INTERNET!!!!

I had been keeping a few notes while we didn't have internet...so now that we offically have internet here they are!

9/12
So today I met my friend Mert. He has been very helpful so far. The apartment that he found for me and Elif is barely a five minute walk from campus. There are nice white walls and Ikea wooden floors. There is a toilet in the bathtub, which is suppose to be removed very soon. There is not an oven or a refrigerator. Nor is there any furniture, so shopping I go. =) We should have everything by Saturday and we’ll get everything, including myself, moved in!

9/15
I’m living in the apartment, but the toilet is leaking and the bathroom sink has water, but not drainage, it just falls on the floor. I went to the lady’s apartment above me to use her toilet. They called the plumber, but so far, no one has shown up. Elif is getting here at 8:30, but I’ve been here until 10am this morning, now I’m going nuts alone. Plus, I’m hungry. There are still a lot of things that I have to figure out. But my room looks great.

Everyone here speaks English, but not a lot and usually not correctly or not saying what they want to say. I passed a grandma and her two grandchildren on the way home for an errand. They waved me over and started giggling. The grandma wanted to ask me a question, but only the two little girls knew how to speak any English. It sounds like, “she – question – you.” Then “nation,” which, of course, I say American. Then I get responses, “ooooooh, ya, ya.” Then “where – from.” Now they don’t really know where Chicago is, but they have heard of it none the less, so they nod. They try to ask something else, but the girls don’t know how to say it and the grandma shoos me away with a smile.

9/20
Not to get my own hopes up, but I think we’re going to actually get internet today or tomorrow. We bought the modem and the telephone is working so we went to the internet store and got the passwords and things.

Tomorrow is Yom Kippur which will mean that I’m fasting, or at least try. I’m a little worried because we do so much physical activity everyday. Not by choice but there are so many hills here. Lots of sweat involved to get anywhere. But lots of people don’t eat all day because of Ramadan, so at least I won’t have to watch people eat all day. I tried to find a synagogue to go to, but there are some unique ones and I don’t just want to walk in, nor do I think that’s allowed.

The grandma that waved to me the other day is still waving everyday. I really like seeing her.

I’m slowly….really slowly learning some Turkish. It helps to have Elif because I can ask her what things mean and how to say things, but other times I rely on her Turkish too much. Next week I’ll start the actual Turkish class though and that should help a lot! The Rosetta Stone program is coming in very handy now because I do it at home and then hear it on the street and practice with Elif. But it’s hard to understand things when people speak so quickly.

My favorite view...by night!

 

I need a tripod!

Classes

Courses Selected

-ECONOMIC&SOCIAL HISTORY OF TURKEY
-FOREIGN POLICY OF THE REPUBLIC
-HISTORY OF NATIONALISM IN THE BALKANS
-CERAMICS
-TENNIS I
-ELEMENTARY TURKISH FOR FOREIGNERS I

I'm pretty darn excited!!!

So many things have happened this week!

Don't worry about me...look at the HUGE mall!!

Cows!!!!!!! Just like the Windy City!

Elıf, Mert, Martına on our Telecom adventure!

Elif had to go to this goverment building so we could get a telephone because they lost her citizenshıp papers. It was soooo rundown. I couldn't believe it was government run!

Mert, Elıf, and Martına! It was our first family dinner!! I made/bought the chicken!! haha

Me! at the university. Behind me is the hiras, or fortress.

Tanju and Belka (I'm not sure if that is how to spell her name. She is from Brussels and we're friends because we but have blue eyes and people stare at us!!)

We went out one night. Everyone is smoking huka, drinking tea, and watching the futball (soccer) game!

Look at the beautıful display...they made everything from scratch. It was so delicious! It was like break-the-fast...but since they fast everyday, they have these great meals every night during the month of Ramadan.

Dutch guys who were at the dinner too! They had blue eyes like me!

The "mom" that cooked the awesome dinner!!

Room and Roommates!

Kitchen!


My room!

Martina (from Holland) and Elif (from Germany, but she's Turkish!)

Beginning adventures.

At first I didn't think much of it, people would stare at me. Maybe I had something on my shirt or face?? When I reassured myself that wasn't true, I started to get a little more annoyed. Yet, today I realized that I'm the only light haired blue eyes person I have seen since I've been in Turkey. And seriously...people really stare.

I met my roommate today. Her name is Elif (El-eef). She's awesome, very self-sufficient, mature, and independent. We're going to have a great nine months!

Last night I left my laptop, iPod, and most importantly, all the papers I needed to register for school today, in my friend's car. So this morning I had to go get them. It was my first time really doing anything alone. I had to take the metro, to the funicular, to the tram, and then retrace my steps to the shop from the day before. I did not get lost once, I am very proud of myself!!!

When I finally got home after a long sweaty day of climbing Istanbul's hills. I took a shower after the 8pm dinner. I had my glasses off, but I could see something about the size of a newt moving along the edge of the tub. I jumped out of the shower, got my glasses and saw the most horrifying bug. It was a mix between a centipede and a big spider. Plus, it was fast. Usually I opt for taking bugs outside, but it's not everyday that I come across the biggest grossest (is that a word) bug I have ever seen while wet and naked. Needless to say, the toilet scrubber came in very handy.

I know they're the same buildings, but the lighting is different!!

 
 
 
This is sunset from my window.

Pictures!!

Hagia Sophia...it's huge!!

Blue Mosque...I haven't been inside yet!

The history building, where most of my classes will be!

Check out this view from the university...crazy, huh?

Two things you see everywhere in Turkey, minarets and flags!!!

This is Hamit's brother Murat. He is playing backgammon with a friend. EVERYONE here plays backgammon!!

This is the Blue Mosque, it is lit up at night, but more so than usual because Ramadan starts tomorrow!

Apartment Update!

So today I met my friend Mert. He has been very helpful so far. The apartment that he found for me of Elif is barely a five minute walk from campus. There are nice white walls and Ikea wooden floors. There is a toilet in the bathtub, which is suppose to be removed very soon. There is not an oven or a refrigerator. Nor is there any furniture, so shopping I go. =) We should have everything by Saturday and we’ll get everything, including myself, moved in!

So as I was having problems with getting the money transfered for the apartment, now the university is saying they didn't get my money. Hopefully it is found, and soon!!!

Couldn't be more lucky!

My host counselor, Nejat, met me at the airport. All my bags where were they were suppose to be and we talked the whole way back to the house. We crossed the Bosporus and went into ASIA!! I have never been in Asia and Europe on the same day before.

Their house is absolutely gorgeous. It is three stories. They have to in home workers. Anne, the lady who cooks does a great job. And I ate some beef...I'm not sure if I'll do it again, but I had about three small bites. I'm definitely not use to meat, but so far it hasn't made me sick. The other man who works in the home carried my two massive suitcases to the third floor. I felt very horrible about it, especially because I don't really need them for the night.

They have wireless in their house and porch, so I sat outside and checked my email. The weather is amazing and no mosquitoes!! That could really be the highlight so far!! This place is like a palace, I feel like I'm at the Ritz. But tomorrow I'm going to see my apartment and it will be back to reality!!

Turkish cat!!

First pictures of Istanbul!

 
 
 
 

More!

In transit...

I'm waiting at Heathrow Airport for my flight to Istanbul! I had a white chocolate/rasberry muffin. I can already tell how much less saturated fat Europeans use than Americans. I was very lucky that Katie happened to find some stirling pounds yesterday when she was cleaning out her room so I could actually afford the muffin!

I sat next to this big Romanian guy on the plane and he kept sleeping on my side of the arm rest and the woman's chair in front of me was broken so her head was pretty much in my lap. Needless to say, I didn't get much sleep. Although, the highlight was definitely seeing the sunrise over Limrick. It was breathtaking. It started with a small line of red on the dark blue that was night. Then orange, purples and yellows until they all fade and it is light out. That's when traveling alone is sad. I see something so beautiful and I wish I could share it with the people I love the most, but they were most likely all sleeping soundly as I thought about them.

Bon Voyage!

I had a great weekend with family and friends! I'm packed and have my money situated! Things are all ready to go.

It's never easy to leave. Many tears, but it's time to go!! I love and already miss everyone!

Less than a week.

The summer has flown. I leave for Istanbul in less than a week! I can't believe how fast is has gone. Although I am not packed, I am more than ready to start this new adventure. I have found an apartment, gotten my student visa, and done all of the last minute shopping. Now I'm working on transferring money to the correct banks in Istanbul, something I am not very familiar, nor is my bank at home. It has proven more difficult than expected. Hopefully everything will be situated today and I won't have to worry about it any longer.

I am subbing for a 5th and 6th PE class for a couple of weeks, Friday is my last day!! They are about to arrive for Frisbee! It's a great job! =)

Wilf Wilkinson

I met the president of Rotary International in South Bend. It was very awesome. I'm glad I went. He's very inspiring.

Californiaaaaaaaaaaa...here I come!!!!!

We went to the county fair...really, I went to CA just to feel like I was in Indiana. Just kidding! We had an awesome time. Lynne is the best host! I went to an art show, Laguna Beach, Balboa Island, movies, dinner. I got to meet a few of her friends. All in all, I had a great couple of days! =)

Harry Potter - 7....

The woman is an absolute genius. I've never been a strong writer, but she's just amazing. I'm in awe of her imagination and ability. And, of course, a tiny bit envious.

It's sad that they're over. But all good things must come to an end. (Actually, I don't really believe that, but in the case of Harry, I think it's fitting.)

Gettysburg!

Going to see Rachel!!!!!!! (and Matt, of course!)

Personal DNA

I took this quiz. I think it was really accurate. =)

Benevolent Inventor

http://www.personaldna.com/

Waitress

Tonight I went to The Town Theatre in Highland http://www.towntheatre.net/. They were showing Waitress! (I'm not sure if it's The Waitress) But I absolutely loved it. My parents went to a wedding and I've wanted to see this movie for ages, so I went by myself. PLUS, I thought I worked today, from 3-9:30, but I read the schedule wrong!! I'm a total dork like that sometimes! But no reason to waste the whole evening!

In the movie she bakes pies and she's having a baby and she wants to run away. It's endearing. I cried, not just in the theatre but on the way home too. It wasn't unexpected, I've been a little bit of a wreck lately. It was good to get it out.

My sister and my friend Kayte went to China, and I got to talk to her today on Google chat. =) It was a good end to the day. So for Kayte, Good Night Moon.

Bitter

I hate writing things like that, but it's a good place to vent since I can get it all out and not be judged. Being at home is really wearing on me. I love my job and I don't mind working, but I also don't want to be left out of anything and the people around me don't work so they can do whatever they want whenever they want. So now I'm missing out because I'm the only one who has a job, and I'm bitter. Although my family annoys me, I still want to spend time with them, but I'm not included. It's no one's fault, but it hurts my feelings anyway. Then I'm more rude than I normally am, great.