La7tha Shway

Al-Shaya card

2011-09-28T14:44:00.007+03:00

I like the new Al-Shaya card system. While in a shopping spree last weekend, I purchased an article of clothing from one of the many Al-Shaya retail shops and changed my mind about it once I got home. When I checked the receipt I was surprised to see that they don't allow refunds, but I can have it added as credit to an Al-Shaya card. When I went back to the shop the next day, the sales lady explained to me that I can add the amount of the returned item to this card and I can use the money to purchase anything from ANY of the Al-Shaya owned shops within a time-frame of one year. Amazing! I can also use this card as a gift card by adding any amount of money to it and giving it to someone as a present. I love that idea! There are so many options to choose from!

Among my favorite Al-Shaya shops are: Kiehl’s, Boots, MAC, Debenhams, H&M, TopShop, and River Island.

Hi..

2011-09-27T19:54:00.001+03:00

My name is a la Mocha..

And I am a Cheerios addict.

I luv luv luv the honey one!

I heart winter

2011-09-21T09:19:00.002+03:00

The weather is moving in a downwards slope. I’ve been paying attention to the temperature in my car every morning at 7 am . It started out last week as 35. Then 33. Then 33 again. Then 32. And this morning it was 32 again. Today is September 21 so it makes sense that we’re experiencing cool weather in the early mornings and at night, although our weather doesn’t always make sense.

Am so looking forward to winter. Looking forward to my weekends and waking up in the morning to go for an outdoor breakfast or brunch. Love those days. Winter in Kuwait is so energizing. It seems like we hibernate indoors almost 7 months out of the year so when it’s cool outside I just wana do as many outdoorsy things as possible.

One of my favorite breakfast spots in Kuwait during the winter is Soug Al-Mubarkiya. My friends and I go there and have yummy chai oo 7aleeb on fa7am and f6eer mishaltit with 7aloom/olives and gaimar/3asal. #YUM! Then after we eat and chill, we usually go around walking and checking out the little shops with nik-naks, herbs, perfumes etc. #Goodtimes

Hopefully by next month the outdoors will be possible and pleasant. Until then, enjoy our so-called "autumn" season. :p

Who knew?

2011-09-17T15:28:00.009+03:00

I was just backing up my iPhone and going through my photo albums when I came across some pics my friends and I took during our New Year’s day brunch this year. It was exactly 8 months and 17 days ago. I saw a pic of my best friend who was single back then but is married now. I couldn’t help but think of how fast things in life can change. One minute you’re one place and the other minute you’re somewhere else. In a matter of months (days even) a person’s life could transform out of the blue. 8 months and 17 days ago, she had no idea that she’d be where she is today. Who knew? 8 months and 17 days ago, I thought I’d be somewhere else today, but am not. Who knew?

#Life.. so unexpected.

The wisdom of wisdom teeth

2011-09-13T23:20:00.000+03:00

I used to think that wisdom teeth were useless. I was never taught, I never heard, and I never read anything about their significance until last year. I was in a domestic flight during my India trip from Mumbai to Delhi and while flipping through an English local newspaper, I found an article talking about how wisdom teeth are a new found source of stem cells. I remember thinking "YES!" Thank God I still have 3 left in my mouth.

The article stated that "international studies conducted with stem cells extracted from a wisdom tooth have shown tremendous promise in regenerating damaged bones, cornea and cardiac muscles." Apparently, stem cells are the IT thing in the future for curing all sorts of disease. I even heard that they can somehow help with the aging process. Can it be that my wisdom teeth are my fountain of youth? It seems I may have to pay India another visit to store one of my wisdom teeth in their dental stem cell bank.

Link to the article here.

ShoooSh كله من

2011-09-13T15:48:00.000+03:00

Starting a business

2011-09-09T11:58:00.002+03:00

One of my goals is to start my own business one day. What’s delaying me is that I still haven’t found that GREAT and INNOVATIVE idea; the one that I’d be passionate about and that will be unique & competitive. Ideas pop up in my head every now and then, but still.. None of which is THE ONE.

I’m trying to organize my thoughts to think clearly. In doing so, I made a couple of points to organize my chain of thought and to better explore my options:

I have 2 product options:

1) Tangible product and 2) Service product

I have 2 approaches for the product:
1) Franchise and 2) Original concept

If I go with the ‘Tangible product’ + ‘Original concept’ combo, then I have 2 strategy options:
1) Local supplier and 2) International supplier

I also have 3 business life-span options:
1) One-time thing, 2) Occasional thing, and 3) Long-term thing

Moreover, I have 3 selling-point options:
1) Physical store, 2) Online store, and 3) Phone-call & delivery

With these points in mind, I’ll keep hunting for the opportunity that I’ve been waiting for. Fingers crossed I’ll come up with something GREAT soon!

9 months later..

2011-09-09T11:49:00.000+03:00

*long drum roll*

And..

We're..

BACK!

*tiiiissssshhhhh*

twenty eleven !

2010-12-31T23:39:00.000+03:00

Happy New Year :D

Fair & Lovely for MEN

2010-11-27T00:02:00.001+03:00

(Click to enlarge)

It's just a feeling that I have..

2010-11-15T00:08:00.004+03:00

I love singing in the car. I feel like it's one of the best singing spots. There's something about sitting behind the wheel and being in charge that really sets the singing mood.

I still haven't gotten over buying CD's. My family/friends comment about it saying that I could just download the songs; no need to buy the actual physical CD. But I enjoy it. I was never a DVD buyer, but CD's I appreciate. Yet I only buy CD's of artists I like. And when am driving around in my car, listening to one of my latest albums, I'll go through the whole thing until I find that one special song that CLICKS with me. And when that has been achieved, this song will remain on re-play for days! Over and over and over again. It will transform into a car-singing addiction until I eventually ware it off and move on to my next "re-play song", I'll call it.

Speaking of re-play songs, the latest CD I have in my car is Maroon 5. I love them! Thank you iJose! From this album, the song that has been re-played over and over and over again for the past few days is track #10. Although the story is sad, I love the beat and the vocals! The chorus is amaaaazing while it's on high volume, with the windows down and the cool breeze blowing on my face and through my hair, wil shari3 maftoo7 jidami.. Wow! It's just a feeling! Just a feeling that I have! Just a feeeling, people!

I leave you to it. "Just A Feeling" by my beloved Maroon 5:

DST !

2010-10-31T06:21:00.003+03:00

So, winter is coming up, and all the time adjusting stuff follows. When I woke up today, it was 04:55 am, and I was wondering y on earth would I be up by now !? It didn't feel right ! What made my

suspicion grow stronger is that my bird friends were knocking on my window and singing (they usually do that by early mornings and afternoons).

I wake up to check my other time modalities, and guess what ! time was in fact 05:55 ! My US imported alarm has already switched to the DST function, jeopardizing my career at once, again !

All hail the birds, all hail the mighty birds :D

2am Post

2010-10-16T02:07:00.002+03:00

I felt sleepy around 11pm. At around 1am I hadn't slept yet and was feeling wide awake. It's 2am now and I'm still up. I feel sleep gradually approaching me, but I'm tempted to watch episode 3 of Desperate Housewives, season 7.

To sleep or stay up and watch;

that is the question.

Rejection

2010-10-13T06:22:00.002+03:00

My career is at a major turn point, in which there are many routes to reach my goal in the next five years. Professionally, all of them are excellent, yet socially, two of them are outstanding.

I did not get the chance to join the outstanding ones, due to political facts. A reason that did not include me not fitting these institutes. After all, el7amdella 3ala kil 7al.

Am I sad ? yes! Am I gonna get over it ? inshallah! Am I gonna commit suicide ? hope not :p

For those who read this, I wish you all easy life goal achievements, via the routes that you like :)

Dear blank, please blank..

2010-10-11T20:07:00.004+03:00

A friend of mine referred me to this site. It's fun!

Gonna add it to our links.

Update:

Dear coffee table,

DAMMIT!!!
Sincerely, pinky toe.

Dear Mascara,

Why can't I put you on without having to open my mouth?

Sincerely, Confused Girls Everywhere.

When I grow up, I wanna be a..

2010-10-05T23:14:00.003+03:00

From what I recall, it started out as me wanting to be a nursery teacher cuz I remember that I loved kids. Then I wanted to be a lawyer. Then a geneticist. Architect. Interior designer. Nutritionist. Then in 12th grade I was in the "I don't know what I want to do" phase and then BAM! Business popped up, mainly cuz it is a flexible field with various opportunities. So business it was, despite my best friend trying to convince me to join her in medicine which was out of the question.

Now, 8 years later, I ask myself: Have I made the right choice? Yup. It was the right one indeed. But am still kinda lost as to what I wanna be exactly. Business is a big umbrella. I guess I just haven't found my calling yet. But I have a feeling it will come.. one day.. hopefully soon. Inshala!

Nex-5 and I

2010-10-03T01:46:00.000+03:00

iJose knew how much I really wanted the Sony Nex-5 so when he found it during his last trip, he remembered me and asked if I wanted it and when I got all psyched (after some hesitation since I've never physically seen it) and finally said yes, he got it for me. I loved it, as I've been wanting it for a while now. When I first saw it, I was so happy! Especially since it came to me by surprise, because it wasn't in Kuwait when I last checked. Anyway, I usually take a few days to adjust to the transition of using something new fulltime. However, this time it took a longer time. A few days turned into weeks. Unfortunately, a few days ago I discovered the source of my lack of chemistry with MY new camera that was on my Wishlist 2010. I may have had a misjudgment about it.

I realized that it won't be as compact as I had imagined. I can't use it without the zoom lens it came with, which is 18-55mm. It’s pretty big. There's a smaller lens that I could buy as an extra, but it would still be bulging out. I have always been a Sony Cybershot person. I had 2 of them. I love how I could just throw it into my bag and how it was slim and light. But with this one, I wouldn't feel right throwing it with everything else. And true it's light, but not as light as the Cybershot. And I'll admit to something. I think I wanted the Nex-5 for the wrong reason. I thought I wanted more options in photography with the lenses and the video and the sweep and panorama views etc. But I realize now (after it's too late) that I don't want all that. True I don’t have as many options with the Cybershot as I do with the Nex-5, but maybe I don't need them for my style/interests in photography. Maybe I am a Cybershot person, (or a little regular camera person), period. I could go around with it and click away at the most randomest things, at the most randomest times, which is a reputation that has been established for me among my family and friends.. "a la Mocha, the tourist". And most importantly, I cherished the fact that I could just throw it into my bag, which has almost everything, and not feel guilty about it, you know?

I had a misjudgment. I usually take a longer time before I make such purchases. I go back and fourth on it a couple of times. Hold it. Click it. Analyze it's dimensions (which apparently appears to be my main criteria). I should have made sure that it was really what I wanted before making the purchase. What a waste of a great machine, seriously. And I also feel bad that iJose was happy that he got me something I really wanted and now I'm not feeling it anymore.
/

What is Happiness?

2010-10-02T14:58:00.005+03:00

Among the many negative emotions that one can experience, there's one in particular that I believe to be damaging, draining, and extremely stressful. And that is the feeling that comes from carrying a grudge. There are many unfortunate things that can happen to a person in life and some of them could be caused by the closest people. Things that can't be avoided. Can't be controlled. That may scar you and cause deeply embedded issues.

Sometimes a person can't help but carry a grudge. But truth be told, it's so overwhelming. The best solution is to just throw it behind you and move on. Sometimes that's easier said than done, but from experience, it's the only effective solution. Throwing it behind you and moving on. And although it may take some time to heal and bounce back, with the correct attitude and some faith.. it's possible.

Therefore, to answer the question above: What is Happiness? One answer I particularly like was said by Albert Schweitzer. "Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory." Although a little oversimplified and somewhat naive, in a nutshell, happiness can be achieved by having the ability to get rid of grudges and worrisome life stresses and by forgiving (and forgetting, sometimes) in order to move on with your life. Because in the end no matter what happens to you in life in terms of unfortunate events, as they say, life can be summed up in 3 words: It goes on..

Sweet October

2010-10-01T07:47:00.003+03:00

Well, there's nothing worse that waking up Friday morning and heading to work. As I'm going there, I kept my sunroof opened, and I really loved the breeze. It's not perfect, but it's definitely cool.

I love season transitions, like winter to summer, or summer to winter (like what we're having now), and this signifies change for me.

An English quote states that "every three years you have change one thing in your life: either your car, your house, or your husband"

Have a happy transition everyone :)

Random Pics of the Day

2010-09-27T23:54:00.002+03:00

I love bows, especially purple bows. I made this one while I was wrapping a gift for my aunt. Black n white polka dots with purple go well together.

I bought this Ocean's Spray Cranberry juice with green tea blah blah. I didn't realize it was sweetened with Splenda until I was drinking it and it gave me that nasty aspartame aftertaste. So in the trash it went.

Caribou is selling non-disposable sleeves for their drinks. It's a good way to use less disposable ones. Environmentally friendlier. I bought one, but made the mistake of leaving it behind on my empty latte cup after I finished.. out of habit. Thank God I remembered and went back to get it.

And my orange scarf is progressing, slowly but surely. I do about 2 lines or 3 a day. I don't seem to have time for it. But it shall become a scarf one day..

Morning music

2010-09-23T05:53:00.002+03:00

You know when you're out, somewhere in europe, and you couldn't help overhearing a lovely music that hooked you up. Well, this is what happened with me and Pink Martini, love at first sight.

Our love grew bigger, and I took it to the next level by attending one of their concerts in Manchester, UK, thanks to my friends, of course, who made it possible.

Their style is of multi linguistic modern Jazz, with marvelous instruments and a wonder vocals, by China Forbes.

For those who like such music, Pink Martini should be in your mind, all the time.

A La Mocha chill !

2010-09-19T18:14:00.004+03:00

I've been wondering all over the pages, with a la mocha and her nags. Now we're posting in Google's blogger, with, hopefully, better features and all.

I'd kill for a cold chillie drink, mocha flavored, with caramel on top.

Have a good, new, la7thashway experience you all :)

Attitude from the Call Center

2010-09-19T17:20:00.001+03:00

I recall back when call centers' first adopted the ‘recorded calls’ practice here in Kuwait for quality assurance. Or maybe they had always recorded, but it was new to me? I'm not sure. But I remember thinking that it feels awkward. But with time, I’ve come to realize that no, this is actually a good move from the company’s side. It does ensure better service. The call center agents are very sweet and respectful. When they first pick up, they provide their name and ask so kindly “how may I assist you”. When they’re done, they ask if there’s anything else they may assist you with. When they bid you farewell, they thank you for your call and apologize if they kept you waiting for so long. Ya3ni in the end it turns out to be a very pleasant call really. Feels very professional and friendly at the same time.

I just had an incident with a call center agent at my favorite airline, Qatar Airways. I was so respectful while inquiring about a promotion and while I was asking my questions, trying to understand, the agent gave me attitude which pissed me off! It was at that moment that I realized that I didn’t get the message in the beginning of the call stating that “this call will be recorded”. It struck me as odd. Most call centers' nowadays record their calls, how come Qatar Airways doesn’t?

Anyway, I did what I did in response to this unfortunate incident, but I strongly believe that recorded calls policy should be implemented to avoid such mishaps. Not only does it protect the innocent customer, but in other situations it also protects the innocent call center agent as well.

Time to bring out the big needles!

2010-09-18T23:34:00.006+03:00

I decided to take up knitting again. I've knitted before, except I never really knew how to start or end it. I went online and found a video tutorial to learn how to start it and it worked for me. Here's my accomplishment of the day.
.

Where I was..

..And where I am so far..

.
I'm liking the bright orange.

Can ppl get any creepier?

2010-09-17T14:53:00.002+03:00

During my last flight back to Kuwait, I watched an episode of Boston Legal on the plane. It was striking. A woman fell in love with a man after just 2 dates. During their 2nd date, she stole some of his semen and went off to a fertility clinic to fertilize her eggs. She got pregnant. She stole his semen and got pregnant with his baby and he had no say in it. WTH. Seriously? Can people get any creepier and messed up than this?

Basically the trial of this case was that the man was accusing this woman of getting pregnant with his child beyond his will and is asking for a court order to terminate the pregnancy. Although the judge and jury sympathized with him, he lost the case unfortunately because the judge said that the state cannot force a woman to put her body at risk of an abortion.

It is a very striking case.

Smoke Fest

2010-09-15T22:56:00.003+03:00

There are 2 girls at my department who smoke so they go to the smoking floor a lot during the day for a smoking-chit-chat break. I hate that place. Every time I go in there, even if it was for as little as 2 mins, I leave smelling like a walking cigarette. The smoke sticks to my hair n clothes. It's horrible.

One of them came to me today saying: We’re going for a cigarette break, wana join us? I said no thanks. Later in the day, the other girl invited me to join them. Again, I said no thanks. I'm not going back there. Especially not after yesterday’s experience when I told myself to just give it another shot, maybe it’s not that bad. But it was bad. I regretted it afterwards. Not worth it at all. The place is a smoke fest and the after-smell that soaked into me made me feel nauseous.

This incident reminds me of that episode in FRIENDS where Rachel was put in a similar situation while working with her 2 smoking colleagues at Ralph Lauren (her boss and colleague). She felt left out cuz during their smoking break, they’d chit-chat and bond and make work-related decisions while she was a non-smoker, hence couldn’t join them. The difference between me n her is that she wanted to be there and took great lengths to do so since it was her boss and it was a great opportunity work-wise. Lucky for me, my 2 colleagues aren’t my managers so I don’t care. No need to put myself at risk of second-hand smoking.

Here's the episode am referring to. ;)

Back to Blogspot

2010-09-15T22:24:00.002+03:00

Back in my past blogging lives (yes that’s right, more than one past life), I was always a blogspotter. I remember trying to convert to Wordpress several times only to find myself feeling like a stranger. It's not cozy and feels kinda cold. Blogspot is warm and cuddly. So eventually I always jumped back to my blogspotting roots.

Now I’m happy to be back where I belong. And happy to bring iJose along with me. :P