Second Sand Storm

Another lovely day in Kuwait. My mom and sister woke me up extremely early to let me know there was a sand storm coming and to tape up the windows. By 11 a.m. there was no sign of it so I gave up. I got ready to go out around 11:45 a.m. and there was the storm covering everything. So much for going out right? Around 3 p.m. the storm was gone and only sand remained.

You never know what to expect.

The storm covering everything.

Lovely view of Abu Halaifa...

Just enough dust to make people sick...

Muddy rain drops followed the storm.

First step of doll making Completed

I guess we didn't realize how much sewing we would have to do to make dolls. I took my daughters, my mother and my sister with me. My fingers are sore from being stuck but it was fun. We had a bag of supplies to make the dolls as well as needles and different color threads. First step was sewing up the doll, that took almost 2 hours. What can I say none of us sew.

We were interrupted by a group of kids touring Sadu House. They saw us making the dolls and surrounded us stepping all over my purse and all talking at once asking us questions in Arabic. The teacher asked us for pictures, um no paparazzi please. Finally they left and we continued our sewing. At the end we moved on to the clothing but had to take it home for homework as we didn't finish in time.

It was really fun and the British lady who helped us was extremely patient with us. She had drinks, tea and cookies for us also. I love Sadu House, it's so beautiful and old school. It's too bad those kind of houses aren't built anymore. It's also a small textile museum with some old dresses and weaved items.

The starting point of my doll....

Starting to stuff it.....

The final product. I was going to give it a J-Lo booty, next doll maybe.

Ok, so her head is a bit lop sided and her arms stick straight out but I'd say I did a pretty good job for my first doll. Next Saturday should be the final product........ Stay tuned!

Al Sadu House- Kuwaiti Doll Workshop

Last year I visited Sadu House in Salmiya and saw the cutest Kuwaiti dolls. I wanted a pair but was told I would have to attend the doll workshop and make my own. That post was March of last year. I did leave my name and e-mail in order to be notified of the upcoming workshop, needless to say I wasn't contacted but yesterday I saw an ad in the Arab Times listing the workshop.

I just called the mobile number given for English speaking only but as usual no answer. I called the office number and Mr. Mohammed answered and took my info. I was assured I would be able to join the class. We'll see on Saturday. I will send an email just in case.

Anyhoo if anyone's interested in this workshop it will be on Saturday, April 2 and the following Saturday, April 9. The fee is 20 KD which covers the class and supplies for making the dolls with 2 dresses of different colors. It's from 9:30 a.m-12:30 p.m.

At Sadu House, Arabian Gulf Street next to the National Museum of Kuwait (which you can visit after your done with the class, I posted about that too) You can call 99368147 for English although they didn't answer my call or 22432395. Their email is info@alsadu.org.kw. Please provide name, email and telephone number for each participant.

The little dolls they wouldn't let me buy.

This should be fun!

Suad Al-Humaidi, someone I admire and would love to Meet!

When I first moved to Kuwait I noticed a huge house along Gulf road with a car collection to die for (Mashallah). I've loved cars ever since I was small. I had my 69' Impala with glass packs when I was younger, an 82 Cadillac Coupe Deville and a 1994 Toyota Supra Twin Turbo which I sold when I came to Kuwait.

The house along Gulf road was incredible, every kind of car you can imagine but what really caught my eye was the black Phantom and of course a Murcielago two of my favorite cars in the whole world. After driving the Murcielago here in Kuwait I could never have anything else. The phantom was also cool as hell to ride in but drew too much attention from people which was rather annoying.

I found out the house and car collection belonged to Suad Al-Humaidi an influential Kuwaiti business woman. Wow! I admired her for paving the way for women of Kuwait to be their own business owners and not depend on their male counterparts to help them achieve their goals. I worked at Motorola in Kuwait cityat that time and saw her black Phantom parked, I thought I could wait around and might have a chance to meet her, then I thought maybe she would think I was a stalker or something so I took a picture of her Phantom and used that as my phone's wallpaper for years.

I always look at her house when I drive by hoping to see her. Maybe I'm a dork but I just really like her for some reason. Last night on the way home back from the doctor we stopped at the light in front of her house. Her brand new white Phantom (Mashallah) had it's lights on and was ready to go. The driver and staff was waiting and I hoped the light wouldn't turn green. Out came a houskeeper and some guy and then she came out, Suad Al-Humaidi! Everyone at the light was watching her departure. She looked like the nicest lady.

Finally after 7 years of driving past her house and admiring her car collection I got to see her. If I was alone I might have stopped to say Salam but I'm afraid her security might tackle me or something. I love seeing a strong woman who (Mashallah) has everything.

Yes, I've heard many stories of how she got her money and so on but it's not how she got it but what she did with it. She is ranked #8 on the list of the world's 100 most powerful Arab women as well as 8 other Kuwaiti women.

Here is the link to the list:

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/photos/revealed--world-s-100-most-powerful-arab-women-384012.html

The list includes:

Suad Al-Humaidi #8

Maha Al-Ghunaim #13

Sheikha Al-Bahar #15

Dr. Fawzeih Al-Dorai #17

Rola Dashti #29

HH Sheikha Hessa bint Saad Al-Sabah #44

Donna Sultan #52

Riham Fouad Al-Ghanim #53

Manar Al-Hashash #54

Mabrook to the business women of Kuwait!

So if you are ever in Abu Halaifa (yeah right) look me up Ms. Al-Humaidi and I will invite you for tea with my family!