Wordless Man Candy Monday - YES!

I really have nothing else to say...I kind of missed Man Candy Monday and well, here I am again. :) Enjoy it. And don't forget to go on over to Leeann's amazing blog and look at some more hot stuff...hehe!

all images via google

My Man Candy this week is Shemar Moore. Love his smile, his style, and well...
Ever watched Criminal Minds?! No? Well...he's my number 2 guy there. Yes, not my number 1 guy. ;) That's someone else. :D

Happy Monday everyone.

Merhaba from Istanbul

Picture time!

Markets in Istanbul are amazing and different to what you may be used to, and there is a daily one practically around the corner (aka not around the corner and about 15 minutes away on foot) from where my family lives. I just love to stroll around and look at herbs, spices, fish, veggies, fruits, plastic stuff, electronics so cheap you won't believe, and much much more. So, naturally I took pictures...of food and stuff mostly.

Please don't touch the fish  is what's written on that paper. Emmm, who would do that? I think it's gross! But those two were awesome, and huge!

Some refreshments are always necessary...and yes, our tiny table looked like a little disaster area...two cameras, four cellphones (don't ask!), an ashtray which we didn't use, a pen, paper, water bottles, and somehow we managed to have coffee or tea on there, too. Amazing!

Beauties we came across while walking instead of taking public transportation back to the ferry terminal.

A very old post of mine (with funny mistakes, but I keep it as it is!) kind of describes how I feel about old buildings, structures, houses, you name it I especially come across in this part of the world and so I don't have to explain why out of nowhere I take pictures of old houses I wish I could buy and restore so they look pretty again!!!

Years ago I saw more stray cats walking around, looking for food in trash bins and such. Over the years cats have come and gone but they remain part of this country. Dogs however, yes, those lovely cute creatures, they have become more present these days. The area my family lives in is full of stray dogs. They all have an ear chip so at least they are registered of some sort but they belong to themselves or the street. I think it's sad. Really really sad.

More pictures to come, but I wanted to give you a slight preview of what I did, or didn't do.

I am no tourist in this city anymore, therefore I don't go to the touristy places. I would if someone would join me that hasn't been there yet. Just saying. But I'm gonna try to share some of my love for this gigantic city with you. So be prepared! ;)

Moi, trying to smile. According to my cousin and I really have to say she's right...I can't smile anymore. Not sure how I lost that well, let's say, skill but I can't smile anymore. Weird, huh? Or maybe I was just way too hungry to pose! :) We were waiting for some food, and it was windy (hence the weird hair!).

Though I captured this beautiful sunset later on and it made my heart melt!
As you may have read somewhere, I love sunsets...best. thing. ever.

Stay tuned for more!!!

Have a great weekend!

I'm Back!

Hello everyone.
I finally made it back to blogworld.
I wanted to quickly let you know that I am back and ready for some summer blogging.

Hope you enjoyed the two amazing guest posts my dear friend from OceanDreams wrote while I was gone. I definitely did. Thank you again, girl, for everything you did! It sure brightened up my blog.

My time in fabulous Istanbul was way too short and I am kind of in a daze thinking about my time, and that I'm no longer over there. It's just a two-and-a-half-hour flight but it feels like it's been more than that, and worlds apart. I enjoyed every minute, had a great time with family and friends, could not stop myself from eating pretty much everything and anything I came across, and really really enjoyed it. I am still a bit bummed that I couldn't see one of my oldest friends, but at least we got to talk on the phone!! That's life in an insanely huge city, with a busy schedule on both of our agendas. :(

Before I really get back into blogging and sharing some pictures I have to organize a few things and get adjusted again. Hardly any time difference, hence also no jet lag, but it sure feels as if I'm really jet lagged. I blame it on the climate. Hot and humid higher 80s for quite some time, and then baammmm higher dry 50s, and that within one day?! I can't stand it. And I am freezing so much all I want to do is curl up in bed and read books. Maybe I should do this.

So bear with me, but I'll be back soon...I already started reading blogs and getting inspired by all your stories.

Missed you all!

And hello new followers.

Follow Your Dreams

Hi, it's me again, aka Ocean Dreams! By now my lovely friend Selma is either packing to head home or will be on her way shortly! Let's wish her happy travels and I'm sure she's enjoying every moment possible that she has left on her trip in Istanbul!

Selma and I like to talk about our dreams for the future, and believe me, they never end. We both want a job that we love, a place to call home, and a future that we adore. I know that Selma is on her way to achieving these things, and I am as well. I always tell her to take one step at a time and to never give up! Selma is one of the most kindest, sincerest, and genuine people I know. She has so many gifts and I have no doubt that she will continue to achieve and grow in the coming weeks and months ahead! So since some dreaming is in order, let's look at some dreamy quotes and pictures about our dreams! :)

So do you want to brain storm with me? What are some of your current dreams and how can you go about achieving them? Is it to find a new job? Do you want to make new friends? Do you simply want to make more time to read?

Here are 5 dreams and goals that I have right now:

1. I want to read 24 books this year. I'm a tad behind because I've only ready 6 so far, but I'm hoping that I will be able to catch up! I'm just happy that I've taken more time to read, because before it wasn't that big of a priority to me.
2. I would love to go on a trip with my love, BK, this year. It would be amazing to go to Europe, but I'd just be happy with a fun weekend trip as well. I'm hoping and dreaming for my magical trip!
3. I want to exercise 4-5 times a week and focus on eating more healthy foods. This really isn't a dream per say, but it's something that I certainly can focus on improving.
4. I dream of moving back to California! Hopefully this dream will be become a reality rather soon!
5. Continuing to succeed and grow in my freelance jobs is also an important dream and goal of mine.

Some things to ponder:

Are you frightened to have a dream simply because you think it might not come true? I'm here to tell you that your dreams can come true and don't be afraid to dream. It doesn't matter where you are at or where you have come from. It doesn't matter what you've been through either. There is always a new opportunity for a new beginning, a new start, and a new dream.

Start small. Don't push yourself to a place where you feel like quitting. Take a few baby steps every single day. Pretty soon you'll realize you've almost made a dream come true! If you are waiting for Mr. Right or are simply needing a change, don't fret. Everything will turn out alright. Just take one day at a time, know that you are loved, and that you are allowed to dream. In fact, never stop dreaming because I guarantee that many, if not all of your dreams, will come true. Just trust in yourself and your heart - you deserve all of the love the world has to give.

Thanks so much for reading! I hope you all are having a lovely day and I'm happy to hear that our sweet Selma had a wonderful birthday. Never forget to dream, wish, and have faith and thanks for listening to this little dreamer in me. ;) Thanks to Selma for letting me do a little bit of dreaming on her blog.

xoxo,
Sierra aka Ocean Dreams

Happy Birthday!

Today is my day to shine and celebrate.
Another day older and wiser, and yes, another number is now invisibly glued to my back.

Birthdays always feel special, don't they?
You feel refreshed the minute you wake up. You feel as if the world is looking at you and nothing could harm you. I love those days. I feel prettiest on my birthday, even with a big fat pimple on my forehead. No, I don't have one on my forehead. Just saying, even if you should sulk and be unhappy that some giant thing decided to live on your skin for a while (and we all know it happens) we still feel pretty, healthy, happy, and just super excited. Today, more than ever.

I am excited. I am healthy. And most of all I am happy.
How will I celebrate?
Believe it or not, I don't know yet.
Though all I know is that this is my day and nothing can harm and ruin this!

 all photos via we ♥ it

Just let's hope I get cake this year.
It's been a very long time since I had a birthday cake.

Birthdays are meant to be fun, and what is more fun than having one whole cake to yourself? Yes, I'll share a piece or two. So let's keep our fingers crossed that little me gets some cake today. Please?! 

Greetings from Istanbul everyone!

Hope you are doing fabulously!

Have a fantastic day!

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