It Is The Little Things

I have been studying most of the day for my two midterms next week so I thought I would take a break and talk about yesterday.

So yesterday, I woke up on the wrong side of the bed for some reason. I just felt blah and it was rainy and grey walking to school which I thought described my mood to a T. I got to my class, Social Problems in Turkey, and the teacher was late. I didn’t even care and told everyone who wanted to leave that we should give her more time. And a few minutes later, she arrived. It was nice to hear that I was right. But the happiness went away quickly when she handed back our midterms we took the day before. I was really surprised she graded them overnight. Well I didn’t do as well as I thought I did. I didn’t do bad at all but due to my bad mood, it seemed horrible and I wanted to cry. But I waited until I got back home that I broke down.

I tried to study but I just couldn’t concentrate. My friend, Sasha, had text me earlier asking if I wanted to go shopping with her and I agreed even though I wanted to just be alone. So for a while of the shopping, I was getting so frustrated mostly with dresses as they were all too short. But then I found a jacket that fit and then discovered that The Hunger Games were playing in English. Sasha and I decided to go and it was the first movie that we watched in Turkey. It was really wonderful and really lifted my mood. The crazy part is that there was an intermission! I was really confused at first and thought the movie was messing up but no, it was about a ten minute intermission which actually makes a lot of sense. I decided to get some popcorn as it is much cheaper then in the States. The movie continued and when it ended, I was satisfied.

As great as those things like a jacket, movie and popcorn were great, the best part was while we were eating a late dinner. Sasha and I were talking and a little girl came up to me and showed me her dad’s phone that said in English, “Your hair is beautiful”. It was so sweet. I said Teşekkür, which is Thank you in Turkish. As they were leaving, she gave me two slips of paper, one with her email and one with her father’s that said Facebook. After they were gone, the waiter gave us a dessert called Künefe, which is a doughy dessert that has cheese in it and fried. I know it sounds weird but it is so sweet especially with this cream on top with shredded pistachios. Anyway, the dessert was from the little girl and her father. It was such a sweet thoughtful gesture that meant a lot to me. It was these small interactions with this girl that really made my day.

I got very excited when I saw this in the mall!

Künefe so very tasty

Mastering Other Appliances and Being Grateful

I have not used a microwave in about two months. Yes, everyone can gasp!! For me, the microwave is the number one way to cook things but being here, I have learned other ways to cook.

Our flat as a little kitchen with a sink, stove top, conventional oven, fridge with a little freezer and a washing machine. I now use the stove top for basically all my meals. I am now unafraid of lighting the burner with the lighter which I am very proud of! I typically cook pasta and use tomato paste for sauce. Lately I have been experimenting with several types of meat to put in the sauce which has turned out well. I also have found my love for peppers so I have adding red/green pepper on top of my pasta.

I also make soup and cook meat in a skillet and of course, lots of tea! I was brave to use the conventional oven as nobody had used it in a long time and had no idea what to do. It didn’t seem that bad so I got some mini frozen pizza and it indeed does work!

My meals are pretty simple but still very tasty. I love going grocery shopping to find new foods to try. I also am very use to washing everything by hand now as we have no dishwasher. Usually we wash our own dishes we use but sometimes we just do all the dishes that are on the counter to be nice.

For washing clothes, we have a washing machine that takes several hours but get them dry enough so there is no dripping. Then I just hang my clothes around my room or on my heater until they are dry.

We do have a shower which typically has hot water. Our water heater broke a few days ago so we had to pay to get that fixed. But I have become very appreciative for many things being here. I know some of my friends abroad do not have showers and have to use a bucket so I am grateful for my shower. I also realize how dependant I am to the internet. Today, it stopped working for a while and my roommate for Taiwan and I were very panicked. She actually went to the library (and still there) to Skype with her sister. The past few hours now, it has been going in and out. While I was cooking supper (soup) tonight, I realized just how fortunate I am to have basically internet all the time. That I am able to communicate with my friends and family through Skype, email and Facebook. It just really made me step back and see how lucky I am and how I take things for granted. I am now going to be much more appreciative of the things I do have!

Gotta love the pink drying rack!

We have to buy water as you can't drink the water here

How we heat our water for tea. And that is my tasty soup

Some Photos!

Here we are at the gate of my university. So happy to see them!

Melissa and I chilling on the ferry with our cay (tea)

We took the little path down to the shore

Yes, we went up this way all the way to the trees on top

Beautiful view!

And this is what we found at the top!

Parents and Prince Islands

Friday, I had a lovely visit from Mom and Dad. They were already at the gate when I arrived after class. It was really great seeing them again especially Mom as I hadn’t seen her seen the very beginning of February. But of course, I was also happy to see Dad even if it was just a few weeks apart!

We first went to my flat and showed them my home away from home. We then went to a restaurant near my flat and we all had waffles! They were so good. When you say waffle in Turkey, it means, waffle with different types of chocolate on the bottom and any type of fruit you want on top. So tasty. Then, I showed them the campus and we went to the library and Mom spotted the government docs as she used to work with them at Grinnell. We then decided to go to Kadikoy. We went to the train station that is very old and used to run from Greece to Istanbul but just recently, a few months ago, shut it down. I have heard for just a few years but I have also heard other things. It is such a gorgeous building inside. We then sat by the seaside and talked for a while. It was great being able to tell them all about what I have been doing and also them telling me about life back home and their trip. Then we got some ice cream and talked so more. We said goodbye as they ran to catch the right ferry. It was a wonderful day spending time with them.

Yesterday, a group of friends and I headed to the Prince Islands. We were not quite sure how to get there but we finally figured it out and got on the correct ferry. There are five islands total and we decided to go the second one. It was a beautiful 60 degrees out. We didn’t really know where to go so we just started walking until we came up a hill and walked up. Little did we know, that would be the first of a long hike up a mountain! As we were walking, we found a little path that took us to lovely view of the water and other islands. Some of us climbed down the rocks to the shore. It was just so amazing being in nature. The islands do not allow cars or buses so it was just us and nature.

We went off the regular path and just started walking up the mountain. It was getting warm but after being bundled up in a coat for months, I was enjoying the sweat and warmth. We finally got to the top and it was not what we were expecting. It was very grassy and had lots of trees. We all sat on the ground and took off our shoes to rest for a while was so nice. We then walked around and found a house and a cemetery. The tombstones were in Greek and some of them were old but some were dated 1960s or even younger.

At that point, our group divided up. A few people walked down the other side of the mountain to get to the beach. Since one of our friends was feeling sick, she was still on the side of the mountain. A friend, Chelsea, and I walked down to try to find her but took a different easier path. We found her along with the two guys were went down the way we came. We had some food and ice cream when we got back down. Melissa and I decided to go back as she wasn’t feeling well but had to wait an hour for the ferry and by that point, other friends were ready to head back.

After going between the hot inside of the ferry and cold outside, we finally reached Kadikoy. Melissa and I headed home in a crowded bus but we listen to RENT so it was totally fine. I was so exhausted and slept about eleven hours. I realized a few hours ago, I got a little burnt.

It was a wonderful weekend and today has been cleaning my room and doing homework. I have a midterm on Thursday. My midterms are spaced out so much so I have a midterm each week for a month. It is nice to have that much time to study for each other them but it feels like tests never end. I can’t believe it is already the end of March. Time flies when you are having fun!

So for some reason, it is not letting me load photos. I promise to upload some of them soon on here!

Foreigner

Where are you from? That is the number one question I am asked wherever I go. The frustrating part of it is that I try so hard to blend in. When I go to the market, I use the little Turkish I know. But during the interaction, they always ask where I am from in English. I will be walking down the street, minding my own business and storekeepers shout, “Where are you from?”. I, of course have learned to ignore these people as they just want me to buy something.

Most days I am fine being ask where I am from but some days, it really gets under my skin. I know I look foreign, six food tall redhead is not a common sight in Turkey. I get many stares, especially from little girls. Young girls will just stare at me and sometimes laugh at me. I just want to blend in and been seen as part of Turkey. To walk down the street without be shouted at would be amazing. However, I know that will not happen and I have to come to terms with that.

I really love Turkey and being immersed into the culture even if I stand out. I have learned so much about Turkey through classes but mostly through experiencing it which is by far the best way!

Mom and Dad are visiting me tomorrow! I can’ t wait to show them MY (Asian) side of Istanbul. :)

A Truly Wonderful Birthday

Yesterday, as stated in my last post, I turned 21. I already talked about part of my birthday but I will share my amazing evening with you. I met three of my friends at the gate of campus. We got on the bus and headed to Kadikoy. My friend, Sasha from Russia, gave me two really cute bracelets. She has been shopping with me several times and knows my love of accessories! We walked around and found a restaurant that looked popular which is always a good sign.

It was a causal restaurant with a nice atmosphere and a very large menu; it even had Mexican food. I had a very delicious homemade strawberry lemonade and chicken alferdo. We were waiting for another friend who was late as his bus hit a car! Thankfully no one was injured. Traffic in Turkey is crazy so I am not surprised of the accident. We had a great meal laughing and just enjoying the evening.

Then all of a sudden, the lights got really bright and intense happy music starting playing over the loud speakers. Then it starting singing Happy Birthday while a waiter brought a plate of brownies with candles and sparklers in them! I also was given a crown that said “Birthday Queen”. I was not expecting this big of show! I loved it! All of us got a brownie and a cup of really delicious ice cream.

There was this little boy about four who came up to me several times speaking in Turkish. He was so adorable but we didn’t know what he was saying. He handed me a water bottle with the help of his family telling him to. We then gave him a little piece of brownie and he said thank you in English. It was so adorable.

Since we all had homework to do still, we left and took the bus home about nine. I got home and studied a bit for my midterm that is tomorrow and chatted with Darrell on Skype. I then went to bed as it had been a wonderful but long day!

I am so blessed to have so many people (My friends in Turkey and my family and friends who are thousands of miles away) who love me and made my day truly special. But the best part is that they make me feel loved 365 days a year not just on my birthday. I love you all and here is to being 21!

Midnight waiting for my cake. First picture of being 21.

Very surprised!

My lovely crown and the cute little boy

My friends. When I said a serious photo, I didn't mean so serious for them!

I’m 21!!!!

So I am officially 21 in Turkey and in the US! In Turkey at midnight, I declared it was my birthday. I had a wonderful start with hanging out with flatmates. At midnight, they told me to go into my room and they brought me a cake with two candles. They sang to me and I blew out the candles. We then talked and ate. My Turkish flatmate gave me a box of Japanese candy as she studied abroad in Japan. I then opened an email from Debbie, a close friend of mine. She and a few of my other very close friends are abroad in Senegal and left for a trip yesterday. So she emailed me saying I could not open the email until I was 21. Attached was a video of her and Kate singing and wishing me a happy birthday. It was so special and have watched it several times today! I also talked with Darrell a bit before I decided I needed to try to sleep as I had morning class.

I went to my Ottoman Empire class and enjoyed it. I then had lunch with my two Turkish friends. We were laughing and having a great time. Then I went to a café and treated myself to a mocha frappe and brownie cheesecake as I was studying for a midterm that is on Wednesday. I just finished have a video Skype chat with Darrell which was wonderful.

In about an hour, I will go out with some friends to Kadikoy to a nice restaurant. I am looking forward to spending time and enjoying the rest of my birthday with my friends.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes on Facebook!

Yeah I do go to school…

So I realize that I haven’t really talked about my classes so here I go. I am taking four classes two Sociology and two History courses.

My favorite class is Social Problems in Turkey. It is so interesting hearing about the problems that are happening in Turkey from a sociological prospective. Turkey is such a unique and diverse country and I’m enjoying learning about them. We have talked about women employment as only twenty percent of women work and also urbanization and the Wealth Tax.

I also am enjoying Gender in Society. I feel like I have an advantage in this class as I have taken several gender classes at Beloit. What I am really enjoying is talking about gender in a global prospective and not just white, middle class women in America.

My favorite history class in Ottoman Empire in Modern Period. The professor is really nice and smart. I didn’t really know anything about Ottoman Empire and I am learning so much. The professor likes to use me as an example to make the students speak English. It sometime works.

My least favorite class is Contemporary World History. The material is interesting but the actual class is frustrating. The professor speaks poor English but thankfully writes basically everything down on the board. She just lectures for an hour and a half, weaving between Turkish and English. We had a quiz last week that was open book/open note. I didn’t really see the point of it. Though despite the poor teaching, I am learning a lot from the readings.

Turkish students are different then American students. They come to class very late and will just leave in the middle of class. Even though this is an English school, mostly all the students speak Turkish and hate speaking English. The professor will speak in English and then sometimes repeat the same thing in Turkish. Also the students will ask questions in Turkish. Thankfully the professors usually rephrase everything in English. So sitting in class, I can’t understand side conversations or anything like that but it is becoming normal. Though sometimes arguments get heated and I would like to know what everyone is a saying or when everyone is laughing. It is a new experience also having better grammar and spelling then my professors. But overall, I am enjoying studying at Yeditepe.

The hill I climb everyday to school

The street I cross. The school gate is on this side.

One of many wonderful views of Istanbul on campus

Blue Mosques, Baths and Bohstedts!

Yesterday was filled with so many events. I first was able to experience the beautiful Blue Mosque. As soon as I walked in, my mouth just dropped. It was that amazing. There were so many vibrant colors and patterns. I walked around and then just sat down and look all around. It was truly one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture I have ever seen. (Which if you know my dad, I have seen a lot of architecture in my life!)

I walked around the area as I was waiting for my family. I ended up going into the Turkish and Islamic Art Museum. It was filled with some many artifacts from many time periods. From giant carpets to statues to candleholders, they were all gorgeous.

I was waiting while drinking cay (tea) and then my Aunts came up to me. It was so wonderful to see them. Both my Aunts had been traveling along with my dad. It was my Aunt Cynthia’s last day and we made the most of it. Dad arrived a few minutes later and it made me so happy to be able to hug and see dad again. Us women then went to a traditional Turkish bath that was built in 1584.

I had never been to a Turkish bath and had no idea what to expect. Aunt Cynthia was describing it to me and it sounded amazing, and it was! The baths are separated between men and women as you have little clothing on. We changed and went into a room with many women lying on a circular raised floor. We were given a towel and then we laid on it while waiting to be washed. It was nice to be inside a warm area just relaxing. A lady then directed me to the side of the floor so she could wash me. Then she covered me in soap. It was like a bubble bath! She then washed my hair. After a while, I went into a pool and met up with my Aunts. Then it was time for my thirty minute oil massage. It was so relaxing and amazing. After the massage, the three of us talked and drank apple tea. The whole experience was a birthday present from them to me. It was a wonderful present that I will never forget!

We then met up with dad at a nice restaurant after stopping to buy gloves from a lady that Aunt Cynthia bought from before and also some soap in cute tin containers. It was very nice just talking and eating with my family. It was kind of surreal being in Turkey talking with them like it was so normal. I had a really good dinner with a variety of meat and a milkshake. However, here, milkshakes do not contain ice cream which I didn’t know until I got it. But it was still tasty.

After dinner, we headed to their hotel and talked a bit. But everyone was tired so I headed home. I was going to take a ferry back to Kadikoy but the ferry was closed. Thankfully I ran into a nice guy from Texas who helped me figure out how to get back. I got home about midnight and was so tired and happy to be home.

It was so great seeing my family and I will be seeing dad and my mom in about a week and a half!

Blue Mosque

Me inside Blue Mosque

My lovely family

I rode a camel! (And had many other adventures in Cappadocia)

This weekend so jammed packed full with so much adventure. The exchange program took a trip to Cappadocia which is a city in eastern Turkey. We left about 9:45 as we were suppose to leave at 9 but that is Turkish Time for you. We took a bus and it took us 12 hours. Yes, it was a very large trip. It was only suppose to take about eight but we stopped so many times!

We arrived about ten to our hotel. We stayed at the Flintstones Cave Hotel so the rooms looked very cave like which was fun. We had a Turkish breakfast and then we were off for our day of adventure. Our first stop was to see the underground cities. During the 6^th and 7^th centuries, Persians and Arabic armies were sent to kill all Christians. Christians built underground cities to live in temporary when they were being persecuted. It was amazing to walk on the first few floors and see all the rooms, knowing that early Christians stood where I stood. Some of the rooms were labeled such as “church” or “living room”.

We then headed to Guvercinlik (Pigeon Valley). There were indeed many pigeons! It was an amazing view of all the rocks that were covered in snow. The whole day I saw so many hills and mountains that were just beautiful. We had lunch and then went to a pottery shop. We had a tour of a family owned business. We saw how the whole process of making the pottery and designing it went. At the end, several people were able to try to make a pot, including me. I had to put on some crazy looking pants so I won’t get clay on my jeans and sat in front of a pottery wheel. They usually use an electric one but we used a manual. It was very fun but lets just say pottery making is not in my future!

We then went to an area with many rocks that were many shapes and sizes. As soon as we got off the bus, I saw a camel. I just had to see it! So I went over and decided that I would ride the camel. I mean, when else am I ever going to ride one! I climbed a ladder and went in a circle, being lead by a man. It was so fun! After that, I climbed some of the rocks with some others people. Then we went to another area with rocks that were shaped liked many things. The guide was pointing out all the shapes and I could see some but it takes great imagination for some of the shapes he was talking about! There was a camel, a lizard and one that looked like an open hand. Then we went to a Wine House. I tried a sip and it was gross.

We headed back to the hotel for a bit and then went to a restaurant for Turkish Night. It was so much fun. When we entered, it was not like I predicted. We sat in raised areas so everyone could see the floor as there was also entertainment. As we ate our appetizers, we watched musicians and dancers. It was quite a show. Then a belly dancer came out as they are fairly famous in Turkey. She was very good and tried to get a few guys from the audience to try it with her. It was great food and wonderful night with friends.

The next day we had breakfast and headed home. We stopped at Salt Lake but just stayed for a few minutes. We drove all day and got home at 10:30 last night. It was a wonderful weekend but I was so tired and sick of the bus. Unfortunately my stomach decided to hurt the whole time so the bus rides were not fun at all but despite that, it was a great weekend.

I have been in Turkey now for about a month and I have seen and experienced so many amazing things. I am really living up this experience!

My friend Sasha and I in the underground city

A beautiful view

Trying to make a bowl

On a camel!