I-raynians Need Not Apply

1. "When I became an American citizen, in college, my father called to ask whether I was planning to vote in the upcoming election. "If I have time," I answered. My father then told me that perhaps I did not deserve to be a citizen." page 118

I feel like I'm in the same boat as Firoozeh, we don't care all that much about politics. While our fathers are very involved. My father stands by his opinions strongly just like Kazeem did, and will definitely want me to vote when I'm eligible. Depending on the candidates and someone who I find genuine, I don't know If I'll want to vote when I'm eighteen, just like Firoozeh. I have things that I have opinions on, but I don't enjoy politics.

2. "He remained an Iranian who loved his native country but who also believed in American ideas." page 121

This is also what Sundara believed in at the end of the book, Children of the River (I think that Soka was getting there). She loved her country and its customs, but she also wanted to fit into America and date Jonathan, which was against her culture. So she found a spot in between where she could be a part of both cultures.

I Ran and I Ran and I Ran

I Ran and I Ran and I Ran

1."My parents and I ran and ran and ran." page 113

Both Frioozeh and Sundara had to run from people who were persecuting them for being themselves. When Firoozeh and her family went to Washington D.C. to see the Shah, there were angry protestors who attacked the group of Shah supporters. Luckily, Firoozeh and her family were able to escape without a scratch, just as Sundara and her family escaped before they were hurt by the Khmer Rouge.

2. "The lobby was filled with and bandaged survivors exchanging horror stories. At the sight of all the wounded, my father turned to my mother and me and said, 'Don't mention we went on a tour. It's going to look bad that we were having fun while everybody else was suffering.'" page 114

Firoozeh and her family were able to escape the worst just as Sundara and her family were able too. They both experienced guilt towards the fact that other people, their own people, suffered while they didn't. 

It's All Relatives

1. "Not surprisingly, my native language, Persian, contains many more precise words for relatives than does the English language. My father's brothers are my amoo. My mother's brother is a dye-yee." page 96

Why doesn't the English language have more specific names for relatives? It would be a lot easier in my opinion.

2. "My oldest paternal uncle, Muhammad, did become a doctor...He and his family fled to America in 1980 with just a few belongings, Muhammad's Iranian license did not allow him to practice in America, so he had to take both English and medical courses and pass the the necessary exams." page 101

The same happened to Sundara's uncle, who was able to rise to the position of accountant after much hard work. While Pok Simo's father was demoted to a janitor from his high ranking military position in Cambodia.

Hot Dogs and Wild Geese

1. "My mother soon decided that the easiest way for her to communicate with Americans was to use me as an interpreter." page 10

The same situation applied to Sundara in Children of the River, when she had to translate for and take care of her Aunt Soka when they first moved to America.

2. "Even if she did speak a sentence more or less correctly, her accent made it incomprehensible. 'W' and 'th' gave her the most difficulty." page 11

In Children of the River, Sundara also had trouble with the "th" sound, "'Not'ing,' Sundara said. She could never master the t-h sound." page 11 (Children of the River) I wonder if all people from middle eastern countries have trouble with that sound?

Swoosh-Swoosh

1. "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. On the other hand, if the parents don't like each other, but the children do, well, this is where sad poetry comes from." page 24

Marriages are decided upon the same way in Cambodian culture, where Sundara is from. It is her aunt and uncle's responsibility to choose her husband. However, she likes Jonathan, an American boy. If her aunt and uncle knew the way they felt about each other, she would be in big trouble.

2. "A couple of months after my uncle's arrival, he realized that somehow none of the cloths in the suitcase fit him." page 27

In Children of the River, Soka was criticizing Sundara about how she hadn't gained any weight from eating so much while she had put on a few pounds in her new American life.

The "F" Word

1. "When I was twelve, I decided to simplify my life by adding an American middle name. The decision serves as proof that sometimes simplifying one's life in the short run only complicates it in the long run." page 63

Not many people know that my real name is Veronica, which I inherited from my Great Grandmother Veronica, who was also called Neeka. This is where I got my "nick-name", that usually serves as my real name. When I was a little bit younger than Firoozeh at that age, I tried the same thing. I was tired or my names and wanted a new one. So when I started a new dance class, I told people that my name was Ronnie (sort for Veronica). One day halfway through the year, my teacher was telling my mom about me in class and mentioned me as Ronnie. My mom got really confused. When they figured it out, she thought it was the funniest thing. Ronnie was no more after that. I'm still embarrassed by it and wish that it had never happened. Just like Firoozeh, I am true to my "real" name, Neeka, which I love, because it's unique.

2. "I finally chose the name 'Julie' mainly for its simplicity" page 64

I wonder why Sundara and her family didn't choose American names when they immigrated? I'm happy that they didn't, I don't thing that you should have to change your name for anything (unless your parents gave you a really bad one or you're in the WPP). I'm guessing probably because they wanted to stay true to their country, they didn't chose to come to America, they had to.

A Dozen Key Chains

1. "I did not want to go to camp." page 45

When I was younger and couldn't stay at home alone during the sumer, I had to go to day camps, I hated them. The whole day consisted of the counselors giving you a bunch of activities to choose from, usually sports and arts and crafts. I always chose crafts. Even worse were sleep away camps, which I never went to because I couldn't stand the idea of leaving my home for a week to go someplace where I didn't know anybody. I can relate to Firoozeh when she decided that she didn't want to go to camp, but still had to. I would have hated that.

2. "I decided then and there not to bahte." page 46

I could never do what Firoozeh did. Personal hygiene is really important. I always want to be clean and smell good. I would find some way to bathe without being walked in on.