This is my third Thanksgiving in the Middle East...and they don't celebrate it obviously. This time of year is usually difficult for me because I long for the Fall weather of home, the smell of turkey in the oven, the sound of Football on the television, and the thought of waking up early tomorrow morning to catch all the best sales.

Instead, I will spend my day continuing to work. Later maybe go out to dinner with some American friends at some American franchise claiming to serve a "Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner" which will really consist of turkey, stuffing, potato wedges, lamb, rice, salmon, and possibly shrimp. There will be no homemade macaroni and cheese, or garlic cheddar biscuits. No kids laughing while they're watching football, no dog sitting patiently by the table waiting for her bowl to be filled with parts of a turkey we would never touch. Just arrogant men in dishdasha, and faceless women wrapped in black pretending to experience American culture while at a Ruby Tuesday's stuffing themselves with lamb.

It's days like this I ask myself what on earth am I doing.

Then tomorrow will come and in some strange way I will find the answer.

As shallow as it is, in America people have a tendency to be jealous of one another, wish they had what their neighbors had, and find it difficult to take pleasure in someone else's joy if they're not experiencing it themselves. I suppose that's what generates the "Keeping up with the Jones'" mentality.

Here in Kuwait, like America, you have different classes of people as well. The rich, the middle class, and the not so rich or middle class. However, being this is a Muslim country, their financial and social status should in NO WAY affect how they view and treat others. Unlike America where we're all from different beliefs so there is no "one thing" to guide us all in the same direction.

Interestingly enough, the same envy and desire to "keep up with the Jones'" exists here as well. They want faster cars, nicer motorcycles, better clothes, etc. I will keep my Muslim questions to myself here as the last thing I want to do is appear as though I am judging the depths of someone else's religious beliefs. Although, I will say, if I had to look at a group of people and make a religious decision based upon the actions of the people of that religion -- Muslim would be my last choice. However, learning, reading, and studying all that I have about the truth of the religion and not the actions of the people who are Muslim -- it would probably be my first choice.

Getting to the point...

Why is it so difficult for people, especially ones who claim to be friends, unable to be happy for their friend who is happy? Why is it that others feel the need to control and manipulate one another to prevent them from having a happiness or joy they don't have for themselves?

Maybe if people invested more time in doing the right thing for themselves, and not trying to take away the happiness of others, they would find their own level of happiness as well.

During the past several weeks I have watched the endless bleak desert turn into a small city filled with little stores and lots of tents. No, there are no mountains, trees, or running streams -- just sand meeting sky in the distance.

The weather has changed almost overnight here. We have gone from unbearable heat to the most amazing cool days and even colder nights. The Kuwaitis seem to take advantage of this and create a home away from home for the next several months. Not all Kuwaitis of course, just the "desert" people. Prior to putting up tents they create a concrete foundation as if they're actually building a home. They furnish these large tents with furniture, televisions, and even satellite for cable access. It's rather amazing actually.

Each campsite is surrounded by vertical lights, some of different colors. They seem to invest a lot of time and money into this as they all want their camp to appear "unique." And I am sure to one another it does. But to an American woman just hanging out in the desert it just looks like a bunch of lights and tents.

During "camping time" most of these men pretty much live in the desert. There are usually a few tents on the site...one for sleeping, one for socializing, one for the Indian man who is hired to serve and live there to "watch" things, and um, I think one is for the generator that provides the electricity. They do build a bathroom (even with running hot and cold water), but I believe most of them go to their homes to shower. I am afraid to ask how often, but they're all very clean people so I assume it's daily.

I would venture to say I am the only American woman in Kuwait hanging out in the desert looking for creatures that freeze in the headlights, and freaky looking reptiles that resemble alligators. But it is interesting. And more than that it's different. So very different.

Some of us eat our meals at a table, with a fork, knife, and chairs. Others sit in the floor and eat with their hands. But in the end we both have a full stomach. A very wise man said this to me. And I suppose he's right. Maybe things that I see as huge are really very simple. Maybe the differences that I see as insurmountable are just "differences" after all. Maybe the way he simplifies my life like no one else has is more powerful than any differences we'll encounter.

For now I will explore the desert and enjoy the weather.

Yes, even here in Kuwait (and in the desert) they have Burger King. The difference between here and America? When we tell people that they "flame broil" their burgers, we don't have to sing "Happy Birthday to You" to remember the word "fire."

There are some things in Kuwait that I love so much more than Kuwait itself. As long as I get to laugh I suppose.

Y

All of a sudden, 2 days ago, it became winter in Kuwait. I woke up in the morning and the wind was blowing so hard, cold wind. I needed a jacket all day, and especially at night. Of course it was about 72 degrees, but once you're used to 140 degree, that's freezing.

During the night the desert sand is cold...very cold. The wind is even colder. So cold it takes my breath away.

There's nothing more amazing to me than "winter" in the desert. And all of the wonderful things that come along with it.

Or the desire to solve a problem?

Since I obviously can't speak of the entire State of Kuwait, or all the men here, I will address only what I have witnessed firsthand.

Loyalty amongst their "group" and anyone close to one of them.

This is another topic where details really aren't necessary, but there was a point made and maybe a lesson learned that holds great importance to me.

Long story short -- little (or big) problem takes place, boyfriend is notified, he notifies a few friends, and before you know it a car full of problem solving men are flying down the road doing 260km in an attempt to solve this problem. Granted, the high rate of speed was a problem in itself, but the reason behind it is what is really important.

I couldn't help but to wonder was this a group of men who were just trying to protect me? Or was it a loyalty to their friend? Or was it just a desire to fix what they felt was wrong? Maybe all of the above? Either way, I have the greatest respect for their ability to take action when they feel something needs their attention. Most men I have encountered talk a lot and do very little. It's actually the opposite here. I don't think they spoke 10 words to me during the entire ride (maybe because they're not allowed to? I dunno), but their actions were of men who had known me for a lifetime, and wanted to ensure I was taken care of.

Maybe we would all do a lot better to stop talking about things so much and just start doing them.