The Source Magazine - Issue 4 - English

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The Issue 4 • 29 March 2012

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GET IN TOUCH WITH WILDLIFE AND NATURE AT AL AIN ZOO. Discover wildlife and enjoy a great day-out packed with fun and adventure, and explore our large animal collection of over 4,300 animals. Al Ain Zoo is a true family destination, providing entertainment and learning experiences in a natural outdoor environment.

For opening times and special attractions call 800 AWPR (2977) or visit www.alainzoo.ae

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Contents Issue 4 ▪ 29 March 2012

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NEWS Local News National News

FEATURE Motoring heaven for car enthusiasts at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show

Well, we’ve made it to issue 4.

Phew!

To be honest, it hasn’t entirely been a walk in the park, but the team are working so hard to bring you each new issue and I want to say a big thank you to all of them!

This week we look towards Europe and the infamous Geneva Motor Show which closed its doors on March 18th to over 700,000 worldwide visitors. It certainly is sporting season as the Dubai World Cup is also fast approaching. We decided to ask Rachel, our fashion expert, to give us the forecast on fashion faux-pas for the day.

With spring in full bloom we take a look at healthy eating habits to help you regain your beach body, and the tropical paradise of Boracay Island provides us with some inspiration for sticking to that diet plan.

At this point, I’d like to urge all our readers to continue to get involved. We’ve received letters, poems and photography, as well as plenty of feedback and it’s great to hear from all of you. Don’t be shy; let us know what you’re thinking.

Happy reading!

Hayley Skirka (Editor)

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SPORTS

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STUFF FOR MEN Clueless and Shoeless

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HEALTH AND FITNESS It’s time for spring cleaning- we start with our diets URBAN WOMEN Fashionable fillies take note; the Dubai World Cup is in town AL MAJLIS A chat with Moza Al Hassani

EDUCATION An insight into a trilingual system of education

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS MOVIE LISTINGS

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FROM OUR READERS

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NEED TO KNOW

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BE INSPIRED Breaking into the fashion world

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MY WORLD A tropical paradise awaits on the picturesque Boracay Island in the Philippines MY CITY Keep the kids entertained at Hili Fun City

Business Launching a business? Beware of the pitfalls.

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Managing Director Mona Hennawi | Editor In Chief Mahra Saeed Al Muhairi | Creative Director Frank Meyer Editor Hayley Skirka | Associate Editor Khudayja Saloojee | Junior Writer Mehak Alam | Photography & Graphic Design Ghulmiyyah Ghulmiyyah Senior Arabic Editor Sami Rashid | Senior Translator Narmeen Al Assad | Translator Hanadi Jamil Advertising Manager S.A. Hasan | Advertising Sales Executive Jo Matthew | Advertising Sales Executive Farid Nouisser | Administration Manager Haneen Farid 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 Magazine & Design, in writing. The Source Magazine and Smart Magazine & Design 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 Magazine & Design, 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 Magazine & Design, and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

NEWS The Life & Times of

Vincent Van Gogh

If you’re an art aficionado, and a devotee of Vincent Van Gogh, then you would probably know that March 30th marks his 159th birthday.

Born in Groot-Zundert in Holland, Van Gogh is well known as a post-impressionist artist, whose work is distinguished for its rough beauty, emotional honesty, bold colors and powerful influence in the 20th century.

Generally considered as the greatest artist after Rembrandt, Van Gogh actually had very little success during his lifetime.

The son of a pastor, he was described as a quiet child who lacked confidence. His interest in art began at a young age.

Van Gogh’s early pieces were notably somber, the most famous of which is “The Potato Eaters” (1885). Not long after creating this piece he decided to join his brother Theo, the manager of Goupil’s Gallery, who was known to support Vincent emotionally and financially. He studied with Fernand Cormon and met the likes of Monet, Pissaro and Gaugin. After studying with these French Impressionists, there was a notable lightening in his palette choice.

Historically known as ‘the artist who cut off his ear’ Van Gogh was plagued by mental illness. After an argument with

fellow artist and friend, Gaugin, Van Gogh confronted him with an open razor blade. He was deflected by his friend and stormed out of the house, only to later sever off his left ear with the same razor.

Van Gogh’s lifespan was short. In May 1890, at 37 years of age, he shot himself dead.

In his brief career he had sold only one masterpiece ‘The Red Vineyard’ (1888).

Posthumously, however, he became an artistry master. It was discovered that, in just over the span of a decade, he created more than 2,100 artworks, consisting of 860 oil paintings and over 1,300 watercolors, drawings, sketches and prints. His work included self-portraits, landscapes and still-life paintings.

Several of Van Gogh’s works are valued as some of the most expensive paintings in the world. His ‘Portrait of Doctor Gachet’ sold for $82.5 million in 1990 to a Japanese buyer who, incidentally, is now ruined and the whereabouts of the painting mysteriously unknown.

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is dedicated to Van Gogh’s works and his contemporaries. It is a tragedy that Van Gogh died not knowing how celebrated his artwork were to become. His immortality lives through his paintings and legacy as one of the greatest artists of contemporary art.

Emirati Director in Hollywood Blockbuster The creator of the acclaimed FREEJ series, Emirati director, Mohammed Saeed Harib has been selected to direct a chapter from Khalil Gibran’s “The Prophet” in a forthcoming 3D Hollywood animation film.

The animated film is based on chapters from Khalil Gibran’s 26 poetic essays that tell the story of a prophet who shares his thoughts on life with a group of humble villagers. Roger Allers, best known for directing hit animated movie “The Lion King” will also be involved in the project. The movie will be based on carefully selected chapters from Gibran’s work including scences on love, children and marriage. Harib will be directing a chapter of his own preference, ‘Crime and Punishment’.

Harib explained that each director will create five minutes of film based on their theme. He decided to create his chapter without the use of voice overs, instead making it more music driven. Harib explained the idea behind this is “so that the film’s message can’t be confused with different languages and accents.”

Harib affirmed that he was the only Arab director to be involved in the project.

He doesn’t care much about being the only Arab director but he is thrilled to be working with an acclaimed group of his peers. His biggest challenge is to ensure that his chapter will be one of the most celebrated sections of the movie.

The production team for this Hollywood block buster is Ron Sekowski, Clark Peterson and Salma Hayek. Doha Film Institute along with Participant Media, a Beirut based mygroup, FFA Private Bank, JRW Entertainment and Code Red are all co-financing the project.

The film is expected to hit the box office internationally in late 2012. There are plans to dub it into Arabic soon after.

The sea at Saint-Marie. 1883. Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts. thesourceuae.com

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NEWS

Modern Art Museum & Opera House District Planned for Downtown Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, revealed on 21 March, the launch of the Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District. This modern cultural destination will be located in Emaar’s flagship development, Downtown Dubai. It will be the new artistic hub of the UAE’s arts and cultural center.

The Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District will have a unique mix of components that will focus on the cultural and creative side of Dubai, an area which is growing rapidly.

HH Sheikh Mohammed said, “The cultural accomplishments of a nation define its character and individuality. Having demonstrated our credentials in hosting world-class cultural events, UAE has established itself as a thriving destination for culture and the arts. We will continue to strengthen the infrastructure framework for promoting cultural initiatives, through projects such as the Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District. This will not only encourage our talented local artists but also facilitate global cultural exchange.”

The Dubai Modern Art Museum and Opera House District will extend Dubai’s current cultural spectrum of over 50 art galleries and internationally acclaimed exhibitions, including Art Dubai, Design Days Dubai and SIKKA all of which attract high-end cultural tourists.

Al Ain Clinic Shut Down!

A clinic in Al Ain has been forced to close after claims of medical malpractice.

University Students Honor Their Mothers

Al Ain Zoo celebrated the birth of five, new-born Arabian Sand Gazelles on 18th March, 2012. Two females and three males were born under the supervision and care of the zoo’s Veterinary Department.

Patients of the Cosmo Health Medical Polyclinics will have to find alternative medical facilities as the clinic will stay closed until further notice.

The clinic’s license allowed for only three doctors to practice in the premise however, this was apparently not adhered to and a further two, allegedly unlicensed, medical staff were believed to have been employed. The case is now with the public prosecutor.

The Science and Technology Faculty at Al Ain University commemorated Mothers Day in an innovative way, by creating an event focused on the mother’s role in fighting diabetes and obesity.

Dr. Nidal Omar, from Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, was a guest speaker, lecturing on ‘How to Deal with Diabetes’ in the Zayed Hall of the main university.

In addition, students showcased their love for their mothers by performing a selfwritten play. Poetry and songs were also part of the event.

The event took place at the Zayed Hall, in the main building of the university.

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Baby Gazelles Born in Al Ain

The Arabian Sand Gazelles are exclusive to the Arabian Peninsula and unfortunately, over the years their numbers have declined rapidly due to a number of factors including illegal hunting. Thus, making the birth of five new fawns in the garden city an even bigger cause for celebration.

FEATURE

Lamborghini Aventador J Spider

Grüezi Geneva!

European automakers aim to ease recession gloom at 2012 Geneva car show Regarded as the most level playing field for car manufacturers in the motoring world, the Geneva Motor Show (Salon International de l’Auto) held its 82nd exhibition earlier this month.

All eyes were on the Swiss, a nation that ironically entirely lacks an automotive industry, and they certainly did not disappoint.

More than 702,000 visitors showed up to see over 250 car makers including all the big names like Ferrari, Bentley and Lamborghini.

Over 11,500 journalists and broadcasters from over 80 different countries descended upon the European city to report on the fresh metal on display, with everything from hyper cars to micro stars. The show always produces a bumper crop of cars and, after chatting to Amer Hourani, a car enthusiast who flew to Switzerland to attend the show, it would seem that this year’s was no exception.

Among the most expensive cars on exhibit were the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta and the updated Rolls Royce Phantom. Mercedes thrust themselves into the spotlight with the new SL roadster while BMW powered ahead with their new Gran Coupe four-door version of the 6-series. The Jaguar XF, though not a brand new model, was seen for the first time as a Sportbrake Estate which should keep it soaring ahead in the market for another few years.

The car that attracted the most attention, according to Hourani,

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was the Lamborghini Aventador J Spider. An updated version of the original Aventador, the new model turns the wildness of the car up a notch by making it the lowest car ever to roll out of the factory, so low that the driver actually has to wear a helmet. It is billed by Lamborghini as “the most extreme and uncompromising super sports car of [our] entire history.” The car has no roof neither does it have a windscreen and yet, is fully legal with a price tag of over 2 million Euros.

The other big crowd drawer was the Bentley EXP 9F. The statement car features 4 wheel drive, a 6-liter w-12 petrol engine, an 8-speed automatic transmission and 23 inch alloy wheels and is designed to evoke the nostalgia of Bentley’s Le Mans racecars of the 1920’s.

The show also had a wealth of futuristic models on display, giving a nod in the direction of things to come. Familiar Korean manufacturer, Hyundai, launched their new i-oniq concept car.

The small hatchback boasts a stylish and futuristic design, sporty exterior, gull wing doors and an overall tough, masculine image.

Although the car is not in production, Hyundai insist that it conveys the latest thoughts from its designers and engineers and could be a pre-view for a new future model. The Delphi Sbarro F1 car also turned some heads with their futuristic infotainment system that incorporates Bluetooth, wifi, cellular and internet connectivity,

FEATURE

1985 Porsche 911 Turbo

BMW i8 Concept

Land Rover Evoque Concept and even has the ability to stream live television. Hourani told us “Although Delphi declined to give too many technical details, the supreme quality Recaro seats and world leading Brembo brakes sure make it look like a fun track car.”

Switching lanes to the SUV category, the surprise here was Land Rover’s Range Rover Evoque Convertible concept car. Following on from the original Evoque model, which was interior-designed by celebrity and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, the new convertible model certainly turned some heads. Although not yet in production, the company aims to grab the masculine side of this emerging market as a response to Nissan’s more feminine Murano Cross-Cabriolet model that was launched in 2011. Land Rover’s offering is rendered in a deep charcoal hue and boasts 21 inch alloy wheels and a two tone ivory and grey interior, offering a sleek alternative for any SUV convertible shoppers.

Looking at environmental products, Amer says there were no major surprises. “Hybrids from all the big brands and a strong focus from European manufacturers on modern, green diesel engines.” Japanese players Toyota also got in on the hybrid act with the Yaris Hybrid and the FT-Bh concept car, an ultra-

lightweight model engineered with the latest materials and technologies representing the advanced future of hybrids.

For someone who loves cars, a trip to the Geneva Motor Show is a ‘must-do’. Speaking about his own experience, Amer tells us how he felt “like a kid in a candy shop!” His personal highlight was “the green 1985 Porsche 911 Turbo by RUF. I was in love with that car when I was younger and being able to see it up close and touch it was like a dream come true.”

After such an impressive offering this year, car enthusiasts are already looking ahead to next year’s Geneva Motor Show which is scheduled to run from the 7 to 17 March 2013.

Photography by Amer Hourani thesourceuae.com

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SPORTS The championship will feature professional and amateur boxers.

Real Madrid in Ras Al Khaimah Spanish football giants Real Madrid are set to become the biggest names in the UAE sporting landscape after signing a deal to build a huge $1 billion resort and theme park in the emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah.

English Boxer Danny Williams to Attend World Arab Boxing Championship The postponed World Arab Boxing Championship is to be held at the Dubai Tennis Stadium in the Aviation Club on March 31 and April 1.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohamed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, The Federation of Arab Boxing and Golden Star Event, the event will take place with the support of Dubai Sports Council.

The two-day boxing championship, postponed since January after heavyweight boxer Tyson pulled out of the contest, will feature fighters from all over the world. The first day will be the men’s competition with seven international fights followed by five supplementary battles involving boxers from the region.

The UAE’s Khadoom Al Ka’abi and Ahmed Darmaki will take on Mauritania’s Saiduo Daillo and Morocco’s Nabi Mustapha in the semi-middle weight and super

lightweight categories, respectively.

The second day of the championship will see five professional women boxers in the ring. In addition to this, there will also be another five fights involving female amateur boxers from the Arab world.

Legendary English boxer Danny ‘Brixton Bomber’ Williams, famous for defeating former world champion Mike Tyson in 2004, will be seen encouraging boxers throughout the championship.

There will be a host of entertainment on both days of the championship including Lebanese Miriam Fares, the UAE’s Ibrahim Al Hammadi, and the Free Style Philippines Band.

The World Arab Boxing Championship is taking place in association with Dubai Police and their ‘Say No to Drugs’ campaign.

The 31st GCC Volleyball Tournament Comes to an End Al Ain Team grabs the fourth position Al Mehraq, the Bahraini Volleyball team, bagged the championship trophy at the 31st GCC Volleyball League Championship after defeating Qatar’s Al Arabi in the final with a score of 3-1.

The seven day tournament which commenced on 17 March, 2012 at Kazma Sporting Club Hall, in Kuwait saw eight teams from six Gulf countries competing against each other in back-to-back matches vying for the title.

A nail-biting final match that lasted over two hours saw Al Mehraq give one of their best performances of the tournament to win back the title they last clinched in 2007.

Al Arabi secured the second spot.

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Meanwhile, Al Qadisiya of Kuwait sealed their place in third position after defeating the UAE’s representatives, Al Ain, with a score of 3-0. It was a disappointing fourth spot for the Al Ain team who are participating for the first time on an international level.

The hosts, Kazma from Kuwait, clinched fifth place with a 3-1 win against Al Rayan of Qatar who rested in sixth.

Saham of Oman got seventh place with a score of 3-0 against Al Hilal of Saudia Arabia, who finished last in the 31st GCC Volleyball Club Tournament.

The initiative was announced in the Presidential Balcony of the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on Thursday March 22nd and was attended by club President Florentino Perez, Ras Al Khaimah Government Representative Dr. Khater Massaad, team manager Jose Mourinho and some of the soccer stars themselves.

The current La Liga leaders have decided to open the complex, which will be called the Real Madrid Island Resort and looks set to become a major tourist resort. The move comes just six months after their announcement to open another theme park, this time north east of the Spanish capital, which will be called Valdebebas.

Real Madrid, one of the wealthiest in the sporting world, is highly involved with projects in the Emirates at the moment having recently adopted Emirates Airlines as their official club airline. They have also opened the Real Madrid Academy and Soccer School in partnership with Pro League Club Bani Yas which Perez hopes will one day allow for “a child from the UAE to play for Real Madrid.”

Club Manager Jose Mourinho attended the press conference.

STUFF for men Clueless & Shoeless

By Alex Hennawi

I was recently at a conference in the capital city. I arrived early and took a seat slightly off centre so as not to draw attention to myself. It’s one of those perfect locations, allowing me to do what I love; people watch.

It didn’t take long, perhaps 10 minutes, before a finely tailored gent strode by.

I can’t help it, I do a double take. “Man, that’s a fine suit,” I think. Italian wool, two buttons, with a waistcoat, in black with a light aqua pinstripe. Love it. I wonder where he made it. Hong Kong? Paris?

Milan?

My eye follows the trousers to the bottom, and I immediately recognize the red stripe on the black loafers. “Prada,” I say. Class at its finest. He takes a further stride, and his trousers sway elegantly, revealing…wait for it…a VELCRO strap. I feel the vomit slowly rising from my stomach pit to my oesophagus. I panic, looking for a place to escape to but there’s nowhere. The sweat breaks on my forehead and I begin

to breathe heavily. “How could he… how could he do it?”

No man should ever wear Velcro, period.

I don’t care if they were Prada, Gucci or Boss. There are no exceptions, none, zero.

My fashion brothers, I’m going to lay it out here, as painful as it may be, you need to know the rules. This may hurt a little but I do it purely out of love and with the altruistic goal of preventing you from any future embarrassment.

Numero Uno: no Velcro. You’re not 4-years-old anymore. If you don’t know how to tie your shoes by now, there is no hope for you.

Suits require lace ups. I am a traditionalist on this one. If you’re wearing a suit, lace ups are your only option. Loafers or slipons need not apply.

last longer and are far more hygienic than the man-made junk I see everywhere.

Fellas, try wearing ‘poly-anything’ shoes and I predict a fungus in your future.

Your shoes and belt must match. Simple aesthetics dictate that consistency is required. Black shoes and a brown belt are a fashion faux pas.

Avoid the overly pointy ‘genie’ shoes unless you have a magic carpet and intend to fly it. The shape of your shoe should match the cut of your suit. If you wear slim cuts then bulky industrial looking shoes don’t fit, and vice versa.

That’s it boys, I could go on forever, but you get the point. No pun intended!

Leather is your only route. Unless you are some hardcore vegan, leather dress shoes are the only real choice. They wear well,

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HEALTH & FITNESS Spring Clean your Eating Habits March signals the end of winter and the beginning of a bright, new season and is also celebrated throughout the world as National Nutritional Month. Thus, it’s the perfect time to focus on shedding any remaining winter weight and adopting a healthier diet to see you blossoming with the flowers.

Rather than chopping and changing between the latest fad diets, try making small changes to what you normally eat. Altering your habits and outlook on food plays an essential role in shedding extra weight in a healthy manner.

Check out our suggestions for a slimmer and healthier you: Go Green: Replace fatty appetizers with a bowl of freshly cut vegetables. Salads are a good option, especially in springtime.

With a variety of fresh vegetables available in the supermarkets it’s easy to add them to your daily diet. Remember not to drown your salad in mayonnaise-based dressings. Opt for balsamic vinegar and olive oil that will add zest to your salad whilst being a much healthier option.

Try to cut out salty and sweet snacks. Munch on fresh vegetables like baby carrots, cucumbers or a few cherry tomatoes. Not only will this cut your calorie intake, it will also boost your immune system. Add seasonal veggies like spinach, beetroot, broccoli and asparagus to your diet for crunchy, freshness and delicious taste.

Natural Bites A wholesome list of items to add to your grocery cart

Berries have a high concentration content of insoluble fiber. These reduce the absorption of calories which helps promote weight loss without hindering nutrition.

Berries are also an excellent source of potassium, which helps control blood pressure.

Green Tea is a fat burner that fires up your nervous system and helps your body to burn more calories.

One cup of green tea is all that you need to kick start your ‘get in shape’ program.

Milk has a calcium content that can help crank up your metabolism. People with a high calcium intake tend to lose weight faster than people who skimp on it.

Oatmeal is an awesome fat burner. It doesn’t spike up insulin levels and kick starts your metabolism to ensure your body is burning fat throughout the day.

Olive Oil not only burns fat but also keeps your cholesterol levels down. Use it to replace traditional cooking oils.

Beans are high in protein which helps build muscle. Muscle cells burn fat at a higher rate thus they aid in weight loss. It is speculated that the fiber in beans is also an effective aid in preventing your body from absorbing fat.

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Celebrating the month of National Nutrition with healthy eating.

Get Fruity: A healthy and hearty diet is supposed to include at least five seasonal fruits to assist the body in detoxifying unsaturated fats.

When it comes to dessert, instead of a devilish chocolate mousse, why not make a delicious fruit salad with strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, oranges, grapes, watermelons and papayas? These fruits contain antioxidants and are in season.

They have a whole host of health benefits and are said to help in preventing cancer and heart diseases, improving brain function and boosting the immune system.

Don’t Butter Up: Step away from hydrogenated fats and saturated oils which means ditching the butter. For breakfast use soft spreads as an alternative and for cooking switch to refined vegetable oil. Also, rather than grabbing the frying pan, try to steam the food. Not only does it add freshness to your food, it also helps in preserving the proteins that regulate digestion.

Remember, a good metabolism equals a healthy you.

Superb Snacks: Plan your on-the-go snacks by choosing, and preparing, one healthy option every day. Almonds, cashew nuts, raisins and red dates are the dry fruits of the season. Having these foods handy and munching on a handful of one of them everyday fulfills nutrition requirements and prevents you from gaining weight by grabbing calorie-laden convenience snacks.

Drink Up: Make water the main drink of your day. Nothing can beat nature’s purest reserve for keeping your body hydrated.

Drinking 6-8 glasses a day gives you a healthy glow, beautiful skin, wards of hunger and helps improve blood circulation. If you are not a huge fan of water, then drink fresh fruit or vegetable juices to maintain a healthy hydration level.

Make it Hot: Skip the caffeine boost after meals. Instead opt for a warm cup of green tea. It aids metabolism, digestion and dissolves unsaturated fats quickly which will help with weight loss.

Remember, a healthy diet and regular exercise, rather than yo-yo diets, are key in getting the body you want.

URBAN Woman Jockeying for the Fashion Top Spot at the Dubai World Cup

By Rachel Duggan

Like most women, when there is an occasion to really get dressed up, I jump at the chance! With the Dubai World Cup just around the corner, featuring style competitions like Best Hat, Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Couple, it’s the perfect opportunity for us girls to put on our glad rags and strut our stuff.

Appropriately titled ‘Best Dressed Lady’, preparing for this event is crucial to be considered in the style stakes. Synonymous with style and elegance, the main event is sponsored by Jaguar with an additional competition run by Ahlan! When considering appropriate attire, one word should be at the forefront of all decisions; Lady. Think Kate Middleton’s royal chic-ness, Olivia Palermo’s polished contemporary look and Nicola Robert’s quirky style.

Here is a style guide for this year’s Dubai World Cup, guaranteed to make you a fashionable filly on the day and turn heads for all the right reasons.

The Dress

Taking inspiration from Kate Middleton, our eye is on the “Most Elegant Lady” title. Neutral palettes are popular this season and a fitted chic dress or suitable two-piece outfit from Reiss or Karen Millen offers a stylish option.

If a maxi-dress is your preferred choice, avoid cotton as it may look like you walked straight off the beach! Ted Baker has beautiful, bold, colourful maxi dresses this season that you can play with.

The Hat

Occasions to wear fabulous fascinators or head pieces are few and far between in the UAE, so embrace the necessity to wear one on this occasion. Feathers, jewels or dramatic detail will turn heads. Bare heads are not an option (and also not appropriate according to the judges).

The Accessories

A clutch is essential for holding the emergency make-up, camera, cards, cash, safety pins, keys and hairclips. Make your bag a statement piece to compliment your outfit. Colour blocking is a great trend to follow to stand out from the crowd.

Make sure the bag can hold your sunglasses; wearing them onstage when you go to collect your fashion award is a huge fauxpas!

Other essential accessories include oversized necklaces to add glamour to a simple shift dress and possibly a pashmina to keep you cozy, and provide some modesty, after the sun goes down.

Like the Arabian fillies, those entering any of the style stakes will be partaking in a fashionable parade so breaking in that matching pair of shoes the day of the races is a fatal error. Break them in during the run up and slip a plaster or two in your bag, just in case!

Whether entering the fashion competitions or not, the Dubai World Cup still provides the perfect excuse to get dressed up and have fun!

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A chat with Moza Al Hassani Who doesn’t remember their first day of school or their first teacher? It’s an important day for every child and a big responsibility for the teachers too, especially those teachers caring for the younger grades.

Your first teacher can make you truly love, or really detest school. Personally, I have memories of some bad teachers from the beginning of school and I’m amazed that, to this day, I still remember them. It certainly shows the impact a teacher can have on a child’s life.

With this in mind, I’d like to introduce you to Moza Al Hassani, a woman who, in my humble opinion, is an excellent educator. Having worked as a teacher for 12 years, Moza truly seems to love her career. During our chat, I got the impression that she continuously tries to exert a positive influence over each and every one of her students. Having attended some of her

When God created teachers, He gave us special friends To help us understand His world And truly comprehend The beauty and the wonder Of everything we see, And become a better person With each discovery.

[Anon] classes, I was privileged to watch the children listening intently to her lessons, absorbing the information she was giving and, most importantly, enjoying the time they spent with her.

Classroom teaching isn’t the route that Moza envisaged she would take when she commenced her university studies in the field of 14 thesourceuae.com

education. However, after taking some practical training modules she realized that she enjoyed being in front of a class of children, and even more specifically so, young children. Talking about the kindergarten stage of education she says, “It is one of the most important phases in the child’s life and the teachers have a huge role to play in raising a creative generation, capable of expressing their thoughts and feelings.” The children that she teaches look at Moza as a role model, a feeling that she relishes. “Although it’s a very difficult stage, it’s very exciting. These children are the angels of Allah on earth and they put a smile on my face, despite the difficulties of life.” Working with such young children means that Moza must constantly be in control of her emotions and remain calm and patient. Otherwise, the kids may pick up on her mood and it could affect their learning. Patience is just one crucial attribute that teachers need to have. They must also be able to remain calm in difficult or infuriating situations and not get angry. A love for teaching and a deep understanding of children and their needs is another element crucial in education.

Being creative, in order to come up with new ways to involve the children in lessons, is also important.

Finally, the ability to communicate effectively on many levels, with children, siblings, parents and colleagues is paramount.

Whilst chatting with Moza, I asked her about her first day of teaching.

This day was thrust upon her unexpectedly as her supervisor was unpredictably absent. She still remembers a little girl who was very upset and crying loudly. “I held her on my lap and calmed her down.

Eventually, she began to

play with the rest of the children.” She added “the experience really helped me to polish my teaching personality and I learned a lot from it.”

Having taught for twelve years, Moza has met and touched the lives of many children. She loves all of her students but also feels that every year she meets one special person whom she misses when they move on. She remembers two children in particular, one who suffered from autism and the other who was hyperactive. Moza took a special interest in each of them and started to develop a special bond with them, focusing on activities that they showed an interest in. Her love and acceptance for them meant a great deal to both the children, whose personality developed greatly, and also to their parents who were grateful to have someone they could discuss their children’s progress with.

As well as traditional Parent Teacher meetings, “phone calls, text messages and emails are all effective methods of communicating with parents.”

It’s not surprising that children get attached to a teacher like Moza. She’s very talented and creative, and constantly encourages and motivates her students. She believes it’s important to have an attractive, bright classroom environment for kids to feel comfortable in so that they genuinely want to come to school. To keep her students engaged Moza writes stories, sings songs, and makes toys and even dresses up in costumes to act out stories and characters from her imagination. Right now, she is in the process of inventing a ‘story’ based on herself which will be called “Moza and Hamda” and which she will incorporate into many of her lessons.

Her school’s management provides many training opportunities

and she has attended many workshops, particularly enjoying one that explained the importance of storytelling for young children. She has also written for Rowdati [My Kindergarten] magazine, addressing mothers and inspiring them in how to be creative with their children.

During my chat with Moza I asked her what she would be if she were not a classroom teacher.

She smiled and suggested that perhaps she would travel, “I love to communicate with people and to experience other cultures. Whenever I travel I try to soak up other customs and traditions and try to learn from them.” She then surprised me by revealing that she also loves fashion and designing. In fact, she has created her own designs and has someone helping her transform her ideas into reality and put them out there in the fashion world.

Moza’s passion for teaching, combined with non-faltering parental support, has allowed her to be truly successful. She thanks her mother and father saying, “Without their support I wouldn’t be successful or creative.”

Finally, she encourages people to try to love their job in order to give it the dedication it requires. She urges everyone to enhance their personal creativity by developing themselves and their skills to the fullest and, most importantly, reminds us to remain adventurous, take new risks and experience new things.

EDUCATION

Al Mushrif School Offers a Dynamic

Trilingual Environment As China surges ahead in the economic climate, Al Mushrif School in Abu Dhabi aims to help build ties between the UAE and the Chinese by implementing a trilingual system focusing on Arabic, English and Chinese from a very early age. As the first of its kind in the UAE, the school aims to preserve the Arabic culture and heritage whilst teaching children to appreciate, tolerate and respect other cultures through integrated learning.

We paid a visit to the school to see the system in action.

Walking into reception, the Chinese influence was immediately evident from the red paper lanterns dangling from the ceiling, amongst the colors of the Emirati flags. Jacqueline Smith, principal of the school and originally from the UK, greeted us with a warm welcome.

The program initially started as a pilot phase in 2006 and was limited to only one small class. Parents had the option of either enrolling their kids in the bilingual or trilingual program. Over the years the program proved popular and so, as the 2011 academic year commenced, ADEC decided to fully implement the trilingual curriculum for the entire school.

The success of the program is evident in the full capacity of the school and Ms Smith told us that they also have some very long waiting lists.

Due to rapid expansion the school will be moving to a brand new, more spacious building within the next two years.

The building currently being constructed will be purposefully unique as the teachers, both Chinese and Arabic, have been 16 thesourceuae.com

thoroughly involved in its design.

The transition to the trilingual program was a huge challenge.

According to Ms Smith one of the biggest difficulties that the teachers initially faced was the ability to communicate with each other due to the obvious language barrier. However, hard work and perseverance paid off and the teachers’ commitment to teamwork, professionalism and their appreciation of each other has made the program successful.

Ms Smith was happy to give us a tour of the school. Walking through the corridor we were struck by the bright, colorful displays in Arabic, Chinese and English. Each student had a photo and their name in Arabic, Chinese and English displayed proudly on the wall. The principal told us how the program is delivered in the KG classrooms. One teacher leads the lesson, in her language, and the other two teachers provide support. This is then rotated for the next lesson and so on so that each language has fair representation.

Entering one of the classrooms, we were greeted with an unfamiliar ‘ni-hao’, which means hello in Chinese, from the zealous students seated on the carpet. The classroom was bright, warm and inviting and the atmosphere was light and fun. We were fortunate enough to witness the intricacies of how the different group sessions work. Sitting cross-legged on a colorful carpet the students were engrossed in the teacher’s visuals and were eagerly answering all her questions in Chinese. In the other corner, the children were having an English lesson, holding hands and The children’s names are reflected in trilingual singing nursery rhymes. In the centre of languages.

EDUCATION the room, another group of students were busy impressing their teacher with their Arabic calligraphy.

Huge, geometric-shaped turtle cushions made the learning resource center look like a fun place to visit so we popped in for a look around. Here we met the library specialist who told us excitedly about an event they had held a few weeks ago. The children were introduced to the popular regional storybook ‘Ali and the Camel’ and then they had the chance to participate in a whole host of activities relating to the story. The author of the story, Fay Gabriel, was invited to the school to read to the kids, a huge Arabic style tent was erected in the yard and two camels were brought in to re-create a scene from the story. All the students attended in national dress and then participated in being the judges for the camel beauty contest.

On a similar note, for Chinese New Year, which this year celebrated the Year of the Dragon, the kids made Chinese lanterns and huge papier-mâché dragons, learned traditional Chinese dances and came to school dressed in traditional Chinese attire.

Different cultures learning together.

These two projects indicate that the school is not only committed to improving students learning experiences but is also keen to emphasize and promote cultural and national identity among the students.

Ms Smith acknowledged the importance of parental support in such a complicated teaching system and tells us about the parent board that was set up in January. The role of the parent board is to “support our ideas and to bring more ideas” stated the principal.

Parents are also encouraged to support the teachers by doing additional reading and homework with their kids. The teachers aim to keep the parents informed by providing newsletters, events listings, weekly planners and parent teacher evenings.

In Association with

thesourceuae.com 17

CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH 29TH

MARCH 29TH

Chinese Circus

Spring Show 2012

Al Ain Mall is hosting a Chinese Circus, running from 28th March – 7 April. The circus will take place at the New Expansion Star Atrium in the mall daily between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. For information call 03 766 0333

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre is hosting their Spring Show 2012 where you can enjoy fantastic shopping, great bargains, live cultural performances and many more attractions. Running from 29 March – 7 April in halls 3 and 4 between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. For more information visit www.royalshowexpo.com

MARCH 30TH

MARCH 30TH

Gymnastic Bars

Grand Entertainment

Bawadi Mall is hosting a daily Gymnastic Bars Performance for shoppers, starting on 28 March and running until 6 April, 2012. For more information call 03 784 0000

Until 12 May 2012, Al Foah Mall is giving customers the chance to gain vouchers to watch movies, enjoy multicuisine food or play arcade games whenever they spend AED 50 or more at any of the retail outlets. For more information call 03 704 1010

MARCH 31ST

MARCH 31ST

Dubai World Cup 2012

World Arab Boxing Championship Dubai 2012

Meydan Racecourse, Dubai will host the 17th Dubai World Cup on 31 March, 2012. The stunning venue offers guests the opportunity to experience the electrifying atmosphere of the world’s richest race day, the highlight of Dubai’s racing calendar and an international event. The event starts at 4:30 p.m. and tickets are available online. For more information call 04 327 0077 or visit www.dubairacingclub.com

Dubai Aviation Club – Tennis Stadium, Al Garhoud, Dubai will be hosting The World Arab Boxing Championship.

The 2-day event will feature 12 compelling fights, fought by both amateur and professional male and female boxers. Event starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information call on 050 717 5684

APRIL 1ST

APRIL 2ND

Live Entertainment by Gamal Al Wattar

The Magnificent Teacher’s Night

Al Khayma at Mercure Grand Jabel Hafeet Hotel presents a musical extravagance with live entertainment

by Gamal Al Wattar daily from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. For more information call on 03 704 6888

Ayla Hotel offers all teachers of Al Ain a specially created buffet every Monday from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Complete with activities such as quizzes, poetry reading, bingo and many more to keep you entertained throughout the evening. The buffet starts at AED 65 per person and includes unlimited soft drinks. For more information call on 03 761 0111

18 thesourceuae.com

CALENDAR OF EVENTS APRIL 2ND

APRIL 3RD

Beloved Friend - Royal Opera House

Quiz Night

Emirates Palace Auditorium, Abu Dhabi is hosting the Arab World Premiere of the Royal Opera House show Beloved Friend between 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. A stellar cast of actors, opera singers and ballet dancers, accompanied by a world renowned pianist and a quartet of internationally acclaimed musicians, will give an intimate performance. Tickets are available at the counter. For more information call 02 651 0300

The Horse & Jockey Pub at Danat Al Ain Resort is hosting Quiz Nights every Tuesday at 8 p.m. The prominent Quiz Master Mike Greaves will fire up the night in his unique style. For more information call on 03 704 6143

APRIL 4TH

APRIL 4TH

The Bride Show Dubai

SEAFOOD NIGHT

Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre will feature the largest bridal & fashion exhibition in the Middle East. Running daily from 4:30 p.m. – 10:30p.m.

The 4-day event is gearing up to be a huge success with more than 350 exhibitors and over 16,000 visitors, making it a unique and glamorous shopping experience with thousands of ideas for your perfect day. For more information call 04 336 5161 or www.thebrideshow.com

Zest at Al Ain Rotana offers a lavish display of freshly caught seafood cooked to perfection. Join for an array of ocean treasures every Wednesday. With a sumptuous buffet starting at only AED 185 per person from 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. For more information call 03 754 5111 or email fb.alain@rotana.com

oSCAR CINEMA, AL FOAH MALL, Al Ain Tel: +971 3 784 3535

1. THE WRATH OF THE TITANS: 11:00, 13:10, 15:20, 17:30, 19:40, 21:50, 24:00 2. SON OF NO ONE: 10:15, 12:15, 14:15, 16:15, 18:15, 20:15, 22:15, 00:15 3. BURNING BRIGHT: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00, 24:00 4. THE HUNGER GAMES: 10:00, 12:40, 15:25, 18:10, 21:00, 23:50 5. A THOUSAND WORDS: 10:50, 13:00, 15:10, 17:20, 19:30, 21:40, 23:55

Grand Rotana, Rotana Hotel, Zayed Ibn Sultan St., Al Ain Tel: +971 3 754 4447

1. THE WRATH OF THE TITANS 3D: 11:00,13:10,15:20, 17:30, 19:40, 21:50, 24:00 2. SON OF NO ONE: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00, 24:00 3. THE LORAX: 10:30, 12:15, 14:00, 16:00 3. THE HUNGER GAMES: 18:30, 21:15, 24:00 4. A THOUSAND WORDS: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 4. BURNING BRIGHT (Arabic): 20:00, 22:00, 24:00

Grand Bawadi Bawadi Mall, Al Ain Tel: +971 3 784 0300 1. SON OF NO ONE: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00, 24:00 2. THE WRATH OF THE TITANS 3D:

11:30, 13:30, 15:30, 17:30, 19:40, 21:50,

24:00 3. THE WRATH OF THE TITANS: 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 19:00, 21:00, 23:00 4. THE LORAX 3D: 10:30, 12:30, 15:15 4. AGENT VINOD (Hindi): 17:00, 20:00, 23:00 5. THE HUNGER GAMES: 10:30, 13:00, 15:45, 18:30, 21:15, 24:00 6. A THOUSAND WORDS: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 18:00, 19:45

6. JOHN CARTER: 21:30, 24:00 7. BURNING BRIGHT: 11:00, 15:20, 19:40, 24:00 7. WAHED SAHIH (Arabic): 13:10,

Grand Al Ain Cineplex Al Ain Mall, Al Ain Tel: +971 3 751 1228 1. THE WRATH OF THE TITANS 3D: 11:00,13:10,15:20, 17:30, 19:40, 21:50, 24:00 2. SON OF NO ONE: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00, 22:00, 24:00 3. THE LORAX: 10:30, 12:15, 14:00, 16:00 3. THE HUNGER GAMES: 18:30, 21:15, 24:00 4. A THOUSAND WORDS: 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 4. BURNING BRIGHT (Arabic): 20:00, 22:00, 24:00

17:30, 21:50

8. MIRROR MIRROR: 11:00, 13:00, 15:00,17:00

8. SON OF NO ONE: 19:00, 21:00, 23:00

these movie listings are valid from thursday to wednesday each week. thesourceuae.com 19

FROM OUR READERS

BlueBerry Muffins My name is Hala Ghulmiyyah, I’m a housewife and a mother of three living in Al Ain for the past 28 years. I’m from Palestine, where people really love to eat. I would like to share one of my favorite dessert recipes with you, blueberry muffins, for a delicious anytime snack.

Ingredients

Method

6 tbsp butter 3 cups + 2 tbsp sifted all-purpose flour 3 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 1/4 cups white sugar 1 large egg 2 egg yolks 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 cup milk 1 3/4 cups fresh blueberries 1 tbsp lemon zest

1. Preheat the oven to 375 °F (200 °C). Grease muffin cups or line with muffin liners.

2. Combine flour, sugar, salt, lemon zest and baking powder in a mixing bowl and mix well.

3. Place the vegetable oil into a 1 cup (225ml) measuring cup.

Add the eggs, vanilla essence and enough milk to fill the cup.

4. Add this to the dry mixture.

5. Wash and dry the blueberries and coat them with 1 tsp flour, then add to mixture.

6. Divide the mixture in the muffin try.

7. Sprinkle each with cinnamon and sugar.

8. Bake for 45 minutes in the preheated oven or until done.

9. Cool on rack and serve.

Submit your creativity.

Photos, drawings or even poetry Email: content@thesourceuae.com

YOU ARE THE SOURCE! 20 thesourceuae.com

NEED TO KNOW

How do I go about hiring a domestic worker in Al Ain? Hiring a domestic worker requires a work contract which is valid for one year with a renewal option. This contract includes salary, vacation, air ticket, medical care and the correct terms in case of a breach of said contract.

Once you have found a maid that you want to employ, the following documents are required by Abu Dhabi Naturalization & Residence Directorate (ADNRD): • • • • •

Application signed by the sponsor Copy of your maid’s passport, valid for at least six months Copy of your passport An original salary certificate and labor contract from your employer indicating your monthly salary which should be at least AED6000, or AED5000 including accommodation There is an amount equivalent to the annual salary of the maid that has to be paid to the State Treasury on an annual basis

•

An affidavit (written sworn statement) from the employee’s embassy/consulate certifying that they are not related to the sponsor is essential. If a family needs more than one domestic worker, the (ADNRD) reserves the right to approve or refuse, depending on the size of the family, income levels, etc.

Maids from the following countries must be sponsored with these minimum salaries: • • • • •

Filipino - AED1400 Indian - AED110 Sri Lankan - AED825 Indonesian - AED800 Bangladeshi - AED750

For further details, contact the Abu Dhabi Naturalization & Residence Directorate (ADNRD) on 02 446 2244 or Al Ain (ADNRD) on 03 762 5555.

ENVIRONMENTAL Avoid Using Hotel Toiletries

When you stay in a hotel, try to avoid using the toiletries provided. The plastic from these bottles constantly end up in landfills. Instead do the environment a favor and fill your own little bottles with shampoo or take the empty plastic bottles with you to recycle at a later date.

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Thursday

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BE INSPIRED

A Passion for Fashion Madiha Noreen is a promising Sharjahi based designer who’s making fashion industry experts sit up and take notice Often referred to as a world of glitz and glamor, fashion designing is a career choice that many people would love to break into. A wealth of talented and inspirational artists and designers with a love for all things ‘fashion’ play gleefully with their imagination and inspiration to continuously bring to life a mere piece of fabric.

Madiha Noreen, a new fashion designer on the UAE circuit, found her calling at an early age when she discovered that she loved to dress her dolls in the most fashionable togs. After completing her schooling she decided to pursue a degree in Fashion Design at Preston University in Ajman, as a chance to study the intricate workings of the industry rather than relying solely on natural talent. Following the completion of her studies, the 25-year-old Pakistani expatriate was thrilled to be given the opportunity to start her own clothing line, named Madiha’s Collection, and creating outfits for those dolls are now a distant memory.

Her collection covers it all, from abaya’s to gowns, from traditional Emirati clothing to Pakistani conventional wear, Madiha’s Collection has something for everyone.

A typical day for the young designer starts with a fashion brief, where she identifies and discovers her customer’s requirements.

This is followed by some research looking at the latest trends, colors, cuts and materials to help give her designs a cutting edge.

She likes to use her imagination and finds it an enjoyable challenge to work within the constraints of her clients. She believes, “The more restricted the providing, the more you strive to achieve.”

Her driving force every time she starts to design is to fulfill her clients’ wishes whether that be in regards to style, budget or the elusive ‘wow’ factor. “Sometimes I meet the need of the client’s budget or look, and sometimes I meet the need to drive my creativity to achieve what I have not already reached.”

Madiha’s Award winning Abaya Design

Her passion to always do something new has paved her path to success and helped her claim 3rd position at the Persil Abaya Design Awards in Abu Dhabi, 2011. Her unique, embellished Abaya design was highly acclaimed by the judges for its originality and presence.

When asked about her professional journey she says, “I get surprised about how many people pay attention and recognize my work.” Getting emails from people who admire her work or want to collaborate is truly flattering but her favorite emails are from aspiring designers who want to get involved in fashion.

“Those are my happiest emails,” she says.

While advising people who want to get into the industry, Madiha insists “A fashion career is not a business, it’s a love. You have to love it and stay with it.”

She urges those who have the passion to get involved in the industry to go for it and to remain resilient, “Staying true to your vision is all you need”.

Inspired by Madiha’s story? Want to get into the world of fashion design?

Al Khwarizmi International College in Al Ain and Abu Dhabi offers courses as does the prestigious ESMOD International Fashion University in Dubai and the University of Sharjah.

22 thesourceuae.com

Thinking hardware? Think again.

There’s certainly more to ACE than just a hardware store. From automotive accessories to kitchen appliances, camping gear to barbeques, outdoor furniture to paints and plants, gardening items to pet accessories. There’s so much to choose from all under one roof. ACE. One Store. Many Lifestyles.

Al Ain: Sultan Bin Zayed Road, Bawadi Mall Tel: (03) 784 0561 Dubai: Dubai Festival City, Tel: 800 ASK ACE (800 275 223), Sheikh Zayed Road, Tel: (04) 341 1906, Fax: (04) 341 7610 Sharjah: Tel: (06) 537 1556, Fax: (06) 537 1575 Abu Dhabi: Mina Road, Tel: (02) 673 1665, Fax: (02) 673 0415 e-mail: ace@alfuttaim.ae or www.al-futtaim.ae

MY WORLD

The Magic of the Island The tiny island of Boracay is a little slice of paradise life

Powder white beaches, a glistening ocean and the golden orange glow of the setting sun twinkling in the distance.

Paradise found.

That paradise is Boracay Island, a tropical rapture situated a few hundred miles south of Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

The tiny bone-shaped island, located off the northwest corner of Panay, is approximately eight kilometers long and has a narrowest point of less than one kilometer.

Boracay is one of over 7,000 tropical islands in the Philippine Archipelago and, like an ambitious beauty queen unwilling to give up her crown; beautifies herself year after year, using the off season to carry out cosmetic enhancements in order to maintain her role as the trophy beach of the region.

Several fables surround the origin of the name ‘Boracay’ with some believing it stems from the old Filipino word ‘borac’ meaning cotton in reference to the soft, white beaches the island boasts. Others say the name came from the original ‘Atis’ inhabitants of the island and is a concoction of the words bora, meaning bubbles, and bocay, meaning white. Undiscovered until the 1970’s, when the island was unexpectedly filmed as part of a movie, it soon became initiated into the so called ‘Asian Backpacker Triangle’ which starts in Thailand, delves into the Philippines and winds up in Indonesia.

y of

er l scen a r u t a ing n stunn nd e h la T cay Is Bora

24 thesourceuae.com

Today, Boracay has evolved into an urbanized island community but still retains that relaxed island vibe. The heart of the action, if action is not too strong a word for the prevailing slow pace of life, takes place on the western facing White Beach. The typical rhythm of a regular day in paradise includes tropical cocktails, fruit-shakes, sun worshipping, an occasional lazy game of beach volleyball and messing around on boats as the sun begins to set.

For such a tiny island, Boracay has more than its fair share of leisure options. Over 350 beach resorts ranging from five star luxury to downright budget, offer accommodation for travelers.

Snorkeling, scuba-diving, windsurfing, sailing and kite-boarding are all on offer and you’ll hear the repetitive ‘sailing boat Mam, sailing boat Sir’, called by the friendly Filipino locals trying to make a living in their tropical paradise home. An 18-hole golf course, designed by Australian sporting legend Graham Marsh, adds another element to a tropical get-away. The course boasts unique features like waterfalls, streams and fountains and takes constant advantage of its amazing Sibuyan Sea vantage point. A huge range of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, where the staff go out of their way to make sure customers are enjoying their vacation, account for the rest of the leisure activities on offer.

With water so clear that it glows as if lit from within and sand as soft as satin, a trip to Boracay and the magical island life you will discover are memories that will stay with you for years to come.

All so r on of ts of acc fer ommo da

tion a re

MY CITY

Hili Fun City Where the Fun Never Stops!

Spring break is here. The weather is warm and the kids are off school. If your little ones are absolute adrenaline junkies that enjoy hair raising, heart-stopping rides then it’s about time you ventured to the Hili Fun City Family Park, located just north of Al Ain.

park.

Recently refurbished, the park has its original 18 rides in addition to 10 new attractions, like Twister Mountain, Hili Swinger, Circus Train, and Lighthouse. There’s also an Al Ain Derby where you race against family members to win a prize.

Hili Fun City is a place where the fun never stops.

Although most of the rides and games are catered towards kids there are a few stomach-churning, terrifying rides, like the Thunderbolt, to entertain adults and teens.

Smaller kids can put their driving skills to the test; with a safari car ride where they can enjoy driving around in multi-colored jeeps or dodging their friends in the bumper cars.

The park is open 16:00 – 22:00 Monday to Thursday, 12:00 -22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays and 10:00 to 22:00 on public holidays.

Wednesdays are reserved for women and children only. Entrance is AED 45, except Monday and Tuesdays which are AED 40. The fee includes unlimited access to the rides.

Take a break from the frantic activities and check out the restored carousel or hop on the mini train which will take you around the

2 For

ro a r p t e ct i

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For more information visit www.hilifuncity.ae or phone on 03 784 5542

5 AED 12

SOS Dentobox Rescue Box in Tooth Accidents

Accidents Happen. Be Prepared! thesourceuae.com 25

BUSINESS

Starting Up

Overcoming the challenges you face when taking the plunge and starting your own company Starting a business is an exciting journey. Over ten million people each year consider starting a business. As a result, more than three million new small businesses are started annually.

Business failure rates - a sobering thought!

• • •

50 per cent of all small businesses fail after their first year 33 per cent fail after two years 60 per cent fail after four years

Entrepreneurship offers numerous rewards, but it also presents many challenges. Understanding these challenges and some careful business planning can help lead to a successful business launch.

Do your homework!

Some would have you believe that the business plan died with the advent of the “launch and learn” era in the web/mobile space. Those same people might advise you to get your idea into the marketplace, learn from initial customers, prepare your ego for bruising, fail fast, fail cheap, and then shake it off and use your experience to build the next version…better…stronger…faster.

Unfortunately, if you’re seeking funding—no matter whether it’s a loan from the bank or an initial round from an investor or venture capitalists —you’re going to need a business plan.

You may view this plan as a boring hurdle to cross on your way to doing the work you really care about—turning your idea into reality—but your business plan is more than that. It’s your very first content marketing asset, the one that you use to market your ideas, in order to get help creating and marketing your unique products and services.

There’s no universally-accepted structure, format, or design for a business plan. There are certain things that most prospective

stakeholders may want to see, such as financial forecasts or product summaries, but get creative about how you present your story. It’s yours, after all.

In addition, a little up-front self-evaluation will help you decide if owning your own business is for you. Carefully consider each of the following questions: • •

• • • •

Are you a self-starter? It will be entirely up to you to develop projects, organize your time, get motivated and follow through on details.

How well do you get along with different personalities?

Business owners need to develop working relationships with a variety of people including customers, vendors, staff, bankers, and professionals.

Can you deal with a demanding client, an unreliable vendor, or a cranky receptionist?

Do you have the physical and emotional stamina to run a business? Business ownership can be exciting, but it’s also a lot of work.

How well do you plan and organize? Research indicates that poor planning is responsible for most business failures.

Good organization of financials, inventory, schedules, and production can help you avoid many pitfalls.

Besides reading all the business articles around, another idea that has helped many is mentorship. Business mentors help others succeed through their acumen, experience and wisdom in the business field.

Ask anyone successful in any line of work how they did it, and there’s at least one thing they’ll all agree on: You’ll never make it without the guidance of special people who’ve walked the same, or a similar, path before.

Finding a business mentor is the best way to stay afloat, grow your business and advance your career. Whether they’re family members or friends, former bosses, colleagues or executives you’ve met, you can learn something from everyone.

Remember—your business plan revolves around an idea that you feel can change a market, make people’s lives better, or just make a person or people lots and lots of money. A great business plan won’t save a bad idea, but a sloppy plan can certainly slow down a good idea.

If you’re anything like the average entrepreneur, you think you have a great idea. Treat your business plan like your first and most important content marketing project, and your idea has a better chance of gaining the support it needs to become reality.

26 thesourceuae.com

F

E E R

y er Ev

ay

sd ur

Th

KNOW WHAT’S HAPPENING BEFORE IT HAPPENS

REAL ESTATE Falaj Hazza

AED 120,000

Al Sarooj

AED 105,000

Al Sarooj

AED 170,000

Falaj Hazza

AED 150,000

4 bedroom plus maids villa This well refurbished villa is in a sought after area of Al Ain, approximately 5 minutes from the school road, and 10 minutes from town centre.

3 bedroom plus maids villa

5 bedroom plus maids villa

7 bedroom plus maids villa

A beautiful, brand new villa in a compound of four. Just two minutes from Hilton Hotel and 5 minutes from Bawadi Mall. Three still available.

Stunning, independent 5 bedroom villa in New Sarooj with plenty of natural light and a huge garden.

This beautifully finished large villa is located just 10mins from the school road and 10mins from the Hilton Hotel.

Zakher

Al Khabisi

Al Shuaiba

Al Khalidiya

AED 100,000

4 bedroom villa A lovely European style private villa with 2 master bedrooms and 2 with a shared bathroom located in the Zakher district, approximately 10mins from the school road.

AED 85,000

AED 85,000

AED 90,000

3 bedroom plus maids villa

3 bedroom plus maids (apartment)

4 bedroom bungalow

Lovely compound of 12 villas, with only 2 villas remaining. This compound includes a shared garden and climbing frame for children.

Spacious 3 bedroom apartment coming available at the end of April. Property has lots of natural light, a large balcony and a private entrance.

Lovely 4 bedroom bungalow in a compound of 8, located 5 minutes from the golf and rugby club.

These listings were provided by Thames Real Estate. For more information please contact us.

M: 050 773 6716 M: 050 700 3769 M: 050 447 8445 R thesourceuae.com

Hilton Hotel - 1st Floor Al Ain, UAE P.O. Box 1333

www.thames-real-estate.com info@thames-real-estate.com

SUDOKU Easy

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FIND YOUR WAY TO FREEDOM!

9 3 4

5

ANSWERS WILL BE REVEALED ONLINE DURING THE NEXT ISSUE!

MAZE

8

6

3

6

6

DOTS & BOXES 2 CAN PLAY THIS GAME!