[UAE WEB OF LIFE-Issue 7] Interviews - EmiratesMac & Writers Block
Saturday, October 07, 2006
UAE WEB OF LIFE
-------------------------------
The Internet Magazine on what's happening in the local UAE Web community.
http://UaeWebOfLife.wordpress.com
ISSUE 7
CONTENTS
I. NEWS
2. CUB (Cool UAE Blog) Awards
3. BUG (Best UAe-Group) Awards
3. INTERVIEW - a) Emirates Mac b) Writers Block
I. NEWS
1) Mum’s web site goes global
"....The new Jumeirah is Mirdif. Now, from the aviation fuel-scented exurb comes DuFam (www.dufam.com) – the expansion of the Mirdif Mums to all Dubai..."
Full story
2) UAE’s junior expats get new web site
"...But the squad behind www.expatbrats.com includes Nikki’s two brothers and her mother, Audrey. As the site progresses, they are also aiming to build a network of young writers across the UAE.
Full Story
3) Excellent response to online services of Dubai Police
"....The number of visitors to Dubai Police website (www.dubaipolice.gov.ae) stood at 2475, 187 over the last three years, he said and attributed the remarkable response to the easy access to the site to get the services and information that concern large segments of the society....."
Read full article.
4) Apply online for jobs at Abu Dhabi Police
ABU DHABI — Job-seekers at
the Abu Dhabi Police can now log onto the Internet or call a tollfree
number to get first hand information about the administrative
procedures without the need to go personally to the Directorate General
of Human Resources. (www.adpolice-hr.com) tollfree phone number (8008999) during work hours.
Read full article.
5) Cost effective and eco-friendly fuel will be available from next month
ABU DHABI — From October 8, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company for Distribution (Adnoc Distribution)
will introduce another cost-effective and environment-friendly fuel, which will save Dh1 and 50 fils per gallon on super and special brands. A special website has been launched containing relevant information about the new product explaining its features and functions www.adnoc-dist.ae. In coordination with car dealers in the country, a
list of vehicles which can use E-plus is available on the website.
Read full article.
6) Suggestions to improve local transport will fetch rewards
"RTA will welcome suggestions through the website (www.rta.ae) by email and through a prescribed template which can be filled and handed over personally at the RTA office. Other alternatives to register suggestions include calling the authority or its call centre on 8009090."
Read full article.
7) Want to use Skype in Dubai? Just say HeyU
Customers can go to a UK-based website, Mathaba.net, and get an email address for HeyU, which
bills itself as an "Asian group." HeyU appears to have no website of its own.
Read full article.
8) Weyak brings web portal to mobiles
http://www.weyak.ae
Read full article.
9) UAE Video Site
A commercial Internet site in Dubai with video stories as part of a video class bridging the gap between classroom theories and actual experience with the local media. The video stories, which the students produce for the Eye of Dubai website, are about one minute in length and focus on life and lifestyles in and around Dubai.
http://www.eyeofdubai.com/en/news/videonews/
(Source: DubaiForums.com)
II. CUB (COOL UAE BLOG) AWARDS
Winners this issue:
Recognition of their Constant Creative Cyber Communion
1) Dani - a filipino teenager in Dubai whose expression and blogging is the envy of many a senior
2) Designer Woke - Advertising professional in Dubai - well written blog entries on Dubai etc.
3) Dot1ne - Web Technophile and Podcaster Saleh
4) Farrukh - Advertising Copywriter, Journalist
4) Prometheus - spontaneous and witty...has won him many fans.
IV. BUG - BEST UAEe-Group Awards
Recognition of useful online community service
1) Emirates Mac - http://www.EmiratesMac.com
2) Writer's Block - http://WritersBlockUae.blogspot.com
V. INTERVIEW - EmiratesMac & Writers Block
b) Emirates Mac
Copyright 2006 UAE WEB OF LIFE - http://uaeweboflife.wordpress.com
posted by ORB-UAE - Creative Club @ 12:51 AM,
,
Dubai Joggers - New Yahoogroup
Monday, August 28, 2006
From the Group Introduction:
For people who enjoy walking, jogging outdoors in Dubai no matter what
the weather may be. may it be for weight loss, health or just to feel
good , put your socks n sneakers, carry your mp3 players and feel the city.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dubaijoggers/
posted by ORB-UAE - Creative Club @ 9:07 AM,
,
emagdubai.com - Online Dubai magazine
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Found this ad in the 7Days.ae newspaper (click image to enlarge):
posted by ORB-UAE - Creative Club @ 8:46 AM,
,
A new online community for Egyptians in Dubai
Saturday, August 19, 2006
A new online community for Egyptians in Dubai:
Hello all,
A group of us started a new website: http://egydxb.aceboard.com which
should serve as a meeting place for all egyptians in dubai (and UAE in
general). We are hoping that this will be a very big community for all
egyptians living here since there are so many of us who are very
interested in getting in touch with others as well. Please make sure
to visit the website and spread the news to everyone you know and help
us to grow!!!
Moustafa
posted by ORB-UAE - Creative Club @ 9:16 AM,
,
UAE Used Cars Portal - EmiratesUsedCars.com
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Received an email advertisement today. Visited the site. Seems to be
quite comprehensive with discussion forums etc. and also a page with
used car buying tips.
http://www.emiratesusedcars.com/
posted by ORB-UAE - Creative Club @ 11:42 PM,
,
The Real Dubai
Thursday, August 10, 2006
'The Real Dubai' - the most complete and passionate picture guide of
Dubai ever created by Jessica Franz & Stefan Zwanzger
posted by ORB-UAE - Creative Club @ 2:47 PM,
,
The Dubai Enquirer: Issue 10
Monday, August 07, 2006
For those of you who enjoy Brit humour!
The Dubai Enquirer is ten issues old!
To celebrate this mighty feat, we are going to throw a massive party (well, have a gathering, you can get stuffed if you think we're paying) on Friday August 18th. If you would like to join in the festivities, please email the official party organiser Dwayne and he will let you know the details. If any wealthy benefactor would like to sponsor the event, supplying us with all the necessary party goods to ensure we have a riotously good time, then that would be grand.
posted by ORB-UAE - Creative Club @ 9:42 AM,
,
VIVA - Women's Magazine in the UAE
Came across their website address in the Dubai Writer's Group
http://writers.meetup.com/293/boards/view/viewthread?thread=2043798.
They are looking for aspiring female authors. If you are one, do check
details in the post in the above link.
posted by ORB-UAE - Creative Club @ 9:33 AM,
,
Creative Majlis are having their next offliner
Sunday, August 06, 2006
Posting their invitation from their Ryze post:
http://www.ryze.com/posttopic.php?topicid=723194&confid=2370
The much-awaited August Meet - Wed Aug 9, 2006
Dear members,
As sweltering August has Dubai gasping for a wiff of fresh air, Creative
Majlis is all set to treat its members to yet another peppermint-cool
evening, replete with refreshing ideas and juicy surprises!
Yes, it's time for a UAE meet after an eventful July we've had at the
CM. We're all-eager to share lotsa good news & take off with you on a
number of exciting projects lined up for the coming months.
As always, a special 'creative suprise' is lined up for you - 'Think
Differently', an interactive presentation by Samson D'Souza, senior
copywriter and member of Creative Majlis! Don't miss it!
Event Details:
When: Wed, August 9, 2006
What time: 7:15 pm onwards
Where: 'The Grind', Manazel Building, Mankhoul Road, Bur Dubai, Dubai.
Please RSVP here: http://www.ryze.com/ed.a?eventid=29916
Special message to first-timers: Please make sure to be on time as the
first half hour is dedicated to introducing the Creative Majlis, what we
do and how we do it.
Agenda:
7:15 – Assembly time
7:30 – 8:00 – Creative Majlis – ‘Who we are & what we do’
8:00 – 8:45 – ‘Think Differently’, a presentation by Samson D’Souza,
Senior Copywriter & member of Creative Majlis. Based on the best-selling
creativity classic ‘A Whack on the Side of the Head’ by Roger von Oech.
8:45 – 9:00 – Current Projects of Creative Majlis
9:00 - Open Space Session
See you there!
Cheers!
Mayura Sandeep & Farrukh Naeem,
Co-Moderators, Creative Majlis
posted by ORB-UAE - Creative Club @ 8:21 AM,
,
Issue 6 - The UAE Web weaves faster
Saturday, June 17, 2006
*********************************
* *
*U A E W E B O F L I F E *
* *
*********************************
(http://uaeweboflife.blogspot.com)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Internet Magazine on what's happening in the local UAE Internet community.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An ORB-UAE Creative Group Publication (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/orb-uae)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issue 6
CONTENTS
***********
1. THE UAE WEB WEAVES FASTER
2. UAE WEB COMMUNITIES (June 1-15 2006)
- Creative Majlis organises a Unique Meet in Dubai
- ORB-UAE Creative Group Offliner: Dhow Cruise
- Writers meet in Dubai at the Caferati Read Meet
- UAECommunity Bloggers Forum updates and reorganises its UAE Blogs list
- Expat Football Club for football lovers in Dubai
- Dubai Arts & Crafts Web Group - Artisans of the Emirates (ARTE) Fairs
- Dubai Expats Yahoogroup meetup planned
- UAE Meetup Groups: Meets
- DubaiEnquirer.com - New Issue out
3. NEWS ABOUT THE UAE WEB (June 1-15 2006)
WEBSITES
- ‘Mega Stadium’ for football fans soon
- DED, Tejari connect Dubai’s business community through ‘mylinkDubai.com’
- Middle East's first online community for university students
- Dubai Summer Surprises internet site goes online
- Middle East business information platform - Australia issues online visas to Gulf nationals
BUSINESS
- DAEX - World’s first hotel inventory system launched
- Mashreqbank offers eGate card facilities
- Brokerages set to drive retail trading online
GOVERNMENT
- Dubai Land Department adopts ePay System
- Electronic database of patients in offing
- New E-Gate card can be used at all UAE airports
- Dubai eGovernment launches DirectDebit
- UAE e-link to Jordan ministry
- Customs takes service online
GENERAL
- Download Etisalat Modem Protector for FREE and enjoy safe surfing!
- UAE Internet bandwidth crosses 7.5 Gbps with capacity of 49 STM1 links
- Dotcom companies log on strongly after bust
- Study shows how people learn about UAE online
4. REGULARS - CUB & BUG Awards
- Cool UAE Blog Award - The Desert Mirage
- Best UAe-Group Award - J-AMFM Abu Dhabi (Japanese Anime Lovers Group)
5. INTERVIEW - Zekuu, founder of J-AMFM community
*************
*
EDITORIAL*
*
*************
THE UAE WEB WEAVES FASTER
The previous fortnight (June 1st to June 15th) has seen a lot of news about the UAE web being published in the mainstream media. More and more of government and business services are going online. This is only the beginning. Analysts are already stating that the Internet is replacing TV as a major infotainment and advertising medium. Microsoft is trying to come to terms with the fact that PC applications are becoming more and more web-centred and going the route that Google is forging.
With this bevy of news, I have tried to reorganise the UAE Web of Life ezine, in an attempt to present content in an easier to read manner. The objective of this ezine has always been to serve as an update or record of what is happening in the UAE Internet community.
[Top]
******************************
*
WEB COMMUNITIES NEWS *
*
******************************
...........................
5th June 2006
............................
1) Creative Majlis organises a Unique Meet in Dubai
--------------------------------------------------------------
Creative Majlis, the Communication professionals network for social work and advertising, organised a very unique meet and Open Space session.
Event: Creative Majlis meeting and open space session
Date & Location: 5 June 2006, Dubai, The Grind, Bur Dubai
Read about it here: http://www.ryze.com/posttopic.php?confid=2370&topicid=697259
Creative Majlis : http://creativemajlis-network.ryze.com/
[Top]
...........................
9th June 2006
...........................
1) ORB-UAE Creative Group Offliner: Dhow Cruise
------------------------------------------------------------
Members of the ORB-UAE Creative group and their friends had their regular offliners as a Dhow cruise on the Dubai creek. Read about it here: http://orbmeets.blogspot.com
ORB-UAE Creative Group: http://orb-network.ryze.com
[Top]
..............................
24th May 2006
..............................
1) Writers meet in Dubai at the Caferati Read Meet
------------------------------------------------------------
Though reporting this a bit late, Farrukh Naeem, award-winning copywriter and the co-moderator of Creative Majlis, has taken the initiative to start the Dubai chapter of the international writer's forum - Caferati. They had their first meet...details here:
http://whowrotethat.blogspot.com/
[Top]
..............................
14th June 2006
..............................
1) DubaiEnquirer.com - New Issue out
------------------------------------------------
http://www.DubaiEnquirer.com
DubaiEnquirer.com spins more witty Dubai yarns.
[Top]
................
Other
................
1) UAECommunity Bloggers Forum updates and reorganises its UAE Blogs list
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://UaeCommunity.blogspot.com
The UAECommunity bloggers forum has reorganised its blog lists. Blogs have now been segregated into more categories - Community, UAE, General, Specialist etc. UAECommunity also conducts a regular spring cleaning, weeding out blogs that have not been updated in months.
[Top]
2) Expat Football Club for football lovers in Dubai
-------------------------------------------------------------
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/safafc/
Safa FC is a Football club based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
"...We are a non-profit, amateur, expat football club run by a team of
volunteers. We compete in the various Leagues in and around Dubai and
train regularly - atleast three times a week. We are proud of our
diversity, our current squad contains players from India, Germany, UK,
France, Lebanon, Romania, Somalia, Singapore, Jordan, Turkey, and
Greece. In-fact we welcome all players regardless of age, ability and
nationality. All are welcome, If you'd like to join, contact us and
we'll guide you to our next training session where you can meet some
of the guys..."
(Source: Posted in Dubai Expats Yahoo Group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dubai_expats)
[Top]
3) Dubai Arts & Crafts Web Group - Artisans of the Emirates (ARTE) Fair
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The dates for the next ARTE Art & Craft Soukh in the Holiday centre are:
8 June, 13 July,10 August,14 September, 12 October, 9 November and 12 December 2006.
Registration Fee Dhs 150* per event.
Download registration form here: http://groups.msn.com/DubaiArtsCrafts
[Top]
4) Dubai Expats Yahoogroup meetup planned
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dubai Expats yahoogroup members are in the process of planning their next offliner.
Catch the discussions at : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dubai_expats
5) UAE Meetup Groups: Meets
-------------------------------------
i) J-AMFM (Japanese Anime Lovers) Group of Abu Dhabi - http://anime.meetup.com/401/
Next Meetup: Wed, Jun 14, 7:30 PM
ii) Dubai Writers Meetup Group: http://writers.meetup.com/293/
Next Meetup: Wed, Jun 28, 8:30 PM
iii) Emirates Weblog Group: http://blog.meetup.com/344/
Next Meetup: Thu, Jun 29, 8:30 PM
[Top]
*************************
*
NEWS ABOUT THE UAE WEB *
*
*************************
[ WEBSITES ]
...........................
6th June 2006
...........................
1) DED, Tejari connect Dubai’s business community through ‘mylinkDubai.com’
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.MyLinkDubai.com
"...mylinkDubai will enable companies to go online and network with a wider business community in Dubai and within the region. Under the new system, each company will receive a webpage to promote its products and services, setup an online showroom, conduct e-exhibitions, generate and respond to trade leads, attract new vendors and negotiate business deals online.....". More: http://www.strategiy.com/itnew.asp?id=20060606105614
(Source: Strategiy.com)
[Top]
..............................
12th June 2006
..............................
1) ‘Mega Stadium’ for football fans soon
-----------------------------------------------
http://www.MegaStadium.com
The Mega Stadium, from Dubai’s Mideast Solutions and British media firm Direct Media Network, will offer a free forum to fans of the game to chat, forecast results and rub shoulders with other fans around the globe.
(Source: EmiratesTodayOnline.com)
[Top]
2) Middle East's first Online Community for University Students
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.jam3etna.com/eng/default.asp
(Source: Banner Ad in MSN Messenger)
[Top]
3) Australia issues online visas to Gulf nationals
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.immi.gov.au
Now nationals from the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait no longer need a visa label stuck in their passports. Instead they can apply online for electronic visas and no longer need to mail their passports to the consulate, which deals with all Gulf visa applications.
(Source: EmiratesTodayOnline.com)
[Top]
.............................
14th June 2006
.............................
1) Middle East business information platform
--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.Zawya.com
Business and Financial news, company information, stock market coverage, sector research, project information, macro-economic reports.
(Source: Advertisement in Gulf News)
[Top]
[ BUSINESS ]
..............................
10th June 2006
..............................
1) DAEX - World’s first hotel inventory system launched
-------------------------------------------------------------------
"...Daex is a free web service that interfaces a hotel’s property management system (PMS) to an internet booking engine or tour operating system enabling automated booking of hotel and apartment accommodation based on availability. DaeX’s business model works on fixed fee based transactions..." More: http://www.strategiy.com/itnew.asp?id=20060606100903
(Source: Strategiy.com)
[Top]
............................
13th June 2006
............................
1) Mashreqbank offers eGate card facilities
------------------------------------------------------
Mashreqbank launched the first payment card and electronic immigration identifier in the region yesterday. The new Mashreqbank UAE Gate Prepaid MasterCard with eGate functions will allow the convenience of a prepaid card and also get you quickly through UAE airports, officials said.
(Source: EmiratesTodayOnline.com)
[Top]
.............................
14th June 2006
.............................
1) Brokerages set to drive retail trading online
--------------------------------------------------------
With online trading currently making up around 15-20 per cent of retail activity in the UAE, the continued rise in the volume of brokerage activities will drive retail investors to migrate fully online in due time, according to an EFGHermes report. Online activity is still relatively small in the UAE. In Saudi Arabia, 50 per cent of retail brokerage takes place online, whereas in the US and other developed markets, over 80 per cent of retail operates online.
More: http://213.132.44.184/emiratestoday/ArticleText.aspx?article=14_06_2006_014_004
(Source: EmiratesTodayOnline.com)
[Top]
[ GOVERNMENT ]
.............................
11th June 2006
.............................
1) Dubai Land Department adopts ePay System
--------------------------------------------------------
http://www.DubaiLand.gov.ae
Dubai Land Department has adopted Dubai eGovernment's ePay System to allow users of its portal, to make online payments. ePay is a centralised payment gateway integrated with the payment systems of government departments, thereby enabling payment either through credit cards or eDirham.
More:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/business/2006/June/business_June318.xml§ion=business&col=
(Source: KhaleejTImes.com)
[Top]
.............................
12th June 2006
.............................
1) Electronic database of patients in offing
----------------------------------------------------
An electronic database of Ministry of Health patients will soon be available and accessible at all public medical facilities in the country.
More:
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2006/June/theuae_June356.xml§ion=theuae&col=
(Source: KhaleejTImes.com)
[Top]
2) New E-Gate card can be used at all UAE airports
-------------------------------------------------------------
The fees for registration and renewal of the UAE E- Gate card issued by the Ministry Of Interior Naturalisation and Residency Departments had been increased from Dh150 to Dh200 from the beginning of this month. The new UAE gate cards issued from June 1 will enable their holders to use them not only at the Dubai International Airport, but also at Abu Dhabi and Sharjah International Airports, Al Ain International Airport, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport,
and Fujairah International Airport, according to a top official at the Dubai Naturalisation and Residency Department (DNRD).
More: http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2006/June/theuae_June364.xml§ion=theuae&col=
..............................
13th June 2006
.............................
1) Dubai eGovernment launches DirectDebit
-----------------------------------------------------
http://www.Dubai.ae
Dubai eGovernment yesterday launched the e-payments facility – Direct Debit – for all government transactions, in partnership with Dubai Municipality, Etisalat and Commercial Bank of Dubai. While only Commercial Bank of Dubai account-holders will be able to avail of this direct debit solution, other banks are expected to follow suit.
This is how the service will work: payments can be initiated by the customer online through the service provider’s website and the final authentication will be carried out by the bank online. And the customers’ records would be immediately updated.
(Source: EmiratesTodayOnline.com)
[Top]
..............................
14th June 2006
.............................
1) UAE e-link to Jordan ministry
----------------------------------------
ABU DHABI: The UAE Ministry of Labour has signed an agreement with its Jordanian counterpart to link the two ministries electronically. It will mean employment contracts available at the Jordanian Ministry of Labour will be attested electronically, eliminating the possibility of forgery.
(Source: EmiratesTodayOnline.com)
[Top]
2) Customs takes service online
---------------------------------------
UAE: Dubai eGovernment has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dubai Customs, to jointly develop a new service that allows processing of online shipping permits for restricted goods. Under the joint initiative, Dubai eGovernment will co-ordinate with other government departments and ministries and obtain all required permits electronically, which will then be forwarded to Dubai Customs.
(Source: EmiratesTodayOnline.com)
[Top]
[ GENERAL ]
............................
6th June 2006
............................
1) Download Etisalat Modem Protector for FREE and enjoy safe surfing!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dial-up Internet users around the world are being hit by malicious software known as Internet Dialers. These Dialers use your modem stealthily to dial International numbers which may result in a phone bill for thousands of Dirhams.
http://www.etisalat.ae
(Source: Email)
[Top]
................................
10th June 2006
...............................
1) UAE Internet bandwidth crosses 7.5 Gbps with capacity of 49 STM1 links
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.Etisalat.ae
Etisalat has announced a significant increase in Internet bandwidth in the UAE with another 12 STM1 links being provisioned to meet user needs taking the total number of links to 49. The increased capacity of 7.5 Gbps (Gigabits per second) is the highest bandwidth capacity available with any single provider in the region. The expansion in capacity has been done with a view to accommodate the growth in Internet usage in the UAE and help in maintaining redundancy of operations.
More: http://www.strategiy.com/itnew.asp?id=20060610104710
(Source: Strategiy.com)
[Top]
..............................
14th June 2006
...............................
1) Dotcom companies log on strongly after bust
---------------------------------------------------------
"...The Internet is also starting to eat away at TV’s lead in the UAE. A PARC’s TGI survey last year shows that Arab expats’ media consumption in the early evening features the internet, with TV a close second..."
More: http://213.132.44.184/emiratestoday/Default.aspx?selpg=279
(Source: EmiratesTodayOnline.com)
[Top]
2) Study shows how people learn about UAE online
----------------------------------------------------------------
A study has been conducted to show how people from around the world use the internet to learn about the UAE. UAE Interact, the official website of the former UAE Ministry of Information and Culture, recorded a big increase in the number of visits, hits and page visits in the month of May.
More: http://www.uaeinteract.com/#21195
(Source: EmiratesTodayOnline.com)
[Top]
************
*
REGULARS *
*
************
1. Cool UAE Blog (CUB)
------------------------------
Constant, Creative Cyber Communicator
________________________________________
The Desert Mirage (previously known as BlogElEmarat)
http://thedesertmirage.blogspot.com
Blogged by Ahmed, The Desert Mirage is an Emarati's view of the UAE. A very interesting read!
[Top]
2. Best UAe-Group (BUG)
---------------------------------
J-AMFM Group of Abu Dhabi - http://anime.meetup.com/401/
A Meetup group of Japanese anime lovers in Abu Dhabi.
[Top]
*************
*
INTERVIEW *
*
*************
Zekuu, Organizer of J-AMFM (Japanese Anime Lovers) in Abu Dhabi & JLS (Japanese Language Society) of Abu Dhabi
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 1) Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your educational and work background?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I grew up watching Japanese imported Anime (English dubbed versions) in the USA, but didn't really develop an interest in Japanese culture until my college years when I became friends with a lovely girl from Japan. After that, I started watching Anime in Japanese with subtitles (the storylines can differ significantly since there are often subtle references which are
only understood when one is familiar with Japanese pop culture and/or customs) and also branched out into Japanese rock / pop music and later Japanese films. I moved to the UAE not long after graduating with my Bachelors degree and have been in Abu Dhabi for nearly 10 years now.
---------------------------------------------------
> 2) What inspired you to start J-AMFM?
---------------------------------------------------
It is both a passion and a dedication. I have a longstanding interest in Japanese culture and it's a wonderful feeling being able to share this intriguing and fascinating world with others.
It was a little over a year ago that J-AMFM came into being, mostly by chance. I had attended a Japanese language course offered by the Japanese Embassy in Abu Dhabi and a few of us wanted to keep practicing after the course ended, so we formed another group (Japanese Language Speakers or JLS of Abu Dhabi) to enable us to keep in touch. In fact, J-AMFM was originally started as a companion group to JLS as a large number of people who had attended the Japanese language course did so because of their interest in Japanese Anime. I never expected that it would eventually have a greater response than the JLS group -
lol.
----------------------------------------------------------
> 3) How has the response to your forum been so far?
----------------------------------------------------------
Believe it or not, neither group did much in their first year of existence and we struggled to get people to attend the meetings. At one point, I was so frustrated with the poor attendance, I even considered closing both groups! Then, almost miraculously, toward the end of last year, there was a surge of people suddenly wanting to join J-AMFM and the group was 're-born' in 2006. We are now going strong and have had meetings nearly every week for the past two months when before we were lucky to have a meeting once a month! All I can say is many, many thanks to the members who have really shown their support and whom I'm really delighted to call my friends ^_^
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 4) Any interesting tid-bits and happenings that you can share from the forum?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I think that the greatest thing about this group is that age is no boundary when people come together to share their common interest. Our members range in age from early teens to mid-thirties; yet, everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the meetings and the younger members often bring fresh perspectives that really enliven the discussions. I even got hooked on a really great series thanks to the suggestion of one of those younger members - lol.
---------------------------------------------------------
> 5) What are your other interests and hobbies?
---------------------------------------------------------
Reading the above, you might think that my life revolves around Japanese media (and in a way, that's not far from the truth - lol), but I also like to read the occasional novel and I'm very keen on working with computers. So, I guess you could call those my 'other interests and hobbies'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 6) What are your favourite books, music, movies, celebrities and inspiring personalities?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Favorite Book: hmm, tough call (I've read tons), but two which immediately come to mind are 100 years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Contact by Carl Sagan, ironically, both were given to me as gifts!
Favorite Music: Alternative / Melodic / Progressive Rock - bands like L'Arc~en~Ciel, MUCC and Asian Kung-Fu Generation (all Japanese) or RUSH (Canadian)
Movies: Shawshank Redemption, Daremo Shiranai (Nobody Knows), Spirited Away (Miyazaki Hayao's masterpiece!)
Celebrities: Hyde (L'Arc~en~Ciel), Sakurai Sho & Matsumoto Jun (ARASHI), Kamenashi Kazuya (KAT-TUN) & Nakamura Yukie (a brilliant & beautiful actress)
Inspiring Personalities: Dali Lama, Mother Theresa & my parents ^_^
Personal Motto / Philosophy of Life: "I want to make at least one person smile every day."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 7) What is your motto or philosophy of life that you would like to share with our readers?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Favorite quote by which I live my life: "If you were to choose between two trees, an oak and a willow, which one would you rather be. The oak which stands tall amidst the raging storm or the willow which bends beneath the force of the gale. You might think the oak is best; yet, once the wind ceases, the willow will also stand tall again while the oak may have a few broken limbs." No clue who said it first and I've heard loads of variations on the same theme, but its simple philosophy remains the same each time.
[Top]
**********<@>**********
Want to feature your UAE website, online service, blog, forum, ezine etc. here? Got some online news to share? Want to send us your rants and raves? Email us at orbuae@gmail.com
To Unsubscribe: Email: orbuae@gmail.com with 'Unsubscribe' in the subject.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
An ORB-UAE Publication (http://orb-network.ryze.com)
Copyright 2006 UAE Web of Life http://uaeweboflife.blogspot.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
posted by ORB-UAE - Creative Club @ 10:14 AM,
,
