Expat and the City ~ Kuwait

Gary Sinise (Lt. Dan From the Movie Forrest Gump) is Back in Kuwait to Support the US Troops!

2012-01-26T21:44:00.004+03:00

Let me start out by saying that I am a huge fan (LOVE HIM) of the American actor, director and musician, Gary Sinise. Currently he stars in the television show CSI: NY but he is most famous for his role as Lt. Dan in the movie Forrest Gump.

Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band will return to Kuwait today to entertain the US troops before departing on January 29th. Gary and his band have made numerous trips around the world entertaining the troops deployed to remote locations.

He was among the first performers to go into Iraq in June 2003 to entertain the troops as part of “Project Salute.” It seems only fitting that he will be entertaining the last of the troops departing Iraq when he performs in Kuwait.

Check out his new non-profit organization: http://www.garysinisefoundation.org/ in support of our U.S. Military.

Source: Camp Arifjan Buzz and article by (Dan Harr)

The Terrorists Among Us ~ Top Kuwaiti Court Clears Arifjan 6 ‘Qaeda Cell’ and the Ruling is Final

2012-01-23T12:33:00.004+03:00

Arab Times (Story Link) Kuwait City, January 22, 2012 (AFP): Kuwait’s Supreme Court on Sunday confirmed the acquittal of six nationals charged with plotting attacks on a US military base in 2009 after forming an al-Qaeda cell, one of their lawyers said.

The ruling is final after the men were also acquitted by a lower court in May 2010 and by the Court of Appeal in November 2010, Abdullah Al-Kundari said in a statement.

The men, along with two other fugitives, were charged with plotting to attack the US military base at Arifjan, 70 kms (45 miles) south of Kuwait City, that is home to more than 15,000 American troops.

The case of the two others, who were tried and acquitted in absentia by the lower courts, did not come up before the Supreme Court because they are still outside the country.

Five of the men were arrested in August 2009 while the sixth defendant was already serving a life sentence for a 2002 attack on the US military in Kuwait that killed an American soldier.

All the defendants denied the charges and said they were tortured during interrogation.

*** Most US Companies in Kuwait do not offer danger pay (uplift) anymore (if ever). Read this article and tell me it's not dangerous to work here on the US camps in Kuwait. Kuwait is a small country and the Arifjan 6 are probably much more than just 6. They are free to walk around and plan their next attack on the US bases / soft targets while sipping coffee right next to us. This is unbelievable and makes me sick to my stomach!

Practice OPSEC! Be aware of your surroundings and who is listening. Always be prepared for an attack and stop being so damn complacent because you work in Kuwait.

Nestle Toll House Cafe is Coming Soon to Marina Crescent Mall in Kuwait

2012-01-21T17:34:00.001+03:00

My last order from Nestle Toll House. Thanks Hayati :*

I love Nestle Toll House Cafe and Marina Mall so this is yummy news!

I Keep Having Cravings for Fatburger in Kuwait

2012-01-21T17:13:00.003+03:00

Before moving to Kuwait I had never heard of Fatburger. It's an American burger joint but since I studied university abroad and spent most of my life overseas I didn't have the pleasure of trying it.

The first time I ate at Fatburger I wasn't impressed. I thought, "what is so fat about his burger"? My love assured me the second time to get the double patty and that I would then love it as much as he does. I never order a double patty anything but I promised to give it a try the next time and I did.

I ordered a double patty burger with extra cheese and all the fixings. I also switched from the skinny fries to the fat ones. This made all of the difference in the world.

So there you go, I keep craving Fatburgers and the more I eat them the more I want them.

To read about the Fatburger story click here: Fatburger

To visit Fatburger in Kuwait you can either go to the Spoons Complex in Mahboula or Burj Jassem in Kuwait City opposite the ice skating rink.

The First CFA Cat Show In The Middle East Is Happening Today In Kuwait

2012-01-21T16:39:00.001+03:00

Kuwait Bike Show 2012 ~ January 27th at Marina Mall

2012-01-17T12:53:00.001+03:00

Kuwait Bike Show Website

The Kuwait Bike Show is an annual event organized by Harley Davidson of Kuwait.

The show this year will take place at Marina Mall the most popular shopping destination in Kuwait. The event will run over 27 January, 2012.

Invited participants will include all Middle East chapters. The bike show is a competition with different categories, where judgment will be taken on certain points by experts.

Participation Benefits

• Gift for the 1st winner and runner-up of each category
• Assorted gifts on arrival (t-shirts, cap, pin, patch, primo gifts, info on activities

The Wedding Expo in Kuwait ~ February 8 - 10th @ 360 Mall Exhibition Hall

2012-01-17T12:35:00.001+03:00

The Wedding Expo Website

RunQ8 at Marina Crescent January 21st

2012-01-17T12:12:00.004+03:00

Come on out and join RunQ8 2012 to Raise Awareness on Road and Traffic Safety in Kuwait!

RunQ8 Website

Yeehaw!!! Car Tinting is finally LEGAL in Kuwait!

2012-01-11T15:58:00.001+03:00

Check out Q8Stig's blog for more details!

I don't know any Americans (girls or guys) that have had any tickets or trouble from tinted windows in Kuwait. And I'm talking about the dark tints that block out everything. For some reason we just get away with it. Maybe they think it's for our safety? Anyway, I'm glad it's finally legal in Kuwait for everyone.

Readers, who do you recommend for the best tinting in Kuwait?

Gulf Run 7 Car Show in Kuwait at 360 Mall on January 13/14

2012-01-11T12:52:00.004+03:00

Gulf Run Official Site

January 13/14 – 2012 – Car Show at 360 Mall – Kuwait

Both days: 10am-10pm

January 26/27 -2012 – Gulf Run7 at the Bahrain International Circuit

Day 1 – January 26th

10.00-12.30pm – Inner Circuit and Outer Circuit Practice and Race (simultaneous)

12.30-1.30pm – Lunch

1.30-4.45pm – Inner Circuit and Outer Circuit Practice Race (simultaneous)

5.00-7.00pm – Karting Race

Day 2 – January 27th

10.00-12.30pm – GP Circuit Practice

12.30-1.30pm – Lunch

1.30-4.45pm – GP Circuit Race

5.00-7.00pm – Quarter mile Drag Race

Be there to show your support and cheer on the Kuwaiti drivers! <3

Drew Barrymore

2012-01-11T11:31:00.003+03:00

Perfect match for Q8Stig?

FishFayce Means Fun For Your Events in Kuwait

2012-01-10T13:45:00.002+03:00

FishFayce is a digital photo booth concept that can preserve the fun / crazy moments of your next event in Kuwait. If you want your guests to get involved with your brand or other guests then FishFayce is the perfect icebreaker.

Fishfayce is a well established brand that has worked with major international brands like: Armani, Maserati, Sony Playstation, Saks Fifth Avenue, Blackberry among others.

To book your portable, remote-operated fishfayce photo booths which instantly take, print and project photos of your guests at any event contact them on +965 2227 3916 or info@fishfayce.com.

Check out their official Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/fishfayce

Requested post by my blogger friend: Hello965

We White Girls Are Getting Slammed on YouTube This Week! LOL!

2012-01-10T11:20:00.002+03:00

Thanks Lou!

Christmas Decorations in Kuwait

2012-01-01T22:09:00.002+03:00

Arraya Center

Chocopolis at Arraya Center

Ghraoui ~ Chocolate from Syria located in the Al-Bida'a, Al-Arjan Complex

Back at the hotel

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T09:18:00.005+03:00

I Held a $233,350 (KD 65,000) Hermes Crocodile Birkin with White Gold & Diamond Hardware

2011-12-31T09:03:00.004+03:00

I went to Hermes in Kuwait to fill out my paperwork for the "wish list" and there it was...the famous Black Crocodile and Diamond Birkin bag that BB said she and her co-worker actually got to examine while they were shopping at Hermes. Knowing that I could never ever afford such a bag I was still so curious of what it looked like up close, inside and how it felt between my fingers. So I asked to see it and within seconds it was on my legs and I was touching it. LOL!

The salesman said it was KD 65,000 and the same price as a Lamborghini. A crocodile Birkin with diamond-encrusted hardware is one of the most elusive and expensive collector’s items in the world. Basically, a well preserved Birkin bag will hold its value better than your luxurious, imported sports car.

It's a beautiful bag and probably the last time I will have the opportunity to hold a $233,350 purse. It kind of makes the bag I ordered from Hermes look like a real bargain. ;P

I was really impressed with their beautiful, spacious store that just opened in Kuwait. Their staff is warm and friendly. You literally just drive up to the front door of Al Hamra and they have valet parking. The only bad thing is when you pick up your car outside they have to drive it on the main road with merging traffic. It's an easy place for a minor car accident. Other than that the location is perfect with easy access for the man in your life to shop. ;)

Photo credit: Purse Blog

Eating at Home in Kuwait: Some of Our Favorite Things

2011-12-31T08:36:00.003+03:00

BB brought goodies from Crumb's Bakery

House of Waffle and Steak (Cheese & veggie omelet, beef sausage & bacon)

Fluffy waffles with hot Danish butter and drizzled chocolate

Kiwis were sweet & delicious!

I think my pancakes (from Mornin' & Evenin') are smiling cuz they know I'm going to eat them...

Chef's homemade Fatayer

Nespresso

Christmas from Santa Zain

2011-12-28T21:26:00.002+03:00

Thank you Zain for my fabulous Christmas beach, barbecue gift-set! I love it Santa Zain ;P

The Missoni Hotel's Festive Season Package for the Holidays

2011-12-26T16:40:00.002+03:00

December 2011 ~ We call it our condo in Kuwait :D

LOL! A Wee Bit Naughty Christmas Humor for the Holidays

2011-12-25T02:02:00.000+03:00

Thanks Northern Irish Lass!

Camp Arifjan, Kuwait at Sunrise and Wandering Desert Camels

2011-12-17T18:48:00.001+03:00

For my Mom & Dad :* :* :* I Love you!

Eve Carson Asked Her Captors to 'Pray' With Her Before They Killed Her

2011-12-17T17:19:00.003+03:00

20-year-old American Girl Eve Carson

Sometimes you read crime stories in the news and they break your heart.

UNC Student Asked Captors to 'Pray' With Her Before She Was Killed, According to Testimony

A popular North Carolina college student gunned down three years ago pleaded for her life in the moments before her death and asked her assailants to pray with her, according to testimony at the murder trial.

Eve Carson, student body president at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, died from multiple gunshot wounds on March 5, 2008, after she was allegedly kidnapped and robbed by two men.

Prosecutors say 21-year-old Laurence Alvin Lovette Jr. and 25-year-old Demario James Atwater kidnapped Carson from her home sometime after 3:30 a.m., took her in her SUV to withdraw money from ATMs and then shot her five times, WRAL-TV reported.

Atwater pleaded guilty last year to state and federal charges in the case and is serving two life sentences in federal prison. Lovette, who is now on trial, faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty.

Jayson McNeil, a lifelong friend of Lovette's, testified Tuesday about a conversation he says he had with Lovette about the crime on March 12, 2008. McNeil said Lovette called him the day a warrant was issued for his arrest.

"Before (Lovette) even shot her, he explained, she was saying, 'Let's pray,'" 20-year-old McNeil told the courtroom. "She wanted them to pray together."

McNeil, whose testimony was part of a plea deal in a federal drug case, said Lovette told him that he and Atwater went to Chapel Hill to rob and that they saw Carson getting into her SUV, according to WRAL.

"They rushed her," McNeil testified.

Lovette got into the driver's seat, and Atwater got into the backseat with Carson and held a gun to her head, McNeil told jurors.

"He said the whole time that Eve Carson was in the backseat that she was pleading for her life and explained that they didn't have to do what they were doing," McNeil testified. "Demario was feeling her clothes and touching her in certain parts of her body."

Lovette said they killed her because she had seen their faces.

Carson was shot four times with a .25-caliber to her right cheek, back, right arm and right buttock. She also was shot through her right hand and right temple with a sawed-off shotgun.

The medical examiner who performed an autopsy on Carson testified Tuesday that the young woman could have survived the four handgun wounds with appropriate medical care, according to the station.

"Only one of these wounds was immediately fatal, and that was the shotgun injury to the head," Dr. Cynthia Gardner reportedly told jurors.

Article credit and to read more [here].

Even with the crazy, near death experience of driving in Kuwait, local terrorists caught within days of wanting to blow up Camp Arifjan and the scary male stalkers I still feel much safer here than I do in America. Violence and crime in the US makes me afraid when I'm living there.

This story really broke my heart. The similarities sent chills down my back and brought me to tears . My condolences to her family and may Eve rest in peace in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Santa Claus is Visiting the Sultan Center in Salmiya, Kuwait

2011-12-16T01:12:00.001+03:00

I received a text message from the Sultan Center Salmiya that Santa Claus will be there from 6 - 9 PM today. You can bring your children to have their picture taken with Santa for free! For more info call: 184449

I want to have my picture taken on Santa's lap so I hope they will allow crazy adults.

Advice for Kuwaiti Men Who Fall in Love and Want to Marry a Western Woman

2011-12-15T00:36:00.003+03:00

About a week ago I received an email from a very sweet Kuwaiti guy who has fallen in love with an American girl while studying in the USA. (I love receiving emails and this is one of my favorites.) He is madly in love with her but admitted he will have a huge problem 'introducing' all of this to his folks.

He asked me for advice on how to tackle this complicated situation with his family in Kuwait. I gave him my best advice but I was hoping to get even better from my readers. He has asked to remain anonymous so please help him the best you can by commenting below. Thank you and sweet dreams! :*

Photo credit: Bridal.net

Make Your Blonde Happy This Christmas in Kuwait

2011-12-14T23:21:00.007+03:00

Jessica kissing her Hermès Birkin Bag (this could be you guys ;) on Christmas morning. In case you have been living under a rock or were just released from prison, Hermès is now open in Kuwait at Al Hamra Tower.