All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible.
T.E. Lawrence

So I go to bed around 12, I lay there staring at the ceiling thinking about how my day went, what I did, what I forgot to do, the places I went, the people I saw, if I wronged anyone. Then I look at the clock and it's 3 am and I'm still unable to sleep. So I get out of bed, start painting/reading whichever feels right at the time. 

I haven't been sleeping for a while... Insomnia's back, worse then usual, this time it's no sleep at all. So I basically spend most of my time day dreaming since I can't actually sleep to dream! But, it's ok. I've been using my time wisely :D 

I just finished high school forever! So it was kind of helpful being able to stay up and study. And i'm back to reading and painting like a maniac! I know the last post was upsetting but I'd like to thank everyone that took the time to read it, comment, or post it! Thank you all! Il7amdillah 6ayooba is much better now. Allah y3afee Meebo it's like miracle cream! Ok, back to the dreams topic! What's the last dream you had? Are you a dreamer of the day or night? Please share! I'm interested in reading what you have to say

My Experience at Benihana’s

The experience i’m talking about is not food related. It’s about what happened Thursday when my Mother, my baby sister (a 5 year old), and I went there for a late lunch. After we were done eating, my little sister had to use the restroom so my mom took her to the one in Benihana. When she was walking out she was leaning on the wall to step off the mini steps when her hand got jammed into the bathroom door.

She instantly started screaming because the bathroom door kept moving and pressing on her hand. My mom had to hold the door and lift her because every time she or the door moved, it would crush her hand. I heard them screaming so I ran and tried to get her hand out but we couldn’t. I called the manager for help and the entire Benihana staff came (everyone from the chef, to the waiters) and just watched.  Their only decent attempt at helping was when I asked the waiter to bring oil so we could try to get her hand to slip out (failed attempt).

We asked them to call for help (paramedics, and the emergency crew) they said they would but not one of them did. My mother was crying because it had been about 15 minutes and no help came. The door was slightly open and at the time I was the only person that could slip through without having it move so I did. I went to the other side and I saw her fingers.

They were an abnormal color (bluish purple) due to the fact that her blood circulation was cut off. I honestly thought they were going to have to amputate her hand and I just burst out crying. The best I could do was get her thumb out.

Then... one of the waiters threw a chopstick at me... Another one tried to get in but he couldn’t fit through the door so the door moved crunching on my sisters fingers. Another waiter walks in with a huge knife (i’m guessing it’s for cutting fish) and goes ‘don’t worry I will get you out’. My sister is already screaming and crying from the pain, she sees the knife, then passes out. She only gained consciousness when the door moved again to scream out.

25 minutes later no one showed up so my mother told me to get her bag and she called for help. Two minutes later a team of paramedics came, and managed to get her hand out . My mother was basically in tears, and the Benihana staff was just staring... As though watching a movie. Then we learned from the paramedics and from the person we talked to on (112) that no one in Benihana bothered to call for help. The paramedics wrapped her hand and then we rushed her to the E.R. There we learned from the doctor that her hand was not broken, only fractured (il7amdillah). 

The paramedics, 112 person, and the avenues police department were all kind enough to call and check up on what happened. As for the Benihana people... nothing! I tried to get the owner in Kuwait’s number through their facebook page and website but no one would give it to me.

I have never been more upset and angry. I understand that the staff are not medical people or locksmiths but when they neglect to do something as simple as call for help... it’s just appalling and immoral!  We aren't sure what to do and what procedures to take. Right now, we’re all just thankful that my sister’s ok. 

(her hand after she got it treated)

My Blog Is Carbon Neutral

“My blog is carbon neutral” is an initiative, originally started in Germany by the “Make it Green” programme, that has the goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We plant a tree for your blog and thereby neutralise your blog’s carbon footprint for the next 50 years! Everyone can make a small contribution to the environment. Every tree counts!"

Seeing as we are all active members of this planet, we should make an effort to give back! How? Simply add this badge to your blog and the 'Make it Green' program will plant a tree in contribution to your effort! 

(I added mine to the bottom left side of my blog)

Let's make our blogs environmentally friendly zones! :D

The Nameless Post

The past three days have been pretty cool. I went to the Downtown Expo, took our grad pictures for the yearbook, and finally swapped the 'Pay it forward' gift with Justnoon! :D

First, I'm going to cover the Downtown Expo. The booths were Awesome! And everyone did a great job! I loved the diversity from food, to fashion, to healthcare. I have to admit though, it was also a flirt show :P

One of my favorite things at the expo was this pink bug! (below) It was so cute! Reminded me of Herbie fully loaded. (I turn 18 in three months.. ehem Dad, I know you're reading this). So seeing as 18 is when you get your license, i'll need a car. And oh! look! The pink bug just happens to be a car (put two and two together) :P Ok, so I probably wouldn't want to drive it around seeing as it's such a showcase but it is cute!

Another booth I loved was the Rabbit Band boutique. Their logo/picture was adorable and there was this little girl selling/modelling with her mom and it was just really cute! Although I loved the bands, I didn't but one because my friend makes them and that customer loyalty thing kicked in.

Moving on!

On Saturday, Noon and I exchanged the Pay it Forward gifts. She was nice enough to stop by for the trade and she gave me... Chocolates! with marshmallows on the inside and they were delicious! Thank you Noon!:** There were actually two cups of chocolates but I ate the first one :P 

And last! But definitely not least. Were the grad yearbook pictures! :D I almost started crying!

This week looks like it's going to be a good one (il7amdillah)

Aaaaaaaaand... In one week, I went from 32 followers, to 43. This is a shout out to all my readers, and followers. I love you all!!! :D Even the ones that don't comment. And if theres anything you want me to post about, or if any of you want to be guest writers, feel free to ask! :D

Kuwait University - Guest Speaking

As I said in my previous post, I was asked to be a guest speaker at Kuwait University for the Introduction to Mass Communication class. I got to lecture/discuss/talk to two classes and it was just a really cool experience for me! The best part was seeing this on the wall really big! 

Seriously I started doing a happy dance when I saw it :P

At first, I was freakishly nervous and I honestly didn't have anything planned out. I kinda just planned on showing up and talking about whatever came to mind.

 The first group was a morning class and they were extremely responsive which was awesome! We talked about how the media  sends messages and affects peoples opinions and how people only know what they see and base their knowledge using that. The post we discussed was the one about the accusation of arab/muslim women being opressed. http://sunshinekuwait.blogspot.com/2011/05/muslim-women-opressed-are-we.html

Then, we discussed Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and You-tube (the different types of social media)  and how they're an easy way for people to send out their messages and be heard world wide. 

So yeah that was pretty cool! :D

The second class however, was during the evening and I was asked to talk in Arabic.  Just to make one thing clear, I talk Arabic semi-perfectly buuuuuut... I always mix in English. So talking in full Arabic was extremely challenging and I found myself choking on words. Everyone was tired by then so there basically was no discussion or conversation when I was finished. The second group was kinda disappointing but hey! You win some you lose some. And they looked pretty worn out so I can't blame them. 

I'm very thankful for being given that experience and I honestly learned a lot from it!

*I need to learn better Arabic, and public speaking skills.

*I got college advice for next year from the girls :P

*KU is a freaking fashion show. I walk into the College of Business and I swear to God there's a freaking red carpet on the floor (for a ma3rath) And the girls are strutting in full make up and high heels.

*The College of Law is a completely different world then the College of Business

Aaaaaaaaand most importantly:

*Never ever ever NEVER use your lap top to talk to people on Facebook chat or msn when going to speak because there always is a slight possibility that your laptop might be screening on a giant wall where everyone can see it :) I honestly can't go anywhere without ever embarrassing myself . Good thing i'm used to it :P

And another thing. I would like to take a minute to thank Viva for presenting my dad with this awesome gift, a Bubble Forest! It only needs to be watered twice a year and rotated once a month. Pretty cool isn't it! My dad is a gardening fan so he was really happy about it! And when my parents are happy, it brightens my day so thank you! :D 

Zain Social Media Event

Today was pure Epicnesssssss! I just got home and decided to post about it now since it's all fresh in my mind and I'm bound to forget most of it if I wait.

First, I go to school, and there aren't enough people to have an actual class so we basically just sat and did nothing which was euphoric because I kinda sorta have my final exams happening now :D

Then, I went to the Blogger Event at GUST! It was intense and I was shaking (literally) from the overload of Awesomeness in the room! All (almost) my favorite bloggers were there, so it was a good thing I didn't have to be carried out of the place on a stretcher due to a heart attack!
We were graced with the presence of:
*His and Hers
*P0ach
*Hi Kuwait
and even though she didn't talk, I found out that I was sitting next to..
*Ansam518!

(Sorry for the bad quality of the picture but I was trying to take it discreetly with my phone- which ended as a fail because of the sound of the flash but it's all good!)

I went with thecoolestperson-ever (my mother)! And at first, we were going to leave because they started an hour later and of course- the boredom kicked in, but.... I'm glad we didn't! 

The bloggers all shared their stories and advice making the it worth the wait.

Then the floor was open for questions and I just about felt like kicking myself for not asking anything because I felt like I was going to explode from everything I wanted to ask. Yes I'm outgoing and talkative but sometimes I get shy (I honestly don't know how it works but that's the way it is).

I did say hi to Ansam, and talk to His and Hers (which by the way happen to be one of the most genuinely nicest people there). I felt my face turn different shades of red but I'm glad I got to say hello. However, I didn't get to talk to P0ach or Hi Kuwait, but I really wanted to and I had loads of questions! :P

One topic that I really thought about was Twitter.

All three bloggers said that it was a good way to interact with their readers And actually get more readers. 

That got me thinking... Should I make a Twitter account for my blog?

I personally don't have one but I'm considering making one just for my blog. Thoughts?

Aaaaaaaaaand! To top it off, Apparently I'm going to be a guest speaker at Kuwait University because of my last post. I'll update you on how that works out. 

Peace Out! (or in) :D

Muslim Women Opressed? Are We?

Anyone interested in reading about women in Islam, feel free to read The Status of Women In Islam through this link.

After reading a blog post about The Hijaab and Muslim women, It was brought to my attention that many people misunderstand the purpose of why we chose to cover ourselves. Many other blogs and sites I read that talked about Muslims had comments like
'but in the name of religion and tradition they still treat women as some sort of animal rather than a 
person'
'Reports of Islam’s abuse and oppression of women is making people take a stand against Islam’s radicalism,'
'Muslim men are barbaric, oppressive, terrible people.”


And then a comment I got that will remain anonymous
'@r.alsharif- Sorry if I had hurt your sentiments. As I said you respect your culture and tradition , ask me to do same if I step into yours, not in "Land of the free and home of the brave".
And about educating myself, I think I know enough to make comment I guess you need to check your Quran again. And one more if any man kills any other human being (jihad) for blasphemy then he would be awarded with 100s of hooris(virgins) in his afterlife. Dont tell me that this too doesnt exist.' 

Yeah, she did a great job of respecting my culture and religion. We were talking about the Hijab so I have no idea why she changed the subject to Jihad. Which by the way she misunderstood.


First, I would like to say that I understand why many people think that Muslim women are oppressed. It's all because of the media and what they choose to see. 
The purpose of the hijab is for a Muslim woman to dress modestly and cover her hair. Muslim women do not wear the hijab for men, we wear it for ourselves. When a girl chooses to wear the hijab, it is an act between her and God. NO ONE else has the right to get involved. That's why some Muslim girls don't wear the hijab, because they simply chose not to. It is a religious act that not all women take a part of. 
Some people say why wear the hijab... well why not?
 What's wrong with being modest and conservative? Why is it that when a woman chooses to be conservative, she's labelled as oppressed? What about the women that sell their bodies, or the ones that are ok with being naked on tv? Isn't it their choice? Are they oppressed too?

Many other religions require females to cover their hair and dress modestly but I don't see them being put on trial. A Nun can be covered from head to toe to devote herself to God but a Muslim women that dresses modestly is opressed?

A Muslim girl usually wears the hijab when she hits puberty. I admit, I'm not the most devoted Muslim out there and who am I to preach. But after reading a lot of things that basically called me oppressed... I got pissed off! 
I spent my childhood in the U.S.  and I always wanted to wear the Hijab but my mother wouldn't let me. I came to Kuwait, and when it was time to wear it, I chose not to and my parents were fine with my choice. But after Islam class, we were discussing the hijab and that got me thinking. After about a month, I decided to wear it. The first thing I noticed was that when I would talk to people, they would look directly in my eyes or my face instead of anywhere else. It was intense at first having people actually pay attention to what I had to say and not get distracted by anything else, but now it's the norm and I expect nothing less.

As for Muslim men being barbaric, oppressive, and terrible people. Seriously? My Father is a Muslim man and he is nothing but kind and supportive. He taught me to read. He taught me to ride a bike. And most importantly, he taught me to stand up for myself and speak my mind.  I don't see that as barbaric or oppressive at all. 
And about Muslim men beating their wives, abuse is an issue that happens worldwide regardless of culture or religion.  Stereo typing our men isn't doing them justice. 

 I'm really glad that I got that all off my chest. Now, I'm going to leave you my lovely readers with pictures of beautiful Muslim women world wide wearing the hijab. As you can see, even though they wear the hijab, they are still expressive in their choice of clothes! :D 

To end it off on a good note, i'm going to leave you with one of my favorite quotes.

As Madonna once said, 'express yourself, don't repress yourself'