View from my now orange bedroom.
EDA: Two hours later...
EDA: Two hours later...
30 April 2008
28 April 2008
From New and Improved Stereotypes:
Three Embassies have been torched and many, many lives lost in arguments related to the matter
Meant to be funny not offensive.
Islamic Fundamentalists Really Can't Believe It's Not Butter
Three Embassies have been torched and many, many lives lost in arguments related to the matter
Meant to be funny not offensive.
26 April 2008
23 April 2008
5 reasons Haitham Al-Shaya inspires me*
1) He graduated college at 26 years old.
I'm 24 and have been out of school for two years, so technically, I have two years over him--or would that be four?
2) Not ashamed of his privileged position; has taken advantage of it.
I'm one of those stupid socially conscious people who are almost disgusted by the privilege I have (both real and perceived).
3) Believes in himself.
Being a poor orator at 32 is clearly not holding him back; why do I feel the need to be more experienced at 24? (Clearly I undermine myself.)
4) Has no passion, yet tries to fake it. (Fake it till you make it, brother!)
Inspirational indeed. Also only deepens my belief that an interest in politics is something you're born with, more nature than nurture.
5) Willing to take chances and step out of his comfort zone.
He seemed quite uncomfortable.
*All based on what I saw during the event at his campaign headquarters yesterday.
Once again, I have nothing against him at all; he just came off as an imposture. His speech seemed extremely contrived. Almost like watching the kid's on mama Aneesa's show (no offense bro).
Let's hope that in four years when he's Saleh Al-Mulla's age, he'll have matured so much that he can be compared to Al-Mulla.
By the way, if you've come looking for him...this is his website.
Just a note to people working on election campaigns:
1) websites are important.
2) there's something called "search engine optimization" google it. you all need it.
And seriously Al-Mutair?? Your website still isn't running?!! There's less than a month till elections..and you're an incumbent!! Your website should've been up and running before the election!!
Did I mention I'm sorta falling in love with Faisal Al-Meslim?! He's great, I have a massive crush on him. Although I don't agree with all his positions, I've never felt someone to be more genuine than him. If you haven't heard him speak, please try to do so. (If any girls need details about time and place please email me, I'll find out for you. I got his sister's number, I know shameless.)
I think I'm gonna print an "I heart AlMeslim" and "AlSarawi is a RockStar" bumperstickers.
If you can, 'cause I can't vote for them. (And if someone says "8abali" I'm gonna kill them, seriously people, GROW UP!)
I'm 24 and have been out of school for two years, so technically, I have two years over him--or would that be four?
2) Not ashamed of his privileged position; has taken advantage of it.
I'm one of those stupid socially conscious people who are almost disgusted by the privilege I have (both real and perceived).
3) Believes in himself.
Being a poor orator at 32 is clearly not holding him back; why do I feel the need to be more experienced at 24? (Clearly I undermine myself.)
4) Has no passion, yet tries to fake it. (Fake it till you make it, brother!)
Inspirational indeed. Also only deepens my belief that an interest in politics is something you're born with, more nature than nurture.
5) Willing to take chances and step out of his comfort zone.
He seemed quite uncomfortable.
*All based on what I saw during the event at his campaign headquarters yesterday.
Once again, I have nothing against him at all; he just came off as an imposture. His speech seemed extremely contrived. Almost like watching the kid's on mama Aneesa's show (no offense bro).
Let's hope that in four years when he's Saleh Al-Mulla's age, he'll have matured so much that he can be compared to Al-Mulla.
By the way, if you've come looking for him...this is his website.
Just a note to people working on election campaigns:
1) websites are important.
2) there's something called "search engine optimization" google it. you all need it.
And seriously Al-Mutair?? Your website still isn't running?!! There's less than a month till elections..and you're an incumbent!! Your website should've been up and running before the election!!
Did I mention I'm sorta falling in love with Faisal Al-Meslim?! He's great, I have a massive crush on him. Although I don't agree with all his positions, I've never felt someone to be more genuine than him. If you haven't heard him speak, please try to do so. (If any girls need details about time and place please email me, I'll find out for you. I got his sister's number, I know shameless.)
I think I'm gonna print an "I heart AlMeslim" and "AlSarawi is a RockStar" bumperstickers.
If you can, 'cause I can't vote for them. (And if someone says "8abali" I'm gonna kill them, seriously people, GROW UP!)
20 April 2008
“now I’d love to be able to participate in life one last time…”
Came across a series of pictures that I think are both interesting, inspirational and unsettling a bit.
Life Before Death.
These are a series of pictures of people before and after they die. They are tasteful yet somber. If you're disturbed by death please do not click on the link.
Excerpts:
"Gerda couldn’t believe that cancer was cheating her of her hard-earned retirement. “My whole life was nothing but work, work, work,” she told me. She had worked on the assembly line in a soap factory, and had brought up her children single-handedly. “Does it really have to happen now? Can’t death wait?” she sobbed."
"I wonder if it’s possible to have a second chance at life? I don’t think so. I’m not afraid of death — I’ll just be one of the million, billion grains of sand in the desert…”
Life Before Death.
These are a series of pictures of people before and after they die. They are tasteful yet somber. If you're disturbed by death please do not click on the link.
Excerpts:
"Gerda couldn’t believe that cancer was cheating her of her hard-earned retirement. “My whole life was nothing but work, work, work,” she told me. She had worked on the assembly line in a soap factory, and had brought up her children single-handedly. “Does it really have to happen now? Can’t death wait?” she sobbed."
"I wonder if it’s possible to have a second chance at life? I don’t think so. I’m not afraid of death — I’ll just be one of the million, billion grains of sand in the desert…”
19 April 2008
No! She! Didn't!
I wrote my previous post not to show how horrible the girls I'm around are or how much more enlightened I am, the purpose of the post was to shed light on how common discriminatory comments have become.
Many people seemed disgusted with the girls comments, although I'm convinced we've all said things along those lines because unfortunately our superior attitude is ubiquitous.
Case in point:
Today, an acquaintance married into a candidate's family called toconvince tell me to vote for a certain rich candidate. I'm amused by this dude's decision to run for parliament, but I haven't really given him much thought.
Her argument:
1) 6abee3i ra7 ta36eena! (Ohwa minkum o'feekum)
"Wallah, I'm not sure yet; I've yet to hear him speak or hear anything about him. Bes inshallah..." she then explains how many ways we're related...(we're not.)
2) He's a young man, we need fresh blood.
"3ala 3aini o'rasi, bes our district is full of young people; so I"ll have to see."
3) Kafi inna wild _____, o'shayef 5air. Ya3ni shab3an moo min hel hailag illee dasheen 3ala 6ima3
"Hahahaaha", I thought she was joking then realized she's serious, "7abeebti...i got to go...but if you have information about events send me a message."
I hung up and almost hurled.
He can plaster the district from Doha to Qadsiya with his posters but with that kinda rhetoric
he's definitely not getting my vote!
Today's lesson: Rich people would never embezzle money or enter into shady deals to become richer. That's for haileg*.
*haileg=riffraff
Many people seemed disgusted with the girls comments, although I'm convinced we've all said things along those lines because unfortunately our superior attitude is ubiquitous.
Case in point:
Today, an acquaintance married into a candidate's family called to
Her argument:
1) 6abee3i ra7 ta36eena! (Ohwa minkum o'feekum)
"Wallah, I'm not sure yet; I've yet to hear him speak or hear anything about him. Bes inshallah..." she then explains how many ways we're related...(we're not.)
2) He's a young man, we need fresh blood.
"3ala 3aini o'rasi, bes our district is full of young people; so I"ll have to see."
3) Kafi inna wild _____, o'shayef 5air. Ya3ni shab3an moo min hel hailag illee dasheen 3ala 6ima3
"Hahahaaha", I thought she was joking then realized she's serious, "7abeebti...i got to go...but if you have information about events send me a message."
I hung up and almost hurled.
He can plaster the district from Doha to Qadsiya with his posters but with that kinda rhetoric
he's definitely not getting my vote!
Today's lesson: Rich people would never embezzle money or enter into shady deals to become richer. That's for haileg*.
*haileg=riffraff
15 April 2008
Can you hear me now? Equality and Bedou
NOTE: I included tribe's names in the post. It's not meant to offend or belittle anyone. It just reads more authentic with then when I wrote it without. Tribes names were not changed. No bedou/7athar, Sunna or Shi3a were harmed in writing in this post.
Last night, I was at a friend's monthly girl diwaniya. Meeting new people is a lot of fun.
Minor problem, several girls were saying things that made me extremely uncomfortable:
On elections:
"Mako wayed i3yal 3awayil nazleen bilinti5abat, a'3labhum..." she then makes a squirming face and a belittling hand gesture. (translation: there aren't that many candidates from large families i.e."Sunni, non-bedou, rich people" running)
On the freak storm:
"Bricks from our neighbor's house fell onto their covered garage and damaged their cars," upon expressing our sympathies, she adds, "3adi, 3awazim." (translation:it's okay they're from _a certain tribe_.)
On family:
I asked a girl who her mother is (she started it!) and she says "Al-Ajmi, bes moo bedou wallah." It turns out her uncle was a co-worker of mine and I know his family well; they are bedou.
The same girl turns to a girl sitting between us (who, like me, happens to have a tribal last name) and asks her about her mother, upon hearing the last name (a common but unfamiliar name) she goes, "Ee ya3ni zaineen." (translation: "yeah they're okay.") (awkward.)
We say a lot when we think we're in a safe setting.
Equality, my bunions.
Upon getting ready to leave, I pulled out my folded abaya and hijab and unraveled them while talking to one of the girls. She gasped, "you wear hijab?!" The other six girls sitting around chimed in, "I didn't expect that." "I didn't imagine...you don't look like the type!"
What was that about? I'm taking it as a compliment that my hair wasn't flat.
There's a hijab-wearing type?
12 April 2008
Ilshoor shoorik ya yuba: Elections '08
Voting is a big responsibility. (Yes another political post.) Thus my dilemma...
I'm a reformed Islamist, I think that's the only way to label me. I grew up in a big Islamist home but have turned more "progressive"* (or as my mom would say I'm a left-leaning liberal) with every passing year.
I don't want Islamists to rule the Parliament. They're not transparent enough, the have fishy deals with the government, and are bed buddies with too many "breast-fed" bedouins** (say that five times fast). Also I don't see economic development as a major issue for them which I think needs to be a top priority.
I also don't want liberals to rule the Parliament. Although they are much more transparent than Islamists, their ranks include too many Kuwaiti bourgeoisie and they are somewhat out of touch with the people. The more power they have, the bolder the schism between 'within-the-wall Kuwaitis' and 'outside-of-the-wall Kuwaitis'. Another thing is that quite a few of them are too secular for me to be comfortable with.
My initial thoughts were that I'd give half of my four votes to liberals whom I believe share my priorities and the other two votes to either Islamists or independents. A talk with a friend who shares some of my religious/political ideas made me unsure.
"Our parent's generation has fought too hard for you to be supporting hardline liberals," she said. Good point.
In the 60's Kuwaiti women (within-the-walls) were mocked if they chose to cover their hair.
It's a different situation now, over half of Kuwaiti women wear hijab (I heard that somewhere...but I'm not sure how true that it is).
But isn't the pendulum swinging to the other side now? Liberalism is making a comeback. Islamists had their big-break in the 80's and 90's which also saw the death of liberalism in Kuwait. (Liberals were Arab nationalists, post-occupation Kuwait saw the tides turning on them. More like a Tsunami.)
Should I be helping the pendulum swing to a place I'm more comfortable with?
What would that mean on a ballot?
As a Muslim what would be the right thing to do? Vote Islamists although I feel like they've lost the essence of Islam and are power-hungry politicians (not all). Or vote liberal to teach the Islamists a lesson and give them time to restructure their priorities and platform issues; despite lacking morals (again, some not all!).
Decisions, decisions!
* I hate that word. "Progressive". It's so presumptuous.
** "Breast-fed" bedouins are those who are still suckling at the country's teat. And don't ever want to be weaned. Demands include violating diwaniyas, KD 50 allowance...etc... Not all are bedouins actually. (Btw..dissing bedou is my prerogative.)
I'm a reformed Islamist, I think that's the only way to label me. I grew up in a big Islamist home but have turned more "progressive"* (or as my mom would say I'm a left-leaning liberal) with every passing year.
I don't want Islamists to rule the Parliament. They're not transparent enough, the have fishy deals with the government, and are bed buddies with too many "breast-fed" bedouins** (say that five times fast). Also I don't see economic development as a major issue for them which I think needs to be a top priority.
I also don't want liberals to rule the Parliament. Although they are much more transparent than Islamists, their ranks include too many Kuwaiti bourgeoisie and they are somewhat out of touch with the people. The more power they have, the bolder the schism between 'within-the-wall Kuwaitis' and 'outside-of-the-wall Kuwaitis'. Another thing is that quite a few of them are too secular for me to be comfortable with.
My initial thoughts were that I'd give half of my four votes to liberals whom I believe share my priorities and the other two votes to either Islamists or independents. A talk with a friend who shares some of my religious/political ideas made me unsure.
"Our parent's generation has fought too hard for you to be supporting hardline liberals," she said. Good point.
In the 60's Kuwaiti women (within-the-walls) were mocked if they chose to cover their hair.
It's a different situation now, over half of Kuwaiti women wear hijab (I heard that somewhere...but I'm not sure how true that it is).
But isn't the pendulum swinging to the other side now? Liberalism is making a comeback. Islamists had their big-break in the 80's and 90's which also saw the death of liberalism in Kuwait. (Liberals were Arab nationalists, post-occupation Kuwait saw the tides turning on them. More like a Tsunami.)
Should I be helping the pendulum swing to a place I'm more comfortable with?
What would that mean on a ballot?
As a Muslim what would be the right thing to do? Vote Islamists although I feel like they've lost the essence of Islam and are power-hungry politicians (not all). Or vote liberal to teach the Islamists a lesson and give them time to restructure their priorities and platform issues; despite lacking morals (again, some not all!).
Decisions, decisions!
* I hate that word. "Progressive". It's so presumptuous.
** "Breast-fed" bedouins are those who are still suckling at the country's teat. And don't ever want to be weaned. Demands include violating diwaniyas, KD 50 allowance...etc... Not all are bedouins actually. (Btw..dissing bedou is my prerogative.)
09 April 2008
Keep your chai, I want CHANGE
So I did end up going to a bunch of candidates who I'm definitely not supporting out of familial obligations. Fortunately, it hasn't killed me yet. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten around to visiting the people who I think I may want to vote for to make a decision.
I've been going around visiting family, looking at lists of names...but not really calling anyone because these aren't candidates I'm supporting. Am I being dishonest..?
Somewhat...I guess; but you know what, I'm going in the spirit of supporting family. So I don't feel horrible about it.
In time, when I've actually figured out who exactly I'm supporting, I hope to be able to go wherever I want. Apparently, its still early and people are still organizing themselves (although elections are less than five weeks away!).
Elections + small country + large families = confusing situation for voters.
06 April 2008
It's Hard Out Here for a Pimps & "good girls"
One of the most interesting comments from a RL (real life) friend about this blog is that I don't come across quite as religious as I am in RL on the blog (I apparently write a lot about homosexuals, transvestites and drag queens).
It seems I'm not as morally righteous on my blog as I am in RL.
Let me say this loud and clear in case anyone thinks I'm trying to be hip or whatnot:
I have never had a boyfriend. I don't smoke. As far as clothes and makeup go, I'm quite modest. I keep my friend's secrets. I don't have very much drama in my life. I'm a "good girl".
Yay! Good for me!
Except when people around me make me feel like a boring old hag.
On boys:
"Are you serious?! No boyfriend? Ever..?! You've got to be kidding! What are you like gay or something?!"
"Aaah no. I just think its 7aram actually."
"Love is 7aram! What are you Bin Baz or something?!"
"No, love isn't. Having a boyfriend is."
"Oh please, you wear makeup and listen to music...that's all 7aram"
On clothing (modesty issues):
"Oh that's not my style, I don't do skinny jeans and hijab"
"My goodness live a little!"
"I'll be over as soon as I find a decent swimming suit."
"Oh Debenhams has really cute hot pants."
"I don't wear hot pants"
"9aaa7 nisait noo3ich im6awa3a...then buy whatever you don't care to look good."
"uh-uh. okay bye."
The problem with being "good" is that people who are doing things they perhaps feel makes them "bad" get insecure and project their feelings on me:
"You think I don't pray because I don't wear hijab"
"Aaah no, I think you don't pray because I spent three weeks with you and you never prayed once"
(Mind you I don't even care whether she prays or not...she was upset because she found out I was looking for a girl for this dude and didn't mention her name. He's made it clear he wants wa7da mit7ajba wit9ali soooo. I digress.)
Or even worse people think that I'm living vicariously through them and enjoy telling me details of their lives. (I'll spare you the details of that conversation.)
Usually, I'm trying hard not to judge and they make it especially difficult.
But seriously, al7amdilla I have strong convictions and a strong resolve, give me a break stop talking about him for two seconds puuuhleaaaaaase. Especially when 'he' changes names every few months.
(AND...Don't come running to me after he dumps you and gets married after I've told you he's been engaged for 8 months..oh and calling me a liar.)
Moral of the story: It's as "hard out here for a pimp"** as it is for a good girl. If you feel like you're being judged, chances are you're judging just as hard as well.
*"good girl" is in quotes because I believe "good" to be relative.
** sorry I couldn't help lacing my "good girl" post with even more sinful references (tehehehehehe).
It seems I'm not as morally righteous on my blog as I am in RL.
Let me say this loud and clear in case anyone thinks I'm trying to be hip or whatnot:
I'm a "good girl"*.
I have never had a boyfriend. I don't smoke. As far as clothes and makeup go, I'm quite modest. I keep my friend's secrets. I don't have very much drama in my life. I'm a "good girl".
Yay! Good for me!
Except when people around me make me feel like a boring old hag.
On boys:
"Are you serious?! No boyfriend? Ever..?! You've got to be kidding! What are you like gay or something?!"
"Aaah no. I just think its 7aram actually."
"Love is 7aram! What are you Bin Baz or something?!"
"No, love isn't. Having a boyfriend is."
"Oh please, you wear makeup and listen to music...that's all 7aram"
On clothing (modesty issues):
"Oh that's not my style, I don't do skinny jeans and hijab"
"My goodness live a little!"
"I'll be over as soon as I find a decent swimming suit."
"Oh Debenhams has really cute hot pants."
"I don't wear hot pants"
"9aaa7 nisait noo3ich im6awa3a...then buy whatever you don't care to look good."
"uh-uh. okay bye."
The problem with being "good" is that people who are doing things they perhaps feel makes them "bad" get insecure and project their feelings on me:
"You think I don't pray because I don't wear hijab"
"Aaah no, I think you don't pray because I spent three weeks with you and you never prayed once"
(Mind you I don't even care whether she prays or not...she was upset because she found out I was looking for a girl for this dude and didn't mention her name. He's made it clear he wants wa7da mit7ajba wit9ali soooo. I digress.)
Or even worse people think that I'm living vicariously through them and enjoy telling me details of their lives. (I'll spare you the details of that conversation.)
Usually, I'm trying hard not to judge and they make it especially difficult.
But seriously, al7amdilla I have strong convictions and a strong resolve, give me a break stop talking about him for two seconds puuuhleaaaaaase. Especially when 'he' changes names every few months.
(AND...Don't come running to me after he dumps you and gets married after I've told you he's been engaged for 8 months..oh and calling me a liar.)
Moral of the story: It's as "hard out here for a pimp"** as it is for a good girl. If you feel like you're being judged, chances are you're judging just as hard as well.
*"good girl" is in quotes because I believe "good" to be relative.
** sorry I couldn't help lacing my "good girl" post with even more sinful references (tehehehehehe).
can you hear me now? تاتش& مودي
As I eavesdropped into two guys's conversation at the Avenues Mall today (I know...bad G!..but much more fascinating than my sister talking about 7th grade) I wondered:
When did "mood" and "touch" enter the Kuwaiti lexicon?
It's a pet peeve of mine when people use English words and change their meaning in Arabic!!
Case in point: the two guys in the adjacent tables, late 20's, talking:
Guy #1: (talking about boss at work treating him badly)"ana kilish moo moody chithee"
Guy #2: "inta min mita 9ayer iltouch bainik o'baina?" (about the boss)
I've heard mood being used like that several times now. It drives me insane.
But if you want to see me go crazy I hate it when people say "touch". I'm sure he doesn't mean his boss made an inappropriate homosexual advance towards him...NO TOUCHING HAPPENED!! Why the hell would you say touch?
If anything a "touch" is a good thing!
Please join my campaign to stop the simultaneous bastardization of Arabic and English. I'm all for mixing languages (after all, I can't be that big of a hypocrite) let's just stay true to both when we mix.
Think about it this way: Every time you say something stupid like "touch" and "mood" a hair follicle dies and a fat cell makes your love handles its home. In time you'll be left stupid, bald and fat.
Not that I have anything against chunky bald people. Really, I don't. I'm just saying it's unattractive. You being stupid, not being fat and bald.
Just to show y'all that I now know how to insert a line. (Oh shut up you internet prodigy!)
Look mom! I did it again!
When did "mood" and "touch" enter the Kuwaiti lexicon?
It's a pet peeve of mine when people use English words and change their meaning in Arabic!!
Case in point: the two guys in the adjacent tables, late 20's, talking:
Guy #1: (talking about boss at work treating him badly)"ana kilish moo moody chithee"
Guy #2: "inta min mita 9ayer iltouch bainik o'baina?" (about the boss)
I've heard mood being used like that several times now. It drives me insane.
But if you want to see me go crazy I hate it when people say "touch". I'm sure he doesn't mean his boss made an inappropriate homosexual advance towards him...NO TOUCHING HAPPENED!! Why the hell would you say touch?
If anything a "touch" is a good thing!
Please join my campaign to stop the simultaneous bastardization of Arabic and English. I'm all for mixing languages (after all, I can't be that big of a hypocrite) let's just stay true to both when we mix.
Think about it this way: Every time you say something stupid like "touch" and "mood" a hair follicle dies and a fat cell makes your love handles its home. In time you'll be left stupid, bald and fat.
Not that I have anything against chunky bald people. Really, I don't. I'm just saying it's unattractive. You being stupid, not being fat and bald.
Just to show y'all that I now know how to insert a line. (Oh shut up you internet prodigy!)
Look mom! I did it again!
04 April 2008
VII Questions
I. Do people who are always pulled together, looks-wise, know that they always look polished? Or do they think they're hot messes like the rest of us?
II. If I know I'm not voting for a certain candidate (who's wife I'm related to) should I go to his "townhall meetings" anyway out of respect even though I know nothing he says is going to change my mind?
III. Why the heck is Haitham Al-Shaya running for elections?
IV. How much time is normal for women to spend styling their hair?
V. When people talk about the government buying their consumer debts are they serious? Do they realize how crazy their suggestion is?
VI. Why do people buy really expensive wallets?
VII. Do other people's engagements appear simple and uncomplicated or are they really? Am I really making things overly complicated?!
II. If I know I'm not voting for a certain candidate (who's wife I'm related to) should I go to his "townhall meetings" anyway out of respect even though I know nothing he says is going to change my mind?
III. Why the heck is Haitham Al-Shaya running for elections?
IV. How much time is normal for women to spend styling their hair?
V. When people talk about the government buying their consumer debts are they serious? Do they realize how crazy their suggestion is?
VI. Why do people buy really expensive wallets?
VII. Do other people's engagements appear simple and uncomplicated or are they really? Am I really making things overly complicated?!
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