If you have been on Facebook lately, you have certainly heard of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Often referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, neuromuscular disease that slowly robs the body of its ability to walk, speak, swallow and breathe. The life expectancy of an ALS patient averages... Continue Reading →
Is there a God? – and internet etiquette
If you are looking for the definitive answer as to whether or not there is a God, look no further!! (Because I have absolutely no idea and can't answer that for you!) I believe in God. Yes, I do. As I have mentioned before in earlier posts, I was raised Catholic and I still am... Continue Reading →
Getting Through Mixed Emotions
It is almost three months since my sister Eileen left us. It's a strange time. Family and close friends remember what you are still going through, but most forget. This is normal. You may remember that I had gone through quite a bit during the months before and after her death. When I think back... Continue Reading →
A Turkish Funeral: my family, my friend
On Friday I had received a call that a woman had passed away. I never met her personally. She was an elderly woman who used to live in my home. She had moved to a nursing home shortly before we moved to Ankara. From time to time over the past few years, I had thought... Continue Reading →
here’s what happened
When one becomes a blogger, we often write personal things that others would not share. In my case, I crossed over from getting my emotions out via keeping a journal and writing poems, to putting myself out there publicly. Lately, I have written posts that have caused concern to many. I was still withholding many... Continue Reading →
New Beginnings
As I wrote in my last post, things have been very dark for me lately, both literally and figuratively. Today, I woke up ready to start this year again, for a third time. I even went to work a half an hour early. Then things got bad, very bad. A couple of hours later, I... Continue Reading →
Number 13
"How many kids are in your family?" "We have twelve siblings." "What number are you?" "I'm number 13." I can't count the number of times I have had this exact conversation. I am the thirteenth child in my family and I was born on the 13th. I am Lucky 13. My sister Jacqueline died before... Continue Reading →
Celebrating Life: a wedding, a funeral and a baby
I am back stateside and it's been a different kind of visit. My "holiday" is never quite a vacation when I am home. It's usually full of running around to markets and doctors and whatnot. But I'm fine with that. That's what it means to be home for me. Yet I always manage to get... Continue Reading →
Turkey Rising: What I did during the protests
I was in Istanbul when it all started. I was safely tucked away on an island, and really didn't know what was going on. Friends started to share translations of news reports and videos. At the time, I was amazed by it all. I didn't have a full comprehension, I probably still don't. But when... Continue Reading →
Racism Running Rampant — Still
In the news in Turkey is the Deputy Prime Minister Beşir Atalay with his anti-Semitic public comments. I have lived here over three years now. I don't usually get into the depth of conversations, for lack of Turkish skills, that would make me aware of racism here. Unfortunately, I do have one "friend" who in the... Continue Reading →
HOME AWAY FROM Home Away From home away from . . .
While visiting other countries, here are some things I miss about Ankara: These are just a few thoughts for the day. Of course, I miss my family the most. And Turkish Tea. I miss tea. And family. Yes. Family. . . and tea.
Introducing . . .
Elizabeth Nursel! Welcome to the world my little one! This is truly crossing cultures! We wish this precious little one and her parents all the best!
Taking a Break
Yesterday, a suicide bomber attacked the American Embassy in Ankara. He killed one of his own people, a Turkish citizen who worked as a guard. What the fuck?! The man simply went to work one day and died because of some a-hole's radical political views. The man lost his life, because he needed to feed... Continue Reading →
