imail (UK Mail) - Winners at the World Mail Awards 2013

Exclusive from AsiansUK.com - The UK Asian Social Hub!

World Mail Awards 2013

 

The World Mail Awards are the annual awards for the global mail industry; this year’s glittering ceremony was held in Madrid on 5th June. The event highlights excellence in various fields within the industry in order to reward dedication and success, as well as to share best practice and experience across the world’s mail businesses

 

imail wins at the World Mail Awards

Receiving Award: Mr Andy Barber & Team

 

We are pleased to announce that imail, UK Mail’s hybrid mailing service has picked up the Growth Award at the World Mail Awards in Madrid.  imail beat off competition from over 100 entries to win this prestigious award. The Growth category looked at initiatives that encouraged more use of physical mail or parcels services and have helped to grow an entire market. imail were the only independent operator to be nominated for an award. With imail, you create a marketing postcard, letter or invoice and upload it at imail.co.uk, then leave the printing and posting to us. imail can.. ·        Save up to 60% on your mailing costs ·        Increase your sales by up to 15% ·        Reach a more targeted audience For 10% off your imail mailing use Voucher Code WIN10. Call 0845 004 5370 or go to imail.co.uk to find out more about imail. Twitter: www.twitter.com/imailpostcards Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imailpostcards Website: www.imail.co.uk       Edited by: AsiansUK Magazine & Online Marketing   Facebook: www.facebook/asiansuk Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/asiansuk

 

 

 

 

 

Booking.Com - A Cautionary Tale

Having been in the travel industry very many years and reached pretty much the top of the tree I thought I of all people would not get caught out by anyone. Sadly I was wrong. In the hopes that I might spare someone (i.e. possibly you) some anguish/annoyance I thought I would share my experience with you. After all over 20,000 people have read this blog so I might be able to help one of you!

The 'issue' is one of online bookings.

I wanted to book a surprise 3 day break in my wife's favourite childhood holiday venue of Scarborough for her birthday. Easy I thought. I simply got on Google and found Bookings.Com. The website was the usual friendly and easy display so I booked The Mount in Scarborough and sat back waiting to enjoy the break. Sadly something came up and we had to cancel so back on the site I went and carefully cancelled the booking as I noticed that otherwise fees would apply.

That was that really until I got a message saying my card would be charged £180 for failure to cancel. Not correct I wailed and emailed Bookings.com and told them so. Ah, they said. Send us proof of cancellation. O.K. I thought, I will go back into my sent/recieved messages to see if there is anything referring to my cancellation, but there wasn't. I became a bit indignant. Polite but indignant. Look, I said, I used to run the biggest hotel booking company in the UK. not only did your system not cancel when asked to but there is also no record of the cancellation in my mailboxes.

I pointed this out in a subsequent email (friendly and slightly less indignant) but was told that the manager 'Craig' had basically pronounced 'No proof then no refund'.

So the lesson to be learned is yes, by all means book and cancel online BUT make sure you get and keep immediate proof you have done so. Bookings.com must have assumed I was either 'trying it on' or they could get away with it. As for me? I will still book/cancel online but use an online agency that believes in my integrity as much as I do! That counts Bookings.com out then!

Asset Class Returns As At 31 May 2013

This is highly interesting. As a test, if you were looking at the table what could you say or what kind of observations could you make. Not trying to be an asshole or "guru" here, but if you are honest about your knowledge of markets, the ability to synthesize data and tell a story, you should do well in financial markets. If you can't, then you shouldn't be, or are just plodding along. To be in the markets you can study, but you have to have passion for it. Make your own observations before scrolling down.


- The one month data does not tell us much.

- YTD, the equity markets have been well led by the US, in fact emerging markets have been trailing ... suffice to say that most of the Asian markets which have been surging so far this year have been an anomaly, which further depresses the real performance of other emerging markets.

- We know the financial markets have been awashed in liquidity with QEs from various central banks, but where have they been headed. The YTD figures are again revealing, some have exited gold in a big way. Them taking money off gold may be just profit taking or likely to mean they are more comfortable that currencies won't be debased anymore, or that bailouts have finally went past a peak. The reduction of fear or volatility could be another reason.

- So where is the liquidity? They went largely into US stocks, US REITs and even foreign REITs. The REITs interest is but a reflection in a strong bottoming in property price correction and a resurrection of demand, and also a hint that people are more employable even now to take up new mortgages, and/or that a lot more PE/VC/vulture funds are taking advantage and making deals on distressed commercial properties.

- Look at crude oil, one month, YTD or 1 year even, that is a good reflection about the robustness (or lack of) of the global economic recovery. The recovery is benign and in patches still.

- Look at commodities, again the same conclusion as for crude oil, still working of excess inventory in the global system.

- Look at the emerging equity markets from 1 year ago, there has been a dramatic shift away from emerging markets back to US and possibly Japanese stocks. Again the robust performance of other Asian equity markets is very telling as it is viewed as largely unscathed and the equity markets there do attract sufficient interest compared to other emerging markets.

- The most important point one has to conclude is a drastic shift away from bonds of all kind. Bonds have been great on a 3 year basis but more funds are moving out. They move out because they either think there is a bubble there (too safe, and too many people willing to pay too high a price for low yields) and/or equity provides a better return even after accounting for risk.

From the above, I am quite confident that the current sell down in equities will be brief.

US for a Food Delight: A culinary excavation to American

US states like California, Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana and several others are known mostly for their awe-inspiring tourist places, commercial complexes, night life, luxurious hotels and certainly some for their pristine natural beauty. Besides all these, one of the hands-down greatest things about America is the vast diversity in the hyper-regional specialties of foods. Globetrotting around America can make you taste some finest regional delights along with some good beverages. Let us take you to an explorative culinary journey to America.

Alaska – Caribou Steak: The idea of eating the meat of a caribou deer might shake you, but if you are in Alaska try caribou or reindeer burger with some freshly cooked french-fries and tomato sauce. Caribou or reindeer meat has high protein content, three times that of beef.

Alaska – Caribou Steak

California – Fruit Smoothie: When the health cultures brewed with beach culture, smoothie took birth in America in the 1970s. Smoothies are prepared by blending fruits, veggies and exotic ingredients like lemon verbena and wheatgrass together; smoothie is an ideal drink for the summer and certainly a must-taste drink in California.

California – Fruit Smoothie

Colorado – Mountain Trout: Rocky Mountain in the Western North Carolina is famous for streams, rivers and lakes, which teem with silvery trout. The 2,000 miles of streams and rivers are open to the public for fishing. Thus, if you want to taste an authentic cuisine prepared with trout, learn fly fishing, catch the silvery trout and cook yourself with the help of a local.

Colorado – Mountain Trout

Illinois – Chicago-style Hot Dog: Though no one is sure of the origin of hotdogs, Chicago claims to invent this world-famous sausage at the 1893 World’s Fair. However debated, Chicago certainly will make you taste some of the finest regional hotdog varieties.

Illinois – Chicago-style Hot Dog

Indiana – Pork Tenderloin Sandwich: Exploring the cuisine variations in Indiana, you can typically notice a mid-western influence and local people’s love for pork. While the use of pork in everyday food is quite common in Indiana, the finest expression of this love is the pork tenderloin sandwich. It is prepared from a thin slice of pork dipped in flour, eggs and breadcrumbs and then deep fried. After cooking, the prepared Pork Tenderloin is then served on a hamburger bun.

Indiana – Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

Michigan – Cherry Pie: Almost 70% of the tart cherries in the US are grown in Michigan. Traverse City, the main cherry growing region in the state of Michigan celebrates cherry festival every July. While cherries are largely used in local foods, the taste of a flakey cherry pie certainly will be the best treat for people with sweet teeth.

Michigan – Cherry Pie:

Texas – Nachos: The history of the nachos is as interesting as its taste. It is said that this famous food variety of Texas was originated by a restaurant owner. Nachos are a Tex-Mex cuisine and Texas is certainly the best place to taste this delicious item. Complete with beans, cheese, steak and guacamole, Texan Nachos are the best and certainly can turn you to a gastronome.

Texas – Nachos

Washington – Salmon: The Rivers of Washington State are filled with fat sockeye salmon, and many of these find their way to local tables. You can try buying some fresh salmon from Seattle’s fish market and try cooking it yourself. The fish tastes heavenly and you will surely love this mouth-watering delight with some fine sips of wine.

Washington – Salmon

We have presented just few of the food variations that you may get in different parts of America; if you are a foodie and love to explore the culinary delights of different regions, United States is certainly your destination for an ultimate drive to some of world’s famous food varieties.

Wednesday Podcast S&M Show

http://www.bfm.my/snm-show.html

Long term investing vs short term ..... and Llorando by Rebekah del Rio.

The Fears Of The End Of Quant Easing

Markets everywhere have been shaken over the last two weeks. First was the correction in the Japanese equity markets. It has lost substantial ground over just the last couple of weeks. Next came the Bernanke's testimony which led all to conclude that QE would be ending soon. 

If an article in Monday's Wall Street Journal is anything to go by, the U.S. Federal Reserve is getting ready to unwind its massive monetary stimulus program. So, is that prospect as alarming for financial markets as feared?

Fed officials have mapped out a strategy to wind down its $85 billion-a-month bond-buying program in careful steps, although the timing of when that will start is still being debated, noted Fed watcher Jon Hilsenrath wrote in the WSJ. 

Any unwinding of the Fed's quantitative easing (QE) program, which has fueled a rally in equity markets and other risk assets, is generally viewed as negative and any indication of this happening has been highly anticipated in the U.S. since late last week. 

"Having spent two New York sessions pricing in a sharp change in Fed stance, it is not obvious that the article was worth the wait," analysts at Westpac said in a note. "The timing of the unwinding of QE remains data-dependent, not a serious prospect until perhaps late U.S. summer at the earliest."

Analysts say that in essence, the Fed appears to be managing market expectations that its quantitative easing program will not last forever. The Fed has said that it would maintain its key interest rate between zero and 0.25 percent until the unemployment rate fell to 6.5 percent. It has also committed to monthly purchases of bonds until labor market conditions improve substantially. 

And it is the recent signs of improvement in the jobs market that has renewed talk about a possible end to the quantitative easing. The latest non-farm payrolls report showed the U.S. economy created 165,000 new jobs last month, much more than expected, helping push the unemployment rate down to 7.5 percent. Data last week meanwhile showed jobless claims at their lowest level in almost 5-1/2 years. 

It looks like the markets are just grabbing at excuses to do a bit of sell down after a spectacular run in most equity markets since the beginning of the years. The timing is still a bit uncertain, but seriously folks, the end game only looks to peter out by December this year. It is very good that markets are readying itself for the end of QE.

The Fed officials are not going to raise interest rates until unemployment comes down to 6.5 percent, and could only come earliest by 1st quarter of next year. What is likely to happen is when unemployment dips below 7%, we may see a scaling back from the $85 billion buyback figure to maybe halve that. 

The knee jerkers would be better off looking at the positives:
- That [an easing of QE] would be good for U.S. stocks because it would mean the U.S. economy is doing a lot better.
- That at least markets are already trying to price in the end of QE, instead of a surprising one off massive sell down.

The last part is very important as we can easily reference to the 1994 massive sell down, just because Alan Greenspan never gave any indication as to the imminent rise of interest rates in the US. That experience probably forms the backdrop for Bernanke's communication strategy. He is managing expectations very well. By putting it out there with the 6.5% unemployment target, it allows all to see the looming horizon.

I still think halving the buyback when unemployment dips below 7% would be an excellent strategy to manage expectations further. Everyone knows QE cannot be there forever.

I like the equity markets now more than in the beginning of the year. Japan has corrected substantially even though Abenomics will still be in the works. This will drive Japan to retests its high this year soon enough. I believe the sell down was a good profit taking exercise and actually allowing a lot of stale bulls (i.e. those holding onto Japanese shares for over 20 years) to exit - all that will come back to the market place for sure.

The local Malaysian equity market has held up better than the rest, and confidence breeds confidence. Having said that, Malaysia is only up 4.6% so far this, thanks to the uncertainty over the elections period. Other Asian markets have risen a lot more, and hence had more room for downside: Indonesia 15.2%, the Philippines 16.4% and Thailand 10.6%.

Air Travel Tips for a Pleasant Vacation

Fun, enjoyment and adventure! With the arrival of summer, people start planning for their holidays. It is the time when tour operators, hospitality groups and travel companies announce great deals to attract more and more vacationers. And if you plan your vacation few months early, you can get a cheap air ticket to and from New York or can avail good discounts on different 5 star hotel bookings. Different surveys show that most family vacationers prefer summer for their holidays. However, whether you are a family vacationer or a solo traveler, a proper planning is highly required to enjoy every moment of your vacation.

While traveling with family, it is most important to prepare your kids for the flight journey. Very often it’s been noticed that children get afraid during flight takeoff and landing time. Telling stories about flight and creating their interest towards such a journey is the best way to prevent any such situations during the trip.

With a good research over the internet, you can easily get cheap air tickets to your dream destination; but other than ticket charges, there are several other things that may make you pay a good amount of money and one such thing is the excessive luggage charges. Air carriers, especially the international ones, charge huge amount for extra luggage; thus, it is always a good idea to carry only that much luggage that you require for your trip. Moreover, it is always advisable to carry soft topped luggage, which are easy to carry and store.

Another problem that holiday travel brings with it is how to transport the gifts. It is always a good idea not to wrap the gifts, for if the Transport Security Administration (TSA) doesn’t like what they see when they scan it, they can rip off the gift wrapping to inspect it. If the gifts are not of expensive nature, consider packing them in your luggage. However, expensive items like jewelry, electronics etc. should be carried on board.

If you are traveling with your pet, you can have two options – either you can fly with your pet in the same plane which also saves cost or can choose a pet travel agent for your favorite pet. After the flight booking, it’s important to choose a right crate for the pet. You can either buy a crate or hire one from the pet travel agent or airline. Just before boarding the flight, take your pet for a long walk so that it can fell asleep during the journey.

It is important to hydrate yourself before, during and after the flight journey and this you can do by drinking plenty of water. Besides keeping the body hydrated and healthy, water has many other benefits; it minimizes the risk of stomach infection and keeps you rejuvenated throughout the trip.
Unforeseen delays are parts of flight journey, so you should always be prepare to face such situations. Bring along some healthy choice snacks to eat during the flight or to satisfy the hunger during delay hours. This not only saves money, but keeps you ready for any situation.

For the busy people, air travel is the most convenient way to get to the holiday destination. You can surely make it more enjoyable and less stressful by keeping a few common-sense tricks in mind.

Opposite Sex Frienship Revisited: You Cannot Have It All

The question of opposite-sex friendship keeps rising.  Between e-mail questions and Internet searches, it's getting bigger, more people have questions about it, more people ask,

"Is it okay to have opposite-sex friends once you marry?"  

The number of queries on the topic utters a collective, "I'm unsure about this."

Is it right or wrong?  If you have a husband, do you keep the boy friend as a go-to?  If you have married, do you keep the male pals? Should your husband have girl friends call and touch base with them on his off time? Should he have a go-to girl aside from you?

Best answer:  no.

In considering the time and effort involved in developing the emotional, spiritual, intellectual and physical aspects of marriage, how does an opposite-sex friend enhance the husband-wife bond?  Does it enhance it, or does it divide or cut small pieces from it?  The phrase we hear in marriage ceremonies addressing this is "put asunder."

The word "asunder" means to divide, break into pieces, break, apart from each other, into parts.

Mark 10:9 states, "What God has joined together, let no one put asunder."  That's no man, no woman, nobody.

Male-female, or opposite-sex friendship in a marriage relationship, defies biblical logic, and the verses that tell us how to act in our marriage relationship are not only simple and short, they get to the point.

Beginning in Genesis (the beginning), chapter 2, verses 23-24 read,

 "The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman,' for she was taken out of man. 

That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."

Paying close attention to the second verse (the point), some Bible translations state, "cleave to his wife," which makes the understanding clearer and stronger.  As husband and wife, we are to bond, cleave, connect, unite, become one.  How does a husband or wife connect fully with a spouse when another opposite-sex person has a spot on the perch, too?  When your heart reaches out to another of the opposite sex in a caring way, without including your mate completely, you have stopped bonding, cleaving, connecting, uniting and becoming one with only one man.  There just isn't any other way to see it, except that many people feel that this kind of "extracurricular" relationship sits on the list of their rights as human beings.

Most certainly, you have a right to choose. Choose to have a husband with whom you build a life, or stay single and enjoy friendship with other men.  You cannot have both happily. 

"HA!" you say.  


Intimate Relationships Change Friendship

Though unmarried, in college, I was the "gal pal" to a group of guys.  They picked me up at my dorm to walk to the dining hall for meals.  They walked to class with me and we purposely registered for elective courses together.  We danced at music events, saw movies and took walks around campus and around town.  We studied at the library, shared our thoughts about the future and our experiences in faith.  Usually two or more of them and me, but sometimes one-on-one, just hanging around for a while, joking, shooting the breeze, doing nothing in particular.  We visited at each other's homes during school breaks.  I had a great time.  I felt no pressure for anything more than good, solid friendship.  Then, after two years of chumminess, the guys started pairing off with other women.  I didn't fit and I knew it.  It felt lonely, even crushing at times.  The other women had top billing, and I represented a threat to their relationship-building because I could distract those gentlemen from what was really important at that time -- building a relationship that meant more intimacy on all levels than I would provide.  Inside, I just knew.  I felt ousted from a place I enjoyed and felt comfortable, and that meant hurt and confusion for a while for me.  I had fulfilled my purpose as a very close friend and had slid in the ranking to a mix of common acquaintance and schoolmate.  Friendly, but not close and constant.  

If I had tried to keep my status, continuing to join in usual activities, I would have driven a wedge or poked the relationships with a stick.  Any insistence on further inclusion would have infiltrated in a negative way.  My emotional bonds with the men didn't go further than laughter and some great discussions, but those same innocent doings represented danger to them in their dating relationships.

We send Christmas cards now. Have been for 22 years, and the only information we share involves what we're doing with our spouses and children.  These make the only worthy subjects between adults where any one of them holds the title of "married person".  When a man and woman enter into a courtship or dating relationship, other friends take a back seat.  Friendships may change in depth and distance, and some lose their appeal completely.  Why?  Because in a male-female relationship the heart and mind change to accommodate new thoughts and feelings and to engage in the relationship fully -- to the exclusion of others in many ways.  When sharing of emotions begins, hearts soften and include that person differently, as a most important person.  Perhaps an MIP, as opposed to a VIP.  Many people in life have "very important" status, but only one human in a married relationship holds that "most important" place.

Forsaking all others ... we vow it, and with good reason.  With a marriage involved, forsaking all others is the only way to ensure that you will grow intimacy and protect it from all sides.  


See and Be Seen

Opposite-sex friendship can easily -- very, very, startlingly easily -- turn to more than occasional sharing of interests, basic conversation and a cup of coffee.  When it turns to secret phone calls/video calls, password-protected environments and feelings of uneasiness/disgust/irritation/disdain with your actual, vow-covered spouse, you need to sincerely evaluate what you're doing.  Stop it, throw it in reverse and get outta there.  Ask forgiveness of God and use the grace and mercy He shows you to rejuvenate the relationship with your husband.  For better or for worse means everything.

Ephesians 5:21 makes another point for strong union that doesn't leave room for interlopers as it reads, 

"Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

Submit?  Not enslavement here, but an incomparable, amazing, all-encompassing give-and-take, loving and respectful relationship with the one I pledge my life to ... until death.  I can't pledge my life to my husband and have another man on the side to share in activities that leave my husband out or that have me sharing secrets or feelings or inner thoughts and hopes ... which is intimacy, my friend.  If you're sharing intimate moments -- having nothing to do with physical love, but feelings, thoughts and hopes -- with another man, you have lost your target.  Set your sights correctly and don't take your eyes off the target.  Your husband is IT.  Look no further.  If you are, your aimlessness will have you ending up with nothing.  Self-control.  Use it. 


The Final Question

The question isn't, "Is it okay to have opposite-sex friends after marriage?"  The question is, 

"Do you want to be married, or not?"

There you have it.  You cannot have your cake and eat it, too.  You cannot have it all.  You cannot  have the relationship God ordained and have another man (or more) on the side, too.  

The only thing your husband and other men should share is a Y chromosome.  You, as a wife, are off the friendship market.  You, your husband and another man?  Go skiing, take a hike, play golf, have conversation, go to dinner.  No problem.  You and the other man?  Nope.  Go find some diversions with your husband.  He isn't your last resort or your only option, but he is the only safe haven in the world of men for you, his wife.


What concerns do you have with opposite-sex friendship?  Do you agree or disagree with the need to cleave, leaving others behind?  Share your feelings and experiences ... a large number of people want to know!

A Tribute to Jiah Khan with love AsiansUK

Exclusive from AsiansUK.com - The UK Asian Social Hub!

 

In loving memory of Jiah Khan

Born February 20th 1988 - Died 03 June 2013
So Young, So Beautiful. R.I.P

Reports have been received that stunning Jiah Khan British - Indian Actress has committed suicide.  Police in Mumbai have said "The 25 year old hung herself at her Juhu residence".  According to the TOI she hung herself with a piece of cloth around 11pm.  Her mother, whom she lived with, informed the police around 11.45pm. Other sources state the cause of her death is still to be confirmed.

Actress Dia Mirza reportedly broke the news via Twitter, tweeting,
"RIP Nafisa (Jiah) Khan. You were too young and beautiful"

Close sources to Jiah Khan say,
"She had been depressed for some time due to personal issues, but was keen on returning to acting soon"

A Tribute to Jiah Khan
Nafisa Khan (20 February 1988 – 3 June 2013), also known as Jiah Khan ‎‏, was a British-Indian actress who appeared in Bollywood movies. She is mostly known for her role in the 2008 film Ghajini.  She changed her name to Jiah Khan before making her film debut in Nishabd in 2007. In 2012, she changed her name back to Nafisa Khan.

Jiah's Early Life
Nafisa Khan was born on 20 February 1988 in Chelsea, London, where she also grew up. She is the daughter of Ali Rizvi Khan, an Indian American, and Rabiya Amin, a Hindi film actress in the 1980s from Agra, Uttar Pradesh and most remembered in Tahir Hussain's Dulha Bikta Hai.

Jiah's Career
A 16 year old Khan was to debut in Mukesh Bhatt's Tumsa Nahin Dekha, but backed out when she felt the role was too mature for her and was immediately replaced by Dia Mirza. Two years later in 2006, she debuted in the controversial Nishabd, where she acted opposite Amitabh Bachchan. The film was released in March 2007 to mixed reviews, though Khan was noted for her confidence, attitude, and sex appeal. She also got a "Filmfare Best Debutant" Nomination for her Acting skills.

She appeared alongside Aamir Khan in A.R. Murugadoss's Ghajini, the Hindi remake of its Tamil namesake. She shot for a significant portion of the Ken Ghosh directed film Chance Pe Dance opposite Shahid Kapoor, but was replaced by Genelia D'souza. Despite this, UTV Motion Pictures (who are backing Chance Pe Dance) subsequently signed the actress for a two-film deal; Ghajini producer Madhu Mantena signed her for a 3-film deal shortly after.[citation needed] Khan also appeared as a supporting actress in the Sajid Khan's Housefull as Devika, a woman who cheats on her husband with the boyfriend she wanted to get married to but could not because her father would not approve of a non-Indian son-in-law.

God Bless you Jiah 'RIP'.

 

Jiah Khan in Housefull (2011)

 

 

 

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My Life's Aphorisms

Readers of my blog will notice that I haven't been updating my blog lately ... usually I am pretty not that busy ... now I have to go to Singapore every week for a couple of days ... and then there are the many meetings that suddenly crop up and classes that I have to give for Murasaki ... blah blah ... I miss writing my blog, I love it because its like a diary of sorts, I cannot ignore my blog cause its now 6 years of my life. If anyone reads it carefully, they would know me very well cause I never write to create a false persona, if you think I am an asshole, you are probably right. I don't like to be busy, it makes time flies, and I don't get to sit and relax and enjoy. My Monday nights drinks sessions are sacred, those of you who are part of it knows too well. We all have to slow things down and take stock of what we are doing, whether they correlate to fulfillment of your goals in life, so I think its time to re-look my own aphorisms in life, making sure I stay centered amidst the noise.

--------------------------------

Don't aim just to be rich, aim to create wealth, create better lives, create better livelihoods for people, create jobs where others can contribute to society and be a useful participant.

Use your wealth to fund your passions and causes, and don't forget to enjoy yourself in the process.

Stand up for injustice, for the downtrodden, for those who cannot help themselves. Aim for equality for all, in all.

Have a zest for good things, finer things in life, its OK to to enjoy.

Surround yourself with positive people. Make sure your life partner is enthusiastic, have energy for life, and empathy for people, friends and family.

Don't wait for fate or destiny to affect your life, its your life, make it happen.

Finding something or someone that/who means more to you than yourself.

Make a conscious effort not to hold onto people who don't love us or people who hate us or people who make us mad or people who take us for granted ... we also care too little for the people who love us unconditionally, the people who adore us, the ones who still stick around in spite of all your shortcomings.

Make an effort to to live healthy for yourself and the people who care for you. Live long but more importantly live well.

Make a conscious effort to better the lives of the people around you, your family and circle of close friends.

Bloom where you are planted, not whine about why you are where you are.

Black Country Asian Business Association 12th Annual Dinner and Awards

Exclusive from AsiansUK.com - The UK Asian Social Hub!

Black Country Asian Business Association 12th Annual Dinner and Awards

 

The Black Country Asian Business Association (BCABA) Business Awards programme recognises the achievements of individuals and companies from across the Black Country. The awards embrace businesses of all sectors and will be presented at the prestigious BCABA Annual Dinner, which this year will take place on Friday, 21 June 2013. Awards winners will be announced and presented with their awards at the event. 

 

Tickets are almost sold out so if you would like to join us at this prestigious evening please book Now!
 

Booking Form: Booking Form

 

Website: http://bcaba.co.uk/

Twitter: @ninderjohal

Facebook: ninder.johal

 

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San Francisco: A Jumble Collage of the Old and the New

Mark Twain once quoted “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”; the city climate is indeed one of the prime reasons for San Francisco’s repute as one of the favorite most summer destinations among the globetrotters worldwide. As the summer starts knocking, people from the warm regions of the globe start planning for their San Francisco vacation. What to do or not to do is never a question here; from wanna-be rock star to rock climber, the city offers every opportunity to satisfy your appetite for an ultimate vacation experience.

Golden Gate Bridge San Francisco

Perched on a peninsula amid 43 hills, San Francisco city has a sprinkling of interesting places like ethnic enclave of Mission District, leafy parks of Presidio and Golden Gate, highly sophisticated residential areas like Nob Hills and gleaming office towers of the Financial District. Over the years, the city has witnessed the influx of Irish, Latinos, Chinese, hippies, gays and many others, who have contributed a lot to enrich the city culture and turn this American city to a melting pot of cultures, traditions, thoughts, technology and of course the culinary delicacies.

While in San Francisco, boredom is something that would never strike you. A mingled collage of conspicuous neighborhood and scenic views, hill sloped and breezy San Francisco catches the attention of those who have an eye for grand artworks, a taste for imaginative food delicacies and a passion for adventure. Often dubbed as the most refined northern sister of Los Angeles, San Francisco beautifully combines the big-city buzz with a sense of small town charm. Head towards the Fisherman’s Wharf area for spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, or take out some time to visit Mission District, The Haight and The Castro, where much of the city’s history and culture unfurls its mystery before the tourists.

Other than tourist places, the city boasts a number of number of entertainment options. Jaw-dropping sights, cozy cafes and booming nightlife venues are the best places to vent out the day stress and enjoy some fine wine and snacks amid a fantastic ambience. You can also take a stroll along the Marina or take a walk alongside the bay to admire the stunning views of Coit Tower from Russian Hills. During the summers, Golden Gate City area witnesses a surge of tourists who head towards the place in search of sun, sand and surf.

As a major tourist destination in the US, the city streets of San Francisco remain crowded with the tourists throughout the year. While the air transportation system is well-developed in the city, it often becomes a matter of luck to get cheap flight tickets to San Francisco. However, a good research over the internet can help you find low-cost airline deals and turn your holiday moments more enjoyable for you.

Are You a Marriage Pilgrim or Fugitive?

In 1620, the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, their chosen location for a new way of life and freedom to worship God as they chose.  They had a destination in mind, and they put all their effort and thought toward that one pinpoint on the map.  When they sailed in sight of land, the collective "Hurrah!" from the travel-weary passengers must have rung throughout the heavens.

Pilgrims.  Destination known.

In 73 B.C., Spartacus led an uprising of slaves against the Roman Empire and fled as a fugitive from the Romans for two years.  Not wanting to suffer at the hands of the Romans, known for harsh prison conditions, torture and getting their prey as close to death as possible without going over the line, Spartacus took the role of fugitive.  Never safe for long.  No end to running in any direction that appeared safe.

Fugitives.  Destination unknown.  

In your marriage, which role do you play? Do you have a destination in mind that will make marriage more satisfying and allow for you and your spouse to grow together and build intimacy? Do you act as a fugitive and run at the slightest sign of discomfort or danger to yourself?


Stay and Work or Run and Hide?

Anyone out there not wanting to take the pilgrim route?  Planning, instructions, learning, praying, and a definite direction take the important roles in moving toward a solid, healthy marriage.  When you follow the plan you find yourself putting forth a lot of energy and time, but when you do, you find yourself reaping rewards at various intervals, and you can feel and see yourself and your husband moving closer to the goal.  You not only get a glimpse of a healthy and happy relationship, you begin to feel it, to know that it will last, and to feel fulfilled in your marriage.

Yet, how many times do we run and/or hide?  Maybe you run at the merest suggestion of conflict.  Perhaps you hide from the truth about yourself or about what your marriage really looks like on the inside.  You may run to what looks like a safe haven when you aren't on good footing in your marriage, and find yourself in deeper trouble and then set out to run from that.  The fugitive style of handling marriage promises lots of work for very little return.  You may run for months or years and find yourself farther away from comfort and love.  You can work very hard on your own spur-of-the-moment plans only to find yourself caught by another wave of distrust from a husband who not only can't read your mind, he doesn't understand that women and men are so different.


The Pilgrim Perspective

I say we do the pilgrim thing.  Take the plan (the Bible -- specifically Ephesians 5:21-33) and work toward each known aspect, keeping our focus on respecting our husbands and showing loving kindness in many small ways every day.  The greatest news lies in the fact that our biblical instructions come in a very short list!  Submit (honor, defer to, work closely with) to my  husband and respect him.

These two requirements cover everything, and if followed closely and with great care, they will lead you right where you want to go.  When you have had plenty of practice with respect and submission, you will find you have learned more ways to expand your horizons in marriage in godly ways.  You will learn to thrive as you head toward your destination.  You will no longer wonder, but wait for more and better.  You will, by following His plan and praying through your days, grow closer to God.

You will fail many times.  You will retrace steps or go off the path to check out someone else's travel route.  But, when you resolve to take that pilgrimage to a biblically sound marriage, you will never want for more.


The Fugitive's Route

The fugitive route will get you pretty far -- far from anything solid and safe.  You will beg for scraps from your mate, work furiously on your own agenda and promote your own motives with your actions and reactions.  You will look to people around you for guidance (human frailty) and short-lived successes that will fail in short-term and frustrate you in the long-term.  You will continue looking for more and better answers and keep running hither and yon ... searching.  You will seek and never find.  You will grow tired, you will compare yourself to others, you will feel like quitting.  Your hope for better will dim.  You will turn to friends before turning to your husband.  You may find relief in other relationships.  Your marriage will continue to thin as supply outweighs demand.  You will be a prisoner of your own inability to find peace and solid ground that you can claim as your own in your marriage.


It's Not Ancient History

Marriage is a timeless means of connecting a man and woman in a relationship that can and should last a lifetime.  No matter how many years they have together, a husband and wife will find joy and oneness together when they follow a time-tried route.

Everyone's marriage will differ in scope and sequence, but the basics will show.  Love.  Respect.  Mutual submission.  A help-meet woman alongside her leader husband.  When you meet a couple who lives out their marriage this way, you know it.  They have contentment.  They have trust and honor in their lives.  They don't waver, they don't search outwardly.  They don't envy nor do they boast.

From Adam and Eve to you and your husband, any marriage that has followed The Plan and has looked to the Author of it for guidance has found it.  Those who follow The Plan want to share it with others.  It works.  When taken seriously and lived fully, it never fails.

Get into Ephesians and see how simple the directions appear.  Pray on them.  Resolve to imitate them, to live them, and to not look back at what the world has to offer.  The Bible will never change, while the world will change often and to the detriment of those who follow it.


What have you discovered when you have looked to the world for advice?  
If you have "gone Bible" in your marriage, what was the easiest part?  The hardest? 
How do you present a biblical marriage to someone who wants better?

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Thought For The Day

The Consequences of Your Choices Don't Wash Away

I didn't have a choice.
There was no way around it.
I didn't realize it until it was too late.
I take it back.
Let's start again.
The Devil made me do it.


We All Make Easy Mistakes

Mistakes?  We've all made them.  Bad choices?  Yep.  We make wrong turns in life, we ask for "do-overs" that don't ever succeed in erasing a mistake or a hurt.  When we do or say the wrong thing we can't take it back, make it disappear, change it into something else, fix it ... or forget it completely.

Whatever I choose to do counts.

Every action has a consequence.  Everything I say, do and think matters.  Every choice or preference leaves its own specific feedback in the lives of everyone involved ... even when I think I'm making choices that affect only me.  My choices affect my husband, too, whether he knows of them or not.

We all nod in agreement when we think of us all lumped in together, doing small "this or that" items that we know we shouldn't and then having to suffer consequences.  If I forget to return library books on time I will pay a fine. If I eat too much my clothing will not fit (like now, for instance). If I don't keep up with my family's laundry none of us will have clean clothes to wear.  Simple and straightforward, what I do matters.  I get it.  I understand.  No problem.

But.


Got Secrets?

It feels a lot different when sin sits deeper than the surface.  The hidden or secret things a person may do -- on the sly or within the confidence of another person -- that we don't want anyone else to discover don't come out of hiding easily, even when talked to nicely and offered a cookie.  Those secret sins, if uncovered, will change the way others perceive us.  Those secret sins begin to leak, like the juices from rotting food in the refrigerator, and cause people to sniff, wonder and search for the problem.  Soon, the whole place begins to smell funny -- you just can't stop it until you reach in there, find the bad piece, and remove it for good.

Recently, a couple of officers of our Parent-Teacher Organization at school found their secrets uncovered in a check-writing scheme, in which tens of thousands of dollars left the group's bank account and went to their personal accounts.  Someone caught a funny smell in the air, began searching, and within a period of time, the rotten thing showed.  The school district removed it, and now the police have the job of handling the situation as the law dictates.  Whether a fine or jail time comes to them in the future, the ladies will pay a penalty.

These women can find forgiveness from God, but the aftermath will take years to rebuild in the community and maybe in their families, as well.  Excuses they offered don't matter.  They lied and stole.  They have to get busy doing whatever it takes to show that they can handle trust again.

Secret sin has to be removed in order to live in harmony with our mates (as well as others around us) and with God.  God won't bless us with sin in the way, and our husbands won't be able to figure out our odd behavior, which secretiveness brings, no matter how we try to conceal the falsehoods and live as if nothing foul is leaching from the back of the refrigerator.

Choosing to deviate from God's path for you may appear in your life as:

- financial indiscretion or a shopping addiction.
- eating (too much or too little) in secret.
- having an opposite-sex friendship that feels fulfilling and seems innocent.
- lying -- of all kinds and sizes.
- engaging in an affair (emotional or sexual) with subsequent blame/rationale.
- uncontrolled electronic/technological activity.
- insert your secret sin here:  _________________


You Can Find Forgiveness and You Will Have Work to Do!

No matter what your poor choice(s),  your deviation from the right path, God will forgive -- if you ask with a contrite (sincerely sorry) heart.  A mighty thought to have is that all of us have the power to change, through His grace and mercy, and to climb out of the pits we have dug to higher and higher ground, led by Him, not by man.

But we won't be able to change the consequences, erase the wrongs we did, or make everyone touched by our thoughtlessness and selfishness feel warm and fuzzy, hunky-dory, and right as rain in one prayerful act.  

There's nothing like forgiveness to cheer up a human being.  At the same time, there's nothing like dealing with the consequences of our actions to keep us mindful of just how far our own selfishness and tunnel vision took us, and then, we see our husbands, children, friends and family alongside our jagged pathway, as if thrown from the vehicle ... bedraggled, hurt (maybe gravely), confused, distrustful, and in shock.

God will forgive me.  Then the hard part begins.

I have to work really hard to get back the devotion, trust, love, and support of those whom I may have ignored, hurt, betrayed, deceived, or confused.  Did I say "work really hard?"  I tend to understate things when I'm not overstating them.  The truth is, I will not get off anywhere close to easy, and should I?  Absolutely not.   If I have acted carelessly, I should have to prove that I can act carefully.  I must take as much time as my victims need in order to regain their trust and all the other attributes that I have lost by my own choices.  I will live under a microscope for as long as it takes to show that I know I have done wrong, that I want to change, and that I work for that change.


God will not wash away the consequences.  The sin?  Yes.  The rest is up to me.  I must sincerely work at changing myself through prayer, learning, studying, sharing and communicating well with the man I married, as well as with those people in my life who should be in it.  Those I have invited into my life via the intrusive, wrong behaviors, I must usher out and close the door for good.  For the good of everyone involved!


A Sin Is a Sin, No Matter How Small

While committing adultery or grand theft don't seem the same as holding a library book too long or driving faster that the posted speed, all have consequences that we must face.

Continuing to try to hide, working to keep up appearances, hoping no one mentions a difficult subject or moves in the direction of your secret is no way to live.  Make the changes now.  Take on your own sin, take it to the Father of All and lay it out before him.  Every stinking, rotten detail.  And ask His forgiveness.

Then, get to work.  You can do it.  Know how I know?  You'll have God on your side.

Finalists announced for 2013 Scottish Curry Awards

Exclusive from AsiansUK.com - The UK Asian Social Hub!

Finalists announced for 2013 Scottish Curry Awards

-The Scottish Curry Awards announce their shortlisted curry contenders-

 

After months of fierce competition, nominations for this year’s Scottish Curry Awards have now closed, and with well over 8000 nominations coming in from all over Scotland the race to be crowned at this year’s awards ceremony guarantees to be an extremely tight contest.

The sixth Scottish Curry Awards will take place in Thistle Hotel on the 10^thJune, it is set to be a fantastic evening. The judges will now visit these shortlisted Restaurants and takeaways from all over Scotland whilst they battle it out to make the best curry in the country!

 

 Yasmin Mahmood, Operations & Business Development Manager for event organiser Oceanic Consulting said:

“This year we have added a few categories to spice things up and received a great response to these new editions, as thousands of nominations flooded in, in support of the publics favourite. We wish all the finalists the best of luck and I am sure it will be fantastic evening.”

 

Both The Curry King/Queen Award and The Lifetime Achievement Award will be revealed on the night, for now we can share withy you the shortlisted nominees for this year’s The Scottish Curry Awards:

Curry Lover of the Year

Dani Downs (Hutchison Vales Ladies FC)

Aasmah Mir

Sandy Wilkie (Wiseman Dairies)

 

Team of the Year

Taj Mahal (Biggar)

Bombay Lounge (Dalkieth)

The Killermount Polo Club (Glasgow)

Maisha’s Restaurant (St. Andrews)

Turban Tandoori (Glasgow)

 

Chef of the Year

Matin Khan (Itihaas, Edinburgh)

Jagtar Singh (Taj Tandoori, Prestwick)

Purvaiz Mohammed (Heera, Glasgow)

Ajmal Mushtaq (Mushtaqs Restaurant, Hamilton)

Bamsi Ram Shrestha (Radhuni, Edinburgh)

 

Healthy Food Provider

Majestic India (Cambuslang)

Punjabi Tadka (East Kilbride)

Chilli Papas

Shimla Cottage (Coatbridge)

Omar Khayyam (Edinburgh)

 

Maitre D’ of the Year

Muhammad Sultan (Charcoals, Glasgow)

Mark Singh (Mister Singh’s India, Glasgow)

Akbar Ali (Kismot, Edinburgh)

Abed Ullah (Taj Mahal, Biggar)

Shamy Singh (Spice Lounge, Edinburgh)

 

Best Restaurant Design

Mithas (Edinburgh)

Akbar’s (Glasgow)

Zyka Bar and Grill (Glasgow)

Karma (Whitburn)

Bukharah (Glasgow)

Best Marketing Campaign

Kismot (Edinburgh)

Mushtaqs Restaurant (Hamilton)

Charcoals (Glasgow)

The Dhabba (Glasgow)

Indian Palms (Cambuslang)

 

Takeaway of the Year

North East

Qismat (Aberdeen)

Cinnamon @ Home (Aberdeen)

North West

Spicy Spot (Inverness)

Kebabish Curry House (Oban)

South East

Bangla Kitchen (Edinburgh)

Eastern Spices (Edinburgh)

South West

Shahed’s Tandoori (South Side, Glasgow)

Cafe India (Westend, Glasgow)

 

Best of Glasgow

Cafe India (Merchant City)

Akbar’s

Charcoals

Balbir’s (Church Street)

Kama Sutra

Mother India’s Cafe

Koolba

Shish Mahal

Chillies West End

Masala Twist

 

Restaurant of the Year

North East

Cinnamon (Aberdeen)

Tabla Restaurant (Perth)

Bombay Joe’s (Dundee)

Manzil Restaurant (Perth)

North West

Spice Tandoori (Fort William)

Cinnamon (Inverness)

Cafe Mango (Inverness)

Taste of India (Kyleakin)

South East

Bombay Brasserie (Dunfermline)

Jasmine Indian Restaurant (Glenrothes)

Prince of India (Peebles)

Taste of India (Leven)

South West

Rasoi Indian Restaurant & Deli (Lenzie)

Spice Indian Cuisine (Hamilton)

Kama Sutra (Stirling)

Masala Restaurant (Cumnock)

  

Best of Edinbugh

Shezan Restaurant

Kebabish Original

Mithas

Indian Cavalry Club

Britannia Spice

The Scottish Curry Awards 2013 are taking place at The Thistle Hotel, Glasgow on 10th June with the event raising money for The Well Foundation and includes a delicious five course meal, live entertainment, fundraising activities, several guest presenters and guarantees to be a great evening out. The winners will be announced shortly after the awards.

 For more information please visit www.lovecurry.info

Keep posted on all events by Oceanic Consulting:

Twitter: @OceanicEvents

 

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