Page 24:
"Every family had a daredevil. In my father's family, the honor goes to Uncle Nematollah, whose daring feat consisted of selecting his own wives, three times."
In Iranian culture, arranged marriage is expected. You don't get to choose your own husband or wife, rather your parents do the choosing for you. In the American culture, an arranged marriage seems like the strangest thing in the world. So classifying someone as a "daredevil" because they chose their own wife would seem weird to many Americans, who would say someone's a "daredevil" because they went off the highest ski jump on the mountain, or went skydiving. This short introduction to Uncle Nematollah already makes me think that he's going to be an interesting character, and not the typical Iranian who follows all of the traditions and ways. I think that Uncle Nematollah will be a fun, innovative character that Firoozeh really likes.
Page 25:
"In Iran, meal preparation took up half of each day, starting early in the morning with my mother telling our servant, Zahra, which vegetables to clean and cut. The vegetables were either grown in our garden or had been purchased the day before. The ingredients in our meals were limited to what was in season. Summer meant eggplant or okra stew, fresh tomatoes, and tiny cucumbers that I would peel and salt. Winter meant celery or rhubarb stew, cilantro, parsley, fenugreek, and my favorite fruit, sweet lemon, which is a thin-skinned, aromatic citrus not found in America. There was no such thing as canned, frozen, or fast food. Everything, except for bread, which was purchased daily, was made from scratch. Eating meant having to wait for hours for all of the ingredients to blend together just right. When the meal was finally ready, we all sat together and savored the sensuous experience of a delicious Persian meal. Upscale restaurants in America, calling themselves "innovative and gourmet," prepare food the way we used to. In Iran, it was simply how everybody ate."
This stood out to me because it is completely accurate. Here in America, we have so many processed and packaged foods. Good, home-cooking is becoming less and less common while already prepared, frozen dinners are taking its place. Firoozeh and her family had to transition from exquisite Persian meals to the dinners found in American that you can usually cook in thirty minutes or less. So many Americans are resorting to fast food because of how easy it is, and less and less families are sitting down to home-cooked meals together. For Firoozeh and her family, this was probably a very hard thing to adapt to.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Save Me, Mickey
Page 17:
"When we first came to America in 1972, we knew we would be staying only for about two years. This gave us approximately 104 weekends to see everything there was to see in California. From Knott's Berry Farm to Marine World, from the Date Festival to the Garlic Festival, we saw it all. Along the way, we tasted garlic ice cream, date shakes, and cherry slushies, and other foods that we no longer remember, although we do recall the ensuing scrambles to the drugstore for Rolaids."
This is a challenge that so many people have to endure. There's always so much to see and so little time. People want to do everything, but never have enough time. I can connect this to my own life, because it seems like there's always so much to do and so little time to do it. I have school, various sports practices, games, meets, and homework. Then on the weekends I only have a limited time to do other things, so I have to pick and choose. Firoozeh and her family wanted to see all of America that they could before they left, however there was only so much they could see before their time ran out.
Page 17-18:
"Ask my father what he considers to be man's greatest creation in the twentieth century and he won't say computers, the Concorde, or knee replacement surgery. For him, "Pirates of the Caribbean" represents the pinnacle of man's creative achievement. No matter how many times my father goes on that ride, he remains as impressed as a Disneyland virgin. "Did you see that pirate leg hanging over the bridge? Could somebody remind me that it wasn't real? And the battle between the ships, geez, was I the only one ready to duck and cover? What kind of a man would think of creating something like this? A genius, that's who." I doubt even Walt Disney's mother felt as much pride in her son as my father did."
While reading this, I thought of when my family went to Disney World. My little sister was just as impressed as Kazem with the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Disney World and Disneyland really bring out the child in everyone. Coming from Iran, Kazem had never experienced anything like that before. He was already amazed by America, so Disneyland was just the icing on the cake. This passage made me smile because instead of choosing one the great medical advances of the twentieth century, Kazem would choose Disneyland. This really brings out Kazem's character. He generally loves life, and is astonished by the everyday achievements of the Americans. I think that this shows that he is truly grateful for being able to go to America. Most people would take being able to go to Disneyland whenever they wanted for granted, but Kazem is truly amazed, and wants to go there on every spare day, because he knows that he might not always have that chance.
"When we first came to America in 1972, we knew we would be staying only for about two years. This gave us approximately 104 weekends to see everything there was to see in California. From Knott's Berry Farm to Marine World, from the Date Festival to the Garlic Festival, we saw it all. Along the way, we tasted garlic ice cream, date shakes, and cherry slushies, and other foods that we no longer remember, although we do recall the ensuing scrambles to the drugstore for Rolaids."
This is a challenge that so many people have to endure. There's always so much to see and so little time. People want to do everything, but never have enough time. I can connect this to my own life, because it seems like there's always so much to do and so little time to do it. I have school, various sports practices, games, meets, and homework. Then on the weekends I only have a limited time to do other things, so I have to pick and choose. Firoozeh and her family wanted to see all of America that they could before they left, however there was only so much they could see before their time ran out.
Page 17-18:
"Ask my father what he considers to be man's greatest creation in the twentieth century and he won't say computers, the Concorde, or knee replacement surgery. For him, "Pirates of the Caribbean" represents the pinnacle of man's creative achievement. No matter how many times my father goes on that ride, he remains as impressed as a Disneyland virgin. "Did you see that pirate leg hanging over the bridge? Could somebody remind me that it wasn't real? And the battle between the ships, geez, was I the only one ready to duck and cover? What kind of a man would think of creating something like this? A genius, that's who." I doubt even Walt Disney's mother felt as much pride in her son as my father did."
While reading this, I thought of when my family went to Disney World. My little sister was just as impressed as Kazem with the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Disney World and Disneyland really bring out the child in everyone. Coming from Iran, Kazem had never experienced anything like that before. He was already amazed by America, so Disneyland was just the icing on the cake. This passage made me smile because instead of choosing one the great medical advances of the twentieth century, Kazem would choose Disneyland. This really brings out Kazem's character. He generally loves life, and is astonished by the everyday achievements of the Americans. I think that this shows that he is truly grateful for being able to go to America. Most people would take being able to go to Disneyland whenever they wanted for granted, but Kazem is truly amazed, and wants to go there on every spare day, because he knows that he might not always have that chance.
Hot Dogs and Wild Geese
Pages 10-11:
"I had to accompany her to the grocery store, the hairdresser, the doctor, and every place else that a kid wouldn't want to go. My reward for doing this was the constant praise of every American we encountered. Hearing a seven-year-old translate Persian into English and vice versa made quite an impression on everyone. People lavished compliments on me."
Sundara faced challenges with the language barrier when she moved to America also. She had to learn English, and helped her family speak it as well. However, her family did learn English, so she wasn't as heavily relied on to translate as Firoozeh is. Firoozeh, being only seven years old, can translate Persian and English while her mother cannot. This is an amazing feat because she overcame the language barrier at such a young age. It must have really shocked so many Americans to see a seven year old Iranian girl be able to speak English while her mother could not. Firoozeh was extremely strong and independent in coming to America, and she was more so taking care of her mom due to her mother's lack of understanding the American language and culture.
Page 12:
"A few weeks later, our washing machine broke. A repairman was summoned and the leaky pipe was quickly placed. My mother wanted to know how to remove the black stain left by the leak. "Ya'll are gonna hafta use some elbow grease," he said. I thanked him and paid him and walked with my mother to the hardware store. After searching fruitlessly for elbow grease, I asked the salesclerk for help. "It removes stains," I added. The manager was called.
Once the manager finished laughing, he gave us the disappointing explanation. My mother and I walked home empty-handed. That, I later learned, is what Americans call a wild-goose chase."
As I was reading, this passage really stood out to me. It made me laugh, and I really like how whimsical the author was about it. The entire book is written extremely well in a fun and creative manner. I like how the author's personality came through in her writing. The concept of "elbow grease" stumped Firoozeh and her mom, but they took it in stride as just another challenge in adapting to the American culture.
"I had to accompany her to the grocery store, the hairdresser, the doctor, and every place else that a kid wouldn't want to go. My reward for doing this was the constant praise of every American we encountered. Hearing a seven-year-old translate Persian into English and vice versa made quite an impression on everyone. People lavished compliments on me."
Sundara faced challenges with the language barrier when she moved to America also. She had to learn English, and helped her family speak it as well. However, her family did learn English, so she wasn't as heavily relied on to translate as Firoozeh is. Firoozeh, being only seven years old, can translate Persian and English while her mother cannot. This is an amazing feat because she overcame the language barrier at such a young age. It must have really shocked so many Americans to see a seven year old Iranian girl be able to speak English while her mother could not. Firoozeh was extremely strong and independent in coming to America, and she was more so taking care of her mom due to her mother's lack of understanding the American language and culture.
Page 12:
"A few weeks later, our washing machine broke. A repairman was summoned and the leaky pipe was quickly placed. My mother wanted to know how to remove the black stain left by the leak. "Ya'll are gonna hafta use some elbow grease," he said. I thanked him and paid him and walked with my mother to the hardware store. After searching fruitlessly for elbow grease, I asked the salesclerk for help. "It removes stains," I added. The manager was called.
Once the manager finished laughing, he gave us the disappointing explanation. My mother and I walked home empty-handed. That, I later learned, is what Americans call a wild-goose chase."
As I was reading, this passage really stood out to me. It made me laugh, and I really like how whimsical the author was about it. The entire book is written extremely well in a fun and creative manner. I like how the author's personality came through in her writing. The concept of "elbow grease" stumped Firoozeh and her mom, but they took it in stride as just another challenge in adapting to the American culture.
Leffingwell Elementary School
Page 3:
"Farid, the older of my two brothers, had been sent to Philadelphia the year before to attend high school. Like most Iranian youths, he had always dreamed of attending college abroad and, despite my mother's tears, had left us to live with my uncle and his American wife. I, too, had been sad at Farid's departure, but my sorrow soon faded- not coincidentally, with the receipt of a package from him. Suddenly, having my brother on a different continent seemed like a small price to pay for owning a Barbie complete with a carrying case and four outfits, including the rain gear and mini umbrella."
This passage stuck out to me because all too often it seems like inanimate objects overcome the power of family. A luxury like a Barbie was something Firoozeh had never experienced before; so when that opportunity came her way, she was amazed by it. With her being so young combined with the thrill of getting a present from America, it's not completely surprising that she would forget her sorrows for the time being. However, I think that deep down, despite receiving a Barbie, Firoozeh still misses her brother and would any day give up her Barbie for him to come home.
Page 5:
"Before her marriage, my mother, Nazireh, had dreamed of becoming a midwife. Her father, a fairly progressive man, had even refused the two earlier suitors who had come for her so that his daughter could pursue her dream."
In Iran, an arranged marriage is expected. This is also true with Cambodia; Khmer girls marry Khmer boys. In Children of the River, there are also struggles with relationships and having to follow tradition by having an arranged marriage. Also, girls normally don't receive a formal education. They are expected to stay home, take care of the kids, clean, and cook. However, Nazireh had a dream of becoming a midwife. The fact that her father supported her, and even turned down possible marriages to allow her to follow her dream, shows that he really cares about his daughter, and that women might be taking a different stand in Iranian culture. Women deserve to make their dreams come true just as much as men, so it was a great deed when her father allowed that to happen. I think this shows just how strong and closely bonded Firoozeh's family is; whether they're in Iran or America.
"Farid, the older of my two brothers, had been sent to Philadelphia the year before to attend high school. Like most Iranian youths, he had always dreamed of attending college abroad and, despite my mother's tears, had left us to live with my uncle and his American wife. I, too, had been sad at Farid's departure, but my sorrow soon faded- not coincidentally, with the receipt of a package from him. Suddenly, having my brother on a different continent seemed like a small price to pay for owning a Barbie complete with a carrying case and four outfits, including the rain gear and mini umbrella."
This passage stuck out to me because all too often it seems like inanimate objects overcome the power of family. A luxury like a Barbie was something Firoozeh had never experienced before; so when that opportunity came her way, she was amazed by it. With her being so young combined with the thrill of getting a present from America, it's not completely surprising that she would forget her sorrows for the time being. However, I think that deep down, despite receiving a Barbie, Firoozeh still misses her brother and would any day give up her Barbie for him to come home.
Page 5:
"Before her marriage, my mother, Nazireh, had dreamed of becoming a midwife. Her father, a fairly progressive man, had even refused the two earlier suitors who had come for her so that his daughter could pursue her dream."
In Iran, an arranged marriage is expected. This is also true with Cambodia; Khmer girls marry Khmer boys. In Children of the River, there are also struggles with relationships and having to follow tradition by having an arranged marriage. Also, girls normally don't receive a formal education. They are expected to stay home, take care of the kids, clean, and cook. However, Nazireh had a dream of becoming a midwife. The fact that her father supported her, and even turned down possible marriages to allow her to follow her dream, shows that he really cares about his daughter, and that women might be taking a different stand in Iranian culture. Women deserve to make their dreams come true just as much as men, so it was a great deed when her father allowed that to happen. I think this shows just how strong and closely bonded Firoozeh's family is; whether they're in Iran or America.
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