Big shout out to my kuwait family for hosting an awesome christmas at the Mangaf Mansion!
Brenda and Luis pulled out all the stops. We even had a delicious glass of REAL red!
There was secret santa and singstar and general merry making. My santa brought me a beautiful sweater dress and a wallet from Karen Millen. (Oohh santa...thank you!)
I also had the pleasure of working on Christmas Day (a first, trust me). Customers were in a festive mood, my staff were great! And in the spirit of christmas there were more prezzies!
Sadly santa also brought cold weather to the middle east! I've gotten sick from it and I feel like all my energy is gone. The temp has stayed steady at 12C- sounds warm compared to Canada but remember in KWT temps are usually in the 30's. Warm up soon- I didn't bring a winter coat!
I hope your holiday was as blessedas mine!
Stay tuned for the year end recap
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Zain Kuwait
December 26, 2010
December 21, 2010
Merry Christmas everyone!!!
Hello everyone (and by one, I mean 1 lonely reader!)
I am so excited to be able to blog from my balckberry. It allows me to share my strange and fleeting thoughts while comuniting to and from work or as I am walking my dog. It also means shorter posts, since typing on Blackberry can be a b**ch! Please forgive any spelling errors.
Stayed tuned in and I promise to make my adventures here in Kuwait known more regularily. And I'll be wrapping up my year over here with a special post with pictures! Cant wait.....santa is on his way....
I am so excited to be able to blog from my balckberry. It allows me to share my strange and fleeting thoughts while comuniting to and from work or as I am walking my dog. It also means shorter posts, since typing on Blackberry can be a b**ch! Please forgive any spelling errors.
Stayed tuned in and I promise to make my adventures here in Kuwait known more regularily. And I'll be wrapping up my year over here with a special post with pictures! Cant wait.....santa is on his way....
December 18, 2010
Sunday morning muse
Have you ever had this moment in the morning... the one where you are driving down the highway and you wish that you could just keep driving? Out of the city, away from work and the errands and the daily commitments. Then you hit the bumper to bumper traffic. And instead of it inspiring you to joyride even more, it actually brings you back to reality. And you can't be happier being anywhere else but right here.
That was this morning.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Zain Kuwait
-----Original Message-----
From: "Amanda Sheldon, General Manager" <pbkidsavenue.kwt@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 18:38:17
To: <thecanadiancutie.kuwait@blogger.com>
Reply-To: pbkidsavenue.kwt@gmail.com
Subject: Testing the blogger
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Zain Kuwait
That was this morning.
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Zain Kuwait
-----Original Message-----
From: "Amanda Sheldon, General Manager" <pbkidsavenue.kwt@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2010 18:38:17
To: <thecanadiancutie.kuwait@blogger.com>
Reply-To: pbkidsavenue.kwt@gmail.com
Subject: Testing the blogger
Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Zain Kuwait
July 12, 2010
July 10, 2010
April 30, 2010
Every class has a clown
(Joe you crack me up!)
So excited my team started on Sunday, and they've been great! Actually great may be too strong a word- more like "good to great". They have potential. Take "Joe" for instance. (names have been changed for his protection). The last few days the entire staff have been learning the GUEST service selling skills. He hung on every word the managers taught, asked tons of questions, and even had one on one time to clarify. He's so eager to prove himself that today the team were given the task of acting out a skit using all 5 steps of GUEST.
"Joe" was the sales person and his other team mates played customers. (just to note: the other 3 were guys)
Let me set the scene.... Joe the lonely sales associate, all by himeself on a busy shop floor, Rhine and Rakessh were a "couple" who just gave birth to a baby, and Syed was the next customer/cashier (ie: the supporting roles). So Joe greets our happy couple and proceeds to barrel his way through EVERY page of the training- not stoping to let them answer any of the questions. When the happy couple does get a word in, Joe chastises them for not following the "script" which makes us as the audience laugh. He turns directly to us all and says "WAIT!" then keeps going with the customer steps. Rhine is a sarcastic guy who up until today I thought was kind of shy, but in this element he keeps edging the audience on by answering everything Joe says with some dry/ snippy remark. Of course Joe has no idea why we're all laughing.
What makes me completely lose it, is when Syed gets involved as the "2nd" customer. Syed walks on stage past Joe and the "happy couple". According to PBK service standards a sales associate should make eye contact and smile/ say hello to the new customer while trying to find a break in the current interaction to approach. Rhine and Rakessh know this but "Joe" seems to have forgotten. As nice customers they try to give him an "out"- they ask for a catalogue- Joe says "NO! WAIT!" then turns his back to them and greets customer #2/Syed.
Honest to goodness I almost fell off my chair I was laughing so hard. Everyone in the front row held up their copy of the catalogue for the wayward couple. Joe, in over his head with 2 customers, leaves Syed mid sentence and goes back to Rakessh/Rhine (priceless line spoken with contempt: "oh, joe, you came back"). The rest of the skit plays out with more text book lines and when it comes time to take the customer to the cash to pay, he cant bring himself to pass them off and let them pay- he just keeps explaining the product. After the ending (Thank and Close) Joe GRABS the customers at the door and saying it was such a pleasure to serve them and he hopes to see them again.
We were LAUGHING at the whole scene and there is poor Joe, on stage confused as to why we were in stitches. He just stood there asking, deadpan, "how did I do?" He looked like this sad puppy because we couldn't stop laughing as we recapped the teams presentation.
You just had to be there......oh Joe.
So excited my team started on Sunday, and they've been great! Actually great may be too strong a word- more like "good to great". They have potential. Take "Joe" for instance. (names have been changed for his protection). The last few days the entire staff have been learning the GUEST service selling skills. He hung on every word the managers taught, asked tons of questions, and even had one on one time to clarify. He's so eager to prove himself that today the team were given the task of acting out a skit using all 5 steps of GUEST.
"Joe" was the sales person and his other team mates played customers. (just to note: the other 3 were guys)
Let me set the scene.... Joe the lonely sales associate, all by himeself on a busy shop floor, Rhine and Rakessh were a "couple" who just gave birth to a baby, and Syed was the next customer/cashier (ie: the supporting roles). So Joe greets our happy couple and proceeds to barrel his way through EVERY page of the training- not stoping to let them answer any of the questions. When the happy couple does get a word in, Joe chastises them for not following the "script" which makes us as the audience laugh. He turns directly to us all and says "WAIT!" then keeps going with the customer steps. Rhine is a sarcastic guy who up until today I thought was kind of shy, but in this element he keeps edging the audience on by answering everything Joe says with some dry/ snippy remark. Of course Joe has no idea why we're all laughing.
What makes me completely lose it, is when Syed gets involved as the "2nd" customer. Syed walks on stage past Joe and the "happy couple". According to PBK service standards a sales associate should make eye contact and smile/ say hello to the new customer while trying to find a break in the current interaction to approach. Rhine and Rakessh know this but "Joe" seems to have forgotten. As nice customers they try to give him an "out"- they ask for a catalogue- Joe says "NO! WAIT!" then turns his back to them and greets customer #2/Syed.
Honest to goodness I almost fell off my chair I was laughing so hard. Everyone in the front row held up their copy of the catalogue for the wayward couple. Joe, in over his head with 2 customers, leaves Syed mid sentence and goes back to Rakessh/Rhine (priceless line spoken with contempt: "oh, joe, you came back"). The rest of the skit plays out with more text book lines and when it comes time to take the customer to the cash to pay, he cant bring himself to pass them off and let them pay- he just keeps explaining the product. After the ending (Thank and Close) Joe GRABS the customers at the door and saying it was such a pleasure to serve them and he hopes to see them again.
We were LAUGHING at the whole scene and there is poor Joe, on stage confused as to why we were in stitches. He just stood there asking, deadpan, "how did I do?" He looked like this sad puppy because we couldn't stop laughing as we recapped the teams presentation.
You just had to be there......oh Joe.
Good day Sunshine...
(Gosh, I love this Beatles song)
As I started this post I struck up the music and this was the first song on. Amazing how a song can set your mood and change your perspective. I especially love the Beatles songs- I find they resonate with you both lyrically and musically. Doesn't matter where I am, if a Beatle's song is playing I can garruntee everyone is singing along or tapping their feet (even in Kuwait).
I cant wait for May6 so I can wake up to Paul's version of "Happy Birthday". (sorry Mom, your version is good but his is better) My fav song is "Blackbird".
What's your favorite Beatle's song?
As I started this post I struck up the music and this was the first song on. Amazing how a song can set your mood and change your perspective. I especially love the Beatles songs- I find they resonate with you both lyrically and musically. Doesn't matter where I am, if a Beatle's song is playing I can garruntee everyone is singing along or tapping their feet (even in Kuwait).
I cant wait for May6 so I can wake up to Paul's version of "Happy Birthday". (sorry Mom, your version is good but his is better) My fav song is "Blackbird".
What's your favorite Beatle's song?
April 4, 2010
first day for the teams
thanks to everyone who was worried these last few days- I am fine, things are back to normal at work.
Today was the start date of the PB sales team. 38 staff arrived this morning not really knowing what to expect on their first day- boy did we put on a show!
We had music pumping, all the managers up on stage cheering them in, and a taste of the energy and enthusiasm we'll come to expect from them. It was amazing! I was the one at the door inviting them in, saying hello, clapping and cheering. I will admit the sales team was shell shocked, I can honestly say no one had ever been welcomed on their first day of a new job like that.
The day continued with an introduction to Potterybarn and customer service philosophies. The managers that we had brought on board 1 month ago were incharge of delivering the training. They did so great! Josh and I were very proud of them. Each manager/ ast. manager delivered their message in a clear, confident way. The whole day went smoothly- with the exception of 1 or 2 staff who did not seem "brand appropriate". One of the Sales Managers even did icebreakers.
Cant wait for day two!
Today was the start date of the PB sales team. 38 staff arrived this morning not really knowing what to expect on their first day- boy did we put on a show!
We had music pumping, all the managers up on stage cheering them in, and a taste of the energy and enthusiasm we'll come to expect from them. It was amazing! I was the one at the door inviting them in, saying hello, clapping and cheering. I will admit the sales team was shell shocked, I can honestly say no one had ever been welcomed on their first day of a new job like that.
The day continued with an introduction to Potterybarn and customer service philosophies. The managers that we had brought on board 1 month ago were incharge of delivering the training. They did so great! Josh and I were very proud of them. Each manager/ ast. manager delivered their message in a clear, confident way. The whole day went smoothly- with the exception of 1 or 2 staff who did not seem "brand appropriate". One of the Sales Managers even did icebreakers.
Cant wait for day two!
March 29, 2010
Rough waters
I am trying very hard to solidify and settle into a life here in Kuwait. Over the few days I have had several incidents that have rocked my foundation (which I won't get into now...).
Our division in the company went through a "restructuring" last week, one that in the coming month I am sure will change again as more H.O people join the team. Who we lost was our VP- and American who made going to the office each day fun and reminded all of us alittle of home. He was charasmatic and funny, but for personal reasons left the business. The mood in the office on thurs. was bleak and stressed. I'll be the first to admit that I felt worried for the stability of my life out here when the news was announced. I wondered if the company was really "on the rocks" and if our captain was jumping ship in response to some unknown coming storm. Coming back to work on Sunday, I felt the mood had shifted and that everyone was filled with a renewed sense of team effort.
The second thing that has happened came about because a great friend ( "E") from work told me about a fire at our local animal shelter. Kuwait people are not known for their love of animals or being up to fire code. An electrical fire distroyed a large animal shelter and killed 39 animals. The remaining animals who survived moved to temporary accomidations waiting to find foster homes. Those of you who know me well, know how important animals are in my life. I have always felt a draw to help rescue/adopt cats or dogs. "E" connected me with a woman from the Friends of the Animal league who needs volunteers for fundraising. I am very excited to be able to still participate in charity work while living here. The second part is that I am now a proud foster mom to "whisper"!! She's a shy, 4yr old Saluki who is scared of the "temp" kennel the rescues were staying in. She's incredibly freindly to people but is scared of cars-elevators-loud noise. I hope to teach her confidence and housetraining (!) while I have her.
Who knows maybe she'll teach me how to relax and stay awhile.
Good night- and wish me luck with my new found purpose.
Our division in the company went through a "restructuring" last week, one that in the coming month I am sure will change again as more H.O people join the team. Who we lost was our VP- and American who made going to the office each day fun and reminded all of us alittle of home. He was charasmatic and funny, but for personal reasons left the business. The mood in the office on thurs. was bleak and stressed. I'll be the first to admit that I felt worried for the stability of my life out here when the news was announced. I wondered if the company was really "on the rocks" and if our captain was jumping ship in response to some unknown coming storm. Coming back to work on Sunday, I felt the mood had shifted and that everyone was filled with a renewed sense of team effort.
The second thing that has happened came about because a great friend ( "E") from work told me about a fire at our local animal shelter. Kuwait people are not known for their love of animals or being up to fire code. An electrical fire distroyed a large animal shelter and killed 39 animals. The remaining animals who survived moved to temporary accomidations waiting to find foster homes. Those of you who know me well, know how important animals are in my life. I have always felt a draw to help rescue/adopt cats or dogs. "E" connected me with a woman from the Friends of the Animal league who needs volunteers for fundraising. I am very excited to be able to still participate in charity work while living here. The second part is that I am now a proud foster mom to "whisper"!! She's a shy, 4yr old Saluki who is scared of the "temp" kennel the rescues were staying in. She's incredibly freindly to people but is scared of cars-elevators-loud noise. I hope to teach her confidence and housetraining (!) while I have her.
Who knows maybe she'll teach me how to relax and stay awhile.
Good night- and wish me luck with my new found purpose.
March 22, 2010
I am still here...
Dust off the cobwebs of this Ol'blog. my apologies to all the curious friends and family out there who wondered why I stopped writing. This past month has been super busy over here.
We got the Dubai PBK up and running and the store is doing FANTASTIC sales results! A shout out to jenny and her team in Dubai for overcoming some big challenges prior to the March 16th grand opening. I travelled to Dubai on Feb26th and my first impression of the Mirdif City Centre (mall) was that we were literally lost in the desert with about 2000 migrant workers. I had to wear safety gear (hard hat, and vest) up until March 15th. I will post photos in the coming days of the mall and the store
In addition to the Mirdif opening my management team started so I had that on my mind too. 2 of my 5 team has joined (the other 3 are awaiting work permits). No one warned us about just how lengthy and complicated the "visa" process is. This job has been extremely rewarding and challenging.
I can honestly say I like Kuwait. I missed it while in Dubai..I even refered to it as "home" while in conversation. Strange how quickly a person can settle into a new life 1/2 way around the world.
I missed canada when the WSI Team came to help set up the Mirdif store. Pam, my old manager from Canada, was one of the people selected to help us get the store ready. She filled me in on everything about friends and the city and I felt "homesick" for the first time here. It actually put me into a funk during the store opening. I also had a chance to talk over skype to my 2 closest friends and THEY made me miss Canada too! I felt as if at any moment I could just step outside my apartment and meet them at the Second Cup for coffee. The earliest I will see any of them is August- heart breaking!
Thats enough of my ramblings, nest time I promise a more composed entry. Just letting everyone know I miss them!
We got the Dubai PBK up and running and the store is doing FANTASTIC sales results! A shout out to jenny and her team in Dubai for overcoming some big challenges prior to the March 16th grand opening. I travelled to Dubai on Feb26th and my first impression of the Mirdif City Centre (mall) was that we were literally lost in the desert with about 2000 migrant workers. I had to wear safety gear (hard hat, and vest) up until March 15th. I will post photos in the coming days of the mall and the store
In addition to the Mirdif opening my management team started so I had that on my mind too. 2 of my 5 team has joined (the other 3 are awaiting work permits). No one warned us about just how lengthy and complicated the "visa" process is. This job has been extremely rewarding and challenging.
I can honestly say I like Kuwait. I missed it while in Dubai..I even refered to it as "home" while in conversation. Strange how quickly a person can settle into a new life 1/2 way around the world.
I missed canada when the WSI Team came to help set up the Mirdif store. Pam, my old manager from Canada, was one of the people selected to help us get the store ready. She filled me in on everything about friends and the city and I felt "homesick" for the first time here. It actually put me into a funk during the store opening. I also had a chance to talk over skype to my 2 closest friends and THEY made me miss Canada too! I felt as if at any moment I could just step outside my apartment and meet them at the Second Cup for coffee. The earliest I will see any of them is August- heart breaking!
Thats enough of my ramblings, nest time I promise a more composed entry. Just letting everyone know I miss them!
February 23, 2010
ching ching
Tonight I was pleasantly surprised by my very first pay check. I am to be paid at the end of each month, however thursday is the national holiday so my company was nice enough to pay us now. This is my first official pay, and although its inflated with my relocation allowance, its still a surprise seeing the dinars roll in.
Also its wonderful not to have 20%-30% of your pay check deducted in taxes. When I was back home I never minded because I never had a choice. Here in Kuwait there are zero taxes. The trade off is that there is no garbage collection, no health care (nothing good anyways), no road or city up keep. The local government does infuse LOTS of money into things but its not done democratically.
What was the first thing I had to do with all that money....spend it!
Tonight I got to feel truly like a grown up and buy a fridge, washer, dryer. In all my years of living on my own I have never had to buy those things. I have been doing my homework at all the appliance shops and chose wisely. The brand names are different over here, but the features on each one were things I recognized. I got all 3 things for 283KD. To me that sounded like a real steal until I did the exchange rate. YIKES! it ended up being close to $1000 (easy come, easy go). The cool thing is that my building Harris will take the delivery and have everything hooked up for me while I am travelling.
Speaking of travel.... I finally get to go to Dubai! and help the team over there. I got my passport/residency so now I am allowed to leave the country. The Dubai store is 20 days till grand opening and the excitement is building. The WSI teams arrive March 3rd- it will be wonderful to see everyone and share how great this experience has been so far. I'll be leaving Friday and returning the following saturday. (yeah! for alcohol too!)
hope to sqeeze in one more post before Friday....ching ching!
Also its wonderful not to have 20%-30% of your pay check deducted in taxes. When I was back home I never minded because I never had a choice. Here in Kuwait there are zero taxes. The trade off is that there is no garbage collection, no health care (nothing good anyways), no road or city up keep. The local government does infuse LOTS of money into things but its not done democratically.
What was the first thing I had to do with all that money....spend it!
Tonight I got to feel truly like a grown up and buy a fridge, washer, dryer. In all my years of living on my own I have never had to buy those things. I have been doing my homework at all the appliance shops and chose wisely. The brand names are different over here, but the features on each one were things I recognized. I got all 3 things for 283KD. To me that sounded like a real steal until I did the exchange rate. YIKES! it ended up being close to $1000 (easy come, easy go). The cool thing is that my building Harris will take the delivery and have everything hooked up for me while I am travelling.
Speaking of travel.... I finally get to go to Dubai! and help the team over there. I got my passport/residency so now I am allowed to leave the country. The Dubai store is 20 days till grand opening and the excitement is building. The WSI teams arrive March 3rd- it will be wonderful to see everyone and share how great this experience has been so far. I'll be leaving Friday and returning the following saturday. (yeah! for alcohol too!)
hope to sqeeze in one more post before Friday....ching ching!
February 18, 2010
everyone's a little bit.....
There is a musical called "Avenue Q". For those of you lucky to have seen it or Youtube'd their songs, you'll remember the one that goes....
"everyone's just a little bit racist,sometimes. We're all alittle bit racist, if we could all just admit, even just a little bit."
I have been living this song over the past week in regards to hiring our staff. The "big bosses" have decided to limit our racial mix so that our customers feel more "comfortable" shopping in the store. When we started 2 weeks ago with hiring, "Joshpet" and I were planning to recreate the Disney Smallworld ride within our stores. But then the bosses got involved and quickly veto'd the majority of nationalities living/working in Kuwait.
After being given the list of acceptable nationalities (thank god Canada made the list!), it was truly discouraging to have some one turn up and have to send them away not because of their qualification but because they didnt "look" right. I'll admit that several times this week I went to my bosses and vented about how unfair the company was being with great staff I wanted on board. I am usually the crusader of lost causes- this is as lost as Atlantis.
As the week progressed, I noticed I started to make generalizations about people and their nationallity too. For instance, the majority of Lebanese men flirted with me all through the interview (hoping to score more than just the job?), Egyptians use the word "yanny" ALL THE TIME, with Arabs its "inshallah, inshallah", Indian candidates will say anything they think you want to hear in order to get the job, Filipino people were the most serviant, etc.....
I hate myself for thinking these thoughts. I hate that in an interview with, lets say...and Egyptian, I am counting the "yanny's" in my head as the candidate is answering my questions. BTW- highest yanny count is 17 in one interview answer. If I was back in Canada I would have been fired for intentionally stacking my staff in one nationality. Here, the first question we ask a candidate when they apply is "where are you from".
So lessoned learnt- everyone is racist. And at PB/PBK: diversity is a term best not mentioned at the theme park.
"everyone's just a little bit racist,sometimes. We're all alittle bit racist, if we could all just admit, even just a little bit."
I have been living this song over the past week in regards to hiring our staff. The "big bosses" have decided to limit our racial mix so that our customers feel more "comfortable" shopping in the store. When we started 2 weeks ago with hiring, "Joshpet" and I were planning to recreate the Disney Smallworld ride within our stores. But then the bosses got involved and quickly veto'd the majority of nationalities living/working in Kuwait.
After being given the list of acceptable nationalities (thank god Canada made the list!), it was truly discouraging to have some one turn up and have to send them away not because of their qualification but because they didnt "look" right. I'll admit that several times this week I went to my bosses and vented about how unfair the company was being with great staff I wanted on board. I am usually the crusader of lost causes- this is as lost as Atlantis.
As the week progressed, I noticed I started to make generalizations about people and their nationallity too. For instance, the majority of Lebanese men flirted with me all through the interview (hoping to score more than just the job?), Egyptians use the word "yanny" ALL THE TIME, with Arabs its "inshallah, inshallah", Indian candidates will say anything they think you want to hear in order to get the job, Filipino people were the most serviant, etc.....
I hate myself for thinking these thoughts. I hate that in an interview with, lets say...and Egyptian, I am counting the "yanny's" in my head as the candidate is answering my questions. BTW- highest yanny count is 17 in one interview answer. If I was back in Canada I would have been fired for intentionally stacking my staff in one nationality. Here, the first question we ask a candidate when they apply is "where are you from".
So lessoned learnt- everyone is racist. And at PB/PBK: diversity is a term best not mentioned at the theme park.
happy anny to me
As promised.....
Happy anniversary to me, happy anniversary to me...I have officially been in Kuwait for 1 month! I'm actually liking the city very much. The people I work with are FAB (a British slang), the weather has been mild, the food good (almost too good- I've gained weight), my bosses are wonderful, and Kuwait isnt nearly as "foreign" or "rough" as I was expecting in the Middle East.
What I miss most is my friends and family. I miss having daily text chats and phone calls when a crisis at work hit. I also miss the ease of GOING out with those friends and seeing movies, plays, the city, etc... My American co-workers miss the booze, but I miss just "doing stuff".
Speaking of Booze...... I broke down last night at the grocery store and bought this (see photo)
For those who cant quite see clearly, its the FRE ("free") NON- ALCOHOLIC wine. I hear you yelling "Whats the point!?"- but I was desperate for the feel of a glass of red wine in my hand after a long day at work. So I take my "wine" home, settle in for the evening- excited that I will try to imagine the taste of real wine. But in true Amanda fashion- I dont have a cork screw!! and what's worse, its not like there's an LCBO around the corner that I can buy it from. They dont even sell cork screws at IKEA here! Imagine me upset that I couldn't open my bottle of non-alcoholic wine....go ahead and laugh, I know I did. Its all for the best apparently, as I was told that wines like this always taste aweful. I still need to find a corkscrew though-- one day I hope to have blackmarket hooch!
So my bottle of FRE is sitting on my counter mocking me.
(note the arabic on the label- it roughly translates to: HA,HA,HA take that Amanda!!!)
*NOTE: as of Feb19th- bought a corkscrew- tried the wine- and everyone was right, the wine IS aweful!
Happy anniversary to me, happy anniversary to me...I have officially been in Kuwait for 1 month! I'm actually liking the city very much. The people I work with are FAB (a British slang), the weather has been mild, the food good (almost too good- I've gained weight), my bosses are wonderful, and Kuwait isnt nearly as "foreign" or "rough" as I was expecting in the Middle East.
What I miss most is my friends and family. I miss having daily text chats and phone calls when a crisis at work hit. I also miss the ease of GOING out with those friends and seeing movies, plays, the city, etc... My American co-workers miss the booze, but I miss just "doing stuff".
Speaking of Booze...... I broke down last night at the grocery store and bought this (see photo)
So my bottle of FRE is sitting on my counter mocking me.
(note the arabic on the label- it roughly translates to: HA,HA,HA take that Amanda!!!)
*NOTE: as of Feb19th- bought a corkscrew- tried the wine- and everyone was right, the wine IS aweful!
February 16, 2010
writers block
Hello out there.
I know I have been remiss for not writing but there has been so many small things happening that I havent been able to focus on one big enough to write about. I have been ranting about the driving skills here and the difficulties hiring staff to any of my coworkers who will listen.( guess what my blog will rant about!)
So I promise over the next 2 days to have 2 new posts added (this one excluded). Stay tuned, it will be worth the wait.
:)
I know I have been remiss for not writing but there has been so many small things happening that I havent been able to focus on one big enough to write about. I have been ranting about the driving skills here and the difficulties hiring staff to any of my coworkers who will listen.( guess what my blog will rant about!)
So I promise over the next 2 days to have 2 new posts added (this one excluded). Stay tuned, it will be worth the wait.
:)
January 31, 2010
I hate soccer fans
Enough with the car horns!!!!!! I dont care that your silly team won the championship- stop driving around my neighbourhood blaring your horn and shouting!
I honestly think that every Egyptian and his brother living here in Kuwait are circling my building right now in their car and blasting the horn. I would much rather here the sound of the mosque to this-- please make them stop. (crazy, fans! I cant even claim they are drunken fans- just crazy ones)
I hate soccer fans.
I honestly think that every Egyptian and his brother living here in Kuwait are circling my building right now in their car and blasting the horn. I would much rather here the sound of the mosque to this-- please make them stop. (crazy, fans! I cant even claim they are drunken fans- just crazy ones)
I hate soccer fans.
January 30, 2010
Embrace the adventure
Hello!!
I promised my mom I'd write a post (better late then never, right mom!?)
I wanted to share the story of the strangeness of living here in Kuwait and what I've had to go through to get my civil ID. (which is still a long,long way off). So lets begin, shall we....
At the beginning of this week I was summonded by our executive secretary to visit our "Gov Relations" team who were arranging the blood test/finger printing. (Yes, I was surprised that I needed to go thru a blood test here after needing to do it at home). Any how, I arrive promptly at the department desk only to whisked away by one of the paid "Wasta/Mandoob" employees. He spoke very little english but was nice enough to turn on American gangsta music- because aparently all of us westerners like to "bust a cap" back home.
So he drives me over to the "middle of no where" and pulls up infront of this little canteen accross from this tall official looking building. I get out and go to cross the street and he's yelling at me in Arabic ("Stop you silly western girl") that in fact the clinic is behind the canteen. I kid you not, we enter this 1970's cinderblock building that has this long counter with plexi barriers- he goes up to the vending machine and buys a "number" then we proceed to the front of the counters. This "stamp" was given to the reception desk, that was then passed to the men behind the counter. Now to paint the picture- I am the only woman in the building, there are 5 men behind the counter sitting and chatting, the only other customers are this group of men/workers who look at me like Tarzan looked at Jane. After several official stamps on my passport and my "mandoob/wasta" chatting them up, we are done! (oh no, not so fast)
So "mandoob/wasta" (see glossary below) leads me out another door into a courtyard and towards this shabby, run down building. Have you ever had that sinking in the pit of your stomach? I sure did in that moment. This hospital would have looked bleak in the Congo- it had stray cats running through it, thats how bad it was.
We enter the "hospital" for my blood work. The room had 3 staff (1 official to review the documents and 2 nurses to take blood). I honestly thought they were going to strap me down and conduct science experiments- the nurse spoke enough english to say "make a fist""relax hand" "sorry!"
The last one was when she jabbed me with a needle the size of a ball point pen to draw blood. While trying not to watch the needle thing I couldnt help but notice the shoe prints half way up the wall- either some one tried to make an escape or they were in so much pain their feet shot straight out.
So back into the car and down the road to the Xray hospital. Yup I got a free Xray too!!! (note sarcasm). Once that was done I gathered up my guy and he drove me back to the office with the tunes of "50 cent" blaring from the stereo. It just doesn't get any stranger than this.
Stay tuned for this week's adventure: fingerprints!
**Glossary: Mandoob- errand boy/gopher. Wasta- Arab person with influence/connections to make things happen.**
I promised my mom I'd write a post (better late then never, right mom!?)
I wanted to share the story of the strangeness of living here in Kuwait and what I've had to go through to get my civil ID. (which is still a long,long way off). So lets begin, shall we....
At the beginning of this week I was summonded by our executive secretary to visit our "Gov Relations" team who were arranging the blood test/finger printing. (Yes, I was surprised that I needed to go thru a blood test here after needing to do it at home). Any how, I arrive promptly at the department desk only to whisked away by one of the paid "Wasta/Mandoob" employees. He spoke very little english but was nice enough to turn on American gangsta music- because aparently all of us westerners like to "bust a cap" back home.
So he drives me over to the "middle of no where" and pulls up infront of this little canteen accross from this tall official looking building. I get out and go to cross the street and he's yelling at me in Arabic ("Stop you silly western girl") that in fact the clinic is behind the canteen. I kid you not, we enter this 1970's cinderblock building that has this long counter with plexi barriers- he goes up to the vending machine and buys a "number" then we proceed to the front of the counters. This "stamp" was given to the reception desk, that was then passed to the men behind the counter. Now to paint the picture- I am the only woman in the building, there are 5 men behind the counter sitting and chatting, the only other customers are this group of men/workers who look at me like Tarzan looked at Jane. After several official stamps on my passport and my "mandoob/wasta" chatting them up, we are done! (oh no, not so fast)
So "mandoob/wasta" (see glossary below) leads me out another door into a courtyard and towards this shabby, run down building. Have you ever had that sinking in the pit of your stomach? I sure did in that moment. This hospital would have looked bleak in the Congo- it had stray cats running through it, thats how bad it was.
We enter the "hospital" for my blood work. The room had 3 staff (1 official to review the documents and 2 nurses to take blood). I honestly thought they were going to strap me down and conduct science experiments- the nurse spoke enough english to say "make a fist""relax hand" "sorry!"
The last one was when she jabbed me with a needle the size of a ball point pen to draw blood. While trying not to watch the needle thing I couldnt help but notice the shoe prints half way up the wall- either some one tried to make an escape or they were in so much pain their feet shot straight out.
So back into the car and down the road to the Xray hospital. Yup I got a free Xray too!!! (note sarcasm). Once that was done I gathered up my guy and he drove me back to the office with the tunes of "50 cent" blaring from the stereo. It just doesn't get any stranger than this.
Stay tuned for this week's adventure: fingerprints!
**Glossary: Mandoob- errand boy/gopher. Wasta- Arab person with influence/connections to make things happen.**
January 23, 2010
SKYPE me baby!
Hello!
I have finally completed my first SKYPE video conversation! (special thx to Jamie for being my Skype mate)
Now I'm sure there are those of you rolling your eyes at me for even blogging about this, but in all fairness SKYPE is not all that well known unless you have need to use it. Being across the world from friends and family qualifies me now to make use of this fantastic web service.
I will admit that I spent the 1/2 hr leading up to the first call getting ready- hair, make up, checked the lighting/camera angle... heaven forbid I look bad when video calling!
Just think about it- most of us carry on phone conversations in our Jammies, when we are sick/tired/nude, or when we are also multi tasking. But with video calling the other person can SEE YOU. Dont think for one second you are going to get away with making faces, rolling your eyes, changing your clothes-- the other person is watching you! And there is also the problem of being "chained" to your web cam. The mic only has so much range ( and dont forget the other person is watching you) which means you need to stay stationary. I will admit that I am notorious when on a regular phone call to wash the dishes while talking- something about talking to friends brings out the urge to clean (or is it the other way around?!)
With video calling there was a bit of a lag which forces you to pause in conversations to let the person talk and there were moments with the sync of the persons action vs sound. But it was only momentary.
When it's all said and done Skype is easy to use, fun, and a simple way to be alittle closer to home.
.....so please sign up to SKYPE and call me!
I have finally completed my first SKYPE video conversation! (special thx to Jamie for being my Skype mate)
Now I'm sure there are those of you rolling your eyes at me for even blogging about this, but in all fairness SKYPE is not all that well known unless you have need to use it. Being across the world from friends and family qualifies me now to make use of this fantastic web service.
I will admit that I spent the 1/2 hr leading up to the first call getting ready- hair, make up, checked the lighting/camera angle... heaven forbid I look bad when video calling!
Just think about it- most of us carry on phone conversations in our Jammies, when we are sick/tired/nude, or when we are also multi tasking. But with video calling the other person can SEE YOU. Dont think for one second you are going to get away with making faces, rolling your eyes, changing your clothes-- the other person is watching you! And there is also the problem of being "chained" to your web cam. The mic only has so much range ( and dont forget the other person is watching you) which means you need to stay stationary. I will admit that I am notorious when on a regular phone call to wash the dishes while talking- something about talking to friends brings out the urge to clean (or is it the other way around?!)
With video calling there was a bit of a lag which forces you to pause in conversations to let the person talk and there were moments with the sync of the persons action vs sound. But it was only momentary.
When it's all said and done Skype is easy to use, fun, and a simple way to be alittle closer to home.
.....so please sign up to SKYPE and call me!
January 20, 2010
settling in
OOH HOO! I have finally made it into Kuwait and am settling into my temporary apt. It is located in Salmiya- but curiously enough there are no street names or building addresses. Every one goes by land mark (so heaven forbid you dont know a land mark near you- which I dont!) No phone yet but at least I can get online.
The guys have been fantastic at showing me the "neighbourhood" and answering all my crazy questions about their life here after 2 weeks. The team seem so far ahead and I am trying to catch up while getting onboarded into the company. I am loving the bosses that I work with
My impressions of the first 48 hours in Kuwait: Traffic is a nightmare, Having someone with "wassta" gets you a long way in the closing deals, The city is extremely safe but kinda sketchy, tried hookah on the first night and thought of the marketablity of apple flavored cigarettes, my head office is at the corner of Pepsicola St and Cocacola St (true story), women wear lots of makeup, the sound of the mosque wakes me up every morning at 5am, and Kuwaitis eat lots of fast food WHILE smoking in the food court.
Missing everyone!!!
The guys have been fantastic at showing me the "neighbourhood" and answering all my crazy questions about their life here after 2 weeks. The team seem so far ahead and I am trying to catch up while getting onboarded into the company. I am loving the bosses that I work with
My impressions of the first 48 hours in Kuwait: Traffic is a nightmare, Having someone with "wassta" gets you a long way in the closing deals, The city is extremely safe but kinda sketchy, tried hookah on the first night and thought of the marketablity of apple flavored cigarettes, my head office is at the corner of Pepsicola St and Cocacola St (true story), women wear lots of makeup, the sound of the mosque wakes me up every morning at 5am, and Kuwaitis eat lots of fast food WHILE smoking in the food court.
Missing everyone!!!
January 3, 2010
January 2, 2010
Always a bridesmaid, never the bride
So I am here in Sunny Arizona for my mom's wedding. The venue was gorgeous and the weather was perfect! Even the ceremony went off with out a hitch (except for forgetting the vows part....hehe)
I am so excited to have shared this experience with them both and to have the chance to meet my new "family"- I have gained 2 sisters, their husbands and children. I also have had the great fortune to meet one of my mom's closest friends and Ajoy's best friend. All of us have had the opportunity over these last 3 days to talk and bond and spend quality time.
Obviously this is not the first for my mom or for her new husband to be.
So my question that I pose dear readers, is what do you get a newly married couple who have everything? Both came with houses, cars, toasters, and a lifetime of "stuff"- they don't even make Hallmark cards that say "Congratulations on your 2nd/3rd/4th wedding! Hope this one's the keeper".
Next post will bring me one step closer to Kuwait- stay tuned!
I am so excited to have shared this experience with them both and to have the chance to meet my new "family"- I have gained 2 sisters, their husbands and children. I also have had the great fortune to meet one of my mom's closest friends and Ajoy's best friend. All of us have had the opportunity over these last 3 days to talk and bond and spend quality time.
Obviously this is not the first for my mom or for her new husband to be.
So my question that I pose dear readers, is what do you get a newly married couple who have everything? Both came with houses, cars, toasters, and a lifetime of "stuff"- they don't even make Hallmark cards that say "Congratulations on your 2nd/3rd/4th wedding! Hope this one's the keeper".
Next post will bring me one step closer to Kuwait- stay tuned!
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