Be smart (with a grain of salt)!

Honestly, blogging once every two weeks just shouldn't be this hard. Its not, I mean it doesn't take that much time, but I really try to give my best most relevant and meaningful prose when I write on this blog. Maybe that's why it takes me so long? Maybe I will give you guys less writing now though b/c I've officially discovered the "compose" settings of my blog template and improved my blog through expanding my blogging capabilities.  Now I will spice things up!

So I was at the Harvard season opening track meet, coaching, mentoring, reuniting with old friends (ITA people too of course - Chisam, Wayne), hating Harvard a little... you know just a little of everything. Well among the many people I had the pleasure of running into at the meet was the always exuberant and life inspiring Wayne Burwell! This man is a funny man, I think you'll figure out why after you watch this clip of our conversation at the meet: 

How do you not laugh at that! I suggest staying away from the alcoholic beverages period, but in a world where being smart is very generously rewarded, I have to give that a very good laugh! Big ups "Dub!"

And no i don't believe in Christmas for obvious reasons, but Happy Holidays to all of you in this time of celebration and take Wayne's advise; BE SMART!!!

Love you all,
Ma'assalama
Mustafa

Moose have video! Got Bubka?

Indoor Track

Indoor track is great. It's gotta be one of my favorite seasons of sports. I just love the energy that is created in the closed arenas. Its also the very beginning of any kind of track and field all year. I know, I know, Its technically not the real thing, and to a lot of people, doesn't really matter that much, nonetheless its still competition, and it still helps prepare the athletes for their ultimate test outdoors. To be honest, it doesn't mean as much, but I'd say its more fun period and its not to be overlooked.

The SCSU men and women have been training really hard and its time for them to showcase themselves at Yale this weekend and then back home at SCSU the following friday. It will be a great time and lots of fun for us all I'm sure. I'd like to take this time to show you a bit of what happens as the SCSU owls let go and get loose before our meets. Its called a "syph." I love this stuff I used to be good at it b/c I used to do it all the time with my friends. Its shows how loose you are mentally and comfortable with yourself and surroundings. Nuff said just listen...

( http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=636425685666&comments ) or just click on the blog title itself "Indoor Track" and then you can see it.

Oh by the way its on my facebook so I hope it works out when you view it.

Enjoy, or find a way to enjoy haha!

Talk to you guys soon,
Mustafa

Shout out to the SCSU Men's and Women's Cross Country track teams! Both teams took third place at the NCAA division 2 regional meet by only one spot. Second place was only 5 points away for the women, and a bit more the the men (48ish) for the men. Big ups to Alacia Grabel taking 2nd place and doing us proud (and by us i mean the cheering squad). Its clear the programs are moving in the right direction under the new leadership wink wink.

I brought a cheering team to help motivate the men's and women's teams. It was great to have the support that we did for our team that early in the morning, while every other team just watched and wished they had the kind of support we brought for our team. I ran the cheering squad obviously. I thought we did well but i know we can do better still. We are getting there though. We just need a few more people to step away from their shells, and let go of their insecurities so that they find security within the cheering group itself! In time I guess.

I got a chance to run with a friend last week too and it felt really good. He is a former 800m runner from Adams State - Nick Lara. We ran repeat 200's a staple in the old training regiment. It was clear that his body was totally capable with no real training. I guess after all that running you transform into a running machine for life. I'd say I haven't gotten to that point yet. I'd say I'm about 10,000 miles away from Nick Lara status, but pure well rounded and general athleticism...That's all me ;-). I got in a few good games of basketball, and some good lifting sessions also. I'm excited to see what this week has in store. I'll keep you guys posted.

Until next time people
Mustafa

I've been so out of it lately. So busy so occupied with good things and dramatic things. I think i'm actually about 3 weeks behind the happenings in my in the arena people. All said its always good to be back. I've been watching a lot of sports lately though. The sporting world just gets so exciting in september. You have the baseball playoffs, football, then by late october and early november you get basketball NBA and College man! Its crazy! Its great! I love it! Its the summer that i really cant stand very much, unless there is some good track and field to pass the time.

My life is so interesting though. I just cant get enough of me. In the words of what the majority of people feel (not me) is the cancerous entity named T.O. (Terell Owens), "I love me some ME!" (Clearly I'm not being serious haha). I've spent the past 2 months just going back and forth to track practice and considering/brainstorming ways to be get re-established in the community close by southern connecticut.

I also got reconnected with one of my friends that I met at camp this summer. He is a great kid and has a football game right at the high school in my town (Hamden). Its on thanksgiving day though so i'm a little worried i wont be able to make it. As of now though, my plan is to be there not matter what. It feels good to be reconnected and getting reunited now its time to get reacquainted.

Mustafa
I will talk to you guys again soon.

I wanna go home ;-)

I've been thinking of things to write about. I want to be clear that material is not an issue though, it's the content that i'm worried about. I am wondering if the things that are on my mind in and about my life are appropriate to write about. I want to get into the gross disrespect, back stabbing and discrimination that takes place on a day to day basis in certain places, but that wouldn't be right; so...

Ok on a different note, its homecoming at Dartmouth!!! I haven't been back to Dartmouth for homecoming since 2006! I am close now and I am excited that I could have a chance to see what homecoming is like. I am sure that I'll see about a million friends and it will be pretty interesting and fun to just hang out with the campus as over populated as it gets during homecoming. If there is only one thing worth seeing and attending its the bonfire! There amount of different things that you see at that thing is ridiculous. Old folks doing laps around it, new kids sprinting around the fire, people fully clothed and scantily clad not to mention the brave and rebellious NAKED runners haha. The bonfire brings out the animal in so many people and is the true commencement of homecoming for me. I'll never forget my first bonfire when we did the campus sweep then blazed the fire. How great! So to all my Dartmouth folk out there, big ups to you all as you are a part of my family, and I hope to see you guys soon this weekend for the festivities of homecoming!

Mustafa

Sorry I didn't mean to be away this long. Since i finished camp this summer I've just been exploring the different community option i have that i'd like to get involved with different from what i've already done. In addition to that i'd like to find a way to get my team involved. I want my track athletes to also take part in the community service that i'll be doing so i'm trying to find the most fitting location and activity. I am very close to finding an answer though and i'm pretty excited about it. I'm exploring an idea working with a school right by SCSU (the Whitney school) and serving as a guidance counselor of some sort. It should be fun man. I just have to get a few more ideas and try to get a little structure so that it will work well with my schedule and the students on my team as well as the kids at the school.

On another note... You ever wonder how the patriots do it? They just use players blatantly suck them dry, under pay them and then ship them away and kick them out for having any kind of an opinion. After the way they handled the man the brought Tom Brady all of his praise and glory in 2007-2008 and who single handedly rejuvenated that offense this is the thanks he gets. A kick out the door for expressing his opinion and being honest with the media. Its not a surprise b/c Lawyer Maloy and Ty Law and Dion Branch were all in the same boat. I just dont understand how they (the patriots) get away with it though. Everyone knows whats going to happen before they go there and they still let the pats dictate and rule them still. The Patriots exploit players, show no loyalty and give no praise or credit to players when due, and this is why I'll probably never route for my "home team" ever again. They act like Tom Brady is the only essential piece to that puzzle there. you know what, if Tom Brady didn't have Randy Moss he wouldn't have been able win 18 of 19 games he wouldn't have thrown 50+ TD passes... and he shouldn't have been MVP that year either it should have been Randy Moss! I am tired of New England people acting like their way is the only way and the only system that works. they haven't won the super bowl in or 5 years so get over yourselves and start treating players like men and not objects.

Watch my boys Randy and Brett go to work tonight and drop bombs on The Jets tonight... Lets go Vikings my new favorite team... Pats... whatever... I hope the jets take the division

Eid Mubarak!!!

Well I celebrated Eid today after all! It was a good day man. I woke up nice and early, did some reading and then got ready for Eid. This Eid was also really nice b/c after the prayer we got to actually eat homemade food and the kids got to play on a bounce-about and play basketball etc. I also got to serve cotton candy for the first time so that was especially fun. Eid is a fun and celebratory time so this day felt like it had all of the festivities necessary and so it was a good feeling. Now I just have about 6-8 more days to fast and then i'm done for a little bit. The reason i fast an extra 6 days after Ramadan is b/c there is a hadith that says to fast an additional 6 days in the first month following Ramadan and you will get rewards as if you had fasted the entire year! The other 2 days that I may do to add on are just to satisfy me for some days that i felt my fast in Ramadan may have been a little bit compromised unintentionally.

Talk again soon,
Ma'assalama
Mustafa

PS My hair cut also felt good today. I could feel the breeze tickle my ears as it flickered past them while I ran. It gives me chills and goose bumps to feel that! I love new hair cuts.

OH yea

I dont get hair cuts often and i espeically dont go to barbers a lot. Last year in march was the first time i had my hair cut by a real barber in about 13 years. It was kind of a rude awakening haha. But I've since gotten a little less worried and grown a little more trusting. I got a nice hair cut today man... I was especially proud when I got back to SCSU and everybody was all excited to see me with my new hair cut and congratulating me haha. It felt good especially when our AD saw me and said "wow!!! Nice hair cut I like it now thats aerodynamic." I knew she liked it and I was really happy to make her kinda show some genuine pride in me. Those were the first really real positive words she had said to me since i started working at SCSU so it was a big deal. Plus, I was in the barber shop waiting for about and hour and a half but its all good b/c i got a decent cut. I still feel like $15 is a lot to pay for a hair cut especially when you're used to gettting it done for free but if i do it only 1-4 times a year its not a problem ;-). Thats the plan man. I gotta get some head shots posted so you guys can see the new me man (while it STILL IS the new me). I loved it man... its just too bad i wont be doing this again for another 3 months or so haha ;-).

Ma'assalama
Mustafa

Confessions

Ramadan is just about over and now i'm gonna come clean. I dont usually follow the calendar that they put out on the exact times of the beginning and end of ramadan to be honest. What i do is I start counting the days of the moon about 3 months before Ramadan comes and then i watch the moon from that point on. A lot of times I dont end up seeing the moon and when that happens the proper protocall as I was taught according to the Sunnah of Muhammad (SAS) is that you are supposed to look for the moon after the 29th day in whatever month you are in and then if you see it at sunset of the 29th day then the next month begins and if you dont then proceed with the 30th day of that month and then sunset of that day is the beginning of the next month.

Ramadan falls in this same category. However, with the islamic calendar coming out for the whole year we often find that some people follow the calendar's dates and others dont and try to look for the moon. I am one of the "look for the moon" school of thought. Thats the way I grew up doing it and thats the way i like to do it. Therefore, I am fasting today as my 29th day of fasting and if i dont see the moon tonight then I will continue to fast tomorrow and have Eid-ul-Fitr saturday. Crazy!!! but thats just how it is.

I have been running again and my body actually feels pretty good. Foots not killing me and the ankle is doing well also. Fasting and being structured and disciplined is really helping me i guess. Its kinda taking me back to the days of college when i had a lot of stuff to do and just couldn't relax haha. Good ole Dartmouth man. I love that place. Dont know what i would do if I lived in Jersey right next to princeton...??? however i do know how one princeton alum feels about her experience and life in hanover. I dont want to overstate this but "LOVES IT!!!"

I rest my case... Go green!

Ma-assalama people!
Mustafa

Last few days...

Today must be like my 28th day... Its crazy how long it seems before you start ramadan then how fast it actually feel like it went by when its over. Well i know i'm meeting the goals i've set for myself this month. I've just about finished the Holy Quran in Arabic. i've been doing all my other reading as well. I'm feeling decent about the month but in all honesty i know i could have done better and I will try to do better next time. Its funny b/c Next year its gonna be world champs and that might fall in/around Ramadan and if that does and i'm there... well you know the rest. I've been doing a thing or two with my training these days. Its ironic that i've started in Ramadan huh... Well its just about done and now i just have to get through a few more days and a week. Gotta keep the spirit man, bc if anything Ramadan has taught me its that i dont really need all of the things that i've had busying my life lately. So if i can slow things down then I can focus better then I will be scarey!!! Just gotta keep taking it one day at a time man... one day at a time.

Ramadan is amazing and is a blessing from Allah that i just cant quantify or put into words. Eid (Eid = party/celebration) the celebration after Ramadan is great too ;-)

Love you all
Ma-assalama
Mustafa

There is a video attached to this blog of a night I was at Tarawi (Tarawi = extra night time prayer done during Ramadan) you have to click the title of this blog though to get there!!! Enjoy... His recitation is so beautiful!

Its almost over man! bitter sweet though...

Well my last blog was Thursday sorry for the missed days. It’s been pretty busy these days. That’s kinda the best thing for Ramadan being busy and productive or active. Frankly its just so tedious if you don’t have anything to do to take your mind away from the fact that you're fasting. Don’t feel sorry for us fasting just look to get involved ;-).

Friday i was so busy had so much to do. I had to teach class, then go map out a 10k loop for our cross country guys, then went to Jumah (friday prayer), then came back and watched them run the 6.2 mile loop, then finally i got to go and kick my own but in 9x300. Wow what a day! Got it done though... That’s my motto this year... just get stuff done and take things one day one task one interval at a time and keep a positive attitude. Have fun with it.

Saturday was my day of catching up and getting back control of my spiritual goals for Ramadan. I had fallen behind the past 2/3 days in my reading of the Holy Quran (in Arabic). Frankly I just had to get out of the house and go and focus on what i had to do. I went to the mosque for the whole day and just read and read and read some more. eventually I caught up, went ahead, and felt good about myself again. That’s the way to do it man. I think i will do that again.

I will say more soon

Maassalam
Mustafa

Ramadan day (I forget right now)

why cant the days and weeks and months just all be in Arabic and done by the Gregorian calendar man? Sometimes its just too hard to keep track of the days of the Islamic calendar and the days everyone else is using without messing up one. Anyway, today was nice man. My brother came and checked me in CT last night and it was good. We always have a good time. We went to the mosque and did Tarawi (night prayer supplemental prayers during the month of Ramadan). We were standing by one of the most beautiful Hafiz/Qarees I've ever heard.

Hafiz = one who has memorized the entire Holy Quran from cover to cover.
Qaree = one who recites Holy Quran to perfection

Often if you are a Hafiz you are a Qaree by default but that is not always the case. This is not the first time I've been there to hear him but its the first time I've ever brought someone to the mosque to hear him. I am forgetting his name right now but i will get that for you.

anyway man Its getting kind of hectic right now just seeing Ramadan dwindle away right now. I want to get it over with so bad but I also realize when its gone this level of spiritual motivation in the community will be gone so it will be a big time struggle for now one. So I'm torn between loving it and enjoying every day and just drooling over every snicker bar i see!!! I will be aight inshallah (Inshallah = God willing)

One love you all
Ma-assalama
Mustafa

I missed a few days more than usual...

But i'm still gonna have to give anyone out there following me this month a quick recap of the past few days b/c they are so worth it.

Saturday 8/28/2010 Day 18: So "Amazing"

Well not that i really want to be on the show but my sister loves the show and is an avid fan! So i had no choice but to go and be her partner in crime and attend the amazing race tryout/casting. We had to drive to the 99 restaurant in tewksbury mass and stand in line for about 2/3 hours so we could get in front of the camera for 60 SECONDS... and try to make the biggest impression of our lives!!! Not easy haha. So if you got a random text or email from me asking you a personal question about what makes me so amazing lol then that's why not b/c i wanted to have my ego lathered with praise! Its Ramadan I'm trying not to do that.

I'll have you guys know though that in the spirit of Rudyard Kipling's poem "If" I made full use of the 60 seconds and bordered on what i would think was an insanely amazing impression haha. We'll see... I mean honestly i'm one of the best "racers" in the world man how hard could it be ;-)

Sunday 8/29/2010 Day 19: Wow, Fasting is really hard sometimes...

This morning I got up early and stayed up this time. I didn't actually go back to bed, but i stayed up reading b/c there is a hadith (hadith = story of the life/sayings of the holy last messenger; prophet Muhammad, salallah hu alaihi wa sallam = peace and blessings be upon him). It says that when one stays awake in the early part of the morning until sunrise Allah (God) will allow his rizk (rizk = daily sustenance) to come to him easily. This means that instead of working really hard your day becomes considerably easier. I'd that that's not something hard to believe nor is it hard to relate to. When I was young i though of sustenance as food and water and i noticed it was really hard to evaluate how hard i actually had to work to get it b/c mom and dad were there doing it all for me. Now that I am a little more seasoned I realize that sustenance is derived not only in the act of eating or driking but also in participating in the act of attaining the means to eat or drink. Therefore, work and your livelihood is directly related to attaining sustenance. Hence, when you sleep in late and then go to work you can often notice that you are starting behind time, and things can seem like they are a little more difficult to get done but often when you wake up early you are a lot more productive; you get your morning workout done, you have an early start with getting stuff completed and ultimately that is what keeps you in a state of balance mentally so that you can be productive in your day to day responsibilities. Ok i said all that to get to this point I was fasting so i wasn't going to eat any food but i was in a better mood for the morning and b/c i was awake i was able to go to play some morning basketball with my brother and some buddies at Elliott park in Brookline b/c they play really early in the morning on the weekends.

It had been a really long time needless to say and man it was 2 hours of the hardest fought layups that I've ever gotten. I really notice how terrible i am when i haven't played basketball in a long time and it kinda makes me self conscious. I mean i used to play all the time when i was young so i know i am amazing but...NOT NOW HAHA! It was so exhausting though. Basketball just takes it out of me b/c I am constantly banging against people trying to keep my balance with people pulling and leaning on me so when i was done i was sore in all the places I never feel on a regular track work out. I felt like i was back working at gentle giant and it was my first day back all over again. I had to fast the rest of the day too!!! My throat was parched, my legs were cramping and my feet felt like they were on fire the whole time and that is not an exaggeration.

After basketball my brother and i then went and helped my father pick up a washer and dryer...I'ma keep the story short. It took us 6 hours from 10 to 4pm. Honestly between the peak moving season and organizing vans that could do the job it was nearly impossible. Thank goodness we stuck it out and its over and we're all happy.

That day was one of the roughest days of Ramadan for me though. After b-ball man i just felt like every step i took i was going to fall b/c i just had no energy. Those are the times when you know fasting is really hard but if the mind is committed then you can always find a way to do it. We broke fast that day at 7:20 or so and it couldn't have come a moment too soon haha. I think i drank about 40 cups of water that night haha ok maybe more like 13 but you catch my drift.

Monday 8/30/2010 Day 20: Back to school again!!!

Well this day was a pretty exciting day. I got to teach at SCSU as an adjuct professor, and it was the first day of classes so the campus was transformed from ghostown to live and living city of new haven all over again wooooohoooooo!!! Thats great but also difficult. Its great to see all the athletes again but its so distracting when there are so many new people and campus events going on at the same time. I must say though I did well and had a productive day one of school. Lecture was good, kids on the team were fired up to be back, I fasted ;-) and even managed to go out on a 20 min run and some bare for striders! I'm the man...

Holla back!

Ma assalama my people
Mustafa

Day 16

Ran though a pack of dogs today. Had no idea where i was going b/c i was walking through some really thick bushes! then all of a sudden I stumble on an open field and see a pack of dogs. They immediately just start chasing me and run me all the way back through the bushes and up this really short tree which was high enough just to keep me out of their mouths!

J/K: Now wouldn't that have been exciting haha. Not really!
The truth is it was just another day in the month of good ole Ramadan. I had suhoor (i'm getting good at it again yaaay!) and then went to SCSU to see if i could meet the new president of the school! I didn't get to meet him in the organized setting that we had planned to meet him. I cant say i am mad though b/c the plan was to hang out at an ice cream social and if you only knew how torturous that would have been for me just imagine yourself there not allowed to eat any of it! Instead, as me and the other track coaches were walking across campus to check on some friends we bumped into him for a very brief but fulfilling moment!

I have been keeping up with the reading and the days have been boring by design so as to maximize on my subr (subr = patience) and self awareness and restraint. Sorry for boring yall... the fun stuff is coming... I hope lol.

Ma-assalama
Mustafa

Ramadan day 14

Yo people, I've been waking up for suhoor makin it happen and things are starting to smoothen out. However, I'm considering a little venue change man. I gotta get the most out of this spiritual opportunity here in Ramadan man and the generosity of Allah during this time. I will keep you guys posted.

The fasting rhythm is getting better though. The reading is not that bad either but it will be a continuous process of purification and personal clarity until the end of Ramadan and i pick up where the month has left me.

On a different note: I started work today though again for the year. It was totally amazing...NOT! I sat in a 2 hour long compliance meeting and realized all the things i have to learn/re-learn about coaching at Southern Connecticut State University! Its gonna be a trip but all i know is watch out, b/c when i make it happen finally its gonna be over and SCSU Track and Field is gonna light an athletic fire under the rest of the athletic department.

Ma-assalama
Mustafa

Ramadan day 12

man i'd like to say i'm so in the zone that I just cant remember the days but thats hardly the case haha. Today was normal enough. Made suhoor, ate well got up had a good day reading and felt fine during the day. The big day is tomorrow, got a lot of training to do! Its about to be on. Tonight though i'm gonna go to see if i can get some dinner for a quick sec... not totally excited about it but it will be something different i guess. Git at your boy.

Ma-assalama,
Mustafa

Ramadan days 9 - 11

I'm so angry right now so if this blog comes out sounding that way then understand that its b/c i didn't wake up for suhoor this morning! I just dont understand what the problem is with alarms these days! They are supposed to wake you up but if they dont even go off then thats grounds for being taken and dumped in the river, like a disloyal family member or friend in a mafia movie! This phone has one last chance before I take it there!

Its been difficult to blog b/c for the past few days i've been behind on my readings and having to catch up through the night, so i end up forgetting to write. The days have been somewhat routine though. Nothing majorly special except for the occasional burst of random physical exertion with 10 minutes recovery. I'll be practicing soon though so those sessions of activity will be a lot longer and organized.

But we're in the second third of Ramadan now, so the momentum i've already built for the first third is something i have to keep and even build on. Spiritually i've kinda missed a little and i feel kinda like I have room to improve. I just dont feel like my "Rooh" (inner connected spirit, heart and soul) is strong right now, which is the most important thing to everything successful in my life. If i'm not successful or feeling happy about where I am with things I can often correlate that with being displeased or unhappy with where I am spiritually. I am not unhappy right now, but I just know I can be so much better! Well I got 19/20 days to do it up so lets get it and keep it moving!

Peace
M

Ramadan day 8

Well I missed suhoor today. what a let down. I woke up on time but felt like laying there for another few minutes and didn't press the snooze button on my alarm but actually turned it off. Now i know why the specific snooze button is so important! I had good energy today though at camp. I had a good conversation with the arts and crafts teacher though. It felt good to talk with someone my age for once who actually had a life away from the camp itself.

We also went fishing in the river. It was an interesting ordeal. I didn't really love it but it was a pretty leisure jaunt with the kids and it was a nice way to kill some time. I played a little catch/tag on the river bank and that was a kind of hard. One i was fasting and two i hadn't warmed up. My body was talking to me like: "Mustafa, why do you tell us to do things that we dont really want to do right now WITHOUT WARNING US WITH AT LEAST A WARM UP FIRST!? Please discontinue all non survival activity now before we do it for you."

Because of that one little episode of tag i had to take a little nap today and then KO my readings. Did it and i was right in time for iftar. Guess what it was... DONUUUUUUTS!!!!! aaaaaaahhhhh I was so happy and they tasted so good. They were so good that I wanted to eat more but the sad thing about that is after 2, they all just start tasting the same for about 2 weeks! Luckily i had enough self-restraint not to eat more than one so now donuts are an option in the near future iftars!

Fall workouts start next week man (monday) now that camp is over. The most grueling and tedious part of the track and field season. Its gonna be interesting (Translation: hard, tiresome, annoying, I will loath every minute of it haha).

Ma'as-salama
Mustafa

Ramadan Day 7

Back on track man! I ate suhoor today!!! It was a simple meal just two bowls of cereal (honey bunches of oats one of my favs). Got back to bed after fajr (morning prayer) and got a good little rest going. I didn't wanna wake up man and go to camp it was so good but i made it to camp.

Upon arrival i saw my brethren Gulian man! He didn't see me though b/c he was walking up the hill as i just got to camp. I ran up to him and jumped on his back! I trusted that he could hold me up b/c he is a D-lineman and weighs 220 and was boasting about how he squatted 405 two days ago! He held me up...I knew he would! Its amazing what a difference suhoor made for me today. I hiked up about 3/4 miles today up hill and then RAN the same hike later that day...and felt a little tired right after but now i feel like 100+ bucks! It was a serious 30 minutes today haha!

Got home did the reading WITHOUT A NAP! I dont attribute this my day entirely to the fact that i had a good suhoor haha! Anyway, Its time to go to iftar right now so you know i wont delay that!

Be easy readers (if there are any of you out there). Talk to you guys tomorrow.

ma'as-salama
Mustafa

Ramadan Day 6

I missed suhoor today!

I went to bed late like 1230 working on some stuff and planning for Monday and idiotic supervisors at camp and forgot to set my alarm! It’s been on 3:45 for the past few days now but i remember setting it for 5:45 the other day so i could sleep after suhoor and still wake up early. anyway I totally forgot to set my alarm and that would explain why i missed suhoor this morning. I remember thinking to myself though while i was laying down... why hasn't my alarm gone off yet? it seems like i'm getting a good rest tonight... Let me look at my clock just to make sure. Oh shoot!!! I missed it! well, oh well just gotta suck it up and make it happen like I always do. no excuses!

I got up prayed and slept for another 2 hours before i made my way to camp so i could enjoy and pass some time with the kids! It was an experience today man. It seemed like the day took so long to go by. usually that’s not the case but i think it was a combination of me being a little stressed that i had a lot of reading to do when i got home as well as it being the last week of camp! The councilors are so antsy to get done with the camp it’s so obvious, me i can’t really stand the counselors anyway except for a few of them so that adds to how tedious the days can be for me haha.

I could feel the effects of not eating suhoor today though. Its rare that i feel that affected by whether or not i have suhoor but i believe it was partly b/c I was focusing on the kids too so that wares me down a lot emotionally as well as physically, believe me I felt it today.

I had to rush home today b/c i was feeling the pressure to get my readings done b/c i hadn't done any of it all day. It usually takes me about 2-2.5 hours to finish it all if i'm not doing well but on a good day about 2 hours. I got home today and i was so hungry and stressed out i just couldn't focus enough to read well and i was so slow. I just felt my body telling me to stop and sleep but i had to try to plug through so i could relax my mind a little if i tried to sleep. If its one thing we all know its very hard to rest, relax, or sleep when the mind is going mile a minute! I pushed through and managed to finish one of my 2 readings and started the second one before i decided to relax and clear my head.

I took about an half hour power nap and that worked wonders for me. I woke up and surprisingly K.O.ed the rest of my reading flipping pages with alacrity (or so it felt by my standards) and right as i finished it was time for iftar (breaking fast time)!

Though a little tight with the timing i managed to get it all done and I was happy about today. Tomorrow i will make the proper adjustments.

1. Set alarm clock
2. Start reading a little bit in the morning
3. Use any extra time i get to get ahead not talk and socialize!

People thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope it was helpful and worth your time. I'll try and keep them shorter and sweeter though.

Ma'as-salama (goodbye in arabic),
Mustafa

Ramadan (hijrah date 1431) Day 1-6

So my computer situation is a bit inconsistent so forgive me for missing the first five days. In a nut shell though the first day was a day of pure questions and a bit of doubt for me. I didn't wake up for suhoor and I wasn't sure if i was supposed to start on that Wednesday b/c there is always some discrepancy with the sighting of the moon. International sightings take place and are often done according to the calendar but the local sightings are more reliable. I prefer to go off of the local sightings of the moon more than the calendar anyway b/c for one the Prophet Muhammad did it that way and didn't have technology as an aid. Two, it leaves no doubt or questions floating around about when to start or finish fasting for the month but lastly (this one is kinda funny) its usually always later than the calendar!!! That said I am glad I've gotten things rolling for the month and i'm looking forward to what it has in store for me.

Ramadan is a month of not only food deprivation but also a lot of other excesses like music, girls, tv, all of the things in this world that take time away from your time with your building a better relationship with your creator. So during this month you not only rearrange all of your eating habits but you also try to abstain from other things which are not totally beneficial to you strengthening your spiritual connection with Allah. The mandate of abstinence from food and women during fasting hours of the day i find really forces you to be more reflective of your actions and things that you don’t need during your day and helps you realign things so that you can focus and restructure yourself during the month and even after Ramadan is over.

I've decided this month to really raise my level of prayers and make extra prayers that I have not been doing well at for the past year. I've also decided to cut out music entirely which i have control of manipulating. I've decided to watch less TV although that is a pretty blurry line i've drawn. I've made it my goal to ready the Holy Quran in Arabic from cover to cover and then some if possible before the end of Ramadan and also read some more supplemental Arabic readings and prayers. If it sounds like a lot its probably a fair amount. But I know I can do it, it’s all just a matter of getting things around me organized and making a decision to cut out the stuff i don’t need no matter what. We are creatures of habit, but habits usually start with the decision to do it or acceptance of the act/habit.

So those are my goals but i have to admit the first few days I have not done a great job executing. I've done well cutting out the music and reading, praying most of my extra (sunnah) prayers but I have been cutting it kinda close on my readings. It is said that there are 3 phases of Ramadan and they are broken into 10 day periods: I believe the first 10 days are for Allah’s grace, the second 10 are for his mercy and the last ten are for his bounty. I am banking that Allah is graceful and keeps accepting my efforts and making them easier for me as this first 3rd of Ramadan goes along.

I have to define another word for you guys quickly:

Sunnah: This is an act or practice that the Prophet Muhammad himself performed under no obligation or order from Allah.

as Muslims these acts are not only strongly encouraged but frowned upon if not followed for good reason. Basically you want to try your hardest to do not only the obligatory acts but also the sunnah acts too.

Ramadan Mubarak!!!

In an attempt to give this month its due I will be blogging everyday for the rest of the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a 29-30 day month dictated by the cycle of the moon. sometimes the new moon is seen after 29 days, sometimes after 30, but never more than 30 days. This is the reason the islamic calendar is shorter than the gregorian calendar. Hence Ramadan is never always on the same day of the same month and is always changing, but the duration is always 29 or 30 days. So that said Ramadan is also a month of increased spiritual practice. It is said that when the physical is weak the spiritual is strong.

Here are some words I'd like you to know:
Suhoor: This is the meal taken in the early morning before sunrise (dawn). Fasting starts after Suhoor is taken, unless you wake too late to eat Suhoor. Fajr prayer is made after Suhoor.

Iftar: This is the meal immidiately after sunset. It breaks the fast and is done before the prayer (magrib).

Dont forget those two words, I use them a lot.

What can I say?

Well I have been up down and around this week. I was up at the big green this week just reconnecting with some of the folks as well as checking out my old campus. Although there is nothing "old" about Dartmouth these days I still felt right at home when I went back. I got to see Carl, Professor Gocsik, my boy Wayne B, accosted the one and only Andrew Wheating for running on my track without permission (he humbly apologized), and I almost pinned down a visit with ours truly "The Elusive" Amory Rowe haha!

I am stoked to get back to camp though and catch up with the kids, I hope they feel the same way. This week will be interesting given that I will be doing a lot of driving; probably about 2 days worth. But dont cry for me, I've done it before! Yes wish me luck though!

Mustafa

Another nice week

Despite the foolish little kids (counselors) I have to say this week at camp was amazing also. We made forts! I have never made a real deal fort from scrap and in the woods. It took us three days to build it and I worked so hard on it b/c I was so into it. We constructed it in the form of a pentagon with five sides and five different benches. We even had 2 alternate door ways! I was very proud of the work me and the kids did. Honestly we worked really really hard. We got second place but quite frankly I think we should have won it. I think there was some inside deals made haha.

The kids were carrying loooooooong logs for the foundation of the fort from all over the camp site. Each was built 3.5 to 4 feet high with logs and held in place by posts on each side. After we got the walls up, we went and cut some branches and stuck them on the outside of the fort walls. This was so we could make the fort camouflage, and also add some height to the structure without using more logs. The kids worked so hard and I was so impressed.

I mean in the beginning the kid's moral was so low b/c just didn't see us making it work with our fort, but as it started going up their enthusiasm just shot through the roof! It was great to see and I even had so much fun b/c it was my first time making a fort too. I think a lot of the kids will take this experience with them and use some of the things we did on our fort and bring it to the next structure they construct on their own. I think a little "push" can go a long way towards jogging someone’s imaginative instincts. I think this fort is the beginning of something like that. Who knows, we might even make a tree house next time! Now that would be cool!

Talk to you guys soon,

Mustafa

Shake shake shake... Shake shake shake... Shake Djibouti! Shake Djibouti!

What’s up my people/followers/friends/family. It feels like its been forever since I’ve talked to you guys. Well I guess it kinda has. I will try and catch you guys up though but I’m not totally sure that is possible b/c I’m sooooooo coooooool(funny)! Lets get to it!

I've been working with a camp of kids at the Y and it’s significantly increased my ability to communicate with younger people constructively! It’s amazing what a difference 1-2 years makes with children. Its funny though b/c at times I wonder if my communicative development is lot further along than some of those younger kids I interact with sometimes (smile)! I promise never to get into a fight with my brother on the phone again.

Anyway though, camp at Mountain Laurel has really been going well. I have been having a great time with the kids getting to know them and inspiring them as well as them doing the same for me. I even invented a few new games with the older kids (7th and 8th graders). I can’t say them b/c I haven't patented them yet ha-ha.

We had Olympic week this past week of the 12-16th of June. It was a fairly lacking display of the Olympic spirit that I’m used too, but I give them credit for trying (smile). At the end of the week, however, things really picked up. We got divided into 4 groups and selected countries for us to represent. Our team was Mexico; the other 3 teams were, Japan, Egypt and Djibouti (most creative I thought ha-ha). Each team made skits and performed them during the middle of the Olympic Day which was on Friday. It was really a very fun scene. Just one thing sticks out most in my mind about the ceremonies though: "shake shake shake... shake shake shake... shake Djibouti! Shake Djibouti!" It was great! Too bad the good old flip camera wasn't with me that day (I am so mad I didn't have it!), but I cant even post on my blog yet so does it really matter :-( (That’s a cry for help)!

We did some modified Olympic events: very low hurdles-one foot, triple "bound", kettle bell throw, archery, standing long jump, swimming and cannon ball dive. Though not traditional the day was a success and I would say that the Olympic spirit was very nearly replicated that day. I also wore my USA jersey just to remind people that I was the big boss ha-ha. But also to inspire a few people to show off for me. I was impressed. I can’t wait for the end of this week though. This Friday we get to play a counselor basketball tournament. I am stoked about it. I get to show the alternate skill sets that nobody ever anticipates or believes I have until I show it ha-ha. It will be really fun.

Man I feel like I’ve said a lot even though I feel like I’ve left out so much. This is why I have to learn how to post videos and pictures b/c I do not have enough words that will equal the worth of all those pictures (a picture~1000 words right)! I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back on soon for sure. Great things are happening here got to feed you guys with it!

Until next time my people!
Mustafa

Make New Friends

But keep the old! I just finished working with the kids at the Y in New haven for the summer. It was really an experience that I didn't think would be as fulfilling as it was. I had a lot of fun and I know I was really significant to the kids in their lives. The only thing is I didn't realize until I told them that it was my last week. They didn't really get too emotional but they made it clear to me that they had love for me which was cool. I had "the juice" that day too so I decided I’d put on a dunking show for them. They had been asking me for the whole time but I didn't have the energy until my last day - weird how that works huh.

so now I’m at the Hamden Y just getting used to the new set of kids at the Camp mountain laurel for the summer. It’s really a great change of pace b/c they kids are older a little more mature and able to control their emotions and coexist with each other without trying to murder on another! But it’s been my first 3 days and I can honestly say I have really enjoyed it and I really look forward to the next few weeks with them.

Wow!!! Thats a Low Price!!!

See this is the reason why i dont want to be a father yet. I mean look its fathers day this weekend and i've heard almost no mention of it in the public. Honestly, its a bit disturbing. I will have you all know that men do a lot for the well being and overall mental, emotional, and physical stability of thier kids!!! So show us so love on fathers day too!!! Happy fathers day my father, Brothers, Coaches and every father thats every been served as a positive presence in my life!

Ok now that that’s out of the way I must say that things have been getting a little more fun at the Y. I stated really organizing things with the kids in gym and started to realize that I have just as much if not MORE to learn than the kids. We've been playing soccer b/c its the world cup, but this is not your ordinary soccer game! I am talking just getting a kick on the ball is an accomplishment! and being able to concentrate and try to play long enough to break into a sweat is a triumph! I've been loving it though. The only problem is I will have them for another week and then I will be gone for the summer and working with some older kids. I think that will be great fun though. I know i'm going to be able to work and show them a thing or two, but i am sure that i will probably stand to learn just as much or more from them! I gotta get my flip camera working again aaaaaaahhhhhh...!!!!! and I have to figure out how to post my videos!!!!!

So if you guys have any ideas or suggestions on some kids games for kids between the ages of 3-5 let me know just post a comment! Also show me whats good with posting videos on this blog haha...

Kids games:

Ways to post videos:

Hasta Lueago!
Mustafa

Once again its on!!!

I had been away from the Y for a while b/c i had a lot of stuff to take care of at home and in life. Because of this fact I was nervous about how I would be received going back to the Y after a few weeks. It was great though b/c it was as if i never left and all i got was great love and hugs and high-fives from the boys and girls! Once that happened I was right back into it and picked up right where i left off. In fact I even figured out how I could do more with them and have a more organized impact on them. Instead of just playing with them unorganized and randomly. So now I have decided to insert myself as a gym teacher and see how that works. I know it will require great organization, but also flexibility and adaptability. I will keep you all posted on how that goes haha.

There is a potential for me to begin working with an older youth group (after school program) at a Y closer to me so I am stoked about that. However, finding time to be able to work and insert myself with this new group will be another challenge though. I'm up for it though. It is exciting to think about how I will be able to do this, but also excited to have this opportunity at the same time! The best thing about it though is the possibility that I'll be able to use the pool at the Y for free!!! hahaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Can you believe that there is no outdoor public pool in new haven! It makes no sense to me! This would never be the case in good ole bean town baby! I guess its true that there is no place like my home; nothing compares to Boston baby! The celts will win game 2 tonight!

Go Green!

Its been too long!

In every sense of that saying. It’s been too long since I’ve blogged and talked to cyber world! It’s been too long since I've seen my kids at the Y since I've moved! It’s been too long since I've been able to put it down on the track and enjoy the youth and maturity that I have been blessed with! It’s been too long since I've seen Kobe get dominated by the Celtics in the playoffs!

So i guess it’s time: To get writing again and figure out how to post videos aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh! I guess it's time to make the trek all the way back to New haven to see those little buggers and get them excited about life again! I guess it’s time to turn the wheels slowly, little by little and step by step up the mountain or down the journey to 2012! I guess it’s time to witness the Celtics do it to Kobe and the Lakers one more time so that Paul pierce can show the world that he is a way better champion than Kobe!

While we are on the topic I would love to see Coach K (from Duke) go to coach Lebron and the Cavs man. If that happens I guarantee that the Cavs will win the championship next year! I also think that he could totally leave Duke for 3-5 years to coach in the league, win some championships with Lebron and go right back to Duke and reclaim his place there at Duke and win some more college titles. In fact it’s a must. I think it will happen. Speaking of championships it’s the division 2 national championships in North Carolina right this weekend. It’s a great meet, I want to go, but I am not sure the wheels will allow it... oh well! Good luck to the SCSU 4x400m relay team and the 800m and 400m runners las, RJ 46, L.S. 48 and Stenny Sten! Good Luck Teesh in those 100's and 400 hurdles hopefully I helped you well haha.

Anyway... There is more in store! Big ups to the Big Green!

Mustafa

LETS GOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So I've been really frequent this entire month and then Conference came up and just threw off my entire start to may. I must say though that its all been worth it. The team won both on the mens and womens side. The mens meet was close and the women won by the largest margin ever in NE-10 history. I'd like to say it was all me but i know better than that haha. So then it was off to new englands a week later. We never really have a shot to win that meet as a team so its really a meet for individual performances and national qualifiers mainly. The mens 4x4 is on their way to making it happen but they hang in the balance right now. I am betting that since i haven't been as frequent at the Y since conference the kids must miss me ALOT OBVIOUSLY; but they will also have millions of questions about why i was gone, where i went etc. So I better hurry up and get back man!

It was also a very busy weekend for the Ivy Leaguers and the big green did well. They did a lot better than i thought they would actually haha. So big ups and shout outs to all my big greeners. Stay up yall. Chisam dont be mad man... Big green is the best ;-).

The time is now!!!

Well shoot I got a shout out from two people in my last blog and I got two more followers hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! yyyyyyeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!! booooooooooooyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!

OK shout outs to matt (great, funny comment), Zoila (finally made it to my neck of the woods-and loved it). And shout out to the woman who needs no shout out... "The Rowe!"

Got conference this weekend man and it’s gonna be a dog fight! I mean it’s going to be nothing easy on either side – the men or the women. However, I still believe that whatever I bring to the meet in terms of excitement and encouragement will ultimately serve to push us over the hump though. Let’s Go!!!

The TV is On but Nobody is Watching!!!

I dont even know what to say man. Today was ba-na-nas!!! I went to the Y and it was actually a very eye opening and informative day. A new/former teacher (new to me, former to the rest of the teachers) came to class today and she started a new literacy program called "The Daily Five." It was a very interesting program and the way she explained it during class was amazing. She was talking to both the kids and the teachers at the same time, but I noticed how well and easily she communicated with the teachers and kids simultaneously! Her effectiveness communicating with the kids was even more amazing to me because just a day before, I watched one of the older teachers explain to one of the kids how to button up his pants. He was trying to button his pants but he couldn't line up the buttons male and female ends because he wasn't looking. He was so excited to get it over with so he could get back to playing that he couldn't take the time to look down and concentrate on what he was doing to button up his pants. After telling him 3 times - unsuccessfully - to look at what he was doing, Ms. Denise (the teacher), towering over him just softly eases his head downward so his chin is pressing against his chest. Derek (the kid) then has no choice but to make the connection that it would be a lot easier to LOOK at what he was doing in order to button up his pants. Needless to say he proceeded to button up his pants immediately thereafter.

Thinking about that made me think. Are these kids that I coach really hearing what I'm saying or is it the exact same thing as Derek and Ms Denise. I mean the lights are on but nobody is home lol. Or what you're actually telling them to do just isn't registering b/c they are way to occupied busy and overwhelmed with everything else going on in their brain; Text messages, homework, food, pain they might feel, fear etc. I mean surely I was never that bad way as an athlete when I was in college, but I only really started understanding my events when I left college. I wonder why it took so long and when I figure that out will I be able to guide my kids around those kinds of mental barriers haha.

On another note, I just hopped into a little jumping work out today with the kids and it actually went and felt pretty well. HJ: 6'2" from 5 steps! Pole vaulted from 5 steps on a 15' 160lb pole, then I capped the day off with a good swim in the pool and some fun dives! Stay tuned to see some evidence hahaaaaaaaaaaa.

Take it easy my people the ghosts that you all are!

GO CAVS and CELTS!
Dartmouth is the best ;-)
Mustafa

Wassup peeps!!!

I've been thinking... I'd like to shout out all of the people who have taken the time to read my blog or visit my site and show a bit of interest. I guess I’m not totally sure if I should be calling you guys friends or fans or whatever. Even though I know it cant be that many it’s great to have you regardless. I really appreciate your interest in what I’m doing or not doing and it’s very uplifting to know that people pay a little attention. Once again "big-ups" to you all.

How are you guys anyway? I'd like to know.

On another note, I know I owe you guys a few things to spice up my blog but things with my camera have really gone bad (aka its broken). Can you believe that!? I mean honestly I took good care of that thing and now it has just decided to discontinue functionality! uuuuuuggggggghhhhhhh! I guess I have to paint you a picture with my words, but if your blog comments are any indication of how well I’ve been doing with my imagery I might have to try something else ha-ha. Don’t sleep though b/c I always find a way ;-).

Feeling aight man

I got off and out today did a little work with the kids at the Y and boy was it difficult. It was so stressful. I think the kids can feel the weather changing and its actually exciting them and giving them a boost in their moral and overall busy-body feeling. Its crazy haha.

I did a little bit more though today and ran some 300 and it was ok. I gotta say though it was good to get out there and run a little without the ankle killing me and the hamstrings blowing up and the quads killing. Shukril hamdu lillah(thank you Allah/God all praise is due to you). Well the highlight of the day though was when i ran over 6 intermediate hurdles man. I caught them all on my opposite leg but i negotiated those hurdles like a champ still. Man what a nice day it was fun. The kids on the team were good to work with and they seem to be getting ready for the conference meet may 1st.

Its on BABY!!!

The King Has Returned

Its that time of the year again! The NBA playoffs are back in action and yes Lebron is back in action and ready to make it happen this year. Its going to be interesting to see what happens this your though because it was a very similar position for the cavs last year. Having home court throughout the playoffs didn't even get them out of the eastern conference finals! Well not this year! Shaq is healthy, and has lost 15-20 pounds; Mo Williams is back on track and jamison looks like he's finally getting a little bit more comfortable in his role! It’s gonna to be a good play off this year.

LA looks a little shaken heading into the playoffs though so i'm not sure if that means we'll get our dream final match-up Kobe vs. Lebron. Actually i think its more like Kobe vs. "The Lebrons." Kobe is the one man show and Lebron while he could be all of that and then some he choose to spread the ball around and get everybody involved and include his teammates and make them feel just as important as he is. That’s the approach i'd take (letting everybody feel significantly involved) b/c that is when you get maximum productivity from each person and you're virtually unstoppable.

The Baseball season has just started and Hockey isn't as compelling Tiger is out of seclusion, so that means that the spot light belongs to the NBA playoffs - and conference championships in track and field ;-). Big ups, love and shout outs to all my ITA people - Zoila.

Talk to you guys soon!
Mustafa

So I think I must be getting a little bit better at instructing just a tad. I mean sometimes you just dont have to tell a person everything. You tell them a little bit to start them off or to get them past what they are stuck on and then they figure out the rest. I am also realizing that they will also learn something today and not be very good at it but the next day they can look significantly better! That is great!

The kids can run relay races now, but lets see if they can do a layup drill in basketball now. I guess we'll see haha. Ankles and Hamstrings are not great and probably need work/rehab. I'll say more when i have better to say. For now though no stress and just keep the kids motivated!

Mustafa

Honestly

I wonder if i can make this blog any more boring haha. I promise that I am dedicated to making this blog a lot more exciting from this day on. Video posts testimonials the whole nine haha. Ok maybe i will wait on going that far just yet but yea just keep reading and good things will happen.

On another note I've got the kids to participate in somewhat of an organized game called "relay racing" haha. I rolled up some paper and taped it together and started making them run with it. I did ok telling them the rules. If they had a stick they had to follow the rules and the rules were that they could not run without the stick, they had to run in a straight line and they had to pass the stick when they were finished. It sounds simple but when interacting with young kids between 3-5 thats a lot of information. Honestly though i learn so much from them more than i could have ever thought. It can be tiresome but I like it! Its a good balance!

Talk to you guys soon
Go Green!

Mustafa

Something new

Ok so I am trying a new approach to life. It’s called "baby steps." Instead of trying to make all the changes and corrections at once just take it one thing at a time. Instead of trying to teach someone everything at once just teach them one thing at a time and perhaps they will learn the rest on their own - make my job easier. I am also thinking, that instead of trying to make physical gains and improvements immediately, take it one step at a time and make these gains steadily over time.

Dealing with the kids at "The Y" it’s very important that I remember this because they are so young that they really don’t understand much of anything going on around them if it’s not directly affecting them. I remember when I was young (about 4) I spilled some corn flakes on the floor and instead of picking it up and throwing it away I pushed it all under the living room rug. A day or two later I went to the living room and looked for the corn flakes to see if they were still there and much to my surprise the flakes were gone!!! For the next 3 years or I was convinced that if you put trash under the rug then it would disappear and you would never have to worry about it. Needless to say, I've grown to understand better than that now. However, I wonder what the myriad of feelings were for my mom or dad when they saw that mountain of corn flakes under the rug. And then I wonder what they thought of doing to me or one of my siblings after they actually cleaned them up. Thank goodness I never found out the answers to those questions and I figured it out on my own.

My father told me that the meaning/essence of patience is finding something to do while you are waiting. That’s a very fruitful saying. I think I will have to remember that as it applies to me and my day to day life and training. That is always very important.

Hasta Luego...
Mustafa

Life

It’s a wonder how life really never can be predicted. A lot like sports. I mean "that’s why we play the games" they say! At one moment you think you have it all figured out and then "life" throws you a curve ball and you just have to adapt. Often sports show this exact same dynamic in a nut shell. Setbacks and obstacles are common place, challenges and hardships are necessary and honestly as an athlete and a person good/successful at "life" (“lifelete”), you almost have to invite these things so that you are allowed to truly show the world all that you have to offer as well as yourself!

I've had a good month of January but now February has gotten off to a rough start. The project took a hit due to time and scheduling constraints. Training took a hit due to an unexpected hamstring issue. What do i do now??? Gotta just try to push along and continue by putting myself in the position to be productive/successful.

The road is long and arduous yes but the journey of a billion miles starts with one step! Oh yea and a flip Camera, and a red circle t-shirt, and some temp tattoos haha! I got my packet today!!!!!

I'll be in touch if you do

Still working

It’s been a couple weeks and I've been in contact with the Terry at the YMCA in New Haven on Crown Street. There are still a few things to work out with them before I can fully submerge myself into the day to day activity at the Y. There is definitely great potential for me to be insert myself and openness towards me, but it will be a challenge to organize the kids the way I want to in order to maximize my affect and presence with them daily (hopefully).

I've had a tour of the place met a few people and visualized what I’d like to do and how. There is a pool for recreation and a basketball gym (which is frequently used by kids) a homework center and a game room. My vision is to see the kids and me working to improve in basketball with individual/team sessions and possibly play AAU teams or something of that nature in the summers. But for now I have to just get fully integrated into the day to day program and gain a little more trust with the kids.

So there you have it; there is more to be said but as of now we'll leave it there and stay tuned for the next post from your boy.

Go Dartmouth BIG GREEN!!!

Hello to all my followers and potential followers out there! Its a new experience to actually have a blog that people (other than myself and one other friend) may actually read! I'm excited about it. I am also excited about the prospect of training and getting back in shape again. In addition it will be great to have a chance to pursue something outside of track which has the potential to be just as meaningful and exciting (working with the youth in my area).

As of today I have not totally finalized my project, but I have an idea of what it will look like. I think it will have to have some academic component included into an athletic endeavor. Being that I was a highly successful student athlete, I really want to instill that confidence in the kids I’m involved with that the two go hand in hand and are complimentary. Can't give you guys too much more details right now, because I like to keep these kinds of things close to my chest in the beginning (haha) so just stay tuned.

Mustafa