Ladies who do lunch in Kuwait

Dog's Eye Gouged Out by Vile Depraved Teenagers

2012-06-01T09:44:00.003+03:00

Kuwait Times: It’s a doggone life for Kuwait’s strays

KUWAIT: The dog which had its eye gouged out by teenagers by the beach at Fahaheel Sea Club.

There’s a story behind these bleeding eyes.

PAWS (Protecting Animal Welfare Society) got a call on January 1 this year from a frantic Indian lady who saw young Kuwaiti teenagers torturing two friendly stray dogs by the beach at Fahaheel Sea Club. The boys were trying to gouge their eyes out and even managed to cut a tail off from one of the dogs. PAWS managed to save both dogs who, despite the brutality, didn’t give up their trust in humans and actually allowed themselves to be lifted into the rescue car without any growling. Now the pair, Texas and Georgia, are at the shelter recovering from their trauma.

They lucked out, but most other animals in Kuwait aren’t as lucky. PAWS, along with other animal rights organizations in Kuwait, receive at least one case of an abused animal every day, which averages at 7-10 cases per week. “These are just the cases which are reported to us; but obviously the statistics are higher as most go unreported,” revealed a member of the organization. Awareness about these animal rights’ groups has helped to generate more active participation from the public over the past few years, but the violence has been consistent.

In a majority of the cases, the dogs are left tied to a tree or fence for days together without any water or food in the desert heat – or on building roof tops with the assumption that they will guard the place. In more obvious cases of abuse, flesh or bones can be seen as a result of beatings or deliberate injuries. Death would seem a better option for those who have been set on fire on the beach, had their legs, tails or ears cut off, dumped in the desert to starve or had their eyes gouged out. Cats haven’t had it easy either, with some being bundled into fishing nets or thrown into the rubbish bin to die.

Season to abandon
Karen, one of the co-founders of PAWS and K’S PATH in Kuwait revealed the story of Maddy, a small Poodle mix, a few years ago. Maddy’s owners tied her neck to a fence with a metal wire and left her out in the sun to die. Teenagers would beat her on the way to school every day until she was found by a couple who untied her and got her immediate medical attention. The vet discovered that her skin had grown over the metal wire and she required around 75 stitches after the wire was removed from her flesh. The couple adopted Maddy and moved to Dubai, where she leads a peaceful life after her ordeal here. While Maddy lived to have a name and someone to love, a tabby cat, which had its back legs tied with a metal wire and couldn’t move or jump into any bin to scavenge for food, died nameless because of starvation.

Karen, a passionate animal lover and hardcore activist, has had 17 years of experience rescuing animals in Kuwait. She says that even though there has been a drop in cases since she’s lived here, the summer season always witnesses a rise in animal cruelty. “People travel in summer and abandon their pets on the streets or in the deserts. Why? Because it’s the easiest way to get rid of them. Someone had even dumped a horse in the desert with a bucket of water, thinking ‘Hey, he won’t be able to make it back home from here!’ This is easier than having to take the trouble of leaving it at a shelter,” she says.

Two weeks ago, a cheetah was reportedly drugged and dragged around by its tail in Abu Hassania area by “amused” teens in broad daylight. The half-conscious animal apparently tried to hide under the shade of nearby cars but to no avail. Karen says, “There’s a link between animal abuse and psychopathology; youngsters who abuse animals grow up to become serial killers.”

Karen also recently found an eagle dumped near a bin. It was clearly in a state of shock and when she realized that it was still breathing, she rushed it to the Royal Animal Hospital. It was treated for severe starvation before being handed over to K’S PATH, who made sure it was healthy before releasing it back into the wild. Rumour had it that it was dragged around near the Friday Market a day earlier. This is just one of the many stories Karen can recount in Kuwait and has seen enough abused animals to author her own book.

‘Education, education, education’
So where exactly is the problem? Is it a lack of conscience? Or a lack of rules? Karen says that it’s a bit of both: “The problem is the lack of animal rights’ laws and their enforcement.”

But there’s one thing that’s completely within reach, “Education, education, education! If children are taught empathy right from a young age and made to understand that animals feel pain, just like humans, a lot could be achieved,” she says. She added that if there were constructive things for the youngsters to do here apart from just go to the malls and shop, like if they had Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to channel their energy into something useful, the beaches and the environment can be saved. “Nobody knows that something as mindless as throwing cigarette butts into the ocean can kill tortoises when they consume it,” Karen says.
Apart from lack of awareness, sterilization is a big problem faced by the shelters, who struggle with unsterilized strays which multiply during breeding season. “A lack of funds can be added to the list,” said an unnamed source who revealed that shelters run mostly on funds collected through charities, Open House events, and donations – which aren’t a steady flow or sustainable income. “From the minute an injured animal (or bird) is taken in, the shelter pays for its medical expenses, rehabilitation, sterilization, vaccination and food apart from other needs until it’s adopted again – which amounts to a lot per case,” he said.

An ‘evil’ called the Friday Market
The Friday Market in Kuwait might as well be rechristened ‘The Dead End’ as far as birds and animals are concerned. This place is notorious for almost having as many animals as the Kuwait Zoo: Kangaroos, monkeys, baboons, snakes, endangered tortoises and reptiles, bears, exotic spiders, parrots, macaws, coloured chicks, monitor lizards apart from many others can be seen – some with the DHL stickers still attached to their cages. The animals are housed in abominable settings and subjected to severe weather conditions with very little to eat or drink. Large dogs are stuffed into small cages to save space, and gain sympathy from visitors who might end up buying them to save them. On the other hand, tiny chicks are dyed toxic neon colours like pink, green, red, radiant yellow or blue to attract potential buyers. Many chicks die during the colouring process as they can’t withstand the wetness or the cold. The ones who survive end up with damaged internal organs because of the toxins in the dye.

Karen recalls saving a group of baby rabbits, which were trying to hide under the shade of a car to stay cool: “Unsold animals are thrown outside like garbage,” she said. Most exotic animals, like monkeys, are smuggled into Kuwait from Asian countries like Indonesia and Thailand, or even Hungary, “They are drugged and smuggled in suitcases, and many die even before reaching Kuwait because of the lack of ventilation,” she said.

In fact, the Friday Market has been such a bone of contention with animal lovers that a website called change.org, which encourages people to fight for issues they care about deeply, has more than 200 people signing a petition for its closure. A page entitled ‘Kuwait: Close down the Animal Friday Market’ reads: “Animals are kept in terrible life threatening conditions in Kuwait’s harsh climate with no AC. Puppies, wet and dirty, and most infected with parvovirus, along with cats, are all put in small bird cages with hardly any space to move. Animals there are suffering horribly before dying every day!”

Price to be paid

The violence is senseless. And sometimes there’s a quick buck to be made.

Vandana, an Indian expatriate, found an Alaskan Malamute with a belt tied around his neck, being dragged around in Mangaf. When she asked them to stop ill-treating it, they said they would – if she bought it. She paid KD 12 and brought the injured dog home to save it from them but when she walks him, she has people asking her “How much? How much?” hoping to buy it from her – and perhaps sell it again to someone else.

An Alaskan Malamute is, as the name suggests, a breed meant for the cold climates of Alaska – not a harsh desert ambiance like Kuwait. She says that she encounters difficulty walking him outside as his paws – which definitely aren’t suitable for the Middle Eastern climate – burn in the heat. “I’m also worried about what he might eat because of the poison left out in the streets to kill strays”.

Vandana pointed that some residential buildings change their policies on pets overnight and ask the tenants to either get rid of their pets or vacate within 15 days’ time. “This is very little time and forces them to abandon their pets, which they might not have chosen to do otherwise”.

Change in policy or not, nothing can possibly justify her neighbours’ act of throwing a rabbit from the roof “just to see what would happen to it”.

P.S. Some pet owners hesitated to provide pictures of their pets out of fear that the previous owners who abandoned them would track them down and want to take their pets back – now that they have received medical attention and appear in good health.

priyankasaligram@kuwaittimes.net

LWDLIK - "Virtually every serious violent offender has a history of animal abuse in their past, and since there's no way to know which animal abuser is going to continue on to commit violent human crimes, they should ALL be taken that seriously. FBI Supervisory Special Agent Allen Brantley was quoted as saying "Animal cruelty... is not a harmless venting of emotion in a healthy individual; this is a warning sign..." It should be looked at as exactly that. Its a clear indicator of psychological issues that can and often DO lead to more violent human crimes."
Read more: Abuse Connection - The Link Between Animal Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence | Pet-Abuse.Com Animal Cruelty Database http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/abuse_connection.php#ixzz1wWMmnXbT

If this makes you spitting mad and you're wanting to do something (you are not alone) but it might be best to just make a donation to the animal shelters here who do a marvellous job of taking care of these poor abused and abandoned animals. www.kspath.org and www.paws-kuwait.org. Sorry don't mean to upset your weekend but this story needs all the coverage it can get.

StyleME Kuwait

2012-05-31T08:13:00.000+03:00

FULL SCHEDULE WITH LOCATIONS AND TIMINGS BELOW

Do you have a natural flair for style, love fashion or want a helping hand to get on the ladder to pursue your career in the fashion industry? If this sounds like you then the place be is at Style ME Kuwait on the weekend of Friday June 1st & Saturday June 2nd. Image Factor Dubai along with Tara Sillery of PR Passion (Dubai and Kuwait) will be hosting an exclusive two day styling training course and will be on the search for Kuwait’s next top Stylist. The two day workshop will be held by International Stylist and Founder of Image Factor Marissa Woods. She will provide you with tips, tricks and styling skills to become a professional stylist.

You will be walking out of this action packed course with the ability to:
• Create styles
• Personal styling
• How to dress clients
• Wardrobe styling and planning
• Personal shopping
• Make-up skills, hair care, and skin care
• Communication skills
• Accessories styling
• Face shapes, body shapes, hair shapes,
• Grooming and presentation and so much more….
Not only will you get trained to be a stylist, but you will also participate in a competition to become Kuwait’s Next Top Stylist judged by a panel of celebrity judges where the winner will be given a break into the fashion industry as a professional stylist and get to take home amazing prizes.

Day 1 - Friday, 1st June:

Time : 1pm
Location : Missoni Hotel, Kuwait

www.missoni.com

• Press Conference meet and greet followed by a live Q&A session between designers, the media, journalists, and bloggers. This is the perfect time for the press to interview and meet with the designers and a great opportunity for the designers to gain publicity.
• Styling course starts with trainer covering all aspects of styling. The course will run until 7pm in the prestigious surroundings of the Missoni Hotel private meeting rooms.
3 pm:
Press Conference Attendees lunch will take place. This part of the event will allow designers to be interviewed one on one with press and meet and mingle media of Kuwait.
7pm:
Wrapping up the day with designer/ buyer dinner where buyers get the opportunity to meet on a one on one level with the designers, view collections and discuss future business opportunities.

Day 2 - Saturday, 2nd June:

Time : 1pm
Location : Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) Gallery, Life Centre, Shuwaikh, Kuwait

www.capkuwait.com

• Get ready to mingle with VIP guests, designers, buyers, socialites and fashionistas in this exciting location. CAP has been chosen for the VIP invitation day as the space is in theme with the prestigious designers that are being showcased. They can also utilize the wonderful space to have beauty rooms as well as private fitting areas with tailors on hand for adjustments throughout the day. Participating designers will set up booths for your purchasing pleasure, ready to showcase their designs and prepared to place orders. We know all of that shopping & socializing can be exhausting so we want you to relax and get pampered at our make-up & nail treament areas that we have set up for you to unwind. There will also be stylishly delicious food served throughout the day. The amazing library area of the Gallery is where Day 2 of our stylist course will take place. StyleMEKuwait are bringing you designers that are not in Kuwait and have an elegant twist to their designs and collections so prepare to be blown away!
• Day two of our styling workshop will be in full swing preparing our stylists for the big challenge. Our styling competition will incorporate all of our participating designers’ for our stylists to put together that winning look.
• We are so excited that CAP have agreed for StyleME Kuwait to be hosted in their wonderful space, and can guarantee you that no other event of this sort will or has taken place in Kuwait before.

7pm:
StyleME will announce the winner. The celebrity judging panel consists of a stylist judge from America’s Next Top Model, Marissa Woods founder of Image Factor Dubai, a guest blogger and famous TV personality. Between them they will pick 5 finalists to go through to stage 1 of the competition. Then stage 2 involves two out of the 5 to get chosen by the above and then it goes LIVE to public voting to choose our winner. That lucky winner then gets the title “Kuwait’s Next top Stylist” and takes home amazing stylish prizes.
Don’t miss out on this fabulous event and the first of its kind to take place in Kuwait. We look forward to seeing you all there.

Our Image Factor Website and what we do is : http://www.imagefactoruae.com/tarasillery

The Facebook link to the event is :
http://www.facebook.com/events/297477283670765/

Tara Sillery’s company PR Passion Page on Facebook is : http://www.facebook.com/groups/256854777718761/

Follow Tara Sillery on Twitter : @TARASILLERY

An Amazing Last Chance Deal for Madonna Tickets 3rd & 4th June at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi

2012-05-31T07:42:00.001+03:00

Madonna Live on stage 3rd and 4th of June - Yas Arena, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi with special guest
Benny Benassi.

This is your last chance to see the queen of pop live! Limited packages still available for BOTH
days from select Abu Dhabi Rotana Hotels, starting from AED 1215* (KWD 92) for two,
including a night's stay and two tickets to see the Material Girl Live!

As one of the most successful touring artists of all time, fans can anticipate one of the best
live shows in the world, so don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Book your packages now!

Participating Abu Dhabi Hotels include: Yas Island Rotana; Beach Rotana;
Park Rotana & Park Arjaan by Rotana; Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana;
Centro Al Manhal; Al Maha Arjaan by Rotana; Al Rawda Arjaan by Rotana;
Hala Arjaan by Rotana.

Fire Spreading From Play Area of Mall in Qatari Capital Kills 19, Including 13 Children

2012-05-30T11:00:00.001+03:00

Reuters
Nineteen people, including 13 children, died Monday in a fire that raged through an upscale shopping mall in Doha, Qatar’s Interior Ministry said.

The fire centered around a children’s play area in the Villaggio Mall, a collection of shops and indoor canals.

The fire started late in the morning and centered on a children’s play area in the Villaggio Mall, a glittering collection of shops and indoor canals in Doha, the capital, frequented by expatriates in the oil-rich emirate. The ministry did not immediately provide the nationalities of those killed. Local news reports said no Qatari children were among the dead, and Reuters said four of the children who died in the fire were from Spain. French media reported that one French child died in the fire.

Thick smoke could be seen pouring from the building as emergency workers moved to contain the blaze. Photos posted online showed people who appeared to be injured, rescue workers clambering across a smoke-shrouded roof and a man in shirt sleeves holding a young child whose fate was not certain.

The fire at the mall, known for pricey shops, gondoliers and an indoor ice rink, raised troubling questions about the safety of even the most opulent buildings in the booming city, where shopping centers both provide air-conditioned respite from the desert heat and serve as de facto town squares for expatriates and wealthy Qataris. The deadly blaze prompted authorities to announce the creation of a committee to monitor building safety standards.

Al Jazeera, the Doha-based satellite broadcaster, carried reports of the fire, but for hours there was little mention on state-run Qatar TV, according to residents. Frantic messages appeared on social media sites throughout the day, with some reposting messages pleading for information on children at the mall’s Gympanzee play area.

The Interior Ministry offered little information until an evening news conference, while misinformation swirled online. “All are requested not spread rumours as it will create panic among people,” the ministry said in a statement hours before the news conference. “Be responsible persons and cooperate with security departments.”

The cause of the fire, which also injured 17 people, was still under investigation, the ministry said in the evening. Many of the injured were identified as members of the civil defense team responding to the fire. Four teachers and two firefighters were among the dead, the ministry said.

“There don’t seem to have been any fire alarms or sprinklers at the mall,” a relative of a 2-year-old killed in the fire told Reuters.

Qatar, a Connecticut-size sprout of land jutting into the Persian Gulf with a native population of 225,000, is home to more than 1.5 million expatriates mostly from Europe, Asia and the United States.

LWDLIK - OMG how awful, just terrifying. My condolences to those poor parents and family members.

Strands Hair & Beauty Salon Co is Moving Location

2012-05-30T08:15:00.003+03:00

Click pic to enlarge
The phone number stays the same 25711237/8... Open 7 days a week. 9am - 9pm

Beirut II Exhibit at The Contemporary Art Platform, Shuwaikh

2012-05-30T04:36:00.001+03:00

Young Doctors Academy Nutrition Course Starts Today

2012-05-28T09:16:00.000+03:00

Young Doctors Academy
Nutrition Course starting this Tuesday May 29th!

Register by texting your child's name and age on 90026059

Greetings!

"JUMPSTART NUTRITION!" Our Nutrition course for 7-9 year olds will start this Tuesday May 29th ending June 12th!

Join our doctor and nutritionist to learn about food and balanced meals in a fun and interactive way!

Students will
*discover food groups and their importance,
*the new USDA guidelines of MYPLATE
*know how to create a balanced breakfast and snack
*learn to visualize portion sizes
*learn about food labels and how to make choices!

Timings and Pricing:

We will meet twice a week, Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4:30 to 6:30pm. Starting this Tuesday May 29th, ending Tuesday June 12th!

Our course is 10 hours long. We are running a discount of 65KD. (5 sessions for the price of 4)

You can register your child by texting back on 90026059 with their name and age! We are located in Jabriya.

For updates, photos and information:

Join us on FB! http://www. facebook.com/youngdoctorsacademy

Email: register@youngdoctorsacademy.com

Web: Http://www.youngdoctorsacademy.com

See you soon!

YDA TEAM!

"Think & Grow Rich" A Facilitated Course Given by Life Coach Laurie Santos

2012-05-28T09:00:00.000+03:00

The AWARE Center in cooperation with Laurie Santos will conduct a course entitled: "Think & Grow Rich," (by Napoleon Hill), a facilitated course by Certified Life Coach Laurie Santos with effect from June 18 until August 8, 2012. Course participants will be meeting every Monday from 7:00pm till 8:30pm.

Course Objectives:

-To identify current negative though patterns about money and wealth · To get “underneath” those negative thought patterns; find out why they exist.
-To write a new positive “story” about how you feel about money & wealth.
-To learn a tried-and-true way to bust through negative patterns that prevent you from acquiring abundance, prosperity and wealth in your life.
-To learn techniques for saving money, slashing debt, earning more money and having the life you truly desire.

For more information about the course, please contact: Laurie A. Santos, MS, CTACC at 9990-6390 or log onto: www.ExtremeDreamTraining.com or e-mail: Laurie@ExtremeDreamTraining.com." For registration and fees, please contact the AWARE Center at 2533-5260 (Ext.: 0/104/105) or email: htaware.hassan@gmail.com Please note: PRIOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED FOR THIS COURSE.

Marine Museum, Hashemi II Tour & a Visit to a Traditional Coffee Shop

2012-05-28T08:45:00.000+03:00

11 Jun 2012, 5:30 pm

Museum displays twelve large model Arabic Dhows—wooden boats powered only by the wind. Adjacent to the museum is the world's largest Dhow, 'Al Hashemi-II’ and on the wall of the museum, is the authentic certificate earned in 2002; A Guinness World Record for the 'largest wooden Arabic Dhow’ The museum showcases traditional Dhow shipbuilding tools and pictures of maritime activities including seafaring expeditions, shipbuilding and pearl diving. Join AWARE for a fascinating look into the history of the Dhow and the small seaport of Kuwait. After the tour of the museum and Hashemi II Dhow, AWARE guests will visit one of the traditional coffee shops near Marina Mall. Tea / Coffee will be provided. Advance reservations required. Fee: KD 3 Contact AWARE tel. 25335280

Markaz 21 Putting the Able in Disabled: "Modern Methods of Self-Development Capabilities for the Disabled"

2012-05-26T21:14:00.004+03:00

A parent/teacher/guardian workshop on 27 May, 2012 to be held by Markaz 21 and presented by three American professionals. The workshop aims to offer assistance in working and caring for handicapped adults especially with autism.
The workshop is entitled "Modern methods of self-development capabilities in the disabled" and will be at
Al Mojel Hall in Faiha next to Adilya off 2nd ring road. From 6-9.30PM.
Markaz (Centre) 21 was founded by a group of special need parents 2 years ago. It will have programs for disabled young adults adults as well as therapists.

For more info they are on twitter: @markaz21 Email: markaz21@live.com or Phone: 67080856.

WTG Ladies - Spirited Debate in Kuwait: The Absence of Women in Politics Post Arab Spring

2012-05-26T19:25:00.000+03:00

Meet Dr. Alanoud Al Sharekh (@AAlsharekh) senior fellow for regional politics at the @IISS_org UK. She will be moderating tomorrow's forum.

Meet Shurooq Amin (@shurooqamin) Kuwaiti artist and freedom activist. Shurooq will be on ‪#GVHlive‬ panel tomorrow.

Meet Samar Badawi. In 2012 the Saudi Samar Badawi was awarded the International Women of Courage Award. She is a panelist at Global Voice Hall's PANAGAEA forum tomorrow.

At 7pm - Kuwait Graduates Society Building, adjacent to the Kuwait Society of Engineers, Bneid Al Gar, Al Soor Street.

LWDLIK - Now this sounds like an interesting debate...And my 2 cents worth [link]. I have been informed the debate can be followed on the Global Voice Hall website after 1-2 days and will be sub-titled in English. [link]. Thank you @GVHLive.

Another Great Post by My New Eco Warrior Friend Abdullah

2012-05-25T16:48:00.001+03:00

Real Madrid vs. Kuwait

Although I’m not a soccer fan I went to the game with a bunch of friends. It was great and all, they had a nice show, fireworks and everything. But that’s not what I want to focus on, I stayed around after the game and I got really upset with what happened so I took some photos and I’ll leave you to judge.

We need more concerned Kuwaitis to make a noise about this. Print the pics off and speak to your MPs, councillors, or send them to your local newspapers.

Pics are courtesy of Abdullah at Green Geek Blog.

It's Not Just Bad for Your Marriage: Cheating on Your Partner 'Can Also Give you a Heart Attack'

2012-05-25T11:50:00.002+03:00

Risk: 'Sudden coital death' is much more common when a man was meeting his mistress than with his wife

Daily Mail

It is news likely to bring an ironic smile to the lips of many a scorned spouse – adultery is bad for the heart. A wealth of studies show that men who cheat on their wives risk not only their marriage but also their cardiac health. Liaisons away from home and with younger women are particularly dangerous.

The warnings come from Italian researchers who reviewed previous studies on the causes of infidelity and its effects.

These showed ‘sudden coital death’ to be much more common when a man was meeting his mistress than when he was with his wife.

The researchers could not be sure why but put forward a variety of reasons, including a guilty conscience.

The review’s authors, from the University of Florence, began by scouring medical literature for research papers including the words ‘unfaithfulness’, ‘extramarital affairs’, ‘infidelity’ and ‘men’.

This provided information about the type of man who is unfaithful and the potential consequences.

The analysis showed that heart attacks, including fatal ones, were relatively rare when a man was having sex with his wife at home. But when he started to play away, the dangers grew.

German studies show that most men who died during sex were having an affair and meeting away from the family home.

Furred-up arteries were blamed for more than a third of the deaths – the physical demands of sex are said to cause the fatty plaque that has built up inside arteries to rupture.

Heart attacks were the next biggest cause of death, the Journal of Sexual Medicine reports.

The stress of wining, dining and satisfying a woman who is likely to be younger than the man’s wife may also be to blame, as can the strain of keeping an affair secret.

Researcher Dr Alessandra Fisher said: ‘Extra-marital sex may be hazardous and stressful because the lover is often younger than the primary partner and probably sex occurs more often following excessive drinking and/or eating.

‘It is possible that a secret sexual encounter in an unfamiliar setting may significantly increase blood pressure and heart rate, leading to increased oxygen demand.’

Guilt may also play a role with some research suggesting heart problems are more common among cheats who are still attracted to their wife. ‘Betraying this partner could punish him,’ said Dr Fisher.

The overview also suggests that in any one year, 4 per cent of married men have an affair. Over the course of a man’s life, there is a 50-50 chance of him straying.

LWDLIK - Only 4% ??? Thank you dear F for sending me this and although we both agree that it's good news definitely better news would be if their testicles exploded.

A Concerned Citizen's Plea to Those Who Say They Love Kuwait

2012-05-25T11:31:00.000+03:00

Old Ships Docks

I'm pretty sure you’ve all passed by the old ships docks right before the big mosque on gulf street, it’s right in front of this building (picture below)

The ships look great and remind you of the past and how people used to live and everything.

I only have one question though, have you seen them from the other side?

This one of the many valuable places in Kuwait, it’s a treasure reminding us of our past. What happened? Seriously?

You know what’s the worst part? I was not able to breath while taking these photos. And there so much more that I wasn’t able to cover.

I really hope people think twice before throwing anything in the sea or on the roads.

Post from Green Geek Q8 blog. LWDLIK is proud to be a Green Geek. You have my support.

Kuwait Still Suspended From London 2012 Olympics 8 Kuwaiti Athletes to Compete Independently Under Olympic Flag

2012-05-25T10:59:00.000+03:00

The suspension came back in Jan 2010 due to alleged government interference and has not been resolved [link]. The 8 qualifying Kuwaiti athletes for London 2012 will compete under the Olympic flag [link]. How sad is that :O(

LWDLIK - Seriously? So does this mean they will not carry the Kuwaiti flag. Because that's what it sounds like. No, no, no people this is unacceptable. Why has this not been resolved? The words despair and incredibly mucked up come to mind. .

How Super Kewl is This? Hyatt Al-Fahad and Kanye West in a Movie Together

2012-05-25T09:12:00.000+03:00

On the red carpet in Cannes. Kanye West and Hayat Al-Fahad (Queen of the Gulf Silver Screen) at Cannes film festival premiering Kanye’s new movie Cruel Summer.

Starring Kid Cudi as a car thief who falls in love with a blind Arabian princess, the clip is the project he was reportedly working on in the Middle East in February. The film's cast also includes Razane Jammal, Pusha T, Big Sean, Palestinian actor Ali Suliman, Aziz Ansari, Hayat Al-Fahad and West himself.

LWDLIK - The Kuwaiti actress Hayat Al-Fahad is pictured above in black, getting a hug from Kanye. Such a lovely lady we had a chat once in Debenhams whilst waiting to pay for our goods - sorry can't remember what she was buying (LOL) - but she was ever so sweet. She's one of my husband's favourites and I told her so, I think she blushed.

Musical Fund Raiser for Bayt Abdullah

2012-05-24T21:46:00.000+03:00

That's Kuwait Medical Association Theatre next to Mubarak Hospital.
For tickets please contact 97601206 or 90098427

Hip Hop & Mixed Martial Arts at Bayt Lothan

2012-05-24T16:38:00.000+03:00

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
MMA is a new type of sport that combines the art of several distinct types of martial arts for fighters to utilize. It has become a favorite worldwide. In one fight you can have the power to see fighters utilizing wrestling, judo, kickboxing, and Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. MMA training demands dedication and self-discipline, and improves power, reaction, speed, strength, balance, and coordination. MMA also improve self esteem and respect for others.

Call Bayt Lothan, Salmiya 25755877/66 for more details.

Spanish Cinema Week

2012-05-24T14:59:00.000+03:00

THE FILMS IN THE SPANISH CINEMA WEEK 2012

El BOLA (PELLET)

By Achero Mañas/ 2000/ 83 min/ Social drama, friendship, child abuse/4 Goya (Spanish Cinema Academy Award): best film, best new director, best new actor and best script.

El Bola (Pellet), a boy 12 years old, lives in a big city in a depressing environment. He is a victim of child abuse in his family. He feels ashamed and has difficulties to establish a normal relationship with his school mates. The arrival of a new student to his classroom opens the opportunity to discover real friendship and another kind of family life. He will grow up stronger enough to face his own situation at home.

SOLAS (ALONE)

By Benito Zambrano/1999/Drama/ 98 min/ 5 Goya awards: best new director, best new actress, best supporting actress, best original soundtrack and best script. Berlin Festival in 1999: prize of the audience.

Maria, almost forty, lives in a dull apartment in the outskirts of the town where she works as a part time domestic employee. She has no family expectations and finds some relief in drinking. Her mother, Rosa, also carries a life of solitude in her village until she decides to visit her daughter. The old woman meets Maria´s neighbour, a solitary widow who lives in company of his dog Achiles. The relation among these three outcasts opens a window of hope in their suffocating lifes thanks to Rosa´s love, patience and discretion.

FADOS

By Carlos Saura/2007/Musical, documentary/ 93 min/ Goya award: best original song.

Fado is the most popular style of Portuguese song. It appeared in the suburbs of Lisbon in the 19^th century as an expression of sorrow and nostalgy. Great Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura is in love with this kind of music. Following his previous films Flamenco (1995) and Tango (1998), Carlos Saura completes his trilogy about popular urban music in the Hispanic world. Some of the most important Portuguese artists together with other well-known singers from Spain (Miguel Poveda) Mexico (Lila Downs) or Brasil (Caetano Veloso and Chico Buarque) perform in the studio to showcase this rich cultural heritage.

UN FRANCO, 14 PESETAS (CROSSING BORDERS)

By Carlos Iglesias/ 2006/ Comedy, drama, inspired in real facts/ 105 min/ Málaga Film Festival 2006: best script, prize of the audience.

Spain

1960. Many workers are made redundant at the beginning of a phase of economic development. Martin is one of them. He decides to emigrate to Switzerland in the company of his friend Marcos. They find a new social and political reality, new friends and a well paid job (hence the original title: 1 Swiss franc equals 14 Spanish pesetas). One year after, his wife (Pilar) and son (Pablo) join Martin in Switzerland. The couple gets used to their new life bearing in mind that one day they will have to go back to Spain to accomplish their dreams. In the meantime, Pablo is growing up away from Spain and his homeland becomes an unknown country. Returning to Spain will be a new challenge for this family.

TESIS (THESIS)

By Alejandro Amenábar/1996/Thriller/125 min/ 8 Goya awards: best film, best new director, best actress, best new actor, best script, best production, best montage and best sound.

Astonishing first film by the worldwide successful Spanish –Chilean director Alejandro Amenábar (1972) Other movies by Amenábar: Abre los ojos/Open your eyes (American remake: Vanilla sky) in 1997, Los otros/The others (with Nicole Kidman) in 2001, Mar adentro/Deep inside (with Javier Bardem, Oscar Academy Award for best non-English film in 2005) and Agora (with Rachel Weisz and Max Minghella) in 2009.

Angela is working on her PhD thesis about violence in the media. Her thesis director discovers a movie in the files of the Faculty and the next day he dies. Angela and her colleague Chema take and watch that movie which contains images of the torture and murder of a young woman. They have crossed a dangerous threshold: Angela might be the next victim in a “snuff-movie”.

LWDLIK - Thank you Eva x

To All My Lovely Readers a Pearly Whites Offer from Boost My Smile Dental Clinic

2012-05-24T10:46:00.003+03:00

Just in time for summer a gleaming, gorgeous white smile to show off the new tan. Be a good idea to have a little check-up, at least, before setting off on your holidays. Click above pic to go to website. Offer of 25% discount on all treatments for June but 15% off until end of 2012.
Just go in and ask for the Ladies who do lunch in Kuwait discount (it's for my readers as there is no membership) ask for Razan if there's any confusion..

Website: www.boostmysmile.com

Twitter: @BoostMySmileBMS

Facebook: BoostMySmileBMS

I Really Don't Get Why Someone Would Say This? Another Rant...

2012-05-24T09:18:00.002+03:00

Thought I'd put this question out there and see what sort of response it gets...
What would you say to a woman who told you this. A friend of mine overheard a conversation about foreigners (British beauty salon staff) having to go for health checks every year. So the British hairdresser was moaning about it to a Kuwaiti female client who responded with a curt and incredibly naive, " Well, you Westerners go out partying all the time here so you need to have health checks to stop Kuwaitis getting infected with anything!"
The very sweet hairdresser didn't have an answer for her but I do...
Someone needs to get real baby! Please see how many precious local male angels fill the Bangkok flight daily. And no one's checking these guys who come home to their sweet unsuspecting wives. Ignorance is deadly! And you are downright RUDE!

Oreo Crack Balls

2012-05-24T08:44:00.000+03:00

To make the Oreo Balls

1 pack Oreos
1 pack cream cheese
4 squares dark Al Seedawi chocolate from the large slab (you can also substitute white chocolate if you prefer)

First, crush the Oreos into a dirt-like consistency. You can use a chopper, or do it by hand, but we found that the blender worked perfectly - and depending on the strength of your blender, you can do 6-8 cookies at a time.

Next mix cream cheese in with the Oreos.

Roll the mixture into small balls. It works best when they're about marble-sized. You can space them close together; they won't need to be baked. Use a cookie sheet or other flat surface. Chill for a while if it's too soft to go to next step.

Mainline Oreo balls with warmed peanut butter and then drizzle over melted dark chocolate. Keep in fridge till desired. Pharmacies have the plastic syringe droppers. I'm planning to try this
try this very soon.

With thanx to The Potluck Blog for this super idea. Seriously people you need never buy a cookbook again everything, and more, is at your fingertips on the net.

For the Dog Walkers Among us

2012-05-23T19:42:00.001+03:00

Cirque Du Soleil's Saltimbanco in Qatar from July 4th

2012-05-23T15:25:00.001+03:00

To book tickets [link].

Kubbar Island Beach Clean-up Drive

2012-05-23T10:07:00.000+03:00

Kuwait is a country with a beautiful coastline and a magnificent skyline. Due to the pollution caused primarily by the invasion, and the industrial movement that has taken over, the beaches and air aren't as they used to be. With the efforts of those living here and those who believe in the beauty and potential that encompasses Kuwait, all that is changing gradually.

On his regular cruise to the Kubbar Islands, Sheikh Mishal noticed that the beach is in a very bad state due to the litter & trash left over by the visitors and needed to be cleaned up. Teaming up and taking the initiative he organized this event to mark the "EARTH DAY", they used bags to collect all the refuse dumped along the sand. Soon enough, everyone around at the beach at that time started joining in.

This video shows the exact condition of the beach before the clean-up began and how it looked after this campaign. More and more people in Kuwait are showing initiative in keeping Kuwait clean, safe, and beautiful for the future generations. This was an experience worth sharing and we encourage "one & all" to keep & maintain the heritage of Kuwait beaches.

LWDLIK - Well done people :O)