How did you learn to speak some Arabic--DLI, for fun, what? What have you learned of the Arabic speaking world and culture that the rest of us may not see?

I have spent some time in the Arab world. I have a friend from college who married an adorable Christian Jordanian man, and have been there to visit them a few times. She teaches over there and he is an Engineer. I can't speak for the whole Arab world, and I have actually met a few Arab jerks in college. But while I was over there, I never met a more welcoming, friendly people. I cannot say that I ever had a bad experience over there. From the darling cab drivers who would use the ride to teach me enough Arabic so I could get around, to my hosts and their families, who went out of their way to celebrate the fact that I was there. I was taken by the joy they got out of their families. I have been there on New Year's Eve twice, and I thought it was awesome that they spend those holidays partying (and I mean parTAYing) with their familes. I have been to large social gatherings and clubs, and was kinda shocked to see the girls getting up to dance on the tables. One other thing that interested (irritated) me was their lack of a sense of the value of time. They do not see time as money like we do here.

Tell us about Mormon culture.

It is kind of hard to tell you the differences since I don't know what it is like to be outside of it, but I will try. The first thing you have to understand is that they see everyone as either one of them, or as Other. And other is not a good thing. Every aspect of their lives is wrapped up in their church. All mormons are required to donate not only 10 percent of their income, but a significant portion of thier time to their church. And they are required to be perfect--especially the women. They are not allowed to show any faults. Another thing is that they are required to go to the church services assigned to them. The same one as their neighbors attend. This means that your neighbors know all about your personal lives. So many mormons are forced to put on a perfect front for everyone, while desperately trying and failing to live up to impossible standards, and thinking that everyone else is living up to these perfect standards because that is the front that they are showing. It is a difficult life. Drinking coffee in Mormon culture is seen as a political statement and if you drink it in front of them, they feel persecuted. They feel persecuted by anything that is different or critical. See, here is where I wish my writing skills did not fail me. They don't have thoughts and beliefs, about things, they KNOW them.

Utah is known as the scam capitol of the world because Mormons are willing to trust other Mormons--especially those in Lay leadership more than normal people would trust their neighbors. Also, Mormons see wealth as a sign of God's blessings, and so they have a belief that anything they do that lets them have more wealth is looked on favorably by God. Fraud is not really seen as a bad thing.

What is you experience with/belief in spirituality? I am an atheist. I see no evidence of a god. I have experienced many people in many religions who are sure that they are the only ones with the truth--yet all of them have different truths. I beieve it is all fiction. A way to control those who easily give away control over themselves to others.

You say you are good at speaking. Why don't you think you're good at writing? Aren't they both just communication in different forms? What do you think is lacking in your writing?

For one thing, I have some arthritis in my hands that makes writing for very long quite painful. Also, I am too lazy and impatient to make sure that all my i's are dotted and t's are crossed.

Why don't Mormons send out women missionaries to convert women to Mormonism, or do they?

They send both male and female missionaries out to convert everyone. But here is the thing: Young boys are indoctrinated to go on missions their whole young lives. Girls are indoctrinated to marry returned missionaries. Boys are sent out at 19 years old. Girls are sent out at the ripe old age of 21, since they are seen to be old maids that no one has wanted to marry. If you visit a Mormon Temple visitor's center, you will only see attractive female missionaries there. They only have the most attractive girls there, because they are seen as non-threatening and...well, you know.