To blog or not to blog?

Honestly, I have mixed opinions about the whole blog concept. I even hate the word " blog". It is not one of those words that roll of the tongue like...'slippery' or 'slick'. The word 'blog", if said out loud sounds harsh and the  movement the mouth makes, if said in slow motion, is almost like one is going to throw up. 
Try saying it in slow motion....bllllloooogggggggggg. Not Pretty.





Writing a blog also seems narcissistic and self-centered. " Hey world, look at me, look how important and exciting I think I am." 
To continue with the confession...to be honest, when someone says they have a blog I roll my eyes. I might even smirk a little bit. It's true. 

So, where do I get off writing my own ummmm blog and encouraging you, dear reader ( person of 1 who goes by the name of Mom) to read it? Good question.
What I have determined is that writing about ones experiences, validates the experience. Perhaps writers write more for themselves, than for the world. Who reads this anyway, but me? 
As one writes, thoughts flow from feelings, feelings that otherwise might have been hidden. It is cathartic.
In addition it saves repeating the same email to friends and family about what 'life is like in Kuwait, really?" 
Emails can be written more about feelings, thoughts  and more personal matters and less about the market experience. ( which, I hear is a typical experience of market shopping in Asian countries....ya gotta walk away)



So...i just want you to know, that I know how pretentious and annoying 'bloggers' are. I dont want to be one of those people. I am writing this for me...it is my experience, documented. Perhaps I will read it on my deathbed, look back at this time, and smile. 
If you happen to stumble upon it, and you get anything from it at all, that's just honey on the Kodafa Cake. 

Endings are Beginnings

I have moved 14 times in the past 35 years. Is that a lot? It seems like a lot. Each move though has been wrapped up with a new dream, a new adventure, a growth. I quite enjoy the packing up process, it's the actual moving day that I hate. 



I love the packing up process because there is something very cathartic about throwing stuff out. I can happily get rid of stuff without a backward glance. There have been some things though, that I shed quite a few tears over: my daughter's swing that was lovingly crafted by her dad,  a crazy drawing of a 'turtle-donkey', a broken dish. And there have been some other things that I quite happily discarded: my 'fat' jeans, old course notes, bank statements. But with each bag of garbage that was filled, I was one step closer to the next dream. That 'new chapter' feeling ebbs out the bittersweet moments of lost time, lost dreams, lost relationships. 
Generally speaking moving though, really isn't that bad. Honest. I highly recommend it. 
Thursday morning,  June 19th, 2014, I said goodbye to my condo, and moved out. Before the door is closed for the final time though, each room gets its moment. I stop at the doorway and remember the happy moments, the emotion, the feelings tied up with each room. It's an important part of the 'goodbye' process: the remembering. 
Not acknowledging the closure and the goodbye is a mistake, and results in a feeling of 'unfinished business' and is regretful. Trust me...take the time. 
So, goodbyes all done, I loaded up the last suitcase into the car, handed over the keys--and moved into my moms, temporarily. 

Now that the move is over, I am feeling free-er, happy and I am looking ahead. Exciting times ahead. 
As things would have it, and because life is just like that, on the morning of the move, I got an email from my boss it had photos attached of my new apartment in Kuwait. 

living room...don't know who the kid is, but I wonder if he comes with apt? 

Kitchen is very small...but that means, obviously, less cooking. 



View isn't bad..Wonder who lives there?

Endings are beginnings. Things are going to be just fine. 

If I were a Muslim

Let's say I were a Muslim. Let's say I am out and about in...well anywhere in the world. Let's say I see another Muslim ( and believe me, Muslims can 'tell' other Muslims whom they come across, even if they are not wearing traditional dress, or female, and wearing a viel...I don't know how, but I think it's a gift )
Anyway, so I am out and about, and I see another Muslim. The standard greeting for Muslims is "Assalamu Alaikum"..so being Muslim, I would say that.
Since you are a Muslim too ( play along here) you would respond " Wa alaikum assalam". Seems pretty civilized, right? Especially, when you consider that the literal translation is 'Peace be with you' and the response means 'and upon you be peace.' An extended version of the greeting, actually means--get this- 'May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be with you.'



Now, understand that the amount of knowledge I have about the middle east conflict ( past and present) and/or the intricacies of Islam, being Muslim, the factions of Muslim's. the differences between Sunnis and Shiites, or in fact ANYTHING to do with Islam and being Islamic could fit on a dust molecule on a gnat..but I do know this: the standard greeting of Muslim's world wide is a declaration of peace, love and mercy.
I am not going to list the atrocities of terrorism, or the current hideous examples of terrorist activities that are prevalent now in Syria or Iraq...but I do know this: If I were a Muslim in the Western World...I sure would be speaking up around the water cooler about how, perhaps Islam is not necessarily about religious persecution. Or is it?
Western people in general, don't know bupkus about the middle east, or about what being Muslim means. If I were Muslim, I would try to explain that groups like Isis, or the Taliban, don't necessarily speak for Muslim's everywhere.
I would try to explain, to the western person in my sphere...that their activities do not speak for me, as a Muslim.
I know that 'Christian' religions also have had their share of hate-mongering and religious conflict. See: "Spanish inquisition" 



But, we've come a long way since then, baby...we don't poop in the woods anymore either. 
Admittedly, I have not 'you-tubed' Muslim's speaking out against terrorism...and if I did, I would hope that there are many video's posted about how these groups do not speak for Muslim's everywhere. I really hope so, but I am afraid to look because I don't want to see all the other videos put up by militant Muslims. 
So to all my Muslim friends, pen-pals and other Muslim folk who may or may not be reading this right now...please, if Islam really is about peace, mercy and the grace of Allah...say something!

The Middle East???

So I have been finding the reactions of people to the chosen destination for my little 'adventure' rather interesting.

What most people say is much different than the way in which they say it, and what you know they are thinking. 

What they are thinking is "Oh my god are you NUTS?? The middle EAST?? seriously are you insane?!!" but what they say out loud, is usually something along the lines of " Ohhhhh the Middle east? ummm well be careful...." 
and then they exit stage left, as quickly as possible. 

It has been my experience that people really don't know anything about the Middle east, other than what they hear on the news. They also lump the whole area in together--as if separate countries don't really exist. 

The Middle East, in the eyes of the masses is one big pot of bubbling stew that is unsafe and tormented and by going there I am taking my life in my hands.  ( Which, I am aware, may or may not be true, depending on the destination country.Ie Iraq is probably best to be avoided as of the time of this writing. )

Bear in mind the following: I am not an idiot. Read that again. I would not go to Iraq, or Afghanistan ( right now anyway--but maybe in a few years....) 

I know that the area is, in fact, rife with centuries of unrest both politically and religiously. 
I am merely pointing out that people get their information about the area solely from CNN or the most current news report--and that's not necessarily true for each country in the region. For example, Kuwait.

To give you an example of what I am talking about this was a conversation I had in an elevator recently:

Man: " so I hear you are going to the Middle East?!" ( which is obviously code for WTFudge are you thinking????!")

Me: "yep, heading out to Kuwait, August 11th"

Man: "Yeah well, be careful there."

Me: "Yep, no worries. I hear the driving is pretty chaotic!" ( this said with my most charming smile I could muster)

Man: " Well, my wife had a friend, of a friend ( or the cousin of a friend of a friend of a friend's best friend's uncle's brother's friend) who 'got out just in time!!'

Me: " oh yeah? what happened?"

Man: " well, she was in Qatar or maybe Iran? Or Oman or something, I forget... but she went to the store without a veil and she was going to be put in prison, but they let her go!" 

Me: "wow, good thing, looks like she dodged a bullet" ( yes, deliberate pun..i was chuckling inside )

Man: I'll say!!

Me: "Thanks! See ya! "

See? that's what I am talking about. 

What's up with that? Why do people feel the need to give their unresearched and uneducated opinions? Some of those people are virtual strangers, for pete's sake!! 
Also--would it be better, and more conducive to meaningful dialogue to ask questions about Kuwait, then to voice an unwarranted opinion about it?

Perhaps, if there were more dialogue, with people wanting to really know about Kuwait...that would be one baby step towards solving the Middle East Crises? 

Kuwait is not Saudi. Or Iraq

For those of you who are geographically challenged, please see the map below. Agreed the countries in the middle east are small, but understand that they are separate countries. Kuwait is not Saudi. 
Nor is it Iraq. 
It is neighbouring those countries though, as you can see. 

Since it is not Saudi:
Yes women can drive. 

No, I don't have to wear an Abaya every time I leave the house. ( Although, it would be handy to slip on over pajamas to run to the grocery store, or to hide a few pounds from eating out all the time) 

You are right,  alcohol is not allowed. 

Yes, I am allowed to wear sleeveless tops to the mall.

No, I don't have to have a male relative escorting me. 

Yes, there was a war there. It was in 1991/2. A long time ago. It was called "Desert Storm." It's over now.

No, Kuwait is not being invaded by an extremist religious group at this time. 
( June 2014)

Yes, it is a Muslim Country.

Yes, it is a small country--you can drive across it in about 2 hours, depending on the traffic.

No, it is not Dubai. Although people do go to Dubai for the weekend to 'let their hair down." ( relatively speaking)

Map of the middle east. Canada is way to your left ( or right, if you go the long way round) 

What I don't have to wear--although I think she is rockin' this look.  

First Impressions

First Impressions:

Ok, So I am writing  a 'this is my first impression of Kuwait' before I even get to Kuwait. Yeah,Yeah,Yeah I know..how dare I? It's easy. This is my blog and I can say what I want. Ha! 

While I am not arriving in Kuwait until August, I can say unequivocally that when it comes to Kuwait--people love it or hate it.

Now, before you feel the need to leave nasty comments about how since I haven't even touched down in Kuwait yet, who am I to say anything about Kuwait? ( and you'd be right, kinda sorta) Understand that the internet is here people, and it's pretty easy to do your research--and research I have.

From googling " Kuwait blogs" to "life in Kuwait" to "is dating illegal in Kuwait" the data is out there and the jury has handed in their verdict.

People love Kuwait. And People hate Kuwait.

People love it because:

1. Life is easy. You can hire anyone to do anything. You don't want to carry your groceries to your car? No problem, you can hire someone to do that! You don't want to carry the groceries up to your flat? No problem! You can get someone to do that! Ditto: Cleaning your flat, doing your nails, washing windows, renting movies, delivery of food etc.
2. The weather is good! ( albeit very hot in the summer but since its a "dry heat" the heat isn't that bad) but the main thing is, there is no snow. Canadians appreciate a winter with no snow. A lot. 
3. The quality of life. Restaurants, malls, abound and expats can get anything they want--at a price. There is regular internet. 
4. Gas is cheap. With gas coming in at over 1.35$ a litre in Canada now, thats another perk for Canadians.

People hate it because:

1. Life is easy. Life is easy, apparently because of the idea that you can hire anyone to do anything, in Kuwait. The 'easy street' idea is riding on the backs of the immigrant worker who is there to working for slave wages. Racism abounds. 
2. The weather is not good. It's too bloody hot! 110 degrees F is too friggin hot!! And its a dry heat, so it feels like an oven.
3. The quality of life sucks. All there is to do, is to go shopping at the endless parade of malls, eat out in one of the many restaurants and sit around drinking another cup of coffee at 2KD a pop. There is regular internet but sites are blocked, netflix is unreliable and there is nothing to do.
4. The crazy driving. Sure, gas is cheap but who wants to take their life in their hands by driving on the roads where people drive like maniacs and their one aim is to go as fast as they can to the next shopping mall, so that they can purchase stuff they don't need, and sit at Starbucks drinking coffee they don't want. 

So. My first impression of Kuwait? Ya love it, or you hate it. I will keep you posted.