Usual excuse: I've been busy. This time, very busy.
I should be keeping up more, but I am between places all the time. I got a promotion at the company I work for and it includes taking on projects in different countries for our business owner - who I adore. I got so lucky working for his company and I am grateful to him every single day. Literally. I've worked for him for ten years now. So, I am back and forth between Kuwait, Dubai and the US. Super thankful to be working and have a job.
I also work with my sister at her company while I'm in the US doing government work. Again, couldn't ask for a better business owner. I'm truly blessed on both continents - Mashallah. Her business here is considered essential, so I am at the office every day. Quarantine rules are somewhat relaxed in Virginia compared to other places - especially Kuwait.
I am truly blessed to have the life I have.
Every expat would like to believe that they will stay in Kuwait forever, but that's just not realistic. Even if you are married to a Kuwaiti, at some point, you are going to want the security of something in your home country. So I bought a lovely little house (maybe not so little, but lovely) near my family in Virginia. I have a garden and everything is green and beautiful. It is 15 minutes from mom, my sister, and my nephews homes. My neighbors literally welcomed me with open arms (ran across the street to hug me).
My house is close to the airport and a short trip back and forth to Kuwait (you get used to it). My vacations used to be going to the States to see my family. Now they are vacations together outside the US (Turks & Caicos is our favorite).
I don't have to worry about being noisy or having noisy neighbors. It is a very quiet neighborhood and everyone takes care of each other. One of my elderly neighbors passed away shortly after I bought my house. She was a dear woman and I wish I had had more time with her. Her husband, probably pushing 80 now, is equally as kind and I bring him home made pies and food once in a while. I think he is lost without her after 60 years of marriage.
My neighborhood (Mishref) in Kuwait is not on lock down other than the country-wide curfew. I think I made the right choice there being in a predominantly Kuwaiti neighborhood. Again, a place where neighbors take care of each other. I can't imagine not having Kuwaiti friends through this pandemic and feel a degree of pity for expats who have made the choice not to. The amount of concern I've had from Kuwaiti friends is overwhelming and heart-warming.
Right now, through the pandemic, I'm in the US. And super happy about that. I was supposed to be back in Kuwait right now, but I stayed in Virginia to see what was happening. Thank God. My mother has been self-quarantined in her home for six weeks now. I buy her groceries and go to talk to her on her steps. There is a farmers market close to where she lives, so I can buy farm products and plants at an open-air barn. Everyone is planting things to keep busy. I'll have a jungle in a few years.
Our biggest issue in Virginia with the pandemic is so trivial: Lack of toilet paper. Not that I should care because I had bidet hoses installed in every bathroom in my house. My family and friends laughed at me, but who is laughing now? I finally found a place that sells TP to businesses, so I bought a case of 96 rolls and I'm a very popular girl now.
I am missing machboos a LOT.
I will try to post more often. Thanks to those of you out there still reading - and who sent me messages asking how I am. I'm still here. :) I hope that all of you are well and safe and healthy.