MARCH2014
And now,
He chats with
Tempo
Meet Mark
Brainstorms with Bill Gates
Dances with Richard Branson
He jokes with Steve Jobs
Argues with Barack Obama
on innovation,
leadership and
success
Page 30
Business Guru
and SiliconValley
Insider

MANAGING EDITOR
Sana Bagersh
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Ajir Shujahi
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Vera Rosales
DESIGN & LAYOUT
Roshan John Kalarickal
WEB & VIDEO
Subin John Mathew
PHOTOGRAPHER
Angeli Castillo
DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR
Melaku Muluneh
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS:
Adham Mohammed
Alma Kadragic
Angelique Goldsworthy
Anna Khan
Areeba Sadiq
Azza El Masri
Blakniss
Daniela Raykova-Ainsley
Diji Shujahi
Dorian ‘Paul D’ Rogers
Dr. DMS
Ellaine Fathima
Lama Younes
Marien Oomen
Myriam Bunni
Noor Abdoulhamid Bagher Zadeh
Rhea Oommen
Ruksana Ajir
Seumas Gallacher
Shaheer Akbar
Shahid Saeed
Theresa F Weber
TEMPO GROUP: HOW TO SCAN
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have fun with videos, images, links and lots
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ADDRESS:
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Tempo Magazine does its best to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of its contents, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for errors, mistakes and
inaccuracies. The publisher reserves the rights of this product and no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the
permission of the publisher.
MEDIA LICENCE NO. 1/105866/24295
Tempo loves change, even though change is not
always easy. Right now we’re facing growing
pains, and increasing calls from readers who
want us to do a better job reaching out.
We’re trying.
We realise that some of you drive to pick up
Tempo and become disappointed to find they’re
all gone. We’re sorry for that and are already
exploring different solutions. Our aim is to make
Tempo more accessible to all of you.
The good news is that our e-Tempo database is also
growing as many of you opt to receive a digital
copy. If you’d like to receive Tempo by email drop
us a line at editorial@tempoplanet.com.
We had a fun brainstorming recently with
readers stopping by to say hello. We tried
collectively to define the spirit of “Tempo”. Even
though we were all over the place initially, we
managed to distill everything into The Tempo
Creed (back cover).
We hope you like it.
Keep the faith. Stay upTempo
Sana Bagersh
Managing Editor
Bagersh@tempoplanet.com
Twitter @bagersh
04 notes & cyberchatter / uspace
05 talking books / the blog
06 what’s hot
07 people calendar
08 welcoming months / horoscope
09 trending
10 phototripping
11 shutterbug adp
12 top ten songs / #temporeviews
14 city bites
15 time capsule
16 style blueprint
17 fashion view
20 cover story – creative endeavors
22 the dreamplayers star
23 flash fiction
24 articulate café
25 #temposwag
26 technology
27 instafame
29 the sands of time
30 tamakkan
31 women in business / an expat returns home
33 doc in the house / youth talk
34 dhabi dames
“ I want to become
a better artist and to
continually improve my skills.
I hope that I will also inspire
young artists, and support
them towards finding their
creative path. I would also like
to hold solo exhibitions and, at
some point, open my own art
studio to teach art classes to
younger artists. “
20
ontents
d’s
note

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tweet @abudhabitempo www. tempoplanet.comlikeusonfacebook/abudhabitempo
space
Tempo Planet
What woman has not faced hardship in her life? Who hasn’t experienced a
struggle of some form? When life puts a family to the test: with comfort is gone
and wealth lost…who is it that always rises to the occasion to keep the family
together? Women.
The significance of women cannot be overstressed, it is their dreams that
make the world better, their support for others – a woman approaches each
situation with love and dedication. Women have to hold different roles, and
to match the challenges for each one with suitable skills. They are inherently
equipped to play multiple roles, and their capacity for thinking on different
levels enables them to physically, emotionally and spiritually handle whatever
situation is set before them.
Women have a tremendous capacity for love and caring, in all the roles they play,
whether it is as mother, sister, friend or wife. Their ability for empathy enables
them to help others through deeper understanding.
Women play a huge role in history, from Queen Sheba to Nefertiti, from Florence
Nightingale to Maria Teresa, all the way to the powerful personalities that have,
over history, made contributions in science, literature and politics. If you look at the
family unit, it is the mother who takes control; from the time a child is born and all
the way to when he or she leaves the nest.
In the past few decades in this region has seen women move forward to centre
stage. The status of women is being positively redefined, from the shy housewife
and behind-the-scenes caretaker, to someone who is proactive, knowledgeable,
responsible and ready to lead.
I salute the true spirit of womanhood. I am happy to be a woman, and I pay homage
to my mother, and all the women in my life.
IN CELEBRATION
OF INTERNATIONAL
WOMEN’S DAY
Saluting Women
by Areeba Sadiq
Thanks Tempo Planet for such an
opportunity!
- Amgad Fahmi
ExcaliburKZ @ExcaliburKZ
Loving the new Tempo stands @
AbuDhabiTempo #uae #abudhabi
#magazine
ON MAITHA AL KHAYAT
Love the fact that she raises
awareness and encourages love
and respect for the reading, writing
and illustrating of children’s books.
Awesome lady – Azma A
ON ON MUGDHA SUNIL
POLIMERA – “A BETTER
TOMORROW”
This is very meaningful. And I
totally agree that it’s the humanity
that is missing, and not education.
This is what’s causing the
problems in the world.
– Abdalla Al Husni
ON ‘WHITE CUBE’
Congrats dude! – Ashish Shetty
ON CITY BITES
‘BIRIYANI FEAST’
Lazeez is my personal favorite.
The review is so true. Good job! –
Tejaswini G
ON PHOTOTRIPPING
‘PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY’
Amazing works of Amgad Fahmi.
– Deepak Raj
Download the Tempo app for
free from the Google Android
Playstore: “Tempo Planet”

www. tempoplanet.com 5
TALKING BOOKS
A book review by Azza El Masri
Azza El Masri is an avid reader and is
always looking for new recommendations!
If you want her to review a book you fell
in love with, or leave a comment on her
book bulletin, then you can reach her on:
www.tempoplanet.com/category/talking-books
THE BLOG
By Seumas Gallacher
… over the past few years, Ye Olde Traditionalist Publishing Empire has
been rattled by the emergence of self-publishing… the former, convoluted
trail from manuscript to bookstore shelves would have sat comfortably
alongside the labours of Samson… each step of the authors’ obstacle course
steeped in ‘the-way-we-do-it-here’ rules… yer query letters to agents,
each with unique submission regulations (even the WURD ‘submission’
has serf-like undertones)… and, if ye’re lucky, yeez get an answer within
six months… let’s presume the Great God Agency smiles benevolently on
yeez… yer manuscript crawls to the top of slush-pile number one, and the
Agency undertakes to peddle yer wares… next, the interminable round of
the Princely Publishing Priories… enter slush-pile number two…notional
Everests of books from other quill-scrapers sit on purchasing executives’
desks… yeez win this bit of the Literary Lottery, and ye’re now a ‘house
author’…done? …not on yer life… now the slalom of sub-editor, editor, proof
reader, illustrator, cover page artist, marketing planners… comes now the
Amazon Kindle Miracle… one of those wondrous ‘that’ll-never-catch-
on’ fads, they said… panders only to the vanity-print brigade, they said…
watch it crash and burn in a coupla months, they said… people will never
switch from having a book in their hands they can touch, they said… so
what happened?… the Kindle and its cousin lookalikes came on the scene
at the same time as the SOSYAL NETWURKIN, is what happened… enter
Master Gallacher, stage right… the traditionalists’ staunchest supporter…
now metamorphosed into a sexagenarian poster boy for the ePublishing
universe… about five years ago I started to write the first wee crime thriller,
THE VIOLIN MAN’S LEGACY… like all budding Lee Child-es, or that wee
Rowlings lassie, I promptly sent it off to forty literary agents in London…
and in perfect balance received back precisely forty rejection slips… then
sumb’dy whispered the WURD, Kindle, in my ear… I knew not of what
they spoke… so it was explained in monosyllables… and on to the eBook
merry-go-round went the novel… at the same time, I read about another
self-publishing author, who espoused taking a total business approach to
the whole nine yards of writing… acknowledging that writing the stuff
was merely the beginning of the enterprise… in any business yeez would
expect to have a business plan, a budget, timeline targets, market and
pricing strategies, and so on… and I dived in feet first… the realization that
the SOSYAL NETWURKIN provided the multiple access to markets was
the first essential epiphany… for me it was Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads,
and LinkedIn… today and every day, I allocate budgeted time for each of
these… developing, nurturing, and enjoying the relationships evolving
constantly on there… and, most importantly, sumb’dy else outlined to me
what a BLOG was… so I have one of those in the quiver, too… over these
fabulous few years of growing from a bewildered new self-publisher, with
NUTHIN in sales, I’ve grown into a bewildered not-so-new self-publisher,
with 75,000+ copies downloaded …the bonus throughout all of this Magical
Mystery Online Tour has been the discovery of the vast, global, scribblers
family… my direct connections during the BUILDING THE PLATFORM of
links has grown from 200 to almost 14,000, many of whom are in regular
communication… reciprocation is key… try to give back as much as possible,
Lads and Lassies of Blog Land… ReTweet for others… share their Facebook
success stories… download some books from newcomers… and post reviews
for them… and most of all… enjoy, enjoy, enjoy… so, there yeez have it…
when the Nobel Prizes for The Indie Mouse That Roared are being handed
out in years to come, bear a thought for the part played in the early
Downfall of The Traditional Publishing Empire by a delusional old Scots
scrivener locked away in his virtual candle-lit garret in Abu Dhabi… let
them speak well of me…LUV YEEZ…
…Traditional Publishing… my part in
its downfall…
Follow Seumas on Twitter: @seumasgallacher
In the span of two years I’ve written for
TEMPO, I have come to read many novels—
some enlightening, some not so much. Khaled
Hosseini’s latest, “And the Mountains Echoed”
is, without doubt, one of the best.
With a prose that moves the reader’s soul,
and with imagery that imprints itself into the
mind, “And the Mountains Echoed”revisits
Hosseini’s most beloved tropes of pre-war
Afghanistan, exile and the reunion of
separated siblings.
The beloved author of “The Kite Runner”
(2003) and “A Thousand Splendid Suns”
(2009), Hosseini grabs the reader from the
very first sentence - a gift preserved to the
master storytellers of our time. “You want a
story and I will tell you one”, he starts, and
from those first words Hosseini launches
into an intricate tale about Abdullah, 10, and
his sister Pari, 3 - two children born to an
impoverished family in the Afghan village
of Shadbagh.
On a fateful day in Kabul, the brother and
sister are forced to part. We are invited to
experience Abdullah’s pain, as the pieces,
little by little, are woven together through
time…starting from Kabul to Paris and ending
in the Greek island of Tinos.
In “And the Mountains Echoed,” Hosseini
works on creating a set of characters of many
complexities. The novel resonates with the
brilliance of past works, as we see Hosseini
sticking to the themes he is exceptional in…
from a family forced to separate, to a memory
of a forgotten glorious Afghanistan, which
sang the tunes of freedom, modernity and
history. In the same vein, Hosseini brings to
life the very political context of Afghanistan
post 9/11 and gives us insight on the way the
country is perceived by the world.
Propelling us through a journey of emotional
turmoil, betrayal, nostalgia and yearning,
Hosseini drives the reader from the crowded
streets and bazaars of 1952 Kabul to Taliban-
infested Waziristan in 2003, across Europe
to France and Greece, and then beyond to
California, in the United States. Through it all
the reader is plunged into vivid imagery that
transports him or her to places he or she may
have never seen before.
The yearning for reunion pulls at the reader
till the very end of the book, where in one
final master stroke we take a step back to
survey the intimate interconnectedness
and reasoning behind all the decisions
made in the name of family, survival,
loyalty, and more.
by Khaled Hosseini
And the Mountains Echoed

Latino Circo
Feb 11 – Mar 21
Khalifa Park, Abu Dhabi
This world-famous circus presents a variety of astounding
performances, which include motorcycle high wire, tight
rope, clowns, a rubber man, trapeze artists, trampolining,
cycling and a Mariachi band. The Circus runs in Khalifa
Park with two shows daily and is part of the Six Continents
entertainment event.
Visit: www.sixcontinents.ae
Tap Dogs
Mar 5 – Mar 15
Madinat Theatre, Souk Madinat Jumeirah
Appearing in over 37 Countries, 330 cities and thrilling over 12
million people, Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs visits the UAE for the very
first time. Part theatre, part rock concert and part construction
site, this adrenalin-pumped cast injects raw power into an
ultimate visual dance spectacular.
Visit: www.madinattheatre.com
The million’s poet
Feb 12 – May 21
Al Raha Beach Theatre, Abu Dhabi
The Million Poet seeks to preserve and promote the heritage
of Nabati poetry in the Arab region and promotes it to be at
the forefront of Arab literature. The Million Poet is a unique
platform to uncovered largely undiscovered Emirati, Gulf and
Arab talent. The programme presents these talents from the
capital, Abu Dhabi.
Visit: www.almillion.net
Dubai International Boat Show 2014
Mar 4 – Mar 8
Dubai International Marine Club
Dubai International Boat Show is one of the largest in the region
that focuses on the growing leisure marine industry. The 22nd
edition of the event showcases yachts, supercars, equipment
and supplies from both local and international builders together
with some of the latest solutions in marine industry.
Visit: www.boatshowdubai.com
TO ADVERTISE YOUR EVENT AND BE INCLUDED IN OUR ISSUE, CONTACT US AT: +971 2 491 8624
Eric Clapton Live in Dubai
Mar 6
Dubai Media City Amphitheatre
Eric Clapton is the only musical figure to be inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times. The living legend,
known for his unique and inimitable style, is also a 13-time
Grammy Award winner who has earned second place on Rolling
Stones’ list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
Visit: www.doneevents.com/eric-clapton
Peter Pan - The Never Ending Story
Mar 5 – Mar 13
Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre
The story of Peter Pan, written by Scottish novelist and
playwright J.M. Barrie is a classic tale about the adventures of
an “everlasting” boy. Peter Pan is a boy who can fly and never
grows old. The story of how Peter Pan meets the ordinary
human girl Wendy will be brought to life on stage.
Visit: www.yakevents.com

UAE Green Festivals
March 16 - April 16
Abu Dhabi
The UAE Green Festival is a countrywide celebration designed
to educate the public about green living under the theme ‘Live,
learn and have fun in a low-carbon world’. The festival features
a wide range of awareness activities, including Green Shopping,
Green Art and Green Fitness. The event’s goal is to support the
UAE’s vision of sustainability and promote environmentally
sustainable practices.
Visit: www.uaegreenfestival.com
Bill Fontana - Acoustical Visions
& Desert Soundings
Mar 21 – Apr 20
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
American composer and artist Bill Fontana reveals his
site-specific ‘sound sculpture’ of Abu Dhabi, in addition to
showcasing some of his own work. Best known for ‘Harmonic
Bridge’ (2006) presented by the UK’s Tate Modern, the artist will
collaborate with some of the capital’s young talents.
Visit: www.abudhabifestival.ae
• 24 Yrs Old
• Russian
• Marketing Manager
polina
vesnina
< Angeli Castillo
“Join the Mission” in an effort to fight Heart disease”
Al Wahda Mall in Abu Dhabi, took a step towards fighting heart disease by joining the International
Go Red for Women campaign. The campaign coincided with Valentine’s Day and was conducted
over a week .
As a part of the campaign to spread awareness, Al Wahda Mall shoppers, tenants and staff wore RED,
joined the Human Heart Formation on the 14th of February, 2014 and participated in the Mall Walk
and other activities.
The initiative saw the participation of over 1537 number of participants of all nationalities.
Punchline Comedy
Club @ Ocean View
Hotel, Dubai
Tamakkan and
AmCham WIB:
Mark C. Thompson
“Success Built to Last -
Creating a Life that Matters”
@ Al Mamoura Auditorium
The Color Run@ Yas Marina CircuitAbu Dhabi
march7
march19
march29

Taken: February 16, 2014
Place: Corniche Lake Park
Music Inspiration:
Clean Bandit- I’d Rather
Birdy- Let Her Go (Like a Version)
elcoming months
Ellaine Fathima
with a
smile
www.facebook.com/ell3.Laine
Never get tired of doing little things for others…
Sometimes those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts!
The New York Institute of technology organized a fundraiser for
the Special Needs Center. Students prepared and sold cupcakes,
pastries and hamburgers. One of the activities was spin the wheel
with contestants winning prizes. The event raised Dh 4,000.
For more information on NYIT activities and events, visit
https://www.facebook.com/adnyit
http://www.nyit.edu
+97124048523
Nida Mulk, Leena Faris, Asjad Mamoon
Year 2014
HOROSCOPE
AQUARIUS
Trips and contacts with people
from far away need to be
approached with precaution
because they can bring incidents
and troubles. Take care of yourself,
make yourself beautiful, and
change your wardrobe!
ARIES
Your achievements will be
encouraged by friends and
supporters and they could bring
along some enhanced popularity.
Avoid circumstances that could
lead to conflicts!
TAURUS
Things will not develop within
normal parameters and you’ll need
discipline and planning in order to
succeed. Participate in a collective
activity of a creative, esoteric or
humanitarian character!
GEMINI
You don’t have to be a
genius to put things together
and draw a conclusion. Don’t
get over enthusiastic, try to
think rationally!
CANCER
The most interesting events seem
to be related to studies, legal
regulations, trips, long-distance
contacts. Cultural activities will be
encouraged. Try to avoid possible
complications related to home
and family!
LEO
Success will greatly come by
means of effort, but good relations,
collaboration and partnerships will
also have a major contribution. Be
careful when driving or travelling,
speak calmly and no more that
you need to!
VIRGO
Challenges will also be present,
but you’ll have enough support
to cope with them. Have realistic
expectations of the other people!
LIBRA
The period will not be
recommended for starting new
projects, but can be profitable
in the case of resuming some
older projects. Avoid disorder
and indiscipline!
SCORPIO
Be prepared, for you might be in
the right place at the right time,
so that you can take advantage
of an opportunity, of a special
occasion. Beware of the hidden
schemes of the people that aren’t
well meaning!
SAGITTARIUS
You better not take important
decisions about relationship, home
or family. Business meetings and
trips will be profitable. Deal with
things on your own, don’t count
on others!
CAPRICORN
In case there’s a problem,
discuss it! By communication you
can solve almost anything. Set
your imagination free!
Write, draw, create!
PISCES
You’ll have high perceptive
sensitiveness that will make
your senses keener but will expose
you to all sorts of turbulence.
Think twice before making
decisions, maybe even ask for
specialist advice!
by Lama Younes
A little support
University beat:

TRENDING @ highexistence.com
What’s COOL, Inspirational and Quirky
on the Net

By Shahid Saeed
It is said the best camera is that which you have at the time with you. As technology
evolves, more possibilities abound, and smart phones are becoming smarter, and making
photography accessible to everyone. Indeed, with the right kind of approach, mobile phone
cameras are capable of producing stunning photographs. No specific training is required to
get started, but a good understanding of composition and subject framing can make a
huge difference.
mobile
photography
> Amjad Rasool, Abu Dhabi, UAE Amjad Rasool
>
Shahid Saeed
>

THE CHALLENGE:
OPEN CATEGORY
THE GROUP:
THE ABU DHABI PHOTOGRAPHERS
NOTE: This time the theme was open; it could be any
kind of photography. This enabled each member to be
creative and experiment with different techniques and
visual styles.
ABOUT: Abu Dhabi Photographers is a group of
photography enthusiasts who meet regularly to capture
beautiful shots and to share knowledge and experiences.
The group is managed by BrandMoxie.
Learn more:
www.tempoplanet.com/category/shutter-bugs
> Tina Lucey
Janko Djakovic
>
> Amgad Fahmi
Teesta Guha Sarkar
>
INTERACTIVE PAGE
DOWNLOAD THE POINTATME APP
AND SCAN THIS PAGE

| Abu Dhabi | Ajman | Dubai | Fujairah | Ras Al Khaimah | Sharjah | Umm Al Quwain
6
7
8
9
10
Money On My Mind
> Sam Smith
Rather Be Feat. Jess Glynne
> Clean Bandit
Midnight Memories
> One Direction
If I Lose Myself
> Katy Perry
Can't Remember to Forget
You
> Shakira feat Rihanna
Feelin Myself
> will.i.am feat Miley Cyrus, French
Montana & Wiz Khalifa
Mmm Yeah
> Austin Mahone feat Pitbull
Dibby Dibby Sound
> DJ Fresh feat Ms Dynamite
Riptide
> Vance Joy
Dark Horse
> Beyonce Feat. Juicy J
INTERACTIVE PAGE
AND SCAN THIS PAGE
Link: https://soundcloud.com/
whitecubeuae/sets/the-white-cube-playlist
WHITE CUBE
White Cube is a
movement that focuses
on nurturing locally
produced music and art
tempo movie
reviews
Follow #TempoReviews on Twitter for more.
coming soonnow showing
Tempo rates the latest movies based on action, comedy, explicit content and
positive messaging. Our trusted movie buff, Shaheer Akbar, reviews movies
released in the Gulf.
With lots of much - awaited movies releasing every week, Tempo creates an expectation
meter. We polled movie-lovers what they thought about these upcoming movies and this is
what their expectations are.
ACTION/VIOLENCE
COMEDY/HUMOUR
EXPLICIT
POSITIVE MESSAGE
REVIEW: REVIEW:
WHAT'S ON WHITE CUBE'S
iPOD?
" thrilling film from the
veteran actors "
Directed by: Mikael Håfström
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold
Schwarzenegger
1
2
3
4
5
REVIEW:
Escape Plan
1
2
3
4
5
REVIEW:
" great film to have a laugh "
Directed by: Chris Miller,
and Phil Lord
Starring: Will Arnett, Elizabeth
Banks, Jonah Hill, Will Farrell
The Lego Movie
" THIS IS SPARTA, the epic film
continues "
Directed by: Noam Murro
Starring: Lena Headey, Rodrigo
Santoro, Eva Green
300: Rise of an Empire
" They tried to take his
daughter, his wife.. and now?! "
Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra
Starring: Liam Neeson, Julianna
Moore, Michelle Dockery
NON-STOP
meter legend:
1. Kharabat Boiz ft. Freek > Batali
2. Th3 Pr0j3ct > Impact
3. Devin Howell > Gone to my head
4. Moh Flow > Lost
5. Nicola Warwick > Coward
6. Sarah El Gohary > 3elbet CDhat
7. Jay Wud > Incomplete Heart
8. Abbo > Brother I’ve Known
9. The Boxtones > After all is said and done
10. Jere-Maya > Thing-A-Ma-Jig
1
2
3
4
5

TEMPO TRIED & TESTED
Who would have thought that simple flat bread would have revolutionized the foodie world?
Pizza did. . It started with humble focaccia from Naples that evolved into the pizza we know.
Pizza has managed to conquer the culinary world; whether it the junk food version, or the
gourmet delicacy. Tempo popped into a few pizzerias…
By Diji Shujahi
pizzapizza
What: Maharaja Pizza
BUILD: Thin crust Pizza topped with
Tandoori chicken, red onions, spiced
mango chutney, cucumber mint raita and
mozzarella.
COMMENT: An Indo-Italian collaboration
that works. One bite into this pizza, and
the fusion of flavours take you to tandoori
heaven. The contrast of cucumber raita
and chicken leaves a tingly feel in your
mouth, and a taste that will have you
coming back for more.
RECOMMENDATION: Located at a
small corner in Marks & Spencer, an
unexpectedly cosy place to meet friends.
I stepped into Carluccio’s restaurant, right after it opened its first restaurant in the capital. We tried their pizza margherita, their meat
lasagne and their foccacia bread. The pizza was as close to perfection as anything I’d tasted in the UAE; nice crust, a balanced tomato
sauce, buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil. The foccacia bread was more like pizza than the foccacia I was used to; this was quite moist -
baked with both cheese and tomato sauce. I loved the airy decor, the waterfront ambience, and the attention to service detail. It is good
to hear that Carluccio’s is opening two more restaurants in the capital, as they definitely raise the bar! -
at Eastern Mangroves
olivella s'at Marks & Spencer
pizza
hut
What: Chicken Super Supreme Pizza
BUILD: Pan pizza topped with grilled
chicken, chicken pepperoni, mushrooms,
green peppers, onions and black olives.
COMMENT: Pizza Hut normally rules the
roost among college students. But what
tastes good when you’re young and hungry
may be less exciting when your palate has
recovered the onslaught of years of junk
food. Still, the chicken super supreme reigns
supreme - we found the bread yeasty but
the toppings delivered redemption. Maybe
it’s nostalgia, or the power of distorted
olfactory association, but the smell of Pizza
Hut pizzas still makes it fun to jump right in
and devour the pies.
RECOMMENDATION: It’s always fun to
check out the new additions on the menu.
What: Seafood Supreme Pizza
BUILD: Thin crust pizza topped with
shrimp, calamari, crabsticks, onion, green
peppers, red peppers, yellow peppers and
garlic sauce topped with mozzarella.
COMMENT: Sometimes it’s as basic as
savouring real mozzarella cheese – since
we’re so used to processed cheese. This
is a hearty pizza with generous amounts
of seafood, a rich garlic sauce, and cheese
oozing out of every bite! You can’t go
wrong with that.
RECOMMENDATION: Make sure you try
the thin crust pizzas.
pizza
figaro s'
3 3.54
Eds
choice
'
Carluccio’s

LIFE MUSIC FOOD TRAVELABOUT ME
BASIC INFORMATION
< Angeli Castillo
Kyla E.
Sollano
Goal in life: To be a professional architect
and to be happy
Big thank you goes to: My parents
Things I have done that others might
consider crazy: Keeping reptile pets.
If I could wake up in someone else’s body,
would love it to be: maybe Kyary Pamyu
Pamyu - she has an interesting life
If I had to be trapped in a TV show, it would
be: How I Met Your Mother
If today is the last day-
I would rush to: Bed
My idea of a perfect weekend: Listening to
nice relaxing music or gaming or a date
to the zoo
I’ve travelled to:
Singapore, Philippines.
I would love to go to:
Japan , Korea, Europe
If I were on death row, my last meal would have to be:
TAHO!!
If I could associate myself a food it would be?
Mojito
Age: 23
Profession: Architect
Nationality: Filipino
Motto: " Try and try until you succeed"
Most valued possession: My baby reptiles
Where I’m hanging out most: Cafes, the zoo
or hanging around at Home
One thing I cannot live without: Music.
Things I need most for survival: Knife,
music, clothes, bag
Things I need most for survival: Phone,
Music, Clothes, Water, Money.
Car I would like most to own:
Chevrolet Camaro
Peace to me is: Sitting all alone listening
to music

Fashion Statement: I like to see
a mix between slightly formal and
informal outfits, as well as old 1930s
suited styles.
Describe your personal style:
Not too colourful. I love a simple,
comfortable, casual but unique look.
FAVORITE BUY OF THE PAST MONTH:
White Ralph Lauren shoes.
Which are your fave places to
shop in UAE?
Favourite shop would have to be H&M.
Best places to shop are Al Wahda mall
and Marina Mall.
Does the UAE have style?
It has a lot of style – especially in terms
of colour coordination.
Do you have any fashion pet
hates? I absolutely despise tank tops
with a full shoulder width.
PHOTOGRAPH BY:
Angeli Castillo
Xavier Daniel
Bauwmans
19 YRS OLD
Belgian/Congolese
GAP YEAR - PLAYING RUGBY
AND modeling
TEMPO'S MY STYLE
DO YOU HAVE YOUR OWN DISTINCTIVE STYLE?
SUBMIT A PHOTO AND A PARAGRAPH ABOUT YOURSELF TO:
editorial@tempoplanet.com

Creative
EndeavorsBy Adham Mohammed
“I discovered my passion for drawing when I was young,
and learned early that I was pretty good at it.
“I drew many paintings and was known as an artist
by my friends. I started entering my paintings in art
competitions at school and I often got first place or
second place. As I got older, my passion for art grew, and
I took part in many art exhibitions.
“It’s funny that no one in my family is an artist. With time
I saw drawing as a means for understanding the beauty
and harmony of the world. I also embraced it as a way to
express my emotions, feelings and perceptions of life.
“I have to say that the main challenge for me has been to
manage my time between running my businesses and
drawing. It’s not always easy.
“I want to become a better artist and to continually
improve my skills. I hope that I will also inspire young
artists, and support them towards finding their creative
path. I would also like to hold solo exhibitions and, at
some point, open my own art studio to teach art classes
to younger artists."
“ I believe that artists should always look around them
at the colours of nature to get inspired. They should
also read continuously about art and about known
artists, and take art lessons under the tutelage of
experienced teachers.
“Aspiring artists should also take every opportunity to
visit galleries and art exhibitions. In today’s world they
must use social media, and network with other people
interested in art through Facebook, Twitter,
and Instagram."
Connect: Facebook: Hamdan Art • Twitter: @hamdanart • Instagram: @hamdanart_
When you start talking to Hamdan Abdulla Hussain Al Mutawa,
you quickly see that the 33 yr old Emirati is a man of many
talents - he not only owns several diverse (and successful!)
businesses, but is also an exceptionally gifted artist.

" I want to become
a better artist and
to continually
improve my
skills. I hope that
I will also inspire
young artists,
and support them
towards finding
their creative
path. I would also
like to hold solo
exhibitions and, at
some point, open
my own art studio
to teach art classes
to younger artists. "
I believe that artists should always look around them at
the colours of nature to get inspired. They should also read
continuously about art and about known artists, and take art
lessons under the tutelage of experienced teachers.

Dream
Players
Star
Kimberly Glaspie
Those who heard Kimberly Glaspie at Season 2013 of The DreamPlayers
would recall her distinctively husky voice, with its breadth of range and
velvety undertones…and remember also the timid yet charming way she
presents herself on stage. Here’s Kim, in her own words.
I am a 34-year-old teacher from America. I studied Psychology in Undergraduate
School, and then earned a Masters Degree in Counseling. My hobbies include singing,
dancing, reading, watching US television shows, hanging out with friends, and
shopping. I am always open to new experiences, and have, of late, taken up traveling,
learning about new cultures, skiing and scuba diving.
I grew up in a family that sang together at almost all family gatherings. The church I
attended as a child and into my teenage years valued singing. There were no musical
instruments, so our voices were the instruments and we always sang together,
acapella. With lots of encouragement from my family I was thrust into the spotlight
once they was realized that I had, by their description, a “nice” voice. I sang at church
functions and at the school choir.
I have always loved music. My father listened to all genres of music, so I followed his
lead and became enamored with some of the voices I heard: Anita Baker, Atlantic Starr,
Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Stephanie Mills, Huey
Lewis & the News.
I hope that I have been a positive role model for my family; I am always taken aback
when one of my sisters or cousins tell me that they’re proud of me and that I am an
inspiration to them. I wish that I had a long list of accomplishments, but I’m afraid
that my shyness and anxiety have always held me back from moving to the forefront.
I have always been content with letting others earn accolades; and praising their
achievements.
I think I do a great job covering up my shortcomings. People would never know about
my anxiety about being judged. Even though I wish I had started to share my talent
years ago, I am quite proud to come out of the shadows and into the spotlight now. My
mother taught me to never let fear get in the way of what you want to do and that it’s
never too late to live your dreams.
I was honoured to be a part of The Dream Players talent show. I’ve always loved the
feeling of being on a stage in front of a crowd. When I heard about the competition -
even though it would be my first - I was very excited. I am glad there are talent shows
such as The Dream Players, which allow the average person to share their talent with
the world.
I plan to continue work on my first solo project. After years of anxiety and
procrastination, I am ready to complete the project I started a long ago. I hope to
perform a lot more in and around the UAE.
I want to tell others not to let anxiety, judgments or your fear of failure hold them
back from anything. I say, if you have a dream, do everything in your power to make
it happen!
ABOUT THE DREAM PLAYERS
The Dream Players is platform that promotes
local bands, performers, artists, actors, poets
and filmmakers. Watch this space closely as
The Dream Players will soon announce the
start of auditions for its upcoming season.
Check in at
www.TheDreamPlayers.com
INTERACTIVE PAGE
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In winter, as temperatures fell, Bu
Rashid and his family, like many
Emiratis celebrated their traditions
and camped in the desert. He found
the perfect place to camp for his wife,
and sons Rashid and Ahmed. One
morning, while Um Rasheed made
breakfast, the boys played outside.
Bu Rashid warned them not go out in
the afternoon because Donkey Noon
would eat them.
Ahmed, the youngest, started
laughing. “Yeah! Right! Donkey Noon
will come after me,” he giggled.
“I'm not joking, Ahmed,” said his
father. “If you go out, don’t be
surprised when Donkey Noon finds
you.” Bu Rashid was using the old
myth to protect his sons from the
dangers of the desert.
Donkey Noon
Written by:
Noor Abdoul hamid Bagher Zadeh
Illustration by:
Nauf Abdulrahman Abdulla
Abdulrahman Al Shaikh
A few hours later, the parents and
Rashid fell asleep and Ahmed left
the tent to explore. Suddenly, a
sand storm appeared and Ahmed
couldn't see anything.He began
looking for the tent, but the storm
pushed him farther and farther
away from their campsite.
All of a sudden, Ahmed saw a pair
of big, red eyes coming towards him
surrounded by sand and his whole
body started shaking with fear.
The sand began to take the shape
of a donkey.“Why are you outside?”
Donkey Noon asked. “Don’t you know
what happens to children who don’t
listen to their parents?
Ahmed was so terrified the only
thing he could do was to shake his
head instead of saying no.
“I eat them!” Donkey growled
ominously. “But. . .,”Donkey Noon
paused thoughtfully, “if you
promise to listen to your parents,
and never again leave without their
permission, I won’t eat you now!”
Ahmed quickly promised and
Donkey Noon led him safely back to
his family.
As soon as he arrived, Ahmed ran to
his father to tell him that he had seen
Donkey Noon. Bu Rashid laughed
and told his son to pack up his things.
Ahmed was about to interrupt his
father when he remembered his
promise to Donkey Noon about
listening to his parents.
On the way home, Ahmed saw
Donkey Noon in the distance
and vowed to never to forget the
mysterious beast.
ZAYED UNIVERSITY’S AL KHARAREF STORYTELLING CLUB was created to
enrich the legacy of the Emirati storytelling tradition and contribute to the revival of
this important cultural heritage within the United Arab Emirates.
Last year, the Club in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation
exhibited Story Mile a collection of 48 original fables and folktales, written by
students from the Academic Bridge Program, illustrated by College of Arts and
Creative Enterprises majors and translated by ZOWD volunteers into the language
of its characters, Emirati dialect.
The tales, which are soon to be published in a book, share not only the storytelling
traditions of the Emirates, but have also introduced other key aspects of Emirati
culture. These latest stories are creating new footprints in Emirati's storytelling
foklore, while preserving and reintegrating 24 archetypical traditional characters
researched by Master Storyteller Abdul Aziz Al Mussallam and designated by the
Department of Culture, Heritage and Information as genuinely Emirati back into the
cultural landscape.
“I am coming over!” the voice yelled
into my receiver.
“I have made a revelation!” it rasped
before abruptly slamming the phone
and damaging my eardrum.
Whoever it was would get a terrible
surprise, I didn’t take these prank calls
lightly. Like when those boys come
around throwing chicken heads on my
porch. They learned the hard way.
They ate those heads in the end, once
their mother found out, from combs to
eyes and beaks. I very much liked to
eat chicken head soup, but not when I
was a young boy like those two. Those
twin brothers. Cursed hooligans, had
no respect for their betters, always
making trouble. Well I showed them,
just like I will show this man whoever
he is, what it means to disrespect
Miguel Durante. Pouring myself a
glass of last year’s grappa, I sat to wait
for this man, the revelator.
It took him the better part of the
morning to get to my house and I
had fallen asleep on the chair, on my
porch, when he shook me awake. His
watery eyes where bulging
and desperate.
His chin draped with saliva and slightly
drooping one side. The sounds he made
were unintelligible, a demented freak,
accosting me on my own property. My
walking stick was at hand so I caned
him about the head and shoulders to
make him stop attacking me. We were
rocking back and forth undulating like
the waves on the sea. It was almost
hypnotic and made me disorientated.
Our decent into this madness had
aroused interest from the neighbors
across the street.
“Get this psycho off of me”
I shouted.
Finally after an eternity off dizzying
hell, strong hands grasped the criminal
from behind and pulled him off.
“This beast tried to kill me in
my sleep!”
“He was not trying to kill you Senoir
Durante, can’t you see he has had
a stroke.”
“How would I know, I am no doctor! It
serves him right, the bastard tried to
choke me to death!”
“I don’t think he did, he was probably
trying to get help. I’m going to call
an ambulance.”
“Get him off my property whatever
you do. I need to go lie down or it will
be me having a heart attack after all
this shock.”
Mateu called the ambulance and
waited with the man on the porch.
After they took him he went
home and told his mother what
had happened.
“That poor man.” She replied
“I know the paramedics said he will
probably not survive.”
“No not him, Miguel.”
“What do you mean Senior Durante?
He is a horrible old man, he wouldn’t
even help him.”
“Mateu, there is something you don’t
know, that other man; his name is
Durante as well.”
“That is not unheard of, two men
having the same name.”
“They are related, they are actually
twins. Not identical but still the same
person inside, if you can understand
my meaning. When they were young
boys they ran around making trouble
for everyone. They would throw
chicken heads at people’s doors and all
kinds of other mischief. One day they
had an accident while jumping from
the cliffs, the ones you were never
allowed to go to.
Well, Miguel’s brother got severe
amnesia and was hospitalized,
Miguel went to see him every day
but he never remembered his own
twin brother. All of their family is
gone now and Miguel
has Alzheimer’s.
So you see now my dear boy, it is poor
Miguel, because he had no idea that it
was his beloved brother dying in front
of his eyes.
A Cosmic Joke
By Daniela Raykova-Ainsley
SCAN THE PAGE WITH
POINTATME APP
LISTEN TO THE STORY IN
ARABIC AND ENGLISH
FLASH FICTION IS A STYLE OF FICTIONAL LITERATURE
CHARACTERIZED BY BREVITY; WITH THE STANDARD
BEING A STORY OF UNDER 1000 WORDS.
DO YOU WRITE SHORT SHORT STORIES
(FLASH FICTION)?
Share them by sending them to: editorial@tempoplanet.com
“A pair of big,
red eyes were coming
towards him surrounded
by sand.”

Tempo writer and award-winning poet,
Dorian “Paul D” Rogers sat down with
poets, Haitham “Haze” Ghawanmeh and
Paul Roberts to discuss their views on
slam poetry and the art of writing
and performing.
PAUL D: When did you guys start
writing poetry?
Haitham Haze: I started writing at
around thirteen when I first realized
how to vent via free writing. As
I began to embrace the process
more, I learned to draw on personal
experiences and worldly events, which
formulated with time and started
coming together as metaphorical
stories and similes over paper.
Paul Roberts: I started writing
poetry a little later when I was in high
school. Initially, I wrote hip-hop lyrics
for my friends and myself, but as I began
to take words more seriously, it kind of
organically merged more toward poetry.
PAUL D: Can you remember how old you
were when you first performed?
Haitham Haze: I performed my first
piece at about fifteen around an intimate
crowd. I was very nervous and had an
incredibly shaky voice, but you always
have to start somewhere.
Paul Roberts: My very first
performance was when I was in college
in New York. I had just joined my
school’s spoken word poetry club, and
we had a big slam scheduled a few
weeks later. To practice being on stage in
front of an audience, we all went to the
Nuyorican Poets Café. It was my first
real performance and I did well enough
to be asked to participate in the Friday
night slam.
PAUL D: Cool. I started performing at
about eighteen years old. The Nuyorican
is a magical place. I remember shaking in my
boots because it was so packed. I think it was
also because so much greatness has been in
that building. Rooftop Rhythms has hosted
the first ever poetry slams or performance
competitions in the UAE. Was this your first
time slamming, Haitham?
Haitham Haze: Yes. I have been used to
recording music and poetry and at rare times,
performing around small crowds and friends.
When I joined Rooftop Rhythms, I was a virgin
to big crowd performances.
PAUL D: That's ironic because you seemed like
a natural since day one. How about you, Paul?
Paul Roberts: The Rooftop Rhythms poetry
slam was my first time competing at this level.
I was amazed at how poets from all over the
world were able to bring their own style,
culture and creativity to the mic.
PAUL D: I can't wait until people get to hear
our compilation album coming out this year
so they can hear the diverse gifts that you
mention. You both won one of the Rooftop
Rhythms’ three slams. Each of those times,
you went up against some pretty stiff
competition. What do you think set you apart
from the others?
Haitham Haze: My three poems for that
day focused on metaphorical stories, comedy,
and current real world issues, respectively.
I believe reaching out for a global emotion
that everyone can feel and has somewhat
experienced is one of the most important
aspects to really touching the crowd.
Paul Roberts I’m proud to say that I won the
first ever poetry slam in the UAE. I also came in
third place for the UAE’s third official slam. The
competition was definitely stiff but we all had
a great time. I think that the audience liked the
rhythm of my poetry, the figurative language,
and witty wording.
PAUL D: You both are starting to get a lot of
attention with your poetry since this art form
is becoming more and more popular in the
UAE. Where do you hope this passion takes
you in the short-term and long-term?
Paul Roberts: I hope to further develop
myself as an artist while continuing to
inspire and be inspired. I would love to stay
involved in the poetic arts movement that is
happening here in the UAE. I can definitely
see it growing and becoming an integral part
of the culture.
Haitham: Writing has been one of my
biggest passions since an early age. I have also
been writing and recording conscious hip-hop
music for some time, and I really hope that
my poetry pushes me to write in more diverse
forms and gets my work more recognition.
Ultimately, I hope to be a factor in changing
at least one person's perspective on the world.
Touching one person is enough to make the
whole journey worthwhile.
PAUL D: Have you thought about publishing
your work and/or making a recorded album of
your works?
Haitham: I have been recording single
hip-hop pieces for the past few years. I hope
to have this as the stepping-stone to record
a hip-hop album for the people who like my
work. I have also been experimenting with
recording short videos of my poetry and aspire
to making more viral poetry videos and even
putting together a poetry album over simple
beats in 2014. It's going to be a big year coming!
Paul Roberts:Ihavethoughtaboutpublishing
andrecordingandaminterestedindoingboth.I
thinkthatarecordedalbumwouldbeasuccessful
projectfollowedbyapublication.
Paul D: Who are some of your favourite writers?
Who are some of your favorite performers?
Paul Roberts: I am attracted to cultural
and political writers, so I like authors such
as Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, M.K
Asante, Langston Hughes and August Wilson.
A few of my favorite performers include Saul
The Art of Competition
articulate cafe
Williams, Beau Sia, Lemon, and the Last Poets
and of course all of my Rooftop Rhythms/
Black on Black Rhyme family.
Haitham: I have read tons of Arabic poetry
and literature for Mahmoud Darweesh
during my younger years, which I believe
have been the building blocks for my passion
to write and share. On the other hand, from
an English side, Tupac Shakur has always
been one of my most respected hip-hop poets.
How about you, Paul D?
Paul D: My favourite poet is the one that takes
the bill? Who will it be?
Paul Roberts’ words:
"I'm an 80s baby like Hip-Hop,
Fraggle Rock, and Radio Raheem's
boombox/ girls on the block playing
hopscotch in Bobby-socks/ and
cherry, cherry, knock-knock/
Summertime trips to the candy lady's
house to get a Cool Cup for just a
quarter/ while the New York fire
hydrants sprayed the block down
with cold water/I remember Captain
Planet, Inspector Gadget, Rescue
Rangers, and Dark Wing Duck/
Playing Hide and Go Get It with
friends to see who had the most luck"
Haitham Haze’s words:
This is the revolution for all the
forgotten cases/the forgotten faces
before they put make up to cover
their traces/the heart of the topic
before they tried to erase it because
deep down, it stays this/There was
always a beautiful grape before
they made it into a raisin.
From left to right: Paul D, Paul Roberts and Haitham Haze
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TO SEE YOUR SWAG OR YOUR BRAND HERE, EMAIL:Follow #TempoSwag on Twitter editorial@tempoplanet.com
> Axezia Bags
Available @ Dubai Outlet Mall
> Prestige - Mosaico Set
Available @ www.citrusstv.com
> Bimba & Lola
Available @ Burjuman Shopping Centre
> Bimba Y Lola
Available @ The Galleria
> Cai Jewels
Available @ Dubai Outlet Mall
> Cherie - Diesel
Available @ Marina Mall
> Diesel
Available @ Marina Mall
> Kenneth Cole
Available @ Al Wahda Mall
> Merini Clutch
Available @ The Galleria Mall

technologyBlakniss
Original game head from Atari to XBox!
game hedz tech talk
Shahid Saeed
Talker for the Non-Techies
Follow me on
@shahidaasi
LENOVO VIBE Z K910
The upcoming Vibe Z K910 of Lenovo
is being released. This is the first
phone from Lenovo which will have
LTE and 802.11ac Wi-Fi. The device is
packed with Qualcomm snapdragon
800 2.2 GHz quad core processor, 2 GB
RAM, 16 GB internal memory, a 5.5
inches full HD IPS display, a dual-SIM
tray, 13 megapixels camera with dual
LED flash and a 5 megapixels wide
angle front facing camera. The device
will be available at all major electronic
outlets across UAE and is expected to
retail for Dh 1999.
LENOVO VIBE Z K910
NOKIA LUMIA 1520
MY FAV APP: UAE - MOI
An app for smart phones that can be used by individuals and companies. The application provides services that are offered by four main sectors of the Ministry of Interior: Traffic and
Licensing, Traffic Fines, Plates Services, Civil Defense, Police Services, Entry permits, Entry Visas and Residency to Foreign Affairs. Available for free download for iPhone, Android and
BlackBerry devices.
> Andy Moore
BITS AND BYTES
Meet the Genius behind 3-D Printing
If you’re wondering about the birth of 3D printing, CNN reveals that in 1983, Chuck Hull (the co-founder and chief technology officer of 3D Systems) was working for a small business
that made tough coatings for tables using ultraviolet lamps. When he suggested a new way to use UV technology (to turn computer designs into working prototypes) Hull was given a
little lab where he experimented for months with a plastic-y gloop that paved the way 3D printing.
What you should be doing now?
…Two things mainly: playing the
second episode of the second season of
The Walking Dead and playing Last of
Us DLC, Left Behind.
…Oh, and the second episode of The
Wolf Among Us.
Yes, DLC is taking the front seat in the
first quarter of 2014. This should come
as no surprise, I predicted it, and when
I'm right, I'm right 100% of the time.
The Wolf Among Us is for mature
audiences and continues to be gritty,
violent and mysterious. The story
really calls on you to make some
morally dubious decisions and may
even reward 'right choices'. What's
cool about this one is that you really
do detective work and make choices as
such. That's new and can really work
for the franchise. Get it on Xbox Live.
Left Behind is an exciting prospect.
Yet to play it by publication, get the
Playstation exclusive if you're a Last
of Us fan.
Clementine, heroine of The Walking
Dead continues to impress. How are
you playing the game: Mr. Nice Girl or
Miss Bad Ass?
NOKIA LUMIA 1520
Thought to be the best windows phone yet, the Nokia Lumia
1520 makes windows look really good. The Lumia 1520
has Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.2 Ghz Quad core CPU,
2GB RAM, 32 GB internal memory, 6 inches ClearBlack IPS
LCD screen with the resolution of 1920 x 1080, 20 Mega
pixels rear camera and 1.2 mega pixels front facing camera.
It supports the nano-SIM card used in iPhone 5/5s, and
is loaded with Microsoft Windows Phone 8. The Lumia
1520 is available at all major
electronics outlets across UAE
for around Dh 2599.
INTERACTIVE PAGE
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instafame:by INSTAGRAMMER: MARILENA TESORO
"I am a mother of two young boys. I have always been passionate
about food and cooking since I was a little girl. I was born in Puglia,
south of Italy, where food and family eating are one of the pillars of
the community life: every young girl is supposed to help her mum in
the kitchen; I did too - enjoying long cooking sessions and wonderful
conversations with my beloved grandmother.
My idea of cooking has simple rules: easy, quick and healthy (I cook gluten
free, fat free, or dairy free every time I can). I also have two very tough
judges at home: my two kids. They always give the final verdict on every
single meal I cook!"
Connect: www.instagram.com/headlesschickblog

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The Sands
Of Time
March celebrates International Women’s Day and National
Women’s History Month, so what better than to showcase
women of courage, and present the expedition organized
by Jules Lewis, Founder of Mountain High, for a group of
intrepid women. Here talks to Tempo about the journey...
“I have been running expeditions, retreats and
personal leadership programmes since 2003.
In January of this year I teamed up with Mark
Evans of Outward Bound Oman and took a
diverse team of women to follow an ancient
trading route across 115.5km of sand.
“Some of the most celebrated women explorers
made their names in the deserts of North
Africa and the Middle East: Freya Stark,
Gertrude Bell, Rosita Forbes, Hester Stanhope,
Isabelle Eberhardt, Isabella Bird… the list goes
on. The eight women in our group wanted
to make history as the first and only team of
women from the United Arab Emirates and
Asia to cross the Sharqiya Sands in Oman.
“Our group trecked by foot, guided by a GPS,
and the desert wisdom of Saleem, our local
Omani Bedouin guide. We camped out and
lived the life of Bedouins for five days, carrying
our own food and 3 litres of water. We averaged
23km per day by foot!
“The theme of our expedition was The Sands
of Time, as it focused around the past, present
and future; it honoured explorers and Bedouin
tribes who had made the crossing many years
ago. We wanted to cherish that tradition, and
made sure that the fees paid for the crossing
would be used to cover the cost of a course on
desert exploration, for Omani girls and boys;
hopefully inspiring a next generation.
“The route through the heart of the Sharqiya
desert followed that of an ancient trade route
across the sands called the Darb Muqta’a Habl,
which translates into ‘the route that cuts
between the tallest dunes’.
“The summer monsoon, which makes the sea
too rough for fishing and coincides with the
date harvest to the north of the sands, so in
the days before there were cars, the fishing
Bedouin used to travel north on camel to
help with the harvest, before returning at
the end of the monsoon. Crossing the desert
traditionally involved a waterless journey
of five days or more on camel, so it was not
undertaken lightly, or often.
“In our trek, our days started at 5.30am and
ended at 4pm. We took regular breaks to make
sure everyone was well-hydrated, fuelled up
with energy snacks and could attend to any
blisters or collections of sand in their footwear!
Team camping, cooking gear and additional
water supplies were loaded in a Toyota pick up
truck, which remained out of sight of the group.
Vast open spaces have mind-expanding
properties, each step allowing us to download
and delete the files cluttering up our heads; our
crossing truly was a walking meditation. Living
and walking as simply as we did with little or no
distractions gave us all ample time to reflect, to
think about life and love, our family and friends.
We have so many pictures and stories to share
from our adventure. Atya, our camerawoman,
is currently working on editing the hours of
film she took to produce a short documentary
so watch this space!
For more details on future retreats, including
one on personal leadership and a renewal of
spirit, mind and body, to go to
www.mountainhighme.com
Jules leading the team
A huddle to plan routes
Interesting passers by
An interview with Jules Lewis

INSIGHTS OF
BUSINESS GURU +
SILICON VALLEY
INSIDER
tamakkan
Whenever Mark C Thompson speaks,
world business leaders listen. Mark is
a business guru and a Silicon Valley
insider who has advised and worked
with some of the world’s leading
innovators—from Richard Branson
to Steve Jobs. Tempo had a rare
opportunity to chat with him about
leadership, innovation and success!
Tempo: You have produced a compelling
follow up “Built to Last” by Jim Collins and
Jerry Porras at Stanford University. Success
Built to Last focuses on the leadership traits
that are common to exceptional leaders, and
what each of us can adopt to creating a life
that matters. How did this book come about?
Mark: Our World Success Survey discovered
how successful people innovate, design and
sustain high performance for at least 20
years or more. We focused on those leaders
who achieved decades of superior results
despite inevitable periods of struggle and
setbacks so as to screen out short-term luck
or serendipity. With our team of researchers
at Stanford University in Silicon Valley and
Wharton Business School, we studied high
achievers in 110 nations globally. And we
came up with definitive conclusions.
Tempo: Like what?
Mark: Remember the book Good to Great by
Jim Collins, where he presents the argument
that Good is the Enemy of Great? We looked
in this book at ambition, and the fact that
you deserve to reach for greatness. The
thing is, when you push to become great at
something, you’re bound to make mistakes,
but you’re also going to outperform your
competitors who lack the motivation to win
and keep customer service high. When
you’re good at something it’s easy to become
complacent, arrogant and risk averse.
Watching the Olympics you’ll never see an
athlete say that he or she could not go faster
or do better in the next race. Sustainable
success is about continuous improvement
and innovation—not a one-time event.
Tempo: Is it about self or team?
Mark: Well, nobody does anything
worthwhile alone. You have to recruit
people who believe in your mission. All
sustainable design and innovation comes
from recruiting smart people who share
your vision to build an organization.
Entrepreneurship is not just about you—it’s
about winning the hearts and minds of great
people who share your incredible dream and
giving them some authority to make that
dream their own.
Tempo: But you don’t always win, right…?
Mark: High achievers believe they gain more
knowledge from their failures than they
often do from their successes. Challenges
force you to learn faster and improve your
skills and processes. Successful people
embrace the opportunity to learn with a
sense of urgency. In fact, successful people
talk about their failures so much you would
think they were losers! There are great
examples of this. Remember that Steve Jobs
was fired from his own company and Apple
teetered on bankruptcy? Believe it or not,
Walt Disney was fired from his newspaper
for “lacking imagination” and “having no
original ideas”. Richard Branson’s “biggest
business failure was when I thought I
could topple Coca-Cola off their pedestal
with Virgin Cola.” He had to abandon that
idea and pursue other business plans that
enabled him to build a portfolio of more than
350 firms.
Tempo: So it is about the definition of success?
Mark: Yes, high Achievers Define Success
Differently. There are three essential parts
of success that are easy to understand, but
difficult to accomplish. Every high performer
embraces all three of these dimensions to
capture success that is built to last.
Purpose: You’re focused on service to
others—this could be a market, a community
or a customer—whose needs become your
mission. You are dedicated to make your
customers successful first, and in turn, they
will make you successful.
Passion: You’re focused on doing something
you personally care about. If you don’t
love it, it’s difficult to put in the long hours
necessary or survive the inevitable setbacks
and struggles of creating a lasting service.
Love it or leave it!
Performance: You’re focusing on delivering
results for your customers and for you
employees and for yourself. It’s great to follow
your passion and have a great purpose, but
you’ve got to deliver on your promises.
The highest achievers in the world—from
billionaires to Nobel laureates, to Academy
Award winners—have found a unique
secret to sustainable high achievement. It’s
a concept that’s simple to say, but difficult to
accomplish: The key to Success that’s Built
to Last is to create a Life that Matters to you
and the people you serve.
Tempo: What if everyone around you
doesn’t believe in you?
Mark: The world’s greatest entrepreneurs
have faced resistance and rejection from
powerful leaders for ALL of the most
historic innovations…even in Silicon Valley!
When one of the world’s top venture
capitalists heard the business plan for an
online company that would sell things like
“Stamps? Coins? Comic books? You’ve GOT
to be kidding,” he thought. “No-brainer
pass.” He had declined the opportunity to
invest in eBay! Incredibly, they passed on
Federal Express seven times. They had the
opportunity to invest in Apple, but thought
it was “ridiculously overpriced!”
A college friend rented her garage to Google
founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page for
their first year. In 1999 and 2000 she tried to
introduce legendary venture capitalist David
Cowan to meet “these two really smart
Stanford students writing a search engine”.
When he heard they were “Students? A new
search engine?” No way! Cowan asked her:
“How can I get out of this house without
going anywhere near your garage?”
Mark C. Thompson on his new book
“Success Built to Last”
Dancing with Branson
Arguing with Obama
Chilling with Robbins
WHO IS MARK C
THOMPSON?
Mark is the CEO and cofounder
of Virgin Unite Mentors, Sir
Richard Branson’s network
for executive coaching and
entrepreneurial innovation and
is a Founding Patron of Virgin
Unite’s Entrepreneurship Centre.
Mark is also Program Chairman
for the Board of Governors of the
Hesselbein Leadership Instituteand
the John F. Kennedy Institute for
Entrepreneurial Leadership.
Mark C. Thompson
“Success Built to Last
- Creating a Life that
Matters”
In this seminar, Mark will
offer insights from world-class
companies and business figures
that first struggled with change,
and then reinvented their business,
not only embracing change, but
actually leading the transformation
that resulted in some of the world’s
most recognized, respected, and
innovative business.
March 19, 2014, 5-7pm, at
Al Mamoura Auditorium
Tamakkan has offered 10 seats
to Tempo readers. Like our FB
page (FB/Abudhabitempo)
and tell us, in one line, how you
define innovation. Tickets will be
awarded from a draw out of
the top entries
Tamakkan
and
AmCham WIB
present
The thing is, when you push to become
great at something, you’re bound to
make mistakes, but you’re also going to
outperform your competitors who lack
the motivation to win and keep customer
service high.
"
"

When you’ve spent years in other countries
and then come back to live where you are
a citizen, you may have the problem of
reconciling what you did before with what
you’re doing now.
I lived in Abu Dhabi for eight years from
2005-2013. I had spent more than 20 years
in Europe, mainly Poland, from 1982-2003.
In Miami, a new location for me in the US,
I’m constantly finding reminders of the UAE
and the Gulf, but most recently reminders
of Poland.
I had heard for years about a Polish
immigrant in the US named Blanka
Rosenstiel who was involved in promoting
Polish culture here. Although I have kept in
touch with several former US Ambassadors
to Poland and some Polish officials, I never
met the woman known as Lady Blanka
Rosenstiel until I came to Miami.
As a tribute to her roots, Lady Blanka started
two foundations, the American Institute
for Polish Culture (1972) and the Chopin
Foundation (1977). The American Institute
for Polish Culture supports research into
Polish history and university scholarships
for American students of Polish background.
The Chopin Foundation inspires young
American pianists to learn to play Chopin’s
music and sends the best ones to the world’s
oldest piano competition, the International
Chopin Competition held in Warsaw every
five years.
Because I was trying to join the board of
directors of nonprofit cultural institutions in
Miami, I contacted the Chopin Foundation.
The executive director invited me to one of
their Salon Concerts at a beautiful country
club in Miami Beach. It was there that I
finally met Lady Blanka.
Lady Blanka is a social entrepreneur,
generating donations and grants to benefit
these foundations. She understands the
importance of events of all kinds to draw
supporters - from free Chopin concerts
to the paid Salon Concerts and the pricy
Polonaise Ball weekend that begins Saturday
evening with the Ball and concludes with
Sunday brunch.
On Saturday, February 1, properly
beautified in my best dress, I was at the
Eden Roc Hotel checking at the reception for
my table assignment. With great pleasure I
saw it was at one leg of the huge U-shaped
head table. That put me across from the
Mayor of Coral Gables where I live and
near Lady Blanka and the guest of honour,
former President of Poland and Nobel Peace
Prize winner, Lech Walesa.
It turns out that every year he comes to
the ball to present the Lech Walesa Media
Award. The recipient in 2014 was Andrew
Nagorski, former Newsweek correspondent
in Warsaw and Moscow and later foreign
editor. It was great to reunite with Andy; we
looked at each other and smiled – we look
just the same, 20 years older!
The highlight for me was seeing Lech Walesa
again. I got my usual kiss – no US President
has ever kissed me – and then we took the
photo you see here. It’s become a tradition.
My first photo with Lech was in 1983 when
ABC interviewed him at his apartment
in Gdansk. At the time he was no one
according to the then-government running
Poland under martial law.
The second was in 1994 when my company
did PR for Dell in Poland, and the President
wanted to meet the young millionaire
founder, Michael Dell.
And now the third photo, more than 30
years later…he with the satisfaction of
having led his country into freedom, me
knowing that I was part of that, simply by
doing my job as an American journalist.
Theresa F. Weber Dr. Alma Kadragic
ABOUT THERESA WEBER:
Theresa Weber is Co-Founder of Alexandria
Consulting Team (ACT) LLC an international
management consultancy.
Terry is also editor of the daily e-newsletter:
MENA #WomeninBusiness Forum
You can follow her on twitter
@ TheresaFWeber and @ACT_LLC
March 8, 2014 marks 104 years of
celebrating International Women’s Day
(IWD) which was first celebrated in 1908.
The day has evolved to become a time to
reflect on the progress made by women
and a day to celebrate acts of courage
accomplished by ordinary women who
have played extraordinary roles in the
history of their countries. As we celebrate
this important day throughout the UAE at
conferences and award ceremonies, it is
a good time to reflect and remember the
history of this day.
It origins date back to the start of
the women’s right movement in the
US and Europe. On March 8, 1857, a
group of women workers in New York
City staged a protest to insist they get
improved working conditions and better
pay. This protest set the stage and led
to the formation of the first women's
labour union in March 1859. Fifty years
after this first union formed, women
had still not received many of the same
basic rights as men. Once again, on
the 8th day of March, 15,000 women
marched the streets of New York City
demanding better hours, increased
wages and the right to vote in 1908. One
year later, on February 28, 1909 the first
official observance of a Women's Day
took place.
In Europe the women's movement
was also gaining momentum. At the
1910 Second International Conference
of Socialist Women in Copenhagen,
Denmark, over 100 women from 17
countries unanimously agreed to have
an International Women’s Day. This led
to the event being celebrated on March
19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany
and Switzerland. More than one million
people attended rallies where women
demanded the rights to vote, hold public
office, work, receive vocational training
and end discriminatory practices in the
work place.
In 1917, after the loss of some two
million Russian soldiers, Russian women
gathered on the last Sunday in February
(February 23 according to the Julian
calendar and March 8 according to the
Gregorian) to protest for peace. This
historical strike proved to be the initial
stage of the Russian Revolution as four
days later the Czar was overthrown and
women were granted the right to vote.
Soon thereafter the day was made an
official holiday in Russia.
International Women's Day has since
grown to become a global day of
recognition and celebration throughout
the world where events are held to
honour the accomplishments and
advancements of women in the economic,
social and political arenas. In 1975 the
United Nations began celebrating IWD on
March 8th. Two years later in 1977, the
General Assembly adopted a resolution
proclaiming a United Nations Day for
Women’s Rights and International
Peace be observed by Member states
in accordance with their historical
and national traditions. The UN’s 2014
theme for International Women's Day is
“Equality for women is progress for all”
and will be commemorated at the UN
headquarters in New York on March
7 on the eve of the 58th session of the
Commission on the Status of Women.
In keeping with this historical day,
various events are planned in the
UAE. In Dubai, Datamix will release
the “Top 100 GCC Women Leaders of
Tomorrow" at the 17th WOIBEX Global
Leaders Conference. www.woibex.com.
In Abu Dhabi, international business
groups are organizing events including
the International Business Women’s
Group Abu Dhabi www.ibwg.org, and
American Chamber of Commerce’s
Women in Business Committee www.
AmChamAbuDhabi.org
The message to us today is to do all that
we can to ensure that the future of girls
and women is bright. Take a moment in
March to honour the accomplishments of
women from your country.
Let’s Celebrate
International Women’s Day
women in business an expat returns home
Follow Alma on Twitter: @almakad
Alma Kadragic with Pan President Lech Walesa.
Bumping into Your Own
History in Miami

There are so many untold stories around us, but few as compelling as the tale
of forced prostitution, as narrated by UAE based author Jody Ballard,
in her newly released book “The smell of Mud.”
“What would have to befall a woman that could force her into prostitution?” Jody
Ballard asked herself. “How would a woman come to be working in the mining camps
in these hills particularly in Granite just miles above where I am from?” And from those
questions, a story was born.
Ballard, who has spent a good deal of time in Philipsburg, Montana, and has relatives in
the community pondered those questions as she began to formulate the idea of writing a
novel about women of the night who lived in Granite during its heyday. Ballard’s book,
“The Smell of Mud” is set in the ghost town in the 1880s.
Through her travels to different parts of the world, Ballard witnessed women who have
been trafficked or have fallen into prostitution.
“Many of the American women married to men flying the DMZ were disgruntled about
the Korean woman luring the men into the bars. I discovered many had been sold into
the bars for payment of hospital bills or even to fund the education of their brothers,”
she said. “On a driving trip from Seattle to Philipsburg, I drove past Wallace, Idaho
which prompted me to think of all the young women in the hills of Montana who were
trafficked or fell into prostitution to service the men in mining camps.”
Considering the idea for the novel, Ballard began to do research using the resources and
relatives that she had in the Philipsburg area.
“My Uncle Leo Graham walked me through the mining piece. Aunt Faye Hoehne spoke
to me of Granite and the early days. They both know these hills like the back of their
hands. Sarah Graham helped me look through the archives in the court house, tracing
deeds and discovering maps.”
Ballard visited the Montana Heritage Museum in Great Falls, and for her
research, went through many old photographs and read many books from the
Granite County Museum.
As the book developed, she asked herself other questions about the women who were
the subject of her tale. She wondered whether relatives of the women still resided in the
area. She said that after meeting prostitutes in Korea, she came to realize women in that
career had the same hopes and dreams of any young woman.
She pondered other questions as well. “Having worked as a clinical therapist for over
30 years, I understood adolescent psychology and thought this would be an interesting
twist to the psycho-sexual development of a young woman to have to consider the
legacy of prostitution.”
“How does a woman or anyone for that matter overcome adversity? We all fall ‘face
down in the mud’ at certain times in our lives and we all have to live through some crisis
or another. It is with what grace and dignity we stand back up that truly defines
our character.”
The book begins with a woman who discovers the diary of one of her ancestors who
started a brothel in Granite. The story, although ficticious, also addresses some of the
questions that Ballard asked herself as she delved into writing the book.
For Ballard, writing the book wasn’t just about turning out a novel. She said that
authoring it reconnected her to her heritage as she learned and relearned many of the
facts about the early settlers.
“I love Philipsburg and the heritage of this small town is embedded in the memories
of the elderly. I enjoy interviewing them and it is my fondest hope that people begin
to do oral histories of these treasures before they lose them, but that’s another
project altogether.”
SPOTLIGHT:
Lizzy wasn’t looking for anything in particular in the attic – she just needed a break
from bickering with her mother. Having always loved the dusty eaves of their
home, she thought it the perfect hiding place. But after she unearths her ancestor
Elizabeth’s diary from an old leather trunk, Lizzy soon discovers that there’s more
to tackle in her family’s hidden corners than she can manage alone...
In her detailed diaries, Elizabeth reveals her heartrending story of The Smell of
Mud, the seedy underbelly of a woman’s life once everything has been stripped
away from her. After the brutal murder of her husband and child, Elizabeth is left
destitute, devastated and utterly alone in 1880s rural Montana. With few resources
and fewer choices, she makes her way to the male dominated mining town of
Granite, Montana, where she meets a group of similarly downtrodden women.
Elizabeth quickly realizes that her empathy makes her uniquely qualified to help
these women, and she attempts to forge a communal home for them, a place where
they can earn fair wages and recover from their difficult pasts. But living in this
house comes at a price: the women in Elizabeth’s employ work in the world’s oldest
profession, side-by-side, servicing the miners.
Although her courage is tested daily as she copes with the suppressed memories
of her family, dignity compels Elizabeth to seek a brighter future for herself and
her brave charges. In the face of self-loathing and bitter shame, the misunderstood
madam pens the emotionally-charged stories of the struggles these women are
forced to endure. Ultimately, her confidence helps them to learn trust, compassion
and respect as the means to heal
their wounds.
With the help of her mother and grandmother, Lizzy contemplates Elizabeth’s
situation, and explores timeless questions involving masculinity, sex, anger,
depression and tragedy. As Lizzy becomes more aware of her unique heritage, she
also begins to see her own burgeoning sexuality more clearly, questioning new and
tenuous beliefs about relationships and herself.
Amazon.com
and WH Smith at Al Wahda Mall
SYNOPSIS: “THE SMELL OF MUD”
AUTHOR JODY BALLARD
“THE SMELL OF MUD”
NEW BOOK RELEASE
where to buy:
advertorial

Dr. DMS
A doc from the Bronx
doc in the house
Over here, rainfall makes the
news. It always gets mentioned,
but for all the wrong reasons -
car accidents.
News coverage of rainfall often
irritates me. It focuses on the extremely
shortsighted view that the problem is
solely related to speed, and asserts that
the solution is for drivers to slow down.
That’s it?? This is a mantra we hear
every time, but what about the other
stuff? What about driving cautiously
(not weaving in and out of closely
cropped traffic)? How about leaving
adequate space between cars? And
how about using indicators to signal
your intentions?
Everyone wants to talk about speed,
as if this is the only issue that we need
to address.
There is a pathologic vehicle mentality
that sickens me, and encourages any
non-believer to support Darwin’s
Theory. This has managed to instill in
me a total lack of compassion towards
those who cause vehicle accidents
(believe me, I am not alone).
There is another example of ‘Vehicular
Darwinism’ - when I drop my kids
at school we have to cross a slightly
elevated pedestrian crosswalk, right
in front of the school, and NOT on a
main thoroughfare. There is a person
on duty that forces cars to stop and let
us pass (otherwise no one really cares).
However time and time again while we
are actually crossing, there will be a car
that will try and overtake the waiting
cars by driving on the opposite side of
the road, and onto the crosswalk itself -
while there are children still on
the crosswalk!
Clearly, it’s not all about speed, but
rather about a lack of human-to-
human respect, and an element of
outright selfishness.
When a person is finally injured in
an accident, a simple “sorry” won't be
enough. Run someone over and see if
the person, and the family affected,
feels better after your heart-felt
apology. Now, put yourself in the
position of the victim - ‘Sorry’ just
doesn't cut it, right?
Ten hours of average rainfall a year
does not require any special skill, but
rather common sense and respect
for humanity. Is that lacking? Or it is
some sense of entitlement or self-
importance that prevents people
from seeing the obvious? And why is
everyone in such a rush?
Here we try to be the best at
everything- the biggest buildings,
the biggest fireworks display etc, but
having one the most unsafe roads is
cause for concern. While the world’s
biggest building may have a positive
effect on my health (especially as I like
to look and marvel at it), the dangerous
driving practices definitely have a
negative impact.
PS- today I was almost hit by a
driver while on a crosswalk. Instead
of apologizing, he screamed and
gesticulated rudely at me. All I could do
was laugh at him, which didn't seem to
calm his agitated mood.
What to do, yanni?
Vehicular Darwinism
Another Cinderella Story
By Rhea Oommen
You know you’re a media/communication
student when your homework is to analyze
the storyline of Cinderella. According to my
professor, Cinderella - probably the ultimate
Disney princess movie – is a paradigm for a
writer struggling with the ups and downs
in their screenplay, novel or memoir. In the
movie, Cinderella continually goes through
conflict and contentment without throwing
the audience off track – a writer’s objective.
As a kid, I would watch the movie almost
every single day during my summer vacation.
As I watched it again as a college student - it
was a blast from the past. From the tone of
Cinderelly’s lilting voice, to the chirping of
the birds – it all came back to me. It really is
a wonderful story and it’s no wonder why
so many rom-coms possess similar plots.
However, the film critic within me noticed
seven details that were a little…odd.
1. Everyone knows that the stepmother
is a wicked, short-tempered and unjust
woman. However, the King can also come
across as an impatient and manipulative
in-law. He’s forcing his son to get married
just so that he can have grandchildren!
Besides the ageing king (a short, chubby,
bald man) has serious anger management
problems… so are grandchildren really
the answer? Of course, he’s a good
king and would make a wonderful
grandfather, but it’s still very odd that he
dreams about kids in his sleep.
2. When our beloved Cinderella flees
the palace at the stroke of midnight as
the magic starts to fade away, the King
tries to stop her by closing the gates and
sending ominous-looking horsemen,
with dark shadows and blood-red eyes,
after her. Way to charm a lady!
3. Every girl wants to be Cinderella.
Appearance-wise, she almost has no
physical features. Is that what makes a
woman beautiful? Her tiny animated
feet don’t even have toes! In contrast, the
‘ugly’ stepsisters seem more ‘real’, with
prominent features – including darker
complexions, furrowed expressions and
full figures.
4. Honestly speaking, Cinderella comes
off as more than a bit clueless. She can
cook, clean and follow orders but she
can’t tell when the devil cat is attacking
her animal friends – her only friends!
She also doesn’t question where the
blue pearls and the pink sash came
from on the first dress. If we connect
the dots we see the emergence of the
‘dumb blonde’ stereotype.
5. In the film, there is no mention of
Cinderella’s real mother. The prince
doesn’t seem to have a mother either.
Nevertheless, there is a stepmother and
a fairy godmother. I don’t know why,
but the lack of a blood-related maternal
relative bothers me.
6. After the wedding, Cinderella leaves
with her prince to start a new life. I hope
she is gracious enough to provide for
her animal friends who helped her get
dressed every single morning, like she
was the queen of Versailles. (If she leaves
them in the stepmother’s house, they will
surely be eaten by that devil cat).
You might think I’m taking this Disney
film way too seriously, but it might
actually someday become my job to
analyse plots. Regardless of my over-
thinking, like most girls I do hope to have
my own Cinderella story…

dhabi dames
homemaker ceo
By Marien Oommen
So I never made it to CEO in my
professional career. I used to be an English
teacher, and now I have the awesome
job of Home Maker. Wait, I just decided
to give myself a promotion to Home
Manager. So what’s my job description,
you ask?
1. Oversee the most valuable family
asset, my home.
2. Playthewifelyroleinthefamilyfinances.
3. Oversee the education of the
children, teach them, make them
responsible, get them ready for SAT,
and attend parent teacher meetings.
4. Oversee the mental and health care of
the entire family, ranging from minor
cuts and injuries to major illnesses,
with prayers to the Almighty God,
interspersed with momma kisses for
quick and rapid healing.
5. Act as Chauffeur-in-Chief, when
needed, driving kids up and down
from music classes, to tennis, SAT
classes, besides driving them to and
from school.
6. Play the spiritual guide at home,
prayer warrior, guiding the young
ones in the ways pleasing to God.
7. Oversee the social calendar: who to
invite, whose invitations to follow up
on, gifts and what you have.
8. Walk the dog. Oversee his health as
well, which includes regular trips to
the hair groomer and vet.
9. Oversee any extensions we might
need for the home of our dreams.
Arrange for, and supervise, the
builder, architect, mason and painter.
10. Oversee garden, if any, and nurture
plant life. This includes deciding upon
what to use, whether organic manure,
‘weedicide’ etc, and take decisions on
other plant related matters.
11. Wait. I almost forgot. Oversee
the preparation and cooking of
wholesome healthy food for the
entire family, hiding sugary desserts
and dealing them in just portions for
the good health of all.
Quite the staggering lot, wouldn’t you agree?
Well, a trained and disciplined mind helps
you to accomplish this job. You must
exhibit an ability to use your mind to work
towards the peace and happiness of the
entire household.
The other day I bumped into an old
acquaintance who works for a government
organization. “You don’t work any more?”
She asked me. “How do you spend your
time? You must be so bored!”
She caught me unawares; boredom and
me never danced together. “Gosh, lady,
my life is so interesting, you can’t even
begin to imagine,” I wanted to tell her, but
bit my tongue.
There must be other women like me whose
lives don’t revolve around soap operas,
sleeping endless hours, or indulging in
empty and useless chatter. I have set
some measureable goals that motivate me,
energize me and give me direction.
So today I share with you what I have
learned: that it’s equally fulfilling to
be ‘A Teacher of a Good Thing’ than a
teacher of English. Be challenged, my
friends, always aim at something higher
than where you stand now. Write things
down if you need to, whisper to your
child your Godly understandings. Be
varied and excited.
And there could be a new title just around
the corner for you: CEO Home Maker.
Five years in Abu Dhabi, has made me
quite blasé about the little luxuries of
expat life. Frequent trips to the salon
for grooming have become a normal
routine. And so this year I resolved
to focus my energy on more creative
pursuits and spend less money on
mindless frivolities. I decided to colour
my own hair. So last week, I washed
the grey right out of my day, in four
easy steps. I must have missed a step,
because this morning I spotted a few
grey escapees!
The day before the cover up, I lingered
in the toiletries aisle at Spinney’s
choosing the correct shade. The rows
of boxes, looking through names like
‘iced mocha’, ‘roasted cinnamon’ and
other delicious euphemisms for brown.
My stomach growled. I squinted
as I examined the ‘before and after’
pictures closely. Surely, they all looked
alike? Eventually, in desperation, I
grabbed a box of ‘Sahara Sand’. I slid
the box surreptitiously between
the fat free organic yoghurt and a
packet of crisps (baked, not fried). The
‘hourglass’ image reminded me of the
young aerobics instructor at my gym.
*Sigh* When did the pursuit of physical
beauty become our lifelong priority?
I thought of my grandmother with
her soft curves and wrinkles, her
hand knitted cardigans and simple
floral dresses, her grey hair never
coloured or straightened. In the
post war years when plastic was a
new invention and plastic surgery
incomprehensible, Gran never set foot
in a gym, but she enjoyed ballroom
dancing on Friday nights. An avid
reader, she regularly combed dimly
lit second hand bookshops searching
for literary treasures. She unearthed
historical novels printed on thick
paper between faded, red hard covers.
The only ‘Shades of Grey’ were on
her head. And yet, there was no
question that Gran was beautiful
because life was better when she was
around. Gran was the ideal woman.
She was interesting and fun; she was
everything we needed her to be. And
when I grew up I wanted to be just
like her.
I’m all grown up now and the strangest
thing has happened. I feel compelled
to hide all signs of ageing, to do
everything in my power NOT to look
like my grandmother. Nowadays,
as women approach the age of fifty,
suddenly everyone’s trying to sell us
the fountain of youth. Well, I’m not
buying it! Growing old is not a disease
to be cured.
I’ve made no epic plans for 2014, but
perhaps I’ll start a silent rebellion
against the anti-ageing scam. Milan
Kundera called ours ‘the planet of
inexperience’. He said we are all
innocent children at whatever age we
are. So although I won’t be taking up
bingo or knitting just yet, I might just
enjoy the sweetness of this moment.
Who knows, perhaps I’ll even enjoy
a ‘shade of grey’. For now, I’m just a
beginner, but hey, that’s half the
fun of it!
Shades of Gray
By Angelique Goldsworthy

The Nautica Men’s Sportswear Spring 2014 Collection is inspired by
the iconic Mediterranean coastline. From the deep blue waters and
bright colors of the shore, to the lush flora patterns and quintessential
stripes, this season is taking classic nautical style to a new level.
As we enter March, the palette becomes a little more muted with softer
blues, neutrals and corals. Fabrics become a little more lightweight,
like chambray shirts, textured cardigans, and linen cotton shirts and
blazers. Paisley and flora prints inspired by the rich Italian heritage of
the coast are seen all over, from swim trunks and short sleeve shirts, to
polos and flat front shorts.
advertorial

Your life matters, nurture it. the world is
beautiful, embrace it. Find meaning in everything
you do. Even in the little things. Stop to look at
the sky. Savour every moment. Make it a point to
smile, especially at those who serve you. Be thankful
-gratitude is a virtue. Appreciate those who love
you. Show them (often) that you care. Don’t be
content with drifting - aim to soar. Strive to make
a difference. Share with others.Care about those
aroundyou. Knowthatyoucanaccomplishmore
by being kind. Realize that often a little thing
you do can transform another person’s life,
completely. Dare to dream. Think big and
workwithpassion.Buildbeautifulfriendships.
Be inspired by goodness. Appreciate
simplicity.know that Life is not about how much
you amass, but often about how much you give away.
Don’t be timid. Live your lifeto the fullest.
Life istoo short,andtoo beautiful,to justthrow away.
To the skeptics,the doubters,and the naysayers
we say: there is a place for art to inspire,
love to conquer and for ideas to build communities.
keep the faith.
stay uptempO.
the
creed
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