Category: Family Life

Tips to Prevent Burglary

My neighbor's home was burgarized on Saturday evening.  I have heard stories of several burglaries in my neighborhood recently.  In fact, I have heard of them all over Ankara recently. The neighbor rented an apartment that had the worst door in the building.  It was literally made of particle board as was the surrounding frame. ... Continue Reading →

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Community

There is a small park a couple of doors down from my home.  I never go there. The little pools are always dry.  The walls covered in graffiti.  The benches are dusty.  The playground in the back is usually empty.  Teenagers hang out and smoke there.  Visitors to the hospital seek refuge from the shade... Continue Reading →

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You Can Be Anything

I can be anything I want to be.  That is what I always believed and it seems to be true for the most part.  The funny thing is that I have no recollection of a single person telling me this.  I don't recall my parents sitting me down and saying, "Honey, you can be anything... Continue Reading →

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I Love July!!!

I have never understood why people complain about birthdays or give the standard, "I don't really celebrate birthdays."  It's a bunch of hogwash to me.  I love birthdays.  The only thing I love more than birthdays is MY birthday!  And tomorrow is just that. A few days ago I received an email from my husband wishing... Continue Reading →

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The Black Sea – Karadeniz

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit the Black Sea region.  It was amazingly beautiful.  It looked as if someone had set the ocean down right in the middle of Chester County, PA.  We visited Safranbolu on the way to the water in Amasra.  We stopped for breath-taking views of the countryside as we enjoyed... Continue Reading →

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Heading Home Again

Yep, it's only been 3.5 months, but I'm heading back to the States.  This time I have some business to tend to, but will visiting my family for the most part.  Once again, as I anticipate my departure, I am salivating over thoughts of food. Yes, pork is at the top of my list:  bacon,... Continue Reading →

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Miss Me Yet?

I know, I know. It seems like a week since I have written a post! In my defense, I did add a new page to my blog this week about things for kids to do in Ankara. It didn't appear as a post, so you may have missed it. It has been quite a busy... Continue Reading →

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Ankara – It’s a Small World

The city of Ankara has a population of at least 4.5 million.  The number has doubtless grown since the 2008 census.  It is about three times more populated than Philadelphia, whose 2010 count was over 1.5 million.  And it's way bigger than my hometown of West Chester, PA, whose 2000 census counted less than 18,000... Continue Reading →

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Anneler Günün kutlu olsun!

I celebrated Mother's Day early this year.  Everything was going well, and then I suffered a major faux pas!  Let me start at the beginning. My husband's grandmother and aunt were visiting from Aksaray.  They had been here a week and were planning to go home yesterday. Late on Friday evening, we received a call... Continue Reading →

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Some Things Happen Fast: A Turkish Funeral

  Yesterday morning at 6 a.m. our grandmother’s brother passed away.  Thirty-two hours later he was buried.  I am told that funerals often happen the same day when possible.  In this case, the family waited for the arrival of our great-uncle’s son who lives in Germany.  When I heard the news yesterday morning, I immediately... Continue Reading →

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Kapadokya Revisited

Another house guest meant another trip to Aksaray to visit Granny and to Kapadokya. Not a problem for me.  I never get tired of seeing the sites - or taking more photos! Amy's reflection on the day:  "It was just like the Grand Canyon, only better, because I was there!"  Well, I have been to... Continue Reading →

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