Saturday, December 19, 2015

Review: Opening of Jaber Al-Ahmad Stadium and Kuwait Champions Challenge


Video - Gido Mahdy
































I was dreading the traffic enroute to the stadium but surprisingly the delays started only once we got within 900 metres of the stadium. Quite a bit of confusion getting to the parking area, once there a bit of a free-for-all trying to board buses from parking to stadium. Getting into the stadium by foot went pretty quickly. Plenty of police and personnel on duty to assist. The stadium is stunning from outside and inside. A first-class venue with seating for 60,000, 4 levels, big screens, 54 corporate rooms, VIP seating area, parking for 60,000, whirling camera, plenty of bathrooms, food and drink vendors. The crowd were kept entertained by various popular local singers (inc Nabeel Shaeel), dancers and an MC. Much fun had participating in the Mexican waves and sing-songs. A great atmosphere and energy.

Was deeply touching to hear the adoring crowd cheer whenever the Amir's picture came on the big screen, a brass band played the national anthem and then the audience went wild when HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad did a round in his car. 

A state of the art laser show and a tremendous firework display ensued followed by the Kuwait Champions Challenge football match. A fabulous line up of some of the finest footballers in the world (including Figo, Carlos, Shvenchenko, Beckham, Nesta). Beckham scored first followed two minutes later by Kuwait's Al-Hajri. Al-Ansari took Kuwait into the lead at the 28th minute and Al-Anezi widen the lead to 3-1. International all-stars scored another at in the 60th minute shortly followed by Nasser scoring their 4th goal. A final score of 4-2 to Kuwait.

An amazing evening and a fantastic stadium for all of Kuwait to be very proud of. Bravo Kuwait.

Was delighted to learn that $200,000 went to Bayt Abdullah hospice for children.


LWDLIK - My daughter thinks an Ariana Grande concert would be perfect here.



  

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Listen to the Music, Feel the Music, Close your Eyes and Do Your Thing - Words to Live By




At a recent party I was breaking some moves on the dance floor one of the hired dance instructors came and asked if I would like to jive. But I couldn't because as I told him, "I have my own party going on in my head."

Find your groove and do your thing.

I have a feeling I'll be the old lady who dances to the buskers in the tube station.





Saudi Arabia 2015 Election Irony


Monday, December 14, 2015

Russell Peters 2016 Almost Famous World Tour Comes to Kuwait



Finally! Love him... Not KD 750 worth but maybe KD 40, if the husband's buying. Tickets available online [link].





Sunday, December 13, 2015

ShiftWear Digital Screen Sneakers Awesomeness


Sadu House Dying and Printing Workshops for Adults and Kids













Sadu House is proud to announce that they have started to hold a series of special dyeing workshops in December for both adults and children. Our instructor Ceyda Oskay will be teaching different techniques and methods of dyeing using both chemical and natural dyes.
Basic Paint with natural dyes (weekend 2 hour course with kids)
Children will be learning how to pick motifs from Sadu house and then using the paints provided by the instructor to colour and see the different textures and shades.

















However, for adults we are providing:
§  Shibori dyeing – Japanese art of dyeing fabrics. (Weekend course or 2-day weekday course)
§  Dyeing on wool/ yarn
§  Printing on fabric or paper (short one-day or three-day advanced linoleum carving course),
§  Eco printing (two-day course),
§  Advanced fabric design (six session three week course)
§  Natural dyes on wool (3 session course)
§  Eco printing (one-day weekend /or evening course)


Please email: info@alsadu.org.kw and/or stationarymovement@yahoo.com for more information.



UK Boarding Schools, Summer Schools and Language Programmes Free Information and Advice

I Hate Parenting. There I've said it. Shoot me, it would be a far easier way to die...



Exams have started and I should really take myself to an ashram in Pune but it would be a complete waste of money as I would be trying to climb the nearest hill to secure a decent Wi-Fi signal to ensure my preciousness finishes her revision. I swear I don't expect all A*s but this morning to have the little darling show me the 25 pages of French revision that she hasn't done was just too much for me. The problem is I ask her daily about homework, revision and projects - and this it would seem is my problem. I need to stop giving a poop and let her fail but I have been wired not to do that and so find it impossible.

I have got myself a stress reduction kit above and look forward to the quiet blissful moments of unconsciousness. Might just help some other like-minded parents out there too.





14th Dromedary Girl Guides of Kuwait - BIG GIVE Project














The Girl Guides meet once a week in Salwa and have fun, games, competitions, challenges, bake lessons, do arts and crafts, PJ parties, etc, and raise money for charity. This year they decided to make up care packages for the street workers with the proceeds of their sale of books, baked goods, adorable snowmen and sand art craft at the BLS Bazaar.







The girls met up at Arabella in Bida'a early morning to give out the care packages (blankets, socks, sweets, toothbrushes and toothpaste) to the appreciative workers.
Well done girls! 














A big thank you to the lovely ladies who volunteer their time and effort to ensure the Girl Guides in Kuwait continues.

To learn more about Girl Guides globally [link] or locally email: kuwaitgirlguides@hotmail.com.








Saturday, December 12, 2015

Christmas Tree Lighting Event, Carols and Santa at Hilton Kuwait Resort






























Christmas songs by Helen Newton's Choir at the Hilton Mangaf ~ Songbird Café.
The free performances are today, 12th December, Sunday 13th, Thursday 17th, Friday 18th, Saturday 19th, Tuesday 22nd, Wednesday 23rd and Thursday Christmas Eve 24th all from 6.00 - 7.00pm.


Monday 14th is the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.



Santa Claus will be there every night and chestnuts will be roasting. It will put you in the festive spirit for sure!


Friday, December 11, 2015

Winter Fest at The Bushmans



On 15 December Harriet Bushman will organize a Winterfest Shopping party at home in Adan.  Buy exclusive but affordable jewelry, clothing, handbags, home decor and lifestyle items.  Join the Zumba dance, hear live jazz, win a terrific raffle prize.  Delicious food from Ginger and other great kitchens of Kuwait.

Call 972 888 53 to reserve a place.  5 KD entrance fee.

All profits donated to our no-admin direct charity of providing winter clothing for Syrian refugees in Sweden.

10:00 am to 1:00, and 8:00 pm to 11:00.  Adan, Block 7, street 2, house 48.   


Map   



A Fabulous Winter Wonderland On Now at AUS, Sabah Al Salem until 6PM










Steve Jobs’ Last Words






















I reached the pinnacle of success in the business world.
In others’ eyes, my life is an epitome of success.

However, aside from work, I have little joy. In the end, wealth is only a fact of life that I am accustomed to.
At this moment, lying on the sick bed and recalling my whole life, I realize that all the recognition and wealth that I took so much pride in, have paled and become meaningless in the face of impending death.
In the darkness, I look at the green lights from the life supporting machines and hear the humming mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of god of death drawing closer…
Now I know, when we have accumulated sufficient wealth to last our lifetime, we should pursue other matters that are unrelated to wealth…
Should be something that is more important:

Perhaps relationships, perhaps art, perhaps a dream from younger days ...
Non-stop pursuing of wealth will only turn a person into a twisted being, just like me.

God gave us the senses to let us feel the love in everyone’s heart, not the illusions brought about by wealth.
The wealth I have won in my life I cannot bring with me.
What I can bring is only the memories precipitated by love.
That’s the true riches which will follow you, accompany you, giving you strength and light to go on.

Love can travel a thousand miles. Life has no limit. Go where you want to go. Reach the height you want to reach. It is all in your heart and in your hands.
What is the most expensive bed in the world? - "Sick bed" …

You can employ someone to drive the car for you, make money for you but you cannot have someone to bear the sickness for you.
Material things lost can be found. But there is one thing that can never be found when it is lost – "Life".

When a person goes into the operating room, he will realize that there is one book that he has yet to finish reading – "Book of Healthy Life".
Whichever stage in life we are at right now, with time, we will face the day when the curtain comes down.
Treasure Love for your family, love for your spouse, love for your friends...
Treat yourself well. Cherish others.


Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Al Shaheed Park Events & Activities for December 2015

Al Shaheed Park 

Events & Activities // December 2015

(For more information please click on the photos)

"Pregnancy & Nutrition"
Lecture by BirthKuwait
Monday 7th - 7:00 PM
at the Visitor Center
 
"Reading Under The Stars"
with Mai Al Nakib
at the Circle of Peace
 
"Free the Mind"
Film screening & discussion
Wednesday 9th - 6:00 pm
at the Visitor Center
Children's Interactive Book Reading
"قرائة Ù‚صة  "لا بأس
Saturday 12th - 4:00pm
*Registration Required
Lulwa Al- Shamlan Solo Piano Concert
Saturday 12th - 7:00pm
at the Visitor Center
* Registration Required
"Yoga at the Park"
Weekly Yoga sessions
Every Saturday at 9:00 AM
at the Circle of Peace
 
Aerobics class for Mothers & Babies
Workouts by Extreme60
Saturday 12th - 6 to 7 PM
at the Circle of Peace
"The Machinist"
Film screening & discussion

Tickets Available Tomorrow for Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium Opening Ceremony and Kuwait Champions Challenge


























Welcome to the Kuwait Champions Challenge, the largest entertainment and sports event bringing together Kuwait’s all-star players and the Football Champions Tour on Friday, December 18, 2015 in the prestigious Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium in the State of Kuwait. Kuwait Champions Challenge brings Kuwait’s all-star football players to play against the Football Champions Tour in an unprecedented challenge.  The event, a historical moment for Kuwait, will be preceded by an opening ceremony staging the region’s leading singers and performers as well as a fireworks and laser show.

The first edition of Kuwait Champions Challenge to be held at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium between Kuwait XI and World Stars XI. His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah will attend the match and opening ceremony.

Team List

  • Kuwait XI:
Manager:Mohammed Ebrahim
  • World Stars XI:
Manager:Carlo Ancelotti
  • Squad:
Paul Scholes
Ronaldinho
Robert Pirès
Carlos Puyol
Míchel Salgado
Alessandro Del Piero
Gianluca Zambrotta
Luis Figo
Alessandro Nesta
Andriy Shevchenko
Deco
The stadium, which looks like a sail ship from the outside, is equipped with LED screens and spider cams, and is the only stadium in the Middle East with a Goal Control technology. Fans will be able to select their seats when they buy the tickets, and the stadium is equipped with screening machines for bags, monitoring cameras of parking lots and seating areas, as well as special rooms for firemen, policeman and paramedics. The stadium is 12 kms southwest of Kuwait City, is built over 400,000 square meters and can house 60,000 fans with 300 seats for the disabled, rooms for the press and news conferences.

Should be a great night!

Apparently tickets will be available tomorrow online at www.JaberStadium.com looks like it will be a pretty darn awesome event.

LWDLIK update - It was mind-blowingly awesome what a night, what a stadium.












Monday, December 7, 2015

Christmas Shopping Guide for Kuwait























Advent calendars at Marks and Spencer.
Brussel sprouts at Sultan Centre and Lulu's.

Chocolates: Selection boxes and lots of Christmas choccy at Lulu's, Chocolate Santas at Sultan Centre. For something really special go to Godiva in Fanar Mall or 360 Mall ask to try all the samples before buying ;O) 

Christmas crackers in Lulu's KD 4 or in Marks & Spencer KD 11. No brainer.

Christmas in Kuwait Facebook page for frequently updated info.

Christmas trees [synthetic] can be found Lulu's, Sultan Centre, City Centre.
Christmas trees AKA natural holiday trees [real ones] at 4th ring nurseries and Sultan Centre in Salmiya approx KD 40-50.

Dean & Deluca in Avenues has all sorts of lovely goodies.

Decorations, Santa plates, mugs, salt pepper shakers, table clothes, hats, trees ornaments at City Centre, gorgeous glass ones from The Ornamentaliste.

Gifts ideas:

For ladies - Nespresso machine, voucher for Strands Salon to get pretty and pampered, perfume, iPhone 6S, chocolates, MacBook Air, a scarf or shawl, candles and smelly lotions from Bath and Body Works, a calendar for 2016, a handbag, comfy pyjamas and slippers, a souvenir from Caravan, WiFit (be careful with this one might backfire on you if she's a little chunky and sensitive) and for the completely clueless an Al Shaya card so she can go shopping.

For men - Cologne, ties, slippers, Star Wars pyjamas, pen, Fitbit from Xcite, juicer, chocolates, discounted designer duds at sales, personalised cufflinks from ArabesqueQ8.

For kids - iTunes card, Minion Monopoly, Cranium, Boggle, a bike, roller blades, mobile phone, latest trainers, video games, gift card for Xcite, Al Shaya card, football kit of favourite team, candy floss maker, WWE figures, [catalogue for Fantasy Toys so you can sit with them, browse together and get an idea of which toys they like]. 

For babies - super cute outfits, cuddly toys from reputable stores [there are some dangerous cheap Chinese toys out there], a little piece of gold for a rainy day, voucher for an adorable keepsake momento of baby feet and hand impressions from Itsy Bitsy Tel. 99742117

Home catering for Christmas lunch for a few or many guests can be ordered from Sultan Centre in Salmiya.

Mince pies from Truly Scrumptious Bakery because they are utterly delish.

Mistletoe - Flower stand at Sultan Centre, Salmiya.

Mugs available at Starbucks enjoy a toffee nut latte whilst choosing.

Poinsettias from 4th ring nurseries near Lulu and Saveco.

Santa outfit for adults at City Centre.

Turkeys, stuffing, gravy, cranberries from Sultan Centre in Salmiya. 





Friday, December 4, 2015

Men's Voice & Choral Society Presents 'A Thrill of Hope' Seasonal Concert


Kuwait : The countdown has started for Men’s Voice and Choral society to perform their “A Thrill of Hope” at American International School, Maidan Hawally tonight at 6.00PM. The choir comprising of 50+ vocalists are all set to light the torch for the Christmas season. They will perform a variety of Christmas songs. The group is well known for their veracity in music. The double bonanza comes with their 15th year celebration and above all the presence of Jerry Amaldev, the three times state award winner for the best music director of Malayalam films and also the founder and director of ‘Sing India.’ He will lead the choir comprising of 100+ vocalists to some of his greatest Christmas hits. 



Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Abu Dhabi to host premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens


























Abu Dhabi-UAE: 1 December 2015: In a further sign of the significant role Abu Dhabi has played in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, twofour54, Abu Dhabi’s media and entertainment hub has confirmed the Emirate will play host to the Middle East premiere of the film on December 16 at Emirates Palace.

Commenting on the announcement, twofour54’s CEO Noura Al Kaabi said “Having Star Wars: The Force Awakens screen in Abu Dhabi prior to its general release is a real validation for how successful the filming was whilst the production was here. To date, all of the trailers and TV spots for the film have included scenes from Abu Dhabi, which have generated unprecedented excitement around the globe. We are very proud of our achievements and excited for audiences around the world to experience Abu Dhabi on the big screen”.

In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Abu Dhabi plays Jakku, “a frontier desert planet in a remote section of the Outer Rim Territories” according to StarWars.com. With assistance from twofour54 and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, filming for the movie took place in the Emirate in May 2014 with over 650 crew working across two locations.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, is the seventh installment in the franchise and is anticipated to be one of the most successful films of all time.

The Middle East premiere for Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be a red-carpet, invitation-only event brought to the capital by twofour54 in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and The Walt Disney Company.


Winter Festival at 360 Mall


Dear Santa..Umm..


Review: The Three Bazaars

Santa visiting the Gift Bazaar at Marina Crescent. Peace and goodwill to all.
Thank you Christmas in Kuwait for the great photo




Last weekend I managed to do all three of the Christmas bazaars. The
GLOK at the German Ambassador's residence, the BLS at BSK and the mother-of-all 'Gift Bazaar' at Salwa Hall, Marina Crescent.

Nice weather for a sit in the garden at the German ambassador's residence and the smell of Christmas was in the air but I had no time to enjoy it as time was limited if I was to manage all three. Was really popping by for the home-made lebkuchen (German cookies) which I love and stollen but perhaps we got there too late and there was very little on offer. Saw only some shop-made stollen and lebkuchen, so I was a little disappointed. They did have a photo opportunity with the man himself - this one was more a St. Nicholas than a big round bellied, ho-ho-hoing, bespectacled Santa but still lovely.

Next stop the British Ladies Society bazaar at BSK in Salwa. Stayed a few hours. Had baked goodies for my daughter to sell for the Girl Guides to raise money for the less fortunate I managed not to buy them all myself and they raised a fair amount along with second-hand books, sand art and tombola. The BLS bazaar is always a great start to the festive month with carols and Santa. Always nice to see so many local small businesses with their wares. I try to cajole them into starting Instagram or Facebook accounts so that we can all see what they have all year round. Lovely to see the Frog Lady still selling her frogs for Leukemia research and Sports Relief. Plant Man is always there with his poinsettias, lovely glass ornaments by
The Ornamentaliste, some gorgeous brightly coloured pashminas, jackets and silver antiques from Michelle Bannouri, family photographer SJ Photography and gorgeous silver calligraphy cufflinks, necklaces, bracelets by ArabesqueQ8. There was one over-priced stall claiming to have hand-made Christmas plates for sale but I wasn't so convinced after buying some so called 'hand-made goods' in previous years and finding them for half of the price in City Centre. Missed out on Santa as had to dash over to the big bazaar at Marina Crescent, Salmiya.

Finally, the big mumma-jumma bazaar at Salwa Hall in Marina Crescent. It is always packed. Parking at 5PM on a Friday was a nightmare and it was heaving inside. Lots and lots of great stalls ranging from clothes, ornaments, sweets, darling little dog blankets, hand-made (embroidered) Palestinian dresses, bags, wallets and waistcoats, hamsa necklaces, Arabic and Kuwaiti souvenirs/gifts from
Caravan. There was loads to see but I had no time. But well worth battling the traffic and crowds for. Enjoyed the weather and the view outside with some shaved ice and a good sherwerma.


The Christmas season has started. Yay!