Izmir, Buyukada, and More

After not updating for a month, I have a lot to catch up on.

I went to Izmir last weekend to see Can and his family. It was the best weekend of my life! I saw a lot of Izmir and fell in love with the city. I am going to confess that I prefer Izmire over Istanbul... there is more space, the people are kinder, it is cleaner, and there is more water-frontage. I feel the same about Chicago versus New York City, and the analogy of Istanbul is to New York as Izmir is to Chicago is actually really applicable. I spent the entire weekend hitched to Can (I was trying to make up for lost time by constantly hugging him) and fell in love with his family. I am so grateful for the weekend they treated me to, and I can't tell you how much they feel like my family here in Turkey. I love them so much, especially because of the connection we have through Can. After just two and a half days with them, I had to go home and return to Istanbul and I cried when I had to say goodbye--that is how deep the connection was for me. It felt like leaving home...

And this past weekend, I went to Buyukada (translation: Big Island). It is like Turkey's version of Mackinac Island for those of you who want another analogy. I went with the Rotary Inbound exchange students (representing so many countries!) and we rode our bikes to so many places around the island. I had a great time there and it was SO beautiful!

I have been attending school regularly now, and it is REALLY hard. I can't pay attention because most of my classes are in Turkish, and the classes that are in English are equivalent to AP courses, so they are super tough (especially becuase they switch randomly into Turkish while I am trying to learn the topic). But I will keep trucking and trying my hardest! It really is tough here, but Black River has similar standards, so it isn't anything that I can't handle.

I miss home a lot, but to tell the truth, I often forget it.. I think this is my mind protecting me from missing home all of time. I get so wrapped up in my life here that I forget my life in America. Of course I love home and my family, but it is easier here when I don't think about them... I love them too much. :)

I am safe here and supported by my friends and Can's family and Rotary, so don't worry about me. I know that I am so far from home, but I am living life and making it by... one day at a time.