Lama Ghazzawi, Author at Destination KSA

Tips To Survive The Struggles Of Freshmen Year

We all felt a little lost when it came to college. We changed universities and majors, followed friends, wanted different places and jobs. It was honestly very confusing.

So, the Destination Team came together and thought of a few things we’d tell ourselves on the first day of college if we could turn back time *Que Cher*:

1. You don’t have to start college right away.

If you don’t know what you want yet, take a break. Work on yourself, take courses, attend events, travel. Do whatever it is you can get off of your bucket list in a semester.

2. Don’t be afraid if you’re going to a place where you don’t know anyone.

Join clubs and get social, because you’ll meet people in college (good and bad) that you’ll never forget (no matter how hard you try).

3. College isn’t as big of a deal as you think it is.

It’s like going from middle school to high school, but now you have a little more freedom and rely mostly on yourself.

4. Learn to love yourself and enjoy your own company.

Don’t look for acceptance. Watch a movie or go out to dinner by yourself. If you don’t enjoy your own company, how do you expect other people to?

5. A lot of things are going to change, but most importantly, YOU will change.

6. As much as you’re going to meet new people, you’re probably going to lose most of them.

So, surround yourself with good people that you know will only upgrade you.

7. Live by the saying: “Will it matter in five years?”.

8. Follow your own schedule and take electives in things that you never tried before, because you may fall in love with something completely different.

9. Concentrate and avoid procrastinating, it’s your biggest enemy.

Keep a steady rhythm from beginning to end. We know you’re going to procrastinate anyways so…

10. Make connections, they’ll help you later-on in life.

Professors count too! You’ll realize later that they were cooler than people your age anyways.

11. Avoid distractions and balance work and social life.

You can always see your friends, but it’s tougher to take the course again just because you didn’t study enough.

A trip down Riyadh’s memory lane.

In every generation there’s something special. Whether it’s events, music, rising talents, fashion trends or just memories. We went back a few generations to see just how special they were.

1970s

This generation was one for the ages. In music, it was the rise of rock and roll and Michael Jackson in the west, and Sabah, Abdel Halim Hafez, Salwa and Fairouz in the middle east. This era was truly blessed with classics who to this day remain idols and figures that have an influence on people of all ages. When the little ones roamed the streets in the ‘70s, they were sure to play all kinds of outdoor games and stayed majorly active. They had a deep value for home-cooked meals and desserts made mostly by their mothers.

1980s

The introduction of pop and glitter. Here, the fashion was impeccably shiny, metallic and totally awesome. People were super happy, listening to new music and watching awesome comedies on TV. Some of the famous artist that rose during this time were Amr Diab, Samira Said and ABBA. This is the time where Arabic music started getting that disco feel. The kids in this era also enjoyed playing fun board games like Snakes and Ladders, card games and were quite social. Growing up in the ‘80s was a pure sweet spot!

1990s

Who doesn’t love this decade? I mean, come on – the real introduction to technology and media. Music popped into the western side and Britney Spears, Blue, Nsync and The Backstreet Boys came to town. There were scooters, rollerblades, Gameboys and tamagotchis of course. This decade had it all! Girls flaunted their chokers and double buns, boys were taking apart electronics and -mostly- putting them back together.

2000s

This is the era of technology. The overload of it, we mean. Kids have become so fixated on the screens of phones and computers. However, they do have hover boards, excess knowledge and experience in various things. They are always on trend, and have this great skill of adaptability. I mean, of course they do. Time has literally accelerated with the integration of technology in important places, including schools.

Dr. Samia Al Habib Leaving a Mark

Our one-on-one with researcher, doctor and educator.

Leaving a mark in the medical research field is no walk in the park, it requires years of dedication, education and passion.

Q1: Would you kindly introduce yourself to us?
A mother of three, a consultant and family physician with 26 years of experience in the medical field.

Q2: Will you tell us about your studies?
I’ve been in the UK for about 6 years. I did my master’s in primary health care at King’s College London, and did my postgraduates as well at Oxford University. I then received my PhD from the University of Bristol. All-in-all, that is three qualifications in six years.

Q3: What are some of the obstacles you faced while being abroad?
Being abroad with children was very hard. The culture and social life were also a bit difficult. In Saudi we are used to being social and connected, and I really missed that. However, the compensation was the fact that I was receiving higher qualifications and fuller self-esteem.

Q4: Did you have a certain goal in mind during your studies abroad?
Yes, one of my small goals was to finish my postgraduate studies to become a consultant. I also aimed to become a high quality researcher and enhance the research field in my country. My ultimate goal is to lead the research sector in Saudi, and it is up to them how they use my skills.

Q5: What is next for you?
I’d like to further increase my skills and change the teaching method of medical schools in Saudi. I would like it to become a self-learning program, similar to the medical programs in the UK. I also want integrate myself into the academic field, more than clinical and research. I’d like to have an influence on the teaching curriculum for the undergraduate students.

Q6: If people want to acquaint themselves with your work, where can they find it?
I’m an expert working with the World Health Organization on a project called Global Burden of Disease. This project is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and I’ve been working with them on that for the past four years. I’d like to introduce the program here in Saudi, but it’s a bit difficult because funding is one of the main problems. Also, my PhD is in British library on the effect of domestic violence, especially on Saudi women. I couldn’t do that here so I did it in the UK. I’ve also given a few free lectures at King Abdulaziz Public library as part of volunteer work, and I was recently given the title of advisor for the Saudi Medical Council. I was also assigned a society called Burhan. Its main goal is to increase knowledge about evidence-based healthcare. I was the deputy.

Twitter: samia_uk

Lean in And Listen

Recognizing and tackling the signs of bullying.

Bullying is a topic people tend to avoid talking about. But, what if it’s happening to people you love while you don’t even know about it?

People get bullied at every age for being different; having different accents, nationalities, colors, opinions, social status and financial income are all things that will get you bullied. The worst part is: no one officially does anything about it. It’s all part of growing up and ”standing up for yourself.”

There aren’t many programs at schools explaining what bullying really is and how to deal with it. Children go home without shoes, with bruises, black eyes and scratches. They can even not show any symptoms but still seem so distant and quiet. In this case, emotional trauma is a definite link.

In an interview with Sara Al Sudairy, the owner of Kids Talents, she shares the importance of building a child’s character at a young age. Stories of the Prophet (PBUH)’s kindness and compassion are always being told, but it is never made clear to children how to connect them to real life situations.

The camp hosted an anti-bullying campaign prepared by Princess Norah University students. It taught children exactly what bullying is and helped them figure out for themselves the correct ways of dealing with it. This is an important step that shouldn’t be skipped, because as much as you tell people that something is wrong, they have to be put in the situation in order to realize the impact it could have. And that is exactly what the program did for students; it made them realize just how much of bad effect bullying could have on people, but it does that in a simple, understandable manner for children.

As a mother, Al Sudairy also talked about making things clear to children. Telling them right from wrong at a young age, showing them exactly how to deal with different people and situations. All of this leads to bigger understandings in life.

This being said, a good way to avoid bullying is to make other positive activities available and continue proper supervision. This alone will drastically reduce the level of bullying between children and create a more creative, united environment where everyone gets a chance to add something special.

Instagram: kidstalentsksa
Instagram: doingitwithluv
Web: kidstalentsksa.blogspot.com

By Lama Ghazzawi

1. Wake up on the right side of the bed every day

The most important part of the day is the moment you wake up. Take a deep breath and put in mind an easy daily goal that you want to achieve.

2. Have your breakfast

This is an extremely important step in your day, and the benefits of a good hearty breakfast are numerous. If you’re in a hurry, an apple will do the trick.

3. Surround yourself with positivity

Whether it’s music, movies, books or people; being in a positive environment is essential in order for you to be positive yourself.

4. Find time to meditate and de-stress

Whether it be from work, school or just your daily life; minds and bodies can only take so much pressure. Doing yoga or meditating will bring your stress hormones down, giving you a well-needed *sigh*.

5. Challenge yourself

If you want to be successful and achieve great things, the key is consistency. Plan out your long-term goals and then make smaller weekly, or even daily goals that will get you there.

Super Brain Yoga to Strengthen Your Mind

By Lama Ghazzawi

As we all know: our brains are muscles as well, and just like any other muscle, they need to be exercised to stay healthy.

One of the simple ways to do just that is called Superbrain Yoga. It is a simple squat exercise that offers benefits not just for kids, but for anyone seeking a little extra push in the attention factor.

Benefits:

Enhances thinking capacity of the brain.
It helps in releasing tension and calms the brain.
It relieves mild depression and anxiety.
Improves your concentration levels.
Enhances your balancing skills.
It works wonders for children with disabilities like autism, dyslexia, etc.
It can even help you get rid of aggressive behaviour.

How to do Superbrain Yoga:

Face East.
Remove all your accessories and jewelry and push your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Keep your tongue in the same place until you’re done.
Take your left hand across your chest and hold your right earlobe with your thumb and forefinger. Make sure that your thumb is in front.
Now take your right hand across your chest to hold your left earlobe. Again, make sure that the thumb is in front. Make sure your left arm is close to your chest and inside your right arm.
Inhale through your nose and slowly squat down to the ground.
Hold your breath and exhale as you start standing again.
Repeat this 14 times. Remember to keep holding your earlobes and to keep your tongue touching the roof of your mouth throughout.
This video should help you:

Food Cravings Explained

Cravings, what they mean and how to satisfy them.

By knowing how intelligent our bodies are, we should also know how to listen to it and give it exactly what it needs. Even cravings are a sign of distress, and each craving signals a lack of something in the body that must be replenished.

So, here are some major cravings and how to satisfy them without harming your body.

Sugar: If you’re craving donuts, frosted flakes and sugar cookies, you’re probably lacking in the tryptophan, sulfur and phosphorus departments. These can be found in cheese, cranberries, sweet potatoes and chicken.

Salty Food: We all love chips and French fries, but why do we crave them? That’s because chloride and silicon are missing from our systems. They are luckily available in fish, nuts and seeds.

Oily Food: When you’re craving a big, juicy, oily burger. It’s time to fuel-up on some calcium. Milk, cheese and veggies are full of just that.

Chocolate: Who doesn’t like chocolate? Okay, I can think of a few. But eating a lot of it can be very bad for you. The next time you find yourself reaching for a chocolate bar, try having some nuts and veggies instead, because what your body’s telling you is that it needs magnesium.

Carbs: The biggest craving of all. Seriously, who doesn’t like carbs? But the real reason as to why we crave it so much is probably because we need a lot more nitrogen than we’re getting. A great source of that is protein, fatty fish, nuts and beans.

Caffeine: Well, maybe this one is an even bigger craving issue for a lot of people, but the main reason as to why we’re such coffee addicts is because we’re lacking some serious phosphate, sulfur and iron. We can get that easily from nuts, black cherries, onions, red peppers and garlic.

6 Snack Tips to Keep You Cool this Summer

Riyadh’s heat can get a little too much to handle. Unless you’ve adapted, you’re going to need a little help to beat this melting weather. So, here’s a few snack ideas to stay cool.

1. Frozen grapes are great and super easy to make.

Just put some grapes in a sandwich bag and freeze them to your desire. You could even dip them in some melted chocolate once they’re frozen for an extra sweet taste.

2. Smoothies are essential.

Not only are they the ultimate cooling drink, but they can be super filling and healthy, too. Get yourself a good blender, fill it with fruits, some ice cubes and a some liquid of your choice. Blend them smooth and enjoy.

3. As we all know, veggies are good for you.

Photo Credits: sixpackbags.com

Cold veggies smothered with peanut butter are even better. Get some celery or cucumbers and smother a nice, big spoonful of peanut butter all over them.

4. Share the love with some homemade popsicles.

Use any juice you like, fresh or store- bought, and pour them into popsicle molds or paper cups to freeze. Then all you need to do is enjoy the cold deliciousness.

5. Watermelon and feta cheese skewers.

We know this sounds weird, but it is an incredibly delicious combo. Cube the watermelon and feta cheese to stack them onto some wooden skewers. You can even add some mint leaves for a little something extra. This works with any fruit you’d like, really.

6. Frozen chocolate covered bananas.

Photo Credits: keepinitkind.com

This one is a must try! Cut a banana into bite sized pieces and freeze them. Once they’re frozen, dip them into some melted chocolate. You can even sprinkle some coconut shavings or crushed almonds onto them for something special.

11 Words You Should Be Using More Often

There are so many awesome words we like, don’t use like all the time. And that totally sucks. But we should, like, use these more often methinks.

1. Scrumptious

These pancakes are just so scrumptious.

2. Delightful

What a delightful gathering!

3. Precious

Children are truly precious.

4. Evolve

I love it when my pokemon evolve.

5. Audacity

They had the audacity to ignore my request!

6. Contemplate

People need to contemplate their actions more often.

7. Absurd

The way she was talking was just absurd!

8. Gorgeous

Isn’t she gorgeous?

9. Solitude

I do enjoy timely solitude.

10. Fantastic

What a fantastic idea!

11. Marvellous

You have done a marvellous job.

The Best Things to Buy at Pharmacies

By Lama Al-Ghazzawi

In Riyadh, we’ve got a ton of pharmacies and most of them sell the same things. BUT, there are a few things that you MUST have, and we’ll tell you where to go for each of these gems.

Blister Plasters

These bad boys will get rid of those nasty blisters you got from those new pair of shoes in no time! Honestly, they work like magic. You can find these at Boots or Whites, as well as at some big pharmacies.

Heat Pads

Cramps? Yeah. We get it. So do the creators of this amazing invention.. You’ll be feeling cozy and comfortable in minutes! Get it at AlHabib Pharmacy, Boots or Whites.

Vitamin E Sticks

This is one of those things you just have to have lying around or thrown in a purse. This alone makes the chapped lips disappear. You can find it at any large pharmacy, really.

Cetaphil Cream

This cream is heavenly. Scentless, good for any type of skin and also quite affordable compared to other high quality skin care products. Cetaphil cream is a dream come true for everyone! It’s available at most larger pharmacies as well as at Whites and Boots.

Mebo

This funky smelling ointment is one that will keep your burns from scarring and help them heal much faster. Honestly, it’s sure worth it. It is available at most pharmacies.

Tips To Survive The Struggles Of Freshmen Year