It's Been a Busy Week

Sorry for the lack of updates in the past week and a half. Istanbul's been busy but exciting now that midterms are over (although finals are quickly approaching...unfortunately).

Last weekend was one of culture and fun. Thursday night, we decided to treat ourselves for successfully completing midterms, so we set off for Georgian/Russian food in a quaint little restaurant that now inhabits the old British Jail. Borsch, hot cheese with walnuts, and Vareniki (as well as a trip down memory lane) were accompianied by the tales artfully spun by the older couple that owned/ran the restaurant of times spent in Georgia, Turkey, Russia, and Belarus (yes, they actually lived in Belarus!)

Friday night a few of us felt like enjoying a little bit of America again and went to the Blues Festival that was in town for the week. Excellent music and fun was a great way to start the weekend and get out on the town. Because who doesn't love "Sweet Home Chicago", "Mississippi Waters", or "Let the Good Times Roll"?

Sunday was Turkish day between weekly brunch at Sevgi's apartment and the accompianing Turkish conversation and an afternoon exploration of nearby Rumeli Hisar - the fortress that guards the narrowest part of the Bosphorus, right next to campus.

Last night the girls all went down to Bebek for dinner to celebrate my birthday early before people traveled for the weekend. Dinner was excellent (pomegranate pizza - sounds wierd, no? ) and was followed by picture taking on the Bosphorus and singing Christas carols (read: teaching Christmas carols to the Turks) in preparation of the upcoming holiday.

Speaking of Christmas...did I mention that I have a final exam on Christmas day?... Sad day indeed.

Hope everyone back at home finished up the semester well and is glad to finally be done with finals. See you all in a few weeks!

It's All Greek to Me

The white sand stone rises straight up towards the heavens. Separated only by a small ring of trees, keeping the city at bay, the Acropolis rests steadily upon this base, housing the Parthenon, the Temple to Athena and two theaters. It wasn’t until later that afternoon when I was perched atop a rock in the remains of the ancient agora staring out over the Acropolis, Athens and Greece, that I realized it was December first. Already? There, it was still warm and the sun beat down on my face. When I was walking among the buildings, the familiar wash of satisfaction over took me.

As I explored the Acropolis or wandered around the Agora and the Plakas, it was absolutely amazing to see these structures still standing from thousands of years ago. I found myself imagining what this place looked like in its prime, as it did when people like Socrates and Aristotle walked the streets and thought up their great works. I was a bit disappointed to see that they were in the process of restoring the Parthenon, scaffolding marring my pictures on both sides. Oh well, this just gives me an excuse to come back one day.

In Istanbul news, it's still cold and rainy...big surprise there. Thankfully, midterms are over and I can enjoy the city again. Best of luck to all you at home taking exams next week!

pictures!

As promised, pictures from my trips to Israel and Greece are finally posted on my picasa album. Enjoy!

Studying Abroad is Just That...Studying

Studying abroad isn't, actually, all fun and games. Even if you might think so by going through my pictures. There's also, well, studying. And while classes are pretty interesting, it does mean that I have spent a good chunk of the past week and a half doing just that - studying. Two weeks ago, two of my professors moved midterms so that the history students in the class didn't have 3 exams in one week.

Nice, right? Well, it would have been if they didn't both move them to this week and add to my other 2 exams and a paper due. So here I am, instead of enjoying the nice weather (read cold and windy, but it is sunny at last) I'm spending my money at Starbucks buying coffee, reading and poring over notes for hours on end. And of course, with 2 exams and a paper down and 2 to go, I'm here updating for all you lovely folks back at home. What can I say, I know you're all procrastinating on studying too :)

It's hard to belive that I'm finishing up midterms now, but in less than 6 weeks I'll be back in the States starting spring semester classes again. And for those of you who have missed me saying it nearly every 5 minutes...sad day

Giving Thanks

Today is the American holiday of Thanksgiving, a day during which we stuff our faces with turkey, pumpkin pie and sweet potatoes and mumble something about how thankful we are for our families before watching the American football game and falling asleep on the couch. And really, isn't that how it's supposed to be done?

Well, today I won't be eating any turkey or pumpkin pie (but there will probably be some falling asleep on the couch), but even without all the fixings, I certainly have plenty to be thankful for this year ...

I am thankful for my family, all of who supported me during the last few months as I moved to Istanbul. I'm sure there was some nail biting on the parts of my parents at the prospect of Turkey -- "But Turkey is SO FAR AWAY!"


(sorry mom, dad, and amy - all the pictures on my computer are from this semester [ and what I can steal from facebook albums])

I am thankful for my friends back at home, all of you who have made my day in one way or other – letters, random IMs or Skype calls just to say hello and see how I’m doing over here (and inquire as to when I’m going to come to my senses and come home).



I am thankful for my friends here in Istanbul, both Turkish and other exchange students, for having made my semester so memorable. From road trips to Bulgaria to randomly getting lost and exploring parts of Istanbul to cooking a huge Thanksgiving dinner together to share tonight.



I am thankful for my Turkish family – Resa and Mehmet (Anne ve Baba) – for all their help in getting me here, finding my lost luggage (and making sure it found me), recommending Turkish medicines and taking care of me when I was sick. I promise I'll stop jinxing myself on this blog and causing you trouble at some point before I return to the states in January.



I am thankful for the generosity of the Turkish people. These people truly are selfless and kind and giving, more so than any other people I have ever met.

And I am thankful that this world is a good place to be, for all the reminders of how fortunate I am, and that there are adventures galore to last me a lifetime and wonderful people to share them with.

Iyi Sukran gunleri!
Happy Thanksgiving!