Celebrating McDonald's Anniversary with GM Alaa Fathy, November 2019, Identity Magazine

november 2019 - 20LE www.identity-mag.com

Our Guide to 2019-2020 beauty trends Winter Fashion Trends

&

Outfits To Fit Your Every Mood traumas that go unnoticed the impact of social media

The Mental health issue What trends to keep and what to lose mood boosting food The Rules of Attraction see page 28

celebrating mcdonald’s anniversary With GM Alaa Fathy

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BRUNCHING AT T H E PA L AC E .

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Stroll along our Garden Promenade Café… listen to the grills sizzle …Savor the tantalizing aromas as our chefs rewrite the brunch menu. We have all what your taste buds desire from a fresh fish market and an endless sushi station to BBQ specials with veggie options, all while enjoying the live jazzy sounds sifting through the waving palms. Grab your family and friends for a great day of #BrunchingAtThePalace. Make a date every Friday from 1pm - 5pm for the best brunch in town!

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Identity Letter from the editor

22 A one-on-one

with Alaa Fathy

T

hey are all around us; people we know or meet every day who are struggling in silence. Those that are fighting inner uncontrollable battles with their own demons, battles the rest of us know nothing about and would probably not comprehend. Whether their mental health problems were triggered by traumatic personal experiences, overly demanding lifestyles or social media stipulation of what “beautiful, happy and successful” should look like; these suffering souls deserve to have and find all the support they need.

The last thing they need is to be judged or called out for their mental illness. Think about it; do we stigmatize heart or cancer patients?! No, of course not. Just like we pray for patients of physical illness, the same should go for those of mental illnesses.

Show sympathy and tolerance, and don’t forget to look out for your own mental health.

Rola Kamel

Identity Magazine was founded in 2005 by Rola Kamel to enhance every aspect of a woman’s lifestyle, helping our female readers to discover and improve their own identities.

Published by Beezarre Publishing Ltd. Themistokli Dervi, 6 Papyros Building, 4th Floor, Flat/Office D5 – P.c 1066, Nicosia, Cyprus.

The subscription rate is 240 L.E./year (12 issues) through Al Ahram, Tel: 02-27703190 Printing House: Sahara Printing company, Distribution by Al Ahram Website: qpix solutions Contact us at: 26A Montazah St., Zamalek, Cairo-Egypt. Tel: 02-27361187 Mobile: 0122-9401071 email: sendus@identity-mag.com www.identity-mag.com

4 November 2019

IDENTITYMAGEG

Identity Masthead

Identity November 2019

Founder & Managing Editor Rola Kamel Editor-in-Chief Nawal Ismail Art Director & Senior Graphic Designer Alia El Abd Copy-Editor Amina El Fayoumy Senior Staff Writer Amina Moustapha Staff Writers Aya Aboshady Nanise Mohamed Nada Abd ElKader Freelance Writer Joanna Neve Relationship Expert Marwa Rakha Food Writer Soha Darwish Marketing & Advertising Manager Riham Yehia Business Developer Raghda El-Sayed Digital Marketing Manager Youssef Ali Social Media Specialist Shady Hani Video Editor Ahmed Mostafa Identity Magazine Distributor Ashraf Fouad 6 November 2019

Identity Contents

the road to there 8 The Lust List 10 Don’t Fear Your Bad Days, Fight

Them 11 Mental Health Day Break

14

20

beauty & style 12 Turning an Impulsvie Haircut To a

Successful Hair Story 14 Winter Trends: Hair & Makeup 16 Winter Trends You Need To Know About 18 How To Dress According To Your Every Mood 20 What To Keep & What To Lose 22 A One-On-One With Alaa Fathy

8

true strength 28 The Rules of Attraction in The

Game of Love 30 Trauma That Goes Unnoticed 32 Your Career vs. Your Mental Health 34 Art Therapy: Freedom From Depression 36 Social Media & Mental Health: More Related Than You Think 38 How Cinema Talks To Our Fears, Anxieties and Mental Health!

40 Feeling Blue... Let’s Lift Your Mood 42 Ten Tips to Help You with Exercising When You Feel Helpless 44 5 Must Read Books On Battling Depression & Anxiety 46 Travel Guide: Nepal 50 Fall Getaways

out & about

52 Advertorial 58 Press Releases 64 Horoscopes

8 November 2019

50

travel guide

The Lust List

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2

Forever21 - Hooded Metallic Puffer Jacket Dive into November with this woven puffer jacket featuring an iridescent metallic finish, hood & funnel neck!

Zara - MINI BUCKET BAG WITH STUDS Winter won’t be the same without this Mini bucket bag! Contrast-coloured trims on the body, studded detailing on the handle & detachable shoulder strap.

H&M - Oval Sunglasses Eye protection is important even when the weather is cold, but for most of us style matters too, and these oval sunglasses with metal and plastic frames and UVprotective, tinted lenses are the perfect choice.

4 5

10 November 2019

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Topshop - Chain Print Scrunchie Scrunchies are making a comeback this season; they’re a simple way to spruce up your outfits, keep your hair out of your face, and add attitude to your look.

Dr. Martens Boots It’s your time to shine! The towering double-height commando sole of the Quad Retro woman’s boot powered up with supple, satin-gloss leather will allow you to glimmer this season.

the bad days, depression is even worse and it’s not a fate you’d wish on your enemies.

The greatest difference between depression and a bad day is that your bad day will end. The sun has set now, but it will rise again tomorrow.

If you suspect you have depression, do some research and if you feel like you display all that the researches mention, check with a therapist.

After all has been said, you shouldn’t brush your bad days off. It might not be a mental illness, but it’s still serious because it’s happening.

Don’t Fear Your Bad Days, Fight Them

by Nada Abdelkader

Coping with the Blues The first thing you’ll need to do when having a bad day is to get up and let sunlight into your room. It might sound like it’s not that big of a deal, but sunlight has long been thought to increase serotonin in the brain, in turn boosting your mood.

Now that we’re done with the first step, the next thing to do is also quite easy. You have to set the intention to be gentle with yourself because you deserve it.

You might feel like you don’t and that what you’re doing right now is childish, but you deserve to be kind to yourself on a bad day.

The third step might also fall into self-kindness. You have to treat yourself, but within limits.

One day, you wake up and you know it’s just not your day. Not for anything in particular. You’re just This might sound weird, but think about it. Sometimes, off and sometimes it seems like the world is against you go out of bounds to treat yourself and end up actually harming yourself rather than anything else. you.

Treat yourself through the small stuff. Go to a

In moments like these, it might be tempting to bookstore and get that book you’ve been checking hide and wait it out. Your bed has never seemed so out, or buy a new skirt. Little things matter more than inviting, has it? Social interactions already feel like you’d think. a toll.

Another thing you should do is find something you’ve

Even if you’re tempted, don’t hide it out. We’re here always wanted to do. Something that’s easily crossed off your to-do list. Cook a meal for yourself from to help you out.

Bad Days Don’t Equal Depression The first thing we have to establish here is that unless you display signs of depression, a regular bad day is just that.

Depression makes you feel paralyzed. It makes you feel that everything’s hopeless, even when it isn’t. On 12 November 2019

scratch or cross into a higher level on your Duolingo.

You’ll feel like you have done something productive and that will do wonders to your mood.

During your off days, you shouldn’t keep to yourself either. You should get in touch with your people, the ones who are always there and always supportive.

You’ll get to talk and ease everything off your chest and being around others will also help your mood.

Mental Health Day Break (Why You Need It and How to Do It)

by Nanise Mohamed

Everyone deals with different kinds of pressures and stress. While you may think that a night out with friends could be helpful, sometimes it takes more than just that. Especially if you’re already exhibiting symptoms of depression or anxiety. Know that this is an issue you need to acknowledge and act on immediately and unapologetically. Whatever stressors you may be facing, these tips will help you take a mental health day break and make the best of it.

When to Take a Day Off

While it’s always a good idea to plan your mental health day break ahead, most of the time we don’t have that luxury. You could suddenly wake up not feeling okay and unready to face the stress of a working day. Know that this is a good timing for your break, right there.

If your employer is understanding enough, you could explain your reasons for skipping work that day. Destigmatizing mental health excuses is a growing movement now; however, some employers remain inflexible about the matter. So, you can consume some of your personal time off, or schedule your mental health day at a time you already have off and if all else fails, you can always call in sick.

Decide on a Strategy

While the very purpose of a mental health day break could be improvising and freeing your spirit, knowing

what you need the most could be quite helpful. Take a moment to reflect; does the kind of stress you have need a stay-at-home status? Private time with a loved one? Doing some exercise or including any activities for that matter? This step is crucial and you’ll need to decide on it fast.

If you just need to chill and relax, walking in your pajamas and lying in bed watching movies could easily do the trick. Decided you need to head out? You could bond with nature and take a walk, hit the gym or swimming pool or even have a soothing massage.

The most important thing is to understand and meet the needs of your body and mind; whether by taking a yoga class or plunging in your favorite book.

Things Not To Do

Beware; some things that could seem appealing whenever you’re taking some time off might actually backfire. Avoid binge watching TV all day, don’t avoid friends or close ones, don’t overeat fast foods and don’t waste all day on social media.

With that being said, consider ways to keep stress levels low so that you don’t wake up every morning in dire need of an “emergency mental health day.” A mental health day can be beneficial on occasions, but you should also strive to make your mental health a priority every day!

How To Turn An Impulsive Haircut Into A successful Hair Story

by Nanise Mohamed

It’s almost New Year’s, and most girls fall into the trap of thinking “Oh, I haven’t done anything new in a while, why not cut off my hair?” Or you could be going throw a rough patch in your life and think that a big chop is the answer, but you most probably will regret it later. We will tell you why and how you shouldn’t feel sorry if you choose to do so!

A Fix It Cut

If it’s been almost a week and you still think your hair looks bad, know that there is no other way around a fix-it cut. Don’t worry, this doesn’t necessarily mean you will have to go way shorter. The problems with haircuts are mainly in length or thickness. Talk to your hairdresser and work out together a rescue plan.

Fake It Till You Make It

If all else fails, incorporate some stylish clips and bobby bins and create different styles. Accessories together with the right products can go a long way. Twist a few strands away from your face, secure it with a pin and have some fun. Final tip, play it smart and embrace the chaos.

14 November 2019

Go For Colors

In case you happen not hate your new haircut altogether but still feel like something’s off, try changing colors.

Get some few lower strands lighter, add highlights or better yet, go for the red you always wanted to try!

A Blast for the Curls

Sadly, not all girls with curly hair know the real miracle of giving their hair a trim every now and then. Your curls will be thicker, healthier and more bouncy than ever. The biggest pro though is that it won’t take you more than 10 minutes to style it. Trust us, you hair will thank you!

November 2019 15

Winter Trends: Hair & Makeup Our Guide to 2019-2020 Beauty Trends

by Nanise Mohamed

Beauty favours the bold. This could be the theme for the 2019-2020 winter trends. Whoever said we can’t take inspiration from the fashion runways is clearly wrong. They are pretty much the trendsetters for each season and now, we could help you follow in the models’ footsteps.

Pretty In Pink

Blushed & Bronzed

Pink is pretty much the rockstar of the runways in both fashion and beauty. If you’re into the soft girly makeup style, now is your chance to play around with your favorite palettes. Opt for softer shades of lavender and purple if the pink feels too bubblegum for you.

Nothing says young like a blushed complexion. Liven up your face with gentle blusher strokes in pink and peach shades. With everyone looking pale in winter, add a little bit of highlighter for a subtle sun-kissed effect.

Barely-there Makeup

16 November 2019

A no-makeup makeup is a runway classic. Not that we needed it or anything but, keeping things simple is now acceptable, ladies. Add only the basics and let your natural skin and bone structure speak for itself!

Euphoria Hair

New Braids

With everyone going crazy for the HBO show Euphoria, the runways made sure they catch the trend. To achieve the look, go crazy with rhinestones and all kinds of hair embellishments while keeping the hair curly.

The winter runways were all about the 1980s. Braids are totally in again; make sure to rock them whenever you’re too lazy to style your hair. Another throwback trend is the side part trademark of that era.

Don’t overuse hairspray though and keep it natural and touchy.

Accessory Overload Two Textures Take a cue from celebrities like Zendaya and double style your hair. Gel the hair from the top to the middle strands and then let it fall loosely. If you have natural curls, this routine would work well for your second or third hair day!!

This one is not for the low-keys. Apparently, when it comes to hair accessories this season, the more the better. Add pins, clips and bands all together for the edgy look everyone is trying to copy!

November 2019 17

Winter Trends You Need To Know About

by Nanise Mohamed

18 November 2019

Fantastic Feathers

Worry not, no animals were harmed in this process. Feathers were flying around all over the runways for the winter season and honestly, models never looked any lighter.

The cool feature was found in full or just as an accessory to accentuate many high end silhouettes.

Modernized Corset

Don’t overthink what your outfit for Christmas will be. Choosing has never been any easier with the amount of sparkles this season has to offer. Designers found all kinds of ways to make sure you will be spotted from a distance with all the sequins, glitter and tinsels flooding the winter trends!

Seasonal Sparkle

If you’re looking for a soft shoulder to lean on, move on this one’s not for you.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a lady boss kind of vibe, you will have many options this season. The runways were jam-packed with super structured shoulder lines that are just fabulous.

Power Shoulders

Brace yourselves ladies, summer is over and now it’s officially wintertime. Don’t freak out about the cold season’s fashion because we have got you all covered. We spotted the hottest trends from the biggest designers on the catwalks and compiled them into a list for you to be on the radar this season!

Have an affinity for historical designs? Cheer on. Nothing says historical better than a corset. The authentic piece of the earlier decades has been under many changes and has been coming and going a lot the past couple of years. It seems now it’s here to stay!

If you’re into earthly colors, you’re going to love this. Apparently, street style gurus adopting all the shades of the beige color have set this to be the biggest trend in runway colors.

The warm color was found in many casual wear, but it also took a little spin to fit evening outfits.

bold colors

roundy ruffles

We warned you to brace yourself now, didn’t we? Evidently one low-key ruffle is not enough this season so designers have agreed; the more the merrier. If you’re into ruffles, make sure you pull your hair back for a full effect!

If you think designers are going to miss on the chance to turn some nightwear into daywear, you are absolutely wrong.

With camisole dresses being a huge trend last season, more bedtime designs are getting some attention too.

Beige, beige and more beige

cozy capes

If you’re into coats, better replace it with a cape for the season. Make a grand appearance in the latest of trends leaving a mark on the runways. While some designers kept them short and simple, others went with fullon length and played with prints.

Fantastic Feathers

See-Through Scandal

Beautifully displaying the female body is not something everyone supports.

If you do, you will be more than pleased to hear that seethrough silhouettes were largely present on the runways.

Since it’s wintertime, you could wear them under a jacket or a blazer and they will still be as provocative!

Say goodbye to the typical gloomy winter palette because bold colors are so in this season. Pinkish, yellowy and violet shades are dominating most of the designs and we say, the brighter the better.

Don’t be afraid to look irrelevant and wear your brightest colors with confidence!

November 2019 19

Dress

How to According H&M

Zara

20 November 2019

H&M

Church’s

Day to Night One of the hardest things to do is picking out an outfit that you can wear all day long. You want to look chic yet you need to maintain your comfort. Your best choice is opting for comfy pants, a nice blouse and at night just glam it up with accessories.

There, you have your all day outfit without stopping for a wardrobe change!

Alaia

Dare Devil If you wake up feeling like a million bucks, let the world know about it. It can still be fun to go out of your comfort zone a bit and give the world the “lady boss” vibe you always had in you. Pair a statement dress with some heels and wear bright red lipstick!

To Your Every

by Nanise Mohamed

Mood

Sports on the Go If you wake up feeling blue, you’ll want to wear something that is comfy and doesn’t take too much time to decide on. You’d still want to look “put together” but with the least amount of effort. A sporty casual look is definitely the way to go! Throw on some leggings, a top of your choice and don’t forget to keep accessories to a minimum!

H&M

Chloe

New Balance

Nike

Nike

Fashion has always been the way we express ourselves. It’s how we choose to let the world see us. In this creative process of having to look our best for every day, we might find ourselves overwhelmed at times. Or simply, we could just wake up not in a very dressingup state of mind. Therefore, we decided to create this fashion mood board for you so you can wear your every mood!

Laid-back Chic During the weekend, when you’re running some errands in the morning and might have some plans with your friends later in the evening, put on your boyfriend jeans, pick your favorite t-shirt and have your hair up in a bun. This way you can manage to stay comfortable for the morning and still look cool in the evening!

November 2019 21

What to Keep & What to Lose

by Nanise Mohamed

While you probably love standing out from the crowd, make sure you’re not flaunting outdated trends in 2020.

Ahead is a fashion guide for what’s already out and what’s in for this year! Throw away the unpractical pieces and make space for ‘utility’ ones.

Jeans Out: Wide-legged (flare jeans) While we sure loved the 80’s inspired jeans cut for quite some time now, it’s time to let go. However, don’t just throw them all away as they might reappear in a few seasons!

In: Straight legged jeans The 90s cuts are here to dominate. Have a pair or two in a plain cut jeans and you’ll immediately be up-to-date.

t Jacke

s

Out: Bomber Jackets Everyone from street style bloggers to celebrities wore a puffy bomber jacket at least once. It’s about time we kiss the trend goodbye in 2019.

22 November 2019

In: Safari Jackets Bomber jackets have been replaced with utility or safari inspired jackets. The trend mainly copies the jackets worn by adventurers; the whole idea behind it can be seen in the many pockets and plain fabrics.

Shoes Out: Transparent Shoes Plastic or transparent shoes or accessories in general have been all over the place for two years, now. However, with the anti-plastic wave going on, this trend is hugely fading out. Thank God! In: Utility shoes More sustainable shoes? Just kidding. But in fact, more practical shoe trends are the one thing to look out for. Spikey boots, mixed leather and animal prints are so in style right now.

ss a l g n Su

es

Out: Tiny-sun glasses Although the 90’s teeny tiny glasses have been a must have for the last season, they’re finally taking a ticket out. Honestly, all for the better. Despite looking super cool, they didn’t cover the eyes completely and were so unpractical.

In: Retro-shades Fully-sized sunglasses definitely make more sense. Get out your retro shaped shades from the closet as they have been given a huge praise in 2020!

Bags

Out: Fanny-packs As much as we appreciate their fun and edgy style, it’s time to bid fanny packs goodbye. They are not out of style, per se. But they are definitely a bit last year.

In: Shoulder bags Yes. Since we’re talking utility everything, the good old shoulder bags make sense. They were spotted a lot during the runways and it’s safe to say, they are coming back on the runways!

November 2019 23

A one-on-one with McDonald’s Egypt General Manager; Alaa Fathy How One Restaurant Changed A Nation In 25-Years! interview by Raghda Elsayed

If you were born in the early 90s, then you sure do remember the opening of McDonald’s in Egypt. Believe it or not, it happened 25 years ago! Since then, the whole F&B industry has changed. Fast food became a necessity of life, and the big yellow “M” became the synonym for it.

Photographer: Amr elgohary Assistant Photographer: Omar elshafei

24 November 2019

November 2019 25

We had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Alaa Fathy, McDonald’s Egypt General Manager, who also started his career 25 years ago with McDonald’s –We got to know how an ambitious restaurant truly managed to change a whole country in just 25 years!

When and why did you decide to join McDonald’s?

I joined McDonald’s in 1994 when it was still a new brand in Egypt. It was through a newspaper ad, and I wanted to join a young brand that is already a leader within its segment. I was very ambitious to kickstart my career, and McDonald’s was my best choice then.

What is the reason behind McDonald’s success in Egypt the past 25 years?

McDonald’s is a consumer centric brand. Whatever we are doing, it revolves around the consumers, and is tailored to them. I believe the reason behind our success is that we keep the customers in mind before deciding on anything, along with having a solid system to be able to implement and execute strategic decisions.

We have 120 branches and over 6500 employees, so without a system, we will not be able to operate consistently. Technology standardizes everything, and employees have to have the right talent, get the proper training to identify and take advantage of their strengths.

We also greatly depend on a third party audit to make sure our system is functioning correctly, since they are not biased and can truly help us improve and reach our goal.

The last and most crucial part, however, is our innovation. By knowing our customers more, we are always making improvements to enhance their experience.

With innovations, how do you come up with the strategy for the new services you provide?

Innovation is the core of McDonald’s, whether it’s through technology or even marketing. We do that by monitoring the behavior of our consumers of different 26 November 2019

generations through numerous tests and surveys.

We have been in Egypt for 25 years, and globally for even more. So each plan we execute is based on the different generations, which leads us to ask if there is a switch in behavior? McDonald’s does a lot of consumer testing, so once we reach a conclusion, we find several solutions, which later go through several testing phases before we launch it to the customers.

In parallel to the new generations and generational shifts, we also have to keep in mind that we are expanding to new locations, some with new socioeconomic classes which we have to cater to as well.

I think the best example for that during my 25 years with McDonald’s is how we’ve always been on top of making things more convenient throughout the years.

When we first started, customers had to come to the restaurants to get their meals. Then life got busier and we introduced the drive-thru. Then due to traffic, it became a hassle to get to the restaurants, so we introduced the delivery service. Delivery services went from phone calls to mobile applications. Now people want to experience the restaurants again, so we made the digital kiosks where you can order your food and have it delivered to you at your table.

Speaking of the delivery service, how did you manage to be the fastest delivery service in Egypt?

The delivery service is the most challenging part of our operation. Just like everything in McDonald’s, it heavily depends on our technology and system. The first thing we did is set our system to discover the maximum delivery point for each branch. We stick to this no matter what, because if we decide to go outside our area, our customers in the area will be affected.

The hardest challenge, however, is the people part. Inside your restaurant, you can monitor your employees and know how they behave with your customers. With delivery, you can’t be in control. It’s very important to train our delivery employees to give our customers the same experience they can get at the restaurant.

Another thing we can’t really control is the traffic, which is why we tested our delivery points with the

highest possibility of traffic to make sure that we are still meeting our customers’ expectations.

How different is the Egyptian market for McDonald’s than other countries?

Each market is different, not just Egypt. One of the main differences each market has from the other is the customer’s taste, profile, lifestyle, and life stressors.

The best thing about McDonald’s is that we adapt to any market.

The delivery service was introduced to McDonald’s for the first time in Egypt. We had to build a whole system for the delivery services, and develop a full strategy for it. We had to take this to McDonald’s global and see how we can take it to the next level. One thing we did was extract one number to connect all the branches together, rather than having a number for each branch. We got the technology and the knowhow through McDonald’s global.

It’s worth noting that Egypt’s business model for delivery service is what McDonald’s global use for their delivery services, and we are the number one country using this service.

Tell us more about McDonald’s CSR campaigns.

We believe that CSR is part of our DNA and a necessity to us. It’s as important as serving burgers to our customers!

The core of our CSR strategy is the well-being of children. Since we launched in Egypt, this has been the case. We are always supporting orphanages, and providing help to the kids.

One of the campaigns we’re proudest of is with the 57357 hospital. We were one of the first entities to support them and until this day they say we played a huge role in promoting them and their cause.

Later in 2009, we continued with Ezzbet Khair Allah.

We wanted to improve the children’s well being, so we decided to get right to it. We donated more than 12 million Egyptian pounds to Ezzbet KhairAllah. We proceeded with enhancing schools and nurseries, but not just physically, but also with the teachers, and even went as far as helping the parents to better the quality of the children’s lives after school as well.

We managed to enhance nurseries and school buildings that serve separate elementary schools.

I think this campaign played a major role in helping these children continue their day-to-day life afterwards, since the main reason they dropped out was because of how inhabitable the schools were.

Being the General Manager by itself is a big responsibility, let alone being the general manager of the biggest fast-food chain in the world; in one of its biggest markets. Tell us how We also signed a protocol with Kheir w Baraka Foundation and the Ministry of Social Solidarity to are you handling it?

It’s not an easy job when you have operations running 24/7, which is why it’s very important to be calm and patient. There are also various criteria that are important to take note of, but from a business side it’s very important to have a certain level of attention to detail. You have to understand the business and the consumer very well. Not too detailed, however, because then you will not have time to think strategically and move forward. But with a certain level of detail, you can have enough information to understand the situation. Also, when you spend time finding and developing the right talent, you know that they will take the right decision for the business.

You need to have people who are well-developed, dedicated and very creative that you can depend on because it’s a young brand.

help with renewing a number of nurseries. For this project, we will donate around 7 million Egyptian Pounds.

What are McDonald’s plans for the next 5 years?

As we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary, our plan is to be everywhere in Egypt and be very close and accessible to all our consumers. Our plan is to get close to 190 stores. We also have so many innovations planned; like the digital kiosks we introduced recently.

We are also really considering the introduction of McCafes in Egypt, beginning of next year. We have lots of plans that will take place in the coming 5 years.

November 2019 27

On October 31st, McDonald’s Egypt celebrated 25 years of its presence in the Egyptian market, with an anniversary celebration commemorating their achievements. The event opted for an authentic environment, taking place at the Salah El Deen El Ayoubi Citadel, Cairo, reviving all the company’s memories throughout the past 25 years. McDonald’s officials were eager to honor their employees and partners for all their efforts throughout the past years. The event saw the the presence of Yassen Mansour, Chairman of McDonald’s Egypt, Mohamed Mansour, Managing director of McDonald’s Egypt and Alaa Fathy, McDonald’s General Manager. Mr. Yassin Mansour, Chairman of McDonald’s Egypt seized the opportunity to announce the launch of RONALD McDonald House of Charity Chapter in partnership with Kheir W Baraka Foundation for the very first time in Egypt, stating that more details will be announced soon.

It was also attended by the company’s stakeholders, employees, partners, and different public figures.

Not only that, but McDonald’s had a surprise for its guests and employees, with superstar Nancy Agram taking the stage with a dazzling and exceptional performance.

28 November 2019

November 2019 29

The Rules of Attraction in The Game of Love

by Marwa Rakha

“Let him chase you.” “Play hard to get.” You’ve probably heard these classic dating tips thousands of times!

It’s a common belief that acting aloof and unavailable will drive someone crazy, and send them right into your arms. For instance, you’d love to talk to that cute guy you met, but your friends say you aren’t supposed to call or text for at least a few days. And even then, you should come off as cool and indifferent!

The weirdest part about these advices is that sometimes they actually work! Should we always play games in order to appeal to other people? Here is a tough one for the one who always has our backs when it comes to relationship advice, Identity’s Relationship Expert, Marwa Rakha.

30 November 2019

Why do people feel the need to play games to attract other people to them? Is it okay or not to do so?

For example, do not say “I love you”. Do not “tell your story”. Do not “bare your soul”. Do not “get intimate”.

If you call them “playing games”, then the answer would be: NOT OK!

This could minimize your loss if the relationship ends there and then! It would also help you maintain your emotional stability and mental balance while giving your uncertain partner his/her space.

I have written about the Five Stages of Dating, suggested by Dr. John Gray, before. I have read that book back in my twenties and I still use it as a reference today – more than 15 years later!

To simplify things, let’s go through what happens when two people meet, and like one another. In the beginning, there is so much “chemistry”! There are butterflies in the stomachs, phone calls, eagerness to meet, and sometimes hot sex. A few weeks, or a few months, into the relationship, things change.

One is too available, too attached, too caring, too eager, and the other is “not as before”! Dr. Gray called this phase “uncertainty” because the person who is pulling away is having doubts about the relationship.

The person who seems to have changed is having second thoughts.

The “textbook mistake” is that his/her partner chases after him/her and becomes clingy. The natural response from the “uncertain” person is to back off further away and eventually the relationship ends dramatically.

Streetwise advice is to play hard to get! Dr. Gray’s advice is not that far off! Basically, when someone is uncertain, and you feel a change in their level of attention and care, stop, and give them space.

The person who is having doubts, then, will have a chance to think, examine how he/she feels about the relationship, and will either come back certain and steady, or will take more steps away from the relationship.

If playing hard to get is appealing to the person you’re attracted to, should this be an indicator that they are immature? What should you do then?

After having explained the truth behind “playing hard to get”, let me explain how it should be done. Dr. Gray clearly urges people in the “attraction phase” to take it slow! They need to remember that “Easy come easy go” and that it takes time to know a person and to get steady in a relationship. Unless you are looking for a quick affair or a summer fling, do not say or do things that would get you more involved than you should be.

If, instead of chasing your partner, you give them space, and if he/she comes back with more steadiness and interest, do not startle them with too much attention and eagerness to be “a thing”. Slowly but surely explore one another until you both decide to officially date exclusively.

Back to your question, if your partner does not show interest or eagerness unless you are distant and aloof, then this is not a relationship and will never develop into anything steady or solid. Uncertainty is just a phase not a state of being! If the only thing that interests your partner about this relationship is “the hunt”, then it is not worth any emotional investment from your side.

If a person is not willing to play the hard to get game, how do they avoid being seen as desperate to be in a relationship?

What do you do with yourself and your feelings while giving your uncertain partner time to figure his/her feelings out? This is another way of rephrasing that question. Dr. Gray advises you to “have a life”. Go out with friends, have fun, enjoy your hobbies, and date.

Yes! Date! You are not in a committed relationship!

You are not dating exclusively! You are not even sure if that person will ever come back from the “uncertainty phase”.

At any point of your relationship, do not give up on your family, friends, and hobbies. Never build your whole life around a man or a woman. Do not spend your days waiting by the phone or refreshing your inbox. Do not stalk a person on social media looking for answers or information. Remember that if a person is into you, that person would never keep you wondering. If a person wants to be with you, nothing would ever stop them. Remember that you deserve to be loved and accepted, not hurt and rejected.

November 2019 31

Trauma That Goes Unnoticed: Seeing the Unseen

by Nanise Mohamed

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. later. Main indicators include, revisiting the experience, Only through experience of trial and suffering can emotional numbness and social withdrawal. the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and Other common signs are disassociation; this happens success achieved.” Helen keller.

when for example, a rape victim revisits the incident of their rapping but from a distance.And hyper arousal, the feeling you get when you’re always jumpy and irritated.

When we say “trauma” or “Post-traumatic Stress Disorder” (PTSD), we often picture a war veteran that suffers from episodes, flashbacks, nightmares and memories where he gets swiped back to the tragedies he witnessed at the warfront. Or we remember a certain character from a movie suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and walking around killing people. But trauma is not just associated with war. In fact, you could be walking around carrying symptoms of PTSD without knowing.

Another key symptom of trauma is chronic unhappiness. Now, that one is quite sneaky. You could be suffering from chronic unhappiness due to a certain ongoing situation at home; which leads to a form of silent trauma that never ends.

Our resilience to stress, adversity and change depends on our inner resources. And while we do not have much control over external circumstances that determine our personality, intelligence or availability of support, we all can develop coping strategies. We are much more resilient than we give ourselves credit for.

By nature, we are equipped to deal with most of what life throws at us.

Trauma and Resilience

What causes Trauma or PTSD and what are some common signs?

Trauma is often caused by a sort of a painful experience. Trauma is objective, it could be caused by experiencing violence, abuse, war or losing a beloved one and it could be caused by something as subtle as parental neglect, living in the shadow of a siblingor being marginalized as a child.

Hence, you could experience some symptoms without actually realizing it’s an indicator to a deeply rooted psychological issue. Although, sooner or later these issues will most probably start manifesting themselves in your love life, the way you view yourself and your relationship with family members.

Signs of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder come in full spectrum. While some symptoms may show right after the traumatic event, some may appear years 32 November 2019

Thus, you wouldn’t really know you’re suffering until this situation ends. It’s common knowledge in psychiatry that victims of certain types of distress or abuse can’t really speak until after a significant amount of time.

The thing that explains why most people who have been subject to sexual assault only bring it up later on.

Almost everyone is likely to experience a traumatic event in their lifetime.However, people differ in the way they perceive, cope and recover. But one fact you need to know about trauma is that, unlike what most people think, it stores itself in the body. In his book “The Body Keeps the Score”,Dutch psychiatrist Bessel Van Der Kolk, explains how our bodies are the store for all the emotions we experience in our lifetime in the form of toxics.

Dancing, conscious breathing and even free writing could be ways in which you could cope and recover from your trauma. They are tried and true. According to Kolk, once you spot and understand the cause of your distress, this is when the role of talk therapy ends. The next step would be venturing the world of recovery and mastering some surviving methods to help you carry on with your life.

Inner Resources Here are some practical ways you can identify and use your inner resources. Self-compassion is a huge key to resilience. Can you remember the last time you

were kind and compassionate towards a friend? Now try extending the same generosity towards yourself and become your own best friend.

Mindfulness practicing won’t take away the bad experience, but it can definitely help tone it down.

By putting into focus positives like music and happy memories, observe your body while the anxiety leaves it calmly.

Confidence is tricky. As we mentioned above, the lack of it at a young age can leave you feeling insecure for the rest of your live. So, in order to counter that, and in moments of self-doubt, try remembering all the other

times where you felt cared for, seen and appreciated.

Sometimes you will have to stand up as your own inner critic when you tend to be too sensitive. Ask yourself, am I running the situation for myself? Are you convincing yourself that you’re not good enough?

A word of advice, keep an eye out for the usual symptoms you have rather than anything new that might come up. If you have a voice inside you that keeps urging you to go to therapy, don’t hesitate any longer. Your mental wellbeing is something you shouldn’t take lightly. Ending the stigma of therapy is now at its peak so there’s no reason for you to feel ashamed!

November 2019 33

Your Career vs.

Your Mental Health When is it time to let go of your dream?

by Raghda Elsayed

Having an inspiring career is a dream many live and die trying to achieve. We were told that being successful in our careers is the ultimate representation of self-fulfillment and independence.

As adults, we seek this to secure our future. Along the line, however, we realize how draining the road 34 November 2019

to this “success” can be.

Ask yourself, how many job interviews have you been to and when you are asked about your strong qualities, you answer with “I work well under pressure”?

In most cases, there is always the battle between a healthy mental state and your career. The modern work culture thrives on stressing individuals and working them under pressure. To reach the top, you have to compromise on everything else. If you are not okay with being overly stressed, you will fail.

While in several workplaces the working environment is great, and the employees’ mental health is always taken into consideration, in most jobs, that is sadly not the case.

You hear running jokes about certain people crying in the bathroom, others having anger issues, as well as those who have no real life outside of work. Situations like these are legal and socially acceptable. Whoever doesn’t comply with the mental health abuse some companies inflict on their employees would either be fired or given a harder time. Mental health, in most companies, is also not a valid reason for sick leaves.

This toxic work environment can cause those already struggling with mental health issues to go over the edge. This begs us to ask, is it all even worth it?

The answer is simple, it’s not.

Ask yourself, what’s the point of jeopardizing your mental health to achieve a career, or a dream that you won’t be able to enjoy because of how jaded you got to reach there?

At some point, we need to learn that it’s healthier to settle for less. Because this “less” is in fact more for you! Find an alternative career that might not be as glamorous as the one you were originally seeking, but it’s still better for you.

While leaving your job and career can already be a trigger for your mental health, but at some point you need to ask yourself if this is what you truly want and if it’s healthy for you.

You establish a career to have peace of mind in your future. If you lose yourself on the way, it really is time to reconsider your life choices.

But before you decide on anything, you should learn about the numerous ways to deal with stress in the workplace and the things that can affect your mental health.

1. Starting with the obvious: Seek professional mental help

With or without career issues, it should be a given that you need to seek professional help when you are not feeling mentally well. You doctor will know your case better than anyone and will be the best person to seek advice from on the decision of whether you should stay or leave.

2. Drink and eat regularly While this might sound a little bit irrelevant, it’s always important to remember to eat and stay hydrated at work. Many forget to drink, or prefer to eat after working hours, but we can’t emphasize enough how important it is.

3. Speak with a manager or with HR Depending on the dynamics of your workplace, you should speak with someone who will have an influence on your working conditions. Even if you know for a fact that they won’t be of any help, just do it. What else do you have to lose? Maybe it will work.

4. Set a fixed work routine Have a routine until you’re able to see where the problem is. Have fixed working hours with no exceptions, and a fixed time for lunch breaks, etc. This could be a way to lessen the stress and to understand the main problem with the work environment to try and fix it later.

5. Change your work pattern After analyzing what you do at work based on your routine, try to adjust it to make it more comfortable for you, while still being productive.

6. Seek a vacation Before finalizing your decision, take a few days off.

Maybe it’s temporary, and maybe it’s not. Maybe it doesn’t even have to do with the workplace and it’s exterior factors that are affecting you. When you get yourself out of the work environment, you will be able to make a better decision.

7. If all else fails, accept the situation, and consider leaving Toxic workplaces are exactly like toxic relationships.

They could sound great on paper, and your future with them could look bright, but in reality they’re abusive and toxic. Leave. You’re more important than any job.

November 2019 35

Art Therapy

freedom from depression

by Nada Abdelkader

In order to fight an enemy, you must first learn all about this enemy, their power and their weakness, and most of all why they are attacking you. According to the World Health Organization, depression is a ghost that haunts more than 300 million people of all ages around the world. It’s an invisible illness, to fight it you must tap into your innate power for growth and healing.

Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, it gives all our feelings a visible form, whether by drawing, writing, singing or dancing. Art therapy is a unique approach to depression treatment that helps you get in touch with your feelings and use creative expression as an outlet. This type of therapy can be used to identify and change the negative thoughts and emotions that are associated with depression.

“Art therapy for depression is a complementary treatment, not a substitute for the more traditional depression treatment.” says Routa Segal, certified creative art therapist. “For someone with depression, it can be a way of breaking through some of the barriers that may be blocking psychotherapy. Every time you create art, you are taking a picture in time.

Like a snapshot from a dream, it can reveal what you need to know, and it’s yours to keep.”

If you’re battling with negative thoughts, the following activities could be a perfect tool for you to beat these thoughts, better yet replace them with positive happy ones.

36 November 2019

Dance Movement Therapy “I found that dance was key to keeping depression out of my life. When you dance, things just go away, things don’t seem so bad. There’s no better way to take care of health than through something as joyous and beautiful as dance,” said American actor, dancer, singer, and songwriter Patrick Swayze.

Dance movement therapy (also known as dance therapy) requires using body movement and dance.

For example, you might explore different types of movements and rhythms. You don’t need to have any dance skills or experience. Some people say dance movement therapy has helped them to feel more in touch with their body and their physical surroundings, address difficult feelings about their body or appearance, or explore difficult feelings or experiences through movement rather than words or mastering the art of letting go and just be themselves.

Drama Therapy Sarah Harkness, therapist at the Living Arts Counseling Center said, “Through drama therapy you have an opportunity to practice new behaviors, rehearse and refine difficult conversations and/or potential confrontations, strengthen a new reaction or new inner dialogue when something triggers that thing that makes you react in ways that you regret.

You can move beyond the talking and the intellectual knowing and actually DO it, in your body!” Drama therapists are trained to help you explore different types of drama and performance activities that might

activity of brain regions that are involved in the initiation, generation, maintenance, termination, and modulation of emotions. You don’t need to have any musical knowledge or experience.

All human beings are able to respond to music, and music therapy uses this connection to help you have a therapeutic experience. This type of therapy will help you explore new ways of communicating and expressing your feelings.

Visual Art Therapy “To the extent that I managed to translate the emotions into images– that is to say, to find the images which were concealed in the emotions– I was inwardly calmed and reassured.

be helpful for you. For example, you might invent characters, tell stories, improvise scenes, do physical mimes or use puppets or masks. You don’t need to have any acting or theatre skills or experience.

Music Therapy “Music doesn’t get in. Music is already in. Music simply uncovers what is there, makes you feel emotions that you didn’t necessarily know you had inside you, and runs around waking them all up. A rebirth of sorts,” said English singer, songwriter, and guitarist Ed Sheeran.

Studies have shown that music can regulate the

Had I left those images hidden in the emotions, I might have been torn to pieces by them,” said Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology, Carl Gustav Jung.

Art therapy involves the use of creative techniques such as drawing, painting, collage, coloring, or sculpting to help people express themselves artistically and examine the psychological and emotional undertones in their art. With guidance, you can decode the nonverbal messages, symbols, and metaphors often found in these art forms, which should lead to a better understanding of your feelings and behavior so you can move on to resolve deeper issues.

Now that art is an evidence-based therapeutic modality, pick whichever type of therapy you find suitable for you, or try them all if you’re not sure.

The most important thing is to fight your way out of depression.

November 2019 37

Social Media and Mental Health: More Related Than You Think

by Nada Abdelkader

Cinema isn’t the only medium that affects the way For some, this distress caused by social media is manageable, but for others, anxiety and depression we view and talk about mental health. come into play.

In the era of Internet and constant connection, social media is a good thing. It helps us stay connected with our friends and family, share ideas, and know stories we might have never known.

It might sound easy to brush this all as an obsession to roll your eyes at. However, those who are affected by social media don’t have to be obsessed with following all its trends.

Like every good thing, though, social media has its dark side, too. It might have started to peek out during the Facebook craze, but it definitely made itself known with the rise of Instagram.

They’re just exposed to an image that may seem out of reach, so that will turn them all to compare themselves with what they’d been seeing, something that can lead to depression.

See, in social mediums like Instagram, everything looks perfect. It might not be a utopia, but it’s as perfect as perfect can be. Everything is pristine and sleek and one-hundred percent edited and we know it.

Social media’s assault on mental health doesn’t end at just looking. Participating can affect you too.

Back in the day, we may have not been as aware about all the editing and tweaks done to make life seem this colorful. Now that we do, though, we’re still fooled. What we’re seeing is the ideal life, full of people dressing and travelling and even eating things we’re all dying to try.

This is not limited to celebrities or influencers, sometimes the augmented reality can hit us in the face through the feeds of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.

We’re happy for them for living their best lives, yes, but we’re also experiencing self-doubt.

We fear missing out on the life that apparently everyone is living. Our lives may not be as ideal and our bodies may not be as toned. For the record, their lives may be just like ours, but that’s not glamorous enough to reel you in.

38 November 2019

Now, most of us participate, but for some, there’s an instant feeling of validation when their content is peerapproved. When it isn’t, they may become anxious as to why they’re suddenly left out or unadmired in comparison.

This age where we’re all judged and judging others based on their online image, even when we know it can be completely staged, is a ripe backdrop for all the demons to come to play.

This isn’t just talk. Numerous studies discussed social media and how it can harmfully affect us and lead to issues with body image and mental health strains.

It can even augment those issues if they’d already existed for some.

Combatting the Unperfect Picture Although we might be aware of the unreality of the social media world, we might be unaware of how to stop it.

am I too pleased by this? Is this too much?

After you find out the answers, you’ll be on the route to knowing what to do.

Another thing that will help you ground yourself is to take a break. Not necessarily a social media cleanse.

You could just try limiting your usage.

With less use, the aftereffects you worry about will lessen. It might also help that studies showed that those who reduce their social media intake are generally happier going further.

A New Generation, A New Hope As time went on, mental health has taken a forefront in our discussions. Through film and studies and even casual conversations between friends.

This is one of the greatest changes the age of the Internet has brought upon us—the chance to share and discuss things we might have not thought we could discuss. This age removed fears of taboos from discussions about mental health.

While this is a new, noticeable change for us, we must acknowledge that it isn’t new to the younger generation.

Sometimes, we can think that nothing will get to us after all this time only to surprisingly find out we’re still affected. This is perfectly okay because we’re all human and we all ingest messages we might not see at first sight.

What we’ll need to do is to always remember that the picture on our screen is just that. A picture. It isn’t any realer than a daytime soap. Sure, the cast might be familiar, but it’s still fiction in the end.

This might sound a little preachy without backup, so let’s get more into it.

What we’ll have to do here is to ground ourselves and remember what is really important to us. When we’re checking our feeds and we get overwhelmed, we need to take a step back to reevaluate everything.

This reevaluation can come in forms of questions.

Why am I upset by this? Is this semi-authentic? Why

Sure, we might have just started talking about mental health a few years back and it’s, in all honesty, better late than never. The younger generation is growing up with that conversation.

For them, this isn’t a taboo. They’ve been accustomed to these conversations, ears wide open. Not only that, in schools abroad, it’s an important topic to discuss and in Egypt, that’s on its way to happening.

This ushered a new era for us. An era where we can discuss topics like mental health and stigmas and social media without feeling like we might venture into the forbidden. An era of bravery—the greatest sign of progress anything can have.

The bottom line here is that mental health is a topic that has been through many changes. It has been banned, stigmatized, scrutinized, and now it’s just beginning to get the traction it deserves.

It can be discussed through characters in film or through observations about social media. The point is, it can be discussed and it shall.

November 2019 39

How Cinema Talks To Our Fears, Anxieties and Mental Health!

by Nanise Mohamed

Cinema, is not merely a tool for entertainment.

Ever since its dawn, cinema has become a mean for social transformation. One of the many causes cinema depicts is mental illness. However, it’s not necessarily always the truth of mental illness.

Dramatic and stigmatizing depictions often spread a negative aspect of psychiatric disorders and the patients who are suffering from them. Though it brings out a few positive and inspiring stories. Here, we are going to describe the dual impact of cinema and media on psychiatry.

Unbiased Cinema Though cinema remains an apparatus for social change and radicalness, it’s not completely unbiased.

In the time we live in now, cinema concerned with the medical field is basically a two-sided weapon. On one hand cinema can help improve awareness of disorders and thus encourage help-seeking behavior by the thoughtful depiction of certain psychiatric disorders in cinema, on the other hand, we have the stereotypical 40 November 2019

portrayal of mental disorders, the violent portrayal of psychotic patients, eventually demonizing them as psycho-killers, the exaggeration in the presentation of a mental breakdown like suicide, and the unnecessary criminalization of psychiatric treatment that have made the difficult situation worse.

Drugs, Violence and Violation of Boundaries When it comes to portraying the nature of treatment, things are not so promising either. Boundaries violation, sex, drugs and violence are all somehow employed in the art process. In real life, there is rarely any emotional involvement between a therapist and one of his patients. The lines between personality disorders, psychopaths and psychosis are always distorted. People can’t tell the difference anymore.

Suicide has been commercialized so much so, it lost its painful side. It’s only implemented as an attraction element to movies and TV shows, now. Case in point, Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why.

movies were also written and supervised by actual psychiatrists or psychologists in order to show a good depth of knowledge to the discussed diseases.

Egyptian Cinema On a more local level, Egyptian cinema has been attempting to tackle the mental health issue ever since the seventies. Unfortunately, we can’t claim we are anywhere near foreign cinema in that domain. But despite this fact, we do have some pretty decent efforts. So, let’s track both back.

Bear El Herman 1969, starring Soad Hosny, may be one of the earliest movies to present the disease of Schizophrenia in Egyptian cinema. Although it didn’t catch it quite right, portraying the character to have a dual personality which is far-fetched.

The Good Side Despite all the negativity, this cloud has a silver lining, too. For example, A Beautiful Mind was an outstanding movie in terms of portraying the psychopathology of schizophrenia so beautifully in a legendary mathematician, named John Nash. Probably there is not a single movie which depicted the gradual development of Alzheimer’s disease and the social aspect to it better than Still Alice. And the list goes on.

Melancholia, painted a detailed picture of manic depression in the life of a new bride, and how mental health has a way of disguising the patient’s disturbed behavior and gets them to act normal within their circles. Movies like Girl, Interrupted and The Shawshank Redemption highlighted the importance of resilience when facing trauma and distress. Both

On a brighter note though, and jumping forward, we have Ahmed Helmy’s Asef Ael Ezaag 2008. Although it wouldn’t normally strike you as an in depth movie about mental illness, it did a great job at catching the essence of the delusional and distorted nature of a guy suffering from trauma and unaware of his own schizophrenic case. The movie subtly managed to highlight all the aspects of the disease; from dissociation and allusions to denial and remorse.

As seen, the depiction of psychiatry in movies is tricky.

It is always wise to conduct proper research before jumping to conclusions about a particular illness and presenting it according to one’s own preconceived notions. It is unlikely that filmmakers will turn much from the existing path without strict control policies on the matter. We hope the international psychiatric community expresses their displeasure with the current media trends, where the cinema industry will continue the understated and comic portrayal of mental illness, devaluing patients as well as the work of psychiatric professionals all over, thus continuing to have a hand in the ongoing stigma of mental illnesses in a way.

November 2019 41

Feeling Blue…

Let’s lift your mood!

by Soha Darwish Food Writer & Critic - Menu Consultant Diploma in Food Journalism - London, UK

Fighting depression is achievable and does not have to entail a list of medications which can lead to serious irreversible side effects. It’s a simple holistic process; first shift your mindset, increase your physical activity during the day, then comes what you eat which plays a vital role in how you feel after all ‘you are what you eat!’ This month’s topic ‘Fighting Depression’ made me delve into several studies on mood lifting foods and I can assure you it’s not a myth, it’s simply chemistry.

To boost your feel-good hormones, alongside plenty of water intake, fruits and vegetables; add these mood-boosting foods to your weekly meal plan.They contain certain high levels of selenium, omega 3, tryptophan, vitamin B6 …etc. which all help in raising the mood-lifting hormone serotonin, also aid better sleep and control anxiety.

Here are some of those favourable ingredients with their key nutrient: 1. Brazil nuts, mineral selenium.

42 November 2019

2. Salmon (oily fish), omega 3 – fatty acids.

3. Oats (wholegrains), low glycaemic index foods + mineral selenium.

4. Bananas, amino acid tryptophan as well as vitamins A, B6 and C, fibre and potassium.

5. Chickpeas & Lentils, Low GI (High GI might perk you up at first, but they have actually been proven to deplete your mood).

6. Spinach (Dark green leaves), Folate, vitamins B3, B6 and B12.

7. Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa or more), a square of dark chocolate causes the brain to release endorphins and boost serotonin levels.

I am suggesting here a few recipes packed with those mood-lifting ingredients, trying to include several of them in one recipe to maximise the desired effect!

A Hearty Porridge Bowl A steaming hot porridge bowl is a familiar companion throughout our life; it just keeps getting more interesting and trendier. Especially its cold version where you soak the oats overnight in cold milk in the fridge and add your toppings in the morning.. still hearty yet refreshing!

• Shopping Basket: 1 cup of porridge oats – 2 cups

of milk or any nut milk – cup of water– 1 to 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup – pinch of salt – 50g Brazil nuts, chopped– dark chocolate chips, unsweetened - pinch of salt.

Now I understand the science behind it, I honestly didn’t know ...a must try!

• Shopping Basket: 400g frozen spinach, whole or

chopped – 1 medium onion, finely chopped or grated – 2 garlic cloves, minced – 1 chickpeas can, drained – 4 tbsp of tomato paste or passata – 2 handfuls fresh dill, finely chopped – 3 tbsp olive oil – salt & pepper.

1. Start by sautéing onion and garlic in olive oil until light golden colour, in a medium-sized saucepan.

2. Add the frozen spinach and stir-fry with the chopped dill, until thawed. You can cover with a lid for 1 minute to speed up the melting process.

3. When water dries out, add tomato paste then sauté for another minute. Cover with water and simmer for about 10 minutes.

4. Stir in the drained chickpeas and simmer for an extra 2 minutes.

5. Transfer into an oven clay pot, drizzle with olive oil, then bake in a preheated oven 200 for about 20 to 30 minutes, until sauce is thickened and surface is glistening brown. An important step that transforms this simple vegetable stew which can be served with rice or even quinoa (a mood-lifting ingredient).

Dijon and Worcestershire Sauce Salmon Can’t remember how I came up with this brilliant combination of flavours! Certainly, tanginess always goes well with fish; a simple recipe with big flavours.

• Shopping Basket: 2 skinless & boneless salmon

1. Put the oats in a heavy-base saucepan, add the milk and water, then boil for 8 – 10 mins.

fillets (medium size) – 2 garlic cloves, minced – 2 tsp Dijon mustard – 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce – 3 tbsp olive oil – 2 tbsp lemon juice - salt & pepper.

2. Take it off the stove and stir in the honey or maple syrup and let it cool down from hot to warm.

1. In an oven dish drizzle half of the olive oil and lay the salmon fillets.

3. Top it with chopped Brazilian nuts and the dark chocolate chips.

2. Mix all remaining ingredients well and rub it equally over the salmon fillets. You can leave for about 30 minutes for a quick marinade.

4. If you prefer it cold; just add the honey with the toppings and stir all in when serving!

Spinach & Chickpeas Stew

3. Cook in a preheated oven 180 for about 20 minutes; don’t overcook this dedicate fish - it has to remain flaky, soft and easy to cut with a simple fork.

Sharing a winter staple recipe at our household and oh, the joy and comfort it brings are just immeasurable!

November 2019 43

Identity health

10 Tips to Help You with Exercising When You Feel Helpless

by Raghda Elsayed

One of the most common pieces of advice given to those suffering from depression and anxiety is to work out. It sounds like an easy straightforward solution. However, managing to do so might seem impossible for those dealing with mental issues.

Depression, one of the most common mental issues, does not just come with mental symptoms, but physical symptoms as well. From feeling fatigued to low energy, chronic pain, headaches, back and joints pain, insomnia, digestive issues, amongst many other symptoms. All symptoms can range from being moderate to severe, depending on the case. These symptoms, naturally, play a major role in making exercise seem almost impossible for those make your capacity shrink. with depression.

With that said, people with a mental health issue can still manage to get themselves to exercise, even when it sounds impossible. It is, however, important to note a few things.

1. Exercising

is NOT a cure for your

depression While many do claim it’s the ultimate cure, it actually isn’t. Exercising does help with depression, but it does not cure it. Whether you decide to get some exercise or not, it is still important to go seek professional help.

2. Do not feel pressured to do it

There is a huge difference between pushing yourself and pressuring yourself. Pushing yourself comes from motivation and knowing your mental limit. Pressuring yourself on the other hand can make things worse.

With mental health, it is very important to know the limit of your mental capacity and work on expanding it, rather than force yourself to do things that would 44 November 2019

3. Start slowly until you adapt

Exercising doesn’t have to involve heavy equipment and turning yourself into Hulk Hogan. You can start with simple tasks; as small as house chores that involve physical movement, to running errands for the house. Later you can start by small workout routines at home until you feel comfortable enough to maybe hit the gym.

4. Be realistic with your goals

You need to set realistic goals so you will not be disappointed and end up triggering your depression and anxiety. Do not expect to have 6 packs after working out for a week.

5. You can start by simply stretching in

bed when you wake up If you are feeling lazy or drained, stretches in bed can also be helpful, and they sure will put you in a good mood afterwards.

6. Your phone can be your best workingout buddy There are several phone apps for working out, most are free and have very simple 7-minute workout plans.

You can also document your progress through the apps, which can be quite motivational.

7. Set a new routine for yourself

A healthy routine is something that can help you throughout your life. One of the downfalls of depression is not having a fixed routine, and working out can help you.

8. Entertain yourself while working out

Listen to your favorite music, make a party for yourself.

Maybe even educate yourself by listening to a podcast.

If you’re working out at home, do it in front of your TV and watch your favorite show. It would be even better if you set your entertainment to be exclusively done while you’re working out as an extra motivation.

9. It

is important to not base your workout on just “motivation”

While we did mention a few things to keep yourself motivated, it is important to work out because you actually want to and not just to motivate yourself. The reason for this is that depression comes in waves.

Motivation can work great when your depression is at a low, but when it hits hard, motivation will be hard to achieve, which will end up demotivating you even more. It’s a tricky thing, but that’s how depression is.

10. Be kind to yourself

We cannot begin to explain how important this point is. Remember, you are doing this to help yourself. If you start being too harsh on yourself, then you defeat the purpose.

You failed? It’s okay. Take a rest and try again later.

You realized exercising is not helping and makes you feel worse? Again, it is okay. Maybe it is not for you.

Keep in mind, as mentioned earlier, that any small task is already an accomplishment. As small as it might sound, be grateful so you’d be even more grateful for the bigger accomplishments.

November 2019 45

Identity review

5 Must Read Books On Battling Depression & Anxiety

by Nada Abdelkader

“Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” Frederick Douglass Books have always been a powerful tool to shed light on all parts of the human experience, and that includes depression and anxiety. We all periodically wrestle with self-doubt, sorrow, worry, low self-esteem… No matter the level of success we attain, our insecurities can easily take hold. If you find yourself continually battling negative feelings, you might consider consulting a self-help book. Sure, they’re not an instant cure or a replacement for therapy or treatment. But books can help provide invaluable insight and suggest effective techniques for improving your mindset.

First, We Make The Beast Beautiful by Sarah Wilson Focuses on: Anxiety In her new book, the bestselling author and entrepreneur, Sarah Wilson directs her intense focus and fierce investigatory skills onto anxiety, a lifetime companion of hers, looking at the triggers and treatments. She reads widely and interviews fellow sufferers, mental health experts, philosophers, and even the Dalai Lama (the spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism), processing all she learns through the prism of her own experiences. The book is a journey that will encourage the myriad sufferers of the world’s most common mental illness to feel not just better about their condition, but delighted by the possibilities it offers for a richer, fuller life.

46 November 2019

The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression by Andrew Solomon Focuses on: Depression There is a reason this book is called “An Atlas of Depression”. Once you’ve covered about half of the 688 pages, you start to understand why. This book is literally everything you would ever want to know about depression; be it the personal experience, the medical experience, the pharmacological treatments, the history, the cultural interpretations, and of course, the author’s own struggles with it.

Andrew Solomon, well-known for his TED Talks and his varied publications, reveals the agonizing depths of the illness as well as its progression through time.

His thoughtful and insightful perspective supplements his extensive research, and he analyzes several of depression’s facets. The book is a lot to take in. What carries the book, though, is the combination of how well-written it is, along with the knowledge you will gain about that demon called depression.

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David d. Burns Focuses on: Depression & Anxiety In this book, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns discusses the battle against anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self-esteem, and other “black holes” of depression, and how they can be cured without drugs. In Feeling Good, he outlines the remarkable, scientifically proven techniques that will immediately lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on life. He helps you recognize what causes your mood swings, nip negative feelings in the bud, deal with guilt, handle hostility and criticism, overcome addiction to love and approval, build self-esteem and for sure feel good every day. Burns has done a fantastic job of essentially writing the closest replacement to a real therapist, and as a result, pretty much any time I come across someone who needs a therapist but can’t get one for some reason, this book is always recommended.

THE HAPPINESS TRAP: STOP STRUGGLING, START LIVING BY RUSS HARRIS Focuses on: Depression & Anxiety In his book, Dr. Russ Harris, a medicallyqualified doctor, stress consultant, executive coach, trainer, author, explains that the way most of us go about trying to find joy and happiness ends up making us miserable, driving the epidemics of stress, anxiety, and depression.

This empowering book presents the insights and techniques of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a revolutionary new psychotherapy based on cutting-edge research in behavioral psychology. By clarifying your values and developing mindfulness (a technique for living fully in the present moment), ACT helps you escape the happiness trap and find true satisfaction in life. The book guides you on how to reduce stress and worry, handle painful feelings and thoughts more effectively, break self-defeating habits, overcome insecurity and self-doubt, and finally create a rich, full, and meaningful life.

Self Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind To Yourself

by Kristin Neff Focuses on: Depression & Anxiety This book is a step-bystep guide explaining how to be more selfcompassionate and achieve your dreams in life. Psychologist Dr. Kristin Neff unfolds how the ultracompetitive culture tells us we need to be constantly above average to feel good about ourselves, but of course that never happens because there is always someone more attractive, successful, or intelligent than we are. And even when we do manage to grab hold of high self-esteem for a brief moment, we can’t seem to keep it. Our sense of selfworth goes up and down with our latest success or failure. Using research, personal stories, practical exercises, and humor, Dr. Neff explains how to heal destructive emotional patterns so that you can be healthier, happier, and more effective. This book will show you how to let go of debilitating self-criticism and finally learn to be kind to yourself.

We hope one of these books can be your torch out of the dark tunnels of depression and anxiety.

November 2019 47

Travel Guide: iceland

by Joanna Neve

WHAT TO WEAR Iceland is incredibly cold in winter, with temperatures fluctuating between -2°C and 4°C. Make sure to pack a whole winter outfit and if you don’t have one, buy one. A hat, gloves, multiple scarves, a high-quality coat and thermal layers are a must.

Visa

STAY IN THE CAPITAL

To go to Iceland, you’ll need a Tourist Schengen Visa, which will allow you to enter for up to 90 days. Head to the Icelanders embassy in Cairo at least 2 weeks before your holiday to fill out some paperwork and provide the documents needed (which are listed on the Schengen visa information website). You’ll also need two recent photos and a valid passport.

Most people travelling to Iceland choose to stay in its stunning capital, Reykjavik. It’s not hard to see why when the city has dozens of amazing restaurants as well as the Perlan Museum, where you can enjoy a cocktail with a panoramic view of the city from their observation deck.

48 November 2019

Public transport is also very accessible in Reykjavik, which is why it’s so popular.

TOP 5 DAY TRIPS FROM REYJAVIK

NORTHERN LIGHTS WATCHINg

From Reyjavik there are dozens of activities you can easily do on a day trip. We’ve worked hard to narrow it down to just 5:

Every tourist visiting Iceland wants to catch a glimpse of the iconic northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis. Sadly, as a natural phenomenon, sighting them is never guaranteed.That’s why we’ve put together some tips to help increase your chances:

1. The Blue Lagoon Spa is a must-visit for anyone visiting Iceland. Book in for massages, holistic treatments and take a dip in the world-famous blue lagoon itself. The high silica content is thought to be very good for your skin but make sure to run into the lagoon fast, as the outside temperature is freezing!

• Head away from the city. Bright lights make

it hard to see the aurora borealis, so moving away from urban areas can help to eliminate background light, increasing your chances.

2. Head to one of the most impressive natural attractions in the world – Strokkur Geyser. Wait for the ground to begin to rumble and then you’ll know that it’s about to erupt. Reaching several feet in height, words can’t really describe how incredible this natural phenomenon is.

• Watch the forecast. There are aurora

3. Off the beaten path, Myrdalsjokull is Iceland’s 4th largest glacier. If you leave early enough, you’ll have time not only to admire this gigantic glacier, but to take a hiking tour on it too. Strap on a pair of crampons and off you go!

• Go at the right time of year. November-

4. Pack a camera and spend the day touring the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. Home to some of the most iconic landscapes in all of Europe, you won’t be disappointed. Take pictures of quaint fishing villages in the snow, Ytri Tunga’s large colony of seals or one of the region’s many volcanic craters.

There’s more than enough to fill an entire day here.

• Book a tour. In Reykjavik you will find a

forecast websites specially designed to help you track the probability of seeing the northern lights on a given night. While some is down to luck, this can help you to choose the best day to book a tour.

December is one of the best times to spot the northern lights in Iceland, so booking your holiday during these months is a good idea.

number of companies offering night-time northern lights tours. Special guides are able to take you to hidden picturesque locations like waterfalls. A few companies even offer northern lights viewing by boat – a really unique experience.

5. If you’ve got a serious amount of cash, book a helicopter ride with Norðurflug Helicopter.

This company offers day-tours over the top of some of Iceland’s most explosive volcanoes, like the Holuhraun eruption which covers the size of Manhattan Island in New York. With large glass windows, a panoramic view is guaranteed.

ONCE IN A LIFETIME ACCOMODATION For a truly breathtaking experience, book a night in an igloo style bubble pod. This very Icelandic accommodation is perfect for a romantic night in, as the clear top means you can see the northern lights from the comfort of your own bed and many places offer activities as part of your stay, like a traditional Icelandic horse ride for two.

November 2019 49

Identity Travel

fall

Getaways

Beirut - Lebanon 5 days/ 4 Nights Departure: Upon request Starting from: EGP 6,050 For more information visit: www.egyptexpresstvl.com

Package INCLUDES • Round-trip economy airfare on Middle East airlines regular flights, including taxes.

• 4 nights accommodation including breakfast & hotel taxes.

dubai - uae 5 days/ 4 Nights Departure: Upon request Starting from: EGP 8,700 For more information visit: www.egyptexpresstvl.com 50 November 2019

Package Includes • Round-trip economy airfare on EgyptAir, including taxes.

• 4 nights accommodation including breakfast & hotel taxes.

Rome & paris 7 days/ 6 nights Departure: Upon request Starting from: EGP 13,700

Package Includes • Transfer Airport / Hotel / Airport round-trip.

• 6 nights accommodation including breakfast & hotel taxes.

For more information visit: www.egyptexpresstvl.com

istanbul - turkey 6 days/ 5 nights Departure: December 29, 2019 to January 26, 2020 Starting from: EGP 13,900 For more information visit: www.travcoholidays.travel

Package Includes • Round trip economy airfare on Nile Air regular flights, including taxes.

• 5 nights accommodation in Istanbul on a bed and breakfast basis.

• Round trip airport transfers in Istanbul.

• Upon arrival, meet & greet at Sabiha Gökçen International Airport with an Arabic speaking guide.

• Half day Bosphorus Tour including 2 hours shopping , transportation and guide.

• Tour leader with groups of 25 persons minimum.

November 2019 51

Phuket & Bangkok 7 Days / 6 Nights Departure: Upon request Starting from: EGP 18,800 For more information visit: www.travcoholidays.travel

Package Includes • Round trip economy airfare on board regular flights, including taxes.

• 4 nights accommodation in Phuket including breakfast and taxes.

• 2 nights accommodation in Bangkok including breakfast and taxes.

• Airport transfers in Phuket and Bangkok.

kenya 6 Days/ 5 Nights Departure: Upon request Starting from: EGP 23,900 For more information visit: www.travcoholidays.travel

52 November 2019

Package Includes • Round trip economy airfare on EgyptAir regular flights, including taxes.

• 1 night in Nairobi on bed and breakfast basis in a standard room at Boulevard Hotel.

• 4 - nights of a full board safari, all the properties are based on standard rooms.

• All parks’ entrance fees.

Miami - orlando 7 Days / 6 Nights Departure: 26 December Starting from: 30,800 EGP For more information visit: www.travistaegypt.com

Package Includes • Accommodation in 3* down town hotel.

• International flight round trip economy ticket.

• Internal bus from Miami to Orlando

london 6 days/ 5 nights Departure: Upon request Starting from: EGP 19,500 For more information visit: www.travistaegypt.com

Package Includes • International round trip direct flight ticket.

• Accommodation in 3* down town hotel.

November 2019 53

The Film Education Forum The Initiative That’s Changing the Film Scene in Egypt!

by Raghda Elsayed

Behind all the glitz and glam of the Gouna Film Festival (GFF), people tend to forget the main purpose behind it, which is films. However, since its launch, GFF has been the main hub for Egyptian filmmakers to educate themselves and exchange experiences with other local and international filmmakers.

This year, unlike the past two years, something extra was brought to the table and it was the highlight of the festival; the Film Education Forum (FEF). Founded by film director and producer “Hala Galal” & film lecturer and researcher Dr. “Marwa Abdalla”, FEF launched in Gouna on September 21st, just in time for GFF. What is great about this is the fact that for the first time in Egypt, filmmakers get to be educated by people from the actual scene. There has always been a lack of proper filmmaking educational institutions that fully encourage and empower young talents to rise on the scene.

Which is why FEF set the initiative to assist with the improvement of such institutions by exchanging databases, resources, and success stories ultimately providing an effective platform for aspiring filmmakers to pursue a career.

FEF, an independent initiative, provides a networking and educational hub that serves as a welcoming space for young talents who have limited access to the means of expression required for meeting 54 November 2019

the standards to successful filmmaking. Through networking and educational services, they assist young talents to refine their craft and help them find the right opportunities and exposure to benefit from.

By providing an educational platform for such talents, they introduce them to the world of filmmaking where they can learn the ins and outs of the industry in an environment that encourages creative expression and personal growth, cooperating with other young talents and networking with major educational institutions around the world.

The program lasted until the 26th, with 25 students taking a variety of film classes including seminars, master classes, panel discussions and round tables.

The purpose of the courses and workshops is not just to teach filmmakers and students about film-making concepts and the industry in general, but most importantly to teach them how to commercialize their ideas and films in a market oriented environment.

Creating a sustainable and market oriented network between local and international film schools and filmmaking educational funds that can help students to generate new ideas and find alternative solutions, ultimately improving their chances and opportunities in filmmaking.

Moving forward, FEF plans on creating sustainable partnerships with film schools, institutes, film educational funds, production houses, film festivals, TV channels, and development NGOs.

The Participating teams

Hala Abdel Wadood Handing The EGP 1 million Cheque to Dina El Mofty

To support young women ambitions and turn their dreams into reality

Orange Egypt Sponsors Red Rock Corporate Race 2019 After last year’s great success on different levels; social, networking, team-building and marketing levels, Red Rock International hosted The Second Corporate Race powered by Orange. The 2019 Race’s cause aligns with the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s declaration that 2019 is “The Year Of Education”; the race powered by Orange and held at ZED Park El Sheikh Zayed, raised funds and awareness with an endgame to dedicate EGP one million for the vocational and educational training of 150 Egyptian girls and turn their dreams into reality in cooperation with Injaz Egypt.

Over 30 teams representing a wide range of industries participated in the race, as Red Rock invited a number of Egypt’s influential enterprises to take part in a corporate race event today, with the belief that the corporate world can come together to make a difference. As stated by the Scoop Empire Team during the last year’s race “Most corporations have either societal or environmental initiatives to help make the world a better place” The race was powered by Orange Egypt as the platinum sponsor and supported by three main sponsors: ZED El Sheikh Zayed the gold sponsor and

Orascom Industries and Pepsico the Silver Sponsors.

Additional supporters included IDH, Adeco and Pulse Studio.

The Corporate Race, spanned an entire day, with tailored activities designed to promote interactions between the teams and in line with Egypt’s overarching priority on education, the funds that were raised will go towards girls to help them learn fundamental business aspects and thereby support their career development. In the evening, following a two-phase race, the efforts of all participants were recognized at a closing celebration where medals were distributed to the winning teams, a speech was given by Ms. Hala Abdel Wadood , Head of Public Relations & Corporate Social Responsibility at Orange Egypt, where she expressed her pride for sponsoring the Red Corporate Race for the second consecutive year.

At the end of the event, Hala Abdel Wadood handed Ms. Dina El Mofty CEO of Injaz the 1 million EGP cheque, as she gave a speech. A final word was given by one of the girls, who are supported through this program.

November 2019 55

Identity out&about

Cairo Marriott Hotel

welcomes Mr. Jürgen Sterkau as New General Manager to the Palace Early October, Mr. Jürgen Sterkau has joined the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino as General Manager to the Palace.

Jürgen began his hospitality career in 1984 in Germany, followed with a couple of hotel positions in Switzerland.

He then joined the culinary team at New York Marriott Marquis in 1988, then several assignments in the United States, Bermuda Marriott and the Warsaw Marriott.

His first assignment in Asia was an Executive Chef of the JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong in 1997. Three years later, he was transferred to JW Marriott Seoul Hotel as part of the opening team. Moving out of the kitchen, Jürgen subsequently served as Director of Food & Beverage at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel and was promoted to Executive Assistant Manager after two years to the JW Marriott Kuala Lampur.

On the move once again in 2005, Jürgen travelled to China and was posted at several prominent hotels including the Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao, 56 November 2019

Opening Hotel Manager of the 1312 room Beijing Marriott City Wall for the 2008 Olympic Games, and returned to Shanghai at Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel and Renaissance Shanghai Yangtze Hotel where he was General Manager. Followed by further years at JW Marriott Shanghai Changfeng Park Hotel and provided his oversight of the Sales and Marketing Business Council for East China as mentor.

In 2017 he was promoted Managing Director, of the Sheraton Grand Shanghai Pudong Hotel Complex, with 1000 rooms as Cluster General Manager.

Jürgen is joining with a vast experience and a solid Marriott background that would be a great support to the leading Cairo Marriott Hotel team. His passion for history and antiquities will ensure that the guests of the 150 year old palace housing 1064 luxurious guest rooms, 14 restaurants & bars and large banquet spaces receive a memorable experience in Cairo.

“SAX AND SUSHI”

The Nile Ritz-Carlton

NIGHTS AT

The Nile Ritz-Carlton is introducing “Sax and Sushi” nights to the hotel’s favorite rooftop venue, Nox. Chef De Cuisine Marcelo Urresti and his team present delightful unlimited sushi creations, with the superb jazzy sounds of live sax music that will take place every Wednesday night.

With a pleasant spread of maki and sashimi that are both sophisticated and tasteful, the culinary team offer diners an unlimited platter of sushi that will tempt the palates of all sushi fans with a mesmerizing saxophonist playing in the background. The dining experience starts off with miso soup and edamame, followed by an unlimited platter for two, four or eight guests.

The sushi platter is served with a mix of colorful sushi from vegetarian to crispy; cooked to perfection. Guests will enjoy their preferred selections that will ensure an unforgettable sushi experience in a unique and memorable dining ambiance in the heart of downtown Cairo. With that said, the urban destination is literally located on top of Cairo; the stylish rooftop lounge offers a glass wall with panoramic views of the Nile and the city’s iconic landmarks.

November 2019 57

The Woman Taking the Telecom Industry by Storm: Meet Engy El-Saban Women have been running the world, and we’re finally seeing women dominating fields that were traditionally for men. One of the best examples is Engy El-Saban, who managed to joining VictoryLink and in only 10 years became the CEO and Board Member. Lucky for us, we managed to sit down with Engy and pick her brains on how she reached this success in a man’s world.

Tell us about yourself, and your role at VictoryLink.

I joined VictoryLink back in 2007, where I managed to make my way up from the technical manager to becoming the CEO in 10 years. Along this road, I held the position of country manager, VAS director then became the commercial director. VictoryLink that I joined back then was an entirely different company than what we see today. I have had the pleasure of participating in that transformative journey and I intend on keeping things moving forward.

You work in a field that’s mostly dominated by men, yet you are excelling in it. How did you make that happen?

Since 2003, it’s been an incredible experience building my career in the telecommunications market and being part of the impactful work we get to deliver.

During that time, however, it also became clear that there are not enough women in our sector. We have been told by society that being a woman in business or in a male-dominated industries puts us at a disadvantage, but I disagree.

If there is one thing that I can count on as a young woman in business within a male-dominated space, it is that I was at first often underestimated, however my perception of underestimation has been a major driving force in my thirst for further education and 58 November 2019

knowledge of my industry-leading me to where I am now.

During your career, what was your proudest achievement?

Everyone has several notable achievements in their career, probably my greatest accomplishment is growing VictoryLink from a VAS provider to becoming a full-fledged technology company that expanded through providing diverse services through 5 subsidiaries, with local offices in Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada and Mansoura and international offices in Dubai, Libya and Kenya. Not only that, but we are planning to open a new office in Portsaid by next year.

And if I have to mention one other specific thing, it would be our exclusive partnerships with various ministries, governmental and intergovernmental organizations including; Ministry of Social Solidarity, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Ministry of Health and Population, WHO and GAFI. Our partners make up an important part of our business model and we’ve made sure to support them by supporting them through solutions we can be proud of.

For me, I will continue supporting VictoryLink in its expansion plan, aiming to transform this entity into a global player and to create a dynamic organization.

All your business needs at

Steigenberger El Tahrir Hotel Located in the bustling heart of Downtown Cairo, Steigenberger El Tahrir offers German precision guaranteeing a hassle free and smooth experience when it comes to business functions. State of the art meeting facilities and highly equipped conference rooms promise an exquisite experience. With easy and central access to main sights, International guests will be able to enjoy their limited leisure time.

Furthermore, the organized coffee breaks serving delicious snacks and refreshing drinks, are the perfect opportunity for re-energizing and networking. For the evenings, networking events can be held in the cocktail room, providing guests with an exclusive and luxurious atmosphere to expand their business network.

An important meeting necessitates a location that is purpose-built to meet all requirements.

With modern and comfortable rooms and high-quality dining services available, Steigenberger El Tahrir will accommodate for all guests’ needs. The 6 boardrooms and business reception offer the perfect spaces to hold discussions and talks. The Diamond Ballroom can host up to 250 people in a Theatre Set up, while smaller boardrooms catering to differently sized business functions and needs.

In addition to this, Steigenberger El Tahrir also provides dedicated meeting planners on-site to help ensure that all organizational demands are catered for in a timely and professional manner.

November 2019 59

Mercedes-Benz

arranges an exclusive “Driving Events” experience for model year 2020 Line up Mercedes-Benz Egypt hosted an exclusive Driving Event experience showcasing its impressive Model year 2020 line up. The high profile event took place at the Egyptian Road Safety Training Center, demonstrating Mercedes-Benz cutting-edge innovations and driving assistance systems. Throughout the action-packed event, participants experienced all kinds of thrills behind the wheel across challenging courses after gaining first-hand experience from certified German professional driving instructors from Mercedes-Benz Driving Events. The 5-day event was arranged for Mercedes-Benz VIP customers and members of the media. The attendees were fascinated by the leading model year 2020 line up ranging from the A to the S-Class, including the new A-Class Saloon, new CLA, GLA, C-Class, E-Class, new GLC SUV and GLC Coupé, and of course the flagship S-Class.

Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa Appoints Ahmed Hegazy as Commercial Manager Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa has appointed Ahmed Hegazy as Commercial Manager. In his capacity, Hegazy will be responsible for achieving growth and hitting sales targets by successfully managing the commercial team, designing and implementing a strategic commercial plan, and recruiting and managing commercial representatives.

60 November 2019

Mr. Heinz F. Grub New General Manager At JW Marriott Hotel Cairo JW Marriott Hotel Cairo is pleased to announce that Heinz F. Grub has been appointed as the new General Manager. A seasoned veteran of the hospitality industry, Mr. Grub most recently spent nearly 11 years as Area Manager and has garnered extensive knowledge in hotel brands such as Kempinski, Fairmont, Le Meridien, Westin, Sheraton and St. Regis.

Meet the Chefs Brunch by the Pool – Third Edition On a sunny Friday afternoon, it was the third edition for the Meet the Chefs brunch by the pool.

All the chefs at Royal Maxim Palace Kempinski gathered in the courtyard to present our various delicious cuisines. Guests were taken around the world through our live stations, which portrayed the creativity of each cuisine. Each station featured delicacies from the Palace’s signature restaurants.

Bullona Milano Arrives in Egypt To Set Up Home in Four Seasons Hotel Cairo At Nile Plaza This November, the iconic Bullona concept will open its first residence outside Milan at Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza.

Boasting scenic views of the Nile from the riverfront, Bullona Cairo is the second outpost of the distinguished Bullona Milano, an exclusive bar and restaurant concept and prominent hotspot for the fashionable elite of Milan.

Conceptualised by Pino Scalise and Cristiano Belloli in 2013, Bullona Milano is a contemporary experience set inside an abandoned Milanese train station, housing a seafood restaurant and fish bar, and transforming into a social hub as the evening unfolds. Designed by Pino Scalise, Bullona Milano features walls adorned with handpicked works of art from Scalise’s private collection, and corridors laden with sculptures and glamorous gadgets.

ITIDA collaborates with RiseUp to launch “African App Launchpad Cup” The Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA)has collaborated with RiseUp, the one-stop-shop for connecting startups in the MENA region with the most relevant resources worldwide, to launch “African App Launchpad Cup”; ITIDA’s first pitch competition in Africa.

Vivo officially launches its operations in the Egyptian smartphone market with its new Y Series Bringing a range of innovative and stylish products to more consumers in Egypt The leading global technology company committed to creating trendsetting smart mobile products and services, vivo, is today available officially in the Egyptian smartphone market. Vivo arrived to spur stiff competition in the local hyper-competitive smartphone market with the launch of its latest Y series smartphones in the country, with other product launches in the pipeline.

Nissan launches new era in design and performance at Tokyo Motor Show All-electric Ariya Concept and IMk are the latest centerpieces of Nissan Intelligent Mobility Nissan kicked off a new era in design and performance today with the launch of two all-electric concept cars at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. The Nissan Ariya Concept and Nissan IMk concept are the latest centerpieces of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s vision for changing how vehicles are powered, driven and integrated into society.

The concepts signify Nissan’s direction for its upcoming vehicle lineup and the new possibilities for design and technology that a new EV platform allows.

HONOR 9X Launches with Extraordinary FullView Display and 48MP Triple Camera for Amazing Photos HONOR takes the popular and accessible X-series to the next level with the stunningly designed HONOR 9X, and adds the Band 5 to its growing lineup of personal tech products Global smartphone brand HONOR today launched the HONOR 9X, the latest member of its powerful X-series that boasts next-generation technology in design, photography and performance.

SODIC Awards EGP 300 million in construction contracts for SODIC East Developer to Activate SODIC East through Key Partnerships SODIC announced the awarding of construction contracts worth over EGP 300 million to date in SODIC East, the Company’s largest development in East Cairo. SODIC had broken ground last year following the successful launch and selling out of EGP 2 billion worth of single family homes in SODIC East, with all launched phases now under construction and progress ahead of schedule on track for delivery starting November 2021.

November 2019 61

“Orange Egypt” and “Orascom Construction” Sponsor “Enactus International Foundation” Competition 2019 Cairo University Team Wins Social Innovation World Cup Champion Continuing to support young innovators in the education sector, Orascom Construction and Orange Egypt sponsored the Cairo University team that won Enactus first world prize in the final Competition, which was held in Silicon Valley, San Jose, California, USA. Egypt has won the cup after an absence since 2010.

Egypt Ministry of Education announces a million students has paid school fees through Fawry Egypt Ministry of Education announced that the process of paying public schools fees through Fawry network has succeeded in receiving a million transaction from one million parents and students within few days of launching the service.

Dr. Mohamed Omran minister of education deputy said the partnership with Fawry is to make life easier for students and their parents, as Fawry service save the hassle of long queues as Fawry is available in all Egypt governorates.

62 November 2019

Brunch is back at the palatial Garden Promenade Café The BBQ Brunch is back at the Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino palatial Garden Promenade Café. It is the perfect weather of the year for outdoor gatherings with family and friends.

Guests can warm up their senses at the live BBQ station and pick from a variety of Kofta, Shish Kabab, Chicken Tikka and a selection of BBQ specials and grilled veggies. Because fish is best when fresh, guests can enjoy picking their favorites from the fresh seafood station.

Grand Nile Tower Arts & Cultural Center Launches its Second Round For the second year in row, Grand Nile Tower Arts & Cultural Center is showcasing a wide variety of artistic activities for diverse musical tastes through a range of partnerships and events.

The second round kicks off midOctober.

This season, Grand Nile Tower Arts & Cultural Center is collaborating with the Sultan Qa’itbay Foundation, one of the Center’s initial partners, to hold periodic events including concerts and art exhibitions at Maq’ad of Sultan Qa’itbay and the hotel’s headquarters.

Launch of Prime Hospitality Management Group and its product offerings: Prime Residence and Prime Select PHMG (Prime Hospitality Management Group) opens its doors to real estate owners who are looking to turn their dormant assets into income generating serviced apartments.

Khaled El Sayyad, founder of Prime Residential and PHMG Executive Chairman, teams up with hospitality expert Moataz Amin, the Group CEO, and New York-based investment professionals, Karim El Sayyad and Ahmed El Saharty, to establish Prime Hospitality Management Group (PHMG), Egypt’s first dedicated third-party property management company.

Hilton Announces New Leadership for Middle East, Africa & Turkey Region Rudi Jagersbacher to Step Down after 40 Years of Service for Hilton; Jochem-Jan Sleiffer to Oversee Growth Strategy as New Area President for MEA&T Hilton announced that JochemJan Sleiffer has been appointed to the position of Area President, Middle East, Africa & Turkey (MEA&T) in succession to Rudi Jagersbacher, who has chosen to step down following 40 years of service with Hilton. These changes, effective 1 January 2020, will see Jagersbacher assume a two-year advisory role, based in Dubai, to assist the transition.

The Cribs Neighbourhood is Amongst the Final Nominated Candidates for Residential Future Projects at Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets The Cribs Neighbourhood in Jefaira - Inertia’s flagship project - has been a finalist at the Cityscape Awards for Emerging Markets for future residential projects organized by Cityscape Global at the end of September 2019 in Dubai.

This year, Jefaira’s Cribs Neighbourhood was selected from 60 final nominated projects and thousands of registered projects in all emerging markets, with AURA as the only Egyptian design firm in the list.

Steigenberger Resort Achti Luxor, A New Addition To Steigenberger Creations in Egypt Discover the glamourous Thebes from a new perspective at the charming 5-star Steigenberger Resort Achti Luxor. Superbly poised in a quiet 8 acres of lush tropical gardens with a panoramic view on the amazing Nile River and the West Bank, Steigenberger Resort Achti Luxor invites you to a lifetime relaxing and exploring vacation.

The resort features 281 rooms and suites with different views on the Nile or the hotel gardens, fully equipped with all comfort guaranteeing amenities for a luxurious accommodation.

Jaz Hotel Group Signs The Management Agreement Of Sharm Dreams And Fayrouz Resorts Jaz Hotel Group is proudly announcing the signing of two management agreements for “Sharm Dreams Resort” and “Al Fayrouz Resort” owned by Sharm Dreams for Touristic Investment & Rowad Misr for Tourist Investment, respectively.

The Chairman of Travco Group International Holding, Mr. Hamed El Chiaty is honored to sign the management agreements with Dr. Hamada Abo El Enein, Chairman of Sharm Dreams Group, on Thursday, the 10th of October at Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir Cairo.

Elhamy Ramzy Multi Property Director Of Sales & Marketing At JW Marriott & Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotels JW Marriott & Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotels, the distinctive corporate and leisure destination is pleased to announce the appointment of Elhamy Ramzy as the Multi Property Director of Sales & Marketing. Not only does Elhamy bring a rich experience of over 19 years garnered from his career in the hospitality industry and successful leadership skills but also exceptional knowledge of the market which will be a valuable asset.

Mohamed El Keiy New Director Of Sales And Marketing At The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo has proudly announced the appointment of Mohamed El Keiy as director of sales and marketing starting October 1st 2019. In his new significant role, El Keiy will oversee all sales and marketing efforts while developing business strategies to drive growth, increase revenue and exceed business goals for the prestigious luxury property.

One Year in MENA: Deezer Reveals Top Songs, Artists, Albums & Playlists in Egypt In celebration of its first year anniversary in the Middle East and North Africa, Deezer reveals top songs, artists, albums and playlists that were streamed the most in Egypt since the global streaming service’s launch last year.

While Bayen Habeit by Amr Diab, Marshmello tops the list of the highest streamed song, Amr Diab also was the most listened to artist in Egypt.

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Safir Hotel Cairo & a cooperation protocol between Rotary Egypt and Al Orman charity Organization Safir Hotel Cairo hosted Rotary Egypt press conference which was held by Rotary Cairo Royal and Rotary 6th October to announce the signature of a cooperation protocol between Rotary Egypt and Orman Charity Association to launch a total development for the poorest villages in three governorates Fayoum, Red Sea and Luxor.

The conference was held under the auspices of Dr. Sherif Waly, Governor of Rotary Egypt and Ms. Ola El Noury, Eng. Hossam El Qabany.

Announcing the First Nile Boat by Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence The First Ever Four Seasons Culinary Boat Experience Located at the widest part of the west banks of the Nile, opposite Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at The First Residence, the First Nile Boat is set to be Cairo’s newest trendy culinary and lifestyle location accessible from the Nile Street via a contemporary, carefully-designed dock area that exudes simplistic luxury.

As guests enter the boat they will be greeted by a perfect blend of textures, light and dark hues of the genuine teak wood floor, modern light fixtures and wall fittings that warmly welcome everyone into this uncompromising world that conveys luxury, taste and lifestyle.

BEBA explores the future of AI and Digital Management British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) held their second ICT conference under the theme of “Digital assets & Artificial Intelligence: Shaping the Future”, discussing the technological boom and its effects on asset management.

“We are delighted to hold our second IT conference, hosting key speakers in the Egyptian industry, who joined us to explore the potential of technological development and the means to utilize it in benefit of the Egyptian economic growth,” stated Khaled Nosseir, Chairman of BEBA in his opening speech during the conference.

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Philip Morris Announces Introduction of IQOS in the United States Philip Morris is pleased to announce that IQOS, Philip Morris International’s electrically heated tobacco system, has been launched for sale in the United States.

PMI is bringing IQOS to the U.S. market through an exclusive licensing agreement with Altria Group, Inc. We are confident Altria subsidiary Philip Morris USA has the market expertise and infrastructure to ensure a successful launch.

Realme 5 Series Revealed in Egypt OPPO launches OPPOtography fan club for its users A leading global smartphone brand- announced the launch of OPPOtography; a dedicated photography fan club for OPPO users in Egypt who are passionate about photography as part of its newly introduced series of CSR activities in the Egyptian market. This platform will be the perfect one for OPPO users to share their creative photos, get a chance to attend OPPO photography workshops free of charge, attend OPPO’s upcoming launch events and win OPPO’s latest devices.

Quad camera smartphone balances power and performance in a segment-first Realme 5 pro promises to be the most affordable premium phone in its category realme, the fastest growing smartphone brand in Egypt, today unveiled its first quad camera smartphones in Egypt promising users outstanding performance in their respective price segments.

The realme 5 and realme 5 Pro feature a main camera, an ultrawide-angle lens, a portrait lens as well as an ultra-macro lens and are both equipped with Qualcomm Technologies’ mobile platforms.

CDA returns for a third edition in November Cairo Design Award (CDA) will return in its third edition during 26-28 November. The third edition invites numerous designers, distributers, producers, and talented artists in the first event of its kind in the field of Art Designs in Egypt. ’Cairo Design Award is the first designer platform for award-winning design creativity and innovation in Egypt and in the Middle East, bringing outstanding designers together and celebrating the industry’s achievements. CDA highlights designers’ role in creating a dialogue hidden through their designs that reflect different cultures around the world.” Stated Hisham Mahdy, Founder of CDA and CEO of Mahdy’s Group..

Nokia smartphone roll out of Android 10 begins: Nokia 8.1 becomes the first to receive the latest Android OS upgrade Keeping with its promise to offer a smartphone experience that keeps getting better, HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, has announced that starting from today the rollout of Android 10 will begin with the Nokia 8.1. As the first Nokia smartphone to receive this latest OS update – and as the first phone running with a Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 710 mobile platform to receive the OS update – the Nokia 8.1 will benefit from the latest AI-led innovations enabling even more accessibility options, and intuitive controls

TikTok Teams Up with Will Smith for the #GeminiManChallenge Ahead of Hollywood superstar and four-time Grammy Award winner Will Smith’s new movie Gemini Man premiering this October in the region, TikTok, the world’s leading short-form video platform, is collaborating with Paramount Pictures to celebrate the movie’s release with fans. Rolling out the TikTok #GeminiManChallenge from October 5th, the competition will see the star himself give away pairs of free movie tickets to 25 lucky winners around the world.

Hyundai Motor’s Global Brand Value Rises 4.6 Percent on Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2019 Rankings Hyundai Motor Company has shown continuous growth of global brand value to secure its place within top 40 global companies for five consecutive years. Hyundai has shown a 4.6 percent increase in global brand value, to rank 36th on Interbrand’s Best Global Brands 2019 Rankings and sixth among automakers on the list.

Uber and Careem Acquisition cleared by Jordan Competition Directorate Complementing Egypt’s 2030 vision on women empowerment and achieving gender equality, PepsiCo, CARE in cooperation with Ministry of Social Solidarity launch a 3-year She Feeds the World program with an investment of US $3.7 million in Egypt

Dr. Tariq Hammouri, Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, cleared Uber’s pending acquisition of Careem following a review by the Competition Directorate.

The She Feeds the World program aims to provide resources and good practices training to female farmers and their families to help them increase crop yields and income in Beheira, Giza, Minya, and Beni Suef governorates. The program is expected to benefit 390,000 female small-scale producers and their families.

Ministry of Social Solidarity, PepsiCo Egypt and CARE Egypt signed a partnership protocol to launch the She Feeds the World program.

“We welcome the decision by his Excellency Dr. Tariq Mohammad Hammouri, Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, to clear Uber’s pending acquisition of Careem following a review by the Competition Directorate.

Uber and Careem joining forces will deliver exceptional outcomes for riders, drivers, and cities, in this fast-moving part of the world,” commented an Uber spokesperson.

Below is our statement as well as a copy of the official letter.

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Identity Signs

scorpio October 24 – November 22

Strengths: Passionate, Driven, Perceptive, Sacrificing, Determined & Flexible.

Weaknesses: Suspicious, Stubborn, Jealous, Controlling & Unyielding.

Career: Scorpios are fiercely intelligent and amazing multi-taskers. They are committed, and can see a project through to a final vision. They are fair, exacting and can make great leaders.

Most compatible with at work: Cancer, Virgo, Scorpio, Capricorn & Pisces.

Virgo: Neither is ambitious enough to step on the other’s toes, so that helps build trust between these two signs. When their efforts are combined, great things can happen, and money begins to roll in.

Work Compatibility Aries: Communication between Fire Sign Aries and Water Sign Scorpio can become a real problem, making career progress difficult. Aries is famously direct, not really considering others’ feelings, while Scorpio is very easily hurt.

Taurus: Terrible match. Both are Fixed Signs, meaning they both want to get their own way, and aren’t willing to bend very much to other points of view.

Gemini: Another terrible match, both signs usually end up getting on each other’s nerves. A compromise is not likely when you factor in Scorpio’s short temper.

Gemini doesn’t have time for Scorpio’s moodiness, either.

Libra: Libra’s airy nature may seem like slacking off or wasting time to more serious Scorpio. Scorpio’s broody demeanor can bring Libra’s usually sunny mood down pretty quickly.

Scorpio: Scorpios can be wonderful planners, seeing ways to get to the top of the career ladder that no other sign can see. Together, these two may just take over the world!

Sagittarius: Scorpio’s watery and emotional nature makes Sagittarius’ fire fizzle out, which isn’t fun for anyone. Better to avoid working together.

Capricorn: Scorpio’s water helps Capricorn’s earth grow and be productive, while Capricorn gives Scorpio’s ideas structure. This pairing can bring great success to any project they collaborate on.

Cancer: Ideal match. Both are Water Signs, with common goals much deeper than just getting their work done and going home.

Aquarius: Both signs believe they have the right answer most of the time, and aren’t very willing to listen when the other has a suggestion. This causes friction in the workplace.

Leo: Risky match because both are Fixed Signs, they tend to have very strong opinions and don’t back down from disagreements. Both would find greater happiness working with other signs.

Pisces: As fellow Water Signs, Scorpio and Pisces know what it’s like to be sensitive people in the workplace. They believe their careers need to have a deeper purpose and meaning. Great match.

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