The Show Must End

Well...

I've been putting this off for a while, but alas, the time has come to say Good-Bye. I must, need, have to end this blog. Yes, It is time to say Farewell and Pass the Torch on to the Newcomers.

All good things must come to an end, and I am hoping this was a good thing.

I shall miss it and miss you all.

And Now...

I Shall Love You and Leave You.


PSS *smile*

A Window into My Soul

Warning: Personal Post Ahead. Tread with Care.

Every year just before my birthday, I contemplate all that I have done the past year. I never think I've done enough. I always need to make sure that I have contributed something positive to Humanity. Did I maintain my values or have I compromised them this past year ? Have I done all that I can do to be a better person ?

I reflect, ponder, wrestle with my inner self, my outer self, I sit and blank out into space, look at the sea, and think, think, think.

Then I make a Mental List, of all that I need to do the coming Year. I am turning 28 and I feel that time is running out. Well, Time is always running out, don't you think ? Because you never really know when you are going to die. So what does that mean ? That means most probably that I should be running after it, catching up, getting all the things I want to get done.

So I make a Mental List, but that Mental List just seems to get longer and longer and longer. I need to Focus, Concentrate, and Execute. Instead I choose to wander aimlessly with the tides, enjoying the fact that direction is not determined by me but outside factors and forces; unseen and unknown.

I was thinking about my car today. Is my car an extension of my personality ? I looked around and saw scattered papers, empty water bottles, car seats, loose change, keys, hair clips, and not to mention the other things I couldn't see stuffed under the seats, or the toys hidden in the side compartments. Is this a reflection of my Life ? Maybe.

Do I know what I am writing about ? Not Really. It's 5:45am and the Sun is coming up. I should go sleep now.

*sigh*

What's the Meaning of Life ? Anyone ... ?

Meanwhile, Elsewhere Pink Is In!

Big Daddy-Z sent me these two articles, I think a week ago. Has it been a Week already ? Good God, Time flies by when your fasting!

Guardian : Pink to Make the Boys Wink (and No, it's not me who's making the Boys Wink!)
and
NYTimes: It's Not Easy Being Pink

Summary is that Pink is Back IN! I love it when I am En Vogue *sigh*

Now a Question for the Gentlemen:

Would you wear Pink Guys ? Or Do You think it makes you look Less than Masculine ?

And Girls:

What do you think of a Guy wearing Pink ? Sexy Or Not ?

PSS ;)

Things that make You Go "Hmmm..."

Driving down Fahad Al-Salem St. I see the new Billboard advertising Mecca-Cola. Now I know this is not usually what I talk about but it seems my senses have been heightened while fasting and I am making connections I would not usually make. So the Advertisment says "Shake Your Conscience. Mecca-Cola." Or something to that effect.

It brought to my mind something I read on gapingvoid. (Just scroll down to the end of the page and you'll see it.) The cartoon says "at the centre of each human soul is the intense longing to be closer to God. A brand that can empathise with that is powerful."

Thoughts Anyone ?

A Thoughtful PSS...hmm...

What Makes You Break Your Fast ?

Well I know of four main things:-

1. Eating.
2. Drinking.
3. Smoking.
4. Sex.

However during a conversation at school some girls think otherwise.

The Setting:

An Empty Cafeteria. PSS and her friends sitting on one table and the table next to them occupied by another group of girls.

The Players:

PSS (as usual, me and my BIG Mouth).
G. (A charming polite young fellow).
F. (G's first cousin, Mohajabah).
A. (Loud .. no.. VERY Loud Big Girl).

What Happened:

G. walks in and says hello to everyone. He continues to shake hands with the table opposite of PSS and was about to shake F's hand when she refused.

The Conversation:

F: "Laaaa, la etsallim 3alay, Ana 9aymah!"
A. (whom G. had just handshaked) : "Laish ? Il Salam ma yefa6er!!! UMBAYH, itha chithee Ana 3ayal kill ermethan FAA6RAAAAH! UMBAAAAAAAAYH" and she laughs loudly.
G. was being the polite young man that he is and smiles and does not shake his cousin's hand.
PSS (I know, I always manage to involve myself in situations that have nothing to do with me!): "Min Gal 7araam?! Yab6il wotho2ech, moo 9eyamech."
F.: "Laaa, yab6il ilwothoo2 ya3nee yab6il el 9eyaam."
PSS: "Faa ya3nee ilwa7id layman ye6ga3 yab6il 9eyamah ?"

Laughter Erupts from both tables.

Seriously now, I know I was rude, well I didn't really know AT the time I was being rude, I was kinda loopy with all the fasting, I realized later that I was being rude. But seriously, how can someone say that handshakes with the opposite sex nullifies your fast ?

No Comment.

PSS.

I Love Mecca!

And No, this isn't a new jingle for Mecca-Cola.

I must say that I do truly really dearly love Mecca. Maybe for the plain reason that it's FUN! *shock* *Horror* *GASP*

Yes, My Dear Fellow Bloggers and Bloggettes, I think 3omrah is Fun and I think Mecca is Exciting. It's the continuous influx of people from all over the world. It's the different sights and smells(estaghfarallah) and nationalities(so diverse). It's the Meccans themselves. I love it, love it, love it! Woo Hoo!

On the First day of Ramadan, a pious PSS(Oui, C'est Moi) and H.(Oui, C'est Mon Mari) went to 3omrah. We were there for less than 24 hours and barely slept. The 3omrah itself was light and easygoing, except for that moment when I was squished between an Iranian woman, two African men, and some "sa3aydah" (Egyptians). Oh, that was scary, I clinged unto H. for dear life, and forgot which smell belonged to who and everything kind of meshed together and the crowd was jostling and pushing and I had an out of body experience.

Yes, I Did. I had an Out Of Body Experience, I was wishing I was floating on top of everyone rather than being pushed around by them. It was truly Exhilarating.

After Passing around the Ka3bah 7 times, and then walking 7 times between El-Safa and El-Marwa, we just stood there on the mound and stared at the different Humans, wondering what brought each one here.

There was an African woman carrying a month old baby on one shoulder while holding her child's hand. A Turkish group that looked like a Singing Troupe, in beige uniforms and matching caps were loudly expressing their love of God causing everyone to look at them. The Persian ladies with their colourfoul floral chadors. The Egyptian women from Al-Sa3eed balancing bundles of God Knows What on their heads while performing the rituals (Note: Yes, they do look like the Sa3aydah on TV). The Malaysians (Or Indonesians, I can never tell which) in their table cloth covers(well, they look like table cloths to me!) all prim and proper shuffling alone quietly. And there was this poor Syrian teenager, maskeen, he was so fat and he was pushing his grandmother on a wheelchair between the two mounds, and I prayed for him, because he looked exhausted, his face was red, and he walked funny.. Allah yi3enah 3al mozlayqah!

Of course there were the annoying moments. Like when a woman poked her face in front of mine while I was praying and screamed some non-sensical advice. Eshtabee ?! I was praying for God's Sake!
Oh, or the other time when a woman sitting on the Ground Tugged on my Dress. I looked down at her and she asked me if I was Egyptian. (Ok, Add Egyptian to the other Nationalities I am mistaken for) I replied politely and with a smile that I wasn't. She then continued to ask me some religious advice, something along the lines of "While I was cutting my hair, I clipped my fingernail by mistake, what does that mean?" I stared at her thoughtfully... "Hmm.. I don't know" I was actually thinking, maybe you fingernails are way too long woman, you should be more hygienic! But I kept that thought to myself. She ignored me after that and just continued sitting on the ground woefully contemplating her fate and her cut fingernail.

But the annoying times were very few and far between. The whole experience was awe-inspiring. Just looking at the Ka3bah never fails to take my breath away and lighten the load on my shoulders.

After Fajer Prayer, while I was waiting for H. at the designated meeting point, I just stared at the ka3bah and sighed. Birds chirped and played around in the air flying over our heads and the marble was cold under my feet as I stared at the elegance of a crowd moving en masse swirling like dervishes around the Ka3bah.

To me it's all about Finding the Serenity amongst the Chaos. The Beauty amidst the Ugly. Peace and Contentment in the Hustle and Bustle.

From a Very Spiritual PSS :)

An Ode to the First Week of Ramadan

WHOOSH!

Eat Eat Eat,
Run Run Run,
Change Change Change,
Dress Up!
Quick Quick Quick,
Get in the Car!
Drive Drive Drive,
Get Down and Get In,
Kiss Kiss Kiss,
"Mbarak 3alaikom Ilshahar",
Kiss Kiss Kiss,
"3asakom Min 3owadah",
Kiss Kiss Kiss,
"Ma3a AlSalamah",
Quick Quick Quick,
Go Go Go!

And as our Friend Nibaq Said on His Blog "Wash, Rinse, Repeat".

Allah Belkhair!

PSS et non, Je ne suis pas fatigue. Merci !

Ramadan Kareem

Best Wishes to Everyone in the Blogiverse :)

Methinks Me Willa Go Bloga Loca this Ramadan !

Love Ya 'n' Leave Ya,

PSS ;)

The University Political Animal

The Male University Political Animal:

Once he enters the University Political Arena all identity is brushed aside and turns generic. He adopts a Getrah, Chain Smoking, and a Harried Worried look.

He speaks in a weird language that nobody understands and turns very aggressive Election Day, threatening all in his path "IF You Don't Vote for Me, I am going to beat you up!"

If indulged in a political debate, He goes Deaf and only hears himself talking. Never gets Bored talking, and seems to go on and on and on about what he had achieved that year, mostly fictional I might add.

The Female University Political Animal:

Once she enters the University Political Arena she suddenly becomes Ms. Popular, and spreads rumours about herself that People think she talks to this guy or that, or that People think she did this thing or that.

She usually wears the colours of her Political Party and becomes Ultra-Conservative although she wears the Tightest Clothes (applies to mo7ajabat and Non-mo7ajabat) and even though she has a boyfriend that she meets after hours when she's supposedly busy with University Activities.

On Election Day she threatens everyone (Guys and Girls) that if you don't vote for her political party she won't talk to you for life; "Az3al 3alaikom Wallah Az3al!" When in a political Debate she adopts a very shrilly loud voice and nags and nags and nags and doesn't really know what she's saying and flips her hair/7ijab constantly.

During the Year:

Both Political Animals; Male & Female, tend to forget all the promises they made to their fellow students and concentrate on looking good, acting cool, and spreading rumours.

Sticky Wicky

You know it's Humid when you wake up and can't see out your window.

You know it's Humid when you wake up and you're thinking, Was it raining last night ? But you know it wasn't because it's still not the rainy season.

You know it's Humid when your hair kinda stands up by its own accord, and when you try to tease it into place, it's not in the mood and refuses to cooperate!

You know it's Humid when your clothes feel all gooey oozy smushy wushy and you just can't stand it!

You know it's Humid when you just can't breathe and every other person you see is coughing.

You know it's Humid when you develop an inexplicable headache and it only throbs on one side.

You know it's Humid when you are thinking "It feels like I am in Dubai".

You know it's Humid... Oh What the Heck ! IT'S HUMID IN KUWAIT !

Mixed Marriages

When is it acceptable ? Is it ever acceptable ? That is to mix religions, race, nationalities, etc. in a marriage ? Would you ? Wouldn't you ? And why ? Indulge me...

Just Curious,
PSS :)

6alg il-Haym

Do We Like Him ? Or Do We Hate Him ?

TKM

Remember TKG, well, Funky Cool M. just reminded me of the hordes of TKM's (Term coined by NanoNano) at school.

One Particular TKM loves Burberry. He wears a burberry cap, he wears burberry pants, he has a burberry folder, he has burberry sunglasses. I know, that's all normal... Until he shaded his car windows with the Burberry Design! Seriously He Did. His Bluetooth nickname is .. Yeah You Guessed It ! Burberry-Man ! ! !

Hey Granny F. Let's hook him up with Miss Piggy ! Ooh, Let's let's let's !

PSS the Matchmaker ;)

Take a Chance

How much of Life depends on Pure Luck/Chance vs. Hard Work/Planning ?


Something Totally Unrelated:

Yesterday on my way to school I saw an itsy bitsy beige spider clinging onto my wiper. I was half-tempted (Evil PSS) to turn the wipers on so that I can wish him Bon Voyage, but then I came to my senses (Good PSS) and just curiously watched Mini-Spidey as he jumped about from my wiper unto my windshield. Cute Little Fella...

Last Night, I dreamt of Two Spiders. The Big Female Spider was pulling the poor little male Spider behind her while he was dragging all tiny eight feet. She wanted him and He Did Not. I think he was afraid that she might end up eating him. Poor Little Fella...

PSS Fact:

I Like Snakes. I like Spiders. I HATE Cockroahes.

Kuwaiti Girl Specimen

I must admit, that I never really knew that girls like this existed in Kuwait, I thought they were all a figment of some Kuwaiti Male's Sadistic Imagination. But Yes The Do Exist, and Oh... My... God... !

The Story:

Wednesday Morning and PSS is Chillin' at University. I walks in saying Hi to everyone in my path. The day is beautiful and I'm feelin' Good.

I met a classmate; we shall call her T.K.G. (Typical Kuwaiti Girl).

TKG: Halaa PSS, Shloonich ? Wainich ? Man Shoofich ?
PSS: Yeah, I changed my section. So how are you ? How's your daughter ?
TKG: She's fine, alhamdulelah..

*** This polite chatter goes on for a bit until the conversation swerves into cars***

PSS: Yeah well, I've driven all sorts of cars, you name it, and I've driven it.
TKG: Laaa... ana ahali ma yerthoooooon... W Ba3dayn kan 3omry 18 layman tezawajt fa rayli yesoog feeny kil mokan.
PSS in silent shock... yes she got married when she was 18.
TKG continues: W Ba3daayn.. 7emalt, fa ma rethooli.
PSS continues to look at her... Ok.. there should be a little bit of an insight into my life (since already almost everyone knows me *blah*) I used to drive my cousin's GTI Golf stickshift up until I was 9 months pregnant.
PSS: So you don't drive ?
TKG: Laa Embalah, tawnee al7een, bes kil ma e3jebatnee sayarah, Ahal zooji yeshteroonha! Etsadgeen ?! Anqihir!
PSS: Shfeeha ? There are plenty of cars in Kuwait, I am sure your In-Laws aren't causing a shortage.
TKG whines: Bes khaaaa6reeeeeeeee feeha. Etakhyilay, Kint meshtahya il Likziz (Lexus) w ba3dayn Aroo7 bayt ahal Zooji w Ashoofha wagfah barrah. Geltlah Manee Nazlah! Manee Nazlah!!!! (she's saying this to her husband, I assume).
PSS tries hard to keep her smile in place, but her eye is twitching...
TKG: W ba3dayn re7t safart ma3a il Baby 3ashan rayli ma e6la3tlah ejazah w radayt...

**All I am thinking is, why the hell would you leave your husband slaving away to pay for your holiday, such a selfish little thing isn't she?**

TKG continues: W layman radayt w re7na bayt zooj ahali sheft il E240 emwagifah bil garage. PSS... Bechayt.. Wallah ga3adt Abchee!!!!! Manee Nazlah.. geltlah etridnee ilbayt al7een.. Hathee il Sayarah kha6ree Feeha w eroo7oon yeshteroonha?!?!? Sheno Hatha!!! Chan egoom rayli w yeth7ak 3alay yegoolli 'Yuba hathee sayartech, ana bes buqayt a7erich!' Etsadgeen Sharali Eyaha? Estaaanasssttttt!!!!"

PSS just stares at her with a plastic smile plastered on her face....

Afterthought:

I never knew girls in Kuwait were so superficial until I took the time to get to know one.

Momma's Got a Brand New Toy!

I got a New Laptop courtesy of Mothers Inc. :) Thanks Mom !

Watched a movie last night with H. The Kite, a confusing Arabic movie about a Druz community torn in two because of the Israeli occupation, and how they marry into each other over a megaphone. Sounded good, but it wasn't. *sigh* Simplicity is key for those kind of movies, nothing too complicated. It was trying to be like an Iranian Movie but it didn't work.

I am rather pleased with all the positive responses I got about the Child Abuse Center. If anyone has any information they would like to share, please please email me. Thanks !

And Now For the Fun Bit:-

Guys that tend to flirt with PSS.**

1. Black.
2. Overweight.
3. Drive a Pick Up Truck.
4. Older.

Don't ask me why, because I don't know. Mix and Match the Combinations above. The Ultimate was when a black really overweight guy in a white Z71 pick up truck blew me kisses from his car. Then, I knew that I hit an all time low :(

**Disclaimer:- I have nothing against men of "colour", "grand stature", "medium income", or "advanced age".

Ooh Baby Do You Know ?

Guess What ? Oooh Heaven is a Place on Earth.

Some religions actually do believe that this is it. A branch of Islam even goes to suggest that the Mehdi is here and he is leading his people and that Heaven is Earth. Go Forth and Enjoy the Reaps of your Rewards.

Just a thought floating around in my head. Please correct me if I am wrong.

What was the First Thought that went through your Head this Morning ?

Blog It!

Memo to Myself

Projects for 2004-2005:-

1. Finish Two Semesters @ University.
2. Start an annual Celebrities Reading Festival for Children.
3. Look into the Child Abuse Centre Idea.
4. Lose Weight.
5. Organise Home.

Not Necessarily in that Order.

"Tara El Denya Ma Teswa" (The World is Not Worth It)

I've been hearing that phrase a lot lately, from bloggers and from non-bloggers, and it has begun to really piss me off.

What does it mean exactly ? El Denya Ma Teswa ? That it's not worth getting angry or frustrated or torn apart because life is not worth being angry or upset or frustrated or torn apart over ?! I think Not. Life is Worth Living, Life is Worth It Dammit! It's Worth being sad over, and happy over, and everything over!

Feeling Pain is Living. Feeling Sadness is Living. I am NOT Lil Miss Perfect here and nor do I wish to be, I do believe in mood swings. I believe it is natural to swing from one extreme to another, it a way of showing us that we are alive and that we can feel.

I am not under the influence of anything, and I don't believe I need to be. Life gets me High, and sometimes Life gets me Low. The Only thing that I can think of that I am under the influence of right now is the Moon. *Awooooooooooooo*

Opinions Please:

Should we start Child Abuse Centers ? If there are already, where are they ? Who runs them ? Shouldn't we start identifying Children at risk ? And taking care of them ? Is the Role of Family deteriorating in Kuwait ? What Does One Do ?!?! How can we Help ?!?! How can we Educate ?!?! I need some answers, opinions, anything...

And Remember:

Life is Worth It. Fight For it.

No Profanities Allowed

Hello,

Yes, I have officially gone cuckoo. I walk around talking to myself.

Example:

PSS walked out of the Bedroom when H. says "19 what ?" I said "19 What What ?" H. says You said "19" **hmmm** "Oh Yeah, I was thinking of the song 19, 19, 1985 ? " I reply.

Another Example:

PSS and H. just arrived from TSC with some groceries. As I went to help carry the bags I was saying "Marhaba Bets.." (Don't Ask Why I don't Know). H. looks at me "What did you say ?" I look back blankly "Did I say that out loud?". H. looks at me with a concerned quizzical look, I blush and mutter something about starting to talk to myself.

Some More Examples:

PSS at School. I was in the Car Park getting my stuff out of my car , when I suddenly started talking to my books. I said to my Business Ethics Book "I might as well put you in my bag because I have a folder to carry and my Coffee....In you go, Why do you have to be so Heavy?!" Looks from Passersby.

The Official Line:

Last Night went to get Dad from the airport. I looked up and saw the Full Moon. I cried for some reason, because I have a tendency to cry while I drive. I think it's the Full Moon. Yes, definitely the Full Moon.

Good Night.