February 2012 in Kuwait

Time for another update from Beautiful Kuwait. It has been a struggle to start over here but just like it says in Ecclesiastes, there is time to build up.

We have spent the last month finding and getting into an apartment. We located to a wonderful part of Kuwait called Salwa. Its quiet and full families and English speaking schools on just about every block. Our apartment is quite large but because we have not accumulated anything we mainly live in one room, our bedroom. We now are living in a sub-basement with the hopes to move up, literally, to another apartment when one opens up here.

We had a few fun outing and escapades this month. The best being we got to go out and celebrate Kuwaiti Independence Day on the 25 and 26 of February. On Friday we drove to B’naider, which lies 40 kilometers south of Kuwait City. We had hoped to see the Al Farsi Kite Festival and the Runners but do to weather none of the kites were up. The drive however was one of the most enlightening drives since we got to really see the countryside here. It’s all sand, oil, and tents out there in that part of Kuwait.  Yes, tents. Not Nomads or tribes but people out camping for the Holiday. In fact most campsites had blow up castles, slides, food, and entertainment for all the folks who were camped around it. Nothing like what we would think of! We also drove down a main road of  B’naider only to have our car attacked and soaked with squirt guns and water balloons. The children here are allowed to do such to cars as part of the Holiday. It’s absolutely something you would never see in the states but here it’s a special part of the holiday for the kids and those still young at heart.

Saturday we went for a drive to check out all the special things going on. We located a few kites that were up at Messila beach in celebration of the Holiday. They were so neat and completely made up for missing the kite festival. They had several kites that were shaped like Soccer balls the kids were allowed to play around and under. The wind would blow the back and forth and the kids would be knocked around by them. Avi, of course having no fear, got right in the middle of it. We got  so many great pictures and Video of her I hope I get to share them all with you soon. She even got knocked down twice, cried about it, but got right back in the mix! She really has no fear. Got to keep an eye that one!!

Because it was on the beach we walked down to the water. We have been to several beaches but this time we let Avi get her feet wet! She loved it! In fact we had to hold her back from jumping in the waves. Water is her favorite thing to do, from bathes, to the pool, to the ocean!

Next we climbed in our car, Avi promptly fell asleep. And we drove down Gulf Road. It was packed with cars since this the thing to do! Most cars were just driving but every so often a kid would roll down the window and spray the cars with water that weren’t decked out in Kuwaiti colors. We had a flag on our trunk so we were rarely squirted but it was fun to get into the spirit of things. It took us two hours to go 5 Kilometers. As such we decided to return home. It was a wonderful to get out and about. We did miss the fireworks show from Kuwait Tower on Friday evening since Avi had a cold and we can’t see it from our apartment but you can watch it on you tube.

We have discovered several great parks! Mishref park was nice and quiet as well. Avi loved the slides, but we had a hard time convincing her to play on the playground equipment. She actually found an incline and spent her time running up and down it, laughing.

We discovered and enjoyed the open-air market here. It happens every Wednesday Evening to Saturday Evening. We  were able to get out fridge their and are hoping to get our new washer and dyer there as well. No one uses dryers here so it’s a learning process to figure out how one goes about purchasing one. Plus most washers are semi-automatic. This means there are separate compartments for washing and spinning. I really would prefer one that does it all for me so prayers we find a good one!

Craig’s job has had its challenges but with each day we get closer to the prospect of a more solidified work schedule and situation. He turned in his passport  to the Company and signed a contract, with a salary attached. Seems as though we are set out to be here for a while. Craig spends much of his time visiting job sites to give his expert advice on all matters of polishing concrete. So fat he has shown himself to be invaluable and his experience and advice trustworthy. He has become a much need asset here. He also spends a lot of time on the phone trying to coordinate jobs. His main contact is in the states so he has to call each time to make sure everything is approved of and ironed out. It’s kind of an interesting way of doing it, but its how it needs to be done. Plus in this culture we have discovered that you tell people what it is that they want rather than them telling you and you accommodating them.

As for me, I spend my days riding around with Craig. It has been the best way to get to know the city and to find all things that make Kuwait great. I am healthy so far. The baby is starting to make himself known. I actually feel flutters from him at least once a day. Avi was similar in this regard. We are still waiting on the chance to get to a doctor. We have to wait for Craig’s civil ID to come through as well as the funds to go see one. I am not to keen on going to a government run clinic because Craig would not be allowed to accompany me. So prayers we can get to the private one very soon.

Avi developed a chest cold and has taken it pretty hard. We were able to get her the need medicine from the pharmacy to ease it along. It was really hard because she has had it over the holiday. Perhaps we should have not gone to the beach but I think in the end it was good for her to get out and enjoy the sun! She is also starting to really say her letters. She can identify almost all of them. I love to do flashcards with her and have her say them! She also says them whenever she sees a sign with English on it. She also has figured out how to slide the “unlock” on the iPad, and then pick out which app she wants to play with. She even scrolls through the folders to find just the right app. We have an indoor pool here, which has become a constant struggle with her. Its right out our front door and every time we enter and leave she cries and struggles to go it! She loves the water!!!! She loves to swim and dunk herself under as well as having water poured over her head!