Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Single Ladies Rock

Listening to Lady Gaga first thing in the morning before coffee is disturbing behavior, I know. Should I see a therapist?
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I've been so busy these past couple of weeks and of course the reason is obvious. Omanis sleep during Ramadan (and by sleep, I mean at work) so work accumulates and accumulates, and finally when Eid is over they suddenly realize they're one month behind schedule, and the poor innocent creatures like myself who worked their heads off during Ramadan end up suffering too because they have to 'help' their poor miserable fellow workers keep up.
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Anyway, do you know what it feels like when small pieces of a puzzle seem to be coming together over period of several days? I'll try to explain more; umm.. do you know what it feels like when you suddenly think of a topic and 'Sub7an Allah' over the next few days that same topic keeps on coming up again and again in many different ways through different people, places, etc, and you suddenly come to realize that God is trying to say something to you? You have to be tuned in to your inner self to comprehend that all these pieces are coming together at this particular time in your life for a reason. Everything is meant to be. God planned it that way.
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For example, if you've been thinking about completing your higher studies and you're worried whether it's the right thing to do but you're nervous about telling your family and you don't know whether to study abroad or at home, etc. Well, imagine that the following things happen during one week:
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(1) Your boss suddenly says to you 'You've got potential .. you should do your Masters' someday'
(2) Your company suddenly announced they're granting study leave with pay to outstanding employees.
(3) You get an extra bonus at work (down payment for your first year of studies?)
(4) Your best friend announces they're going to study in the UK in six months.
(5) You get a random email in your inbox from Leeds University with special offers on MAs for students from the GCC.
(6) Your favorite professor lives in Leeds.
(7) Your father announces one day at lunch that he wouldn't mind his daughters studying abroad.
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You see what I mean? This all happens in one week. Signs. Omens. Similar situations have happened to me several times.
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It has happened again this week. A week ago I was going through a mini-depression fit where several incidents occured to young women around me that were upsetting. Of course men were the reason. It upset me that any man would still think he could treat his wife as a slave even if she is working and supporting the family. I almost gave up on the thought of young Omani women being independent modern individuals. Suddenly this week several signs showed up in my life to get me back on track. It's as if God opened up my eyes to the amazing young women around me who are making a life for themselves. It was as if I was seeing them for the firs time. Then slowly more things showed up in my life; aritcles, emails, new blogs by amazing young Omani women, new people, new colleagues, interesting conversations over coffee, a song, lines in a book, etc. All these pieces came together to remind me that 'WOW, there are so many freakin' cool young ladies out there'.
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Oman is changing. It is AMAZING how much things are changing. I don't know what you guys hink about Salalah, but I'm telling you, there are many many many young ladies here who are smart, educated, fluent in English, ambitious, confident, drive cars, and have excellent careers. Not only are they successful in their jobs and studies, but they are also generous and compassionate women who really want to help others find their way too. They also want to be good wives and good mothers. Often, I meet a group of these women and we have 'Empowerment Sessions' or 'Girls Power Hour' to discuss issues we are facing and to give support to one another. Living in Salalah isn't easy for single women who want to do something with their lives. A lot of things are still taboo for young women. I mean, until two years ago the thought of girls driving was still taboo. Now take a look aroudn this town. Every fifth or sixth car is a girl. They're starting up businesses, volunteer groups, committees, and are helping others. They're so excited about this new-found freedom that they're really working hard to be successful, unlike young men here (sad to say). Thus, I've come to the conclusion that by the year 2015 this town will be run by women. Period. Young men don't seem to be doing anything with their lives (or at least the young men around me). It's sad but true.
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If you're a young woman reading this, go ahead and find your shooting star. You're beautiful. You're successful. You're powerful. And it's YOUR life, not anyone else's. If you're a man, go home and encourage the women in your life to find their dreams. Help them. Support them. Show them you'll stand by them. In the end, I think Oman will find a good balance between traditional and modern, and this can only happen with the support of the amazing women in this country. Kudos to you ladies out there. And kudos to all the men who encourage the women in their lives.
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The photo above symbolizes freedom. If I were a bird I'd spend all day flying. Have a great weekend!

16 comments:

  1. Beautiful post! That was empowering. Thank you!

    I also believe that God does work that way, sub7an Allah. Just when you wonder about something, there are signs that suddenly appear in front of you. A stranger might as well will come up and tell you the answer you've been looking for. Kudos to you Nadia!

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  2. You want us to ecourage girls to take our positions?!! Thank you Nadia. I think that you are trying to make a women revolution against men in Dhofar. Dhofari men are going to suffer in the future because of you, be careful..
    But what should I say? GO NADIA..Allah m3ak.
    M.D

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  3. you rock nadia, and as an outsider i second your thoughts about the women in this area. Girls, you have all the potential in the world. Find it and go for it. You can make change.

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  4. What a lovely post!

    Didn't expect you to listen to Lady Gaga =P
    That was a shocker lol.

    I fully agree with every word you've said. So well done with your strong belief and enthusiasm. Girls should wake up and smell the roses and get on with their dreams and ambitions!

    ^^

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  5. This is such a brilliant, soothing and powerful post, all in one!

    It’s amazing to know how women in Oman strive for excellence in all aspects of life yet what they seriously need is the society’s ‘extra’ support to help them realize their potential and ‘allocate’ their talents in the right areas where they can be mastered effectively. But in the end, if these women managed to come this far through high determination, clear visions and continuous patience, they can –without a doubt- use these very factors to advance further even more!

    And yes those signs, God how I love when pieces of some mysterious puzzle fall into place and you realize that each piece, each sign is revealed at the right time, in a very logical sequence, SubhanAllah :)

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  6. Nadia

    Thoes are DEFINTELY signs that Masters is in your very near future in sha Allah! All the best and may Alah open doors of opportunities and success!

    Thank you for the the empowering and encouraging message! Reading that just made me realise that anything is possible.

    We women can do whatever we set our minds to, as long as we work hard for it, set our priorities and work at achieveing our dreams what ever they may be the SKY is the limit!

    Everyone has dreams but not everyone can achieve them! It takes a lot of HARD work, sacrifice, patience and to fight for what you want. It isnt an easy road and because if it were, we would ALL be living our dream.

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  7. With the Majlis a’Shura elections coming in 2011 – do you think the smart, articulate women in Salalah will field a candidate – could be Ms Balman, or Ms Ferragamo or any similar fashion oriented house – :)
    There is a new course for potential candidates in Muscat by ‘Tawasul Global Connections Centre' apparently government approved .

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  8. What a fantastic, timely message for women everywhere! What an inspiration and encouraging voice :-)

    Keep striving for excellence and growth, you are empowering others throughout your journey xo

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  9. Great post. This is the kind of advice, encouragement, and support that we should always be giving each other: to have firm roots in our culture with our eyes focused on the future, wo Allah yiwafiqna.

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  10. Lets face it, if it wasn't for Omani women this place would be in the dark ages still.

    I think its because women here are made to work from an early age (serving the men of the family?) while the spoilt males get used to everything being done for them, be it by their mother, sisters, or maids and houseboys.

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  11. Great post. I am really happy for you.

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  12. You have to be tuned in to your inner self to comprehend that all these pieces are coming together at this particular time in your life for a reason. Everything is meant to be. God planned it that way.



    mmmmmm. I don't agree much. but let me say it is a good feeling to believe in that.

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  13. Such an inspiring post :) :)
    I'm stuck now in the college and I think I'm going to attend the next lecture with the biggest smile ever :D
    THNANK YOU!! :D

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  14. Nice post , lol In 2015 I actually won't be surprised if the next minster of state and governer of dhofar is a woman. It is true that women in Salalah are now working in all fields but that is even more true for women in Muscat. Now that is said, as a dhofari guy I have to say that there are many talented young and ambitous dhofari guys here in Salalah and in Muscat. However, many guys face the pressure of making enough money to help thier families, bulid thier own house and getting married. Thus many tend to focus on bussiness. You can't beilive how many bussiness proposals I get...

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  15. Nice post! Really enjoyed your blog!

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  16. So true. Sometimes I start thinking that young Omani women are just staying down, not moving, and keeping to the old, refusing to give themselves the power they deserve. And then I read things like this, and I remember how amazing and revolutionary so many Omani women are. Thanks for the wake-up call!:)

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