12.28.2009

China's got it goooing ooon!


The Harmony express raced 1,100km in less than three hours on Saturday, travelling from Guangzhou, capital of southern Guangdong province, to the central city of Wuhan. The journey previously took at least 11 hours.




Wooow that's impressive! And would've really helped when I was doing uni in the states--I could've seen L every weekend! ooor day--if she was lucky enough :P I was in Virginia and L was in Pennsylvania--which by drive is like 12 hours or something ridiculous like that!

Click here for the article

12.27.2009

Ashora


I just got off the phone with my dad and he told me he is fasting today, I asked why and he told me because of Ashura. I replied, but isn't that for Shii muslims? He told me, that this day has significance for all muslims, because on this day in the Hijri calendar many miracles and important events took place, including Prophet Moses and his followers being saved by Allah parting the Red Sea.

So I decided to look it up some more and this is what I found:

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu 'anh) reports that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of ‘Ashura… They said: "It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Hazrat Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it." The Holy Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) responded: "We have more right, and we have closer connection with Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) than you have"; so Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) observed fast (on the day of ‘Ashura) and gave us orders to observe it. [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

Basically, Moses is a Prophet of Islam as well.....

‘Ashura is a day of great historical significance. On this day: Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam ('Alaihis-Salaam) after his exile from Paradise; Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) saved Sayyidina Nuh ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his companions in the ark; Allah extinguished the fire in which Sayyidina Ibrahim ('Alaihis-Salaam) was thrown by Nimrod; And Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) spoke directly to Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and gave him the Commandments. On this same 10th of Muharram, Sayyidina Ayyub ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored to health (from leprosy); Sayyidina Yusuf ('Alaihis-Salaam) was reunited with his father Ya’qub ('Alaihis-Salaam); Sayyidina Yunus ('Alaihis-Salaam) was taken out from the belly of the fish; and the sea was divided as the nation of israel was delivered from captivity and Pharoah’s army was destroyed. ‘Ashura is also the day when Sayyidina Dawud ('Alaihis-Salaam) was forgiven; the kingdom of Sulaiman ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored; Sayyidina Isa ('Alaihis-Salaam) was raised to Jannah and Sayyidina al-Husayn (Radiyallahu 'anh) (the Holy Prophet’s, Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, grandson) achieved the honor of Martyrdom.1

Worship Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) as much as you can on ‘Ashura. Whoever fasts on this day is like one who fasts all his life. Whoever clothes a naked person Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will release him from a painful punishment. He who visits a sick person, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will grant him a reward that will not be decreased. Whoever places his hand on an orphan’s head, or feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man, Allah will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil (a wine that does not intoxicate). And who ever takes a Ghusl on this day will enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and indolence. Whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will be generous to him throughout this year. And whoever applies Kuhl to his eyes will never suffer from eye-sore again, inSha’Allah al-Aziz.2

O’ Allah! Bless us to perform good deeds and gain their reward on ‘Ashura. Make the new year one of unity, cooperation and success for Muslims in this city and around the world. Ameen.


So as you can see, alot of things happened on this day! And although I missed the boat on fasting, I'm going to try to do what I can to be a good person today out of respect for all that has occurred on this day, because it is apart of our history, our religion, our past--it is apart of who we are. (And I'll try to remember next year to fast!)

Pregnant man/woman


I'd like to think I'm open minded---but I just cant seem to wrap my head around this :s

Tracey, now Thomas Beattie just had his/her second child.

Originally a woman, Tracey felt she was meant to be a man and underwent surgery and began taking hormones. Later, as Thomas, he found love with Susan. But their arrangements is a bit odd--Thomas has the children, and Susan breast feeds them.




I reaaaaally dont want to sound like a closed minded hater BUT cmon ....*speechless*....

your thoughts??

Dont TXT while you drive!


Over the weekend an old friend of my family lost her son in a car accident. He was walking to his own car parked on the street when a girl, who at time had been texting, wasn't paying attention and hit him--killing him instantly in front of his twin brother. He wasn't more than 19 years old.

I'll admit that I text every now and then while I drive, in addition to talking on the phone...and from now on I'm going to make a big effort to stop doing that.

FYI: A study showed that people are 23 times more likely to get in an accident when they are text messaging. And I'm sure there are more studies out there that have higher statistics.

So I advice you guys to think twice before you txt, because chances are whatever your texting isn't more important than your life or of those on the road with you. Keep your conversations short when talking and simply do not text while driving--there is obviously no way your eye or your concentration is on the road.

12.24.2009

HOOOOOT video ;p


Only Shakira! But lets face it how many of us wish we moved like her and could get away with it?! The song is good the video is hot! It reminds me of Mia Michaels--the choreographer on so you think you can dance---I love it! Chchchchcheck it out!

*click on the pic!

Oxygen Bar


Last week L gave me the evil eye when admiring my manicure and as a result i broke a nail! grrr....soo I had to make an emergency run to a nail spa to correct the problem....

ANYWHOOOZZZ while I was drying my nails I noticed this weird thing sitting on the counter....after some investigating they told me they have an oxygen bar! with four different scents to choose from, all you gotta do is stuff some hose up your nose for a number of minutes and BREATHE....apparently each scent encourages a different mood (ie relaxed, calm, or energetic)


I remember hearing about things like this in the states--but was really shocked to find it in kuwait!....I dont know it seems weird---and you have to do it infront of everyone...hmmm yaaa it is def not for me....


But if your interested, the oxygen bar is located in NSYTLE in alBustan mall, Salmiya.

AVATAR

Yesterday I went with L and B to see AVATAR! and I LOVED IT!

A quick synopsis:

The film follows Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paralyzed war veteran who gets called to duty on the planet of Pandora. Because of the planet's hostile atmosphere, humans have genetically grown half-alien/half-human bodies which they can jack their consciousnesses into and explore the world in.

On a chance meeting after getting separated from his team, Jake's Avatar is rescued by Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a Na'vi princess, who brings him into her tribe in order to give the humans a second chance at relating to this new environment. Yet as Jake becomes one with the tribe and begins to understand the secrets of Pandora, his conscience is torn between his new adopted world and the wheelchair-bound one awaiting him when the psychic connection to his Avatar is broken.


Things I loved:

-the world of the Na'vi--the way they look, live, feel, their whole world is BEAUTIFUL
-the attention to detail--the landscape, the plants, the animals, even the bugs were soo interesting I loved it!

Things I didnt like:

-I wish the Na'vi invented different weapons than bow and arrows---I wish it was COMPLETELY unique and no similarity to humans
-I wish we saw more of the relationship between Jake and Neytiri

Things I noticed:

-It kinda reminded me of Native Americans...
-The pro-environment tone of the movie....makes you think about helping our planet

All in all: I RECOMMEND IT! and dont miss the obvious underlying message of the film of how we are killing our planet! remember people recycle!! dont litter! save water and electricity! plant a tree! lets make our world beautiful :)---->(wow i sound positive like p0ach!)

12.23.2009

Prince William spends night in an alley!


WOW! Prince William, second in line for the throne, spent the night in an alley in London's cold and dangerous streets!

"I cannot, after one night, even begin to imagine what it must be like to sleep rough on London's streets night after night," William said Tuesday. "Poverty, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependency and family breakdown cause people to become and then stay homeless.

"I hope that by deepening my understanding of the issue, I can help do my bit to help the most vulnerable on our streets."



That's amazing!

It really is inspiring what he did. 7amdilla we don't have THAT big of a problem in Kuwait--but don't be fooled there are plenty of people living in horrible conditions in Kuwait that you can help today!

Donate clothes, bags, shoes, dishes or kitchen supplies, toys, food, money...get creative and try to help those less fortunate than you!

And remember to say 7amdilah for what you have and help those in need...

To read the article click on this link

12.22.2009

Wire Jewelry!

The other day I was wandering around cnn.com when I came across an interview with Hadassah Lau, a jewelry designer that uses wires for her pieces. I checked out her website and I fell in love with her stuff! I think she is very talented, and if you are looking for interesting one-of-a kind pieces of jewelry or an interesting gift for someone, I'd consider Hadasity Designs....Here are some pieces that I liked:







You can also purchase her pieces straight from her website....

Her website: http://www.hadasity.com

Her blog: http://www.hadasity.blogspot.com/

R.I.P Britney Murphy



I can not express how shocked I was yesterday morning when I heard of the death of Britney Murphy! I absolutely loved her! She was so talented and sweet and beautiful and waay too young to die :(

Rest in peace Britney :(

im here! im here!

i have been craaaaaaaaazzzy busy lately! I have been swamped at work and busy updating my portfolio + CV aaaand I've just started painting (u guys will get to see my first piece when I finish it--yaaay im so excited)!

But now I'm going to try a bit harder to stick to my blog duties!

12.07.2009

VAN BUUREN

I LOVE THIS SONG!

and I have to say it---IT MAKES ME WANNA DAAAAAANCE!

12.06.2009

hmmmm :s



does anyone else find the name of this burger joint as politically incorrect?

11.10.2009

Teddy in Bazaar Magazine!


Teddy B was interviewed in Bazaar! And I saw him on the list for Pecha Kucha night tomorrow!

my my my he's becoming quite the celebrity! GO TEDDY!

Pecha Kucha Night


PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public.

It has turned into a massive celebration, with events happening in hundreds of cities around the world, inspiring creatives worldwide. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of conversation ("chit chat"), it rests on a presentation format that is based on a simple idea: 20 images x 20 seconds.
It's a format that makes presentations concise, and keeps things moving at a rapid pace.


I'm going with L :)

p.s. this is last Pecha Kucha Night flyer--I couldn't find the one for this week. The event will be this Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at Movenpick Bida3 at 7:30 pm--see you there!

Here's their website link.

Skip the escalator-take the stairs!


As most of you know the UN is organizing a Climate Change Conference in 3 destinations (starting @ Thailand, then Spain, then ending in Copenhagen)....Here's a really neat commercial showing how they applied the "fun theory" to get people to use stairs instead of the escalator.

I really like this idea :) Watch the video!

11.09.2009

Sixthsense


Yesterday my client told me about this MIT student from India, his name is Pranav Mistry. He developed this invention called the Sixthsense (very "Minority Report"!)

'SixthSense' is a wearable gestural interface that augments the physical world around us with digital information and lets us use natural hand gestures to interact with that information. By using a camera and a tiny projector mounted in a pendant like wearable device, 'SixthSense' sees what you see and visually augments any surfaces or objects we are interacting with. It projects information onto surfaces, walls, and physical objects around us, and lets us interact with the projected information through natural hand gestures, arm movements, or our interaction with the object itself. 'SixthSense' attempts to free information from its confines by seamlessly integrating it with reality, and thus making the entire world your computer.
(click the pic above to watch the clip about Sixthsense--it does a good job at explaining it)





You have to check out his website! I thought the Third Eye invention was really cool too!

11.08.2009

Hezbullah freaks out on Anne Frank!



Anne Frank, was the young girl we all learned about in history class. She wrote a diary during world war II, documenting her and her families lives while they were in hiding--up until her family was betrayed and shipped off to concentration camps--where she died!

APPARENTLY she offends Hezbullah!

Kuwait Times:

BEIRUT: Anne Frank's diary has been censored out of a school textbook in Lebanon following a campaign by the militant group Hezbollah which claimed the classic work promotes Zionism.


The controversy erupted after Hezbollah learned that excerpts of "The Diary of Anne Frank" were included in a textbook used by a private English-language school in western Beirut.

Hezbollah's Al-Manar television channel ran a report slamming the book for focusing on the persecution of Jews. "What is even more dangerous is the dramatic, theatrical way in which the diary is emotionally recounted," the report, aired last week, said.

It questioned how long Lebanon would "remain an open arena for the Zionist invasion of education." A member of the school board, Jimmy Shoufani, said that the school dropped the textbook from its curriculum after the controversy erupted.


The nerve of Anne Frank! Focusing on Jewish persecution!! We expect more from a 15 year old JEWISH girl in persecution! SHAME SHAME! And using "theatrical" and "emotional" tactics in your writing---cmon Anne!!

For those of you not familiar with sarcasm--let me make it clear--Hezbullah needs to chillax! A DIARY (aka personal property) written by a JEW about the persecutations she was facing as a JEW is NOT an attack on your values or way of life!

Freaks! I guess there was nothing more interesting to pick on that week!

I could continue to bitch about this--but I think you all get it!

I read this article on Kuwait Times...Here's the Link.

First Teddy---Now Turtlet!



Inspired by Teddy B, TurTleT came to Kuwait as a way to campaign for the protection of the Kuwaiti marine environment and raising people’s awareness of the harms and dangers against it!

TurTleT will visit you on a weekly basis to shedding the light on different marine and environmental issues. Stay tuned

I love these characters popping up everywhere! and Turtlet a.k.a. Lil T discusses topics I know are important to alot of people I know--the environmental issues of Kuwait.

Sooo check Lil T out by clicking this link.


One little comment I will say is: I wish Lil T would elaborate more on the environmental issues of Kuwait....most of his posts are a sentence long...

Japs take us to the future!


Tokyo, Japan (CNN) -- Take a glimpse of the near future. Electric vehicles and other types of eco-friendly cars are taking center stage at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, which runs through November 4.

Here's the link

11.05.2009

Another New Moon Trailer!


Should I watch it??? Should I???? It's only a couple more weeks till its release! But it might take me another week after that till I can get my hands on it! ooooooooooo what to do! I cant wait! but I dont want to spoil the movie for myself by watching an extended trailer!!! DAMN THIS TEMPTATION! I MUST NOT GIVE IN!!!

* Animal All Stars *


hehehehe I wasted alot of time on this site :P It has a bunch of short videos of animals doing silly or cute things---CUTE!

11.04.2009

Year of Teddy


If you haven't heard of the Year of Teddy website yet I recommend it to you! It's a social experiment to help someone try to settle back into Kuwait society. This alter ego is photographed each day--and after 365 days Teddy will be given to the highest bidder and the money off to charity.

I think it's a cute idea and I love checking out what Teddy was up to yesterday. Cool pics, cute teddy bear, original idea...what more can you ask for :)

Here's the link.

HAHAHAHAHAhaha! o god!


Need to carry your dog places but want to keep your hands free for running errands? The makers of the Pup to Go dog carriers say they've got the solution for you: a dog carrier that straps onto a person's chest and abdomen.

Pup to Go co-founder Meena Mansharamani says that using the Pup to Go carrier, which sells for $125, should not be a replacement for walking. Rather, it allows dog owners to take their dogs to places where it might be difficult to walk them, such as a crowded street fair.

But the carrier could cause some confusion, jokes the Web site DailyCandy.

A dog in the carrier could be mistaken "for a big, furry human baby," the site said.

I should get one for my cat! lol :P

Rii Riii in Duberz!



Word is Rihanna will be having a concert in Dubai this coming May!

At first I was excited because I love her! Buuuuut how many people really anticipate seeing her in concert?? She's not really known for her stage performance or dancing.....? hmmm I'd go I think if I happen to be in Dubai---but travel solely for her concert--yaaa I dont knooow :s

11.03.2009

Book your next vaca in space!


I saw this on Yahoo! And this isn't the first time I've heard about a project like this....but they never really seem to happen....if they do tho---would you go?? hmmm I think I would :)

"BARCELONA (Reuters) – A company behind plans to open the first hotel in space says it is on target to accept its first paying guests in 2012 despite critics questioning the investment and time frame for the multi-billion dollar project.

The Barcelona-based architects of The Galactic Suite Space Resort say it will cost 3 million euro ($4.4 million) for a three-night stay at the hotel, with this price including an eight-week training course on a tropical island.

During their stay, guests would see the sun rise 15 times a day and travel around the world every 80 minutes. They would wear velcro suits so they can crawl around their pod rooms by sticking themselves to the walls like Spiderman.

Galactic Suite Ltd's CEO Xavier Claramunt, a former aerospace engineer, said the project will put his company (http://www.galacticsuite.com) at the forefront of an infant industry with a huge future ahead of it, and forecast space travel will become common in the future.

"It's very normal to think that your children, possibly within 15 years, could spend a weekend in space," he told Reuters Television.

................

It will take a day and a half to reach the pod - which Claramunt compared to a mountain retreat, with no staff to greet the traveler.

"When the passengers arrive in the rocket, they will join it for 3 days, rocket and capsule. With this we create in the tourist a confidence that he hasn't been abandoned. After 3 days the passenger returns to the transport rocket and returns to earth," he said.

More than 200 people have expressed an interest in traveling to the space hotel and at least 43 people have already reserved.

..................

But critics have questioned the project, saying the time frame is unreasonable and also where the money is coming from to finance the project.

Claramunt said an anonymous billionaire space enthusiast has granted $3 billion to finance the project."

11.02.2009

WTF? Screwed up swine flu shots! BEWARE!


Someone sent this to my email....This is horrible! This former cheerleader took the Swine flu vaccine shot that resulted in severe (and rare) neurological damage and now she can only walk backwards!
I cant believe this! Noooo WAY am I taking that shot now!---And they just started giving them in Kuwait :s

Note: The video mentions how this is a 1 in a million chance of happening---but still I wouldn't take it!

Tick Tock-Kesha

I likey :)

Bait 7 on FIRE!!


I just read on Buzberry blog that bait 7 caught on fire! Apparently a gas cylinder exploded and the fire spread to Saj Express and Caspers next door! This is horrible! I love Bait 7!! And the fire looks pretty bad :s

Here's the link to Buzberry if you wanna see more pics.

This is so sad...I hope they fix it up and start up again :(

10.26.2009

naaaaap tiiiime *yaaawn* :o


Doesn't that look soooooo comfortable?!?! ---ooooooo I wanna nap!

Some memorable Direct Marketing :P


Check out this creative way to promote an orthodontist that primarily deals with young children.

M likes it :P I think it's funny and memorable = effective and successful.

What do you think? Click on the picture to enlarge.

10.21.2009

Riiii-Riiiiii baby :p


chchchchchcchchcheck it!

p.s. doesnt make me wanna dance but still post worthy..

10.19.2009

LMFAO-La La La


Cant say much for the video but i L-O-V-E this song :)...and you guessed it---it makes me wanna daaaaaance :)

oooo the things that waste my time.....


I've been at home now from work for 2 days--and one of my pastimes has been youtubing...now I'm not sure if its the fever or the bordem but i think this guys is entertaining :p

His name is Shane Dawson, a struggling actor I believe-who posts videos on youtube to start up his fame.... they're all pretty much silly clips making fun of people or playing little contest...this particular one (above) is about pick up lines and the one below is him ranting about loosing his job....

this is soooo random I know but I think he's funny :p and he surprisingly has quite the following...some of his videos are 2+ million people...check out his videos...