Places Visited during February and March:
Tour through Western Anatolia:
Pamukkale, Antalya, Perge, Aspendos, Kaş, Demre, Kekova, Fethiye, Xanthos, Ölüdeniz, Bodrum, Dalyan, Kuşadası, İzmir, Didyma, Ephesus, Church of Virgin Mary, Çanakkale, Acropol, Aslepion, Pergamon, Troy, Dardanelles, Gallipolli
Places in İstanbul: Rümeli Hisarı, Yeniköy, Nişantaşı, Taksim, Küçük Beyoğlu, Cihangir, Eminönü, Bahçeşehir, Kadıköy
For anyone reading this blog, I recommend you just check my Facebook to see what is happening in my life. I always forget to post anything on here, and Facebook is much better for photographs.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
December
This month has been a normal month, in terms of exchange students.
I learned a lot more Turkish (a LOT more) and now I can talk to people and they understand me! This is something that no one should take for granted, ever. Ahh the blessings of knowing a language! I am finally starting to be able to say what I need to say without thinking for 30 seconds about conjugating this and making the possesive form of that and remembering the word for that... Of course I still have those slow moments, but they are becoming a little less frequent.
So, in layman's terms, people don't think I am stupid anymore! Woo hoo! They always ask, "How long have you been in Turkey? Did you know Turkish before you came here?" When I reply "4 months, and no, I learned Turkish here" they are shocked. I am enjoying the expressions on their faces... Nothing is better than seeing gaping mouths and wide eyes every time you meet a person. Seriously, every time.
I got bronchitis! It has been two weeks so far, and I can tell you that if possible, avoid bronchitis at ALL COSTS. I am literally coughing up my lungs a little bit every day... It is a rather unpleasant experience. So many Turks smoke and the air pollution in Istanbul is really bad, so those are definitely contributing factors to the prolonged period of my bronchitis-ness. Turkish women are insanely afraid of me. It was funny at first, but now I am tired of explaining that antibiotics don't work on bronchitis because it is a virus. Virus. VIRUS. There is nothing to do but wait, dammit!
I have a new host family! It has been almost a week, and so far it is pretty good. They live in Ulus, a place near the 1. Bosphorous Bridge and Ortakoy, my favorite place to relax in Istanbul. However, I don't live a 10 minute walk away from Taksim, a really fun and central place that I always go to, and now I have to take the school bus to school for 45 minutes every morning. That being said, I still enjoy life and do the things I used to do; it just takes longer to get there!
I wasn't homesick on Christmas... I think I was one of few. I haven't really had homesickness here, and now that it is almost January (the turning point of one's exchange for the better) I am sure that I won't ever be homesick. Phew! That is a relief. Of course, there are times when I wish I could see my dog, or hang out with my best friend from Michigan, but that is normal for anyone. I don't cry for my mommy and stay holed up in my room, thinking dark thoughts about how much I hate Turks and Turkey and Turkish food... I love Turks! I love Turkey! I love Turkish food!
As I go into January, I can't help but be excited. Half of the month will be vacation and then I will go on a tour through Western Anatolia and a few coastal cities! I am so excited!
Lots of love and I hope all is well, whereever you are!
I learned a lot more Turkish (a LOT more) and now I can talk to people and they understand me! This is something that no one should take for granted, ever. Ahh the blessings of knowing a language! I am finally starting to be able to say what I need to say without thinking for 30 seconds about conjugating this and making the possesive form of that and remembering the word for that... Of course I still have those slow moments, but they are becoming a little less frequent.
So, in layman's terms, people don't think I am stupid anymore! Woo hoo! They always ask, "How long have you been in Turkey? Did you know Turkish before you came here?" When I reply "4 months, and no, I learned Turkish here" they are shocked. I am enjoying the expressions on their faces... Nothing is better than seeing gaping mouths and wide eyes every time you meet a person. Seriously, every time.
I got bronchitis! It has been two weeks so far, and I can tell you that if possible, avoid bronchitis at ALL COSTS. I am literally coughing up my lungs a little bit every day... It is a rather unpleasant experience. So many Turks smoke and the air pollution in Istanbul is really bad, so those are definitely contributing factors to the prolonged period of my bronchitis-ness. Turkish women are insanely afraid of me. It was funny at first, but now I am tired of explaining that antibiotics don't work on bronchitis because it is a virus. Virus. VIRUS. There is nothing to do but wait, dammit!
I have a new host family! It has been almost a week, and so far it is pretty good. They live in Ulus, a place near the 1. Bosphorous Bridge and Ortakoy, my favorite place to relax in Istanbul. However, I don't live a 10 minute walk away from Taksim, a really fun and central place that I always go to, and now I have to take the school bus to school for 45 minutes every morning. That being said, I still enjoy life and do the things I used to do; it just takes longer to get there!
I wasn't homesick on Christmas... I think I was one of few. I haven't really had homesickness here, and now that it is almost January (the turning point of one's exchange for the better) I am sure that I won't ever be homesick. Phew! That is a relief. Of course, there are times when I wish I could see my dog, or hang out with my best friend from Michigan, but that is normal for anyone. I don't cry for my mommy and stay holed up in my room, thinking dark thoughts about how much I hate Turks and Turkey and Turkish food... I love Turks! I love Turkey! I love Turkish food!
As I go into January, I can't help but be excited. Half of the month will be vacation and then I will go on a tour through Western Anatolia and a few coastal cities! I am so excited!
Lots of love and I hope all is well, whereever you are!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Photos of Izmir
I Made Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies!
The Sunset View From A Cafe In Alsancak, Izmir
Front Street in Izmir From One Of Many Cafes in Alsancak
Can Being Cool and Drinking Coffee Before His Cousin and I Tricked Him Into Seeing New Moon
My Mum and Can in Izmir
Can at the Sevinc Cafe in Izmir
Izmir's Front Boardwalk on the Aegean Sea
My Mum at a Restaurant in Alacati
Me in Alacati at a Marina
Aegean Sea View in AlacatiThoughts
Reflecting upon life is something that I have had a lot of time to do lately (mostly because I don't understand my classes at school). I am thinking that, even though life seems pointless to some, for me life is about the circles of bonding, culture, language, and the future. Bonding: family, friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, brothers, etc. Culture: I love the cliche "the world is like a puzzle" because it is a puzzle of cultures. If one learns another culture, or a multitude of cultures, then that person is one step ahead of the curve. Language: Similar to culture, language is essential to life; it is what makes us humans have the ability to wonder what is the point of life. Learning another language is an experience that dips into history, culture, the future, business, and all lifestyles. I think every person in the world should learn a foreign language at some point in their lives; it opens one's eyes. The Future: When experiencing life, too many people think about the past. Regret is a word that should be forgotten; without the past, one may not live for the future, and the future is more essential to our lives than any other aspect. The general consensus of politicians, mothers, workers, and all people is "there are too many problems in this world". When preparing for the future, a person must think about life in the present, and reflect: If there are too many problems now, then there will likely be even more in the future. Tackling a problem now, be it small or world-wide, improves the future for the next generations. I, as a 16-year old, prefer to think that I am part of a generation that will bring change. Already my generation has voted a black president into USA's highest position, begun the tackle on global warming, and has worked toward a more socialistic world. To think: what will be the next generation?
Yesterday, my friend wrote an interesting question on Facebook (When will Facebook become part of the past, I wonder?): "How do you help a person find their soul?"
I thought about this for half an hour, pondering many answers... I concluded with this: "Be a mirror for them so they can find themselves in their reflection."
Now, can you do this? Reflect upon yourself and the people around you. Would life be different if you had other bonds with family and relationships? Or if you lived in another culture? If you could speak another language and meet foreigners to learn about the world? Are you willing to reflect upon yourself the importance of your actions when the outcome is the future?
I am only sixteen, but while studying on exchange, these questions often come to me. I think it shouldn't have to be a life-changing experience to make me think these thoughts. These thoughts should just come to you as an inquisitive person. Therefore, I challenge you to stride toward a better future and tackle a problem, learn a culture, enjoy a foreign language, love another, and be free.
Yesterday, my friend wrote an interesting question on Facebook (When will Facebook become part of the past, I wonder?): "How do you help a person find their soul?"
I thought about this for half an hour, pondering many answers... I concluded with this: "Be a mirror for them so they can find themselves in their reflection."
Now, can you do this? Reflect upon yourself and the people around you. Would life be different if you had other bonds with family and relationships? Or if you lived in another culture? If you could speak another language and meet foreigners to learn about the world? Are you willing to reflect upon yourself the importance of your actions when the outcome is the future?
I am only sixteen, but while studying on exchange, these questions often come to me. I think it shouldn't have to be a life-changing experience to make me think these thoughts. These thoughts should just come to you as an inquisitive person. Therefore, I challenge you to stride toward a better future and tackle a problem, learn a culture, enjoy a foreign language, love another, and be free.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Some Photos From My Year
Some Friends and Me Before Seeing New Moon (Yesterday)
The Grand Bazaar
Some Turkish Lamps
The Marathon Across The Bosphorous Bridge(This was so much fun.)
The Basilica Cistern (Roman Era) 
The Blue Mosque 
The Bosphorous
Ortakoy and the Bosphorous BridgeThursday, November 19, 2009
View of the Bosphorous from "Maiden Tower."
This is a famous landmark on the Bosphorous, in English named "Maiden Tower." I went here with my friend Julia and we ate dinner here. It was spectacular, the view!
A guard of Ataturk's grave standing next to famous quotes from Ataturk.
Ataturk's Mausoleum.
This is me in front of the Turkish Parliament in Ankara. This is the new parliament. In Ankara we also saw Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's tomb and the mausoleum structure was amazing... It took up several acres. I was in awe and the whole magnitude of Turkey's love, respect, and reverence for Ataturk was very apparent at this place.
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