MOVIE DOUBT

On Tuesday evening, I saw this beautiful movie Doubt (2008 release) which is actually an adaptation of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer prize winning stage play "Doubt: A Parable". The movie stars Meryl Streep as Sister Aloysius, Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Father Flynn and Amy Adams as Sister James who gave a sterling performance portraying their roles. The movie received several Oscar nominations in 2008. The story and direction is by Shanley and produced by Scott Rudin. The film grossed well at the box office.

"Doubt" centers around a progressive minded Priest Father Flynn, a very strict and conservative Principal Sister Aloysius and a young history teacher Sister James at a Catholic church and school in Bronx, New York. Father Flynn is kind, caring, and supportive to 14 year old Donald Miller who is the only black student in the school and is also an altar boy at the church where Father Flynn gives his sermon. Sister James is concerned when  Donald Miller's behavior seems worrisome when he returns from a meeting with Father Flynn in the middle of her class. He appeared distraught and his breath smelt of alcohol. She informs her concerns to Sister Aloysius who begin to suspect Father Flynn of having an inappropriate relationship with Donald. She confronts Father Flynn who explains his side of the story and claims no wrong doing though he seemed to become disturbed when confronted and questioned about his past. Sister Aloysius is absolutely firm in her resolve to remove Father Flynn from Church despite lack of real evidence.

I don't want share more details of the plot. You should actually watch this beautiful movie that leaves you with your own doubts! 

TO DO LIST FOR TODAY

MY PHOTOS FOR THE DAY - FLAMINGOS IN KUWAIT

We were told about the flamingos in Kuwait near the Shuwaikh beach close to the Sabah Maternity Hospital (beside the childrens' small entertainment park by Ministry of Labour). We went there last Saturday just on time before the tide set in. There were hundreds of flamingos almost white in color with partial pink feathers and light pink beak. They can be seen during the low tide.  Once the tide comes in, it's majestic to see them all take off  fly in a huge group. It's best to carry binoculars to see them more clearly and carry a camera with a good zoom to take photos.  The first photo is  taken by my husband and the last three photos are  taken by me.

JAPANESE MANGA DIWANIYA IN KUWAIT

In light of the increasing popularity of Japanese Pop-culture among Kuwaitis, the Embassy of Japan is organizing a two-day "JAPANESE MANGA DIWANIYA", consisting of "Manga Slide Show & Talk" and "Manga Workshop" on March 13th and 14th (Wednesday and Thursday).

Manga is the Japanese cartoon and a veteran Manga artist Ms. Keiko Ichiguchi is coming to the Diwaniya to introduce Manga culture upon the request of Government of Japan.

Details of the event "JAPANESE MANGA DIWANIYA": 

*    Manga Slide Show & Talk

     Date: Wednesday, March 13th, 2013

     Time: from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

     Venue: Gulf University for Science & Technology,  theater W6-014

A slide show of Ms. Ichiguchi's Manga works will be presented on a theatre screen, followed   by her talk on a Japanese Manga artist life.

*    Manga Workshop "How to Draw Manga" 

     Date: Thursday, March 14th,  2013

     Time: from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm 

     Venue: Gulf University for Science & Technology, classroom  N5-101

Drawing Manga is NOT illustration!! A professional Manga artist will show

you how to create Manga from your story / experience

Registration is required to attend the workshop due to limited seats. For more inquiry, please contact the Embassy of Japan, Cultural Section on 25309458 by Thursday 7th March . 

Via Cultural Section, Embassy of Japan

LAST DAY OF HALA FEBRUARY 2013 CELEBRATIONS AT SHARQ MALL

Sharq Mall towards evening and night turns into a beautiful location to take photos. It was the last day of the Hala February 2013 celebrations at the Sharq MalI on March 2 . I tried to take whatever photos I could in the short amount of  time I was able spend there. Besides food and toy stalls, there was this lovely art work done on the ground before the amphitheater.  It looked like an abstract work done with colored sand. I am not aware of the theme nor what it's supposed to represent. But it looked really nice. I've added a few more photos from the circus we attended on that day.We must go back there again and peacefully take photos around the Mall and surroundings one of these days.

WHATEVER YOU DO IN LIFE

DECORATING KUWAIT FLAG WITH MESSAGES AT SHARQ MALL

While I was at Sharq Mall last night, there were lots of people writing messages on a huge Kuwait  flag to express their love for Kuwait. This must be a part of the Hala Februray 2013, National and Liberation Day celebration. I enjoyed the opportunity to write 'Love you Kuwait'. All the wonderful feelings I have for Kuwait, having lived here for almost all my life, is condensed in those three words. What more can I say? God bless Kuwait all the people that live in this beautiful country.

LET THE CHANGE HAPPEN BY SHOSHANNAH QUEL SUEZ

My friend Shoshannah Quel-Suez has a beautiful blog Alpha, Omega, and Everything in Between where she posts amazing inspirational articles that are intended to guide, enrich and empower every day journey of  our life. I would like to share her recent post 'Let Change Happen'. Do visit her blog to check out more posts and be inspired!

Image source: Astrea Sri Ana's facebook page

LET THE CHANGE HAPPEN

Source : http://www.alphaomegaandeverythinginbetween.blogspot.com/

CIRCUS AT SHARQ MALL

Saturday March 2 will be the last day of the ongoing circus event for families and children at the Sharq Mall as a part of the Hala Februrary 2013 celebration. There are two shows, one at 5.30pm and 7.30pm at the amphitheater. It will certainly be fun for children. I happened to be shopping at Sharq Mall last evening. I could only see the last bit of the circus, because we had arrived late and I had some shopping to do besides being busy taking photos around the mall.  It will certainly be fun for children. So pay a visit to the Sharq Mall amphitheater today and enjoy the circus.

LOVE IS INFINITE

HUMOR - IMPULSIVE BUYING

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - CELEBRATION AND MINDLESSNESS

Some of the mindless behavior I noticed while we went to see the  Lights and decorations in Ahmadi  during the National Day Celebrations, was 

* People picnicking in the evening and leaving the trash and left over food in the grass despite  so many trash bins installed for public convenience.

* Children were pulling at the mushroom and flower structures covered with lights. The parents could have stopped them. Not only the structure and lighting could be spoiled by mishandling, it's not safe for children to be playing with electrical wires and light bulbs. Many of the children were seen walking over a broad carpet of tiny blue lights spread on the ground. Their legs, feet and footwear were getting entangled in them  and they had to struggle a bit to come out, while the parents just stood there watching. Those lights are not meant to be walked all over. It's was just a part of the lights decoration which we supposed to stand back and enjoy. 

* In many areas, as a part of the Ahmadi landscape, there are colorful and pretty flowers growing at ground level which children and people were trampling upon. It was evening, and well, it wasn't all that dark either. If one were to look, the flowers, stems and leaves are visible.

Trash thrown mindlessly in the grass with left over food

JENNIFER LAWRENCE THE NEW FACE OF MISS DIOR

Jennifer Lawrence the stunning young actress aged 22, of the Hunger Games fame and who won the Best Actress award at the Oscars  2013 held recently for her role in Silver Linings Playbook, is the new face of Miss Dior. She is shown wearing the new Spring collection  for 2013 from Dior as well as the Miss Dior handbags. 

"Dior represents beauty and strength in women, and that's how I feel when I'm wearing his clothes, it just makes you feel so confident. I've always been a huge fan of Dior, and being a part of something with such an incredible history is an honor." says Jennifer Lawrence.

Creative Director of Dior, Raf Simons said in his statement,  “Like everyone else, I first discovered Jennifer Lawrence in the roles she played in action movies, I was, of course, struck by her incredible on-screen presence in these blockbuster films , but also impressed by her powerful interpretations of subtle, more rounded characters. Her youth and her classic beauty, but also her force of character and the complexity she's capable of embodying at such a young age, are, for me, both unique and very moving."

Prestigious showbiz magazine Vanity Fair just named Jennifer, the world’s most desirable woman. After her break up with her boyfriend,  British actor Nicholas Hoult , she has been romantically linked with Bradley Cooper, her on screen love interest in Silver Linings Playbook. 

Jennifer says she hates shopping and spending money! "I was raised to have values and to have respect for money, and even if you have a lot of it, to still have respect for it. I still drive the same car I’ve been driving for a long time and I haven’t bought a house yet. And I can afford a house but I don’t really think I’m ready.” says Jennifer. 

MEXICAN PRIEST USES WATER GUN TO SPRAY HOLY WATER

Mexican Priest, Father Humberto Alvarez uses water gun to bless young children by spraying holy water on them. Father Alvarez wears robes with images of comic book superheroes, including Batman, Superman and Spider Man at his church Ojo de Agua in Slatillo, Mexico.

He says the characters on his robes were chosen as they inhabit traits that he wishes to pass on to the young children, that stand for the superheros' "struggle and effort to overcome fear and find peace and forgiveness", 

Though the methods are unconventional, Father Alvarez who has been a priest for 14 years,  hopes this would bring a smile on the children's faces as the community has been affected by drug-related violence and crime in recent years. However, he wears normal robes and does not use a water gun during adult mass.

IF YOU DIG IN THE WRONG PLACE

MY PHOTO FOR THE DAY - CELEBRATION AND WATER GUNS

Did you realize wherever you looked around during the National and Liberation day celebrations, there were children with huge water guns ready to shoot liters of water and drench passersby and motorists. And getting wet is not everyone's idea of fun.  I had to keep my eyes open to watch out for kids who catch you unawares. Well, good, no one sprayed on me. There was this one time while I was in Ahmadi busy clicking pictures of the beautiful lights, I had to tell a young child a big 'Noooo', when he began to aim his water gun at me. And he turned his gun away! The last thing I want was get drenched. Oh when we walking around looking at the lights, there were these bunch of kids who were spraying water at the motorists and suddenly one the cars stop, the man gets out of his vehicle,he was clearly upset, scolds the kid,  seizes the water gun from him and drives away! 

The water gun is almost as big at the child !  Imagine the amount of water that  gun could contain. A huge splash of water from that gun and you'll need a change of clothes!!!!!

McLAREN CARS AT 360 MALL

Here are a few photos I took of the McLaren Cars that were displayed at 360 Mall last week and throughout the holidays. 

British automotive manufacturer,  McLaren Automotive produces high performance elegantly designed vehicles.  Ali Alghanim & Sons Automotive Co. is the sole dealer of McLaren Automotive Ltd.