POTPOURRI September 2013

Men’s Special ARE YOU TOO MANLY... to Let Your Feminine Light Shine?

Daddy, Father and Papa 10 Ways to be a Good One!

JOHN GAPPY

My Personal Journey

Turkish Rugs

Carpeting with Elegance

Boys and Their Toys

Can a Woman Ever Win?

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POTPOURRI

September Blue Ocean & Conservation

Personalities

51: Fishing is for Everyone; National

Junior Fishing Competition 48: Solar Panels; Why You Need One

22: Johnny Savy; Rethink Green with MEC 25: Tony Julie; The sound of good music

Fashion & Beauty

??: 39

Male Grooming; Some Basic Tips to Follow

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??: Steven Rosalie; Get in shape with the General!

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Best Buy; Invictus

Legal

34: The Shirt and Tie; Pairing Them Right

Exploring Eden ??: 49

??: 14

Work Confidentiality Agreements; So what if they’re broken?

Konoba; the new place to be on Fridays?

The Team 1. Chief Editor: Marie-France Watson | M: + (248) 2512477 | E: paradisepromotion@gmail.com 2. Marketing: Ineke Camille | M: + (248) 2520937 | E: ineke.paradisepromotion@gmail.com 3. Freelance Writing: Elaine Lafortune | 4. Freelance Writing: Mawess Wirtz 5. Photography: Suzanne Verlaque | POTPOURRI Photography Studio 6. Graphics & Layout: Olivia Michaud | E: info@angelcreativedesign.com

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Potpourri Magazine Seychelles

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Potpourri Seychelles is published by Paradise Promotions Ltd Box 1539, Room 14, Docklands Building, Victoria, Seychelles Tel: + (248) 4325215 | Fax: + (248) 4325216 | www.potpourrimagazine.com Printed by: ATLAS

From the

EDITOR

Dear Folks,

We could not tell you how proud we are of our September 2013 issue. In September 2012, we had our first Seychellois male ‘model’ grace our cover, and decided that we would make it an annual occurrence. From the feedback we received, we started putting together this issue, which we are sure you would love!

In our Special Men’s Edition, you’ll meet some very strong Seychellois male personalities; in the Seychelles, and beyond. Fathers, and fathers-to-be, do pay attention to our Parenting Feature, which focuses on you. To look that extra bit dashing, do not miss out the male grooming beauty article. Well, in fact, do not miss out on any page/ feature in this issue!

Photo credit: Suzanne Verlaque

This is the first editorial I write since welcoming my second son into our lives; meaning that I now officially live with three members of the male species. And so, as of this month, a life with more sports, more cars, more pirates, and more blue, begins. Do not mistake my tone for one of exasperation, I love being the only female in the house.

Many people I have met over recent months and weeks, have sympathised with my situation; i.e. not having a daughter, and have wished me a safe journey back to the labour room to pop one out. While at first I explained how happy I was with my two sons, I quickly learned to nod with a sad face, and agree that for sure the third one will be a girl. For the record, there will be no third!

For those of you visiting our beautiful islands this month, may you have a memorable Holiday, and are blown away by the Seychellois hospitality.

Until next time, stay healthy and happy.

Marie-France Chief Editor

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Cover Details Model: Renny Herve Aubrey Bijoux Age: 31 Profession: System Developer / Project Manager Hobbies: My hobbies used to be sports but now I guess it’s travelling and discovering places...I also love technology...

Family: Mum, dad, big brother, my two sisters and me

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Photographer: Marsha Dine

T-Shirt: Orizinal Kreol Venue: POTPOURRI Photography Studio, Room 14 Dockland Building

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Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Mahe Island

Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa, Silhouette Island

Allamanda Beach Resort & Spa, Mahe Island

Musings of an Island Girl

by Tina Houareau

Photo Credit - Joel Zamzow

‘AND SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT A DREAM DOES NOT ENSURE IT WILL COME EASY’

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Roots of Achievements The last week, and weekend in July, found me at my third and final residency for my PhD program. As I sat in my room at the Hyatt, in Chicago, and watched the sun set one night, I finally realized some growth in genuinely feeling as though I had a tangible grasp on exactly what I wanted to create for my dissertation question. Many might think I would have planted that seed at my very first residency in Florida, back in December 2011, and that the question would have practically sprouted by the time I left the Hilton. However, I must admit, being my toughest self-critic, it took years to germinate.

Now, did I feel like I had nothing else to learn, as I walked down to the breakfast room the next morning in Illinois?

Had my tree fully blossomed? Hardly. I still have the Comprehensive Exam in October, and at least one year ahead, during which I must grapple with the International Review Board, and the Dissertation Committee, for their approval of my research plan, and writing phases.

I concur with the old adage, “The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know.” But for me the sentiment I described above, was my ability to finally see growth, from where I started three years ago – and to give myself credit for the roots of my achievements.

In whatever we do, it is who were, and what we knew yesterday, that we must contest with. It is unwise to compete with others as we can never truly know how far they have come, what they have overcome, or what they secretly value.

When we recognize that the only person worth competing with each and every day is the self we were yesterday, our ability to appreciate the progress we have weaved over time becomes more authentic.

So if you are in the middle of trying to finesse a project, but have yet to produce glaringly marvelous results, keep powering through, give yourself a break once in a while, and the occasional pat on the back. As Malcolm Gladwell shares in his book Outliers: The Story of Success, it takes 10,000 attempts or opportunities doing something before we can be called experts at ingraining the skill in our memory, so that it is eventually performed nearly without thought.

And simply because you are passionate about a dream does not ensure it will come easy. In fact, it is better if it does not. This way you will know if you truly love whatever it may be as much as you claim to.

hotel experience in Seychelles AN EXTRAORDINARY LOCATION, UNIQUE IN ITS BEAUTY Nestled on the northwest shore of the idyllic island of Praslin with the Indian Ocean lapping gently at the shores of its 3 perfect white sand beaches, the 5* deluxe Constance LĂŠmuria is at the heart of a luxury Seychelles experience.

Begin the U-experience: call (230) 402 2772/73 or visit us at www.constancehotels.com

SEPTEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

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LIFESTYLE

WOMEN

Their real problem with our PlayStations.

by Richard Weber

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en, since the dawn of time, have always needed a best friend. This has ranged from dogs, cars, alcohol, and in some cases, an actual human being. This was before mankind invented the best thing since sliced bread: gaming consoles.

The first gaming console popped up in 1967, and was nothing more than a big brown box with two controllers attached. The simplicity of the console only allowed for extremely retro games like “Pong” to be played, whereby each player controlled a paddle on opposite sides of the screen, and bounced a ball between them. The objective of the game was to get the ball past your opponent. Needless to say, this game had a playability time span of roughly 5 minutes, and after a couple of games you would be pretty much bored out of your skull.

Seeing as those early gaming consoles cost a pretty penny in those days, you were better off going outside, and banging a couple of rocks together rather than mortgaging your house, and selling your worldly possessions just to be able to fantasize about owning one.

Thankfully, the 80’s came along, and with it, progressively advancing gaming technology, which allowed us to steer away from simple games, to more complex ones such as fighting,

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‘SEEING AS BOTH WOMEN IN MY FAMILY WERE ADDICTED TO PLAYING SIMPLE “TETRIS” LIKE GAMES, THE ONLY LOGICAL SOLUTION WAS TO PURCHASE GAMES THAT WERE AS FAR AWAY FROM THAT GENRE AS POSSIBLE; GAMES WITH BLOOD, GORE, VIOLENCE, SPORTS, CARS, AND OTHER WONDERFUL THINGS THAT BOYS ARE MADE OF.’

‘NOW, DON’T GET ME WRONG, I STILL APPRECIATE WOMEN IN ALL OF THEIR BEAUTY AND COMPLEXITY, BUT THERE WAS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THE IMMERSIVE WORLD OF GAMING THAT KEPT ME ADDICTED. AFTER ALL, A PLAYSTATION WOULD NEVER BREAK YOUR HEART, AND LEAVE YOU DOUBTING YOURSELF.’ around (we didn’t have much to marvel at in those days), and after much swearing, and damning the manufacturers to hell, my father was able to set it up, and we proceeded to have 4 continuous family fun filled hours of gaming.

This memory also introduced me to my first challenge in regards to gaming: getting around both my sister, and my mother, so that I could have first dibs at playing on the console. There was no need to include my father in the list of people standing in my way as he more, or less, shared the same taste in games as I did.

Seeing as both women in my family were addicted to playing simple “Tetris” like games, the only logical solution was to purchase games that were as far away from that genre as possible; games with blood, gore, violence, sports, cars, and other wonderful things that boys are made of. I even hid the game in the deepest recess of my wardrobe, to make sure it would never see the light of day again and consequently, none of the women in our little household would have any remote interest in playing on the Sega. Ever!

Sadly, the Sega Mega Drive era didn’t last long, and in early 2001, the Sega Corporation ceased all manufacturing of home consoles, and concentrated more on arcade games, and third-party consoles.

Luckily, Sony was able to give another option to the Sega Mega Drive with the release of the Sony PlayStation in the mid nineties. With even better graphics, and a host of new games to immerse yourself in, it was easy to cast aside the already outdated Sega Mega Drive, and accept the inevitable.

Technology was moving at light speed, and it would show no mercy with regards to the older models of gaming consoles.

As if to concede defeat, my own Sega Mega Drive reached the end of its glorious lifespan, and soon gave out around the same time that the first PlayStation was released. A fairly impressive life for such an old console, seeing as I was playing on it every chance I got.

My father, seeing the massive disappointment in my face when he found out that the Sega had died, decided it was time to upgrade my gaming experience with the Sony PlayStation 1. I had long put off my sister, and mother from gaming, and so had no problem keeping them away from my new baby, and I could happily continue monopolizing the console.

Sony, the ever innovative company that it is, soon released the PlayStation 2 to the masses in 2000, further improving the graphics, and leaving all its fans salivating, wishing to own it as soon as it came out on the market.

Problems occurred when the only ally I thought I had for gaming, my father, thought it best to give away my PlayStation 1 with the promise of buying me the new PlayStation 2. This, as I soon would discover, was a bold faced lie, and I would not be able to play any console for the next year until I was finally able to save up for my own PlayStation 2.

By this time I was already in the process of studying for my IGCSEs, and had very little time to do both study, and play games.

Seeing as it was a simple choice to make, I

LIFESTYLE

platform, adventure, and role-playing games. The high priced game consoles soon after came crashing down with this new technology, giving nearly everyone the ability to buy a console. The 90’s ushered in one of the most important moments of my life: the release of the Sega Mega Drive, the first console I ever owned. I can still to this day picture the exact moment when my father came into the house with the shiny new box containing what would be the first step to a life long addiction to gaming. As he proceeded to unpack it, the whole family gathered

followed my heart, and stayed true to my gaming nature by continuing to play with the console, much to the dismay of my parents.

All hell broke loose the day my mother, after banning me from watching TV, threatened to take away my gaming privileges so I could concentrate on studying. I remember standing defiantly in front of my gaming console, refusing to let her carry it away with the false promise of studying more, and passing all my exams. As she waved her broom in the air threatening to beat me within an inch of my life, I noticed a slight glint in her eyes as the realization dawned upon her that she would not be taking away my most sacred possession. The following year, she found out that she had no need to resort to such appalling tactics as I had passed all my exams, and soon would be going on to do my A-Levels.

With me growing up as fast as technology was advancing, my interests soon moved slightly away from gaming to the females of our species. Little did I know, I would be causing more problems than solving them.

By the time I reached University in 2006, the PlayStation 3 had come out, and girls tried their very best to divert my attention from games to trying to please them with romantic dates, and the like. None of their devious mind games worked, and I waved goodbye to each of them whilst they left me to spend time with my games.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I still appreciate women in all of their beauty and complexity, but there was just something about the immersive world of gaming that kept me addicted. After all, a PlayStation would never break your heart, and leave you doubting yourself.

Little did I know that the key to achieving the state of nirvana of keeping both your girlfriend happy, and your gaming console intact would be to do what was easiest: find yourself a girl that loves playing PlayStation as much as you do. Once you have found that right one, hold on to her, and never let her go. It is rare to find a compatible partner that enjoys the same hobbies as you do, and since my primary hobby was PlayStation, it was even harder than I care to admit. I can safely say I was able to step up to the challenge of women being a problem with our PlayStations and overcome it, after a long struggle with women from my early gamer beginnings.

I hope all my gamer friends out there are able to do the same, and find that special someone with the same beautiful, redeeming quality when choosing their partner. Until that day comes, never give up, never compromise, never surrender.

SEPTEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

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A Fresh Start - London to Mahé

by Daniel Balkwill

“Mysteriously, all of my shorts still feel a little loose at the waist so I’ve recently been having recurrent nightmares that the weight of my nose has increased by the same proportionate amount.”

There was a time in my life not so long ago, when my interpretation of taking a risk, and rolling the proverbial dice, was deliberating whether or not to have a cheese, or a ham sandwich to take to work for lunch.

If someone had dared to suggest, even as recently as a year ago, that I would give up working in London to change job, industry, country, and continent, I would probably have laughed myself hoarse, whilst simultaneously asphyxiating on my cheese/ham sandwich. Only time will tell if my personal venture will ultimately prove successful, but I certainly hope that it prompts people to occasionally take a pace back, re-evaluate their lives, refuse to accept the status quo if they feel that they still have some untapped potential, and not be reluctant to try something new.

8I’ve been AUGUST 2013 | as POTPOURRI using Facebook a means of gauging audience reaction to various subjects before deciding whether or not to use it in one of my magazine articles, although it’s primarily for family, and old friends in

A renée martin designs

rriving back in Perth from Hong Kong I barely had time to change suitcases before Jen and I took off for our long awaited girls’ weekend to Melbourne.

She had an architecture conference to attend and I was simply doing what I do best – exploring a new city!

After a slight disaster involving Jen leaving her phone on the plane, we disembarked into my aunt, Manette’s, waiting arms.

No sooner had we settled into her very comfortable and centrally located abode then we were off to explore the retail delights of Chapel Street.

After taking some rather fetching photographs of Jen trying on a number of skin-tight lycra leggings, she settled on some tiger print and gunmetal ones. The jetlag started to catch up with us so we recharged with Baileys Iced Lattes at Amici Café, whilst sampling their homemade biscotti.

Melburnians really do know how to make the best coffee!

The next day Manette and her partner, Gunther, woke us with berries and fresh croissants before bundling us into the car for a wine tour of the Yarra Valley. After stopping at Chandon for some wine tasting and lunch, we drove across to Daylesford where we swam in the mineral springs at Hepburn Bathhouse. Relaxing in the spa, I surprised everyone with a bottle of champagne, making for a merry end to the afternoon.

That evening we dressed up to the nines and headed to the riverside for the best Italian meal I’ve enjoyed in a long while at Rosetta. Carrying on upstairs into the heart of Crown Casino, we tried our luck at the Roulette

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the UK who still care about me, to let them know that I’m okay. I’ve consequently learned that any traces of arrogance, sexism, or any form of egotistical nonsense are a big turn off, and are quite rightly not tolerated. The best reactions are usually prompted when you display a little humility, interspersed with a modicum of humour. Tales of accidental nudity are also popular.

The 4 kilogrammes in weight that I initially lost shortly after I first arrived here have reappeared, and have remoulded themselves to my physique in unwelcomed fashion. Mysteriously, all of my shorts still feel a little loose at the waist, so I’ve recently been having recurrent nightmares that the weight of my nose has increased by the same proportionate amount.

I’m briefly heading back to the UK soon for a holiday. Although it will be great to catch up with my family and hopefully some old friends too, it’ll feel strange to revisit my homeland after such a long time away. Will my jeans still fit? Where are my jeans for that matter? I can only hope that the dog hasn’t shredded them, otherwise I’ll endure a potentially embarrassing moment when I disembark at Heathrow Airport. Will I discover that I still possess those peculiar British quirks that compel us to talk inanely about the weather as a default subject when first striking up conversation with a stranger, and avoid making a complaint in a restaurant when you’ve requested a medium/rare steak, and it arrives in a dubious state of quasi cremation after what seems like an eternity?

Despite poking gentle fun in the face of the Motherland, I have to say that, although I’ve become very attached to the Seychelles, and I’ll miss my dog terribly, I’m really looking forward to going back for a while. There’s no place like home.

Dan works for Kreol Wines - a new wine shop located at Eden Plaza on Eden Island, specialising in Argentinian, Australian, French and South African products.

Opening hours are 9-6.30 Mon-Fri, 10-6 Sat & 10-4 Sun.

and Blackjack tables where we couldn’t help but be entertained by some young Americans who claimed to be expert players. We left poorer for money but richer for friends!

Whilst Jen was at her conference the next day I took the opportunity to enjoy lunch in the Colonial Tramcar Restaurant with my school friend, Susan. We enjoyed a four course meal as the tram trundled from central Melbourne to the seaside of St Kilda and back again, alas in time for me to meet Jen at the airport for our flight home. So until next time - if you can’t be good, be good at it!

Baileys Iced Latte You will need...

50ml Baileys Irish Cream 25ml shot of strong coffee 25ml milk 1 teaspoon of sugar (preferably raw) Handful of ice cubes Whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for garnish Pour the Baileys, coffee, milk, sugar and ice into a cocktail shaker. Stir well and pour into a latte glass. Add a dollop of whipped cream on top and sprinkle with chocolate shavings. Serve with a straw and biscotti for a naughty afternoon treat.

Brigitte Monchouguy is a Seychelloise legal professional living and working in London. She is happiest when travelling, with interests in music, art, theatre and architecture. She also dabbles in mixology and will be sharing cocktail recipes along Brigitte Monchouguy is a Seychelloise legal professional with her monthly escapades. with a passion for social journalism. She is happiest when travelling, with interests in music, art, theatre and architecture. She also dabbles in mixology and will be sharing cocktail recipes along with her monthly escapades.

FLEX. A new Cable Prepaid Starter Pack Cable & Wireless Seychelles (CWS) has always strived to provide the best value for money to their customers when it comes to Cable Prepaid packages. Keeping this in mind, CWS is offering a new, more flexible Cable Prepaid package aptly named Flex!

by Alexandria Faure “Character is defined as the inherent complex of attributes, which determines a person’s moral and ethical actions, and reactions. And so beckons the question, of how the quality of our character affects how people perceive us?”

In Drama, a ‘Character’ is someone from a play, or script that the actor has to portray on stage. The amount of hard work, analysis, research and exercises that have to take place to portray this character successfully is immense.

Human behaviour is complex, and unless you are a profiler like in CSI, or Criminal Minds, it can be extremely hard to interpret. Once an actor is assigned a character, there are many different methods of approach to building up that character - after all an actors’ job is bringing that scripted character to life.

Dee Cannon teaches Acting, at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and these are the 10 Key questions every actor should answer to successfully portray a character.

Who am I? Where am I? When is it?

Where have I just come from?

What do I want?

Why do I want it?

Why do I want it now?

What will happen if I don’t get it now?

How will I get what I want by doing what?

What must I overcome?

These questions are very broad and complex, but the framework is constructive in helping the actor figure out why the character makes certain choices in the script, who they are in the narrative, and their relationships with the other characters.

How often do we ask ourselves these kinds of questions?

Think about it!

How often do we write down our goals, and think about whether our actions are reciprocal to helping us achieve that goal.

If we analyse ourselves now, and then we can discover whether our actions are corresponding to how we actually want to live. This kind of awareness helps build character, because we become aware of our weak points, and open the possibility to change a negative quality of our behaviour that we didn’t notice before. We become more aware of ourselves, our relations with others, our actions and how they affect others, and most importantly how others perceive us.

‘Character is like my fingerprint; it identifies me from everyone else in the world. It says who I am and where I am headed. Character isn’t something that happens to you.’

Eric Thomas, The Secret To Success Alexandria Faure is a Seychellois studying Drama And Theatre Arts in London, England.

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This new Cable Prepaid mobile package has the lowest prepaid rates ever! Customers can call any CWS mobile for as low as SR1.20 per minute during the hours between 9pm and 6am!

CWS will also meet the customers’ needs by offering two time bands to provide flexible rates around the clock. Peak hours are from 6am to 9pm and Off-Peak hours are from 9pm to 6am every day of the week!

How to get Flex?

New customers can pick up a Flex Starter Pack for just SR50, including SR25 worth of credit, at any CWS Customer Services Centre or from selected CWS Cable Prepaid agents.

Customers can also request to have their existing service number transferred to a different Prepaid package (e.g. Standard to Flex or vice versa) no more than once in 30 days at any Customer Services Centre.

For more information on our new Flex Starter Pack and it’s associated rates, please visit www.cwseychelles.com.

There is no Better way of Doing Business than with SACOS. Choosing the best deals for you and your business When it comes to insurance SACOS understands your needs: - - - -

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With SACOS, you are also buying the right types of cover for the risks that you face and choosing a SACOS Life Assurance policy is the smart way of investing for your future. Your investments are secure with SACOS… with the company’s solid financial base; being the proprietor of the SACOS Tower and large residential properties; and also its long term programme of further investments in property development.

With SACOS, it is all about giving the clients the best deals with our special offers for the following - - - - - - - -

Long-term businesses Introductory Businesses Lady Drivers No Claims Bonus ( Motor) SACOS Shareholders SACOS Tenants Motor Fleet Packaged Insurance

In addition, for the SACOS loyal clients, there are the SACOS Lotteries for Life Assurance Policyholders, Motor Insurance and Householders Insurance.

With SACOS it is not just choosing the right protection for your business; or talking to a company who understands the risks you face; or investing for your future, it is an Insurance company being the best that it can be.

Visit us today at the SACOS Tower for General Insurance. Or for Life Assurance come by to our offices on the 3rd floor of Block A, Unity House or talk to one of SACOS’ Life Assurance Agent. You can also give us a call on 4295 000. It will be our pleasure to assist and guide you.

SACOS - Rest Assured, Be Insured Contributed by SACOS Group Limited

CONSUMER AWARENESS

Sustainable Living

Contributed by the Seychelles Energy Commission (SEC)

S

aving energy is no longer just a matter of switching lights, and other appliances off. There are better technologies out there that use much less energy, so that we don’t have to switch off. For example, we can use an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) light from 6.00pm to 11.00pm, this will use the same amount of energy as if we used a regular (incandescent) bulb from 6.00pm to 7.15pm. Using energy more efficiently does not only save us money directly, but it also makes us less dependent on imported oil, and at the same time reduces carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere, which is also responsible for climate change. As a small island state, we remain vulnerable to the impact of climate change, such as rising sea level, and changes in rainfall pattern. We are also aiming to produce 30% of our electricity from renewable sources of energy by 2030, and there are programmes already in place to facilitate this. We have already started to produce electricity on a large scale with wind, and solar energy will follow shortly.

However, sustainability cannot rely on renewable energy only. It always’ comes with energy efficiency. Usually, people start with energy efficiency to reduce their consumption, then replace the fossil-fuelbased generation by a renewable one. In addition to the Rooftop Grid-tied PV project, the Seychelles Energy Commission has started another project with the UNDP-GEF, to focus on energy efficiency. The implementation phase should start next year.

This is a global concern, and most of the countries in the world are trying to go ‘green’. Things are moving fast here in the Seychelles for renewable energy, and energy efficiency, and we can be proud of it.

Everyone has a role to play: public sector (decision makers), private sector (importers, retailers, service provider, etc.), and mainly the general public.

Indeed, you can have the most efficient technologies, infrastructure, policies and so on, but if no one knows they exist and/or how to utilise them, it will mean nothing. Population is the key to a successful Energy

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Efficiency program. This is the reason why sensitization is essential in both, Energy Efficiency, and Renewable Energy programs. The Ministry of Environment and Energy, launched last year a “National Energy Efficiency Campaign” – Lenerzi, servi byen, viv byen. I think everyone has already seen this slogan, and the three main characters on the bus sides, or on TV. Also, a jingle has been produced for the campaign.

In the coming months, we will try to give advice and tips regarding Energy Efficiency for households. You have to be aware that reducing your consumption at home will significantly help Seychelles’ Sustainability (reduce/avoid fossil fuel dependence). It will also reduce your bills, meaning you will save money! To achieve electricity savings we have to understand what Energy Efficiency is exactly.

It is simply the process of doing more with less. The goal is to accomplish the same tasks and functions as before while using less energy.

The reduction in the energy consumption is usually associated with technological changes, but not always, since it can also result from better organization/management, and from a better design. In fact, you can reduce your energy consumption by replacing electrical appliances, but you would be surprised on how much energy you will save by improving your house’s design, and structure (roof insulation, solar protection, environment around your home, etc.). Sustainable building design seems to be a new, and “a la mode” way of building houses and buildings, but in fact, the state of the art in these designs could look like our grandparents ‘kreol’ houses: ‘lavarang’ is one of the best solar protection and thermal insulation for the rest of the house; wood is the best insulation material in construction, etc.

Energy efficiency is first of all a matter of individual behavior, and reflects the rationale of energy consumers. Avoiding unnecessary consumption of energy, or choosing the most appropriate equipment to reduce the cost of the energy, helps to decrease individual energy consumption without decreasing individual welfare. This should

“You have to be aware that reducing your consumption at home will significantly help Seychelles’ Sustainability (reduce/avoid fossil fuel dependence). It will also reduce your bills, meaning you will save money!”

reduce your energy consumption for hot water by reducing the temperature set for your washing machine cycle (30-40°C maximum).

If you don’t have an A/C system, and you’re not using hot water, then your fridge and freezer are the appliances who take the biggest share of your energy consumption. If your fridge/freezer is old (more than 10 years), it makes sense to replace it with a new, and efficient one. The payback time can be really short. Make sure to buy those with A+ or A++. You also have some tips to reduce your electricity consumption by optimizing the temperature, and having efficient behaviors (reduce the time the door is opened, cleaning your fridge, etc.).

Finally come lights, and other electrical appliances. Even if you think you are using these devices more than the others, they both represent maximum 35-40% of your electricity bill (usually 25-30%). There are easy ways to reduce their consumption.

Most people don’t have an A/C system, or water heater. In this case, the consumption mainly comes from the fridge/freezer, then from electrical appliances and lights. People usually focus on new light bulbs while this represents less than 15-20% of your electrical consumption (before going for CFL/LED bulbs). Replacing the fridge by an efficient one is far more relevant (considering that “replacing” means you will not use the old one anymore).

Knowing your consumption is essential! Knowing your electricity tariff can help you in saving money. The tariff rate is changing regarding how much kWh (units) you are using. Here is the actual tariff rate: 0 to 200 kWh: 1.25 SR per unit 201 to 300 kWh: 1.51 SR per unit 301 to 400 kWh: 3.33 SR per unit 401 to 500 kWh: 3.38 SR per unit In excess of 500 kWh: 4.30 SR per unit We can define 3 main categories (since 01st of July 2013): From 0 to 300 kWh (units) : 1.25 to 1.51 SR per unit From 301 to 500 kWh (units) : 3.33 to 3.58 SR per unit Above 501 kWh (units) : 4.30 SR per unit Reducing your energy consumption by Energy Efficiency, can save you a lot of money, if it allows you to switch back in the cheaper category, meaning you will pay a cheaper price for your electricity. In the coming articles, we will go further in each specific ways to reduce your utility bill. Next month it will be about the Air-Conditioning system.

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CONSUMER AWARENESS

be really emphasized: by improving energy efficiency, you will not decrease your comfort or ability to do something. Actually, it will usually be more comfortable, and easy.

There are many ways to reduce your energy consumption. The first step is to understand your energy consumption, and your energy bills. To understand your energy consumption you have to ask yourself these questions (in priority order): Do you have an efficient air-conditioning (A/C) system? Water heater?

Fridge/freezer? Lights? Electrical appliances?

Are you aware of “energy efficient behaviors”?

Questions are asked in this order regarding their energy consumption.

Air-conditioning system seems attractive because they are providing comfort. However, when you know how much electricity it uses, you may (and should) think twice before buying one.

Ask your friends, or neighbors who have A/C system running often, how much their bills are, you could be impressed. It is the reason why, if you are using an air-conditioner; it should be the first target to optimize.

Then comes the water heater. Even if most people don’t take hot showers, you can still be using hot water, for example your washing machine. If you are producing hot water by electrical devices, your electricity bill will be far higher than using solar panels. You can also

EXPLORING EDEN

Konoba

The place to be on a Friday night!

by Mawess Wirtz

W

elcome to Konoba, the place where it is genuinely your choice.

Konoba has long been known as one of the most beautiful and reputed restaurant in the Seychelles, especially with its quite unique décor. Many a client has raised their eyes to the ceiling, and has been amazed by the design that looks like a shoal of fish, made of metal. Even though the design is still the same, Konoba has now been revamped!

When we walked in we were given two options, either we could sit outside on lounge chairs and have finger food, or we could sit inside at the table and have a formal dinner. We chose to eat inside so that we could sample more of their cuisine. Not to mention, we wanted to have a better sound of the music

by DJ Peter Toule, who is amazing, and as expected was providing excellent music (obviously, I think this man has skills!). The dinner menu includes seven courses, and I will say it now, if you manage to complete them all, you should receive some kind of award. Konoba DOES NOT SKIMP on food, however my usual partner decided that we should at least attempt to do it (I didn’t think we could make it). I am always dubious of food that looks like it is posing for the cover of a magazine. If you give me a plate, and the food looks perfect, I am immediately concerned for my palate. And so, when I got my first course, I went “YES! Food that I can actually hate!”- I must however, now resign myself to once again raving about food, I was utterly wrong! Simplistically, the food at Konoba might look like they are competing in pageants, but they also taste heavenly.

What I really like, are all the options that are available, not only according to courses, but also as to where and how they can be consumed. Food is served, either at the table inside the restaurant, or outside on the deck.

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EXPLORING EDEN Contined from page 14 Our server was attentive, and we got our drinks quite fast. The waitress was quick to come and ask for our orders. We really liked that, there was none of the: raising your hand, and trying to catch their attention, failing miserably, thereafter looking like a fool. At this point I need to point out the obvious - cocktails are CHEAP compared to some other places, and so are mocktails. I for one loved my mocktail, it looked weird on paper, but it was really delicious in the mouth.

As we waited for our food, we listened and sang along to such tunes as, “When the river runs dry”

by Boys II Men, DJ Toule was tuning us with the classics! We barely noticed the time it took before we got our first course, and so began my fight to attempt all the courses that Konoba has to offer.

Round one: Me versus chicken wings. It was barbequed so well that I spent a few minutes wondering how they had done it without burning a few bits of it. I won that clash in record time, with only an after taste of honey.

Round two: Me versus pumpkin soup. It was creamy and tasty, I was floating in the clouds that I can’t even describe how good it was.

Round three: Me versus beef steak with vegetables and mashed potatoes. One look told me that I wouldn’t win this one and undoubtedly I didn’t. It was a huge helping, and as tasty as it was, I couldn’t finish it; I just didn’t have the room for it. I however, highly recommend this dish, it is worth it. The potatoes were creamy and slid down the throat with ease, the vegetables were soft and pliant and the meat (am civilised! I take mine well-done!), it had none of the metallic taste of blood, but was still soft. I sat with my plate for over ten minutes, struggling with the

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thought that I was full, hoping that I could digest some of it just so that I could eat some more. It didn’t happen and I had to call it quits!

All through the dinner, my partner-in-crime and I had barely exchanged a few words; we had been so taken up by the food that we had been merely murmuring affirmations as to how good our dishes were to each other as we practically inhaled them. I had hoped that at least one of us could win the fight (since he had been hellbent on attempting it), but he lost out in the same round as I did…..just with a different kind of meat. However, the pictures of the desserts just couldn’t be ignored, we simply HAD TO. The chocolate concoction that I ate has no comparison, had I died then I would have died a very happy girl. Even after re-reading what I just wrote, I feel that I should be raving some more about the food. I do not think that I did it the justice it deserves. You really need Konoba’s chefs in your life.

Konoba’s deck/ veranda type space overlooks quite the unique view, which we took advantage of after dinner. The yachts docked at the jetty, the smell of the sea, and the flashes of the fish swimming (you have to look hard for them, but they are there), all gives the sense of truly living the island life. The atmosphere is lively and fun.

DJ Toule really knew how to keep us grooving (we really like this guy!). And if the music moves you, groove to the beat and move to the dance floor.

We diverted to the couches after, leaned back on the large cushions and enjoyed the comfort and music; had a few more drinks, which I have to mention, were quick to appear. Service should get big thumbs up!

Gone are the days when one would think that Konoba was unaffordable, and no longer are you just offered a meal. Konoba now offers you the whole package for an enjoyable night out. The revamped Konoba is the result of husband and wife team, Mr Kamil and Mrs Borislava Bayyumi from Bulgaria. The wife manages the business while the husband is responsible for some of the beautiful dishes on the menu; the others are the concoctions of Chef Frederic Zoe. The alterations in the running of the business, as well as the divine dishes and drinks, become understandable when I found out that Mrs Bayyumi worked for 11 years for the biggest telecommunications operator in Bulgaria, and even reached the position of Regional Manager, while Mr Bayyumi owned his own restaurant called “More than Chefs” and bar “ The Street”.

Thanks to their expertise, Konoba now invites different local artists every Friday, and has already featured the likes of T-Tray, Champion, as well as DJs such as DJ Johnny. They also have had artists use their venue to record music videos.

It is an exciting place where things are always happening. Come eat, dance, chat and have a lot of fun, all in the same place…………without bankrupting yourself.

Libre !!! (par Georges Gravé)

JE RÊVERAIS DE POUVOIR FUMER TROIS CIGARETTES PAR JOUR, UNE APRÈS CHAQUE REPAS, ET POURQUOI PAS UN BON CIGARE DE TEMPS EN TEMPS…. MAIS NON, C’EST IMPOSSIBLE, CAR LA NICOTINE RÉVEILLERAIT IMMÉDIATEMENT LE DÉSIR PROFOND DE FUMER. C’EST CELA UNE DROGUE : LA DÉPENDANCE !’

Georges Gravé is the Personal Development & Training Manager at the Maia Luxury Resort and Spa

Aujourd’hui je fête avec plaisir un anniversaire.

Arrêter de fumer, oui c’est possible, et c’est un ancien « gros fumeur » qui vous le dit. Quand je dis gros fumeur, c’est fumer deux paquets, voir plus, de Marlboro par jour. En fait, dès que le réveil sonnait, le premier geste que je faisais était de trouver le paquet et vite d’en griller une…. De fait, avant mon premier café, j’avais déjà fumé 4 à 5 clopes. Et la journée pouvait commencer jusqu’au soir ou mon dernier geste était d’écraser la dernière cigarette dans un cendrier plein à craquer.

Aujourd’hui, je ne fume plus depuis 7 ans et je suis certain que c’est définitif…. Mais prudence, car il faut bien le dire haut et fort : le tabac est certainement la drogue légalisée la plus répandue dans le monde. Arrêter

du fumer est une aventure qui peut prendre plusieurs mois, voir plusieurs années, mais cela vaut le coup de tenter. Rassurez vous, je ne suis pas là pour vous faire la leçon, et je ne me permettrais pas d’être un anti-tabac chiant et anti-tolérant. J’ai suffisamment enfumé de gens pour comprendre la dépendance du fumeur, et je dois même avouer que de sentir l’odeur du tabac caresser de temps en temps mes narines ne me dérange pas du tout. Je rêverais de pouvoir fumer trois cigarettes par jour, une après chaque repas, et pourquoi pas un bon cigare de temps en temps…. Mais non, c’est impossible, car la nicotine réveillerait immédiatement le désir profond de fumer. C’est cela une drogue : la dépendance !

Je vous disais que la démarche d’arrêter peut prendre du temps, mais peu importe, il suffit de commencer, et bien sur cela ne marche pas du premier coup, ni même du deuxième. Il m’a fallu presque 10 ans entre mon premier essai et le dernier, le bon. Je m’en suis coller des patchs un peu partout, j’en ai fait des séminaires de toutes sortes, j’en ai jeté des dizaines de paquets certains que c’était le dernier, je m’en suis fait des belles promesses, j’en ai perdu des paris avec les amis…. J’ai fait des choses peu racontables pour trouver des clopes en pleine nuit, comme un drogué en manque, j’en ai fais des km en voiture pour trouver un tabac ouvert, j’ai même trainé dans des gares a trois heure du matin pour ramasser des vieux mégots dans d’immondes cendriers. Vous le voyez, la vie d’un fumeur en manque est vraiment similaire a un drogué en manque.

Il faut bien avouer quelque chose d’important, il faut oser le dire même si cela n’est pas politiquement correct : fumer est un plaisir et c’est entre autre pour cela qu’il est si difficile d’arrêter. Car nous sommes comme cela, nous les humains, nous sommes vite acro a nos plaisir ! Mais la notion de plaisir disparait assez vite avec le nombre de cigarettes et franchement, pour un gros fumeur le plaisir est vite remplacé par l’habitude et la servitude, car nous devenons vite l’esclave de notre tabac.

Aujourd’hui lorsque je vois mes amis fumeurs sortir dehors par tous les temps pour en griller une, ou se précipiter dehors a la descente d’un avion ou ne pas pouvoir rester en réunion plus de deux heures, je compati de tout cœur avec eux et je suis très fier d’être sorti de ce cauchemar et d’avoir retrouver ma liberté.

Je suis libre !! et j’espère que ces quelques lignes donneront du courage a ceux qui souhaitent le devenir.

SEPTEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

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Origins

On Tuesday 25th July, 1967, Praxeda KENJIMBA of Ndorwa County, Uganda, gave birth to a son, John Martin Mutaaga, at Nsenyi, Toro, Uganda.

Some 24 days later, on Friday 18th August, 1967, Praxeda signed an affidavit and offered her son up for adoption.

Soon the baby was driven across the border into Kenya, to a boarding school in Thika. A young couple had sought out the help of the sisters running the school to adopt a baby boy, and here he was....However, the couple got scared and backed out when they saw the malnourished, and sickly baby...and there was no crib for him to lay in.

The nuns temporarily asked Mr. Bernardin, and Mrs. Marie-Therese Gappy (nee Albest), to take care of the baby...until they found someone who will adopt him. Bernardin was already past 60 years old and Marie-Therese was 46, married and without children, at that time. Bernardin and Marie-Therese were from the Seychelles Islands, and had been living in Kenya for quite a while already. Days went by and no one knocked at the door to ask for John to become their child...

On Tuesday 5th December, 1967, Bernardin and Marie-Therese decided to stop all suspense and adopt John. They registered his name as John Martin Bernard Gappy. In 1969, we sailed to the Seychelles; these beautiful islands, spiced up with a lively Creole culture, became my home. I was around 2 years old back then.

I am forever grateful to Praxeda, the mother I consciously do not know. She preserved my life

“I FELT DEEP CONNECTIONS AND HARMONY, WHEN FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WOULD GATHER TO CELEBRATE, AND MAKE ME PART OF THEIR ENTOURAGE. FOR THESE AND MANY MORE LIFE EXPERIENCES, I WISH TO THANK THE SEYCHELLOIS PEOPLE.” 18

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My Personal Journey

SEYCHELLOIS OVERSEAS

JOHN GAPPY

Life Coaching

by carrying me in her womb for so long. I also thank her for seeking the best for me when she saw that she could not provide for my growth.

their holes among the roots of Mangrove trees, or turn over the mud with spoons in search for clams (palourd).

I am forever grateful to Bernardin and MarieTherese, for taking me in at an age where they should have been using their hard earned savings for their retirement...they invested all they had in me... My dad passed away in August 1989, at the age of 82 - I was studying at a seminary in Dax, in the southwest of France - and my mum left this earth on Sunday 11th March, 2007 just as she was about to turn 86 - I was studying at the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI), in Manila.

I started my pre-schooling years at a ‘Learn and Play Center’ in Cascade, near the actual Cascade School. A year later, I was accepted at the Seychelles College Primary School, where I was a pupil until Primary 6. It was revolution time in Seychelles (post 1977), and the new laws closed the Seychelles College Primary School. I landed in Cascade School, my childhood district. From there on, I joined the National Youth Service (NYS).

Growing up in the Seychelles

My decision to join the NYS was deeply motivated by the IDEAL of a future Seychelles that would emerge from this experience. My parents were not in favor for me to go to the NYS, since I had the opportunity of going back to the Seychelles College, and enter the Secondary Level (Form 1). It was the last chance because the Secondary Level of Seychelles College was now phasing out.

At Petit Paris, when I was not studying or doing house chores, I would be spending time playing with my neighbors. During high tide we mainly played ‘marbles’ on a small ground in between our homes. We would build our own toys. Corkscrews, nails, coconut midribs, empty toothpaste boxes made wonderful toy cars. We carved cinnamon wood into top toys, and held competitions on our small ‘playground’. Empty tin cans were fixed to a cross-like wooden frame, and we had our two wheels formulae 1 cars. When the tide went out we would be playing football on the muddy seaside. We also had some low tide duties to attend to. We would dig out crabs from

Early 1982 I boarded the Tata bus that drove us to Cap Ternay. We were the second NYS batch, and the first ones to grace the Cap Ternay Village with our turbulent adolescence. The IDEAL of friendship, camaraderie, and harmonious socialization that had led me there fell apart

“IN THE AFTERNOON OF SUNDAY 11TH MARCH, 2007, I GOT A PHONE CALL FROM SEYCHELLES....

MY LONELY MUM HAD COLLAPSED WITH A HEART ATTACK, AND DIED. I JUST SPOKE TO HER THE DAY BEFORE ON THE PHONE AND SHE WAS FEELING GOOD...MY ENTIRE WORLD WAS CRUMBLING...AS IF ALL THE POSSIBLE TRIALS FELL UPON ME AT THE SAME TIME...”

In Search of My Life Purpose As I embraced knowledge of the physical world through applied mathematics, chemistry, biology and physics, my quest in finding ways in helping myself and others grow into mature human beings remained unfulfilled. With two close friends, Gilbert and Frederick, we often engaged in deep reflection about the meaning of life. We listened and read what the political ideology of the time taught....but were not convinced that it could genuinely promote human growth, based on critical thinking, creativity and freedom. We looked at religion...many aspects of Church teachings and practices of the time, did not appeal to our thirsty hearts and minds...However, our search was limited to the Seychelles of 1985.

We had to do with what we found available there and then.

One day I opened a book my mum had kept for a very long time at home. I started to read the first pages, and ended up gulping the entire story within hours. I found an initial answer to my ‘people quest’, through the life of St John Bosco. I was deeply impressed with the way he defied the odds of his time so that he could practice a core value that I shared with him: the ‘people person’ value. Living in a Church context that protected the conservative ‘good Christians’ behind walls while threatening the ‘street renegades’ to perpetual life in hell, John Bosco kept going out towards the rejected, respecting their life journeys, being present to their ‘brokenness’, believing they had the potential to become better persons, journeying and working with them towards human, and spiritual progress.

Now, St John Bosco was a Catholic priest. After several weeks of discernment, I decided to embrace the priesthood as a way to live out my two essential core values. I knew that I had serious obstacles to face. The few priests I knew at that time did not show much empathy for people. They tried to control and rule over people’s lives....without connecting to concrete realities. When our parish priest would visit our neighborhood, everyone would be on their toes, at their best behavior...in case we would have to face serious scolding from the pulpit the next Sunday! As soon as he left, with a big sigh, everyone went back to their normal behaviors.... the scene the priest saw was just a set up. My issue: if I were to become a priest, how could I break this barrier so that I would experience the concreteness of people’s lives, without fakeness?

I took the leap of faith, and entered the seminary.

Later, after my ordination in 2004, I faced a mountain of difficulties stemming from the clerical stereotype that some laypeople and some priests rigidly clung to. I had to choose between enjoying the comfort of lying atop a pedestal, or take the risk and embrace the concreteness of

the Creole reality. I went down to connect with reality, and had to suffer the consequences. Allow me to share only one example.

During a clergy meeting, we were asked to share about two significant pastoral experiences of the past year. I spoke about my experiences with young people on the football field (I played with them every Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7pm to 9pm on the artificial turfs at the Roche Caiman Sports Complex), and what I saw and felt while recording my albums (specially River of Life) in different recording studios, be it at Veuve Recording Studio, or ‘Kas-Anba’ in Belonie. As soon as I finished talking about my interactions with these realities, I was bluntly rebuked by the head of the clergy: “Are these behaviors worthy of a priest?”....I was astounded; I kept my silence... this was around 2004 or 2005 ....in June 2006 I left Seychelles for Manila!

On the other hand, I shared wonderful life experiences with people who were not boxed into destructive judgmental categories. We were able to talk about all kinds of issues in their lives, honestly letting true events and feelings surface, without the fear of being ‘whipped’ for what they were going through. I felt fulfilled whenever someone resurfaced, and found new meaning in their life...I felt profound humility whenever someone would feel at ease in my presence, by sharing the most intimate issues affecting their life....I felt deep connections and harmony, when families and friends would gather to celebrate, and make me part of their entourage. For these and many more life experiences, I wish to thank the Seychellois people.

Mabuhay Manila!

Some people migrate to another country with the idea of better lifestyles, greater prosperity, and quicker financial earnings. Some people leave their countries because certain issues in their environment force them out. The former leave with strong motivations, and the latter depart with heavy hearts. My departure from Seychelles on an early Sunday morning flight to Manila, via Dubai, was part of the latter feelings.

While in transit in Dubai, thoughts were racing through my mind...even crying out to my heart that I should turn back! However, my deep gut feelings drove me to venture into the unknown.

Within the depths of a painful heart, I trusted my intuitions, and embarked on the Dubai – Manila, Emirates Airline flight. I landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, on Sunday 25th June, 2006, just after 10.30 pm.

Soon I was driving through Manila by night, and I had my first cultural shock. It was nearly midnight, and the streets were still full of people...as if they did not sleep! Metro-Manila has a population of 12 million! My taxi driver

SEPTEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

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SEYCHELLOIS OVERSEAS

very quickly. The unprecedented clash of conflicting family backgrounds created a social environment where one had to develop surviving mechanisms! Some left the village within days of entering Cap Ternay....I decided to adjust, and find my way through....which I did.

Two years later I graduated from the NYS, and moved to the then, Mathematics and Science Department, of the Seychelles Polytechnic School. As I settled down in my new demanding subjects, I discerned two personal core values: science as the process of gaining sound knowledge of life (both physical and the human); a deep desire to contribute to the betterment of people’s life....beginning with my own personal growth. I never lost track of these two personal values, as the rest of my story will show.

SEYCHELLOIS OVERSEAS

stepped on the accelerator, and we were cruising along populated avenues and inner streets. We approached red lights....and he drove through!

I was about to protest...then I told myself: “This guy is still alive...he surely drove through several red lights already...he probably knows his city better than I do...trust and see.” I stopped looking in front, and instead tried to absorb what a high density urban city felt like.

Difficult Times Days before leaving Seychelles, someone warned me of how dangerous Manila was. Someone he knew settled there, and was killed soon after, with no news of the cause of the crime, and no identification of his murderers. Others were questioning the level of education in Asia, and openly telling me: “We respect your silence on the true motives behind your departure to Manila. However, if ‘they’ really meant your studies to be a ‘promotion’, they would have sent you to Europe...not to Asia.”

Team Coaching

went back to the time when Seychelles had no television, and had to read football results long after games were over...except that it was quicker with the internet...I hit rock bottom...lost my usual smile...and suffered the radical cultural change.

In the afternoon of Sunday 11th March, 2007, I got a phone call from Seychelles....my lonely mum had collapsed with a heart attack, and died.

I just spoke to her the day before on the phone and she was feeling good...my entire world was crumbling...as if all the possible trials fell upon me at the same time...my dreams were full of houses burning, planes crashing, bombs exploding... I did intensive dreamwork by following psychological processes from the Jungian School of Depth Psychology, and associated these powerful dreams to a period of personal transition. Can I let go of the past (burn, crash, explode...), so that I can rebuild anew? I struggled with this dilemma by sharing my journey with my spiritual guide.

Brighter Days During a psycho-spiritual integration workshop at the EAPI, I was awakened by the lecturer’s bold statement, which I paraphrase from memory: “Who you are, who you become, depend on you.

As much as your actual predicament is the result of external factors....at the end of the day...you are the one who decides who you want to be.

Either you choose to be what the external factors impose upon you...or you choose to become free, and recreate your own life direction.”

My immediate reaction was: “No way! This cannot be! I am in this workshop not by freedom of choice, but by the covert ploy of the one who sent me here! Therefore, my actual feelings and direction are not totally under my control!

They are the consequences of external factors!”

A powerful insight immediately followed.... enlightenment....: “I might be here because of reasons beyond my control...however, what I make out of this situation depends on me. Either I allow myself to be trampled upon...or I rise, and take control of my life.”

Successful Achievement Club

The first days and weeks at the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) were difficult ones. At the turn of 40 years old, I left behind spacious and comfortable living places and conditions, to find myself squeezed into an 8 square meter room. I would fall off the ‘Asian size’ bed during the first few days, until my body conditioned itself to sleep all night in a straight line, without tossing and turning. There were around 80 priests, nuns, and laypersons living and studying at the EAPI. I was the only one from Seychelles. On Sundays, all went out with their country mates, and I was left alone. A big difference from life back home!

Every Sunday I would tag my mum along as I was always invited for lunch and picnics. Now I spent my Sundays secluded in a small room.

All other facilities were in common. There was one TV for the 80 participants....I retreated to watching bad copies of pirated DVDs on my laptop as sole Sunday entertainment. No more live Premier League football...Filipinos are basketball people....no more Sunday picnics...I

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I decided to rise and take control! I started to smile again, re-energized by the prospect of better times to come. I was surprised to find myself propulsed onto the EAPI participants’ committee, and was in disbelief when they elected me, the only Seychellois around, as their Representative for the entire semester. From that time on, I started to consciously discern what I truly wanted in life. I re-clarified the core of my life purpose: - to seriously research, and assimilate knowledge/experiences of life in general, and the meaning of human life in particular; - to journey with others as a friend, respectfully helping them discern, and achieve their goals. My dreams pattern changed....I never saw burning houses, crashing planes, and exploding bombs again....I started dreaming of harmonious nature scenes...Change was at last happening within the depths of myself.

The Way Forward The day came when I took the decision of rebuilding my life by taking a radically different path. When I finished writing about my decision, I felt profound inner peace....a deep sense of liberation. I had measured the consequences carefully, and knew that I was embarking on a very difficult road. I was away from my relatives and friends...living in a foreign country where I can easily be asked to leave if I could not secure a visa...I had no health insurance...and loads of other issues. However, just like the deep gut

feeling I felt in Dubai, I had this inner tug that pushed me to make the move.

From the time I arrived in Manila, June 2006, to the time I completed my discernment and made my decision to change life direction (early 2011) I got to know some Filipino families. In the middle of 2010, Mrs. Velasco invited me to visit her elder sister who had just been diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. As I entered their home, I was deeply moved by the situation of the elderly couple. Mrs. Gutierrez was in her room upstairs, already very weak and thin....while her husband laid on a bed downstairs....victim of a stroke a few years earlier. The wife left us very quickly, indeed, before the end of 2010, she passed away. I took it upon myself to pay Mr. Gutierrez regular visits after his wife died. Now the time had come for me to make the difficult step to let him know that he needs to find another priest to administer to him.

The day came when I sat beside his bed, and told him the news. I was expecting him to simply say that he will look for another priest...to my surprise he insisted that I tell him what was happening to me. I kind of summarized the reasons that led me to this point....and then he said: “It’s okay, I still want you to come and visit me. You are now part of my family. I will make you a Gutierrez, and you will never be alone again.” I was stunned!

The Filipinos are very warm and courteous, but they do have clear boundaries of who is family, and who is not. At family gatherings (Christmas, New Year, Special Family Reunions) you only see the elders, their children and spouses, and grandchildren...no other friends are there! Now Mr. Federico C. Gutierrez was telling me that I am part of his family! I tried to play down the invitation, telling myself he would change his mind later on. Before I left that day, he added: “You can come and stay here, we have empty rooms, it is your home.” By the way, he never requested for another practicing priest to visit him.

Mr. Gutierrez was the eldest of his living four brothers and a sister, at the age of 78. The Filipino culture has great respect for elders. Even among the siblings, there are respectful titles given to elder sisters (Ate), and elder brothers (Kuya). I received a very warm and heartfelt welcome at the next Christmas party, and sang ‘My Way’

by Franck Sinatra with my new found ‘dad’...one of his favorite songs. Filipinos are very fond of Karaoke, and they can sing all day long.

On Sundays and public holidays, I would drive Mr. Gutierrez to mass, and around Manila since it was his driver’s day off. These were opportunities for our friendship to grow, until I moved into his house. From my 8 square meter room of 2006, I was now living comfortably, and out of seclusion.

My new found dad’s health, suddenly took a downturn in February 2012, and he left us the month after. As he and his wife rest in peace, they leave behind their only daughter and child, and I have found a family. It is my second adoption!

Moving On: Study and Work The Master in Pastoral Studies courses at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, gave me strong tools to do Contextualized Theology. We most often study theology by memorizing what we are taught...the EAPI trained us in how to construct theology by making use of the Social Sciences perspectives as modern paradigms. I also completed courses in the Canonical Licentiate, in Dogmatic Theology program at the Loyola School of Theology. It is important to note that traditional Dogmas were

formulated within precise historical and cultural contexts, thus limited in their discourse on ‘God’.

The question is: should the concept of ‘Divinity’ be limited to a particular religious institution and cultural context, or should the limited human ‘grasp’ of ‘God’ be allowed to evolve... by integrating a greater variety of religious interpretations of the divine as well as building upon contemporary science?

Last May I passed my final exams in the Master of Cultural Anthropology course, at the Ateneo de Manila University. I am now working on my thesis topic, which will be a study of organization culture. I will conduct Ethnography on a selected organization once I complete my thesis proposal.

Cultural Anthropology is intimately connected with my two essential values: understanding people’s life through evidence based processes (science), and finding ways to help people grow (applied anthropology). After this initial effort on my thesis, I expect to design an anthropological model to both study organizational cultures, and design processes to enable cultural change when such is required. Organizational ethnography is very popular nowadays as employers, and company owners come to the awareness that

My main focus in Life Coaching is on personal development and growth. There is a very interesting field that I am delving into, and making use of its science as a paradigm for personal growth. It is generally called ‘affective neuroscience’, which is the study of neural mechanisms of emotions. A better understanding of the sources and effects of one’s emotions, helps a lot in designing one’s growth towards emotional maturity. Daniel Goleman has popularized this theory in his book ‘Emotional Intelligence’. I am building my life every single day....you can build yours too! It is never too late, and you are never too old to start afresh!

On ‘Going Back to Seychelles’ At this point in time it is difficult for me to make a decision if I will go back to settle in the Seychelles. I have made a lot of headway in Manila, and I cannot just let things fall apart, it would be wasting what life has generously offered me. Time will tell.

contribute to our beloved Creole culture. If there are any calls from home for me to make good use of my Cultural Anthropology and Life/Executive Coaching experiences, I will surely consider them.

The one-on-one Life/Executive Coaching can be done through Skype. I am already conducting sessions online. The notion of distance has changed with the internet. People can also contribute their opinions, and questions directly on my website through the comments button.

As I conclude my profile, I just want to evoke some strong insights/feelings about the Seychelles, and our ‘Kreolite’. They are a mixture of what is already there, and what I feel we deeply aspire for: Serenity of the blue seas; Warmth of the white sandy beaches; Colorful splashes of exotic flowers; Foggy future; Ruffled feelings; Struggling Economy; Baffled minds; Rumor obsession; Chaotic lives; Mouthwatering smell of grilled fish; Taste of spicy foods; Powerful Rhythms of Sega Seselwa; Creative strokes of artists; Intellectual thirst; Freedom of Speech; Social harmony; Friendly handshakes; Loving Hearts.....

However, this does not mean that I cannot

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SEYCHELLOIS OVERSEAS

First Year Death Anniversary of Mr Gutierrez

work performances partially depend on the general behavior of workers.

I also went through intensive professional training to become a Life Coach, and Executive Coach. I am now a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF), as well as a member of the ICF Philippine Chapter. My Life Coach profile is displayed on their websites. You can access them directly from my own website: www.buildyourlifepurpose.com

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

A better way forward with MEC‘s tyres!

With Elaine Lafortune

Mr. Johnny Savy, born of Seychellois parents in Tanzania, is the owner of MEC Ltd. In 1974, he and his family moved back to the islands’ shores, where he did most of his schooling, apart from the time when he went for further studies in France in his later years. Since, Mr. Savy has joined the family business, which was initially started by his parents in 1980. “That’s the year when my father started the business in tyre retreading, which involves recycling old tyres to make them reusable again,” Mr. Savy says.

Why Retreading?

Retreading is a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly way to breathe new life into worn tyres: The “worn-out” tread of the tyre is replaced with a brand-new one, and this means that the tyre can be used again! The requirements are that the tyre was used correctly in its “first life”, driven with the right air pressure and treated with care, the tyre’s frame, the carcass, is not damaged.

Rethink Green With MEC It’s a process which has got very positive points in terms of the environment. “We’ve carried on expanding, and have continuously upgraded with technology. We’ve actually changed a couple of processes as we’ve gone along. We were able to make up to 10,000 tyres a year, but now we’re making a lot less. Initially, we would also make a lot of car tyres, but with the competition from new tyres coming from outside and with the improved financial situation, many people now opt for new tyres, especially for small cars.”

“We’ve diversified from making small tyres, as it became too expensive

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to run. So, we had to do without that plant and now specialise in SUV’s, light/heavy pick-ups, buses, trucks and industrial tyres, like forklift. We also recycle engine mountings (especially for older cars) where we regenerate the engine mounting. We also do repairs on pressure pipes if they’re made out of rubber. Accompanied with that, our subsidiary company has a service centre for tyre fitting, which we started roughly around 8 months ago, where we change tyres, and do wheel balancing.”

If it should happen that you have a flat tyre in the middle of the road, not to worry. Mr. Savy reassures us with his services; especially for the damsels in distress.

They have a system, where if someone calls in (a lady for example) for a flat tyre, and requires a change, they do help out. One of the technicians can go on site to assist them, but their services are only during daytime.

One of MEC’s subsidiary companies is called ‘AutoPoint & Wheels’, which specialises in new tyres and batteries. The tyres are brought in from China, from a company affiliated to Cooper tyres, which is the third biggest rubber company in America.

“We’ve been importing these quality tyres for the past 7 years, and the price is very competitive”, Mr. Savy tells us. MEC also brings in Falken tyres from Japan and Thailand, which is the more premium brand, and which is more costly. Batteries imported from Poland are also part of AutoPoint & Wheels’ imported goods.

Continued on Page 24

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23

BEHIND THE BUSINESS

Continued from Page 22

The Faithful Staff With a small group of 16, MEC has members of staff who’ve worked with them for over 24years. “We tend to run the business as a family structure, where everybody has a say, and everybody’s opinion is respected, and we work as a team”, Mr. Savy admits. “We look after each other, and when people need time off, we understand. We like to operate our company with such flexibility.”

Casing Life - How to Extend It and Save In terms of retread tyres, MEC also caters for the National Bus Company as well, Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC). In fact, they’re one of MEC’s biggest clients. “Our portfolio of clients is increasing considerably, now that we provide new tyre fitment and retreading fitments”, Mr. Savy says.

Since the company has grown though, during the foreign exchange crisis, MEC faced another ordeal, while priority was given for ‘more important’ commodities. “We were fortunate enough to have good planning in place, and we always managed to get our raw materials, though sometimes later than it should’ve been. I must say though, that the sales were a lot higher when there was this crisis. It was testing times, but it was also good for the company. Even now, with the much improved foreign exchange situation, we do have serious competition, but our prices are relatively well laddered, and we hold very good rapport with a lot of our customers.”

Squeeze Every Last Mile Out of Every Casing Since it is renewable energy, it’s environmentally friendly, and they’re recycling; Mr. Savy mentions that he would appreciate more support from Governmental Organisations in the quest to reducing our islands carbon footprint by using retreads whenever possible.

Mr. Savy tells POTPOURRI, that MEC’s basic raw materials usually come from Malaysia, and South Africa.

Previously, imports were also made from Italy as well, but with the exchange rate of the Euro now, it’s become too expensive. Now, they tend to operate with countries where they can make use of the US dollar.

Retreads Save Money Retreads save the user a great deal of money, since they will do about the same mileage as new tyres. While retreading does not eliminate the need to dispose of old tyres, it does delay it considerably. This helps keep down the fast-growing cost of disposal, and takes the pressure off landfills.

“If you’re going to put our retread tyres next to an average Brand tyre, and a premium brand like Bridgestone or Michelin, you would

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be looking at savings from 19% right up to 60%. There’s a wide band there, where you can opt for savings.”

With today’s rising raw materials’ costs, and resulting price increases, wringing every mile out of every tyre should be a priority.

“We also have a warranty systems’ set up, where if there’s either a complaint, or a problem with our product, which is very infrequent, but it does happen, (both to new, and recycled products), customers are guaranteed satisfaction at the end of the day.”

Though, MEC is a medium sized industry, Mr. Savy says that they do not have a turnover of staff, which to us means that they must be doing something right. “I think business is definitely improved, and the field where you can operate from is expanding. There are a lot more vehicles on the road, and people are more affluent these days, so in terms of our field, there’s been an increase in demand.”

As expected, being in the recycling industry in the Seychelles is not a ride in the park, and MEC confesses that they are in constant competition with the outside world as they can manufacture things a lot cheaper than we can.

Future Plans For MEC MEC wishes to move into an ideal area which will definitely prove more accessible, and conducive to what they do.

“We do emit noise from our machinery and often work till late. The old industrial zone that we’re currently in, is slowly switching into a residential area. So, our plan is to move to another site, and turn this factory into a more professional service centre.”

There has also been interest in opening a sales outlet on Praslin, at Baie Ste. Anne. Work is still in progress for that project. Giving a good service to his customers and contributing to the country’s economy, is MEC’s drive to success. Mr. Savy leaves us with an interesting fact: “The retreading industry retreads over 50 million tyres every year worldwide, literally. Retreading plays a particularly important role in aircraft tyres, which are subjected to extreme stresses. Most planes that land on International airports, land on retreads, and most people don’t know this.”

With Tony Julie, by Najma Pirani ‘Tony, play it as it is!’. From then on, he taught me how to play, he became my personal mentor.

So, classic guitar was your first. What was your childhood like?

You can say that…. Well, I am from a family of six, comprising two brothers, and three sisters, with me being the fourth. I grew up in Mont Buxton, and I still live there to this day. I never moved because of two reasons; I have a piece of land there - it’s like my little kingdom -, and the other thing is, the community is united, everyone is familiar with one another. For instance, when I am on TV, the next morning when going to the shop or just passing by, everyone cheers for me, ‘Yeah, man. We saw you! Good one!’ My heart is there!

I have to ask about your dreadlocks.

Funny story! The last time I combed my hair was while I was on tour in France – thereafter, I got rid of my comb and started growing dreadlocks. When I got back home after the long tour, my mom scolded, ‘What is that?! Are you doing drugs, Tony?’ I said, ‘No, mom. I’m not into that. This is just my style, my stage appearance.’ My grandmother and aunt joined mom’s gang, and they tormented me every morning! It was such a funny burden! However, there was this man my aunt was seeing, he was from Guinea. He convinced them to allow me to grow and develop my presence as a musician. A time came when my whole family learned to accept me for who I am. Now, my nieces love to play with my hair, and even save the hair I trim, in a jar in their room! I think it would mean trouble if I were ever to cut my hair now.

If you were to classify, what genre would your music fit into?

I am versatile. I play and listen to every kind of music, as long as it is ‘good music’. I do have a preference for Jazz, and World Music.

Describe ‘good music’.

T

ony Julie, is a prominent, left-handed, bass guitarist who has been born and bred in Mont Buxton, Seychelles. As he was growing up, his family believed that they were witnessing the roots of a successful marine mechanic emerge. Since it is what he excelled in, and was academically trained to be, that and the destiny of a boy, who lived to reinvent the footsteps of his father. Little did they know about the whispers of his heart, that they were having breakfast and sleeping with a future icon, who would mark himself enough to be our current President’s choice of musician. I found myself in the presence of a visionary, whose words and gestures, radiated rays of zeal and integrity that rhymed with is musical compositions. His dreams and aspirations are as vast as the seas - which he turns to when in need for moments of silence and inspiration.

Music with intelligence; well thought about and premeditated. There are some music that we hear, which does not carry that harmonious formation, as though it is rushed. Personally, I don’t consider that as music. If lyrics are involved, then they have to be profound like poetry.

Are there any specific tracks which you wouldn’t count as good music?

I think I’ll go diplomatic with this one. But just to hint, turn on the mass radio today, and you might get a slight idea of what I am referring to.

Point noted! When did you first get into music?

I first started when I was eight years old, but professionally when I was 15.

Then, in the year 2000, I met two French musicians, Alain and Andre, they came to the Seychelles through Alliance Française. I had the chance to play with them, and thereafter, decided that I wanted to play music to my last breath.

Are you a recording artist, and do you compose your own music?

Yes. I am currently in the process of recording. It’s been taking me a while this one.

Sometimes when you want to come up with good music, it takes quite a long. You work, you listen for the gap of improvement, and you go back to it again and again. Yes, I do write for my band.

You are often found with a bass guitar in your hand. Tell us more about that.

Although I am a multi-instrumentalist, bass guitar is the main instrument that I play. I like the sounds I can make with it. I also like drums and other types of guitars, such as the classical guitar.

How did you decide that bass guitar is the instrument for you?

It started when my elder brother was only 12 years old, and had successfully passed his entrance exam. My mother likes to reward us when we achieve something positive, so my brother asked for a classical guitar.

Whenever he played I would watch, and when he’d leave for football practice, I would sneakily take his guitar and play with it. Since I am left-handed, I thought that the smart thing to do was to reverse all the strings of the guitar, and then quickly return them in their order before my brother got back. One day he found out and said,

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FEATURED ARTIST

The Sound of Good Music

FEATURED ARTIST

A band member! What else do we need to know?

Yes! It is called ‘Metis’, composed of four local artists including myself.

The drummer is Mervin Nibourette, the pianist is Johny Robert, singer is Belinda Moncherry, and I as the bass guitarist. ‘Metis’ is the Créole word for mix; we are a mixture of individual artists that compliments each other.

In 2010, we found each other, and recognized our great team spirit. Ever since, we played together in every national event! Last Month, June 18th, we played together for the National Day celebration. Two Sunday’s ago, we played at the President’s house. We are always there for each other.

The President, impressive! Is that one of those “casual” things that you do? How did you land it?

We play lots for the President! I used to play with Seychelles’ famous traditional musicians in a band called ‘Boya’, so whenever there would be a national event, we were there and playing. We got recognition. After that,

all my exams while working. Unfortunately, teaching is not in me, I tried it and it didn’t work. I always maintained good grades, which is why at first my family had a hard time accepting my switch of ambitions.

You didn’t mention your father?

My father supports me too, but he’s not into music. He is a traveler, always on the boat. When we were younger, he’d buy records, cassettes, and CDs for us, but would never listen to them. The only thing he had to say to me was, ‘Don’t listen to crap. Listen to ‘good music’ like jazz’. I will always remember that.

What is ahead for Tony Julie? Do have an ultimatum?

A friend of mine who lives in England, Elvis Joubert, and I, are setting up a radio station that will eventually be syndicated all over the world - that is what’s ahead. I think that music is an art in which you will always find something new to learn. It’s a never ending process of growth, thus, I don’t really have an ultimatum. There are still things that I want to accomplish, for instance, I would like to tour the world through music, discover different cultures, then come back home, and integrate my new found knowledge with our own, to make something original and new.

When you aren’t doing music, you are?

That would be a very small time frame, because I am either performing or practicing. I would spend that time in the ocean. I like the sea, sailing, and cruising, taking some time to be on my own for some fresh air, and contemplation - free from politics and daily chaos!

What is your typical day like?

I wake up around 9:00 am. Most time than others, I don’t sit for breakfast, because I’m rushing to the studio to get my new ideas on paper, so I have my breakfast on the way! I get prepared for my gig of the day, which is most of the time at hotels. When I come back, I already have rehearsals up to 01:00am. And then do it all over again.

What does your studio look like?

all the groups I’ve played with have become/gotten popular.

What would you consider to be your biggest performance?

I would say the ones I had to leave Seychelles for. In 2007, I toured with a musician from Comoros Islands, a guitarist called Maalesh. We toured together for a year. That was the most precious moment in my musical career. I met great talents, discovered new instruments like the baron, and other percussion instruments. Fascinating!

Do you make your living solely through music?

Right now, yes. I am actually educated, and trained to be a marine mechanic. I previously worked on a boat for over nine years. One day I decided that I wanted to follow my true calling, and so I turned to music, it was always at the back of my head. I had to pay attention.

What a brave thing to do. Do you find support from your family?

Thank you. Well, now they do, but they had to come a long way. When I first started, my mom asked me, ‘Tony, are you serious about this?’ Then I went for my first tour, and she said, ‘Yes, Tony, I can see that you really have a passion for music, and I will not interfere with your choice, go for it.’ And so, every time I perform, my mom is there, my aunt, my brother; my family is always there to support me. When I was studying to become a marine mechanic, I had the option to be a teacher. I told them that I’d rather go on the boat, gain some experience and do my grading while I’m at it. I did

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A digital studio, apart from the instruments most of the equipments are computerized. It is small, and cozy.

Who is your musical inspiration?

In Seychelles, Jany De Letourdie, she is a very powerful singer.

Internationally, Tony Jackson, he is a bass guitarist, Michel Camilo-a pianist, and John Scofield-jazz guitarist.

What would you like to say about music in Seychelles?

There is a lot of good music in our culture. We need to take music more seriously. Media has to portray more positive musical influences. I feel like there is not enough support for our traditional music coming from our radio stations, that’s a true problem that our musicians face.

What is your message to aspiring musicians?

Same thing I say to myself; study music. Use the Internet to your advantage. Accept advice, and pay attention to constructive criticism.

A good musician comes from a fair share of musical knowledge. Our opportunities here are broad, because our music is still virgin, look for originality.

PERSONALITY SPECIAL

The shape shifter Interview with personal trainer Steven Rosalie aka The General!

In a society where obesity is an ever-growing problem, we are all becoming more aware of our health, and fitness.

By Elaine LaFortune

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PERSONALITY SPECIAL

There is a growing demand for fitness instructors to keep clients on the right path to a healthy lifestyle. But what is it really like for people in this industry? Here, I speak with a fitness enthusiast about how he got involved in this career, what a good workout means to him, and why his unique fitness philosophy works.

Fitness instructor Mr. Steven Rosalie talks about changing careers to follow his dream, and being a fitness fanatic. Mr. Rosalie of Bel Air, has quickly made a name for himself in the fitness industry, and he is otherwise known to many as “The General!” Why? As I got to know more about Mr. Rosalie, I learned of his parcours to getting where he’s at today. Mr. Rosalie, who studied at the Seychelles Tourism Academy for a course in Kitchen/Restaurant Management, has kept on venturing into the management world. From there, it was an interest in Business Studies, and now he is upgrading himself with a course in International Marketing at the Seychelles Institute of Management (SIM). Besides all that, he is proficient in what works for women in the gym – and what doesn’t – this fitness trainer claims he can give you the body of your dreams, if only you undergo his intensive work out plan of course. Keep reading to find out!

What got you interested in personal training?

I guess it started with my love for exercising, and seeing the change that it makes on your body, mind, and confidence. The discipline and determination to make exercise integrate with my life, has been a very important aspect to me. It started since I was 12, which was when I started gymming.

Why Gymming?

It’s a way to improve oneself without having to count on anyone else. It’s your own sport. You do it, and whatever results you get from it, is from your own efforts. It improves a lot on mentality, and personality. I’ve gone through a number of gyms here to work out: From Happy Youth Club to Animal Kingdom, to NSC, and now Xtrim. Xtrim is when I really went into gymming full swing, in the sense that I also officially started to work for a gym.

How long have you been working with Xtrim?

That’ll be 6 years!

When asked about his age, Mr. Rosalie said “No, I’m not 27! That’s what everyone thinks when they ask me about my age.” He says that gymming takes a toll on you, in the sense that it makes you look more mature. Yes, he confessed to being only 24! With this theory, I suggested that more men should definitely go to the gym!

I like working with Xtrim as it is more like a European gym. It is not like the usual body building gyms that we’re accustomed to. It’s well equipped, and caters for both men and women equally!

What is it that you do exactly at the gym?

Everything! From cleaning to aerobic sessions, right down to all the marketing and accounting jobs. I reckon doing all of that builds character, and personality. I also offer work out plans, diet plans, and personal training to clients who ask for it.

Tell us about your work ethic, and how you achieve small/large goals with training.

I try to have fun whilst working hard – if you can’t love what you are doing, there is no point doing it then. This applies to every aspect of life. I set one small goal at a time, and then see what the future holds.

Qualities you need for such job.

You definitely have to be fit yourself. If you want someone to do something, you have to be able to do it yourself.

If you were not doing what you do now, what else could you be doing?

Hotel Management! I’ve done several attachments in hotels when I was still at school, but I also know that doing such a job takes a lot of your time. I work 6 days per week, so basically I’m working about the same hours I would in a hotel. But the only difference is in my working hours I have to train as well.

What motivates you to wake up, and do what you do every day?

Being recognized as a Personal Trainer! That is the most rewarding, as I didn’t just get that title. I had to work for it… without any specific training too. It’s a self-achievement.

Why do your clients address you as ‘The General’?

I always tell people what to do! And when they tell me they can’t do it, I insist that they do. I started being called ‘the general’, ‘sergeant’, or ‘the captain’, just because I lord them over. So, now I have to live up to it.

Whether they like it or not, I have to make sure that they do as instructed if they want to see the results they have in mind. Like they say, ‘I’m the

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general’, so they have to do what I say! It’s for their own good. Besides, they’re paying for such a service, and I have to give it to them.

Nothing’s been handed to me. I had to work, and I did, and I got recognized by the people who saw potential in me.

What is something interesting that most people might not know about you?

I’m a bachelor…and I like it that way!

You’re 24! No kids, no girlfriend?

Well, if it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I’m not one to force things to happen. But right now, I’m enjoying my singleness. I go out, I have fun, and that’s enough for me. I’m business minded at the moment, and I don’t want to be jumping into any commitments. I want to remain focused in my work, and continually improve myself.

What would be a typical fun day?

Waking up, having a massive breakfast, then heading to the gym. Get a good burn, and a good work out, then head back home to sleep.

Do you always feel the need to work out?

Yes! It’s something that has to be done every single day. It’s not recommended though! Usually 3-4 times per week is sufficient. I do get tired sometimes, but I just feel the need to work out, as I feel like there’s something missing if I don’t.

List some role models that inspired you

I really admire Mr. Barnsley Antat’s devotion. He is where he is today because of his hard work. He started from scratch, and he’s made it big. He’s also one of my best friends. And Mr. Jacques-Alain Hoareau from Happy Youth Club, similarly he also started from scratch as an entrepreneur. There’s also my boss, Gilles who’s been a tremendous encouragement for me, throughout. He’s also a good friend…yeah, I’m friends with my boss. You don’t get that often, but it makes my work life more enjoyable.

Ever thought of owning your own gym?

I’ve thought of that for sure, and it might be a thing, but I’ll leave that for later on in the future. It’s not something I’m thinking of doing any time soon. Now, I’m trying to get the most experiences that I can, and from there we’ll see.

Let me also add, that Mr. Rosalie is also a member of the Kyokushin Karate, in the Seychelles.

I’ve gone up until the brown belt. On that front, I’ve kind of stopped for a while, but I’m hoping to get back next year. It takes a lot of hard work and time, and with gymming every day, going to Karate had become a bit too much.

When you’re not at the gym you’re…

Dancing and drinking the night away! Friday night is my night! That’s the one day I have to go out. “When you work out, you have to play hard as well”, Mr. Rosalie says laughingly. For me it’s just my way of getting back down to earth, and to unwind.

Are you a certified trainer?

Not at the moment, but I’m looking into having that done officially with an online course.

Any advice for us?

The gym is irreplaceable! Sure you can go running on the streets, but that will hurt your knees. You can do your sit ups at home, but if you don’t know how to do it right, you will hurt your back. If you don’t have a proper diet plan, or have someone to tell you how to eat right, you will probably gain weight.

Being a Personal Trainer sometimes’ means that you have to live a rigid life. You also have to lead by example. “Well unless you get to see me Friday nights”, Mr. Rosalie says jokingly. That’s the time where I do lots of drinking, but I do try to go for alcohol with empty calories, like beer, which is easier to burn.

And getting a beer belly doesn’t bother you?

I’m always working out, and I know I’ll be burning everything out the next day. So whichever fat I eat, or drink on my cheat day (a day where you can eat/drink whatever you want), I know it won’t last long in my body.

I took the opportunity to take some tips on how to be more disciplined, and motivated. Mr. Rosalie also told me that he’s recognized for his biceps at the gym, and I just had to have a feel of it. And indeed, like he said… it was ‘rock hard’.

I thought, come on Mr. Rosalie, this will definitely win you some ladies!

Don’t tell me it doesn’t. And his reply was “it does…but I’m a bachelor!” So ladies, hands off!

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HOMES IN PARADISE

This executive house in Machabee features: • One hectare of land (10,000 sq m) • Four bedrooms, two with en-suite bathrooms • Four bathrooms • Powder room • Two car covered garage • Paved drive way • Swimming pool • Living room with window seats • Large kitchen • Wine rack • Laundry room • Veranda with dining room tables • Study • Bedrooms and study with balconies • Sitting room • Store • Surrounding landscaped garden • Balconies with awnings • Super sea view • Very private corner property

For more information, contact Jean Paul Maurel Office: +248 4374585 | Fax: +2484224730 | Mobile: + 2482717797 E: sales@seychelles-properties.com | www.seychelles-properties.com 30

SEPTEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

HOMES

Green Concept with The development of environmental technologies is one of our SHERA team most important efforts in achieving sustainable environmental management. As a pioneer in research and development technology for producing fibrecement composite as an alternative to asbestos cement, we utilize fiber composite technology, cement, concrete and recyclable materials in our production procedures in order to preserve natural resources, the environment, energy sources, as well as reduce pollutants in the environment generated during the manufacturing process. This forms the basis for our customers to unobtrusively contribute to a reduction in environmental impact while using SHERA products and simultaneously help improve the society.

SHERA is Thailand’s first innovator in environmental friendly products, accredited by Thailand Environment Institute and Singapore Environmental Council, a member of the Global Eco-labeling Network (GEN). Moreover, SHERA is the first and only brand who guarantees the quality of the products up to 50 years in terms of delaminating, cracking and chipping.

SHERA ensures that you contribute to

our environment by offering a wide range of comprehensive components that complement every architectural design and structure without causing deforestation with the premium quality products.

Product” Life Cycle Assessment” (LCA): *Raw Material -Healthy and environmentally clean raw material i.e. Sand, cement & cellulose fibre. The cellulose fibre is derived from the cultivated plantation and not from the forest wood.

-The production process makes use of the fly ash and recycled cellulose fiber. These both recycled elements help cleaning the environment. *Manufacturing Process -Mahaphant is equipped with a modern production process operating on ZERO WASTAGE basis.

- The production process involves no toxic emissions and wastage.

-SHERA is also equipped with our state of the art capability for ROUTING process maintaining the manufacturing unit dust free. *Factory Finish -The complete range of SHERA is offered in ready to use state, no additional finished resources to complete application onsite.

-SHERA board offers the best

“Moreover, SHERA is the first and only brand who guarantees the quality of the products up to 50 years in terms of delaminating, cracking and chipping.”

substitution to plywood, chip wood, MDF and etc in paneling segment of applications. This reduces the usage of wood and reduces the maintenance or replacement problems associated with wood. *Installation -SHERA facilitates a dry installation offering benefits of rapid construction and “No Wet Work” reducing the usage of water in construction.

-SHERA products facilitate and complement the new technologies involving “Earthquake Resistant Buildings” *Usage & Maintenance: -NO EMISSIONS - SHERA passes the Emission Test for “Fibre-Cement Boards” conducted according to ASTM D5116-06 Standard.

-Non toxic maintenance.

-SHERA products in building and construction do not need chemical pasting for termite control.

-SHERA products, being composed of calcium silicate base from sand & cement, offer the best and natural resistance to fire. *End of Life (Durability) -The “Autoclaved” SHERA products offer a durable life which not only require fewer resources for replacement but also reduces repair costs *Raw Material Extraction -Uses the basic raw material namely sand, cement & cellulose fiber. Sand & cellulose fibers are used in semi natural form treated with low energy whereas the proportion of cement is relatively less. *Energy in Production: -Relatively lower energy in manufacturing process.

Maximum temperature usage is less than 170 degrees Celsius utilizing the latent heat of steam.

Hence our technology enhancement uses much lower energy in comparison with other industries in the same product group. *Energy Installation and Maintenance -The installation technique required for these products is very traditional in nature using very low energy. The maintenance eliminates the toxic elements like paste control etc…

WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND OFFER UNIQUE PRODUCTS UNDER OUR QUEST OF “GREEN TECHNOLOGY” FOR “GREEN LIVING”

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HOMES

Interior Style T

urkey and carpets are synonymous with each other. Say the word ‘carpet’, and the word ‘Turkish’ is invited into the sentence. Turkish carpets are, and have been for a long time, the staple of elegant interior decor. Open any glossy magazine worth the name, and pictures of interiors will invariably have Turkish carpets scattered around the room shown, or placed neatly underneath a coffee table in the centre of the room depicted. Historically, the best carpets were made for mosques, offered as pious gifts, but rich folks soon took to the habit of adorning their homes with them. Henry VIII of England is reputed to have been a fan, and to have had over 800 Turkish carpets in Hampton Court Palace!

For many people, Turkish carpets evoke expensive and ancient decoration. Many think that good Turkish carpets are beyond their reach. This has much to do with the quality of the spaces where these carpets are displayed – the houses with Turkish carpets are generally posh, expensive-looking ones. The carpets shown are ancient collectors’ items, difficult to source, unless one can travel to expensive speciality shops. Most people can only dream of having one of these beautiful rugs in their own homes.

Not anymore! Mrs. Maryse Corsini, and her son Pierre have started a business, importing genuine Turkish rugs to the Seychelles.

Mrs. Corsini (née Moulinie) lived in Turkey for over 20 years. She had married a fellow university student, and moved there in the late 1980s. Her two children (Pierre, and a daughter Nathalie) were born, and lived there until the family moved back to the Seychelles, four years ago.

Looking for something to do during his gap-year, Pierre thought up the idea of importing Turkish rugs from their hometown of Izmir, on the Aegean coast. He contacted a company he knew in the trade, selected a range of carpets and, boom, the business was launched.

The Corsini’s live in a house at Souvenir, La Misère, which has a large garage opening out onto their drive, close to the main road. It was a perfect location to start the business – easily accessible, and with plenty of space to open out the carpets so that potential customers can view them in all their splendour, feel and walk over them, compare one with another, before deciding which one will go where.

Turkish carpets come in all shapes and sizes, and from a wide range of areas of the country. Pierre has made it a point of getting to know the pedigree of each rug, and can explain to customers, which particular part of the country each one comes from. The customer is not buying any old rug to put in the sitting room. They are buying an experience, and the rug will become part of the family, to be loved and cherished for generations. They are buying quality – Turkish rugs literally last forever.

The Corsini’s offer two types of rug for sale – Turkish carpets proper, and Turkish kilims. What is the difference, you may ask?

In a word, carpets are knotted and kilims are woven. Kilims are an ancient form of rug making, being flat-woven, usually by women in

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Colourful Turkish Rugs villages. Being woven, they generally have sharp geometric designs, with bold and vigorous colours. They have been around since at least 6000 BC, and have wowed visitors ever since. Even Marco Polo, on his voyage to China, is said to have been entranced by their beauty. Each area of Turkey has a specific design of kilim, and in the Corsini garage at Souvenir, about a dozen different designs are offered.

Carpets are another thing altogether. They are not woven, but are knotted, the carpet being made up of a massive number of individual knots. The closer the knot, the finer the carpet. Being knotted, carpets can, and have more intricate designs than kilims, and therefore cost more. Again, each specific area of Turkey has a specific design of carpet. And, again, carpets are generally made by hand, by women.

The really good carpet makers can tie up to 30 knots a minute! The result is a peculiarly a Middle Eastern look, each carpet different, each a unique piece.

Carpets are generally made of wool, although some fine ones will incorporate silk in the knots. Generally, they contain a mix of wool, goat hair, cotton and linen, to give them their unique soft and comfortable feel. Both carpets and kilims are dyed in the traditional manner, using plant dyes – such as madder root, indigo and saffron – indigenous to Anatolia, the Asian part of Turkey.

HOMES

These dyes give the Turkish rugs their peculiarly luminous, yet harmoniously varied brilliance. And that is why they are all mixes of red, orange, blue, and yellow.

So, for those of you who are not able to travel to Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar to haggle with a carpet vendor for your favourite rug, there is now an easy way of getting the genuine article from right here in the Seychelles.

All you have to do is take a drive to Souvenir, and look out for the sign by the road near the bus stop, or call 4378341 (house phone), 2511200 (Maryse) or 2513559 (Pierre). In no time you will be surrounded by the genuine article. Prices range from R 4,950 to R13,150. Pierre speaks French and English, but if you want to do the deal in Turkish, he will gladly oblige!

Better still, if there is nothing in their garage that strikes your fancy, the Corsini’s will source exactly what you want, and get it here for you. Whether you buy or not, you will come away a fan of Turkish rugs.

That is for sure.

H

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S

FASHION

d n t a i t e r i h

Pairing

There has been a change in recent times with regards to how young men dress – they want to avoid looking like their fathers. That’s not to say fathers lack style – but younger men do want something different and hip. One attire assemble which has demonstrated this more obviously than the rest has been the shirt and tie. It’s no longer a mission to get a young man in a tie – he’s just going to do it a little differently. And how so? He will make the formal ‘look’ look a tad bit more casual...If you’re still thinking the shirt and tie is not your thing – give it another thought...

Mix Patterns: Yes You Can Pairing a solid shirt with a solid tie is easy. Learn the art of mixing patterns, though, and you’ll demonstrate another level of know-how. There is one simple rule you need to follow when you venture down that path: The shirt and tie patterns should differ in scale. A shirt with large checks looks best with a tie that has either smaller checks or thin stripes. Reason being: Patterns of similar size will compete with each other.

Be Bold: Only if you have sound fashion advice next to you There are some pairings which would not look like they would ever work – but, we often find that once we try some things on – our perception of them changes. If you want to push the boundaries a bit – go for it (with a friend who knows his/ her stuff ).

Either Combine or Complement In combining you are looking for a tie that has a similar shade (it can be one of its dozen shades!) to your shirt. It will “tie your look together” – (no pun intended).

In complementing, you simply need to know your colours and to be extra sure, refer to a colour wheel (yes, the same one used for paint!). Orange works well with blue and olive looks nice on red. Just remember that the complementary colours lie opposite each other!!

Now, the most important thing to know in all this is your level of comfort.

If you feel great, then the look is likely to be working for you. If not, then do get a second opinion.

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FASHION

BEST BUYS.........

Invictus, which is Latin

for “invincible,” represents power, dynamism and energy.

The fragrance opens with fresh grapefruit and a marine accord that lead to the heart of aromatic bay leaf and Hedione jasmine and a woody base of guaiac wood, patchouli, oak moss and ambergris.

Paco Rabanne Invictus EDT 100ml- Scr1070 Paco Rabanne Invictus EDT 50ml- Scr 795 The Gift Shop, Latanier Road

Shinco Android 4.1 8Gb 7.0” Hdmi, WI FI Mid - 7077D Dual Core Price 1899.00 Shop: Unity House Digital Square Block B - Room 109 First Floor

Xbox 360 - Kinect 250GB Hard Drive, Games included - Kinect Adventures Price- 6800 Shop Name: Mega Sound Center, Orion Mall Groud Floor

YOUR Fashion TAKE DENIS ROSE Your number one fashion rule?

If you feel good in what you wearing never think twice.

Which celebrity would top your ‘best dressed’ list?

Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas.

What’s your favourite item in your wardrobe?

My shoes Your favourite place to shop?

There’s this really cool shop I always go and I’ll find a thing or two that I would love; the place is STREET FASHION owned by MR Marvin Akatsa at Castor Road. It’s also my local boxer and underwear shop place.

What do you always carry with you?

My freshening up kit; in it you will spot a mirror, perfume , freshening towel.

A favourite designer? Why? My top one is Louis Vuitton, because even though it’s an old label it never gets out of date. Every season it issues fresh fashion stunningly!

To be fashionable is... ...the ability to mix colours and to bring something old back in a new and stunning kind of look. Also to be very creative because for me dressing up is an art. When you are fashionable for me that means that you’re a proud and happy person and you love yourself.

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MAKE-OVER

MAKE-OVER Elke Talma is not an unknown name in Seychelles – particular in sports, specifically in swimming. The not-aday over 25 year old young woman (and who would be with that kind of outlook on life!) has had a fairly simple hair upkeep regime and well, a non-existent beauty one.

She usually buys bleach and take it to her hairdresser and the story usually ends there.

Elke is currently the sales manager with Sun and Sea – importer of solar panels.

Elke Talma

BEFORE

Martin Hoarau’s Hairdressing

Hair (with Martin) The first thing Martin tackled was the two different blonde tones in Elke’s short hair. The remedy was pretty straight forward; tone it down and shape it.

Given that Elke is not one to spend more time than she should fixing her hair before facing the world, Martin wanted to give her a style that could be worn in different ways – all simple BUT funky. As it turned out, Elke loved funky.

For booking, call Martin Hoarau Hairdressing on 4325186

Make up (with Virginie) Elke never wears make-up. Simple. Few girls who walk from Victoria to Glacis a few times a week do. But, that did not mean that she wasn’t up for a dramatic change. Giving Virginie the go-ahead to go wild, her green eyes soon had to learn to live with green eyeshadow and pink lips.

For booking, call Virginie Quatre on 2733020

for AFTER photo go to page 38

1

2

3

The Team

1. Hair: Martin Hoarau | 2. Make Up: Virginie Quatre | 3. Photography: Alvin Abel 36

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37

BEAUTY

Beauty Tips with

Lynette Botha Lynette Botha, Beauty Editor,

FACEBOOK

Beauties

The faces that turned our heads on FACEBOOK in August 2013...

ELLE Magazine (South Africa)

Q: A:

24

I am sleeping, but I still get circles under the eyes, how do I hide this?

Circles under the eyes are not only caused by a lack of sleep, it also has to do with your diet, alcohol consumption, hydration levels and ageing. Firstly, prevention is better than cure. Apply an eye cream every night before bed, gently patting in with your ring finger. For better results, use in the morning too. To hide dark under eye circles, apply your foundation and then pat concealer (one shade lighter than your foundation) on to the areas of concern below your eyes. Make sure you blend it in well, without pulling on the delicate skin around your eye area.

Name: Mariel Racombo Never leaves the house without: a mirror, lip balm and my Dove hand cream What beauty expense can you not say no to? eyeliner and mascara Beauty is...being yourself and portraying yourself in the right way. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I believe that, but it’s up to you to make sure that you maintain a standard and not to over-do it!.’’

Elke says: “I love it!

27

The plan is to go out tonight!”

AFTER

Name: Emma Balette Never leaves the house without: lip gloss What beauty expense can you not say no to? a facial Beauty is...in everything I do and is everywhere I go as long as it is the only thing that makes me feel that I am being appreciated..’’

Sponsored by:

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our easy grooming guide for men.

By Jennifer Baldwin There is no doubt that the market for men’s grooming products has experienced explosive growth, and in a society where presentation and first impressions can be a make or break, more and more men are recognising the importance of a polished image. Follow our practical guide to stepping up your personal grooming routine, to ensure you always make the right first impression.

deodorant to keep sweat stains, and body odour at bay. Use foot powder if you suffer from sweaty feet to keep them, and your shoes smelling fresh.

Don’t douse yourself in cologne to mask body odour - less is more when it comes to fragrance.

Look after your skin.

To ensure that your skin is in great condition, drink at least two litres of water a day. Facial skin is more sensitive, so invest in a facial wash or cleanser, rather than using body soap which may be too harsh, or drying on your face. Moisturiser is not just for women, men suffer just as much from dry, combination, or oily skin, and there are products for different skin types. Always use sun protection products, no matter what your skin type, or colour, to help prevent sun damage, and skin cancer.

Look after your body.

A close shave.

Get in the shower.

Banish unwanted hair.

Eat regular and balanced meals, and get your share of physical exercise. If you have no time for the gym, simple exercises like sit ups and press ups, will ensure a flatter stomach, and a better defined upper body. Quit, or at least reduce smoking, and drinking alcohol.

The basic step to staying clean and smelling good is as simple as water, soap, and towel. Shampoo and condition your hair regularly, never let it go greasy, or straggly.

Sweating is inevitable especially in our climate, thus, use an antiperspirant, not just

Shave regularly to look your best. Use quality products – a sharp razor, and lubricating shaving cream, will help prevent nicks, and ensure a clean shave.

Shaving in the same direction as the hair growth may reduce the possibility of in-growing hairs.

Unruly eyebrows, straggly nose hairs, and bushy ears and necks, are off putting. Check your nostrils as part of your daily grooming routine, and use nose hair clippers, or tweezers to remove any strays. Trim, or tweeze bushy eyebrows, and remove long ear hairs and neck hair. If you have a beard, make sure it is trimmed regularly. Have regular hair cuts to maintain a professional appearance.

Keep your hands clean.

Women especially, will notice the state of your hands, and it is also important to look after them if you want to project a professional image. Cut nails straight across, to help avoid painful in-growers, and file them regularly. Make sure your nails don’t have any residue of food, or dirt stuck in them.

Wash your hands frequently, and especially after a meal, because smelly and sweaty hands are a big turn off.

Brush, and floss your teeth daily.

Whether or not you may be blessed with perfectly white, straight teeth, keep them clean to ensure good mouth hygiene, and fresh breath. It is rather unappealing to talk to someone, and see built up plaque, or food stuck between their teeth.

Sense of style.

Clothes that fit well, and which are clean, neatly ironed, and smell good are very important. Don’t recycle clothes that have been chucked into your laundry basket, simply because you have run out of clean, ironed clothes. The fit also is very important to looking good. It’s no use wearing expensive shirts, and branded trousers if you’ve got the fit wrong. Pay attention to your shoes – neither formal, nor casual shoes should be scuffed, and dirty.

Maintain your posture.

Do not slouch, and always walk straight, because it projects confidence, and assertiveness in a man.

A firm handshake.

Few things make a worse first impression than a limp handshake, however outwardly confident, and well polished you are. When you first meet a person, and shake his or her hand, make your handshake firm, and look them in the eyes, and smile.

Above all, don’t forget that you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Jennifer Baldwin has worked in the fashion and beauty industry in several countries

SEPTEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

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BEAUTY

How to make a great first impression….

HEALTH

VIEW FROM THE STATION

by Jenny Gilbert

Part 9 of 12 – A lighter, more conscious you in 2013

ARE YOU TOO MANLY to let your feminine light shine?

O

ur planet has been polarized more towards the masculine, for quite some time. It is not hard to recognize this masculine force at large in our world. All you need do, is study the architecture that surrounds us, the straight, fast lanes of highways around the globe, the heavy machinery, and weapons of war that threaten to destroy us. They are entirely masculine in their form, and in their force.

In this time, the feminine energy is rising. It must - simply because it is needed to balance the extreme male energy. This feminine energy is rising within us too, begging us to assist the planet to integrate feminine energy, with a male energy run wild. Different struggles in the family system in cultures all over the world, highlight the breaking away, from old societal patterns stuck in the male energy. This is universal balance, and it needs to happen.

It

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has been a real pleasure exploring ways and means to support you, over the past 8 issues of, ‘A more conscious you in 2013’. In this issue – particularly since this is the MEN’S issue - I would like to bring your attention to the concept of balancing the MALE, and FEMALE in you.

Without this balance, without becoming familiar with these two opposing energies that drive you, the ultimate balance within you cannot happen. So, this article is directed at both the men, and women readers of Potpourri, and their partners!

In this significantly transformational period in the universe, those who have dipped their toe into the ocean of the abundance of this knowledge, will have a very real sense of something happening. This shift in the universe, our planet, our world, is happening at an unprecedented rate on every level.

I know for a fact, from years of working with this transformational energy, that we are all

for the ultra logical thinker to isolate himself from humanity.

Buddha taught that each human being has a right and left hemisphere in the brain, classified as male (left), and female (right). The male side of the brain is in charge of the female side of the body, and the female side of the brain is in charge of the male side of the body.

It would appear that the Maya strove to constantly bring these two opposite energies in balance in every way. They categorized themselves and their environment, in order to manipulate their world, frequently using the basic complementary pairing of male/female, and left/right.

Yet, an even simpler tool is to immediately start familiarizing yourself with the two friends who live within you – your male and female friends. These friends will always be there, guiding you as well as asking you to keep them in check. Use a few moments every day, or once a week in the beginning, to visualize the characters of these two friends. Are there problems with either of them?

These two friends are the energy that fuels you, and you need to constantly ensure that you are paying attention to them in equal measures. The greatest truth about balancing your male/female energies is that when you truly befriend each of them, and shine a light on them to disperse any shadows, balance and harmony can happen.

THE TRICK IS TO BALANCE OUR MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL CAPACITIES, TO KEEP THEM AS EQUAL AS POSSIBLE, TO AVOID A SHIFTING TO THE EXTREME OF ONE, OR THE OTHER.

Our male side is usually connected to our rational, logical and linear thinking and understanding, while our female side feels, nurtures, cares, loves and controls our emotional qualities, including compassion, humility, harmony, forgiveness.

The trick is to balance our mental and emotional capacities, to keep them as equal as possible, to avoid a shifting to the extreme of one, or the other. As an example, being too emotional is just as damaging to our sense of ease, and comfort in the universe as not being willing to connect with our feelings, being stuck in our thought. In this example, it is so easy for the excess emotionalism to render us ineffective as it is

So, a person who is ‘stuck’ too far on the side of logic has to learn to balance with feelings - the female side. Likewise, the ultra emotional person needs to practice much mindfulness, to avoid getting carried away by their emotions, and to exercise rational thinking to be able to feel more in control.

Blockages or imbalances within our male/female essence, or energy can be harmful to our emotional, physical, and spiritual bodies.

An example of this is BiPolar/manic depression, which is thought to occur when the right and left energies are uncontrolled, or out of balance.

When a person is stuck on the right/male/over-excited (manic) side, the body becomes wiry, thin, and prone to heart disease. When stuck on the left/female/low-spirited (depressive) side, the person becomes lethargic, overweight, and easily depressed.

If you are ready to start working with your male/female energy balance, there are countless tools to help you achieve this. There is a wealth of information on the internet that will guide you to develop, and nurture a better relationship with these energies within you.

In energy healing, the physical control bases of these energies are the perineum in the male, and the vulva in the female, and the left and right nostrils. It might therefore be helpful for you, as an example, to start practicing yoga, and if you can’t manage that, try at least to learn pranayama breathing. Several researchers have reported that this breathing technique is beneficial in treating a range of stress-related disorders, improving autonomic functions, and reducing signs of oxidative stress. It also helps in balancing the functions of different hormones.

Practitioners report that the practice of pranayama develops a steady mind, strong will-power, and sound judgement, and also claim that sustained pranayama practice extends life, and enhances perception.

So, it is not difficult to understand that this simple breathing technique carried out quickly in the privacy of your home and in your own time, can, and will help balance your male and female energies.

Constant alternation of right and left side activity are thought to balance the forces of yin (female), and yang (male) in the body.

Focusing on the right and left sides alternatively activates, and reputedly balances, the right and left motor centres in the brain.

Another beautiful way to become more in tune with your male/ female ‘charges’ in order to seek balance between the two is through meditation. I have posted a lovely meditation for this purpose on The Station’s website. Please try it out at www.thestationseychelles.com.

Jenny Gilbert is the founder and owner of Everglow Ltd, the island’s premier natural health manufactures and service providers. She is also Director of Wellness at Resonate Wellness at The Station. Homoeopathy is a well recognised system of ‘natural’ medical treatments for most diseases and conditions. Please visit resonatewell.wordpress.com or email reson8.well@gmail.com.

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HEALTH

at a turning point all the time. Before I continue, I want to assure each and every one of you, that you are full of beautiful transformational energy. No matter who you are, what you do, how you act, or what you believe, this transformational energy is there. If you are not ‘roadmapping’ (see previous issues), setting your sights on a destination, and checking your progress regularly, you will not see where you’ve been, and where you’re going. So, you may not notice in your daily life, that you’re transforming, and you may not believe this, but you are.

What I hope this article will achieve is to help you recognize the importance of integrating your male, and female energies, in order to use this transformational power in the best way possible, turning the corner, or shifting your frequencies to a more balanced reality. In doing so, you will feel more at ease, and that will have a direct effect on the people around you. It will be felt around the world, and extend to the universe.

So, let us take a look at this concept.

Simply put, we are energetically divided into two parts – right and left, male and female.

In the ancient Chinese philosophical principle of Yin-Yang, Yin represents the ‘female’ energy, such as the moon, water, night, weakness, darkness, softness, and femininity; while Yang represents ‘male’ energy, such as the sun, day, strength, brightness, hardness, and masculinity.

The yogis (practitioner of yoga) understand that the male energy is represented by the sun, and referred to as Shiva, which is the form of the universe, and that the female energy is represented by the moon, and referred to as Shakti, which is the force of the universe.

Better Living BREAST IS BEST With Célia Ponzo

“Babies need mom-made, not man-made milk” is the quote that ruled last year’s World Breastfeeding Conference. Last month we celebrated World Breastfeeding Week, a time dedicated to all mothers, and mothers to be, on the importance of breastfeeding, with special focus on ‘exclusive breastfeeding’ for the first 6 months of an infant’s life. So, why are so many efforts made, to make sure that all mothers across the world adopt this feeding practice? I am certain that all of you are well aware of the infinite benefits of exclusively breastfeeding your child for the first 6 months of their lives. Yet, we have world figures highlighting that only 35% of infants are exclusively breastfed in the first 6 months, and even more shocking, in the Seychelles only 2% of mothers are exclusively breastfeeding their baby.

For this, I want to dedicate this column to this matter as my passion for this cause will never exhaust itself.

Firstly, I want to make sure that the term exclusive is well understood; Exclusive Breastfeeding means that the baby is fed on nothing else, but breast milk. Often water is excused, especially here in the Seychelles where the climate is so hot. However, even water disrupts the cycle of exclusive breastfeeding.

Infinite research has demonstrated that breast milk alone is sufficient (the best) for the nutritional requirements of a baby until 6 months. After this time, breast milk alone is not enough, so other food needs to be introduced, in order to meet the child’s expanding energy, and iron demands which cannot be provided by breast milk alone.

For those which need refreshing, the list is exhausting, but here are the most commonly known benefits of breastfeeding for both mother, and child; Protects against the following conditions Child: Urinary tract infections, ear and chest infection, gastroenteritis, allergies, diabetes, childhood obesity.

Mother: Breast cancer, ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes, postpartum depression.

EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING MEANS THAT THE BABY IS FED ON NOTHING ELSE BUT BREAST MILK.

An additional advantage to consider is that breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months is free; did you ever consider how much you are spending on all those extra items?

Another good incentive, you will be happy to hear, is that it helps shed off the weight that has accumulated during pregnancy, yes up to 500 calories per day!

So why is it that only 2 % of mothers exclusively breastfeed their child? My work has allowed me to come across many reasons for this, and I want to take the opportunity to demystify common perceptions;

‘’I feel my breast are too small to feed my baby’’ This is a myth, no matter what size you are, the milk producing mechanism will work in the same way. ‘’I was not producing enough milk’’ No matter what size or shape breasts you have, you will always be able to produce enough milk to feed your baby. It is a question of

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supply and demand, and the way you position your baby. Make sure to ask for support.

‘’I breastfed my baby, then I put him on the bottle, then I tried to breastfeed him again, but I was no longer producing milk, so I gave up.’’

It is very important to remember that milk supply is dependent on demand. As soon as you bottle feed your baby with formula milk, you have already cut down the baby’s demand for your breast, and for this reason, your milk supply is shorter than usual. Do not cut the cycle of exclusive breastfeeding.

‘’My baby cried all the time, I felt he was hungry’’ Remember that your baby is not always crying because he/she is hungry, breast milk is the most nourishing for your baby, and it will satisfy all of his/her nutritional requirements until 6 months.

‘’I do not have time to breastfeed, I need to go to work’’ This is a very common response I get, however, I always emphasise that expressing your milk is the most efficient way to resolve this problem. Milk can be frozen, so whoever is looking after your baby while you are at work can feed your baby with your breast milk.

‘’My milk at the beginning was thin, yellow, and watery, so I did not feel it was nutritious for my baby’’ This substance is called the colostrums, and it is the most essential feed as it is the richest in protein, and antibodies. Remember that mature milk is only obtained gradually after 7-10 days, so have patience!!!!

These are some of the many barriers that always discourage mothers to continue breastfeeding. Therefore, here are a couple of tips I will share with you to ensure a good supply of milk:

Position the baby correctly Hold the baby close to the chest, with its mouth directly opposite the nipple. The baby’s mouth should be centred over the nipple, so that a good mouthful of the nipple and areola (the darker area around the nipple) can be taken in.

Feed on demand Feed the baby frequently and on demand (that is whenever the baby cries, or seems hungry) during the early weeks. Most babies have around 8-12 feeds during a 24-hour period.

Allow the baby to empty the breast Let the baby drain one breast before moving on to the other, to ensure that he/she gets all the benefits of both fore milk, and hind milk. Most babies empty the first breast within the first 10-15 minutes.

Give only breast milk Do not give any other fluids such as formula milk, water, or juice as these will reduce the amount of suckling from the breasts, and thus reduce the milk supply.

I hope I have transmitted to you the importance of breastfeeding exclusively for you, and your baby’s well-being. No one ever said breastfeeding was an easy job, it requires patience and willpower, but trust me that it will definitely compensate in the future.

Célia is passionate to inspire happier and healthier lives by sharing holistic tips to her public. Her background is in medical anthropology and public health. She is currently working in the nutrition unit at the ministry of health.

The Big Day Q:

Dear Annalisa, My little sister is getting married in 5 months, and is very excited about the preparations. She’s only been with this boy for 8 months, and they got engaged last month. They don’t live together, and see each other mainly during weekends, where she spends all her time talking about the wedding day. I’m worried that she is focused too much on the day itself, and not the marriage with the commitments, and responsibilities that come with it. The fiancé has been allowed very little say in the day that is also meant to be for him, and just goes along with all her plans.

Concerned Sister

A:

Dear Concerned Sister, I’m just being the devil’s advocate here, but maybe the fiancé is happy to be going “along with all her plans”. Maybe they have a system to keeping each other happy. Maybe that’s what brought them to an early marriage decision. Maybe they have a secret a lot of us, would only dream to have. Or on the other hand, maybe they are going about this all the wrong way. But who knows just yet? No one really. We are simply making assumptions based on other relationship experiences, and situations over the years.

Given those assumptions, I can understand your dilemma, but are you really going to be able to stand between a girl, and her weeding day?

Most probably not J!!! So this needs to be handled with great care.

We all have different roles in our lives, as sister, as friend, as daughter, as colleague, to name just a few. Each role has its different functions. As a big sister, you may attest one of your functions being to protect, and guide. Now this is fine, only thing is how do you protect, and guide her in this case, without causing harm to your relationship.

Communicating is obviously the key, and it is not just about what you say, but how you say it. There’s something called the “dirty dozen” of communication spoilers, and you need to avoid those at all cost. They are: Criticising, 2) Name-calling, 3) Diagnosis, and 4 Praising Evaluatively; this creates an impression of judging the other person’s choices. No one wants to feel judged.

5) Ordering, 6) Threatening, 7) Moralizing and 8) Excessive/inappropriate questioning, and 9) Advising; gives off the impression that you are sending solutions to the other person. People don’t take nicely to being told what, or how to do things.

And in the final category 10) Diverting, 11) Logical argument and 12) Reassuring; creates an impression that you are avoiding the other’s concern. I find that in general people want to be listened to, and be understood.

I hope with that, you are able to get your concerns, and worries across in a positive light, to allow you to enjoy the wedding, and enjoy seeing them as being married.

Goodbye Baby Q:

Dear Annalisa, A change in my career means I have to be away from Seychelles for almost 3 months for training. I have been explaining this to my son for a while in order to prepare him. What I didn’t realize was that I had overlooked my broken heart. As the day approaches, I cannot stop crying – how will I say goodbye to the most important person in my life?

Tearful mother, 24

A:

Dear Tearful mother, This question comes at a poignant time, as I write I think of my friend who has to make the same transition, and I realise (as I often say to clients) some things and this included, can only be answered, or expressed by those who have to live it. As a working mother, I travel with work, but it’s a week, or at the most two weeks, here and there. For me personally, leaving is not the biggest issue (again note it’s always very short period, and I’m always guaranteed she’s in the “bestest” of hands), but the trip back, the landing, and the immigration/custom process seem to be the culprit keeping me away from her, and all of a sudden it seems like forever. Being away from her, and that first glimpse of her, opens up the floods of tears. I know, silly really, because by then I’m home. But just then, I’m reminded again of the miracle I created, but more importantly I’m reminded of life without her in it.

Goodbyes are always hard, especially when it’s to “the most important person” in your life. We think about not seeing the person, we feel sad and hurt, and the most appropriate behaviour attached to these feelings, is crying. So, it’s absolutely normal that you are crying. However, note that our children take cues from us, as to how they should react to, and behave towards separation (or any other issue for that matter). Therefore, if you portray extreme distress, he is likely to express similar reaction on your leaving, and you’re being away, which will evidently make it harder for you to leave, or stay away.

So, instead take this opportunity to teach him how to cope, and deal with separation more constructively. Teach him that separating from a loved one means you most certainly miss them, you think about them a lot, this causes feelings of hurt and sadness, and that sometimes we cry. Teach him also, that in times like these, we have to distract ourselves by getting on with the things that we have to do. Remember, because although less important, there are some things that we have to attend to, as is in your case, your career.

As I wish you courage and strength for the departure, and the duration, allow me (a little space) to wish my friend the same. My best wishes for you “Baby5”, on a successful and, peaceful life journey. Distance apart, but always close to mind, and heart.

Annalisa Labiche is a practicing Clinical Psychologist with over 5 years experience. She completed her Bachelor of Art (Psychology) degree and Master in Psychology in Australia. She is exposed to a multitude of complaints such as relationship, parenting, family issues, psychological disorders, substance misuse amongst many others.

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AGONY AUNT

Dear Annalisa ......

PARENTING

ways to be a great dad I am very privileged to have awesome male role models (my dad, granddad, and now father in law) who are not perfect by no means, (but really who is), but display the very traits that are needed in the upbringing of children. This is probably why I married someone with the same remarkable qualities. My husband’s contribution to this article, he sums up in Star Trek quote: ‘Don’t try to be a great man, just be a man’. Representing the medium age of most of today’s fathers, between 25 to 45 years, his admittedly geeky reference, does tie together macro priorities of a man’s legacy and contribution, set against today’s backdrop of changing diapers, technology, and pop culture.

Observing how these father figures connect with my children, their grand children, and their own, made me reflect on what it takes to be a great dad.

Early morning shifts. Supporting the mother is

key to any happy parenting household. This means getting up in the middle of the night to change a dirty diaper, or settle the baby. Yes you will be tired. Yes you will put the diaper on backwards the first several times. However, by taking an active role early on in the process, you will grow closer to your child as they remember who rescues them in the middle of the night, and this is the perfect time to bond with your child.

You

should leap at the chance to do these things, because that’s how you start a life-long close relationship with them.

Spend time with them. When you get home from work, often you’re tired and just want to relax. Remember, this is the only time you may have with them during the weekdays, and you shouldn’t waste it. You know they will go to bed earlier than you, so take this little time to be with them. On weekends, devote time to them even if you are busy. It won’t be long before they’re grown,

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and no longer want to spend time with you. Memories matter. Make sure you don’t miss them.

Read to them. This is one of the most important things you can do. First of all, it’s so much fun. Second, you are teaching them one of the most fundamentally important skills (reading) that will pay off dividends for life. And third, you are spending time with them, you’re sitting or lying close together, and you are enjoying each other’s company.

Choose the books you loved as a child, and relive them.

Give them hugs. My family are very affectionate (to children and adults alike), but my husbands’ not so much. He has really seen the difference, and knows how vital it is for kids to have physical contact, and not just from their moms. Fathers need to snuggle, hug, and show love through contact, especially when they are young.

Discover your inner child again. The first 12 months

of having a child are the most difficult. Everyone’s exhausted and out of routine. The baby is figuring out their role in the family just as much as you’re figuring out yours.

Instead of getting caught up in panic, let your inner-kid come out. Funny faces, sounds and playful actions that calm, or excite babies will not only entertain them, but it will also allow the atmosphere to relax a bit, with the healing sounds of laughter.

Protect them. There are many roles to perform as protector of the family. Safety is one: assist with child-proofing your home, teach them good safety habits, set a good example by using your seatbelt, make sure they use a car seat if below a certain age & weight, etc. Nevertheless, financial protection is also important: have life insurance, car insurance, an emergency fund, a will, and a steady income, so they at least have the necessities in life.

Put their interests first, always. Do you enjoy drinking or smoking? Guess what — it’s not good for them, and you’re setting an example with everything you do. I am not saying give up your entire life when

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PARENTING

Contined from Page 44 you become a dad. You need to take care of yourself, give yourself some alone time, and some time with your buddies, in order to be a great dad when you’re with your kids. Take care of your health — eat healthy, exercise — because 1) you can’t take care of your kids if you’re sickly, 2) you are teaching your kids how to be healthy for life, and 3) you want to enjoy those grandkids someday. In summary, be a good role model!

Teach them about finances. This is something I really appreciated from my parents, and is often not mentioned when you discuss ‘Dads’ duties. You might not need to teach your 1-year-old about index funds or portfolio diversity, but from an early age, you can teach them the value of money, how to save money to reach a goal, and later, how to earn money, and how to manage money properly. You don’t want your child to go into the world knowing as little as you did, do you?

Teach them self-esteem. These tips aren’t in any order, but this is one of the most important points. There is nothing you can do that is better than giving them high self-esteem. How do you do this? A million ways, but mainly by showing them (not telling them) that you value them, by spending time with them, by talking and listening to them, by praising things they do, by teaching them (not telling them) how to be competent.

Praise and encourage, don’t reprimand and discourage.

Support Mum. Don’t contradict their mother in front of them, don’t fight with her in front of them, and most definitely don’t ever abuse her. How you treat their mother affects their self-esteem, and the way they will treat themselves and women when they grow up. Be kind, respectful, and loving of their mother. And always work as a team — never contradicting statements of the other. You should be good to their mom even when they’re not looking. Take her to dinner, give her a massage, do chores around the house for her, give her some time alone, and babysit while she goes out, and show her affection. Because when mom’s happy, the kids are happy. And dad will be happy too!

A sense of ethics and community – a common test of an ethical dilemma is to imagine your actions made public on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper. A test of self preservation perhaps, but our most enduring legacies are the values we instill in our children.

Where previously we may have accidentally scratched an adjacent parked car and left without leaving our details, that as an example of responsible behavior, is not worthy of our children. They will watch and learn, and your behavior will influence how they treat others in their life. Expanding their sphere of consideration to people beyond their family and peers, I foresee will become a rarified attribute in today’s young. In our fast-paced, increasingly capitalistic, globalised world, the on-line anonymity of social-media does drive more arrogant, bullying and inconsiderate words and behavior.

Everyone is different and all kids are different, but the keys of being a good dad are universal. Good parenting however, takes practice. The same goes for being a dad.

You’re going to forget the diaper bag from time to time.

You’re also going to go to work with spit running down the front of your shirt. You’re going to choose the wrong clothes for your daughters’ birthday party, but don’t beat yourself up over it. You’ll get better at being a dad with each passing day, as long as you care enough to practice and learn from your mistakes, just as mom is.

Enjoy this life-changing experience and everything that comes along with it because, in the blink of an eye, your child will be out of diapers, and asking you to borrow the car, or some extra cash for that night out!

Happy Parenting!

Vous allez être papa ... votre partenaire vient de vous l’annoncer et dans moins de neuf mois, la vie à trois va commencer…

Vous allez donc être celui qui accompagne votre partenaire enceinte et qui sera ensuite chargé des soins du nourrisson et de l’éducation de cet enfant.

Pour une femme, la grossesse est quelque chose de concret, son corps se transforme et elle sent son bébé bouger. Les hommes se sentent souvent spectateur et ce dès l’annonce de la grossesse qui reste au départ quelque chose de très abstrait. Le passage de l’état d’homme à l’état de père « nécessite une véritable transition, un temps de réflexion mentale ». Les différents événements autour de la grossesse et jusqu’à la naissance vont influencer cette évolution. Cela dépend également de la place que la mère accorde au père et au rôle que celui-ci compte jouer.

Quel va être votre rôle dans cette nouvelle aventure ?

• Pendant la grossesse, votre compagne va changer, pas uniquement d’un point de vue physique mais également d’un point de vue émotionnel. Les hormones sont responsables d’un grand nombre de ces changements. Certaines femmes sont en effet fatiguées, leur libido change et elles sont souvent moins disponibles et parfois plus exigeantes. Votre rôle ? L’aider de votre mieux dans les taches ménagères, l’écouter, la réconforter et être présent au maximum.

• Vous fumez tous les deux ? Il est en effet très important que vous arrêtiez votre consommation, soyez solidaire ! Ne laissez pas votre conjointe arrêter seule !

• Votre rôle dans le suivi de la grossesse est primordial. Essayez d’être présent lors des consultations prénatales et des échographies. Cela vous permettra de voir votre enfant grandir, cela aide à « réaliser un peu plus » comme le disent certains papas.

• Une grossesse est également l’occasion que vous fassiez un bilan de santé complet. N’oubliez pas que le dépistage des maladies sexuellement transmissibles est primordial pour vous, votre conjointe et maintenant pour votre futur enfant.

• Votre présence aux séances de préparation à la naissance est un moyen de discuter, de poser des questions, d’échanger et de rencontrer d’autres couples, d’exprimer vos émotions, vos doutes et vos craintes. Lors de ces séances, vous allez également apprendre et vous informer sur votre rôle pendant la grossesse, le travail, l’accouchement et lors de l’arrivée de bébé.

• Vous ne savez pas si vous voulez être présent en salle de naissance ? Discutez-en avec votre compagne, le professionnel de santé qui vous suit et vos amis qui sont déjà allés en salle de naissance. Vous ne devez pas vous forcer, cette décision vous appartient et chacun se doit de la respecter.

C’est la mise en balance des bénéfices et des inconvénients que vous et votre compagne pourront en tirer qui vous aideront à faire ce choix.

• Lors du retour à la maison de votre petite famille, il serait bien que vous preniez quelques jours de congés pour aider la nouvelle maman, mais également pour apprendre à connaitre votre bébé et trouver votre place.

Une dernière chose, vous avez comme tout le monde des sentiments, il est important de vous exprimer et de faire part de vos ressentis. La sage-femme qui suit votre compagne est également là pour vous écouter et vous aider à trouver votre place dans ce nouveau chapitre de votre vie…

DominicTurns Name: Dominic Liam Samson Birthday: 27th Sept From: Gillian Samson (Mummy)

Gillian says: Nathalie Hodgson, is a writer, mother, PR & Marketing consultant and yoga instructor, juggling this whilst raising two kids and enjoying the most of life, she can be contacted on natsavy@hotmail.com.

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Comment les hommes vivent-ils la grossesse?

SEPTEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

“He loves rap music, swimming, cats and dogs, riding his scooter and watching animated movies. Above all, he is my lucky charm though he can be bossy at times!”

(In collaboration with Chanterelle Bookshop)

PET CORNER

CAWS (Centre for Animal Welfare Seychelles) All of you animal lovers, we are asking for your help to build our new centre…

The first of its kind in our country.

Since 2003, SSPCA has embarked on a relentless pursuit to reduce the strays and unwanted animals in our country.

We offer sterilization twice a week at the clinic and on certain Saturdays in the districts. And we are proud to say that to date, we have sterilized over 10,500 animals.

We also take in and rehome unwanted animals on a daily basis

The SSPCA also investigates the endless reported cases of animal cruelty and neglect, with the assistance of the police. Our approach is always one of negotiation and we aim to educate and give positive suggestions to pet owners. Fortunately in most cases the owner chooses to implement our suggestions and improve their animals living conditions.

In 2004, the SSPCA was granted an acre of land by the Seychelles Government for the construction of our new centre (CAWS).

The new centre will provide: Sixty kennels for strays, confiscated animals and those awaiting adoption.

Veterinary services include a hospital, operating theatre, laboratory and X-ray facility Dispensary Shop selling basic pet care products Education centre to host ongoing interactive workshops, seminars and exhibition A boarding facility for pets whose owners are travelling abroad, a dipping facility, and a pet grooming parlour- to further generate funds Unfortunately, the project never got off the ground due to insufficient funding.

As a registered charity, we rely on donations from the public and the private sector to continue our work, so please feel free to make a donation to us, however big or small, and help us build our centre and unable us to offer you a more professional service

Pet of the Month Name: Oreo Age: 2 years old Gender: Female Owners: Olivia Michaud & Heath Eaves (Foster Parents)

Olivia & Heath say:

“Oreo has been with us for almost five months, she is a foster cat waiting for adoption in Australia.

Unfortunately, older cats take the longest to be adopted, they are secondary to the kittens and puppies, but in the meantime, we love having her company and taking care of her. There is still a lot of ‘kitten’ in Oreo! Her favourite toys are her cardboard box and her scratching (gymnastics) pole. She also enjoys drinking from the fish pond and ‘playing’ with lizards until they don’t move anymore. Other pass times include snoozing on the bean bag, sun baking and licking the shower. Oreo enjoys being the only cat in the household and hopes to find her ‘fur-ever’ home soon”.

Cheques made payable to SSPCA Bank: Nouvobanq, Victoria, Seychelles Seychelles Rupee Account: 01 2 02 033207 00 0 Euro Account: 21 0 02 033207 00 0 US Dollars Account: 32 0 02 033207 00 0 All donations are 100% tax deductible Donor name or logo on the SSPCA website Granite plaque acknowledging donor on each sponsored kennel Unique opportunity to contribute towards the first Animal Welfare Centre in Seychelles For all of you who have generously donated to the CAWS project previously, please rest assure that your contributions are saved in the CAWS account whilst awaiting more funds to start the project.

The SSPCA Chairman, Board members, Staffs and Volunteers wish to express their greatest gratitude to everyone who has made or will be making a contribution towards the building of our centre.

SSPCA | E: sspcaman@intelvision.net | T: (248) 4611004

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CONSERVATION

INSTALLING A SOLAR PV SYSTEM IN SEYCHELLES

Yes, you can!

Contributed by Sustainability for Seychelles Seychelles is recognised internationally, as a leader in sustainable development, yet we lag behind other island nations when it comes to exploiting our most abundant resource – sunshine!

Photovoltaic (PV) energy is a solar technology that uses solar cells to convert energy from the sun, into electricity that you can use to power your house, or business. It is the fastest growing energy source in the world. It’s more affordable, more efficient, and more reliable than ever.

In December 2012, the Government of Seychelles passed the Energy Act 2012, which promotes the use of Renewable Energy, thus diversifying the country’s existing energy mix. The law allows individuals to register as Energy Producers, and power their homes, or business with solar energy, using PV systems. There will be different categories within the electricity market, one of which is the Auto Producers, whereby a household or a business can produce electricity to meet part, or all of their electricity requirements, and thus reduce their monthly electricity bill. Any excess energy is fed into the National grid, and negotiations are underway with PUC for a feed in tariff, so you could potentially get paid for producing free energy.

Benefits of going Solar: Reduce your carbon footprint: The use of fossil fuels is threatening to change life as we know it. Rising temperatures are changing landscapes, threatening wildlife, and altering weather patterns all over the world.

Environmentally friendly: People want to preserve the earth’s resources, and reduce pollution - buying a PV system contributes to protecting the environment.

Use free energy: Seychelles has an average of 7hrs sunlight per day for 352 days a year.

Save money: Depending on the system you install, you can reduce your electricity bill by at least 50%.

Good investment: Buying a solar system makes financial sense with a short payback time, and good return on investment in countries that provide feed-in tariff, or tax-credits, and other incentives.

Reliable: Solar panels are easy to install, require little maintenance, and depending on the make, it comes with a 25-year guarantee.

Energy independence: Electricity is produced where it is consumed, which means you do not need to rely on PUC during the day.

Improve our local economy: By going solar, you help reduce Seychelles’

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reliance on imported fossil fuels, and save millions in foreign exchange that could be used elsewhere.

For more information on PV systems, please contact the following suppliers: Energy Solutions Seychelles Providence Industrial Estate Tel: 2540248, Email: manager-ess@outlook.com Webpage: www.energysolutionsseychelles.sc PACE Seychelles Zone 18, Providence Industrial Estate Tel: 2505440 Webpage: http://www.paceafrique.com/ Sea and Sun Technology Room 2, Trinity House, Victoria Tel: 4325784 / 2590772 Email elke@easy.sc Webpage: http://www.sea-sun-tech.com/technology.html Solar Energy Seychelles Bel Ombre Tel: 2598800 , Email: emanuele.destefani@gmail.com Webpage: www.solarenergy.sc Vetiver Tech Room 103, Premier Building Tel: 4324610 / 2526655 Email: vetivertec@gmail.com

Contributed by Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S), a local NGO whose mission is to promote sustainable living in Seychelles. For more info about our work contact us: Email: info@s4seychelles.com Tel. 422-4072 / 251-9135.

Address: Suite A9 Arpent Vert, Mont Fleuri. Website: www. s4seychelles.com or find us on Facebook. This article was supported by the EU (Climate Change support fund for Seychelles).

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WITH

BE RNARD GE ORGE S

Work Confidentiality Agreements. So what if they are broken? allowed and what types will not? The law recognises that, despite the freedom of contract, some restrictive clauses or some confidentiality agreements are too burdensome. One example is a clause preventing an employee from working in the same trade as the employer for ever after leaving the employment in question. This is clearly too restrictive and the courts will have no hesitation in finding the clause to be invalid and substituting a valid period in lieu. But a clause prohibiting same-trade business for, say two years, where the trade is intellectual-property sensitive may well be acceptable because of the risks involved in an employee taking business away from the employer.

S

o, big trouble, that’s what. And here’s why.

Work confidentiality agreements, also called restrictive covenants, or contracts in restraint of trade, exist for a reason. They are designed to protect the employer’s business from employees either leaking secrets to competitors or poaching clients of the employer when the employee leaves employment. Look at it from the employer’s perspective: You are a chef and you have created a signature dish after many years in the business. The last thing you want is a young upstart from the Tourism Academy on work attachment telling his friend who owns a restaurant how to copy your dish and offer it for a fraction of the price punters have to pay in your restaurant. Or your young and dynamic graphic artist leaves you after two wonderful years where she really excelled in your office to set up her own business and the next thing you know is that your best clients are moving to her. It is to stop this from occurring that businesses often insert confidentiality agreements into employment contracts. These make it a sackable matter if they are breached, and can lead to litigation if they are not followed after the termination of an employment contract.

Restrictive clauses in employment contracts are part of the wider use of these clauses in all types of contract. If you sell land, you can insert a condition limiting the use a buyer can put the land to. If you have a small hotel and you sell a plot adjacent you may want to prevent the buyer from building a small hotel too. Often in leases, there is a clause to the effect that the premises let can only be used for this or that purpose. Or in franchise contracts there is an obligation on the franchisee to buy stock from the franchisor only. These are the types of restrictive clauses which may be contained in contracts in general and in employment contracts in particular.

What if they are broken? Well, the answer depends on the type of confidentiality agreement. The law does not like to tie people down, even if it is necessary sometimes to do so. The law is a vehicle for freedom as the old adage ‘everything that is not prohibited is permitted’ reminds us. Courts especially hate things which are in restraint of trade. In a sense it can be said that Fair Trading legislation and institutions like the FTC here are modern manifestations of this old idea. But the law also recognises that people must remain free to contract. If the contract has a clause that you don’t like, well negotiate it out or don’t sign.

So, back to the problem. What types of restrictive clauses will be

Confidentiality in the workplace is paramount. Government asks its employees to sign an Official Secrets declaration. Private businesses can also do the same, for similar reasons. It just will not do for an employee to give away secrets, whether they are in respect of sensitive issues, financial details or even general information about the workplace. This information can not only assist competitors, but more importantly affect the business employing the worker.

In fact the Employment Act makes the breach of confidentiality a disciplinary offence in all cases and, in cases where serious prejudice is caused to the enterprise, a serious disciplinary offence which can result in dismissal.

So, to be valid the confidentiality agreement (by whatever name it goes) must not be too burdensome and, if it is breached, it can lead to a worker being sacked. But, what of the cases where the breach occurs after the employment has ended? The remedy here is the same as in cases of the breach of a restrictive covenant or a contract in restraint of trade. There are two remedies – and they can be cumulative, that is, they can be obtained one after the other. The first priority of the employer whose employee has breached a work confidentiality agreement is to stop the employee from continuing with the breach. The second priority is to recover damages for any loss occasioned by the breach.

The way to stop a breach from happening is to ask the court for an injunction. This will be granted if the court is satisfied that the breach cannot be remedied in money.

An injunction can be obtained even in advance of the case being heard in urgent cases to prevent the continued breach. Then, once an injunction has been granted, the court will hear the whole case and, if satisfied, make the injunction permanent, so preventing any breach from ever occurring again. And if the employer can show loss to his or her enterprise by the breach of the confidentiality agreement, the court can force the employee in breach to pay the employer for that loss.

As I said at the start of this piece, confidentiality agreements exist for a reason. And their breach can lead to big trouble. The best way to proceed – as with most issues – is not to take the law into your own hands. If the confidentiality agreement is felt to be onerous, then go to the court and ask the court to change it into a fairer one. It will be worth your while in the long run. And, if you are the employer and your employee breaches the confidentiality agreement, read the previous paragraph and act accordingly.

Educated at Seychelles College and Cambridge University, Bernard has two Masters Degrees – in law of divorce and in canon law, the law of the church. He is best known as a lawyer, having been in private practice for over 30 years.

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BLUE OCEAN

S.Y. Sea Bird

Boat & Crew

Photo credit: Lionel Baizeau

The Boat

“The crew was wonderful and the chef was so talented... thoroughly perfect!”

Chloe (France) Photo credit: Remy Ravon

The Crew

The S.Y. Sea Bird is a 42-metre custom-built yacht with 9 air-conditioned en-suite cabins and a large professional crew of 9, for live-aboard journeys inclusive of full board meals, activities and excursions for up to 18 passengers. Together with its sister yacht S.Y. Sea Star, these vessels operate 7-night cruises across the inner island archipelago of Seychelles, visiting some of the less-traversed islands such as Cousin, Aride, Sisters, Coco and Curieuse, in addition to Mahé, Praslin and La Digue.

Cruises run from Saturday to Saturday, every week, all year-round, and is book-able on a per cabin basis for individuals/couples, or on a charter basis for larger groups.

“We had a wonderful wedding in Seychelles and a perfect honeymoon on the Sea Bird!”

Matthias (Germany)

Names : Sylvane Henriette Position on boat: Stewardess - SY Sea Bird - for Silhouette Cruises How long have you been working on the boat? I’ve been with

Silhouette Cruises for 5 years, going on 6. Before that I was at the SHTTC/ STA so I had a background in tourism, but I was new to boats before coming here.

Why they love this job: Life at sea is a lot more peaceful and relaxing than life on land, which can get complicated. After too much time on land I am really looking forward to getting back out on the sea. I also enjoy helping out the chef in the kitchen - I’m always learning something new about cooking.

Any additional fun/surprising fact about crew: Working with tourists we are getting to meet people from different countries and cultures every week. There’s always a good atmosphere on our boat, because we have a large crew and we’re like a small family, and every week the guests are welcomed into our ‘home’. We always enjoy putting on a Creole night with the guests at the end of the week, when we play Creole music and show them traditional sega dancing.

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Photo credit: Lionel Baizeau

Hooked On Conservation

by Henry Riggs-Miller

August 10th turned out to be a very special day for me. No, I did not catch a big fish or even a lot of fish. It was not one of those picture perfect days we have here in Seychelles. In fact, it was an overcast, windy, rainy day. However, it was a beautiful day in many other ways and it is a day that I, several other volunteers and seventy eight children will remember for a long time. I only wish that we could have caught just one more fish.

The SSFC (Seychelles Sport Fishing Club) together with Masons Travel, the title sponsor, organized the 1st Annual Seychelles National Junior Fishing Competition this past Saturday. What made this event so special is that it gave an opportunity to underprivileged kids, through the Seychelles Children Foundation, to gain first-hand experience about fishing and the beauty of the ocean.

We slid up next to Anahita when our name was called and picked up the four anglers that were assigned to us for the day. On board with us were Jerry, Aaron, Jean-Yves, and Jean-Michel. We introduced ourselves to the young men and immediately started making our way to the fishing grounds. I briefed them quickly on how the equipment worked and we settled into our position with our game faces on.

As three of the four kids huddled together at the stern of the boat, I perceived that there was a mixture of excitement, uneasiness, and anticipation on board. They did not know what to expect and we did not know if the fish would cooperate.

A boat nearby hooked a fish and I observed how our anglers’ body language changed as they watched. Their bodies seemed to stiffen as if they were desirous of the activity taking place on the other boat.

When they returned their gaze to our boat they looked at our lines with renewed vigor as if this surge of adrenalin would help us get a bite.

To pass the time I asked them to help us look for birds. When they lost interest in the birds I asked them to look for feeding birds instead.

And just when I was running out of things to say one of the port side reels screamed to life. And just like that, all the waiting was forgotten.

The group cheered as Aaron fought the fish. I spurned him on as his arms tired and his eyes told me he wanted to abandon the fight.

However, he persevered as he hopefully will in life, and after one final turn of the handle I was able to grasp the leader and lift his bonito on board. At 2.5kg the bonito was not huge, but you would not have known it by the look in his eyes or the smile on his face. This scenario was repeated twice more as Jean-Michel boated a dorado and Jerry caught another bonito.

To the SSFC, Masons Travel, and the rest of the sponsors congratulations on a great event. To Jean-Yves, I owe you a fish and hope that we can try again next year.

Bio: Henry is one of a handful of anglers that has caught IGFA’s coveted ‘Billfish Royal Slam’ (all 9 billfish species) twice. A passionate angler and conservationist, he is also The Billfish Foundation (TBF)’s ambassador in the Seychelles. Together with his wife, Allison, Henry co-owns FINS Tackle, a big-game fishing and pro-tackle store opening in the third trimester of 2013.

Did you know?

Mantis Shrimp

By Helena Sims

Mantis Shrimp: sees a world invisible to the rest of us!

Aggressive relatives of shrimps and lobsters.

Uses sight to hunt; Have the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom.

They can see ten times more colour than a human, including polarised and UV light.

Strikes prey using powerful club-like second pair of legs with speeds of up to 100kph and a force of up to 100 times its own weight.

Therefore it has the world’s most powerful and fastest punch in nature- often smashing the glass walls of aquariums!

‘Helena has always been passionate about marine life. Within her heart beats the rhythm of the ocean and her son basks in her wake as she champions those who cannot speak for themselves’

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BLUE OCEAN

Fishing is for everyone

OCCASIONS The First Lady and Chairperson of the Seychelles Children’s Foundation, Mrs. Natalie Michel, hosted this year’s edition of the popular children’s talent show, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, on Saturday 10th August 2013.

The show, which is organized by the Seychelles Children’s Foundation, was repeated on Sunday 11th August 2013.

Zellah Volcere, Luc Roselie, Andria Alcindor, Alissa Verlaques, Leonora Hoareau, Mary Lablache, Bellestania Azemia, Kelcy Bristol, Dylan Barallon, Valerie Morin, Naomie Adelaide, Aliche Hoareau, Ella Laporte, Samuel Cupidon and Michella Barbier were selected from a group of over 115 applicants through an audition which lasted a month. The participants, aged between 7 and 10 years old, captivated and wowed the audience with their incredible talent and humour.

The show also featured beautiful performances from guest artists like Jean Quatre, who amazed the audience with his saxophone. Miss Nanditha Nair, who was once a participant in the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Show enthralled everyone with her beautiful voice when she performed Rolling in the Deep, by Adelle. Another great piece was the family performance by Paolo, Julio and Cecile Payet, who left the audience quite emotional with a touching number “The Perfect Fan”.

The annual show is directed by the Foundation’s Artistic Director, Mr. Bennet Accouche, who is well known as the creator and animator of the Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Mr. Accouche was assisted with the animation by popular radio and TV presenter, Mr. Jules Hoareau.

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OCCASIONS

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Children’s Talent Show

For further details, please contact Mrs Noella Gontier / Ms Jelline Quatre First lady’s Office Tel: (248) 4 22 43 02 Bel Eau Fax: (248) 4 22 62 28 P.O Box 55, Victoria E-mail: ngontier@gov.sc / jquatre@gov.sc

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WEDDINGS IN PARADISE

Kim & Mercedes

Name of Couple: Kim (the groom) and Mercedes (the bride) Lenssens Where they’re from: Dubai - He’s Belgian and she’s Spanish but they live in Dubai Date/Venue: 17th July 2013 / Kempinski Resort Seychelles

All photos by Memento Media | info@mementomedia.co.za | www.mementomedia.co.za | Tel: 248 2841418 54

SEPTEMBER 2013 | POTPOURRI

WEDDINGS WEDDINGSININPARADISE PARADISE

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BON APPETIT

Beef medallions For the first month of the last quarter of the year, La Plaine St. André recommends something for the meatlovers – Beef medallions, served with green beans and a Madeira sauce.

A beautiful red wine to complement this dish would be the Stellenzich Pinotage from Stellenboch in South Africa, available from Archipelago Wine & Spirits.

As for Takamaka Bay’s cocktail of the month, try this short and sweet one the Takamaka Petit Ponch.

Served with green beans and a Madeira sauce.

Serves 2

THE BEEF & GREENS Ingredients

400g beef fillet, trimmed and cut into 4 lengths 2 potatoes, peeled and sliced to produce roughly hexagonal shapes 1 carrot, peeled and sliced like the potatoes 100g green beans, blanched in salted water 2 rashers of bacon Salt Pepper 1 knob of butter, at room temperature

THE BEEF

La Plaine St. André T: +248 437 2010 E : reservations@laplaine.sc W : www.laplaine.sc

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Season the beef with salt and pepper Heat a pan Add in a couple of table spoons of sunflower oil and the butter and leave to heat until the sizzling stops Fry your beef medallions for 2-3 minutes on each side

THE VEGGIES AND BEANS

Put your potatoes and carrots into a pot of salted water and bring to the boil Add the beans after 10 mins Remove the beans and chill in iced water Wrap with bacon into 2 separate batches Fry in butter just before serving

THE MADEIRA SAUCE Ingredients

1 red onion 1 small carrot 20g parsley 1 dl of Madeira wine 3 dl of beef stock or 1 cube 1 tbs tomato paste 1 tbs butter Finely chop your veggies and parsley and fry in 1 knob of butter, at room temperature Add the tomato paste and stir for a minute Add the Madeira and bring to the boil Add the beef stock and allow to reduce until 2/3 its original volume

BON APPETIT

The Cocktail

The Wine Stellenzich Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Takamaka Petit Ponch

Quite spicy on the nose with notes of cinnamon, cardamom and cloves with a little cedar-wood cigar box. Soft and friendly. Perfect balance with a nice structure.

50ml Takamaka Bay Dark Rum ½ Lemon 2 teaspoons Sugar Cut lemon into small squares Add sugar to lemon and crush Add rum and stir well Serve in short glass with ice

Takamaka Bay T: +248 437 2050 E: info@takamaka.sc W: www.takamakabay.com Archipelago Wines & Spirits T : +248 4 37 48 76 / 77 E : cheers@archipelago.sc

Like us on

Tel:4372050

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Your garden of Eden

Be there in 15 minutes

Praslin Start your forever today when you fly to one of our Island’s most idyllic and charming location - Praslin. Say “I do” to getting there faster with over 20* daily departures.

Charter services are also available upon request.

For more information and bookings call +248 439 13 66 or contact your travel agent.

Mahé

REVIEWS

Top 5 rental releases (sponsored by GR Video Rental)

White House Down starring Channing Tatum, and Jamie Foxx

Third installations are hard to pull off, even at the best of times, so it’s no surprise that when the release of Iron Man 3 was announced, it met less enthusiasm than you would find in a Dental Clinic, on a Monday afternoon.

Nonetheless, we all flocked to cinemas to see if Tony Stark, and his sultry ladyfriend, could once again save the world, looking great in the process. I think I speak for everyone when I say that I was pleasantly surprised. Amazing visuals, and more one-liners than you can shake a ray gun at, make the end of this trilogy as enjoyable as the start.

The Call starring Halle Berry

Snitch starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and Susan Sarandon

Film of the month 2 Guns – Starring Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg. Dir. Baltasar Kormakur

with Kur t Gilber t

Olympus Has Fallen starring Morgan Freeman, and Gerard Butler

Iron Man 3 starring Robert Downey Jr, Gwenyth Paltrow, and Guy Pearce

Anybody who has seen Training Day, American Gangster, or Man on Fire, will vouch for the fact that Denzel Washington is not only a great actor, but possibly the only human being that could make a raging Godzilla flee back into the sewers like a newt. Sure, he seems to always play the baddest man on the planet, whether it’s a crooked cop, a washed-up bodyguard, or a drug-slinging kingpin, but really, that’s for the simple reason that he does it better than anyone else.

Then you’ve got Mark Wahlberg. He might’ve been a member of one of the worst-dressed boy bands of all time, and the poster boy for Calvin Klein underwear before he broke onto the big screen, and stared shooting up members of every species in the known universe, but no one can deny the fact that when Marky Mark shoots stuff, he does it with style. A special one-of-a-kind style, but style nonetheless.

Finally, the plot of 2 Guns, combined with the tour de force that is Markzel Washingberg (see what I did there?), only results in a film that everybody needs to see; two highly trained government agents are made to go on the run after a sting operation on a drug cartel in South America goes awry. As if that’s not enough, just when the action is at a point where you think you’re going to have to start visiting the gym more often, we find out that neither of the powerhouse lead actors knows that the other is actually an undercover agent.

If you’re still not convinced, I’ll add simply that this movie has both unfathomable chase sequences, and more bullets than the state of Texas.

I suggest you take a seatbelt to the cinema, folks.

If that’s not your thing: Pick up tickets to see the futuristic superthriller Elysium, starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster.

This time, 10 years ago...

Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below Show me a person under the age of 30 who hasn’t shaken it like a Polaroid picture in the middle of Outkast’s ‘Hey Ya’, and you’ll have shown me someone who’s been living with a pack of wolves in Siberia for the past 10 years. Let’s not forget the groove-driven 2nd single ‘I Like The Way You Move,’ and the timeless anti-ballad, ‘Roses’. Big Boi, and Andre 3000, carved a place in all our hearts when they dropped this classic, and we felt alright paying for it, knowing we were getting 2 albums for the price of one.

The only thing that I don’t love about this album is that I can’t listen to it all day, every day.

If you can, I suggest you do. Thank me later.

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REVIEWS

Album of the month The Civil Wars – The Civil Wars After releasing their highly acclaimed and artistically stimulating first album, ‘Barton Hollow’ in 2011, American progressive folk duo, The Civil Wars, broke up suddenly during a 2012 tour, citing ‘differences in ambition’ as the reason behind their split. However, much to the relief of their followers, Joy Williams and John Paul White, decided to put the past behind them, and make music together once more in 2013, recording, and releasing their stunning self titled second album.

Mostly acoustic in its sound, this second album has treaded new waters, stretching the pair’s canvas of creativity, by adding more instrumentation (namely drums, and percussion). The first single, ‘The One That Got Away’, could easily be described as an eerie, loped homage to their own strife as a musical couple, with its strained guitar plucking, and simple, sultry vocals. With that being said, it’s hard to knuckle down any of the songs on this album to a specific subject matter, as like most great pieces of art, each entry has multiple meanings, and translations depending on the audience.

Trust me when I say that this album might just be the one that you’ll have on repeat for the next month...or 10.

If that’s not your thing: Peep the electronic opus ‘Sleep of Reason’ by the renowned club DJ/Producer, Raffertie.

Available on iTunes.

The Power of Habit

New Business and Management Books to give you the edge !

In “The Power of Habit”, award-winning “New York Times” business reporter Charles Duhigg takes us to the thrilling edge of scientific discoveries that explain why habits exist and how they can be changed. Duhigg brings to life a whole new understanding of human nature and its potential for transformation. Along the way we learn why some people and companies struggle to change, despite years of trying, while others seem to remake themselves overnight. We discover how the right habits were crucial to the success of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, and civil-rights hero Martin Luther King, Jr. We go inside Procter & Gamble, Target superstores, Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church, NFL locker rooms, and the nation’s largest hospitals and see how implementing so-called keystone habits can earn billions and mean the difference between failure and success, life and death. At its core, “The Power of Habit” contains an exhilarating argument: the key to exercising regularly, losing weight, raising exceptional children, becoming more productive, building revolutionary companies and social movements, and achieving success is understanding how habits work. Habits aren’t destiny. As Charles Duhigg shows, by harnessing this new science, we can transform our businesses, our communities, and our lives. Published: 02 July 2013 Price: SR175

Decisive

Just making a decision can be hard enough, but how do you begin to judge whether it’s the right one?

In Decisive, Chip and Dan Heath draw on decades of psychological research to explain why we so often get it very badly wrong - why our supposedly rational brains are frequently tripped up by powerful biases and wishful thinking. At the same time they demonstrate how relatively easy it is to avoid the pitfalls and find the best answers, offering four simple principles that we can all learn and follow. In the process, they show why it is that experts frequently make mistakes. They demonstrate the perils of getting trapped in a narrow decision frame. And they explore people’s tendency to be over-confident about how their choices will unfold. Drawing on case studies as diverse as the downfall of Kodak and the inspiring account of a cancer survivor, they offer both a fascinating through the workings of our minds and an invaluable guide to making smarter decisions. Published: 28 Mar 2013 Price: SR235

Top Dog

For a decade, it’s been a constant drumbeat, from our nation to corporations to employees to our youngest students: we must all be more competitive. But no one’s really given us an understanding of how to compete. Finally-that’s about to change. As President Dwight Eisenhower said, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight; it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” And in Top Dog, Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman reveal the size of the fight in all of us. Top Dog exposes the hidden factors behind every sort of win and loss-from bringing home a Gold in Olympic swimming to bombing the SAT. Exploring the psychology of rankings, the neuroscience of mistakes, and the DNA of fearlessness, Top Dog’s filled with cuttingedge science told through stories of pilot flight training, NASCAR brawls, political try-outs, ballroom dancing, CIA spies, Wall Street, and so much more. You’ll discover the forces that compel each one of us to compete. Published: 02 Jul 2013 Price: SR250

Office Politics

All books are available from Chanterelle Bookshop, Quincy St. Email: chanterelle@seychelles.net

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The modern working world is a dangerous place, where game-playing, duplicity and sheer malevolence are rife. Do talent and hard work count for nothing? Is politics everything? In this fascinating expose, Oliver James reveals the murky underside of modern office life. With cutting-edge research and eyeopening interviews, he highlights the nasty practices that propel people to the top and shows how industries and cultures are fostering this behaviour. He then divulges strategies and techniques for not only surviving but thriving in these difficult environments. With the right mindset, you can distinguish and deal with toxic and overpromoted colleagues, charm your way through interviews and use office politics to your advantage. “Office Politics” will overthrow your perceptions of office life and set you on a new path to success. Published: 02 Jul 2013 Price: SR235

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