At the Avenues

My friend called me last night to ask me if I wanted to have breakfast with her at the newly opened Mall "The Avenues." I was so up for it, to see another mall in Kuwait hoping to see something new. It was pretty cool. They got a variety of shops, which I've seen in the other malls too. There was nothing new about it except that the shops had everything in full stock, which was a great opportunity for us to shop. I wasn't eager to do that either since I'm traveling tomorrow. But we went around to check out if there would be new shops opening soon that are not found in any other mall. Banana Republic and Gap are opening, but I don't think they'll be as good as the ones in the US.
We had breakfast at Le Pain and I wanted to show my friend how good their breakfast is, except that they didn't have the yummy spreads or the Belgian waffles I love. Then, we started our tour around the new mall. It's pretty huge for a mall in Kuwait and that's what I liked. The funniest thing happened, when my friend got locked in a fitting room. I tried not to laugh but I couldn't stop. I know it's going to happen to me sometime soon, because what goes around comes around.
Do you think Kuwait has enough malls? I was discussing it with my friend earlier and I told her that we need something new in here. Instead of filling the place up with repeated shops and having a vast space between each cafe and restaurant, they should think of something new. I proposed an idea to her, and I seriously would want to implement it somewhere in here. Something like and entertainment center that would be for both kids and adults, and a Theater were Broadway shows could be performed live. I'm sure we have a sophisticated audience in here that would truly appreciate the fact that performers are coming from NY or Vegas to entertain a live audience, and a whole other culture. I would want to be the first one to go there for sure!

Too Much Beyonce

I know I've been posting too much videos on my blog, but I couldn't resist this one. It's hilarious! And also, I love the song.

koutbo6.com

We all know about the popular Kuwaiti game site, www.koutbo6.com , where people compete with each other in a variety of Kuwaiti card games. It was the one thing that kept me going during Ramadan and fasting. My friends and I would join together in one room and play "Hand" and meet new people who'd join our game. It then started to get old, and we got bored playing online. A few weeks earlier I missed playing the game and joined. I forgot how some people were rude in some chats or trying to give me their e-mail or number. Not interested, but thank you! But today while I was playing, it topped every other conversation I've seen. Two guys and one girl were playing with me. Then one of the guys left and the other one started flirting with the girl. He was telling her words like "ya ghalati" or "ya 7ayati" and etc. How tacky could a guy be flirting in a public chat? Surprisingly the girl replies back with "ya galbi". Then the guy says, oh I wish I could stay longer and play but I have to pick up "il-nisra" (aka: his wife) from her parent's house. Then he kept dissing her with the other girl. Okay, I know that some guys think that marriage life is hell, but not to the point where the guy wishes he'd never have to go get his wife from her parents' house. I don't want to justify with women all over the world, because some would be really high maintenance. But still, even if it's innocent flirtation, it doesn't give the guy the right to diss his wife in a public chat room.

My Birth Date

Your Birthdate: December 24

You understand people well and are a natural born therapist. A peacemaker, people always seem to get along when you are around. You tend to be a father or mother figure to friends, even to those older than you. You enjoy your role, and you find that you are close to many people. Your strength: Your devotion Your weakness: Reliance on others for happiness Your power color: Lilac Your power symbol: Heart Your power month: June

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Bagoollikum Salfa...

I just adore this video. I used to sing their song all the time but I'd form my own lyrics since I didn't understand what they'd exactly say.

I miss the old days. . .

This song brings back a lot of memories to me, as it also makes me proud to be Kuwaiti. Why don't we do great stuff on Theatre these days. We got the talents, but we're to lazy to perform I guess. Last month, the Ministry Education brought back our wonderful artists Shadi Al-Khaleej and Sanaa Al-Kharraz and formed an operate joining a big group of girls from public schools. It was a great thing to watch on TV, but still, there was something missing. I don't know what it is but it's not as good as the old days.
I'm posting another video too for another song that was performed back in the 80's.

A Year ago. . .

I was in Dubai the same day today, and was supposed to go for a spa appointment, but I called them and canceled it. It's as if I felt something was going to happen. Moments later, my phone rings and it's my mom. I sensed something in her voice..."Reem, would you please come back to Kuwait, your dad has been in a car accident on his way to Kuwait, I think he's going to be okay, but please come back, I need someone to stand by me." A day before that I recall my dad packing his things and telling me that he'd rather leave early since the roads are clear and he wouldn't be stuck in traffic. I asked him if he could stay for one more day, but he insisted on leaving. That's the first thing that flashed through my memory. My legs started shaking as I called to confirm a flight for the same day. Thank God I did find a seat. My sister also came back with me to Kuwait.
They were the longest 4 hours of my life...going to the airport, waiting in the lounge, and boarding on the plane.
As we arrived at Kuwait airport, my cousins were there to pick is up. I was used to my dad picking me up every time from the airport. Something was fishy. My mom told me that my dad is in the hospital. When I entered the house I saw everyone I knew whether family or friends. It was one of the scariest moments of my life. To know that my dad passed away, I thought it was the end of my life too.
I never knew that losing my dad would be such a hard thing. It's hard coping with such loss. Each day passes and it's harder knowing that you'll never come back Dad. May you rest in peace...You are truly missed.

Diet...3rd attempt

I don't know why when I hear the word diet all of a sudden I just get miserable. I've been going on a couple of diets for the past few months but all of them failed...why? Because I simply got bored with the food. It's hard for those who appreciate food much to go on diets. I'm not obese THANK GOD but I seriously need to put off that extra weight. Hats off to my sister who went on and on with her diet MASHALLAH. I should learn to be patient when going on a diet. But all those indulging foods which I can't keep my hands off, and those tiny treats in places like CARAMEL, SUGAR & SPICE, and the greatest criminal of all time THE CHOCOLATE BAR, calling my name as I walk by. These nasty temptations, and yet....so luscious!
This diet I'm doing is an 11 day thing, it's not a crash diet, but it help you regulate metabolism and have less calories. What motivates me to go on this diet is the summer trip I'm going on and other stuff too...like the shorts I bought and didn't fit..OUCH!
For the sake of my diet, I'm drinking black coffee right now! Me, drinking black coffee? I did it last year for a month since I was dieting with "Diet Care" and when I went out with my friends, all I could have was either green tea or coffee...plain black, and no sugar! Can I eat a bite of chocolate with that?
As I'm fighting those temptations, my sister comes up to me and says "Hey they opened up a place called Creamy Cups and they do home delivery!" A few minutes later I receive a message from a friend telling me about a new chocolate shop....like we need more of those in K-Town!
Whenever I travel to Dubai, I miss those places. I don't know why is it that when I'm there, I can't find a place that serves good dessert. So I end up taking out a chocolate bar from my purse. Or else, I'd be making my own dessert at home.
God bless this Country and all the places which serve the best chocolate and desserts that fulfill us Sweet Teeth's needs!

I Envy Thee

I've always seen people who envy others for something that they don't have, or hearing about the girl who tripped and broke her leg during a wedding party because she got the "evil eye" from someone.
One person told me that she throws salt around her to protect herself from people's envy. I would never believe that. She also mentioned some other kind of food or seeds which I never heard about. I don't believe that food or other material stuff would protect someone from an evil eye.
I remember my last year in university, when three incidents happened in less than a week. I was helping someone with a photography project and stood on a thin wooden box, I fell off it and hit my face hardly on a hard surface. Later that week I was driving my car on my way to Dubai and a huge six wheeler collapsed with my tiny car. A day after that, I had a flu and got a fever too. people who knew me were telling me all sorts of things about evil eye. But I believe in fate. If it's meant to be, it would happen eventually.
I know that the Qura'an is the main protector from all the envious eyes. That's one thing I truly believe in, but throwing salt and pepper and other food seasonings...I don't think I want to be a steak.

Stages of Fear

A couple of days ago some thoughts passed through my mind, maybe because of all the medications I was taking. But I basically thought about how fear developed in me through different stages in life. Here's what I got:

0 yrs - 5 yrs :

• being left alone
• lost in a public place
• going to school
  
• going to doctors
• needles

6 yrs - 11 yrs :

• needles
• ghosts, monsters, demons and all that
  
• the dark
  
• failing at school
• "stinky girl" at school
  

12 yrs - 17 yrs :

• needles
• insects
• not passing high school
  
• not joining a popular circle
  
• dentists
• upsetting my parents

18 yrs - 22 yrs :

• getting kicked out of University
• a bad rumor spreads about me
  
• being friends with the wrong people
  
• needles
• airplanes
  
• fires
• car accidents

23 yrs - present :

• losing a family member or a friend
• fear of death
• fear of sickness
• needles
• humiliation
• car accidents
• clumsiness, which puts me in some embarrassing moments

Crushed

I'm an optimistic person. Sometimes I'm so optimistic that I feel I think like a child who has no worries in life.

It's normal to have dreams, sometimes impossible ones, and have millions of goals that you want to establish in this life. I always think I'm capable of accomplishing my goals and my dreams coming true, but seriously, REALITY BITES!

When I have a dream and it finally gets crushed by reality, it really hurts. I think I should try to be more realistic than optimistic. Skepticism is not my thing, because in all my situations I see the glass half full.

My dreams have, a big established design firm, a great house on the beach, a loving husband and a couple of kids. They might be so hard to make them come true, but they're not impossible. Well, the husband issue might be a bit difficult, but not to worry about it. The right guy will eventually come along.

The reason I wrote this is because I recently went through a couple of crushing situations. Not to get into details, but I was truly hurt. But it's not the end of the world, and I'm sure something better is around the corner, and I just have to walk through that long dark alley.

Ugly Betty is in Town

Want to meet Ugly Betty? Then see me! I'll be putting braces today. This will be the second time I go through such experience. My last Orthodontist wasn't careful enough during my treatment, that my teeth are back to the way they used to be. I'm looking on the bright side. I'll be automatically losing 4 Kg's in less than two weeks since I wouldn't be able to eat anything.

Do you want an autograph? Wish me luck!

El Kuwait 6abaqat!!

One of my all time favorite parts in 7amy Al Deyar.

Big Day

Yesterday, everyone's I know was wondering what kept me busy from asking about them. I was organizing the Golf Event with my co-owner of our small company. In the beginning, it was scary. We thought, okay we just screwed up everything. That's all because at the start of the event and two hours later, no one came. We were so bummed and I seriously wanted to leave. But just moments later, guests finally decided to join us. It went pretty smooth then. Live music was played by two talented people, KR and Fred, who form "Smooth Operations". Our event included a small tournament, where golfers had to shoot a ball 89 yards into a small floating raft in the middle of the sea and score a hole in one. One guy shot it right in. He said it was a lucky shot! It was a great day. But I still feel like I should go solo on my business. I mean, I'm happy helping around, but when I work on some designs and expect them to be shown but instead they're thrown away? What a beautiful feeling. Working alone on my business would protect my rights a s graphic designer, and I would definitely be paid for my services, and appreciated as well.

If you need more information about GOLF ME, visit www.q8gw.com or contact me.
If you want to contact Smooth Operations e-mail them smoothops@aol.com

All Good Things Come To an End

During University, everyone used to tell me enjoy those years, they'll soon be over and the real world sucks for sure. I never believed them, but I hate to admit now, that I miss university days, even if I felt I was in hell for a while, it was all good.
So I'm back in here Kuwait, and a year ago, I was printing out CV's and sending them out to various companies in here. I've been called in for several interviews but I got no luck at all. Some of my friends applied the same time I did and they all got their jobs now. I'm positive I haven't screwed up in any answers I said to the questions they gave me. Also, I haven't forgotten my "Wasta." But, I guess some people are luckier than I am.
A few months back my cousin an I sat down at a place to have breakfast and we started discussing business and that kind of talk. It occurred to us that we could start our own little business, since she's a Marketing graduate and I'm a Design Management graduate too. So we decided we could form a small company where she works in Marketing and I work in Graphic Design. It went well for a few weeks, and we work with a silent partner who happened to be our first client. We were supposed to organize and event for his shop. I thought, what a thrill!! I'm sure going to enjoy working with my partner who happens to be my cousin and friend too.
So we begin our work and everything was working great, but a few weeks into business and I notice some difficulties that would put my friendship with my cousin in great jeopardy. I for one, don't like to be bossed around. Also, I felt that I have contributed more to our small business than my partner did. I came up with a corporate identity, worked on the company profile, designed a graphic design contract , and researched a list of services to do with graphic design that would attract customers and form a basis of a loyal clients.
The struggle with the event plan continues as we go to several meetings all around, and I felt that arguments are arising between us both. The event is this Thursday March 8th, and I'm glad it's almost over. I was planning two weeks ago, that by the end of this event I'll be meeting with my partners to discuss leaving them and working solo on a graphic design business. First of all, my cousin's personality clashes with mine doing such business. Second, she's more important to me than to lose here because of business. These are the main two reasons I'm deciding to work alone.
The real world is tough. Lots of challenges, difficulties, and obstacles are expected, and we have to go through them to establish ourselves in a business world.

The Salam Alaikum Gang

I used to feel sorry for the people who clean on the streets, grocery stores & malls, parkings. Since my last year in high school, I started giving out money to those people who approach and say "Salam Alaikum." After all, they are human, and they're working to clean our country. I went off to College in the UAE and rarely came back to Kuwait on holidays and weekends, so I lost touch with the development of the Salam alaikum situation over here. Last year when I graduated, I started helping around with house chores, like going to get groceries and stuff like that. Once, as I stepped out of the car, a garbage man came close to me and said "Salam Alaikum." I had no cash at that time so I walked away. So he followed me repeating "Salam Alaikum, Salam Alaikum MAMA, Salam Alaikum!" I turned and looked at his face and as if he was cursing me or something. When I came back home I told my Dad (God rest his soul) and he told me to avoid them and not give them anything, because they already have a job. From there on, I ignored every Salam Alaikum guy, except for the old ones. I really empathize with them.
The Salam Alaikum Frenzy goes on and on everywhere, and I got used to a garbage man walking behind me as soon soon as I step off my car or get in and show me that he's working. The only ones I give money to, are the porters at the airport and the guys who help me carry my groceries to the car. Once, when I arrived to Kuwait Airport coming from Dubai, I called a porter to pick up my baggage. As we walked to the car, I realized that I only have a 1/4 KD bill, and I know that's the minimum I could give them. I felt bad because I usually don't give them less than 1 Kd and he deserves it if he's carrying heavy luggage. But I said that I'd give this guy a 250 fils and that would be it. When I gave him the money, he looked at me with a smirk on his face, and said "Mama, this is not enough." Porters got used to getting 1, 5, or 10 KD in high seasons, where lots of people are traveling or coming back from vacation. I just told him that I don't have enough and asked him to walk away.
A sort of funny and strange story happened to me once at Al Mowasat Hospital parkings. Just as I was about to step off my car, 2 women covered from top to bottom were headed straight to me. I got in my car again, locked the doors and started the engine. One of them knocked on my window and asked if she could talk to me. I thought for a second, maybe they're lost. I rolled down the window a little bit, and she said: "We're coming from Qatar, and we lost our way. We don't have any money for now, and I wouldn't like to beg, but I just wanted to ask for your help." So I asked her what she wants. She said she needs HELP, and by help she means money. I just wanted to get rid of her and I didn't know what to do in this sticky situation. I found a 5 Kd in cash and I gave it to her. I thought she would walk away, but she looked at the money I gave her and started crying "please my dear, I only need 20 KD for gas money!!" Are you kidding me? what are you filling up? a Six-Wheeler? I told her I'm sorry I don't have any money left. She offered to come with me to the nearest ATM machine, but I refused and finally she walked away. Some beggars are seriously professional! Now, whenever I see someone and have the feeling that they're approaching me, I'd simply walk away or think of something smart to say. It's really strange how people are capable of begging but not finding a job that would secure their lives.
A couple of years ago, statistics were shown in a newspaper about the porters in Kuwait airport. They found out that porters gain a lot from their job. In holiday seasons, people feel generous when traveling or coming back. Some would give them around 10 KD or more. At a monthly rate, each porter would gain roughly from 1000 KD to 3000 KD. Would you like to take that job?

Worries and Dilemmas

Okay, this has been bugging me for a couple of weeks. How do you express yourself to a person who has been annoying you for a while? I don't wanna hurt them, but I hate the fact that they're so bossy to the point where I'd rather throw myself off a bridge than listen to them. Suggestions are appreciated people. I'm getting ulcers, seriously!