Yummy Mongolian Chicken Recipe

List of ingredients;
Chicken, minced garlic, minced ginger, black pepper powder, soy sauce, dark vinegar, corn oil, egg white, cornflour, red chilli flakes, veg stock, oyster sauce, green (spring) onion.

Step 1 - Marinate:


Whole Chicken chopped into 8 pcs or 2 large chicken breasts cubed


1 tbs minced garlic


1 tbs minced ginger


½ tsp black pepper powder


1 tbs soy sauce


1 tbs corn oil


½ tbs dark vinegar


1 egg white


Mix ingredients well, cover and place in fridge for an hour.


Step 2 - Heat 2 tbs corn oil in large frying pan until oil very hot. Add 3 tbs cornflour to marinated chicken mix it well. Add coated chicken to hot oil, fry til nicely browned on both sides, cut into chicken to check it’s cooked right thro. Keep chicken cooking on a very low heat.


Step 3 - Heat 2 tbs of corn oil in a wok or frying pan, add 1 tsp garlic, 1 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp (more if you like a little more fire) red chilli flakes, 1 tbs soy sauce, 1/2 cup of chopped green (spring) onion, 1 tsp vinegar, fry 2-3 mins add chicken stir well fry for 1 min, add 3 tbs oyster sauce, ½ cup vegetable stock cook for 5 mins add in 1/2 cup of chopped spring onions.




LWDLIK- Had this yesterday was awesome with plain white rice. Sadly no leftovers for today's lunch :O( I made it without the chilli.

BBC's Big Meets Bigger in Kuwait

BBC's Big Meets Bigger - Kuwait [link]

At 23 stone, party-loving Carley Brookes loves instant food and refuses to do any exercise. Twenty-two stone Darran Mansfield has been told by his doctor that he is on the brink of full-blown diabetes, yet he's too stubborn to change his unhealthy ways. So will witnessing the effects of living an ultra-lazy lifestyle in Kuwait and meeting a 51-stone recluse have a big enough impact to get the Brits to radically turn their lives around?

Darren and Carley visit the Diabetic Clinic in Kuwait and chat to a man about to have his big toe removed due to diabetes.










LWDLIK- Seems we can't watch the BBC footage from outside the UK. Will try to post a clip if one becomes available.

This would be really funny if it wasn't so sad!

Click to enlarge. I have removed the name and signature of the person who signed this as I wouldn't want to be accused of a personal grudge. If KAC wants to know who it is they have the ref numbers. I heard staff were using google translate to try and decipher it..LOL..

Sadu House is now on the web :OD

Click here Sadu House

Ok Kuwait time for some serious PR work on your image...

Prof Abdulla Nafisi AKA ...

Click for full view.

School stabbing leaves Kuwaitis looking for answers

Mohammed al Azmi, 19, left, describes how his brother was killed.

The stabbing to death of a 14-year-old boy by a teenage schoolmate has left Kuwaitis wondering what could have led to the murder of one of their youth at the hands of another, and a bereaved family struggling to cope with their grief.
The victim, Omar al Azmi, was waiting with his brother Saad, 12, to be picked up by their elder brother Mohammed after classes at the middle school in Qusor when the murder happened in May.
Speaking at his home, not far from the scene of the attack, Mohammed, 19, said that as he drove towards the school grounds he saw several people fighting. When he approached the melee, he was confronted by a horrific sight.
“My brother was lying in a pool of blood. He was shouting: ‘Oh, Mohammed, they stabbed me!’ He was stabbed once in the heart and I saw that he was dying,” Mohammed said.
The panic-stricken brother carried Omar to the car, placed him inside, and instructed Saad to try to stem the flow of blood with a T-shirt. Mohammed’s journey to Adan hospital was so frenzied that he smashed into two cars without stopping. When he arrived, the staff told him his brother was already dead.
“I was going to study overseas, but now my mother is too afraid to let me go; Saad couldn’t sleep for several days and he is terrified of school,” Mohammed said. His mother has fits of hysteria and resigned from her job as a teacher. His father struggles to focus and almost quit his job as a systems operator for Kuwait Oil Co.
“This incident has destroyed our lives,” Mohammed said.
According to local news reports, Badriya al Khaldi, the head of the Mubarak al Kabeer educational directorate, has confirmed that both the victim and the alleged killer were pupils at the Abdullah Meshari al Roudhan Middle School. Mohammed said that Omar was stabbed by a 16-year-old boy from a different tribe after an argument at a school canteen where one bumped into the other.
Local media reported that the boy handed himself into police one day after the incident. The 16-year-old boy is believed to be in a juvenile detention centre, although the juvenile welfare department of the ministry of social affairs and labour could not be reached to confirm the detention.
The ministry of education has responded to the killing by forming a committee to study violence in the country’s schools. Officials at the ministry would not comment on the activities of the committee, but Meshari al Husaini, 42, a teacher at the College of Basic Education, said that one ministry alone cannot produce a comprehensive strategy to deal with a culture of violence that is becoming more deadly.
Mr al Husaini is in a better position to comment on the problems facing Kuwaiti youth than most. Not only did his doctoral studies focus on school violence but as a high school pupil in Jahra, he used to dish it out.
“When I was a student, I witnessed many violent incidents,” Mr al Husaini said. He said he was one of 35 tribal “cousins” who “took control” of the school by intimidating other students. “If someone started a fight with us, we wouldn’t ask the reason, we’d beat them – big time,” he said.
After being tempered by age, Mr al Husaini regretted how he had treated his schoolmates. “I was always thinking about the people who don’t have cousins or a big family: how can they defend themselves in this community. When we got older, some people who I had hurt in the past became my friends and I felt ashamed.
“This is why I decided to study the subject.” Mr al Husaini said.
While earning his degree in philosophy at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Mr al Husaini’s research found that levels of violence are higher in the traditional – or Bedouin – areas of Kuwait. He said the older members of the tribes like to recall stories from the past when “fighting over pastures and water was a major part of life”. He believes children are influenced by stories of their ancestors’ heroic – and often violent – deeds.
“This is the way of tribal people; it’s their culture. Some people look at revenge as a way to get dignity. It’s not good to go to a police station and report a complaint against someone who hit you. You have to take your right by your hand,” he said.
The government needs to create an umbrella organisation to outline policies for ministries, schools, sports clubs and families at the same time, he said. The policies should include measures such as withholding marriage certificates until couples complete parenting courses and teaching conflict resolution in schools.
Fatema Ayyad, a professor of clinical psychology at Kuwait University, also questions if the ministry’s committee will achieve the desired effect. She said: “I believe if you want to kill an issue in our world, you should make a committee. It’s a very clear thing: you have to act. These people have salaries and do research and they sit with each other – so what?”

jcalderwood@thenational.ae

LWDLIK- Doesn't need a psychiatrist to see there is something terribly wrong with today's society in Kuwait.
Life is cheap here, no respect for others, greed, racism, arrogance, nepotism, disregard for the law, selfishness.
Please think about these things as Ramadan approaches. Kuwait is my home, my family are Kuwaitis and it pains me to see this country ignore the horrible truths. When I talk to Kuwaitis they say that the West is worse and it is in many cases. But that's not an answer, we need solutions....

Ramadan sales at TSC

Spent all morning yesterday at Salwa Co-op shopping for food bargains and there were many. Only to find that when I got to The Sultan Centre, Wholesale Center, Shuwaikh (to get the rest of my shopping) they also have a sale on the same items as Salwa Co-op but without all the nasty crowds.
WTG TSC you know I love you.. Just wish I'd gone there before tackling Salwa Co-op (not my fav place to be, seems I am the only person in there with manners and shopping trolley etiquette).

These are just a few of the items reduced.

Engrish so hart!

'Trash to Treasure Program' to generate funds to help the less fortunate here at a shelter for distressed, domestic workers in Kuwait..

Nerissa Alford initially became involved with the Trash to Treasure program because of her love for art. She was approached by Cheryl Spessert and asked if she wanted to teach jewelry making skills at a shelter for distressed domestic workers.

She loved the concept behind the program; taking items seen as “disposable” or “throwaway” and using them in functional crafts. Besides teaching crafts they teach life skills including Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and Small Business Seminar basics. In addition they've been able to find guest speakers to lecture on health and diet issues and English as a second language. Teaching these life lessons make this program so unique. I have a chance to make a significant change in someone’s life. They aren’t just providing a handout; it’s a hand up. They are enabling these women with skills and more importantly hope.

Here are a few quotes from some of the past participants;

"It can help me earn my way of living. I can earn money to get extra income, in making rugs, jewelry. What I have learn I teach then other friends, to share my knowledge. I am very happy cause now I return back to my nation, I'm not afraid cause I have ideas how to earn money by using my ability."

"This project took us from hopeless to hopeful."

"It makes us more proficient upon solving and tackling the obstacles that may come to our lives. Now, we're confident enough to face and encounter everything that lies ahead."

With the money these creative women have raised, they have enabled life to be more comfortable for themselves and their community. They have purchased: warm socks for 250 women, over-the-counter medications, items for personal hygiene, postage to mail Christmas letters home, small travel totes for repatriation, fans for the shelter, and metal plates for the kitchen.
They are currently looking for volunteers and donations in many capacities. Their current needs are:
~Old curtains, sheets, and fabric remnants from tailors, especially cotton
~Venues to sell rugs and jewelry made in Trash to Treasure" program
~Person skilled in gardening to help with Philippine Embassy's new Boy Scout sponsored project
~Snacks for 30-40 each Wednesday evening class
~Person to assist with marketing of products made
If you are interested in purchasing our handmade items, BIDA'A ANTIQUES (just north of the SAS Hotel - 256 57819) has a selection of the handmade rugs available. All profits go to Trash to Treasure. You may also contact Cheryl Spessert ckspessert@yahoo.com or Nerissa Alford nerissakbb@hotmail.com to see the complete line of rugs made from recycled fabrics & beaded jewelry made from recycled magazines.

To volunteer with the Trash to Treasure program please contact Cheryl or Nerissa. For general information regarding Operation Hope, please visit the website: www.operation-hope-kuwait.com or email: operationhopekuwait@yahoo.com.

Click on the flyer to enlarge.

For God's sake will the Kuwaiti government here please impose laws to protect these poor ladies.

Asria Samad Abdul is a Filipina domestic helper who was tortured and eventually murdered by her employers in Kuwait in July 2010. According to an Arab Times report her body was found near a horse stables area in Kabad on Thursday, July 15, 2010.

"[The suspect] confessed that she and her husband maltreated the maid on a daily basis. When they feared that the maid would die, they took her in their car to the stables area and crushed her under their vehicle to give an impression that she was run over by a motorist. The woman’s husband also corroborated her confession." Police found out that the woman had earlier maltreated several other housemaids.
This FB group will monitor her case.... [link]

LWDLIK- How the hell did this evil witch ever get another maid? She should have been banned for life. Why is maltreatment of maids here so common? It is considered haram to mistreat, beat, rape, not pay and murder your maid. I know of many decent Kuwaitis who will be outraged at this as it brings shame to the country. Enough is enough. Stronger punishment is called for NOW!

Transvestite Nuisance

Police have arrested four cross-dressers and referred them to the General Department for Criminal Investigation for creating a nuisance inside a public park, reports Al-Anba daily.


According to reports the arrest came when the transvestites entered a public park and began harassing women and young girls. When the park security guards tried to evict the foursome, they beat the guards and  the police were called.


LWDLIK- I'm assuming the trannies had on high heels and carried handbags and yet still managed to beat the park guards. On a serious note I hope the guards weren't hurt - other than their pride.

 

Lawyer Portrays Husband as Victim in Norhaisa Andaw Murder

The sad story here of the killer who stabbed his wife to death. Egyptian guy's lawyer (Egyptian who stabbed his wife to death in salon in Jabriya) is alleging his client is the 'victim' not the criminal.

Say WHAT!!! Seems she left the kids in the Phillipines for their safety and well-being (Norhaisa, the real victim, often had bruises and black eyes so there was a history of abuse) and the lawyer alleges that Norhaisa was having an affair and the combo sent the killer husband into a mad frenzy.

Hang him too whilst there down stringing the others up. There is no excuse for stabbing your wife to death. Or running over and torturing the maid Asria Samad Abdul who was murdered by her Kuwaiti/Egyptian employers.
Join 'Justice for Asria Abdul Samad' Facebook page here [link]

Pls Kuwait JUSTICE for those poor women!! May they rest in peace.

Wataniya/Facebook free ticket competition

The Eternal City QUIZ is here! click on the link, answer the quiz and post it on your wall to win a free ticket!! [link]

WhatsApp Messenger

WhatsApp Messenger is a smartphone messaging app which allows you to exchange messages, photos and short videos with your friends and contacts without having to pay for SMS. WhatsApp Messenger is cross platform and is currently available for iPhone and BlackBerry and yes, iPhones and BlackBerries can message each other too! To send and receive messages, photos and short videos WhatsApp utilizes your existing smartphone internet data plan: 3G/EDGE (or Wi-Fi when available). http://www.whatsapp.com/ available for $0.99. Woohooo..

Contributing writers needed..

American Business Council is looking for contributing writers for The Correspondent Magazine. Sections include: Interviews, Volunteering, Americana , Kuwait, Travel, Special Events, Special Features - law, education, health, etc. They do NOT pay, but good exposure. Contact: americanbusinesscouncil@gmail.com
Check ABC out on their website [link]

This could keep someone very busy and look great on their CV.

Thanks Desertgirl Kuwait.

UPDATE:
The Deadline to submit any articles or advertisements would be Monday, July 26th, 2010.
Interviews - they will send you 7 or 8 questions to be answered, let us know if you are interested, 2 pages with pictures.
Volunteer section - tell them about any reputable volunteer organization in Kuwait (one to 2 pages, complete with pictures, ie: Girl Scouts)
Americana section - one or 2 pages in pictures, short essay about your area of the USA (poetry also accepted).
Kuwait section - some significant area, building, or ministry in Kuwait - one or 2 pages with pictures.
Travel section - anywhere in the world - one or 2 pages complete with pictures.
Special Events - any special event in your business and//or organization - one or 2 pages complete with pictures.
Special Features - law, education, health, etc - one or 2 pages, complete with pictures.
Note: Articles will be free of charge (no payment to authors).
They will be distributing it to a wide range of readers which would include Ministries, Kwt Oil companies, Embassies, Banks, Schools, Hospitals, Hotels, US companies, Kuwaiti Companies, etc.

Thumbs Up Kuwait!

Since starting this blog I have seen a distinct rise in fun stuff to do here in Kuwait, for all ages. One of my constant moans 'used' to be that there isn't enough for the kids to do hence they get up to mischief instead. You know idle hands, blah, blah.
Now there are so many companies hiring teenagers through the summer school holidays (even though there is a recession and no customers here). Loyac has summer programmes. P2BK has a great website encouraging youth to try their hand at small businesses. NBK has teenager accounts offering discounts for their fav stores and special offers for the cinema. Loads of great fun stuff for teenagers to do. Ok you want a list here goes; paintballing, rock-climbing, movies on 1/2 price Mondays, football pitches everywhere, The Scientific Centre, Dar Al Athar, AWARE Centre, swimming, jet skiing, beach, soap football, rugby, netball, snooker, drama classes, tap, ballet, cooking, art, speech, languages, music classes, and the list goes on....Of course the fav is mall trawling (in just about any country you go to) and there are plenty of malls here. But thank you Kuwait for extra security (male and female police officers) to stop any craziness from kicking off.

The thumbs up sign originated in ancient Rome and was used by the spectators to decide on the fate of the gladiators however according to Wikipedia it is not sure whether thumbs up was for the gladiator to be put to death or to be allowed to live.

Jazeera increases baggage allowance to 40kgs :O)

Click to enlarge then click to zoom

RUGBY ANYONE?

Click on image to enlarge

Cute idea for Ramadan

As a lover of all things cute and sweet to eat this has to be a fav of mine, so far.. You could buy only one as a centre piece and surround it with Ramadan sweets. Or if you have loads of money you could send a whole tray full to all of your friends :OD These are KD 5 each.
Baked With Love tel # 65650448
Facebook page [link] with pics of their other goodies.

Proposal to strip nationality of ‘divorced’ women’s kids

 The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour has asked the Ministry of Interior to give its views on the recommendations issued by the UN Human Rights Committee, obliging Kuwait to abide by the international conventions to protect its domestic workers, and include them in the private sector labour law Number 6/2010, reports Al-Qabas daily.
The General Administration for Citizenship and Passports Affairs is studying a proposal to withdraw the Kuwaiti nationality from children of divorced women breaching the law by going back to their non-Kuwaiti husbands, reported Al Watan daily.
The study is being supervised by the General Manager of Public Administration for Nationality and Passports, Major General Sheikh Faisal Al Nawaf and legal experts. The move came after the officials found out that many Kuwaiti women who were legally divorced with their Arab and GCC-national husbands in the interests of their children have secretly returned to their husbands through marriage contracts signed in neighbouring countries, while others are married in secret.
The proposal, if completed, will be submitted to the Minister of Interior, which will then be presented to the National Assembly for approval, to pave the way for the citizenship to be stripped from those children.

LWDLIK- I have a problem with this especially as it is really unfair and was beneath a column regarding UN Human Rights suggestions on page 2, Arab Times, Monday, July 19, 2010.....DUH! Surely if the mother decides to return to her husband or even if it was pre-arranged the kids should retain their Kuwaiti nationality.

Hamas bans women from smoking water pipes in cafes

By IBRAHIM BARZAK, Associated Press Writer.

Gaza's Hamas rulers have banned women from smoking water pipes in cafes, calling it a practice that destroys marriages and sullies the image of the Palestinian people.
The ban marks the Islamist militant group's latest effort to impose their harsh Muslim lifestyle in the seaside strip on an often resistant public.
While Muslim law does not technically ban women from smoking the traditional tobacco-infused pipes, tradition frowns upon the habit. Hamas frequently mixes its strict interpretation of Islamic law with conservative Gaza tradition, and over the weekend, the two dovetailed to produce the smoking ban.
"It is inappropriate for a woman to sit cross-legged and smoke in public. It harms the image of our people," Ihab Ghussein, Hamas interior ministry spokesman, said in a statement released Sunday.
"Many women who smoke in public were divorced when their husbands saw them, or found out about them," said Hamas police spokesman, Ayman Batneiji, without substantiating his claim.
The ban was handed down by plainclothes security officials who marched through a strip of popular cafes by Gaza's seashore over the weekend, ordering owners not to serve water pipes to female customers.
Confused owners initially thought the ban applied to both men and women, killing most of their evening business. The Hamas government swiftly issued a statement reassuring residents the ban only applied to women.
Smoking water pipes is a popular habit among both sexes in the impoverished Gaza Strip. Although it is considered culturally inappropriate for women to be seen smoking them in public, some middle-class ladies smoke the pipes openly, often in mixed company. Even more conservative women can be seen taking an occasional puff of their husbands' water pipes.
"This is silly," fumed Haya Ahmed, a 29-year-old accountant who said she has smoked water pipes for 10 years. "We are not smoking in the streets but in restaurants where only a few people can enter."
She predicted the ban would have the opposite effect of its intention and make water pipes more tempting for rebellious young women. "Everything forbidden becomes desirable. The decision will lead to more smokers," Ahmed said.
Many Palestinians see the water pipe as inappropriate for women because of its sexual innuendo, and because it looks crass for ladies to smoke, said Palestinian anthropologist Ali Qleibo.
It is not clear how strict Hamas will be in enforcing the ban.
Many residents are deeply sensitive to any effort by Hamas to infringe on the few forms of entertainment available to Gaza's 1.5 million people. For three years, they have lived under an Israeli and Egyptian blockade that has penned them into the tiny coastal territory. Many Gazans pile into beach cafes in the evenings to puff on water pipes well into the early hours.
A cafe and restaurant union representative in Gaza, Ayman Abu Khair, estimated the ban would cost cafe owners some 10 percent of their income. He said owners were not warned before Hamas police barged into their establishments Friday night issuing the verbal order. Abu Khair said the union hoped to challenge the ruling.
The militant group has backed down in the past when it senses resistance to its harsh rules. A ban on men working in female hair salons was never enforced, and a demand that female lawyers cover their hair before they enter courtrooms was quietly rescinded.
But Hamas has successfully banned women from riding motorbikes, arguing it was culturally inappropriate. It also instructed teachers to pressure teenage girls to cover up in long, loose robes and headscarves. Last year the group cracked down on Gaza's tiny number of moonshiners and banned foreigners from bringing alcohol into the blockaded territory.
For Ahmed, the ban has been a damper. "I smoked (in public) with my family around," she said. "Now, I will smoke at home.

Drunk Australian hospitalized after attempting to sit on the back of Fatso the crocodile

A 36-year-old drunk Australian man was hospitalized after he decided to hop on the back of a 16-foot crocodile named Fatso.
The man, whose name was not released, had just been thrown out of a nearby bar for being too drunk. He jumped over a barbed-wire fence and trespassed on Broome Crocodile Park in northwest Australia. The man told authorities he wanted to pet Fatso.
"He has attempted to sit on its back, and the croc has taken offense to that and has spun around and bit him on the right leg," said Broome Police Sgt. Roger Haynes.
The Aussie suffered lacerations to his right leg but managed to climb back over the fence and call for help.
According to the BBC, the bleeding man stumbled back to the bar. The bar's manager, Mark Phillips, said the man still had pieces of bark from trees hanging off of him. He received dozens of stitches on his leg.
Malcolm Douglas, owner of the croc park, said Fatso probably would have killed the man if the weather had been warmer.
"Fatso was a bit more sluggish than normal due to the cooler nights we have been experiencing in Broome," Douglas said.
The world's largest reptile, Saltwater crocodiles like Fatso can grow up to 23 feet. Authorities said the man was lucky he was able to walk away from the pen, which Fatso shared with two female crocodiles.
"Saltwater crocodiles ... once they get hold of you, are not renowned for letting you go," Haynes said. "He's lucky to have escaped with his life

LWDLIK- Another reason to stop drinking. I bet the Aussies name a drink after him. Something like 'Blinking Idiot' would be a good name :OD

Missing in The US Teenage Kuwaiti girl Eman

The North Platte Telegraph

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert for a missing 15-year-old female teenager who Florida authorities say may be in or heading to North Platte.
According to Lincoln County Chief Deputy Sheriff Dean Sparks, Eman Mohammad Alsayegh, a Kuwaiti national, and her family were vacationing in Kissimmee, Fla., at the time of her disappearance. The family left the location where they were staying, leaving Eman at the residence alone.
Upon returning, the teenager was gone.
Florida investigators tracked the young girl to a bus station where they learned that Eman had purchased a bus ticket to Omaha, requesting a transfer to North Platte. Employees at the bus station told authorities that Eman had said she had family in North Platte, but the family told investigators that they have neither friends nor family anywhere in the United States.
Sparks said there is great concern over the young girl’s disappearance because it is feared that Eman is traveling to North Platte after having met someone over the Internet and police think that she is coming to North Platte to meet with whoever it was she had been speaking with online.
If you see her or know anything you can call 911 in the US.

LWDLIK update- Great news she has been found and reunited with her family :OD

SALE at Pottery Barn Kids in Avenues

I just bought some amazing stuff at fantastic prices at Pottery Barn Kids ...sadly my husband kept calling me from the car to hurry up so I'll have to go back again soon for a good look around. I got a beautiful quilt for my daughter's bed for KD 9 (reduced from KD 37) and matching pillowcase for KD 1.250 (can't remember original price).

They also have a super cute book club for kids that will be every Monday at 11am. Have signed up my daughter and hope they'll be lots of interest from other kids to keep it going.

The Saudi Fashion Designer Everyone's Talking About..

Mohammed Ashi

Email ashistudio@gmail.com or visit his website [link] -ok site is still under construction I'm betting it will be up and running very soon but if you are really smitten you can call +961 70 623771 or +961 1 381 987

'What you need to know about the Kuwaiti Law' presented by Walid Al-Kaaki

Everyone living and working in Kuwait must observe the laws and try to secure his/her rights by fulfilling his/her duties first. Since the laws are legislated to protect the rights of people and institutions, being aware of them is vital and helpful. It should also be understood that some laws are different from country to country; even if you are a law expert in your own country, you will definitely need some information about the Kuwaiti Laws. In his 25-minute-presentation, Walid Al-Kaaki, a lawyer himself, will paint a clear picture about the legal environment in Kuwait and will provide attendees with valuable pieces of advice for them to run their personal and professional life efficiently here in Kuwait. AWARE Center on July 20th, 2010 at 7PM.
All are welcome. More info tel. 25335280 or www.aware.com.kw/
AWARE Centre, villa 84, Surra street, block 3, Surra, Kuwait.

Despicable Me

At the movies this week. For full screen version click on pic.
For timings and locations [link]

LWDLIK- Fortunately my daughter hates 3D which means we go on 1/2 price Mondays. Saw this movie this week and it was a fun movie to see with a kid.
Please don't go to Muhallab on a Monday around 3PM to watch a movie, people were in and out all the way thro the movie. One family of four (not really a family 2 kids and 2 maids) came in 10 minutes before the end and then wanted  their seats from the people 2 rows in front of us. Pls KNCC do not allow people entry 20 mins after movie starts. I know with kids a pee-pee/popcorn break might be necessary but for those who just turn up more than half way thro should be refused entry.
IMHO ;O)

Dinner on The Sultan Centre

Tried this today you'll need your civil ID and card holder has to go in person to collect the vouchers. We used ours at Ruby Tuesdays for lunch with no problem at all. Got two more left :O) Restaurants include Chi-Chi's, Wasabi, Ruby Tuesdays and a few more.

Nails 2 U Mobile Manicurists :OD

Good idea for a girls night or a lazy pyjama weekend treat :OD They do massages as well.
Click to enlarge pic below.
Their website for more details, prices, services [link]

Storysacks in Kuwait

Recently got an email from Hazel who is a teacher at KES and makes storysacks. What are they? Storysacks are large cloth bags containing a good quality storybook and supporting material. They are a valuable learning tool for primary age students and the children just love them!















Locally found books, toys, games and a variety of supporting material to create fun, fully interactive multi-sensory educational sacks. She frequently use her sacks to make lessons more interesting.
Storysacks are available in school catalogues in the UK for around 100 pounds, plus shipping.
Her story bags are just KD20 each.
They contain enough activities for two weeks and usually consist of:
> One fabric draw-string bag
> One fiction book
> One non-fiction book
> One large set of toys (soft)
> One small set of toys (plastic)
> One fabric/card play mat or background
> One wooden jigsaw/puzzle
> Flash cards
> Folders with activities relating to the 6 areas of learning
> CD with powerpoint/interactive whiteboard activities and worksheet masters
> Stickers, stencils/cutters/stamps/etc – supportive material
> Costumes are extra at KD5 each

Call 99550992 or e-mail address hazeq8@yahoo.com

The following sacks are available:
Rainforest (frog, gorilla, lemur/ monkey, macaw, tiger, snake.)
Savanna (bison, hippo, cheetah, elephant, giraffe, rhino, zebra)
Polar regions (polar bear, penguin, husky, seal, walrus, whale, )
Woodland Animals (mole, squirrel, raccoon, brown bear, rabbit, deer)
Nocturnal animals (fox, hedgehog, owl, bat, badger, mouse)
Reptiles and Amphibians -with live amphibians (includes frog life cycle)
Desert (camel, scorpion, lizard, snake, beetle, tortoise )
Birds (flamingo, parrot, ostrich, gull, duck, penguin)
Old Macdonald’s Farm (horse, cow, sheep, goat, pig, duck, chicken, On the Farm boxed board game/jigsaw)
Under the Sea (octopus, fish, shark, crab, starfish, turtle, sting ray)
Dinosaurs (Large hard board book containing play mat and plastic toys.
A large amount of supporting material great for dinosaur museum role play -including large soft and small plastic toy dinosaurs, jigsaws with sound, colourng books, stickers).
Pets (dog, cat, fish, bird, rabbit, hamster, wooden jigsaw)

Traditional tales:
Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Little Red Riding Hood (Red Riding Hood material sack)
The Three Little Pigs (pig puppets and non fiction book "The Pig", soft toy small world)
The Gingerbread Man (Gingerbread man sack, puppets)
The Little Red Hen (version with pig, dog, mouse, mill and plastic background. Wooden play bread making set)
Chicken Little (large hard back book, chicken, rooster, hen, chick, goose - soft toys and plastic set)
Owl Babies (Owl sack, hard back book, quality mother owl and owlets with sound )
Elmer Elmer material sack, hard book "Elmer's day".
Pirates pirate material sack, large floor jig saw, felt board

Mini beasts:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar (book and caterpillar from Early Learning Centre plus non fiction Butterfly Life Cycle)
Ladybirds Ladybird sack, paperback book, 6 folders of math based activities
Spiders
Beetles

Australia (Koala, kangaroo, ostrich, anteater, kiwi, metal cutters, ideas for aboriginal artwork, boomerang and didgeridoo)
England current or past - London bus, telephone box, black taxi, beefeaters, knights and castles.
Egypt hieroglyphs, pyramids and mummies topic work
America black bear, bison, bat, eagle, deer, prairie dog, manatee, crocodile

Local trip sacks (great role play ideas)
Circus
Fire station
Stables
Aquarium
Zoo

Beach Fun includes lunch

*** 21/9/2010 Pls call ahead first there's rumour it will be cancelled due to lack of license issuance from MOI
 

The People Have Spoken Al Fadala is FREE!

This is great news that Khaled is now free, so very proud of Khaled Al Fadala and his supporters.

A few days ago Khaled Al Fadala Secretary General of the National Democratic Alliance, proudly accepting his unjust sentence.

Democracy. Your Voice. Your Photo.

[link]

LWDLIK- In my humble opinion there is great material here in Kuwait.

McDelivery is here!

So far it's only the above area. Remember breakfast from 6:00 am until 11:00 am. Delivery only to neighbouring banks, offices and my apartment in Bneid Al Gar (Inshalla :O) Would solve my problem of never getting there on time for breakfast. Although I have noticed that the Gulf Road/Shaab branch are a bit more lenient than other branches.

October 2010 events in brief

1- Indian Fiesta at Doha Entertainment City 5PM-1AM
1- Breast Cancer Awareness month lighting up the Kuwait Towers with a pink ribbon 7PM
5-7 Photographer Aseel Al Yaqoub's 'Teddy On The Go' exhibition at Sultan Gallery
6-9 Babes in the Wood Pantomime auditions at KLT
6-7 DAI Children's workshop open house for kids aged between 6-18 at Al-Americani Centre (next to National Assembly Building in Kuwait City) on Oct 6th from 4PM-7.30PM and Oct 7th from 1.30PM-5PM.
7- Masquerade Rugby Ball
12- Lecture Islamic Motifs in the Al-Sabah Collection of Art from the Islamic World 7PM at Sadu House
13- A book club is scheduled for 7PM on Oct 13th at DAI, Al Maidan Cultural Centre. The book being reviewed will be 'Reading Lolita in Tehran'. 
13-23 Book Fair at Mishref Fairgrounds
13- Madame Butterfly at Movenpick Bida'a at 7PM
14- Madame Butterfly at Movenpick Bida'a at 7PM
14-16 Talent Show at 360 Mall
19-Nov 4th Artist Jowhara Al Saud's exhibition 'Your Friends and Neighbors' at Sultan Gallery
20-Mad Musicals at KLT
21-Mad Musicals at KLT, Les Miserables at BSK
22-Mad Musicals at KLT, PAWS Puppy Ball, Les Miserables at BSK
23- Free reiki sessions at Al-Zuhair Holistic Medicine Centre call for appointment
23- Les Miserables at BSK
26-28 'Visual Pollution in the Middle East' Event/Exhibition at GUST
28- Halloween party for kids at Little Gym from 5:00 - 7:00PM
28- Blues BBQ on roof of Manshar Rotana 8PM
28- Kuwait Open World Class Squash Tournament at Green Island, Shaab, until 2 November
29- Flying Start Triathlon starts from Marina beach, Les Miserables at BSK
30- Les Miserables at BSK

September 2010 events in brief

10- Eid
12- Eid Open House at AWARE Center in Surra 6-8pm,
24- Beach Fun Day includes lunch at Hilton Resort (Pls call ahead first there's rumour it will be cancelled due to lack of license issuance from MOI
24-9 Oct. JAM Session: America’s Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World a photo exhibition
26- Religious Pluralism Lecture at AWARE Center at 7:00pm
28- Out of order!  A comedy at Kuwait Little Theatre, Ahmadi- until October 1st
29- Pecha Kucha Night at 7:30pm - 9:30pm

August 2010 events in brief

9- Viva/Facebook Recipe Competition until Sep 8th
11- Ramadan starts
17- WhiTe Expo at 360 Mall 8PM
19- WhiTe Expo at 360 Mall 8PM
20- WhiTe Expo at 360 Mall 8PM
24- Flex Squash Tournament starts 8PM

The People of Walmart!

Thank you Abdul Latif

The Finest Supplier of Meats..Oh yes and it's a gourmet delicatessen too..

[link]

Australian Wagyu (400 day grain fed, succulent beef) is food of the Gods. Seriously, it's expensive (KD 29.750 per kg) but sooo worth it. Easy to cook and tastes DIVINE.

The secret is to have it salt, peppered and flash fried so it's a little brown on the outside and rare to pink on the inside. NEVER, EVER, EVER over cook it!!!! I also like to let it marinate for a few minutes in a teaspoon of soya, a little honey 1/2 tsp, and a little black pepper. YUM!

The link is above for website and includes details of meats, other products and location of Prime Cuts. Let me know what you think.

Facebook special:
Dear Prime Cuts fans, Wagyu Burgers on special offer 30% off for World Cup month. Call now @ 25754758 and get the tastiest burger in kuwait!
Here's their FB page to keep up to date with their offers and newest arrivals [link]

Yummy, healthy, easy breakfast

A friend of mine just gave me this recipe for a very healthy breakfast she got it from her personal trainer (I want one of those too).
Blend some fruits, yoghurt (like a smoothy) and a few almonds and walnuts now pour it over some oats (I hear Al Ali are better and less processed, more natural than Quakers) leave it to soak up the smoothy for 5 mins and then eat. It's really good and very healthy :O)

LWDLIK-Note to self: To take pic of above breakfast before finishing it next time.

Iran stoning sentence for adultery draws outrage

This undated image made available by Amnesty International in London, Thursday July 8, 2010, shows Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a mother of two who is facing the punishment of stoning to death in Iran, on charges of adultery. Britain's Foreign Minister William Hague has called on the Iranian government to prevent the stoning of Ashtiani, 43 - a call that has already been endorsed by congressmen, diplomats, and rights activists on both sides of the Atlantic. Protests are reportedly planned in front of the Iranian Embassy over the weekend.

The case of an Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning drew international outrage after her lawyer's blog posts sparked a global campaign to save her life, and British media reported late Thursday that the stoning would not occur.

The Iranian Embassy in London said that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani would no longer face death by stoning, according to Channel 4 News and The Guardian newspaper. A message seeking comment from the embassy was not immediately returned, and it was not immediately clear if Ashtiani still faced death by other means.

"According to information from the relevant judicial authorities in Iran, she will not be executed by stoning punishment," the embassy said in the statement reported by Channel 4 News and The Guardian.

Ashtiani's face, framed in a black chador, stared from the front page of The Times of London on Thursday, while The Guardian carried an interview with Ashtiani's children — 22-year-old Sajad and 17-year-old Farideh — who described the sentence as a nightmare. Protests are planned in front of the Iranian Embassy over the weekend.

Stoning is a "medieval punishment which has no role in the modern world," British Foreign Secretary William Hague told reporters Thursday. "If the punishment is carried out, it will disgust and appall the watching world," Hague said in a media conference with Turkey's foreign minister Ahmet Davutoglu in London.
He appealed to Tehran to halt the planned execution.

Celebrities including Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, and Robert Redford have already signed on to the campaign to push for her release, according to The Times, which also quoted U.S. Senator John Kerry and Howard Berman, the chairman of the House of Representatives' Foreign Affairs Committee, as expressing their disgust at the sentence.

Even Lindsay Lohan publicized the case, becoming one of hundreds of Twitter users rallying the online world to Ashtiani's defense.

Under Iran's Islamic laws, adultery is the only capital offense punishable by stoning. A man is usually buried up to his waist, while a woman is buried up to her neck. Those carrying out the verdict then pelt the convict with stones until he or she dies.

Stoning was widely imposed in the years following the revolution, and even though Iran's judiciary still regularly hands down such sentences, they are often converted to fines. The last known stoning was carried out in 2008, although the government rarely confirms that such punishments have been meted out.

"It's possible that the numbers are much higher than has been reported," said Faraz Sanei, an Iran researcher at Human Rights Watch, one of several groups publicizing Ashtiani's case.

The rights group said she was first convicted in May of 2006 of having an "illicit relationship" with two men following the death of her husband — for which a court in Tabriz, in northwestern Iran, sentenced her to 99 lashes. But later that year she was also convicted of adultery, despite having retracted a confession which she claims was made under duress.

That Ashtiani's plight has received unusually wide play might be attributable to the determined work of Germany-based activist Mina Ahadi as well as to the Internet savvy of Ashtiani's lawyer, Mohammad Mostafaei, a prolific blogger, Sanei said.

In one of his recent posts, Mostafaei warned that his client could be executed at any time without notice, Sanei said.

Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, told reporters in the British capital that his country would raise the issue with Iran.

By RAPHAEL G. SATTER Associated Press Writer © 2010 The Associated Press


LWDLIK- If you would like to sign a petition to try to help free Sakineh you can do so [link].

Freedom of Speech is not Free!

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information today expressed dismay at the ruling of the misdemeanor court in Kuwait issued on 30/6/2010 sentencing Khaled AlFadala, secretary-general of the National Democratic Alliance to three months and a fine of KD150, on the background of the case filed by the Kuwaiti Prime Minister in which he accused AlFadala of insult and libel.

In January 2009  the public prosecutor charged Khaled AlFadala of expressing contempt to a public official against the backdrop of the communiqué submitted by the Prime Minister. In November 2009, AlFadala made a speech in a public piazza entitled ” Go , we deserve better”  in which he criticized the PM's performance as well as the political corruption in Kuwait.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said, “It is unacceptable that the Kuwaiti Prime Minister Nasser AlMohammad – member of the royal family in Kuwait – turns to be the prime cause of imprisonment of journalists and activists. No sooner had the court provisionally released the writer Mohammed AlJassim for a hearing scheduled September, 2010; until AlFadala was sentenced to three months imprisonment, as well as fining the writer and MP Mohammed Hayef AlMutairi KD 3,000 in March 2010 for the same reason, criticizing the prime minister”.

The Arabic Network considers that the increasing trend of abusing journalists and activists recently in Kuwait , raises concerns about the future of freedom of expression and democracy in this country which was in the near past a role model to its neighbors Gulf states.