A New Start, Happy Diwali to all

Well a whole month has gone by and I know I have been far too occupied with everything from my son’s exams, my never-ending birthday celebrations followed by Eid indulgences and partying and the pre Diwali merriments.

The only way to feel grateful to all the people, that is my family and friends for all the thoughtfulness they have shown to me on my Birthday, before and after is to say a huge Thank You.

I would also like to thank everyone for the support and encouragement extended to me in my small endeavor this month.

Definitely if I go back and start reflecting on all the blessings I have been showered with, it will be a never ending tale…  So for now.. Would like to once again, count my blessings and move ahead on a positive note.

And finally Diwali arrives today (also known as Festival of Lights and Fireworks) and time for some more fun and revelry…

Diwali is about decorating your houses with earthen diyas (lamps), making “rangoli” (a traditional pattern made from coloured powders), new clothes, most important the firecrackers, visiting family and friends, exchanging gifts and not to forget the scrumptious sweets galore..

Diwali indicates the victory of good over evil, of virtue over treachery, of reality over falsehood, and of light over darkness.

The main aspect of this holiday and festival called Diwali is to celebrate light.. We light our homes with diyas or lanterns, we explode fireworks and sparklers but Diwali is more than that. The candle will eventually burn out, the fireworks are momentary experiences however we should celebrate more enlighting of the mind and the fireworks that fill our heart with love and compassion for our loved ones.

Diwali also marks a new year, a day of “starting fresh”.. In whatever you choose to.

So here’s Wishing everyone a new beginning and a very Happy and Prosperous Diwali filled with success and peace and social harmony.Happy Diwali

 

Epic Fail _ Lufthansa Kuwait

I’ve heard about things being rough at the Kuwait Airport – I did not know that this could be attributed to some of the staff.

Two weeks ago, I finally got a chance to go for a much deserved break to Dubai and merrily went to the airport. I found my way to my counter and waited in line patiently, it started to take longer than expected and soon 15 minutes in queue became 30 – since no one seemed to be moving I asked one of the staff what was the issue and was informed that they had an issue with the conveyor belt. So sighing to myself I said well that’s life and continued waiting – My elderly parents were with me and they were getting really tired. An hour and a half later the queue had still not moved and the time to board the flight was getting quite close. Suddenly the queue started to surge forward and to the right and I moved up a bit ahead thinking a few more counters ahead must have opened up. At this point of time I could see the counter ahead of me and there were perhaps 8-10 passengers in front of me. A gentleman comes up next to me and starts shouting moving his hands “Move from here”, Move from here”. I looked at him quizzically and he stares right back and said it again “Move from here” I said “Well I’m waiting in line for my turn at the counter” to which he replies ” This is the Lufthansa counter, move from here”. I was perplexed so I said well I have been in line for 2 hours and it wasn’t the Lufthansa counter then and he just looked back and me and actually said NO! You cannot see, this is Lufthansa counter – Can’t you see?  I was totally taken aback by the tone of his voice and the fact that he was also a certified optician! The queue behind me were also listening in to the conversation . I asked him that if this is the Lufthansa counter why doesn’t it say that anywhere? He seemed to go red and purple – Looked at me with so much anger I thought he was going to have a stroke and shouted “Shut up! – You Shut up”.

Wow! I think my mouth hit the floor when a Lufthansa staff had the audacity to actually tell me to shut up, Of course I was angry and told him that this was not the way to talk to any passenger,but I guess he had already lost it, so he threatened to call security to which I replied not to bother since I would be calling security on him. The Lufthansa staff stormed off to find the local security, and I could see him, doing the cheek kissing ritual and telling them something while pointing at me. The security guys sauntered in and in typical fashion asked for my passport, thankfully a couple of Emirati guys intervened and said that the staff was at fault , he was impolite and it they were in my situation they would have slapped him by now. The security guys seems to understand and walked away. The Lufthansa staff did a double take as he was surprised that the security guys didn’t do anything , the poor man couldn’t stop with his animated gestures and disappointed facial expressions.

Seething I wanted to give him my point of view, but I had a flight to catch so I let things be. However, since I am a bit of a busybody I came back and got to know that the gentleman at hand is the Deputy Station Manager at Lufthansa working there for the last 19 years – Seriously?!

From my view, Lufthansa – Your staff’s behavior was such a poor demonstration of customer service, you need to seriously train your staff , I could have even been a Lufthansa passenger, but the Deputy Station Manager did not bother to check why I was standing there or which airline was I flying. Even senior staff need to retrain as being on the same job for so many years brings about complacency.

OMBA

Perfect for any occasion, comes in an attractive bag, packed in a similar colourful (I just love the print) box which includes individually wrapped mini fatayers stuffed with Cheese, fillafel, potatoes, labena and lots more to add variety to the whole package.

A beautiful gift available for delivery or to treat anyone special… at anytime.

Thank you once again – I just loved it…

Julaia’ Hotel and Resort

We have stepped in October already and the weather in the morning or in the late evenings is pure perfection. Slight breeze, clean, with just a hint of autumn.. (now I am only talking about early morning and late evenings)… I can hear the beautiful chirping of the birds in they golden cage in my neighbor’s patio and it all seems just right.. to begin your day with until of course you hit the roads..

However, if you are in one of those moods to go for a long drive and  take out some rare time for yourself, I would recommend driving towards 245 to the Julai Hotel and Resort.

There have around three to four restaurants.. I have been there a couple of times before but on one of my recent trip to the place I visited the Avenue Restaurant, located in the basement:

I ordered a Strawberry cocktail for my drink – which was very refreshing.

As a starter a Platter of Chicken Wings with some Bbq sauce, which tasted weird.

For the main course, Lamb Chops (I always ask for it to be well done) tender and succulent accompanied by the right amount of vegetables seasoned with herbs and spices to add zest to the flavor.

Along with it, I ordered a Prawn Biryani, great with a dollop of pickles and ratia (just what I love). It was delicious and a must order.

Last but not the least, for my sweet tooth, I had Tiramisu cake and a Cappucino… All in All, worth the time and the drive and the company 😉

So get behind your driving wheel and go get some me time.

Sawadee ka

It’s been ages since I had some Thai food, I am sure all of my friends who have just returned from Thailand won’t have the same feeling. But yesterday I was really craving for Thai food, cox I love Thai food and when I am hungry I rather go somewhere tired and tested then go someplace new..

So I went to my good old Sabaidee… So far that place hasn’t let me down personally.. And just love the way that lady welcomes you loudly “Sawadee Ka”.. And you say it back and it just brings a smile on your face..

Well my favorites are:

Starters : The Tom Yum Soup (usually the shrimp) Small or Large depending on the company

Followed by Gai Satay (Grilled Chicken marinated in peanut sauce) I can never seem to have enough of that peanut sauce..

Like I said if you have company, we can try quite a few things : so the next one would be

Talay Phao (Grilled Seafood – but I rather just go for the shrimps, their size is pretty amazing too)

And now on to the main course

Has to be the good old Khao Pad Kratiam (Garlic Fried Rice) accompanied by either Pa Naeng (Red Curry) or Gaeng Khew Wan (Green Curry) in Chicken or Shrimp again..

Do try they Iced tea also, And if at all you are not in the mood for the above just simply order they Noodle Soup, you can choose the type of noodles and the ingredients and it can really fill you up. The only hitch being you might find it a bit salty for your taste buds..

Pom chop kin aharn pet, ka (which means I like to eat hot food, so I like they little burners under the dishes which keep the curry piping hot).

Well – “Kob Khun ka” (Thank you) Saibaadee for the Aroy dee ka (very tasty) lunch, I had no appetite for dinner ..

 

 

The Breakfast Club

Having grabbed my attention, a few days ago, I have been wanting to try this place for a couple of weeks now and finally got a chance. Since the name says it all, you cannot go there after your working hours during normal week days cox they timings are only from 5:00am (yes that’s right ) till 2:30pm (FYI – Tuesday is they day off). So finally a friend of mine and I decided to go and have breakfast there this morning. And this is what I think about the place.

Location : Block 1, Street 1, Fintas, Kuwait 

The Executive Chef who received us and served us too

The Menu

It was quite interesting – although they had a wide variety , the Indian in me was somehow inclined to the Full Indian Breakfast – Scrambled eggs with onions, tomato, hot green chills, chapattis with sweet mango chutney and spiced potatoes – KD 3.750

It is thankfully not very spicy and I loved the flavors. The portions were pretty good too. (I should recommend them to start accompanying it with Masala Chai too )

And my friend ordered the Eggs as you like – basically you can decide how you want them done and with a choice of sausages/bacon  potatoes and toast. – KD 2.750

I guess she had a good fill too except we only discovered now, that we were not served the toast along with it (no idea why we didn’t notice it then, I guess the quantity was good enough so we didn’t miss out on much.)

And we ordered a coffee(KD 0.950) and a fresh orange juice (KD 0.950) to go along with it.

Overall experience, a neat and nice place to try in the morning for some early heavy breakfast – since otherwise the timings are not too convenient! Although by the time we were leaving all the tables inside were already occupied and one outside too. So people head out there on a perfect beautiful morning  as long as you can still enjoy this cool weather in Kuwait (minus the sand storms of course)!! I am glad there are more of these kind of breakfast places opening up other than the usual Frozen Yogurts and Pizzerias we see these days.

HAPPY NATIONAL & LIBERATION DAY

KUWAIT – To the country that I was born in and where i still live..

It’s always been fun to go on the roads with ear blowing horns and cartons of spray cans so that we never run out and the colorful wigs on the heads and flags waving in our hands… thank you for so many memories and so many things… of course the new trend is water guns so i am not going out on the road this year…. unless i am forced to….

But even better if you have not planned anything you should head out to the Kuwait Regency Hotel and to view the first 3D Projection Mapping on the building, that will talk about Kuwait history the past and the present.

the first show : from 7:00pm to 8:00pm

the second show : from 9:00pm to 10:00pm,  In addition to Fireworks and Sky lanterns Show.

Enjoy and Kuwait We Love You!

Zain Flash Mob at Avenues

After recently watching “Friends with Benefits”.. which I think is a light movie to watch to unwind from a long day staring Justin Timberlake (we all know him also as “21 Hottest Stars Under 21”) and Mila Kunis (I think she’s really beautiful) I loved her role in Forgetting Sarah Marshall also..

I quite enjoyed the Flash Mob in the movie especially in the end when Justin tries to make up with Mila and then today a dear friend shared the following video which I think for the first time in Kuwait is pretty cool.

http://youtu.be/oYgCjxVlpWI

Click on the Link.

Why bother smoking?

At times seeing my close friends and generally people at work or at social gatherings smoke, it doesn’t seem all that life threating at that moment. Until recently, a bunch of us were out for dinner and one of my non-smoking friend highlighted the dangers/ threats of smoking and I just had to go back and Google the facts for myself.

I also find it very hard to imagine when I see the 10yr/ 13yr olds on the beaches, streets and even at the stores here in Kuwait, waiting to buy cigarettes and smoking away to glory… Seriously where are they parents – or what school do they go too?

It’s funny when one of my close friend smokes, the first thing she says is “it’s my first one of the day” as a sign to say that “yeah I know it’s bad for me.. But it’s only one.” Although an hour with her, and the ashtray resembles a small city with burned skyscrapers over a layer of ash. I do understand that smoking is a tough habit to break as are most addictions however everyone should understand that smoking is dangerous not only for yourself but also for others around you.

Since at times I do get tired of all this passive smoking, let’s start with some of the reasons why you as a smoker should worry about people around you:

·        The smoke that is exhaled from you contains more than 7000 chemicals, around 70 of these are known to be cancer causing. – Thank you for that!

·        The smoke comes out from the end of the lighted cigarette contains carcinogens that are in higher concentrations and in smaller particles meaning that you are a toxic wasteland that is spewing smoke that is easier for my lungs to absorb. Really? What did I ever do to you?

And if that is not enough to make you quit, let’s start with what additives are in cigarettes – As per Wikipedia, cigarettes are known to contain 599 additives, some of the more interesting ones being:

  • Formaldehyde, which is used by embalmers to preserve dead bodies
  • Toluene, which is commonly used as an ingredient in paint thinner
  • Acetone, an active ingredient in nail polish remover
  • Ammonia, which scientists have discovered lets you absorb more nicotine, keeping you hooked on smoking.

Sounds just yummy – Let’s step out and have one more, shall we?

With all the information out there, don’t you just wish people would read and understand what they are doing to themselves and also to the people around them!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_additives_in_cigarettes