This post is related to my earlier article Water & Electricity. Since that post the Energy Ministry has launched a full scale media campaign called "Tarsheed" meaning conservation. There are billboards, flyers, MUPIS, booths at malls, even people calling you at home asking you to turn the AC up or switch off your lights when it is no longer needed. This is NOT the embarrassing part. The embarrassing part is when other countries, international medias AND emails are sent out making us look so bad I am actually embarrassed to call myself a Kuwaiti. I just got this joke today and I felt like Carrie at the prom with pig's blood all over me.
"A Man dies and goes to hell. There he finds that there is a different hell for each country. He goes to the German hell and asks, "What do they do here?"He is told: "First they put you in an electric chair for an hour.Then they lay you on a bed of nails for another hour.Then the German devil comes in and whips you for the rest of the day." The man does not like the sound of that at all, so he moves on. He checksout the American hell, as well as the Russian hell and many more.He discovers that they are all more or less the same as the German hell. Then he comes to the Kuwaiti hell and finds that there is a long line of people from all nationalities waiting to get in. Amazed, he asks, "What do they do here?"He is told, "First they put you in an electric chair for an hour, and then they lay you on a bed of nails for another hour. Then the Kuwaiti devil comes in and whips you for the rest of the day." "But that is exactly the same as all the other hells. Why are there so many people waiting to get in?"The answer goes: "Because maintenance is so bad, there is no electricity so the electric chair doesn't work. Some Bengali has stolen all the nails from the bed. And the devil is a retired Government employee, so he comes in, signs the register and then goes to have tea and eats his falafel."
For once I want to say, KUWAIT YOU MAKE ME PROUD! and shout it from the rooftops.
Instead, I say Kuwait you make me sad! And all of you who think it's funny to make fun of us.
Stop being bullies and GROW UP. There are worse things going on in the world.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Monday, July 30, 2007
Ramadan eeesa comin'
We've heard it mentioned in TV shows and Hollywood movies when people have lost their "Christmas Spirit."
In our country, I feel many have lost the "Ramadan Spirit."
Ramadan, Islam's month of fasting, used to be a gathering of family, of funny and dramatical tv shows, of Gergean (the Arabic trick or treat), of peace and spiritual relief, and it still is to some.
However, I've noticed a shift lately, or perhaps it's the fact that I'm "still growing up."
I was booking a business trip and I unfortunately have had to push it so that I show up a day before Ramadan, and there were no empty seats on the plane back as people are returning to Kuwait last minute.
I also know and heard of many people who leave Kuwait during the Holy Month of Ramadan as to not partake in this ritual.
So my question is, What's happened to the "Ramadan Spirit"? I know it's not a lack of faith, as many Kuwaitis seem to be more religious then when I was a child. Is it such a bother to fast and pray vigorously for one month?
The whole point of Ramadan is to thank God for the good things he has giving us in life, and to remember that there are poor people worse off than us.
Are some people in a state of denial? Do they not want to remember that there are other people suffering in the world, or do they just not believe in God anymore?
In our country, I feel many have lost the "Ramadan Spirit."
Ramadan, Islam's month of fasting, used to be a gathering of family, of funny and dramatical tv shows, of Gergean (the Arabic trick or treat), of peace and spiritual relief, and it still is to some.
However, I've noticed a shift lately, or perhaps it's the fact that I'm "still growing up."
I was booking a business trip and I unfortunately have had to push it so that I show up a day before Ramadan, and there were no empty seats on the plane back as people are returning to Kuwait last minute.
I also know and heard of many people who leave Kuwait during the Holy Month of Ramadan as to not partake in this ritual.
So my question is, What's happened to the "Ramadan Spirit"? I know it's not a lack of faith, as many Kuwaitis seem to be more religious then when I was a child. Is it such a bother to fast and pray vigorously for one month?
The whole point of Ramadan is to thank God for the good things he has giving us in life, and to remember that there are poor people worse off than us.
Are some people in a state of denial? Do they not want to remember that there are other people suffering in the world, or do they just not believe in God anymore?
Sunday, June 24, 2007
New Law
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!
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!
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!
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