Am I Raising a Wimpy Kid?

My baby is now 7 months old and I'm worried that he's not the big, tough guy that I hope he will grow into.

I know I need to socialize him with other big dogs. He's used to pouncing on poor, unsuspecting Desert Dawg  (she's BLIND and almost DEAF, cut the B a break).  She's small.  She's an easy target.  She can't fight back (which is why I never leave them alone).   He wrestles with Paco and if he gets too rough, Paco gives him one good head-butt and it's done.  But other than that, he hasn't had socialization with big dogs - not that Paco is technically a dog because he's a goat - (until this weekend - details to follow).

So, few weeks back, I was at IVH for a regular check-up for Mikey.  He was going apeshit; barking and pulling the lead (almost pulled my arm out of the socket) trying to play with the big dogs.  Just as I was leaving, a Kuwaiti couple was coming in, bringing 3-4 beautiful adult German Shepherds.  They were happy, gorgeous, mellow and well-trained dogs.  I had an immediate rush of envy.  As I passed them (with Mikey slobbering, pulling, squeeling and barking), I said, "I wish my dog was as well behaved as yours, Mashallah."  I was trying to maintain control of The Devil Puppy, so I didn't look up at them as I went by.

Cut to a few weeks ago:  I get a very nice note from a woman who said that she and her fiance raise GS's and she would like to invite me to Kabd to their farm so Mikey can play with their dog who is about the same age and looks a lot like Mikey.  I immediately took her up on her offer.  It was a lovely e-mail and I felt like we were fast friends.

(As is my thang:   I don't use people's real names on the blog, so I am going to call her Mare.  She reminds me of the actress Mare Winningham - in her younger years - only prettier.  Mare is from Malta. I thought she was Kuwaiti.  Her boyfriend is going to remain the same because he has a common name, Ahmed.)

They have a large farm, clean and airy kennels, and happy and healthy dogs.  I was there for about 20 minutes before I realized who Mare and Ahmed were:  they were the same people with the happy, well-behaved dogs that I remarked about in IVH!  See - I always believe in signs from God.  Fascinating.  Thank you, Big Man Above, for the wonderful introduction.

Anyhoo, I had a LOVELY chat with Mare (she's so gracious and complimentary) and Ahmed made us lunch and my wimpy kid got to play with their dog and I had a lovely happy day.

Oh snap... I completely lost the point of this post.... 

Ok, when I first got there, they showed me the kennels and let out their 6 month old GS puppy.  I let Mikey off the lead.   As soon as he saw their kid, he starts bawling like a big baby (squeeling in fright), goes all submissive and eventually runs to stand behind me. Sigh....  This is my protection dog.  Big, scary, mean protection dog.  Yep.

After his initial shock (he wasn't being hurt at ALL - the other dog was just initiating play), they acted like long-lost brothers and started tearing around the place.  Mikey started to build up confidence (I tried to ignore him most of the day) and I'm hoping this is something that we can continue:  doggy play dates.

That's Mikey with the paw.  That's how he wakes me up in the morning.

He was a lot more humble with Desert Dawg when he got home.  Ha!  Good lesson learned for you, buddy. Now you know what it feels like.

I'm really trying to get out there and meet other GS owners and learn as much as I can.  I learned that tile floors are terrible for German Shepherds; especially as they get hip dysplasia and skidding around on tile floors makes it worse.  I'm screwed.  Tile is alls I got.  Sigh.  I just took up all my carpets so dude wouldn't pee all over them.  Guess I'm going to have to put them back.  Tide is making a fortune off me and this dog, let me tell ya.

My sister's biggest dog (formerly the meanest - in his youth), Bo, is also a big wimp. Mama's boy.  When he gets hurt, he starts whining.  If you show him any attention at all (even just saying, "Oh, poor Bo!") , he'll start squeeling like a baby.  Enter Mikey....

Last night, he fell off my bed (which, granted, is pretty high). I heard him whine on impact with the floor. Then, I turned on the light and stared coddling him like a kid. That's when the big whining/squeeling started.  (He's fine. Just a scare. Maybe he was dreaming about being neutered or something.... dunno...)

This is like being a new mother.  I don't think I like it very much (but yeah, I'm talking about it all the time, right?)  I thank God that I have this blog so that I can vent about it; and not to my friends.  Slapperella has a GS mix and when she first got him, she was OTT new-mom (sorry, Slaps, but its true).  I'm her now and I sincerely apologize for not being more supportive.  I totally get it now.  AND her dog only has 3 legs (yes, she's a saint!  She adopted him right after he lost the leg and it was fun to see his progress).

I still haven't gone to the German Shepherd Dog gatherings at Messila Beach (Saturdays from 2-4 - everyone is welcome) - see group_gsd_kw on Instagram.  I'm still worried about how Mikey will react (go apeshit and embarrass me).  I would like to go and just talk to the guys about the obedience schools and boarding facilities.  They look like a totally cool, nice group of friends and I look forward to it.

I have heard a lot of conflicting stories about GS breeders/service providers in general in Kuwait.  Some call them "mafias" and I've heard stories of some breeders actually steeling dogs from each other.  I would like to get more perspectives.  I had no idea that the GS community in Kuwait was so large - or that there were so many high-quality dogs here (champion lines and working dogs).  I also had no idea that there were so many training facility options - none of which are licensed or monitored by the Government in any way.  I don't want Mikey to go missing (before I figure out how to install him with Lojack.... and yes, he's already got a microchip, but that doesn't do much good if you can't monitor him from a satellite.  Just sayin. )

Overprotective mom out.

Kuwaiti Girl Commits Suicide After School Expulsion

Kuwaitiful blog posted about this story a few days ago.  As usual, the first source of information about these types of tragedies is related from outside Kuwait.  You don’t push social issues under the carpet and hope that they’ll go away.  Deal with them.  Depression is real and this is such a sad ending.  As my mother has said, “It is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”  Some teens don’t see it that way, sadly. All those hormones and everything is so serious. 

[Psychologists like Dr. Naif Muttawa at Soor Center who are trying to help find solutions to these issues in his country - and getting sued by people (other reasons, but give him a break!)]

GCC teen girl expelled from school ends life

Published Thursday, April 03, 2014

Emirates 24/7 News Online

A 16-year-old Kuwaiti girl committed a suicide by hanging herself at home after she was expelled from her school, a newspaper reported on Thursday.

The girl was found hanging in the bathroom at her house in Farawaniya neighborhood in the capital Kuwait City, Al Watan Arabic language daily said.

It quoted police as saying  investigation showed the girl was suffering from depression after she was barred from her school.

---

There are other schools, other boyfriends/girlfriends/friends in general.  Everything will get better if you give it time (and if that doesn't work - talk to someone who is willing to listen and give good advice).

My prayers go out to her family members and friends.  I've dealt with my own reaction to suicide of friends and you are left with a never-ending feeling of guilt and "I could have done more..."  You couldn't.  It is as simple as that.  You were probably the best friend or relative or acquaintance.  If someone is that troubled, regardless of what you do or how you try to help, there's nothing you could have done better.

"Why Aren't there Geriatric Homes in Kuwait?"

What they are teaching kids in school these days

As I do every Friday, I had lunch with Clean's family (now "my" family).  Let me re-phrase to accommodate my Kuwaiti dad who tells me to say this, 'I had lunch with my Kuwaiti family....'

I have more frank/open discussions about religion within the family than anywhere else.  No one's feathers get ruffled.  No one gets offended.  It is genuine curiosity on both sides.  I hear a lot about Islam (not all of it true as it is often relayed through YouTube videos made by well-intentioned people who interpret it to their perception); generally from the younger brothers in the family.  Dad always steps in and corrects them (and then shouts at them for believing stuff that they've heard on the internet).  I love that man.

Anyhow, I was sitting with the girls and one was doing her English homework so she asked me to help (along with one of the older sisters who speaks English well).  The subject was geriatrics and one of the questions (from a Kuwaiti public school) was, "Why do you think there are no geriatric homes in Kuwait?"  and the "appropriate" answer (as listed on their form) was "because Islam teaches Muslims to honor their mother and father."

While that is very true, so do most religions of the world - including the Western world where the Bible says the same thing.  Does it mean that Christians (or Jews or others) don't honor their parents?

My opinion is that Kuwait will have more geriatric homes in the future - and that it has nothing to do with religion.  It has to do with a working culture.

Even 10-15 years ago in Kuwait, mothers stayed at home to take care of their children.  Now, most couples both work and the children are left in the care of nannies (or if they can afford it - day care centers).  I don't know of any Kuwaiti families personally that have elder family members living at home (I'm talking really elder - like over 80).  I don't know because the parents have either passed away or are younger than 80.  Western countries also have common geriatric illness such as alzheimer's.  While I don't know the statistics of alzheimer's cases in Kuwait, I suspect that if it is a Western problem, it will soon become a Kuwait problem.  Diets in Kuwait are turning to fast-food; industrialization, pollution.... whatever the cause of an increase in cases may be.  How will an untrained, uneducated maid handle an aging alzheimer's patient? How will a working couple?

It isn't a matter of religion; it is a matter of the best care for the parent.  I do know many people in the States - friends - who have had to make heart-wrenching decisions to put their parents in geriatric homes because they could no longer care for them at home.  These friends are God-fearing people who love and respect their family members.  They worried for their parent's safety and well-being.  It is never an easy decision and I am sure that it comes after much prayer.

I don't think that it is "appropriate" for any school to imply that their is a lack of compassion by any other religion in their duty to their parents.  If anything, schools here should be teaching comparitive religion; showing the similarities to Islam; not creating misunderstanding.

Bad Maid: Who Let the Dog Out?

This is a Khaleeji Woe (love their tweets!)...

My maid.

So I had to let her go.  She swore up and down that she didn't let my big dog out (which later led to him chomping on my little dog like the snack food she is...).  It coulda happened.  He's a smart guy and might have let himself out of his room somehow....   However (and I can.not.f-ing.believe this part), when I finally cooled down enough to talk to her about it, she wouldn't let me get a word in while she told me that she left window open ("because no one told me not to") and Mikey (big dog) jumped out the window (I live in a basement apartment with big walls and gates) and was missing for 3 hours.  OH MY GOD!!!!  She said that "somebody" left the 2 gates open (do you not CHECK?) and it was a nice day and she opened the window.....  (this is possible because I've seen him do it.  It is only about a 12" from the floor to the door opening and he's athletic and big.  But it should have been obvious to even a semi-cognizant person that he might do it.)   She talked about HER peril in finding him (which she eventually did, "next to the road") and how she "almost had a heart attack."   Really?  Seriously?  You?  (Poor thing, would you like to lie down?  Can I get you some water?  WTF!)

Ok ok ok... deep breaths... go to your happy place... calm.... ooooh saaaaaah.....  (thou shalt not kill because thou shall go to jail, not because you don't want to.... Visualizing a wood chipper.....)

So, my big dog was running around my conservative religious dog-fearing neighborhood next to a major road for 3 hours.  And during that time....  she couldn't call me?  

She came by this morning (F-ing up my day), crying and holding her cross pendant (whipping out the religion card does NOT work with me).  She said she wanted to explain in more detail.  Shiiiiit - do I need to know???  Whyyyyyy???  Just give me my key (changing the locks anyways) and get the F out.  (I'm actually quite proud of myself for holding it together as well as I did.)

I already have a replacement maid-lady that Butterfly recommended before she left.  She also works for Spanx, so I have 2 good recommendations.  She stopped by this weekend and was kinda shocked by what she saw in my closets.  Folding was not BadMaid's forte.  

I know that some of you you are reading this and saying, "Waaaaa poor you..." and thinking that we're so spoiled having maids over here, but guess what? There are maids in the US and other countries too.  My maid doesn't live with me - she's part time.  Although I don't pay as much as I would for a maid in the States*, I still pay a good salary and I have treated her very well (even to the point of overlooking transgressions like my fake Jimmy Choo bag gone missing).  If you lived in any country and someone working in your home let your dog out - wouldn't you have a fit?  

*  Sidenote:  We don't pay as much in Kuwait (and other countries with similar economies) because although there is a minimum wage, it is very small compared to the US/Europe.  We also don't pay social security or income tax for employees (or ourselves, under a certain threshold).  Most expats I know living in Kuwait retain part-time maids and pay them over the minimum wage.  I pay my maid around $6 per hour and if she asked for more, I would probably negotiate on that.  I also agree to pay her overtime for anything over the agreed-upon hours per day (so far, in my almost 18 years here, not one helper has asked me for OT).

I, like growing numbers of people around the world, do not have children.  My pets are my children.  I value them and take care of them.  The last thing I want to hear is that they've been out playing in traffic while I was at work.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!

I'm going to vent a little in this one.  Hang on or move on (while you still have the chance....)

BitchMoanComplain #1

About 2 months ago, our company was interviewing for a position.  I was a member of the interview team, as it is for a project I'm working on.  I met a lovely lady (with a terrible resume and a photo that looked like Elvira, Mistress of The Dark).  Anyways, long-story-short, she ended up taking another offer, but liked me and asked me if she could invite me for coffee sometime.  I thought it was a nice gesture, so I accepted.

It turned out that it was a dinner invitation at a rather expensive restaurant. I hadn't expected that.  I also hadn't expected her to invite anyone else, but she did; her "best friend".  BF turned out to be an over-bearing, dominant control-freak who from the first nanosecond I met him, took over the conversation and wouldn't allow her to get a word in.  He was rude, extremely arrogant, pushy and opinionated.  He also had the IQ of a gnat as he spoke to her about ME in Arabic throughout the evening; even though I told him I had been in Kuwait for almost 20 years.  Not-a-clue.  (Also said several times that he had traveled the world - including to Cuba where he referred to the people there as "Mexicans."  Yeah... okay....)

I'm guessing BF wasn't just a best friend, but a boyfriend, as he told her what to do, under his breath, most of the evening; including what to eat and how to eat it. Regardless of who he was, I would never let someone talk to me like that. I told the server to take away my sharp objects.  It was going to get uuuugly.

Why do some people feel the need to do this kind of stuff?   She has a nice personality.  She's a quality person.  She's guilty by association now and I will never see her the same way.  HE walked me out and told me about her personality "problem".  Whaaat?  He's her only personality problem!

Is there something in the stars right now?  Now, not only are my old/trusted friends acting strangely (like anxious farm animals before a storm or something) but I'm meeting weird-o's left and right.  WTF.

BitchMoanComplain #2

I have a very pretty co-worker (I'm gong to call her "Raven" because she loves birds and has amazingly shiny black hair!) who has become a good friend.  We hang together occassionally and I enjoy her company. We don't have a friendship where we're out trolling for men (sorry, but those days are gone!)   So I invited her to come along and see my friends during the past few weeks at the chalet to chill and enjoy a nice evening.  What I didn't expect was that my friends (and some of my female friends boyfriends) would have the audacity to hit on her.

If you mess with my friends, you mess with me.  In the case where my friend's boyfriend hit on Raven, I immediately told my friend's boyfriend.  I'm sorry, but it is a sistahhood and I'm not about disloyalty.  This has caused a rift between me and the guys (because they just consider me another one of the guys - only with breasts).  I'm not one of the guys and I don't believe it is "ok" to cheat if you're in a good relationship.  Anyways, now I'm on the outs with the gang and if that's the way they want to be - que cera.  They have probably branded me as a "trouble maker" but again - take it like  you want to.  I did what I believed was the right thing to do; and my friend, Zuz, has called me to thank me several times.  Maybe it will make her relationship stronger in the end - I can only hope.  (If my guy did the same thing, I would want to know. What about you, girls?)

Several of the guys from our group of friends have called me, oddly.  They never call me.  Not to see how I am or what I'm doing or anything.  So, I suspect they are trying to get me to gossip about that night.  Sigh.

Following this incident, one of the girls from the group called Raven to try to convince her to meet up with yet another guy in our group; someone who obviously doesn't have the testicleees to call me to ask me, so he asked someone else to do it.  "He's a nice guy.  He doesn't have anybody right now....Yada."  Raven could have been rude (I would have) but politely declined her offer of his phone number.

I'm embarrassed and disgusted.  I had no idea that people were so desperate.  I mean, if you want to hit on girls, there are a million ways to do it.  Don't disrespect your friends in the process.

This time of the year (Spring), I always go through major renewals (if I may use a positive term for transformations).  So once in a while, you just have to do it.  Change.  Move on.

BitchMoanComplain #3

Speaking of moving on, I am going to change maids.  I have been thinking about this for a while. I think I'm pretty patient, but so far, I have typed task lists, drawn pictures, spoken to my maid's husband to explain things (at her request), and taken time off work so that I could go home and explain things to her.  How frickin difficult can it be???

Last night was the last straw.  Priority #1 is the safety of my children (dogs).  I don't play.  Last night, I went home and Mike (who is now 25 kilos - around 60 pounds) was out of his room; free to tear up the house and everything in it.  Everything is a toy to him right now.  He has endless energy and exuberance - which I usually love but....

I never let the dogs stay alone without supervision.  Desert Dawg (Lilli) weighs maybe 4 kilos now and is about as fragile as a dove's feather.  She's almost 18. She doesn't move around so well anymore; she looks like she's in pain.  The vet said she is almost completely blind and she can't hear well.  So, big old Mike, who is still a puppy, obviously thought she was his toy yesterday and she was hurt when I got home.  She had bruises and scratches.  I felt terrible.  Then I called maid  lady to find out what happened and she wouldn't answer her phone.  I guess she knew.  That's it.  No more.  If you mess with my dogs, you mess with me.

So this has been my week.  I'm hopeful that things will get better soon.  I'm trying all the relaxing things I can, short of getting on yet another plane back to Virginia.  Maybe that's what it would take....

Hot or Not? The Kuwait Version (Re-post from 2:48am Blog)

This is hysterical and too good not to re-post from Mark's blog.  Most of the selfies are from guys.  I'm just waiting to see if belfies will be posted.  You know where this is leading, right?  To an x-rated "Hot or Not?"

Mark say...
There’s a new instagram account called @selfiekw with main purpose of posting selfies of people from Kuwait. Its become Kuwait’s version of the old hot or not website where you ranked people on looks and in this case, the hotter the person is the more likes they get. Lots of fun although there isn’t an option to view just the girls or just the guys. [Link]

Source:  http://248am.com/mark/gossip/hot-kuwait-version/#comment-634225

U.S. calls out top Kuwaiti official for helping finance Al Qaida

Ok, so let me get this right ....  The US Department of Treasury is accusing the Kuwaiti Minister of Justice of funding terrorism.  “On March 4, U.S. Treasury Undersecretary David Cohen at a conference named Al Ajmi as a financier of Al Qaida.”  Them are some purty strong words.... With all the lawyers that the US has, if they didn't have evidence, would they say it?  Hmmmm... 

The only reason I researched the story a little deeper was because the article that appeared today in the Arab Times was so cryptic and left me with so many unanswered questions – that I had to.

Just sayin’ but perhaps charity should start at home (with the Bedoon living in Taima and Sulaibiya and other areas of KUWAIT) and not overseas in areas where the “donations” might be “interpreted” as something other than honorable, charitable acts....   Resolving the Bedoon issue AT HOME would be noble, honorable, and charitable and would not lead to questions of impropriety.  But hey - that's just my 2 cents.  I'm not the U.S. Treasury Undersecretary or anything.

U.S. calls out top Kuwaiti official forhelping finance Al Qaida

Re-post from:  Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — A Kuwaiti minister has been challenged to confirm allegations by the United States that he helped fund Al Qaida.  Kuwaiti Justice Minister Nayef Al Ajmi was accused by a senior U.S. official of promoting what was termed terrorism.

Kuwaiti Justice Minister Nayef Al Ajmi

  

Al Ajmi, who also serves as Islamic Affairs minister, was also said to have facilitated funds to Al Qaida’s Islamic State of Iraq and Levant as well as Nusra Front for the Defense of the Levant.

“We expect the minister to either hand in his resignation immediately or reject the accusations and sue the U.S. official,” Kuwaiti parliamentarian Nabil Al Fadel said. “Lapsing into silence will only fuel speculation and doubt.”

On March 4, U.S. Treasury Undersecretary David Cohen at a conference named Al Ajmi as a financier of Al Qaida. Cohen, said ISIL and Nusra were soliciting contributions from several Arab and Muslim states, particularly Kuwait and Qatar.

“The Ministry of Endowments announced it would allow non-profit organizations and charities to collect donations for the Syrian people at Kuwaiti mosques, a measure we believe can be easily exploited by Kuwait-based terrorist fundraisers,” Cohen, referring to Al Ajmi, said.

In his statement, Al Fadel quoted Cohen as saying that the Kuwaiti minister “has a history of promoting terrorism.” The parliamentarian cited Cohen’s criticism of Al Ajmi’s appointment to the two ministerial posts.

“Kuwait has become the epicenter of fundraising for terrorist groups in Syria,” Cohen was quoted as saying.

In his address to the Washington-based Center for a New American Security, Cohen became the first senior U.S. official to detail Kuwaii and Qatari help to Al Qaida militias in Syria. Cohen, responsible for financial intelligence, said the contributions were being directed to ISIL and Nusra, which could result in attacks in the West.

“Apart from their highly destabilizing role in the ongoing conflict there, these well-funded and well-equipped groups may soon turn their attention to attacks outside of Syria, particularly as scores of newly radicalized and freshly trained foreign recruits return from Syria to their home countries,” Cohen said.

The U.S. official has urged Kuwait, which uses Qatar as a waystation for contributions, to increase measures to stop funds to Al Qaida. Over the last year, the Gulf Cooperation Council sheikdom has announced steps to implement oversight over contributions to Muslim charities.

“Private fundraising networks in Qatar increasingly rely upon social media to solicit donations for terrorists and to communicate with both donors and recipient radicals on the battlefield,” Cohen said. “This method has become so lucrative, and Qatar has become such a permissive terrorist financing environment, that several major Qatar-based fundraisers act as local representatives for larger terrorist fundraising networks that are based in Kuwait.”

Sample DG FAQs and Local Activities

Reader Mike wrote to me and asked me some questions. I often get asked these types of questions and I'm happy to provide my (NON-PAID-FOR) recommendations.  Maybe they can help some of youse (?).  This is just a simple samplin'.  For more detailed information, please browse through some of my previous posts and see "DG Index - " for categories.

Newspaper

Kuwait Times or Al Watan Daily (I read the Arab Times, but I also read the National Inquirer...)

Restaurant

(I'm going to recommend my favorite Kuwaiti restaurant because we're in Kuwait....)

Kuwaiti restaurant:  Shateya Watiya in the Behbehani complex downtown. 

Kuwaiti food delivery online - see: http://www.talabat.com/kw/en/cuisine-food/19/kuwaiti-restaurants-in-kuwait.  Or my review:  http://desertgirlkuwait.blogspot.com/2012/03/kuwaiti-food-and-restaurants.html

Beach

The best beaches are in Khiran, approximately 45 minutes South of Kuwait City.  Take the Khiran Resort exit from 40 until you see a bridge and water towers.  Make the U turn.  Take the next right (road goes to Zoor).  Park next to any of the chalets under construction.  Walk over berms to the beaches.  Completely isolated and very clean.  There are many inlets - just pick one.

Ideally, if you can get out to Khubar or Um Al Moradim islands, they are awesome.  Al Boom Dive Center will take you there.  Mr. Reyadh Al- Bannow, Tel:(+965) 24613445/6/7/8, Fax:(+965) 24613449, Email: reyadh@alboomkuwait.com

Night Out

Depends on what you want.  Movies?  Dinner?  Maybe a twilight boat cruise around the bay?  Night life in Kuwait centers around coffee shops because there are no bars.  Make Kuwaiti friends; get invited to parties..  In the summer time, at the chalets (beach houses) or yachts; in the winter in tents.

Fishing/Boating

Call Yousef  at Amwaj Boat Trips, 6688-7475, E: amwajboattrips@gmail.com, Instagram: @amwajboattrips

Diving/Snorkeling/Island Trips

NAUI Middle East service Center – Al Boom Marine, Reyadh Al-Bannow, Tel:  (+965) 2461 3445/6/7/8, Fax:  (+965) 246 13449, Email: reyadh@alboomkuwait.com.  Diving trips (for certified divers – equipment rentals), dive courses, snorkeling and trips to Kuwait’s Southern Islands; Garoh and Um Al-Moradim (from Khiran).

Week-End Resort

Seashells or El Joan in Julai’ia.  Bring a marriage certificate because most resorts/hotels won’t rent to singles.  (They  also won’t validate certificates... just sayin.)

Massages

Spa Aquatonic, The Missouni Hotel, Corniche Club

Souq

The BEST/oldest is Mubarakia in downtown Kuwait.  They have souqs within the souq:  gold, fish, meat, clothing, spices, perfumes, household goods, cosmetics, Bedouin weavings, antiques, etc.

Eat at Sheesha King (outdoors in front of the mosque).  Order fresh grilled meat, fresh fish, or hameesa shrimp.

Art Gallery/Museum

http://www.artkuwait.org/art-galleries-art-museums-art-institutions-exhibition-halls-in-kuwait

Local Tours of Kuwait

               

Ali or Fran at Morqab Tours, 6510-0772 (Will tailor for smaller groups/individuals).  Ali is Kuwaiti and his dad was a ship-builder.  He is VERY proud of his Kuwaiti heritage and offers truly unique and wonderful tours of the country he loves.  I highly recommend them.

            

            Nuzha Tours,  25755825/35 Web:  www.nuzhatours.com (Require minimum #s)

GO SEE KUWAIT!!!

I am sharing a very interesting article on the recent events in Kuwait within the Bedoun community.  Alakhbar is a Lebanon-based newspaper and reports on

Kuwait: Security crackdown on Bedoon community renews tensions

Click here for link

The article is too long to re-post, however it is a good read.  We often do not hear about what is happening within Kuwait in Kuwaiti media.  

My prayers go out to those going through this ordeal.  I wish they would just solve it.

Back in Contact With Old Friends and Cool New People

So, when I joined the company I work for, I had 2 titles and worked at both of them.  Approximately 2 years ago, they dropped the first title and left me with the second title, which eliminated the need for me to go out and network with business people in the community.  The second title implied inside-office work so that's what I've been up to.  Fine.  I'm flexible.

For 2 years, I have really not been involved in business associations or attended meetings or functions.  Ever since the US went into Iraq (I don't want to be PC and say "invaded" because that would be wrong, right?) in 2003, I've been working my back side off with defense contracting and the like.  I've made a lot of friends, but I've been bad about keeping in touch (as you see those friends when  you attend the business meetings/events as we are all so busy that you never get to see each other at any other time.  Maybe Thanksgiving if you're lucky, but even then, not everybody).

Anyhooser, now the company I work for has dropped the second title and bestowed me yet again with my first title (somewhat "salesey").  Okey dokey.  I'm flexible.  No problem.

[Personally, I think it was just a matter of the business owner not knowing my personality/me in general.  At that point - because I was so rigid at my job on the legal side of the fence - he probably thought I was a downer and not much of a personality.  BAM. I'm pretty sure he knows me now.]

I have started to attend the meetings and functions again.  I've really missed it.

Last night, I attended an absolutely lovely event at the US Embassy.  It was a large gathering and it seemed like I knew everyone in the room, but I just hadn't seen them in years.  Some assumed (always wrong) that I went back to the States.  I guess that is logical enough, since many expats go home.  Not this girl.  I'm kind of a lifer.

I saw several people that I hadn't seen in - OMG - almost 10 years.  Can it BE that long?  Wow.  Time flies when you're doing inside-office work.  Well, he wasn't the norm.  Most I hadn't seen in just a few years.  I ran into a Sheikh friend. I  ran into a few chairmen friends (not "chairholes" - as I sometimes refer to people in those positions).  These are nice guys.  So good to catch up.

I also made some new friends.  You know - I have a very hard time keeping up with Embassy staff (and to make matters really worse - I am terrible at names.  I should create flash cards with photos, but I can't bring my camera to the Embassy).  If you think 10 years flies by; what about 2 years?  I still think that Peter Alois (who I liked a lot) is the Commercial Attache, for example.  But wait, that's not true.

Last night, I met the Sr. Commercial Officer.    I've seen him around at various business gatherings, but I never knew who he was or what he did.  [I don't know why, but the American community in Kuwait is often the least likely to whip out their business cards at functions.  The Brits whip it out at every opportunity.  (Sorry, but you do and we like it.)  Americans are more - how do I say this - stoic, maybe?  I thought it would have been the reverse, but not so.]  Anyhoo, this cool guy with awesome hair and I start talking and joking around.  On my second glass of (Fanta), I let it slip about the blog.  Ooopsie.  I usually don't do that (anonymous and all that), but we were talking about some friends of his who will be visiting Kuwait and I said I might be able to point to the right direction.  We later exchanged business cards and I found out he was  Dude.  Let me just say, Department of State, keep sending people like him! Intelligent and holding a high position, but approachable and friendly;  as were several of the other "new" faces at the Embassy.  Kudos, DOS.

I also feel the same way about the current US Ambassador to Kuwait, Matt Tueller.  He is a very busy man, but always stays through the entire duration of most events (rather than dashing in and out like others) and has always made it a point to attend every AUSA event so that he can show his support to US service people in Kuwait.  That's admirable.  He's also a genuinely nice guy.  He will be leaving Kuwait soon and I wonder who will replace him.

Ok, back to me....

I don't think I'm unlike many working people (Kuwaiti or not).  You get into a rut.  You do your job, get tired, go home to your routine.  You don't push yourself to do new things or to leave your bubble.  Lately, I've been doing new things, but it has involved the outdoors and not much contact with humans (which has been great, but at some point, you need to speak human again).  I'm going to push myself.  Well, I kindof have to (for work) until they change my title again.  That's fine.  I'm flexible....

Just in a foul mood lately

You can tell when I'm in a shetty mood when I only post about stuff that's in the newspaper that I need to vent about.  Yeah, that's me lately.  I've just been in a funk.  It happens.  I'll snap out of it fer sure, but now it is just like one big pity party.

I just got back from vacation and I need a vacation.  Unprofessional people have been really getting under my skin.  Yeah, I know.  Like - where do I live?  Right?  I should be used to it by now, but recently I've had to interact directly with peolple who are irking me to all ends.

Hmmm... where to begin....

Well, my day started off pretty bad.  When I moved into my apartment in the house, the landlady said that they would start painting the house, "soon."  Now, 4 years later, and without 24 hours notice, they have started.  The new building hariss stopped at 10pm, by to ask me my wi-fi password .... and to OH... let me know that the painting would begin in the morning and that I should move things.  Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat?!  At 5:30 this morning, they started putting up the painting scaffolding (that I'm pretty sure were the ones used on

the Pyramids).  They still use hemp rope and wood planks in this part of the world.  A tiny car full of Egyptians in gallabiyas (man-dresses) showed up, made tea (somehow?  With water from my outdoor hose), stouted at eachother... and so a MONTH will go by (at least) they say before it is finished.   April 1, I'm moving with the guys back to the farm in Kabd.  F that.  I'm not waking up to people shouting at 5:30 am on a weekend. Someone will DIE.  I sent my landlady an SMS:  "What's up with the NO notice on the painters?!  NOT nice."   I think I've been too nice.  I pay my rent early.  There's going to be some late-rent mischief this month.

KFH has been very professional lately and the caliber of service has risen to new levels.  Having said that, I just got a new credit card from them and canceled it within 10 days.  They never explained the full terms and conditions; and never provided anything in English that might help me (that's right - a foreigner who doesn't read Arabic).  Now, while I understand that KFH has been historically considered a "local" bank, doing business in Arabic; guess what?  All banks are in competition and 2/3 of the work force is foreign.  Anyhoo, after they deducted 250KD to secure the credit card (which I had not been informed about), I cancelled it.  And guess what (again)?  There was a KD25 fee to cancel it.  What Tha Phuck.

Bimbos:  I have been in contact with bimbos lately.  I try to limit my exposure to bimbos as often as possible. Its like a form of cooties that I don't want.  I've had several bimbo-related incidents lately that have made my jaw drop. I think I'm equally shocked at my own reaction to them because... well... you know... I used to BE a bimbo myself.  It is kind of a jolt for me to realize that I'm so far beyond all that tight-jeans-wearing (to work), gum chewing, OTT dressing,  kind of stuff.

[Katherine Stellock of Chevy Chase, Maryland:  My former boss at Woodward and Lothrop.  If you are out there, I sing your praises ALL the time.  You taught me so much about business etiquette and composure. You'll never know.   Mrs. Stellock (as I was only allowed to call her) always came to work in pristine, elegant clothes - mostly black - with pearls.  She walked with a straight back and head held high.  She never gossiped.  She would look at me from head to toe with a watchful eye and say, "Mmmm hmmm..." (distastefully)  and walk away. I learned more from what I perceived as her meanness than any other business education.  She led by example and I worship her skills in hindsight.]

I'm not writing about anything work-related because hey - I have been told to keep it positive.  Perky, perky, perky!  Yes.  Everything is beautiful and wonderful and happy.  However, I just went to get a motivational speech from the one guy who I know is positive (and told me to be) and he totally brought me down.  There should have been some of that "music to commit suicide to" sappy stuff playing in the background.

I need a Xanax weekend.

Refugees International Report on Kuwait Stateless

Refugees International Report on Kuwait Stateless

This is a cut/paste repost from Refugees International Blog
Article by Sarnata Reynolds
LINK

On March 2, a 14-year-old boy named Ali Habib was put in a Kuwaiti jail and charged with disturbing the peace. He had been arrested while participating in a peaceful demonstration for the right to citizenship, one of many in a decades-long movement demanding that Kuwait’s stateless people, called the bedoon, be recognized as citizens. 

After two days Ali was released, but eight other stateless activists remain in jail on trumped-up charges including participating in an “illegal gathering” and “damaging police property.”

For the last three years, peaceful gatherings in support of the right to nationality have been met with rubber bullets, tear gas, sound bombs, beatings, and detentions. And yet the protests continue. In response, some elected officials have taken up the cause, and in March 2013, Kuwait’s parliament passed a law that would grant citizenship to 4,000 “foreigners” – although it has not been implemented.

In April 2013, activists held the first international conference on statelessness in Kuwait, which led to the formation of a National Committee on the issue and a four-year plan for the realization of citizenship rights. Despite an attempt by the government to shut down the conference, it was attended by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, foreign diplomats (including from the U.S. and UK), and non-governmental organizations including Refugees International. Just last month, the U.S. government officially and publicly documented the mistreatment and exclusion of the bedoon in its annual report on human rights, with the UK having previously documented their persecution.

The movement for citizenship rights in Kuwait is undeniable and growing. The bedoon are not going anywhere, their supporters are steadfast, and the international community is increasingly calling for recognition of their human rights.

While the Kuwaiti government has the authority to determine who makes up its citizenry, it does not have the privilege of rendering people stateless. Therefore, a just and transparent procedure should be approved that both protects every person’s right to a nationality and honors the government’s power to impose fair criteria for citizenship. Granting citizenship to Kuwait’s longstanding, multi-generational and loyal residents is both the right thing to do, and inevitable.

To get there, the Kuwaiti government should immediately recognize and document the Kuwaiti citizenship of all individuals and families with relevant links to the nation, including birth on the state’s territory, descent, marriage, or habitual residence.

Until their nationality claims can be resolved, the government should: protect the human rights of all stateless people, including the right to liberty, assembly, education, healthcare, and due process before the law; file a court complaint if a person’s citizenship is under suspicion, provide conclusive proof of their foreign nationality, and protect the right to due process; and incorporate stateless Kuwaitis into all aspects of public life, including public schools, residences and employment.

Among the more than 100,000 stateless people in Kuwait are the spouses and children of Kuwaiti citizens, veterans and police officers, hospital technicians, taxi drivers, poets, and little boys like Ali. They know no other country and identify themselves with the people, culture, and history of Kuwait. They may currently be without citizenship, but they are not without rights. They must be respected 

- See more at: http://refugeesinternational.org/blog/kuwaits-stateless-not-giving-fight#sthash.DYFAyPl2.gl71akGe.dpuf

Kuwaiti Stateless Issue being "studied" again - OMG!

"Stateless" or "Bedoun/Bidoon" refers to those in Kuwait who have NO nationality.  No passports.  No identity.  How can that be, you ask?  There are several countries in the world with this issue.  Kuwait is a prime example.

Imagine you can't get a credit card.  A car, a phone, or a home in your name.  You can't travel because you don't have a passport.  It is up to a government to determine if you may/may not get birth, marriage, and death certificates.  How do you live?  How do your children live? Children can't get public education because they have no nationality. How will they go to private schools if there is no money to pay for them?  What about health care?    With the number of Stateless Kuwaitis increasing by birth every year, isn't this a national crisis? THINK!

Arab Times
24 March 2014

‘Steps Under Way To Solve Problems Of Illegal Expats’

2,000 Out Of 90,000 Rectify Residential Status

 KUWAIT CITY, March 23: Around 2,000 expatriates facing residency-related problems have rectified their status as per the instruction of Assistant Undersecretary for Citizenship and Passports Affairs Major General Sheikh Faisal Al-Nawaf to ease procedures for these people, reports Alam Al- Yawm daily quoting sources.

Sources confirmed the directive of the assistant undersecretary was implemented after he conducted a study on the issue and submitted results to the interior minister as part of a purely humanitarian security plan to correct the status of nearly 90,000 foreigners staying illegally in the country.

Sources said other studies are currently being conducted to gradually fix the problem - a step which needs time, intensified efforts and governmental support.

---

I had to re-read the "article" above several times because the writing is so God-awful that I missed the point the first 20 times I read it, but I understand the overall point. Perhaps it sounds better in Arabic, before the Google translation?

I have so many comments about this that I don't even know where to begin.  First, gradual BS "studies" have been going on for decades.  They study.  They talk.  They have tea.  They study some more.  They talk some more.  NOTHING happens.  Bidoon (which means "without" - NOT "Illegal") people who have the right to Kuwaiti nationality are still waiting and being treated terribly by just about everyone.  (And before I get any bullshit from the peanut gallery:   by saying "People who have the right" - I mean the ones who can prove that they were here before the 1964 census, have documentation, and have DNA directly linking them to their KUWAITI family members.)

They said they would naturalize 4000 Bedoun per year.  I forget what year that was, but it was years ago and no movement has been made, but "studies."  

Meanwhile, my friends like AHE,  who served in the Kuwait military for 40 (FORTY) years, representing Kuwait as a competition sharp-shooter around the world, still doesn't have nationality; nor do any of his children.  Their home is in someone else's name.  Their cars are in other people's names.  The sons get less salary than anyone else in the same job category and they are perceived as "non-Kuwaitis".  WTF.  The man is a prouder Kuwaiti than most 1st nationality category (there are 17 levels I believe) Kuwaitis that I have ever met.   (17 levels of citizenship, and yet everyone in the country talks about "national unity".  Funny that.) 

The same with HS.  He's been in the Kuwaiti police force for decades, serving his country.  He has all the necessary documentation and he still can't get anyone to even listen to him.  He, like others, hates to go to the governments bedoun agencies because they are treated worse than cattle; they are degraded and humiliated.

Sidebar:   hearing, "Ana usli Kuwaiti" ("original Kuwaiti") takes you down many levels with me (insert expletive starting with "a" here).   WHO is "original"?  People have asked me if I'm, "usli Amreekia" before. Ha.  That's funny.  WTF is that?! 

I've been requested to ask for help from my friends in "higher places."  I want to, but I see the looks on their faces when I even mention the Bedoun. They don't even want to hear it.   Then, the insults and slurs start. I feel awful and humiliated just for bringing up the subject.  The conversations never get far enough for me to provide specific details.    It hurts my feelings to hear how people I consider friends feel about those who I love and are suffering.  They know me better than to say, "You don't understand the complexity of the problem.  You're a foreigner."  No - I've heard that from people (and people commenting here) who DON'T know me.  I know the issues, all the complexities; and I also know people facing serious humanitarian issues in their lives here and now.

Don't make it about the politics; make it about the people.  

NATURALIZE THOSE WHO DESERVE CITIZENSHIP!

March 27, 2014: Kuwaiti Traditional Food Exhibition and Dishdasha Night

March 27, 2014: Kuwaiti Traditional Food Exhibition and Dishdasha Night

This exhibition will offer visitors to the AWARE Center the opportunity to sample the wide variety of Kuwaiti’s traditional foods. Look forward to trying Margoga, Tashriba, or Balaleet. Whilst trying something squishy, you have to have a go at sago worms, locally called butod, a feat which will win you many local friends. Visitors can also try on the traditional clothes on and have their pictures taken. Men can try the Dishdasha and  women can try the Darra’a. 

This event is scheduled on March 27, 2014 from 7pm to 9pm and is free of charge; however, prior registration is requested at 2533-5280 or email info@aware.com.kw

Kuwait's Sea Life

Yes, this was taken in Kuwait (not by me)

I thought I had posted this before, but looking through my archives, I can't find it anywhere. I used to write a lot of freelance articles for various magazines and newspapers around Kuwait. This story has been published before (so it is a wee bit dated, but most of the information is still accurate). It was written at a time when I had a wonderful editor, Tim Waddell, who I miss.  He and Sue Day both 
 made me a better writer and I miss working with).  

I thought it would be a good time to whip this article back out, as it is dear to my heart and  with the summer quickly approaching (one day it will be 60F and the next 110F - that's summer in Kuwait).  

Some have said that Kuwait is one of the "unfriendliest tourist destinations," intimating that perhaps people won't want to "Go See Kuwait".... Well, unfriendly as some aspects are to tourism, Kuwait is still an interesting place to be discovered by many (and by many of us who live here and haven't seen it all).  After all these years in Kuwait, I still learn something new here EVERY day.  Your environment is what you make of it.  I don't think that it is a secret that I love Kuwait.  I think everyone should see it through new eyes.

GO SEE KUWAIT!   - - -

Most Westerners picture Kuwait as sand and camels; perhaps recently as a semi-dangerous country along the front line.  I will always associate Kuwait on the still sea at sunset; a heavy smell of salt and oil lingering in the air and a pinkish mist coming off the water, as curious sea turtles pop their heads through for a brief moment of contact.

I have had Kuwaiti friends in Washington, DC,  for many years.  My interest in Kuwait was flamed by different people from different walks of life;  diplomats, business people, housewives, students.  All shared the same commonality; an intense love for a little country.

My closest friends turned out to be fishermen.  I had always lived around the ocean, but I wasn’t much interested in water; the type of waters where  I grew up (in Rhode Island in the North East of the United States) were deep and turbulent; scary to a kid. I grew up with images of “Jaws” in my head, as the filming site of Martha’s Vinyard wasn’t very far from where we were.  The different variety of stories I heard from Kuwaiti fisherman intrigued me;  strange and uncommon fish and what sounded like an abundance of them at that, turquoise-blue waters that sometimes looked like glass.

My favorite fisherman story, recounted to me while I was in Washington and which captured my curiosity,  was that of a mysterious creature that lived in a sunken ship. Four men were there that night – my friend, Reyadh Al-Banna, was with them. Fluorescent lights shined in the water to attract more fish. The

boat was anchored next to the shipwreck; an oil tanker with the stern sticking out of the water close to the international maritime border between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait;  split apart on a sand bar in the early 80’s and empty of cargo.  The sea air was hot and thick. Mist surrounded the area and there was no sound.  They were pulling up the lines as fast as they could bait them. The fish mysteriously disappeared; then reappeared for no explainable reason in an ebb and flow.  No one spoke or questioned it, but wondered silently to themselves why it was happening.  Suddenly, Reyadh looked down at the water and lost his breath.  The night air became frighteningly still and quiet; He couldn’t speak. He pointed frantically towards the water.  The fishermen turned and saw the creature;  A face about 3 to 4 feet across with a nose described as “pushed in” and the eyes bulging on the sides, starred  back at them from the depths.The vessel was 18’ long and the creature was longer.  Reyadh cut the anchor,  the boat drifted out of reach and they raced back to the shore.

I, and not the creature, had been hooked.  I had to see that shipwreck someday. I had to see the sun on flat waters where dolphins and tortoise and thousands of fish swam. Fifteen years later, I was there.  We went to see the wreck on a choppy day. I went with a strong-willed British friend who is was eager to dive at the site. When we arrived, he changed his mind.  It was eerie.  We all had the same feeling and didn’t want to be there.

Kuwait’s sea life is amazing:  tortoises, dolphins, sea rays, lion fish, whale sharks, barracuda, and an amazing assortment of both tropical and larger fish like grouper and tuna.Unless a Western person knew someone with a boat, or ventured to find one of the many rental boats or day trips, this valuable part of Kuwait would be overlooked.

There are eight interesting and diverse  islands in Kuwait:  Warba, Bubyan, Failaka, Awhah, Maskan, Kubbar, Qaruh, and Um Al Moradim. (For a list and map of Kuwait islands with GPS coordinates, see LINK HERE.)  There are many types of tropical fish around the islands and the coral should not be missed by divers visiting the area. If you throw bread into the water at sunset, thousands of multi-colored fish surround your boat to feed. At sunset, the water has an “oily” look to it and turns a shade of pink.

Summertime in Kuwait, you can find almost every type of Kuwaiti from any walk of life on Kubbar Island.  Approximately an hour’s boat trip from Kuwait City, Kubbar is a tern sanctuary, but is commonly known locally as a Friday picnic island. Small boats to very large luxury yachts race to get there after Juma prayer – and there is struggle for a mooring space unless you arrive at Kubbar in the morning and stake out your space.  Kubbar is to Kuwait what Sunday picnicking is to America; food is prepared, put into thermos containers or coolers for the trip; either sandwiches, chips, and fruit or if you are really lucky, a home- cooked fish and rice meal (motabbag simich).

Qaruh Island

The ultimate mooring is to position the back of the boat facing the island with about 20 feet of water between.  Umbrellas are set up on the shore and everyone has cool drinks in the water. It is like a small, watery back yard.     People  talk and greet friends in other boats;  some play music, many rip around on jet or water skis.  A recent addition to Kubbar pass-time is the mechanized parachute for interesting displays of aeronautical maneuvers.    At lunchtime, offers are always made to surrounding boats (neighbors) to join – even if you don’t know the people.  As longtime Kuwaiti fishermen like Abdulwahab Al-Tahir insist, “At sea, you care about others who are there with you; what you have, you share.”  This may come in the form of food or assistance – it doesn’t matter.

At 4:30, it is time for the Kubbar fashion show.  Everyone retreats to the water and watches Kuwait’s variety of pretty ladies strolling around the island.  Bathing suits have become smaller and smaller as years go by; On Kubbar, you may think that you are on a small island in the Mediterrenean, rather than in a conservative country.

Um Al Moradim (the Southern-most island of Kuwait) is much more quiet.  It was recently disputed by Saudi Arabia, wanting to claim the island as their own. Occasionally, there are arguments between Kuwaiti fisherman and the Saudi Coast Guard or Customs officials.  Kuwait maintains a Coast Guard post on the island.

Um Al Moradim has a thriving rabbit population.  Years ago in the late 1980’s, bored Coast Guard men brought a pair of rabbits out as pets. Now, thousands of huge rabbits inhabit the island;  the size of the fabled and elusive Western American “jackalope” (minus the antlers).   The rabbits are so abundant that you can pick them up and they readily eat any fruits or vegetables left for them.  There just isn’t enough vegetation or to go around;  the government has plans to humanely take the rabbits off the island – donating some to schools and others to homes.

Um Al Moradim has a nice surprise for night-time swimmers:  phosphorescent algae.  This phenomenon has been documented in other parts of the world, but is not well-known in Kuwait;  Any movement in the water creates  tiny lights like “fairy dust”, similar to that given off by fireflies.  On a starry night when the moon is full,  it is magical. The water is clear enough to see the sea floor and hot as bath water.  The sky is a blanket of stars and the lights from the mainland shore and the off-shore oil rigs twinkle in the distance.

Qaruh is the spot of choice for nesting sea tortoises.  Surrounded by  a wonderful array of coral, it is difficult for larger boats to navigate to, therefore not popular with the masses.  During several months of the year, oil creeps up from underground wells and boats become black with tar; a lingering smell of oil in the air also makes it unpleasant. If you are lucky enough to get to Qaruh when it isn’t  oily,  you will see incredibly blue, clear waters with an amazing assortment of fish and jellyfish.  Dolphins often come within arms reach of the boat.

Sea smuggling is a problem for the Kuwaiti government, which limited the number of allowable engines on a boat to 2, as faster boats are more difficult to catch. Coast Guardsmen and customs officials are eager to catch smugglers as they are often awarded bonuses for catches. There was a story of Russian diplomats years ago who were also divers: They were diving in an area close to Um Al Moradim for no particular reason and came across several crates of contraband alcohol on the sea floor – most likely thrown overboard by escaping smugglers.  They didn’t want to bring the entire cache to the surface for fear of being caught. Instead, the kept the latitude and longitude coordinates (via GPS) and every now and then would go out to their “store” if they needed a bottle for a dinner party.

The fish in Kuwait are less in number than they have been in the past, according to fishermen. Almost everyone owns a computerized fish finder,  brought to

Kuwait in the 80’s. Spotting the fish finder owners is easy: large groups of boats gathered on single spot, trying for the same schools of fish. Pollution from various sources (including raw sewage, washing of tanker hulls into the bay, and littering) is also adding to the diminishing sea life and an increase of algae problems in the bay.

I have had the good fortune of knowing Kuwaiti fishermen at a time when Kuwait’s sea life is still abundant. Without them, I think I would still be afraid of the water instead of swimming in it. I would have missed too much.

My friends at Al Boom Dive Center take weekend trips to the islands.
Whether you dive or not, it is a great experience.

My favorite island is Um Al Moradim, the southern-most island in Kuwait.  I love to be there after the other boats have gone; staying from sunset to feed the fish cheese puffs (looks like they are playing basketball as thousands of little yellow fish pop the cheese puffs out of the water trying to bite them); until after dark when there is a moon and you can see clear to the sea floor.  After almost 18 years, I'm ashamed to say that I've never been to Bubiyan Island, but there is always somewhere else remaining to discover.

There is a very good book on the varieties of fish in Kuwait (with photos) titled, "The Coral Reefs and Coral Reef Fishes of Kuwait"  available for free download in .pdf format HERE.  (Actually, the site has a lot of downloadable books in English for free.)

Kuwait's Tent Market

I went to the tent market last night to have a canvas cover made for my gate door which leads into my yard.  I've had one on there for several years so that the neighbor's kids can't see in and discover I have dogs and start playing with them (or worse).  The kids thought they owned the place when I first moved in, and the canvas cover has really helped. Before I came up with the canvas idea, I debated a lot of options from building a screen to putting up accordian exterior doors (KD 500 - 3000 depending on materials).  For KD 5 at the tent market, it was a no-brainer (and something that I can easily replace and won't do any structural change to the house).

Anyhoo, I love this market and I've never seen a Westerner there.  The above is a crappy picture taken from the car.  I need to go back there and take more photos during the day.

If you're even remotely thinking about camping next year, the summer is the time to buy a tent at the market.  you can bargain and they have all kinds and sizes (they even have some small enough for me to put in my back terrace - It would be a great idea for kids.  They also sell the fabric for shading (as above) if you have a yard or patio you want to shade from the sun this summer (it really helps - especially as the plants tend to burn).  Or covers for outdoor furniture, or whatever.  Tent dudes sew on-site.  They also sell the traditional Egyptian tent fabric (which I wish they would sell more of in Kuwait in different colors - so cool!)


The tent market is behind LuLu Hypermarket (off 4th Ring Road and 55 in Rai) and down the little road from the Friday Market (and close to The Avenues if you need a major landmark).  If you aren't terribly adventurous, you can drive through it to check it out.

Happy Dog

I took my boy to the beach this weekend.  It was the 2nd time he's ever seen the sea, so he was a little happy (Mashallah).

It was such a gorgeous day.  I went with my camp buddies and came back so relaxed.  I will be back down there for sure a lot this summer.  

I used to take Desert Dawg to this very same beach when she was younger and she never played in the waves.  Now, she's so blind, deaf, and frightened by even the smallest things that I don't dare take her too far from home.  She's just too fragile at 17 years old.  She runs around my apartment, but I think that's just because she knows where all the furniture is.  (For that reason, I've been too afraid to re-arrange anything.)  Poor little thing.  I'm just trying to make her as comfortable as possible.  Mike has taken over all her old toys; she's not interested in anything but her food and her favorite wool blanket.  I love that little dog so much and it is so hard to see her fading.  Almost 17 years is a long time for a dog to live, so I've been blessed.

Anyhoo, Mike came along at the right time.  It is so different to have a big dog again.  I grew up with big dogs. He's so strong and athletic and it is going to be fun to take him places.

Oh ok, and something I want to say:  I've been seeing a LOT of messages on Instagram and Facebook for people trying to get rid of their pets.  Most commonly is, "Please help us in re-homing (Flan) as the mother has decided she no longer wants animals in the house."  My standard answer is always (and will always be "Re-home the mother.")  Deciding to take a pet is a responsibility.  You are teaching your children responsibility.  You don't just teach them that it is ok to dump your responsibility when you no longer feel like taking care of it. Piss-poor parenting.   Pet ownership should be (and is to me) a life-long commitment (for the full life of  the pet).  Now that the cooler/camping season is over, you will see a lot of pets being dumped.  It was fun to have them outside and play with them (as puppies/kittens) and now that it is going to be hot and the animals are a little older, people are looking to get rid of them.  THESE PEOPLE DISGUST ME.   (End of sermon.)

Anyhoo, I had a great day with my big, hyper-puppy.  Hope all y'alls had a nice weekend too.  Wasn't the weather amazing?