Sunday, May 17, 2009

WE DID IT!

I tried to write this post many times. I'd write the first sentence. Then hit delete. I'd write another sentence. Then I'd delete it again. I'm trying so hard to say what's on my mind and what's in my heart. But words fail me..

With tears in my eyes, thoughts on my mind and the utmost joy in my heart, I'd like to thank each and every single person who voted yesterday. It's because of you that we were able to change more than 40% of the parliament members. We made four women members of the parliament. Not one, not two, but four!

I would sincerely like to thank each and every one of you. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the women especially. We make up 60% of Kuwait's population. We can change this country. Literally. And yesterday we did.

Though you and I may be different, and though we might share different opinions, we still participated in one of Kuwait's most important events. We took matters into our own hands and we went and ticked the names we wanted on the ballots. We did not give up, we did not despair. Although Kuwait experienced the lowest turnout of voters ever to take part in the elections, many of us still went there and did their duty.

We can't sit and home and complain about a situation and then refuse to take action when action is needed. We, the people, hold the votes in our hand. We have, and always will have, the power to change things. And when change is due, change must come.

And finally, change has come. It might be small to begin with, but gradually, things will change for the better. We can't expect whatever needs to be mended, to be fixed right away. With time, and with a lot of hard work, we will get there.

I love my country. It's not perfect. It might never be. But it's my country. It's given me so much, and I'm so glad that I never ever forget that. And I hope that as long as I live, I will be able to give back to Kuwait what it has given me.

I love you, Kuwait. Always and forever.

Friday, May 15, 2009

VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

Hi everyone! I've been such a bad blogger, I completely forgot about blogging. Actually it's not that I forgot to blog, it's more like I didn't have time to blog. I don't even have time to read blogs. And I LOVE reading blogs! I've been so busy with a million things: Helping out in the election campaigns (which is so hectic) and I've also been busy with some family stuff.

Anyway, I'm here to say a public service announcement. From me to you. It's for all the Kuwaitis out there who read this blog or who might have stumbled here. I urge you please to vote on Saturday! It's been a rough year for us Kuwaitis. The political scene has been a disgrace. It's going to take some real men and women to clean up the mess that most of the MP's left us with this past year. I am so disappointed in our parliament these past few years. Most of the members were there for their own good, or for some hidden agendas. And those who were good, were so few, that they couldn't stand a chance against the corrupt majority.

We have a chance to change the parliament. Please don't say that no one can change it. It's we who have the upper hand, because we get to choose who sets foot in the National Assembly. Never underestimate the power of your vote. Every vote counts.

I don't want to bore you with all the stuff that I keep saying to people over and over and over.. But I will say this: PLEASE VOTE ON SATURDAY. And please vote wisely. Don't vote because this person is related to you, or that person seems nice, or this person did you a favor, and that person seems religious. Vote because this person is putting Kuwait first and foremost on his agenda. And because that person is thinking about you, your children and your family before they pass any law.

This is our country we're talking about. This is our life! Please please PLEASE vote on Saturday. VOTE FOR CHANGE. If America did it, don't you think we can too?

Here's to getting our old Kuwait back!

I'll be back soon. I'm going to take a break after the elections to get back to my regular schedule. And hopefully, I'll get back to posting like the old days.

Note to Hasan.B: You're right I haven't been so politically active on my blog because I've been neglecting it for so long. But I'm still active in real life :)