Buy or Rent a property in Malta ?

The debate whether it is worth buying or to rent property continues to rage.

In Malta, the situation is no different as many people who want to buy or rent property often ask themselves this question. People who cannot afford the down payments that property sellers often require find renting to be the best option. Another reason why some people would rather rent than buy property is that, the cost of maintenance is usually low. Whether renting or buying property in the Maltese Islands, it is vital to be knowledgeable on the pros and cons brought forth by the two ways of acquiring property. People who live in Malta but their job entails constant traveling or job transfers from town to town also find renting property a viable option compared to buying property.

If one lives in Malta and often moves from place to place within a short while, renting may be an excellent option. When one rents property instead of buying, they are able to avoid property taxes, renovation costs leaving them with money to engage in other activities. People who rent property in Malta also do not have to worry about insurance as opposed to those who buy property and have to buy insurance for the property.

On the other hand buying property can seem to be equally worth ones troubles in Malta. This is because one could use the property to borrow a loan from a bank which could help in buying ones favorite stock, finance their childs education or buy another home. Buying property in Malta is also worthy for people who value family comfort. This is especially for people who have many kids and apartments are simply not enough. Having ones’ own property makes hosting of loved ones to barbecues possible as opposed to renting, which usually involves many rules and regulations. If one buys their own property, their stability is assured as well because they will not be moving from one area to another.

Another reason why buying property may just be the way forward in Malta is that one has the freedom of decorating the house just how they like it. This is unlike when one is renting property because in such cases the landlord may impose a number of restrictions. If visiting or living in Malta, look at both options and match them to your needs, then make a sound decision. Depending on one’s needs, renting or buying property in Malta are excellent options; select what suits you best.

Jamming For Change - Creating Awareness on Cultural Diversity

Get Up Stand Up in collaboration with Jamming Malta are organising this event to raise awareness about the inhuman conditions many people have to still live in, in 2010. Through this event we hope to encourage people to learn more about the Third World countries so that they may decide for themselves whether what is happening is just.

We believe in the importance of human rights, especially as those who most need protection usually find their rights trampled all over. Freedom and dignity are things we take for granted, yet for a large portion of the world these are luxuries.

We strongly believe that if people are more informed about the processes that have created poverty, there would be more understanding in today's world.

Here are the names of the local artists that are contributing towards this event;

• Glass House
• Diezel
• Marilyn & Jeje
• Stolen Creep

"How can universal human rights exist in a culturally diverse world? As the international community becomes increasingly integrated, how can cultural diversity and integrity be respected? Is a global culture inevitable? If so, is the world ready for it? How could a global culture emerge based on and guided by human dignity and tolerance? These are some of the issues, concerns and questions underlying the debate over universal human rights and cultural relativism.

Cultural relativism is the assertion that human values, far from being universal, vary a great deal according to different cultural perspectives. Some would apply this relativism to the promotion, protection, interpretation and application of human rights which could be interpreted differently within different cultural, ethnic and religious traditions. In other words, according to this view, human rights are culturally relative rather than universal.

Taken to its extreme, this relativism would pose a dangerous threat to the effectiveness of international law and the international system of human rights that has been painstakingly contructed over the decades. If cultural tradition alone governs State compliance with international standards, then widespread disregard, abuse and violation of human rights would be given legitimacy.

Accordingly, the promotion and protection of human rights perceived as culturally relative would only be subject to State discretion, rather than international legal imperative. By rejecting or disregarding their legal obligation to promote and protect universal human rights, States advocating cultural relativism could raise their own cultural norms and particularities above international law and standards."

Lets do it veggie style

Dear blog follower,

Some more recipes coming your way. The weekend is soon with us and you may be thinking of preparing something for Sunday lunch, why not try the following recipes, they're simple and easy to prepare, if you're already thinking of shaping up for summer, these recipes will suit you fine....they're all vegetable based.










Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients:
900 grams - pumpkin, cut into cubes
1 large onion, chopped
1 large potato, peeled and cubed
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 flat teaspoon of curry powder
1 bay leaf
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 cups vegetable stock
1 tablespoon sunflower oil

Method:
Boil the pumpkin cubes and the bay leaf in some water until nearly tender
Sweat the chopped onion in the oil until transparent
Add the crushed garlic, trying not to burn it !
Mix the curry spice and stir
Pour the cooked pumpkin into the mixture
Add potato cubes, stock, salt and pepper, simmer until cooked
Blend to a creamy consistency
Serve with crusty rolls (if you wish)








Pasta with Ricotta and vegetables
Ingredients:
500g cooked pasta (penne or tagliatelle)
200g ricotta
150g sliced marrows
50g chopped onions
150g broccoli
150g chopped tomatoes
2 eggs
50g grated cheese
Nutmeg
Seasoning
Olive oil

Method:
Heat some oil and fry the onions and marrows, cook on a low heat for a few minutes then add the broccoli
Mix the ricotta with the eggs and a good seasoning
Add half the grated cheese
Mix the pasta with vegetables, add seasoning and nutmeg and our into a well greased baking container
Add the ricotta on top, followed by the chopped peeled tomatoes and the remaining grated cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes.

As always your comments and suggestions are more than welcome. Wishing you all a fantastic weekend filled with love, happiness and delicious food.

Here's a thought for you guys:

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
Quotation of Mother Teresa

Peace,
Pierre

Recipes - the easy way to prepare delicious dishes

Here you go ladies & gents, your first few recipes are listed below for your pleasure to prepare:

Garlic dip serves approx. 6 persons
Ingredients:
2 - garlic cloves crushed
8 pieces (small) - spread cheese
2 - hard boiled eggs
fresh parsley finely chopped
4 - tea spoons fresh cream
Salt & pepper
Liquidise all the ingredients, place in bowl and refrigerate

Mushroom dip serves approx. 6 persons
Ingredients:
8 - 10 large mushrooms
Chop mushrooms and slightly fry in garlic
add a tea spoon of curry
8 pieces (small) - spread cheese
4 - tea spoons fresh cream
Salt & pepper
Liquidise all the ingredients, place in bowl and refrigerate

Al Pesto Sauce
Ingredients:
Sizable bunch of basil leaves (habaq)
2-3 cloves of garlic
2 oz of olive oil
1 packet of butter
1/2 rt grated parmeggiano
handful of pine nuts

Method:
Wash basil leaves & reduce to pulp in a liquidiser or food processor, add the olive oil and the garlic, add soft butter, grated cheese and pine nuts, hawwad kollox flimkien bazikament ! After liquidising all, place sauce in a jar or bowl and refrigerate.
You may choose any pasta to add, such as, fusilli, spaghetti, penne rigate or tagliatelle.

Hope you will enjoy these recipes, any suggestions are always welcome, your feedback after trying these dips & sauce would be greatly appreciated.
I will be writing out recipes once a week so keep you eyes open.



peace & love,
pierre

Jamming Malta for Haiti

A total of 9,000 Euros were donated for a fund raising event in aid of the Haiti earthquake victims organised by Jamming Malta in collaboration with the Salesians Organisation in Malta and the Jesuit Refugee Service was held yesterday, the 10th of February in the grounds of St Aloysius College.
The aim of the event was to collect funds for the much needed rebuilding of the earthquake struck country of Haiti.

A number of upcoming and established local bands & artists such as

• The Myth
• Aldo & Diane Spiteri
• His Project
• Fiona Cauchi
• Stolen Creep
• Angela Vella Zarb
• Clueless
• Criminal Kiss
• Angela Vella Zarb (Diezel)

all contributed with their excellent music to the cause.

A quick note on a few interesting bands I listened to:

Stolen Creep:

• Kiran Lee Bordon - Vocals
• Marie Booze - Guitar Lead
• Kayleigh Williams - Bass Guitar
• Beckardi - Drums
• Katryna Storace - Rhythm Guitar

Most definitely an interesting band to listen to. To start of with, their a girl band, but not the typical pop crappy show off type, they have an alternative look and genre, good stage presence and they're very tight as a band,I really loved their kings of Leon cover and their original track, Lector Spector and an impeccable performance of Narcotic...Well done, girls, keep rockin' we want to hear more of you in local bars and gigs.

Angela Vella Zarb (Diezel): What a voice ! Indeed another exceptional upcoming local artist, Angela has an amazing in tune vocal line and her accompanying guitarist (sorry don't know the name) hit all the right notes. Well done.

Criminal Kiss: Young and energetic on stage with

• David Meilak - Vocals & Rythm Guitar
• Michael Gatt - Lead Guitar & B. Vocals
• Ian Bondin - Drums
• Desmond Tanti - Keyboards
• Andrew DeBono - Bass

This band does need to work on their tightness as musicians, but on the whole they put up a very good performance, David needs to be a bit careful when trying to hit those high notes, just a suggestion guys, try and transpose some songs to suit David's vocal line.

As for the rest, I mean I can't really add much about Aldo & Diane & The Myth, in a class of their own, especially when during the last few songs from Aldo & Diane, the Jamming Malta group joined in with their percussion sounds.

Truly an unforgettable experience for all.

Jamming Malta will be organising more events in the coming months and especially during the summer months, join there facebook group by searching for Jamming Malta to keep in tune and updated.

Peace,
Pierre