From Turkey With Love

Day 15

This half of my room is where I sleep. That's an air mattress and is so much nicer than the bed I originally had in here.

*posted late b/c I forgot to hit publish so it stayed as a draft until this morning! So I updated it a bit.*

This is my room. Well, part of it anyway. I had them come and pick up the captain’s bed that was causing so much trouble to my back at night. An airmattress has replaced it and OMG does my back feel SO much better! I set it up in a daybed style for a few reasons. It keeps foot traffic away from the bed so it’ll less likely develop a leak, it’s tucked away in a corner so I can lean against the wall when I’m watching movies on my laptop, and it lets me sleep with my back against a wall.

*I slept like a rock last night.

Day 14

It was delicious! Carrots in fresh lemon juice. Absolutely refreshing.

You’ll have to forgive the graininess of these pictures.We were in very low light and I had to blind people with my flash in order to get any of these pics. I promise the food looked far more appetizing in person. *sigh* I should have really paid attention to my husband and his photography tips from his own food blog.

For Drell’s birthday we went to a sushi place called Frend’s. That’s right, I said sushi. Unfortunately, however, THE sushi guy was on a two week vacation so we had to order off the main menu. I promise you I was NOT disappointed. They brought out a delicious flat bread layered with Mediterranean flavors. Before I could taste it, however, the waiter brought the condiments and asked that I please try the bread with them first. Who am I to ignore a waiter’s request when it comes to food? They should know better than me. The first one was a garlic mayo. Delicious, but I’m not much of a mayo girl so I tried the other. It was ketchup but sweeter than any ketchup I’ve ever tasted. It was fabulous with the bread, and I never thought I’d say that! LOL.

It was time to order and I’m creative when I go out. Several people had been there and were giving suggestions. “Try this, it tastes like Chinese food,” or “this tastes just like a stir fry from back in the states, only with curry!” I just came from the states so I’m not homesick for those flavors. Yet, anyway. So I pointed to something that seemed impossible to say and asked…has anyone tried this? They all said no. I asked the waiter to pronounce it for me. He couldn’t do it either, but he did tell me it WAS chicken so I said why not. It was called Champselyees. The bit of research I’ve done tells me it’s either a recipe based on the Avenue des Champs-Élysée which is a famous avenue in Paris, France named after the Greek Elysian Fields (home of the blessed dead…should I have worried?) OR it’s based on a kickass cocktail that has about a thousand different versions. Either way, it was delicious.

Chicken sauteed with red peppers, mushrooms, onions, spinach, and a little something with a kick made the main course absolutely mouth-watering. The menu described the dish as “with spinach, very sharp.” I suppose very sharp means a bit on the hot side. At 11.50 ytL, it was also very affordable.

They also brought wine glasses with carrot slices and lemon juice. Lemon, the waiter told me, makes the raw food clean. He’s not the first to tell me that, and while I know it does destroy bacteria, it also made those carrots refreshing. I can’t help but wonder if my husband will make his own version. I’ve heard they make them with cucumbers as well.

For dessert we received a complimentary fruit platter with all sorts of decadent selections. Fresh grapes, mango, honeydew, and a few fruits that I only know the Turkish name for.

The pictures I took of the main dish look terrible, so I don’t think I want to post them.

Drell enjoyed his 26th birthday among twenty or so friends and I got out and tried a taste of the culture.

Oh…did I mention? Frend’s is an oasis camouflaged by…a gas station. Only in Turkey.

Day 13

The onions had everyone crying.

So I got called on it. I’m a dorm rat. A hermit. Anti-social. Enter Drell (left) and Gray (right). Talk about small worlds. These two guys were my students back in the day and now they’re taking me under their wings and forcing me out into the sunlight. Away from my dorm. Out to mingle.

I joke, but if left to my own devices, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere for another two weeks at the earliest (and that’s pushing it!). Takes me a while to get comfortable in a new place.

So we had taco night. Drell loves to cook, Gray’s wife is still on vacation, and I needed something in my stomach that actually had seasoning (not that the DFAC would ever have BAD food…just not seasoned). Gray let us use his stove. I worked my magic with the taco meat and Drell made a kickass guacamole plus all the extra fixin’s for the taco bar. The avocados were the size of softballs. My picture turned out blurry, but I did show Drell this cool trick about cutting avocado. When you cut one in half and toss the pit, cube the avocado while still in the peel. Flip the peel inside out and scrape off the meat. Then you’ve got smaller bits to deal with instead of huge chunks. I learn all kinds of cool tricks thanks to my husband.  Gray had some brownies he kept trying to ply us with but I’ve got a PT test coming up so the sweets are a no-no for now. I did accept a Coke though. Man I missed the taste of those things.

Tomorrow is Drell’s birthday and in less than two months he gets to be with his wife again (and I’ll have people to visit in Germany YAY!). Gray’s wife gets back very soon and he’s promised she’ll take me shopping. After looking at the gorgeous things she’s picked up in The Alley, I can’t wait. Rugs. Handcrafted furniture. And these awesome beanbag chairs that I must have! I’m gonna be in decorator heaven.

There were several funny moments throughout the night, and I don’t mean the armed forces network (AFN) commercials (bad, they were just BAD). This picture was taken when Drell was cutting onions. They were so potent when Drell sliced them that my eyes were watering from over eight feet away. Gray’s eyes were tearing up too.

Anyway, it was a good night. I got to relax without worries. Had great food with new friends. It was definitely good times and I love these rare moments.

Day 12

First thing in the morning. Fog was everywhere and it wasn't as humid as normal.

Today marks a very monumental day…my stepsons are going back to school. They’ve fought it tooth and nail (well E
has, anyway). For E, this is his first day in middle school. I know he’s nervous, but he’ll rock it. I know it. So will D.

The hardest part about being here is that I miss those milestones. Taking them to school on the first day, seeing them when they come home and asking how their day was. Right now things are tough. I won’t get into it much except to say the way I do things and the way their Mom does is like night and day.

It’s hard for them to talk with me online. And it’s hard for me to see them confused and hurt. It was like I just got there and then had to leave again. I get it. But I’m still right here.

Jerry is blessed with a large family. I have four wonderful step-children and three adorable grandchildren whom I love more than life itself. Add in little Bran and my heart is just full to capacity. I would do anything for these guys.

My stepdaughters are strong and independent in their own ways. I miss them, too. C starts college soon and that’s a wonderful thing. DJ is raising the most adorable little boy and working hard at finding her place in this world.

While I’m here I find that I have time on my hands. Time I’d rather spend picking up kids and hugging them. Time I’d rather spend watching them go to school for the first day in their new clothes and nervous smiles. Time I’d love to come and babysit when the girls get frustrated with their children. I’m not whining. I love my country and I love the job she calls me to do. I wouldn’t go back and change a thing in my career or my choices. But I miss you guys.

I’m proud of you. All of you. And I love you with all my heart.

Day 11

In the morning there are hundreds of these birds in one tree outside my door. My alarm clock.

I was told there are a lot of birds in Turkey. In the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen over 60 different species of birds. And all of them decide to roost in the tree just outside my room. All of them are camera-shy (of course), but this one decided to strike a pose for me.

Day 10

Meet the Travel Monkey.

This is Brannum’s travel monkey (also known as the incredible Shrinking Monkey, but that’s another story!). He got here by boat, then train, then truck until he reached my doorstep on Thursday. I’m sure he’s got a story or two to tell. We’ll call him Ferdinand. Unless the boys have other suggestions? I miss you guys!

Day 9

I can't help but hear someone say "Dur" every time I see a stop sign. For those too young to remember it, "Dur" was before Homer Simpsons' signature "Doh."

It’s Day 9 over on this side of the pond (and while I upload this picture for the THOUSANDTH TIME) starting on my family’s side as well. As we’ve passed our first week, I’ve noticed a few things…the beginning of a week is harder, emotionally, for me. I feel like my heart starts all over in the counting cycle. My family is holding down the fort with strength, determination, and just enough humor to keep themselves from going insane.

Things I’ve learned over the past week.

1. While the sign you see before you is, in fact, a stop sign…they are only suggestions to those who are Turks. I was even told, eh, those are for the Americans. We use this! And a laying of the horn commenced. LOL.

2. The internet is incredibly slow. So slow, in fact, that it makes me want to scream in frustration when I’m uploading images. I have to find non-peak hours to do it.

3. When our spirits are low (my husband, my kids, or me), we do our best to pick each other up. It’s a beautiful and amazing thing.

4. Sometimes the family who adopts you is more than you’d ever imagined a family could be. Thank you, guys. The support back home fills me with awe and tears. You rock!

5. Never underestimate the siren song of sleep. Apparently, or so I’m told, your body needs it so will force it upon  you when you least expect it. Namely, immediately after work when you’d just laid down to cool off a bit.

6. I miss Jerry’s cooking. A lot.

7. And this is a constant one…I miss my family. I knew I would, but I didn’t know how much or how hard it would hit us all. I love all of my kids. I hope I’m a good stepmom to four of them and just a good ol’ mom to the youngest one. Your smiles make my day brighter.

I love you guys.

Day 8

Beautiful contrast.

I love this image. It was a practice in colors. Yes, it’s not perfect, but I’m getting there, I think. Right now I’m up before dawn and trying to keep myself from going stir crazy. I got a lot done yesterday and even more the day before. Today movers come. YAY. And I’ll get out and take more pics this weekend. I promise. Have a good day, guys. I love and miss you.

Day 7

I am amazed by the color of nature around here. Splashes of yellow, red and purple surprise you on walks through the streets.

This is the beautiful flower without all the fuzzy dream-like effects. I started this blog for several reasons (and no, flowers aren’t it). 1. My family could see things the way I see them as I travel this culturally diverse part of the world. 2. It forces me to leave my dorm room, otherwise I might try to force myself into a coma until I go home (bad for all of us). 3. It gives me something useful to do.

My husband also has a blog he keeps updated daily, showing each other how we’re doing. It’s something we do together that allows us to be completely unique. And for that, I’m thankful. The idea of a photo blog came from the wonderful Lynn Viehl, whose images on her own phot blog, PBWindow, kept me entranced for almost an entire year. I hope she’ll continue the journey, but if not, I just wanted her to know she inspired this idea.

Day 6

I love the dreamlike look of this image.

This is one of those serendipity pics. I hope you enjoy it. And I’m sending lots of healing thoughts to Erik, the little daredevil. See you all tomorrow!