a night at the movies

Tonight we took the opportunity of a free Friday night to go to the movies here in Kuwait. We've been wanting to see Enchanted for a few weeks now, and unfortunately Deepak didn't have a copy yet. So we shelled out the 2.5 KD (~$10) and went to the theatre.

Well, what can I say about the entire experience? For one thing, even though it's a kids' movie, it's absolutely hilarious.

The other thing has to do with the censoring rules here. They can't show anything that has nudity, sex or even kissing (among other things). Within the first five minutes of the movie, we find out that it is based entirely on "true love's kiss". Cue the censoring...now. First it was the scene with her showering in the bathroom, and then it was every kiss - including when the cartoons kissed!

It is officially our first and last movie at the theatre here - because we feel the overwhelming urge to watch it again, just to see what we've missed! (I suppose this isn't a huge loss; it is a fantastic movie. I haven't laughed so hard since like... yesterday.) It was just a pain, because the censoring isn't even that good - the guy who cuts the movie really needs to learn how to do it a little more smoothly!

Anyways, I'm sorry that I haven't been writing much - it's taking some time to get used to being back here, and then some days it just feels like there isn't a whole lot of new interesting things going on ;) And the days when I feel that I should update, I put it off until the mood passes ;) I'll try to do better!

e-screwed

...ah, it was inevitable.

One week back.

First week back to school, and I've survived...barely, it seems! It's been a very stressful week, physically and emotionally. Fortunately, we only had to work for 4 days, but they were the longest four days of my life. Jetlag and high expectations have left us all a little exhausted and uncertain about whether or not we'll be returning next year.

On Thursday, we all took the bus down to Fahaheel to do a little souvenir shopping before Pam's mom headed back to Canada. Fahaheel IS the kitchiest place in Kuwait, and it was about time we visited it. We had meant to go down there before heading home for Christmas, but there never seemed to be a good enough time.

The musical dancing fountains themselves were worth the 45 minute bus ride and the 2.5 KD taxi fare back to Salmiya.

back in Kuwait and...cold?

How can I say that it's cold in Kuwait when it was -20 when I left home yesterday? (yesterday...thursday...whatever. it all feels like one day...since I lost one in transit!)

We left the airport to a balmy 21C at 6:30pm. Nice! It's gorgeous outside. I did miss the sunshine, that is one nice thing about Kuwait. The weather is gorgeous, although since it never changes, we have nothing to say about it...and being Canadian, it really takes away one major topic of conversation! (Never fear, I can always find something to say about anything...)

But even though it's 21C outside, it's 18C inside. Our apartments do not have central heat (although they do have central air year-round), and my little portable radiator leaves much to be desired! It smells of...melting plastic, which worries me, but not enough to actually turn it off. It's a metal machine, which means that there is no actual plastic on it to melt...and maybe the fact that I'm feeling better about being here is because I'm just plain high off the smell of melting plastic ;) Mmm...healthy.

Christmas at home was AMAZING. I was able to see so many friends, and spend lots of time with family, and drive around and shop in places that I love...and not feel out of place one bit! I got to see Mason, my 5 month old nephew - I think he was the hardest to let go, since I know he'll be the one to change the most over the next 5 months. It was difficult to leave. I spent the last 2 days before I left on the constant verge of tears. It makes coming back here for a second year seem...unthinkable.

But it's alright to be back. Last night we sat around, chatting about our vacations, eating Maki, and it was good. I love the girls here, we really are like a family. Today we went grocery shopping, and it felt NORMAL. Plus, we went to Second Cup (truly Canadian) before we hit up the grocery store, so it was good. It felt right. It's the little things, like a $5 mug of hot latte with friends, that makes me appreciate being here.

Our trip home was fine! And it wasn't without it's drama. Our flight from Toronto to Washington was delayed 45 minutes, which was a little worrisome, since we only had a 1 hour stopover in Washington before leaving for Kuwait! Fortunately this time we didn't have to go through customs or pick up our luggage, so it was smooth sailing from one gate to another. We made it to the next gate as everyone was boarding the plane, which was a sweet deal for us. It meant no sitting and waiting in the airport.

But...Briana didn't make it on the plane. If anything bad is going to happen, it seems that it's always going to happen to Briana. The plane was overbooked by 30 people - so she was placed on standby. Someone even offered to give Briana his seat, but the airline attendant said it was too late! We felt horrible leaving her there, but we couldn't stay without losing our tickets entirely.

We still have no idea where Briana is, which really makes us worried. We hope she got on another plane to Kuwait, but there's a chance that she was stuck in Washington until the next flight...that didn't leave until the next night...and doesn't arrive in Kuwait until tonight. We start teaching tomorrow. Sometimes airlines really suck. Instead of overbooking flights, they should just make people responsible if they do miss their flight...ridiculous. Poor Briana.

That...was our drama. Alright, I should get to planning for my classes tomorrow...and then napping and watching a movie. Life is so hard :P I have strategically set up my radiator right beside my chair. Sweet sweet warmth. (Hey, the thermostat on the wall says that it's 20C in here right now...that's almost reasonable! Perhaps this little machine actually works. Success!)