Hello to all those who are still following our Kuwait adventure. Life here has fallen into a pattern, a "strange kind of normal" is what I commonly call it. It's not the States, but it is home. It is so interesting living here. Everything is just so amazingly different that it is hard to even describe it, but I feel I must try.
The days have become blisteringly hot. I have actually started running. I am currently attempting to complete the "couch to 5k" running program. I figure if I can run in Kuwait there is no excuse for not trying to run anywhere else we end up in the world. I have to go running early because at 6:00am in the morning it is already dangerously hot. The looks a women gets while running around the neighborhood is absolutely hilarious at times. The men that are out that early are washing cars, watering postage stamp lawns or sweeping up the street. I know they think I am crazy or suicidal. I wave politely at the local household help. They smile and wave back, now. I can tell at first they were shocked that I would even acknowledge their existence.
Living in another culture and country open your eyes to what you place a high value on. First, I have come to realize that I place a high value on hard work. I was raised to work hard and taught that their is no shame in a hard day's work. Life is so different here, not all work or people doing the hard work are respected. That can be very trying to a person's mind. I can admit that there are times when I want to scream at the ruling group that if it wasn't for the men from other countries working so hard to keep Kuwait clean it would fall into a greater mess and disrepair.
I guess ultimately things here have become normal in a strange way. We have lived in Kuwait for almost six months now. Our home is feeling more and more like ours with each passing day. We have made many great friends and have been blessed by the greater Embassy community. I am comfortable with shopping here, getting gas at the service station (for $0.88/gal) and even driving up on curbs to pass illegally parked cars if the need arises (as it often does).
Some things will never feel normal and that is what makes it strange. I can't get used to people being disrespected by others. Rude behavior toward others will never be normal for me. It wasn't normal at "home" in the U.S. and it is much more magnified here in Kuwait.
We are so glad to be part of the US State Department! What an exciting life this is and, God willing, it will continue to be. Kelly now has his "dream job" and I am so thankful for that. He will excel in this career and provide excellent care to all those that need him. It is now more normal that he travels for his career. We both now see clearly why God sent us to Kuwait. I feel some days I am here to not lose heart and to show love to those he places in my path. It has become a wonderful opportunity for me to teach our children to "Do unto others as you would have done unto you".
I will end by saying this, life for now is comfortably strange. Our children are thriving except when outdoors for too long at 118 degree temperatures. Kelly and I have more "date nights" then we did back in Michigan. He is my best friend and I am blessed to be his wife! I am knitting, reading, running and even able to socialize with other women. What more could I want in Kuwait? In the words of Aretha Franklin, I want all people in Kuwait to show "a little respect". I hope you all have a great next few weeks. We will all be flying away from Kuwait for a much needed vacation. I will post photos upon our return. Respectfully yours,
