I have the day off (glorious! although it occurs to me that I don't really mind being at work-- usually, minus some small complaints... I'm a lucky lady. yet! oh, and yet....)so i thought, hey Rayray (I wish i had cute pet names for myself. rayray, conveys an easy familiarity... I am not that comfortable with myself. we're working on it) two asides and I haven't finished my thought! lordy!
I have the day off and I thought to myself, rachel (not ms. lagomarsino... feelin silly), what's new? Ah, nothing. Back where I've been before. Not necessarily regressing, growing, evolving, whateves, but still, same old same old. IDONTWANTTHEYEARSTOBLENDTGETHER. I was telling my good friend, Hannah Barnes (lovely lady. A real lady. depth of character, etc)last night that I feel my youth is passing me by. That's ridiculous. I'm so young. Well, it is passing me by, but not at the accelerated rate I imagine it. I imagine everything at an accelerated rate. Probably why I have such anxiety whenever I hear/read about whatever catastrophe is looming. Ah, neurosis... did you know that "peccadilloes" is not spelled picadillos, which apparently are the more delicious of the two...
I have little to say. I had all of these plans to relax, etc today, but I feel wound up and fussy. Just being home is nice, I suppose. My dog, whom I take for granted, follows me around, breathing heavily, a reminder that he's there. I love him very much. is that what we do? Take these things for granted?
People are getting married, having kids... it's beautiful. I'm not ready for that, but it's gorgeous. My friend brad was buying diapers for his son yesterday and said that having a son was awesome... broke my heart. It's beautiful.
It'll be good... it is good. As I wrote this I got a text message picture from my mama of my cousin Allan in cap and gown for his college graduation. I am so lucky that I have a big family. It makes the holidays pretty neat. Allan is the youngest and he's a college graduate! How appropriate. Well, hammering this out and thinking about my friends and family has made me feel less wound up, fussy, and apocalyptic. Thank you for being here. Oh blogger! You always are. Wink!
We have limited time, limited time in this reality... the universe is a mystery. Do you wonder about your perceptions being altered? What if I was blind... so much more frustrated with my glasses off... what if I lost any sense, any limb, what about when my mind begins to betray me (either getting old or going crazy or both)... what about when we all cease to exist? What if what if what if? I am going to watch the sex and the city movie. cause I feel like it. what does that say about the state of things? eh?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
WIT!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ridicule
Here I have posted a wikipedia link for the french film Ridicule, which I was reminded of this morning on my preferred social networking site, Facebook.
One summer, after realizing how horrifically expensive summer school at my school was, I decided to audit a french film class (and yes, that is, as one of my friends observed, basically just showing up and watching movies. I wrote the papers too! And then stopped when I realized I was just creating more work for the teacher... I miss school. Do not be fooled, was a lazy/mediocre student...need to stop spreading that around)... anywho, we watched a lot of really cool french films and read equally cool articles about them.
I should be getting ready for work... and lord knows i can't be late on account of this. that would be wrong and embarrassing. So, let me just say that this morning I was reminded of this movie by interactions on Facebook... remake I say! The web as the new scene of the french court,wit (or what passes for it amongst us) rules... maybe you'd have to see the movie to understand my vision. I'm calling Hollywood! love, rachel
P.s. If such a movie did exist, i would not see it. It sounds awful.
Here I have posted a wikipedia link for the french film Ridicule, which I was reminded of this morning on my preferred social networking site, Facebook.
One summer, after realizing how horrifically expensive summer school at my school was, I decided to audit a french film class (and yes, that is, as one of my friends observed, basically just showing up and watching movies. I wrote the papers too! And then stopped when I realized I was just creating more work for the teacher... I miss school. Do not be fooled, was a lazy/mediocre student...need to stop spreading that around)... anywho, we watched a lot of really cool french films and read equally cool articles about them.
I should be getting ready for work... and lord knows i can't be late on account of this. that would be wrong and embarrassing. So, let me just say that this morning I was reminded of this movie by interactions on Facebook... remake I say! The web as the new scene of the french court,wit (or what passes for it amongst us) rules... maybe you'd have to see the movie to understand my vision. I'm calling Hollywood! love, rachel
P.s. If such a movie did exist, i would not see it. It sounds awful.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
For Sarah, who made my heart expand 7 times its girth this day
So, my friend Sarah, whom I met in Algebra class when I was a freshman and she was a sophomore in high school (I failed the class, she went on to geometry... I took it the next year and passed, again at community college and got an A! but this I credit to my awesome teacher... but enough about my sorted academic history, a confusing hodgepodge of F's and A's-- vacillating between brilliance and failure... eh... joking...)... so my friend Sarah, inexplicably enjoyed reading my blog (she claims) despite the liberties I take-- rambling and excessive asides. Besides being beautiful and one smart cookie, she is also very kind.
So, since I, as most people seem to these days do (http://www.slate.com/id/2213740/), enjoy talking about myself, I will continue the blog! And maybe adventures will follow, if I am so lucky ;)
So, I am back at home, working at the food co-op again and loving it very much. There is the most amazing confluence of good people in that place. It's wonderful. Bicycling, hanging out with my parents and my dog, seeing my incredible friends... today I want to write about the library.
Yesterday I went to the library and checked out many books. Here is the list, attempting to write it in the order selected(I like it):
The Bhaghavad-Gita: As It Is, translated by His Divine Grace Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hinduism edited by Louis Renou
Becoming a U.S. Citizen: A Guide to the Law, Exam, and Interview
(The order becomes a little hazy after this)
War Law by Michael Byers
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Don’t Know Much About The Universe by Kenneth C. Davis
Collapse by Jared Diamond
The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman
Hippie by Barry Miles
Ravelstein by Saul Bellow (definitely picked last)
A fine list! I want to rub my hands together with relish at the sight of the books splayed my bed. I slept next to the pile last night (really, a double bed is too big for a person of my size, not that I’m complaining), giving new meaning to the line my mother wrote in my 6th grade graduation present (a copy of my then favorite book Little Women) “One is never lonely with books as friends,” or something to that effect. Indeed, I was a lonely child (a weirdo), with a love for reading. I read constantly, manuals in the car, fiction on the playground… when I would go into my orthodontist’s office they would always ask me what I was currently perusing, and I would give them an excited account of the latest from the babysitter’s club (people are so patient with children). I think I read 50 books one summer (a large number to me, but maybe not to some folks) when I was in elementary school. As I adjusted socially, and got a little lazier, my love of reading tempered. Even now, I feel a little guilty for the escapism of fiction. Shouldn’t I be learning something? How do I know so shockingly little about politics?
But here is the sad truth about the list above. I doubt that I will finish two, if even one of those books. I get so excited at the prospect of learning… to the point that I daydream about how accomplished I will feel after the brain soak that is supposed to be occurring… my mind wanders and I forget to read. I also become so preoccupied with the life that I can’t focus. I swear, I would have been a much better student in college had I forsaken boys (but no one wants to hear about that)… and television was my vice in high school…
Don’t you love the library though? The promise… the free stuff. I have never been deprived, but I have also never had very much money, so to go to a place and consistently get as much of what I want, with no negative consequences… it’s a dream! Music of all varieties, so much information… you would think I would feel similarly about the internet by that logic, but I am mainly unenthusiastic, although I do appreciate it’s easy convenience.
In Seattle, on my days off I would make a little circuit. The donut shop (http://www.toppotdoughnuts.com/ aka heaven!), the library, the grocery store… actually multiple trips to multiple grocery stores… I love grocery stores… seriously. But perhaps the ode to produce will be written another day…
So, I don’t really have an ending to this. I’ve lost my steam. I love you.
Sarah works at the library. Isn't that cool?
So, since I, as most people seem to these days do (http://www.slate.com/id/2213740/), enjoy talking about myself, I will continue the blog! And maybe adventures will follow, if I am so lucky ;)
So, I am back at home, working at the food co-op again and loving it very much. There is the most amazing confluence of good people in that place. It's wonderful. Bicycling, hanging out with my parents and my dog, seeing my incredible friends... today I want to write about the library.
Yesterday I went to the library and checked out many books. Here is the list, attempting to write it in the order selected(I like it):
The Bhaghavad-Gita: As It Is, translated by His Divine Grace Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Hinduism edited by Louis Renou
Becoming a U.S. Citizen: A Guide to the Law, Exam, and Interview
(The order becomes a little hazy after this)
War Law by Michael Byers
A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Don’t Know Much About The Universe by Kenneth C. Davis
Collapse by Jared Diamond
The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman
Hippie by Barry Miles
Ravelstein by Saul Bellow (definitely picked last)
A fine list! I want to rub my hands together with relish at the sight of the books splayed my bed. I slept next to the pile last night (really, a double bed is too big for a person of my size, not that I’m complaining), giving new meaning to the line my mother wrote in my 6th grade graduation present (a copy of my then favorite book Little Women) “One is never lonely with books as friends,” or something to that effect. Indeed, I was a lonely child (a weirdo), with a love for reading. I read constantly, manuals in the car, fiction on the playground… when I would go into my orthodontist’s office they would always ask me what I was currently perusing, and I would give them an excited account of the latest from the babysitter’s club (people are so patient with children). I think I read 50 books one summer (a large number to me, but maybe not to some folks) when I was in elementary school. As I adjusted socially, and got a little lazier, my love of reading tempered. Even now, I feel a little guilty for the escapism of fiction. Shouldn’t I be learning something? How do I know so shockingly little about politics?
But here is the sad truth about the list above. I doubt that I will finish two, if even one of those books. I get so excited at the prospect of learning… to the point that I daydream about how accomplished I will feel after the brain soak that is supposed to be occurring… my mind wanders and I forget to read. I also become so preoccupied with the life that I can’t focus. I swear, I would have been a much better student in college had I forsaken boys (but no one wants to hear about that)… and television was my vice in high school…
Don’t you love the library though? The promise… the free stuff. I have never been deprived, but I have also never had very much money, so to go to a place and consistently get as much of what I want, with no negative consequences… it’s a dream! Music of all varieties, so much information… you would think I would feel similarly about the internet by that logic, but I am mainly unenthusiastic, although I do appreciate it’s easy convenience.
In Seattle, on my days off I would make a little circuit. The donut shop (http://www.toppotdoughnuts.com/ aka heaven!), the library, the grocery store… actually multiple trips to multiple grocery stores… I love grocery stores… seriously. But perhaps the ode to produce will be written another day…
So, I don’t really have an ending to this. I’ve lost my steam. I love you.
Sarah works at the library. Isn't that cool?
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Munich, I'm in love with you, but I think we should see other people
Okay then. I am in Munich. I have been here since the 10th of April. I will fly home from this fair city on April 22nd... what to tell... so, I after spending to much money on fleeting internet connections, going to a dodgy bar/casino/internet cafe down the road where earlier today I spied the man in front of me watching porn, I finally paid to have wireless in the lobby of the hostel (which I should have done initially, but it somehow didn't occur to me). Anywho, not important as far as the deets of this trip go, I miss my mama, etc keep emailing her, and am currently hogging the plug from the invisible people clamoring to use their laptops sans battery like myself.
So. I have time. Loads of it. What I am low on is creativity and skrilla. I have done an incredible amount of walking all over this place-- makes me pleased to be alive, let me tell you. Turn a corner, be astounded by incredible beauty I didn't know existed a moment before. Lovely.
When I am not walking I am getting fat off of bread and cheese and contemplating the meaning of life... I have done quite a bit of this in the last year. I think I have also become a quieter person/maybe a little more mellow as a result of my occassional self imposed solitude in Seattle/Istanbul/now Munich. But enough introspection... ha!
I have been successfully keeping a journal for the first time in my life, so I'll save the questions regarding personal growth/mistakes/lack of regrets/ever expanding waistline to that. what I will say-- the first day here there were two young guys from seattle in my hostel room. That was nice. I hung out with them a little, although once again realized I have no interest in clubbing, regardless of where I am on the planet. Also, one of the young men and I shared an acquantaince from Seattle, a fact that was supremely interesting to me, although he seemed unfazed by it. Must be a little more worldly than myself.
At the moment the only other people in my hostel room are two hungarians-- a young woman named angela and her manfriend whom she seems to be perpetually waiting for. When I wake up she's sitting, watching him as he sleeps. The day she sits in the room, going onto the balcony to smoke a ciggarette occasionally (this i witness as I pop in and out between jaunts). When he comes back it seems they watch tv and go to bed. I wonder what she's here for, but we don't speak the same language. I share my food with her in an attempt to be friendly, but Angela and her companion remain a mystery to me...
Speaking of food, the grocery stores reopened today, praise the lord! They closed, i think for the easter holiday and I had heard that they wouldn't reopen again tomorrow. the pickle juice that I spilled all over myself this morning as I ate breakfast outside of the store was the sweet stech of success. Breakfast was a cheese sandwich and pickles... mmm... the exchange rate is killing me, and having to feed myself-- and for some reason not willing to just go a little hungry :( was not pleasant.
So, this is loooong. I would like to share pictures with intersted parties upon my return. I probably should have written a little more about the city itself? Ummm...
So. I have time. Loads of it. What I am low on is creativity and skrilla. I have done an incredible amount of walking all over this place-- makes me pleased to be alive, let me tell you. Turn a corner, be astounded by incredible beauty I didn't know existed a moment before. Lovely.
When I am not walking I am getting fat off of bread and cheese and contemplating the meaning of life... I have done quite a bit of this in the last year. I think I have also become a quieter person/maybe a little more mellow as a result of my occassional self imposed solitude in Seattle/Istanbul/now Munich. But enough introspection... ha!
I have been successfully keeping a journal for the first time in my life, so I'll save the questions regarding personal growth/mistakes/lack of regrets/ever expanding waistline to that. what I will say-- the first day here there were two young guys from seattle in my hostel room. That was nice. I hung out with them a little, although once again realized I have no interest in clubbing, regardless of where I am on the planet. Also, one of the young men and I shared an acquantaince from Seattle, a fact that was supremely interesting to me, although he seemed unfazed by it. Must be a little more worldly than myself.
At the moment the only other people in my hostel room are two hungarians-- a young woman named angela and her manfriend whom she seems to be perpetually waiting for. When I wake up she's sitting, watching him as he sleeps. The day she sits in the room, going onto the balcony to smoke a ciggarette occasionally (this i witness as I pop in and out between jaunts). When he comes back it seems they watch tv and go to bed. I wonder what she's here for, but we don't speak the same language. I share my food with her in an attempt to be friendly, but Angela and her companion remain a mystery to me...
Speaking of food, the grocery stores reopened today, praise the lord! They closed, i think for the easter holiday and I had heard that they wouldn't reopen again tomorrow. the pickle juice that I spilled all over myself this morning as I ate breakfast outside of the store was the sweet stech of success. Breakfast was a cheese sandwich and pickles... mmm... the exchange rate is killing me, and having to feed myself-- and for some reason not willing to just go a little hungry :( was not pleasant.
So, this is loooong. I would like to share pictures with intersted parties upon my return. I probably should have written a little more about the city itself? Ummm...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Aaaaaya Sofya! or, swingin singles in the old city
First, i must start off by saying that I am leaving Istanbul. I am flying to Munich (beautiful city) on Friday, where I hope to safely and happily spend a little time (days) before flying back to California. While this is an embarrassing admission, I will count this as a positive experience, no matter how brief my stay turned out to be. The family I lived with/worked for was lovely, Istanbul seems to be a place I would otherwise love to get to know... but it is not where I will be right now.
That being said, with little time ahead of me, and few sights seen (I was sick last week and thus napped/tried to recoup much of the days), today i decided I to return to the old city, where I had spent about an hour my first (and apparently one of the last, go ahead, laugh at me) weekends here. As I walked towards Hagia Sophia (however you chose to spell it, wherever you hail from) I saw swarms of school children, crowds of people on tours. Overwhelmed, I decided to first check out Sultanahmet. As I was walking I was intercepted by a nice looking older man who told me that he owned a rug shop in the city. we talked and he directed me to the mosque, where prayers were beginning, asking me if I would have tea with him when I came out. I said yes, and as I was in line I realized I had forgotten a headscarf, so no entry for me. The man was waiting as I came out. He and I walked some together, and he showed me his tile/rug shop (beautiful things) and gave me a cup of tea. He was a lovely person and was intent on spending sometime with me, but I am not as open as I often appear (good thing) and have a healthy distrust of strangers, especially strange men, who have historically surprised me with their motives (and I'm no beauty queen; attention in this respect makes me uncomfortable). While he appeared to just be showing hospitality I didn't want to go to an unknown place with him or drink a beverage from his kitchen. I didn't want to appear rude by not accepting his kindness, i excused myself quickly... anywho, just as I was walking away from him I was intercepted by another man. I tried to politely leave him, and somehow he helped me to cut in front of the massive line outside of Hagia Sopia-- not something I would do, but somehow I went with it.
I went into Hagia Sophia feeling incredibly uncomfortable... I knew I was overreacting, this is exactly my personality, people are nice to me and I act like a freak. In any case Hagia Sophia was beautiful; my camera battery promptly died, but I got some pictures.
As I left I was intercepted (I keep using that word... interrupted? not accosted... hmmm) by a third man, also wanting to have tea with me. At this point I fled, like a big chicken, and ate chocolate, bread, and oranges until my hands were sticky and my belly was full and I was relaxed (mmm) . I can handle language barriers, I can handle uncertainty (to an extent) but i could not handle this. I cannot handle a lot of things actually, apparently, as I examine my recent life choices. Rather, I don't want to handle them...
Each of the men said that I did not look like an American (I think this was supposed to be a compliment), yet they spoke to me in English... or maybe they didn't. Actually, Turkish might have been first. Anywho, i thought that was funny.
So this is a lame blog, Rachel the glamour queen... no, who knows what these people want. To be friendly probably. I should be more open. But, gotta be smart. In anycase, I am leaving, so... thanks for reading, perhaps a Germany entry will come, if the mood strikes...
That being said, with little time ahead of me, and few sights seen (I was sick last week and thus napped/tried to recoup much of the days), today i decided I to return to the old city, where I had spent about an hour my first (and apparently one of the last, go ahead, laugh at me) weekends here. As I walked towards Hagia Sophia (however you chose to spell it, wherever you hail from) I saw swarms of school children, crowds of people on tours. Overwhelmed, I decided to first check out Sultanahmet. As I was walking I was intercepted by a nice looking older man who told me that he owned a rug shop in the city. we talked and he directed me to the mosque, where prayers were beginning, asking me if I would have tea with him when I came out. I said yes, and as I was in line I realized I had forgotten a headscarf, so no entry for me. The man was waiting as I came out. He and I walked some together, and he showed me his tile/rug shop (beautiful things) and gave me a cup of tea. He was a lovely person and was intent on spending sometime with me, but I am not as open as I often appear (good thing) and have a healthy distrust of strangers, especially strange men, who have historically surprised me with their motives (and I'm no beauty queen; attention in this respect makes me uncomfortable). While he appeared to just be showing hospitality I didn't want to go to an unknown place with him or drink a beverage from his kitchen. I didn't want to appear rude by not accepting his kindness, i excused myself quickly... anywho, just as I was walking away from him I was intercepted by another man. I tried to politely leave him, and somehow he helped me to cut in front of the massive line outside of Hagia Sopia-- not something I would do, but somehow I went with it.
I went into Hagia Sophia feeling incredibly uncomfortable... I knew I was overreacting, this is exactly my personality, people are nice to me and I act like a freak. In any case Hagia Sophia was beautiful; my camera battery promptly died, but I got some pictures.
As I left I was intercepted (I keep using that word... interrupted? not accosted... hmmm) by a third man, also wanting to have tea with me. At this point I fled, like a big chicken, and ate chocolate, bread, and oranges until my hands were sticky and my belly was full and I was relaxed (mmm) . I can handle language barriers, I can handle uncertainty (to an extent) but i could not handle this. I cannot handle a lot of things actually, apparently, as I examine my recent life choices. Rather, I don't want to handle them...
Each of the men said that I did not look like an American (I think this was supposed to be a compliment), yet they spoke to me in English... or maybe they didn't. Actually, Turkish might have been first. Anywho, i thought that was funny.
So this is a lame blog, Rachel the glamour queen... no, who knows what these people want. To be friendly probably. I should be more open. But, gotta be smart. In anycase, I am leaving, so... thanks for reading, perhaps a Germany entry will come, if the mood strikes...
Monday, April 6, 2009
Obamarama in Istanbul
Obama is in Istanbul... it's weird as an American that this is such a big deal. i mean, it's expected I know how these things work, but half of the roads are closed, it's all over the news... I don't know. Says something about our place in the world, although I'm sure the same thing happens to some extent for any foreign leader. still...
Anywho, this morning as I was coming back from taking the kids down to their school bus, the doorman tried to talk with me... I couldn't understand... it made me think of people speaking more loudly at other people who don't speak the language, like that helps (how many times have I subjected non-english speakers to this). Not that the man was rude. Actually, he was quite lovely, smiling and whatnot. The people I have met are very kind. The other day I was reading on the steps and another doorman brought me a cushion... I can't speak with the maid, Melahat (nice lady! a new hero), but a lot of the time at home I forget that I am in Turkey because English is spoken... and if it isn't, well, it isn't. No big deal.
Tonight I am filling in for a storytime at a family friend's bookstore (their au pair is on vacation), at this child-themed concept mall called Mohini (I saw the children's movie "Dog Hotel" in Turkish there the other day. As you can imagine, kid's movie, plot driven, easy to follow)... this child's mall would be a dream to me if I were a kids. Ah, market to the young ones... by the by, never realized before how uncomfotable toy guns make me. I'll say it! love, rachel
Also, hearing turkish children saying "oh snap" is one of the funniest things I have ever experienced. as my friend scott little back in davis commented, clearly they have been watching television... very much introduced to much american culture... luckily, i feel like not everything is foreign to me. I've had halva before. I know Rumi (not that anyone's mentioned him)... yep, Turkish expert in the house!
Anywho, this morning as I was coming back from taking the kids down to their school bus, the doorman tried to talk with me... I couldn't understand... it made me think of people speaking more loudly at other people who don't speak the language, like that helps (how many times have I subjected non-english speakers to this). Not that the man was rude. Actually, he was quite lovely, smiling and whatnot. The people I have met are very kind. The other day I was reading on the steps and another doorman brought me a cushion... I can't speak with the maid, Melahat (nice lady! a new hero), but a lot of the time at home I forget that I am in Turkey because English is spoken... and if it isn't, well, it isn't. No big deal.
Tonight I am filling in for a storytime at a family friend's bookstore (their au pair is on vacation), at this child-themed concept mall called Mohini (I saw the children's movie "Dog Hotel" in Turkish there the other day. As you can imagine, kid's movie, plot driven, easy to follow)... this child's mall would be a dream to me if I were a kids. Ah, market to the young ones... by the by, never realized before how uncomfotable toy guns make me. I'll say it! love, rachel
Also, hearing turkish children saying "oh snap" is one of the funniest things I have ever experienced. as my friend scott little back in davis commented, clearly they have been watching television... very much introduced to much american culture... luckily, i feel like not everything is foreign to me. I've had halva before. I know Rumi (not that anyone's mentioned him)... yep, Turkish expert in the house!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
the whining/crying/screaming of children will greet me at the gates of hell
If anything, Istanbul thus far has been a lesson in patience. Something I historically have had to work on... now I have to remember that I am the adult,and they are only five years old-- maybe grandpa bob was onto something when he questioned if I was old enough to take care of two kids. I think of my mom having 3 of us all at once at only 25 years old and I shudder... great lady.
Merits- not having so much time to get into trouble; discipline is being foisted upon me. I wake up early. Eat regular meals (lots of bread and cheese! oh, changes in diet. I don't see eating meat in my future, although it's been predicted by a few)... make my bed. Go straight to be after shower/kids go to sleep. Yes... a good experience. And after this I will not be having children of my own for maybe as many years as biologically possible. But no one wants to hear about those things, not ladylike.
Dude,my spacebar is all wonky and my words keep getting jammed together.
Now for the main question: Do I nap now (good idea)? Go for a walk (I need fresh air and new scenery like nobody's business)? Buy some chocolate (yes please!)... and facebook...
Also!Before I forget-- people drive so differently here. Turning into oncoming traffic is normal, blocking intersections... it's all pretty aggressive and there seems to be much different etiquette/laws perhaps. Also, clearly I am a foreigner. I dress worse than most of the people i've seen, and I didn't think about it before I left, but my short hair is pretty unusual here too. Over and out.
Merits- not having so much time to get into trouble; discipline is being foisted upon me. I wake up early. Eat regular meals (lots of bread and cheese! oh, changes in diet. I don't see eating meat in my future, although it's been predicted by a few)... make my bed. Go straight to be after shower/kids go to sleep. Yes... a good experience. And after this I will not be having children of my own for maybe as many years as biologically possible. But no one wants to hear about those things, not ladylike.
Dude,my spacebar is all wonky and my words keep getting jammed together.
Now for the main question: Do I nap now (good idea)? Go for a walk (I need fresh air and new scenery like nobody's business)? Buy some chocolate (yes please!)... and facebook...
Also!Before I forget-- people drive so differently here. Turning into oncoming traffic is normal, blocking intersections... it's all pretty aggressive and there seems to be much different etiquette/laws perhaps. Also, clearly I am a foreigner. I dress worse than most of the people i've seen, and I didn't think about it before I left, but my short hair is pretty unusual here too. Over and out.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Recap
Alright! Here it is, and let me warn you first off, this will not be a fascinating read... but maybe in the near future it will be :)
So, I came to Istanbul a week ago... The weather is lovely, often overcast and breezy. The people I have met thus far are very nice. I have learned to say: hello, good morning, box, yes (but not no... um...), thank you, please, sugar, tea, coffee, one, two, three, here... with this extensive vocabulary, clearly I'm practically a native.
I wish this could be more better (see?!?)... I am going to write poorly because 1.)maybe I give myself too much credit and am not so good at writing in the first place 2.) I am in need of a nap.
I am not very good at this job, first of all-- the Au pair-ing, not the blogging. But... okay.
Some things I have noticed: I see people drinking nescafe here. um... sweet potatoes are very expensive. you have to go through metal detectors and put your bags through x-ray machines to be granted entrance into (fancy) malls. I saw an Avon (pronounced ah-vohn) commercial on t.v. as well as Avon billboards, which I never saw in the U.S. I was told that TGI Fridays was very famous when it opened here. I was bummed to discover that I no longer have access to pandora radio and youtube.
People tell me often where the Starbucks are located, I think to make me feel at home.
These might seem like strange things to focus on, but these have been my impressions. I mostly stick with the kids, who like to play with me, but are still getting used to me. I like the family that I am living with/working for and I hope they like me. I have the days off but thus far have been tired and have not ventured out to do much.
I was introduced to another american Au pair, also named Rachel. I was in Asia for approximately 2 minutes. And for now that is all I can write-- I'm sorry it was all about restaurants and not very interesting. there were elections yesterday, and probably other things that would be better to focus on (the kindness of the parents, how funny the kids are) but I'm choosing not to. I choose sleep instead. thank you for reading.
So, I came to Istanbul a week ago... The weather is lovely, often overcast and breezy. The people I have met thus far are very nice. I have learned to say: hello, good morning, box, yes (but not no... um...), thank you, please, sugar, tea, coffee, one, two, three, here... with this extensive vocabulary, clearly I'm practically a native.
I wish this could be more better (see?!?)... I am going to write poorly because 1.)maybe I give myself too much credit and am not so good at writing in the first place 2.) I am in need of a nap.
I am not very good at this job, first of all-- the Au pair-ing, not the blogging. But... okay.
Some things I have noticed: I see people drinking nescafe here. um... sweet potatoes are very expensive. you have to go through metal detectors and put your bags through x-ray machines to be granted entrance into (fancy) malls. I saw an Avon (pronounced ah-vohn) commercial on t.v. as well as Avon billboards, which I never saw in the U.S. I was told that TGI Fridays was very famous when it opened here. I was bummed to discover that I no longer have access to pandora radio and youtube.
People tell me often where the Starbucks are located, I think to make me feel at home.
These might seem like strange things to focus on, but these have been my impressions. I mostly stick with the kids, who like to play with me, but are still getting used to me. I like the family that I am living with/working for and I hope they like me. I have the days off but thus far have been tired and have not ventured out to do much.
I was introduced to another american Au pair, also named Rachel. I was in Asia for approximately 2 minutes. And for now that is all I can write-- I'm sorry it was all about restaurants and not very interesting. there were elections yesterday, and probably other things that would be better to focus on (the kindness of the parents, how funny the kids are) but I'm choosing not to. I choose sleep instead. thank you for reading.
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