Socks @ City Center!

I am a little CRAZY about socks! My daughter wears a yukky brown uniform to school and socks are usually the only way I can infuse a little 'funk' into her wardrobe.

But socks in Kuwait are kind of expensive ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 KD for 1 pair! And they are usually thin with dreadful designs.

So I basically FLIPPED when I went to City Center last night. They have Packs of 5 socks for both girls and boys. The designs and colors are outstanding! The price is 990 fils for 1 pack!

I bought 20 pairs for my 6 year old and 10 pairs for my 2 years old and 10 pairs for my son. My whole carriage was FULL of socks...but they are really HIGH quality and I know they will last and last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update on My Son's 'Hinney'

Thankfully, the injury on my son's 'derriere' has healed. All that is left now is for us to go and have the stitches removed. I cannot believe that the doctor did not use invisible stitches...the ones that dissolve by themselves. Only in Kuwait are things done 'back' wards! Lol!

First and LAST time ordering from 6alabat!

It has been a hard week. My daughter sprained her ankle at the beginning of it and my son got hurt at the end of it.

I had a few deadlines this morning that I completed and planned to surprise the kids th a full evening of quality time. I am so sick of the fast food restaurants in my area. So, I decided to give www.6alabat.com a whirl. We were already hungry but I took the time to register for an account and uplaod my address, etc. I made the order for Grill Casa because it was not too expensive and the menu looked awesome. They called to confirm my address and order. And then I waited and waited and waited. After 1 hour I called to complain. After another 45 minutes I canceled the order. My kids and I were starving. Every one was cranky. It was awful. I finally ordered from Burger King and the minute the food came, so did one of my neighbors. And she stayed for over 30 minutes. So, by the time we finally ate everything was ICE cold!

So much for a fun evening!

For me, 6alabat gets 2 thumbs DOWN!

Yummy rice and......feet???????

Ugh.........it is totally a cultural thing I am sure...but it is nonetheless very gross. Every time I go to my in-laws for lunch my mother-in-law makes a huge batch of rice in a pan that barely fits on the stove. It's massive. Once the rice is done, the pan is too hot to put on the shelf so it goes right down on the floor.
Anyway, today at lunch one of my sister-in-laws was loading up trays with the rice and setting it down on the FLOOR! And then the hungry kdis were running around right next to the RICE! All I could imagine was the junk from their shoes completely covering the rice...ugh! I was not planning on eating a bite of it but my helpful sister-in-law fixed my plate BEFORE I sat down to eat. Oh my gosh! And not finishing the ENTIRE plate in my husband's family is utterly taboo. So, I had to swallow every dust covered bite! Yum.........blech....

And no it's not the first time. Food is routinely assembled on the floor over at the in-laws. It just boggles my mind. And my husband's family is EXTREMELY clean...but the food thing is just weird. I guess they feel they have no other option besides the floor to serve food??

Now doesn't that make you SO hungry for rice?????????????????

The scent of blood is in the air.........

Literally, I am afraid. We went to my in-laws for lunch today. My son was out playing with his cousins and their ball went over a wall. My son leaped over the wall and lost his footing. He landed straight on his butt and fell on a piece of glass. By the time he made it into the house the whole back of his shorts were covered in blood.

My poor baby. I took him to the bathroom and was trying to see if the glass was still in there or what. Man, my family members (or rather my husband's) were pounding on the door. I was getting more irate by the minute. My son was is the bathroom with his entire rear end exposed. He would have been humiliated if I had opened the door! Ugh!

Finally, my brother-in-law grabbed him and took him to the ER. He just got home. No stictches thankfully and the glass is out. But they gave him antibiotics and meds. We have been planning to go to Entertainment City all week but looks like we are going to have to cancel. Ugh!

My son is 11 years old going on about 6. He is the sweetest boy in the World. However, we often butt heads. We have the same...and I mean exaclty the same...demeanor...Ugh & Lol!

Changing Directions......

I think the biggest mistake I have made with my blog is that I unwittingly followed the format of other bloggers....complain about Kuwait...and share cool things to see & buy online....I think that is why I keep losing interest in blogging. Especially, as I writer I am accustomed to sharing myself and with this blog I have only shared a teeny tiny part of me. So, I am going to chnage direction and start blogging more about my life and how living in Kuwait has both been a blessing and a curse.

Happy Reading!

Smoke....but no fire.

I am starting to think that strange things happen only to me! This morning I was busy typing away on an article that is due tomorrow. And, despite having a horrible cold, I was able to smell smoke at about 10am. I got up from my computer and began frantically checking to see where it was coming from. The concentration was heaviest near the lift (elevator). Something was burning or on fire.

I quickly called my husband and he in turn called the watchman, who was oblivious to the problem. I woke all my kids up and was prepared to go out into the street. Luckily, my husband called back. The watchman discovered that the lift was stuck on the top floor and the motor was smoldering. We are so lucky it did not burst into flames!

So, that was my excitement for the day. I am starting to think I attract SMOKE !!

What's up with all the blank billboards?

I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone driving around Salmiya Friday night. What happened to all the billboards? They are all BLANK! Did the billboard guy go on vacation or WHAT?

The billboards on Gulf Road are all empyt. I checked last night too and same thing!

Maybe the MOI has banned billboards??

New Flavor at BR - "Cherries Jubilee"

Yum! New flavor at BR that I tried last night. In the lower right corner, 'Cherries Jubilee'. It tastes soooooooooo good!

Unfortunately, the little card was missing from the ice cream case last night. The guy just said it was "cherry". So, I Googled to find the actual name and also learned it is flavored with RUM!!

So, I hope it is artificial Rum and not the real deal considering alcohol is forbidden in Islam. Ugh!

BOOM!

BOOM.............My microwave actually blew up the other day! I was being lazy and did not want to put the tea kettle on the stove. So, I filled a micro-safe mug with water..something I always do...and put it in my microwave. After a few seconds I heard a buzzing sound and then it just blew up. It actually jumped..and hit the top shelf above it. Luckily. the shelf was there or it might of catapulted across the room! Lol. It's funny now, but at the time I was really scared. I thought it would burst into flames.

It was about 9 years old so no wonder it blew up. It served me well. I went to Al-Ghanim Electronics and all the micros were +45KD. They had a couple for about 35 KD but they were small and ugly. Ugh!

A friend of mine is constantly telling me that Al-Ghanim is overpriced. She always recommends City Centre fr buying electronics. So, I took a chance and went. My friend was right. I got a big 25litre, silver microwave for 29 KD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is awesome!

And hopefully I will have this one for another 9 years! Insha'Allah!

Thursday Three

Answer these:

What is your favourite movie line?

What sound or noise do you love?

What colour dominates your wardrobe?

Me:

Jerry Maguire: "You had me at Hello."
The sound of rain hitting the roof (or in Kuwait the A/C!!)
Green- all shades

My 'Etsy' Addiction

This is NOT even funny! Lol..actually it is! A couple months ago I posted about Gummi Bear soaps being sold online. So, a couple weeks ago I had a chance to explore www.Etsy.com . Oh my gosh...it is the coolest site! Everything is handmade or home crafted. I already placed my first TWO orders. I bought like 4 cool soaps (yes gummi bears too!) and 1 lip gloss from "Naiad's Shop"..sorry I have no idea how to embed links. Here link is here: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5008693

And I bought some oil-based fruity perfumes and chocolate incense here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=61594

This is my ALL time favorite site! Most sellers will ship to Kuwait and for most the shipping rate is not astronomical. BUT keep an eye on the shipping. I saw one seller that was selling wax tarts for $2.50 each but shipping was almost $8!!! And if you see a seller that only ships to the US all you have to do is e-mail them and they will more than likely agree to ship to Kuwait!!

Exploring Etsy is so FUN! I saw some adorable, handmade kids toys. I am planning on buying a toy for each of my 3 kids before Eid. Insha'Allah!

I will post pics and a review once I get my loot! Insha'Allah!

Meow and your DEAD!

This is the strangest and creepiest story I have seen lately! It's about a cat that senses when nursing home patients will die just a few hours before they actually do.

I wonder how?

I use to visit a nursing home when I was in college. A friend and I did it once a week just to cheer up these poor people. Their families literally lock them up and they stay in these 'homes' until they die.

Anyway, the thing I remember most is the scent. It was this sickly sweet scent. And it was not spray or perfume. I always felt it was emanating from the patients. I even remember telling my friend it was the 'scent of death'. So, I wonder if the cat can detect the stronger sweet smell?????

Here's the article:

(from www.cnn.com )

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island (AP) -- Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours.

Oscar the cat doesn't like to be put out in the hall when a patient is dying.

His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means the patient has less than four hours to live.
"He doesn't make too many mistakes. He seems to understand when patients are about to die," Dr. David Dosa said in an interview. He describes the phenomenon in a poignant essay in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
"Many family members take some solace from it. They appreciate the companionship that the cat provides for their dying loved one," said Dosa, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Brown University.
The 2-year-old feline was adopted as a kitten and grew up in a third-floor dementia unit at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The facility treats people with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and other illnesses.
After about six months, the staff noticed Oscar would make his own rounds, just like the doctors and nurses. He'd sniff and observe patients, then sit beside people who would wind up dying in a few hours.
Dosa said Oscar seems to take his work seriously and is generally aloof. "This is not a cat that's friendly to people," he said.
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Oscar is better at predicting death than the people who work there, said Dr. Joan Teno of Brown University, who treats patients at the nursing home and is an expert on care for the terminally ill
She was convinced of Oscar's talent when he made his 13th correct call. While observing one patient, Teno said she noticed the woman wasn't eating, was breathing with difficulty and that her legs had a bluish tinge, signs that often mean death is near.
Oscar wouldn't stay inside the room, though, so Teno thought his streak was broken. Instead, it turned out the doctor's prediction was roughly 10 hours too early. Sure enough, during the patient's final two hours, nurses told Teno that Oscar joined the woman at her bedside.
Doctors say most of the people who get a visit from the sweet-faced, gray-and-white cat are so ill they probably don't know he's there, so patients aren't aware he's a harbinger of death. Most families are grateful for the advance warning, although one wanted Oscar out of the room while a family member died. When Oscar is put outside, he paces and meows his displeasure.
No one's certain if Oscar's behavior is scientifically significant or points to a cause. Teno wonders if the cat notices telltale scents or reads something into the behavior of the nurses who raised him.
Nicholas Dodman, who directs an animal behavioral clinic at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and has read Dosa's article, said the only way to know is to carefully document how Oscar divides his time between the living and dying.
If Oscar really is a furry grim reaper, it's also possible his behavior could be driven by self-centered pleasures like a heated blanket placed on a dying person, Dodman said.
Nursing home staffers aren't concerned with explaining Oscar, so long as he gives families a better chance at saying goodbye to the dying.
Oscar recently received a wall plaque publicly commending his "compassionate hospice care."

Anyone bought the last Harry Potter book??

Has anyone read the last Harry Potter book? I am curious to find out how it ends and am thinking about buying it. I just learned that Star Books is selling it online for about 11KD and they deliver it right to your door! Is that the same price they are charging if you go into the store?

I think the cover is UGLY...wonder why they changed it for Int'l sales?

www.onlinestarbooks.com

My New Monitor!

I bought a new HP monitor last night at Al-Ghanim. And it is SO much better than my old , tiny monitor. I actually can SEE what I am typing a lot clearer than my old monitor. Although, I have had to adjust the brightness like 10 times already. I am so pysched!

Long time no POST!

I cannot believe it has been so long since I blogged. I have been busy with several deadlines. I finally finished the last article I had pending this morning. I get a whopping 2 days off before I have to start my next article. But no complaining. I love my work and am very thankful to have it!!

Thursday Three !

Answer These:

1. Where do you buy groceries from in Kuwait?
2. What is the LAST movie you saw?
3. What's your favorite 'Search Engine' ?


Me:
1. City Centre
2. Shrek: The Third
3. www.DogPile.com

Say You Care With..........SOLAR PANELS !!

The 'Tarsheed' plight goes on in the local newspapers and via SMS. There is even a hotline where you can report violaters of overconsumption. Yesterday I received an SMS that the power supply was overburdened and there was only 4% of electricity left. Of course, it's scary given the exceptionally hot weather and I have small kids at home. But how come the government isn't taking additional measures to ensure the power supply in Kuwait?

All you have to do is look into the sky to see the biggest source of power that we could possibly utilize...the SUN! We have loads and loads of sunlight in Kuwait for at least 7 months of the year. Solar panels would be so beneficial to Kuwait and take the burden of overconsumption away.

I wonder if the government is exploring solar technology as a viable energy source or are they too busy warning us to switch the AC off before we leave home???????

Why aren't there lifeguards in Kuwait?

(This is actually a pic of Jennings Beach in Fairfield, CT - USA - I use to swim here every weekend with my family! Ahhh...the good ol' days!)

With all the beaches In Kuwait, you would think the government would employ lifeguards. Every other week there is a new case of someone drowning. I mean, it's common sense right?

We went to the beach near Ray's One last night and the beach there was full of swimmers...at night! There were little kids jumping into the water while their parents smoked the hubbly bubbly and chatted. Any one of those kids could have drowned in an instant.

In the US, the beaches are closed at night. And violaters are fined. I doubt Kuwait has the manpower to enforce its' beaches but they should at least have lifeguards on them. Ugh!

Hmmmmmmmm...........maybe they could get some poor expatriates and train them how to swim for like 2 KD a month! Ugh!

The Lazy Days of Summer!

I can't believe it has been so long since I blogged! Time really does fly. I cannot believe that summer vacation is HALF over. That is just so wrong. There are even "Back to School" signs in some of the shops on Salem Mubarak Street. Oh the horror!!!!!!
I have gotten nothing accomplished this summer in terms of creating fun stuff with my kids or even starting on their summer homework. Just being in the AC all day takes away every ounce of energy I have. But starting today, I really am going to be proactive in getting some things done with my kiddies.

I really want to take them shelling for oysters. But I have no idea if the pearl season has even started in Kuwait yet. And when is the best time of day to go? I have often seen people with flashlights coming the beaches when the tide is low at night. I can't imagine doing that with little kids. But I think it would be a really great hands-on learning opportunity. And they would FREAK if they found a pearl! I am going to have to explore this idea further!

Homesick - 4th of July - USA

I woke up feeling soooooooooo homesick today that I am physically ill. Today is the US Independance Day or thr 4th of July. Families in the US, mine included, spend the day together at the beach or barbecuing at home. And then once the night rolls in there are huge firework displays that light up the whole sky!! Ugh! I think I will call my family today and just check in. Although, it will make me more depressed I am sure!

I cannot even remember the last time I saw fireworks?? They never have them in Kuwait. I think for every new mall opening there should be one fireworks display! We need to sign a petition! Lol!

Really Strange Ad from Brazil!!

I am just LOST when looking at this ad from Brazil! Why on Earth would they include the #1 terrorist in the World's image on an ad for the Cannes film festival? It's sick!

Creepy form of child abuse..

I first saw this story about a "Kumari" or supposed "living godess" from Nepal on Inside Edition (MBC4). It is really disgusting. Apparently, they choose a girl when she is between the age of 2 or 4 years. She must have perfect features, teeth and skin tone. And then they worship her until she reaches puberty and toss her aside in favor of a new Kumari. Meanwhile, the retired Kumaris rarely marry because people believe if they do marry then the husband will face an early death.

Enter Sajani Shakya, she participated in a documentary about Kumaris and travelled to the US to promote it. She is only 10 years old and because she left Nepal she is now considered to be impure. So, they "fired" her.

So, now this little girl goes from being adored to basically being insignificant in the eyes of her community.

Reminds me of something I read about in the Holy Quran about how men create their own statues and such to worship instead of God. One group of people would construct statues out of dates. They would worship them, wash them and give it offerings etc. But once they began to feel hungry they would EAT it!!! Ugh!

The Sultan Center - Summer Quiz Contest

The Sultan Center has a NEW activity! Play to win, baby!

Kids, come and join the fun with The Sultan Center Summer Quiz contest.To answer the following questions, you will need to visit TSC and Safeway websites:www.sultan-center.com and www.safeway.com.jo

1. Where can you buy StudioKids clothes showing Disney characters?

2. What is the specialty of the house at Jeans Grill Restaurant?

3. Name the 2 softwares you need for Canyon Glider.

4. Name 2 of the 4 rewards you can choose with 100 TSC Rewards Points.

5. What do you get when you celebrate your birthday at Jeans Grill?

6. Name the Safeway store that has a Sushi Bar.

7. Fill in the missing 2 words: "Mango Fools with ________ - ________ straws"

8. Fill in the 1 missing word: "How's this for a great brainwave- ________________ made of egg cartons..."

Return your Summer Quiz Entries to any TSC service desk by Thursday, July 26th.Correct answers will enter a draw for prizes.Rules: Contest is open to kids ages 8-14. Only one entry per child.
For more information, please call 4343155 ext. 514.

He's finally free!

I woke up this morning to hear some very excellent news! Alan Johnston is finally free! I really thought this story would have an awful ending. Alan was kidnapped and held for 4 months in Gaza.

Journalists risk their lives to bring us news from around the World as it happens. And news from Gaza, and by extension Palestine, is really critical to highlight the plight of the Palestinian people. But with the danger and kidnappings its' no wonder that there are only a handful of Western journalists reporting from Palestine.

I think journalists and news camera men and women should be left out of the fight and not used as political pawns. It's just wrong.

Bubble Gum Alley - Walls of Germs!

This is an actual alley in California called "Bubble Gum Alley". Back in the 1960's people just started sticking their used gum to the walls. Over the past 40+ years people have just kept adding to this disgusting site which is now a popular tourist attraction. Locals say that when it gets hot outside the alley and adjacent street smells like Bazooka bubble gum. Gross!

My New Phone: Nokia E61i

A few weeks ago my 2 year od got her hands on my cute little pink Nokia N70 which was a gift from my husband last year. Anyway, she threw it onto the floor and it just went dead. The repair guy could not fix it. So, my husband surprised me with a navy blue Motorola. I hated it but did not know how to tell him.

I did mention that I was having trouble figuring out how to use it. I am a Nokia-junkie. He took the hint and got me the Nokia E61i. I love it!! The guy who sold it to us says it is better than Blackberry. Here's hoping!

My only problem is figuring out how to use the e-mail and internet programs.

Anyone else have this phone?????????

Slowing down.............

Almost all the publications I write for are taking a 1 month break. So, there was a fever pitch doubling up on articles to cover the month off. But now for the first time in like forever I find I have free time on my hands!! WooooooHoo!

No deadline. No hunting down interviewees and spending hours doing research.

It's nice. I actually took a nap today. The first in a long time. I crashed for almost 5 hours!!! I went to sleep at 3pm and woke up just in time for Desperate Housewives at 8pm...yawn...sleep feels good!

Rex is DEAD!

I can't believe that Rex died in today's episode of Desperate Housewives!! Oh my gosh...I actually started crying while watching Bree's reaction. And Rex was not one of my favorite characters anyway! Other news is that Susan is being held at gunpoint by the disturbing..ugh...what's his name?? Paul Young's son. Funny I can't remember his name now. He is super creepy. And there is a new neighbor in Alfrie Woodard. I can't wait to see what happens next!! Even though I could go out and buy the DVD, I prefer just watching every day!

Oh and I guess Bree might be arrested for murder??? The pharmicist is extra creepy!

Amusement Park Safety in Q8?

It's really scary that there have been so many accidents at amusement parks in the USA this summer. I am sure it is going on in other countries as well but so far I have only seen reports coming out of the US. There was one incident where a roller coaster stopped mid-loop for 30 minutes. All the riders came off OK but had blood-red faces. Another girl got on a rollercoaster at Walt Disney World and by the time the ride ended she was dead. Most recently, a girl was riding a superman ride that basically goes up and shoots down leaving the legs exposed. The same ride is at Al-Shaab. Anyway, both her feet were severed from her legs. And then today I read on CNN.com that an amusement park worker was killed at Playland in Rye, New York which is an amusement park I use to go to when I was a kid living in Connecticut.

All of these tragedies have made me wonder just how safe amusement parks are in Kuwait. And I am guessing they are not very safe. We went to Entertainment City a few weeks ago. I saw a ride operater allowing a 2 year old child go on the mid-size roller coaster with her parents. She was so small that there was no way to buckle her into the seat. Her idiot father simply held onto her as the ride progressed. And there was a height chart right at the gate and of course the little girl was too small to go on the ride.

So, if you go to an amusement park in Kuwait, use your best judgement and be safe because I doubt anyone is watching to make sure the rides are safe. They are too busy counting their dinars.

Friday Night Fire in my Building!

We went out this past Friday and did some shopping at Sharq Market. The kids were cranky and it was so hot out. So, we stopped to rent a couple movies and came home early. We were just drained. The volume on the TV was so loud. I kept thinking my home phone was ringing but my husband kept saying it was the movie. I finally got up to check and it was ringing but it stopped before I could answer it. I glanced at the clock and it was almost 11:30pm. I went to the kitchen to get water and I smelled smoke. I stuck my nose up against the seam of my front door and the scent was stronger. I yelled for my husband and he looked out the window and the street was full of people. Ugh! Our building was on fire and we had no idea. The phone rang again and it was my neighbors from the 4th floor. They told me to get out of the building because a 5th floor apartment was on fire. We raced out as fast as we could. The fire brigade came like 2 minutes later. I was impressed.

We were stuck outside for a full 30 minutes. Luckily, there were no injuries or death. And now I am going to buy another smoke detector for the hallway beside the front door. Ugh!

Oh and the cause of the fire was an overheated plug for an air conditioner.

Hey Tony....Good Riddance!!

I for one couldn't be more happy that Tony Blair resigned. Unfortunately, he resigned for all the wrong reasons. He should have resigned for the way he betrayed the British people by becoming Bush's puppet to do as his master commanded. And for dragging the British army into a war that was unwarranted and a war that has proven to be one of the most atrocious crimes against humanity that the World has ever witnessed.

The only reason he did resign was so that he could take a new job as the Envoy to the Mideast peace Quartet of mediators. Say what? Tony Blair is the last person that can achieve peace over here. I think a lot of people resent both Blair and Bush for the whole Iraq war fiasco and they should be resented. I think Ol' Tony should be put out to pasture where he belongs and someone like Jimmy Carter of even Bill Clinton should be hired as the new mideast peace envoy.

But when, in the history of mankind, have politicans ever listened to the needs of the people?

Democracy is---------------------> DEAD !!

Thursday Three !

Answer these:

1. What is the most agony you have ever suffered?

2. What would be the "perfect" gift?

3.If you had to pick one ...What would you say most describes you in high school ?

A... Wild child
B... Studious Student
C... Sports Jock
D... Class Leader
E... None of the above ( give your choice )
----------------------------------------------------


Me:
1. When I found out my grandmother had been murdered in 1999.
2. Diamonds
3. B. Studious Student

Daiso Face Mask: It Works!

I know it looks scary but I tried the Daiso Face Mask Sheet last night and it works!! My skin is super soft this morning. But I think I gave my kids nightmares last night.....!

South Korea: Chupa Chups Ad

This is a clever yet simple ad. However, if the readers don't know that Chupa Chups is a lollipop then they will be totally lost. Hmmmm....maybe they have a new FISH flavored lollipop?

"Sushi-Swirl"
Looool!

Compelling Ad Campaign: The Netherlands

This is a very compelling ad campaign from the Netherlands. Proceeds from the ads will go directly to funding aid agencies in Africa. It makes you stop and think though...doesn't it?

Tainted Chinese Candy Warning!!

On more than one ocassion, my kids have come running home from the 'bakala' with some new sort of candy that thrills them. I specifically recall a few of those being made in China.

I was just reading on CNN that the Chinese government has shut down 180 food companies for possible contamination! There is defnitely Chinese candy in the Kuwaiti market. So, please be aware. Read all the labels for the food stuff that you eat and teach your kids to do the same.

The recent pet deaths in the USA were a direct result of contamination stemming from products purchased in China...

The full article is here:

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/06/27/china.tainted.food.ap/index.html

Kuwait Webcam

I never knew there was a webcam in Kuwait! I was searching the EarthCam site and found 1 website that features a webcam in Kuwait. Unfortunately it is not streaming video but rather a picture that updates every ten minutes. But, its still better than nothing. The picture on top is actually the Kuwait Towers but the dusty weather today is hiding them!

Kuwait WebCam-----> http://www.q8webcam.com/

Got a bad job? German Print Ad

This is a print ad from Germany! Lol! I am surprised they don't have machines like this is Kuwait with poor expatriate workers stuck inside! Lol!

Baby Ronald McDonald - Japanese Print Ad

I love commercials and print ads. So, expect to see a lot more here. This one is from Japan and is showing a baby Ronald McDonald! Uber cute!

Behind Closed Doors...

I was stunned to see the grilling session in today's newspaper. I have a subscription to Kuwait Times and I really think they did a great job reporting the TRUE facts of the session which included the airing of a videotape that was shot in Japan where Kuwaiti oil ministers were shown partying with Japanese prostitutes.

The full story is here:

http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MjYyODI0MjMz

Now,surprisingly, ArabTime censored the story. It is here at the Arab Times website. They actually did not mention the prostitutes at all.

However, I did not see their paper..just their version of the truth online. Talk about censorship!!

http://arabtimesonline.com/client/pagesdetails.asp?nid=2069&ccid=9

I also saw a pic on the Arab Times website featuring the opposition laughing and smiling because they felt they had won something after the grilling. But there are no winners. Just imagine how the wives of the perverted ministers must feel today? And the facts of the ministers and the prostitutes they indulged in is a stain on the entire country not just on one political party.

I thought only politicians in the USA engaged in perversion and dereliction of duties but today I see that a lot of Kuwaiti politicians are just like their American counterparts! Ugh!

Homes R' Us - Blowout Sale!

Homes R' Us is another one of my favorite stores and it is located right by Daiso. I guess they are remodelling or perhaps moving the store, so everything is on sale!!

I mostly go to Homes R' Us for candles and potpourri. They have really high quality stuff. Normally the big pillar candles run for about 2 or 3 KD. They were all on sale last night for about 800fils each!! I bought tons and tons of candles. I also bought a couple baskets and bags of potpourri. Now all I have to do is dust my apartment and put all my new things out!

Hidden Dangers at IKEA..

Given that we were already in Shuwaikh, I suggested that we go and eat dinner at IKEA. I loooooooooove the food at IKEA. Seriously. It tastes homemade and it totally reminds me of my grandmother's cooking. My favorite is the swedish meatballs with potatoes and gravy.

After we ate, we decided to check out the sales. The kids picked out a few toys and we then went to the dishes section to buy some new glasses. Here is where the danger lies. First, even in the old IKEA, this section of the store has never had any visible staff around. I think they all hang out in the drapes/bedding sections to help customers with sizes, etc. But the dishes area needs the most attention given that there are knives and tons of glass around! I mean.........DUH!

So, the first incident came when my 2 year old ran ahead of me. I went to grab her and as I got closer to the place she was trying to run to, I finally saw what she was after. Someone had left a shiny and sharp knife out in the open on a low shelf. There was no cover on the knife. Apparently, someone had opened up the wooden holder that holds like 4 knives to inspect it. Then they just tossed it wherever. If I had not been right behind my daughter she could have stabbed herself, me or another customer. I looked, in vain, for an IKEA helper to complain to...but there was no one there!!!
I was pretty irate but went back to looking for glasses. And as you can guess the drama went on. I found some glasses I liked and picked up a box that had four glasses in it. I felt searing pain on my finger. And then the blood started gushing. Another idiot customer, I assume, had chipped the top of one of the glasses and that is exactly where I picked it up from. So, I had a big gash on my finger and as usual no IKEA helper to offer condolences or to even say sorry. Ugh! Luckily, I had an extra diaper in my purse and I wrapped my finger up with that. And I looked beyond stupid walking around the store with a diaper on my hand!

We finally got to the checkout area and I raced to the bathroom to wash my finger and wrap it in tissue. I wanted to find a manager to complain to but the checkout guy said we would have to wait for someone.

I wanted OUT of that store...so I did not get a chance to complain.

So, if you go to IKEA....please be careful!!

Get lost in Daiso!

I went to Daiso in Shuwaikh last night and I was literally LOST in there! They have so much fun and cool stuff. I wanted to buy it ALL!! However, I noticed that the "Everything for 500 fils" sign was no where to be seen. And a lot of things I picked up had 2 and 3 KD price tags! Good grief!

I did get a LOT of neat things. I bought some paper lanterns to hang in the kids room. And I bought some teeny tiny square-shaped Japanese dishes. My kids insisted upon buying chopsticks. My son is like, " I want to practice!". Lol...I let them buy the chopsticks and am going to make rice for lunch today and giggle while they try to eat it!!

And I got some really "grippy" french hair clips. I normally buy the cheap 100 fils ones but the ones at Daiso really hold your hair in place. And they have loads of 'bling'...rhinestones and pearls.

The coolest thing I got was a paper/foam face mask that you literally stick on your face! The eye and mouth area is cut out. I guess the clay mask must be stuck on the other side. I am afraid to try it for fear of either a break out or that it might not come off! Lol! I am going to stick it on my face TONIGHT and do my best Jason (Friday the 13th movies) and terrorize my kids!

Dizzy in Kuwait!

I'm guessing it's due to the extremely hot sun in the summer, but every year around this time I suffer from extreme dizziness and low blood pressure. I wonder if any other expatriates experience this?

A few years ago, it got so bad while I was at my mother-in-laws home. Luckily, her Indian maid (who is in her 60's) came to my rescue. Of course I thought she was crazy but her home remedy worked.

You squeeze the juice of 2 lemons into a glass. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix and fill the glass the rest of the way with cold water. It is like a salty/sour lemonade. Drink it immediately.

For me, after 20 minutes I usually come back to my senses and the dizziness always goes away. I just drank some of it now and it worked again!

Update on Jessie Davis

The plot thickens....

According to CNN a newborn baby girl whose umbilical cord was tied off with a rubber band was left on a nurse's doorstep. The hous is only 45 miles away from Jessie's house.

I totally think either the husband (who is a cop) or his estranged wife are invloved.

And her son keeps making strang statements like "Momma broke the table" or "Momma is in the rug". Scary!

Someone is lying. I hope this woman is still alive.

I really followed the Lacie Peterson case up until the end when her husband Scott was convicted of killing her and her unborn child.

This is SO similar. Anyone else follow crimes outside of Kuwait??

It's a Haagen-Dazs Day!

Yum! It is totally a Haagen Dazs day! It is so hot outside and I am suffering from low blood pressure which I always get around this time of year. So, while I would normally be exercising, drinking lemon water and eating fruit right about now- I took the day off and polished off the rest (exaclty 250ml) of a 500ml tub of Haagen-Dazs Strawberry Cheesecake ice cream.
Luckily for me my local cooperative society carries it. So, when I send my husband to get diapers he always picks up some Haagen-Dazs.

No wonder I have so much weight to lose!!!

Hooters!

I seriously choked this morning when I opened up my morning newspaper and was met with a picture of the Hooters girls on the front page! Ugh!

Apparently, a Kuwaiti businessman is opening up a Hooters in Dubai and plans to open more in the region.

It just really incenses me that no one in this region shows any orginality, vision or foresight when it comes to opening up new businesses/touristic ventures in the Middle East. They import everything from the US and are pretty much a bunch of "wanna-bes".

I think the Middle East has so much more to offer than just becoming a clone of the US. And I don't think tourists leave their homelands so they can step into another country that mirrors their own.

And I seriously wonder if the Dubai Hooters will require that their waitresses wear the same outfit which is pretty much orange hotpant and a t-shirt that is cut, twisted and tied tightly in the back to reveal the bosom.

My cousin Chastity (real name..lol) was a Hooters girl in the early 1990's. I was thankfully in college. Anyway, she called all of the female cousins to brag that she was a Hooter's girl and was going to be featured on a billboard etc. However, her 15 minutes of fame did not last long. She gained like 15lbs. during a health crisis and they fired her because she did not look as good in the uniform! Ugh!

Let's boycott Hooters!!! Lol!

Pain, Pain, Pain!

Despite the very hot weather, I am still keeping up with my daily exercise and am already seeing changes. But the pain is awful. Every morning, getting out of bed is so hard. I walk crooked for the first few minutes until my muscles warm up.

The step machine is AWESOME but I know that is why I have so much pain. It is really strenuous. Ugh!

I need Panadol! I actually have a few tubes of sports cream but when I read about the girl in the USA who died from using sports cream I am afraid to use it. Although, it has been reported she overused the cream by applying it to bandages and sticking them all over her legs.

A great remedey for exercise pain is to take a bath with Epsom Salts, but like my kids will give me a break to go soak in the tub? Hmmmm....maybe I will bribe them with chocolate or something and sneak away!