Ever meet those people who hate everything and everyone? Those who judge everything they encounter if it's even remotely different than them? The ones who watch an entire program on television only to complain the entire time instead of finding something else to watch?

Yeah, I've met my share too. What's up with these people?

Because I've recently encountered more of these people than I typically do, I've taken a moment to try to understand -- an attempt to prevent myself from judging them and joining that bandwagon of hatred. The only conclusion I can come to is total misery from within. What other reason would there be for hating most of what they encounter?

So if this really is the case, and these people really are just miserable, what can be done? And can outsiders play a role? I mean, is there anything we can do to try and bring happiness to someone who is obviously unhappy but refuses to admit it? Isn't that similar to telling an alcoholic to stop drinking when they've yet to admit being one?

No, I am not judging these unhappy people at all. I am truly sad for them. I have been so fortunate to get the travel the world, live in other cultures, and view our differences from my own eyes. I've had the opportunity to embrace the world, and not try to enclose myself in a tiny little portion of it while trying to be the 'big fish in the little pond', but instead, taking pride in being the little fish in a big one -- and learning from our differences. Not judging them.

We really are a team, people. A member of the world's population. Why spend so much time seeking out our differences and pointing fingers instead of learning from them?

I know if I were so miserable that I had to judge everyone around me, I would stop looking outward and start looking inward... and making significant changes in hopes of finding inner peace.

Get the point?

Copied from DG's blog and I believe it is from AFL:

There has been a second much more devastating fire at Animal Friends. This fire was in the main building and 39 animals perished. Several more are struggling to hold on.

Two fire investigations have shown that the fires were caused by a surge of electricity from the main lines. After the first fire, an inspection of the shelter elecrical system was conducted and smoke detectors and fire extinguishers were puchased and donated enmasse. Despite these precautions, a massive surge occured to the now weakened main electrical lines. All staff were sleeping nearby when the fire started. The fire was not discovered until aerosol cans near the source of the fire began to explode. At this point, the fire was fully involved and too dangerous for anyone but the fire department to fight. Our shelter staff acted herroically to save as many animals as possible, and the fire rescue team also showed great courage as they entered the building to release the dogs from their firey prisons while the fire was still burning. Despite these acts of bravery, at least ten animals died in the fire and many were so badly injured that the arriving shelter staff had to work frantically and desperately to triage them and provide euthanasia where necessary. Thus far, the fire has cost the lives of 8 dogs and 31 cats.

One whole section of the shelter is completely destroyed the entire building will require extensive repairs from smoke and fire damage. Animal Friends and the animals we care for have never needed your help more. Animal Friends simply will not survive without help from all of you. Below is a list of things we need in order of priority.

1. CASH! The rebuilding is going to cost KD50,000. Please donate what you can, hold small fundraisers and get as many people involved as possible. Checks should be made payable to: Ayeshah Waleed Al-Humaidhi and below is our bank information for a direct transfer. If you need further information please call 97377867 or e-mail info@animalfriendskuwait.org.
Bank Name: Bank of Kuwait and the Middle East (BKME)Branch: South SurraName: Ayeshah Waleed Al-HumaidhiAddress Line 1: P.O.Box 71, Safat 13001Address Line 2: KuwaitAccount: 42043311SWIFT: BKMEKWKW

2. Foster Homes. We have no shelter and currently have the animals housed at the Royal Animal Hospital and in outdoor enclosures at the shelter. These are obviously temporary fixes. The construction is going to take about 3 months and we are appealing to all of you to house an animal until it can be adopted or returned to the rebuilt shelter. If you are able to foster an animal please call 66187301 or e-mail anna_mitchell@shaw.ca.

3. Volunteers. We need help with clean-up and helping care for the animals. We need to salvage anything and everything we can from the building before the demolition starts. This weekend, Friday-Saturday (26-27) are going to be huge clean-up days. Your help would be hugely appreciated. The map will be uploaded to the website shortly.

4. In Kind Donations. We will be putting together an extensive list of items we need in the next few days and will send it out to the list as well as post to our website.

Thank you in advance for your help and support and we hope to rise out of the ashes bigger and better.

It's true life is always moving forward or back... we're never stagnant. Regardless of how much we may love this moment in time, it's going to pass. What we do with the next moment is our decision; sometimes. How we choose to deal with the next moment is our decision; always.

I've come to a point in my life where it's really time to take major steps forward. I've been sitting back, watching events take place around me, but not playing the active role I should have been playing. I've become complacent, which often leads to boredom, and eventually misery. This is not to say I'm miserable, but certainly bored.

Many times I've looked back over life at fond memories and ask myself what happened. Where did those days go? How did things eventually change to something almost unrecognizable without my permission -- and almost without my knowledge. Kinda like waking up one day, looking around, and saying, 'WTF is all this? And where did it come from?' If only we had the power to choose the most perfect moments in life and live in them forever. However, in some ways we do -- by making each day something productive, positive, and good for us.

Memories are a great thing, and I dread the day I no longer have any (due to old age and the inevitable forgetting of my own name). But to live in a memory isn't really to 'live' at all, it's just simply remembering. What fun is that? Every day is the opportunity to create new memories, and today is my day.

I will no longer exist in my memories, but I will definitely live in every moment. Moving forward.

For those of you who have emailed me, I have replied. If you don't see it in your inbox, please check your spam. Because I send the email from the domain 'AmericanGirlinKuwait.com' it's generally delivered to the spam box.

Thank you for all of your emails and the time you took to contact me. It's always so great to read the opinions and thoughts of others. Even the ones which are sometimes not quite so positive -- but hey, even you peeps got a reply :)

Often I look at other cultures and wonder why America doesn't have the same 'family values' as others. Children generally move out into their own place before their 20's, choose their mate for marriage with little or no input from family, and it's not unusual to only see some family members during holidays. In Kuwait it's common for children to live at home until they're married (even if they're 35), families play a fairly significant role in choosing wives and approving of husbands, and women are often dropped off at the family home every weekend with kids in tow.

I often tell my children, 'friends and lovers will come and go, but you'll always have your family.' I truly mean these words... though our family is very small compared to others and other cultures.

This evening I was driving to the local convenient store to get steak sauce for over $4 a bottle. Yes, I could have gone into the grocery store and paid half, but I was in my pajamas. OK, I admit, if the opportunity arises to run out of the house in my 'jammies' and flip flops, I am all over it. It was dusk, the sun was rapidly setting, yet it was very overcast and felt like rain. There was a light breeze blowing so I felt the need for a short ride through one of my favorite neighborhoods -- all the while crossing my fingers in hopes I didn't have an accident and have to stand on the side of the road in my 'jammies' waiting for police to arrive. Fortunately all went well.

During my pajama clad joy ride, I did a lot of thinking about the words I often say to my sons, and evaluated their weight. Will we really always have our family? If our family values aren't as strong as other cultures do they exist at all? Then I started thinking of these past several months and the extended period of time I have had with my mom. We've disagreed, argued, and even didn't speak for an hour or so. But when it comes to the truly important things... our happiness, we would give our own life to ensure the other was happy. There is absolutely nothing we wouldn't do to make the other comfortable or secure. When we're feeling down, we have no doubt the other will make us feel better.

Perhaps America doesn't give the appearance of 'family values' on the outside, but when it really matters we truly do have our family. And sometimes even when it doesn't matter. Maybe the fact that we don't force our opinions of who one should love or marry, or when we should move out on our own, or what path we choose in life isn't judged by our family isn't an indication they don't support us. As a matter of fact, maybe it's evidence they do.

Though I always look forward to the next adventure and the upcoming trips overseas, I am really going to miss my family more than usual this time. Lessons learned are invaluable.

Let me answer the most obvious questions that are going to come to mind as this is being read by many of you; No, I am not bitter. No, I have not been emotionally scarred, or even hurt by a Kuwaiti man. And no, I don't know everything.

Moving right along...

After living in Kuwait for many years some things just become obvious to those who take the time to look. Rarely did I interact with Americans, and all of my friends were Kuwaiti -- male and female. Some of the most amazing people I have ever known, I met in Kuwait. Some of these people will always be considered dear to me. Others I met through business, or casual acquaintances and fade out over time.

First and foremost -- if you were unappealing, unattractive, and undesirable in 'American standards' that hasn't changed in Kuwait. You're still all of those things. Only now you have something to offer -- money, freedom, time, and probably an apartment. This doesn't make you a '10', just a target.

Second, learn the culture. Don't just meet some young hather boy in his rented car and Nike outfit and assume he's 'Westernized.' Take the time to have some understanding of what you're dealing with, and who you're dealing with. Kuwaitis are not like some other countries where marrying an American is desirable to them. They don't need or want a green card, and their blue passport is much more appealing than ours.

Additionally, if you are in a physical relationship with a Kuwaiti man (or close to it) and start hearing, 'I want to spend the rest of my life with you'... plug your ears. This is just his next step in the game. Where you (the American woman) see it as the next step in the relationship. Take the rose colored glasses off and get back to planet earth.

Furthermore, 'I am going to talk to my family about us getting married' generally translates to, 'I have been to bed with you, you're getting too clingy, and I need a nice way to end this relationship without having stalker girl on my ass every day.' There is no requirement for family acceptance in marriage. Not even in Kuwait. Sure, it would be lovely, but you're chances are better if he says, 'We can get married, but my family can never know.' At least then you're dealing with more honesty and you can decide if it's something you want to go forward with.

Finally, if you are 'dating' a Kuwaiti man who has convinced you he doesn't care if you're not Muslim, he still respects you though you're having sex with him, and he continues to plan dates outside the country or at your apartment -- he's probably already married.

This is not to say all Kuwaiti men are liars. But the reality is Middle Eastern love is very different than American love. Not that one is better than the other. But their love consists of respect -- you're not going to get that while you're naked and sharing stories of your grandparent's Halocaust experiences. Our love is very pure and without many restrictions. They are very aware of this. Do you think they don't talk?

As you feel the relationship is 'growing', they feel as though the game is 'working.' You have dreams of marriage, they have dreams of sex. No, they're not going to leave you once you give into the endless text messages spewing love, the daily phone calls expressing emotion, and the unexpected surprises that make you smile. Why would they? You are available, giving it away (which translates to no self respect), and only sleeping with them. However, once you start to get too close, and they're aware of this, they'll start to come up with every reason possible to end it. Even if it means being mean, ugly, calling you names, etc.

Fortunately, these are not things I've had to learn on my own. These are things I have been told by my male Kuwaiti friends. One even said to me, "Yeah, we met them, are friendly, make them laugh, pretend we're not really interested (or even purposely make them mad), give them our number anyway, wait for their call (because they will call), take them out for the first date, show up at their apartment for the next one (with a small token or gift), treat them like a friend, tell them anything they want to hear, and ride it out from there." Where the woman thinks she's being 'charmed' he is simply walking the steps they're all so familiar with and have mastered.

If you're really interested in marriage with a Kuwaiti man (or any man for that matter), work on yourself. Your self respect should always be most important. If it seems too good to be true -- it probably is... this is the case with men as well. If there's ever a moment you're wondering, or unsure... trust yourself. If you feel like he's so great, 'he must be lying', chances are... he is.

No offense to any American woman working in Kuwait -- but sometimes I find the blind way that you wander through Kuwait without a clue to be a shame. It gives us a bad name, and eventually we're going to be compared to those women in hotel bars in Dubai. If we're not already!

Wise up, ladies. Stop running away to neighboring countries for a drink every now and then, and expect to return to open arms and respect from your 'boyfriend.'