Stricter Traffic Laws and Fines....

So the big hype in Kuwait right now is these new stricter traffic violations. Here is the catch, it is targeted towards expats. If you see the image above that is the new traffic fines.

I am all for improving the roads and enforcing laws. I have been hoping they would shape up the driving in Kuwait. However, targeting expats and threatening them with getting deported for running a red light, that is a bit extreme.

Whats the real reason if you ask me? It is all part of the grand scheme of reducing the number of expats in the country. Do I find this logical? The concept yes. Kuwait is over populated, the roads are enough proof of that. I am also all for making Kuwaitis more self sustaining. After all, it is their country. But departing people for crossing a red light, that is a bit over kill don't you think?

It is a known fact Kuwait will implode if all the expats were to leave. Yes Kuwait is rich and the youth are more hard working and motivated. However, the work ethic is much lower. Why? Because of the way of life in Kuwait. People have gotten used to the culture of expats working from 8 to 5 and Kuwaitis working from 8 to 1 or 2. Kuwaitis also get the government allowance. There are so many benefits given to the locals for less responsibilities. Can one blame them? Not at all. But to kick out all the expats will be detrimental to Kuwait's economy.

Back to the road business. What about the Kuwaiti drivers? Yeah sure they say the fines and jail time apply to them as well but would they put a Kuwaiti girl in jail? I think not. Would they put someone from a higher up family in jail? I think not. And who are the most reckless drivers in the country? Kuwaitis by far. Plus though the expat community is larger than the local one. One must put this into perspective. The largest expat group in Kuwait is the Indians and Pakistanis. What occupation take up the majority of this group? Blue color laborers. In other words, lower class workers. Do they drive? Not all of them. In fact not even a large portion of them drive. They are provided with transportation given by their company.

My main concern is the extreme punishments for the expats and the leniency on the locals. Lead by example people!!!!

On a brighter note, I am really happy to see that fines for children in the front seat have been noted. Personally, I think that fine should be higher! Nothing pisses me off more than to see a baby in the front seat on someones lap! Even the drivers lap sometimes! Car seats are made for a reason! It is to protect your child. Then there are the older kids that don't have to wear seal belts and roam through the vehicle and even poke their whole bodies out of the car. Hello, one accident and your child goes through the window!

This is all so concerning. I love my life here in Kuwait (most days). The last thing I need is the fear of getting deported for the way I drive. I am a responsible part of the community. I drive not just my car but I calculate other drivers next move. I keep a whole car distance between me and the vehicle in front of me. So, if i accidentally run a red light that might have changed red while I was going through the yellow light, I can get deported. This is very unfair. But hey hoe, as the locals always say, "I know nothing and I must remember I am a guest in their country." All I can say to that before I close off is, when you invite someone into your home you treat them with respect don't you? You serve them food and drink, take their coats, give them a nice meal, clean your house before they come. So isn't that the same concept on a larger scale?

Oh well, I love Kuwait. I have been here pretty much my whole life and I like my life here I share with my husband and family. So I will follow these rules and pay even more attention on the road so that I do not cause my own deportation.

Tata for now. xoxo 

Beauty is Pain

So I have started the process of gaining that Hollywood smile. Ill tell ya...it's painful. So like I mentioned before, I had my teeth cleaned the other day which was less than delightful. Well tonight I got that gum lift thing. Which is basically identical to when you get a manicure and they scrap off the dead cuticles and them push them back. Ya...

So they run this nasty tasting numbing cream that had to sit for five minutes. When the dentist comes in he sticks the biggest needle I have ever seen in my like into my gums. It was more numbing stuff. Scary ass needle I tell ya. If Indiana had been there, I am pretty sure he would have fainted lol. He doesn't like needles and that thing was the size of the Titanic! Anyways then he did the whole gum lifting thing. Lets just say my mouth really hurts but I can already see a difference in my smile. Hey nothing in life comes easy, or for free. Definitely not for free lol.

I am currently at the airport waiting for my darling husband to return. He had to shoot off for a business meeting today. I will be so happy to fall into bed and have his arms wrapped around me where I feel safe. Yes he has only been gone for a couple hours but give a girl a break, I'm in pain.

It's funny he was only gone a day I dropped him off at the airport this morning. But just the fact that I know I couldn't see him even if I wanted to makes me miss him. Hell some days I miss him while I am at work. Yes, he is just that amazing.


I will be happy to finally hit the hay after being awake since 4 am. What a day....

Night night xoxo

Be the Change You Wish to See in the World

The title of my post seems like such an easy concept right? If so, then why is there so much evil and hate in the world. Everyone I talk to wishes for world peace yet it is the farthest thing away from our reach. What does the quote mean. I mean down to the core what does it mean?

I will tell you my interpretation. It means to lead my example. Don't be afraid to be that person standing above the crowd. While everyone else is being sheep and mindlessly following other be the person to walk with your head held high. Everyone says they want to end world hunger yet hardly anyone will stop for a moment and actually buy a poor person a meal. Everyone wants to stop world violence but when someone pisses you off, revenge is on your mind. It is the little things one person does that eventually catches on. Be that change. It seems to be too hard. Let us take a very small example; the stray dog problem here in Kuwait.

I live in an area where there is a lot of stray dogs. Not once have they attached me or my two dogs. They do however bark to warn you off. Why is this? Because it is their home! People don't understand that concept. They thinks the dogs are evil and must be put down, hence the poison the ministry cruelly leave out. Instead no one realizes that will all the apartments going up left right and center, their home is getting smaller and smaller. We all fight for what we have. If someone comes into your home uninvited you would be on the defense too wouldn't you? How about instead of killing them, show them some kindness? See if some of them are people friendly and give them a home. Call Ks Path and have them come and collect them. Why do they need to die and be beaten when they are only defending what is rightfully theirs? Those areas are their home and they are only trying to protect what is theirs.

Let's go now to a larger scale. The United States of America; my home country. What does it stand for? Freedom right? What is the American dream? The American dream is to live somewhere where you are judged, questioned or harassed based on your way of life. It was the place people once migrated to in order to be able to be themselves. Now look what it has become! Look at just Facebook and Twitter. You see all these hateful rants about politics and religion. Obama is the devil. Abortion is an abomination. Muslims are terrorists. Strict gun laws. No gay marriage. The list goes on and on. I am not stating my religious or political favor here. That is besides the point. I am speaking as an American who believes in what American stands for.

If someone wants to be gay and get married how in any way shape or form does that affect me? Some people say it is an insult to straight marriages and ruins the sanctity of marriage. That just sounds childish to me. That there sounds like a keeping up with the Jone's situation. My marriage is my marriage. The sanctity of my marriage is based on how my husband and a treat it and nourish it. Our marriage has nothing to do with anyone else. I am not offended if Gay people can get married. How does that have anything to do with me? But apparently it ruins other people's marriages. You know what I say to that? Grow up! Stop comparing yourself to others and get your noses out of other peoples business. It is these people that are filled with so much hate that is demolishing America. It is supposed to be the land of the FREE!!! Not the land of chains and shackles. We moved on from that didn't we? Apparently not.

If a woman wants to get an abortion for any reason, also how is that any of my damn business? How is that any one's damn business? People make their own choices for a reason and as an American and a human being a respect that. Am I pro choice or pro life? What the hell does it matter. I choose to be who I am and it is not my place to impose my beliefs on anyone else. It is how I choose to live my life. Again get your noses out of other people's business. If it against your religion, then you follow it. Don't make other people conform to you. That is what America is supposed to stand for. Everyone has a right to choose their path.

Strict gun laws? Now that is just silly. Guns don't kill people. People kill people. Taking guns away from responsible law abiding citizens just puts them in harms way. If you think that for a second stricter gun laws will make America safer then you are an idiot. You think a criminal is going to go oh guns are illegal so I wont get one. They are criminals!! HELLO!!! So instead of making the proper policy's and procedures for people to legally obtain a weapon we put innocent peoples lives in danger because you can be bothered to do a little extra work. We have a word for that in my household, LAZY. Isn't that what we have a constitution? No instead once again, people feel their opinion is what truly matters. The same people who are up in congress fighting for no guns have body guards. Yeah.....OK. That's not hypocritical at all. Look what all of this is doing to America? Ruining it. Land of the free no more.

I will not write a lot on this next point because I feel only one sentence needs to be said. Arabs and Muslims are not all terrorists!!! End of story. Moving on.

Be the change you wish to see in the world. So easy to say right? Not so easy to execute is it? How about you try this. Next time you are about to rant and rave on Facebook, Twitter or whatever your desired social media outlet is, you count to ten and think; "Is this really necessary?" All you do is piss people off. I guess that is why some people do it though. How about everyone just try to live their life based on their morals and values and let other people do the same?

Just saying...

Checking out for now... xoxo

 

Asnan Clinic for Dental Work is a MUST

Hello again!

Yes I am posting twice today. I wanted to make a separate post on Asnan Tower. They are a dental clinic here in Kuwait located in Salmiya. It is right across the Rays One restaurant on the gulf road if you are familiar with that side of town.

I am very picky about teeth. I wore braces for five years and they did their job. However, though my teeth are straight, like the braces are meant to make them, I have gaps between my K9 teeth. Dentists have told me I can't close the gap with braces because the teeth are simply too small. So a couple years ago I went to International Clinic, my private clinic of choice, and saw the dentist. It was just a consultation and he told me they would crown my top four teeth to give the look I had hoped braces would give me. That would cost around KD 600. So, now that I am working I thought now is the perfect time to fix my teeth. So, I called IC yesterday only to find out my dentist is no longer with them. This saddened me because I only trusted him! Remember, very picky about my teeth. You don't just hand your baby over to any babysitter, you hand it over to the babysitter you trust. The same concept applys here.

So i felt stuck. I asked around the office for recommendations and got a few. But then! I remembered a friend of mine, with beautiful teeth, posted a pic on her instagram of her at the dentist and named the place. I also know this girl is like me and when we do something, we do it right! So I went instagram stalking and found that picture. Asnan Clinic! Aha! So I called them to book an appointment.

This is where the story really begins. Even from the phone call they were super nice and very professional. I also liked that everyone can speak understandable English. Not like IC where I got put on hold twice for long periods of time because no one could speak English, Like hello!!! Why have the option to press 2 for English if I am just going to get someone who doesn't speak English. Come on guys it isn't rocket science. Anyways, needless to say the people at Asnan Tower speak wonderful English. So I booked an appointment for myself and Indiana. Have I ever mentioned he hates the dentist?? This is why I love my husband so much. He hates the dentist but agreed to go with me.

When we got there we opened our files, 30 KD each. They have a deal right now that you pay the KD 30 and every consultation after that is free. The Xray is also free for the first consultation. They were very busy but didn't keep us waiting long, which is very nice. Then came my turn. So, I thought KD 600 was a lot of money to dish out for my teeth. Boy was I wrong! He told me that the crowning of my four teeth is an outdated procedure and instead he suggested putting veneers on my top ten teeth. He explained that it is a better option because it will be less altering of my real teeth, lasts longer (about 15 years) and the color doesn't fade. Not to mention if I did the crowning it would make my teeth very sensitive because they will be shaving my top for teeth into creepy vampire looking teeth. He also told me that when I smile my gums show and apparently they aren't supposed to. I love learning new things! He recommended before I do the veneers to get this procedure where they lift my gums. It is similar to when you go get a manicure and they clean around your cuticles. So I was convinced!! LETS DO IT!!!

Until I heard the price...So for the gum procedure it will cost me KD 300. OK that's reasonable. However, each veneer will also cost me KD 300! And I have to do TEN TEETH!!! What does that amount to you may ask??? KD 3300!!!! I think a little piece of me died inside when I heard that. Where the hell am I going to get that kinds of money?? Then the clinic got even better. They are flexible with payments and I can put a down payment first and pay monthly installments. AMAZING! IC never offered that to me!

Indiana and I went to get our teeth cleaned. What a difference simple cleaning can make! Indiana has brown stains on the back of his teeth from his Turkish coffee he drinks and it is all gone!!! We also found out he has substantially less plaque on his teeth which is why they are sensitive. He was told to stop using his hard toothbrush immediately and switch to a soft one. Everyone should use soft ones to prevent scratching on your teeth. He also, is not allowed acidic. My poor hubby loves his OJ and lemons!!! The price you pay to have good teeth right?

So all in all, I highly recommend this place. It may be a bit pricey but in the end of the day it is worth it.

Here is the link to their website where you can get more info and contact details:

http://asnan.com/en/asnan-tower.php?id=255

Laters!!! xoxo

Why Hello There

Hello people,

It has been a while since i got on here. Let's just say like got hectic. New job is crazy busy so when I get home the last thing I wanna do is sit in front of a screen. However, I made a commitment by making this blog and thus I must maintain it.

Summer is fast approaching and I must say, I love the weather. Yes, I also love the heat. Kuwait's heat doesn't bother me at all. I guess I am just used to it after living here for so long. I actually prefer it. I hate the cold. Can't stand it!!! My hubby can account to that. So summer is where I belong.

Our boat is finally fixed and tomorrow will be our first full day on the water after our first attempt last weekend failed. Shooting off to an island for some fun in the sun! We will be going out for our neighbors birthday celebration. She is super excited. Then again, I don't know when she isn't. She is a wonderful woman. The kind that makes everything in like full of color. She is so warm and kind hearted. However, I tend to be more earthly toned in my way of like. So sometimes, the level of enthusiasm can be a bit much for me. Indiana and I like our quiet time. The alone time after a long day of work. Our home is our sanctuary, the place we can unwind and leave work behind. In other words, sit on the couch in our birthday suits watching TV. :) Our neighbor will come to our house more than I would prefer. Her new thing is to just open the door and come on in. I understand that her way of life is super open but ours isn't. I'm just not sure what to do about this situation because I really like her and don't want to hurt her feelings but a married couple needs their space!

Anyways, enough venting. Work has been great. I do much more than my job title but I love the responsibility. I do something different every day. I am not just stuck behind the desk for eight hours a day like a zombie. I like having a bit of freedom in my job. So all in all, life is good.

Back to summer approaching, DON'T FORGET SUNSCREEN! especially if you are new here in Kuwait, don't be brave or stubborn. Just put it on. It never killed anyone. If you want  tan still wear something for protection. My favorite brand is Coppertone. Get the tanning cream, SPF 4, that is made with Cocoa Butter. It doesn't leave that icky feeling on your hands and actually smells really nice. Not to mention you get a lovely tan at the end of the day. Due to my Irish and Scottish roots, I am destined to be more pale skinned. Yes, I also have the curly hair to go with the stereotype. I enjoy a good tan. Though it takes me a really long time and a ton of Coppertone to achieve it. Indiana is just lucky he tans beautifully after one simple day in the sun. I hope when we have kids they take after him more when it comes to their skin.

Moving on, GET OUTSIDE AND GET SOME VITAMIN D!!!!!! It's good for you I promise. :)

Adios Amigos!!! xoxo