My New Year resolutions

For Bahraini Gulf Saatchi and Saatchi chief executive and head of the Bahrain chapter of the International Advertising Association (IAA), Khamis Al Muqla 2008 will be a very special year.

"I am approaching my 60th birthday this year and I will be celebrating the 34th anniversary of my business, so yes, it is a very special year.

"This year I will also be looking forward to do more for the society, the community as well as my country," he said.

Khamis also decided to return to his old hobby ... writing.

"I would like to go back to writing columns in newspapers about my observation on general issues in life. I used to do that in the past, but I will leave this resolution until the end stage of this year. It would be nice to share again my experience with others," he said. "I might end up putting all my writings and observations in a book one day.

"My last year's resolution was to be positive about certain issues and challenges in life and the outcome was great and very satisfying."

Khamis said it was also a time to reflect. "It is good to sit down and review what you have done in the whole year - where you were successful and where you failed, what you have to do to improve yourself and what positive changes you have to make in your life," he added.

Bahraini housewife Ebtesam Ahmed Sowaid, 37, is planning to look after her health this year.

"My New Year's resolution is to become a healthier person in 2008. Due to my family commitments and my professional career, I never really had time for myself but since I recently quit my job I have decided it was time to look after myself a little bit," said the mother of three daughters, Sumaya, Sara and Sahar.

"I am planning to go to a gym on a regular basis and look after my health, I have neglected myself for a long time. This year I also want to focus more on my children by spending more time with them and doing more activities together."

Rearranging the house is another resolution. "I will also take a course in reciting the Holy Quran. I always wanted to learn it but never had the time," she said.

"I will do my best to keep up with my resolutions now that I have the time. I believe that it is important to have goals for each year because it just encourages you to work harder to achieve them."

Motorox CafŽ manager Jordanian Khalid Jassal has decided to quit smoking this year.

"I have been smoking for the past 14 years, I believe that it is about time to stop this unhealthy habit," said the 28-year-old.

"It is my first time to attempt such a resolution although I have been meaning to quit smoking for a long time now.

"It has started damaging my health, so I thought, OK, in 2008 I will stop smoking and I will do my very best to keep up with my resolution."

Khalid said he was going to quit smoking gradually.

"I can't stop smoking in one stage, so I will do it step by step," he said.

Twenty-seven-year-old Bahraini Shahab Abdulkhaliq's resolution is to make the most out of his life.

"Same as every New Year, my resolution is basically to make the most out of life.

"This involves a number of things: live a healthier life than I did last year; improve my interactions with people and leave a positive impression on every person I meet, better than the year before.

"I also aim to strengthen the bond with my family and get closer to the ones I love, advance in my professional life and learn new things and see something or somewhere new in the world", said the Gulf Air marketing and creative services manager.

"This is basically my philosophy in life. I always strive to make the most out of it.

I'm the kind of person that if there is something I want to do and I haven't done it before even if it may seem a little crazy I will do everything in my power to make sure I do it.

"I never want to be the person sitting somewhere thinking 'I wonder what it would have been like...' so whether it's in my job, or dealing with people, or my own health, I aim to do the best I can."

Shahab said positive progression and improvement from the year before was a step in the right direction.

"I use the New Year as a marker point. It is a time to analyse the year and usually give myself a pat on the back to prepare myself for the year to come."