I knew I would survive if I lived under my parents’ roof until I was married, however, deep down I knew I wouldn’t thrive. I wanted the same experiences my friends were having. It wasn’t just about the alcohol and drugs, although there was plenty of them around and they were mostly good fun. It was about first times, first partners, first shared house, first cooked meal at home, first electricity bill, first bitching session about our flatmate who left the kitchen a mess.
Choices of Maha Sidaoui
In order to move forward in life, we make choices and are often forced to stand up for what we believe in. I sometimes wonder what it is that this young generation is willing to fight for. I love to think how about our world and how it can change in such a short time.
Maha has been writing for over thirty years. First it was letters, then lyrics and later stories. Maha has a love for words and writes stories to search her childhood and early years for whatever it was that made her the person and writer that she has become. The first chapter of her manuscript, One Arabian Girl, was shortlisted for the Deborah Cass Prize. She is currently working on her second big story that has everything to do with family, facing up to big truths and Salman Rushdie.
You can find Maha on Twitter.
Acknowledgements:
Memoria is written, produced, edited and presented by Nat V.
Maha Sidaoui’s short story, Choices is written and performed by Maha. The story is edited by Nat V.
Music in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions, “Sage the Hunter” and “Chapel Donder”.
Illustrations by Peta Manning. Her book, See Me Doodle, is out now.
Sound effects used in this episode by:
Packing By LunnarisDoor open and close by rivernile7, Door open by Anthousai, metal chair on tile floor by Dineomichelle, Playing cards by kevinhilt
car inside driving slow by lofty, car parking by nexmaking, short drive motor by augustsandberg, dropping ice cubes into glass by ftpalad, water pouring into glass by ant wash, dishes clearing by benjaminharveydesign
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