Awwab @ Blogging

On the WaY

2011-11-10T21:17:00.001+05:30

On my way to Bhiwandi, the town close to Mumbai,where both my parents were born. As I am in the car on my way thought will blog a little. Didn't blog since the last blog around a week back for 2 reasons. One being Eid and second being sick. Had some throat infection and bad cough and it being Eid I did not even look for a doctor and the coughing became so worse never experienced something like that before Alhamdulillaah feeling better today. So left for Bhiwandi as both my kids are there at their maternal grandparents place. Was missing them!

This sickness the doctors said was viral infection that they assume I caught when I went Goat shopping. Lesson Learnt: No Goat shopping for NRIs, their Immune systems are weak. As I know the local boys enjoy and visit the Goat markets often before Eid and they don't fall sick, Alhamdulillaah strong Immune system.

So how was Eid, Awesome, its always lovely to be with your family for Eid. 8 more days to go before I fly back. So the countdown has begun. Not very pleased to return since I have to return alone. The passport and visa formalities will take some time for my new-born son. Allaahul Mustaan. But it was my choice to have him delivered in India, so need to be patient.

Oopppsss I completely forgot one of the other reasons for going to Bhiwandi is to attend a second cousins wedding tomorrow on 11-11-11. Nice date isn't it? So should I book 12-12-12. No not for me, for my younger brothers wedding? Would be interesting!

Still on the way, why can't he drive faster... I am tired typing on my mobile in the car... More later.. Remind me to blog about the wedding

Mumbai Trip - Blog Again

2011-11-05T22:51:00.005+05:30

"Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable."

Francis Bacon, Sr.

I copied the above quote from the Newsletter I keep receiving from www.positivityblog.com After being a blogger for long (and then disappearing from Blogging) and also trying to use OneNote on my Computer and a Task/To Do List on my Mobile to capture ideas/thoughts of today/things to do etc. The above Quote reminded me again, how it all began! It was when I joined Invensys, the good colleagues and friends I made who had an influence on me and got me to Blogging. I remember my good friend Vinil telling me, How over the years I will see my thoughts change and develop when I will read back my old blog posts. I can see that today after around 6 years of On/Off Blogging.

So should I start blogging again on a more regular basis.

Let me start with current events. I came to Mumbai over a week ago, What an amazing trip it is this time. Alhamdulillaah (All praises are for Allaah) We have been blessed with a Baby Boy. Its my second experience at enjoying Fatherhood. And Trust me, the Pleasure was not even a little lesser than the first time.. I think becoming Father is the same pleasure every time... May Allaah bless all those who haven't tasted this pleasure with it.

I came to Mumbai, this trip did a lot of different stuff. Met a few very close friends I had not met since years... It was a pleasure meeting them. Became father a second time. Went to Deonar after years, did some Bakra (Goat) shopping. We went on a bike this time. While riding on the way I was thinking when I used to come to Deonar as a kid, we used to use the local Transport bus to the Train Station Reay Road and then the Harbour train upto Govandi, then cross the Railway Tracks towards Deonar. Those were the simple old days.

I want a to visit a few relatives, its on my To-Do List from Day 1. And now the countdown to return has already started. but this time, I will not be missing this task Inshaa Allaah, whatever be the cost. Looking forward to a cousins wedding, where I am expecting to get to see all the relatives, hence procrastinating to go and visit them now. Dont know if this Laziness is right or wrong. Day after tomorrow is EID, and not sure yet what Am I going to wear.. Thats the height of Laziness and I sit here and Blog... Shunu Haadhaa....

Know Your Address

2011-08-26T16:09:00.002+05:30

Is it Important? Ahh you may Ask me, is it possible that a person does not know his Address? Yes it is. Not In India, but maybe in a Foreign country it may happen. For example, I never knew or know now the Address where I stayed the first two years in Kuwait. Yes I know it, I can guide anyone in Kuwait how to reach there. But dont know the Theroretical addresss, what is that.

Kuwait has a very good addressing system, you can reach anyplace if you have 3 things: Block No., Street No., Building No. The maps and GPS systems can take you to any place if you know these 3 things, Even when you enter an area you can find maps showing where the Blocks of that area are.

So what I mean is, I did not know, the Block, street and building no. of where I was staying. Yes definitely I know the address after those 2 years, why? Because the first 2 years I was staying in Fahaheel, which is the market hub, you have all the restaurants Arabic, Indian, Chinese, Pakistani at Walking distance. So never needed my address to order anything. But after I moved out of Fahaheel to the more residential area's when my family was supposed to join me. I had to keep my address handy whenever I need to order any food, they would ask for the Block, Street, Building, Flat number.

So with these I realize when you are a Bachelor staying in Market area or bachelor accomodation, you may not know your physical address. But it can cost you.

I learnt this lesson from my friends, they were staying in their company camp. They had a nice way of telling we stay in the building behind this shop, near this medical center in this area. Quite easy for anyone familiar with the area to reach there. But they had an Issue when they had an emergency situation and they called the Kuwait Emergency Helpline. They could not mention where they were, since they never needed and knew what Block, street and Building they were in. The help to them got delayed because the emergency services had to trace out where the shop that they were mentioning was.

In case of any Emergency, Time is the most important factor. It can lead to bigger problems, if help does not reach in time. And hence knowing the Address is very Important.

I dont have to proofread this blog post, because my nephew Hani Hyder just sitting next to me is reading out every word I type loud enough to ensure I dont have any typing mistakes. And I guess everyone in the house knows what I wrote without even reading it, thanks to Hani ;)

.....

Who Moved My Cheese!

2011-04-11T01:41:00.003+05:30

Thats a real nice book recommended by couple of friends, short and sweet , i read it in a single day.

The book deals with the subject of change! How to deal when things change in your personal life, health, work or any other area. The author expresses the different types of people:

those who are willing to change, and those who resist and think there should be no change and those that are the quickest to move on. I really learnt how sometimes we amongst ourselves resist any change that comes in our life.

After reading the book, now I can see how I am resisting a change implicitly and then since I realize i try to adopt the change. For an example, being a Microsoft .NET guy worked with Microsoft technologies for around 8 years. When everyone is going for IPad and IPhones which are from the Apple family. I think I do not need to learn how to develop for Apple, Microsoft will come up with something to beat Apple. But after reading the book, I feel No, I need to be prepared to built solutions on Apple products, if managers move to IPad from heavy laptops, and I cannot deliver the information that I am delivering to them on their handheld devices, maybe I will be left behind. So need to catch up, we need to move with the change instead of wondering who moved my cheese.

Guys have a Good read: Who Moved my Cheese.

Fish Market

2011-04-08T11:39:00.004+05:30

I remember as a kid when I was in school and there used to be a lot of noise in the class, teachers would say "Is this a Fish Market?" Now why would I blog about it now?

Actually I remembered this when I visited the Al-Kout Fish Market few days back. It was noisy, every shop keeper trying to sell whatever he has to any customer that passes by his shop. The thought came to my mind, what the teachers used to say in School. I have seen the Indian Fish Markets they were noisy. But its the same in Q8 as well. Makes me wonder is it the same across the world or the so called Developed countries have Fish Markets which are not noisy.

Was trying to think the reasons:

1. Fish eaters love to eat fresh out of Water Fish. Frozen will not taste the same.

2. All the shops have more or less same variety of Fish and are selling at almost the same price.

3. So, if the customer passes by your shop he may not come back, so they have a Target to make a sale to any customer that reaches their display area.

4. Regular buyers visit the Fish Market early to get the best Fresh Fish. I remember in India we used to go to the Mazgaon Dock or Colaba Dock after Fajr (around sunrise)

5. So their peak selling period is limited as well.

Food for thought: What would you have done to make the most sales in this scenario? If you were selling Fish. Let us see the different ways of thinking... Engineers, Management Grads, let us all see if we had to sell Fish for a day what would be your strategy.

First post on Parenting

2011-01-17T21:56:00.005+05:30

Wow.. My daughter is 1 year and 6 months already Mashaa Allaah, time flies so fast. I remember when she was younger and didnt walk when I used to see some parent with their kid walking holding their hands, I used to tell my wife When will she walk holding my hands. Alhamdulillaah now she does that. So now as soon as we get out of the car she wants to go with me.

About Parenting, many times i im in conversation with different people like my elder brother or someone at work that i know have older kids than me, I ask them how do you do this? How do you handle this scenario? How do you make sure ur Kid is not the one who wants all the toys everytime you go to a toy shop. Etc. Etc. I try to keep learning.

The One Candy Principle: I was speaking to my good brother/Colleague how can I take my kid to a shop and make sure they buy one stuff, he taught me this principle then. He said whenever I take my kids to the candy store, I tell them you can buy one candy, the first or second them they try to ask for more, but the parent has to be firm that they can buy only one. And do reasoning with them, explain to them why more than one is not good. Then in the future they will themselves stick to the principle of One. He explained how when they go with their Grandfather as well, they take only One and when he tells them feel free take more, they still say No One is enough for us. So good Principle One Candy. You can use the same even for Toys, let them select one toy.

The principle of Reasoning: In the above one, how my friend mentioned about Reasoning with the kids. Same I had also learnt from my Mom. Since my daughter was pulling my specs from my face abruptly leading to the delicate ones breaking. My Mom told me tell her not to touch the specs, explain to her and she will understand, kids can understand what we are saying. I practiced that and definitely the principle of Reasoning works.... So remember, the principle of REASONING, do that with your kids.

Being Grateful - Being Thankful

2010-11-15T19:01:00.002+05:30

We all are so used to complaining.. We are always ready to complain about the smallest issue we have. And we do not see anything wrong with that..

I used to be like that as well maybe I still have this in me to some level. But whenever I used to complain to one of my very good friends. I used to get the response "Awwab, you are always complaining!" You need to look at the positives, at the good things etc. etc. I mean over a period of time, i learnt from my friend how to be Thankful and Grateful and stop complaining. I was listening to an audio yesterday in which the speaker said, If you have the time to complain then you are not Grateful enough to all the good things that God has provided you. Even if you have some small problems, compared to all the good things you have, then you need to be patient on them and keep yourself busy with Thanking God and being Grateful for the good things you have.

I went into the flashback mode thinking of my good friend. And I myself feel I am different now compared to what I was 2-3 years back. So next time you see me complaining then remind me: "Awwab! You are always Complaining!" It was only yesterday I realized the Positive change my friend had brought in me... Thank u soo much!!! But we are all humans and I am sure I might still be complaining about some things some times.. Have to practice and get over that Inshaa allaah.

Important Thing First

2010-09-22T22:54:00.002+05:30

Recently I was talking to an very experienced Petroleum Engineer, he is originally from India. I really liked working with him on some task, because I learnt a lot from him in the brief 2 meetings we have had. He has a lot of experience working in India in the Oil sector. Has a lot of education.He seems to be an honest person, has the willingness to do the things in the best way possible. I like proactive people willing to work to improve things. I dont like the people who just do the regular work in traditional pattern. Who dont care and dont add any value by whatever they do and dont think of their responsibility when they are working for the company.

I was speaking to him and asked him about some work and he taught me a lesson. He said I do the Important Thing First. Because if you are done with the important things and some emergency comes with your family or any other thing, since you have already completed your important work, you can attend to the emergency without the worry of pending important work. Since Emergency does not come with an Advance Notice. But if you keep it pending, then you will have an issue if you have to leave office for an Emergency. Or if you have to work on some other Urgent and Important Unplanned task at work, what is known as Fire-Fighting. You will not delay your important regular work.

I have also read a lot about this point in Self Development sites and topics of not to Procrastinate!!

So always remember if there is any important thing to be done now, Do it Now!!! Dont keep it Pending!!

The Egyptian Barber

2010-07-02T16:21:00.004+05:30

I have been in Kuwait for over 4 years now Alhamduliillaah!!! All this time I was staying the area known as Fahaheel. It has a market so usually people from closeby areas like Mangaf, Abu Halifa, Mahboula etc. have to come here for many of their needs. As this was one of the closest residential area to the Oil District of Ahmadi where I work. As well as it has a lot of positives like a lot of Desi's. So anywhere you go you can speak in Hindi in most of the shops, markets, Haircut saloons, Laundry, Money Exchange etc. etc. Well speaking hindi part applies to most places in kuwait actually as Indians top the majority of expatriate communities in Kuwait followed by egyptians I think. I remember once one of my ex-bosses he needed something or someone and I asked someone in Hindi and replied back to him what he was looking for. So he said "I dont know, what will happen if all these Indians go back"

But recently I moved out of Fahaheel to Abu Halifa, as wanted to move to a different flat and the once that I was looking for were in 3 areas Fahaheel, Mangaf and Abu Haleefa. But as Fahaheel has all the markets, people who dont have cars and bachelors prefer to stay here, so its crowded and difficult to get a flat of your choice. Also it has many old buildings. Few New constructions and expensive ones. So usually families prefer Mangaf or Abu Haleefa. As these places are usually populated by people who have cars so that they can drive to get whatever they need from any of the supermarkets. Although Mangaf also has some kind of Market built up now near to its Sultan Wholesale Center. But again, its still very small to meet all your needs. For example,you cant find curtains or carpet shop in Mangaf. In Fahaheel u get everything.

Wow I have spoken so much positive about Fahaheel, then why did I leave Fahaheel?? Good question, well everyone has got priorities. My priority was a more peaceful negihbourhood. With most families around. Hence I moved to Abu Halifa!

Ok now getting back to the subject of my Post, I have been here for 2 weeks and needed a haircut, i spoke to one of my Indian neighbours, that I needed an Haircut where do you usually go. Indirectly I was asking where can I find a Desi barber. Because there is a hair cutting salon right opposite my building by the name "Dollar One Salon". So he told me a fact that we all know, that three things are the most common shops in Kuwait, you can find them anywhere:

1. Hair Cutting Salon

2. Laundry

3. Fast Food Take-away restaurants

And then he said I go to this Barber next to the "Jamaiyah" Its a co-operative supermarket, all areas have one of them. As that shop has a pakistani barber to whom I go for haircut. So I was like fine. Pakistanis are good at hair cut and styling. For last couple of years I have been getting my hair done by a pakistani barber located in Mangaf, so I used to go from Fahaheel to Mangaf for haircuts. Because I did not have to say anything, he knew how I liked it, being a regular customer. So I said let me try this one in abu halifa as it will be closer to home and I can discontinue going to Mangaf for haircuts.

So I went to the shop it was after Ishaa, the pakistani guy was busy eating his dinner. And he already had a customer waiting for him. So he told me I have customer, let the other guy do your haircut. He was a Egyptian called Ridda, I was reluctant because that dude was sitting outside smoking. I was not sure what will he do to me. But I told to myself, all the Salons have arab and egyptian barbers, so let me try to see. Maybe he is not as bad as I am thinking. we should always try something New in Life. Else you will never know what you were missing. So I reluctantly gave him a Go-ahead. I was reasoning to the pakistani, that he should cut my hair, because I cannot speak to the egyptian in arabic. So when the egyptian guy came in, the pakistani told him he cannot speak arabic, so I will translate for u. He stared at me and the following was the conversation:

Ridda: Yaa Ragal, Inta mai araf arabi? (Hey Man, You dont know arabic?) He was shocked I could see on his face.

Me: Shoyya (Little)

Ridda: Shoyya(Little)??

Me: Ana Minal Hind (I am from India)

Ridda: (Awal marra shufta Hindi Abyad) First time I have seen an White Indian!

I have got this reaction many times, many people say this. becaus we have so much of Keralites in Kuwait. With all due respect. Most people here thinks Indians all look like the Keralites having dark complexion and the ones who have fair complexion (white) are in the Film Industry.

Anyways so he was soo shocked that I said I didn't know arabic because he thought I was Lebanese or Syrian or some arab.

Now the Haircut began, Usually in my life any haircut I have had, the barber would make the hair wet and then start cutting. This guy did not do that. He started with his scissor and was moving so fast, I thought in 10 mins I will be out. And in fact he was done in 15 mins, while my earlier haircuts used to be for 40-45 mins long.

All is Well That Ends Well:
The next week at work, people gave me compliments for my haircut, said looking decent with a nice haircut. So I guess I can go to that egyptian barber again!! SO i was right, we should try new stuff, else we would never know what we were missing.

CS0102 Definition for Rowchange eventhandler

2010-06-09T02:16:00.002+05:30

I have built a web application that is deployed and in use. Updated a dataset in it with new Table Adapters in Development environment to meet some new needs of users. Tested it and ready to deploy. Instead of overwriting the old Dataset in Production I pasted it to keep as backup and then when I copied the one from Development environment to overwrite the one in production. as soon as I RUN THE APPLICATION it says CS0102 Definition of TableAdapterRowchangeEvent Handler already exists. When I look at it in development environment it is not duplicated then why the error. After some thinking and loking at details of error, realised it was coming because of the old Dataset which I had kept as a backup. since both the datasets had the same table adapter. Once i moved it out No Issues. Soo as i always say, Issues are usually simple, but we always think of complex things...

Defensive Driving

2010-05-24T18:42:00.002+05:30

I attended this "Defensive Driving" course the other day as part of my HSE courses. People not familiar to Oil Industry, HSE stands for Health, Safety and Environment. HSE awareness and implementation is very crucial in this industry because of the Nature of work and dangers involved like poisonous gases are also produced during Oil Production. There many more hazards and Accidents can lead to massive losses, as we are all aware Thanks to BP! The Texas accident and now the one in Gulf of Mexico!
It was my first HSE course and it was effective, as I wear my seat belt irrespective of distance, speed, time of the day etc. And I also bought a Baby Car seat for my daughter. Although she is not willing to sit in it, because she is used to the freedom outside it. So its become a challenge to get her into that baby seat. her mom has already given up. I guess, will have to send the mom n daughter to an Defensive Driving course. To get some motivation. I m liking being part of Oil Business now.

Neways I have another HSE Training tomorrow called SOC- Safety Observation Conversation, where they teach you how you need to communicate and have a conversation when you see anyone working in an Unsafe manner and enviorment... So be prepared next time you see me. Dont do Anything Unsafe.

Always Remember: "SAFETY FIRST"

IIS Again!

2010-05-14T02:07:00.004+05:30

IIS stands for Internet information Server for Non-Techncal people it is used to host web applications on Windows server. I have been using and working on IIS hosting web applications or when I used to deploy sharepoint infrastructures across enterprises. But for the last two years I was working on web applications but had access to only a shared folder on the web server where i was supposed to dump my developed web application. The administration was being done by another team owning the web server. SO i was missing IIS!!!

Now we have our own Web server and I have been assigned the task to install/configure/maintain it. I like it. I am enjoying it more, because we now have IIS 7 on Windows Server 2008 R2 using Oracle Client 11G. New server, new capabilities... Enjoying doing it!!! Have to advice how to upgrade the existing web applications to get to run on this. The Trial and error, Troubleshooting, Investigation. I am loving it. Doing what I used to always do in the past.

Have to look at performance aspects, how to get the best performance from the Web server! Enjoying It!!!

Quit FaceBook

2010-05-11T01:14:00.002+05:30

I deactivated my facebook account. Was not using it too much and was more of a distraction/addiction. I had my friend requests which I was not sure about. I was not sure of the setting the Privacy. I had some friends, who have made everything private, so you dont know whats up with them. But then it beats the purpose itself of a Social Network. Sharing etc...

So dont for now I have deactivated it and will try not to go back to it. The time is money, need to invest on better things. Have not done reading since long. Need to keep myself updated on a lot of things firstly, Emaan refreshing articles, Positivity and Professional articles, Technology.

Technology changes sooo fast.... really have to keep in touch to avoid getting outdated. So lets use the time for better things than Social Networking!

What to write about??

2010-04-03T16:15:00.003+05:30

I have not blogged since long. And the last blog post , that I HAVE . I do not like it. Probably because I was writing it but could not express what I wanted to express. Seems a bit jumbled up. I think that is because I wrote soo many different things, mixed up different topics and tried to put it all in one post and ended up spoiling it. I did not give it my 100% I think.

I have so many things that I think of blogging about For example:

a. How many first child is growing up and what all I am observing from her growth

b. References and how to handle it. When you refer someone for a job and they let you down. How does it feel and what do you learn from that experience

c. Life in a big city- Observing all the different types of people you see around in Office, In a Mall.. Everywhere, you can find from the richest to the poorest...

Etc... etc...

Vacation In India

2010-03-09T22:25:00.003+05:30

I am on vacation in MUMBAI, India. AAPLI (Our) MUMBAI!!! I came down for a sudden vacation as I had to utilize my contractual leaves to avoid losing them on contract expiry. I thought i am going to have a good amount of time to Read, Study and Learn. I love to learn. But as I came down and was with family, friends, I found no time to study. In fact even the regular reading that I do online like www.positivityblog.com was less compared to how many times i visit it while in Kuwait!

Still I enjoyd to trips one to Vaholi, a village outside Mumbai, I took pictures of the village the way the rural homes were, the cattle, the roads etc. etc. It is not that I was in a village for the first time, but I was thinking for the first time that people staying in villages and rural areas are so happy and content with what they have. They may not have electricity all the time. They may not have the luxury of going to the sea side or garden. They may not get a Taxi to go anywhere all the time. Still they did not seem sad. But people who live in big cities how difficult it is for them to leave without one of the luxuries that they are used to. Imagine staying in your house without Internet. It becomess suffocating. I did not say worse staying without the Electricity or the Air Conditioner and Heater in the extreme climate of Kuwait.

We know that there were people who lived in this extreme climate in houses of MUD. They had no Air Conditioner. I have heard from people who have been in kuwait for around 25-30 years, they say they used to stay in labour camps which used to be in deserts. They used to sprinkle water on bedsheets to keep cold in the extreme heat.

Back to Mumbai:

I dont remember when I have travelled the last time by the public transport buses in MUMBAI which were the lifeline when I was a kid. I knew which bus would get me where. But now thanks to Bikes and Cars and convenience of Taxi. I just remember my past when I look at those crowded buses and Thank Almighty GOD for his favors. I have used them until I was working in Mumbai and would agree even with all the rush the bus and train system is the most convenient way to reach your work place. Unless you are privileged to have a company chaueffer driven car

Wondering how tolerant a person becomes travelling in those buses and trains when the person next to you has oil in his air that smells/stinks and you can do nothing about it. Or worse when the person next to you has perspired and you dont have an option. Talking of trains, I remember the times when I have stood on one leg because I cannot find place to keep the other leg on the train floor. Now we talk of leg space in cars. I feel bad that my Corolla does not have enough leg space for the people sitting on the back seat. Need a big car and there are still people who are travelling in the same trains and enjoying it. They are content. I wanted to travel this Sunday by Train and looking at the rush bought First Class ticket. But there were hundreds of people in the same queue who cannot think of travelling First Class. We are so privileged and are we as Thankful to GOD for his favours. Are we nice to the people who are poor and needy or are we arrogant, do we look down to others. The place I went to by train, can reached in1 hour 40 minutes and if I miss a Train I get the next train only after one hour. When I was there I had to ask the locals when will I get the train to go back home and had to reach in time else will have to wait for one hour on the station. And the people staying there were happy and content. Think Think we will have to answer one day for the luxuries we are enjoying....

The Law of the Garbage Truck

2010-01-27T02:12:00.001+05:30

Received below by Email: Liked it, wanted to enhance my putting my thoughts into it. But its too late in the night...Maybe Later. But read the below makes sense...

One day, I hopped into a taxi and took off for the airport . We were driving in the right lane when suddenly, a black car, jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed the brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches. The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. I mean, was really friendly. So I asked "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!" This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, The Law of the Garbage Truck.

He explained, "Many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.. NEVER take it

personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on with the routine life. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...... 'Love the people who treat you right.. Pray for the ones who don't.'

Believe that everything happens for a reason.

If you get a chance, TAKE IT! If it changes your life, LET IT!Nobody said it would be easy.

They just promised it would be worth it!”

A very rightly said quote: Life is 10% what you make and 90% how you take!!!!

I am liking it

2010-01-13T22:03:00.004+05:30

I think I Love Oil!!! No I don't mean that I like consuming Oil. I think I like working in Oil Industry. I have been working recently with Petroleum Engineers, basically having meetings with people who work and whose job profile is to work in Oil Fields. And I am liking the things they talk about, the factors that need to be considered. The things that need to be monitored. Oil production is not like producing Biscuits in a Factory, because here there are uncertainties and its a Natural Resource. It is indeed a complex business and understanding their business processes to provide solutions for them is what I am enjoying.

I wish to go to the oil fields and learn more and more about the oil business to enhance my skills and be more aligned with the business in providing solutions. I need to plan some higher studies in petroleum business. Dont know when ?? Hoping before all the Oil is over in the wars for Oil.

Recently been on a training on a core product for Oil Industry. Adding some specialization to the General IT strengths. Learning never stops...

The weekend - 7th Jan 2010

2010-01-10T16:21:00.004+05:30

This thursday evening after i came back from office and had a small nap, after Ishaa wanted to go to Qurtuba. Unfortunately I could not find my way to go where I wanted to. I went from 6th Ring which has no Exit to Road 45, Then took 5th and tried to join Road 45, but the sign to Road 45 said Surra and Rawda. So I was not sure If I would find Qurtuba on that exit. Finally, I decided to change the Plan and went to 360 degree Mall. Realized the importance of having GPS in your car or mobile phone. Yes you are right people used to ride on camels and find their way in deserts without GPS, or did they have GPS?, I think they used to know directions from the Stars. Isn't it. Any ways we live in an Advanced world. So I should get a GPS for directions. Can you believe although I might have driven down to Mirghab soo many times, always asking my friend for directions. Only recently I figured out how to get there on my own. That shows my Sense of Directions, Oopsss. I just revealed a weakness, so next time in an Interview they ask me for my 5 weaknesses I will mention this one. I will buy a GPS before the interview and say How I turned my weakness into Strength by buying a GPS. Smart right!!!

Ohh I lost the directions again, so I ended up going to 360 unplanned. I had been there many times before but this was the first time I went with my family. And this was the first day my daughter played with a balloon. Her first Balloon. I can remember the date now. As I blogged it. I think she likes going out, She enjoys looking at everything around, all the lights, she is awake or asleep, she stays in her stroller, having her own good time window shopping, as we do our shopping.

As we came out of the Mall to go back home it was 11:30 in the night, there was an empty slot next to my car. A young Kuwaiti Lad came and parked there, he seemed to be in a hurry. I was trying to fold my daughters stroller and put it in the trunk. As he came out of the car, in the speed of his haste, he asked me something in Arabic. Infortunately I did Not Understand and told him that, then he figured out I wasn't Arab. he asked me are you Indian? I said Yes, then he asked me in English: Will you have a problem in removing your car? I said NO, and he left. It was a nice Mercedes. SO I was like, such a gentle kid, there are others who will not mind parking behind you and blocking you until they do their shopping and this guy parked next to me and was ensuring that he did not cause any inconvenience to me. I think this is why this world has not end yet, There are real good people still alive in this world. This is how I thought about this kid. How would you have thought about it?

ASP.NET Error

2009-12-28T12:43:00.003+05:30

After ages I am doing a Technical post on my blog. I usually put them here for future reference because when we fix a problem and face the problem again its easy to refer back else you have to think again, how had I fixed it last time, what was wrong. To save time this post.

I got the Famous Yellow page with message:
"Failed to enable constraints. One or more rows contain values violating non-null, unique, or foreign-key constraints."

I was reading data from my Typed Dataset and I knew there was no such constraints that would fail in the result set. SO before I started thinking Complex, I thought there has to be something simple. As I knew my Data sources. The problem was caused by a discrepancy between the defined max size of a data column in my Typed Dataset and the size returned from the database. Simple wasn't it.

Going PeaNuts!

2009-12-25T01:20:00.002+05:30

I have a problem whenever I see peanuts I cant resist them, I have to buy and eat them. Buy and Eat, not Steal And Eat. So that's something normal and allowed. Anyways usually in Kuwait I find Egyptian Peanuts, they are much bigger in size and different in taste compared to the Indian peanuts. They are Huge compared to the Indian peanuts, like egyptian people ;) But that size does not matter, because they dont taste as good as the indian peanuts. But still beggars are not choosers, so I have to manage with Egyptian Peanuts out here. I am sure some store must be having Indian Peanuts... Gotta search.

Anyways when I got the peanuts yesterday and was having them, my memory went into a flashback mode and I could see my past when I was a kid. My Dad used to come back from work in the evening and he used to have two afternoon newspapers viz. "Afternoon" and "Mid-Day" and used to have a pack of peanuts. So it was a daily routine to wait for him to come to check out those newspapers and have some peanuts. I guess my love from peanuts must have started from there. Even in our localities back in India you can find hawkers with Roasted groundnuts. That is also what I used to love to buy and eat. And one of my sister's used to love them boiled. So whenever she used to visit us, we would get those groundnuts and boil them and eat it all together.

Looking back, there were such small things that used to keep people so closely bound together. That small pouch of peanuts might have cost hardly anything but meant soo much. Heard somewhere, What you Give is not Important, Giving is Important. In today's world we are so afraid of giving that the gift has to be expensive, branded etc.. etc.. Ok gotta end this post here...

The Iqaama thingy

2009-12-07T21:54:00.002+05:30

Today morning, I had planned to get my daughters Iqaama (Residence visa) stamped on her passport. As per my understanding, I had done the Insurance and was under the impression that Medical is not needed for Infants so i went straight to the Jawaazat(Ministry of Interior) and realized, I had to do Medical test for my Infant daughter. Not a problem, I drove back home from there to pick her up to go for the medical test. Luckily, the Fahaheel hospital is next door from my house. So All the way I tried to ring my wife, but unfortunately her phone was in silent mode.

I went to the typing center, got the form typed then went home picked my wife and daughter and went to the hospital. Now the best part was, as soon as we went there, there was rush as usual. I handed the documents to a guy who was there willing to assist and I sat on the waiting chairs with my wife. I think we were the only family there, rest seemed to be working ladies or men. Now as we were sitting, The KUWAITI gentleman who seemed to be like the boss/head out there came out, telling people to move out and stand in queue etc. He saw us and asked me where are your papers. I said they are inside. He went back in, seems he could not find it. Came back to me and asked me What Nationality and name of Baby. I said Indian, Haajra Khatib. He went back In, finished my papers came to me and directed me the next step. and in the next few minutes I was out with the Medical Test report. May Allaah bless this Gentleman for the kindness he showed. This is why I like Kuwait and Kuwaiti's, nice People!!!

Dropped family back home, ran back to Jawazat, finished the papers and went running to office.

Why this post? Because I dont want to forget the kindness shown by this gentleman.

Girls love to Shop!

2009-12-07T00:20:00.003+05:30

Its less than a week since Haajar came to Kuwait and she has been to City Center, Lulu HyperMart, and many Arabic Souk's (markets) in Fahaheel, Mangaf already. I think she likes shopping, after all she is a girl also. For a fact, all girls love shopping!!! When my wife was alone I used to keep shopping only on the weekend. But with Haajar here, I am more than willing to go out even daily. I think my wife must be the most happy person with this change. As she gets to do all the shopping, since Haajar is too young to shop.

Are You enjoying Being Dad?

2009-12-05T16:48:00.002+05:30

One of my friends asked me this question, when probably my Baby was only a month old and I had just come back from india. When I was alone here since we were waiting for my Baby's passport and other formalities before she came to Kuwait. SO I told definitely I am enjoying being Dad, Alhamdulillaah!! And I will give you more on it once my Bint (daughter) comes to Kuwait.

Yes, everyone was scaring me, that once she comes to Kuwait, you will not get to sleep! Enjoy your freedom for the last few days etc. etc. But Alhamdulillaah, she is here in Kuwait and I m enjoying the company. Now as soon the clock strikes 3, I want to leave office and go home. When its evening I am willing to go out with my daughter, put her in the stroller and move around in the markets. Its much more fun! I m a Family Man, Now!!! Got only one wife and one daughter!! ;)

Life moves so fast, was a kid, then went to school, college, than started working, got married and now I am a father also. Some of friends said, you should not have a kid soo soon!! You should wait for couple of years etc. etc. But I remember hearing it from some senior people, I know this gentleman in my office, who told me once, Awwab you should have kids when you are young, He said he had his first kid when he was quite old. So he was advicing me, he said one reason is raising children needs patience. When you are young and have a kid, you have the strength to play with them and be like them as they grow up. And the second reason is by the time you get old, your children are on their feet and ready to take care of you! Sound Advice, Indeed!!

More Later...

Eid @ Mumbai

2009-12-04T00:33:00.003+05:30

I went to Mumbai for Eid. I travelled only for 5 days, One of the benefits of working in Middle-East, you can travel frequently and for less number of days as tickets are cheap and travelling time is less. You can see your family often. So it was a short trip. I packed unpacked the day I reached and was packing again to travel back the next day. But it is always worth, as I find every moment spent with the family invaluable. The time u spend with your siblings and parents is worth millions, atleast to me.

The best part was on day of Eid, especially Eid-ul-Dhuha(Adha) when we have the goat slaughtering after the Eid prayers, when everyone in the building comes down to manage their Dhabiha slaughtering of the Animal. You get to meet all the kids and the elders, you get the chance to make fun and enjoy while slaughtering. Everyone works like a family, helping each other push their goats and hold them down while being slaughtered. The race between the butchers, to see whose is more professional and can skin the goat faster. So many things that you cannot enjoy living in foreign land. I am sure I have ignited the good memories of back home to all my friends and relatives who are staying abroad and could not make it to go back home for Eid.

May Allaah bless all of us with such Niyamah that we can go and see our families more and more often. Money will come and go, But You Live Life only Once! Try to plan your leave's accordingly, that you get a chance to get Eid @ home at least once in 2 years. It is easy to do so when you are single but more difficult when you are married as travelling with wive's sorry 1 wife only ;) and kids would not be easy. Where there is a will there is a way!!

Anyways! A belated Eid Mubarak to all! Make the most of whatever you have. I have seen some people try to make the most of Eid even in foreign lands, by doing Barbeque and all with friends@!! So Invite me if I am available and you doing Barbeque ;)

Stupidity vs. Smartness

2009-11-24T16:51:00.003+05:30

I really like this example of comparing Stupidity with Smartness. To give you a brief background, we have a senior Consultant, He is an american with good sense of Humour and frank to give good advices. He is frank because he told me that he knows when he gives me work and tells me do it right now, I will completely ignore it and not care. So basically we work on the same project and have a good working relationship. Well most of the Americans I know have good sense of humour. Ok the funny thing that happened today was I was looking for my boss. Because I had seen a missed call on my phone from his office and I could not find his secretary to ask if he was looking for me. So I went around the office looking for him. I could not find him. This is 1 hour before the end of the day. Well to make it clear we have a big office and my boss moves around to meet people that he needs something from, he is a very energetic, down-to-earth, ambitious person. I dont like his personality, I love his Personality. Maybe I should steal some qualities also from him, the way I stole a plant from his office. No, I did not technically steal it. But thats what I say, when anyone asks. Because people wonder, Why am I the only one who has a huge plant in his office once we moved to this new office complex.
I like to keep writing when I blog, even going away from the topic, but then lets get back to the topic, because i want to go home early today as I will go on a vacation, I will fly back home to MUMBAI to spend EID with family, so this is my last working day.

As I was searching for my boss, i ran across the gentleman I mentioned above, the Consultant. I asked him have you seen Boss? He said I saw him 30 mins ago. I was like OK, Then he went ahead to tell me , Let me explain to you What is Stupidity? I said Ok. He said Stupidity is when You are Looking for your boss 1 hour before you go on vacation, To ask him, if he needs anything. I gave him a smile. Well I wasnt look for my boss for that reason, anyways I liked what he said. Then he said let me explain to you what Smartness is? I said Go ahead. Then he said Smarness is when you avoid your boss completely even 1 day before you go on vacation. That was a smart one.

Well 2 days back, one of my friend smsed me that he really liked reading my blog and he mentioned some of the previous posts. He smsed to say Thank You for reminding the past. actually sometimes even I like to read the old posts it helps to look in the past. What was I thinking when I wrote that. How my thoughts have changed over the period of Life.

Now that reminds me of another quote I just heard from another Consultant today. He said: Some big philosopher has said "The day you stop Learning is the Last Day of your life" That was a good one too!! we always keep learning. So keep learning and share what you have learnt, as i remember "Knowledge only Increases by Sharing"

Alrite next post will be once I reach home, Aapli MUMBAI!!! :)

Algeria vs. Egypt

2009-11-19T23:50:00.003+05:30

I was watching this football/soccer match yesterday while having dinner in a Bakistani hotel "Khan Baba" in Fahaheel. And all the Desi's sitting there were laughing because the football match looked more like Kabaddi Match

It was so funny, reminded me of good old school days, when we used to play friendly matches or the Inter-School matches. I was part of the Inter-school team. If I try to recollect I was a good defender I think. But as far as I remember, we used to play to win or break the opponent. It was not professional matches. It was like having fun! Good Old days, we all had so much fun in School n College days! But in the match they were like pushing each other, making foul. kicking, doing what not. So in yesterday's match what we saw was the same thing. It was not professional football was more like fighting going on. Trying to show who is stronger.

Well No Hard feelings guys! This post was just for fun, but honestly I was laughing looking at the match.

Father and Kids photos

2009-11-13T15:59:00.001+05:30

I just stumbled upon this on StumbleUpon and liked it:

http://www.stumbleupon.com/s/#33c49b/www.dirjournal.com/info/oh-these-dads-photos-of-fathers-and-kids//

Brothers Alike

2009-11-02T20:34:00.002+05:30

Me n "Bu Ibrahim" working in the same group get to attend a lot of events together and since he is my elder brother I try to stick close to him and people who don't know us always ask what's the relationship between us. We almost simultanesously reply "We are Brothers!" And since we look pretty much alike, although Bu Ibrahim is much smarter, as he has got his UK born Brought Up touch!!!! ;) But I am sure anyone will believe we r brothers when we say that. That is on the looks side but even in other areas the first person I consult on things when I need brotherly advice is Bu Ibrahim. There soo many things common between us, firstly Islaam Alhamdulillaah, secondly the Desi Connection, we can chat up things in Hindi! Thirdly he is a nice person. But than there are other very nice people around us in our group. So that makes up a good healthy working environment. We always treat each other as brothers.

To me it really means a lot in this foreign land!! A land that I came to and I knew None, I was a loner, I remember those days when I used to go and write some blog posts on my Communicator sitting alone by the sea. But today if i look around, I have people who are soo close and soo important to me although there's no blood relation between us not even the Desi connection. But still they say Awwab you are part of our family. And I feel the same way about them. May Allaah protect them all who mean a lot to me and bless them and their families!!!

What does that look like?

2009-10-21T01:22:00.003+05:30

I just saw this picture of mine, while I was driving and was on the phone. Dont I look Good :) Mashaa Allaah Mashaa Allaah!!! I was so busy talking on the phone did not realize I was being clicked.

Looks like taking care of some serious business on the phone!!!

Indian Price

2009-10-21T01:08:00.002+05:30

What is the Indian Price? Its a common term that my senior uses around, Will I get the Indian price? Whenever we discuss about anything. SO what is this Indian price referred to. I got the explanation today when he was explaining it to an egyptian in office. If you go to any market in Kuwait places like Hawally, Fahaheel etc. mostly shops either belong to Indians or the salesmen are Indians. So his point of view is that they give a cheaper rate to Indians, so if you can act like an Indian and ask for the price of a commodity, you will get it cheaper. For example if they sell an external hard Disk for 30KD to a Kuwaiti, they will offer it to an Indian for 25KD.

SO Thats the Indian Price!!Will I get the Indian Price?

My Baby's Passport

2009-10-16T23:04:00.005+05:30

I learnt this lesson, after making the same mistake second time, not applying in Tatkaal"Out-of-turn"issue of passport scheme where you get the passport in 15 days. It had taken 5 months to get my wife's passport. And now for my daughter I applied on 8th August and everyone told me for Minor baby there is no police verification so you will get it in 15-20 days. And thats what I was hoping for. But unfortunately the status message on the passport site said "The passport will be dispatched on 13th October 2009 if all documents are in order". Which means after 35 days of applying it was expected to be dispatched. Still I was checking the passport status site every alternate day on an average, assuming that 35 days was a default message and since it was for minor child, they might complete and dispatch it earlier. Unfortunately it did not happen until 13th October. When I checked the status today on 17th October. I get a Good News and a Bad News. The message has been updated and now it says: "The passport has been Granted and will be despatched by 19th November 2009". The Good News was that the passport has been granted, so nothing was missing in paperwork Inshaa Allaah. But the bad news was that the dispatch date was after a month and when I was planning to get my daughter to Kuwait by 30th November. So it was a setback. But because I am praying for the passport more than for myself. I think it was a typing mistake, they typed in 19th November instead of 19th October. So Inshaa Allaah I am hoping to receive it by 21st October.

Lessons learnt: Always apply for a passport in TATKAAL scheme if in INDIA. The good part of being a Resident abroad is that if you apply it in INDIAN EMbassy, you get a brand new passport in 2-5 days.

Update: Passport has been despatched by post on 20-10-2009 vide postal Registration Number 571

Alhamdulillaah the passport status has changed with above today. SO should get my babys passport tomorrow. I love My INDIA

Touching Story

2009-10-11T18:33:00.001+05:30

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"
DAD: "Yeah sure, what is it?"
SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?"
SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"
DAD: "If you must know, I make $100 an hour."
SON: "Oh! (With his head down).
SON: "Daddy, may I please borrow $50?"
The father was furious.
DAD: "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?
After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think:
Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $ 50 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

DAD: "Are you asleep, son?"

SON: "No daddy, I'm awake".
DAD: "I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier. It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $50 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling.
SON: "Oh, thank you daddy!"
Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

DAD: "Why do you want more money if you already have some?"

SON: "Because I didn't have enough, but now I do.

"Daddy, I have $100 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."
The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness. It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $100 worth of your time with someone you love? If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family and friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our family.

Reference: http://ritemail.blogspot.com/2009/10/100-dollar-touching-story.html

Busy...Busy...Busy

2009-10-07T23:09:00.002+05:30

As I get involved in more and more work at work, I get busier and busier and you know what's the best part of it. I am Enjoying It!!! As I will get to work on different aspects of business, I am excited about it and looking forward to giving my best to it Inshaa Allaah!!!

Reminds me of those old days in India when I used to work like round the clock. But now I dont want to work round the clock as I have a family to take care of being A FATHER of a cute little girl.

But I want to learn more and more, want to work in different aspects of business, want to be involved in everything that I can work on. I have friends who always tell me. Awwab you need to learn to say 'NO'. But I guess, I haven't learnt that yet and don't want to at this stage of my career. I am still young, energetic and on the learning curve... Have soo much more to learn, understand...and so far to go in life.... and you know what I learnt two more things today 1. About the circle of Influence vs. Circle of Concern and 2. About the Ladder example of Manager and Leader. That's why I like to work with this Gentleman, every time I sit with him, I learn something new that will help in all aspects of life be it work or personal!!!

About Oil Industry

2009-10-06T01:02:00.004+05:30

I was seeking advice from a Senior Consultant in our office. He has ample amount of experience in the Oil Industry. It is an honour that he has been invited to give a talk in a Carbon Conference in China in which even Hillary Clinton is a speaker. SO imagine, how much experience he must be having. As I am getting more focussed towards how Oil works, was seeking his advice about the industry and what can benefit me to be valuable in Oil industry. He explained to me about the different areas like Exploration, Seismic 2D/3D/4D, Surface facilities, Dry Holes, Drilling and the business/economic aspect of Oil business. We discussed how advancement in technology was reducing the error factor. How GeoScience is soo important. It was a very good discussion. I found it very interesting...and I guess I am getting more and more focussed towards Oil industry. The baseline was you get more knowledge by working in the fields and attending conferences on different areas of Oil. It is a wide industry with lot of potential. So I was thinking of doing some masters but seems I will learn more by studying about all the different areas and speaking to people in the different groups in our company. Have to invest more time and effort to excel in learning the Oil business. He is such a gentleman likes to share his knowledge and help anyone who needs his help/advice.

I love my INDIA !!!

2009-10-03T01:22:00.004+05:30

I was at MUMBAI airport this time coming back to Kuwait, the flight timing is early morning Yaani U have to pray Fajar at the airport. Until last time Yaani June 2009, U had to pray in some corner near the seating place. The issue that comes with that is to identify the Qiblah direction. And thats what I was trying to do this time also at the airport when the shopkeeper whom I asked told me that there was a Prayer room made near Gate 8. And Yes I went there and it was a Prayer/Meditation room and once I went Inside, there was Qiblah direction marked for people to pray. Mashaa Allaah! I Love My India!!!

Also reminds me of some of my previous bosses whom I might have asked for a place to pray in Office, they would so happily provide a solution/permission to pray. This is how much support you get when you want to follow your religion in India even after being Minority!

So next time you are at Mumbai Airport and want to pray just look for Gate No. 8

Eid Mubarak!

2009-09-20T02:25:00.002+05:30

Eid Mubarak to all my brothers, sisters and friends back home (Kuwait) and to all those in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi, Bahrain, UK and all the places where its Eid tomorrow on Sunday!!!

Its going to be Eid Inshaa Allaah on Monday in INDIA Al-Hind, the land that is mentioned in Hadith also!!

8 DAYS TO GO

2009-09-17T00:22:00.004+05:30

All praise be to Allaah, I came on a vacation for a month, and now I realize I just have 8 more days to go. The countdown has begun and there are still items in my To Do List pending to do. I haven't even thought of shopping, which usually is the first thing I do when here. It was Ramadan and my first daughter that kept me soo busy. I was trying to complete the paperwork for her, like her passport etc. So it will be Eid and off will I fly after Eid! Seems this time I will not be able to do any shopping for myself or friends. Although I am not liking it! Lets see, its just so different in Ramadan, you dont feel like going and spending time in the markets. I was not able to catch up with most of my friends. I have not seen many of my close relatives like Khaala(Maternal Aunt) yet. So it seems I will be doing Fire-fighting after Eid, I already understand from Day 1 I am here I should be Proactive and schedule and complete these things already, but we are soo human and everyone else is soo busy with their own schedules. Because it is just me who is on Vacation everyone else here is working.

But with Ramadan, everyone keeps so busy with their own stuff, its not easy to be socializing or going around, travelling etc. any ways even 8 days is a lot if I really plan and execute these things in my To Do List. Have to identify the Action items and work on them. Yallaa Awwab Get Going!!!

Yallaa Again, reminds me how used to I m to using my kuwaiti lugaa in speaking. Today, i was at the Municipalality (Baladiya) office to give some application, I had to borrow a pen from the security guy, because I did not carry mine and I asked it from him in Marathi (Regional language of my state) and I speak Marathi whenever I am doing any official papers, it becomes easier. as every person in this world likes it when you speak to him in his mother tongue. Me being born and brought up in Maharashtra have good skills with Marathi. Anyways, so when I asked for the pen, he said what if I need it, so I told him I will write the Application Hini(Here in Arabic) but since I also used sign language, he understand I was going to write on his table itself although I said it in a mixture of Marathi and Arabic. Same happened when I was speaking with a friend in the evening. I told him "Inta Entrepreneur Yaa Habibi" and he did not understand a single word from what I said! So even after being here for around 25 days, I have my arabic words on the top of my tongue. And you know what, I like it!!! I wish I can speak Arabic completely, One day Inshaa Allaah!

Hajra or Hajar??

2009-09-13T00:48:00.004+05:30

I wanted to blog since the day I came to Mumbai. But then I kept so busy to find out a topic to blog about. I was requested to blog about Life After Marriage but I have not done that yet. I thought of blogging about fatherhood but than I thought its too early. But yes its a great feeling to be DAD. But I dont know If I can dedicate a post to it at this stage or should wait for some more months being Dad.

Well if not any of these, then what should I blog about. Nothing! Wow Nothing is also a good topic! Isn't it! Well lets talk about what am i doing in Mumbai. Its Ramadan and I was planning to come for 2 weeks to see my first Baby, who is called Hajar(Hajra) Binte Awwab. Since it was Ramadan and last 3 Ramadan I was in Kuwait. I felt like, lets spend this whole Ramadan in Mumbai with my MOM and siblings. I requested and got my leave approved. And its 22nd nite, today. So Ramadan is almost in its last week. Subhanallaah Time flies!

Now I had a tough time selecting my daughters name. One of the reasons I selected this name was because its my grandmother's name. Now there is a confusion with it. In India if You ask anyone who was Umm Ismail, wife of prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him)?? They will say Hajra, and this was the name of my grandmother and is the name of my daughter now. But when I tell my Arab friends my daughters name is Hajra, they say what does that mean. DO you mean HAJAR?? I say Na'am (YES)

The question is what is the real name according to Arabic Language for mother of prophet Ismail, wife of prophet Abraham!?? Although I think it is an Abrahani name not Arabic, according to my sister. Who know much more about Arabic than me. Most of the places where i found Islamic literature in english it said Hajar.

So I think my daughter will be known by two names, Hajra in India and Hajar in Kuwait. SO I m Bu Hajra in India and Bu Hajar in Kuwait!!! Unless I find a solution out! And I do not know how to pronounce Hajar??? :(

From Upset to Motivated!! Thank U!

2009-08-18T00:11:00.003+05:30

Yesterday, I was very upset and sitting with my friend and my friend started quizzing me, Y was I upset, why was I different than before. Where was that energetic Awwab, who was motivated, who used to smile. Who was so Optimistic. I tried to explain why I was sad or upset. And she negated my points and as I was trying to explain more to convey I had a reason to be upset, internally I knew I did not have a valid case. Then she reminded me how I was so energetic and motivated just two weeks ago.

Then we tried to think what had changed in the last 2 weeks. Couple of things:

I was sitting with people who were worrying themselves and trying to tell me I should have a backup plan, we may have some issues after around 4 months. I know they advice me this way only bcos they care for me.
I was getting upset with so many other things in the environment which were wrong. etc..

Ultimate result, we had an Upset Awwab :(

We were together able to identify the reason for it, U know when you know your weakness, you can work to get over it. So luckily in this conversation my friend showed me the mirror and how ugly I looked when I was upset. So I realized the points that had made me such and resolved right then, that I am not getting into any conversation about this matter nor am I going to worry about things that do not concern me. It was such a relief.

The result of the conversation: Today morning I was in office before 7 a.m. and I left office around 3:45. I devoted all my time to pending items finishing things that I was putting in the pending list as I thought they were not urgent. I scheduled a meeting for some task with my Strategy guru whom I was benefiting from 2 weeks ago and had some blog posts about him earlier. We discussed work and in the end he taught me one more new thing today. he explained to me the quadrants of Urgent vs. Important and how to handle tasks based on these quadrants, it was lovely learning. Now I can identify anything that I am doing whether it is worth or not, whether I am being proactive or reactive. I am enjoying it, so I know when I am sitting on my computer and doing something Not Important and Not Urgent while missing other things which are Important and Urgent, how I am putting my self into a situation where I will have to be reactive later. Amazing, I love talking and learning from this brother. Makes things so simple. I wish I can work more with him. As what he teaches applies to work as well as personal life.

So thanks to my friend firstly for gettin me back on track and then my Strategy Guru to give me the motivational boost... And Thanks to Allaah for keeping me around such great people. Niyaamah! U really have to be lucky to have good people around u.

Yes, this is a different Awwab, the one thats full of Energy and motivated to conquer the world with a smile :)

Family away from Family

2009-08-08T03:14:00.004+05:30

This is my small family that I have built out here in Q8, the friends who r soo close to me, who treat me like one of their families. Who advice me when I am going in a wrong direction, who support me when I am feeling low, who are always there for me. Who make me feel soo good with the confidence they have me. Who make me feel so good, with the trust they have in me. Who keep me running by motivating me, by giving me inspiration, by teaching me... They dont get tired Listening to me. They dont get tired when I talk to them about the uncertainties, they just advice me with patience and remind me of being Optimistic and it works wonders... They have not given up on me yet!!!

They mean a lotttttttt to meeeee!!!!! Saj!!!

Destiny

2009-07-28T01:08:00.003+05:30

Recently I heard on an Audio listening, the person speaking was quoting someone. The person quoted mentioned that I believe in GOD as I see him controlling me. I make a plan to do something, but then I am unable to achieve it, but something else happens. This shows there is someone who has power over all my affairs. That is soo True. We plan so many things, we think, I will do this, than I will do that and this way I will reach there. I believe in Planning. But then still there is the Factor called Destiny. We plan in our limits based on what we see. But then our Destiny takes over and places us in a different position, that is good for us. And it being part of our Faith to believe in Destiny, we are satisfied with what comes down our way. Alhamdulillaah, Islam is such a complete religion, it covers everything that you need to Live a Happy life.

I think I have blogged earlier about it: Everyone was shocked when I left my job with a company that stamped my H1B and wanted to send me to USA, and I told them No I want to work in MUMBAI itself. And the second company did my B1B2 so that I travel for couple of months on projects, I was Ok with this idea. My tickets were booked. We were waiting for approval from the upper Management when we got the news that they had decided to close down the Mumbai office, since they had a bigger office in hyderabad. See, How I who was about to go to USA on a project, left the company and got an offer and came to Kuwait in weeks. That was my Destiny and Alhamdulillaah, I am so happy for what I got. Lucky that I did not get into that Cycle of H1-Green Card-Citizenship. by the time you get it these days you are 40 years old spent all your youth away from your loved ones, just working hard, thinking every day if you will have a job the next week or not. Worrying about how will recession affect, how much higher is the cost of living going to be. I mean we all deserve some peace of mind also. We are humans only. Last week I was speaking to my friend who is in the USA now for couple of years, we realised that the amount of Savings was almost the same. To me that is the reason why I left my Home country, to make and save some money. So I was teasing him, how lucky we are that we can reach back home in 3 hours on the cheapest of tickets and How they cannot think of coming to India atleast for 2 years because of the short 2 week vacation they get and the cost of Tickets.

Wallaahi Niyamah to be close to home. I am loving it. I mean if you can get to see your Mom often, to me it is a Niyamah. I feel so bad for my brother who loves all of us so much and we love him so much but we dont get to see him often, maybe once in 2 years on a 2 week vacation. I wish he moves down to the middle-east or India so that we can see him often! Yaa Rabb!

Any ways everyone has their personal choices and have their own Destiny. I know my friends who tell me everytime I speak to them, come back to India you can do great here also. But at this moment I like to be in Kuwait and visit my Mom and family often atleast once a year. Kuwait - I am Loving It!!!

The way you look at it! Orca Vs. Seal

2009-07-26T23:30:00.004+05:30

One of my friends at work sent me this Video Link without any comments. I want you to see this video and then note what comes to your mind from it before reading what is below it.

I watched the whole video and replied saying, "What I learnt from it is that You should have a Strategy to achieve a goal and then a team that believes in that strategy and acts according to it to reach the goal". Now you know whats wrong with me. Maybe u just enjoyed the video, or just admired it or just took it casual. I have been recently reading stuff about Management, hearing from some Strategy Guru's about what a good Strategy should be what are its goals. What is Competitive Advantage. To be honest, I am enjoying it. I am trying to understand what goes on in the minds of leadership, what are they interested in, what is Important to them and how ignorant are the common men working on the floor in the organization about these stuff and how much powerful would be an organization which can get its people to believe in the Mission and Act on the Values and Behaviors set by the Leadership.

I wish I can work in this area full time. Maybe one day! So since I am going through this kind of stuff when I saw the video I related it to what was going on in my mind. And my friend replied with a Sad face, I like the Seal. I mean I never thought about the whole video that way at all. She was sad for the fate of the Seal. And I was impressed with the Intelligence and team work of the Orca. Anyways, she has to be sad, women have to be sentimental else this world would be a crazy place if even women were like Men. I told her that is good, thats how a girl is supposed to be, Emotional, Keep it Up!!!

So any girl who saw this video and did not feel sorry for the seal. I think u ladies need to go back to a girls school and learn how to be more Feminine. Your work environment has made you soo much like Man. Stop being just like a Man! The charm is when a Woman acts like one. Not when she acts like a Man!

Being Thankful

2009-07-23T15:57:00.004+05:30

Today was an Off thanks to Kuwait in lieu of the Night of Ascension this Monday. Woke up late around 11:45, I had invited a friend to stay with me since my family is back in India. As we woke up we thought should we make some breakfast or eat out. Then we thought lets have some Aloo Paratha in an Authentic Pakistani restaurant. We knew we were late for breakfast in the restaurant but then thought Yalla. lets give it a try. Yalla.

Unfortunately we got no breakfast there, as we entered my friend met one of his ex-colleagues. He has been in Q8 for 31 years and working only as a Helper in a prominent company. 31 years in a single company. Gets to see his family only for a month every 1.5-2 years for a month. Yaani, he has been with his family on an average for only 24 months means 2 years of his with his family while he spent the rest working for them... And we complain we dont get enough vacation, shame on us. Reminds me of the Hadith which means Look at those who are below you not who are Above you. I try to think of the vacations I take and he has taken in his life. How thankful We should be to Almighty Allaah. And as my friend narrates he is not educated so he has been the same post of Helper for all these years. Hard work for 31 years, his age is 52 now. Means he must have come here at the age of 21 years. Well he was not fortunate to get education, so he worked so hard and made soo many sacrifices to give his family a good life.

He was mentioning his son would go into final year of secondary school and he gets good percentages in school around 85% . Mashaa allaah, he was mentioning he would like him to study and become an Engineer as he is getting good grades in school. He said I will work here for next 8 years until I retire at 60, so that my son can become something. May Allaah help him. We discussed and I adviced him to do Diploma than Degree if he is sure he wants to do Engineering. Explained the benefits of it, over Doing Higher Secondary and than Engineering Degree directly. He asked which field of engineering was better I mentioned Computers, Electronice& Telecom and Chemical. So we just had a casual discussion over a breakfast and we had met for the first time. he liked it so much, he was soo thankful while leaving. But I felt soo sorry. Yaani, there are poor people around the world facing Hardships and trying to educate their children to give them and a good life.

Now looking at this picture. We keep complaining, I need this, I need that, I dont have this, I dont have that. Wallaahi, I dont think I have any right to complain, I think I have everything.

Playing with the Cat

2009-07-23T02:21:00.002+05:30

I was discussing with a senior consultant we have in our group, who is responsible for Planning for the group. And we were discussing about some new products we are planning to implement for Project Management. And we were both stating that we cannot succeed unless we get all users to buy in and use the tool. So we were thinking of the risks and issues tht could come up. Basically we were doing Project Management without a Tool... I was stating how we can improve the lives of users with all the different ideas we had already available in doing different things related to their business and make their lifes easy.

But as all Experienced and Mature people advice, he also adviced me the same thing. Awwab, you have to be Patient. We have to go slow with the users slowly slowly we make these part of their routine. He mentioned his Mom used to say "When you are trying to play with the cat, like run around to catch her, you should also give her some freedom" Means you should not corner her, she might get scared and in return hurt you. So you should give it some space to run around... Similarly you should give your users some freedom to accept the tools and new ways of doing things patiently. If you Push it on them, they might revolt back.

A very good way to teach something. I dont think I will ever forget the lesson he taught me because of the story of "Playing with the Cat" Human mind is such, it remembers things more easily when you store it like a picture, something that relates to something you already know. From my childhood I know playing with cats and I could relate what he was mentioning and picture it. And then we he relates the story to day to day Business. It surely will help remembering it all the time....

This is why I love talking and sitting with senior experienced people, I get to learn so much from them. Much better than talking to people your age... who havent seen the world more than u.

But on the other side I have some other people who think they will implement solutions and get users to use them by force from their bosses. To be honest, I believe only 50% that their Strategy would work. Because I always believe, even if you make the best system in the world it is th ease of Use, that predicts the Success or Failure of it. So any system that increases the work of end users usually goes towards the failure route.

Thats the 1st one towards achieveing my KPI...

KPI

2009-07-22T22:08:00.002+05:30

KPIs = Key Performance Indicators?? Well nowadays everyone has KPIs unless you are not performing to be measured enough. And u know what my weekend KPI is. I have to write 6 posts over these 3 days. So I have to think and write about some good stuff...

I have tough boss, to assign me such KPIs.... more later!!!

Thats what friends are for!

2009-07-21T18:44:00.002+05:30

Today as I reached office and the first question I got from my friend cum Advisor cum Counsellor cum Sister was, so what are the key points you have noted down. Yaani, she had already read my blog. I could not believe it. I dont think she has my blog in RSS feeds and I had not blogged since long, so wasn't expecting any of my friends checking it out for updates.

But it was really cool, that my friends still keep a tab on me thru my blog! Gives me the boost to keep blogging knowing friends are reading it. That is why first thing i did after reaching home today was start typing in this post...

Too sleepy..... gotta catch some sleep now! More later

Random Chants

2009-07-20T20:36:00.002+05:30

It has been long I haven't blogged. No, I haven't quit blogging yet nor am I too busy to blog. It was just always I think of blogging, I try to think of a topic to blog about, and that thought would not give me a result so I wont be able to blog anything.. So today i thought lets just go on and speak nothing and maybe I will come up with something.

I had a very interesting conversation today with a very fine Gentleman, who has recently joined our organization. He is a Gold Medalist in USA, studied in the top universities. And as i usually like talking to mature people who have much more experience than me, because I get to learn from them. He was explaining to me about different types of people and what type of people rise up in life and how we should deal with conflicts and how to be devoted to any work that we have been entrusted to do. How to deal with Change. He has worked with organizations and with the leadership of organizations helping them plan their strategy and get it to work. So I had a very interesting 10 minute conversation in which I was an active listener and trying to Grab the most of it and memorize at the same time. I am sure I have to jot them down with Pen and Paper to not forget the important points... I know you must be wondering when will i bring down the points that he explained. Unfortunately I will have to disappoint u now. Since he explained to me this as a younger brother. So I am keeping his advice to myself and not making it public. Yes I will try to encourage him to blogging, so maybe if he decides to share his thoughts with the worlds, i shall definitely let you know ;)

It Indeed was a pleasant day Alhamdulillaah!! Let me do my homework before I lose any important point from that conversation.

Salaam MUMBAI

2009-06-08T07:07:00.002+05:30

Aapli MUMBAI = Our Bombay!!!
Born, Brought Up and Spoilt in MUMBAI and then exported to Kuwait = Me!!!
Spending time with my family, its soo much fun!! I woke up today for the Dawn prayers on my Moms voice. Prayed and then sat there on my computer while she read quran and we speak about something or the other. The doorbell rings and I say is it Pauwala(The guy who brings the fresh morning bread) and I take the bread from him. and than in some time we have our morning tea. Me have tea with Brun Pau(A special type of bread that is available only in MUMBAI) and Maska(Butter) and than I watch as the kids get ready and run to catch their school bus to go to school! My nephews were waiting down for the school bus and they came running back home because it started to Rain, so they came for their Umbrella! The same old days, everything here is soo same, the way it always has been. U can hear the sound of the hen/chicken, I remember when we were kids we used to call it the Adhan of the Hen/chicken. And as the sun will rise further, u will be able to hear more cars and see more people walking around. Every1 will be focussing to reach his destination to complete his task for the day! U can still see the peopl who live on the streets in their huts and see them try to find some cover as it rained today! They seem to be soo settled in there! It does not seeem anything is out of place for them, their kids play between the vehicles that pass by on the street. Shay Ajeeb (Strange Thing) But now many people know what I am talking about, Thanks to Slumdog Millionaire!
I hear that although this people live in streets in MUMBAI, but back home in their villages they are rich people! God knows best! As I was writing this, doorbell rang and came my niece Rukaiyya and I had to leave the computer because she's soo cute. So I spent a good one hour with her having fun and than I came back to this blog post. Its soo much fine. But I can enjoy this only when I am here on a vacation. If I will take up a job in MUMBAi, maybe I will be soo busy that I wont have the time to enjoy this small things that give me so much joy. So I am trying to make the most of my vacation this time. trying to make sure I enjoy every moment. As my friends adviced me to enjoy the time with family and not worry of Office this time. And I think I will take their advice.

Watch your thoughts

2009-05-12T21:54:00.005+05:30

I remember when I was a kid and visited one of the Departmental stores @ Breach Candy, Mumbai, I saw a desktop display item with a quote saying:

Watch your Thoughts they become Words,

Watch your Words they become Action,

Watch your Action they become Habits,

Watch your Habits they become Character,

Watch your Character for it becomes You

I still remember those lines and reflect upon them sometimes. Whoever said that surely had a lot of Wisdom. I always try to reflect upon those lines and observe how our thoughts turn into actions and then into habits and then into character and then to yourself.

Some people think, if you are not having enemies in office, means you are not working. Probably, they thought if you are working, everyone else around is sitting there to just steal credit for their work. And then they work in a defensive mode, trying to hide things and lie up until they really end up making a lot of enemies because of their behavior. So the culprit is nothing except the initial thought that becomes part of themselves. And to them their thought is soo accurate because now they have soo many enemies. Some people might not be enemies but still be frustrated with their crazy behaviour... Soo Watch your thoughts, please!! You will surely get what you give to this world is the principle. if you are good to people they will be good to you. And if you are mean and rude, you will get the same behaviour back.

I believe if you are working, you should keep yourself busy concentrating on your work more than what others are doing. In today's times there is no one who is soo stupid, that others will be able to steal credit for your work. Your bosses are definitely much more capable and that is why they are bosses. They know exactly who is capable of what.

Watch your Thoughts, before they Destroy you!

Living in a Tamboo(Tent) in a desert

2009-05-01T19:42:00.004+05:30

I was speaking to a close family friend who is presently in UK and a citizen now, couple of months ago and he was advising me which were good sites to stay in touch with friends. And I was like no I do not have Internet at home. He was like What??? U got no Internet at home. And he knows what an Internet addict I was while in India. So it was shocking to him, that I had no Internet at home in 2 years while in kuwait. Neways he put it in a very funny way.

OIC, you in Kuwait, so do u like stay in a Desert in a tent, hence No Internet available for u??

Well, I was avoiding taking Internet @ Home, because I knew then I will just stick to my Computer desk even while at home.

Another incident, recently when I visited my brother and sister in UAE, I was at my brother's house and while sitting on his new PC, I asked you dont have internet. And he did not answer positive immediately and his wife was like Yes Yes, there is Dial up. And my sister and brother were like you should not tell him you have Internet. Now he will not get up from the PC. He is addicted to it. i was like am I that addicted and my sister was like we remember paying 5000 INR telephone bills because of your use of Internet !!! Eeks

And finally I got Internet @ Home in Kuwait now ;) So maybe I will be more often Blogging or seen on messengers!!!

First Kuwaiti Wedding

2009-03-23T17:30:00.001+05:30

I started drafting this post as soon as I came from my friends wedding. He is a Kuwaiti Mashaa Allaah! And it was my first Kuwaiti wedding that I attended. I was invited to one before of another very good friend which I still regret missing. I had done my homework well to learn the process, what I need to be doing there. I was very excited and looking forward to attend it! N I am sure I am not going to miss any Kuwaiti wedding again. Although there were people who were like you will feel odd man out there, because not many expatriates are there. etc. etc. Chidi, But I am did feel odd, i just got mingled among the guests. Maybe one reason could be because many faces were familiar since many people from our company attended.

The process:

1. At the entrance, there is a guy who applies perfume (Bukhoor), on the back of your palm

2. Then you enter and go to the place where the Groom, Groom’s father and Brides father are standing, you go and wish them say Mabrook, Kiss cheek to cheek the Kuwaiti style. (People who are not aware of Arab culture need to learn this) and move forward, probably there is a queue there.

3. You go take a seat like Deewaniya, Dates and Gaawa(Traditional Arabic coffee) are served, i dont like to call it coffee though, but dont know how to express it otherwise.

4. Than when Dinner is started, you are invited to start with Dinner. Its like buffet with all the Traditional Arabic dishes that you find in parties and this one also had Shawarma with Khubs Saaj, soo good and soooo many Deserts!!! Delicious, I should have fasted that day, had I known before.

5. Than you socialize with people you know. Meet everyone. Kiss Kuwaiti style if you know them well. One of my Ex bosses met me, said Come On, its a wedding party you have to kiss. It increases the appetite for kissing….

6. Before leaving you again go say Mabrook and leave.

7. The guy apply perfume again for you.

The experience was completely different I dont want to express my real feelings here, I enjoyed there soo much!!!

Kuwaiti Shabab Holoa (Youth Are good)

2009-03-19T16:30:00.001+05:30

When I am sitting among my expatriate (Ajnabee) friends and they ever start saying things about Kuwaiti’s in a bad way. I get defensive and try to convince them that maybe the experience you had with some of them might be bad. But good and bad people are everywhere. You cannot generalize your feeling saying Kuwaitis are Arrogant (Magroor) or something like this etc. etc. They always tell me u feel so hurt as if u r one of them!

Now why shouldn’t I?? By the grace of GOD, I know some of the best amongst them and I don’t know any that I hate yet, maybe I haven’t come across the bad one yet, Thank God.

The other day, I went to the market in Fahaheel, I parked my car in the parking spot and went for some work. I come back after 15 minutes and find a nice CAMRY parked behind my car, now I cannot remove my car out. Luckily the car next to me left. But still my car was completed covered by the CAMRY so I could not remove it. There were some local Kuwaitis around, the ones who drive the Pickup’s between Fahaheel and Mangaf. I was with my wife and they felt bad that I was stuck now. As I was just standing out thinking what to do now. I could not go ahead and this car was behind me. The only way I thought was to physically lift my car and place in the next parking spot where the guy had just left than exit.
One of them asked me to sit and started giving me directions to move little further turn the wheels and then move little behind etc. We did this exercise for 5 minutes, than he realized I wasn’t doing a good job at that. He asked me to get off. Me and my wife got off and he took the driving seat, he might have taken 7 minutes moving the car front n behind, But since they are excellent drivers he finally managed to get my car out. With the cut’s that he did with my wheels. They have good judgement at driving. So without touching any of the cars, my car came out Alhamdulillaah! And not to forget, there some other genteleman in their old ages who were also trying to guide him from outside as he was moving front n back not to touch the cars around.
I was soo thankful to them. N hence I always say Kuwaiti’s are good people!!

Change in a Fat Way

2009-03-19T16:25:00.004+05:30

There has been a long time since I blogged last. But probably I was trying to get adjusted to the new life. Married life. And maybe I was scared because I had realized my wife was reading my blogs... Didn't want her to know whats up with me ...Just kidding.

Was just being lazy. But now, I need to get active again. As one of my good friends commented to me, Awwab you have changed after marriage and I asked:
Have I changed in a Good way or a Bad way and the reply was: YOU HAVE CHANGED IN A FAT WAY!! Man I m putting on weight. Yeah but blogging might not be a great workout although it helps me throw out some of my thoughts. Maybe mental workout could help losing weight. But if it doesn't work than I have to hit the GYM!!!

Trust - Easy or Hard

2008-12-15T13:18:00.006+05:30

Just heard this recently, something to really ponder over:
It is Easy to gain someone's TRUST
It is Easier to lose that TRUST
But It is very Hard to keep that TRUST

I think by normal human behavior we usually trust people around us as we start dealing with them and the level of Trust builds up and increases with time and Experience in dealing with a specific person, as you start knowing more about the person the level of trust in them increases or decreases. - Easy
But even the person whom you Trust a lot. If you come to know of one time that he cheated on you or did something against you Khallas. The Trust breaks, now you start being careful with this person - Easier
But once, someone starts Trusting you and they start talking to you even the secrets about their personal life that they dont share with others. Than it becomes real hard to keep this Trust. Because now you need to have some Amanah! I mean its like someone has given you some Diamond ring or rings for safekeeping. So you can get tempted to sell it off and make some good money. Or just give someone to wear it for a few days, the owner will not know. And you can get a Favor from the person to whom you lend the Diamond ring. To me if someone shows Trust in me. Every word they share with me is Amanah! And yes it is very Hard to keep this Amanah!

Ever thought about it this way??

After Arrival in Kuwait

2008-11-25T16:39:00.006+05:30

Note: This is for Expatriates trying to get their Families on Dependent visa to Kuwait
1. Go to a typist with your Civil ID, Wife's passport and Visa
2. He will make the necessary Forms for Medical and Jawazat.
3. Go for Medical to the hospital based on your Civil ID address.
4. Collect Medical report next week.
5. Get the Civil ID No. by calling 1889988 based on the Visa No.
6. Go to the Insurance counter with the Medical Report, Civil ID copy and Visa copy, Passport
7. He will give you an Health card and a Insurance paper immediately
8. Go to Jawazat first floor(Ahmadi) with the Application, Medical Report (step 4) and Insurance paper (step 7) . Get signature from the Raees.
9. Go to the Ground floor cashier and pay 100KD if Iqamah is for 1 year, get the receipts
10. Go to the ladies on the counter, she will take the papers and passport and will stamp the Iqamah in the passport in couple of minutes.

So it is hardly an 30 minute job Alhamdulillaah in Ahmadi Jawazat. I love Kuwait. If you have the right papers and know the right things, things are Easy!

Thats it! Now you just need to fill up the Civil ID form and you shall be through.

After Visa What Next

2008-11-25T16:34:00.003+05:30

Note: This is for Expatriates trying to get their Families on Dependent visa to Kuwait
I earlier blogged about procuring a Residence Visa for your wife, The next step is in your Home Country. The Visa needs to be endorsed by the Kuwait Embassy Mumbai or Delhi. If you do it in Mumbai they need the following:
1. You need to buy an Airline ticket (I took Kuwait Airways)
2. You need to get your Medical done from the Authorized centers
3. You need to submit a Police Clearance Certificate
You can hire an agent like Akbar Travels, to manage all this for you. You will just have to go once for getting the Medical done, thats it.

After all this the embassy stamps behind your original Visa paper as well as pastes a temporary Entry permit in your passport. And now you are ready to Fly.

Never Give Up!

2008-11-10T11:31:00.005+05:30

Make this part of your approach to any problem, and you can convert the problem into a stepping stone to success Inshaa Allaah! I was speaking to a friend in India, this short trip and I have seen him surrounded by troubles all the time, Health, Relationships and Business but I still always find him brave and coping up with the problems Alhamdulillah. I was speaking to him and he mentioned that I have learnt "Never to Give Up" He said, whatever comes my way, I dont give up! That was an impressive reply, I was amazed and now knew the source of his energy. And noted this point in my list of things I have learnt. To add to it, a colleague emailed the below story which teaches the same lesson. Its a nice way to represent the same principle, Never Give Up:

One day a farmer's donkey fell into an abandoned well. The animal cried Piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway; so it just wasn't worth it to him to try to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
Realizing what was happening, the donkey at first cried and wailed horribly. Then, a few shovelfuls later, he quieted down completely.

The farmer peered down into the well, and was astounded by what he saw. With every shovelful of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up on the new layer of dirt.
As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off, to the shock and astonishment of all the neighbors.
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to not let it bury you but to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up!

Shake it off and take a step up!

Family Visa process - 4.5 hours

2008-10-23T15:44:00.006+05:30

Note: This is for Expatriates trying to get their Families on Dependent visa to Kuwait
Lets note down the steps I went through for the Visa process for future reference:
1. In India got Marriage certificate Notarized and stamped from Home Department and Kuwait Embassy.
2. You need Marriage Affidavit from Indian Embassy (2 hours)

Submit Marriage Affidavit form in Duplicate
Passport copy of Wife
Photocopy of Marriage Certificate
Civil ID copy
Applicant passport copy
Show Original Marriage certificate(Attested by Home department in India)
Show Original passport

3. Attest the Affidavit of Marriage got in previous step by Ministry of External Affairs, Kuwait (Took 30 mins)

4. Get the Application filled by the office outside Jawazat(Immigration Department). I went to Ahmadi Jawazat, as I stay in that area. Documents that they took with this application were:

Original Affidavit of Marriage stamped by External Affairs
Copy of wife's passport
Copy of My Izne Amal (I had to show original Izne Amal)
Civil ID copy

She did not take my passport copy nor my Aqd Ijar (House contract) copy which I was hearing is needed now.

Thats it, I think she took 10 minutes to make the visa asked me to check the spellings, passport number etc. than put 3 KD stamp if all fine and get it signed by the Manager

Easy isn't it! Alhamdulillaah!! at 8 a.m. I was in the embassy and at 12:30 I had the visa in my hand. Than I couriered the visa to India for Medical, PCC and Endorsement by Kuwait Embassy. You can use TNT, I gave it to him at 6 in the evening and it was delivered next day before 4 pm in Mumbai.

Most precious thing to give - Time

2008-10-07T15:51:00.003+05:30

The best thing you can ever give anyone is Time.
Because when you give someone your time, you give them part of your life.

Pondering over these lines.... Imagine if u give someone a Mercedes or a precious Diamond, U can get these material things back. Provided the person is willing to give them back ;) But imagine when you give someone your time. U sit with someone at the Beach or in the Coffee shop or in Office listening to what they are saying, or having them listen to what you are saying. We share our thoughts or our concerns or our issues and feel relieved. I mean, u dont really share anything material there is no Money going from your pocket to theirs or vice versa. But still u r giving or taking the Most precious thing. Because the time you gave or you took from the other person is gone. You cannot have it back and it is part of your life. If you are going to live for 60 years, you have already given this person some part of your life, Isn't it.

Now when I think of this in conjunction with the other post I wrote about Companions and their effect, they both together mean we should be soo careful with whom we are spending our time. Imagine u r spending your time with a jerk with whom u dont benefit at all instead maybe u learn some bad stuff from him. In this case u r giving the most precious thing u have in return for some Junk stuff. Isn't it Strange and we never think before we spend our time. We think its the least we can give anyone. But when it comes to giving something monetary to anyone we think 10 times. Strange right. Where is our Common Sense, As they say "Common sense, is soo Uncommon"

Win them or Lose them

2008-10-06T17:10:00.002+05:30

I was speaking to a close friend after a long time. And in our discussions we went to the topic of Relationships and dealings with difficult people. We were speaking about how some people are difficult to deal with and willing to do things to Insult or Embarass you. How to deal with such people. My friend suggested a solution to deal with this in a very nice way. Whether you want to Win them back or Lose them. If you want to Win them back than you forgive and forget and accept whatever excuse they give for the differences that took place. But If you want to lose them, than you can remember every mistake they made and think how every excuse they make could be a lie. So its upto you Win them or Lose them.

I have some real Wise Friends... Isnt it!

Being Thankful

2008-09-08T13:01:00.003+05:30

Among friends we often discuss this: That we have soo many favours of Allaah upon us. We should be soo thankful to him for the innumerous favours he has made upon us. But we on the contrary keep ourselves busy complaining and cribbing even on the smallest thing that we dont like happens to us. I just want to put this post as a reminder to myself... I did some reading on Being Thankful to Allaah, will try to summarize from the different articles:

Characteristics of a True Believer:
The believer is thankful to Allaah in his heart, with his tongue, and with the actions of his limbs. He is thankful for Allaah's Blessings and the great amount of goodness that Allaah has given him, those that he enjoys at all hours of the day. The believer is thankful and utters phrases of Allaah's remembrance, and he does not see any blessing greater than what Allaah has given him, nor any token of generosity greater than what has come from Allaah.
The believer scoffs at the materialistic fancies of this worldly life, as he is focused on the delight of repenting to Allaah, and turning completely to Him alone. With this, he takes an ample share of worldly delights and enjoys them, but not as the disbelievers or heedless ones do. He indulges in them in a way that assists him in establishing the Rights of Allaah and the rights of His servants.
By contenting himself in this way and hoping for the reward from Allaah, the believer fulfills his desires, his heart rests peacefully, and he finds tranquility. He does not become saddened if some affairs reach him that he does not like. With this, Allaah has combined for him the happiness of this worldly life and the happiness of the Hereafter.

Soul Cleanser - we must be Thankful
We have to live in this life and be thankful for even the smallest blessings of Allah (SWT), in order that we live in this world with a higher aim that merely earning a few extra dollars, and our life should be to seek the hereafter.
The key to achieving tranquility and harmony of a balanced heart, mind and body is that we look at those who are below us materialistically and we forget about those who are above us.

Quranic Ayah: And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks (by accepting Faith and worshipping none but Allâh), I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily! My Punishment is indeed severe."

Extract from a Poem:
I also Pray, Inshallah that ........... If you have a bad day at work, be thankful to Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Appreciate that you have a job. Some people don't. When you pay your bills, be thankful you can pay them. If you see a gray hair, be thankful. Think of the cancer patient in chemotherapy who wish they had hair on their head ...........
When you find yourself waiting in line or the recipient of poor service, be thankful.Many don't have services. Think about the people who have no food to eat and are hungry all the time .......... When you realise how much work it is to take care of a house, be thankful you have a home. Think about those who are homeless and wish they had a home to take care of ..........
When you feel like complaining because you have to walk a long distance from your car, be thankful . Think of what it would be like not to be able to walk! If you get irritated by other people's anger, apathy, ignorance, bitterness, or insecurities, be thankful. Things could be worse. You could be one of them! When you think everything in your world is terrible, and you want to give up, think of the people who have been told they only have a certain amount of time to live. They don't want to give up.

Appreciations

2008-09-03T15:35:00.003+05:30

I usually make a folder in my Outlook PST files called Appreciation, where I keep all the appreciation emails received for work, how small a task it may be. It might seem small task to me sometimes, but helps the business user in such a way that he/she drops in an appreciation email. So the email deserves to be saved atleast for personal viewing and you can look back how many times or in which parts of your career you got appreciated. So I was advicing the same thing to a friend to make a folder for such emails. And popped up the question: Awwab, you should send me an email.

That made me think. Our friends affect our lives soo much. Whenever we are low we know which ones of our friends we can talk to and they can cheer us up. When we have a problem, we know who to share it with and get some good advice. Friends will try their best to cheer you up! We learn soo many things from them. Yaani, they are so much part of your life. And yes we dont send them any appreciation emails...

Two wives

2008-08-27T19:27:00.004+05:30

Well After spending a good amount of time on Sharepoint Administration and Consulting I am back to Web Solutions. I have a good requirement to work on. It seems to be a crucial project for business. But I think it is just the tip of the IceBerg. If we Inshaa Allaah deliver it to the expectation. Lot of requirements will just bombard on our team. Good part is, that I again will get to do the whole cycle Inshaa Allaah. Requirements Gathering, Analysis, System Design, Develop, Test, Deliver Inshaa Allaah. And I am lucky to give a good supervisor and team to work with. So now lets c whether I use Agile practices or any other technique...

But the bad part is this is soo addictive as it was when I was in India and used to spend 10-12 hours at work + weekends in office. Now I am again getting used to sitting late in office. But I should not be doing that I am a married man now with two wives. shocked!

But yes, I can do it until my second wife comes to Kuwait for sure. But maybe it will be crucial war between my first wife and second wife to know who gets more of Awwab's time in a day. People who know Awwab know that his first wife is Work, married on 12th September 2003. See I also remember my wedding date. Neways... Life is soo much fun, when u enjoy your work and soo boring when u dont enjoy it! I love challenges but I think it is gonna be difficult to deal with two wives.. Lets see if I survive.... Guys, Listen to me dont get married... Just kidding...

Honestly speaking, U should Marry, why should only we Suffer..!! ;)

I know all my friends are gonna bombard me for this post.....but as u guys know, I am not scared!

Sleepless to Sleeping

2008-08-19T11:33:00.003+05:30

We all know friends always have an impact on life. Little things they say or do, might have a huge Impact - Good or Bad. I have read online stories about how a kind gesture affected the friend in a big way (Not sure they are true or fictitious). My story goes like this, last couple of weeks many of my friends were on leave and I was going through an issue that I was thinking about it soo much. I had some of my friends whom I had shared this with. I had explained my problem and what I thought was the solution. But still I was thinking on it soo much, that I was Sleepless...I eat, drive, try to sleep, do watever. I could not get this out of my mind...Kept thinking thinking.. And after some of my close friends came back, who know a lot of my secrets... and I discussed with them what was going on and got the same advice that they always give me. Awwab Be Patient, May God Help You. Now I am back to normal, All praise be to Almighty God.
Yaani, Ajeeb I did not solve my problem yet, but just shared it with my closest friends and phew... I am soo cool about it now. Yaani, earlier I was confused that may be I was wrong. Since it was all my thoughts, but after discussing with my friends, I did not get to hear "Awwab u r wrong" So Now I am soo normal Alhamdulillaah. That I changed from sleepless to Sleeping extra.

I had two Alarms one at 3:45 a.m. and another 6:00 a.m. N can u believe it I did not wake up on any, I straight away woke up at 7:46 and came to work at 8:30 . Thats 1.5 hours late, I guess in the last 2.5 years I have been working here, I have never been soo late.... Allaahul Mustaan

Progress

2008-08-14T09:46:00.002+05:30

What we call 'Progress' is the exchange of one nuisance for another nuisance.

Havelock Ellis (1859 - 1939)

I sometimes belive in this one. But I hate it when the newer Nuisance is worse the older one. Than I think it definitely is not Progress, but destruction!!!

And give not a thing in order to have more

2008-08-13T11:56:00.004+05:30

I was speaking to a friend some days back, and from my box of principles and things learnt and memorized, I mentioned: Key to happiness is you keep giving without expecting anything in return.

Example: If you give a smile and expect the other person should also smile back, you will be hurt, if he/she does not Smile back. But If you smile without expecting a smile in return and the other person chooses to ignore you and does not smile back you will not be hurt. I think I had learnt this from some of my Intellectual friends. I dont remember from where I learnt it.

The Phone picker

2008-08-11T10:09:00.003+05:30

How would u react if someone unknown calls u and tells u that Mr. XYZ in your department is not picking up the phone, can u ask him to pick up the phone. And u dont even know Mr. XYZ nor the caller. So much to ur amazement, I think u will go crazy like "Excuse Me Dude, I m neither your secretary nor His, to ask him to pick up the phone. If he is not picking up the phone u use some common sense and send him an email to pick up the phone if his picking up is so important for you OR walk down to his office. But why the hell, u call me to tell him to pick up the phone" So now u have a trouble situation to handle and u dont have time to think bcos the guy is on the phone. So my intelligent friend did not lose the temper but instead calmly adviced that u can drop him an email and tried to enquire who gave you my number, to which the caller preferred not to Answer. So there r soo many variety of people you can find in a big organization. Strange Isn't it! Every experience brings in soemthing to learn. So dont do the mistake again dude "Ask him to pick up the phone" People have taken ur act to the blogs.... ;)

U r like a Fish!

2008-08-11T10:03:00.002+05:30

One of my friends said that to me, "U r like a Fish" and I was surprised at the phrase, because I did not know what it means. So I enquired what do u mean by that. Obviously Kuwaiti's know much more about the Fish as they go Fishing as well as Diving in the sea. Brave folks Man! Neways, so I when I asked what it means, I learnt that some fishes of the Sea cannot swim in the River and some fishes of the River cannot swim in the Sea. This is what is meant when u hear someone tell u, U r like a Fish! So u were swimming well in one area/place/department but U might not be able to survive in another area/place/department. Bcos u will not be able to swim there. Bcos u r like a Fish. well I dont know If I am really like a fish or not. But, I do miss my old team and the lot of ideas I used to have to work on when I was there :(

Prayer - the peasant and the king

2008-08-07T15:38:00.004+05:30

I went to a Mosque close to our Main Office as I was late leaving office and it was time for prayer. And after reaching inside I was so pleased with what I saw and could not stop praising Almighty God. In the same row, I could see some very influential intellectuals of this country/our company side by side with may be a meagre cleaner in the company who might be getting 20 KD (~3000 INR) salary. It touched me soo much, what a noble religion it is that brings down the rich and the poor, the Fair and the Dark, the Arab and the Non-arab all are equal in front of their lord. And when they pray they stand shoulder to shoulder and feet to feet with whoever is next to them. Can people still have pride and look down upon others, after going through this practice 5 times a day where you proclaim God alone is great and you kneel down putting your forehead on ground out of Submission to God. I dont think so... I remembered something similar said by a lady leader of Indian history called Sarojini Naidu, who mentioned in A talk given to the Young Men's Muslim Association, Madras, 1917 : "the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and the king kneel side by side and proclaim, "God alone is great."

Weekend is here

2008-07-24T17:04:00.002+05:30

Thats how time flies.... I joined mid of last week. So I completed one and half week in my new department and did not even realize. I feel I just joined yesterday. But time flies soo fast. Although I am trying to deliver some stuff using Sharepoint Out of the box, but there are some other things in my mind that I would love to deliver but I cannot due to unavailibility of the right tools... I wish I get my workstation with all the software development tools I need soon. In order to start being productive. Although I am also investing time learning something new everyday. I just learned what Back Allocation is today. But I will not tell you, what it is. So I think I am enjoying learning about Oil. But still I am missing my Development tools...waiting...waiting... a long wait.... I feel like a carpenter who knows his work but is still waiting for a Hammer. he cannot do anything without a hammer, can he?? Maybe he can hit the nails with a screw driver. But how good will be a product where the Nails were hammered with a Screw Driver instead of a Hammer. Will you buy it?? I would not, for sure!

Techno-Functional

2008-07-22T17:22:00.002+05:30

No, No...Dont get me wrong. I have not left Systems Development to become a DBA. I will try to convey what I mean by Managing Data. I have joined the Data Management team which is very important for the Exploration & Production business in an Oil Company. So basically all the data needed to run the Oil business is managed by the Data Management team. Atleast thats what I think until now. I just joined last week, so maybe after getting more understanding I might take back my words... So I think I am gonna enjoy this new job Inshaa Allaah. Although I will have to learn a lot, as I would be expected to understand and take requirements from people who are from 100% Petroleum background. They speak in abbreviations, that I hear for the first time and they speak technically right in their taxonomy of Oil. So its not technically right according to an IT guy... Do u understand, G&G, seismic, E&P, GOR, etc, etc... i get to hear all this everyday now..

But the good part, to add to my IT technical skills, I will get a chance to add functional knowledge of the Oil Business. Sounds Good. Isn't it?? As some of my friends had adviced me earlier (I can remember two friends giving me the same advice, 1 Indian, 1 Kuwaiti) that Awwab you need to diversify your skills if you want to grow. In today's world specialization in 1 product or technology is acceptable but will not help too much in growth. As much it will help if you have knowledge of several Technologies, products.. Earlier they used to say it is not good to be Jack of All, Master of None. But it seems in today's world you need to be Jack of All or maybe Master of All..

So Moving towards a more Techno-Functional role in the Oil Business Inshaa Allaah... wish me luck...

Wedding Blues

2008-06-18T18:49:00.002+05:30

I know a lot of my friends keep reading my blog regularly and will be shocked reading this post. Yes you have guessed it right, this is not a pre-marriage blog post but a post marriage blog post. I came for my vacation on the 1st June and had planned to get married in this trip since I was already engaged. But things turned out in such a manner that I got married in 4 days, I just had 4 days left when I knew my final wedding date. I got married on the 13th of June 2008. It was a completely different experience. There was so much of excitement. I remember as I was sitting in the car going for my wedding ceremony, all the thoughts were passing in my mind, that I was entering into a new phase of life, things would change for Good Inshaa Allaah. But I was pretty cool through the whole process. Alhamdulillaah everything went on fine. I apologize to all my friends that I could not invite them due to the unavailability of time.

First Flood

2008-06-07T16:43:00.007+05:30

Welcome to MUMBAI. I have been in town since 1 week. Enjoying it. It started raining since yesterday, weather is cold. You dont need A/C or Fan. Today morning it started raining heavy. And I stay close to Maratha Mandir Theatre which is well known for water flooding. So even that 1 hour rain led to flooding and what I could see sitting in my open gallery is:
1. The roadside hawker still finds a customer
2. A foreigner enjoying tea from the roadside hawker as it rains
3. A taxi guy who could not keep his car running in the water.
4. The front garden outside our buiding submerged in water.

And Yes I wanted to go out to do shopping today but now I am stuck.... :(

Human Fish

2008-06-07T16:31:00.005+05:30

I went to local Fish shop that sells fish for your fish Tank at home. I was just casually visiting bcos I have got no Fish tank at home. This fish looked so Human to me, its head and face simulates humans so much. Mashaa Allaah, All glory be to GOD. This shop had a lot of uniques fishes, some had natural text like texture on their body, it seemed someone has written something in japanese or chinese. Did not click those though. And yes the above fish comes with a price TAG. It costs 45,000/- Indian rupees Yaani 300 KD. Its too much for a common man, but nothing for fish lovers.

Wow...Awesome..Fantastic..Amazing

2008-05-30T04:18:00.003+05:30

None of the words in the title fits what I want to say...

Today was a day that my friends and my seniors made me feel like I was soooo Important... The honor and respect I got from them throughout the last 2 years I worked with them was great. But the sweet surprise Farewell party that was arranged for me was Amazing. I have never received a more pleasant surprise than this before in my life. I am sure,the effort behind it was enormous and I had no clue they would do such a thing for me.... It makes me feel sooo happy. The way the cakes had a message was a fantastic idea by a Genius I know, I could not resist clicking it as soon as i saw it. And the cake was very tasty tooo.. There was Yummy Biryaani with home cooked Curry and the Samosa's and Sandwiches too.... It was a great treat... Well if you are intelligent enough, u would know there were some great female brains behind the whole idea... who were so caring and nice to arrange something like this for a dear friend/brother for some... I dont have any words how to thank all of those who were involved it.

Before the treat I got to hear some words from my immediate colleagues and big boss which were very touching and soo true. Bcos all the time I worked with them, we did work like a family. Although they were client to me, I always got the chance to represent them in meetings in front of other vendors/other groups whenever needed. They encouraged me by accepting my ideas/opinions and supported me through thick and thin. I could take a stand on many things because I knew I had overwhelming support and trust from my superiors.

And the last words I mentioned to my immediate boss were: "I did not work for you guys, because they say If you like to do something, than make it your line of work and you will never have to work again. And I enjoyed my work soo much that It was more pleasure than work.. " sometimes i used to go on weekends to do things or implement ideas that were running in my mind. It was FUN!

Yes U can ask me, If all was fine with you and them, why did you leave them. In the past, whenever I changed a job it was for better prospects or more salary but not this time. Unfortunately, I did not leave them nor did they leave me, but due to some unavoidable contractual conditions I was unable to continue providing my services there. But yes, in the future if given an opportunity, I would love to be back to these lovely people that I worked with.

But Yes, after hearing their opinion about me leaving and the Joy of the respect they gave me... my feelings had become a Mushakkal (Mushakkal is arabic dish which has different stuff mixed). So I was happy for the surprise and sad because they did not like that it was my last day and I did not like it either.. I hope I will get over this feeling.

I left for office @ 7a.m. and just reached home at 1 a.m., bcos after work I did shopping and saying good bye to some friends n stuff. But still, I would be unable to sleep until I poured my heart out here on my blog. So thats the first thing I had to do. Its 2:25 now, dont have the energy to do a type/grammer check. Thats it for now... more soon.....

Last Day Morning Coffee

2008-05-29T10:19:00.002+05:30

Its my last day working for a Client which is IT Group of one of the top 10 Oil Companies. It was amazing working over here. I think it was the best opportunity out of all the places I have worked. And I wish and pray that I may get a chance to work for them again in the future and provide my services to them.

Spent more than 2 years now, and got soo adjusted to it, the environment was good, people are good, work was what I loved. In a single sentence: "I enjoyed being in ITG @KOC" . I made a lot of friends...and great friends..Got to know many nice people. And since it was my first overseas job, learnt a new culture, got to see people from different countries and working with them... Lived alone, so learnt responsibilities... But I am sure I am lacking in that department... being the most careless about my household chores.

The guy who gets my morning tea, just came in and was like "Shhh we wont get to see you from tomorrow", It was very touching... Well because all around me have been like family to me..

So anyways, have to see how the last day passes by, need to make sure everything goes cool, have already taken a step back since 2 weeks in work related issues, only advicing my team when needed. Trying to get them up n running to Replace Me!

Upgrade or Migrate

2008-05-17T13:28:00.002+05:30

Well finally completed the task to Upgrade/Migrate from Sharepoint 2003 to Sharepoint 2007. Invested a lot of time in this project to make sure everything moves fine and as planned without any issues for end users.

And I come to office next day morning and try to delete an item in a list and get the error. "Cannot complete this action Try again later" try to edit the same item and get an exception "Exception from HRESULT: 0x80040E14". Not very pleasing indeed. And than I remember I had faced this and fixed it in the past. What could it be.... Wear my thinking Caps, Switch the button to ON. And go and ask Big Brother. U know whose Big Brother...Its bro Google..

And 2 minutes and I click the same link that I must have read before. This error comes when the Transaction Log on the Backend databases becomes full and needs to be truncated. So I call the database support guy and he fixes it for me and everything is working fine..... Cool

Kuwaiti Hospitality...Too Good

2008-04-17T15:44:00.004+05:30

Amazing !!! The Arabs are known to be a hospitable people and Kuwaitis are far ahead in it. I have seen this around with all my Kuwaiti friends. You go to a Deewaniya, and you will be showered with Gaawa(something similar to coffee I think), Dates and other sweets. And the tradition with Gaawa is that you drink, than he serves you more until you shake the cup to indicate that you dont need more.

Besides that @ work, I have friends, who get me home cooked stuff too. No need to mention the ready made stuff. What I like more, is when someone gets you something from home. In that case, the person when they cook it at home, remember you and take the trouble of getting it to office for you. Wallaahi, it means a lot to me. I still remember the cup cakes I ate 2 weeks back they were awesome!!

Yesterday was a busy day, I went to some meetings to other departments, and when I came back I saw a plate with variety of fataair and trust me since I had come from outside, I was hungry too. So I ate it to my full. And it was lovely. JazakAllaahu Khayran to the one who sent it for me. It was lovely.

So now you know, why I love to be in Kuwait so much, I think I get pampered a lot over here.

Arabic or Kuwaiti or Misri or Lebnaani...

2008-04-15T12:30:00.004+05:30

Hala beek...

Well I dont know how much is my Arabic improving or I am at the same level. Try to memorize new words On and Off. Well Arabic is a very rich language and there's a lot of confusion because real Arabic is different than what is spoken in different Arab countries. Each region has got a different Accent, a different set of regularly used words.

For example, I might say Something to a Kuwaiti friend, than they would say its Misri, means the way I said it, is how egyptians say it. Or I might say Something to an egyptian, and he would be like what does that mean. For e.g. Sach("I know its similar to our Hindi Sach") - is it true? I have some Kuwaiti friends using that, but egyptians are not aware of it. So I end up in a loop, based on what I learn from who. I know some friends who say "Afwan" for "Sorry" and some lebanese friends say the same word for "Welcome". And there are many Urdu/hindi words that we already know mean the same thing in arabic as well. E.g. "Mahabbah" = love, u remember Mohabbat for sure. The "t" at the end is pronounced as "h" And some other issues come like, there is no "P", so they would say "Bebsi" instead of "Pepsi". Egyptians will pronounce every "J" as "G", even if its a proper noun. So "Joseph" would become "Goseph". In kuwait all the "Q" are pronounced as "G", So "Manqaf" is pronounced as "Mangaf"

So what I speak is a mixture of Kuwaiti+Lebnaani+Misri+Hindi = Hindi arabi... But I enjoy it. The good part it, I can know arabic words and pronounciation, because we read the Quran. But when I try to teach the Arab friends some Hindi words, they are like whats this, how to pronounce etc. Its a big thing for them.

And I know lot of Kuwaiti friends, who speak the usual Hindi words like: Kaisaa Hai? Kyaa Haal Hai? Theek hai? Bohat Achchaa, Ek paani Do, Nahi, Cheeni Kum etc etc. It sounds so cool when they say It.

Be the Best!

2008-03-22T16:17:00.003+05:30

Lesson 1: I was in 9th class in school, and had a senior who was in 10th Grade, his name was Rehan, i dont remember the family name. He was the most notorious/mischievous guy in school along with that he had the best results, a cool combination. I was around 2nd- 10th ranker in school, because, I was always the last nite student. I could never study ahead for exams, that was a weakness I had... Rehan told me than, either be in the Top 3 or fail, he meant, If you are not in the Top 3 than it does not make a difference, what rank u r at. No one looks at you, you are a common folk like anyone else... I still remember that advice, till this day... And i recollect rehan had topped in our school in SSC exams that year. I am sure he is at the top wherever he is in this world.

Lesson 2: I dont very clearly remember who told this to me, but I remember the lesson which said: "Whatever you do, do it in the best way, Give it your best shot. And this has been my strategy since then" Although people around you might not like it. But I believe in giving it my best whatever I Do!

Lesson 3: Was with a friend recently, and he was mentioning how this world is so very competitive today. Everywhere you want to work you have contracts, and while the company will give you benefits in your contract, it will squeeze you like a Orange is squeezed to take the juice out of it. So you are always at the Edge, you have to be the best..Or else the company would not need you any more... SO i have his words embedded in my mind too...

Lesson 4: The next was Irfan on the Nite Out. as he was mentioning how businesses need to be competitive, need to have con-cept's to keep customers attracted. I m not gonna put down his ideas out here.. They are owned by the genius... I asked him, what would you say for people like me, who work in a Service Industry, like IT-Companies. How do you think we sell ourselves.. he said you need to Diversify, In the past people said "Master of One, is better than Jack of All" but now you need to be Master of All, Master one wont help you. Made sense... So you have to be the best at your job, you cant say, I am a network Specialist and I know nothing else... Valid point.. So I was matching my roadmap, what I had achieved and where I wanted to be with his ideas and it did make a lot of sense.

Conclusion: I gotta be the Best. If anyone looks at my work, they need to say "WOW" thats my Aim reinstated again. Need to work a lot harder to achieve this kind of results.. Wish me Luck :) It is not easy to hear Wow in today's world!

Baby's Night Out

2008-03-22T15:47:00.002+05:30

U must have heard of Baby's Day Out... Isnt it! Well there no baby here...Just was wondering what to use as a title for this post and came up with this.

This Friday Nite. I was with 2 friends and I had gone to drop them to Salmiya at 12:00, so we were not very hungry but we did not have any dinner that nite. SO we thought of eating out. Than suddenly we came up with an idea of a Nite out. A pure Halaal night out. So we parked my small little car there. Took my friends GMC Suburban and hit the roads. Its engine was locked at 170km/h, so could not go beyond that in speeding. But it was a good experience, Its height is more than my height. And once you sit inside it, you feel like you are on the top of the world... The other cars look small, and the smaller cute cars like BMW Z3 looked soo small.. SO it was fun we had hit road 40 towards Ahmadi... and than opened the window to feel the air, and it was mild cold too. Sometimes speeding, sometimes going slow, sometimes playing with the Cruise control.. In 1 hour we reached a place that said "Slow checkpoint ahead" wow we were at Nuwaiseeb, I think thats the border, so we took a U-turn and back into Our lovely Kuwait... By now we were hungry, Stopped at a Sultan Express near the petrol pump. But didnt find anything interesting.

Than recommended we go to "Turkey Al-Mansoorin" thats in Fahaheel, A place I love, and atleast eat once over there every week, if not more. The chicken Kabab and Chickedn Faham are amazing. My Favorite, Shawarma is good too. So I took the driving seat, wanted to make sure I could handle this monster (Suburban) and yes it was great Fun!! I think I should buy one! Drove down until I was @ Turkey. The guys there know me bcos I go there so often. The time was 2:30, he told Mashawiyat close at 2, so I could not have my favorite dishes. I tried to convince him with my broken arabic, that its just Nuss saa(30 mins), do some for me. And than he told me he will speak to the manager to extend the time till 3 a.m. in couple of weeks, but right now I just had the option of having some Sandwiches and meal stuff. So we ordered some and were chit chatting while eating, I was learning a lot from Irfan, he is an Advertising/marketing dude. So he speaks a language which is abotu Business/Industry etc etc, which has too much for a guy like me to learn... So I got a lot of tips and motivation, Maybe another post on that soon. So by the time we left it was 3:30 a.m. And If I wouldnt sleep now, I would sleep while getting my car back from Salmiya to Mangaf. So I rolled out on the Suburban back seat and slept, and woke only when we were in Salmiya at 4:15 a.m. Drove back to Mangaf, reached around 4:32 while Fajr Adhan was going out. Prayed and went into Sleepppppppppp mode......

Good fun, Did some Off-roading too!!!! It was cool....

Companions and their Effect

2008-03-17T13:41:00.003+05:30

Watch your companions! They have an effect!

Either you have an effect on them or they have an effect on you, this will always happen with your companions or friends. So watch out, try to see and analyze who you are taking as friends, if their effect on you is good or bad. If you are learning good things or vice versa.

Heard the above from a friend last week, and started analyzing my behavior. How it varies with the different sets of people I know. When I am company of good people, what are the good things and habits I have learned from them. When I am with the people with an attitude, how it has an effect on me. And May God protect me from having an attitude. When I am with people who are so Down-to-Earth and humble and nice, how I learn being nice and humble from them.

Ultimately, i watch whose company is giving me what and trying to protect myself.

Identifying the 'B' Manager

2008-03-11T11:20:00.005+05:30

B stands for Bully... Well In my case there is no way of dealing... bcos its too late.. Now I just have to part with my company bcos of this dude. Neways for rest, they can try to read some stuff on how to deal with 'B' Managers befor this:

"There now seems no end to your tormentor's campaign of psychological harassment and personal and professional destruction -- aimed squarely at you. The nitpicking, the demeaning comments, the misleading digs and full-blown lies have all come together to exact their intended effect: to make you quit or get fired"

Why Bullying:
There are two reasons for this: 1) Many subordinate directors and managers, as a survival technique, begin to adopt the negative behavior and it is then perpetuated throughout the organization. 2)These executives are smart enough to know that yelling and hitting are quite visible, they also pride themselves in how cleverly they can (or think they can) belittle and humiliate the victim without others realizing what they’re doing. 3) They don’t target weak individuals, as most authors claim. They target competent and capable individuals. They generally pursue one victim (for the most part) at a time, until they fire the individual or the individual quits. They will then move on to the next target. Bullying is a set of behaviors that stem from fear and feelings of inadequacy. Bullies seek control over others and will try to discredit or humiliate those who intimidate them or who they perceive as a threat(are more competent/more well-liked/etc.)

A very good article, that divided them to be of 4 types is at: http://www.ameinfo.com/95129.html

Bullying Managers can be put into four types:
1. The Bulldog Bully This is a manager who resorts to raised voices and aggressive body language to get their way and refuses to allow you to state your case often with a torrent of verbose. Other techniques include getting red in the face, using abusive language, slamming doors and banging the table a great deal. They operate under a cloud of fear and employees are petrified of making any slips or mistakes in case they incur the boss's substantial wrath, this leads to a lack of desire to take any responsibility for tasks outside the employee's job specification and any creativity is stifled.

2. The Silver Tongued Tempter This type is most skillful and cunning, not for them the crudities of the active bully their style is wholly more covert but no less devastating. They happily promise great rewards and watch with glee at the extra activity their falsehoods generate. When the unfortunate victim realizes the full extent of the STB's empty promises and complains the STB then accuses them of negativity, because they dare to take them at their word. Often the STB will blame the withheld reward on 'situations beyond my control', 'other departments' or change the goal posts. For example an employee in a local financing firm was promised a promotion to team-leader with the associated pay rise, when the date arrived for her promotion the manager explained that the company wouldn't pay her a supervisor' s wage until she had 'proven herself'! This results in apathetic de-motivated and disengaged staff.

3. Messrs Reasonable & Co This one somehow manages to make all your requests seem not only ridiculous but outrageous too and convince you that their interpretation of the situation is perfectly acceptable and even normal, when, in fact, the reverse is true. The outcome is staff adopting a work to rule style and rejecting any attempt to take any initiative, as the perception is that there will be no back-up or assistance.

4. The Trapper Perhaps the trapper is the worst of the lot, if there is a 'worst'. These managers will actively work to set-up the unfortunate victim by setting vague or difficult work tasks or engineering an altercation so that they can paint the employee into or corner or use the event as an excuse for trumped up charges or even verbal/written warnings. This style results in massive turnover as staff get wise to the scammer and look for more ethical managers elsewhere.

U should always Learn

2008-01-30T11:00:00.000+05:30

I remember one of my cousins advising my brother when he was going abroad for the first time, more than 10 years back, i definitely was a kid than('Smart kid'- this is a debatable issue) Keep your eyes open and observe things around and try to learn from the environment. N I dont know if my brother remembers it, I remember this and hence always keep learning...

I was sitting with a friend the other day in office, I believe in when u spend a lot of time doing work, a 5-minute break talking about other things refreshes u and increases productivity. So while we were chatting we came up to a MSN Messenger issue she was facing at home. N I said show me your messenger, i will tell u what could be wrong. and I got a shocked reply. "This is work, No messengers here". N I did have messengers at my work PC. So I clarified my position, referrring back to my Invensys days, where we all @ work had Messengers and most of the times discussed issues on it instead of talking n disturbing others. (Being a smart kid, i covered my position)

But when I went back and was trying to be honest to myself. I realised that I am not using the messenger at work now for work purposes, but just for short Hi, Hello with friends, when i find time. So learnt a new lesson.

I got a new workstation today as a replacement for my PC and I resolve that I will not be installing Messenger on this one. Need to be more professional...

Thanks to my friend - Learnt a lesson.

Hypocrisy

2008-01-17T10:09:00.000+05:30

I was trying to read some articles about it, trying to see what my views about Hypocrites are and are they correct and trying to learn How to deal with them.

One of the most common vices, or bad habits, is hypocrisy. Mainly, it’s a misuse of the gift of speech because language is used to conceal instead of reveal. By pretending to be what they are not, hypocrites imprison themselves. Although the doors of their cells are unlocked, they are afraid to step out and reveal their true selves. Hypocrites are liars. They practice deception. They bear false witness against themselves.

Leo Tolstoy (1828 ~ 1910) describes our reluctance to act on our hypocritical concerns for the welfare of others: "I sit on a man's back, choking him and making him carry me, and yet assure myself and others that I am very sorry for him and wish to ease his lot by all possible means — except by getting off his back." - I really loved this statement, its so true about some people you see around, they will try their level best to harm you but when they speak to you, it would be as if they are the only well-wishers you have in this world.

Some lessons on hypocrisy:
1. Let’s learn to recognize hypocrisy in others, not to condemn them, but to learn from their mistakes how we, too, may be guilty. Don't scorn hypocrites. For how can we know what fears, weaknesses, and troubles lurk in their hearts? Our job is to judge ourselves, not others. Don't sow contempt and disharmony by speaking ill of others. After all, "Hating people is like burning down your own house to get rid of a rat." (Harry Emerson Fosdick, 1878 ~ 1969)

2. Once you discover your own hypocrisy, congratulate yourself, for that means you admire the virtue you pretend to have. The trouble is, you believe you cannot practice it. It's time to correct your misperception, for you are capable of far more than you realize. Just as a physical weakling can develop muscles and strength by lifting weights, all of us can develop greater moral and spiritual strength by practicing the traits we admire in others. All we have to do is stop pretending to be what we are not and start acting in the manner we pretend to be. Don't worry about being perfect; just try to be better.

3. Don't refuse to learn a valuable lesson just because the messenger is a hypocrite, for as Oscar Wilde (1856-1900) wrote, "The value of an idea has nothing whatever to do with the sincerity of the man who expresses it."

4. Even if we were free of hypocrisy, if we were to speak ill of hypocrites, we would be guilty of spreading gossip. Never speak about someone you dislike, for if you dislike them, you have a bias and cannot speak fairly. We can avoid much trouble by refusing to speak about others, unless we have something good to say about them.

Ajeeb! I guess its tough to act on these lessons...And you wont know sometimes that some people are hypocrites until they are gossiped about. There were some people who were really nice to me and trusted and told them everything but eventually I realized the same people were trying hard to spoil my good image and speaking bad about me and raising false issues.

Reference: http://www.personal-development.com/chuck/hypocrisy.htm

Difference between Need and Want

2008-01-08T09:56:00.000+05:30

Was discussing with a senior friend of mine. I always have many senior, mature friends because I get to learn a lot from the wisdom that they have from their experiences. So its good to know people who have seen the world more than u. We were discussing NBA and Basketball champs. And they were mentioning about some guy who was a very good player, what he mentioned in his interview.

It was something like this: "My family has taught me that there is a Difference between a Need and a Want" I liked that statement that I asked my friend to narrate it again and I try to add it to my collection of some wise talk. I hope I remember it when i need to consider it.

Basically there are many things we want. We want to have a lot of money, the most amazing cars, etc. etc. But do we need them? We may be able to survive with a Moderate car and good amount of money to have a decent way of life etc etc. So there is always the difference between "I need to" and "I want to" and we should try to be careful in judging things whether we need them or we just want them.

Food for thought!

Back Home from Home!

2008-01-02T12:59:00.000+05:30

Is it confusing?

Think Think what is the title trying to say!! Ok lets analyze. Basically it is speaking of two homes. So I have got two homes. One is the home where my MOM is, Back in India. I was born brought up there, have my family, childhood friend so I love my Indian home.
Lets break it "Back Home" and "from Home"

Now lets deal with "from Home" refers to my home in India. Actually I went for a 2 week vacation to India to see my family. I took 6 days off and concataneted it with Eid vacation to make it 2 weeks. Went back to my family, had a great time...did a lot of shopping and came back. Met friends, had some late nite Sitaphal cream at Haji Ali Juice center, some Veg. Thali @ Shagun etc etc. Since I was home on last Eid, it was a year now...n I desperately neeeded this vacation after the rigorous mental pressures in the last 3 months post resignation. And wanted a refreshment before starting the critical new tasks that are going to start soon.

So Alhamdulillaah I am fresh and kicking ready for the new challenges.

The first part "Back Home", now this indicates I am back home. So this indicates besides India I have another home. Wow... Dont get any wrong ideas I am still Single and Looking ;) Well What I refer to Home here is kuwait and specifically my friends and workplace in Kuwait. I remember sometimes when I used to be sitting late in office, my Kuwaiti friends would say "Go Home", I would say My Home is in India, Because Home is where the family is. In Kuwait I just have a house not a Home. And I got the reply. "We are your Ahl" Ahl is arabic for Family. And that statement means a lot. And to be honest, yes I have my colleagues over here who r my Family. They take care of me like a small brother. They advice me, support me and what not. So I also have a family out here. Hence a home out here.

Hence, Back Home from Home. I am sure that was really confusing... Even I am not sure whether I conveyed what I started this post for to Convey.

Neways....About the trip soon

Dealing with Resignations

2007-09-18T15:53:00.000+05:30

Reading a couple of articles on project management and how to deal with an Employee who resigns and I see how the way a resigned employee is dealed with in this part of the world is opposite of what the Industry experts advice. Couple of lines from different articles:

Have the employee leave as a friend
Once somebody has given notice, their heart leaves, better to leave them immediately
If you don't need them for the transition training, it's best to let them go
It's not necessary to treat him like a criminal
Why make a person feel poorly about leaving?

time to go home....more to come ....

WSS Post SP2 Hotfix

2007-09-18T15:43:00.000+05:30

As I am working on a test upgrade, I wanted to use the Stsadm -o databaserepair option to get rid of my orphaned sites. Hence I installed one of the Microsoft Post SP2 HOTFIX on both my Sharepoint 2003 web servers. And everything went on fine. I ran the operation and resolved my Prescan issues.

next day morning when I came to office, one of the web servers was giving the error: "This Windows Sharepoint Services Virtual server has not been configured for use with ASP.NET 2.0.50727,832. For more information ..." Any one would go insane looking at that on your production webserver when you dont have ASP.NET 2.0 on it and users calling you.

And the Resolution was, I restarted IIS on the affected Web server and everything was fine. Strange but true.

MOSS Web Server gives 403 You are not Authorized

2007-09-18T15:36:00.000+05:30

Have a MOSS Server farm, one of the Web servers call it Server2 was shutdown and changes made to the other web server call it Server1, when the Server2 was later connected I would get a HTML 403 error, you are Not authorized to view this page. When I disabled Friendly HTTP Error messages in my Internet Explorer, I saw the error was "Directory Listing Denied, This virtual Directory does not allow contents to be listed"

Was wondering whats wrong tried to run the Sharepoint Configuration again on Server2 but no luck, still same error.

Resolution: Went to Central Administration page, and In farm topology Clicked on Server2 and than Stopped the Windows Sharepoint Services Web application service and Started it again and now the site started rendering back.

Random Thoughts

2007-09-08T17:24:00.000+05:30

Life is soo Amazing. Show me one man who has no problems?? But the best ones are those, who know how to deal with their problem. If you have a problem, First Dont Panic. I remember a friend quoted some Doctor telling him. "When you are in a hurry, Go Slow" So take a deep breath and look at the options around you. Look at the channels that are accessible to you. In my case being a believer in Islaam, we believe in Destiny, that everything is destined (Dont get confused, it does not mean that you sit with your hands folded) but we still need to work hard. As the creator loves man to do whatever he does in the best way. So look at your options, look at your priorities, Seek help from Almighty and work on the options available and see what comes your way. And than decide if you wanna grab it?

And trust me, when I was in India, being in the Software Industry, when I resigned from the second company I worked for, I told him I did not want to go to USA as it was too far from India, I would love to be somewhere where I can reach back home in 3 hours or be in MUMBAI. As for me my family is a priority. So he mentioned to me Awwab you are destined to go to USA. On a second thought I thought he was right. Bcos the next company I joined it was all planned and I was about to go to USA, tickets booked except that the Approval was waiting from the bigger bosses since the project managers had already approved it. But the way things changed, I landed up in Kuwait without having imagined this would happen. And now I am so Happy over here, God willing I will stay here for long if all moves fine.

So now you see, what I meant about destiny.... Well Food ready and me hungry... Gotta Run....

Jan Tielens in Kuwait

2007-07-23T10:28:00.000+05:30

Blogging after long, I guess Jan Tielens inspired me to. Got this In-house training in my company for Sharepoint 2007 provided by the best, none other than U2U. And the tutor is none other than Jan Tielens and trust me, If it would not have been U2U, i would not have bothered to attend it.

To brief u, he is a Guy known (Maroof in Arabic) for his Sharepoint skills, and I remember I refer back to his blogs whenever i need some help while working with sharepoint development. I have also heard him in many screencasts. So finally, this gentleman whom I knew only through blogs and audio was in front of me, and giving a live training. It was an amazing experience (Thanks to Diyar 'My company'). I know him since 2003-2004, when i Initially started working with Sharepoint 2003

He is like my role model, in Sharepoint area. This is the first time he is in Kuwait, and I guess at the wrong time of the year, the climate is the highest in July and August out here. And I very recently heard from some1 that "Kuwait is the most Hot Inhabitated land in the world". I dunno if thats true.

Anyways, I wish Jan a good trip and I am sure I am gonna benefit from this training in a lot of ways, not just learning sharepoint. But observing how the Sharepoint Guru deals with his students, he is humble, he is nice and he is the Sharepoint Guru. Cheers...

One year and still kicking

2007-05-06T10:47:00.000+05:30

Time flies like anything. Its 6th of May, and the same date last year, I had arrived in Q8. So it has been a year for me to be here already. And it seems just like yesterday. I still feel I am too new to Q8. But its a year and counting...

"Lost time is never found again" - Benjamin Franklin Ibid 1743

"Time and tide wait for none."

He said Tafaddal

2007-05-06T10:26:00.000+05:30

Yesterday nite, it was around 11, I was on my way back home and with me was Moiz, and there was a regular checking going on in Mangaf, What I mean by checking is, In Q8, the Cops might come to some corner and stop every car passing by and whoever they doubt, they ask for identification, we have a Civil ID, which we need to have with us all the time. And if u dont have your Civil ID, u might be in trouble. And sometimes, they may ask for driving License and car document as well. It all varies from case to case. What he thinks from the first look he glances at you.

After being in Q8 for exatly one year, I had never come across this by the Grace of almighty, so I have been counting like, In 1 year, no1 has ever asked me for my Civil ID by the Grace of Almighty. I mean, I just look soo Genuine, like a Genuine Windows XP ;) Actually I look Arab too, up until I open my month, no1 knows I am an expatriate.

Yeah so yest, i slowed down my car, as checking was going on. Although I had my Civil ID + driving License+ car documents, but still, it was my first experience of being in a checking. So I was looking forward to it. As each car was moving ahead. Now came my turn, I pulled down my windows and said Salaams to the cop. He glanced at me and bent a little to have a glance at Moiz who was sitting next to me and than said "Tafaddal" Hurray...... So I can still count On, 1 year and didnt ever show my civil ID by the Grace of almighty. Lets see how long can I count.

Well for Non-arabs, tafaddal . Literally I think it means Welcome. Suppose u r passing by my office, and I want to invite u, i might say Tafaddal Yaa akhee, Welcome O brother. Or i m eating and some1 is sitting around I would say Tafaddal. Like Join In. Taal - actually means come.
So Taal hunaa, is like Come here, but it sounds Rude. So u always say Tafaddal when u r calling some1.

And the same Tafaddal, when the cop stops u and says means, U can Go Ahead. So u c, How Genuine I am. Tafaddal.

Body Language in Kuwait

2007-04-29T10:20:00.000+05:30

Body language across the Middle East is distinctly different and diverse, thus it is strongly recommendable to be learnt for the sake of avoiding unintentional insults.

The greeting

The initial greeting at a formal or informal meeting is always preceded by a handshake. In the Middle East people shake hands with the right hand only. Handshakes open up and close a meeting and hands are shaken longer but less firmly than in the West.

Residents who have been here longer are familiar with the local nose-kiss greeting when men close to each other greet by touching with the tip of their noses. (I have never tried this one)

Further, placing a hand on your heart along with a slight bow is a sign of respect demonstrated at the initial stage of a meeting. Having greeted one's partner, business talk can commence. Mind it - maintaining eye contact is considered a prelude for a friendship or business deal as it creates a bridge of trust between the parties. Lack of eye contact, some say, might strongly convey the message 'you are unimportant'.

Here is a list of some more signs used in Kuwait and in the Arab world :

When a Kuwaiti touches his nose ('ala hashmi' in literal translation from Arabic 'on my nose') he means: 'I will do the favour you asked me for.'

So does the gesture of pointing at both eyes with both your forefingers. If a Kuwaiti man points at his moustache, he also sends a message making a vow to keep his promise. "I'll take care of this" or "It is my duty" could be pictured with the gesture of placing one's right hand or right forefinger right under one's right eye.

The gesture, literally translates into "I'll do what you want." If one puts his/her right forefinger on top of the head he supposedly indicates, "Everything is on my head to accomplish." In Kuwait, pointing at one's head and mentioning someone by name saying ('ala razi' or 'on my head') is interpreted as "I have respect for him/her." If the person you are talking to touches his head making this same gesture he means 'I respect you.'

Tantamount gestures

If a Kuwaiti starts moving his hand in circular movements in front of his stomach he disagrees with the mess that has been done. If an Arab touches his nose and at the same time lifts his head upward he says 'you are a snob.'
That gesture, an Arab expat explained, is often witnessed in traffic-related situations when the right of way was abruptly taken from someone. "The person whose right of way was not respected would follow the driver who was in the wrong and would point ironically to his nose lifting it slightly upward," he added.

On the other hand, the expression 'I am thinking' is illustrated grasping one's chin with the thumb side of the right fist. Beware, though, that if you hold your chin and start moving your hand up and down this can be considered a mockery of the person you are pointing at.

Biting one's right forefinger, which has been placed sideways between the teeth is an expression of regret. It usually means: 'I wish I did that' or 'I wish I knew' etc.

On the other hand, 'Wait a little bit' or 'be careful' is a sign illustrated by holding one's fingers in a pear shape and having the tips pointing up above the waist level and moving the hand slightly up and down. This gesture, many agree, can be observed extensively when driving in the jam-packed cities. And not only since the sign also implies: Be patient.

Predictably, 'Thank You' is a sign made by placing the palm of the right hand on the chest, bowing the head a little and closing one's eyes. Sticking your thumb between the teeth and pulling it out, across the Arab world, means someone who implies is not wealthy. The sign says, I am told, I have no money.

And my personal favourite: It is made with a quick snap of the head upwards with an accompanying click of the tongue translated as No. "That gesture can also mean 'unlikely', or 'whatever' explained a female Kuwaiti. A clicking sound accompanied by the word hruti (bull***t) means 'you are lying'. Hitting the right fist into the open palm of the left hand could be interpreted as contempt or threat for the person the gesture is directed at.

Also, showing the soles while sitting is considered rude because it is symbolic of 'you are being lower than my feet'. Lastly, 'come here' is illustrated with having one's right hand out, palm down, and fingers brought toward oneself repeatedly. The sign calls someone to come closer.

Source: http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=ODMzNDk4MDcz

My New Apartment

2007-04-01T16:43:00.000+05:30

Well i was staying with a relative since I came to Kuwait. And me being a Born, Brought up and Spoilt Dude from Mumbai... he had a hard time, managing me, my Interests, my Lifestyle etc. etc.

So finally by the Grace of Almighty we agreed that I should stay in a different apartment for Good Insha Allah. And hence I moved to my new apartment, and already learning how it is like to stay in your own place, being responsible for your stuff and doing things on your own etc etc. Had to make a shopping list and buy stuff, get an A/C bought and fitted and so on. SO learning lot of things as Life moves on Insha Allah.

Got a Car, Got an Apartment... Now u guys can guess whats needed next.....High Time Man!

My First Car - A Corolla

2007-03-28T09:48:00.000+05:30

That's my first car bought with my own hard earned money...a Toyota Corolla. Poor man's car

Being a younger brother of someone who was dealing in used cars, back home I had driven most of the available Indian cars and some Imported cars. The most i loved out of them were the Jeep types, Tata Sierra Turbo was my favorite among the Jeeps there.

So, I wanted to buy a Jeep, but than didnt want to invest too much money in cars at this moment. So thought of going for a cheap car, Lancer, Galant etc. Which is Mitsubishi, so maintenance is easy and can get it cheaper than Toyota. but somehow could not convince myself on it....So I thought lets buy a Decent car to be my first car and went for a Toyota Corolla

And Trust me driving your own car - bought with 100% hard earned money, its a different feeling altogether, no installments nothing, Alhamdulillah Sooo Koollll. May God save it from harm and protect it. And protect me from Envy.

So I guess that was a Big decision i took on my own, I m learning things...Usually I would run away from decisions and use some1 else to take the decision for me. This time, i consulted my friends and consulted the one i trust the most and took my own decision....

Good, so Awwab is growing up...hmmmm

Yes, Kuwaitis r real nice people, as there was one involved in making sure this worked out for me.

Practice what you Preach

2007-01-09T15:11:00.000+05:30

Well I just lost interest in Blogging, bcos i wasnot blogging my will out, I was always wondering what am I writing, should I write, shouldn't I. And hence left it completely. But today my Twin blogged, and she mentioned I was the one who encouraged her to blog, so it did not make sense that I m not blogging and asking her to Blog. I remembered an old lesson "Practice what you Preach"... Twin, Thanks for the worrying part. I dont need to worry nemore if u doing that for me.

So here I m. Life has been cool lately. Went home last week after around 7 months, a different feeling going home first time back. The flight was around 3 hr 15 mins. I couldnt sleep a minute out of excitement. So now i feel home is too close. If the airlines wud give a monthly pass for cheap ofcourse, i can go for a weekend every month. After all being in INDIA is the best feeling for some1 staying abroad.

the worst part was that i was for 10 days, but it seeemed like a Single Day. N that is when i understood the statement "Between 2day and 2020, One Day" so however long be the period, time is flying so fast. That u feel its just 1 day.

Well i couldn't meet most of my friends because of time, I just wanted to be at home with the family. And spend my time with them. Sorry friends, next Trip Insha Allah.

The travelling has improved so much, its just a like a walk in the park, Alhamdulillah. Well I want to buy a car out here, but not sure which one, too confused. I wish someone gifts me one.

Some of my friends working for Microsoft when they realised I was in town, asked me why I didnt tell them, they cud have scheduled an interview. So I do have caring friends. Thanks Baba!
Maybe I can work for Microsoft, Kuwait and if they dont have an office, than I can become the Country Head for them and i dont see a prob wit that..... lol

I did my first Custom Workflow on MOSS 2007 today. I wanna deep dive into MOSS 2007 and ASP.NET 2.0 man.... I have just been too lazy.....

Different thoughts out of the mind. lets stop for now.

Driving Test

2006-11-21T11:52:00.000+05:30

I got my Driving Test on 5th December, so its High time, I start taking my lessons. Bcos graduating as an Engineer in Kuwait is easier than procuring a Driving License. But than I feel why do I need driving lessons, I have already been driving for more than 8 years and have been in the police station for underage driving and u tell me I need driving lessons. U gotta be kidding me.

Well But no risk, Bcos If I fail the test I get to wait another couple of months to get another test and I m soo desperate to drive, I just wanna get my driving license and start driving. So be good boy and take some driving lessons. Well in this virtual world I wish there was some Online Simulation software to take your driving lessons sitting right here with Laptop. But Yes I found a good Parking lessons site, emailed by a friend. SO if u want to know how to park successfully in different situations sitting right there on your computer.

Than go ahead: Park my Peugeot

Its a funny way to learn

Time Flies...

2006-10-29T11:19:00.000+05:30

Try to catch It. Try harder But you cant.

It seems yesterday I lost my Father, But Its 4.5 years

It seems Yesterday that I completed my Engineering and got a Job and now its already 3 years into the Industry.

It seems yesterday I came to Q8 and its almost 6 months already

Time Just Flies as I try to hold it.
The Harder I try, the faster it flies

Turning Pages of the calendar
Seems like a daily blunder

Ramzan Will come Will Come Will Come
Its gone as If it was just a Day

Soo Be Ready for your DeathBed
As Steady are the Malaika to get U...