We are bird-sitting a canary for a couple of weeks as of yesterday. Keanan has been drawing birds non-stop since she arrived. This morning he declared he’ll be publishing a book of his sketches… View Post
Gary Clement for The National I got an email this week from someone who described her 20- something year-old self as a diligent but naive investor. She did what most people don’t do. She took… View Post
I had been approaching it all wrong. There is no war if we don’t engage. Stick with me: I had been sucked into the vortex. After many many hours contemplating how to simplify and include… View Post
My inbox has been flooded with stories of outrage and woe in response to my sharing the horror of dealing with so-called financial advisers that sell expatriate policies. Now I am directing my attention at… View Post
I have news. I’ve been had by Dubai’s financial advisors. So what? After all, I am but one of many. Well, let me not mince words: NEVER TAKE OUT THESE POLICIES. You know the type,… View Post
On stage moderating Majid Al Futtaim‘s CEO panel discussion. They’re investing 30 billion AED in the UAE over the next 10 years. That’s massive. Especially when you know they invested 18 billion over the last… View Post
Illustration by Gary Clement for The National Four years ago a sprightly 70- year-old Frenchman decided he was done paying tax on his €8 million (Dh33.2m), sitting in a European account (not in France), and… View Post
I am shellshocked. I had waited for a special occasion to introduce my son to Tom & Serg, and this was it. What was planned as a 40 minute treat turned into being told we… View Post
My purse is in pain It puts quite a strain On the life that I know Because, well, my cash flow Is more of a trickle And now I’m in a pickle I just about… View Post
“We do not think of the power stolen from us and the power withheld from us in the name of the institution of motherhood” Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience and Institution, Rich (1976) (p.… View Post
It’s a constant conundrum being mummy & me With the permanent question: This time, whose turn will it be? Motherhood has been skewed To mean sacrifice & servitude Married or not No, it’s not your… View Post
The whole of life. In a few pencil strokes. Lifetimes can be spent, and sometimes lost, figuring this sort of stuff out. Keanan and I make things together. Things like cards. So when my latest… View Post
Let me tell you about my devotion to our big beautiful ocean It covers 70% of our earth without it, there would be a dearth Of something that’s just hanging there filling up all… View Post
I love making things to eat with my little green chef. Here he is today making us green salad a la Keanan. He was on a salad drive for days – having this… View Post
Illustration by Gary Clement for The National New year, new me. Is this the thought doing the rounds in your head? If it is, great, although I would suggest “new focus on me” as… View Post
Illustration by Gary Clement for The National Years ago, I cycled across Thailand to Cambodia as part of a Gulf For Good cause, and learned a few things that have stayed with me. We… View Post
With the year drawing to a close, it’s time for reflection, and wonderment at the joy and miracle that is life. In this spirit, I’d like to share a song that one of my brothers… View Post
Illustration by Gary Clement for The National Picture this: three generations living in a flat – the grandma and pa, five of their children and two grandchildren – along with grandchildren’s father, who moved… View Post
Illustration by Gary Clement for The National Last Wednesday morning, my family consisted of me and my son. By bedtime it was me and two sons. We are delighted that our family has grown –… View Post
Illustration by Gary Clement for The National Others take action, I lose out. It’s a pattern that’s costing me. It goes like this: when arranging trips, I line up many facts and some options to… View Post
