Spreading manure is a great way of bringing yourself down to earth.

It's bad enough on a first date trying not to say something dumb without having three Secret Service guys with you.

Dad knew how to disagree without being disagreeable or rude.

I used to go out and carouse. I was afraid to go to sleep because I thought I might miss something.

The family code in Egypt is one of the worst family codes in the Arab world. Polygamy. The husband is having absolute power over the family.

When I heard 'Rockabye,' I was just blown away. It had been a long time since I had heard a song that had a message like that in it - about being a single parent and caring for your child.

I grew up in a very loving but very broken family, and I suppose that's why I'm drawn to telling stories about well-intentioned people who are doing their best - but are not always successful - in figuring out how to maneuver through this complicated, bumpy and broken world.

The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found.