It seems like just yesterday I was counting the days to leaving Kuwait and making our move to America. I remember vividly when the countdown started at ’121 days’ which, at the time, felt like an eternity. In all honesty, a part of me felt like moving day would never arrive. I recall even hesitating while packing items to be shipped… thinking, “What if we don’t leave? I can’t be without this item. Should I really pack it?” I’m not sure why I felt as though that day just wasn’t going to come. I’ve traveled around the world so often the passport isn’t even eligible for additional pages anymore. Was it because it felt so final during a time it really shouldn’t have?
Obviously our travel day did come and it’s been almost a month since we arrived to America. Oddly enough I had some silly vision of having our home unpacked, organized, and fully decorated within the first week. Funny how when we imagine things we forget to add the little factor of time and hours in the day into our fantasy. Needless to say, it didn’t happen. Several weeks later and I’m finally not having to slide boxes out of the way when making morning coffee. It’s all coming together nicely.
Before moving into our new home my husband and I decided we would make every effort to make ‘home’ our primary place of entertainment. Sure we’ve gone out and explored, had meals at some of the most amazing restaurants in the area, and done some shopping for antiques, but overall we want to invest in our home life. We have a massive piece of land, a pond so large I often refer to it as ‘the lake’, and a fully renovated beautiful home. We want to plant a large garden in a few short weeks and focus on a more organic lifestyle… on all levels. I’ve already acquired some awesome pieces of furniture I’m working towards refinishing and staining (as opposed to paying someone to do it). In summation, we just want to embrace simplicity. Pinterest has been my best friend.
Do I miss Kuwait? Not even for a moment. But what I do miss are my in-laws. Far more than I could have ever imagined. We do get to talk to them daily and Skype video calls make me feel a bit closer. But nothing compares to the comfort and security I felt when having them so close. We’re already planning a visit to Kuwait for about a month in early November. For now we’ll continue to focus on living our simple American life.
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Sounds like everything is going well and I can’t believe it has been a month already. November is the perfect time to return for a long visit. It will be here before you know it. I still think about you every time I pass Jahra for my work. I’m always alone in my car listening to my iPod and then I say aloud, “Hey AG!”.
Slowly but surely we’re getting things together here
We felt November was perfect so we can avoid the hot summer (which I hear is already there), and it allows me to have the holiday season here in the US. I do miss Jahra at times, especially my peeps in Starbucks. Enjoy that longggg drive! 
Hi AG,
Hope all is well with you. I just got curious about your saying “Do I miss Kuwait? Not even for a moment”. If not too personal, would you share the reasons with me/us?
I’ve reached a point where I can’t take it anymore myself, yet my wife prefers it here than going back to the US. My two daughters are too young to have a say in this, but seems to be happy and love their schools (KG & pre-school).
Cheers
J.D.
Hi J.D.,
The primary things I don’t miss about Kuwait are the traffic, the lack of work ethic, the entitlement attitude that so many seem to have. The blatant discrimination against many Asian nationalities and manual laborers. The inability to leave the house without being stared at, followed, flirted with, or even followed home. Not being able to casually smile or strike up a conversation with random strangers. And the list goes on.
However, I do miss my in-laws immensely. Since my marriage I almost never left the home without my husband and certainly not because he prohibited it. But because I was perfectly happy sitting at home with the family. And I knew going out with my husband present eliminated rude stares from rude men.
I never had children in the school systems in Kuwait, however, I have encountered many Teachers who work there (Westerners) and I wouldn’t hire most of them to teach my dog. But, as I said, I’ve never had to deal with the schools so perhaps I’m missing something positive.
Personally, if I were you, I wouldn’t want to raise my children in Kuwait (unless you’re intertwined with the local culture). But as an ‘outsider’ it would be a shame for them to become part of, or victim to, much of the prejudice.
Wishing you and your family all the best.
Hi AG,
Thanks a lot for your reply. Honestly
, it made my fears proven which is scary.
You know, traffic & lack of work ethics can be found elsewhere so it’s not unique to Kuwait. However, the entitlement attitude is a trade mark for most Kuwaities. This is what makes me can’t stand it in here dealing with local Clients (e.g. KOC) and standard communities. They would never/rarely promote partnership and equality; rather they would enforce master-slave relationship.
As girl, you may at moments take flirtation – up to an extent – as a complement. But for a guy, it’s so hard to even be polite or kind as it’s confused with flirtation.
Well, the schooling system is pretty good, at least foe my experience. The issue is with the classmates and the influence they leave on my 5-year old princess, which is corrupted.
I wish you nothing by peace of mind and smooth settling in the US; which you pleasant visit to your in-laws in November.
J.D.