Older boys often asked me to teach them “some bad words in your language”. At first I politely refused. My refusal merely increased their determination, so I solved the problem by teaching them phrases like 'man kharam' which means “I'm… — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
Without my relatives, I am but a thread; together, we form a colorful and elaborate Persian carpet. — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
“On our second day, my parents announced that Kauai was boring. “There’s nothing to look at, just plants and rainbows,” my father declared. “There… — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
Marriage, in my culture, has nothing to do with romance. It's a matter of logic. If Mr. and Mrs. Ahmadi like Mr. and Mrs.… — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
“I always made sure to put them back in the exact order in which I had found them, for fear of losing the privilege… — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
“The Japanese have a saying that for every new food we try, we gain seven days of life. I may be immortal by now.” — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
Most fruits, if left alone on a tree, eventually do ripen, especially if they're not being yelled at. — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
It's not what we eat or don't eat that makes us good people; it's how we treat one another. As you grow older, you'll find that people of every religion think they're the best, but that's not true. There are good and bad people in every religion. Just because someone is Muslim, Jewish, or Christian doesn't mean a thing. You… — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share
For me, writing clarifies things. It gives meaning, and it makes me see the connections. — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
When people go to a new country, whether as refugees or immigrants, kids usually assimilate easily, but it's much harder for the grownups. Especially, oftentimes, for the mothers, because they are usually confined to the house. They're not going to school, and they're not necessarily holding down a job. It's tough. It's not easy to assimilate to a new culture… — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share
“... even though we belong to three different religions. We are alike in so many more ways than we are different.” — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
“At some point, someone must have yelled “Good job, Kaz!,” which my father interpreted as “You should go on television and win a fortune!”… — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
My father's motto has always been 'Room in the heart, room in the house.' As charming as this sounds, it translates into a long… — Firoozeh Dumas Copy Share Image
