girls night out

attempting to be a whirling dervish

me and my good friends whitney and lenka

on the crowded tram

Ramazan Turkish Style

Traditional Turkish Man

Men all Lined up to break the fast and get some free food

whirling dervish prepares for his dance

and the spinning begins, pretty amazing

New Job Starts Tomorrow...

My new job starts tomorrow and I am excited. I just want to begin. Everyday last year of subbing was like my first day, so this year I am looking forward to just one first day and really enjoying my time here in Istanbul.

Please continue to pray for my friend Avat. He is going to the UN tomorrow and applying to be a refugee, he really needs this to happen and avoid getting sent home.

An Extension

I was looking forward to starting my new job teaching at Fenerbahce Kolegi this Monday. In preparation for the big day I asked the HR representative to meet me in my neighborhood and show me where I need to go to get on the bus. Anxiously waiting for the reply I instead was called and told that work would not be starting on Monday, but a week later on the 24th. WHAT?!?!?

In any other circumstance this would be the greatest news. More time to spend with family and friends if I was at home in Chicago, or I wouldn't mind to go on a mini European adventure to Germany and possible Prague.

The time I have been given is a blessing and I look forward to using my time wisely and exploring the free areas of Istanbul.

I will post some pics of recent adventures with Whitney, we went to the Islands and had such a great time laughing...

Homesickness

I guess it is normal when you are living far from home that you just really miss home. It is not so much the things and places in Chicago, it is the people. I miss my mom and spending Sunday afternoons with her and sometimes my grandma. I miss hearing Gladdy's loud voice making some kind of comment to me, I miss coming home and seeing Lynn knitting on the couch. I miss spending my Friday nights with Maggie and seeing Anna at work, and I admit I miss the good food we would eat at Mrs Murphy's. I miss going to Sara and John's and playing with the girls and talking to Sara as she cleaned the house. I miss talking with Amanda and Josh when Sara would be out running errands or at school. I miss taking the girls to Jason's Deli with John on Monday nights after Morgan's gymnastics. I miss seeing the Rills and dancing with Olivia, Mei and G-money.

What I guess that I am saying that no matter where I would love to travel to and see, people are what matter most. For the time being I am seeking God and His wisdom for my immediate future (this year) and if it is only a year, I know I can make it but to everyone at home I miss you all.

I also really miss my sunday school class and all my Bethel peeps. After watching the vacation bible school videos I missed not being there to help out. If I had a camera I would post pictures, soon my camera will get repaired, I hope!