“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.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Log 7 Part 2 (Observation: Boat and some form of water comes up AGAIN)
“I’m dreaming about sitting by a river and a boat…” -page 80
I wanted to point this sentence out because in a previous chapter there was a sentence that was about a boat and the tide. It seemed like it was a big coincidence, but after some thought the author probably planned it out. I am not sure what the author wants the boat, the river/the tide to represent to the reader. (I talked more in depth about what the boat and tide represents in a previous log.) It may become clearer later in the book, but it is extremely important to notice. Boat and water will probably come up in the same sentence again. I think it would be cool when the book is over to find all the sentences with the words: boat and some form of water, and try to figure out the riddle. The riddle is to find out what the boat and the form of water represents. (There will probably be many different perspectives. It would be interesting to know what the boat and some form of water represents to the author, and water in general.)
I wanted to point this sentence out because in a previous chapter there was a sentence that was about a boat and the tide. It seemed like it was a big coincidence, but after some thought the author probably planned it out. I am not sure what the author wants the boat, the river/the tide to represent to the reader. (I talked more in depth about what the boat and tide represents in a previous log.) It may become clearer later in the book, but it is extremely important to notice. Boat and water will probably come up in the same sentence again. I think it would be cool when the book is over to find all the sentences with the words: boat and some form of water, and try to figure out the riddle. The riddle is to find out what the boat and the form of water represents. (There will probably be many different perspectives. It would be interesting to know what the boat and some form of water represents to the author, and water in general.)
Log 7 Part 1 (Immigration officers barge into her Uncle's house)
“Who is it?” he shouts.
“Immigration, sir. May we please come in?”
-page 80
I had a few questions regarding this scene. 1. Why are they barging in the house doing a “routine check-up” in the middle of the night? I think they did that to catch them off guard. 2. I am pretty sure they aren’t doing a “routine check-up” and found out where some illegal immigrants lived-the question is who told them? 3. When they were at the station the supervisor said, “We’re just trying to make it easy for you folks.” I think that is probably a lie, because now with her Uncle and Father are both in jail. Who is going to make the income to support her Uncle’s family? Will they ever get out of jail? What was the reason behind her saying that? Puja noted in her blog that they only took her Uncle and not the rest of the family. I am curious why they did that in both her Uncle’s situation and her father’s…
“Immigration, sir. May we please come in?”
-page 80
I had a few questions regarding this scene. 1. Why are they barging in the house doing a “routine check-up” in the middle of the night? I think they did that to catch them off guard. 2. I am pretty sure they aren’t doing a “routine check-up” and found out where some illegal immigrants lived-the question is who told them? 3. When they were at the station the supervisor said, “We’re just trying to make it easy for you folks.” I think that is probably a lie, because now with her Uncle and Father are both in jail. Who is going to make the income to support her Uncle’s family? Will they ever get out of jail? What was the reason behind her saying that? Puja noted in her blog that they only took her Uncle and not the rest of the family. I am curious why they did that in both her Uncle’s situation and her father’s…
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Log 6 (Communication)
“And if I say something good, then it is like watching my own garden grow, and that is the greatest pleasure ever. That’s what Aisha and I are doing. We’re planting a garden with our words.” –page 79
I think Ali-Uncle is a huge positive influence in Nadira’s life. She notices a lot of his sudden actions. She realized that he is so graceful, and wise. Nadira carefully takes in what he has to say and learns from his lessons. The sentence I chose was Nadira paraphrasing a conversation she had with Ali-Uncle. I like this sentence because it gave me a new perspective about words and communication. Communication and getting your voice out can be very important and useful in the world. I believe many people take for granted that they are lucky to be able to communicate with others and the world. Their voice can contribute to making the world a better place. Many people don’t have a voice, and aren’t heard. (Like Nadira’s family.) With our voice, we can help others that don’t have one, and help their story be heard. Words can be like treasures—unless you use them the wrong way. If you chose your words carefully and thoughtful, and are passionate for what you believe in, then your writing or speaking can take you far in life. Words are the seeds to start your garden; a garden of passion and determination.
I think Ali-Uncle is a huge positive influence in Nadira’s life. She notices a lot of his sudden actions. She realized that he is so graceful, and wise. Nadira carefully takes in what he has to say and learns from his lessons. The sentence I chose was Nadira paraphrasing a conversation she had with Ali-Uncle. I like this sentence because it gave me a new perspective about words and communication. Communication and getting your voice out can be very important and useful in the world. I believe many people take for granted that they are lucky to be able to communicate with others and the world. Their voice can contribute to making the world a better place. Many people don’t have a voice, and aren’t heard. (Like Nadira’s family.) With our voice, we can help others that don’t have one, and help their story be heard. Words can be like treasures—unless you use them the wrong way. If you chose your words carefully and thoughtful, and are passionate for what you believe in, then your writing or speaking can take you far in life. Words are the seeds to start your garden; a garden of passion and determination.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Log 5 (boat can't wait)
“The boat can’t wait for the tide, nah?” he asks in Bangla. –page 45
I found this line interesting. Water keeps reoccurring throughout the book in all sorts of forms. “The boat can’t wait for the tide”. The way I decoded it is that Aisha and Nadira are the boat. They aren’t waiting for the deportation to take its course, the tide, which results in their impatience and early action setting them back. That would be the same as if a boat sailed out of a dock, even though a raging storm was taking place; and all the supplies fell into the water and the boat flipped over. The boat going out early and not in the right conditions set back the journey. Now a huge amount of time and lot more work has to get done in order to set sail again.
I think that phrase exactly matches Aisha, and Nadira’s heated talk with Mr. Rashid. I think Aisha’s early action by having a heated talk with Mr. Rashid set back their journey to get their father back, and a legal status. (I think her action was driven by impatience. That talk was a set back and realization, because he said there would be a bunch of complicated work to get done. I thought it was important that Nadira realized: “I noticed all the folders in the usually neat office: stacked upon his desk, on extra chairs. Our family is just one folder, I realized, and a not very important one.” That talk, which I think was out of despair, resulted in Aisha realizing how much trouble there were in. She broke down, telling Nadira that she was scared for Abba. That’s only the second time Nadira saw her break down. In this case, it may have been better if the boat waited for the tide.
I found this line interesting. Water keeps reoccurring throughout the book in all sorts of forms. “The boat can’t wait for the tide”. The way I decoded it is that Aisha and Nadira are the boat. They aren’t waiting for the deportation to take its course, the tide, which results in their impatience and early action setting them back. That would be the same as if a boat sailed out of a dock, even though a raging storm was taking place; and all the supplies fell into the water and the boat flipped over. The boat going out early and not in the right conditions set back the journey. Now a huge amount of time and lot more work has to get done in order to set sail again.
I think that phrase exactly matches Aisha, and Nadira’s heated talk with Mr. Rashid. I think Aisha’s early action by having a heated talk with Mr. Rashid set back their journey to get their father back, and a legal status. (I think her action was driven by impatience. That talk was a set back and realization, because he said there would be a bunch of complicated work to get done. I thought it was important that Nadira realized: “I noticed all the folders in the usually neat office: stacked upon his desk, on extra chairs. Our family is just one folder, I realized, and a not very important one.” That talk, which I think was out of despair, resulted in Aisha realizing how much trouble there were in. She broke down, telling Nadira that she was scared for Abba. That’s only the second time Nadira saw her break down. In this case, it may have been better if the boat waited for the tide.
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