pinkykuwait

Lest we forget!

2008-08-03T03:45:00.001+03:00

2nd August 1990

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, or the years condem.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Lest we forget!

I haven't posted for a while but this date is so significant to Kuwait and to my own family history that even though I have left I will always remember it.
The poem is one said by Aussies on Anzac Day as a remembrance prayer. It is simple and fitting and we should not forget.
Pinky

Update!!

2008-06-25T12:49:00.003+03:00

Well, the last two weeks have been mad. I arrived back in the UK to freezeing rain (crappy but effectively reminds me why I don't live in this country), I kind of miss the dust and heat of kuwait! And I definitely miss my friends. I'm strangely detached from everything thats been my life for so long, esp "the man". For someone who was such a big part of my life for so long I'm quite numb and unemotional about him considering I may not see him again for a long time, if ever??

I've been chasing paperwork both at home and in London and finally got my VISA for vietnam and documents attested to yesterday. I thought the ministries in Kuwait were innefficient- oh no the UK FCO is way worse- 2.5 hours to get 5 little bits of paper stuck on and the best part is they charge £27 per document so I walked out £135 lighter!!

It gave me a good excuse to potter round the shops and spend too much money on shoes and undies. Girls if you are ever in London you have to go and be measured at Rigby and Peller, they make the Queen's Bra's. Not a tape measure in sight but dammit you walk out well supported, lifted and separated! Not cheap though but definitely worth it, however, the photo of the Queen and Prince Philip in the fitting room was a bit weird when your standing in your smalls!!

I also met up with the guy who I was trying to move to Honkers with, we did lunch. All a little strange but at least civilised and he carried my bags round selfridges so I can't complain too much. This has been deemed the Summer of catching up with people I have lost touch with. Tonight I'm off to Bristol to see my best friend from Uni and his wife, will all be a little strange cos at uni he was gay! Also hoping to organise a reunion for my other Uni friends. We're going to stay in halls of residence and go to the places we used to get pissed in and behave like a bunch of idiot students- I can see traffic cones in my future!!

The road is calling...

Goodbye Kuwait - it's been fun!

2008-06-13T00:42:00.002+03:00

Well, it's time to say good bye. I'm sitting in my empty flat about to go to sleep in Kuwait for the last time- quite sad actually.
My next post will be from not so sunny Scotland.

One and a half days to go!

2008-06-12T00:41:00.001+03:00

Scary stuff!! It's the final countdown in every way!!

Quandry??

2008-06-07T19:42:00.002+03:00

Is it as bad to not tell something that you know will really hurt their feelings as it is to lie??

Sometime you have to be selfish!

2008-06-05T16:20:00.001+03:00

I have so much to do in the next week and everyone is placing demands on my time. I'm sorry but can they all F off! I want to spend my last week doing what I want to do so dammit for one of the first times in my life I'm going to be selfish.
GGGGGRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Here we go here we go here we go!!

2008-06-03T15:26:00.002+03:00

10 days today I will have left Kuwait for what may be the last time. Madness!!!!
I'm really excited about this new phase of my life. I'm having my leaving party this weekend and am hoping for lots of silliness and debauchery and maybe a bottle of Moet at a push but we'll wait an see about that!
Having a fab last few weeks with the man. Had a strange epiphany moment the other day. As much as I care for him and would love to commit to him I don;t want to force him to commit if it's not what he wants. Part of me caring about him is I want to see him happy and if he's in a position he doesn't want to be in he won't be. I'll just wait and see what happens when I go, we'll part on good terms whatever so if nothing more I have a solid friend for life!
Oh dear after having been emotionally stable all week I just burst into tears writing this! There will be no more tears only happy memories!!!!!

Progress

2008-05-23T19:24:00.002+03:00

ARGH!!! 3 weeks and counting! Oh crap, I am leaving too soon and am so unorganised.

This seemed like such a good idea when I decided to go, now I've got the wobbles. It'll be fine and I know I will enjoy myself where I end up but I am going to miss my friends so much.

There are going to be many meltdown moments in the next few weeks. I sold my car the other day and it was really upsetting.

Unresolved issues are driving me crazy!!!
Help!!

Elegantly Wasted!

2008-05-02T01:10:00.003+03:00

Well, what a week.

High points:
1. ANZAC ball - boogying, posh frocks, eye candy everywhere, balloon balancing and fun!
2. Friends coming over on Tuesday evening
3. Excitement at mad sandstorm

Low points:
1. The man reasserting his D@%ckwad nature. I mean WTF, how confusing can one person be and do they not realise the head f&ck they create!!
2. The hangover I will have bukra!

So in one week the man (fickle Kuwaiti) has gone from "your so good" , "Kuwait will be worse off without you" to not even returning my texts. I have a feeling a scrawny blonde may be involved and quite frankly the fact that it may have been lauded over me by both of them may actually makes me feel physically sick. I turned up to a gathering at his on Sunday eve (at his invitation I may add) and a comment was made by her infront of me that implied something had gone on that afternoon - she's been one of his floozies in the past. I am very naive and thick and didn't cotton on about what was implied until the next day- GIT!!
However, he invited me over and was very touchy feelly with me (new but usual development over the past 3 months, even infront of his mates) when she'd left. WTF?????

Please guys can someone explain what the hell goes on in men's heads cos I firmly don;t understand how one minute you can be very keen then the next be an ignorant git!
ARGH!!!
Right excuse spelling as I am a little fragile tonight!!

The Youth of Today!

2008-04-28T21:19:00.003+03:00

Well, I may now sound like an old fuddy duddy but quite frankly I was brought up to believe that respectful polite behavior in public is imperative and I thought the children of Kuwait were too.

This is not a racist rant, merely a statement of my recent observations.

I have had a week of it and over the past few months have been repeatedly disappointed by the behaviour of young Kuwaiti men. I am shocked and stunned at the way that some of these lads behave in public. I have always found Kuwaitis to be polite, respectful and above all concerned about how they are viewed in public but with some young men this appears to have fallen by the wayside. Some of these boys think they are completely unaccountable for anything they do- with some it's definitely a case of much more money than sense.

I am really worried if this is the future of Kuwait.

Apathetic bloggers!!

2008-04-27T15:30:00.002+03:00

Oh my god, My name is Pinky, I am a blogaholic but cannot believe it has been 31 days since my last blog.
I always said I wouldn't be one of these people who start a blog then lose momentum but dammit I have been sooooo busy it is ridiculous!

OK, quick update on Pinky;

1. Got new job heading to SE Asia for a promotion
2. Re-discovered the man (I know, not a good plan but a bad habit I can maintain for a little longer- feel free to say I told you so when I'm spilling my emotional guts out in about 7 weeks)
3. Really excited about leaving but getting emotional cos I'm not good at change
4.Madly still learning Arabic even though leaving the Arab world in June
5. Have new obsession with "Brothers and Sisters"
6. Have become a gadget crazy woman- want network storage for a Mac that doesn't cost 370KD, can anyone help??

What to do????????

I hate Dubai Airport!!!!

2008-03-26T23:59:00.002+03:00

Well, I think my title says it all. I have flown through Dubai twice in the past week and I hate it!!! First they put you at a stand miles away from the terminal then you sit on a bus for what seems like 10 years whilst some inane voice appologises for the inconvenience that emirates is bloody causing you. Then there is the usual crush at transit, not enough x-ray machines / far too many people, Fight your way past the still (even though duty free) overpriced shopping hell to the furthest possible gate to get on a plane to Q8! Where the stupid ground staff will fob you off with anything to shut you up and get you into their overheated cramped check in lounge!

The big 100!!

2008-03-11T16:26:00.002+03:00

Well, I never thought I'd make it. 100 posts on my little blog!
All very exciting!!
It's been so busy recently.
I've forgotten what free time and weekends are, my dog can't remember what I look like and I have regressed again back to the man, but hey he has firmly been told that it's on my terms at the moment and anyway I'm off in 3 months!!!!
Still not got a job but something will happen soon I hope!!
Right, off back to work again!

Drowning, not waving!

2008-03-04T22:31:00.002+03:00

I am so busy at the moment. I have not stopped since I returned from my holiday and definitely am drowning under all the work and job applications. It's too hard. Is anyone else feeling that they have no life at all and that every waking moment revolves around their job??
AARRGGHH!!
Also, things didn't go so well with the man so I very maturely and grownup style told him it was over yesterday. Not angry, not miffed at all it's just another of those things that I'll chalk up to experience and realise it wasn't meant to be!
What can you do?
So the hunt for jobs as well as a nice man is on!
Take care all, I hope things are less hectic for you!

hmmm!!!

2008-02-23T20:19:00.003+03:00

Very annoyed as had rejection email from a job I really wanted. The gits email a standard letter that implies I had an interview with them. I didn't! Mightily pissed off.
Other than that having a nice holiday skiing madly and apres skiing even more!!
The whole concept of going back to work on Wednesday is just plain crap!

Yalla I go!

2008-02-17T19:26:00.002+03:00

Well, flights booked and off to Lebanon for the long weekend! Woo hoo!!
Should be fun and games as long as I don't get shot, arrested etc...

Decided it had to be done as I've only got 4 months left in Kuwait and I am aiming to do as much local travel as possible before then! The clock is ticking...

What a week!!

2008-02-15T21:45:00.002+03:00

So, the anti-segregation rally went well, I am impressed that it was such a sensible and positive evening. I hope the parliament sits up and takes notice.
Valentines day was the usual over-commercialised crock of SH*&t that it always is and yes, as usual the men did sweet F.A! But I'm liberated and bought myself flowers cos I deserve it!
Thank God we have a holiday next week. I could not take any more school. I need holiday and a week off for liberation and national day is almost enough!! I plan on sleeping and maybe going away for a few days, not sure yet though!!
Hope you are all more upbeat and less shattered than I am!

Go Kuwait!! Meeting against Segregation Tuesday 6pm in Khaldiya

2008-02-10T22:26:00.000+03:00

I saw this notice on a few blogs and thought after my last few posts I should spread the word!

Your support is needed to attend and pass this message on to others:
There is an important gathering at the Kuwait Womans Society in Khaldiya on Tuesday 6pm in which they want owners of foreign schools and Kuwaiti parents and students to attend to contest the Segregation Law.
Also to invite as many arabic speaking parents to support this event. Lots of press and MP will attend.
Try and make it.
Thank you.

Wow!

2008-02-05T18:18:00.000+03:00

Well, my last post firmly put the cat amongst the pigeons.

I was a little disappointed by one of the posts by someone who made the ultimate cop out and called themselves "anonymous" and would like to take this opportunity to rebut their comment.

Yes, the decision does come from parliament and yes it's members are voted for by Kuwaiti citizens. However, does that mean that every decision made truly reflects the majority of Kuwaiti society's opinions. According to your opinion that means that for the past ten years or so that the opinions of Kuwaiti society had nothing to do with the women of the country at all because they had no vote until very recently.

I am not Kuwaiti but I teach young Kuwaiti men and women who mix in an appropriate and positive way every minute of the day that they are in school. How can you expect young people to broaden their perspectives on life and the world around them if 50% of their own society and their different point of view is cut off to them?

Some of the girls I teach wear the Hijab, some don't, some of the boys want to grow a beard for religious reasons, some don't, but all treat each other with respect, dignity and courtesy. They also behave in a modest and respectful manner as we do live in a modest, semi-conservative culture

I have lived in Kuwait for a very long time and quite honestly the only immodest behaviour I see from the Kuwaiti youth takes place in shopping malls and on the roads, no one has suggested segregating marina mall??

The intimation that I think I am "elite" quite frankly offends me, if you are a Kuwaiti citizen with the vote then surely you are the 'elite'?. - just to remind you that not every Kuwaiti citizen has the vote and as a non-Kuwaiti I don't either.

From the Kuwaiti students I teach and friends I have spoken to none of them want segregation, even the non Kuwaiti students are against it. For crying out loud if you even log onto facebook there are loads of groups against segregation in Kuwait, so I somehow think your statement that those against segregation are a tiny minority is a tad inaccurate.

Kuwait has always been a country that provides a relatively positive role model for others in the gulf. It is a country that is proud to have many strong men and women.

Surely the old mantra "together we stand, divided we fall" says it all.

I would also like to make that point that not even Saudi segregates it's "foreign schools'.

Thanks
Pinky!

A Sad Sad Day for Kuwait!

2008-02-04T21:35:00.000+03:00

Copied from the Arabtimes Website

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/kuwaitcrime/pagesdetails.asp?nid=11774&ccid=9

MoE given 5 years to impose 'segregation' in private schools

KUWAIT : The Educational Affairs Committee at the Parliament has given the Ministry of Education a grace period of five years to implement the Segregation Law in foreign private schools, reliable sources told Al-Anba. In a meeting held Wednesday, the committee assured Education Ministry Undersecretary Ali Al-Barak and Private Education Department Director Mohammed Al-Dahis that five-year grace period is enough for the Ministry to fully prepare for the implementation of the law.

Sources added the same period is also given to the Ministry to allocate separate buildings for each educational level but Al-Barak said it is not easy to allocate separate buildings for each educational level due to the limited areas in most schools.
The committee has also proposed the inclusion of a main article to the Private Education Law on the segregation of students in foreign private schools prior to the approval of the law.
Meanwhile, sources revealed male and female teachers work together only in 14 out of 130 primary schools under the Ministry.

I hope the Kuwaiti Youth tries to do something about this! Another two steps backwards!!!

Is the next step going to make us into the next Saudi Arabia? I certainly hope not!

The waiting game

2008-01-20T16:59:00.000+03:00

I am so over waiting for everything. I'm looking forward to seeing the new man but am sick fed up of waiting for Feb to arrive. Also have applied for tons of jobs in Asia but haven't heard anything yet. I hate that they all say they will only contact you if you're shortlisted, I am really good both on paper and at interview but hate that I have absolutely no control over this situation. I just want it to work out. All of it. At this rate I'll be jobless, homeless and desperate in June!!!!!

4 Day weeks!!

2008-01-15T22:08:00.000+03:00

Right, think i'll start a petition for 4 day weeks every week! Who's with me??

Brass Monkeys!

2008-01-13T16:36:00.000+03:00

Quite frankly it is cold enough in this bloody country to freeze the balls off Brass Monkeys! Can someone turn the heating up please?

Apparently it snowed in Iraq and Saudi in the past few days, at least if we had snow I could cope with the cold!

AAARRRGGGHHH! Procrastination is the key to life!

2008-01-11T17:51:00.000+03:00

If I don't think about it it isn't happening! La La La La!!!

Too much work to do, too many jobs to apply for, too much crap!

Hope 2008 is turning out to be less stressful for the rest of you!

Holidays and Life

2008-01-08T17:19:00.000+03:00

Happy New Year my fellow bloggers, I missed you all and my regular updates on Kuwait life whilst I was on my hols. Had a fantastic time and wish I didn't have to come home! But here I am so what more can I say!
So, life developments continue. The new man isn't having any joy finding a job in Q8 so we're both looking elsewhere. No luck yet but I think it's worth the risk, if it works out it'd be fab, if it doesn't I will have had a fab experience in a new place.
It's really difficult at the moment cos I haven't seen him over x-mas and new year, were in touch loads but it's a bit bizarre. Texting, emailing and skype just isn't the same as spending time together and doing different things together and getting to know each other more. Hopefully he's going to be out to visit soon, work depending! If not, I'll head over there at the end of feb. Can someone please invent teleportation!!!!
Need suggestions on how to maintain the spark long distance, c'mon you bloggers, help a girl out!
I have noticed that nothing in life is easy yet again!!!!!!!!

Eid Mubarak and Excitement!

2007-12-20T13:20:00.000+03:00

I am sat in an internet Cafe in Egypt at the moment about to go off on my SCUBA adventure! This is a rather quick post to say Eid Mubarak, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Have a fantastic festive season!

Love to all
Pinky

Big decisions are afoot!

2007-12-12T22:06:00.000+03:00

I say no more!

OMG!!!

2007-12-07T17:48:00.000+03:00

Well, today has been a very interesting day, lets just say that there may be a very nice young man trying to move to Kuwait!
These things just don't happen to me. Trying to be calm and zen at the moment but it's difficult when doing a happy dance in circles around my living room!

Ouch, my head hurts!!!!!

2007-12-07T09:54:00.000+03:00

Well, the Thursday night madness continued as usual. Had a fab game of darts and now have a very sore head (from drink not darts thankfully).
It was quite interesting for many reasons.
1. The Kuwaiti was there without his new woman (think it may have gone sour??) and I actually had a frank discussion with him about life. I was very nice and told him that even though he pissed me off and by rights I should want to castrate him that I want him to be happy and that he needs to be wary of some people cos they are users! I also quite happily made the point to him that he will wake up one day and work out what a mistake he made with the way he treats me, he agreed, I nearly fell off my chair! It's amazing what people will own up to when they are a little tipsy. I was once told by a man that you tell the truth when you're drunk...
2. One of his friends was there and I think he worked out that this is my blog from my bluetooth name on my phone- Doh! He also put 2 and 2 together about the Kuwaiti and me and we had a really interesting chat. A very sound and wise young man he is!
3. Had lots of very nice messages from the man I met in Dubai, think he may be coming to visit me in Q8 soon, perhaps this one will be a keeper?? He's definitely a really nice guy, I went to uni with him, my fingers are crossed. Why do these ones always live half way round the bloody world though- London is too far away!

Well, back to my self induced tired and emotional state. I (as usual) am unable to sleep in past 9 o clock these days! Hangover and late night or not!

I want to get back on the plane to Dubai!

2007-12-02T21:58:00.000+03:00

Well, after a fun filled and quite honestly fabulous weekend I'm back in Q8. I has so much fun and met up with/bumped into so many people I haven't seen for ages and got reacquainted with a few (one of them may lead to something more, maybe or maybe not- I'll keep you posted on the man front). It was really hard to get back on the plane- never had that feeling before!

I really liked Dubai but not sure I could live there, would quite like many more holidays there though.

The rugby was fantastic and my word, the shorts were short and the thighs were firm, yes I am turning into a dirty old woman in-case you were wondering!!!

So here are some piccies for you girls! Take a deep breath and make sure you're sitting comfortably.

The week that was!!

2007-11-28T22:28:00.000+03:00

Bloody hell, what a week!!!!
It has been absolutely ridiculously busy and quite frankly I NEED A BLOODY LONG HOLIDAY NOW!!!!!!!!! Sorry to shout!

I love my job dearly but at the moment I feel I do nothing else but work. I've pulled 12 hour days this week, spent my life running around after students and staff and am now getting an ear ache and cough. Boo!!!

But tonight I am a happy chicken cos Im off to Dubai (with just about the whole of the western expat population) for the Rugby Sevens. Ah I am looking forward to meeting up with old friends, drinking some champagne and watching men in small shorts and relatively tight tops run around, sweat and basically exude testosterone- Be still my beating heart, I don't think I can take the excitement! Even better, they bring you buckets of beer in the stands- Woo Hoo!!!

I have enclosed some reasons for the ladies to get into rugby. You have the lovely Jonah Lomu, Johnny Wilkinson and Glen Jackson- mmmmmm!!!! (Yes I know how hypocritical I'm being and yes I am turning into a dirty old woman by the second!)

For Swair who's words are wise!!!

2007-11-23T17:22:00.001+03:00

If I ever see this T-shirt I will buy it for you!!!!!

Pissed off Pinky!

2007-11-23T01:14:00.001+03:00

OK, so here it goes. I have decided that partly I bring the man related unhappiness on myself. I want your opinions!

So, here is the history of the lives and loves of Pinky!

Man no. 1 Asshole, cheated on me, told me and I said naughty boy, don't do it again. We split after 6 months but dated regularly over the next 3 years and he continued to be an arsehole with no sense of responsibility for the entirety.

Man no. 2 Lovely and I cocked it up big style. Dated for 2 years he worshipped the ground I walked upon, I moved to a different part of the country to be with him, we were really happy. However, I decided that I was too settled and broke up with him but proceeded to mess him around for the next year, I firmly took his heart and squished it into the ground. By the time I'd worked out that I really did love him he'd moved on to his now wife.

Man no. 3 Asshole, dated for 2 years, lived together, bought various big items together. Everything had to be on his terms nd if I didn't do what he wanted his stock standard response was "I'll leave". Eventually I worked out it was better to be alone than unhappy with someone. He used the I'll leave tactic and I said, I've been hearing that for the last 6 months, your still here, he left, owing me rather a lot. It was awful at the time but a good learing experience. I did vow never to let anyone dick me about like that again

Man no. 4 Player! He thought it was ok to cheat on me with one woman in states and another in Q8, I said "khalas, I don't need this shit and walked"

Man no. 5 The latest of a bad bunch. Spent the last two years being messed around by him and still I let him piss me off. I am convinced now that I know he is an utter Bastard but still I allow him to wind me up. He spent last thursday staring at me for 3 hours then left the party with another woman and spent the whole of tonight pawing said woman right under my nose (for someone who claim to love me he has a fucking lot to learn)- YUCK!

What to do, I seem to date serial bastards. Leopards do not ever change their spots so why the hell do I think they will suddenly become stripy?

If you've read Romeo and Juliet you'll be familiar with the term Patrarchan love - it's what Romeo has for Rosaline and all it does is make him unhappy. He's kind of in love with being miserable, I'm worried thats how I'm ending up? Equally I don't know how to change the way I feel and a behaving in relationships, am I destined to be a doormat forever??? Have I cocked up my only chance???
ARGHHHH!!!

I don't know what I think now, this blog is my way of vocalising my feelings and confusions so if they don't make sense to you have faith that they make even less sense to me!
I think the quote above is spot on!

Woo hoo!!! Holiday! C'mon let's celebrate!!!

2007-11-19T21:56:00.000+03:00

Well despite all the other crap thats going on I am off to Dubai weekend after next and I am sooooooo excited!!!
I am going to go skiing, wild wadi'ing and watching rugby (men in small shorts-phwoarghhh!!!). All will be washed down with a little pint of heineken!!
I may also find time for a little shopping and visit the cultural centre too.
We are now on countdown 10 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dubai Explorer

2007-11-17T21:48:00.000+03:00

Right you bloggers, I need some assistance. I'm off to Dubai in a few weeks to go see some strapping men in little shorts throw a ball around a rugby pitch and need some inspiration of what to do when I'm not watching rugger with a beer in my hand.
I've not been to Dubai in a good 10years so need as many suggestions as I can get. So far I want to
1. Go Skiing
2. Go to Wild Wadi

If you have anything to recommend please let me know!!!!!!

p.s. The music is an ode to a very special someone who I think may have bitten off a hell of a lot more than he can chew!

Procrastination is the key!!!

2007-11-12T19:42:00.000+03:00

Oh yes, the pile of exercise books I have to mark is breeding on my dinning table and I am about to drown under it. I love my job but woah do I hate correcting the books!
I am almost about to tidy my sock drawer, walk, clean belly button fluff etc etc to get out of doing it!
So, there seems to be rather a lot going on in the blogosphere at the moment. People going off on road trips to lebanon, Gulf Run is about to happen again - I want to go!!! The all encompassing theme of men = hard bloody work seems to have revived itself again as well.

When true procrastination is needed I always reach for the life comment (above) and write a list of aims

Aims for this week /weekend
1. Sobriety!!!
2. Stay away from The Man!
3. If man is out where I am avoid contact, do not give in to temptation to have a drink, keep the hell away from my mobile, send no text messages (they can only lead to heartbreak and awkward conversations) and by no means will I scratch the eyes from any woman that accompanies him!!!
4. On no account will I spend money
5. Walk or cycle each day
6. Go through wardrobe and work out which clothes fit again- yippeee!!!

Right, to the books I go!!!!

Interesting!

2007-11-09T22:36:00.000+03:00

After my mad ranting posts of last night about fidelity being an issue in this part of the world I was very amused to read an article on the Arab Times website about just such a thing!
Here you go:

‘Be faithful, protect family’; Society shuns talk on spouse cheats

KUWAIT CITY: Despite the prevalence of marital infidelity in Arab societies, there is a dearth of studies done on the issue due to the customs and traditions in the region making the topic a taboo in the Arab world, Dr Alia Shuaib said in her show entitled ‘Under Shade’ aired Sunday on Al-Watan TV. With Attorney Dawim Al-Muwaizri and the Kuwait University teaching staff as guest panelists on the show, where they discussed marital infidelity issues in the Arab region, Shuaib pointed out “infidelity is a morality issue that we prefer not to discuss to avoid humiliation. In spite of its negative impact on society, even the experts refuse to tackle the issue due to cultural considerations.” Talking about the different phases of infidelity, Shuaib explained “the first phase begins theoretically through the Internet and satellite channels, which give the public easy access to immoral publications while the second phase is what we call the ‘acting out’ stage wherein people fulfill their sexual fantasies through extramarital affairs.”

Al-Muwaizri, on the other hand, said the Court deals with a multitude of infidelity cases daily besides reports filed at the police stations, which often end up in divorce. Disclosing that Kuwait’s divorce rate recently increased by 30 per cent, he said three out of ten marriages are successful while the rest usually end in divorce. He believes that lack of moral discipline and proper upbringing are the two major factors pushing people to betray their spouses. Emphasizing there is no justification for a man to betray his wife, Al-Muwaizri said a man who betrays his wife is sick as he seems to focus only on the pleasure he will get from such an immoral act, forgetting its negative impact on his family and the society in general. He added the law is biased as it allows husbands to monitor the activities of their wives and record their calls in case of doubt but women are not allowed to do the same. Generally, men cannot forgive their unfaithful wives while women often forgive their husbands to keep the family intact.

Shuaib, however, thinks the divorce rate in 2005 was higher than 30 per cent indicating that infidelity happens due to differences in age, educational achievements, cultural background, and social status. She also lamented the fact that society tends to be more forgiving of men having extra-marital affairs than women. She called on the concerned authorities to protect the rights of married women considering their commitment to maintain the integrity of the family. She added women have the ability to detect signs of betrayal even at its early stage. At the end of the show, Shuaib asked one of the panelists to monitor programs aired on satellite TV channels based on religious principles. She also stressed the need for husbands and wives to remain faithful to each other and maintain the stability of the family.

By Jamil Al-Pasha
Special to the Arab Times

World AIDS day- 1st December 2007

2007-11-09T11:41:00.001+03:00

Right, after last night's tirade here comes the sensible post.
I was working the iPod this morning and my favourite Freddy Mercury songs wereplaying. It doesn't feel like 16 years since he died of AIDS. I am a great believer that the world lost someone very special on the 24th November 1991.

So my next thought was why do we never hear anything about World AIDS day in Kuwait? I know all expats are blood tested to get residency but there is AIDS in Kuwait.
If you check the US government's World Factbook it says there is a 0.12% prevalence of HIV and AIDS in Kuwait. Small I know but surely the fact that this issue is a definite taboo in Kuwait means it can only grow?

Perhaps this is an issue that should be more freely discussed? I know I have never seen anything about it out here. I know Kuwait is a very different society to the UK but the times are changing, perhaps people's attitudes should too??

Will you be wearing your red ribbon on December 1st?

My Music for the next week will be Freddy Mercury and Queen music. I hope you like it!

Freddy Mercury (5 September 1946 – 24 November 1991)

WTF??? Men!!!

2007-11-08T22:50:00.000+03:00

OK, I warn you, here comes a tirade!

I have just been reading Chika's post on Men wanting Women on their terms and it has firmly empowered me.

Chika, you are so right about men and their lack of fidelity. There are far too many that need a firm kick in the nuts from time to time!

I am a young, intelligent, positive young woman. OK, I'm not a size zero but I am happy and bubbly and thats what matters.

I am not a man hating, bra burning Dyke. I am a woman who has frequently been disappointed by the men who have been in her life. One day (hopefully not too far away) I really want to get married and have kids but I want to do that with a man who is respectful to me and knows how to behave towards me and other women when he is with me.

I don't think I'm going to find that man in Kuwait unfortunately for the following reasons.

1. The expat men that are out here tend to be married. I'm not into infidelity, I will not be the other woman.

2. There are very few expat men out here that are aged below 50, are single, straight, don't need a frontal lobotomy or a personality transplant and are not a complete W@nKer!

3. I am not going to randomly give my number to blokes I meet in Marina Mall, sorry I'll leave that to my students, I need to know if a man interests me on an intellectual basis not only if I like the look of him.

4. A number of the local men I have met have been looking for a size zero bimbo who looks good on their arm and knows when to shut up but has very little between the ears. Not me- I have curves and a brain for a reason

5. Local men are looking for a quick fling and what they can't get from the Kuwaiti girls their mothers want them to marry! A lot look at western women as loose and treat them in the way they treat their hookers-badly!

6. I do not want to spend time with a guy that thinks I'm only good enough to meet his male relatives down the chalet on a Friday afternoon with a drink in his hand. If I'm not good enough to be introduced to his mother he is not good enough for me!

7. I love Kuwait, it is my home but the poligamy thing is beyond me. Some men out here love it. Wife number one gets a bit old, pops out a couple of kids and gets a bit boring and domesticated, I know, I'll get a new one.
There is no wonder that Arab men struggle with the concept of fidelity. They are told from day one that they can have their cake and eat it and that it is OK (morally, religously and legally) to cheat. SHINU HATHER????

8. Some of the strongest women I have ever met are Kuwaiti and I respect them fully. Unfortunately a lot of their men don't!!!

I am so cheesed off with being crapped on from a great height. I am not going to put up with this bullshit again.

Khalas I am done with it I deserve better than this crap!

PAIT!!!

2007-11-08T16:14:00.000+03:00

It is a major case of Hallelujah the week is done. I am shattered. Too much shit going on at school, at home in UK, at home in Kuwait. I can't wait for this week to be done and dusted. I also have a house guest for the next few weeks just to add another level of chaos. It will be good to have my guest here but it's always hard sharing your space!
Hope everyone else has a lovely weekend!
Pinky!!!!!

6kgs down!

2007-11-07T15:42:00.000+03:00

Well, I am super-duper impressed with myself. After being on my diet boxes for about 6 weeks I have lost 6kgs. I have worked my butt of with exercise and can now wear some clothes I haven't been able to for ages!!! Yippeeeeeeee!

What a day!!!

2007-11-03T21:30:00.000+03:00

It's been crazy crazy today! After yesterdays excitement I thought I'd have a relatively calm and serene day but no, you guessed it, not a prayer! Spent the morning in the Avenues which I swear grows larger by the second and the muppets have changed the entrance off the 5th ring so yes, you guessed it, I had a lovely drive round deepest, darkest Al Rai before getting into the car park! Half of the mall was on sale so I had to peruse and then the magnet gravitational pull of IKEA dragged me in.
I want to own a massive house with a pointy roof and view of the sea to fill to the brim with IKEA furniture (oh yes, did I mention I need a millionaire husband to pay for it too??) and a garden with flowers and real green grass to get my toes into and roll around on at every opportunity. Then I'll have a lovely pretty blue coloured Volkswagen Tuareg 4x4, Aston Martin Vanquish and a Sunseeker motor yacht to drive at my convenience. And 2 lovely children that are always angelic, clean and never have snotty noses!!!!
Got a bit carried away with that one didn't I.....I tell you it was the thought of a garden that did it.
Have changed the music on my blog again. I'm a little eclectic and the flugtag tunes inspired yesterdays bouncy music. Today I had my favourite playlist on very loud as I tidied my flat and sang my little heart out to Tomorrow by James, so yes here it is!!!

Flugtag Fun!

2007-11-03T07:32:00.000+03:00

Well, spent the day on the beach by the Marina Hotel watching the flugtag yesterday afternoon and it was quite good fun!
Very few of the "planes" actually flew very far but all crashed and splashed with style. Must be quite frustrating when you've put months of work into something to see it end up in a heap on the beach after about 15 seconds! I think my favourite design wise was the Bahraini Baby Bottle complete with Nappy clad captain! There were also some fab kites flying, I loved the massive stingray one!
To top it off the music was good as well. Minimal American R and B more cool music, I heard everything from Men at work to Deelite!

Life goes on!

2007-10-30T16:59:00.000+03:00

Well, after last weekend's shenanigans I have cheered up somewhat. I've been working like a demon, even doing extra classes (madness I tell you) and had a lovely dinner at the Mariott.
Now though it's a time to work out a few things. At the moment my work life balance is screwed, all work, not enough life and what life there is is not interesting enough. I have some fab ideas but I need a bit more inspiration. Here is my list of different and potentially interesting things to do in Q8 and I'm aiming to do most of them over the next few weeks.

Failaka Island
Go to Desert
Go up the Towers (again, but not in the last 10 years- perhaps the view's changed?)
Walking/cycling on sea front
Buy tickets for a holiday
Go shooting again, I wasn't half bad with a .22
Horse riding
Golf
Getting my hair cut
Having a massage and facial

If you can think of any more please let me know, a single girl needs every bit of help she can get to keep her occupied

I really fancy the idea of having a go at golf but Sahara is bloody expensive and it's just not the same on desert. I also fancy trying to meet some new people, it's not that the people I know aren't nice but I want to expand my social scene, there are loads of cool people out there and I should get to know more of them.

So where is a good place or what is a good thing to do to go meet people in Kuwait that doesn't involve Marina Mall and chucking bits of paper around???

Blood Red Moon!

2007-10-28T19:51:00.000+03:00

Wow, did anyone see the moon as it came up tonight. I was out bustin' Mishref track with the mutt and it was hanging really low with this amazing colour. It also seemed really big. The view I saw was of it hanging between two minarets of a mosque. I haven't seen such a good moon for ages, unfortunately I didn't have my phone or I'd have taken a picture (This one's from google).
According to Nasa's website it was a lunar eclipse on Wednesday 27th Oct which can cause the red colour (apparently it's actually the Earth's shadow) but I can't find much about why it still looked red. As it got higher in the sky it became more milky coloured.

Fantastic I say, Mother Nature has so many fab things to see, they never fail to amaze me!

Summation of the good, bad and down right ugly side of being Pinky!

2007-10-27T21:36:00.000+03:00

Well, so the weekend started out crap and continued in a similar manner.
1. The man was at a party I went to and thought it'd be a good thing to share the joyous news that he thinks he's met someone with me. Fine but he seemed to expect me to be happy for him and then seemed a little surprised when I wasn't, even said the old chestnut of "but I love you" my response was "whatever"! Idiot!!
(please see my earlier posts about men and emotional f%@kwittage)
2. He also announced this to a table full of my friends. (don't you just love consideration)
3. Whilst fuming about this I left my favorite sweater on top of his bag at the party and he accidentally left with it and isn't returning messages hence bye bye sweater, do men not understand how difficult it is to buy a classic, dressy sweater???
4. Then my car died, piece of crap.
5. Then my broken toe that I whacked off a table 3 weeks ago started to hurt again, ibuprofen rules!

Sometimes I wonder, do I have kick me tattooed on myself somewhere cos when the world kicks once it just doesn't stop for weeks! ARGH!!!

One good thing about life is Ugly Betty, she is getting me through (well, her and the ibuprofen).
Hope the rest of you had a better time than me!

Pinky

p.s. My favourite bloggers are the girly bloggers of Kuwait (sorry boys, your just not in my good books as a gender at the moment). These women, who I have never met in person are fun, cheerful, seem to have a lot in common with me and always have positive things to say and sage advice to give. To you all I say thanks!!

Apt pop song for me!!

2007-10-26T09:11:00.001+03:00

Your Karaoke Theme Song is "Livin' On a Prayer"

You believe the best things in life are mostly forgotten, and you're definitely more than a little nostalgic .
You're likely to still like the same foods, fashions, and music as you did when you were a teenager.

You have a knack for knowing what elements of pop culture people have missed, without them even realizing it.
It's great to remember the past, but don't forget that not everyone is as stuck in it as you are.

You might also sing: "Pour Some Sugar on Me," "Rapper's Delight," and "Cherry Pie"

Stay away from people who sing: "Toxic"

What's Your Karaoke Theme Song?

Blue, definitely blue!!!

2007-10-26T09:07:00.000+03:00

My Aura is blue, I am blue, what a day!

Your Aura is Blue

Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life.
You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships.

The purpose of your life: showing love to other people

Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah

Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

What Color Is Your Aura?

oops!

2007-10-24T20:01:00.000+03:00

You would think that 3 days of food poisoning would have counterbalanced a week's indulgence on holiday but no, I have gained half a kilo!!!!
Right, nose to grindstone tomorrow. I must exercise like a crazy woman this week!!!!

A theme

2007-10-23T20:36:00.000+03:00

You may notice a theme in my posts recently...
New and fab tv show I'm watching

Ugly Betty- tooo much goooooddddd
If you've not seen it what are you waiting for- dig out the real woman in you and watch it!

Desperate Housewives!

2007-10-21T20:30:00.000+03:00

As I'm sure you all are aware I aspire to marriage and kids one of these days. However much I want this I don't want to be a desperate housewife!
I have an addiction at the moment and it is to season 3 of DH!! This is being fueled by iTunes from which I have now dangerously discovered that you can download entire seasons of tv shows!!!! Teamed with my video iPod I will never be without tv again. If you find some one hiding in the stationary cupboard at work laughing innanely it's probably me with my iPod!!!

What a week!!!

2007-10-21T12:11:00.000+03:00

Well, I've been away on holiday this week on the lovely island of Cyprus, what a lovely place if you avoid the cities and british tourists.
Unfortunately I got food poisoning and feel like crap!
I've got so much blogging to catch up and read. Sounds like the girly blog meet up went well, wish i could have been there.
However, it's good to know I am a girl through and through!!

You Inner Gender is Female

You're sensitive, caring, and willing to connect with anyone who's open to you.
You make friends easily, and you enjoy all sorts of conversations.
You understand most people you meet - better than they understand themselves.
You're totally a woman... or at the very least, your soul is female.

What's Your Inner Gender?

A Jumpy song!

2007-10-11T18:32:00.001+03:00

It's the holidays, yippeeeeee!!!

I felt the need to say how cool this was and after 3baid's comment that the last song wasn't the jumpy one he expected. Here are the
Pointer Sisters just for you 3baid!!!
Eid Mubarak to all!!!!

Success!!!!!

2007-10-10T22:31:00.001+03:00

Well all you bloggers I thought you'd like to know that since I started my regime of exercise madness and healthy food I have lost 4 kilos!!!!!!!
I am on the way to being svelte curvy as opposed to podgy curvy!!!!!!!!!
In celebration I feel we need a song.
Good old Nina Simone- Feeling Good (Does she not have the sexiest voice??)

Anonimity

2007-10-10T15:35:00.000+03:00

Well, this has been a question that has come up a lot recently.
What a potentially enlightening subject. I posted about facebook this week and was invited by a fellow blogger to email them and add to their facebook. I thought this was cool as they are someone I can really relate to through reading their blog but equally my mind says should I relinquish my anonimity???
There has also been talk of a girlie Kuwait blogger meet up, which again sounds so cool but yet again my mind says should I relinquish my anonimity???

What a big question!!!

It's not that I think anything bad will happen or that I am ashamed of anything I have posted, I think I'm a little excited by the prospect and would love to meet some fellow women my age who have similar thoughts, worries, daily dilemas to me.

However, my mind says Kuwait is a small place??
Argh, drama, indecision!!!

Facebook rocks with your socks off!!!

2007-10-08T21:58:00.000+03:00

OK, I must impart amazing knowledge and experiences to you all!!! If you have not signed up for face book get your little behinds on there now. It is soooooo spookily cool.
In the past week I have got back in touch with 5 people I haven't seen for years, 2 from high school, two from Uni and one from Kuwait. It is fantabulous as these are people that I lost contact with and am now catching up with them regularly. It is so nice to see how people have grown up and what they are into now.
Go on, register, you know you want to!!!!!

Life, love and the pursuit of happiness!

2007-10-06T16:31:00.000+03:00

Well, the weight is dropping off, I'm exercising like a demon but still my mind plays nasty tricks on me.
On Thursday night "the man" was out and about with me and my friends. He was much more reserved than usual but we had a really lovely talk, he was quite attentive. Since then he phoned to invite me out and I politely declined but my head has lingered on him too much since then.
ARGH!! It's soooo unfair. I know he's not the one for me but I really miss him.
I need a better coping strategy or I know I am going to fold as usual.

Too much busy!!!

2007-10-05T13:06:00.001+03:00

Argh!!! It is official, there are not enough hours in the day at the moment. I have so much to do and everything is going too fast in Ramadan. Lessons are too short, business hours are miniscule and banks appear to never be open. What is a busy girl to do?????
I'm retreating to the desert this weekend to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet, I bet the dog will love it!!!

Positive thoughts!

2007-09-30T18:32:00.000+03:00

As part of my new list of things to do and attempt to achieve I wanted to stop feeling negative towards certain people. I am really struggling today!
There are some people in this world that just irritate the hell out of me. I find it almost impossible to even be in the same room as them let alone speak to them. Unfortunately these people are in my group of friends and I have to bite my tongue constantly.

I'm attempting to see positive things in them but it's just not happening at the moment!!

What to do???????

Celebrate good times C'mon!!!

2007-09-26T22:22:00.000+03:00

I have lost a kilo and a half this week on my health kick! I am now happily well on my way to being healthy curvy woman as opposed to the podgy curvy woman I am now!!!!!!
Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!!

I feel good!

2007-09-24T20:54:00.000+03:00

Well, these exercise nutters have definitely cottoned onto something. The initial buzz after exercise is fantastic. However, (you knew there would be a however didn't you?)the pain that one feels the next day is a little unfair I think. I have spent the day in agony after getting medieval with my Yoga this weekend.
I bought a little book and have been practicing my postures all weekend. I especially like the warrior poses where you get to stick your tongue out and make scarey faces in a very Hakka Maori war dance style. I am also a definite fan of pose of a child (kneeling head down) and corpse (flat on your back).
I's finding that Ramadan is absolutely flying though, it's only 19 days til I'm on holiday- madness!
Well they do say that time flies when your having fun.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning!!

2007-09-22T21:26:00.001+03:00

I love Kuwait in the early mornings at this time of year. My friend and I were out cycling on the corniche at 7.30 this morning, it was stunning. Not too hot, blue sea, blue sky, fab view of the Kuwait Towers!!!
I am realy enjoying my fitness kick and have also started with the diet centre's boxes. It is so nice to feel well and full of energy. Who needs drugs, I'm positively bursting with endorphins at the moment.
I also sat down and wrote myself a life checklist of things I want to do this year and have stuck in on my fridge. It covers everything from exercise to travel and money but hopefully is achievable!!!
Too much fun!!!!!!!!!
Hope Ramadan is going well for everyone.
I have a song for today that everyone should go and listen to. It must be played at full voulume so you can jump around, dance, sing and enjoy!
Beautiful Day by U2

All gone south!

2007-09-19T21:07:00.000+03:00

I have spent the week making decisions and the biggest one is about my level of flab and lack of fitness. I am now in super dooper health kick mode in a desperate attempt to defy gravity for a bit longer (girls you will know what I mean). I don't want to be old before my time, I'm in my twenties and should be svelte, pert and partying! Not wrinkled, saggy, greying and bored. Damn it I just don't feel sexy at the mo!
I am attempting to do this the right way with lots of exercise and a healthy diet so we'll see how I do. I will of course keep you all posted on my ups and downs.
Smiles
a soon to be svelte Pinky!

I feel like a lettuce!

2007-09-17T18:24:00.000+03:00

Oh My God!!! This Ramadan business is killing me.
I know I am not fasting but I can't eat or drink at will and I am someone who lives with a bottle of water in my hand usually! Too Much hard!!! Because of it I am feeling like a lettuce of an evening, very limp and dehydrated.
I have major respect to all who fast. At this time of year it's almost 14 hours and is soo hot! Good on you!

Yoga in Kuwait

2007-09-15T21:22:00.000+03:00

Question for all you bloggers. I used to be quite into Yoga in my first few years in Kuwait, not saying I was good but man it made me supple and I had a flat stomach for the first time ever! Does anyone know of a good place to do yoga in Kuwait, I like the type that does lots of different poses then has a nice long relaxation session at the end! Any recommendations would be great.
Thanks
Pinky

A new day!

2007-09-14T21:50:00.000+03:00

I have decided that my life plan list needs to be augmented to include reduction in partying. I cannot hack the pace. I was up til 1ish last night partying on down having a good laugh and all day I have been feeling like sh@!t warmed up.
I'm enacting the healthiness part of the plan tomorrow!

Empowerment Part 2!

2007-09-10T20:45:00.000+03:00

Well, thought I'd give you an update. For two weeks I have not initiated contact with the annoying man. He has called and texted sometimes repeatedly and I have politely declined his invitations. I'm really chuffed with myself and am quite happy in the notion that he will either pull his socks up and realise that he must treat me with a bit more respect or he wont in which case he wasn't worth it at all! I am happily busy with other things and am at the moment able to feed my latest addiction, relaxing, reading and fixing up my flat.
Well big up to all you empowered women out there. Go Girl Power!!!

Can't be done!

2007-09-08T21:13:00.000+03:00

I was having a play on the internet today and came across an old poem that I was given a copy of when I was about 12. I really like it and have it on my wall at home cos it's got a really good message. Basically you can do anything you put your mind to!

I hope you all have a fab week!

Can’t be Done!

Somebody said that it couldn't be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That "maybe it couldn't", but he wouldn't be one
Who would say so till he had tried.

So he buckled right in with a trace of a grin
If he was worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing,
That couldn't be done and he did it

Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it"
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he'd begun it.

With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn't be done, and he did it.

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure;
There are thousands to point out to you, one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.

But just buckle right in with a bit of a grin
Just take off your coat and go to it.
Just start to sing as you tackle the thing
That "cannot be done," and you'll do it.

By Edgar A Guest

Thursday nights alright..

2007-09-07T09:45:00.000+03:00

After years of getting used to Wednesday night being the start of the weekend and where the party's at Thursday worked out just fine! I can just about cope with the change as long as there is the potential to have fun and be silly on Thursdays, after a few hours of chatting and boogie ing to dodgy music I have decided I will survive!

Why is it not the weekend!!!!!

2007-09-05T19:53:00.000+03:00

I have worked my backside off this week and no, it is not yet the weekend. It is cruel, I want to sleep in tomorrow!!! I liked Thursdays and Fridays off!! AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!
OK, rant over. Well, one day of work left till the weekend, better than a kick in the teeth I suppose. Is anyone else cheesed off with the change??? I'm sure come Saturday morning I'll think it's fab but right now it's just not fair!!!!!!!!!!!!
I must toughen my resolve and survive tomorrow but as the song goes
"First I was afraid, I was petrified"!
Must also toughen my resolve in other areas, the guy who I told I was annoyed with has been more attentive this week and I've tried to be cool and not leap at a missed call but it's bloody hard! I've just got to stick to my guns and not fold at the first sign of him sucking up to me. I can't stand it when people know how to tug your strings, I'm a nice person and as I've stated before I find it hard to say how I feel. In this case I am irritated by the behaviour but am finding it tough to stick to it cos of my emotional attachements! Again I say AAARRRGGGHHHH!!!
Right, I quit, it may be 8pm but I'm off to bed! Good night to all!

Can someone turn the heat down please!!!

2007-09-02T19:26:00.000+03:00

I have never previously understood the concept of dead on my feet but today I am a walking corpse. I firmly place the blame on the shoulders of the bloody weather. Can someone turn it down please. It's also killing me this constant in and out of ac, I've been in the country for three weeks and have a sore throat already, boooo!

Wh3t do4s 1t 3ll m3an??

2007-08-31T12:28:00.000+03:00

OK, I have lived in this fine country for years, I teach the youth of the country and am attempting to learn arabic but get so confused by this number/letter arabic business. What does it all mean??? Can anyone explain it to me??? I live in perpetual confusion and want to be cool too!!!!! (Sad I know but must attempt to be funky)
Please if you can give me a basic number = arabic letter guide I would forever be in your debt!!!
Shukran
Pinky

My random thoughts on the world of the blog.

2007-08-29T18:24:00.000+03:00

When I started my blog I really didn't know what to expect. Would people actually read it or not?
Over the last couple of weeks I've had loads of feedback on what I've written and quite frankly it's really nice. It intrigues me that people who I don't know personally and who know very little about me are so supportive and friendly in their reactions to my blog.
I know I enjoy reading other peoples blogs and find that I learn alot about so many different things. e.g. mosanmosan's blog got me hooked on youtube, 248am, k.thekuwaiti , forzaq8 and others keep me in touch with interesting things going on in Kuwait, swair, shoush, sou and desertgirlkuwait are a really interesting insight into other people's lives and quite frankly it never fails to surprise me how many people have the same issues going on in their lives.

So thanks for reading and sharing your comments, there will be much more!

Empowerment!

2007-08-28T21:19:00.000+03:00

For the first time ever today I managed to suck it up and tell someone that they had pissed me off and why without getting stressed or upset! This is a major milestone for me, whenever dealing with emotional matters I am always a doormat ( not good I know) and find it really hard to express how I feel but today I did it and the person is fuly aware that I deserve better and should be treated with respect!
I think all this Maya Angelou poetry has finally rubbed off!

Anger Management!!!

2007-08-27T21:35:00.000+03:00

Perhaps I should have added tolerance of the irritating in my New Academic Year Resolution!
There are some people in this world that are just plain and simple sent to vex us. Unfortunately I am finding certain individuals in my group of friends really trying at the moment. Some people just don't know they are born, even when they have everything they want they still find things to complain about and try to get others to do everything for them.
It is always made harder by the fact that you have to try your hardest to be polite even when they piss you off to the max!
Argh! I am off to tear my hair out- long live baldness!!!!!

Girl Power!!

2007-08-26T22:07:00.000+03:00

After reading a Maya Angelou Poem posted on Swair's blog I've gone all girl power and feisty. If you want to learn more about Maya's pretty difficult life read her autobiography called "I know Why the Caged Bird Sings".
Here's another fantasticly empowering poem by the wonderfull Maya Angelou

Phenomenal Woman

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

by Maya Angelou

Zombification!!!!

2007-08-26T15:31:00.000+03:00

Oh my god I am officially a member of the walking dead. Started back to work today after my hols and quite frankly how on earth am I going to survive. I am dead on my feet, it is too hot and I can't cope with early mornings- AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!!
Does anyone out there know a quick way to earn tons of cash and do absolutely nothing??? Damn it must find myself a rich husband ASAP! (Only joking, far too much self respect for that but fantastic fantasy).

Song lyrics and sentiments!

2007-08-25T17:55:00.001+03:00

There are so many songs out there and so many of them are soppy, depressing and down right crappy! However, there are one or two bands that really have their heads screwed on and give us good old fashioned cheerful music. I hope all of you blog readers have heard of a new band called MIKA who are cheerful and fun. If not get your backsides onto iTunes and download them in a wild and frenzied manner.
Other songs that I love and that are really cheery are:
I am what I am by Gloria Gaynor (I personally firmly bang my own drum)
Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen
Beautiful Day by U2
I'm on my way by The Proclaimers

Long live cheery music!!!!!!!!!

Thanks

2007-08-25T08:37:00.000+03:00

Well, who would have thought it some people have actually been reading my blog. I have been posting on here since before the summer and didn't think anyone read my random scribblings but after my last post I've had 3 comments and it seems I am not alone.....
Thanks to those of you that have taken the time to read this!!

I like having a mooch at loads of other blogs and it is really interesting to see what people post, some are about their lives, some about books, some anything that takes their fancy and it's great to see the diversity out there. I tend to read Kuwaiti blogs because I feel I can relate to the people writing them. We live in this tiny country and it is cool to see so much diversity within it. Roll on the big melting pot!!!

To let you guys see which blogs ring my bell I am going to add a blog roll down the side.

New Academic Years Resolution

2007-08-23T14:23:00.000+03:00

I am so over running around after men who quite frankly don't give a s*@?t about me or how I feel! Khalas, I'm done!

I am making a list of resolutions and I am going to do my best to stick to them!
1. No more emotional F*@kwits
2. Do all the things I enjoy on a more regular basis
3. Get fit (I know we've all had this as a resolution but I am bloody sticking to it this time)!
4. Be more healthy in my habits!- less booze, bad food etc.
5. Compromise less.
The last one sounds pretty selfish but I have spent most of my life putting other people before myself and quite frankly thats all well and good but too many people now think that I should mould my life to suit them, no more I say!

Did the Earth Move for you too??

2007-08-18T13:18:00.000+03:00

Well, I woke up at 1.46am to feel my bed shaking for no apparent reason. I asked my friends if they had felt it and only one had so I checked the USGS website and yes I am not mad, we did have an earthquake last night. A 4.3 on the Richter Scale, which is quite a decent size.
Check this link

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2007gdc2.php

I know Iran gets hit quite a lots but I've not felt one in Q8 before.....

2nd August 1990

2007-08-10T13:06:00.000+03:00

Unfortunately, this date can pass us all by too easily, the Invasion of Kuwait was 17 years ago!
There is a very thought provoking poem thats read on ANZAC day in Australia to remember those that died in conflict, this is quite appropriate.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Madness in the UK!

2007-08-07T13:48:00.000+03:00

My word, it's been non stop for the past month. I've been all over the UK, somehow managed to miss the flood waters but went to two decidedly damp but fun weddings. It really reminds me why I live in Sunny Kuwait! Only got a few more days before I go home though so I'd better make the most of the nice wine and pork even though it may be soggy!

hippo and dog

2007-07-26T01:21:00.001+03:00

He he he! Och Aye the Noo!

Oh Dear!

2007-07-26T00:49:00.000+03:00

It is terrible within a month I have become one of those bloggers that abandon their blog for great swathes of time! Having not posted since July 11th I really should get my act into gear!

Well, I had 4 days of Madness in Kuwait, packing and moving like a demon and playing with my lovely dog who has now finally learned to walk unaccompanied and not bog off into the deep blue yonder!

I've been in the UK for about 2 weeks now and I'm having a blast. Have spent about a week at my Aunt's farm on a hilltop near Sheffield, been down to my uncle's near reading and to a family wedding and I'm now back at my Aunt's.
It would be beautiful at all of the above locations if it had not been pissing it down with rain for the past 2 months in the UK. I'm fed up of rain damn that La nina current off South America for sending the Gulf Stream further North and giving us bloody rain, last Summer was gorgeous and I got thoroughly sunburned but now rainscald is more the done thing!

Back to Q8

2007-07-11T07:43:00.000+03:00

Well, I had a fantastic last week in Oz. After all the Wobbegongs and Turtles I headed inland to the Gold Coast Hinterland at Binna Burra, Wow! I was camping in a permanent tent and did some rainforest walks and saw Pademelon (small Kangaroo) in the wild- too cute- hence piccie!
Just finished downloading my photos and they are well cool. Now in the midsts of the madness that is moving house. Almost finished but now got to find homes for all my crap ad believe me I have a hell of a lot of it!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie- Oi, Oi, Oi!

2007-07-03T06:46:00.000+03:00

Well, thankfully fate decided that I would have a fantastic weekend's diving and see ten million turtles, loads of wobbegong sharks and humpback whales on the Big Cat Reality liveaboard. I'm now back in Brisbane prior to heading South to Binna Burra near Mt Tambourine at the New South Wales Border. Back to Q8 on Sunday to move house in 4 days- madness I tell you! Ah well, someone's got to do it!

Fate, destiny and all that crap!

2007-06-27T10:08:00.000+03:00

Well, I recon it's just not going to work with me and diving at the moment. How frustrating that it's pissed it down for 3 days with rain, today is the first day of good weather but the conditions are not right for diving, guess what, they aren't going to be right tomorrow either so I'm just going to have to wait until the weekend and my diving liveaboard off Brisbane.
Well, instead of diving I went to Australia Zoo, thankfully I put it off from Yesterday as it was truly vile weather and soggy crocs and roos aren';t as much fun. Had a lovely day today, started with a massage at Mooloolaba then off to Australia Zoo.
Been playing with my new camera too, I am so glad I bought it as the x12 optical zoom makes all the difference. I got some action shots of Crocs being fed and I'll post them soon!
Off back to Brisbane tomorrow so I'll probably not post again til next week!

Rain Rain go away come again another day ( after I've bloody left!)

2007-06-26T03:55:00.000+03:00

It is official Australia is bloody soggy at the moment. Despite being on the sunshine coast I swear it has pissed it down with rain for the last 2 days solidly! I am re-naming it the rainfall coast. Despite that I'm having a good old mooch around and had a lovely day yesterday.
I went to the cinema to see "Blades of Glory" Bloody hilarious I tell you. having been a bit of an ice skating virtuoso in my past I found it great with loads of cameo appearances from figure skating greats. I then found a nice cafe with an umbrella to keep me dry and sat an read my book. I must recommend anything by Jodie Picoult, she is a fantastic author and she uses very emotive topics to get you thinking. I'm reading "19 minutes" at the moment but you should start with "My Sister's Keeper".
Right, I'm off to fight through the rain to Australia Zoo (home of the late Crocodile Hunter-Steve Irwin). Kangaroos are still cute when they're wet hey???

Shinu Hather?

2007-06-21T03:17:00.000+03:00

It is bloody freezing in Oz! I left Brisbane in a massive storm yesterday and it rained all night in Bundaberg, thankfully I braved the freezing temperatures due to the wonders of reverse cycle air conditioning- heat = my friend.
Well, I had a lovely time in brisbane, it was really nice to catch up with my friends and see loads of things including cuddling a Koala at Lone Pine Sanctuary. I went cycling through the city's Botanical Gardens and trendy South Bank area. It was lovely. Saw Shrek 3 as well and guffawed and giggled my way through it Merrily!
I'm now up in Bundaberg staying in a gorgeous little B and B and mooching around in my Banana yellow hire car- I always wondered who bought those bloody things and yes it appears that AVIS do!
Off to the bundaberg rum distillery this afternoon and then off to a sugar cane museum to do a bit of swatting up on plantation agriculture- got to do some school work! If it doesn't stop raining I'll be forced to go to the cinema again!
Unfortunately it seems that just about every dive shop in bundaberg has shut up shop, gone bust or into hiding so will prob have to wait for Rainbow each and the Grey Nurse Sharks to dive.
I had to bite the bullet and buy a new wetsuit the other day as mine had started to feel like tissue paper and had about as many thermal insulating properties as an ice cube! So hopefully the sharks will appreciate my new combi 7/5mm blue and black Oceanic suit-$600 Aussie well spent!

G'day!

2007-06-18T03:45:00.000+03:00

Woo hoo!!!
I'm in Brisbane, I love holidays they are fantastic!!!I'm having a wonderful time catching up with my friends and relaxing in the winter sun ( bit overcast today however). Off on a shopping extravaganza today then off to Bundaberg on Wednesday for fish, sun and frolicing with a bit of Bundy Rum thrown in on the side!

Here I go!

2007-06-14T16:24:00.000+03:00

Well, I'm off to Oz tonight, almost packed, still got that I' not ready to head off feeling though. I like holidays but I like home too- argh!!!!!
I know, your hearts are bleeding!
Well, due to my potential lack of internet access I may not be posting for a couple of weeks but will try if I get the chance.
Hope everyone has a fabby holiday!

Really annoying things!

2007-06-12T19:32:00.000+03:00

Why is it that some people just can't behave in adult manner. Unfortunately I do think Kuwait has a high proportion of these type of people. I'm afraid I've got the end of term blues and unless I pull my finger out am likely to disolve into a wailing blob on the floor due to the chaos that is my life at the moment. I'm afraid this blog is becoming a "rant a thon" for today.
Are you ready? Here it goes
1. Men (esp. Kuwaiti men)- they play you along till you've satisfied a purpose then ouch you're dropped like a hot potato. They want everything on their terms and get pissed off if you dare to suggest otherwise. The ignoring is by far the most irritating thing! Bridget Jones's phrase emotional F@*k wittage is so true.
2. Holidays (strange I know)- Everything gets rushed and chaotic in the last few days of school as it is then you are expected to have this desperate urge to discover the world. It always seems like a fab idea when you pay for your ticket in Feb but by this time of year it's just another level of chaos. I leave the country in less than 72 hours I'm also moving flats just to add another level of madness and have I packed everything? - B*@**@ks I have!

BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT

2007-06-09T18:29:00.001+03:00

OK, I am a little bit cynical about some of Greenpeace's methods but this is simple, effective and to the point!

Holiday, Celebrate!!!

2007-06-09T16:17:00.000+03:00

Woo hoo!!! Just to quote another Eighties song of cheesiness- I's the Final Countdown!!!
School finishes on Wednesday and I'm leaving on a jet plane (I do know when I'll be back again thankfully)! I love Kuwait dearly, it is home, it is great but you can't beat a good holiday can you?
I'm off all over the place this Summer, Oz, England, Scotland, Emirates and maybe even Europe.
As per yesterday's post, this is one definite benefit of singledom. I want to go some where, I go. I do what I want, see what I want, dive where I want and eat what I want!

Top ten aims for the holidays:
1. See different places
2. Catch up with old friends and family
3. Eat lots of fish and seafood!!!! (too much faff to cook for myself)
4. Get a tan
5. Drink nice, crisp, cool chardonnay at every opportunity.
6. Dive, Dive, Dive
7. Go to the ten million Weddings that are lined up
8. Relax
9. Read a ton of books
10. Sleep!!!!!!!!!

Hope your will be as fun filled as mine

Forgotten Prejudices

2007-06-08T21:55:00.000+03:00

Gingerism
Scousism
Teetotalism
Single parentism
Singletonism
According to MSN news these are the 5 modern day forgotten prejudices. I agree wholeheartedly!
As a single gal I suffer regularly from the last one on the list. Yes, we are all afraid of Bridget Jones style dying alone and being eaten by alsations but it doesn't mean the rest of the world should look at us as second class citizens! I have so many "Smug married" friends who love to lord it over me saying "Oh I wish I was still single" then comiserating on my sad and sorry state! Gits the lot of them I tell you!
I do have a fun filled and perfectly happy life and yes, it would be nice to meet some one to share my life with but I'm not going to go top myself cos I'm single!
Quite frankly I think I'm much happier in my singledom than many of them are in their "smug marriedness"!

Talking Telephone Numbers!!

2007-06-03T16:12:00.000+03:00

So, what is the deal with the phone numbers allegedly changing? We were issued with a memo at work saying that on 1st June that an extra digit would be added to the front of everyone's phone numbers. Did it happen???? I don't think so, was the country told about it properly- no! (What a silly question)

It's quite infuriating as no one ever properly announces these things. When they added numbers in the UK there was a huge national advertising campaign for months and months before hand. But of course this is Kuwait (which remember I do like, this is my home)the land of ministries of chaos and confusion. They can't even make registering your car simple- how do they expect to do this? Never make the mistake of asking why they do some thing the way they do in Kuwait, always ask Why not?

Holidays

2007-05-31T09:42:00.000+03:00

Here we go, it's the most wonderful time of the year! (as the song goes) I've finished teaching til September and am on holiday in three weeks- Yippee!!!!
As usual it's a kind of bittersweet thing as Kuwait is so bloody transient, people leave for good and you have to say goodbye and you know that the whole summer will be spent camped on other people's floors, living out of a suitcase and not in your own space. I can't understand these people who fly out of Kuwait on the first day of the holidays and don't return until the very last minute. I like to hang around a bit and get back early to spend some time in my own space.
It's also this time of the year that bring out the worst in people. The constant moaning and I hate Kuwait attitude just drives me wild. If these people hate it so much why don't they just leave, we will survive without them!
Ah well, not everyone can be a ray of sunshine all the time hey!!!!

Too Much Hot!!!!

2007-05-26T22:25:00.001+03:00

It's time to get out of the kitchen cos quite frankly I just can't take the heat. It was 44 degrees C today- phew!!!

Life in Kuwait

2007-05-24T19:33:00.000+03:00

Well, it appears that scarily enough the main event in Kuwait this week has been the opening of Carrefour in the avenues mall. Is this not really sad that we all spend our time wondering if this supermarket will be any better than the others we already have?
What worries me more is the madness that surrounds the opening of new shops. People were crushed to death when IKEA opened in Riyadh for crying out loud!!
I (like a sad muppet) did visit the aforementioned shop today and quite homestly it's no different from any other supermarket in Kuwait, just as bloody expensive and has crappy parking. I am going to remain a sultan centre devotee for the following reasons:

1. Good parking and if theres no spaces there's Valet for 1KD
2. Not scarily huge
3. the layout hasn't changed in the last 20 years so I can find anything I want
4. They are working on stock control ( well kind of???)
5. Convenient locations
6. Open 24 hours so if insomnia or munchies strikes at 4am you can shop!

The national sport in Kuwait has and always will be shopping but should we expats be perpetuating this?? I don't know, quite honestly I'm as guilty as the rest for the regular shopping experience on a Thursday morning but I do want to break away!!!