The Iqaama thingy

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!

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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 !!!

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!

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

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??

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!

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:

1. 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.
2. 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

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!!!