OK, I have posted the new pictures of the camp and the desert now. They're on the Camp Photos page.

For the new pictures click the link titled "Camp Photos" on the navigation bar. They were all taken for me by Adel while he was shopping for a new sheesha pipe. I have many more of the camp and the desert, but they're on my other computer so I'll have to post those later this evening. I left the pictures large so you can see the details, but when I add the others I will make them all smaller for easier viewing.

FYI...

The Water Pipe (sheesha, hookah) consists of four parts, the bottom part is made of glass where the water is contained. This part is connected to a brass (sometimes stainless steel) figure top which is the "the heart " of the sheesha, this part, the regulator, takes the smoke from the tobacco when the person inhales from the "lai" (the flexible tube which end by mouthpiece). The whole apparatus, made of a variety of materials, which might be glass, brass, gold, silver, wood or cane, is richly decorated.

Sheesha tobacco is the tobacco blend smoked through a hookah pipe. This smoking blend consists of molasses, tobacco and fruit. This sheesha tobacco mixture is very wet, and as a result it must be smoked using a hookah charcoal.

It's really not that important.

Some of my friends who read my blog regularly ask why I never really type about myself, my personal life, or the people I am so close to. Well, I do in some ways. But I choose to use this forum as a way to share information about issues I find alarming, or of concern to me. As well as some of the more lighthearted things I experience.

As for me, there is nothing more important in my life than my children. They are the reason for all that I do. I am far from the perfect mother, but I certainly do the best with what I have, and if I could do better I would. However, I don't feel this blog is a place for me to discuss my children, my family, my home, or the other very dear things in my life. So I rarely do. But it certainly doesn't mean they're less important to me than other issues. In fact, they are by far the most important.

In my opinion I am a very blessed woman. Blessed for all of the love my life is filled with, and the support I receive from the people who are most important to me. And that's what drives me to do for others. I live a good life, full of positive things, kindness, and compassion. I am fortunate to love people and be loved without judgement or negativity. I get to wake up every morning and know that my attitude will dictate the type of day I am going to have. To me these things are blessings.

For now I will continue to write about the same issues that concern me, and Insha'Allah, help find resolution. My personal life will remain personal out of respect for my family and loved ones. And because I just don't think I am as important as the topics I choose to type about.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas, or happy holiday season regardless of what you choose to celebrate.

It's been a while since my last post, and so much has been going on during this time I don't even know where to begin. I suppose I'll get the important things out of the way first; Happy Thanksgiving, EID Mubarek, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanza, and Happy New Year. That should cover just about everyone I know.

The past couple of weeks have been absolutely hectic between the standard work day, shopping for EID, shopping for Christmas, and fighting the insane traffic to do any of the above. I find that online shopping and gift wrapping is the way to go. I get to choose the gifts I want to buy, usually have many more choices, gift wrap options, online sales, and don't have to bump into others with my shopping cart while helping a lost 5 year old find his mommy then trying to jockey for position in the shortest line only to find out that cashier is going on break just as I begin to place my items at her register. Yay internet!

In Kuwait today is the first day of EID. It's a very celebrated holiday where families gather, have meals, exchange gifts, and give money and other things to the children. EID lasts for several days and all government offices are closed during this time. Shopping and restaurants are open in the evening, and some during the day. I did manage to find a Starbucks this morning.

Needless to say, going to a restaurant for dinner on the first night of EID is not a very good choice if you're just looking for food sans socializing....like me. So, I opted to come home and order in. Fortunately almost anything I am interested in eating can be delivered to my front door here in Kuwait. Tonight it was sushi! No, not some trendy sushi bar that people dine at just to say they have been there (Nobu). But a great place called Wasabi that I first ate at over a year ago with an amazing Saudi friend of mine. Since then I have been an addict. I remember as he was driving us there his car was talking to us....well the navigation system was. But the voice was so pleasant it made the ride seem nicer. Since then I have actually had a dream that I was driving his car and we were having an entire conversation together (the car and I). I called him the next day and told him that since the car and I were talking in my dream it only seemed logical that he just give me his Lexus. Though he adores me, it seems I was still dreaming.

So, back to Wasabi. Outstanding Sushi, great selection, "fresh" doesn't even describe the seafood, and the price is fantastic as well. If you're in Kuwait and haven't been you should really try it. The exotic rolls are to die for according to my friend who could eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I am more of an Ebi Tem-ura Roll girl myself.

Over the next several weeks I have many new pictures to post of the desert and my friend's camp. He took some great photos for me a couple of weeks ago, I just haven't found the time to get them up here yet, but I will within a few days Insha'Allah.

Oh well, nothing deep and of great meaning have taken place lately. Or I am just in a really shallow place in life. Perhaps I just miss home a little more this time of year. However, the weather has finally started to get cold here in Kuwait! As a matter of fact, it was so chilly this evening I had to turn my heat on for a short time and put my "Life is Good" socks on. Those are my warm little fuzzy socks I once thought my maid had lost. I have since ordered many more pair to avoid future tragedies.

More babbling about nothing to come soon. Unless I stumble across something of interest.

As promised, here are the pictures of the rainbow over the desert.

A few days ago I was sitting outside of a restaurant waiting for my Sambousak Jibbin to be delivered to my car. They're little fillo dough triangle shaped pastries filled with either meat, vegetables, or cheese. I only like the cheese, hence "jibbin."

While sitting in my car a woman came to my passenger window. Actually, I saw her coming and had already rolled my window down. She walked slow as if she were tired. Not tired from walking, but just tired from life. As if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders and would accept anything at all to help lift her burden. She was completely covered; body, head, face, and hands. I could see her eyes through the small openings. At that moment she might as well have been dressed just like anyone in America. I could see her soul through her eyes, and immediately knew her suffering and pain. She was elderly, had more than likely raised a dozen or more children, was probably Bidoon, and knew this life before "jinsiya" mattered. I knew this woman didn't speak one word of English, and I wasn't even going to insult her by trying to speak with my broken, grammatically incorrect, elementary Arabic. So we looked into one another's eyes only for a second and it was very clear what she needed, and it was very clear I was going to provide it.

During my brief moment with this woman I had a conversation. I learned. And I felt true empathy.

Perhaps some people will read this and think, "Smart old woman tricked the dumb American." And, well, maybe it's true. But I prefer to believe this was a woman who needed help....not wanted it. I also believe this was a woman with a strong faith in her religion, and therefore would never take from anyone without needing it. And I believe this is a woman filled with pride, who used to have a husband who worked, cared for her and all of their children, and now wanders the streets in shame begging for help from people who drive around in luxury cars, go home to 15 bedrooms houses, and sleep in a bed that doesn't consist of a concrete floor and a mat.

Don't get me wrong, in America we have our "poor" people too. However, we have opportunity. There is not one person in America who did not choose their life, whether it be consciously or not. In America our actions and dedication dictate the outcome, barring the few unforeseen tragedies. But even in our time of need, our government takes care of us to a degree. Children do not go hungry, without a roof over their heads. In Kuwait, Bidoons do not have a government. They do not have an Embassy. There is very little assistance available to these people....and sometimes none at all. A Bidoon child can't even dream of a career or goals he would like to meet because his government teaches him at a very young age to give up. In America, when a child is born, whether it's in the slums of Harlem or the Upper West Side, he has a chance and he has choices. Both of those children can choose a career path and work to meet that goal. Sure, it's going to be a little easier for one, but certainly not impossible for the other.

Imagine if you had a child, and at the age of 5 when they told you they wanted to grow up to be a Doctor you had to look into their big eyes filled with hope, longing for encouragement from their parent and say, "Sorry, Son, that's not an option for you."