More visits from friends!!!

I'm actually surprised, a friend that visited some months back made a stop-by again. This even proves to me that Kuwait isn't what people think. Her and another friend of ours, Sayumi, got to experience Kuwait in a time of celebration. It's the week of national day, so even though they left just before the 2 days of actual celebration...they got to see the festive lights, children dressed in colors of their country, and witness a few water guns/balloons from early enthusiasts.

Krista had to do some sight-seeing things over again, but being a cooler time of year and celebratory time--things seemed different. Thankfully. We went to the towers, that were lit up by LED lights to display the flag, the crown princes, and children of the country celebrating. Of course, they still weren't open to the public--3 years and counting that I haven't been able to visit this so-called restaurant at the top of the towers that has been undergoing a "9-month" renovation. I doubt it'll ever re-open. 

Other festive things we got to see were all the buildings decorated similar to what houses look like during christmas-time. Except the colors are green, red, white, and black for the Kuwait Flag. They even put giant flags everywhere on buildings. And Krista's "best friends" are displayed everywhere--even on peoples cars. Best friends aka the crown princes...she kept asking who the guy with the mustache was.

Other than that, we ate kuwaiti food (2 nights in a row), drove up and downs all of the roads, and visited the Grand Mosque.This was a first for me (and Abboud).

The 8th largest mosque in the world, even larger than the one in Abu Dhabi, which is shocking. It was recently renovated 5 years ago, and they give free tours in the mornings and nighttimes. First, women must be covered--they have a room with things you can borrow. The mosque is so beautifully decorated with tile mosaics, gold, and lovely designs.

Okay, who is visiting next??!! C'mon people. :*

Dust Storm & Power-Outage

February is the start of the dust months. They're frequent in March & April, but now that "winter" is finishing we are headed into dust before heat. Currently the temperature is perfect, but we all know that doesn't last long. Days average 75, and nights 65. It's light jacket weather and I hope it lasts 'til June.

Dust storms for me are just an annoyance. Sadly, we don't get off of school for them. They have in the past, but it's not common. Only if it happens at such a time that the parents would have no way to see while driving. They are die-hard about getting their kids to school.

Even, recently, we had a power-outage. There was lots of talk about the possibility of schools being closed, but of course they fixed the situation faster than any black-out in America. 80% of Kuwait went black and they were able to have it back on an hour and a half later. Note: Kuwait is just shy the size of NJ and 80% of it went out. Can you picture this is NJ...I don't think they'd solve the problem in even 4 hours.

The cause of this outage was cable failure, but that didn't stop speculators to stew a concoction about how "something" was coming. This is a scary topic, I know. Especially in the middle east, but I have little to no fear of being here. I found it amusing, actually. I'm apart of a teachers group on a messaging service, we communicate about school updates. So, when this outage occurred, an immediate conversation began. One of the teachers (that always stretched the truth and adds drama) began saying "I think I heard gun-shots!" and "I heard from my friends, cousins, uncles, friend that Americans were running down the streets screaming." Now we all know these are absurd and an hour later when the lights went back on, we all confirmed her overreactions.

Something that did come from the outage was traffic. Lots and lots of traffic, and I am so thankful I had just made it home before it happened. And also, I'm thankful I wasn't in the elevator.


Update: We rescued puppies in January (being beaten). One has gone to a new home, and is so happy. We still have the other, and currently she is sick. :( Keep her in your thoughts because she's very fragile. Bring on the vet bills--darn being good, animal lovers.

Adapting Back to US

I was told, yet again, that I'm slacking on writing my blog. I know, I know. I just don't find the same interest in my daily events as others might. Layovers, ninjas, and foreign sounds have become my norm. I actually feel weird being outside of the Middle East. Recently, I found myself in the US twice within the same month. The first visit for a nice Christmas holiday and the second to say goodbye to a really amazing and beloved man, my grandfather. May he rest in peace. 

There's something welcoming to me about hearing so many different dialects and languages in Kuwait, sure it happens in the states but no way as frequently as here. This is the real melting pot...Bangladesh, Pakistani, Philippines , Syrian, Lebanese, Turkish, Omanis, ..I could sit here and list all day. I've grown accustomed to stepping off the airplane in Kuwait, going to the baggage claim and some guy collecting my bags for me...carting them all the way to taxi, then the taxi driver unloading my bags for me into my elevator. To you that must seem incredibly lazy, and you're right, but I found it so odd landing in JFK without money for a cart and having to push three bags awkwardly through customs line. Sure, a kind old man helped me get it situated, but nothing more because he had a handicap wife of his own to cart around. But I also had a security attendant just laugh in my direction. Of course he meant no harm, no insult; even I found it comical. But help would have been more desired, yet I played along in response, 'just like playing soccer, hah'. We shared a laugh as I struggled-on past customs  to throw my bags towards my parents in a thank-god-you're-here-now-save-me kind of way.

Trips to the stores even felt different for me. Not just the selections, currency, and atmosphere, but again the overall ease Kuwait has me used to. Granted, I rarely accept help from those trying to push my cart to the car, but the fact the offer is on the table is a blessing. Sometimes it's needed. 

Also, I don't even remember appropriate ways to tip anymore! It's embarrassing. I got my hair cut the first day there and undertipped the stylist by half! Meaning I gave her 10%. That's just awkward. I went back, gave her more, and apologized. I had to explain my predicament, I haven't been required to tip in a long time. Yes, I tip in Kuwait, I do so for kindness not for requirement. It isn't socially performed. They pay adequately so that extra tips are just that...extra. And I say adequately, not graciously. This is why I leave something, but not the percentage acceptable in NJ. 

My trip this time to the US was the most eye opening to the cultural shock I will experience upon my arrival this summer. (Don't forget to keep your fingers crossed on that one so you can all meet abboud...finally) Don't get me wrong, I know I'm going to love returning home, but I'm scared a little. I'm worrying about the health insurance, car insurance, living situation, and a job. The normal stressors I'm sure everyone faces. It's just real adult life, I kind of transitioned from college to an easier version of adult life. 

But, I digress, we all know I'm an easily adaptable soul. So my return back will go just as smoothly as my arrival to Kuwait. Insh'allah. (God willing) 

A Trip to Jordan

The hill! half-way

This post is long over-due, it has been 3 months since my trip to Jordan. Hear's to hoping my memory isn't too foggy. I went with Abboud and our mutual friend, Ty. From the airport we rented a car to which I drove the majority of the trip. First stop, Amman.

They made it look easy -_-

We only spent the night in Amman, but we were able to meet up with one of Abboud's friends from college. We were meeting him at a bar that Abboud swore was really close to our hostel. Okay, I'll give him credit...it wasn't far, technically it was only about a mile, but it was a mile UPHILL. I don't know how aware of this you are, but Jordan is very mountainous. So, when he said close...he meant, yes it is close, but it's straight up this giant hill. We survived ready for drinks. After that, his friend drove us around.

The next morning, bright and early (after a glorious rooftop breakfast) we hit the road for a 3 hour drive to Petra. I think we all agreed this was our favorite part. We purchased 2-day passes and prepared to spend the night in a bedouin campground under the stars. The first day was jam packed with hiking. We made it to the top of 1000 steps (by foot) to see the ritual sacrifices. Day 2 we had a lazier approach...which everyone would understand, and took horses, donkeys, and mules around petra. We went to another sacrafice place, road all around horrifying heights, and Abboud got to walk a donkey when Ty's and my donkeys ran off with the trainer chasing behind. Really though, the trainer was like 'Hold this' to abboud and ran off. So many people began asking Abboud 'How much?' for a ride. He loved that donkey, Ana.

The Spring

Headed to wadi rum now, another 3 hour drive. I haven't mentioned it yet, but driving in Jordan is terrifying. Winding, thin roads on high mountains with barely enough room for 2 cars. Even in Amman (city driving in itself is an experience), but mountain driving is 0.0. So we finally arrive, and are practically persuaded into a tour. Camps don't open until a certain time. It was amazing though, we went off roading through the desert and got to see everything about Lawrence of Arabia (his home and spring). We also go to climb a huge sand dune...where Ty and I learned the trick of running on your tippy-toes and hands. Looks really awkward, but you'll be desperate enough to do it, trust me.

Our nighttime experience in Wadi Rum didn't begin so pleasant. We arrived at our camp STARVING and ready to eat our requested meal of Mansaf (the traditional meal of Jordan). However, the camp we were planning to stay at was requiring us to pay an additional charge to eat dinner (not even mansaf). We were in shock, since their website said meal was included in their already overly priced night stay. This was the camp we were splurging on. We questioned why (since all other camps include dinner and their website doesn't say anything about it) and they "seemed" kind enough. They were going to call over the manager to explain further (in arabic) but instead insulted us to the manager (in arabic). Little did they know, Abboud speaks arabic and understood what they said about all of us. So, instead of getting upset--he just began speaking to the manager in arabic to show him he knew what happened. The manager seemed shocked, 'you know arabic?!' In the end, they denied saying anything wrong, kicked us out, and called us liars. We drove to the camp next door (whom said he's heard horrid stories of this man and camp) and we ended up having an AMAZING time. It was meant to be.


Our trip has dwindled down to the end, and we went on our last hike to the dead sea/madaba. This was our relaxing time. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Dead Sea and spent the day in the pool, in the dead sea, and with drinks in hand. Great way to end the trip. With a final journey through the mosaic city (madaba), we drove back to Amman...boarded our plane...back to Kuwait. :(

Cultural Proposals.

Proposal/dating. Western culture gets down on one knee, and maybe speaks to the father beforehand. Maybe does something romantic, sings to her, the ring is inside of the cupcake...we all know how this goes down.

Middle Eastern culture is interesting. The man may be interested (from afar because dating isn't a thing). He tells his mother he's found the one. They discuss about the importance of being sure...is he ready?...how is her family?..etc. Then--the mother seeks to finds out for herself.

I'm blessed to be directly correlated into the culture and have these simple, but embracing experiences. Someone was interested in marrying Abbouds' sister. His mother contacted her mother and requested a meeting. This is what happens. They meet the family (women only) and discuss everything...how is her personality? How does she upkeep the household? Is she responsible? Smart? Determined?

Since his mother is sick, and his sister doesn't have any clue how to even work a stove--I did the cooking. We can't order food for an event like this! That would send a bad message like we-didn't-have-time or I-can't-take-care-of-your-son.  Side note: Thanks mom! The cheeseball was a hit!

If this meeting is a success...the men all meet. Father's, brothers, etc. Of course, I have no idea what happens here. But this is the opportunity for the father to decide if this could be his future son-in-law.

Again, if the mother-in-law-to-be likes the girl, and the father-in-law-to-be likes the boy...then they may date. This isn't just dating though. This is dating with a serious intention of getting married. It's usually brief, and never anything alone in private. Maybe they go on group-dates. Maybe a short evening out together, but no late night meetings.

After they have done this for a month or two. The proposal happens. The man will bring all of his friends, brothers, cousins, uncles, his father, and grandfather. Every man he knows. They take a trip to the girls house and he proposes at the door. Requesting from his future-father-in-law to marry his daughter. And she gets to approve or deny the proposal.

Abbouds sister and this boy decided against continuing a relationship, I'm sure we're all curious of that. Also, abbouds family is more open than this. They aren't as traditional, so this was a special treat for them as well. They allow their children to date...they just request knowledge of it. Obviously they're open--they allowed their eldest son to marry a Slovakian and second oldest to marry an American. HAHA.

Grocery Shopping

The longer I'm here, the more I forget prices of shopping for anything in the USA. So I'll post about prices of fruits, vegetables, and meat here in Kuwait and you can make your own comparisons. Let me just brag a little about gas prices first, since groceries here are costly. It's only $10 to fill my car, nah nah nah nah nah. Yet, this less costly convenience doesn't make up for the amount of salary that goes into buying berries or imported goods.

I miss strawberries, and blueberries. These are items that don't even make it into my cart anymore. At a high price of 2KD for one of those small trays--that means $7 for strawberries. I'll take vitamins.

Things I do buy, and must buy are:
Bread: referred to as toast here (at least the bread you and I are both thinking of)..their "bread" means those circle pita pieces, which are insanely cheap at 50fils a bag. I'm pretty sure that's less then 15 cents for 5 pieces of pita. Bread, oh yeah, our "bread". It costs 150 fils for a bag typically AKA 50 cents. I store it in the freezer because we take forever to finish the bag.

Milk: I hate to even admit to this, but we buy the long-lasting milk. You know, the kind you don't 'have' to refrigerate. We get a 4 pack of that for 1.5KD or something. So, probably $5.

Eggs: 1KD for 18 eggs. $3.50 for 18 eggs.

Fruits/Veggies: Here is where you can either win or lose. I've transitioned a lot to the 'arab' style of eating. So lots of zucchini, cucumber, and other cheap things. Anything they can grow here or nearby=cheap. Anything imported=$$$$$$, too expensive for me to even consider on a weekly shopping list. The $$$$ is just for occasional treats for myself. Carrots--$1 for 5 large. Cucumbers--  >$1 for a bag full. Zucchini >1 for a bag full. Seems nice, right? ....Mushrooms pack $2.50, Bell Peppers $1.50











Meat/chicken:  8 chicken wing pack for $1.50; 6 drumsticks $2
Whole chicken (small aka normal non-steroid sized) $3

6 burgers made from fresh 90% lean beef $7
2 packs of beef strips $7

Maybe I should become a vegetarian. All my money goes towards meat.

Sweets: arabic sweets and local sweets you can find decently priced, it's (yet again) the imports. We have doritos, lays, cheetos, hersheys, mars, etc. All of it is here. But...it's all overpriced. So let's avoid them all together.

The cost of living here is decent here. You can get a nice savings over time if you know how to budget. I'm still unsure of how I'll ever leave and be okay with paying taxes. I ponder this often...I'm still not an "adult" it terms of paying taxes and all. Living here I have accommodation and tax free lifestyle. When making the move to USA it'll be major culture shock when having to go to the doctor, paying gas, and all of that. I guess I'll just keep enjoying my youth now. Living in a Kuwait Bubble.

Summer Recap; Finally

Apple from play

A lot has happened since January. The months have escaped me, and every time I attempt to blog, something else comes up. But now: I have a mother whom calls daily and reminds me to post. :/ So, I guess it's about that time.

February: National day. I celebrated this month here and witnessed all of the crazies throwing water
balloons and squirting water guns. And not to mention, the completely-stopped-dead-non-moving-traffic.

May: Completed most of my school activities, including a play with my little ones. We performed "The Very Hungry Caterpillar". Of course, any thing you do with this age just looks adorable.

Apartment Living Room

June: Moving month..and let's just throw July in here as well, because let's be realistic; moving takes way more than 1 month. Abboud and I moved into a VERY nice apartment in Shuhada, South Surra (for if you decide to look it up on google earth). 2 Master bedrooms with a personal, rooftop terrace. It's glorious for Kuwait standards.

Shooting Range

August: Finally, someone has actually visited me in Kuwait! I have proof that this country isn't a country made out of sticks and mud. Proof of civilization. :P Krista (a friend from college) happened to stop by last minute on her tour-of-the-world. She stayed for a few days, which in Kuwait left a day to rest. :/ We did all of the touristy things (i.e. saw the Kuwait Towers, trip to Mubarakiya Souk, Green Island, Avenues Mall, Largest sculpted tower in the world, and the house of mirrors.)

During her visit she was offered a relationship and a marriage proposal. Don't come to Kuwait as a single American. HAH. I think the men here can sense you're unattached or something. They aren't overwhelming or anything, but they always find a way to drop the "are you single" "do you want to be my wife" into any normal conversation. For her it was during a trip to Green Island where the ticket booth guy took us on a 'tour' for free. By the end, he was lifting tree branches out of the way for her to pass and not caring about Heather nor me. The second was while shopping at the souk. We bought matching traditional dresses and the salesman offered to marry her in exchange for free dresses. I told her to accept like any good friend would. I wanted free things.

Well, she left Kuwait with knowledge of a kind people, crazy drivers...no, asshole drivers, good food, and really really hot weather.

Arckie and Chansey

Side note: I've been taking up hobbies during this summer in Kuwait and discovered that...hmm...maybe I can draw.

"Do You Know Someone ______?"

"Do you know someone ______". The most commonly asked question here in Kuwait, I'm sure. Now it's no surprise to me, or probably you, that this happens here (it happens everywhere), but not to the extent it's happening. Ooooof. For nearly everything you need, you first have first to ask around to see if somebody knows someone that can help you. This is known as having a Wasta, or a middle-man.

Say you are getting your driving license. You would think, okay..there must be set procedure, rules, and steps to going about this. Well, you would be wrong. I know because I got my license here a few months back. The amount of paperwork you need to go through is endless...and that still won't even get you the license. Not until you know someone. The only reason, absolute only reason, I was able to finally get my license was because just as someone was telling us "no, I'm sorry. You still need to have a signature from blah-blah on this document", a friend of Abboud's father walked by. "Oh hey! How have you been. I haven't seen you since ___. What are you doing? Oh, a license! Come this way." He signs some papers of mine and tells us to take it downstairs and they'll print the license.

WHAT?! It's that simple?! I could've just seen you from the beginning...not gone through the months of court, to ministry, back to court, to DMV, to medical eye-check, to court, to.....If only I knew that before I started this process.

Well this practice, of nothing being processed until you know someone is so common here that you even use it with getting your computer fixed. In a friend of mine's case, people were telling her 100KD to fix it, 75KD there until her taxi driver knew this guy that knew another guy that since she uses him as a taxi would give her a discount--15kd.

Ever needed an apartment? Did you know that people will tell you the building is full--no openings--even if it has 5 openings! Until you know someone who knows the haras (security), you'll just keep hearing they have no empty rooms available.

How about residency (since in this county, only kuwaitis remain kuwaitis. Everyone else keeps their own nationality. No one can take the kuwaiti nationality). Every year you must update your residency--you must work, have somewhere you're renting, a family here, etc to be able to stay here. Which, btw, you aren't able to buy land unless you're a kuwaiti, own a store unless you are kuwaiti. So, if you do have things like this--it means a Kuwaiti signed off on it (aka wasta). -_-

Luckily, being in a school community where everyone helps each other, I have plenty of people willing to connect me to their wasta for this or that. Even though it sounds hard, especially with only knowing English in an Arabic country, but this wasta system--somehow--is working for me. I've adapted and made it work at least. But for those newbies here, make sure you build those connections fast. They're more important than you'd think. And remember that one time we met 3 years ago, could you please help me with _____? Doesn't matter...they'd probably still help you!  :D

Christmas in Kuwait.

Christmas "vacation" started of nicely. I only had a few days off, while others had weeks. Luckily, most of my friends were spending Christmas in Kuwait. We started off the month right by having a cookie decorating party/movie marathon. Rolled out the sugar cookies and cut/decorated our own ones. After finishing that, and having them cool, we ate them right up and watched How The Grinch Stole Christmas--the Jim Carrey version.

We also got to go to a Christmas festival...in Kuwait! WHAT? An international school hosted a market/concert/etc dedicated to santa. Weird snowmen and snowflakes wandered around for pictures, local stores and handmade artists sold items for charities or to advertise, and there was a gift raffle. Which I entered, and WON! Score. A haircut and blowdry. Hey, it's still a win! Even if i'm horrified to get my hair cut here and just need a trim.

Well, this was my first year, ever, spending Christmas away from my family. I was sure I'd be sulking under a snuggie watching A Christmas Story alone, but surprisingly that wasn't the case! Abboud and I had our Tree up since before Thanksgiving; the spirit wasn't the problem. We had santa hats, stockings, wrapped presents, etc. I was just worried Abboud would have work (since christmas isn't celebrated by the majority, they don't have off for it) and everyone else would travel.

Well, he ended up having work except he took off! :D So, even though I was away from everyone, he made it a very special Christmas. Our first one together and his first celebrated. On Christmas Eve we watched Christmas movies, snuggled up with our animals and stayed in. When we woke up, we opened presents!!! A new ipod for him, piano keyboard for me...and of course a bone for the dog and catnip toy for the kitty. We made a grilled lunch on his new toy (steak and ribs...couldn't get the oink oink ordered.) Did you know the US base here sells pork? So if you know someone there, they have anything and everything that oinks. But little did I know that everyone buys up the ham immediately around Christmas. Whomp. And at night we went to a game night over a friends.

Very well spend Christmas, though of course I was missing everyone :(

Halloween in Kuwait

While it's not celebrated here in Kuwait, that doesn't mean there aren't parties!! A friend of ours hosted a costume party on his rooftop. The weather here is perfect right now, so of course this was a great idea. Abboud and I went as Wilma and Fred (Flinstones).

We arrived early to help set up and came out into a mostly done arrange of decorations. There are few things here that make me feel at home, but this moment of seeing all the cut out bats, pumpkin carvings, cider drinks, and Halloween candy was just like being in the states. And to top it off, when everyone arrived, they were just as done up in costumes.

The party went on for hours, full of treats, beer games and playing cards. With off course, some monster mash music. I highly recommend to anyone living here from a western country... Make sure you still celebrate your holidays as well as the cultures' you're in. Duh, twice the amount of parties! :)

Tutoring in Kuwait and setting up my Classroom

It's a very different experience tutoring in Kuwait than it is in the states. It's an extremely lucrative career choice. They have certain rules against it here, that must be followed. You may not tutor a student from your class, and should probably refrain all together from tutoring a student from your school.

Well, have you ever seen the movie Au Pair? The one where the young girl gets swept up into a huge mansion of a house working as a fancy babysitter for some wealthy man...*spoiler alert* They fall madly in love, etc, etc. This is the tutoring life of kuwait.

Last year I tried in once. It was a nightmare. I took a taxi to their house, got lost along the way, couldn't find their door because it was an awkward lay-out, and just all-around had a weird time. They paid well, but I think the boy should be in an arabic only school--he was so behind and barely knew english that I don't know how he was in 4th grade!

But this year, oh boy, this year I'm already having an AMAZING tutoring experience. I'm in a more open-minded, wealthier, and respectful area. So, I've been approached by 2 separate families to tutor not just once or twice, but on a weekly long-term basis. OH, THE MONEY!

So yesterday I met with the one family that I'll be working with. They want me 2 times a week for 2-hour sessions. I make about 40USD an hour! WHAT?! For tutoring. That's unheard of in the states...but it's even better than that! They send their driver to pick me up and drop me off.

My first day with them, this is how it went: I got a phone call at precisely 4pm saying the driver is downstairs. I go looking for him and I see him in front of an infinity van wearing a black and white suit. Fancy, huh? He opens the door for me, drives me to their mansion that is in the process of being built still and escorts me to the tutoring room. Maids come in and out asking if I want papers, pencils, beverages, etc. The grandmother came to introduce herself and tell me about the childrens behaviors. Then, I did their homework with them, helped them write stories, and the driver took me home. 0.0 I could do this every day, but hey..twice a week..I'll take that, too!

On a side note, I've started work (setting up my classroom). It's a brand new building, and it's PRETTY! I've had the opportunity to design my classroom. Where I want nails for hanging string across the ceiling, where I want bulletin boards, my whiteboard, if everything is new/fixed/working. So much better than last year. And the staff, my co-workers, and perfect. No complaints at all from me! The students arrive the 22nd, and I'll be off to what seems like a great school year already. :)

Moving On Up: New Apartment

Before I came home for the summer, I moved into a new apartment in a more hip and upcoming city. When you think of places to go in Kuwait you think of 3 cities; Kuwait City, Salmiya, and Hawally. Each are good for different things. 'Oh, you need to go clothes shopping/need handmade/travel plans/any sort of office like job' 'Go to Kuwait City'. You need games, electronics, new floors/tiles, anything in these categories: Hawallly. You want to have shisha with friends, play pool, coffee place, beach side walks, malls, or just street shopping: Salmiya--and that's where I am.

I'm centrally located, 10 minute walk from the main road here, 2 min walk from a grocery store, 1 min walk from a Quick Chek type of store, across the street from an about to open bowling alley/sports arena, and in a set of buildings full of other teachers and Americans.

It's a lovely 2 bed, 2 bath with a balcony. Not really anything else to ask for when it comes to Kuwait apartments. It's twice the size of where I used to live and in an area that is thriving with entertainment. I'd say this is going to be a good year. Once the temperature started to cool down--aka get to the high 80s/low 90s--I'll be walking all over to really discover the area. Currently, we're typically ranging from 107degrees to 118 degrees here! The only times I can go outside without my glasses fogging up immediately from the current humidity are anytime after 6pm to before 10am. Once noon hits, forget it...don't even wear your glasses because you won't be able to see until you step back into AC.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. One more week until orientation...Two weeks until school!








Side note: My college sent me an email requesting for current information. They wanted to add me to their alumni list since I was recommended as someone who went off to do interesting things since college. :) Here is that link... Renee Lycoming Website

Eid Mubarak!

The closest thing to Christmas here is EID. I wish I took pictures during this time of celebration, but it completely slipped my mind. I spend this EID with Abbouds family, and it was FUN! Everyone wears new outfits (or at least looks their best) and families get together. Abboud 2 Aunts and uncles from his dads side came over with their children and his cousins from his mothers side. There was a lot of food, sweets, turkish coffee, arabic coffee, and playing cards.

After an arabic meal of chicken and rice, we played a Kuwaiti game of cards called coté. It's a bit like hearts...really complicated. During this holiday, children receive money from their older cousins/aunts/unlces etc. They don't exchange gifts here (only on birthdays). Instead, they get money from everyone and then their parents take them to spend it on gifts. So stores are busier here than walmart on black friday!

Later that night, his aunt took us out for shisha. All of the older cousins met up for a later dinner and gathering. We stayed out until the shisha place closed. I need to take a video of how adorable his one cousin is. As I've mention, his cousins from his dads side prefer English...I rarely hear them speaking Arabic. Well his cousins Hadi, Fadi, and Yara have a younger sibling, Lara. She came out with us that night (only because it was EID, she was allowed to stay up late). Just as any kid, she got really cranky around midnight because she was 'hungry and tired'. And she reminded me of myself in my temper tantrum days. Mishari made a 'jelly wibble-wobble' song to calm her down and then she wanted to keep singing it for an hour. 0_0

Happy EID Everyone!

Love in Kuwait

In recent news, as most know by now, I got engaged to a Syrian here in Kuwait. There has been a lot of talk about religion, views, what I'm to expect, and how I'll be treated. I believe the best way to assure everyone of what's happening is to clarify everything from my point of view.

Anyway, Abdulrahman is his name (Abboud for short). He is sunni, though he is indifferent about it/even agnostic. Yes, maybe bad/good people exist here--just like everywhere, but he isn't good. He's great..and so is his whole family. They accepted me since the moment they met me--and I'm not the first American in their family, or even westerner.

He has been in Kuwait for a generation. His father came here (along with his 5 siblings) when they were either infants or yet to be born. His mother, 1 of 8, (who is originally from Palestine, but holds a Syrian nationality) has been in Kuwait her whole life. They fell in love in a very adorable way. His mother worked as a secretary and his father sold office furniture/supplies. He came to her company and fell in love at first sight. He came back more than once to try to find out more about her, even watched her come out of work from his car (while playing Julio Iglesias loudly in hopes to get her attention), and finally manned up and asked her out. On their first date he only had a quarter KWD (like 2 dollars) and told her he wasn't hungry so he could afford to pay for her meal. He told her to order anything, but was really hoping she'd get something obviously in his price range. Well, long story short, they got married and had 4 kids. Mohammad, Abdulrahman, and the twins: Mariam and Yousef.

I met Abboud on my second day here. I was exploring Marina Mall (one of the most popular malls in Kuwait), I made it to the seaside part of the mall--which is full of cafés and restaurants, and he was with a group of friends. Seeing I was clearly lost, exploring and new, his friend Haydar invited me to their table for coffee. We spent hours talking and at the end of the night all exchanged numbers. Abboud and I were non-stop texting and met up the next night for shawarma (which I consider our first date). From that night, we were inseparable. After 2 months, he introduced me to his family. They welcomed me into their home and invited me each Friday for family lunch. I have spent a lot of time with his family and his sister (whom is 19), even invited me out for shisha with her friends. His mom took me to get a manicure with her. And his dad took me nearly every day for all that work that I needed to have done for my driver's license here.

And when his mom had a stroke, I was at the hospital every day by her and Abbouds side. And it's not just his immediate family I met, I've met the extended. His aunts and uncles all live in Kuwait. His aunt Amani was at his house every day, so when I was there, I also spent time with her. She invited me into her household for lunch, even when Abboud was at work. So even when I heard of her also having a stroke while I was in the states, and it being serious and that she wouldn't make it, I wanted to fly back to Kuwait earlier to be there for Abboud and his family. After she passed, I was in Kuwait and able to be there for his family, say our last goodbyes. I met even more of his family during this time. Even distant cousins.

His dad's sister is actually married to a Kuwaiti man and is extremely happy. Her son (abbouds favorite cousin) is the reason he even grew up learning English. He wasn't in "English Schools", he learned through his family members and TV. His favorite shows growing up being Seinfeld, Married with Children, and Friends. That cousin ended up studying medicine in Richmond, Virginia for 8 years and recently moved back to Kuwait. Abboud has another 2 cousins (twins) Hadi and Fadi who each studied in America...Boston, MA and Louisiana. Hadi and Fadi each have non-muslim girlfriends (one from Russia, other American). His family is VERY welcoming and open. Religion, race, nationality--none of it matters.

They don't expect me to convert. They've never asked. Actually, they celebrated Easter with me--or at least we attempted to though I couldn't find food coloring to make Easter eggs. I did find fake ones that we hid around his house and did a Easter Egg Hunt. We (my American/Canadian friends) were supposed to have Thanksgiving at his house, and his mother was going to help cook, but we ended up doing a pot-luck style elsewhere. And his cousin Mishari (the one who studied medicine in America) has agreed to cook a full thanksgiving meal at his place this year, he loves American holidays.

Upon getting engaged his father even had a talk with me about Islam. He wanted to ensure me that I have nothing to worry about. Abboud wouldn't be taking on a second wife (his family is 100% against that) and even if he were someone who would try that, he would have to ask me first and I have the right to deny him. When we get married, Abboud and I set a dowry/amount of money that Abbouds family will pay me for getting married and for if we get divorced. That means if we get divorced, he pays me ___ KWD and also monthly money based on his salary for if we have kids, etc. Speaking of children--I would get them if they're under 14 years old, otherwise they can choose. Yes, our children would be muslim. Abboud and I have had this discussion, but they will also be Catholic. Labeled muslim, but they will learn both traditions, religions, holidays and choose when they're old enough.

His family is religious. They are practicing Muslims. But that isn't a negative thing. They aren't extremists, they aren't terrorists, and they aren't preachers. They respect everyones choices, whether they're good or bad. At first they did tell Abboud he should find another muslim, and asked "are you sure she's the one...this is who your heart found?" Of course yes is the answer. We are extremely happy together. I've never known anyone more in a short period of time. We've connected and I truly believe our hearts found each other--maybe it's even fate. Why else would the world have brought me to Kuwait? It's something meant to be. He treats me really well, and for those of you who know my personality--you know I wouldn't have it any other way. Equality is a must for me--I wouldn't let someone take my identity away. I'm a strong, independent person and I always will be.

Abboud may post a blog later about Islam. Though he isn't a practicing Muslim, he obviously know's way more about it than I do.

Ramadan Kareem

I'm back in Kuwait after spending a month in the good ol' USofA. Came home just in time for a few things: 120 degree weather, Ramadan, and a nearly full grown puppy.

Okay, so I'm in a desert...it's "dry heat", but it doesn't matter if it's dry or humid, it's hot-HOT-HOTTTTTT! My new schedule is to stay up until 4AM and sleep until 12/1PM. It's not even worth going outside during the day. Which is actually a good thing that it's Ramadan. Kuwait is an islamic country, so everywhere  and everyone adjusts their schedules as so. Stores don't open until later (and they stay open really late), people sleep in and stay up all night. It's actually quite nice.

"Ramadan Kareem" meaning have a 'generous Ramadan'. During this time, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset while also abiding by the seven deadly sins. That means no gluttony, lust, pride, wrath, greed, envy, and sloth. It's a time of prayer, celebration, and spending a lot of time with family for 'breakfast'.

Being an intrigued and curious person, I decided to give fasting a try. It went well until my pizza-nightmare that ended in minor food poisoning. That's when fasting comes to a halt and is replaced with sips of water, chamomile tea, and crackers.

13, 14, and 15 days into Ramadan the children do Gergea'an, which is unbelievably similar to Halloween--except they dress up in traditional clothing instead of costumes. The children go house to house, singing songs and asking for candy! Mix of caroling and halloween, minus 'trick or treat, smell my feet...'

Well, I'm on the last 3 days of Ramadan awaiting EID. Still off from work until the 25th, just spending my days with the puppy, fiancé, and hot weather.

Ramadan Kareem, everybody!