As a Kuwaiti I was priviledged to be able to study abroad, work minimum wage jobs because I loved the work when I really didn't need the money, and drive at all hours of the day and night knowing that I'd be safe.
Why, you may ask, did I feel safe? It was because I knew 911 would be there if I needed them whether it be a police officer, an ambulance, or a fire truck.
Including the fact that while I was living in the USA, I sometimes found police officers patrolling my building when they never had a need too.
Now, I'm back home in my beautiful country; however, here I see police officers, and their senior officials not focusing on the places they should be i.e. not patrolling towns or malls, but standing at a traffic light. Like anyone is going to run a red light or speed when he's right there! To me that's PURE laziness.
Two weeks ago a new law was requested that all women cannot work after 8p.m. Ofcourse any one would wonder why, and the answer is that it's for our safety!
Now, my argument is this. If it's for our safety then instead of minimizing our (the women living in Kuwait) chances at making a decent living, and having the freedom of choice then increase your patrol cars where you've sited trouble. Make it a law for all restaurants, companies, buildings etc. to increase their security, but DON'T submit another law preventing women from doing what they want!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
My Hollywood Frustration
Has anyone seen the latest updates of Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, Brittany Spears, Nicole Richie, and last years fiascos from Mel Gibson and other celebrities. I understand that stardom comes with A LOT of pressure, but ruining your reputation and your health is NOT the right way to go.
Little girls look up to Lindsey and Paris and in the end they see one go off to re-hab (for the second time!) and the other to jail.
Lindsey is 20 and shouldn't even be drinking OR clubbing and I'm sorry but she looks at least 30 now with all the alcohol, cigarettes, and partying she's done.
Paris disregarded the law (great role model), and is now in jail crying her eyes out. This from a woman who is over 25, who has her own show, her own perfume, her own CD, and STILL acts immature.
Brittany Spears is another example. She's adored by many young ladies AND young men, but what kind of role model is she giving when she marries a guy who we all knew was not good enough for her, a man who was using her, and in the end she ends up drinking, partying, and finally having a nervous breakdown, shaves her head and enters a re-hab clinic.
But of course the drama doesn't stop there. She ends up coming out of re-hab and goes straight back to drinking and partying. Again she's over 25 people!!!!!
Now Nicole Richie is a different story. She keeps a low profile, but when she is in the spotlight she looks so immaciated and malnutritioned that her belly is sticking out as if she were pregnant. Her father Lionel richie said ina n interview that she just doesn't eat, but for someone who has everything she could ever need, why is she starving herself. Something is amiss and I recommend a Psychiatrist to help STAT!
And last but not least, Mel Gibson. Mel is an absolutely AMAZING actor from Hamlet to the Lethal Weapon movies to the Passion of Christ. This man has a gift. Ok so he fell off the wagon. Ok he apologized, but why did he put himself in that situation in the first place. If it was the Lebanon/Israeli conflict that was bothering him then HEY! it bothered me as well, but you don't see me run across the street and beat up the first person I see to let out MY frustration. No I just set up a blog ;) hehehe
But seriously, the point of this whole article is that I've been seeing more and more stars fall down due to stupid mistakes that they should be able to control. Even Jane Fonda said in a recent interview that the stars of today don't take acting and show business as seriously as they did in her days.
Unfortunately we have to face facts that children look at what the cool people are doing and not what their Moms, Dads or Aunts and Uncles do. My question is, What can we do about it? Ban our kids from watching TV or listening to Music? Educate them? Stage a protest against such behavior? What do YOU think should be done?
Little girls look up to Lindsey and Paris and in the end they see one go off to re-hab (for the second time!) and the other to jail.
Lindsey is 20 and shouldn't even be drinking OR clubbing and I'm sorry but she looks at least 30 now with all the alcohol, cigarettes, and partying she's done.
Paris disregarded the law (great role model), and is now in jail crying her eyes out. This from a woman who is over 25, who has her own show, her own perfume, her own CD, and STILL acts immature.
Brittany Spears is another example. She's adored by many young ladies AND young men, but what kind of role model is she giving when she marries a guy who we all knew was not good enough for her, a man who was using her, and in the end she ends up drinking, partying, and finally having a nervous breakdown, shaves her head and enters a re-hab clinic.
But of course the drama doesn't stop there. She ends up coming out of re-hab and goes straight back to drinking and partying. Again she's over 25 people!!!!!
Now Nicole Richie is a different story. She keeps a low profile, but when she is in the spotlight she looks so immaciated and malnutritioned that her belly is sticking out as if she were pregnant. Her father Lionel richie said ina n interview that she just doesn't eat, but for someone who has everything she could ever need, why is she starving herself. Something is amiss and I recommend a Psychiatrist to help STAT!
And last but not least, Mel Gibson. Mel is an absolutely AMAZING actor from Hamlet to the Lethal Weapon movies to the Passion of Christ. This man has a gift. Ok so he fell off the wagon. Ok he apologized, but why did he put himself in that situation in the first place. If it was the Lebanon/Israeli conflict that was bothering him then HEY! it bothered me as well, but you don't see me run across the street and beat up the first person I see to let out MY frustration. No I just set up a blog ;) hehehe
But seriously, the point of this whole article is that I've been seeing more and more stars fall down due to stupid mistakes that they should be able to control. Even Jane Fonda said in a recent interview that the stars of today don't take acting and show business as seriously as they did in her days.
Unfortunately we have to face facts that children look at what the cool people are doing and not what their Moms, Dads or Aunts and Uncles do. My question is, What can we do about it? Ban our kids from watching TV or listening to Music? Educate them? Stage a protest against such behavior? What do YOU think should be done?
Monday, June 18, 2007
Water & Electricity
I’m sure people all over the world have water and electricity problems in their country or home towns, but when an OIL rich country has that problem as well, you question it. Lucky me, answers were provided.
Before I ruin the story by sharing the answers I want to tell you what I went through. In March and April of this year I was late to work at least once a week, because by the time I wake up to take a shower in the morning there was no water!
Of course as soon as I found that out I would go back to sleep and try again a couple of hours later. Thank God my company doesn’t have any sign in sheets or finger print machines, just cameras that tell if you came in that day or not!
Now my already ignited frustration was increased when I found out a minister in the government had bought a generator before the summer season even began, knowing what this summer and the government had to hold for us i.e. the water and electricity rations and rolling blackouts from 1p.m.-5p.m. everyday! See http://ansam518.blogspot.com/ for another story on the topic.
More gasoline was added to the fire when my sister told me a couple of days ago WHY we’re having these problems? Do you want to know why?
It turns out that for the past few years a former Energy Ministry was working on an energy plant knowing we were going to end up with this problem that we have now, and it was delayed because he was trying to give his brother’s company the contract! A Korean company in which his brother had a big stake in.
Suffice it to say the government found out about it, which is why he was removed and Mr. Mohammed Al-Aleem is now in charge. It also explains the electricity, and water problem we are facing today.
My question is, how long are we going to stand by and let our country be used for other people’s pleasures? How long do we have to sit around and watch specific governmental, royal, or merchant figures suck Kuwait dry ad leave the rest of our countrymen behind?
Stop thinking of "What you country can DO for you, but what you can DO for your country!"
Before I ruin the story by sharing the answers I want to tell you what I went through. In March and April of this year I was late to work at least once a week, because by the time I wake up to take a shower in the morning there was no water!
Of course as soon as I found that out I would go back to sleep and try again a couple of hours later. Thank God my company doesn’t have any sign in sheets or finger print machines, just cameras that tell if you came in that day or not!
Now my already ignited frustration was increased when I found out a minister in the government had bought a generator before the summer season even began, knowing what this summer and the government had to hold for us i.e. the water and electricity rations and rolling blackouts from 1p.m.-5p.m. everyday! See http://ansam518.blogspot.com/ for another story on the topic.
More gasoline was added to the fire when my sister told me a couple of days ago WHY we’re having these problems? Do you want to know why?
It turns out that for the past few years a former Energy Ministry was working on an energy plant knowing we were going to end up with this problem that we have now, and it was delayed because he was trying to give his brother’s company the contract! A Korean company in which his brother had a big stake in.
Suffice it to say the government found out about it, which is why he was removed and Mr. Mohammed Al-Aleem is now in charge. It also explains the electricity, and water problem we are facing today.
My question is, how long are we going to stand by and let our country be used for other people’s pleasures? How long do we have to sit around and watch specific governmental, royal, or merchant figures suck Kuwait dry ad leave the rest of our countrymen behind?
Stop thinking of "What you country can DO for you, but what you can DO for your country!"
Beautiful Song
It just proves the saying "Don't judge a book by its cover"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0dzZTPWrSM&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En0A8KGMgq8&mode=related&search=
Masha'Allah ... They have a huge future ahead of them both!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0dzZTPWrSM&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En0A8KGMgq8&mode=related&search=
Masha'Allah ... They have a huge future ahead of them both!
Take Care of Our Kuwait
I’m not a huge supporter of environmental activism i.e. I don’t protest, it’s not on my agenda everyday, and it does not control my everyday thoughts; however, over the past year I have noticed some shameful abuse of our country’s environment and generosity that has led me to write this post.
Granted our country has a lot of catching up and organization to do, but what aggravates me is the abuse our own countrymen and visitors are causing.
My office in Kuwait City overlooks a stoplight intersection. During the day, cars push their limits by crossing the line after the red-light has flashed causing grid-lock, and then the horns start blazing. It’s so loud; I literally jump up from my seat. My question is: Why pass the line in the first place when you know you don’t have that far to go? Is it going to kill you if you wait another 3 minutes before the stop light turns green again? Don’t you know you’re causing noise pollution? And especially ME a headache?
I’m just getting started. How about the air pollution and littering that I see. Why do we have to employ people to pick up after us in the streets? I salute McDonalds for doing their part and handing out little baggies you can fill your trash with. If you don’t like the smell of old cigarettes in your car then don’t smoke in your car, and certainly don’t drop your cigarettes on the streets, parking lots and wherever you find convenient. There IS something called a garbage bin. If you don’t want any trash in your car then don’t drink, eat, or sneeze in your car, but don’t make it someone else’s job to pick up after you. What are you? Two years old? My niece picks up after herself and I don’t even have to tell her.
What I’m trying to say. To appeal to all who live in this beautiful country of ours is PLEASE be reasonable. Once the stop light turns yellow, stop at the line. Once your done with something in your car, stuff it in the ashtray or a bag and then dump it in a trash whenever you the get the chance.
Let’s make Kuwait as beautiful as it should be.
PLEASE!
Granted our country has a lot of catching up and organization to do, but what aggravates me is the abuse our own countrymen and visitors are causing.
My office in Kuwait City overlooks a stoplight intersection. During the day, cars push their limits by crossing the line after the red-light has flashed causing grid-lock, and then the horns start blazing. It’s so loud; I literally jump up from my seat. My question is: Why pass the line in the first place when you know you don’t have that far to go? Is it going to kill you if you wait another 3 minutes before the stop light turns green again? Don’t you know you’re causing noise pollution? And especially ME a headache?
I’m just getting started. How about the air pollution and littering that I see. Why do we have to employ people to pick up after us in the streets? I salute McDonalds for doing their part and handing out little baggies you can fill your trash with. If you don’t like the smell of old cigarettes in your car then don’t smoke in your car, and certainly don’t drop your cigarettes on the streets, parking lots and wherever you find convenient. There IS something called a garbage bin. If you don’t want any trash in your car then don’t drink, eat, or sneeze in your car, but don’t make it someone else’s job to pick up after you. What are you? Two years old? My niece picks up after herself and I don’t even have to tell her.
What I’m trying to say. To appeal to all who live in this beautiful country of ours is PLEASE be reasonable. Once the stop light turns yellow, stop at the line. Once your done with something in your car, stuff it in the ashtray or a bag and then dump it in a trash whenever you the get the chance.
Let’s make Kuwait as beautiful as it should be.
PLEASE!
Keeping Our Children Safe
I’m no parent, and I can honestly agree that I know half the anxiety and pressure a parent is under when taking care and educating their children; however, I am an Aunt of 9, and I take pride in saying that I have influenced most of them (some were born with a head on their shoulders! Masha’Allah).
Now that I’ve told you my family tree, I’ll explain why.
I live in a small, quiet town in Kuwait and I love it. We have an embassy and country offices in this small town. We have a stadium, banks, and a huge co-op, but what we don’t have are parents who watch out for their kids and what they are doing.
One of the things I like doing in my town is walking, and the town recently opened a new garden for children to play. The garden has a basketball court, swings, and other children’s toys. The garden wasn’t open 6 months before I found graffiti all over the basketball court’s walls and on the toys supplied by our government.
Our town’s high school just had a new wall erected around it, and as I was driving to work the other day, yup you guessed it, GRAFITTI!
Want more? A couple of years ago, I was in my car on my way home. School was out, and as I was turning in to my drive way when these kids just charged in the middle of the street on their bikes without looking right or left. I nearly hit two of them. I didn’t get angry. I called the eldest and sweetly asked him to be careful, to take care of each other, and that I don’t want them to get hurt.
Later on that day I was on my way home again with a friend. My friend was driving and the same kids walked right in front of us. I had had it by this time. I wasn’t about to have a child’s death on my hands, so I got out of the car and started screaming at all of them. You know what they did? They just walked off. A gentleman even got out of a neighboring diwaniya and started doing the same. We were both on our last nerve. Now ask me, was there a maid present at any of these events? No. Were there any parents around? No. Were some of the kids younger than 6? YES!
Another shocking story: The night my sister got married, my brother and I were on our way home when we saw a baby boy (max. 3 years old) out on the street. We picked him up. My brother dropped me home and he went from house to house asking whom this kid belonged too. Again, where were the parents? It was 3a.m. for goodness sakes???
And my latest frustration, I did mention I love walking in my town, especially in cool weather with my iPod blasting. We have a couple of new houses being built on our main street, and as I was passing by the construction site two kids crawled from under the construction walls and ran like little mice. I was so shocked and scared beyond belief. What if something had happened to them? What if one had slipped and fell through the iron spikes they have set up?
My plea is not only to the parents but also to our men in uniform, the police. Keep a look out for kids astray and vandalism, and formally inform the justice system and the parents of the children you catch.
And PLEASE parents! Pay attention to the kids. If you’re exhausted send them to your sister or brother, or even your mother’s house to play, but don’t neglect them, and please parents don’t let your kids learn about vandalism. Let’s keep our country clean and our children safe.
Now that I’ve told you my family tree, I’ll explain why.
I live in a small, quiet town in Kuwait and I love it. We have an embassy and country offices in this small town. We have a stadium, banks, and a huge co-op, but what we don’t have are parents who watch out for their kids and what they are doing.
One of the things I like doing in my town is walking, and the town recently opened a new garden for children to play. The garden has a basketball court, swings, and other children’s toys. The garden wasn’t open 6 months before I found graffiti all over the basketball court’s walls and on the toys supplied by our government.
Our town’s high school just had a new wall erected around it, and as I was driving to work the other day, yup you guessed it, GRAFITTI!
Want more? A couple of years ago, I was in my car on my way home. School was out, and as I was turning in to my drive way when these kids just charged in the middle of the street on their bikes without looking right or left. I nearly hit two of them. I didn’t get angry. I called the eldest and sweetly asked him to be careful, to take care of each other, and that I don’t want them to get hurt.
Later on that day I was on my way home again with a friend. My friend was driving and the same kids walked right in front of us. I had had it by this time. I wasn’t about to have a child’s death on my hands, so I got out of the car and started screaming at all of them. You know what they did? They just walked off. A gentleman even got out of a neighboring diwaniya and started doing the same. We were both on our last nerve. Now ask me, was there a maid present at any of these events? No. Were there any parents around? No. Were some of the kids younger than 6? YES!
Another shocking story: The night my sister got married, my brother and I were on our way home when we saw a baby boy (max. 3 years old) out on the street. We picked him up. My brother dropped me home and he went from house to house asking whom this kid belonged too. Again, where were the parents? It was 3a.m. for goodness sakes???
And my latest frustration, I did mention I love walking in my town, especially in cool weather with my iPod blasting. We have a couple of new houses being built on our main street, and as I was passing by the construction site two kids crawled from under the construction walls and ran like little mice. I was so shocked and scared beyond belief. What if something had happened to them? What if one had slipped and fell through the iron spikes they have set up?
My plea is not only to the parents but also to our men in uniform, the police. Keep a look out for kids astray and vandalism, and formally inform the justice system and the parents of the children you catch.
And PLEASE parents! Pay attention to the kids. If you’re exhausted send them to your sister or brother, or even your mother’s house to play, but don’t neglect them, and please parents don’t let your kids learn about vandalism. Let’s keep our country clean and our children safe.
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