the Spirit of Goodness - Identity Magazine November Issue

NOVEMBER 2017 - 15 L.E., VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM

the

90’s

Fashion Back in Style

10 Fall Fashion Dos & Don’ts

the SPIRIT OF GOODNESS Inspiring Stories: The Spirit Of Giving

Tips To a Healthy Relationship

the SILENT MELODYshoot Good Deeds: BORN OR ACQUIRED 5 Ways For Raising Kind Children

Step Parent

NOT THAT BAD

NissanMotorEgypt NissanMotorEG Nissaneg www.nissan.com.eg

Cairo:

Auto Egypt - Mohandeseen TEL: 16666 Modern Motors - Dokki TEL: 19055

Giza:

Modern Motors - (El Hegaz / Haykesteb) TEL: 19055 United Group - Abasseya TEL: 01065555145 - 022787233

Alexandria

Auto Egypt - Abou Rawash TEL: 16666 Modern Motors - Abou Rawash TEL: 19055 Auto Egypt - Sheikh Zayed TEL: 16666

6th of October

NISSAN Motor Egypt: Authorized dealers El Sabaa Automotive - Ringroad Kattameya TEL: 0226904084/85 El Sabaa Automotive - Heliopolis TEL: 0224150677 El Sabaa Automotive - Maadi TEL: 0229700180/70 National Union - Nasr City TEL: 16631 Auto Egypt - Nasr City TEL: 16666

Alex ECC - Alex Cairo Road Km 27 TEL: 01097777719 - 034700020 El Alameya (Marei) - (Ganaklis / Gleem / Downtown / Agriculture Road / Sidy Gaber) TEL: 01211155570 - 0128699983

Modern Motors - Sidy Gaber TEL: 19055

Gharbeya

National Union - (Tanta / Shoubra El Namla) TEL: 01000092304 - 16631

Dakahlia

El Sabaa Automotive - Mansoura TEL: 0502233912/3/6 El Sabaa Automotive - Mahalla Highway TEL: 0502596456

Modern Motors - Qalyub TEL: 19055

Qalyubia

Modern Motors - Shebin El Koum TEL: 19055

El Karnak TEL: 0965341953

Monufia

IFG TEL: 01060666178

El Karnak TEL: 01155440666 - 0952091032

Ismailia

Assiut

Red Sea

Luxor

Qena

IFG TEL: 0643336075

El Masreya - Hurghada TEL: 01158887790 - 19095

Suez

National Motors Egypt TEL: 0882277800 - 01001636471

BRUNCHI NG AT THE PAL ACE

BBQ BRUNCH IS BACK!

Stroll along our Garden Promenade Café… listen to the grills sizzle …Savor the tantalizing aromas as our chefs rewrite the brunch menu. We have all what your taste buds desire from a fresh fish market and an endless sushi station to BBQ specials with vegie options, all while enjoying the live jazzy sounds sifting through the waving palms.

Grab your family and friends for a great day of #BrunchingAtThePalace M a ke a d ate eve r y Fr i d ay f ro m 2pm - 6pm for the best brunch in town!

16 SARAY EL GEZIRA ST., PO BOX 33 ZAMALEK, CAIRO 11211, EGYPT. T: 00. 202.27.28.3000 CAIROMARRIOTTHOTEL.COM ARABIC.MARRIOTT.COM

IDENTITY

volume 13 issue 01

November 2017

Founder & Managing Editor ROLA KAMEL Editor-in-Chief NAWAL ISMAIL Assistant General Manager ALIA EL ABD Copy-Editor AMINA EL FAYOUMY

W

hen we invest time, effort or money into helping out and landing a hand to other less privileged fellow humans or helpless poor animals, we are in fact doing ourselves the favour. Think about it; good deeds have a way of always coming back to their doer one way or another. It’s like reverse Karma; “do good to others and good will come to you” as they say. Do good without expecting anything in return; pay it forward and reap the benefits later when you least expect it but when you most need it. And what better season than autumn to get out of your cocoon and spread love and kindness? Beat the fall’s blues by planting the seeds of kindness now and harvesting them later.

Rola Kamel Identity Magazine was founded in 2005 by Rola Kamel to enhance every aspect of a woman’s life style, helping our female readers to discover and improve their own identities.

The subscription rate to Identity is 180 L.E. for one year (12 issues) by Al Ahram, Tel: 02-27703190 Distribution by AL AHRAM Website Company: QPIX SOLUTIONS Contact us at: 26A Montazah St., Zamalek, Cairo-Egypt. Tel: 0227361187 Mobile: 0122-9401071 email: sendus@identity-mag.com www.identity-mag.com

IDENTITYMAGEG

4 November 2017

Junior Editors AMINA MOUSTAPHA KAREN SHAWKY SARAH SOROUR Freelance Writer AMINA ELGHANDOUR Relationship Expert MARWA RAKHA Fashion Expert NAHED KAZZIHA Junior Graphic Designer SANDY SAIED Marketing & Advertising Manager RIHAM YEHIA Digital Marketing Manager MOHAMMED AMGAD Social Media Executive RAGUI ELISSA Identity Magazine Distributor ASHRAF FOUAD

Rejuvenate your Winter With us Indulge and relax with our Winter Warmer package this coming winter with rates starting at only EGP 1600.

Rates are including; A complimentary breakfast Free wifi Services and taxes Only for a limited time, book your room now and Call (202 – 23228000) *Terms & conditions : This rate is not available during applicable dates and / or peak periods.

The Westin Cairo Golf Resort & Spa westincairo westincairo

Š2016 Marriott International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Westin and its logos are the trademarks of Marriott International, Inc., or its affiliates.

IDENTITYcontents

INSIGHT

8 Should I Give her a Chance?

10 Be Good to Yourself 11 How to Plant the Seed of Good Deeds in your Kids

STYLE

12 Hair Trends Fashion Weeks SS 14 It’s Time to Make it Pop 16 It’s Oriflame’s Anniversary!

Perfect Time for Launching a New Collection 18 Do Yourself a Favour 20 The November Re-boot 22 Fashion Gone Rogue 24 Melania Trump’s Fashion Book

SILENT MELODY

BENIGNITY

see page 26

38 Inspirational Stories about Community Work in Egypt 44 Why a Step-parent Can be a Blessing?

46 How to Have a Healthier Relationship 50 Good Deeds: Are they Innate or Developed?

52 Pay It Forward 54 The Effect of Books & Movies on

THE EVOLUTION OF GOODNESS page 12

6 November 2017

the Good in People 56 Bali, Indonesia

OUT & ABOUT 58 60 62 64

Advertorial Snaps Press Releases Horoscopes

TEN LIFE CHANGING ATTITUDES page 42

PuraVida Design by Phoenix Design

The brainchild of Phoenix Design, the design of this extraordinary complete range makes minimalism approachable by giving it a new feminine touch. All lines are gently softened giving the range a poetic lightness.

For more info please visit our showrooms in Sheraton +2 02 26968700, Designopolis +2 02 38572041 or +2 0238572042, Sharm El Sheikh +2 06 93664162, Hurghada +2 01 001789418 or visit www.duravit.com.eg

W E CA N H E L P YO U I N D E S I G N I N G YO U R B AT H R O O M .

Q&A Identity

Challenging yourself is the best thing you could ever do because you are making a decision that is most likely life changing. You choose not to sit back and let the world pass you by. Keep in mind that it isn’t about reaching the breaking point, it’s about pushing yourself to do and be better. You create good habits, you set the tone of the life you want to live, you put yourself as a priority. There’s really nothing more beautiful than living up to your full potential.

Q:

What is the best thing that you’ve ever done for yourself?

A’s: “The best thing I did for myself was deciding to seek help from a therapist after my accident. Post traumatic anxiety and depression are killers. Thank God I found the strength to seek help after 6 years, some people can’t.” - Rola “I did not want to have kids, and the decision to let my guard down and have Seif was the best thing I’ve ever done.” - Riham “I left Cairo to pursue a simple and peaceful life in Dahab for a year.” - Ragui “I took a 3 day break from technology and travelled with my parents to Sukhna.

Best decision I’ve ever taken.” - Karen “I went through a very difficult time when my 7 year relationship ended. I voluntarily went to therapeutic sessions to help get my life back on track..” Sarah “I jog every once in a while to calm my nerves and gather my thoughts.” - Amgad “I had a back problem and decided to give up anything that stopped me from getting better.” - Amina “I decided to take yoga classes to improve my health.” - Sandy

8 November 2017

Best of Instagram

Credits: Cindy Prado

Most popular articles

Mysterious Tweeter Unveils Sexual Harassers

The 6 Types of Egyptian Parents Check out identity-mag.com for more!

IDENTITYMAGEG

IDENTITYadvice to turn the tables by making me the bad person.

At that moment, she dumped me pretty bad. So, I walked away and wished her a good life.

Later, she calls me and starts to apologize and foolish me, I acted upon my emotions and let her talk. She claimed that this was her way of joking with that friend and that nothing was going on.

It is not only the sexual messages, but also she treated him better than me. She sent him pictures of herself and called him lovely nicknames. And his responses were always short. Yet, she still ran after him.

My question is, should I believe her and give her a chance? Please help me. Thank you.

Should I Give her a Chance?

by Marwa Rakha

Dear Marwa,

Dear Sincere Lover, No! Please do not give her another chance. Please do not give her the power to hurt you further and deeper. She sounds like she is in love with that “friend” and that he never gave her the time of the day. You deserve better.

In the future, if your gut feeling says that the relationship is going too fast, then it is. If you feel something is wrong, then it is. If you feel that it is too good to be true, it is either not good or not true.

Move on, and if she contacted you again, tell her that you deserved better and that you would not like to hear from her again. Do not sound angry or emotional; just state the obvious in a matter-of-factish tone of voice. If you feel a weakness towards her, remind yourself that she played you and was only trying to get her friend jealous. To her, this was never a relationship; this was only a way to tease her friend.

I got into this relationship months ago. Everything was great and smooth at the start, and now things started to deteriorate. My girlfriend became distant and cold at times and when I try to mirror her actions by pulling away myself, she comes back hot.

She has a lot of guy friends, two of them in particular that she keeps mentioning a lot. That part never A tip that might make you stronger: Develop your sense of self-worth further. bothered me because I am not a jealous person.

Her actions with one of her “friends” started to become more like a relationship than a friendship. I started to get suspicious. Instead of accusing her, I picked up her phone while she was away and snooped around. And I was right. She was sex talking with her “best friend”. In the past, she had also disrespected me by flirting with one of them on the phone by using sexual innuendos and such while she was next to me. So after that, I went and confronted her. She got angry and started 10 November 2017

Ask yourself: Do I deserve a partner like that? Do I deserve to be disrespected? Do I deserve to be unloved? Do I deserve to be used and abused?

You did all the right things, but with the wrong person.

She was not fair! She was not honest! She was the one who ruined this relationship.

She was using you to make the other guy jealous, and he did not care, and will never care. If you give her another chance, she will abuse you further, hurt you more, and ruin your potential for ever finding a fulfilling relationship.

IDENTITYInsight

BE GOOD TO

yourself

by Karen Shawky

T

here is a fine line between being selfish or self-centered, and being good to yourself. You won’t be able to be good to yourself until you love it. So love yourself and take care of you, for your own sake.

Don’t expect people to be good to you if you can’t even do it for yourself. Here’s how can you be good to yourself.

Love yourself When you learn to love yourself, you start taking care of it because you love it, not because you hate it. Only then you will see progress, other than that you will feel that there’s no change however hard you tried.

Love your flaws The key is to understand that we were not made to be perfect. We all make mistakes and we all have flaws. If you can’t accept and deal with your flaws, don’t expect someone else to.

Believe it or not, sometimes your beauty lies within your flaws.

movies and no one is free enough to go with you, take yourself and go. Invite yourself for a good meal in a fancy restaurant. Take time to disconnect and think of how you can better of yourself.

Give yourself credit Don’t be harsh on yourself If you have been working so hard on a project, value Don’t criticize yourself all the time, and when you do, the accomplishments. Give yourself credit for the hard keep the criticism constructive. Don’t go around saying work, for the goals achieved, and even for the mistakes how much you hate this and that, but rather how much which taught you a new lesson that can be added for time you will spend on fixing this and that. When you your improvement. change the way you talk to yourself, the way you see yourself will accordingly change.

When you are good to yourself, you will be able to be kind towards everyone else as well. Remember Pamper yourself you can’t pass on a good deed, if you are not using Take yourself out on a date. If you want to go to the it on yourself as well.

12 November 2017

How To Plant The Seed Of Good Deeds in Your KIDS

by Amina Moustapha

2. Adopt Or Buy A Pet Deciding to get a pet for your kids is laborious and challenging, there is no denying, but there is no pairing more dynamic than kids and their pets. Animals are the perfect complements of childhoods. Caring for a pet helps children learn about responsibility. You should let them be in charge of them. They should feed them, pour food into the dishes, refill the water bowl, give their pets a bath, play with them.

It will give your kid the chance to practice being a caregiver, and develop a great sense of empathy and compassion along the way.

3. Donate to Charity

Everyone wants their children to be kind, and to grow up to be even kinder. The good news is that you have the influence to foster a compassionate child. It is not an easy task, but what will make your job easier is the fact that children already have an inborn capacity for empathy and mercifulness. The trick is to know how to nourish that seed inside them.

1. Make Caring For Others A Priority Instead of saying to your child: “The most important thing is that you’re happy,” say “The most important thing is that you’re kind.” Kids need to know that caring for other people is a prime concern. In order for them to understand that, you must teach them how to hold to high ethical expectations, such as honouring their commitments and their duties, even if it makes them unhappy. For instance, before they quit a sports team, band, activity or even a friendship, you should ask them to consider their obligations to the group or the friend and encourage them to work out problems before giving up.

Charity is not only about donating money; actually that’s the easiest part of it. But when you donate something you have built an emotional attachment with, that’s when the true meaning of charity is visible. Involve your kids in the process of selecting which clothes and toys to donate. Don’t do that behind their backs, the value of the activity will diminish then. Tell them how happy other kids in need will get when they wear them and play with the toys; you can also take them with you to the charitable destination.

4. Help A Plant To Grow When they take the time to patiently and tenderly nurture a plant, that small daily act of thoughtfulness shown towards a sprouting young plant displays how caring gestures can grow into something much bigger, a flourishing plant! There’s nothing quite like seeing something you’ve looked after blossom.

5.You Must Walk The Talk “Flip side of the same coin”, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”, “Like father, like son” and many more other sayings indicate that parents play a big role in how their kids turn out to be. You want your child to be kind then you must walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Work on yourself, on your flaws, and pay close attention to whether you are practicing honesty, fairness and caring yourself. Ask yourself continuously if you’re a good role model for them, and don’t settle for less than your children deserve.

IDENTITYbeauty

Hair Trends

Fashion Weeks SS 18 Your hair is the crown you never take off, the greatest accessory that you will always wear, and even if life isn’t perfect, your hair can be. So let’s take a leaf out of the Fashion Weeks’ book, and hunt down for the best hair trends. Below are our favourite hairstyles and trends from the Fashion Weeks that are set to take shape this year.

headbands

natural length Hair that flows free, full of movement, styled only by a touch up of your hand. The natural look is the biggest trend of this season, letting hair speak for itself.

the sleek wet look

14 November 2017

Seen on the Spring/Summer 2017 runways, hair was straight-styled and lacquered. This season’s look is more relaxed with an added height, an effect easily attainable with the least of efforts.

Two slightly retro accessories made their comeback this season: the hairband and the headband.

Whether it’s bourgeois, fur, crystal-encrusted, sporty or in black leather, find something that enhances your look.

the bowl cut The bowl cut is back. With a new 90s-style tomboycut, a style was the nicest surprise of the season.

the new generation ponytail Whether it was accessorized, twisted or worn to the side, hairstylists found new ways to wear the ponytail for a ladylike, edgy or romantic look. NB: wear at the nape of the neck.

grunge The grunge look was another surprise this season, with wet hair, alternative buns and rebellious strands that refused to stay in place, the look was pulled off with punch and panache.

relaxed curls

acid hair From canary yellow to electric blue, along with fluorescent pink, when it comes to colour this season, anything goes as long as hair is well taken care of and as hydrated as possible.

While last season’s runways were packed with tight coil curls, this winter’s are more relaxed, loose and natural, showing who you really are.

tribal tresses

the side parting

Plaits placed high on the head in rows for a tribal effect, the perfect way to get into the warrior, anti-conformist mood seen at multiple shows.

A runway favourite, the side-parting was everywhere this Fashion Week. Try it with straight hair to softly frame the face.

November 2017 15

IDENTITYbeauty

IT’S TIME TO MAKE IT POP

by Karen Shawky

This season’s makeup trends are in favour of those who like sharp looks.

You will have to choose which area of your face you want to accentuate and make it pop. If you are into the nude/nomakeup look, at least add some shimmer.

BOLD EYE LINES AND COLOURS The most popular makeup trend that’s going viral this season is adding a little bit of metallic or glittery colours in your eye shadow palette.

Another trendy tip is to not focus on your water eye line. Don’t sharpen your eyeliner, but rather keep it smudged to give it a more dramatic look.

DARK LIPS If you decided to keep your eye makeup as simple as it can get and went with the nudes colour palette, then give your lips the spotlight.

The trendiest lip colours for this season are the dark berry plum or burgundy shades while going with soft eye makeup, and peachy colours while going with bold eye makeup.

16 November 2017

METALLIC AND GLITTER Add shimmer to your face, eyes, or even your lips. The matte season is over; it’s about time to start shining during the gloomy nights of fall.

MAKE UP PREP TIPS FOR A GLAMOROUS LOOK FOREO LUNA 2

FOREO ISSA HYBIRD

Naturally Beautiful, Luminous and Younger-Looking Skin

Whiter Teeth, A Healthier Mouth & A Confident Smile

LUNA 2 offers a range of brushes to match specific skin types, an enhanced T-Sonic cleansing system and a totally optimized design to deliver facial cleansing and anti-aging that matches everyone’s skincare needs.

ISSA Hybrid has a revolutionary design that combines PBT polymer with silicone bristles for more vigorous brushing of the teeth while gently cleaning the gums.

Skincare Benefits Delivered by the LUNA 2

•Promotes oral hygiene and a healthier mouth •Clears plaque, preventing cavities and tartar buildup •Prevents gum irritation and delivers a comfortable yet gentle gum massage •Leaves teeth whiter, brighter and polished

•Provides deep cleansing that feels extremely gentle on the skin •Purifies skin by removing 99.5% of dirt and oil plus makeup residue •Clears away dead skin cells to enhance the absorption of skincare products •Diminishes the visibly of pores to refine skin texture •Smoothes the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles and leaves skin looking firmer

Oral-Care Benefits Delivered by the ISSA Hybird:

November 2017 17

IDENTITYbeauty

THE ONE LONG WEAR NAIL POLISH Made with an effective new gel anti peel technology that lasts up to 14 days giving you a flawless glossy finish and comes in four different shades.

Orange Spectre 33514 Fuchsia Illusion 33515 Black Trick 33516 White Vision 33517

It’s Oriflame’s Anniversary! Perfect Time for Launching a New Collection Be bold, be elegant, be the one.

Introducing Oriflame’s newest collection. The sexiest, trendiest products are now available for you to become ‘The One’ and captivate everyone’s attention with your daring look!

THE ONE CONTOURING KIT The One trio palette is a must-have in your makeup bag. With your three most used makeup items in one product, you’re a winner! The trio contour kit comes in a sleek compact that is a perfect size for travel as it can easily fit in your bag. It has a beautiful rosy blush colour for a youthful, full-of-life look, a perfect matte contour shade for bronzing and defining your face, lastly, a soft highlighter for a sexy, glowy look!

18 November 2017

THE ONE DISGUISE PERFUME All eyes on you mesmerizing them all with your seductive feminine scent; you’re the star of the show with The One Disguise perfume.

This fascinating fragrance is a result of Oriflame cooperating with one of the best fashion academies in Europe. Its Raspberry, Tuberose, Rhubarb notes make it the best, most wearable perfume for all times.

FEET UP CHERRY DELIGHTS FOOT CREAM Cherry scented foot cream with clove oil leaves your feet soft and moisturized to perfection without having any rough, dry skin.

FEMINELLE MILD INTIMATE WASH Gentle and refreshing formula made especially for sensitive areas with Chamomile extracts that do not cause any skin irritation.

THE ONE LIP SENSATION MATTE MOUSSE Five new daring shades of matte liquid lipsticks to finish off your look Raspberry Rose 33535 Cunning coral 33536 Pink Ploy 33537 Soft Mulberry 32256 Boysenberry 32257

November 2017 19

IDENTITYstyle

DO YOURSELF A FAVOUR

by Nahed Kazziha

They say that no good deed goes unpunished. But what about if you are doing yourself a solid? In that case, rest assured that you will be able to fully appreciate the benefit of some quick wardrobe karma, instantly- that is, if you are willing to foot the bill. So here are some Dos and Don’ts to live by this fall that will leave you and your closet feeling refreshed.

Ruffles

Bell Sleeves

Do: BELL SLEEVES Don’t: OFF-THE-SHOULDER RUFFLES A modernized nod to the 70’s will peak out ever so slightly from beneath your sweat, much unlike those bulky ruffle shirts that are best to keep for sunnier days to come.

Baker Boy Hats

Houndstooth Fedora Grey Plaid

Do: GREY PLAID Don’t: CHUNKY HOUNDSTOOTH While grey has long been regarded as the most mundane colour, new life has been infused into Glen Check of the oversize variant. Stay warm in a giant blazer and practice your androgyny.

20 November 2017

Do: BAKER BOY HATS Don’t: FEDORAS Supermodels from Kaia Gerber to Bella Hadid are spearheading the efforts to bring back the baker boy hat. So, forget Britney, and take your queues from the influencers of Gen Z.

Do: NAMESAKES Don’t: CHOKERS Yes, the Carrie Bradshaw necklace is back and bigger than ever! So set aside your Cinderella velvet choker and indulge in a more quirky customized necklace you can wear every day.

Namesakes

Chokers

Do: LOGO BELTS Don’t: DOUBLE BUCKLES The bemoaned return of logos has been met with much controversy. Keep your outfit simple and reap the benefits of an eye catching bold belt that only needs one buckle.

Logo Belts

Double Buckles

Do: SCARLET REDS Don’t: PASTELS This is not the season to shy away from the power colour. Use it for outerwear, footwear or even a complete ensemble for the daring among you.

Scarlet Reds

Do: FLORALS Don’t: PAISLEY The quintessential bohemian update that can be paired with boots for a more contemporary look instead of looking like the outdated cast member from Little House on the Prairie.

Pastels

Florals

Paisley

Do: LEOPARD Don’t: SHEARLING Channel your inner feline with some wildcat print to add a little statement to your staples. You get extra bonus points for rocking an edgy kitten heel or biker with your leopard print.

Do: POLISHED PURSE Don’t: OVERLY EMBELLISHED It is time to snatch up your granny’s vintage purse. Glossy leather, sleek metal clasps and a ladylike handle are exactly what you need to steal the show, not your handbag.

Embellished Leopard Shearling

Polished

November 2017 21

IDENTITYstyle

THE NOVEMBER

Re-boot

by Nahed Kazziha

KITTEN HEEL The perfect combination of old time Audrey Hepburn meets Bianca Jagger. The kitten heel has a bad rep for being an old lady’s shoe, but in all truth it is far from it. Gracing the runways of Celine, Miu Miu and Vetements this year, the fashion world is purring with delight.

As temperatures begin to take a dive and we bid our Indian Summer farewell, it is high time to consider a fall reboot. So before you get too comfy in those pair of Uggs (admit it, you still have them stashed in the back of your closet!), check out some of the season’s star saviours that will help you redeem your fashion crimes.

COMBAT Revisit your grunge days and dust off your Doc Martens because combat boots are making a comeback. The range of simple utilitarian variants and the more ornate studded and belted creations are sure to please even the toughest of tough girls.

Dorateymur

Burberry

Jimmy Choo Loeffler Randall Miu Miu

22 November 2017

Alexander Wang

SLOUCHY Mama always warns not to slouch and while she has a point when it comes to your posture, it certainly does not apply to your boots! It’s all about the slouch effect, careless and luxurious all at once. If you can get your hands on the most coveted pair of Saint Laurent boots, consider yourself winning.

SOCK BOOT Part sock, part boot?

Yes, please! It is literally the best two for one deal you can get your hands on (and feet into) this fall. The whimsical combo of the gym sock fused into a heeled boot is sure to be a statement you cannot miss.

Fendi

Tabitha Simmons Prada

Saint Laurent

Balenciaga

Off-White

THIGH HIGH A brazen trend for you leggy trendsetters out there.The new generation of over the knee boots definitely favours the slender.They are formfitting and anything but subtle, showcasing an array of coloursand textures that can almost double as a pair of pants.

GLITTER Essentially disco balls for your feet, glitter boots flooded FW17 runways.

They were showcased to perfection at Chanel, Saint Laurent and Isabel Marant, to name a few. Choose the heel style, boot length and hue that you favour, just as long as it shines.

Isabel Marant

Altuzarra

Christian Louboutin

Oscar De La Renta

Laurence Decade

November 2017 23 Petar Petrov

IDENTITYstyle

FASHION

GONE ROGUE

by Sarah Sorour

The 90’s have officially gotten back in style and made a triumphant return to this year’s fashion shows. In homage to the Summer and Spring 2018 fashion weeks, we’ve decided to take a look at the nineties fashion archives that were turned into revamped 21st century looks.

DENIM It’s not just about the blue jeans anymore, now the denim brand has exceeded all our expectations whether it’s the built-in belts, the floral embroidery or the different coloured denim patches. It is a style that has been integrating and adapting to every evolving era without hindering the “no gender or age limits” rule. With its various shapes, sizes and colours, the denim trend will always be a dominating dress code that will never go out of style.

then

24 November 2017

now

then now

then

VELVET & SILK Velvet is totally in this season and we absolutely love it.

Show goers took this style very seriously as they broke out the smooth fabric during the Paris fashion week. It was popular for dresses and shirts back in the day, and now the plush fabric can be rocked in any type of event.

Based on this season’s trend, the velvet fabric is very fallfriendly and has come in numerous designs, making it more fun to experiment.

PRINTS ON PRINTS The colourful prints and figure hugging clothes

by Armani and Versace are heavily channeling a tribute to the 90’s fashion. The high waist pants, the mixed print separates and the bright hues were staples of the 1990’s and can still reflect a youthful and fresh vibe in today’s modern world.

METALLICS Metallics were very prominent in the 90’s and it’s another fashion trend that stood the test of time as it appeared in almost every runway show this year. This fashion throwback has made its debut in a more accessible and wearable form. This year’s trend has taken a futuristic approach in its designs; whether it’s dresses, jackets or 2-piece outfits.

now then

now

November 2017 25

IDENTITYstyle

MELANIA TRUMP’S FASHION BOOK

by Sarah Sorour

Although her husband isn’t the most ideal man in the world, Melania Trump has redefined the politics of fashion in numerous ways. Her fashion aesthetic ranges from strongly tailored pieces to exquisite and distinctive chic style; and we can definitely take some pointers.

The First Lady looked effortless for the Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, choosing a Valentino flowery dress with intricate pastel patterns. You won’t need much as long as the design is chic and sophisticated. The floral designs can make up the perfect ready-to-wear cocktail dress; and add pastel-coloured accessories for that elegant feel.

Valentino

Nina Ted Baker

Wallis

26 November 2017

Manolo Blahnik River Island

Red on black or black on white can always make the ultimate fashion statement. You look like the successful woman, always on the go and ready to make life-changing decisions.

Get the casual-chic look by pairing any red blouse or a black knit sweater with peg leg trousers. Et Voila!

Zara

Birkin

Topshop

Jimmy Choo

D&G

Prada

Zara

Topshop

Isabel Marant

H&M Saint Laurent

This season is all about letting loose.

Both designs don’t need much because the style itself already emits enough chicness.

One pop of colour is usually enough to oomph it up. Put on a monochrome wideleg trouser, any top and you’re good to go.

Valentino

Nicholas

Christian Louboutin

November 2017 27

IDENTITYsilentmelody

SILENT MELODY Photographer: YOUSSRA FAWZY Stylist: SARAH NASR Makeup Artist: ALIAA AHMED Model: IRINA KRUPNEVA Modelling Agency: C TOWN MANAGEMENT Outfit: MASSIMO DUTTI & CHARLES & KEITH

28 November 2017

November 2017 29

Shoes: Charles & Keith

IDENTITYsilentmelody

Shoes: Charles & Keith 30 November 2017

November 2017 31

IDENTITYsilentmelody

32 November 2017

November 2017 33

IDENTITYsilentmelody

34 November 2017

November 2017 35

Shoes: Charles & Keith

IDENTITYsilentmelody

36 November 2017

November 2017 37

IDENTITYsilentmelody

Dress: Massimo Dutti, Shoes: Charles & Keith

38 November 2017

November 2017 39

Dress: Massimo Dutti, Shoes: Charles & Keith

IDENTITYbenignity

Inspirational Stories ...

about Community Work in Egypt

by Amina Moustapha

N

ot only we are created to be in communities, but we’re also structured to need communities. There is definitely safety in numbers as they say. We need each other. We need to trust, rely on and depend upon one another. That’s why we live in communities, and each member of these communities has a role and an obligation toward it.

40 November 2017

Engaging in community work allows us to have an opportunity to become active members of our society, as well as have a lasting, positive impact on society at large. It is not only about providing services to those who need it most, but it’s also about enabling yourself with life skills, social awareness and activating the selfless part inside you.

community work practitioners: It may be employed to describe locality (a given geographical area), or a strong sense of shared identity, or common interests.

Now, what is community work? The term covers a variety of things: being involved in local or neighbourhood groups or associations, being a volunteer or unpaid worker, being involved in a nonFirst off, to illustrate the role of community work we profit, not-for-profit, or charitable organization, doing must come to a common understanding of the term public interest or public benefit work, doing work for a ‘community’. This term has three major uses within “cause” or a “calling”.

There are many inspiring community initiatives in Egypt; part of our role is to shine a spotlight on what works and how to improve what doesn’t. Here is a diverse range of community stories, covering different regions, ideas and different ways of achieving effective practice.

COMMUNITY SCHOOL: 1992- PRESENT TIME How the story started: In the late Eighties, parents in the rural areas of Egypt refused to send their girls to school, so that they wouldn’t interact with boys. The education gender gap widened, and for that reason a brilliant solution emerged in Asyut governorate by some teachers.

Since it was practically and financially difficult to build another school, only for girls, an alternative project to public schooling was presented. It was to collect all the girls who can’t go to school, hire a teacher or two, and find a place that can be turned into a classroom. This initiative was in the need of financial support without doubt, and that was when the community role joined up. Donations and contributions were provided by everyone who could. The project was on a small scale, and in few areas of the governorate, but then soon it spread in many other governorates like Sohag and Quena. The project was thriving, and succeeded on many levels, but still for the Ministry of Education, it wasn’t an official equivalent to public schooling.

How the magic happened: We can say that the educational status in rural Egypt was in a very inferior position; student poverty, cultural gender biases, insufficient school space, poor quality November 2017 41

IDENTITYbenignity

teachers and school infrastructure, which resulted of EGYPTIAN SOCIETIES FOR MERCY TO ANIMALS course that only 20% of children (male and female) (ESMA) – 2007- PRESENT TIME from the poorest 20 percent were enrolled and completed the basic education level.

How the story started: If you haven’t already heard about ESMA, it is a nonHere comes the best part of our story, in 1992, the governmental organization founded by a group of United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNESCO) animal right activists with Mona Khalil, a TV anchor at and our Ministry of Education collaborated to develop the Egyptian Satellite Channel, as a chairperson. All the the project that had started off in Asyut, and then founders of ESMA were involved in animal work for they created the Community Schools. But what is a years. They always talked about merging their efforts Community School? Simply put, it is a viable alternative and starting a project that would be an expression of to the traditional educational institutions in villages how they see animal welfare, and how they wanted it that are most deprived. These schools are publicly to be applied in our country and in the region. funded and aim to increase equity in education by addressing issues of inclusion, child centred learning and Nevertheless, the organization has been formed out community participation. of sincerity to a killing spree of stray dogs and cats all over the country in 2007. And to be more specific, The project supplies communities with a sense of one particular heartbreaking incidence did send them ownership and stewardship over the schools, by into rage. A picture had been taken of a pregnant dog, authorizing community members to form the school that had been shot and her babies were spilled out of board and have control over school location, hours and her stomach. This cruel and inhuman act had brought a selection of teachers. This in turn provides communities large number of animal rights activists together. with a vested interest in the success of each school, and in making students attend school and complete their After investigating in the area where the incidence had assignments. occurred, they discovered that some people tended to the stray dogs in the neighbourhood. They also How the project is doing so far: gave them names, and the name of the savagely killed In 2007, the project was in full swing and it reached pregnant dog was Esma.

Egypt’s twenty-seven governorates. The success of the project caught the attention of the United States How the magic happened: Agency for International Development (USAID), This group of friends and animal activists started so they decided to conduct a study of this parallel thinking of how to use this name, and what to do to education system in Egypt to evaluate learning, keep alive the memory of Esma and many other dogs management, governance, and cost effectiveness of that had been shot in cruelty, and for that reason they the project. The study also included a comparison of founded the organization a few months later. ESMA students in the parallel systems with those in public stands for Egyptian Societies For Mercy To Animals, schooling systems. Guess what? The results in all and it had set a goal to ameliorate animal welfare in cases showed that the parallel systems were equal Egypt, including street dogs and cats, working animals to or better than public schools in terms of access, such as donkeys, horses and camels, wildlife, animals in completion and achievement, community participation the Cairo zoo, those sold in pet shops and live animal and cost effectiveness. markets, and all animals slaughtered for food.

From a small idea targeting to advocate girls’ right to education emerged this grand project and hundreds thousands of kids are now reaping the benefit. It takes a village indeed to raise a child.

42 November 2017

How the project is doing so far: In a very short period, the organization had broken the glass ceiling. They are always present and active whenever possible in campaigns, initiatives, and advocacy

activities to promote animal welfare issues and support the enforcement of animal welfare legislation in Egypt.

Their goal setting is to provide shelter for dogs and cats that are in need of assistance as a result of severe injury, abuse and neglect. So far they run two facilities; a dog shelter in Sakkara, Giza and a cat shelter in Shabramont, Giza that together house over 700 rescued cats and dogs. ESMA actively works to find adoptive homes for animals both locally and internationally.

with the Ministry of Social Solidarity launched the ‘Rural Female Leaders’ program. The program carefully selects women and girls to serve the people of their village in rural Egypt. These leaders are assigned to promote public health and health awareness. In a nutshell, these women had to go knocking on their friends’ doors and spoon-feed them health information.

The leaders had gone through a concentrated training and been through tests under the supervision of the They wanted to keep Esma’s memory alive, and I dare Ministry to help them carry out the task. On the other say they did, and each and every animal that has been side, it is a must that each of the women in the program rescued so far owe their life to this poor dog. has personal skills in communication in order to make the women in her village trust RURAL FEMALE LEADERS – her and listen to her.

1996 – PRESENT TIME Each leader has to visit eight How the story started: women per day. She should Everywhere in the world, , one monitor the wrong and of the customs that manifest damaging behaviour during this the support a community home visit, document them, and can provide is when women then later on help the family to gather as a self-help group. abandon this behaviour.

Friends, neighbours, relatives; they summon together to How the project is doing so far: discuss their problems and There are more than fourteen share their stories. This custom thousand Rural Female Leaders theoretically doesn’t aim for around Egypt, and each one of anything than the need to them helps five hundred families talk, but to our surprise it per year. This program has been has a psychological significance that yields incredible chosen by the Council of Arab Ministers of Health as emotional support. the best community health action in raising awareness this year, that’s how great this project has become, and So why not use this to the advantage of the community? we are very positive that we would witness many more I guess Dr. Maher Mahran, our ex Minister of Health, successful achievements. had asked himself the same question and that was the exact reason why he had launched a social program Can you imagine the amount of influence these called “Rural Female Leaders” in 1996. women supply to their communities? You should never underestimate what a small gathering of women could do.

How the magic happened: In the rural side of our country, until today, people There you have it; three different projects with suffer from poor hygiene and birth-control knowledge, three different yet similar stories. They are all full of health ignorance, women shy from heading to the hard work, perseverance and success. Each one of medical unit when it is needed, etc. No matter how them can restore our faith in the good deeds people many awareness campaigns the ministry had raised, the can do for each other, and the impact community result never reaches the goals aimed for. The Ministry work can leave. It’s also a reminder that human had to find search for another strategy to approach beings are capable of the most incredible, amazing those people. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration and wonderful kindness and love.

“

Remember, we all stumble, every one of us.

That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.

“

Emily Kimbrough

November 2017 43

IDENTITYbenignity

10 LIFE CHANGING ATTITUDES

by Karen Shawky

1- Positive Mindset

Positive mind is positive life. Don’t always think the ately the world has come to a place where worst of someone, but rather try to give them their everyone is too concerned with his/her own excuse. Try to believe that their intentions are good, good, and we couldn’t care less about each before thinking of what they can do to harm you. other. Accordingly, we became less tolerant towards each other’s differences. We are being small minded 2- Smile and stubborn in all the not wrong, but negative ways.

A smile can go a long way. It truly can make someone’s And it’s time to change that! day way better. You don’t have to wear that arrogant raised one brow look all the time. A smile will also give the impression that you are a positive person, so you will be hitting two birds with one stone.

44 November 2017

L

3- Listen Nowadays a lot of people listen to reply, can you imagine what will happen if we just listened for the sake of listening? When someone tells you something, they don’t necessarily need a reply or advice; they might just be trying to get something off their chests. Lend people an ear. At the end of it all, a lot of people know what’s right and what’s wrong and your advice might not be needed; however, your time to listen to their issues will certainly count as a distinctive attitude in a world that only cares to criticize.

told you about their darkest secret and you just smiled and said that’s such a great life experience?

7- Be Forgiving Especially if someone knows how much pain they caused you and you decided to forgive them. Forgiving someone can change not only his/her life but yours as well. Holding a grudge might cause you greater pain than how much you are already hurting. When you forgive, it’s a sign that you have the strength of letting go.

8- Give Without Expecting

4- Have Patience

When you do something nice for someone, do not As everything is becoming fast paced, it would be expect a material reward. If you decided to surprise awesome to meet someone who is chill and patient. your entire office with donuts, do not wait until Even in our conversations, we usually jump to someone offers to repay you. As a matter of fact even conclusions before getting to know all the details. If if they asked you how much or offered to repay, refuse. you’re picking someone up, don’t call them every five second because they didn’t come down yet, just wait. 9- Give When You Know They Can’t You can make a joke out of the situation instead of screaming at their face.

Much greater is to give someone something knowing they can’t repay you. That person might be a stranger 5- Have an Open Mind and you might never see them again. However, certainly they might think of how you changed something in Having an open mind means being accepting toward them by offering help without waiting for a return. And others. Instead of focusing on wearing whatever you they will return the favour, but with someone else. You want or acting however you want, you should focus on might get the good in people going. accepting other people’s differences despite how much you disagree with them. Develop the idea that even if 10- Empathetic and Sympathetic you disagree with a person’s point of view or beliefs, you shouldn’t respect him less but rather just as much Yes, be both. Put yourself in other people’s shoes, and as you would respect anyone else you agree with. We feel their struggle or even their triumphs. It will literally are just like colours, if we are all the same colour, we change not only their life, but will change how they will never be able to create a great picture. Actually view you as a person. Show people that you connect sometimes the colour you hate or dislike the most can with them at some level; that you feel for their pain and add the needed essence to the picture. would love to celebrate their good news. That’s what most people ask: Can you relate? It’s good to reply back 6- Less Judgmental that you hear or feel them.

It’s sad how many of us are expecting to be judged no matter what. If you didn’t tip the sayes, they would say “such a cheap person; at least give him something.” And if you tipped him generously, they might say “Look how he’s showing off.” At least those are strangers and might not know you as a person, but what about your friends?

We also expect to be judged by our very own friends, so we might have stopped talking to them for the fear of being judged instead of listened to. There’s just one question: How do you think your friends will feel if they

There is more you can do for people other than those simple 10 recommendations. Those attitudes and many others can help change your and someone else’s life, accordingly making the world a much better place for generations to come. Live at peace, and pass on that very same peace to others as well.

Adding an act of love and kindness to all of the above can have a magical effect as well. Spread the magic kind people.

November 2017 45

IDENTITYbenignity

a step parent

Why can be a blessing

by Amina El Ghandour 46 November 2017

?

W

e describe a child whose parents divorced as a child from a broken home. And a home is not parents living under one roof, but parents who can have a meaningful conversation, share a laugh and show affection. Once parents have lost appreciation for one another, there is no longer love or warmth, and hence there is no longer a home- it breaks.

When parents split and one of them remarries, this child becomes part of a new family- and in many cases the home can be restored with someone other than the parent.

she gave to us (as much as we allowed her, as two stubborn teenagers) restored the home. It wasn’t the same home but once again we had one. And in my heart, I was happy- silently - and silently because I was conflicted between my appreciation for my step-mum To be more specific I want to speak of the stepmother- and the guilt for accepting her. Have I replaced the an experience more relevant to my life. The collective mother whom I loved vastly? imagination is fraught with the ugly examples, mainly fed by the classic Disney films that many are exposed Now in retrospect and as I grew up, I find that this idea to and that in turn were inspired by French folktales of a parent being replaced by another a total myth – a from the 15th century, a time of ravish famines and dire myth devised by our egos. A mother remains a mother poverty – and all the horridness of human nature that and a father is a father, yet we are fully capable of loving, can come with that. appreciating and connecting with others along the way.

The reality is not always the same. While an insensitive step-parent can steal a helpless child much of their joy and peace, a caring one can be a reason for more joy and stability - and even more love. Who ever said that there is a ceiling on a child’s ability to love and be loved?

Today my own daughter has a step mum who has the most positive impact on her life. Through kind gestures, my daughter naturally grew to like her step-mum and eventually even love her. I could see her joy as she responded to the attention, to the gifts and to the loving gestures – but also felt her hesitation and subtle When my parents split, I was 15 years old. My brother shame as she shared with me initially. And it hit me how and l stayed behind with my father since my mother can I or any other person sanction a child’s capacity for had to travel much for work. My father has been always love? As humans our ability for love is boundless, and extremely doting and loving. But there was a certain our love for one person does not mean less love for emptiness and coldness in the house after my mother another. left.

I thus, gave my daughter a positive reaction every time When my father announced he will remarry I could she spoke of her step-mum and allowed her to express not bear the idea of someone replacing my mother – her natural feelings without guilt or conflict. She had or that is what I thought then- and l cried my eyes out warmth and love – she had a home once again. She to stop him. He remarried, nevertheless. was happy and I could not but feel happy too.

In a couple of months, I could feel a sense of warmth seeping into my life. However, I was stubborn to show that I was liking my step-mum, or even more, liking her presence in our life. Yes she wasn’t my mother, but she was a source of love and care -and more importantly a source of ‘life’ to this living space. The affection between her and my father, the jokes, the teasing, the laughter, the care she bestowed on the house and the attention

I know from my own experience that a nurturing woman has a presence. And it is this presence that makes the home. Just like a caring step father can give stability and make a home feel like a safer haven.

While a child of divorced parents is a child of a broken home, a caring step parent can bring in enough love to mend both the broken heart and home.

November 2017 47

IDENTITYbenignity

HOW TO HAVE A HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIP

by Amina Moustapha

Any living and breathing entity needs to be fed and nourished if it is to stay robust, same thing applies to relationships. Old or new, relationships need constant nutrients to grow, otherwise they would suffer and might as well die.

system.” Yet we often neglect this important emotion of thankfulness. Give voice to gratefulness in your relationship; make it as loud as you manage, notice the small things your partner does for you and never take them for granted.

So what are the sources of nutrients to a relationship? How can a relationship maintain life and better yet grow? The substance that provides nourishment to a relationship is emotions; they carry the heaviest load on establishing and promoting a relationship.

2. BE EMOTIONALLY GENEROUS

Emotional generosity is a singular coalition of empathy and the readiness to feel what another person is going through and relate to them that you understand; it is the choice to set aside your own needs for someone else. Get rid of those chains that are locking your But here comes another question, is all we want for emotions and spend them with free-handedness. Don’t our relationships to stay alive? I don’t think that’s hold back your love, what use could your love be if you true, or at least it is not right or the best option on didn’t share it? Wrap your heart around the person you the table. What’s wrong with aiming for an alive and love. In their time of need, make them feel that what they are going through is the most important thing in also healthy relationship? the world for you. Make them feel your care and your So now we are not only on the hunt for nutrients, we concern deep down. are seeking to find the healthiest diet, and the key word of our recipe is good deeds. In order to have a 3. ENCOURAGE GROWTH & CHANGE healthy relationship, you need to serve good deeds to your significant other and receive ones from Your relationship should be your support system, your bank that provides practical or emotional support, and them. Let’s get into the details of how to do that: you should give that in return. If that isn’t the case, then there is something that needs to be repaired. In a 1. EXPRESS YOUR GRATEFULNESS TO THEM healthy relationship, both partners are encouraged to The science of thankfulness is a growing field that grow and change. There is only one life to live and if is starting to show; the benefits of cultivating an you want your partner to stay the same, then let me attitude of gratitude are very real. This emotion of break the news for you, you are going to have a very gratitude promotes good physical health and renders dull life. But on the other side, if you explore life to a relationship stronger. Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, its fullness, encourage your partner to try something head of the division of biologic psychology at Duke new, to explore hobbies and interests and meet new University Medical Center said: “If thankfulness were a people, to accept change, then just as you let growth in drug, it would be the world’s best-selling product with your life, your relationship will grow stronger. a health maintenance indication for every major organ

48 November 2017

“

A healthy relationship is one in which love enriches you not imprison you

“

Steve Maroboli

4. DON’T FIX THEM, ACCEPT THEM

5. FORGIVE QUICKLY & TRULY

One of the strongest and most common toxic foods to any relationship is the desire to change the person you love. Nobody is perfect, no one is flawless. It is hard to accept this reality, especially when we are talking about your significant other. You want them to be perfect, but people come with baggage.You have some, and so does your partner. Don’t let this fact make you feel stuck.

Break through it, learn to take a detour and deal with it. Trying to fix someone would probably lead them to take the stubbornness route and refuse the help, so all you can do is support them whenever they decided to change something about them. Yes, nobody is perfect, but the people we love should be perfect in our eyes.

Another poison to any relationship is bitterness; it has a nasty way of sneaking up on you, and once it spreads, once it gets into your bloodstream, then you really have to watch it. So learn to let go, to move on. Whenever you have a fight, don’t worry about who wins or who loses, no one is keeping score. Learn from it; use it as a ladder to better the relationship. Once you do that, you will feel that the reason the fight was about is beneath you. Forgiveness is an antibiotic from resentment, from bitterness. The sooner you swallow the forgiveness pills, the quicker it will destroy those microorganisms of negative feelings.

November 2017 49

IDENTITYbenignity

THE EVOLUTION OF GOODNESS:

Are we Good or Bad?

by Amina Moustapha

50 November 2017

In 1835, German chemist Justus von Liebig developed a process that soon led to the invention of one of the most vital creations in life, mirrors.

That thin surface of glass coated with a layer of metal that reflects our image. So when you look into that beautiful invention, whom do you see? A good person? An evil one coated in good manners? How do we know who and what we really are if the only thing that reflects us can’t see through us? Are we good people or just on the face of things?

3. The only person who can decide whether you are a good person is yourself

Another research by Dacher Keltner stated that 60% of the time, humans are driven by personal gratification or survival of the competitive, but during the other 40%, they are really doing things for other people; they sacrifice and risk exploitation. But Keltner clarified that there is a difference between acting good and being good. “It really boils down to an honour code with oneself,” indicated Keltner. So mirror or not, it is you This is the kind of question I would categorize who can pronounce the judgment of your true self, and as one of those queries that you normally don’t if your actions reflect them or if it is just a cover. ever ask anyone close to you, because one of two scenarios would occur; either they would fish for 4. Unravel your true self by asking yourself some compliments, or they would attack one’s fragile self- questions concept.

Psychotherapists tend to leave us at sea, but fortunately Meredith Strauss had decided to assist on this one, So let’s put the sentiments away and talk science: and listed few questions that might help us decrypt 1. Humans are wired to be good, at least in the our individual honour code: Do I have compassion for others? How charitable am I? Do I extend myself beginning of their lives to loved ones in times of need and genuinely want to Researchers at Yale University used some puppets help? Or do I just do it to be politically correct? What to verify whether babies were inherently selfish. They would my friends or family say about me if they were showed the babies a short play in which a puppet was asked this question? Do you put material possessions planning to climb a mountain. Then two other puppets before people? What do you believe your contribution would join in to either help or hinder the puppet in is to this world while you’re here? its task. When given the choice between the helper and the hinderer puppets, the babies were much 5. Set your definition of what a good person is more likely to choose the helper. “There are no such things as bad babies,” stated Dr. Bobbi Wegner, a clinical We are all different from one another, so when it psychologist and teaching fellow at Harvard University. comes to finding a definition of what a good person At our core, she argues, “we all have a true self that is is, we will have scores of answers. Some will think that a good person is someone who has high morals, helps kind, compassionate, caring, curious and calm.” others without expectation, has emotional intelligence and empathy, shows respect and kindness toward 2. Our environment reshapes our true selves others, or maybe all of the above. We will never agree It is very true, to a large extent, that we are the product on one definition, so here is what you have to do, find of our environment. It always gets in the way of this true your own definition. Dr. Paul DePompo, a Southern self. For instance, people who are the victim of abuse California-based psychologist and author, says, “Define might develop a protective part that preemptively hurts what a good person is in 3-5 words and rate yourself others; it is a defensive mechanism. For that reason, on this continuum.” Try to match your definition; make Dacher Keltner, a professor at University of California, that your goal.

Berkeley clarified that we shouldn’t use the terms ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but we should spot the light on how to But at the end, the best way to look at our morality redefine our self-interest, and that won’t occur until we isn’t by putting labels like good or bad. We are feel safe enough to open those vulnerable parts hidden relatively good, yet imperfect persons, which when all is said and done makes us human! inside us.

November 2017 51

IDENTITYbenignity

GOOD DEEDS: Are they Innate or Developed?

by Karen Shawky

When we do good deeds, are we developing new behaviours or are we going back to our natural instinct?

Parents spend a lot of time teaching their kids how to behave in an appropriate manner. So by teaching us how to behave, are they shaping our inborn instincts?

Some psychologists argue that good deeds are innate, while others believe they are developed through life experiences.

52 November 2017

The first years of a kid’s life are marked as the most important of his entire life. They shape who he will turn out to be later on. They shape his attitudes, behaviours and beliefs. As we all know and always say, there’s innocence in kids that we lack as we grow old due to many outside forces. On the face of things it looks like we are innocent by nature, but then our nature starts fluctuating as we see how our role models, our parents at that time, act and react.

We are taught how to put our innocence in action; giving a helping hand to an old man while crossing the street, giving our seat to a pregnant lady in the subway or even tipping our waiter generously. Our parents teach us to say thank you and greet people. They don’t teach to be nice though; they only teach us how.

human beings are basically selfish. After all, we are only really ‘carriers’ of thousands of genes, whose only aim is to survive and replicate themselves. We shouldn’t be interested in sacrificing ourselves for others, or even in helping others.”

The two contradictory beliefs exist, one that we are born good, and the other that we learn how to be good. However, if we looked at our own lives, we would see that many of our actions have changed in accordance to how our role models, whoever they are, act. The surprise is that whatever a mother does when she is pregnant affects the personality of her child. However, the child’s innocence and kindness might never change if he grew up to see that all those around him act in a good manner.

“When past researchers carefully measured people’s So are we naturally good, or do we develop the choices, they found that people all over the world were good in ourselves? That’s a question that we need to more generous than the reigning theories of economics answer ourselves. and biology predicted they should be,” stated Dr. Max Krasnow, a psychologist from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Krasnow decided to study stimulations to see whether generosity was caused by evolution or natural selection, and he discovered that generosity could be an innate characteristic in most humans.

A co-author of the paper also mentioned that this is due to the ‘inherent uncertainty of life.’ Thus people tend to do good deeds for others even if they know that they might never see them again.

As some believe that kindness is in our genes, others believe that it’s due to social and peer pressure.

Meaning, it’s because we are expected to act in a certain way or else people will view us differently. If you didn’t tip a waiter for instance, people might think you’re stingy, hence change how they perceive you as a person. On other occasions, if you didn’t offer your seat to a lady, they might think you are self-centered. The thing is that those people argue that we do good deeds not because we are naturally good, generous and kind, but rather because we seek social acceptance in all of your actions and reactions.

It was previously discussed in Psychology Today that “According to the modern Neo-Darwinian view, November 2017 53

IDENTITYbenignity

PAY IT

forward

by Karen Shawky

I

n a movie directed by Mimi Leder, the good deed concept was discussed under a new light. The story started when a social studies teacher gave an assignment to his elementary students to urge them to change the world because they can. The film then focused on one of his students trying to accomplish the assignment, not only that, but also making it his lifestyle.

Kevin Spacey, in the role of Eugene Simonet the social studies teacher, presented the idea of the assignment to the kids during their first week of school. Simonet started the assignment by asking the kids to think of something that can change the world and take an action to get it done. One of his students, Trevor Mckinney, came up with the idea of “Pay it Forward”. He mentioned that the idea is not to pay back a favour, but rather pay it forward. As it reads on the movie’s poster and book, “When someone does you a great favour, don’t pay it back but pay it forward.”

Trevor explained further that his initiative is like a never ending cycle to spread the good that’s inside the people to the entire world. The kids were asked to pick three people to do a favour for, under one condition: those three people shouldn’t pay the favour back but rather forward to three other people and ask them to do the same, and so the cycle of the good deeds will keep on

54 November 2017

going. At first Trevor kept the initiative to the people he personally knows and closely interacts with, but soon enough he took an even greater step, and spread his actions to the entire neighbourhood whether he knows them or not.

Keeping in mind that Trevor wasn’t raised in a balanced atmosphere and a not so great household, the assignment of changing the world seemed like something he has been waiting for so long to do. One of the three people he picked at the beginning was his own mother, as she was an alcoholic, and he wanted to help her with her life and to quit drinking, and he ended up saving another student from being bullied.

The idea of those three movies is that a person should pass on a favour without waiting to be paid back. The main aim is to make the world a happier and much better place. So start now; choose three people that need help and do them the favour. Ask them to pay it forward onto three other people. They don’t have to be strangers; they just have to be truly in need of your Some believe that the movie is inspired from a true help. story, while others don’t, but the most important thing is that it is a learning experience, not just another Don’t limit it to a one time thing though, but rather make it your lifestyle. Make it a daily, weekly, or even a entertaining movie. It can change someone’s life. monthly routine. It’s not only that you will make another In contribution to the movie, it’s good to mention that person feel better, but you too will feel that your life has other short movies were also discussing the same a greater purpose and meaning now. Help in spreading initiative. A Japanese movie where a guy helped a kid the good vibes. People always say less talking more get away from a person who was beating him and then doing, well now is the time for some action. Defend gives him a piece of paper, went viral on Facebook. someone who can’t defend him/herself. Give someone Later on that kid grows up and encounters a family in the opportunity of their lifetime. Try for once to stand a store with insufficient money to buy a cake, and he out rather than to fit in. helps them with the money and gives them the same paper. When the family goes home, they give the paper The easiest way to do it is to draw a chart or a circle to an old man who turns out to be the same person in the top center of a paper and write your name. Then get at least three arrows coming out of the circle, each who helped the kid get away. pointing at another circle. In each circle write a name Also another video that went viral was that of the man that you would help, and the problem they are facing who decided to plant a tree in a deserted area every so you know how exactly you are going to help. Voila day in a different place; years pass by and life comes you’ve got yourself a plan, now get the initiative going. back to that beautiful forest he created. Even animals started coming to it.

The idea of changing the world by doing good deeds grew deeper onto him and later on it led to his death while defending some other kid from bullies. The movie ended when almost every person Trevor did them a favour gathered at the front porch of his house holding candles, and paying respect to his soul and his mom.

November 2017 55

IDENTITYbenignity

The Effect of BOOKS & MOVIES on the Good in people

by Sarah Sorour

Social interactions and experiences can often be subconsciously influenced by the negative messages the media tends to convey. That is the most common factor and explanation to why we live in a troubled world. However, it can have a reverse effect and highlight the positive side in shaping people’s perceptions.

Instead of focusing on the media aggression, violence, stereotypes and gender inequalities; we will focus on the bigger picture and how certain uplifting and inspiring movies can help us become better people.

The following list includes movies and books that we think bring out the goodness in people.

THE ALCHEMIST This book’s spiritual message highlights the importance of finding your purpose in life without allowing fear to stop you from pursuing your dreams. Once you find your “personal legend”, the entire universe will conspire in helping you to achieve it. An Andalusian shepherd boy dreamt that he would find a treasure at the Egyptian Pyramids, the story follows his journey to finding that treasure.

THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON It’s easier to go through the pain alone than to go through it with your family. This book tackles how a family got stranded on an island and is forced to overcome and work through their problems together. We live in a society where the majority of the time, “family” is just a name. The book teaches you about strength and the importance of facing the same obstacles as a close-knit family.

56 November 2017

THE CATCHER IN THE RYE It is a book that has a clear and recurring ideology: the authentic and the artificial.The kids in the book represent the age of innocence, whereas the adults represent the corruption in the world.

It is about the conflict of both issues, and how you can overcome the bad by sticking with the good.

REMEMBER THE TITANS Racism is the most emphasized overtone in the movie. It’s about two high schools with different ethnicities that decided to join their students into the same football team.

The lack of understanding between both cultures cause tensions and selective criticism to the opposite race. It’s really about coming together despite our differences and finding a common ground that can raise us to the top.

DEAD POET’S SOCIETY This movie is not only inspirational, but it teaches us a valuable lesson about the signs and opportunities in life that we shouldn’t take for granted. By figuring out your true purpose in life, by loving yourself, by finding eternal satisfaction and by living life day by day without worrying about the future.

Dead Poet’s Society teaches you not to live by what people expect of you, but rather what you expect of yourself.

THE GREEN MILE The main themes of the movie revolve around forgiveness, regret, remorse and healing. To be wrongly accused or blamed for something you did not do could be detrimental to someone’s psychological health. The story is about a man who had the heart to forgive the people who hurt him and accept his fate as it is.

THE GIVER “When people have the freedom to choose, they choose wrong.” One of the most important themes in the movie is the importance of memory. Forgetting your memories means forgetting the things that made you suffer, that made you feel strength and pain. The Giver is about a community that erased its people’s past memories, and forcefully programmed them to act in a certain way in order to avoid conflicts and live in peace.

November 2017 57

IDENTITYtravel

Bali, Indonesia

by Myriam Trannet Founder of Tranneta’s Travels

Unlike any other touristic destination, Bali has something to offer for everyone; whether you are a backpacker, a spiritual yogi or a luxury tourist, well, Bali has something for you. It is called “The Island of The Gods”, and appropriately so. located in Nusa Dua. Just like in Padang Padang, the waves break offshore which makes it great for swimming.

If you are staying in Seminyak, you can visit Potato Head during the day for a chilled pool day, they have great drinks and foods. My advice would be to go before they open so you can get a nice lounge with a view.You When in Seminyak and around Seminyak (with a can, also, go shopping later in the afternoon. The shops driver or a scooter if you feel adventurous): in Seminyak are catering everyone.

Bali is surrounded by the ocean, and the ocean is pretty rough. It caters more to people who want to surf.

Though if you research well, you will find that Bali also has beautiful beaches, and you can swim without having to fight the waves (like in Seminyak)!

Padang Padang Beach is one of these beautiful beaches I’ve been to in Bali.To access the beach, you have to walk downstairs (hold on to your stuff, you will might bump into monkeys on the way down) through a cave split between two rocks and suddenly you see this beautiful beach with nice white sand, blue water and big rocks. It’s becoming more touristic, so to enjoy it I suggest you go as early as possible and definitely not on a weekend.

Another place that I believe is worth visiting is Uluwatu, best known for the namesake landmark cliff-top temple.

The view from the top is not to be missed (you can go visit the same day you do Padang Padang Beach).

For one of the best sunsets around the island, go to the Rock Bar in Jimbaran, afterwards you can go have dinner on the strip of restaurants on the beach. We tried Bella, and honestly, the view and the mood are much nicer Geger Beach is another sandy beach with clear water than the food, but it makes it worth it!

58 November 2017

While in Bali, visit the spa! Around every corner you will find a spa; do your research and go for an hour of relaxation or more. Getting a massage is cheap and amazing, the staff is so nice! After all you are on a break; you should relax and enjoy what the island has to offer.

For dinner in Seminyak, I’ll give you my best options and you can pick. My number one is Bambu, afterwards there’s Favella, La Lucciola, Sarong and Merah Putih. I suggest you book before going to find a spot.

When in Ubud: Ubud is the jungle side of Bali; it’s that place where you find yourself surrounded by nature.Tegenungan Waterfall is definitely a place to visit. I would say it is worth the trip during your visit to Ubud, it’s a beautiful one. But be prepared to go down (then back up) a lot of stairs, we are talking around 100 maybe?! If you are not up for the “hike”, then you can always watch the waterfall from a café while sipping on a coconut. If you do go all the way down, you can swim and feel the power of all that water.

It is not clear water, but it’s swimmable.

should definitely visit while there. If you want to also see the other two I’m talking about, they are located in the villages of Pejeng and Campuhan, and they are less touristic than this one.

In Ubud, you can also visit the Ubud Monkey Forest, a nature reserve and sacred area with temples. My tip would be to hold on to your belongings as the monkeys there can be thieves, and please don’t break the rules while you are there.

Visit the Ubud market. That must be the most tiring experience you will go through while in Ubud. They sell great stuff, but if you want something you need to BARGAIN. The key word is bargaining, which can be really exhausting! I suggest you book yourself a spa session after the market in order to relax after the chaos!

If you are up for activities, you should go white water rafting; it’s fun. The risk factor is practically zero.

Seriously, if you are scared, you shouldn’t be at all.

What’s adventurous about it is the stairs down to get to the raft and up after you are done; this must be the As it has become a pretty popular touristic spot, if hardest part nobody warns you about! you are after a secret, secluded or quiet Bali waterfall experience then this waterfall is probably not for you. The only restaurant we visited outside the hotel was Though it has the perks of being easily accessible and Bridges (you need to book beforehand as well); it’s in of having facilities (you can change, eat or have a drink the middle of the jungle and the food is delicious! We something). went there on a rainy day, which made it feel cosier than it already was!

Bali wouldn’t be Bali without the lush rice terraces in all www.trannetastravels.com shades of green. Tegallalang rice terraces is one of the Instagram and Facebook: @trannetastravels three most splendid terraces landscapes in Ubud; you

November 2017 59

IDENTITYout&about

A Journey of Amibition & Hard Work Interview with Joe Ghayad, General Manager, Nile Ritz Carlton, Cairo

by Amina Moustapha

Joe Ghayad arrived at the Nile Ritz Carlton, following years of experience as General Manager of the Ritz Carlton, Almaty; the first luxury hotel in Kazakhstan. Previously, Ghayad held several operations roles in the Ritz-Carlton, Montreal, Canada; the Ritz Carlton, Doha, Qatar and the Ritz Carlton, Sharm El-Sheikh, as well as Sharq Village and Spa, a luxury beach front hotel managed by Ritz Carlton in Doha. He is also an alumnus of the Club Med Resorts in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico. His role as the Executive Assistant Manager at Sharq Village Spa, Doha, paved the way for his promotion to Hotel Manager in Sharq Village, where he also officiated as acting General Manager.

that I was a student, I didn’t have a flexible schedule, so I worked as an accountant. Subsequent to graduation, I worked at the Club Med Resorts in the Caribbean, then the Bahamas and finally Mexico. In 1999, I returned to Canada and started officially with the Ritz Carlton as a Valet Parking. Later I worked as a housekeeper, and then as a receptionist. In 2002, after a transfer request from my side, I went to the Ritz Carlton Doha, Qatar as a Director of Rooms. In 2004, I was appointed Executive Assistant Manager in our hotel branch in Sharm El-Sheikh, and then I was back to Doha in 2007 but this time as a Hotel Manager. And lastly, I moved to Khazakhstan in 2012 to open the new Ritz Carlton over there, and then I came to the Nile Ritz.

After your work experience in areas such as Kazakhstan, Mexico and the Bahamas, how does running a hotel in Cairo differ from these previous I grew up in Montreal, Canada. I started as a cook hotels you have worked at? while still in college; I went to school during the day and worked during the night. Afterwards, I enrolled in I looked into my curriculum vitae lately and figured that university and started at the Ritz. In view of the fact I have covered all the continents, expect Australia, and How did you begin your career as an hotelier?

60 November 2017

each country, each city has something to offer. But as soon as I arrived in Cairo, I looked out from one of the hotel’s balconies and said (practically to myself, since half of the staff don’t get my Lebanese accent) that the vibes of Cairo are matchless; the atmosphere, the lights, this city is sleepless. Also, Cairo is a mixed bag; there is not only one dominant class, which makes living here far more interesting. It is incredible. People are warm and humorous. They always have funny jokes up their sleeves; they take life day by day. Everything is light and fast. You can’t find this anywhere.

Let’s talk about the Nile Ritz’s achievements over the past couple of years.

Over the past two years, we became the preferred venue for weddings, and conferences with our huge banquet facilities and ballrooms such as Al Qahira Ballroom, the biggest ballroom in the downtown area. Furthermore, our unique selling point is the Garden City, which overlooks the Egyptian Museum, and is proudly the only outdoor area in Downtown where you can have social events or corporate receptions. We also have Alef Leila W Leila, the famous historical venue, where the majority of Egyptians have many memories. Many sons and daughters pick it as their wedding venue because that was where their parents had gotten married; it is very emotional. Additionally, we upgraded the Italian restaurant, Vivo. Our Italian chef, Oliver Glowig had been chosen by the Vatican embassy to prepare lunch for Pope Francis during his visit. The embassy also asked for his sisters to present and serve the food, so our Food & Beverage Banquet Department had instructed them in order to serve in the Ritz Carlton manners. Beside that, the number of royals, presidents, celebrities, and I dare say international celebrities who had singled out our hotel and stayed here, is the very proof of our achievement, but we can’t of course mention names seeing that we value our guests’ privacy, and that’s one of the reason why they picked us in the first place.

“

depart, I want them to remember the nice gesture the waiter or the housekeeper did for them, not how good our machines were. So we set a goal where every employee has to make a ‘wow story’ with a guest, just a small act where you go a little bit above and beyond your duty to make the guest feel extraordinary. Allow me to give you an example of how wow stories do not cost you anything, but still make a big difference.

One time, a young girl who was staying here with her parents lost her teddy in the room, and she was very upset. We searched for it but couldn’t find it, and after the family had left, the staff found it in the laundry. But then, they didn’t immediately give it back to the girl.

They first cleaned it, named it Rocky and then took it to the spa. While Rocky was getting massaged, they started to take pictures of it. They made it wear sun glasses, and sit by the pool to catch a tan in the sun. When Rocky checked out, they gave it back to the young girl, along with an album of the activities it had been doing, proving that it wasn’t lost, but just having the time of its life. This memory will remain for life for this family. See, small things do make a big difference emotionally.

At the Ritz Carlton, Our Aim is to Create Memories

Would you talk about the art component and how that ties into the hotel?

Most of the artworks, especially the paintings that can be seen all over the hotel are the works of local artists. It is our initiative to promote the Egyptian culture and have the local artists reflecting their art throughout the hotel.

You will notice a mixture and a fusion between modern as well as historical.

The hotel had been here since 1958; it is by all means a historical hotel but we need to have the contemporary feel as well. Of course, the Nile Ritz is renowned for its location, the Pharaonic wall, the famous staircase and the authentic items since the old property, but at the same time we targeted to have that blend between old and new.

“

Ghayad

The Nile Ritz-Carlton would soon celebrate its anniversary, what should the city expect of that event?

How important is it to find the balance where you We just want to say thank you for our guests who don’t lose personal touch with guests while still honored us by staying in our hotel for their support, providing the benefits of technology? and to express our gratitude for the media in helping us to be on the map. So the anniversary is just an At the Ritz Carlton our aim is to create memories; opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone for technology can’t create memories. When our guests helping us shine the star of this unique icon of Cairo.

November 2017 61

IDENTITYout&about

VIVO RESTAURANT:

Bask In The Divine Italian Taste

Should you find yourself munching on a pizza roll at all the seafood lovers out there, this plate is just squisito.

Vivo Restaurant at the Nile Ritz Carlton, be aware Vivo Restaurant wasn’t an overnight success but a sum that you are in the vicinity of culinary greatness. of hard work and dedication, with a firm mindset to Alongside the fact that Vivo Restaurant commands create a place that feels absolutely proud of itself, from taunting panoramic views of the Nile and Cairo Tower, the down-to-earth staff totally at ease in their suave something that will make your heart dance in your environment to the contemporary sophisticated décor. chest, this wondrous Italian restaurant knows magic.

They cast spells that add life on to their food and oblige I can think of high-end Cairo restaurants that offer us to close our eyes and savour the glorious flavours. challenging and ground-breaking food, but very few The mover and shaker of this team of culinary magicians that generate such a powerful sense of contentment.

Vivo might be an Italian restaurant but it also feels local, is the two-Michelin starred Chef Oliver Glowig. which is proof that we do live in a global village after all.

From Ravioli and Risotto to Chicken Confetti, Chef Glowig unveils the discreet culinary secrets of Italian cuisine, only for us to reap the benefit.

Their well-crafted set menu comprises the luscious Amuse Bouche, the flavoursome Pizza Mare, the dainty Arugula Salad as well as an extensive range of options to tingle your hunger and make your head spin, so that you have to pay them another visit and explore each and every one of these options.

Since nothing says food like Italians and nothing says Italian like pasta, let’s pause for a second and sing the praise for their heavenly finger-licking Shrimp Pasta. For

62 November 2017

9th Egyptian-German Renewables Day at Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo had the honour of hosting the 9th Egyptian German Renewables Day organized by the German Chamber of Commerce in Egypt on Sunday 8th of October. 2017. Among the invitees were H.E. Julius Georg Luy, German Ambassador to Egypt, H. E. Dr. Khaled Fahmy, Minister of Environment and Mr. Andreas Hergenröther, CEO, GermanArab Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

In a research conducted Iconic Awards 2017: nine awards by Gillette Venus, Shaving is the highest ranking hair for GROHE removal method amongst top •Category “Product”: three “Best of dermatologists in Cairo Best“ Iconic Awards 2017 for Blue Home, Concetto Professional and •Top dermatologists: 70% believed Euphoria 260 as well as for Sense it’s more hygienic than salon waxing, and Sense Guard, Lineare, Essence and 79% believed it’s safer than Professional and Smart Control creams •Hygiene, safety, and convenience are Concealed the main driver for recommending •Category ”Communication“: award shaving for the publication series “GROHE •The majority of the top Architekturlösungen” (“GROHE dermatologists believe that shaving Architectural Solutions”) Category does not cause faster or thicker or “Architecture“: award for GROHE’s darker hair growth trade fair booth at the ISH 2017

Ramses Hilton Celebrates the Grand Opening of the Hotel’s New Restaurant and Lounge: OPIA OPIA offers unrivalled bird’s-eye view of the dazzling Nile and city skyline. Ramses Hilton is offering guests a dazzling perspective of Cairo with the opening of its newest restaurant and lounge, OPIA. Located on the 36th floor of the iconic hotel, OPIA features awe-inspiring views of the Nile and Cairo’s skyline.

Tatweer Misr Celebrates Art and Youth at El-Borollos Annual Symposium Closing Event UNICEF Egypt, Tatweer Misr and Abd El Wahab Foundation concluded the 4th edition of the annual El Borollos art symposium with a remarkable event on October 14th. Through painting on walls and boats, the two-week art extravaganza sponsored by Tatweer Misr in partnership with the UNICEF hosted 115 local & global artists who helped provide young people of the area with vocational training that could ultimately lead to a sustainable source of income.

November 2017 63

IDENTITYout&about

Maserati Egypt Offers 5-Year Warranty, Service Package Across Range

Renaissance Mirage City Hotel Cairo Wedding and Engagement Packages

Celebrate your “happily ever after” MTI, the official Maserati importer in spectacular style by booking in Egypt, has recently released a new a bespoke wedding experience five-year full warranty and service at Renaissance Cairo Mirage City package across the Italian luxury Hotel this season. car manufacturer’s range of vehicles, aiming at giving its loyal clients more value considering the whole cost of ownership.

Cairo Marriott Sponsors Cross Egypt Challenge for the 4th year in a row to promote the destination!

6 years have passed since the start of Egypt’s one-of-a-kind motorcycle and scooter rally, Cross Egypt Challenge. This October, the seventh season of the famous rally took place in a continuous effort to promote tourism and to prove that Egypt is safe for travels.

HUWA Launches its debut collection for men: Sandstorm Marriott International Continues Huwa, the brain-child of rising Extensive Expansion in Africa designer Hisham Wali, launches its debut collection ‘Sandstorm’ of Targets over 200 hotels with men’s fine accessories. more than 37,000 rooms by 2022 expecting to generate $8.5 billion The historical “Steigenberger of capital investment and 50,000 Cecil” soon with a fresh new direct and indirect jobs. Marriott look Announces Seven New Hotels, Marking a Debut in Côte D’Ivoire “Steigenberger Cecil Hotel” the and Strengthening Presence in landmark of the Mediterranean Ethiopia, Ghana and Nigeria pearl, is currently undergoing a significant face lifting process, with Shell Egypt the aim of adding some value to endorses the hospitality industry in Egypt.

EduVation In the presence of former Conference The renovation process will cover Barcelona and Netherlands different areas of the hotel such football star Patrick Kluivert NXplorers Youth Program launches as the main lobby, reception, for the first time in Egypt, the Middle discotheque, meeting rooms, main Emirates NBD Egypt announces East and North Africa. Building on its restaurant and the coffee shop ,to strategic partnership with FC support of the Science, Technology, name a few.

Barcelona A joint pre-paid card by Engineering, and Mathematics the bank and the world renowned (STEM) education system, Shell football club launched on occasion Egypt endorses the innovative of the partnership education conference, EduVation.

64 November 2017

Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment brought its D-Tour program to the summit by organizing a field visit in downtown Cairo for participants titled “The Renewal of Heritage and Public Places”

ECETA signs Memorandum of Understanding with Hill International to Strategically Develop Operations Capabilities in Egypt Avon Launches Direct Customer The MOU will bring the two leading Channel for Greater Customer facility management companies Convenience and Satisfaction together to build on their combined best practices.

Avon Egypt, announced the launch of its first direct customer channel to offer customers greater levels of convenience, ensuring more women have access to high quality and affordable cosmetics at their doorsteps. Avon is the world leader in direct selling of cosmetics since 1886 offering a variety of products within different categories such as fragrances, makeup, personal and skincare products.

To increase its investments in Egypt to 278 million dollars:, Hayat Egypt Launches the New “Papia” & “Familia” Brands for Tissue Paper Products Zeki Armağan: The new plant provides direct employment to 3.000 Egyptians Hayat Egypt, subsidiary of a leading FMCG company, launches two new strong brands in the tissue category; “Papia” and “Familia” to fit all social classes and different age groups in the Egyptian market.

New Executive Lounge at JW Marriott Cairo!

JW Marriott Hotel has unveiled its newly renovated, expansive Executive Lounge creating brilliant experiences and pampering discerning travellers with the highest levels of comfort, luxury and exclusivity.

Nissan launches all-new Qashqai in Egypt

Brunching at the Palace!

“Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment” participates in the annual summit titled “The future of African cities” in Cairo

The BBQ Brunch is making a great comeback at The Cairo Marriott Hotel! There are those times when you feel like you need to let the world melt away and just enjoy the moment. Whether you want to get lost in a conversation with friends or treat your family to a great day out, The Garden Promenade Café is your desired Friday brunch destination.

New 2018 model combines exceptional design with technology and power •The all-new Nissan Qashqai leads the SUV segment with a luxurious interior and a sporty exterior.

•For more convenience and safety the new Qashqai has been enforced with around view monitor technology (AVM) Nissan has launched its all-new Qashqai SUV crossover in Egypt. The latest model offers a sporty exterior, luxurious interior, dynamic driving experience and Nissan’s latest smart technology.

November 2017 65

IDENTITYsigns

TAURUS

Your desire to secure a material life will surface, and you will put in the effort to acquire more money. It’s okay to let money be your priority, but don’t let it guide you.

GEMINI

This month holds peace of mind for you. Opponents will feel weaker against you, but you need to take advantage of this to become more forgiving.

CANCER

Your eloquent speech will improve this month. Focus on communicating your demands in a coherent manner and holding you anger in check, and everything will be fine.

LEO

It seems that luck is on your side this month.You will do well financially, but beware of spending on lavish items.

Your impressive nature will dominate.

SCORPIO

October 23- November 21 Strengths Resourceful, brave, passionate Weaknesses Disturbing, jealous, secretive Most Compatible with Cancer, Virgo and Capricorn Love: A solid friendship may turn into a romantic vibe soon, but keep the healthy questioning to see if your next partner is worthy. You can be one of the most fun people out there, always helpful and fond of giving.Take your time and don’t rush your relationship.

You will be wrestling with your expectations and this could inspire you to make improvements.

Career: You will be able to satisfy a new contract or partnership. Identify specific job functions that need improvement this month and work positively on improving them. Assess your weaknesses even if it drives you crazy. However, don’t let your personal life affect your professional life. You are an expert in preserving your reputation.

ARIES

VIRGO

A pleasant month is waiting for you, all wise and witty just like your nature. Jupiter is blessing you with happiness to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid health issues.

LIBRA

A calm and contained state of mind awaits you.

November is a very balanced month for you.

Constructive changes will move into your life when Jupiter moves in.

SCORPIO

This month will be ordinary for you. Health issues may be a possibility but at the same time, Mars is giving you energy and strength so be patient.

SAGITTARIUS

Based on the star alignment, this month will be average for you. While no clear opportunities are apparent, there is still a chance for you to plunge into a consistent thinking pattern.

CAPRICORN

There’s a mixed trend waiting for you. You will be quick to anger, but you will find ways to divert your energy to a constructive use. Try to calm your aggressive instincts.

AQUARIUS

Your outlook on life may not be as optimistic as it used to be. But you will be more invested in your career which is an opportunity for you to grow.

Expect this month to be a positive one; some bravery will spark you this month. Your inner courage will thrive PISCES and your mental alertness will guide you to be wiser November looks promising for you. Your temper will and more intellectual. be calm.You will start putting more logic than emotions into matters, which is good for you.

66 November 2017

FULFILLING DREAMS since 1997

Find us on:

/Oriflame.Egypt

/Oriflame_sweden_eg

19662

Discover more about beauty:

www.oriflame.com.eg