Finally Mouad!! Something in English since your blog is French. The rest of us can understand because some of us (me) only know bonjour, madam and croissant!

He wrote:

“I am strange one…in their standard!

I wish to thank my host Mona to give me a tribune to speak. So, my first (& I hope not the last) contribution is something personal about me (Such kind of egoism )

Question: what’s the fact that someone is considered as strange? Maybe he’s very brilliant for his ideas or a nutty guy. It depends on space & time and there’re a lot of people who were considered as crazy or avant-garde for their conterperaries & others whose madness made such a kind of mess. So, what’s my place in this topic?

Since my childhood, I had to face comments from people inside or outside family because of opinions, behavours or way of thinking. Positive opinions? I’m very smart, intelligent & naive. Negative ones? Crazy & too much cherished. Let’s be frank: I am the elder of my 2 brothers & my sister. So, in positive or negative, I’m the scout or laboratory white mouse, at least what I think.

While neighours’ kids were playing football or fireworks, I hardly went outside alone. My family thought it was a good method as it won’t influence badly on my behavour and my education. Result: even though I was good in scolarity, my social smartness wasn’t enough developed. Result: After passing from elementary studies in a private school to a public junior high school known in French “Collège” (Moroccan educational system is copied from French one), I had a real cultural shock with brutal students & slang, especially related to sex. So, during junior high school & later in high school where our class was boys only, I had to resist to moral & physical bullying while managing in my studies. Since then, I discovered that I’m living in such a dangerous social jungle :s Even now, my brothers & my sister are mocking of me due to my social lacking. Maybe that explain why I have no fiancée yet while colleagues of my business school or others already became parents.

Ok, I bet you’re saying:”So, what are things which make you different in a way you look like an alien from Europe or planet Krypton?” Well, here are some examples:

* Since I live alone in Agadir, I decided to begin a primary separation of garbage. It’s not easy especially with printer cartridges which many people throw it with domestic garbage or outside. Few people encouraged me in this initiative. “Hey, you’re in Morocco, not in Sweden!”.

* Many people think that money resolve anything, especially bribing. I remember one day I disliked the way a member of my family had done with a nurse to take care of my lost granmother when she was in a clinic & gave him some money as a way to take care of her. A young boy from maternal branch told me: “This is how people deal”. So you can say to hell transparency & civism.

* About religion: People, by the power satellite dishes & Internet, became experts of Islam. Practicing religion or not is a personal matter from my opinion. But sometimes some of them are exaggerating in some aspects: putting religious stickers in their car’s back glasses or switching to putting on channels broadcasting only koran (Now most TV stations became TV servers as we see just non-live programs!) or even wearing the…I won’t say Islamic wear!…It’s a mixture of Afghan wear with sneakers & long socks (!) I won’t say about some women wearing niqab hiding their face or not (Moroccans call them “Ninja” & me “Belphegor”). The funniest thing is that you can see a young couple walking together with these stuffs. Sometimes I ask myself whther they use it as disguise or really married. Although people show themselves religious, but some of them don’t some ethical aspects related to Islam as saying truth or avoiding gossips & hypocrisy. Not surprised if the problem is not religion but people. Thank you wahabbism & petrodollars!

And there many, many, many stuffs that make me very angry to despair!! Waiting for the day people will revise themselves & stop making silliness. Maybe they’ll do it one day: tomorrow or in 200 years”

Mona’s commentary to Mouad’s post:

1. I learned about sex in science class in middle school.
2. I lived a sheltered life as well, but I broke out of it when I realized that I am stubborn as a goat and not normal.
3. I don’t watch TV much. It’s all a bunch of crap censored or extremely exaggerated by the station’s owner.
4. I still watch cartoons because adults suck!

My blog this year won so many awards, that I don’t have enough fingers and toes to count them! NOT!! (Didn’t I sound cheesy and dorky like the rest of the bloggers out there?) But yes, my blog won a lot of invisible mind boggling awards. I won people’s readerships. That’s the biggest award I can get as a blogger. I don’t care about best blog, or best writer, or best anything. Who cares? It’s like winning a virtual banner to advertise someone else’s bright idea that started the campaign.

Really, if the prize was money based, then people will be all over it! I would be so all over it!

So, I am gonna list the top blog posts this year by comments, my favorites, and ones that I should have never published, but found their way online cause of my insomnia or excessive amounts of coffee!

Top Blog Posts 2009 | Comments & Reactions

1. April 28, 2009 | It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s a conspiracy theory!
2. June 7, 2009 | The Arab Blogorette
3. June 16, 2009 | I think it is time for change!
4. August 25, 2009 | Why are Muslims turning Atheists?
5. August 30, 2009 | Analysis: It is much harder to get rid of her
6. September 7, 2009 | Arabs marrying non-Arabs
7. September 18, 2009 | Window shopping for a bride
8. October 27, 2009 | Symbols of being different

Top Blog Posts 2009 | Monaism & Love

1. January 15, 2009 | Are good people always the victims of life?
2. March 31, 2009 | How accurate is this?
3. April 20, 2009 | Airports think I am a perv!
4. May 21, 2009 | A way to relieve stress
5. July 15, 2009 | Teaching a child the basics of the internet world
6. September 6, 2009 | No Comment
7. September 24, 2009 | I am sick and tired of looking for work!!! NO MORE!
8. December 4, 2009 | The typicals
9. December 26, 2009 | I am the master of my choices

Top Blog Pots 2009 | Those That Should Have Never Been

1. January 28, 2009 | The blogging world is run by monkeys
2. May 4, 2009 | I thought I held the title of taking things too seriously
3. June 20, 2009 | The media has been following me for over two decades
4. September 26, 2009 | I don’t like talking about sex in public

Side Thought

This morning, a guy emailed me asking if my real name is Mona, and I will say this for the last time, “Yes, my real name is Mona! MONA! MONA!” I am not hiding who I am! In Arabic my name means: A wish or desire. In Italian it means: Lady. Hence, Lady Lisa or Mona Lisa. In Irish or Gaelic it means: A Nobel One. So no, it is not a blog name. It is my name, and I appreciate that my mother named me Mona. (She would be happy that I appreciate anything!)

Down Memory Lane

One time, an Iraqi girl that I knew at University asked me this silly question, “Why are your eyes like this? You look like a REAL Arab!” You should have seen my face after she said that. Because I was in shock, I couldn’t reply to her silly and obvious question. I am an Arab. I look like a real Arab. I have olive dark skin, dark brown hair, and brown big almond shaped eyes. I look like my ancestors and the people that came from the middle east. I am an Arab. Even if I try to hide it, to never speak Arabic again, and to change my first and last name, I will always carry not only the outer look, but the blood of an Arab.

I am an Arab. Dammit people! Say it you Arabs out there reading this now: I AM AN ARAB!

Ambassador to Them!

This evening, I got a cute email from one of my favorite Blog Watchers named Incandescent Chimera (Sarah) saying this about me on her blog,

Rebellious Arab Girl is a unique blogger named Mona, who resides in Canada. She is outspoken, self-expressive, deep, honest and digs right to the core of issues surrounding Arabs and her environment. Not only is she a spokesperson and an ambassador to us as Arab youth but as a character who stands out in your typical Arab community. She is down-to-earth and represents a mirror of hope for Arabs who are constantly bombarded with many issues in the environment such as marriage, ethnicity and religious identity. She is a strong character and her blog’s outspokenness which some conservatives may find controversial is a mirror of harsh reality and truthfulness about the pressures we endure in our society. Her blog has made a marvelous unique stance against many social norms and stereotypes we are constantly labelled with frequently. Moreover, it paints a picture about Arab survival and coping mechanisms in the western world. She is indeed an inspiration to all Arab youth and her views lack controversy and contradictions unlike many of us who are constantly faced with social dilemmas we fail to represent or combat appropriately. I strongly urge anyone who is failing to understand Arabs to look at her as an ambassador for all of us. Her topics range from typical daily rants, observations and a straightforward analysis of the truth in simple words. Her writing and composition is indeed beautiful, simple, meaningful and greatly triumphs you into the 21st century life of a typical western Arab who never compromises her values or her identity from back home.

I wrote this because her birthday is coming up and she needs to recognise and be well aware of her achievements and deep influence on the younger generation of Arabs particularly those living in the West. Happy Birthday, Mona! We love you! Keep writing and keep inspiring us to move forward~ Love you always. -Sarah

Sarah lives in the other side of the world. I never met her. I don’t know how she sounds like in real life. I don’t know her habits and the way she acts, but somehow, she figured me out. I think I need to spend more time reading other blogs and understand people too. That’s my other problem as a blogger, no time to talk to other bloggers, but they know everything about me and want to know me more. Sarah and the rest, my new year’s resolution for 2010 is to be a better social networker. I don’t promise I will improve quickly, but I promise I will try to get to know other people that actually like me for who I am.

Internet, what a beautiful invention.

So, if I didn’t reply to your emails, I either skimmed through them and I forgot, or didn’t want to bother continuing an argument with someone I will 100% never talk to or see in my life.

I keep wondering why people think the way they think. Is it a cultural thing, or a religious thing? Both are confusing me, because I am not sure why people cannot make up their minds in trying to justify a point by choosing one or the other. Most of them resort to an answer that satisfies themselves anyways. So, why can’t they stop trying to justify things based on culture or religion, if they are really only satisfying their own beliefs?

The Never Ending Melodramatic Tunes

People ask me the same things over and over:

• Why do I say the things I say, am I Muslim? Muslims don’t say such things.
• Why do I have such conservative Islamic thoughts if I don’t wear the head veil? You are only Muslim and have such thoughts if you wear one.
• Why do I attack culture and I should be proud of it instead? You can only be Arab and use that name if you are proud of it.
• If I am Palestinian, then why don’t I dedicate my blog to talking about Palestine and the genocides instead of about me? This site is too popular and always first on Google and have to be dedicated to Palestine, and not me.
• Why do I have non-Arabs commenting on my site and me siding with them? Arabs only talk, listen, and agree to other Arab’s thoughts.
• People blame me for hate towards something that I don’t hate at all, and start mocking me physically, mentally, my entire family, and think they know me more than I know my self. Too much time on their hands, and they do it because they cannot stand people doing it to them. So they take the first approach at it, and find it amusing and fun. I wonder what will happen if they realize that I am evil with words and I have no mercy towards stupidity?

Moreover, due to my utter confusion with such mentality, and my automated alerts when I get new emails from this site to my phone, I end up asking people on mobile Twitter instead. I cannot or even have time to go on my blog or do anything during work hours.

This is what I asked today on Twitter:

I got people replying to me with various view points. Some said that it is worse to be a religious fanatic, and others said that both types of ideologies are the same. Anyways, it ended up being more of a rhetorical question than a pure questionable thought that is necessary for every day survival.

Mystical Thoughts

I will tell you the awful truth though that I have been hiding with secret words on my site, and just clarify some misconceptions to those pea-brained idiots with serious language and mental disorders. So, if you are confused or have too much free time on your hand to argue with me, then I got some answers alright! I have been actually hiding them in each blog post for almost the past four years.

Here goes nothing.

I say the things I say because I don’t give two shits. I am me. You are you. Get over it! If we were all meant to think the same way and have the same beliefs, then we would still be living in caves wondering who will go hunt our winter supply of food this year before we hibernate for over three months!

Oh, you see, people like me are the ones that go beyond what is written, beyond what is known by others, and use that brain that God gave us. For those that believe in God, or only some higher being that cannot be explained, or nothing at all, I DON’T CARE! That’s your problem, NOT MINE! Don’t force an idea on me! I can chose for my self! Do I force anything on you? Would you like me to? I can be very convincing you know, and I would probably be sought after by the Pope, some Imam, or some Rabbi, and questioned for knowing the hidden secrets of this life!

You see, human intelligence was given to us for a reason. If accepting things the way they are satisfies you, then so be it. It does NOT satisfy me at all. I like to think. I like to question things. I know my limits and when not to cross the red line. I say what I have to say because I know someone else is asking it, and they don’t have to feel secluded in their own thoughts anymore. They search Google or Bing or whatever, and come to my blog and feel a little itsy bitsy feeling of comfort. It’s funny when you meet others that share the same view point as you. You feel a little bit of hope and satisfaction. Right?

So, I question things because I can! Can you? Do you dare?

Anyways, to each his own!

Right now, I found this cute article written about me on a blog called Mac’s Word. I don’ t know who this person is. I have no communication with this person. Yet, the words that were written were beyond personal. It’s like people read and keep on reading blog post after post, they try to understand, and they know me. You know me. Everyone knows me and tries to understand. Fortunately, some understand me very well to the point that I wonder, why can’t I meet those people in real life? I would have an interesting conversation with them all the time, because they are willing to go beyond that barrier that we always wrap around our selves.

They want to understand, and they do.

This is the beauty of personal blogging. The primary problem that we all have as personal bloggers is getting others to understand why we think the way we do.

Here is what Mac written, [article link]

The “Rebellious Arab Girl”

Hello dear readers, all two or three of you who actually take the time to read the meandering, confusing thoughts of a person, that would be me, with far too much time to think. Today, I would like to introduce you to “Rebellious Arab Girl”, more better known to her fans and readers as Mona. Rebellious Arab Girl is the name of Mona’s blog and what an interesting blog it is. I found her blog listed in the blog roll of another site and clicked on it out of curiosity. Oh the magic of networking. Anyway, after that first day of reading her posts and the comments from her readers, I have become hooked. Those of you who really know me are probably thinking it must be a blog filled with elaborate essays on feminist issues in the Arab world. Not quite, which is why I’ve linked to Mona’s blog above. Check it out to understand what my interest is about.

OK, perhaps I will still have to explain my interest in the blog. First off, check out the banner to the site. Underneath the title it says “Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values”. Wise words to live by. Far too often, we associate change with tearing down what exists and starting all over; Out with the old, in with the new. Doing so doesn’t necessarily bring about change for the better. The funny thing about the name of her blog is how many people don’t understand the context she uses the word rebellious. She is rebellious in the sense of not conforming to cultural norms because somebody told her to conform. Explain to Mona why she should act a certain way and, if it makes sense to her, she probably will act that way. Although, from what I’ve picked up on reading her posts, it will still be on Mona’s terms. Mona is a 28 year old, Arab woman living in the West. She is educated, talented, opinionated and young. Her blog is much more like a diary, simply putting out to the world her day to day thoughts on her life and life in general. However, there is an underlying theme to the blog taken as a whole. That theme is the question “why”? Why do certain things happen? Why do people act the way they do? Why, why why?

I am 12 years Mona’s senior, non-Arab and male. My life is and has been nothing like hers in so many ways. And yet I find her blog interesting. Since I found Mona’s blog, I’ve been reading past posts going back to 2005 when she first started. Sometimes I disagree, sometimes I agree, sometimes I chuckle, especially when she relates an argument or discussion with her mother. I think no matter what gender we are or culture we come from, we all can relate to dealing with mom. That’s the magic of her blog. If, like peeling back the layers of an onion, you strip away the culture, strip away her education, her occupation, even disregard her gender, you are left with a basic human being. That’s where the commonality begins between Mona and me. That is why the blog is interesting to me. Because I can start to relate as a fellow human being which means that even when I may disagree with something she may write, I will at least think about it and consider her point of view.

On a wider level, my interest in Rebellious Arab Girl the blog is because between Mona’s posts and the comments from her readers I see something bigger; The future. Mona and all those like her, whether they realize it or not, are the future. As an Arab woman asking the question why, she is the future of the Arab world. As simply a young woman asking the question why, she, and all those like her, are the future of all of us.

[source]

The Questions

1. Mona, why are you rebellious? I read so many posts on your blog, and I found nothing that makes you have that quality.

You see, long time ago, when I decided that I should launch this domain name as a blog, I was a bit hesitant you know. Having such a controversial adjective such as ‘rebellious,’ and attaching it to an even more controversial adjective such as ‘Arab,’ and ending it with something so innocent as the noun ‘girl’, really throws off people. You see, back then, like in the year 2005, I was a bit angry. I used this site as a way to avenge my dignity and honour as an Arab girl by telling off a certain Arab guy. He hated the site title the most. “How can an Arab girl be rebellious?” he would say.

That just proves the stereotypes that people have within my culture.

As time passed, and my audience grew, I became more and more depressed. Literally that is, and mentally of course. If you have been reading this blog for a long time, you would have noticed the evolution of my personality, and the ups and downs in my life. Right now, I am at an ultimate low, but things could always be worse.

Moreover, being an educated girl, and having some common sense and logic, made me think of a lot of things all the time. It led me to question many aspects and traditions in this culture of mine. I questioned why girls do this, why guys do that, why parents act this way, why Arabs in general live a double life, etc. Unfortunately, all those questions made me seem a bit crazy and spiteful of my entire culture and being an Arab. On the contrary though, I love being an Arab. However, many traditions and old customs are questionable. Life changed completely, but a lot of things didn’t. That’s why I talk about them, and because I do, many non-Arabs read this blog as well. They also noticed that not all Arabs are backwards people living in 3rd world countries that ride camels. I ridden a camel before when I was little, but dammit, don’t you westerners ride horses for fun too?

Anyways, so I try to be logical all the time, and I question everything about this culture. Many people read it, and now understand that us Arabs are normal people! We all have our problems. However, some of our problems, well most, are based on the old conservative mentality that is clouded by religious justification of every action. Why is everything a sin anyways? I never understood that! Even breathing the same air with another guy you are not married to is a sin!

So, that’s why I am rebellious. I question things that people in my culture don’t dare to, and I get those odd few 100′s of other Arabs that agree with me, and they are sick of it too.

2. Is your real name Mona?

Legally yes, publicly no. I grew up being called MunMun. So Mona is a sophisticated name that I like to use to give my blog a bit more credibility.

3. Why don’t you use your last name?

If I told you that my name is MunMun Zeiton Bateekha, will it make a difference?

4. Being open minded does not mean you are rebellious, Mona!

So I need to start tattooing my arms, shaving half my head, being ever so promiscuous, doing drugs, posting pictures of all of that craziness online, so this definition of Rebellious Arab Girl will earn its validity to you?

5. How did you manage to keep this blog alive for so long?

I think the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life is to keep this blog alive for so long. It has nothing to do with patience, or trying to come up with things to write about. I can write. I can write anything. If I have the ability to sit down with a friend to talk about life, then I can write 2 or 3 paragraphs a day about some random thought that comes to my mind. However, the scary part is, that I am talking to the entire world instead.

In the beginning, it was not easy to keep up with this blog. I used to post every 3 or 4 days. Sometimes I would forget about it. However, sometimes I would be suffering from some manic depression episode, and I end up writing something that is beyond controversial. Afterward, I would be getting several hate mails and nasty comments. That’s when my blog took off, and I became more interested in clarifying things, and questioning so so many things.

It seems that controversy is what keeps personal blogs alive.

6. How do we know that the stories you write are true?

I think I answered this question a million times in the past. I will answer it again, and I will probably answer it a month from now. I am LAZY! I don’t like to come up with stories to write just to make things interesting and grab people’s attention. I am beyond lazy and I hate doing any work. It’s like asking me to write a math proof. Does it look like I have time to think or want to? What do I gain out of it?

7. You write really well Mona. Did you study English and writing too as well as Computer Science in University?

Somewhat. I took several writing courses in University such as writing for publication, writing for advertising, writing with proper grammar and syntax (which I still suck at,) and a couple of English literature courses.

I like writing and reading.

8. Why aren’t you married till now? I think that’s your problem.

Actually, if I was married now, I would be having more problems. Really, it’s none of your business or anyone’s if I am not married till now. Will it make a difference to your life if Mona was married or not?

9. Will you close down the site if you do get married?

No.

10. Will you marry me Mona? I am rebellious too!

Prove it buddy!

11. Do you make a lot of money from this site and you are just lying about it?

Yes I am lying. I actually make 100′s of pennies a month from this blog!

Anymore questions people?

So I hired her to take some pictures of me. She was stubborn as hell, and wanted to be in the pictures as well. So I told her fine! I was gonna pay you in 1920 Canadian currency value, but NOT ANYMORE! NADA, ZIP, NOTHING!

She was so annoying!

Who do you like better? ME or HER!??

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Anonymous asked the following questions:

What is ur name ?

Mona. Duh!

How old are you ?

28 years old.

Where are u originally from?

Palestine.

Where were you born ?

Saudi Arabia.

Raised ?

Saudi Arabia, USA, and Canada.

How long have u been living abroad?

Over 17 years.

what makes you happy?

Fudge.

What makes you sad?

Seeing others cry.

what are the things that annoy you?

People who don’t stop bragging about them selves.

What do u do when u r angry?

Pull hairs from my head.

How many languages do u master?

Arabic and English.

What are the things that u like about urself?

I am quiet, honest, and treat others very well.

Personality wise. What are the things that you hate about urself?

I am too nice. Way too nice, and I feel guilty real quick.

Do u consider urself a lucky person?

No, not at all.

What are the things that make you feel lucky?

I don’t know.

What are the things that make u feel unlucky?

I am not sure.

Do you have a phobia of any kind?

Coulrophobia. Fear of clowns.

Name your: -Favorite color -Favorite season -Favorite car -Favorite dish -Favorite hot drink -Favorite cold drink -Favorite makeup brand -Favorite designer -Favorite perfume -Favorite flower -Favorite singer -Favorite actor -Favorite song -Favorite movie -Favorite subject u studied at school -Favorite day of the week -Favorite month of the year -Favorite year up till now. -Favorite animal

color: purple
season: spring
car: Toyota 4×4
dish: spaghetti with Alfredo sauce
hot drink: chai tea
cold drink: fresh strawberries with ice
makeup brand: Estee Lauder
designer: don’t have one
perfume: Mariah Carey’s
flower: red roses
singer: Justin Timberlake
actor: Bruce Willis
movie: Armageddon
subject I studied in school: software requirements and project management
day of the week: Friday
month of the year: December
year: 1999
animal: cats

Your favorite childhood memory

I answered it before.

Your biggest fear

Rejection

Your dearest belonging

Nothing in particular.

Your proudest moment

Umm, cannot remember.

Your biggest addiction

Fudge.

Your saddest moment

Ohhh. I got several. I think my blog has plenty of those.

Your most embarrassing moment

I don’t remember. Maybe I never had one, or never thought something was embarrassing.

Your favorite saying, words you live by

There is still hope.

Where do you wish to live?

On an island with lots of palm trees and clean sand.

What do you do in your free time?

Read or watch TV.

What was the last book u read ?

Angels and Demons, again before watching the movie.

What are your hobbies?

Isn’t this blog enough?

If you could, What would be the one thing you would change about your life?

Being too nice and living life with very high morals and respect to others. I would want to sway a bit from that, be a bit more daring, and do things that I want to do without the fear of what others think of me.

Where did u meet ur ex and where is he from?

At University, through a friend, and he is Palestinian.

Would you consider dating non-Arab guy?

No.

Would you date someone you met online?

Yes.

What computer language you use and what’s ur favorite IDE ?

Mostly PHP and HTML, and I try to be as simple as possible and use VIM.

What is the one thing, you want to change in yourself and the World?

To stop being so damn picky! And accept things for just the way they are.

What are your dreams?

To own my own company or be one of the masterminds of a successful business venture.

To me rebellion is going out and doing something great, being your own boss, not letting people get to you, and making something of yourself as opposed to what a woman in our “arab community” is supposed to do. Don’t you think that you are somehow doing the exact opposite by giving up easily, and doing what is expected of an arab woman to do (stay at home) and that you’re only saying that you’re different?

Well, I asked my self that question a thousand times for the past few days. Then I realized that I am doing exactly the opposite so I would know how it feels to be one. So far, I am hating it, but I am trying really hard to think of “what I can possibly do” that I would really enjoy. So far, sitting at home and being a typical Arab girl is killing me.

So yes, truthfully, I am doing exactly the complete opposite of what I want to do, and I feel so bad, but at the same time, I am doing it in spite of what society wants me to do. To work because I have to. Why? So I have to work and earn money to keep in the bank and look at it. I did that for 6 years, so it is time to be different and not worry too much. You can tell I have so many thoughts in my head, and I am a Confused Arab Girl at the moment.

Thanks everyone for your questions. That was fun, and I enjoyed it. Tomorrow I will pick the best question that I really enjoyed answering!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Anonymous asked the following question:

What is your opinion on space habitation?

Umm, I think it would be cool to live outside our norm for a while. However, I would feel home sick. I would feel that I belong somewhere else. I would feel restrained to living outside in a bubble. Earth is made for human life. Can humans sustain living outside of it? It would be damn hard to do so, and I don’t believe that in my lifetime, or any of our lifetimes, we would have the ability to live out there just yet. I think we still need a lot more will power, acceptance, and more advanced technology to reach that level of building colonies outside our planet earth.

Do you pray at all despite the fact that your rebellious?

Why does rebellious have to do with prayer? If I was rebellious, does that mean I should sway away from religion? I am rebelling against messed up cultural traditions, and not religion. So that question was totally pointless, and since I have been sitting at home all day, I became closer to my religion, and is seeing that is the only thing that is giving me hope. So to answer your questions, yes.

Have you ever had someone buy you flowers?

Yes.

Did you like some of the music i sent to you?

Of course! They were wonderful, especially the ones you custom made for me!

If you get married will you still keep up your blog?

Yes. Why would I get rid of it? If the guy does not accept it, why would I marry him to begin with?

Do you have stuffed animals in your room/s?

Yes. I got plenty. I will never out grow them.

candles or incense?

Both.

What is your favourite memory?

Going to Disney world!!

Were you a tom boy or a girly girl growing up?

Girly girl. Very girly!

Are you left or right handed?

Right handed in writing. Everything else, I seem to use my left hand.

Do you like argileh/sheesha, if at least the smell?

Nop. I hate smoking or any type of it. I can stand it if I was forced to, but I do not like it at all.

Is it possible for people you meet on the blog or other places online to become your friends?

My best friend Lisa, I met her from my blog 3 years ago.

What do you look for in a friend?

Honesty, understanding, acceptance of my lifestyle and opinions, and does not ever think they are better than me or has pity on me regarding anything, ever.

How would you determine if you should marry someone or not?

That person has to accept me for who I am, personality wise, physically and intellectually. Also, has to be honest with me, and accepts my honesty all the time. I have to have the ability to look at him all the time, talk to him, and enjoy being with him. Finally, I like him to be different than your normal Arabic guy. He has to have a different perception of life other than the closed minded Arabic traditions that we were forced into that make no sense. I just want a guy who just wants to live life for himself, and not to please a million other people because he has to.

Have you ever considered marrying a non-Arab?

Nop. I feel like I am betraying my self if I do.

What is one of your fondest memories of when you were a little girl?

Just to be a little different than Disney World, my other fondest memory was getting my first casset player. I still have it. It is red, and has a belt around it so I can carry it. So cheesy from the 80′s, but I love that thing. Would never part with it, and I don’t care if it is broken and does not work anymore. It’s the reason I love music!

Hey Mona, I’d like to ask you what you feel your biggest achievement in life so far has been and how you feel about it now.

I have two biggest achievements so far. The first one may sound stupid, but it is a big deal for me, because I am the type of person that gets bored easily, or cannot maintain to keep anything for a long time. My first one is obviously this blog. It’s definitely a hobby and a good way to express my self, but I never kept anything alive or maintained something for such a long time. I thought it would be a blog that I would have fun with for a couple of months, but after a year, I grew to enjoy it a lot more and felt obligated that I must keep it and use it for something beyond writing a bunch of things about my daily life. My second biggest achievement is earning a University Degree, Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, and looking at that framed piece of paper and telling my self, “God dammit Mona, what a waste of $40k, but looks good! It will become useful someday.”

Let’s see… hmmm… lets keep it light.. What is the happiest moment of your life (so far)?

The happiest moment when I won a technology award in interior and exterior design in highschool. Can I go back to highschool and win several more?

Is it true that in some Arab countries like Saudi’s will kick foreign guys out of the country when they turn 18 so they end up marrying their Arab girls?

I don’t know. I don’t think so.

What is your opinion on them Arab stars that do plastic surgery on their bodies when they were already beautiful and who is behind that idea?

I think those Arab stars have a fear that people would not like their voices or acting at all, and have to do it. It’s like a must to have a certain style of beauty that they don’t have to accompany their star power. Who is behind this idea? Ugly people that make everyone else think they are ugly and need to change.

Were you mad at Saudi’s for not helping the Palestine when they were attacked? Because I know I was.

I was mad at the entire Arab world who didn’t give two shits.

Where do you plan to live near the future?

I am not sure. Anywhere that God thinks I should.

Currently, are you unemployed?

Well, since I have been complaining about it on my blog for weeks, then yes, I am.

But do you have any way to get your income?

Well, since I have been telling people that this blog is my only solid income, then yes, I have a way.

If yes, how much do you earn for a month?

Umm, several dollars a day.

And lastly, are you not regret for stop working as computer programmer and graphic designer?

You mean do I regret quitting my old job? Then no. However, I don’t regret being a computer programmer and graphic designer. Never crossed my mind.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Anonymous asked the following questions:

Where did you grow up at in USA?

Tennessee, I lived there 5 years. From grades 6 – 11 or 11yrs old to 16yrs old.

What is your favorite color?

Purple

What is your favorite movie?

Armageddon

Do you have a set schedule everyday or you just fly by the seat of your pants?

Fly by the seat of my pants? Umm, I would say that since I am free, I can do whatever I want without a schedule.

Are you more of a motivator or more of a procrastinator?

Procrastinator. It’s a bad habit I know, but that’s just the way I am.

How was your first kiss?

Umm, not bad. (I know, many people will say, OMG!! MONA??? YOU DID WHAT?)

If your age of life are 5 years left, what will you do?

I would travel to Argentina and Chile. I would go on a cruise off the Gulf of Mexico. I would live on an island for 3 or 4 months. I would take a road trip all over the USA and Canada. I would go for a ride on a hot air balloon. I would visit New York city and stalk any celebrity I see and demand a picture with him or her. Go to the middle east and only speak Arabic and not a word of English all the time there. I would eat a lot of Knafe bil Jibni, an Arabic dessert with cheese that is so damn good!

What goals you want to achieve in that 5 years?

Well, I dream of being famous one day, and the only skill I have to achieve that is writing. So maybe publish a memoir of my life? Or a story of growing up between two cultures? I don’t know.

Do you have any big plan for your life?

Being successful in what I really want to do. So far, I am not 100% sure what it is, and that’s why I am always confused and irritated. I will think about this some more later.

And why do you want to achieve these goals?

Why not? To me it is more of a real dream that can be possible to achieve.

Can you tell it with your own story and experiences.

That’s what I do on my blog every day.

If you found a magical lamp of Aladdin, and met the Dzin who offer you 3 wishes, what could it be?

1. Live on an island and not suffer from -10c weather for 4 or 5 months a year. 2. Be very famous in whatever endeavor that I set my mind to. 3. Get married to someone that is willing to join my crazy life endeavor and be my partner in crime! Ooops, I meant marry that rebellious Arab guy..

Is hate a purely human feature or can we observe similar behavioural patterns in fauna or flora, like a cat or a lioness playing with it’s prey for example (it is for pure amusement), or what does hate implicate, where does it start?

I think hate is a human derived feeling. I don’t think animals fight because of hatred. I think they do it because of power, hunger, or survival. Humans hate out of spite and dislike of those that are different than them. Or because someone did something horrible to them and can never forgive.

Assuming that the above question is answered with “YES, it is only a human feature “: As hate’s opposite, love could then only be found in human world, as love only exists while “hate” exists. But I can think of expressions of love and self-sacrifice in animal’s world…

Love is a human emotional but controlled inner feeling. I think because of our God given intellect to make wise choices, love is same as hate. A derived feeling from a situation. I think love in animals is something totally different than the way we love as humans. Animals love their own species or that they are surrounded by all the time, and they love their offspring to death. I am not sure how else animals would feel love, and we will never know.

So are there hateful animals or just a world without love, except in “our” world? Does hate exist or is it hunger?

I think hunger. Hate is too strong of a word, and needs a lot of intellect and deep emotional feelings to exist. And that’s why only in “our” world you can see such a thing.

What movies do you like?

I like action, suspense, romantic comedies, and Japanese animated movies that are really really good. Some stories are just wow. Love them.

Why you create this quiz?

Because someone gave me that idea to do so.

Are you celebrity?

No.. but since I got so many questions, I think people may think I am. lol Just kidden, but I have gotten a few messages from the past, that when I replied to them, I got a response back saying, “OMG. You actually replied back! I would have never thought a person with your popularity would.” Don’t worry people. I am not a celebrity, and I reply to almost everything, and interact with a lot of you.

How many siblings do you have?

I have an older brother (married), and a much younger sister. So yes, I am the middle child.

Ok so youre as much of a chocoholic (and icecreamoholic) as I am, whats your favourite flavour? (It would be so much fun if in some other world we can share a bucket of ice cream-unless you dont like vanilla, caramel and pecans whichever mixed together!!)

I like vanilla, and to put my own toppings on it. I like chocolate syrups, butterscotch or caramel. My second favorite flavour is pure chocolate milk ice cream with fudge pieces inside of it.

Before you sleep, after spending a good day on your blog, how do you feel? (Im asking cause I have a feeling it feels so damn good to actually say whats on your mind so freely!)

Without my blog, I would have totally gone insane by now. I do love to write and interact with many people. It’s the only way I can say what’s in my heart, and get some type of feedback. I don’t consider the feedback as advice, but I think of it more as someone out there is reading and actually cares. It’s a good feeling that someone out there actually cares even a tiny bit about you. So yes, I do feel great after I write my posts almost every day. If I don’t blog for the day, and I never announced anywhere that I won’t for the day, then assume I am in an overly bad mood that words cannot even be written.

As an intelligent-wise-open-minded Arab girl (and Muslim) living in Canada, do you believe that guys feel threatened by you? Do these men exist over there? (Cause if they dont, Im heading there as soon as I get a visa o_O!)

Guys are not threatened by me. They are just not used to the idea that a girl has a very stern opinion about life. A girl has the ability to question life, and they don’t like that. They just want a girl. I am not saying all of them are like this, but many that are so into their Arabiasm have one image of what an Arab girl should be. If she is not like that, then they don’t ever look at her. Not even if she is pretty or intelligent and educated.

I know you made it clear earlier, but if you get the choice between your blog and your relationships/work would you ever ditch your blog completely??

If my work is in jeopardy because of my blog, then I would try my best to limit the type of things that I discuss. There a lot of issues that I have never discussed on my blog, because I don’t feel it is appropriate. So, if my job says no, then I will say no as well.

Where are you exactly from in Palestine? (I cant remember whether or not you mentioned it from before)

I have it on my About Me page. I am from a town in the municipality of Akka (Acre) in northern Palestine. Very close to the Lebanese border. My mom is from an area that is closer to Akka, and my dad just a few kilometers away, more in the mountain area. Some of my mom’s relatives still live there, and didn’t leave in 1948.

Why did you make this blog? (Out of interest… Did you have other blogs? Where you always taking part in uni-newsletters or something..?)

I made this blog as a way to express my self and get some stuff off my chest that I couldn’t do verbally. So yah, certain people in the past, or maybe till now are still reading my blog, although I used it against them most of the time. I never had other “blogs,” but I had personal sites before. I was never involved in writing for anyone beyond this blog.

Your guilty pleasure…?

Hacking emails or snooping in other’s business. I don’t do it much anymore, but when I used it, it was the best feeling ever!

What happened to your e-magazine?!

Well, I cannot write 20 articles by my self every month. A lot of people said they would be involved and help out, but it was all bull shit. Once I asked them again, they came up with a million excuses. Typical.