Food Issue

Your Ideas in Print

NEW FOOD SECTION Secret Squirrel Food, The Counter and Dubai’s best sandwich

STYLE INSPIRATION A week of fashion from Dubai Desert Twins

HTC ONE

And how it holds up against the competition

For the Love of Food Dina Al Thaher’s big Arabic kitchen and her authentic, homemade food

FASHION FORWARD The latest season’s trends

MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS One of the best performances of the year

IGGY AZALEA The New Classic

KELIS Food

TAKE ME I’M FREE one8one.com

Superfoodie There is a story that my Granny is exceptionally fond of telling: when I was about 13-going-on-14 she took me to spend Christmas with my Aunt and Uncle in Canada, just outside Montreal. We decided to take a day trip which involved a four hour drive. We stopped midway for some lunch and I ordered a lasagne which was probably about twice the size of my head. Growing up I was well known in the family for my ability to eat ridiculously large portions of food – people were fond of calling me the ‘human dustbin’. True to my character, I was determined to finish the whole lasagne and ignored all attempts to talk me out of it. In a moment of we-have-two-hours-left-in-the-caryou-are-going-to-overeat-and-make-yourself-sick panic, my Granny and Aunty poured my cousin’s baby food over the dish to stop me eating it (yes, this really happened). I was extremely indignant at this blatant over reaction; the situation had been quite clearly in hand and such drastic action totally unnecessary – rather like my Granny’s refusal to let me leave the house without a minimum of five layers.

Truthfully, food is one of my greatest joys in life. But it did take me quite some time to get to grips with eating healthily rather than just devouring everything that comes my way. It was when I got older and also developed a love for cooking that I realised how exciting and fun it can be to create interesting and healthy dishes. I follow a lot of food blogs and I am always looking for new recipes to try (p.48), and one of my favourite ways to spend a weekend is trying out new cafes, restaurants and eating spots (p.52).

I have now learnt that indulging in an extra big and extra cheesy sandwich is okay (p.50) as long as you balance it with a healthy and active lifestyle (p.44). I have learnt that food can be fun, crazy, creative, and a refined art as well as a passion (p.6).

This month sees the launch of our fantastic new food section. It has been in the works for a while, and now every month we will be featuring new bloggers, recipes, restaurant reviews and more. We hope you enjoy it!

SOFIA FERNANDEZ VYAS Editor (editor@one8one.net)

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1 Editor’s Letter 4-5 ’s up 6-7 Hitlist 8-9 Photography 10 Album Reviews 11 Movies 12 In Cinema 14-15 Gaming 16-17 Fashion: Festival Ready 18-19 Fashion for Him 20-21 Fashion for Her 22-29 Fashion Shoot: This Is a Man's World 30-31 Fashion Forward Season 3 32-33 Dubai Desert Twins 34-37 Cover Story: Dina Al Thaher 38-39 New Technology 40-43 The Con That Was 44 The Colour Run 45 UFC Abu Dhabi 46 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis 48-49 Healthy In Disguise 50-51 Sandwhat?

52 Restaurant Review: The Counter 53 Ten Things You Didn't Know 54 Books 58-59 Do I Look Good In This?

60-61 Astrology 62-63 News

’s up What When Where

May

The Laughter Factory, Crowne Plaza, Abu Dhabi

Sandance Feat.

Pet Shop Boys, Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai

Get In Shape, Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi (May 13-17)

Cabaret Crusades Wael Shawky Film Screening, Mirage City Cinema, Sharjah Art Foundation, Sharjah Maz Jobrani - My Lion Is Moist Tour, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray Hotel, Dubai

6th Dubai Tango Festival, The Meydan Hotel, Dubai (May 21-25)

Dubai Rock Fest 2014, Al Nasr Leisureland, Dubai Justin Timberlake Live, du Arena, Abu Dhabi

Kings of Leon Live, Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai

Global Fighting Championship, World Trade Centre, Dubai Sky Over The East Art Exhibition, Emirates Palace Gallery, Abu Dhabi (May 29-Jun 27) Black Sabbath Live, du Arena, Abu Dhabi

TEDxDubaiSalon, A4 Space, Al Serkal Avenue, Dubai

Know of something going on in town? Want to share? Write to us about it to mysay@one8one.com

Ataya Exhibition, Abu Dhabi Country Club, Abu Dhabi (May 4-7)

Music

Apps

1. Happy

Pharrell Williams

2. All Of Me John Legend

3. Dark Horse

Katy Perry ft Juicy J

4. Talk Dirty

Jason Derulo ft 2 Chainz

5. Turn Down For What DJ Snake & Lil Jon

6. Let It Go Idina Menzel

7. Fancy

Evernote Food

Gojee

Discover and save amazing recipes from across the web with this in-app cookbook. You can add photos or notes and transfer everything to your other devices with Evernote on.

With beautiful and tasteful photos you’ll be dying to test the meals featured in this app. There are always a multidue of new recipes to try for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Slo-gram

Big Oven

Your daily dose of insta-related app fun. We aren’t huge fans of this app’s interface, but it does allow you to take slow motion videos for Instagram.

Which is essential to life, obviously.

Take 250,000+ recipes, your grocery list, and countless menus, anywhere with you. This app makes food shopping a breeze: find recipe ingredients and full menus on the go to easily plan your week’s dinner. You can also share your recipes or view your friends'.

Breeze

Urban Spoon

Iggy Azalea ft Charli XCX

8. Pompeii Bastille

9. Not A Bad Thing Justin Timberlake

10. Loyal

Chris Brown ft Lil Wayne

11. Best Day Of My Life American Authors

12. Counting Stars OneRepublic

13. Team Lorde

14. Ain't It Fun Paramore

15. Play It Again Luke Bryan

16. Sing

Ed Sheeran

17. The Man Aloe Blacc

18. This Is How We Roll

Florida Georgia Line ft Luke Bryan

19. La La La

Naughty Boy ft Sam Smith

20. Hey Brother Avicii

This simple activity tracking app was built for iPhone 5s and its M7 co-processor. It tracks your movements in great detail and records your daily stats in simple and easy to share graphs. It is beautifully designed and works intuitively; perfect for anyone health-conscious or leading a busy lifestyle. Breeze is available for free on iOS AppStore.

Dedicated to helping you find the best food from across the globe, while travelling. The restaurant reviews and ratings come from food critics and food lovers. This app is perfect and will help you find whatever you are looking for, whether cheap and cheerful, or an upmarket dining experience.

Hitlist by oliver Dalton-Mckeown & Sofia Fernandez Vyas

7

Follow Insta

Blogs

YouTube

@julieskitchen Julie Lee photographs visually stunning arrangements of food. Mostly food ingredients, it’s full of pretty and colourful snaps.

Tasteologie.com Brings together the best of the best of the tastiest food from around the web.

There are, quite literally, hundreds of new additions to browse through every week.

@idfrosk Cute, cheerful, happy, joyful, fun, uplifting. All words to describe this Instagram account which photographs (truly delightful) food art. Guaranteed to brighten the day of all foodies.

Pastryaffair.com An astroparticle physicist turned lover of all things pastry. What’s not to love? We also love the beautiful photographs which are accompanied by lovely quotes… did we tell you we love this blog?

Blogilates A one stop shop to help kick-start that healthy lifestyle. Comprising of short, fun and easy work out videos for everything from cardio to toning and stretching, plus a selection of food videos on making healthier treats, on a budget!

@detoxtips A selection of super, super healthy food ideas along with tips for a healthier lifestyle. Mixes great information about healthy food and ingredients with making everything look delicious and enticing.

Hipsterfood.com This blog will change your perspective on vegan food. Enough said.

SORTED Food Marshmallow popcorn bars, rainbow pasta, tropical orange pudding, beetroot tarte tatin, protein bars, cinnamon swirl pancakes. Is your mouth watering yet?

There’s even something intriguing called Pork Feijoada. This channel is full of fun food; anything and everything goes ranging from the easy and classic to the out-there-but-downright-genuis.

DVD Picks

Julie & Julia

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Food, Inc.

Cast: Meryl Streep, Stanley Tucci, Amy Adams, Chris Messina

Cast: Jiro Ono, Masuhiro Yamamoto, Daisuke Nakazama

Cast: Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, Richard Lobb

A comedy-drama based on the true story of Julie Powell as she tries to the cook 524 recipes from Mastering the Art of French Cooking in 365 days. In news which will surprise exactly no-one, Meryl Streep steals the show - particularly impressive since the food of this movie is no easy act to follow.

Jiro Ono is 85-years old, and quite probably the world’s greatest sushi chef. His three Michelin star restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, must be booked up to a year in advance, has only 10 seats, and is located in a subway station of Tokyo.

This fascinating documentary follows Jiro and his two sons as they strive to provide complete sushi perfection to their customers.

An unflattering look inside America’s multinational corporation controlled food industry. As businesses aim to produce food as quickly and profitably as possible, negative consequences, such as the health and safety of the food itself, become almost inevitable. Food, Inc. uncovers the dirty little secrets of the industry that are being hidden from the public.

8

Photography

Zoya Tariq

Jai Rodgers

Aiza Ahmed

Want to see your photography in print? Submit your art at www.one8one.com We’d love to share your talent.

Osse Greca Sinare

Talha Naeem Mughal

Masoud Masoud

10

Album Reviews Iggy Azalea The New Classic

The long-awaited, first full-length, album of this eccentric rapper is finally here - and it’s making waves all over the world.

It's an album packed with the hot hits like ‘Change Your Life’, ‘Work’, ‘Bounce’ and the recently-released ‘Fancy’ (which is Iggy’s biggest success to date), as well as fun tracks like 'Black Widow’ ft. Rita Ora, ‘ Just Askin’, ‘New B****’ and ‘**** Love’ that are perfect for the Summer season . After allm, what is a record without a punch of party tracks?

Other tracks go into detail about the rollercoaster of a life Iggy has been leading. With ‘Walk The Line’, ‘Don’t Need Y’all’ and ‘Impossible Is Nothing’ she tells us she can go it alone and find success; while ‘Rolex’ is an obvious address to A$AP Rocky and their ended relationship.

The New Classic is record full of ambition and a definitely a relevant one. We think it firmly puts Iggy on the map as a fresh and new hip-hop talent. We highly recommend you give it a listen, we think you will agree.

by Raul Gomes

Kelis Food Hey Guys, are you hungry? The new Kelis album, Food, starts off fun, quirky and, ultimately, cool – immediately launching into a more mature sound with ‘Breakfast’. Inventive, catchy and funky, the album has been described as “vintage soul”, and we would say that is entirely accurate. A lot of the album has a 90s funk vibe, but with a modern, creative twist.

The album glides nicely through tempos; upbeat and uplifting ‘Forever Be’ transitions into slower and more mellow ‘Flloyd’, moving up again into deep, soulful ‘Runnin’’- preventing the album from becoming either monotonous or overwhelming. Instead, it is well paced and laidback. Each song begins differently and hooks you immediately which makes for an interesting and eclectic collection. ‘Rumble’ is a favourite and ‘Bless the Telephone’ breaks up the album by offering a slightly alternative soft and lyrical sound.

This album is perhaps not varied enough to suit all tastes, but, while being cohesive, it certainly isn’t completely genre-specific. Fans of jazz, pop, funk, indie and soul will all enjoy this delightful album.

by Anais Young

Calibre Shelflife 3 Irish-born drum and bass heavyweight Dominick Martin, a.k.a Calibre, brings us Shelflife 3, and this third instalment of the series is full of previously unreleased gems. The compilation is a testament to Calibre's second-to-none production, delivering 13 of his most requested pieces of work from 1997 to 2013.

On the whole, Shelflife 3 feels atmospheric than Shelflife 2 with soft and relaxing tracks; Calibre brings an emotive and soulful element to the table with ‘Makes Me Feel Alright’ and ‘Fear of Letting Go (ft. DRS)'. But, true to his diverse and rich catalogue of music, ‘Miraculous’ and ‘Honey Dew’ are piano-driven rollers that he has become known for, and bassy rumblers like ' Instant', 'Off Key' and 'Sagan' show his versatiliy.

Shelflife 3 isn't revolutionary in terms of sound, but why would we want it to be? Calibre delivers on all the characteristics we love: melodious, emotional, liquid, and classical, with expressive vocals and bursts of funk. An essential addition to the collection of any drum and bass fan.

by Sam Aki

Movies

11

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 When Spider-Man was first rebooted two years ago there was a lot of speculation: would it be as good as the first series, or was it too soon for a reboot? Fastforward to 2014, and there was still some scepticism surrounding the second instalment. Would The Amazing Spider-Man 2 live up to expectations?

It begins not long after The Amazing Spider-Man. Peter is still haunted by the death of Gwen’s father and the promise he made: to keep Gwen safe and well away from his dangerous, spidery, crime-fighting world. Harry Osbourn’s character is introduced which adds another dimension to the film as his fascinating relationship with Peter develops. Another intriguing character is the socially awkward villain, Max Dillon (Electro). He partially comes across as a character who the audience is supposed to feel sorry for, but this is somewhere that the film falls short as it isn’t quite pulled off.

Need for Speed If you like fast cars, a brooding hero and an engaging storyline, then you’ll like Need For Speed. The movie manages to flawlessly integrate all the aspects you see in the game, like police chases and races, into an interesting storyline.

At first glance, the main character, Tobey Marshall (Aaron Paul), seems a bit rough around the edges, but as the minutes pass and the movie progresses we also see his strong sense of loyalty – a loyalty that leads to a series of adrenaline-infused races that keep you on the edge of His chemistry with Gwen, however, is portrayed so well your seat. that you can’t help but root for them – even though you know it could end disastrously. The action scenes Paul manages to express the emotional depths of his character, while are also brilliant. They show off Spider-Man’s powers still maintaining a brooding persona. Cracks in this front begin to show expertly and the slow-motion moments perfectly at times, perfectly expressing the subtle changes in his character. Paul capture his ‘spider-sense’. The film also conveys how was definitely a great fit for the intense, yet admirable, character much he enjoys being a superhero and protecting of Tobey. people – it isn’t a burden for him, like it is for some other heroes. As in most movies, the hero has a female counterpart: Julia Maddon (Imogen Poots) is a savvy, and slightly unconventional, exotic car If the film has one failing it is that it may feel familiar dealer. She is first introduced to us as a having a somewhat “blonde” to some fans. There aren’t many surprises to be had and ditzy personality, but as we move through the film we discover that as the story has been explored thoroughly through beneath all the sass is a strong and determined woman. Julia brilliantly open world games. This being said, it’s still exciting and uses these misconceptions to her advantage, makes fools out of those entertaining, and a fantastic representation of who judge her. Poots manages to mesh the two opposing personalities Spider-Man’s character. into a fun and loveable character. by natasha aguiar

What really makes this movie stand-out is that the filmmakers decided to opt out of CGI, instead going for practical effects and employing the use of real cars for the races and crashes. This has given the movie a believable edge that makes it all the more exciting. It is safe to say that Need For Speed has definitely brought itself out from under the shadow of the popular The Fast and the Furious series, and proved it can hold its own in the action movie genre

by Samantha Rose C. Malimban

12

In Cinema

by Oliver Dalton-Mckeown

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Starring: Andrew Garfield, Pail Giamatti, Jamie Foxx

Web-slinging Peter Parker returns to screens with new villains like The Rhino, Electro, and the well awaited Green Goblin. Barely balancing his personal life, Gwen Stacy, his secret life as Spider-Man and graduating from high school, Peter soon finds his life even more complicated and difficult when old friend Harry Osborn suspiciously returns.

Godzilla

Blended

Starring: Aaron TaylorJohnson, Bryan Cranston, Juliette Binoche

Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore

The iconic Japanese monster lizard is back to terrorise another city. Re-telling the origin of Godzilla, director Gareth Edwards stays faithful to the Toho series while showing Godzilla like never before. Godzilla’s appearance has been re-mastered with amazing CGI and new creatures named ‘Mutos’ are introduced. Ford, a young US Marine, and his father, Joseph, try to find out about Godzilla years after the death of Sandra, Ford's mother and Joseph’s wife.

After a horrible blind date, single parents Jim and Lauren both agree to never see each other again. But this doesn't last long as they soon find themselves, and their children, in Africa after coincidentally booking the same holiday. They are now stuck together for a week in a luxurious safari resort.

This will be the third time that Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler have worked together on a romantic comedy following 50 First Dates and The Wedding Singer.

X-Men: Days of Future Past Starring: Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart

Maleficent Starring: Elle Fanning, Angelina Jolie

The untold story of one of Disney’s most iconic villains The new X-Men is set from Sleeping Beauty. during two time periods: Discover the betrayal that an alternate future where made Maleficent who she Mutants are held and killed pour heart out was, and themy events which in camps and giant robots “...I just led to herwhatever to cursing the called Sentinels patrol the and say I feel, Princessand Aurora.

Post-curse, county, and a few years after I study rap ” Maleficent realises that the movie X-Men: First Class. more about the child holds theHopsin key to visit: Wolverine is sent to the past To know myfunkvolume.com ending the war between the

by Magneto and Professor human kingdom and the X in an effort to change the forest kingdom that she calls future. Expect appearances her home. She is forced to from the original trilogy’s take drastic action that will cast as well as younger completely transform both versions of the X-Men from worlds forever.

First Class.

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14

Gaming

Scribblenauts Unmasked (Wii U, Nintendo 3DS and PC)

by Tom Drew

“It features almost every character from the DC Universe - almost 2,000 - and players are able to visit a number of DC locations like the Batcave, Gotham City, Atlantis, Metroplis, the Fortress of Solitude, Central City”

It has to be said: Scribblenauts Unmasked is amazing. The backstory to Scribblenauts was revealed in Unlimited, and in Unmasked you are put back into the shoes of Maxwell who has the ability to create and manifest any object with his magical notepad. You must collect Starites to undo the curse on your sister, Lily, by using the magic notebook to help solve others’ problems.

But the story isn’t what makes this game so playable, it is everything else it has to offer. At the touch of a button you can summon almost anything your little heart desires. Want a giant flying unicorn? Sure. Want to race against Link and his trusty steed, Epona? You can do that too.

However, although there is huge variety, the game is not quite as unlimited as the title suggests. Some choice words and a few adjectives which would seem helpful are, oddly, missing. This doesn’t detract from the fun, though, there’s a plethora of puzzles hidden across the land to discover, and you will soon become completely absorbed in the adventure.

We were disappointed to find that the Nintendo characters which appeared in previous games are not part of Unmasked, but the series has still taken a step in right direction in terms of content. It features almost every character from the DC Universe - almost 2,000 - and players are able to visit a number of DC locations like the Batcave, Gotham City, Atlantis, Metroplis, the Fortress of Solitude, Central City, and much more. Plus, there are now features like the ability to purchase costumes and new places from the Batcomputer.

All things considered, Scribblenauts Unmasked is a joy to sit back and go through at your own pace. Despite the slightly lacklustre combat mechanics and an art style which probably isn’t for everyone, the sheer amount of content is mind-blowing and makes it a must-have game.

Max: The Curse of Brotherhood (Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC) Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is a 2.5D story-driven voyage filled with action-packed platforming and creative puzzle-solving. Max arrives home to find his kid brother, Felix, playing in his room and destroying all his things. Angry with him, Max tries to find a way to get rid of his brother but this backfires when the spell he finds opens up a portal to another world, and his brother is pulled into it by a giant claw.

Armed with only a Magic Marker, Max must confront evil at every turn in a hostile and fantastical world in order to save his kid brother. The Magic Marker gives you five magical powers: the ability to build pillars of earth; grow trees and branches; grow vines to swing on; and direct streams of water. With twenty levels set in seven unique worlds, Max: The Curse of Brotherhood is an adventure for players of all ages.

by Natasha Aguiar

Strike Suit Zero (PS4, Xbox One, PC, OSX and Linux) An interstellar war rages in the year 2299. In order to save your home, planet Earth, from destruction you must personally take control of the ‘Strike Suit’ which has the ability to transform into a lethal suit of space armour. Three space ships are also available for you to choose from to help you on your mission.

The Kickstarter funded game will amaze players. Engage in dog-fights against the colourful and vibrant back drop of outer-space, while dodging the debris of destroyed ships. Although the missions become repetitive, and the story’s plot is very easily overlooked, there is still a sense of re-playability: player’s performance during a mission will be scored and subsequent ship upgrades will be rewarded depending on the medal received. One of the challenges of the game lies in getting, and keeping, your bearings. Often you can find yourself lost and miles from the enemy, or struggling to get your orientation right. Despite this, the arcade

by Oliver Dalton-Mckeown simulator shooter game is still enjoyable through its music, design style and space combat.

Dark Souls II (PS3, Xbox 360 and PC) After the previous game became a massive hit in 2011, followed by the PC edition in 2012, Namco Bandai Games now brings you Dark Souls II. The player must defeat disturbing ‘bosses’ and ‘creatures’ to gain souls, which act as currency and experience points.

The same open-world action role-playing game elements are present, with the addition of some new multiplayer features. These allow up to two players to join another’s game to defeat a boss, or join different covenants which all have their own unique effects. They also include PvP game types in which players can fight in human form, and dual without worrying about the death penalty.

by Oliver Dalton-Mckeown

Dark Souls II is now more forgiving at the start for less experienced players with easier creatures to help you settle in. The game is still challenging, however, as the new death penalty feature means that players dying in the undead state will find their maximum health steadily decreasing. The game’s main goal is to be “a challenge and difficult”, so it is not a game for those who are easily irritated, but definitely one for gamers who want a rewarding challenge.

16

Festival Ready

by Hommam Arbi

House of Harlow, AED 835 at West L.A.

Alessandra Ambrosio at Coachella

Hitting the festival trail this summer? Whether Coachella in California or Glastonbury in England, when it comes to festival dressing think comfort; you will be walking and dancing for hours. Jeans shorts, cropped and lacy tops, maxi dresses in fun prints and patterns, flat shoes and sandals are the way to go. don't forget to load up on memorable accessories like bangles, necklaces and head pieces for an extrastylish touch.

Zara, AED 155

Mango, AED 99

H&M, AED 299

Mango, AED 199

Shakuhachi, AED785 at s*uce

Bershka, AED 175

Stradivarius, AED110

River Island, AED250

Topshop, AED 220

River Island, AED 65

Camilla Belle at Coachella New Look, AED 125

Zara, AED 195

For the guys, it's no different: comfy shorts, light linen shirts and trousers, tees with trendy prints, and a light jacket for when the temperature drops. Have some fun with your footwear and outfit your feet with cool sneakers, or sandals.

Jared Leto at Coachella

Joe Jonas at Coachella He by Mango, AED 115 West L.A., AED 150

H&M, AED 49

Bershka, AED 195 Topman, AED 99

River Island, AED 115

Zara, AED 295

H&M, AED 129

Fifteen Minutes, AED 115 at namshi.com

Ted Baker, AED275

Pull & Bear, AED 119

18

Fashion for Him

by Hommam Arbi

The Body Shop A rich cream to perfectly prepare the skin for a close and comfortable shave. It conditions and moisturises for a soft and smooth feeling. Ideal for men looking for a first-rate shave that also energises the skin and helps to improve its overall condition. Suitable for all skin types.

AED 60

AED 260

AED 220

Tom Ford

CK One Red

A weekly mask treatment should be integral to your personal grooming routine. Tom Ford has developed this time-signaling Mud Mask to counter the dulling and irritating effects of a busy lifestyle on the skin. It draws out oil, dirt and toxins, and diminishes tension lines. It will leave your skin clean, hydrated and conditioned.

CK One Red Edition for him is an aromatic tonic of irresistible woody fragrances. The bursts of Asian pear blended with the fresh intensity of black pepper and ginger make for a heady and sophisticated combination.

Your to go scent for this summer.

Kiehl's AED 145

A no-shine moisturising lip balm that both protects and helps relieve chapped or cracked lips. A definite summertime essential.

Vichy Homme The first 2-in-1 anti-fatigue moisturiser for face and eyes. It tones the skin and reduces puffiness and dark circles.

AED 50

Dolce & Gabbana, AED 2,075 Tobias from Tobiassikstrom.se in weekday collection

Bershka, AED 195

Dr Martnes, AED 555 at asos.com

Summer Sandals As the temperature creeps up, keep your feet fresh and in style. Summer sandals are a key piece in your wardrobe. They're more appropriate, and more versatile, than flip-flops as they can take you from weekday to weekends with ease - you just need to find the perfect pair. The choices are vast but it's worth the hunt; style them with everything from shorts or denim to smart trousers. They're the perfect finish your summer look.

Topman, AED 220

Shoe Mart, AED 175

Zara, AED 350

Pull & Bear, AED 175

River Island, AED 220

20

Fashion for Her

by Hommam Arbi

Art Attack It's always great when fashion and art unite, and this season we've spotted marvelous masterpieces on the catwalks. Clothes were turned into canvases with vivid prints, photographs, splatters of paint, and brushstrokes on garments. The Grand Palais in Paris was transformed into an art gallery featuring 75 dramatic installations and art pieces created by Karl Lagerfeld for the Chanel show.

Lady GaGa

Prada SS'14

Prabal Gurung SS14

Chanel SS'14

Reemami Pre-Fall'14

H&M, AED 299

Zara, AED 155

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi, AED 2,135 at net-a-porter.com

River Island, AED 115 Reemami, AED 3,933

Tsumori Chisato, AED 1,715 at bysymphony Topshop, AED 135

Gold Rush

Estee Lauder Eyeshadow, AED 95

High shine metallic's in every shade are in for Spring, but nothing screams luxury like gold! Let it be a nail polish, skirt, eyeshadow, dress or a shoe.

Dolce & Gabbana had a dazzling show, as usual, where models walked the runway like a Roman goddesses in gold shimmery dresses, finished with golden belts, jewels and hair accessories.

Gold was also seen at McQueen, Vivien Westwood, Dior, and Christopher Kane.

Bershka, AED 99

Dior SS'14

River Island, AED 185

Golden Parade at Dolce & Gabanna SS'14

Miroslava Duma in Burberry Resort 14 skirt

Chiara Ferragni

Dolce&Gabbana, AED 1,799

Lanvin, POA

Topshop, AED 125

Christopher Kane SS'14

Mango, AED 99 H&M, AED 169 Jimmy Choo, AED 2,295

This Is a Man's World

Stylist/Hommam Arbi Photographer/Anton Rodionov Dominic H wears Shirt/ Kenzo at Harvey Nichols Trousers/ Songzio at the cARTel Sneakers/ Givenchy at Harvey Nichols

Dominic H wears Top/ Monochrome at the cARTel Shorts/ Blood Brother at Harvey Nichols Sneakers/ Givenchy at Harvey Nichols

Dominic H wears T-shirt/ Arutasustamyan Trousers/ Sandor Lakatos at the cARTel Sneakers/ Givenchy at Harvey Nichols

Dominic H wears T-shirt/ MCQ at Harvey Nichols Shorts/ Byungmun Seo at the cARTel Sneakers/ MCQ at Harvey Nichols

Dominic H wears Jacket/ Marc Stone at the cARTel T-shirt/ Givenchy at Harvey Nichols Shorts/ Lot 78 at Harvey Nichols Sneakers/ Givenchy at Harvey Nichols

Dominic H wears T-shirt/ Marcelo Burlon at Harvey Nichols Trousers/ Songzio at the cARTel Sneakers/ MCQ at Harvey Nichols

Dominic H wears T-shirt/ Arutasustamyan Shorts/ Blood Brother at Harvey Nichols Sneakers/ Givenchy at Harvey Nichols

Dominic H wears Jacket/ Songizo at the cARTel T-shirt/ Marcelo Burlon at Harvey Nichols Shorts/ Marcelo Burlon at Harvey Nichols

Fashion Forward Season Three writing by photos by

hommam arbi getty images

For the third time in a row, Madinat Jumeirah was ready to welcome Dubai's most anticipated event of the season: Fashion Forward. This time, 18,000 guests including buyers, stylists, editors and industry professionals from around the globe, along with fashion enthusiasts from across the Middle East, joined together for three days of shows, fashion talks, pop-up stores and, of course, parties!

“...As inspirational as ever, Fashion Forward was packed full of bold, daring and inspirational outfits, on and off the runways”

Gracing the d3 talk stand to offer insights and share tips were some of the biggest names in the fashion industry, including the likes of Fern Mallis, the previous executive director of the CFDA (the Council of Fashion Designers of America) and creator of New York Fashion Week; international blogger and social media phenomenon Bryan Boy; Sofia Guellaty, Senior Editor of Style.com Arabia; Kiyan Foroughi, CEO and co-founder of Boticca, the world’s luxury bazaar of fashion accessories, and CoSTUME NATIONAL designer and creative director Ennio Capasa.

As inspirational as ever, Fashion Forward was packed full of bold, daring and inspirational outfits, on and off the runways. ‘The Garden’ was once again a perfect, eclectic mix of unique accessories from up and coming labels, and the best place to pick up one of a kind items. Fashion Forward did not fail to impress, and is fast becoming the fashion event to plan your year (and wardrobe) around!

Runway Highlights Zayan the Label Zayan Ghandour's main inspiration is the 1990 classic Pretty Woman starring Julia Roberts. The ‘Zayan the Label girl’ is a renegade princess, marching towards her own destiny in embroidered lace, sweats with sheer paneling and themed patches, and puff lace in pastel pink. It’s a vibrant collection that also includes a structured airtex and neoprene story in lilac, navy and black; then there’s the unique Toile de Joie print with fairytale motifs. The bomber jackets’ story is inspired by Julia Robert’s best friend, Kit. Naturally.

Starch Foundation The Starch Foundation is back with new, fresh talents. Timi Hayeki’s relaxed and edgy collection encompasses a young, hippie spirit with unique, hand-drawn, digital prints - all in a monochrome palate. Jo Baaklini, on the other hand, showcased stronger colours and graphic prints from refreshing watermelon to zesty lemon. The clean cuts for both men and women are perfect for the summer season.

The Emperor 1688 The Golkar brothers went all the way to snowy Scotland for inspiration. Scottish wools, tweeds and tartan have been used in their collection of sharp, tailored suits with interesting prints and detailing.

The show also introduced the readyto-wear women’s line: elegant dresses adorned by leather harnesses attached to matching bowties. Capes and overcoats made a strong appearance.

Bashar Assaf After his show last season with the Starch Foundation, Bashar Assaf debuted his first solo collection.

His garments are simple, but with interesting cuts and detailing in burgundy, navy blue and green. Some remarkable prints have also been incorporated, adding an edgy touch.

Floor-length dresses with open backs came down the runway with deconstructed shirts that were paired with tailored skirts and trousers. The collection also includes a few pieces for the fashion forward man.

Taller Marmo For this Fall 2014 collection, Taller Marmo focused on its signature sleek silhouette and strengthened its approach to evening wear. The selection of column dresses and skirts give a sensual vibe, while other dresses which are closed up with bows create playful volumes. The designers, looking to empower today’s Arab woman, drew inspiration for this collection from action movies featuring women in leading roles – like Tomb Raider. Marmo used fabrics like a liquidmetal-like, techno-hued duchesse to give the clothes a modern, bold and powerful edge which perfectly juxtaposes the subtly feminine details.

32

A Week In the Wardrobe of…

Dubai Desert Twins by

Jenny and Katie Smith

Jenny and Katie Smith are two 22 year old twins; originally from Birmingham, England, they are currently living in Dubai. Their blog began almost two years ago and immediately started to gain notability in the fashion blogging world because of their laid-back, down to earth, and affordable style.

We love their effortless sense of fashion, and the twins offered us some wardrobe inspiration by taking us through a week’s worth of versatile outfits for any and every occasion.

For more log in: www.deserttwins.blogspot.ae Follow the Desert Twins on Insta: Katie: @Kate4dubai Jenny: @Jen4dubai

Sunday

Monday

Jenny I wear this outfit to work; it’s very chic and smart-casual which is perfect for the office.

Structured bags are ideal because they are so on trend at the moment and fit everything in them!

Katie I love this outfit because it’s smart enough for work, but edgy at the same time. The right blazer can always turn an edgier outfit into a classy look.

Wednesday Katie This outfit has quite a grungy feel to it.

It’s great for festivals or an outing with friends, and adding accessories like the hat can easily jazz it up (especially if you’re having a bad hair day) and you can play with accessories to take it from chilled to smart-casual.

Tuesday Jenny This is one of my favourite looks. It’s not too over the top, but it’s so versatile: perfect for fashion events, shows, work, and even dinners. This is my girly side which I like to show off once in a while.

Thursday Jenny I love wearing this outfit for dinners with the family, fashion shows, or to go out with the girls. It’s comfy, cute and fun to accessorise - plus it’s ideal when running from work to an evening event.

Friday

Jenny This outfit is my fun beach or festival look. I love incorporating festival trends from events like Coachella into my own personal style and putting my own twist on it.

Jenny This is a new dress which I adore – ideal for any laid-back weekend activity. It is tight fitting to show off curves while being understated, and fun to accessorize and dress up in the evening.

Katie One of my favourite outfits as its casual but you could still wear it on a night out. It’s very cute and classy; you could add a pair of sneakers, flats or sandals with it too and ditch the heels.

Katie Thursday is always tricky when you’re going from work to dinner, or a night out. You can pair this outfit with a blazer for work and then easily take it straight to an evening out. Go for an all-black look or brighten up the outfit with a colourful bag or pair of shoes.

Saturday

Katie I would wear this outfit anywhere: to the mall, a music event, a friend’s house, lunch, a casual dinner. It would look great with any shoes – heels, flats or sneakers – but personally I love to pair it with sneakers. You can pair crop tops with almost anything, making it one of my favourite pieces at the moment.

Cover Story

35

Dina Al Thaher Dina Al Thaher is a young entrepreneur and connoisseur of Arabic food. Her catering company, Sufretna, specialises in what must be some of the best Jordanian and Palestinian food in the UAE. Their small kitchen is unassuming and modest from the outside – you wouldn’t glance twice – but as soon as you set foot inside you are greeted with waves of sublimely delicious scents, billows of steam and a hive of activity; chopping, stirring, peeling, boiling, grilling, tossing, sprinkling.

We had barely been there a minute and we were already desperate to sample everything in sight. Dina greeted us with a warm and welcoming smile and introduced us to her equally warm and smiling team as she showed us around.

It’s easy to see why Sufretna’s food has become so popular. There wasn’t a readymade packet in sight, just piles of fresh veg and meat being lovingly prepared by a team who clearly have just as much passion for good food as Dina. They create the comforting dishes that many people from the region grew up with and, as the business continues to grow, they hope that the food’s popularity will continue to spread to all nationalities, whether local or expat.

Tell us about Sufretna and how you started out.

I love tormous. It's a small yellow beans that you eat like corn. It’s fun to eat and very healthy - it's quite popular in Jordan. Growing up, people would sell tormous on carts on the streets, by our houses. I’d buy it almost every day.

When I moved to Dubai I missed tormous and the foods from home like crazy and I thought, well, why not start a small business? I thought: "this is a healthy thing, let's do it!" I wanted to introduce some different Arabic food to all the nationalities in Dubai, so I set up stands in Global Village and Oasis Center. I wanted to cook real food for people; real, home-made, healthy food.

But, honestly, Jordanian and Palestinian food does not have strong presence in the market. But, I love food, and I love our food in particular, so I really wanted to introduce it to people here in Dubai. So, I opened a small kitchen and started taking big orders for parties. People loved our food, I got more and more orders, and that’s how it all began!

Visit Sufretna’s Facebook page for updates on their lunch menu for each day.

They also take specialised orders for big groups and cater for events and parties.

Facebook.com/Sufretna

How is your food different from other Arabic dishes?

Quality. That's all. The quality of our cooking and our ingredients are both very important. We like to keep our food healthy so we don't use a lot of olive oil and we don't use any fatty ingredients. It's all homemade and I'm pleased to say that none of our ingredients are artificial - every single ingredient we use is fresh, from the meat to the salt. We also like to keep our menu fresh so we come up with new dishes every month. I can't go to sleep at night knowing that any of my customers are unhappy, so when they call me asking if I can add more spices to their order, or a little more salt, anything like that, I do it. I want to make sure that they enjoy their food and their service.

Once you've tried our food, you'll become addicted! Some of my customers actually take the time to call me after their food has been delivered to complement my services and my food, and that means the world to me.

What is your favourite food, and what are Sufretna’s most popular dishes?

That's a hard question! My favourite dish has to be Mansaf, that's why it's our trademark - it's the most popular dish in Sufretna. And I love Kebsa chicken, it's a marinated chicken with a lovely lemon sauce on top and it is just delicious. We cook it really well.

But, to be honest, all dishes become special and popular at our kitchen – Mansaf, Mosakhan, Waraq Enab, Ouzi, Magloobeh, Molokia, Qedreh, and more!

Do you use any old family recipes in your dishes?

Absolutely. Actually, most of our meals are based on old, home-made style recipes with a modern touch. We cook as my mother and grandmother used to cook, but we also think about changing some of the ingredients and measurements to satisfy our customers.

What inspired the name Sufretna?

We wanted it to be simple and heartfelt; "Sufretna" means the dining table of any house, anywhere, so it really represents us and what we do.

writing by photos by

Conel Van Zyl Anton Rodionov

Do you have any plans to expand the business in the future? Maybe open a restaurant?

We are expanding every day and reaching new customers in new areas. Two years ago we were a team of three people, and today we are a team of 20! As for a restaurant, we do have plans and it is something we will do, for sure, once we find the right location.

Ramadan must be one of your busiest times? How do you prepare for that?

Oh yes, Ramadan has been very busy during the last few years. First, we prepare the Ramadan menu which we specially design. We add special food and extra snack items like Sambosa and Dates. Then we work on getting all the ingredients and keeping good stock ahead of time.

Do you have any advice for young, aspiring chefs?

Love what you do. Cook food with love because it needs love and passion. Be unique and create your own style - everyone should have their own style.

Presentation is also very important. People want to eat food that not only smells good but looks good.

Cooking is my passion and I'm passing that on to my team.

“...It’s easy to see why Sufretna’s food has become so popular. There wasn’t a ready-made packet in sight, just piles of fresh veg and meat being lovingly prepared”

38

New Technology

Overall Rating: Hardware – 9.5/10 Software – 8/10 Camera – 8.5/10 Overall –8.7/10

HTC One HTC has delivered yet another game changer for Android users. The HTC One is an excellent phone outrun by none. This is a follow up to last year's One, which shook the industry with its striking design, quality build and premium materials. This is a true flagship Android device.

Hardware Let's start with hardware; first and foremost this phone is gorgeous.

The build quality is better than last year's model; the device feels more natural in hand due to its curved edges and smooth finish, while the all aluminium body structure does away with the plastic frame of the 2013 model. When we put it through it's paces, it held up exceptionally well against the iPhone 5s and Galaxy S5. In fact, it did better than both, albeit by a small margin. There is an additional SD card memory slot which makes it upgradable to 120GB. The battery life was better than last year's model.

by

ANTON RODIONOV

“HTC spent a good chunk of time refining the interface of its latest Android skin”

Software When firing up HTC Sense 6 for the first time, it becomes immediately apparent that HTC spent a good chunk of time refining the interface of its latest Android skin. Everything is cleaner now.

When saving the battery, one can activate extreme battery saving mode which presents the user with a limited ability to make phone calls, send emails and SMS, view calendar and calculator. Overall, this OS is the best attempt by HTC at making their own version of Android more pleasant to use and look at.

Camera HTC One is the first Android phone that uses dual lens technology for its optics; one lens is the famous 4 Ultrapixel shooter that excels at low-light photography, while the second lens functions by capturing the depth of field which lets the user change the point of focus after the shot is taken. While the idea is great and shows HTC takes its cameras seriously, this particular function did not provide me with excellent results. In the end, I would still prefer a higher MP shooter on the phone as the One's camera can be noisy at times and is not the best for daytime photography.

Verdict Did HTC outdo its competition? Definitely! There is no other Android device that is excellently designed and constructed. Could they have done better? Of course. While this boasts amazing speakers, it could have done away with a better camera. Should you buy it? It is definitely a tempting item. This is an Android device that displays attention to detail and is definitely worth the money.

Toshiba Encore Overall Rating: Hardware – 7.5/10 Software – 8/10 Camera – 4/10 Overall – 6.5/10

The Encore is little larger than most e-readers but still has a full PC inside the casing, powered by a quad-core Intel Atom processor. Toshiba said the Encore could be used as a companion device to another PC in a business environment.

However, the firm really seems to be aiming at students, judging by the inclusion of Office Home & Student 2013, an emphasis on Skype video chat and six months' worth of free Xbox music access.

At times, the device is a little sluggish, despite its quad-core Intel Atom, and the small screen makes it incredibly difficult to do anything from the Desktop screen.

It also makes typing difficult and an inconvenience. However, while not on the desktop screen, the interface of Windows 8.1 seems to suit the screen size. Both models (the 32Gb and the 64GB) are based on the Intel Atom Z3740 processor, which has four cores and is clocked at 1.33GHz. More importantly, this chip is based on the latest Bay Trail platform, which is designed to offer better battery life for portable devices and lends itself perfectly to students and business men on the go. This being said, it is an Atom, so the memory is restricted, and both versions of the Encore appear to be limited to no more than 2GB of low power DDR3.

It has Wi-Fi or Bluetooth so products like a keyboard and mouse can be linked for convenience. The only ports the device has are a micro USB port, headset jack socket and the micro HDMI ports adorning the top edge. But, if I was to compare this to an iPad mini, it has more than the iPad by far. An 8MP camera lens takes up the rear of the Encore, while a 2MP webcam can be found in a corner of the front side. Despite its high pixel count, the rear camera did not deliver great image quality and produced photos that were slightly off focus. But, the camera is able to take multiple photos after pressing the button once, to make sure it captures the perfect picture.

Overall, the Encore is a decent tablet and, once you get used to it, has the potential to be a great tablet. Luckily, it has the ability to connect a mouse and keyboard.

Without this, the tablet would have been brought down a lot.

by Oliver Dalton-Mckeown

Nokia X Hardware Undoubtedly, the first thing you notice about this phone is its colour. Bright phones seem to be a Nokia trademark recently with many, almost all, of their new releases featuring bold hues of red, green, blue, yellow and orange. Although it looks deceptively heavy, the 115.5 x 63 x 10.4mm phone is nice and lightweight at just 128g.

It also has a nice matte finish and is comfortable to hold.

The Nokia X is a budget phone with a price tag of AED 439 which runs on 1GHz Snapdragon S4 processor with 512MB of RAM. Scrolling is lovely and smooth but, overall, the phone could be slow to respond when opening applications and other features.

Software It runs and looks very much like a Windows Phone, however, this is the first Nokia phone to run on Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2, albeit with some major skinning. Nokia has essentially combined some of the features from Android and their own OS, which is highly reminiscent of MeeGo and Windows Phone. The tiles, for example, are easily modifiable and the Asha “Fast Lane” feature shows all recent activity (which can be customised). One frustrating aspect of the phone is being unable to get back to the home screen quickly; instead of being taken back with the push of a button you have to keep tapping ‘back’ multiple times.

The app selection is limited; Nokia has opted for its own Android store rather than Google Play. Most available apps are from Microsoft, such as OneDrive and Skype, or Nokia, like HERE Maps, HERE Drive and Mix Radio. This being said, it is possible to sideload applications using a microSD card – although this is a slight nuisance.

Software and Camera The 4” PS LCD WVGA (800 x 480) screen was a pleasant surprise for a budget phone.

Nothing extraordinary, but great for the phone’s price. The phone sports a relatively good 3MP fixed-focus camera with lots of adjustment options and a 2048 x 1536 pixels resolution. It can shoot 480p video at 30fps but has no front facing lens.

Verdict Nokia X is nothing spectacular, but as good, if not slightly better, as can be expected of a budget phone. It is definitely an interesting step into a foray with Android, however it seems a little bit misleading as it is not a true Android phone; it is more of a halfway device which cannot be related to any system in particular. by

Anais young

Overall Rating: Hardware – 5/10 Software – 3/10 Camera – 3/10 Overall – 3.6/10

40

The Con That Was by

Omar Ghanem

Film stars, unbelievable costumes, Pro League Gaming, Stan Lee, and a whole lot of fun; MEFCC 2014 was back, bigger and better than ever before.

The Stars This year, the Con's list of celebrity guests was studded with some unique names: Canadian movie star Taylor Kitsch, Giancarlo Esposito, Sylvester McCoy, Christopher Sabat, Seth Green, Michael Jai White, Tony Jaa, and MEFCC's favourite co-host, Max Landis, to name but a few!

The Con also saw voice actors such as the prestigous Christopher Sabat, who was the voice behind Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z, and Roronoa Zoro from One Piece, as well as the cheerful Seth Green who voiced Chris Griffin from Family Guy and who's also well known for being the creator of Robot Chicken.

Not to mention some of the biggest names from the comic book world: David Lloyd, C.B. Cebulski, Humberto Ramos, Andrew Ainsworth, and Danny Choo, along with favourite personalities from the region like Mo Abedin, Mohammad Fikree, Omar Butti, Saleh Al Braik, and Faisal Hashmi.

Wandering around the Con and spotting the stars mingling and chatting added to the buzzing atmosphere of the event.

Although you could have a photo taken with a star for a small fee, some were lucky to catch them on the go for a quick 'selfie' as they wandered through the crowd. The real challenge here was to be quick enough to catch the unbelievably fast Seth Green as he swiftly darted around the venue.

Cosplay Fun The Middle East Film & Comic Con is well known for its incredible cosplayers who always put admirable effort into the creation of their awesome costumes. Once again, thousands of cosplayers swarmed in resembling everything from Darthvader, Goku, Batman, Wonder Woman, Max Payne, and Spidergirl to the Super "Arab" Mario Bros. Some of the costumes were gigantic, like the Gundam wing and Warhammer, while others were small and absolutely adorable like baby Robin.

And all that is not even close to describing the amount of amazing costumes we came across - we weren't disappointed, not even a tiny bit. A highlight of the competition for all cosplay lovers would probably be the great Yaya Han being a part of the judging panel, but if there's anything we've learned from this year's MEFCC it's this: everyone loves Frozen (insert 1,366,823 pictures of Elsa cosplay here).

Terabytes of Gaming What's a Comic Con without gaming fun and competitions? Well thankfully, we don't have to find out. This year's MEFCC had tons of gaming: the Power League Gaming arena was a highlight with Dota 2, FIFA 14 and Titanfall competitions, and much more. The Middle East’s gaming community came out of hiding and flocked to the arena, for both the invitational and open tournaments.

Different gaming giants were present, like Sony which was showing off its new, exclusive and highly anticipated inFAMOUS: Second Son for PS4. Then there was the Marvel Comics stand which gave you the chance to try out Tony Stark’s very own Iron Man suit through their on-screen motion sensor simulator.

The gaming wasn’t just limited to the digital. Card toptable gamers could take a seat in a dedicated area that had people of all ages sit down for some good old card game fun.

“The real challenge here was to be quick enough to catch the unbelievably fast Seth Green as he swiftly darted around the venue”

The Artist Alley Wander up from the gaming arena and you find yourself in one of the greatest areas of the Con: Artist Alley. Artists from all over the region had the chance to showcase and sell their incredible artwork. Some even chose to play around and add a unique, cultural touch to the famous superheroes and characters we all grew up with. Every single piece of artwork was absolutely breath-taking and the Artist Alley proved that love for art and pop culture is available in abundance throughout the Middle East.

"Excelsior" Without shadow of a doubt, one of the best moments of MEFCC was the Skype session with the legendary Stan Lee. This was the opportunity of a lifetime for all comic book lovers and Marvel fans. The audience had the chance to put questions to the man who has created much of our entertainment landscape for the last 50 years, and who is well known for creating super hero characters including Spider-Man, Iron Man and the X-Men. More treats were in store as the session was followed by a Marvel quiz with the opportunity to win a poster signed by the man himself.

“The audience had the chance to put questions to the man who has created much of our entertainment landscape for the last 50 years�

To get more info on MEFCC log on: www.mefcc.com

The Con that was...

This year's MEFCC had it all: the stars, the gaming, the fun (and even those Green Lantern shirts that were a whole lot better than the Ryan Reynolds movie).

The aspect of the event which really shone through was the way that everyone, no matter their gender, age or background, came together to enjoy the brilliance of comic books, superheroes, video games and pop culture. We are already looking forward to next year, and we can’t wait to see the MEFCC team out-do themselves once more! photos by

Sofia Fernandez Vyas, Omar Ghanem & Natasha Aguiar

44

Colour Run

After its success in Dubai last December, The Colour Run returned - this time with over 7,000 participants, including British athlete and Olympic gold medalist Kelly Holmes. Holmes also took part in last year’s Colour Run and joined the crowd again as they made their way around the track, being hit with fistfuls of coloured powder at each kilometre. Runners completed the course by joining the 'Finish Festival' where participants danced to a DJ set while throwing even more colour over each other.

“a group of Kenyan friends passed through the crowd, singing and encouraging the other colour runners to run faster as we neared the finish line�

The event is a truly joyful and exciting experience, whether you are a casual mall-walker or an Olympic athlete- people of all ages can take part in this fantastic event! The run is focused on health, fun and fitness, but it also supports a great cause: $1 from each entry is donated to Operation Smile. Colour runners also have the option to raise money for charities and causes which are important to them through the online fundraising site, JustGiving.com Taking part was so enjoyable, and I felt more encouraged to work out and get fit. The atmosphere was one of the best parts, and I found myself laughing along the way as a group of Kenyan friends passed through the crowd, singing and encouraging the other colour runners to run faster as we neared the finish line, where we all jumped and danced and covered the entire area with cheerful, bright colours. writing and photos by

Conel Van Zyl

UFC Abu Dhabi

45

Blood and sweat were the main events on the 11th of April, and everyone was looking forward to it. Hooting when a well struck blow was landed, and silent during the slow moments of wrestling, the audience flocked to see the best of the best in UFC lined up to fight each other.

Ramsey Nijiem, a Palestinian-American, went up against Berneil Dariush. The fight was intense until Ramsay managed to get on top of Berneil, beating his nose and drawing blood. The crowd roared as Ramsey won announcing: “I am going to be bringing a belt to the Middle East!” and asking for more opponents.

Next up, John Howard fought Ryan LaFlare. A foul by LaFlare made up for the lack of action in the beginning, after which point the damage was done. Howard was considerably weakened and not capable of keeping his defense up, giving LaFlare a win.

Anyone who knows Clay Guida knows that he never stops moving in the ring and is constantly taunting his opponent like an animal. His fight against Tatsuya Kawajiri was no different, and Tatsuya felt it, as the two, almost equal, fighters began to combat. It was a close match, and hard to tell who would come out on top, but in the end Guida was proclaimed the winner.

Finally, Roy “Big Country” Nelson went up against Minotauro Nogueira. Both in the heavy weight class, Nelson was weighed in at 255 ½ pounds whereas Nogueira was weighed in at 236 pounds. If anyone thought they would last more than three rounds against each other, they were mistaken. Nelson’s right hook brought the fight to a quick end.

writing by

As soon as Nelson saw an opening he went for it. He hit Nogueira’s jaw hard as a hammer and had him K.O. in less than a minute. The sight of Nogueira falling was repeated several times on the screen while medic’s made sure that the unconscious fighter was okay. Nelson celebrated by jumping on top of the ring and raising his arms in victory, but afterwards offered a courteous handshake to Nogueira.

“As soon as Nelson saw an opening he went for it. He hit Nogueira’s jaw hard as a hammer and had him K.O. in less than a minute”

The battle between Nelson and Nogueria was one of the highlights during a day of expert fighting, excellent showmanship and an amazing, energetic atmosphere.

Every match was on-the-edge-of-your-seat exciting – this is one event you do not want to miss next time round!

photos by

Aaricia Van Ommen Angeli Castillo

46

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Wiley and Rick Ross opened with two energetic performances that kept everyone entertained from as early as 8:30 – there was no four-hour-long, agonising wait at this concert, so I was already liking it. Ryan Lewis walked onto the stage two hours later and began with a brilliantly layered instrumental, ‘Bom Bom’, and then quickly transitioned into ‘Ten Thousand Hours’ as Macklemore ran onto the stage. The crowd roared their way through the first number, culminating in a massive cheer as he spoke into the microphone and said: “Abu Dhabi, welcome to The Heist.”

The Heist certainly isn’t a conventional hip-hop album. Macklemore and Lewis engage their listeners in a powerful social commentary by addressing range of issues that have gained an increasingly popular position in the public eye.

The album, however, is also a close to perfect mix of serious and fun, and it was great to see this same tone resonate on stage.Throughout the night Macklemore remained constantly engaged with the audience, openly talking about his own struggles before performing ‘Starting Over’. These moments were accompanied by more lighthearted ones as he spoke about taking a selfie with a camel and riding the Formula Rossa at Ferrari World.

The du Arena felt significantly smaller; the crowd of 7,000 filling up just over a quarter of the vast open space. This was the smallest crowd I had ever seen in the arena, but I could tell that almost everyone there was a huge fan. The place was buzzing as I settled in to the, somewhat more intimate, setting for what would be a truly amazing night.

He said “for the past 48 hours I’ve been living like a 13 year old boy”, before diving into ‘Thrift Shop’ and sending the crowd, including myself, into a roaring frenzy.

Yelling the world famous lyrics “I’m gonna pop some tags, only got 20 dollars in my pocket”, at the tops of our lungs whilst seeing it performed right in front of us was an epic moment. The show ended with an incredible encore of ‘Can’t Hold Us’, and the entire arena jumped up and down with their hands in the air as the night drew to a close.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are a duo that put a refreshing new spin on hip-hop, moving away from the clichés in order to tackle more challenging subject matter.

They delivered a performance that I am unlikely to forget, and their music is something I look forward to hearing more of in the future.

writing by photos by

Shahmir Khan Jake Hughes

Our interns get to review concerts Apply at: http://one8one.com

48

Healthy In Disguise by

SOFIA FERNANDEZ VYAS Karen McLean is a girl after our own hearts as the sneaky chef behind the deceptively healthy blog Secret Squirrel Food – a collection of her own sublimely delicious treats that are refined sugar-free, dairy-free, mostly raw, and gluten-free.

Follow Karen's blog at: www.secretsquirrelfood.com

Daylighting as a qualified chartered accountant in supply chain logistics, by night she is cooking up a storm in the Dubai blogosphere by creating nutritious and healthy food, experimenting with alternatives to your not-so-healthy choices and transforming fresh fruit and veg into something tasty. We caught up with her to get the lo-down on how to snack and stay healthy in Dubai. Honestly, we haven’t stopped eating since...

Karen says… Healthy food doesn't have to be boring… let's make it fun! Secret Squirrel Food celebrates the pleasures of eating simple, natural and wholesome food. I love teaching people that they can be healthy.

The name Secret Squirrel Food came from… “Sneaky Health Foods”. Often, people are extremely intrigued by the recipes and can't believe that they're healthy.

If I was stranded on a desert island and could only have one thing to eat for the rest of my life it would be… Peanut Butter! I am a major peanut butter addict. I love to spread it onto fresh slices of apple or banana and put it on crackers and celery sticks, or make raw chocolate peanut butter cups. The possibilities are endless and I would smother it on everything if I could!

Recipies by Karen McLean Simple Chia Pudding

Chia puddings are packed with Omega 3 fatty acids and can be served in endless combinations: layered with fresh fruit, granola, nuts, super seeds, berry compotes, fruit smoothies. This is a truly nutritious breakfast which will give you radiant, glowing skin.

3 tbsp chia seeds 1 cup milk of choice (soy, almond, coconut milk etc.)

1/4 tsp vanilla bean paste 1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

2. Place in the fridge to soak overnight.

3. In the morning, stir the chia pudding until you get a smooth, creamy consistency.

4. That was so EASY! Now that you’ve created a chia pudding, start layering with your favourite fruits and be creative!

Spiced Honey Walnut Banana Ice-Cream

It’s smooth, creamy, slightly crunchy, and tastes and “appears” to be incredibly naughty. But looks can be deceiving because this is healthy in disguise! I’m still amazed by how delicious it is.

Serves 2 3 frozen ripe bananas 1/2 tbsp honey 1 tsp ground cardamom 1/4 cup walnuts (roughly chopped) 1. Peel ripe bananas, wrap in glad wrap and freeze overnight.

2. Add frozen bananas, honey and cardamom to food processor or blender and process until fluffy, smooth, and creamy.

3. Add walnuts and carefully mix through with wooden spoon.

4. Empty the mixture into a container and put back into the freezer for a few hours to set.

5. When the ice-cream is ready, scoop with an ice-cream scoop, top with fresh fruit (optional) and a drizzle of honey.

6. Enjoy your guilt-free ice-cream!

Cranberry Pistachio Oat Bars

Are you driving? Rushing to work? On the way home from the gym? Are you feeling HANGRY (a state of anger caused by lack of food)? This is the perfect solution and will keep you satisfied until your next meal.

Makes 8 21cm x 21cm square tray.

1 very ripe banana 1/3 cup medjool dates 1 tbsp peanut butter 2 tbsp coconut oil 1 tbsp raw agave syrup 1 cup rolled oats 1/3 cup desiccated coconut 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup buckwheat 1/4 cup pistachios 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1. Preheat oven at 150 degrees Celsius.

2. Add banana, dates, peanut butter, coconut oil, agave syrup to a food processor and process until mixture is well combined.

3. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until just combined.

4. Line tray with baking paper and pour in mixture.

5. Flatten with a spatula, put into the oven for 30 minutes.

6. Let cool on cooling rack and cut into 8 individual bars.

7. Wrap with paper and ribbons. These will keep for 3-4 days and up to a week if kept in the fridge.

50

Sandwhat? by

Aditya Prakash

Dubai is known for countless impressive things. Having the tallest building in the world; islands shaped like palm trees; a ‘seven’ star hotel in the shape of a sail on a man-made island. All very well and good. But, to us inhabitants there are other, far more pressing, matters which need our attention. Something which has baffled, bamboozled and evaded us for far too long: What makes the best sandwich in Dubai, and where can this elusive sandwich be found?

What is the ideal texture of the bread like? Soft and melt in your mouth?

Or crunchy to balance out the gooey texture of melting cheese? Is a grilled cheese sandwich the ultimate sandwich?! We are on a mission to find out.

First and foremost, every single reader must completely remold their idea of what a sandwich is. Wikipedia describes a sandwich as being "an item of food consisting of two pieces of bread with a filling between them, eaten as a light meal". This is a vague definition, which allows for spin-offs like burgers or the traditional manakish (and means that the uncouth monstrosity of a ‘Big Mac’ could be a potential contender in this sophisticated and elite brotherhood of a food type). So, to narrow things down, we are on the hunt for the classic, stereotypical, afternoon-tea, picnic-in-the-park style of sandwich.

Bread Let's start with the aspect of the sandwich that gives you the first impression: the bread. Whatever the filling, sandwiches become the stuff of nightmares when the bread is not perfect. In Dubai, the bread of classic sandwiches can generally be divided into two main varieties.

First: the traditional Supermarket Bakery bread, which most small shops tend to use. It offers a wonderful softness which is heavenly underneath the crispy outside, when toasted. If done well, there is just nothing better.

You would be better off spending your money on a pile of sand than something untoasted – especially if there’s no cheese, in which case words fail.

Second: Subway-style baguettes or bread rolls that are perfect when extra fresh. Warm and soft, they also create a larger bread-to-filling ratio.

However, they run the risk of being too crispy on the outside and not soft enough inside, which can result in one of the cardinal sins of bread: chewiness (oh, the horror).

Quality, not quantity, is the golden rule of bread. For this reason, Option A's bread is almost always preferred, and always the safest choice.

Fillings There as many possibilities for the perfect filling as there are people in the Dubai Mall on a Friday. Finding the ideal combination, or perhaps even just that one, perfect ingredient, is a challenge to say the least.

In Dubai, the best sandwich fillings would almost certainly have at least one relative of the Cheese family and something, anything really, that has been generously seasoned with zaartar. If we're talking Arabic Bakery, for example, the traditional 'jubnah' offers what can only be described as pure happiness. The crispy fresh bread's firmness acts as a catalyst to the spreading of the gooey, rich flavours without dominating the dish.

Let’s speak frankly. Cheese is the pillar of the sandwich world. There is an insurmountable variety on offer from Cheddar to Gouda, Brie, Camembert, Edam, Mozzarella, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Halloumi…

Everything else can be pretty hit and miss. Veg can be soggy, rather than crisp and meat can be dry, tough or rubbery. Cheese, however, is another story: grate it, slice it, melt it, cover it in sauce or add it to any sandwich and it will be delicious. No question.

So, we are agreed. The best sandwiches are of the cheese variety. But where can I find the best of the best?

What I can safely call the best sandwich in Dubai stems from a somewhat unexpected place: the more cult following sandwich shops of Bur Dubai such as local legend Bombay Star Juice Centre. A recurring, North Indian style Sandwich that they all seem to share mutually is the popular 'Chilli Cheese Sandwich' and, whatever it does, it does perfectly.

The star of the dish is indeed the cheese. Incognito, it doesn’t go by any fancy name. In fact, it tends to change from place to place but the general ideology is the same: indulgently fatty, greasy and in far more than substantial quantities. The cheese melts in your mouth like a salty lava, harnessing your sense of taste and taking over your soul. The spicy kick of the chili in enough to keep you on your toes and crave each bite with more and more enthusiasm. The bread’s crunch gives each bite a sense of accomplishment and excitement – a culinary fiesta for the senses. It hits a home run every time.

Reader, we hope this article has been enlightening. We hope that we have provided you with a solution to the hunger induced panic of where to find the perfect sandwich, or at least provided you with the tools to become one of Dubai’s most discerning sandwich critics. Most of all, we hope you feel inspired, motivated and hungry enough to go out into the world a more knowledgeable person, and with an open mind, to find your perfect sandwich (seriously, try the Chili Cheese, though, you will not regret it).

“It has baffled, bamboozled and evaded us for far too long: What makes the best sandwich in Dubai, and where can this elusive sandwich be found?”

52

Restaurant Review: The Counter

We have heard so much about new gourmet burger outlet The Counter recently that it was beginning to sound like somewhat of an urban legend. "There’s this place at The Beach", the rumours said, "where you can build your own burger with gourmet toppings and tonnes of different burger meat and sauces and add-ons". Really, it did sound too good to be true. Does there actually exist a place where you can have Brie, pineapple, artichoke and horseradish aioli together? On a burger?

On the beach? Surely, everyone must be mistaken.

What foodie could resist a mission to find out? So, equipped for a day at the beach, we headed down to JBR, binoculars in hand and google maps at the ready. As the midday sun hit we rushed into the cool, diner—style interior of The Counter. Our hunger got the better of us, however, and we neglected to be more adventurous with our choices.

We opted for one of the recommended and healthy-sounding ‘Burgers in a Bowl’: Asian Veggie, which consisted of a 1/3 lb homemade veggie patty with mixed greens, carrot strings, onion, grilled pineapple, roasted red peppers, and a sesame ginger dressing and peanut sauce, sans the bun.

“The Counter is like a healthy beach burger heaven, and one which has been long overdue in Dubai”

When confronted with the extensive ‘Build a Burger’ section, I went for a classic beef 1/3 lb burger topped with Danish blue cheese, beef smoked bacon, sautéed mushrooms and – as a daring afterthought - sliced avocado and honey Dijon sauce, served on a wheat bun. Our milkshakes arrived first: a chocolate and peanut butter creation (which I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone and everyone), and the Birthday Cake Shake; both were thick, creamy, and more than generous in serving size.

Both burgers and sides proved heavenly. The parmesan fries had a strong flavour and were a nice change from classic ‘cheesy chips’. All components of both meals were tasty and fresh –no drips of grease and a bun as soft and warm as you could wish for. Sharper steak knives were helpfully provided and sauce was given on the side - thoughtful touches that made the meal more enjoyable.

We returned within days, this time ready face the menu un-phased by the extensive variety. Grilled vegetable skewers to start. They were salty and generously seasoned; a perfect accompaniment to make for a lighter, but still satisfying, meal, especially in the heat. In comparison to the milkshakes, I was disappointed by my smoothie – coconut, banana and frozen yoghurt – which was slightly too sweet and syrupy for my liking.

I went all out building my own burger. I almost always go for beef but this time decided to try the chicken, teaming it with Gruyere cheese, roasted corn and black bean salsa, marinated artichoke and spinach, finished with spicy sour cream. The chicken was tender and juicy and although the spicy sour cream could have done with more spice, it was definitely the star of the meal. The flavours I chose went together impeccably (if I do say so myself), but not just because I made, quite frankly, excellent choices, but because each topping alone was once again fresh, tasty and perfectly portioned.

To be honest, I find it hard to image a combination which wouldn’t have worked. The Counter is like a (relatively-kind-of) healthy beach burger heaven, and one which has been long overdue in Dubai. Everything from the food to the interiors to the location is fantastic. Laid-back, cool and sublimely delicious. What more could you want?

Ten Things You Didn't know

53

Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth Squirrels forget where they hide about 50% of their nuts

Coconut water can be used as blood plasma

Watching horror films burns the most calories out of all genres

The most expensive fruit in the world is the Japanese Yubari cantaloupe - two once sold at auction for $23,500

In the U.S. the Coca-Cola company is the only company exempt from the law which prohibits anyone else from importing coca leaves

Spiders eat their own webs and recycle them later

The most expensive pizza in the world is sold in Canada for $450 A lawsuit was once filed against Pringles trying to prove that they are not potato chips

Ice-cream City in Tokyo sells ice-cream in flavours including Cow Tongue, Raw Horse Flesh, Indian Curry, Salt, Garlic, Octopus and Snake

54

Books

Soulless Author: Gail Carriger A supernatural steampunk romance mystery novel, Soulless is the quirky, funny and witty first instalment of a series of five novels

by Carriger. The storyline centres on Alexia, a spinster from the Victorian era with the ability to nullify the powers of werewolves and vampires (thus turning them back into humans). Also, she has no soul.

A Greyhound of a Girl Author: Roddy Doyle Roddy Doyle’s A Greyhound of a Girl deals with some difficult subjects: fears of death, love, and losing loved ones.

Set over three periods of time, it follows the lives of three generations who inhabit an old Farmhouse near Dublin, Ireland. The main character, Mary, is a witty young girl and her story is one of heartache and love after she learns that her Grandmother is dying. Over the course of the book, the generations of Mary’s family come together to attempt to come to terms with this loss.

A large part of the storyline is based around a ghost called Tansy, and this is quite strange. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, however, it is cleverly intertwined with the rest of the book which makes it as interesting as it is odd, and contributes to the feeling of sadness and loss which permeates the narrative.

The book itself is quite small and a quick read. Doyle’s writing style is simple and to the point, making for enjoyable and easy reading. It doesn’t lend itself easily to any particular age group or genre, but is touching and, at times, funny with charming characters. by

Megan Lacey

Set in an alternative Victorian England, a world dominated by social etiquette and one in which Vampires and Werewolves are accepted members of society, Alexia is facing several serious problems: her search for a husband, her social standing, and her lack of any soul. All is made worse when she accidentally kills a Vampire. Subsequently, she becomes the main suspect in an investigation into the disappearance of Vampires from London’s high society.

As any fabulous heroine would, Alexia takes matters into her own hands and investigates the disappearances herself to try and clear her name - all while trying to maintain her social standing and remain within the boundaries of social etiquette (hindered humorously by her love of food, among other things).

The combination of the historical and the supernatural is extremely effective in Soulless, and reading of Vampires and Werewolves attempting to follow social norms is, oddly, believable as well as funny. The characters are all well developed, and the various twists keep you from guessing where the story is going.

And the best thing? There are four more to go. by

Natasha Aguiar

Teens Talk

ME

Teens Talk Middle East www.teenstalk-me.com info@teenstalk-me.com

Real Talk With Real Teens

58

Do I Look Good in This?

Natalia is an intelligent university student majoring in Business Studies. She has a wealth of internship experience that will take her to the top of a selection board for a new career opening at Google. At home, Natalia is full of life and energy. Her brothers are always complaining about her loud and overly confident attitude, but her peers would completely disagree. In large groups Natalia rarely engages in conversation and, when she is spoken to, she blushes and shies away from sharing her opinion on anything whether movies or a group discussion.

According to her peers, she has beautiful eyes and her hair is always perfection.

She is tall and her ballet classes have made her stand with wonderful posture.

Natalia, on the other hand, believes that her hair is dull and lifeless. She thinks her feet are too big and that she needs to lose another 10 pounds, at least! When asked, she struggles to find anything beautiful about herself.

Natalia’s Story…

Sadly, but not surprisingly, after recently discussing confidence and self-esteem with a group of young women, I learned that too many girls have low self-esteem and that they are highly critical of their body image. Natalia is not alone in her harsh self-judgments.

Unfortunately, it does not end at physical beauty, the criticism goes deeper. The girls struggle to believe that they are intelligent and always find an example of someone who is smarter, more beautiful or more personable than they are. They tend to have negative self-talk and they struggle to own the compliments that are given to them by friends or family.

When in Doubt…

Are you Natalia? Do you find it difficult to feel good about yourself? Reach out to someone for help. Are you one of those girls who is ‘confident looking’ and, to everyone else, seems to have it all? Are you struggling silently? Do you find yourself feeling unattractive, and do you believe that the other girls are more outgoing than you ever could be?

Reach out to someone and tell them how you feel. Visit the bookstores and read some fabulous books about self-confidence.

Google stories about real women who struggled with low self-esteem. Speak to your mothers, your sisters, your brothers and your friends. Tell someone how you feel.

How We Can Help…

Notice everything. Pay close attention.

These girls are not hiding it as much as society would like to believe. The signs are actually very obvious. What do they say when you give them a compliment? How do they look at themselves in the mirror?

Do they put their ideas down as silly or unrealistic? Notice how they react to other women and other girls. Do they wish out loud? Do you hear them saying, ‘I wish my legs were as thin as’, or do you see them hiding behind scruffy clothes?

These are all signals.

Get curious. Ask her what she likes about her face or what she loves about herself - mind and body. Does she shy away? Ask her why. Confidence is not someone else’s problem. It affects us all. One confident young girl will become a confident young woman who will become a confident young mother. Do you see where I am going with this? Confidence belongs to us all. It is a problem that we face as a community, and as a society.

Final Thoughts…

On the journey of life, I would like to believe that we are all beautiful inside and out.

Unfortunately, too many children are criticised from an early age and the effects of their experiences follow them and impact them as well as those that surround them. The cycle must stop and there is no better day than today. Gone are the days of blaming the media; the media only respond to society’s requests. If we demand ‘real women’ on the covers of a magazines then real women will be placed on the covers.

Make-up, clothes and accessories do not have to define us, they should complement us and help us to shine brighter.

Start complementing more and criticising less. Start encouraging guys and girls to see their beauty. Remember your guy friends.

They struggle with confidence just as much as your girlfriends do. Speak to yourself just as you would your friends. Accept your imperfections and appreciate life with all of its challenges. Beauty is beautiful but, as with everything, it will not matter for very long.

by

Maria V. Chatila, Owner & Creator of Teens Talk Middle East, www.teenstalk-me.com

Astrology

by Oliver Dalton-Mckeown

May 2014

60

Taurus 19 April- 20 May You tend to be very patient and dedicated when it comes to dealing with your life. Extremely faithful, and with a strong need for security, you can be thoughtful and sensitive when given the chance to be.

You are kind and generous with friends, with whom you develop an unspoken rapport. No sacrifice is too great when it comes to those you care about. You are excited and determined, but, equally, you also pass through long periods of fatigue. You can tend to be easily led by emotions but you will always fight for what’s right, and you can be counted on to be up front and straight to the point.

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Your instinct, this month, is to stand your ground with what you believe is right. If you decide to follow this instinct, also consider adjusting to change. Look within yourself and decide which inner values are most important to you and which could be re-thought, but don’t jeopardise your selfesteem in the process.

The month is yours! Take from it what you desire. Feel free to take leaps of faith and follow your taste for freedom.

Although there is a lot of pressure on you, do not let it stop you from going with your instincts. Do not concern yourself with what others think: it is your wellbeing which matters most.

Determination is key for you as throughout the month you will encounter some obstacles.

You should embrace this as new challenges can signify positive change. Friends will also be important for keeping you grounded and supporting you, so surround yourself with the people you want to move forward with.

Challenge yourself, this month, to consciously seek out new beginnings. Work on strategies to enhance your confidence. It is important to take the time to rediscover what you believe in and to have complete faith in those beliefs - your sense of conviction will be especially needed in coming weeks.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

A lot of pressure has been piling on you recently, but this is soon to end. In the near future you will find harmony and balance within your life.

Persist with finding solutions to the difficulties you encounter as it will open up new doors that you may never have considered for yourself.

This month holds a number of unexpected twists and turns for you. You will need to make some major decisions and, although you may feel off at some points, this month is a time for new beginnings.

You will be open to new experiences, whether this comes from meeting new people or fine-tuning your life goals.

Big transformations and opportunities are coming your way in this busy month.

In order to benefit from those changes you must work on making sure you feel confident in yourself and what you are doing. You will find that your studies and work will bring you empowering energy as you devote more time to them than usual.

It's time for you to recharge your inner-self, reconnect with what you enjoy the most and make the necessary changes.

It is better for you not to wait for the changes you are hoping for. Instead, open up your mind and try to find them for yourself so that you stay completely in control.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

It is important for you to make the most of this month as it brings you the chance to be rewarded for your hard work.

There are strong feelings to renew your old hobbies which got in the way of your desire progress efficiently with your work life. It can be tough, but focussing on your work is the best thing you can do this month, although don’t lose sight of friends and family.

You will be feeling a strong pull to reach the goals you have set yourself. This month will give you the well needed boost you desire, just don’t give up! You will come across as powerful to others as long as you have enough faith in yourself. Try not to take too much control of everything as it is simply not possible. Focus on what matters to you most.

Currently, you feel like rebelling against old structures in your life. This is not a bad thing. Stretching yourself to embrace changes in your routine, whatever the size, will benefit you. You may find yourself more grateful for what you have; it is important to stay optimistic in the face of any problems which may arise and take time to de-stress if needed.

This month brings change to many, but to you this change comes in the form of expanding your creative talents which will bring you long awaited joy. You will experience some transformations; don’t be afraid of this. If you are brave you will be rewarded greatly with the feeling of accomplishment and, perhaps, financially.

20 March- 19 April

22 July- 22 August

22 November- 21 December

19 April- 20 May

22 August- 22 September

21 December- 20 January

20 May- 21 June

22 September- 23 October

20 January- 18 February

21 June- 22 July

23 October- 22 November

19 February- 20 March

62

News

Smart Tech Wizard Champion 2014 Over 726 students from over 50 schools in the UAE competed in the fourth edition of TCS IT Wiz, held at Indian High School this April.

It was an interesting day. The preliminary rounds made way for the intense final rounds of quizzing that eventually saw Madhur Singal and Madhav Subramanyam from Delhi Private School, Sharjah, claim the winner’s trophy. The winners were also presented with an iPad Air among other prizes.

Alexander Thomas and Karthik Mallya from Our Own High School, Al Warqa’a, came in a close second as runners up, receiving a trophy and winning an iPad mini. The other finalists included students from Al Diyafah High School, Delhi Private School Dubai, Our Own English High School, Sharjah, and GEMS Modern Academy.

“It is enlivening for us all to see such an excellent display of tech talent and knowledge from these finalists. It’s a proud moment for us every year when we host this quiz to see that the future is indeed bright and in safe hands.” said Varun Kapur, Vice President and Head of TCS Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean region.

Al Noor Launches Literacy Awareness Campaign Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs has launched a campaign to create community awareness about the importance of competent literacy skills for children with learning challenges, and to raise funds to improve the Centre’s equipment and training.

Literacy is at the core of Al Noor’s educational and training programme and the Centre’s ‘Literacy For All’ programme will allow this to be maintained.

The campaign also aims to highlight how the habit of reading should be encouraged in all children as its importance is paramount to improving the lifestyle of students and long-term community integration.

The training centre requires much needed investment for the introduction of new technologies that help challenged children better interact with books and text in general. Funds can also help the Centre’s staff receive training to acquire specialist knowledge and adopt certain teaching techniques to support the literacy programme.

The campaign got under way last week with the screening of a movie filmed and acted by Al Noor’s children at the inaugural Dubai Children’s Film Festival. Titled Slam Downs the 15-minute-long film charts the journey of two kids with special needs into mainstream society.

Al Noor Training Centre has also co-founded The Dubai Bookmark Initiative, a social media-centric community movement designed to encourage the habit of reading books amongst the UAE’s adults and children. One initiative raising funds for the programme belongs to co-founder of The Dubai Bookmark Initiative, Georgios Kotsolios. As the author of the self-published book titled Back to the Future of Marketing, Kotsolios will be donating all proceeds of his book sold from July 30th.

“The Dubai Bookmark Initiative is the ideal forum for us to help create awareness about our children’s literacy capacity and, from our part, we will ensure that the movement continues to grow and with it, awareness of our cause,” said Isphana Al-Khatib, Director of Al Noor.

GET A 15% DISCOUNT THIS SPRING Graduating in 2015/2016? Get a 15% Discount This Spring!

AUD holds Its 2nd International Counselors Event

Carian College Advisors is offering a special, limited-time 15% discount on all of our packages for students graduating from high school in 2015 or 2016. This offer is only good through February 28, so make an appointment for your free initial consultation today!

The Admissions Department at the American University in Dubai held its 2nd Annual International Counselor Day, gathering around 30 school counselors from around the world to showcase AUD. A full one day programme introduced AUD and discussed the undergraduate and graduate courses offered, as well as life on campus. Presentations were given by the Admissions team and the different Deans at AUD. During the gala dinner, the counselors from local and international schools were brought together as keynote speaker H.E. Eng. Mohammed Geyath, Director General, of Mohammed Bin Rashid Smart Learning Programme (MBRSLP), spoke of the direction in which they are trying to steer learning, in terms of methods in the classroom, to better accommodate all students.

In addition, Mrs. Bev Mileham, General Manager of BizGroup, facilitated a workshop for the counselors entitled “The Shape Talk� in which counselors took part in a personality assessment which categorised them into four simple shapes depending on their characteristics, to better understand themselves, others, and how to better deal with those differences in the classroom.

Win a Scholarshi p for Application Guidance and Assistance from Carian College Advisors!

Write an essay (500 words max) about why you want to study in the US and why you deserve the scholarship.

Applicants must "like" our Facebook page and e-mail their essay to info@carianet.com by April 1, 2014.

Winner will receive Carian's Crimson Package.

Up to three runners-up will receive Carian's Ivy Package.

Winners will be announced April 15, 2014 Visit www.carianet.com for more information about our packages.

As part of the event, counselors had a chance to network and socialise while also getting to know the city on a tour of Dubai which included a dhow cruise in Dubai Marina.

facebook.com/carianet +971 4 338 8658 info@carianet.com www.carianet.com

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