The Berries

With all the retarded, few years late craze of the Blackberry in Kuwait, and while thinking of the "habba" factor of our society.. I was wondering, what about Pinkberry? A pretentious yoghurt chain all over L.A.

On a recent trip to the States, I wanted to know what the buzz was all about, so my friends immediately dragged me to the local Pinkberry. Upon our arrival, I notice the long line on the street, with a velvet rope by the door, I squint.. "is that a bouncer??" Yes, my friends.. a bouncer at a yoghurt place! He can only allow a certain number of people inside, even if you're ordering to go. Oh, and no cameras allowed, not inside, not outside. And this isn't your Baskin Robbins 31 flavors, there's only 2 flavors @ Pinkberry: Plain (which is yoghurt.. like real unsweetened yoghurt) and Green Tea. They are however famous for their toppings, which I must admit, was the only thing I ate out of the entire cup! All fresh chopped fruit, cookies, shredded coconut, granola, etc. The presentation is fabulous, and so are the nutrition facts, and the interior design.

After standing in line for about 15 minutes, in awe of what is happening around me.. I was utterly disappointed with the flavor. I didn't understand what everyone in line was talking about, nor did I understand my friends cravings to go treat themselves to what is plain yoghurt dumped in the freezer. I guess even a yoghurt place, like skinny jeans is a trend.

Campaign: Don't Pick Yo Nose Homie

In the greuling heat on a late Friday morning, I wake up craving a Chicken Pesto Panini from Carribou Cafe! Everyone's off in Al-Politika's household so I prye myself out of bed and jump in my car, drive to the Cafe with the warm chicken pesto panini image in my head and its delicious taste in my mouth, making the heat and the inconvenient drive all the worth while.

It was after Salat time, so there was soothing classical music on all radio stations, definately kept me calm, with rosey thoughts.

On my way, I stop at a traffic light, just me and a cab driver, picking his nose like there's no tomorrow! I swear to you, I'm about to gag right now as I am writing this, but I must to prove a point. As the light turned green, I sped like a maniac trying to erase that image!

..stop at yet another light. For some reason took a glimpse of the rear view mirror, and there's a pick-up truck driver going at it with his nose!! I was beginning to get sick to my stomach. This is soooo not what I needed to see while driving all the way to the City just to grab a sandwich!

The light turned green and the truck was next to me now. He was still picking his nose and staring at me! I honked!! Honked honked honked like there was no tomorrow. Honked in disgust. He seemed bewildered as I sped away. If his mama didn't teach him any manners and hygeine.. then God help me I will, to protect myself from these blinding images on a sunny weekend!! Not only did those nose-pickers ruin my morning, but they also ruined my appetite!!

Yes, I have been so sick of the useless laborors who are brought here so those Residency Merchants can make extra cash! There are more expat laborors than locals and I still don't see clean streets and building built overnight like Dubai!

This one time on Mishref walk-way, I saw a laboror peeing.. by the bench! I mean, they bring those people from boon doons and villages and dump them in this country with no guidance nor training! I am sick of it!! I am sick of the taxi cabs honking at me while I'm walking from one shop to the parking. I am sick of having lunch at Chilli's while having a sea view of expat, laborors swimming in their underwear!! Nasty!

I don't know if this sounds like a racist post, but that's exactly how I feel. I don't think Kuwaitis are perfect and we must win the award for the world's craziest, yet dumbest drivers, amongst other flaws.

So... I wanna launch a campaign "Don't Pick Yo Nose Homie!" I wanna design these signs with no words, so they can understand wherever they're from: a nose with an index finger inside one nostril and a huge red line painted diagonally on the nose! I wanna place them on every friggin traffic light in the City. I know there are more important issues to campaign for, but since Friday, this is my most important one! Basic civil behavior, people!!

So, who's with me?

Honey, I'm Home!

I missed you.

Did you miss me?

My job and my projects have been taking me away from everyone and everything. I haven't seen a movie since Marie Antoinette! Last episode of Grey's Anatomy Season 3 I had seen is #10!! Not to mention that I still haven't seen Ugly Betty!!

The last Newsweek I had read was in mid-March, and the only news I get to see is on the mini screen at my elliptical machine @ the gym. Go Ségolène!

Now that I have a little more time, and had the chance to catch up with some friends... God, I feel I missed out. Life is short, too short. I'm too young to be killing myself for the sake of work or accomplishing my goals. No matter how busy you get and how much you exert yourself, always remember your life, your health, and loved ones; this helped me to recharge, and mentally return home.

But other than that, I'm well, healthy and happy!

What about you? How've you been? Health? Family? Friends? Work? Blogs? Kuwait?

What's bothering you? What do you wanna talk about? Tell me! I'm all ears and full of caffiene.

Luv,
Chic P.

Ya

I'm still here.

2 drained 2 blog.

have so much to write abt.

later.

Model LiLo

I know she's not the smartest, most respectable celebrity, and she's definately not known for her acting or vocal skills. but one thing for certain is Lindsay Lohan's got style... and I heart it!

Whether she's being chased by the paparazzi or posing on the red carpet, she always manages to mix it up with the latest trends. After becoming buddy buddys with Karl Lagerfeld, we all thought (including her I'm sure) she'd end up in last season's Chanel ad campaign.. didn't happen. Then there were speculations that Marc Jacobs would have her as the face of LV or for his own line, but that didn't happen either.

Now, after hearing so much about her deal as the face for Miu Miu Spring 2007, her first ad just popped up and I have mixed feelings about it. I mean, yes, her name as a style icon for young women is attractive and she does have doll-like, sharp but small features, but the ad does not capture her essence of style, a free spirit.

Either it went through some heavy duty photoshop, or they just stuck her face on a Barbie doll's body dressed in a mini model of a Miu Miu outfit. Overall, it's spectacularly done! I like the concept, I'm just not sure if it would've made a difference whether it was Lindsay Lohan or any other girl modelling in the ad.

Bumpy Start

Remember my last post about de-stress? Ya.. not happening.. 2007: I don't think it's working out.

Random Rant
I was attending a luncheon for work and sat with my boss with - what we later found out - the weirdest person I've met. Well, this year at least. The table consisted of my boss, 3 foreign guests, Dr. CRAZY WOMAN, and your truly.

Introductions were made and then it started:
Plz keep in mind when reading the dialogue that this woman is so depressing, monotone, speaks broken, old school Kuwaiti english, with no smile on her face and is terribly inappropriate!

Dr. Crazy Woman to my boss: I want you to manufacture my product.

Boss: Unfortunately we do not provide technical assistance, but what is your product?

Dr. CW: Why?? It is for babies who cannot drink milk from their mothers! Sometimes babies vomit, it is a tube. Sometimes, women are on liquid diet, it is for them to suck the liquid without vommiting! (............??)

Boss: (uncomfortable and obviously grossed out by the inappropriate table conversation): That sounds interesting, well.. I wish you best of luck with your endeavor.

Turns to the foreign guests

So, is this your first time in Kuwait?

Foreign Guest: Yes, we just arrived last...

Dr. CW interrupts: But then what you do? What is your job? If you not manufacture this device for me?

My boss explains the nature of our work which has absolutely nothing to do with manufacturing individuals projects, nor do we work in the sciences.

FG: It's awfully cold in Kuwait, does it snow at all.

My boss and I in unison: No!

Dr. CW: Yes! It's snow last week.

Me: I wasn't here last week, but maybe that's hail (I translated in Arabic since she obviously wouldn't understand what that is)

Dr. CW: No! In the farms there is snow! on the ground. They found in the morning! Snow! Thalj!

Me: Yeah, it was around zero degrees so I guess any water would freeze at that temperature. Thalj mo ya3ny snow, it's just frozen water.. ice (trying to explain as much as I can to an idiot and obviously losing my patience).

Dr. CW: No! I see bicture.

FG: So, is the education system in Kuwait segregated?

Me: Public education K-12, yes. Universities were never segregated until recently.

Dr. CW: No! My college is not, it is mix. When I was in college 1990 I study with boys it is mix.

Is this woman living in a cave??!! My boss and I excused ourselves early!! How can a woman invited to such an event who is a PhD holder, be that dumb?

What's Yours?

Last year, my new year's resolution for 2006 was to travel to at least 3 new places... I did 2 out of 3. It was actually the first new year's resolution that I have made in which I have attempted to fulfill. Perhaps I should "re-resolute" my 2006 resolution for 2007 until I complete 3 out of 3!

I wanted to see more new cities, but... let's be real! Work, obligations, responsibility, finances... I mean, I'm a working woman living in Kuwait in my mid-20s with a stress level of a 45 year old smoker in Manhattan! Maybe that should be my new year's resolution! Stress Less!

I'm proud of my accomplishments for 2006, and in the years before. I feel like I have exhausted (or at least attempted to) all my ambitions, and I just wanna be a free-spirit and relax. But, I would kill myself if I relaxed for more than a day. Realistically, there is sooo not gonna be any down time for moi cuz I've already started a couple of projects for 2007, so.. ya right!! Now where's my coffee?!?!

What's your new year resolution for 2007?