Abstract

A man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?- Robert Browning I dedicate this work first of all to our lord Jesus Christ in whom I found eternal salvation and without whom this work would have never come to be. I would also like to dedicate this dissertation to mom and dad, to my brothers Antoun, Joe and Jimmy, and to my family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and future parents in-law) in Lebanon and Australia, whose unconditional love and unwavering support were crucial in achieving this work. I dedicate this thesis as well to my fiancée Hanadi, my bestest of friends Lizzy, and my mentor Antoun Daou whom without their perseverance I would not have lasted. I bestow this work in particular to my aunt Yvonne, cousins Layal, Toni and Carla, our guardians in heaven.