Ramadan Mubarak

May this month be showered with blessings.
Wishing you a peaceful, positive Ramadan.

Mexican Ferry Crossing - Hold your breath whilst watching this one..

Thanks Kathy :O) Reminds me of the old adage 'where there's a will, there's a way.' No matter how crazy the way is.

A unique Ramadan experience at the JW Marriott Kuwait Hotel

The JW Marriott Kuwait Hotel announced today it has launched series of festivities and special offers to celebrate the Holy month of Ramadan this year. Layaly JW Marriott El Ramadiniya offers all diners a lavish Iftar and Sohour buffet in an exquisite and large indoor Ramadan tent located at the Al Jahra Ballroom on the first floor sponsored by Al Zayani “London Taxi”, Tanagra, Zain, Etihad Airways, Home Selection, IKEA, Hassan’s optics, Damas Jewelery , Kuwait Airways, Morad Yousuf Behbehani, Kefan Optics and Joyalukkas Jewelry. Complete with rich drapery, comfortable cushions and seating, the ambience of the magnificent tent reflects the warmth and generosity of the true spirit of Ramadan in addition to private tents for families.

For KD 10 per person for the Iftar & Sohour buffet, diners can begin by breaking their fast with delicious dates and laban followed by tantalizing cuisine. The Iftar buffet serves more than 50 varieties of International food including Kuwaiti, Egyptian and Lebanese specialties. Subject to 15% service charge. The Iftar and Sohour buffet features various live cooking stations serving pasta, Saj, Shawerma, foul medames and the traditional Lamb Ouzi, a favorite dish on the buffet. A special cart featuring various nuts and preserved fruits including dates will be featured accompanied by traditional Arabic decorations and chandeliers.

During Sohour, diners will have the opportunity to listen to Authentic Arabic live music, watch their favorite Ramadan shows on large screens featured on Al Rai TV while enjoying shisha of different flavors. There will be also weekly raffle draws on gifts and airline tickets.

Everyone enjoys home cooked meal , our chefs have prepared delicious starters along with main dishes featuring International Cuisines including Mutton Briyani; Chicken Mouloukhya; Fish Sayadia; Oriental Mixed Grill; Lamb Harres; Beef Stew with Black Olives; Celery Pilaf Rice; Fareed Lamb; Whole Fish Hara Sauce; Shish Barak; Lamb Bamia; Kofta Bilsinaya; Tomato Rice and Roast Beef with Roasted Potatoes.

Complete your meal with Arabic sweets and desserts such as Mixed Baklawa; Cheese Kunafa; Um Ali; Halawa Bil Jibin and Kellaj. Also, don’t miss out on the French pastries and Blueberry Cheese cake along with Ramadan juices including Jalab, Kamaraldin & Tamarindi.

There are also special offers for groups of 25 or more for only KD6.5 per person also 1 person to dine free of charge for every 10 people and free parking for groups above 10.

Guests can enjoy further special discounts by utilizing their Executive Dining Card.

Prior reservation is required. For reservations, please call +965 97202823 or +965 22455550.

With thanks to http://www.albawaba.com/ .

In Memory of Layla Lloyd

Tragic news Layla died in a car crash in Qatar, last week. Layla worked as a hairdresser at Strands, Kuwait before moving to Qatar. She was too young to die. So sad. May she rest in peace.

A fitting tribute on my FB page from her dear friends at Strands..

"Layla, may you DAZZLE and DANCE amongst the stars above. You will be missed but never forgotten." Strands salon & Nail bar Kuwait...x

Pack-A-Bag Campaign

From Just Noon blog..

"Dear bloggers and silent readers, it's time to pack your bags, but this time it's not for you, you're not going anywhere - but your bag is.

“Pack-A-Bag” campaign has no rules, it's not based on an organization nor a group, you don’t have to stick with a certain organization, all you have to do is pack an old bag that you don’t need anymore and pack it with clothes, shoes, accessories, toys and whatever you think is suitable for donating and send it to whoever you think needs it the most. your maid, tea boy, cleaning lady at work, poor people around you like a neighbour, or maybe you can send them to africa or refugee camps.

It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are, which country you're from, there are no rules or restrictions to this campaign, so whoever you think needs it the most, just donate it to them.

This campaign starts in Kuwait and hopefully will reach the rest of the world, so I'm calling all bloggers, readers and 'charity enthusiasts' to help me spread the word."

Just Noon would also LOVE if you all send her pics of the bags you pack with your names or nicknames to share them on her blog please email her your bag pictures (one picture each) hajrious_@hotmail.com.

LWDLIK- WTG people! Great idea. Will be doing this when I get back from holiday. 

Octium Jewelry Showcases Azza Fahmy Designs and Chiswa Kaftans

Azza Fahmy Jewelry & Chiswa Kaftans at Octium Boutique, 360 Mall. 

Octium is delighted to invite you to their pre-Ramadhan event showcasing a great collection from the renowned jeweler "Azza Fahmy" and the most elegant kaftans from "Chiswa." 

Wednesday, July 27- Friday, July 29 from 10 am-10 pm.

Perfect Ramadan pieces.

To view more exquisite jewelry from Octium http://www.octiumjewelry.com/.

Aqua-Tots Swim School, Khaldeya

Aqua-Tots, Khaldeya, block 2, Plot 2, Ferdous St. Great News! Aqua-Tots is now in Kuwait. Call to reserve your child's lessons at +(965) 60027711. Pre-register online to reserve a place or give us a call for more details.

List of Ramadan Exhibitions 2011

Ramadan is right around the corner and here is a list of the Ramadan exhibitions going on in Kuwait to help you stock up on food, fashion, gifts and all other frills of the season.

BUZZART Summer Festival - Kuwait

July 5th-August 30th
FA Gallery – Sharq, Gulf Road, Next to Al Amiri Hospital

Contact: 22498999

Azza Fahmy & Chiswa Kaftans at Octium - Kuwait

July 27th- July 29th from 10 am - 10 pm

Octium Boutique, 1st floor, 360 Mall

Pre-Ramadhan event showcasing a great collection from the renowned jeweler "Azza Fahmy" and the most elegant kaftans from "Chiswa."

Contact : 25309888  

Graish Expo - Kuwait
July 28th-30th
Safir International Hotel, Bneid Al Qar

Contact: 66221132

Krazy Kollection Exhibition - Kuwait
July 23rd-29th from 12-9 pm

West Mishref, Mubarak Al Abdullah Al Jaber Area, Block 3, Street 316,

Villa 2, Basement

Contact: 99788018

Kuwait 3zna - Kuwait
July 28th-30th from 5-10 pm
The Regency Kuwait Hotel & Resort, Al Bida’a
Contact: 66899600

Qahwat Kuwaitiyat Exhibition - Kuwait
August 19th-22nd from 8-11.30 pm
The Regency Kuwait Hotel & Resort, Al Bida’a
Contact: 97232591 / 96622658

Ramadan Exhibit at 52 Degrees - Kuwait

July 19th-26th
52 Degrees, Tilal Complex

Ramadan Food and Kitchenware Exhibition - Kuwait
July 17th-29th
Mishref Fair Grounds – Hall 4

TirTir Designs Exhibition of Dara’as - Kuwait
July 26th from 11 am – 10 pm
Sheraton Hotel – Golden Ballroom

WE Ramadan Expo - Kuwait

August 11th-13th from 7.30pm – 12.30am
Movenpick Hotel & Convention Centre, Free Trade Zone

Contact: 60603333

White Expo at Om Kathoum Hall, 360 Mall

August 8th-10th from 8.30pm

With thanks to Pinky Flowra and http://www.socialslave.com/ added a few more I found.

National Bank of Kuwait Launches its Annual Social Programme for Ramadan

Supporting its social responsibility program on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, National Bank of Kuwait will launch a series of activities and events aimed at encouraging community engagement and solidarity and charity in Kuwait.

By 'Doing Good Deeds' NBK hopes to encourage a greater sense of community and charity during Ramadan and encourages its customers and staff to participate by 'doing good deeds' all month long.

NBK Executive Manager Public Relations & Advertising Manal Al Mattar said that NBK will ramp up its charitable activities, as a good corporate citizen of Kuwait. Its programs this coming month will include providing various institutions with financial and moral support along with conducting regular visits to the underprivileged sections of our society such as elders, orphans and special needs people. "NBK believes in the power of doing good. We like the idea of paying it forward, doing good for someone and seeing it benefit society as a whole." Al Mattar added.

NBK Fast-Breaking Banquets

Al Mattar added that the most important initiative within NBK Ramadan Social Program is hosting fast-breaking banquets which has become a tradition observed annually within the "Do Good Deeds in Ramadan" philanthropic drive initiated by NBK 18 years ago.

The Iftar banquets (which are free of charge) will be held in two main locations; near the Grand Mosque and next to Salmiya Cinema. Fast-breaking will also be offered at various mosques and other locations throughout Kuwait. NBK will also distribute Iftar meals via special convoys that will tour the more crowded areas in the country.

NBK Volunteers

"NBK staff volunteers who will manage and supervise the fast-breaking banquets have already finalized all necessary arrangements for Ramadan tents to receive fasting people on the eve of first day of Ramadan," Al Mattar said.

Social Media Activities

Al Mattar added that NBK Ramadan Social Program will also include daily competitions and valued prizes through the official social media channels of NBK in Facebook & Twitter, in addition to daily Ramadan tips.

Social visits to the houses of orphans & special needs people

The NBK Ramadan Social Program will also include several visits by NBK's Public Relations personnel and NBK staff volunteers to NBK Children's Hospital, the houses of the elderly, orphans and special needs people as well as the family nursery and the distribution of Gerge'an throughout NBK's branch network.

LWDLIK - One of my most favourite things about Ramadan are the free iftars for the poorer members of the society. Here's a thought; why not the whole year? How awesome would that be! If the government and large corporations chipped in. Just like soup kitchens and churches in other parts of the world.

My biggest gripe during Ramadan is the crazy driving around iftar time.

.

Amy Winehouse RIP

Died today in her home of a drug overdose. Sad but inevitable news. Such a talent, will always remember her in her heyday.

Norway Attacks by Norwegian 32-year-old Anders Behring Breivik

Like many I've been watching the news on the Oslo bombing and the Utoya Island youth camp shooting today. It is a horrendous act of murder. I can't even imagine how scared those kids were. Some even tried to swim in the freezing sea to get away from the island and the shooter.

They have caught the person who did the shooting. Apparently he is blonde, 1.9 metres tall and spoke Norwegian. (According to Sky News).

My heart goes out to the loved ones of the deceased and the injured people in Norway.

Update-

At Least 80 Dead In Norway After Gunman Goes On Rampage At Youth Camp 

Norwegian police confirm that at least 80 people were killed on the island of Utoya today, after a gunman went on a rampage targeting young members of the incumbent Labor Party, who were there for a summer camp.

Initial reports indicated that approximately 10 people had been killed on the island, in addition to seven people who were killed in a massive bomb explosion in Oslo.

22 people are being treated for serious injuries as a result of the bomb.

The AP reports that Norwegian police director Oystein Maeland told reporters early Saturday they had discovered many more victims.

"It's taken time to search the area. What we know now is that we can say that there are at least 80 killed at Utoya."

The alleged shooter has been identified as 32-year-old Anders Behring Breivik and police officials are saying he appears to have acted alone: "It seems like that this is not linked to any international terrorist organizations at all."

The NYT says he has been "characterized by officials as a right-wing extremist."

25% off Alshaya Restaurants with NBK Credit Cards

Animal Awareness Event - PAWS & LoYAC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, July 27 · 4:00pm - 10:00pm

Location 360 Mall Kuwait
LoYAC & PAWS will be conducting and promoting PAWS Human Educational Program

•Promoting International Homeless Animals’ Day 2011 on Aug 20, 2011

•Promoting Animal Care activities

•Awareness AND promotion of Adoption and Volunteering at PAWS

•Students will be undertaking a survey for their research.

•Movie on PAWS operation and International Homeless Animals’ Day will be broadcasted on Kuwait TV (Time is not defined yet).

Craziest Penalty Kick Ever and The Worst Goalkeeping

The United Arab Emirates crushed Lebanon 6-2 in a friendly on Sunday. So maybe in an effort to make things interesting or maybe just because he simply does not conform to acceptable standards of penalty kicks, the U.A.E.'s Awana Diab decided to attempt an absolutely ridiculous penalty. And it worked.

Diab's setup seemed like any other for a penalty, but as he ran up to the ball, he stopped, turned around and backheeled it towards the goal. Stunned by the audacity, madness and nerve it takes to try and score a penalty with your back to the goal, the keeper just stood and watched as the ball trickled into the net.

Acrobatics aside, the back-flip penalty kick has nothing on this.

U.A.E. manager Srecko Katanec did not appreciate Diab's creativity, though. He immediately substituted the player out of the match and after the game said that he would be disciplined for the "disrespectful act."

Honey & Peanut Butter Energy Bars

Ingredients


125g unsalted butter.

150g soft brown sugar or light muscovado sugar.

125g no-sugar-added crunchy peanut butter.

75g honey, plus a little more to finish.

Finely grated zest of 1 orange.

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon.

200g porridge oats (not jumbo).

150g dried fruit, such as raisins, sultanas and chopped apricots, prunes or dates, either singly or in combination 150g mixed seeds, such as pumpkin, sunflower, poppy, linseed and sesame.

...METHOD

How to make honey and peanut butter booster bars

1. Grease and line a baking tin, about 20cm square. Put the butter, sugar, peanut butter, honey and grated citrus zests in a deep saucepan over a very low heat. Leave until melted, stirring from time to time.

2. Stir the oats, dried fruit and three-quarters of the seeds into the melted butter mixture until thoroughly combined. Spread the mixture out evenly in the baking tin, smoothing the top as you go.

3. Scatter the remaining seeds over the surface and trickle with a little more honey. Place in an oven preheated to 160°C/Gas Mark 3 and bake for about 30 minutes, until golden in the centre and golden brown at the edges.

4. Leave to cool completely in the tin (be patient - it cuts much better when cold), then turn out and cut into squares with a sharp knife. These bars will keep for 5-7 days in an airtight tin.

Variation: Banana booster bars: Replace the peanut butter with 1 medium ripe banana (about 175g), mashed. Stir it in after all the other ingredients have been combined.

I Fancy A Low Fat, Sugar Free Snog

Coming soon to Souq Sharq near Bredz.. http://www.ifancyasnog.com/.

The branch in Chelsea, London.

Oooo psychadelic ;O) 

My Rant!

Day before yesterday I stopped and offered an old lady a lift. She was trying to flag down cars in Yarmouk at 2pm in the blazing heat. She got in and said she wanted to go to Salmiya and asked if it was out of our way (my daughter and our housekeeper were in the car too). I said no, even though it was the opposite direction to where we were going. But it felt good to help someone out.


As I drove she chatted away, she'd worked here for 25+ years for a Kuwaiti family who were on holiday and she was off to azza (condolences given during a 3 day period when someone dies). She said the taxis are expensive and the bus route is not convenient. And then she immediately got on to religion she wanted to know if I was a Muslim because it was much better for me if I was. She, then, asked my daughter who said she was. She asked the maid who proudly said she was a Christian. Horrified look on Egyptian lady's face. The old lady didn't let up and asked my daughter if she prayed, fasted, etc. She told me that if I'm a good Muslim and pray to Allah he will grant me a son. Does this all imply that if I am not wearing hijab, not Muslim and not praying then I would not have a son? I got the impression she would have been more grateful if I'd been wearing hijab. Took her right to the door of where she wanted to go. Not quite the fuzzy, feel-good feeling I was hoping for. 


This is the third time in a week that my daughter has been quizzed on her, and her mother's piousness. Just the other day she was asked if she and her mother prayed by her Kuwaiti friends and their parents at their home. I found this an odd question to an 8 year old. And if I don't pray 5 times a day does this make my child a social pariah?


I was telling someone of my fabulous daughter's voluntary work with the disabled kids and how she is learning to play guitar and they said "Ahh, is she praying?"


Listen well...I will be judged and rewarded on my good deeds and so will you. Of that, I am sure. Especially to the hijabed lady who once flipped me the bird when I tooted my horn at her for cutting me up on the road.

And...

Yesterday, I was returning an item to Ikea. The assistant asked me to have a seat until he checked with the supervisor if they can exchange an item. I sat and waited for about 12-15 mins. Then the assistant called me over, as I approached him a woman stepped in front of me and told him she needed to return something. He politely told her that I was first and he would be with her in a minute. She launched into him saying that she was first and he should serve her first. He told the woman that I had been waiting sometime. Again she said she was first and he should serve her and not me. The assistant attended to my item exchange. Now all this was going on in front of me in English. Followed by mutterings in a Kuwaiti dialect. Of course, I didn't remain silent. And I told her I had been waiting patiently for over 12 mins. To which she replied "I'm not talking to you, go back to America." WHAT! "Well I'm English and I'm not going anywhere. How rude!"

Along with abayed women barging into us whilst walking into the mall, general disdain from 99% of the female employees at a ministry complex, frequent comments, and the staring.

Reasons, perhaps, why more Kuwaiti men are marrying foreign women is that 'some' of the Kuwaiti women are so full of self-importance. It is ugly, very unladylike and downright narsissistic.


Time for a holiday me thinks.


Usually, I try to ignore all this but there is always the last straw on the camel's back. It is not about religion or east and west, it is about social etiquette and humanity.

Quote of the Year

"Before you diagnose yourself with depression or low self-esteem, first make sure you are not, in fact, just surrounded by a***oles." ~William Gibson

Sabah Al Ahmad Sea City, Kuwait on Discovery Channel

The unused marshlands of Khairan in south Kuwait, which is located near the Saudi Arabian border, has turned into a giant construction zone unlike anything you've ever seen before! What is taking place there is an ambitious project that has been in the works for decades, which was envisioned by the late Mr. Khalid Yousuf Al-Marzouq.

The goal is to bring the sea into the desert by creating a series of lagoons and water channels that will allow the thousands of residents to enjoy both sea views and beaches, while also enjoying services and facilities that you can get anywhere else in the country. It is being constructed in 3 phases, and below you can see the third phase circled in red, which is yet to be completed. No part of this project falls short, by any means, of being grand.

Below is a summary of the two part documentary that was made by The Discover Channel, called "Sea City, Building the Impossible," which followed the team for months and put together what they found:

Part 1-

Part 2-

With thanks to Masahati Blog, the Kuwait Real Estate Blog.

Update: I've just finished watching it on Discovery Channel.. WOW! It's a fantastic project. It will be shown again see dates and timings below.

Crowne Plaza & Restaurants Fabulous Spa Aquatonic Offer

Sundays, this summer, are different! And it’s all at the Crowne Plaza Kuwait, Tel. 1848111.
For an all-inclusive summer experience, come and dine at the restaurants of the hotel. All that you pay at the restaurant, you get it back at the exclusive Spa Aquatonic. Everything starts with your bill!


Savour a selection from the international variety at the Al Ahmadi International Buffet, food of the Persian royals at Shabestan Iranian restaurants, perfect steaks of the Wild West at Rib Eye Steakhouse, elite Florentine cuisine at the Viaggio Italian restaurant, authentic art of dining at Sakura Japanese restaurant, treasures of the deep blue seas at Al Noukhaza Seafood restaurant and let nostalgia wash over you at a traditional Lebanese meal at Ayam Zaman.

From a hearty meal, move on to experience the best that comes at the hands of skilled therapists from the Spa Aquatonic – signature massages and treatments that are designed to relax and de –stress you. Enjoy the thalasso-therapy treatments that focus on stimulating blood circulation, improving muscle tone and treating stiff muscles in the back and neck. Highly qualified therapists await you for a totally new Spa experience, unlike anything else that you have felt so far.

Lovin' this idea!

Battuta Di Manzo - Beef Tenderloin With Braised Endives

Recipe of the Day from Viaggio Restaurant : Battuta Di Manzo

Flattened US Beef Tenderloin served with balsamic braised endives and vegetables.

Serves 10

Ingredients Unit Qty.

Beef tenderloin 180g 10

Asparagus gm 80

Baby carrots gm 150

Salt gm 10

Garlic gm 10

White pepper gm 5

Demiglaze ml 200

Endive gm 600

Cherry tomato gm 70

Parsley gm 10

Balsamic vinegar ml 50


Method:

Flatten and season beef tenderloin cook in a hot pan and let it rest

Cook asparagus and baby carrots in salted water strain water and finish with a bit of butter.

Put demiglaze and balsamic vinegar in saucepan and braise endives until cooked

Divide endives between 10 plates place the beef on top finishing with carrots and asparagus.

Add a bit of butter to remaining sauce of endives and spoon over meat.

Found this on Crowne Plaza Blog hope they are going to post more. Will definitely be trying this one out.

House of Saud

The House of Saud has controlled every aspect of Saudi life and politics since the kingdom was established in 1932. But outside the Desert Kingdom, little is known about Saudi Arabia's secretive royal family. In "House of Saud," Frontline explores how the Al Saud family maintains its hold on power in the face of growing tensions between Islam and modernity. Through interviews with members of the royal family, government officials and other experts from Saudi Arabia and the U.S., the two-hour documentary also traces America's relations with the Saudi royal family from their first alliance in the 1930s through Sept. 11 and beyond to the present day.

House of Saud a PBS documentary on youtube.

LWDLIK- Very, very interesting and useful in understanding the geopolitics and mindset of the region. Something I found astounding was that Britain abstained on the vote, at the UN, for the partition of Palestine (23.07 on the video). I must verify this. And at 40:00 the Saudi female students at school are not wearing hijab?

The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan

This is a documentary about the perverse Afghani tradition of Bacha Bazi (Boy Play). The reason I post this link is to raise awareness, and in raising awareness hopefully have the powers that be intervene, impose rules to protect these boys and stop this wretched cruel practise.

Utmost respect for the courageous Afghan journalist in exile, Najibullah Quraishi, for having the bravery and guts to do this, even though it surely puts a death sentence on him.

WARNING THIS IS FOR ADULT VIEWING ONLY!





To those who may be offended - my apologies. There is a saying, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" – Edmund Burke. We can choose to bury our heads in the sand and ignore; or we can open our eyes, see and demand change. And yes, I believe these children deserve a much better life than this.

The Invisible Problem of Child Molestation in Kuwait

Published Date: July 08, 2011

By Hussain Al-Qatari, Staff Writer at Kuwait Times.

When children are scared, their instinctive reaction in seeking safety is to turn to their parents. Children are vulnerable, innocent, doling out kisses on the cheeks of parents, aunts and uncles, and they are ever ready to learn from and imitate how adults behave. So what happens if these caretakers are actually the ones abusing the children? Who do children turn to when they are hurt by their parents?

Lawyer Mariam Al-Bahar, a member of the children's rights committee at Kuwait Lawyer's Association, recounted a heartbreaking incident she had to deal with. An 11-year-old girl appeared at school with bloodstains on her clothes for weeks. When a staff member asked her about the reason behind the bloodstains, the girl broke down in tears and refused to speak.

She was then taken to the police station by one of her teachers to file a lawsuit against both her parents. "She kept silent for weeks, but finally spoke up. Her father used to rape her every day. Every day. And when she sought help from her mother, [her mother] slapped her and refused to speak to her again.

Because the girl had no other guardian, she was taken into the custody of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MSAL) and put in an institution housing juvenile delinquents since no suitable accommodation was available.

Legislative punishment for child molestation is very strict, but the cultural and social stigma around the subject in Kuwait makes it hard for people to speak up. According to Kuwaiti law, the sentence for a guardian who sexually abuses a child is either death or life imprisonment. Kuwaiti law defines a guardian as a parent, uncle, older sibling, babysitter, teacher or domestic helper.

Lack of reporting

Despite the knowledge that such incidents do take place, however, only a handful are reported. Al-Bahar explained that the majority of abuse victims choose not to file lawsuits: "If the news of a child who was molested by a parent - which happens often in Kuwait - breaks out, the entire family gets affected for many years to come. Because society looks at a family that had such an instance as a family that is contaminated and dirty, it becomes something that the family prefers to keep a secret.

There are several cases she dealt with in which girls were impregnated by fathers, uncles, or brothers and had abortions. In one instance, a girl was taken to a hospital after complications from attempting to abort the pregnancy at home. When the hospital personnel called the police to investigate the suspicious abortion, especially since the girl was in her early teens and had no marriage certificate, the family refused to file a lawsuit.

The siblings ended up taking the sister to the delinquents' rehabilitation center, explained the lawyer. "The social workers there found out her side of the story. She was wrongly put in a place she doesn't belong because her family refused to punish the relative responsible, and they did not want to deal with the shame.

Social Perspective

Kuwaiti society is uncomfortable with talking about sex-related issues. When a sex-related subject is raised in conversation, people will often switch to speaking in coded language about it. Social worker Sawsan Al-Beloushi said: "When a mother finds out that her child's uncle or her own husband is molesting her child, sadly she prefers to keep silent. No-one wants to deal with the stigma of sexual abuse.

Child molestation and abuse is underreported in Kuwait, Al-Beloushi added, with the amount of cases reported representing only a small fraction of what actually takes place. "What is disappointing is that we cannot launch an awareness campaign about the subject," she continued. "People are so used to avoiding this subject, and if a campaign was launched, it would be considered offensive. It is reaching a dangerous and unhealthy state of denial.

For a sexually abused child to speak up takes great courage, and abuse victims need to find support. In this part of the world, children are often taught to blindly obey and respect their elders no matter what those elders ask them to do, explained Al-Beloushi. "A pretty common saying we hear here is, 'If your elder asks you to jump into the ocean and drown, you do it.' This is pretty much what happens to those children. They don't want to be disobedient, even though this blind obedience is leading them towards destruction. At the same time, they are not taken seriously when they complain.


LWDLIK- This is very, very sad. In my books it is the most vilest of crimes. Kuwait needs a childline number to call? Got to be better than waiting for a teacher at school to notice. Families here and their dirty little secrets.

Update: Let me re-iterate because I do not think in any way, shape or form that this is a widespread problem. But if it is kept secret by the embarassed (ashamed) family members it is NEVER going to be dealt with.

Wife Cuts Off Husband's Penis, Throws It In Garbage Disposal And Turns It On

A Southern Californian woman is accused of cutting off the penis of her estranged husband. She was arrested late last night after investigators responded to a 911 call and is now in custody at the Orange County Jail.

Catherine Kieu Becker of Garden Grove reportedly prepared dinner for her husband and put a poisonous substance or drug in his food to make him drowsy, reports KTLA. While the man was sleeping, Becker allegedly tied him to the bed. When he awakened, Becker cut his penis off with a knife and threw it into the garbage disposal, turning it on as she did so.

Lt. Jeff. Nightengale told NBC LA that Becker called 911 at around 10 p.m. requesting emergency assistance. Nightengale said that Becker "told responding officers that he 'deserved it.'" Nightengale also revealed that the married couple was going through a divorce.

Nightengale confirms that the victim has been upgraded to stable or good condition and is being treated at UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange. Nightengale also says that pieces of the severed member were recovered from the crime scene and transported to the hospital with the victim last night, but he has no details on how the surgery went. Police hope to interview the victim either today or tomorrow.

Becker has been charged with "aggravated mayhem, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon, administering a drug with intent to commit a felony, poisoning and spousal abuse," according to the Associated Press. The most serious of these charges is "aggravated mayhem," which carries a life sentence with possibility of parole (as opposed to just "mayhem," which has a sentence of 3-5 years).

Of the aggravated mayhem charge, Nightengale says, "It's so heinous -- we're looking at this as premeditated. Her intention was to permanently deprive him of a piece of his body and do it in such a way to inflict a great amount of pain and psychological damage." He also adds, "I've been doing this for 22 years and the only other time I remember this happening was when Lorena Bobbitt did it, and that didn't even happen here. This isn't a typical domestic violence case -- it was way over the top."

Mumbai Explosions Hit Markets During Rush Hour

MUMBAI, India -- Three coordinated bombings tore through the heart of India's busy financial capital during rush hour Wednesday, killing 21 people in the worst terror attack in the country since the 2008 Mumbai siege. The attacks came just months after peace talks resumed between India and Pakistan, which New Delhi has blamed for past attacks.
Blood-covered bodies lay on Mumbai streets and people hugged and wept. Others carried the wounded to taxis. Crowds gathered in the blast areas as police questioned witnesses, and bomb squads inspected the undercarriages of vehicles searching for clues and other explosives.

Motorcycles were charred, shopfronts shattered and a bus stop ripped apart. Bleeding victims crowded into the back of a cargo truck to be taken to a hospital.

The first blast struck the Jhaveri Bazaar at 6.54 p.m., tearing through the famed jewelry market. A minute later, a blast hit the busy business district of Opera House, several miles (kilometers) away in southern Mumbai. At 7:05 p.m., the third bomb exploded in the crowded neighborhood of Dadar in central Mumbai, according to police.

Because of the close timing of the blasts, "we infer that this was a coordinated attack by terrorists," Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said, adding that Mumbai was put on high alert.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh condemned the blasts and appealed to the people of Mumbai "to remain calm and show a united face."

Indian officials refused to speculate on who might be behind the blasts. Past attacks have been blamed on Pakistan-based militants, and Indian officials have accused Pakistan's powerful spy agency of helping coordinate and fund some of those strikes, including the Mumbai siege.

Pakistan's government expressed distress on the loss of lives and injuries soon after Wednesday's blasts were reported.

A U.S. official says there are no claims of responsibility, or firm indication of which terrorist group might be behind the attack yet. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss matters of intelligence.

Be Aware Campaign For Mental Illness

There is a new campaign that started recently, by a just graduated high school student, called Be Aware for raising awareness about mental illnesses and ending the stigma (mark of shame) regarding it. Their website is http://www.beaware-campaign.org/, their blog is http://www.beawarecapaign.wordpress.com/  and facebook page is www.facebook.com/BeAware.EndTheStigma.


The first of its kind in Kuwait and the Middle East. We really need awareness for this issue because mental illness affects anyone at any age and any background.

I have someone very dear to me who suffers from bipolar disorder. On the right meds they are perfectly normal and highly productive. Without the meds they can be awake for days, hallucinate, be a danger to themselves, do and say some very strange and scary things.

Plain Vanilla Summer Sale

Summer Sale from the 16th to 31st of July. The sale starts from 10% up to 70% including most of the items. Stock up on essential cotton camis, T's, cardigans, jumpsuits, and more.. all in 100% Egyptian cotton.

To order http://www.plainv.com/  or email info@plainv.com, Facebook Plain Vanilla for their latests style pics.

Shop location: Hawalli, Ibn Khaldoun St., Zawya Centre, Mezzanine 2, Shop 39,
Tel: (+965) 97900327

Stage Ready For Pearl Diving Expedition

KUWAIT: The 180 young Kuwaiti sailors aged between eight and 22 participating in the 23rd Pearl Diving Expedition are due to leave their camp at the Kuwait Sea Sports Club (KSSC) headquarters in Salmiya on Thursday to begin their nine-day voyage off Khairan Resort, around 90 km south of Kuwait City. At a press conference yesterday, KSSC Secretary General Ali Al-Qabandi read out a personal message to the participants from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, wishing them a safe and successful voyage, and hoping for their safe return.

HH the Amir is the number one supporter of the revival of pearl-diving, the occupation of Kuwaitis' forefathers, said the KSSC chief, adding that the monarch "would like to tell every participant to leave their worries and cares at home in order to concentrate on the pearling activities." Quoting other parts of HH the Amir's message to the young adventurers, Al-Qabandi continued, "He even told us to leave behind the issues troubling our neighboring countries and take advantage of the knowledge and experiences they could learn from" the expedition.

This year's voyage will see the participation of 15 dhows, five of which are modern, engine-powered vessels donated by HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad to the Pearl-diving Committee. The other ten vessels were donated by the late Amir, HH Sheikh Jaber. "All [the boats] are ready, including our captains, officials and sailors," Al-Qabandi went on. "We prepare them for over three months at training camp, teaching them all about our old but important heritage; we share and arm them with necessary knowledge they need learn while at sea pearling.

He added that this year's expedition has a new element: "For the first time as well, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor is cooperating and they are supervising our event today." In his speech, Al-Qabandi specifically thanked every single sponsor who cooperated in making this year's festival possible, expressing gratitude to the Gulf Bank, Kuwait Cooperative Society, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, Kuwait Flour Mills, Al-Rawdatain, United Fisheries of Kuwait and Dar Al-Kaleej Consultant Engineers.

Without them our young divers would not be able to experience this very important national heritage," the KSSC chief stressed. "Their support is primarily vital since we have been allocating huge amounts [of money] for training and food." Yousef Al-Khalid, the head of this year's Pearl Diving Festival, noted: "We are ready and happy to face the challenge." Al-Khalid, a longtime participant in the annual event who rose from diver to captain before attaining his current position, is replacing Yousef Al-Najjar as the head of the Pearl Diving Heritage Committee.

I was just a captain before, now I am leading the 180 participants and dozens of captains," he said. "So, for me, it's a great responsibility quite different from the time when I was just following orders; now, I am giving orders and whatever happens in the year's expedition will fall under my responsibility - that is why I am a little bit nervous and scared, but on the other hand I am happy because all of them are really supporting me and they've all assured me that they are all behind me in this endeavour.

The annual festival, which is, as always, being held under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al Sabah, is held to keep Kuwait's national heritage of pearl-diving alive; the perilous and highly skilled occupation was once one of the country's main industries prior to the discovery of oil in the 1930s.

An interesting story in The New York Times on last year's event.

Blogging Madness

Blogging is very frustrating this week. Arghhhh! Keep having posts disappear. I think they are upgrading.. again, I wish they'd stop it's very annoying!

:O(

July 2011 events in brief

From 23/06-15/07 Kid's Summer Festival 2011 every weekend

1-31 Sat-Thurs 11am-8pm Kid's Club at Al Kout plus every Tues KD 2 movies at the cinema 1-5pm for the whole family
9- Fancy Making Some Beautiful Jewelry? Class starts at 9.30am in Jabriya
15- Street Fighter Arcade Edition Tournament 6 pm at Freeze Club, 3rd floor, 360 Mall
15-17 X-cite Goalna Pro Challenge 4pm Avenues Mall store
22- 1st Annual PBBFAK Bodybuilding Competition at Zumerieda Hall, Gulf Road from 5pm
24-30 Drama Workshop with Dr Nagy Souraty at LoYAC, Bayt Lothan
26- Closing date for Emirates Skywards Future Artists Competition
27-30 Tayseera Al Barram's Photography Workshop
27- PAWS & LoYAC Animal Awareness Event at 360 Mall 4pm

X-cite Goalna Pro Evolution Soccer Challenge

Location: X-cite Store - Avenues Mall on July 15th till July 17th , 2011 @ 4pm

1st Prize : Trip to Munich with accomodation for two persons to watch the Audi Cup at the Allianz Arena Stadium.

2nd Prize : iPad with 50 KD Voucher.

3rd Prize : EQ Mobile.

Register Now @ http://gx.kuwait.tt/

Complaint: Pottery Barn Kids

I bought three backpacks, a lunch box and three towels all to be embroidered. For each 10 letters it's KD 3, which means I should get 70 letters as they were charging me for 7 lots of embroidery totalling KD 21.

I asked the sales attendant for a little discount as I was only having 43 letters embroidered on 7 items. He said he would have to ask the manageress. I said ok great give her my card as she's read my blog, commented twice and asked me to pop by sometime, now's a good time to meet.

Although the shop wasn't busy she couldn't come over and explain their no discount policy on embroidery (even tho still made no sense to me forking out KD 21 for only 43 letters) and sent the salesman back with my card and a firm no discount message. Now it's not the no discount that irked me but it would have been polite to tell me herself (a fellow Brit and all).

I waited almost a week for the items to be embroidered only to find that two of the towels were the wrong size anyway! I'd asked another sales assistant to get me two more towels showing him the one I had and he's (albeit mistakenly) given me the wrong ones. Which are now embroidered with Conor and Finley so I can't just take them back.. And seeing as I'm not in the mood 'ever' to go in and argue this; I'm stuck with two gigantic towels for two toddlers who will barely be able to lift them.

Our love affair's over PB Kids. :O(

Please note the mini size beach towel is a perfect generous size and the kid's size is really enormous; how many kids need a 64 inch/162cm length towel? No wonder they were in the sale :O(

The Beckham's Welcome Harper Seven

That's the new name for the Beckham's latest addition to the family. It is rumoured that Posh was reading Harper's Bazaar page 7 when the child was conceived. ;O)

Goodbye News Of The World, Good Riddance

News of the World newspaper closes after 168 years due to hacking scandal.

(Reuters) - Following are key facts about the News of the World newspaper, Britain's biggest-selling tabloid, which has closed after Sunday's edition as a result of a phone hacking scandal:

NUMBERS:  The readership of the News of the World was around 7.5 million for each edition between July and December. Circulation - the number of copies sold - was around 2.6 million in April 2011

OVERVIEW:  The News of the World is part of News Group Newspapers, a subsidiary of News International, owned by the News Corporation group of Rupert Murdoch.  The News of the World was generally considered to have a center-right political stance, but it supported the Labor Party under Tony Blair at his three general election wins (1997, 2001 and 2005.)

ORIGINS:  The News of the World was founded by John Browne Bell and the first edition of the paper was published on October 1, 1843, in broadsheet format. It was launched with the statement "Our motto is truth, our practice is the fearless advocacy of the truth."

The newspaper was sold at the low and affordable price of three pence. The aim was to secure circulation amongst the poor, as well as the rich, given that the working classes were newly literate as a result of Victorian education reforms.

The Carr family had a long association with the News of the World. In 1891, the newspaper was acquired by a syndicate including Lascelles Carr, the editor and part-proprietor of the Western Mail newspaper in Cardiff.

The News of the World became the world's biggest-selling English-language newspaper under the Carr ownership and had an average circulation of 8,441,966 copies in 1950.

It merged with The Empire News on October 23, 1960. The Empire News was a Sunday newspaper for citizens of the British Empire or Commonwealth, with a circulation of more than 2.5 million copies.

THE MURDOCH ERA:  Rupert Murdoch bought the News of the World in 1969. Developments in the 1980s included "Sunday," the first color magazine to be published alongside the newspaper in September 1981. The News of the World changed from broadsheet to tabloid format on May 20, 1984. Wendy Henry became the first female editor of the paper in 1987.

The leading newspaper supplement in the News of the World was "Score," a football section that is published weekly during the football season.

SCANDAL:  The closure comes after a growing raft of revelations about phone hacking involving the News of the World. The main accusations are that journalists, or their hired investigators, listened to messages left for celebrities, politicians or people involved in major stories on their mobile phones.

The latest claim on Thursday alleged the paper hacked the phones of relatives of British soldiers killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And the voicemail of murder victim 13 year old Milly Dowler. The parents are rightfully outraged.


LWDLIK- Someone, either the editor Rebekah Brookes or Rupert Murdoch, knew this was going on, sanctioned it and approved payment to those investigators who tapped the phones. Shame on them! And what the hell the British government (David Cameron) was thinking employing the previous NOTW editor Andy Coulson as Communications Director. Or was DC thinking this little talent that AC learned at NOTW might come in handy? What happened to integrity? I do feel sorry for the innocent workers at NOTW who are now without a job because of these unscrupulous characters.

Tour de France Crash 2011

And like the superstars they are they get back on their bikes and get on with it. WTG Flecha and Hoogerland.

1st Annual PBBFAK Bodybuilding Championships

Location Al-Zumareida Hall, Salwa along Gulf Road.

The Philippine Body Building & Fitness Association in Kuwait will be holding its first Bodybuilding competition for all Filipino Instructors and enthusiasts on July 22nd, 2011 in the Al-Zumareida Hall, Al Zumareida in Salwa along Gulf Road from 5 PM till 9 PM.

The competition will be one of a kind in Kuwait. It will highlight the participation of highly skilled Filipino fitness and aerobics trainers and showcase remarkable presentations during the competition.

Three categories for the Bodybuilding competition: Small, Medium, Tall, all of which are based on required height measurements. There will be three winners from each height catergory and one overall winner.

The competition will be covered by Al Watan Daily News, TFC ( the Filipino channel ) and GMA 7 from the Philippines.

http://www.kuwaitbodybuilding.com/ will be one of the sponsors for this event and PBBFAK are actively looking for other organizations that may also be interested in becoming a sponsor.


LWDLIK- Eye candy for the girls and an inferiority complex for the guys LOL.

Kuwait Diving Team Trip to The Red Sea and Port Ghalib, Egypt

Join us on our amazing scuba diving liveaboard trip this year, to simply the best diving sites in the red sea; Big and Little Brother islands, Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone. The expedition also includes two nights in Port Ghalib. This a non-profit journey cost price only. There is a limit on the number of divers for this expedition so call ASAP. Free nitrox, deep and night PADI speciality courses on board.

Onboard timetable:
06.00 Briefing
07.00 Dive 1
09.00 Breakfast
11.00 Dive 2
13.00 Lunch
15.30 Dive 3
16.00 Snacks
18.30 Night Dive
20.00 Dinner

When: July 20th - July 28th. For more details: Tel. 9977-1236. Twittering @q8divingteam. Email KDT@ksclub.org.

Via TGK

Tayseera Al Barram's Photography Workshop

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 17th-20th. Click to enlarge for details.
 
Via TGK
 
 
 

Fancy Making Some Beautiful Jewelry?

Craft Class: The Tierra Frenzy Necklace

This Saturday's class hosted by LB o J'zazz will be "The Tierra Frenzy Necklace." Using high quality, U.S.-made cast and lead free metal components, this copper-plated piece showcases many interesting ways one can use little treasures- from chains, to bails, charms, links, beads, spacers, head pins, etc. A simple, round, disc-shaped, Murano glass bead with silver dichroic takes center stage. What a lovely job it does. This should be a fun class. Those who choose to participate in this class will learn techniques in wirework and an off-loom beading technique known as Right-Angle Weave with a 'twist'.

Please be sure you to bring along these tools.

Wire cutter or Flush Cutter, Flat Nose Pliers, Round Nose Pliers, Chain Nose Pliers, Scissors, Beading Mat,
Bead Aluminum Tray (optional).

*Note: You can purchase tools either at their shop in Shaab Al-Bahry or at the time of class should you require).


When: Saturday July 9th
Time: 9:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m.
Venue: Jabriyah, Block 9, Street 6, Villa 13 (Side entrance to Basement)

Technique: Wirework; Right Angle Weave

Level: All Levels

For more info or to register: 22610686 or info@lbojzazz.com


Via TGK