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 ;-).