Most of you can find me here, if you are a friend (even virtual) you can find me in various other places on Teh Interwebs. My email is nicole (dot) zaghia (at) gmail (dot) com. I respond to most emails, unless you are a troll. I have a full-time job in the legal field completely unrelated to my online activities. I then have freelance translating/copywriting work and then group blogging commitments. Please be patient with me if the original content of this site is not updated as frequently as those of full-time bloggers or people with other “online” jobs.
I was raised outside of New Orleans, and I have a BA from the Croft Institute at the University of Mississippi where my thesis topic was an examination of France’s Loi Stasi within its political and legislative framework. I married a Franco-Algerian from Paris and moved to Switzerland immediately after graduation where I have been for the past seven years, first in Zurich, then six years in Lausanne. I now (September 2011) live in the canton of Zurich. I converted to Islam in 2000 and consider myself your typical American convert despite living most of my time as a Muslim in Europe. I believe that there is no such thing as “online” versus “IRL” and that in the 21st century and with the advent of social media, these lines have blurred. Some people are uncomfortable with my openness online, but I can assure you I still have secrets.
I am a frequent contributor and commenter to guest/group blogs, notably for most of 2009 at the Lausanne Bondy Blog, and now at Muslimah Media Watch. I am an active member of the small Swiss tech/social media community, and I frequently attend related local (you can usually find me at Blog°bar, #TwBSO in Solothurn, and Bloggy Fridays) and European events, including a stint as an official blogger at LeWeb 09. I attended LeWeb 10 as part of several mandates for Swiss-based and international groups and was at Lift 11.
Articles I write for other blogs are cross-posted here, after a delay of exclusivity of at least a month unless contractually stipulated otherwise. My right as an author to reproduce my articles on this site from the Lausanne Bondy Blog (including cross posts at LeWeb and the Hebdo) and Muslimah Media Watch (including cross posts at Alt Muslimah and Muslim Voices) is protected under the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. For re- or cross- posts of articles from LBB or MMW you are kindly asked to also seek permission from the editors of LBB and MMW and credit their sites, not this site. In the case of linking or trackbacks, please link the original posts at LBB and MMW and not links from my site or other cross-posts.
asalamu alaykum
in the email can you let me know about the treatment of minorities? i read an interview, on the same site where i found yours, by a chinese american woman living there and she said people usually deal with her in rude way since she is a foreigner.
thanks so much:)
Salam Alaikum,
OK today is a BIG day! I have found another convert from Louisiana! Nice to meet you and MashAllah I like your blog. It is very entertaining and informative as well. Inshallah I will keep up with you!
Wa alaikoum salam,
There are at least two others who read it, so you’re in good company!