Another week goes by...

OMG!! Time is so flying! I am in my flat and, I must say, absolutely LOVING it!! Yes, it's not completely furnished but really, furniture is overrated. I mean, I have a couch and a bed and did I mention the view??? Yes, I think I did - a couple of times I'm sure.

So... what's going on this week for your entertainment?? Well, never expect "5 (five) minutes" to actually MEAN five minutes. In fact, contrary to normal thoughts - Turkey has proven me wrong. I received a call saying the telephone company man would be coming to install my phone line in five minutes, so I could get my internet turned on as well. Well, the call ended and of course, I was still in my "pj's" since it was my only morning to sleep in and get this... as I was thinking about getting dressed, the doorbell went off. The doorbell, by the way sounds like an attack of baby blue jays (who ever thought that was a welcoming sound never saw Thornbirds!!), so I threw on the closest decent things I could find (scary to say the least). Therefore, you can only imagine what I looked like - did I mention I had not brushed my teeth yet and let's not consider the condition of my hair!? Regardless, I answered the door, traumatized an old man and now I have a turkish phone number- not that it will help you to get in touch with me because it's just a live wire hanging out of the wall. But hey, in just up to three working days I should have an active internet connection. This means, I can end my pilfering career without any jail time!!! Yeah!!

Some random Turkish moments ... today over lunch while chatting with a Turkish friend, we were discussing books and authors ( wow, right???). Anyway, I brought up Kafka - the freak that he was - and my friend made the comment, "Only abnormal people can write". I love it!!! I want to write a book while I'm here and I think this is my justification! I can now feel like it is my personal calling (being that I am far from "normal") to be a writer. I always knew I was meant to write, I guess I was just waiting for the job description to become obvious. Who knew I needed to come to Turkey to figure that out?

Did you know that if you give someone your phone number they take that as an open invitation to bother you at ALL TIMES of the day and night? I know that "no good deed goes unpunished" but damn, really - I thought I was helping his guy out with English and only come to find out it was his way to get my number. One day, I swear, I'm going to dye my hair blonde (for real) - that way when I make SUCH stupid errors, I can blame it on that! One would think I wouldn't fall for such things, anymore.... ha ha I finally figured out how to turn my phone on and off though - so maybe it's okay. Oh and by the way, some comments don't require translation - think about what I said to him ... haven't had any more calls. 1.2.3. I win. Next.

Turkey continues to be a lot of fun. I am loving my position and the students are great. Haven't made it to the club - probably a good thing - not sure Izmit is ready for the way I dance. :) Of course, maybe my hips aren't ready for my dancing anymore either! Ha ha.

So... I will leave it here for now - all continues to go along swimmingly. I'll be in touch again soon. Let's hope the blue jays aren't calling anytime again soon!! (Especially when you are wearing what they consider here to be NOTHING!!!) :)

Take care - Hafta Gorusuruz ... (1.2.3. Next week....)

Another eventful week here in Turkiye!

Let’s see … So, I moved into my new flat last week but who knew it would take an entire week to truly make it “home”. I called on a couple of friends to help me with the shopping. This may seem funny considering I am usually fairly adept at shopping but … I’ve been a tad slower in getting into the groove here. However, thanks to my friends, the shopping is now complete, I hope. The place is more “homie” (or is it “homey”), lol. And the good thing, I don’t have to share it with ANYONE! Yeah!!!

I will enjoy sleeping in/on a bed tonight – for the first time since coming to Turkiye and really, it’s even longer – the last time I slept in/on a bed was in Praha. Wow! I think it will be rather nice to sleep on something specifically meant for sleep…! J

I still haven’t bought curtains (or Perde pronounced per-da). I will eventually get to that but I haven’t found any that aren’t something out of the 1970s. You know, the beads all the way to the floor. (Unless I could find the beads that make a picture – maybe a sunset or a martini glass?? That would really announce that I am the American here, huh?) I’m sure it would be a lovely addition to the flat but I’m thinking it’s just not me. Of course, I don’t normally like curtains anyway – blinds are just fine, however, they don’t have those here either! Good thing I’m on the fifth floor (actually the 6^th since they call the first floor, “sifir” or zero!)

Some random moments from this week … you know you are an English teacher when you try to correct a student in their own language and they are laughing harder at your attempt to pronounce something than you are at their attempt to speak English! Only this job can this be funny!

While biking through the park (on the way home) today, I notice one of those industrial sized blow-up slide things. (The type at block parties and that are available for rent.) With further investigation, I saw they had six trampolines set up next to each other! It was completely enclosed. You don’t have to ask whether or not I “bounced” on over or not!! Of course, I did! Within moments, I parked my bike and found myself jumping up and down – screaming like a little kid. It was awesome. Coincidentally, some of my students were there (unbeknownst to me) and they took pictures!! OMG! So, I now have documentation of a failed front somersault! Enjoy!

The weather continues to be interesting… at my elevation, the temperature seems to be a bit cooler. I got dressed for work the other day in a turtleneck sweater (Thanks Kay! Great Christmas gift!) and my jeans (to be changed at work). By the time I made it to work, I would have preferred to be in shorts and a tee- shirt. Although, I will say – I looked good. (And we know that according to SNL – it’s better to look good than feel good, and Darling, you look Marvelous!! Ha ha ) I had no idea the breeze off the water could make such a difference! I now know better.

I will not be able to go anywhere this month thanks to moving and all of that so … I will have to content myself with working even more!! That’s right… I’m working 40 hours and still loving it. J

Enough for now, I think, I need to go put ice or heat? On my knees. Ha ha . I miss the days of dancing … BUT … some students have told me of a place close by. Stay tuned, maybe next week I’ll have gone there???

Moving Time...

I know I've only been here for two months (already!!) but I'm moving... okay, only across the city centre but I'm still moving to a new town. Currently, I am in Yahyakaptan (pronounced: Ya-Ya [like the sisterhood] Captain), it kind of reminds me of the Navy days, "aye aye Capt'n". :) It's about five kilometers (formally thought of as four, however anyone who knows me, knows I am not a reliable source for directions or distance. ha ha) away from the City Centre of Izmit. Now, I will be moving on about three or four kilometers on the other side of the City Centre to Guztepe (Goozed-te-pay). It means beautiful hill.

This is the view from my bedroom window.

My apartment is completely empty with bare walls and a lovely view of part of the city and the seaside. I am looking forward to making it my home over the next few months ... should be an interesting feat. :) Once I get something in my flat, I will post a couple of pictures. :)

For now, enjoy the view of outside the flat. I will be able to ride my bike directly into the City Centre or take the scenic route down by the seaside. How cool is that?

Some random Turk moments... I've had the opportunity to hang out and meet some really neat people. Imagine sitting at a restaurant and having someone approach you with the greeting, "You speak English?" This is not an extraordinary occurance here. I've met people from Holland, Finland and Texas just this past week.

I went to a sports pub to watch a football match (also known as soccer)

and was surprised to find myself sharing the place with "Kursh", the kedi(the cat). Evidently, this is not an unusual thing to have a "pub kitty" as a mascot. Kursh was a very large cat too. I'm not sure what they are feeding her but she was not your normal, average-sized house cat. In fact, she was a very well mannered, people oriented kitty. Made me miss mine at home.

I've discovered tattoos here! Yes, they have tattoos and piercings, just not as many as in the States. One of my students showed me to the establishment and I got my very first... henna tattoo. It's gorgeous - I designed it myself while in Praha last fall. The process of getting the tattoo was fairly easy. The artist was pretty good, also. I got my "anchor" put on my ankle. I like it but am glad it is not permanent. I don't know that I am ready for another permanent one, just yet and I think I want to get that done in Greece. That's another story all together. So, in a few more weeks, the henna will be gone and so will my tattoo.

The weather has officially turned... it's Spring - with lovely, warm days and brisk evenings. I am told that very soon, Summer will be here and it will be incredibly hot. Can't wait. My apartment is so high up, I will be getting the breeze from the sea. I'm thinking it will remind me of living in Italy which had the same circumstances. (No air conditioning). lol

On a final note, I'm going to be posting more often - many of you have expressed a want for this so ... I will try at least once a week. :) As always, I look forward to hearing from you - feel free to leave a comment or continue to email me... dmillerms@gmail.com