"Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it." - Rapunzel

When we think of the things in life that make us feel safe and secure, the list can be longer than anticipated once those things cease to exist or at least in the way we are most familiar.  Letting go of what we know and embracing what is can be scary, exciting, painful, and tremendous.  Life's experiences cause us to re-examine what we think and reshape what we thought to be true.  After being here only one month, here's what I know:

Creature comforts from home do exist, and I was happy to have them when I first landed, but I came for adventure so my shopping cart looks a little different with each trip I make to buy groceries.  The added plus is that these stores are a part of the mall, so I can do ALL of my shopping in one trip.  It's Wal-Mart on another level.  The downside, I somehow still manage to get lost on the taxi ride home and can never really figure out where I am or how to tell the driver to navigate the streets.  SMH

Clockwise from top left:

Remains of a Superfood Salad; one of many dishes served at 

Naranj; Cold Stone Creamery all the way in Kuwait; 

the options available at Tim Horton's, a Canadian favourite; 

If you want to eat it, Kuwait has it and will deliver it right to your door!!  It seems as if Kuwait is known by many as the food capital of the world, and this little app called Talabat makes it possible to to conduct your own in-home tastes tests with just a few clicks.  There is obviously no shortage of restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops, and I have been making my way around the dining scene, one restaurant at a time, and while I have found myself drawn to many of the known favourites, (Chilis, PF Changs, and Starbucks)  I have also enjoyed some unfamiliar options like a Lebanese and Middle Eastern cuisine that caused a party in my mouth!!.   There is a smorgasbord out there and I fully intend to sample them all even if it's while sitting on my couch!

There is a saying that goes a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.  Well here, a biscuit in the hand is worth 300GB.  That's right, I said 300. This little gadget (better known around town as a biscuit) is my mobile router that offers me 300GB, yes, 300GB, of data for about $15 a month.  I can video chat everybody!!!!  It fits in my pocket and keeps me connected wherever I am.  Someone needs to tell Verizon to get with the program.

Kids are kids everywhere!!!  They may come from different backgrounds, have different fundamental beliefs, be accustomed to different facets of living, and represent an array of physical characteristics, but they are still kids who want someone to hear them, care about them, set boundaries, and help them sort out what they see for their futures.

The music of the day and night here is a car horn.  I actually think drivers must be frustrated musicians and composers constantly engaged in a melodic battle to see whose note rings the loudest.

Riding in anything that moves is a serious test of faith!! Being an unlicensed driver is bliss because the rules of the road are like nothing I have ever experienced.   Round-abouts take on a whole different meaning when the right-of-way is given to the inside lane...say what now?  Sidewalks are not made for walking but for parking, and painted lines in the road are obviously just for decoration when two lanes on your side of the median quite easily become five if that's how you want to roll.   You know; Get in where you fit in!!!   For my time here, I'll stick to riding in a taxi with my eyes focused on my phone, so I can avoid looking at the road. Maybe that's why I keep getting lost...hmmm!!!

Swimming in the Gulf

The bakala (this country's version of a Quik Trip or 7-Eleven or Kangaroo) are at the bottom of almost every apartment building and give the idea of a convenience store new life.  What would cost me $6 -$8 in the US will usually be $3 or less here which is detrimental to my figure and my sugar and Lord knows neither area needs any added interference or pressure!!!

In the past few weeks, I have literally and figuratively jumped into the deep end.  Yesterday's boat trip
on the gulf to a little island in the middle of the sea was relaxing and refreshing.  Although I haven't yet let go of my fear of heights and didn't dare jump from the upper deck like so many of the others, when we stopped and anchored about 45 minutes from our island destination just to cool off and enjoy the sea, I wasted no time joining in the fun and checking off another thing on my bucket list. Now more than ever, I am anxiously and excitedly waiting for Camryn to come in December so we can share some of the adventures together.  I'm still working on my mom, but I think she's coming around.

Finally, there is ABSOLUTELY something new and beautiful to behold in the most unlikely places. Respect and reverence for lives lost extends around the world and demonstrates how turmoil affects everyone.  While the news and media can give you insight into what's happening elsewhere, we all need to be mindful that those views are not all encompassing.