Email Exchanges

Zeeshan [Mentee]

Hi D,

You ask me about my interests in computer, I would say if I have one chance in my life to do some thing or to be something it would be computer information system manager. The thing that I would like to do is use the Internet and play with computer OS, and settings and how things work.

Here is the comparison between Jaja and me:

In Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie the character that I like the most is Jaja because him and me share some of the same character traits. For example; he like to stand against people who he thinks is not right and I have that character trait because if anybody say some thing that I think doesn’t make any sense and they just want to force people to believe in whatever they want.

Another character traits that we share are that we both have lots of guts and have the ability to stand up to people and say something. I remember last year when I was going for job interview and I was dress up and I saw one guy coming up to me and asking me for money and I told him that why should I give you the money to you and I don’t know you and then he took out the knife from his jacket and when I saw that he took the knife out I just took the pepper spray that I had in my pocket. And he when saw the pepper spray in my hand he started to me toward me and I just spray on his face and then I just ran from there. Another character traits that we have in common are that we both can easily adjust in new places. When I came to USA, it take me that much time to adopt the new culture and but the language was little hard.

Here is the letter that I wrote to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about he visit to our school:

Dear Ms. Adichie,

How are you? It was pleasure to meet you and also that was the first time I met the author of the book that I was reading and I think its interesting because the reader get the chance to ask question about the book and get the authors opinion about the book. And also why the author decided to make the character they are. Ms. Adichie you said you love your country and people of your country and also you said this book reflect the culture of Nigeria. I think you are lucky because you get the chance to express your feeling and share with other people. I don’t think everybody have the chance to express their feelings. Thanks for you visit Ms. Adichie and you told some of the things that we didn’t know. Take care. I hope to see your new book in the future.

Sincerely,

Zeeshan

Darrell [Mentor]

Hi Zeeshan,

So you would like to be a manager? Interesting. I'm sure you know that Information Systems is a very broad profession, and it encompasses development (or programming), network architecture and engineering, security, and of course art, like what your favorite video games are all about. Do you play video games?

I think most people are pretty skilled in Operating Systems and the Internet today. This wasn't the case 10 years ago. We used to e-mail and chat on VAX mainframes at school. Very obscure, and new, and exciting at the time.

I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience on the street with someone trying to harm you. You've only been in this country a short period time and that's really unfortunate. I'm lucky enough to have never been bothered in any part of New York that I've lived in. Does this give you a bad view of our country?

I liked your letter to Ms. Adichie. What was your impression of her? Was there anything that you felt that you had in common with her? I would imagine both she and you had both an equally challenging and rewarding time expressing your thoughts in English.

Her's were in a novel and your's in school and e-mails through iMentor. Was there any one thing that struck you as interesting about her?

I can see how it would be easy for you to identify yourself with Jaja. You are both fiercely independent and intelligent young people. I can say that I probably can identify with both Jaja and Papa for two reasons. One, is that I too am a very independent thinker and hold my own principles. I believe it is important to hold your convictions true and voice your opposition when you think something is wrong. And, of course, what son has not ever had conflict with their father in their life? I cetainly have, being the oldest son, of the oldest son. There is alot of pressure. I also identify with Papa in a way, because I believe in the sanctity of family, and I am very stubborn. I was stubborn to a point where I could not see the error of my ways when it came to communicating with my family in the wrong way. Over the years however I've learned that being open-minded and supportive of my family, especially my brother and sister, is the best way to relate to them. The worst part was to admit that I'm not always right!

Well, until next week. Just to remind you, there is a "First Wednesday" event at the Imentor offices in Brooklyn, so I'm hoping that you can make it so we can chat in person. I also look forward to hearing your thoughts on some of the questions I presented to you, in your next e-mail.

Take care,

Darrell