Got a nudge on MSN the other day. Was reminded that I have yet to update my blog. I know… I am sorry… well, I have been busy trying to score high points on Bejeweled on FB. 
No, that’s not entirely true. I have to admit I have been lazy. Somedays I do have something to blog about however it doesn’t stay in my head long enough for me to blog about it. Is that the problem with the person or the mind? Hmm…
I do have news to share. We are leaving Houston soon! Finally! We have been asking for a transfer since the beginning of last year and finally we can leave. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with Houston. We have been here for more than 3 and 1/2 years and we feel it’s time to go and explore a new country and experience a different culture.
We are moving to a country rich in oil (it has the world’s 5th largest oil reserves), is one of the richest countries in the world per capita and one of the smallest countries in the world in terms of land area. This country borders Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Yup! We are moving to Kuwait! 
We are very excited with this move. We will be halfway between Malaysia and England which brings us so much closer to our families. My FIL lives in Turkey, that’s a very short flight away. Other than the fact that we will be closer to home, we are looking forward to experiencing the culture and living in this part of the world which gets some pretty bad press because most often than not, they are associated with terrorism.
Middle East countries also get bad press because of limitations on the rights of women. In Kuwait, women can work. They can drive if they are working or they have kids (Damn! I got to get a job!). Women do not have to wear a burqa however conservative dressing is required (need to start shopping for conservative clothes for desert weather).
Our biggest concern? In Kuwait, the import of alcohol and pork is illegal (though nothing is said on consumption 
) Adam checked with some friends in Kuwait. You can get black market alcoholic beverages at a price. A crate of beer – US$200. A bottle of Johnny Walker Black Label – US$300. JD – US$275. Nah, we won’t buy them in black market. Adam suggested weekend trips to Bahrain or Dubai. There’s also the possibility of home brewing. We found a home brewing supply store near here and we’ll check that place out this weekend (no, I am not kidding)
No pork means no bacon, no pork belly, no char siew. Gosh. I am sure we will get over that. I love Middle Eastern food, I am so looking forward to sampling everything. I believe that would be the thing I will write about most when I get there.
Since we can’t drink, what’s there to do on weekends? Most expats join a private beach club. No, you still can’t drink there but at least you have the private beaches to use, gym, pools…etc. There are 2 that we get a corporate rate on so we’ll do that when we get there.
As for now, the paperwork is tedious. There’s so much required and most of the documents required have to be translated into Arabic and then certified by the State government where that document is issued. We found a company that will do it for us. Their fees aren’t cheap but it saves us time.
If all the paperwork goes well, the movers will be coming in to pack up our apartment at the end of this month. Glad I don’t have to do the packing and moving but I am giving away alot of stuff now just so we don’t take too much of what we don’t need with us.
We will leave Houston for England and we will spend 2 weeks there. Adam will then be off to Kuwait and I’ll head back to Malaysia. I’ll spend about a month in Malaysia since the Kuwaiti government will only process my visa once Adam is in their country. I have no complaints there, a paid ticket home to see my family and friends and makan makan! I am sure I’ll see some of you when I get home ~ so looking forward to that.
