Quote:
Page 116: "After thirty-tree years with the same company, my father never doubted the security of his future. But with the Iranian revolution, my fathers world turned upside down."
Reaction (Connection to World/Country)
This quote relates to how most of America felt when the recession hit. People had been working for a company most of their careers and before they knew it, it had been pulled right from underneath them not even expecting it.
Quote:
Page 120: "With its high salary and unlimited expansion potential, this job almost seemed to good to be true."
Reaction:
Nothing is as good as it seems. Just when you think things are looked good, expect the worst.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
'I ran and I ran and I ran'
Quote:
Page 113: "The demenstrators had crossed the road. They were stampeding toward us waving sticks with nails driven into them. People were screaming and running. Instead of Iranian flags, the lawn was suddenly covered with bloody and injured Iranians. My parents and I ran and ran and ran."
Reaction:
I don't really think that this was necessary for people to do. Firoozeh and her family were just trying to peacefully honor their homeland and the demonstrators did not need to demonstrate so harshly. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think that was excessively harsh.
Quote:
Page 113: "Across the street, we found a police officer on horseback. 'Excuse me,' I said, 'we're afraid we're going to get beat up. Could you please help us get back to our hotel?' Perhaps this officer had joined the police force because of the handsome uniforms or perhaps he wanted a job that let him ride a horse. He looked at us and said 'Sorry, that's not my job.'"
Reaction:
Then what is his job. I was a little irritated by that quote because it just shows and validates peoples thoughts of what police officers do.
Page 113: "The demenstrators had crossed the road. They were stampeding toward us waving sticks with nails driven into them. People were screaming and running. Instead of Iranian flags, the lawn was suddenly covered with bloody and injured Iranians. My parents and I ran and ran and ran."
Reaction:
I don't really think that this was necessary for people to do. Firoozeh and her family were just trying to peacefully honor their homeland and the demonstrators did not need to demonstrate so harshly. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think that was excessively harsh.
Quote:
Page 113: "Across the street, we found a police officer on horseback. 'Excuse me,' I said, 'we're afraid we're going to get beat up. Could you please help us get back to our hotel?' Perhaps this officer had joined the police force because of the handsome uniforms or perhaps he wanted a job that let him ride a horse. He looked at us and said 'Sorry, that's not my job.'"
Reaction:
Then what is his job. I was a little irritated by that quote because it just shows and validates peoples thoughts of what police officers do.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
'Me and Bob Hope'
Quote:
Page 105: " In school, one of the subjects we studied was religion. We learned not only Islam but also about Judaism, Christianity, and Buddhism. We were taught to practice Islam, but to respect all religions."
Reactions:
I think that that was very important and I think that that is something that should be taught in all other religions as well. I think that one religion does not respect another and people conflict because of their religious practices.
Quote:
Page 106: "The festivities are preceded by weeks of preparation. Everyone thoroughly cleans his house, buys or makes new clothes, and bakes traditional pastries."
Reaction:
This kind of reminds me of what Americans do for spring and kind of the Chinese New Year. Americans during spring buy new clothes, and do some spring cleaning. In the Chinese New Year, they have people over and they clean. So it reminds me of both,
Page 105: " In school, one of the subjects we studied was religion. We learned not only Islam but also about Judaism, Christianity, and Buddhism. We were taught to practice Islam, but to respect all religions."
Reactions:
I think that that was very important and I think that that is something that should be taught in all other religions as well. I think that one religion does not respect another and people conflict because of their religious practices.
Quote:
Page 106: "The festivities are preceded by weeks of preparation. Everyone thoroughly cleans his house, buys or makes new clothes, and bakes traditional pastries."
Reaction:
This kind of reminds me of what Americans do for spring and kind of the Chinese New Year. Americans during spring buy new clothes, and do some spring cleaning. In the Chinese New Year, they have people over and they clean. So it reminds me of both,
'Save Me Mickey'
Quote:
Page 17: "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."
Reaction:
When I read this, I thought to myself that most Americans do that stuff and I thought it was cool how her family wanted to see everything. I know that my mom would try to do stuff like that with my brother and I when we were little. I remember she tried to find something to do one weekend and so we ended up in the car for a few hours to go to an aquarium. We all thought the aquarium was going to be really cool but it ended up being the size of Ms. Ferrante's room and Mr. McNeely's room put together. We enjoyed it though because we were all together so that was something that I related to.
Quote:
Page 19: "One of moving to America was child kidnappings."
Reaction:
This, I think, is a misconception of America as well as other countries. There is always bad parts of cities in America. People think of Portland, Maine as a bad city all together, when in all actuality there are the good part but then there are the bad parts. Not all of Portland is a bad city. You have that in all cities all over the place. The good and then some bad.
Page 17: "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."
Reaction:
When I read this, I thought to myself that most Americans do that stuff and I thought it was cool how her family wanted to see everything. I know that my mom would try to do stuff like that with my brother and I when we were little. I remember she tried to find something to do one weekend and so we ended up in the car for a few hours to go to an aquarium. We all thought the aquarium was going to be really cool but it ended up being the size of Ms. Ferrante's room and Mr. McNeely's room put together. We enjoyed it though because we were all together so that was something that I related to.
Quote:
Page 19: "One of moving to America was child kidnappings."
Reaction:
This, I think, is a misconception of America as well as other countries. There is always bad parts of cities in America. People think of Portland, Maine as a bad city all together, when in all actuality there are the good part but then there are the bad parts. Not all of Portland is a bad city. You have that in all cities all over the place. The good and then some bad.
'The Ham Amendment'
Quote:
Page 82 "His picture was everywhere. The serious expression on his face made it clear that this was an important person having important thoughts."
Reactions (Connection to World):
In 8th grade, out class did a unit on dictators. When Firoozeh was talking about the ruler of Iran, it reminded me of 8th grade when we talked about the ruler of North Korea. He has his picture and statues all over the place and the people go crazy over him.
Quote:
Page 86 "All the stories were marvelous -- until the lecture about forbidden foods. To my complete shock, I discovered that my own father was destined to a very bad place for a very long time. All of a sudden, our ham excursions no longer seemed fun and innocent."
Reactions (Connections to Funny in Farsi)
In Children of the River, Ravi was the one that was changing his ways and becoming westernized. This relates to Funny in Farsi and the way that people change what they believe in. Ravi ate McDonald's and not Firoozeh's father is eating ham, something he should not be eating.
Page 82 "His picture was everywhere. The serious expression on his face made it clear that this was an important person having important thoughts."
Reactions (Connection to World):
In 8th grade, out class did a unit on dictators. When Firoozeh was talking about the ruler of Iran, it reminded me of 8th grade when we talked about the ruler of North Korea. He has his picture and statues all over the place and the people go crazy over him.
Quote:
Page 86 "All the stories were marvelous -- until the lecture about forbidden foods. To my complete shock, I discovered that my own father was destined to a very bad place for a very long time. All of a sudden, our ham excursions no longer seemed fun and innocent."
Reactions (Connections to Funny in Farsi)
In Children of the River, Ravi was the one that was changing his ways and becoming westernized. This relates to Funny in Farsi and the way that people change what they believe in. Ravi ate McDonald's and not Firoozeh's father is eating ham, something he should not be eating.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
'America, Land of the Free'
Quote:
Page 75: "Persian ice cream serves as a reminder that Persia was once one of the greatest empires in the world."
Reaction (Connection to school):
Before February vacation, in History, Mr. Kahill's class finished our unit about ancient Greece and the wars that the Greeks and the Persians were involved in and won.
Quote:
Page 75: "My relatives and I are proud to be Iranian, but we also give tremendous thanks for our lives in America, a nation where freedom reigns."
Reaction(World):
I think that this a common misconception about immigrants. I think that most people in the United States think that people from other countries come and take advantage of the systems and take our jobs and don't appreciate it. I think it is a huge misconception that people have and I don't think that it is true in every situations.
Page 75: "Persian ice cream serves as a reminder that Persia was once one of the greatest empires in the world."
Reaction (Connection to school):
Before February vacation, in History, Mr. Kahill's class finished our unit about ancient Greece and the wars that the Greeks and the Persians were involved in and won.
Quote:
Page 75: "My relatives and I are proud to be Iranian, but we also give tremendous thanks for our lives in America, a nation where freedom reigns."
Reaction(World):
I think that this a common misconception about immigrants. I think that most people in the United States think that people from other countries come and take advantage of the systems and take our jobs and don't appreciate it. I think it is a huge misconception that people have and I don't think that it is true in every situations.
'Waterloo'
Quote:
Page 69: "The stories were interesting the first fourteen time, but beyond that, they became the equivalent of the neighbor's vacation slides..."
Reaction:
I thought this was funny. I know of people and I think I am one of those people that tells a story a bazillion times. My family especially gets tired of hearing the same story and want me to move on.
Quote:
Page 70: "I've never been interestesed in why exactly an airplane can fly; I want to know if the pilot has had enough sleep."
Reaction:
I am that kind of person; the kind that doesn't care about how something happens, I care that it is safe.
Page 69: "The stories were interesting the first fourteen time, but beyond that, they became the equivalent of the neighbor's vacation slides..."
Reaction:
I thought this was funny. I know of people and I think I am one of those people that tells a story a bazillion times. My family especially gets tired of hearing the same story and want me to move on.
Quote:
Page 70: "I've never been interestesed in why exactly an airplane can fly; I want to know if the pilot has had enough sleep."
Reaction:
I am that kind of person; the kind that doesn't care about how something happens, I care that it is safe.
Friday, February 3, 2012
'Swoosh-Swoosh'
Quote:
Page 24: "Marriage, in my culture, has nothing to do with romance. It's a matter of logic. If Mr. and Mrs. Ahmadi like Mr. and Mrs. Nejati, then their children should get married."
Reaction (Connection to Children of the River):
Just like in Children of the River, marriages are arranged. Even if you are in love with someone, you can't marry them if your parents do not arrange you.
Quote:
Page 27: "Several times a week, my father would buy a couple of buckets of fried chicken on his way home from work. We'd fight over the crispy crumbs at the bottom and wash it all down with Coke. On other nights, we ate pizza, marveling at the stretch cheese and our insatiable appetite for this wondrous food."
Reaction (Connection to book and World):
First of all, in Children of the River, Sundara's family does not stray away much from traditional food. Second of all, I find it funny that they think that that stuff is so good. As americans, I guess we have just grown up around it so we don't find it as wonderful as they do.
'In the Gutter'
Quote:
Page 13: "He and his siblings survived through teamwork, and now, even though they are well into their seventies and have many kids and grandkids they remain the central players in one another's lives." ... "Telling my father that his beloved sister, Sedigeh, is angry with him is like putting a grown man in time out."
Reaction (Connection to my Life):
When I read this, I immediately thought of my brother. We have our differences and don't always get along, but I hate it if we are mad at each other for long periods of time. We always end up talking though.
Quote:
Page 16: "More important, his Wednesday evening bowling nights had forced him to miss The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. Now he was able to squeeze onto the sofa with the rest of us and catch up."
Reaction (Connection):
This quote stuck out to me because I picture Americans the ones who watch show religiously. We huddle up and watch something that is unimportant but we enjoy for pleasure. In Children of the River, Pon and Ravy enjoy watching TV and have become "americanized" from doing so.
Page 13: "He and his siblings survived through teamwork, and now, even though they are well into their seventies and have many kids and grandkids they remain the central players in one another's lives." ... "Telling my father that his beloved sister, Sedigeh, is angry with him is like putting a grown man in time out."
Reaction (Connection to my Life):
When I read this, I immediately thought of my brother. We have our differences and don't always get along, but I hate it if we are mad at each other for long periods of time. We always end up talking though.
Quote:
Page 16: "More important, his Wednesday evening bowling nights had forced him to miss The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour. Now he was able to squeeze onto the sofa with the rest of us and catch up."
Reaction (Connection):
This quote stuck out to me because I picture Americans the ones who watch show religiously. We huddle up and watch something that is unimportant but we enjoy for pleasure. In Children of the River, Pon and Ravy enjoy watching TV and have become "americanized" from doing so.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
'Leffingwell Elementary School'
Quote:
Page 3: "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."
Reaction (Confusion):
I was confused at this part. I did not understand if she was saying that she was responsible for her brothers leaving; it just did not make since to me. Previously, the book said the her brother went to America because he was attending high school so why would she feel guilty if that is even what she is saying.
Quote:
Page 4: "Until my first day at Leffingwell Elementary School, I had never had thought of my mother as an embarrassment, but the sight of all the kids in the school staring at us before the bell rang was enough to make me pretend I didn't know her."
Reaction (Connection to the World):
As kids and teens, we are all embarrassed by our parents. As little kids, we think nothing of our parents but as we get older, we become embarrassed and don't want to be seen with them. Most of the time though, we are embarrassed because of something our parents have done, but in this case, her mother has done nothing beside accompany her daughter to school to stay safe.
Page 3: "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."
Reaction (Confusion):
I was confused at this part. I did not understand if she was saying that she was responsible for her brothers leaving; it just did not make since to me. Previously, the book said the her brother went to America because he was attending high school so why would she feel guilty if that is even what she is saying.
Quote:
Page 4: "Until my first day at Leffingwell Elementary School, I had never had thought of my mother as an embarrassment, but the sight of all the kids in the school staring at us before the bell rang was enough to make me pretend I didn't know her."
Reaction (Connection to the World):
As kids and teens, we are all embarrassed by our parents. As little kids, we think nothing of our parents but as we get older, we become embarrassed and don't want to be seen with them. Most of the time though, we are embarrassed because of something our parents have done, but in this case, her mother has done nothing beside accompany her daughter to school to stay safe.
Introduction
This blog is my blog for Ms. Ferrante's Freshmen English class' Funny in Farsi unit. I will be posting about the following chapter:
-Leffingwell Elementary School
-In the Gutter
-Save Me, Mickey
-Swoosh-Swoosh
-Waterloo
-America, Land of the Free
-The Ham Amendment
-Me and Bob Hope
-I Ran and I Ran and I Ran
-I-raynians Need Not Apply
Follow this blog so I can read yours!!
Enjoy!
-Leffingwell Elementary School
-In the Gutter
-Save Me, Mickey
-Swoosh-Swoosh
-Waterloo
-America, Land of the Free
-The Ham Amendment
-Me and Bob Hope
-I Ran and I Ran and I Ran
-I-raynians Need Not Apply
Follow this blog so I can read yours!!
Enjoy!
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