Tuesday, May 31, 2011

No Relief from the Exam Blues












I thought, today, when my daughter went out the door that I would feel relief that it's the last day of her exams. I didn't. I was left realising that she really wasn't/isn't confident in quite a few subjects. We did some last minute revision this morning, and it became alarmingly clear to me that this stuff should be crystal clear to her before she goes back to school in September and goes into year 4.

So have spent 3 hours, yes 3, printing out worksheets to do through the summer in preparation for the next year.

Am I the only one who seems to be obsessing over this subject? Of course, if she ends up getting As in all subjects - it's a trip to the Dr for me. LOL...

Found a fab website for worksheets of every subject http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/
and a little helpful advice on establishing good study habits [link] and here http://www.homeworkheaven.com/.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Talent Show at ACK



The Australian College of Kuwait's Music Club announces it's 4th Talent Show on Thursday June 2nd @ 7pm. Get your tickets ASAP only 2.5KD. Various talents; music, break dancing, theatre.
For tickets n more info contact: Yousef Karam: 6646746, Abdulaziz Ali: 94050099, Basel Dana: 66989117
There will be iPads, iPhones 4 and iPods to win in the raffles at the end of the show.

ACK is in West Mishref, Mubarak Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Area, Block 5. Good luck!





Kuwait Emir Leaves British hospital



AFP Mon May 30 2011

The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, left a British hospital on Monday after undergoing routine medical tests which were "successful," an official statement said.

The emir would stay in Britain for a few days on a private visit, state news agency KUNA reported, citing the statement, without providing further details about the type of tests or about his health.

The 82-year-old ruler, who had a heart pacemaker operation in February 2000, left for Britain last week to undergo the tests.

Sheikh Sabah, who ascended to power in January 2006, had successful urinary tract surgery in the United States in August 2007. Five years earlier, he underwent surgery to remove his appendix.

The emir has two sons.

The elder, Sheikh Nasser, is minister for the Emiri Diwan, or royal court, while Sheikh Hamad chairs Kuwait Projects Co., a holding company that manages billions of dollars worth of assets in several Kuwaiti and foreign firms.











Buon Giorno



Ok, found me a new project. I love opera, especially in the car. But when you don't know the words and just improvise badly; it's very enjoyable but not magnifico. 

I think I've got this bit "Te vioglio bene assai, ma tanto, ma tanto bene assai." :OD. Maybe that's enough for today. I will sing it with gusto in my car alone and to my husband when we're alone.

Want to learn Italian? [link].

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Volunteers needed for Kuwait's 1st Marine Conservation Initiative



Al Yaal (Kuwait's first marine conservation initiative developed by en.v in partnership with K'S PATH)

June 2011 Clean-up Schedule:


Fri, 03/06/2011: Shuwaikh Free Trade Zone beach

Sat, 04/06/2011: Um Almaradim island

Sat, 11/06/2011: Sulaibikhat beach 2

Sat, 25/06/2011: Doha beach

To sign up for any/all of the above, please email angelique@kspath.org  mentioning your mobile number.

Wanna Get Spaced Out?

Ok, this is cool. Thanx Lxx.

You stare at the strobe for a while then look away, the whole room seems to pulsate. Beware not for epileptics. Don't worry stops after a few seconds.

A Mutiny by Passengers on MEA Plane

File:Mea a330-200 od-mec 31may2009 arp.jpg

AOL:

Air passengers "mutinied" on a flight from Heathrow which was stuck on the tarmac for almost seven hours, it has been revealed.


The disturbance led to the Beirut-bound Middle East Airlines plane, with nearly 250 passengers aboard, missing its 1pm departure slot on Thursday.

With the plane not given another slot until around 7.30pm, disgruntled passengers argued with crew, raided the galleys and started "pushing and shoving".

Police boarded the plane at 5.50pm but there were no arrests and the plane eventually took off for Lebanon.

Speaking from Beirut to the London Evening Standard, one London-based businessman said that a middle aged man had told a crew member he was an idiot and "that was when the pushing and shoving began".

Another passenger, a 45-year-old legal translator, told the Standard: "It is like something from Lord of the Flies. People were hysterical."

Middle East Airlines' UK and Ireland manager Naima Kassir said: "There was a delay due to the bad weather and then the plane was further delayed due to unruly passengers on board."

Who Needs Some Harmony?


June Calendar of Events at Harmony House, Rumathiya.
Click to enlarge

Happy Birthday to Me


Hippo about to chow down on a massive wedding cake clipart on his birthday.

Started last night with friends watching the game ;O)

And then Barcelona won! Chosen as our team because they were much better looking than Man United :O)

Not feeling too great when doing last minute exam revision at 6.30am this morning with sweety pie before she went off to school :O( But I do know my 9 x table now.

Freaked out by the headlines in Al Watan today regarding the air quality here in Kuwait, will post later :O(

Very happy at the news of Vinnie the dog being found. Woohoo!  :O)

Made breakfast with my new sandwich maker which, I later realised, had been used for grilling fish by my maid :O(

My birthday cheese and 'turkey' toastie came out tasting and smelling of fish. It was the last of the 'turkey'. Had to have Alpen instead :O( Have got my umbrella up for the rest of the day in case it pours LOL.

But am cheering up and 'the sun has got his hat on hip, hip, hooray' because I'm receiving texts msgs and FB messages wishing me happy birthday. "Thank you all darlings" in my best Dame Edna Everage voice :OD

Just need to find the Alka Seltzer and all will be great :O)

Vinnie the Dog Found!



Vinnie,  the emotional support animal belonging to a disabled boy, was found at the Friday Market; up for sale. He was skinny, traumatised and covered in ticks but home safely now.
My friend Shirley told me yesterday that she and her husband had seen him at the Royal Animal Hospital and being the celeb that he is recognised him straight away.
Also a thank you from Vinnie's owners, this morning in the Arab Times, to all those who gave support and expressed concern over him.

Great stuff!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

'Killer Cucumber' Bug From Spain Hits Germany and Britain

Cucumbers for sale in Berlin














A person in Britain has been diagnosed with a lethal strain of E.Coli that has already killed five people in Germany.

Almost 300 people in northern Germany are in hospital and around 500 more are being tested for the infection.

Organic cucumbers from Spain are thought to be the source of the bacteria, but travellers to Germany are also being advised to avoid eating raw tomatoes and lettuce.

The Robert Koch Institute, Germany's national disease centre, said 60 cases had been reported in the last 24 hours alone, and infections have also been confirmed in Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Britain's Health Protection Authority has confirmed that three German nationals who travelled from the country fell ill after entering Britain.

One of the cases has been confirmed as having the infection which is causing this outbreak.

A spokeswoman for the HPA said the outbreak in Germany was "very, very serious" and that although the bug was infectious, there had been no reports of secondary infection yet in the UK.

Dr Dilys Morgan, head of the gastrointestinal, emerging and zoonotic infections department at the HPA, said: "The HPA is actively monitoring the situation very carefully and liaising with the authorities in Germany, the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) as to the cause of the outbreak.

E.coli bacteria like these are responsible for the outbreak across Europe


















"We are keeping a close watch for potential cases reported in England and are working with colleagues in the devolved administrations to recommend they do the same. In addition we are in the process of alerting health professionals to the situation and advising them to urgently investigate potential cases with a travel history to Germany."

The Food Standards Agency has confirmed that the offending cucumbers have not been for sale at any outlets in the UK.

A spokesman for the German consumer affairs minister Ilse Aigner said: "The European Union internal market has very strong safety rules and we expect all EU states to observe them," he said, adding that, for the moment, "one can only speculate about the causes" of the outbreak.

Those hit worst by the infection contract haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS), a condition that can result in renal failure, seizures, strokes and coma.

In Spain, a spokesman for the AESA food safety agency said investigations were also under way.

"The Andalusian authorities are investigating to find out where the contamination comes from and when it took place," he said.

"This type of bacteria can contaminate at the origin or during handling of the product," he added.

There has been no report of contamination within Spain, AESA said.

2,000 Rally to Demand Resignation of Embattled Prime Minister

Headline1987ff

LA Times.

Pressure is building on Kuwait's embattled Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Ahmad Sabah, who has come under fire for refusing to be questioned in parliament for allegedly misusing public funds, among other accusations.

Around 2,000 people took to the streets of the oil-rich gulf country's capital amid tight security, chanting, "The people want to topple the head [of government]," in reference to Sheikh Nasser, according to Agence-France Presse.

Local Kuwaiti media reports said activists had dubbed the protest "Day of Rage" and that demonstrators, flanked by hundreds of police in riot gear, marched on the National Assembly on Friday night holding banners reading, "The youth want reform of the regime” and "Youths want the closure of corrupt channels,” while chanting against the prime minister.

Some demonstrators went one step further and called for a popularly elected head of government, indicating that they don't want another prime minister from Kuwait's ruling Sabah family, which has governed the country for more than 250 years.

But rally-goers and speakers reportedly made a point of showing that they were not demonstrating against the emir or the ruling family itself, but for the premier's ouster.

No violence was reported, but harsh words were exchanged between some protesters and a small group of Sheikh Nasser supporters who marched nearby holding signs reading, “Sheikh Nasser stays and troublesome MPs leave,” according to the Kuwaiti Arab Times newspaper.

Aside from the prime minister post, members of the Sabah family hold several other key positions, including the defense and foreign affairs posts.

The 71-year-old Sheikh Nasser's five years as premier have been marked by turbulence and he has come under constant fire by the opposition.

He has resigned six times, and he formed his seventh Cabinet a couple of weeks ago.

Kuwaiti protesters are reportedly staging new rallies next Friday that they have dubbed "Day of Departure."


LWDLIK- OMG is he really that old, he looks great for 71. As for the other stuff, I'll be happy if there's no government and the Amir rules the country.



Cinemagic's Rooftop Movie Tonight



















Saturday, May 28 · 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Location: Cinemagic's Rooftop Venue, Old Salmiya Souk, Above LG.

BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU’RE DEAD
Director: SIDNEY LUMET
Country: USA
Release: 2007
Genre: Crime, drama, thriller
Running time: 117 minutes
Language: English
Rated: R

Needing extra cash, two brothers conspire to pull off the perfect, victimless crime. No guns, no violence, no problem. But when an accomplice ignores the rules and crosses the line, his actions trigger a series of events in which no one is left unscathed. The last film in Sidney Lumet's brilliant career.


Have Mercy! Cinnamon Roll Pancakes























Cinnamon Roll Pancakes


Yield: 4 servings (4 pancakes)
Prep Time: 25 min

Ingredients:

PANCAKES:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1 Tablespoon canola oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten

CINNAMON FILLING:

1/2 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

CREAM CHEESE GLAZE:

4 Tablespoons butter
2 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Prepare pancake batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk in milk, oil and egg, just until batter is moistened (a few small lumps are fine).

2. In a medium bowl, mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Scoop the filling into a small zip baggie and set aside. You don't want this to remain super-liquidy. It's best if it becomes a consistency similar to toothpaste.

3. In a medium, microwave-safe bowl- heat butter and cream cheese until melted. Whisk together until smooth; whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla extract; set aside.

4. Heat large skillet over medium-low heat. Spray with nonstick spray. Scoop about 3/4 cup batter onto the skillet. Snip the corner of your baggie of filling and squeeze a spiral of the filling onto the top of the pancake. When bubbles begin to appear on the surface, flip carefully with a thin spatula, and cook until browned on the underside, 1 to 2 minutes more. Transfer to a baking sheet or platter and keep in a warm oven until ready to serve.

5. When ready to serve, spoon warmed glaze onto the top of each pancake.

Swirl in the cinnamon mix.



Looking good, just need sauce and a fork.


Tips:
*Keep the heat low or your pancakes might cook up too quickly. Don't flip them until you see those bubbles starting to pop on top. Flip them with a wide spatula so you can grasp the whole thing without batter and filling dripping all over the place!

*It's best if you pour the batter onto your skillet, wait a minute or so and then swirl the cinnamon onto the batter. That'll give it a chance to set a little before you add the swirl.


Source: http://www.recipegirl.com/  and http://www.tipjunkie.com/


LWDLIK- I'm sad I've eaten breakfast already, but will be trying these ASAP. They look heavenly!

KD 6,000 to Kuwaiti Men Who Take a 2nd Wife





Mixed views on KD 6,000 marriage grant

 Kuwait Times : Conflicting reports were received yesterday on a new legislation that grants Kuwaiti men a KD 6,000 loan when marrying a second wife, under the condition that she is a Kuwaiti. Officials on condition of anonymity said that the law has been passed, but no official statements were issued.

Meanwhile, MP Faisal Al-Duwaisan stated to local press that the legislation was passed as part of a proposal he personally filed with the Parliament, suggesting that the marriage grant be increased from KD 4,000 to KD 6,000 and to have it include widows and divorcees. The lawmaker said that this legislation will help solve the problem of high number of unmarried Kuwaiti women. "I wish that people cease to see this legislation as a waste of money and rather focus on how it is a solution to a social problem," pleaded the parliamentarian.

Reactions to the news are mixed, as some people found the government's support for second marriage a decision that does not help in preserving households. Manal Al-Shatti, 37, said the legislation sounds implausible, "I don't believe that the government can partake in something like this. It will do more damage than good: the government does not want to make decisions to please the people, especially when it comes to money. That is why the loans were not written off when people demanded that for several years. Besides, why would a man marry a second wife if he is financially incapable of supporting a new household?

Another citizen, Ahmad Al-Sabti, 30, said that if this turns out to be true, it might lead to more damage than good. "It will make matters more complicated, and will allow for a lot of misuse. It is better if this money is invested in improving the quality of services instead," he said.

 
 
LWDLIK- Ludicrous! Another reason to get divorced and add to the growing number of divorcees. Here's a thought; let the Kuwaiti women marry who they want. Stop the social taboo of marrying from only the 0.01% of the Kuwaiti male population that are eligible for that particular family.

Queen Humiliates Obama? I think not



Comment from the person who posted the video on YouTube..


The Queen gives the cold shoulder to President Obama for breaking protocol offering a toast to the Queen while they were playing HER SONG: God Save the Queen, of course.




The band started early but the Queen should not have ignored a sincere offer of a toast by the US president. An insult to all Americans.


This is also about cross-cultures. Two persons were expecting different things from the same event.


In case of the Queen and other lesser royals when you have nothing to do all day protocol and etiquette becomes the only activity they care about.


So when somebody doesn't follow the 'rule' (their rule) they go cold not knowing what to do. The last time they did something trivial and intuitive was when they were born.


In the case of Obama he probably thought the music was a addition to the great words he was uttering. Like in a Hollywood movie. It was his Oscar bid.


In short, they were both thinking a lot about themselves at the time.


Americans should steer clear from Monarchy. It is stupid to pander to it for votes in America. America should feel proud of their history. After all, wasn't the French-speaking French that took American's side during Independence?


The best of America is that we are the Land of the Free and not of elitist royals obsessed with 'etiquette' for a few privileged to separate them from the many underprivileged.


A great Queen would've acted swiftly and toasted. A sad moment for democracy. As usual.


The BBC at first did not make any mention of the gaffe in their main news programmes. ITV did menion it but did not show the president's face after the snub.




LWDLIK- Thank you Ali, it's a very interesting video. I've never actually heard anyone try to talk through a national anthem before. HRH does smile and clearly says, "That's very kind" around 0.43 seconds into the video. Just proves people see what they want to see.


Personally, I thought the biggest faux pas was made by Camilla who was wearing a bigger tiara, with more bling, than HRH's crown.

Friday, May 27, 2011

Afghanistan of the 50s and 60s

1960's typical Kabuli Fashion.















From the Facebook Page of Mohammed Ra.

The Afghanistan that my parents lived in, were Kabul was once called the Paris of central Asia. Once the jewel of Asia, a very progressive and moderately modern country. Kabul once had, cinemas, cafes, formal French gardens, schools, libraries, universities, fine boutiques. Where both women and men had access to education and a better future. A country were women were granted the right to vote in 1963! In many of these pictures is not the clothing nor the style of their clothing that make the women then "liberated" but the fact that those women were able to choose and decipher for themselves what they thought was appropriate to wear. The very fact that they were in a class room to further their education, is what I am proud of most. In Islam, education it is not only stressed but is an obligation, for both women and men. Women are not only our other half of society but they are our mothers, sisters, aunts, and perhaps most importantly our first teachers.True liberation is only possible through education. How is it possible that Kabul went from these photos to the mess that is Kabul and Afghanistan today? I would never blame Islam. I blame lack of education and foreign interference, Afghanistan being a product of the cold war paid the heaviest price.


The Afghanistan that once existed, was the Afghanistan my family experienced. They were highly educated, modern, progressive and cosmopolitan people. My mom and her sisters attended primary school, high school and attended university. Classmates wore mini-jupes, went to the cinemas, went to sporting events, shopped at boutiques, and picnicked at Paghman the city of gardens every Friday near the formal french gardens.

Highly educated, culturally aware and yet religious at the same time, there was never an issue with not having your hair covered or the clothes you wore. Some have described my parents Afghanistan as very "western", but I don't choose to call it that, I describe it as a highly modern and progressive society that flourished. Freedom, equality, and education are not western but in fact universal themes. This progressive peaceful society lasted until foreign interference occurred in the late 1970's plummeting the country to what Afghanistan has become today.


The Switzerland of Asia.

Girl guides.














Sarobi hydro-power plant on Kabul River was one of the country's foremost power stations. With German assistance, Afghanistan built its first large hydro-power station, pictured here, in the early 1950s. At the time, it was state of the art.





















LWDLIK- I found these, and the rest of Mohammed's pics, fascinating. Thank you for sharing Mohammed. I have read both 'Kite Runner' and 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' and these pics above show it was even more beautiful than I imagined it.

And now..



















Heartbreaking..

Jewelry Exhibit Tomorrow

Tomorrow, May 28 from 12 noon to 6pm at the Holiday Inn Salmiya.
A Spanish artist exhibits her unusual pieces of jewellery.
































Conscious Partnering Conference Online 2011




















A free online event on Conscious Partnering. It features incredible speakers such as Riane Eisler, Gary Zukav, Gangaji , Gay & Katie Hendricks, Deva Premal and Aqeela Sherrills - all sharing knowledge and tips on how you can create amazing relationships in all areas of your life.

A free Global Virtual Telesummit May 23 - 27, 2011. Free registration.



# 33 Most Read Blog in Kuwait










Seeing as I've seen three lists now on other blogger sites (apparently there are 14) and none of them gave my blog a mention, so I'm going to have to toot my own horn.

According to http://www.alexa.com/ (type in http://www.ladieswhodolunchinkuwait.com/  where it's written search Alexa) my little blog is # 1,965 on the most viewed list in Kuwait, which may not sound too impressive but the list includes every website under the sun ie, after Google, Yahoo, MSN, etc.

And if the lists, I've seen, are anything to go by then this little blog is # 33 in Kuwait today. Not bad, considering it's only in English. The list does change from day to day depending on number of viewers so it is extremely difficult to have a list as Danderma found -Nice blog; does great restaurant reviews but thinks I'm very rude :O(

I'm not accustomed to tooting my own horn but I was miffed to know that my blog was left off 14 lists :O(

Pat on the back for me! :OD And a round of applause for you lot. Thank you for reading. xx

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Can't reply to comments..

Seems blogger still has some hiccups in their recent upgrade of the site. One of them is I can't reply to comments at present. Have complained and hopefully all will be back to normal soon.

@ Ahmed

Call the Radisson 2567 3000 or try the search box in the right top corner of the blog there was a post regarding a lady who does bachata and salsa classes at BIVT, Salmiya.




Teacher Appreciation Ideas

My precious is busy with exams this week. There's been lots of tears and begging, and that's just me ;O) It's been harrowing, heartbreaking and taxing. I will be so very glad once the month is over.

Once the exams are, finally, over and I know there is no possibility to change the outcome I shall sigh with relief and think about my next project; entertaining my doll over the long summer holiday.

Before we do that I wanted to do something nice for her teachers at school - who are all outstanding. I found these very adorable ideas which I thought I'd share with you all.




Download the PDF from http://www.skiptomylou.org/ , edit to add your child's name and print on card or two sheets of paper glued together.

For more ideas..




And some small and lovely things to write, eat and give to your child's teacher...


"You are out of this world" tag attached to a Milky Way or Mars candy bar

"You are 'extra' special" tag with a pack of Extra Gum

 "We appreciate the 'mounds' of work you do!" tag attached to a Mounds candy bar

"Thanks for giving Blake a hand" tag with hand lotion

 "Thanks a 'latte'!" tag with a gift card from local coffee shop, special coffees or travel mug

"Just a note to say you are special" custom made note pads , purchased notepads or post it notes

 "You are a 'treasure' tag with Treasures candy

"You are the apple of our eye" with a basket of apples (construction paper leaves with nice sayings---A+ teacher, you're special etc. can be hot glued to the stems)

"You are 'tea'rrific!" tag with a selection of teas

"You deserve a 'break' today! Thanks for your hard work" tag with a Fast-Break candy bar or McDonald's gift certificates

"You are a smart cookie" tag with homemade cookies

"Thanks for a 'picture' perfect year" tag with movie coupons or nice picture frame

"Thanks for making our school year bright" tag with a package of highlighters

"Thanks for helping Blake grow" tag with flower seeds

"You are o'fish'ally the best!" tag attached to Goldfish Crackers

"Thanks for lighting the way" or "You light up our world" with a flashlight or nice candle

"We are your biggest 'fan'!"with a cute desk fan, hand held fan or paper fan.

"Thanks for the 'time' you spend with Blake" tag on a cute clock, fun watch or pretty appointment book

"We are fortunate to have you!" tag with a Chinese take out box filled with fortune cookies

"You have been a 'bright' spot in our year!" tag with a package of highlighters

"You are a joy!" tag attached to an Almond Joy candy bar

"Thanks for giving Blake a hand!" tag attached to work or garden gloves filled with candy

"You have been just 'write' for Blake!" package of nice pencils or pens in a case or container

"You rock!" tag with pop rocks, rock candy, Rock Star soft drink or painted rock for a paperweight

"You have been 'key' to Blake's success!" tag attached to a key ring, maybe a pretty handmade beaded one

"We are 'nuts' about you!" tag attached to some nuts

"You 'float' above the rest" tag attached to a balloon or a fun pool float for the summer

"You 'mint' so much to us this year" tag attached to some mints

"You were 'mint' to be a teacher!" tag attached to some mints

"Here is a 'pat' on the back for doing such a great job!" tag attached to a gift certificate for a massage

DIY coloured pencil vase for flowers



Or how about these..

Owl miss you





































Or these personalised bookplates







  

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Dior International Make-up Artist in Debenhams

















Experience the latest make-up tips with Dior in Debenhams,
Avenues on 26th May.

Hairspray at Kuwait Little Theatre




















Sorry if you don't already have tickets because you are out of luck! They are SOLD OUT! Should have been reading my blog and you would have known about it :OP

A fabulous evening, had by all last night, at the Kuwait Little Theatre in Ahmadi. Absolutely the best KD 5 I've spent in a long time.

The big fat musical comedy hit was directed by Kirsty McDonagh and produced by Stephanie Mansell. The songs included 1960s-style dance music and "downtown" rhythm and blues.

Set in 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, plus-sized teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream is to dance on The Corny Collins Show, a local TV dance program based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show. When Tracy wins a role on the show, she becomes a celebrity overnight. She then launches a campaign to integrate the show. Hairspray is a social commentary on the injustices of parts of American society in the 1960s.

What dedication from all the actors, musicians and the crew. Thank you for your enthusiasm, it was inspiring.


They have a very efficient booking system so you can pre-book seats, print out your form and pay on the night...for their next production. http://www.theklt.com/


Bravo!


Some pics of the show..

















Marmite Made Illegal in Denmark


Marmite made illegal in Denmark 

















The strongly flavoured dark brown spread made from brewer's yeast has joined Rice Crispies, Shreddies, Horlicks and Ovaltine prohibited in Denmark under legislation forbidding the sale of food products with added vitamins as threat to public health.

Many well known breakfast cereal and drink brands have already been banned or taken off supermarket shelves after Danish legislation in 2004 restricted foods fortified with extra vitamins or minerals.

But Marmite had escaped notice as an exotic import for a small number of ex-pats until the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration telephoned Abigail's, a Copenhagen shop selling British food, to ban the famous yeast spread.

"I don't eat it myself, I don't like it but Marmite was one of our best selling products. Not a day goes by without someone coming in and asking for it," said Marianne Ørum, the shop owner.

"All the English people here are shaking their heads in disbelief and say that it is insane. I agree but it is the law. It's becoming impossible to run a business in this country. We are not allowed to do anything anymore. It is the way Denmark is going."

LWDLIK- Perhaps we should ban Lego! :O)



Love is a Many-Splendored Thing





































Found this beautiful photo posted by my favourite blogger DesertGirl, that's a fab shot and perfect timing. I think it's a great omen, girlfriend :O)

We will be watching out for new developments ;O)

If you haven't come across DesertGirl's blog yet, have a read; it's raw (in an Eddie Murphy kinda way), honest and hilarious!

This is for you, Babe..










Saudi Women are Being Driven to Rebellion

woman car rain
guardian.co.uk, Monday 23 May 2011.




Driving ban in Saudi Arabia does little to actually protect women, it is merely an act of repression.

The driving ban illustrates the absurdity of arbitrary laws of public female deportment in Saudi Arabia.
While all eyes are on Libya, Syria and Yemen, a different kind of rebellion is taking place in Saudi Arabia. A group of Saudi women have set up Women2Drive, a right-to-drive campaign, with a launch date of 17 June.

Last week one of its members, Manal al-Sharif, took to the streets and drove a car for a couple of hours, filming her trip (her father assisted) and posting it on YouTube. On Sunday, she was arrested along with her brother, who reportedly has now been released.

This isn't the first time that there has been a push to drive in the kingdom. In the early 1990s, members of a similar campaign were arrested and some were fired from their jobs.

Against the backdrop of the Arab uprisings, it might seem like a frivolous thing to ask, especially when we are told that Saudi women do not need to drive, as they are so covetously protected and provided with drivers to save them the trouble.

The irony is that although the entire system is constructed to prevent men and women finding khalwa, or privacy, together, it is permissible to be alone in a car with one's non-Saudi driver – the perfect confluence of racism and patronage that exposes the absurdity and confusion behind arbitrary laws of public female deportment in Saudi Arabia.

There is nothing empowering or protective about not being allowed to drive. While I was living in Saudi Arabia, in a family of five females with no man in the household, we were permanently at the mercy of our driver to run even the most basic of errands.

If he was late, indisposed or unable to tend to us for some reason, the only alternative was to hail a taxi – a very unpleasant prospect for a woman in a Saudi city. To stand on the side of the road in the city of Riyadh waiting for a taxi to arrive meant braving the harassing calls and jibes from passing motorists, and to be alone in a car with a cab driver in a country where that is rather rare posed its own risks in terms of the liberties the driver feels he may be entitled to take. Sharif herself claimed she was harassed by her driver. Needless to say, there is no public transport available for women.

Those who espouse a moral position, ie that should these women be allowed to drive they would run amok and go wherever they please putting themselves in harm's way and making rendezvous with men, are either disingenuous or naive.

Most of the employed drivers in Saudi Arabia have no say over where they go, they merely do their mistresses' bidding. I remember being given a ride with a Saudi female colleague who ordered her driver to chase, at high speeds, the cars of men whom she found attractive or who had tried to pass their numbers through car windows. The driver haplessly complied, and was told off in strong terms for not catching up with the quarry.

This law is simply a backward, visceral objection to the thought of a woman behind the wheel, a physical embodiment of a volition which is too offensive to enact. It is about maintaining some semblance of control, the erosion of which it is thought would be complete if women were allowed to drive.

There is this odd view of women in the kingdom as being always on the cusp of dissolute behaviour – reminiscent of an attitude towards slaves who would rebel and murder their owners if not kept perpetually oppressed. This is a ghastly spiral, where the worse the victim is treated, the worse they are likely to be pre-emptively repressed. When arguing against allowing women to uncover their heads or faces in public, some (men and women) respond that if that if this were to pass, women would surely walk around in semi-nudity.

It doesn't occur to these people that public codes of dress do not exist in most other Arab countries, and women still manage to dress in a culturally appropriate way. Women are allowed to drive throughout the conservative Arabian Gulf, and these societies have not imploded in moral degradation.

The Saudi driving ban is a social, rather than political, issue, over which the authorities would rather not incur the religious establishment's wrath or create controversy. But if there is one lesson Arab rulers would do well to heed, it is that withholding rights raises the chances of an explosion of dissent.

The arrest of Sharif certainly appears to have done nothing to dissuade the Women2Drive campaign from going ahead; if anything it seems to have garnered it more publicity. There are reports that the religious police are teaming up with traffic forces to patrol and stymie the campaign. If these are to be believed, then Saudi Arabia is in for a first-of-its-kind confrontation on 17 June.

 
LWDLIK- WTG girls! And what a great brother and father Manal has. Seems video was removed from YouTube but I found this [link]

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

And the Pizza-Eating Champion is...

Pizza Inn at True Value in Al Rai held its first pizza-eating championship yesterday. The event attracted many participants for the title and the prize, an X-Box 360.

The competiton started with batches of contestants.

The judges carefully documenting each slice.

More pizza arrives..

Some ladies trying their luck.

Trying the old untying the belt trick.

Oh dear, not looking so good.
The winner is...
Pizza Eating Championship Winners are:

1st. Nawaf Jassim Al-Reiahi - 21 and 3/4 pieces eaten
2nd. Talha Ahmad - 18 and 3/4 pieces eaten
3rd. Salman Abdul Rahim Hurzuk and Muhammad Basit Khurram - 15 pieces eaten