Chapters 17-18

Chapter 17-18

"In those days they didn't enforce the laws. We were the people you don't always see, flashing our polite smiles, trimming hedges, parking your cars in lots, doing the night shift. You need us and we need you." Page 151

This is part of Aisha's valedictorian speech, which I think is very well written. I think it is interesting that she said "You need us and we need you." It is something that wouldn't have occurred to me at all, but it is very true. Most Americans choose to hire someone to do work they would prefer not to do, but since no one chooses to do those jobs, they fall to illegal workers. So it is very true, that we need them, because if we didn't have them, we would be doing every job Americans are too lazy to do theirselves.

Chapter 16

"I'm embarrassed, but I like being the special one." Page 138

I really like the quote because of the interesting mixed feelings about being the favorite. I think it is interesting how she was a little reluctant to her new position in the family, but that she is happy to take Aisha's place. I wonder how Aisha feels about not being the special one anymore...

Chapter 15

"'Mr. Hossein is being held in conjunction with an investigation of religious organizations that may be sponsoring illegal activities."' Page 132
WOW! Unfair, much? This is absolutely ridiculous, but thanks to 9/11, people are paranoid about every Muslim or Arab person. On the other hand, the government has reason to suspect this group of people, because the terrorists who attacked the twin towers were Muslim. I can't even imagine how hard it must be for all the innocent people trying to come to this country, and being denied asylum because of their religious background.

Chapter 13-14

"Strong lungs give him staying power. He's the one who always lasts." Page 114

This quote is... Well it should be true. We hope that this quote is true. Obviously, the author said this for a reason, which means it somehow connects to the storyline. I'm still wondering why this was said, it is not something that automatically comes to mind when I think of someone on trial.

Chapter 12

"I didn't even know you could do something like that. I sure didn't know a girl could do something like that." Page 106

WOW! The "funny" thing about this is a girl is talking. Welcome to the 21st century, Nadira. Girls can do anything boys can do, but we do it better. This quote honestly makes me sick. She grew up in a very traditional family, but in very nontraditional times. Most of this country is stuck in modern times where, like this girl, girls do any job they want to do. You'd think she picked up on this after maybe a week of living here.

Chapter 11

"Every evening that we speak to Ma and hear there's no news there, either, Aisha grows more frantic." Page 92

This quote really spoke to me, except I'm not sure why. It is very powerful and an important detail. I can't help but feel terrible for Aisha for feeling like she has to go through everything alone, and to Nadira for having to put up with Aisha and all the emotional baggage that goes with her.

Chapter 10

"Honey, your uncle don't even have his papers right. What kind of liberties you think he has?" Page 85

I am truly amazed that these words were said. This is exactly right, even though the meaning should be wrong. The way I interpret what this police officer said is that since Uncle is illegal, the famous words that America is built on do not apply to him, regardless. These words are, "All men [and women] are created equal." I strongly believe that this is unfair treatment to Uncle's rights even as an undocumented immigrant. Sure, like Kat said today in class, people should be punished for a crime they committed. But technically, not every illegal person is a criminal, and shouldn't be treated like one. My question to you is what do you think should be the punishment?

Chapter 9

"'Because we looked away in the past, does that mean we can look away now?'" Page 76

I think this quote is a very powerful quote. It is very important to when to pay attention and when to turn your back and walk away. Time... Time... Time... This seems to be what the whole book is based on.

Chapters 7,8, and 9

"'What about school?'
'Don't be an idiot. This is much more important." Page 60

I chose this quote because it can take so many different meanings. What this is referring to is Nadira and Aisha going to see Mr. Rashid about their father, which I would agree is more important than school. I've tried this out on my mom, but I was talking about sleeping in. I strongly believe that it is more important to sleep late than be on time for school, but she didn't budge. I was at school at 8:05 just like any other morning.

Chapter 6

"Because she will always fight. Fight, fight, fight, even when it's time to run." -Page 46

I picked this quote because this is a very important lesson to learn. I am a lot like Taslima in the sense that we are both fighters when faced with a problem. My problems are way more insignificant than hers, but everyone still has them. The only thing is people deal with them differently. Everyone has one "comfort" way of solving their problems, even if it isn't necessarily the best way to solve it. For me and Taslima, we will keep fighting a nonexistant war until we win. In many situations, this is very much the answer. But in the case of her family and jail, she should choose to walk away, since it really is the only way to be safe.

3/04/09

I think the name "Ask Me No Questions" is a very good name for a book like this. It comes from the quote "Ask me no questions, tell me no lies" and (in this case) refers to undocumented immigrants and how no one needs to know about their lives. I think this name matches the main idea of the book, which is probably why she chose this name.

And on an unrelated note, here is a picture of The Jonas Brothers acting strange.

Chapter 5

"I thank God he gave me a daughter as patient as you." -Page 39

This quote reminds me of my grandma with me and my brother. She always says that she is glad her grandchildren are so different from each other. What she implies but never says is that my brother Daniel is the smart one, and that I am the helpful one. It is very clear that what she sees is Daniel talking about science and me helping her with her wheelchair and bases her opinion on that. What she doesn't see is that I can be smart, too and that Daniel can be sensitive. It really hurts me when she assumes that Daniel is the only one who gets decent grades. I always feel like she doesn't think very highly of me and that I only have one good quality. This is a feeling both Nadira and I share. She feels this way after she hangs up with her mom, and I feel this way every time we visit my grandma.

Go to Lighthall's

From what I read, Sara did a great job connecting her life with the text. You should go read it! Click on the word "blog" to see her blog.

Go to Becca's

Rebecca Boghossian brings up many good points in her blog.

You should check it out!

Chapters 3-4

"Still, no matter where our borders, this is a land where the earth melts into the sea and back again;"-Page 19

I think this is a really good connection of the world. It shows that no matter how hard we try to fight it, we still are one planet at the end of the day. This is something so many people and so many nations forget on a daily basis. If everyone listened to this quote, we would probably have a lot less fighting and war. We still are one.

Rabin's chapter 1

"You forget. You forget you don't really exist here, that this really isn't your home." -Page 8

I think this line is very important because it gives a basis for everything the book is related to. Nadira is referring to her old apartment in Bangladesh and how it never actually felt like her home. I think this is a great way of expressing how you just get used to your surroundings and forget about everything else. What she is saying is very true, even here in my permanent home. Sometimes I put something down on my desk to give to someone else, and then you get used to it being there, so you forget to give it to that person. In a way, the thing to give someone else isn't suppose to have a home in my house, but it forgot as well.