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a nomad in the land of nizwa

~ an American English teacher in Oman

a nomad in the land of nizwa

Monthly Archives: December 2012

RESOLVED 2012!!! ~ the year’s resolutions in review

31 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in 2012, New Year's Resolutions, Nizwa, Oman

≈ 26 Comments

December 31, 2012 (as the clock strikes midnight!): At the beginning of this year, I made a lot of ambitious resolutions, as many of us do. Here’s me a few minutes after midnight on January 1, feeling hopeful about all the things I planned to accomplish in 2012.

me in my thinking cap planning my 2012 :-)

me in my thinking cap planning my 2012 🙂

I believe in making myself accountable, so, before making a new set of highly breakable resolutions for 2013, I will review how I did with accomplishing my 2012 resolutions.  To see my original post on January 1, check out RESOLVED 2012!!!

My 2012 resolutions were these:

1) Finances:  PAY DOWN MY DEBTS substantially (…by 93%). (Saving will have to be next year’s goal… 😦 )  CURTAIL purchases of new items.  Yep, that means STOP SPENDING MONEY!!

— Didn’t do too well here.  I only reduced my debts by 32%. It’s better than nothing, but still falls well short of where I should be! 😦

2) Health & Fitness: Exercise 4x/week (Thur, Fri, Sun & Tue)!  Walk or do weights or ride the exercise bike at the Falaj Daris.  Bring healthy lunches to work instead of eating the horrible “Chicken cooked 1,000 ways” or the starchy and over-salted vegetables in the university cafeteria. DRINK WATER!!!  (I always forget to do this!)

— My achievements here were sporadic and inconsistent.  In May, June & July, I got really serious about this, joining myfitnesspal online and recording everything I ate.  I also exercised almost daily, either walking at the crack of dawn or exercising at the Falaj Daris “gym.”  During this period of intense dedication, I lost 10 pounds, just in time to go back to the USA and to Greece. Over the 6 weeks on holiday, I slipped back into my self-indulgent habits & managed to gain almost all that 10 pounds back.  Since I returned to Oman, I have barely managed to exercise at all.  Now I am back to where I started, with some additional pounds.  I still ALWAYS FORGET TO DRINK WATER!! (Why doesn’t my body signal me that I’m thirsty?)  The only positive thing I did here was to stop eating the lunches in the cafeteria and start bringing my lunch to work.

3) Writing: Continue to write my Oman blog.  Finish my Cairo blog (what I can remember from 4 1/2 years ago!). Revise my 480-page novel.  Begin writing my book tentatively titled: Seeking Myself on (& off) the Kimchi Trail… LOL… 🙂

— Writing my blog is one thing that comes easy for me.  It’s what I do to stay sane here.  It’s provided me endless hours of pleasure.  I wrote 332 posts on this blog in 2012.  I also wrote 45 posts on catbird in america, 8 posts on catbird in cairo (so I didn’t finish!), 62 posts on greek wanderings, and 28 posts on african meanderings {& musings}.  I also started a photography blog, whatever a moon has always meant, which I have to admit I’ve neglected in recent months.

my blog.... to be continued for 6 more months... :-)

my blog…. to be continued for 6 more months… 🙂

As for my novel, I didn’t revise it at all.  Before I could revise it, I needed to read it from cover to cover.  After all, I wrote it nearly 10 years ago and could barely remember the story!! Well.  I HATE reading on the computer, so I kept putting this off.  When I read, I like to be in a reclining position, on the sofa or in bed.  Finally, in November, I got the idea that I could put the novel on my Kindle.  And it worked!!  Once it was on my Kindle, it was the first thing I picked up to read every night.  I finished reading the 480-page story before Christmas, and I have to say I LOVED IT!! I’m most excited about revising this in the coming year and sending it out to publishers.  If it gets rejected, I will self-publish it; I think it’s that good.  I was pleasantly surprised by the whole thing and honestly, as I was reading it, I kept thinking to myself: I CAN’T BELIEVE I WROTE THIS!!

Of course, I never started my book about the Kimchi Trail.  I’m the kind of person who has to finish one project before I dive into another, so realistically, this won’t happen until I finish revising my novel.

4) Language and Knowledge Goals: Try to read a bit of the Quran each night to gain an understanding of Islamic culture.  Study Arabic: Complete Level One of the Rosetta Stone Arabic.  Review Chapters 1-12 in Al-Kitab.  Study 1/2 hour 5 nights/week.  I’m serious.  Really.

— Well, I guess you can tell how “serious” a person is by how much time they spend on something.  This is one thing that never happened.  I could kick myself for this.  Here I’ve been living in an Arab country for 1 1/4 years, and I still haven’t made any effort to improve upon my Arabic knowledge.  Nor did I read the Quran.  I’m really disappointed in myself on this one.

5) Travel goals: Go to Greece this summer for 2 weeks. Go to Virginia for one month. Go to Lebanon during the November National Holiday.  In Oman: Explore as many wadis and beaches and tourist destinations as possible.  Go to Sohar, Salalah, Musandam.  Read about Jordan, which I never did before I went in November.  Read about Greece & Lebanon before my travels: novels, non-fiction, travelogues. NOW THIS IS THE FUN STUFF THAT I CAN EASILY “ACCOMPLISH.”

— Okay, I admit this stuff is easy to accomplish because it’s fun!  Of course, it still takes dedication to save money, plan itineraries, and actually go.  I went to VIRGINIA for one month in August and to GREECE for two weeks in September (part of the reason I didn’t pay down my debts as planned!). I read a lot about Greece, enriching my experience, before I went: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Eleni, The Summer of My Greek Taverna, It’s all Greek to Me, Cafe Tempest, Little Infamies, Eurydice Street, Odyssey with the Goddess.

enjoying Oia in Santorini
enjoying Oia in Santorini
Alex, me and Adam at Deep Creek Lake
Alex, me and Adam at Deep Creek Lake

 

I changed my plans to go to LEBANON (the plan should have been to do so over the Eid, not the National Holiday) because of State Department warnings about the upheaval there; instead, I went to ETHIOPIA to visit my friend Ed who works at the embassy in Addis Ababa. Before going to Ethiopia, I read a history of the country in Lonely Planet Ethiopia & Eritrea.  I also read two fascinating books set in Ethiopia: Chameleon Days and Beneath the Lion’s Gaze.

I also went to ABU DHABI, UAE during the Islamic New Year.

In Oman, I’ve explored more places than many Omanis have.  Often, I tell my students I have gone somewhere in Oman, and they’re amazed because they’ve never been there themselves.  I went to SALALAH, SOHAR, AL MUSANAAH, JEBEL SHAMS, all around MUSCAT and the north coast, SUR and SHARQIYA SANDS, and even to MUSANDAM (basically from the north tip to the south tip of Oman). I have favorite places I’ve been to many times (WEKAN and WADI MISTAL, JEBEL AKHDAR, MISFAT AL ABRIYYEN, and over the HAJAR MOUNTAINS through BALAD SAYT).  I’ve definitely DONE Oman!!

6) Family goals: Have my two sons, Alex (20) and Adam (19), come to visit me in Oman and RUN THEM RAGGED UNTIL THEY KEEL OVER FROM SHEER EXHAUSTION. (They arrive January 10!)  Spend time with my daughter Sarah (27) when I return to the US in the summer.  Visit my father, my sisters and my brother. Try to talk online more regularly with the boys.

— DONE!! See my January archives for stories of my sons’ visit.  We had a great time.  They loved it so much, they are all coming again on January first, this time only for 11 days.  I loved seeing my daughter in August and my father and my sister Joan and her kids.  Sadly, I wasn’t able to see my brother Rob or my sister Stephanie.

Alex & Adam at Mutrah souq
Alex & Adam at Mutrah souq
Alex, Adam & I in Salalah
Alex, Adam & I in Salalah

 

7) Social: Cultivate new friendships in Oman and elsewhere. BE NICE TO PEOPLE!! 🙂 Or at least try. Talk to my close friends regularly.

— Here I have mixed reviews.  I developed a close friendship with Mario starting in March of 2012.  This amazing friendship has truly sustained me throughout the year.  I’ve also become close to Anna and Kathy.  I’m not a really social person and never have felt the need to be friends with EVERYONE; I choose to spend my time with a few choice people whose company I truly enjoy. I think that’s one thing that will never change about me.  I’m not sure I really want it to.

I’m not very good at keeping up with my friends back home, except my long-time friend Jayne in California.  We talk regularly online.  My closest high school friends and I keep in touch through Facebook, but we don’t talk online.  They are my tried-and-true friends; I know they will always be there for me when I return home.  And I’ve established connections with the wonderful community of bloggers who I follow regularly; these people are a truly supportive & wonderful group of cyber-friends!

8) Cultural: Visit Oman’s museums and the big mosque.  Go to 2 shows during the spring at the Royal Opera House; 1 show in the summer; and 2 in the fall.  Look for other cultural activities.  Try to get invited to an Omani wedding. 🙂

— I visited Bait Zubair, Bait Muzna, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in Muscat.  At the Royal Opera House Muscat, I saw the Egyptian composer Omar Khairat on February 15 and The Jewels of India Presents Panchtatva on September 17 (thus only 1 in the spring and 1 in the fall, none in summer).  I also attended an art exhibit by Greek painter KIKO at the Crowne Plaza on December 9 and a Japanese concert at the Ministry of Education Auditorium on October 9.  And I experienced my first and only Omani wedding in Al Awabi on February 16.

9) Home sweet home: Move into a new flat in Nizwa and decorate it to the hilt without spending any money (SEE RESOLUTION #1).

— I moved into my new flat, and I decorated it, but sadly, to do that, I had to spend money.  I spent about $1,100, all of which went on my credit card.  Ouch.

10) Work: Try to be more organized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Continue to love my students, which comes easy.  This is one surefire successful resolution.  Keep my job at the university and stay in Oman for at least one more year.

— DONE!  I don’t know why I put this because generally I’m very well-organized.  I do continue to love my students although many of them frustrate me at times.  I’ve managed to keep my job at the university for over a year, but I just tendered my 6 month resignation effective June 26, 2013.  So I will not be there for two full years, but for 1 3/4 years.

11) Eliminate at least one bad habit: Hmmm…… Which one should I choose?  Maybe I’ll try to eliminate PROCRASTINATION, which should lead to the accomplishment of many of the above.  Or better yet, SPENDING MONEY.  Yeah.  That’s the one.

— I’m good about NOT procrastinating about many things, but I am the queen of procrastination when it comes to things like revising my novel, studying Arabic, and exercising.  As far as SPENDING MONEY, I’m getting better at prioritizing.  I am trying to focus on my goals of travel, writing, and photography, and keeping my expenses limited to those areas.  I’ve been really good in recent months about NOT BUYING clothes; this is generally a HUGE challenge for me! So on this one, mixed reviews.

12) Spirituality: Meditate and spend time in prayer.  Spend time in nature and talk often to God.

— Mixed reviews on this.  I really don’t spend the time in meditation and prayer that I want to.  I really want to focus on this next year. Thanks to Mario, who enjoys nature and walking and photography as much as I do, I have spent a lot of time outside communing with the natural world.  I feel this is often a spiritual experience.

In years past, I’ve read a lot of spiritual books, about Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, etc.  This year, I’ve become really interesting in the idea of pilgrimage as a sacred quest.  I read two books this year on this topic: Odyssey with the Goddess: A Spiritual Quest in Crete and The Art of Pilgrimage: The Seeker’s Guide to Making Travel Sacred.  This will definitely be a big theme in my New Year’s Resolutions for 2013.

13) LOVE: Open up my heart.  Invite LOVE to find me…♥♥♥♥♥♥

— Sadly, I think I have closed myself off to love during this year.  I have become more jaded and less trusting of men in general.  It would take a lot for anyone to break into my heart now.  I would like reconciliation with my husband, and I’ve made those intentions clear to him, but it hasn’t happened this year.

I won’t berate myself too much for the things I didn’t accomplish this year.  I am really grateful for the things I did accomplish and for the great gifts and blessings that came my way.  My hope is that I will always be thankful for the rich and varied experiences that life tosses in my direction.

Happy New Year to all my readers!!

“When nothing is ahead of you, then you have come to an end. Where nothing is behind you, then ahead of you is a beginning.” ~ Carl Sandburg

38.893151 -77.357877

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2012 in review ~ my wordpress blogging stats

31 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in a nomad in the land of nizwa, Nizwa, Oman

≈ 14 Comments

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

19,000 people fit into the new Barclays Center to see Jay-Z perform. This blog was viewed about 96,000 times in 2012. If it were a concert at the Barclays Center, it would take about 5 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

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weekly photo challenge: my 2012 in pictures

28 Friday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in 2012, Abu Dhabi, Africa, Ethiopia, Greece, Oman, Pennsylvania, postaweek2012, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Virginia, Weekly Photo Challenge

≈ 39 Comments

Tags

postaweek2012, weekly photo challenge

Friday, December 28: Inspired by Robin at Life in the Bogs: Time in a bottle, and by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge, I put together a collage of my life during 2012.  All in all, it was an amazing year.  It started with getting a new flat in Nizwa, at the Abu Nooh Building, in January.  Soon after, my sons came to visit me in Oman for nearly a month.  We explored from Muscat to Nizwa, and even to far-flung Salalah.  It was a great experience for them and helped us establish a special bond of shared experience.

Developing a close friendship with Mario was one of the highlights of my year.  We both love photography and exploring Oman, so we have spent countless weekend days gallivanting around the country.  We have driven through flooded wadis to Wadi Dam, through Wadi Mistal to Wekan, across the Hajar Mountains through Balad Sayt, to Muscat and other places along the coast.  We went on a botched trip to Masirah Island, and ended up in Sur instead.  And we’ve taken too many walks to count on our favorite Jebel Akhdar, ending with a shared bottle of wine at the Sahab.

In August, I went back to the USA for a month, and had a fabulous time reconnecting with my family and home in Virginia.  I spent precious time in Richmond with my daughter Sarah, and our family spent a week at Deep Creek Lake in Maryland. I loved this time together and resolved that I need to be back home with my family.

I returned home to Oman for one day, repacked, and then spent two amazing weeks in Greece, exploring Athens, Crete, Santorini, Meteora, Delphi and Epidaurus (greek wanderings).  On my birthday, October 25, I flew for the Eid holiday to Ethiopia, where I spent a week visiting my friend Ed.  We explored Addis Ababa, Lalibela and Lake Langano (african meanderings {and musings}).  For the Islamic holiday weekend, I took a short trip to Abu Dhabi, about a 5 1/2 hour drive from Nizwa.

Click on any image below for a full-sized slide show.

stylized palm trees on a hill in Oman
stylized palm trees on a hill in Oman
me at the Agora, Athens, Greece
me at the Agora, Athens, Greece
pomegranate at Wekan, Oman
pomegranate at Wekan, Oman
Oia, Santorini, Greece
Oia, Santorini, Greece
boarding the dhow in Musandam, Oman
boarding the dhow in Musandam, Oman
Mario and our bottle of wine, Sahab Hotel, Oman
Mario and our bottle of wine, Sahab Hotel, Oman
life vests and canoe paddles at our cabin at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
life vests and canoe paddles at our cabin at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland
rock-hewn church at Lalibela, Ethiopia
rock-hewn church at Lalibela, Ethiopia
more goodies at Mutrah souq in Muscat, Oman
more goodies at Mutrah souq in Muscat, Oman
Alx and Adam at Deep Creek Lake, MD
Alx and Adam at Deep Creek Lake, MD
a chess game by the sea in Sohar, Oman
a chess game by the sea in Sohar, Oman
FRUIT!!!! Salalah, Oman
FRUIT!!!! Salalah, Oman
near Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA (Alex, me and Adam)
near Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA (Alex, me and Adam)
the fisherman haul in the nets, Al Musanah, Oman
the fisherman haul in the nets, Al Musanah, Oman
a rainbow of flowers and the Sultan's palace, Muscat, Oman
a rainbow of flowers and the Sultan’s palace, Muscat, Oman
Sarah and me in Richmond, VA
Sarah and me in Richmond, VA
the Acroplis, Athens, Greece
the Acroplis, Athens, Greece
St. George & the Dragon: the patron saint of Ethiopia
St. George & the Dragon: the patron saint of Ethiopia
The village of Al Ayn on Jebel Akhdar
The village of Al Ayn on Jebel Akhdar
Bailey near Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA
Bailey near Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA
a hand reprimanding a goat in the Hajar Mountains, Oman
a hand reprimanding a goat in the Hajar Mountains, Oman
up & up the steps through the garden at Wekan, Oman
up & up the steps through the garden at Wekan, Oman
Alex in front and Adam in back in the BIG boulder-strewn Wadi Tanuf, Oman
Alex in front and Adam in back in the BIG boulder-strewn Wadi Tanuf, Oman
Adam & Alex in the Empty Quarter, Oman
Adam & Alex in the Empty Quarter, Oman
Street scene in Athens, Greece
Street scene in Athens, Greece
swingin' in the trees at wadi darba, Salalah, Omant
swingin’ in the trees at wadi darba, Salalah, Omant
to infinity and beyond! Al Bustan Hotel in Muscat, Oman
to infinity and beyond! Al Bustan Hotel in Muscat, Oman
passageways through old Bahla, Oman
passageways through old Bahla, Oman
Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA
Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA
a little ruined room in Birkat al Mouz, Oman
a little ruined room in Birkat al Mouz, Oman
the rock-hewn masterpiece church of Bet Giyorgis in Lalibela, Ethiopia
the rock-hewn masterpiece church of Bet Giyorgis in Lalibela, Ethiopia
Santorini, Greece
Santorini, Greece
following the endless steps to the top of Wekan's gardens in Oman
following the endless steps to the top of Wekan’s gardens in Oman
the young man from Balad Sayt, Adam & Alex in Oman.
the young man from Balad Sayt, Adam & Alex in Oman.
fruits of labor in Birkat al Mouz, Oman
fruits of labor in Birkat al Mouz, Oman
my living room in the Abu Nooh Building, Nizwa, Oman
my living room in the Abu Nooh Building, Nizwa, Oman
Franciscan Monastery, Washington, DC
Franciscan Monastery, Washington, DC
"Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher."~ William Wordsworth (Wadi Muyadin, Oman)
“Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.”~ William Wordsworth (Wadi Muyadin, Oman)
the 21 Bronze Age tombs of Al Ayn with the jagged, comb-shaped Jebel Misht behind ~ Oman
the 21 Bronze Age tombs of Al Ayn with the jagged, comb-shaped Jebel Misht behind ~ Oman
Jebel Akhdar, Oman
Jebel Akhdar, Oman
Oia, Santorini, Greece
Oia, Santorini, Greece
the sheikh zayed bin sultan al-nahyan mosque in abu dhabi, uae
the sheikh zayed bin sultan al-nahyan mosque in abu dhabi, uae
Me at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA
Me at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, USA
I love the dramatic setting of this mosque in Salalah, Oman
I love the dramatic setting of this mosque in Salalah, Oman
an Omani boy at Nizwa souq
an Omani boy at Nizwa souq
my excellent student, Badr, on the left and his unknown friend driving near Birkat al Mouz, Oman
my excellent student, Badr, on the left and his unknown friend driving near Birkat al Mouz, Oman
"The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare to let go. Our true work is this voyage, this adventure." ~ Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah (Oman)
“The river delights to lift us free, if only we dare to let go. Our true work is this voyage, this adventure.” ~ Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah (Oman)
onions in Balad Sayt, Oman
onions in Balad Sayt, Oman
Franciscan Monastery, Athens, Greece
Franciscan Monastery, Athens, Greece
plantations at Birkat al Mouz, Oman
plantations at Birkat al Mouz, Oman
happy times at the Sahab Hotel, Jebel Akhdar, Oman
happy times at the Sahab Hotel, Jebel Akhdar, Oman
Malcolm & Sandy at the Turkish restaurant in NIzwa, Oman
Malcolm & Sandy at the Turkish restaurant in NIzwa, Oman
my sons chillin' at Ziyara in Muscat, Oman
my sons chillin’ at Ziyara in Muscat, Oman
Life is an enigma. Fira, Santorini, Greece
Life is an enigma. Fira, Santorini, Greece
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Oia, Santorini, Greece
Oia, Santorini, Greece
Adam at Deep Creek Lake, MD
Adam at Deep Creek Lake, MD
asleep at work ~ Nizwa souq, Oman
asleep at work ~ Nizwa souq, Oman
the village and the gardens of Balad Sayt in Oman
the village and the gardens of Balad Sayt in Oman
the Acropolis, Athens, Greece
the Acropolis, Athens, Greece
Omani men at Nizwa souq in Oman
Omani men at Nizwa souq in Oman
Thuraya, Shayma, me, Badr and Saud in January, University of Nizwa, Oman
Thuraya, Shayma, me, Badr and Saud in January, University of Nizwa, Oman
seashells by the seashore, Al Musanah, Oman
seashells by the seashore, Al Musanah, Oman
Entoto Raguel & Elias Church in Addis Ababa
Entoto Raguel & Elias Church in Addis Ababa
Kayaks at Deep Creek Lake, MD
Kayaks at Deep Creek Lake, MD
a camel in Wadi Darbat, Salalah, Oman
a camel in Wadi Darbat, Salalah, Oman
Alex stands on the edge of a falaj in Wadi Shab
Alex stands on the edge of a falaj in Wadi Shab
part of the Door Series (?) by Abdul Majeed Karooh at Bait Muzna Gallery, Oman
part of the Door Series (?) by Abdul Majeed Karooh at Bait Muzna Gallery, Oman
colorful fishing boats in Sur, Oman
colorful fishing boats in Sur, Oman
my favorite "sport" ~ hiking anywhere scenic and gorgeous... :-) Juniper Tree, Jebel Akhdar, Oman
my favorite “sport” ~ hiking anywhere scenic and gorgeous… 🙂 Juniper Tree, Jebel Akhdar, Oman
some intrepid Omanis dare to cross the wadi of all wadis near Ibri, Oman
some intrepid Omanis dare to cross the wadi of all wadis near Ibri, Oman
My two "Omani" boys at Mutrah Souq, Oman
My two “Omani” boys at Mutrah Souq, Oman
a green garden at one of the Meteora monasteries in Greece
a green garden at one of the Meteora monasteries in Greece
drinking coconut juice at a Salalah fruit stand ~ Oman
drinking coconut juice at a Salalah fruit stand ~ Oman
the Bahla Mosque with the gardens in front ~ Oman
the Bahla Mosque with the gardens in front ~ Oman
Mohammed, Mario and Atrium Torres Merlot at the Sahab Hotel, Jebel Akhdar, Oman
Mohammed, Mario and Atrium Torres Merlot at the Sahab Hotel, Jebel Akhdar, Oman
painted walls in one of the ruined houses at Wadi Bani Habib, Jebel Akhdar, Oman
painted walls in one of the ruined houses at Wadi Bani Habib, Jebel Akhdar, Oman
Alex, Ahmed and Adam stand on the falaj going down to Wadi Tiwi in Oman
Alex, Ahmed and Adam stand on the falaj going down to Wadi Tiwi in Oman
Alex and Adam the intrepid explorers
Alex and Adam the intrepid explorers
Oia, Santorini, Greece
Oia, Santorini, Greece
one boy's grandfather and his sardine catch of the day in Al Musanah, Oman
one boy’s grandfather and his sardine catch of the day in Al Musanah, Oman
Oia, Santorini, Greece
Oia, Santorini, Greece
my wanna-be "garden room" with its fake plants (the one on the left is real)... :-) Nizwa, Oman
my wanna-be “garden room” with its fake plants (the one on the left is real)… 🙂 Nizwa, Oman
Street scene in Athens, Greece
Street scene in Athens, Greece
the incense burner on the hill at al riyam park in Muscat, Oman
the incense burner on the hill at al riyam park in Muscat, Oman
me on top of the ridge overlooking Khor an Najd in Musandam, Oman
me on top of the ridge overlooking Khor an Najd in Musandam, Oman
Me on the edge of Bet Giyogis, Lalibela, Ethiopia
Me on the edge of Bet Giyogis, Lalibela, Ethiopia
the boys at the entrance to wadi bani khalid in oman
the boys at the entrance to wadi bani khalid in oman
Joanna Lumley and me at the Radisson Blu in Muscat, Oman
Joanna Lumley and me at the Radisson Blu in Muscat, Oman
the entrance to the University of Nizwa, Oman
the entrance to the University of Nizwa, Oman
Royal Opera House Muscat
Royal Opera House Muscat

Time in a Bottle ~ Jim Croce

If I could make days last forever
If words could make wishes come true
I’d save every day like a treasure and then,
Again, I would spend them with you

But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them
I’ve looked around enough to know
That you’re the one I want to go
Through time with

Though I have no “you” that I can “go through time with,” no romance and no prospects of romance, there is still never enough time to do the things I want to do, once I find them.  I still like to save every day like a treasure, in my memory.  Though it’s been a solitary year, it hasn’t often been a lonely one.

I’ve learned to be content by myself, and though I want to reconcile with my husband, I don’t know if that will happen.  If not, I will keep my heart open for whatever the universe flings in my direction.  I know I will be returning home to Virginia in mid-summer of 2013.  So after this year, my living abroad days will be on hiatus, at least for some time.  What comes next in my life, I don’t know, but I’m ready for a new adventure.

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a morning at nizwa souq

27 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al-Dakhiliyah Region, Nizwa, Nizwa souq, Oman

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

Oman

Thursday, December 27: My newfound friends from Abu Dhabi, Anne and Mark, pass through Nizwa again on their way back from spending Christmas and celebrating their anniversary at the Sifawy Boutique Hotel near Muscat.  I meet them at Nizwa souq and we wander around shopping.

Anne and Mark at Nizwa souq

Anne and Mark at Nizwa souq

Anne is preparing to go home to Nevada for three weeks to celebrate some family birthdays and she wants to buy some gifts to take home.  I wander along with her and Mark, seeing many things I’d love to buy: colorful lanterns, jewelry, colorful beaded strands with camels, jewelry boxes, and gorgeous photography books featuring Oman.

a new lantern shop at Nizwa souq.  I would love one of these.... :-)

a new lantern shop at Nizwa souq. I would love one of these…. 🙂

But as you will see when I post my New Year’s Resolutions on Tuesday, I am trying not to spend money on anything non-essential.  For once, I just enjoy looking.

Anne and Mark and the pottery of Nizwa souq

Anne and Mark and the pottery of Nizwa souq

It’s such an easy-going morning, I feel like we’ve been friends for years.  Anne buys some jewelry, a walking stick, bead strands, and three pots handmade in Oman that you hang on the wall.

Anne trying to decide on which pottery to buy

Anne trying to decide on which pottery to buy

I loved experiencing the fun of shopping vicariously through her, since I’m on a spending freeze.

We come across these lively old men having a little tea and dates in the souq.

relaxing in the souq

relaxing in the souq

After our shopping expedition, we find a little restaurant where Mark orders fish, Anne orders vegetable curry, and I order an omelet.  Anne and I get our food while poor Mark waits patiently.  After we’re about halfway through our meal, the server comes to inform us that there is a problem with the fish.  It’s “not awailable,” he tells Mark.  Oh well, Mark’s been nibbling on Anne’s curry and is fine with that.

After lunch, they head back to Abu Dhabi.  I invite them to come back and go to the Ibra ruins and Jebel Akhdar and the Sahab.  They invite me to come visit them in Abu Dhabi.  I hope to have more to report on this continuing saga!

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al rawdah fort & bait al khabib

26 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al Rawdah Fort, Bait al Khabib, Oman, Sharqiya Region

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Oman, Travel

Wednesday, December 26: After eating a lunch of chicken soup, an omelet and chapati at a typical Arab restaurant in Ibra, we head down the road from Ibra to explore some more ruins in Al Mudaybi.

ready for lunch

ready for lunch

drinks, anyone?

drinks, anyone?

While heading in that direction, we come upon brown signs for Al Rawdah Fort.  We park in the village below, along the falaj, and children simultaneously getting off their school bus happily greet us:  “How ARRRD you?  How ARRRD you?”

Mario & the children in the village near Al Rawdah Fort

Mario & the children in the village near Al Rawdah Fort

We take some pictures with the exuberant children and then climb up steps to the fort. We’re greeted by a gentle curator who doesn’t speak much English.  He takes us around the quiet fort, which we have all to ourselves; at the top, we have fantastic views of the village, random ruins and date palm plantations.

Click on any of the pictures below for a full-sized slide show.

Al Rawdah Fort
Al Rawdah Fort
view of ruins from Al Rawdah fort
view of ruins from Al Rawdah fort
our guide at Al Rawdah Fort
our guide at Al Rawdah Fort
inside Al Rawdah Fort
inside Al Rawdah Fort
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view over the ramparts
view over the ramparts
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Al Rawdah Fort from the village
Al Rawdah Fort from the village

After this we poke around in the falaj, finding an interesting insect that looks like a deformed blade of grass.

interesting little critter

interesting little critter

We then continue our drive in the same direction, where we come upon Bait al Khabib.  It is not only closed but the entire village seems to be deserted.  We walk around the outside and walk briefly through the attached village.  We don’t see a soul in sight as it is probably nap time.

Bail al Khabib

Bail al Khabib

cannon at Bait al Khabib

cannon at Bait al Khabib

Bait al Khabib

Bait al Khabib

Bait al Khabib

Bait al Khabib

Bait Al Khabib is built on a foundation of rock

Bait Al Khabib is built on a solid rock foundation

i love the wispy feather-like clouds

I love the wispy feather-like clouds

yet another interesting metal door in Oman

yet another interesting metal door in Oman

and a carved wooden door

and a carved wooden door

and this one would be really cool if it wasn't covered with chain link fence!!

and this one would be really cool if it wasn’t covered with chain link fence!!

I’m ready at this point for a nap myself.  Though we intend to drive on to Al Mudaybi, I just don’t have the energy for it.  At this point it is 2:30 and, as is usual with my frequent bouts of insomnia, I have been up since 4 a.m. We decide to call it quits and head back to Nizwa.  Between our explorations of the fantastic Ibra ruins earlier, and these amazing forts, it’s been a wonderful day-after-Christmas adventure.

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al munisifeh: ibra’s ruins from a wealthy past

26 Wednesday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al Munisifeh, Ibra, Oman, Sharqiya Region

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Oman, Travel

Wednesday, December 26:  Today is Christmas Day!  Well, not the REAL Christmas day.  After all, we had to work the real Christmas Day, December 25, at the university.  But, thankfully, we get off this day after Christmas, meaning we have a three-day weekend.  To take full advantage of the holiday, Mario and I drive to Ibra in Sharqiya region to visit the ruins of Al Munisifeh.

According to the Rough Guide to Oman, Ibra is the principal town of inland Sharqiya.  It grew rich because of its location on the major trade route between Muscat, Sur and Zanzibar.  The ruined village of Al Munisifeh, which lies a few kilometers beyond the Ibra souq, is one of the finest old walled villages I have seen in Oman.

The village, surrounded by the remnants of its original walls, has gateways at either end linked by a central street.  Lining this street are assorted modern houses interspersed with grand old buildings built of mudbrick and stone.  Many of these houses are two stories high, although the floors between the levels caved in long ago.  Their size and decorative details attest to the wealth amassed by the village’s merchants during Ibra’s role as a prime player along the major trade route.

Click on any of the images below to see a full-sized slide show.

the village gate
the village gate
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the hospital?
the hospital?
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elegant arches
elegant arches
second story arches
second story arches
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pigeons roosting in the wall niches
pigeons roosting in the wall niches
the second story from below
the second story from below
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view from steps leading to nowhere on the 2nd floor
view from steps leading to nowhere on the 2nd floor
beautifully carved doorway
beautifully carved doorway
old doors
old doors
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amazing details
amazing details
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typical metal Omani door
typical metal Omani door
a little lizard friend
a little lizard friend
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the gate at the far end of the village
the gate at the far end of the village
gardens
gardens
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the old souq
the old souq
souq
souq
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jasmine
jasmine
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I’ve explored a lot of ruins in Oman, but I have to say these are the most amazing I have seen.  Between the size of the houses, the finely carved arches and wall niches, and the decorative carvings on the wooden doors and window frames, they are overwhelmingly impressive.  We can’t stop exclaiming about how marvelous they are.   We take multitudes of pictures.

Every once in a while we are startled by pigeons who now inhabit these homes.  They burst forward from rafters or wall niches, fluttering and gurgling over our heads.

Mario, who has been here before, tells me that his Omani friends told him the first impressive building we come upon is a hospital.  I don’t know if I believe this, as to me it looks like a wealthy man’s home. Hospitals are usually stark and sleek with little decorative detail.  I would love to hear from any Omanis who know the story of this village.

I can’t believe that after 1 1/4 years of traveling from one end of Oman to another, there are gems like this that I haven’t discovered.  Still, there is adventure awaiting me during my last 6 months in Oman… 🙂

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ~ Marcel Proust

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merry christmas to all… :-)

25 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Christmas 2012, Oman

≈ 12 Comments

Tuesday, December 25:  Merry Christmas to all of you, my amazing blogging friends and readers.  Merry Christmas to you, my dear family and friends.  Merry Christmas to everyone in America and in Korea and in Oman, to everyone in all the countries I’ve traveled to: Britain, France, Mexico, Bahamas, Canada, Germany, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Greece, Turkey, Japan, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, and UAE.  To the amazing people I have met around the world, I wish you the warmest of blessings and love on this holiday.

I had to work today and it was like any other day at work.  There was nothing special about it at all.  The temperature here in Oman is 30 degrees Celsius and the air feels the same as always.  Yet, all day, I carried Christmas around in my heart, all the memories of every Christmas I have ever spent in my life.  Christmas as a child with my parents and sisters and brothers.  Christmas with my daughter Sarah and her father.  Christmas with Sarah and my two boys and Mike.  All of these Christmases followed me around today like a sad dream, beckoning me back home.  This is the last Christmas I will spend working abroad, at least for some time.  I look forward to spending Christmas at home next year.

My favorite Christmas song is The Little Drummer Boy.  Every time I hear it, it brings me to my knees.  I adore this song.  So, today, in wishing you all a marvelous Christmas, I share it with you in several versions.

And finally, my second favorite song: Silent Night by Olivia Newton John.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  PEACE & LOVE TO YOU ALL!! 🙂

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a night at the falaj daris with a fellow blogger :-)

22 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Al-Dakhiliyah Region, Bloggers, Falaj Daris Hotel, Nizwa, Wildcard travels

≈ 8 Comments

Saturday, December 22:  On December 7, I got an email from someone who actually reads my blog.  She wrote:

I’m an expat in Abu Dhabi, stumbled onto your blog a year ago when researching Oman and have been following you ever since. We have a lot in common, but key words are generalist, teacher, writer, photographer, art, and hiking. And wine. I am lucky enough to have my husband sharing this experience with me. We love Oman and are spending Christmas week there, including the Western Hajar and Nizwa area, then Muscat and As Sifa. I want to find the best hikes to do, and I think you might be able to help. If there is one must-do hike, what is it? And … I would love to meet you if you are around. We will be at Hotel Jibreen for a couple nights before Christmas and have a couple of unplanned nights at the end of the trip that we are thinking we may also spend in the mountains. ~ Anne

Of course I am always happy to meet anyone who reads my blog!  After all, that person needs a lot of patience and perseverance, and so must be a very special person!  Haha! So, we arranged to meet in Nizwa at the Falaj Daris Hotel on Saturday night.

meeting Anne was a nice Christmas present. :-)

meeting Anne was a nice Christmas present. 🙂

I was so thrilled to meet Anne and her husband Mark.  They remind me of my people back home.  Though they’re not Virginians, they’re from Nevada, and I spent 4 years of my life living out west in the USA, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.  It’s just enough that they’re fellow Americans.  In addition, Anne reminds me a little of one of my 4 best high school friends, Louise, especially in her mannerisms and her character.  I felt immediately at home in her company.

me and Anne being goofy at the Falaj Daris Hotel

me and Anne being goofy at the Falaj Daris Hotel

And that’s not all.  Anne is a fellow blogger!  I didn’t know she had a blog as she never mentioned it, but once I found it, I subscribed right away.  I love her sharp colorful photos and her fresh take on her experiences as an expat living in Abu Dhabi.  Although she is a BLOGSPOT blogger, and not a WORDPRESS blogger, I had to step over the line and join her on her journey.

Wildcard Travels ~ Anne's blog

Wildcard Travels ~ Anne’s blog

She writes about herself on Wildcard travels: Mark and I are, more than anything, sailors and racers. Leaving our northern Nevada and California stomping grounds and moving to the Middle East is something we never dreamed would happen, yet here we are. I’m spending the time being a writer, photographer, teacher, and painter. I’m a former 5th grade teacher, conservation project manager, sailmaker, and stained glass artist with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geography. Also a mom, grandma, and Mark’s wife. I believe life is best lived by stepping outside the comfort zone, taking on challenges and enjoying adventures while maintaining a sense of humor. I’m not a thrill seeker, but thrive on change. I hope you enjoy the stories.

us with guns :-)

us with guns 🙂

Anne is a warm, easy-going and fun-loving person and I invite you to check out her blog.  I was honored that she contacted me and made the time to meet me.

We talked for a long while over dinner and a bottle of wine poolside.  They insisted on treating me.  I felt incredibly at ease in their company.  Anne used to be a 5th-grade teacher and has worked in conservation.  She’s also a painter, photographer and writer.  She and Mark are avid sailors; they met in a sailing regatta.  They sail in Abu Dhabi with an Italian crew.  And they have their own sailboat in California.

I feel she and I could be kindred spirits.  🙂  I hoped when we parted that we would meet again.  And surprisingly, we did.  That story will follow in another post…. 🙂

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daydream saturday: prague

22 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Daydream Saturday, Prague

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Daydream Saturdays

Saturday, December 22:  Today, I’m dreaming of winter and Bohemia, fairy-tale castles and an old town full of architecture ranging from Art Nouveau to Baroque to Renaissance to Cubist to Gothic to Neoclassical.  I’m dreaming of the epitome of culture: museums, theaters, galleries and cinemas.  I’m dreaming of walking through colorful streets wrapped up in a warm coat and fur-lined boots, ducking into cafes for hot coffee or Czech beer.  I dream of eating heart-warming foods like Czech goulash and pork with dumplings (!!!) and sauerkraut.  Mmmm….

For some reason, Prague has captured my imagination.  As I haven’t experienced a winter wonderland since I was in South Korea in winter of 2010, I am yearning for the cold.  Here is the city I am dreaming of this Saturday evening in the unchangeable climate of Oman.

I would love to hear about your daydreams this Saturday.  Where would you like to go now?  What if money were no object and you could just be whisked away to any place on earth?

If you’d like to join my Daydream Saturday, I invite you, challenge you even, to put a link to your own daydream in my comment section below.

I was trying to daydream, but my mind kept wandering. ~ Steven Wright

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giving notice

22 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by nomad, interrupted in Foundation Institute, Nizwa, Oman, University of Nizwa

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Life, Oman, University of Nizwa

Saturday, December 22:  Today, I tendered my 6-month resignation to the University of Nizwa.  My last day of work here will be on Wednesday, June 26, 2013.

The reasons I am leaving are numerous.  Basically, the main reason is that I’m homesick.  I miss my family and friends and my home in America.  I want to be close to my children.  I want to work on my marriage, and I can’t do that living abroad.   I miss the work environment I had in the community college in Virginia.  I miss feeling connected to my people back home.

entrance to the University of Nizwa

entrance to the University of Nizwa

Finally, it is simply time to move on to a new phase in my life.  I have been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish next.  I am thinking seriously, as I always do, about my resolutions for the New Year of 2013.  Thirteen has always been a lucky number for me, so I have high hopes for the new year.

Stay tuned for my post on New Year’s Day, where I will spell out in great detail, as I always do, my New Year’s resolutions. (Maybe too much detail for my readers!!)  I always take this process seriously.  As I remember someone saying once, you have to create the life you intend. Or something along those lines.  Nothing will happen unless I make it happen.  A little luck thrown in is always a good thing as well!

“Edward: You know what the difference is between a dream and a goal? he used to say to me. A plan.”  ― Jodi Picoult, Lone Wolf

I will miss a lot about Oman.  I love the country and I’ve explored many hidden places that even Omanis don’t take the time to explore.  I will continue to do this over the next 6 months.

I get a new vocabulary word in my email inbox every day from Dictionary.dom.  The word I received today is this:

decathect \dee-kuh-THEKT\, verb:  To withdraw one’s feelings of attachment from (a person, idea, or object), as in anticipation of a future loss.

This word applies to what I will have to do when I leave Oman and the amazing people I have met here.

I’ve learned a lot while I’ve been here.  I’ve learned something about who I am.  I’ve learned to enjoy my solitude.  I love the sense of adventure that has grown in me.  I’ve learned to be independent.  I’ve learned about the kind of people I like to seek out and spend time with.  I’ve learned what feels good about a work environment, and what doesn’t. I’ve learned more about what I am seeking.

When I leave Oman, I will write a final reflection piece about what I’ve learned about myself and about coping in a foreign land.  Until then, I hope you’ll continue to join me for the final leg of my journey in Oman.

“If you have a goal, write it down. If you do not write it down, you do not have a goal – you have a wish.”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

“There is always a gap between intention and action..”
― Paulo Coelho

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Heading to Spain and Portugal!!

To Barcelona & beyond! :-)June 28th, 2013
To Barcelona & beyond! :-)

Return home to the USA

Homecoming USA!July 26th, 2013
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Blog of the Year 2012

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Oman Blogs

  • Adventures of an American ESL Instructor Teaching at an Omani University
  • Andy in Oman
  • Angry in Oman
  • Bethany Duffield
  • Desperate Housewife in Oman
  • Dhofari Gucci
  • English Girl in Oman
  • Hallucinations of a Kitten
  • How to live like an Omani Princess
  • Hunting the Lost Insurgency: Oman
  • Matthew Heines
  • Misadventures in HR
  • Mumoftheanimals's Blog
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  • Oh Man…Oman is really nice!
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  • Samir's Home
  • Secret Salalah
  • Sleepless in Salalah
  • Sultanate Social
  • Susan Al Shahri
  • The Linoleum Surfer

Oman Information

  • Albahja Cinema
  • Background Note Oman: U.S. State Department
  • Bait Muzna Gallery
  • BBC News: Oman Country Profile
  • CIA World Factbook ~ Oman
  • City Cinema Shatti
  • Destination Oman
  • Embassy of the United States – Muscat, Oman
  • Lonely Planet Oman
  • Ministry of Information: Sultanate of Oman
  • Oman Daily Observer
  • Royal Opera House Muscat
  • Sultanate of Oman Tourism
  • Sultanate of Oman: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Travel Blogs

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  • Let me bite that.
  • Life in the Bogs
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Sunny but only 20 degrees today!uploaduploaduploadTaking a walk through the neighborhood#whpsentbymailNext door to port royal post officeNext store in port royalupload
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"Happiness" 52 Pick Up 2012 A-Z Photo Challenge Abu Dhabi Abu Nooh Building Africa Akrotírion Al-Areesh Camp Al-Batinah Region Al-Dakhiliyah Region Al-Dhahirah Region Al Aqr Al Ayn Al Hamra Al Musanaah Americas Asia As Sifah Beach Athens Bahla Balad Sayt Birkat Al Mouz Cambodia Cappadocia Crete Daegu Ethiopia Europe Falaj Daris Hotel Family Foundation Institute Friday Meditation Geoje-si GMC Terrain Greece India Intercontinental Hotel Jakesprinter Japan Jebel Akhdar Jebel Shams Jordan Kyoto Lake Langano Lalibela Life Matthieu Ricard Middle East misfat al abriyyin Musandam Muscat Muttrah Muttrah Souq Nakhal Fort Nepal Nizwa Nizwa souq Oia Oman Oman Dive Center Phnom Penh Photography Challenges Pokhara postaweek2012 postaweek2013 Rethymno Royal Opera House Sahab Hotel Saiq Plateau Salalah Santorini Seoul Share Your World Sharqiya Region Sharqiya Sands Six Word Saturday South Korea Spirituality Suncheon Bay Sunday Post Travel Travel Theme Photo Challenge Turkey United Arab Emirates United States of America University of Nizwa Virginia Wadi Bani Awf Wadi Bani Habib Wadi Bani Khalid Wadi Damm Wadi MIstal Wadi Muaydin Wadi Shab Wadi Tiwi Wednesday Song Title Interpretation Weekly Photo Challenge Wekan Western Hajar Mountains

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#capturethecolour 7 Super Shots 52 Pick Up @travelsupermkt a-z photo challenge Abu Dhabi Al Amerat Architecture Art Balad Sayt Birthdays Blogging books Bucket List CBBH Photo Challenge Christmas Daydream Saturdays DPchallenge Egypt Empty Quarter Ethiopia GMC Terrain Greece Hyundai Sonata Ibri InterNations Japan Jebel Akhdar Jebel Shams karma's photography scavenger hunt Life middle east Misfat Al Abriyyin Muscat Nepal Nizwa Nizwa Souq No Comfort Zone Challenge Oman Omar Khairat Optimism Pessimism Phoneography Challenge Picture the World! postaweek2012 postaweek2013 Roses Royal Opera House Royal Opera House Muscat Saiq Plateau Salalah share your world Shine On Award Six Word Saturday South Korea Spain Spirituality Story Challenge Sunday Post Tibet Travel travel theme Turkey United Arab Emirates United States of America University of Nizwa Wadi Bani Awf Wadi Tiwi Wedding wednesday song title interpretation weekly photo challenge Western Hajar Mountains Wordpress WPLongform wwwp5k

Blogs I Follow

  • ~ wander.essence ~
  • Living in Paradise...
  • SterVens' Tales
  • PIRAN CAFÉ
  • Word Wabbit
  • Cardinal Guzman
  • Pit's Fritztown News
  • Fumbling Through Italy
  • Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek
  • snowtoseas
  • life at the edge
  • Slovenian Girl Abroad
  • Let Me Bite That
  • Running Stories by Jerry Lewis
  • Finding NYC
  • The World according to Dina
  • Cornwall Photographic
  • snippetsandsnaps
  • SITTING PRETTY
  • Storyshucker

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~ wander.essence ~

where travel meets art

Living in Paradise...

SterVens' Tales

Thee Life, Thee Heart, Thee Tears

PIRAN CAFÉ

Word Wabbit

Wrestless Word Wrestler

Cardinal Guzman

Encyclopedia Miscellaneous - 'quality' blogging since August 2011

Pit's Fritztown News

A German Expat's Life in Fredericksburg/Texas

Fumbling Through Italy

Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek

snowtoseas

life at the edge

inspired by the colours of the land, sea and sky of Cornwall

Slovenian Girl Abroad

A blog about travel adventures written by an Slovenian girl living in Switzerland

Let Me Bite That

Can I have a bite?

Running Stories by Jerry Lewis

Personal blog about running adventures

Finding NYC

exploring New York City one adventure at a time

The World according to Dina

Notes on Seeing, Reading & Writing, Living & Loving in The North

Cornwall Photographic

snippetsandsnaps

Potato Point and beyond

SITTING PRETTY

Storyshucker

A blog full of humorous and poignant observations.

~ wander.essence ~

where travel meets art

Living in Paradise...

SterVens' Tales

Thee Life, Thee Heart, Thee Tears

PIRAN CAFÉ

Word Wabbit

Wrestless Word Wrestler

Cardinal Guzman

Encyclopedia Miscellaneous - 'quality' blogging since August 2011

Pit's Fritztown News

A German Expat's Life in Fredericksburg/Texas

Fumbling Through Italy

Empty Nesters on a Green Global Trek

snowtoseas

life at the edge

inspired by the colours of the land, sea and sky of Cornwall

Slovenian Girl Abroad

A blog about travel adventures written by an Slovenian girl living in Switzerland

Let Me Bite That

Can I have a bite?

Running Stories by Jerry Lewis

Personal blog about running adventures

Finding NYC

exploring New York City one adventure at a time

The World according to Dina

Notes on Seeing, Reading & Writing, Living & Loving in The North

Cornwall Photographic

snippetsandsnaps

Potato Point and beyond

SITTING PRETTY

Storyshucker

A blog full of humorous and poignant observations.

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