Name:  1classygirl
Date: March 3rd, 2003

Hello and welcome to our website:
first of all we would like you to introduce yourself

PERSONAL QUESTIONS

-Name:
Fiona <Alyana> Daay

-Nickname:
 1classygirl

-Sex/age/location:
 F/20/Chicago

-Tell us about yourself and what you do?
I am currently a sophomore in college, attend full time, and work part time.  I am planning to transfer to a university to finish my degree.

-What about your education or career goals?
I feel very strongly about my education. I am studying to become an architect. Recently, I have been open-minded and might be involved in structural engineering as well. Later on I plan to earn my masters. One of my goals is to one day have my own company.

-How does it feel to be living in Chicago? Would you rather live somewhere else?
I don't really like Chicago to tell you the truth, especially with so many rude people and bad weather, lol. I would rather live somewhere warmer with friendlier people. I wouldn't mind moving back to Georgia but I have considered moving to California after I graduate.

"I don't really like Chicago to tell you the truth, especially with so many rude people and bad weather..."

-Your personality in few words?
Serious, opinionated, and considerate.

-What do you like about Assyrian guys?
I like that I can relate to them in several ways that are not possible with non-Assyrian guys. Although what I would like to see more of are Assyrian guys that actually have goals and have a passion in life to contribute to this world in a positive way.

-What should come first: good heart, good personality, or good looks?
What I think that should come first is a good heart. The reason I put a good heart before a good personality is because no one is perfect and sometimes accepting some personality traits that you are not too fond of is not that bad knowing that with their good heart they always mean well. Looks for me come last.

-One thing you think you have that guys would look for?
A good mentality.

-How can you achieve success? Especially if you have failed many times?
 Always be optimistic. There is not one person that I know that has never failed.  The secret is to accept that you fail, find out what made you fail, and make sure you give it your best to make sure you prevent from failing repeatedly in the future. Be persistent and never give up no matter what because if you really want to accomplish something it is possible.
 

-As an Assyrian girl, what do you think is the best way for Assyrian guys to approach you and talk to you? What does it take?
The best way to approach me is in a mature and respectful fashion.

-What is the ideal way to raise a child who will be well-behaved and not one that will be causing trouble later in life?
I think one factor would include being a role model for your child. Meaning that you watch what you say in front of him/her and how you act. Another factor I think that interferes with a child's behaviour is television. There are very few programs now that are of any benefit to any child. "Monkey see, monkey do," basically describes it. An important factor that I think will help prevent a child from causing trouble later in life is to always keep them involved in as many activities as possible. Some examples would be ones in church, school, or other interests such as playing the piano, or martial arts. Again this is ideal, so this does not mean that only these factors will determine whether a child will be well-behaved or a trouble maker.

 

CHAT QUESTIONS
 

-Do you remember the first day for you on our website, and who told you about it?
I don't remember the first day I came to this website that well. I do remember that at the time I was not aware of any Assyrian websites. I was curious of any and found this from a search result.

-What is with your nickname?
Hmmm, I wonder who made you ask me this question, hehe. Well some people look at my nick name
and the first thought that usually comes to mind is that I am conceited but I'm the opposite.  Classy means that EVERYTHING you do is proper in society, including manners, apparel, self respect,
etc.......That is why I think 1classygirl best describes me.

-Recently a lot of the chat people have been meeting in real life, falling in love and many times that has been translated into long term commitment through marriage. What is your take on that?
I really don't see anything wrong with it.  I see it as just another way for Assyrians to get to know other interesting Assyrians.  For those who have found love through this, I say what is meant to be is meant to be and I wish them the best.

-Which city's chatters do you feel most comfortable talking to? Excluding your city.
I don't feel comfortable talking to anybody in any city unless I know them. I can say that I relate most to people in Michigan and Canada. Michigan, because maybe it's closer and the environment is similar.  Canada, because I have family there.


-Have the Assyrians used the internet the best way possible?
I think that as long as the use is improving and there is room made for better ideas and improvements then that is what will keep it the best.

-What comes to your mind when you first hear these three nicknames:
Toronto-Girl- Obviously a girl living in Toronto.
TorontoJIGGA- A guy from Toronto. Although first thing that comes to mind is Jay-Z, =p.
DeePrincess- A girl that likes to be pampered, hehe.

-The funniest moment or joke you ever seen on our community?
I choose moment. All this talk this past week about how hot a guy named Ninara is, lol.

-What do you see different in the website in 2003 from 2002 or previous years?
The technology has improved and that it is becoming more popular.

-What do you think is the current theme of the message board? That is, what are people talking about most?
Well the topic of the,"hot guy," has definitely been topping the charts. Besides that,I would say the issue about the U.S. and the war on Iraq.


-A lot of people have recently started to use the message board for some really good purposes such as getting help with their homework, helping others find a job etc.. Does that make you optimistic about Assyrian's future on the internet?
Yes, it does make me optimistic because the more we use the internet as a constructive tool the more our society will become more advanced.

-How does it feel when people attack your argument or posts? What is your advice to people when replying to other people's messages or posts both on text chat and message board?
I don't recall ever including an argument or post on the message board. I will say that I think some people should not take any argument personally no matter how strongly they feel towards the subject. When discussing topics of interest people should argue on merit and not based on emotional attachment. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but there is no need for improper language.

 

FAVORITES
 

-Favorite sport:
 Volleyball.

-Favorite Assyrian/foreign singer:
(maybe not assyrian) <ahem ahem> Amar Diab<----I think I spelled his name wrong.

-Favorite country/city:
 Since Assyrians don't have a country then........Italy.

-Favorite car:
 BMW m3

-Favorite soccer/hockey/(basketball) player:
 Micheal Jordan.

-Favorite number, and colour:
 #9, blue.

-Favorite food:
 Deep dish Chicago style pizza, mmmm.

-6 favorite chatters:
 All my VIP's, you know who you are, and I love you too =).


 

ASSYRIANS RELATED QUESTIONS
 

-Does living in Chicago influence your feeling of being Assyrian, knowing that it has the largest Assyrian population outside of the middle east?
Being Assyrian, I have a different perspective of life. There are cultural differences that I enjoy.

-Speaking of Chicago, tell us about the April 1st parade there? Have you ever taken part in it?
This is an occasion where Assyrians are proud to show their cultural heritage and that they live here in Chicago. There are poems recited, speeches are held, and parties are thrown. I have not had the opportunity to join these events,but I plan to in the future.

-Now that war with Iraq looks inevitable, what do you think Assyrians in the West should do to help those in Iraq itself?
Unfortunately, there is nothing Assyrians in the west can do during war to help those in Iraq itself but after the war, yes. What I think Assyrians in the west should do after the war is provide humanitarian aid to those in Iraq, food, and clothing. Organizations can be formed only for the duty of that sake. Assyrians in neighbouring countries could also assist.

-What can Assyrians possibly gain and lose from the war, should it really take place?
Assyrians will win nothing from the war but they will lose. Sympathy will go out to the innocent people that will die. Assyrians will lose influence in the country of Iraq and all Christians will suffer. Assyrians in the government of Iraq will be affected. Money for education will be the opportunity cost for money to help Assyrians in Iraq. We will also lose from the statistical point of view. We are already a minority in Iraq. If there will be a war then we will be less of a minority, our influence diminishes.

-Where do you get your Assyrian news from? i.e: Zinda Magazine, Assyrian Voice, Bahra, Assyria TV etc.?
Lack of dissemination of information among the Assyrian community.

-How can we achieve unity between most Assyrian people, factions, and groups?
By having a unified leadership. Presently, the leadership is concentrated in our church but there is no civilian leadership.

-In your opinion do you think division and lack of unity has caused us to be where we are today? Do you think unity and love for one another could remove some of our problems if not most of them?
Yes. An example would be if Assyrians vote collectively and not subdivide themselves, then there will be a local or federal impact on elections. Yes, when united we can do almost anything.

-What is the biggest threat that Assyrians face at this time?
The biggest threat that Assyrians have is the loss of identity. The lack of unity has consequences such as: lack of educational opportunities for the Assyrian community at large,less political influence on the voting process, and less business opportunities for advancement.

-What about the language? How can we make sure it survives and continue to evolve?
Every Assyrian is responsible to encourage their family members to learn the Assyrian language after hours and help others to achieve the same thing. That could be financial, educational, and cultural.

-What would give us more hope for the future: more unity and love vs. more education and learning?
More unity and love because that is the foundation that will build towards education and learning.

 

General and Miscellaneous Questions
 

- When speaking of reality TV shows, do you think their success is partly due to the concept of the "American Dream". That is, you can be rich, achieve all your goals easily even if you start from nothing. Considering that millions of people are watching from all over the world thus generating millions of dollars in advertising revenues.
I think that their success is due to the American business market place, ie, supply and demand.

-What three websites do you visit on a daily basis?
(architecture.com, dismalscientist.com, google.com)

-How do you speak the future of the computer and internet? Do you see them eventually coming into our cars, home devices and other areas?
The future is already here.

-Where do you get your news from? Do you think CNN is a reliable source for getting the news?
The internet. Yes, but it's one of many. I prefer the internet because it includes all news sources including CNN.

-As a solution for pollution reduction, do you think it is ok with you to take the bus to work atleast once a month? That is, if everyone of us does this on a monthly basis, we will be reducing pollution. Do you think this is an acceptable solution?
No, because there are millions of other pollutions.

-Do you think the UN will continue to lead the world or the US will take over?
I think that if the U.S. decides to go to war, then the U.S. will take over.

-Where do you think most of the jobs in future will lie? Will the tech. sector still dominate?
I think health care, some high tech., and electronic business will have the most jobs in the future. The tech. sector is a wide range of technology,some of them go up, some of them go down.

-What do you think of the following figures?
Galileo- Astronomist, physicist, who contributed to the knowledge of the universe.

Alan Greenspan- Chairman of U.S.Fed.Res. banks-great economist.

Fraidoon Atouraya-(ahem ahem, hehe) It's Dr. Atturaya. Assyrian/Russian-great Assyrian hero: physician, public figure, and brilliant poet. "He is a faithful son of his country."
 

FINAL THOUGHTS
 

-What was the hardest question we asked you? or didn't like?
All were fine.

-One question you were glad we didn't ask you?
How I had time to finish this interview =p.

-Some hundreds even thousands of people may read this interview. Is there any means of getting in touch with you?
I visit the message board occasionally.

-Your best quote in life:
 "It is better to have loved and lost, then to have never loved at all."

-What do you think is the future of these interviews? How can we make them better? Would a live face-to-face meetings be better?
I think that these interviews might become more popular and more frequent. Maybe people would like a bigger variety of topics. I don't know if face-to-face meetings would be better but it sounds interesting.

-What do you think of it all?
For me, it was an educational and an interesting experience. I feel that many others should have the same opportunity.

-Any shoutouts to anyone out there?
 Linda, Chicgogirl, Shedanta, PrincessNahren, Nina....... and to whoever else I forgot to mention =).

-Do you recommend any person to be interviewed in the future?
Hmm, I would say PrincessNahren =). This sweetie has put several interesting posts lately.

-Any final comments or thoughts?
THANK YOU ASHOOR!!! I enjoyed it =).

At the end of this interview we would like to thank you and wish you a good luck in your life.