We Can!

Women are vulnerable by nature. Emotions influence their actions. It has been known since life began that men are dominant over women, but still they can't live without them. In a conservative culture, women don't have the right to even speak. They are moved around like the pawn on a chessboard.
As Kuwait developed economically, the society became more open to the world. Women got freed from their Abayas and they finally got a chance to be heard. The change wasn't drastic, but it evolved in stages throughout the past years. One of the biggest changes occurred last year when Kuwaiti women were allowed the right to vote and run for the parliament election. It has caused some drama, but change is essential.

Even with such progress in our community some minds never change. I was chatting with one of my close friends this morning and told him that I was psyched to get the Wii. I was going to get it from Virgin Megastore, but he suggested that Hawalli is the place to go because I would get good deals. Just then he tells me that it's a creepy place and once you're in there guys start talking about you and all that - - - -. I told him I've been going to scarier places like garages in the worst parts of Sharjah, whenever my car broke down and I rarely asked for the help of guys at our university. Also, I've been going to places in Hawalli to purchase software and games for my PS2. I don't have a brother to rely on, and my dad passed away last year. It's a great thing that I learned to be independent. My friend tells me then that there are creepy guys who would harass you a lot when you're there. I recall the times I've visited that place in Hawalli and never even passed by people who would dare to make a move on me.

I hate to be stereotyped as the vulnerable lady or let's say, the damsel in distress. If two women have made it as ministers in our government, I don't think I'll be hurt if I walk in a place packed with hungry wolves waiting for a good catch. I know myself better than anyone does and I don't seek attention, therefore I don't give a chance for guys to say whatever they'd want to say.

The Simple Life

I've spent my college years not too far away from home. In fact, I have blended with a culture that is so close to the one I come from. Every now and then, whenever I had the chance I'd go back home since the flight is not more than 2 hours long. Of course since I'd be home for a short while, I would want to spend time with my family, hang out with friends, go to the latest trendy places, and all that. I didn't really pay attention to how our society has evolved through five years, that when I came back home for good, i got a sort of a culture shock...or at least that's what I thought.
I remember in high school my kind of fun would be hanging out with my friends at my house and ordering take out food and some chick flick or horror movie. We'd call it a night by the time it's 10 pm. My parents didn't let me go out with my friends to malls or restaurants by ourselves unless we were chaperoned by an adult. Of course during the last couple of months as a senior in high school they bent that rule. I didn't have a problem with it since our home had all kinds of entertainment that my friends and I would enjoy. We'd play with on of the game consoles we used to have, then jump on the trampoline, and end it by shooting some hoops.
During that time, one of my best friends came over for dinner, and I suddenly offered to give her a haircut...with kitchen scissors! That was a blast for us, and I really thought I'd be a professional hairdresser someday!
Nowadays, when I see teenagers and even kids, I feel sorry for them. They never lived their lives like normal kids. Cell phones, showing off, flirting or having a relationship with the opposite sex, all those are essential for that age group nowadays. Once, I couldn't believe it when a boy, I guess around 15 yrs of age, harassed me.
Girls, are a whole other situation. I recall guys who used to follow girls and harass them. The opposite is happening now and it's really funny when I see that kind of thing in front of me. During school years, I hated make up. I might decide to put on something if I'm going somewhere special like a party, but other than that I wouldn't even think about it. Now, girls really scare me. Their hairdo's make them look like some wild animals from the jungle, and the make up is so awful that one might think they'd be part of a circus group.
What happened to simplicity? There's no such thing as a simple life in here. All types of media and technology have complicated it. I have a message to all teenagers around...live your life, don't act grown up, and purchase Wii!

Auras?

I always thought auras were a superstitious thing. It never made sense to me that auras surrounding us could be influential. I used to make fun of Phoebe Buffay in F.R.I.E.N.D.S when she tries to clean her friends' auras.
A couple of days before I was back from Dubai, we went to Madinat Jumeira to have lunch and have a look around. We passed by a Kiosk that was labeled "Stress Away". One of our friends told me that they could check your aura and all that. She tried it once and almost everything it said was true. So I decided to give it a shot. I had to put my hand on some device and look straight at a camera and a few moments later I had my aura examined.
I had an orange-yellow aura which described me as analytical, intellectual, entertaining, curious active, playful, sunny, easy going, creative, logical, detail oriented, structured, and scientific.
It is totally true. I also found that under occupation I had: Free-lance, need physical freedom and independence, enjoyment. That is totally true!
As for a career: business, marketing, design, sports, artist, computers, healers, therapists. Another true thing.
It's really interesting to find out such stuff about yourself. Other than finding more about your personality, you could actually find ways to decrease stress. It also helps in finding areas you're weak in and gives you pointers on how to strengthen them. I personally thought it was a helpful experience and not a weird spiritual thing.

Back!

So I was packing my stuff last night and as soon as I finished packing I noticed that I can't find my Civil ID. I had to unpack my stuff again just in case I placed it in between my clothes and looked all around the room. I'm cool when it comes to such situations, but to an extent. After almost an hour of searching and turning my room upside down, I gave up and decided to call my mom. She totally cracked up which was unexpected when I told her. She said if worse comes to worst she'd fed ex me my passport and I could schedule my flight a couple of days later. I started making plans in my head of what I'll be doing now that I've got extra days in Dubai.
I decided to re-search my room hoping to find my ID. One hour later, I found it between a batch of business cards I had in my laptop bag!
I'm glad to be back home...At least for now I guess...

a few hours of life I can't get back

I love going to the movies, whether with friends or alone. As always, I can't go to a movie with no food to accompany me just in case the movie is boring. Don't take it the wrong way though, I'm not a couch potato who loves to pig out on snacks whenever possible. I just think that if I'm hungry and I'd be going to a movies soon, I'd rather have my food while watching the movie. Just a habit that sort of grew on me.

Yesterday, I was excited to watch Will Ferrell's "Stranger Than Fiction", and since Queen Latifah was in that movie too, I didn't want to miss it. The movie was weird. I don't know how to critique it too. At first I thought it was a comedy. But it turned out to be so dramatic that I could've died choking on a maltesers. It's a story of a lonely man who works for the IRS. Every moment of the day, he counts everything he walks past, even his foot steps! The movies starts with a British woman narrating the whole thing, and suddenly Will could hear her narrating every move he makes. So the guy starts getting crazy until he meets the author herself. She was finishing up a story and planning on killing him, but he begs her to change the ending. He doesn't want to die, because things just started to get good for him and he'd found a girlfriend.

Anyway, as I was watching the movie I realized how slow it is, and how I'm wasting 2 precious hours of my life. Next time I go to a movie, I'll make sure I read the synopsis before that.

New Hobby

As much as I've been to Dubai this is the first time I did something new. A couple of days ago I went snowboarding! I've been wanting to take lessons since it opened, but no one wanted to join me. I usually prefer to do such activities with friends. This time, I was blessed with an awesome group of girls who really made the experience worth while!
At first I thought, that I could wear the ski clothes only and it wouldn't be that cold. But it was freezing! I never thought someone would implement an indoor snow land that has the exact ambiance as a true snowy place. It also seemed much smaller from the outside, but it's pretty spacious from the inside.
This is one of the projects that probably attracts people from all around, especially during those hot and humid days when people want to visit somewhere cold. Even if you don't want to ski or snowboard, you could simply play in the snow or go on the tobaggons, or even enjoy a view from the top at the Avalanche Cafe.
I loved snowboarding, I might take it as a hobby and enjoy it every time I'm in Dubai, or hopefully in the winter somewhere in Europe!

Shall We?

Ladies and Gentlemen...This time, the Arabic movie producers have lost it. I've gotten over the fact that there are Arabic remakes of English shows, and stealing some exact parts from the greatest Hollywood Blockbusters to input them in their own movies, and of course adding the "Arabic Spices" to make the scene more exciting, but in fact it turns out to be the exact opposite.
This morning, I was watching TV, and some commercials came on. They showed a trailer of a movie starring Yousra called "Mateegi Nor'os". This caught my eyes. The story was clearly showing that it's the Arabic version of "Shall We Dance?", except that it includes lame, unprofessional dancing. The story is basically the same, except that Yousra plays the role of Richard Gere, and some guy plays Jennifer Lopez. The part where Richard Gere runs after his wife in the parking lot, the same scene happens exactly in the Egyptian movie.
I don't know how they have Annual Movie Festivals in Egypt based on such movies. Oh and another thing I watched on KTV last night. They held some ceremony as a tribute to celebrities in Kuwait and the music sounded so familiar. It was actually the music from the Golden Globes but put in a Kuwaiti rhythm.
I guess we're done with imitating. It's time to innovate.

Life is Awesome!

I've been in Dubai for almost a week now, and I feel a whole lot different than when I was in Kuwait. I feel like I've been freed. Even though I love my country, still I can't handle the stress when I face society. I'm not weird looking or a freak, but sometimes I don't feel like facing social obligations and so on and so forth.
The only things I get to miss in Kuwait are my friends, family, and home. I feel the urge not to go back for another month, but I can't. I hope I'll be ready to get back to K-Town soon.
I'm planning on taking snow boarding lessons just in case it snows in Kuwait, or maybe the next time I decide to go to a Ski Resort. :D
I'm saying all this now, but I know that soon I'll be missing my country and all those things I try to avoid.

My Celebrity Look Alikes

This is really fun to do, and funny how I got such resemblance with actors I never thought I'd look like, except for Halle Berry though :p
I tried it with another picture and I got Beyonce, Michelle Rodriguez, and Angelina Jolie and a couple of Indian actresses. It didn't seem strange because sometimes during summer I'm mistaken for an Indian or a Latina! How contradicted :p

Question

This is an economics question that I just had in my mind as I was cruising the streets of Dubai. What would happen to The Taxis' business when the Dubai Metro launches?
Would it affect the demand for Taxis all around Dubai?

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