- Star Power

So CTV aired Timmy & I last night at 6 pm and 11:30 pm. Timmy's a bit miffed because there was more about Liliana's film and my humor than about him, but I told him that's what happens when you hide under the bed when the camera comes out.

I pointed out to him that I didn't hide under the bed when Tania and the cameraman showed up at the door, and nobody had to drag me off of the top of the washing machine and subdue me as they were trying to film, but he's still miffed. He just doesn't get it, so he's been sulking since yesterday.

Anyways, for all you wonderful readers who missed the piece or who live outside the Montreal area, here's the link where you can watch us:

http://www.wendy.ca/content/view/28/32/

Under the video cube, click on "CTV News - The Power Of One".

Speaking of miffed, Timmy's not the only one. PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS MISPRONOUNCING MY LAST NAME!!! Arrggghhhh! And the announcer did just that on this CTV piece! Hmmph. I called Tania, the reporter who came to my place, and I left a message asking her to call me, but she never got back to me. I wanted to give her pronunciation lessons on my last name.

Yes, I realize that "Farha" isn't an everyday kind of name....it's actually Arabic. No, I am not a terrorist. Yes, my paternal grandparents are from the Middle East. No, they are not terrorists, either. That's because they are dead. Oh, sorry - dark humor. Well, I can't help it - if they were alive today, they'd be, uh.....126 years old or something.

Anyways, yes, my dad's parents came to the States from Damascus, Syria in 1903 or thereabouts. They came through Ellis Island as did tons of other immigrants from all over the world. Their religion was Syrian Orthodox, which is pretty similar to Green Orthodox or Ukrainian Orthodox. My grandmother and grandfather hadn't met yet - they came to North America separately and met at a garment factory where they were working, in New York City.

They later immigrated to Canada, settled in Lachine, Quebec - a suburb of Montreal - and raised their six kids. My grandmother never learned to speak English - she was too busy chasing my father & his five siblings. My grandfather ran a pool hall. Exciting stuff, eh?

ANYways, the name "FARHA" means "JOY" in Arabic. Isn't that appropriate for the likes of me? And supposedly, "WENDY" means "WANDERER", if you look at the Germanic root. Other meanings are "WHITE SKINNED" (also true of me, except in summer, when I have a dark tan) and "FRIEND" (I guess that would depend on "to whom"? I'm not everybody's friend....I'm only a friend to people I've already met.)

So now for the pronunciation lesson, if you care to participate: my last name is "FAR-huh". Everybody repeat after me: "FAR-huh". It's not complicated. Think of "FAR" away, as in, Hawaii is FAR from here. Then think "huh", as in, "huh"! I'm not going to Hawaii because I am getting chemo right now. Once again: "FAR-huh". It's Arabic. Did I mention that? And the emphasis is on the "FAR".


















Ooh, must be my Arab blood. Every time I see a camel, I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Just look at those eyelashes!

Okay, so here is how my last name is NOT pronounced: (yes, I have been called all of these)

Farra (ahem! CTV announcer? Guilty!!! Ooh, I hate that...)

Farma

Far Out (okay, that one's not true)

Farta (oh, yes, just two months ago, I got that)

And here is how my last name is NOT spelled:

Farra

Farrah

Farrat

Farhat

Fara

Farma

Farta

Pharoah (oh, yes! And on a poster advertising my concert! Ya think they would have called to ask me how it's spelled before they made up the posters!!!!)

Well, I guess it could be worse. I went to school with a girl whose last name was Barf. She was from Germany. Poor girl. And it was more awful for her sister, whose first name was Bunny. Bunny Barf. Come to think of it, maybe that was just a rumor.

Anyhoo, I'm off to see my Oncologist today at 3 pm, and I'll find out when my chemo resumes. My hair has started to grow back, so I guess it's safe to say that the last round from November 23rd is, like, long gone.

Later, people!

Love, Me.