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.

Crossed my mind

Strange enough I was watching a movie when all of a sudden I remembered my friend Shams (RIP). Shams was my best friend ever since we were little girls with braids. She had asthma and we all knew about it cause it sometimes made her stay at home instead of attending a birthday party for example. We dealt with it as a normal thing and never thought it was serious, maybe because we were young and not mature enough. I was so close to her and her family. Her elder sister was so nice and was like a friend too and also her cousin. Then shams got married and traveled with her husband to Saudi Arabia and since that time I can say we separated forever. She stayed there for several years then when they decided to come back to Egypt and settle, it was our turn to leave and come here to kuwait (so ironic). I never saw her again or her family as I heard the sad news over the phone and I didn’t even have the chance to say Goodbye my friend. Shams I love you and won’t ever forget you. Forgive me for not being there with you at the hardest times.