"We counted on him (to translate) the language and the culture." pg.8
It must've been hard to have your only translator be your dad, who isn't too familiar with the land either.
And I'm sure it would've been hard to tolerate too, when the little kid in your dad takes over, wanting to be "the leader".
"He was the only person who actually read each and every document before he signed it." pg.9
I think it's really interesting that he did this so that he could learn to communicate better. It's like when we are first learning to read and are really excited and proud when we can read The Cat in the Hat. It might've been embarrassing for Firoozeh but I'm proud that her dad was taking it so seriously, despite what others might've thought of him.
In the Gutter
"Unwilling to abandon his champagne wishes and caviar dreams, my father dreamed of ways to get rich." ph.14
I think that it's really funny that he has the dream of becoming rich, (by winning Bowling for Dollars). Throughout the book, you see the little kid in Firoozeh's dad shining through: the way he appreciates and is curious about every little thing. He takes everything someone says to heart, which is why it was so funny when he considered Bowling for Dollars legitimate.
"My father returned that night looking sadder than I had ever seen him." pg.15
It's so sad and adorable how excited he was about a game show, but how torn he was when he lost.
It's funny how quickly they were to learn something that takes others years and understanding that things may be harder than they seem.
Save Me, Mickey
"There was, however, one attraction that stood apart, one whose sweatshirts we wore with pride, one that generated near religious devotion: Disneyland." pg.17
The way Firoozeh and her family acts and how everything is so new and unfamiliar to them makes it really easy to relate. I'm sure we all can say that Disneyland was one of the best memories of our childhood, just like it was to Firoozeh and her dad, but at a later age.
"A gerbil would never mistake a hamster for a gerbil and I would never mistake a non-Iranian for an Iranian." pg.21
Firoozeh phrases this really well, explaining that despite the ignorance of some people, not everyone from the same continent knows each other, or even speaks the same language. This is similar to when people mistake Japanese for Chinese or vice versa. Or when your, somewhat oblivious, relatives ask you if you know a kid who's your age and lives within the same county. They seem to think that all kids know each other personally, for some reason that I don't fully understand.
Swoosh, Swoosh
"If Mr. and Mrs. Ahmadi like Mr. and Mrs. Nejati, then their children should get married." pg.24
Sundara's aunt Soka was always on the look out for nice Khmer boys for her, constantly trying to make Sundara more appealing. She was also trying to get in good with the boy's parents because she knew that if they clicked then there was chance of a wedding.
"My father's motto has always been, 'Room in the heart, room in the house'." pg.25
This shows how different we can be, though family is still very important in both of our cultures. But Iranians, and Cambodians, are more open with their affection and love being close to/around their families. Americans, despite the love they may have, like cracking jokes about in-laws rather than have them stay in their houses for weeks at a time.
With a Little Help from My Friends
"None of the kids in Whittier, a city an hour outside of Los Angeles, ever asked me about geography. They wanted to know about more important things, such as camels." pg. 32
This is kind of funny because kids don't care about factual things that they could learn in school like capitals and neighboring countries. But it's also ignorant the way they assume they owned camels simply because they were from the Middle East. Situations like this must've been quite frustrating for Firoozeh and her family, though they remained respectful.
"Older boys often asked me to teach them 'some bad words in your language'. At first, I politely refused. My refusal merely increased their determination, so I solved the problem by teaching them phrases like man charm, which means 'I'm an idiot'. […] They would then spend all of recess running around yelling, 'I'm an idiot!'" pg. 34
This seems very realistic and fathomable because we've all probably seen this happen. I can sympathize with Firoozeh but I applaud her for rising above their immaturity and allowing herself to laugh at the situation, which I imagine she had to do frequently after arriving in America.
Bernice
"Have you noticed how all the recent serial killers have been Americans? I won't hold it against you." pg. 40
I feel for Firoozeh because people are constantly, though sometimes subconsciously, making assumptions and judging them by where they come from. This quote gives you the awareness of how you may sometimes act, stereotyping people before getting to know them.
"All François has to do is mention his obviously French name and people find him intriguing. It is assumed that he's a sensitive, well-read intellectual, someone who, when not reciting Baudelaire, spends his days creating Impressionist paintings." pg. 40
The same idea goes for this quote: judging people before actually meeting them. I reluctantly admit that I find myself doing the same thing. There are some countries, in our minds, that are just "so cool" and admirable that the people from their must be the same way, because we have this somewhat twisted description in our minds. For me it'd have to be Australia, England, France, Canada, Italy or Spain; if someone told me they were from one of those places they'd instantly be my best friend, despite them being a complete idiot. So I feel bad for Firoozeh, or others from countries that I didn't list, because they might be really cool people but my first reaction wouldn't be the same as for someone with a British accent.
A Dozen Key Chains
"This reputation, carved in stone, is usually the result of a somewhat random act that for some unknown reason takes on a far greater meaning, and becomes the defining moment in a life." pg. 42
I think this is really cute, how they share a renown family connection. Also, how it's similar to how you're judged by your peers as a kid. But if I was stuck to with an cruel nickname I'd be pretty upset, especially because there'd be nothing I could do about it.
"I sat by myself and secretly wished that some kind person would sit next to me and be my friend. No one sat next to me." pg. 46
This is really adorable and sad, especially because all we ever want, as a kid and when we grow up, is to be liked and to make lasting friends. But the fact that no one sat next to her really annoyed me, considering that when you're a child you tend to befriend anyone because you are naïve, in a good way, to differences in ourselves that some would use as reasonings to discriminate.
The "F Word"
"My brothers, Farid and Farshid, thought that adding an American name was totally stupid. They later became Fred and Sean." pg. 64
It annoys me that kids were so ignorant that they couldn't comprehend the significance of their native names. I think it's sickening that they caused so much trouble for them that they eventually felt that changing their name, so they would fit in, was the only way to survive their harsh jokes.
"After three months of rejections, I added "Julie" to my résumé. Call it coincidence, but the job offers started coming in. Perhaps it's the same kind of coincidence that keeps African Americans from getting cabs in New York." pg. 65
This is also revolting: the discrimination and prejudice that Firoozeh and her family had to go through, after everything they'd been through and gave up to come here. I'd like to think that we've matured, as a society, and are through with resorting to racial prejudice, (which a lot of us have), but it still pains me when I hear things like this happening today.
Waterloo
"The stories were interesting the first fourteen times, but beyond that, they became the equivalent of the neighbor's vacation slides showing the cathedrals of France from angles." pg. 69
Practically everything her dad does is really adorable because it's like he's a child exploring something new, which he is in a way. And I totally understand when Firoozeh is fed up with acting older than him but it's just so cute how curious he is, (how proud he is when he accomplishes/discovers something else).
"Besides, Switzerland has never particularly welcomed Iranians, thus accruing the magnetism that comes only with repeated rejection." pg. 71
She makes a good point of when people (or societies) "play hard to get", it makes them seem more appealing and intriguing. For some reason, it makes things more interesting.
America, Land of the Free
"Every Thanksgiving, my extended family and I gather at my cousin Morteza's house. My mother brings her traditional shrimp curry, my aunt Sedigeh brings her lima-bean rice with lamb shanks, and my aunt Fatimeh brings her homemade baklava. […] Everyone then proceeds to catch up on the latest family gossip, which usually involves rumors of impending marriages." pg. 74
This is similar to Sundara, except that Firoozeh's family tries to focus more on their old traditions and culture, whereas Sundara yearned for a traditional American Thanksgiving. They also both have the connection with Americans about gossiping and relationships. Both families, in particular, like focusing on the statuses of marriages.
"My father gives thanks for living in a free country where he can vote. I always share gratitude for being able to pursue my hopes and dreams, despite being female. 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." pg. 75
Firoozeh and her family really appreciate the freedom that we have in America, which we tend to take for granted. You can tell that they appreciate what they have and are very grateful. Like Sundara, they try to blossom in American culture, not forgetting their old ways.
