While reading a book about a graffiti artist, I started thinking about life and time. And well, my dream about a horrible, world ending, global nuclear war didn’t help. In the dream, I was watching my computer screen with the continents lighting up and I had just enough time to think… well, this is it. The dream ended  peacefully but it left me with a feeling of uncertainty, the type that only a scary dream can leave you with. Again, must stop reading The Economist before bedtime. Ugh, North Korea… just stop it already. In this book about Banksy, the…

I didn’t think Istanbul could get any more beautiful… but then came the tulips. This morning, I visited Emirgan Park with some friends to see the tulips. The only thing I can say is that it was just lovely. All of the colors… so pretty. Plus the weather is just perfect this weekend. Not too hot, not too cold – just right. Afterwards, I went on a bit of a walk and discovered Beşiktaş Bazaar. It’s a great market place for vegetables, spices and other things like clothing and some (fake) designer goods! I have a week off at the…

About 100 years ago, I was visiting a friend in Germany. After my bags were packed, goodbyes were said, hug given, I arrived at the airport only to find out that my plane didn’t leave until the next day. I got the dates wrong. This weekend the reverse happened. I booked my flight for Pamukkale, Turkey for the wrong dates. When I called to try and rectify the situation, the difference in price was too great to justify for an overnight. I swear I have some form of dyslexia because I find that when I look at numbers, many times,…

I made a quick iMovie of my sunrise balloon ride in Cappadocia. Enjoy!  

Cappadocia is a magical place.  As we drove to our cave hotel, I looked up and saw a blanket of stars, gleaming across the sky. The night air was so clear and crisp. It reminded me of Death Valley… the quiet, the emptiness, and the other worldliness of it all.  Humbling and inspiring. Interesting fact about me; I am not afraid of heights. I always thought I was but I realized that it is the fear of falling from said heights, but not the actual height itself. Well, it makes sense to me.  Anyways, I bring this up because I…

So much has happened since my last post! I surprised my family by going home for Christmas.  I will never forget the look on their faces as they walked into my mom’s house expecting to decorate cookies.  That was wonderful. Plus just being home, surrounded by friends and family, it was ‘holidaytastic’! As for coming back to Istanbul, it was a breeze. The beauty of the city alone just resonates deep within me. In many ways, I feel like I am still very much adjusting to my new country, which can be overwhelming and isolating.  Also, some of the best…

First Turkish dinner party … check! Not sure if I would call the soup potatotastic, but it was good and the company was great.  I really enjoy having friends over and getting to know more about their lives-you just never really know about people. Anyways, I had the main ingredients translated and although it was a bit stressful in terms of just really not having a firm grasp on converting measurements into the metric system… it was a nice, relaxing time.  I am attaching a couple of photos. Forgot how many dishes are involved in these things!!! Just another reason…

This afternoon was my first ceramics class in Turkish! I know what you are thinking… just what the world needs, another homemade vase… right? However, it was really fun and I promise that whatever I make stays with me. The great part was getting my hands dirty and creating something.  The instructor spoke a bit of English and she was very patient. The class is in a craft center by the Haghia Sophia…yes that is my hood now. There are different types of workshops there as well as a small café and gift shop. Not sure if I mentioned it…

The community of international teachers is small and as a result, it can be really comforting and familiar. But the thing is, I didn’t move across the globe for the same old stuff! So last night, I went to a place where I have never gone before… a cooking class! Yes, the cereal for dinner girl took a cooking class and it was really fun! And let me tell you, I can whisk with the best of them. I made Cumin Flavored Chick Pea Soup (delicious), Garlic Scented Pilaf (seriously yummy), Battered Chicken with Honey and Onions (meh…), and Clotted…

I may have mentioned before that working abroad is full of opportunities and amazing fun. However, it’s also full of just plain ole day-to-day stuff with frustrations and aggravations. It’s funny though because now that I have been living in Istanbul for about three months, it feels like my life is just getting settled. The past three years my life could be summed up like this: searching, moving, managing, surviving, searching, moving, and smiling. When I started to think about moving abroad, it was about six months before I actually got a job at the fair in Boston. Then it…