Make getting fit a priority this year. Satish Kumar / The National
Make getting fit a priority this year. Satish Kumar / The National

5 things to do in 2014: Commit to getting fit



There are programmes to suit every interest and fitness level, including a new ladies-only gym launching January 12 at Haddins Fitness at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi, www.facebook.com/haddins; a cash reimbursement scheme at the new fitness studio at Eastern Mangroves Hotel & Spa by Anantara in Abu Dhabi, 02 656 1152, emlifestyle@anantara.com; a 21-day Kick Starter Programme through Ignite Wellness in Dubai, 04 456 2482, www.ignite-wellness.com

GET cultured through art, music and literature. Visit the art museums on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, Al Quoz in Dubai and the Sharjah Art Museum plus the historical forts around the country including Al Ain Palace Museum and Qasr Al Hosn in Abu Dhabi. If music is more your thing, check out The Fridge and The Music Room in Dubai for great shows, including locally based acts. Or get creative yourself through art classes and workshops, including Art Beat in Abu Dhabi and thejamjar in Dubai.

SAVE more money. Whether it’s through more frugal living by cutting back on brunches and bringing your lunch to work, or aggressive investments, make the commitment to put away more this year. Ask your bank what they offer for savings accounts, investments and retirement savings, and if they have a qualified financial adviser who can help you navigate the options.

GIVE BACK to the community. Whether you choose to give financially or of your time, there are plenty of great causes and organisations serving our communities that are sure to accept a helping hand. Some of our favourites are the Dubai Senior Dog Project, Feline Friends in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, Bin Kitty Collective, Friends of Animals, Dubai Cares and the Red Crescent.

LEARN a language, either on your own with a set of CDs and workbooks, or with a native speaking tutor in your chosen dialect or through a number of programmes available in the UAE, including the Alliance Francaise in Abu Dhabi or Dubai – with a variety of French language courses for children, teenagers and adults – and Eton Institute, which features a variety of courses in many languages, including occasional free classes and seminars. www.afdubai.org, www.afabudhabi.org, www.eton.ac

listings@thenational.ae

A MINECRAFT MOVIE

Director: Jared Hess

Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa

Rating: 3/5

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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

  • be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
  • not be younger than 25 years old
  • not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
  • be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
  • have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
  • undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
  • A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
  • Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
  • Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
  • Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
  • For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
  • Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
  • Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
  • Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
  • Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
  • Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.

Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz

DMZ facts
  • The DMZ was created as a buffer after the 1950-53 Korean War.
  • It runs 248 kilometers across the Korean Peninsula and is 4km wide.
  • The zone is jointly overseen by the US-led United Nations Command and North Korea.
  • It is littered with an estimated 2 million mines, tank traps, razor wire fences and guard posts.
  • Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un met at a building in Panmunjom, where an armistice was signed to stop the Korean War.
  • Panmunjom is 52km north of the Korean capital Seoul and 147km south of Pyongyang, North Korea’s capital.
  • Former US president Bill Clinton visited Panmunjom in 1993, while Ronald Reagan visited the DMZ in 1983, George W. Bush in 2002 and Barack Obama visited a nearby military camp in 2012. 
  • Mr Trump planned to visit in November 2017, but heavy fog that prevented his helicopter from landing.
MATCH INFO

Karnatake Tuskers 114-1 (10 ovs)

Charles 57, Amla 47

Bangla Tigers 117-5 (8.5 ovs)

Fletcher 40, Moores 28 no, Lamichhane 2-9

Bangla Tiger win by five wickets