No Words but Allah protect you and Bless you, ameen

From Y to Pixie:

For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am because you loved me

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

Jared Evan-In Love With You

Dedicated to our runaway bride. Yes, hun, I know it's Ramadan.

Alicia Keyes-Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart

For YOUKNOWWHO

Jay Z-Song Cry

Song given to one OPNO from her past. Hmmm?

Pink-Most Girls

Even though it was Ramadan, Kh and I were singing this last night, driving down the highway like old days, astighfurallah, I know. And me, I haven't heard a song in months lol. Kh, lol, even though you helped me become a Muslim in the first place, you are the WORST influence on me when it comes to music! Oh my landlord she gave me the funniest look when I jumped out of the car with a group of Omani boys from waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back. My bros, you are gonna ruin my rep you know? LOL.

Cheryl Cole+ Parachute

I don't tell anyone about the way you hold my hand/I don't tell anyone about the things that we have planned/I won't tell anybody/Won't tell anybody/They want to push me down/They want to see you fall (down)/Won't tell anybody how you turn my world around/I won't tell anyone how your voice is my favourite sound/Won't tell anybody/Won't tell anybody/They want to see us fall/They want to see us fall (down)/I don't need a parachute/ Baby, if I've got you Baby, if I've got you/ I don't need a parachute/ You're gonna catch me/ You're gonna catch if I fall/ Down, down, down/ I don't need a parachute/ Baby, if I've got you/ Baby, if I've got you/I don't need a parachute/ You're gonna catch me/ You're gonna catch if I fall/ Down, down, down/ Don't believe the things you tell yourself so late night and/ You are your own worst enemy/ You'll never win the fight/ Just hold on to me/ I'll hold on to you/ It's you and me up against the world/ It's you and me/ I don't need a parachute /Baby, if I've got you/ Baby, if I've got you/ I don't need a parachute/ You're gonna catch me/ You're gonna catch if I fall/ Down, down, down/ I don't need a parachute/ Baby, if I've got you/ Baby, if I've got you/ I don't need a parachute/You're gonna catch me/ You're gonna catch if I fall/ Down, down, down/ I won't fall out of love/I won't fall out of,/ I won't fall out of love/ I won't fall out of,/ I won't fall out of love/ I won't fall out of,/ I won't fall out of love/I'll fall into you/I won't fall out of love/ I won't fall out of,/ I won't fall out of love/ I won't fall out of, I won't fall out of love/ I won't fall out of, I won't fall out of love/ I'll fall into you/ I don't need a parachute/ Baby, if I've got you/ Baby, if I've got you/ I don't need a parachute/ You're gonna catch me/ You're gonna catch if I fall/ Down, down, down/ I don't need a parachute/ Baby, if I've got you/ Baby, if I've got you/ I don't need a parachute/ You're gonna catch me/ You're gonna catch if I fall/ Down, down, down.

Hip Hop Music by Omani Artists I'll try to find

On the previous note of the hip-hop dance scene in Oman, I know a few Oman rappers [Arabic] singing about Oman, life, culture, Islam, goats and rice LOL. Kinda like these songs




This Muslim woman from Canada included some others http://and4somethingdifferent.blogspot.com/2010/03/halal-music-time.html in her blog post. If they let me feature any of their recordings I will let you know. aND KIDS THAT MAKE ME REGRET MY OWN DANCING SKILLS

Ya ilahi, a beautiful nasheed that pretty much sums up my life Islamically speaking

I love this nasheed! It makes me cry. The first vid is without music and the second is with. Depends on your interpretation of hadiths to say whether instruments are halal or not. I am of the opinion that they are not. Another blogger here is of a different opinion and we've decided to include them both. Anything with music will go under the tag music playlist while anything without and halal lyrics will go on the nasheeds list. Nasheed by Mohamed Al Husayn.

Aicha- Cheb Khalid and Outlandish Versions

A Song I Keep Playing When I Hear it On the Radio

Saudi music I know, but often played in my friends' cars.

More driving music. For M & me.

Dixie Chicks-Wide Open Spaces & Cowboy Take Me Away

My friends from high school
Married their high school boyfriends
Moved into houses in the same ZIP codes
Where their parents live

But I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow

I hit the highway in a pink RV with stars on the ceiling
Lived like a gypsy
Six strong hands on the steering wheel

I've been a long time gone now
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
But I've always found my way somehow

By taking the long way
Taking the long way around
Taking the long way
Taking the long way around

I met the queen of whatever
Drank with the Irish and smoked with the hippies
Moved with the shakers
Wouldn't kiss all the asses that they told me to

No I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow

It's been two long years now
Since the top of the world came crashing down
And I'm getting' it back on the road now

But I'm taking the long way
Taking the long way around
I'm taking the long way
Taking the long way around
The long
The long way around

Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself
I opened my mouth and I heard myself
It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself
Guess I could have made it easier on myself

But I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow

Well, I never seem to do it like anybody else
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
If you ever want to find me I can still be found

Taking the long way
Taking the long way around
Taking the long way
Taking the long way around

Who I am-by Jessica Andrews

If I live to be a hundred

And never see the seven wonders
That'll be alright
If I don't make it to the big leagues
If I never win a Grammy
I'm gonna be just fine
Cause I know exactly who I am

I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me
And they know just where I stand
It's all a part of me
And that's who I am

So when I make a big mistake
And when I fall flat on my face
I know I'll be alright
Should my tender heart be broken
I will cry those teardrops knowing
I will be just fine
Cause nothing changes who I am

I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me
And they know just where I stand
It's all a part of me
And that's who I am

I'm a saint and I'm a sinner
I'm a loser; I'm a winner
I am steady and unstable
I'm young, but I am able

I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me
And they know where I stand
It's all a part of me
And that's who I am

I am Rosemary's granddaughter
The spitting image of my father
And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan
Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy
But I've got friends that love me
And they know where I stand
It's all a part of me
And that's who I am
That's who I am

Zaho-Je te promets

Lyrics for Zaho's Je te promets (french translated to English):

Do you want me to tell you that I'll love you all my life?

Do you want me to promise you all my nights till the eternity?

Do you want me to chase you without being noisy,

And say that I understand everything without you saying anything?

I can't tell you what I don't know

I can't give you what I don't have

And I can't go away from you even though that [makes you] separate us

All what I can promise you is a new depart [beginning]

wouhouhouhouho aalaalalla iéiéiéi aaa aaa a woooohohohoh

And a lot of stars appearing in the blue sky to make a wish,

Unless my sun becomes hazy,

And that we could be together again without hurting our feelings,

And I couldn't tell you things I don't know,

And I couldn't give you things I don't have

I'd like to hide under your eyelid,

So you could see me when you're doing your prayers,

And I'd like to break all those lights,

Those which make you blind;

And I couldn't tell you things I don't know,

And I couldn't give you things I don't have

You would like me to tell you that I'll love you all my life,

You would like me to swear all my nights up to the infinity,

You would like me to follow you forever without making any noise,

And understand all these things without you speak[ing] a word,

I can't tell you what I don't know

I cant give you what I don't have

And I can't go away from you even though that [makes you] separate us

All what I can promise you is a new depart [beginning]

I can't tell you what I don't know

I cant give you what I don't have

And I can't go away from you even though that [makes you] separate us

All what I can promise you is a new depart [beginning]

(Holds out a hand and tells me to follow...)

New Year's Resolutions

1.) S is right on the money. I need more than "love and fresh air" to survive.

2.) Never touch a drink or be around somebody who does.

3.) Don't let myself get talked into anything more. Better adab, better hijab, more five pillar focus.

4.) He he, stop listening to county music. Or you will be disowned.

5.) Go horseback riding on the beach.

6.) Learn to drive, um, safely. And legally.

7.) Change one particular unjust law.

8.) Live. Living is NOT a state of being.

9.) Get a real kitchen. A hot plate does NOT a kitchen make.

10.) Help an old friend, but help self first.

And to take stock of last year, a post inspired by ANGRY IN OMAN http://angryinoman.blogspot.com/2009/12/2009-year-in-numbers-and-rant.html:
Number of posts I wrote - 43
Number of pounds lost - 11 (it was scary)
Number of pounds regained due to Christmas related eating-20 (alhamdulilah)
Number of car accidents - 0
Number of car accidents our fault - 0
Number of trips to the floor - 0
Number of jobs lost - 1
Number of blessings in disguise regarding jobs lost - cannot even begin to count.
Number of jobs offered -2( I have yet to decide)
Number of times appreared in local newspaper -1
Number of time appeared in local newspaper for good deeds - 1 (about wearing niqab)
Number of friends made - 25
Number of best friends lost and found - 1
Number of weddings attended - 1
Number of funerals attended - 0
Number of medical emergencies - 10 (other peoples' not mine!)
Number of sporting events attended - 1
Number of balls attended - 0
Number of times I lost my wedding ring - 1
Number of times found my wedding ring after losing it -NA
Number of times the houseboy nearly saw me naked - 0 (but 1 time if it how many times a male accidently saw one without hijab)
Number of loved ones who came to visit - 0
Number of trips to Western countries - 1
Number of times dissatisfied with local merchants - 1 (um, why does every pot you buy in Oman have a missing lid?!)
Number of near-misses on the road - 4
Number of coffee mornings attended with friends -2 Number of novels attempted to write - 1
and thank you Nadia and T.S Elliot, so true: " To make an end is to make a Beginning." -T. S. Eliot . I am ending my old life in this country, and seeking out a new life in Muscat.

From a former alcoholic, why is there so much alcohol in Muscat?

I don't understand why alcohol is available in Oman at all, really, I don't.

Please, old aquaintances, forgive me for the bad influence I might have been in the past, thinking myself the perfect party girl.

But M to me says "I don't see why you have a problem with eating fish sticks battered in beer... You used to be quite the lush."

OPNO (that's me): "doesn't that say something about even a little bit of alcohol?"

M: "That Muslim man thinks it's okay to eat here."

In full dishdasha I might add. At least he isn't a hypocrite about his actions, trying to pretend to be a tourist.

OPNO: "Um, he's drinking a flagon of beer. I don't think he's the example to go by."

M: "You've become an extremeist."


You’re hand was wrapped
around the bottle
You’re arm wrapped around her waist
You were running that full throttle
Big smile upon your face
You were the life of the party
But it was only in your mind
I hate to be the one to tell you
You didn’t have a good time

Well I bet you don’t remember
Knelling in that bathroom stall
Praying for salvation
And cursing alcohol
And you went right back to drinking
Like everything was fine
But let’s be honest with each other
You didn’t have a good time

So take a good hard look in the mirror
And drink that image down
I’m truth that you can’t run from
I’m the conscience you can’t drown
And the happiness you want so bad
You ain’t gonna find
Until you start believing
You didn’t have a good time

When you woke up this morning
I guess you just assumed
That you got something out of
The empty bottles in this room
There ain’t an angel that can save you
When you’re listening to the wine
And the demons want to tell you
You didn’t have a good time

(Chorus)

Somebody had to tell you
You didn’t have a good time

Bought My Ticket

I bought my return ticket. I am going home, lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yTMxI9sn4s&feature=related

Popular Past-time: Jet Skiing

K, so the Abu Dhabi jet ski rental industry that I KNEW was predominately run by gangsters (and other bloggers have posted on it), but in Oman it is a pretty safe past-time that even a fully veiled woman can engage in.
see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDWJFEMfVKY&feature=related

If you're not the one---

For K

(Daniel Bedingfield)

If you're not the one then why does my soul feel glad today?
If you're not the one then why does my hand fit yours this way?
If you are not mine then why does your heart return my call
If you are not mine would I have the strength to stand at all

I never know what the future brings
But I know you are here with me now
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with

I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am?
Is there any way that I can stay in your life?

If I don't need you then why am I crying on my bed?
If I don't need you then why does your name resound in my head?
If you're not for me then why does this distance maim my life?
If you're not for me then why do I dream of you as my wife?

I don't know why you're so far away
But I know that this much is true
We'll make it through
And I hope you are the one I share my life with
And I wish that you could be the one I die with
And I pray in you're the one I build my home with
I hope I love you all my life

I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I don't understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I can stay in your life?

'Cause I miss you, body and soul so strong that it takes my breath away
And I breathe you into my heart and pray for the strength to stand today
'Cause I love you, whether it's wrong or right
And though I can't be with you tonight
And know my heart is by your side

I don't want to run away but I can't take it, I dont understand
If I'm not made for you then why does my heart tell me that I am
Is there any way that I could stay in your arms?



Cannot touch, Cannot hold, Cannot be together
Cannot love, Cannot kiss, Cannot love eachother
Must be strong and we must let go
Cannot say what our hearts must know

Chorus:
How can I not love you
What do I tell my heart
When do I not want you here in my arms
How does one walks away
From all of the memories
How do I not miss you when you are gone

Cannot trip, Cannot share sweet and tender moments
Cannot feel how we feel, Must pretend it's over
Must be brave and we must go on, Must not say
Wat we no longer long

Chorus:
How can I not love you
What do I tell my heart
When do I not want you here in my arms
How does one walks away
From all of the memories
How do I not miss you when you are gone

How can I not love you

Bridge:
Must be brave and we must be strong
Cannot say what we no longer long

Chorus:
How can I not love you
What do I tell my heart
When do I not want you here in my arms
How does one walks away
From all of the memories
How do I not miss you when you are gone

How can I not love you
When you are gone