Portraits

I took Lucy to get her 18 month portraits done the other day. It was ok. I am always so nervous and stressed during my kids portrait sessions, and then trying to function in Tish on top of that! I was sweating!!! Lucy was not in the "smiley-ist" of moods and the backgrounds are a little "different" than what I'm used to. The guy wanted a week to fix them up. I can't be sure, but during the consultation time when you look at the pictures on the computer I think he said something about being able to add a character (as in Mickey Mouse) and also something about changing one of the backgrounds entirely! Um... ok? So when I pick these pictures up tomorrow I'll let you know what they look like! Couldn't be cuter than this...

“Come now, let’s settle this,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
I will make them as white as wool."
Isaiah 1:18

The Islands

On Mother's Day we decided to explore some islands we had heard wonderful things about. They are located in the Sea just south of the Straight. (Do you need a map to figure all of this out, yet?) We hopped on the bus down to the Straight, and caught the ferry out to the islands. It was about an hour long ride. There are 9 small islands, and only 5 are populated. Wealthy city folk have their summer homes on these beautiful islands. There are no cars so they are perfectly quiet. Well, except for my favorite sound- the clip clop of horse hooves! There are plenty of carriages awaiting to tour you around. We grabbed lunch first.




Noah and Callie are eating döner sandwiches. They are the vertically cooked meat, shaved onto fresh bread, with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and french fries on top. They are yummy!!!


After lunch, I was dying to go on a carriage tour of the island. It was wonderful. The view was incredible, and so was the silence! You forget how loud our lives are- especially in the big city!! Our carriage driver stopped to let us take a few pictures. They do not do justice to this beautiful place!



Or the beautiful family!



Callie striking a pose.



Noah posing with our horses and driver.



Our ride home! We'll catch the next one!



This is the view from the ferry boat on the way home. We love the slow old ferries that transport people all around the city via the water. They are such a part of Tish nostalgia. A few years back they tried to replace the boat fleet with newer, faster boats. But the public freaked out. There is nothing better than a relaxing ride across the Straight while sipping tea. Some people even throw bread out and watch the seagulls catch it before it hits the water. But not me because I HATE birds!!

Rat Tails Rock my World

This is what I need you to know today...
THE RAT TAIL IS ALIVE AND KICKIN' IN THE TKY!!



When I was a kid our babysitter showed up with a foot long red rat tail, and love was born in my heart. I think it impacted my brother, Paul, even more because he began to grow and nurture his own rat tail. It was never quite as awesome as our babysitter's, but it did attract quite a few of the West Side Elementary ladies.






Unfortunately the rat tail was replaced by every one's favorite hairstyle- the mullet. My other brother, Alan, sported quite a fine mullet. It was enough to win over his lovely wife!






Here the rat tail is all the rage. It's awesome! Every teenage boy has a rat tail, mullet, or fohawk. Will Justin join the trend... that is the question...

Self Esteem

Looking for the amazing and unique things in my children and encouraging them to be who and what God created them to be is my goal as a mom. But recently I am shocked to see how Callie already struggles with who she is. The other day she came into the room where the rest of us were hanging out and whispered into my ear, "Mom, nobody likes me." It broke my heart to hear these words from her mouth. Of course I told her how untrue that was, but didn't make too big of a deal of it.

Today, as she and I were walking down the beach together I asked her if she really felt like no one likes her, or was she just trying to guilt one of us into playing with her? She thought about it for awhile and said she really didn't think anyone likes her! So we talked about how special she is, and how God handcrafted her to be who she is. We named all of the people who love her and talked about the things they like to do together. But it boiled down to, Irem (the little girl in her class) had told her that she liked someone else better than Callie. Callie was crushed. YUCK- this starts at five years old!?!?!

I asked her to tell me her favorite thing about herself. She couldn't. So we began to name all of the wonderful things about her. After awhile, Noah came running over. I asked him to name two of his favorite things about himself. Without even so much as a pause he said, "that I'm so smart, and I'm so handsome!" Wow! Why is it so different for Callie?

She struggles so much with what others think of her. When people here ask her what her name is she won't answer them because she can't say her name the same way they do- which is wrong. Why does she care- she says her name correctly! For several years she has often used the phrase..."but people will laugh at me!" WHO CARES?!?!

How on earth can I get it the truth into her beautiful head?

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well."
Psalm 139: 13-14

The Beach

We had a wonderful time at the beach today! The hour long, very crowded bus ride was a little intense. But, it was worth it once we arrived! Our family loves the beach. Especially now. It is a place where we can play and be ourselves, and the kids can have a lovely measure of freedom. Pictures to follow! (some day!)

Horton

Today is a holiday. Last month we had Children's Day, and today is Youth and Sports Day. So the kids get today and tomorrow off from school. Today we went to the cinema. Noah, Callie, and I went to the Government Theatre a few weeks ago, but this was our first trip to the "real" cinema. I was surprised at how different it was! When you buy your ticket- which is very expensive (about double the US price)- you choose your seats. The cinema complexes are very large, modern, and Western (as in hemisphere, not cowboys) looking. Each theatre is quite small, seating only about 75 people. They have big cozy seats with ample leg room, and the front seats even have foot stools! The rows are done stadium style so everyone can easily see. They do an intermission mid way through so you can make a potty or food run. There were previews, and popcorn, candy, and Cokes for sale- that was the same.

We saw Horton (its title here). It was cute, but I can't imagine how difficult it was to translate Dr. Seuss into Tish! The new Indiana Jones movie comes out here this weekend. We may just have to drop the kids off somewhere and take out a bank loan to go see it!!!

Tomorrow we are going to venture to the northernmost part of our city on our side, to the beach. It should be quite an adventure. You can be sure I'll blog about it for you!

On the bus on the way home from the cinema, Noah asked, "Mom, why is everyone staring at us?" "Because we're beautiful, baby. We're awesome and beautiful!"

Summer's Comin'

So things are warming up here pretty quickly- although you would not know it by how people dress! I am trying to keep on one layer more than is comfortable. My theory is that if I can acclimate to the weather I may survive this summer without melting into a ball of sweat!

The City Fort

Justin and I went out exploring the other day while the kids were are school. A friend watched Lucy, so it was like a date!! Sorry for always showing you so many scenery pictures but they are so beautiful. We snap pictures like crazy! Oh by the way... our camera is working again! Praise the Lord. It is amazing what happens when you take the battery out and put it back in again!
This is a quaint little stream running into the Straight. Fishing is quite popular here- for money and for hobby.


This fortress was located at the narrowest point in the Straight and spanned both sides. It was built on our side in 1391 by a Sultan and the other side was constructed in 1452 by a Conqueror. The location was strategic in controlling the traffic on the Straight. Therefore, halting supplyment by sea.


Houses and everyday life are built into this amazing ruin.


More pieces of the fort on our side.


This is what is left on the other side. It was used as a military fort for 1 year. Then it became a toll booth for the Straight, then army barracks, and finally a prison. Now it is open to the public.


Another view of the fort on the other side.


A view of one of our famous bridges from the ferry boat.


Getting farther away.


Rounding the bend. You can see a bit of the fort with the bridge behind it.


The Sultan's picnic palace built from marble in 1856.


If I ever get rich in this business, this will be my new address!

We're watching Grumpy Old Men dubbed into Tish. The voices aren't quite right and the humor is off. But, I guess it counts as entertainment and language learning!

The other weekend I took the kids to meet one of Noah's school friends at the government theatre. We watched Meet the Robinsons dubbed. It was so fun. It was sort of old-fashioned. You could hear the film machine and raise your hand up into the projection to make a shadow on the screen. It was our first movie in 8 months. The best part was that at the government theatre only cost 1 lira!!

Callie's Class

The other day when I went to pick Callie up from preschool the teacher presented me with a giant box telling me that they were Callie's pictures. "Mercy," I thought, "this is a lot of pictures!" When I opened it up, to my surprise [shock] there was a picture lamp! It was constructed like a house and each wall was an 8x10 of Callie. Yes, every home decorator's dream come true- 4 large pictures of the cutest little girl on earth illuminated by a bulb! Callie was so excited. We couldn't take it that day because it was too much to carry. The next day I came prepared with a large bag and we brought it home. It is now residing happily on the top of the kids' desk and serves as a lovely night light- if you're not haunted by billowy backlit Callies dancing along your wall.

This is Callie's class. Aren't they adorable!!

This City...It's Sorta Big!

After the big Children's day program the other week we went to a beautiful park on top of a local hill. Here are some of the pictures from the trip...

Köntröl İçin

When you go to the doctor for a sick visit here, you get to return for free until you are completely well. I love it! You just make a quick call to the office and say Köntröl İçin (for post-sick visit check-up) and they fit you right in. The doctor rechecks you and prescribes a different medicine or course of action if necessary. You go about every 10 days until you are completely well. The best part is- you only pay for the first visit (and its about what a co-pay in the U.S. is).

Oh... and i got 4 prescriptions filled for the girls last week for 20 lira.

We have been so pleasantly surprised by the health care here. It is very good and affordable!

So... I've been a little sketchy lately. Sorry!

We have had various sickness for almost three weeks. After 5 consecutive days of no one throwing up or displaying symptoms of any kind, I am desperately hoping it is safe to say we are healthy again. We aren't exactly sure what the deal is... low immunity, new place=new germs, the water... Our local friends blame everything on the weather. Perhaps our children did get caught out in a particularly gusty breeze one day! Those breezes, they get you every time!!

Our illnesses do seem to start with Callie. A friend, who is a doctor, told us yesterday that children ages birth through 5 in daycare or preschool catch 20 more viruses than children who remain at home. Yikes! That does seem about right. He did say that around the age of six, regardless of school/ daycare/ home, the number drops dramatically. Interesting! We've only had about 15 yucky viruses this year, so we've got a few more to catch to meet our goal!!

Oh, I kid!

We did get a water service just in case its the water that's killing us! My theory is that our immune system is so busy fighting the critters that are entering our bodies through the water that it has no time to fight off the number of viruses that we are exposed to- from school, the bus, neighbors who enjoy being close, etc. So, we'll see if the water service dramatically affects our lives. We have been using a filter, but someone suggested that it just helps with taste and color (yes, I do mean color!!). It is not able to fully filter out all of the micro-organisms and bacteria (side note- Are bacteria micro-organisms? Is bacteria one of those words that can be singular or plural? Just curious.)

Oh yeah... back to the water service. Now, whenever I call the place, the nice kid throws a couple of those big bottles on his scooter and scoots on over. He hoists them onto his shoulders and lugs them up Mount Stairverest. I would love to see his leg muscles. I bet they are huge! Unfortunately, if the American woman asked the water boy to hike his pants up so I could take a gander at his thighs, it may be considered crossing the line. I'm not sure.

Stare

Have you ever seen a movie or TV show where the kid just stares at someone with a blank look and his mouth hung open? This is my existence! Yesterday at the park two little boys literally followed me around staring! Usually, its girls, and they whisper and giggle. They try so hard to work up the courage to say an English word to me. It's funny. The worst is in the schoolyard! I try to avoid going in there at all costs, but sometimes its inevitable! The kids gather around me. They touch Lucy. Sometimes a kind adult will tell them to scram. And, when I get fed up, I do, too. But I really try to be polite, no matter how awkward I feel! The adults keep their distance to talk about me and point. What's worse?

Do I Love" The Office"

ABSOLUTELY I DO!!



Here is the best news... we have managed to find a website that shows complete episodes for free! None of the regular sites, like NBC or Hulu, work in our area. But after much hoping, praying, and searching we have found our beloved! DID I MENTION THAT WE HAVE FOUND FREE FULL EPISODES OF THE OFFICE?!?!?!?!?!? THE OFFICE PEOPLE... it does not get funnier!! Wooo hooo!! Life is officially good!

The only catch it that they are subtitled in Chinese! I can handle it... for my beloved!

No, Really, Thank You!

So, my family has had a visit from Typhoid Mary and she has left devasta-tion in her path.

Ok, so maybe, just maybe, I'm a tad over-dramatic. But, we have been sick. Someone in this tiny flat has been sick every day for two weeks!! Thankfully, the boys seem to have weathered the storm. Which, unfortunately for them (Justin mostly) means taking care of everyone else! I cannot imagine what our female friends and neighbors do when they get sick since men do not typically lift a finger around the house.

As that is the custom, my neighbors have been doing their best to take care of us. They love to offer helpful advice. This is what I've learned...
* Take a teaspoon of molasses or honey.
* Drink tea with lemon.
* Lucy has been rubbed down with a lemon scented alcohol based hand sanitizer (It is hard to describe this stuff. They call it colognya and use it like Americans use Purell. Well... and like the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding uses Windex).
* We have been told that if the children wore undershirts they would not get sick.
* We have been told to eat, and not to eat. And, of course what exactly to eat.

It is fun, and mildly entertaining. In addition to advice, they have been bringing us food. LOTS of food!! It is extremely kind. But when I have a stomach bug, foreign food (no matter how good it usually is) makes me gag!! To top it off, they have visited! This is very odd to me, because the last thing I want to do is be near anyone who has a stomach bug. But, they really do think that the weather makes you sick, not germs or viruses (thus wearing multiple layers keeps you healthy) . One friend visited, did the typical kiss on each cheek, and brought a friend! I probably committed a faux paus because I did not get up off the couch to serve them tea. Let me tell you that the only thing more stressful than trying to communicate on a daily basis is trying to communicate when you're dog sick, haven't showered for 3 days, and probably smell like some one's toilet! Again, it was very nice but so weird.

That's today's culture lesson for you!!

Matt, You Didn't Even Stop Over to Say Hello!

Matt Lauer from the Today Show was in our town today. Click here to check it out. The videos are pretty interesting. Unfortunately we don't live very close to this part of the city. They didn't bring the cameras to our side!!