I have decided to import my blog to my facebook profile. I do not know who would actually want to read it, but it's technology and I like me some technology. I was chatting (well IMing in AIM more like) with my little brother (who is as tall as me so I do not know how long I can get away with calling him "little") who commented on my lack of posting. Well I've told him I do nothing all day, so what do you want me to post about my adventures in crochet? Well, he gets his wish! I have finished the purse I was working on. It turned out very cute. People have scared me about carrying a purse in Turkey, so I guess I won't be lugging it around. There is a concept of "kapkac" which means "grab and run" Apprently they do that with ladies purses. I would like to use it in Australia, except they don't call it a "purse" there. It is a bag. When I say a "bag" I think of a grocery store bag, which reminds me of Pick'n Save which in turn reminds me of how much I missed shopping in America. Ever since I moved to America I've been dreaming about coming back to Turkey to visit. Except I've always imagined myself coming back with my parents and my brother. Instead I am here alone, with my family back in America, and my husband back in Australia. I missed the freedom I had in the US. I could go to Barnes and Noble or Borders when I was bored or go for a bike ride or even drive out to the Mayfair mall. I missed having a job. It is very difficult for me to work in Turkey as a woman who wears hijab (headscarf, basortu). My employment oppurtunities are very limited even though I am a university graduate because I wear the hijab. So I can't even get a temp position unless I want to take off my scarf. The blanket I am working on, well it is just that I am working on it. I have a book taht has sample squares that you can work on, so I am trying to see which ones I want to combine using what colors. I will update more on that -- I am sure my brother is dying to know more :P kelebek }{
'Cause waking up without you is like drinking from an empty cup -- Damien Rice
Posted at 1:46 AM
Friday, August 10, 2007
tow kelebek is lonely
Why is it that everytime I switch my language to English, blogger changes it back to Turkish for me? Yes I do speak Turkish, but I am not too good with the turkish equivalent of words that I am so familiar with. I am having a good time in Turkey. I wish I wasn't so paranoid about losing the camera ACA left for me, so I could take some photos. I went to Eminonu yesterday and we walked through Mahmutpasa. We used to go to Eminonu every year before the school started so we can get my school supplies. It is mind boggling what you can buy there. We really didn't explore all of it (I went with Alex). I do hope to go back and go see most of the stores. I haven't walked through Misir Carsisi (space bazaar) or the infamous Kapali Carsi. That one I do have to go! It is diffucult to mount up enough energy to get out of the house. If I really don't have to meet with anybody it is much easier to stay at home and read (and sleep!) I do feel I am wasting valuable visiting time -- I dont know when I'll have this much time in my hands again! I think part of the problem is that I've always imagined myself coming back to Istanbul with my entire family (mom, dad, brother). I feel their absence around me when I go out to visit places that I know they would want to go. And now ACA has left for Australia it does get lonely around here. One good thing about being back in Istanbul is that I get to catch up with old friends. I've met with my middle school teacher (my favorite teacher ever!) a week ago. And I am going to meet with my elemantary school best friend tomorrow in Taksim. I really do think I'll take my camera. It is a historical moment! kelebek }{
Posted at 1:57 AM
Saturday, August 04, 2007
tow stranger at home
It is incredibly strange to say the least to be typing on my laptop while sitting on this bed. It is the bed of my childhood, the bed we bought after I broke my otherone by jumping on it too much. My grandma moved this bed into the bedroom that used to belong to my parents. That adds another level of strangeness because, I am sleeping in my parents room! It's been over a month since I've arrived at Turkey, yet I still feel like a stranger. Not a complete stranger, I do remember that corner of the street, or that shop and the hill that led to Eyup. People I don't remember come and tell me how they used to hold me in their laps when I was a child. Everyone is agreed that I look just like my mom. I walk through the streets looking at kids playing games I remember playing. It is hard not to get terriotrial, saying hey thats our street. Yet, it is their street now. I step into what used to be my bedroom. My grandma mostly changed it, yet I do remember where my bed (the one I am sitting on) my dresser and my study desk used to be. The study desk is full of stroge space, and grandma took my parting words literally "don't throw anything away, I'll be back next summer" That next summer has turned into nine summers later. I had spend hours looking through things that was mine. My notebooks, my old books, my textbooks, my dolls, just one thing after the other that belonged to me. I get glimpses of who that girl was with every notebook I open. An interesting find turned out to my diary which I kept during my prep and 6th grade years. It is just not my things I am finding. This house I am in is like a site of an interesting archeological excavation project. Every drawer I look at I find things that are not only part of me, but a part of my family's history. I found my grandma's marriage certificate, pictures of my father when he was a soldier, photos of my mom when she was my age(yes I do look just like her, but a lot heavier!) I also found more pictures of me as a baby in addition to my parent's wedding and engagement photos. I also found the dress my mom wore to her engagement party. Even my mom is amused at how many things I am finding. My grandma didn't throw anything away! It is difficult not to feel like a total tourist in a city I grew up in. I went to Taksim a few days ago, it looked totally new to me. However my mom says I've been there many, many times before. When you are younger I suppose you don't pay that much attention to location names and places. I am controlled by two forces, one telling me not to venture out into a strange city like Istanbul alone, yet another part of me is dying to rediscover the city I've left behind so many years ago. So far I've been to Taksim, Fatih and Eyup Sultan. I do want to venture out to Sahaflar carsisi in Beyazit, and check out the Topkapi sarayi area. I am not sure when I'll get out of my shell again, but it will be fun! The rest of the wedding photos are on my flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/kelebek/ I missed my husband...... kelebek }{
Posted at 1:51 PM
