The Heart Wants What It Wants

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FEBRUARY 2015 - 15 L.E. VOLUME 10, ISSUE 4 WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM

Heba Mandour LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

THE DARK SIDE OF AN EGYPTIAN OPEN MINDED GUY

HOW TO GET READY FOR A DATE!

and REASONS

BEHIND COMMITMENT ISSUES!

The HEART WANTS WHAT IT WANTS




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IDENTITY editor’s note

FEBRUARY 2015 - 15 L.E. VOLUME 10, ISSUE 4 WWW.IDENTITY-MAG.COM

Heba Mandour LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!

THE DARK SIDE OF AN EGYPTIAN OPEN MINDED GUY

HOW TO GET READY FOR A DATE!

and

REASONS BEHIND COMMITMENT ISSUES!

on the cover

The HEART WANTS WHAT IT WANTS

ACTRESS HEBA MANDOUR PHOTOGRAPHER BATOOL AL DAAWI FASHION STYLIST FARAH EL SAYED MAKEUP ARTIST MAHMOUD RASHAD HAIR DRESSER RAFI COVER DESIGN MOHAMED MAHER

“H

ow on earth are you ever going to explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?” — Albert Einstein

Trying to define it is as difficult as asking a baby to talk. No words can explain how you feel emotionally or physically even if you are the master of words. I dug into dictionaries trying to find the perfect words to explain the feeling; the perfect expression that would make us remember how it all felt; those first sparks of fire! Here’s what I found instead; a few lame words, but the most surprising was the ‘Sexual love’ as one of the definitions! Oxford dictionary: Noun: A strong feeling of affection Verb: Feel deep affection or sexual love for (someone)

Dictionary.com: 1. A profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. 2. A feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. 3. Sexual passion or desire. Surprise, surprise since when was ‘sexual’ atoned with ‘love’. Love with its purity and sexual with its lust! Has something changed in this world?! Feeling desire of the person you love is something and sexual desire is a total different feeling. You can be physically and sexually attracted to someone you don’t love AT ALL!!! This is pure manipulation of feelings; a confusion we need not go through as teens or young people sensing feeling for the first time. Love is love; love is everything pure and good in this world! Happy Valentines ☺

Rola Kamel

PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR PUBLISHER & MANAGING EDITOR ROLA KAMEL EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NAWAL ISMAIL SENIOR EDITOR RADWA ABOULAZAM COPY-EDITOR AMINA EL FAYOUMY JUNIOR EDITORS ENGY EL REFAEE, MIRANA TERA, FERAS ZAIN INTERN SHADEN KHALIL ON-LINE WRITERS AHMED HICHAM, HAYA ARAFA, MALAK NAGUIB RELATIONSHIP EXPERT MARWA RAKHA SOCIOLOGY EXPERT MICHAEL RYAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER MARWA SABAH HEAD GRAPHIC DESIGNER MOHAMED MAHER MARKETING AND ADVERTISING MANAGER RIHAM YEHIA DIGITAL MEDIA SENIOR NOURHAN YEHIA DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST STEVE NABEEL WEBSITE COMPANY QPIX SOLUTIONS DISTRIBUTION COMPANY AL AHRAM PRINTING HOUSE INTERNATIONAL PRINTING HOUSE (IPH) IDENTITY MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTORS ASHRAF FOUAD & ESSAM IBRAHIM 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. Published by Beezarre Publishing Ltd. Themistokli Dervi, 6 Papyros Building, 4th Floor, Flat/Office D5 – P.c 1066, Nicosia, Cyprus. The Subscription rate to Identity is 180 L.E. for one year (12 issues) by Al Ahram, Tel: 02-27703190 Contact us at: 26A Montazah St., Zamalek, Cairo-Egypt. Tel: 02-27361187 Mobile: 0122-9401071 email: sendus@identity-mag.com www.identity-mag.com

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IDENTITY contents

IDENTITY way of life

6 YOU ARE NOT ALONE... 8 WHAT IS A FAMILY? 10 EIGHT REASONS BEHIND COMMITMENT ISSUES!

12 THE MARRIAGE DILEMMA 14 THE DARK SIDE OF AN

IDENTITY how you got there

24 CONFESSIONS OF A MARRIED WOMAN

IDENTITY lifestyle

28 HOW TO GET READY FOR A DATE

EGYPTIAN OPEN-MINDED GUY

16 THINGS GUYS AND GIRLS DO IN A RELATIONSHIP

18 EIGHT THINGS TO REPLACE A

46

32 AN ARTSY BLAST 38 CAPTIVATED BY ART PROFESSIONAL VALENTINE’S GIFTS

RELATIONSHIP WITH

20 DO YOU EVER GET OVER YOUR FIRST LOVE

22 HOW TO DEAL WITH AN EXLOVER

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IDENTITY perspective

48 WHY WOULD YOU BREAK UP WITH YOUR PARTNER

50 WHAT DOES VALENTINE ‘S PRESENT TO YOU?

52 DIARIES OF A THIRTY EIGHTYEAR-OLD EGYPTIAN SPINSTER!

54 FALL IN LOVE WITH YOURSELF FIRST

56 MOVIES YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS!

IDENTITY bits & pieces

58 PLAN SOMETHING FOR YOUR VALENTINE

60 SNAPS & LATEST NEWS 64 HOROSCOPES



IDENTITY way of life Are you facing some struggles in your relationship? Send us your problem to: sendus@identity-mag.com and our relationship expert, Marwa Rakha, will be happy to help you out!

YOU ARE NOT ALONE... Dear Marwa, I’m a wife and mother of a little girl. My husband is a heartless brutal man who finds every excuse to physically assault me on regular basis. He never really hit me or abused me when we were still engaged but I admit compromising my choice hoping he might change after marriage. I was desperate to get married to put an end to my parents’ and society’s constant pressure. Anyways, I finally had the courage to leave him, took my daughter and returned to my parent’s house only to realize that I was financially dependent and won’t be able to raise my daughter on my own if he refused to pay for her expenses!! I sadly got back together and regret it every day with all my heart. I’m rejecting him physically and emotionally; I can’t take it any longer but unfortunately can’t walk out either, what should I do?

Dear Abused,

You are not alone! There are so many women in almost every country you could think of who share your woes! Some men are abusive! This is a fact! This is not the time or place to discuss why they grew up to be violent or how they should be punished or where they could find therapy! Your husband will never change! He will hit you whenever he feels like hitting you! You are his wife, you belong to him, you live under his roof, and you live by his rules! He might also hit your daughter! He will certainly hit you in front of your daughter! This is all very bad news, but the worst piece of news I have to share with you is that your daughter might grow up to be just like you and get married to a man just like him – this is a pattern that is almost unbreakable!

You got married because of societal pressures, you chose this man because of familial pressures, and now you are still in this marriage because of financial pressures! How can you protect your daughter from all that pressure? How can you make sure she never walks the famous mile in your shoes? How can you nurture her into becoming a strong independent woman? Unfortunately, I have no advice for you! I have no ideas for “an easy buck”, I have no magical wand to alleviate all that pressure, I have no command over your husband, and I have no means to rescue your little girl from you! I could sit here behind my keyboard and ask you to get a job but you must have already thought of that and decided that you could not. I could ask you to start a home business but you must have thought of that and decided that you would fail. I could ask you to lean on your family for support but you must know how controlling and critical they would be of you and the way you are raising your child. There are no shelters in Egypt that I know of that would take you and your daughter in and rehabilitate you into a functional productive independent woman! Just take the occasional slap and swallow your tears and pride until your time on earth expires! Maybe in another lifetime you would have the strength to take charge of your actions and decisions. Maybe then you would get a second chance at enjoying the happiness that comes along with being empowered and independent. I have no guarantees that you would get a second chance in another lifetime but only hope that you would make the best use of the life you have been given this time around!

Marwa Rakha

RELATIONSHIP EXPERT

Please note that Marwa Rakha’s response did not give the abused wife much hope or provide light at the end of the tunnel simply because she had made it clear that she was not ready to walk out of this marriage or venture into a new life for her and her daughter when it could mean a lower standard of living. The wife was ready to give up her dignity and pride but not compromise her quality of life. One cannot seek advice and help when they are predetermined and know for sure they’re not willing to make changes.

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IDENTITY way of life

WHAT IS A FAMILY? What is a family? This seemingly obvious question can have lots of not-soobvious answers. A family can

be people with whom we share a certain genetic history or blood lineage (our parents, children, cousins), people whom we spend our lives with in arranged legal situations (spouses, adopted children), or, to many, people with whom we feel especially close connections (friends, godparents, good family friends). Sometimes we love people we consider to be family (and sometimes not!), and sometimes we consider family people who we love. And no matter which of the aforementioned types of family we consider, all of them can, and will, be changed. Your spouse becomes a

legal family member after you are married but will no longer be legal family if you get a divorce. Our birth parents are our family but so are step-parents. Our siblings are family but so are the siblings of our spouse. The question of what a family is, it seems, is more complicated than it might first appear. We tend to accept that family need not depend on direct blood relations. We have no blood connection to our spouses, for example, and it is exactly with them that we start families of our own. How far we are willing to push that line of non-blood relations, however, can be a bit more

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confusing. Some people consider their good friends, godparents, and close family friends to be family, or “like family”. The closeness we feel to these people can sometimes be more important than any genetic similarities we might share. Sociologists talk about a difference between families of birth, or those people with whom we have a direct blood or legal relationship, and families of choice, or those people with whom we build familial relations but with whom we are not genetically or legally related. For many people, families of choice can be far more important than their families of birth. In these cases, personal bonds are deemed more important than legal relationships in determining how one thinks of their “family”. Families can also come in all shapes, forms, and sizes. Some people never marry or have children, others marry, divorce, and marry again, and others have multiple spouses at one time. Some people have step-families or families-in-law, or both. Some people have no connection at all to their blood families and so live entirely among families of choice. In fact, there is no one single version of what a family should be that is shared by all people across all cultures.

One noticeable recent trend in global family life is that families everywhere are becoming increasingly diverse. More people are more likely to marry someone from outside of their own group – be it religious, class, racial, ethnic, or geographic. This increasing blending of difference has also led to an associated higher tolerance for different types of families and relationships in many places which, in turn, has led to an increasing diversity of family types. The most important thing is that we recognize the importance of families to our lives, no matter how they are defined. Egypt is noteworthy for the emphasis it places on the importance of family and the central role family life plays in the life of the individual. So perhaps the most important lesson is that no matter what, or who, you consider your family to be, that you remember to cherish them for what they represent to you!

Dr. Michael Ryan

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY (THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN CAIRO)



IDENTITY way of life

EIGHT REASONS BEHIND COMMITMENT ISSUES!

We often hear of commitment issues nowadays; many people get quite intimidated by the word commitment whether work commitment, family commitment or -the scariest of all- relationship commitment. However, we never fully understood the reasons behind our fear of commitment.

Some people acknowledge their fear of relationships, others only deny it. However, we all have something in common; we never fail to find reasons to flee from the relationship and RUNNN!!! We either become too picky trying to find any flaws in the potential partner or claim we’re not ready yet. We just find the EASY way out!! AFRAID OF BEING BROKEN AGAIN Most of us have gone through heart-wrecking relationships and ended up being broken. Consciously or subconsciously, we want to never experience this feeling again. So, we end up avoiding all of it, the good and the bad. WAITING FOR SOMETHING BETTER TO COME ALONG Some people fear that by being in a relationship they might be missing out on something better. Even though that’s very common, but when you come to think of it, this is just stupid!! You might miss out on a great relationship just because you are too concerned that a better one might be in store for you. YOU’RE AFRAID YOU’LL LOSE YOUR FREEDOM Losing your freedom is something that you and only YOU are responsible for. A relationship will never be the reason to tie you down unless you allow it to! As long as you choose the right person – the one who supports you and shares your dreams, the one who loves you the way you are and wouldn’t want to change you except for the better-. The sense of freedom is one of the best feelings one can experience, losing it is completely up to you. YOU’VE BEEN EXPOSED TO BAD EXAMPLES Whether your parents got divorced and had endless problems, or you have been there all the way through your best friend’s break up; either way you have developed a negative image about marriage or relationships that can hardly be reversed.

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DON’T WANT TO FEEL DEPENDENT OR VULNERABLE Some people are born proud and independent and hate the feeling of dependency, even in the simplest of ways. TRUST ISSUES You simply find it hard to trust anyone with yourself. You get scared they might take you for granted, cheat, lie, leave you, or break you. It’s also related to being exposed to a situation in the past where you have lost your trust in someone. So, you end up setting very tight boundaries for the other person and scare them away. FEAR OF BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR ANOTHER PERSON Being responsible for your self is one thing and being responsible for a beloved one is completely different. SCARED OF FAILURE Some people have fear of failure; they are perfectionists. They’re always thinking of what if scenarios: what if we changed, what if it didn’t work out… And the list goes on. Well, you’ll never get it right if you didn’t try.

Mirana Tera JUNIOR EDITOR



IDENTITY way of life

THE MARRIAGE DILEMMA: “MR. RIGHT” VS. “THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE” THE RIGHT ONE

The right one is ‘that’ one, you have most probably met at a formal event, whether your best friend’s wedding, or a random conference at work. The guy has got everything going for him, really! He is rich, handsome, religious, comes from a socially renowned status, and above all else, he loves you. Of course, your family and friends persistently push you to marry him for obvious financial security and social status! You think about it, and ask yourself whether you will be happy or not. You take your time, days or even months thinking about him until you finally make your decision. You eventually say ‘No’, because there is no chemistry between you and convince yourself that the guy is perfect, but just not for you.

THE ONE YOU LOVE

In marriage, you either follow your heart or your mind, and in both cases the decision is never easy. The ‘right one’ is so right and the one ‘you love’ is your ‘everything’! So what do you do? Some people would advise you to follow your mind and marry the’ right’ one, because ‘love begins after marriage anyway. This might not be necessarily true though! Others might advise you to follow your heart and marry the love of your life, the man you are madly in love with! This seems pretty awesome but you are nevertheless sceptical of his social, financial, or religious ‘issues’. Is one choice ultimately better than the other? Well, maybe yes, maybe not. But as a rule of thumb, no one gets everything in life, because there is no perfection by default.

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This is the love of your life! You have been together for so many years, and it’s time to take one step further and get married! Throughout your relationship, you have truly enjoyed your time together until he surprises you with his proposal. The guy meets your father, and proposes for marriage! This is quite a shock for you! Instead of feeling genuinely thrilled, you feel anxious and hesitant because you feel “it’s getting serious now”. You should have been happy of course, but unfortunately, this is not the case. You start to feel a bit weird about your feelings towards him especially that you have previously refused the ‘right one’ because there was no chemistry. Now you fear getting married to the love of your life, because you have ‘issues’ with him. Or frankly speaking, he is the one who’s got ‘issues’, and you have known it for many years but hardly tried to face them! You love him, but you are still not convinced! Something has kept you worried throughout the relationship! What will you do now? Remember there is no perfection, and this is no easy choice. Getting married is a huge step; deciding to spend the rest of your life with ONE person for richer or poorer, for better for worse, in sickness and in health till death do you part should never be a rushed hasty decision. True, you should trust your heart and follow your instincts but never without using your common sense and the sound judgement of your mind. Remember that whatever you decide will impact your life forever and you cannot afford to mess that up. Life doesn’t always give us second chances.

Engy El Refaee JUNIOR EDITOR

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IDENTITY way of life

THE DARK SIDE OF AN EGYPTIAN OPEN-MINDED GUY

So here is how it goes, close your eyes ladies and gentleman and wake up to the following realities: They have been dating for a while and adore one another. He fell for her strength of character, independence and sharp personality, then they have their first fight…. Drums rolling… He’s furious, pacing up and down like a wild beast, mumbling non-stop, and yelling. How is he expecting his strong independent partner to react? Oh of course, she has to act like the good old obedient half of Adam’s rib, contain her anger, and maintain her composure. He first met her in a bar with girlfriends. He was awfully impressed by how she decently yet firmly turned down every man who attempted to hit on her. Actually it is what initially attracted him to her. A few months into dating and guess what happens? He declares in a frustrated tone that going to bars with her girlfriends is inappropriate because it gives the impression that she is there to be picked up by random men. Of course, she is only allowed to set foot in a bar in his glorious presence. They are an “open minded” bunch. They kiss their friends hello and goodbye. Those were the rules and boundaries she has set for herself before she met him and while they were still at the “let’s give this a try” phase. During their first party, she was so excited to see her friends (males of course) and innocently exchanged hugs and cheek-to-cheek kisses…. He was enraged and steamed with fury: How dare she hug and kiss her male friends?!!! Two minutes later, he sees his female friends and dear Lord, he hugs one passionately as he reaches to kiss the other’s hands. He bit his lips in excitement when he first saw her smoking so gracefully. He even got up to light her second cigarette.

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Two dinners into their relationship, she lights a cigarette. He pauses and looks at her seriously and demands her attention. Guess what he wanted to tell her? “Honey, you know I don’t mind smoking in general but my woman shouldn’t ever be seen smoking in public.” On their first summer trip together, he drooled at the sight of her body in a skimpy red bikini. He felt so proud that her hot figure was by his side. Six months later, they plan to travel together for spring break. He calls her up anxiously and asks her to go shopping for one-piece swimsuits before they leave on their trip. He was, and I repeat, WAS, so excited that he can pull an all-nighter with the girl he wanted to date. He particularly admired her sense of responsibility and independence, but then again when he decided she was the one, she suddenly turned into the “damsel in distress”, needing his protection, surveillance, and of course the infamous curfew. She lived through all those tough moments with him, witnessed his double-standard behaviour, and yet decided to marry him. Few years later, she contacts her friends and starts complaining and nagging about his strange attitude. Girl, you knew it from day one, and you still married him. You cannot blame the guy; GET A LIFE!

Radwa AboulAzm SENIOR EDITOR



IDENTITY way of life

THINGS GUYS AND GIRLS DO IN A RELATIONSHIP AND REGRET LATER

Sometimes girls and guys make compromises in relationships just because they love each other. That’s not necessarily wrong because at the end of the day, commitment is all about giving and taking. But, don’t give too much until there’s nothing else left to give. Here are some things you should be cautious about overdoing and regretting later:

GUYS

GIRLS

one

Giving her a ride basically to anywhere and everywhere. When your relationship gets serious, she will expect you to keep doing all the driving. It becomes your duty out of habit.

two

Showering her with meaningless gifts. Even though that might be really cute and romantic, don’t overdo it because it may be unappreciated and taken for granted after a while. However, it all depends on the girl.

three

Grocery!! At the beginning of the marriage, some guys courageously volunteer to take on the grocery shopping duty. Try shopping together instead, you could actually enjoy it more than doing it solo!

four

Getting unjustifiably worried, and calling too often to check up on her to make sure she’s home.

five Going out all the time. six Giving up your “Guy time” for her. You might end up

without “thy guys”.

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one

Some girls are thrilled to have their guys in control. They might actually encourage them to stay in command and continue letting go just to satisfy their men’s inflated egos.

two

Cooking and washing the dishes everyday without his help. It’s alright to pamper him occasionally but if you cook everyday and skipped once he’s likely to make a big fuss about it.

three

Letting go of your girlfriends and ending up with no social life.

four

Helping him financially. He eventually takes it for granted and might even stop spending!!


“always remember to smile”

Dr. Mohamed Emad

Tel: 01110551777 - 01066777295 Address: 123 Hassan El Ma’mon st., in front of El Ahly Sporting Clup, Nasr City, Cairo


IDENTITY way of life 1 WORK

Stay focused on your career goals and ambitions.

2 EXERCISE

Start working out, or try something new perhaps kick boxing, yoga or Zumba. If you’re already used to an exercise routine. Stick to a workout schedule even if it’s just brisk walking, jogging or house work.

3 TRAVEL

Travel whenever and wherever you get the chance. See different places, meet different people and learn new things. Travelling clears the mind and heals the soul, and you definitely need that!

4 REBOUND

Well, some people say “you only get over someone by getting under someone else”. You don’t have to “LITERALLY” get under someone of course. What I mean is having a rebound relationship could actually be healthy, even when you still have feelings for your ex.

5 GETTING BACK WITH YOUR FRIENDS

EIGHT THINGS TO REPLACE A RELATIONSHIP WITH Many of us have been through lousy awful breakups that have left us feeling void and empty inside. No matter how civilized a breakup might be, it still remains a heartwrenching traumatizing experience. You shouldn’t give in to this new emptiness or allow it to control you; replace your irretrievable relationship with activities that fill up your day and feed your soul.

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Some people tend to neglect their friends and drift away from them when they are in a relationship. If this is the case, then it’s by time you mend your friendships and hook up with your close buddies.

6 HOBBIES/COURSES

Expose yourself to new things; enroll in new courses: art, philosophy, literature classes or whatever else that interests you. Pursue a hobby that you’ve always admired but never had the time for. It’s also an excellent opportunity to meet new people and get inspired by them.

7 GO CRAZY

Attempt all the wild stuff you never had the guts to try from bungee jumping, sky diving, to hiking in Nepal. Just go crazy!!

8 RE-DISCOVER YOURSELF It’s finally time to get to know yourself better; start writing a journal, reminisce about the past and try to learn. Acknowledge your likes and dislikes.



IDENTITY way of life

DO YOU EVER GET OVER YOUR FIRST LOVE? We all remember our first love; the one we never ever get over. There’s always that special someone who will forever take a place in our hearts and our minds leaving us wondering indefinitely about the never-ending “what If” scenarios. This unique love was so pure because we were so young, innocent and inconsiderate of anything other than the joy of being with this one person. Experiencing everything for the first time is what makes this first love is so special; the feeling of butterflies in your stomach, your heart almost skipping a beat just at the sight of your love. You know for sure it’s not just friendship, it’s so much more. This first love was easy because we were still raw and virgin, undamaged yet by past experiences that change us and usually make us tougher and more realistic than we should be. We didn’t have any expectations or fears either. We become more experienced in our coming relationships; we are not as foolish and gullible as we used to be. It ended ultimately at some point, for a reason or another leaving us heartbroken for the first time. Unfortunately, the first heart break is as painfully unforgettable as the first love. Ever since, you probably stopped believing in fairytale love stories that you used to daydream about.

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The only way to overcome the ‘first love’ controversy is by encountering our true ‘real love’. Only then, we realize that our first love was never love in the first place but a mere infatuation, crush or physical attraction due to the raging hormones that pretty much controlled us when we were young and immature. We accept the fact that we were driven by irrational emotions and sexual desires, not by reason or rational. Our first love becomes a sweet memory that draws a smile on our faces every time we mention them or even meet them in person.



IDENTITY way of life

HOW TO DEAL WITH AN EX-LOVER

Whether it’s been two minutes, two days, or two years since you’ve been unceremoniously dumped by the so-called love of your life, one thing is certain: It sure isn’t easy to get them out of your mind and move on. Will you ever stop feeling those painful twinges when you hear their name? 1) When you meet them

Take a deep breath and relax; it’s just a casual encounter, be confident and friendly. Everything shall be alright.

2) Have a friendly chat

It’s impossible that this will turn into an extensive heartto-heart visit on the grounds that your ex is likely to be as excited to see you again as you are them. Try to avoid panicking by not expressing any outward anxiety like twisting your fingers or pulling your hair.

3) Focus on the negative

No matter what happened between you and your ex, you might spend a lot of time thinking about giving things another (ill-advised) shot. So whether it’s an oldfashioned pro and con list that you read when you wanted to ask your ex out again, or a print-out of a blistering e-mail you were sent during a fight, seeing the pain in black and white can keep you from going back to a bad situation.

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4) Don’t put down your ex in front of others

If you speak in a derogatory fashion about someone you once loved, those close to you may fear that you will talk about them in the same manner.

5) Be friends

As long as your behaviour is appropriate and you don’t favour your ex over your children or current partner, being friends with an ex can be a good thing. It shows your kids how mature adults should behave and helps both families deal with the inevitable speed-bumps that occur along life’s highway.

6) Use humour to ease the tension of the situation

Crack a few jokes to bring on a smile, ask them something out of the blue like “So how’s your mother these days?” or “Yeah, I’m great although a bit tired”.

Feras Zain

JUNIOR EDITOR



IDENTITY how you got there

CONFESSIONS OF A MARRIED WOMAN Zeinab Al Ashry is a 27-year-old business entrepreneur and founder of increasingly popular ‘Confessions of a Married Woman’ Facebook page. She pioneered creating a platform for married women to anonymously vent out and freely speak their minds about their marriage problems to exchange ideas and get insights from other married women. TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF IN A FEW WORDS? I’m 27 years old, and have been married for a year and a half. I’m a Political Science graduate who found her passion in the Marketing & Advertising fields. After 5 years of work and completing my MBA, my brother and I founded a new start up/ company in the mobile development field called “LocName”. WHAT MADE YOU THINK OF CREATING YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE ‘CONFESSIONS OF A MARRIED WOMAN’? WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE? It all began when I got married and started facing a lot of challenges. After chatting with many of my friends, I realized that most of us faced the same problems yet we never properly addressed them. Regardless of our cultural or educational backgrounds, we all believed it was still a taboo to discuss any marriage problems, not only sex! My purpose was to create a platform where women can freely and anonymously vent out without being judged or mocked. It has become like a therapy group where women of common interests and backgrounds can share problems or confessions and ask for help, or seek an unbiased opinion from total strangers. It is a closed group which means that your comments will remain private and won’t ever appear on your newsfeed. WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE, GIVEN THAT IT’S A CLOSED GROUP? Actually my audience started out as group of 50 of my close friends who were married or about to get married, so basically females starting the age of 21. Now the group has almost reached 2,500 members mostly by referrals from existing members. There is no plan to market the group and so far, members have learnt about it through word of mouth. CONFESSIONS ARE REALLY HARD TO MAKE; DO YOU SEE THEM PROVIDING MUTUAL BENEFIT ESPECIALLY THAT ADVICE IS USUALLY GIVEN BY ORDINARY UNPROFESSIONAL WOMEN (NOT DOCTORS, MARRIAGE COUNSELLORS OR LIFE COACHES)? It is just a place to provide the confessor with different, unbiased, and anonymous perspectives and opinions about their situation. We make it very clear that this is not the place for medical advice or counselling. In general, I honestly believe that the confessors are not actually looking for medical advice; all they need is emotional support, a pat on the shoulder, or a prayer even if from strangers.

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WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS FACING MARRIED WOMEN TODAY? ACCORDINGLY WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THOSE PROBLEMS? Sexual problems and misconceptions are the most common. We have a huge heritage of misinformation and sex taboos that are difficult to change and overcome no matter how educated we are. Financial problems come second. The fact that most married couples now work is still confusing for a lot, regarding how to manage financials in house and who’s entitled of what exactly. In the past, most women were typically housewives so everything was much simpler and clearer. Newly married couples nowadays have to find, by trial and error, the most suitable and comfortable way to manage, as there is no clear benchmark for such issues. SINCE MANY OF THE CONFESSIONS ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE AND CONFIDENTIAL, HOW WOULD YOU GUARANTEE MUTUAL TRUST BETWEEN YOU AND OTHER WOMEN WHO SHARE THE SAME PROBLEMS? The best guarantee is that the confessor’s identity always remains anonymous; all confessions are sent via “survey monkey”, which is a website used by scholars to send surveys and collect anonymous replies. INSTEAD OF CONFINING YOURSELF TO THE FACEBOOK PAGE AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION, ARE YOU THINKING OF TAKING THIS INITIATIVE ONE STEP FURTHER TO GET MORE EXPOSURE THROUGH OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, LIKE ESTABLISHING A WEBSITE WHERE ANY WOMAN CAN PUBLICLY POST HER PROBLEM? I’ve been thinking lately of how to take this group to the next level but the private nature of the group, which is its core and most distinguished feature, could be lost if moved to other social media platforms..What I have in mind is a blog or a website that provides useful content which reflects the problems in the group. The articles should discuss them from a generic and top level perspective while protecting the privacy of the topics and confessions.



h W aT’S ON

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* FIVE THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOUSSEF WAHBI

* GOLDEN GLOBES 2015 BEST DRESSED

* WEDDING PROPOSALS MASRY OM EL AGNABY

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RELATIONSHIPS For all the signs & tips to be the perfect lover.

LIFESTYLE Home Decor, health, fitness, recipes, and everything in between.

EGYPTIANIZED Enjoy Egypt & it’s beauty and laugh while reading Egyptian fun stories.

GO DEEP For self improvement tips and interesting one-on-one interviews.

STYLE Get all the insights on the world of fashion and beauty.

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IDENTITY lifestyle

HOW TO GET READY FOR A DATE Getting ready for a date might be very tricky. The only sound advice is be yourself and feel comfortable!

MAKE-UP

CLASSICAL

You can never go wrong with red lips and black eyeliner. It fits everyone as long as you pick the perfect shade of red that suits you.

BOLD EYES Focusing makeup on the eyes never fails to add drama to your look and it somehow adds depth to you.

MINIMAL/ NATURAL

And if you are not going out at night you’d better play it safe and keep your make up natural and minimal with wearing light lipstick and toning your eye makeup down.

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BEAUTY FACIAL, LIP AND BODY SCRUB: Combine two parts milk with one part brown sugar and a few drops of pure vanilla extract (optional) in a bowl. GLOWING SKIN FACIAL MASK: Combine two parts plain yogurt (Greek or regular, the fattier the better!) and one part honey in a small bowl. Spread it all over your face and sit back for 10-15 minutes. Rinse with warm water and reveal a brighter, calmer you. PERFECT PEDICURE: • Soak your feet in a bowl filled with warm water and your favourite shower gel. • Use a foot scrub (or you can also use the brown sugar scrub ) to exfoliate the dead skin. Massage each foot for a minute or two with a quarter-size blob of scrub. Start at your heel and work your way out to your toes, ankles, and calves using tiny circular motions. Rinse off with warm water. • Buff away the dead skin with a stone. Using a back-and-forth motion, lightly scrape your heels, the bottoms of your feet, and your toes. The key is to be gentle—you want to abrade only the very top layer of skin, not rub your flesh raw. And don’t even think about attacking calluses with a razor blade! • Get rid of your cuticles!! Either by cutting them off using a skin clipper, or by pushing them inside. • Trim your nails straight across, then smooth the edges with a nail file (a glass file is best). Giving them a slightly rounded shape helps prevent painful ingrown nails.

Being yourself is a lot easier when you feel beautiful inside out!

• Moisturize and Massage: Using a circular motion, massage a quartersize dollop of cream all over your feet and lower legs. Then, with the knuckle of your index finger, press down gently into the arch of one foot and knead; repeat on the other foot.

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IDENTITY lifestyle EDGY Go EDGY all the way and stun your date. Dare to look BOLD

OUTFITS

the perfect outfit

Forever 21 Gold Necklace

Forever 21 Necklace

H&M Jumpsuit

H&M Top

H&M Necklace

H&M Blazer ASOS Plum boots

Zara Leather Shoes

H&M Leather pants

the perfect outfit

ASOS Blue Heels

Forever 21 Necklace

H&M Earrings H&M Blazer

Aldo Black Sandals

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CLASSICAL Looking CLASSICAL will never fail you. Throw a LBD and a pair of heels on and you’ll never regret it.

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Phase Eight Black Dress

Asos Havan Boots

Phase Eight Floral Dress


MORNING ACCESSORIES If you are chilling out with your partner on Valentine’s morning, you should go for very simple accessories; there is no need to be serious! Here are some pieces that would add a unique twist of beauty for the day time; whether you are classic or a bohemian, you will always find something to complement your attire!

JEWELLERY MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

VALENTINO

MARNI

EVENING ACCESSORIES: It’s Valentine’s evening, the time to look and feel glamorous. Classy luxurious accessories will make you shine on the big day; just make sure they complement your dress. Authentic jewellery would be the perfect choice for this romantic occasion! If your dress is simple, opt for bold daring accessories.

ROSANTICA

LANVIN

ERICKSON BEAMON

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AN ARTSY BLAST IDENTITY lifestyle

Last month, we were invited by Photopia, a hub for photographers living in Egypt, to sponsor a styling workshop. Photopia caters to photography enthusiasts, rising talents and professional artists in an authentic friendly venue where their talents are captured, supported and enhanced. Different of workshops are on offer for all kinds of artists. The workshop was conducted by Kegham Djeghalian who is a Paris based multidisciplinary visual artist, fashion stylist and art director. He studied Visual Arts at the American University in Cairo before heading to London where he studied Visual Culture and Design at Goldsmiths College University of London, and Fashion Studies at Central Saint Martins and London College of Fashion. The workshop was a Four-day event of extended creativity. Four projects were spread over the four days; only the last one was a group activity. Sixteen artists with different artistic backgrounds were divided into four groups, each group given a short video to extract one concept from to present it in a photo-shoot. You’ll be seeing how impressive the outcome is in the next couple of pages!!

PHOTOGRAPHER: MARWAN ABD EL-ALIM, MAKEUP ARTIST: DIANA HARBY, STYLING: MIRANA TERA & YOMNA EKRAM

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MODEL: VIVIANE SAFWAT, PHOTOGRAPHER: LOUAY NASSER, ART DIRECTION AND STYLING : VIVIAN SAFWAT, NADA AKRAM, LAYLA MAHER & LOUAY NASSER


MODEL: AMINA ZAHER, PHOTGRAPHER: MOHAMED KHALIFA, ART DIRECTION AND STYLING: AMNA ABDELRAHMAN, MOAAZ EL BEHERY, AMINA ZAHER & MOHAMED KHALIFA

MODELS: MOAAZ EL BEHERY AND AMINA ZAHER, PHOTOGRAPHER: MOHAMED KHALIFA, ART DIRECTION AND STYLING: AMNA ABDELRAHMAN, MOAAZ EL BEHERY, AMINA ZAHER & MOHAMED KHALIFA


MODEL: AMINA ZAHER, PHOTGRAPHER: MOHAMED KHALIFA, ART DIRECTION AND STYLING: AMNA ABDELRAHMAN, MOAAZ EL BEHERY, AMINA ZAHER & MOHAMED KHALIFA


MODELS: KEGHAM DJEGHALIAN AND THERESE ANTOINE, PHOTOGRAPHER: EMMA EL HAWARY, ART DIRECTION AND STYLING BY: DOAA SHAWKY, WESSAM GHONEIM, THERESE ANTOINE AND EMMA EL HAWARY


MODELS: THERESE ANTOINE, PHOTOGRAPHER: DOAA SHAWKY, ART DIRECTION AND STYLING BY: DOAA SHAWKY, WESSAM GHONEIM, THERESE ANTOINE AND EMMA EL HAWARY

MODELS: KEGHAM DJEGHALIAN AND THERESE ANTOINE, PHOTOGRAPHER: EMMA EL HAWARY, ART DIRECTION AND STYLING BY: DOAA SHAWKY, WESSAM GHONEIM, THERESE ANTOINE AND EMMA EL HAWARY


IDENTITY lifestyle

CAPTIVATED

by art

PHOTOGRAPHER: BATOOL AL DAAWI FASHION STYLIST: FARAH EL SAYED MAKEUP ARTIST: MAHMOUD RASHAD HAIR DRESSER: RAFI

Heba Mandour daughter of well-known leftist Mohamed Abou Mandour, a political science graduate was very confused and undecided about what to do in life. At first, she worked for the UNDP then switched to the marketing field before she was fed up with both. Her friend encouraged her to give TV journalism a shot and become a news anchor. That did not appeal to her either and it was not long before she found her focus in life and unveiled her love for acting. She was an entertainment TV presenter and she had a popular talk show on Dream channel called ‘Sahar El Layaly’. She also contributed in ‘El Hara’ series and ‘Ghamdet Ein.’ Heba loves acting, dancing and singing and she appreciates all sorts of art. She specifically loves to dance; she was also a synchronized swimmer. Her favourite classic female actresses are: Shadia, Soad Hosny, Nadia Lotfy, Faten Hamama, and Hend Rostom. From the contemporary ones, she’s a huge fan of Nelly Karim, Hend Sebry, Mona Zaki, and Rania Youssef. She thinks that 25th January revolution did not succeed primarily because the Muslim Brotherhood took advantage of it. Also, the liberal political organizations in Egypt are still quite ‘weak’ and inexperienced. 42 FEB identity-mag.com

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behind the scenes IDENTITY

“I’m neither a liberal nor a communist; I combine bits and pieces of both. I’m against categorizing people as ‘communists’ or anything else. I am simply Heba.”

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IDENTITY lifestyle

“I define ‘Art’ as the movement back and forth towards extremes, even if you are at risk of insanity.” Her favourite international actresses are Meryl Streep and Kate Winslet, and her favourite international actors are Daniel Day Lewis, Daniel Day Lewis, and Daniel Day Lewis She also loves Danzel Washington. When it comes to Egyptian actors, her favourites are Roushdi Abaza, Omar Elsherif, particularly after he aged, and Mohsen Mohy Eldeen. As for directors she loves Atef el Tayeb, Hussein Kamal, Youssef Shahin, and Kamal Elsheikh.

“D&G is one of my favourite fashion brands. I love clothes that stand out, and I love to mix and match clothes together.”

BLACK BODY SUIT AVAILABLE AT THE DRESSING ROOM, CAGE SKIRT BASE BY RABEA ESA, NECKLACE BY A NECKLACE A DAY, RINGS ARE STYLISTS OWN

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SEQUINS DRESS AVAILABLE AT THE DRESSING ROOM, NECKLACE BY A NECKLACE A DAY

“I used to practice T25, yoga, stretching and weight lifting. I would love to try kite surfing and pole dancing in the future. But as for now, I just do meditation, yoga or stretching”.

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“I’m a Taurus and I believe in the importance of Chinese horoscopes” HEADPIECE BY A NECKLACE A DAY

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TOP BY TEELA DESIGNS AVAILABLE AT THE DRESSING ROOM

“I’m not fond of Drama Queens!”

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IDENTITY lifestyle

PROFESSIONAL VALENTINE’S GIFTS

If he is a dentist, it shouldn’t be complicated. You can think of a creative personalized accessory for the clinic, maybe a wall clock featuring teeth, toothbrushes and floss or even a dentist wooden card holder! You can make your own gift out of an empty tissue box, and maybe design a teeth monster? You could get a bit artistic by wrapping a tooth brush with an over-sized heart-shaped card.

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If you are looking for a creative Valentine’s Day gift for your partner this year, it’s time to break away from the chocolates and flowers cliché routine. Instead of opting for expensive gifts, it’s time to think out of the box, for a change. Generally, gifts need not be expensive, on the contrary. You can even personalize your gift according to your partner’s profession, whether they are doctors, fashionistas, or writers. Now feel the new buzz and get him/her a creative memorable present that will make a long lasting impression.


If she is a talented gifted writer, you’d better think of a special gift that would sweep her off her feet! How about ordering a beautiful necklace showcasing her engraved name and job post? If she is a bit authentic, spiritual or a hippie, she might appreciate a silver Victorian necklace.

If he is an engineer, you better think like Einstein! Engineers get excited over the smallest most boring things; a personalized T-shirt will make him a happy baby! You can also buy him a Maths-themed tie, with symbols, numbers and equations; it would be his most favourite Valentine’s present ever!

If she is a stylish fashionista, you might want to complement her wardrobe with a trendy makeup case, surprise her with a box full of colourful buttons or buy her next summer’s attire, wrapping it all in a big red ribbon; she will surely love it!!!!

If he is an accountant, he is probably a mainstream freak! He lives in the world of numbers and equations! He would get ecstatic over a creative shirt about taxation, or a transaction-like mug! If she is an accountant, surprise her with a sexy gift or a personalized coffee mug. If she is a housewife, she would probably appreciate a personalized home accessory. Make her feel special by buying her an elegant frame with her favourite family photos. Have you tried making her a raspberry vanilla milkshake? I bet you that would shake her emotions upside-down!

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IDENTITY perspective

WHY WOULD YOU BREAK UP WITH YOUR PARTNER Let’s be honest: Some relationships just aren’t meant to be; breakups might actually be a way of avoiding greater turmoils. We’ve all been in relationships (or most of us anyway), and we all know how good or bad they can be, depending on what we like or dislike about our partner. Here is what some people had to say about breakups in a survey conducted by Identity: Ladies first.. Why would you break up with your boyfriend? All really good points, but is that the worst thing in the world? “If he’s cheap, selfish, or impolite and only cares about himself all the time; if he only shares his bad moments and never the good ones; if he thinks what I do for a living is either haram or 3eib, doesn’t respect the way I think or act, reflects his insecurities on me, and doesn’t support me. It all comes down to this: unappreciative mean pricks who are not driven, honest or nice .. And oh yes, cowards! :))”

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“If he’s insecure, judgmental, and narcissistic or lacks confidence; if he’s a liar, a cheater or ... last but not at all the least, a Mama’s boy.” “If he underestimates my capabilities, compares me to his mom, and keeps discouraging me to feel superior; if he is self-centered, and believe me when a guy is self-centered, it’s 100 times worse than if a girl is self-centered. Finally if he failed me in a situation where he didn’t act like a responsible man.”

“If he’s insecure, lacks ambition and lives by double standards; if he underestimates me, my job, or... Anything about me! If he takes me for granted, doesn’t respect my personal space and my individual interests, like my time alone with my girlfriends... Just my own “me” time.”


Well, we heard from the ladies, what about the guys? Why would you break up with your girlfriend? “Disrespect”, “Monotony”, “Cheating”,“Lack of trust”, “Jealousy” or “Clinginess”. If she’s a talkative control freak who has the ability to pick up a fight from scratch just to have fun; if she’s a makeup addict who goes for multi colours and odours; if she’s a needy drama queen, and not a secret keeper; or if she is a spoilt high maintenance diva who suffers from a princess complex.” “She feels entitled to the very finest in life, with very little of her own effort exerted to earn it.”

Well, we heard from both sides; there are some points in common but what are the worst ones amongst both?

“If we can’t make a meaningful conversation; if she doesn’t love me anymore; if I don’t feel like it’s leading anywhere; if we fall out of love; if I start crushing and caring for other girls or if we start running out of conversations.”

CHEATING

Do I really need to dwell over this? You put your loyalty and trust into someone and they betray it, maybe they got fed up? They could have broken up; no one should ever do it. HYGIENE

I actually have to mention this, believe it or not. If you smell bad, you turn me off, it’s worse for guys than it is for girls. I don’t want to chase my girlfriend with my deodorant.

Lying

If you’re the one I love, why should I be doing this? The Ex

They are exes for a reason; never compare or bring them up in a conversation for any reason what so ever. If you want them so bad, you shouldn’t have left them in the first place. Nobody likes to hear about exes. Ever.

“She has a delusional sense of self-importance and entitlement due to being female and gets her way most of the time (honeypotting her way up in life 24/7).”

CHANGING YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER

If you were a walking embarrassment, I can’t and won’t change you because that’s who you are and that’s who I fell in love with.

I can keep going on for days about this; we all have our different opinions so what do you think about it?

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IDENTITY perspective

WHAT DOES VALENTINE’S REPRESENT TO YOU? In Egypt, people tend to go overboard and take everything to the next level. Not only do they seemingly colour the entire country in red but also decorate their cars with hearts, flashy lights and stickers. Valentine’s Day. Whoever said that it ought to be limited to sentimental affection? No other day can summon such compelling symbolism of chocolate, blooms, sentiment and adoration. It is an economically planned day that incites unequivocally separated responses. Let us not get into too much detail concerning the stickers; we know how far we can go with it, so funny and cheesy. Let’s hear what some people had to say about Valentine’s.

Women:

“Romantic dinner, beautiful flowers and quality time away from all the stress.” “It’s an event created for all the insecure couples who keep lying to themselves that they are living the most passionate love story.” “It’s a day when the whole world celebrates love.” “A day created by multinational companies in order to suck money out of us as part of a very elaborate marketing scheme.” “Men find it too commercial but women don’t mind the presents. The end.” “Absolutely nothing, fortunately enough to my special someone.” “Reminder/refreshment to express our love when life and responsibilities become too demanding.” “Celebrating such events varies from one person to another depending on their status! I love Valentine’s Day because I am in love, and find it an amazing opportunity to do something special in the midst of our busy lives!”

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Guys:

“The day a bishop from Umbria was executed on the Via Flaminia... also an excuse to be corny and stupidly in love. He was sentenced to death because he tried to convince Emperor Claudius to convert to Christianity after convincing his first judge to do so by healing his blind daughter. He was asked to denounce Jesus or be beaten by clubs and beheaded, which he didn’t. He was executed outside the Flaminian Gate on February 14th, 269” “You don’t need Valentine’s day to be kind to someone or show them your love.” “Too much red everywhere and cheap ugly red teddy bears.” “Movies show fictional happy endings about the lovers we secretly loved all the time but never told them, and when we finally do, we find out they surprisingly share the same feelings too. If you love someone, *not just a relationship- a son - a brother- a sister*, you do not need a specific day to show it by presenting roses or gifts. If you were to die before Valentine’s Day, at least you would’ve showed your love already.” “I find it a stupid, corny and commercial day that was stripped of any meaning it might have had one day. It’s pretentious for love to be bounded by rules, specific dates to celebrate, or frames.”

Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny that Valentine’s Day is a worldwide celebration. It offers us a special chance to embrace another point of view on how we decide to praise love. The customary methodology of blossoms, cards, and sentiment lives up to expectations delightfully for some. For others, a presentation of adoration towards kids, folks, or companions can be just as remunerating. Couples have very few occasions where they celebrate in specific ways. On their anniversary, they go out for an extravagant supper. In Christmas, they unite under the mistletoe. On New Year’s Eve, they kiss when the clock strikes midnight. Once in a while, it can seem like they only do the privileged things on certain celebrations like birthdays, Valentine’s Day and so forth; they’re ready for whatever remains of the year. At the same time a solid relationship will incorporate correspondence of affection much more than a couple times each year. In the event that there’s no consistent communication of deliberate love and administration between couples except on exceptional events, that is called ‘parallel lives’, not a relationship. Similarly, all the buildup around Valentine’s Day sways men to express their affection with roses and chocolates. While there’s nothing innately the matter with this—occasionally they are the ideal blessing; there are such a large number of distinctive approaches to convey love. Anyway amidst all the different method for showing adoration to others, let us not overlook the profits of taking care of our own needs. This coming Valentine’s Day, treat yourself to the same thing you offer beloved friends and family, and endeavour to show yourself a little love!

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IDENTITY perspective

DIARIES OF A

Thirty Eight-Year-Old

EGYPTIAN SPINSTER! 56

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A

s I celebrate my 38th birthday today, I recall how people wished me happy belated birthdays a few years back but that’s all different now, at least the way I feel about their greetings. Despite the fact that 38 might seem like an old age for some people, beloved family members included, it’s not yet for me. It is quite the opposite actually. Let me tell you that I have never felt more alive and young like today, even though others might have been too bothered with my private affairs, social status, and why I have not yet been married. In Egypt, the situation can get really harsh sometimes! People are always pathetically eyeing me and saying “Ah..yea...that poor spinster’. The way they see it is that the clock is ticking and that my time has almost run out when it comes to marriage and fertility, waiting for the perfect man to save me from spinsterhood(3anes).Now, allow me to share with you how the world looks through the eyes of a ‘spinster’, while you people are doing nothing but

In many cases, whenever I see a happy couple, I wonder if I shall ever meet ‘the one’ anytime soon, and then aimlessly walk away with a smile on my face. In other cases, I silently mock myself, questioning why I am being cursed with my own choices, choosing to have dated the wrong men, or refusing to have dated the probably right ones. I sought the help of therapists who usually think the problem is me. Maybe I have egoistic issues but does it really matter? I believe everything is meant to be; my age has always been just a number. I have gone through many good and bad experiences that shaped who I am today. However, let’s agree on the fact that for the past years, I have started to contemplate my life a bit differently, I consider that a milestone. I have searched for a parallel purpose in my life, other than getting married and having kids. I have travelled around the world to find my life resolution. I searched for alternative routes to happiness and inner peace. Enough said, I couldn’t meet my soul mate, and deep down, I’m not quite sure if I am

“I will never ever agree to a man I know is not suitable for me by all means. In a society like ours, no matter how open minded people are, they look down to spinsters.” being judgmental and disapproving. For God’s sake, what am I supposed to do? I will never ever agree to a man I know is not suitable for me by all means. In a society like ours, no matter how open minded people are, they look down to spinsters. ‘Better a man’s shadow than that of a wall’ is an old Egyptian saying advocated by mothers, aunties, and other spinsters. I have always wanted to shout out and say ‘Nonononono! That is not necessarily true!’What if I know for sure he is a womanizer? What if he is an alcoholic? What if he is agnostic? Just examine the divorce rates among young Egyptian couples nowadays, it’s extremely alarming. They probably followed the infamous Egyptian proverb! An Egyptian divorced woman might have known from day one that her man was socially, religiously and financially unsuitable but still went ahead with the marriage anyway... So don’t judge my choice to remain a spinster, question instead why I am still one? I know my life is unconventional and relatively tough. To those around me, I am a successful rich woman, heading a renowned multinational company in the Middle East. I have everything going on for me, except for one thing, a partner. I am still a woman.

meeting him anytime soon. Yet again, that should never stop me from going on an adventure that would really feed my soul. At the end of the day, I should feel blessed for everything that I have been through. I am proud to be ready to leap into the unknown.

Engy El Refaee JUNIOR EDITOR

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IDENTITY perspective

IT’S VALENTINE’S... FALL IN LOVE WITH YOURSELF FIRST

Cheers to a glorious day where our feelings are reduced to streets filled with red flowers, pink balloons, hairy fluffy ugly stuffed animals and over-priced dining venues! Hurray! It’s Valentine’s, the day we have all been waiting for to solidify our notions of love and romanticism through an overly produced highly orchestrated act of pressure to find a mate! If Valentine’s Day isn’t an over arching burden to feel good about ourselves by being in a relationship—aside from the nagging mothers, friends, and relatives-I don’t know what is! I am not a party pooper or a Valentine’s Day hater; on the contrary, I find it cute and a sort of social escapism from the everyday tragedies and darkness of our world. However, I advocate pointing Cupid’s arrow to the love of ourselves for a change. 58 FEB identity-mag.com

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am not suggesting celebrating Valentine’s Day by pampering one’s self or love one’s self; all I am saying is, there are alternative ways to do it. For the love of love, love thy self. At some point in our lives, we have all felt good about who we are through the reaffirmation of a loved one. We needed to hear at times that we are worthy of the love, or that we are good enough, or that we are beautiful, kind, etc… and the list goes on. It is one of the most natural human and humane needs to seek acceptance or reaffirmation. A little of that need may be healthy; an absolute dependence on it however, is slightly problematic. When V’s day becomes the one and only venue to feel love --be it love from others or the love of ourselves-- then we need an intervention. To those of us who celebrate V’s day and all what it brings because it’s a fun opportunity to show different and exciting types of emotions, that’s just sweet, but to those of us who stress over what it means to be alone on that day or what our partners will do to portray their love, I would suggest talking to and loving your inner self. “If you aren’t good at loving yourself, you will have a difficult time loving anyone, since you’ll resent the time and energy you give another person that you aren’t even giving to yourself,” says Barbara De Angelis, American relationship consultant, lecturer and author . In the spirit of V’s day, I call for everyone out there to take a moment to write a list of the things that truly make them happy, take a day off, and act out and live that day. We are always consumed with our lives, like mini productive machines we go through the motions of the day in a race against time; we hardly ever take the time to do something for ourselves or think of how to appreciate ourselves without the affirmation of a loved one. As general as this sounds, at some point in our lives, we all fall in this pit, and hence, I call for nothing but a planned out self-loving, self-fulfilling, self-nurturing and self-pampering day. At the risk of sounding like the most cliché self help book out there—and please bear with me---but as they say, “you need to love yourself first in order to love and be truly loved.” Even though I started out my first few lines with bashing rant on V’s Day, I am actually using this as an excuse to express the importance of the value of self-love and self-investment. So, hey, V’s Day with its red flowers and pink balloons turned to be useful after all. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Since we all have different ways and means of pleasing and loving ourselves, I can only suggest that you do what would draw a smile on your face. Some of us love physical activities while others love to be laid back. I would suggest that before going through the practical forms of self-love, embracing, accepting, and forgiving one’s self should be the first steps. Here are a few pointers:

1. Wake up with a smile. 2. Take a few moments to embrace the quiet

morning and remind yourself of how beautiful you are.

3.

Write a list of things you love about yourself. Yes, it’s totally okay to praise yourself and pat yourself on the back every once in a while.

4.

Write another list of the things you totally dislike about yourself. Then cross out the ones you have worked on.

5.

Then write a list of things that you have been dying to do that make you happy but did not have the time to do. In planning your day, try to fit a few of those things in your day.

6.

To those who love physical activity, workout or practice yoga.

7.

To those who love to be laid back, download your favourite movie, cook yourself a loving warm meal, sit in front of your TV and enjoy, or you can put on your favourite song play list and dance around your room and sing out loud.

8.

Go for the good old mani-pedi or the good old shop till you drop moment, whatever makes you jiggle!

No matter what your list is, make sure you do whatever it takes to make you smile for the rest of your day.

Marwa Sabah

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

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MOVIES YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS!

EVERY CODE IS AN ENIGMA ‘The Imitation Game’ happens to be another Hollywood project that allows many to delve into the past and also face it. Directed by Morten Tyldum, the film revolves around the life, complexities, relationships and achievements of mathematician Alan Turing. Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nailbiting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain’s top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II. During the winter of 1952, British authorities entered the home of mathematician, cryptanalyst and war hero Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) to investigate a reported burglary. Instead, they ended up arresting Turing himself on charges of ‘gross indecency’, an accusation that would lead to his devastating conviction for the criminal offense of homosexuality – little did officials know, they were actually incriminating the pioneer of modern-day computing. Famously leading a motley group of scholars, linguists, chess champions and intelligence officers, he was credited with cracking the so-called unbreakable codes of Germany’s World War II Enigma machine.

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THE CONTROVERSIAL MOVIE THAT TRIGGERED A WAR BETWEEN USA & KOREA In ‘The Interview’, Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show Skylark Tonight. When they discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them; perhaps the two least-qualified men imaginable to assassinate Kim Jong-un. The film is brimming with Rogen and Goldberg’s brand of irreverent, crass, often childish, frequently offensive, and ultimately hilarious humor. ‘The Interview’ isn’t a scathing satire in the vein of Network. It’s a parody that falls somewhere between ‘Team American’ and ‘Spies Like Us’. For those who enjoyed ‘This Is the End’, Goldberg and Rogen’s previous directorial outing, ‘The Interview’ is a clever, unrestrained - and most importantly - sidesplitting parody that pokes fun at both a vapid media and one of the world’s most dangerous dictators. Rogen and Goldberg tackle a risky subject head-on and do not hold back one iota of their brash, barefaced, vulgar humor - which is just as it should be. When all is said and done, this comedy satisfies the only true demand that ought to be made of it – it makes its audience laugh.



IDENTITY bits & pieces

PLAN SOMETHING SPECIAL

SHERATON MIRAMAR GOUNA

Sheraton Miramar offers “Valentine PKG L.E 2800” for 3 nights with many of benefits that includes “Adam & Eve massage”, for you and your loved one to enjoy a 30-minute body massage, followed by a sweet Valentine’s treat, Free Access to Health Club, Sauna & Steam.

SONESTA CAIRO HOTEL

Come and spend a memorable night with your valentine at “La Gondola” with a charming candle-lit dinner, and experience an unforgettable valentine occasion, while enjoying a selection of gourmet Italian choices in a truly romantic atmosphere with our house band playing your favorite tunes. If you want it Lebanese style, our Chef invites you to taste his Lebanese creations at “Baalbak” and enjoy a special valentine dinner, an exciting ambiance with live entertainment & Belly dancer. To heat the night up and add some beats to it, “Sindbad’ discotheque is having a special night on Valentine’s Day, with special music, special Menu and Special Décor. For a full pampering gift, spoil your better half at Sonesta Cairo by booking our Valentine’s day package that includes one night accommodation in a double room with breakfast, a superb 30 minutes relaxing massage treatment and a delightful romantic dinner at our Italian restaurant “La Gondola”. All for LE 750 per person (inclusive of all service charges and applicable taxes) For reservations or more information please call: 2264.1111 ext. (255/254)

KEMPINSKI NILE HOTEL AND KEMPINSKI SOMA BAY

Luxurious accommodation for two in a Medina Deluxe Room. There is a special Valentine’s rate of EGP 2015. The Valentine’s package includes early check in and late checkout at 5:00 pm, breakfast for two, complimentary massage treatment for two, complimentary video on demand, complimentary soft mini bar complimentary parking, free upgrade subject to availability & a special 3 course Valentine’s dinner. Make sure not to miss our sleep with domperignon special or be that lucky couple who book the exceptional Queen of The Nile Package and enjoy a royal stay at our imperial suite and a private dinner for two. For all ladies dining at Kempinski Nile Hotel, you don’t get to go home empty handed! Mazaya is a surprising you with a fabulous goodie bag fit for a queen.Tel: +202 27980000

RAMSES HILTON

Take the time to reconnect and express your love… Enjoy Ramses Hilton Valentine’s Day romantic room package With spacious room, lavish in-room Valentine breakfast, VIP amenities and early check in & late check-out. Only LE 799 per night per double room inclusive breakfast and service charge and taxes. For room reservations please call: Tel: 2394 7070

CONRAD CAIRO

Spoil in a sweet moments and enjoy a romantic ambiance at Conrad Cairo. The perfect choice for your Valentine ‘s. Enjoy a memorable romantic set menu dinner at Oak Grill restaurant in a gorgeous setting of love and affection with live entertainment music at LE 650 all inclusive per couple. Those who prefer the South East Asian cuisine can head to Kamala restaurant offering a special set menu dinner at LE 650 all inclusive per couple. You can celebrate the most romantic night with your loved one at a luxurious room overlooking the majestic Nile at LE 950 all inclusive per Double with breakfast. +Tel: +20 2 2580 8116

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Photo Credit: Four Seasons Nile Plaza Hotel

JW MARRIOTT HOTEL CAIRO

Offer your cherished one the gift of a blissful 50 minute Massage of choice, in addition to an invigorating Facial lasting 60 minutes. Duration: 1 Hr 50 min Special Offer: LE 1,050 FOR THE HAPPY COUPLE Heighten the romance of this Valentine’s Day by enjoying a trio of soothing treatments side-by-side in one of our luxurious double spa suites. This package includes a rejuvenating 30 minute Aromatic Sea Salt Bath, a relaxing 30 minute Aromatic Steam Ritual, and a calming 50 minute Aromatic Massage. Duration: 1 Hr 50 min. Special Offer: LE 1,950 (for 2 people) Additional Offer with one of our Valentine’s Spa packages: 25% discount on retail products from Phytomer. Tel: +2 (02) 24115588

HILTON ZAMALEK

Celebrate a romantic Valentine’s eve at the Time Lounge with your loved one and enjoy our lavish four courses candle light dinner, while listing to your favourite love tunes from our duet singers for only LE 550 per couple, continue your romantic night and book your room or one of our luxuries suites on bed and breakfast basis starting from LE 600 per double. For reservations call 01001604031


FOR YOUR VALENTINE AT... SOFITEL CAIRO EL GEZIRAH

Enjoy magical moments during Valentine’s Day at Sofitel El Gezirah. Love is in the air… it’s Valentine’s Day. Share special time together…savor intimate dinners…take sunset strolls and moonlight walks in our Promenade. Delight in the luminous glow at the Bar, explore the Moroccan delights at La Palmeraie or relax near the soothing Jacuzzi with 1 hour massage for 2 at SO SPA. Discover our Magnifique Valentine’s packages, get a chance to win a Diamond ring in the raffle draw, and experience Sofitel’s perfect setting for romantic memories that will last forever. Tel:0227373737

CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL & OMAR KHAYYAM CASINO

SEASONS HOTEL CAIRO AT NILE PLAZA

Divine eight-course specially created set menu at “8” restaurant, the nouvelle Chinese cuisine with awesome Nile views, to create a total gastronomic enlightenment of senses. For more Romeo and Juliet style experience, Bella is offering private dining rooms with candle light dinner and stunning views of the Nile. Zitouni, the Egyptian cuisine restaurant, offers a bountiful buffet with a range of mouth-watering delicacies and delights. For an intimate evening, The Bar is the ideal venue. For a trendy modern party, it’s Cairo’s hottest lounge, Graffiti, the hip night spot with spectacular views of the Nile and live entertainment. And that’s not all! Plaza Ballroom will be shining with superstar Amal Maher, Ramy Sabry and belly dancer Alissar. Wael Gassar, Tamer Ashour and belly dancer Dina. Tel : (20 2) 2791 7000

DUSIT THANI LAKEVIEW

Have you planned your Valentine’s weekend yet? Don’t miss an exclusive romantic getaway by booking Dusit’s tempting overnight packages with late check out – as late as 6pm on February 15th, or pamper yourselves with lavish massage packages oriented with special romantic twist. For an enchanting romantic dinner choose from Ruen Thai, Branzino, and Izumi. If you are looking for a fun night out with your loved one stop by Blue Rose, an elegant and cozy lounge bar where our bartenders will offer special valentine’s cocktails and mocktails. For one of a kind dining experience, try an “Alfresco” dinner by the poolside or at the terrace of your suite overlooking the beautiful scenery. Tel: + 202 2614 0000

Valentine’s Day … candlelit dinners … wine and roses … romantic melodies floating through our restaurants…the chance to gaze into your loved one’s eyes and dance in each other’s arms. And where better to feel like a prince and princess in love than at the Cairo Marriott, surrounded by the grounds and the majesty of the Gezira Palace? At Ristorante Tuscany, from the first moment our lady guests are warmly greeted with beautiful roses they will enjoy the unique feel of Italian-style romance and the lively guitar tunes. Candlelit tables set for two add to the intimate atmosphere for your exclusive a la carte dinner. At JW’s Steakhouse, our hostess presents the ladies with a red rose and leads diners to the softlylit table for the special set menu.Treat your love to a heart-shaped cake from the Bakery Shop…and if thoughts of love just make you want to get up and dance head for Harry’s Pub where the Dessert Flower Band provide the live music. But the ultimate venue for a romantic tête a tête is surely the Saraya Gallery in the Palace, where the exclusive menu is complemented by candles, flowers and accompanied by piano melodies.Tel: +20-(0)2- 2739 4646

RENAISSANCE CAIRO MIRAGE CITY HOTEL

Make Valentine’s Day memorable for all the right reasons by treating your most precious one to an opulent candle-lit 4-course international set menu within the chic, contemporary surrounds of Citron. To start your memorable dining adventure you will be served a Caesar Salad followed by a soup course. Choose from our ‘Surf and Turf’ or ‘Veal and Beef Medallions’ main courses. Complete your meal with the choice of seasonal fresh fruits and Lemon Millefeuille or a warm Chocolate Fondant. CHINOIX: Sweep your loved one off their feet and transport them to a state of bliss with a lavish 4-course Chinese set menu served inside Chinoix’s candlelit Valentine’s Day wonderland. Commence your dining experience with a delicious Dim Sum starter followed by a soup course. Select from two mouth-watering main courses, being, Half Beijing Duck served with Pancakes or Grilled Lobster Beijing Style. A delectable dessert will conclude your romantic meal together! Tel :+20-2-2406 3333

Radisson Blu Hotel Alexandria

Show your loved one how much you care with a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria. Enjoy very unique dinner within any of our different restaurants. Also to overwhelm your special day, overnight packages are available including Valentine’s dinner for two and the second day open buffet breakfast. Special prices for all the couples whom celebrate their weddings at Radisson Blu Hotel, Alexandria.

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DALIA EL BEHEIRY AND ETIQUETTE EXPERTS SHARED TIPS AND TRICKS FOR GREAT HOSPITALITY WITH ARIEL Ariel organized the first “Art of Home Hospitality” day unveiling Ariel’s upgraded formula that provides “Best Stain Removal in Egypt in 1 Wash”. The event took place at Mall of Arabia, and was attended by some of the country’s most prominent and influential figures including etiquette experts, celebrities and socialites, as well as media. Hosting the first-of-its-kind event was “Dalia El Beheiry”, who has joined hands with Ariel to help inspire women and give them the confidence that helps them deliver the highest standards of hospitality on every occasion.

DUSIT THANI LAKEVIEW CAIRO HOSTED THE WORLD’S TOP CUISINES FESTIVAL

The biggest International Cooking Festival in Egypt; 11 countries demonstrating their food and culture. In cooperation with Al Ahram Newspaper and Nisf El Donia Magazine, the hotel welcomed 11 ambassadors representing their countries that were presenting their food including China, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Morocco, South Korea and Switzerland.

CONRAD CAIRO WELCOMES THE NEW THAI CHEF CHANTIMA U-BER Conrad Cairo announces the appointment of the Thai Chef Chantima U-Ber as New Thai Chef for Kamala Asian restaurant. Chef Chantima has more than 14 years experience specialized in Asian food. She worked as Thai chef in many restaurants in many countries including United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Indonesia, Jordan and India.

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Magdy brings in a rich experience garnered from his career in hospitality industry and successful leadership experience for 15 years.

MEACOMS JOINS EDELMAN AFFILIATE NETWORK

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE’S TROPHY IN EGYPT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE YEARS

In celebration of 150 years in the Egyptian market, Barclays Bank Egypt brought the English Premier League’s trophy – strongest league in Europe sponsored by Barclays UK - to Egypt for the first time in 5 years.

MR. MAGDY NAGUIB, MULTI PROPERTY GENERAL MANAGER OF JW MARRIOTT AND RENAISSANCE CAIRO HAS RECENTLY APPOINTED MAGDY BASSILY TO MULTIPROPERTY DIRECTOR OF SALES FOR JW MARRIOTT AND RENAISSANCE CAIRO MIRAGE CITY

DUSIT THANI LAKEVIEW CAIRO WINS DEAR GUEST’S “BEST HOTEL” AWARD

Dusit Thani lake View Cairo wins the “best hotel” award during one of Egypt’s best festivals dedicated to choosing the best of the year in various industries. A large number of prominent stars from Egypt and the Arab world attended the ceremony where many were honoured for their hard work during the year.

HILTON WORLDWIDE ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF RICHARD GOSLING AS THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER FOR HILTON SHARKS BAY RESORT IN SHARM EL SHEIKH, EGYPT.

Gosling has a wealth of experience gained from international positions within the hospitality industry over the past 25 years. During his long career, Gosling has held various ranks in hotels in Europe, The Caribbean, AsiaPacific and the Middle East.

Edelman Expands North Africa Presence with Exclusive Affiliate in Egypt Edelman and MEAComS announced that they have signed an agreement naming MEAComS as Edelman’s exclusive affiliate in Egypt. With this affiliation, MEAComS will officially represent the world’s largest public relations firm – Edelman – in Egypt.

OSN REINFORCES COMMITMENT TO EGYPT; EXPANDS EGYPTIAN CALL CENTRE OPERATIONS BY 45%

Reflecting growing demand for pay-TV services, OSN has made significant investments to expand and enhance its call centre operations in Egypt.


SAFIR HOTEL CAIRO AND HIS EXCELLENCY MINISTER OF YOUTH

Safir Hotel Cairo hosted His Excellency Eng. Khalid Abdel Aziz, Minister of Youth and Sports during his honourable presence in Rotary El Tahrir Session, His Excellency discussed many important issues ( Youth centers, children without Shelter, etc ).

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS

Samsung Electronics, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, has recently announced the top 10 winners of their application development initiative Entaleq 2, which allows young developers the chance to develop their skills in application development. The participants were given seven months to develop an application, as the winners were chosen according to a set of standards by Samsung, which requires applications to be innovative, unique, easy to use, and offers solutions and services needed by a user in his/her daily life.

SOFITEL LEGEND OLD CATARACT ASWAN WELCOMED PEUGEOT NEW MODELS TEST DRIVE AND THEIR DISTRIBUTORS ANNUAL MEETING

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan welcomed recently the Peugeot New Models Test Drive as well as the Distributors annual meeting to discuss the annual plan for Sales and Marketing for the new year 2015.

CDCM ANNOUNCED ITS SUPPORT TO MAGDI YACOUB FOUNDATION DURING THE DINNER PARTY ATTENDED BY SIR DR. MAGDI YACOUB

Part of the Peugeot Test drive event, CDCM did a dinner party honored by Sir Dr. Magdi Yacoub at the 1902 French Signature Restaurant at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan.

EGYPTIAN BRITISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (EBCC) DISCUSSED RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENTS & SUEZ CANAL PROJECTS IN EL GOUNA RAMSES HILTON WAS AWARDED 2014 BEST HOTEL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AMONG ALL HILTON HOTELS IN EUROPE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA Shown in photo: Haitham Nassar Ramses Hilton General Manager while receiving the award given to him by Rudi Jagersbacher, Area President of Operations in the Middle East and Africa.

El Gouna has been set to host this year’s Egyptian British Chamber of Commerce (EBCC) conference, that has been held from the 16th to the 19th of January. The major economic conference, which used to be held in Cairo before moving to Sharm ElSheikh in the recent years, has taken place at the main hall of Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) in El Gouna.

BLOOM HOLDS GRAND OPENING FOR NEW FLAGSHIP STORE

Bloom, a groundbreaking departmental store concept, announced today the grand opening of the first store of its kind in Egypt that tends to the dynamic needs of families in Health and Wellness, Beauty and Cosmetics and Mother and Baby Care sectors.

GOHAR GROUP WAS ANNOUNCED TO BE THE MASTER FRANCHISE FOR COFFEESHOP COMPANY IN EGYPT IN A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT DUSIT THANI HOTEL- LAKE VIEW HALL

Gohar Group leading men Mr. Ahmed Gohar, CEO and Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Gohar, VP opened the first branch of CoffeeShop Company back in 2010 in Nasr City, and succeeded in becoming one of the most favored places for different social groups due its unique atmosphere, friendly and professionally trained staff, and high quality of services.

UAE ENTITIES BRIEFED ON EGYPT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE UAE-headquartered hospitality company, TIME Hotels Management, is continuing its impressive programme of regional expansion, having been awarded the management contract for a luxury five-star property, located 14 kilometers south of Hurghada International Airport, in the upmarket development of Sahl Haseesh, on the Egypt’s Red Sea coast.

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TIME ADDS RED SEA RESORT TO REGIONAL PORTFOLIO

Management contract for five-star hotel and residence in master planned Sahl Hasheesh resort development near Hurghada brings UAE hospitality group closer to 2016 goal of 11 properties. UAE-headquartered hospitality company, TIME Hotels Management, is continuing its impressive programme of regional expansion, having been awarded the management contract for a luxury five-star property, located 14 kilometers south of Hurghada International Airport, in the upmarket development of Sahl Haseesh, on the Egypt’s Red Sea coast. Constructed by premier Egyptian developer Prime Estates International, the TIME Renero Resort and TIME Suites are located within the Azzurra project, itself an integral component of the Sahl Hasheesh development, built by master developer, Egyptian Resorts Company (ERC). Sahl Hasheesh is an up-and-coming master planned beach resort of highend purpose-built properties, covering 40 million square meters. “Sahl Haseesh may only be 20 kilometers from Hurghada, but it is worlds apart from its sister resort in terms of quality, luxury, landscaping and its outstanding natural beauty. With a stunning location, the TIME Renero Resort and TIME Suites are a fabulous addition to our growing portfolio of regional properties, and offers a genuine five-star beachfront lifestyle right in the heart of a glamourous coastal community,” said Mohamed Awadalla, CEO, TIME Hotels.

MINDSHARE AWARDED FOR ENERGY ACCOUNT AT INTERNATIONAL CRISTAL FESTIVAL

Mindshare, which is part of WPP, is a global media agency network helping clients to make collaborative and adaptive decisions across their paid, owned, and earned marketing in real-time. For their innovative ideas and creative execution, Mindshare Egypt took home both a prestigious Emerald and Cristal award for their work on an important national energy account at this year’s International Cristal Festival. The win is particularly special because Mindshare Egypt is the only media agency in Egypt to ever win a global Cristal award, being recognized not only within the Middle East, but among peers stretching across the globe. “Mindshare is known for being an adaptable agency which innovates to address issues in an ever-changing world,” says Mindshare Egypt Managing Director Riham El Sawy. “We are incredibly proud to receive the Emerald and Cristal award for our team’s creative work on such a vital account.”

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PALM HILLS DEVELOPMENT AND EFS FACILITIES SERVICES SIGN LANDMARK MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) FOR PROVISION OF FACILITIES SERVICES IN EGYPT

EFS Facilities Services Group (EFS Group), headquartered in Dubai, a leading Integrated Facilities Management (FM) service, operation and maintenance solution provider across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Palm Hills Development (PHDA.CA), a pioneer in real estate development across Egypt through its’ subsidiary EFS Facilities Services Egypt Ltd (EFS Egypt). EFS Egypt will be the exclusive facilities services provider for all developments belonging to Palm Hills which has 18 projects distributed in several areas in Egypt, in addition to having bought land for development in Saudi Arabia.

PAUL INTRODUCES GOURMET CLUB SANDWICHES IN EGYPT

PAUL Bakery & Restaurant, known for its fine breads, has announced the launch of its latest gourmet Club Sandwich offerings. The latest offering will be available through a selection of sandwiches throughout all outlets during the months of February and March. Remaining true to its traditional style, PAUL’s recent selection has an option for both veg and non-veg diners. Whether you are veggie lover; chicken or seafood – the latest offering is here to please the discerning taste buds. The offerings include a chicken based ‘Club Poulet’, seafood based ‘Club Saumon Crabe’ and cheese based ‘Club Halloumi Légumes’.

STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS EXPANDS ITS RED SEA PORTFOLIO WITH NEW WESTIN SOMA BAY GOLF RESORT IN 2015 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. announced it will expand its portfolio in Egypt with the new Westin Soma Bay Golf Resort & Spa anticipating to take place in July 2015. The new expansion marks the entry of the Westin brand to the Soma Bay peninsula, Red Sea and the first operating of a Westin Hotel in Egypt in agreement with Cascades Hotel Company Soma Bay.


BHS OPENS FIRST STORE IN EGYPT IN CITYSTARS The renowned British retailer, British Home Stores (BHS), opened its doors for the first time in Egypt in Citystars, Cairo. The store, which carries a modern and stylish décor, boasts a space of nearly 900sqm offering a range of departments for women, men, kids, lingerie and home.

“HEBA REGL EL GHORAB” SYMPOSIUM AT HILTON ALEXANDRIA CORNICHE A truly amazing symposium of Heba Regl El Ghorab series organized by Rotary Alexandria West took place recently at the Royal Hall of Hilton Alexandria Corniche. All the cast together with the director of the series were awarded for the great success of the episode.

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AQUARIUS

(January 20 - February 18) Positive Traits: Friendly, Humanitarian, Intelligent, Inventive, Loyal, Independent.

Negative Traits: Inconsistent, Detached, Unpredictable, Stubborn

Favorite Colours:

Turquoise, Electric blue, Bright pink

Best Matches: Libra and Gemini

Famous Aquarians:

Shakira, Oprah Winfrey, Farrah Fawcett, Jennifer Aniston Aquarians love to plan for the future. They are determined to make the world a better place, helping anyone they can along the way. The greatest strengths of the Aquarius-born are their vision, intellect and humanity; they are also very attractive and popular. Their personality is very hard to define because of its changing nature. One moment an Aquarian is expressive, interesting and active and will turn unexplainably moody and uncaring the next. Their serious side tends to stir moodiness.

Aquarians seem like remarkable people who display good manners; they are charming and tend to make an overall good impression but can also become very obstinate and selfwilled. Aquarians adopt a ‘live and let live’ policy where everyone is entitled to their own opinion, never judging others. People are free to be themselves because as human beings, we are all equal. They are verbally skilled and witty; they learn how to interact with people through observation.

Aquarians tend be extremely sensitive and therefore are often hurt. Their anger is usually short lived. They welcome change because boredom is their enemy, always seizing any new opportunity. Aquarians can act as an expert on any topic; they are very skillful at overrating their importance which they believe is well deserved because their eccentricity makes them unique.

“Communication is key. You must be able to stimulate their mind, engage in friendly, witty, or verbal battles but do not expect to draw any conclusions, this is not the point. They crave the brain exercise.”

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