Haris: The Hamas, Fatah Kuwait shooters king of agree on return snatch new two apartments7 of unity12 govt medals46 at ASIAD Max 42º Min 24º FREE www.kuwaittimes.net NO: 16297- Friday, September 26, 2014 strikes hit IS oil sites Page 10 Local FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014 Just kiddin’, seriously In my view Farewell, my friend Goodbye Kuwait, you will be missed! By Sahar Moussa By Priyanka Saligram [email protected] [email protected] have been working with Kuwait Times for approxi- people and things she loves - like her Sony Ericsson aying goodbye is always the hardest thing. After mately nine years now. Out of this, I have spent six phone for instance. I also know that squash is her spending six years in Kuwait, the time has come for me Iyears with my friend and colleague who is set to favorite sport, she is obsessed with gold and has a nice to go back to Bangalore in India. While I feel over- leave this week to get married in India next month. sense of humor. I know that she loves wearing jeans and S whelmed with sorrow at the thought of leaving a place I When she joined as an intern, it didn’t occur to me that definitely surprises everyone when she wears feminine have grown to love more than home, I am also very excited she was going to be my co-worker and friend and sit clothes during special occasions. to be marrying the love of my life next month. I can think of next to me for six years, sharing my space and so much She is the first person I see when I enter the office, many things - big and small - that I adore in Kuwait and have more. slouching in her chair and greeting me with a smile taken for granted over time. But here are some things that This young, tall, athletic girl with long, black curls, which is something I will miss a lot. A lot of people I’m going to think of often and miss terribly no matter cute dimples and a tomboyish walk and I spent more might come and go in our lives without leaving any where I head next in my life. time at work than we probably spent with our own fam- impact, but our long conversations, debates, rare fights 1. Kuwait Times: Kuwait means Kuwait Times newspaper ilies. Now she is ready to leave and saying goodbye to over silly misunderstandings, laughs and tears are to me. I have been with Kuwait Times for almost six years her might be a hard thing to do but I cannot be any- things I won’t forget. They always say that people come now (it was my first job) and I can honestly say that I don’t thing but thrilled and happy for the new life that is into our lives for a reason. I think the reason that we met feel like I have gone to “work” a single day. Being a part of a awaiting her. was to support and be there for each other and despite newsroom can be one of the most exciting experiences For some reason, I have always considered her my our differences, we always managed to meet in the mid- thanks to the dynamic work environment but throw in a younger sister. This may be because when she came, dle. great boss, a bunch of fun-loving colleagues with a wacky she was young and naive, and didn’t stop asking me for My last bit of advice to her is to always be happy, sense of humor and you’re back in college once again. advice. I really had the pleasure of watching her grow cherish the things she has, face her new life with an 2. Avenues Mall: Shopping at Avenues Mall is a lovely into a confident, strong woman in every aspect of her open heart and positivity and enjoy discovering the hid- experience and almost feels therapeutic. It’s easy to spend a life. You might think I’m exaggerating but I’m not, den treasures of the future with open arms. whole day lazing around doing nothing except shopping because these words are my genuine feelings. And Pinky, it is an honor to attend your wedding and taking a break from time to time to check out a new We learned a lot from each other over the past few soon and be there for you as your older sister. milkshake or cupcake. The place has a wonderful sense of years and shared a lot of secrets too. I know that she is a Congratulations and best of luck! space (except on weekends or public holidays when all of vegetarian, her favorite color is pink, she has a strong Kuwait descends on it). It’s easy to find a mall anywhere, but will and forbids herself from eating sweets, which she in my opinion, there will always be only one Avenues. loves. I know that a compliment makes her blush, she 3. The weather: Most people don’t like Kuwait’s weather has amazing taste in music and is very loyal towards because it can get too hot or too cold but I really like it because more often than not, it’s dry! Germs are known to breed in humid conditions, especially during the monsoon season. Since Kuwait doesn’t really have rain or snowfall, Local Spotlight incidents of viral flu or cold are few and far between. 4. Car watching: Kuwait has the coolest cars. Much has been said and written about the traffic issue here but I find it enjoyable to be stuck in a jam sometimes where I have the time to admire a swanky sports car on my left, a glamorous Ana Kuwaiti! sedan on my right and a rare monster truck in front. You could have the most expensive car in the world, but ironical- ly, traffic jams are a great leveler because everyone moves at a snail’s pace and the speedometer has no value at that By Muna Al-Fuzai point! 5. Different nationalities: I think one of the best things about Kuwait is that you get to mingle with different people from various nationalities and learn more about their cul- tures and how they do things back home. It’s also a great [email protected] chance to learn their language and I know that if I ever decide to travel to Lebanon or the North Pole (just saying!), I’ll know someone who would know someone there to host n a dispute, many words can come out and among ers to follow. me and ensure I have a great time. This is where networking them are “Ana Kuwaiti! Ana Kuwaiti!” If you ever come Another incident happened recently that was carried begins, methinks. across this phrase by a Kuwaiti, don’t panic - he or she by the local media. When a Kuwaiti woman was stopped I 6. Arabic food: I’m a big fan of falafel, hummus, tabouleh is trying to scare you. This is a common way to intimidate by the police because she was wanted on a legal case, she and khubs, and dates with tahina sauce is stuff that dreams others, especially expats and less-fortunate Kuwaitis. It refused to enter the police vehicle, saying “Ana Kuwaiti”, are made of. Just thinking of warak enab makes me drool shows how some people, especially the youth, utter this insisting that she is above the law! She was stopped for term in public to confirm their superiority in front of oth- driving a car which she allegedly rented and never took like a St Bernard and is a celebration ever complete without ers. The hidden meaning is that I’m above the law and you back to the rental office, so they filed a case against her. the sweet-smelling and even better-tasting kanafa? can do nothing to me. The fact that she is a Kuwaiti is irrelevant. And yet she 7. My gym: I’ve spent every morning these few years It is the ugly translation of a very racist term because fights over her identity as a shield to protect her from working out religiously at a local popular gym and made being a Kuwaiti means nothing when you break the law. obeying police orders. Eventually, they had no other some wonderful friends in the bargain. My weekends and Who cares if you are a Kuwaiti or not? You will not share choice but to escort her in her own vehicle! public holidays have all been about squash and sweating it your life’s benefits with others and they will get nothing When you travel to a country like Germany or Japan for out and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. out of your identity. In fact, as a Kuwaiti citizen, this should example, you don’t find anyone who says “Watch out, I’m Everybody knows that working in Kuwait translates to hav- imply that you are a role model for others. so and so” because it is in no one’s interest. Some parents ing time to pursue anything you want and if someone is Unfortunately, we are not. Here is how things go here. are to be blamed for the way they bring up their kids - as serious about their health and fitness, this is the most ideal When an expat comes to Kuwait for the first time, he better than others - and some national songs enhance this place to do it.