Age: 20 Profession: Student and aspiring billionaire Nationality: American   Motto: William Wallace once said that every man dies. Not every man really lives! Your most valued possession: My set

By Dorian ‘Paul D’ Rogers- A modern poet’s twist on the ancient classics of Rumi

Every month, Paul D will take one of the classic poems and remix it to give it a contemporary spin. This month, he modernizes ‘The Guest House’ as translated by Coleman Barks.

By Alma Kadragic

I’ve always been a news junkie, probably because I got the habit early from my parents who consumed The New York Times (NYT) and later also The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) as early as possible seven days a week. The New York Herald Tribune was also part of their daily news intake until it stopped publication in 1966.

By Dr. DMS – Doc from the Bronx

Talking to patients is a necessary evil of my job. An occupational hazard, if you like.

(Please excuse me for a moment from this conversation, while I quietly slam my head against a wall. Thanks for your understanding. BAM!!!!!!!)

By Ahmed Samir

Lately I’ve convinced myself of the virtue and importance of silence. I am (for the most part) a tireless speaker, and I tend to dominate conversation, and so silence is something of little to no presence when I’m around. In fact I have little trouble finding something to speak about: there’s plenty to talk about, and I’m willing to talk about it all. I guess I’m one of those people who enjoy the sound of their own voices. I am what you would call ‘a chronic talker’.

By Angeli Castillo

When Anushka Abraham , 23, graduated from university a couple of years ago she couldn’t find a job in her field of study. So to make ends meet and earn a bit of cash she decided not to wait for opportunity to come to her but rather to take control over her life, so she started private tutoring.  Soon her passion for teaching grew and she now embraces the life as a preschool teacher of two year olds.

By Liz Kinane

We hear about so many heart-warming initiatives in our community. Ewa’a, a network of shelters that helps women and children to reconnect with society, is one of those programmes. It was established in 2008 under the auspices of the UAE Red Crescent to provide a safe haven for victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking.

In January, Tempo put out a call to anyone who had made resolutions for 2012, with the promise to re-visit them at the end of the year to see the outcomes. We received a number of responses from readers who volunteered to be a part of this initiative.

As we pass the middle of the year, Tempo decided to remind a few of these brave souls about their pledges and find out what progress has been made to ensure these resolutions are being kept.