Since this year seems to be leading up to a very quiet Thanksgiving I've officially decided I won't be cooking. Yet thanks to Sultan Center I will still get all the comfort foods of home. Someone pointed out to me yesterday that The Sultan Center is offering fully cooked Thanksgiving meals (Butterball turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, and a pie) for only 13KD. No, I have no intentions of eating all of this by myself. I said "quiet" Thanksgiving, not "stuff yourself till you roll over and die." I do have friends who will stop by, as well as a few others I intend to feed. But the point is, Sultan Center has made this so easy! No preparing, no cooking, no waking up at 2am to baste a turkey. Yeah, I know, there's a sense of fun in all that, and if I were still in the states I would be all into it. But here in Kuwait it loses it's lustre. So I'll place my order today and pick it all up Thursday morning and voila! Thanksgiving dinner is served!

While we're on the topic of the Sultan Center, I would like to say it's my favorite supermarket. I enjoy the co-ops as well for my basics where brand doesn't really matter. But for some items, I must be a brand snob and stick with what I know. Although, when it comes to things like Tropicana fresh squeezed Florida orange juice for $18 a half gallon, or Saudi fresh squeezed orange juice for $3.50, I let go of that brand thing real quick. Same with cheese slices. I can get "Velveeta" 16 slices for about $12, or "Americana" 16 slices for $3.25.

The Sultan Center is very good about carrying many American brand items. But never get too comfortable with their selection, once you do, it changes. I had been buying these awesome hang fried chili and red pepper potato chips every week when I went shopping for about 2 month. Just long enough to get me addicted, then bam! Out of no where, they're gone. Never to be seen or heard from again. Not sure what that's all about, but definitely some issues in their purchasing department.

Overall, it's a clean, well stocked supermarket. And this Thanksgiving Dinner thing makes them even more desirable!

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but Kuwait is really good an censorship. Television, music, internet, and now they're planning to remove access to YouTube. I can certainly understand their reason for wanting to do so per the article below, but I'm certain there are just as many positive things as Islam on YouTube as there are negative ones.

We can't watch Ross and Rachel press their lips against one another for 1.7 seconds, we can't hear the word "shorty" or "booty" on the radio (female and female body part references), we can't see certain pictures on the internet (mind out of the gutter, people, I have been on an ART site and some famous artwork was blocked out). And now, finally, access to YouTube is being blocked. Fortunately I'm not on there too often, but there are times I remember some American television show I loved and wouldn't mind checking out real quick so I go to YouTube and inevitably find it. I suppose I'll miss that.

Keep in mind, Kuwait -- people always want what they know they can't have. Keep blocking it, they'll keep finding it. Keep outlawing it, they'll keep making it. Keep forbidding it, they'll keep sneaking around to get it.

Why ‘YouTube’ still on?; Pirated, porn CDs seized

Kuwait : Attorney Mubarak Al-Tasha says he is surprised the Ministry of Communications has failed to block the Internet website the ‘YouTube’ because some videos posted on this site demean Islam, reports Al-Watan Arabic daily. Al-Tasha added in the event of the Internet Service Provider (ISP) failing to take necessary action there was no other way but to file a lawsuit against the ministry.

Yesterday was Friday, I had no plans, the weather was great (though it got a little warmer than I like), I slept in, and felt the need to rush off to the desert the moment I woke up. Not sure what that's all about, but the desert has always been my favorite part of Kuwait. I prefer Mutlaa over Ahmadi, but that's just a personal choice. I love driving down the road over Mutlaa Ridge, watching the SUVs climbing the big hill, the people sitting randomly having a meal in the middle of the desert. So calming to me. Also, Mutlaa and above is where all of the Jahra people go camping, and as we all know, Jahra is my love. Call me crazy, but Jahra is just my favorite area. I have probably made more trips from Salmiya to the Jahra Starbucks than anyone in the history of Kuwait. Yes, that's right, I will drive almost 40 minutes for coffee just to be in Jahra.

So, yeah, yesterday, desert, etc. It was really crowded which takes away some of the serenity I seek when I go there, but it's also fun to watch the kids on their ATVs riding all over the place. Perhaps I'll venture out a few hours earlier next time I head up that way to enjoy what it is I am there to enjoy prior to the masses invading.

Oddly enough, while I'm leaving the desert yesterday (exiting Mutlaa Ridge Rd, but not yet on the 6 Ring or Jahra Highway), a blue BMW keeps trying to get next to me. Well, there's a great deal of construction on this portion of the road, as well as oncoming traffic, and a lot of it yesterday. I didn't have a "next to me" for him to get. So I exit by the Camel Mall (that's what I call it) in Jahra, drive through town making my way to McDonald's. I had a sudden urge for French Fries. As I am exiting the drive thru (fries and whatnot) I see this same BMW parked on the side of the road. I figured this was coincidence since many people park there. I start listening to music, shoving fries down my throat, and enjoying the drive when I notice BMW boy right on my bumper behind me. I was a little startled and immediately got over to allow him to pass. However, he didn't. He pulled up next to me, and starting doing the "look" though I wasn't aware at the time. You just know because you're doing about 140km, and the car next to you that was previously doing 160km has now slowed down to 135km and is pacing you, attempting to look through your side-view mirror to get a glimpse.

Long story short, BMW man ends up being a "man with a beard." I was shocked by this. Well, first I was frustrated that he an interrupted my French Fry eating, and second I was disappointed that a man with a beard was following a woman. And not just following, but we went all the way from Jahra to Messila together. The fries were cold by the time he got the hint, and this really made me angry.

All this driving down the road, pacing, passing, bluetooth'ing, watching, looking, smiling, and holding up the cell phone, all while sporting a beard long enough to braid and dye orange. Why? What is the purpose? More importantly, the purpose of the beard? Is it to fool your friends and family? Because I'm certainly not fooled.

Fakes, frauds, and fanatics -- one in the same.

I got the most adorable email this morning from someone asking how they go about meeting me just to satisfy their curiosity about the American Girl in Kuwait. I found this to be really cute since I'm always out and about and rarely make a secret of where I spend a lot of time in the mornings (Hint: Starbucks).

However, if you're not much of a coffee person, and not interested in buying me a cup (you should be ashamed!) then feel free to join me for lunch, or a fun day of shoe shopping!

Please know, I am not interested in "hooking up" with anyone, so if you think that's gonna happen, forgeeeeeet it! Also not interested in children who think they're charming enough to change my mind about "hooking up", again, noooo! So, if you're male between the ages of 19 and 79, chances of us hanging out are probably very slim. Unless of course you're an incredibly hot dishdasha wearing Arab.

All girls have a weakness!!

Anyway, thank you for the cute email, you made my day.

Let me start by saying "50"! The man is 50 now!

Moving on...

Below is an article from a newspaper today regarding the lawsuit filed against Michael Jackson by Sheikh Al Khalifa of Bahrain. I'm sure everyone remembers several years ago when MJ fled to Bahrain and the jokes about "little Arab boys" were running rampant.

For those of you who don't "get it" (the move to Bahrain, not the jokes) -- the only place in the world where MJ was still fairly famous was the Middle East. I recall once, back in maybe 2004'ish, I got into a taxi in Dubai and the driver immediately stuck in a cassette (yeah, CD players in cars still weren't standard option in the Middle East back then). He said, "You know this man, right?" I suddenly heard 'Thriller' blaring in my ears, started having flashbacks to trying to be cute at age 13, and said, "Uh, yeah, can you turn it downplease?" This has nothing to do with my age, I have never been an MJ fan. I was always a Prince lover. He was the more creative, exotic, eclectic kind of guy. MJ seemed to cater to the masses - something I have never been part of.

That being said, though MJ had just gone through a huge trial and been accused of molesting a 13 year old child, he was still a "King" to Middle Easterners. And considering Bahrain is quite modern, I'm sure the transition was rather easy. Well, not that he ever leaves the house. I do recall when he first moved to Bahrain, there was a picture that appeared in a magazine, or newspaper of MJ and his kids at a water park. He was wearing a blue body suit that covered his entire body, to include his head. Not that I thought he was sane prior to that, but that one definitely convinced me beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Back to the lawsuit -- Sheikh gives tons of money to MJ, MJ departs Bahrain and returns to the states without paying Sheikh, Sheikh sues MJ.

My opinion? MJ absolutely, 100% knew this money was not a gift. He knew they had a verbal agreement, but also knew there was nothing in writing to support it, and felt he would be in the clear should this day ever come. He took advantage of the generosity of a man who assumed to be "stupid" because he was so giving.

Also, the Sheikh is more than likely very generous. Especially to someone like MJ who these people absolutely adore (ewww!).Because respect is a very big thing in the Middle East, the Sheikh was probably quite confident in the fact that a verbal agreement with someone like MJ was perfectly acceptable, and trusted that he would be paid back. (Note: Never trust a man who was $35,000 behind in utility bills for a residence he referred to as "Neverland" and was accused of molesting children)

LONDON - The son of an Arab monarch took the King of Pop to court Monday, charging that Michael Jackson took $7 million as an advance on an album and an autobiography that he never produced.
Lawyers for Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa say their client paid Jackson expenses as an advance on the book and joint recording project with the sheikh, who is an amateur songwriter. Jackson claims the money was a gift.

Al Khalifa, 33, was due to testify at London's Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday. Jackson's lawyer Robert Englehart said he was seeking permission to have Jackson testify by video link from Los Angeles.
A lawyer for Al Khalifa said the royal first spoke to Jackson, 50, by telephone while the singer was on trial in California following his 2003 arrest on child molestation charges. Attorney Bankim Thanki said that Al Khalifa wanted to work with Jackson on rebuilding his career. Jackson's finances fell apart after his arrest and he was desperately short of cash.

Al Khalifa's first payment, for $35,000, went toward paying the utility bills at Neverland, Jackson's 2,500-acre (1,000 hectare) ranch and miniature amusement park in California, Thanki said. When Jackson was found innocent of the molestation charges in June 2005, Al Khalifa footed $2.2 million in legal bills, the lawyer said.

Al Khalifa said he believed the money would be repaid once Jackson's career recovered from the damaging trial. "I saw the payment as an investment in Michael's potential," the sheikh said in a statement read out by his lawyer in court. "He said he would pay me back ... through our work together."

Al Khalifa moved Jackson and his entourage to Bahrain almost immediately after the trial, setting up a recording studio for him in Manama, the Gulf state's capital. The sheikh, who is the governor of Bahrain's Southern Province, supplied Jackson with $500,000 in cash to subsidize his lifestyle and splashed out on a $350,000 European vacation for Jackson and his associates in February of 2006, Thanki said.

"The costs even included the expenses of bringing out Mr. Jackson's hairdresser," he said.

The lawyer said Jackson and the sheikh became close friends and at one time both lived in a palace in Abu Dhabi owned by Al Khalifa's father, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Bahrain's king. The singer stayed nearly a year in Bahrain as a guest of the son, but the relationship soured when Jackson repudiated a business deal Thanki said they had agreed to.

Jackson's lawyers say the pair never entered a valid agreement and that Al Khalifa's money was given freely. Thanki acknowledged that Al Khalifa gave some gifts to Jackson but said that most of what the singer received was part of a business deal.

The gifts, he said, "were essentially personal effects — watches, jewelry."

Thanki said the sheik was wealthy but that paying Jackson's bills had taken a big bite out of his finances.
"Some of the payments were staggering by any standards," Thanki said, saying the expenditure "should not be regarded as loose change for my client."

As for Jackson, he still appears to be in difficult financial straits.

Last week, he was forced to give up the deed on Neverland, which is named for the mythical land of Peter Pan.

The trial is being held in London because the parties had agreed to take any disputes over their deal to an English court, Al Khalifa's representatives said. The trial is due to wrap up by the end of the month.

This morning, I decided I needed a few new bottles of nail polish. I've always been a big fan of OPI because of the color selection, quality, and cost. Great polish for an even better price (approximately KD2 or $6 a bottle).I'm usually a deep, dark color wearer. Sticking close to the dark plum and mahogany colors. During my most recent trip to the spa, I opted for 'OPI - Black Tie Optional' on my toes. Very deep plumbish black color, but nothing that would make you think I cut myself when no one was looking. Just a classy "tuxedo" look.

FYI - In the states you can certainly find a large selection of OPI colors at the salon. In Kuwait, you either BYOP (polish), or choose from the 5 half empty aged bottles of dried out colors from 1987. Think hot pink and coral.

So there I am, looking through numerous colors of the deepest, most erotic colors OPI offers and I start reading the names of them. Remember once I typed about the jingles on the Taco Bell hot and mild sauce packs? Well, OPI has them beat. Not sure who the person is who names the OPI polishes, but I would absolutely love to meet this person. Talk about creative!

For example, in their "India Collection" they have colors such as; MonSooner or Later and I'm India Mood for Love (neither would be anything I would wear, but great names).

"French Collection" - Louvre Me Louvre Me Not, Bastille My Heart, and Eiffel for This Color.

OK, call me silly, but I'm really into catchy jingles, great smelling hair stuff, weather, and coffee. Quite possibly the easiest girl on the planet to amuse. It keeps me fun!

I'm doing this without coffee this morning, so bear with me. I promise to use spell check when I'm finished.

If you've read my blog before, you know I love Kuwait. And if you haven't... I love Kuwait. Now you know. If there was anything about Kuwait I just outright don't like, it's definitely the summer weather. Otherwise, everything else can be tolerated fairly well.

What is it about Kuwait that I love so much? The culture, the people, the life. 'Kuwait' and 'spoiled' go hand in hand. And since I'm a whiny woman who loves being spoiled, it only makes sense that I would find comfort in a land that promotes it.

However, as much as I love Kuwait and the people, I often wonder if they love one another at all. And is this just a Kuwait thing? Or an Arab thing? As I have mentioned often before, raising of the children is pretty much handed over to the house-girl, so the bonding and love are different than what I was raised with. But what about Arab cultures without house-girls? I suppose my point is, there seems to be a sense of "distance" amongst people in Kuwait. Of course public displays of affection are prohibited for the most part, but it runs much deeper than this. Cheating on a spouse is not only common practice here (by both parties) but almost acceptable. It's rarely hidden from too many people, and men don't seem to have trouble introducing his 'girlfriend' to his friends, cousins, and even brothers. Sometimes even his wife's brothers! Of course this is a sign he has absolutely no respect for this woman (or his wife), but that's my point.

In Kuwait animal cruelty runs rampant, hitting children is perfectly acceptable and the preferred method of discipline in many households, abuse of the FN workers is common practice, cheating, lying, stealing, swindling, raping, murdering, and assaulting are the headlines of most of the local news articles. No, I don't expect the crime news to consist of flower growing stories, but it doesn't seem we have the same crimes in America. You're not often going to read about a couple of people "swindling" someone out of a million dollars by convincing him they were going to start a business together. Is it that we're just smarter in America? Or is that the white collar crimes we rarely find interesting enough to write about?

On the flip side of that -- who are these "swindlers" and other crime committers (is that even a word?!)?

I'll preface the rest of this with "I'm not perfect, nor did I ever claim to be." Got that?!

So, back to the criminals... why? How? What must one have inside them, or not have inside them to be able to behave this way? I can't imagine purposely setting out to cause someone else harm, making a plan to do so, and then following through. Who are these people? What's the reason for "sneaky"?

Sure, there are many answers to my questions, but more importantly, what are the solutions? Is Kuwait just so far behind the times they've yet to catch up to the rest of the world? Or are they setting a standard? Is this the direction we're all heading one day? I like to believe, as people, we move forward. I like to see progress and positive change take place. I once said I was so fortunate to be in Kuwait because it's like watching a primitive country learn the basics.

I was wrong.

It's almost as if they've learned nothing other than how to become better at being bad.

Where are the hugs and kisses for their children? The basic manners we try so desperately to instill in our own children (please, thank you, yes ma'am)? What about the belief that earning something makes it more valuable than having it handed to you on a silver platter?

On a lighter note, it seems regardless of which city, state, or country I have been in over the past few weeks, the weather is just amazing. Yes, people, I do loveeee the weather. I type about it almostas much as Starbucks!

Speaking of which... coffee time! Let the spell check begin.

Yesterday was a big news day here in America for obvious reasons. We have made history. We have opened doors for many people who felt it was closed in their faces for years. We have proven that every person in this country has an equal chance at anything, regardless of color, gender, religion, or ethnicity. Everything this country stands for has been pasted on the front page of every newspaper in the world. God bless the United States of America.

Of course there are many people who aren't happy with the outcome of this election (Bill O'Reilly). But it's quite obvious, by the numbers at the polls, who the majority feels will make the better leader. Honestly, I was shocked with what a landslide this was. Not because I didn't believe that many people voted for Obama, but because I remember the Bush elections. Democracy truly prevailed in this election. Our voices were heard. And I believe America feels empowered by this.

Interestingly enough, North Carolina (my state), is still undecided (unless something changed while I was sleeping). I am fortunate enough to be in the states during this election, and got to actually walk into the voting site instead of sending an absentee ballot. I remember thinking I was certainly going to vote considering it's my right, and this was a very important election. However, we all wonder what difference our vote really makes in something this big. But with NC still being too close to decide, I realize my vote was huge. Obviously winning NC isn't going to make a difference in the outcome, but it still makes me realize how important our votes really are. And apparently millions of others felt the same way.

This election wasn't only emotional because we have elected our first African American to lead our country, but because of the state our country is in. Our economy is failing, people are losing their homes on a daily basis, an education is now becoming a dream and not a reality for many, and not only are the day traders and market investors feeling it, but we all feel it every-time we walk into a grocery store. President elect Obama has a very big job ahead of him, but I can't imagine a better man to take on the task.

I watched many African Americans on the news yesterday, in tears. I watched my mother in tears. And many things even brought me to tears. Fortunately I'm young enough not to remember a lot of the discrimination, however, I do remember clearly how we were treated "differently" when I was a child. I was raised in a family where racism was not tolerated, though we lived in the south. I was raised with love and tolerance for all, and I am so thankful for that. I am one of the fortunate people who doesn't see color, nor have I ever made a decision based on it. I have never had a "black" friend or a "white" friend... I just had friends. Period. Today, I feel as though the rest of this country feels exactly the same way. I feel as though we're finally united, and have become one.

No, Obama will not be able to fix the economy (or anything else) overnight. However, overnight, we have been shown that change is no longer coming... it's here!

Today's the big day! The day when all Americans have the right to have our voice heard and vote for the next US President. Of couse at this point there are many predicitons being made based on early voting at the polls, and it appears as though Obama is coming out on top. Honestly, after watching all of the coverage here in the states -- news and comedic, I have to wonder how McCain didn't just hold up a white flag and surrender. Then again, he could be holding out for the final moment of miscounts and recounts aka cheating. Hey, don't be offended, how else would Bush have been elected?

Anyway, I expect today to be quite interesting. And tomorrow to be rather entertaining. I'm looking forward to watching Bill O'Reilly crawl under his desk, or at least make numerous excuses as to why McCain wasn't elected. He's probably sitting at home right now writing down all the reasons as to why McCain lost -- "Palin wore blue" or some other incredibly poor dialogue as to why one man didn't measure up to the other. Then again, poor O'Reilly is still recovering from the incredible losses he suffered in the stock market over the past couple of months, he might not have much to say at all. On the other hand, Elizabeth Haselhoff (the blonde co-host of The View) could perhaps go underground, never to be heard from again. Wow, if McCain loses it could be a double victory!

Oh well, as of right now it's all still undetermined. We're less than 24 hours away from knowing who our new President will be (barring all mess ups, miscounts, votes that don't count, cheating, lying, stealing, or recounts). I'll be making that late afternoon run to the coffee shoppe because I'll be awake for it all!

Oh where do I begin...

So, as of a few days ago I have been here in the states. I can't even express how awesome it's been. Relaxing, sleeping, shopping, family, friends, pets, and great weather!

The night I left Kuwait we were having a wind storm, but the breeze was cool and what I like to call "my favorite weather in Kuwait." The airport was a little crowded, but not as bad as I expected, the flight was awesome and even early, and the layover consisted of time for Starbucks (in America!) and a few phone calls. I suppose the most disappointing thing about the entire trip has been that my favorite coffee shoppe near my home has closed. Other than airports, while in the states I really don't drink Starbucks. We have many other options here, and most are more quaint, friendly, and with better coffee. I had one near my home, nestled in the woods, family owned, and operated by local HS students. It was just a friendly place to go. They had a great variety of outstanding coffee. It was refreshing to chat with the HS students about their plans for the future, and then sit with close friends and discuss the past. It was a slow paced place one could relax, enjoy great coffee, read the newspaper, and check emails all without feeling as though you were being herded through like cattle. Once you sat with your coffee, the employees would come by to check on you. Or sometimes just sit to join in the conversation. These are all the things Starbucks lacks. Oh well, I do have a "plan B" in the way of coffee. It's another quaint little shoppe in a town called Hillsborough. Very historical little place. However, I find the crowd there to be a little "cliquey" and perhaps more yuppie than I prefer. The employees are nice enough, but the turnover rate is rather high. Just as I get to know a little about them, I never see them again when I return to the states. Yes, I am very social and never meet a stranger. Blah.

Not sure what's on my agenda today. Unfortunately when I return home I feel as though I never left, and forget my time is generally limited. By the time I leave I find myself wondering why I didn't do this and that. I'm not much of an event planner while trying to squeeze in relaxation.

I have found the economy isn't so great, but maybe not as bad as I had heard. Either that or I am fortunate to live in an area not so terribly affected. I've learned more about our Presidential candidates in 3 days than I have in over a year. It's the only thing on television here. I've realized I'm in love with Bill Maher, and repulsed by Bill O'Reilly. This should speak volumes about my favored political party. I see that Sarah Palin isn't the punch line to only my jokes... but the jokes of almost an entire nation. I've seen segments from a lot of her interviews. It makes me think John McCain is truly senile, and choosing her as a running mate should have been enough to get him institutionalized. If a person could die from senility -- he would have been gone years ago. From stupidity -- perhaps she would have never been born at all. I've also seen people who appear to have crawled right out from under a trailer with an empty beer can in their hand have McCain stickers all over the bumper of their 1973 pick up. More than likely only because he's "white." Either that or they share the one remaining brain cell with Sarah Palin. But I suppose the one, more important thing I love about coming home is that I can pull my hair up, wash my face, brush my teeth, throw on my sweats and sneakers, and head off to the supermarket without being sneered at as though I showed up to the formal event under dressed. We're much more friendly. And much less uptight here in America. We say please and thank you, and we even smile and make eye contact with the opposite sex out of kindness, and not fear he's trying to lure you into bed.

All that being said; where does my love for Kuwait come from? Not sure, but I do love it. However, I will always be at "home" in America.

Oh, and the internet connection in the states is awesome!