a lifetime opportunity and not everyone is fortunate to have it so I should go really ahead and experience this journey irrespective of any outcome. Hence I can firmly say that my husband, my parents and my in-laws are my biggest strength and they always stood by me at every challenging stage of my life.
this journey was my trips to UK without accompanying by my two adorable kids. It was difficult for them to travel with me every time due to the intensive sessions, however I feel really blessed to have a very supportive husband who encouraged me and fully supported me so as to
As we all know about the popular quote - “Behind every successful man there is a woman.” However I would like to say exactly the opposite, “Behind every successful woman there is a man.” That man could be anyone father, husband, son,
Q Can you tell us about the challenges that you have experienced during pageant journey and how did you overcome it?
A I like most about myself is my positive thinking. I try myself to stay positive even in negative situations as well. We all as human being are facing various types of challenges in our daily life and I am sure we all are making equal efforts to overcome those challenges. Sometimes we get success, sometimes we don’t. However, we must every time think that there is always tomorrow with new hope and new opportunity. Remember every experience in life may be good or bad but you always learn from it. I believe there is no such thing as failure “we either get the success or we learn through the process” so always stay positive and never give up.
Ruchika Dubey is a long-time Qatar resident, former HR professional and is a mother of two kids. In her spare time, she loves to socialize, dance, jewellery making and writing blogs on places in Qatar.
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Spotlight
COUPLE CONVERTS SCHOOL BUS INTO TINY HOME ON WHEELS
Imagine being able to take your home with you wherever you travel. That’s the reality for Wichita couple Sam and Jordan Page Matt Riedl By
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magine paying less than $20,000 for your dream home. Now imagine being able to take that home with you wherever you travel. That’s the reality for Wichita couple Sam and Jordan Page — and Penni the Yorkie-Poo. Over the past eight months, the Pages have converted a school bus into a posh tiny home. Now that the project is almost complete, the Pages intend to travel the country in their home on wheels — a quest (which they dub “Paging Adventure”) that they plan to document on social media. But their travels in “Addie the Adventure Bus” are motivated by more than just a sense of wanderlust. Sam Page has a doctorate in physical therapy and travels for the profession, working three-month residencies in different parts of the country. His wife, Jordan Page, works remotely as a communications manager for a New Jersey-based company. The two will travel wherever Sam Page has to go for his traveling physical
The bus, easily recognizable with its teal paint job, will flat-tow a regular car behind it during the Pages’ journeys so that they don’t have to take the bus everywhere when they’re in a city therapist job, chasing good weather, national parks and, occasionally, good cellphone signals. “(Traveling) was something we always had in our minds, but it never worked out with my job,” Jordan said. She started working remotely in November, after marketing stints at Wichita’s SJCF Architecture and the Museum of World
Sam and Jordan Page
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Jordan and Sam Page have furnished the interior of this repurposed school bus for under $20,000.
Treasures. “The second she got this job, it was like, ‘It’s time to go,’” Sam added.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? The two began planning their traveling life as soon as Jordan got the remote-work opportunity, she said. At the time, they were renting a 700-square-foot apartment at the Lofts at St. Francis, just north of Intrust Bank Arena. At first, the thought was to build a tiny home and tow it behind a truck. The problem with that: Not only would they have to build a tiny home, they’d also have to buy a truck. Scrolling through different websites, they stumbled upon “schoolies,” school-busesturned-tiny-homes. “Surprisingly, school buses are for sale everywhere,” Jordan said. “It’s amazing how cheap school buses go for,” Sam added. 22 Society
The two bought a retired 2003 Chevrolet Blue Bird school bus from Ponca City, Okla., on Dec. 7, 2017, and took it back to a family house in far north Wichita. “We finally drove back around midnight, and I’m following my dad, driving the bus, and I’m thinking, ‘What have I done?’” Sam joked.
THE REMODEL From then on, Sam and Jordan “had two full-time jobs,” working both their day jobs and spending multiple hours every night fixing up the school bus. The Pages had an all-in budget of $20,000 for the project — and, barring any unforeseen complications, Sam said, “we’re going to be well below that.” The two designed the floor plan themselves, inspired by other school bus conversions they’d seen online. Though it’s only about 204 square feet, the space
feels larger — partially because of added headroom. The two raised the roof of the bus about 16 inches, essentially chopping off the existing roof and welding custom metal pieces on to extend the height. “That gave us a little more breathing room,” Jordan said. The bus is totally decked out with vinyl wood-look flooring; a kitchen set-up with a miniature range, sink and wood-burning stove; a shower and composting toilet; and a bedroom tucked away behind a rolling bookcase. That, combined with the two couches, a wall-mounted desk and a wood accent wall, make for a cozy living space. The Pages fitted the bus with R-20 insulation as well as an air-conditioning unit and a heat pump. “The biggest issue is the windows,” Sam said. “They leak a lot of heat, but we wanted to keep the facade of the school
The two plan to travel the country in their new home, which was built at a cost of less than $20,000.
bus. A lot of people sheet metal their bus and put in RV windows, but we wanted to keep the (school bus) look.” The floor plan maximizes the space available — nearly every seating area also doubles as storage, and even their bed can fold into the back wall to create extra space when needed. “We were scared about storage, but when we started piecing the cabinets together, we found we’ve probably got more storage than we need,” Sam said. “With the huge help” of Sam’s parents, the two did all of the renovation work themselves, which saved on costs, Jordan said. In the future, they plan to add a rooftop deck to the bus, as well as solar panels.
HOW WILL THIS WORK? The bus is equipped with a cellphone
signal booster — which in turn should enable Jordan to do her work from the bus via a Wi-Fi hot spot. The bus, easily recognizable with its teal paint job, will flat-tow a regular car behind it during the Pages’ journeys so that they don’t have to take the bus everywhere when they’re in a city. At first, they will stay at RV parks (with electrical hookups) most nights, Sam said. That may change once they add solar panels to the bus, he said. “To start, we’ve become accustomed to a certain style of life, so we’ll stay in RV parks for a little bit, then try to go off-grid for a bit and see how that goes,” Sam said. Their house on wheels will have an extra cost most homeowners don’t have to worry about — diesel fuel. “It’s a big Caterpillar motor,” Sam said. “There
will probably be some mechanic bills included in our home ownership.” Addie the Adventure Bus affords the Pages the opportunity to work and to travel, “which is what we love doing more than anything,” Jordan said. “We have an amazing community of people here in Wichita … that we’re going to really miss,” she added. “We want to go, but we don’t want to leave. We really do love Wichita, but we really want to see everything.” Their first stop: Oregon, after which they’re planning to spend time in the Southwest. Think you see the Pages on the road? Just check the license plate: “ADVNTR.” Follow along with the Pages on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube — links to which can be found at www.pagingadventure.com.
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FOCUS
7KIDS Intriguing Non-Fiction Books for
Cover story
Here are some brand new non-fiction(ish) books that we know you and your little ones will enjoy
By
Armin Brott and Samantha Feuss
A
s much as we love toys and games, we also love books. Reading to your children is a fantastic way to teach, learn, and build close relationships. And that’s what parenting is all about, right? Here are some brand new non-fiction(ish) books that we know you and your little ones (and even your not-solittle ones) will enjoy.
Gods and Heroes: Mythology Around the World By Korwin Briggs Thanks to the “Percy Jackson” movies and the “Avengers” (featuring Thor and Loki), a lot of people are familiar with a few characters from Greek/Roman and Norse mythology. But there are a lot more to mythology than that. This A-Z encyclopedia features than 70 gods, goddesses, warriors, kings, queens, and other fascinating characters — most of which we’re sure you’ve never heard of — from 23 cultures around the world, including Egypt, India, Africa, Japan, China, and Native American. $13.50
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A Cat’s Guide to the Night Sky By Stuart Atkinson If you’re a fan of constellations, you probably know that some of them are based on characters from Greek mythology, such as Orion, Perseus, and Pegasus. And, of course, there are the astrological symbols of Gemini, Taurus, and the others. This book talks a lot about the stars and constellations (and why not, they’re really cool), but also covers planets, the moon, eclipses, the northern lights, satellites, meteor showers, and more. A great introduction to everything that stares back at us when we look up at the sky. $19.99
“A Cat’s Guide to the Night Sky”: Look up at the sky and there’s a whole universe staring back at you from the stars and the moon to planets, satellites, and even the occasional comet.
What Can a Citizen Do? By Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris All of us are citizens of someplace. But what does that mean? What rights and responsibilities do citizens have? Thanks to this simple-yet-sweet picture book, children no longer have to wait until taking high school civics to learn what citizenship is and what each of us can — and must — do to make the world a better place, whether that’s righting wrongs, helping neighbors, planting trees, or just empathizing with others. $17.99
“What Can a Citizen Do?” Shows what all of us - even children - can and must do to make the world a better place.
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The Element in the Room: Investigating the Atomic Ingredients that Make up Your Home By Mike Barfield Join super detective Sherlock Ohms as he investigates the science the surrounds us. From aluminum to zinc, we learn about the people who discovered the elements, the role the elements play in our everyday lives, some easy (and sometimes explosive) experiments we can do, and plenty of bizarre facts, including that the deadly ingredient used to make the most dangerous weapons in history is also found in our bottled water. Yikes! $16.99
“The Element in the Room: Investigating the Atomic Ingredients that Make up Your Home”: Did you know that the deadly ingredient used to make the most dangerous weapon in history can also be found in your bottled water?
Zen Teen: 40 Ways to Stay Calm When Life Gets Stressful By Tanya Carroll Richardson Life for teenagers is full of stress, from homework and college admissions to peer pressure and keeping up with the latest celebrity style. This book includes 40 mindfulness-based activities that teens can easily try, including meditation, journaling, aromatherapy, cultivating gratitude, and physical activity. The goal is to better cope with life’s everyday stresses. You may even want to try some of these for yourself. $15.99
“Zen Teen: 30 Ways to Stay Calm When Life Gets Stressful.” Tips and tricks that guide, support, and inspire teens to keep calm and stay mindful.
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Yoga for Children: Yoga Cards By Lisa Flynn Adults and teens aren’t the only ones who have stress in their lives. These 50 cards introduce more than 50 yoga poses and mindfulness activities to help kids relax, de-stress, get healthier, and become more resilient. Some are designed to be done by the child him- or herself, others with mom, dad, or even a toy. $14
“Yoga for Children: Yoga Cards.” Includes more than 50 yoga poses and mindfulness activities for healthier, more resilient kids.
Fidget Busters: 50 Ways to Keep Kids Busy While You Get Things Done By Donna Bozzo Everyone knows about fidget spinners (some of which we’ve reviewed here). But there are a lot of other ways to keep kids entertained and learning. Donna Bozzo presents 50 suggestions, many of which you can make at home (including fake snow, edible finger paint, sensory balloons, and rainbow foam). $9.95
“Fidget Busters: 50 Ways to Keep Kids Busy While You Get Things Done”: From fake snow and edible finger paint, to sensory balloons and rainbow foam, these anti-fidget DIYs will keep kids entertained and learning by working with their hands.
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p o T
FOCUS
Cover story
Trends
A recent Etsy survey uncovered exactly what styles kids are loving and parents are buying this back-to-school season By
Sara Whitman
T
he annual Etsy trend report, which polled more than 700 shoppers, found 82 percent of parents strive to instill the values of creativity and originality in their children, while 69 percent said they favour items that allow their kids to express themselves. From DIY fashion to llamas, activism and more, check out these back-to-school trend predictions based on some of Etsy’s most-searched items. 28 Society
CHANGE MAKERS Activism is in. Almost three quarters of survey respondents said it’s important for their children to be politically and socially aware. In fact, in the past 12 months, “searches and purchases related to female empowerment have increased by 440 percent,” according to Etsy’s trend report. What’s more, “Kids Pride T-shirts” were among the best-sellers this year.
Designs that reflect these engaged kids are on the rise, including hats and other accessories that flaunt causes and shirts that speak out.
INCLUSIVE PRODUCTS In the past year, searches for “inclusive products” surged by 50 percent on Etsy, which include multicultural figures, sensory-sensitive toys, dolls with hearing aids and more. These toys allow all kids to feel
included, help boost identity and build confidence.
LLAMA LOVE Move over unicorns, llamas are taking center stage this back-to-school season. Etsy has seen a 350 percent increase in llama searches compared with this time last year. Currently, there are more than one million items tagged “llama. ” The cute animals can be found on everything from clothing to lunchboxes, accessories, home decor and more.
ARTISTIC EXPRESSION The do-it-yourself trend is fun for the whole family, as it promotes quality time together and strengthens individuality. Whether it’s crafting, singing or painting, parents are encouraging creative behavior early in their children’s lives. According to Etsy, “messy play and sensory props” show results for more than 82,000 items. DIY opportunities range from decorating clothing and accessories, drawing on felt animals, creating a terrarium and more.
RAINBOWS An old-time favourite, the cheerful sign is gaining in popularity as Etsy saw a 43 percent jump in searches in the past year. Rainbows are taking over clothing, accessories, school and office supplies, as well as kids decor.
LOVE YOURSELF The conversation about mental health has been picking up support, and younger generation parents are behind it. In fact, 96 percent of survey respondents said they care about their children’s mental well-being just as much as their physical health. Searches for products that contain “self love” increased by 57 percent in the past year. Items include special lotions or bath bombs, motivational stickers and messages, and games that encourage mindfulness.
SOCIAL BRANDING Parents posting first-day-of-school photos have taken social media by storm. More than half of survey respondents enjoy posting pictures of their kids on social me-
The do-it-yourself trend is fun for the whole family, as it promotes quality time together and strengthens individuality dia sites, and more than a third say they always post first-day-of-school photos online. What’s more, parents are buying or making personalized signs, banners and props to mark the monumental day. Just in the past year, Etsy has seen a 43 percent rise in searches related to first-day-of-school signs. Signs and other items marking other milestones in a child’s life are also on the rise, from becoming an older sibling, losing a first tooth and more.
GENDER NEUTRAL Parents are increasingly looking for items that are gender neutral, as well as sustainable products. In the past year, Etsy found that searches for gender-neutral items increased by 28 percent, while environmentally friendly toys saw a 42 percent increase.
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FOCUS
Parenting
G N I T A V I T CUL -BELIEF F L E S N E R D L I H IN C It is very important for parents to train their children to be confident, Jalpa Zubin M writes
P Jalpa Zubin M is a freelance writer based in Qatar. She holds Masters in Counselling and Psychology from UK and India. In addition to corporate consulting, she also works with adults for improving personal effectiveness and with children for developing social skills and emotions management.
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sychologists refer to the concept of self-belief as self-efficacy and define it as a belief in one’s capability to accomplish goals that influence the events in one’s life. In other words, when children believe in themselves, they learn to chart their own meaningful lives, not a life someone else envisioned for them. Albert Bandura, a renowned psychologist and researcher in this area, defines self-efficacy as a determining factor in how we feel, think, behave, and motivate ourselves in the world. According to him when children learn to believe in themselves, they take positive actions on their own behalf and approach life as a challenge to be mastered.
was conducted to study the concepts of expectations and performance. A team of researchers led by Robert Rosenthal went into an elementary school and administered intelligence tests to the students. The researchers then told the teachers in each of the classrooms that there are a few students say for example: Jasmine, Jamal, and Joey, which the data had identified as academic superstars, the ones with the greatest potential for growth. They asked the teachers not to mention the results of the study to the students, and not to spend any more or less time with them. And, in fact, the teachers were warned they would be observed to make sure they did not.
Decades of research in child and adolescent development show that small everyday actions by parents, teachers, and caregivers help promote self-efficacy. In early 1960s, an interesting experiment
At the end of the year, the students were tested again, and indeed as one would predict, Jasmine, Jamal and Joey posted off-the-chart intellectual ability. However, there is a twist in the story.
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When Jasmine, Jamal and Joey had been tested at the beginning of the experiment, they were found to be absolutely ordinary. The researchers had randomly picked their names and then lied to the teachers about their ability. But after the experiment, they had in fact turned into academic superstars. So what caused these ordinary students to become extraordinary? Although the teachers had said nothing directly to these children and had spent equal amounts of time with everyone, two crucial things had happened. First, the belief the teachers had in the students’ potential had been unwittingly and non-verbally communicated. Second, these nonverbal messages were then processed by the students and transformed into reality. This phenomenon is called the Pygmalion Effect: when our belief in another person’s potential brings that potential to 32 Society
life. Now let’s understand both of these factors in context of parenting.
1. Your subconscious beliefs If you believe (genuinely) that your child has higher potential, research shows that your child will have a much higher chance of actually turning into such a child as opposed to another who is constantly ridiculed, scolded, derided or questioned. Such negative thinking or treatment would substantially increase the chances of turning a child into an underachiever or less successful. Use this psychological phenomenon to your children’s advantage and resolve to think well about them and focus on their strengths instead of their weaker areas. You will see a rise in their confidence level and they will blossom with healthy, positive, and happy personality. In essence this phenomenon is in which children improve or diminish their level
of performance as per the level of expectation of their parents, teachers or other caregivers have for them.
2. Power distance People are not vulnerable to anyone or everyone but in relationships that involve power distance (like ones with parents, teachers or caregivers), they become compliant with those who hold social or emotional power over them. It has been scientifically proven that in any such relationship (parent-child, teacher-student, and the like), the less powerful person will rise or fall to the level of expectation of the more powerful. Psychologically, the less-powerful person bases their self-opinion, self-belief and self-worth on what they interpret the more powerful person’s opinion is about them. They perceive this even without overt verbal or written communication —through non-verbal cues like facial expressions, tone of voice and body language.
Support children through school and life challenges, help them embrace fear, failure, and imperfection as opportunities to cultivate wisdom.
Children are very impressionable as well as vulnerable. In the context of parenting, this translates to enormous power as well as responsibility in the hands of the parents as well as the care givers that children come in contact with during their formative years. Since this effect works at such a sublime level, what you think in your subconscious mind is what gets communicated to the child who spends a substantial amount of time in your presence. You might be behaving perfectly well on the outside but might not be thinking well of the child internally. This will have a negative impact on the child’s sense of self and he will act according to the power of your expectation. That is Pygmalion effect for you. It is like a self-fulfilling prophecy since whatever the person in the assumed position of power thinks or expects out of the person in a weaker position is what the person feels pressured to execute. There are many simple ways to help
children believe in themselves. It is crucial that parents promote self-belief in today’s generation. It might seem so simple that you might be surprised at first but try it out and you are sure to see the results in a short span of time. Small actions make big impacts on a child’s belief in self. The following list describes the types of home and school environments that nurture this highly-valued human characteristic. 11.
1. Understand and value the different ways they learn. Ensure to ask questions rather than providing answer to encourage their curiosity. It is also useful to set aside some time in their daily schedule for self-reflection, which provides them the space to pay attention to and express their thoughts effectively.
22.
Communicate and listen to them with love and respect. Through your actions show them how to lead with empathy, gratitude and kindness.
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Set boundaries in positive ways, without shaming or blaming. Hold them accountable for their actions.
44.
Support them through school and life challenges, help them embrace fear, failure, and imperfection as opportunities to cultivate wisdom.
55.
Encourage them to work hard, make decisions, and solve problems independently, accept own follies as well as ask for help when they need it. Also teach them to make amends when they make mistakes. So just be mindful about the pygmalion effect: when our belief in another person’s potential brings that potential to life. The expectations we have about our children – whether or not they are ever voiced – can make that expectation a reality!
* Pygmalion was a sculptor who chiselled the women of his dreams out of marble and called her Galatea. The statue represented every hope, every dream, every possibility, every meaning—beauty itself. Inevitably, Pygmalion fell in love. According to the myth, the goddess of love, Venus, granted his wish to bring her to life.
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FOCUS
Scope
THE IMPORTANCE OF A SUCCESSFUL
SCHOOL ECOSYSTEM To create an effective ecosystem, educational resources need to seamlessly work together, AP Sharma writes
AP Sharma Principal Birla Public School
T
he first impression matters, especially on the first day after vacation. Start with some icebreaker and teach them some key acronyms that are interesting, attractive and value-based, for e.g.:C- Collaborate to improve and help others to improve too. A- Attitude – Always have a positive 34 Society
attitude. R- Respect –Yourself before you respect others E- Excellence – It’s desirable in your activity. All together “CARE” for yourself by appreciating yourself and also to others. Of course you will receive more appreciations in reciprocation.
The school system throughout the world is under deep scrutiny for updation. UNESCO and WHO have warned the education system regarding reviewing whole academic curriculum which shows the urgency of thoughtful perusal and brain storming. The perspective of the whole system needs a paradigm shift in strategy and pedagogy. Today, schools are expanding their
boundaries to make their student enable face the challenge of next decade at global level. Let us try to understand the ecosystem of the school. The school ecosystem may be defined as a systematic community comprises of all stakeholders within and outside influencing factors. It encompasses the activities, interaction among faculty, IT, educational department, society, which form a meta- population and inhabit the same milieu. It also has influence of building, facilities, resources and teaching – learning environment. Let us assume 4 dimension of this system that requires the specific structure of policies: • • • • •
Education frame work. Teaching and learning pedagogy. Technology, system and practices. Economics and social viability. Safety and security policy.
1. Education Framework: It is quite evident from the experiences from Indian (CBSE) education system that how “Trial & Error Methods” have damaged the whole education frame work in the country. The same thing is happening all over the world. Fortunately the Ministry is taking corrective measures in Qatar to bridge the gaps.
As per the Best education systems in the world it’s imperative to have a good teacher training policy which make a trained graduate teacher, capable enough to handle the dynamics of changing expectations of society and country. Finland and Singapore are the examples where government policies put stress on having excellent educators and they invest significant percentage of budget on “Teacher - Education”. Another important aspect is to train the teacher develop their own teaching philosophy through
reflective, dialogic, collaborative and experimental learning activities.
Of course incentives and honour of a teacher is considered “prime” in the society as the system believes best people become best teachers and they propagate and propel the country with best possible pace.
2. Teaching and Learning Pedagogy: A clear and continuous teaching and learning pedagogy must be based on meeting desired learning outcomes. The policy paralysis has compelled the education system to promote rote learning and comparing exam scores based on typical limited and expected answers in few countries and CBSE (India).
Exploration and design thinking (out of box thinking) have gone for a toss in the system. Appropriate policy and measures are to be framed else the system is preparing listeners and
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rote learners with an approach of “plagiarism”, unknowingly.
Imparting life skill education with cognitive domain consideration has become prime/imperative now as we can’t anticipate the kind of jobs and their requirements will emerge in next five decades. Still these skills will help them enable to adapt accordingly. Expected learning outcomes of lesson must have open ended thinking, application and problem solving aptitudes.
3. Technology, System and Practices: The natural flow of technology has created a desired awareness among all the stakeholders and they got an opportunity to be in touch through school ERP’s, Moodle and ICR portfolios.
Hence a desirable orientation has become the part of strategy to overcome the high aspirations of parents. Now LED touch screen has arrived in class rooms yet the rich content and scope must be reviewed. Students must be taught social media communication etiquettes. Technology alone can’t bring the desirable changes until the strategy 36 Society
and scope of education goals are redefined in the light of changes taking place. 4. Economics and Social Viability: The unprecedented changes in last decade calls for wide- ranging reforms to make education system viable enough to create “creativity” and employment generation.
The rapidly changing industrial demand required people equipped with entrepreneurial and innovative skills. The dream of startups on mass scale can be fulfilled by including correct vocational education from school level. The education system must also take steps to proper individuals toward their economic goals and desired social outcomes.
The appropriate inclusion of soft skills and life skills has become inevitable to keep pace with changing dynamics of economy. These skills will be most important by 2025 onwards as most of employments will be replaced due to automation and artificial intelligence.
5. Safety and Security: Due to lack of resilience capacity in young teen students, tiny tots have become more vulnerable in school campuses.
School not only must adhere to the safety and security norms so that fearless academic environment may engage students in productive and positive activities.
Emotional health hazards is more dangerous as per the UNCIEF report 2013, 30%-40 % of students gone through the trauma of abuse and 76% of them being abused during childhood or adolescence, Schools must educate children to be cautious to oppose such advances. Students are subject to hurt and trauma in the age of below 5 years that too in developed nations. Other than having child-friendly infrastructure, compassion, concern, support, and care are the important ingredients to provide safe ecosystem in school.
One must remember the present “teen” generation is not equipped enough to face many unpredicted challenges. Recently psychologists have warned the parents of Kerala to take utmost care while talking on “devastating floods” and other effects. The state and people faced unprecedented havoc of landslips and floods, which left a trail of death and loss of property.
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Healthcare
Sondra Hope
is a Qatar-based international certified fitness and health coach, specialising in personal, sports and child nutrition. She is the founder of HopeFit, which specialises in online and personal training and nutrition coaching. In her spare time, she also does motivational speaking, spends time with her other passion, Pixal8 Photography, as a professional photographer, and dabbles in painting and fine art.
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WHY CIRCADIAN RHYTHM MATTERS Are you in rhythm with yourself? The latest research shows your internal rhythm affects health, all the way down to the molecular level By
Sondra Hope
Shift how you distribute calories throughout the day. Make breakfast and lunch bigger meals, and dinner a lighter meal. Especially if you have a late dinner, don’t compound the problem by snacking afterwards
T
he circadian system is composed of a master clock and a whole series of clocks throughout the body that work together to help you function and stay healthy throughout the day. The central (master) clock is in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, located in the hypothalamus of the brain. However, virtually every cell in the body has the “molecular machinery” to drive a 24-hour rhythm, including in the heart, liver and even skin cells. Circadian misalignment is one term that can apply to several different conditions: Your central clock does not line up with the light/dark cycle (out of alignment with the environment). •
•
Your central clock does not line up with when you go to sleep and wake up, or with when you eat and fast (out of alignment with your behaviour). One body clock does not line up with other body clocks (for eg, your central clock is out of alignment with your liver, or your liver with your heart).
Who is vulnerable to circadian misalignment? These are examples of situations that could put people at risk of circadian rhythms going out of sync: • • • •
•
Staying up late or sleeping near lights and electronics turned on Traveling to different time zones Working the night shift Eating late at night when the body is not in the mode to process food most efficiently and use it for fuel Developing “social jet lag” by changing schedules during the week (for eg, different times for sleeping, getting up and eating during the week compared to weekends)
The circadian system is involved in blood sugar control, weight regulation, cardiovascular function, and more. Studies suggest misalignment with eating and lifestyle could play havoc with health.
How does circadian misalignment affect health?
INFLAMMATION Chronic, low-grade inflammation can lay groundwork for development of heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Researchers are studying the effects of circadian misalignment in this mix. For example, a randomized controlled study, including Dr. Christopher Morris as first author and Dr. Scheer as senior author, monitored 14 adults during eight days of simulated day shift work (circadian alignment condition) compared to four days of simulated night shift work (circadian misalignment condition) with a 12-hour flip of the sleep/wake, fasting/feeding, and dark/light cycles. All four markers of inflammation tested increased during circadian misalignment.
Blood pressure The same trial with rotating 8-day periods of circadian alignment (simulated day shift) and misalignment also demonstrated effects on blood pressure. During circadian misalignment, average 24-hour systolic blood pressure was 3.0 mm Hg higher, and diastolic blood pressure was 1.5 mm Hg higher than during circadian alignment.
Blood sugar and diabetes It’s not only misalignment of sleep with body clocks that poses health concerns. Work by Dr. Scheer and others shows that meal timing can affect blood sugar and insulin levels. “In people who don’t have diabetes, the increase in blood sugar [following a meal] is much larger in the evening compared to the same meal in the morning. A study led by Dr. Chris Morris in my lab showed that this difference in glucose tolerance from morning to evening is primarily driven by the circadian system.”
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WHEN YOU EAT MATTERS Over the years, many of my patients who wanted to lose weight have said, “I think my problem is too much night eating.” Looking at their eating habits, a big proportion of their calories were, indeed, coming at night. Was it just the timing? Often, the kinds of foods they were eating in the evening were very concentrated in calories. And they were rushing through dinner, eating until they cleaned their plate, and doing a lot of “mindless” snacking through the evening without awareness of hunger. Regardless of the time of day, those are habits that can set you up to gain weight.
Circadian misalignment most clearly poses health risk for people who work night shifts.
In a study of overweight and obese women with metabolic syndrome, researchers assigned some to eat more of their calories during breakfast with fewer at dinner, and others the opposite. After 12 weeks, despite similar total calories, women consuming a greater proportion of calories earlier in the day lost more than twice as much weight as women with greatest calorie consumption at dinner. They also had greater drops in waist size, fasting blood sugar, insulin resistance, and blood triglycerides than the other women. What about headlines saying that eating earlier boosts your metabolism, and thus promotes weight loss? “I think it’s still very early,” replied Dr. Scheer. “I don’t think we have convincing evidence, especially in humans. However, because in these two previous studies in humans there were no differences in calorie intake or physical activity, our thinking was that meal timing may result in differences in weight regulation through changes in energy [calorie] expenditure. We’ve published research showing that, yes, the circadian system influences diet-induced thermogenesis – that’s the increase in energy [calorie] expenditure after eating a meal — causing it to be higher in the morning than the evening.”
•
If you have diabetes, you need to monitor blood sugars anyway. So you could try adjusting meal times, and by keeping track of eating choices and times, see how changes affect your blood sugar. That could give an individualized picture to help identify optimal meal timing strategies.
•
Food choices still count. For people who don’t have diabetes, negative effects of evening eating seem, in part, to involve increased insulin resistance and decreased function of the beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin, which can mean higher blood sugar levels that pose a range of health concerns.
•
What can we do? Research is still underway to better understand the many details that influence how meal timing affects health, including inflammation, blood pressure, blood sugar and weight. In the meantime, here are a few strategies that may be worth considering: •
Shift how you distribute calories through the day. Make breakfast and lunch bigger meals, and dinner a lighter meal. Especially if you have a late dinner, don’t compound the problem by snacking afterwards.
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plays a vital role in promoting all the aspects of health discussed here in relation to circadian rhythms – inflammation, blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight. So sacrificing exercise to switch meal times is unlikely to yield a net benefit.
•
If you want to experiment with switching the times you eat, make sure to consider how changes support an overall healthy lifestyle.
•
If your dinner is on the later side because late afternoon/early evening is the only time you can work in exercise, plan where in your schedule you will make time to be active if you move dinner earlier. Physical activity
Circadian misalignment most clearly poses health risk for people who work night shifts. But although that risk is documented, work is still in progress to clarify whether risk can be reduced with strategies like limiting eating during that night shift or adapting sleep schedules.
As research progresses, it may lead to new strategies that promote multiple aspects of health by adjusting what and when we eat to fit circadian rhythms. We don’t have clear answers yet. However, as you’re putting together a group of lifestyle strategies that might work for you, tweaking your eating habits to have a larger proportion of the day’s calories earlier, paying special attention to healthy choices for evening eating, and adjusting sleep habits do hold potential for supporting your overall health.
FOCUS
Real life
Mohammed Hamza
A DIFFERENT STORY OF A DIFFERENTLY-ABLED When Mohammed Hamza sends someone a ‘friend request’ on Facebook, those who know him personally wonder if there is a mistake By
M Dr. Rajeev Thomas is a Qatar based mentor, coach, and leadership transformation expert dedicated to bringing about positive change in the lives of individuals young and old. He can be contacted through his website www. RajeevThomas.in
ohammed Hamza, a teenager who is paralyzed below his neck due to an early infancy accident, has been confined to a wheelchair since then. He is dependent on his family members and the support system they offer to carry out many of his tasks. However, like many teenagers these days, Hamza spends a considerable time on social media, and he is on Facebook and occasionally reaches out to new friends online. What baffles the ones receiving the ‘friend request’ is the fact that Hamza cannot use his hands to type on the keyboard, or let alone move a computer mouse. How then is he sending out the ‘friend requests’? They wonder. Little do they know that as part of his special education training received at his special school in Qatar and out of his sheer determination and hard work, Hamza has moved beyond
Dr Rajeev Thomas
his physical disability to integrate himself with the world around him. Hamza uses his chin to move the mouse as he clicks away thereby connecting with the virtual world and his friends in that world. Little do they know what Hamza is also a diploma holder in computer applications – yet another feather in his cap which was made possible by the intensive training he received at HOPE Qatar, center for special needs in Doha. When yet another youngster Stevin Mathew discovered his love for computers at a young age, and soon mastered the basics by himself, his ability was identified and nurtured by his family and by his teachers. As a young man with Down’s syndrome, the society had stereotyped him as a disabled individual. However, Stevin who is now 21 had other plans in mind. Though he still struggles with his speech and his
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Stevin Thomas
walking, he spends a considerable time in the day after school on his laptop. He too like Hamza went on to attend and complete a diploma program in computer applications in Doha. He regularly shoots, edits, mixes, and publishes videos on YouTube and on his Facebook pages. He uses social media channels such as WhatsApp to connect with his friends and relatives in all parts of the world. He seamlessly shifts between his laptop and his android phone staying ahead of technology that is now available at his fingertips. Stevin was taught early on by
his teachers at HOPE Qatar center for special needs, that in accentuating the abilities and interests that he has, he will be able to overcome any challenge posed by his genetic condition which many term as a ‘disability’. What makes the stories of Hamza and Stevin relevant to our world is because of the limited acceptance they receive in the societies that they live in. In spite of numerous efforts in many parts of the world including in Qatar, social stigma surrounding physically and intellectually challenged individuals still exists. One can notice the uncertain stares they receive at shopping malls, or public transports, or restaurants, where those around them can be seen uncomfortably pondering on the right way to address and deal with such individuals. While many individuals avoid the need to interact with them, some can even be seen pulling their children away from there. Many individuals are not sure of what to say to them, or how to deal with them? What is right and what is wrong? What is acceptable and what is not? How do we handle a disabled individual? In reality it is the society that is rendered disabled at such times. Youngsters like Hamza and Stevin are ‘differently abled’ because they have moved ahead of their physical and intellectual challenges and are proving to the world that if given the right opportunities at the right time, there is nothing they cannot achieve in
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their lives. It then becomes the society’s collective responsibility to ensure they are given such opportunities. This will help them overcome their challenges and become self-sufficient and valueadding members of the society that they live in. Hamza and Stevin and many others like them living amidst us personify the true values of life. Genuine acceptance of one another; unconditional love; giving without expecting anything in return; a never-say-never attitude in life; determination to face any challenges and overcome it; simple gestures of a genuine heartfelt smile, a simple thank you; etc. which seems to have vanished from today’s turbulent daily lives of many of us still lives on through them. As this new academic sessions begin across Qatar, let us open up to the differently abled children and youth and adults in our midst. They all have a loving heart and a need to be accepted and encouraged to become their best. In allowing them into our midst, we are the ones learning more than what they learn from us. Let us appreciate the efforts of special needs centers such as HOPE Qatar and others in our society who are opening up the doors for their future by providing them the education and care they need. Let us all join hands in this endeavor. Remember, they are not disabled – they are differently abled.
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Back to school in style Photos : SAJITH ORMA DOP : JAYAN ORMA
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NAME: Aadithya Nambiar AGE: 3 years and 8 months NATIONALITY: Indian SCHOOL: Cambridge International School CLASS: KG1 HOBBIES: Colouring and craft creations, learning about planets, flags and countries
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NAME: Alice Malina Bott AGE: 4 years NATIONALITY: Australian SCHOOL: Al Nebras Montessori Way HOBBIES: Singing, dancing, swimming
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NAME: Roman AGE: 12 NATIONALITY: Ukrainian SCHOOL: International School of Choueifat CLASS: 7 HOBBIES: Football
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NAME: Nikita AGE: 7 NATIONALITY: Ukrainian SCHOOL: Spectra Global School CLASS: 3 HOBBIES: Swimming.
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FOCUS
Kaleidoscope
Magic of music By
Dr Aruna Dhade
Dr Aruna Dhade,
MBA, PhD in Banking and Finance is a senior lecturer, freelance writer, poet, amateur photographer, watercolor painter, and a traveler. She has been living in Qatar for the past twelve years.
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N
o matter who we are, what religion we follow, which place we belongs to, what our circumstances are, but our feelings and emotions always remain universal. Our cultures are different. Our customs are different. Despite all these dissimilarities in similarities, we may differ on everything and anything but can have in common and that is ‘the music’. Irrespective of all our differences, we the people on this planet yet had been leading a peaceful life for centuries. There is no doubt that music is an incredible source of peace, harmony and happiness, which abides people what they seem to share. Surprisingly interwoven cultural diversity sometimes do not get well along. Music plays the role of great uniter. It unites the people. Since ages, music had been sailing through colonies, mountains, rivers, valleys and nations without any barriers. It has no boundaries. Music is a language that does not speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions. It can help you open up a part of yourself and express feelings you did not know you were feeling. It famously said that music has the power to change the world because it can change people. It is an explosive expression of humanity. It is something we all are touched by. No matter what culture we uphold, everyone loves music. Music is the literature of the heart; it commences where speech ends. The latest research at Harvard University stated that those cultural differences have no effect on musical form. Our shared psychology produces fundamental patterns in song that transcend our profound cultural differences; this suggests that our emotional and behavioral responses to aesthetic stimuli are remarkably similar across widely diverging populations. For instance,
love ballad will sound like a love ballad no matter what culture it originates in and music has always been a great way to make people aware of that connection. Can you imagine life without music? For most of us, living without all those wonderful songs and compositions is simply unimaginable. In fact, to almost all of us, music is a central element of life. Just as a good soundtrack accompanies interest in a wonderful movie, music accompanies you throughout your entire life. Even during the difficult phase of your life, there will always be those bunch of melodies songs that energies
you to deal with complicated challenges of routine life. There is music that lifts you up when you are sad and music that keeps you going despite all the odds. Motivational music can help you reach the next level and instills a feeling of courage and hope during times of despair. In short, music truly is something magical. It is therapy for the soul. Even further, it is very likely that you associate a specific song to any given period in your life. Sometimes, it even feels as if one particular song has captured all the wonderful emotions you have experienced during that intense period of your life. You feel possessive, emotional about that particular masterpiece of music. In fact, what I feel, music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart with subtle grace. According to Plato, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” That’s the power of music! People, after long hectic working hours goes on long drive and listen max volume soundtracks inside their favourite car. Throughout the life journey, more and more beautiful songs keeps adding in their collection of musical pieces. When they play those beautiful songs with max stereo inside the car, first it is just humming, then starts singing, slowly leading to dancing though being seated as if you are almost alone on this planet. Like other people around, you cannot see through your vehicle. You are invisible. Music acts as a stress buster for them. That is the magic of music! Music moves people. It connects people in ways that no other medium can. It pulls heartstrings. It acts as medicine. Music is a therapy too. Listening to melancholy music can improve a person’s emotional well-being in times of loneliness and distress. Like any other art form, music has always been viewed from an aesthetic perspective and its healing power has been documented in various traditions of music across the world. Indian classical music is perhaps one of the oldest forms of music. It dated around 5000–2000 BC mentioned in the ancient scriptures of India. It (Ragas) has been considered to have healing powers and the ability to improve overall health. As per electroencephalography (EEG) study based on Indian Music has shown a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, stress, anxiety and depression, and enhanced feelings of life satisfaction, experience of hope and optimism among respondents. Engaging with music has proven beneficial for the cognitive, emotional, physiological as well as social well-being of an individual. At the end of the day, we are all much similar when it comes to the human heart, mind, body and soul. Music is incredible in its ability to be able to have so many sounds, emotions, instruments, beats, genres, and people who listen to the millions of different types of music every day. Music is global for a reason. It reaches every part of us, because music is a form of expression. Music heals consciousness and consciousness is universal. Music changes your soul form and balances your consciousness. Music is one of the many things that makes us human.
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FLAIR Gourmet
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hrimp are special. Not, of course, if you look at them — especially if they still have their heads. Then they’re kind of gross. I know one woman who refuses to eat them because, as she puts it, they look like “insects of the sea.” Fine. More for the rest of us. And that’s good, because shrimp are special. I decided to celebrate everything that is so wonderful about shrimp by using them to cook four dishes. I could have made more — far, far more — but I already had four pounds of shrimp to peel and devein. And that’s as much fun as it sounds. I was saving a little money, but honestly it’s worth it to buy the peeled, easy-peel or already deveined varieties. Especially if you’re cooking four pounds of it. The shrimp I bought, incidentally, was frozen. Here in the middle of the country, shrimp are almost always going to be frozen. Even if you go to a store and they have a lovely selection of clearly unfrozen shrimp sitting in a refrigerated cooler on ice, they were still frozen at one point. And while frozen food is almost never as good as fresh, shrimp is one of the very few exceptions. Shrimp is flash-frozen when it is caught or farmed, sometimes right on board the boat, and it loses very little of its flavour. To defrost it, just leave it in the refrigerator overnight or take it out of the bag and run cold water over it for five minutes. With my quickly frozen, easily thawed shrimp in hand, I first made Shrimp and Avocado Quesadillas. If you’re already picturing how good that tastes, you’re wrong — because these also 54 Society
come with a liberal sprinkling of tarragon. So that’s shrimp (which goes great with tarragon) and avocado (which apparently goes great with tarragon) and tarragon (which goes great with shrimp and avocado) and some nicely melted cheese between two flour tortillas. And sour cream, which is spread on one of the tortillas. With just the right amount of richness, it brings the whole thing together, like the mayonnaise on a BLT. Try one, and your life might never quite be the same again. Much the same can be said about Shrimp with Sweet Vermouth, which is far more elegant but no less delicious. If you’ll want to serve the quesadillas to your very best friends, then this is a dish you’ll want to serve to people you want to impress. And with only seven ingredients, plus salt and pepper, it’s easy to make. The shrimp part is impressive enough, being shrimp, but what really makes this dish soar is the sauce. When you mix cream together with sweet vermouth, you get a sauce for the gods. And this version is especially stunning because it addresses the problem of richness by mixing in a bit of red wine vinegar and minced scallions. It is a masterpiece of balance and flavour. The third dish is of my own design, something I created a few months ago out of what we had in the house. I call it Fennel-Lemon Shrimp, and I (humbly) think it is a delightful blend of big flavors. A thinly sliced fennel bulb — some stores call it anise — provides just a hint of a licorice taste; certainly not enough to discourage people who, like me, gener-
ally dislike licorice. Soy sauce, garlic and ginger edge the dish toward Asia, but a handful of small tomatoes brings it back to the New World. And everything is tied together with lemon, both in lemon juice and preserved lemons. Intensely flavoured, preserved lemons are among those things I keep in the fridge that most people probably don’t have. It used to be available at some specialty stores, and you may still be able to find it at international markets. I make my own and keep it for the right occasion, which often involves shrimp or chicken. If you don’t happen to have them on hand, you can certainly leave them out. For my last shrimp dish, I made fried shrimp. But they were not ordinary fried shrimp. These were Beijing Shrimp, which are apparently popular in northern China. American fried shrimp have a clean, bright taste. But Beijing Shrimp are earthier and more complex. They are not necessarily better, but they have more going on. The differences are few, but significant. Some American shrimp recipes use bread crumbs, but Beijing Shrimp uses bread crumbs that have been toasted, providing a rounder, nuttier flavour. And also, the egg that helps the bread crumbs adhere is mixed with sesame oil and white pepper, punching up the umami taste. The dipping sauce that is served with it takes no time at all. You just mix a little sesame oil into hoisin sauce, and you have a thick, lightly sweet sauce to bring out the best in your shrimp.
SHRIMP AND AVOCADO QUESADILLA Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon olive oil 2 flour tortillas 1/3 to 1/2 cup diced cooked shrimp 1/2 cup avocado, diced 3 tablespoons shredded cheese, such as a combination of Monterey jack and cheddar 1 teaspoon fresh tarragon 1 tablespoon sour cream Salsa, optional
Method: 1.
2.
3.
4.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil, and place 1 tortilla in the oil. Remove it quickly and set aside. Add the second tortilla to the pan and sprinkle the shrimp, avocado, cheese and tarragon on it. Spread the sour cream on the other tortilla and place it oiledside up on top of the other tortilla. Press down with a spatula. Cook for 1 minute. Flip the tortillas, press down again, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer, or until the cheese melts. Cut into quarters and serve immediately with optional salsa. Per serving: 758 calories; 38 g fat; 10 g saturated fat; 234 mg cholesterol; 22 g protein; 64 g carbohydrate; 1 g sugar; 8 g fiber; 1,295 mg sodium; 507 mg calcium Recipe from “The New Legal Sea Food’s Cookbook,” by Roger Berkowitz and Jane Doerfer
FENNEL-LEMON SHRIMP Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound shrimp 2 tablespoons olive oil 3/4 cup fennel bulb, thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 3/4 teaspoon minced ginger 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/2 lemon, juiced 4 cocktail tomatoes or 12 cherry tomatoes 1/2 preserved lemon, skin only, rinsed and chopped, optional, see note Note: Preserved lemons can be purchased in a jar at some specialty stores, or you can easily make them yourself. Find a recipe online at stltoday.com/food.
Method: 1. 2.
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Peel and devein the shrimp. Set aside. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fennel and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and ginger, and sauté 30 seconds. Add soy sauce, lemon juice and tomatoes; stir briefly until mixed. Add optional preserved lemon pieces and shrimp. Cook until shrimp are pink and have curled; about 5 minutes, but time depends on size of shrimp. Serve over rice. Per serving: 175 calories; 8 g fat; 1 g saturated fat; 183 mg cholesterol; 24 g protein; 4 g carbohydrate; 2 g sugar; 1 g fiber; 366 mg sodium; 88 mg calcium Recipe by Daniel Neman
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BEIJING SHRIMP Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound shrimp 1/2 cup bread crumbs 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1 egg 3 teaspoons sesame oil, divided Salt and white pepper Oil, for frying 1 3/4 cups hoisin sauce
Method: 1.
2.
3.
4.
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1. If required, peel the shrimp, leaving the tail shell on if you can. Using a sharp knife, split each shrimp lengthwise along the inside of the curve, but leave it still attached at the back. Open the shrimp out so it splays out flat in a butterfly shape, and remove the fine digestive cord if necessary. Rinse the shrimp and pat dry with paper towels. 2. Heat a small, dry skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bread crumbs and cook, tossing or stirring frequently, until they turn a light brown. Immediately transfer to a plate to cool. 3. Spread out the flour and bread crumbs on separate plates. Beat the egg in a small bowl; then add 2 teaspoons of the sesame oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper. Mix well. 4. Heat the oil to 350 to 375 degrees in a wok or a deep skillet. Dip the shrimp into the flour, then into the egg mixture, then into the bread crumbs. Working in small batches so as not to overcrowd the skillet, shallow-fry the shrimp until golden brown, about 1 minute. Drain on paper towels. In a small dish, mix together the hoisin sauce and the remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and serve as a dipping sauce. Per serving: 375 calories; 8 g fat; 1 g saturated fat; 231 mg cholesterol; 29 g protein; 48 g carbohydrate; 18 g sugar; 3 g fiber; 1,216 mg sodium; 110 mg calcium. Recipe from “Complete Chinese Cookbook,” by Ken Hom
SHRIMP WITH SWEET VERMOUTH Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons butter, divided 1 1/2 pounds medium-size shrimp, shelled and deveined Salt and black pepper, to taste 1/3 cup sweet vermouth (or dry vermouth, if desired) 1/2 cup chopped scallions 3 tablespoons vinegar 1/3 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Method: 1.
2.
Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over high heat in a large frying pan. Add the shrimp and salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for 1 minute or less. The shrimp should lose their raw look. Add the vermouth and cook for 15 seconds. Drain the shrimp and reserve the cooking liquid. Combine the scallions and vinegar in a separate saucepan. Add the cooking liquid from the shrimp and bring to a boil. Reduce
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over high heat to 1/4 cup. Add the cream, return to a boil and swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add the parsley and shrimp (which will finish cooking), and serve immediately with rice or buttered noodles. Per serving: 186 calories; 13 g fat; 8 g saturated fat; 161 mg cholesterol; 16 g protein; 1 g carbohydrate; 1 g sugar; no fiber; 487 mg sodium; 68 mg calcium From “The Seafood Cookbook,” by Pierre Franey and Bryan Miller
FLAIR Buoyant
Where’s the pop?
It takes a little skill to do this experiment, but the result is truly surprising.
You’ll need • Several rubber balloons (those with thick, tough skin are best) • Wooden skewer (used to make shish kabobs) • Vegetable oil • Paper towel
What happened? The balloon does not pop, even though it has a skewer through it
Try This
Wipe some oil on skewer with paper towel
1
Blow up a balloon, let some of the air out of it, and tie it closed
2
Gently twist and push skewer into end of balloon opposite the knot (rubber is thickest there)
If balloon pops, go back to Step 1 When skewer is
3 into balloon,
slowly twist and push it back out of balloon near knot
Rubber is made of a “polymer,” or long chains of molecules The skewer pushed the chains aside, then they pulled together and closed around the skewer They closed so tightly that air could not get out Oil helps keep the seal tight
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FLAIR Travel
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Marvelous Montreal Whether you are an architecture buff, a jazzhead or art lover, or need a breath of fresh air in a green oasis in the heart of the city, Montreal has something for everyone, Patti Nickell writes www.society.qa 59
Place Jacques Cartier in Old Montreal is the gateway to the Old Port.
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n recent years, I have made it something of a habit to celebrate my birthday in some far-flung corner of the world. I’ve gotten a year older in Munich, Germany; Lausanne, Switzerland; New Zealand and Hong Kong among other places.
This year May 15 found me in Montreal. As birthdays go, it wasn’t one of my best, weather-wise. Steel-gray skies opened up to release fat droplets of rain as I stared dispiritedly from my hotel window, wishing I had chosen to spend this particular birthday in Hawaii. But if travel writers are supposed to possess one quality, it’s resilience. Was I just going to sit here and mope when I was in one of the most charming cities in North America? After all, what could a little rain hurt? With that in mind, I grabbed my umbrella and headed off to explore Old Montreal with its collection of ornate buildings that look as if they were transported from a Grimms’ fairy tale. In actuality, they were erected by the French settlers who came here in 1642 (Montreal celebrated its 375th anniversary last year). My first stop was at Notre Dame Basilica for a look at its impressive stained glass art 60 Society
before heading to Place Jacques Cartier, the gateway to the Old Port and named for the explorer who first claimed Canada for France more than a century before the founding of Montreal. This makes it all the more baffling that the square’s oldest public monument (1809) doesn’t celebrate the intrepid Jacques, or even a Frenchman, but rather Britain’s Admiral Horatio Nelson. Over the years, it has been the subject of controversy, as one might expect from a statue honoring the architect of a British victory over Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar. I asked several Montrealers why this statue, but none of them seemed to know either. One did tell me that there was an unsuccessful plot in the late 19th century to blow up the column. However, it still stands in this militantly Francophone city, predating its London counterpart in Trafalgar Square by 34 years. By now the steady rain had lessened to a drizzle, which brought out an assortment of street entertainers, from mimes and jugglers to minstrels and troubadours. As I listened to a guitarist strum the haunting melody of “Are You Going to Scarborough Fair?” it occurred to me just how deeply this city’s creative juices flow.
I have been to its wonderful jazz festival, and I have seen several performances of its famous Cirque de Soleil, however I had never heard of Moment Factory, a Montreal-based multimedia studio that has produced some 500 unique “sound and light” shows worldwide. I was determined to rectify that, and that night, I made my way back to Notre Dame for Moment Factory’s stunning show AURA. Entering the cathedral, I could see the stained glass panels I had marveled at earlier illuminated by thousands of flickering candles. Taking my seat, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it definitely wasn’t the laser show, coupled with orchestral music, that kept the audience mesmerized for the next 25 minutes. Silver and gold streaks of light bounced around the nave, highlighting the cathedral’s interior, while the visuals — again in multi-colored light formations — exploded in celestial starbursts. It might have been the best birthday celebration I’ve ever had. I had a chance to see more of Moment Factory’s work the next day at Pointe-a-Calliere, Montreal’s Archaeology and History Complex. Situated on the exact spot where the city was founded, Pointe-a-Calliere combines archaeological
View of the Old Port of Montreal, La Grande Roue.
remains with innovative exhibits to tell Montreal’s story.
tortilla stuffed with pork and cheese and served with curtido (pickled cabbage).
Descending to an underground tunnel, I arrived at what may be Moment Factory’s most unusual production — a dazzling sound and light show in an even more unusual setting — the city’s first sewer. Constructed over a period of six years (1832-38), there was nothing comparable in the New World at that time. Over the course of the next few days, I was to discover that creativity was the common link that bound together Montreal’s diverse neighborhoods. In the Old Port of Montreal, I treated myself to a massage at Bota Bota, a historic ferry that once plied the St. Lawrence River, and now serves as an upscale spa and yoga studio.
If there is one area in which Montreal’s creativity reaches its zenith, it’s in the cuisine. I had three of the best meals I’ve experienced west of Paris and north of New Orleans. At Helena, a Portuguese Restaurant in Old Montreal, I started with a tomato and goat cheese salad, and ended with pork chops accompanied by clams and tomatoes, garnished with tarragon, mint and delicate sprigs of parsley.
I took a walking tour of Plateau Mont-Royal with its multi-colored houses, outdoor staircases and narrow, shady cul-de-sacs, and Mile End, the incubator to which all those creative types — artists, writers, musicians and filmmakers — gravitate. On another day, I signed up for a foodie walking tour in one of the city’s farther flung neighborhoods, Rosemont, with its famous Jean Talon Market and tiny, holein-the-wall ethnic restaurants. At one of these, Los Planes Salvadoran Restaurant, I sampled pupusas, a traditional corn
Another memorable dinner was at Brasserie T! in the Quartier des Spectacles, Montreal’s cultural heart. From my table in the tiny glass cubicle overlooking a plaza of dancing waters, I sipped a South African chardonnay, and feasted on smoked sturgeon and potatoes, gazpacho and goat cheese souffle. Back in the Old Quarter, I opted for Accords Wine Bar and Restaurant where I had a typically French-style meal of oysters and an assortment of Canadian cheeses paired with an icy Chablis, followed by a tomato tartlet with mozzarella, basil and white balsamic. Like their French ancestors, Montrealers revel in the pleasures of the table, and can
turn even the simplest of meals into a gastronomic experience. On my last day and still in birthday mode, I decided to indulge in afternoon tea at the elegant Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Referred to as “the Grande Dame of Sherbrooke Street,” it embodies all that the luxury hotel brand has become known for. But it also has its stories to tell. This is where Howard Hughes, wandering the lobby in shabby attire and tattered house slippers, was mistaken for a vagrant by the hotel’s general manager, and where Elizabeth Taylor, her hair braided with yellow roses, married Richard Burton for the first time. A book on the Ritz-Carlton, “No Ordinary Hotel,” tells it all, “it’s immaculate doormen have doffed peaked caps in the summer and fur hats in the winter to an assortment of dignitaries from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and the Shah of Iran to former ‘60 Minutes’ correspondent Mike Wallace and rock icon David Bowie.” As I was ushered into the elegant Palm Court — part of a recent $200 million renovation — and presented with a glass of champagne, I decided that rain or no rain, Montreal was a pretty good choice for a birthday celebration.
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FLAIR Outlook
It’s never too late By
Safia Jo Mohammed
Safia Jo Mohammed
A
wise person once said, “The tragedy of life is not death, but what we let die inside of us while we are still alive.” We think we are the victims but actually we should be the suspects because it seems we have killed more dreams than rejection. We have given our ambition a life-long sentence. Everything we do today feel like it’s all the same, our dream is like a prisoner trapped within us. A vacant listener, lacking all vision. Until someone comes and says, “You don’t see your own potential.” It’s like we all need our own intervention a moment with a mentor, a coach or a guide. The type that sparks a light deep inside our mind. And then they ask us, “What’s your passion?” We swag it off and say, “That stuff doesn’t happen.” And then they push us a little further, probe us to think deeper, they’re always focused on helping us find the hope inside of ourselves. Let me ask you, would you let someone who help incredible potential die right next to you? You would never do that. Then why do we let them die right inside us? That’s why a missing link is the coach. A coach is someone who
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tells you what you don’t want to hear, and let you see what you don’t want to see, so you can be who you’ve always known you can be. Some of us get given people and some of us get given lessons, but all of us get given moments to change the trajectory of our lives. We can’t imagine Kobe Bryant without Phil Jackson. We can’t imagine Serena Williams without Patrick Mouratoglou. It’s not about what we take with us, it’s about what we leave behind. Those coaches can be found in books; mentors can be found in schools; guides can be found throughout our life. Simultaneously, we don’t have to be in the same room to understand their point of view. We don’t have to know them for them to show you the way. We just have to have the burning desire to learn. Behind every person is a coach we may not even know, a name we may not recognize, the face that we may never see. Yes, it’s never too late. A lot of people have gone further than they thought because someone else thought that they could.