I see stupid people!
...and smart people!
27 August 2007
25 August 2007
First Golden Khalalah Award!
Because of the negative and slightly political nature of my last few posts, this post is is my way of 'repenting'. (I don't think any of us need anymore darkness in our lives.)
In an effort to bring more positivity and yumminess to Kuwaiti blogs I'm proud to present Green Eggs and Balalee6's First Golden Khalalah (غولدن خلالة) Award to the people at We Love Kuwait.com
I love the people at http://www.welovekuwait.com for caring enough about our children to make a difference.
One of my favorite posts on their site
talks about something I strongly believe: the way we spend our money says more about our values better than almost anything ever does.
'Put your money where your kid's mouth is and quit feeding them McDonald's' is kinda the thought.
The blog's format is difficult to read because of the inserts of Jumanah's articles in Al-Nadha (I think!) but the posts written are worth reading because there clearly is passion behind them.
In an effort to bring more positivity and yumminess to Kuwaiti blogs I'm proud to present Green Eggs and Balalee6's First Golden Khalalah (غولدن خلالة) Award to the people at We Love Kuwait.com
I love the people at http://www.welovekuwait.com for caring enough about our children to make a difference.
One of my favorite posts on their site
talks about something I strongly believe: the way we spend our money says more about our values better than almost anything ever does.
'Put your money where your kid's mouth is and quit feeding them McDonald's' is kinda the thought.
The blog's format is difficult to read because of the inserts of Jumanah's articles in Al-Nadha (I think!) but the posts written are worth reading because there clearly is passion behind them.
22 August 2007
I know what you're doing this fall...
YoooooooooooooooooMa! Scary few days.
I ran into someone I know at my old job today.
MM: So you really did it?
G: Yup, I quit *grin*
MM: Good for you, ta3jibeeni, I'm going to be doing that pretty soon myself too.
G: Seriously?! Did you find another job yet?
MM: No I'm leaving the country?
G: Oh...lucky! Are you studying?
MM: No actually, I just don't think I can live here much longer, especially with the current security situation.
G: Yeah...the last few days have been pretty messed up.
MM: And I have a big mouth...3adi bacher ma5theeni amn ildawla.
I'm stunned. That's what we've come to..? People are thinking of moving for fear of persecution. This guy is an intelligent, young, hardworking man; if people like him leave, who's staying?! (Sa'adoun Hammad...ummm I can still talk about Sa'adoun Hammad 9a7??)
I'm glad Bashar and Jassem are back home.
But it's a disturbing "precedent". We've been calling for a developed publications law that can deal with digital publishing and all that for what seems like forever but the Parliament and Cabinet have been too busy with their dirty politics to pay attention.
And besides, couldn't they have spared Bashar the whole 'experience'? I'm sure they could've found and arrested the anonymous commenter without much fuss. So why the spectacle?
There's nothing I hate more than feeling like a pawn in someone's chess game, now I feel the whole country is being held hostage by a handful of people.
Kuwait, I suggest popping some popcorn and melting some butter 'cause this is gonna be a !@#$ed up screening of a twisted movie.
I wonder how it's gonna end...(looking for warm socks and a shawl...movie theaters are always sooo cold!)
I ran into someone I know at my old job today.
MM: So you really did it?
G: Yup, I quit *grin*
MM: Good for you, ta3jibeeni, I'm going to be doing that pretty soon myself too.
G: Seriously?! Did you find another job yet?
MM: No I'm leaving the country?
G: Oh...lucky! Are you studying?
MM: No actually, I just don't think I can live here much longer, especially with the current security situation.
G: Yeah...the last few days have been pretty messed up.
MM: And I have a big mouth...3adi bacher ma5theeni amn ildawla.
I'm stunned. That's what we've come to..? People are thinking of moving for fear of persecution. This guy is an intelligent, young, hardworking man; if people like him leave, who's staying?! (Sa'adoun Hammad...ummm I can still talk about Sa'adoun Hammad 9a7??)
I'm glad Bashar and Jassem are back home.
But it's a disturbing "precedent". We've been calling for a developed publications law that can deal with digital publishing and all that for what seems like forever but the Parliament and Cabinet have been too busy with their dirty politics to pay attention.
And besides, couldn't they have spared Bashar the whole 'experience'? I'm sure they could've found and arrested the anonymous commenter without much fuss. So why the spectacle?
There's nothing I hate more than feeling like a pawn in someone's chess game, now I feel the whole country is being held hostage by a handful of people.
Kuwait, I suggest popping some popcorn and melting some butter 'cause this is gonna be a !@#$ed up screening of a twisted movie.
I wonder how it's gonna end...(looking for warm socks and a shawl...movie theaters are always sooo cold!)
20 August 2007
طلال and سعود
طلال السعيد
... يتباكى على حال الوطن
If you haven't heard former MP Talal Al-Saed's qaseeda where he 'cries' at Kuwait's current situation yet, consider yourself lucky. (It's obvious he has a personal thing with Sharar aka Al-Mustashar)Not because it's a bad qaseeda, although I'm not completely convinced of his شاعرية, I'm kinda insulted by his lame attempt.
Talal, where were you when you were enjoyed a seat in parliament and the cabinet's generosity? You were a puppet. Now that no one in government gives a rat's ass what you do and no one's paying you to put your arm up in the air, you're crying over what we've come to?..Oh what a patriot! Get a life!
سعود صاهودالمطيري
If I hear his name one more time I'm going to scream! The guy is a self-made billionaire apparently, a Kuwaiti real-estate mogul. In the past couple of months, the dude's mug has been plastered all over the papers and it seems like he's all people talk about.
A self-made millionaire; anywhere else on the planet people would be looking up to him. In Kuwait, people are digging, he's into money-laundering, he's backed by Shyookh... where else did he get his money from?!
I have no idea whether his money is 'clean' or not and honestly I don't care. If he's corrupt, he's not the only one, and he doesn't seem to be doing the country much harm. (Maybe I think this way due to ignorance.) But this fascination with صاهود must come to an end soon. (I also think he's being a media puppy at the moment...he's gonna be on CNBC tomorrow I think...hopefully that'll be the end of him.)
My family has been talking about him at lunch for over a week now. Please stop talking about سعود صاهود pass the دقوس!
... يتباكى على حال الوطن
If you haven't heard former MP Talal Al-Saed's qaseeda where he 'cries' at Kuwait's current situation yet, consider yourself lucky. (It's obvious he has a personal thing with Sharar aka Al-Mustashar)Not because it's a bad qaseeda, although I'm not completely convinced of his شاعرية, I'm kinda insulted by his lame attempt.
Talal, where were you when you were enjoyed a seat in parliament and the cabinet's generosity? You were a puppet. Now that no one in government gives a rat's ass what you do and no one's paying you to put your arm up in the air, you're crying over what we've come to?..Oh what a patriot! Get a life!
سعود صاهودالمطيري
If I hear his name one more time I'm going to scream! The guy is a self-made billionaire apparently, a Kuwaiti real-estate mogul. In the past couple of months, the dude's mug has been plastered all over the papers and it seems like he's all people talk about.
A self-made millionaire; anywhere else on the planet people would be looking up to him. In Kuwait, people are digging, he's into money-laundering, he's backed by Shyookh... where else did he get his money from?!
I have no idea whether his money is 'clean' or not and honestly I don't care. If he's corrupt, he's not the only one, and he doesn't seem to be doing the country much harm. (Maybe I think this way due to ignorance.) But this fascination with صاهود must come to an end soon. (I also think he's being a media puppy at the moment...he's gonna be on CNBC tomorrow I think...hopefully that'll be the end of him.)
My family has been talking about him at lunch for over a week now. Please stop talking about سعود صاهود pass the دقوس!
19 August 2007
10 things I vow never to do
How did all these things become acceptable to us? (By us I mean 5aleeji's in general not just Kuwaitis...although some are more Kuwait-specific than others).
10 things I vow never to do*:
1) Wear a denim jacket in the summer. (This is a few years too late as that was ‘in’ a couple of years ago but be sure...if that trend comes around I will not be joining the masses.)
2) Have a stupid post-delivery baby reception at the hospital a.k.a. Isti8bal (Istihbal). Spending hundreds of dinars to impress people you barely know immediately after you’ve had a baby..? Oh how fun!
3) Buy a car that costs three times what I make in a year to drive around Kuwait’s streets. Can you spell S-U-C-K-E-R?
4) Pick a woman out of a line-up to live with my family, and then leave my children alone with her for a specified amount of time each day. That’s what daycare’s for, cheapskate.
5) Marry someone for their money, their last name, or their mother.
6) Go to the same restaurant every week. (Maki, anyone?)
7) Grow a second head in my hijab. (Gives new meaning to Fergie’s “My humps”)
8) Paint a face that doesn’t resemble my face on my face. Oh I should add this one here, shave off all or part of my eyebrows and color them in. (“Chinese” eyebrows anyone?)
9) Scam the government to get undeserved money ‘cause I’m poor (related to #3).
10) Get one of those “ba6ala mu8ana3a” jobs, where you punch a time card sit around, eat, gossip, and leave (see #9, #3).
* subject to change at any moment.
10 things I vow never to do*:
1) Wear a denim jacket in the summer. (This is a few years too late as that was ‘in’ a couple of years ago but be sure...if that trend comes around I will not be joining the masses.)
2) Have a stupid post-delivery baby reception at the hospital a.k.a. Isti8bal (Istihbal). Spending hundreds of dinars to impress people you barely know immediately after you’ve had a baby..? Oh how fun!
3) Buy a car that costs three times what I make in a year to drive around Kuwait’s streets. Can you spell S-U-C-K-E-R?
4) Pick a woman out of a line-up to live with my family, and then leave my children alone with her for a specified amount of time each day. That’s what daycare’s for, cheapskate.
5) Marry someone for their money, their last name, or their mother.
6) Go to the same restaurant every week. (Maki, anyone?)
7) Grow a second head in my hijab. (Gives new meaning to Fergie’s “My humps”)
8) Paint a face that doesn’t resemble my face on my face. Oh I should add this one here, shave off all or part of my eyebrows and color them in. (“Chinese” eyebrows anyone?)
9) Scam the government to get undeserved money ‘cause I’m poor (related to #3).
10) Get one of those “ba6ala mu8ana3a” jobs, where you punch a time card sit around, eat, gossip, and leave (see #9, #3).
* subject to change at any moment.
17 August 2007
“You don’t have enough clothes,” a relative told me a few days ago, (her actual words were, “Wain? Ma inshoofich talbiseen?” when I told her that I didn’t want to go shopping even though the stores I frequent have “sales” because I have way too many clothes).
But I do. My closet, although not as packed as her closet*, is pretty full of clothes. Casual clothes, a decent outfits, grungy stuff …. I mean I’m covered! (quite literally).
Why is that so hard to understand?!
I have no idea why, but her words really got to me. Although my closet is bursting at the hinges (?!), her words replayed in my head today as I sat there staring at my closet. I really felt like I didn’t have anything “good enough” to wear to a family get-together.
I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m never going to be one of those people who always have something new on and never repeat their outfits. It’s just not my nature: 1) I don’t always enjoy shopping 2) I’m extremely selective when I do shop (which makes shopping less enjoyable) 3) I hate clutter and always end up donating clothes I don’t wear “all the time”.
Anyway, I felt really bad because I wore something I was planning to give-away just to prove to her that I do have "more than enough" clothes (how lame is that?! And what does that really mean--ugh! I'm such a push-over!).
I guess "they misunderestimated me,"** because I'm still giving that skirt away and I still refuse to go shopping for more clothes.
This whole ‘episode’ reminded me of something I’d come across awhile back…a Seattle artist who makes a brown dress and wears it for a whole year. (I’d love to do that just for my mother’s reaction…priceless!) She called her project "little brown dress"
Check out a short interview with her here.
Today’s lesson: "I'm rubber and you're glue, and anything you say bounces off me and sticks to you." (I'm more of a rubber wannabe at this point...)
*a big reason for this difference is due to the different schools of thought we belong. I will buy a few expensive things that last me several years; she buys lots of cheaper clothes/shoes and changes them frequently.
** Another inspirational quote by George W. Bush. (I'm gonna miss him when he leaves *sigh*)
But I do. My closet, although not as packed as her closet*, is pretty full of clothes. Casual clothes, a decent outfits, grungy stuff …. I mean I’m covered! (quite literally).
Why is that so hard to understand?!
I have no idea why, but her words really got to me. Although my closet is bursting at the hinges (?!), her words replayed in my head today as I sat there staring at my closet. I really felt like I didn’t have anything “good enough” to wear to a family get-together.
I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m never going to be one of those people who always have something new on and never repeat their outfits. It’s just not my nature: 1) I don’t always enjoy shopping 2) I’m extremely selective when I do shop (which makes shopping less enjoyable) 3) I hate clutter and always end up donating clothes I don’t wear “all the time”.
Anyway, I felt really bad because I wore something I was planning to give-away just to prove to her that I do have "more than enough" clothes (how lame is that?! And what does that really mean--ugh! I'm such a push-over!).
I guess "they misunderestimated me,"** because I'm still giving that skirt away and I still refuse to go shopping for more clothes.
This whole ‘episode’ reminded me of something I’d come across awhile back…a Seattle artist who makes a brown dress and wears it for a whole year. (I’d love to do that just for my mother’s reaction…priceless!) She called her project "little brown dress"
Check out a short interview with her here.
Today’s lesson: "I'm rubber and you're glue, and anything you say bounces off me and sticks to you." (I'm more of a rubber wannabe at this point...)
*a big reason for this difference is due to the different schools of thought we belong. I will buy a few expensive things that last me several years; she buys lots of cheaper clothes/shoes and changes them frequently.
** Another inspirational quote by George W. Bush. (I'm gonna miss him when he leaves *sigh*)
14 August 2007
The shiny invades Kuwait
I’m not really sure when or how it happened as it slowly crept upon us.
But if you're not staying up nights over this already you should be...(Kimora Lee Simmons, I blame you for destroying the Kuwaiti aesthetic.)
"Strass" (Rhinestones) have invaded Kuwait... I’ve been cooped up inside for sometime now so I’ve been out of the ‘loop’…a couple of days ago I decided to drive around the ‘loop’ just to blow off some steam and clear my mind…and I spotted it all over Kuwait.
What? Is shiny the new black?! Am I missing out on something here?!
I’m very confused…first it showed up on hijabs and that was cute and all… for the first 10 minutes. Then it just got tacky! But anyhow on a hijab it does give a certain éclat to a girl’s face, as a Lebanese-wannabe acquaintance of mine would say.
Then it showed up on cell phones which was deeply disturbing because my eyes are very sensitive to light and these shine-bombs were very…well…shiny.
Shiny and cheap…I mean you’re calling attention to your cell phone because…? it’s special…how? Not to mention it quite impractical as it scratches your face when you’re using the cell. Nonetheless, I figured let them be… to each their own right..?
But now I see it on cars and that’s just beyond disgusting (once again this is my personal opinion…Please don’t comment or send me emails saying “well I think it’s cute”).
I mean seriously!…I was driving on
Then I noticed the trend …many many cars along
Now listen up Kuwait…
If you’re a guy there are only two good reasons for your car to be blingy:
1) You’re a rapper (which you’re not…even if you’re black and you think you can rap…you are not and you can’t).
2) You’re gay.
Kuwaiti girls you also get two reasons:
1) You have ridiculously bad taste.
2) You’re an idiot who would do anything other Kuwaitis do.
Why do I care?
I don’t.
I really could care less what people did to their cars.
But this is a problem...if it was one car I’d let it go, but a whole fleet of cars…we have to do something about this because:
a) it’s a hebba (“trend”) and you know how those can get out of hand around here...(think: would you like it if your neighbor's house was plastered with strass).
b) more importantly, its a national pandemic…and it’s really pathetic.
At this point I won’t be surprised if Kuwait’s official emblem was pimped out with shiny little crystals as well. (Make that image go away!)
Today’s lesson: Blinged up Kuwaitis need a life! And no you’re not cute!
شكر وعرفان
Because gratitude is a virtue...
...and I can't always thank people when I want to...
Thank you Kuwaiti man with little boy wearing blue t-shirt for not cutting in line at the Soug Sharg main entrance Starbucks when the guy at the cashier completely ignored me and asked for your order.
Thank you man in green--I think, it was dark-- Toyota SUV who stopped behind me at a stoplight for turning your headlights off. It was very thoughtful and my eyes really appreciated it. (Don't worry safety-first people, he turned them back on as soon as it turned green.)
Thank you abaya wearing young lady who smiled back at me when I smiled as I was passing by her.
All of you give me hope. We're not all rotten eggs.
I love Kuwait.
...and I can't always thank people when I want to...
Thank you Kuwaiti man with little boy wearing blue t-shirt for not cutting in line at the Soug Sharg main entrance Starbucks when the guy at the cashier completely ignored me and asked for your order.
Thank you man in green--I think, it was dark-- Toyota SUV who stopped behind me at a stoplight for turning your headlights off. It was very thoughtful and my eyes really appreciated it. (Don't worry safety-first people, he turned them back on as soon as it turned green.)
Thank you abaya wearing young lady who smiled back at me when I smiled as I was passing by her.
All of you give me hope. We're not all rotten eggs.
I love Kuwait.
The decider who keeps on fallin'
You know that dream where u fall off a cliff and get that weird feeling in your gut but u always wake up before you hit the ground. I've been on that bottomless tumble for awhile now. It feels like I keep on fallin'.
I broke down. Yep that's right! Just like the sheets of parched sand I stomped around in as a kid in Mena Abdullah's chalets, I'm starting to crumble...all at once and bit by bit. I wore diamonds to a hospital. Granted its not really a hospital, Royal Hayat is more a fancy shmancy maternity hospital and spa I guess than a real hospital.
Nevertheless, I cracked. Two years ago I vowed that I would not be one of those people that got dressed to the nine's to visit someone at the hospital. Anyway, a relatives' istihbal/isti8bal (post-delivery baby reception) brought that promise to myself crashing down. I'm still wandering around in the debris searching for pieces of myself.** Oh well. It wasn't so bad, I don't think, it just scared me that I did it without thinking twice. Sure, I feel guilty about it now but as I was getting dressed it felt right.
On a more cheerful note, I quit my job a few days back. No, I have nothing lined up but I'm currently looking for a job. I woke up one day two weeks after writing a pro/con list about my job (the con list was two pages long; the pro list had two items) and decided that I need to take back my life. I kept thinking "I am the decider" as I walked into my boss's office.*** Receipt in hand, I returned my soul from the oil-rich devil and I've never felt better. Honestly though, I need a job.
I've wondered around here before about how one goes about doing that? Some tell me that emailing your resume to companies is a little desperate and no one really pays attention. Others tell me to cold call companies I'm interested in and ask to talk to someone and email my resume that particular person. I should start doing something pretty soon.
**I love drama sooo much I could be a 5aleeji soap star.
*** It's strange how Bush's words can be a source of motivation in my life.
Today's lesson: Productivity is over-rated; being a bum is quite rewarding.
I broke down. Yep that's right! Just like the sheets of parched sand I stomped around in as a kid in Mena Abdullah's chalets, I'm starting to crumble...all at once and bit by bit. I wore diamonds to a hospital. Granted its not really a hospital, Royal Hayat is more a fancy shmancy maternity hospital and spa I guess than a real hospital.
Nevertheless, I cracked. Two years ago I vowed that I would not be one of those people that got dressed to the nine's to visit someone at the hospital. Anyway, a relatives' istihbal/isti8bal (post-delivery baby reception) brought that promise to myself crashing down. I'm still wandering around in the debris searching for pieces of myself.** Oh well. It wasn't so bad, I don't think, it just scared me that I did it without thinking twice. Sure, I feel guilty about it now but as I was getting dressed it felt right.
On a more cheerful note, I quit my job a few days back. No, I have nothing lined up but I'm currently looking for a job. I woke up one day two weeks after writing a pro/con list about my job (the con list was two pages long; the pro list had two items) and decided that I need to take back my life. I kept thinking "I am the decider" as I walked into my boss's office.*** Receipt in hand, I returned my soul from the oil-rich devil and I've never felt better. Honestly though, I need a job.
I've wondered around here before about how one goes about doing that? Some tell me that emailing your resume to companies is a little desperate and no one really pays attention. Others tell me to cold call companies I'm interested in and ask to talk to someone and email my resume that particular person. I should start doing something pretty soon.
**I love drama sooo much I could be a 5aleeji soap star.
*** It's strange how Bush's words can be a source of motivation in my life.
Today's lesson: Productivity is over-rated; being a bum is quite rewarding.
03 August 2007
17 years ago yesterday...
Internet was not very cooperative yesterday, so, this post is a day late :(
Yesterday, August 2, 2007 marks the 17th anniversary of Saddam's invasion and occupation of Kuwait. To honor of all those who died, went missing, and those who survived it as well GE&B presents you with sounds and sights that will take us back to 1990-1991 . (I always get choked up when I see these.)
(I apologize for the bad audio.)
and for kicks:
(I remember as a kid begging my mom to grow my hair out to elfa7 like the girl in the front. I so wanted to be her!)
Although I believe that as a country/people we need to move on but we also need to make sure to remember the feeling of loss we had to be able to appreciate Kuwait more. In honor of those who died for this country, we need to live for this country.
Yesterday, August 2, 2007 marks the 17th anniversary of Saddam's invasion and occupation of Kuwait. To honor of all those who died, went missing, and those who survived it as well GE&B presents you with sounds and sights that will take us back to 1990-1991 . (I always get choked up when I see these.)
(I apologize for the bad audio.)
and for kicks:
(I remember as a kid begging my mom to grow my hair out to elfa7 like the girl in the front. I so wanted to be her!)
Although I believe that as a country/people we need to move on but we also need to make sure to remember the feeling of loss we had to be able to appreciate Kuwait more. In honor of those who died for this country, we need to live for this country.
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