Vacation Time!

I'm traveling in 2 days to Lebanon to spend some time with my family, after a challenging but productive academic year in uni, I really need a vacation! So this will be the last post until I come back in mid September. I'd just like to thank everyone who visited this blog, I'd especially like to thank the ones who started following my blog from day 1 and continue to do so. A huge thank you goes to all the people who commented on what I wrote, without your contributions and support, this blog wouldn't be what it is today.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer vacation, or what's left of it! Happy Ramadan or Ramadan Kareem and take care of yourselves :)

See you in the future :D

Your Contributions

Thousands of readers have visited this blog and hundreds of comments have been posted so far. There are some comments that were written by some of you readers here that were just too beautiful to ignore. That's why I dedicate this post to you. The following poems, advice and words of wisdom were taken from different posts from this blog and posted here for everyone to see. I thank you all for each and every contribution you have made, but these are the ones that stood out the most...

Contributions from Jawaria

“Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.” - William James

"A dream isn't a fantasy, it is a vision, sometimes faraway, sometimes seemingly unreachable, but an ambition to follow and believe in and put in all the effort to make it true! Then whatever is best for us happens, as is destined to be :) A fantastic vision --- have full faith in Allah, the Almighty gives us the strength to realize these dreams, and prayers help make them a part of our destiny"


Contributions from Miss Laila

"Let's take a new breath and start a new life,
Let's spark the candles of love and peace and extinguish the candles of hate and envy,
Let's forget our previous miserable incidents and think about our coming marvelous days,
Let's laugh at our previous broken ambitions and dreams and smile at our new dreams and ambitions,
Let's race the time and overcome it by our strong volition and optimistic smile,
Let's gather together and say 'we are the best people' to each other."

"Desires and dreams always enlighten our paths and lead us to success. "

"Dogs are wise. They crawl away into a quiet corner and lick their wounds and do not rejoin the world until they are whole once more."


Contributions from bumble bee

"Life is the hardest teacher, it gives the test first and the lesson after."

"It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them."

"We don't know what we've got until we loose it."


Contributions from mshay5adwani

"Happiness is our gate towards self-satisfaction, have you experienced the taste of charity? What a wonderful feeling it is when you plant a smile in a barren soul."

"Planting happiness around you will harvest inner peace within your soul. It will wipe away all the grudge within your soul."


Contributions from 7no0n

"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." Abraham Lincoln

Interesting Fact of the Week

Did you know that butterflies taste with their feet? Their taste sensors are located in the feet, and by standing on their food, they can taste it! Amazing!

World Beard and Moustache Championships

Every year, men from different parts of the world grow, shape and style their their facial hair (mustaches, beards and goatees) to compete against one another in a bizarre competition. So how do you win? Just make it look strange!

Click here to see more pictures.

Today's Advice

Junk Food

According to the World Health Organization, over 74% of Kuwait's population is overweight. That in turn is contributing to a rise in heart diseases, diabetes and other health related illnesses. Click here to read the article.

Guys please be careful what you eat and please reduce the amount of food you eat from outside, especially fast food. Remember it's called junk food for a reason!

Huge Hole on 6th Ring Road

A section of the 6th Ring Road collapsed and created a hole in the middle of the road yesterday. Click here for the full article.

Second Batch of Female Police Officers Graduates

Kuwaiti female police officers are becoming more visible in society these days. A few years back, a women in uniform would have been a strange sight. But today, a lot of these officers can be found walking around in public places especially in malls making sure everything is in order. It's nice to see women get equal treatment and take on a job perceived by many to be more suitable for men. Even though some people I talked to disagree having women in such positions, I think this is a huge step forward for women and Kuwait's society as a whole. This just goes to prove that if men can do it, so can women :)

Smart Design

Two for the price of one!

Tales Of Mere Existence

I came across this wonderful video that just put a smile on my face :)

After watching that video, I couldn't help but admire the author's humor and creativity. His book seems interesting too!

"The author has found the perfect way to make light of one's problems."

I think the sentence above best summarizes the author's style.

Stealing from some to help others

Police have arrested a 17-year-old Syrian for breaking into cars at an unidentified location, reports Al-Shahid daily. The daily quoting security sources said police caught the teenager in the act while attempting to rob from a parked car. This came following complaints by residents in the area. During interrogation the thief is said to have admitted to breaking into 13 cars and stolen the valuables using duplicate keys.
Surprisingly the thief turned out to be a ‘Good Samaritan’ because he claimed he sold the stolen goods and gave money to the poor.

Bizarre story! So this guy steals money from some people....to give it to other people?!?

EL111 Exam!

Dear students,

First of all, mabrooooooooook :) You guys are finally done!

Second of all, the exam was not too hard. I mean the writing and vocabulary were too easy! The grammar needed a bit of thinking and I believe the reading was the most difficult.

Anyways, I wish you all the best and I hope you all get the grade you deserve (Allah kareem).

Now put that book down and go have some fun!!!

Or just relax, like this little guy.....

Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

On August 2nd 1990, the Iraqi army led by Saddam Hussain invaded Kuwait. The brutal invasion lasted for 7 agonizing months and left over a thousand people in Kuwait dead.

I usually don't like to post about sad or tragic events, but I think our youth (especially the ones who didn't live through the horror) must know what happened. We also should not forget those who fought for Kuwait and those who bravely stood in the face of aggression. We must salute and respect those who died fighting for this country. It is because of their heroic actions that Kuwait is free today.

Therefore I'd like to end this post on a positive note by briefly mentioning just one of the many brave individuals who died fighting for this country. The man I am talking about is Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This courageous young man was the Emir's younger brother. He refused to leave his country and died bravely fighting and defending Dasman Palace.

To all the martyrs of Kuwait, may your actions forever be remembered.

LoL

Genius!!

When Intellectuals attack...

Henry Clay: I would rather be right than be president.
Congressman Reed: He doesn't have to worry. He'll never be either.

Q8 Books

Being a book lover, I used to struggle when I wanted to buy books at reasonable prices. Then I discovered 'Q8 Books' and things have changed ever since. 'Q8 Books' is a very unique second hand bookshop located in Kuwait City. The place is not really big, however thousands of interesting books ranging from gardening to crime can be found. The bookshop has a warm and cozy atmosphere to it and the owner of the place is a very friendly, modest and knowledgeable guy. For those who love reading, paying a visit to this humble place is a must!

Click here to check out the website.

Haha...

Father to son after exam: "Let me see your report card."
Son: "My friend just borrowed it. He wants to scare his parents."

How technology has changed our lives

Improperly dressed = No travel

TEHRAN, June 14: Seventy-one Iranian women “improperly” dressed were prevented from boarding flights in recent months, an airport official said on Monday, as a police crackdown on the behavior of young people intensified. The rest of the article can be found here.

Google Language Detection

Have you ever seen a foreign language before and wondered what it was? When you come across strange letters or words and want to know what language it's from, all you have to do is copy the words and paste them here.

Racism?

Why? Can someone tell me why??

If Maradona was Kuwaiti

Suits him pretty well!

People you should know: Khalifa Qattan

Khalifa Qattan, also known as the sheik of artists, was a revolutionary Kuwaiti artist in the 1950s who forever changed the art world by inventing his own style of painting called "Circulism". His innovative approach and influence on the art world are still found in today's modern art. Click here to see the video.

It is important to learn about the ones who stood out in our society and made a difference. Khalifa is one man I never met, but is a man I will remember and respect for doing the thing he loved most, painting and standing out when others blended in.

The World's Happiest Countries

So which country is the happiest in the world?

For almost 5 years now, researchers have surveyed thousands of people from 155 different countries to find out how happy the people are. Kuwait interestingly, came 23rd on the list and was the second Arab country on the list after the United Arab Emirates.

Click here to see the full list.

Ramadan on August 11th

KUWAIT CITY, July 24, (KUNA): The Holy Month of Ramadan will start according to astronomic calculations, on Aug 11, said astronomer Adel Al-Saadoun on Saturday.

Remember that Ramadan is a great month to ask for forgiveness. Let's face it, who hasn't sinned? We've all done things we regretted later. So I pray that God accepts our prayers and forgives us for our sins.

Cutest Baby Ever!

~ Quote of the day ~

"An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets, the more interested he is in her." Agatha Christie

Before and After

This picture is so true! Back in the good old days, the students were the ones responsible for their performance, today teachers are blamed if the grades are not good. I'm not saying that teachers are 100% innocent, but when students don't do well, it's usually their fault for not trying and studying harder.

Insane!

And I thought Kuwait's traffic was bad :S

India Develops World's Cheapest Laptop

India has come up with the world's cheapest laptop, a touch-screen computing device that costs $35 (10 Kuwaiti Dinars). This will definitely help those who needed such devices but couldn't afford them.

Click here for the full story.

Sultan Center 1982

Another priceless and classic photo for your viewing pleasure!
That area doesn't look anything like the picture today. Click on it to see it bigger.

The Donkey and the Well

One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer’s neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off.

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well, is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step upward!

~ Quote of the day ~

"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." Napoleon

How to turn your dog into a lion....

Very creative! Who can mess with you now?

Tarsier - an animal wonder

Some animals are just too beautiful or too strange to look at. The tarsier is a type primate which can be found in the jungles of the Philippines. I just can't get enough of this strange creature, its large eyes mesmerize me!

Click on the picture to see it bigger.

Japanese Watermelons

A fruit farmer in Japan decided to grow square watermelons to attract more attention to his business. He put the watermelons in a cubic box and allowed them to grow into the shape. Each watermelon costs around 20KD.

Everything in Japan is different. Even their watermelons :S

Insane Gameshow!

This is one of the funniest game shows I've ever seen!
The video below is a must-see!

Click here to see the clip.

Strange Kuwait News

Cashier steals 360 fils: An unidentified manager of a shopping centre in Fahaheel has filed a complaint with the police accusing an Asian cashier of stealing 360 fils from the cash machine, reports Al-Anba daily.

This guy must be an expert :D

Many convert to Islam in Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is only a few weeks away and I was reading an interesting article on the Arab Times which confirmed that a lot of people convert to Islam during this month. Click here for the full article.

Subhanallah! Ramadan is the month where we Muslims are put to the test. It's the month where we have to physically practice what we spiritually preach. Patience and restraint are truly put to the test. But the spirit of brotherhood and charity combined with the late night social gatherings, all make Ramadan an unforgettable and magical experience.

Ramadan for me, is a special time where I stop and look back at my previous actions and reflect on the decisions I've made. It is a special month where I thank the lord for the good and the bad, and ask him for strength, forgiveness and mercy.

Best Restaurant Name Ever

Genius!

Over a Million Leave Kuwait

In May 2010, 1,025,000 passengers left Kuwait on vacation, the highest number ever recorded in a month. Click here to read the full article.

So if we assume that Kuwait's population is 3 million, a third of the country has already left! What about June, July and August? Let's assume another million travel, the country will be practically empty!!

Wife 108...Husband 38

A Malaysian woman, who is 108 years old, made headlines in 2006 when she married a man 70 years younger than her. The couple say they are in love and live happily together.

What can I say....love is blind!

You're asking the wrong question!

The comment above was taken from the university forum page...here's what I think.

Instead of asking more appropriate questions like 'Can he or she teach?' or 'Does he or she explain well?' this bright student decided to inquire about the teacher's generosity towards grades. The question itself is ludicrous because teachers don't GIVE grades....students GET grades. There's the difference. You see teachers are like reporters on the news, we just report what we see. So if you act like a 'D' student, you'll get a 'D', and if you act like an 'A' student, you'll get an 'A'.

Some unfortunately, choose a teacher not based on how well he or she teaches, but how generous he or she is when it comes to grades. Some people don't really want to learn, they just want to pass. Let's hope and pray that their attitude towards education changes.

UFO Disrupts Chinese Airport

An unidentified flying object (UFO) forced an airport in China to stop all flights on July 7. A flight crew preparing for descent first detected the object around 8:40 p.m. and notified the air traffic control department. Aviation authorities responded within minutes, grounding outbound flights and diverting inbound ones to other airports.

Click here to see the video.

I don't know about you guys but ever since I was a child, I was intrigued and mystified by UFOs and the debate whether they truly exist or not. After reading numerous books from both believers and skeptics, I am convinced that there is something out there.

Do you believe in UFOs?

Summer + Car = Oven

A woman in the United States decided to take advantage of the summer heat and bake cookies right out of her car windshield. It took a couple of hours but she finally managed to bake them out in the open using only the sun's rays.

If she tried to bake them here in Kuwait, they'd probably take a few seconds :S

With Money...

* With money you can buy a house, but not a home.
* With money you can buy a clock, but not time.
* With money you can buy a bed, but not sleep.
* With money you can buy a book, but not knowledge.
* With money you can buy a doctor, but not good health.
* With money you can buy a position, but not respect.
* With money you can buy blood, but not life.
* With money you can buy physical pleasure, but not love.

(Thanks to Miss Laila for inspiring me to post about this topic)

Octopus Paul retires from football

No more World Cup, no more octopus oracle.

Paul, the octopus who became a pop culture sensation by correctly predicting the outcome of as many World Cup matches as he has legs - all seven of Germany's games plus the Spain-Netherlands final - is going to retire.

The Sea Life Oberhausen aquarium's spokeswoman Tanja Munzig said the intuitive invertebrate will 'go into retirement and do what he likes to do best: play with his handlers and delight children who come visit to him'.

~Taken from MSN News

Kuwait International Fair

The Kuwait International Fair (K.I.F) or in Arabic (Ma3rad al Kuwait al Duwali) in Mishref always has interesting exhibitions going on. Most of the events are related to food (no surprise here) but every now and then they have something worth attending such as the book exhibition, the antiques exhibition and the hunting and shooting exhibition. They also have a lot of events for the ladies such as the beauty & wedding expo and the fashion expo. Check out their site here.

~ Quote of the day ~

"When you seek happiness for yourself, it will always elude you...
when you seek happiness for others, you'll find it yourself."

Sign on Machine in Factory

The best advice I've seen so far!

The Crazy Football Fan!

I don't know if anyone saw this but seconds before the final match between Spain and the Netherlands, an unidentified man ran onto the pitch and tried to grab the World Cup Trophy. Security quickly grabbed him and took him away. Click here to see the video. (Thank you for the link SaMsOmA)

Click on the picture to see it bigger.

Here's another crazy fan running on the field from Spain and Germany's game.

This one is for the ladies!

A man walks into a bar and finds a Genie in a lamp. The Genie will only grant him one wish. The man wishes to be a hundred times smarter than any man on earth.

*POOF* the Genie turns him into a woman!

Happy now?

Paul was right...again!

Congrats to Spain for winning the 2010 Fifa World Cup for the first time ever.

So what did we learn from this year's biggest sporting event?

Number 1 - Vuvuzelas are extremely annoying!

Number 2 - Never doubt a psychic octopus!

No More Smoking in Public

Ministry of Health considers implementing heavy fines on smoking in public places

KUWAIT CITY, July 10: The Ministry of Health led by Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer is waiting for approval of the recommendation it forwarded to the Council of Ministers to implement an anti-smoking law in all public places, reports Al-Rai daily.

The daily disclosed that the proposed decision requires cooperation from the Health Ministry and its Interior counterpart for its accomplishment. “The proposal includes fines of up to KD50, and the amount may be increased if possible”, he stated, saying the Ministry of Interior will be in charge of the fines’ collection when violations are committed, and the outcome will be posted at the ministry’s website.

Smoking related illnesses kill 5.4 million people a year and is a growing habit in Kuwait, so this is tremendous news! This rule should have been implemented long ago, but I guess better late than never.

Classic Kuwait Photo

I'm a classic guy...I love classic cars, pictures and music. The picture above I believe was taken in the early 70s of the Kuwait Towers. Incredible!

Haha...

Wife: You always carry my photo in your handbag to the office. Why?

Husband: When there is a problem, no matter how impossible, I look at your picture and the problem disappears.

Wife: You see, how miraculous and powerful I am for you?

Husband: Yes, I see your picture and say to myself, "What other problem can there be greater than this one?"

Bird VS. Octopus

Forget the final match...I want to see who wins here!

So Paul the octopus chose Spain to win the final and Mani the parakeet chose the Netherlands as his winner. Who is the real deal?

The Final Battle...

Well according to most people I've spoken to...Spain will win! The World Cup is the largest sporting event in the world and an estimated 900 million people will tune in on Sunday (at 9:30pm Kuwait time) to watch the final battle between Spain and Netherlands. So who do you think will win?

First the Octopus & Now the Bird...

Paul the psychic octopus has competition!

Apparently there is a psychic bird in Singapore that is also correctly predicting the outcome of World Cup games and is quickly becoming a celebrity!


He has chosen the Netherlands as the 2010 World Cup champions.

Click here for the news article and here for the video.

How Men & Women See Themselves

This picture really does show the difference between how men see themselves physically compared to women! Men will always flex and admire their muscles (even if there aren't any) and women will always assume they are overweight (even if they look stunning).

~ Quote of the Day ~

"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance."

7 Most Extreme Roller Coaster Rides

I like trying new things and I consider myself a risk taker, but when it comes to extreme roller coasters, I keep a safe distance. Some of these rides are insane!

Click here to see the list.

Helping one another...

I think this is by far one of the cutest pictures I've ever seen!

Bad luck!

"I've had bad luck with both my wives...the first one left me and the second one didn't" James Holt McGavran

Paul the Octopus Parody

After watching that video and seeing all the hype about this octopus, I decided to make my own cartoon version. Click on the picture above to see it properly.

Paul the Octopus

I don't know if you guys have heard of this story, but apparently this octopus in Germany has become famous for correctly predicting the outcome of the World Cup Matches so far.

This is insane.

Click here for the Wikipedia link and here to see a video.

A Unique Kuwaiti Wedding

[June 6th 2010] In a very strange move, a Kuwaiti groom reportedly placed a K-net machine beside him during a wedding to receive presents in cash from his friends and relatives, reports Al-Shahed daily. The newly married man wanted to receive money instead of gifts and decided to place a K-net machine in the reception hall.

Strange but very creative! Why receive silly gifts when you can just take cash?

We all have a purpose...