Hugs From Kuwait

Socks @ City Center!

2007-08-28T12:34:00.000+04:00

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'

2007-08-28T11:56:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-08-18T20:14:00.000+04:00

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???????

2007-08-16T19:52:00.000+04:00

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.........

2007-08-16T19:28:00.000+04:00

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......

2007-08-16T18:32:00.000+04:00

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.

2007-08-06T20:00:00.000+04:00

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?

2007-08-05T11:29:00.000+04:00

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"

2007-08-05T11:02:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-07-31T10:33:00.000+04:00

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

2007-07-26T15:05:00.000+04:00

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

2007-07-26T14:48:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-07-26T11:30:00.000+04:00

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??

2007-07-24T13:13:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-07-24T12:40:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-07-24T12:32:00.000+04:00

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 !

2007-07-12T13:23:00.000+04:00

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 !!

2007-07-12T13:09:00.000+04:00

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?

2007-07-12T12:51:00.000+04:00

(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!

2007-07-12T12:16:00.000+04:00

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

2007-07-04T13:00:00.000+04:00

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!!

2007-07-04T12:45:00.000+04:00

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..

2007-07-04T12:20:00.000+04:00

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

2007-07-04T12:05:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-07-04T11:02:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-07-02T23:13:00.000+04:00

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

2007-07-02T23:09:00.001+04:00

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.............

2007-07-02T23:05:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-07-02T22:57:00.000+04:00

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?

2007-07-01T12:25:00.000+04:00

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.

2007-07-01T12:16:00.000+04:00

Friday Night Fire in my Building!

2007-07-01T11:35:00.000+04:00

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!!

2007-06-28T12:27:00.000+04:00

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 !

2007-06-28T12:08:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-06-28T11:49:00.000+04:00

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

2007-06-28T11:41:00.000+04:00

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

2007-06-28T11:17:00.000+04:00

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!!

2007-06-27T22:34:00.001+04:00

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

2007-06-26T18:07:00.001+04:00

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

2007-06-26T17:56:00.000+04:00

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

2007-06-26T17:52:00.000+04:00

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...

2007-06-26T17:16:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-06-25T12:48:00.000+04:00

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..

2007-06-25T12:31:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-06-25T11:34:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-06-21T17:21:00.000+04:00

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

2007-06-20T18:26:00.001+04:00

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!

2007-06-20T18:16:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-06-20T18:03:00.000+04:00

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!

2007-06-19T11:12:00.000+04:00

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!

Cucumber Flavored Pepsi - Yum?

2007-06-19T10:59:00.000+04:00

Ewwwwwwwwww...........I think this is gross and I hope it NEVER comes to Kuwait! The Japanese Pepsi Co. launched a new summer time drink- cucumber flavored Pepsi! Ugh! Would you ever try this in a million years?? Apparently, it is flying off the shelves in Japan. Go figure!

Another Lacie Peterson?

2007-06-19T10:48:00.000+04:00

I was just reading CNN and came across this very sad story. I hope they find her alive. I am thinking maybe the father's "estranged wife" could be the culprit??? I feel bad for the 2 year old who must have seen it all. He said his mother was "in the floor". Read full story below:

NORTH CANTON, Ohio (AP) -- A pregnant woman vanished last week, leaving her 2-year-old son home alone, with furniture in disarray and bleach poured on the floor.
Jessie Davis, 26, was last heard from when she spoke to her mother, Patricia Porter, by phone on Wednesday. Davis is nine months pregnant.
"There's no suspects at this time. We're interviewing a lot of people, but no suspects at this time," Capt. Gary Shankle of the Stark County sheriff's office said Monday on CBS News' "The Early Show."
"Everybody in the investigation so far has cooperated fully with us," he said. Among those cooperating was Canton Police patrolman Bobby Cutts Jr., the father of Davis' 2-year-old son, Blake, and of Davis' unborn baby, Shankle said. Cutts' estranged wife also has cooperated, Shankle said.
Porter said that when she didn't hear from her daughter all day Thursday, she went to check on her Friday morning at her home near North Canton and found Blake home alone with a dirty diaper. (Watch mother make plea for daughter's safe return )
"That was really out of character. The smell in the house was really overwhelming," Porter said Monday on "The Early Show."
She said the mattress in Davis' bedroom upstairs was partially off the bed, a night stand and lamp had been knocked over and bleach had been poured on the floor.
Blake was rambling and crying, and said "Mommy's in the rug," Porter said. There was no immediate explanation for his statement.
Neighbors reported they had not noticed anything suspicious, said Chief Deputy Rick Perez.
Authorities searched the area using dogs on Saturday, and on Sunday they were joined by of about 60 volunteers, including Cutts, Davis' relatives, friends and neighbors.
North Canton is south of Cleveland in northeastern Ohio. In 2000, in nearby Ravenna, a pregnant woman was killed and her baby was cut out by a woman who had claimed she was pregnant and took the victim's baby as her own. She killed herself five days later.

4 Things About Me........

2007-06-19T10:34:00.001+04:00

FOUR THINGS ABOUT ME

**Things you may not have known about me.....

**Four jobs I have had in my life

1) Line Cook for a steak and salad restaurant
2) Receptionist Comissioner's Office
3) Intern at Public Defender's Office- interviewed murderers and rapists so that they could receive free legal counsel. Ugh!
4) Finisher at a donut shop - I know how the jelly gets into the donut!!

Four movies I would watch over and over:

1) My Best Friends Wedding

2) Miss Congeality

3) FaceOff

4) Matrix

Four places I have lived:
1) Fairfield, Connecticut

2) Uniontown, Pennsylvania

3) Salem, West Virginia

4) Kuwait

Four TV shows I love to watch:

1) Desperate Housewives

2) Prison Break

3) Lost

4) Missing

Four places you have been on vacation:

1) Las Vegas - Nevada

2) Orlando - Florida

3) Hollywood - California

4) Pakistan

Websites you visit daily:

1) Cnn

2) X17

3) Google

4) IslamiCity

4 of my Favourite foods

1) Macaroni & Cheese

2) Gyros (do they sell these in Kuwait?)

3) Pizza

4) Curry

Four places I would rather be right now:

1) Sleeping

2) Eating breakfast at McDonald's :-(

3) With my friends

4) SHOPPING !!!!!!!!

**Share your answers in the comment section! Copy/Paste...delete my answers and add yours!

Titanic Mall & Fuddrucker's

2007-06-18T20:05:00.000+04:00

I had a meeting today with a local printer to finalize the details for a business venture I am launching. All will be revealed soon!

Afterwards, we headed to Hawally to 'Titanic Mall' or at least I think that is the name. It is my favorite mall in Kuwait. It is not so big and imposing and I love the nautical theme. We ate a Fuddrucker's and the food was awesome! I ordered a chicken fajita salad and chicken fingers platter. The kids all got mini-burger meals. We wanted to catch the new Fantastic Four movie at the theatre but by the time we finished eating it had already started...so perhaps next week we can go. Hey we got a free piece of cheesecake with my husband's buffalo sandwhich meal! I love freebies!

I am super pysched because I stopped at the newsstand and bought the latest issues of Glamour, Allure, People...I spent like 10 KD on mags and coloring books for my kids.

So, I am going to spend the rest of the night reading my mags and watching TV. What else is there to do anyway?? It is too hot to breathe outside! Ugh! I miss winter!

My Favorite Show: Desperate Housewives

2007-06-18T19:59:00.000+04:00

I don't have ShowTime so I am just jumping on the Desperate Housewives bandwagon courtesy of MBC4. It starts everyday at 8pm and is really awesome!! My favorite character is Bree Van De Kamp. I cannot explain why but I love her character!

Anyone else love DH ??

Unexpected Guests!!

2007-06-18T19:48:00.000+04:00

I was all set to sit back in the AC today and blog like a mad woman. The kids were busy and I was just signing into my blog when.............the doorbell rang! I immediately shushed the kids and hoped to fake like we were not home. But my daughter threw a toy right at the door. So, the jig was up. Turns out my sister-in-law stopped by with her kids. My apartment was a MESS and I had nothing cold to drink at all. I invited her in while secretly gritting my teeth all the way.

I hate unexpected guests. Whenever my apartemnt is clean no one shows up. But the one day I decide to let it be gross and let it all hang out..someone comes over! Ugh!

I tried not to freak out too much. I sent my son to the bakala to buy juice and some fruit (apples, bananas, and oranges) I made a quick fruit salad and served the juice over crushed ice in pretty glasses. It was a hit.

She only stayed for a couple hours and I am sure she well let all my in-laws know how messy my apartment was. But what the heck...it is boiling outside and the last thing I want to do is clean! Ugh!

Entertainment City!

2007-06-17T23:47:00.000+04:00

We went to Entertainment City on Friday and it was so fun! The place was deserted due to all the dusty and hot weather. But it was a hard trip especially with 3 kids!

It took us over an hour to drive there because my husband kept getting lost. Once there, it was really hard to navigate through the rides due to the heat. It was awful and the last place I wanted to be. But I wanted my kids to have a fun time so I suffered for them.

We rode the rollercoaster like 3 times in a row and the water ride...you know the round raft thing. I cannot remember the name for the life of me. It felt good getting a little bit wet!

Finally, after about 2 hours we were boiling and ran for the car!

Thursday Three

2007-06-14T20:52:00.000+04:00

Answer these:

1. Do you think the U.S. is exggerating Kuwait's human trafficking record in a bid to punish the country for refusing to let anyone use Kuwait to launch an attack on Iran?

2. What are your plans for Friday?

3. Who do you think deserves to be the next U.S. President?

Herbal Essence - Hawaiian Hibiscus

2007-06-14T20:47:00.000+04:00

I ran out of my Silvikrin Cactus Shampoo so my husband picked up the latest scent out from Herbal Essence (not the picture above). The new scent is called "Hawaiian Hibiscus" and it is BLUE. It smells SO awesome! Let me know if anyone tries it!

My Step Machine

2007-06-14T20:43:00.000+04:00

They finally delivered the new step machine and it is awesome!! I love it! I have been using it all week. My workout is now a full hour every day.

I do 20 minutes on the treadmill, 20 minutes on my bike, and 20 minutes on the step machine (20 Minutes = 500 steps). By the time I am done my clothes are soaked with sweat and my face is blood red. But its totally worth it!

The only problem I have now is that I strained my right wrist which is the worst thing that could happen. I have several deadlines that I am trying to meet and typing is so freakin' painful!

I'm Finally Back..........

2007-06-14T20:21:00.000+04:00

Well the mystery of the power shortages in my area was finally solved. Turns out a crew has been working on the power lines all week. So, they have been turning the electric off for the whole block for several hours a day each week. I just cannot imagine why they would choose the scalding hot summer months to make repairs? Couldn't they have repaired the lines during the freezing winter months or were they too busy drinking tea??
I am majorly peeved. As a result of the power shortages I am behind on several deadlines and have shelled out a lot of cash eating out in local places. Ugh!
I cannot even believe planned power shortages are to commence on Saturday. This is ridiculous!
I think whomever is wasting power should definitely face cuts. But those of us who try to conserve power as a way of life should not face cuts.

Personally, I leave the lights off all day long. I will light a couple of small candles in the living room as the sun starts to fade. I will even cook in the kitchen by the light of the window without even bothering to turn on the switch. And although I have 3 window AC's I never turn on all 3 at once. Typically, the one in my living room is on almost all day because that's where the kids spend the bulk of their day. But when they decide to play in their room I turn off the one in the living room and let them use the one in their room. My whole day consists of making sure the lights are off and moving from AC to AC.........Ugh!
On the bright side, all the sweating is good for weight loss! :-)

My Apologies...Technical Problems!

2007-06-11T19:11:00.000+04:00

I have not been able to blog the last couple days. I have had electrical shortages, in my city, every day for the past 3 days! It's getting so bad that we are actually considering moving to another neighborhood.

This morning the electric went off at 7am. It still did not come on by 2pm. We were boiling hot. So, we piled into our car and sought shelter at Sharq Market. We ate lunch at Marina Thai. I stopped by The Body Shop and bought about 10KD worth of stuff including a honey/oat scrub mask and Papaya Lip Butter among other things.

We finally came home at about 4pm and thankfully the electric was back on.

So, I hope to start blogging regularly depending on the electrical situation AND I am already looking to buy a laptop..........

At the beach..........

2007-06-10T17:01:00.000+04:00

We spent all Friday at the beach. It was so hot and humid but the waves were awesome. Unfortunately, there was a lot of pollution in the water. So, it took us ages to find a patch of sand & surf with less debris and junk. The tide was very strong. So strong that I did not let my kids play in the water itself but I let them play where the waves meet the coastline. They had fun regardless. I must have lost at least 1 kilo sweating! But when the Sun finally went down there was an awesome breeze.

We left the beach and hit some of the sales on Salem Mubarak Street! This is my favorite place to shop. We ended up in the Orient Sports shop and they have so many shoes on sale!! Puma, Reebok, Skechers..etc. I ended up buying a pair of Reebok's for me. And I also got a pair of shoe for each one of my kids. I only paid 32KD for it all. AND I bought like 4 T-shirts for .650 fils each! I also went upstairs and they had a lot of exercise equipment on sale. I bought a step machine for 34KD down from 50KD. They just delivered it today. BUT the computer on it is not working so now they are going to bring a new one tomorrow and take the one I have back. However, I am still going to use it for my 6pm workout which starts once I finish blogging!!

Friday Funnies !!!!!!!

2007-06-08T13:33:00.000+04:00

Scroll down to find some fun 'Friday Funnies' to get you through this hot summer day!! Enjoy!

Caption THIS!

2007-06-08T13:30:00.001+04:00

For this game, you have to write a caption or basically what the photo is saying. Add your caption to the comments section and let's see who's the most creative!!

---------------------------

Me: "Hey look, there's Dick Cheney!! Fire!!"

Friday Toon !

2007-06-08T13:25:00.000+04:00

Solve the Puzzle!

2007-06-08T13:21:00.000+04:00

How long will it take YOU to solve this puzzle??

Click Here----> http://www.jigzone.com/z.php?i=C5055D51B762&z=10

**No registration required

**Post your high score

Death & Destruction in Oman

2007-06-07T14:31:00.000+04:00

I just cannot understand why the major news networks are 'whitewashing' the coverage out of Oman. There is NO coverage!! Thank goodness for Flickr. Check out member Adamisi's photo stream to see more of Cyclone Gonu's effect on Oman. It's tragic...12 people have been confirmed dead.

http://flickr.com/photos/8713098@N02/

Thursday Three

2007-06-07T12:13:00.000+04:00

Answer these 3 questions:

1.What sound or noise do you hate?

2.Numerology: reliable or just a load of bunk?

3.Do you think Princess Diana's final moments should be shown on TV?

----------------------------------------
Me:

Nails on are chalkboard
Load of bunk
NO!

Hell's Kitchen

2007-06-07T12:01:00.000+04:00

I LOVE reality tv! My favorite show is just about over on MBC 4...Hell's Kitchen. I think the final will be in the next 2 weeks. Anyway, it's on Tuesday's at 10pm! There are only two contestants left...Heather & Virginia. I wonder who will win?

Oh and yeah I totally know that the show is in syndication on MBC4 which means the winner has already won probably a couple years ago. BUT I am resisting 'Googling' to find out the winner...and am just gonna wait it out!

Any other HK fans????????????????

Finding Gray M&M's !!

2007-06-07T11:50:00.000+04:00

Every since my kids saw the commerical about winning 500,000SR if you find a bag of ALL gray M&M's it has been ON ! My two oldest have been spending all their pocket money buying bags of M&M's and shriek when they keep getting ALL the colors! Thanks Mars Co. for not only whipping my kids into a frenzy but also jacking them up on sugar!

Ugh! I am now hoarding the M&M's in a large jar and rationing them out! lol........

Broken Glass Breakfast

2007-06-07T11:18:00.000+04:00

Ok, it's not really broken glass but rather 'broken glass jell-o'! I have already lost about 3 kilos. And I have done so by exercising every day and by completely cutting out sweets. Enter Jell-o. It has very few calories and totally serves as a great substitute for the Galaxy bars and cookies I use to eat just about every other day! Here's the recipe:

Broken Glass

1 3 ounce gelatin package each of cherry, lime and orange
3 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 3 ounce package lemon gelatin
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold fresh lemonade
1 3/4 cups thawed non dairy whipped topping

A day before serving: Dissolve cherry gelatin in 1 cup boiling water. Repeat with the lemon and orange. Add 1/2 cold water to cherry gelatin. Repeat with the lemon and orange flavors. Pour each flavor into its own 8 inch square pan. Chill overnight. Early the day of serving: Dissolve lemon gelatin and sugar in 1 cup boiling water. Add lemonade. Chill until slightly thickened. Meanwhile cut cherry, lime and orange flavored gelatins into 1/2 inch cubes. Blend whipped topping into lemon gelatin. Fold in gelatin cubes. Pour into 9 inch tube pan or 8 cup mold. Chill for several hours until firm. Unmold and garnish with extra whipped topping and fresh mint leaves.

Meet Gonu!

2007-06-06T11:33:00.000+04:00

This is an amazing & scary REAL picture of Gonu! From this most recent satellite image it looks like it is heading right into the Persian Gulf!

Will Cyclone Gonu Affect Kuwait?

2007-06-06T11:27:00.000+04:00

Hey, I just found this graphic of Cyclone Gonu's projected path. It is expected to hit right inside the Persian Gulf. I wonder if or how that will affect Kuwait? Your thoughts?

Tropical Cyclone Gonu HITS Oman!

2007-06-06T11:21:00.000+04:00

Now you would think that CNN and BBC would be covering this right? Well, they are not. I have been checking the news stations since last night and nothing. It really makes me angry. They will show footage about their own Hurricanes in the USA non-stop for months on end (Hurricane Katrina is STILL in the news!) but when a freakin' cyclone which is more deadly than a Hurricane rolls into our neck of the woods it is a total white wash...no coverage! And the low lying areas of Oman make it a prime candidate for destruction and mayhem. Here is what I found online about Cyclone Gonu:

The government of Oman declared a state of emergency as the country was hit today by the Tropical Cyclone Gonu, a tropical storm that has now reached a category 5 danger status. The storm is expected to run across the coast of the country over a period of three days. The Royal Oman Police has been making continuous announcements over TV and radio on how to deal with the crisis. ROP reported that they have evacuated the 7,000 residents of Mesirah Island, the first Omani state to be hit by the cyclone.
Though initially not taken seriously by many, the majority of the people are now seriously terrified as recent announcements state that the cyclone is moving towards the capital of the Oman, Muscat. Surprisingly, the Omani media has been doing a great job by proving coverage over TV and radio regarding the latest updates, but as the evening approaches now approaches, everything seems to cool down. OmanTV is now showing a drama TV series as if nothing has happened, I do not have access to a radio right now to hear what’s going being broadcast there.
Blogger Sleepless in Muscat is keeping a constantly updated list of the major recent developments, these include airport and all commercial establishment closures. Sleepless also says that he will upload a video on the situation soon.
Another blog with excellent coverage is newsBriefsOman in which Sue posted several links to forecast resources illustrating the situation. However, she warns her readers saying:
[D]on’t be distracted by the forecast track of the centre of the storm. It’s the wind fields and the associated rain that you need to watch. At the moment, the forecast is that the area of intense wind and rain would take in all of northern Sharqiyah, the coast between Al Ashkhirah and Muscat and certainly as far inland as Nizwa.
Suburban posted a detailed survival guide sent to all employees of a certain Omani oil company. It is surely worth a read as she said:
This was forwarded to me by three different people who work for PDO, and I thought it was worth sharing. I think it’s worth noting that PDO deserves credit for disseminating clear, concise, and useful information at a time when it’s needed most. It’s one of the many good services that PDO provides for it’s staff and the community at large, the next time you see a PDO employee somewhere, tell them thank you.
There are no sources for instantaneous news updates regarding the cyclone in Oman. I think that visiting one of the Omani forums such as OmanForum and EnglishSabla can provide somewhat of a helpful guide on what is happening.

The Sultan Center's Monthly Contest - World Map

2007-06-06T10:22:00.000+04:00

Kids, come and join the fun with our "World Map Contest".
Return your World Map Entries to any TSC service desk by Wednesday, June 27th. 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.

-------------------------------------------------------

The Sultan Center has a monthly contest for kids. We have participated a few times. The past prizes are amazing!! Some were Huffy bikes, digital cameras and most recently portable Playstations!

If you have kids, this is definitely worth a shot! You have to print out the map and fill it in. Return to any Sultan Center in Kuwait!!

Viva Las Vegas!

2007-06-05T13:33:00.000+04:00

Vist Vegas's MGM Grand through this webcam:

http://www.earthcam.com/usa/nevada/lasvegas/index.php?cam=mgm

I have visted Vegas twice. The first time was the Summer 0f 1990 which was my last year in high school. My grandmother had gotten some kind of special rate at a hotel there called "VegasWorld" and basically forced me to go. It was fun. The only downside is that my grandmother forgot about the time difference as we drove across the country (we started out in West Virginia and drove clear across to the West Coast). So, she was waking me up every morning at 5am because her watch (set on East Coast time) said it was 7 am! The pitch black mornings should have been a clue! Lol! We both finally caught on a couple days into the trip. It took us a full week of driving 700 miles a day to reach Vegas. We stayed for a week. My grandmother lost everything but the shirt on her back....lol...and then it took us another week to get home.

The 2nd time I visited was in 2002. We actually were driving to see my father in Seattle, WA. I have no idea how my husband and I did it, but we managed a fully drive from the US east coast to west coast and back again! And this was right after 9/11 and we were terrified of hate crimes since we are Muslim. But thankfully no one bothered us. And we met at least 6 Muslims on our journey across the US.

Ok back to Vegas....I actually was the one who decided to swing through Vegas which was not an easy feat with 2 small kids. Something my grandmother said to me on our trip has always stuck in my brain. She said that I would never be able to come on another Vegas road trip due to the time, planning and money it would cost. She said it in anger for whatever reason. So, I basically seized the opportunity to prove her wrong. And I did.

What To Do If You Knock Out a Tooth!

2007-06-05T13:22:00.001+04:00

I have never seen anything like this before...........lol........instructions for what to do in case you knock out a tooth. I think it apply's to kids only!

Roller Skate Shoes

2007-06-05T13:04:00.000+04:00

I have been knocked almost down to the ground on a few occasions by kids in Kuwait who are wearing 'Heely's" or roller skate shoes. The ones they sell in the USA look like normal shoes. But the ones in Kuwait are downright ugly and look like 70's throwback platform shoes. My son has been begging for these for over a year now and I won't budge. I convinced him to buy a scooter bike, but he still wants these ugly shoes!!

Now I finally have some support against these shoes in a recent study that has proven that they are extremely dangerous.

The study was conducted in the USA and found that over a 10 week period (in a designated city) there were 67 incidents of injury. And a child actually died as a result of the shoes. Parents and kids alike view them as ordinary shoes but they are not. They are roller skates and the same safety gear that is worn when roller skating should also be worn when wearing Heely's. So, that means all kids should wear a helmet and knee& elbow pads.

The study also found that unlike typical roller skates, Heely's are actually really difficult to balance on and the majority of injuries occur in new users.

These shoes run about 2 or 3 KD in Kuwait. And they are not worth risking your child's health or safety.

Need 2 million dollars???

2007-06-05T12:43:00.000+04:00

A British bookmaker, William Hill, has offered a $2 million reward for anyone providing concrete evidence about the existence of 'Nessie' aka 'The Loch Ness Monster'. Anyone wanting to spend their summer vacation in Scotland can take advantage of this opportunity and perhaps solve one of the greatest mysteries known to mankind!

Trip to the dentist...

2007-06-05T10:27:00.000+04:00

I finally went to the dentist (Yiaco Appollo)yesterday and the result? I still have the same broken tooth. The only thing they did was charge me 10KD to open a file and another 7 KD to take an X-ray. Then, the doctor said that I need to see a specialist. She recommended another dental clinic. So, I was out 17KD and for nothing! I think she should have at least given me back my 10KD since she did not do any work at all.

As for the other clinic, I called this morning and the receptionist was extremely rude. I did find out that the charge to fix my tooth is double what it was at YA. So, I am on the lookout for a relatively inexpensive dental clinic that specializes in all aspects of tooth repair. I have heard Maidan Clinic is such a place and thier rate is under 200KD. Has anyone ever tried them??

I (heart) NY !!

2007-06-03T17:39:00.001+04:00

I was just going through my e-mails and my favorite cousin is spending the day in New York City shopping! Ugh! I am majorly jealous. As kids, we use to hop on a train every other weekend and spend the day in New York city. Of course, we were accompanied by an adult.

I have always loved New York...it is just a really alive city. The last time I visited was in 2001. My family lives in Connecticut which is about an hour's drive away. Anyway, when I start missing the city I go online and view the webcam situated right outside TGIFriday's. Take a look. There are a bunch of NY cams!!
http://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/timessquare/index.php?cam=fridays

I'm going to call my cousin on her cell phone and tell her to go stand in front of the TGIFriday webcam if she is in the vicinity. I'll take a screenshot if she agrees to do it!

Baked Garbage!

2007-06-03T17:32:00.000+04:00

The worst thing about summer in Kuwait is the stench of the baking garbage. I know there has to be a ton of people who have the same problem?? Anyway, every single morning I wake up to the putrifying smell of trash. My kitchen is pretty small. So, I leave the garbage can on the balcony in my kitchen. It is covered with aluminum siding so I use it as a storage room. It gets really hot and just cooks the trash. I have tried covering the can but the odor permeates the plastic. I have tried putting the trash out every night and changing the bag. No luck. I am seriously considering moving from this apartment because of this issue. Perhaps a bigger kitchen and the trash can being in a cooler place will end the stench once and for all??????????

Gummi Bears.........soap!

2007-06-03T17:17:00.000+04:00

My all-time favorite candy is now a soap! How cool! These would look awesome in a little 'candy' bowl in the bathroom. Guests won't know what to do with themselves!

More info: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6083295

And they ship to Kuwait!

My Dental Dilemma

2007-06-03T16:46:00.000+04:00

I,unbelievably, broke my tooth(in the back) on a corn chip about 5 months ago. I was so busy with my kids and my writing workload that I just kept putting going to the dentist off. Plus, I have a very low-threshold for pain so I avoid the dentist's chair like the plague. But now the tooth is KILLING me...so I made an appointment a Yiaco Appollo Clinic and am scheduled to have a root canal and crown done in the next few days. I am NOT looking forward to it and am scared to death!!
I always have a bad experience at the dentist. First, the novicaine over here is as numbing as water. I feel all of the pain. It is horrible. My first experience at the dentist's in Kuwait was horrendous. I went to the government clinic. The doctor gave me like 4 shots of anesthesia but I could still feel the pain. She did not believe me and held my head down while she drilled. Meanwhile, the nurse had that suction pipe on the other side of my mouth. I bore the pain for as long as I could but I finally wretched my head free which is a BAD idea when someone has a drill in your mouth!! She ended up drilling a hole in my mouth right under my tongue. I spit in the little bowl and it was just crimson. She kept apologizing and I did too because it was half my fault for moving. That hole took about 6 months to heal. Every few days, once it closed, it would fill will liquid...like a huge blister. Ugh!
So, is it any wonder I hate the dentist?? Good grief!

I loved Spiderman!!

2007-06-02T13:31:00.001+04:00

Spiderman, Spiderman.....da da da da da.....Spiderman, Spidermaaaaaaaaan....da.da.d.da......da.........Ok, I don't know the words to the theme song BUT, I finally saw the movie last night.

I am probably the LAST person in Kuwait to see it but regardless I really liked it! It was a loooooooong movie! We were up until after 2 am watching it. Anyway, I loved The Sandman........pretty awesome!

Fun & Freaky Friday!

2007-06-02T13:24:00.000+04:00

We picked up some food and drove over to the beach beside The Elite apartment complex which is adjacent to Ray's One. My son kept saying he felt rain but none of us believed the poor guy. It has never rained this late in the season since I have been in Kuwait. After eating the kids, jumped into the waves and right when we had settled on the beach it began raining!! It was such a surprise! It rained off and on, heavily, from 3-5:30 pm. There was even a little light flooding on the sides of the streets! As we left the beach, it began raining heavily again and we ran for the car covered in sand and completely drenched!

The only downside of the day was this drunk guy and his filipino girlfriend! Man, what I would have given to have a couple 'religious police' around with heavy sticks to smack these two in the head. They were both clearly drunk and high. They stumbled into the water while tripping over each other. They then began cavorting and were really vulgar in their drunken display...making out in front of scores of children, etc. Ugh!

Getting SUPER irritated!

2007-06-02T13:19:00.000+04:00

I have been trying to blog since about 10am! But my electric keeps going off! It has gone off about 6 times since 9am this morning. Luckily, it has only been for about 20 minute intervals........Ugh...I guess the summer electrical shortages have commenced! Happy June!

Friday Fun

2007-06-01T14:14:00.000+04:00

Play & Post your high score!

http://www.pogo.com/games/poppit

**Scroll down and select one of the 'Free Game Rooms'

Rummy!

2007-06-01T13:52:00.000+04:00

Rummy is the name of a card game - I wonder if anyone has ever heard of it? Anyway, it is a tradition in my family. One of the few traditons we have. My Grandmother was awesome at the game and she is the one who taught me. Once I mastered it, we began playing for $$$. She was cheap. She would only bet $2 or $3. But I just wanted to beat her. I usually did!!

So, my son bought a deck of cards the last time I sent him to the bakala. He had no idea how to use them to play a game. So, I am currently trying to teach both he and my daughter how to play the game. It's not difficult but it is hard to explain.

I am trying to maintain my patience which is something my grandmother never did. Lol! She would often throw the cards down when her hand was not good or yell at me when I dealt an extra card. She was SO serious about the game whereas I am taking a more lax attitude. It is only a freakin' game after all!

Free download 500 Rummy:
http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Games/Card_Games/Rummy_500_by_MeggieSoft_Games.html

Calorie Counting Counts!!

2007-05-31T21:49:00.000+04:00

I just got off my treadmill and I feel SICK! I walked for 30 minutes and rode my stationary bike for about 10 minutes. This is the first time I have exercised in about 3 weeks even though I previously blogged I was going to exercise every day! What can I say, life always intervenes. But today I decided to buckle down and really exercise...so from 5pm until 6pm I WILL be exercising...everyday....no matter what!

Now, I did not say I would be dieting because I cannot starve myself, but I think counting calories go a long way in anyone's fitness regimen. Take lunch for example, we ordered Burger King...so let's see what my total calorie count for today's lunch was:

Whopper: 670 calories

Lg fries: 450 calories

Lg. Coca-Cola: 255 calories

-------------------------------

Total: 1375 calories

Yikes! That is a LOT for one meal!! I am only supposed to eat 1700 calories per day according to a fitness website based on my height/weight if I want to lose weight!

No one counts calories in Kuwait, but they should. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and diabetes is so rampant here.

I remember seeing Dr. Oz on Oprah once and he said that you can still eat fast food but everything has to do with portion. He said that the size of a kid's happy meal is the exact size that an adult should be eating. Not the gargantuan burgers that they have on the adult menu.

So from now on I will be ordering from the kids menu whether it is McDonald's or where ever and limiting fast food to only Thursday or Friday.

Thursday Three

2007-05-31T12:59:00.000+04:00

Answer these questions:

1. What is your favorite place to eat (Kuwait or anywhere) ?
2. Have you ever left a RUDE voicemail to someone?
3. Who's your favorite cartoon character?

Me:
1. Marina Thai - Sharq Market
2. NO!
3. Winnie the Pooh

Answer in COMMENTS area!

My Alma Mater - Waynesburg College

2007-05-31T12:45:00.000+04:00

I am in a sentimental mood today. I had a dream about my college last night. Actually, it is a recurring dream where I go to check the mail and I cannot remember the combination. So, I start freaking out because I know there has to be a lot of mail in the box since I graduated in 1995. And the dream always ends with me searching for a way to open the box. Hmmmmmmm....I should have this dream interpreted...maybe I will find out something about myself I never KNEW! Lol!

Anyway, my Alma Mater is Waynesburg College in Wayensburg, PA. The 4-years I spent there were the BEST in my life. It was the first time I was completely on my own. And it is the place where I first began thinking about religion, etc. I use to visit a different church almost every Sunday. I was born Catholic but I did not agree with many of the concepts. After exploring several denominations (Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, Pentacostal (sp?) ) I discovered that it was not Catholicism I was disillusioned with but rather Christianity as a whole. And so began my journey to Islam.
I remember when I started having questions about Islam I asked a local priest a few things. Not only did he not answer my question but he looked like he was ready to slap me! Ugh!
I think everyone has the right to worship as they see fit. My whole family is Christian and I have never nor would I ever judge their beliefs. But I routinely am told ,by various family members, that my children and I are doomed to hello, etc for being Muslim. It makes me angry but of course the images of extermists on TV has gone a long way in forming their opinions.
Yikes..........I was just blogging about my college...hmmmm...got a little off course...

Anyway, to see more of my college:

www.waynesburg.edu

I am starving!!

2007-05-31T11:55:00.000+04:00

I am starving!! I already raided my kitchen and the cupboards are BARE! I only found some Al-Marai milk that expires TODAY and a couple of shortbread cookies..Ugh! I would give my right-arm if there was a Denny's in this country! Denny's is my all-time favorite place to eat in the USA and they serve breaskfast ALL day!! We visited the USA in 2002 and I ate Denny's every chance I got! Ahhhhh...the good ol' days!

Breakfast in Kuwait SUCKS! I remember the very first breakfast I ate on my very first morning here in Kuwait back in 1996. My husband woke up and said he was going to run out a nd buy breakfast for me. I was starving and could not wait. I had visions of buttery pancakes and omlettes w/ hash browns in my head! Not so, he came home with BEANS! Oh my gosh...who in the heck eats beans for breakfast?? Where was the dripping butter and sugary syrup? He brought beans and oily bread (chapati).

Anyway, I have grown accustom to beans & bread for breakfast BUT I much prefer Denny's and pray someone opens one here SOON!!

Oh and I have tried breakfast at McDonald's and it is good...but who can get up and out the door before 11am?????????Not me, unless I have a doctor's appointment!!

Brain Drain & Offer !!

2007-05-30T13:54:00.000+04:00

I am in the full throes of 'brain drain' without a single thought floating around in my brain. I finished all 3 articles which total 6,000 words in 5 days!! I swear I am seeing the '%' symbol each time I close my eyes!! So, I may or may not post today depending on if I come out of this funk.

BUT.......I decided to offer that cute little signature (for e-mail or blogs) at the top. I make signatures or siggies in my free time! So, only the first 5 people who leave a comment get that tag!!

All you have to do is type in the name you want on the tag in the comment area. Once all the siggies are made I will upload a link to another website so that everyone can 'pick-up' by of course right-clicking on the image and saving to your hard drive.

Stay tuned for more siggy offers in the future!!

My Fave: Before & After pictures

2007-05-29T11:46:00.000+04:00

Don't you just love before & after pictures?? Whether it is from an obese person becoming skinny or an unattractive person getting a plastic surgery makeover...I love the before & after shots.

The one on top is from my favorite show "The Biggest Loser". I have ony seen the first 2 seasons on MBC 4, so I am guessing the pic is from the winner of Season 3. I hope they air it soon. The BL show is a great incentive for me to exercise. I won't be happy until I lose at least 15kgs.!

Smoke Detectors...

2007-05-29T11:11:00.000+04:00

The local paper reported the death of 3 children the other day due to a fire in their home. The suspected cause was that an A/C left on overnight caught on fire. Who doesn't leave their A/C on all night in this boiling weather? The cause of death was not due to the flames but rather due to smoke inhalation. So, I can assume the whole family was asleep and inhaled the toxic plumes.

In the US, all rental properties are legally required to have smoke detectors. Not so in 'slum lord' Kuwait.

Regardless, everyone reading this blog should go out and buy a smoke detector today! I doubt they are expensive. But my problem is that I have no idea where to buy one. I am guessing that ACE Hardware (Ace in the place for the handy hardware man!! -couldn't resist adding the jingle!) in Shuwaikh might have one. I am literally glued to my computer until I finsh my articles for the publishing co. in Bahrain. So, I hope to get a smoke detector this Friday.

Last Summer, a horrific thing happened in my building. My son and I were watching a funny kids movie and were laughing so loud that I barely heard someone banging on my door. My daughter was actually in the bathtub and was stark naked (which is ok given she was only 5 at the time!). Anyway, I opened the door to find 2 teenage girls (my neighbors from the 4th floor) screaming at me to get out of the building because an apartment on the 5th floor was on fire. Their A/C had caught on fire. Gosh, I still recall the panic like it happened yesterday. I somehow managed to grab clothes for my daughter and scream for my son to grab my baby (who was only 1 year old at the time). The minute he grabbed her the electric went out. I could not see to find my shoes. I begged the neighbor's son to help me...I remember just saying....please help me. He grabbed my key from my hand, locked the door and we all raced down the pitch black stairwell. The whole street was covered with fire trucks and onlookers. There was also a lot of debris on the ground and there I was with no shoes on. Thankfully the fire department got everything under control fast and we were able to re-enter the building about 30 minutes later.

Recalling this incident and feeling the anxiety in my heart as I type these words, I will defintely be buying a smoke detector, fire extinguisher, and a couple of flashlights this summer. Even if I never use them I would rather be safe than sorry.

Something to worry about..

2007-05-29T08:49:00.000+04:00

Over the past month I have been reading so much in the daily papers about Kuwait's preparedness in case a war develops between the US and Iran with this tiny country smack dab in the middle of it all. Let's see...I read that Kuwait is installing sensors all around its' borders to detect nuclear radiation. And then I read that the government was ensuring that the food supply and water supply was adequate in case of a war. And most recently I read that the government has ordered 60 million iodine tablets that will be delivered within two weeks. Apparently, iodine immunizes a person from nuclear radiation. I have NEVER heard that but I pray it is true because I think nuclear radiation entering Kuwait is my greatest fear.

So, I guess it is not 'if' the US will attack Iran but 'when'.

From my perspective, Bush wants to annihilate as many Muslims as he can before he leaves office. Both India and Israel have nukes but the US never demands that they disarm. And no I do not support nuclear weapons at all. But it just seems that once again Muslims are portrayed as being trigger-happy and uncontrollable. But THAT is a whole other debate.

I really am in no mood to have to prepare for a war. We did that when the US invaded Iraq in 2003. We stayed in Kuwait. We sealed our windows in plastic and stocked up on food/water. I will never forget the day of the deadline for Saddam to step down or face an attack. I sent my husband to get candles and batteries in the early afternoon. He went to the Jemia and people were fighting over the candles. I remember looking out my window and seeing people running into their homes with bags of groceries and armloads of bread. Good grief! May Allah save Kuwait!

U scream, I scream- we all scream for ice SPOONS?

2007-05-28T12:17:00.000+04:00

Ok, I admit it, I collect ice cube trays! Silly hobby I know but I have just about every single strangely shaped ice cube tray I can find. Most of them come from IKEA...I have heart, star, puzzle piece, seashell, etc shaped ice cube trays. I thought I had them all until I saw this nifty one online that freezes water into the shape a life-sized spoon! Super!

http://www.prankplace.com/fp_icespoon.htm

Now I can see how these could be useful...

2007-05-28T12:11:00.000+04:00

I saw these online...Funslides Carpet Skates..apparently you just strap them over your shoes and you can skate around on CARPET! At $15.99 a pair I could defnitely use these to chase after my kids!

http://www.x-tremegeek.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=14371&siteID=zgmC70XXLTQ-2ze0z923pFGNLxWAZz1DSQ