Posted on 06/04/2005 6:03:27 AM PDT by Mister Ghost
She Wants To Be A Pioneer In Space. That is Maryam from Kuwait and the Excellent So I Want To Be An Astronaut Blog which details her Hopes, Dreams, Studies, and Desires of becoming the First Arab Female Astronaut or Cosmonaut, as well as her Admiration for another Space Pioneer, Famed Russian Cosmonaut Sergei Krikalov.
Excerpts:
MG: When did your dreams start of becoming an Astronaut?
Maryam: I always have such passion for space since I was little kid but I don't remember that I ever wished to be an astronaut. However, I remember the exact moment when it pops out to mind. I was on campus, online chatting with my friend who was in Kuwait. I was talking about my future plans and what I want to do. I was telling her my wishes about being a pilot, sky diver, volunteer, political activist, minister and one of them is to be an astronaut. Of course, she laughed out and she told me I was being unrealistic. At that moment, I was checking out NASA Astronauts requirements. While I was reading it, I was like "hey, I think I can do this".
In late of 2003, I attended one of NASA Awareness Day which motivated me and looked at the opportunities. It was really fun, chatted with NASA representatives, attended workshops… I felt so close to my dreams and it is possible that I can achieve them.
But last year I came back home depressed, screwed up all the opportunities I could have. However, after watching "Space Station" movie at IMAX Theater, it took my breath away and that's when I determined to be an astronaut. How odd a movie can change whole person's decisions…?
MG: And what did your parents say when you first told them of your desire to be an Astronaut? Were they like, "get out, you are crazy, you're going to get yourself killed!?"
Maryam: Lol! Yes, they were like that. My mom told me "You're out of your mind, you want to kill yourself?!?" My parents know that I always want to do crazy stuff such as bungee jumping, sky diving and so on (yeah, I know I wanna do all the stuff) So they aren't surprised to know that I want to be an astronaut.
MG: Could you describe what the Space Program in Kuwait is like?
Maryam: Unfortunately, there is no space program in Kuwait. However its new step for Kuwait to hold the First International Remote Sensing Conference & Exhibit in September 2005 and Dr. Farouk El-Baz, who participated in the Apollo program as Supervisor of Lunar Science Planning, will attend the conference.
As for Arab space future program is to establish an "Arab Space Research Agency"; headquarter will be in Egypt. Kuwait discussed about the possibilities of being a member and participating in space program. I hope it doesn't turn out to be fiction because I cannot find enough information about it.
MG: Is there a Heavy Burden placed upon you, trying to be the First Arab Middle Eastern Woman in Space, a pioneer in her field?
Maryam: Hmm it depends on what kind of "Heavy Burden" you mean. If you mean from culture and religion aspects, I don't think there will be any difficulties for me to be an astronaut from that side hmmm maybe some sexism. On the other hand, I worry that Kuwait or any Arab country don't think about sending more Arab astronauts on mission into thespace beside the two payloads which they were sent during the 80's.
Put on the burkah Maryam... and get those crazy ideas outta 'yer head. The goats need 'milkin and Uncle Fassoul has a C-4 belt with your name on it!
Johnny!!!
That was not so nice this comment for Myriam.
You can do better than that, I'm sure.
A belated WELCOME to FreeRepublic 'newbie'!
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