Status: At Work

After two years of freelancing and working from home, I finally started working at a stable job, in an office, with people, a monthly salary, and someone to boss me around. It's really fun for a change. The working hours is the only thing I'm stressing since I get off work at 5:30, which means, the rest of the day is almost over for me.
Everything seems mellow for the meantime. Some of my colleagues just took off to grab some lunch and run a couple of errands. I'm probably not going to do such thing until a few months pass, or maybe a week. Depends on how things go in here. For now, I'm going to have my snack and watch some of my favorite shows.
For all the unemployed people maybe sleeping until this hour, or just having their breakfast, or doing whatever they want to do, trust me, you're not missing anything.

Xposé

For a year now, I've been a member of Facebook©. It's really fun finding some old friends and schoolmates, and keeping in touch. It actually eased the way for some people to contact me in case they've lost my number, or their phone ran out of battery. Or in other cases, students in computer lab classes find the best way to pass a couple of hours of boredom. I thought that Facebook has been taken seriously by people all around unlike Hi5, but unfortunately I ran into some people with the silliest nicknames on earth just like "Kuwaiti Cool" or "Banoota 7laiwa". Lack of self-confidence probably drove those people to choose such nicknames. I decided to open up a fake account in order to see the OTHER SIDE of Facebook, and the things I've seen are just plain shocking.
Using my fake account, I started adding people randomly, and then when I've been noticed, people have started adding me. Regardless of the silly names that are on my list, the pictures that are there are really offensive, and sick. Girls are posing in the sluttiest ways and guys are proud to show off their favorite alcoholic drinks, or their so-called "six pack abs".
Facebook is being misused by a lot of people now. It has 2 most important rules that some people don't abide by.
1. Celebrity names, nicknames, or other fake names are not allowed and will not be approved
2. upload, post, transmit, share, store or otherwise make available any content that we deem to be harmful, threatening, unlawful, defamatory, infringing, abusive, inflammatory, harassing, vulgar, obscene, fraudulent, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, hateful, or racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable.

Definition of Facebook: "a social utility that connects you with the people around you." Don't abuse it.


source: Facebook

Stop Tormenting!

Of course the word is out in Kuwait now that the iPhone is unlocked for both Wataniya and MTC (aka ZAIN). This beautiful gadget has been on my wish list about a month ago, hoping that I'd be getting it soon. Fortunately, my wish came true and I'll be getting it during the coming week from the US.
I know I could've gotten it in here, but for a ridiculous price like KD400. I got it from the US for not more than KD125.
I saw a listing in the FaceBook market in the Kuwait network, of the iphone, selling it for about KD250. We got some bright business minds in Kuwait, but they're forgetting that everyone else has the Internet and could be doing the same thing. I didn't get bothered by the price as much as I was shocked just looking at the picture that was attached to the listing! As you see above, it's the iPhone with a Windows XP system. Why torment a genuine device by mac with a system that would catch viruses in a blink? If people need phones that read their e-mails and expect a Windows OS, they should get blackberry's or I-Mates. Don't ruin iPhone with windows. This device has been solely made for Mac.

When Drama Gets Out of Hand

Seems like the dose of violence has increased in Arabic sitcoms. This year, a Kuwaiti/Gulf Drama series that air on a couple of channels really cracked me up. It's far away from being realistic. Excessive violence has been added to it, probably, because of the director's request, thinking that it would attract a larger audience. I think that lots of money has been spent on the sets, ridiculous costumes, and tacky furniture. Even if the characters and stories were fictional, they should at least be realistic. One of the actresses on that show cries most of the time on each episode. I guess by the end of taping everyday, she has to use som eye drops. Professional tv reviewers and critics should approve of such shows before being aired, for the sake of the poeple fasting, and the Holy month of Ramadan. I'm glad I got my own shows to watch, including the hilarious Tash ma Tash, Freej, and Bo Qutada o Bo Nabeel.

Happy Ramadan

It's this time of year again....30 days of fasting, and overloading our stomachs after futoor. I'm looking forward to all the Kuwaiti sweets! I hope I don't gain much weight by the end of the month.
Have a great one y'all!

Where There's a Will There's a Way!

I've been struggling for the past couple of weeks trying to figure out a way to purchase TV shows, music, and movies from iTunes online store. I recently found out that I could order iTunes Gift Cards and use them to purchase whatever I need from the store. Finally, I won't be worrying about downloading torrents with several glitches that ruin watching my favorite shows.
For all international customers with no valid US credit cards, you can use the iTunes gift cards instead. It's easy, and it's safe to use. You can order them from Amazon.com, or iTunes store online.

Enjoy your shows!

Bolandism

Bolandism is a social movement that appeared in Kuwait in the beginning of the 21st century. This movement is basically linked to the Kuwaiti "icon", Haleema Boland. Physical traits of this movement include light brown hair with streaks of blonde or the other way around, flashy make up, and huge sparkling accessories. Other traits include and extreme soft and high-toned voice with a special accent, which makes half the letters in a sentence hard to hear.

Followers of Bolandism are generally women and in specific young ladies. Bolandists use their special characteristics to attract guys and have them drooling all over them. Some married women have taken on Bolandism to keep their men to themselves, because research has shown that married men who watch TV a lot compare their wives to the young, plastic celebrities, and then leave their wives for ones who look similar to what they see on the various tv channels.

During the years, the definition of Bolandism has progressed, and nonetheless will continue to change every year according to spring/summer and fall/winter fashions.




Source: McReemy Worldwide Encyclopedia, p. 234, 2007.

Evolution

MTC is changing on Saturday! I expected the change to be better and bigger, but frankly the logo is not really good.

Summer Anthem!

Spending this awesome summer in the US of A, we decided our summer anthem was "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie AKA Fergalicious! But my playlist included other songs too. These are my summer jams for this year:

- Big Girls Don't Cry , Fergie

- Rehab , Amy Whinehouse

- What I've Done , Linkin Park

- Lovestoned , Justin Timberlake

-Like This , Kelly Rowland Ft. Eve

- Beautiful Girls , Sean Kingston

- Hey There Delilah , Plain White T's

- Thanks for the Mmrs , Fall Out Boy

- 4 in the Morning , Gwen Stefani

- Umbrella , Rihanna ft. Jay Z

- Say it Right , Nelly Furtado

- The Way I Are , Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson



I guess that's about it. Of course those songs will always be linked to the greatest memories I had with my friends!

What Goes Around Comes Around

Karma...I should be careful next time!

I'm pretty well known for being clumsy...so clumsy that even when I'm just standing still I could fall on my face. When I saw Beyonce's famous fall on TV from her Orlando concert i couldn't help but find it on YouTube and repeating the clip over and over again. I thought I would stop laughing at people falling because I know it's going to happen to me with my clumsy steps.
A few days earlier I was heading to my local NBK branch. As I was entering..I forgot that there was a step in front of me and fell flat on my face! I wasn't hurt, but oh my GOD! I was so embarrassed I didn't even want to get up. But Then I remembered what Beyonce did after her fall. She got up and continued the show. Being a fan of her and the former group of Destiny's Child, I'm respecting Beyonce's request not to upload the video of her fall, and hope that I don't fall in a public place again!

Goin' Wild!

What was I thinking when I was swinging on the Trapeze? This could be my career backup!

It was a really fun and thrilling experience! But the toughest part was going up the ladder. I hate heights, and going up an unstable ladder made me want to go down, but I stopped and thought, if Sarah Jessica Parker could do it then I sure can.

If you're ever in NY, don't miss it. It's really fun, and once you're swinging you'll love it.
For more information check out: Trapeze School

Fat in the Butt!

I just mastered making cake frosting from Scratch and I'm so proud! It's the type of frosting that I can't get over...I had some leftover in a bowl and decided to refrigerate it, but before it reached the fridge it was eaten...by me!
Since I came back to Kuwait I stopped eating junk, and actually felt guilty when I had some dessert. So I decided to call this a "day-off" because I truly deserve it!

I wonder where the fat is going to this time...

UNtypicals

Over the years, the phrase "Typical Kuwaiti" has evolved. More Kuwaitis have joined the list, therefore, more characteristics have been added to the "typical Kuwaiti" definition. The characteristics of that phrase are not necessarily all bad, and the word "typical" doesn't only come before Kuwaiti. It also comes before American, British, Spanish, and so on. According to my opinion here's what I think a Typical Kuwaiti is, at least from what I've recently seen:

• he/she is self-centered and thinks their superior to other people
• They think rules and regulations where made for non-Kuwaitis
  
• They take up people-watching and cruising in their cars as "Hobbies"
• They think they're Queens of the world (applies to SOME guys too) and expect everything to be done for them without moving a muscle
• They call in sick from work every other day to run their own errands...What are weekends for?
  
• pretentious
  
• The 2nd ring road a.k.a. "the love street" is part of their daily routes even if they live 50 miles away.
  
• Stopping in handicapped parkings
• taking two or sometimes three parking spaces with the excuse that their car is big or they don't want it to get scratched
• Maki is their major destination (I've never been there yet!)
• Spread rumors even if they know they aren't real
• Their typical vacation spots would be London, Marbella, and Lebanon.
  
• They'd gossip about people, For Example, who go to clubs and enjoy themselves, only to find the gossipers dancing the night away on dance floors.
• Always dressed up, even when going to fill up their car with gas.
  
• They say they're "open-minded", but seriously I don't see how it works!
  

This is what I personally think. I emphasized on some negative points but that's the harsh truth. Each day I'm finding it harder to adapt to our society, that's why my home is my favorite place in here.

Applelicious!

I've added the latest product to my Mac Family! Finally, I decided to buy the Apple TV after thinking about it for months. When I first bought it I was thinking that I'd be able to watch all the downloaded shows with no hassle. But unfortunately, I couldn't transfer my .avi files to my new baby. The only files I could transfer were the ones in iTunes, which appeared to be only music files.
This problem reminded me of last year when I first bought my MacBook Pro. I decided to purchase my weekly tv shows from the online iTunes store. The problem was that only people with credit cards from the US were allowed to purchase online. I tried to do it this year too, hoping that iTunes have changed their policy. But it's all the same thing.
What's the reason behind iTunes keeping their TV shows for viewers in the US or those with an American credit card? If I'd known that, I would've opened an account while I was in the US this summer!

My Fall Guide!

I'm back home finally but still jet-lagged from the long 14 hour flight. But all was worth it! I'll be posting a couple or more random stuff from the various adventures I had in the Big Apple, Tinseltown, and Sin City of course :p
I'm not so psyched about being back because I got a stressful schedule ahead of me, but something will keep me going...My favorite show premieres! Frankly, I've lost hope on Arabic TV, so I won't be watching it in Ramadan either. Here's my fall schedule.

Grey's Anatomy : September 27th

Prison Break : September 17th

Heroes : September 24th

Desperate Housewives: September 30th

Weeds : Premiered August 13th

Private Practice (new) : September 26th

Ugly Betty : September 27th


I might add some other shows on my list. There are some new ones coming out. Pushing Daisies looks interesting. I saw a preview of it a couple of weeks ago in the States. It looks like a comedy/drama. I'll definitely tune in if I've got nothing better to do.

New Lesson

I learned to smile every time I'm on a roller coaster because I'll never know when my picture would be taken, and who's going to point at me and say "Oh I think that girl was constipated!"

Just Chillin'

8:00 am

Of all the things I see everyday around here, I should be inspired to write at least one thing a day. But I've been keeping myself busy running from show to another, and getting face to face with the queens of the world..and by that I mean The Drags! It was so great watching one of their hilarious shows. I don't know what kind of life they live, but for what I've seen, they turned out to be just nice people who happen to have the same interests as I do!

10:30 am

My hair is having a life of its own with the crazy humidity in here. I should be the star of The Lion King on Broadway. Too bad for the hair stylist who has to put up with my hair today!

In a Glimpse

A click, a footstep, a finger snap...it's all just a fraction of a second. We never realize what life is worth until we lose someone. In that time, that someone who's struggling to live is rethinking all that went on in his/her life. Images just flash his mind of happy events, family gatherings, his children graduating, and seeing his first grandchild.
Just as I woke up today to pack the last of my things, I got a text message saying that one of my dearest friend's father has passed away. I couldn't believe what I was reading. The shock I was in was so close to what I felt when I heard about my dad passing away last year. I just stopped what I was doing and couldn't hold back my tears. It's the first time in my life that I'm saying, I totally know how she and her family feel.
As much as we loose people who are dear to our hearts, we never learn to live life to its utmost. Today, what happened, just made me think of the things I want to do in life that I've been putting off for a while. I'm not talking about the fun stuff. If you're mad at someone, just don't hold a grudge against them. Life is precious, make the best out of it.

In a glimpse of a moment, my friend's dad just passed away...May he rest in peace...

Come Fly With Me...

Okay this is to Arabs who are traveling this summer to Europe, the US, or any other foreign country.

Tips to make your trip enjoyable:

1. If you've got a long beard...Shave it.

2. Don't cover up your face..if you're a lady of course.

3. Don't mention words like Bomb, Terrorist, Taliban, or Osama.

4. If your name is Osama, or your last name is Bin Laden, change it.

5. If you're being harassed some where because you're an Arab fake an Indian accent, or fake a German language if you're too white.

6. Don't fight with someone who called you a bad name or else you'll be labeled as "the guy who spread terror at the Arc De Triumphe"

7. Your patriotism to your own country at a foreign place is not appreciated so don't push it.

8. Always smile when checking in a hotel, otherwise you'd be known as that grumpy guest.

9. Don't take stuff other than beauty products, we don't want to come out as those poor people who don't have towels and remote controls at home.

10. If you face a mean cashier or a receptionist just smile and swear at them in Arabic. If they ask what it means, tell them "you have beautiful eyes".


Have a great summer!

Glorious Food!

If we compare Kuwait to one of the largest cities in the world, I'd bet that we have the greatest number of restaurants and cafes. It is like we need more indulging foods and new recipes to try. I think that Gyms should average up to the restaurants we have in order for people to balance between their workouts and guilty food.
The burger business is rising in here. Last night I went to a place called B-bar. They had some really good food. As strange as the recipes were, they were delicious. Other than B-bar, there's Burger Hub, Slider Station, and Burger Boutique, which was the first one to open.
And they keep on putting those statistics on the first pages of newspapers every now and then, of how many people have got high cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes! If anyone is thinking of opening something in the food business, they should be thinking of it health-wise, or else next year we'd have bigger numbers of people who have got those life long, noncontagious diseases.