CATALYST SALON & SPA: Skin Care tips for Glowing Skin in Summer

CATALYST SALON & SPA: Skin Care tips for Glowing Skin in Summer: Hot weather, salt water, humidity, and chlorine take their toll on our skin during the summer months. Catalyst offers helpful summer skin c...

SABG-Live in Kochi Chronicle

1. Where are you presently located? What are you doing there?

We live in Muscat , Oman , ...by  profession i am a house wife but you can  add labels of  freelance journalist/Poet/columnist to  my name  as well

2. Where in Kerala are you from? How long has it been since you left India?

 I  belong to kottayam, Devalokam,   ever since  marriage  1989 i  left kerala  to Delhi and  later  by  1992 i   migrated to  gulf, to Qatar and  after  17 years in 2007  to  Oman

3. Could you tell me the story of how it all came about, from your childhood dreams to what you are now.

i have  had a normal childhood like any other  kid,but  a picnic as my dad was in bank , we used to   shift  from place to place  every  3 years.   my mother was a school teacher.  Childhood was  full of  friends and  class mates  and  i still keep in touch  with them  all  from  my  class  1  even at this age of  46.Got married to my childhood friend, who still remain my  friend than a husband, so does not impose any authority on me. That which  helped me to  come across  writing which i enjoyed  even  after having  3 kids and with the  incoming of  internet i  spread out my wings into  blog and  later to  small write ups in local  magazines and  later to manorama news papers. Plus i was mad  veracious  reader and book collector  which i i am still is Being a  freelancer i could  experiment a  lot, and  having a masters  degree in English Literature , i was comfortable  with  malayalam  which was  curriculum  i completed my  schooling. Later i found  an  aunt, my dads sister  who has published   2 book in the  late 50 's and passed away in the later  60's  which was an added  inspiration when i started  writing and  publishing  poetry. i did  2 Malayalam  poetry book and  1 in English. I have many more dreams to  full fill  but  i have   climbed  many step toward my  dreams  .   Malayalam  Literary Society conducted a competition among the  freelancers and journalist for the best  features and  reports for which Sapna Anu B. George  won the  best  features. 5001  Rs and a  plaque is the award. Her  article published in Kanyaka(Magalam Group) on "Bar dancers in Gulf won the award for the best  article. The atrocities and lifestyle of these bar dancers was written  and clear peep into the lifestyle of these women are depicted in this  article. Sapna is an NRI for the past  18 years  through Qatar and  Oman.
 My Poetry books/Articles  has  been awarded few times, Malayalam  Literery Society conducated a competion among the  freelancers and journalist for the  won the  best  features article published in Kanyaka(Magalam Group) on "Bar dancers in Gulf . The artocities and lifestyle of these bar dancers was wriiten  and clear peep into the lifestyle of thes women are depicted in this  article. My English poetry  was listed by manorama  as the best books to by in  2012   July.

4. Can you mention the challenges of working abroad? And the achievements you have made despite that (this is needed in the feature, to highlight how Malayalis are doing well abroad ) -

Working abroad is a necessity of life in a  total  adverse climate from what we are used to. A mad rush back home, in scorching heat of  40 to  45 degree, where the  lunch  can be waiting to be heated .A sandwich,  self made, mostly  with peanut butter or  with handy veggies that need not much cutting and cooking, like a tomato, cabbage, lettuce or cucumber, with a slice of salami or  ready to  be heated rice and  curry. Some parents have no other option but have a packed lunch also to be dropped while they pick and drop their kid home. Desperation/ Shortcoming of being a working parent....alas!! Heated food, mostly eaten in front of the TV (an  except from my own  article about  kids  in gulf.) In spite of  all this  hazards and negativity  people  still migrate to  gulf  in large no's.

5. How would you compare your hometown with the place you stay at? How do you think Kerala can improve?

The cleaning of environment, the  surrounding  we live in , is something  we can also  copy and  adapt. The garbage  collection, sewage treatments projects are something  we  should  start  now  before its too late. Here if a  road is  build with 20 years  ahead  plan. In our land its still  competition of  ministers than the  betterment of society and   people.coming  in june  july  for  holiday, was a  nightmare now,  about  food and  environment.We can  make improvements  and  changes , but  our country and local  area are  like  crabs in a jar, one  crab will never allow  another  one to  get out or  move out of the jar. 

6. Is your family with you?

  i live here with my  3 teenage kids(Shiksha,Dikshith & Dakshin) and  husband, Biju Titty George

7. And yes, your full name so I wont spell it wrong :-)Sapna Anu B. George

A Second heart-The 'sole'

In Basic English Bible its written in the book of Joshua 1:3,.....Every place on which you put your foot I have given to you, as I said to Moses'

Did you know the sole of your foot is your "second heart"?

Sound strange, yet reality.

The very inspiration came from these wonderful feet you see here,which belongs to a friend of mine,Shoba.She painted and decorated her feet for reasons,she cherishes' to cheer up the heart of a handicapped 12 year old girl.Bravo Shoba,you have done a 'out of the ordinary 'thing in life,by doing so.

I am sure many of us never even bothered,or given a second look,might be ignoranceof the very 'second heart'.We disregarded the very heard that carried us all though they thick,thin and rough terrain's of life and roads.

Have you ever thought of pampering our feet,once in a while for never having complaint,bickering or nagging??If not then,time to start,this very minute!!!.Have a foot massage once in a while,rejuvenate yourself where all your nerves and the entire body system is mapped out.

Many of you may have heard of reflexology and how many parts of your bodycan be affected by stimulating your feet.An especially significant point inyour feet is called your Yong-chun in Korean.It is the end of the kidneymeridian in your body.Stimulating this point can both calm and strengthen you,among other benefits both physical and psychological.

Sole Patting: Benefit—Significantly bolsters brain function.The feet arelike a "second heart." They are vital in orchestrating proper blood circulation. When the soles of the feet are stimulated,you will begin tonotice a heightened sense of clarity,focus and concentration.
Postures:
Sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you.Bend one leg and bring the ankle over the knee of the other leg.Make a fist with your thumb tucked inside your hand.With the pinky side of your fist, pound the sole of your foot strongly 30times.Alternately, you could use a wooden stick to press the soles of the feet.Pay attention to your Ki 1 (Yong-chun) acupressure points.Repeat with the other foot.

Time to start the pampering, 'the second heart'

PS: technical information's are collected from the net.


The feet belong to Shobha Balachandar' 

This design was done on shobha's feet by a handicapped 12 year old girl

The Second Heart

Republic Day Celebrations _Indian School Al Gubrah,Muscat,Oman

The Teamwork or Children and Teacher to give the look of the  'Delhi Red Fort'

School Captains

Mr.Anil Wadwa, Ambassador To Oman Hoisting the  national  Flag, Dr.Muhammad Ali,Mr.Raiz, Teachers 

Welcome Song-Vande Matharam

Mr. Anil Wadwa being seated for  the cultural show of Children

Cultural show representing  different  states of India

Hi Majesty Sultan Qaboos being  respected

Omani National Dance

Few  unexpected  guest  walking to the  aisle to take  their  seats

Mahathma Gandhi with the  grand finale  of the show

62 years  of Joy, being the Republic India being  flown  unto the  skies....

Jana Gana Mana implies that Bharata Bhagya Vidhata, or 'the bestow of good fortune'.

Here is a translation of the five stanzas 

Stanza 1:  

The (Indian) people wake up remembering your good name and ask for your blessings and they sing your glories (Tava shubha name jaage; tava shubha aashish maage, gaaye tava jaya gaatha)Stanza 2:Around your throne, people of all religions come and give their love and anxiously wait to hear your kind words.Stanza 3:Praise to the King for being the charioteer, for leading the ancient travelers beyond misery.Stanza 4:Drowned in deep ignorance and suffering, this poverty stricken, unconscious country? Waiting for the wink of your eye and our mother's (the Queen's) true protection.Stanza 5:In your compassionate plans, the sleeping Bharat (India) will wake up. We bow down to your feet, O Queen, and glory to Rajeshwara (the King).

Ganapathy-An icon of positive Energy

Lord Ganesh-Symbol and Presence

Ganesa or Ganesh also known as Ganapati (Sanskrit: गणपति) Vinayaka(Sanskrit: विनायकVināyaka)and Pillaiyar is one of the deities best-known and most widely worshiped in the Hindu pantheon.Devotion to Ganesha is widely diffused and extends to Jains,Buddhists and beyond India.He brings joy and happiness to the family and may remove all the Obstacles. He is worshiped or at least remembered,in the beginning of any auspicious performance for blessings and auspiciousness.My all time favorite  icon, my first attempt in metal imposing art work.

Mithran Devanesan-India's Eminent English Theatre Directors

Born in Sri Lanka in 1952, Mithran joined the Madras Players in 1974. He acquired a reputation as a talented director and an expert set designer quickly. Around ten years ago, he founded his own theatre group, MTC Productions. Among the well-known plays he directed were ‘Midnight Hotel', ‘Funny Money', ‘Anna Weiss', ‘Seven Steps Around the Fire' and ‘Dance Like a Man'.In 2006, he directed ‘The Shadow Box' for The Hindu MetroPlus Theatre Fest, a play which was very well received.Over  the years, a number of plays staged for the Fest relied on his sets.

 He was willing to see the actors' point of view and bring out the best in each of them. He had the ability to read a script, and almost instantly visualise the entire play in his head”

He has been thrice awarded the Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarship. In the last three years Mithran has worked in films - as an actor in a French production Blue Mountains, as a casting director and as an actor in an Italian film Gills.


Mithran worked for underprivileged children by conducting workshops, teaching English at Corporation schools, and sponsoring scholarships for deserving students. His family runs an organization called Roofs for the Roofless in 14 villages, south of Chennai.of the Bow-Wow Club, a community based children's theatre. 
With the passing away of Mithran Devanesan, Chennai has lost one of its best-known figures in the English theatre scene.God rest his soul.
 PS: Information collected from  net

Doyen of Kerala Media - K.M. Mathew

  

K M Mathew, Chief Editor of Malayala Manorama daily and a pioneer of Indian media industry, passed away at his residence this morning(01 08 2010). He was 93

To express my profound sorrow.I join Kerala People in mourning this giant of indian journalism, through this  Blog

One can count on one's fingers the number of times the word 'I' is used in Ettamathe Mothiram (The Eighth Ring), K.M. Mathew's autobiography. In it, the veteran newspaper giant Sree K M Mthew, is more of a cinematographer diligently filming a flick than the central character. The book is written in Malayalam. In the book he, smoothly travels down memory lane that starts from his childhood in Kuppupuram in Kerala and passing through Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Madras, Delhi, London, Istanbul and Berlin. The canvas is broad and Mathew, using memory as his brush, has painted a picture that is both informative and poignant.

Born on January 2^nd, 1917, Sree.Mathew joined the organization as Managing Editor in 1954 and became chief editor in 1973. Mathew took over the Malayala Manorama group, when it had just one publication. With the growth of the group, Mathew realized his childhood dream. His is a life fully lived; it shows in the pages of his Book that brim with optimism and zest. The book is dedicated to Mathew's mother, Kunjandamma (Mammi), whose ornaments were made into rings and given to her nine children. Mathew, being her eighth child, got the eighth ring, which also turned out to be the title of the book on his life.An active person throughout his life, Sree.Mathew was keenly taking part in the running of the acclaimed newspaper, about a couple of week ago, too.

'Sree.Mathew was one of the pioneers of the print media industry and a great human being,' said many and quoted endless lines on his goodwill and strength of character. Yet people of Kerala, remembered Mathew as a man known for his simplicity and humility. His service to the society will always be, remembered forever by many. Noted author M.T. Vasudevan Nair said: 'The way in which Mathew carried himself in a humble manner, will always be remembered despite being the giant among the media industry .'

Mathew launched many publications such as the women’s magazine Vanitha in Malayalam and English, the English magazine The Week, the farmer’s magazine Karshakasree, children’s magazines Balarama Amar Chitra Katha and Kalikudukka in Malayalam and Magic Pot in English and Encyclopedic Manorama Year Book in Malayalam, English, Hindi Tamil and Bengali.

In 1988 he received the Padma Bhushan. His other much-acclaimed awards including Foundation of Freedom of Information Award (1991), National Citizen’s award (1992), Ramakrishna Jay Dayal award (1995), Durga Prasad Chaudhary award (1996), B. D. Goenka Award (1996).

PS: Some of the words are quotes taken from media.

Go Go Girl

Hoorah for Women

Celebrating "International Women's Day is about supporting women to give voice to their visions. “Progress for women is progress for all". After 14 years and three failed attempts, the Indian Government will vote on Monday to begin the legislative process for enacting a law for women. Hopeful that a new page of history can be written on the International Women's Day. On Sunday fresh attacks were attempted on the women's reservation bill in its present form, however, it will be a landmark in the history of Indian women. International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's, a time of many versatile developments. The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where children give presents as their token of appreciation.

The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitude in both women's and society's views about women's uniformity in all fields. Many from a younger generation feel that 'all the battles have been won for women' while many feminists from the 1970's know only too well the long life and difficulty of unrest in statuesque. When women are adorning more boardroom, responsible positions in work and governments, greater impartiality in their rights have increased women's position as role models in many aspects of life have gained equality.

We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, artists, sports women, you name it and they adoring very powerful positions. They even work from home and have a family, although the most complex planning, strategy and working pattern is necessary to run a home. Women have many fruitful choices. Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. So make a difference, think globally and act locally. Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for your girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.We hear people in position admit that a "massive amount of work" remains to be done to close the pay gap between men and women. This is just one of barriers keeping women, whether they are Aboriginal women, women with disabilities, single women, single parents or women living in poverty, from realizing their full potential.

Have you ever thought of taking an average of the work and toil each woman go through globally? Many surveys and percentages in ratio and counting shows very pathetic stability and health factors . Females in many countries on average carry 20 liters of water per day over 6 km, by walking , Pregnant women in Africa are 180 times more likely to die than in Western Europe ,over 530,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth each year ,Of 1.2 billion people living in poverty worldwide, 70% are women ,80% of the world's 27 million refugees are women ,Women own around only 1% of the world's land , Women are 2/3 of the 1 billion+ illiterate adults who have no access to basic education .Are we really celebrating International Women’s Day??

Please hug the women and girls in your life today and appreciate their worth,value and importance in our lives.

The Skill of Listening

 

Listening is an active skill.
To listen, according to the meaning given in one dictionary is “to hear with thoughtful attention”. So listen implies hearing, but the converse is not necessarily true. Very often, we hear without listening.
More Sales people fail due to poor listening rather than due to ineffective speaking.
A research showed that 70 percent of our working time is spent in communicating: broken up thus:
9 per cent writing
16 per cent reading
30 per cent speaking
And
45 per cent listening (supposedly listening)
The research pointed to the anomaly that the skill most used by us is the one that is least taught-infact not taught at all.
What makes listening difficult in spite of the fact that this is one skill used by all of us most of the time? Let’s look at some Barriers to Effective Listening.
1. If you are feeling anxious-may be the seniority of the contact, perhaps, he is the Company Chairman or the Managing Director- remember he is a person with normal customer needs, and will generally be a very rational person to listen to.
2. Pressure of Work- may be something is weighing on your mind and you start thinking about it rather than listen to your customer. Remember, he pays your salary, therefore you must give him the time to talk and you must take the time to listen.
3. Jargon, this can also be a barrier. If a customer uses it-don’t be afraid to say that you don’t understand-otherwise no matter how hard you listen, it will be ineffective.
4. We think much faster than we talk. Instead of listening while the customer is talking, we mentally rehearse what we are going to say in response.
5. If you are bored while listening to the customer, it will show –and he will know that you are not interested and there not listening- you must show that you are listening, if you are going to communicate.
These are some of the barriers to break down before you can begin to listen effectively. Having got rid of these barriers, how can you become more skilled at listening?
INCREASING LISTENING SKILLS
An effective listener listens, not only to words, but to the meaning behind the words. Clearly, effective listening is not a passive process: it plays a critical role in communication. The effective listener interacts with the customer in developing meaning and reaching understanding.
Several principles can aid in increasing essential listening skills.
• The listener should have a reason or purpose for listening.
• It is important for the listener to suspend judgment initially.
• The listener should resist distractions- noise.
• The listener should wait before responding to the customer. Too prompt a response reduces listening effectiveness.
• The listener should repeat verbatim, what the customer says (if required).
• The listener should rephrase in his own words the content and feeling of what the customer says, to the customer’s satisfaction.
• The listener should seek the important theses of what the customer says, by listening, through the words, for the real meaning.
• The listener should use the time differential between the fate of speech (100-150 words per minute) and the rate of thought (400- 500 words per minute) to reflect upon the content and what it means.
• The listener should be ready to respond to the customer comments.
SKILLFUL LISTENING
Look at the customer.
Maintain eye contact- this will show that you are interested. Leaning forward also shows the customer that you are interested. Ask questions related to the customer’s topic-this will show that you have been listening.
You should make notes of the key issues and facts. However, do not make detailed notes at the cost of missing out important points.
When listening to customers, you may hear a lot of non-essential information. One of the principles of effective listening is to make a mental note of the key issues and facts. It is; sometimes impossible to remember everything the customer says-but you do need to remember, or note down the key issues and facts,ie the information necessary for you or your manager to take action. It is always a good idea to ask the customers.
“Do you mind if I make a few notes? What you are saying is important and I want to make sure that I don’t miss anything. The customer will then see that you are interested and listening.
BENEFITS OF BEING A GOOD LISTENER
Fewer errors in your verbal communications.
Greater understanding of the customer’s concerns.
Better Solutions to those concerns. It shows a professional caring attitude.
The customer senses your support.
The importance of listening in business and personal matters is now well recognized everywhere. Next time someone tells you “Sit back, relax and listen” do not believe him. Listening is a very active process, both mentally and physically.
Once you have mastered the art of listening to the words, you can then learn the art of listening beyond words. These are the non- verbal communication of attitudes (feelings), in which words play a very minor role:
Indicators to attitudes (feelings)
7 per cent words
38 percent voice/tone
55 percent body language
This may seem strange at first sight, but it has been found that real attitudes (feelings) are communicated silently and almost without words. The customer body language is the best indicator of the purpose and his voice/tone is the best indicator of the real meaning behind the words.
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3 J's- Sand,Sun and Waves

Plan your perfect Escapade' with CLEOPATRA RESORTS, in Palolem Beach, Goa. Vacations , Resorts, Beach, Nature,Scenic stock,Ambiance ...you name it and all rolled into a suitable parcel in the resort.

Also visit for more details Cleopatraresorts

The Resort is located in the southern coastal belt, situated 55 Kms from the airport, 2Kms from the railway station and 36 Kms from the main town of Margao, making it an ideal location for a perfect holiday. Cleopatra Resorts is 250 meter's away from the beach, which is blessed by an abundance of coconut groves and embelence, and ofcourse peaceful environment that contribute to the tranquil and leisure time.

Here are the two links for a glimpse of our Hotels in Goa.. Perhaps you or your friends who plan to take a holiday to Goa ,may find these interesting !!!!

See our slideshow of the Beach Resort Hotel Video Display

Fashionable beach retreats and bargains aren’t always mutually exclusive.No matter the time of year, a beach escape always helps us reset. The combination of sandy stretches, rolling waves, and open seas brings a measure of tranquility that’s increasingly essential in these harried times. But prime beach location and hotel accommodation's, of course, doesn’t always come cheap. So at Cleopatra we’have rounded up this year’s best offer and bottom line bargain for our exclusive visitors .

A Birthday Wish-- 23 May

Long long ago we walked to the school

Hand in hand, we stepped over leaves,

Wandered through many familiar ways

But she remained a cherished friend.

Lost her somewhere along the way of life

The roads separated without consent,

Unmoved and unrelenting gap of loss.

Time remained unconditional always

But she remained in heart with love.

Shared many secrets i had in mind,

Never knew if ever she understood

Or evven tried to understand sentiments,

That grew along with me and years

But she left behind many memories.

New realms and lands engulfed time,

Walked past me many friends indeed,

None remind me of her,yet she lasted

Ever so sweet as she had always been

But never did she looked back at me.

Though news of her, growing up walked in

Always listened with much enthusiasm

Yet time immemorial cruel kept us apart,

With questions that are silly and sad,

But mind always beat with intense care.

Relationship resurrected with technology,

The intense bond felt seems to be past.

Days spend through keyboard message,

Seems to have reversed the present tense

But past never become present for feelings.

She remained precious in hearts that beats

Never withered aways the friendship

But remained calm in her birthdays

Wishing her the very best God ordained.

But she always remained the best things ever.

‘Film and Female’- 6 Day workshop on Film

A Malyalam Version ....can be read in this link

When a person goes into a theatre, he or she sits back and watch what is going on the silver screen. But the film maker is someone who shows us where the viewers’ minds go; what they like; what they crave for. It is the film maker’s with that make the people enjoying. And the film making is an art itself. It can be learnt; it can be taught.

There are young and aspiring artists around us desirous to know about the art of film making itself. And fortunately enough the artists with hidden talents would not have to wait for long, as they have a golden opportunity for knowing about the etire process of film making at their door, in their city, Muscat and Oman. As one of the rare opportunities in our cities, we have been fortunate to have among us the film personalities like Ms. Fowzia Fathima (Cinematographer), Mr. B. Ajithkumar (Film Editor) and Razi (Art Director). The company and the closeness of these artists carrying fame in their respective fields would share their experience with us; during the tenure of the classes, they all will acquaint us with various fields, ranging from ‘basic guidance’ to the difficult ‘technical aspects’ concerning the process of filmmaking.

For those who wish to develop their natural skill with professional touch, the classes are organised for six days, and will be conducted in association with Jeevan Omaniyam. The venue of the classes is at Passage to India restaurant, Hattat House Compound, Wadi Adi Roundabout. The involvement of women participants is especially encouraged; as such an opportunity could be a stepping stone for an aspiring artist. Participation from those women who want absolute opportunities for entering the vast field of films, T. V. Serials, Music Videos and even the world of advertisement is heartily welcome. They introduce maestro’ movies to the participants includes Bergman, Tarkovesky , Chaplin and more. It would certainly be a unique workshop on film making aimed at providing ‘rudimentary guidance’ and chances for the new comers to this field. More over we intent ‘women participation’ as a footstep forward to multilevel acceptance. This workshop thus can be emphasized as ‘Film and Female’. We expect participation from all nationalities and we offer classes in international standard.

During the period of six days days, the participants would have opportunity to be and engage themselves with a person like Sudha Sha… In addition to being a writer and a film maker herself, Shdha is a woman of substance. Her efforts in making this event possible are beyond praise. The Hosting function would be a star studded one. In addition to the films personalities mentioned above, the function would witness the attendance of many known personalities. The presence of Dr. Khaled Abdul Raheem Ali al Zadjali, the director of Omani Film Industry, would be an additional boost to the enthusiasm of the participants. The well-known personalities like Dr Ratnakumar, head of The New India Assurance and Mr. Abdullah Abi Salam, from Lakshmi Kothaneth would add more shine to the whole event.

You can also be a member of the official group they are forming in association with the Film Society of Muscat and all details of the upcoming workshops and information are available in this blog : http://moviemct.blogspot.com/