Okie dokie, so it snowed here in NC. Absolutely gorgeous. We only got about an inch whereas the northern states got up to a couple of feet. But our snow was short, sweet, and to the point -- just like I like it. It started falling, it was pretty, it sat around for a day, and it left without leaving behind messy roads or power outages. Awesome!




















I've been doing a lot of baking and candy purchasing lately. It's Christmas here in America, the stores are all decorated, and for some reason a Resee Peanut Butter Cup Miniature looks more appealing when wrapped in pretty green, red, and gold foil. I've had my share.

As of right now it looks like I'm heading back to the Middle East the first or second week of January. I love being home and am really going to miss it -- but I miss life on the other side of the world as well. I live firmly by 'everything happens for a reason' so I am generally emotionally prepared for the next journey and try very hard to look forward to it.

During my time here in the states I spend a lot of time just living a good old fashioned 'normal' life of coffee, family time, sleeping in, and overall relaxing. Therefore, my blog updating slows down quite a bit. I'll try to do a little better in the future.

Rarely would I discuss something such as Tiger Woods (or any other celebrity) because I really just lack the interest in the lives of people who live in a world I will never experience, or understand fully. The over the top lavish lifestyles of never having to question a purchase, finest things money can buy, and most importantly, in Tiger's case -- the 'perfect' marriage and family.

Not only is this man an amazing Golfer... best of the best even, but he has a gorgeous wife, two adorable children, and what seemed to be a life many men dream of. The photos of him and his wife together at the 18th hole never appeared fake, and even portrayed such a sense of genuine love there was no question in anyone's mind about their happiness. Not that I ever put any thought into Tiger, but if I did, I would simply assume he was loving his career, enjoying the company of his wife, perhaps dreaming of teaching his son the game, and treating his daughter like a little princess. If Elin was aware of his 'transgressions' she's better at faking happiness than Tiger.

With the 'picture perfect' life, one has to wonder what would cause this man to cheat and betray his wife. Not once, not twice, not three times, not four... you get the picture. I believe the number is rapidly approaching 20 at this point. This was not a man who sneaked off with a high priced escort during a business trip to Vegas. This was a man who sought out this lifestyle, while pretending to live something totally different at home. He carried on lengthy relationships with more than one woman during his marriage -- and her pregnancy. The level of betrayal far surpasses the accidental 'oops, messed up' stage. Every day of his marriage to Elin must now feel like a slap in the face to her.

Will they recover? Not really my business, but certainly on the lips of many people here in America.

If Elin initially found herself attracted to Tiger for financial reasons, then sure, I can see some forgiveness in the near future. Especially as he's throwing millions in her direction at a high rate of speed. But if Elin truly loved this man with her heart, and felt he was her best friend, I can't see there ever being trust again.

Additionally, Tiger's sponsors are now starting to question their relationships with him. This could be almost as painful for him as the betrayal his wife must have felt when these 'transgressions' came to light. Tiger really did represent the 'All American Boy' with his wife and children by his side and golf clubs on the other. He was pure and clean. There were no skeletons in that closet. However, on a positive note, Nike should be more than willing to hang on to Tiger since he's certainly lived up to their motto of 'Just Do It' -- and boy has he.

I suppose in the end this makes me thankful for not living the life of the abundantly wealthy, want for nothing, need even less, elites. The more one has -- the more they have to lose. Ask Tiger.

OK, so I haven't really vented as of late -- but here goes.

I have an acquaintance... male, early 20's, intelligent, attending university, and Muslim. He has a good head on his shoulders, and is truly a bright man. I wouldn't consider him a 'friend' since we're not that close -- but I do have a sense of respect for him. Because of his age, he sometimes has a tendency to pass judgement on others, but in more of a joking and harmless way. Perhaps we all do this from time to time. He's never meant any harm to the people he's done this to, never done it to me, and just isn't a cruel person. However, today, a mutual acquaintance emailed me and shared a conversation he had with this person -- regarding me. I was slightly taken aback as I did expect better from this person. To some degree this conversation was harmless, and not something I put a lot of thought into considering, like I said, this isn't a person I am close to. However, the fact I was even a topic of conversation was a bit shocking to me. Especially when there were negative undertones. Um, who am I? I can't believe for one moment I am this important to anyone they feel the need to discuss me at random. And if I am, clearly something is lacking is someone's life.

I did confront the person about their comments, but without the same negative connotations he had attached to it. I suppose with age comes complete exhaustion and I just have no interest (or energy) to debate something so mundane. Though I did want to make him aware -- that I was aware.
 
Now, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind this person will eventually change their tune. I've seen it with this person before. Unfortunately, I'm not fond of tune changing. I don't play the 'respect me today but not tomorrow' game. You're either going to respect me as a person, or you're not. If not, masalaaammmaaaa -- I couldn't care less. But I'm certainly not going to allow someone to be disrespectful to me (in any way) and then expect to gain my loyalty again at some point. Too much more drama to bother myself with than this.

All that being said... why? Why is it some people can so easily change? How are people expected to trust anyone at all when the ones we assume we can trust turn out to be worse than the ones we never did? Or is it a lack of judgement on my part? Maybe people are underdogs for a good reason, and perhaps my desire to side with them is my weakness.

Blah, blah, who really cares?

For many years one of my biggest concerns in Kuwait are the bedouns. Stateless individuals without citizenship. Many people have written to me suggesting I write a book about them, their lives, and how they currently live in Kuwait. Though this would be interesting to many, I feel the actual life of a bedoun carries more weight -- and their story would be much deeper than anything I could possibly write. Obviously the view from my eyes, and their personal experiences don't even come close to running parallel.

Over the past four years I have made valuable friendships with bedouns, listened to their stories, and seen how they live with my own eyes. It's much easier to observe than to discuss as most people prefer to share the good about their lives than the bad.

One of my bedoun friends was married about a year ago. I recall him telling me the struggles of finding an apartment and getting all of the furnishings together on his 700KD a month salary. Which is really a fair salary for a bedoun. But far from enough to provide for a wife and family. For a while he had been given a company vehicle and mobile phone which helped him a lot -- but the company eventually took those things away. Fortunately he has a car which he shares with one of his brothers to enable him to get to and from work, doctors, etc. Soon after his wedding his wife became pregnant and has recently had her baby. Sure both families do what they can to help out, but she too is a bedoun. The stress he must be under trying to provide for a wife and a baby are something I can't even fathom.

Another friend of mine who lives in Jahra is also a bedoun. He comes from a family of 12 children -- all adults now. A couple of the sisters were fortunate enough to marry citizens and are now citizens themselves. The brothers and my friend have no chance. He has shared stories with me about his childhood when his father was a police officer in Kuwait. They had a home provided by the government, and he seemed to live the typical life of a child. He attended school, went outside to play when the weather allowed, had friends, etc. Unfortunately, in 1991, his father was removed from his position, and lost all rights to any retirement or pension. The family was also required to move from their government provided home. Now, many years later, they live in a small apartment in Jahra. Both the mother and father are older and in poor health. No one in the home has an actual bed, but instead, they sleep on mats in the floor. Though this is fairly typical of a bedoin (not bedoun), it's not the standard life in Kuwait. His father is unable to get the medical care he truly needs, and his mother suffers with incessant pain due to arthritis in all of her joints. Also unable to get the real medical care and prescriptions she needs. Five of the brothers (all adults and over the age of 28) live at home, and only a couple of them have a job -- random work when available. A couple of the brothers seem to have a great interest in a better life, finding steady work, and making a more quality living experience for their family. The others don't share the same interest. Either due to lack of faith in the ability to do so, or just pure laziness. Not sure which.

A few more of my friends are bedouns, however their mothers are citizens. Their lives seem to be a bit better, and they have had opportunities my other friends haven't. One even went to Canada to study, got his MD, and is currently working as a Doctor. He travel often, and seems to live a fairly quality life. Completely opposite of my other friends.

Kuwait takes this issue seriously, and has attempted to make changes a number of times. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be getting anywhere. Bedouns have lost faith in the system. They feel every 'change' is just a ploy to identify them as a bedoun, and take away any rights they could possibly ever have as a Kuwaiti. There is a huge lack of communication, and even more lack of trust. It's a sad situation which needs serious attention. It's a shame for anyone to have to live the way some of my friends do -- and it leaves me feeling helpless. I hate to see anyone suffer.

I will continue to gather information, care about my friends, learn from their experiences, and be thankful for mine. If only I could change the world -- or if only others could see it through my eyes.

I take this flight often. Direct from Kuwait to DC/DC to Kuwait -- United Airlines. I truly prefer the Emirates direct from Dubai to JFK much more, but the layover in Dubai in the middle of the night just isn't worth it to me. Though United Business Class doesn't even compare to Emirates Business, the convenience wins in the end. Today, while reading the local news here in America, I came across the following article. Very disturbing.

Britain's Sun newspaper is reporting that a breast-feeding mother accidentally smothered her 4-week-old child on a United Airlines flight from Washington, D.C., to Kuwait.