"It's been a long while since I felt so good about Aisha. We're together, a sister-sister team. Sometimes an idea occurs to me in the middle of class, and I'll jot it down and meet her in the halls later. Papers we can show. A way to phrase something. It's like my brain is suddenly sharp and clear, though I'm moving real slow, and I know what my move is two steps ahead of me." page 78
I really like this quote because it shows you how the sisters are now treating each other. You see that they are finally bonding, which was due to happen soon. Now that they have a reason to work together, they are treating each other well and are very excited to be doing this letter. For Nadira to finally say that they are "a sister-sister team" means she has learned to get along well with Aisha and do something that can help their family. I really wanted Nadira and Aisha to get along, ever since the beginning. With the girls fighting, they couldn't help each other and protect their family. Now, with this bond, they might actually be able to finish this letter, retrieve their father from detainment, and bring their parents into Canada with asylum.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Chapter 7-8 Blog
"Abba always believed--even as the sky spits at you, or a drought cheats you of your crop, or the soldiers plunder your house, or the rent collector wants a bribe--you do the right thing. You have to stand for something, like Naseem. That's what he taught Aisha and me." Ch. 7, pg 57
I chose this quote because you can see how Abba taught Aisha and Nadira from his own experiences. I also liked the descriptions of this quote, which describe the different things that can happen. Abba really loved Naseem, and looked up to him as a person who could always guide him. When Naseem was killed, Abba felt as if a part of him was missing, so he taught his daughters that they have to "stand for something, like Naseem." He needed to continue on the memory of Naseem and make sure his daughters learned the same values he did when he was younger.
I chose this quote because you can see how Abba taught Aisha and Nadira from his own experiences. I also liked the descriptions of this quote, which describe the different things that can happen. Abba really loved Naseem, and looked up to him as a person who could always guide him. When Naseem was killed, Abba felt as if a part of him was missing, so he taught his daughters that they have to "stand for something, like Naseem." He needed to continue on the memory of Naseem and make sure his daughters learned the same values he did when he was younger.
Wetback
This video was a really good example of showing what really happens when people cross borders illegally. One thing I noticed was the difference in the two men who were crossing. One of them, Nayo, was more tired and always thinking about his friends and family, while the other, Milton, was feeling fine and was eager to keep moving and get a better life in Canada.
Comparing these men to the girls in Ask Me No Questions, I think Nayo is more like Nadira. They are both thinking about the worst-case scenario, and are worried about family and friends. Milton and Aisha are both the leaders who are strong and eager to get to their destination.
Milton and Aisha seem to be the people who are confident in themselves and the journeys ahead of them. They feel prepared for what could happen, and try to focus on the better possibilities.
Nayo and Nadira, on the other hand, seem less confident. Nayo was calling his mother often, and Nadira is always worried about her parents. They are following Milton and Aisha because they aren't sure where exactly to go next.
The book and movie are both good examples of how people cross the border and what it takes to change from the follower to a confident leader.
Comparing these men to the girls in Ask Me No Questions, I think Nayo is more like Nadira. They are both thinking about the worst-case scenario, and are worried about family and friends. Milton and Aisha are both the leaders who are strong and eager to get to their destination.
Milton and Aisha seem to be the people who are confident in themselves and the journeys ahead of them. They feel prepared for what could happen, and try to focus on the better possibilities.
Nayo and Nadira, on the other hand, seem less confident. Nayo was calling his mother often, and Nadira is always worried about her parents. They are following Milton and Aisha because they aren't sure where exactly to go next.
The book and movie are both good examples of how people cross the border and what it takes to change from the follower to a confident leader.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Chapter 5 Blog - Ask me no questions
"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. That's the policy at school. Ask me no questions, we say silently. And the teachers don't. 'We're not the INS,' I once heard one of them say. 'We're here to teach.' But sometimes I feel like shaking their sleeves and blurting out, Ask me. Please." (pages 29-30)
I think this quote was a good example of how the people act at school and how they respect the other students who may or may not be illegal. It seems as if Nadira needs someone to be there to talk to and share what is going on in her life. Without that, she becomes stressed and it is hard to keep everything a secret.
The teachers don't want to bother the students about their personal issues, so they let them be. I think that is good of them so they don't get too involved in the students lives. It is very good for the illegals because then no one will find out about their secret. I also liked this quote because it included the title in it.
I think this quote was a good example of how the people act at school and how they respect the other students who may or may not be illegal. It seems as if Nadira needs someone to be there to talk to and share what is going on in her life. Without that, she becomes stressed and it is hard to keep everything a secret.
The teachers don't want to bother the students about their personal issues, so they let them be. I think that is good of them so they don't get too involved in the students lives. It is very good for the illegals because then no one will find out about their secret. I also liked this quote because it included the title in it.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Chapter 6 Blog
"Before I can help myself, I've jumped up from the table and shoved Aisha's tray back at her so the gravy goes slopping onto her neat buttoned blouse. 'What are you talking about, Aisha?' I whisper hotly. 'You and your little perfect scores and your perfect this and that? Who cares if you're valedictorian? You're not going to college! You're not going anywhere!'
Aisha looks as if I've socked her in the chest. She sits back, breathing hard. Her frizzy hair has straggled loose from her braid. She blinks away a few tears. The others stare at me in shock. Then she picks up her tray, stiffly, and walks down the aisle of tables. I'm left staring at my own tray. Strange, nasty thoughts swarm into my head. I've never made my sister cry before. It seems impossible. Aisha is too strong, too smart for me. But this is different. It's like having a new kind of power, black and ugly, like what Uncle did to me this morning.
And the weird thing is: I like it." (page 51-52)
I chose this quote because it shows how she transforms from the younger sister with low self-confidence, to the girl who has the courage to embarrass her sister. I thought it was good of Nadira to stand up to Aisha, but then that screwed up her relationship with Aisha. Nadira could have agreed to get along with Aisha, but instead, she chose to stay safe and not trust her sister who was known to go back on her word. I felt bad for Aisha in this scene, but I also think she deserved it. It made her be a little less "perfect" and get a sense of how Nadira might feel in that place. I really hope both girls can come into their senses and learn to live with each other.
Aisha looks as if I've socked her in the chest. She sits back, breathing hard. Her frizzy hair has straggled loose from her braid. She blinks away a few tears. The others stare at me in shock. Then she picks up her tray, stiffly, and walks down the aisle of tables. I'm left staring at my own tray. Strange, nasty thoughts swarm into my head. I've never made my sister cry before. It seems impossible. Aisha is too strong, too smart for me. But this is different. It's like having a new kind of power, black and ugly, like what Uncle did to me this morning.
And the weird thing is: I like it." (page 51-52)
I chose this quote because it shows how she transforms from the younger sister with low self-confidence, to the girl who has the courage to embarrass her sister. I thought it was good of Nadira to stand up to Aisha, but then that screwed up her relationship with Aisha. Nadira could have agreed to get along with Aisha, but instead, she chose to stay safe and not trust her sister who was known to go back on her word. I felt bad for Aisha in this scene, but I also think she deserved it. It made her be a little less "perfect" and get a sense of how Nadira might feel in that place. I really hope both girls can come into their senses and learn to live with each other.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Response to Maddie's Blog
I agree with what Maddie said in her blog. The quote she chose really showed the kind of relationship Nadira and Aisha have. If the sisters can't talk to each other, than they might not be able to live in that way, and separate. I think that without each other there, they could easily fail at their goal to cross the border into Canada. I agree with Maddie when she said: "...if that means that Aisha needs to swallow her pride once in a while or that Nadira needs to gain confidence." I thought this sentence really reflected on the girls' behavior and what needs to happen in order to get along with each other. I hope they can get along for a while to help themselves and their parents.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Chapter 3-4 Blog - Stories
"These are the stories you hear from your grandmother with the dry rattle in her throat, her teeth stained red from pan and betel leaves; from your abba when he's in a quiet mood and smoothes you hair over and over.
You're only little, but you know it's there: that feeling that you never know what terror will pulse from the ground." -page 22
I chose this quote because it describes really well the way you see people telling the stories. The things grandmothers would say are reminding them of what happened, which could have been terrible. I really like the way she said: "with the dry rattle in her throat, her teeth stained red from pan and betel leaves" because it is very descriptive and you can really imagine her grandmother telling the stories.
When I read this part of the book, it struck me as an intense quote. "You're only little, but you know it's there: that feeling that you never know what terror will pulse from the ground." This sentence made me think for a minute to understand its depth.
I felt that the whole third chapter was a good break from the story to describe the background of Nadira's family and country. It shows you how she might feel about going back or not, and why she thinks that way. I believe she wants to go back, but is afraid of what she might find there when she does.
You're only little, but you know it's there: that feeling that you never know what terror will pulse from the ground." -page 22
I chose this quote because it describes really well the way you see people telling the stories. The things grandmothers would say are reminding them of what happened, which could have been terrible. I really like the way she said: "with the dry rattle in her throat, her teeth stained red from pan and betel leaves" because it is very descriptive and you can really imagine her grandmother telling the stories.
When I read this part of the book, it struck me as an intense quote. "You're only little, but you know it's there: that feeling that you never know what terror will pulse from the ground." This sentence made me think for a minute to understand its depth.
I felt that the whole third chapter was a good break from the story to describe the background of Nadira's family and country. It shows you how she might feel about going back or not, and why she thinks that way. I believe she wants to go back, but is afraid of what she might find there when she does.
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