Pasha Family Narrative Perspectives

    After reading through three different perspectives in Home fire, I think that Shamsie (the author) wanted the readers to approach the novel as both, at first, seeing the actions of each other the characters in a biased way (each of the characters different perspectives) and, after reading through multiple perspectives, as a way to realize that what we think of a person or the actions that they make as  relative to our own experiences. We essentially are not that other person and will hold on to our own views, which isn't necessarily wrong, but we have to come to understand that the way we see the world is not the same for other people, even those who we love most, and it is hardly ever the whole picture. As a reader, we got to see how each of the different character's actions [Isma, Eamonn, and Parvaiz]  impacted each other and how their own feelings towards each other came from different angles. Isma, was seeing the world through the eyes of when her family was being watched and was struggling after her Father left them, became a terrorist, and died. Isma had to become responsible and take care of her younger siblings while being old enough to remember how the world saw her in both her culture and identity. Part of the reason, I believe, she began to hate Parvaiz so much after he joined the terrorist group was because she was old enough to remember how that same choice her father made impacted their family, and could not understand how Parvaiz came to the actions that he did. After reading about Parvaiz's perspective we come to understand how he was slowly indoctrinated into following his father's path. It wasn't such a cold cut decision as Isma had made it seem.

    With only reading three different perspectives so far, I think that Shamsie decided to write these stories in this particular order because whenever each of the character's perspectives come up they play a specific role in the novel to progress the storyline forward. For instance, Isma, being the oldest and on her way to her new life is reflecting on her family and what had previously happened. Isma, being a guarded character, was able to get the readers attention and hook them because her details and explanations at times were so vague and showed little emotion that peaked the readers interest into wanting to figure out what exactly was going on. Then it moved on to Eamonn, who was introduced in Isma's perspective, and we get to see what exactly is going through his head as well as see how he fits into the Pasha family through an outsider lens and progresses Aneeka's character through another persons perspective. Parvaiz comes into the story where the readers are finally able to get a better understanding of who Parvaiz is and why he made the decisions that ultimately hurt his family. We get to understand Aneeka's actions more. As for Aneeka coming next, I believe that we will get to understand the bond that she shares with Parvaiz and understand the actions that she took to get her brother back. If I were to predict why it ended with Karamat I think we will finally be able to understand this family through the eyes of the authority and how these types of families come to to pass as well as being a sort of outsider to each of the other's characters since he doesn't exactly, so far, seem to be directly connected to the Pasha family. His perspective would be more of an outside eye, as well as how, other people, being the general population or world would see the Pasha family without the different perspectives that we got previously.

Home Fire's Peaks and Excursion Topics

    If I am being honest, when I started reading Home Fire  I wasn't quite sure where the story was leading with Isma. It just felt so plain and guarded that at times it was almost dull to read. When I started looking deeper though, I noticed that the writing reflected Isma's character and how she processed the world around her. It seemed that she would only show her gentile side when she was referring to or talking about Aneeka. When I started noticing this I was intrigued on reading the other perspectives in Home Fire to see how Shamsie wanted her characters to be perceived. Even though the majority of the perspectives aren't told in first person, the different diction that comes with each character and the so often one sidedness of each perspectives was an interesting thing to read. We would only notice this one sidedness when we went on to the next segment of the book with another perspective. 

    While reading through the different perspectives, there have been some references that I didn't quite understand. One thing is the importance of the hijab/turban in Muslim religion and culture. I have noticed that each female character sort of wears it, but at the same time they are almost just as comfortable as taking it off as leaving it on. I would like to know more on the strict aspects of wearing the hijab. I would also like to know what exactly happened and what was Guantanamo, Bagram, Caliphate. These places have been mentioned several times but I am not quite sure of their  significance. Something else that has peaked my interest is learning about what exactly the Rock Against racism march that happened on April 29th, 1978. I am not quite sure if it is made up in some senses or completely real. Also, at the beginning of Isma's section of the book she mentioned that the officers at the airport asked on her opinion of the Shias and Sunnis. I am not quite sure who or what they are, but I would be interested in learning more and how that relates to being asked this question when Isma is trying to leave to America. One last thing that I want to learn more about it the morality police (Hisba) and who exactly the Jihadi are.

Barbequed Tri-Tip Steak

     I have to say that out of all meals I have eaten, the one that stands out the most is my father's Tri-tip Steak. First of all, I am a big fan of eating beef. At least, how my family cooks beef always seems to turn out with such amazing flavor. My favorite though, has to be whenever my father grills tri-tip steak. He always seems to cook it just right with plenty of juices that enhance the flavor. As a meal, I find it best to have garden salad, and either baked potatoes or pasta salad to accompany the steak. 

    My favorite part of the meal though, is usual the whole process of preparing the tri-tip. Usually, whenever my father cooks tri-tip it is signifies some sort of celebration or coming together. It could be either for a birthday party or just a family BBQ where some of my uncles, aunts, and cousins show up. I personally love my family and spending time with them. I find it relaxing to have my family come over and we all talk about whatever is happening or share our opinions on random topics we happen to find ourselves on. Recently, I have been helping my father season the meat (we tend to use the Costco Montreal seasoning with some kosher salt) and get the house ready for our inevitable guest's arrival. And while the meat is cooking outside, my uncle is talking with my father, my cousins are playing, and inside I am helping my mother make the side dishes. The whole process makes me feel at home.

To Annotate... or Not?

    Over the years I have been taught very different ways to annotate. I've had teachers that wanted me to just highlight and create a legend for what each color means, and other teachers who created this whole system where I had to remember the differences between squiggly lines, underlines, double underlined, circled, and starred annotations. After going through all the different methods I have to say that I have a love/hate relationship with annotating. On the one hand, I like to write notes about what I consider important and it honestly helps me pay closer attention to what I am reading besides the obvious entertainment of the story. On the other hand, it feels like I am vandalizing my books if I have to write on them and my annotations seem to be long if I end up writing something next to what I underlined. It also consciously bothers me how long it takes for me to read and annotate a text. Sometimes I just feel like I have to find something on each page or there is a "right answer" that I have to find. 

    Nonetheless, there is just no going around annotating. Now, when I have a choice, I like to circle the words I don't know, and write my little comments on sticky notes. Occasionally, if I really like a particular sentence, instead of rewriting it I tend to (while cringing) underline the portion of text. I also like to highlight, but I don't think I ever got the whole "highlight important things" aspects down because I tend to highlight from 1/3 to 1/2 of the content. So if I do end up highlighting then it would only be on a paper copy.

    When it comes to marking up certain parts of the text, I tend to ask myself questions or predictions about the text or just write down things that I have noticed.