Danderma's Blog, page 105

Chocolate…

Our friends over at 7aji Dude's blog has asked that we show them our love for chocolate. I've been planning this post for a while now and now its the right time for it. Make sure you have a bar of chocolate nearby

Last but not least, given that Dudette also likes baby bloggers, here is a picture of a baby me holding my favorite two Macintosh pieces. Its amazing how those two remain my favorites still!

Ye3taw?

Book Review: Trust Me I'm a Junior Doctor By Max Pemberton

Ever fantasied about being a doctor? Then you might want to read this book first!

I was rooting in Waterstones biography section when the cover of this book caught my eye. I decided to buy it and I finished it in two nights because it was hilarious. It is based on a column written by a junior doctor at the time, Max Pemberton, which he wrote when he first started working as a doctor in 2007.

It is very real because it is based on real events of course. It makes you laugh, it makes you weep, it makes you thank god one thousands time for your health. It also makes you know for certain that you have made the right choice by deciding not to go to medical school -I had my doubts before-. You will have new found respect for doctors as well.

One bad thing about the book? It introduced me to the notion of "Fecal Vomiting" that made me spend half the night on Google in disbelief! Apparently it does happen.

Apparently there are more books by the same author -this book was out in 2008- so next time I am in London I will make sure I purchase them. You can find this book on Amazon (link).

Picture of the Week: Wall Art

I was browsing through my pictures when I saw one that I've taken of a wall art painted in an Alley leading to Neal's Yard in London. I have taken some pictures but this side fuzzy one is my favorite. Beautiful art. I wish I was an artist and had the ability to paint, I would have painted everything!

I wish we could see similar street art in Kuwait. It gives urban touch to any city. The only place I've seen something similar is in Marina Waves. More please more!

Movie Review: The Hunger Games

Based on a best selling trilogy of novels that started publishing in 2008 comes the movie "The Hunger Games". I didn't read the book and I didn't know about its existence until I noticed it on display in Waterstones UK last March. I thought I would see the movie first then decide to read the book if the movie was any good.

Was it good? It was! Though the story is a bit depressing and despair is around the corner but the movie was really good. It was long, over two hours, but we didn't feel that. When it finally finished -with a nice twist I'd say- I knew there must be a sequel and I was right, it is scheduled for release on 22 November 2013 under the name "Catching Fire".

Now I am really really REALLY sorry I did't get the trilogy for myself when I was in the UK. This should serve as a reminder that the next time I see a book with potential, I must grab it. Gal3a!

The only thing I didn't like about the movie is when they were on the move: running or moving or walking. The pictures on the screen shook miserably which gave me a headache but that is more of a director's fault and not a story problem.

Highly recommended. Can't wait for the trilogy, in books and DVDs, to graze my shelves.

When a Fellow Blogger Thinks You've Got a Bone to Pick

Its one thing to get rude comments from blog readers. Its entirely another thing when a fellow blogger seem to have a whole conspiracy theory surrounding their existence in their heads and start

When I post the Alexa rank post I do it  because I like to have some measure of progress. Because it helps me notice if my blogging is paying off or not. The competition pushes me towards getting more posting ideas. I do the list for myself and I post it because maybe it would be helpful to other blogs. I post the top 100, something that has never been done before, because it will involve a wider range of blogs. I do it objectively whether or not I follow a blog, read it, like its content, or have a pickle with the blogger behind the screen. Its a blog, has a rating, its there.

Sadly the said blogger above have got into her head that I, Danderma, who frankly do not know this woman in person, never followed her blog, and have absolutely no idea who she is if I was staring her in the face, that I am intentionally am omitting her blog out of the list on purpose for some unfathomable feud between us. In the very first list I published she attacked and bashed me in the comments. Then the dust had settled and I had forgotten all about it.

Yesterday however she left a comment on both my blog and my facebook page. I did notice something, a mistake on my part, that when I checked her ranking I checked the wrong URL, I thought she spelled Kuwait Q8 while she does spell it Kuwait. Therefore due to my mistake I didn't get a ranking. I replied to her comment by apologizing. IT WAS AN HONEST MISTAKE! Silly but it happens especially after you spend five bloody hours staring at a screen with over 400 URLS to check.

Needless to say her comment on facebook was not received lightly. You think you are embarrassing me by posting it publicly on my facebook page? Exposing me for the ruthless jerk I am for all to see? You say I don't like what you say? Excuse me, dear fellow blogger, what is it that you have to say that I don't like? Why you keep attacking me, thinking I have a thing for you when I don't know you is beyond me. This is NOT the first time! I made a mistake, I apologized, big deal. Do you think that I like and read all the blogs in that list? The blogsphere is not Eutopia, that's all I have to say.

As we say in Kuwait, 3aib. There is no need for you to attack. There is no need for you to be all frustrated. For the love of god its just a list! A bloody list on a blog on the internet! So your blog wasn't on it, big deal! I do NOT take likely to being attacked and if for some reason you are so insecure you think the world is out to get you, it is really and truly not my fault.

I don't want people to thank me for the list. Much obliged. I just would like it if no one fights with me. G63.

My blog on 24:8 AM's Kuwait Blogs App

Anyone with an iPhone is probably familiar with Mark's Kuwait Blogs Application. Its been a while since his last update and guess what? In his latest update, my humble blog appears on the list! With my header barcode and all!

Today -well yesterday- is a happy day. You can get the app update -or the app itself- from this link here (link). Now the first time you run it it will freeze for a bit and won't work. Just close it, open it up again and wait for a minute without disturbing it and it will run smoothly. I hope you will get the next post update from my blog on the App

Thank you Mark!

March's Top 100 Kuwaiti Blogs According to Alexa

The list is back again for March 2012! I've noticed a big drop in the quantity of over all blog posts in Kuwait so I thought this list might stir things up a bit for my fellow bloggers!

2012 is different indeed! A lot of new blogs popping up yet none are making a big impression. Usual blogs are not posting that much anyway. We really do need new fresh post -and blog- ideas.

The big surprise however is that even though I've searched the ranking of 400 blogs, only 97 had any ranking at all! My theory is that since a lot of bloggers are not posting a lot of the internet users of Kuwait are browsing something else other than blogs. Either that or Instagram is really dominating the blogs and everyone is over there :p

Disclaimers again. For the love of god read them!

Disclaimer One The blogs that made it to the list are blogs about Kuwait whether originating from Kuwait or not or whether they are by Kuwaiti nationals or expats living in Kuwait. That's why I said KUWAITI blog.

Disclaimer Two I still believe the Alexa rank is way overrated, easily manipulated, and highly volatile. It is not a real measure of how a blog is popular but it doesn't hurt to check it every once in a while as some sort of measure. Its the only semi-reliable measure I can think of. No fighting please.

Disclaimer Three DO NOT ASK ME how to calculate the Alexa rating. For the love of god go to Alexa.com and enter your blog URL. If no local rating is there then THAT's IT!

Disclaimer Four If you know of a blog I missed or a new blog that is gliding up the top in rocket speed please let me know 

Disclaimer Five I am Danderma, not Alexa! I do not have the power to rate you or give you a number. Therefore trying to be nice to me will mean nothing. Please remember that.

Now the ratings, enjoy

1
Q8ping
44
Same Rank


2
Aboflan
59
Same Rank


3
248 AM
162
Same Rank


4
Hornett
185
Same Rank


5
Banana Q8
202
Up From 7


6
Meenakon
204
Up From 8


7
Frankom
238
Down From 6


8
ilsul6ana
266
Down From 5


9
Danderma
385
Same Rank


10
Al Jalawi
393
Up From 11


11
Cake o Bake
456
Up From 13


12
7aji Dude
464
Down From 10


13
His & Hers
503
Up From 16


14
Hi Kuwait
536
Up From 19


15
965 Malls
552
Up From 22


16
Omarker
560
Down From 14


17
Kuwaitiful
606
Up From 18


18
Pink Girl
675
DowN From 15


19
Made in Q8
774
Up From 29


20
Kuwait Music
1139
Up From 24


21
Chapter Q8
1155
Up From 22


22
Q8 OK
1209
New


23
Me Blogging
1347
Up From 31


24
Kumail Plus
1356
Up From 26


25
Kaifan 5
1413
Up From 27


26
13 Cups
1431
Down From 21


27
Rashedd
1502
Up From 43


28
360 Dewan
1551
Up From 34


29
Buzfairy
1655
Up From 40


30
Q8 Rain
1661
Up From 45


31
Ansam 518
1745
Down From 20


32
Ent Ya
1764
Down From 28


33
Couch Avenue
1820
Up From 56


34
Dusty Roses
1838
Up From 63


35
Abdulla Q8
1880
New


36
Q8 Path
1953
Up From 55


37
Cup of Blogging
2002
Up From 50


38
Bog Laish
2027
Up From 47


39
Q8 Blend
2029
Down From 12


40
Kuw Go
2055
Up From 44


41
Z District
2081
Up From 66


42
Confashions
2185
Up From 46


43
Q8 All in One
2299
Down From 33


44
Im Geek
2318
Down From 38


45
Anas 84
2432
New


46
248 PM
2449
Down From 65


47
Habbat Q8ya
2525
Down From 17


48
Blogger Mathai
2543
New


49
Trendy Girl
2564
Up From 84




50
Precaliga
2608
Up From 80


51
Fro Yo Nation
2611
Up From 54


52
Expat & The City
2728
Back in the List


53
Fe9l
2868
Down From 32


54
Chraimba
2933
Down From 51


55
Crazy Yet Wise
2980
Down From 41


56
p0ach
3012
Down From 36


57
Q8 Lol
3019
Down From 53


58
Bo Wadh7a
3150
Up From 78


59
Wawya
3212
Back in the List


60
T7l6m
3276
Down From 44


61
Q8 Zone
3310
Down From 52


62
Enzozid
3498
New


63
Social Slave
3783
Down From 37




64
Desert Girl
3797
New




65
Idea Owners
3979
New


66
Chay Altha7a
3981
Back in the List


67
Kuwait 10
4222
Down From 58


68
Grapevine Kuwait
4291
Up From 80


69
Q8 Chit Chat
4331
New




70
Q8 Ryuk
4347
Down From 69


71
Just Noon
4489
Up From 85


72
7aki 3qali
4497
Up From 74


73
Wain
3969
New


74
M3 7md Qalam
4980
Down From 49


75
Buzberry
5289
Down From 60


76
Chill Nite
5254
New


77
4th Ring Road
5441
Down From 42




78
Qabaq
5520
Back in the List




79
Nezhawya
5649
Up From 92


80
Alblogy
5672
Up From 90


81
Bint Al-Shamiya
5744
Down From 68


82
Boodii
5762
Back in the List


83
Grgasha
5782
Down From 25


84
New Q8 Bride
5787
Down From 79


85
The Side Talk
5824
Back in the List


86
Oleana
5958
New


87
Beet Alzain
6247
Back in the List


88
Q8 Black Market
6263
Back in the List


89
Blog 37
6282
Down From 71


90
B & D
6397
Down From 88


91
Just Selective
6415
New


92
Trying 2 B Fahad
6483
Down From 59


93
Q8 Lens
7086
New


94
El Derwazaa
7346
Down From 39


95
Al Zain
7558
Down From 30


96
Triple Sisters
7561
Back in the List


97
Up Till 1
8860
Down From 99


98
Mako
-
-


99
Mako
-
-


100
Mako mako mako!!!
-
-

Sneak Peek: A Visit to the Avenues Phase III

Last week many bloggers had received a white box with yellow helmets from the Avenues with an invitation to spend Saturday afternoon in an exclusive preview of the newly constructed Avenues phase III premises. Needless to say I was very excited. After all, who doesn't like the avenues?

The meeting point was at 1 PM in Le Pan the Avenues where a nice breakfast spread was laid out while the introductions were made and we waited for everyone to  arrive. The Avenues was exceptionally crowded that day.

I had nursed a lovely double espresso before our trek

At 1:30 PM promptly the event has started. We were then led inside the avenues offices, in case you were wondering how they looked like they are very modern and lovely.

I loved the ceiling detail!

A short presentation was shown and then we were asked to put on our helmets, grab bottles of water, and head down the elevator to start the tour.

The first place to visit was the Grand Avenue District. Walking from where the fountain used to be in Avenues phase II you will first start here. Cheesecake Factory  and Kidzania will be here as well.

As you walk a head there is a long walkway flocked by cafes and stores -when it opens insha2 Allah- and is already predicted to be like the "Champs-Élysées" of Kuwait. I can already see myself sipping coffee and people watching while everyone else is doing the same. There was a sofa already

It is a really really long walk way, as far as the eye can see and all covered up with a glass like ceiling that provides light yet keeps the walkway air conditioned.

I loved the details of the walkway such as the palm trees and the modern walkway lights.

The palm trees were already erected.

Many of the building facades on the walkway were complete.

And on the right we saw where Harvey Nichs is! I for one cannot wait for it to open. It looks big!

Now on the left the walkway starts branching out and leading to the Souk & Soku districts: Soku is like a hip and trendy shopping and restaurant district for the youth while the souk is like a local Mubarkiya inside the Avenues.

All is going to be covered up of course.

Check out the beautiful shadows on the building cast by the beautiful glass ceiling.

Also from the 3areesha in another part of the Old Souk district.

I am really loving those street lights! Traditional yet with a modern feel and you can tell they would make the corners and walkways very cosey.

This is going to me a Jleeb -an old water well-.

This here is going to be a big open area with a lovely big fountain -instead of the one that used to be in Phase II and was reduced in size-.

Here is the promised fountain. I looked at it and imagined the sound of water splashing, the sun light streaming through the glass ceiling, the hustle and bustle of  cafes and shops and people around. Its going to be marvelous insha2 Allah, I can tell!

There is also the gold souk walkway which will be the place to go for diamond shopping :p my pictures over there turned out to be horrible though. There is also the prestige district which is the place to find the designer labels. The picture I have to show for it is this glass ceiling with rippled effect.

More pictures from the construction site.

Oh that's me looking silly with the helmet which is about to fly off my head. I am so glad I chose to be a computer engineer instead of a civil engineer so I don't have to wear that helmet :p

Then it was time to go. The Avenues Phase III tour was up. The place is so huge it will cater for 400 more stores and will have 5000 parking spaces. By the time we made it back to the Avenues offices we were exhausted. Shopping in Phase III would take days on end!

The Avenues Phase III is expected to be complete and open to the public by September 2012. There will also be a phase four and five in the future. I would like to thank Mabane Company and the Avenues for extending this opportunity. A special thanks goes to Mr. Abdullah Al-Baddah, Ms. Sho3a3 Al-Qatti,  and to Architect Alia Al-Ghunaim who led the tour yesterday.

Review: Tikka o Loomi Restaurant

My husband came home a couple of days ago telling me that one of his friends had been to a new restaurant in Mubarkiya that serves traditional Q8y dishes and that they had an amazing dish he wants to try. So yesterday we went over to try it over dinner.

Tikka o Loomi is located in Mubarkiya right next to Sunny Side Up (post) and behind Hail o Za3faran (post). It has a nice outdoors seating area which was filled with people. We were lucky to grab the last table. Afterwards people were waiting for tables outside.

The menu which is inside a traditional Kuwaiti mahafa wasn't very big but it was very different than what you would find in other restaurants.

Sharbat Beithan (Sweet Almond Drink), Vimto, Kebabs, Rice, and most importantly "7amsat". The one my husband wanted was 7amsat Fage3 "Truffle".

I've never been to a restaurant that served 7amsat Bazaliya before and I haven't eaten it in years, literally! I had to order it. We also ordered Chai Fa7am.

The service was swift and prompt and the tea was at our table in no time!

A basket of hot Iranian bread that they bake arrived at the table too.

We ordered Hummus with Tikka pieces on top. The Hummus was good and hubby says the tikka was delicious.

7amsat elfag3. Husband adored it. I don't eat fage3 fa I wouldn't know.

This is my 7amsat bazaliya. It was good but needed a pinch of salt. I added it and it was lovely with the hot bread and the tea.

What I really wanted to try however is their "Elba" but they didn't have any left 7safa I wan't to go back and have myself some Elba. I haven't had any since 1996 maybe because my late grandmother was the only one who made it and it was so so good. Allah yer7amha

It was a really good experience. The food is good and different. The service is great. Old Kuwaiti songs playing in the background. People are already lining up to try it! You can find it in Mubarkiya right outside Sooq Al-Manakh parking lot.

Good Saturday Morning…

Good Saturday Morning!

Its a beautiful day! No dust, the weather is perfect, its a pity to waste it sleeping in bed! I have great plans for this afternoon insha2 Allah and if all goes well I will be sharing them soon As for breakfast I have leftover cookies from Baking Tray! Not only are they the best cookies in Kuwait but they seem to taste even better if you keep them covered for a couple of days

So have a blast this Saturday and make the most of it