Q: You lived a Western existence under an authoritarian Islamic regime. How did that work?
A: Whether they're drinking wine in the evening or painting something "offensive," Iranians choose not to dwell on the fact that they could receive some seventh-century punishment. Laws are inconsistently enforced, and you can usually pay off police to look the other way.
Q: Still, were you scared when you found out you were pregnant?
A: The worst I could get was 100 lashes and one year of banishment. And if I wanted to exist in this fascinating, beautiful place, I had to accept its cultural control and misogyny. So I resolved to press on and put it out of my mind and trust that some scary Saudi-esque fate wouldn't befall me.
Q: Your wedding was an atypically small affair, where the sexes mingled and alcohol was served. Were you worried about a mid-reception raid?
One of your male relatives is always ready with a bribe for whoever might knock at the door.
Q: President Ahmadinejad's popularity has dwindled. Are his days numbered?
A: There's going to be an election this summer. After appealing to working-class folks with promises of a better economy, he hasn't delivered. But we'll have to wait and see what "Hassan the Plumber" thinks.
