I could not think of any advantages of being bored until I have read this article in Reader’s Digest issue last February. My thoughts on boredom are for those people who do not have any plans or goals in life. When boredom strikes, I feel like it is a waste of time being unproductive wherein laziness take over your mind and body. However, Johnson explained it like no other:
Lolling around in a state of restlessness is one of life’s greatest luxuries – one not available to creatures that spend all their time pursuing mere survival. To be bored is stop reacting to the external world, and to explore the internal one. It is in these time that people often discover something new, whether it is an epiphany about a relationship or a new theory about the way the universe works. – by Carolyn Johnson
Now, there is something positive of doing nothing. Enjoy the moment!
I haven’t been in touch lately. I am still here basking on the short spring season of Kuwait before summer heat sets in; waiting for good opportunities that I may or may not have the power to do so; in love and unselfishly loving my firefighter when there is still time; helping people without expecting in return; taking each day at a time and still lost in the desert.
Croissant is my favorite snack in Kuwait. It is cheap, sastisfying, and comes in several flavors! It costs 150 fils or less and available anywhere in nearby stores. It comes in plain, honey, romi cheese, feta cheese, strawberry, and chocolate. It is a good diet food also when I do not have enough time to eat a full meal. Enjoy your piece of croissaint!
Most people go to work to Kuwait city at 7am or 8am. I know how heavy the traffic could go on road 30. You would probably wonder what is the best time to leave the house before joining the traffic jam especially if you are living from the south. It would be any time earlier or at 6:15am. Later than that, you are going to be late for your work at 7am. So get those big butts up and running early in the morning.
On our way to Wafra, hoping to see the vegetable farm, we entered the wrong exit. Ended up in Nuwaiseeb and going rounds in the highway which I have no idea where we are going. In one place you feel like you are in the city then the next thing is just plain desert, tons and tons of sand, with no vegetation left. The feeling of being deserted loomed us away. I saw some tents was set up in the middle of the desert and the glorious oasis near the roads. It’s a good thing, there are still water for the camels to drink.
At first, there was the desert.
Still, there were more desert.
Unexpectedly somewhere, the camels crossed over the highway from the other side to feast on the little tree left in the middle of the road. They are bit dark compared to some other camels in the gulf region.
Note: We were not able to reach Wafra. We have absolutely no idea where the vegetable farm is. After traveling for more than 45 km, it was like going straight to nowhere so we decided to go back. How far is it from the entry point?
Diet, yan itsura ng disyerto at camels. Post ko next time na nakasakay na ako. Dami mo namang requests!
with the main theme on Poverty. Below depicts the poverty in Philippines.
As a third world country, Philippines, is not an exemption in the poverty list. There are hundred thousands of people not eating when you have completed six meals a day. They shiver at night and heavily sweat at day time as their own skin wither as a result of varying temperatures. You can see their dry, cracked heels strongly stepping on rocky soil and hard pavement. They sleep against each other to maximize the space of what they have for shelter and drink thirstily of the little water allocated for them.
I have witnessed all of these back home. I can read on their faces that they are used to what little they have continuing to strive everyday for their own lives. It is as if this is their meaning of beautiful life. I have visited countless of what they call “home” accompanied by a certain aroma that smells like garbage. Despite the hardships, they still manage to smile widely up to their ears and I would smile back at them. In my eyes, they are like gems with so much power. A certain power that I tend to absorbed everytime I see them, the power of change.
There are so many ways that millions of people can help the unfortunate and the oppressed. It is not enough to give them what they need. I think what they need most is guidance. When donating some money, why not share a few minutes with them, talk them through on how they will use it, where can they buy the cheapest food and clothes, or share some thoughts on the brighter side of life. Another vital information to spread is the importance of education. Most of them do not know that primary or secondary education is free in public schools. If only they can be educated at least up to elementary, their vision to strive more can be a start of something. In return, there are so many things to learn from them and it would take only a few seconds out of the busy life that we have.
There are a lot of wonderful volunteer organizations in the Philippines that one can actively participate during free time. Some of my favorites are Hands on Manila and Gawad Kalinga. It has no pressure on the individual, just yourself ready to share and help the most needy ones. It always start from within. Eventually, with great number of hands, that is where big change can be accomplished. It has always been. So what about starting now?
For several nights, I have weird dreams mostly about crimes. I dreamt of someone chopping the body of another; the other night it was someone being raped. It gives me the creeps and start asking myself, is it really safe to be alone here?
Not to disuade anyone who are interested to live in Kuwait, but safety measure is one of the utmost concern. Maybe, all these bad dreams are the effect of reading the local news on daily basis. A car accident could be next… I really hope not.
After 2 weeks of venturing the country border of Iraq, I have experienced the worst weather of Kuwait this afternoon. If Southeast Asian countries have typhoons, US has hurricanes and tornadoes, Kuwait definitely has sandstorms. I embraced the wind and and the gusty sand up to my nostrils which is not a good idea. Since it was my first experience, I was stupid enough to ”feel” it. If this happen again, I will not got out anymore.
This hot little country may not seem bad after all. The transition and adjusting period do take time. I still get culture shock now and then. The weather is cooling down and my male fans are growing in numbers. One major concern right now is safety for females especially if you are young and single. I cannot walk on the streets alone without a companion and people here usually do not walk if one has a car. Male teenagers are to be watched out for they tend to be the nasty ones. Moreover, there are a lot of crazy drivers everywhere. They drive aggressively so much so that car accidents are on daily newspapers.
It is easy to gain weight here with easy access to all restaurants and fast food chains. They will deliver right to your doorstep. Many food cuisines from Meditteranean to French are widely available.
Suprisingly, Kuwait is still a third world country. The vast development can be observed in a few months or years. New roads, buildings, towers, pavements, mansions, business establishments are being built all at the same time. Moreover, it is an oil rich country being the second highest in the stock market in the Middle East next to Saudi Arabia.
Charice Pempengco, 16 years old, hailed from Batangas, Philippines, is currently soaring high across the continent singing on top of her lungs. She gives me shiver everytime she starts hitting a note. After several tv appearances at Ellen and Oprah shows, her biggest break was when she recently had a duet with Celine Dion’s concert at Madison Square Garden where her ultimate dream was granted.
Her first appearance was in local Philippines TV show singing contest, “Little Big Star” by ABSCBN tv network in 2006. Almost everyone had bet that she would win the contest among the other teen/kiddie contestants. Unfortunately, due to low text votes she didn’t land in first place but as third place. It was Sam Concepcion who garnered most of the text votes. However, talent wise, Charice was apparently way better.
The judging computation was comprised of 50% by the judges and 50% text votes. Even if she got low text votes, the judges’ ratings could have pulled her score. Nevertheless, due to the mindset of future business gain of the tv network, the person who appealed most to the masses by basing on the text votes swiftly landed the first spot. You may ask, how far the first placer has gone now? He’s an actor/singer and showing on the said tv network. If I were Charice, I can kiss ABSCBN goodbye and give thanks for not letting her win. Shame on you people who do not appreciate what real talent is.
After the local singing contest, she joined another contest in Korea. Eventually, someone posted a video of her on YouTube singing in front of Korean audience in awe. From then on, Ellen discovered her on YouTube as well as Oprah and the start of her publicity rose.
Charice brought pride and represented Filipino talent. I hope she will start writing her own songs and not just by imitating or singing songs of other people which Filipinos are known for.
After (2008)
Before (2006)
Update: Oprah Winfrey is now her US manager in addition to her Filipina manager. Way to go Charice!
There are no gazillion stars at night. I counted one star last night.
Women tend to flaunt their designer handbags everywhere. Gucci, D&G, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, etc. Name it, they got it. Gotta carry it like you really own it!
Men stare at you (if you’re a female) as long as they want. They walk back and forth and around you. Yes, I do feel like a celebrity without the paparazzi.
Driving around the country, sports, shopping, dining out and the internet seem to be the most entertaining thing to do.
Traffic can be build up by 2 cars situated side by side with men in one car and women on the other trying to exchange mobile numbers through the car window while driving really slow. So this is a new way of flirting in Kuwait like they never cared how much traffic they had caused.
Hair salon is spelled as saloon.
The word timings is reffered to schedule.
Weekend is Friday and Saturday. Several employees have only 1 day off usually on Fridays. For those who work in the goverment and with company names that has the word “Kuwait” or “National”, they get the 2 days off.
There are abundant supply of cheap vegetables and fruits. I can go as vegetarian from here.
Birds (pigeons) dwell in the middle of the heat. So great to watch!
I will continue to update this as soon as I discover new things about Kuwait . It continues to amaze me everyday.
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