From That Woman: Saudi Men I

Last night as two gorgeous women were sitting on the sofa in front of me, with one of them saying artistically how culturally challenged she was , and the other one in a " Mute" period, since her wedding was coming up soon; I happened to think of many things.

Men sometimes become an integral part of our lives, it might be right, and it might be wrong. What I was thinking about was; until what extent do we allow ourselves to compromise to make these men happy and "Emotionally Satisfied"?
It might be that Arabian Hot Blood in our men, that makes them just burn from inside thinking that we actually do have a past, we did talk to men, we did date other men, and that actually made us who we are today. For most of our Saudi men, and actually all the Society, this is not acceptable, and this might actually make him change his mind about marrying or proposing to the woman he likes or loves.

For our mothers, what they really believe in, is that a woman should be an ordinary woman. Women shouldn't fight to do things men should do, they shouldn't advance in their career or even earn a higher degree. The Mothers are simply worried, since this might actually threaten the entity of that potential future groom.

I know that there should be a red line to the end of compromising, the compromising that we woman selectively and intentionally can give to the man. Compromising is integral, but where should compromising end? Because we never want to be another woman or that woman he has planned already for us to be.



* There are always exceptions but they are rare.

From That Woman: Saudi is small..

The world is small..

We always say that, it's more like our motto in life, but when one lives in Saudi Arabia, you should really be aware what small means.. small is more of "Really really really Small"

It's both scary and nice at the same time. I've always realized and understood how everything is irrelevantly and relevantly related here, If I went out in public with some friends, in a week my parents would hear about it from their friends and if I was covering my hair or not.
If I attended a wedding, I'd hear the next day the feed back of my friend's fourth cousin who told her boyfriend's sister about the bride's dress or maybe even my dress!
It's seriously hectic, and sometimes it's really tough, for women like me; who wants to be "That Woman".

Today, I realize that this is not a joke, and how that personal relationships and even friendships are very hard to establish. It's very hard to just be yourself.

Breaking Question: "Should personal relationships, societies and families be integrated to that extreme extent? I wonder where is privacy? Peace? and just enjoying the simple things in life?"

If you slip once, the entire town talks about it, your family will be extremely disappointed and frustrated because actually, you didn't ruin your reputation alone, you took them down the drain with you. You are not responsible only for your actions, your family is responsible, your friends, your neighbors, everything is centralized, there is no decentralization in the Saudi Society.
If you chose to marry a man, you won't actually marry a man, you'll marry his entire family, and the entire society with him.

Being a woman is a full time job, we want to have it all, and we strive for the best; for perfection, we want: perfect bodies, perfect wardrobes, perfect grades, perfect husbands, perfect families.. everything has to be perfect, OR... The really really small society will start talking about you. & well we came to realize that they'll talk about you any way, so don't try hard to please.

and the journy continues

The begining of an end

I write this poem of a girl I know
With a heart of gold, made the world around her glow
Broken today I watch her sigh
The hopeful gleam no longer in her eyes

It’s been a while since I’ve held this pen
Years of life have molded me since then

A little girl searching for where she belonged
Guided by the memory of vague recall

An impulsive decision to go back in time
Against their will she crosses the line

A young mother she thought
“I’ve got to see”
No time could be better
It’s the time for me

An innocent soul tainted with fear
A whole new world
A religion revealed

Shock and confused by the hurtful truth
This is it, These are her roots!
Lost and confused , She tries to reject
What she knows she has to go through next

She’s riding the waves of a journey so real
Too much emotions, there’s nothing left to feel

As she sits alone in a familiar café
Watching the world as they live their day

She wonders if she’ll ever get to that shore
How much is left for her heart to endure?

Pieces of her, dust in the wind
Wrapped in misery, tormented at will

Searching for answers, lost in dismay
A silent prayer, “Oh keep me sane”

Her friends they know what she’s going through
Do they though? She’s not so sure


Caught in the middle, two worlds at bay
Every person she knows, has something to say

Her soul is in question, her eternal abode
Where no mother or bother can carry the load

For she alone, will mark her end
For she alone, to the grave shall be sent

This worldly life is but a stage
To play our parts and God to obey

And the life she’s had
Has no place in here
The cast of this play
To her world are weird

New rules, new lines
New parts to display
She had no idea
That is was going to be this way

And although her faith in the main theme is strong
It seems that it’s not enough
Could she be so wrong?

No one is perfect, so it’s been said
With no one to trust, no matter how they care

Ignorance is bliss, words so true
Why did she venture, into knowledge so cruel?

We are responsible for all that we do
Now that she knows, her debts are due

To pay the price is a lot to bear
She can’t let go, she’s too weak to dare
Brave she embarked on this one way road
Full of life, faith so bold

God is her love, her constant guide
Hold her hand, show her what’s right

Yes, she’s made a few wrong turns
Give her a chance, she’s willing to learn

Send her an angel, just show her the way
Too suspicious to trust
Thos who speak in your name

She reads your words, every night she cries
Why does she see a different rhyme?

Oh lord your book does not lie
Never did she find an unfair line

Her salvation lies in you so divine
Please let your words lead her life

For she has lived this world as it is
She’s seen and felt things that they’ve missed

No one could ever know what’s inside
No one but the earth, the sea and the infinite sky.

From Badawiya: About this blog

The Saudi comedy.

A bold blog that will make you laugh and cry. Dedicated to the women of Saudi Arabia. True blooded, half blooded or even just Saudi by surrounding. Together we discover the truth behind the veil. Our mission is to tackle the issues of the Saudi woman. Whether you are abroad and living a double life, under house arrest or a rogue in denial.

Here is freedom.

Whoever you are. Wherever you are. Let’s talk about life baby. For there has never been a life so complex as that of a Saudi Woman’s.

Join me and that woman in our journey of self-discovery. Ask your questions. Your questions and comments will set the agenda.