JAPANESE MUSIC - TRADITIONAL DRUMS AND ARABIC OUD

Further to my earlier blog two days ago, on the 'Japanese Music Project in Collaboration with Arabic Traditional Music Oud', there is some good news for those who couldn't make it yesterday to Al Maidan Cultural Centre to watch this wonderful programme. Well, the Japanese Embassy is holding the event in cooperation with DAI (Dal Al Athar Al Islamiyyah)  TODAY as well.

Date : Wednesday, 11th  May 

Time : 7pm

Venue : Al Maidan Cultural Center, Abdullah Salem School, Near Al Shaab Park. Map is given at the bottom of the blog. 

Contact :  DAI office at 25636561 or 25636528 (9am to 5pm) to check and confirm about the event

Shonosuke Okura on the traditional Japanese drum 'Otsuzumi'

Yuji Tsunemi on the Arabic music instrument 'Oud'

My husband and I attended this wonderful event yesterday evening and we were delighted to experience the traditional music of Japan along with the Arabic musical instrument Oud. During the first part of the musical presentation, Shonosuke Okura plays the Japanese traditional percussion instrument, 'The big hand drum -  Otsuzumi'.  He hits the drum with his palms which is considered the most difficult way.  Yuji Tsunemi plays the Arabic musical instrument Oud with passion, mastery and ease. He is one of the few Oud players in Japan. Makoto Ohno plays the flute. The second part of the event was quite a treat by the Japanese Women's Drum group 'HIMIKO' which was an 'all ladies' vibrant drum performance and theatrical presentation of 'lions' which is quite cheerful and lively. So do attend and experience the rich traditions and culture of Japan through their unique musical presenation. The audience was strictly prohibited from taking any pictures during the performance. But after the event, we could take pictures. Here are some of  'after the event', pics!

WATERMELON DELIGHT

Do you have watermelon at home?  If you don't,  then let me coax you to get a nice bright red juicy watermelon from the market...cut them...and wait...don't eat them yet...try making this water melon juice. You are in for a total delight! Okay now for the Ingredients:

For 2 persons:
Watermelon ripe chopped (about 3 cups)
Lemon juice (1 to 2 teaspoons, as you desire)
Honey (2 tablespoon, instead of refined sugar)
ginger crushed (1/4 teaspoon) 
Add water for the consistency you desire (1/4 cup water - less or more depending on if you like it thick or not so thick) 

Put all this in the blender and beat well. Pour them into two tall glasses. Add ice cubes if you like ice in your juice. You can even add bits of watermelon in it in the end and few chopped nuts if you like....And ENJOY!

QUOTE

A beautiful quote by George Bernard Shaw....

B COMPLEX - HIGHLY ESSENTIAL GROUP OF VITAMINS FOR YOUR HEALTH

The Vitamin B Complex comprises of Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12 plus the vitamins Biotin, Choline and Inositol. Vitamin B Complex is needed for the proper functioning of almost every process in the body.

Decreased energy production, lethargy, fatigue, feeling of being stressed, anxiety, depression, impaired digestion, dry skin, hair fall, splitting nails, wrinkles are some of the signs of Vitamin B deficiency. You need B Vitamins for a healthy and dynamic body.

According to nutritionist and naturopathic physician Nadine Masseron, the top 5 reasons you need plenty of Vitamin B complex is for:

1. Energy Production
2. Healthy Nervous system
3. Good Digestion.
4. Healthy Skin, Hair and Nails.
5. Synergy

If you feel you are not getting sufficient B Vitamins through your regular food intake, you can take a Vitamin B complex supplement everyday. Ask your doctor to prescribe a well known brand or talk to your pharmacist. B Vitamins are water-soluble which means any excess will be excreted through the urine. This also means that B Vitamins need to be taken on a daily basis. Taking a high dose Vitamin B Complex (50mg - 100mg) daily can turn urine a bright fluorescent, this is perfectly safe and normal so don't be alarmed!

Please read the full article at : www.healthandgoodness.com/article/vitamin-b-complex-and-health.html

PHOTOGRAPHY

To me photography is an art of observation. It's about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. I've found it has little to do with the things you see and everything do with the way you see them - Elliott Erwitt

Elliott Erwitt

Elliot Erwitt's well worn Leica M3 and 50mm Summilux by Eyepenn

Born in Paris in 1928, to Russian parents, Elliott Erwitt emigrated to USA and studied photography. Besides being famous photographer,  he has made award wining films,  documentary films, T.V. commercials and published quite a number of books. He has travelled around the world, capturing famous people and places in amazing black and white photos. He is known as the 'master of decisive moment' with regard to his candid shots of different situations in everyday setting. His photographs adorn various museums all over the world. Elliott Erwitt has held exhibitions in USA, Europe and Australia.

In photography, Elliott Erwitt's  technique is faultless, but he always stresses that the instinct that creates great photography is casual and uncontrollable: "I'll always be an amateur photographer," he says, pointing out that the word amateur comes from the Latin for "to love" .

Here are some of Elliott's famous black and white photographs!

THERE ARE DOORS

There are things that are known and things that are unknown, and in between there are doors. - Jim Morrison (American poet and singer)

SUMMER FOOTWEAR AT RIVER ISLAND

Ladies, if you are interested in summer footwear, simple or attractive looking or cute open sandals, visit River Island to see their summer collection. I took these pictures at River Island, Al Fanar Mall, Salmiah. They will have the same collection and more in all their outlets.

CATCHING UP ON SLEEP

Catching up on sleep.

HORSES AND OTHER PAINTINGS

ART GICLEE

When I was looking around at the shops in the basement of Galleria 2000 Mall (Salmiah), I came across this wonderful Art Shop and Gallery that had a quite an interesting and beautiful collection of paintings and art work. I especially liked the paintings on Horses. In Feng Shui, hanging paintings of horses on the wall signify great power, positive energy and strength.  I love horses and they certainly exude power, strength and grace.

Do visit this Art Shop 'ART GICLEE'  if you happen to visit Galleria 2000 Mall anytime.

CARROT BELL PEPPER AND LOW CAL FETA CHEESE CROISSANT SANDWICH

One for my hubby and one for me!

WHAT'S FOR BREAKFAST?

This is a healthy and delicious vegetarian croissant sandwich. You can create your own ideas for the filling. Let me share with you a simple yet nutritious high energy breakfast, that will make you feel like a race horse. LOL...maybe not a race horse...but it will certainly make you feel good and healthy. It has all the essential nutrients, proteins, carbs, antioxidants and vitamins that makes up a good breakfast to get you started and sustain during the day.

Ingredients for one person:
I medium croissant (the one in the picture is a freshly baked croissant from Geant Hypermarket, 360 Mall)

Filling:
* 1 tablespoon to 1 teaspoon low fat feta cheese (the one I used is low fat, low salt from Al Marai).
(Can be substituted with low fat cottage or any low fat cheese you have or you can spread low fat non-sour yoghurt)
* Grated carrot (1/4 carrot) as you desire
* Red Bell pepper thinly sliced
* 3 to 4 thin slices of tomato
* Sliced onions lightly fried or sauted in 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional)
* Boiled and mashed potatoes cooked with salt - 1 to 2 tablespoon (optional)
* A few Black spanish de-seeded olives (optional)

Slit the croissant sideways lengthwise. Spread the low fat feta OR any low fat cheese OR low fat non sour yoghurt on one side. On the other side, place the thinly sliced tomatoes and red bell pepper, sliced onions sauted in olive oil, followed by grated carrot, mashed potatoes and olives. As you prepare the sandwich, sprinkle salt to taste. Add black pepper powder if you wish. I didn't add any black pepper. I mentioned 'optional' for certain ingredients as each person's personal preference vary and you can add or omit as you desire. Enjoy your breakfast!!!!

* You can even have this for lunch instead of breakfast, along with a bowl of green salad or home made vegetable soup of your choice.

Approximately 180 to 200 calories.

CAN CHEWING MAKE FACE THINNER?




You still have to chew your food well into a fine mush before you swallow to aid and complete the process of digestion so that the nutrients and vitamins from the food are absorbed into the body. When you chew roughy and swallow in haste, that's putting huge stress and strain on your digestive system and your stomach and you hardly get any benefit out of that, due to improper or poor digestion. You won't lose weight by chewing, but you certainly will get all the wonderful nourishment from the food you took time to chew well.

 

HUGO BOSS 'ORANGE CELEBRATION OF HAPPINESS ' EAU DE TOILETTE FOR WOMEN

I  am always looking for fragrances which enlivens the spirit, brings a sense of cheer and happiness or just uplifts the mood. And whenever I come across a fragrance like that, be sure, I'll share my findings and views with you.!

Tried this lovely perfume at the Avenues Mall

A joyful and inviting fragrance inspired by beauty and free spirit of Bohemian reflects passion and creativity of a carefree chic woman!  Uplifts mood with a luminous sweet and sensual feel.  Features notes of sweet apple, peach, white flowers orange blossom and  plum,  blended with notes of cinnamon, sandalwood, vanilla and olive wood. Truly a 'happiness' infused perfume to wear in the day time and as well as evening. When you pass by any Perfume shops, do try try out  the eau de toilette, 'BOSS ORANGE CELEBRATION OF HAPPINESS', for Women, from HUGO BOSS.

ENERGIZE YOURSELF WITH RIGHT FOOD AND RIGHT QUANTITY

What you chose to eat in a day, has direct impact on your energy levels, clarity in thinking and total functioning of the body. When you have a meal laden with fat and sugar, or if you overeat, you are bound to experience sluggishness, a drop in energy levels, clouded mind and desire to take nap or just rest, after the initial ecstacy of relishing all that food in your plate. Your body refuses to be alert and attentive. All of us would like to feel energized, alert and productive after a meal, certainly not sleepy or tired, right?. Now that's comes only from having healthy food that not only satisfies hunger, but also will give you the right nourishment to keep your body functioning at it's best. No matter how good a certain meal tastes, never overeat. Now matter how tempting all that high calorie attractive looking food appears, exercise restraint and you will thank your better judgement. At the end of a meal, leave some space in your stomach, so when you get up, you can breathe and move around comfortably than regret how stuffed you feel.

How you feel after a meal is the result of what you eat.

WHAT I REALLY CHANGED ABOUT MY LIFE

Tony Robbins

When people ask me, what I really changed about my life, I tell them that the most important thing was changing what I demanded of myself.

I wrote down -
*All the things  I would no longer accept in my life,
*All the things I would no longer tolerate, and
*All the things that I aspired to becoming

- Tony Robbins, Self Help Author and Success Coach