THINGS TO AVOID

There are a number of things we can avoid to make life more liveable, pleasant and peaceful. Let's see what they are. You could create your own list of things to avoid or add on to this one.

A  V  O  I  D

1. Rash driving
2. Getting stressed when stuck in slow moving traffic
3. Buying of wrong assets
4. Putting money into wrong hands
5. Financial dealings that drain your money
6. 'Friends' or 'Peers' that push you into drugs, smoking, drinking or other destructive habits
7. Arrogance
8. Short temper / Hot temper
9. Arguments or fights over little things
10. Toxic or Negative people
11. Reckless spending
12. Impatience
13. Procrastination
14. Laziness
15. Being taken advantage of
16. Doing something against your conscience
17. Overeating
18. Junk food
19. Looking down upon yourself
20. Texting or talking on the cell phone while driving
21. Temptation to blurt out  mean or hurtful words when you are angry

DECORATIVE ITEMS AT TRUE VALUE

Here are some pictures I took of the decorative items at TRUE VALUE, Shuwaikh. Whenever I go there, this time it was after a gap of one year, I was curious to see what they have in their decorative section. They always have something different, something interesting, colourful, artistic..They even have some nice paintings depicting Kuwait in the past. I could go on...Anyway, what you see in the pics is not all...they have lots more...Visit TRUE VALUE to see what they have in their collection.

VIEW OF THE WORLD

Everyone has his or her own view of the World!

(My son shared with me, this cute picture with this wonderful saying)

AMAZING SEA HORSE FACTS

Sea horses are the only kind of animal in the world, where the male gets pregnant! Suprised? Well read on...you will be continue to be suprised...

The female sea horse injects eggs into the male sea horse who has a pouch where eggs are fertilized and nurtured till they are born. Sea horse is quite unique and truly a nature's wonder. Seahorses are faithful to one another for life. Even a tank full of singles won't tempt the one's that have a partner.

Ladies, do you wish men were like sea horses?

Male sea horse giving birth

Sea Horse with baby sea horse

CAKE DECORATING PRODUCTS AT TRUE VALUE

Do you enjoy baking cakes? Do you love decorating your cakes? If you do,  why not drop into TRUE VALUE (the bigger outlet close to Avenues Mall, Shuweikh). They have quite a variety of cake decorative products like sprinkles, colours, ready to use icing gels and a lots more to choose from, that will certainly add to the beauty, look and final decor of your cakes. Here are some pictures of their cake decorative products.

OCTOBER 2 - GANDHI'S BIRTH ANNIVERSARY AND INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON VIOLENCE

Mahatma Gandhi

United Nations' International Day of Non-Violence is observed all around the world every year, on  October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

The UN resolution for International Day of Non Violence reaffirms the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.

For Gandhi, non-violence was the expression of the deepest love for all humans that included not only a lack of physical harm to them, but also a lack of hatred or ill-will towards them. He believed in the need to convince opponents of their injustice without resorting to violence.

"Nonviolent refusal to cooperate with injustice is the way to defeat it.” - Mahatma Gandhi

A sculpture by Karl Fredrik Reutersward depicting "Non-Violence", outside UN Headquarters in New York. (UN Photo)

                                                                

DENMARK INTRODUCES WORLD FIRST FAT FOOD TAX

On Saturday, Denmark became the first country in the world to introduce fat tax on food. The new tax, was designed by the government of Denmark  as a health issue to limit the population's  intake of fatty foods.Consumers hoarded butter, pizza, meat and milk to save money prior to the the fat tax being imposed. The new tax will be levied on all products that include saturated fats - from butter and milk to pizzas, oils, meats and pre-cooked foods.

Do you think this is a good idea as it's intended to encourage people to limit their intake of fatty foods and give their health more importance? What is your opinion?

a. I think it's a great idea, people would reduce their consumption of fat laden foods.

b. This should be introduced in all countries.

c. Who cares, if there is a fat tax; I'll still buy what I love to eat - how can I stay away from pizzas and cakes.

d. Besides fat tax, there should be a tax imposed on overweight people so they'd resort to losing weight and be healthy.

e. My kids are not on a diet, I have to give them butter, milk, meat. Fat tax is unfair. Food prices have already soared to unreasonable heights in past 5 years.

f. A nice opportunity for people to turn to vegetarianism, promise of good health.

NON VIOLENCE

I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary; the evil it does is permanent. - Mahatma Gandhi

YOU ARE THE POWER

Let me share a nice story I read recently; a conversation between an aged wise woman and a seeker of truth.

Wise Woman: 'Do you know the one person who will never abandon you all your life?"

Seeker: "Who would that be?"

Wise Woman : "You"

Wise Woman : "And do you know who has the answer to every question that you have?"

Seeker : "Who?"

Wise Woman: "You"

Wise Woman : "And can you guess who has the solution to every one of your problems?"

Seeker : "I give up"

Wise Woman : "You"

Wise Woman : Yes you have the power, you are the power

THAILAND'S FIRST WOMAN PRIME MINISTER YINGLUCK SINAWATRA

In May 2011, the PueaThai Party nominated Yingluck as their candidate for Prime Minister in the 2011 general election. She campaigned with a promise of national reconciliation, poverty eradication, corporate income tax reduction, raise minimum wage, revamp the education and public health systems .  Yingluck swept to a landslide election victory, with her party Puea Thai  winning 265 seats in the 500 seat House of Representatives in Thailand. Yinkluck is ranked 59 in Forbes list of World's 100 Most Powerful Women in 2011.

'Yingluck embodies the “suai, ruai, keng” – a Thai description of “pretty, rich and smart” woman. She looks youthful, confident and at ease. Cameras love to capture her ceaseless smiles'. - Warangkana Chomchuen, World blog (NBC news).

Forty four year old business executive, Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand's first ever woman Prime Minister was sworn in during August. She is the youngest sister of Thaksin Shinawatra. Prime Minister Yingluck graduated with a BA degree from the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University in 1988 and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Kentucky State University, USA.  In Yingluck's words, "I am ready to fight according to the rules and I ask for the opportunity to prove myself. I will utilise my femininity to work fully for our country."


Prime Minister Yingluck faces the challenge of bringing unity, stability and peace to a beautiful nation that has suffered a great deal. The recent floods,  monsoon rains, and mudslides in Thailand  have killed 98 people, caused huge destruction and some 1.5 million people are affected.  Floods have affected 29 of Thailand's 76 provinces, destroyed or damaged more then 300,000 homes, leaving about 1.3 million acres of farm land in Thailand under water (about eight times the size of Singapore).

Beautiful Yingluck Shinawatra

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in official attire of Thai Government

FRANKENLOUE SETS GUINNESS WORLD RECORD

What has two mouths, two noses and three eyes and entered Guinness World Records?

Meet Frank and Louie (Frankenlouie), a 12 year old cat with two heads. Frankenlouie is the longest surviving example of Janus cat named after Roman God with 2 faces. In such a condition, the normal life expectancy of a two headed Janus cat is just few days, where as Frankenlouie surved against all odds and lived for 12 years. The two heads were formed due to a genetic deformity.

Frankenlouie lives with his Owner in Milbury, Massachusetts.  This one-in-a million cat has been featured on TV shows such as 'Strange, Freaky, True'.

 

ARE YOU EATING RIGHT?

One of the easiest and tempting thing to while at a supermarket is to pick up whatever your tastebuds like to savour and what reduces your work at home. Snacks, sugary foods, packeted juices, ready to eat foods, ready to fry or fried foods and take aways are loaded with calories. These foods are culprits that give you joy while you eat it, but does nothing really good for your body. So it's important to make sure you eat right, by choosing your food wisely. When your body is happy, it shows in your energy level, in your productivity, in your attitude, in your moods, there is improved clarity in thinking and you would look healthier too.

What are the foods that can help you maintain your health and keep your body happy and glow with good health?  Include green tea in your diet. It nourishes your inner body and helps you relax. Orange, strawberry, raspberry stablizes your metabolism. Orange and tomato are good for healthy skin. Have green veggies - lots if you can. Cut down on the carbohydrate like bread and rice. Your body needs protein, in regulated amounts - have low fat milk, low fat yoghurt, chicken, fish and try to avoid red meats. Reduce the intake of oil and sweets. Have plenty of salads. They do wonders for your health.

MAY ALL YOUR DREAMS AND WISHES COME TRUE

There are a lot of people out there, who are working towards something that means close to their heart, perhaps several things. Struggles and odds are a part of life and during chaos and uncertainity, it's not easy to swim against the current.  And there are times, when quite unexpectedly, things just happen easily,  as if fate were in perfect alignment to one's dreams and desires. Life is a mystery but definitely laced with the beauty of miracles.

May all your dreams and wishes come true.

GARFIELD

THE THREE MUSKETEERS - 2011

If you wondering how to spend your weekend, well there is good news for movie lovers. THE THREE MUSKETEERS  (2011) is running in several Kuwait Cinescape theatres. Don't miss this entertaining movie based on the book of the same name by Alexandre Dumas. The movie is directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and  stars Logan Lerman, Milla Jovovich, Matthew Macfadyen, Ray Stevenson, Luke Evans, Mads Mikkelson, Gabriella Wilde, Juno Temple, Orlando Bloom and  Christoph Waltz.

The story is about the audacious young D’ Artagnan along with the three former legendary Musketeers. They unite and defeat a beautiful double agent and her villainous employer who has set out to seize the French throne and engulf war-torn Europe.  The 17th century French setting with lavish costumes will certainly give the audience an exciting experience with oppulent scenes and great stunts brought to you with 3 D technology.

To visit  Kuwait Cinescape website to see the list of theatres where this movie being screened and the timings click HERE

HOMAGE TO FERENC LIZST - PIANO RECITAL BY FAZLIDDIN HUSANOV

Fazliddin Husanov

A piano recital by Fazliddin Husanov was held at Maidan Cultural Center on Wednesday September 28, organized by DAI, as a part of the 200th anniversary celebration of the birth of Ferenc Liszt, world renowned pianist, composer, conductor and teacher from Hungary.

We attended Fazliddin Husanov's piano recital yesterday. He gave a beautiful performance and the audience were quite enthralled with his amazing rendering. Photography was strictly prohibited, so I didn't take any pictures of the concert. The recital included the following:

Vallee d'Obermann from Annees de pelerinage (years of pilgrimage)

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2

Consolations

Mephisto Waltz

Ferenc Liszt, born on October 22, 1811 in Doborjan, Hungary

Fazliddin Husanov, from Uzbekistan is  a pianist of international recognition. He has given recitals in Hungary, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, USA, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom. He has performed to great acclaim in London’s Wigmore Hall, St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Tuebingen Festsaal, and Los Angeles’ Disney Hall. He has appeared with prominent orchestras including the Kazakhstan Symphony Orchestra, the Paul Gerhard Chamber Orchestra in Germany, the Uzbekistan Symphony Orchestra, and Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra. His awards include 1st Prize at the London International Music Competition, the Maisie Lewis Award, and Bronze Medal in the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition and Festival in Los Angeles.

Fazliddin is known for his engaging romantic sentiment, subtle emotional transformations and exceptional technique. His repertoire is wide ranging, and he is equally at home with baroque and contemporary music. Dr. Fazliddin Husanov is currently working as Associate Professor of Piano at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait. (Excerpt from DAI Music Circle leaflet issued for concert, titled 'A Homage to Ferenc Liszt')

 

ST. BERNARD DOG

I visited my friend last week who I haven't met for years. Little did I know I was in for a pleasantly huge surprise, beside the joy of meeting a friend who my colleague way back in the mid 80's and the memories of many a good times spent together remain fresh in my mind.

And who greeted us besides my friend, was a huge, well gigantic, St. Bernard dog !. He was so excited and curious to see us. I must admit, I am not used to big strong dogs and this is the first time I got to interact with a St. Bernard dog. My husband is a total dog lover. They both bonded immediately. Though Tyler, the St. Bernard dog is just over a year old, he is quite  big. My friend told me, 'He will grower even bigger'. My husband had a wonderful time with Tyler. They played together and Tyler was all over him.  I don't see much dogs out here. While I was in UK, I noticed, there are lots of people who own dogs and it's a very normal sight to see people walking their dogs, especially residential areas.

Tyler

A bit about St.Bernard, the breed.  It's a very large dog from the Italian and Swiss Alps, originally bred for rescue. Its average life span is 8 to 10 years. It needs proper food and plenty of exercise or else the dog would suffer deterioration of the bones. Due to its large adult size, it is important that proper training,  and socialization must be imparted while the St. Bernard is still a puppy, so as to avoid the difficulties and lack of control it would pose later on.  It's an absolutely loving dog and hey,  their size is actually an advantage that would deter intruders. 

WHEN YOU REACT IN THE SAME OLD WAY

Everytime you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask yourself if you want to be a prisoner of the past or pioneer of the future. - Deepak Chopra

GM TOWERS WORLD HEAD QUARTERS RENAISSANCE CENTER

My son took us to the famed General Motors world headquarters, GM Renaissance Center (nicknamed RenCen)  in down town Detroit, Michigan at the majestic Detroit river front. Renaissance Center is a group of seven interconnected skyscrapers. The central tower, Detroit Marriott hotel is 73 storey and 727 feet tall. We got to see all the latest automobiles displayed at the Vehicle Display area of Towers by GM. There is a retail atrium called Wintergarden at the Ren Cen full of shops. If you want to relax and have some snacks or food, there is huge food court with restaurants.The complex connects offices, the hotel, retail outlets, restaurants, a jazz club, and a movie theatre. The main entrance to the Ren Cen faces the Detroit river waterfront and the view is absolutely marvellous.  This is must visit landmark for visitors who travel to Michigan.

This post form a part of my travel experience while I visited my son in  Michigan in August. These pictures are taken by my son.

GM world headquarters - Renaissance Center, Detroit, Michigan

Main entrance to the GM Renaissance Center

HUMOUR

I don't know if I should call it humour or sarcasm. I saw this at a department store and I just had to take a picture of this 'Attitude'.  Oh by the way, I did come across a few people who actually follow this 'Attitude' and I certainly wouldn't want to cross their paths ever! What attitude do you carry?