"All I ask of you is to see me for who I am. Aisha. I spell my name not with a y or an e, but with an i. See me. I live with you. I live near you. I go to your school; I eat in your cafeteria; I take the same classes. Now I am your valedictorian. I want what you want. I want a future." (152)
Awesome! That was pretty cool of Aisha. And a really good speech. Aisha seems to have gotten her head back, but more humbly than before. What she said about seeing her for who she is was very true, not for her only, but for Nadira too. Aisha did a really good job of talking and it seemed not only did she make a speech about herself, but about all the other illegal immigrants as well. As if she were trying to show people that immigrants were exactly the same as them. It was brave of her to go up to a podium and tell everyone that she's an illegal alien. You go... girl...
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
DiaBlog #12
" 'Come on!' I call. 'It's not that far!' I hold out both hands. the hot air wavers between us. Then Aisha lets her arms float to her sides and she jumps towards me." (148)
I thought these three sentences were very important and significant. Aisha finally gives in to Nadira and trusts her as she falls. Aisha seems to be making friends with Nadira now, even though she was all mean just three seconds ago. I find it funny that Madira can jump down to the ground, but Aisha can't. When Aisha's feet slip on the monkey bars, I remember all the 'messages' that Nadira sends through her thoughts. Like at the beginning of the chapter with stars that turn into rubber stickers that fall off the ceiling. I think that Aisha is wobbling inside too, on whether she should jump or not, whether she should open the college admissions or not, whether she should tell everyone what happened or not. It's pretty interesting.
Monday, March 23, 2009
DiaBlog #11
"Abba always said you should be careful around strange Americans-- they tell you a lot about themselves at first, but they don't mean it... Abba always said Americans don't know to be family. It's like this country, he explains; so many long distances between them. but now I'm not so sure. This guy looks pretty sad, and besides, my family doesn't seem to be so close anymore." (125-126)
This was a really good part, because what Abba was true and not true at the same time. Americans do tell you a lot about themselves. Which is kind of weird, but I think it's because their families far away and they need someone to tell their troubles to. It's rather pathetic, but most people listen, whether they know the person or not. I think it's because they're too polite to say they barely know the person, but I also think that it's because you can tell when someone needs listening too. Abba was right when he talked about long distances making families less family like. But his family isn't a family anymore really and they're in the same house. Kind of sad, isn't it? I was happy that Nadira found something in the document that no one noticed, which shows that's she's smarter and more observant than lawyers, but wanting to show Aisha is sad. Aisha doesn't even about her grades anymore, why would she care about Nadira winning the case? The end of this cahpter confused me, but reading the next chapter will probably help. :D
This was a really good part, because what Abba was true and not true at the same time. Americans do tell you a lot about themselves. Which is kind of weird, but I think it's because their families far away and they need someone to tell their troubles to. It's rather pathetic, but most people listen, whether they know the person or not. I think it's because they're too polite to say they barely know the person, but I also think that it's because you can tell when someone needs listening too. Abba was right when he talked about long distances making families less family like. But his family isn't a family anymore really and they're in the same house. Kind of sad, isn't it? I was happy that Nadira found something in the document that no one noticed, which shows that's she's smarter and more observant than lawyers, but wanting to show Aisha is sad. Aisha doesn't even about her grades anymore, why would she care about Nadira winning the case? The end of this cahpter confused me, but reading the next chapter will probably help. :D
Thursday, March 19, 2009
DiaBlog #10
"When the pool closed in September, Abba cupped his hands around my shoulders and said, 'If you can breathe, you can get through anything.' " (116)
This sounds both ominous and happy. Ominous because if Nadira stops breathing (figuratively) she'll lose a lot of air. And that can't be good, especially if she's going to try and get Abba out of jail. She seems to lose her air when she second-guesses her great discovery. It's like she has an old Aisha inside her, putting down herself and showing all her bad sides. I was kind of thinking, 'Stupid girl.' (Well not stupid, but that's not the point.) She should believe in herself and be confident. Of course it's also happy because the book says that Nadira can get through anything if she wanted to. Abba might not have known about what was going to happen, which is scary. In case any case, he gave her advice and she should follow it or she might find herself in a bad place... Also, I felt sorry for her when she had to go with Tareq, who she kind of trusted and he pulled a revolver on her. Of course, he was only doing his job and making sure he doesn't get in trouble, but she trusted and what do you know? He threatens her. How rude. But I also has a point for Tareq's side. When Nadira was looking around the room, she saw a revolver. That might've been what cut the stretching rubber band of her conscience, but I read it again, not paying attention to the revolver and her ominous thoughts. If she hadn't been there for a social security number, she might've been over at a friend's house, minus the mens yelling. There was a kid sitting on the couch, watching the Simpsons; A little girl or boy running upstairs, not wanting to go to bed (that sounds familiar ;D). It could be anyone's house. Those men have a life that doesn't include guns and illegal legality. So... I wonder what comes next?
This sounds both ominous and happy. Ominous because if Nadira stops breathing (figuratively) she'll lose a lot of air. And that can't be good, especially if she's going to try and get Abba out of jail. She seems to lose her air when she second-guesses her great discovery. It's like she has an old Aisha inside her, putting down herself and showing all her bad sides. I was kind of thinking, 'Stupid girl.' (Well not stupid, but that's not the point.) She should believe in herself and be confident. Of course it's also happy because the book says that Nadira can get through anything if she wanted to. Abba might not have known about what was going to happen, which is scary. In case any case, he gave her advice and she should follow it or she might find herself in a bad place... Also, I felt sorry for her when she had to go with Tareq, who she kind of trusted and he pulled a revolver on her. Of course, he was only doing his job and making sure he doesn't get in trouble, but she trusted and what do you know? He threatens her. How rude. But I also has a point for Tareq's side. When Nadira was looking around the room, she saw a revolver. That might've been what cut the stretching rubber band of her conscience, but I read it again, not paying attention to the revolver and her ominous thoughts. If she hadn't been there for a social security number, she might've been over at a friend's house, minus the mens yelling. There was a kid sitting on the couch, watching the Simpsons; A little girl or boy running upstairs, not wanting to go to bed (that sounds familiar ;D). It could be anyone's house. Those men have a life that doesn't include guns and illegal legality. So... I wonder what comes next?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
DiaBlog #9
"Then Mr. Friedlander replies, 'No, I don't think that's it. That doesn't sound like Aisha." (112)
This was a closing door for Aisha, not just because her teachers didn't know her. Aisha is nothing like she was used to. It's like Aisha left her body and went somewhere else. I felt kind of sorry for her, but not that much. Aisha feels way too sorry for herself that she unknowingly doesn't let anyone else feel sorry for her. I felt like slapping her when she lied to her favorite teacher, who was trying to help her. And then she basically makes her teachers hate her parents so that she wouldn't seem bad. Which didn't do anything, since Mr. Friedlander called Nadira to the office to figure out what is wrong with Aisha. She basically isn't herself anymore. I thought she might fight harder when she was deprived, but she didn't. She gave up and any respect she had for herself probably was gone. I know that sounds really mean, but she can't even defend herself. She was really strong at the beginning of the book, although very mean; but now she's almost like Nadira, except everyone notices that she's subdued. I think that by the end of the book, she should become herself again, but nicer to Nadira and more like a sister. That's so idealistic of me but it does happen sometimes. A happy ending would be good for this book. Especially for Nadira and Aisha.
This was a closing door for Aisha, not just because her teachers didn't know her. Aisha is nothing like she was used to. It's like Aisha left her body and went somewhere else. I felt kind of sorry for her, but not that much. Aisha feels way too sorry for herself that she unknowingly doesn't let anyone else feel sorry for her. I felt like slapping her when she lied to her favorite teacher, who was trying to help her. And then she basically makes her teachers hate her parents so that she wouldn't seem bad. Which didn't do anything, since Mr. Friedlander called Nadira to the office to figure out what is wrong with Aisha. She basically isn't herself anymore. I thought she might fight harder when she was deprived, but she didn't. She gave up and any respect she had for herself probably was gone. I know that sounds really mean, but she can't even defend herself. She was really strong at the beginning of the book, although very mean; but now she's almost like Nadira, except everyone notices that she's subdued. I think that by the end of the book, she should become herself again, but nicer to Nadira and more like a sister. That's so idealistic of me but it does happen sometimes. A happy ending would be good for this book. Especially for Nadira and Aisha.
Monday, March 16, 2009
DiaBlog #8
"We've become a house run by women, just like Uncle warned." (88)
I find thid quote funny, because I don't think Uncle actually thought that would happen. He kind of put a jinx on it. I was sad though, because in order to save money, since Uncle didn't have a job, Auntie brought the old, almost-rotten fish from the market. I think that Auntie is taking this a little regularly than most people would. I mean, she's not crying, at least not in front of Nadira. I do think that she should try to do something for Uncle, like Nadira and Aisha. I still wonder what they wrote in their letters. It would have to be very good for Homeland Security to let him go. But I think Aisha's fighting has gone completely. She just sits there and waits. I was confused because at the beginning of the chapter, Aisha makes a letter to the security and I think that's what gets Uncle out of jail. But then she just sits on her bed. What's wrong with her?! And then she starts talking like a wind-up toy, or a stuck record. There is something seriously wrong with that girl. When Taslima begins to skip calsses to work, I was happy because she's trying to support the family. When Uncle came home and just hung around casually, I was basically yelling at him, like "Hello! you just came from jail! Atleast do something useful, like getting a job!"
I find thid quote funny, because I don't think Uncle actually thought that would happen. He kind of put a jinx on it. I was sad though, because in order to save money, since Uncle didn't have a job, Auntie brought the old, almost-rotten fish from the market. I think that Auntie is taking this a little regularly than most people would. I mean, she's not crying, at least not in front of Nadira. I do think that she should try to do something for Uncle, like Nadira and Aisha. I still wonder what they wrote in their letters. It would have to be very good for Homeland Security to let him go. But I think Aisha's fighting has gone completely. She just sits there and waits. I was confused because at the beginning of the chapter, Aisha makes a letter to the security and I think that's what gets Uncle out of jail. But then she just sits on her bed. What's wrong with her?! And then she starts talking like a wind-up toy, or a stuck record. There is something seriously wrong with that girl. When Taslima begins to skip calsses to work, I was happy because she's trying to support the family. When Uncle came home and just hung around casually, I was basically yelling at him, like "Hello! you just came from jail! Atleast do something useful, like getting a job!"
Thursday, March 12, 2009
DiaBlog #7
" 'Any individual, from any country, no matter what their immigration status, has a right to a lawyer-' 'Save it,' the woman interrupts." (85)
This part really riled me, because I thought that Aisha was saying something worth listening to, especially if she knows what she's saying. That woman wasn't even listening. She didn't care about what Aisha said, just that she was an illegal immigrant, who didn't have any say in what happened. I thought that was stupid, esp. since Aisha was talking very smartly. I think that the policewoman was actually scared that Aisha would outsmart her. And when she was talking, she didn't sound like she was very educated. Actually (no offense to anyone who feels offended) she sounded like those people in gangster movies, or the slaves from the 1800's. I thought that it was stupid that a woman like that was above Aisha. (That sounds shallow) What I mean is that, she lives in America and is a citizen, but she doesn't speak properly; yet Aisha is an illegal immigrant and she's the smartest in her class. You see where this is going?
This part really riled me, because I thought that Aisha was saying something worth listening to, especially if she knows what she's saying. That woman wasn't even listening. She didn't care about what Aisha said, just that she was an illegal immigrant, who didn't have any say in what happened. I thought that was stupid, esp. since Aisha was talking very smartly. I think that the policewoman was actually scared that Aisha would outsmart her. And when she was talking, she didn't sound like she was very educated. Actually (no offense to anyone who feels offended) she sounded like those people in gangster movies, or the slaves from the 1800's. I thought that it was stupid that a woman like that was above Aisha. (That sounds shallow) What I mean is that, she lives in America and is a citizen, but she doesn't speak properly; yet Aisha is an illegal immigrant and she's the smartest in her class. You see where this is going?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
DiaBlog #6
"We deshis, we gotta help each other. One hand helps the other." (71)
This sentence made me smile, because that is true. The way Uncle and Auntie take in Nadira and Aisha, without grumble; and the way Mr. Rashid tries to help Abba and Amma, even though Aisha doesn't seem to think so; even the way Tareq offers to help them with getting Abba out of prison. None of them needed to do that and they did. That really means something, although I don't know what. It seems to me that Aisha doesn't realize this system. All these people are family, or like family. They help one another, but don't ask for something in return. Even though you can't really tell from Nadira's narration, there are a lot of people who help in small ways. I flipped through what we've already read and you can see the small details. The officer at the border who talks to them and gives them advice. Ali-Uncle, who gives free cokes to Nadira. Mr. Friedlander, who helps Aisha get interviews to different colleges and universities. That's pretty awesome.
This sentence made me smile, because that is true. The way Uncle and Auntie take in Nadira and Aisha, without grumble; and the way Mr. Rashid tries to help Abba and Amma, even though Aisha doesn't seem to think so; even the way Tareq offers to help them with getting Abba out of prison. None of them needed to do that and they did. That really means something, although I don't know what. It seems to me that Aisha doesn't realize this system. All these people are family, or like family. They help one another, but don't ask for something in return. Even though you can't really tell from Nadira's narration, there are a lot of people who help in small ways. I flipped through what we've already read and you can see the small details. The officer at the border who talks to them and gives them advice. Ali-Uncle, who gives free cokes to Nadira. Mr. Friedlander, who helps Aisha get interviews to different colleges and universities. That's pretty awesome.
DiaBlog #5
"Her eyes are glassy, far-off. I crouch down next to her. 'Aisha, what's wrong?' 'I'm scared,' she whispers. 'I'm scared for Abba.' " (66)
This part didn't really surprise me, but I was really glad that she finally broke down and told Nadira the truth. I thought that Nadira was kind of mean when she shouted at Aisha. This may seem kind of mean, but I'm glad Nadira feels guilty. Aisha was already scared enough and bullying Nadira was kind of an anchor to her old self. Now that that's gone, Aisha is breaking down. At leas, the way I see it. I think that the visit to Mr. Rashid really dampened her spirits. I felt really sorry for her.
In chapter 7, the first part, about generations, that really stuck with me. Nadira talks a lot about her ancestors and her homeland. I like the way that she puts little chapters in between the whole story, about Bangladesh and her family. That's kind of a little break from the things that are happening to their family now. She remembers all these stories about her ancestry; it helps me understand their predicament, why they left and why they are living in America. Those little chapters are very refreshing.
This part didn't really surprise me, but I was really glad that she finally broke down and told Nadira the truth. I thought that Nadira was kind of mean when she shouted at Aisha. This may seem kind of mean, but I'm glad Nadira feels guilty. Aisha was already scared enough and bullying Nadira was kind of an anchor to her old self. Now that that's gone, Aisha is breaking down. At leas, the way I see it. I think that the visit to Mr. Rashid really dampened her spirits. I felt really sorry for her.
In chapter 7, the first part, about generations, that really stuck with me. Nadira talks a lot about her ancestors and her homeland. I like the way that she puts little chapters in between the whole story, about Bangladesh and her family. That's kind of a little break from the things that are happening to their family now. She remembers all these stories about her ancestry; it helps me understand their predicament, why they left and why they are living in America. Those little chapters are very refreshing.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
DiaBlog #4
" 'There are two types of people in the world, Nadira,'Auntie tells me. 'Those that hear bad news and want to run away and those that dig their feet in and want to fight.' She laughs. 'Taslima, she was put on this earth to be a thorn in her father's side. Because she will always fight. Fight, fight, fight, even when it's time to run.' " (45-46)
I was very impressed by Auntie's wisdom and her quote belongs in a poem. It also made me respect Taslima, even though she is kind of a pain. Taslima is a stubborn girl and that's a good thing, especially with her parents and her background. I wasn't surprised that Auntie thought of Taslima liek that, because even though she gets worried and fights with Taslima a lot, Taslima is her daughter and she knows her better than anyone besides Taslima herself. I think that Auntie's logic is good, because that's what it always comes down to. Are you brave enough to fight against everyone, or are you not so brave and want to huddle in a corner and become invisible? I mean it's not like you can really stay in the middle; Staying there, but not saying anything. But I think that Auntie had a hidden meaning in it for Nadira. I think that she was trying to tell Nadira to not run away from the bad news taht she knows is there every day; and Nadira stands up to Aisha. I think that Auntie knew what was happening between Nadira and Aisha and was trying to help Nadira to make a decision.
I was very impressed by Auntie's wisdom and her quote belongs in a poem. It also made me respect Taslima, even though she is kind of a pain. Taslima is a stubborn girl and that's a good thing, especially with her parents and her background. I wasn't surprised that Auntie thought of Taslima liek that, because even though she gets worried and fights with Taslima a lot, Taslima is her daughter and she knows her better than anyone besides Taslima herself. I think that Auntie's logic is good, because that's what it always comes down to. Are you brave enough to fight against everyone, or are you not so brave and want to huddle in a corner and become invisible? I mean it's not like you can really stay in the middle; Staying there, but not saying anything. But I think that Auntie had a hidden meaning in it for Nadira. I think that she was trying to tell Nadira to not run away from the bad news taht she knows is there every day; and Nadira stands up to Aisha. I think that Auntie knew what was happening between Nadira and Aisha and was trying to help Nadira to make a decision.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
DiaBlog of Stuff
When I was reading the fifth chapter, I realized that Nadira uses tons of descriptions in her writing (or is it her thoughts? Hmm) and I found that very cool. The way she describes everything, but in a way that she doesn't make me annoyed with the continuing huge paragraphs about people. Nadira really has a gift of noticing things that people would never think of. I think that she's much more competent than Aisha, who I must say is a spoiled brat. I hope that Nadira will open her shell and prove that she's worth more than everybody thinks. Also I think that Taslima is a pretty bad influence on Aisha, because Aisha really makes it look like she has a multiple-personality disorder. Whenever she's near the adults, she acts like a perfect child and does all her homework. But when she is with Taslima, she acts as if Nadira is either a baby, or a child who needs a diet. Taslima is in college, but she isn't as smart as Nadira and she's a rebel, which I don't think her parents like. And the fact that she has a shada-chele, white guy, probably pushes them over the edge. I bet she runs away or does something that makes her parents throw her out. that would be interesting. Hehehe...
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
DiaBlog #3
I'm so, so, so sorry that this is late! :(
"I remember when I was little, crouching in a corner of the playground and hearing a group of girls chant: Ask me no questions. Tell me no lies." (29)
This one sentence really popped out at me because it reminded me of when I was little and we had rhymes that we sung. I never thought about what they actually meant, like:
Ring around the roses,
Pocket full of posies.
Ashes, ashes,
We all fall down.
This was one of the rhymes that my friends loved to sing, but I looked it up online after reading that sentence. Apparently it was talking about the Black Plague. I wonder if all those little rhymes you hear kids singing have hidden meanings. Nadira seems to be a very deep person, as she thinks about things that I don't think even adults think about sometimes. Her descriptions in this chapter were very long and I wonder if she captures this all and stores it in her memory. And she seems to trust her teachers a little, even though she's afraid that they'll find out that she's illegal. There was one part I found confusing. Aisha gets an interview with Barnard and even asks her about financial aid. Why did Aisha lie? I know that they did not have that much money, it says so in the chapter, so wouldn't it be better to ask for financial aid. She's certainly smart enough for a scholarship. Aisha's too mysterious for me.
"I remember when I was little, crouching in a corner of the playground and hearing a group of girls chant: Ask me no questions. Tell me no lies." (29)
This one sentence really popped out at me because it reminded me of when I was little and we had rhymes that we sung. I never thought about what they actually meant, like:
Ring around the roses,
Pocket full of posies.
Ashes, ashes,
We all fall down.
This was one of the rhymes that my friends loved to sing, but I looked it up online after reading that sentence. Apparently it was talking about the Black Plague. I wonder if all those little rhymes you hear kids singing have hidden meanings. Nadira seems to be a very deep person, as she thinks about things that I don't think even adults think about sometimes. Her descriptions in this chapter were very long and I wonder if she captures this all and stores it in her memory. And she seems to trust her teachers a little, even though she's afraid that they'll find out that she's illegal. There was one part I found confusing. Aisha gets an interview with Barnard and even asks her about financial aid. Why did Aisha lie? I know that they did not have that much money, it says so in the chapter, so wouldn't it be better to ask for financial aid. She's certainly smart enough for a scholarship. Aisha's too mysterious for me.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Falcon's awesome blog
I really liked Falcon's blog because what she said was true. I liked how she voiced her opinions on the British dividing a country that doesn't need dividing. Her opinions were everywhere and they included facts, which was really good. Nice job, Sophia!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
DiaBlog #2: Chapters 3 & 4
"...this is a land where the earth melts into the sea and back again; where poeple sing the same songs and eat the same white fleshed hilsa fish, wherever they live." (19)
This sentence really told me a lot about Nadira. Even though she doesn't remember Bangladesh as much as her parents, she is so proud to be from there. The sentence was clear and graphic; I saw Bangladesh from her descriptions. Nadira is a descriptive person. In the two chapters we read, there were tons of tiny descriptions that showed the environment that she was in. Little details about the countryside and about her family. I could visualize the situations that she was in, like the greasy Providence mall, or the story about the drought in Bangladesh.
In the fourth chapter, Nadira talks about how Aisha does much to fit in and I thought that that was pretty interesting. Aisha, it seems, always tries to fit in. In the first two chapters, Nadira makes it sound like Aisha always is perfect, says the perfect things, and gets perfect grades. But I actually like the sound of the Aisha in this chapter because it makes her more like a human being, than a robot or a 'perfect' Barbie doll. Aisha tries so hard to become exactly like the American kids though, that it makes me wonder whether she's doing it to fit in, or to not seems like she's from another place. She does act like a mean older sister, which is normal. Nadira says in chapter 4, that Aisha is embarrassed by Nadira because she is fat and she's not perfect like Aisha. I think that Aisha likes to be in charge and have everything in her life be perfect, which means that she excludes Nadira. These two chapters showed me two things; that Nadira is very observant and probably sharper than her sister and that Aisha isn't the perfect daughter the first chapters claim her to be.
This sentence really told me a lot about Nadira. Even though she doesn't remember Bangladesh as much as her parents, she is so proud to be from there. The sentence was clear and graphic; I saw Bangladesh from her descriptions. Nadira is a descriptive person. In the two chapters we read, there were tons of tiny descriptions that showed the environment that she was in. Little details about the countryside and about her family. I could visualize the situations that she was in, like the greasy Providence mall, or the story about the drought in Bangladesh.
In the fourth chapter, Nadira talks about how Aisha does much to fit in and I thought that that was pretty interesting. Aisha, it seems, always tries to fit in. In the first two chapters, Nadira makes it sound like Aisha always is perfect, says the perfect things, and gets perfect grades. But I actually like the sound of the Aisha in this chapter because it makes her more like a human being, than a robot or a 'perfect' Barbie doll. Aisha tries so hard to become exactly like the American kids though, that it makes me wonder whether she's doing it to fit in, or to not seems like she's from another place. She does act like a mean older sister, which is normal. Nadira says in chapter 4, that Aisha is embarrassed by Nadira because she is fat and she's not perfect like Aisha. I think that Aisha likes to be in charge and have everything in her life be perfect, which means that she excludes Nadira. These two chapters showed me two things; that Nadira is very observant and probably sharper than her sister and that Aisha isn't the perfect daughter the first chapters claim her to be.
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