gittikçe şişmanlıyorsun

"You are gradually growing fat." A direct excerpt from my Turkish study book. haha
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My parents will be here in 8 days and I'm not sure I've ever been so excited about anything in my life... ever everrr.
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Andrea and I went to Rumelihisarı last Monday.... Definitely the best 3tl I've ever spent. For some reason, she and I were both completely enchanted by the old fortress. We joked about playing pretend and feeling like we were in The Secret Garden (I use the word "joked" loosely because I'm pretty sure if either of us has costumes at that moment an adult-imaginary-play session involving some life-threatening scenario in which one or both of us had to escape from our prison tower would have happened).

My pictures are a little dark because the weather here is completely unpredictable. During our hour and a half adventure, we experienced bright warm sunshine, ominous haze, gentle rain, and a rain/snow combination (which Andrea will say was just snow, but there was absolutely rain at the same time --- a very common occurrence here). I don't mind it though, because later that night, 15 minutes after I vocalized my deep desire for heavy snow, the sky opened up and painted Istanbul white.... foooor about 30 minutes.

[The second bridge to the Asian side, taken from the Rumelihisari bus stop.]

[Cafes outside Rumelihisari... the tower in the background is the fortress.]

[Me, my favorite coat, my favorite boots, the Bosphorus, and the second bridge.]


[Andy and I were completely crrreeped out by the strange green color of the water that day. This looks almost scary... and I love it.]


[Inside the fortress. This picture was taken 2 minutes after the last one and the sky looks completely different.]

I have more pictures from the fortress on facebook and myspace and I'll put an album on webshots soon.


A few other pictures from my normal life:

[I tried unsuccessfully to take a picture of the heavy snow. This is the Greek Orthodox church in my neighborhood as seen from Fresh's living room window. ---- I'm not sure I've talked about Fresh on my blog yet so here's a little introduction: He's currently one of my favorite friends, if not my actual favorite person, in Istanbul - Probably because he's the most decent and real individual I've met here: honest and interesting, a much appreciated and quite rare combination. His real name is Burak, but most people refer to him by his dj name "DJ Fresh" or just Fresh. I spend a few nights a week at his house watching great movies and laughing about random shit.]



[Timba, Fresh's cat. Don't be fooled by how sweet he looks, he is a deadly killing machine. And I love him.]

[Fresh & Timba]


[Kate & Andy. This was our last coffee date together, hours before Andy boarded her plane to the US. Kate took her place in Ece and Ege's life as the new "big sister". Mixed emotions: I miss you ANDY. But I am pretty excited to find Kate a Turkish boyfriend. -- In the last week I have gone back to my pre-Turkey mentality a few of you might remember.... you know, my whole "I quit dating forever" thing. I can already hear your disbelief. Things are a little different this time though: I'm not bitter like I was before. I'm just bored and have been shown through multiple situations with multiple people that I need a break from this serial dating experience. But since I have absolutely no desire or motivation to date anyone at all, I will make her my little protege. Kate, be ready. :) :) ]


[Last Steph & Andy pictureeee, for now!]


[My Turkish brothers and sister.]

Dilara is going to Thailand this week so it should be pretty interesting seeing how Ali Mete handles life without his mom. Did I mention that my parents will be here a week from tomorrow? Holy holy holy crap.


I miss you all more than I can express.

everything in moderation

Things are normal here. I seem to have finally found a comfortable groove and pace for my life. A balance for family, work, friends, boys, parties... everything. I'm settled and enjoying myself. Interestingly, I think I view my life here in a different context than anyone else fully comprehends. I don't really see this as temporary. I live here. When I first thought about moving and until just recently since I arrived, I saw this as a little adventure with a timeline. My general idea was that I'll do this until next October then come home and "restart" my life. Now that I'm here, I see that this is my life.... which is why its difficult for me to maintain this blog. I didn't feel the need to update everyone when I lived in America and since my life here seems normal and, for lack of a better word, "right"... its hard for me to remember how others view this experience.

Anyway. Yesterday was the third day since I've been here where I wished wholeheartedly that I was back in America (the first was for my mom and the second was inauguration day). It was the first real experience where the vast distance created by an ocean made me feel more helpless that I could have ever imagined. My best friend from childhood, Kalah, told me that her dad died of a heart attack. I know that I wouldn't have been able to make it any better had I been in Ohio/Indiana with her, but the awareness that I physically could not was gut-wrenching. Given the major losses I(we) have experienced in the past 5 years, I, at this point in my life, am, frankly, over it and, therefore, don't handle death very well. Luckily, my family was incredibly understanding and let me be alone for most of the day. And Andrea came over last night, bringing wine and comfort food... she even endured the rather late night spontaneous "chill/cheer-steph-up" session at Fresh's house because she knew I needed it. So I want to extend my deepest thanks to my Istanbul loves for being my family and helping me get through a difficult day. I am truly grateful to know that I am surrounded by such wonderful people.

To Kalah: I love you so much and I wish more than anything I could be there with you. I've always loved your parents - You will all always have a very special place in my heart. Just know that my head and my heart are with you right now.

RIP Jay DeLashmit

I hate that sometimes it take a horrible tragedy to give your life a little perspective.