"I want what you want. I want a future." -152
I believe this is a very important line in the book. Many immigrants don’t know what their future is going to be like, or where it is headed. It is hard to live a life when you don’t know where you are going to end up. I think this is a main reason why Aisha broke down. Aisha did a great job with the speech and I am glad she did it because it gets her voice heard, one step closer to the future. It is sad, but I think many people, such as immigrants, in the world don’t know where their future is headed. I think one way to take action is to buy fair trade products. You know the workers are paid fairly. (Until we watched the part of the movie “Wetback” it hadn’t occurred to me that immigrants left their country because of a failing economy, and because it was their last option. They must have been very desperate...) I am glad that Aisha and Nadira pulled through! I thought it was interesting that the last sentence of the book was “Go.” The last sentence makes me think. I think that they are going to start their life in a new, more positive way!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Log 12 (A breakthrough)
“Above the sky looks gray and soupy, like water before a storm. A few pale, weak stars glimmer through.” –page 146
I think this sentence is reflecting their future. I interpret the sky as their future and gray describing it. I think their future is very vague right now, and they don’t know where it is headed. It could change directions at any moment. However I believe the weak pale star represents a break through in their future. It could be a success at getting residency, Nadira staying strong, Abba and Aisha gaining hope, or hearing news about Ali-Uncle. I didn’t like that the author used the word “soupy” because it gave me a yucky feeling…
I am curious what Aisha is going to do-if she is ever going to go back to school and gain hope. She ripped her unopened college letters to shreds! It is kind of hard to believe that she let all of her hard work and future collapse. I hope that she is going to recover and be herself, but stronger, by the end of the book. I hope she gets out there and finishes high school, and goes to college. I think she has a tiny chance of being that star that breaks through their vague future, a 1% chance, but definitely with the support of Nadira. Right now it seems that Nadira is the backbone of her family and has all the hope. Nadira seems like the most likely candidate to be that star, a 95% chance. She is already breaking through. I didn’t like that Aisha was mean to Nadira, saying she didn’t make a difference with the judge. I believe she did, and Aisha could have been supportive, instead of saying negative things that might break her down too. I want Nadira to finish saving her family, but it might take both of them to do so. (Aisha and Nadira could write a book or talk about the lives of illegal aliens and help others that are in a similar situation.) Hopefully they’ll get the future they want, deserve, and worked hard for. I think they want their future to be in America, not Canada or Bangladesh. Where do you guys think they want their future?
P.S. I found this chapter quite bland, even though it was very eventful. The last few chapters are blending together, things aren’t popping out like they used to, and time is lost…
I think this sentence is reflecting their future. I interpret the sky as their future and gray describing it. I think their future is very vague right now, and they don’t know where it is headed. It could change directions at any moment. However I believe the weak pale star represents a break through in their future. It could be a success at getting residency, Nadira staying strong, Abba and Aisha gaining hope, or hearing news about Ali-Uncle. I didn’t like that the author used the word “soupy” because it gave me a yucky feeling…
I am curious what Aisha is going to do-if she is ever going to go back to school and gain hope. She ripped her unopened college letters to shreds! It is kind of hard to believe that she let all of her hard work and future collapse. I hope that she is going to recover and be herself, but stronger, by the end of the book. I hope she gets out there and finishes high school, and goes to college. I think she has a tiny chance of being that star that breaks through their vague future, a 1% chance, but definitely with the support of Nadira. Right now it seems that Nadira is the backbone of her family and has all the hope. Nadira seems like the most likely candidate to be that star, a 95% chance. She is already breaking through. I didn’t like that Aisha was mean to Nadira, saying she didn’t make a difference with the judge. I believe she did, and Aisha could have been supportive, instead of saying negative things that might break her down too. I want Nadira to finish saving her family, but it might take both of them to do so. (Aisha and Nadira could write a book or talk about the lives of illegal aliens and help others that are in a similar situation.) Hopefully they’ll get the future they want, deserve, and worked hard for. I think they want their future to be in America, not Canada or Bangladesh. Where do you guys think they want their future?
P.S. I found this chapter quite bland, even though it was very eventful. The last few chapters are blending together, things aren’t popping out like they used to, and time is lost…
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Log 11
“His eyes flicker impatiently.” -page 130
I wanted to talk about this sentence, which may seems so insignificant compared to the events that happened in the chapter: Nadira saving her father.
This sentence popped out at me. At first it popped out at me because it was very descriptive. However, on the other hand when I decoded this sentence I found something very meaningfully and deep. This sentence in the chapter and in the whole book seems very insignificant. It reminded me that sometimes I feel insignificant, just another human being on this planet. It reminded me that sometimes I feel helpless, and that I think I can’t help the world become a better place, even though I want to. I want to grow up and perhaps be someone big and important like Jeff Corwin. Jeff Corwin is my hero!!! What is very interesting to me is that Jeff said sometimes he feels powerless. That really stuck out because it sends a message that I can overcome this feeling of helpless (that maybe many people do), and do something great in my life and help make the world a better place like Jeff does.
Here’s the link to the video where Jeff mentions feeling powerless. It is at the very end of the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uiq_T3cG6w&feature=related
I wanted to talk about this sentence, which may seems so insignificant compared to the events that happened in the chapter: Nadira saving her father.
This sentence popped out at me. At first it popped out at me because it was very descriptive. However, on the other hand when I decoded this sentence I found something very meaningfully and deep. This sentence in the chapter and in the whole book seems very insignificant. It reminded me that sometimes I feel insignificant, just another human being on this planet. It reminded me that sometimes I feel helpless, and that I think I can’t help the world become a better place, even though I want to. I want to grow up and perhaps be someone big and important like Jeff Corwin. Jeff Corwin is my hero!!! What is very interesting to me is that Jeff said sometimes he feels powerless. That really stuck out because it sends a message that I can overcome this feeling of helpless (that maybe many people do), and do something great in my life and help make the world a better place like Jeff does.
Here’s the link to the video where Jeff mentions feeling powerless. It is at the very end of the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uiq_T3cG6w&feature=related
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Log 10 (Nadira blew it again!)
“It’s like a map that suddenly becomes clear-lines start feeding into the other.”
“What if it doesn’t work? What if they don’t care about my great big discovery? Maybe I have to do something else—something bigger, guaranteed to save Abba.” –page 117
I thought this was a very important paragraph in the chapters we read. I think it is very significant because Nadira made a great discovery, however she immediately second-guessed herself! She thought no one would care about her brilliant plan or if it would work. That is such a shame and she probably brought down her own confidence. Immediately after her discovery, she didn’t use it, and instead called the sly Tareq. I think she called Tareq because at the time she thought it was “guaranteed” that it would save Abba, however that doesn’t seem like her… After she almost followed through with her plan with Tareq-she backed down. I thought that was an excellent move. She was in a bad environment with guns and it didn’t seem like the right thing to do to save Abba; Tareq’s way seemed like he was cheating. (Unfortunately Tareq may be in trouble because it seemed like bad men were there to.) In the process with Tareq, she lied to Ali-Uncle. I thought this was a big deal because Ali-Uncle is so nice and Nadira learns so much from him. I bet Ali-Uncle sensed by her body language that she was lying, but didn’t say anything. This chapter was fast paced and decisions were made fast. If Nadira followed her instincts and used her original brilliant plan, she might have not been in this mess. I am now very curious what her original brilliant plan was. It bet it was related to maps in some way, figuratively or literally, because in the text it said so. (Calling Tareq doesn’t seem like it relates to maps…) This event of (maybe) taking action too quickly reminds me of the sentence, “The boat can’t wait for the tide.”
P.S.
I also noticed another sentence that related to water. (A a storm relates to angry water).
“Suddenly I can feel it, his words of patience telling me to choose right, even when the storm comes.” –page 122
“What if it doesn’t work? What if they don’t care about my great big discovery? Maybe I have to do something else—something bigger, guaranteed to save Abba.” –page 117
I thought this was a very important paragraph in the chapters we read. I think it is very significant because Nadira made a great discovery, however she immediately second-guessed herself! She thought no one would care about her brilliant plan or if it would work. That is such a shame and she probably brought down her own confidence. Immediately after her discovery, she didn’t use it, and instead called the sly Tareq. I think she called Tareq because at the time she thought it was “guaranteed” that it would save Abba, however that doesn’t seem like her… After she almost followed through with her plan with Tareq-she backed down. I thought that was an excellent move. She was in a bad environment with guns and it didn’t seem like the right thing to do to save Abba; Tareq’s way seemed like he was cheating. (Unfortunately Tareq may be in trouble because it seemed like bad men were there to.) In the process with Tareq, she lied to Ali-Uncle. I thought this was a big deal because Ali-Uncle is so nice and Nadira learns so much from him. I bet Ali-Uncle sensed by her body language that she was lying, but didn’t say anything. This chapter was fast paced and decisions were made fast. If Nadira followed her instincts and used her original brilliant plan, she might have not been in this mess. I am now very curious what her original brilliant plan was. It bet it was related to maps in some way, figuratively or literally, because in the text it said so. (Calling Tareq doesn’t seem like it relates to maps…) This event of (maybe) taking action too quickly reminds me of the sentence, “The boat can’t wait for the tide.”
P.S.
I also noticed another sentence that related to water. (A a storm relates to angry water).
“Suddenly I can feel it, his words of patience telling me to choose right, even when the storm comes.” –page 122
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Log 9 (follow up)
This reminded me of the talk with the Reyna Grande, the author of Across a Hundred Mountains. She had a similar situation. She was living with an abusive father in the United States. When she was in college she talked to her teacher, and told her about her abusive father. Then her teacher took her out of the terrible situation because she didn’t want her to drop out, and took her to live in her home. That is an amazing story! It paid an incredible amount that Reyna spoke up. In life, it can be very important to speak up, and speak your mind. You might be benefited, and your voice might contribute to a better world.
P.S There has been a lot of talk about Nadira talking to a teacher to get a different perspective of her situation. I’ve blogged about it in log #8 and commented on Puja’s blog posts regarding this matter.
P.S There has been a lot of talk about Nadira talking to a teacher to get a different perspective of her situation. I’ve blogged about it in log #8 and commented on Puja’s blog posts regarding this matter.
Log 9 (Nadira Blew it!)
“Mr. Friedlander edges closer. ‘Nadira, you can tell me. There’s so much going on these days. In the news. Have you or Aisha have been harassed?’” page 111
I thought this was Nadira’s golden opportunity to talk to a trusting teacher about her tough situation. I thought it was “golden” because Mr. Friedlander started and opened up the conversation, and asked if she is okay. She should have spoke her mind and told him about her tough situation, but instead she LIED! I believe Nadira should have told Mr. Friedlander the whole story, (despite her parents not wanting to give out any personal information to anyone but family). She should have told him because she’d get a lot off her mind, and talking it out might have eased her mind a little too. I bet Mr. Friedlander would not do anything bad to her, like report her visa status or something, but instead be a great help. With his different perspective he could “save the day”, (not literally), but he could give great advice and suggestions on what she should do, and maybe speak with someone in the law. This scene was also very vivid. I can imagine the intensity in the room. The phrase that stuck out to me the most is, “Mr. Friedlander edges closer. ‘Nadira, you can tell me.’” This also shows that he cares, and wouldn’t want to do any harm, but help.
I was pretty sure that Nadira wants to tell someone, because on page 29 she said, ““But sometimes I feel like shaking their sleeves and blurting out, Ask me. Please.” Why did Nadira back down?! Someone asked her, like she wanted, and she had the perfect opportunity to talk it out with her trusting teacher. I am so confused, why did she back down?! I am kind of upset and disappointed in Nadira that she didn’t talk it out. I wonder what her reason was not to... Nadira didn’t have the guts to tell the truth to a trusting teacher, but instead had the guts to lie to him. In another situation she had the guts to lie and pretend she was selling cookies to spy on a manicurist that worked for Lily’s father. She did it in order to help Lily, but even went into her house. This seems so backwards!!!!! With a lot of thought I think it’s her best solution for now to talk to her teacher. I really want her to talk to her teacher and see what happens. If she doesn’t by the end of the book, I’d be sad… In my mind she had the perfect opportunity but blew it away.
I thought this was Nadira’s golden opportunity to talk to a trusting teacher about her tough situation. I thought it was “golden” because Mr. Friedlander started and opened up the conversation, and asked if she is okay. She should have spoke her mind and told him about her tough situation, but instead she LIED! I believe Nadira should have told Mr. Friedlander the whole story, (despite her parents not wanting to give out any personal information to anyone but family). She should have told him because she’d get a lot off her mind, and talking it out might have eased her mind a little too. I bet Mr. Friedlander would not do anything bad to her, like report her visa status or something, but instead be a great help. With his different perspective he could “save the day”, (not literally), but he could give great advice and suggestions on what she should do, and maybe speak with someone in the law. This scene was also very vivid. I can imagine the intensity in the room. The phrase that stuck out to me the most is, “Mr. Friedlander edges closer. ‘Nadira, you can tell me.’” This also shows that he cares, and wouldn’t want to do any harm, but help.
I was pretty sure that Nadira wants to tell someone, because on page 29 she said, ““But sometimes I feel like shaking their sleeves and blurting out, Ask me. Please.” Why did Nadira back down?! Someone asked her, like she wanted, and she had the perfect opportunity to talk it out with her trusting teacher. I am so confused, why did she back down?! I am kind of upset and disappointed in Nadira that she didn’t talk it out. I wonder what her reason was not to... Nadira didn’t have the guts to tell the truth to a trusting teacher, but instead had the guts to lie to him. In another situation she had the guts to lie and pretend she was selling cookies to spy on a manicurist that worked for Lily’s father. She did it in order to help Lily, but even went into her house. This seems so backwards!!!!! With a lot of thought I think it’s her best solution for now to talk to her teacher. I really want her to talk to her teacher and see what happens. If she doesn’t by the end of the book, I’d be sad… In my mind she had the perfect opportunity but blew it away.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Log 8 (Thread of Hope)
“And me, I don’t know what to do with myself anymore. I can’t figure out how to get us through this—to pick up the thread of working together, to continue our fight. None of it seems possible.” –page 95
In this sentence when I read the word “thread”, it made me think of a thread of hope. Their hope has been growing weaker and weaker until now only a thread is left. Nadira is in a tough situation because she seems like the only one holding on to that thread of hope, and has the potential to make it stronger, except she doesn’t know how. Nadira said, “I don’t know what I’m trying to find out, but it’s inside me someone where.” –page 96 Why did Aisha give up hope and Nadira did not? I think that Nadira didn’t get all down in the dumps because younger people have this attitude like, I can save the world type of thing, and they go for it. The older you get, you (probably) think more realistically, and realize how it’s unlikely you can save the world, and just stop trying. I think Nadira has this young people attitude and Aisha sees things realistically, and doesn’t bother trying if the odds are really against her.
I hope Nadira figures out a way to help, but it seems like the situation is in the hands of the law and immigration officers. It seems like more of a grown up problem. My advice to Nadira for now is to work hard in school, and tell a teacher about the situation because they could help a lot. (See my response to Puja’s blog post for more info.) Albert Einstein once said, “No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it. We must learn to see the world anew.” This quote exactly matches the situation. Nadira could try and see the situation in a different perspective, but I think it’s her best bet is to talk to a trusting teacher who hasn’t heard of the problem. The teacher could be honest, caring, understanding, supportive and eager to help—just what Nadira needs. Nadira can’t go on having Aisha weighting her down, because eventually it may break Nadira down too. Nadira has the power to become independent and help get her family out of this mess!
In this sentence when I read the word “thread”, it made me think of a thread of hope. Their hope has been growing weaker and weaker until now only a thread is left. Nadira is in a tough situation because she seems like the only one holding on to that thread of hope, and has the potential to make it stronger, except she doesn’t know how. Nadira said, “I don’t know what I’m trying to find out, but it’s inside me someone where.” –page 96 Why did Aisha give up hope and Nadira did not? I think that Nadira didn’t get all down in the dumps because younger people have this attitude like, I can save the world type of thing, and they go for it. The older you get, you (probably) think more realistically, and realize how it’s unlikely you can save the world, and just stop trying. I think Nadira has this young people attitude and Aisha sees things realistically, and doesn’t bother trying if the odds are really against her.
I hope Nadira figures out a way to help, but it seems like the situation is in the hands of the law and immigration officers. It seems like more of a grown up problem. My advice to Nadira for now is to work hard in school, and tell a teacher about the situation because they could help a lot. (See my response to Puja’s blog post for more info.) Albert Einstein once said, “No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it. We must learn to see the world anew.” This quote exactly matches the situation. Nadira could try and see the situation in a different perspective, but I think it’s her best bet is to talk to a trusting teacher who hasn’t heard of the problem. The teacher could be honest, caring, understanding, supportive and eager to help—just what Nadira needs. Nadira can’t go on having Aisha weighting her down, because eventually it may break Nadira down too. Nadira has the power to become independent and help get her family out of this mess!
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