c ontour MAY 1, 2010

AED 3

LOVE IS NOT ABUSE.... 16
 ϐ
SAROSKI
DEFINE ELEGANCE
PHOTO/AYESHA A.

AVAILABLE AT IBN BATTUTA MALL, MALL OF THE EMIRATES, DUBAI MALL.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT 050-3667575
 MAY 1, 2010

C on t e n ts
contour
5 T RY
Skinjamming has become popular since it was
introduced

6 F OR Y OUR S ENSES The land of candy has a new surprise in

store for you

10 H EALTH Coffee beans can heal your bad breath and

much more

Acceptance of gated communities have made them a

14 L IVE habitat for those tired of the buzzing city life

16 R -RATED LOVE IS NOT ABUSE

18
Compromises affect your family not
T HINK just you

The Otakus are in town!

22 B EWARE
Privacy of the virtual world is being taken for
26 T ECH TALK granted

Choosing your career can be very frustrating and

28 Y OU confusing
 E ditor’s note contour
Welcome to the season of Spring ‘10. The Summer CREDITS:
has just begun to bloom in full action. Johnny Depp
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF:
has convinced us yet again that he can pull off any mad
Ayesha A. Ali
hat. The metro has become popular, especially for peo-
ple residing within the most jammed streets of Dubai. EDITOR:
So what separates May from the other months? Rebirth. Ayesha A. Ali
Love has held many definitions for people. A strength,
PAGES EDITOR:
a weakness, the ability to become a better human, to
Ayesha A. Ali
care for someone more than your self, but violence?
A disturbing issue has come to our attention. It breeds in the bed- FEATURE WRITER:
rooms, it breathes in the victim’s fear. The topic is hushed within Ayesha A. Ali
homes and tolerated. Turn to page 16 for information on that.
DESIGN EDITOR:
Another member is eager to share her thoughts on the
Ayesha A. Ali
vibrant city of Dubai. Her observations on Dubai are based
on just a few weeks time. So go ahead and enjoy another of
Contour.
Al Ghurair Publishing House
Fax 04 8820974
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

Mobile: 050 8786543

Ayesha A Ali Email: editor@light.ae

TRY
S ‘Skinjam’ originated in Singa-
K
pore and has become popular
over America, Europe, Middle
East and Asia. Launched in
2006, it is part of the Protect and
I
Personalize your gadget busi-
ness. What started out as an at-
tempt to protect gadgets at the
time of their reign, has now
become a creative department.
N
Various covers are custom-
designed for different cell phone
models. Scratch-free, dust-free
and high sensitive screen pro-
tector are features of this skin
wrapping service. It promises
J
five years of protection and the
utility of environment friendly
ingredients. The keypad is aptly
visible and can be used with-
out hassle after skinjamming.
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI
A
M
CREATIVE GADGET
PROTECTION
Ayesha A. Ali
The mobile phone cases of-
fer special UV coating and can
be crystallized after casing.
This trend has quickly caught
on in the Middle East. Although
young girls are the first to adopt
the glittery accessories on their
phones, many working wom-
en have also accepted it. It has
proved to be a suitable camou-
flage for both work and leisure.
Even better, if
you’re bored of the same
design, you can easily switch
to another! Skinjam claims
its skin wrap to be eas-
ily removable without residue.
Available outlets:
Opposite Booksplus, China
court, Ibn Battuta Mall
Ground floor, Dubai Festival City
MAY 1, 2010, Contour 5
 SENSES

LIS♪EN
#1

M
orning
after
dark
#2 Break Your Heart Taio Cruz ft. Ludacris
#3 According To You Orianthi
#4 Do You Remember Jay Sean ft. Sean Paul

♪
#5 All The Right Moves One Republic
#6 Rude Boy Rihanna
#7 Memories David Guetta ft. Kid Cudi
#8 I Can Transform Ya Chris Brown, Lil Wayne,
♪

♪
Swizz Beatz
#9 Blah Blah Blah Ke$ha ft. 3Oh!3
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

#10 Baby Justin Bieber ft. Ludacris

♪
Source: Virgin Radio Dubai 104.4 fm
♪

6 MAY 1, 2010, Contour ♪ ♪


PAGES in REVIEW
REDEEMING LOVE
Author: Francine Rivers
A novel based on the Book of Hosea,
‘Redeeming Love’ revolves around
the life of a beautiful woman named
Angel. The story is placed in Califor-
nia during the 19th century, where
men traded goods for gold and wom-
en traded their bodies for shelter.
The protagonist, Angel, is sold
into prost¬itution to a man called
Duke at the age of 8. After being ex-
posed to a darker side of life, she loses
faith in God, prayer and considers
hope to be fatal. The women she inter-
acted with as a child would say “Love
is debilitating”. She would watch men
as they used women and later disap-
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI
peared. Her own mother fell in love
and had to pay a heavy price for it.
7 MAY 1, 2010, Contour
SENSES
Unwanted by her own father,
Angel begins to believe in one truth:
betrayal is inevitable. People use one
another for selfish benefits, as they
would use her for lust and desire.
Insanity strikes in the
form of Michael Hosea.
‘Redeeming Love’ is a clean
and heartwarming story of how love
can strengthen and heal someone.
Francine Rivers has built a
reputation for publishing novels with
Christian themes. She was honored by
being inducted into the Romance Writ-
ers’ of America Hall of Fame in 1997.
Available at Magrudy’s Bookstore
# Paperback: 486 pages
# Publisher: Multnomah Books (May
11, 2001)
PHOTO/AYESHA A.
# Language: English
7

SCENT
W
elcome to the all-familiar land
of perfumes. A simple instru-
ment used for many reasons. The
metrosexual apply it for a feel-good mood,
while the function-oriented wish for neu-
trality. But most would shy away from con-
fessing the truth: to attract the opposite sex.
A woman’s scent is an invisible trace left be-
hind by many, and chased by many. How of-
ten have you envied them? Have you want-
ed to know why your perfume doesn’t last
that long? Does it have to do with the brand
or just how many times you apply it daily?
The scent of a perfume is the prima-
ry element that appeals you to buy a per-
fume. But its concentration matters too.
Concentration of a perfume is classified as:
Perfume extract (15-30%),
Eau de Parfum (8-15%),
Eau de Toilette (5-8%),
Eau de Cologne (2-7%)
The different percentages indicate the ratio of
oil present to the mixture of water and alcohol. Per-
fume extract is also known as ‘Parfum’ and is very
8 MAY 1, 2010, Contour
SENSES
Perfume inspect
By Ayesha A. Ali
expensive due to its concentration. Perfume oil is a
pure form of perfume with no alcohol added and is
available in small quantities for an expensive price.
This oil is extracted from plants such as lav-
ender, flowers such as rosew and jasmine, roots
such as iris, fruit such as strawberry, lemon, va-
nilla, and orange. Most perfumes are floral, spicy
and fruity. However woody, herbal, musky, pow-
dery, “aqueous” and herbal fragrances also exist.
The world of perfume also acknowledges the dif-
ferent scents in one perfume as top notes, middle
notes and base notes. Top notes are those scents
PHOTO/AYESHA A.
which appear immediately after application. Mid-
dle notes are apparent after top notes dissipate.
The same happens for base notes. They come
into action just when the middle notes evaporate.
Perfume extract is expensive but available at
limited stores. The Body Shop has launched a ‘per-
fume oil’ collection where concentration is higher
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI
than Eau de Parfum. A few drops applied over the
pulse points (wrist and neck) and you are ready to
leave your own scent in the corridors. Eau de Par-
fum and Eau de Toilette are available at many stores.
 SENSES

Scent of the Week:

Vanilla
Yep! The season of spring has
brought a new scent in stock:
vanilla blossom. Not the ice cream fla-
vour, not the vanilla essence for cakes.
Skin care and beauty brands like
Nivea, The Body Shop and Fa have
invested in this scent by launching
a variety of vanilla-based products.

From Body lotion, shower

gels to perfumes, women are sud-
denly turning to this hot scent. The
flavour is no longer restricted to just
food. In fact vanilla beans are found
to be hydrating for the skin. Body
butters containing Vanilla and Vi-
tamin E have become bestsellers.

Nivea recently launched

a shower gel crème with vanilla blos-
som and shea oil. The Body Shop
has added Vanilla perfume oil to
it’s scintillating range of fragrances.
Also, Fa has invested in vanilla blos-

VA -VA VANILLA! som with yoghurt for its shower gel.

The scent has quickly caught

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

The hottest scent has conquered everything up in aerosols and deodorants.

The mysterious unconventional fra-
from perfumes to room sprays. Find where
grance has spread wild and is easily
you can easily get hold of it. Before someone available in various brands near you.
else does! Ayesha A. Ali

MAY 1, 2010, Contour 9

 F LAUNT
IT!

The arrival of sum-

mer marks the dawn
of bright bold colors
on the streets. Yellows,
blues, greens and or-
anges all rebel from
the closets to march on
the tarred ramps.
This season, flaunt
your glossy red heels.
Be it Keith, Harvey
Nichols, Vincci or a
pair of red Clarks sti-
lettos, red heels are hot
this season!

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

10 MAY 1, 2010, Contour

 PHOTO
OF THE WEEK
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

Muslims arrive at Masjid

PHOTO/AYESHA A.

An-nabwi in Madina for Asr

Prayer

MAY 1, 2010, Contour 11

 L IVE

Rise of Gated communities

By Ayesha Akbar Ali

A Sunrise at the Meadows peeping through the villas and falling on the lake.

12 APRIL 1, 2010, LIGHT

 Emergence of gated communities has resulted in their increasing
adoption as a better place, away from the noisy city locale.
J ebel Ali remains mother to a number of gated
communities that have been flourishing
since the year 2000. Their introduction
to the people residing within the noisy
streets of Dubai, was unfamiliar and hence
untrustworthy. The alien concept of secure
residential areas like the Greens, Meadows,
Gardens, Springs, Discovery Gardens
etc. brought curiosity along with hesitant
customers. Rents were very inexpensive at the
beginning of these projects and attracted a lot
of expatriates. However, its location, far away
from the reaches of the main city was and is a
major problem.
At its premature stage, tenants adopted the
locality with a Choithram or Spinneys nearby
for daily supplies. Although the community
had yet to develop, residents enjoyed its
facilities.
Swimming pools, tennis court, football
court, cricket pitch, community park and golf
courses began to attract more visitors. Before
the year 2004, people had to sign up for a
waiting list in order to gain access to their own
apartment in the ‘posh’ place.
Gardens is one of the most popular gated
communities in Dubai. It has quickly
transformed to a green environment with
ample security. Not only do people find the
place peaceful and refreshing, they also feel
secure within its boundaries to roam around
any time of the day.
Walking, jogging and spending time with
family has become a convenient option.
Although, people who have readily adopted
this serene accommodation, have another
side of the story to tell. Hours are spent
travelling to and from the main city.
Exhaustion, frustration and body pain while
traveling is not new to them.
Also, living unaware of your neighbors’
identities can be quite an isolating experience.
While such areas have encouraged interaction
between cultures, people still choose to live
with their own kind. They prefer their kids to
play with their own kind.
However, majority of these kids are under
the supervision of maids. So the children get
to play with whomever they like, but within
the vicinity of their care-takers.
Increase in the number of residents and the
unfortunate recession has brought a hike in
rent for new tenants. The valuable land has
now attracted malls like Ibn Battuta Mall,
Mall of the Emirates, Dubai Marina Mall,
Dubai Mall etc. These malls and shops placed
nearby, bear expensive outlets with very few
shoppers and many visitors. Each mall has
become an icon of the emirate in it’s own
unique form.
Despite the above discouraging factors,
people still value the peace at home. Kids
playing in the parking lot run towards the
all-too-familiar car and jump into the arms
of their parents. Likewise, parents rejuvenate
themselves by a quick jog.
At the end of the day, both sides of a family
are happy. Parents and children consider
PHOTO/AYESHA A.
this sanctuary worth every dirham.
13
R -RATED: COVER STORY
LOVE IS NOT
By Ayesha A. Ali
ABUSE
One of the many hushed issues in society
is that of domestic abuse. Women and men face vio-
lence from their partners either in private or worse,
in public. Since people in Dubai are hesitant to re-
port about such concerns, statistics aren’t available.
Domestic abuse is also known as spousal abuse,
where one partner tries to dominate and control the
other. There are no stereotypes for such behavior as it
can occur for people of any age, race, gender, culture and
status. The abuser does whatever he or she can to manip-
ulate your decisions. It can happen anywhere and with
anyone. Recognizing and accepting it is the first step.
This situation is more prevalent among women.
Women, married or in a relationship, are slapped,
hit or pushed at least once by their partners. Rea-
sons sprout from anger to jealousy, but in the end,
someone gets hurt. Victims live in constant fear of
being hit twice after an episode of abuse. These vic-
tims may range from young girls to married women.
While some young girls are naïve about the situation
and refrain from talking about it to anyone else, oth-
ers are afraid of the consequences once news gets out
about the attacks. Married women, on the other hand,
are more concerned about their children and caus-
ing unnecessary worry to their parents. Most married
women tolerate it while their children watch in shock.
Although the situation is dominated by
cases of attacks on women, men have been ex-
posed to this situation as well. Such cases are rare.
Men would prefer not to share such informa-
tion with others since their reputation is at stake.
14 MAY 1, 2010, Contour
Signs begin from emotional and verbal abuse
and are confirmed at the physical stage. Emotionally
abusive relationships can harm your self esteem and
your relationships with friends and family. Intimida-
tion and isolation are firm symptoms of emotional
abuse. Your self-worth begins to recede and you may
feel that you are nothing without your partner. Vic-
tims often expect the pattern after getting into an-
other relationship. They are afraid of fighting back
and prefer giving in to avoid the previous episodes.
Domestic abuse occurs under the ra-
dar in Dubai and does not have a popular plat-
form for discussion. As such, victims are
oblivious about how to deal with their scars.
‘City of Hope’ is the city’s first shelter
for women and children where women raped,
abused or attacked are embraced under one
roof. Sharla Musaibih, Lena Mustapha and
Margaret Greene founded the non-profit orga-
nization in 2001. Sharla is an American mar-
ried to an Arab national. She has resided in the
UAE for 22 years and decided to take action for
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI
women who face this crime. The organization
has served to protect the women and children
who have no means of seeking help.¬ Currently
there are three performing shelters across Dubai.
 SIGNS THAT YOU’RE IN AN
ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Your Inner Thoughts and Feelings
Do you:
•feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
•avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your
partner?
•feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
•believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
•wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
•feel emotionally numb or helpless?
Does your partner:
•humiliate or yell at you?
•criticize you and put you down?
•treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your
friends or family to see?
•ignore or put down your opinions or accomplish-
ments?
•blame you for his own abusive behavior?
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI
•see you as property or an object, rather than as a
person?
**Information is taken from helpguide.org. You can visit the website for more details.
Your Partner’s Violent Behavior or T
hreats Your Partner’s Controlling Behavior
Does your partner:
•have a bad and unpredictable temper?
•hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
•threaten to take your children away or harm
them?
•threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
•force you to have sex?
•destroy your belongings?
Does your partner:
•act excessively jealous and possessive?
•control where you go or what you do?
•keep you from seeing your friends or family?
•limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
•constantly check up on you?
MAY 1, 2010, Contour 15
 THINK

THINK

CAREER
OR
FAMILY?
COMPROMISES AFFECT YOUR
FAMILY NOT JUST YOU

By Ayesha A. Ali

W omen have been faced

with this question time
and again: profession or fam-
ily. Decades ago, marriage
provided a deadline to their
careers. Professional life exist-
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

ed only for the bachelorettes,

which didn’t last for long.

16 MAY 1, 2010, Contour

 THINK

E ducation has not only opened gates to women, but

provided them with wings too. Fathers and hus-
bands have become more broad-minded to appreciate
Kids observe their parents
more than you know. Watch-
a woman having her own life beyond the four walls of ing their mother disheart-
home. Although the situation has remained stagnant ened and defeated by circum-
in many under developed nations, Dubai has wit- stances doesn’t set a good
nessed a lot of female staff at and behind counter desks. example for their future.
Coming back to the question: profession or family,
women have compromised time and again for their
family. What they don’t realize is the effect of their com-
promise on their children’s future. Although the moth-
er can shower undivided attention and cater to every
kid’s needs, what they don’t realize is the kind of future
they’re unconsciously setting for their young ones. SELFISHNESS IS A VIRTUE
Women have often sacrificed upon their own
UNCONSCIOUS OBSERVATION health and maintenance to provide their kids
Kids observe their parents more than you know. Watch- with the best. Heard of the phrase ‘Selfishness
ing their mother disheartened and defeated by circum- is a virtue’? Well, it is. Only after feeding herself
stances doesn’t set a good example for their future. Girl can a mother breast-feed and nourish her child.
off-springs are more sensitive towards the little differ- Mothers are known to be closer to her children
ences in her father’s and mother’s life. Observing a par- than the father. However, an insecure and disap-
ent dissatisfied with his or her own life can set a bad im- pointed mom would hardly be someone to approach
pression on the child. Parents are an infant’s personal to when the teenager is experiencing some issues.
heroes. They are the easiest source to learn from and Continuous compromises decrease a wom-
seek knowledge about the most mundane activities. an’s tolerance and her emotional strength.
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

MAY 1, 2010, Contour 17


EXPECTATIONS LEAD TO
DISAPPOINTMENTS
Nothing is given away for free. And when the children
cannot meet her expectations, disappointment pre-
vails, not only for the mother, but the children as well.
It can harm their self-esteem and confidence. There’s
a clear difference between the performance of
someone whose parents are supportive and that of
someone whose parents discourage and complain.
A mother’s personal frustration might be held
well behind her walls. However, age makes them
weaker, physically, mentally and emotionally.
Slowly, their subsided resentment exits those walls
in small bouts. Anger outbursts and insults hurled at
the younger family members results in an antagoniz-
ing environment at home. As such, family dinners
grow to the extent of endanger and then to extinction.
18 MAY 1, 2010, Contour
THINK
REALITY CHECK :
“I prefer giving first priority to family as a girl. For
girls, I feel compromises just go on for lifetime.
When it’s a matter of career, we can have a career by
having a mature life and keeping our family happy. If
you’re good, your family’s going to be good to you.”
Ilham Naushad
“Contrary to the belief that girls are ‘not good
enough’ my parents are so happy to have a girl.
I’m not just cut out for housework. I can do what
I want when I want. If I want to do it, then I can.
Depending on his (future partner) financial situ-
ation, if I want to do something for me, it is my
life. He can’t rule over my life. We are two dif-
ferent people. What he thinks does not have to
be right for me, and what I say does not have to
be right for him. We’ll work out a middle path,”
Roohi Ibrahim
Roohi and Ilham are two undergraduate
students.
HUSBAND AND FATHER’S ROLE
The mother may be the easiest person to blame,
but the father or husband has the bigger role to
play. They are responsible for forcing the woman to
choose. Men easily remain active witnesses to the
daily abuses. Supporting their wives and comfort-
ing them not only improves her mood, but also gives
the right impression of a ‘family’ to the children.
Adolescents prepare their idea of a realistic rela-
tionship based on the one they view daily. Some of
them base their opinion of a partner on the kind
of husband or wife their dad and mom are. Hence
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI
a healthy bond between parents is essential in
building the future bonds between the children.
Let’s hope you’re lucky enough to not face this question,
ever. But considering you do, after years, think carefully.
You’re not doing a favor for your kids. Neither are they
going to benefit watching you wither away in regrets.
 EVERYDAY, MORE THAN 2
LITRES OF WATER ARE
WASTED BY KEEPING THE TAP OPEN.

CLOSE THE TAP.

SAVE THE DROP
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

VISIT www.wateronearth.com for more info on how you can save water

MAY 1, 2010, Contour 19

 BEWARE

I
BEWARE
magine being in
love with a foreign
culture. A country
whose language you
do not speak, nor
understand. A na-
tionality, whose en-
counter with you forms part of
your prayers. A cuisine, which
is the closest you’ll ever get
to experience that culture.”

This week, Ayesha A. Ali in-

troduces you tothe ‘Otakus’.

Mangas are now easily available at Kinokuniya, Dubai Mall

SITE-DOM OF THE
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

OTAKUS

20 MAY 1, 2010, Contour


DIVERSE STORIES
An amazing proportion of the youth are turning to-
wards Japanese media for entertainment. Some say their
sketching is extraordinary, while most say their story-
lines are diverse and whacky. Imagine having an entire
drama and manga series narrating the story of a guy who
pretends to be woman’s pet dog just to stayat her place.
Sounds weird? Guess what, it is popular.
‘Anime’ are Japanese cartoons, while manga is their
form of comic art. These two art forms have caught
people by surprise. Their increasing exposure in on-
line medium has taken them to the heights of popu-
larity. Remember Pokemon, Digimon, Dragon Ball
Z and its likes that fascinated many childhoods?
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI
SETTING FOUNDATION
Most of the fanatics got introduced to the culture in
their early teens. A convenient form of relaxation from
studies, they looked forward to each issue and episode.
What they didn’t expect was how something so normal
could become so addictive. It’s amusing to know those
addicted have been branded separately as ‘Otaku’s.
BEWARE
It’s amusing to know
those addicted have been
branded separately as
‘Otaku’s
DISCIPLINE
A fundamental principle reflect-
ed in their stories is discipline.
Japanese are highly regarded for their re-
spect, discipline and order for carrying out each
task. People have become more than aware about it
through the little, yet significant scenes. Frequent
exposure to these elements has not only increased
their admiration and attachment to the series, but
it has resulted in a desire to be part of that culture.
PERSONAL WISH
Otakus have one wish in common: to visit
Japan. The truth would be that Japan is a fast-paced
country where less than one-quarter of the popu-
lation knows English. But the fanatics are already
aware of this truth. In fact animes and mangas and
dramas are originally in Japanese kanji (script).
Yet, fans eagerly wait for the online subtitled and
scanlated (scanning before translating) versions.
Imagine being in love with a foreign culture.
A country whose language you do not speak, nor
understand. A nationality, whose encounter with
you forms part of your prayers. A cuisine, which is
the closest you’ll ever get to experience that culture.
That is the story of an Otaku. That is the story of
someone who is obsessed with another dimension.
MAY 1, 2010, Contour 21
 BEWARE

BITE THE RIPE

F RUIT

Young women have fallen head over heels

for the fanged creatures. What makes
them so appealing? What have they done
to earn such popularity in such less time?
Ayesha A. Ali shows you the newly ven-
tured vampire fiction and what makes
this forbidden fruit so irresistable.
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

22 MAY 1, 2010, Contour


The fanged humans have taken the t(w)eens by storm.
The unnatural yet gorgeous features have jumped
from words to images in the reader’s minds. Word-of-
mouth was simple enough to raise Twilight to its cur-
rent phenomenal standards. New Moon and Eclipse
quickly followed in the highly popular steps of its
predecessor. Edward Cullen raised every girlfriend’s
expectations and every boyfriend’s frustrations. The
inhuman character easily became a girl’s fantasy.
The huge mania courtesy of Stephanie Meyer
brought the vampire saga in the spotlight. And like
they say, you can either reinvent the wheel, or use an
existing formula. Months later, the blood-thirsty leg-
ends have occupied bookshelves in various themes
and covers, dancing around the bonfire of forbid-
den love. They are the current successful mantra.
‘Blue Blood’ and ‘The Vampire Acad-
emy’ are just two of the vampire-manic series cap-
tured on paper. However, the most successful fran-
chise after Twilight’s release is the TV adaptation of
L. J. Smith’s Vampire Diaries. The drama has added a
new dimension to this year’s flavor. The silver screen
is the most ripened fruit for any trend. It has added
faces, an environment, and most importantly an aura
that the mythical creatures exhale. Their mysteri-
ous nature itself makes them highly appealing. They
breed in the dark alleys of someone’s imagination
and inhale in the hyperventilated pulses of readers.
The attitudes of young girls towards this sub-
ject can be easily divided according to their ages.
While the preadolescent crave for the fanged crea-
tures, the adult women either secretly admire them
or blatantly detest the immaturity of the subject.
Like it or hate it, the vampires are here to stay.
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI
The first season of this series is
available on MBC Action on Mondays, 22:00 hrs.
BEWARE
Comments by Twi-hard fans:
“Twilight is my escape, to another world free of my
daily annoyances. That’s why fantasy is so loved in
general, actually.
All the reasons stem from this one, because what we
can’t get in reality becomes the object of our dreams.
Something .....”Un-achievable”?
Like falling in love with a perfect man.
I don’t know about everyone…….but most teen-
age girls (of) my age have at some point or another
felt like guys our age are just that. Guys. They’re not
men. And since they aren’t, many of them dream of
finding a “mature” guy who’ll love them uncondition-
ally. Twilight shows them that. It makes them feel like
being in Bella’s shoes. And since the whole series is
written in 1st person narrative, that feeling of belong-
ing, the feeling of going through all that intensifies.
A girl who probably has all that, the perfect guy,
maybe she won’t give two hoots about twilight.
As will the person who doesn’t yearn for true love,
and doesn’t realize its rarity.
I’ve sworn to myself that I’ll never ever read another
vampire series”
-Oshin Kanwar, a committed Twilight fan
“It’s the movie that made the fiction a hit. It en-
couraged people to read the rest of the series. I
read the books after the movie released. When
you read fiction, you won’t (be able to) imagine,
but when you see it on screen, you get an idea of
how it is. Also, Robert Pattinson is so dreamy. Peo-
ple understand the books more properly through
the movie. People like fiction. Who likes reality?“
-Shruthi Nair.
MAY 1, 2010, Contour 23
 YOU

LIFE IN
FOR
YOU A
BUBBLE
by
MISS CLUELESS
Why do you have to pick one? why can’t you
have both? Especially when it comes to a
profession. Which one is THE one?
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

Ever got the feeling you were on a single path and

suddenly it divided itself into two. And without any
forewarning, you had to choose one. Everyone around
you was easily picking one path and leaving the other.
So you decided to walk on the one which was more
crowded. If you got into any trouble, there would be
more with you to figure out a way. But then the empty,
deserted road attracts you. You’re curious about why
people aren’t choosing the other way. So what do you do?

24 MAY 1, 2010, Contour

 YOU


BUSINESS


HR
LAW
?
medicine
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

MEDIA

MAY 1, 2010, Contour 25


I had to face a similar situation right when
it was time to cash in on what I wanted to pur-
sue. Do you know what an aptitude test is? Well,
most High schools invest in a career counselor
whose job is to advice you on your future career.
I guess many schools in Dubai have them too.
APTITUDE TEST
So one fine day I was made to stay after
school hours with students of my year before
our final exams began. We were studying in year
10 back then. The questions were very weird.
Some of them just asked you to guess what was
behind certain shapes. The simple ones were
math and English tests. After all this was done,
the counselor wanted us to meet her individu-
ally so she could discuss our results and ‘pro-
spective’ career. Now you need to know some-
thing about career counselors in schools. They
are barely given any respect by other teachers
unless the counselor is funny and can enter-
tain the rest. Truth could be that teachers are
actually jealous of the joyous and exciting aura
of these counselors. However, if the coun-
selor is dreadful and boring, he’s more
eagerly accepted by his or her peers.
26 MAY 1, 2010, Contour
YOU
Coming back to the personal meeting with the
counselor, she handed out my results. Although
there were different sections to the test and each
implied an affinity towards a career, it was the last
few lines that really mattered. ‘Will be success-
ful in………………” the dots would be filled in her
handwriting with her black Cello ball point pen.
FASCINATING SYSTEM
We were new to the whole system so it was fas-
cinating to have someone judge your talents. So my
classmates would bring their besties along to have the
counselor boast about their forte and weaknesses. I
didn’t like my weaknesses spilled in front of ‘strang-
ers’. So I waited outside her door until it was vacant. It
took many lunch breaks before I could make my per-
sonal visit and claim my sheet of results. I had already
seen my classmates’ results, so I knew the format and
where to look for what. They would have a gathering
to report about what the counselor had told them and
their new found interest (regardless of whether they
would follow it). Most of them got what they were ex-
pecting-‘doctor, business, accountant, human resource
manager’ etc. So the moment had arrived. My destiny
was going to be revealed. The little clueless gene in me
was about to derive a conclusion. She passed my sheet
over. My eyes darted directly to the part that mattered-
‘Will be successful in any field of choice”. I
read again. And again: any field of choice.
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI
I looked at her and asked for an explanation. She
pointed out my scores in ‘3D spatial arrangement of
figures’ which meant I could be good at architecture
and mechanical engineering (don’t ask me how these
conclusions arise). My math scores were an obvious
 YOU

measure of how good I could be at accounting. She

asked me if I had any interest in writing and told
me I’d be good at that too. Some scores were aver-
age, but that didn’t mean those professions wouldn’t
work out for me. Now anyone would be delighted
to know they could play Ace and not Jack of all
trades. However, those results only meant I was
right where I had started: Kung Fu Panda level 0.
Those who know what level 0 feels like, you’ll have We were new to the whole sys-
a level 1 very soon followed by level 2. For those
who know what level 2 is like, please let me know.
tem so it was fascinating to
have someone judge your tal-
ENTERING UNCHARTED TERRITORY ents. So my classmates would
My year 10 final exams approached and slowly bring their besties along to
passed by. When I say slow, I mean S.L.O.W. On
the last day of the exams, I decided to do some-
have the counselor boast about
thing I had never done before. There aren’t many their forte and weaknesses.
publications for students in Dubai. But one pub-
lication was always delivered to our school. So I
decided to write to them, nothing flashy or long,
just suggest them to have a page for actual stu-
dents to write. They published that in the paper.
What I didn’t expect was a mail to my address
asking me to gather four or five writers to start up
that page I had requested. And that got me really ex-
cited. Within a week I had gathered people to write
for that page. And as it began, it dawned upon me
how I liked to write. Maybe not the part where peo-
ple got to read a product of my thoughts. But I liked
writing. And I wanted to continue writing. So here
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

I am. This is my level 1. So all you level 0’s out there,

have no fear. Step out, because you never know,
when a random email might open windows for you.
P.s. The level 2’s out there, con-
tact me ASAP. Don’t forget.

MAY 1, 2010, Contour 27

 Photo provided by Aashima S.
YOU

Aashina Saibuddeen (centre) is an Indian who visited Dubai for a short while. She resides in England

D ubai from a V isitor’s view

Last week you read about a Scottish expat liv-
ing in Dubai. Ayesha A. Ali introduces you to
When did you last visit Dubai?
Aashima Saibuddeen who is an Indian living
in England. She had visited Dubai a few years
AS: Around 3 years ago.
ago. This is her perspective on the ‘city of life’.
What was the purpose of your trip? Did you find
Tell us a little about yourself.
what you were looking for?
AS: I never know what to say when somebody asks
AS: Well, the purpose was just a standard sum-
me this - my name, my age, where I come from,
mer holiday. Mum wanted to take us somewhere
my life story, my hobbies, what I like to eat? I’m
new and special for the summer, and we ended
aashima, 18 years old, first year medical student,
up going to Dubai. I wasn’t looking for anything,
currently stressed out, usually unusually loud.
but I did have a great holiday. And I got to see
Apparently it’s compensation for the fact that i’m
one of my oldest friends that I hadn’t seen in way
5’1”. I’ll have lived in England for 8 years this July.
too long. Definitely a fulfilled trip, I would say.

28 MAY 1, 2010, Contour


“You could be in the most beautiful
place in the world, but if you live there,
the shine is gonna run out pretty fast if
you dont have people to share it with”
What was your pre-conception of the city?
AS: That it was a hot, beautiful city, perfect for a
holiday.
Did your trip prove any of them to be wrong?
AS: No, it was what I (had) thought, and more. I got
to shop, I got to eat. It was brilliant. I wish I could
have stayed for longer. I didnt have preconceptions,
because I had lived in Qatar, and I just presumed it
would be similar. I tend to pool countries together.
What differences did you notice between Dubai
and your home place in England?
AS: Well, I noticed a world of a difference. England
is cold (and) sun-deprived for most of the year. It
was nice to be back in the Middle East. There’s a dif-
ference in the timing of activity - everything shuts
at like, 6 here. Everything opens at night there. The
food is different. I didnt have to think about wheth-
er things were halal or not. We went everywhere
in a car. The buildings were huge (and) the place,
the sky, the architecture, the people, the shopping!
Would you consider it a good location to settle
down?
AS: In many ways, definitely. I get to eat all the
cheeseburgers in the world. I could earn a decent
amount of money there, the weather has never
bothered me, ACs are always on, and it’s a generally
nice place to live in many ways. But if I work there, I
would probably have to learn the language, and i’m
lazy. Plus, I’d struggle now with some of the stricter
laws purely because I have lived here (England)
YOU
Is there anything about Dubai that shocked or
surprised you?
AS: Nothing really, because I had already lived in
the Middle East, so there wasnt really anything
new I didnt know in terms of culture or general
place.
Places are defined by people. What would you
have to say about that?
AS: Well, I would definitely agree with that. When
you live in a place for longer than a holiday pe-
riod, you are going to focus on the people you
are in contact with. The things you can do with
the people in the place you’re living. You could
be in the most beautiful place in the world, but
if you live there, the shine is gonna run out pret-
ty fast if you dont have people to share it with.
And even if you live in the most deprived place
in the world, people find a way to stick together,
and best of what they can, and get through it all.
It is said that people in Dubai are fake. As an
objective viewer, what were your observations
regarding the statement?
AS: To be honest with you, I’ve never come
across that statement. When people talk about
Dubai or its people, I’ve never heard that being
mentioned. Just because I havent been in Dubai
for long enough, I can’t comment on whether I
think it’s true or not. I can’t think of it either way.
On a last note, what is the British obsession with
Photo provided by Aashima S.
fish and chips?
AS: ‘Fish and chips’ here is like shawarma. It’s just
what a lot of people have for junk food, or used to
before the intro(duction) of kebabs and burgers.
And it’s a pretty big thing; it started in the beach-
side, just because there was lots of fish. You wouldnt
have a whole RESTAURANT for fish and chips
here. Maybe a takeaway, but they’ll generally of-
fer different kinds of fish, or sausages and pies too.
MAY 1, 2010, Contour 29
 YOU

CRACKBERRY ZOMBIES
Goodbye iPhone!
Hello Blackberry!

T he latest addition to handheld sets has taken peo-

ple by storm. After proving competition to the
iPhone, the Berry brand has set a new record for cus-
tomers. Although the iPhone won against other mo-
biles on primary terms of popularity, the blackberry
had to earn it. How? Free messaging service from one
Blackberry to its sister on any part of planet Earth.
Ardent subscribers of this service are easily vis-
ible as their attention is locked onto the screen, any-
where, anytime. The blackberry zombies have add-
ed a new standard to the web-hooked jay walkers.
You would find them online on facebook during
dinner, at college or even while walking. Teenagers and
college students aren’t the only berry addicts. Profes-
sors, businessmen and people of all ages and profes-
sion alike have taken the device to their liking. Funky
colored covers add to the appealing factor of the Berry.
Berry addicts can be an annoying choice
for company. You wouldn’t want them with
their precious pocket device. They’d rather
look at the glowing screen than listen to you.

Then again, you might already want one!

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

30 MAY 1, 2010, Contour

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

CAN YOU NOTICE THE LITTLE INSECT?

SAVE MOTHER NATURE BEFORE SUCH SPECIES GROW OUT OF SIGHT
FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN DO YOUR PART
PHOTO/AYESHA A.

SIMPLY LOG ONTO : www.mothernature.com

MAY 1, 2010, Contour 31

 SAVE PLANET EARTH FROM EXTINCTION
www.savearth.com

2010

2009

2008

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY AYESHA A. ALI

2007

32 MAY 1, 2010, Contour