Independant Reading Activity #2

I was somewhat surprised when Nana said that Mariam wasn't allowed to go to school. When Mariam first decided that she wanted to learn like all the other children I thought that would have been really good and she might be able to grow up and get a decent job and not be an outcast like her mother is. Then Nana completely rejected the idea and said that there is no use of her going to school because she won't learn anything. I don't think that the author's style had much to do with the element of surprise. The actual event was not exactly one of surprise, it was just unexpected for me because I had a different idea about the situation than Mariam's mother did.

Atonement

Atonement: reparation for an offense or injury
I think there is some way that this is possible. I think it might be indirect though. Like by doing something good for someone else that had nothing to do with he sin or mistake you originally made it could be a reparation. Then again I feel like maybe it isn't possible, that by doing something wrong there is no way to go back and fix it in anyway. Like what is done is done.After reading so far I think that Amir seeks atonement for the way he treated Hassan and how nothing ever came up about what happened in the alley with Assef and Hassan. I think think that maybe Amir regrets not going to help Hassan and if not that at least talking to him about it or telling someone else what happened so that maybe the issue could be resolved. Because by Amir not doing anything it just made the whole situation worse for everyone, even their fathers. At this point I'm not sure there is anything he could do to "become good again" and receive the atonement he seeks.

Independent Reading Book #2

I just started reading A Thousand Splendid Suns. I am only a few chapters in but so far it is about this girl who is disliked by her mother because her mother had gotten pregnant by the man she was a servant for so she was punished and had to go live in isolation almost and her father left her. The mother, Nana, despises the life of Afghanistan women. So the daughter, Miriam, is living with just her mother now, but her father Jalil, comes to visit every once in a while.
I think as the story goes on I am going to learn a lot about what life in Afghanistan is like for a lot of women and there will also be some of the history of that area in there as well. I think it is going to be very interesting especially because we are reading Kite Runner at the same time.

Almost there...

This picture is an action shot of a solider in training. He is in the last few days of practice operations. Right now he is by himself covering the area around the creek. His mission is so make sure that side is secure and then make it back in time to get on the helicopter which will take them back to the base. He has been out there with the rest of the soldiers in training for almost 3 weeks without a change of clothes or real food to eat. Even though he is excited to graduate from the academy and become a real soldier, there is nothing more that he wants than to get on that helicopter and head for home, so he is running as fast as he ever has.

The Triumph of Evil

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing."
-Edmund Burke

I think this quote is trying to simply say that by the good people sitting back and doing nothing it allows those who are evil to prevail and be successful. I feel like Edmund Burke is also saying that it is very easy for the triumph of evil to be known. I agree with this quote, I think that the good people have to do things as well, that but doing nothing that doesn't exactly make them good. Some people think that because they're not involved they're fine, but if everyone has that same thought process, nothing will ever be resolved. The 'good' people aren't exactly that if they don't do anything to stop all the bad.

Decisions

I think there are many factors that affect people's decisions. For me I think the biggest factors are family, friends, and those around me who might be directly affected. I think that subconsciously the way I was raised and the morals and lessons I have learned from my parents and many other people who played a part in my life so far affect the decisions I make. Usually when I am trying to make a decision I just weigh the outcomes and choose what I think would be better. I also think that no matter what you do you always affect people around you whether you intend to or not. The biggest decision that I have made recently is to attend the University of Pittsburgh next fall. My family will play the biggest role as a factor to my decision making next year and in the future. Making choices that would make them proud I guess would be the ultimate goal.

Recipe for Afghanistan

33,609,937 people
Sprinkle of Al-Qaeda
Dash of Taliban
Almost a decade of Operation Enduring Freedom