Summer Internships for Kuwaitis

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This is such a wonderful idea! It’s nice to see such innovation in Kuwait.

I remember a few short years ago (let a girl pretend) when I was 16, I couldn’t wait for the ‘special edition’ newspaper to be delivered. It always came 2 weeks before the school year ended and had pages full of summer jobs for teens only. I did more Babysitting and Life-guarding during the summer than one could possibly imagine. I didn’t earn a huge amount of money, but it was mine. It wasn’t an allowance given to me by my parents, but it was something I earned. It taught me responsibility.

Now something similar is being offered in Kuwait and I hope many of the young Kuwaitis take advantage of this opportunity. There’s so much to learn and this wonderful organization is willing to teach it.

Get your summer job this year! It’s not only a good way to gain a little responsibility, but it will also be a fun experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

‘High Stepping’ — High Price

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Below is a video exposing the horrible cruelty and abuse the gorgeous Tennessee Walking Horses endure while being trained to ‘high step’ for the show ring. Please take a moment to view the video (warning: graphic footage) and take action by signing the petition to stop this inhumane treatment of these animals (found here).

For anyone who has ever spent a moment with a horse, this is appalling and painful to watch. ALL animals are a gift from God. Who are we to mistreat and abuse them? And why do people continue to do so?

Bredz — Souq Sharq

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Bredz has been around for a while now and my husband and I go there every now and then — the food is amazing! Too often, after eating out, we feel full, overstuffed, and just lethargic. But at Bredz it’s not that way.

Since being married we’ve both put on a few kilos and decided we want to eat more healthy and get back to a more healthy weight — though I think he’s perfect. Bredz offers the perfect healthy dining out experience.

Today my husband was really busy at work, and though we had planned to meet for lunch, I decided to surprise him and drop off lunch at his office. I stopped by Bredz to grab a few things for take away. They have a great 3-salad platter which allows you to pick 3 of their fantastic salads from a large selection, and they’re deeeelicious, light but filling, and healthy. I don’t recall the price, but I believe the total (6 salads and whole grain bread with caramelized onions, spinach, and pine nuts) was about 7KD. I had enough left over to share with the kitty.

As I said, Bredz has been around for a while, but definitely one of the more delicious places I’ve eaten in Kuwait. And they’re location is gorgeous — Ground Floor, Marina Side, Souk Sharq.

Happy Mother’s Day — American

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Today is Mother’s Day in America and I’m really missing my mom a lot lately. Fortunately she’s still alive, quite healthy, and we talk daily. She keeps me posted on life, family, the pets, and neighborhood gossip. As my mother ages, I think a lot more about the woman she is, the mother she’s been in the past and present, and what her life must have been like growing up. She promises to write a journal before she passes, but then jokes about becoming senile and forgetting it all before she has the chance. I also think more about the day I’ll lose my mother — a thought I can’t bear without shedding tears.

When I hear of someone losing their mother I know it must be the most painful thing they’ve experienced in this life and I hurt for them.

Though I’m thousands of miles away I always try to do something special for my mother and remind her of how important she is. As much as she appreciates the gesture, I always get the typical, “Don’t waste your money on me” speech. If she only knew I would give her the world if it were mine to give.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of my readers, your mothers, and anyone else who has played the role of ‘mom’ to a child.

Your Mother Is Always With You…       
Your mother is always with you…
She’s the whisper of the leaves
as you walk down the street.
She’s the smell of bleach
in your freshly laundered socks.
She’s the cool hand on your brow
when you’re not well.
Your mother lives inside your laughter.
She’s crystallized in every tear drop.
She’s the place you came from,
your first home…
She’s the map you follow
with every step that you take.
She’s your first love
and your first heart break…
and nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, Not space…
Not even death…
will ever separate you
from your mother…
You carry her inside of you…
-Author Unknown

Crowd funding for the ‘Bedoon Project’

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It really pleases me that so much international attention is being brought to the Stateless issue of Kuwait. It’s something many of us have supported for years. Now it appears as though two Italian photographers want to come to Kuwait and do a photo project in support of the Stateless.

Please see further information below and please donate. Regardless of how small the donation, it really can make a difference.

Imagine, as a parent, knowing your child has no chance for an education. Or that your marriage isn’t even valid or legal. Imagine wanting to travel the world, but knowing you’re a prisoner in a country that doesn’t even recognize you. Look at your own child with their toys, clothes, games, and electronics; then imagine him/her without even a pair of shoes. The Bedoun are people, many from your own family. So please, consider giving to this cause in hopes of bringing more attention to the hardships of others.

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We are Ilenia Piccioni and Antonio Tiso. Both of us are Italian independent photographers and we are known as “Molo7 Photo Agency”. We usually work on concerned projects and we aim to give voice to the less human rights reported issues, such as the internal displaced people in Colombia or the plights of life within the Judiciary Psychiatric Hospitals of Italy.

Now we have a meaningful new project, “Bedoon”, and we are going to carry out it. Our project wants to document the human rights situation of Kuwait’s stateless community. This dramatic social issue is one of the less reported in the Arab world.

Link to full article here.

Health and Fitness Expo

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The event is September 25-29 at Mishref Fair Grounds Hall 5, from 9am-9pm.

I love that this information was sent out so far in advance; an indication a lot of planning is going into this. Should result in a great Expo. And what a fantastic event to have! Too often we see reviews and opinions about new restaurants, fatty foods dripping with Nutella, and the promotion of eating! It’s refreshing to see an event supporting something positive and beneficial to our health.

Further information below:

We want to welcome you to the largest health, fitness, and weight loss exhibition the Middle East has ever seen and right here in Kuwait. We are gathering companies from all over to exhibit at our 5 day event. Also at this event we are organizing the biggest MMA (mixed martial arts) tournament in the Middle East and a massive 5 day health seminar.

Kuwait has the one of the highest rates of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and other weight related disorders in the world. This is an exhibition that Kuwait really needs to showcase the latest options and breakthrough in the world of fitness and weight loss.

 Do you know about the center stage? ***

I want this exhibition to be fun, exciting and entertaining. The Health, Fitness and Weight Loss Exhibition will feature a center stage of 48 sqm. where companies will showcase their latest products, services, fitness moves, and the coolest innovations in weight loss and bodybuilding. From karate matches, Yoga presentations, circuit training to the biggest bicep competition in Kuwait, the center stage is all lights, camera and fun for the first time ever in Kuwait. 

Who is going to exhibit?

Diet care and healthy restaurants

Gyms and Fitness Centers

Health Spas

Nutritional products companies

Pharmaceutical companies

Sports Equipment Suppliers

Sports federations and associations

Weight loss clinics and hospitals

Cellulite and body toning products

Diabetes and blood pressure control products companies 

Who is going to attend?

Everyone and anyone interested to lose weight and lead a healthier lifestyle in Kuwait. People who want to discover the latest developments in fitness to the type of healthy restaurants in Kuwait. Diabetes and blood pressure patients (and Kuwait has the highest rate in the world) who are looking for qualified medical advice. Sports and outdoor lovers. Amateur and professional bodybuilders. The list goes on and on. And yes, the entrance is free. Do you know anyone who will say no?

“Change the Routine”

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Often people in Kuwait will discuss ‘changing the routine’ which I never fully understood because I always seemed to be doing something. It might have been the same thing, but it was something.

I’m a creature of habit — same thing every day, I’m a happy girl. Or am I?

Lately, my husband and I seem to be in a very comfortable pattern of habits together. The beginning of our marriage was so hectic with relocating, remodeling, packing, moving, and purchasing all the things we wanted for our home. It almost seemed like a never-ending chore… though quite fun. But now that the hard part is finished, we’re actually feeling the rewards of our efforts and are quite comfortable.

As wonderful as it really is, I’m finding myself bored. Not with my husband or our life. He’s as amazing today as the first day we met… if not more. But bored with the routine we seem to have fallen into.

I have the desire to ‘change the routine’ as some say.

We’ve contemplated weekend travel but we have the kitty — we’re not going anywhere without her. We’ve thought of more local events; museums, gallery openings, art shows. But who has time after ‘normal’ duties get in the way?

Furthermore, my husband and I both have jobs, as well as personal business ventures. Both which seem to take up a tremendous amount of time. Then of course there’s the upcoming move to America which we expect to be part time here, part there. That requires more planning than one could ever imagine.

At the end of the day I couldn’t be happier, so I’m certainly not complaining. I couldn’t dream of a better husband or more fun person to spend my time with. I’m truly thankful for all the recent changes in my life and look so forward to what the future holds. But for the time being, I think something new is in order. But finding something ‘new’ in Kuwait can be a difficult task. Unless it’s food. But we both love to cook so we limit our dining out to weekends and special occassions.

I never thought I could be bored in Kuwait… and here I am… bored in Kuwait.

 

Guide Dog Calls Police When Blind Woman Attacked

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Police say an intruder attacked a blind woman inside her home before her guide dog alerted police.

Investigators say the 54-year-old woman is hospitalized in stable condition following the early morning attack Monday in the city’s Wynnefield Heights neighborhood.

Authorities say the intruder came in through an open door, choked the woman and threw her down a flight of stairs. Investigators say the woman’s seeing-eye dog then used a special device to contact police.

The woman’s attacker fled the scene.

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Guide Dogs are highly intelligent and very well trained to care for the people who own them — and desperately need their services. In the West Guide Dogs are allowed into any business, including restaurants. Having a Guide Dog allows someone who generally couldn’t live on their own to maintain a sense of independence.

As pictured below and outlined in the article above, these dogs aren’t only trained to walk along-side someone making sure they don’t fall off the sidewalk. But play a pivotal role in the daily lives of those who depend on them. These dogs are taught to answer telephones, call Police, Medical, and Fire Departments, and even use ATM machines.

Sadly, in this region, few people understand the capabilities animals actually have and the important roles they play in our lives as a companion… or service dog.