The Source Issue 29 - 27 September 2012
A South Korean sampler Welcoming World Heart Day
Discover Delma Island PLUS:
• news • sports • recipes • movies
Wedding Wonderland: tips for your
Big Day
BIG BREAKFAST
Value Meal
Give your morning a big happy start. Enjoy a muffin, scrambled eggs with a sausage, crispy golden Hash Browns and a Premium Roast Coffee.
www.McDonaldsArabia.com
12 October 20 th 10 l ti n u LY. valid AND CONDITIONS APP *TERMS
OTHER ACTIVITIES: FUN ‘N LEARN • TINY TOTS • PLAY ZONE • VIDEO GAMES • POOL PARLOUR • KIDDY KUTZ
AL AIN: Bawadi Mall - 037840338, Jimi Mall - 037630209, www.funcity.ae
/funcitycomeplay
Contents 8
INBOX This page is all about you! Send us your poems, pictures or letters and see them published here, ask us your questions and pick up some handy environmental tips
9
NEWS This week’s local and national news headlines
11
SPORTS All the latest from the sporting world
12
FEATURE This Saturday is World Heart Day, get involved and get heart healthy
15
STUFF for men Why talking to yourself is no longer the first sign of madness
16
AL MAJLIS Ambitious entrepreneur Abdullah Al Dhaheri tells us how a penchant for fruit juice and a decisive first step, paved the way for his road to success
18
EDUCATION Keep kids in check with reliable classroom management
20
URBAN WOMAN Create the perfect fairytale wedding with our countdown to the big day
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20
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DIARY What do you have planned for the next week? Take a look at our diary for the latest happenings around town
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RECIPES Delicious recipes for you to try at home
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BUSINESS Let’s get building: Putting SEO into practice
24
Lifestyle How living as an expat can sometimes cost you dearly
25
MY EMIRATE Get away from it all at Delma Island in Abu Dhabi
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MY WORLD A whistle stop tour of South Korea will leave you hungry for more
@ the movies & games
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Letter from the
T
Editor
The
his week I’ve been feeling a little bit under the weather. I’m not sure why but, to compensate, I’ve been trying to get plenty of rest and eat sensibly in a bid to get myself back on form. Just being out of action for a few days really gets you focusing on your health as a whole and what better time to do so, than World Heart Day.
Source
MANAGING DIRECTOR Mona Hennawi EDITOR IN CHIEF Mahra Saeed Al Muhairi EDITOR Hayley Skirka ASSOCIATE EDITOR Khudayja Saloojee JUNIOR WRITER Mehak Alam
Shocking statistics show that if we continue the way we are today; by the year 2030 over 23 million people will die each year from heart disease and stroke. That’s more than the population of Australia! Small steps taken now can help ensure that you and your family are ‘heart-healthy’ turn to page to 12 to find out more.
SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ghulmiyyah Ghulmiyyah GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sikkandar Sharpudeen
Health also comes into play in our lifestyle section where Asa tells us all about her summer spent scouring nursing homes in Melbourne. Living as an expat is usually great; year-round sun, tax free salaries and a great base point for travelling being just a few of the perks. Asa’s story reminds us of the disadvantages that expat life can bring, especially as our families, back home, grow older.
ARABIC EDITOR Sami Rashid ASSOCIATE ARABIC EDITOR/TRANSLATOR Hanadi Jamil SENIOR TRANSLATOR Narmeen Al Assad
Dont worry, it’s not all serious stuff this week, as we take a whistle-stop tour around Incheon in South Korea, pop over to Abu Dhabi’s Delma Island, try out some delicious seafood recipes and, of course, have all the latest news and sports from across the country.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER Haneen Farid SALES & ADVERTISING Jo Mathew PHOTOGRAPHER Mohsin Salim
Happy reading!
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Mohammed Saqer CONTRIBUTORS Nicola Hamer, Yasmine Ali, Mais Abu Salah, Rayan Yakub alBikaadi Asa Smith, Rawad Nassir
Editor
TO CONTACT US +971 3 7668111 info@thesourceuae.com www.thesourceuae.com
A 24-hour stopover
in South Korea left
us craving so much mo
re
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Write to us!
We want to hear all about you! You can write to us about The Source, your family, life or anything else you want to talk about. Why not send us your photography or artwork to see it published in the magazine?. Simply email: competition@thesourceuae.com and remember to include your name and contact details. Next week’s star letter will win dinner for two at Ayla Hotel!
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No part of this publication or content, thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form without the permission of The Source Magazine, published by Smart Design Publishing, in writing. The Source Magazine and Smart Design Publishing accept no responsibility, however caused, for errors or omissions contained in this publication. Any articles and/or images included in this publication and/or views and opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The Source Magazine and Smart Design Publishing, and any of its affiliates, but remain solely those of the author(s). Such publications have been included for general reference and the purpose of fair review. Copyright © 2011 by The Source and Smart Design Publishing, and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
!
urce AskThe So
Inbox
t my first I still remember I go Magazine copy of The Source since then from a mall in Al Ain, der, I am I have been an avid rea esome aw s thi a regular reader of lots of th wi d magazine, it is loade ve interesting & informati the articles. Especially , ue iss t las Recipes of d an od go they’re too re yumilicious :) I make su ery ev to get a copy of it week, now it’s part of my life ... Keep up the good work and keep writing. Lubna Nadeem Al Ain
I live pretty far from Town Center and I often find that it’s an inconvenience for me to drive all the way to the post office just to buy stamps. Is there any where else I can buy postage stamps?
LOVE
It is....a Relation based on Trust, a Feelings of Oneness a Spirit for not being Alone a Heart which is never of our own; a Partner whose existence is Soo Long not only till death, as it will prolong :) It is....., it is what we call
There certainly is. Postage stamps are not found exclusively at the Emirates Post Office. You can also purchase them from Hallmark Stores, some grocery stores and selected Carrefour branches across the city.
LOVE
The Sweetest of All ....!!!
A poem by Parveen M. Parkar, Al Ain
Environment GOING ORGANIC
My family and I are huge fans of organic food. Many times I get teased by friends who quiz me about my reasons for eating organic. I claim eco-friendliness as my reason and they give me “the crazy lady look”. So, I decided to delve a little further to defend my position. Here are three environmentally based reasons to go organic. 1. Chemical pesticides and fertilizers strip the soil of its natural resistance. Organic farming doesn’t deplete the nutrients and alter the natural composition of the soil, resulting in both a healthy produce and environment.
Midori Yoshino -Town Centre
2. Organic farming practices can help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the air by locking more carbon in the soil instead of releasing it into the atmosphere. 3. Organic farming methods help reverse the adverse effects of conventional farming methods as they use natural compost and manure instead of chemicals.
Cudgel (KUH-juhl)
First known use: Prior to 12th Century Meaning: Meaning: 1 – a short heavy club Usage: The farmer ran at the trespassers with a cudgel clenched tightly in his fist 8
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PRAYERTIMES Day
Fajr
Sunrise
Dhuhr
Asr
Maghrib
Isha
Thursday
4:51
6:07
12:08
3:33
6:08
7:38
Friday
4:51
6:07
12:08
3:33
6:07
7:37
Saturday
4:52
6:08
12:08
3:32
6:06
7:36
Sunday
4:52
6:08
12:07
3:31
6:05
7:35 7:34
Monday
4:52
6:08
12:07
3:31
6:04
Tuesday
4:52
6:08
12:07
3:31
6:04
7:34
Wednesday
4:53
6:09
12:07
3:30
6:03
7:33
NEWS
Drug Bust in Al Ain
Municipality Inspectors discovered dozens of kilograms of the drug Niswar, during an inspection campaign of farmhouses in the Maragh area of Al Ain last week. Inspectors also discovered areas for grinding, processing and manufacturing the banned tobacco drug. Hassan Al Kaabi, Deputy Section Head of Public Health Department, revealed “About 83 large bags weighing 95kg of unprocessed Niswar were seized, in addition to 20 bags of processed Niswar ready for sale.” The three Pakistani men found on the premises are being investigated and the case will be referred to the public prosecutor’s office. This is an edited version of an original story that appeared in The National on 18 September, 2012. For the full version, please go to www.the national.ae
Offensive Video Blocked In UAE
The UAE Telecommunications and Regulatory Authority (TRA) sent a directive last week to Etisalat and du to block the offensive video posted on the internet mocking the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). The TRA urged the public to report any working links to the trailer for the film “Innocence of Muslims” to Etisalat or du. According to Gulf News, TRA’s Deputy Director General, explained “The TRA has restricted the clip to comply with local law and the norms and ethic of the country rather than as a response to further pressure.”
Camel Milk in High Demand
The UAE’s biggest camel farm, Al Ain Dairy, is producing 5 per cent more milk from its herd of 1200 camels after spending AED4.2 million’s worth of the latest in milking technology.
Three months into the project, Al Ain Dairy Farm’s Chief operating officer, Shashi Kumar Menon, said, “It’s been working well so far.” The camels are not used to this new machinery so there is a definite adjustment period but, so far, no difficulties have been reported. Twenty milkmen stay close to the animals during the process in order to keep them calm and monitor progress. Another 350 camels have been added to the farm, which now produces almost 3700 liters a day - an extra 200 liters than last year. Overall, the farm has increased milk
production from 1 million to 1.2 million liters per year. Unfortunately, despite the increase, the company is still running short of produce for export thus tentative plans to export to Kuwait have had to be put on hold. “Even with an increase in production, we are still barely able to meet the UAE demand. We don’t have any extra milk so exporting is premature at this stage,” affirmed Mr. Menon. The demand for camel milk in the UAE is increasing day by day, reaching almost 4 million liters per year. Al Ain Dairy is taking all measures possible in order to this demand and hopes to be able to begin exporting its product sometime in the future.
2nd Get Together at Ayla Hotel
The Ayla Hotel’s 2nd ‘Al Ain Get Together Party’ held last week was deemed a roaring success. With a huge turnout from a wide cross-section of the community, the networking event was a great introduction to the city for new members of the community. “It is a welcoming party for the new residents of Al Ain” explained George Titus, Director of Sales and Marketing at Ayla. “Our aim is to familiarize the community with different businesses and inform them about the services available in the market. So as to make their stay in Al Ain happy”, he added. Samara, a financial advisor who was exhibiting at the event and whose job is to provide taxation advice to expats in the city was excited, explaining “There are a lot of people to whom you can speak to and inform about the different ways one can actually save their money correctly.” Over 30 partners from different business
sectors including travel and tourism, healthcare, car rental and financial divisions were on hand to present their products to new residents, who seemed to be soaking up the offerings. Newcomer, Andrea Saint John, was happy that the event had been organized and said, “It’s great to see the businesses coming to us so that we can patronize them. I am very excited to find an arts and drama class for my daughter and also to find an alternative car- service.” General Manager of Ayla Hotel, Mohamed Soussan, explained, “The aim of the hotel is to serve the community and, with 30 per cent more visitors this year, we are sure that we have done our best in bringing together different businesses and community members under one roof.” This year’s event was supported by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) and partnered, amongst others, by Crystal Hotel-Abu Dhabi, Bawadi Mall and Etihad Airlines. thesourceuae.com
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NEWS
Green Fuel For Government Fleet Emirates Transport will begin converting diesel vehicles to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles from the beginning of next year. This environmentally friendly move is in addition to the petrol vehicles that they have already converted. Since 2010, Emirates Transport has converted 1300 taxis, 500 Abu Dhabi Police cars and another 500 fleet of government cars from petrol to CNG at their conversion center in Khalifa City A. They are currently experimenting with doing the same to a full-sized bus, fitting it with CNG cylinders in addition to its diesel tank. Converting a diesel vehicle will result in a 40 per cent saving in fuel, while conversions from petrol to CNG will decrease fuel costs between 30 to 35 per cent. In addition to lower fuel costs, recent research indicates the major benefit of a vehicle using CNG is that it emits 80 per cent less nitrogen oxide, about 70 per cent less carbon dioxide and
80 per cent less non-methane gas. CNG technology has been outsourced from Italy while German inspectors ensure vehicles are properly converted. Mr Mahir Al Sayed Al Rafaee, Manager of the CNG Center at Emirates Transport, reiterated “Converted vehicles are 100 per cent safe and I would say they are safer than petrol cars.” Private car owners also have the opportunity to convert their vehicles to CNG. They can visit the conversion center with proof of car registration and a driving license. Emirate Transport will issue a certificate verifying the conversion of the car. Emirates Transport is also currently in discussions with Adnoc Distribution to open up more conversions centers in the Capital and Sharjah in the coming months. This is an edited version of an original story that appeared in The National on 14 September, 2012. For the full version, please go to www.the national.ae
Almost Showtime for Abu Dhabi Film Festival The sixth Abu Dhabi Film Festival (ADFF) will take place at the capital’s iconic Emirates Palace Hotel this year from 11-20 October. The event will commence with a screening of Hollywood movie ‘Arbitrage’, produced by Saudi film producer, Mohammed Al Turki, in a bit to demonstrate solidarity in entertainment between Eastern and Western Cinema. Richard Gere and Nate Parker star in the movie and, alongside director Nicholas Jarecki, they will be present for the opening of the ADFF. For the first time ever, the festival will be hosted by twofour54, as part of the strategy to run ADFF alongside Abu Dhabi’s other media initiatives and events, highlighting the emirate as a hub for supporting film production in the Arab region. ADFF also hopes to boost the career interests of young, talented Emiratis who 10
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Eight-Year-Old Expert
Eight-year-old environmentalist, Pritvik Sindhadc, presented a lecture on the devastating impact of radioactive waste on marine and animal life at the Emirates Environmental Group’s (EEG) 9th Community Lecture on the Dubai Customs premises. The young boy explained the dangers of radioactive waste and its catastrophic effects on marine and animal life. He stated that the fundamental source of radioactive waste was from human activities, such as nuclear power plants, nuclear testing and improper disposal of nuclear, radioactive and hazardous waste. Pritvic impressed the audience with his extensive research and knowledge of radioactive waste. At the end of the lecture, EEG presented the young man with a crystal acknowledging his talent, lecture and research. The event was seen as a hugely successful, with EEG explaining that the involvement of such a young speaker clearly showed that the concern of environmental sustainability crosses all ages, genders and geographical barriers.
Yasalam 2012 Line-Up Announced
The full line up for the 2012 Yasalam entertainment festival that surrounds the Capital’s Formula 1 season was announced last week by Flash Entertainment. are keen cinema enthusiasts and could be interested in film-making. Ali Al Jabri, the Festival Director, said, “What better way to showcase the talent that exists in the region than to open with a film produced by the region and starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood? It promises to be a great start to an exciting 10 days of films.” This year the festival will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of Algerian Independence by running Algerian films as well as high profile Narrative Features, Documentary Features and New Horizons.
World famous singer/songwriter CeeLo Green will entertain fans at the free ‘Beats on the Beach’ concerts alongside Missy Elliot, Tamer Hosny, Maya Diab, Mel C and Hani El Omary. With a whole host of other activities including the Screen by the Sea weekend, the F1 Fanzone and record breaking attempts involving the general public, the festival is shaping up to be a great one. The Yasalam Festival, the biggest of any held by a F1 Host city, will compliment the F1 After Race Concerts that will see Kylie Minogue, Nickelback and superstar rapper Eminem perform for F1 ticket holders.
SPORTS
Dramatic Driving in Sao Paulo for Gulf Team
Al Ain’s Super Cup Win for Waleed
Pro-league champions Al Ain secured this year’s Super Cup at Zabeel Stadium last week when they defeated Al Jazira in a nerve-wracking penalty shoot out. Their victory was dedicated to team captain, Waleed Salem, who is currently seeking medical treatment in Singapore for his sick son. The 90 minutes saw both teams give it their all, Al Ain fighting to win back the title they lost in 2010 and Al Jazira intent on making up for last season’s devastating penalty loss against Al Wahda. With the score sheet still blank as the referee called time, it was down to penalties to secure the win. Al Ain’s goalkeeper, Dawoud Sulaiman,
took of his goalie gloves to become the unlikely hero of the match, firing the winning penalty past Kasheif, Jazira’s goalkeeper. Asamoah Gyan was on top form, creating chances early in the game and giving the already excited Al Ain fans something to cheer for. Omar Abdulrahman struggled to find his form, thwarting one of Gyan’s openings just after half time before seeing his penalty kick saved by Kasheif, who was on top form saving three of Al Ain’s spot kicks. Cosmin Olaroiu, Al Ain’s Manager, dedicated the victory to goalkeeper and captain, Waleed Salem, as well as the team’s dedicated fans and supporters.
Kamali takes Gold for UAE
The UAE based Gulf Racing Middle East team put on a good performance in the fifth round of the FIA World Endurance Chamioonship held last week in Sau Paulo, Brazil. The race attracted a huge turnout with over 25,000 spectators turning out to catch the action which was promoted by former Brazilian F1 World Champion, Emerson Fittipaldi. Car number 29, took its place on the grid in 18th position with French driver Fabien Giroix taking the first stint. Japanese Keiko Ihara, the only woman in the contest, and Swiss Jean Denis Deletraz took up the remaining stints. The Gulf car was hit hard in the first lap of the race. This caused Fabien to break suddenly and himself, and several other drivers, head to the pit for essential repairs. This added almost 30 minutes to the Gulf Team’s time, leaving them 20 laps behind the nearest rival car. The team is hoping for better luck in the remaining three rounds of the competition and is optimistic of a good result at in Bahrain on Sunday, in territory that is a little closer to home.
Sailing To Glory UAE’s Khalid Kamali beams with joy as he receives the Seventh Arab Snooker Championship from Ahmad Al-Sharif, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council.
The UAE’s Khalid Kamali won gold at the Seventh Arab Snooker Championship 2012 after defeating Jordan’s Ahmed Al Jalaad by 4-3 in the youth singles event at Dubai Snooker Club last week. The impressive bout between the two young players saw both players strive for gold, pummeling each other with fervor and confidence. Kamali, claimed the first frame while his opponent took the second leaving the match at an even 1-1. However, it was Kamali who was to shine in the third frame where a spectacular long pot on the first red ball lead to a total clearance of 130 points, the highest of the whole tournament and of the young Emirati’s career. The fourth frame ended with the score tied
at 38-38, and Al Jalaad put up a good fight by taking the fifth and sixth frames. Kamali secured his victory in the seventh deciding frame to scoop gold for the UAE. Happy with his performance, Khamali said, “I had made up my mind before the final to go in and try winning the hearts of the local fans more than the match itself. I am happy that I succeeded in winning both.” There was more success for the UAE, with the ‘A team’ taking bronze in the semifinal game against Iraq, after a particularly impressive match. The UAE’s Mohammed Shehab, Abdulrahman Saif and Mohamed Al Joaker fought hard to win but their victory was hindered by Iraqi players Faris Kamil, Hussein Jafar Hadi and Ali Jalili Ali’s strong determination.
The first-ever Abu Dhabi Match Racing Invitational Cup 2012 held in the UAE, took place at Abu Dhabi’s Breakwater Corniche and witnessed fierce competition between nine of the best sailing teams from various clubs across the country. The All Emirati Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club’s team, lead by 23-year-old Adil Khalid, were crowned winners. Dubai Sports Club’s team were declared first runner-up, while the Emirates Heritage Club secured the third spot. Head of Media and Marketing of the Club, Abdulla Al Shehhi, was excited about the event, “We wanted to have a trial and it has been a real success with nine boats, including two from Dubai and one from Ras Al Khaimah. This event can only become better next season.”
The UAE’s ‘B team’ played against Kuwait but lost 2-1. thesourceuae.com 11
FEATURE
One World, One Home,
One Heart By Hayley Skirka
This Saturday the 29th of September is the 12th ever World Heart Day. First coined in 1999, World Heart Day aims to inform people all over the globe that heart disease and stroke are the planet’s two biggest killers, claiming over 17 million deaths every year! What’s more, experts predict that if things continue in the same manner, by the year 2030, this figure will have risen to around 23 million people per year, that’s almost three times the population of the UAE. With figures like this, it’s clear that something has to be done. What’s more, this doesn’t have to be a losing battle. In fact, over 80% of premature deaths from heart disease and stroke could be avoided if the main risks were controlled. With the biannual World Congress of Cardiology having taken place in Dubai this year, the UAE Government is more determined than ever to hammer home the message that heart disease can be prevented. Latest figures suggest that 12
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cardiac disease is the major factor in one out of every four deaths in this country every year, a truly shocking statistic. Lifestyle habits such as smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise are some of the most common factors contributing to heart disease. World Heart Day is a day where countless activities will take place across the globe to educate and inform people of the risks. Whether that is through national walks, talks and public screenings, via sporting events or concerts or simply through media campaigns, each event is working towards raising awareness in order to slow down this silent killer. This year, World Heart Day is working under the theme One World, One Home, One Heart and is aiming to spread awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women and children. Many people think of heart disease as being something that predominantly affects
FEATURE
elderly males but, this is no longer necessarily the case. Almost half of the annual CVD deaths occur in women and yet ladies, all too often, underestimate their risk. Children too, are predominantly at risk as they have no real control over many of the factors which can lead to an increase in their risk of heart disease. With women often being seen as the head of the family, their awareness of the prevention of heart disease could be the key to keeping the hearts of the whole family healthy.
Go Red!
So, how can you make sure you and your family are not at risk of one of the world’s deadliest diseases? Take action now! 1. GET ACTIVE – 30 minutes of activity, 5 times a week is enough to severely reduce your risk of CVD. Whether its swimming, football, running in the park, hovering or getting the kids to help wash the car, make sure your family are active! 2. HAVE A HEART HEALTHY DIET – that means cutting out junk and adding lots of fruit and vegetables. Make healthy food exciting for kids by picking colorful meals and letting them help cook. Limit salt and reduce portion sizes.
This year, the World Heart Foundation is running a ‘Go Red for Women’ campaign in over 40 of its member countries. The aim of the campaign is to empower women by giving them the information they need to keep themselves and their families happy and healthy. In the UAE, the Emirates Cardiac Society is running ‘Go Red for Women’ activities throughout many of the country’s malls. These information booths will provide educational material, free health checks and a fabulous “Red Dress Gallery’ featuring a variety of bright red dresses from top fashion designers. It’s hoped that the glamorous red dresses will draw the attention of both women and health professionals who often overlook heart disease as a potential threat to younger women.
3. SAY NO TO TOBACCO – be sure to ban smoking from your home and educate kids on the dangers of smoking. If you are a smoker, visit your healthcare professional for help and advice on how to stub it out for good.
The second part of the 2012 campaign focuses on kids and their risk of heart disease. With colorful information leaflets and posters, the hope is that schools up and down the country will be able to incorporate lessons on World Heart Day into their curriculum. A friendly Superhero, known as ‘Superheart’ aims to get kids on board and educate them about the benefits of eating healthily and staying active.
happy & healthy
4. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS – make sure you’re aware of your cholesterol level, blood pressure and body mass index as these will help you keep track of your risk and devise a strategy to reduce it. Last but by no means least, slow down. Spend at least 15 minutes every day doing something that you love and enjoy. This will help you relax, appreciate life and stay
All of Majid Al Futtaim Properties’ shopping malls will be offering free heart health testing on Sept 28-29 & Oct 5-6 in partnership with Dubai Health Authority & Emirates Cardiac Society thesourceuae.com 13
STUFF for men
How to Get Ahead in Anything By Hayley Skirka
Talk is cheap.
Talking to yourself, on the other hand, may be exactly what you want to start doing. Take a look at Olympic Athletes, as they line up at the start of the track, about to run for their country. More often than not, you’ll see them muttering to themselves. They’re not crazy, far from it. Instead, they’re psyching themselves up for the challenge ahead. New research has shown that this can be highly effective, not only when it comes to sports but in everyday life. It can enhance your concentration, boost your confidence, reduce your anxiety and spur you onto your greatest effort. Before you start talking to yourself, you first have to start with your thoughts. Positive thinking can equal positive results. But, be realistic…thinking about the new Maserati Gran Turismo Sport doesn’t mean you’re going to wake up tomorrow and find it sitting in your garage with a big red bow on it. However, envisioning yourself reaching that goal definitely does something to increase the chances of you getting there in the future. Okay, now that you’ve got the positive thinking in order, it’s time to get started with the self-talking. When you do this, remember it’s no good just repeating words, even a parrot could do that. You need to let yourself believe what you’re saying. If any negative
thoughts or doubts pop into your head, get rid of them and come back to your positive stance. Once you’ve mastered this technique you can use it in a whole load of situations. If you’re asking for a promotion or maybe a pay-rise, give yourself a little pep talk before hand where you tell yourself “I’m worth the risk” and remember, really believe it. Off to a job interview? Then tell yourself “Nothing’s going to stop me having the life I want. Whatever it takes, I’m ready so bring it on!” Getting ready for a date? Look in the mirror and tell the nervous looking guy staring back to be himself, to be natural and to be a winner. At the gym and feel your thoughts wandering? Have a word with yourself by saying “stop thinking and start doing. Intentions into actions, that’s it, nothing else.” Or, if you’re really struggling to get your butt off the sofa, stop and tell yourself,”No hesitations, excuses or doubts accepted. NO whining!” Even with the best intentions, without the right motivation your goals could all be worthless. So, have a word and push yourself harder, faster and further.
One Step Leads the Way To
SUCCESS
A
By Rawad Nassir
bdullah Jumaa Al Dhaheri is a young man from the garden city of Al Ain. Having graduated from Zayed University, he’s also an Executive MBA holder and works as a government official. He is also the founder of the Juice Palace in Al Ain for which he recently won the Khotwa finance programme award in the Khalifa Fund’s annual award ceremony. Stepping into Abdullah’s office, he welcomes me with a smile and we begin our chat. Instantly, this hard working young man’s determination and drive are clear to see. Talking about his success, he tells us that it all began with the first step, “starting up the job six years ago w i t h the
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first branch of Juice Palace, I was keen from the beginning to be distinguished and specialize in one field of work; so I can have a chance to develop and create. After the first success I expanded the fields of work and opened, so far, four branches in Al Ain with the support of the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for Small and Mediumsized Enterprises Development. At the moment, I’m about to open new branches in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai.” With a successful and expanding chain, Abdullah is happy with how his business is progressing but, is in no way yet satisfied telling me that, he “aspires to study a Doctorate in Business Administration.” Thinking back to where his business idea came from, the young man tells me; “I remember when I was playing football at Al Ain club I used to go to the juice shops a lot after training and I used to notice the different tastes between one shop and the next. My love of fresh juices, my desire to discover how they are made and to know more about their benefits drove me to establish Juice Palace. The idea behind the business is that we specialize in making fresh juices and salads that follow healthy principles and identify with both ISO and HASP. We prioritize offering a healthy product by using fresh fruit and avoid adding preservatives or artificial colors.”
As people in the UAE become more health conscious, Abdullah is keen to satisfy their needs. Explaining further, he says “people always look for healthy food and drink; so I’m keen that the branches offer the best in fresh, tasty and high quality juices and beverages as well as seasonal and non-seasonal fruits attractive displays, special dishes and different kinds of baskets according to the customers wishes.” The company also offers a diet section to cater to athletes, diabetics and those on calorie controlled diets. Speaking about his recent Khalifa award, Abdullah’s pride is clearly evident. “It was a great honor to shake hands with HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan when I received the award of excellence.” As well as honor, the young man accepted the award with a serious demeanor and now “consider this as a responsibility. It motivated me to always keep up with developments and advancements.” His business ethics shine through when Abdullah talks about the 25 employees currently working throughout his branches in Al Ain. He explains that he tries to keep things “pleasant and fun. I use the best administrative practices with my employees: I put plans in place, am keen to offer help and advice, and keep an eye on my employees in order to direct them in the right direction. I also practice many motivational methods such as awards for the best employee, the best ideas and I give incentives.” His business management is an ongoing process, but he is always “keen to administratively evaluate employees, branches and products”: as he is only too aware that employees are crucial in business success.
Abdullah’s passion and focus doesn’t end with his company and his career. Outside of work, he volunteers in the community and supports various charitable causes. His support has been recognized by many groups including the Kullunna Khalifa NonProfit Organization and the UAE Multiple Sclerosis Support Group to name a few. He is particularly mindful of patients in the country’s hospitals and of people who have special needs and does his best to lend his support and sponsorship whenever he can. Such a dedicated and thoughtful young man was only too willing to share some of his life lessons with us:
LIFELESSONS •
Always endeavor to create something different, something that you love and something that you can achieve independently.
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Do your research – don’t embark on a project without studying all aspects of it thoroughly.
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Get started – take things step by step and remember that success starts with a single step.
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To master one field is better than becoming distracted by trying to master too many.
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Listen to criticism – even when it’s harmful as ultimately it will be a positive and instructive lesson.
•
Greatness lies in simplicity.
thesourceuae.com 17
EDUCATION
TIPS CHAOS to Control
Classroom
C
By Nicola Hamer
lassroom management is the process of organizing and conducting a class so that it results in maximum learning and prevents distractions and disturbances.
There are a lot of strategies that a middle or high school teacher can use in order to create an optimal learning environment. Teachers with the best classroom management usually have their class working and learning seamlessly. Quite often, poor behavior from students is a result of poor classroom management.
SO, HOW CAN YOU IMPROVE IT? l Arguably the most important classroom management strategy is keeping every student on task. A focused and engaged student is far less likely to be disruptive. In order for a student to be engaged they require work that is academically challenging for them. Not all students work at the same pace or the same level, thus an effectively managed classroom would have differentiated work to suit the needs of all students. A disruptive child is, very often, a bored child, so providing challenging extension work could prevent them from losing focus. In the same way, a child who cannot access work given will often instead be a distraction to the class to avoid failing. Engaging work for all students requires the teacher to be prepared for their lesson and to have planned it effectively. Thorough planning, that caters for all students, can eliminate classroom management issues. l Another strategy is to establish rules of conduct in the classroom. These rules should be established from day one and be consistently applied. These represent the expectations you have for each student, such as arriving on time, handing in homework on time, not speaking whilst others are talking etc. Any breach of these rules must be dealt with in a consistent manner. All children should know the consequences of a breach of the rules and know that the teacher will be fair and consistent with discipline. Sometimes it’s enough to give non-verbal cues to discipline a child, especially in the older grades. Eye contact, facial expression and body language can be sufficient to let a 18
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child know that they are being a distraction and to get them back on task, without the need to publically reprimand them.
l Along with clear expectations, students need to be given clear instruction, with no chance of uncertainty for the child, for instance give instructions like “come to my classroom at 3pm” over “come to my classroom after school”. Unclear instructions may result in a child not doing what the teacher expected, even though they have technically followed the instruction. This may lead to unfair discipline of the child, and thus the teacher is no longer being consistent and fair. A child that feels they are being treated unfairly is likely to be disruptive. High school students usually accept discipline as long as it is implemented consistently amongst all students. l Modeling is also a very strong classroom management technique, especially in high school grades. Impressionable teenagers will often model the teacher’s behavior, or alternatively that of a peer who is receiving praise. By setting the standard of behavior and allowing them to see the rewards, kids know what is expected of them and are more tempted to strive to achieve it. l Effective classroom management depends upon students respecting their teacher. This is achieved by teachers being consistent and having an interest in the child and their development. Teenagers know when the teacher cares and, in turn, they are likely to respond. Keep in mind, if one method of classroom management isn’t working, don’t give up. Just try a different technique, after all every child is different.
EDUCATION
Teacher Talk By Yasmine Ali
Veni Vidi Vici
Mr. Phillip Evanstock, was my amazing high school math teacher. He was tall, thin and quite eccentric, or so I thought at the time. He wore glasses and had frizzy hair that reminded me of Albert Einstein’s infamous do. Each day I couldn’t wait to get to his class and see what comical thing he would do next. He would dance about like a mad man quoting historical figures, somehow managing to link those quotes to our math lessons. I remember thinking, ‘What does Caesar have to do with algebra?’ But, according to Mr. Evanstock, a lot! How is it, that after nearly 30 years, I can still close my eyes and remember his face, his voice and his favorite saying? “Veni, vidi, vici- I came, I saw, I conquered”, he would say with such compassion, while clenching one fist tightly in the air; an impression that would stay with me a life-time! So, what did Mr. Evanstock have that other teachers did not? Being an educator myself, I have often pondered: what makes a teacher unforgettable? Leading me to think… what kind of teacher am I? Well, since ‘school season’ has well and truly started and teachers are back to work in full force, now is the perfect time for all of us to do some self-reflection. What kind of educators do we want to be? What makes a great teacher? Let’s look at some of those qualities.
GREAT TEACHERS: •
Set high expectations for all students. (Students love the challenge and will appreciate it later.)
•
Have clear written objectives.
•
Are prepared and well-organized (If we fail to plan, we plan to fail.)
•
Engage students and get them to look at issues in a variety of ways.
•
Are respectful and form strong relationships with their students, showing that they care about them as people.
•
Master their subject, are great presenters, and are diverse in methods of lesson delivery.
•
Are inspirational and communicate well with students and parents.
•
Are flexible and resourceful.
•
Are always a student themselves. (A learner produces a learner.)
•
Are creative, passionate, and humorous. (Imagine a class without it.)
Regardless of the subject, these are desirable qualities that, as teachers, we should all seek! I now understand why I still admire Mr. Evanstock. He mastered these talents; he came, he saw, and he conquered the art of teaching maths!
Healthy Eating Drive in Schools A School Canteen Committee from Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) has selected 27 new food suppliers, approved by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), to optimize services provided to students in public schools, particularly those related to food safety. The committee’s mandate includes monitoring the quality of food, nutritional value and price, and ensures that the canteens are providing healthy eating options as per school canteen guidelines approved by ADEC, ADFCA and the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD). Mr. Hilal Al Marzouqi, School Canteen Committee Chair at ADEC, explained that each school will monitor the new service and be required to submit a report to ADEC’s School Services Division at the end of each trimester. He continued, “in the event of violations or non-compliance, schools shall oblige suppliers to strictly abide by school instructions. It’s been agreed with ADFCA to ensure companies meet the school canteen requirements in order to provide them with a food control certificate, which ensures the provision and precession of healthy meals as per the approved conditions.” A special taskforce has been setup to monitor canteens via regular site visits to ensure continuous improvement. In addition, ADEC’s School Service Division welcomes any complaints or suggestions.
School Olympics Launched Across UAE
The UAE took its first step towards training new world-class athletes with the launch of the School Olympics by Sheikh Ahmad bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the UAE National Olympic Committee (UAE NOC) last week. The UAE School Olympics will involve all 288 UAE schools with over 34000 students participating in six different disciplines with athletic, gymnastics and swimming being compulsory, while shooting, archery and fencing will be optional. The first round of competitions was hosted on 23 September in four age categories, starting with the Under 9s and Under 15s. During the course of the competitions, talented students were identified to go for further training at specially set up sports centers in each of the 10 educational districts across the UAE. According to Gulf News, Yousuf Al Sarkal, Vice President UAE NOC, commented “The project has taken nearly four years to see the light of day. A great amount of hard work has gone into this project keeping the future of the UAE in mind.” The NOC forecasts that the first crop of Emirati athletes will make their presence felt on the world’s sporting stage within the next 10 years.
thesourceuae.com 19
URBAN Woman
Preparing for Your
Big Day By Narmeen Al Assad
A
ll women dream of their perfect wedding day. Some have it planned down to the tiny details whilst others have whimsical pictures of dresses and cakes building up in their memory as the years pass by. Preparing for a wedding however, can be entirely stressful. There’s so much to organize and so much to prepare that very often the joy of actually getting married can be lost. However, with a little forward planning and some serious organization, you can make sure your big day is also a happy one. Check out the following tips, for a stress free celebration.
4 Months Before:
First you must determine the date of the court marriage, so you can begin the preparation for your special day. After that you should choose the date and place for the ceremony, and the budget that you are willing to give for it. Ideally, you need to establish all of this at least 4 months before the big day, in order to give yourself plenty of time to get things prepared.
3 Months Before:
If you haven’t already, now is the time to start looking for your wedding dress. Visit more than one gallery and try on several dresses. Choose wisely according to what suits your body shape and don’t forget accessories and shoes. Remember, although those shoes may be to-die-for, you’re going to be wearing them for a long time so make sure comfort is part of your decision making process. You should also start enquiring at salons regarding hair styles, make up and bridal packages. Don’t be afraid to ask if there are any special offers on for a wedding party as, more often than not, the salon will be happy to give you a few dirhams off, in return for your business.
2 Months Before:
By now, you should have your guest list in order and have chosen invitations. Sending them out two months before gives people enough time to prepare babysitters, take time off work, make travel arrangements etc but is not too far in advance that they will forget about your upcoming nuptials. You should now visit the venue in order to visualize what you want in terms of decorations, flowers, food, place settings etc. You need to decide on your wedding cake, and order it so that there won’t be any issues with it being ready on time.
Amongst all this, don’t forget about yourself. Go back to the dress shop for fittings, visit the salon for any beauty treatments you want to get done, keep your hair in good shape with conditioning treatments and regular trimming and take part in a few exercise classes to keep your body toned and in great shape for the big day. 20
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1 Month Before:
After the actual wedding, you’ll probably be jetting off on honeymoon. If you don’t have a destination in mind, take a visit to the travel agent and scope out somewhere you both fancy. You need to book at least a month before to take advantage of any early bird offers, even earlier if possible. Music is one of the key factors in ensuring your party goes off without a hitch so burn some of your favorite tracks onto a CD to give to the DJ, decide whether you’ll have only a DJ, a live band, a musician or a combination of them all and make sure the bookings are confirmed. Hire a photographer or videographer to capture your special day (ask other married friends who they used as it’s always best to work from a recommendation) and meet with them to discuss the types of pictures you want to see.
2 Weeks Before:
Have a hair and makeup trial. If you don’t like anything, speak up as there’s still time to arrange another trial. Don’t go for anything drastically different than your normal style and keep make up fairly light as your groom really wants to see your natural beauty. Head to the wedding hall for a final check on lighting, sound systems, seating arrangements etc.
1 Week Before:
Now it’s time for you to start to relax. The big day is just around the corner so you should be making sure you eat well, sleep enough and spend some time with your family. You can pack your bag for the honeymoon and prepare a small emergency bag for the wedding day. This should contains make up, hair pins, white thread and needle, hairspray, painkillers, flat shoes, perfume and any other last minute things you may need. Entrust this to someone reliable.
1 Day Before:
Make sure you go to bed early! Your nerves will be all over the place so you will probably find it difficult to sleep but try to get as much as your body will allow.
The Wedding Day:
Wake up and eat some breakfast to settle your stomach. Go to the salon early to leave plenty of time for last minute hiccups. Once your hair, make up and nails are done, head home and get into your dress. It’s nice to spend a little bit of time taking a few photographs with your family now before you head out to the ceremony.
That’s it, you did it, and the big day is here. Remember to breathe, smile and enjoy your special day!
DIARY
Fun-time!
September, AED INFO: Friday 28th rages and ve be 100 including 2 . starts at 12:30pm rty Pa . od unlimited fo e or m r fo m .co na rota Contact fb.alain@ ion at m or inf
INFO: 5 October , 5pm-2am, Fest ival Park, Dubai Festival Ci ty, Call 04 213 62 13 or visit www.dxbfes tival.ae
party
Music!
Music!
For sheer excitem ent and pure entertainment yo u can’t afford to miss this incomparable m usic marathon fe aturing some of the wo rld’s best music performers from around the globe. Afrojack, Far East Movement and Kascade headlin e while Shermanology, Simon Reid and Mistajam are just a few of the other acts pe rforming. Book your ticke ts now!
music
l this Ain’s Rotana Hote Head down to Al rty. Pa an m Za in eir M Friday to enjoy th , will ist th an Arabic tw This pool party, wi with d ixe m s y top tune see DJ Freddy pla t ea gr a It’s ic. ic mus a medley of Arab with up tch ca , ys ra e m way to soak up so your day off. friends and enjoy
fun-time
Party!
to the UAE State Circus heads The famous Chinese to watch and ht lig de e lut ng’ an abso with its tour ‘Yin Ya as 2000 years of all the family. Watch guaranteed fun for show featuring tta er in an unforge ble eth tog s me co ion tradit ts, soaring music, . With fascinating se over 45 performers this is one show s and so much more extravagant costume ss! you don’t want to mi D130, ADNEC Tickets start from AE INFO: 4-6 October, o inf w.adnec.ae for more Halls 8&9, visit ww
u’re after ent is what yo If entertainm Dubai’s then head to this weekend ull’s B tch The Red oneMadinat to ca a r fo , World Tour -time Flying Bach ur fo by ce orman of-a-kind perf on pi s g world cham break dancin rector di ’ and opera ‘Flying Steps sical as cl g in el, mix Christoph Hag dancing in one eak Al Ain music and br Book lover? Then head to ute . The 70-min edition ow 4th the sh for tic ntre Ce as n nt ntio fa Conve e you av le to is sure w. Taking performance of the Al Ain Reads Book Sho b and Abu in awe. place in association with Kita ity the hor Aut e ltur Cu & rism m, Dhabi Tou September, 8p sessions, inat INFO: 28 & 29 book fair will have reading ad M , re at he up T gs, book The First Gro 0, poetry evenings, book signin 25 ets at AED activities Jumeirah, Tick or launches, cultural and kids 46 ge 65 han Call 04 366 galore as well as a book exc ll.com of bu e ed som p .r swa w visit ww desk where you can some new your well-read favorites for al! teri ma g readin
Education!
8-10pm, INFO: Sundays & Tuesdays, Danat Al Ain Resort, Call 050 457 4160 or yn@eafl.ae for more kar email information
For all you electro junkie s out there, GITEX is back wit ha bang! The biggest and the best consumer electronics ret ail platform with a whole hos t of world-class brands kicks off this week in Dubai’s World Tra de Centre! Head down to see the latest in innovative techno logy, demonstration, pick up som e bargains and win amazi ng prizes. INFO: 29 Sep- 6 Oct, Timings: 11am-11pm, Dubai World Trade Centr e, visit www.gitexshopperdu bai.com
shopping
Football Al Ain’s very own American e now hav es, Team, the Desert Fox Don’t ns. sio ses g nin trai started their late too not ’re you ; ugh tho rry wo the to n dow d to join in. Simply hea y sda Tue or day Sun Danat Resort on part e tak and ad squ the join at 8pm to in the action.
Shopping!
sports
Sports!
education
m& INFO: 30 Sep-6 Oct, 9am-2p y), Al ida (Fr 0pm 5-1 , ily) (Da 5- 10pm 0 or 618 Khabisi-Hall 1, Call: 02 651 visit: www.kitab.ae
thesourceuae.com 21
RECIPES Grilled Shrimp Ingredients
3 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup tomato sauce 2 tbsp red vinegar
2 tbsp basil, chopped 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 pounds fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined Skewers Method • • • • •
Add shrimps to the marinade and stir to coat evenly.
Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes.
Lightly oil the grill grate and preheat. Thread shrimps onto skewers and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. Serve hot.
Baby Crab Cakes
Moroccan Fish
Ingredients
Ingredients
2 green shallots, ends trimmed, finely chopped
3 tomatoes, sliced
200g fresh crab meat
1 celery stick, finely chopped 2 egg whites
1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips 6 tilapia fillets
2 tbsp paprika
2 tsp Worcester sauce
1 tbsp chicken bouillon granules (concentrated dried chicken stock)
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 small ripe avocado, halved, stone removed, peeled, finely chopped
1 cup water
1 fresh red chili, deseeded and finely chopped
salt and black pepper to taste
1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped parsley, and lemon wedges for garnishing
salt and pepper to taste
Method
2 tsp lime juice
lettuce leaves and lemon wedges for garnishing Method
• • • • •
22
In a large bowl, stir together the garlic, olive oil, tomato sauce, and vinegar. Season with basil, salt and cayenne pepper.
Mix crab meat with shallot, celery, egg whites, dill, Worcester sauce and breadcrumbs. Season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Form mixture into small patties and fry each side for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown.
Combine the avocado, chili, chives and lime juice. Add salt and pepper if required.
Place the crab cakes on a serving platter with lettuce leaves and lemon wedges. Top with the avocado mixture and serve. thesourceuae.com
•
Preheat oven to 95° C.
•
Layer a baking dish with sliced red peppers and tomatoes. Arrange the tilapia fillets on top of the vegetables and pour the seasoning mixture over the fish.
•
• •
Prepare seasoning by combining the paprika, chicken bouillon, cayenne, salt, pepper, olive oil and water.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for about 1 hour. Garnish with parsley and lemon wedges.
BUSINESS
Let’s Get Building By Mais Abu Salah
For the past few weeks we’ve been looking at SEO. Now that we’ve defined our goals, know the customers we plan to target and have completed research for our keywords, we can look at the site structure. If you’re thinking ‘what on earth is that?’ then you’ve come to the right place.
What do I need to build and launch a site?
So, what is Site Structure?
•
How your site is built and how it works
It’s a site’s navigation structure, the look and feel of a site or the design of it, the layout and the structure of various elements on a page and across the pages of the site.
•
How your site looks
•
How the site is connected and how easy or difficult is it to navigate through it
Okay. Now, what should I do?
•
How helpful and relevant the content on your website is
•
How well the content is written and presented
•
Where content is placed and how easy or difficult is it for site users to find it
Start planning! Yes, building the site needs proper planning. It’s not simply a matter of accumulating pages. Without proper navigation, design, or interlinking of site pages you’re going to struggle. Furthermore, it’s not about having a cool-looking site, an animated homepage or flash menus. Instead you have to think about the customer, think about the search engine and try to get into the mode of a trainer working on his training material or presentation. Think about yourself reading a newspaper. What do you look for first? What do you tend to ignore?
Essentially you need a Domain name, a Host, HTML Code, the Site Design and, of course, site content. Essentially, Site Structure relates to:
That’s essentially a round-up of site structure. This post is only an introduction, there’s something else we need to look at before we get back to the topic of site structure and we’ll do that in next week’s issue!
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LIFESTYLE
The Absent Expat Child
T
By Asa Smith
o my parents, I am an absent expat child. I live overseas and I am absent from their lives. Of course I visit every year and ring every Friday. This summer, however, I discovered that sometimes that’s just not enough.
This June, I spent four weeks arranging for my 85-year-old mother to go into a high care nursing home. She had a bad fall at home and needed an operation on her hip, which wasn’t completely successful and, sadly, she is now unable to stand or move. Prior to the fall she was quite frail, and had home help, but there are other medical issues as well. My mother spent about two months in geriatric wards and transition care, before finally being placed in the high care nursing home that I chose for her. With my two children in tow, I traipsed around my home city of Melbourne, looking at several nursing homes, ranging from the downright depressing to what would definitely be described as beautiful. This certainly wasn’t something I had ever planned to have to do, especially not in the restraints of a four week summer trip. My father was with me for two of the four weeks that I spent in Australia, but had to return to work thereafter making him also absent, although not an expat. Together, we had to sort out my mother’s financial affairs, looking at her pension and doing an asset assessment. The asset assessment is what the government uses to ascertain how much each person needs to pay for nursing care. Luckily, I already have financial and medical power of attorney for my mother which helped ease the process but only to a certain extent. Filling in countless forms was mentally exhausting. Some questions just seemed to be there to frustrate, there is not always a simple yes or no answer but that was often the only option offered. My father made it even more frustrating by saying “don’t tell them about the …, or that we have …”. Frustrating as this was, I could see his reasoning; the government wants to know about everything, collections of art, stamps, coins, anything of value. And, if you do have them, you then need to go to the hassle of having them professionally valued. I have no idea how long that would take, or how much it would cost, and it really wasn’t top priority for me in the four weeks I had to sort out my mother’s welfare. Centrelink is the Australian government authority that deals with 24
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social welfare, pensions, family benefits etc. I spent several hours and several visits there and have only good things to say about the friendly, sympathetic staff working there. Only the paperwork was a problem; trying to find papers dating back many years from banks, real estate agents etc. Luckily for me, my parents are extremely organized and I found bills dating back over 10 years, neatly arranged in folders by my mother. During all this, my children had a real eye-opening holiday. They’d never before seen young girls with prams, pregnant teenagers, men with facial tattoos, and people obviously affected by some form of substance abuse. Living in Al Ain most of their lives has certainly made them very sheltered! I talked to social workers, care coordinators, nurses, doctors, geriatricians, home care staff and so many more. And I discovered that, the more I talked to people, the more I realized that everyone had a similar story to tell. The Centrelink employee who had just put her grandmother into a nursing home, friends in Sydney whose parents have gone into care, my mother-in-law’s sister in Belfast who has just gone into a low-care facility, my friend’s 92-year-old father who died while I was there, and her mother who then refused to return to the family home alone. Luckily she found respite care while she searches for somewhere permanent but it just goes to show that my story wasn’t an isolated one. After several weeks, my children had had enough of old people and it was time to return home. I wanted to spend as much time with my mother as possible of course, but was also trying to entertain two bored kids. Thank goodness for the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation Vita! I normally try to steer my kids away from electronic gaming gadgets but, on this occasion, I was very glad we had them. +Of course we did manage to squeeze in a few fun things and, on the whole, the kids coped very well. At least now they know what to expect when we get old. I’m pretty certain that my duties as a daughter are far from over, and I wonder if I lived closer to my parents might I have been able to help more, but then again perhaps not. Either way, this summer definitely gave me food for thought in my life as an absent expat child.
MY EMIRATE
Discover Delma Island By Khudayja Saloojee
When I think of visiting an island I conjure up thoughts of white sandy beaches and blue tropical waters with visions of me lazily lounging on a sun bed, slowly sipping on a virgin pina colada. However, a trip to Delma Island in Abu Dhabi left me with more memories than the simple need to quench my thirst. Delma Island is located 160km west of Abu Dhabi. It’s a national treasure and one of the oldest known permanent settlements in the UAE with a history that goes back some 7000 years. It boasts some of the region’s earliest evidence of people dating back to the Neolithic period. There’s evidence of date palm cultivation along with Mesopotamian pottery and finely flaked stone tools. The island was supplied with fresh water from over 200 wells and the remnants of imported pottery indicate that it was a bustling hub in the past for water trading. The remnants of a thriving pearl and maritime trade are also evident along the island’s shores, the history of which can be
viewed at the Delma Island pearl museum. With a good supply of fresh water, the island is fertile with many farms and plantations growing a wide range of produce. Delma is currently home to over 5000 people, both locals and expatriates, who take pride in their history and traditions. A deep rooted sense of responsibility to the citizens of the island has prompted the government to set up the Desert Island Education Center. The educational facility is designed to empower the local population with the necessary skills to participate in Abu Dhabi’s thriving tourism industry. A visit here is not your typical “island experience”. It’s a remarkable place, packed with a wealth of history in a unique landscape. INFO: From Abu Dhabi, it’s a 3-hour-drive to Jebel Dhanna, where you board the ferry to Delma. The boat trip takes 90 minutes.
ANNUAL PASS NOW AVAILABLE At Hili Fun City, classic and traditional family fun is what we're all about. Enjoy unlimited access to more than 30 attractions, ranging from gentle rides for the little ones, to fun family roller-coasters, thrilling rides for teenagers and an amphitheatre for live shows. Our beautifully landscaped and shaded gardens, with designated BBQ areas, are ideal for family picnics.
For more info please call +971 3 784 5542 or visit www.hilifuncity.ae For admission fees, please refer to our website, Wednesdays are reserved for ladies only. Closed on Sundays.
MY WORLD
A South-Korean Appetizer Making the most of a stopover in Incheon City By Rayan Yakub alBikaadi
FAST FACTS Flights
: From the Emirates take around 8 hours
Language
: Korean
Currency
: South Korean won
Stay
: The Hyatt Regency Incheon is two minutes from the airport, perfect for stopovers.
Eat
: Kimchi is a selection of fermented vegetable side dishes that accompany almost every Korean meal. Galbi is a popular beef BBQ dish while seafood pancakes are sold almost everywhere you go.
Did you know? That South Korea was the first country in the world to provide high-speed internet access to every school in the country.
MY WORLD
O
n a recent flight out of Sydney, my family and I had a transfer in South Korea. In order to break up the trip, we decided to stay overnight and checked ourselves into the nearby Hyatt Hotel. The hotel was ultimate luxury, the bathroom being the most user-friendly I’ve ever experienced, the mini-bar chock full of goodies and the room equipped with all sorts of little extras so that there was no need to want for anything. Heading down to the pool on the evening we arrived, we were delighted to see a charming Korean garden with unique blossoms of violet, sunrise and rose pink and angelic white flowers; the likes of what I’ve never seen before. It was beautifully maintained and my wife commented that it would certainly make for some fantastic wedding or honeymoon shots. The hotel had a great selection of tours for people, like us, opting to break up their journey with a short stay in Korea. We decided to try out the $40 3-hour-trip to the city to get a small sampler of what Incheon City had to offer. First up, was the chance to discover the city on a ferry ride departing from the only naval base in the country. We were given food to attract and feed the exotic coastal seabirds and saw a whole host of birds including loons, grebes and albatross. The ferry may not have been the most comfy I’ve ever been on but I soon forgot about this and time seemed to whiz by as we became entirely enchanted with these colorful creatures. Next up, was a whistle-stop tour of Incheon City. First we dipped into China Town to see the ‘Three Kingdoms’ mural, an image that depicts key scenes from the 14th century novel ‘Romance of Three Kingdoms’ and a must see for Korean cinema buffs. Chinatown leads onto Freedom Park, where we drank in the fascinating views
Kimchi accompanies almost every meal
of Incheon Port. Countless stores selling ski-equipment hinted at the nearby Jisan Forest Resort where, in winter, holidaymakers flock to enjoy the slopes at this popular ski resort. Being summer, a visit to the Jeju Volcanic Island would have been my own personal choice had we had more time but, as it was; we had to limit our itinerary. We headed to the tranquil Wolmi Park and Yangjindang Heritage Centre for a very hands-on experience. The surrounding roads were lined with cherry blossoms, effectively hiding the industrial areas lurking behind. After a very warm greeting, our tour guide explained some elements of traditional Korean life to us and, speaking from personal experience, he recounted tales of working on the land before explaining the different produce and their cultivation techniques. Traditional Korean costumes were provided for our entire tour group to put on and have photographs taken whilst letting our imaginations transport us to life in the times of the noble Korean families. Having opted for the Wolmi tour, we had to bypass the visit to Jeondeungsa Temple, however we heard from others that it was definitely worth a visit, the stunning sanctuary enshrining family ancestors and decorated with intricate carvings. After an authentic Korean brunch at the 110-year-old Sinpo fish market, we took a ride along all 21kms of the Incheon Grand Bridge, the 7th longest in the world, before finding ourselves back at the hotel just in time for a bite to eat, before checking out and returning to the airport. It’s safe to say our appetites for Korea were suitably whetted on this appetizer-sized trip and I can’t wait to go back again to experience the whole three courses!
The Sinpo Market is more than a century old
Wolmi Park is beautifully tranquil
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27
MOVIE LISTINGS
عروض السينما
In this thriller, directed by Oliver Stone, the story focuses on the romantic triangle of Ophelia, Chon and Ben and their lucrative marijuana business in Laguna Beach. Life is idyllic until the Mexican Baja Cartel queen, Elena, offers them a deal they’re not at liberty to refuse. When they do refuse, she sends a trained assassin to kidnap Ophelia but Ben and Chon decide to wage a war against the cartel.
والصراع،”فيلم اإلثارة من إخراج “أوليفر ستون” يحكي قصة حب ثالثية للفتاة “أوفيليا تقدمت رئيسة إحدى،”بين المزارعين “بن وشون” وتجارة المخدرات في “الغونا بيتش ،أكبر العصابات المنظمة لتجارة المخدرات في المكسيك وتدعى “إلينا” بعرض للمزارعين ” فقرر “بن وشون،” قامت بإرسال قتلة مأجورين الختطاف “أوفيليا،وعندما رفضاه شن ّ .حرب ضد العصابة
BAWADI MALL بوادي مول Tel: 03 784 0300 1. 2.
ROTANA HOTEL & AL AIN MALL العين مول و فندق روتانا Tel: 03 754 4447 & 03 751 1228 1.
DREDD: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00, 24:00 2. SAVAGES: 11:30, 14:00, 16:30, 19:00, 21:30, 23:50 3. GATTURO (3D): 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30 3. BAAD AL MOUKAH (ARABIC): 19:15, 21:40, 24:00 4. APPARITION: 10:50, 13:00, 15:10, 17:20, 19:30, 21:40, 24:00
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3. 3. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 7. 7.
DREDD:10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00, 24:00 SAVAGES: 11:30, 14:00, 16:30, 19:00, 21:30, 23:50 GATTURO (3D): 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00 THE MISTRESS: 19:00, 21:30, 23:45 THE WATCH: 10:50, 13:00, 15:10, 17:20, 19:30, 21:40, 23:50 OMG (HINDI): 11:30, 17:30, 23:30 KAMAAL DHAMAAL MALAMAAL (HINDI):14:30, 20:30 APPARITION: 10:15, 14:15, 18:15, 22:15, 24:15 FREELANCERS: 12:15, 16:15, 20:15 PREMIUM RUSH: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 17:45 BAAD AL MOUKAH (ARABIC): 19:30, 21:45, 24:00
GRAND CLASS
BAAD AL MOUKAH (ARABIC): 12:45, 15:00, 17:15, THE WATCH: 20:30, 23:00
AL FOAH MALL الفوعة مول Tel: +971 3 784 3535 1.
DREDD: 12:15, 14:15, 16:15, 18:15, 20:15, 22:15, 24:15 2. THE WATCH: 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00, 24:00 3. GATTURO (3D): 11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:30, 21:30, 23:30 4. SAVAGES: 11:15, 13:45, 16:15, 18:45, 21:15, 23:45 5. BAAD AL MOUKAH (ARABIC): 12:45, 15:00, 17:15, 19:30, 21:45, 24:00
SUDOKU
DOT
Difficult
3
9 1
7 7
2
9 2
6 8 5 8 7
6
9
2
3
8 4
7 6
6
2
DOT
1 7
2
1 4
3
5 DIFFERENCES
SPOT THE
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