WAKA WAKA (THIS TIME FOR AFRICA / ESTO ES AFRICA)

by Shakira with Freshlyground, Music Lyrics and Video



Waka Waka is the official song for the FIFA World Cup 2010 which will take place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa.

Shakira samples an African song, Zangalewa, and keeps the African voices in the chorus.

Shakira will participate in June 2010, at the opening concert of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa with other artists like Alicia Keys, John Legend and the Black Eyed Peas. The song Time for Africa / Esto es África (Waka Waka) has been recorded specially for the occasion with South African group Freshlyground and will be the official anthem of the competition. As in 2006, Shakira also participate in the tournament’s final concert.



The Waka Waka Shakira music video premiered on June 6, 2010



"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" is a song by Colombian singer Shakira, featuring South African band Freshlyground. It was the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, along with its Spanish language version, titled "Waka Waka (Esto es África)". Released on May 11 for digital download, the song received generally positive critical reception, and became a worldwide hit.

It was later included on Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album which was released on May 31, 2010. The K-Mix version of the song was also included on Shakira's seventh studio album, Sale el Sol. "Waka Waka" was performed by Shakira and Freshlyground at the 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off concert in Soweto on June 10, 2010, and at the final on July 11, 2010.

NEW HAIRSTYLES TO TRY - Part 2

Every new year millions of women vow to make life-changing resolutions: lose weight, improve relationships, give up a bad habit. Why not promise yourself that you'll get out of the hairstyle rut and go with something updated and fun?


HERE ARE OUR NEXT 5 OF TOP 10 FAVORITE HAIRSTYLES TO TRY:

MEDIUM-LENGTH HAIR– Although short or long hairstyles get the most celebrity attention, it's these medium-length hairstyles that many mature women opt for. See our favorites.

With its shoulder-sweeping length and gentle waves, Salma Hayek's thick dark mane looks very ladylike.

If you have a casual lifestyle and want the effortless look of layered hair, try a cut like Jodie Foster's long layers. Here, she wears it full and styled for a formal event, but with less volume this haircut is perfect for everyday life as well.

A center part, like on Mariska Hargitay, is youthful and flattering, especially when accompanied by a soft shoulder-length cut.

Long Hair –Shave years off your age by growing your hair out into a sexy longer hairstyle.  We can't all look like Christie Brinkley, but we can copy her hair.

How to keep long hair looking relevant and fresh well into midlife? Make sure your color and style are both current and not a blast from the past. Here, Sandra Bullock competes with girls half her age with glossy, long, healthy-looking locks.

NEW HAIRSTYLES TO TRY - Part 1

Choosing the right hair style is part technique and part art. The first step in finding the right hair style always comes down to determining facial structure.


Each face has its own unique structure. The shape of your face and head has a major role to play in the type of hair style you can wear best.

Additionally the shape and type of hair cut makes the difference between having an easy hair style and a style that becomes difficult to manage. Take your texture into consideration. For example, fine hair might require layers but thick hair could get out of controls with too many layers.

Knowing the shape of your face before you head to the salon will help you choose the right hair style and will help you to communicate better with your stylist.

HERE ARE OUR FAVORITE 10 HAIRSTYLES FOR GROWN-UPS:

BOB – This always-chic style can vary in length and even encompass curly locks like Meg Ryan's; it's a great style to try if you're tired of dealing with layers.
 

Helen Mirren shows off her classy silver hair in a simple, but elegant bob with bangs. This cut allows for so much versatility: in the days following this photo, Helen was pictured with her hair curled, waved and pulled back.



Bangs – Who needs injectables when you can cover up forehead wrinkles with flirty bangs?

Create a casual, but polished updo with a low ponytail paired with bangs (a high ponytail with bangs is too retro.) Angela Bassett's choppy bangs are a nice variation, too.

Make the most of fine hair with a soft, feathery fringe to highlight your eyes like Kristin Scott Thomas has done. Bangs like these work with all lengths of hair and are much more flattering than severe heavy bangs.

CELEBRATING NEW YEAR'S DAY

When it comes to celebrating the New Year, every country and every culture has its unique routines and charms to influence the incoming year. They're believed to bring into the new year good fortune, health, prosperity, and love.

Celebrating the New Year eve is very special. Many people celebrate in their own special way. While some celebrate the occasion with family and friends, some celebrate it with colleagues and peer group. The occasion brings happiness and cheer as with the company of your loved ones, you spend some special moments.

New Year's Eve traditions and superstitions have been a part of human celebrations in all cultures since the beginning of the proverbial race. Whether superstitions first showed up as a deep-seated need to make sense of the world around us, or whether it was to control the world around us isn’t important. What important is the curiosity, hope, laughter, and family unity that traditions undoubtedly bring to every family from every culture.

Go To a Church
Going to a church for celebration is a pious and holly ways to celebrate the New year eve. Such a celebration strengthens the beliefs and trust, building someone to spend the rest of the year in the most honest way.

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

Like many people around the world, you have probably made one (or ten!) New Year's resolutions. Though a day of relaxing on New Year's Day may be relaxing, consider getting a jump start on your New Year's resolutions. Here are some tips for productive things you can accomplish on January 1.

1). Consider cleaning your closets and giving your clothes to charity. If one of your New Year's resolutions is to clear your house of some clutter, cleaning out your closet is a great way to start the New Year. Once you are done, you will feel instantly relieved at the extra space and organization. Consider separating seasonal clothes as well as dressy clothes or costumes you don't wear often. Having your most common clothes in plain sight will save time in the morning rush to work.

For clothes that are still in decent shape and you simply do not want anymore, consider donating them to charity. You will feel twice as good when the job is done knowing it is going to people in need.

MY CHRISTMAS 2010

Millions of Christians around the world are celebrating Christmas on Saturday. It's a time for gift giving, midnight mass, food, sharing and more.

Share us your stories, plans on spending Christmas. You can send also send us your Christmas photos, unforgettable Christmas moments with friends, families, someone, and or other people.

Christians in the UAE are well catered for with a large mix of churches and parishes to attend with services and masses in as many languages as there are nationalities, or nearly.

Parishioners are devotionally attending Christmas midnight mass

The Christmas season starts on Christmas Eve, or the night that Jesus Christ was born and lasts until January 6, or the day that the Wise Men visited the child Jesus, celebrated as the Epiphany.

 

 Roman Catholics and Protestants celebrate Christmas on December 25. Greek, Syrian, and Ethiopian orthodox churches celebrate on January 6  and Armenian Christians celebrate it on January 18.




 Send Christmas cards to family and friends wishing them a merry Christmas and a happy new year.


Set up a live or artificial Christmas tree in your home. Decorate it with ornaments and lights.


Hang mistletoe in a doorway. It is traditional for people to kiss when they stand underneath this small, scented sprig.


Place lights and other decorations on the outside of your house and on your outdoor shrubs and trees.


Buy gifts for family and friends and pile them under the tree.


Hang stockings from your mantel so Santa can leave little items inside when he visits.




Ask your children to write down a wish list of the toys they would like to receive.


Share the list with Santa Claus so he can fill their requests. Expect him to arrive on Christmas Eve in a sled drawn by reindeer, carrying a red sack filled with gifts.

Play Christmas music in your house to get in the holiday spirit; some popular choices include "Silent Night" and "Deck the Halls."

Prepare a huge Christmas feast with foods such as turkey, ham, stuffing and vegetables; serve mince pie for dessert. Include other favorite recipes from your childhood holiday meals.




Ask your children to write down a wish list of the toys they would like to receive.


Share the list with Santa Claus so he can fill their requests. Expect him to arrive on Christmas Eve in a sled drawn by reindeer, carrying a red sack filled with gifts.

Play Christmas music in your house to get in the holiday spirit; some popular choices include "Silent Night" and "Deck the Halls."

Prepare a huge Christmas feast with foods such as turkey, ham, stuffing and vegetables; serve mince pie for dessert. Include other favorite recipes from your childhood holiday meals.

Filipinos are gearing up for Christmas and New Year Celebrations.
Photo Credit by Vic Candilanza

ONLY CHRISTIAN CHRONOLOGICAL SITE IN THE UAE




The pre-Islamic monastery on Sir Bani Yas Island has now opened to the public, 20 years after it was first discovered

 

Guided tour: Visitors to the site are told about the history of the monastery as archaeologists continue to dig








From above: Rooms within the monastery become more obvious from the sky

  
CHRONOLOGY

50-350 Christianity spreads throughout the Gulf region, following the trade routes to India and China.

Circa 600 Monastery at Sir Bani Yas is established; its use continues into the early Islamic period.

750 Monastic buildings are abandoned and begin to decay.

1820s British East India Company surveys the island and the waters around it, drawing attention to natural harbour (Meriton Bay). British sources mention pearl beds.

1930s Abandonment of villages on Sir Bani Yas Island after the collapse of the pearl trade.

1950s-60s Sir Bani Yas used by British Navy for target practice.

1971-2006 Island is privately owned by Sheikh Zayed and developed as wildlife sanctuary.

1991 First pieces of pottery discovered in former llama pens by a party from the Emirates Natural History Group.

1992-1996 Survey and excavations by Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey.

1996 Excavation ends.

2007 Island begins to be developed as a tourist resort.

2009 Start of a programme of excavation, conservation and development led by Tourism Development and Investment Company to enable the partly excavated monastery site to be displayed.

DOC PAT'S CREATIVE CAKES

All Cakes are Guaranteed fresh, homemade and coming from the heart :-)

leche flan / creme caramel

     

YFC CUP CAKES

  

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI ON HOLIDAYS (5)



It has 9 bedroom 4 storey car; made up of fiber glass and made in 1992.



A remarkable caravan trailer, which is part of the private collection of Shaikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan

 Welcome to Emirates National Auto Museum. 
This museum is an amazing private collection of H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan.

The collection houses a vast array of cars and other vehicles; some seemingly bought from owners there and then, such as a customised camper van, others received as presents from all around the world. While some have been kept as originally intended, others have been modified to suit the Sheikh's preference.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI ON HOLIDAYS (4)

 ABU DHABI FISH MARKET, MINA PORT, ABU DHABI, UAE

Mina Fish Market Sign, Abu Dhabi Fish Market


On Friday morning, a visit to the Mina Port Fish Market and a shopping spree of fresh seafood is a good way to spend your hard earned salary. At 7:30 a.m. the fish market is already packed with shoppers. Most of them are Filipinos who are working here in UAE.

The fish market at the old fishing village is a covered and air-conditioned market where both locals and expats of all ages were bargaining for the freshest seafood.



TOP THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI ON HOLIDAYS (3)

THE CORNICHE, ABU DHABI, UAE

Corniche is most remarkable tourist place. Some sandy beaches of Abu Dhabi are located along the Corniche. A new Corniche is being proposed after looking at the popularity of this Corniche.



Abu Dhabi landmarks and monuments in Corniche, Abu Dhabi



The Corniche is a long road that extends almost 6 km or 4 miles from the Sheraton Hotel to the Hilton Hotel. There are several gardens lined all along the Corniche around the coastal boulevard that borders the city. The ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, loves greenery and gardens and fountains are the result of that love. The other important feature of the city is the fountains and can be seen on every intersection of the Corniche. With the modern buildings facing the sea for the background, it is one of the most picturesque sites in Abu Dhabi. Some of the sensational sandy beaches of Abu Dhabi are located along the seafront Corniche.

Underground tunnel in Abu Dhabi by the Corniche

There are a number of beaches in Abu Dhabi where locals and tourists alike can enjoy sun, sand and sea, but none provide the variety that can be found at the Corniche, which is home to Abu Dhabi's premier beach and beachside activities.

The Corniche Beach now stretches almost as far as the Corniche road itself, and what once provided no more than a pleasant seafront walk for visitors, the Corniche now provides a place for all to spend time relaxing, under the shade of palm trees or purpose built umbrellas, or simply having fun in the sun.

Yes, despite this beach being a lively attraction to many, space is available for those who want to relax in reasonably tranquil surroundings. For those who want to do no more than read a book and sunbathe and perhaps take a dip in the sea, peace and quiet really can be found on this bustling beach because a section has being designated to cater for those with such requirements. For a few dirhams, visitors can gan entry to the private section where peace and quiet reigns and comfortable sunbeds are available for rent.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI ON HOLIDAYS (2)

HERITAGE VILLAGE, ABU DHABI, UAE

Heritage Village, Abu Dhabi

 The Emirates Heritage Club was initiated by H. H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to safeguard the legacy and customs of the UAE. It was launched on May 9, 1993. On June 16, 1997 H. H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Vice High Commander of the Armed Forces, published the Presidential Decree No 14 of 1997 for a certified commencement of the Emirates Heritage Club.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN ABU DHABI ON HOLIDAYS (1)

SHEIKH ZAYED GRAND MOSQUE, ABU DHABI

The majestic Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque is probably the most imposing religious and national landmark in Abu Dhabi to date. It is also arguably one of the most important architectural treasures of contemporary UAE society - and one of the most beautiful in the world - initiated no less by the late president HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who is fondly thought of as the father of the UAE.

First considerations to build the Mosque began in the late 1980s and much thought was given to its location and its design over the next decade. The initial architectural design was agreed upon and the inaugural cornerstone laid in the late 1990s.

The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, popularly called the Grand Mosque by local residents, is seen as a construction to ‘unite the world’, using artisans and materials from countries such as Italy, Germany, Morocco, India, Turkey, Iran, China, Greece and the UAE. More than 3,000 workers and 38 renowned contracting companies took part in the construction of the Mosque.

FILIPINO KARE-KARE

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 kilo beef (round or sirloin cut) cut into cubes (for a more traditional kare kare, use cleaned beef tripe instead of beef)
1/2 kilo oxtail, cut 2 inch long
3 cups of peanut butter
1/4 cup grounded toasted rice
1/2 cup cooked bagoong alamang (anchovies)
2 pieces onions, diced
2 heads of garlic, minced
4 tablespoons atsuete oil
4 pieces eggplant, sliced 1 inch thick
1 bundle Pechay (Bok choy) cut into 2 pieces
1 bundle of sitaw (string beans) cut to 2" long
1 banana bud, cut similar to eggplant slices, blanch in boiling water
1/2 cup oil
8 cups of water
Salt to taste