No, I'm not gay. Although I do have a former neighbor who might argue that point. Lot's of my friends are black, I mean gay. I have to laugh here. I have heard so many times over the years, upon an acquaintance discovering I am part African-America, the same sentence, "Lots of my friends are... Continue Reading →
The Elusive “Kekik”
Oh kekik, how you have eluded me. I started cooking at a very tender age with my Easy Bake Oven, which used a light bulb as it's heating source. I loved that hoodad! Sometimes, when I was very lucky, Mom would buy me a boxed mix at the gracoery store, designed especially for my oven. ... Continue Reading →
Ekim
So now it's October, Ekim. The days are still bright and sunny. The evenings have become crisp and chilly. My thoughts have turned to things I enjoyed in the States. Going to the old Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia for the Halloween tours. Selecting and carving a pumpkin. Planting mums. Haunted hayrides while enjoying... Continue Reading →
Living with Bomb Threats
On September 20th, a bomb went off in the neighborhood of Kizilay, about a 10-15 minute walk from my home. I was walking down a street in my neighborhood at the time. I saw the big cloud of smoke, and thought nothing of it. I didn't hear anything. Moments later, a good friend called to... Continue Reading →
American Groceries!!
I'm dying here . . . So this past week, I was invited to tour a certain undisclosed location in Ankara. I was very excited about going. I had heard about it many times, but never had the opportunity. It was a grocery store. But not just that. It was an American grocery store. The... Continue Reading →
House Shopping in Ankara
No, we are not ready to buy a house in Ankara. But, from time to time, we look. I have to apologize in advance for my tone in this post. I am a bit annoyed with a recent real estate situation that occurred here. So I am feeling a bit bitchy. Buying a house in... Continue Reading →
When It Rains, It Pours
It's starting to feel a little like early Autumn in Ankara. The days are still sunny and hot, but rather pleasant in the low 80's. The evenings bring a cool breeze. And this morning, as I enjoyed my coffee on the balcony, it was downright cold! I am a summer baby, and although I love... Continue Reading →
You know you’re from (insert here) when . . .
I admit it, I am a Facebook junkie. I love the feeling of keeping in touch with family and friends from afar. I especially love chatting with grade school and high school friends as if our relationships never fell apart. Today, I saw two groups that I loved . . . "You know you're from West... Continue Reading →
The Power of Being a Free Woman
Up to 70 percent of all Turkish women are abused by their spouses. Physically, sexually, emotionally, or financially. Wow. Look around you, folks. That's a lot of women. I remember the looks I got from some "friends" in the States when I decided to marry. It was as if I had let them down. Of... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
Adventures in Ankara 