Issue 22

OUTDOORS

The Monthly Key to Your City

Where to find us?

info@thecitym.com @thecitymagazine @thecitymags theCity Magazine

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We’ll be honest with you: when we first started to compile the list of possible content and features for our April ‘Outdoors’ issue we faced a bit of a dilemma. So much of our lives and our perceptions of activity in Kuwait have been framed around the idea that, because of Kuwait’s harsh summer climes, our outdoor options were severely if not entirely limited. As we head into the year’s warmer months, sand, dust, and humidity are all that Kuwait has to offer to the daring outdoor dweller, or so we get told. However, as we always do at theCITY, we decided to trump that negative notion, no matter how prevalent, and replace it with a wealth of positive possibility. We decided to look at Kuwait’s environment, Kuwait’s outdoor initiatives, and Kuwait’s exterior surroundings with newer, fresher eyes.

Khaled Al-Qahtani, Editor-in-Chief

Lana Al-Resheed, Managing Director

In this issue, we decided to step onto a patch of green, lush grass and breathe in the crisp dews of winter-turned-spring.

We decided to re-coat our walls, our wardrobes, and our hearts with brighter, fuller, life-giving colors of oleanders and gardenias. In our ‘Outdoors’ issue, we decided to open a window and let some sunlight in.

In this spirit of cheery, changing seasons and this notion of bright optimism and wonder, we sought out to explore and re-capture all that makes Kuwait beautiful in her most organic, most pure of exterior forms; be it environmental, urban, or spiritual. We let our hearts and souls blossom in inspiring stories of Kuwaiti accomplishment, talent, and ambition in features like Cloud Nine and Windows of Opportunity. We reconsider our role and our oath to our fragile environment in features like Pedaling Change and Drop in the Ocean. We take in the glory and the courageous possibility of Kuwait’s scenic structures, man-made or otherwise, in features like Reclaimed Territory and Hounding Down.

Just like the inner contents of our ‘Outdoors’ issue we wanted our cover to feel like a breath of fresh air. We wanted to evoke a sunny sense of spring once sprung. In short, we wanted you to look at this month’s cover and to involuntarily smile. Smile at the sight of a wall blooming with flowering color; at the sight of a gentle hand welcoming you to a pot of warm tea and even warmer conversation.

So as we welcome spring, we welcome you, our nearest and dearest ones. Through this issue’s pages, we hope you’ll soak up our sunlight, take in our sweet honeydews, and, who knows, maybe stay for a cup of tea.

Shaza Ayesh, General Manager

COSTAKUWAIT

MEET OUR FAMILY Anmar Al-Aldarmi

Dalal Al Ahmadi

Jinan Mohammad

Rawan Al-Sharif

Ali Al-Khudari

Farah Al-Humaidhi

Joumana Soufi

Rawan Elabd

Bashayer Al-Osaimi

Haneen Al Rashed

Jamie Etheridge

Ramez A.Sabawi

Dalal Al-Janaie

Hisham Al-Sumaiew

Noora Al-Askar

Shabari Al-Qahtani

Doha Al-Mutawa

Jumana Al-Awadhi

Noor Al-Nafisi

Shaima Bourashed

Khaled Al-Qahtani Editor-in-Chief

Lana Al-Resheed Managing Director

Shaza Ayesh

Ziad Al-Obaid

General Manager Sales Director

Dana Baluch Graphic Designer

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Hussain Kuwalawala Head of Photography

Abdulrhman Al-Yousef

Published and Distributed By:

Ebrahim Al-Awadi

Hussain Shamo

Abdulrhman Al-Yousef

@eaPhotology

@hussaingram

@GoldenVisionQ8

@awadi85

@hshamo_q8

@GoldenVisionQ8

GREAT KUWAIT MEDIA FOR ADVERTISING & PUBLISHING For General Enquiries:

info@thecitym.com For Advertising, contact:

sales@thecitym.com 22390518 - 65558679 For Media and Press Invitations:

events@thecitym.com Address:

Salmiya, Salem Al-Mubarak St. Al Fanar Mall 1st Floor, Office No: F21

Press:

Somood Faris @Q8poet271

Dan Vojtech @DanVojtech

Pascal Buenning pascal-buenning.com Statement of Copyright: theCITY™ is owned and published by GREAT KUWAIT MEDIA. Copyright 2012.

All rights reserved. ® the CITY logo is owned by GREAT KUWAIT MEDIA. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the publisher.

DISCLAIMER Cover by: Hussain Shamo

Reasonable care is taken to ensure that theCITY Magazine articles and other information in the magazine are up-to-date and as accurate as possible as of the time of publication. No responsibility can be taken by theCITY Magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein. Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this magazine is not the responsibility of theCITY Magazine. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of theCITY Magazine.

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36 LIFE 10

Gender Based Sales

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Windows of Opportunity

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Stages of Mommyhood

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theVISIT

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Selfie

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Pedaling Change

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Outdoor Living

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Sunny Side Up

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Welcoming Summer!

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Old is Gold

WELLNESS

SSue BEAUTY & FASHION 64 Accent Fever!

66 Style Talk 70 Open Range

ART & CULTURE 86 theCITY Kids

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Teddy Bear Hospital

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The Smile Makers

92 Effortless Crossroads

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thePHARMACIST

96 Cloud Nine

FOOD 52

Chef's Choice

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A Delicious Dare

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Anmar is Cooking

88 They Live Where They Love

TECH & SPORTS 102 Hounding Down

108 Drop In the Ocean 112 Reclaimed Territory

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Dalal Al-Janaie dalal@marsvenuscoaching.com www.marsvenuscoachdalal.com @marsvenuskuwait @marsvenuskuwait

Gender Based Sales Men and Women are wired differently. They have different hot buttons, different emotional needs. They process information differently.

---Dr. John Gray, author of the bestselling book, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus Ladies and gentlemen, I have a question for you: Ladies, when you are stressed, do you feel that chatting with your friends about a problem can really help the situation? Gentlemen, do you feel that if there is a problem, the last thing on the planet you want to do is chat about the problem and the best approach is to figure out a way to solve it, alone?

Does this ring true for you?

Based on many years of research on the psychology of men and women, in addition to the study of the differences in male/female brain function, Dr. John Gray has concluded that the gender differences between Martians and Venusians are scientifically proven. For example, did you know that men have 6.5 times more gray matter than women, but women have about 10 times more white matter? That means, men have more information processing centers but women have more connections for the different parts of the brain. This explains why men are excellent at concentrating on one issue at a time but women are excellent at multitasking.

Let us take a glance at how gender based differences may be vital in our everyday lives. One area which is specifically sensitive to gender based differences is the sales arena. Do you think men and women buy differently? Yes? So, are they being sold to differently? In most cases, no. The sales process is very standardized and the prospect is dealt with in a gender indiscriminate manner, which results with men and women being sold to the same way. An excellent example of how this would play into action would be in the scenario of buying a pair of shoes. Those who are pure Martians buy a pair of shoes because they need new shoes. Martians are in and out in a heartbeat with shoes in

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hand. Alternatively, those who are pure Venusians buy a pair of shoes to fit their many needs. Venusians want shoes in a specific color to match their wardrobe, in a certain type of material (leather vs. suede) for cleaning purposes, a specific height of the heel to fit the length of her pants and make her legs look slim, within a price range to fit her budget, a brand name for social status, and the list goes on. So, Martian and Venusian brain anatomy causes them to buy very differently.

Martians buy to meet a specific requirement and Venusians buy a well rounded product to meet her many needs.

The challenge today is that in the sales process salespeople do not understand the differences in the buying processes of men vs. women.

Salesmen/women end up trying to sell a product to a Venusian to fit a specific requirement rather than meet her large spectrum of needs.

Worse yet, they may try to rush the decision thinking that her other concerns are petty and unimportant. So, what happens when this is the case? Venusians take their money elsewhere. Alternatively, if the customer is a Martian and is being sold as someone who wants to consider all options, he may become annoyed by the never-ending sales process where all he wanted to do is a quick buy.

So, in the end, it’s clear that gender based differences affect all aspects of our lives. The sales process is especially sensitive to these biological differences and can cause loss of a sale and money to be left on the table. With the economy today, gender based sales can provide the competitive advantage many companies need to ensure growing sales and profit!

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W

indows of Opportunity

Imagination is a powerful, wondrous tool that we all can and should use to make our surroundings, our creations, and our lives more beautiful than ever before! Imagine conceptualizing an idea; a character; or an achievement in a world where anything is possible.

In a world where the possibility of reality and the vitality of dreams meet and inspire others to think, to create, or maybe just to smile.

This is the world that Kuwaiti photographer, Aziz Al-Duwaisan, and Kuwait's telecom powerhouse, VIVA, want to take us to. Aziz is a Kuwaiti photographer who has made it his business and his trademark to transform fantasy into reality through the power of his camera lens, his technical know-how, and his wild imagination. His own dream was to use his work to bring happiness to as many people as he possibly could. Thankfully for Aziz, VIVA is in the business of making dreams come true.

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When and how did your interest in photography first start?

It initially started around 10 years ago and I had originally taken up an interest in photography through my deep fascination in drawing and painting. I used photography as a way to help me master drawing and painting through observation and imitation of photographs. Soon enough, however, I found my interest focusing more and more on photography.

Where did you get the idea to manipulate your photographs to produce these other-worldly, cinematically inspired scenarios?

This is actually a worldwide used technique and it’s a widespread form of photography especially in advertising in which photo manipulation is a big part of creating the illusions and the meaning behind the images. Technically, it’s a lot of Photoshop work and I use a drawing tablet to make sure the images fit realistically and look exactly right. Conceptually, I basically just dream up a lot of whacky

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and wild scenarios that I personally think it would be cool to recreate or to imagine and then I try to see if I can, essentially, make them realities.

When and how did your artistic journey and affiliation with VIVA start?

It first started when I participated in their Gergai’an competition last Ramadan and, thankfully, I placed first in the competition. From there I got better acquainted with the awesome VIVA team and we started discussing opportunities of growth, which they very graciously offered me.

How has VIVA helped you enhance your career as a photographer and opened doors for you?

Well, for one thing, they really helped me get established in Kuwait’s media design and photography field, especially when it comes to social media and getting my work across to as many people as

possible. They’ve offered me chances to meet a lot of Kuwait’s most influential, exciting, and successful personalities in more than one field so, in that way, they helped introduce me to different segments and across different platforms. I couldn’t be more thankful to VIVA for this push they’ve given me.

How have you found the public opinion of you, your work, and your collaboration with VIVA, especially after seeing the marvelous end result?

I actually received massive support and encouragement from everyone among my friends and family and they were all very excited about my collaboration with VIVA. They were excited to see what this phase would bring. As far as the larger public opinion goes, thankfully, I have only received positive, helpful commentary from all those that my work has been exposed to which, thanks to VIVA, has more than doubled over the last few months.

" I couldn’t be more thankful to VIVA for this push they’ve given me." www.thecitym.com 15

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@BoNmr @VivaTelecom

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What was the biggest benefit that you got out of working with VIVA?

Are there any particular, international photographers that you look up to?

Beyond anything else, VIVA’s belief in me and their willingness to spread my work as far and wide as possible across Kuwait, paired with giving me such huge and impressive social media support, is definitely something I might not have been able to achieve so quickly without them. They’ve also introduced me to several of Kuwait’s biggest media companies and opened doors of opportunity for me to present my work to prominent decision-makers in the media industry. These are all benefits and advantages, which would have been increasingly difficult for me to try and gain on my own.

I honestly don’t have a particular list—I come across so many different types of photographers, from many different places, and who work on both a large and small scale. Whether they are world-renowned or up and comers, if I see an idea by a photographer that I think is interesting or I see a path that I think is promising, I make sure to keep an eye on that photographer and use his/her energy to inspire me.

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What are your main sources of artistic inspiration in your work?

I am perhaps most inspired by the life and the energy that defines Kuwaiti streets and Kuwaiti neighborhoods. At every corner there is

"I am perhaps most inspired by the life and the energy that defines Kuwaiti streets and Kuwaiti neighborhoods. " something new to be discovered about Kuwait and there are so many wildly imaginative stories that can be told about us: who we are, where we come from, and what we can do. I am also always inspired and humbled by my fan base of followers and their interactions with me always inspire me to achieve more and continue to grow as a photographer in order to continue delighting them with new and interesting work.

Any exciting, upcoming projects that we should keep our eyes on?

Well, in the meantime, I should have a few upcoming campaigns and projects in the works with several of Kuwait’s largest media companies, so that’s pretty exciting! I can’t share too much about it in detail but I can promise that it is going to be different and interesting inshallah.

Behind the

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Jamie Etheridge @KuwaitMomsGuide kuwaitmomsguide.com

Kuwait Moms Guide

Stages of Mommyhood

Everything moms in Kuwait need to know

Kuwait Moms Guide

There are stages to becoming a mom. Stage 1 – absolute delight when you find out you are pregnant. Stage 2 – absolute terror when you realize that you will be responsible for a whole other life. Stage 3 – The mixing of the first two makes you absolutely sick, usually in the mornings. Stage 4 - Nine months later, absolute joy followed by complete sleeplessness coupled with an utter lack of certainty about anything anymore.

I spent an inordinate amount of time in stages 3 and 4. But by the end of my daughter’s first year, I began to feel like I’d gotten a handle on this mommy thing. I could hold her, breastfeed while typing on the computer, planning the next day’s meals and singing a lullaby.

Our mommy milestones Still I hardly knew anything about being a mom. The fact is that moms are just like their babies in the beginning – we are always learning new things. Their milestones – rolling over, talking, walking, borrowing the keys to your car - are also our milestones. We learn as they grow and each challenge they face is also a challenge for us.

To face those challenges, moms need an incredible amount of reliable information. There are a million questions that need an answer – usually while you are sitting on the toilet trying to get five seconds of peace. Which schools are the best? How to choose a pediatrician? Where can I find onesies with cute, snarky quotes to annoy my in-laws? Does 37.5C constitute a fever?

The questions are endless and only get harder the older they grow.

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Everything moms in Kuwait need to know

The best answers come through years of experience, trial and error and the advice and suggestions of other moms. Kuwait, mash’Allah, has an abundance of mom and kid friendly places and several mom groups but the problem is a lack of organized information on how to find them all.

Parks & Recreation Take for example, parks and playgrounds. All moms need to know where to find a good, clean outdoor playgrounds where their kids can run and play and that have age appropriate equipment. But there was nothing in either Arabic or English on the neighborhood parks and playgrounds.

So I created one by visiting playgrounds and parks all over Kuwait.

Did you know there’s a climbing wall, slide, swing and something known as a Witch’s Hat on the Corniche near the Scientific Center? Or that the gated park in Bayan, block 4 is a lovely, green oasis of calm? The swings, climbing structure and slide at the Dahiya Abdullah Salem park in Block 3 is age appropriate and there’s plenty of room for a picnic. Salwa park is great for birthday parties because of the McDonald’s inside the park, Al Andalus park in Kaifan is a blockwide and perfect for the kids to ride bikes and play football (soccer).

Information is confidence Moving through the stages of motherhood is, at first, a bit like sleep walking. You do it without realizing. Later on, however, say stage 5, you have to take a more mindful approach. What values

and discover and then share what I find. After living in Kuwait for a decade, I am still constantly surprised all the awesome people, places and things that can be found if only you know where to look.

Knowledge is not only power but also a source of confidence.

I am more sure of my parenting and more confident of where to take my children and how to find what they need when they need it most. Now that summer is (almost) here and my two girls love to swim, I’m off in search of clear, crystalline waters and the best swimming spots in Kuwait.

Stage 6 – This mommy thing can be fun – even if you don’t always know what you’re doing.

do you want to teach your children? What issues will you need to address? What research should you read?

You also need to know where to go and how to carve out some alone time. As moms, we are way too often prone to neglecting our own needs as women. Mindful of this, Kuwait Moms Guide seeks to provide everything moms in Kuwait needs to know.

From a list of ballet studios and resources in Kuwait for girls to a directory of ladies salons and spas, to a regularly updated list of parks & playgrounds, bookstores and libraries (did you know there are 27 free public libraries in Kuwait?), Kuwait Moms Guide aims to offer everything moms in Kuwait need to know.

Writing for Kuwait Moms Guide has allowed me to explore and enjoy Kuwait in a way I never imagined. I am forced to search out

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By Noor Al-Nafisi

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www.thecitym.com 23 Photographer: Hussain Shamo

"Landscaping is more than an expression to us and ‘outdoor living’ is more than a signature phrase."

Imagine this: walking onto the terrace at the front of your house and being greeted by a swell of bright yellow daisies to mark the arrival of spring.

Imagine breathing in the clean, lush aroma of freshly cut grass as you tread across your own well-kept garden, listening to the happy chirp of birds mingling around your doorway, welcoming you to your natural, soulful abode. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Well, for those of us of similarly green dwelling sensibilities, Home & Garden Nursery owner and green advocate Feras Al-Ghanim is ready to make some dreams come true.

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First of all, how would you describe Home & Garden Nursery?

Home & Garden Nursery, as the name suggests, is a concept of a botanical gardening center for your ‘home and garden’ needs. Our vision is to operate as an exclusive showroom for all kinds horticultural products.

of the landscape area, Home & Garden provides all services for a complete landscape. Automatic irrigation system is our specialty. We undertake irrigation projects with automatic timer systems. Home & Garden provides plants on a rental basis for weddings and events, decorating the premises with beautiful plants and pots.

We offer all products for complete outdoor living from design all through to construction, ensuring highest quality control possible. Our projects feature unique and creative design solutions that are crafted to the personal taste of our clients and for the modern lifestyle.

We are creators of backyard resort-style outdoor living with signature style using elements of fire, water, and light. We create and construct all aspects of landscape architecture including gazebos, pergolas and garden furniture with a high functional approach to design that uses style as a compliment to our natural surroundings.

Landscaping is more than an expression to us and ‘outdoor living’ is more than a signature phrase. Our designs promote balance between nature and lifestyle. We encourage homeowners to get outdoors in extended landscape living spaces by making them beautiful and welcoming to the eye and soul. Our landscape projects have many design elements like soothing fires and water features, impressive walkways and lounge patios, all with incredible entertaining options fro large gatherings while also allowing for quiet family-oriented enjoyment.

What is the variety of services that Home & Garden Nursery offers?

We deal in all kinds of indoor plants, outdoor plants, and varieties of pots like plastic, ceramic, fiber, stainless steel and aluminum planters.

We are the biggest stockists of various varieties of pottery in the State of Kuwait. We have a full fledged division for landscaping. Starting from the designing part all the way up to the final execution and maintenance

What would you say are the basic things an aspiring gardener should know prior to starting his or her first garden?

Basically it’s the lighting conditions, water availability, and design of the house that should govern your gardening decision. Start from an understanding of how the garden will better beautify the house as a whole. We provide landscape consultancy service for those kinds of design and gardening decisions. Our qualified personnel will visit the client’s location and, after checking the location, we suggest the different kinds of plants that are suitable for the garden based on the light conditions and over-all design of the house. Here in Kuwait we have some very beautiful houses of various styles and architectural renderings: some are modern; others are classical and evoke an old, Victorian style. We specify plants and trees based on the location and design of the house.

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@HomeAndGarden homeandgarden.cc

When and how did your interest in gardening and greenery first begin?

My interest in plants started during my childhood. I got it from my mother. She liked gardening very much. I used to help her by going to the nurseries with her and buying plants. Later I started a company specialized for outdoor wooden furniture. I bought a farm in Wafra 12 years ago and started my operation with a small number of vegetable harvests. I then bought seeds of special plants from different parts of the world and did a small-scale flower and plant production. The more time and energy I put into gardening the more I found myself enjoying the process. Over time we increased the capacity of our logistics in my outdoor wood furniture company and started Home & Garden Nursery.

Approximately how many plants and trees have Home & Garden Nursery grown to date?

Thousands of plants and trees! We have grown a wide range of palms, herbs and tropical plants. The number is almost impossible to count!

What are the elements that a well-kept, flourishing garden can bring to a home?

We feel good when we are surrounded with the sight, touch, and sounds of nature. Home & Garden landscapes go beyond creating beautiful gardens. The freshness of lush greenery, and fragrances of fresh flowers we provide have an active role in reflecting a positive mood in all of us. We aspire to blend creative ideas and design innovation with

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the beauty of natural surroundings and, when that goal is achieved, the benefits to the dweller of the home are infinite. The end result is an environment which you can truly call your own; it is a natural oasis that brings you serenity, well being, and connects you with the delicacy of nature.

How do you deal with Kuwait's harsh climate challenges in gardening?

It’s truly difficult to grow trees and plants in a country where the temperature reaches 55 degrees in summer and decreases to 0 degrees in the winter. We mainly concentrate on plants that can withstand the climatic changes of Kuwait very well. In addition, different plants have different requirements. Some plants needs more nitrogen; some of them need more iron, etc. We advise and offer our customers a range of options regarding the different kinds of medicines and fertilizers that are required for plants to withstand the harsh climate of Kuwait.

Do you have a favorite variety of plants or flowers that you like to grow?

We do not confine ourselves to a single plant or flower as our priority.

We have plants and flowers that we offer to our customers for all seasons. For pre-winter we have plants like bougainvilleas. For winter we offer trees like bauhinia, acacia, and many more. For the spring season we offer plants like gardenia and ixora. For the summer we offer lush yet strong plants like oleanders. So we do not have a specifically favorite plant. All plants are our favorite.

Do you have a unique gardening style or philosophy at Home & Garden Nursery?

We listen to the needs of our clients and provide creative solutions.

Our team has gathered in depth experience in the management and construction of various landscape styles and sizes. These cover soft landscape, irrigation systems, and garden art works. Whatever the vision, our landscape management and construction team will be on site to achieve your goal within a customer deadline and a decided budget that you are comfortable with.

We ensure that the spaces will be as inspirational as possible. We will work with our customers to ensure that the end product exceeds their expectation and once it is completed it adds real value and warmth to their homes.

a detailed proposal along with it. There is a nominal charge for designs and which is deducted from the total invoice value after the completion of the project. If the client would like the installation to be done by another contractor, we submit the original design to the client.

How do you plan on expanding Home & Garden Nursery in the future?

Our hope is to expand our services and our brand so as to be the biggest garden center for all kinds of horticultural products in the State of Kuwait. We will concentrate on and continue to introduce different kinds of gardening products to cater to the widespread and diverse demand for gardening products in Kuwait. We are in the process of building the best garden center exclusively for horticultural products, which will be the first of its kind in all of Kuwait!

In your experience what are the best combination of plants and flowers for different indoor and outdoor situations?

This really depends on the location more than anything else. Various light conditions, temperature, and water availability will govern the gardening decisions as to which plants will work best together in that particular setting.

Can you tell us about the planning and preparation process of designing a garden landscape?

Initially we have a site visit and provide a consultancy service for our customers. We can provide 2-D or 3-D designs for the gardens and give

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Doha Al-Mutawa

Selfie Dear social media invaded readers, There’s a new global phenomenon that I would like to shed light on... but first, let me take a selfie!

The word “selfie” has gained popularity in the online world for over a year now. It is commonly referred to as the practice of taking a selfportrait by using a front camera, such as a webcam or front camera on a mobile phone. Interestingly, in 2013 the word “selfie” has been added to the Oxford dictionary. That seems very recent, doesn’t it?

The answer is no, actually taking photos of oneself is not at all a new trend; it dates back to the development of front camera embedded mobile phones. What’s new is the terminology itself; it gave meaning to something we always used to do. Now, whenever we taking a picture of ourselves we would refer to it as “taking a selfie,” however back in the days we used to think of it as just a normal picture that doesn’t need a second person to capture. The truth is, I’d say from my perspective, a selfie can speak a lot about a person. Just as the saying goes: “a picture is worth a thousand words.”

Before digging deeper into the concept of selfies, can you all remember how a selfie looked like back in the days of a Nokia device? Our facial features appeared to be extremely out of proportion, making us look like caricature versions of ourselves. It sure wasn’t our favorite!

Generally, people are finding ways to enhance their appearance in pictures (especially when posted online) instead of creating a fool out of themselves. Due to that reason, there weren’t many people who favored taking a self-picture using their front camera. However the recent rise of innovative technological improvements, such as high-resolution lenses, Photoshop effects and the like created a whole new meaning for the previously unidentified word “selfie.”

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Nowadays, many people actually favor selfies as opposed to other types of pictures. The reason is that it allows them to control their image online since they are able to have a mirror view, thus they can choose the preferred angle and expression. Actually more and more people are taking selfies to deliver a certain message (such as their current mood) to a targeted group.

Little do people think about how “selfies” can be conveyed differently by different people. It creates impressions about who we are, what we do, how we think etc. that may not really reflect us nor the image we are trying to create. In fact, selfies can be downright misleading.

A selfie reflects how we “want” to be perceived online. But a selfie to me may not be the same as a selfie to you. Each and every one of us has his/her own definition of selfie. Suppose you find a selfie of your boss on Instagram with the Miley Cyrus pose! You’d think: “I definitely won’t take that person seriously any more!” Does that mean that you should refrain from taking any selfies? Absolutely not! The key word is to “control” what selfie is posted. Think to yourself; does it fit in the current culture? Will it create potential controversy? Try to be as objective as possible. Do not unknowingly stick a negative label on yourself just because you didn’t think it through!

Quick reminder (especially for those with public profiles): Whatever you post online belongs to the online community thereafter. The majority of us (if not all! – including myself, I confess) tend to accept the sign-up rules for social media accounts blindly. If you take the time to read through the content you’d realize that there is absolutely no personal security whatsoever (explains the age limit restriction). You are not entitled to claim any reimbursement on any of your uploaded images, including your ever-important selfie.

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In Kuwait, our transportation options are somewhat limited. In short: we’re automobile purists.

We confine ourselves to our closed off, gas guzzling, air conditioned automobiles day-in, day-out all while hurting our environment and our health at the same time. Instead of taking in our unique urban surroundings and our breathtaking environment, we let the world simply blur by.

Instead of letting fresh, clean air fill our lungs and hearts, we fill them up with waste and pollution. Well, in our ‘Outdoor’ issue, Pure Fix Cycles offers you a happy alternative.

We talked to owner Bader Al-Ayoub about these thoroughly beautiful, one-of-akind bicycles and how Kuwait can start pedaling it’s way towards a positive, flourishing sustainable future today.

www.thecitym.com 31 Photographer:Abdulrhman Al-Yousef

Why did you decide to open a bicycle shop in Kuwait of all places?

I am Kuwaiti and I’m based in Kuwait; and as a biker myself, I am aware of the demand that was present for fixed gear cycles in this country. Nonetheless, I have also started selling bikes to UAE and Saudi Arabia, and I’m expecting to have distributors there in the near future.

What makes Pure Fix Cycles unique as a bike seller?

Pure Fix Cycles offer fixed gear bikes that make it easier to ride, require less maintenance, and are lightweight. Also, it looks really good compared to other bikes.

We pay a lot of attention to providing a number of bikes, all with different accents and visual characteristics. We want each customer to find a bike that reflects his or her own taste and personality perfectly.

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Are the bicycles at Pure Fix locally, custom made or are they imported?

The parts are imported and assembled in Kuwait.

How have you found the response from customers and the market in general?

The response to Pure Fix Cycles in Kuwait has been impressive. People were looking for good-looking bikes at a reasonable price, and with the introduction of Pure Fix to the Kuwaiti market, they were given access to stylish bikes that promote an active lifestyle.

Are you a cyclist yourself? If so, how long have you been biking and how did you get into it?

I am a triathlete, and biking is just one of the 3 activities (along with running and swimming), that I have been engaged with for years now.

What is your favorite bike route to take in Kuwait?

For proper bike training, I prefer to go to the Subhan area at 6 am on Fridays in order to avoid traffic. For fun, I like going to the seaside, close to the The Scientific Center.

How do you think we can get people in Kuwait to invest more in environmentally sustainable transportation methods like bikes, instead of more harmful options like cars and motorcycles?

I think this can be done by keeping people informed about the health benefits of using bikes, instead of the more prominent modes of mobility. It would also help to let

them know of the harmful effects to the environment that are apparently brought about by the use of cars and motorcycles, and how using bikes instead can help in minimizing those harmful effects over time.

Beyond that, it would also be helpful if there were more bike-friendly transport options like bike paths on main roads, for example.

This would encourage current bikers to bike more and might inspire others to try it out.

What advice do you offer to new cyclists to improve their riding experience?

They should always stay safe by wearing protective gear such as helmets, shades, shoes, etc. You never know what terrain or

weather conditions you will encounter and these could compromise the safety of your bike ride so wearing the right protective gear at all times is crucial.

How do you plan on expanding Pure Fix Cycles in the future?

I intend to carry out more activities to help create brand awareness and help the Kuwaiti public to better understand the need for environmentally sustainable transportation methods. I will also continue to market the brand through social media and local events.

All in all, the future looks promising!

@PFCycles_KW

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Ramez A.Sabawi ramez.sabawi@viva.com.kw

Outdoor Living It is quite ironic that in our life we are continuously using the latest technologies, which are supposed to make things better and faster to enable us to do more. The fact is, however, that technology is actually pushing us to do a lot more than we used to, so we end up with much less time than we originally had in the beginning. Life moves at such a fast pace that it seems to pass us by before we can really enjoy it. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s rebel against a hectic, technologically-charged lifestyle and slow down to enjoy life. During the year, from the month of October till the month May, Kuwait is usually blessed with some very nice and moderate weather, which has opened many venues of outdoor activities to revitalize everyone’s energy and has helped many of us relax and enjoy life to the maximum.

Indeed, all Kuwaitis have taken advantage of this particularly nice weather season and took to enjoying many trips and ventures into the calm, serene atmosphere of the desert. With its nearmagical scenery and relaxing atmosphere, the desert has been a great source of artistic, poetic, and soulful inspiration for hundreds of years. Camping in the desert can be a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of our unique Kuwaiti landscape. It brings friends together to enjoy many activities and gatherings, warmed by a cozy campfire and even more joyful conversations.

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If you are not the desert-dwelling type, you can always enjoy the seaside which has hundreds of miles of crystal clear beaches.

Many of us enjoy partaking in lots of water activities especially when the sun is shining. Boats of all shapes and sizes cruising up and down the seashore which make it yet another perfect way to spend the weekend away from the noise and rush of technology.

It allows us to enjoy the picturesque views of Kuwait city while serenely and calmly at sea and, more importantly, it allows our lungs to truly breathe.

Between the desert and sea, Kuwait is well known for its world class food and beverage facilities which have many outdoor spaces and can make for excellent settings for family and friends to enjoy the nice weather while it lasts. Looking across the sea or into the wealth of colorful gardens around many spots at the Arabian Gulf road is more than enough to lift our spirits and fill them up with the beauty and the wonders of outdoor nature. Outdoor activities and relaxing are easy if we just take the time to think about them. A cup of coffee with your favorite book or newspaper can refresh your day and energize your battery for the entire week ahead. It’s always best to remember to keep it simple: a simple walk, hike, or other rejuvenating outdoor activity can keep your heart and lungs working on a consistent basis and make you feel refreshed and optimistic throughout the day as well.

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By Rawan Al Sharif

So we meet again, in yet another remarkable issue of theCITY. Last month, I discussed the idea of execution. I talked about how important it is for us to try filtering our dreams, setting them as goals, and then turning them into reality. Last month was about making things happen and adding value to our lives. This month, I’d like to share one of my experiences with you.

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www.thecitym.com 37 Photographer:Abdulrhman Al-Yousef

Writing a book was always on the top of my bucket list. It is honestly something that I’ve been dying to do but never really got around to doing. I kept putting it off, letting it slide, or gathering my writing into the appropriate format. Almost always I’d get sidetracked from my original schedule or too lazy to actually get the material printed.

I didn’t realize that what would really jump-start my book writing ambition was an event or occurrence of an evolutionary scale.

Last month, I got into a really bad car accident and experienced a traumatic back injury. I couldn’t walk for a long while and, being someone that’s constantly moving and is always on the go, that period of immobility was hell for me. Now, when a lot of us face such an unfortunately disrupting incident, our physical capabilities are based on three distinct categories: what the doctors tell us, what our families allows us to do, and what we tell ourselves to help us get through this extremely frustrating circumstances. Different people deal with similar situations differently—we do whatever we feel we need to do in order to sustain our physical and emotional well being and to weather this storm while keeping our minds, bodies, and souls intact. What breaks one person might not be what makes another.

From my own experience, however, I’ve learned that, no matter the complexity of the circumstance, human willpower truly defeats everything else.

You can either sit around feeling sorry for yourself, or you can make

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the best of your situation and try your best to pick yourself up. To allow yourself to be okay again. Your thoughts affect the way you act; so much so in fact that they actively create your sense of reality.

Knowing that something you want is out of your reach makes you want it that much more—it’s human nature. When you want something bad enough, you will use every atom in your being to achieve it. And eventually, the people around you and your surroundings will all participate to help make it happen until you eventually reach your goal and see your plan into fruition. Run after your dreams; chase them until they become your reality. Let nothing get into your way, and don’t let anything stop you or slow you down.

@SunshineKuwait

" I’ve learned that, no matter the complexity of the circumstance, human willpower truly defeats everything else."

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Farah Al-Humaidhi @interiorart @pa-ia

Welcoming Summer!

Now that summer is approaching, it is time to get rid of the stuffy signs of winter for good. Sprucing up your home for summer is not difficult or expensive nor do you have to be a professional to do so. Here are a few tips that will look striking and give your house a breezy, relaxing ambience reminiscent of the season.

• If you’re planning to get a summer interior makeover, color combinations should be on top priority. You can work on your combinations according to your desired theme.

• Start with the textiles in your rooms: change out your curtains, pillows, tablecloths, bedspreads, or rugs. Or look to your wall and tabletop decor to add a pop of color with a new vase or picture frames.

Switching out any of these pieces is not only quite affordable but totally temporary too. Go with a trendy, bold color for the summer months.

• Another tip for summer décor is to incorporate textures that remind you of a natural scape. Like a sisal or jute rug, or maybe even seashells and rocks in a clear glass vase? You could even try switching out your regular curtains for bamboo blinds. Look for ways to incorporate natural textures that really say “summer.”

• Nothing stimulates the senses like scent. Place warm-weather scents around your home, including sandalwood, lily of the valley, roses, and summer fragrance blends such as rain or linen.

• Winter often requires heavy draperies to keep the warm air inside and the cold air out, but summer calls for lighter window coverings. Let the sunshine through with lightweight sheers or linen curtains. Or you could remove outer draperies and leave the sheers on your windows to let summer sunshine flood in.

• Replace wool rugs with light woven rugs made of cotton, sea grass or sisal rugs, or leave your floors bare if they’re already beautiful. Use neutral light colors to give your rooms a larger, airy feel, or bright colors and prints to give your home a touch of the exotic.

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• Switch your bedding with new, fresh white linens, a summer-weight duvet and put away your wool throws and blankets, and replace with cotton ones.

• Give your bathroom a seasonal feel by adding brightly coloured towels, summery-scented soaps and displays of starfish or shells in small dishes.

• Pare down all your rooms - put away heavy displays of framed photos or accessories and leave just one or two.

• During the warm summer months, outdoor spaces should be a continuation of your interiors. Move your living room outside this summer, and arrange seating to encourage guests to sit, socialize and relax. Make outdoor chairs and ottomans comfortable with fluffy pillows and cushions lined in weather-resistant fabric, and place a rug made of durable material under furniture that can be hosed off for cleaning. Accessories the area like you would any of your indoor rooms -- art, mirrors and wall clocks will make an exterior room look complete. Add end tables and a coffee table for convenient places to set food and drinks, and install outdoor lighting, like lamps, sconces and ceiling fans to use after the sun goes down.

• The addition of a garden at the front of your house is the easiest way to raise up your curb appeal. If you lack a green thumb but don’t have the budget to hire a landscape gardener, head to your local nursery and pick up some potted plants for your porch and some lowmaintenance shrubs and perennials.

• Finish by sprucing up the front of your house - plant front door urns or planters with summer flowers. Also, try hanging colourful planters of fuchsia or petunias for an added pop of colour.

• If you have a rear porch, hang cotton, linen or canvas curtains on the sides to create a sheltered “room.” If you don’t want to have them custom-made, buy ready-made and hang them on curtain rods suspended from the eaves using oversize rings.

• Mood lighting sets off a night garden beautifully. Install uplights in trees and use solar or electric garden lights along paths or in flowerbeds for atmosphere. Chinese lanterns are a long-standing patio favorite. You can buy plastic ones wired with LEDs that are safer and much more durable. You can even buy table lamps designed for use outdoors, that are pretty enough for indoor use and use LED bulbs.

• Paint your front door a new colour. This relatively small job can pay big dividends by making your whole exterior look cared for and pretty.

• Just as you can move the indoors out, anything that brings the outdoors in can inspire a summery feeling like lots of fresh flowers from your garden or the corner store. Fresh blooms add even more color to your space, and as an added bonus, they freshen things up with their beautiful scent. If you can’t commit to flowers because you’re worried about watering them, or you want a more permanent decoration, try bonsai or go for a tropical flair in your space by purchasing a artificial bamboo plant, banana plant or rubber tree. These pieces make a big impact and infuse a lush, summery green into your apartment.

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OLD IS GOLD

By Bashayer Al-Osaimi

@bashayeros

www.thecitym.com 43 Photographer: Hussain Shamo

‫مخفر بنيد القار‬ ‫عند تأسيس اي دوله يكون الجهاز األمني هو أهم جهاز ممكن ان ترتكز عليه ‪ ،‬ونظام‬ ‫الشرطة الكويتي يعتبر من احد أنظمة الحكم في الكويت ‪.‬‬ ‫تاريخ الشرطة في الكويت يرجع الى ما قبل العام ‪ 1940‬حيث تدرجه الدوائر في الدولة نظرا‬ ‫لتوسعها واحتياجاتها عبر سنين التطور ‪.‬‬ ‫ويعد مخفر بنيد القار من أهم وأقدم مراكز الشرطة في الكويت والذي عاصر كوكبة من‬ ‫رموز الدولة أهمها المغفور له الشيخ سعد العبدهلل الصباح حيث عمل فتره من الزمن‬ ‫في مركز بنيد القار‪.‬‬ ‫ونظرا لرغبة سمو األمير الشيخ صباح األحمد الصباح ورعايته السامية للحفاظ على أثار‬ ‫دولتنا الحبيبة وتاريخها القيم أمر المجلس الوطني للثقافة والفنون واآلداب بإنشاء‬ ‫متحف لتاريخ الشرطة الكويتية ‪ ،‬واختير مخفر بنيد القار وذلك لما يحمله من طابع تاريخي‬ ‫قديم من حيث البنيان باإلضافة إلى موقعه االستراتيجي في قلب الكويت ‪.‬‬ ‫قمنا بزيارة خاطفه إلى متحف الشرطة الكويتي وكان في استقبالنا الرائد ‪ /‬بدر بندر من‬ ‫رئيس قسم العالقات العامة والتوجيه المعنوي في وزارة الداخلية وقام مشكورا بعمل‬ ‫دوله لنا في غرف المخفر الموزعة على حسب الحقب الزمنية من تاريخ تأسيس الشرطة‬ ‫إلى يومنا الحالي ‪.‬‬ ‫المخفر يحتوي على أربع غرف موزعه على حسب التواريخ الزمنية وكل حقبه تحتوي‬ ‫على الزي الرسمي للشرطه في ذلك الوقت باإلضافة إلى األوراق والثبوتيات التي كانت‬ ‫تصدر آنذاك ‪ ،‬وفي نص المخفر توجد غرفه مصممه على شكل االستقبال القديم لمخافر‬ ‫الشرطة ‪.‬‬ ‫كما يوجد في الساحة الخارجية للمخفر مجموعه من سيارات الشرطة القديم التي كانت‬ ‫توفرها وزارة الداخلية ‪.‬‬ ‫المخفر صغير بحجمه لكن كبير بقيمته التاريخية ‪ ،‬زيارتي كانت األولى لكن ليست األخيرة‬ ‫انصح الجميع بزيارة المتحف ألنه الوصف دائما ال يوفي حق هذا التعب الذي قام به مجموعه‬ ‫من شباب وزارة الداخلية‪.‬‬

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Dalal Al Ahmadi

Teddy Bear Hospital: Honeying Up Hospitals for Our Children and Health Care.

As a medical student, I noticed that most doctors treat children with the aim of getting the job done while disregarding the child’s feelings, or even screaming. Often times a child’s hospital experience consists of being told to “Suck it up!” or “Be a man!” when undergoing a painful procedure. That pain, which has been inflicted by the doctor himself, leaves the child traumatized, terrified, and scarred.

As medical staff and members of the community, we musn’t be heedless of a child’s trepidations since that can create more permanent reservations towards the hospital. It’s not unheard of that a good proportion of adults are still scared of the dentist or getting a shot. Every doctor or medical professional must be fully aware and accepting of the fact that sometimes children are wary of things associated with the medical environment. We’re not asking doctors to turn into Mister Rogers or Mama Aneesa; however, it is important for them to be provided with a platform to proactively participate in turning this situation around.

That’s where Teddy Bear Hospital comes in.

The memory of my Teddy Bear Hospital experience abroad when my younger sister was born was the main impetus for taking on the project and overcoming the countless roadblocks I had encountered

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in the 3-year-long process of making Teddy Bear Hospital Kuwait a reality.

Teddy Bear Hospital is an international concept used in many hospitals and schools globally. It is a mini hospital that simulates different experiences and procedures one may undergo in the hospital.

The purpose of the hospital is to alleviate a child’s fear of the hospital while educating him. The basis of this fear is the loss of control –the feeling of signing your life away to these people in white coats who want to poke and prod you. In Teddy Bear Hospital, the tables are turned, and the child is in control by being the doctor and the teddy bear, their patient. This frees the child of feeling like the victim, thus making them more open to learning about the procedure itself. With that, the next time that child goes to a hospital, he will understand that doctors are there to help him, not hurt him.

Kuwait’s children need Teddy Bear Hospital. More so, Kuwait’s doctors need Teddy Bear Hospital. In order for Teddy Bear Hospital to be an integral part of every child’s hospital experience, it was important to first familiarize Kuwait with the concept. What better way to do that than to put it dead center in a mall, the epicenter of Kuwait’s society?

The hospital consists of numerous stations, each of which addresses a hospital procedure. The Injection and Blood Donation Station ensures that children understand the importance of blood donation and learn about different types of injections. Their favorite part in this station is getting to take the reins and inject their teddy bear themselves. After completing all 8 stations of the hospital, the child gets their Teddy Bear Hospital Bravery License, which certifies him to no longer be afraid of doctors. This wasn’t just the icing on the cake, it was a means for us to make the experiences the child will take away with them tangible; it was palpable evidence of their courage.

In the end, Teddy Bear Hospital is about quality, not quantity. My ultimate goal was to provide an unforgettable and educational experience. The fact that TBH was a success in terms of quality and quantity by enlightening 2496 children in two weekends is a humbling accomplishment. This makes me hopeful and further compels me to fulfill my goal of having Teddy Bear Hospital implemented in every hospital in Kuwait.

2014 is just the beginning; I’ve “bearly” gotten started!

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The Smile Makers

"A beautiful soul which has made my visit to the dentist joyful."

Dr. Areej Al-Khabbaz B.Ch.D, M.S. Consultant in, Periodontics and implant Dentistry Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology Associate Professor, Faculty of Dentistry, Kuwait University Visiting Clinical Instructor, Tufts University, Boston, U.S.A

First thing's first! Tell us more about yourself and about your dental specialty My name is Dr. Areej Al-Khabbaz. In 1998 I obtained my Bachelor Degree in General Dental Surgery from Leeds University in the United Kingdom. After that, I continued my higher education at Tufts University, Boston. I have specialized in periodontal surgery and dental implants. I am a diplomate and I am also board certified by the American Board of periodontology (the highest degree in the field of periodontology). Currently, I am the Periodontology Discipline Head at Kuwait University. The field of periodontology is all about gum health, bone health and sound dental foundation. It is very important to establish adequate periodontal health before starting any advance dental treatment.

Did you always know you wanted to be a dentist?

After the first year of dental studies I knew that I wanted to obtain a higher education in the dental field. I always wanted to be involved in the academic and research field. Now I teach dentistry, I practice dentistry and I conduct research in the dental field. I have many publications in international dental journals and my research interest is about the connection between systemic health and oral health.

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Besides sufficient medical treatment, what values and lessons would you like your patients to take away from you after every appointment?

Successful dental treatment needs both the dentist's and patient's effort in order to achieve the desired positive outcomes.

Tell us about your experience at Bayan Clinic. Why do you think it is a special place for both dentists and patients?

The strategy of Bayan clinic makes it a very special place for dental health care. Bayan consists of various teams including: clinical, nursing, administration, media and special team for dental supplies including equipment and materials. The main target of all teams at Bayan Clinic is to maintain the highest standard in dental service.

What do you most enjoy about being a dentist?

I enjoy making a positive difference in my patients life-style.

What is so special about your field ?

Dentistry is about both function and esthetics, which makes it a very challenging field.

@bayandentalkw

@bayandental

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Photographer: Hussain Shamo Creative Director: Zainab Bahman

thePHARMACIST

Shabari Al-Qahtani @dwaa_kwt

B R O U G H T TO YO U BY

Crazy how much time has already flown by this year! It's already April and, once again, Kuwait welcomes it's longest, most well-known season of all: summer! Time to break out the swimming suits, the beach sandals, and the tanning oils! As it does every year, we can expect summer 2014 to be hotter than ever before and, to keep our skin healthy, clear, and fresh while soaking up the rays, it's important to keep some special maintenance and care tips in mind.

For those of us who are avid tanners, protection from the extremely harmful radiation of the sun is beyond crucial. This is a point that cannot be overstated. Beyond guarding us from the bigger, more serious health risks, the right protection will ensure that we don't develop any permanent sun spots and will keep our skin from aging too quickly. Thankfully, even if you do have a few age blemishes and sun spots here and there, the right treatment to eliminate or decrease those side effects is always available. Here are a few of my favorite AAW/Pharmacy goodies to keep handy all summer long.

Bio-Oil® helps supplement the skin’s natural oils which are stripped away by factors such as extreme weather, water with high chemical content, frequent bathing and the drying effects of central heating or air conditioning.

Apply Bio-Oil® after bathing, showering, sun-tanning or swimming. Just massage it gently into the skin, and pay particular attention to dry areas. BioOil® is also makes for a great bath oil for those of you who haven't settled on one yet.

ESTHEDERM Encourged tanning? Yes! It turns out that a tan can be one of the best protections against photoaging. Esthederm's Bronz Repair protects the skin from photoaging through an intense skin repair and corrective action regimen.

Results: The skin on the face and other sunexposed areas protect themselves by developing a tan, all while creating a healthy glow and a more youthful appearance. Your skin will be better protected, smoother, and beautifully enhanced!

PHOTODERM: NEON SAFETY

What if your day cream could protect your skin in every way?

• Photoderm fights dryness, oiliness, hyperpigmentation, anti-burns and anti-ageing. It's an all-in-one deal!

• Under our harsh Middle East sun, a cream that protect your skin from all damages like Photoderm is an absolute blessing!

• Photoderm works for all skin types, so you don't have to worry about trying out different types.

• Photoderm is applicable with or without make-up, which is a huge versatility plus!

IMEDEEN Anti-Aging Skincare Tablets These miracle workers target the dermal layer of the skin where a lot of skin creams cannot reach, so be prepared to be blown away by the result!

The best part is that they're naturally sourced and scientifically documented, and studies have shown visible results on the skin within 12 weeks. In almost no time at all the skin is much smoother and that much more beautiful! www.thecitym.com 51

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@Chef_Ziad_Alobaid

@ToreroSRC

So I’ve been hearing quite a bit lately about this new Spanish restaurant in Kuwait called Torero located in one of Kuwait’s latest dining and strolling hotspots: Arabella. To be honest, after hearing so much noise and talk about Torero it piqued my interest so I thought I’d give it a go for our April issue. The actual restaurant area of Torero is located in the basement and the entrance, which is one story above the dining area, looks like a small Spanish corner shop. It gave it a nice, small, cozy feel which is just the way I like restaurant ambiances—fancy without being overdone; simple but with a hint of unique character. The colors and décor choice upon entrance were perfect for the setting.

Now, let’s talk about the main event, shall we? Let’s talk comida!

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APPETIZERS Ensalada de Queso de Cabra (Goat Cheese Salad) I happen to be a very big fan of goat cheese and especially when it comes on a well-toasted piece of bread. This goat cheese salad was presented on very nicely toasted slice of bread with some balsamic glaze on the top. The salad came out seasoned quite well and the prominent blend of tastes and flavors was there and it was well-balanced. I have to say, however, that it missed the kick. Tastewise it might have been missing some salt and pepper or some citrus and it would have been okay. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoyed it, just wish had that extra punch of taste to top it off.

Queso Frito (Fried Brie Cheese) I always go to restaurants and order fried cheese, AKA mozzarella sticks, but this time the only apparent choice of ingredient was brie cheese and that’s it. So basically all they did was change the mozzarella cheese to brie cheese… Yawn.

Brocheta de Pollo (Chicken Skewers) You honestly can't go wrong with this choice. It was perfectly cooked not a notch over or underdone which is perhaps my most important criteria in judging protein of any kind. Have to say that the seasoning was a little lacking, though.

Esparragos Gratinado (Asparagus Gratin) This was just a plate of blanched asparagus with cheese. That’s it. Nothing that wowing or memorable by any measure.

Patatas Bravas (Cubed Potatoes) Deep fried potato servers with Spanish garlic sauce. Simple, no frills, and entirely delicious. Spanish comfort food at it’s best.

MAIN DISHES Hojaldre de Cordero (Puff Pastry Stuffed with Slow Roasted Lamb) Alright, let me just say right off the bat that meat and lamb usually go

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Pollo y Queso (Chicken Breast Baked with Potato and Covered with a Cream Cheese Sauce) Here’s the breakdown of my opinion on this dish: blah. It’s just chicken, potatoes, and cheese. That’s it. Very forgettable.

Croqutetas de Pollo (Chicken with Potatoes and Mushroom Balls) You know how in Kuwait we have something called ‘Potato Kebba?’ Well, this is what this dish was except it came with chicken instead.

Not very inspired but just okay on the whole.

THE DESSERT Churros Okay, I have to admit that I was extremely excited about trying Torero’s churros. I was like a little boy waiting for the recess bell to ring: I simply couldn’t wait to taste it. For this reason it’s important for me to say what I actually didn’t know about churros. I was completely oblivious about what was wrong with it. After doing some research I found out that the kind of churros offered at Torero is Tejeringos, which is an Andalusian variation of the churro. I was slightly shocked by it as it was not the kind

of churro I was used to and tastewise I guess it didn’t bowl me over as much as I was expecting it to. It was okay all-around and the chocolate used for dipping was decent.

Generally speaking, Torero is nice, cool, laid back place to go if you’re looking to take in some calming, authentic ambiance and try some foreign cuisine in a setting and an environment that was made for this kind of escapist eating experience.

However, as a small caveat, I need to make a little point about the music. Now I usually don’t think about this issue very much in my restaurant reviews, but come on: Gypsy Kings playing throughout my entire meal? I’d recommend someone look over the Torero playlist.

I’d frequent Torero maybe once a month if I’ve got a craving for exotic cuisine every now and again. On the whole, I think its definitely a place worth checking out and I think a lot of people will enjoy it’s authenticity food-wise and get a kick out of it setting-wise.

very well with puff pastries but this particular dish I had wasn’t that great at all. It’s basically just like an empanada, and plus I must admit that, judging by the Instagram pictures, what I saw looked totally amazing but when I tried it I was visibly underwhelmed. So that’s a lesson in Instagram advertising for you! First of all, it wasn’t seasoned at all and plus the lamb itself tasted more on the bland side. The pastry dough was dark brown and it should actually be golden brown, so that overburnt look threw it off for me. It’s an alright dish on the whole but definitely needs some tweaking.

Gambas al Ajillo (Baked Shrimps in Garlic Oil) I was actually afraid that the shrimp would turn out overcooked and rubbery, but success! It wasn’t and taste wise I have to say it was quite great. Absolutely recommended.

BBQ Costillas (24-Hour Marinated Barbecue Beef Short Ribs) Okay, 3 words: Ribs, tender, and moist.

Unfortunately, none of those things were present in this dish. The meat was much too overcooked and without a hint of taste to speak of. Plus, I even got some burnt parts of meat here and there. Sorry: no way am I trying this dish again. Probably the only good part about it was the tortilla that came with it. It was nice and homemade but other than that this dish is definitely not on my recommended list.

Paella De Pollo (Chicken Paella) Ah, the star of my feast! It was good down to the last bite and clearly prepared in an authentic way. Plus, for such a big dish, everything was well-balanced in the texture and the aroma department. As a general rule, I’ve found that you usually can’t go wrong with rice-heavy dishes. It’s always a win-win. Another dish on the highly recommended list that’s for sure!

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Delicious

DARE What does it take to push the limits of culinary creativity? To redefine what it means to construct a dish or develop a brand new flavor?

To Project X founder and innovative organizer, Ahamd Al-Hendi, it takes some fun, some talent, and a lot of risk. He talks to us about the idea and the goal behind his inspired culinary competition—having just completed it’s 2nd successful season!—and how he hopes to reshape the Kuwaiti food industry through opportunity and originality.

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How and why did the idea behind Project X come to you?

The idea behind Project X was a development of an older, similar project called "Food Maestros." Organizing an event with such a different concept was not easy to establish in a place like Kuwait, and that's why Food Maestros wasn’t successful. After discovering a new venue in Kuwait called Chef Boutique a few years back (which is a local culinary cooking academy in Kuwait) the idea of recreating a cooking contest started running through my head again. I organized the first season of Project X with the help of Chef Boutique owners and Basma Al-Musallam and, thankfully, it was a huge success. After the big and encouraging success of season one, it gave me the push to organize season two.

What does Project X represent to you?

A fun and adventurous atmosphere where all involved parties can have fun and enjoy the experience. Social and health awareness of everything related to food throughout the contest is also a major factor that we incorporate into the event. My future aim is to sponsor Project X participants into enrolling in one of the top culinary academies known in the food industry, in order to push people to be as creative and motivated as possible.

"The Project X experience inspires people to think, act, and produce creatively."

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In what way do you think Project X can inspire people?

People get inspired through a cooking atmosphere filled with joy and entertainment, yet at the same time they get the chance of having a new promising career in the food industry. Even if they’re not setting their sights on starting or maintaining a culinary career, the Project X experience inspires people to think, act, and produce creatively.

What are some of the most memorable moments you can recall from the Project X seasons?

The most special, most memorable moments are during the presentation of the dishes where all eyes are on the judges who get to decide the fate of each contestant. Another personally memorable moment for me was during the second season of Project X, where I got to observe and experience the beautiful development of this project from season 1 to season 2. These moments are especially meaningful to me knowing how much more challenging the organization of season 2 was as a whole event individually. I am so thankful I had the assistance of volunteers who helped me during the days of the event in gathering the prizes and preparing the displays in each kitchen.

What will it take for us to see Project X become an even bigger, stronger event and production?

Project X got to the level it's at today through the consolidated work between all parties involved. Through that kind of sincere effort it can develop into a professional cooking contest in the future, and one which would aim to have an added value to the food industry in Kuwait by introducing professional and well trained chefs and restaurateurs to the scene and giving these talented, creative individuals the push they deserve.

How does Project X push people in Kuwait to be innovative and to think outside the box?

Through taking risks and venturing into unknown culinary territory. Cooking new meals and dishes from all the unlimited groceries and fresh items we make available to the contestants, while also presenting them with surprising, thought-provoking challenges brings out the artist and the creative in every one who participates in Project X. The contestants have to take risks and try out things they never thought they would do before: but without risk there can be no new talents.

What do you hope to eventually achieve through Project X? Developing a cohesive food network , which will eventually get the food market in Kuwait up to par with the highest, international levels.

We can do this through accommodating all the professional, talented individuals we have here and incorporating them into this network in order to speak on their behalf and shape the future of the food industry in Kuwait as one which thrives on creativity, diligence, and pure talent.

@_a7madany

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Anmar @anmariscooking

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Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. I love waking up early in the morning to a hot cup of coffee and a beautiful setting to enjoy my breakfast in. I really believe that our eyes eat before we do, which is why it is so important to make sure that your food is presented beautifully.

I thought I would share with you Balaleet (‫ )بالليط‬my way:

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hair noodles. Make sure you only half cook them.

-Meanwhile, melt the sugar in the large pan until golden brown.

-After the noodles are half cooked, pour cold water on them to stop the cooking process.

-Toss the noodles into the melted sugar and add the zafaran mixture Method: with hail and rosewater.

-Boil water and throw in the angel -Mix well until incorporated.

Ingredients: • 1 packet of angel hair noodles (‫)شعرية‬ • 2 cups of sugar • 4 tbsp of butter • Hail (cardamom), zafaran, rose water • 7 eggs (amount of eggs as desired)

-For the eggs, beat them well with some hail, salt and zafaran.

-Pour some on a small buttered pan and cook them on both sides.

-To decorate, place the balaleet on a plate with the eggs on top of them then sprinkle some hail and zafaran on top. www.thecitym.com 63

Tara Sillery @tarasillery @rolasbeautylounge

Accent Fever!

Summer is coming and like every girl we want the body of Elle McPherson. Whilst this is literally impossible to achieve for many of us with our hectic schedules, we can all live in hope and use some other methods to aid the “bikini bod” for the upcoming summer months.

At Rola’s Boutique Beauty Lounge we pride ourselves in our state of the art “Slimming Department” where we have high tech machines that are guaranteed to give results. Each machine is FDA Approved which ensures further confidence.

We always advise a healthy eating approach to life and the dreaded word—“exercise”—should be used to achieve maximum results when you use any of our machines. However, many of our clients return again and again, and they are so happy with the results.

Below we have briefly outlined what we call our “miracle every girls dream machines.” Every female reader of theCITY Magazine is entitled to a free consultation and professional advice as to which programme will suit her best.

Accent Ultra The Accent Ultra is the latest body contouring technology combining two state of the art systems for safe, non-invasive and painless body reshaping. There is no down time, uncomfortable side effects, and most importantly it is a pain free process.

Accent Ultra is ideal for sculpting thighs, buttocks, stomach, back, upper arms, face and double chin.

The Accent Ultra treatment makes a personalized program to target localized fat deposits and the best thing is you can see results in just few sessions with a noticeable circumference reduction of up to 2-3 cm in the first session.

Infrared Slim and Trim Treatment Do you want to lose weight and inches fast? The radiant soothing infrared waves stimulate the power house in your cells to produce more energy and ultimately increases metabolism while burning up twice as many calories at the same time. Increase circulation thus allowing more oxygen and nutrients to flow into your muscles.

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STYLE TALK B y

J o u m a n a

S o u f i

As fashion and beauty go hand in hand, they take us into the continuous journey of our evolving personal style. While some of us like to experiment, other like to play safe, but it all falls into the prevailing mode of self expression. An unwritten message from you to the world, that tells the story of who you are. Here's a little guide to dish out some essential tips on how to work through the Spring/Summer most wearable trends of 2014 in the big wide world of fashion and the beauty. @thesidetalk

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Crop Top: These have been going around for a while, and they are definitely making a comeback this season.

Wear yours over a fitted mid length dress, or with a high waist pencil skirt, or jeans for a more casual look.

Sheer: The peek-aboo detailing is a mix of sweet meets sporty. And it was showcased by several designers during fashion weeks. Warning: if overdone, might look trashy. Now you know!

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The Midi Skirt:

Have you got used to the longer length skirts? You should, because this trend is here to stay. The modern way to wear it (which makes it a bit harder to pull off) is with flats. But you could definitely wear it with high heels for a pinch of elegance. It’s all about that kind of proportion. Good luck!

Flare Pants: This roomy silhouette make Florals: Ladylike and pants look fresh and very elegant. And it’s actually preppy florals are 100% comfortable! It’s kinda approved. The beauty of this trend is in the diversity. tricky; it could make you look boxy. It you’re super You could wear it in any slim and tall, you could form you like, let it be a top, pants, jacket, or even wear it with a tight or flow top. If you’re tall but not so a shoes or a bag. You skinny, make sure you wear could rock a one-florala belt to emphasize your piece outfit for an easier look, or you could mix two waistline. And don’t forget, floral pieces for a stronger the biggest, and most common, mistake with this impression. look is wearing flare pants that are too short or too long. The hem should skim the ground but not sweep it. Not the best option for people lacking on the height department. Sorry!

Pop of Blue: Blue eyes continue from 2013 and grow even stronger this season. It’s not among my personal favorite trends, but if you fancy it, you could rock a subtle liner or blocks of blue shadow.

Orchid:

Or the purple makeup!

Orchid, lilac and lavender shades are invading makeup bags this season.

The best way to tackle the trend is with Orange Lips: From neon to eyeshadow, however, you could wear coral, orange tones make your lips purple shades on your lips for a bolder cool this season. Go easy with the eyes when you wear this look. look.

Glowing Skin:

I love this! The barefaced beauty. For the stronghearted if I may say. Everyone loves healthy, glowing skin. Try the trend by mixing a bit of tinted moisturizer or BB cream of your preference into your foundation for a natural yet glowing complexion. For added shine, apply a powder highlighter on the cheekbones.

You’ll be getting compliments all day!

Bushy Brows:

Trends forecast confirm that the arch is not returning.

Instead blunt, boyish brows are ruling this season. Beware, they are not for everyone! Don't force this trend onto your face if you don't got it, naturally!

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OPEN RANGE Creative Director: Momo Al-Sabah Photographer: Pascal Buenning Stylist: Erica Pettersen Makeup: Moa Engstrom Hair: Momo Al-Sabah Female Model: Ailar/Crystal Models Male Model: Berto/Trendmodels

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OVER YONDER

HEART OF WILDERNESS

A LEADING FOLLOWER

MY FEATHERED FRIEND

THERE ONCE WAS A GIRL NAMED SHIRIZAD

TAKE HEART

LOVELORN

UNITED

HERE COMES THE SUN

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@latifamadouh

By Latifa Madouh

CITY KIDS

the

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@Monstariam

monstariam.com

They Live Where They Love Mohammad Abu-Hekma—or the more wildly known ‘MONSTARIAM’—is a force to be reckoned with. He is, by and large, a hulking figure in Kuwait’s current graffiti art movement and is a creative, visual thinker of an altogether different species. He is a self-proclaimed alien from another planet and ever since he landed his metaphorical spaceship in Kuwait, he’s called it home.

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Where are you from?

Well, I like to think of myself as an alien from another planet, but in reality I am from a small town in Palestine or P.A U.S.A.

What do you think of the Kuwaiti lifestyle and culture?

I think it’s amazingly diverse which, as I said before, is a huge plus in my book.

When did you come to Kuwait?

I landed here on October 1st 2003.

The fact that you can find people and communities that go from being extremely conservative to outwardly liberal (and everything in-between) is a beautiful thing. To see different lifestyles cohabitate and merge as one strong, diverse culture is a great quality that Kuwait has.

What do you do?

I am the founder of Rock, Paper, Scissors branding company and Monstariam. I am a graffiti artist and all around whacko visual thinker.

Why did you choose Kuwait as your home?

Because its crazy awesome here! Kuwait is an interesting place for developing artists and the diverse audience ranges between being receptive and highly critical but it’s a good place to build a reputation and meet some like-minded, insanely creative people!

What do you love most about Kuwait?

Good question! I guess I would have to say the challenges you face and overcome on a daily basis in Kuwait are something I find very admirable. There’s definitely a lot of room for improvement and critical attention in Kuwait but the fact that a lot of people here have the will and the strength to overcome these challenges over and over again is very cool and definitely gives me a lot of hope.

How much of an impact has Kuwait had on your life?

It had a huge impact on my life. The people I’ve met and the opportunities I’ve had here, while not all completely positive, have shaped me and shaped my art form in many profound and important ways.

What have you gained from Kuwait and given Kuwait?

In Kuwait, I was given a challenge and I gained a smile.

What does Kuwait mean to you on a personal level?

One word: home.

What words would you like to say to Kuwait if you could?

Kuwait: we showed each other some hard times and some good times and now we are at peace. Thank you.

"In Kuwait, I was given a challenge and I gained a smile."

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When Did You Know?

EFFORTLESS CROSSROADS

Here's the thing about life: it drags in you in a certain direction one minute, then whips you around towards another direction in the next. In the pursuit of our highest ambitions and truest callings, the paths that lay before us are numerous and the possibilities are endless.

We seek wildly and passionately for a single, over-arching meaning and purpose, and when our search is not met by clear, tidy answers we can either bewilder ourselves with frustration or marvel at our own capacity to be, do, and become so much more than we ever imagined.

Kuwaiti architect, film director, and wandering dreamer Noora Al-Musallam chooses to marvel.

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There are two things I religiously ask myself on daily basis: “are you passionate about what you are doing?” and “is this a sign from God?” I knew early on that I didn’t want to go through life not knowing how to answer these questions particularly: “what are you passionate about?” I guess my biggest fear is not having a passion or discovering it at a very late age.

In college, I majored in Architecture and as much as it changed my view on life, and as much as I it made me the person I am today, there was something missing. The struggle and the allnighters I spent to gain my architecture degree seemed to be only bitter and not so sweet at the end. I wondered a lot. It was supposed to fit; it was suppose to feel right.

Half way through college I had an assignment in a theory class to make a short film on the subject we were studying. Long story short; this assignment made all the sense in the world to me. It fit, it made me happy, it came naturally, and my brain was on a constant flow of ideas and ways of making it. It felt as if I had studied filmmaking, as if I was the expert in script writing or any of these things. It wasn’t perfect but it felt perfect. At the end of this submission; I was selected “best director” by the jurors. I mean sure the prize and the scope of the project was no Oscars but that great start to something new is probably what made me know it was going to be the right track for me.

From then on I knew that this was what I wanted to do, filmmaking is what I’m passionate about. However, I needed to finish my bachelors degree and I needed to put this dream aside. I tried to come up with projects here and there in order to not lose my passion or forget it but it never really worked. But that’s the funny thing about life: there is no big sign that tells you “now is

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the time!” So when I heard about the competition organized by the Ministry of Youth, I wasn’t that eager to participate, thinking that I won’t be in the same level of the rest of the participants.

I mean, what do I really have? I lacked the equipment, the experience, the knowledge and I was simply acting on my gut feeling and what felt right. I guess all I could say is that I took a leap of faith and felt like it’s a now or never moment to pursue my dream.

I’m not big on labeling myself as an architect or a director or any career that comes to my mind. The more you are involved with what you love the more you detail it to your liking. At first I wanted to be a director, I soon began to discover a different side of this career. I loved writing, and I loved editing and getting to know the tools better. I was leaning towards shorter substance with heavier meaning, something I could control for myself.

There was another thing on my mind: I studied architecture and I wasn’t ready to let it go to pursue the unknown even if I knew deep down that this is my calling in life. So here I am at a crossroad in my life and the view is great from where I stand.

The ability to do whatever feels like the right step at this time.

There are two things I religiously ask myself on daily basis: “are you passionate about what you are doing?” and “is this a sign from God?” @MSHN

I have yet to discover a lot of things in the profession, winning something from the start and being recognized could work in different ways and one must be careful from falling into the idea of being well experienced or the notion of having reached the ultimate goal. And so I guess if I wanted to simply answer your question of when I knew what my life’s calling was the answer would be when I stopped working; when it became effortless.

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NINE

Budding talents and infectious ambitions are among our favorite things here at theCITY. When we find a Kuwaiti talent with boundless energy, heart, and creative potential, you can bet that we pay attention. Thankfully for us, one of Kuwait’s youngest, brightest, most deliriously gifted film-makers, Mohammad Al-Saeed, has got potential in spades! Mohammad’s talent with a camera and film narrative is unlike anything we have seen from such a young, fledgling filmmaker. To Mohammad, to tell a story is to envelop a world, and to capture an image is to convey an essence. Whether he’s doing it through music videos, through commercials, or through films—Mohammad Al-Saeed’s subtle and polished approach to visual imagery evokes both a sense of warm familiarity and intriguing exploration. In his portrayals of artists, concepts, and narratives, Mohammad is not only unique; he is thoroughly visionary. With an impressive roster of national and international clients under his belt, a viral film-making credit to his name, and an ever-present ten-watt smile to boot, Mohammad’s future is on a non-stop route to cloud nine! www.thecitym.com 97

Photographer: Hussain Shamo

How and why did you happen upon the path of film direction and film-making as a career?

I think the 'Why' is more important and the answer is simple: I love film in all its forms, I have loved it since I was a child. I've always been passionate about the moving image and the art of painting a picture on screen in a way that tells a story and evokes emotions. Whether it's a feature film, a short film, a music video, a fashion film... whatever it is, it touches me and it touches all of our lives. I decided to make a career out of film-making when I was fed up of being miserable at a regular job. I had to go after what made me happy and content, even if I didn't make any money out of it. There are much more important things in life than money.

What types of stories are you most interested in telling?

I'm personally a fan of romantic comedies, thrillers, and musicals. I like

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stories that are smart, well-written, and have a positive message. I want to be able to translate these stories into beautiful and exciting visuals that can take viewers on a ride they would want to go on over and over again, and discover new details they hadn't noticed before every time they watch these visuals.

How has working with musicians like Omar Afuni and Aziz AlNasrallah helped enhance your skill or your perspective as a film director? How can you envision their songs and rhythms in film and image?

Omar and I have worked together for years. Initially, I was helping him with photography and creative direction, and then we did a music video for his song 'Music Therapy' while I was still a film student in London with a very small budget. I'm very proud of it. With Aziz's video for 'Amoot Alaik' I was more refined and experienced and was able to project the

KUWAIT: YOU HAVE SUCH AN INCREDIBLE HISTORY, SUCH A RESILIENT PEOPLE. I APPLAUD YOU. - PHARELL WILLIAMS ideas in my head more clearly, and we had a bigger budget. It really depends on the artist and what they expect their video to look like, then I just merge their ideas with my vision for the song. It's important to capture the true identity of the artist in music videos. It was a lot of fun working with both artists, I urge everyone to go on YouTube and watch the videos!

You've also worked with several international clients as well as established directors in Kuwait and the region, like Khuloud Al-Najjar in her most recently acclaimed, Tropfest Film Festival winner 'The Three Pyjamas.' What are the best learning experiences that you've been able to gather working with such a large variety of directors and filmmakers?

I definitely learn something new every time I work with someone.

Working with Dr. Khulood was great. I worked with her as an Editor though, so I didn't have any input in the filming or directing of her film. It depends on the role I take in a project, but whether I'm an Editor, Director, or Creative Director, I always learn something new that makes the next thing I do even more polished. Some of the best learning experiences were doing the most recent NBK Walkathon campaign, doing the music videos with Omar Afuni & Aziz AlNasrallah, and my fashion film 'Contaminated.'

@Moe_AlSaeed vimeo.com/mohammadalsaeed

You've also dabbled in photography on several occasions and for several campaigns. Is this another ambition of yours as well or is it more of a hobby?

Actually, I started practicing photography before I studied film-making.

It all started when my friend Omar Afuni was doing his first album. I wanted to help him with the cover art for his album, and we ended up with many great photos. I also did photography for models and actors while I was studying film in London. I enjoy it, but I'm definitely more passionate about film-making.

Among your most recent works, you were Filmmaker & Editor in one of Kuwait's most viral, delightfully infectious music and dance movements: HappyQ8! Why and how did you decide to get involved in this movement?

I was approached by Taiba Al Qatami, owner of WEORITU, who had the idea for the HappyQ8 video. She wanted to show the world how beautiful and diverse Kuwait is. I, of course, couldn't resist because it sounded like such a fun project and one that would shine a light on a different side of Kuwait. I enjoyed meeting all the wonderful people who participated in the video.

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"The talent obviously exists, it just needs room to breathe and be appreciated—and encouraging artists of all kinds to expose themselves and showcase their work is always a step in the right direction. "

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The video actually got so popular that it caught the attention of Pharrell Williams himself! How does it feel to have your work publicly acknowledged by such a huge, global artist?

It feels amazing, of course! When Taiba and I started this project, we just wanted to draw smiles on people's faces and spread some positivity, we never expected getting a reaction from Pharrell himself!

I'm very, very thankful.

You recently placed 3rd in the Youth Ministry's nation-wide 'Nebga' competition in the TV Commercial category! That's an amazing accomplishment. How does it feel to be chosen and recognized by Kuwait as one of it's most promising, film-making talents?

I can't tell you how grateful I am to Youth Kuwait for this competition; not because of the awards they give, but for the initiative they're taking in discovering Kuwaiti talent. The talent obviously exists, it just needs room to breathe and be appreciated—and encouraging artists of all kinds to expose themselves and showcase their work is always a step in the right direction. I'm proud to be among those artists and hope that we could all work together to create an artistic movement.

Where do you see Kuwait's film-making industry headed in the next few years?

I'm hoping that it's headed in a positive direction. I dream of one day having a real Kuwaiti film industry that produces quality films all year long, and people rushing to cinemas to watch Kuwaiti films the same way they rush to watch Hollywood films. We won't see change if we are not optimistic, so I'm going to be optimistic and say that we will have a full fledged Kuwaiti film industry in the next ten years!

What other interesting projects do you have in the works and what do you most look forward to in your film-making career?

I'm currently working on a short film, a couple of documentaries, and planning a music video. I look forward to entertaining people for many years to come!

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HOUNDING DOWN

Since the era of the Pharaohs, greyhounds have been portrayed among the most regal and stringently loyal of creatures in the animal kingdom. With their agile bodies and stern yet soulful gaze—looking out farther and wider than humanly imaginable—the greyhound demands an earned respect for the culture and the history which he represents in the time-honored Arabian tradition of dog-hunting.

Kuwaiti greyhound trainer, hunter, and cultured connoisseur, Ahmad Al-Roumi, takes us through this path of paw-treaded dignity.

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When it comes to strength and physical capability both breeds rank at about the same level, with the exception of the longhair’s slightly bigger ears.

How did you first start training greyhounds?

Ever since childhood, I had an intense fascination and interest in hunting and I would accompany my father on his many hunting trips. I got a hold of my first pack of greyhounds in 1997 and, since then, I have been training my greyhounds to hunt. It’s an extremely rewarding and accomplished feeling to see your trained animal that you have worked very hard to get to know and to train finally catch a worthy prey. It is the same feeling that a falconer experiences upon seeing his falcon land a bustard. Over time I continued to collect greyhounds from Kuwait and the larger Gulf area and, thankfully, I have accumulated a strong and respectable pack of the Gulf’s very best in greyhound breeds.

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What type of greyhounds are the best for hunting and gathering?

Greyhound breeds usually fall within one of two distinct categories: shorthair greyhounds and longhair greyhounds. The shorthair greyhounds fare better under harsher summer heat because of the breathability of their thinner coat of dog hair. These greyhounds are usually found in the southern areas of the Arabian peninsula as the weather in those areas is usually extremely hot and better accommodating to this breed. The longhair greyhounds have a considerably thicker coat of dog hair especially around the ears, feet, and tail. They are a breed usually found in the northern Arab peninsula in places like Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria as those areas are somewhat cooler than neighboring countries.

What is the right choosing and collecting process of buying greyhounds and discerning which dogs are better than others?

The greyhound is a dog just like any other dog and can be crossbred with any other kind or breed of dog on the planet. So, as an initial step, it could be extremely helpful to track the origin of your desired greyhound dog and make sure you have a detailed representation of the dog’s family history so as to better predict inherited traits and strengths.

The second step is to pay close attention to the physical build of the greyhound himself and to compare it to the qualities of a purebred greyhound. So, things to look out for are short stature, longer nose and snout, symmetry between the two front paws with the neck, and lung capacity. There also many other qualities that distinguish a purebred greyhound from a crossbreed.

The third step, and one which warrants it’s own category, is looking out for and measuring the greyhound’s speed. A well-trained and thoroughbred greyhound is distinguished by his/her lightening speed in which the greyhound can travel for long distances at a speed that varies anywhere between 50 to 60 KM per hour at a constant distance of 3 to 4 KM at that same speed. While other dog breeds may be a little faster than greyhounds in immediate speed but no other breed of dog can sustain this high speed for as long a travelling distance as the greyhound which makes it the ideal breed of dog for hunting.

Is it best to go on hunting trips in packs or is one good, strong greyhound sufficient enough to yield a bountiful result?

Well, obviously, the process of planning and actually carrying out a greyhound hunting trip can be very time consuming and take a lot of pre-planning to go to places like Syria, Sudan, and many other countries just to hunt game.

This is because Kuwait is very poorly populated with game prey like rabbits and other suitable catches—most of the game that greyhounds

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can hunt is nearly extinct in Kuwait. For this reason, however, most hunting trips require the use of a larger pack of greyhounds as opposed to one single dog, no matter how capable. This is because, a lot of time during the hunt, some dogs can suffer some cuts and burns in their paws, especially if the terrain is rough and rocky. Beyond that, when greyhounds hunt in packs they assist each other and they form a cohesive hunting unit in which each dog has a specific purpose like look-outs, trackers, or the actual chasers. If the terrain was clean and smooth it is absolutely possible to hunt successfully with one greyhound but I always prefer the pack whenever possible.

How do you maintain control over your greyhounds during the hunting trips?

About 2 months before going out on a planned hunting trip, the greyhounds undergo a specific and body-building training and diet regimen to both make sure their bodies stay physically fit and so that they can learn and get better acquainted with their trainer’s personality.

After this 2 month, intensive training period, the greyhound packs test out their strength, their stamina, and their communicative bond with the trainer by trying to catch up to some wild gazelles. This is an elimination process which determines the greyhounds that are ready to go out and hunt successfully and those who still need more time.

Tell us about the different kinds of greyhounds that you train and what are their different roles during a hunting trip.

I own and train both shorthair and longhair greyhounds and I make a particular point of not crossbreeding my greyhounds with other breeds of dog, as some dog hunters prefer to do. I only own, breed, and train purebred greyhounds.

As far as the different roles of the greyhounds, there are several. The greyhounds who are of a shorter stature are usually better suited for dodging and direct combat with the prey, although they cannot travel for very long distances. The taller greyhounds, however, can travel for exceedingly long distances at a consistently high speed without tiring out or losing steam. So the most optimal kind of greyhound to use during a trip depends on the nature of the prey and the specifics of the trip itself. This variety of abilities and characteristics is also why it is ideal to hunt in packs as opposed to hunting with one greyhound alone.

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What do you most enjoy about greyhound training and hunting?

The peace of mind and the clarity that my hunting trips with my beloved greyhounds gives me is beyond priceless. Getting away from the city and out in the open air with these creatures who are loyal and dear to me and whom I have spent many hours training is a wonderful experience, even if the trip does not yield any worthy game. To me, the most enjoyable part of the experience is the detachment it gives me, and the strong bond I get to build with my own unique pack of greyhounds. Of course, it is also very enjoyable when, after such a long and intensive training period, you see your dog successfully tracking, chasing, and subduing a strong prey, that is for certain. Unfortunately, Kuwait does not give enough support, both morally and financially, to nurturing and sustaining the sport of greyhound hunting as it does to other game hunting sports like falconry or equestrian sports. My hope is to one day see an official greyhound training center in Kuwait, as does exist in many other countries in the Gulf region.

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DROP IN THE

OCEAN For generation upon generation, the seas have been a generous life source and a durable safeguard for Kuwait and all those who inhabit it. We rely on it more than we should, and we mistreat it more than we realize. As a symbol of Kuwait’s enduring spirit and pure, humble beginnings, the sea defines and sustains us in more ways than we could possibly count. For so much that we have; we owe the sea. But if the sea is indeed so preciously irreplaceable to our well-being why do we mistreat it so? That is a question that Bashar Al-Huneidi—white water rafter and founder of Kayak4Kuwait—asks each and every one of us. He talks to us about his forward-thinking, original, and thoroughly fun initiative to rehabilitate Kuwait’s fragile marine life. To Bashar, no act of awareness or outreach is too small and every drop in the ocean counts for so much more. www.thecitym.com 109 Photographer:Abdulrhman Al-Yousef

hat was it that first attracted you to kayaking?

I was initially attracted to white water rafting and the art of what is called ‘reading the water.’

Then after doing white water rafting I took to river kayaking during my university years. But the main reason that attracted me to kayaking is my love for exploration, for nature, and for adventure.

What can you tell us about the idea behind Kayak4Kuwait and how it works?

Kayak4Kuwait’s driving force is the will and the determination to make Kuwait aware of the fact that we play a very important role in saving our sea, and that we can do it through fun, community participation in something that people enjoy doing. With our kayaks, we plan to go to marine areas in Kuwait that are abused or in danger of human misbehavior. Seeing these places and these damages up close is a very powerful and eye-opening tool for many of our participants and members. From there we raise this issue through the media and social media and any other means of exposure that we can find in order to educate all those whom are responsible for such wildlife abuse. In essence, our challenge is to reeducate people in Kuwait to keep their own country and nature clean as it once was—to keep it pure as it was created and ready for our own children to enjoy as we once did.

It’s important for the public to understand that we do not own nature; the whole human race does. We just pass it on to the next users and they either thank us or curse us. There is no way in between.

better kayaking techniques will make you enjoy the learning process more and teach you to look at the world as a chance to explore. There are many places in this world that only kayakers can reach just so they can enjoy the purity, the peace, and the serenity of finding nature’s hidden treasures.

What do you hope to achieve through Kayak4Kuwat?

We hope to reach as many people as there are visitors to the sea, the gulf, and to nature. We hope to send a clear and powerful message to those who abuse the sea. We hope to change harmful behaviors and give the power to change and help. We hope to have a promising future for our precious nature, so that it may become as it once was. We hope that a healthy and clean sea becomes a way of life and not an unnecessary luxury.

We hope that people become the solution and not the problem.

Showing people the chain effects of their decisions and actions towards the environment, will also help them change their behavior towards an attitude of consciousness and with an intention of becoming a source of aid for the sea as opposed to being an unknowing source of distress.

What's one important tip you can give to someone who is new to the kayaking world?

Safety is always my number one tip when enjoying nature and especially when it comes to the sea. Having fun and always trying to teach yourself

How do you think we can raise more awareness about Kuwait's marine life?

Kuwait’s marine, land, and air environments are abused in many ways. It only takes a quick look around you to see how much waste and garbage we actually live in on a day-to-day basis—how polluted the air we breath and how dirty our surroundings. If you look around you and try to imagine how much better off our lives would be if all of that littering, pollution, and damage stopped, I think the answer would be obvious.

A strong marine and overall environmental educational program throughout schools and media is necessary at this point and will hopefully start the wheel moving in the direction we want.

Looking back on how Kuwait was and what it has become today, from a nature and marine life point of view, will greatly highlight to all onlookers the level of distress and danger our marine ecosystem is in right now.

Giving people a future forecast of the path our sea is headed in at the current moment if we do not incur real and meaningful change, will help us better understand the larger consequences of our actions and decisions and will guide us towards the right decision before it is too late. Take the Dead Sea as an example. Nature-wise, it is completely dead and devoid

@Kayak4Kuwait of all forms of environmental life or benefit. It is a dead pool of water in which nothing can be born nor survive. The possibility of the fact that the same thing could happen to our own seas is very real and closer than a lot of people realize.

So education, visualization, and enforcement will make people see the difference and understand the fragility of the situation.

Why do you think there has been so much neglect and harmful use of our seas for such a long time?

Human greed makes people indifferent about the decisions they make and the repercussions of those decisions. Ignorance in behavior is also a large part of the problem. Absolute Incompetence of enforcement and legislation by those people in a position to do so is a huge issue as well.

The reality is that personal interest, rather than environmental interest, is leading every important decision we make both on a governmental and individual scale. This is a very short-sighted vision and stops us from even seeing how this abuse is actually taking something away from you and your children, as opposed to making life better and easier for you.

People think the sea is indestructible and can survive any harm we put in it.

This is a sad and terribly true fact of our society.

How have you found the response from people who have joined Kayak4Kuwait and have seen the massive neglect occurring on our shores and in our seas?

Everyone that I come in contact with are very receptive of the idea and all want to see a healthier sea and marine life come into fruition in the near future. They all want to help in many ways and all love the idea behind our approach. That's why we want to widen our circle to reach as many people as possible. At the end of the day, the decision to help lies in the palm of every hand as small as it may be. It all adds up to one, meaningful, positive result in behavior and to a final, visibly brighter, healthier sea and marine life. Again: you either help or destroy. No middle ground. The best you can do is educate the one next to you and hope that they pass the message along as well.

How can people join Kayak4Kuwait or learn more about your scheduled trips and activities?

The best way is to follow us on Instagram @kayak4kuwait and check out our activities and initiatives there. Weather is an important factor in our events so we keep all our schedules updated on our social media accounts.

RECLAIMED

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@MoAlAttar

To Red Bull Athlete, Adidas ambassador, and terrifyingly talented Parkour extraordinaire, Mohammad Al-Attar, the Kuwaiti cityscape is an urban jungle in which at every wall, every stairwell, and every sidewalk lurks a chance at discovery and adventure. As Mohammad dashes through Kuwaiti streets and structures, he pushes the limits of everything you thought the human body was capable of. With a crackling flip here and lunging jump there, Mohammad is reclaiming his own definition of what it means to see and know Kuwait.

TERRITORY

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When and how did you start training Parkour? How much time do you invest in your training at the moment?

It all started after I graduated from high school. Since I was into different sports like karate, rock climbing, and taekwondo, a friend of mine suggested I try this new, crazy sport and that I'd love it. That sport was Parkour. I tried it with few guys and since that day it became a part of me. I usually practice a minimum of three days a week, but sometimes it depends on whether my teammates are free to train or not. As for now I practice 3-5 days per week in addition to doing fitness workouts in the gym 6 days per week.

What do you think is your role in Kuwait's Parkour movement? What do you think is the influence you have had on the local Parkour scene so far?

Well, being a Red Bull sponsored athlete can definitely put one under the spot light. To many traceurs being sponsored is like a dream so imagine being the only Arab Red Bull sponsored athlete representing Parkour, as well as one of the only 4 Red Bull Parkour athletes in the world—Ryan Doyle (UK), Jason Paul (Germany), Pavel Petkuns (Latvia) and Mohammad Alattar (Kuwait).

My role in the Parkour community is to develop the human body’s abilities through Parkour by giving workshops and inspiring others to follow a better lifestyle. If I can do it, then they can too! That's the influence I think I have on the Parkour community not only in Kuwait but in the whole region. It's like: if an Arab tracer could join the ranks of the top, world-class athletes, then we can do it too. So I hope this idea can push local traceurs forward to improve their skills so that they themselves can become the next generation of Red Bull sponsored athletes.

How did you first get involved with Red Bull and Adidas, and becoming their brand representative as well?

I was acquainted with Red Bull Kuwait since 2009 when they were preparing the Red Bull Urban Jump, which was the first Parkour competition in Kuwait. As a local Parkour athlete they asked me to help out with athlete contacts, a good place for a competition, etc. The

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"TO OVERCOME AN OBSTACLE YOU MUST OVERCOME IT WITH THE THOUGHTS IN YOUR MIND JUST AS YOU WOULD WITH THE STRENGTH IN YOUR BODY."

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B R O U G H T TO YO U BY

competition happened in 2010 and was judged by Red Bull Parkour athlete Ryan Doyle at which time he announced me as the 1st place winner among a pool of 55 participants.

In 2011, Kuwait hosted the world-renowned Parkour competition, Red Bull Art of Motion, which took place in Failaka Island. For this competition, I qualified as one of the top 3 athletes in Kuwait who joined the 17 international athletes in the competition. In 2012, Red Bull presented me as a Red Bull sponsored Parkour athlete and the official contract was signed in 2013.

As for Adidas, I signed the contract with them in 2013 as well and they provide me with high tech gear to enhance my performance. Adidas also supply me with training equipment to use during my workshops and Parkour classes.

What does Parkour offer you besides the physical exercise aspects?

Parkour is a balance between physics and the mind. To overcome an obstacle you must overcome it with the thoughts in your mind just as you would with the strength in your body. If you can imagine yourself overcoming an obstacle mentally then your body will be ready to

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overcome it physically. I really believe that Parkour gives you a better understanding of your surroundings and can change your perspective on the things you come across in your daily life.

How often do you have to work out to keep up your Parkour ability?

What does your regular exercise routine consist of?

It's never really about the time I spend practicing; it's all about how much I focus in the time I do train. The exercises depend on what I find myself lacking in. Sometimes it's the basics. Other times it's a mixture of flips, style, flow, and creativity and, for each one of these criteria, there is a different training course to follow. However, the common factor between all the different training courses is the warm up, and then I simply practice the skill over and over until it improves.

How has Parkour helped you re-discover Kuwait's cityscape and our urban structures?

Parkour has really changed my perspective on places I've been to and have visited before I started doing Parkour. Every wall, stairs, bench, and roof presents a brand new challenge now. The whole world has become a huge playground to me!

What is your favorite training location in Kuwait?

Failaka Island. Definitely Failaka Island.

What is your biggest achievement so far? What are you most proud of as a traceur or free runner?

The biggest achievement to me has been surviving 8 years of Parkour in a country where, unfortunately, most sports and athletic talents reach a dead end and scatter with the dust over time. Being sponsored

by Adidas and Red Bull is also an amazing achievement to me because these are the kinds of chances and opportunities that are only given to athletes whom these brands deem as the very top athletes in their fields. It’s an awesome and humbling feeling.

How do you see Kuwait's Parkour movement developing over the next 5 years?

I must say that Parkour in Kuwait is fairly developed and the skills of the athletes here are high. I just hope to see more people get involved and to see more encouragement by parents to their kids to think outside the box and give Parkour a try. In 5 years I think we'll be seeing the introduction and growth of several Parkour academies in Kuwait, and I even suspect that we’ll be the leading country in the region by then!

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the VIBE

The Commercial Bank of Kuwait reignited our passionate love and appreciation for our unique Kuwaiti culture in a decadent gathering of warm smiles, colorful, long-flowing thoubs, and cultured mystique!

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the VIBE

Gulf Bank's Open Day celebrations brought together a family of loyal employees, memorable good times, and a promise of brighter futures to come!

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the VIBE

The UNO Exhibition was an absolute smattering of fashion, beauty, and complete and utter decadence! Uniting a number of Kuwait's most stylish and fashionable names with a host of wonderful, diverse businesses is what it's all about!

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Mercedes-Benz Club Kuwait kicked it up into high gear with a group of classy, one-of-a-kind rides, and an even classier gathering of sharp, auto enthusiasts!

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the VIBE

GAP PRESENTS “LIVED-IN” SPRING CAMPAIGN FEATURING CAST OF EMERGING ARTISTS Lived-In,” Gap’s global marketing campaign celebrates an authentic attitude, also captured in the brand’s spring product collection featuring a modern and youthful interpretation of classic, casual styles.

For years, Gap has shared its belief in the power of the individual by highlighting people who are always their most authentic selves. This season, the “Lived-In” attitude is brought to life by a cast of emerging and talented young artists including musicians, singers, actors and photographers.

Unveiled worldwide, the campaign includes Trinidadian-born American recording artist Theophilus London; English singer-songwriters Birdy and Anna Calvi; American actors RJ Mitte and Julia Garner; Swedish photographer Lina Scheynius; and American singer-songwriter and record producer Ernest Green (performing under the stage name Washed Out).

Each artist was photographed by David Sims, who is known for his ability to capture his subject’s own easy style – a confidence and comfort that can only be expressed in clothes that you can truly live in.

Ooredoo Supports Network-Sharing, as Company Looks to Provide Best-in-Class Network Experience across Footprint Ooredoo is set to take its network transformation strategy to the next level, using network sharing to help maximise the impact of its modernisation programme.

Across a diverse range of markets, the company is investing in data services as a key part of its contribution to human growth and development. Mobile data is at the heart of Ooredoo’s long-term vision, and became the single largest contributor to Ooredoo’s revenue growth in 2013.

Wataniya, Ooredoo’s company in Kuwait, recently completed a network modernisation programme worth USD 400 million (KWD 113 million). The company now has one of the best 3G network data rates in the world, and supports the rapid expansion of 4G, according to a report by Omnitele, the consulting company, Wataniya Kuwait completely rebuilt the network, and has seen data utilisation jump by more than 20 percent.

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Mamas & Papas launch new all-terrain Sola² MTX Mamas & Papas, the UK’s favourite nursery retailer, have a new addition to the Sola family launching their brand new do- anything stroller, the Sola² MTX. A simple and versatile pushchair, the Sola² MTX is ideal for parents who are looking for a great value pushchair that suits an adventurous lifestyle.

World leading bridal firm PRONOVIAS is commemorating its 50th anniversary with its “50 Years Dressing Dreams” concept, paying homage to Pronovias brides around the world. www.thecitym.com 127

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