Dream Big Issue

Your Ideas in Print

Focal Point

Paloma Rincon shares her journey as a Photographer

Through the Lens

Elia Petridis, Hollywood Director

Breaking Bad

The Dream Project

Waleed shares his knowledge on Real Estate Crowdfunding

Al Batal Head Coaches on Future of MMA

STEP Conference

Tech | Design | Gaming

ING Creatives Inspiring Change

Estelle Pigault Quirky Looks + Guilty Pleasures

TAKE ME I’M FREE one8one.com

Editor's Letter We all know that fear has a way of limiting people and their vision, and that it has a pesky habit of scaring the living day lights out of us. We have also come to understand that it is the journey towards your goals that is more valuable rather than the destination that you have chosen for yourself. But by believing in your talents, abilities, and your self-worth you can empower yourself to walk down a much brighter path. Thus by transforming fear into selfdetermination you can create the very life that you would like to live in by fulfilling all of your dreams and aspirations.

This month we have so many talented and inspiring people who have forged the life that they wished to create and have manage to do so with courage, conviction and determination. We have people like Waleed Esbaitah who have researched and put in a lot of effort and time into creating a crowdfunding platform for budding start-up companies within the real estate market. Elia Petridis, who is a well- known Hollywood Indie movie director and writer who speaks about his journey and how he followed his passion for directing and writing movies that inspire people.

We also wanted to give you’ll the opportunity to explore your talents, enhance your knowledge and update your skills by attending conferences such as STEP and ING. Both are going to take place in Dubai within the month of March and are here to provide people with a platform to represent themselves and portray their talents. We highly recommend you to attend either one just as a way to be around other inspiring people who have worked hard and have managed to create a name for themselves using their talents in their own unique ways.

BHARGAVI NAGRECHA Acting Editor(editor@one8one.net)

2 Editor’s Letter 6-7 ’s up 8-9 Hitlist 10-11 Photography 12 Album Reviews 13 Movies 14-16 Gaming 18 In Cinemas 20-25 Fashion Shoot: Iconic 26-27 Sweatshirts for Him 28-29 Estelle from Serendipity2307 30-33 Cover Story: Waleed Esbaitah 34-35 The Cat's Meow!

36-39 ING Creatives 40-41 Step in Stone 42-43 Photographer: Paloma Rincon 44-45 Director: Elia Petridis 46-47 Artist: Mohammed Hindash 48-51 Dining Out 52-53 Sport: Mubadala World Tennis Championship 54-55 The Heart of a Fighter 56 Books 58 10 Mind Tricks to Know 60-61 Astrology 62-63 News

’s up What When Where

Abu Dhabi Food Festival, Abu Dhabi (Feb 5-21)

Dubai Food Festival, Dubai (Feb 6-28)

Emirati Kitchen, East Plaza, Abu Dhabi (Feb 5-7)

Seeing Through Light: Selections from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi Collection, Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi (Nov 5-Mar 26)

Dubai Food Carnival, Dubai International Marine Club, Dubai (Feb 12-14)

RedFest DXB, Dubai Media City Amphitheatre, Dubai (Feb 12-13)

WWE Live, Dubai Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi (Feb 12-14)

“Life by the Sea” Exhibition, N2N Gallery, Nation Towers Galleria, Abu Dhabi (Jan 26-Feb 16)

Her - by Ayman Lotfy, Gallery Ward, Dubai (Jan 18-Feb 19)

Gourmet Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi (Feb 11-20)

Qasr Al Hosn Festival, Qasr Al Hosn, Abu Dhabi (Feb 11-21)

Know of something going on in town? Want to share? Write to us about it to mysay@one8one.com

February

Dubai Tour, Dubai International Marine Club, Dubai (Feb 4-7)

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Hitlist

by TAMARA GHOUL

Music

Apps

1. Blank Space Taylor Swift

2. All About That Bass Meghan Trainor

3. Shake It Off Taylor Swift

4. Animals Maroon 5

5. Habits Tove Lo

6. Take Me To Church Hozier

7. Hot Boy

Bobby Shmurda

8. Bang Bang

Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj

9. I'm Not The Only One

Heads Up (iOS, Android) Heads Up! is a new fun and hilarious game that Ellen DeGeneres plays on her show. Now you can play it with your friends! From naming celebrities, to singing, to silly accents, the word on the card that’s on your head is to be guessed by you with the help of your friends’ clues before the timer runs out!

Fused (iOS) Fused is a unique photo blending and editing app with tons of features that provide just the right amount of creative liberties. One can easily make stunning layered photo masks that would otherwise take considerable work and experience to construct on a PC using big programs like Photoshop.

Sam Smith

10. Jealous Nick Jonas

11. Don't

Ed Sheeran

12. Tuesday

I LOVE MAKONNEN ft. Drake

13. Love Me Harder

Ariana Grande & The Weeknd

14. I Don't

Big Sean ft. E-40

15. Don't Tell 'Em Jeremih ft. YG

16. Black Widow

Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora

17. No Type

Rae Sremmurd

18. Trumpets Jason Derulo

19. Waves

Mr. Probz

20. Stay With Me Sam Smith

RunKeeper (iOS, Android)

Dropbox (iOS, Android)

RunKeeper is a free and better version of Nike+ and uses your iPhone's GPS capabilities to track your jogging and cycling routes, and examines the details of your pace and calories burned. Activities can be shared online, and treadmill runs and other exercise details can be entered manually.

Dropbox lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere and share them easily. Access any file you save to your Dropbox from all your computers, iPhone, iPad, and the web. With Dropbox you’ll always have your important memories and work with you.

Insta

Blogs

YouTube

@franhounsom Fran Hounsom is a film makeup and hair designer living in East London who is known for her artistic work on the movies Vendetta and Confine. She has also done makeup designing for famous celebrities and bloggers. Her artistic form of horror makeup has gotten her to nearly thirty three thousand followers on her Instagram and she displays outstanding makeup ideas towards her large audience.

Its Auburn Darling (itsauburndarling.weebly.com) Natalie Lauren Fay is a sixteen year old British fashion blogger and model, who is part of the modelling agency Bareface Dubai and recently scouted by Storm Modelling Agency. In her blog, Its Auburn Darling, Natalie expresses her love towards fashion and beauty when reviewing her favourite beauty products and popular items she has been using throughout the months. She also displays some of her favourite fashion and beauty items on her Instagram page.

IISuperwomanII Lilly Singh, aka IISuperwomanII is a twenty five year old Canadian/Indian comedic vlogger. Superwoman’s videos are to express her opinions about daily things in life, ranging from occasional rants to hilarious sketches. Her large, outgoing, unicorn personality has made her a YouTube sensation with over four million subscribers and we can definitely confirm that she is awesome.

@inkquisitive Amandeep Singh is a British/Indian illustrator living in London, and through his Instagram account he displays his own special artistic views towards his drawings. He also displays all of his drawings of artistic figures, and most of his paintings are available for purchase on his website.

What I Wore (whatiwore.tumblr.com) Jessica Quirk is a fashion blogger, author and illustrator living in Bloomington, Indiana. Through her blog, What I Wore she posts her opinions on different fashion items for all the seasons and styles. Beginning as a fashion designer, Jessica’s blog has brought her to numerous partnerships and offers, including becoming a TEDx speaker.

StilaBabe09 Meredith Foster, aka StilaBabe09 is an eighteen year old American fashion and beauty vlogger. Meredith’s videos are filmed in her bedroom and she gives helpful beauty, fashion, food tips and creative DIY projects for young girls to use. Overall we love her amazing sense of humour and style that has brought her to grow a large fan base and become a worldwide sensation.

DVD Picks

The Maze Runner

Guardians of the Galaxy

Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Aml Ameen, Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Vin Diesel

Watch the action packed adventure that had everyone out of their seats. Based on the popular young adult book by James Dashner, The Maze Runner brings the story of Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) who is trapped inside a maze, dispatched in a community of boys living to survive, however, his curiosity takes over as he begins to discover the secrets behind the maze. With the high graphical creatures that haunt the maze, this movie is worth bringing home with you.

After stealing a mysterious orb in the far reaches of outer space, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) from Earth, is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser. To help fight Ronan, his evil squad and save the galaxy from his power, Quill creates a team of space criminals known as the "Guardians of the Galaxy" to save the world.

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For Cast: Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin The damaged denizens of Sin City return for another round of stories from the mind of Frank Miller. In "Just Another Saturday Night," Marv (Mickey Rourke) struggles to recall a nasty run-in with some frat boys. In "A Dame to Kill For," Dwight McCarthy (Josh Brolin) forsakes his battle with his inner demons to help Ava Lord, the woman of his dreams and nightmares.

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Photography

Conel Van Zyl

Want to see your photography in print? Submit your art at www.one8one.com We’d love to share your talent.

Olivia Johnson

Ghazal Tavanaei

Lalaine

Christopher Rajan

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Album Reviews

by Tamara Ghoul

The Script No Sound Without Silence As 2015 rolled in, The Script, Irish pop rock band released its 4th album, “No Sound Without Silence”.

The band has created a melodious array of beautifully scripted songs, the record has eleven to be exact. The album is a collection of timeless songs which depict beauty, heartbreak, honesty and love.

Most of the songs on the album are intense and flow together exceptionally well. Songs such as 'No Good in Goodbye', 'Flares', 'Superheroes' and 'Army of Angels' have melodies that are vivid and infectious.

The lyrics are thoughtfully placed and deep, helping you connect with the song on an entirely different level. The Script weaves a magical album that doesn’t leave you indifferent, with a playlist that is truly irresistibly addictive and absolutely essential.

One Direction FOUR One Direction’s mix of pop rock number one hits has rapidly made them one of the world’s most prominent pop artists. Now, they have released their fourth album, ‘FOUR’, with known singles such as ‘Steal My Girl’ and ‘Night Changes’. The album brings a whole new vibe from the band, with a mix of piano driven rock and relaxing R&B tunes. Songs such as ‘Once In a Lifetime’ and ‘Fool’s Gold’ gives a calm and soothing tone that helps you relax. Where as tracks like ‘No Control’ and ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’ have more of a stadium rock vibe that gets you up on your feet.

We love the new musical influences that they bring in as they have consistently maintained the bar with outstanding songs.

Taylor Swift 1989 From country innocence to urban pop, Taylor Swift has definitely proven herself with her latest album, '1989'. The grammy award winner released her 80’s groove inspired fifth studio album, releasing hit singles such as the mega pop hit, 'Shake It Off' and 'Blank Space'.

The album consists of power packed hit songs with cool 80’s groove inspired songs such as, 'Style' and 'This Love'. With its impressive sales of over one million copies in the first week itself, it is clear that this album was probably one of biggest one released since 1989. The album definitely surprised us, but in the best way possible, with a new, improved and mature Taylor who has proven to all of the haters and critics that she can take any style and dominate it as if it was her own.

Movies

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Taken 3 When we heard about the latest 'Taken' movie, we were super pumped. As anyone who has seen the previous two installments of the movie knows that it is quite brilliant. On the most basic level, this final installment meets the minimum requirements of the genre. The basic gist of the movie is the introduction to the now boring domestic life of retired CIA operative Bryan Mills (Neeson), followed by 75 minutes or so of frenetic action triggered by an abduction of a loved one.

Share your opinion on latest music and movie releases. Submit your reviews to mysay@one8one.com We’d love to share your ideas.

Within the third movie, the audience is introduced to the murder of Bryan’s ex-wife (Famke Janssen), for which Bryan has been framed. Technically, no one has been “taken” — except for perhaps the audience, on what it is hoped will be a thrill ride.

Bryan goes to the police to clear his name and find the person responsible for the murder, all the while staying one step ahead of Forest Whitaker, who plays the dogged detective charged with bringing him in. Of course we can expect Bryan to leave a trail of dead bodies in his choppy wake. Whitaker adds a fresh dynamic to the somewhat mindless proceedings, and there are a couple of good opportunities for Neeson to get off his trademark tough guy talk in as well.

“Taken 3” is certainly not the best of its series and didn't live up to the previous movie’s standards and expectations.

The Theory of Everything The Theory of Everything is a romantic drama biography about the relationship between the world famous theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking and his first wife Jane Hawking, directed by James Marsh.

It’s a tale of how Stephen fell in love with Jane Wilde during his college days shortly before his diagnosis with motor neuron disease. This touching tale shows how Stephen and Jane went on with their lives despite all the difficulties they were faced with and how Stephen never gave up on his theories despite other physicists claiming it to be wrong. The movie does an excellent job portraying Stephen Hawking and his obsession with ‘time’ and his journey towards writing his best selling book “A Brief History of Time” We have all seen our fair share of soppy stories but nothing has ever affected our emotions like how this movie did. The beautiful soundtrack definitely compliments the movie to enhance the overall feel and convey all the right emotions . Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones did an amazing job and enacted the role in all the right ways.

Overall a must watch.

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Gaming

FarCry 4 The previous Far Cry was a terrific game mechanicallyspeaking, but its silly storyline almost completely ruined a fairly good game. With Far Cry 4, the gameplay offers a variety of themes that work to make it more interesting like crafting, collecting, and conquering.

Within the game you are always a stranger. Every game in the series has placed players into the boots of a protagonist who is a foreigner in a wild and untamed land. The background helps ground players in both the story and the action. Since everything is as new to the player as it is to the character they are essentially on the same learning curve.

The NPCs and animals are far more vicious and smart this time round and enemy soldiers will retreat in the face of insurmountable odds. Packs of dogs will circle their prey, looking for an undefended opening. Larger animals attack directly and ferociously while smaller creatures will look to intimidate or wait until the player’s back is turned. The AI functions much in the same way the player does; it takes in the challenge and the landscape ahead of it and then looks for the path of least resistance. Overall a decent game to play.

Last of Us Remastered 2014’s most challenging and exhilarating game, Last of Us Remastered. Rebuilt for PlayStation 4, and so, if you haven’t heard of this game yet, it’s about time you do. It features a full 1080p, with higher resolution character models, improved shadows and lighting, in addition to several other gameplay improvements.

The game depicts themes of survival, loyalty, and love with tense, survival-action gameplay. It was an already magnificently produced game when it launched in June of 2013, and with this reiteration, pushed by the hardware of the PlayStation 4, The Last of Us Remastered is a polished treat that demands to not to be missed. As a video game it provides plenty of engaging, fun action, and covers from traversing through a variety of beautifully made scenarios to shootings and crafting. Even better, the game comes packed with multiplayer mode that works perfectly within the context of TLOU’s atmosphere. Having the player join one of two factions and using the same gameplay system of the single player experience, multiplayer becomes a strategic battle where teamwork is invaluable; going solo is not going to pay off.

PlayStation 4’s extra horsepower also gives a boost to the games overall graphical feel. Textures are more detailed, the lighting is enhanced, and everything pops more. Overall the game is one of the best and you can never go wrong with playing either versions of it.

The hope he sees me resolution jean.

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Gaming

“the game is more like a graphic novel with a few fights sprinkled in”

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is that one classmate of yours that always looks and sounds like they are incomparably the best. They never have a hair out of place, they never put their foot in their mouth, they just look and sound infuriatingly good at all times. Ultimax dazzles with such unrelenting style that one might naturally assume that it lacks substance, and yet it’s a far deeper brawler than its predecessor thanks to all-new characters, shadow versions of existing ones, and a laundry list of smart system tweaks that spice up the already excellent gameplay significantly.

Just be warned: if you’re just here for the fighting, story mode will test your patience with seemingly interminable stretches without any actual gameplay. It’s more like a graphic novel with a few fights sprinkled in. There’s even an option to have the computer do the fighting for you, so people who just want to experience the story can do so.

Persona 4 Arena Ultimax also features plenty of modes for players to participate in including fighting game mainstays such as an Arcade mode and the returning Score Attack mode which now features several different courses and difficulties.

Online play is also back and makes it easy to find and create lobbys. The netplay proved stable in our play sessions and matches were lag-free. But, the most exciting addition to the game is the new Golden Arena Mode. As the player battles in this mode, their character earns experience and can level up. Leveling up allows players to assign skill points to categories such as attack, health, etc. and equip new abilities which have an impact on matches. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is an excellent sequel and one that manages to outdo its predecessor in every way imaginable.

CONFERENCE | PORTFOLIO REVIEWS | WORKSHOPS

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DUBAI 27 + 28 MARCH 2015

MATIAS COREA | SNASK | FOREIGN POLICY | PALOMA RINCON | NADINE CHAHINE | CORI MOORE MICHAEL KARNJANAPRAKORN | ANDRÉ AMARAL | CLÉMENT FAYDI | ASTRID STAVRO & MORE

ingcreatives.com

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In Cinema Taken 3 Starring: Famke Janssen, Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace

Ex-covert operative Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson) finds out his ex-wife Lenore has been brutally murdered, and that he is being framed for the crime. For the last time, he channels his rage and particular set of skills into hunting down Lenore's real killers, taking his revenge and protecting the one important thing left in his life: his daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace).

The Imitation Game

The Seventh Son

Starring: Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley Centuries ago, a supernatural In 1939, newly created champion named Master British intelligence agency Gregory (Jeff Bridges) MI6 recruits Cambridge defeated Mother Malkin mathematics alumnus (Julianne Moore), a Alan Turing (Benedict malevolent witch. Now, she Cumberbatch) to crack Nazi has escaped imprisonment codes, including Enigma and thirsts for vengeance.

-- which cryptanalysts had She summons her followers thought unbreakable. Turing's and prepares to unleash her team, including Joan Clarke, wrath on humanity. Only analyse Enigma messages one thing stands in her way: while he builds a machine to Master Gregory. Gregory decipher them. Turing and takes Tom Ward (Ben Barnes) his team finally succeed and as his new apprentice, but become heroes, but in 1952, he has only until the next the quiet genius encounters full moon to teach Tom what disgrace when something usually takes years: how to important is revealed. prevail against dark magic.

From A to B

Poker Night

Starring: Fahad Albutairi, Shadi Alfons, Fadi Rifaai

Starring: Beau Mirchoff, Ron Perlman, Giancarlo Esposito

When you become a detective Three estranged childhood in Warsaw Indiana - you go to friends (Omar, Ramy, Jay), travel on a road trip from Abu Poker Night, where you play against some of the best cops Dhabi to Beirut in memory in the business. They tell you of their lost friend. If what “ ...I just pour heart out stories aboutmy their time on happens en route doesn't the job their successes and and say whatever I feel, make them crazy, it might failures. and WhenI new Detective study rap � just bring them closer. The Stan Jeter leaves the game, journey is filled with crazy To know more about Hopsin visit: he is caught by a vicious wrong turns, breakdowns myfunkvolume.com psychopath and locked in a and both hilarious and basement. Using the stories poignant moments. he heard at Poker Night, he must match wits against his captor - and save not only himself, but the young girl trapped in the basement with him.

Mitchell & Ness caps and apparel available at:

Captiv8 - World Trade Centre (Abu Dhabi) Fast Forward - Yas Mall - (Abu Dhabi, UAE) Galaxy Sport - Doha City Centre (Doha, Qatar), Villagio Mall (Doha, Qatar), Pearl (Doha, Qatar), Ezdan Mall (Doha, Qatar) Go Sports - The Dubai Mall (Dubai, UAE), Bawabat Mall (Abu Dhabi, UAE), Doha City Centre (Doha, Qatar), Villagio Mall (Doha, Qatar) Namshi - www.namshi.com Ozone - Doha City Centre (Doha, Qatar) RAGE - The Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates and Al Wahda Mall Virgin Megastore - The Dubai Mall (Dubai, UAE), Villagio Mall (Doha, Qatar), Landmark (Doha, Qatar), Mall of the Emirates (Dubai, UAE), Deira City Centre - (Dubai, UAE)

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Urban Chic

clothes: Iconic location: Liberty House, DIFC photography and styling: Olga Lobanova make-up: Izabela @prettiestbyizabela models: Andy Scott Petra Nemethova

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Sweatshirts for Him by olga lobanova

Once reserved for the gym and lazy weekends on the sofa, the humble sweatshirt has been elevated to a high fashion hero piece, regularly appearing on top tier runways. Kenzo, Lanvin, Givenchy have succeeded in recreating high end versions of the sweatshirt which managed to sell out almost immediately.

Decoration is the key to their success: we’ve seen satin-backed, python-pattered, paillette-stewn, not to mention tiger head or Hokusai-inspired creations of the famous designers.

Whether you prefer to wear the sweatshirt slim and tailored or sporty oversized, the chances to find the perfect piece this season is very high. Here are our top 10 picks of easy-to-wear sweatshirts for every wardrobe.

Givenchy

Only & Sons available at onlyandsons.com

Paul Smith

Blomor available at West L.A.

Lacoste

River Island

Levi’s

Adidas Neo

H&M

Zara

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Estelle from Serendipity2307 by olga lobanova

Originally from France, Estelle Pigault is a Londonbased fashion blogger, stylist and personal shopper, whom you might have seen in the renowned street style sites such as The Sartorialist, Le 21eme, The UrbanSpotter as well as on Teen Vogue and Marie Clare. She is also spotted during London and Paris Fashion Week.

As a true shopaholic, while holidaying in Dubai she became curious about the local shopping scene and spent some time scouting out unique designers and labels, available exclusively within the region. We asked Estelle to create five looks using designer pieces and fun quirky accessories that she found while traveling around the city. As you will see she manages to add her signature look by incorporating timeless designer shoes and bags.

Unif jumpsuit (available at "S*uce on Sea") Phllip Lim sunnies Ashlyn'd bag (available at "S*uce on Sea") Zara jacket

UNIF T-shirt (available at West L.A.) UNIF shorts (available at West L.A.) Chanel ballerinas Saint Laurent bag sunnies vintage

Kaftan Flont (available at "S*uce on Sea") Chanel bag

Essa dress (available at "S*uce on Sea") Phillip Lim sunnies Ceecode bag (available at "S*uce on Sea")

Juliett Dunn dress (available at "S*uce on Sea") Oracle bag (available at "S*uce on Sea")

Q&A with Estelle: Blog: www.serendipity2307.co.uk Estelle started her blog around four years ago when many street style photographer commented on how they loved the way she managed to mix and match designer and high street style quite seamlessly to create a very chic yet polished look.

What is the main focus of your blog?

The main focus of the blog is to give tips on how to recreate designer looks for less along with portraying my personal style and shopping tips and tricks.

Favourite Designers: Chanel for their bags and Saint Laurent and Balmain for their shoes.

Items that are always present in your bag: Vaseline for my lips and eyelids, pair of big black sunglasses, my two phones one Blackberry for email and calls and my Samsung that I only use for social media. I also carry my business cards as you never know who you are going to run into!

Favourite Social Media Platform: Instagram You would never wear: Herve Leger dresses Favourite place in Dubai: The beach Your colour of the season: BLACK BLACK BLACK Cats or dogs: Dogs. Cats are so shady I am a bit frightened by them‌.

Waleed Esbaitah

Waleed Esbaitah was born into the real estate industry and has always been interested in finance, start-ups, and most importantly crowdfunding opportunities. While working at an investment bank he had a stroke of brilliance to create the Middle-Easts first ever Real Estate Crowdfunding organisation with a low entry price and that offered minimal risk. Waleed then spoke to several trusted individuals, nurtured and researched the idea and started his company by the name Durise.

Our team had the opportunity to speak with Waleed at his beautiful Business Bay office and learn more about him and about crowdfunding.

Entrepreneur

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

I was born in Kuwait, and I studied there until the age of fifteen, after which I did three years of boarding school in Switzerland at a place called Institute Le Rosey.

I then moved to Washington D.C, where I studied at George Washington University for four years and majored in Finance. During my senior year, I was part of a lot of start-ups in which I had also personally invested some of my own capital, and after completing my degree I decided to move back to the Middle East. During the time I felt like Dubai would be a better fit for me than Kuwait, and so, I came here and started working for an investment bank for a bit to gain experience.

While working at the bank I recognised that they where not looking to partner with individuals but rather with larger companies, institutional investors and other banks that would invest large amounts of money as it was not worth their time to put in the research and do all the paperwork for small scale projects. Which is why I thought of the idea of providing a platform for both established and first time investors to invest in real estate with a low entry price that offers minimal risk.

This concept was designed to filter down the good deals that offer a good return on investment while maintaining to be relatively safe. After speaking to several people and putting in a lot of research I left the bank and stated Durise which is a brokerage and real estate crowdfunding company based in the UAE. We aim to supply credible real estate by putting in due diligence, manage the assets, collect returns and give them back to investors on a regular basis. The company does the entire process in-house instead of depending on other people for different tasks.

How would you describe crowdfunding in simple terms?

Crowdfunding was a term that was put together because of the internet, but the concept has always existed which is pooling funds from multiple people regardless of the amount and using it for a common purpose. Some of the more popular crowdfunding websites would be Kickstarter and Indiegogo. When visiting these websites you could easily find for example an artist who makes really cool t-shirts and by financially investing in his project, he promises to give you one of the t-shirts once he has set up his first order with the money that you and several others have helped him raise. The purpose of crowdfunding websites is to help small scale business owners to purchase machinery, logistics, tools or whatever equipment that they may need to get their job done by having people such as you and me come in and invest in their plan. The crowdfunding concept largely depends on how successfully you describe the concept when starting your online campaign as that will determine the amount of people who will fund your project.

What does your company do in relation to crowdfunding?

We use the exact same concept of crowdfunding and use it towards real estate investment since a lot of young people especially don’t have large amounts of dispensable income to pay towards the down payment of property in the UAE. So what Durise does is we provide the opportunity for people to invest as little as USD 5000, which roughly translates to AED 18,250, into the website while our proficient team does the market and project analysis and we even manage the asset for you.

When the time comes we distribute the income and return on investment at the end of the term before ultimately selling the property.

The good thing about our company is that we provide real assets such as real estate and it is a tangible asset as compared to a t-shirt company as they may or may not even do well. The money that you would put in is actually held in a property that we think will do well and will ultimately increase in value. We as a company will not invest in something that we don’t personally believe in. I also like to do something called “Fix and Flip” where we buy an asset give it some TLC that it needs through contruction of infrastructures or repairs and then resell it at a much higher price than what we were getting before. What this does is we have increased the value of the property because of what we have done to improve its overall appeal within a short period which ultimately gives us a good return.

Cover Story

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We want to open up all options that are available in investing within the real estate market to anyone in the UAE. In future we would like to open it up internationally as well.

What is the minimum investment required and why?

We believe that USD 5,000 is a good entry point for now because Durise is new and we have to make sure that our working model is profitable for us and worthwhile, as it takes a lot of diligence and time to design and analyse all the materials and reports. In addition we need to put all of the details together and make sure that it is legally and financially sound. Since the entire process is long and tedious and we don’t expect to be making profits on the project for a while because we want to make sure that our name is guaranteed and people associate our brand with positive things and not the negatives. So for the time being we want to make sure that these assets do well and we only choose the best of the best. This makes sense to us in terms of time, space and return. Eventually though we really want to decrease that amount to as little as USD 1,000 and open up the market to even more people.

How does this work? Can you explain the entire process?

Since the process is long, we can break it down into several steps: Step 1: We receive two options when crowdfunding for real estate, one where people bring forth their property or real estate that we have gone out and found on behalf of our clients.

Step 2: Our proficient team analyses the data, does market research, checks the property for repairs and construction, makes sure of the legalities involved with the property and how the building has been financed. The entire process requires a lot of meticulous research.

Step 3: Once our team deems it to be profitable we put it out on several rental websites and we also advertise in several newspapers. We make sure that the property is available for rent and our investors can start to benefit from it immediately.

Step 4: Investors come in and review the available options and choose the one that they like. They fill out an information form along with a valid proof of identity and address to make sure that we as a company know exactly who you are.

Step 5: Once the background checks have been completed the potential investor can put down their money via online, with the help of a five minute process where they can legally sign all the required documents and transfer the funds into a secured escrow account. We have dedicated secure escrow account for each investment and the exchange between the purchasers and the sellers happens without us. We make sure that you actually get your value and security because a lot of people are concerned about credibility and so what we have done is given the financing segment to a secure third party.

Step 6: Once the total amount for the crowdfund has been raised we transfer the amount from the escrow account into the seller's and the property will be transferred in the name of the new shareholders since there would be multiple investors based under one company that owns the real estate. So each shareholder owns a share of the company due to which they own a small part of the actual building.

Step 7: Durise manages the properties, any returns that we generate is sent to shareholders on a regular basis which can be either annually or quarterly, depending on the expected time period. Online reports are also sent regularly to keep shareholders in the loop so that they know how their investment is faring.

Any advice to young adults who want to start their own business?

Well the most difficult part of starting your own business is deciding you want to start your own business. Initially you can’t be too worried about how much money you’re going to make because if you are then you won’t think clearly and you won’t make the right decisions for the company.

Initially the entire process has to become a non-financial decision, while ensuring that the concept is financially sound. Also learn to focus on the business and your overall vision. I know that within this region failure is considered to be a taboo, but what we need to understand is that failures are just as important to your learning curve as success is. Your failures show that you have learnt to grow, evolve, use your analytically thinking and take risks which will help you in the future and make you more successful.

writing by

bhargavi nagrecha Anton Rodionov

photos by

“your failures show that you have learnt to grow, evolve, use your analytical thinking, take risks. this will make you more successful in the future�

The Cat's Meow!

by Naqiyah Mustafa

We all have one of those days where we just need an evening in, a day where we snuggle into the comfort of our couch, along with a tub of ice cream and perhaps a friendly feline acquaintance. A warm cosy little guy who just intuitively takes away all of your worries while you stroke his fluffy fur. So why not make that moment come alive?

There are many advantages of having a cat, here are our top five reasons: Companionship People who don’t own cats often believe that they are unsociable, unloving and distant pets. If you’ve ever been the recipient of an affectionate head-bunt from a friendly kitty, you know that the “unsocial” feature is a myth indeed.

Exercise Cats might not need much exercise, compared to dogs and rabbits, but they do like to play with their human companions. They will definitely give you a run for your money.

Nurturing You can learn to develop a healthy emotional and affectionate relationship with your new furry friend, because everybody needs somebody to love, furry or otherwise.

Empathy Children who grow up with cats appear to have more practice with considering what other people are thinking and feeling.

Purring Petting a cat who’s curled up and purring on your lap is a great way to lower stress and blood pressure. How can you resist stroking something that cute?

So why not give it a shot, by adopt a furry little friend. Give him a new life, by contact Feline Friends Dubai today, and be the reason for a charming little kitten’s happiness.

Feline Friends is a non-profit making organisation that has been in existence since 1991. Their main aim is to save and provide care for those cats which have been abandoned and left to be.

They accept donations from people around the world to help care and nurture these cats.

Feline Friends is also a member of World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and subsequently follows their doctrine and principles.

For more details contact them on: http://www.felinefriendsdubai.com or give them a call on 050-451 0058.

36

ING Creatives by

bhargavi Nagrecha

ING is a creative community for those who wish to inspire others with hope, build networks, and generate change. The conference will be filled with seminars, workshops, and networking events in Dubai with international designers, entrepreneurs, and start- ups companies. The topics will range from branding, marketing, designing, photography, calligraphy, typography, digital artistry, illustrations culture, education, creativity, passion and so much more. In addition to their regular events, ING will also feature exclusive interviews with some of the leading creative minds of today, covering topics relevant to today’s creative individuals and entrepreneurs.

The conference will take place on March 27th and 28th and will give opportunities to the audience to present their individual portfolio to leading local talents for their cutting edge advice and guidance.

Our team had the opportunity to speak with ING founder Ramy Alasswy about how the conference will bring together creative minds to generate a positive change within the region.

How did ING start?

In 2012, along with the support of Behance, we launched our first creative event with local industry leaders in Dubai. Since then we've been hosting talks, workshops, and portfolio reviews in Dubai with leading international Creatives, Designers, and Entrepreneurs. We genuinely believe that when creative minds come together they generate positive change.

Can you tell us about ING Creatives? What is the purpose of the conference?

Initially we were under the name of Behance, and then mid last year we decided to call ourselves ING which stands for Inspire, Network and Generate. The goal was to give creative people a platform to not only display what they do, but also to help inspire them to come up with something new.

The point of the conference is to create a platform for creatives to connect and get to know each other, learn, collaborate, and make something happen. We felt that it was very much needed since this opportunity wasn’t available before and that was the reason to start the conference. This year we are bringing in fourteen international speakers because we want it to be a big deal since we want it to have a bigger impact within the region. We are also making sure that we bring in high quality content that actually helps develop skills and make a difference in the lives of the creative individuals participating.

What are the benefits of attending ING? First of all, it is the experience that you take away from being in such a conference.

We always wanted to make sure that individuals get a spectacular experience just by being around such inspirational people who are all there for the same purpose.

We try and provide you with the opportunity to pick on their minds of some of the greatest creative people and see what makes them unique and different and then connect with them. That in itself is such a great reason to attend.

Secondly, we believe in providing individuals with high quality content through talks and seminars by some of the best and brightest within their select industry.

It is truly inspirational to learn how people start, what they think needs to improve and change within the industry.

Thirdly, hands on experience by attending portfolio reviews that teach you real life experience of industry standards. They will open your mind and vision by being open to new ventures and ideas and learn alongside with people who are just as passionate about growing and improving as you are.

Volunteering option: http://www.ingcreatives.com/volunteer/ Instagram, twitter, Facebook: @ingcreatives

Can you tell us about some of the speakers who will be attending the conference?

Well, we have Matias Corea who is the co-founder of Behance and is originally from Barcelona. Matias will be talking more about how the company started out, and what they want to achieve in the future since they are one of the largest creative community that started up since 2006.

Another great speaker is Michael Karnjanaprakorn who is one of founders of Skillshare and he will be talking more about how education is transforming due to the internet and the way people study and learn is changing. So he will focus on online tutorials and workshops and how they will change the world.

40

Step in Stone

STEP is expected to be the most explosive event for technology, design, and gaming in the Middle East. The event will get you exclusive access to the latest trends, more than 50 international speakers, network with more than 100 startup companies, exclusive activities, up-and-coming indie musicians, and the best of Dubai's eclectic food scene.

Our team had the opportunity to speak with Ray Durham who is the founder and curator of the Step Conference.

Can you please share with us some notable speaker and what events they will hold?

We have some amazing speakers who are flying down from Silicon Valley and Europe:

of the pioneering start-ups in the context and location based services area. Founded in 2005 it was acquired by Nokia in 2008. Petersen is now Director Product Strategy for Nokia Services.

Jeremiah Owyang founded Crowd Companies and is one of Silicon Valley's most respected figures. He helps organisations transition into the world of new media communication, identified as the initial stage of Collaborative Economy where a fine line exists between consumer and producer.

Fun Fact: Jeremiah was named one of the best twitter feeds globally by Time Magazine in 2011.

Fun Fact: Felix is an active investor and advisor to companies like Soundcloud and Unlike.

Felix Petersen is the CEO and co-founder of Amen, “a Pinterest for opinions” as mentioned online. The app has posts and users browse and click on Amen to agree to the opinion post. Felix is also the co-founder of plazes.com, one

Chip Yates, also known as “The Rockstar of Science” is a worldrenowned green innovator. Chip has racked up eighteen World Records in electric vehicles of his own design. He will be participating in a cross-Atlantic trip using one of his own electric planes. Imagine drones recharging the plane in midair!

Fun Fact: His trip will be known as “The Flight of the Century” and will go down in history.

What can one expect from attending the STEP conference?

Those attending shall expect a day full of activities that are happening simultaneously as well as a spectacular opening night party along with a fun after party. The conference will have the theme of ‘conference by the beach’ during the great March weather in Dubai. Attendees can expect to experience the following: • Network with 2000+ startup founders, investors, technology and media professionals • Access to 3 emerging avenues: Tech, Design, and Gaming • Watch some of the hottest Silicon Valley speakers for the first time in the region • Access to engaging workshops in related fields • Ability to register to compete in Gaming Challenge with awesome prize • Ability to register to compete in Pitch Competition for an audience of investors and entrepreneurs Any insider info that you can share?

Dubizzle will be launching a study that they’ve been working on for a while on how people share and collaborate online in the Arab world. We are also planning for some amazing gimmicks that are unseen in typical conferences in Dubai.

The Pitch Competition allows entrepreneurs and early stage startups to get a chance to attract investors and other interested entrepreneurs about their product or service and the chance to win a grand prize.

When 31st March 2015 Where Dubai International Marine Club website https://stepconference.com/

Paloma Rincon Photographer by

bhargavi Nagrecha

Polos / Melting Poles

Paloma is a Madrid based photographer working worldwide, Her work ranges from commercial assignments for big companies to more experimental and personal projects that are colourful, bright and inspiring.

Tell us a little bit about yourself: What got you interested in photography?

I´ve always been interested in Art, and ever since I was a young girl I loved to draw and to create tri-dimensional things with paper. I used to handcraft decorations, dresses and shoes for myself with whatever material I could find.

I have an uncle who is a graphic designer, and when I started to think about what I wanted to become once I grew up, I decided that I wanted to be like him. Since I have always enjoyed playing with colour and composition, I naturally got interested in photography. I guess the mixture of all of these mediums explains a little bit about the kind of photography I do.

Have you taken any photography classes?

I have a degree in Audiovisual Communication and have attended different courses for photography. I really started to learn more about it after I worked in a professional photo studio where they had all the professional gear and equipment. I had the opportunity to work for some of the best Spanish photographers and even some international ones. I assisted several artists for a couple of years, and that

is how I learnt so much more about the industry.

What kind of gear do you use?

Camera- wise, it depends on the project, I usually use a medium format camera with a digital back. But I also have a Canon that is very useful in many situations. At the moment I´m moving to a view camera and I´m really excited with the new system.

I also use studio lighting, flashlights and Fresnel continuous light. It depends on the assisgnment, but I can use every single type of light, including natural daylight. Sometimes it is a mixture of all of them.

Which is your favourite lens and why?

A normal lens, 80 mm for medium format, is the one I use the most. It is versatile and I like the depth that it gives to the subject that I am working on. I also use more angular lenses, and sometimes I may even use a longer focal distance lens. It depends on the image, but I love getting volume in what I do.

Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone and discovered a whole new genre of photography? How did it turn out?

I've done almost all possible kinds of photography; Portrait, Fashion, Documentary, and Travel. My studies were very

Sonos Plants Art Directed by Serial Cut

orientated to reportage. When I started in this career I didn't know what I wanted to focus on, and so I started to explore fashion and portraits,. I never thought I would like it, but I then found myself being able to be very creative, and I enjoyed the technical aspects. I even incorporated composition and handcrafts. Thats when everything started to make sense.

I suppose in my case it was the other way around, as I stepped outside my comfort zone from the very beginning. I finally found what I really liked and was good at.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies?

I love traveling and open air sports. Whenever I can go away I go snowboarding, surfing, rafting or whatever activity that gets my adrenaline pumping What kind of tools do you use for post processing? Can you explain how you do it if possible?

WET by Beefeater is a very old project from 2005 where Sergio del Puerto from Serial Cut and I started to work together combining the graphic elements of design and typography with the tri-dimensionality of photography and light.

CR004 is another project done with very few resources that turned out to be one of my all time favorites.

Any piece of advice to amateur photographers who wish to become professional photographers in the future?

Work hard and try to find your own style. You have to feel comfortable with what you do, so don't try and be like everybody else. Take time to develop your own style. In my opinion, there´s no miracles in achieving goals, just continuous hard work and persistence. If you really enjoy photography, then just dive in. You have to be passionate for what you do, and keep fighting for it.

I use Capture One for processing; Colour Correction and Photoshop for retouching. I try to achieve as much as I can from the shoot and leave as little as possible for postproduction.

Among all of your work, which one is your favourite and why?

There are several projects that I have a special feeling for:

Website: www.palomarincon.com Facebook: Paloma Rincon

44

Elia Petridis

by Tamara Ghoul

Raised in Dubai, Hollywood director and writer Elia Petridis is creating waves with his most recent movie, The Man Who Shook the Hands of Vicente Fernandez. As a young kid in Dubai, Elia followed his passion and was accepted for a Bachelor and Master Degree from The USC School of Cinematic Arts, the highest ranked film school in the world.

After graduating from university, Elia started making a difference with his internationally recognised contemporary movies that are relatable to everyone. The writer-director features renowned American actor Ernest Borgnine who performed his last and final movie with Elia before passing away shortly after the film was released.

Our team had the opportunity to meet with Elia Petridis and ask him about his latest movie.

Tell us about your background experience?

I was born in Paris and then came to Dubai, since my parents already lived there. I went to DESS (Dubai English Speaking School), DC (Dubai College), EC (English College) and back to DC then to ASD (American School Of Dubai) because they had a film program and by the time I was 13, I knew I wanted to do film. I then graduated from ASD and went to USC School of Cinematic Arts and did my undergraduate and graduate degree from there.

Do you feel that since you grew up in Dubai that it was more difficult to excel in the filmmaking business than if you grew up in America?

Well, I’ve been making films since I was sixteen years old, but getting into USC had its own difficulties. I was always trying to do things that would make me different and unique from the next, which definitely helped me to get the filmmaking background that I needed. The main difficulty was getting into the film industry especially in LA, but I have learnt that you must really stick with it and be open to doing many other things. That is why I have learnt so many different parts of the business.

How did you know that filmmaking was your dream job?

Up until I was eleven years old, there was a moment where my mind flipped. I thought I wanted to be an archaeologist like Indiana Jones, but when I turned eleven, I realised I didn’t want to be Indiana Jones, I wanted to be the guy to tell him what to do.

What kind of equipment do you use?

The movie “The Man who shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez” was shot on a 35mm vision camera, whereas all my music videos are shot on the canon 5D. I prefer the 5D to the 7D when I’m shooting digital because it works for me in the scope of what I want to do, but when the price is right and the content fits the medium, I like the 35mm.

What special technique do you like to use and why?

When it’s film, I like to storyboard. I will draw my shots and choreograph them as drawn and stage them and then actually do them. I’ll have a storyboard artist sitting next to me and I’ll describe the shot, however, when I’m doing very quick projects, I always trust my DP and have him film what I want. I would rather get more footage than just look through the monitor.

What advice would you give to people just starting out with the industry?

It’s very obvious. If you want to make films, just make films.

Get your iPhone or whatever device you have and make films.

What type of software do you use to edit the films?

Right now, I’m using Final Cut 7 since I’ve gotten used to it so it’s easier for me.

What inspired you when making the movie “The Man who Shook the Hand of Vicente Fernandez”?

The story was told to me by an old man who had gone through the experience. He went to a nursing home because of his injury, he mentioned he once shook the hand of Vicente Fernandez and all the Latino staff started treating him like a hero. I thought it was a really great idea along with a western theme. I actually wrote the film backwards, I wrote the last scene first and then in reverse.

Can you share with us your favourite behind the scenes moment while shooting the movie?

What I loved most was when Ernie (Ernest Borgnine) would be sitting around telling stories and the entire crew would be surrounding him and listening to him, just like in the movie..

What inspires you to make movies?

I like people to go have a night at the movies and “play towards the groundlings and the balcony”. Shakespeare used to say that a good play, is one that is made available to everyone who can and can not afford the balcony.

I personally feel like everyone from a bus driver to a stockbroker is equal when they go to the movies and they are united by the experience of watching a movie.

Mohammed Hindash Artist Mohammed Hindash began drawing ever since he could write, and with continual support from his father, it soon became his passion. Being inspired by comic books throughout his teenage years, he expanded from ink drawings to painting and soon shifted his focus towards portraits and photography.

In the past, Mohammed has won the Sheikha Manal Young Artist Award for Fine Arts and his work has been displayed in more than twenty local art gallery exhibitions, including the SIKKA Art Fair in 2012. He has also been part of the very exciting mural for the Dubai Expo 2020 initiated by The Cultural Office and Dubai Ladies Club.

Our team had the opportunity to speak with Mohammed Hindash and ask him more about his artistic journey and learn more about his inspiration.

Tell us a little bit about yourself: What got you interested in art? Have you taken any art classes?

I’m a Jordanian artist born and raised in Dubai, UAE, and there was never really a turning point where I realised that I wanted to become an artist. As a child I was always observing people, objects, and my surroundings, and I believe it was my father who played an important role in acknowledging my talent and then pushing me to be more creative. I’m a self-taught artist, but I also have a formal art education as I have attended the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and I am also currently completing my BFA at the American University in Dubai.

What is your preferred medium and why?

I would have to say acrylic, as I enjoy the versatility and permanence of working with it. Ever since I started painting with in 2007, I found the use of acrylic to be a very natural transition from drawing with

ink, which is what I was used to using while growing up. I love working with layers to create a flawless base, and acrylics adapts to different surfaces quite wonderfully.

What themes do you pursue?

My work explores social and psychological issues in contemporary cultures. The idea of ‘perfection’ and ‘inner conflict’ constantly appear throughout my work and my process. Some of my newer work focuses on the distortion of perfection and how society has developed an obsession with it.

What’s your scariest experience?

I would have to say the idea of ‘failure’, again this is not in terms of being successful all the time, but rather being held back from pursuing my dreams. I think personal restrictions are very unhealthy because often we don’t realise we’ve placed them on ourselves.

Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?

Change inspires me. Certain events in my life have triggered inspirational paths that lead me towards creating work with a different approach mentally. Since leaving San Francisco and now studying at AUD, I have been given the opportunity to encounter a diverse range of people, all of whom come from different backgounds have inspired me. I believe in the human experience, we cannot move forward without experiencing a life outside our comfort zone.

Have you ever stepped out of your comfort zone and discovered a whole new genre of art?

How did it turn out?

Recently, I took on photography as I have always been fascinated with the medium because I gather a lot of my inspiration through advertisements and editorials in magazines. While working with a camera I was able to control how I wanted the pictures to turn out, from the makeup to lighting, I envisioned my picture even before I began which is such a great experience.

Name three artists you’d like to be compared to?

Michelangelo, Salvador Dali and Donald Judd.

Favourite or most inspirational place in the UAE or the world?

I grew up in Jumeirah, and before the malls and the skyscrapers, the beach was my go to destination. It is still my favourite place and I like to unwind and relax by the shore. There is always an automatic meditative response whenever I’m at the beach, it happens whether I like it or not, and that’s what I love about it.

48

Dining Out

Book Munch When you blend passion for reading with that of good quality food you make way for a potentially addictive concept! That is exactly what one little café by the name Book Munch has accomplished on Al Wasl Sqaure.

When you enter the quaint café you are warmly welcomed by the very cheerful and friendly staff that guide you to a seating area of your choice. The layout of the café is fresh, filled with bright colours, decorated with vibrantly patterned chairs, sofas and books. We loved how you could easily pick up a book of your choice and start reading while eating your meal.

After browsing through the menu, we ordered the Quinoa Salad which filled with green beans, broccoli, peas and toasted sesame seeds. We found the flavours to be just right, providing us with the perfect amount of tang from the side dressing and the crunch factor from all the veggies. The portion was quite huge and could easily be shared with three people. For the mains we ordered the Eggs Florentine which was basically poached eggs layered with smoked salmon, baby spinach and topped with a warm hollandaise sauce. We found it to be very delicious and did manage to squash our hunger. We also ordered the Levantine Grilled Vegetable sandwich that was to die for, served on Ciabatta bread packed with aubergines, courgette, roasted peppers and flavoured with a tangy pomegranate sauce.

Since we love to end things on a sweet note we decided to try one of their most hyped desert item which is the Carrot, Courgette and Walnut cake. The cake was truly what it promised to be, as it was soft, spicy, and sweet from the lemon cream cheese frosting. We also tried some the cake pops which were quite yum as well, but it was not as great as the carrot cake.

Overall we enjoyed the atmosphere and concept of Book Munch, and we would definitely stop by on a lazy Friday morning.

Cost: AED 180 for 2 people Location: Al Wasl Square Near Safa Park, Opposite Al Reef Lebanese Bakery

• Single and shared rooms • Only 10min away from DIAC • Segregated Male/Female living areas • Fully furnished • Safe & Secure - CCTV & Key card entry • All bills are included • Great facilities- Cafe, Gym & Pool • High speed internet access • Free shuttle bus service • Friendly onsite student support team • Academic and full year tenancies available

W E N D N A R T B N E D U T S S T N E M T R D A N P A A L I A B 5 U 1 0 D T2 in P E S NG

I N E OP

t.ae s e n i n www.u INEST 800 UN

German Doner Kebab We have heard about this well-known restaurant for quite a long time, and we are so glad that we decided to head into the German Doner Kebab restaurant in Business Bay. This outlet may not be as popular as the Jumeriah Lake Towers one but it definitely has its own charm and appeal as it is right next to the man-made lake.

We were warmly welcomed by Ruth who was tending our table, and she was quite helpful in giving suggestions to our vegetarian companions. After sifting through their menu we started out with the Cheese Borek, which is basically Turkish cheese sticks, and they were accompanied with two amazing sauces which were mayo based. We also ordered the very popular Kartoffel Salat which is a creamy German potato salad that is infused with fresh herbs and has a slight tang to it.

For the main course we opted for the Donor Kebab Sandwich with extra meat, a Veggie Doner, and a Veggie Wrap Doner. The sandwiches were quite heavily packed with meat, vegetables, cold salad, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, cheese and succulent sauces. The food had arrived quite swiftly, and after we had our first bite, we knew we had found a winner, as it was perfectly seasoned, the bread was toasted just right adding to the crunch while maintaining its softness.

We know for a fact that it was the sauces that did all the right things to create that trademark flavour, along with the 100% halal meat which is brought all the way from Germany. We could see that a lot of thought had gone into designing the menu as well as the physical restaurant and we were very impressed with all of it. Since we had never tried the traditional Turkish Doner we don’t have much to go by, but we can attest to the fact that the German Donner Kebab is truly an amazing restaurant that offers good quality food that will satisfy you.

Cost: AED 80 for 2 people Location: Business Bay, Jumeriah Lake Towers, Al Barsha, Dubai Marina, TECOM

52 Mubadala World Tennis Championship by

Josef Holmes

“faces beaming, the crowd roared as murray entered the stadium once again to lock horns with rafael nadal"

The winter sun dazzled onto Zayed Sports City as it filled with fans eager to watch this year’s long awaited battles between the titans of tennis- in the 6th installment of Mubadala’s exhilarating winner-takes-all competition.

The crowds had good reason to celebrate; the tournament started of to a smashing start on New Year’s day. The fans were clearly excited to see some of the worlds best players live!

Andy Murray’s clash with Feliciano Lopez proved a ferocious first match, with sets so close the win could easily have swung either way. After two and a half hours of world-class play, the Spaniard’s brave fight resulted in defeat to the Scot at 7-6, 5-7, 6-4.

Next came Stan Wawrinka’s speedy victory over Nicolas Almagro, finishing two sets in an hour at 6-3, 6-2.

Day two began with the 5th/6th place play-off between Lopez and Almagro, with Almagro securing 5th place after winning both sets 6-4, 7-6.

Before the first semi-final began, Australian tennis legend Pat Cash entertained the crowds with his rebellious umpiring of a doubles match involving Lopez, Almagro and two up-and-coming UAE players- Abdulrahman Al Janahi and Mahmoud Nader.

Faces beaming, the crowd roared as Murray entered the stadium once again to lock horns with Rafael Nadal- a man hoping to return to greatness after a season plagued with injury induced time off.

The match proved to be short-lived; Nadal was unable to match Murray’s fiercely powerful precision attack, the match finishing at 6-2, 6-0.

Rafael's fans looked noticeably disappointed that their hero hadn’t yet managed to bring his game back up to the level necessary to fend off the other giants of tennis.

There were, however, glimpses of the past gladiator in him- a number of points revealed some of the fantastic play and energy this living legend is known for.

After sustaining back and wrist injuries and having only played 7 matches in the previous 6 months as a result, it’s understandable that he would need more time to get back into the game.

In an interview following the match, he said, “I played lots of good points out there. I felt that I was dominating a lot of them. The main thing is, I have to improve- and I’m going to improve, I’m sure of that.”

The second semi final saw reigning champion and world number 1 Novak Djokovic go head to head with Wawrinka in yet another pacy two set match, with the Serb making the 6-1, 6-2 win look deceptively easy against his tough Swiss opponent.

Day 3 kicked off with electric anticipation for the final of Murray and Djokovic, but first came the 3rd/4th place play off.

Rafael's fans were screaming their support as he strolled through a surprising two set victory over world number 4, Stan Wawrinka- a fact that will surely have sent shockwaves through the pro tennis community considering his aforementioned recent history.

Much to the dismay of the crowd, not long after the previous match began it was announced that Djokovic was to pull out from playing the final due to a high fever. This meant an automatic win for Murray, who having played undoubtedly deserving tennis throughout looked somewhat subdued at the Trophy Exhibition.

He had certainly looked forward to playing, and would have surely preferred to win the title of Champion along with the $250,000 prize money feeling as though he’d fought for it.

However, this wasn’t enough to knock the smiles off the crowd’s faces as they left the stadium- having just witnessed three days of tennis to remember!

54

The Heart of a Fighter by

Jacob Stenhouse

“it takes severe persistence and determination to be a good fighter but it takes patience and attention to detail to make a coach.”

Al Batal is the first, biggest and best locally produced all Arab MMA reality TV show in the MENA region, which has been breaking boundaries in created awareness about MMA as a sport.

Each season fourteen lucky amateur MMA fighters get a chance to show the viewers what it takes to be a professional MMA Arab fighter by providing them with the necessary training and skill. The show was a commercial success and has returned for a second season, and our team had a chance to speak with Coach Mehdi Bagdad and Coach Ray Elbe.

Was there any inclining factor(s) that made you choose to coach the Al-Batal series?

Yes there were several reasons why I wanted to coach the Al Batal series, but the main one was because the show is a great platform to showcase the sport, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) to the Middle Eastern region and I feel honoured to represent the Arab MMA sport.

How difficult is the transition from being a good fighter into that of a good coach?

I have been training since 2001, and have travelled to Brazil, France, Belgium, United States and Mexico to learn, train and teach several different techniques under some of the best MMA coaches such as Eric Albert and Daniel Woirin. I have also been in several professional fights and know that it takes severe persistence and determination to be a good fighter but it takes patience and attention to detail to make a coach.

How have you seen the growth of MMA in the Middle East expand?

Slowly but surely there is more awareness which leads to more interest in events and fighters, which has caused a growth throughout the Middle East.

How do you handle the language barrier between yourself and the fighters?

I grew up speaking French, and during my trip some of the fighters like Sabil and Walid Seghir also spoke French, whereas Abdel Ali and Walid Akrouh speak Spanish which I also speak. I believe we all managed to get across somehow as we all spoke a little bit of Arabic and English so that wasn’t such an issue.

Why did you want to pursue fighting as a career? At what age did you start?

I have always loved fighting even when I was young. I watched a DVD on MMA, and I knew instantly that it was what I want to do with the rest of my life.

What style of mixed martial arts is the the best to begin with in your opinion?

I think the best to start is Wrestling or Muay Thai.

What does the future hold for Mehdi Baghdad? As a fighter?

Of course my main current goal is to get into the UFC, after I see myself creating my own name in MMA. I want to prove to the whole world just how great Arabic fighters are and build our community in MMA.

“The nice thing about fighting is that it is something you can learn visually, audibly, and kinesthetically, so where language barriers presented themselves.�

Ray Elbe, head coach from team Elbe (black team) Was there any inclining factor(s) that made you choose to coach the Al-Batal series?

Now that MMA is the popular sport, there are several different promoters trying to capitalise on the interest with reality tv show programs, however Al Batal was the first All Arab MMA Reality TV Show. ADFC and Al Batal are pioneers of mixed martial arts in the MENA region and it was really a privilege to be approached and selected to coach on the second season of the hit reality tv show on Fox Movies.

How difficult is the transition from a good fighter to a good coach?

Coaching and fighting are two completely different beasts.

I was fortunate enough to plan for life after fighting, and earned a Bachelors Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University in 2005. Having fought professionally for over 12 years now, I feel the knowledge I have gained from traveling around the world and competing, combined with my formal training and specific studies on the methodologies of learning have prepared me well for my career as a coach and trainer.

Do you expect a growth for MMA in the Middle East to expand?

My first visit to the Gulf was in 2007 when I competed for the Abu Dhabi International Cup as part of a Jiu Jitsu project.

Since that time I have seen the growth of not only Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but Muay Thai, Boxing, Fitness, and MMA within the Middle East. Regional athletes are starting to compete and win within the International scene, and more promoters are coming to the region to give athletes an opportunity to compete and gain exposure.

Any memorably funny moments from the series so far? We are sure the situation can get very competitive at times.

I'm not sure about 'funny' but earlier in the season both coaches were given a replacement fighter. Originally Al Batal producers held a drawing awarding BJJ Black Belt Wallid Seghir onto Team Elbe. Once Mehdi Baghdad arrived, he was furious to find out the BJJ Black Belt had already been awarded to Team Elbe and demanded a 'redraw'. During the second lottery Team Elbe was awarded Denis Mungai instead of Wallid.

How do you handle the language barrier between yourself and the fighters?

The nice thing about fighting is that it is something you can learn visually, audibly, and kinesthetically, so where language

barriers presented themselves, we tried to learn simple words that were useful to our training sessions, in addition to observing cultural learning opportunities.

Why did you want to pursue fighting as a career? At what age did you start?

My first professional MMA fight was Nov. 23 2002. I was a 19 year old kid fresh out of high school attending university.

When I first started competing I never imagined it would bless me with the opportunities it has. Over the past 12 years I have competed professionally in MMA, Muay Thai, Submission Grappling or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in over 10 different countries around the world.

What style of mixed martial arts is the the best to begin with in your opinion?

People train for many different reasons. weight loss, confidence, and a chance to compete are just a few of the reasons someone might look to start training. Personally Brazilian Jiu Jitsu has opened up many opportunities for me, and it is a lifestyle I hope to pass onto my children one day.

What does the future hold for Ray Elbe? As fighter and as a coach?

I am constantly busy with something. Between my competition schedule, coaching and seminars, it seems like I am on the road most of the year. I am currently scheduled to return to the Middle East towards the end of the year and encourage everyone to check out my website MagicalRay. com to keep up to date on what is happening with me and my career.

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Books by

Bhargavi nagrecha

The Wicked Girls Author: Alex Marwood The mystery novel The Wicked Girls is a disturbing book, full of murder, betrayal, and intrigue—but the real source of the horror will surprise you. The novel switches between the present and one day in 1986—when two eleven-year-old girls meet for the first time and murder another little girl only four hours later. After spending their childhood in prison, Jade and Bel have grown up to become Kirsty, a freelance journalist with a husband and two children, and Amber, a cleaner on the nightshift at Funnland, an amusement park in the south England seaside town of Whitmouth.

The book talks about how Kirsty and Amber struggle to keep themselves and their families safe from the past functions as the main drama of the book. The Wicked Girls is the first novel of pseudonymous author Alex Marwood, a proficient British journalist. As such, the novel holds a rapt gaze on the circus that is British tabloid culture, along with the media’s obsession with scandal that how they misinterpret the entire scenario.

We highly recommend that you pick up this crazy book that will keep your head spinning until the very end.

Share your opinion on the best book that you have read recently. Submit your reviews on mysay@one8one.com We'd love to share your ideas.

Hidden Agenda Author: Lisa Harris Michael is an undercover cop who is in danger of being killed after his identity is revealed to the criminals he was hunting down. Now not only does he have the cartel after him but the cops are after him too. His only hope is the daughter of the man who wants him dead.

All the character's in Hidden Agenda were very well-written, the struggles and pain that they felt, felt so real that we couldn't help but sympathise with them and root for them. The author is able to portray Michael as a cop with worries just like the rest of us but he was willing to push himself to the limits even when he felt like he was fighting a losing battle.

Olivia, the daughter of Antonio Valez who plays the cartel drug lord was a truly strong heroine and not only physically but emotionally as well. When she found out her father was a criminal and a drug lord she decided to do the right thing despite feeling betrayed. By choosing to side with Michael and bring down her father, Olivia showed courage and a strong moral code on her part.

The plot was action-packed and full of suspense that kept us glued to the book. It basically covered various genres such as murder, mystery, abduction, and betrayal all rolled into one complete roller coaster ride that we highly recommend.

58

10 Mind Tricks to Know by

Naqiyah Mustafa

By some accounts, the human brain is the most complex object in the universe. But it is also surprisingly easy to trick. Here are some simple tricks designed to give you an edge when dealing with people.

1. During an introduction, make a note of someone’s eye colour. You’re not going to use the information (unless you plan to write them a poem) – it’s just a technique to achieve the optimum amount of eye contact, which people find friendly and confident.

2. People always have the clearest memory of the first and last thing that happens, while the middle part becomes a vague blur. So if you’re setting the time for an interview, try and be the first or last through the door.

3. Mirroring people’s body language when you interact with them is a way of building up trust. Just be subtle about it.

4. If you ever feel like you’re being stalked or watched, yawn and turn to look at them. If they yawn back you are being watched by them, since yawning is contagious.

5. If you want someone to take your advice seriously, tell them your father taught it to you, since people tend to believe fatherly advice a lot faster.

6. If you ever have a song stuck in your head, think of the end of the song.

According to the Zeignark Effect, your mind tends to think of things left unfinished. So thinking of the ending of the song will help your mind to finish the loop.

7. Like all therapists worth their fee, remember to use the power of silence.

If someone isn’t giving you the entire truth or an unsatisfactory answer to a question, stay quiet and keep eye contact. They will feel pressured to reveal more!

8. People’s feet are often an insight into what they’re thinking. So if you’re talking to someone and their feet are pointing away from you, they want to escape. Take that as a hint!

9. Asking people for small favours trains their brain to believe they like you.

10. If you can get into the habit of using someone’s name subsequently in a conversation you may have with them, they’ll find you terribly charming and wonderful.

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Astrology

February 2015

60

Aquarius 22 November- 21 December Aquarians present themselves in one of two ways. One on hand, you’ll see someone who is shy, and quiet. On the other, an Aquarian can be boisterous, eccentric, and energetic. Both are deep thinkers with a love for helping others. Highly intellectual, this is a sign of fierce independence that honours intuition tempered with logic.

Both personality types have an uncanny ability to see both sides of an argument without prejudice, making them excellent problemsolvers. The keyword for this sign is imagination. The Aquarian can see a world of possibilities even when there appears to be none.

ARIES

TAURUS

GEMINI

CANCER

This will be quite a positive time for you, despite the abundance of problems and issues that you will face. In the sphere of business and finances you will be faced with less opportunities than you hoped for. There will be a slight disappointment or a small problem that will influence your career. However, you will face difficulties that will significantly slow you down.

Most likely these problems will be technical in nature, so remember to stay calm and concentrate on the current task.

You will be one of the luckiest signs of the celestial group.

You do not have to be afraid of a possibly life-defining choice suddenly arising before you.

It may define and change your life but tany decision you choose will be a good choice.

So just try and choose what feels more right to your heart, a choice that will reflect your nature the most. Do not be afraid to change anything, conservative moods are often self - destructive. When deciding on important factors look at all the facts.

For you this month will give birth to two differing paths – one quite positive, and another one with some problems. Be careful to avoid starting a chain of events that may bring a negative outcome.

You should be patient and do not try to resolve problems in arguments. Use your charisma and diplomatic abilities, try to be as attentive as possible. You can overcome this complicated period with “minimal losses”, only if you will demonstrate your calm composure.

You will have complicated relationships with the world. In terms of personal relationships, practically all your wishes will come true in the shortest of terms, unless they fall against the wishes of others. Pay special attention to those around you, to your close friends. It is likely that this month all of you will have to overcome some small challenge, the results of which will define your future together. Just remember, to take on more responsibilities and get the job done.

LEO

VIRGO

LIBRA

SCORPIO

This will be a time of great change. In the sphere of work you need to calmly get new contracts, build new connections and make sure to keep yourself updated.

Make sure to take a risk if the right opportunity arises. Look at the situation, weigh the pros and cons. Think about all sides and only then make the final decision. In your relationship with friends, some tension may occur right now. Everything can be resolved with a little patience and understanding.

The month of February 2015 will be a phase filled with positivity. You will receive the most opportunities right now, while the barriers are reduced to a minimum. You will feel a fantastic inflow of life strength, while your work capability will multiply. The main thing is to believe in yourself and not give up, no matter what. It is likely that you have lost several opportunities in the past, due to your indecisiveness. Do not turn away, in the face of doubts.

This month you will face a number of situations all at once that may radically change your life. Hence do not give up on your goals, despite any barriers. Make sure the results of your work shine through. The main thing is to be careful with your health, do not let stress overpower you.

Work as much as you can, but do not step over the line after which you come home and fall on the bed as a lifeless corpse.

Make sure that your health is a top priority.

February will be a stable time, even though it will not be without its peculiarities.

Make sure to focus on your main goal and then solve all your problems in a consecutive manner, the way they are prioritised relative to your goal. Listen to people’s advice right now as they may have something useful for you. Be especially careful with what you say and to whom as you may offend an important person in your life. Make sure to listen to your heart since emotions are usually sincere.

SAGITTARIUS

CAPRICORN

AQUARIUS

PISCES

You will have an exceptionally strong relationship with your loved ones this month.

In terms of work, focus on getting the job done and you will find some new opportunities that were previously hidden from you.

Now is the time to change everything and start realising your plans. In your personal life, the problem that has been worrying you for a long time will find now find its own resolution.

The month of February 2015 will not be the most outstanding month for you, so take necessary precautions.

However the best option is for you to swim with the tide, without paying attention to the passing obstacles. Make sure to make several backup plans, and use diplomacy to solve your problems. Your biggest task right now is to maintain what you already have, and not to multiply it. Be attentive and keep cool.

This month will be a relatively positive life period that may manifest itself in a whole sea of important and largescale outcomes. Due to which you will need to seriously re-evaluate and optimise all your resources. Do not doubt yourself and your efforts, especially now – when the stars are fully on yours side.

Make sure to not take sides when dealing with relatives and friends. Don't be biased when dealing with people.

This is a time for harmony, positivity and rediscovery both in your career and personal relationships. Make sure to work hard, get more organised, and increase your area of expertise. This is a great time to test yourself and also prove to others what you are worth. Do not worry if something goes astray due to some external influences.

Everything will happen the way it should and in the end you will certainly reach your goals.

20 March- 19 April

22 July- 22 August

22 November- 21 December

19 April- 20 May

22 August- 22 September

21 December- 20 January

20 May- 21 June

22 September- 23 October

20 January- 18 February

21 June- 22 July

23 October- 22 November

19 February- 20 March

62

News

Skyline University College celebrates Silver Jubilee Skyline celebrated their 25th year Silver Jubilee celebration on January 15, 2015 at SUC campus. Hundreds of balloons were released by the VIP guests, skyline staff and students, the event was also followed by tree plantation. Board of Governors, Government officials, Consul Generals of various countries, prominent businessmen and esteemed professionals from the corporate world were among the VIPs to honour the event with their presence.

From hosting a class of 40 to becoming one of the largest business schools with more than 6000 alumni, Skyline University College (SUC), Sharjah, has come a long way. Since its inception SUC has been blessed by the kind patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, member of UAE Supreme Council and the ruler of Sharjah. The institute underwent a remarkable transformation since then. It is the first private university in UAE to celebrate its Silver Jubilee.

AUD holds Semi Blood Drive More than a hundred and fifty staff, faculty, and students from the AUD community participated today in the university’s semi-annual blood drive.

AUD’s Blood Donation Campaign is an ongoing humanitarian tradition organised semi-annually by the AUD Health Centre on campus, with the support of the Peer Health Educators (PHEs) student club in association with the Blood Bank Department at Latifa Hospital in Dubai. The AUD Community assembled to donate blood and give hope to children suffering from thalassemia.

Specialists from Latifa Hospital assisted the AUD Health Centre personnel in performing haemoglobin blood tests, medical check-ups, and screening for each donor to ensure that they are eligible to undergo the blood donation procedure.

The AUD Health Centre promotes, improves, and maintains a healthy campus environment by providing accessible, high-quality care, health supervision, and educational programs, which encourages students, faculty, and staff to preserve their overall wellbeing.

Ajman University Welcomes Freshmen Ajman University extended a warm welcome to the freshmen joining in the second semester of the academic year 2014-2015. The colleges that received the new students were the Colleges of Engineering, Law, Education & Basic Sciences, Business Management, Information, Media and Humanities and Information Technology.

During the orientation the students were briefed about the college policies and infrastructure. They were introduced to their academic advisors who would guide them throughout their academic tenure at the University; they would ensure the registration of the courses is a smooth process for the students.

The students took a tour of the campus which will be their home for the rest of their academic life at the University. They were shown the facilities and services offered for recreation and studying purposes. The students will begin their classes on the 1st of February which also marks the beginning of the week for add and drop of courses.

Ajman University is home to numerous nationalities of students who feel at home in an environment of innovation and knowledge. It strives to ensure a healthy balance between academia and practical experience so that students canreap the benefits before they graduate.

UOWD praised by Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) have been honoured by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing for bringing the Australianregistered Academy of World Business, Marketing and Management Development (AWBMAMD) conference to Dubai last August.

Dr Prakash Vel, Associate Program Chair of the 2014 conference and UOWD Associate Professor, and Professor Valerie Lindsay, Dean of UOWD's Faculty of Business, collected an award for the work which went into bringing the AWBMAMD conference to the Middle East for the first time in its 12 year history during a recognition event held at Dubai World Trade Centre this week. The award was presented to the duo by His Excellency Helal Almarri, Director General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Steen Jakobsen, Director of Dubai Business Events and Hamad Mohammed Bin Mejren, Executive Director of Business Tourism at Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

The AWBMAMD conference saw delegates from 63 universities from across the globe gather in Dubai to discuss some of the key emerging issues around technology, finance, human resources, leadership, ethics, culture and the environment and how they impact upon practices in business management and marketing.

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