What do you think?!

Welcome to my world. The crazy kind.
You know, one day I'm on a high and love everything and everyone, and the next I'm down and lost and don't know how to act or where to turn. 

Don't worry, nothing bad happened.

Something extraordinarily happened, and although I should be happy about it and looking forward I am hesitating and flipping out. Needless to say, when I'm down, I'm crying. Like way too much. I should be jumping up and down, embracing life and hugging random strangers. I am not. Reality hit me today. With happy news, but how come I'm crying? Maybe it's tears of joy? Maybe it's tears of relief?! Maybe. Maybe it's a combo of both and it just happens to be very ugly, wet, and weird. Last time I cried this hard I said good-bye to someone we lost. That's okay. But now?! 

 

If I got through with what I started, I will be very busy for the next couple of weeks and although it's going to be good, I am not fully ready to take this step. Although I know I have to. It's time, and it's going to be good. And if the following is true I'm just gonna question today's tears even more.

Am I ready to say good-bye and see ya to Europe this soon?!
Am I?
What do you think?
Please of all people out there, let me know what you think!!

Because frankly I don't know what to think!!!

Thursday Blah!

This is pretty much how I would love to walk around all week long. In hot summer weather.

Unfortunately it started raining right while I was walking home loaded with grocery bags (four to be exact) and no umbrella with me. Then again, I reminded myself of my favorite feeling. I love summer rain, the hot kind. When you're pretty much sweating all day long and the heat won't leave your place, but then there's hope with tons of rain coming down. The heat's still there but you can stand outside with your arms wide open embracing the much needed and anticipated rain. At last.

I love that feeling. I really do. Not exactly while I'm walking home trying to protect my leather bag like a frantic person but I love that feeling. I had an extra (and huge) plastic bag with me so I actually put my lovely bag into that gigantic plastic bag and off I went home. I got soaking wet, my hair looked rather sexy, and my leather bag survived the fun. 

And yes I walk home, and don't drive here. Kinda miss driving. I'm sure letting me back on the road at some point will be a fun thing. I'm a good driver, maybe more cautious than others my age, but I haven't been driving in so long. I miss it but I love the environment too much, and besides, living in Europe allows me to walk and take public transportation. The good kind. ;) 

And walking just like that after a major rain storm is one of my favorites...it calms me. Big time.

As you can see, I'm back on Pinterest.
Awwww, how I love that site!!

Have a terrific Thursday everyone.

More Istanbul

Random shots pretty much throughout the city. And yes, if you can see this it is the Trump Tower. I just had to take that shot. And the top left picture shows the Metrobus stations they have located throughout the city linking both continents, Europe and Asia. It has become my favorite means of transport. I am more a ferry person, but this bus system is awesome. They have their own lanes, and there's no traffic jam, clean neat seats, and if you're lucky you don't feel like a pickle in a hot sandwich. Best part is you're on the other side of the city within 15 minutes, whereas by car it may as well take you up to an hour. Love it.

Those animals are all over. I couldn't resist taking our cat's picture, too (far right bottom picture). She's just too relaxed and funny. Wish I had more spontaneous moments of these to capture every animal I came across.

Food! You may notice some familiar stuff on here, too. Yes, I ate hamburgers, and a hot BBQ chicken sandwich...but both Turkish style. I cut my dishes with fork and knife, and the cheese and BBQ sauce were both made in Turkey...so yeah. Different, but oh-so-very-delicious!!!
Lots of fruits and veggies, awesome appetizers, Rakı (just like the Greek Ouzo - and folks, it's the same exact thing!! But shhhh, don't tell that to the Greeks or the Turks!) ;-) (and yes, the "ı" on Rakı has no dot on top of the "i"; I spelled it correctly!!), lots and lots of tea, my favorite Turkish ice cream, and some very yummy meat dishes and yogurt drinks. I'm telling you, I was in food heaven. I had missed the food, the drinks, the sounds of people chatters and laughs, while a few blocks down you'd hear the call for prayer five times a day, and at the same time were holding a glass of local red wine. Contradictions and traditions so close to each other it made my heart melt.

I found a local article (in English) about the city and its beauty and all in a Sunday paper and wanted to share this with you. But dummy MOI thought she took the piece of paper with her, opened it up at home and shocked her own self by finding yes, articles and all but not the one she intended to bring and share. Hmmm, it's probably still at my cousin's apartment or already ready for the trash. I am so sad. However, while I was desperately looking for the online version of that same article (I mean, looking frantically for it and trying every possible corner cannot hurt at all) I came across something else. I hope you can all see this video. It's one of my favorite Turkish authors, and her little version of "I'll show you my city"!

Click HERE for the video!!!
She describes it beautifully. I think. Do you?!

There are more pictures I want to share with you but don't want to overwhelm you.

Hope you like what you see!!

Istanbul is my favorite city, with its rich history, and non-stop cultural exposures I love it every time I'm back there. Looking at pictures and seeing videos is awesome, too, but being there and experiencing it all is one thing that has to be done in person, at least once in your life! Ha, corny I know.

Hope you are having a fabulous day!

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!