Dec//Jan. 2011
8 L.E.
Blackberry
Vs. Apple Who wins this time?
is there more
To Tuba
Than her
is He/she
Cheating?
beauty? Well of course there is
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foreword December “The Party Issue” :) December is the month of ending and beginning, the month of decisions and of course the month of parties and delicious food. Technostyle team will help you buy the best gift to put under your Christmas tree. 2010 was a weird year for a lot of people, a lot of unexpected stuff happened, ups and downs but we can say that I really can not believe that it is over and we will start a new year :) Go through our pages and choose the best gift for everyone. One of our articles is about our relationships, How can you make him/her stop cheating? We give you some useful advice, so read carefully :) Our corrispondent Donia helps us keep up with the fashion scene so we can party in style this new year’s... So dont miss it!! Read about the fabulous Tuba in our exclusive interview, and discover her true passion about acting and life in general. More and more in Technostyle :) Enjoy it Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Riham Fouad
Technostyle Magazine is published by Dinari 1021 Cornish El Nil St., Cairo - Egypt. Tel./Fax: (+202) 2365 10 67 E-mail: info@technostylemagazine.com All rights are reserved to the publisher. Reproduction in whole or part is forbidden save with the permission in writing of the publishers. Issued under the registration no. 34013. Printed at International Printing House (IPH). Technostyle Magazine is distributed by Al-Ahram.
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Unveiled Grab that Gadget
Unveiled Blackberry Playbook
Feature Tuba Buyukustun
Feature Men’s Trap
Photoshoot New Year’s Fashion
Fashion Must-Have Shoes
Horoscope Dec/Jan. Horoscope
Travel Christmas Destinations
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TechnoStyle Team
Managing Director Editor in Chief Content Director Marketing Manager Financial Manager Senior Staff Writer Contributing Writers
Riham Fouad Ashraf Al. Wardani Hoda Youssef Ghada Fouad Mohamed El Mansoury Karim Zein Heba Abdul Shahid Mena Ghali Sarah El Etribi Sarah Kamel Art Director / Designer Hoda Youssef NYC Correspondent Donia Bashir Distribution Team Ramy Akram Mohamed Ahmed
unveiled Translucent LED Light Tables – Lounge from Moree
This is our choice of gadgets that are halfway between fashion and personality, they are devices that can travel with us or be appreciated at home, and that make a point about who we really are, or perhaps the style that we want to be known by...
Grab That Gadget!
Whether in the living area or in the courtyard Lounge extraordinary translucent tables from Moree will fill the place with atmospheric light. There are tables as with simple white LED bulbs as with built-in multi-color LED bulbs and remote controls which allow to control entire colour spectrum. By mixing the primary colours red, green and blue, every color could be set individually or choose one of three predefined colour programs with predefined colour changes. The collection features tables of different sizes and with cable or independent power supply depending on needs. Lounge is extremely flexible solution with which Moree sets new trends in terms of design and function.
PowerShot S95 - Pocket power for the serious photographer Canon Middle East today unveils the latest model in its successful PowerShot S-series with the launch of the new PowerShot S95 – an advanced, compact digital camera for photographers looking for outstanding low light performance and manual control in a pocket-sized body. Designed for keen photographers, the PowerShot S95 combines manual control and outstanding low light performance in a highly practical compact camera – perfect for shooting premium quality images on the go. Featuring a unique lens Control Ring, the PowerShot S95 gives you instant access to a range of manual settings including aperture, focus and shutter speed with an effortless twist of the ring. Thanks to the genuine Canon f/2.0 lens, Canon’s HS System and advanced optical Image Stabilizer the PowerShot S95 performs in all lighting conditions, including low light. A new High Dynamic Range mode means you can get excellent results in highcontrast situations, delivering a natural image with shadow and highlight detail. Capture everything – day to night, stills to movies Canon’s advanced HS System represents a powerful combination of a high-sensitivity sensor alongside the DIGIC 4 processor for high quality results without the need for a flash. The PowerShot S95 is also the first-ever Canon compact to feature Hybrid IS technology, providing improved image stabilization for macro photography. Multi-Aspect Shooting included in the PowerShot S95 enables you to adjust the format of your image to suit your creative preference, allowing you to take full control of the end result. As well as capturing highquality, pin-sharp still images, the PowerShot S95 also offers you the flexibility to shoot RAW images and 720p HD movies with stereo sound and share them on the high visibility 7.5cm (3.0”) PureColor II G LCD or an HDTV via the HDMI output.
Hi-Tech Kitchen Faucet With TouchScreen Controller Nowadays is the era of mobile devices with touch screens. That all started with iPhone and now there are plenty of other phones and small computers with such displays. Some kitchen appliances feature touch screen displays too. Nomos faucet by creator of innovative faucets Fima Carlo Frattini, is one of those appliances. It has a modern design and fully electronic mechanism that controls it. The electronic controller allows to adjust water quantity, temperature, pressure and even alert you in case of malfunction. Everything that can be done via the touch-screen display with simple graphic icons that everybody could understand.
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unveiled Canon introduces the stylish, ultra-compact SELPHY CP800 photo printer Amazing Colorful Show in Your Bedroom – “Disturb me” by The Popcorn Makers The Popcorn Makers offers an excellent solution to make you bedroom different from any other. Its product “Distrub me” is an interactive installation, which is capable to create an amazing bedroom ambiance and allows to make a contact between a human and his environment. With it you could charm everybody with fascinating colorful projection depended on the sound emitted by the spectators. A lot of projected forms are revealed on a wall and move to the music’s beat and change your room in bright, sensitive and alive space. Below you could see several photos and video that demonstrate the original color spectacle made by “Disturb me” and if you want more information you could find it on Popcorn Makers site. watch the amazing video at http:// vimeo.com/4313323
The SELPHY CP800 is ideal for those looking for a convenient printer that delivers high quality images at the touch of a button. Simply select the image on the easy-to-view tilting LCD, select ‘print’ and it’s ready to be shared 47 seconds later. Available in sleek black or white colour variations, prints produced by the SELPHY CP800 can be made into personal photo albums for families to treasure. It also provides an attractive option for small businesses who want to offer on-the-spot ID Photos or instant photo printing services. SELPHY CP800 – key features: Stylish, ultra-compact photo printer 6.2cm (2.5”) tilt LCD Prints in under 1 minute* Range of print sizes Auto Red-Eye Correction Print from memory card, camera and USB stick* 100 year prints* ID Photo layout Optional battery Software with voice guidance
New Clever Portable Laptop Desk – Lapdesk N315 by Logitech Logitech has presented a new clever laptop desk – Lapdesk N315. This compact desk can be useful for those people who like to use their laptop everywhere. It combines two functions: adding some comfort to a working process and helping to protect legs from laptop’s heat. If you usually use you laptop on a couch, a bed or even in a park then you could appreciate the main feature of this laptop desk – a retractable mouse pad. With it you haven’t to look for any additional surface for you mouse. This model has a thin and light design and so you could easy to carry and store it in any laptop bag. Besides its top is washable and anti-slip, that preserves your notebook from falls.
New Luxury Designs of Bugatti’s Coffee Makers Bugatti offers new amazing models of its popular coffee maker range – Diva. They not only have all options to make a cup of delicious coffee, but also look wonderful. The fact is that the new Diva is decorated by 14,000 Swarovski crystals, which change it into a great additional for any chic kitchen. Different patterns from crystals on chrome frame make these coffee machines very refine and sophisticated. Their brilliant designs are truly unique and capable to highlight your individuality and exquisite taste. If you don’t like so striking items then you could select coffee makers covered with Italian leather, which look less opulent but very elegant. The leather is available in different colors and such models could perfectly combined with others Bugatti’s appliances in the same finish. If you are interested in these luxury kitchen appliances then you could find more information on Bugatti site.
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unveiled The LG Optimus One Smartphone Ultra Contemporary TV Cabinet – Lyneus Audiovideo from Acerbis Audiovideo from Lyneus is a vertical TV cabinet, characterized by rounded shape underlined by a curvilinear chromed-brass profile. The unit was presented on Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2009 as the cabinet in which all the electronic devices are concealed to appear “on demand” thanks to motorised opening systems. The Audiovideo could come as stand alone as combined with other units if more space needed for the whole home entreatment system. The cabinet has built-in loudspeaker system manufactured by DIAPASON. It can integrate LCD or Plasma screen between 40 and 50 inches, hided behind a back-lacquered glass panel. One of the coolest features of the unit that when you will turn on or turn of the TV, shelves with players and consoles will open or close with it. For more information about Audiovideo and sideboard from the same collection visit Acerbis International.
One of the first smartphones to launch with Google’s latest operating system, the Optimus One allows for up to three times faster internet browsing, web-page loading, and multi-tasking. The Optimus One also incorporates a unique LG-designed user-interface (UI) along with a camera that features face tracking and smile shot, a 3.2” wide HVGA screen and a long-lasting 1500mAh capacity battery. With a nod to style-conscious users, LG’s new smartphone comes in a wide range of color schemes including black, wine, titan, blue, silver and purple. Exact color availability will vary from market to market. With the global roll-out still under way, the Optimus One will soon be available via 120 carriers and partners. LG expects Optimus One to be its first 10 million-seller smartphone. The device is available for retail in the GCC markets and is priced at AED 1199.
Available at CompuMe Sony SK8iP Customisable docking station Available at CompuMe Docking station for iPod with funky customisable front graphics 75W RMS output, Audio in, 4x customisable graphics Play your iTunes library in rich sound quality Choose from supplied graphics or design your own Easily dock and charge your iPod Features RDH-SK8iP Dock and charge - Wake up to all your favourite content stored on an iPod – dock and charge while you sleep Certification - Made for iPod and Works with iPhone certified, the SK8iP works with both players Stereo sound quality - Superior sound quality with 75W RMS output for your entire iTunes music library Audio in - Connect your digital music player and play MP3s at full volume in great sound quality (cable supplied) Unique design - Choose from four funky front panel graphics, or design your own on the web Wireless remote - Comes with wireless remote for total operating freedom
Samsung 800P 8” Digital Photo Frame The P Series digital frames give you a reason to be proud of your own photography. The powerful LED screen displays high-resolution images with crystal clarity, while over 6000 photos can be stored in the device’s 2GB internal memory, and even more in various external memory devices supported by the P Series, such as SD and SDHC cards. A trip down memory lane has never been so easy.
Energise your photos with emotional UI Samsung’s Emotional User Interface allows for easy, comfortable usability with the photo frame. Now you can customise your photos and create slideshows so you can make the most of every memory. You can even jazz things up by adding some music. And its integrated Internet access conveniently lets you upload and download photos and video. We’re not saying conventional photo frames are forgetful, they just aren’t designed to have a memory,
period. Not so with Samsung. This photo frame comes with a whopping 2GB of built-in memory which allows you to store 6000 pictures (based on JPG picture of 300kb with 800 x 600 resolution). It even automatically resizes and optimises images so you can save more of them. Yes, it does the work for you. Samsung digital photo frames optimised resolution happens to be 800 x 480. But what if your uploaded photo has a native resolution of 1200 x 1600. No worries. With the Samsung Auto Resizing feature, your photos are automatically downsized to save more pictures in your built-in memory without losing vital picture quality. Ah, the power of USB. With a simple connection, you can now use your Samsung digital photo frame as a second PC monitor. Perfect for adding a little extra functionality to your computing experience, like a digital calendar or clock, Samsung digital photo frames love to show off your pictures, as well as their own versatility.
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HP TouchSmart 600xt series Redefine what touch can do for you with our TouchSmart 600xt series. This powerful, compact, wireless1 all-in-one with 23” (diagonal) highdefinition widescreen is ready to take up residence in your kitchen or family room. Two-year warranty and support This series comes with a two-year limited warranty for parts and labor, with House Call. This includes two years of toll-free support, 24 x 7, via on-line chat or e-mail Star performance Get a boost in PC power with the intelligent performance of this series’ Intel Core i5‡ dual core4 processor. You can: • Move faster when creating HD video, editing photos, and playing games • Maximize speed for demanding apps with Intel Turbo Boost, which accelerates performance to match your workload
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Multitask with ease; be more productive Amazing apps made easy Experience music, photos, and videos, and games in a whole new way. The touchable applications will help you stay organized and connected as you: • Instantly launch favorite apps • Enjoy Web entertainment2: Hulu, Netflix, Twitter, Rhapsody, games, and Twitter with the touch of a finger • Import and manage recipes • Create and share collages • Use your voice to zoom, rotate, and invert photos • Burn and edit videos, create slide shows and movie • Watch, pause, rewind, and record TV with the optional dualformat NTSC and over-air ATSC high-definition tuner Great sound Hear music the way artists intended with HP Beats Audio, engineered to let your PC reproduce sound quality found in music studios. You’ll hear
everything—the highs, lows, and crystal-clear midranges. Security and support HP is known for outstanding service, support, and advice. We also test and qualify all software sold with our PCs to help ensure a trouble-free experience on your new computer. You get: • Preinstalled security software to protect against viruses, spam, spyware, and other online threats • Help 24 x 7, toll free or online from HP Total Care • In-home service if needed
Available at CompuMe
Available at CompuMe Connectme TV Lyngbox Connectme TV lyngbox is a next generation satellite receiver that offers you a unique and complete entertainment experience that redefines tv viewing from the ground up. Best possible picture quality Have state of the art home entertainment technology in your home with an 1080i HD adapter; this is essential because in order to view HD channels you not only need an HD television but an HD receiver. In addition our technology automatically upscales any Standard Definition channels to a higher resolution giving more clarity and much better
picture quality. See what’s on up to a month in advance ConnectmeTV provides you with an enhanced electronic program guide or EPG. As you are probably aware, some channels are generous enough to let us know what the next program is through a basic EPG. For your convenience, the ConnectmeTV team built an enhanced system that shows the schedule for up to a month in advance showing the programs’ start and end time as well as a brief synopsis. Never miss a moment The Personal Video Recorder func-
tion allows you complete freedom and flexibility in your TV viewing, at any time you can rewind a scene you missed and fast forward back to the action. It can be used directly from the EPG, you can just click on the program of your choice and you have the option to record once if for example it’s a movie, or for a series every day or every week or adjust your settings manually. You can view all the recordings you’ve made through the “My recordings” menu and also view any scheduled recordings. No more channel flicking! Your Lyngbox has an integrated search function that allows you to look up any program or channel saving you from having to flick through potentially hundreds of channels to find the one you want.
unveiled
Blackberry Playbook Enters the Tablet Wars By: Karim Zein
Do you guys like South Park? I do and especially that little rascal Eric Cartman. Well there was this episode where whenever the boys tried to do something they were constantly reminded that the Simpsons did it, the Simpsons did it. What does this have to do with anything? It has everything to do with everything. I am not going to write this article where each paragraph is going to end with “Apple did it, Apple did it” instead I’m going to review how the Playbook is such an agile device that could actually top the iPad (please note that I am a huge Apple fan but I promise no biases). To start off the Playbook is a 7-inch tablet which is much smaller than the iPad with a 1024x600 with more pixels dense screen ensuring sharp and crisp text. It weighs around 0.9 pounds and doesn’t run the Blackberry 6 OS; it runs on a Blackberry Tablet OS which supports a lot of platforms like the RIM, JAVA, Flash and many others. There’s an onscreen keyboard, and
the famous Blackberry app world ensuring you’ll never get bored using such a device. With its dual core 1GHZ processor and a 1GB of Ram this device tops the iPad in multitasking. Like your little Blackberry, the Playbook will have your applications up and running in the background with absolute smooth performance. One more thing that pushes the iPad to the corner is the Playbook’s ability to view Flash formats which means that all the Flash websites you weren’t able to view on your iPad you’ll be able to view on your Playbook. Its got dual cameras for video conferencing where the rear camera is a 5 megapixel one and the frontal camera is 3 megapixel. The device supports many video formats like WMV, DivX and MPEG with ability to output video through a mini HDMI port. The device also has a standard micro USB port. I’ve been reviewing kindle a couple of months ago and believe it
or not the Blackberry Playbook is going to integrate the Kindle with a Kindle application for reading books. Now with such a processor and the ability to multitask, the Blackberry Playbook outruns the current iPad. The Blackberry Playbook can be easily paired with your Blackberry Smartphone via a secure Bluetooth connection. This enables you to view and control your contacts, BBM, emails, documents and others seamlessly. Now that’s what I call a common sense feature, it has to sync with your Blackberry phone! Sheesh! Still unreleased though the Blackberry Playbook is raising a huge fan base and just like those Playstation 3 queue lines, I expect a larger queue line once the Playbook is released. The Playbook outperforms the iPad and it looks slicker and smaller than the iPad but I’m sure a year from now, God willing, I’m going to be reviewing the new iPad and it’s going to be a killer!
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“Till cheating do us part” By: Sarah El Etribi
Love can sometimes make you reach extremes; making you accept things that you normally wouldn’t, but there’s a limit to everything, and love is no exception. As a partner in a relationship, whether you’re a male or female, you can accept a few white lies, some useless conflicts or arguments, but cheating should never be tolerated. When you accept the fact that your partner cheated on you once, it will happen again and again, endlessly. Once you acknowledge that, you slaughter the existence of your dignity in this relationship; you sacrifice your own hurt feelings to be with the one you love, the one who doesn’t appreciate you. Lovers should be trustworthy, faithful and should be able to appreciate what they’ve got. Once you lose one of those characteristics, you cannot be classified as a ‘lover’; you’re simply not qualified. You lose your partner’s trust in you and that’s hard to regain. Jeopardizing your relationship is easy, but the consequences are unbearable. Almost everyone cheats. One way or another, most of you reading this have cheated before! Cheating on your boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife isn’t necessarily the way we have it in our minds. The simplest example of cheating is having strong love feelings for another person who is not
your partner. Furthermore, lying to your partner about those feelings makes the situation even worse and more complex. I will not chat on about the cheating stories I know, or the ones I’ve heard about because we all know how they are and how tragically they end. No matter how long it lasts, no matter how long you suffer, no matter how long you sacrifice, one day you will have enough, one day you will realize that this is not what you deserve. If you offer love and respect then you should simply receive the exact same back. If you lose your partner’s love and respect then there’s no point in being there for them. You literally lose your respect for yourself- you accept to be living in one big lie. Whenever we hear about someone cheating on his/her partner, we could somehow relate to the story because we have been in this situation before; not necessarily the cheater, but maybe the victim. We know what follows- tears, drama, heartbreaks, all that. It certainly doesn’t feel good at all, and the cheater always walks away with a tint of guilt. The big question behind all of this though, is why do people cheat? There are many responses for this and for the record, cheating IS avoidable. Lack of self-confidence most
people, especially guys cheat because they’re not confident enough. Cheating grants them the feeling that they can get whomever they want, that they have the charm and the looks and simply what it takes to win anyone’s heart. Guys simply want steamy stories to share with their mates in the locker room! Make your partner feel good about his/herself, compliment them every now and then. Make them feel loved and appreciated so they wouldn’t feel the need to reach out to other people. Lack of security some people cheat on their partners because they don’t feel safe in their current relationship. They feel threatened and think they won’t have their own ‘forever’ with their partner. They cheat to make themselves feel that there are other chances for them if anything goes wrong. Assure your partner that you have a serious relationship if this is what it really is. Give them the sense of sincerity and security about your affiliation. Offer assurance whenever needed to ensure that they know this is not just a fling. These are the main 2 reasons why people cheat. If you work on them, which is easily attainable, you will effortlessly ensure that your partner will never cheat on you.
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Tuba Buyukustun The beautiful
By: Riham Fouad
I was really happy to meet Tuba for a face to face interview as our exclusive celebrity for December issue. I think all of us know her as Assi or Lamis, and love her for her simplicity, beauty, strong character and a lot of other interesting qualities. Throughout our interview you can really discover the real Tuba. When was the beginning of your career? I graduated from Dogus Science High School and studied costume design and set decoration at the Mimar Sinan University. While studying I started get involved in commercials, then I met Tomris Giritlioglu and she believed in me and from there I started my acting career. But, I actually never planned on being an actress. Did you do other things besides the series? I did many series in Turkey before “Assi”, and on the side I am shooting Cinema films, but only Turkish films for now. As a smart and beautiful young woman, every day you receive a lot of opportunities to be the ambassador of a product; How do you decide to accept or ignore the opportunity and how do you know whether it will be a suc-
cessful step in your career? Oh yes, that’s true. Any star should be really careful when deciding something like this, because as you said it could be a positive or negative step in our career. But it’s very easy to know. When I started acting I took the decision not to do any commercials, but now I am the brand Ambassador in the Middle East for Pantene. I didn’t take much time to take a decision because I have to believe in the brand and feel it, and I believe in Pantene. It is a pleasure for me to be the face of such a sincere and prominent brand that believes in women’s natural radiance shining from the inside out. Being a famous actress means having the chance to improve women’s lives, and When an actress believes in the product, she is more likely to convince the world about it. This is the case with Pantene (with a big smile) Now you are a famous star in the Arab world thanks to the series that aired all across the region on MBC4. Is the Arab feedback important to you? Why? Sure. This is the most important thing in my opinion and it’s always on my mind when I am acting; that I want to touch every person watch-
ing me, this is how I can build on my success. I was really happy to see that I touched the Arab world, for me it’s a huge success. Even one person is important to me. Would you like to work on an Egyptian production? Yes sure, I would really love to do an Egyptian production also because Egypt has a very important cinema, it’s the Hollywood of the Middle East. In your opinion, why did Assi or Lamis become famous in the Arab world? Was it you or the story? I think it was both, because people found something in Lamis that touched them, like her sensibility, it’s something emotional and I think both have a lot of things in common.
Why are Turkish series famous in Egypt? Because Turkey and Egypt have a lot of traditions in common and the culture is similar. Why do you focus on series and not on movies? Because in Turkey series are more important than cinema. When I have time between the
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shooting of one series and other I am shooting a film. In your opinion, is the long duration of the Turkish series something good? I think it’s a bit too long and it can be shorter (Big smile). What is the secret of your beauty? I think that every woman has her own beauty, she has to love herself first of all. Beauty is an internal and external energy. My advice to every woman is to take care of her body and her soul. Technostyle magazine is the first lifestyle magazine with technological edge in the Middle East, and technology is in everything in our life, so we want to know what the most important gadget in your life is? My mobile because I don’t have time to check my emails through my computer, so I check my emails through my mobile and I can’t imagine my life without it. Do you think technology helps in beauty? Yes, everything I use for my beauty care is technology, even my Pantene Nature Fusion. The Pantene Nature Fusion is the first Pantene formula to combine cassia seed extracts which is a plant ingredient with Pro-V technology, which is designed to actively improve hair structure from root to tip.
I have to believe in the brand and feel it, and I believe in Pantene.
What’s your next step? I am shooting a romantic comedy series; it’s very funny and very interesting. What about your personal life? I am not engaged or married but I am in love. Thank you so much for the great interview Special Thanks to Safa Al Motasem MS&L Egypt
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cars
3 Hot Hatch Back Cars you Wish Were in Egypt
It’s the New Year already with 12 months worth of absolute thrill. Thrill is a word that also connotes that sweet adrenaline rush when you push the pedal to the metal. Because I’m a car freak and I do have a thing for hatch back vehicles, I’ll briefly introduce you to 3 of my favorite hot hatch cars out there that I really wish I would be seen driving or at least see revving right next to me. By: Karim Zein
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cars
First on my list is a car coming from a Spanish car manufacturer famous among many Egyptian car tuners for its hot babe, the Ibiza. As much as the Ibiza compared to many other vehicles in the market is a modest hatch back, it is never modest in terms of styling or looks. It is a car that’s meant to be mean and wild. Seat has been doing a lot of facelifts to the Ibiza and I’m sure a lot of you are aware of the new and latest facelift (which I personally don’t like). Even though the new facelift has taken away from the meanness and sportiness of its predecessor, Seat has made it up with a version of the Ibiza called the Cupra Bocanegra. I must say, it makes me drool! The Ibiza Cupra Bocanegra boasts a 1.4 TSI engine generating about 180bhp. Now trust me when I say this, on such a small body, this is one hell of an engine. Moving from what’s under the hood to the exterior styling, it comes in either metallic red or white with black covering a great part of its front bumper. On the rear side it has a beautiful rear bumper with an amazing trapezoid shaped muffler in the center. They weren’t stingy on the interior, it looks a lot like the current Ibiza sold in the Egyptian market but it is more stylized. You get paddle shifters (the plus and minus paddles right behind the steering wheel), a more stylized steering wheel with sports knitting and a Bocanegra logo. In addition to that you get custom made seats for the Bocanegra edition. If you’re
looking for toys, it has parking sensors, Bluetooth kit, mp3 player and lots more so you could enjoy racing to your favorite tracks. Second is a car that comes from the 4 awesome rings you see on the sexiest of bonnets. It’s the Audi A1. Under its sexy bonnet is a choice of 1.2, 1.4 or 1.6 liter engines generating 85bhp, 120bhp, 104bhp respectively. Even though it hasn’t impressed many, I still think it’s a hot hatch. It has its front eye lids adapted from its bigger sister the Audi A8 with amazing LEDs and Xenon technology. The rear lights are also enthralling reminding me a little bit of the Audi TT with the squared styled lights. This car is not the most spacious hatch back out there however and if you’re looking for space more than looks and style, this is not the car for you. It is a sports coupe so the rear leg space is not for a basketball player or for a dwarf either. It is perfect for your cute little fluffy pet, Gucci. The interior is very luxurious, with the regular toys, Bluetooth kit, navigation and the like. To be frank I love it but it is one of those cars that require a lot of thinking before buying. Last but not least is the Mito and I am not talking about “El Hag Metwally,” I am talking about the Alfa Romeo Mito. I’ve always said that Alfa Romeo is very jinxed in Egypt. In terms of resale I admit, it sucks and it might not be the car that doesn’t break down regularly. Yet Alfas are very hot cars and are actually quite likable.
The Alfa Romeo Mito boasts a 1.4 turbocharged engine with three driving modes DNA; (Dynamic, Normal and All weather). With the dynamic mode you get a little turbo boost turning your normal hatch back into a speed hungry beast. The exterior styling is adapted from the sexy Alfa Romeo 8C with the circular rear LED lights and the mean bonnet. It is a car that will attract attention from everyone, even those driving Minis. On the interior, it is very well made but not up to Audi’s standards if we were to compare. However the interior is quite stylized with huge round gauges and a multifunction steering wheel with the Blue&Me function. This function allows you to voice dial contacts and it even read messages for you so you can keep an eye on the road. It also plays your music via voice recognition software. The DNA switch looks extremely slick and is located right above the gear box. Mito boasts a lot of other extra features that will come in handy to hatch back enthusiasts. Among the three cars reviewed, I’d vote for the Cupra Bocanegra, then the Mito comes next and the last car would be the Audi for its extreme compactness. Both the Cupra and the Mito offer great performance and a reasonable interior space, while the Audi offers sexier interior & exterior styling but lacks on space. Whatever the choice is a hot hatch will always make me drool!
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movies
must see By: Sarah Kamel
127 Hours Filmmaker Danny Boyle adapts the true-life story of Aron Ralston with this Fox Searchlight production detailing the hiker’s harrowing quest for survival after losing an arm to a fallen rock and the grueling five-day ordeal that finally ended with his rescue. James Franco steps into the role of the unfortunate climber.
Fair Game The Bourne Identity director Doug Liman teams with screenwriters Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth to streamline Joseph Wilson’s and Valerie Plame’s books detailing the explosive outing of undercover CIA agent Plame into a tense docudrama thriller starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn. At the time her cover was blown by the George W. Bush administra-
tion, Plame (Watts) was combing Iraq for evidence of weapons of mass destruction as part of the CIA’s Counter-Proliferation Division. Her husband, American diplomat Joe Wilson was attempting to verify a claim that the Iraqis had recently purchased enriched uranium from Niger when the White House began beating the war drums before any solid evidence had been gathered. When Joe penned an editorial in The New York Times decrying the hasty call to war, a prolific Washington, D.C. journalist took the opportunity to reveal Plame’s identity as a CIA operative, an act that not only put her career in jeopardy, but also left her various contacts overseas in a precarious position. Years later, a jobless and publicly disgraced Plame wages a vicious fight to clear her name, set the record straight, and
runs rampant, a Los Angeles entrepreneur (Donald Faison), his best friend, Jarrod (Eric Balfour), and Jarrod’s frightened girlfriend (Scottie Thompson) struggle to
For Colored Girls Ntozake Shange’s Obie Awardwinning play exploring the plight of black women makes the leap from stage to screen with this ensemble drama directed by Tyler Perry, and starring Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine, Hill Harper, Thandie Newton, Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, and Macy Gray.
A series of blindingly bright lights appear all over Los Angeles, mesmerizing the citizens of the city while luring them to an uncertain fate in this sci-fi thriller from sibling filmmakers Greg and Colin Strause. As speculation regarding the origin of the mysterious lights
Morning Glory Produced by J.J. Abrams and written by Aline Brosh McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada), director Roger Michell’s comedic glimpse into the cutthroat world of live television finds a desperate female news producer (Rachel McAdams) attempting to put out the flames between an anchorman (Harrison Ford) and his blustery but iconic cohost (Diane Keaton) in a last-ditch effort to save their failing morning show. Jeff Goldblum co-stars in the Paramount Pictures production.
keep her family from falling apart.
Skyline
provides the script for the 20th Century Fox production, co-starring Rosario Dawson.
Sophie’s parents both perish in a tragic accident, Holly and Eric are informed that they were singled out as Sophie’s caretakers in the event of an unforeseen disaster. Now, in order to raise Sophie right, this bickering pair must put their differences aside while mastering the fine art of parenthood. Coordinating their new lives and getting along won’t be easy for Eric and Holly, but somewhere between the conflicting schedules and drastic lifestyle changes, the reluctant couple realizes that with a help from Sophie, they’re starting to resemble a real family.
Life as we know it resist temptation as they seek out the source of the luminous threat.
Unstoppable Denzel Washington and Star Trek’s Chris Pine star in this action thriller from director Tony Scott. The plot surrounds two locomotive operators who team up to stop a runaway train filled with explosives. Live Free or Die Hard’s Mark Bomback
Two people who can’t stand each other are forced to care for the same child in this domestic comedy drama starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. Holly (Heigl) is a caterer whose career is just getting off the ground; Eric (Duhamel) directs sports for a major network. Their first date was a nightmare, and now they’re about to become a family. When their goddaughter
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feature
Men’s Trap By: Heba Abdul Shahid
So you get suspicious about your boyfriend, fiancee, or husband. You start thinking over and over what he might be doing behind your back. Is he having an affair? Is he cheating? Is he in love with someone else? And all these thought come to you just because he might have had a bad day and his mood was not that good. But as women we do not understand that. We do not give men the right to have mood swings like we do. If we were in a bad mood we would expect them to totally understand and support us but if they happen to have a mood swing, they are cheaters. Surprisingly most women lack self confidence and this is when they start making up stories and lies and the sad part is, they believe those lies. So a friend of mine gets suspicious because her boyfriend who happens to be studying engineering which we all know is not that easy, is studying most of the time. “He must be cheating” she thinks to herself. But she doesn’t stop here or try to find out what he might be doing. Instead, she decides she will catch him whether he is cheating or not. You all wonder how she will do that. Well the new way for girls
to bust their boyfriends is the “fake facebook account”. Along with all the problems facebook brings like breaking up with your boyfriend because a guy commented on your photo or arguing over which friends you should delete, now facebook opened a new door to DRAMA. So she created a fake facebook account and steals some photos of a “hot” girl and adds random friends and starts filling up her wall with the help of her girlfriends and then begins to stalk her own boyfriend. She send him messages on facebook and starts convincing him that she is a girl that lived all her life in a foreign country and she is in Egypt for vacation and out of all the guys in Egypt she has chosen him ( which he happens to be not so attractive) to show her all the places in Cairo. The sad part is: he believes her. The guy couldn’t resist the pictures she had posted and thought to himself : “a hot girl throwing herself at me!! WHY NOT!!?”, although normally he might have been very loyal. He agrees to go out with her on a date to meet her and get to know her and here, his girlfriend slaps him in the face with the truth that it has been her all the way. She doesn’t
even wait to see if he was really going to meet her or was he just playing her along. Here the boyfriend is shocked and starts defending himself by saying: “i knew it was you! That why I agreed!”...Not so good of an excuse so she keeps on fighting so then he turns to another way out by saying: “Why would you do something like that? You don’t trust me!!!!???? And then they end up breaking up. Unfortunately and let’s face it no man in his position would have said no to the hot girl. We are not living in a perfect world. Even the most loyal guys sometimes can’t resist. The question is: Who’s fault is it? She traps him into “cheating” and then breaks up with him for it. He shouldn’t have cheated or agreed to this but she should have trusted him and herself more than that. So now a relationship was ruined because she decided to create drama in their lives which brings us to another point: Girls love to live in drama and if there is no drama around them they will CREATE it. And guys: If you’re weak enough to cheat, then you’re dumb enough to get caught.
feature
Technologies That Have
Rocked 2010 By: Donia Beshir
Now that the 2010 is almost behind us, we can start the new year with a bang. So many new technologies are ready to make a big impact in 2011. Some of them will be brand new, but many have been gestating and are now ready to hatch. We should always remember the new stuff we have witnessed in the past year. Below is a list of the ten technologies that have left the biggest marks on 2010: 1. The Tablet: It’s the most anticipated product of the year. The mythical tablet computer (which everyone seems to be working on). There are beautiful Android tablets, concept tablets, and, of course, the one tablet which could define the category, the Apple Tablet. Or iSlate or whatever it’s called. If Steve Jobs is not working on a tablet, he’d better come up with one because anything else will be a huge disappointment. Why do we need yet another computer in between a laptop and an iPhone? We won’t really know until we have it. But the answer lies in the fact that increasingly the Web is all you need. As all of our apps and data and social lives move to the Web, the Tablet is the incarnation of the Web in device form, stripped down to its essentials. It will also be a superior e-reader for digital books, newspapers, and magazines, and a portable Web TV.
2. Geo: The combination of GPS chips in mobile phones, social networks, and increasingly innovative mobile apps means that geolocation is increasingly becoming a necessary feature for any killer app. I’m not just talking about social broadcasting apps like Foursquare and Gowalla. The advent of Geo APIs from Twitter, SimpleGeo, and hopefully Facebook will change the game by adding rich layers of geo-related data to all sorts of apps. Twitter just recently launched its own Geo API for Twitter apps and acquired Mixer Labs, which created the GeoAPI. 3. Realtime Search: After licensing realtime data streams from Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, and others, Google and Bing are quickly ramping up their realtime search. But realtime search is still treated as a silo, and is not regularly surfaced in the main search results page. In 2010, I expect that to change as the search engines learn for what types of searches it makes sense to show Tweets and other realtime updates. In the meantime, a gaggle of realtime search startups such as Collecta, OneRiot, and Topsy will continue to push the ball forward on the realtime search experience. Realtime search will also become a form of navigation, especially on Twitter and Facebook. The key will be to combine realtime search with realtime filters so that people are
delivered not only the most recent information but the most relevant and authoritative as well. 4. Chrome OS: In November, Google gave the world a sneak peek at its Chrome operating system, which is expected to be released later this year. The Chrome OS is Google’s most direct attack on Windows with an OS built from the ground up to run Web apps fast and furious. Already a Google is rumored to be working on a Chrome Netbook which will show the world what is possible with it a “Web OS.” It sounds like it would be perfect for Tablet computers also (see above). Chrome is a risky bet for Google, but it is also potentially disruptive. 5. HTML5: The Web is built on HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and the next version which has been taking form for a while is HTML5. Already browsers such as Firefox and Google’s Chrome (the browser, not the OS) are HTML5friendly. Once HTML5 becomes more widespread across the Web, it will reduce the need for Flash or Silverlight plug-ins to view videos, animations, or other rich applications. They will all just be Web-native. HTML5 also supports offline data storage, drag-and-drop, and other features which can make Web apps act more like desktop apps.
A lot of Websites will be putting HTML5 under the hood in 2010. 6. Mobile Video: With video cameras integrated into the latest iPhone 3GS and other Web phones, live video streaming apps are becoming more commonplace—both streaming from phones and to them. As mobile data networks beef up their 3G bandwidth and even start to tiptoe into true broadband with 4G (which Verizon is heading towards with its next-gen LTE network), mobile video usage will take off. 7. Augmented Reality: One of the coolest ways to use the camera lens on a mobile phone is with the increasing array of augmented reality apps. They add a layer of data to reality by placing everything from photos to Tweets to business listings directly on top of the live live image captured by the camera. Tonchidot’s Sekai Camera, Layar, GraffitiGeo and even Yelp are examples of augmented reality apps. 8. Mobile Transactions: As mobile phones become full-fledged computers, they can be used for mobile commerce also. One area poised to take off in 2010 are mobile payments and transactions. Twitter founder Jack Dorsey’s latest startup Square turns the iPhone into a credit card reader. Verifone has its compet-
ing product, as does Mophie. The idea is that any mobile phone can become a point of sale, and those mobile transactions can tie into back-end accounting, CRM, and other enterprise systems. 9. Android: Last year saw the launch of nearly two dozen Android-powered phones, including the Verizon Droid. In a few days, Google’s Nexus One will launch as the first Android phone which can be unlocked from any given carrier (it is launching with T-Mobile). Android is Google’s answer to the iPhone, and as it reaches critical mass across multiple carriers and handsets it is becoming increasingly attractive to developers. There are already more than 10,000 apps on Android, next year there will be even more. And other devices running on the mobile OS are launching as well. 10. Social CRM: We’ve seen the rise of Twitter and Facebook as social communication tools. This year, those modes of realtime communication will find their way deeper into the enterprise. Salesforce.com is set to launch Chatter, it’s realtime stream of enterprise data which interfaces with Twitter and Facebook and turn them into business tools. Startups like Yammer and Bantam Live are also making business more social.
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health
Music that
Burns Fat! By: Mena Ghali
Irrelevant? Nope, not true. A good tune could keep you going during your workout as opposed to just hearing your breath. Take 30 minutes and download the nice songs that really keeps you going, have them on a separate playlist on your iPod. This way you don’t have to keep stopping during your workout to change songs or just finding a nice one. I have tried exercising with my own music, without music at all and with whatever the gym floor had playing. Most effective when I had my own music, I now know if I’m
feeling tired and can’t do any more reps which songs to switch to. It’s as if I have recharged my batteries it would keep me going again. When this was done with whatever was playing at the gym, I couldn’t find that push-harder-be-stronger song and couldn’t change. Not to mention the lousy house songs in the middle. One more good point, you will get less talking from people if you have your earphones plugged. For the guys, trust me that will save you time. Someone needs a spot, he will not look at you, you seem
like you will not hear him and he will have to grab your attention by touching you - nah, here’s another guy without earphones that can do it for me. For the gals, well, you will be approached less, and harassed less (if that’s OK with you) so you can focus more on your workout. Yes, what you hear is related to how much effort and focus you put during your workout and thus how much fat you burn! Cheers
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New Year’s Girls Night in Party Ideas By: Sarah El Etribi
Through an interesting chat with Farida Mostafa, an 18 year-old who studies Management at GUC, I got to know her experiences and ideas regarding New Year’s Eve parties at home. I’ve heard you hold NYE parties at home for a long time now. How long has it been? The idea was initiated five years ago, and this year will be the sixth.
What are the sources of entertainment you offer at your house parties? We ask the girls to bring music from their iPods, laptops or instruments like the Egyptian ‘tabla’. We also have a mini talent show at the near end of the party where the girls get to show off their singing or acting talents, or basically any thing they can do that would interest the rest of the group.
Do you hire professional party planners? My older sister and I plan our annual parties together; we create events on Facebook and invite all our girl friends. Anyone willing to help is more than welcome as well.
Do you cook the party’s food, or do you just order delivery food? We think that cooking with the girls is more fun and more cost efficient than ordering food. If some girls like to bring food from their homes, that’s totally fine. Either ways, we cook desert, salads and a nice meal to enjoy together.
What about the party themes? How do you decide upon them? Each year, my sister and I decide about the theme in advance and inform our friends. This year though, we decide according to votes. This year’s votes went for “Famous People”. In 2005, we’ve had “Bee2a party”, then we had a normal costume party where the girls can come dressed up as they like, and another theme was “belly dancers”.
I’m assuming since this is New Year’s and the parties are usually late at night that you offer the girls a sleepover? Of course! The sleepover is one of the essentials of our annual parties at home. It’s always fun to celebrate the last hour of the year together and watch an interesting movie before getting to sleep. We ask the girls to bring sleeping bags and other sleeping materials to make the sleepover interesting and exotic.
o t e b i r c s Sub F F O % 5 t 1 e g & Send to: .com e in z a g a m style o n h c e t @ info
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fashion
New Year s’ has never been so stylish
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Stylist: Nancy Adly Photographer: Hany Abdel Sater Model: Rita Location: Kuwait
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unveiled
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Step in Style this new year’s latest footware
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health
Fat Issue The
Exactly 10 months ago I was anywhere between 4.5 and 5% body fat. Now, after a recent trip for one month, I am anywhere between 9 and 11%!! The 2 killer B’s did the job, beer and burgers. I have researched, read and looked into my own workout notes on what was the best fat burning workouts and techniques. Everyone has his own theory, and I have mine as well. Again, based on my own trials and results. Here what I found to be the most effective fat burning technique: You will need to hit the gym twice. I will explain why. You will hit the gym in the early morning for weight training - no matter what everyone and every magazine says, weight training in the morning burns more fat than cardio. Not only does your weight training increase your metabolism rate, but the increased muscle mass (replacing your fat) will burn fat automatically setting you on fatburn autopilot. For the afternoon, there’s the cardio session. The cardio session for most people doesn’t have to be more than 20 to 30 minutes of medium intensity if you will do that 5 times a week. If you can’t find time for 5 times, do 4 for 30 to 40 minutes. If you can’t find time go for 3 times for 30 minutes of high intensity. Research has found that doing short intervals of cardio more than 4 times per week burns more fat than longer intervals for 4 or less at high intensity. But again, there’s time constraint, so do what works for you.
By: Mena Ghali
You can do the above for the first week and then switch to HIIT (high intensity interval training) - you run at maximum intensity for one minute and stretch or walk at minimum intensity for another minute. Do this for 20 minutes. Why I insist on weight training in the morning and cardio in the evening is because weight training induces your body’s hormones which keeps you feeling a bit wired or alert unlike cardio sessions which take away energy. So imagine doing cardio in the morning, sleeping at work and eventually skipping your weight training in the afternoon (which needs most of your energy) because you’re drained. Whereas the cardio as an energy drainer is good when you do in the afternoon as you will find it easier to sleep and still you have given another boost to your metabolism that will keep working with you at night. The food, the food, the food!! Fat is not your enemy by the way. You need it to feel full and if you don’t have enough you will not burn it out! A very strict low fat diet will do you no good in burning the fat, and neither will a very high-fat-diet one. Let’s keep it at 1 gram per fat per kilogram per day. Yes, start reading the labels and calculating. You will also find a lot of info on grams of fat in common food. If we are going to intake fat, let’s try to make it of the good fat type too like the ones in extra virgin olive oil, butter and almonds. Carbs, keep the carbs in your system. Limit your carb intake after
4:00 PM and switch to more complex carbs (Muesli and Oats) brown bread instead of white. Protein - no need to elaborate, this is your main intake. 2 grams per kilogram weight. If you weigh 75, you need 150 grams of protein per day. Fruits and Veggies - do them anytime. Keep them raw and limit the sugary fruits after 8:00 PM. Now you can eat all the above, but will never start increasing your metabolism or losing fat unless you understand that you need to eat every 2 to 3 hours. That doesn’t mean you need to have a “meal” every 3 hours, but you need your metabolic system working by in-taking different quantities and types of foods throughout the day. This is the only way your body will note store what you eat, since it will eventually understand that it doesn’t need to do that because it’s getting what it needs every 2 or 3 hours. Unlike eating 2 or 3 times a day and scaring your body that it might starve - and yes your body will store everything fearing that it might not find what it needs soon. Eat 6 to 8 times a day - Eat Healthy. So much for frequency. Try eating at the same time everyday too (I know this is a bit hard). Good workout for 90 minutes divided into 1 hour of weight in the morning and 30 minutes of cardio in the evening with some healthy food options and frequency and you are guaranteed to start losing body fat like never before. Tried and tested. Cheers,
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news
TechnoStyle News 1st Edition
December 2010
Coca-Cola Volunteers Participate in Ain Al Soukhna Beach Cleanup
The Coca-Cola Company and the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Egypt joined forces with the Ocean Conservancy and their employees, external partners, and volunteers to make a positive difference in Egypt by cleaning up a beach in Ain Al Soukhna. The clean-up is part of a global partnership between Coca-Cola and the Ocean Conservancy to reduce litter on beaches around the world. Beginning in 2009, Coca-Cola began its clean-up efforts in Ain El Soukhna, located near the Suez Canal. Ain Al Soukhna was chosen as it serves as one of Egypt’s sparkling Red Sea hot spots, a key tourist area in the summer and one of Cairo’s closest beaches visited daily by more than 5000 people. “Small individual gestures can make a big difference when combined together,” said Curt Ferguson, President of North & West Africa for The Coca-Cola Company. “I have personally participated in the International Coastal Clean-up several times, and I am always inspired by the impact we can have in just one day. We all work and live in Egypt and everyone enjoys the Sokhna beaches in the summer, so this partnership is a great opportunity for our own employees and our partners to come together to make a difference here in Egypt.”
For the second year more than 200 volunteers from the Coca-Cola system, community groups, local schools, colleges, government entities and NGOs participated in collecting the litter and cleanup for a 1-km stretch of the Ain El Soukhna public beach. In addition to volunteers from The Coca-Cola Company, representatives from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Egypt, volunteers from the Ministry of the Environment, CARE Egypt, the Ahmed Abdou Youth Center in Suez, and Cairo’s Community Services Association participated in the clean-up efforts. Students from Cairo American College also joined the Company’s ‘Live Positively’ initiative to obtain credit towards their annual community service requirement. More than 3000 Kg - - 3 metric tons - - of litter was collected this year by the volunteers, which was then weighed and removed by workers from the Suez Governorate garbage company. “We appreciate Coca-Cola joining with the Suez Governorate to remove litter from a public beach in Ain el Sokhna. We particularly appreciate that Coca-Cola brought their own employees to do the work, and hopefully other companies will follow in their footsteps,” said Mr. Alaa El Din Badour, Secretary of Suez Governor.
1st Edition
December 2010
Emaar Misr promotes Egypt as Key Tourist Destination
Avaya Data Solutions Launches Virtualization Strategy, End-To-End Architecture Simplifies Data Center, Campus Networking
Avaya, a global leader in enterprise communications systems, software and services, today launched a new data networking architecture that helps enterprises reap the benefits of virtualization in a more simplified and costeffective manner. This technology utilizes a new, end-to-end enterprise-wide architecture designed to help CIOs and IT departments meet the surging demand for new content and business collaboration applications. Avaya Virtual Enterprise Network Architecture (Avaya VENA) allows organizations to more easily optimize business applications and service deployments in and between data centers and campuses. Avaya VENA reduces costs and significantly improves time to service by more efficiently optimizing the network connections between application servers and end users – essentially providing an end-to-end connection from the desktop all the way to the data center. It also reduces risks for CIOs by simplifying provisioning and policy configurations, reducing network re-designs, and providing new, streamlined tools for network management.
Emaar Misr hosted a dinner in cooperation with AmCham Egypt for a 25-member delegation comprising senior American corporate clients and prominent media representatives to showcase Egypt as a key destination for American tourists and MICE business. The dinner was also attended by H.E Margret Scobey, Ambassador of the United States of America in Egypt. The delegation’s program included visiting various touristic destinations in Cairo, Luxor and Sharm El Sheikh. The delegation was invited to Egypt by the Amcham Egypt Travel and Tourism Committee to promote it as a key touristic destination and showcase the various touristic attractions in Egypt. The Amcham Egypt initiative goes in line with Emaar’s vision to develop the tourism section in Egypt, which is prev-
alent in their plan to transform the North Coast to an all year round international destination through the international quality standards Emaar Misr offers in its 10 bil EGP project Marassi. During the dinner at the Manial Palace Golden Hall, Mr. Hazem Ashry – General Manager of Emaar Misr, highlighted the importance of the role that high quality Real Estate and Tourism development projects play in stimulating the tourism sector in Egypt , which complement the country’s all year round mild weather and wide range of tourist destinations that attract tourists from different parts of the World. This is why Emaar chose Egypt as a key market for growth and home for the 10 billion EGPs project – Marassi, to fulfill the North Coast’s potential to become an all year round international destination.
Le Marche, lunch with a unique taste at Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars
Holiday Inn Cairo Citystars has combined great atmosphere with great food just to make the weekend lunch an unforgettable memory for you, your friends and family. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday you can enjoy lunch at Le Marche from 1 pm to 5pm at Windows restaurant where the great cooking aroma of the spices and freshly harvested organic vegetables from our garden will tickle your taste buds. Around every corner stand different cooking stalls with various specialties; meat, Asian, fish, pizza, salad, soup and dessert. Choose the fresh ingredients you like and have them cooked A la minute. Kids can also enjoy their new special corner with their favorite cartoons, decorations and all the food they love.
A Call for Action at the First Regional IPR and Cyber Crime Conference in Jordan Adobe Systems Incorporated MENA (Nasdaq:ADBE) and the Business Software Alliance, the global trade association representing the software industry, in cooperation with the Jordanian National Library closed its final session of the First Regional IPR and Cyber Crime Conference in Amman, Jordan with a number of recommendations for governments and companies to help them reserve intellectual property rights and reduce software piracy.
“Two-thirds of Middle East businesses are at risk of using unlicensed or pirated software, 67% of businesses lack formal systems for software asset management, and 80% fail to identify the operational and viral threats to businesses using pirated software,” says Abdallah Saqqa, General Manager, Middle East & North Africa, Adobe Systems. “We at Adobe aim to educate businesses on the risks, which extend beyond legal and financial penalties.”
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news 1st Edition The Samsung Store: An Icon of Technology, Design and Style
Gadget shopping has now taken on a distinctly experiential flavor at the Samsung Store, an oasis of design and calm at the bustling Dubai Mall. It seems only fitting that the largest Samsung Store outside of Korea is located in the world’s largest mall by area, situated next to the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. The store has become the destination of choice for visitors to the Mall, attracted as much by its design and ambience as its products. It, quite literally, brings the Samsung brand experience to life. Set amongst a number of outlets selling a variety of electronics goods, the Samsung Store stands apart with a harmonic window display: pictures that combine Asian and European designs into electronic collages on state-of-the-art LED televisions. This slow, rhythmic modern electronic artwork almost lays down the expectations for visitors to the Store, where functional design and technology goes handin-hand. Kyungtae Bae, president of Samsung Electronics Middle East & North Africa Headquarters, says that the Store, in many ways, personifies the Samsung brand.
December 2010 Mindshare MENA Launch One-Day Forum to Explore Changes in Consumer Communications Worldwide
Mindshare MENA hosted its inaugural Mindshare Media Summit 2010 in Dubai in the presence of prominent speakers such as Nick Emery, Chief Strategy & Client Services officer, Mindshare worldwide; Russell Buckley, AdMob Evangelist, Google; Gilles Storme, Head of Sales EMEA, RockYou Ahmed Nassef, VP Middle East, Yahoo and Mazen Hayek Group Director of PR & Commercial/ Official Spokesman of MBC Group. The inaugural Mindshare Media summit was organized by C squared. This summit aimed to provide a definitive guide to the key changes within the media advertising landscape. Selected guests were exposed to a hand-picked selection of some of the
advertising industry’s most pioneering media minds, who outlined the emerging opportunities for advertisers and demonstrated how to embrace new media channels. “The Mindshare Media Summit 2010 is part of our commitment to show the market how we are moving beyond the realm of media solutions to respond to market changes” says Samir Ayoub, CEO of Mindshare MENA region. “Understanding the optimum value and interaction between brands, consumers and media channels will create competitive advantage for our clients. The summit provides us with inspiration and essential learning for the future of our partnership together.”
1st Edition JOTUN Launches ‘Lady Effects’ Premium Paint Range in Egypt
JOTUN Paints, one of the world’s leading producers and suppliers of paints and coatings, has announced the launch of its latest premium paint range ‘Lady Effects’ at a ceremony at the Fairmount Towers Hotel, which was attended by 350 JOTUN dealers and sub-dealers from across Egypt. Under the company’s ‘Lady’ brand, the new line offers better fin-
Avaya honoured with two top Industry awards for outstanding achievement
Zeynep Hanif Displaying Winter Collection at Luxury for a Cause Event Zeynep Hanif, Cairo’s hottest Turkish jewelry designer, has participated in Pashion Magazine’s Luxury for A Cause event. The event was held at The Fairmont Nile City. The theme of the event this year was New York Fashion Week. The event witnessed Cairo’s top retailers’ brands, traditional wear, accessories and so on. Zeynep Hanif has displayed her elegant collection and unique designs of exquisite mixture of metals, stones and colors. The closing party was full of entertainment including a live local performance and signature Grey Goose cocktails.
ish and new interior effects, which allows customers to be more artistic in selecting the effects to complement their lifestyles and personalities. The unveiling of ‘Lady Effects’ is part of the manufacturer’s strategy to maintain its number one position within the Middle East paint market, which is estimated to be worth USD 2 billion.
Wins Networking Vendor of the Year, and Hardware Vendor of the Year by two independent organisations. Avaya continues to wow industry specialists, as it gained recognition once again for its leadership in
Networking capabilities and Hardware range by two of the region’s top publishing houses. Avaya was awarded the Networking Vendor of the Year Award 2010 at Arabian Computer News’ Arab Tech Awards 2010, an ITP title; and Hardware Vendor of the Year 2010 by Computer News Middle East’s ICT Achievements Awards, a Corporate Publishing International (CPI) title. Avaya emerged a winner in both the hotly contested categories at separate awards ceremonies held during Gitex Technology Week 2010. With awards for world-class projects and implementations, leading vendor contributions, and outstanding individual efforts, the ACN Arab Technology Awards are some the most prestigious IT industry awards in the Middle East.
December 2010 LG ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO ENTER WATER TREATMENT BUSINESS
Plans to Invest USD 400M to Become Top Ten Player by 2020 LG Electronics (LG) announced today that it will enter the water treatment market to help combat global water supply issues and to move further toward becoming a more environmentally sustainable business. LG will invest more than USD 400 million over the next decade with the goal of generating USD 7 billion in revenue by 2020, in the process becoming a top 10 global water treatment company. Much of the investment will go toward acquiring the right technology and building up research and development in this field. “Water affects every aspect of our lives, yet almost one billion people around the world don’t have clean drinking water and more than 2.5 billion still lack the most basic sanitation,” said Mr. K. Wan Kim, CEO of LG Electronics Middle East Africa. “LG hopes to be able to make a small but significant contribution to alleviating this global problem with its commitment to finding solutions through innovation and technology.” LG will concentrate its R&D on developing an advanced membrane filtration system, its core technology and key component of water treatment solutions. LG will also expand its internal capabilities with the additional hiring of membrane filtration experts and process engineers. The company will also be pursuing various types of partnerships, mergers and acquisitions as part of its strategy to expand quickly.
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1st Edition LG Optimus One Hits 1 Million Sales Worldwide
December 2010 Women in the UAE Opt for ‘Function and Performance’ As Most Important Factor when Choosing a Smartphone
Under the auspices of H.E. Dr. Safi El Din Kharboush
YWCA christmas bazaar
Popular Android 2.2 Smartphone Sets Company Sales Record in Just Over One Month LG Electronics (LG) announced that worldwide sales of its Optimus One smartphone have hit one million units just 40 days after the phone’s initial launch. Now available in the Middle East after the global roll-out last month, the Optimus One is the fastest selling mobile handset in the company’s history. Powered by the Android 2.2 “Froyo” OS and optimized for Google Mobile Services, the LG Optimus One has been a big hit with first-time smartphone buyers looking for high performance and useful applications in a handset priced very competitively to feature phones. “The versatile, powerful LG Optimus One was designed to provide an easy transition into the world of smartphones and as these numbers demonstrate, there is obviously a strong demand for this type of device,” Mr Ki Wan Kim, CEO of LG Electronics Middle East and Africa. “Optimus One seems to be what many customers were waiting for, proving that smartphones aren’t just for early adopters anymore.”
Price, Personal Need, and Phone Design are Key Drivers for Female Buyers as Compared to Males 74 percent of women chose ‘function and performance’ as the most important factor in smartphone selection, according to a survey conducted by YouGov Siraj on behalf of Motorola Mobility. In addition, roughly half (48 percent) of women who do not currently own a Smartphone are planning to switch to one in the coming year, demonstrating the strength of growth in this product line. Among those planning to switch brands of smartphone, women place more emphasis on price than men (22 percent compared to 16 percent) in deciding which brand to purchase. “For women in search of a smartphone that delivers function, performance, and style, the FLIPOUT fits neatly in your palm, purse or small pocket, making it fun and easy to stay connected while on the go – ideal for the busy lives of those in the UAE,” said Mahmoud Sayed Ahmed, marketing director, Middle East, Motorola Mobility. Motorola this month launched the FLIPOUT™ smartphone which retails for AED
At Jésuites petit collège, Heliopolis Friday, 17th Dec. 2010 From 11am-6pm St. Mark’s Choir
& 1,399 and runs on Android™ 2.1 and features an innovative square pivot design that opens to reveal a five-row QWERTY keypad with a separate row for numeric keys. The survey also showed that women are more likely to have a ‘personal need’ for a smartphone compared to men (71 percent compared to 65 percent) - the FLIPOUT features up to seven customizable home screens, live wallpapers, and added security for exchange server users ensuring that users achieve an individual mobile experience. FLIPOUT is available in an array of colors including Fairway Green, Raspberry Crush, Saffron and White.
Y Band Money goes to charity
For More Info Call: 0150-2420302 or 02-25904324 E-mail: ywca.bazaar10@gmail.com
Osman Badran
Regional Marketing Director, Middle East & North Africa
By: Riham Fouad
As a professional in technology we want to know how you view the presence of technology in our lives? Technology is the one of the most popular lee ways for people to disconnect during any economic crisis or even as an ongoing platform to keep up their spirit. People always aspire for innovation. For Example, in Europe and the US; technology is quite cheap so the speed of development in technology is very fast and the prices are affordable. Therefore you find that its much cheaper to experience latest technology abroad versus the rest of the world as they start to adapt the trend. In Egypt people are aspiration by nature, and the majority of our class segments look up to their upper category and try to be like them, look like them or dress like them etc. For example, they want to have the latest Nokia mobile even if they don’t have enough money to top up their mobile credit. I enjoy riding taxis to listen to their stories about their status and how do they perceive politics, religion, sports and technology from their point of view. One thing is common…they aspire to be better people and experience a better life for them of their families no matter how frustrated they are.
Every day there are a lot of new inventions and people just can’t keep up. Do you think it’s a good thing to catch up with all the latest inventions? Yes, I think people need to be aware of the new trends around them and I also think that the updates in technology or even a software update is a plus as there are always learning. However it is not easy nor feasible to catch up with all technology as it launches…yet keeping up with knowledge is the least one should do. Can Egypt be compared to Europe and the US in technology usage? We are on the right track and we are more advanced in some areas compared to some European countries but of course we are still behind the big ones. I think you can notice the trend in Mobile penetration, internet penetration that gives you an indication that once technology becomes affordable the growth becomes exponential. Nowadays there is a huge competition between technology brands. Hisense, is a relatively new brand in technology and somehow it has earned a good position in the Egyptian market in a short time. How and why? Hisense is one of the biggest Aclass Chinese brands ranking the #1 brand in China for 7 consecutive years till date…and believe me with all the ‘’copy cats’’ in China, sustaining that position is never easy and it shows how strong you are. For the
record Hisense is established since 1959 and is owned by the Chinese government and hence it enjoys a strong backbone when it comes to future expansions and business development. We feature a professional R&D center with 2789 scientists where which 78% of them are PHD holders. I believe the world today needs value and as long as we are providing technology with a relative affordable prices, we will win the market. The more we invest behind our brand and product diversity, the more we will grow. I remember when Vodafone previously known by ‘’Click’’ launched with a high price per minute above 2 LE and how with the price per minute is 20pt the penetration of mobile usage jumped from 10,000 customers to 27 million active subs with an ARPU of 120 LE. We are building the Hisense brand from the inside out and we are carefully positioning the brand to sit within people’s expectations when it comes to price vs brand. We are the official TV of Al Ahly club and used to sign Haifa Wahby as a brand endorser up until July 2010 and now we have signed Mohamed Barakat, Wael Gomaa and Ahmed Fathy the super Ahly stars. Those brand assets are meant to create a bond between us and the customers and this will partially subsidize the price war since competing against price only is a killer and never build brands. Ever since I joined Hisense we tripled our sales this year scoring the top country that witnessed a business development within the Hisense international markets at 175%. It is still a long journey but we
are determined to make another super 2011 for Hisense next year isa. Shortly after the launch of the LCD screens we see the 3D screens. Do you think the period between the launching of both products was calculated correctly? As I said before you will never be able to calculate technology launch dates given there is no monopoly. Apple for instance can do that, they can launch the 2nd generation of ipads later since they own the technology. In our case within the TV business we cant as there are many players. I agree that both came very close in time and 3D is also very expensive. Its launched to marked the future trend to manage people’s expectations. Will Hisense distribute other products besides the LCDs? We started with Hisense LCD & LEDs heavily and started to introduce Hisense ACs split range within the market and so as Hisense deep freezers whether chest or upright freezers and mini bars. In 2011 our plans are more aggressive but I cant disclose this information. Are there laptops and computers from Hisense? No. What is the future plan of Hisense? Sitting in Egypt I will be overlooking the marketing within the MENA regions since Egypt has a factory established in partnership with SHAMS the gurus in retail business. This factory started to export to the countries where we enjoy a foreign trade agreement with such as GAFTA or COMESA which are about 18-21 countries. Egypt and South Africa remains to be the top markets for Hisense in Africa but Egypt will act as the regional hub to run the Africa business from Cairo, and I’m part of this regional team. What do you think of Technostyle Magazine as the first lifestyle magazine with technological edge in the Egyptian market?
I believe that your magazine has substance that people would like to read and follow. You have actually the right balanced equation within
one magazine which is lifestyle and technology and I think the future will bring you more surprises. Good luck!
horoscope
Horoscope Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Leo
Virgo
Aries (March 21 - April 19)
If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put foundations under them. Henry David Thoreau
Libra
Scorpio
Sagittarius
Capricorn
Aquarius
Pisces
Libra (September 23 - October 22)
Your area of joint financial interest is in the limelight this month. There are many things happening behind the scenes for you in this area that could be very favorable for you and your future undertakings. A loved one could bring to your life some restrictions attached to this that could cause you some tension. Listen to your gut feelings on this matter and learn the lesson that your life is bringing here for you. This could cause you some agitation in your relationship with your mate or partner. You will be able to work this out as you have a special way of dealing with these issues.
Your area of personal income and values is in the limelight this month. You might receive news from your work place that could affect you in a favorable way as changes in this area of your life are happening very rapidly. These changes might make you impatient and cause you some agitation but these changes will be very lucky and favorable for your near future. The changes that you are making in the way that you communicate are making your life smoother and at the same time you are learning how to use some restraint.
Taurus (April 20- May 20)
Scorpio (October 23 - November 21)
Matters involving your marriage and partnership are in the spotlight this month for you. There is much activity and communication surrounding this area and some of you Taureans might be tying the knot this month. Communication with your home base could be giving you some restrictions that are causing you some tension. It seems that practicality is being called for. Money matters coming from your home base are flowing smoothly accompanied with some restraint that could work out for the best.
Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
Work, work, work; this seems to be a month full of much activity for you in this area of your life. There are many ideas that could come to you which might help you to improve your outside resources of income. There are some differences of opinion with someone at your home front closely connected to your work that might cause you some anger and agitation. Your emotions could be channeled in a positive way as changes in the way you think could be beneficial for you. Your future seems to be holding some bright moments for you. Meanwhile you are learning how to judge yourself when you handle your personal income and this is another positive thing for your future undertakings.
Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
Love seems to be knocking at the door for some of you. You will be receiving all kinds of communication concerning this part of your life. You could also be taking a trip that can hold many good things toward your future. You will have a great desire and impulse to take this much desired trip and this could cause you some worries and concerns as you are using some caution, at the same time, with your personal income. Your mate or partner could put some obstacles in your way that will have to be dealt in a constructive way.
Leo (July 23- August 22)
Your home life will be highlighted for you this month as much activity seems to be happening there. Some of you could be moving or completing a move to another location and this seems to be very favorable for you money wise as this could bring some fast changes in this part of your life also. You could become impatient as you wish for your outside resources to improve very rapidly. Your talents and abilities will be looked at, and this will be favorable for you. You could be getting what you deserve in a good way. The future is holding for you many lessons and adjustments with your shared resources of income.
Virgo (August 23 - September 22)
Communication is the key word for Virgos this month. You will be sending and receiving all kind of messages concerning your marriage or partnership as there are many things cooking there that will be very favorable and lucky for you. Unexpected developments there could bring extra personal income for you and at the same time your special talents and abilities will be compensated as this is part of your total package. You have learned many lessons and you are still learning with things that are related to your marriage or partnerships which is making you stronger and more responsible and cautious.
This month you should be involved with the way you look to others as you will like to look your best right now. This is very much in your thoughts as you wish to give your best impression to others. Flare ups could occur between you and a loved one concerning your future together. Opening lines of communication could bring much harmony toward your relationship. There are some obstacles that connect this situation with your personal sources of income as many changes have been happening there for you. You need to make some adjustments in reference to your future goals and where you wish to go in life.
Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)
The spotlight for you this month will be focused on private matters and you will be giving much thought to your personal problems and limitations and trying to find solutions to some of them. There is much emotional help that you could be receiving from your home front and this could come from unexpected sources. You are feeling some agitation concerning what you wish to do in order to reach your personal hopes and wishes as you would like to do much more right now. Help should come with this also right from your home place. There are many lessons that you are going through in your deepest self that are making you more firm with your personal beliefs.
Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)
You might be very busy this month with matters concerning social activities. You could be receiving many invitations that will keep you very busy this month. Some of this could be connected with business or career undertakings. This could cause you some emotional jitters as you worry about the way you will look to others and the impression you create with them. All these activities are surrounded with very favorable and lucky circumstances and this might be very good for your future undertakings. There are some questions that you will need to ask concerning limitations with your shared resources and savings as you feel like conserving some of these resources for a future date.
Aquarius (January 20 - February 18)
Matters concerning your business and career are spotlighted for you this month. Your life seems to be aiming towards good things for a better future involving your personal income. The majority of your thoughts are involved with this area as you desire an improvement with your personal resources. You could be full of anxiety as you desire for things to move quickly than they are in this area. There is a lesson hidden for you connected to your personal income and your mate or partner as there are some restrictions attached to this.
Pisces (February 19 - March 20)
You seem to have much more perception concerning your very personal future as you seem to be acquiring more experience with your life direction. Your future seems to be clearer to you right now in spite of all the changes that your life is going through at the present time. All these changes could be coming to you in a very rapid manner and only for the better as luck seems to be riding with you. Emotionally you seem to be feeling some worries and concerns as you always have some doubts about your future.
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travel
’Tis the season to start planning your holiday vacation. While this year’s shaky economy will force some to roast their chestnuts and stuff their stockings at home, others are already building their farflung itineraries and checking them twice. For many intrepid holiday travelers, Christmas is just not complete with a passport, a suitcase of good cheer, and a warm bed as far from home as the North Pole. By: Sarah Kamel
Great Places to Spend Christmas
In truth, the holiday traveler’s choices are endless. There’s a quintessential white Christmas in New England celebrated amid the cobblestone streets of historic Boston, where roasted lobster trumps Turkey on holiday menus. Further to the south, gracious living comes to life in the Victorian mansions of Charleston at holiday time, and eggnog is made with local bourbon. In Santa Cruz, California, Santa arrives by—what else—surf board. On the other side of the pond in Munich, travelers and locals alike look forward to the traditional crafts and hot spiced wine in the Marienplatz Christmas market. New Zealand—where it’s summer in December—serves up nighttime fishing, sub-tropical beaches, and awardwinning wines. And in Bali, with its sunsets over temple spires and miles of terraced rice paddies, expect holiday dishes laced with Kaffir lime jus. OK, not everyone has visions of exotic locales dancing in their head. For many, a simple change of scenery will do the trick in conjuring the holiday spirit and supplying a dose of much-needed rejuvenation at the end of the year. BALI Why Go: • Miles of terraced rice paddies • Instead of carols, the haunting sound of the gamelan gong • Watching Christmas Eve sunset at the island temple of Tanah Lot.
BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND Why Go: • Barbecues on subtropical beaches • Summer in December • A cooler of Steinlager beer instead of eggnog • Deep-sea fishing at night BOSTON Why Go: • Old-world ambience • New England coziness • Beacon Hill’s cobblestoned streets dusted with snow • Roasted lobster in lieu of Christmas turkey CHARLESTON Why Go: • Pecans roasting on the fire instead of chestnuts • Eggnog laced with bourbon • Choirs singing spirituals at Drayton Hall plantation. EDINBURGH Why Go: • Fireworks lighting up the sky from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse • Bagpipers playing “Amazing Grace” around the Sir Walter Scott Monument. MONTREAL Why Go: • A quiet celebration in the Canadian city that Harriet Beecher Stowe described as “a mountain of churches.”
•
A spin in one of the many outdoor ice-skating centers (our favorite is the Patinoire du Bassin Bonsecours in Old Montreal).
MUNICH Why Go: • Church bells ringing through the Alps • Trading that tame cocoa for a steaming cup of gluhwein (hot spiced wine) at the Marienplatz market. PARK CITY Why Go: • Snow, snow, snow. Schuss Utah’s famously light powder and take an après-ski stroll down funky Main Street, the hub of this former mining colony • One town, three resorts: Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley, and the Canyons. PUERTO RICO Why Go: • “Jingle Bells” set to a salsa beat • Instead of pine trees, palms and exotic flora in El Yunque rain forest • Evening strolls through a 500-year-old Spanish colonial city on the Atlantic. SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA Why Go: • Thousand-year-old redwoods • Santa arriving by surfboard • Still-crazy-after-all-these-years hippies co-existing peacefully with over-caffeinated young bucks.
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The 10 Defining Moments in a Relationship Your first kiss isn’t the only milestone you can enjoy. Take and step back to examine just where you are on the road of your relationship and take pleasure in all your firsts-- from fighting to murmuring those three little words. First times come in many forms. But which of these great moments should you relish and remember and which ones are just you being mushy? In relationship world, we say they all count. By: Donia Beshir First Talk
Your first talk till dawn Astronomers say it takes just over eight minutes for light from the sun to reach the earth. And that’s about how long it feels you’ve been talking, though it’s been over eight hours. “My God, look at the time!” you both say, cursing the violet sky. But it’s a good sign if all you want to do is talk for a few million more trips into space and back.
First Kiss
The first kiss We know: Duh. But how could we not mention that Big Red moment? It’s like no other feeling in the world.
Girlfriend?
When he introduces you as “my girlfriend” It’s so utterly high school that the title still straightens your spine. But how can it not? You’re now officially pinned, picked, branded, wanted.
I Love You?
Finding the nerve to say “I love you” Jessica Simpson seems content to do so through national magazines. For the rest of us, though, the moment is fraught with anxiety: What if he stares at us blankly? What if we’re saying it
too soon, and…Sorry, what was that? You do? Oh, thank God.
First Fight
The first time you fight and make up Let’s be honest: If you never fight, someone’s not speaking up. Consider it like an oil change: a healthy way to clean out gunk so you can get back to the joy ride.
First Trip
That first trip together What better way to gauge how you’ll fare on your journey through life than to see how you survive hours of snaking security lines? It’s also when you establish who’ll get the window seat for the duration of your relationship--so act fast, woman.
First Grocery Shop
The first time you grocery shop together You know how his lips taste after a workout and a cold beer. You know to give him five minutes alone when he shakes his head in a “work sucked” kind of way. But to watch this man slip a family-size Fruit Loops into the basket with a dopey grin on his face--that’s when you realize you still have worlds to learn about each other.
First Control
The first time he lets you control his car/remote/iPod Seriously, you don’t know how hard it is for him to hand over something he worships so much. Not as much as he worships you, of course, but close. Scary close
Caring Together
When you care for something together It doesn’t really matter if it’s a tomato garden or Rufus the drooling French bulldog. But when you’re both responsible for taking care of another living thing, your pairing becomes much more important. Be proud as you watch it grow.
Your Commitment
When you commit--we’re talking long-term commit--to each other On the one hand, it feels a bit like picking partners in the schoolyard. (“You want me on your team? Really? Me too!”) On the other, it’s a watershed moment, when you find yourself so profoundly lucky that someone you adore so much feels exactly the same way about you.