4 I O in Q8

I was having an open day yesterday at my home to sell our furniture, household items, kitchenware, silverware, etc… It was very weird. I had mixed feelings. This wasn’t my first time to organize an open day, but this time it was different, totally different, even though the whole procedure was the same.

We came to Kuwait twelve years ago while my daughter was still a baby. Both my children grew up here and even their teenage hardest stage was also witnessed here. All our good times as well as hard times were here. Kuwait to me and to my children is our second home town, we really love living here and I would do anything just to stay here and I’ve done it before, but this time it’s different. Everything is different, everything is strange and weird, I just don’t get it. However, there’s nothing to be done and we never know whats best for us. I just hope that my kids cope well with the changes and challenges ahead of us. 

Now that all the feelings are mixed up, I started thinking of my journey here and it was like a movie in front of my eyes. I started seeing all that happened to me during the past years, who I met, who I worked with, who were my real friends and who had a real impact on me and the image of four persons popped up in front of me. Yes there are four who I really owe deeply within my journey or stage or chapter in my life.

The first one is Mrs Soheir, my previous neighbour who was like a mother to me during my first four years in Kuwait. At that time I knew no one and didn’t know anything about the country or the people. She was of great help. She taught me everything, gave me a hand and was always there for me. I remember when my car was completely ruined after an accident, she gave me her car to use so that I can go to work everyday for two full weeks. Even though her car was like her third baby, yes she used to clean it herself and take good care of it, but she didn’t hesitate to lend it to me. Oh just remembering all that, it brought a smile to my sad face, oh I love that lady and I will truly miss her and her kindness. I hope she reads this one day. 

Second is my friend Mallika, or if I may say “Angel Mallika”. Oh God, how blessed I am to have known and met such an angel. A true kind person who thinks of others rather than herself, who is always giving and never expecting anything in return. I knew Mallika through work, she taught me a lot. Even though she was so strict at work and straight forward and only works works works and never wastes time or chit chat with others, but she was kind to me and helped me while working with her and even when I left work. She found me another job in just three days. She is a dear sincere friend and we were also neighbors living on the same street. Mallika never stopped surprising me with all the good deeds towards the community. She has a Big Loving Caring HEART. She always supported me and giving me the best advice even relating to my health and body and business. May God Bless you my friend. 

Third one I owe is my dearest friend Amal or I must say “sister” not just a friend. How on Earth can I describe this warm hearted person who stood beside me all the time. I never felt I’m a stranger here, not as an expatriate like the rest. Amal and all her family members starting with Ghadeer her sister and mine too, her mother, father, brothers, grandmother and aunts, they all treated me as one of them as well as my family too. They were there for me during bad times, really bad times (not to mention the bad experience). They helped me a lot to stand back on my feet. I stayed at their home for more than a month and I was not treated as a guest, it was my home and I was among my family. Amal did her best to fulfill my dream of coming back to Kuwait several years ago. She went out of her way and stood beside me regardless I was right or wrong. She bared my terrible mood sometimes and was always pushing me forward. Till now she is still standing beside me. Now I’m thinking what have I done for her and how can I pay her back! I simply love my two sisters Amal and Ghadeer and I can’t think of leaving them and I don’t wish to part. I am a normal, happy, lively, natural person when I am with them. I don’t have to show off or pretend or dress up, I simply be me in front of them. I hope we can see each other regularly offshore. This won’t be easy. 

Last but not least, the fourth person I owe is Mimi and her team. I don’t call myself a close friend to her but I really thank God that I had the chance to know such a personality and get to know her and work with her closely not just when I was a vendor at Shakshooka Market but also at the Secret Garden Project. Mimi simply changed my life, Really. I started looking to life with a different prospective. I got to know a lot about the food industry but not all who can cook is a chef. I could have gone to other food markets but without learning anything new and some of them don’t care about hygiene . Till now I’m learning from her and I wish to have my own garden at my hometown and maybe I can start an Egyptian Shakshooka or even collaborate together. I started a healthy diet now and I have a healthy menu for customers and all that’s because of Mimi. I have to admit that I always depended on my husband for cooking and that I didn’t like to cook, but now I love my kitchen and love searching for new healthy recipes over the net. I’m honored that she likes one of my treats. 

I simply love her way of thinking, her different concept, her initiatives as well as her warm heart. I wish I’d known her earlier. I will miss her and the whole team and of course the garden, my favorite getaway kinda place. We had so many beautiful mornings together with Mimi, her mother Alaa (Big Kind Sweet Heart and soul), the Grandmother, Lubna (another beautiful person I wished I’ve known earlier), Yusra with her adorable daughter, Dana and Waleed of course. I carry with me so many nice memories from the garden, memories that I won’t ever forget. 

Thank you all for all your love and caring. Thanks for being special people in my journey and I really owe you big time. Love you all.

Shakshooka Market’s Birthday

Yesterday we celebrated the second birthday of Shakshooka Market at the Secret Garden. It was an event not to be missed. It was great to see more shakshookian members in the garden after some time.  Our customers and friends were surrounding and supporting us. Great weather, perfect musicians, delucious cake, happy faces, awesome food, excellent vibe, what else do anyone need to have fun? Perfecto indeed  

             

Saturday Night Lights

I was still sick yesterday but my husband encouraged me to go to the Saturday Night Lights at the Secret Garden. I’m so happy that we went although I was a bit tired but it was worth it. I will post some pics for u to see for yourself how fun it was.

Merry Christmas

Wishing all my friends and followers all over the world a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year🎅🎄🎁🎉

In only five days

I’m here in Cairo Egypt for a very short trip as mentioned before. What can I do in only five days? I can’t see all my family and friends. I came for my cousin’s wedding and now it’s time to see all whom I love and miss. First thing to do was going to Tarnim’s open day at the fifth district early Friday and passed by our new apartment there as well. I saw my parents at the wedding and ever since my mum became sick and can’t see her. I didn’t even get the chance to give her the makeup she asked for. I went to the club twice till now and saw some of my friends and tonight I’m meeting my school mates. We will even surprise our friend lulu with an early surprise birthday as I won’t be here to celebrate it after five days. As for tomorrow I am invited at Eman’s house for a small gathering with her sister and another friend who I didn’t see in ages. Oh I really miss our old day gatherings. However, A member of the family passed away last week and I have to go pay my condolences to his wife and children. I still need to go visit my aunt whom I didn’t get the chance to see last summer. Above all that, my kids have their outings too and I have to coordinate. My god, days run so quickly here and I didn’t accomplish all what was on the list.

Going to Egypt

My cousin is getting married in Egypt in three weeks. I didn’t attend his engagement party as we weren’t there at that time, but now I have to attend the big day. I’m so excited and can’t wait to go. My children are coming with me too, but taking them with me is a bit worrying me as I wanted to spend time with my friends. They don’t have friends there unfortunately and I can’t just keep them at home; it’s their holiday as well. So I really have to make a list of places to visit for them as well. I really hope we all enjoy our holiday there. If it was a bit longer, I could have taken them to Luxor and Aswan, but it’s only five days. Whatever! We will make the best out of it inshallah.

Brunch in the Secret Garden

So we had our first Brunch in the Secret Garden last Saturday. Mimi cooked Greek Eggs with fresh herbs that we planted in the garden. Yousra baked yummy cake that unluckily me didn’t have the chance to try this time as it was sold out quickly. Mo and I cooked our delicious Egyptian foul that also was sold out in no time and I prepared some of my vegan healthy bites as well as fresh juice. It was a lovely day and the weather was surprisingly amazing. The crowd was happy and having fun. Kids were enjoying the gardening procedure and the Kuwaiti TV was interviewing them. Lovely Saturday indeed with family and friends in the open air. Hope we do it again soon.

Eid yummies

Good Morning and Happy Eid everyone. I have a new obsession nowadays which is trying to cook/bake any recipe I see on the Internet or in other blogs. So yesterday night I did a new dessert which is healthy and vegan at the same time. I did it instead of the regular Eid ka7k which is so fattening. It turned out to be just perfect and sweet enough without adding sugar.

As for today, the first day of Eid and while we all woke up early, I thought of making a nice different breakfast and voila I did Benedict eggs with sausages instead of bacon. My hubby liked it and so did my children. It was really yummy.

Eid Adha

So it’s Eid Adha after two days and we have nine days off. Wishing you all a happy Eid. I’m not traveling anywhere but my friend is visiting from Egypt and I’m so excited.

Lavicka Cafe

I know I wrote a review about Lavicka Cafe before, the one in Burj Jassem but this time it’s not a review about the regular daily menu. Oh no, it’s about their special preparation and organization for a special Birthday Party.

We surprised our friend Mai and celebrated her belated birthday there. The owner of the cafe was so nice and took care of the event from A to Z. The variety of canapés, savory, mini sandwiches, small tarts and chocolates were more than delicious and not to mention the presentation itself of course. Everything was presented in elegant sophisticated trays and stands from Tabletop which is also located in Burj Jassem. The flowers were placed in lovely colorful vases. Then the custom-made cake was just amazing and beyond expectations. All this and I haven’t told you yet that the cafe isn’t just a normal one surrounded by four walls, but it’s rather like a hanging garden with real trees and plants. We had such a great time and I truly recommend all our friends to have their parties there and they also cater outside and do showers and receptions. Thank you Lavicka for a great night.