One of The Chicks is Dieing :'-(

One of the chicks seems sick and is not gonna make it till tomorrow :'-(


Update:
Chick died :-(

Random Thoughts!

ONE: How would you feel about someone who is clearly trying to test your stress level! Like testing his/her limits until you burst!? I am kinda stuck in such situation and as much as I try to smile back and be nice... it is still getting into me?? :-S

TWO: How would you feel when someone comes to you with simple-answer questions... and like come to you without being courteous enough to ask...

"Do you have a minute?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Are you busy?"

No... they just come and expect you to drop all for you to be free to help them out!

THREE: And how would you feel when someone ask you to check on something that you agree to check... and in return when you ask them to check from their side on something similar but they say its not in their area! Or they cant!?

FOUR: And how about when you see people taking credit for things you've done... as simple as good deeds, nice gestures, or even some things you've done!?

FIVE: Now imagine all that happen when your....
Stress levels are already SO HIGH,
You have personal problems (related to family health issues), and
You're not sleeping much

I keep on smiling and doing the best I can... I believe in Karma! I really do! So dont mess with me! Oh and I hurt myself while carrying loads of paper, talking on the phone, and holding my bag while going down the stairs...... OUCH!

Another Isaac Story!

I have written about our driver, Isaac, before... And guess what? Something -some annoying thing-happened earlier last week and I thought of blogging about it!

My sister, M, sent Isaac to Hawalli to get something for her friend and asked him to call her once he's done.

Isaac: I bought the thing you asked for
M: Cool, now just go to my friend S's house, its located in... (she was giving him directions) and call me from there to make sure its S's house :-)
Isaac: OK

Isaac reaches S's house and calls my sister... he is sometimes so robot-like that you have to give him the step-by-step directions.

Isaac: OK I am there
M: Ring the bell!!!!
Isaac: OK

*Ding Dong*

M: Ask if its S's house
Isaac: OK

A man, S's husband, opens the door...

Isaac: Hello, Is this S's house?
Husband: Yes
Isaac: Here talk on the phone please
Husband: Hello?
M: Hello!!! I am M... S's friend (Wondering why Isaac did that!!!)
Husband: Yes yes, hello how are you?
M: I am good... How are you?
Husband: I am fine.
M: OK I just wanted to make sure that the driver reached your place.. the correct place
Husband: Yes it is. Thanks :-)

The husband hands the phone back to Isaac

Isaac: OK done?
M: Yes.. Thats the house, thanks

*After 20 mins*

The driver is back with the stuff that he bought from Hawalli and that he was supposed to hand in to S's husband!!!!

M: NO NO!!! Send it back! Why did Isaac bring it home! WHY!

M sends Isaac back! And he "SUCCESSFULLY" delivers it! *phew*



I never... NEVER thought someone can be so robotic to the point where they want to be spoon fed with detailed procedures on what to do!!!

Mecca Trip - Last Part

Overall... the trip was overwhelming! I prayed a lot to come back and visit. I hope I can make it next year for Haj (after that the weather is gonna be HOT HOT for Haj season).

Every time I pray now I get this feeling that I am facing Kaaba now (its visual now) :-D

The only downside to all of this that I came back sick. I got sick the day after we arrived, and I totally ignored it. I went to work for a couple of days, and was asked by one of the managers to go home and rest, but wanted to act all macho hehehe.... but what the hey!! I am only a human!!

I went to the doctor yesterday who ended up giving me a two-day sick leave... he said I needed to rest. And so I did, because I find it hard to move out of bed. I feel so weak that my bones are hurting! I guess I was exposed to people from all over and my immune system is kind of weak... so go figure... but the whole trip is worth it! I am looking forward for the next one already :-D

Mecca Trip - Part III

This post is about food! Heehee!! Well, for the three days we were there... and after each Fajr prayers, we would go have breakfast at our hotel. The buffet was amazing and the service is superb. They have all kinds of bread, eggs, cheese, deli cut meats, hotdogs, beans, fruit (dried and fresh), waffles, pancakes... and more!

Besides the hotel (where we ate breakfast in the hotel daily, and ordered dinner for room service), we went once for Al Shuhada Hotel lunch. It wasnt bad at all... but I fell in love with their ginger pumpkin soup... it actually was why we wanted to try their lunch! I will try to improvise a recipe for Ansam's Kitchen.

I also tried spaghetti bologenese in our hotel and wasnt impressed by it... but the burger I ordered the next day was awesome! I ordered a kids' meal burger and it was filling.

Starbucks is segregated there for singles and families... singles being males?!? And the logo is also different... Islamic authorities changed it there. I laughed because the mermaid (or Esther as so many mulims claim) was sunk into the water and only her crown was revealed LOL!

Mecca Trip - Part II

So we stayed at Dar Al Tawhid... which is literally few steps away from the Haram. The second picture shows how close it is since I snapped it when I got out of the hotel. Since we were there for three nights, we did have few hours to walk around and shop.

I would suggest that you wear a messenger bag. It makes it easier for you... and since there a lot of poor people from all over that will beg for money, I recommend you do what I did. I would ask the reception in the hotel for SAR-Ones' notes... roll every three or two together and have easy access to! When you give money to one, more will run towards you and you just dont want to send them away sometimes or open your wallet/purse while they are next to you.

Walking around and about Mecca was pretty interesting. I tell you, during prayers or Tawaf... you hear the same prayers, a lot of which in Arabic... but in different accents. You see people from all over the world and from all social classes are all doing the same thing. We all turned the same direction for prayers..... The experience was surreal.

Looking at the pictures I snapped away... I got comments like "Ansam.. you acted like a tourist!" or "Are you for real?" Well, yes... I was a tourist and I am for real. I was astonished by the surroundings... at some sights I laughed so hard that my sister(s) helped me take pictures because I couldnt..... where at others I cried or stood speechless! At some points I would just stare at Ka'ba and admire its beauty and the embroidery of its cover, and think of the history it holds... It was built first by Adam and his son Seth, then by Abraham and Ishmael... Thats History! And the gate of heaven is directly above it! Oh and the Black stone on one of its corners... I was practically in the holiest city in Islam! It really was overwhelming experience for me, and I am definitely looking forward for the next one.

Mecca Trip - Part I

Our family decided to start 2009 in Mecca to perform Omra (too bad not all of them were able to make it). Anyways... I started buying things for the trip a couple of days in advance (such as Abayas and Hijabs... and such) I was so excited.. my heart was racing most of the time, words cannot explain how I felt. The day came, it was Dec 31st... the last day of the year and one of my sister's birthday too. We headed to the airport and my dad was lecturing us on what to do, what to expect, what to avoid.... etc! I felt like a kid, so excited and so anxious (since the only time I have been there before was looong time ago when I was only 10) so this was practically my first time :-D I assumed Ihram in Kuwait and was set to go :-)

We reached the "Miqat" and started saying the prayers to God... that we are going to Omra! It was surreal... I tried to memorize things as much as I could. We reached Jedda and took the ride to our hotel...

Guess what? I switched my mobile on and received a welcoming message at "5:18" :-P Got to the hotel, and one of our rooms' number was 518!!!!!

We reached the Haram during Isha'a prayers and so we had to pray before starting Omra. As I was walking into the Haram... I said the prayers I memorized from my father and the booklets I got. I prayed for heaven's gate to open up for me. We had to seperate (my dad went in, while us the females prayed in a different section)... .right after prayers my dad came, and as I was approaching the Ka'aba my eyes were full of tears!

We did the Tawaf (seven rounds), prayed behind The Station Abraham (Maqam Ibrahim), drank zamzam water and headed to Alsafa & Almarwa and went back and forth seven times (a re-enactment of Hagar's frantic search for water).. after all that, we trimmed our hair... with all of this, I have completed my Omra and went out of Ihram state :-D

Caste System!

I was out with my friend, Joanne, when she said something about the caste system.... IN KUWAIT!

Ansam: What? Caste system in Kuwait? Really??
Jo: Uh huh!!!!!
Ansam: You think?
Jo: YEAH! Come on... Sunnis? Shiites? Social classes?
Ansam: Its not THAT bad
Jo: Yes it is
Ansam: Not really!?
Jo: Would your parents let you marry someone outside your social class or marry someone with different religious beliefs or sectors!?
Ansam: Well.... if you put it this way.. hmmm
Jo: You see?!! You DO have caste system in Kuwait!
Ansam: Its everywhere but its not that bad in here in Kuwait! We dont have the outcastes - "untouchables"!!!!
Jo: BEDOUNS!!! They are not allowed to travel or go to school or even work!!!!
Ansam (silent)
Jo: See!! There you go!


What do you all think? Do we have "Caste System*" in Kuwait?

*I studied about the caste system back in college in one of my anthropology classes, you can click on it above to learn more.

Yasmina's Locks of Love

Last Saturday, four year old Yasmina (my cousin's daughter), had a big event! She had her very first haircut... and for a good cause too :-) She donated 11 inches of her hair to Locks of Love. Basically her mom and dad were talking about it for a while, how it is nice to donate locks of your hair to little kids who are sick and lost their hair due to sickness...

Yaya... very proud of you little princess :-)


Check this video out!



Kids have pure hearts!

Sara & Rami Dilemma

Earlier in the day, I was sitting on my desk as I heard what seemed to
be a conversation between three of my co-workers… Eman, Sara, and
Janet. I did not really know what they were talking about, but sounded
like who's doing what in regards to house chores!



Janet, the lady full of wisdom

Eman, married for some years now

Sara… a newlywed ;-)



Apparently Sara started a very blameless conversation of how her and
Rami, her hubby, divide their house chores



Sara: He does the dishes, laundry, garbage, I do the cooking and house cleaning!

Eman: House cleaning as in dusting your dining table?

Sara: Yeah! That is pretty much cleaning!!!

Janet: You wont do his chores if he skips them??

Sara: Nop! I wont… he wont do cooking if I don't cook!!!



Then my manager, Omar, got into the conversation… then other
co-workers! It basically went from three people to seven in less than
10 minutes! I was on my desk laughing hysterically at their
conversation and expressions!



Sara would say the funniest things like "I wont do the dishes, I will
leave them in the sink because its his task and not mine, and when I
need to use them, I will clean only for myself.. like a plate and a
set of silverware for me only" or something like "He is fine with it,
he is enjoying it… he was doing all of these things before we got
married, so it's a plus that I am now cooking and cleaning"



As the day goes by… and around 2:50-3:00PM I pass by to see new
members added to the conversation. Sara was getting too defensive at
this point. So I decided to stick for this round since I missed the
first one, and I asked



Ansam: What if there are dishes piling up in your skin?

Sara: I wouldn't mind… I would rather discuss this with Rami as in
when is he gonna do the dishes, but I wont do it!

Ansam: And you will let the dishes/utensils pile up with no problem?

Sara: yeah!!!!



Then my manager pass by on his way to the pantry and asks: Are you
still discussing Rami/Sara issue?

Janet: Yes… Sara is the hot topic today!

Sara: We are FINE like this!!

Ansam: why don't you get a dishwasher??

Eman (from far away): SHE ALREADY HAVE ONE!!!!

Sara: Its just not my thing! It's Rami's!!!!!!!!

Janet: Talk to me in one year and see how things will turn around!
Like when he comes from work directly to the couch holding the remote
control and tuning in ESPN!!! What will happen then?

Sara: Then lets talk about it next year!

Daniel: Ansam, what side are you on?

Ansam: I am somewhere in between!

Daniel: No! you gotta make up your mind and be on one side

Ansam: Well… What if he's sick? Would you do his chores?

Sara: Yes, and he will do mine if I am sick

Ansam: Well OK then! I don't want to be on any side hehehe!



I walked back to my desk and never heard the rest of it, but I am sure
its gonna surface back up soon hehehehe

Poor Sara, under the spotlight!

Way To Go FCC

With the new traffic law banning the use of cellular phones while driving I find it hard sometimes to reach our driver! Apparently he did not get a headset (according to MOI, a fine will be charged for those who violate this order unless using a hands-free or headset). So I told him, the driver, that I will be getting him a headset.

A lot of stores have raised their headset prices like there is no tomorrow! Its insane! Some of which have doubled their prices! Other stores are completely out of headsets. I decided to head to a NOKIA - FCC branch which is so close to where I work (Remember my FCC gift? I decided why not check their branch!)

To my surprise, the headset suitable for the driver's phone was for ONLY KD 5.000!!! (other places were selling it for KD 10.000!!!!!!!!!)

I really am happy with FCC! First they did some sort of cooperation with the MOI going around colleges giving lectures on car accidents and alternatives available to use your phone while driving. Second the FCC press conference held for that same purpose where they clearly stated that they did not increase their prices and also promoted their products available to use -that are in compliance with the new traffic law-, and best of all when they started to hand in free headsets to random drivers on the roads on May 1st!

WAY TO GO FCC :-)

Reeesha Was Found Today :-)

MISSING DOG!

PLEASE HELP!

Last seen in Dahiyat Abdalla Al Salem this morning.
Name: Reeesha, she is on HEART Meds, please help :(

UPDATES:
Additional Details:
She is a pomeranian
Golden hair, trimmed.
She has been in the family for 6 years.
She is sick with a heart condition.

Diwaniya!

This post is dedicated to Intlxpatr. Enjoy!
********************************
Intlxpatr was wondering... In Qatar, gatherings are called "Majlis" and in Kuwait its called "Diwaniya"... How does majlis differ from diwaniya?

I would say Majlis literal meaning is a place to sit, and there are Male-Oriented Majlis as well as Female-Orinted Majlis...


Well.... A diwaniya can be seen as a cultural thing that started long time ago and the culture of it remained and in some way changed to some kind of social gathering where families, friends, and outsiders -in some cases- establish socio-political ties. It expanded in some cases, and diwaniyas became listed on newspapers, and the internet making it a "public gathering place" for the citizens of Kuwait.. like an open door to meet and talk about politics, business, life, family..... sometimes playing cards too! A lot of modernized ones are opened for Westerners as well, which I think its an amazing way to share a mixture of views and learn about one another!

Younger generation Diwaniya's are also a place of get-together where friends and family come and chat, play electronic games -or games in general- and watch movies.

Basically, the word Diwaniya refers to MEN reception area attached to the main house with its own services (such as toilets, serving area, buffet, and servants.)... there they discuss various subjects like life, business, politics...etc!

The literal meaning of it in English is "place of assembly". The word itself comes from "Diwan" which means an office! In the old times a diwan was the Amir's office where he made time to meet his people and listen to their problems, discuss them, and try to solve them!

Its interesting to see the transformation...
Tents into extension in a house.. or even a huge diwan byitself (even if it depict an old time Kuwaiti house - to retain the flavor)
The cushions you talked about, the sadu ones into luxurious sofas or seating areas

Traditionally... as mentioned above, Diwaniyas were meant for stags! Nowadays.. female presence is accepted in some of which! Which I still DO NOT get! Call me back dated or old fashioned, but there are areas I think that should be left as is. Diwaniyas for MEN and Chay Al Thaha (Late morning tea gatherings) for WOMEN! hehehe

As for me, we have a small reception area right below my Dad's diwaniya.. some of our friends refer to it is Girls Diwaniya! Where I would rather call it the "Purple Lounge" where we get together with our friends on a weekly basis (in addition to some more gatherings here and there).. socialize and have fun watching a movie or just simply talk and do girl's stuff!

Above are some pics of our place - My sisters and I-

Randy Pausch

This is a very moving video! It reminded me of Tarek, my cousin who passed away earlier this year and suffered from pancreatic cancer! May his soul rests in peace.

The video below is called "The Last Lecture" given by Pausch!


I cried so much while watching this video! This man is such an inspiration! He is so brave and full of life. I admire him. He is also about few weeks younger than Tarek.

You can read more about him/The Last Lecture by clicking here.

Or check out Randy's Site.

C'est La Vie

The past few years have been overwhelming. People coming in and out.. moving in or away. Its funny how life surprise us everyday with things. I have been going to a funeral services and baby-showers/receptions on the same day. Celebrating a new life and mourning all in one day.

On October 1st, right after work, I went along with my sister to visit a dear family member in Makki Juma Hospital (specialized in cancer cases and treatments). She had a brain tumor that was in an advanced stage. She was in a coma, two nurses at her bedside, and her maid. As we walked in, the nurse said: "momma is not good today!" We sat next to her bed as she laid down so alive, yet so dead. We could hear her breathing quiet heavily. Her chest and head were moving with every breath she takes.. That’s how heavy it was.. after around 30 minutes, she started making some gurgling noises and started to cough while breathing. The nurse switched on her oxygen monitor and told us its dropping along with her blood pressure.

We stayed there for about an hour and then decided to head back home. As you all know it’s the holy month of Ramadan, and we were fasting. Dinner was to be set soon.. We kissed her goodbye and left.

At 7:00ish pm we received "THE" phone call. She passed away. God rests her soul.

Why!! Whatta Morning!

This is one helluva morning.. It started with me waking up 10 minutes late –than my usual time- (and YES! 10 minutes makes a BIG difference, especially when I am carpooling with my sisters which we have been doing and rotating since we moved to our new house).


Well anyway, after I drop them off, I head to where I work, and there I was…. finding this amazing car parking spot, but there was a jerk parked next to it who opened his door SO wide to SHINE HIS SHOES!! I waited for about 20 seconds, he looked at me but didn’t move… instead he continued shinning his shoes like there was no tomorrow! I can't believe those people, I didn’t want to honk or get angry, so I parked elsewhere!!


I reached the elevator…. and there he was about 10 meters behind me. Normally I would press the "open door" button if I see someone approaching. In his case, I was not close to the button, and someone else in the elevator said to his friend; "Push the close button" they were laughing… apparently he was a friend of theirs and they were teasing him. He started running faster to the elevator, dropped something, and when he picked it up the door was closing.. I looked at him EXACTLY the same way he did when he was shinning his shoes!

Karma Rocks! LOL

Home Sweet Home

Hi all ;-)
I have not been posting because I was so busy with the move and stuff.. Today, I am 100% fully moved to our new house. As I am typing this post, my bed room set is being assembled. I will post back again when I have time.. I have lots and lots of unpacking to do :-S

Ciao

After Work!

I was heading to my car in the parking after work, and from a distance I saw an orange cone behind my car and the security guard standing next to it with some papers! When I reached my spot, I saw my car! IT WAS HIT FROM THE LEFT CORNER! The car next to me was even in a worse condition! Damaged from the back, owner is Egyptian.. Then the security guard explained the accident to us;

"A Pakistani guy came and hit both cars, the blue car and then the green (mine)! Let me go get his information for you!"

I was so upset! Then came SS, my colleague, who insisted to help me out (Thanks a million buddy, I really appreciate it) and then came MB, who also wanted to stay but I told her to go home, that its already been taken care of cuz I called OT -my long lost brother ;-)- (Thanks a whole bunch, you dont know how much your help meant to me)

Imagine with the police system in Kuwait, you have to do some paper work at one station and finish up in the other, OT and SS did everything for me while I waited in the car (HOW SWEET) and I only had to go in to talk to the inspector and sign some papers.. (This all took over 2 long hours).. let alone that OT had to stay longer to wait for the papers.

I am so upset though!!! I love my car!
This is such a bad start for my week :-(

The Missing Socks

When I was in college, and did my laundry.. most of the time my socks would miss its match! That drove me crazy, because it happens A LOT! I just keep wondering where would all these socks go... I never find them, even if I search back again in the washer/dryer.. I thought it was me! But even when in Kuwait, where I don't do my own laundry, I have someone to do that for me.. and the socks still go missing! I plan to go back and do my own laundry now to really discover what is happening!!

Where could all those socks be possibly going!! So whats the reason behind that!

Is it a selling strategy and an inside job for socks' companies?? Maybe those companies are behind all those missing socks!! They just want you to buy more and more!

Maybe not!!

Maybe socks come in couples and sometimes things don't work out for the best for some of'em... and so they decide to leave their match, and escape to hmmm ...errr..... socks world?

Maybe not?!

Hmmm... OK so how about this: the socks' monster take them when in the dryer? And don't even ask what they do with those missing socks.. I repeat that: DON'T GO THERE looking after your socks!

OK, not good enough? Then read this.... this is good, in the show "Married with Children" the theory goes beyond Socks Land and Monsters... it goes to Aliens!!!

Al:  " Peg, 3 little green aliens came in and stole my socks."
Peg: " Were they green before or after they stole your socks?"

Oh and have you ever seen that episode from Ren and Stimpy?? Where they get sucked into a black hole?
They find themselves in a bizarre dimension! Then they are suddenly compelled to follow a horrible smell!
That smell turn out to be a huge mountain made up of missing socks from planet earth LOL!
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hole/Stimpy's_Invention)

OK OK enough of X-Files.. I believe the main reason is that they get stuck during the cycles or get caught in the vent!

1. Unplug your appliance.
2. Pull the dryer out to get behind it
3. Open bolts and remove cover/lid
4. I heard you will be surprised... LOL



So the best way is to put all your socks in a mesh bag when washing :-)

OK now that we are done talking about socks.. where does all those missing pens and plug-in-sockets go?



Also check: http://www.funbureau.com/