Ch 17-23

Vocab

inevitably- unable to be avoided
nonchalant- coolly unconcerned
intricately- having many interrelated parts or facets
haphazardly- at random
negligent- lazy, careless
presumptuous- readiness to presume
illegitamate- born of parents who are not married to eachother
animatedly- full of life, action, spirt
ruminate- to meditate, muse or ponder
furtive- taken done used



Connections

Recently, my cousin's husband was arrested for theft. When I read about how Amir had found out about Baba taking part in theft and how it affected not only himself but Hassan and Ali as well


I got a zero so

I refuse to complete this entry. :]

Ch 10-17

scoffed- to mock at; deride, jeer.
acrid- sharp or biting to the taste or smell; bitterly pungent; irritating to the eyes, nose, etc.
permeated- to pass into or through every part of
pungent- sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell, as if by a penetrating power
perpetually- continuing or enduring forever; everlasting
implication- something implied or suggested as naturally to be inferred or understood
metastasized- to spread injuriously
palliative- to allieveiate, calm, make better
pulsating- to expand and contract rhythmically, as the heart; beat; throb
veiled- covered or concealed by, or as if by, a veil



Connections
After reading about Amir and Soraya's infertility problems, I thought of my aunt and uncle and how devastating it can be to not be able to become pregnant. Just like Amir and Soraya they faced similar hard decisions about adoption and felt left out because they were childless. Due to their culture, Amir and his wife had a different outlook on the situation, Amir in particular believing being childless is a form of "divine justice". Nevertheless, both couples experienced the same confusion and heartache.

Culture
When I read about Amir and Sorayas first encounter, he speaks of how he was unable to talk to her because her father, the General had "nang and namoos" (honor and pride). Amir is bold and decides to take the chance and talk to her. I thought it was odd that there was so much controversy about Amir speaking with Soraya. In their culture it must be difficult to start a relationship that isn't arranged which is completly different from our culture.

Kite Runner CH 1-9

SAT Vocabulary:

harelipped- a congenitally deformed lip, usually the upper one, in which there is a vertical fissure causing it to resemble the cleft lip of a hare.
affluent-having an abundance of wealth, property, or other material goods; prosperous; rich: an affluent person.
sloughing- to dispose or get rid of; cast (often fol. by off): to slough off a bad habit.
immersed- plunged or sunk in or as if in a liquid
murky- dark, gloomy, and cheerless.
scuffle-a rough, confused struggle or fight.
thwart-to oppose successfully; prevent from accomplishing a purpose.
awestruck- Full of awe.
maneuver- a planned and regulated movement or evolution of troops, warships, etc.
milling- an act or instance of subjecting something to the operation of a mill.



Connections:
While reading Kite Runner, I thought of my brother Tom, his experiences in Iraq and how they related to Amir and Hassans encounter with strange soldiers. Tom is a marine who was stationed in Iraq and upon his return home, he didn't want to talk about much about anything that happened. He had seen a lot and he didn't seem to feel very comfortable about the subject (which made me think of how the soldiers treated Hassan and if my brother had friends with the same attitude). However, he did mention the young Iraqi children and how they flocked to his platoon with smiles and curiosity. This reminded me of Amir and Hassan and how they approached the soldiers' military barracks. Although they were forbidden to take the short cut, they didn't seem to have any worries about the soldiers just as the children my brother met. I found it odd because if my country was full of foreign soldiers I would be a little weary of them because I wouldn't know what to expect.



Afghani Culture:

I learned there are two different kninds of Iranis, Hazaras and Pashtuns. The Hazaras are like untouchables, they are supposed to have mongoloid features and are lower class and shunned by the Pashtuns. According to an old history book Amir found, the Pashtuns killed the Hazaras and and drove them from their lands.
The picture I choose shows Iranis protesting the killing of Hazaras and the corrupt government.