New beginnings issue

Your Ideas in Print

Touchdown!

Strength, Strategy and Commitment. EAFL stars tell us about what it takes to be a football player

Troye Sivan & Ed Sheeran YouTube sensation releases an album and acoustic icon returns with ‘Multiply’

FIFA 15

Strap on your shinpads, it’s that time of year again!

Facebook

We all have that one friend that...

Graffiti in the City!

Rubin Sanchez- a new perspective on street art

Canadian Foodies Rejoice Get your poutine fix for the first time in the UAE!

Bounce!

Unleash your inner child

Change the World Attitude helps

TAKE ME I’M FREE one8one.com

In the Editor's Shoes A great American philosopher once said, "With great power, comes great responsibility". This great philosopher, as you may (or may not) know, was Peter Parker's Uncle Ben. When I was told that I would be editor for the September issue for one8one magazine, I immediately fell into a state of euphoric shock. I was unsure of what to expect. Would I be able to handle such a Herculian task? Despite my initial apprehensive sentiments, I happily and confidently stepped into the editor's shoes and have no regrets. I was certain that I would not let such a great opportunity simply pass by.

This month's issue encompasses a myriad of topics and issues. Humour, adrenaline, and thought-provoking ideas will all be found within these pages. Our cover story will get your adrenaline pumping and your body aching through our interview of four Emirates American Football League "superstars", including the League's founder Dustin Cherniawski.

Like many people, I adore food. In my little quixotic utopia, I would ideally devour countless meals from the most peculiar cuisines the world has to offer. Thankfully, our restaurant reviews of 'Maple Leaf', 'Shakeism', and '77 Veggie Boutique' should appeal to the common palate and hopefully tantalise your tastebuds.

With the summer holidays speedily reaching a conclusion, some of us may be disquieted by the prospect of the new school year. Some of us may be sitting for public examinations at the end of this year, too. An article on Page 30 should help us to understand our anxieties and overcome our 'high school fears'. The end of summer also symbolises a hopeful end, or at the very least, a curtailing of annoying Facebook personas adopted by some of our friends. If you don't know someone who obsesses over their pet cat on your Facebook friends list, I envy you deeply.

September, in many ways, is one of my favourite months. For me, it symbolises a month of progression, freshness, and vigour. This month's issue, I feel, reflects these three words, incorporating articles from a wide range of topics.

We hope you enjoy the issue!

Shehryar haris 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 Musicians: Marsuvees Black 18 Sand In the City: Olga Lobanova 20-23 Urban Dubai 24-29 Fashion Shoot: Galvanised 30 Surviving High School 32-33 Eight Facebook Friends You Need to Unfriend 34-39 Cover Story: Emirates American Football League 40-41 Future of Technology 42-45 Artist: Ruben Sanchez 46-47 Fashion Designer: Ashtiani 48-49 Ahmed El Ghassein Brings a Taste of Canada to Dubai 50-51 Restaurant Reviews 52 Books 54-57 Ready to Bounce?

58-59 Change the World; Change Your Attitude 60-61 Astrology 62-63 News

’s up What When Where

Lady GaGa ArtRave, Meydan Racecourse, Dubai

GAMES14, World Trade Centre, Dubai (Sep 11 - 13)

My Ramadan Photo Project, Al Badia Golf Club, Dubai (Sep 13-29)

Alliage Saxophone Quintet, The One & Only Royal Mirage, Dubai

Dubai International Dance Festival, Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, Dubai (Sep 24-27)

Marc Lottering Live In Dubai, DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates, Dubai

GITEX Shopper 2014, World Trade Centre, Dubai (Sep 27 - Oct 4)

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

September

Get Drive Fit, Yas Island & Abu Dhabi Corniche, Abu Dhabi (Sep 2 - Nov 15)

Music

Apps

1. Rude

MAGIC!

2. All About That Bass Meghan Trainor

3. Stay With Me Sam Smith

4. Break Free

Ariana Grande ft Zedd

5. Fancy

Iggy Azalea ft Charli XCX

6. Am I Wrong Nico & Vinz

7. Problem

Ariana Grande ft Iggy Azalea

8. Black Widow

Iggy Azalea ft Rita Ora

9. Chandelier Sia

10. Bang Bang

Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki

11. Boom Clap

Limbo (iOS) Most games on phones are usually very basic and bleak in gameplay. Limbo is an anomaly when compared to mobile games. By not abandoning the origins of video gaming, Limbo has found the perfect equation. The perfect blend of ‘old school’ gaming and current generation graphics provides Limbo's (oomph factor). This 2D format game’s only controls are swiping to the sides and jumping, with the exception of being able to interact with certain ingame objects. The gameplay follows a young boy, who you control, who woke up in the middle of a forest with no real clue as to who and what he is to do there.

Headspace (iOS, Android) A former Buddhist monk and co-founder of Headspace, Andy Puddicombe is aiming to make meditation accessible.

He delivers the directed 10-minute sessions in his relaxed style - no hippy talk here, he strips it down to basics and makes it easy to understand for less experienced yogis out there.

Emma Watson’s a fan, so you’re in good company with this one.

Charli XCX

12. Maps

Maroon 5

13. Latch

Disclosure ft Sam Smith

14. Rather Be

Clean Bandit ft Jess Glynne

15. Bailando

Enrique Iglesias ft Descemer Bueno

16. All Of Me John Legend

17. Shower Becky G

18. Don't Tell 'Em Jeremih ft YG

19. Happy

Pharrell Williams

20. Burnin' It Down Jason Aldean

Snapguide (iOS) Snapguide is an extremely user-friendly app for iPhone and iPad that gives you step-by-step instructions for your next DIY project as well as recipes. It is the mobile version of Snapguide. com. The interface is simple to use, and there are pop-up boxes with pointers to help you learn your way around. You can search for step-by-step guides on anything, or you can browse the four general categories: topics, featured, popular, and recent guides. Each guide has clear and beautiful pictures to help you through a project or recipe. Most recipe sites simply show you a picture of the finished project, but Snapguide lets you see what each step of the recipe is supposed to look like in the process. You can also zoom in slightly on a photo by tapping the screen. Within the app, you can interact with other users about the recipe or project you are working on.

8tracks (iOS, Android, Windows) This music playlist app is the perfect study companion or even the best way to discover new songs and artists. All songs are categorised by their genres, so it makes it very easy to pick and choose which songs you want to listen to. The best part of the app is you get to listen to people’s collections of songs.

I personally prefer to use the app to listen to soothing music while I pretend to study. You can even make your own playlists and share them with the world.

Follow Insta

Blogs

@satiregram The standard Instagram clichés are so… well… cliché that people are just okay with them. If I had a 25 fil every time I saw a post about pets and coffee, I’d have 60 bucks (do the maths) Instagram clichés have just been given a new twist: enter Satiregram. This Instagram account points out all of our cliché shenanigans in a hilarious way.

All its posts are written descriptions instead of the photo itself. Its quirky use of a napkin to substitute as a writing instrument gives it a very suave look.

Gorilla vs. Bear (www.gorillavsbear.net) The folks behind this blog continue to curate a solid library of new and niche artists that are influencing the music you are hearing on the radio today. This is the place you go to ‘hear it first’ even before you're told to.

@brahmino When was the last time you raised your head to admire the sky? Brahmino does that all the time on this spectacular Instagram account. No matter where or how, the sky is always a key element in his photos, which makes for a breathtaking portfolio. He travels to exotic places and takes magnificent pictures that complement the culture and add his own touch of scenic photography.

DVD Picks

It features unknown, established and independent unsigned artists providing a unique view of our music industry. The songs picked in this blog are selected by people with respectable eardrums.

Regardless of your music taste, GRvsBR hooks you up with the best of all genres.

It is truly the one-stop shop for all music lovers.

Cruel Rhythm (cruelrhythm.tumblr.com) Sometimes, all you really want to do is listen to music. Listen to music, disturbed by nothing. This blog’s simplistic design is what really caught my eye. Where it lacks in artist bios and other things it makes up for with its music library. The music racked in this blog will automatically make your toes tap and your hips swing and potentially make you sing along, not caring who sees you. It's also a perfect place to find new and upcoming artists blossom.

Hitlist

by Moazzam Nizami

7

YouTube Cinema Sins Have you ever found a big flaw in a movie you watched that ended up ruining the movie experience? Well, you are not alone. Cinema Sins calls out Hollywood filmmakers on all their mistakes and/or cliché tropes they use. Having ‘negated’ more than 120 films and counting, it's easy to see why they have the fan base they have. With ample amounts of content, it's quite unlikely to ever get bored from binge watching their videos.

JinkiesTV We’ve all stared at our computer screens watching people being made a mickey out of on YouTube, and it’s usually the same faces doing the pranks. This YouTube channel brings you a variety of pranksters doing hilarious pranks. Prank videos have only recently started to trend. In addition to pranks, social experiments are also uploaded. We see how society reacts to different situations and it really is an eye opener on a few debated topics.

Ruby Sparks

Mr. Nobody

Frances Ha

Cast: Paul Dano, Zoe Kazan, Chris Messina, Antonio Banderas

Cast: Jared Leto, Diane Kruger, Rhys Ifans, Juno Temple

Cast: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner, Adam Driver

Ruby Sparks is about Calvin, a young writing prodigy who inherits fame with his first book that ends up becoming a bestselling novel. The narrative starts with the general life of the writer, but blossoms into a tale that binds fairytale elements with general fiction.

It is pointless to describe the plot of this movie as it is so much more than any summary could say. It follows the many lives of Nemo Nobody from youth to death and all the things that happen in-between.

It’s a beautifully written movie by writer/ director Jaco Van Dormael concerning the choices we make and the probable outcomes of said choices. We often find ourselves asking the ‘what if’ questions, and this movie provides its viewers with the end result of each major decision Nemo makes in a cinematically beautiful illustration. Complete with quotable quotes this movie provides an actual learning yet entertaining experience keeping you begging for more.

Frances Ha captures the quirky yet serious side of life and the importance of good friends when times are tough. The film follows the life of Frances Ha and her constant struggle with adulthood.

It is a study on the awkward periods of life. Frances is a twenty-sevenyear-old inspiring dancer who hasn’t gotten her big break, thus struggling to cope financially. The movie very realistically captures the difficulty in coping with society and its overbearing responsibilities. Frances Ha is a beautiful tale of a woman finding her true calling by becoming an important part of society. The film humanises the hipster culture and provides a different perspective on the matter.

The movie is a perfect balance of romance, comedy and drama. With amazing performances by both the leads, it’s difficult to not fall in love with the story and the silly situation that it really is.

8

Photography

Pashmeen Kaur

Saandhyarag Sasidhar

Ramiya Iyer

Zoya Tariq Sidharth Vithaldas

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

10

Album Reviews

by Isha Bhatia

Troye Sivan TRXYE YouTube teen superstar Troye Sivan recently released his debut EP TRXYE, and no, it’s not pronounced ‘trixie’ – you read it as its spelled. Troye isn’t new to singing – he sung at the Channel Seven Perth Telethon for three years in a row.

Nevertheless, he was very nervous and uneasy about his new release.

TRXYE became number 1 in 55 countries, an amazing achievement for a nineteen year old. Troye had nothing to worry about! His first single “Happy Little Pill” was his biggest hit. “I wrote this song during a bit of a rough time for someone super close to me, and for myself, and it still means as much to me as the day I wrote it, and I’m still as in love with it as the day I wrote it.”

With songs such as “The Fault in Our Stars”, inspired by the book and recognised by the author himself, John Green, you know that TRXYE is an album worth listening to. It’s fit for many occasions whether you are bored, sitting by the pool, or maybe even when you are finishing up your homework. It’s one filled with many beats, both slow and fast, with lyrics that are truly from Troye’s heart.

Ed Sheeran Multiply After three long years, Ed Sheeran’s second album X, or Multiply, has finally hit the charts. He gave us a hint of his new album with his single “Sing”, which received, positive response from the public, and even became his first UK single to top the iTunes charts.

From slow songs like “One” to mellow tunes like “Tenerife Sea”, to raps like “Take it Back”, this album has it all. Unlike + where he relied solely on acoustic sounds, mainly the guitar, in X, Ed Sheeran experiments with different beats and even instruments such as the violin and the piano.

Ed takes a risk and has recorded personal songs that are very close to his heart in X. “Afire Love”, for example, was written in honour of his grandfather who passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. The lyrics will make you cry - “My father told me, son, it’s not his fault he doesn’t know your face”.

Ed’s voice is like no other; his tone is unique. Unlike other artists, he sounds best live, where he displays pure talent, holding his guitar and strumming away. I feel that “Thinking Out Loud” is his biggest accomplishment, where he plays with a band for the very first time, and makes it sound unbelievable.

If you come across Multiply on iTunes, or in the malls, don’t think twice: it’s a must-buy!

Movies

by Shivani Nagrecha

11

Step Up: All In Step Up: All In features a lot of the star cast from the previous films of their franchise. It showcases the hardships of a dancer trying to establish themselves in the fast-paced world of Hollywood.

The film features some of the most amazing dancers and breathtaking dance performances. On the other hand, the storyline is a bit weak and isn’t as captivating as the franchise’s previous installments. The overall performance of the actors could have been better as well because some scenes were dramatised a bit too much.

The movie also conveys a message: that it’s not all about winning, but it’s the journey that counts and the precious moments you create along the way with people you love.

All in all, Step Up: All In is a fun movie to watch, despite its flaws.

Guardians of the Galaxy In my opinion, Guardians of the Galaxy is by far one of the best movies of the year, and I may even go as far as to say it deserves to be in Marvel’s Top 5. Although I didn’t have high expectations of the film, I was quite wrong. The movie was brilliantly directed by James Gunn, and the performances delivered by each and every member of the star cast were fantastic. Chris Pratt was adorable and sidesplitting; Bradley Cooper’s voiceover for the raccoon was comical; as for Vin Diesel, well, let’s just say he was very expressive, even though he had only one line!

From the dialogues and cinematography down to the soundtracks, it was all very well planned and executed. The whole auditorium was laughing throughout the entire film. All in all the movie really outdid itself; it was thrilling and hysterical. I would recommend this film to anyone and everyone looking to have a good time.

12

In Cinema

by Beenish Kidwai

The Longest Week Starring: Olivia Wilde, Jason Bateman, Jenny Slate

With no ambition or goal whatsoever Conrad Valmont is a party animal just like every other spoilt brat that gets whatever he wants.

Despite several warnings from his best friend Dylan Tate to do something with his life, Conrad seems to be least bothered. After he is suddenly cut off from his parents, he moves in with Dylan. When Dylan introduces his friend Beatrice Fairbanks, Conrad realises he has already met her before.

No Good Deed

My Old Lady

Dolphin Tale 2

Before I Go to Sleep

Starring: Taraji P. Henson and Idris Elba

Starring: Maggie Smith, Kevin Kline, Kristin Scott Thomas

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Mark Strong, Colin Firth

No Good Deed features mother of two Terri who is sitting in the kitchen teaching her child how to cut, as she is approached on her doorstep

by Colin, portraying himself as a man troubled with car problems during a storm.

What she does not realise is that he is an escaped convict.

As Terri gets the phone for him to call for help, she learns that there is no good deed that goes unpunished. The thriller depicts the convict invading her house leaving her no choice but to comply or fight Colin by herself.

Directed by Israel Horovitz, My Old Lady establishes a 57-year-old man, Mathias Gold, who has just inherited a Parisien apartment. As he arrives in France to sell it, Mathias discovers that 90- year-old Mathilde Girard lives in the apartment with her daughter Chloé Girard.

With no place to go, Mathias stays with Mathilde, instantly clashing with Chloé over his dealings with a property developer. However, Mathias and Chloé discover a common ground, allowing them to grow closer.

Much like the first part of the Based on the bestselling series, the team who saved novel, Before I Go to Sleep Winter's life reassemble in starts with Christine the wake of her surrogate Lucas having no memory mother's passing in order to whatsoever. She does not find her a companion so she“...I just remember pourher myhusband heartBen, out can remain at the Clearwater and or even what happened the say whatever I feel, Marine Hospital. The movie night before for that matter. and I study rap ” shows the team trying to save Not only that, Christine Winter's life, with the main To know wakesmore up every morning about Hopsin with visit: focus on Winter and how Dr. the same myfunkvolume.com feeling of void. With Cameron McCarthy along an interesting turn of events, with Dr. Clay Haskett. The she is shown as paranoid movie consists of exciting and not trusting anyone, twists and turns, as the team including Colin, and is left tries to effortlessly mate with no choice but to make Winter and Hope, whom they video logs of what happened train for weeks. the day before.

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14

Gaming

by Moazzam Nizami

FIFA 15 (Xbox One, PS4, Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii U) “FIFA 15 takes better advantage of the next-gen’s number-crunching power”

With more advanced features than ever before, FIFA 15 has a myriad of new controls, visuals and engines to excite all gamers for its release. That’s mainly because this is the first version of the franchise which is a proper next-gen game. FIFA 15 takes better advantage of the next-gen’s number-crunching power, while finally ditching the obsolete ‘legacy code’ from old consoles, which left many gamers frustrated.

The game brings the more human and emotional part of football by completely changing how each and every player on the pitch reacts to teammates/rivals and variables occuring during the match.

The ball will feel more present and provide accuracy in the flight, spin and curl. Every shot/cross/pass will now correspond to the spin of the ball. Now there is no more blaming the computer for missing a shot “you were totally sure was going in”.

For gamers with a more defensive style of play, the new tackling ability has been completely revamped.

FIFA 15 releases on all major platforms on 23rd September in the US and 26th September in Europe.

Call of Duty: Advance Warfare (PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC) The epic 1st person shooter is back with another action-packed game, this time promising a ton of great new weapons, perks, technology, customisation, and other features for its futuristic shooter. Even though most gamers play on the online platform, this time the game has a feature from Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey for the campaign mode. This development certainly is a step-up as people who previously only played the online mode will certainly try the campaign.

Both modes are just fantastic! With development in the software engines, the whole game is going to have a more realistic feel to it.

Natural Doctrine (PS4, PS3, PS Vita) This game is a must-buy for any and all RPG lovers. Be prepared: the way to beat the game is hidden in the strategies. It’s not just blindly waving your weapon to get through the game, you have to actually strategise your approach. The game puts players in a fictional world that revolves around a substance known as Pluton. Adventurers raid dangerous underground caverns in search for Pluton, but there are evil and dangerous beasts standing in between them and their loot.

The worst thing you could do while playing the game is not to take it seriously. The game requires quick and accurate decision-making skills.

Natural Doctrine is set to release on 26th September 2014 and will only be available on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.

Ultra Street Fighter IV (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC) As a lifelong Street Fighter fan, this game had to top my ‘to play’ list. This is the fourth game of the Street Fighter IV series, so expectations were high, and it was already under scrutiny due to it not being available on the next-gen consoles. The game, however, tackled all of these issues and earned itself an impressive score of 9/10 from IGN. One thing I really loved was the bonus stages (i.e. Car Smash and Barrel Roll). Bringing it back from the very arcade Street Fighter II of old was the perfect combination of nostalgia and challenge. Nowadays, games don’t have bonus stages, so it’s very nice to see a 2014 game sticking true to the retro style of gaming we all love.

With a total of 44 players to choose from and with each of them having their own story, beginnings and endings, it is very easy to get lost in the game for hours. It not only has an impressive roster of playable characters, but every character is complete with unique move sets.

W-Ultra is the big standout in game modifications. This allows you to use either of the two ultra-combos each player has. In previous games you’d have to choose which ultra you used before the game started. This would put you at a handicap as some rivals are better fought with the alternate ultra-combo. So, Ultra Street Fighter IV (USF4) takes an already incredible 2.5d fighting game and enhances it in ways SF4 enthusiasts can get lost in and casual gamers can enjoy. Unlike most franchises, USF4’s additions and updates all seem to increase the experience of the game.

Without further ado… SHINRYUKEN!!!

Marsuvees Black

by Jacob Stenhouse

Throughout the relatively short history of hip hop music, crews and collectives have been massive in making the art form grow. From The Wu-Tang Clan to Pro Era, rap music has evolved thanks to groups of artists coming together and mixing their talents into a big savoury stew for our ears to enjoy.

Enter Marsuvees Black, a music collective based in the UAE. Boasting nine members of rappers, singers, producers and creatives, the team has been making waves with releases through the group's joint Soundcloud page. The group is gearing up for a self-titled mixtape to be released this autumn. Marsuvees Black had some words on metro memories, imaginary shower concerts and, of course, the growing music scene in Dubai.

The name Marsuvees Black came from Ted Dekker's mystery novel Showdown.

What made you choose this name?

Pablo: To me, Marsuvees Black stood out as a symbol of rebellion and going against the norm. Even though his motives were evil, it was quite astonishing how he was creative with it. So, in Dubai now we stand as a symbol of hope and future for young creative people who have been forced to move out or give up on their passion.

Are you a big reader?

Pablo: Not quite, but I try my best to spend my spare time reading. I love really

Musicians

17

“We've all been working really hard and we are very eager to share our music with Dubai�

sentimental books and motivational books which make you think. We should always try to acquire as much knowledge as we can, books or no books.

What type of student were you in school?

Pablo: Haha, I was that guy at the back of the class that always tried to say something funny and act like I'm not really paying attention. I've always had that feeling deep inside me that I'm better than my mates. Sounds a bit egotistical, but what's confidence without a little ego.

How long have you been making music for?

Pablo: I've always been making songs, in my shower. I used to have an imaginary music industry in my bathroom when I was about 10, where I played different characters with different names all the time, I look back at it now and I think I was a bit insane, but those were beautiful times. I started going into the studio 2012.

Kaze: It's been a couple of years now but I started taking it seriously around 2012.

Have you seen a growth in the music scene of Dubai?

Pablo: Fairly. I've seen the growth in the number of artists. I see people moving here 'cos they see potential. But no one has really had that viral breakthrough like Drake, The Weeknd or Lorde where you have a lot of people who actually love your music and rep you. Maybe because not a lot of people are putting out enough good music, but we hope to have that. We hope someone gets that soon, because if anyone breaks that gate, we all go through. The people have to push you up; we can't succeed without the people.

To get more updates on Marsuvees Black follow them What's been your proudest moment as an artist? on twitter at: Pablo: My proudest moment as an artist, hmm... I think I was walking out of the @mrsvsblck metro station one night and a person saw me and recognised me from a gig and quoted a verse from my Young Picasso mixtape. That was really cool.

What can we expect from Marsuvees Black this autumn?

Kaze: Expect some more good music along with singles from the upcoming selftitled mixtape. Also, some videos will be released to bring our music to life. We've all been working really hard and we are very eager to share our music with Dubai.

18

Sand in the City

Olga Lobanova, founder and photographer of Sand In The City, was inspired by similar projects around the globe and decided to start a pioneering street style blog here in Dubai. All images taken by her are captivating, high-足quality, and inspiring.

Started in 2012, this cool street style blog documents individual, unique and interesting fashion from the streets of Dubai (and not only the streets). The project features stylish, attractive, and amazingly well-足dressed folks around the city: on the streets, at fashion shows, art events, etc.

Olga has put together a few eye-catching looks she spotted in Dubai for our readers.

Read on...

Follow Olga on: www.sandinthecity.net

Urban Dubai

There are personal stylists who advise their clients not to combine more than three colours in one outfit. Looking at this guy, I think it makes perfect sense. Carefully selected simple basics make this look totally stand out.

by Olga Lobanova

For the first time knight prints were seen at D&G Spring Summer 2013, which possibly inspired the designer of this marvellous skirt. Whether it is D&G or not, wearing a print with knight battle is much cooler than the flowers, stars, hearts, cats, dogs or whatever patterns are in right now.

This girl has a secret technique of transforming a piece of fabric into a masterpiece on her head: a turban. On top of that, the colour combination and the selection of her jewellery are brilliant!

This is definitely quite an unusual choice of everything: colours, patterns and details. Did you know that bright yellow goes well with light purple and warm orange? I didn’t, but in this outfit it does very well.

Here is an eclectic outfit, which I would describe as “tribal meets gypsy”. Overloaded with details, yet stylish and totally exceptional!

This is a stunning outfit; and I believe everyone could notice that the jacket and T-shirt are very unique and possibly created by talented emerging designers.

The add-ons on the sleeves are sensational; they turn a boring white jacket into an outstanding one!

Not everyone will wear red shoes, an attention magnet to the lower part of the body. Pink trousers combined with red shoes are a double portion of attention, a guarantee that everyone will notice you!

This look is not as crazy compared to the rest of my selection, however, the way she wears her hair and ties her jacket around the hips makes it look a bit “messy� yet stylish.

If I could pick one piece to borrow from the people I've photographed, this jacket would be the one. The design as well as the print is just superb!

It is a very sophisticated look, predominantly due to the excess of jewellery. This girl knows exactly where “enough” stops and “too much” starts. The great choice of accessories makes this look worthy of being photographed and featured!

This look is outstanding mainly because of the hair. I would even say this is an original concept matching the hair to the T-shirt or maybe the other way around.

This is my favourite outfit of the year! The girl is not afraid to express herself through her style and simply wears what she likes. I assume she doesn’t care much about what others say. I can say only one thing: she rocks!

Galvanised Photographer/ Mohammed Yousef Stylist/ Queen Of Capes Models/ Amal & Olga Clothes by/ Sarah Secrets Boutique

30

Surviving High School

“How can I survive high school?” I think we can all say that this question has been phrased in various ways over a million times before in our lives. “How will I make it through this harrowing battle of books and tests?” “How can I escape this ceaseless void of tears, teachers, sweat and stress?” Admit it, you’ve contemplated the inevitable truth about school before – we all have.

“Our parents survived, our teachers lived and our older friends and siblings didn’t drown under pages of work either”

Currently, high school may be one of the most arduous tasks in your life due to the skills that you have to adopt throughout the years: the organisation, the comprehension, the time management – we’ve all heard that one before – “Sort out your time management, Mister! Quit the video games and start the learning!”

Yet, we know that this inexorable list of rights and wrongs and dos and don’ts, does ultimately stop. Our parents survived, our teachers lived and our older friends and siblings didn’t drown under pages of work either. So clearly, there is a large possibility that surviving high school is possible and that there is a rainbow after the relentless rain of exams and efforts; the sole question is… how?

Perhaps we should open up “Top Tips for Surviving High School” or “High School for Dummies” and brand our jaded brains into one of these insipid books. Or perhaps we should simply wake up every day, knowing that we’re one day closer to the weekend. It’s only a few years and then we’re off on our own thrilling journeys, so don’t forget to take breaks and relax, use your friends when you need them, exercise, eat healthily (sometimes) and to actually study when you “study”.

Procrastinate only when it’s necessary, and never forget that while you may think that high school is a daily struggle, have comfort in the fact that when you look back you’ll only remember the good stuff, so get out and make as many good memories as you can.

by Ximena Lamadrid

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

Eight Facebook Friends You Need to Unfriend We all find ourselves friends with a few types of people on Facebook that just annoy us on a cellular level. I know I do. Here’s a little guide to who you shouldn’t add:

The ‘Shove Beliefs In Your Face’ Guy This friend will blitz your feed with political propaganda and will childishly threaten you if you do not comply. This person exudes exasperation.

The ‘Hashtag’ Guy This person will not only link his Instagram and Twitter to his post, he will bombard your News Feed with the most absurd hashtags. #stop

The Conspiracy Theorist Though you can find humour in this person's ‘over-the-top’ allegations on things such as “Radios, are they killing people because they hate you?”, it is still easy to get extremely frustrated at their silliness.

by Moazzam Nizami

The ‘Your Grammar Sucks’ Guy If I see misuse of vocabulary and grammar, I rage. These people have a personal vendetta against the beloved language that is English.

The ‘Give Me Attention Right NOW’ Guy They will go to any lengths to get those Likes and Shares. They are addicted to Likes.

The ‘Obsessive Sharer’ Guy Guess what buddy, nobody cares about that unique baby video that you think will “blow my mind”.

Their whole profile is filled with a collection of the most useless links and videos.

The ‘Do You Even Lift Bro’ Guy This person practically lives in the gym and has just found the ‘craziest diet and exercise regime’ that he can’t wait to tell everyone about… in other words, I’m fat.

The ‘Look at My Cat’ Guy Yes, we get it. Your cat is the best and totally different from other cats, but seriously, enough with the annoying cat updates and videos.

No one wants to see Mr. Mittens take a shower… just no.

So, if you find that you have similar characteristics to the above personas, you now know why you've been blocked!

Emirates American Football League

With the 2014-2015 season of the Emirates American Football League (EAFL) just about to kick off this month, our team interviewed four of the League's adult competitors, including the founder, Dustin Cherniawski, from the adrenalinefilled EAFL! American football is relatively new to the UAE. EAFL seeks to promote and nurture the UAE youth's energy for the American classic (move aside, baseball). High school generally serves as the end-point to one's football career; however, EAFL has provided adults with the opportunity to (literally) dive into their passion.

Cover Story

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Where are you from?

Stephan: South Africa.

Anand: While half-Indian and half-American, I was actually born right here in the UAE. Sharjah to be specific. I only hold American citizenship.

Ricky: I'm originally Sudanese, but I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas.

Dustin: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

How long have you been living in the UAE and how long have you played American football?

Stephan: I have been living in the UAE for over two years, playing American football for one year (season 2013/2014).

Anand: I've lived in the UAE for 16 years, and have played American football for a total of two years, one with the Dubai Junior Football League, and one with the EAFL. Ricky: I moved to the UAE about three years ago, and I've been playing now for about six years.

Dustin: Six years in Dubai. Before moving to Dubai I played football for 12 years in high school, junior league, college (University of British Columbia Thunderbirds in Vancouver), and then professionally with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the CFL (Canadian Football League) and won a championship in 2007.

Anand

Ricky

What made you want to join the EAFL? Stephan: After playing cricket and rugby for several years I was looking for a new challenge. Then a South African friend of mine (Hendrik) motivated me to join the league with him. He was Godsent.

Anand: I was "recruited" by my friends to, once again, put on a helmet and shoulder pads to play centre once more.

Ricky: My passion for American football.

Dustin: I founded the EAFL in 2011 after seeing how many guys were interested in playing in an organised league. There was a small youth league and a decent flag football scene, but the “real” football experience was missing. My goal is for our athletes to feel like they’re playing in the same football league they would find in the USA. What do you love most about the sport?

Stephan: Well, I must say the physical part of it and the fact that everyone has a specific assignment as part of the team's gameplan makes it a great team sport.

Anand: Apart from the sport being a blissful form of escapism, the camaraderie between teammates makes every gruelling practice worthwhile.

Ricky: What I personally love the most about the sport is when you're running full speed and just hit somebody head to head and you don't feel it but you send them flying. Love it!

Dustin: The intensity. It’s an all-or-nothing game, and you can’t coast in football. If you aren’t prepared, confident and ready to physically outplay somebody, you will lose every time. This applies to the team as well as the individual players.

Ricky

How often and how hard do you train to become good at the game?

Stephan: With my position being very physical, I work out 5-6 times a week focussing on explosive and power training mostly, attending team practice twice a week and doing the necessary skill and fitness training on my own time as needed.

Anand: Practices are 3 times a week, 2 hours each. This is supplemented by going to the gym on days where there is no practice, and practising handling the ball during weekends. That said, I don't think you can train hard enough to become good.

Ricky: Every team usually has 2 to 3 practices a week. Unless we have a play-off or big game coming up, we'll add a couple of practices, and I'll personally study my plays.

Dustin: Football is one of the few sports where you practise more than you play.

Game day is for execution, not development. Our athletes train twice per week for two hours with games on weekends. The top players are in the gym three times per week, with functional activity 2-3 times per week.

What is most important when playing American football? Stamina, strength or strategy?

Stephan: Strategy.

Anand: In most countries I'd imagine strategy is imperative to victory, but in the blazing heat of the UAE, stamina is the key to success. It wasn't uncommon last season to play a game without a single substitution due to an eleven-man roster.

Ricky: Personally, I think strategy is the most important, but if you have stamina and strategy, I'm sure you'll win all of your games.

Dustin: Strategy is the most important. The average play lasts between 5 -7 seconds and your strategy could change 2-3 times based on how your opponent reacts. To be effective, you must be able to think on your feet while going full speed.

Is there a specific diet you need to maintain when you are a professional football player?

Stephan: Yes, you are what you eat. I personally have an organic restaurant which prepares all my meals for me during the week with specific protein, carb and green ratios.

Anand: Whole milk, oats, steak and potatoes seem to do the trick. As far as beverages go, water and copious amounts of sports drinks seem to be the norm.

Dustin: The diet depends on the activity. Off-season training (weights and skills) requires a LOT of nutritious food, lots of water, and plenty of rest. We are asking our bodies for short, violent bursts of activity. Carbs for energy, protein for muscle building, and a 3000 calorie diet is not unusual. You want to eat a clean meal 3-4 hours before the game with a small, light, and sweet snack (e.g. apple slices) 30 minutes before kick-off to boost your blood sugar. The conventional wisdom was that carbs (e.g. pasta) are a good source of energy, but recent science has suggested protein (e.g. chicken) allows for a longer, slower release of energy, which you’ll need in a 3-hour game.

“The intensity. It’s an allor-nothing game”

Stephan

What is a typical American football game like? Do your friends come and support you? Where can we come watch a game?

Dustin: We have a great time on game day. We have food and drink, live announcing, cheerleaders, DJs, prize giveaways, a merchandise tent and activities for the kids. We try to recreate the authentic American football experience for the fans, too!

How many teams are there in the EAFL and which one’s the best?

Dustin: We have 6 clubs in the UAE (1 in Al Ain, 2 in Abu Dhabi, and 3 in Dubai) with 4 age divisions for a total of 22 teams. At the men’s level, the Abu Dhabi Wildcats have been the top team, winning back-to-back championships. At the youth level, the Dubai Barracudas, Abu Dhabi Wildcats and Abu Dhabi Scorpions have also taken top honours.

How do you prepare for a big game?

Stephan: Physically and mentally. I like to spend some alone time in the morning before the game in the gym stretching and doing warm-up exercises while listening to inspirational music, which gets me in the zone or bubble as I call it.

Anand: Firstly, every game is a big game. As for Stallions, we are always physically prepared. You could pull any of us out of bed at five in the morning and we'd be prepared to bust skulls and sprint past terrified safeties. Mentally, our true source of courage and confidence was our coaching duo, coaches Jag and James.

Ricky: Physically, I make sure I've got all my plays and strategy down. To prepare mentally, I listen to music.

Dustin: Practice, practice, practice. If you take care of your responsibilities and the guy next to you does the same, your team will find success. The losing team will be the one that made more mistakes.

Is there anything new this season that we should be excited about?

Besides improving our statistics and videography teams, we are focussing more on showcasing the game through photos, videos, and information for the general public. People in the UAE are very curious about this new sport and it’s our responsibility to teach them about it. With 32 nationalities represented in the EAFL, it’s fair to say that the sport is catching on across all cultures.

You won’t want to miss: Open Try-Outs in Dubai (Sept 6th - Dubai Sports City) and Abu Dhabi (Sept 12th - Zayed Sports City) EAFL flag football tournaments throughout the year Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl in November Desert Bowl II - Annual Championship Game in March

writing by Moazzam Nizami photos by

Slava Noor

To get more info on EAFL visit their website at: www.eafl.ae

"Football is one of the few sports where you practise more than you play. Game day is for execution"

40

Future of Technology by

Moazzam Nizami

At this moment in my life, I’m so lost in technology that I probably wouldn’t notice an earthquake if it were to hit the office right now. This example is a true story, it actually just happened, and in case you were wondering, yes, I did find out about the earthquake through my Facebook and a text.

We are certainly becoming heavily dependent on technology these days. I can't imagine a day without posting how I feel on Facebook or not knowing what everyone else is doing. I don’t remember when or how it happened but it did.

I can't say it’s all bad. Think of all the developments made possible due to technology: roads, cars, space travel, medicine etc. However, all that is in the past, so who cares? Right? What is the future of technology, and how are we all being affected?

3D Printing

3D printers have really started to trend. They ‘print out’ physical things like car parts and operating Rubik’s cubes. Anything really! The possibilities are endless - human organs, make-up and spare parts? All this is happening already.

Robots

I’m not afraid to say it: what if there were robots that worked for us? That would be epic, even though this leaves more room for the Gray goo theory to come to fruition.

No more doing the dishes, the laundry or cooking food. All of those little things that can potentially drive us crazy could be done by your trusty robot. A more important angle would be to explore the potential of robots doing dangerous jobs where humans have to risk their lives. This has already taken effect in bomb disposal.

Virtual Reality

The development of the Oculus Rift has opened doors to virtual reality once more.

There is now a potential of being in the game that you play, not literally, but close enough. Imagine being in the Colosseum in Rome and then going to Machu Picchu in Peru a few seconds later. We forget one important fact: we are still sitting in our bedrooms with screens on our faces tricking ourselves into believing that we have travelled. This has made us very lazy as we see no logic in phisically engaging in an activity if we can just do it in our heads from the comfort of our living room couch. We will become unhealthy and develop a new era of humanity.

Solar Roads

All technology needs some source of energy to operate, and currently most energy is sourced from non-renewable energy (oil, coal, etc.). So when I heard about the potential of changing basic tar roads to solar powered ones, I was very excited. It has been estimated that if all the roads of the United States were converted to solar powered ones, the US would generate three times as much energy as it currently does.

However, most of these theories are quite far from conception. To convert all paved roads into solar powered roads would be a traffic management catastrophe waiting to happen, and we’ve been talking about robots for half a century and I am still waiting to greet my robot butler Albert.

Ruben Sanchez

by Beenish Kidwai

When people think of graffiti, they think it is illegal and a form of vandalism, Ruben Sanchez however, helped change this perspective. Our team met with him at Tashkeel Studio. It was an amazing experience and inspired us and taught us that they can do anything if they put their heart and soul into it.

What inspired you to start your graffiti work?

What inspired me? Well, that was a long time ago. When I was young I would stay out in the streets all day just to be against the society. Back in the day, skateboarding was not what it is today; it was very obscure and I was part of the minority, which I liked. Even graffiti was seldom, and I liked being part of that minority. It was a way to get recognition because we would tag our names on walls and that is how people would recognise us.

Which is more fun? Doing graffiti in other countries or creating your artwork here?

Artistically speaking, doing it legally enables a more artistic and deeper artwork since you are in a calm state of mind and have all the time you need.

How has Tashkeel helped you?

They have supported me in a lot of ways that I cannot even describe. It is hard to make a living only from art; you have to do a lot of shows and graphic design.

Here, it’s awesome. Tashkeel told me "You only focus on your art and we will take care of the rest", so it is like a dream come true for me!

Well, besides your artwork and skateboarding, do you have any other interests?

Yes, of course. My personal interests include graphic design, illustration, I play guitar and I can do flamenco (Spanish folk dance). Well, at least I try!

How do you come up with the ideas for your artwork?

It depends on my mood and experience at the time. For example, I will check out the spot first and see what would look good there. If I’m having a bad experience or something, the painting will be darker, and if I’m in a good mood, the painting will likely be colourful and happy. So, if I’m travelling and everything is new for me, I’ll try to get inputs from the city and then try to translate that into an artwork with my style. I’m basically trying to make a gift for the country.

I read on your blog that you have recently moved here to Dubai, so how has your art grown here in UAE? How has the change been for you?

Well, it was a big change from Barcelona to Dubai. I was used to the lifestyle and graffiti of Barcelona and then I come over here and everything is so perfect and so clean, so yeah the street life is very different. Everybody over there is on their skateboards or bikes or whatever and over here you either have to take a taxi or use the metro etc. So, in my first months I was just trying to take everything in (in a good way) like the Arabic food and lifestyle. I was coming to Tashkeel and I was driving among camels and thinking “where am I?” I wrote notes and/or sketches to get used to all of it.

Artist

43

Is this always what you wanted to do in your childhood?

I guess some people had it very clear, like "I want to be a pilot”, but when I was young I didn’t know, I was just skating and having fun. The furthest back I remember when I was 12 or 13, I said to my cousin that I wanted to be a graphic designer or something related to visual arts. But then life was changing and I didn’t pursue it and I ended up doing odd jobs. But at the end I found the right track to combine graphic design and do the graffiti that I was doing when I was a kid, trying to merge all that into a career!

Colour Run

Your artwork and graffiti is very unique. Is there any message hidden in them?

If you have artwork without a story, it’s more or less empty for me. Not exactly empty, but I think if you have a good subject or good story behind it, the artwork will become stronger. You can paint a plant or a table and it will look amazing, but if you have a message behind that, then it can become way stronger.

Where do you see yourself and your artwork in the next 10 years?

Myself? Alive I hope. To be honest I don’t know what I’m going to be doing tomorrow or what I’m going to be painting tomorrow, I just want to be working

and working. I want to continue skateboarding until my body says “Please stop”.

Yeah, but as far as graffiti and my artwork is concerned, I just want to keep doing it.

In today’s world, people see graffiti and they think it is illegal and/or vandalism.

Do you think you have changed that mass misperception?

Yes. In fact, the whole street art movement is making that viewpoint change.

Graffiti and street art are a bit different. Street art is more visually preferred and people actually like it. Graffiti is actually when people tag walls with their signature/name (a form of vandalism). I truly respect and understand that as I come from that. However, there will always be people who don’t like that, and I can understand that too, but if you can’t appreciate it, you can’t be part of any street art, because it is part of it.

A very wonderful thing about this world that people take for granted is that you have the whole world to paint and make more beautiful. Why not paint what you want!?

45 “If I’m having A bad experience or something, the painting will be darker, and if I’m in a good mood, the painting will likely be colourful and happy”

Are you going to do any exhibitions any time soon?

Insha’Allah… I’m planning a more casual exhibition for a wider audience in Bastakiya, which is in Fahidi District. I will do live painting and I want to sell more affordable artwork so more people can discover my art. Maybe even do T-shirts with my own designs. That is all that I’ve planned, so hopefully it will come together soon.

Ashtiani

Cutting edge. Unique. Contemporary. Ashtiani seeks to design and create fashion that is modern yet possesses a vintage feel; something that the market of today voraciously devours. Starting on a small scale, Ashtiani hopes to successfully expand to the Asian market.

“ I don’t normally sit to design a collection, I look for fabrics and once I get THEM I look into creating a new collection”

Tell me about your journey to becoming a fashion designer?

I started Ashtiani in 2011 from Toronto after winning a competition called New Labels, which is the largest competition of its kind in Canada. I studied at the London College of Fashion and Design and then I moved back to Toronto, and now the SS 2014 collection is my sixth season. The brand embodies a cool urban girl with a sporty feel, which is present in each collection. I tend to work with a number of fabrics, textures and colours and may have three different fabrics on one garment.

What hurdles have you faced since you started in 2011?

You have to be very consistent and try to come up with new concepts, while creating something that is practical, marketable and creative, which can be hard to balance.

Another important factor is having a great team - PR, sewing and day-to-day work as well as trust are all vital when having a successful brand. A huge step was showing the collection at London Showrooms, where we had a great response from the press and buyers, which gave us the platform to go international.

Fashion Designer

Have you had difficulties with growing pains?

Absolutely, trying to increase production and the demand of the market has always been a difficult point for us and that is always there. You have to survive. It’s always a struggle, but we manage to survive in this industry. Timing has also been an issue. Creating two collections every year, six months apart, and trying to create something that hasn’t been done is always difficult.

Where do you find inspiration?

For me it’s a mixture of looking at what the market is doing so we aren’t copying anyone. Let's face it, with fashion you’re very limited. Even if you are very creative you have limited ideas that you can play around with and mix and match. Lots of my ideas come from old magazines. I prefer vintage magazines from the 40s and 50s. I don’t normally sit to design a collection, I look for fabrics and once I get them I look into creating a new collection. I start with one piece and if I like the feel and mood, I will go ahead with the rest of the collection. It’s a bit different. For spring it was a cool Hampton girl tennis look, but the autumn winter collection was a darker, edgy look but still had elements in common.

Which celebrity best embodies the Ashtiani girl?

Mira Doma and Yasmin Sewell, who are more fashion icons than celebrities. They have great taste and show different aspects of fashion through what they wear.

Where do you see the brand in five years?

We are pushing into the Asian market, which is where we were strongest last season, and in our home market England. We have tried New York, but we’ve put it on hold for a few seasons because it’s a difficult place to break through unless you have proper investment.

To get more info on Ashtiani log on: How do you promote the brand? ashtiani.co.uk We have great press and we push on social media platforms such as Instagram, where we do post what we do day to day to offer something more personal. It has a large impact on the younger generation, which is important as we are aiming for organic growth. by sHaun van der linden

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Ahmed El Ghassein A taste of Canada in Dubai

by Beenish Kidwai, Moazzam Nizami, shivani nagrecha

Albeit, Dubai is a perfect example of multiculturalism, but what Dubai didn’t have was a Canadian cuisine-based Restaurant. Fear not: Ahmed El Ghassein, owner of Maple Leaf Restaurant, has brought Canadian cuisine to our beloved Dubai.

Was it hard to start a Canadian restaurant in Dubai?

Opening a restaurant in Dubai is quite hard. There are a lot of food regulations that differ even from area to area. Each area has to deal with different departments as well.

As for it being Canadian, a Canadian restaurant is more like a multicultural restaurant because we do ethnic food but with a Canadian twist. Smoked Beef is part of Canadian cuisine, but it originates from Eastern Europe. Poutine is basically French fries, cheese curd and gravy, and the gravy originates from France. So, you see that’s how different cultures combine to give you Canadian food.

The thing about our food though, which is quite difficult to do in Dubai, is that we have to prepare everything from scratch except for the pickles and the bread. Also, everything is organic. The cheese and the French fries are both homemade and organic. The meat is from grass-fed cows, so organic. So, it’s free from all the chemicals and it’s healthy, but that’s also why it’s hard to make.

What type of customers do you usually get?

The majority of our customers are expats and of those expats the majority are Europeans.

People that come here are those who are well travelled or are foodies. They either hear about Maple Leaf through the media or have travelled to Canada or Europe and hear about us, so they come to try it.

Who designed the restaurant?

I designed it as I am an interior designer, too. I wanted this place to have an American-style diner vibe. Funny thing is, we experienced a minor flaw with the a/c and we had to block some of the air, so we had to either put up a board of cement or glass, but then I got an idea. I decided to put a board up where you could write up the daily specials. But customers started to write jokes and comments and soon enough, there were drawings of cows and other random things.

Do you like to go out to other restaurants and check out the food?

This restaurant is owned by five people - four brothers and the chef. Each one of us likes to go to other restaurants for different purposes. I go to other restaurants to try the food but mainly to check out the décor. My brothers are foodies, so they like to try out different foods. The chef likes to check the menu. So each one of us has different interests, but for sure, living in Dubai you get to see a lot of different kinds of foods.

What is your favourite dish in your restaurant?

To be honest, it fluctuates. We’ve now introduced breakfast on the weekend. That’s really nice, you must try it. My favorite dish is not on the menu yet because the menu is going to expand, maybe fourfold. But it is basically something like the Philadelphia Cheesesteak and its really really nice. It’s a full-bodied sandwich, quite fattening, but worth it. Very delicious.

The wings, the sticky icky wings: I love them. We also decided to put some humour in our menu, so you’ll be seeing a lot of silly names on our menu. It’ll be nice.

Check out the Maple Leaf Restaurant website for more info: www.mldeli.com

Is it competitive?

Dubai has a huge amount of restaurants including joints in malls. It’s competitive in different aspects. You can have competition from anyone. For example, the most popular restaurant in this area is a small canteen down the road that sells samoon bread with tabasco sauce, Kraft cheese with a pack of Oman chips.

Why did you decide to start a Canadian restaurant?

We knew we wanted a restaurant, but we didn’t know which cuisine to choose. There is Chinese, Italian, Mexican but nothing unique.

So, we decided to bring Canadian cuisine to Dubai because every time we’d go back home to Canada, we’d arrive at the airport and go directly to a restaurant for smoked beef and poutine.

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Restaurant Reviews

77 Veggie Boutique

by shivani nagrecha

77 Veggie Boutique is a homely restaurant in JBR that offers extremely nutritious food. We were welcomed by Mrs. Roma Megchiani, founder and managing director of the restaurant, who took time out to answer our queries.

Her aim is to educate people about the importance of a well-balanced and nutritious meal through her restaurant. After four years of scrupulous research, she designed a menu that is both enticing and healthy. She has no fryers in her kitchen, all ingredients are fresh, and even the breads are wholegrain. Mrs. Roma ordered on our behalf and we were blown away!

For drinks we had the Iron Smoothie, which was a green drink garnished with an apple slice and one of the most revitalising smoothies I’ve tasted. The Roma’s Tonic was tangy and refreshing. The great thing was that the drinks were not watered down.

For our meal, we had the Balti Low Fat Potatoes with Aubergines, a dish marinated in a creamy herb yogurt dressing, served with lightly toasted wholewheat flat bread. It was a good dish and you could taste the freshness of the herb-yogurt sauce, which was quite invigorating. We also had the Molly Made Munch Bunch which was a healthier version of Manchurian balls. They were baked, packed with vegetables and coated with a sweet and spicy sauce.

Delicious! Lastly, we had my favourite dish, The Scarf Trio Chilly Bakers. It was creamy, crispy, and light. It had wholemeal bread and veggies.

The beautiful ambiance only made the meal so much more enjoyable, and I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy a healthy yet delectable meal.

Maple Leaf Restaurant True to its name, Maple Leaf Restaurant is the pinnacle of good Canuck cuisine in our very own Dubai. Located on Jumeira Road, their speciality sandwich is the Original Smoked Meat: chopped meat piled high on light rye bread and topped with mustard.

If savoury corned beef sandwiches or the poutine (a Canadian dish of fries, gravy and cheese) aren’t enough, than the scenery will surely tickle your fancy.

Undoubtedly, the cuisine at Maple Leaf is certainly hearty and filling. Meats are cooked to perfection, a combo that is certain to leave all fans of seared beefs satisfied and full. Not one of those loosen your belt, unfasten your top button and pass out face first on the table full type restaurants, Maple Leaf can fill you up without putting you in a food coma.

Maple Leaf Restaurant is a time capsule of Montreal. The walls are complemented with NHL jerseys as well as the signatures of nearly every patron who has ever eaten there.

Earlier this year, the restaurant hosted the Canadian ambassador as well as other members of the embassy. Fear not, Maple Leaf promises great service and great food, along with that patented Canadian hospitality. Next time you are cruising the Jumeria Beach Road, make sure to give Maple Leaf a try, eh? by jacob stenhouse, shaun van der linden

Shakeism

by Moazzam Nizami

I went to try out Shakeism and my exuberance for tasting the renowned milkshakes was obvious. I personally tried the Cheesecake Killer on the owner’s word and it was literally like drinking a cheesecake. With it already being my favoured dessert choice, the milkshake had to exceed some pretty high expectations - and it did. It was absolutely how the world meant it to be: the perfect thickness, flavour and just the right temperature to make you forget all about the scorching heat of Dubai. Aside from the very delicious milkshake, I was flattered with a wondrous Oreo waffle with a caramel topping. It was absolutely fantastic. The warm yet crispy feel of the waffle fused with the alluring Oreo and caramel to maximum potential.

The whole menu seemed so full of awesome that I was almost annoyed that I only tried the one milkshake. I will definitely be battling the heat with Shakeism more often.

Aside from the very palatable food, I was welcomed to a very unique setting with a very attractive use of metal flooring, giving the place a trendy and urban feel.

52

Books

Animal Farm Author: George Orwell Don’t let the simple name fool you; Animal Farm is a terrific book with great meaning to it. An allegorical novel in which Orwell uses animals to convey his serious message, Animal Farm portrays that mankind is in fact the root of all evil.

Fear the Worst Author: Linwood Barclay A heart-stopping thriller in which Barclay sheds light on Tim Blake, an ordinary salesman with a daughter, Sydney. Sydney Blake is an average 17-year-old teenage girl. The fictional crime starts with a regular breakfast in which Tim Blake accuses his daughter of shoplifting, who then prooves him wrong and storms out.

This is the last that he sees of her. Readers get swallowed in the whirlwind of events. Sydney is nowhere to be found and the hotel where she had supposedly been working for weeks now has never seen her. Tim Blake now realises that the daughter he thought he knew for seventeen years, loved and cared deeply for, is a virtual stranger. Readers are left with no option but to hold onto the book as every word of the the mystery pulls them into deeper confusion and everything they assume becomes just a false theory.

Whilst Tim tries to retract his daughter's steps, he discovers that the suburban Connecticut town he always thought of as idyllic is anything but. What what he doesn’t know is that his every move is being watched.

There are others who want to find Syd as much as Tim does. As Tim gets closer to the truth every parent's worse nightmare comes true. by

Beenish kidwai

The story starts off with Old Major, an old pig, explaining to all the farm animals about his dream, where animals lived without the oppression of human beings. Little did the animals know that this “dream” was about to become a reality and the outcome wasn’t going to be all that great.

It’s interesting how Orwell indirectly stated his opinions about history. It makes the story more engaging; it's not just about a bunch of animals turning their backs on each other, it highlights historical people and events.

Orwell uses simple diction, making the book an easy-to-read one.

Furthermore, he repeats certain phrases and even ideas to remind the audience of man’s fickle nature. One quote that stands out in the novel is “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” as it highlights the inequalities of humanity in our society.

The ending is disturbing, and on the whole, the story actually gives you shivers. I guess that’s what makes it likeable: it’s honest, simple, and true. by

ISHA BHATIA

54

Ready to Bounce? by

jacob stenhouse

Since Bounce’s hugely successful introduction to Melbourne three years ago, Ross Milton, the man behind, above and around the indoor-trampoline haven, has been planning to bring the experience to Dubai. It is finally here.

Bounce Dubai is a colourful factory of black latex platforms that allow you to hop around as high as your heart can imagine and your stomach will allow.

The eighty-six trampoline facility has a capacity of more than one hundred people. There is no age limit on the fun that Bounce Dubai offers. We went to check it out, and here is what we had to say: If you’re up for some unadulterated fun and a great way to work out, then make sure you check out Bounce. You certainly won't regret it.

Marvee Brohi I was really looking forward to going to Bounce and it exceeded all my expectations.

I'm certainly coming here again.

Ishak Yashin Muhammed Fahad Bounce gives you the chance to let your inner wild child out by jumping around without anyone screaming "Stop it, you will break the bed/sofa."

I had the best experience ever and the staff was amazing.

Dodgeball was my favourite spot over there. I'm glad I went.

56 Moazzam Nizami Dogdeball on trampolines is like the best idea ever.

It was absolutely incredible.

I'm definitely coming back for round two.

Rida Ghouse Bounce is a unique way of having fun and actually working out. Definitely coming here again!

Clyde Aguiar It was a fun experience. It was something new to try out and the atmosphere was great.

Adil Salim It was an absolutely amazing experience, but, honestly, it was all a bit up and down for me.

58

Change the World; Change Your Attitude by

shivani Nagrecha

How many times have you thought to yourself “I wish I could change *situation/ person/ circumstance*” or that you could just run away because things just aren’t working out?

Reality Check: We can’t. We can’t change the external environment, but we can change our perspective towards it and that makes all the difference.

To make any change, we need to make an effort. By making the following changes to your attitude, you can change your world.

Take Responsibility One of the most important things to acknowledge is that you and you alone are responsible for the way you feel, your thoughts, actions and reactions.

Often, at times, we blame our external circumstances for the way we feel or react but the truth is, it is our choice.

For example, think of a situation where someone offends you: you could either give it the power to hurt you or you could choose to ignore it.

Help Others When you feel down in the dumps, help others. Exercise releases endorphins (happy hormones). Well, there is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.

So the next time someone gets on your nerves, remind yourself that however you choose to react, you have got to take responsibility for it.

Fear

Forgive, Forget and Let Go Remember when someone close to you hurt you? Now you have a barrier around you because you don’t want to be hurt again. One of the most negative habits anyone can have is holding onto past hurts.

This does not do good to anybody especially you because it prevents you from growing and from letting good things happen to you. Let go of your grudges and past hurts.

As we grow, we experience both good and bad, but sadly, when most of us have bad experiences we start making boundaries and impose restrictions on ourselves as a means of preventing bad experiences from happening.

What we don’t realise though is that we also prevent a lot of good things from happening to us. We also fear the unknown like a child fears the dark. All fear does to us is prevent us from growing and experiencing all that life has to offer. The key to change is to let go of fear.

Love Yourself

Put Yourself In Their Shoes

You have probably heard this one a million times, which just goes to show how important this is in order to lead a happy life: be your own best friend. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, change what you can, but love and accept what you cannot change. If you want to be a good person and love others, you need to love yourself first.

Your parent had a bad day at work and now they’re taking out all their frustration on you? Why should you take the heat, right? Wrong! Think about the times others have forgiven you when you behaved irrationally. Having compassion for others, is one of the most beneficial traits we can develop.

It helps us understand others thus maintaining healthy relationships.

You Are Not a Victim Feel like giving up because life is too hard? Well, that’s on you because everyone has challenges but some choose to face them while others give up and have a pity party. We don’t grow when things are easy, we grow when we face challenges. Stand strong because in the end you’ll be glad you did.

See the Good Every situation has an upside and every person has something good to offer. The glass can be half empty or half full. What we see depends mainly on what we look for.

The Attitude of Gratitude Every situation offers something to be grateful for because bad experiences are lessons and good experiences create memories to cherish.

It is not happy people who are thankful but thankful people who are happy.

Acknowledging We can only make changes if we know what to change.

So, the next time you feel an emotion, don’t supress it, acknowledge it and analyse what triggered it.

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” – Mary Angelou

Astrology

by Aria Varma

September 2014

60

Virgo 22 August - 22 September Virgos are very independent; some may go as far as saying that they are introverts. However, this introverted aspect of Virgos allows them to thrive independently as Virgos are extremely meticulous, intelligent and practical. Through these positive aspects, Virgos can have an effective understanding of human nature and can effectively solve problems. Additionally, one can always rely on a Virgo as they possess traits of loyalty and modesty. However, at times, their punctilious nature may lead them to be fussy and fastidious. It is up to Virgos to harness their positive qualities and ensure they don't have a negative effect on themselves or society.

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

Are you ready to have your world of friendships and creativity totally rocked?

Focus on all themes related to your personal life and integrating your opposite polarity (Libra). You might find yourself involved in something serious and committed. Make sure you have someone by your side and you will be able to make decisions much faster.

However, you must learn how to trust and compromise with your commitment.

You must stop thinking about others and focus on yourself!

Taurus, the focus of this month is all about communication, work and daily ritual. It is essential that you balance your life to get your daily exercise, stay healthy and work. You must try all the new experiences life offers you and make sure you make the most of it. Go out and have many adventures as they will eventually result in remarkable memories that will help you stay content.

Gemini, you must stop working so hard, and you should learn how to relax.

However, the real windfall of success is still yet to come. For you, Gemini, you must keep your savings for travel and new experiences.

Your creativity this month will rocket into the sky with sparks, so keep your mind open to anything and everything. Listen to your close ones because they will know how to guide you in the right direction.

All will be absolutely amazing this month. If you’re worried about financial issues, don’t be! Watch how drastically your money situation improves this month. Your confidence will shine through even more and you will be able to overcome any obstacle in your path.

However, don’t be vulnerable, for not everyone can be trusted.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

It is the time to make time for the project or person that is taking up all your mental strength. For you Leo, it is the time to focus your thoughts on your loved ones, and the ones you care for dearly. Remove the negative energy from your life and focus only on those that are positive and you will genuinely be much happier.

You will come across some unavoidable drama, during your shining glory, which will eventually stay with you forever.

Now is the time to focus on what’s important to improving yourself. Have breaks here and there to prevent mental blocks, but work hard this month for your reward will be priceless, and the result will be spectacular. Be sure to be close to each and every one of your friends as they will help you rise in the future from any disappointments or heartbreaks. Know that your family is not your enemy and you should confide in them at all times.

This is the time to defeat solitude, for friendships take a ridiculously high precedence for you. Libra, never fear to express yourself, for a lot of great things will enter your life. You will have tremendous support from your family and friends if the great things take a turn this month. All your friendships this year will take a wonderful turn of events, and you will find yourself surprised by who can change your life.

Scorpio, you shall rise once again; however, continue to carry on the intensity that weighs on your shoulders.

This month, you should let go of everything from your past and focus on only positive thoughts. If you get into a fight, bury the hatchet as soon as possible. Remember to work hard, and the reward that you will be gifted will be a big payoff to your work. Always try new things out because they could lead to an escapade.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

Be very social and try to interact in every way possible.

You’ll be craving a retreat by the end, just to recover from the mingling, but never stop. Continue to socialise this month and see that the friends you make will stick with you forever. You should be able to be free, and do whatever you please without hesitation. Don’t overthink or regret the choices you make.

Never refuse an opportunity to travel this month because it could lead to a marvellous adventure.

You should go back and visit old values that meant something in your life as they will help you through a variety of things and dilemmas.

Choose your options wisely as some may impact your life in an overwhelming way for a while. Remember to save up your money and not spend it all at once as something greater is in store for you.

Be positive. Good things are coming your way.

This month you will shine, Aquarius, and don’t be scared to do so, it’s ok to have the glory once in a while. Try to step out of your comfort zone and see that you can accomplish anything if you try new things. Stay true and loyal to your friends, and they will stick by your side for a long time. Work hard and all you ever wanted will come your way eventually.

You will have a major transformation. Be fearless and attempt everything possible. You will forget about your past mistakes and focus only on the present. Expect to have some arguments but try and fix things quickly. Work hard this month and see that the reward at the end of the hard work will pay off. Take every opportunity to show your intelligence, for that will help you strive and will boost your morale.

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

Masdar Institute and Tadweer Sign Research Agreement Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, researchdriven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, and Tadweer, the Center of Waste Management – Abu Dhabi, have signed a two-year research agreement focused on improving the process for the production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil.

The research agreement was signed by Dr. Fred Moavenzadeh, President, Masdar Institute, and His Excellency Eisa Saif Al Qubaisi, General Manager of the Tadweer (CWM) in the presence of officials from both the institutions.

The research will focus on achieving fundamental improvement of the process of converting waste cooking oil to biodiesel through further experimentation and sensitivity studies. Processing and reusing waste cooking oil as fuel is an environmentally friendly sustainable energy solution that can contribute to targets for renewable energy uptake within the UAE and abroad. Biodiesel is bio-renewable, carbon-neutral and rapidly biodegradable.

660 New Students Start Their Journey at the American University in Dubai The American University in Dubai (AUD) welcomed its new students for Fall 2014 during ‘Orientation Week’ which kicked off on Sunday allowing new students to start their academic journey over a week full of fun activities.

During orientation, AUD President, Dr. Lance de Masi and Provost/Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Jihad Nader, and the Student Services’ Team addressed the students.

Dr. Lance de Masi welcomed the new students, and spoke of the twelve “musts” for success at AUD and beyond: “Do your best, Listen, Develop self-reliance, Stand out, Respect others, Seek balance, Be open to change, Develop thick skin, Assume responsibility, Consume books, Learn to laugh, Dream, and Have fun! If you already have a dream, we’ll help you turn it into reality; and if you don’t have any dreams, we’ll help you get a few! Make every day count”.

AUD distinguishes itself with a unique student orientation program planned and orchestrated by AUD Student Orientation Leaders (OLs). During orientation, OLs acquainted new students with the campus environment and the city of Dubai, clarified policies and procedures; explained AUD’s Honor Code, and conducted a variety of activities to introduce the students to the university experience.

New Students also visit their respective schools, and departmental meetings were also held, where students were given the opportunity to hear from the respective Deans and Chairs.

80% students complete course registration in 48 hours Skyline University College to AUST students; both regular and new, have registered Sponsor Tuition Fees for Students their courses for Fall 2014-2015 during the first two days of commencing course registration. 31st August marked from Financially Weak Background

the first day of course registration, which witnessed an enthusiast turnout of students and parents. The Today, grants and scholarships have opened doors for students registration is open till Thursday, 4th September 2014. from low-income families by helping them pursue higher studies. Thanks to the thoughtful guidance and monetary Mr. Osama Salman, Vice-President of AUST stated that support given by universities like Skyline University 2385 new students, in Ajman and Fujairah campuses, have College, Sharjah. joined Ajman University this semester. This year AUST Admission & Registration Department has accepted 80% of Skyline University College (SUC) has announced to sponsor the admission applications it received. AUST Vice-President tuition fees of 16 students, including 8 students from Pakistani also pointed out that the percentage of students who have Schools in UAE and 8 students from Indian Schools in UAE, successfully registered their courses for Fall 2014-2015 for the academic year starting from September 2014. SUC has reached 80% in the first 48 hours. AUST has deployed in association with Pakistan Association Dubai and Indian a highly advanced SIS (Students Information System) this Consulate has tied up for sponsoring tuition fee for these semester, which has ensured smooth flow of registration. students of grade 12.

Sunday 7th September 2014 in AUST academic calendar represents the first day of studies. AUST welcomes its After taking financial conditions of the students into account, regular and new students alike to start the new academic SUC will be paying one full year tuition fees in total for all year on an enthusiastic and positive note. An extended the students who would be found eligible for the scholarship. period of 5 days is allocated to the students to add and drop However, names of these students are their courses beginning 7th till 11th September 2014. yet to be finalised, said SUC sources.

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