Work With Me Here...

I'm sorry to be so confusing, but if a picture can tell a thousand words (is that how that saying goes?), well then these are worth showing! These pictures are from an excursion we took last week to downtown and to the biggest cami (mosque...don't forget the Turkish I've taught you, now) in our city. We did this last week. Who really ever expected my blog to be truly organized and totally chronological?

It was quite an adventure. We did have an un-Turkish meal. We found our local 'Pizza Hut' and our local 'McAllisters'. Please do understand that I use these terms loosely. We had a pizza and what I would call your basic Spud from McAllisters. Not for every day eating, but we've been here a month. We love the food, but we're entitled to search out a few home eats! We found some great shopping & used some Turkish. There is a beautiful park surrounding the mosque in the pictures . Standing in the shadow of this architecturally beautiful building, I am reminded of a verse of one of my favorite songs: 'The sun cannot compare to the glory of your love, there is no shadow in your presence.' Truly the sun nor this building could ever compare to the glory of the Living God. I praise Him for my salvation and that I can personally know Him, experience His peace, and give my life to Him each day. I continue to stand under the shadow of His wing daily.

Wonders Never Cease

Just thought it worth posting today that on the way home from my English lesson-it went great...thank you for the prayers- I saw two Turkish clowns on the side of the road. I am devestated that I don't have a picture to show you of this, but I was on the bus. This is not an everyday site. We don't have people dressed up outside Party City or Little Caesar's like we do in America. (We have neither Party City nor Little Caesar's here.) Turkish clowns, that's a new one even for me.

While I'm posting, I feel my family deserves a shout-out today. You thought it was some kind of a joke that I'm talking about clowns and I posted a picture of my family, didn't you? Nope, they deserve to be shown because they are the BEST!!! They are fast asleep in their beds right now, but I've already received a Fed Ex package from them today! I really have a fabulous family, package or not. Thanks fam! Who knew homemade cookies and home grown sweet tea really could make my day! My family did! Love ya'll!

Cukurova

So, this is actually more than a nice view. It's a fabuous one from Cukarova University right here in my area. Cukarova University sits on beautiful Seyhan Lake, and yes, I did include a picture of the water because look at how unbelievably blue it is. You have to see it to really appreciate the beauty of it! Craig, Katie, Chris, and I all went to visit this university about 20 minutes outside of our city today. We took two buses to get there and drove by some incredible scenery. We just spent some time walking around campus getting familiar with the layout so that eventually we can go back when school is in session in hopes to meet some students and make some friends. We just walked around taking it all in comparing it to good old M.C., Mississippi State, and Clemson. It wasn't quite the same, but we did find the 'Quad' or the 'Drill Field' of Cukarova, if you will. We thought about all the students that will be filling this place up in a few weeks as we walked where they will.

Next time I go; however, I will try to blend in more. I actually bought this sweater at my first "Indirim." Indirim means SALE! It is a Turkish sweater bought from a Turkish store. I did not see one Turk today wearing any color from the palette of colors that my sweater came from. I might as well have glowed in the dark. Turkish people I observe more and more wear blacks, browns, greys, and darker colors. Today, this observation was etched in my memory as I received many, 'you are not Turkish' looks! I was totally rocking the American look: bright sweater, oversized sunglasses, cowboy boots, and a smile destined to not fit in. I am still working on fitting my wardrobe to my new culture. So, today I was American. Tomorrow, I will try to be Turkish again.

Understanding the Present Perfect, Perfectly...

Here's the cami closest to my house. Say it like, (jah-mee). That's good. Now say it again, you're learning some Turkish! Welcome to my world! Today we learned a big step towards making complete sentences, complete ones with subjects and verbs! We're moving past cave man phrases. I'm really excited. We had dinner last night totally speaking in Turkish at my family's house, per my request. It went pretty well. I can understand a few things, and I can answer with yes and no, maybe spice it up every now and then. But our vocab is ever expanding and things are looking good. One day at a time, so I keep telling myself. And thank you, to all of you who have e-mailed me and encouraged me by telling me the same thing!

Speaking of completing sentences...I had my second English session with my new friend. Raz is what we'll call her so you can remember her. It's close. We spent an hour and a half together and I think she was very pleased. A lesson plan on the board can do wonders to help your nerves and make me look a little prepared. We read the Secret Garden together a little and went over some grammar. If you know much about the Present Perfect tense, please reply to this blog!!! I might have had a minor breakdown Monday over my lack of understanding of this English grammar concept that I use in my speech daily. I had to tell myself, 'you are a smart person, you just went through this grade over ten years ago.' Well, she's not quite there, so I have some time to brush up!

More pictures to come soon. I have to balance when I take pictures, and when I'm really trying to blend in and look like a Turk! I know I did not look like one on Sunday, though. I accidentally rode the bus for free. I know, you are wondering how does one do that? Well, I had every intention of paying. The driver did not help me. I kept waving my lira at him when I got on and he kept on waving me back onto the bus. I did not understand this interaction and there was no verbal communication taking place. Now, if you're reading this...don't think I'm a dishonest person. I'm just learning! So, a friend told me where to put my money and next time I get that type of bus, I'm going to pay for two rides. Hopefully you know I will, if you know me at all! My feelings were so hurt that I accidentally stole a ride! One day at a time, one more bus ride at a time.

Every day I pray that God will put new Turkish friends in my path. Saturday, I'm going to try to have lunch with a girl I met last Sunday. I say try, I am wide open. It will really depend on her schedule. But, I know that language will be key in making these new friends, so patience and persistence are my constant companions.

A Tourist Afternoon

So, there are alot of pictures today, huh? We went to church and then Craig, Katie, and I went to lunch at our favorite Pide place (I use the word favorite loosely...because I have been there twice, but it is definitely one of my faves so far). Pide is a special bread with meat, cheese, and vegetables baked on top of it. It's the closest thing to pizza! Then we just decided, 'why not; we're not really in our neck of the woods, so we'll get out the cameras!' Craig was a little more interested in the citrus tree behind us than me and Katie, but that's us! (We wanted the fruit in the picture) I am convinced that if you got a ladder out early in the morning, that the fruit on every tree lining the streets is up for grabs for breakfast!) In our matchy matchy coats. We're working on getting new coats. Thank you Old Navy for making it possible that Katie and I would move across an entire ocean and take the one exact same coat from home.

There is the bus that I ride every day in one of the pictures. Our flag being proudly displayed and an everyday exhange between buyer and seller. It's so fun here to shop. You can buy the regular grocery items at a local Migros, Yonca, or Groseri--these are all local grocery stores. But, you can buy fresh fruits, vegetables, and bread from your local seller. You might have a bakal under your apartment. That's a little shop with cokes, bread, and other little stuff. Or, Jayme and Jared have a fruit and vegetable stand right outside their house. I think he made it onto the blog already. We call him the 'van man'. He sells produce out of his van and he knows if he sees one us that we are going to visit Jayme and Jared, because you bet we buy from him! He's really friendly.

I had my first English lesson yesterday. I think it went okay, but there was much room for improvement...on my part! Katie and I went to the Kitapsan today (our local bookstore) to look for some materials to help me teach English as a THIRD language! That's right, my student is taking Russian, also! I think she's going to be a very good pupil. Pray for me that I will be a very good teacher! We meet again Monday.

All in the Family...

Here are some every day chore pictures. Yes, that is my house. Yes, I do my laundry here without a dryer. It's a new phenomenon to me how you hang the clothes up and they dry...without the magic machine that has been a part of my vocabulary for so long..."dryer". I have seen my mammaw do it before, but have never actually done it myself before! Hard to believe, eh? But, now I am becoming a domesticated woman as things take a little longer to do here and take a little more effort. But, I am enjoying the process of this transformation of myself! Everything is made from scratch either because we don't have frozen food or cans or because they are much too expensive. Tonight, Katie and I are going to Jayme's house and we're all going to make chicken tetrazinni. Sounds simple, but it will be a little different here. Any who, I really think I like to cook. My family will think this is astonishing and my momma will be ecstatic to know that maybe...just maybe, my brother isn't the only one that the 'gift' was passed down to! Speaking of passing things down, I think that my dad passed down his nervousness of heights to me. I got a little queasy leaning over the balcony hanging my clothes up! Can't wait till I live in a high rise apartment and have to hang my clothes off of a six or seven story building...
Yesterday, my language tutor came over and had dinner with me and the family I'm living with and then we went to a movie. The family spoke with her during dinner in her language. I told her to give me a few months and I'm going to be chatting her head off once my language gets better! She is such an answer to prayer. I know it will take time to become better friends, but my heart is encouraged by her willingness to help me and she seems to really enjoy the time we spend together. I look forward to laughter, sharing a friendship, and times ahead when we can share our hearts, our different cultures, and more of what makes us who we are. This is a prayer that I voice daily.
I am ever more aware of Who I walk in and with daily than I have been before. Life is beginning to take shape here and life is good. God is good and He is faithful.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him
All that have life and breath come now with praises before Him
Let the amen sound from his people again
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

The King

Yes that picture was taken here. It is not a mirage. Don't fret because tonight I discovered that the king is alive and well here. I mean, the Burger King that is...I wasn't desperate, yet. I know I could have held out longer, but I felt like gracing my house family with my presence at dinner tonight! It was good. I didn't have a burger. I'm going to save that one at least a few months until I'm really craving a good cheese burger. But it was a nice treat tonight.
I went to the office tonight and sat in on an English class. I am trying to get a few pointers. I have my first one on one tutor session on Saturday. That's right I am not only a student, but as of Saturday I am officially a teacher also. I'll be teaching English. I think my student speaks fairly well, but I'll for sure be googling the present perfect and past participle tenses.
I did enjoy being in the class tonight, but I logged more language hours for myself than I did in preparing for Saturday's lesson. It was good exposure to my new language. It was like a dream you might have in junior high where you're standing outside a group of the cool kids and they're all laughing and you would love to know, but have no idea what they are laughing about! The students were definitely learning English, but they kept joking to each other in Turkish and I of course didn't catch any of the jokes. I just smiled and nodded the whole class! But, I am learning and I did pick up a word here and there. The language is coming along. Speaking of...I have homework! I'll let you know how my first "class" goes Saturday! School is officially in session!

Quite a Tour!

These are some girls we met while taking our tour this past Saturday of our downtown. They actually came up to us and asked to take a picture of us! Who were the tourists in this scenario, I'm not sure. But we were quite a commodity.
We met another friendly local who talked to us in English and abruptly began to take us on a tour of the old part of downtown. We winded through crowded streets with spice markets, indoor flea markets, and shops that looked very much out of place selling brands like Puma or Adidas, but there they were these logos, here and there. We walked past the Fish Market. This market brought a whole new perspective to fresh fish! We laughed about how we would actually buy a fresh fish and get it home. Remember, we are public transportation people now. That might not exactly be bus etiquette, now would it? Pictures of that next time.
The tour conveniently ended at our new friend's family rug shop. We were served kiwi tea...which tasted alot like hot Kool-aide, if you're wondering. A tasty treat. I drank my whole glass. I passed when they took orders for seconds. Jayme and Jared were shown almost the store's entire collection of hand made carpets. They were beautiful, but we did not come to this shop on our own and we were not looking for a rug yesterday. But, I am convinced that we almost did not leave the shop without buying one! They offered to follow us to the A.T.M. for the payment plan, but we politely refused! They understood in the end and were excited to know that we were living in this city to be English teachers.
We were invited back any time to have tea. But, the tour ended there. We found our way back to the familiar and chased down a bus headed home, literally, we had to run after it! All in all, it was a fun day. We got a great tour of old downtown, and we made some friends in the process! The more we learn language, the more we will be able to communicate with our new neighbors. A friend here reminded me today that, 'He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day Christ comes.' I am confident that He desires that we be able to communicate with our new friends, and that He will continue to perfect this work of language that has begun in us.

Jack Bauer Power Hour...

That's right. Some of you may recognize this name! We're taking it global. Some of our friends will know that the "Jack Bauer Power Hour" originated in Clinton, Mississippi with the weekly gathering to follow the show 24 on t.v. I was not always a part, but I have recently become a global member! That's right. The "fam" as I call my Mississippi friends: Jayme, Jared, Craig, & Katie plus our new friend Chris and his out of town friend, John went to Jayme and Jared's apartment to have pancakes (thanks to Jayme's hospitality) and watch the first season of 24. We watched the very first episode last night! Intense! It's fun to get together and just let our brains think and talk in English since we're hearing Turkish all day! We can count on doing this at least once a week!
I had a good day today and plan to do some exploring tomorrow and hit the flash cards up to catch up on my language! Have a great weekend!

Tea Time!

Here is a picture of me and my "Mississippi family" with our language teacher! She is so sweet and such a patient teacher! We are plugging along. We have four lessons with her a week, at least to start with this first month. On top of learning my new language, let me know if you know anything about the present perfect tense! I have my first pupil to start tutoring English! I'll teach my first lesson on January 20th. I think that the lady knows some English, so we'll see how it goes! I'm going to be doing Turkish and English homework these next few weeks! But I am really looking forward to meeting my pupil!
I don't officially have any neighbors of my own yet, so some of the family have been gracious enough to share theirs! Above on the right is a picture of me with 'Baba Anne', that means Grandmother! She let me call her grandmother! She is really the grandmother of Craig and Katie's neighbors! They came over and we made some treats and Katie ventured to make her first cay...tea! It was great and all the neighbors said so! She is going to be a great hostess! It was fun to get to talk some English and some of their language. We sat with dictionaries in hand the whole evening! Baba Anne only spoke Turkish, so when we ran out of things to say at one point, she looked at me and just started naming the months of the year and gesturing for me to repeat them! It was good practice. The only way that I recognized them was because we'd just learned them in class that day! She was eager to say that I was very beautiful and pinch mine and Katie's cheeks the whole time we were there! I am so glad that I have a Turkish grandmother now! I'm working on my hospitality. I'm going to whip up something to take over there next time for my in country grandmother. (smile.) Nothing like making some new friends and family! We're so excited for the relationships being made. Hopefully my neighbors will be this great! I'm still going to have to keep up with Craig & Katie's neighbors, though. Especially, to see Baba Anne.
p.s. I did go back to visit my friends in the scarf shop. Maybe I won't go every day, but they seemed to understand I wanted to practice speaking with them and not surprisingly, they remembered me! Remember, I am one of few Americans in this city, despite how much I look like a Turk...right. Anyways, here goes! I'll take a few new phrases each time I go!

Yarin

We have been having a great time in our city these past few days! I've gotten to taste true Turish cuisine. Restaurant style and home-style! Yesterday, we ate at a restaurant with three tables in it and we looked at the stove to see what was on the "menu" for the day. It was good! Language lessons are coming along, seeing as how we've only had two lessons and I'm already a little overwhelmed! But, today when I got off the bus, I stopped into a little shop where I met two younger ladies and bought a scarf. (I think they gave me a discount, we're fast friends already.) But, I was able to introduce myself and tell them I'm learning their language. I've made new friends! Might as well be friends to me, I can't really have a deep heart to heart with anyone yet...so a hello, how do you do, and name exchange is a start to friendship for me! I paid them and said, "thankyou,... tomorrow." Yarin means tomorrow. They laughed because I don't think this is normal or correct sentence structure. Little did they know, I meant to say tomorrow. I'm going to find out how to ask if I can practice speaking Turkish with them, and go back tomorrow!
Hopefully, I won't call anyone a turnip. I said that I was like a turnip the other day with my language teacher at lunch. She is young, single, and very sweet! I'm hoping that we will be good friends, too!
The schedule is very different here, but we are getting settled in. Lessons are three times a week. We are all still trying to get acquainted with the town during the afternoons. They are really night people here, though. My wardrobe last night was delivered by the local 'Super Wal-Mart' a.k.a. Carrefour, here at 8:30p.m. last night! They put it together and were so nice, I was just surprised to see the delivery truck drive up as I was thinking of putting my pajama's on!
I am quickly learning to love tea, other than my mom's sweet tea! We drink tea everywhere hot in little tea glasses. I am also quickly becoming accustomed to public transportation. No more mishaps with stopping the bus lately! Come to find out there is a button you can push to let the driver know you want off. I may find other ways to practice my language and just press the button to stop!
Things here are going good! God is revealing Himself in close and comforting ways that I took forgranted in the States. He is my Everything in a whole new way here.

PICTURES

I don't have an apartment with a view just yet, so I borrowed this one from friends! Including the middle view! More pictures to come soon! Isn't our city beautiful! If you can't tell from these, first take a closer look...but I'll send more pictures later! We love it here!

Durakta!

This means stop that bus (something like that)...and boy did I ever today! We visited our office today and got somewhat accustomed to the bus situation. The buses are really nice...sometimes very crowded! On the most crowded bus that we got on today, one of our American friends informed us that this bus was actually not very crowded at all. Hmmm... We rode all over town, had tea at a restaurant after being invited in. The people are so friendly, and well we're just noticeable that's all. Six Americans walking around is actually quite a site in our town.
Actually its a city and a big one at that! Its really pretty though, I apologize that I forgot my camera today so next week pictures are coming a.s.a.p. We took the bus downtown and walked around. We practiced some language. We all have these miniature notebooks that we carry around with us writing down any important words (today that included, "tuvalet, lutfen" which translates: "bathroom please"), and then when we meet people that we might run into again we ask them to write down their names. Don't worry,they are eager to do so! Everyone is so friendly!
So, I did stop the bus today using Turkish. I stopped us at the wrong stop and couldn't quite answer the doorman when he asked me exactly where to stop, but I used the word and I actually used it correctly! The rest I left up to my friend who has lived here for 5 months and knows more than about 7 words. My vocabulary is ever increasing, though! I got a few laughs--I am sure it sounded different coming from my mouth than a national-- because I had to say it loud enough at the back of the bus for the driver to hear it (so basically everyone on the bus heard me testing my language), but it was a successful try. I'll keep talking, you know I will!

Back to the Future...

So, I am living in a different time zone now which I think is just the coolest thing ever. I'm actually kind of in the future because I am 8 hours ahead of probably everyone who will read this! Anywho...Here is what I took with me. And next to that is a picture of me at MC pointing on the Kugel to my country! How exciting! You really didn't think I was going to show you a picture of what I looked like the morning of January 3rd at the airport, did you? I was a bit emotional. To be expected. But I am here and the travels were great.
One tiny issue in Atlanta involving me sleeping through the announcement that everyone would have to change planes, I believe due to mechanical issues. I did not hear because I have already mentioned here that...I was asleep when this announcement was made. I was never suppose to change planes in Atlanta, you see.
So, I politely go up to ask the flight attendant if I can leave my bag in the overhead compartment for the continuation flight or if I might need to get off the plane and then reboard. She tells me that she has already announced this particular plane will not be going on to Chicago. Wide eyed and bewildered, I get into the terminal and I don't even have another ticket until Chicago to my country. So, I find out where my new but same flight is leaving--halfway across the Atlanta airport--and I sprint to my new gate. Because my flight is scheduled to leave in less than half an hour. I board my flight with my half stub of a boarding pass from the last flight which seems to be sufficient, only to find that I am the last person to board and there is no overhead compartment space. You've seen my luggage picture.
My luggage already wouldn't fit overhead during the first flight from Birmingham and I had to sheepishly take out items while travellers with frustrated sighs boarded around me(I was rearranging my luggage in the aisle at this point with some tears still free flowing, the goodbyes had just taken place.)
So, in Atlanta, finally a very nice man wearing a pin striped suit offered me some true insight when he said, 'we can't leave with your bag hanging out of the compartment like that, just let the attendant help you.' Helpful, eh? Anyways, I sat down and the announcement immediately came on to buckle seatbelts, we were ready to depart.
Can you imagine that I wouldn't have some kind of excitement along the way? I made it to Chicago and met up with familiar faces and we went from there. Smooth flying. By the way, Turkish airlines is clearly the way to fly in Europe or Central Asia. Everyone was so nice. The food was great! We got toothbrushes, socks, and little night masks to wear while we slept on the plane. I am a huge fan.
We made it to our new home and were met by our new friends here. Tomorrow we're going exploring and to get to know our city!
Amid all the excitement of going and sadness of leaving, God has given me peace. I am so excited to be living where I am for the next bit of time in my life. I have no doubt that He has placed me exactly where I am for this time. Here are the words to a verse from what has become my life song and they are so true of where God has me right now. He has made this new place the desire of my heart for this time and He continues to sustain me daily.
"Praise to the Lord who o'er all things so wonderously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wing and so gently sustaineth
Has thou not seen, how thy desires there have been
granted in what He ordaineth.
Hallelujah. Hallelujah."

A Brand New Year!

Yes, this is two blogs in one day, make that one night, for me. But, I am leaving the country tommorrow and felt this would be a good time to start documenting the journey properly. And really, who doesn't want a picture with fireworks on their blog, really? It's great. Totally New Year's material. I thought it fun to share with you! I spent New Year's Eve in Jackson, my last night in Jackson, and tonight is my last night in Birmingham...well, my last night on the continent, really. Okay, for two years. Maybe I am being a bit dramatic tonight. (smile) You can only imagine, huh? I am actually strangely calm. I know I am experiencing without a doubt, the "peace that surpasses all understanding," written about in Philippians 4:6, which can only be found in the Lord.
We have been to the grocery store twice today, Walmart and Publix. Oh, and we've been to Walgreens once. We have packed and repacked two oversized suitcases, two large duffel bags, one small carry on suitcase, one backpack, and a small over the shoulder purse more times than I can count today. Every time we come back from the store with Easy Mac or that last pair of shoes I forgot to pack...it's a game to see who can actually fit it into the suitcases. We'll just say they're rather full. I'm a girl, and well I'm prepared...for absolutely all and anything. Bring it on Central Asia, I'm ready. I say this today. Pray for me if you read this tommorrow or any day after that! Truly, God has been so faithful, though, to lead me and equip me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually for the next year and a half. He's always been faithful to me. How could I expect any less now? It's a brand new year on a brand new journey.

Going to the Chapel...

...and well, I didn't get married. But, I did get to watch my best friend tie the knot! And did they ever! It was such a beautiful wedding! I am a girl and a best friend of the bride, so maybe I'm biased...but, everything was just perfect. Congratulations to the bride and groom, Bethany and David Walker! I love you both! It was such a fun week to be a part of and I got to spend it in Jackson, which was clearly a bonus! My favorite people in one of my favorite homes! I didn't catch the bouquet, but it was still a lovely weekend! The bridesmaids in the picture are Sara and Bethany. It was so fun for all of us to get to be together. I'm so glad that I got to be a part of the big day before I left the country! It was just, "the sweetest thing."
P.s. (David has already made it on the blog once, so his picture is absent here. Don't feel sorry for him. See below.)