I am too lazy currently to update but I just sent this email to family so I suppose it's better than nothing :]
So Aunt Ann's newsy email inspired me to try to be better about keeping up...I know, one month to go and NOW I decide to improve myself. Figures.
I have been informed of the travel plans for the rest of my stay. We are in Instanbul until August 3 when we leave for Bodrum. On the 4-8, Asli and Damar will go on their friend Fetih's boat with friends and leave us in Bodrum. They come back and then on the 9-16 (ish, give or take a few days) we leave on our own boat with a lot of their friends to travel the Greek Isles. On the 17 or 18, my friend Jessica Dodd, who is taking my job (ah) is coming and then on the 20 I fly back to Istanbul to pack and say my goodbyes and I fly out on the 21.
I have mixed feelings about all this. I mean, I know I should be excited about touring the Greek Isles, but if it's like all the other times, I doubt I'll see much and honestly, all I can think about is, "Packing for the kids for all of this is going to be a beast...let alone packing for myself."
I am glad though that Asli and Damar will be taking that trip after we get there because it will give me four whole days to settle in to the new place and feel like I have my barings before they come back and tear them all to pieces...as is our routine :] Also, my "manny" (man nanny) friend texted me last night to say they just got to Bodrum and will be there/Greece for a while he thinks, so I'm really hoping we'll be traveling together. That just makes the whole thing more barable and dare I say, nearly enjoyable!
I had been hoping to leave Bodrum on the 18 so as to have almost 3 days to pack up my life from the last 7 months, and say goodbye to friends and to Istanbul. But of course, I wasn't asked first and the driver said they already bought my ticket for the 20. Not that they couldn't change it...but now with Dodd coming, I want to spend as much time with her as possible before leaving here for a year. If that means no time with friends and staying up all night of the 20, I can be ok with that. I'll just have to make my last day off here next week count.
Speaking of which, since I had the weekend off, I didn't have a day off this week, and let me tell you, I don't know how I worked the first 6 weeks without one. I'm pulling my hair out! I think I'll get either Wednesday or Thursday off next week and I'm going with some friends to a Turkish bath! Ahhhh! I think that is an excellent thing to do on my "last day" in Istanbul.
The weekend off wasn't terribly relaxing but I got a LOT done. I updated that on my blog though so no need to go into it again. I will say though, leaving the Grand Bazaar was the first time I realized I was leaving this place that had been my home for the last 7 months and it hurt a little. One of the guys I always see when I go there was hugging me goodbye and said, "Cait leen, it has been a beautiful thing to know you" and something about the way he said it really touched me. Because when, after I've gone back to the states, will I hear that kind of language or phrasing or sentiment or boldness, again? I realized then that really, I feel the same way about Istanbul. It has been a beautiful thing to grow to know it and love it.
Asli is gone this weekend which has been nice. But it's not always easy being left alone with the men, they are completely useless. Eren got me out of bed with Emre at bedtime to help him try to skype with his American girlfriend last night right before going out and sleeping at (one of) his new Turkish girlfriend's house. He told me he and Christine (the American) were taking a break for the summer but seeing him be all lovey-dovey on skype last night made me wonder if she was aware of it. It's none of my business, but it really irks me because she was such a life saver to me when she was here the first three weeks I was here and she can do so much better. We ended up skyping after Eren left which was nice.
Damar is being the typical Absent-Asli Damar. Cheery and and a little odd. He woke up this morning, I would venture to say, still a little bit drunk from last night. He told me all about how his $500 bottle of Vodka and how rock music was dead and he missed listening to Bon Jovi in the morning. "I feel a little bit...strange" he tells me as he walks out of the room singing Bon Jovi's "It's my life!" at the top of his lungs. I will miss them. Not enough to even CONTEMPLATE staying, but I will miss them terribly.
I'm taking Emre on a playdate in an hour. I'm relieved it's to the Sabanci's (one of the RICHEST families in Turkey..I can't wait to see their house :]) because their nanny is one of my best friends here and the fact that I only got four hours of sleep last night, won't be such a problem. I don't know what was wrong! I had been exhausted all day then as soon as I turned out the light, my mind went crazy! I read for over an hour, listened to my ipod, got back on skype..but nothing helped. Mom said she thinks I'm starting to go through separation anxiety and that it's probably making me emotional. It sounds logical but I feel fine...just sleep deprived and a little grumpy. I YANKED Defne off of Emre yesterday, suprising her with how forceful I was...and I LIKED IT. I should probably pray about that...but sometimes they just need a good yanking, I think.
Anyway, I think I've rambled on far too long. I'm sure you have better things to do. I'm sitting in the TV room while Emre watches the Turkish futbol channel...so I myself, do not :]
Gramma and Granddad: Lucy does look pretty adorable. And though she looks quite a bit like the Arikoglu's dog, I know, even without meeting her yet, that I will far and away, like her more. How is it going? She is adapting well? I hope this finds you eating ice cream Granddad and I can't wait to give you a hug!
Dad and Mom: I'm so pumped about the plans for me coming home. I can't thank you enough for opening up the house to everyone and planning everything for me while I'm here, trying to make my homecoming amazing. It would be even if it was just the two of you who picked me up, so all the trouble you're going to ensures it will probably be one of the best weekends of my life :]
Courtney: Did you get my birthday e-card. It said it was delivered. What are your plans for Andrew's birthday. No beach this year right?
Suzi Q and Marky Mark: Mom says you're volunteering your house. Are you sure that's ok? You just had all those boys in it now strangers! Also, Jonathan said he might be around still in late August so maybe he'll join us for wings! That's exciting! I've really enjoyed hearing about his life this past summer...and getting to know him because honestly, I suppose I never really did before. You've raised good boys, in my opinion :]
Aunt Ann: I already sent you an email...so let me just remind you again that I am requesting post cards from your travels and pictures of your havoc-reeking abode :]
Aunt Linda and Aunt Bobby: Hope this finds you well and enjoying your summer! Thanks so much for all your support and email updates while I've been here. I've been blessed with such a fantastic family!
Ok friends and family, we are down to just 28 days! Under 30 sounds like nothing! Pray that I finish strong!
Lots of love from Turkey,
Caitlin
I have been informed of the travel plans for the rest of my stay. We are in Instanbul until August 3 when we leave for Bodrum. On the 4-8, Asli and Damar will go on their friend Fetih's boat with friends and leave us in Bodrum. They come back and then on the 9-16 (ish, give or take a few days) we leave on our own boat with a lot of their friends to travel the Greek Isles. On the 17 or 18, my friend Jessica Dodd, who is taking my job (ah) is coming and then on the 20 I fly back to Istanbul to pack and say my goodbyes and I fly out on the 21.
I have mixed feelings about all this. I mean, I know I should be excited about touring the Greek Isles, but if it's like all the other times, I doubt I'll see much and honestly, all I can think about is, "Packing for the kids for all of this is going to be a beast...let alone packing for myself."
I am glad though that Asli and Damar will be taking that trip after we get there because it will give me four whole days to settle in to the new place and feel like I have my barings before they come back and tear them all to pieces...as is our routine :] Also, my "manny" (man nanny) friend texted me last night to say they just got to Bodrum and will be there/Greece for a while he thinks, so I'm really hoping we'll be traveling together. That just makes the whole thing more barable and dare I say, nearly enjoyable!
I had been hoping to leave Bodrum on the 18 so as to have almost 3 days to pack up my life from the last 7 months, and say goodbye to friends and to Istanbul. But of course, I wasn't asked first and the driver said they already bought my ticket for the 20. Not that they couldn't change it...but now with Dodd coming, I want to spend as much time with her as possible before leaving here for a year. If that means no time with friends and staying up all night of the 20, I can be ok with that. I'll just have to make my last day off here next week count.
Speaking of which, since I had the weekend off, I didn't have a day off this week, and let me tell you, I don't know how I worked the first 6 weeks without one. I'm pulling my hair out! I think I'll get either Wednesday or Thursday off next week and I'm going with some friends to a Turkish bath! Ahhhh! I think that is an excellent thing to do on my "last day" in Istanbul.
The weekend off wasn't terribly relaxing but I got a LOT done. I updated that on my blog though so no need to go into it again. I will say though, leaving the Grand Bazaar was the first time I realized I was leaving this place that had been my home for the last 7 months and it hurt a little. One of the guys I always see when I go there was hugging me goodbye and said, "Cait leen, it has been a beautiful thing to know you" and something about the way he said it really touched me. Because when, after I've gone back to the states, will I hear that kind of language or phrasing or sentiment or boldness, again? I realized then that really, I feel the same way about Istanbul. It has been a beautiful thing to grow to know it and love it.
Asli is gone this weekend which has been nice. But it's not always easy being left alone with the men, they are completely useless. Eren got me out of bed with Emre at bedtime to help him try to skype with his American girlfriend last night right before going out and sleeping at (one of) his new Turkish girlfriend's house. He told me he and Christine (the American) were taking a break for the summer but seeing him be all lovey-dovey on skype last night made me wonder if she was aware of it. It's none of my business, but it really irks me because she was such a life saver to me when she was here the first three weeks I was here and she can do so much better. We ended up skyping after Eren left which was nice.
Damar is being the typical Absent-Asli Damar. Cheery and and a little odd. He woke up this morning, I would venture to say, still a little bit drunk from last night. He told me all about how his $500 bottle of Vodka and how rock music was dead and he missed listening to Bon Jovi in the morning. "I feel a little bit...strange" he tells me as he walks out of the room singing Bon Jovi's "It's my life!" at the top of his lungs. I will miss them. Not enough to even CONTEMPLATE staying, but I will miss them terribly.
I'm taking Emre on a playdate in an hour. I'm relieved it's to the Sabanci's (one of the RICHEST families in Turkey..I can't wait to see their house :]) because their nanny is one of my best friends here and the fact that I only got four hours of sleep last night, won't be such a problem. I don't know what was wrong! I had been exhausted all day then as soon as I turned out the light, my mind went crazy! I read for over an hour, listened to my ipod, got back on skype..but nothing helped. Mom said she thinks I'm starting to go through separation anxiety and that it's probably making me emotional. It sounds logical but I feel fine...just sleep deprived and a little grumpy. I YANKED Defne off of Emre yesterday, suprising her with how forceful I was...and I LIKED IT. I should probably pray about that...but sometimes they just need a good yanking, I think.
Anyway, I think I've rambled on far too long. I'm sure you have better things to do. I'm sitting in the TV room while Emre watches the Turkish futbol channel...so I myself, do not :]
Gramma and Granddad: Lucy does look pretty adorable. And though she looks quite a bit like the Arikoglu's dog, I know, even without meeting her yet, that I will far and away, like her more. How is it going? She is adapting well? I hope this finds you eating ice cream Granddad and I can't wait to give you a hug!
Dad and Mom: I'm so pumped about the plans for me coming home. I can't thank you enough for opening up the house to everyone and planning everything for me while I'm here, trying to make my homecoming amazing. It would be even if it was just the two of you who picked me up, so all the trouble you're going to ensures it will probably be one of the best weekends of my life :]
Courtney: Did you get my birthday e-card. It said it was delivered. What are your plans for Andrew's birthday. No beach this year right?
Suzi Q and Marky Mark: Mom says you're volunteering your house. Are you sure that's ok? You just had all those boys in it now strangers! Also, Jonathan said he might be around still in late August so maybe he'll join us for wings! That's exciting! I've really enjoyed hearing about his life this past summer...and getting to know him because honestly, I suppose I never really did before. You've raised good boys, in my opinion :]
Aunt Ann: I already sent you an email...so let me just remind you again that I am requesting post cards from your travels and pictures of your havoc-reeking abode :]
Aunt Linda and Aunt Bobby: Hope this finds you well and enjoying your summer! Thanks so much for all your support and email updates while I've been here. I've been blessed with such a fantastic family!
Ok friends and family, we are down to just 28 days! Under 30 sounds like nothing! Pray that I finish strong!
Lots of love from Turkey,
Caitlin
This is Caresse (in the middle). The nanny I'm seeing today. And Vanessa, she's from Canada and fits everything you've ever heard about Canadians...bless her.
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