Friday, July 16, 2010

16 July 2010 - note to readers

Bashir and Nicole's correspondence from August 2009 through mid-July 2010 is posted on this blog. Emails from mid-July 2010 onward will be saved in the cloud. Please post a comment here if you are interested in more information about Bashir and Nicole. Asante sana na Mungu akubariki.

July 8 2010 from Dar Es Salaam

Hi Mum!

Am so delighted to hear all kind of Fan things that you did in Boston. They really sound good & the way you explained to me, I just feel like I was there with you. Because you have explained Convincingly & Attractively.

To be honest Mum, you know how to explain a story, it's just like the BBC Journalists. Congratulations Mum for that!

Another thing I have just discovered is that you like RUNNING so Much. Wao! Congratulations to My Mum Sarah for winning a Run against you.

Am also happy to hear that your beloved niece AVA & BENJAMIM are all fine including their parents. By the way, Did you tell AVA & everyone that I greeted them? Did you tell your sister Sarah & her family about me?

But sorry that I have not yet seen the Photos you have sent, because my Phone can not open it, unless I should go to the Internet Café to open it.

I have also delayed to reply you this Email just because the Problem of Internet Connection is still occuring in Dar-es-Salaam. Then it does not depend on whether I use a Phone or what, even if I use a Phone, it can't work because it's the same network that we use. But now it's alright & everything has settled. I will go at the Break time to the Internet Café to check the Photos you sent & I will tell you when I see them.

But above all, I have been impressed about the wonderful moments that you experienced in Boston. But it's also very far from Cleveland, wao! a Drive of 12 hours?

MAY GOD BLESS YOU MUM,

AM YOUR SON,
BASHIR!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

July 6 2010 from Cleveland

Dear Bashir, how is my fine Son today? Thank you for your wonderful email today! I have attached some photos of my darling niece Ava, my sister Sarah, and my brother-in-law (Sarah's husband) Tony, from my visit to their home in Boston. Tell me if you're able to see the photos!

On Friday 2 July, I flew to Boston instead of driving because the flight takes 2 hours, but driving would take 12 hours. When I arrived, we enjoyed some nice family times, talking and relaxing. Sarah and i took Ava and Benjamin to the town swimming pool. Later, Tony cooked hamburgers on the grill for our dinner. Sarah and I also went for a 3-mile run (about 5K).

On Saturday 3 July, Sarah and I ran 5K in the morning. Then we drove to Portsmouth, New Hampshire (about 1 hour's drive) to pick up my brother Joel, then we drove to Ogunquit Beach for swimming and sunshine. Later we drove back to Portsmouth and walked for 30 minutes to a very pleasant and delicious restaurant, where we all ate seafood like lobster, fish (haddock), and oysters, as well as pizza and chicken. After dinner, we walked for 15 minutes to the park, where thousands of people gathered to watch the fireworks show. Do you know "fireworks"?

On Sunday 4 July, Sarah and I competed in a 2.5 mile race (a little less than 5k). Sarah won 1st place in her category (Women age 40-49) and I placed 2nd in my category (Women age 50-59; I am 510, so we were extremely happy with our performances! Then we took Ava and Benjamin back to the town pool for a nice swim.

On Monday 5 July, Ava and Benjamin went to summer camp for the day, Tony went to work, and Sarah and I drove to the town of Wellesley, near Boston, for some pleasant walking in the sunshine. Later we ate lunch, then she drove me to the bus which took me to the airport.

In total, it was a very delightful vacation!

MUNGU AKUBARIKI! MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH HIS MAXIMUM SECURITY, DEAR SON!

Your loving and caring Mum

July 6 2010 from Dar Es Salaam

Hi Mum!


Welcome back home Mum! But I first of all apologise for not sending you a special Email of welcoming you back from Boston. I actually thought to do that, but unfortunately my Phone didn't have charge since yesterday. That's why I couldn't send that Email. But now it has & it's what am using right now.

By the way, How was the Journey? How is your beloved niece Ava? What about Benjamin with his Mum & Dad?

Mum, Why did you choose to travel by Plane to Boston? Is it too far from Cleveland?

But am so happy that you have come back so safely. I thank God for keeping you so safely untill you came back & I also thank him for accepting my prayers. He really protected you with his MAXIMUM SECURITY, no doubt about!!

Now am just anxiously waiting to hear from you to update me more about your 'EXPEDITION'.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU,

AM YOUR SON,
BASHIR!

July 6 2010 from Cleveland

Hello my dear Son Bashir! Your Mum is home safely from a lovely trip to Boston. I have missed my Son and our daily emails. I'm very excited that we will be emailing each other again starting today! Mr. Jimmy was very pleased to be emailing with you while I was traveling. Right now I have just arrived at work, so this email will be short. I will write you a longer email later, probably tonight. Asante sana for your wonderful prayers that kept me safe in God's maximum security while I was away from home.

MUNGU AKUBARIKI! MAY GOD BLESS MY DEAR AND CARING SON!

Your loving and devoted Mum

July 2 2010 from Cleveland

Habari, Son? Your Mum is now leaving to go to the airport in Cleveland. Mr. Jimmy is driving me there. I will fly to Boston to have a lovely visit with my beloved sister Sarah, my darling niece Ava, my dear nephew Benjamin, and Sarah's fine husband Tony. I packed my camera and hope to take some great new photos which I can email to you next week!

I will not be on a computer again until Tuesday 6 July. But each day I will think about my Son Bashir with great love and devotion, and of course I will pray for you every morning and night.

You can email Mr. Jimmy! He will not be working and he promised to check his emails to see if you have sent him something, and then he will reply.

I will email you again on Tuesday 6 July in the daytime in Cleveland, which will be night in Dar Es Salaam.

Please pray for God to bless your Mum with His MAXIMUM SECURITY on my travels!

MAY GOD BLESS MY DEAR SON BASHIR/ENTERTAINER!

Your loving and proud Mum

July 1 2010 from Cleveland

Hello again, Bashir! Please forgive your Mum! Yes, indeed I have been extremely busy at work all week. The reason is that my boss is on vacation, so I am doing all her work plus my own work! Wao, your Mum is busy every second of the day! But I always say, "I like to be needed" and "I am happy to help" and "Yes, I can!" and "I can do it." And my boss is a very kind and hard-working woman, so I'm pleased to know she's enjoying a lovely week of vacation.

Now I want to offer my sympathy and encouragement to you, my Dear Son, on Portugal's loss to Spain and the elimination of our favorite player, C. Ronaldo. I'm so sad that we now lack a best player to cheer for in the World Cup. Is Ghana still in the competition? Should we cheer for them as Africans? Tell me your comments.

I'm glad you continue to watch the games at Soma!

Regarding the formidable course, 'FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL CONTROL,' your Mum is now saying a special extra prayer for her brilliant and hard-working Son to be extremely blessed in your understanding and mastery of this course.

Every day and night I pray for you to be blessed in many ways, in your health, peace, happiness, prosperity, friendships, relationships, activities, home, and of course your college education! And now I say an extra prayer especially for you to be the peaceful master of this difficult course. I am fully confident in God's grace to give you this peace and mastery so you will enjoy success in this and every course you take

I also want to say, dear Son, if you should ever need to re-take any exam during your college years, simply let me know and I will send any additional fees so you make re-take it. I don't want you to have any Stress or Anxiety about that! All I ask is that you do your very best, which of course you always do! So please know your Mum and Dad will support you in any situation.

I enjoyed reading your daily schedule! That's very fun for me to imagine your daily life and activities. Usually I get up at 5 a.m. and have my morning prayers, then am busy at home until going to work about 7:30 a.m. After work, I like to go running and also do my household work, have evening prayers, and go to bed by 10 or 11 p.m.!

My heart is smiling with gratitude for your special prayer for your Mum, that God will bless me with His "MAXIMUM SECURITY'! Asante sana for your lovely blessing! I ask God to bless you too with His MAXIMUM SECURITY!

MUNGU AKUBARIKI! MAY GOD BLESS MY BRILLIANT, LOVING, AND HARD-WORKING SON!

Your loving and grateful Mum

July 1 2010 from Cleveland

Mambo, Son! Habari nzuri! Yes, indeed I have been very busy at work, but all is well! I will be writing you a longer email in a few minuntes, but just in case you check your email, I want you to have this note right away!

MUNGU AKUBARIKI, MAY GOD BLESS MY DEAR SON!

Your loving Mum

July 1 2010 from Dar Es Salaam

Hi Mum!

Am now having a breakfast as am preparing to go to the College. Right now it's 6:30am. I actually wake up at 5:30am from Monday-Friday . But during a weekend, I even wake up around 8:30am.

I usually sleep around 12 midnight, especially nowadays as the world cup games end around that time. But if there is no any football game, I like to sleep around 9:30-10pm.

What about you Mum? At what time do you Sleep & wake up?

Ok, am now heading to the College & I hope I will find your Email when I check your Email again in my Phone around 4pm.

But I know that you may be were so busy at work & you couldn't send me an Email yesterday as you were so tired. But it's just my habbit to get surprised when the day goes without reading your Email. Because I always wish you well & I always ask GOD to protect you with his 'MAXIMUM SECURITY'.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU MUM,

AM YOUR SON,

BASHIR!

June 30 2010 from Dar Es Salaam

Hi Mum,

I had a nightmare yesterday of PORTUGAL's exit from the world Cup by SPAIN. They lost by 1-0. I was & am still worried of that a shock defeat because my Player to watch is now out & I will have nobody who will make me happy to watch like way CRISTIANO RONALDO does.

Yes ECONOMICS & ORGANISATIONAL BUSINESS STRUCTURE are tough Subjects but NOT so Much Tough. But there is a TOUGHEST Subject Called 'FUNDAMENTALS OF FINANCIAL CONTROL', this Subject is almost a threat to everyone. We were told that last year only 2 Students of entire Class are the ones who passed this subject, but the rest Failed. Of course there were Rumours that they were given the EXAMS of another SYLLABUS which was different to what they learnt in Class, but despite that, the Subject is really tough & it needs more practice.

But I really feel good & happy when you tell me about running. It's really good to have exercises that bring fitness to the body. I like that & I would really join you if I were there.

Am right now at College & am reading. We are already out of today's class. Am hoping to leave at 5pm for home.

Yes, I still go to SOMA CAFÉ, Yesterday I was there to watch JAPAN & PARAGUAY. But JAPAN lost by 5-4 through PENALTY SHOOTOUT.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU MUM,

AM YOUR SON,

BASHIR!

June 28 2010 from Cleveland

Mambo, Bashir! Well, it has indeed been a very busy day and evening! Now I am home and it is getting dark outside. It has been nice and hot here in Cleveland, and as you know your Mum likes the hot weather! I run my 10k and 5k even when it's very hot, just so I can stay in good condition, but it's a lot harder to run when it's so hot. That's why I'm very impressed that you and your classmates are buys playing soccer in the sun in Dar Es Salaam, where the temperatures are even higher! Good for you! You're very strong and tough, and those are good qualities for a young man to have!

Oh my, that's a huge loss for England! I heard Germany has a good team so I guess it was true. Do you still watch the games at Soma?

ORGANIZATIONAL BUSINESS STRUCTURE sounds interesting and difficult. ECONOMICS also sounds difficult! Christopher majored in Economics when he was in college. Douglas majored in Sociology and Anthropology. I majored in English and Communications. Your Dad Mr. Jimmy is very highly intelligent, however he did not go to college, but instead began working in the profession of road building right after high school. He drives all the giant machines that no one else can operate! So we can be very proud of him!

I am on "summer vacation" from my master's classes, thank goodness, because I've been very busy at work. But in July, I will take a summer class that lasts for five days, July 13-17. That will be at Cleveland State University. Then, in September, I will take a full semester class at the University of Akron, which you will remember from earlier this year.

Now it's time for your tired Mum to get ready for sleep. I sleep much better knowing that my son Bashir has a comfortable mattress and a fan to cool him!

MUNGU AKUBARIKI!

MAY GOD BLESS MY DEAR SON!

Your loving and proud Mum

June 28 2010 from Cleveland

Habari nzuri, my dear Bashir! I'm so sorry I did not write to you as usual yesterday or this morning! Things got very very busy at home and now at work! All is well with everyone, just a lot of work to be completed

I will write you a much better email tonight, which will be the middle of the night in Dar Es Salaam!

I didn't want my dear Son to worry about Mum, so am sending this short note for now. Asante sana for caring about your Mum, Dad, and all of us!

MAY GOD BLESS MY DEAR AND WONDERFUL SON!

Your loving and devoted Mum

June 28 2010 from Dar Es Salaam

Hi Mum!

It's not only USA who have been ousted from the world cup Tournament, ENGLAND too have received an embarrassing defeat of 4-1 by GERMANY. As I am talking right now they are on their way to home. It's quiete an ambarrasment because they were the Favourites & they possess the World Class players.

Right now am in Class at Learnit, am dealing with the new assignment of ORGANISATIONAL BUSINESS STRUCTURE which we were given on Friday. Then I have just checked in my Phone if you sent me an Email, but unfortunately I didn't find it.

Then am surprised because it was on Saturday if not on Friday that you sent me an Email. So I would like to know if there is any Problem.

But I pray for you & your entire family that you should not have any problem. But I wrote you an Email yesterday & I hope you got it.

We already Submmitted the assignment of ECONOMICS on Friday.

Let me now reply your question about 'Where do we play football in Dar-es-salaam, actually there are a lot of playing fields in Dar-es-salaam, but on saturday we played at the Ground Called TAMBAZA, it's quiete close to PALM BEACH HOTEL, it's a walking distance of NOT more than 10 Minutes. Yes, we manage to play even when it's too hot, because the Field play is always busy & we don't wait for the Sun to go down as a lot of Teams Scramble for the Ground. Then it's like that & We can't do otherwise, because it's 'INEVITABLE'.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU MUM,

AM YOUR SON,

BASHIR!

June 27 2010 from Dar Es Salaam

Hi Mum!

Am quiete touched with USA's exit from the World Cup after losing to GHANA by 2-1. The game was very tight & unpredictable. Ghanians used a Physical game in order to overcome the USA, otherwise USA would have carried the day because played very beautiful & a Carpet football. They won a ball Possession of the entire Match. It was just Unlucky the USA didn't win but the Deserved to win.

Meanwhile, the Match was the Hottest & people described it as the best Match of the Tournament.

I actually was behind USA because I wished to be in full Happiness. But anyway, it happens & that's how soccer is.

To talk about our game between IT & BUSINESS classes of Learnit, it ended a 1-1 draw & I played the entire game. But it was really fun & we had a perfect lunch just soon after the Match.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU MUM,

AM YOUR SON,

BASHIR!

June 26 2010 from Cleveland

Hello Son, I'm very excited as I await the results of your titanic struggle of Business Adminstration versus IT guys!! I will be proud of my wonderful son whatever the outcome because I know you will play brilliantly on behalf of your team! Where do you play soccer in Dar Es Salaam? How do you play when it's so hot!

Next it will be time for USA versus Ghana in World Cup! I hope you will be watching at Soma Book Cafe after your day teaching English at Mr. Iddi's. I will cheer for USA team but if Ghana wins, I'll still be happy because I love Africa and consider myself African as well!

Now I must go. I will be back tomorrow in hopes I hear happy news from my dear Son.

MUNGU AKUBARIKI!

MAY GOD BLESS MY FINE SON BASHIR!

Your loving and proud Mum

June 25 2010 from Dar Es Salaam

High Mum!

Am so delighted to hear that you were so impressed with Portugal's & C.Ronaldo's fantastic performance. Today PORTUGAL are playing the mighty BRAZIL. WHAT A MASSIVE MATCH!

Actually Mr.Iddi provides me a special & Delicious Food when I go there to teach them. He does everything possible that I eat an Edible food when am there. But above all, he showed his appreciation by supporting me when I was taking a Course of HOTEL MANAGEMENT. He also says that apart from that I teach him English, But also my behaviour encouraged him to support me. He says that am POLITE, TOLERANT, RESPECTFULL & OBEDIENT. He also says that he would have already Dropped me if I were so Impolite, Disrespectful & Disobedient to him or to anyone. He says that my good Character is what made him to support me always despite the fact that am Not his Relative by Blood. That's what even made him to willingly regard me as his own young brother.

Yes, I bought a small FUN which cools me at night. It's really good & am happy with that!

Mum, Tomorrow there is a BIG MATCH between BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION & IT classes of LEARNIT. Then I have prepared to defend my Class tomorrow & I will make sure that IT guys suffer with a shock defeat.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU MUM,

AM YOUR SON,

BASHIR!