Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Reading Books For Your Child

It is two weeks since school started and until now it isn't clear what they are taking in class. It is chaos, and god only knows what the teacher is doing when my son goes to class without his homework done because we do not know what he exactly have in the first place. I just can't wait for the Parents Teacher meeting just to know what his teacher is up to. Mean while, I'm using the books I've ordered from Amazon France to prepare him for the lessons he is taking in class. I just wonder why we do not have homeschooling in Kuwait!!! It is very frustrating!
The story we're currently reading is called the Fairy,
with a wonderful moral about generosity, honesty and respect.
One of the books we are using, and I'm totally in love with it, is a Reading book with 4 different types of stories, the first story is a fairy tale, the second a short novel, the third a graphic book kind of story and the fourth are four short scenes of comedic theater. It is the kind of book which exposes the child on the different types of reading and enjoying stories. On the right side of each page there are the hard words and their definitions. With the story book comes an exercise book. At the end of every chapter of each story, there are exercises and questions to answer to see if the child has understood what he was reading. I'm wondering if there is something similar in English? So far I looked but couldn't find anything.

Monday, September 27, 2010

6 Easy Mood Lifters

From Self Magazine ;)
Sweat to smile. Exercise may be as effective at relieving mild to moderate depression as the antidepressant Zoloft, reveals a study from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. "Physical activity stimulates the feel-good chemical dopamine, which increases our sense of well-being," explains Stephen Ilardi, Ph.D., author of The Depression Cure (Da Capo Press). A little stressed out? Of all of the things you can do to bring on calm, aerobic activity may be most effective. Studies show that workouts counteract stress-related memory loss by speeding up production of new nerve cells in the hippocampus, the brain's memory processing center. Tweak your diet. "The omega-3 fatty acids in cold-water fish help the brain respond to signals from the mood chemicals dopamine and serotonin," Ilardi says, adding, "The antioxidants and flavonoids in colorful fruit and veggies work in combination with omega-3s to protect the brain from harmful inflammation that can trigger depression." I love fish!!! I'll add more Salmon in my diet. ;) Sleep off sadness. People who have insomnia have a fivefold risk of developing depression compared with those who are well rested, according to a study from the University of North Texas in Denton. Lack of sleep has also been linked to weight gain. That is the only thing I'm not doing right. I'm sleeping late and waking up early... I'm just not getting enough sleep. Just say om. Some studies suggest that regular meditation reduces the recurrence of depression as effectively as medication. If sitting and chanting aren't appealing, start with baby steps by focusing on your breath. If your mind wanders, let your thoughts go and refocus on inhaling and exhaling. Aim to do this for a couple of minutes a few times a day—or anytime you feel like your head is ready to explode. I can't wait for the weather to cool a little so I can have long meditative walks in the evenings. See the light. "Sunlight is key for regulating your biological clock, which affects mood, sleep and energy," Ilardi says. Depressed people exposed to bright light for an hour upon waking for five weeks experienced a 54 percent improvement in symptoms, finds a study from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. Well not with our sun...but I do have a lot of natural light during the day from the big windows around my home.
Lean on a Friend
University of Chicago suggests that having a close circle is critical; people who are lonely have increased levels of depression. A study in the American Journal of Health and Behavior reports that socializing with friends can have as positive an impact on health as quitting smoking, working out or eating right. Curling up on the couch with a pal can be restorative, too. "A friendly touch puts the brakes on the brain's stress-response signals," Ilardi explains. Give someone you love a hug. Yes...this is the plan!!! Going out with friends during the week.

Mariah Takes a Tumble

"They say I'm a diva so, might as well act like one," she once told a crowd at Madison Square Garden.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Movies

In Short...it is a lovey dovey movie...
good for lazy afternoon ;)
Leslie Wright, a straight-shooting physical therapist, gets the gig of a lifetime working with NBA All-Star Scott McKnight. All is going well until Leslie finds herself falling for Scott, forcing her to choose between the gig of a lifetime and the tug-of-war inside her heart. Oblivious to her romantic overtures, McKnight is instead drawn to the affections of Leslie's gorgeous childhood friend Morgan, who has her sights set on being an NBA trophy wife. Is Leslie destined to play the role of "best friend" forever or will Scott finally see that what he always wanted is right in front of him?
I love each one of them and they were my
favorite action heros in the 80's until the late 90's...
I enjoyed the blood splatter
scenes... but it is high time for Stalone and his buddies to
retire and spend their days playing golf ;)
And of course.... I just can't wait for this to come out!!!

Girl Talk

Ana baitootiya (homey)…
I don't go out much…or I'd rather go out during day light instead of evenings. My priority and it always will be my hubby and boys. Being there, making sure the home works are done we have a little of quality time together and then see them tucked in bed. I know this is all good and noble, being there for my boys, but sometimes it is such a dead bore!!! Lately, I'm finding myself very restless. I put in a couple of hours at the office…doing nothing and then heading to the malls, window shopping...picking up some coffee and just walking around... However it isn't what I want… I want to break the evening routine. Fahad isn't a person who likes to go out in the evening unless it is for dinner with our friends which is once every month. My girl friends, well most of them are busy with their own homes and obligations. I was complaining the other day to my friend Glamorous Mona (I have names for all my friends which describe their character. It started with Profound Ansam & Genuine Shosho when we were out once and Ansam asked us to describe ourselves in one word. I'm Nurturer Dalal ;p) Anyway… Mona was feeling as restless as I am. We want to break from that routine. So we decided on a day of the week where we'll put our kids in bed and meet for coffee or a light meal and movies. The rules are: not to speak about kids or troubles with the help! ;ppp We will gossip, eat and just relax. We'll see how this will work out ;p At least before the exams start… Laish elnas et5ez?? Ogle…ogle…ogle… On the weekend Fahad and I were eating out and there was a lady with her husband and child sitting behind me. I couldn't see her, but Fahad (who isn't the kind of man who notices these stuff) complained that the woman every now and then was turning and staring at us, which made him uncomfortable. Honestly I didn't see who she was, maybe someone I knew, but I had my back to her and she had her back to our table, but it didn't stop her from turning and staring. If she did know me then why not get up and say "Hi". Then another table with a mom and her teenaged girls, was staring too (come on!!! I know I'm drop dead gorgeous bas mo laih hal daraja!!!) , and when we got up to leave, they all stopped eating and turned to stare. I felt it was just plain rude so I stopped and stared back at them until they turned away. WTH!!! High Maintenance Stage one of my makeover has started!!! This week I have appointments with my dietitian, my dermatologist and at a Clinic which specializes in hair therapy. Yes… looking good makes a person feel good, and it takes time, energy and lots of money!!! Another extravagance I'm doing is weekly massage. I need the massage, I'm addicted, if I could I would go twice or thrice a week… but I don't want to push it, I still have a long list of things to do for my makeover ;p "If it's uncomfortable, then it's fashionable." I read this quote last week in one of the books I was reading, and I started laughing. It is so true!!! Well in my case it is!!! Because I tend to dress in a comfortable practical way. I live in jeans, t-shirts and light cardigans, and soft ballerina flats or nikey, most of the time. I remember once I was out with Glamorous Mona, and from her name, you'll know with her I have to be glamorous too ;p I was wearing those Gucci heels and cursing the whole time from the pain in my feet, because Glamorous Mona lives in her heels, and was walking fast and unaffected from the heels she was wearing and I had to catch up with her. By the time I was home I didn't move for two whole days. I looked fashionable….but I was like hell uncomfortable!!! :ppp Now I leave the heels for special occasions and social events, and I don’t care if my head reach up to my friends shoulders…she is tall mashallah!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Book Review - Londongrad

From Russia with Cash!
About the Book:
The amazing true story of how London became home to the Russian super-rich. A dazzling tale of incredible wealth, ferocious disputes, beautiful women, private jets, mega-yachts, the world’s best footballers – and chauffeur-driven Range Rovers with tinted windows.A group of buccaneering Russian oligarchs made colossal fortunes after the collapse of communism – and many of them came to London to enjoy their new-found wealth. Londongrad tells for the first time the true story of their journeys from Moscow and St Petersburg to mansions in Mayfair, Knightsbridge and Surrey – and takes you into a shimmering world of audacious multi-billion pound deals, outrageous spending and rancorous feuds. But while London's flashiest restaurants echoed to Russian laughter and Bond Street shop-owners totted up their profits, darker events also played themselves out. The killing of ex-KGB man Alexander Litvinenko in London to the death – in a helicopter crash he all but predicted – of Stephen Curtis, the lawyer to many of Britain's richest Russians, chilled London's Russians and many of those who know them. This is the story of how Russia's wealth was harvested and brought to London – some of it spent by Roman Abramovich on his beloved Chelsea Football Club, some of it spent by Boris Berezovsky in his battles with Russia's all-powerful Vladimir Putin. Londongrad is a must-read for anyone interested in how vast wealth is created, the luxury it can buy and the power and intrigue it produces.
Not the kind of book I'd normally read, I usually leave these kind of books for Fahad and he'll tell me what they are about after he is done with them. But with this book, I was captivated from the first pages and couldn't put it down until I was done with it. It is beautifully written in a gripping way which does not bore you. Remember the movie "Eastern Promises"? I saw it replayed in my head as I read the book. If you are curious about all the Russians you encounter during your travels and wonder "WTH they got all this money from??" read this book. ;p

Let's Talk Animal Print

Let's talk animal print, the Tiger/Leopard print in particular. I'm not sure why, but I have an unexplained aversion to this particular print. Maybe because there is a relative who is trying forcefully to initiate me in the Tiger/Leopard club by dressing me from head to foot in animal print, and because I'm resisting as much as I can I'm staying away from them. Or maybe it is just not me… But I promised myself this season I will at least buy something which will go well on me with animal print…well we'll see :s

I was browsing through net-a-porter.com and found these few items I might consider ;p

Malene Birger
Gambista Valli
Mulberry
YSL Alaia
Antik Batik

Miu Miu

Fendi

Turn back the clock on your life: 7 ways to keep yourself young

1. Break out the community college catalog or sign up for sign language class. Remember when people wrote in your high school yearbook, "Don't ever change"? Forget that. Although it was once believed that our brains were hardwired for specific tasks, new information shows that our brains are dynamic and even rejuvenating. This means a stroke victim may be able to transfer skills from a damaged region of the brain to one that is more viable, says Dr. Terry Grossman, author of Transcend: Nine Steps to Living Well Forever. It also means that acquiring new skills as we age will help keep us youthful."Utilizing previously unused areas of the brain as one ages can help slow down, stop, and reverse some signs of brain aging," Dr. Grossman says. How can you jump on that tomorrow? Dr. Grossman says learning a new language, taking music lessons to play a new instrument, sitting in on an adult education class in a subject you've always been curious about, or traveling to an area you've never explored are all ways to get neurons firing. 2. Work your body. Data strongly suggests that regular aerobic activity improves human brain power immediately and could protect us from major memory impairment in the long term. Even walking for 45 minutes a few times a week can make a difference."Even folks with limited mobility or cognitive impairment should be encouraged to maintain their aerobic wellness as much as possible by participating in activities that are accessible to them [such as "sit and be fit" programs, water aerobics, etc.]," Dr. Greene notes. "A small study a few years ago out of Australia suggested that regular aerobic activity may slow progression of memory impairment in individuals in the early stages of the disease. While that needs to be replicated and seen in larger samples, it was an interesting window into the role exercise may play for brain health across the board." 3. Feed your body, but only until it is 80 percent full. Whether you want to recapture or hang on to your youthfulness, you're going to have to pay more attention to the food and drink you put into your body.Longevity expert and author Dan Buettner partnered with National Geographic to study how people in some pockets of the world not only live longer, but live better. He compressed their lessons into nine tenets, and it's not a shocker that one of them is to eat wisely."Instead of groping from fad diet to fad diets, use strategies for eating 20 percent less at meals. Avoid meat and processed food," Buettner says. More obviously, he adds that it's a good idea to consume more vegetables and, if it works for your health history and current medical condition, drink red wine in moderation. 4. De-stress, and soon. We hear about releasing stress so often that it can easily feel like one more overwhelming task on the to-do list. But Dr. Grossman says it is a must if you want to live longer and feel good during all of those years.The stress situation in this country is dangerously excessive and could be causing us to age more quickly, he notes."It is estimated that with the current economic conditions, stress levels in the United States today are approaching those that existed in the days following 9/11," Dr. Grossman asserts.To break the cycle of stress, try engaging in a hobby, taking scheduled vacations, or regularly get spa treatments or massages. 5. Keep playing the classic games, just do them faster. Our intellectual skills change as we age. The great news, Dr. Greene says, is that deductive reasoning and our base of knowledge improve. The challenge, however, is that our attention, processing speed, short-term memory, and cognitive flexibility often slow. Just like our biceps, regularly exercising mental muscles can help us stay healthier over time. While you can certainly use online games for brain fitness, Dr. Greene also suggests pulling out games that challenge memory, oldies-but-goodies like Boggle, Simon, Bananagrams, or even the word jumble. To glean the greatest benefit, time yourself with the goal of getting faster each time. 6. Be social, but choose your friends wisely. "It has been found," Dr. Grossman reports plainly, "that being socially isolated has health risks on par with those of cigarette smoking."While the most important thing you can do to keep yourself young during your lifetime is to be social, Dr. Buettner says it is also critical that you spend time with people who have the healthy habits you prioritize or want to emulate. He calls this choosing "the right tribe" and says centenarians, people who live to at least 100f, show exactly how this works."All of the world's longest-lived people were born into -- or consciously chose to associate with -- the right people . If your three best friends are obese, there's a 50 percent better chance that you'll be obese," says Dr. Bruettner. "The reverse is true, too. If you dine with people who eat healthy food, you're more likely to eat healthy food, if the friends you spend most time with play a sport, you're more likely to join them."He says our trend toward isolation -- 15 years ago, the average American had three good friends, as compared to two today -- is shaving years off of our lives. Finding a community of just a few people who stimulate you intellectually, encourage you to try new things and be physically active, and maybe even play a round or two of Yahtzee! could hit lots of targets as you aim to stay young from year to year.What do you do if some of those important people, like caretakers or friends or even grown children, in your life won't stop telling you to slow down, reduce your activity, and accept your age? Dr. Grossman responds bluntly, "Wrong advice -- no matter how well-intentioned -- is still wrong. I would ignore it." 7. Take control of your life by taking control of your clutter.In a thought-provoking New York Times article on the physical, emotional, and cognitive toll possessions can have on older people, Dr. David J. Ekerdt spelled out the myriad approaches we can take to downsize during our later years.“This isn’t just a move from one residence to another, as it would be earlier in life. This is a step closer to the inevitable world of frail aging, a reminder that time is growing short. People want to hold on to the symbols of their former lives and competence,” Ekerdt told the Times.Getting rid of a wedding dress or sorting through old photos isn't just a de-cluttering exercise, it is a rite of passage. Sorting through all of that stuff can certainly be as physically and mentally draining as the British celebrity who put down her cane and walked across the room. However, if we take control of the possessions we keep and validate what the stuff we discard meant about who we once were, we will be better prepared to move forward into the next chapter of our lives.Ekerdt's research acknowledges the stress and pressure of sorting through a lifetime of possessions but also shows that people feel satisfied overall when it is accomplished.Perhaps we can apply both Ekerdt's study and the BBC experiment as we move through our own homes and years. Whether we opt to stand up out of a wheelchair, donate all those unopened cookbooks, or choose to take up French, making the choice to hold on to the fiery parts of ourselves and release the stereotypes of getting older might justl keep us thriving, no matter how many candles are on our cake. Article from Shine check out the link ;) http://shine.yahoo.com/event/vitality/turn-back-the-clock-on-your-life-7-ways-to-keep-yourself-young-2392273/

Closets - P 2

More Closets to feast your eyes on ;)
A cute one I like the lay out but not as big as I like...
A small corner of Blair Woldorf's closet on Gossip Girls Even Turtle on Entourage has his own closet ;) See guys even you can have a well organized closet ;)
Drooooool!!!! What can I say more??
Another corner....

Friday, September 24, 2010

The Castle Walls Have Ears

The man who would be king likes to listen in on tourists visiting his royal estate. That's the buzz from a BBC documentary that will air later this week on Prince Charles, according to a story on ABC News. Sometimes, he would have to lie on the floor with his ear pressed to the ground to pick up on some of the 30,000 visitors coming through his Gloucestershire home. Guess it would be tempting, if you are opening your doors to the public, to find out what they think. The heir to the throne also admits to talking to trees and plants in the garden, which he likens to his children. (Not his actual children -- more on those two later.) He says these "conversations" keep him sane -- even if it sounds crazy to the outside world.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

دعاء

أضاء الله قلبك بضياء اليقين .. وعطر روحك بروح الرياحين ..وأثلج صدرك بسكينة المؤمنين .. وغفر لك ولوالديك وجعلك من المقربين يوم الدين .. اللهم آمين
...جمعة مباركة ..

To all the Curvey Gals - Post This!

Real Men go for curves, only Dogs go for bones ;)
Thanks Drair :*

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

My Fall From Grace

I was at TSC the other day and I found Gavottes. I tried my best to ignore it, but every minute I was back to the where it was shelved and looked up sighing. I gave up and picked these two. I finished the milk chocolate one on the same day and the dark chocolate the next day. I wonder why I'm having such a hard time losing weight ;p

Lemon Butter Sauce

I love fish...actually I'm craving fish as I'm writing this post ;p
I love Hamour filet, Sole and other white fish.
This is a frozen breaded sole from M&S... I do not fry it.
I just spray it with a little oil and bake it in the oven with steamed vegetables.
On top is one of my favorite lemon butter sauce which over the months
I tried to perfect ;) Hope you'll like it
1Tbs white vinegar
Juice from 1/2 to 1 lemon depending on how sour you like it.
2 egg yolks
1 clove of garlic crushed
1 tsp of Dijon mustard
150g of butter
pinch of salt & pepper
3 Tbs cream
you can add chopped herbs of your liking if you desire
- combine vinegar and juice in heatproof bowl, place bowl
over pan of boiling water. Whisk egg yolks, mustard and garlic. Gradually add
butter, few pieces at a time. Add salt & pepper and then add the cream.
serve hot with your fish ;)
For a guiltless sauce, I use light cream and butter ;)
The sauce when its done ;)

Monday, September 20, 2010

Za3tar W Zait

After a quick early morning meeting, Fahad and I headed to Za3tar w Zait for breakfast. We love this place. Love the atmosphere and the friendly staff. It is also the only place where my boys act like civilized human beings when we take them sometimes on weekends, because they love their fatayer (pastries) so much and eat it quietly. Surprisingly the place was packet for a midweek day. "Shino ma3endhom dawamat hal basher?" Fahad commented. I started laughing at the joke. Anyway it's been awhile they've introduced a new menu which we haven't tried yet. The manager was kind enough to explain the new items on the menu and it was still possible to have some of our favorites from the old menu. So after going through the menu Fahad ordered his usually, Kashkawan w/Za3tar in Saj fateera, and Falafel in Saj Fateer.
Kashkawan w/Za3tar in Saj Fateer
Falafel in Saj Fateera
Sticking to my diet and not wanting to feel guilty after that, I ordered a Zousheh which I totally loved. It is made of multigrained dough with fresh Za3tar. The taste was wholesome like something you get at country side bakeries, sweet and sour and there isn't any bitterness to it from the fresh Za3tar as the ones I've tried before from other restaurants.
My Zousheh very delicious!
My Tea latte...was ok
The weather is getting more beautiful in the mornings, so pass by and enjoy their wonderful menu ;)

Books Books and More Books ;p

I haven't posted much lately. I was going through a detox diet which has numbed me from hunger and I do not recommend it to anyone who enjoys eating, and school started and I'm trying to get their school things and schedules organized. It is still a bit frustrating with Abdulaziz. Some books haven't been distributed yet and I haven't seen their class schedules. I do not know what they have or what the teacher is asking of them. The problem with this school is lack of communication between teacher and parents. And being a control freak… I'm going crazy here. Can't wait for the parents teacher meeting supposedly this week.
History this year is about the Middle Ages and Islam
It will go well with our GCE project ;)
Anyway, I placed my order of books I use as extra revision at home. The package arrived yesterday and I felt myself relaxing a little. No matter what's going on at school, I can have a head start with Abdulaziz. There is these books I've ordered and fell in love with so much. They help with reading comprehension, a weakness with Abdulaziz because he doesn't have the patience to read the whole text and then reply to the questions.
French French and more French! 3oqad akthar min
alqawa3ed al3arabi... worse than Arabic grammar
Of course we can't forget Ahmed Baik... He has
his own books too!... china sij ;p
A couple of comics which Abdulaziz enjoys reading
and it helps with his French Slang....
I know I'm neurotic...
I wish our Ministry of Education recognize Home Schooling
I'd be a happier mama :s

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Dazzle Cover

Do you keep a diary? I do. I keep a food diary, a day to day diary with lots to To-Do lists, and my personal diary where I vent in it as much I like. The other day at AlBader book shop while shopping for school supplies, I found these gorgeous Dazzle Cover note books. I'm using the red one as my meal planning diary, and saving the other two for later ;)

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Inspiration

I was trying to think of something new for Abdulaziz to learn this year. Since his previous tutors have left the country,and we miss them very much, I can't think of anyone better than Ahmed AlShugairi, and "Khawater 6" is the inspiration for Abdulaziz's General Culture Education this year. Thank You Ahmed AlShuqairi you're really an inspiration to all of us.

I Love Geeks!

About the Book:
There's no doubt about it. While they may be stuck inside all day playing video games, or spending their extra money on rare editions of comic books (er, graphic novels)--geeks are chic. And why shouldn't they be? Geeks (along with their close friends, dorks and nerds) run the world, they're loyal as hell, and their extreme passions are fascinating. So how can women make them as passionate for their girlfriends as they are for Star Wars? Self-proclaimed geek and geek-lover Carrie Tucker expertly guides women into nerddom by categorizing and exposing men by their different geeky obsessions. Complete with a glossary for technical jargon, helpful quotes from geek-perts, and illustrations of each nerd niche, Tucker will help women bring a relationship with a geek from "in a galaxy far, far away" into reality.
When I read this book title, an image of Fahad flashed before me of him sitting at his computer crunching numbers! So intent in his work he doesn't notice anything around him. Or when he is so engrossed watching Discover Channel, Animal Planet and Bollywood movies. Or he can recite you scenes from old Kuwaiti and Arab Plays by heart! He doesn't read comics or play video games, but he'll solve a complicated mathematical problem without a calculator, and we have calculators all over the house! You pass your time playing PSP he likes adding numbers with his calculators. He created a pricing formula which most of our wholesale customers use. Most people don't take him seriously (you'll know why if you ever meet him) but once he talks in numbers you'll sit gaping at him! It is my favorite part at meetings when I see the expressions on the people we're meeting with, their open gaping mouth and the realization which dawns on them that they're dealing with a genius!
He used to be a banking customer at the bank I worked at, but I didn't fall in love with him until he said a geeky comment to me ;p Our first date was going to a Star Wars movie!
I picked up the book and went through it quickly, very funny and useful on how to understand your geeky husband, wife, boyfriend and girlfriend better.
So do you have a geeky husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend? What geeky attributes do you like about them?

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

First Day of School

"God only knows, a Kuwaiti woman is uneducated and
is only good for shopping and raza at coffee shops and restaurants."
Want to know why I wrote that? Read the post!

Inside the Petite Section building.

As you know, the boys are back in school. Every year I get very excited and go overboard to prepare them for school. This year I'm not. Even though it is Ahmed's first year in Pre Kg I can't muster any excitement. I don't know, maybe because I feel disappointed in the school and I lost faith in it. I have decided it would be the last year for Abdulaziz, and then I'm moving him to a different school system. Thank God he is also fluent in English too or it would have been a little problem. Like every first day of school year. It was chaos. Abdulaziz hurried inside the school building without giving me a chance to say goodbye and when I wanted to follow him, there was a rude woman at the door, I can't call her a lady there is nothing ladylike about her, prevented me from going in. Ok, I understand school rules for parents not going in with their 4th grade boys, but to say it in the rudest way imaginable, when I was politely asking her if it is possible because I didn't take a picture of my sons first day of school. It was the first time in my child's life I didn't take a picture of him on his first day of school. A daunting start to the school year...allah yaster! With Ahmed it wasn't that hard. Except they didn't notify the parents that Pre KG and KG will start at 9.30 AM while parents were standing outside waiting for the doors to open from 7.30 AM! I got an email about the increasing amount of school tuition fees but I didn't get an email about school timing. So I was standing outside with other moms, and one of them remarked, "Is it me or is it only our kids who are in Uniform?" The other moms look around and we notice our kids are the only ones in their white polo shirts and dark blue pants. Some kids are wearing plain t-shirts and others colored t-shirts. E7na alwa7eedeen ili 5abeen 3omerna 3ala 3yalna! Wel mushkila ina they don't take our kids seriously. "Snobby Rich Kuwaiti" as the rumor goes in that school, "Will graduate with their money". So 9.30, I'm back with Ahmed to the "Petite Section" building. Again total chaos, but here it's understandable. First day of school for little kids, and most of them were crying. Ahmed, of course held on to me, he didn't cry, but he also didn't like the situation in his class where most of his class mates were crying their eyes out. I've learned years ago, your image will seal the fate of your child. If you looked the "Snobby Rich Kuwaiti" they will not give a damn about your kid. So I was dressed down in a nondescript twin set and cropped jeans, my hair in their natural chaotic curly form held on by a plain head band, minimal makeup, nothing flashy. No handbag, just my mobile and Camera. So I introduced Ahmed to the teacher, and talked with her for few minutes in fluent "French", and I could see she is trying to make out what nationality I was. Ahmed is Kuwaiti, but his mama could be from any other country. For God only knows, a Kuwaiti woman is uneducated and only good for shopping and raza at coffee shops and restaurants. I think she came to the conclusion that I'm not Kuwaiti. I'm maybe from the North African countries (you know, Tunisian, Algerian or Moroccan. Definitely not Labanese! I'm not skinny!). I sit with Ahmed and I look around me at the other parents. Most of them didn't speak French. , and most spoke with their children in English or Arabic. I know that a handful of them don't speak French fluently, a couple or three of them don't speak French at all. Anyway after twenty minutes, Ahmed finds a group of non-crying kids and he joins them. When his back was turned, I leave the class room, and came back few hours later. His teacher tells me that he didn't want to participate in class and took a nap. Wow! First day of school and he sleeps in class!!! I see a bright future for my son! **Note: You might wonder why I've put my kids in the French school. I want them to have the same education I had. The only difference I got mine in France, richer and more diverse.

Letters to Juliet

When a young American travels to the city of Verona, home of the star-crossed lover Juliet Capulet of Romeo and Juliet fame, she joins a group of volunteers who respond to letters to Juliet seeking advice about love. After answering one letter dated 1951, she inspires its author to travel to Italy in search of her long-lost love and sets off a chain of events that will bring a love into both their lives unlike anything they ever imagined.
Starring: Amanda Sygfried, Vanessa Redgrave, Gael Garcia Bernal , Chris Egan and Franco Nero.
I'm so in love with this movie! So far I've watched it 3 times! and I still can't get enough of it! The story, scenery and the beautiful actors makes me want to go to Verona and Sienna and fall all over again! Great scenery of the Tuscan country side and old farms and vineyards. One of my deepest wish is to rent a farm barn for a whole summer and live the simple life for few months and just cook delicious Italian food!
Amanda Sygfried, not a favorite actress but she was so cute in the movie and Chris Egan, not really attracted to blonds, such a hunk!
Again, I loved this movie and I really want to go and explore Tuscany's country side. *Sigh* Check out the Trailer:

Gael Garcia Bernal

Ye5laq min alshebah arbe3een...

a copy of my cousin Salem! Even the eye color ;)

Monday, September 13, 2010

Makeover

I picked up this copy of Instyle on impulse because I knew
it was time for a makeover ;p
See how good Jennifer Hudson looks?
It's going to be almost one year since I started my diet, and I'm nowhere near my goal, or any goals I have set for myself. I did drop around 20Kgs but I've gained back 4kgs from the ones I lost. Now the crazy food fest month is over I have to get back on track. I don't feel too happy or comfortable with myself right now. I have to work out twice as hard, after a month of on and off exercising, sitting in front of the TV, the computer and not moving much. I feel sluggish and lazy. My whole body aches and feels stiff when I move around. And this month, I have a crazy schedule of work, taking care of myself and of course not to forget the boys are back to school!!!!

I want a 3-5 days detox diet...any ideas?

It is time for change. Time for a makeover ;) So my friends, I'm going to disappear from society for a couple of months (no..no..I'll still be blogging) and if you happen to bump into me by accident, please don't be alarmed ;p If I look a mess, don't mind me. Alkisha is only temporary, because I'm growing my hair. If you don't want to say "Hi" I'll understand. There will be lots of therapies I'm going to go through, skin, hair and body. Now to jump start my diet I need a good detox diet. My nephew sent me one, but it takes two weeks to detox. I need a three to five days. Any ideas? I also need to pay my nutritionist a visit, but after shedding the 4Kgs I gained ;p

I know I sound like an old broken record ;pp I will not post about my failures in my attempt to lose weight but of the progress I'd be making inshallah ;) Change is good, it boosts ones confidence.

Wisdom Of the Week

I never get jealous when I see my ex with someone else .. because my Mom always taught me to give my used toys to the less fortunate.. Thanks Drair :*

Eid Day 2 - Lunch & Fun!

It has become an unintentional family tradition, for three years in a row,
to have lunch at Johnny Rockets on the second day of Eid.
Smile! It is soo cheery it always make me feel giddy
as a little kid! As usual! The atmosphere warm and friendly. The staff welcoming and didn't mind my noisy kids!
Best Onion rings in all of Kuwait! Fahad had the Original
I had the Single Rocket.
The boys had the kids meal Burger and Chicken Tenders
The Nanny ordered the Tuna Salad Sandwich
Ahmed loving his burger!
The food was great and we enjoyed ourselves and we were
so relaxed, just as if having lunch at our own home.
Now Mr. Kheir Seifeddine.... I hope you're reading this....
when will you be introducing a low fat or guiltless menu....Please!
After Lunch Fahad went back home
I took the kids to Game Whizz!
Abdulaziz was playing some kind of Zombie game and I
was trying to snap a shot of his terrified expression. I couldn't however
So I told him act scared! And that what he gave me ;p

It was late afternoon when the crowd began to arrive we headed back home!