Point of View

BEL AIR—What happens when a pretty Lebanese immigrant falls in love with a handsome Irish immigrant in Los Angeles? .... a slightly confused me! Born the youngest of four first-generation American children, my siblings and I shared parents with strong, independent cultural values. But in spite of our biracial heritage, my mother's Lebanese values reigned supreme in our upbringing. Cultural clash...

UNITED STATES—Tell me, is there something that you’ve always dreamed about doing that has yet to transpire? Of course you have, we all do. The problem with a dream is sometimes it seems unattainable or takes days, weeks, months, years or decades before you see it come to fruition. The key to maintaining your aspiration on any dream is to...

UNITED STATES—We all have causes that are passionate to our lives, but I’ve recently had a particular cause that has been brought to my attention. Homelessness is a major issue in America. There are plenty of states where the issue is so prevalent some in the political arena are unsure how to tackle the problem at hand. My concern...

BEVERLY HILLS—Of my eleven closest girlfriends, I had the fewest relationship problems. My ongoing examination of why they were continuously crushed by their short-lived relationships helped me discover my secrets of dating theory. I wasn't the hottest of my clan, but you'd think I was considering my dating success. They would attract good catches, but only for a limited time. I learned...

MALIBU—My dad was the model of an Irish lad. Health insurance appeared a needless expense for a teenage immigrant with empty pockets and vast ambition. That was, until, as a married man, my mum’s hysterectomy strapped my dad with a $900,000 hospital bill. A common surgical procedure left my mum at death’s doorstep after it was discovered that a...

BEVERLY HILLS—What do you tell your plump-lipped, chubby-cheeked daughter with curls down to her bum? Her peers are stick-thin and tight-lipped, boasting perfectly straight shoulder-length hair. They are the standard of beauty, she's not. You do the only thing you can for your distraught princess. You appease her, finding the best hair product to relax her nagging curls. You buy...

BEL AIR—I was but a little girl when I spotted my brother sporting his Sigma Nu hoodie emblazoned with the words "Chivalry is not dead." Curious, I asked what chivalry meant, sparking a lengthy family conversation. I relished the notions of respect, honor and valor, especially when demonstrated by these charming, older frat boys. I couldn't articulate the essence of...