Today, I’m starting a new day in another country.

I’m starting a new life, a new job, a new hope.

Today, I kiss Oman goodbye.

I have lived in Oman for more than twelve years

I have had a lot of “firsts” in this country

First serious loving boyfriend, first to kiss and love the man I chose

First to be truly deeply brokenhearted because it wasn’t meant to be

First to be fooled and taken advantage of by the man I thought was mine

First to break a blue pen in front of a student out of classroom annoyance and overhead disrespect

First to be hospitalized with oxygen covering up my whole face, full antibiotics, and injections due to severe health condition

First to be betrayed by people out of money, career, fame, and power

First to learn to deal with people and circumstances through great diplomacy, bureaucracy, grace, and kindness

First to feel so weary, competing, and chasing my career, love, and life that I desire, but no doors seemed to open, no chance, no luck anymore

First to fight for what I know was right and I deserve

Yet, I kiss Oman goodbye.

I thank you Oman for the bitter-sweet memories

Thank you for the enormous horizons you have shown and given me

Thank you for the vibrant, pinnacled high-rock mountains

Thank you for the grandeur where the sun rises and sets

Thank you for the silvery-blue seas in the midst of a full moon

Thank you for the deepest clear green ocean I’ve ever seen

I thank you Oman, and I kiss you goodbye!