2014, How art thou? - by Vidya Ramaswamy

Oh 2014! It's been a bit of a roller-coaster ride, hasn't it? Let's walk down memory lane for a bit. You started the year by giving me heartbreak. And to be really honest with you, that wasn't very nice of you. If I was Santa Claus, you'd go on my naughty list. I surely hope you were nicer to others. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that the heartbreak messed up a good part of the year.

But then, I find out about Ebola and the missing Malaysia Airlines flight, and the unrest in Ukraine and Iraq and Gaza and Syria, and suddenly, my crap didn't feel so bad in comparison. Just when I was getting caught up in petty matters, you showed me some perspective.

Note to self: It is NEVER as bad as it seems.

To be fair to you, 2014, you haven't been all that bad. You let me travel to rejuvenate myself, and I was so excited when you offered me the opportunity to come back to my first home, Oman.

You gave the world a frenzied and eventful World Cup in Brazil, though I was mad at you for kicking out every team that I supported. Fine, maybe Spain didn't deserve to go through, and you should have most definitely shown a little delicacy in how you kicked out the home country. But why couldn't you have finally given Messi a break and put an end to his World Cup woes?

Is that why you tried to make amends and let us land a spacecraft on a comet? Actually, I need another moment to digest that. I mean, I've got to give you props, 2014. How seriously cool is that?!? You make me feel lucky to be alive at a time like this. I don't think a lot of us truly value the lives that we have. Just last week, you confirmed that Robin Williams committed suicide. Funny man, Robin Williams. Depressed. That was a real shocker.

Note to self: NO amount of fame or money can bring you happiness or sanity.

It's almost the end of the year, and I'm sure everyone has a story to share. You dealt Oman a severe blow with news of the ill health of their beloved leader, but somehow you also gave the people an immense amount of courage. I haven't seen this kind of love towards the ruler of any other country, and once again, I am glad to have witnessed something inspiring.

Well, 2014, while I didn't like you all that much in the beginning, I've warmed up to you. You brought an amazing friend into my life who helped me get out of the dumps, and recently, you've given me a new crush to distract myself with. Perhaps this is why you drew me back to Oman? Good move, 2014! So, how about this? We'll call it even. You redeemed yourself.

And now, the time has come for you to leave. Farewell, 2014. You may be gone, but you've made your mark. You won't be forgotten...

Note to self: I just conversed with a year. I NEED to get out more.

Honorary Omani.. by Vidya Ramaswamy

As I write this, I'm in my country, India for the Eid holidays. Yes, some of us have to work on vacation. The radio is on (hey, women can multitask!) and they're saying something about Oman. I'm deep in thought trying to come up with the contents for this article.

Wait a minute! I'm in India. Why are they talking about Oman on the radio?!?

I immediately tune into what's going on. The caller is telling the RJ about her recent vacation to Oman. She’s gushing about how Oman is a gorgeous country, and how her family enjoyed shopping and scuba diving and exploring the natural beauty of the country. In a matter of minutes, I felt my heart inexplicably swell with pride.

Such is the effect of Oman on me. To Oman, I am merely a foreigner, an "expat". But to me, Oman is home. I've spent a quarter of a century growing up in a country that is not mine, and yet I've never felt like an outsider. When anyone asks me where I'm from, my kneejerk reaction is to say Oman! And then I wait eagerly, hoping that I'll be asked - "Oman?"

Jackpot.

Yes! Oman. It's in the Middle East. Next to Dubai. No, not Amman! That's in Jordan. It's Oman. The Sultanate of Oman. Yup, there's a King. A Sultan. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said. He's awesome! Yeah, it's a Muslim country. No, I'm not Muslim. So what? Do you know there's a roundabout in Darsait where there's a temple, a church and a mosque within walking distance of each other? How freaking cool is that?! (Speaking of roundabouts, does anyone else miss them or is it just me? I know driving around them was a pain but they always looked so pretty! But I digress.)

Long story short, one of my favourite pastimes is to introduce Oman to new people. I don't know why but I'm always thrilled to do so.

That's why it hurts me when some of the expats here complain about Oman. I admit I've done it too. Boo Omanization. Boo lack of public transport. Boo the heat. But then why are we here? Perhaps the amazingly clean roads, the hospitality of the locals or the comfortable, laidback lifestyle?

JFK very famously said "ask not what the country can do for you, ask what you can do for the country".

So this National Day, I would like all expats to focus on why you choose to be here. Even if your sole reason is that magical 25 bz packet of Pofak. (25 bz!! Incredible, right? Sometimes that’s how I make purchasing decisions - if the item(s) in question is worth losing out on all that Pofak! Please don’t judge.) But whatever your reason, take this opportunity to celebrate Oman and embrace it.

And I would like all Omanis to kindly give us the status of being Honorary Omanis while we spend some part of our lives in your beautiful country. We love Oman and we are grateful to you for sharing your home with us.

As for me, I can't wait to head back to Oman. When I step off the airplane at Seeb Airport and feel the thick hot air hit my face, that's when I know .. I'm home.

- Written by Vidya Ramaswamy (an Indian by birth, an Honorary Omani by heart)

(Vidya is a member of the Community Writing Team for 'Muscat-Where Can I Find' - Oman's BEST Community information hub. Using the Community to help you find what you are looking for in Muscat.)