General Questions
Q: What year were you born?
A: I was born on December 24,1976
Q: Did your parents tell you anything about the day you were born?
A: They only told me that we spent Christmas in the hospital and left the food my mother was cooking when she had her labor pains.
Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in a city hospital near our house.
Q: Why were you given the first (and middle) name’s) that you have?
A: My name is , they got it from my great grandmother.
Q: What’s your first, most vivid memory?
A: My first vivid memory was when I was jumping on the sofa and fell off.
Q: What was your bedroom like?
A: My bedroom wall then was pink and full of stuff toys around the room.
Q: Can you describe the neighborhood you grew up in?
A: It was a very peaceful neighborhood, clean and the surroundings are full of trees. Our neighbors were friendly we always have barbecue parties during weekends.
Q: Tell me about your parents.
A: My parents are the most sweet and loving people in the whole world.
Q: What memories do you have of them?
A: We used to go picnic during Sundays after attending the mass. We also love watching movies while having our junk food day.
Q: Who was more strict: your mother or your father?
A: My father is stricter than my mother though my mother is very protective of me.
Q: Do you have a vivid memory of something you did that you were disciplined for?
A: Yes, my mother have beaten me because I was caught smoking at the back of my school when I was in grade 7.
Q: Did your parents have a good marriage?
A: Of course!
Q: How did your family earn money?
A: My father is an engineer, we have our own construction company and mother is a biology teacher.
Q: How did your family compare to others in the neighborhood – richer, poorer, the same?
A: Richer, I think.
Q: What kinds of things did your family spend money on?
A:Vacations and cars
Q;How many brothers and sisters do you have? When were they born? What memories do you have of each of them from when you were growing up?
A: I am an only child.
Q; What were you like as a child?
A: I am cheerful, loving and friendly.
Q: What did you like to eat?
A; Spaghetti and Chocolates
Q; What did you do for fun?
A; Watching TV and playing with my Friends
Q:What were your favorite toys or games?
A:I got my favorite playhouse at our backyard.
Q: Did you ever have a secret place or a favorite hiding spot?
A: Yes, at the back of our sofa
Q:What responsibilities did you have at home when you were young?
A: Since both of my parents are working, my parents has given me the responsibility in doing some of the choirs at home such as dish washing, washing the clothes and cleaning our bathrooms.
Q: What kind of school did you go to? Were you a good student? What was your favorite subject?
A: I went to a catholic school near our home. Well, in my opinion I was a good student. My favorite subject is English and Literature.
Q; Did you have any heroes or role models when you were a child?
A; I love wonderwoman
Q: How did you spend your summer holidays? What were your favorite summer activities?
A: My family used to go camping and swimming every summer. Camping was my favorite summer activity.
Q: Did you go to university or college? How did you decide what you wanted to study?
A: Yes, I went to a university. I did not have any difficulty in deciding what I have in life because when I was still small all I ever wanted is to be a teacher and a writer.
Q: How did you decide what you wanted to do with your life? How do you feel about that choice?
A; Well, I can say that I made the right decision.
Q; What was your first job? What did you like or not like about it?
A; I was a preschool teacher in a private school. I love being with children.
What’s your most cherished family tradition? Why is it important?
Attending the mass every Sunday and the family’s monthly tea party both are important to me because it is where we meet our relatives and catch up with each other.
What have you liked best about your life so far? What’s your happiest or proudest moment?
When I became a teacher and a writer at the same time.
Views of Self and Others
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR OWN POLITICAL BELIEFS?
A: First and foremost, I’m a feminist. And basically that stems from a strong belief that all people and creatures deserve equal opportunity, rights and respect.
Q: THESE DAYS A LOT OF WOMEN ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH DEFINING THEMSELVES AS FEMINIST, YET YOU INSIST ON BEING IDENTIFIED THAT WAY AND MUCH OF YOUR WORK HAS BEEN CATEGORIZED AS FEMINIST COMEDY. WHAT DOES THAT TERM MEAN TO YOU?
A: Well, it depends on the context in which I use it. But, even when we came to New York and were doing the first “Kathy and Mo”, I’d say to our publicist, “Put feminist comedy on the poster.” And they’d say, “No, why don’t you do this. Don’t put it. Have them come and then surprise them. Let them learn something without knowing.” And I would say, “No. If people who are feminists and wholeheartedly believe in feminism don’t take pride and joy and totally stick it in people’s faces, then the stigma attached to feminism will never change.” Then you’ll never have to prove things like that because when people think of feminism they will think of being smart and funny and likable. People say “Don’t put feminism” because they think oh, there’s no sense of humor and it’s cold and it’s off-putting – well, how is that going to change if the real feminists who are nothing like that – most of them – don’t start saying “I’m feminist”. It will just continue and continue and continue. So, I said, “Put it on the poster and then when they come they’ll be even more surprised.” I don’t know where that came from in the first place – that myth about no sense of humor and all that – most of the feminists I know are hilarious, very. So, I don’t know where that came from in the first place but we need to blast that away so we don’t have to go over that hump. So we don’t even need to approach that problem – it’s so old and tired. And it’s certainly not true and that’s how I started insisting on using the word feminist.
I use it now because, well, because I am, and it just comes out of my mouth, but second of all, like you say, there are a lot of people who know me in a different way – they know me as the cheerful nun from “Sister Act”. So if the cheerful nun from “Sister Act” is everywhere you read saying she’s feminist, how can they attach those stigmas of no sense of humor and not warm, if they already like you? Also, I think it’s important for the next generation. And I do it as a pride thing – like I say I’m Lebanese the same way I say I’m feminist because I’m proud of being Lebanese – I think it’s cool – and I think it’s cool to be feminist. And what feminism means – I guess I could go into the definition, but I think of it as equality, choice, fairness. Respect for animals and children and men and women and equality. It’s something that’s based in a very loving theory for me. And the term post-feminist bugs the shit out of me. What’s that about? It’s like people who are unable to deal. So I’ll keep saying it as many times as I can to make up for the people who are scared to or think it’s bad vibe or whatever, because I think it’s good vibe.
Q: YOU HAVE DEVELOPED A REPUTATION FOR BEING STRONG, SPEAKING YOUR MIND, IGNORING CONVENTION. IS THIS HOW YOU’D LIKE THE PUBLIC TO PERCEIVE YOU?
A: You know one thing I’ve been getting afraid of reading some of the articles about me is that I’m not representing – along with the confidence -the insecure and fear-filled parts of me. So, I’ve been trying to talk about that a little bit too just so if people really want to get to know who I am they get a more balanced view. Because when you’re asked a question, the sanest part of your mind sometimes answers. But I don’t always operate on the sanest part of my mind. A lot of times I’m filled with fear, insecurity, vulnerability, misdirection, confusion and doubt. And I just want to make sure I include that in my answers because that certainly is a real part of me.
Q: A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY IF MEN WERE THE ONES WHO GOT PREGNANT, ABORTION WOULD BE EXTREMELY ACCESSIBLE.
A: Not only would abortion be legal, you would be able to go to 7-11 and get one, for like 75 cents. You know, that’s ridiculous. And when I say it’s none of men’s business, of course I don’t mean like the father of the children. I, of course, think men should be involved in all decisions having to do with their child, but as a political voice, please – bite me. And not only abortions, but birth control. Birth control would be safe, legal and effective. Cheap, healthful – there would be no question. Birth control would be like oat bran.
Q: THAT’S ANOTHER POINT – THAT THESE ANTI-CHOICE PEOPLE ARE ALSO ANTI-BIRTH CONTROL. IT’S A NO WIN SITUATION.
A: And the capper is anti-Choice people are so against sex education. So, we won’t tell you you can get pregnant. We won’t give you any help in not getting pregnant. We won’t talk to you about sex or abstinence. We won’t tell you the truth about sex, and yet when you get pregnant, we’re going to make you have the baby.
Q: NOW WITH THE REHAULING OF WELFARE SYSTEM, SINGLE TEENAGE MOTHERS MAY NOT ONLY LOSE WELFARE BUT THEIR CHILD TO AN ORPHANAGE.
A: Welfare, AIDS, child abuse, teenage pregnancy, poverty, homelessness – we can go on and on and on and on. And if they wished to be involved with making lives full, or with helping babies – like I say, there are so many avenues that need help. We don’t need help with decisions about what to do about our bodies. We need sex education, we need birth control, we need understanding and we need respect and we need for them to leave us alone.
Health and Well-being
How do you keep yourself physically fit?
I exercise, sleep 8 hours a day, eat the right food.
How do you maintain your positive outlook in life?
I just live one day at a time and taking it easy to every challenge I face.
Household settings
Who do you presently live with?
I live with my husband and children
Do you consider having a good life with them?
Yes! Of Course!
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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