Banegas Family by Fatima

There is a little girl down stairs... named FATIMA. She is completely sweet! She always comes upstairs to play with the kids and always gives me so much sugar!

Her parents actually let me take her places... And her older sisters take Mims out. (MIMI disclaimer: When Daddy is home, she doesn't like to leave the house but she did finally get the courage to go... ) They went to the Hello Kitty restrurant. (I may have to go see what that place is all about!)

Fatima LOVES my cupcakes! She is always asking for them and when she makes some, she brings them up! I wish I had more time because I would bake more!

Her and Mims fight like sisters... Fatima likes regular girl stuff while Mimi finds her brothers' toys far more amusing.

I walked into Mimi's room and saw this:

They call me "MAYA"... Though I am not too sure why... They have just recently started calling me "AMBER" She spelled it "MIY" LOL...

You see that she added herself to our family...

It made me laugh because she doesn't know Gustavo's name... So at first she had a question mark... then turned it into a heart!

She is so freaking cute, right?!

New Tattoos

By looking at me, people would not know that I have any tattoos. I actually like it that way!

I realized that I couldn't see any of the tattoos that I already have... So- When on vacation... I got two!

I didn't think that I was going to have the time, but we had a layover in Dallas...

This tattoo is OUR Wedding date. I really wanted this tattoo. Gustavo also has the same tattoo in the same spot:) Now he will never "FORGET" our anniversary! LOL.

(Wow- I have more freckles then I realized, gotta love FLA)

Now- This is actually a completely sweet and intimate story...

I was looking around and found a verse that I really liked...

"Love Never Fails" 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV)

I wrote it down on a sticky note and stuck it on my computer screen...

Fast Forward...

When Gustavo and I got married, the man there asked if we would like to have a scripture read, we said, "YES"

Guess what he read??? You guessed it!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV)

And his last words were, "Love Never Ends" 

So- I decided to get that as well...  in My own handwriting!

 I know that you cannot tell from the photo... But this is the inner/upper arm...

We went to a place called "Tiger Moon"

http://www.tigermoonstudios.com/

The owner (Britt) was so nice to us and even gave us a ride back to the hotel! The taxi NEVER showed! We waitied FOREVER!!! The place was super CLEAN!

OCD

I have a "thing" about having a calendar.

I have to have one! I color on it, draw on it, make notes, bill remainders, birthdays, Off days, Mark off days, goals... Pretty much EVERYTHING goes on my calendar... If I am not at work, check my calendar... where I am will be there! I even mark when the co-workers I like will return from vacation:)

This year, I ordered my calendar instead of getting it from the PX.

Having a calendar gives me some source of... Organization and sanity.. I think that is the best way to describe it. Best believe I will not forget a birthday!

Do you know about TokiDoki???

Check out my cute calendar pick for 2013~

www.tokidoki.it/

Stop Staring Clothing Line

One day I was sitting at work and I just started drawing some clothes thinking to myself, "I wonder if I could MAKE my OWN clothes???" I thought it would be super fun... And my clothes would always fit me JUST RIGHT...
Here are the drawings that came to me...
WARNING: I am NOT a professional SKETCH artist... This was just free hand, off the top.
I love the Retro look with the high waists ETC...

Well- I guess I do not have to make any of my own clothes because someone else has already made them...
http://www.stopstaringclothing.com/sunshop/

My ideas always come far too late:(

I love these dresses! But they are a bit pricey for my liking! Maybe a treat for myself every once in awhile. I will buy my first one after I drop 10 pounds.

More to Follow!
-This is how I found this brand!

I hate Kuwait when...

I try my best to be a good ROLE model... When I am out with the kids I try not to show my tail... HOWEVER, it is very difficult at times! Sometimes I want to step on those abayas... (Oppps, So Sorry!)

1. People cut me in line... (I know you see me! I am 5'9"... and PALE!!! You see me!)


2. People flash their lights at me! I have NO WHERE to go! There is a car beside me... Scotty, Please  Beam me up so I do not get RAN OFF the road!


3. Take a picture! I am NOT a freak of nature... STOP STARING! Rude!


4. I hate when people throw trash out of their windows as well... I hate how dirty Kuwait is... It is the worst when the wind is out... It doesn't matter how many guys in those ORANGE jumpsuits are cleaning the streets... It is still DIRTY!

Yes- This is life. Sometimes I get SO upset... But I cannot control others. I can just try to keep the kiddies doing the right things.

5. Where is your child's safety seat? I hate to see the kids jumping around in the car! These roads are DANGEROUS!

Another thing that I see all the time that puzzles me...
Why are the kids in the family dressed in the SAME exact outfits? There could be 4 different kids, all different ages... And they are ALL wearing the SAME outfit... Am I the only one who finds that STRANGE?

Demonstration and Sit in

  Demonstration and Sit-in – Saturday, December 15, 2012

According to media reports, there will be a demonstration and sit-in at Determination (Irada) Square in Kuwait City from the evening of Saturday, December 15 which may last until the following morning of Sunday, December 16.

An increased police and security presence is expected. 

Spontaneous and/or planned demonstrations take place in Kuwait from time to time in response to world events or local developments.  At times, even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  Avoid areas of demonstrations and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations.  Please stay current with media coverage of local and regional events. U.S. Mission personnel have been advised to continue to practice personal security awareness and we advise the U.S. citizen community to do the same.

***My Kuwaiti family downstairs told me it is best to stay in as the Police have been given the authority to use FULL force***

Sounds like a stay in Friday Movie Night is planned for me and my bears!

Recurring Demonstrations in Kuwait

Recurring Demonstrations in Kuwait

 According to media reports, there are calls for a number of recurring demonstrations and marches throughout the month of December.  Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.  An increased police and security presence may be expected during marches and demonstrations.   Please avoid areas where demonstrations occur or are planned and exercise caution if within the vicinity of any large gatherings.  Stay current with media coverage of local events, be aware of your surroundings, and practice personal security awareness at all times.  Please note that participation in demonstrations by non-citizens is against the law in Kuwait.

Demonstrations may be announced or spontaneous.  They may begin in specific neighborhoods, and then spill over to other areas. 

The Embassy will continue to provide updates as to location and time of demonstrations as information becomes available.  Please continue to monitor the Embassy’s website for the latest available information.  For the latest demonstration notice, please click here.

As of December 12, 2012, recent nighttime demonstrations have taken place in the following areas and may continue there:

·         Ahmadi

·         Al Reqa

·         Al Sabahiya

·         Fahaheel

·         Mangaf

·         Sabah Al Nasser

·         Jahra 

A separate call for afternoon marches every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday in the following neighborhoods has been made:

·         Taima

·         Sulaibiya

·         Ahmadi

U.S. citizens traveling and residing abroad should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at the following website: https://step.state.gov. U.S. citizens without internet access may enroll directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at their destination.  By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

Updated information on travel and security may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).   For further information, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution and Country Specific Information can be found.  In addition, the Embassy encourages U.S. citizens to review "A Safe Trip Abroad," which includes valuable security information for those traveling or living in foreign countries.  You can also follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and on Facebook and download our free Smart Traveler App available through iTunes and the Android market to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait.  If you are a U.S. citizen in need of emergency assistance in Kuwait, you may reach the U.S. Embassy by calling +965-2259-1001 and requesting the duty officer. 

This message may be accessed on the Embassy website, http://kuwait.usembassy.gov.

Please note that the Consular Section is closed for U.S. and most local holidays.  The current holiday schedule for 2012 is posted on http://kuwait.usembassy.gov/holidays.html