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IraqForeve
What is this book about? Please tell me everything that happens in this book cause I read and I got lost so I need help!
Answer
My Son's Story is a complexly woven tale of struggle and disillusionment that begins with a painful discovery and travels through time to paint the portrait of a South African family fighting against the divisive power of apartheid. More specifically, it is the story of a lie that turns a young boy into a writer and the story of a man's evolution as a political activist. Will, the narrator, tells the story of his father, nicknamed "Sonny," once a "colored" schoolteacher and later a hero in the struggle against South African apartheid. The story is a retrospective account of Sonny's life. It follows roughly chronological order; however the spark for Will's story is an event that happened at age fifteen that changed his perspective on his father.
The opening sections describe this catalytic event. Playing hooky from school, Will goes to a movie theatre near Johannesburg and is shocked to see his father there with a white woman, Hannah Plowman. Plowman is a white woman who works for the International Organization for Human Rights; like Sonny, she is a fellow-militant against racism and State violence in South Africa. She provided emotional support to Sonny's family during his trial for anti-government activities. Later, she stayed in touch with him during his incarceration. At the doorway to the theatre, Will realizes, with confusion and bitterness, that he is seeing his father for the first time (but by no means for the last time) in the company of his mistress. Sadly, Sonny asks his son Will to cover for him, to lie about what he has seen. Will agrees and from then on his guilt about conspiring in a lie and anger at his father's deception combine to embitter Will and to color his retrospective account of his father's life.
Born the gifted son of an upholsterer, Sonny is victimized by the patently unequal educational system of South Africa. His mixed parentage lets him attend slightly better schools than his black counterparts, but the fact he is "colored" bars him from even using public libraries. Driven by his thirst for knowledge, Sonny buys what books he can and constantly peruses them. His library includes novels by Franz Kafka and the complete works of William Shakespeare. Because he intelligent and well read, Sonny gains a position as a schoolteacher in a respectable school.
Sonny's wife Aila is also colored -- of mixed African and Indian descent -- and is exquisitely beautiful. The attractive, intelligent couple earns the respect of their community through their hard work (he in teaching, she in charitable society work). They have two children -- Baby, Sonny's favorite, and Will, named after Shakespeare. Although he is not allowed to teach in the best schools or universities, Sonny is relatively content in his middle-class life and he believes that, gradually, education will create a more just South Africa.
When his children grow, the seeds of resistance are sown in Sonny's mind. Sonny wants to raise his two children to feel equal to whites and finds himself becoming more vocal in protest. As a schoolteacher, Sonny observes boycotts and eventually joins in a student protest march. He is fired in consequence, although he wins celebrity in the march.
Like a wild fire through the grasslands, news about Sonny spreads. "People in communities like his own, in other areas of Transvaal," Gordimer writes, "got to hear of him -- probably it was the newspaper photograph that started it" (p. 31). Eventually, because Sonny cannot get his teaching post backhe is hired by a shadowy underground political organization to make illegal speeches throughout South Africa (p. 32).
During one of his father's speaking tours, Will skips school and goes to the theater. This is where he sees Sonny and Hannah together. Will recognizes instantly that many of his father's absences are often trysting times for Plowman and Sonny.
Will is greatly insulted, both personally and for the sake of his family, but has to suffer in silence. Gradually, however, Will notices that those whom he has tried to shield from pain -- his mother and sister -- already know. Throughout the novel, Will is torn between love and hatred, admiration and disdain for his heroic father, until he wakes to the painful reality that his sister and mother have also been drawn into the vortex of political action. His sister, who had seemed oblivious to her father's activism, joins the military wing of his father's anti-apartheid organization, and his mother is forced into exile from the country when she, like Sonny, is arrested for subversive activities. Will is left in to write the story of his father and family down, to make this story into his own.
I'm moving back to south Africa at then end of the month ill be traveling with my 1 year old son and fiance.
Q. ITS HIS 1ST TIME ON A PLANE. CAN ANY1 GIVE ME TIPS ON HOW TO KEEP HIM OCCUPIED AS HE DOESNT LIKE 2 SIT WHEN HES AWAKE(HE JUST STARTED WALKIN).AND DOES ANYONE KNOW WERE I CAN GET A BATTERY OPERATED BOTTLE WARMER IN AUSTRALIA.
Answer
I've been flying internationally and domestically with my children since they were 2 months (now 8&5 and baby number 3 was born 23 December). At least three trips a year are the children and I traveling internationally (14+ hours each way) alone. In addition to that, we do another 8-10 international and domestic flights a year as a family. I have never had any problems with my children on any of the flights. Here are a few tips and suggestions:
1.) A car seat is not mandatory, but a CRS (Child Restraint System) is highly recommended for children under 40lbs to use on airplanes because it is safe for the child - especially during turbulence, makes them feel secure, is more comfortable for both parent and child, restrains them properly, and gives both of you the opportunity to relax a bit. A CRS is a hard-backed child or infant safety seat that is approved by the government for use in both motor vehicles and aircraft. A booster seat is NOT approved for use in an airplane. In order to be certified for use on an airplane, the car seat has to met the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Check the labels on the side of your car restraint for a sticker (words will be printed in red) for verification that your seat is safe for airplane use. Almost all car seats pass this requirement.
There is also a new device that is approved by the FAA for airline use ONLY. It is called CARES (Child Aviation Restraint System) and costs $75. It weighs 1 pound, is certified for all phases of flight (taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing), adjusts to fit ALL size airplane seats, and is approved for kids 22â44 lbs.
http://www.kidsflysafe.com/
Many airlines offer half-price tickets so parents can be guaranteed that their child can travel in a CRS device (car seat). You should call your airline to ask for a discount.
2.) Make sure to pack plenty of things to entertain your child, such as a few books, toys, a portable DVD player (be sure to bring extra batteries) or let him use your laptop (make sure it's fully charged) with a few movies, and one or two comfort things such as a favorite blankie or stuffed animal. I always bring a small pillow and blanket from home for my children (even now) because I know 100% that they are clean, and my children are accustomed to them.
My children like to bring along their own coloring books, a Doodle Pad, their Leap Pads (with a few booklets), and scrap paper that they can make their own drawings with and play games such as tic-tac-toe. My daughter used to like to bring along a doodle bear when she was younger so that she could draw on that as well, and my son likes to bring along some action figures to play with. I found that buying a Rose Art kit is great! It has crayons, markers, coloring books, coloring sheets, and stickers that they can color. It definitely keeps them entertained!
You can also play games like pat-a-cake, or I-spy, and tell stories to your children as well. If you tell a story, try to make it an interactive one where your son has a part in it so he stays interested.
You might also consider going to the store and letting your child (I let my children start this at the age of one) pick out his own carry on bag and a few inexpensive toys that will be used only once you are on the plane. Be sure to pick out a few toys without him seeing so that he has an extra surprise when he opens his carry on.
3.) Bring Snacks! just add water packets of food, cheerios, goldfish, animal crackers, dried fruit, etc. are great. New regulations also allow you to take beverages (including water) from home as long as they are less than 3oz (100ml), -OR- beverages (including water) of any size that you have purchased from inside the security area onto planes. You can also bring a limited amount of baby food, yogurt, cheese, puddings, etc. with you also as long as they are in containers less than 3oz (100ml)
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm#10
As long as your child is with you, you are able to take as much formula, breast milk, or regular milk that you will need for you child for the duration of the time you will spend in the airport and on the flight (as long as it is within reason).And no, you will NOT have to taste it - no matter what form you bring it in.
All that you must do is:
1. Separate the milk from the liquids, gels, and aerosols in your quart-size (1 liter) zip-top bag.
2. Declare you have the items to one of the Security Officers at the security checkpoint.
3. Present these items for additional inspection once reaching the X-ray. These items are subject to additional screening
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm
Save your money when it comes to buying water though because the Flight Attendants will provide you with hot or cold water (or any other drink) free at any time that you request, no matter how many times you request it.
4.) Keep your diaper bag well stocked with plenty of wipes, ointments and other essential things. Just remember the new law regulating liquids, gels, and such and pack accordingly. http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm You can usually find travel size baby products in stores and they are wonderful for plane use. One thing I always like to carry with me is hand sanitizer! I always wipe the trays down with that (followed by a baby wipe) and use it for my kids after taking them to the bathroom (even though they wash their hands). I know that airplane bathrooms are not the cleanest, so that is why I try to be vigilant.
Be sure to pack 2-3 changes of clothes for your son. You will need this in case he gets sick, spills something on himself, or in case your luggage gets lost.
Bring any medications that you might need for your child should he get sick or that he takes regularly. Remember that if they are not prescription medications, the 3oz (100ml) rule applies to them and they must be kept in a clear plastic bag.
http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm
Do NOT give your son medicine with the hopes of it making him sleep. This is not only cruel, but dangerous as well. I have also seen where it backfires; a parent gives their child a dose of Benedryl to make them sleep, but instead it gets the child more hyper and the parents get absolutely no rest on the flight (and neither does anyone else).
Try to change your sons diaper as close to boarding as possible. This will help to make your child feel fresh and more comfortable for take-off (which could also mean less problems).
5.) Not all children have a problem with the pressure changes in their ears. If yours does however you'll want to know how to help. For take-offs and landings (the WHOLE way up, and starting from the BEGINNING, or TOP of descent), the best ways to alleviate ear pressure are to:
*Give him something to drink (milk, water, juice - it doesn't matter)
*Give him a pacifier to suck on
*Tell him to yawn
*Pinch his nostrils shut, have him take a deep breath in through the mouth, then tell him to (gently) blow as if trying to blow his nose
*Place hot damp towels (usually like the ones distributed to first and business class before take-off and landing to freshen up with - just ask a flight attendant for them) or paper towels that have been soaked in hot water and wrung out, at the bottom of two paper or styrofoam cups, then hold the cups over the ears
*Gently but with some pressure, rub his neck repeatedly from the chin to the base of the neck. This will cause a swallowing motion that will relieve pressure build-up in the ears.
You can also try using a decongestant. It is always best to check with your doctor before using any type of medications though, to make sure you are using the one best suited to your childs needs. I personally have found pain relief medications don't really help, and at least in my experience, decongestants are a waste of money.
6.) Before you travel, I always suggest preparing son for what to expect so that he is not caught off guard and scared on the day of travel. You want to make sure that you tell him what is going to happen from the time you get to the airport until the time you arrive at your destination. You don't need to go into any great detail here, but give him something that he will be able to reference when actually traveling. If you are able to, I always suggest doing a dry run of the airport. This provides you with an opportunity to explain to him what is going to happen while he can see first hand what it looks like.
Here is a link that talks about what to expect when flying (also includes information about what to do at the airport) that may help you out a bit:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AoNbNcE8sjrr0zYCWcY9Jgnty6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080128182201AARbdSv&show=7#profile-info-3Oxpfqegaa
http://jamiehassen79.angelfire.com/plane_travel_basics.html
I wrote a small article about flying with children that goes more in-depth, gives security rules and regulations for the US, EU, UK, and Australia, offers tips and tricks for the travel, etc. http://www.angelfire.com/jamiehassen79/flying_children.html
If I can be of any more help or assistance, please feel free to contact me.
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