As Dubai and Dubai-ens basked in the afterglow of the fantastic, and no-doubt-soon-to-be-infamous-for-their-sheer-over-the-top-splendour fireworks, this cool Canadian and her octagenarian mother dined on much more humble, but equally unforgettable fare: winter-barbecued fresh Atlantic salmon, steamed broccoli al dente, and small, lightly salted, yet at once succulently sweet, red potatos

One year ago this week violence erupted once again in Palestine. It continued unabated for weeks. Hundreds of people were killed. Thousands of homes were destroyed. Millions of lives were impacted.

Today, one year later, the living conditions in Palestine continue to be disastrous. It’s an ongoing tragedy.

And yet, there’s also hope.

Many women, in particular, refuse to accept the status

"But Susan," Fatma chided, "I couldn't find anything about YOU on your website."

I couldn't help but laugh at Fatma's reproach. Because almost everything on AWR is about me in some way.  

I choose, write and/or edit all the content (more than 1,000 individual articles to date!). Most of it is, in one way or another, a reflection of me, my views, my quirky sense of humour, my feelings, my

In February 2008, former nun and religious scholar Karen Armstrong shared a wish with the worldwide TED community.

(Scroll down to see and hear the amazingly eloquent, thoughtful and thought-provoking talk in which she made the wish.)

She asked “TEDsters” to help her assemble the Charter for Compassion, a document around which religious leaders can work together for peace.

 Armstrong's

Here's a taster from the latest video blog update (#5), from Dubai-based Canadian journalist (and AWR member) Natalie Carney, who is producing a documentary on children in Afghanistan.

See the 10-minute "full meal deal" here.

Find out more about her fledgling charity Kids Being Kids: Afghanistan here.

 

Related links:

One year ago today, I wrote my first-ever blog entry (Like A Virgin?), in which I joined "the millions online who share their joys, sorrows, thoughts, ideas, opinions and more, in a worldwide orgy of information."

At the time, I thought it marked the end of a journey, and so I wrote:

Most of the time I’ve traveled alone. I got lost, stumbled, tripped, fell, took wrong turns, and had to

My dinner companions sensibly went home (or to their hotels), after an excellent Thai meal at a trendy Kuala Lumpur restaurant.

I too was headed back to my digs at the Prince Hotel, when I heard the strains of music from above.

What could I do? I had to investigate :)

Four floors up, at the top of the atrium, I found a hideaway bar hosting a reggae night. People were dancing, and so

Most of us will never be famous.

But that doesn’t mean that each of us doesn’t touch other people’s lives in deep and meaningful ways every day, often without ever knowing it.

I personally have had people come to me years after an event to tell me how profoundly something that I did or said impacted their lives. Often the something was so insignificant to me that I don’t remember it at

I love to read. (Almost as much as I love to dance!)

Reading exposes me to new ideas, new perspectives and new ways of doing things.

I often find cool stuff I can implement in my own life, especially from personal growth and so-called self-help books. Such was the case with Fitting In Is Vastly Overrated, a book I read and blogged about awhile ago.

The author suggested an

 

Calling all female entrepreneurs in Dubai (and the rest of the UAE!) - you are invited to the launch event of Heels & Deals - the ultimate network for female entrepreneurs!

Heels & Deals is for women who own their own business or are a partner in a business, are self-employed, or are dreaming of starting up. Join us to meet other like-minded female entrepreneurs, share inspiration and