Karen Lorena Parker Art Blog — BremerPark.com

I really enjoyed the first world feeling of Singapore. The cleanliness, the respect for others, the considerate drivers! It was beautiful to walk along the river in Clarke Quay, enjoying the nightlife, nature, hearing romantic saxophone tones from open bars like Aqua. It was a city with vision, and strong human resources.
A sign on the river states “This is marina reservoir, please keep it clean.”

It is very sad to read the news stories of pollution in Dubai and witness the lack of respect for nature by some people. Dumping raw sewage on the beach, even though there are heavy fines. The beautiful natural Hatta pools were surrounded by garbage, plastic dinner plates thrown in trees. Planning our camping trip in the open sand dunes, we had heard of people’s lack of respect for the beauty of nature. We were happy to find a place clear of garbage and waste. Pristine. We enjoyed the red dunes, the ragged rocks, soft trees and camels tremendously. We met another Canadian from Peachland who agreed with the philosophy of take out what you take in — but beyond that. He always makes an extra sweep of the area and takes out more than his share. Leaving it pristine for the next person.

I am glad to see Dubai’s vision and action for the environment. It is just the education of people that is slow and deserves patience. I feel very priviledged to be part of a very unique place in the world.

“We can easily build malls and towers, but it is difficult to build human resources without vision and plans that guide such an investment.” — Shaikh Mohammad

Organic Patterns: see the series.
Submissions for the December Abu Dhabi show at Emirates Palace feature my focus on organic patterns of light and color. These abstracts are inspired by the Green cities — as I am continually amazed at how the UAE is focused on green architecture and landscaping the desert.

Some other interesting websites and tidbits.

Atlantis is opening after Ramadan. I do feel like a walking advertisement for Dubai, but it truly is a wonderful presentation here.

I have never been great with geography, and this mapgame makes it all the more obvious! Click on the map to try it out!

I love google earth’s night photos that show the world, and it’s highly populated areas. Good ol’ Canada with the lights as south as possible, bordering the States.

http://www.mapsphere.com/download

September is around the corner and I am thrilled my 4 year old will be starting school much sooner here than in Canada. Ramadan will be in September this year and i’m not sure how people can’t get irritable with no food and water all day — eating at night not getting a good nights rest. Our apartment services have stuck a silver arrow in our bedroom. I believe it is the direction in which to pray.

“Ramadan is the name of the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. During Ramadan all Muslims are required to fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from eating and drinking, sex and smoking. Ramadan is a holy month when Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Quran to the Prophet Mohammed. – dubai-online.com
At dusk the fast is broken with an Iftar meal in one of the many tents erected around Dubai. ” – dubaionline.com.

It is of a special meaning to Muslims as it is the Fourth Pillar of The Muslim Faith.
Sawm (fasting) during the month of Ramadan represents more than an act of worship, as it is time for inner reflection, devotion to god and self – control. It is also thought of as a sort of tune–up for a Muslim’s spiritual life.
The newspaper is full of tips and recipes for what to eat at Iftar. It is a time for people to empathize with the poor, and make healthy choices in life.

The fasting of Ramadan is believed to improve the physical and mental health. It gives a rest for a stomach, which is working 24 hours a day for eleven months and has been proven to be a good method of losing extra weight. The month feels like going “into maintenance” and is almost like charging one’s batteries for the rest of the year. It is also a break from the routine of modern life.

Fasting is also considered as a method of self-purification by cutting oneself off from worldly comforts, even for short time, a fasting person gains true sympathy with those who go hungry. It also teaches the meaning of self-control, patience, unselfishness, moderation, will power, discipline and social belonging.

During Ramadan:
* In the daytime non-Muslims should refrain from eating, drinking and smoking in public places.
* Restaurants aren’t open for lunch.
* Bars open at around 7 pm.
* Working hours are shorter.
* Live music and music in clubs (if open) is prohibited.
* Shopping malls are open later.

The start and finish of Ramadan is based on the sighting of the moon and in Dubai will be the month of September.

The schools and daycare (nurseries) are all full with over 25,000 foreigners are relocating to Dubai each month.

Oliver Hickey European Finance Director of Profile Europe (UK) Ltd said: “To break the figures down, this is 800 new residents a day which equates to 33 an hour. One has to understand, that these figures do not take into account annual tourist figures which already surpass five million.” UK news

We are living in near the Marina now, very different from Deira where we started off in April. More expats and seems like more parks and suburban life out here. We can see the villas from our apartment and have met many friends there. I’m sure school will introduce us to many more. My son’s birthday will fall on Ramadan and it will be interesting how we plan his party. Looking forward to it!



“We are still building similar to how the Egyptians built the Pyramids”.
—David Fisher

Constantly changing shape with rotating floors, this 80 storey building worth $3billion (to develop) will be 420m tall. Built by Italian architect David Fisher, the central core will have elevators that fit cars to drive into apartments. The Dynamic Tower offers infinite design possibilities as each floor rotates independently. Between each floor are horizontal wind turbines to the tower can generate enough energy to power five other towers of similar size.

“it will only take six days to complete one floor” this tower should take 20 months. Construction will be greatly reduced due to parts being fabricated in Italy. (Compared to the average floor of traditional buildings being 6 weeks). The second tower to be built in Moscow with completion date for 2010.