Monthly Magazine
August 2010
Pe o p l e L i f e s t y l e E v e n t s Spa ! e n i l n O - An m o c . o m 32 l a l l i l a iBr s u M N. Al m e e R y B ood F s u o i r o Food, Gtlly From France 48 Direc
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Amal A. AlBaqshy Basma Al-Musallam David Miadovnik Deborah O'Banion Deepa Kartha Doug DiPasquale Dr. Nazia Nausheen George Thomas Hind Al-Nahedh Imam Hamid Slimi Jassem Al-Marzook Jennifer Ross-Taylor John MacArthur Lisa Jayne Paul Tunbridge Rupali Behl Bhagat Zeeba Rafiq
ain, omed, once ag st cu ac g tin et g privilege we will be e star ted and y pleasure and av m h is ill w it so an d ad n A ular u read this Ram r favourite reg season brings. u is yo th to at n th o iti se d By the time yo el ad all issue. In hopefully f fasting and to Pages Ramadan atures this month which will ty Ci r to the hours o ve e st fir les and fe u to this, the e special ar tic m to welcome yo so s, ay w al ryone! are, as absolutely eve st re is month te in features there to g in troduce you th someth in is h e ic h er w th s w at ie th per ensure n local newspa teresting, interv w in o d kn lan el , w ve a si , u er excl n design publish some Russian fashio ve ti va o n We continue to in an site. as diver se as erapeutic web th ght ly al su u to per sonalities n u f an brating their ri o le r ce to e ea b cr ill w e d th rl ss the wo er s’ Day columnist and s of people acro ional Left-Hand d n at sa rn u te o In th e n o th p t en I u , thousands u admit that, wh ll you a bit abo st te u ill m w I . e w y” ft e le On August 13th su is is people n son is “a ed... and in th e, since my ow that left-handed t m n to ar le ce I to be left-hand n til ca n ifi u n d for him... per sonal sig n pretty worrie ee 2010. This has b ad h I is th are of some e rest of us! fir st became aw y have noticed ad smar ter than th re al ch ill u w to e a in e ial. b gaz tend to bit more spec er s of our ma tle ad lit re a r it la u e g ak re ome mp to m e been who have bec e changes hav onth in an atte th m if is w th o t Those of you u kn yo to la k ink. ur feedbac made to the ow what you th e reliant on yo b kn changes we’ ve ill s w u t t u le b d , an ve ill appro mments, aching, We hope you w ail with your co em an d n se ester fast appro o m d se e w as e n le P e l. l. th u successf -School” specia tember and, with to p e kS ac in “B id a E e te b lebra will also ks and preparing to ce e exercise boo sue next month is th t r u u o o ig at d We are already th r to ea ks ill a few wee surprised to h t, as there’s st you will not be ye st ju ic an p need to But there’s no encils! shar pen the p ial time. ing at this spec ss le b ry ve e d ce, joy, an I wish you pea eading! sue ... Happy R is t ex n e th til n U
arak! Ramadan Mub
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CITYPAGES SPECIAL
INSIGHTS 06 Are left-handers quicker thinkers than righties? 08 Glory of Kuwait 10 Social Networking Sites At a Glance 11 Perspiration Stains 12 How to Organize Study Time: The Spacing Effect 13 Organize Your Life in Ramadan 14 كتاب؟ أم فيلم؟ HEALTH 16 Lessons of Ramadan 24 Dates Rich in Proteins & Vitamins 18 Lessons from World Cup 25 Importance of Vitamin D 19 Why forgive Others this Ramadan? BEAUTY 20 The Limit Of Your World ! 27 How do you maintain that firm look? 22 Lefthandedness ENTERTAINMENT 23 Three Special Nights… 55 U.S. Top 40 56 Movie Review 57 August Hollywood Movie Releases 58 August Bollywood Releases 59 August Book Releases
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FACTS FILE 45 World’s Most Expensive
47 Question of the Month
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August 13 - International Lefthanders Day August 13 is designated International Lefthanders Day by Lefthanders International. It was first observed 13th August 1976. As its name suggests, it is meant to promote awareness of the inconveniences facing left-handers in a predominantly right-handed world. It celebrates their uniqueness and difference, who are from seven to ten percent of the world's population.
INSIGHT
August 2010
Are left-handers quicker thinkers than righties? A
to righties, who seem to use primarily the left hemisphere for this purpose.
The research conducted at the Australian National University (ANU) seems to back up earlier studies showing that left or right-handedness is determined in the womb and that many lefties process language using both hemispheres of the brain, as opposed
The two hemispheres, or halves, of the brain are pretty much identical, and for the most part, they process the same information, with data passing back and forth between them primarily via one large neural pathway. However, certain tasks, like the language processing mentioned above, tend to take place in one hemisphere or the other. For most people, language processing happens in the left hemisphere. For left-handed people, it might actually take place in both hemispheres. Another area of specialization is that of sensorydata processing: Typically, data picked up on the right side of the body (the right eye, the right ear, etc.) goes to the left hemisphere for processing, and data picked up on the left side goes to the right hemisphere. In the end, the brain essentially combines the processing results from both hemispheres to come up with what we consciously see and hear.
ll those parents in the '70s and '80s who made their left-handed children struggle to use their right hands may be kicking themselves right about now. As it turns out, left-handers might have the advantage in certain areas like, say, piloting a jet fighter or talking and driving at the same time. A study published in the journal Neuropsychology in late 2006 suggests that left-handed people are faster at processing multiple stimuli than righties.
The research adds to the slowly growing body of work supporting the hypothesis that people who favor their left hand for writing probably have brains that are more conducive to simultaneous, bi-hemisphere processing of information. The ANU researchers set up tests intended specifically to test the speed of information flow between the two sides of the brain. There were 80 right-handers and 20 left-handers involved in the study. In one test, a computer would show a single dot either to the left or to the right of a dividing line, and the subjects had to press a button to indicate which side the dot showed up on. The left-handed subjects were faster overall at this task. In another test, subjects had to match up multiple letters that appeared in some cases on either side of the line and in other cases on just one side of the line. In this test, the left-handed subjects were faster at matching letters that appeared on both sides of the line, while the right-handed subjects were quicker at matching up letters that appeared on only one side of the line. This latter observation could indicate that righties are faster than lefties at processing stimuli that targets only one hemisphere of the brain. According to lead researcher Dr. Nick Cherbuin in an interview with AM ABC, the results support the anatomical observation that the major "connection between the left brain and the right brain" is "somewhat larger and better connected in lefthanders." So what does this mean? It could mean that left-handers have a slight advantage in sports, gaming and other activities in which players face large volumes of stimuli being thrown at them simultaneously or in quick succession. Theoretically, they could more easily use both hemispheres of the brain to manage that stimuli, resulting in faster overall processing and response time. It could also mean that when one hemisphere of the brain got overloaded and started to slow down, the other hemisphere could more easily pick up the slack without missing a beat. Experts also theorize that left-handed people could fare better mentally as they move into old age and overall brain processing starts to slow down: With a greater ability for one brain hemisphere to quickly back up the tasks of the other, left-handed seniors could retain mental quickness longer than their right-handed counterparts.
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INSIGHT
August 2010
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INSIGHT
August 2010
ECONOMY
George Thomas
Business Development Manager Arab Development Center(ADC)
Kuwait Can She regain her past crowning glory?
Can She regain her past crowning glory?
“Kuwait is a great country but now needs to make a fundamental decision about its future to ultimately be a regional powerhouse. But the plain truth is that without a change in direction, this potential will not be realized. If Kuwait seizes the moment, then its future could be very bright indeed. However, in case of a no change scenario, the future of this great country will be uncertain.” These are the words of Tony Blair, former PM of UK and the present official envoy of the quartet on the Middle East on behalf of the United Nations. He stated these words recently in Kuwait during the launch of Vision Kuwait 2035. As a business consultant based in Kuwait, I fully approve his guarded statement that, what is required is a whole hearted attitude from the decision makers of this country. Unfortunately in Kuwait, the biggest hindrance for her growth is the political system which seems to be paralyzed, with parliament and government often in deadlock. Kuwait also has to wean itself from the notion of surviving on oil revenues which at present account for 90 percent of the GDP. Due to issues like climate change and environmental degradation, there is already a global shift towards non conventional energy sources, hence Kuwait, positioning its economy totally on oil is unwise. Moreover, Kuwait government has to develop people skills in the country
which is the only true means to create wealth. Unfortunately having an abundance of oil resources and wealth has truly slowed down the country's development, because bureaucrats and the population here still think that money can save all problems. They should look as examples, some of the prosperous nation’s today- Switzerland, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan etc; they are characterized by small land mass, no resources but well educated hardworking people. Below are few pointers, if implemented effectively might once again turn Kuwait in to the pearl of Arabian Gulf. Invest in quality education- Kuwait has an abundance of educational institution but their quality is questionable. The expenditure of education system in Kuwait is comparable to that of a developed economy, but their outcomes are much lower. During my various research initiatives, I have come across MOH approved practicing medical doctors in Kuwait who have obtained their medical degrees through postal correspondence. So is the same with various other degree holders in Kuwait who have not physically attended any classes, but all have colorfully spelled & crafted certificates. Moreover, the government should invest money in constructing well stocked libraries all across the country which encourages reading in both children and adults. Invest in knowledge economies- Knowledge economies are also called as entrepreneurial economies in which the traditional advantages of size enjoyed by multi nationals are outweighed, allowing new enterprise and small business to expand their share of economic activity. For cash rich, labor short (taking in to consideration of only Kuwaiti nationals) small countries like Kuwait, it needs to invest in sectors like IT, bio medical technology, agro technology etc. Grants should be provided to companies willing to invest in knowledge economies. Invest in women’s education & empowerment With the number of women outnumbering men in the country, government should actively promote education of woman. Studies have recognized that women's literacy is key to women's participation in decision making in society and hence improving families' well being. Invest in tourism- Kuwait has been geographically
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blessed with an excellent location. Right in the middle of the route between Asia and Europe; sun, sand and sea that Kuwait offers can be made in to a tourist magnate if positioned right. To complement these natural advantages, the government should also invest in other leisure & cultural activities like arts, theater, libraries, festivals (Hala festival organizers- please note), exhibitions etc. Business support & services- The government is more inclined to support the big businesses in the country rather than the SMEs. Investment laws in Kuwait are outdated and the parliament doesn't give enough support for this important segment due to vested interests. Moreover, for a non citizen it is impossible to start a business on his own and definitely needs a local partner. Government should realize that any business start up in the country, either by a citizen or a non citizen will immensely benefit the country in terms of tax, employment and overall social well being. Invest in solar power- Kuwait has an abundance of open desert space which is suitable for solar power generation. Following the solar route can greatly reduce the environmental pollution in Kuwait, unlike the oil & gas industry and can also be a financial saver too by reducing the amount of oil being used to generate power for domestic consumption, which could otherwise be sold to the international market. Look east- Kuwait has always invested the wind falls from oil revenues in traditional western economies. However, with western economies stagnating now, the government should have an active policy of looking east. Many eastern economies like India are growing at the rates of over 9% annually which are ideal places for investment. Moreover, Kuwait always had historical and cultural trade ties with countries like India during the pre oil era which makes things easier. Logistic & Trading hub- Kuwait needs to be further developed as a logistic and trading hub. Geographically, Kuwait is positioned as a corridor to Iraq, a country which has immense potential for growth. The infrastructure has to be in place in Kuwait (air, land & sea) so that when development picks up in Iraq, Kuwait (not Jordan, Syria or Turkey) should be the transit point for anything that enters Iraq.
August 2010
INSIGHT
August 2010
EVERYTHING YOU LEARNED AT SCHOOL... BUT CAN YOU REMEMBER? What is Captcha? Captcha is an acronym for Completely Automated Public Turing test to differentiate between computers and humans. A Captcha Security Code is an image of letters that a person must type in to match the Captcha image they see. It is a type of challenge response test used in computing to ensure that the response is not generated by a computer. This code was created to stop automated computer spam robots from filling out forms and harvesting email addresses and then sending out spam emails. Only a human can type out a code he sees correctly, an automated computer programme cannot.
I.Q. Test
How did the term French leave originate?
French leave primarily means taking leave without permission from work. Some believe it is meant to convey the act of leisurely desertion from a military unit. Being away on leave from one’s post or duties has its roots in the 17th century and does not so much have its origins in cowardice but in a French custom of leaving a party without saying goodbye or thanking the hosts. The term is still in use in the Indian Navy for sailors who overstay on land.
What is Germany’s Official name?
What is Bagdad beach?
Bagdad beach is located on the gulf coast of Mexico. The place played an important role during the Civil War of America in the 1860s. The town of Bagdad established in 1848 was an insignificant port till the beginnings of the civil war. When Lincoln blocked US ports for use by the defiant southern states, which formed into the Confederacy, the latter turned to the neutral Mexico for the use of Bagdad port for their cotton exports. So the town boomed during the Civil War. However, with the defeat of the Confederacy and the end of the Civil War, Bagdad too declined. Its port was closed when the area was hit by a cyclone in 1889. Now, there are no traces of the port town but the beach is used for recreation. It is the centre of a festival called the Festival of the Sea.
Because of Germany’s geographic position in the centre of Europe and its long history as a disunited region of distinct tribes and states, it has many varying names in different languages, perhaps more than for any other European nation. For example, in German, the country is known as Deutschland, in French as Allemagne, and in Polish as Niemcy. However, the official name of Germany is Bundesrepublik Deutschland. It is also known as the Federal Republic of Germany.
Which piece below, when fitted into the piece on the left, will form a perfect square?
Soduku 2 8 3 5 9 2 6 5 1 2 3 5 4 2 1 8 8 4 9 7 3 1 9 8 5 3 7 Scrambled wordS Solution to last month PARACHUTE, CYLINDER, MACHINE, DENSITY, PHYSICS, CARPET
Last Month's Solution
1 2 6 5 4 9 8 3 7
5 8 4 7 3 1 6 2 9
3 9 7 8 6 2 5 4 1
4 7 2 3 5 8 1 9 6
9 6 1 4 2 7 3 5 8
8 3 5 9 1 6 4 7 2
7 5 8 1 9 4 2 6 3
6 1 3 2 7 5 9 8 4
2 4 9 6 8 3 7 1 5
Answer for I.Q. Test above: (B)
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INSIGHT LIFESTYLE
August 2010
Rupali Behl Bhagat
Social Networking Sites At a Glance A
social networking site is a platform to be in touch with all the people you have known over times. It’s an amazing tool which allows an individual to share one’s views, photos, events, interests, thoughts, and ideas. It has become a way of life in the 21st century. These social sites help one to build social network with a common base. These days their usage has become very common among people of all age group; it’s an easy medium of reconnecting with people you know and even forming new contacts. Few popular social networking sites are Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, MySpace, LinkedIn, Orkut, Hi5, Tuenti, Skyrock, Mixi, Multiply, Nexopia, Badoo and many more. No doubt that these sites have supported to a large extent to expand an individual social network with old and new pals. The word “Netizens” is often used for the people who are glued to internet for maximum hours of the day. The Generation today spends a lot of their time with these sites; whether uploading of photos, discussing of an issue, awareness about an event or just introducing a social cause. The popularity of all these sites can be ascertained with the growing number of registered users which are increasing at a high rate. Though we all use one or the other site in our daily life for different purposes but have we realized the cobweb in which we all are getting caught. Last Sunday I went for shopping with one of my friend, she was only concern about clicking her pictures at different desired location as she wanted to create a new album on Facebook. I must agree that the addiction of social networking site is spreading
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like a virus. These websites generally don’t have a security check or specific identification, so even school kids manipulate their real age and register themselves on these sites. As every innovation has some quantity of pros and cons so same is the case with social networking sites.
If we look at their merits we just can’t ignore them, they have become a part and parcel of our lives. It’s hard to leave them but the matter is that the balance has to be maintained. We all know that there has been instances when people met through these sites have framed fraudulent identity and harmed the other party. The best way out is to connect only with people you know and identify. Trusting on strangers you met on these sites is a big no. Moreover, most of these sites have the option of hiding your personal information from strangers; so that could be one choice to get protected from all unwanted contacts. Just a little effort from your side can make you a safe netizen. You always have to keep in mind that the information a person on the other side is giving may not be true rather the pictures you may see must be not real. So, this kind of precaution has to be taken in mind. On the other side there is also a fear of your account being hacked. To prevent this you may have a password which is a combination of numbers and alphabets. We must agree that these sites are not harmful if used with few precautions. I have personally interviewed many people around
me and all of them agreed to the fact that they are addicted to these sites. They spend a big amount of time in sending messages, uploading pictures, viewing others photos, searching old friends and much more. The notifying thing here is that unlike before when we had the option of choosing between so many activities but now our activities are restricted to few things. We spend a large percentage of our time sitting in front of our laptop. The only rescue here is spending little time with these networks. Parents should also participate in their kids activities, they should be aware about their involvement in internet. Parents can play an important role by informing their children about the pros and cons of using these websites. These social networks have become inseparable part of our lives. We can’t ignore them the only point is using them in limited sphere. We should make use of all these sites as a medium of maintaining our social network. Though the whole concept of registering at these sites is tempting as you meet new friends, getting in touch with old lost friends but a sound judgment is required while increasing your personal network. So, just form a fair judgment while using them. Otherwise, it’s a great innovation to be in touch with all your friends.
INSIGHT LIFESTYLE
August August 2010 2010
Deepa Kartha
Perspiration Stains A
re you looking for methods to remove perspiration stains on clothes? If yes, you are at the right place as this article will give you information on some of the simple remedies that will help you in getting rid of the stains that are found on clothes due to perspiration. Perspiration or sweating is the body's natural way of reacting to the heat caused by the environment. Sweating actually helps the body to become cool and hence, is considered to be very important. However, perspiring profusely can be quite embarrassing because it causes the occurrence of awful body odor. Apart from this, another problem that people face due to perspiration are the stains that forms on their clothes. These stains are tough and may not go away with the help of simple cleaning process. If you are in such a situation, you will surely be looking for the answer to this question, how to remove perspiration stains. Here are some effective methods which will help you in removing perspiration stains on clothes. How to Get Rid of Perspiration Stains
that you spray some water on the stain frequently to get the best result. After a few hours, wash the garment as you do usually and let it air dry.
launder the garment as usual. Apart from vinegar, it is also a good idea to use lemon with water on the perspiration stains.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
Aspirin and Cream of Tartar
Take Ÿ cup of hydrogen peroxide and Ÿ cup of baking soda in a bowl. Add water to it and mix till all the ingredients are completely blended. When this is done, pour this solution on the stained area and let it stay there for at least ½ an hour. After this, with an old toothbrush, rub the stained area gently to remove the residue. Once this is done, you can wash the garment in the usual manner with color or warm water.
Solar Energy
Another home remedy that you can use to remove perspiration stains is with the help of aspirin and cream of tartar. In a bowl, crush 3 white colored aspirin tablets and combine it with 3 teaspoons of cream of tartar. To this mixture, add one cup of warm water and mix thoroughly. Coat the bristles of an old toothbrush with this mixture and gently scrub on the stain. Allow it to soak in this mixture for 15 - 20 minutes and wash the garment in the usual way.
Vinegar and Lemons
One of the most natural ways of perspiration stains removal is by exposing the stain to the sun's rays. Before this, you must prepare it by first damping it with water and then, applying a full strength detergent on it. When the stain is completely coated with the detergent, place the garment outdoors, so that it is exposed to the sun. However, make sure
Sometimes, hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can be very harsh on certain types of fabrics. In such case, it would be best to use a milder solution like vinegar. To make this solution, take 3 teaspoons of white vinegar and 4 ounces of water in a bowl. Pour this solution on the stain and allow it to soak on it for at least 20 - 30 minutes. After the set time,
I hope these remedies help you in getting rid of perspiration stains. An important thing you ought to know is that most of these methods will work only on white colored garments. If you have to remove perspiration stains from dark colored clothes, it is necessary that you test the solution on an inconspicuous area like on the hemline to see whether it affects the original color of the garment.
One important thing that people should know is that the methods which are given here for perspiration stain removal may not work in all types of clothes. In other words, one should use these remedies only on cotton clothes and not on those which are made of silk or wool. Before using them, make sure that you check the label of the garment. For instance, if the label says that the cloth should be dry cleaned, you should avoid washing it at home and should give it to a professional dry cleaner. With this note, let us take a look at some of the effective ways of removing perspiration stains from clothes.
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INSIGHT INSIGHTDeborah O'Banion
August 2010 August 2010
EDUCATION
How to Organize Study Time: The Spacing Effect Effective studying may depend more on how time is organized than on just the amount of time spent. Learn how to take advantage of the spacing effect.
S
tudy time can be hard to find. There may always seem like there is more to do than time allows, especially for high school or college students when they want to have a personal life too. Many students have learned how to use good study strategies and how to find time to study. However, the one thing that is often overlooked is not how much study time is put in, but rather how that time is scheduled. Knowing how to effectively schedule study time can greatly improve memory and help students make better grades.
How to Schedule Study Time? Study time should be scheduled on a calendar to prioritize it and to prevent procrastination. Cramming at the last minute can cause panic and it can hurt memory and recall. Everyone finds themselves in a situation where they need to study at the last minute but that should be avoided when possible. Scheduling study time on a regular basis can prevent that last minute cramming and the panic that goes with it. If an assignment is known about in advance, then figure the amount of time that will need to be put in and then space that time out over several days or even weeks if possible. That will increase longterm retention and recall of the information and will help students avoid that situation where they know the information but can’t remember it on test day. It is referred to as “spaced trials” or the “spacing effect.” The spacing effect works best with information that has to be remembered at a later date, such as information for an exam or for use years later in a personal career. For example, if an exam might require four hours of study time, that time could be spaced out over a period of days by studying for 30 to 45 minutes a day for a week. Studying for less than 30 minutes at a time, however, may not
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be sufficient to make good use of a single study session. Factor in the type of exam that will be given or how the information will need to be recalled and used when planning the overall amount of study time that will need to be put in. Having to recall information for an essay question or for use in a career will require more study time than simply having to recognize that information for a multiple choice quiz. Research on the Spacing Effect The positive benefits of spaced trials, or spacing effects, have been known for about a century. Some of the earliest research was done by Herman Ebbinghaus in the late 1800s. His studies on learning trials found that multiple trials were a significant factor in memory, as was spacing those trials out. He also found that once information is committed to memory, continuing with more trials helped to make the information more resistant to forgetting over time. Research on the spacing effect has continued since Ebbinghaus. Learning and Memory reported more recent research in the article “Neurogenesis and the spacing effect: Learning over time enhances memory and the survival of new neurons." That
research helps to continue to support Ebbinghaus’ theories. Their research showed that, not only did spaced trials enhance memory, the resulting increase in memory produced in an increase in the long-term survival of neuron cells. Scheduling Study Time Scheduling study time is a very important factor in the long-term retention of information. Spacing study time out into multiple repetitions of exposure to and rehearsal of information is essential. That, along with scheduling and prioritizing study time can be a very effective strategy for good grades and quality career performance.
INSIGHT RAMADAN
August 2010
Imam Hamid Slimi
Organize Your Life in Ramadan W
e would like to wish you a happy and fruitful month of Ramadan.
As we are spiritually preparing for the month of Ramadan, I would like to suggest the following program to help everyone including those who go to work early in the morning or to school have an enjoyable, organized, and well-spent month. Many people hold the perception that fasting in Ramadan demands a tremendous amount of energy, and therefore many activities should be reduced and many projects should be postponed until Ramadan is over. I would like to suggest in the following lines a simple schedule, as I was asked by some brothers and sisters on how to organize life during this blessed month. This schedule can also be applied outside Ramadan. 1. Sleep well If you come back from Tarawih at 10:00 every night, try to sleep at 11:00 in order to wake up for Sahur (pre-dawn meal), as it is the sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to eat something before Fajr. You can go back to sleep after Fajr if you wish. Otherwise, it is better to try to close your eyes even for a few minutes after Zhuhr and take a power nap even for 15 or 20 minutes during lunch time. The afternoon nap is very neglected by people although it was widely taken in the past. Any fasting person will benefit from fasting not only spiritually; but if one has a healthy and rested body, there can also be many medical and physical benefits. 2. Manage your time wisely Make a “to do” list every day. Review your to do list and refresh your memory about scheduled meetings or classes.
Put things that are most important at the top and do them first. If it’s easier, use a planner to track all of your tasks. Make your most important phone calls early, as you’re more likely to catch people at their desks at the beginning of the day. Then use your paper or electronic calendar to divide the rest of the day into project segments. Even if your time estimates are approximate, they help you focus on how much you can realistically expect to get done. Attack the most important projects when your personal energy is highest. For you who are fasting, this may be first thing in the morning.
oxygen at all times. Most of the stress is caused by less breathing and more worry and unrest. Try to understand where you’re losing time the most and cut it down. This way you will also save energy.
Check your e-mail and messages throughout the day, again sorting them immediately. Read and respond to urgent items, but file the rest away for the time you’ve already scheduled to handle them.
Allah the Almighty ordered us to eat and drink between Maghrib and Fajr in a way that shows continuity. This is medically proven to be the best eating habit. It means you should eat small portions every 3 or 4 hours instead of having a long interval of 10 hours between the 2 meals (Iftar and Sahur). This also applies to drinking, since the body needs to store a minimum of 2 liters of liquid a day.
Wrap up the day and prepare for tomorrow. Review your checklist and cross off completed items. Move any pending items to a fresh list for tomorrow. On another note, count your hours. If you sleep for six or seven hours and work for eight hours plus the traffic which can be on average one to two hours you are left with seven to nine hours for other things. Shopping, meals, and time with the family will take an average of four to five hours, and the time in the mosque at night for religious lessons, `Ishaa’ and Tarawih will take a maximum of two to three hours. You will be left with another two hours that you can use for either more learning about Islam or for school homework or extra business or work from your job. 3. Manage your energy wisely The best fasting is the one that makes a person cooler and less angry and excited in a negative way. Fasting teaches discipline and self-control. It constantly reminds the individual of continuous abstinence and observance. Therefore, since the body stores different components of energy, it needs to be functioning according to what it can take during the hours from Fajr till Maghrib. While managing your time, make sure that you do the most demanding jobs or activities early in the morning without exhausting yourself. Rest in between different tasks and breathe in enough
4. Make your rest time, the daily Prayer Prayer rests the mind, the body, and the spirit. Use your break time for Prayer in congregation if you can. Since many of us want to finish the Qur’an at least once in Ramadan, try to read a small portion two to four pages before or after Prayer. 5. Eat and drink well
6. Watch less TV Unfortunately, it is widely practiced in many Muslim countries to stay up all night, or spend most of the night watching TV and movies for hours instead of doing useful things. Ramadan is the month of Qur’an. It is an intensive season of worship and spiritual elevation. It is not the month of entertainment and comedy shows. We all like to laugh and have fun and balance things, but if the entertainment becomes the mood of the nights of Ramadan, then we are missing the point of fasting. 7. Complete a project Try to set some goals in the beginning of Ramadan and plan for the whole month in a way you will achieve by the end of the month what you intend to achieve. For instance, commit yourself to collect for your mosque, orphanage, or school, etc., a certain amount of money by contacting your close ones and friends. If you achieve more than half, then it will be a success and it will encourage you to do better the next year, In Sha’ Allah.
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August 2010
أمل أحمد البقشي
INSIGHT حملــات
كتاب؟ أم فيلم؟ لقد أصبح هناك الكثير من الروايات و الكتب النابضة باألدب بكل أنواعه و التي تصطف على أرفف الكتب األكثر مبيعا ً فيتم إعادة صياغتها على الطريقة الهوليوودية كي تصبح فيلما ً سينمائيا ضخما ً يحتل املراكز األولى في شباك التذاكر يعلم به اجلميع .و لعل السؤال األكثر طرحا ً في مثل هذه املواقف هو :الكتاب أم الفيلم؟ أيهما أفضل؟ برأيي هذه معضلة كبيرة ملن يبحث عن التجربة الفضلى التي يأمل أن يجد في نهايتها نفسه كإنسان جديد مع أمل جدي ِد في احلياة .إن التجربة التي يحملها الكتاب مختلفة كثيرا ً عن تلك التي يحملها فيلم مصور .عندما تقرأ كتابا ً فأنك تعيش في خضم احلدث و تشعر كما تشعر الشخصيات التي في القصة ،إنك تختبر مجموعة من أكثر حلظات احلياة إنسانية ،أو من املمكن أن تكون أكثرها تهويالً .إنها التجربة التي لطلما بحثت عنها ،تلك التي تأخذك في ذلك املكان اخليالي ،عالم آسر حتكمه أنت .إن هذا العالم هو مخيلتك التي تترجم احلبر املكتوب فتحوله إلى عوالم تنبض بحيوات جديدة ،حيوات أنت الوحيد الذي تستطيع أن تراها. إن قراءة كتاب هي عملية مشتركة بني كاتب الكتاب و قارئه ليكونون معزوفة فنية جميلة يتفق فيها األدب و اخليال.
لكن الفيلم السينمائي أيضا ً له سحره في أخذك إلى عالم من خيال جديد ،حيث التكنولوجيا هي احملرك لكل هذه األحداث اجلامدة ،فأنت لك القدرة على االستمتاع باملؤثرات الصوتية ،و تسحر عينيك باملرئيات التي يعمل التقنيون عليها ليالً نهارا ً كي يقدمون لك صورة واقعية قدر اإلمكان .و األهم من ذلك كله هم اخملرج الذي شارك مبخيلته مع العالم و سمح لهم بأن يأخذوا حملة منها .إنها قالب خاص جمعت فيه كل اخلصائص :الفن ،األدب ،التكنولوجيا، و اإلبداع .إنه من الصعب أن حتول اخليال إلى حقيقة، و لكن الصعب يغدو سهالً مع هؤالء الناس التي ال تعرف املستحيل .و مع تطور التكنولوجيا أيضا وصلنا إلى عالم الـ IMAXو هو عالم جديد حيث يقدم لنا صورة ثالثية األبعاد للحدث جتعلنا نتفاعل مع األحداث و الشخصيات كما ولو كنا جزءا ً منهم: لقد كان هذا شيئا مستحيالً قبل سنني قليلة .من منا ال يريد أن يعيش في مثل هذه التجربة؟ إن هذه املعضلة هي صراع بني أمرين ،الفائدة و االستمتاع .االثنان يقدمانهما على طبق من فضة، لكن النسبة تتراوح بني االثنني .فأنت عندما متسك بكتاب و تتصفح أوراقه فإن مقدار الفائدة تختلف بني الفائدة التي تتلقاها عندما تشاهد فيلماً ،حتى لو كان فيلما جيداً .فلو نظرنا إلى املوضوع من ناحية
الوقت فيوجد اختالف كبير .لنقل أن كتاب لرواية يحمل 500صفحة داخل غالفه ،هذا يعني أنك سوف تستغرق اسبوعني لتتم قراءته على األقل .و نفس الرواية مت حتويلها إلى عمل سينمائي ضخم مدته ساعتان .لذلك فإن من يريد الفائدة فليبحث عن الكتاب ،و من يريد االستمتاع فليستمتع بليله ممتعة داخل السينما. إن عملية املقارنة بني شيئني جيدين صعبة جدا، خاصة عندما يكون لكال الشيئني عشاقه و جمهوره .و مهما قال الطرف اآلخر فسيظل هناك دائما ً رأي معارض له .و لكن في النهاية ،إننا ال تبحث عن إجابة واحدة ،إنه فقط سعي وراء إيجاد إجابات متعددة تساعدنا على توسيع آفاق فكرنا. و هذا بالضبط ما تفعله األفالم و الكتب ،تعرض لنا جوانب مختلف من العالم ،أصناف من الناس، و جتارب متعددة ،ليس لكي تقدم لنا ذلك اجلواب الذهبي ،بل لكل تذكرنا بجمال االختالف الذي تعيش فيه (طبعا ً هناك بعض الكتب و األفالم التي تتسم بشيئ من العنصرية و اإلنحيازية) لذا ال حتاول أن تفضل شيئ على اآلخر فلكل شيء ميزته و وقته.
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Ramadan Kareem
Salem Al Mubarak Street, Salmiya Phone: (+965) 2572 0289/98 Fax: (+965) 2572 0327 Email: alfanarmall@alfanarmall-kw.com Website: www.alfanarmall-kw.com
INSIGHT
August 2010
RAMADAN
Lessons of Ramadan & Keeping the Fa T
he Qur’an and the Hadith teach us much about the virtues of the family, which, in today’s world with all that is happening around us, we can easily neglect. After all, who can cope with our fluctuating temperaments as we struggle to cope with certain daily issues that come to test us? Misunderstandings ensue when we get all too caught up with the need to provide, the need to learn, and the desire for better, causing us to fall from the grace of our loved ones. Without realizing it, family members become strangers to each other, slowly growing apart. The home becomes a hotel as we give up putting in effort and time to be together. Ramadan is the one time in the year when night becomes day and day becomes night, unsettling the dust and the cobwebs we have allowed to settle. As we go into a new year, let not the lessons of Ramadan fade too quickly from our hearts.
how to express feelings; they learn by watching their parents. “Teach your children by being their example. They need to hear, see, feel, and know your love for them,” says Khalil, adding, “Parents need to express their love for each other in front of their children, too. A tap on the mother’s shoulder [by the father].
Believe It or Not, Love Can Go a Long Way If We Show It! In a strong family, the members love each other unconditionally. Feeling loved gives every member confidence and a higher sense of self-esteem, and this makes the family stronger as a unit. Shereen Khalil, clinical psychologist and former counselor at the AUC Student Counseling Center , explains that “Children need food to grow, but they need love to blossom. They need unconditional love. Do not tell your child, ‘If you eat your food I will love you’ or ‘I will not love you if you hit your brother.’ It is not true. You will love your child anyway. Your child needs to know that, so as not to feel threatened and scared of losing your love.” It is also important to express love regularly. Khalil points out that children don’t automatically know
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yourself from the situation completely, cool down, and then come back and state how you feel.
Hoda Fares, 40, mother of Sarah, 21, Leila, 17, and Ahmed, 18 months, makes sure that the members of her family kiss and hug each other when the children come back from school or the parents come back from work. She finds this ritual extremely important because it’s a way of reassuring each other of how they feel. “It’s like saying ‘I love you’ every time we greet each other,” she explains.
Khalil explains, “Yelling at children is rarely effective. Children usually fail to understand when you yell, either out of fear, or simply because angry parents are not usually very skilled in using words. Often they are so angry that they can not choose age-appropriate words. They end up not making sense to the child. If you are angry about your child’s behavior, which will often happen, refrain from reacting. Tell your child that you are angry and cannot talk right now. Take time to calm down, think and then act. In this way you are making sure you are fair and reasonable.” She explains that by doing this, you are also teaching your child how to manage anger.
Deal With Anger Positively
Spend Quality Time Together
Ramadan is a good time to exercise self-control, especially while you are fasting. Remember that you are trying to set an example for your children. You are also trying to teach that Ramadan isn’t just about not eating. At times, you or other members of the family will get angry.
Ramadan is a chance for families to spend more time together because all of the family members, who on normal days arrive home at different hours, will go home at the same time.
Learning how to deal with your anger positively helps avoiding unnecessary conflicts where irreparable psychological damage can occur due to physical or verbal abuse. When you are angry, count from one to ten and then speak. Or remove
All members of the family need to spend time with each other, and even a small amount of time is beneficial when you make it enjoyable and meaningful. “It is not the amount of time you spend with your child that matters, it is the quality of time,” explains Khalil. “Spending no time at all with your child or an hour a month is, of course, not enough either,” she adds. How do you make the most of your quality time? “Make sure you have fixed times to spend with your child so he or she can count on it. Do things you enjoy together. This varies with the age of your child, of course. Ask your child about his or her day at school and speak about yours,” Khalil advises.
amily Together
Get Dad Involved Children need both parents, not just their mothers. A father’s involvement is very important to give him the significance he deserves in his children’s lives. If a father works late and usually arrives home after his children are asleep, he can get involved at other times. For example, he can devote a day on the weekend to spending time with them. One of the best things about Ramadan is that the father comes home from work at a set time every day, which gives him the chance to spend time with his family during and after Iftar. Keep in Touch With the Extended Family Children benefit by keeping in touch with their extended family: aunts, uncles, cousins and particularly grandparents, who have so much love to give to their grandchildren. Enjoying that love gives children an even greater sense of selfesteem and security and helps the whole family develop into a stronger unit. One of the best times of the year for the extended family to meet is Ramadan when family members gather over Iftar several times during the month. It’s never too early to start building a strong and close-knit family. You need to work on becoming close, because it doesn’t happen by chance! Khalil concludes, “A family grows stronger and closer with acceptance of one another, respect of differences, open and accurate communication, assertive and non-aggressive expression of emotions, love, freedom and space to grow, trust, time and effort invested, and the will to make it work.” From the Counseling Team at IslamOnline.net May your prayers and your fasts be accepted In Sha’ Allah. _________________________________
Source: “Keep Your Family Close During Ramadan” in Arabia.msn.com
INSIGHT SPORTS
August 2010
Paul Tunbridge
The World Cup has come and gone, but what lessons can we learn from it? I have to confess that, like many of my nonfootball-fan friends, I got sucked into the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup - I couldn't help myself! In countries around the world there seemed to be a groundswell of patriotism, support and rallying around national teams. Expats had the opportunity to feel attuned to their homeland and to cheer for their home teams. Others, from countries whose national teams were not competing, allied themselves with their favourite squads and players. The early departure of some of the ‘big name’ teams caused some shocks and surprises but, in the spirit of true gamesmanship, spectators’ allegiances shifted to lend support to the remaining teams. Then, as quickly as it began - it was all over. Like the Olympic Games, the football World Cup is held once every four years, but we can take some lessons from it that apply every day to the common workplace as much as to the football arena; to personal life and behaviour as much as to that of a national team of athletes.
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In fact, there are similarities to be found in many workplaces where a new idea, a new manager, or even a new working environment, can each set high expectations for the existing staff team; but where these expectations can be dashed if the appropriate level of momentum is established and maintained.
3. Create a common language around success.
So what does that mean? In simple terms, the success of a project is far more likely if good momentum is maintained, and to do this the managers, leaders, key players and supporters all need to be pulling in the same direction! A useful tool might be to have someone act as a 'champion' of the cause, and to encourage them to follow just 5 steps:
I think a key lesson can also be learnt from the final match, from which the Spanish team emerged triumphant. I am reminded of the famous saying, “It’s not all about the winning, but about how you play the game”. Having lived in Holland for eight years, and with many Dutch friends, I had been keen to support the Orange soccer team and would have loved them to have lifted the trophy but, like many others, felt let down by a side that seemed to be determined to win at any cost – their dirty tactics on the pitch have been universally slammed, and rightly so.
1. Shout about successes - even the small ones. 2. Praise people who are caught doing things right - exhibiting the behaviours which are being encouraged.
4. Ensure the topic/project/theme is always on the agenda for meetings and events. 5. Set objectives for everyone - common goals help all to work together.
Winning is important, yes, but winning by fair means, and not foul, is the only way to earn respect.
August 2010
INSIGHT RAMADAN
Why forgive Others this Ramadan? T
he Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: Musa, the son of Imran once asked, "Oh my Lord! Who is the most honorable of Your servants? And He replied, the person who forgives even when he is in a position of power" (Baihaqi). Peace and blessings be upon the Prophet. You know you're right. You know what I'm referring to - those times when you get into an argument(s) with a family member, friend, boss, employee, coworker, classmate, teacher or whoever. You know your facts are right or that you've been wronged with an insulting remark, sarcastic comment or rudeness. And so, you choose to hold a grudge. After all, you've got a right to. Nobody should be treated this way. Why should you forgive? You're not the one who started this. You're not the one who doesn't have the facts straight. True, you may be right. You may be in that
position of power mentioned in the Hadith above. But forgiving others, apart from positively affecting our health (less stress) and our minds (one less negative thing to focus on), is a necessary step to closeness to God. How can we move up the ladder of spiritual development when we hold bitterness and anger towards another person? While we may have been in the right, is it worth sacrificing our energy on a grudge instead of on growth? Is there not something strange about asking for God's forgiveness of our sins while withholding our forgiveness from someone who has hurt us? One of the distinguishing features of Ramadan is forgiveness. The Prophet (PBUH) explained in one Hadith that Ramadan is a month whose beginning is Mercy, whose middle is Forgiveness and whose end is freedom from the Hellfire. This makes it a great time to ask God for His Forgiveness. It's also a wonderful
time to open our hearts and cleanse them of grudges and bitterness by forgiving others. The path to connection to God is always paved with tests and difficulties. Nobody gains spiritual upliftment without having to prove their mettle. This process includes facing all kinds of hardships, including injustice at the hands of others. If we truly want Allah's love, mercy and forgiveness, we must remember that the hurts of this world are temporary, and we are working towards that which is permanent. Is it worth being bitter and stunting our growth? Will it really benefit us? How will our anger and bitterness change the person who has hurt us? Let us use this Ramadan to open our hearts to those who have wronged us and forgive them as we beg Allah to forgive us.
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INSIGHT
SELF DEVELOPMENT
August 2010
Jassem Al-Marzook
The Limit Of Your World ! H
ave you ever had a disturbing, bizarre feeling that your current day is BORING ..CLICHE' ? Mmm .. Let's put this question in another different way that could explain it a little bit more.. Have you ever felt that your actual day with all of its atmosphere, events, circumstances and situations, has never changed or moved on since days .. weeks .. or even years .. and that you always walk in a circle form which ends at the end of the day at the same spot that you've started from ..? We could capture this sort of subject by the following example : You wake up every day in the early morning at 6 or 7am .. You take a quick shower in the bathroom, where you think about different kinds of things and issues .. You wear your formal clothes that you have brought last night from the laundry .. and rapidly have a light breakfast which is made like the exact same way by an active member of your family (in these days, it's the housekeeper who does all the work at the house, isn't she ..?) .. You pick up the key of your modest or fancy car .. and drive (while listening to your favorite CD or radio station) to your work place where you find and see the SAME faces, behaviors, environment, discussions,
topics, greetings and problems .. Everything .. Really everything around your presence has only one image .. one formula .. one sort of things that are widely known as ROUTINE .. Some day while you are in your bedroom .. laying inside your comfort bed which has a smooth cover .. getting ready to fall asleep for the work in the morning .. You may wonder and ask yourself the next, important questions after you've cleared your mind : - Who am I? And where am I? - What has happened to my life .. and why it's so NORMAL like the color of the leather chair which you use to sit in your office? And so COLD like the frozen winter? - What has happened to the special flame of my enthusiasm.. my passion .. my adoration of life and its adventures? - What I have missed .. and what I am really missing at the moment ?
Therefore, for a full, complete transition from the destination A to the destination Z, you must remember and recall the upcoming, essential points :
- Why should I act and do as everyone around me?
- You must be well prepared for the challenging journey which could rock your entire world.
- Why couldn't I do and make the things that I truly love in life .. the sort of things that totally fill my own universe with joy, dreams and freshness .. the sort of things that might be disliked and disapproved by the others in the local community?
- Always be active, brave, positive and unbreakable in what you truly have a passion about it.
So many similar questions could cross your mind in each single night after the first one .. until you might reach a certain point that is referred to as the LIMIT..! Once you have arrived at this point, in which you will discover that the current route has reached its limit .. your entire spiritual and material presence is going to fully be loaded by brand new, strong and wild desires of change, liberty and revolution against the classical, typical matters and things inside the four corners of your jail which has been willingly created and designed by someone whose name is YOU .. The jail whose walls, corners and door have been made by your own eyes, thoughts and ideas ..!
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At the time you've realized that you've sensed and seen the LIMIT .. A new YOU is perfectly being placed inside the old of YOU in a particular method which makes you re-think and re-analyzed what you have had so far in your two hands .. It (THE LIMIT) probably gives you an inner lightness which makes you walk off from the spot you've stopped .. It probably gives you a feeling that the outside world is not as you've always imagined and thought .. CREEPY and UNBALANCED .. You're going to understand that you CAN bring so much colors in your life by your personal attitude and the way you think .. You're going to see that for the sake of a better life, you must move, roll, packed, cancel, add, and certainly CHANGE some stuff and things ..
- Try so hard to not be affected by the images of the negativity around you .. whether they would be the circumstances, your unbalanced thoughts, or the people's opinions .. Just consider all these things as if they are a tiny, temporary obstacles that can be easily vanished by your faith in GOD and in yourself .. and by your unbeatable determination. At the end of this topic .. I would like to refer to a vivid, rich example of the huge effects of CHANGE in life .. Do you remember the few, simple words that deeply expressed the ideas of the American, presidential candidate who is from an African origin and who descends from a modest, unknown family .. The current president of the United States of America, Barak Hussain Obama? The ads briefly said: In Change We Believe!
August 2010
INSIGHT
LEFT HANDEDNESS
Lefthandedness B
eing left-handed is like being in a secret club. We have our own bizarre initialization rituals, such as learning how to write "the wrong way." We pay our dues every day, in terms of the extra effort that we must make to live in a righthanded world. When we encounter another lefty, we immediately have something in common. The club is shrouded in secrecy, because we rarely mention the topic to our right-handed friends. For fun, I started making a list of the aspects of everyday life that are geared towards right-handed people. Lefties will probably recognize most things on this list; righties might find some of these things surprising. Anyways, I hope you enjoy reading it! :-) the "main" button is under your less-adept ring finger.
and pump with your left hand without burning your right hand.
• Bike gears are on the right side of the bike. This means that if you carry the bike on your right shoulder, the gears face outward. If you put the bike on your left shoulder, you'll get grease stains all over your clothes.
• Piano keys are arranged so the more rapidlychanging higher notes are played with the right hand. For beginners, the base clef (left hand) is often optional.
• Bike helmet chin-strap buckles are easier to release with your right hand.
• We have to use special "lefty" scissors. • We write from left to right, so that our hand smears the fresh ink across the page. (Righties' hands do not touch the ink until they get to the next line, so the ink has a few seconds to dry.) • If you grab a coffee mug with your left hand, the picture will be facing away from you. (Righties get to look at the picture while they drink.) • Lefties have little choice where they get to sit at large dinners, lest they bump elbows with a righty. • Lefties have little choice where they get to sit in lecture halls. Often the only left-handed desks are on the end of the row. Lefties can't sit in the middle, unless they want to have a hard time writing. • When writing in a 3-ring binder (or spiral notebook), the rings get in the way of our hands when we write on the front side of the paper. (Righties have this problem when writing on the back of the paper, but this is easier to avoid.) • Many "commonly" used keys are on the right side of the keyboard. For example: backspace, enter, arrows, and numeric keypad. • Computer mice are generally set up so that the "main" button is the index finger for righties. If you want to use the mouse in your left hand,
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• Hand-held jigsaws blow sawdust off to the right side. If you hold it in your right hand, it blows the sawdust away from you. If you hold it in your left hand, it blows sawdust in your face. • Drill presses have the handle (to lower the drill) on the right side. It's impossible (and dangerous!) to try to hold the wood with your right hand while controlling the drill with your left hand. • Lefties have to get their own "left-handed" boomerangs, golf clubs, hockey sticks, and baseball mitts. This means we usually can't borrow our friends' equipment. • Car stick-shifts are on the right side of the driver. Less frequently used controls, such as headlight switches, are on the left side. • High-end headphones (with only one cord) have the cord on the left side. The cord gets in the way more for left-handed writers. • BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) entrance/exit gates take the ticket on your right side. • When pants only have one back pocket, it's always on the right side. (Lefties have to fumble around for their wallet with their "bad" hand.) • Mini propane camping stoves are designed so that you can hold it with your left hand and pump up air pressure with your right, even if the stove is still hot. It's hard to hold it with your right hand
• Camera shutter buttons are often on the right. Pressing the button with our less-dextrous hand makes it harder for lefties to hold the camera steady while taking a picture. • "Ergonomic" chairs usually have the controls on the right side. • When firing an automatic or semi-automatic rifle, the ejection port blows casings past your face. (Courtesy of Chip Anderson ) • When holding a pen or pencil in your right hand, you can read any lettering on it, but in your left hand, the lettering is upside-down.
INSIGHT RAMADAN
August August 2010 2010
Amal A. AlBaqshy
Three Special Nights‌ S
ince Ramadan is coming, the first thing the stores get ready for, is the Gergian Festival. This famous festival has an old story that reminds us of the Arab's well-known generosity. At the same time, it has a new story that holds the past in its pages with a glimpse of the future. Whether it was from the past or from the present, the important thing is the spirit of Ramadan; Allah's blessings, truthful prayers, and a chance to remember that we are all one big happy family. I will tell you about the Gergian festival in the past in a narrative form, and let your imagination experience the beauty of it‌ then another story about Gergian in the present. It is the 13th night of Ramdan, everyone had his fottoor after the sunset. They are now waiting for something special, something they have been waiting since last year. Especially the children, they all got dressed up with their traditional customs. You can see the girls running with their green and red dresses, decorated with the golden accessories that reflect the joys of these special nights. The boys also are dressed in the white deshdasha, carrying the drums in their little hands singing that unforgettable song.
As the children run from one little house to another, knocking on those wooden doors, the moon smiles at them and the stars send their blessings to them. It is half way to the end of the fereej. Their bags are now half full of sugared nuts, cashews, and other types of nuts. The seeds are all over the sandy ground drawing a path where these kids have passed. At the end of the day, the kids return to their houses. They have made new friends with the other fereej children, and received prayers from their neighbors for singing for them in these special nights. The next day same thing happens, the ones who didn't have the chance to visit their fereej last night will do it today; they are three nights after all. Then after everyone is done, it is time to let the generosity of Ramadan to be spread upon everyone, even the poor. So the people collect some of the remaining candy and nuts and give it to those who have no money to eat. Everybody is happy in Gergian nights. Now it is the Gergian of the present day, At the 13th night of the month of Ramdan people gather after fottoor , everyone has already prepared the candies, chocolates, and nuts, all raped in beautiful cases and fancy decorations. The old ladies are wearing the
dra'aa; it is a long dress with beautiful colors. The men are also dressed in their formal deshdasha a long white dress-like wearing. The kids as well dressed as their parents, but there are holding their bags waiting for the candies to be given to them. After all the family gathers in the house, they start singing the same traditional songs, songs that remind them of the beauty of Ramadan and the joy of living old traditions. Each family has its turn to share their mkhalat with the others; the mkhalat is a mixture of different kinds of nuts, seeds, cashew, and pistachio. Some people like to add to it some jelly, chocolates, and lollipops. It is all fancy raping and their children's photos on it. The candies and chocolates are the kid's favorite, the older members of the family prefer the mkhalat just like the old days. At the end of the day everyone returns home, on their way, they look at the streets, it is all decorated with lights-- just like Christmas lights; everything sparkles with lively colors and Gergian advertisements.
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HEALTH
August 2010
RAMADAN
Dates
Rich in Proteins & Vitamins M
uslims generally break their fast by eating dates. Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) is reported to have said: "if anyone of you is fasting, let him break his fast with dates. In case he does not have them, then with water. Verily water is a purifier." The Prophet used to break his fast by eating some dates before offering Maghrib prayer, and if ripe dates were not available, he used to substitute them with some dried grapes. When they too were not available, he used to have a few sips of water, according to some reports. Modern science has proved that dates are part of a healthy diet. They contain sugar, fat and proteins, as well as important vitamins. Hence the great importance attached to them by the Prophet. Dates are also rich in natural fibers. Modern medicine has shown that they are effective in preventing abdominal cancer. They also surpass other fruits in the sheer variety of their constituents. They contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium. In other words, one date is a minimum of a balanced and healthy diet. Arabs usually combine dates with milk and yogurt or bread, butter and fish. This combination indeed makes a self-sufficient and tasty diet for both mind and body. Dates and date palms have been mentioned in the Holy Qur'an 20 times, thus showing their importance. The Prophet likened a good Muslim to the date palm, saying "Among trees, there is a tree like a Muslim. Its leaves do not fall." Sayyidah Mariam (The Virgin Mary) mother of Jesus (Pbuh) had dates as her food when she felt labour pains and during confinement. They are definitely the "crown of sweets," and ideal food which is easy to digest, and within half an hour of taking it, the tired body regains a renewed vigour. The reason for this is that a shortage of sugar in the blood is the main factor that makes people feel hungry and not an empty stomach as is often assumed. When the body absorbs the nutritional essence of a few dates, the feeling of hunger becomes appeased. When one breaking the fast with dates takes some other food afterwards, he cannot eat much. It would seem that breaking the fast with dates then helps one avoid excessive eating.
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Experiments have also shown that dates contain some stimulants which strengthen the muscles of the uterus in the last months of pregnancy. This helps the dilation of the uterus at the time of delivery on one hand and reduces the bleeding after delivery on the other. Dieticians consider dates as the best food for women in confinement and those who are breast-feeding. This is because dates contain elements which assist in alleviating depression in mothers and enriching the breastmilk with all the elements needed to make the child healthy and resistant to disease. The Prophet (Pbuh) has emphasized the importance of dates and their effectiveness in the growth of the fetus. He has also recommended they be given to women. Modern dietary institute now recommend dates to be given to children suffering from a nervous nature or hyperactivity. The Prophet (Pbuh) has also recommended dates as a medicine for heart troubles, according to some reports. Modern science has also proved the effectiveness of date, in preventing diseases of the respiratory system. Sayyidah Ayisha, (R.A.) wife of Prophet (Pbuh), used to prescribe dates for those suffering from giddiness. It is now well-known that a fall in the level of the sugar in the blood and low blood pressure are among the causes of giddiness. She was also reported to have used dates combined with cucumber to treat her over-slim condition! She said "they've tried to fatten me giving me everything.
But I did not become fat. Then they fattened me with cucumber and ripe dates and I gained.!" Ayisha was quite correct, as we now know that one kilogram of dates contains nearly 3,000 calories which alone are sufficient to supply the minimum daily requirements of an active man for one full day. Dates are rich in several vitamins and minerals. When the level of trace elements falls in the body, the health of the blood vessels is affected leading to an increased heart-rate and a consequent inability to perform its function with normal efficiency. As dates are also rich in calcium, they help to strengthen the bones. When the calcium content in the body decreases, children are affected with rickets and the bones of adults become brittle and weak. Dates are also important in keeping up the health of eyes. It is quite effective in guarding against night-blindness. In the early years of Islam, dates served as food for Muslim warriors. They used to carry them in special bags hung at their sides. They are the best stimulant for muscles and so the best food for a warrior about to engage in battle. The Prophet (Pbuh) used to combine dates with bread sometimes. At other times he mixed ripe dates with cucumber, or dates combined with ghee. He used to take all varieties of dates, but he preferred the variety called Ajwah.
HEALTH Dr. Nazia Nausheen
August 2010
GENERAL
Importance of Vitamin D Sources and Deficiencies
For years, many of us – especially those of us living in sunnier climates – have been told to keep out of the sun. Apart from the aging effect upon our skin, harsh sun can also produce melanoma and other skin cancers. While this is true, it is also known that we require a daily dose of sunshine to keep us strong and healthy. Moderate sun exposure provides proven health benefits, the most important of which is the production of vitamin D. In these sun-safe days, we just may be missing out on our daily quota of vitamin D. If You Have Low Levels of Vitamin D Sunlight on our skin produces the vitamin D that is essential to good health. Scientists have found that approximately one billion people around the world are deficient in vitamin D. There are certain types of people who are at greater risk of not getting enough of this vitamin, such as
nursing home residents and people who live in cold climates. Because vitamin D assists with the body’s ability to absorb calcium and phosphorus, low levels can be disastrous for our well-being. Calcium and phosphorus are both vitally important for bone development and strength, and vitamin D in the body has also been proven to suppress infection and subdue the growth of cancer. Although not scientifically proven as yet, there are some suggestions that a lack of exposure to sunlight – that is, low levels of vitamin D – may be associated with the prevalence of influenza and type 1 diabetes. Sources of Vitamin D So how do you get enough vitamin D? Recommendations differ; however, it is suggested that various ages and groups require different quantities of vitamin D. Your best bet is to speak with your family doctor
or naturopath, or conduct an online search of reputable medical organizations to help determine the right levels of vitamin D for you. The good news is that if you believe you are suffering from a vitamin D deficiency, sunlight exposure is the solution. The amount depends upon the strength of the sun (i.e. the time of the year and where you live). If natural sunlight is not an option, there are various foods that can provide vitamin D. Some fish, such as tuna and salmon, provide a certain amount of vitamin D. However, because it is difficult to get the required levels of vitamin D from diet alone, there is a wide selection of foods fortified with vitamin D that are extremely good sources of this essential nutrient. Supplements are also recommended. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin required for good health and well-being. Deficiencies are often associated with those who can’t obtain enough sunlight; however, we are all at risk. Your diet, sunlight exposure, and the use of supplements are all important sources of vitamin D.
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Rafiq BEAUTY Zeeba Beauty consultant
August 2010
www.zeeba-rafiq.com
How do you maintain that firm look? Whatever we do will affect our skin. Although aging naturally makes us lose firmness in our skin, our everyday choices can speed up the process or slow it down. As you get older your skin loses its natural ingredients to remain youthful, such as Collagen, Coenzymes and Copper. It might not show at an early age, but if nothing is done, it will be noticeable soon. So how do you maintain that firm look? Here are some simple firm skin secrets to keep you looking young and fresh. Use sun screen 15 minutes in the sun per day gives your skin the best portion of vitamin D. If you spend longer periods then the sun can dry skin cells and cause damage by quickening aging processes and causing serious diseases. Sun screen can prevent this from happening. Sun Screen will protect you even while tanning. Moisturize your skin every day Apply special cream or oil right after bathing. Pay lots of attention to your hands and face; they get the most environmental damage through the year. The less dye and perfume a lotion contains the better it’s for your skin. Moisturizer should be used throughout the year no matter the weather or season. Exercise regularly It keeps your skin’s elasticity intact. Regular exercising helps your skin receive more oxygen. Your skin loses this ability as you get older. Try walking instead of driving, take the stairs instead of the elevator and do leg lifts and lunges if you have a break at work. Try contrasting temperatures in your shower Changing the temperature of the water in your shower will make your skin relax and contract several times and will keep it more elastic. Before you leave your shower pour hot water over yourself then cold several times. A contrasting shower also prevents cellulite. Do not lose weight too quickly The recommended amount to lose per week is 2.5
Kilograms per week. When people lose weight too quickly their skin may not contract to their new shape and instead will sag. Wrinkles will form. The opposite is true: if you gain a lot of weight in a short time without moisturizing your skin, small tears may follow. In any case, extreme dieting is unhealthy to begin with. Eat healthy food Try eating homemade meals and organic foods. If you prefer fast food, you probably get too much refined carbohydrate and fats, but not enough of the proteins, minerals and vitamins your body needs.
banana and spread on your face. Leave the banana on your skin for 15 minutes and rinse with tepid water. This is designed to tighten your skin. Use steam The steam can quickly tighten you skin. Visit a sauna or steam-room once a week. How about a coffee mask? Recycle your used coffee grinds as a stimulating facial mask. Mix 1/4 cup used coffee grounds with one egg white and spread it evenly on your face. Allow the mixture to dry and rinse off with tepid water. This will give your skin a firm tone.
Drink a lot of water Water is needed for your skin to regenerate. If you don’t drink the recommended daily water intake (1.5 litres a day), your body dehydrates and your skin fails to regenerate. See a beautician for professional skin firming masks and treatments If you’re looking for a way to boost the rate at which your skin firms regular appointments for masks or treatments can help. Drop by Al Rashid Hospital for a consultation and remember to ask for Zeeba! Try a body firming cream There are numerous skin firming lotions available. There are lotions for diminishing stretch marks and firm skin all over the body to skin contraction wrinkle creams meant to reduce lines around the eyes. Remember, choose a lotion that has the smallest amount of unnatural fragrance and skin irritating chemicals. Coenzymes and Biotin loss cause skin sagging, so look for creams or lotions that refill your skin’s amount. Shea butter is a natural moisturizer with efficient skin firming properties It is the perfect choice for people with dry skin looking. Oatmeal and buttermilk also have skin tightening qualities This mask tightens the pores, while moisturizing. Lactic acid in the buttermilk helps make the skin look fresh. Combine ½ cup cooked oatmeal with ¼ cup buttermilk. Let it dry completely, and rinse it with tepid water to remove. A homemade banana mask Pound a
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INSIGHT INTERVIEW
August 2010
FROM REPORTER TO REPORTED... Muna Al-Fuzai is Executive Director for the American Business Council of Kuwait, and is also a staff columnist for the Kuwait Times (an independent Englishlanguage daily newspaper). Having graduated from the Department of English Language and Literature at Kuwait University, she went to England to complete her post graduate studies before commencing her working career. Since then she has worked as a media specialist and assistant to residence coordinator for United Nations/United Nations Development Programme (UN/ UNDP); served for six years as a translator in the Ministry of Defence; and was a communications officer in the Customs. Muna has also been a member of several Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Kuwait. Having tracked her down in one of her quieter moments, CityPages took the opportunity to turn the tables on Muna and put her on the other side of a journalist’s notebook ...
When did you first discover that you had an interest in writing? Ever since I was in High School I had been very interested in writing about others’ problems and life experiences. On reflection, I think it was as a result of this interest that I developed to become an ‘A’ grade student! I then started to write freelance pieces for a few Arabic newspapers and realised that I was becoming more interested in issues like social rights, the abuse of children, and other related fields. What do you believe are the qualities needed to be a successful local columnist? I think that reliability and integrity are the most important qualities – to have an ability to write the truth without exaggeration. It’s also vital to be able to learn and to understand that, as a columnist, it is not possible to stay in an ivory tower and simply write without any personal experience, knowledge or research about issues, such as unemployment, which affect other people. To be successful locally, it is of course a key requirement to have a big
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heart to welcome and respect the expatriate community in Kuwait, as well as to maintain a healthy respect for the native population. Why did you choose to write in English, when English is not your first language? Around ten years before I wrote for the Kuwait Times, when I was writing freelance for an Arabic newspaper, I had written about issues related to expatriates. For example, I had written about the need for an expatriate to carry a civil id at all times; about unemployment; about traffic regulations, and so on. It soon dawned on me that, whilst these issues are very important for expatriates, most readers of Arabic newspapers are Arabs and locals and that the expatriate community was largely left in the dark. It was later, having received a generous offer from the owner of Kuwait Times, that I was encouraged to write in English and shed light on these issues. Perhaps I should mention that these articles can be found online via Google search.
Do you ever have to face any criticism? Most writers, especially ones who expose issues like abuse, labour law and human rights, will have a lot of criticism directed at them. However, in my ten year career to date I have developed a level of immunity from my readers, both Kuwaiti and non- Kuwaiti, through a weekly column called 'Letters to Muna’. I respect criticism if it is objective and comes from a well-known source, but I don’t accept any criticism which is intended to harm directly and where there is no base for such adverse comment. Which of your achievements do you rate most highly? I have been fortunate to have been afforded the opportunity to have participated in many conference and workshops. One of the most unique workshops was a Friday Forum entitled 'Teens can make it happen', which was dedicated to expatriate teenagers in Kuwait. I have also participated in several workshops in Cairo for the empowerment of women, and in a
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MUNA AL-FUZAI
INSIGHT INTERVIEW workshop in Wilton Park in the UK, and have attended many memorable conferences related to previous work-related experiences. As you have represented Kuwait in many countries, would you like to share something about your experiences abroad? A few of my experiences that have marked my career have been related to my work on border protection, in collaboration with US Customs and Jordanian customs, and I’ve learnt so many things about the work of customs officials in other countries besides Kuwait. During my time with the UNDP, I benefitted from training courses in Tunis and in Lebanon about the role and impact of media on the life of people and decision makers. Who are your readers? My column is read by expatriates of all nationalities. I actually receive quite a lot of attention from the foreign embassies in Kuwait, and from the Kuwaiti Decision Makers, in relation to expatriates’ issues. What are your professional ambitions? As the Executive Director of the American Business Council of Kuwait, my role is to promote American products and services here in Kuwait. American products represent excellent quality and high standards, and we have their best manufacturers represented here in Kuwait for cars, clothes, etc. I strongly believe that US products deserve support. As a writer, I would like my work to achieve the best interests for Kuwait as a nation, and to project for those who have their hopes on me to be the voice of expatriates. What is a typical day in the life of Muna Al-Fuzai? My day starts very early with a typical breakfast of one apple and green tea. I then step into my role as the Executive Director at the American Business Council of Kuwait with regular working hours of 9am to 4pm. Evenings are mainly occupied with writing for Kuwait Times, or with some business functions. My day rarely ends earlier than 11pm which, I must confess, is rather too late for my liking! How do you decide on the topics for your columns? Suggestions for the topics that I write about are received directly from my expatriate readers who communicate through email, phone or directly send me letters to the Kuwait Times front desk. These are the prime sources of my inspiration in relation to problems faced by the expatriate community. I frequently visit Jaleeb, Farwaniya, Salimya, and other areas which have a high ratio of the expatriate community. I like to talk to the people there, and get more ideas based on their responses. What inspires you most? Without a doubt ... it’s the readers! Do you have a blog? I don’t have time to blog online, but anyone can communicate with me via email. In regard to issues related to the American Business Council of Kuwait, people can write to me using muna@abckw.org and in regard to issues related to Kuwait Times, I can receive emails via muna@kuwaittimes.net
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August 2010
INSIGHT Muhammed Altaf INTERVIEW
August 2010
ENTREPENEUR
iBrillo.com - An Online Spa !
iBrillo is a Spanish word for “I Shine”. ibrillo.com, which is the brainchild of Reem N. Al-Musallam is an online Spa designed to make you feel comfortable in any way possible. CityPages meets Reem to understand how iBrillo works and how it targets the 4 aspects of human body.
www.ibrillo.com 32
How did you capture the idea of iBrillo as an Online Spa?
Do you have any plans to develop your project even further?
I was thinking what could be the best and fastest way to reach to people, and in this century the answer would be through the internet - creating a website.
It was a concept implemented in a simple way. Now it’s a social network, where people can help as well.
Tell us more about iBrillo?
My future plans highly depend on the feedback I will get and how successful it will be.
The website targets the mental, visual, sound and physical aspects of the human body.
How long did it take to convert the idea into a website?
The mental page contains simple truth inspirational movies, stress release games, and general information about useful therapy methods. The visual page is where iBrillo members can help by uploading positive photos - sometimes all it takes to draw a smile on our faces is to be exposed to beautiful positive images.
I first tested the concept using simple images which I bought online. Then it took 3 months to build the whole website professionally
The sound page contains relaxing music and dancing music. The physical page contains exercise videos in which members can simply play and do as they go.
movies / series, listening to negative and sad music. The result proved to me that if we can simply monitor what our senses are exposed to, we can definitely maintain a positive state of mind. This fact helped me come up with iBrillo. For who did you create the website? The website is for anyone who wishes to be in a better mood and in abetter state of mind.
Was creating the website connected to any personal experience of yours? We all go through good and bad moods in our lives, and I was trying to figure out how we can maintain the good mood and make it last for a longer period of time. Therefore, I stopped reading newspapers, watching negative
Did you think it would be so successful? To be honest, I started this concept in 2008 with no expectation at all. The positive responses I got from everyone, and the fact that bloggers are mentioning it as well, made me take this concept to the next level.
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INSIGHT Jameel Arif INTERVIEW
August 2010
FASHION DESIGNER
Lisa Shahno L
isa Shahno is a Russian fashion designer, based in Moscow, who creates innovative and futuristic clothing using high-tech materials and geometric forms. In her most recent collection, entitled “Hexapelerine”, her creations feature an unusual form known as hexaflexagon. The designs are stitched with orange, pink and green dayglo® thread which glows under fluorescent light. Lisa’s previous award-winning collection ‘Squaring the Square’ was based on a geometric pattern, in which each piece was created using rectangular pieces of various lengths and widths, all sewn together and bonded in different orders to create an array of forms. Traversing the worlds of fashion and science-fiction CityPages reached out to meet Lisa in this exclusive interview, and to introduce our readers to her vision... Can you tell us a little about your sets. Then, while we were living in Germany, my mom bought a lot of stuff like different cooking family? devices, clothes and especially toys. When we I shall do my best but, unfortunately, I don’t returned to Russia I began to compare these know too much about the roots of my family things to those of Soviet industrial design because of its constant migration. My father’s and I saw a great difference. That was how I ancestors were deported from Poland after its developed an interest in design, and since that occupation in 1939; my mother’s ancestors time I've always wanted to make things better. were also Polish but they had moved to Russia So, as I truly love clothes, I started my quest in from Ukraine during the famine that happened the world of fashion design. in the early 30s. They met each other in Siberia. From where do you draw your My father was an officer of the Soviet army and we used to move from one place to another inspiration? pretty often, so I haven’t had much chance I'm usually inspired not by some person, to communicate with my relatives. I spent the but by thoughts of the Universe. I find the first years of my life in East Germany, before regular occurrence of all parts of the Universe moving to live in Middle Asia and then finally absolutely fascinating. I want my work to have in Russia. My father worked with the “Krug” some story inside and a deep meaning, not system, which was the first mobile air defence just a nice appearance. system to be deployed by the Soviet Army. What goes through your mind when He was a programmer, and worked on the you are creating something? early computers when they known simply as Electronic Computing Machines. My mother is a It’s very common that my mind is empty doctor, and had chosen the career of a medic when I start working, and that’s a really good because her dad was a surgeon, and chief of a condition for me. I fold and compose pieces clinic that was well known and much respected. of fabric or paper for a while until I happen Did you decide, from an early age, upon an interesting interconnection. Then this that you wanted to become a designer? interconnection consumes my whole mind. It’s difficult to explain it in words! In my childhood I had been sure that I would How much time does it take to prepare be an artist when I grew up, and I didn’t even know about the concept of design. I had a large a season's collection? box of colour pencils which I used to invent At this time I don’t work to comply with the two-dimensional worlds with their inhabitants seasons. I don’t want to make just a lot of – all on paper, of course. Later, in my teens, stuff to sell, but rather I want first to develop I became fascinated by Lego® construction my own style and approach. Then, maybe, I'll
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develop a more commercial line and will make season collections. Are there any designers, past or present, that you would like to work with? Among the current designers, the most interesting for me is Rei Kawakubo / Comme des Garçons. I appreciate Kawakubo’s approach which is a good combination of conceptual with commercial. The most interesting from the past was Bauhaus and, of course, I would really liked to have been a part of that school. How do you think one of your best friends would describe your style? A silence that can tell a lot if you want to listen; spooky but inviting at the same time – like the outer space for humanity. Which of your projects has given you the most satisfaction? I haven’t completed a lot of projects yet. The work on my first collection “Squaring the Square” was complicated and difficult, but the final result was very satisfying and inspired me to progress even further. What colours do you like to use? I prefer to concentrate attention on the cut and shape, which is why I use mostly black and grey and don’t have an accent colour – in this way I can better show off the construction. I will admit to having an irrational taste for pink, but I try to control myself and only sometimes will I use just a little bit of it.
Why are your collections based on geometrical figures? Kepler once wrote: “Geometry existed before the Creation. It is co-eternal with the mind of God. Geometry provided God with a model for the Creation. Geometry is God himself.” Actually, I think geometry is even greater than the idea of God - it represents the fundamental regularity that underpins the Universe. When you study geometry at school its laws might seem abstract and transcendental, but in fact they are reality itself. If we could change geometrical laws it would affect every thing, every being and every phenomenon in any time throughout the Universe, and we would definitely create a new world. When I studied drawing in art school, I had always imagined three dimensional objects that I was going to portray on a plain surface of paper as a polyhedron composed of polygons. It really helped me to understand the material world.
INSIGHT
completely different conditions. People, nations, civilizations are born and die, but you don’t care and just calmly observe and slowly get stronger. The life of a human being is for like a day; the life of an empire is like a season. What are your fears for the future? I'm afraid of global climate change and disasters caused by humans. For example, I'm really worried about the future consequences of the recent oil spill accident in the Gulf of Mexico. What is your weakest characteristic? Absent-mindedness. (Though I tend to forget that!)
August 2010
In a nutshell, what is your philosophy? The doors are not for entering them, but for turning them upside down! What do you have to say to the next generation, particularly to those hoping to follow in your footsteps? The most important thing is not to follow in somebody else's shadow, but to think for yourself and to discover your own direction. Another important thing is to always remember that fashion is much more about art than about a business.
How do you intend women to feel when wearing your designs? It depends on the woman, of course, but I think that the clothes I make are not for women who are concerned only with their look, but for those who like to express their thoughts and feelings through the clothes they wear. Defined levels of intelligence and aesthetic sense are needed to understand and appreciate my designs, and some freethinking of course. They are for connoisseurs of things with a soul, and although they may seem cold from the outside, they will feel warm within. Have you received any awards for your work? My "Squaring the Square" collection took grand-prize at the “Kremlin Stars” 2009 contest in Moscow, and I also received the Best Avantgarde Award for the same collection in the “CREATEUROPE” Fashion Design Contest of the same year. How can customers in Kuwait acquire pieces from your collection? I’m going to sell some pieces through the internet this autumn, and there will be an announce on my blog - lisashahno.com/blog. If you weren't a designer, what would you be? I once read an article about old trees - some of them older than one thousand years. I guess I would be such a tree, but with consciousness. It’s interesting to think of yourself in
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INSIGHT Jameel Arif INTERVIEW
August 2010
FOODIE
13cups.com
By Basma Al-Musallam You know how it is... you’re passing some time surfing the internet and, every now and again, you happen across a website or blog that grabs your attention and makes you reach towards your “favourite” or “bookmark” button! www.13cups.com is one of those sites. You find the home page and have the urge to dip in further. 13Cups is about food – not really about cooking, but about food. It has recipes, sure, but it also has new ideas, experimental concepts, restaurant reviews (though these tend to review the food served than the restaurants themselves), and lots more besides. What makes this blog different is the fact that it’s created and written by a confirmed foodie, and not a cook; it displays a clear passion for the subject; it’s fresh, modern and different! CityPages met up with Basma AlMusallam, the creative brain behind the blog, in an attempt to discover the recipe for her success... 36
INSIGHT Please introduce yourself? My name is Basma Al-Musallam, a 24 years old Foodie, Marketer, and a Graphic Designer. All three aspects shapes that I am today. Where and what did you study? I studied Graphic design in Kuwait University. Share your childhood memories? All my good childhood memories were revolving around the kitchen, my art projects and our book shelves. I remember my mother and sisters sitting around the kitchen table chatting and helping my mother while she’s creating a new sensational dish. I think I was 3 years old, holding the tip of the table and standing on my toes and barely able to look at what they’re doing Later on, my mother bought me a small wooden step so I can see (and secretly take back my pacifier from the wooden drawer at night but that’s another story!). At the age of 8, I made my very first sponge cake. Needless to say, it was a disaster, but I went to the kitchen the next day and made my first success. The feeling was indescribable. My journey began there, at that day when I baked my first Basbosa. Basbosa is an Arabic dish. Its main ingredient is semolina and it’s widely known in the Arab countries. What is the significance of 13 cups? 13Cups.com: have you ever wanted to do something, but never got the time to do them? Well I have tons of those things so I decided to give myself the permission to pursue whatever makes me happy. Cooking is the first step. 13 Cups is a way of living. If 100% is what others give, I give the things I love 400% of my effort and time. For some, 13Cups of anything is just a lot to handle, but I’ll have my 13 cups with a big wide smile.
The best home cooked meal would be my mother’s stuffed zucchini. It’s the type that melts in your mouth and lifts you on a cloud of yumminess. Because we loved it so much, it got added to Empress catering company menu. What is your best cooking tip for a home enthusiast? Cooking isn’t as hard as it may seem. Once you figure out the basics, you can pretty much do anything you want. When did you decide you wanted to be a chef? I’m not a chef, as I did not go to a culinary school. I’m a foodie, and it happened with the help of my family and a bit of imagination. I combine ingredients in my mind and rush to the grocery store to see if they work together. But before that, I call my eldest sister and we day dream together What is more important for a chef; technique or ingredients? Anyone who wants to cook should learn the basics first. Who/what has shaped your cooking the most over the years? My mother and eldest sister had a great influence on me. I learned the basics from them and of course from cook books. Experimenting is the most interesting part in cooking, once you get the hang of it, you can mimic any recipe you taste and create your own recipes as well, just like what I’m doing now. What are your favorite culinary weapons in the kitchen?
August 2010
What was the most challenging meal you had to make? Why? Roasted Turkey with rosemary buttery rice stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. It’s challenging because it took around 6 hours of preparation and cooking time. But it’s easy to make. What future endeavors are in the pipeline? I’m working on a cook book that contains all the recipes I’ve worked on over the years and preparing a nice menu for my 13cups readers for Ramadan. What are the special dishes of Ramadan prepared in Kuwait? 2 main dishes that you only see in Ramadan would be hareesa, which is basically whole wheat grains cooked with meat. And Tashreeba, thin bread soaked in light tomato based gravy with veggies and meat. Did you take some formal training in Cooking? The only training I had been through Empress Catering Company. Since it’s the family business, I was able to learn a lot from them over the past 15 years. What do you do as full time? I’m a full time foodie! A freelancer as well, providing branding and marketing strategies for companies. Needless to say, one of the most exciting clients I had was related to food and beverage.
Good knives.
What was the most spectacular meal you have ever had?
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INSIGHT FASHION LISA'S COLLECTION
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August August 2010 2010
INSIGHT Lisa Jayne FASHION
August 2010
LATEST TRENDS
Hareem Pants: Have you got yours yet?
H
areem Pants - Another fabulous fashion trend for the summer. A key piece for any fashionistas wardrobe they can take you from day to night. Harem pants have been trying to be a hit on the high street for a few years but only now are we starting to see a fabulous variation of styles and fabrics appearing in magazines and shops. Don’t feel you have to keep up with every trend as they don’t always suit our body shape / size or age. If you don’t feel confident wearing them there are so many other style of trousers out there you can wear instead from crop to flare to skinny jeans or leggings or linens. Never wear something you don’t feel confident in. Harem pants come in a variety of styles from low crutch seams that hang down to your knees – the ‘hammer time’ look - great for the more adventurous of us.
different fabrics from tailored cottons to jersey fabrics or silks. Watch out for elasticized waists which add pounds, go for a flat front waistband, with elasticized or cuff hems as these are more flattering. They look better
worn on the hips as this elongates tummy area. Loud or tie dye prints can look over whelming and very unflattering on any body shape. For a casual day look – wear Hareem pants with your favourite jewelled flats and a lovely satin or silk vest top and tailored jacket or denim waist coat – layering is key. For the beach or pool parties, hareems are a must. There are some beautiful satin jump suits around with harem style pants which look beautiful and very glamorous; these are perfect for those summer nights out on the town especially when worn with a great pair of strappy heels, clutch bag and metallic bracelets with a sizzling sun tan. If you want to look chic and classy, keep your outfit similar shades of colour, khakis or neutrals are great.
These are not flattering and really do make you look short in the legs. Or the most versatile and wearable style has baggy trouser legs with a cuff hem.
If you are larger on the bottom half then avoid them with any detail that will attract to your areas you don’t like or feel are too big– the planer the fabric, the better and at all times avoid gathering!
There is a style of harem pants that suits your body shape it’s just a case of trying on different styles to see which you feel best suits. Look for them in
Hareem pants are a great style of cover up, rather than a sarong or sundress, so have a go and try a pair they are so versatile and comfortable.
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INSIGHT SPORTS
August 2010
DALEY THOMPSON SUPPORTS LOCAL TRIATHLETE L
ondon, July 28, 2010 – Local triathlete Ahmed AlHuzami from Kuwait competed in the Dextro Energy Triathlon World Championship in Hyde Park at the weekend to raise funds for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. AlHuzami received the support of Britain’s greatest multi-sport athlete Daley Thompson, who attended the event to provide advice and cheer on the Laureus competitors.
I’ve come across a lot of talented and athletes who lack the support, equipment, and experience, and that is why I'm so motivated to support Laureus: their unique mission differentiates them from other charities and it was an honour to be part of this great team.
AlHuzami completed the Olympic distance event in with a 18m 59s swim, 1hr 12m 28s bike ride and a 48m 48s run, completing the triathlon in a total time of 2 hours and 29 minutes.
As team coach for 25 Laureus fundraisers competing in Hyde Park, Double Olympic Gold medallist Daley Thompson lent his support to the competitors in the lead up to the event, providing tips and advice and hosting a training day, to ensure his team of triathletes were race ready.
AlHuzami commented “It was a pleasure to compete in the London leg of the ITU and make sure that at least one person is representing my country in this wonderful, and global competition. It was also a great chance to promote Laureus next to the best athletes in the world. In the Middle East
Speaking from Hyde Park, Thompson commented: “I’ve never attempted a triathlon, but I’ve had great fun training the Laureus team, and have been really pleased with the commitment and level of fitness. There were some impressive results for the Laureus team in Hyde Park, so congratulations
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to all the competitors. Let’s hope we have an even bigger group of fundraisers next year.” Among the team of Laureus triathletes was former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick, who took part in a triathlon relay event, with Fitzpatrick tackling the 40km bike ride. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which supports over 80 sports related projects across the world, helping the lives of over one million youngsters, is the official Global Charity Partner of the International Triathlon Union and fields teams of Laureus fundraisers in the principal triathlons of the summer. Laureus still has places left in the triathlons at Kitzbuhel (August 14 &15) and Budapest (September 11 & 12) and at all of the ITU World Championship events in 2011.
INSIGHT
August 2010
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Monthly Magazine
RAMADAN SCHEDULE 2010
Pe o p l e L i f e s t y l e E v e n t s
Wednesday 1
Ishaa
Maghrib
Asser
Dhuhr
Fajer
Imsak
DATE
DAYS
RAMADAN 1431HIJRI
As per the State of Kuwait's Local Timings
11 3.37 3.47 11.53 3.29 6.32 7.56
August
Thursday
2
12 3.38 3.48 11.53 3.29 6.32 7.55
Friday
3
13 3.39 3.49 11.53 3.28 6.31 7.54
Saturday
4
14 3.40 3.50 11.53 3.28 6.30 7.53
Sunday
5
15 3.40 3.50 11.53 3.28 6.29 7.52
Monday
6
16 3.41 3.51 11.52 3.28 6.28 7.50
Tuesday
7
17 3.42 3.52 11.52 3.27 6.27 7.49
Wednesday 8
18 3.43 3.53 11.52 3.27 6.26 7.48
Thursday
9
19 3.44 3.54 11.52 3.27 6.25 7.47
Friday
10
20 3.44 3.54 11.51 3.27 6.24 7.45
Saturday
11
21 3.45 3.55 11.51 3.26 6.23 7.44
Sunday
12
22 3.46 3.56 11.51 3.26 6.22 7.43
Monday
13
23 3.47 3.57 11.51 3.25 6.21 7.42
Tuesday
14
24 3.47 3.57 11.51 3.25 6.20 7.40
Wednesday 15
25 3.48 3.58 11.51 3.24 6.18 7.39
Thursday
16
26 3.49 3.59 11.50 3.24 6.17 7.38
Friday
17
27 3.50 4.00 11.50 3.23 6.16 7.36
Saturday
18
28 3.50 4.00 11.49 3.23 6.15 7.35
Sunday
19
29 3.51 4.01 11.49 3.23 6.14 7.34
Monday
20
30 3.52 4.02 11.49 3.23 6.13 7.33
Tuesday
21
31 3.53 4.03 11.48 3.22 6.12 7.31
Wednesday 22
September
1
3.53 4.03 11.48 3.22 6.11 7.30
Thursday
23
2
3.54 4.04 11.48 3.21 6.09 7.29
Friday
24
3
3.55 4.05 11.47 3.20 6.08 7.27
Saturday
25
4
3.55 4.05 11.47 3.20 6.07 7.26
Sunday
26
5
3.56 4.06 11.47 3.19 6.06 7.25
Monday
27
6
3.57 4.07 11.46 3.19 6.05 7.23
Tuesday
28
7
3.57 4.07 11.46 3.18 6.04 7.22
Wednesday 29
8
3.58 4.08 11.46 3.18 6.02 7.21
Thursday
9
3.58 4.08 11.46 3.18 6.02 7.21
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August 2010
INSIGHTFILE FACTS
World’s Most Expensive Baked Potato
World’s Most Expensive
The baked potato may not be the most healthful item on your plate but, thanks to chef Ben Kingdon of The Cary Arms, it could be the priciest.
Highest Glass Floor of the World in Chicago USA
The Cary Arms is “The Inn on the Beach” in the coastal town of Torquay in Devon county, England. It’s there that Kingdon produces the gastropub food for which the inn is known— including the most expensive baked potato in the world.
'The Ledge is the world's most awesome view, the world's most precipitous view, the view with the most wow in the world.'
The 24-year-old chef refers to this delicacy as the “tuxedo spud,” as a baked potato is known in Great Britain as a “jacket potato.” The potato’s flesh has been mixed with creme fraiche, lemon, chives and spring onions, and topped with caviar. Sides include balsamic-roasted vine tomatoes and a side salad, served with the potato on a wooden board. The dish is served with a glass of champagne.
The balconies are 10ft high and 10ft wide, can hold five tons, and have glass which is 1.5 inch thick Unfazed: Although some adults felt dizzy after experiencing the Ledge, children seemed to take it in their stride Long way up: Even the floor of the platforms are glass - few were brave enough to look straight down
The expensive potato is priced at £40—US $60. Unfortunately, only one was ordered in the two weeks after its debut. If you're scared of heights, it may be time to look away now.
World’s Most Expensive Medicines
Not content with having the tallest building in America, the owners of Sears Tower in Chicago have installed four glass box viewing platforms which stick out of the building 103 floors up. The balconies are suspended 1,353 feet in the air and jut out four feet from the building's Skydeck.
While the debate over healthcare continues, Forbeshas released a list of the nine most expensive drugs in the world—each of which costs patients over $200,000 annually. At the top of the list is Soliris (eculizumab), produced by Alexion Pharmaceuticals to treat, ahem, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. PNH is a rare and life-threatening disease and is the only form of hemolytic anemia—a deficiency in red blood cells caused by their destruction, as opposed to low production— that is acquired rather than inherited. PNH affects approximately 8,000 Americans. It’s because of that low figure that Alexion can charge $409,500 per year for the most expensive drug in the world. The rarity of the condition means there are very few competitors to compete with for pricing. The second most expensive medicine in the world is Elaprase at $375,000 annually. It
Fearless: Anna Kane, five, spreads out on the floor of the 10ft square box which is 1,353ft up Spectacular: She also enjoyed amazing views out across the city 'At first I was kind of afraid but I got used to it', 10-year-old Adam Kane from Alton, Illinois, said as clouds drifted by below. was created by Shire Pharmaceuticals to treat Hunter Syndrome, which has symptoms ranging from a flattened nose to brain damage and afflicts 2,000 people worldwide. The third is Naglazyme, produced by BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, which treats an even rarer disorder that enlarges the head and causes short stature. That drug costs $365,000 annually.
Amazingly Rare Parrot Flower from Thailand This is a flower from Thailand. It is also a protected species and is not allowed to be exported. This will be the only way we will be able to view this flower.
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'Look at all those tiny things that are usually huge.' John Huston, one of the owners of the Sears Tower, even admitted to getting 'a little queasy' the first time he ventured out on to the balcony. However, after 30 or 40 trips, he seems to have got used to it. Thrillseekers: The boxes jut out four feet from the building and were specifically designed to make visitors feel as if they are floating The Sears Tower has always been about superlatives - tallest, largest, most iconic,' he said.
World's Biggest Golden Coin of 1 Million Dollar
Inspiration came from the hundreds of forehead prints visitors left behind on Skydeck windows every week. Now, staff will have a new glass surface to clean: floors. Architect Ross Wimer said: 'We did studies that showed a four-foot-deep (1.2 metres) enclosure makes you feel like you're floating since there's only room for one row of people, not two.' The Skydeck attracts 25,000 visitors on clear days. They each pay $15 to take an elevator ride up to the 103rd floor of the 110-story office building that opened in 1973. Towering: A view of the Sears Tower (black building in the foreground). The Ledge is on the 103rd floor
INSIGHT
August 2010
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INSIGHT HIND AL-NAHEDH'S
August August2010 2010
BLOG
HIND AL-NAHEDH Integrated Marketing & Social Media Manager VIVA Telecom Kuwait
Can Social Media make Us More Productive? I
guess the usage of social media tools these days defines the way we seek to become better informed-searching for links which have the desired information, perhaps with some comments and online public indicators that can provide whatever knowledge is being sought. We hear countless times that managers think social media is a distraction, and is ultimately a productivity killer in the workplace, but I think that these tools actually help people to achieve their tasks more quickly, or to add value to the business. However there have been few substantive conversations about precisely how social media might help to make that difference and get things done.
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The “new workforce” is being defined by a work style that blurs personal and professional time. That development has spawned professionals that craftily use social media to achieve their goals. Yes, the initial draw was social networking, but as those relationships become more essential to someone’s professional responsibilities, social media becomes an area where a lot of work can be undertaken too. The trick is to realise that it’s not about the tool itself, but about having the ability to step back and analyse the tool’s real value in helping to accomplish tasks. If someone fails to evaluate the way the way in which they’re using social
media to get things done, then they’re probably becoming increasingly inefficient because of it. In this article, I shall highlight a few areas where, if handled effectively, use of social media can help to turn someone into a productivity rock star. Scalable Networking Up until around ten years ago the activity known as “networking” was undertaken in restaurants, cafés, on the telephone and at conferences. Today, however, a much increased level of networking occurs online through tweets, e-mails, invitations, and through dedicated
social networking sites like facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, and so on. To put it bluntly, the difference between networking in 1995 and networking today is about two hours less face-to-face time.
M O NT H
g
CityPa
T QUES ION OF s e
E TH
There is a lot of time saved when networking is done online, and the process scales rapidly with today’s electronic tools. There is potential to meet hundreds and thousands of people online, to forge relationships in a matter of minutes, and to maintain them long-term with much less effort than in the past.
May 2010
Actionable Information is More Valuable Information overload isn’t a new problem, and some folk would argue that Twitter and other such sites have merely succeeded in making information overload more of a problem. But the truth is that, by carefully selective use, tools like Twitter, Yahoo Pipes, RSS readers, and Google Alerts can help to discover information that’s pertinent to the job-in-hand, and within a short time anyone can become extraordinarily proficient in locating, digesting and cataloguing an enormous amount of information in a very short period of time. The key to staying productive is to differentiate between personal time spent (using social media) and professional use. But of course it’s not just about locating information; it’s about identifying actionable information. Google alone doesn’t always reveal actionable information — only some relevant links. But real people participating in social media can bring to the surface incredible amounts of actionable information. It’s Not What Is Used, but How It’s Used... As with any tool, there are benefits and there are drawbacks. But the issue isn’t about the tool. It’s about the user. Here’s a quick task that every reader can do...
List the various social media applications and tools that you use in your daily work life and then rank them in order of importance to you. If you could keep only one of them, which would it be, and why? Now ask yourself which tool helps you to accomplish the widest variety of tasks on a regular basis. Have you chosen the same tool as the one you couldn’t live without? I’m willing to bet that, after doing this, most people will find that their “I can’t live without” tool is not necessarily the tool that helps them to accomplish the widest variety of tasks, but it’s incredibly important to achieving success in their single top-priority task.
If the next dream you dreamed predicted your future, what would you dream?
Social media has more potential distractions than an email inbox, and these can become a huge problem if the user doesn’t take a step back to analyse and optimise their social media workflow to be productive. Taking the time to see the forest for the trees; analysing how social media tools are being utilised; and then making the most of the opportunities afforded by selective and efficient use; everyone can derive maximum benefit. But social media can be a double-edged sword, and it’s up to the user to determine how it all plays out. Until next month ... happy surfing!
Let us know what you think! Email us at hello@citypageskuwait.com. Your answer could be published in our next issue.
INSIGHT FOOD & TRAVEL
August August2010 2010
John MacArthur
Food, Glorious Food D
avid Chang is the New York restaurant world’s equivalent of Tiger Woods brandishing a spatula in place of a threeiron. He’s marvelled at like nobody’s business. Why? Because the food is out of sight and you can’t get a reservation at his twelve-seater restaurant, Momofuku Ko (yes, twelve, online only at exactly 10am for anytime the following week) for love, money, wealth, power or privilege. Fickle - and rich - New York foodies are one thing; lunch at Ko’s costs $175 and you are advised to allocate at least three hours. An entire nation is quite another and today we are not in New York City. The French have a completely different attitude to food than almost any other nation on the planet. For them, the consumption of food is not so much to do with stoking the metabolic boilers; it is an event, like a concerto or the unveiling of a painting from the hand of a master. Sitting down to eat with a group of knowledgeable French people is a tutorial. They talk about the food they ate yesterday, the course they are currently enjoying and they wax lyrical with expectation about the course following the
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one they are currently enjoying. Much as one might talk about a great concert one has heard, or an iconic film, they discuss food. They wave arms, forks and pieces of bread as if conducting invisible orchestras. They interrupt each other, reach over the table and tear bread from a baguettetraditionand use it to illustrate a particularly vital remark about saucehollandaise orcrème brulée. Let us be clear, a lot of absolute nonsense is written, talked about and photographed where food is concerned. Endless books are written, the chef du jour is feted, adored and lionised. But there is very little that engages the senses as completely, as satisfyingly, as sitting down to French country cuisine prepared by someone who really knows what they are doing. This has been my privilege over the last few weeks; let all and sundry howl with jealous rage. I am in France for the entire summer, ostensibly to write, but have found myself the guest of a cook, author and food stylist who positively loves her job. Noёmie André has written several books which are engaging in their accessibility, with beautiful, mouth-watering photographs. She writes for the man or woman in their
own kitchen, who wants to prepare well- constructed menus without frills or the faddish technique of the moment. She prepares food for photography in journals, magazines and books, as well as for short videos for French cookery channels on TV. During a break from filming which was shot in her own kitchen in the country to take advantage of the natural light, she and I sat down together in her kitchen to talk about food. She is witty, engaging, with an infectious, silvery laugh, which draws you in to share her passion, her bubbling enthusiasm for the contents on the stove. As usual, she cooked as she talked. She has small, fast hands which can chop vegetables without looking into perfect cubes or halfmoons, and eyes that flicker endlessly over the kitchen, tasting a sauce here, adding something there. I counted four separate dishes in preparation during our interview., and she just made it look so effortless. She has the countrywoman’s confidence with game or meat, and has no need of the butcher to prepare her meat for her – she can do a better job herself. Wherever she goes, she is invited to cook, so the knives and sharpener always travel with her.She is expert in and an inveterate collector of wayside herbs and plants which she will use in salads or garnishes. She told me about the warm South where she grew up. Her father was a Forest Ranger in the Cevennes and the family was poor but well-fed. Indeed, her grandparents only ever spent money on clothing and shoes – the land provided everything else for them.
INSIGHT
Tell me, who taught you to cook? My mother! Who else! I can’t really remember the first meal I cooked – she trusted me with knives, pans and hot stoves since I was tall enough to see over the range. Before freezers, we canned, dried and stored food for winter, tomatoes, beans, apples, whatever. I learned how to recognise edible mushrooms from a very early age. Wild food is still very important for my cooking. The woods around Paris are full of natural and largely hidden wonders. So, it would be true to say that you are self- taught. Has this handicapped your career in any way? Almost certainly not. French classical training is a base from which we all came, rather like learning music. My mother taught me mastery of the fundamentals so now with many years of experience, I don’t have to worry about technique so I can have fun with the food. I’m very fortunate; I have travelled widely and lived abroad, so it’s natural for me to think about fusion techniques from different cultures. I think it’s true to say that many highly trained male chefs here are still very imperious and demanding, and there has been a trend in recent times where women, who tend to be calmer and less stressed in the kitchen, have achieved considerable success. Food prepared under stress tends to communicate to the people eating it – they seem less satisfied, somehow.
August 2010
eat with friendsI have found myself returning to simplicity and well-established, trustworthy methods which have stood the test of time. I find that people appreciate it. Keeping it simple then – could you share a simple recipe idea that anyone – even me – could make? Sure. Take one medium avocado and one ripe pear per person. Peel and slice them. Arrange them in a fan shape on individual plates. Squeeze the juice of a lemon over them. Using the tips of your fingers, rub together two ounces of blue Roquefort cheese and two ounces of plain flour. Crumble this on to a sheet of baking paper and cook for ten minutes at 1800C. Sprinkle, add a few drops of olive oil, serve, enjoy. Voilá! What’s for lunch? Duck breasts stuffed with foie grass and potatoes cooked in duck fat. You look to me like a meat and potatoes man. I am indeed. It really doesn’t get much better than this…
Has your cooking style changed as you have become older? Yes, it has. Young chefs are keen to show off their skills and can produce marvellous, flamboyant dishes, perfectly prepared and presented. As I have gotten older, techniques when I cook and
Noёmie André
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13CUPS.COM
INSIGHT COOKING
August 2010
RECIPES FROM 13CUPS.COM
By: Basma Al-Musallam
Chicken Pot Pie
Recipe: 1. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Puff Pastry 2. 250 ml milk about 1/2 a cup flour about 1/2 cup of water 1 maggie cube salt, papper, curry powder,
Pasta – Ziti Tagliati Imitation.
Ingredients: 1. Penne Pasta ( I used whole wheat, organic pasta)
Lemon Pudding cake.
Directions: you start with creaming the butter, sugar, egg yolks, and lemon rind
Mushroom Rice
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paprika, whatever you feel like adding.. cinnamon would work as well. 7. veggies: anything you want, mushrooms, carrot, broccoli, cauliflower.. I used carrots and cauliflower this time 8. 1 medium onion 9. 2-3 garlic cloves. 10. skinless boneless chicken breast 11.1-2 TBS of butter 12. oil Directions: 1. you start with cutting the chicken breast into squares. bring a ziplock bag, put the chicken and flour together. lock it and start shaking
untill all the pieces are coated with flour.
6. add the milk and keep stirring till you reach the desired consistency.
2. in a pot, saute onions until they’re translucent. add the garlic, spices and maggie cube
7. remove them from the heat and drop them in individual mugs and cover them with puff pastry.
3. keep stirring and add the veggies. if you feel like its about to burn, add a bit of water
I didn’t want to make individual servings so I just made one for me and put the rest in a baking dish. cut strips of the pasrty and press them on the edges. this will prevent the pastry from falling off. then cover the tray or mug with a puff pastry. press the edges with a fork and keep it in the oven for about 20 minutes (heat: 200 or 220 degree)
4. keep stirring, add the butter then drop the ziplock content into the pot. 5. keep stirring until you no longer see the white flour. again, don’t let it burn or get too thick.
2. 1 Can of tomatoes, pitted, skinned and chopped. if it already has salt, then please be careful when adding the salt. 3. Salt, as your preference. 4. Black pepper 5. About 300 grams of Mascarpone cheese (I swear its the last time I use this ingredient this month ;p) 6. 1 Medium onion 7. 1 Clove of garlic 8. A pinch of Curry 9. Olive Oil 10. Oregano (crushed) 11. Crushed chili pepper
12. maggie cube (optional) 13. Parmesan cheese
4. Let it simmer for 10 minutes or so
8. take the pasta and mix it with the sauce then add Parmesan cheese and olive oil on top.
together. when it all blends together it will become so silky and fluffy you just want to dive into it and live there forever. then add the flour, a pinch of baking soda and a pinch of baking powder. when its all combined together, add the lemon juice and milk.
degree).
more, like 60% of the stick)
I’m doing a tiny experiment on the side. once the first batch is baked, i’ll add the picture and exact recipe :)
7. as much lemon rind as you want.
Recipe:
flavors intensified and its half a
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
cake, half a pudding.. sooo gooood
in another bowl, beat the egg whites until it forms peaks, then fold it to the mixture. then bake it for 3035 minutes in a water bath. (180 Ingredients: 1. Fresh Mushroom 2. Onions 3. Garlic 4. Salt 5. Pepper 6. Maggie Cube 7. olive oil and pepper I added a pinch of hot curry powder :) Directions: 1. in a pot, melt the butter with olive oil and saute the onions
Directions: 1. Saute` the onions with olive oil until they’re translucent. 2. Add the garlic and spices (don’t burn the garlic, if you feel they’re being burned, add a splash of water) 3. Add the tomato puree and keep mixing until the tomatoes change in color a bit. Crush the oregano with your hands and add it to your sauce.
3 eggs 3/4 cup caster sugar 3/4 cup milk 1/3 cup flour 1/4 cup lemon juice half a butter stick (I added a bit
2. add the salt, pepper, maggie cube and keep stirring 3. add the garlic and try not to burn it :) 4. every now and then add a bit of water and keep stirring 5. once all the flavors are combined together, add the mascarpone cheese and keep stirring until its all combined together and has a creamy texture. 6. in another pot, either boil rice or
then turn off the heat 5. Mix the mascarpone cheese until you feel its pink enough or has the right taste for you 6. Add the crushed chili peppers and let it sit in the pot. 7. In another pot, boil the pasta with a hand full of salt until they’re cooked to your preference. drain the pasta and pour cold water to stop the cooking process and drizzle some olive oil on it.
I added about half a table spoon. Trial #1:without egg white: the
but heavy. next time, I’ll make smaller servings Trial #2: with egg white: much fluffier, lighter flavor. pasta, they all work very well with this recipe. add more water than you need so that you use the water for the sauce. (the starch in the water prevents the sauce from becoming very liquidy) 7. once the rice or pasta is done, drain the water if its pasta and mix it with the sauce.
INSIGHT
August 2010
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INSIGHT AUTOMOTIVE
August 2010
Paul Tunbridge
The Rolls are no longer stale! For more than one hundred years, the marque of Rolls Royce has represented class, style, elegance, and something that’s just a little bit special in the motoring world. I recall, as a child, looking in awe at photos of the classic models produced in the early 1900s, and growing up with the wonderfully regal Silver Cloud model of the 1960s. To me, they were the embodiment of what a true Rolls Royce should be. But then something terrible happened. I think it was called “the seventies”. With the rapid advance of engineering and technology, and an increase in wealth and living standards, cars started to become more affordable and the supply more plentiful, but the designs were lacking in true beauty. This was the era of the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow which, in my opinion, was a pretty bland design in the shape of a few boxes. Yes, it had the distinctive radiator grille with the “Spirit of Ecstasy” sitting atop; yes,
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INSIGHT
August 2010
it was graced with a luxurious interior; yes, it was powerful but quiet; and yes, it had all the features expected of a Rolls Royce; but (and it’s a big ‘but’) I don’t think it looked particularly special. If I’m honest, I think it looked like a stretched version of the Ford Cortina Mk.II that had swamped the streets in the mid-to-late sixties, and which had instantly appealed to the masses. The fact that so many of these are still around is testament to the build quality and longevity of a Rolls Royce, but also renders them a little too common to be special. And, worse still, they started to become known more colloquially as “Rollers”. Two of my cousins, who live in London, still run around town in their Silver Shadows and treat them as nothing more than cars in which to go to the shops! Can you imagine parking one of these old “Rollers” in the car park at Lulu’s? To me, this was not Rolls Royce’s finest hour and, with the onset of troubles in the motor industry, I had begun to wonder if they would ever return to their former glory. But with a change of ownership and BMW in control of the purse strings, it was a treat to see a return to more traditional values, and in the guise of a truly modern design, when the new Phantom was launched in 2003. At first sight, the Phantom was an awesome automobile, and would clearly be a number one choice for transporting Royalty and Heads of State. In all its variants the Phantom remains a superbly impressive car, but last year welcomed its remarkable baby brother into the world when, in September 2009, the new Rolls Royce Ghost was formally launched. The traditional “Silver” is now omitted from its name, which instantly gives the Ghost a clean, fresh and modern feel. Alan Sheppard, head of interior design, claims that “Ghost is designed to be an escape from the outside world” and, when you take a look at the lush cockpit and passenger compartment, you realise that Alan must be an experienced and talented escape artist! When I first looked at the pictures, I must admit that all I could see was a car that I could easily have mistaken for a Rover 900 – albeit a larger version - but seeing it in the flesh brings home the true grandeur of the Ghost. For those petrolheads amongst you who like the facts and figures that are listed in brochures, I shall simply relate that the Ghost is powered by a new 6.6 litre twin-turbo V12 engine, featuring direct injection, which produces 563bhp – that’s enough to propel the Ghost from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, and onwards to
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a top speed of 250 km/h. Thus the Ghost is the most powerful car that Rolls Royce Motor Cars has ever produced. Now, as if all that wasn’t enough to satisfy the high-end of the motoring public demand, the German-based, top-end tuning and customising house Kourash Mansory has introduced a couple of limited edition versions of the latest Rolls Royce concept. The first of these – known as the Extreme Rolls Royce Ghost - was launched at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, and is quite simply an abomination in lurid gold and blue paint! In keeping with Rolls Royce’s racing pedigree, Mansory has boosted the power of the Extreme Ghost to 720bhp to produce a top speed of 309 km/h, but has really lost the plot on its interior and paint treatments, which can only be described as vulgar and crass. The colours may look good on a Subaru Imprezza (and okay, I shall sheepishly admit to having had one of those back in the UK a few years ago) but that’s where those colours should stay ... this is a Rolls Royce, for goodness sake! In sharp contrast to their Extreme Ghost, the second offering from Mansory is the White Ghost Limited which is altogether more sophisticated, luxurious and elegant. The modifications are more subtle, and Mansory describes the interior as “an oasis of luxury” although, of course, that is a matter of personal preference. Each of the limited editions are available now from Mansory at a cost of around 50,000KD (for the White Ghost) ON TOP OF the price of a standard Ghost (which retails at around 106,000KD bit, if you have deep pockets and are interested in buying one of these, you will need to visit the nearest Mansory dealer ... which is in Switzerland! On the other hand a standard Ghost is, in reality, anything but standard and will be hand-built to each customer’s specification within around 4 months, according to leading Rolls Royce dealership Ali Alghanim & Sons, who have already sold five Ghosts. In conclusion I would suggest that, after a pretty dull end to the twentieth century, this Ghost has brought Rolls Royce back to life.
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August 2010
INSIGHT ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
U.S. TOP 40 1
Love The Way You Lie Eminem & Rihanna
11
Alejandro Lady Gaga
21
DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love Usher
2
California Gurls Katy Perry
12
Round & Round Selena Gomez
22
Misery Maroon 5
3
Airplanes B.o.B
13
Power Kanye West
23
Not Afraid Eminem
4
Dynamite Taio Cruz
14
Break Your Heart Taio Cruz
24
Got Your Back T.I. & Keri Hilson
5
OMG Usher & Will.i.am
15
Never Say Never Justin Bieber & Jaden Smith
25
Need You Now Lady Antebellum
6
Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready) Alicia Keys
16
No Love Eminem
26
Your Love Is My Drug Ke$ha
7
Find Your Love Drake
17
There Goes My Baby Usher
27
Faithfully Glee Cast
8
Hey, Soul Sister Train
18
Somebody To Love Justin Bieber
28
Jar Of Hearts Christina Perri
9
Billionaire Travie McCoy & Bruno Mars
19
Lover, Lover Jerrod Niemann
29
Rain Is A Good Thing Luke Bryan
10
Miss Me Drake & Lil Wayne
20
American Honey Lady Antebellum
30
Ride Ciara & Ludacris
31
Beautiful Day Lee Dewyze
32
Pray For You Jaron And The Long Road To Love
33
Breakeven Script
34
If We Ever Meet Again Timbaland & Katy Perry
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Gettin' Over You David Guetta & Chris Willis
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My First Kiss 3oh3
37
Hello Good Morning Diddy - Dirty Money
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Free Zac Brown Band
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All I Do Is Win DJ Khaled
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Secrets OneRepublic
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INSIGHT ENTERTAINMENT MOVIE REVIEW
David Miadovnik
D
Andy and each other. Over the years, their strong friendship has grown into the loving bond of a family.
isney/Pixar’s Toy Story franchise has always been garnered as a milestone in the history of animation. Fifteen years ago the iconic duo of Woody and Buzz Lightyear starred in the first ever computer-animated movie, and ever since then, the world has been happily struggling with its addiction to cartoons in three dimensions. Though this review might be coming out late, it is one that must be written, and not just because Toy Story 3 is the conclusion to a beloved and nostalgic trilogy. To be brief and blunt, Toy Story 3 is a wonderful film that completely blows its predecessors out of the water, being just as exciting as it is heartfelt. Story Andy is now 17 years old and will soon be departing for college, and as he packs all of his belongings away, he is confronted with the dilemma of what to do with his favourite childhood playthings. Many of Andy’s toys audiences may remember from the first two films, like Woody’s girlfriend Bo Peep, are now gone, either thrown away during spring cleaning or sold at yard sales. The only ones remaining are Woody the cowboy, Buzz the space ranger, Jesse the cowgirl, Bullseye the horse, Rex the dinosaur, Slinky the dog, Hamm the piggybank, the Potato Heads, and their trio of adopted, threeeyed, alien children. The toys have idled for years in a toy chest and now face the day of uncertainty they all knew was coming but had always dreaded: will they be stored in the attic or thrown away like purposeless junk? Out of all the toys, Andy selects Woody to accompany him to college as a keepsake from home, while the rest will be kept in the attic. Howbeit, misfortune
steps in and the attic-bound toys find themselves on the curb trying to escape from a garbage bag. Convinced of Andy’s abandonment of them and unwilling to listen to Woody’s explanation of events, the toys decide to sneak into Andy’s Mom’s car and stowaway in a donation box destined for Sunnyside Daycare, feeling that that would offer them the best possible future. Upon arriving at Sunnyside, the toys are warmly
A toy's love for a child is unbreakable, but children always grown up and leave behind their toys. In Toy Story 3, what comes when toys and owners part. welcomed by the daycare’s resident playthings, led by a strawberry-scented bear named Lotso. The toys think that they have stumbled on a heaven-onEarth, with only Woody believing that with Andy and not Sunnyside is their proper place. However, they soon realize that Sunnyside Daycare is far from a toy’s paradise. Rather, it is a hellish prison and the brainchild of Lotso’s emotionally scarred and twisted psyche. Analysis Arguably the darkest movie Disney has produced since The Hunchback of Notre Dame; Toy Story 3 is a significantly more mature film than its forerunners. The franchise’s subjects have morphed from the follies of simple jealousy and resentment at being upstaged by a new toy to the ending of long-lasting relationships, loss, and moving on in life. Whereas Toy Story was essentially only about Woody and Buzz, Toy Story 3 focuses more on the relationship between Andy’s last remaining toys, something only touched on in the second film. These toys have been together for a very long time and have gone through a lot of hardships both for
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The strength of this trilogy and especially of Disney and Pixar are their abilities to so eloquently and successfully humanize what are basically inanimate objects. Audiences feel the love these toys have for one another and their owner, their fear of losing that love, and the crushing sense of helplessness and rejection that comes when a child no longer needs his toys. The first film introduced these themes, the second expanded on and sharpened them, and Toy Story 3 perfected them. With such a great conclusion to an already splendid trilogy, is there any room for flaws? Yes, but they are few and all forgivable, not worth going into extensively. 1. Spanish Buzz: Buzz is accidently and pointlessly set into Spanish mode for a brief moment in the movie. Why? Comic relief is the best explanation, either that or the “Dora the Explorer Effect.” 2. Barbie’s Fate: Andy’s toys are donated to Sunnyside along with a Barbie doll that use to belong to Andy’s little sister. Barbie is separated from Andy’s toys at Sunnyside immediately before the climax and is never shown again. 3. Sunnyside Daycare: When all is said and done, have Andy’s toys made Sunnyside a better place? This is never answered. Conclusion While Toy Story may not have been the first movie to feature living toys as its protagonists, the whole franchise has taken the idea to entirely new levels, really making the concept its own and taking it to greater emotional depths and dimensions than ever thought worthwhile. For going to infinity and beyond, Toy Story 3 gets a rating of 9/10.
August 2010
INSIGHT ENTERTAINMENT HOLLYWOOD MOVIES
Nanny McPhee Returns The Last Exorcism
Directed by: Susanna White Starring:Emma Thompson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ralph Fiennes, Maggie Smith, Rhys Ifans, Asa Butterfield In "Nanny McPhee 2," Oscar速winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson returns to the role of the magical nanny who appears when she's needed the most and wanted the least in the next chapter of the hilarious and heartwarming fable that has enchanted children around the world. In the latest installment, Nanny McPhee appears at the door of a harried young mother, Mrs. Isabel Green who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war.
Directed by: Daniel Stamm Starring: Patrick Fabian, Ashley Bell, Iris Bahr, Louis Herthum, Jamie Alyson Caudle, Tony Bentley After a career spent helping the devout through prayer and trickery, Reverend Cotton Marcus (Patrick Fabian) invites a film crew to document his final fraudulent days as an exorcist. Soon his faith is truly tested when a desperate plea from the father of a possessed girl (Ashley Bell) brings him face to face with the devil himself.
Going the Distance Directed by: Nanette Burstein Starring:Justin Long, Drew Barrymore, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Christina Applegate, Ron Livingston Erin and Garrett are good together--even when they're apart. When aspiring journalist Erin moves to San Francisco to finish her last year of school, boyfriend Garrett , an assistant music scout, stays in Manhattan to pursue his ambitions and wait on that promotion he's been promised. With a webcam connection and frequent flier miles, the two gamely navigate the pitfalls and miscommunications of their bi-coastal romance, dodging bad advice from friends and some predatory singles who won't take "taken" for an answer.
Takers
The Lottery Ticket
Step Up 3-D
Directed by: John Luessenhop Starring: Idris Elba, Matt Dillon, Paul Walker, Hayden, Christensen, Chris Brown, Michael Ealy "Takers" takes you into the world of a notorious group of criminals who continue to baffle police by pulling off perfectly executed bank robberies. They are in and out like clockwork, leaving no evidence behind and laying low between heists. But when they attempt to pull off one last job with more money at stake than ever before, the crew may find their plans interrupted by a hardened detective who is hell-bent on solving the case.
Directed by: Erik White Starring: Bow Wow, Ice Cube, Brandon T. Jackson, Natari Naughton, Keith David, Loretta Devine Kevin Carson (Bow Wow), a young man living in the projects, wins $370 million in a nationwide lottery. When his opportunistic neighbors discover he has the winning ticket in his possession, Kevin must survive their greedy and sometimes even threatening actions over a three-day holiday weekend before he can claim his prize.
Directed by: Jon Chu Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Jeff Goldblum, Patrick Wilson Adam G. Sevani, Sharni Vinson, Christopher Scott, Harry Shum Jr. When the Maryland School of the Arts goes to Paris for an international dance competition, one of the dancers - Moose - misses his flight back to Baltimore. He soon makes friends with an American away from home and a beautiful French sophisticate. They introduce Moose to the red-hot Parisian underground dance scene, and before long he is wowing the local dancers with his unique moves as they prepare for an underground dance competition.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Directed by: Edgar Wright Starring:Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans, Brandon Routh Scott Pilgrim has never had a problem getting a girlfriend. It's getting rid of them that proves difficult. From the girl who kicked his heart's ass-and now is back in town--to the teenage distraction he's trying to shake when Ramona rollerblades into his world, love hasn't been easy. He soon discovers, however, his new crush has the most unusual baggage of all: a nefarious league of exes controls her love life and will do whatever it takes to eliminate him as a suitor.
Piranha 3D Directed by: Alexandre Aja Starring:Elisabeth Shue, Jerry O'Connell, Adam Scott, Ving Rhames, Jessica Szohr, Steve McQueen "Piranha 3D", in the latest eyepopping 3D technology. A new type of terror is about to be cut loose on beautiful Lake Victoria. After a sudden underwater tremor sets free scores of the prehistoric man-eating fish, an unlikely group of strangers must band together to stop themselves from becoming fish food for the area's new razor-toothed residents. But our heroine is seriously outnumbered, and with only one chance to save the lake and her family from totally being devoured, she must risk everything to destroy the aquatic carnivores herself.
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INSIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
August 2010
BOLLYWOOD MOVIES
Kajraare
Aashayein
Peepli Live
Aisha
Lafangey Parindey
Directed by: Rajshree Ojha Starring: Arunoday , Abhay Deol, Sonam Kapoor, Cyrus Sahukar Singh Genres: Romance Starring Himesh Reshammiya and the Pakistani find Monalaizza, Kajraare is a romantic love story set in the backdrop of the beautiful locations that are unexplored around the globe. The movie is a romantic thriller where a young man, a lawyer, falls in love with a girl in Morroco. But, one day, under some mysterious circumstances, the girl disappears. The man sets out to find her and finally traces her, to Heera Mandi, which is a red light area in Pakistan.
Directed by: Nagesh Kukunoor Starring: John Abraham, Prateeksha Lonkar, Shreyas Talpade.. Genres: Drama Aashayein is about a gambler who discovers a new meaning to life with a series of events in his life. The movie begins with Rahul Singh, a gambler, who wins Rs. 20 million from a bet and celebrates by throwing a party. The party is on full swing. with everyone having a good time drinking and partying till the wee hours. Rahul proposes to Nafisa during the night of the party and then announces their engagement to all present. However, he collapses and is taken to the hospital.
Directed by: Anusha Rizvi Starring: Omkar Das Manikpuri, Raghuveer Yadav, Malaika Shenoy, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Shalini Vatsa This is the story of India today. Rural society, the bureaucracy, media, politics and life… After losing their plot of land over an unpaid government loan two brothers, Natha and Budhia, are hard-pressed to find a solution to their problems. A set of circumstantial encounters lead the pair to become embroiled in a chain of events that thrust them into the sudden spotlight of media attention. With elections around the corner what would otherwise have been common fare turns into a ‘cause celebre’ with everybody wanting a piece of the action.
Directed by: Rajshree Ojha Starring: Abhay Deol, Sonam Kapoor, Cyrus Sahukar, Arunoday Singh Genres: Comedy Aisha is a girl with a simple diktat everyone's business is her business. Arjun is a boy with even a simpler set of beliefs - Aisha should mind her own business. Caught in the Delhi upper class world with its own set of social rules, Aisha navigates her world with a great sense of style and even greater optimism. Caught in her web are her best friend Pinky, the small town girl Shefali, the west Delhi boy Randhir and the hunk Dhruv. Aisha will make sure everyone dances to her tune. And all Arjun wants to do is disentangle that web and get Aisha out of an impending sticky mess. Who will succeed and who will succumb?
Directed by: Pradeep Sarkar Starring:Neil Nitin Mukesh, Deepika Padukone Genres: Comedy, Romance
Hello Darling
Life Express
Allah Ke Banday
Directed by: Manoj Tiwari Starring:Celina Jaitley, Gul Panag, Eesha Koppikhar, Javed Jaffrey. Genres: Comedy Three heroines and one villain and yet they all play heroes! This contemporary comedy is a story of three working girls that bond together in a posh office of Mumbai, though each one of them belongs to a different stratum of society. The biggest issue they face now is in their own work place – It is headed by their smart boss played by JAAVED JAFFERY – a chronic playboy. He is smart. They have to be smarter.
Directed by: Anup Das Starring:Divya Dutta, Rituparna Sengupta, Alok Nath Genres: Drama
Directed by: Farooque Kabir Starring: Naseeruddin Shah, Sharman Joshi, Anjana Sukhani Genres: Drama
Life Express” is a film based on the dilemmas faced by two women from two different strata of society. It is a passionate and encapsulating story of an urban educated couple, Tanvi and Nikhil, and their successful fast-paced life and their need for parenthood and it is also a story of Gouri and Mohan, who live a life far from the din and bustle of the city, far from the one lived by Tanvi and Nikhil, and their need for wealth
Allah Ke Banday is a film that spans the life of two twelve year old boys living in one of the most ruthless slums of India. From delivering drugs for the Mafia to looting people with their transvestite friend, the two aspire to assert their position in this world of crime. But when they are wrongly convicted for a murder and sent to the Juvenile Reformatory, they discover a World More Chaotic and Tough to survive in, than the One they left behind.
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A dash of style with loads of attitude and a hunger to reach the stars, Lafangey Parindey is about a group of youngsters living in the backstreets of Mumbai. It is an unusual love story of Nandu and Pinky whose path to love is paved by friendship, grit and hope. Lafangey Parindey. Two different personalities. Two different lives. Destined to meet.
INSIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
August 2010
BOOK RELEASES
The Island Elin Hilderbrand
The Search Nora Roberts
Faithful Place Tana French
The Island by Elin Hilderbrand is a beach read about a wealthy and dysfunctional family. The women of the Cousins, led by recently divorced mother, Birdie Cousins, spend time together on Tuckernuck, a private island near Nantucket, after the eldest daughter breaks off her engagement, hooks up with a married man and the finds out her ex-fiancĂŠ has died. A hunky handy man on the island adds some steam to the novel.
The Search by Nora Roberts is about Fiona Bristow, a professional canine search-and-rescue trainer who barely escaped being killed by a serial killer several years ago. When a new cabinetmaker moves to the island where she has found refuge, bringing a puppy with him, romance begins to blossom. Then a new serial killer starts to strike nearby, and Fiona is afraid she won't be able to escape this time.
Faithful Place by Tana French is the third novel of the Dublin Murder Squad. Faithful Place is an area of Dublin where Frank Mackey grew up. At nineteen, he and his fiancĂŠe made secret plans to elope to England. When she didn't show up, he assumed she had dumped him. Twenty-two years later, her suitcase is found behind a fireplace in Faithful Place, and a murder investigation begins. Frank is now a detective, and he returns from England to find the truth.
Fly Away Home Jennifer Weiner
Linger Maggie Stiefvater
The Rembrandt Affair Daniel Silva
Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner is the story of a mother and two daughters who take refuge together at a beach house after their husband/father, who is a prominent senator, has an affair that puts them all in the spotlight. The three women all reexamine their lives for different reasons, and they finally learn to relate to each other.
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater is the follow up to Shiver, and another young adult supernatural romance series. In Linger, Sam and Grace must fight to be together, dealing with Sam's werewolf past. They also must contend with a new wolf who threatens the whole pack.
In The Rembrandt Affair by Daniel Silva, Gabriel Allon is trying to leave his former life behind and live in seclusion with his wife, but the theft of a rare Rembrandt and a request from a friend and art dealer draws him back into a fight between good and evil. Allon tracks the painting around the world, and learns that there are secrets and danger attached to it. This is a summer thriller.
Star Island Carl Hiaasen Star Island by Carl Hiaasen is another satirical mystery that will keep pages turning but doesn't take itself too seriously. Twenty-twoyear-old Cherry Pye has been a star since she was 14. She is planning a comeback after her latest drug and alcohol induced hiatus. Ann DeLusia is Cherry's "stunt double" -- she portrays Cherry in public whenever Cherry is too wasted to go out herself. When Ann is kidnapped by someone who thinks they have Cherry, Cherry's entourage must track her down before the public finds out the truth.
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INSIGHT GADGETS
August 2010
Eraser USB Stick attempts to raise awareness
Wedding ring can function as a crude projector Most married people have a reminder of their commitment on their finger, and should have at least one wedding photo. What if you could have both of those in the same place?
This Eraser USB Stick has a quirky design, but a serious message. It was made to help people to remember how hard it is for those going through Alzheimer’s, while also reminding you of the importance of your own precious memories. With such a serious message, it might be enough to remind you to back up those picture files you’ve been meaning to deal with. This is a design that was created in New Zealand for those that live in New Zealand. These were sent off to local politicians and organizations along with a letter to help raise awareness of their Alzheimer’s charity. Thus far these seem to have worked pretty well and have gotten a positive response in that part of the world. It’s a great creative idea and it’s even better that they’re doing it for a good cause. There’s no word if there’s somewhere to purchase these online so far.
That’s right, it is a wedding ring with a photo inside. This picture will give you an idea of how small the photo is, but it will get bigger if you shine a light through it. In fact, you can project an image on the wall. My source does not have a measurement of how large the image is, nor how much light is required to make this projection. Best of all, you don’t have to just stick with one picture. The ring has the option of switching out slides, but they must be pretty tiny slides.
Watermelon cooler It’s summer in my part of the world, and spontaneous picnics are happening everywhere. I can’t think of anything better for a picnic than a watermelon. The problem is that it is tough to transport a watermelon to your picnic. Not only are they heavy, but their smooth rind and curvaceous shape make them easy to slip out from underneath the arm. I suppose you could put them in a cooler, but they are often so big that they don’t fit. Someone at the picnic always gets “watermelon duty”, and is forced to lug the melon around. By the time that it is eaten, it is usually lukewarm, not as good as when it comes from the fridge. Imagine if you could easily transport your watermelon, and had someplace cool to store them in. That is apparently the premise behind this Japanese device that you see here. As you can see, you just lift the lid, and put in the melon and tote it around like rolling luggage.
Microsoft introduces new Xbox 360 4GB bundle Microsoft has just announced a brand new way to spend your summer, and they don’t want you to do it outdoors. No sir, the big M prefers you to use up most of your waking time indoors thanks to a new controller-free way of playing video games with their spanking new Kinect system which will come bundled with an all-new Xbox 360 6GB console. Of course, what is the point of having all the hardware in the world when you do not have any software to go along with it? Microsoft has certainly not overlooked that fact, and will be rolling out “Kinect Adventures” packaged together in the bundle, retailing for $299.99 a pop.
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INSIGHT AirTurn turns sheet music electronically
August 2010
Turning pages while playing a musical instrument takes almost as much talent as it takes to learn to play an instrument in the first place. If you’ve switched to reading music on your laptop or iPad there is a way to make it easer to deal with pages. Sadly this little page turning gadget won’t actually help you turn those paper pages that can be so troublesome.
Light Switch Timer shuts off at set times Usually when I leave town there are certain lights that I’ll leave on in the house. The bad part about that is that it means I’m using energy all day long when the lights really don’t need to be on. Instead of going that route you could have a light switch that’s programmed to come on at a paticular time and then shuts off at the time of your choosing. It’ll help give the appearance that you’re home. You could also set the light up in your bedroom if you wake up while the sun is still down to help you drag yourself out of bed.
Dock turns iPhone into slot machine Even those that know absolutely nothing about the current technology knows about the iPhone’s notorious apps for absolutely everything. Well now even the apps are getting their own accessories. This Jackpot Slot appcessory will turn your iPhone into a miniature slot machine. You’ll get that same feel you get at the casino, just without all of those fun coins spilling out of the bottom of the machine.
MamaRoo Bouncer helps nurture baby geeks Think Geek has long been known for their quirky and very geeky items, but they’re line just for kids seems to just keep getting better and better. Now you can make your baby look like a galactic superhero in training. Of course they won’t be able to appreciate that so much until they’re older, but it has a whole lot of other features to keep the baby happy.
Creative Labs Wireless Outdoor Rock Speaker Ordinary speakers sitting out in the yard won’t exactly blend in with the scenery. If you don’t like technology standing out in your garden, you might pick up this Creative speaker. It won’t exactly fool people into thinking it’s a real rock, especially if they bump into it. However, it will keep your patio from looking like it’s cluttered with technology.
Flip Clock spells it out Clocks are full of all sorts of numbers, which does the job perfectly fine. Except that it’s pretty boring to always read time the same old way. Instead of just glancing at numbers, you can read the words. It’s the perfect gift for the wordsmith or scholar in your life. After all, normal clocks are much better suited for the mathematicians of the world that actually enjoy staring at numbers.
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INSIGHT KIDSPAGES
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1. A razor is a device for removing hair from the skin. In 1901, an American invented the safety razor which had a thin steel blade protected by a guard. Who invented it? a) Issac Meritt Singer c) Thomas Edison
b) William Henry Fox Talbot d) King C. Gillette
2. If you look at the tip of your fingers, you will find a pattern of thin lines. What are they called? a) Grooves c) Finger lines
b) Finger prints d) Impression
3. It is also called the voice box of our body - a clever piece of equipment that makes us laugh, cry, shout and talk. What is it? a) Pharynx c) Abdomen
b) Oesophagus d) Larynx
4. What are goose bumps? a) Bumps on the body of a goose b) Bumps on our tongue c) Bumps on our body d) A goose delicacy 5. Sometimes we get hiccups. Which part of our body is responsible for the sound of a hiccup? a) Stomach a) Lungs
b) Throat d) Heart
6. When the oxygen level in our brain drops and the carbon dioxide level rises, what do we do? a) Eat c) Run
b) Drink water d) Yawn
7. X-rays are invisible waves of electromagnetic radiation. They can travel through the human body. A lot of diseases can be easily detected with the help of X-rays. In 1895 a German scientist discovered it. Name him. a) Wilhelm Rontgen c) Orville Wright
b) Linus Yale d) Eli Whitney
8. We use zips today to fasten our clothes, shoes and bags, among other things. In 1893, an American invented the zipper as a fastening for boots. It was only in the 1920s that these fasteners came to be used in clothes too. Who invented it? a) James Watt c) Whitcomb Jutson
b) Charles Macintosh d) Leonardo da Vinci
Answers: 1.d, 2.b, 3.d, 4.c, 5.b, 6.d, 7.a, 8.c 66
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Snow White
INSIGHT
August 2010
And The Seven Dwarfs Snow White was the daughter of a beautiful queen, who died when the girl was young. Her father married again, but the girl’s stepmother was very jealous of her because she was so beautiful. The evil queen ordered a hunter to kill Snow White but he couldn’t do it because she was so lovely. He chased her away instead, and she took refuge with seven dwarfs in their house in the forest. She lived with the dwarfs and took care of them and they loved her dearly. Then one day the evil queen was told by her talking mirror that Snow White was still alive, and she changed herself into a witch and made a poisoned apple. She went to the dwarfs house disguised as an old woman and tempted Snow White to eat the poisoned apple, which put her into an everlasting sleep. Finally, a prince found her in the glass coffin where the dwarfs had put her and woke her up with a kiss. Snow White and the prince were married and lived happily ever after. Write a fairy tale of your own. Send it to us. • Take turns with a friend drawing straight lines to connect two apples horizontally or vertically.
Apple Box Game
• If your line completes a box, write the first letter of your name inside of it • After all the boxes are filled out, write down your total points on the score card below. The person with the most points wins!
POINTS Completed box = 1 point Box with mirror = 3 point Score You ..............................
Friend ...........................
Points
Points
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INSIGHTRELEASES PRESS
August 2010
ExxonMobil and LoYAC help shape Kuwait’s leaders of tomorrow ExxonMobil Exploration and Production Kuwait Limited announced that it has partnered with Lothan Youth Achievement Center (LoYAC), making a significant donation to Kuwait’s leading non-profit organization that works on developing professional, leadership, and competitive skills in students between the ages of 6 and 28. Established in 2002, LoYAC aims to empower high school and college students with the skills needed to grow into highly effective leaders by engaging them in leadership programs, self-reliance programs, and team work initiatives in cooperation with leading global companies in the private sector. Since 2006, ExxonMobil has been a supporter of LoYAC by offering students internship opportunities with international perspectives in the oil and gas sector, the leading sector in Kuwait. ExxonMobil’s donation will help support LoYAC’s self development programs that aim at engaging Kuwait’s youth in their field of interest and become the leaders of tomorrow. ExxonMobil Kuwait President, John Hoholick, said: “We believe in the importance that educational initiatives and self-development programs have on building the youth of today to become a generation of leaders for tomorrow, which is why we continuously invest in engaging young minds in their field of interest and especially in math and science. LoYAC continues to play a very active role in building Kuwait’s future leaders. We are proud to be an active LoYAC partner and look forward to further collaboration in the future.” LoYAC Vice Chairperson and Managing Director, Mrs. Fareah Al Saqqaf said, "We are honored to have ExxonMobil partner with us this year after several years of continuous support. It is very exciting to have international companies in Kuwait invest in local talents and offer opportunities that will lead them through their professional careers.” In Kuwait, ExxonMobil is an active supporter of youth educational programs and social activities, providing opportunities for students to expand their knowledge and capabilities in math and science as well as supporting social initiatives that contribute in raising health and social awareness in the community. ExxonMobil Kuwait is a founder of the annual Kuwait Science Fair competition, Kuwait's largest math and science competition launched in 2008. The company also organizes yearly educational trips for students, and for the last two years, about 40 students have visited Qatar’s LNG projects. This year, ExxonMobil launched the “ExxonMobil Science Trip Essay Competition” in which students at Bayan Bilingual School were required to write about what they deem as the most significant scientific achievement that has taken place in the last decade, defend its significance by arguing its impact on society and its effect on people’s daily lives. Finalists were rewarded a five-day trip to London in April 2010, to visit Imperial College, one of the UK’s most prestigious universities, in addition to ExxonMobil’s UK refinery.
Gulf Bank Shares the Joy of the Young Divers’ Return from the 22nd Memorial Journey for Pearl Diving Families celebrating the return of their sons in a traditional Kuwaiti ceremony
(right to left) Mr. Fawzy Al Thunayan, General Manager of Board Affairs at Gulf Bank with Mr. Mohamed Al Kandari, the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs holding the Kuwaiti flag and the Governor of Hawally, Retired Lieutenant, Mr. Abdullah Al- Faris.
Divers showcasing their pearls on the dhow sponsored by Gulf Bank
Gulf Bank has hailed the successful conclusion of the 22nd Memorial Journey for Pearl Diving, which it proudly sponsored. The 15 fully crewed dhows, with over 180 divers on board, sailed from Kuwait on 15th of July, and returned safely on the 24th of July to a traditional reception and an enthusiastic welcome by families, friends and well-wishers. The closing day ceremony, also called ‘Youm Al-Quffal’ in Arabic, was attended by Mohamed Al Kandari, the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs on behalf of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of Kuwait. The ceremony was also attended by the Governor of Hawally, Retired Lieutenant, Mr. Abdullah AlFaris and the Vice Chairman of the Sea Sport Club, Mr. Ahmad Abdullah Al Ghanim who took the opportunity of welcoming back and honoring the young Kuwaiti divers, as well as the captains of the dhows for upholding and preserving the traditional legacy of Kuwait. With the traditional tunes of a Kuwaiti band playing in the background, the divers showcased their spoils to the audience, including shells and, of course, many pearls.
Mr. Fawzy Al Thunayan, General Manager of Board Affairs at Gulf Bank with Mr. Mohamed Al Kandari, the Under Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Governor of Hawally, Retired Lieutenant, Mr. Abdullah Al- Faris congratulating the divers after their safe arrival.
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Commenting on the return of the divers, Fawzy AlThunayan, General Manager of Board Affairs at Gulf Bank said: “We are extremely proud of the young Kuwaitis who
have completed this year’s journey. The annual journey relives an iconic cultural aspect of our honorable heritage, and is an important symbol of Kuwaitis' loyalty to their homeland. The journey also serves as an encouragement for youth to understand and feel a part of our country's unique history and culture.” Gulf Bank believes that heritage and tradition must be preserved, and takes it upon itself to communicate these core values across its daily operations and extensive network of 51 branches. This is reflected in the Bank’s corporate logo, a simple reminder of Kuwait’s proud heritage and the historic journeys made by Kuwaitis in the past. The Bank has also utilized ‘Al Danah’ meaning large pearl, as the Al Danah account campaign logo. The journey, which is organized each year by the Committee of the Marine Heritage of the Kuwait Sea Sport Club, has Kuwaiti sailors using dhows to sail great distances away from their families and to dive for pearls in the traditional way. The memorial journey serves to remind new Kuwaiti generations of the difficulties and challenges faced by their forefathers in earning their living, along with a message urging these generations to uphold the traditions and values their ancestors developed during that time.
INSIGHT
August 2010
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August 2010
INSIGHT
Sketch Café-Lounge launches ORGANIC Tea this Ramadan We would like take this opportunity to convey Ramadan greetings to all city Pages readers. Sketch Café Lounge has recently launched Kazi & Kazi Tea. We are pleased to confirm that Kazi & Kazi is completely Organic Tea & has recently received USDA NOP Organic Certification. Here at Sketch we believe in offering our clientele, the best product, quality wise & health wise. Kazi & Kazi Tea is available loose & in Tea Bags with Black, Green & Tulsi infusions. To cool off the heat, we are also serving freshly made organic Iced Tea which is refreshing yet healthy. Meanwhile Sketch Café-Lounge continues to take group bookings with unlimited Wi-Fi Connection in a modern setting. For info or reservations, just txt sketch me on +965 99842878 or sketch@tempting.com Sketch Café-Lounge is located in the basement of Galleria 2000 on Salem al Mubarak Street in Salmiya
آن واحد ٍ ورحلة البحث عن الراحة واجلودة في... ايكو
حفل توزيع اجلوائز والسحب على أجهزة كمبيوتر ماك آير وذلك2010 يونيو03 أجرت شركة اليسرة فاشن وحتديدا ً إيكو يوم والتزال رحلت. وقد مت توزيع أربعة أجهزة ماك آير على الفائزين ألف مبروك لكل رابح مع إيكو،لدى محالت إيكو فرع األڤنيوز فإننا بال شك نختلف عن اآلخرين ففي حني يكون هاجس الشركات األخرى،البحث عن الراحة واجلودة في آن واحد هدفنا الوحيد اننا ال نقوم فقط.بال إستثناء هو احلذاء بحد ذاته فإن هاجسنا ياتى مختلفا ً ألنه يتعلق بقدميك وليس مجرد صناعة حذاء برحلة حول العالم بحثا ً عن أفضل املواد اخلام التى نصنع منها أحذيتنا فدورنا ال يتوقف عند هذا احلد ألننا مبجرد أن نحصل على األفضل منها فإننا ال نترك شيئا ً للصدفة أو احلظ لهذا فنحن نفضل دائما ً أن يكون لنا مدابغنا اخلاصة للجلود التى نصنع منها أحذيتنا إن اآلالت. وفوق ذلك فإننا نغطي كل أنحاء األرض بحثا ً عن املواد املبتكرة التى ميكن بالفعل أن تكون موادا ً لألحذية احلقيقية ال ميكنها أن تفعل كل شيء واأليدي كذلك ال تستطيع ولكنهما معا ًَ ميكن أن يفعال الكثير ألن وجودهما معا ً ميكن أن يصنع .أفضل جتربة للمشي كما أن إنتاج حذاء مريح ليس باألمر، إن صناعة حذاء يبدو رائعا ليس باألمر الصعب، أكثر من مجرد صناعة حذاء.... إيكو واجلدير.املعقد ولكن اجلمع بني الكيفية التى يبدو بها حذاء إيكو وشعور قدميك بهذا احلذاء يعتبر امليزة التى منتلكها دون غيرنا .بالذكر ومن خالل التحكم في كل مراحل التصنيع فإن إيكو تضمن اجلودة
من اليمني أحد ممثلي غرفة التجارة والصناعة مع مدير املاركة السيد براديب نير وفريق إيكو فرع األڤنيوز قبل .توزيع اجلوائز على الفائزين
مجموعة مراد بهبهاني تعلن اسم الرابح أعلنت مجموعة مراد يوسف بهبهاني عن إسم الرابح في مهرجان "إربح مع بهبهاني" وذلك خالل السحب الذي أقيم .2010 يوليو8 في مجمع األڤنيوز بتاريخ سعود امليرزا بجائزة قيمة من مجموعة بهبهاني عبارة عن ساعة تيسو رجالية "مايكل أوين" إصدار/هذا وقد فاز السيد .خاص باإلضافة إلى ساعة تيسو نسائية وشنطة سامسونايت كوزمواليت واحدا ً من مجموعة أنشطة،يعتبر مهرجان "إربح مع بهبهاني" الذي إستمر قرابة الشهر تزامنا ً مع مباريات كأس العالم .ستقوم مجموعة بهبهاني بتنفيذها ضمن خطتها التسويقية
Aston Martin Launches First Dealership in Oman Muscat, Oman: Signalling the company’s first dealership in Oman, British luxury sports cars brand Aston Martin has opened a new showroom in Oman’s capital, as the demand for luxury cars across the Gulf region continues unabated. Al Muhannad Al Hashar – Aston Martin Oman showroom - brings the total number of Aston Martin dealers in the GCC to seven, with the new Muscat branch located in the vibrant Al-Sarooj district. Attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony were the Chairman of the Board of Al Muhannad Al Hashar - Sheikh Al Muhannad bin Saeed Al Hashar, the CEO – Mr. Sultan Bin Surour Bin Mohammad Al Kharousi, together with senior management from the Aston Martin team. Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, said that this was the right time to be launching in Oman with strong local demand for luxury sports cars. “The new dealership in Oman is a strong stop towards our further expansion in the Middle East. Naturally, we are delighted to be represented in Oman and look forward to a successful partnership with Al Muhannad Al Hashar.” For his part, Sheikh Al Muhannad bin Saeed Al Hashar said he was delighted that his company was representing such a globally renowned brand. “Aston Martin personifies the pinnacle of the luxury sports car market and we look forward to building up a strong customer following in this country, where there is already strong interest in the brand,” he added.
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August 2010
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August Planet Overview: Impulsive emotions reign in August as the mythical
titans clash. On August 3, Jupiter and Pluto drag the warrior Mars into a power play and making a hard decision is necessary. Do not be overwhelmed by this powerful cosmic energy - take the time to weigh the positive against the negative. On August 9 a dramatic New Moon in Leo could shed light in an option that up to now has been elusive. August 16, aggressive Jupiter throws its enormous weight around once more by opposing restrictions imposed by disciplinarian Saturn. In retaliation, on August 22 Saturn flexes its own impressive muscle and you can find your center and your best path by engaging only with known allies. A Full Moon in visionary Pisces on August 24 could mark the end of what has been a problematic situation throughout the month.
A r i es
(Mar 21 – Apr 19)
Take a few risks in your love life this month. The Sun will be traveling through Leo and your romance sector until August 24. You'll be attractive and charming and able to win over anyone. A New Moon in this same area on August 9 will help you exude charisma. Jupiter and Uranus in the early degrees of your sign will continue to bring new opportunities, constant change, and plenty of excitement. However, you'll have a lot of responsibilities to others and need to live up to your commitments. If you have a partner, listen closely and respect his or her wishes.
August 2010
INSIGHT HOROSCOPES & With permission from
Josh Golden 4th August
Martha Stewart 3rd August
Cancer
(Jun 21 – Jul 22)
You'll be busy helping someone out or getting involved in a local project. Phone or e-mail your relatives, neighbors, or others in your community. This would be a good time to take a short course on a topic of interest. Watch your spending this month. The Sun in Leo and your money sector could lead to you being overly generous and making lavish purchases to impress others. With Venus and Mars in Libra, you'll be passionate and creative, especially in the home. Saturn here, too, will bring responsibilities and chores that need completion. Romance is possible with a family friend or associate.
Neil Armstrong 5th August Whitney Houston 9th August
Tau r u s
(Apr 20 – May 20)
Family and home will take center stage this month as you try to complete projects, help your parents, or spend time with children. Work will be busy and you may have to work long hours or take on new responsibilities. There's also the potential to form close bonds with your co-workers or pursue an office relationship. You'll be picky about the person you get involved with, though, and analyze all developments. Pay attention to eating properly and getting enough rest. You may end up working too hard and compromising your health. Work/ life balance is important now and may require some juggling.
Kajol 5th August
Leo
(Jul 23 – Aug 22)
Antonio Banderas 10th August
This will be an excellent time to socialize with friends, neighbors, and extended family. You may be the host of an enjoyable summer barbeque or party. Love may blossom with a friend of a relative or someone in your community. Sparks will fly around August 20, when Venus and Mars will be conjunct in the sign of Libra. Be careful when dealing with money matters. Check your facts carefully and research any decisions that you need to make regarding investments, purchases, or credit. There will be a strong possibility of miscommunication and lost information after Mercury turns retrograde in Virgo.
Hale Berry 14th August Elizabeth The Queen Mother 4th August
G em i n i
(May 21 – Jun 20)
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This month would be an excellent time to plan a party for your neighbors and extended family. You'll take the lead and ensure that everyone has a good time. With Mercury in Virgo and your family sector, you'll stay in close touch with loved ones. This influence will also help you stay organized at home and get things done and checked off your list. Romance is possible when Venus and Mars are conjunct in Libra on August 20. You may be more reserved than usual with Saturn in this sign, too. Others may discourage your creative ideas or future goals.
Vir go
(Aug 23 – Sep 22)
Hulk Hogan 11th August
A lot of time will be spent this month in quiet observation and gathering information. This would be a good time to research a topic of interest or sign up for a class. You may make a significant purchase after Venus moves to join Mars and Saturn in Libra and your money sector late on August 6. Initially, the presence of Saturn near Libra will make you cautious, but eventually you'll be comfortable with your decision. A Full Moon in Pisces on August 24 may cause some confusion and tension in your relationships. Misunderstandings are possible, and there will be a lack of clarity.
INSIGHT BIRTHDAYS FAMOUS Barack Obama 4th August
Libra
(Sep 23 – Oct 22)
This will be a memorable month full of pleasant social interactions, lots of action in your personal life, and possible romance if you're open to it. Venus and Mars will be conjunct in your sign around August 20. This combination will bring passion and intense emotion. The Sun in Leo until August 22 will help your popularity, and you'll be the center of attention. Many situations will seem unstable but will be full of possibilities and new vibrations. With Mercury retrograde after August 20, you'll do a lot of thinking and soul searching when you're alone. You'll obsess about issues from the past and hidden insecurities.
Bill Clinton 19th August
Kim Cattrall 20st August
Ca pricor n (Dec 22 – Jan 19)
Claudia Schiffer 25th August
Sc o r p i o (Oct 23 – Nov 21)
With the Sun in Leo and your career house this month, you may take a leadership role or gain some recognition. Whatever your situation, you'll receive attention for your accomplishments, but it may not be comfortable. Usually you like to fly low under the radar. A New Moon in this same area on August 24 will help you be more extroverted and happy about being noticed. You may have some pleasurable times with people you love, but not in a big, showy way. Much of the action will take place in private. Catch up with distant friends through e-mail and texting.
August 2010
Because of workaholic tendencies brought on by Pluto in your sign, you may find it difficult to achieve work/life balance this month. You'll impulsively make some career moves that might mean sacrifices within your family or personal life. This will be a good time for reading, research, skill upgrades, or taking a class. You may want to look into the details of a future trip that you're planning. Try to enjoy the summer while it lasts, though. A New Moon in Leo will help you do this. If you have a partner, include him or her in your activities.
Michael Jackson 29th August
Madonna 16th August
Aquarius (Jan 20 – Feb 18)
Take a vacation or have some fun with your partner, if you have one. The summer is slipping away and you need to relax. Passion will spark around August 20 if you can find time alone. Venus and Mars will be conjunct in the sign of Libra, and this will signify warm emotions as well as hot sex, whether you're in a relationship or attracted to someone new. You may be impulsive with money this month, though, so try to watch your spending. Check your finances before you make a big purchase. For those in a relationship, try to communicate regularly about shared finances
Melinda Gates 15th August Rachael Ray 25th August
Sa g i t t ar i us (Nov 22 – Dec 21)
This would be a good time to take a vacation and relax before the summer ends. The time off will do you good whether you go on a road trip, to the beach with friends, or stay home. You'll spend a lot of time thinking about your career and next moves. Do some research and talk to others in your field to help you make a game plan. Friendships will be important this month, and you'll relish the time spent socializing and discussing your future. Romance is a possibility with someone in your circle. You may be shy about expressing your feelings, though.
Mother Teresa 26th August
Pisces
(Feb 19 – Mar 20)
Cameron Diaz 30th August
A relaxed and entertaining atmosphere at the office will help you feel better if you're spending a lot of time there. Many staff and possibly your manager will be away on vacation, making the atmosphere more laid back than usual. A strong and compelling sexual attraction to someone around August 20 may be inappropriate or taboo. You'll probably keep your feelings to yourself anyway, with Saturn as an influence. You'll do a lot of thinking about relationships this month, especially after Mercury turns retrograde on August 20. Negative feelings and insecurities will become problematic around the Full Moon in your sign on August 24.
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