Keeping Up Appearances

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Today's children and young teens are overly concerned about their physical appearance. Society puts undue pressure on the youngsters to act and dress according to a code set by them. Failing to do so, leads to so many issues like being treated unfairly, being cast out of groups, etc.   Research has found that more children and young people have problems with their emotional health today than 30 years ago, due to a range of modern day pressures.

"I think it makes you feel better about the way you look but too much looks ridiculous,"

says a 13 year old from England about following the latest trends. Some teens follow these trends willingly but others are into it by coercion.

"Well my group isn't the most popular, but some of us do want to be. One of my friends began hanging out with the 'popular crowd' and they began asking her do stuff she didn't like. Eventually, she gave in to what was being asked to do, and the teacher found out and she got kicked out of school for two weeks. She was heartbroken that her 'friends' allowed it, and was devastated."

The above is one of the many devastating cases where teens fall victims to societal pressure. As long as the teen is in no danger of falling into the wrong crowd and destroying their life or future, they shouldn't be criticized - give an opinion instead of harsh criticism. 

Television plays an unhealthy role in affecting the teenager's self-esteem. The long-legged, skinny models and actresses make them feel worthless and that's when they develop unhealthy food and lifestyle habits. They feel the urge to dress and look like the people they see on TV and in magazines. Their self-esteem slowly drops if they don't sport the same look as their fellow peers or the models on magazine covers. Bullying is another cause for low self-esteem. Teens are tagged as, 'sluts', 'emo', 'goth', 'jocks', 'fat', etc which again compels most of them to change the way they look in an effort to 'fit in'. They also tend to spend a lot of money buying products harmful to their health just to achieve the perfect look. There is no such thing as 'perfect'. It's merely an illusion to make good people feel bad about themselves.

Teenage years are critical in human life. It's when they feel that the whole world is conspiring against them. They don't need the added pressure of all this.
On asking Safiya, a 13-year old from Surrey, what she would most like to tell her friend who fell victim to peer pressure, here's what she said:

"I would tell her to be herself and not who society wants her to be. She lost friends and respect in her 'change' and I would try and show her how much she was loved when she was herself."

On the brighter side, there are some teens who don't succumb to this pressure of keeping up appearances. 
Mia from Scotland doesn't let social conventions affect her.

"Well,I don't really stick with the trends. I, myself, am a metal head and I wear next to nothing other than black. Although, when I see people keeping up with the latest 'trends', I usually hate it. Some people just look really horrible, there are 13 year old's dressing inappropriately. Some people go shopping every weekend just to keep up. Sometimes it's really pathetic..."

It doesn't matter what size you are or how you choose to dress, or what your other tastes are as long as you're happy with it. Don't let society make you feel awful about yourself.

"Every size is beautiful, and girls should feel beautiful no matter what. They need to ignore the size 0 taunts and the bullies. FEEL BEAUTIFUL NO MATTER WHAT!" - Jasmin from Scotland.

Stay away from people you think will pressurize you to follow their way. Stand up for yourselves. Don't be a slave to modern trends and society. You're perfect with all the flaws you might think you have.  Cheers!

Unhinged

Messed up hair and a grin

With determination enough to win.

Spinning dreams high and low seeking success

A mountain of imagination.. no less.

By nature, an English geek

And for sure a sporty streak.

Wild, bright & cheery

Sprouting a weird & crazy theory.

A smile blithe & intoxicating

A voice quite unhinging

Touch so warm ever

Oh I wish you were mine forever...

What's with the pressure?

What's actually going on in schools and at homes?? Why are the students being tormented throughout the year? Why is there a swirl of suicidal thoughts in the obfuscated minds?It's all the pressure.. stress.. pressure.. Teachers and parents role in the pressure.

Teachers often threaten students with numerous consequences for failing their subject. Trip to the Princi, phone call to parents, humiliation in front of peers, imposition reaching surprising numbers..

Back home, the 2 warriors are always ready at the threshold to know how you fared in your tests and even more ready to lecture you till THEY get exhausted.

Effect on student? Depression sets in. Moodiness. Guilt. All leading to rash thoughts and attempts.

Parents expect a lot from us nowadays. But why can't they just understand that most of us do do our level best in the various fields. Everyone isn't made the same. Everyone's got the most strongest points and most weakest points, all which differ from others. Parents are at great fault when they compare the children with others. Comparing makes them feel worthless. They grow to hate the kids they have been compared with. They consider themselves a burden. Not fit to be a part of the society and that's when they turn to wrong activities.

Yes we understand that during olden times, the kids never got proper education due to lack of money and other problems. We also understand that now we have better facilities and that we should make proper use of it. But pressurising us?? We do do our very best in everything. Though we suck in calculations.. we do well in languages. The language marks make up for our abysmal math marks.

Why don't parents just try to understand that our career choice is OUR own choice? And that they shouldn't be interfering at all in the subjects and paths we choose?Engineers and Doctors is all what parents can think of making us? Just because of its high earning position in society? What's so wrong in being a photographer or a journalist or even a cartoonist? On being forced to select according to the parents choice.. the child firstly, lacking interest in that field will NEVER do well in it. Secondly, you are stealing his only chance to pursue the career of his choice. Thirdly, his happiness is extinguished.

So the question still remains.. WHY?? Don't they want us to be happy? Earn good and work with dedication? Why are scores so important? You have a wide range of choices you can make. It's your will. It's your life. It's about your happiness. Choose the right path. Don't let dejection form a barrier to your road of success. Everyone's excellent in a certain field. You know you are good in something and you also know you aren't so very good in the other. So don't let the lectures you heard let you down just because you aren't interested in something that someone else is interested in.

Keep the faith. Believe in your strongest points. And pursue for the RIGHT path. It's YOUR choice.

A wave of the wand & word of gratitude!

The HP series having ended.. with a totally awesome ending.. I would like to thank each and every Witch/Wizard/Muggle/Squib/Elf/Other magical creatures.. for their contributions!

Harry Potter,

Thanks for remaining so strong and brave when we couldn’t be.

Ron Wealsey,

Thanks for always coming back.

Hermione Granger,

Thanks for having a good heart & forgiving Ron & always being the one to the rescue.

Albus Dumbledore,

Thanks for lighting the way & choosing good over evil. A Headmaster, Hogwarts will never forget.

Fleur Delacour,

Thank you for teaching us that looks don't matter as long as you love each other.

Neville Longbottom,

Thanks for your bravery & loyalty.

Dobby,

Thanks for showing us the value of friendship & standing by Harry till the very end.

Gred & Forge,

Thanks for the memories & for the tears of laughter & fighting till the very end.

Severus Snape,

Thanks for your love & loyalty to Dumbledore and Harry. You are indeed the prince of true love.Thanks for loving Lily and being there for her son. And for the immense risks & sacrifice. Your patronus says it all. A Headmaster, Hogwarts will never forget.

Luna Lovegood,

Thanks for teaching us to be different & to be proud of it & also displaying true friendship.

Draco Malfoy,

Thank you for switching sides when it mattered the most.

Narcissa Malfoy,

Thanks for loving your son more than the power and helping Harry when it mattered the most.

Rubues Hagrid,

Thanks for having a big, loving & caring heart & for your immense loyalty towards Dumbledore.

Remus Lupin,

Thanks for showing us that it does not matter how you look or what you are, and that you still can have a shinning personality & for fighting out even though you were treated as an outcast and inspiring us. And for being a loving husband, father and forgiving Harry. And finally thanks for sacrificing for the best.

Nymphadora Tonks,

Thanks for the 'amusing' metamorphs and bringing in good cheer. And for being a inspiring the 'Auror' in us and for being a good mother & wife.

Lily Evans,

Thanks for making us understand that 'love' is just more than a feeling and for sacrificing yourself for the good of your son and others.

James Potter,

Thanks for a being a loving husband and father & for being the best Marauder ever.

Molly Weasley,

Thanks for being the most loving, concerned mother and wife anyone could ever get & inspiring us the most especially when you fought against Bellatrix over your daughter.

Arthur Weasley,

Thanks for being the best father ever & for your immense loyalty towards Dumbledore & Order of the Phoenix. And being strong despite suffering loses.

Dudley Dursley,

Thanks for revealing the little of love and not being your parents.

Kreacher,

Thanks for the food, help and loyalty towards your masters when it mattered.

Dumbledore's Army,

Thanks for standing united and fighting till the very, very end of Voldemort.

Tom Riddle aka Voldemort,

Thanks for making Harry & others what they are now.

Peter Pettigrew,

Thanks for that one moment of hesitation & realization.

Sirius Black,

Thanks for suffering for the sake of your best friends & being the best godfather & Marauder ever. And for breaking the tradition of the Blacks.

Witherwings aka Buckbeak,

Thanks for the rescue from the tower & company given to Sirius.

Rufus Scrimgeour,

Thanks for being loyal to the good side at your very end.

Augusta Longbottom,

Thanks for being the best & bravest grandmother ever & putting the Death Eaters in their right places.

Gryffindors,

Thanks for showing us that the lions can always defeat the snake. And for the bravery and valor till the very end.

Hufflepuffs,

Thanks for being loyal and supporting Harry till the very end.

Ravenclaw,

Thanks for the brains and loyalty towards Harry & the school.

Hedwig,

Thanks for being the best companion Harry got ever get.

Ginny Weasley,

Thanks for standing up to Harry & braving all your brothers. And fighting for everything you love till the very end.

Alastor 'Mad eye' Moody,

Thanks for the constant vigilance & sacrifice on your part.

Minerva Mcgonagall,

Thanks for being loyal towards your house, school & Dumbledore. And for being the best Transfiguration professor ever.

House-elfs & Goblins,

Thanks for fighting for the good side.

Horace Slughorn,

Thanks for not turning out to be a bad Slytherin & fighting till the very end.

Peeves,

Thanks for supporting us throughout Umbridge's reign & for the hilarious moments.

Filius Flitwick,

Thanks for being the best Charms master & showing loyalty towards Hogwarts.

Centaurs,

Thanks for fighting for the good side in the end.

Firenze,

Thanks for the loyalty even after getting kicked out of your herd.

Order of the Phoenix,

Thanks for the bravery, loyalty and every other aspect of a warrior while suffering immense loses & fighting till the very end.

Other magical creatures, wizards & witches,

Thanks for taking good over evil & fighting for victory.

And to Jo Rowling,

Thank you for making my childhood the best ever & giving us the inspirations & lessons.

♥

Summer Holidays - Well spent?

Here we are approaching the end of summer hols and the beginning... no wait! Its the continuation of the school term! Alas.. three months flew by like lightning... and the horror approaches rapidly!

The first day is going to bring the most detested and the most frequently asked question - "What did you do this summer vacation?"
That's right.. everyone stifle the groans and pour out your good deeds of three months... i.e. if any! =P
Here I go.. about my (well spent?) hols :

Oh mon Dieu.. the beginning of the days when the sun was at its highest peak were just so HORRIBLE! The MOEW was facing some crisis and decided to spread horror across the country by cutting of the electricity! Imagine! Temperature soaring past 50 deg. C and no AC, no fan! With most fortunate fleeing the country at a time like this.. I was left without anyone to agonizingly complain to or share the experience with.. on the phone.

And my good deeds?
Under the category of extremely good deeds comes.. doing the homework regularly, studying a teeny weeny bit.. (and promptly suffering from memory loss) :D , sitting in front of the computer with the internet on 24 hours aaaaaaaand reading a hell lot of books! Being a voracious reader, I happened to read over 50 books this summer (and spoiled my eyes extra more :/ ) which I am going to mention below :

Animoprhs # by K.A.Appelgate - 54 books in total.
(Mind you, the author is a female! )
Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Mediator # by Meg Cabot - 6 books
(An excellent read .. 'cause I read the whole series thrice.)
James Bond by Ian Fleming - 14 books in total.
Princess Diaries # by Meg Cabot - 3 books
(10 books complete the series but unfortunately I stopped at 3.)

... Thats it I guess. Totally = 79 books?

Yeah right.. that's excluding my school books you see :|

And my so called other good deeds include 'trying' to write a hilarious story, a meaningful poem and creating a digital yearbook.. all of which are incomplete due to the sudden loss of interest! :P
Thats the end of my 'booooring' holidays and now getting back to my books and jamming every piece of information in the amazing brain. :D

So long!
Wasn't that a extremely 'well spent' vacation?? ;)

Sandpiper To Bring You Joy

She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me.
She was building a sandcastle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.
"Hello," she said.
I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.
"I'm building," she said.
"I see that. What is it?" I asked, not caring.
"Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand."
That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by.
"That's a Joy," the child said.
"It's a what?"
"It's a Joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy."
The bird went gliding down the beach. "Good-bye joy," I muttered to myself, "hello pain," and turned to walk on. I was depressed; my life seemed completely out of balance.
"What's your name?" She wouldn't give up.
"Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson."
"Mine's Wendy... I'm six."
"Hi, Wendy."
She giggled. "You're funny," she said.
In spite of my gloom I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me.
"Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day."
The days and weeks that followed belong to others: a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater. "I need a sandpiper," I said to myself, gathering up my coat. The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly, but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed. I had forgotten the child and was startled when she appeared.
"Hello, Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?"
"What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.
"I don't know, you say."
"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically.
The tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is."
"Then let's just walk." Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face.
"Where do you live?" I asked.
"Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages.
Strange, I thought, in winter. "Where do you go to school?"
"I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation."
She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home.
"Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today,"
She seems unusually pale and out of breath. "Why?" she asked.
I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought, my God, why was I saying this to a little child?
"Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day."
"Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and-oh, go away!"
"Did it hurt? " she inquired.
'Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself.
"When she died?"
"Of course it hurt!!!!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.
A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.
"Hello," I said. "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was."
"Oh, yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please accept my apologies."
"Not at all -- she's a delightful child," I said, suddenly realizing that I meant it. "Where is she?"
"Wendy died last week," Mr. Peterson. "She had leukemia. Maybe she didn't tell you."
Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. My breath caught.
"She loved this beach; so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly." Her voice faltered.
"She left something for you ... if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?"
I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something, anything, to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope, with MR. P printed in bold, childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues -- a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed: A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms.
"I'm so sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," I muttered over and over, and we wept together.
The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words -- one for each year of her life -- that speak to me of harmony, courage, undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea-blue eyes and hair the color of sand-who taught me the gift of love.
NOTE: The above is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other. "The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less." Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas, can make us lose focus about what is truly important or what is only a monetary setback or crisis.
This weekend, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment, even if it is only ten seconds, and stop and smell the roses.

A Typical Day At School

"Wake up! It's 6 o'clock! The bus will be here any minute.. You'll be late! "

The usual commotion witnessed everyday (except for weekends and those 'once in a blue moon' holidays).
The still dreaming student stumbles out of the bed,makes it to the bathroom and comes out a little revived. The breakfast isn't of his choice but one glance at the woman in the apron ... the plate is empty within seconds.

Honk HONK !!
The bus...at last! Grabbing the bag, the reluctant student rushes out of the house and is soon on the way to school. Only upon arriving at the school premises does he actually wake up (both mentally and physically).
Exchange of the latest news continues till the watchman rings the bell to the announce the start of the first period. There is great deal of noise as everyone hurries to his/her seats. After much screaming from the of that day's monitor,everyone is standing and ready to for the morning prayer. Just as the prayer slowly takes life, someone glances around or deliberately does something mischievous and everyone starts giggling.
On the other hand, everyone is solemn and religious when the presence of the teacher is there.
The first period is usually fun except for Tuesdays' when everyone prays for the History teacher's soul!! :P

Getting a free period now and then means a lot of merriment. When the Arabic teacher fails to come, the 'Arabic monitor' bosses around, showing unnecessary strength. Every few seconds, some one or the other goes into a fit of laughter and when you finally open your eyes, you'll find the monitor standing in front of you, glaring, which doesn't help either! It only causes the whole class to go into fits of laughter.
Tired of laughing, someone starts a game of 'truth or dare'. Soon everyone is busy stammering out the truth or working out the dares!

The school day gradually comes to an end with great many lessons learned, a few hundred jokes cracked and everyone feeling cheery with a grin plastered on their faces.
I will tell you this...
Going to school is lots of fun... whether you like the lessons or not. But I bet you surely love being with your friends for a total of 6 hours.. don't you?!
Well..I Do.. I love doing the lessons and being with people from different backgrounds at the same time.. I can't think of anything better than this in life..( Or can I?)

P.S.( I just wrote this down.. and now I am feeling really gloomy..I just can't wait to get back to school on Tuesday!!! History period or whatever ... I am going back!!! )

The Night of the Flight

The sunlight crept through the blinded windows. The house was still fast asleep. Outside the gentle summer window blew, making the leaves of the berry tree sway in a slow rhythm. The birds chirped and somewhere a baby cried.
I woke up from a deep slumber and immediatly sat up rubbing my eyes.

"Yes! The 18th of June, atlast!" I mentally screamed.

This was the day I was waiting for. Actually I was waiting for the night, when we will be at the airport to fly to India.

I jumped out of the bed and ran towards the bathroom, yelling at my sister to wake up as I went by.

It was too late for breakfast so we had a brunch of noodles and leftover pizza from the last night.
The dishes clinked into the basin and a pair of hands hurriedly scrubbed, dried and put them away.

"Kiddos, please make sure you packed everything," Mom called over the roar of the vacuum cleaner.

We checked and rechecked everything. By the evening Dad had taped and roped all the boxes. The bags were all locked. The fridge was emptied. The new black robes (burqa) hung in the closet.
Everyone fidgeted. The flight was at 11:59 pm and we were scheduled to leave the house at sharp 9 pm immediatly after "isha" prayer.
The prayer got over, the mat was folded and put away.

"Come on, ladies,"Dad yelled from the doorway."We will get late if you don't hurry."

"Wait, wait!" cried my sister, as my Dad took one of the bags to load it into the car.

I got the burqa over my head when the telephone rang shrilly.

"Damn it," I cussed, as I ran to the hall to get to the phone, nearly tripping over the burqa in the process.

"Hello?" I nearly yelled into the phone.

"Hello..um, Is this Ruby?" a timid voice squeaked over the other end.

I grinned. It was a friend.

" Yeah it is."

"Hey, I called to wish you a happy and safe journey. Take care..and ooh, you seem to be in a hurry. Bye...see you!" she spoke hurriedly as my mother's angry voice carried over the pandemonium, telling me to put down the phone and get ready.

" Yeah, thanks...Bye ..ciao!" I hastily answered and replaced the phone back on the set.

Finally after about 15 minutes of utter confusion, everyone was ready and everything was in order.

The lights were switched off, the gas turned off and house securely locked.
We stepped out of the gate into the hot summer night.

We got into the car ( one of Dad's friends had offered to drop us off at the airport) and set off.

After what seemed a long ride we arrived at the airport. Goodbyes were said and we trooped inside the cool airport. The air around us was electric with excitement. We passed through the customs and everything.

At the luggage check-in an unexpected disaster(?) nearly took place.
The man in charge told us that our luggage weight exceeded the limit and we might have to pay KD 100 fine.

Dad's face was unreadable.

Mom's eyes widened.

I and sis exchanged nervous glances.

The man did something on the computer.

My sister's fist clenched and unclenched.

I shuffled my feet, silently praying to God to help us.

God heard and answer came that we don't have to pay.

Dad looked relieved. Mom shook her head. Me and sis exchanged gleeful looks and silent high-fives.

The rest of the way to the boarding area we grinned and joked.

It was a bit windy. A strong gust of wind blew and my sister nearly fell from the stairs leading to the plane.
I caught her just in time and started giggling uncontrollably. Mom threw me a disapproving look and sis grinned sheepishly.

(Hey, It's not my fault! I was feeling very gleeful about the whole trip and I guess the wind tickled my funny bone!)

We boarded the plane. Yay! Finally! I scampered over to get the window seat while my sister glared. Hehe!

The Captain spoke. Safety instructions were issued. Seat belts clicked together and we all waited with bated breath.

Boy! I love take-off's. I love the way the plane starts moving slowly on the runway and bit by bit gains speed and finally with a deafening roar , launches into the air.

In a short time we were in the air.

Its a 3 hour flight to Bombay. We watched Om shanti Om. After that I dozed off. When my eyes finally opened the sunlight was pouring in through the shuttle windows. The Captain was announcing that we will be soon landed at the airport. I peered out of the window and saw the water covered areas and the green here and there. My heart lifted with joy.

Hip hip hooray!! We reached!!

I wanted to get up and dance!

We landed and went off to get the luggage.

The crows cawed and cool wind blew.

Aah..! *grins*

What happened next?

Click here.

Discovering Kuwait's South

Tribal clusters in some areas, urban hadar in others. Apartment buildings along the coastal areas with expensive rent, apartments overlooking the Arabian Gulf equipped with gyms, wi-fi-, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and underground parking lots contrasted with closed areas packed with shabby apartment buildings and old shopping centers.

Despite its small size, Kuwait is unique in the way that its population is scattered around its areas. Take Al-Ahmadi, for example, Kuwait's southern governorate. Al-Ahmadi, which is spread over more than 5,000 kilometers south of Kuwait City, is home for Kuwait's most active oil wells. It also houses the head offices of many of Kuwait's petroleum companies, as well as the suburbs of Khairan, Dhuba'iya, and Bnaider and the coastal chalets areas close to Wafra, which is famous for its farms. {Al-Ahmadi}

Ahmadi residents are mainly tribal Kuwaitis, especially from Al-Ajmi tribe. The governorate is perhaps Kuwait's most conservative area as the majority of the expats and nationals who live there are very conservative. It also houses many Shiite Muslims and many Christians, who practice their traditions very freely, but who are outnumbered by Sunni Muslims. In terms of nationality, the governorate's residents are a mixture of Kuwaitis, Western and Asian expatriates, Arabs and GCC citizens, especially Saudis.

The residential areas that fall under Al-Ahmadi governorate are: Ahmadi, Fahaheel, Sabahiya, Hadiya, Riqqa, Ogaila, Umm Al-Hayman, Mahboula, Fintas, Mangaf, Jaber Al-Ali, and Dahar, in addition to the recently completed Fahad Al-Ahmad area, which lies between Riqqa and Sabahiya on Road 40.

Fahaheel, a small town that's the closest thing to a city the governorate, was - and still is - the biggest mall area in the governorate. Best known for its fish market, which has now been replaced by Al-Kout mall that overlooks the Arabian Gulf, Fahaheel bustles with many shopping centers, big malls, restaurants and small shops that sell low-priced merchandise.
{Al Kout,Fahaheel}

The other coastal residential areas in the governorate - Mahboula, Fintas and Mangaf - also lie on the Fahaheel Highway but lack attractions; they have a handful of beach resorts and a hotel, but they mainly consist of apartment buildings and a few restaurants, with no markets or shopping centers except for co-ops which only provide the consumer with food items and household necessities.

Coastal areas are a big attraction for western expatriates and some Kuwaiti families. Due to the great distance between these areas and Kuwait City and the country's major attractions, the rent rate for coastal areas is lower there than in the areas close to the City.

THE HISTORY

Ahmadi governorate is most famous for the Ahmadi residential area, which is a town built on a slope and is most famous for its greenery and architecture. The area was built in the 1940's by British expatriates who came to Kuwait with their families when oil was first discovered in Kuwait. The town was divided into streets, avenues, and many roundabouts, more than any of Kuwait's other residential areas

Salwa Al-Bloushi, a 57-year old Kuwaiti who was born, raised, and still lives in Ahmadi talked to the Kuwait Times about the development she has witnessed in the area from her childhood until today. She explained that the British who ran the oil companies gave houses to the local employees, but the latter were still segregated from the British. "They lived in the Northern parts of Ahmadi, which is now still resided by the employees of the Kuwait Oil Company. We lived near the souk in an area that was called colloquially the 'Arab Village'.

She explains that the crescent-shaped souk historically offered far more facilities than it does now. "There was a butcher, a small abattoir that sold chicken, a store that sold fresh fish, a big supermarket that brought fresh fruits every morning, a baker, an Indian restaurant, a tailor, a readymade clothes store, a jeweler. You never needed to leave Ahmadi; whatever you wanted, all you had to do was just cross the street and you'd find all that your heart desired," she said.

" At night, the souk was guarded by officers who stayed vigilant until sunrise. She added that there were officers who rode horses, and were centered especially in the north where the British oil company employees lived. Two recreation centers, complete with swimming pools, tennis courts, swings, hockey fields, and a golf course, were built in northern Ahmadi, as well as two churches, one Husseiniya [a Shiite mosque] and many Sunni mosques. The houses had the transformation from Ahmadi's beautiful old styleto the current one began as the British expatriates began to leave Kuwait; the new residents did not know how to look after the place well.

They [the British oil company employees] built something out of this slope that is really beautiful and looked like it was in a Mediterranean country, not in the Gulf. From the window of my house now, I can see the main street where the entrance to Ahmadi is. My husband and I planted this garden, on Kuwaiti soil with fruits and vegetables that you wouldn't think can grow in Kuwait. We grew strawberries, watermelons, oranges, carrots, corn, tomatoes, lettuce, and a lot more than that in our garden. The waythe houses are organized, the way they soil is used for greenery makes this place the most beautiful in all of Kuwait for me, certainly the most beautiful. "

STOP THE WASTAGE!!

We are now in the 21st century,the world around us has changed. New technologies have been introduced. More resource consumption is taking place due to increase in the population.
Look around yourself...or rather at yourself .How many times have you -- scribbled a few lines on a paper and then crumpled it and zooomm...thrown it into the bin? Kept the lights on unnecessarily? Kept the tap open while brushing or doing the dishes? HOW MANY TIMES??
Did you ever give it a thought that these careless actions of yours will one day lead to disaster?
No, I don't think you have. Atleast majority of people don't think they are supposed to save the resources.
Now what are resources?
A resource is anything that has value and utility. They categorized into different groups that range from natural to man-made resources. For instances, the water you drink;the paper you write on; and even the technology you are using to read this, is considered a resource.
Why should we save resources?
We should save them for our future use...for the use of the future generations. If we use up all the resources now, what will be left for the future generations???
People ( yes, that includes me too) waste things without giving it much thought. Fuel is a non-renewable resource which is on the brink of getting exhausted. It takes millions of years for the fuel to get renewed again. If we overuse it now...what will we do later ?
Trees are being cut down to accomadate the growing population. Water to is being polluted and wasted. Many places in India are now facing water scarcity because of this. The increased number of vehicles and factories pollute the air which in turn causes global warming.
The ice in the polar regions melts and the ocean level rises which submerges the low-lying coastal areas. The polar region ice is melting faster now. The ozone layer has holes in it because of the chemicals in the air and the UV rays of sun come in which results in the global warming.
Even if you don't care about the future , atleast stop and think about those poor innocent animals , who are suffering because of our actions...

Preventation of wastages and overuse is possible!!
Here are some ways-

• Walk or cycle instead of using your car (It will get off all that extra fat..:P) . Carpool or take a bus for long journeys.
• Switch of the lights and fans when not in use.Try to do all the reading and writing part in the morning so that you don't have to use your lamp at night.
• Turn off the engine at the red lights or places where you have to wait.
• Use both sides of paper.
• Remember the 3 R's - Reuse, Recyle and Reduce.
• Don't waste water.Keep taps closed while brushing. Use a damp cloth to wash your car instead of hosing it down. Fix your leaking tap TODAY!
• Last but not the least, spread this message to everyone you know. Make them AWARE...

One small action on your part can make a huge difference...

START NOW ....