chili and a christmas tree.
Mmm.
Thanksgiving is an American holiday. So obviously, I missed out on any sort of feasting or celebration. But, I certainly participated in the “giving thanks.”
I try to give thanks every day anyway. I just feel so blessed. And it’s important for me to stop and thank God for well… everything. My list goes on. Prayer is strange to some people. It can be a really foreign concept. I’m trying to make sure it remains a natural, solid part of my life. But I have to admit that at times, I’m like those people. The ones who find it strange or unnatural. So I don’t take much time to chat with the One who fashioned me before I was even a thought. Thanksgiving was important for me. I didn’t need the food. Especially after a week of bayram feasts! I would have loved to be with my family for a little bit, but a quick chat on the phone was satisfying enough. It was important because it reminded me to do what I was created to do: Praise. Give thanks.
It was a good day with or without that American food. Who needs the extra calories anyway? Haha. Just kidding guys. Like Bayram, Thanksgiving food doesn’t have calories, so no sweat. ;)
Friday, Conor and I went to the Rotary office in Taksim to turn in our money for the dues we owed. We had lunch at this little place where we could get really good and big lahmacun for 1,50 TL! And free çay. Amazing.
We talked with Dilek for a little bit, then headed to Levent to meet my host mom. We were all going out that night. It was my host aunt, Esra’s, birthday and me, Conor, and Logan were invited to hang out in Nişantaşı with them. And that’s exactly what we did.
First, Conor and I waited for my host mom to be done at work. We talked at a Starbucks in Akmerkez about so many things. Things that I felt like I don’t normally get to talk about. And I learned a lot. Thanks for helping me process, Conor.
Haha. Well, after our semi-serious talk, we met up with my host parents and headed to Metro City to pick up Logan who was standing outside in the rain and wind. And we were off.
We had a decent time I think. Logan was beyond exhausted, and I was a little sleepy as well. I think we decided that we would take a break from going out for a little bit. They spent the night at my house. We watched a little bit of The Producers and Logan crashed so I let them go to sleep.
The next day, we saw Harry Potter in Taksim. In English this time. Hooray.
It was bloody brilliant. Haha. It was pretty good. I just really wanted to sound British for a second. Seeing Harry Potter in Turkish the first time made me really happy to hear their lovely English accents this time.
Later, Conor and I went to Bağdat Caddesi cause I had to meet up with my host family. It was my host cousin’s birthday. He turned 9. :) Except, I met Laura instead and we had dinner at Num Num’s and dessert at Saray’s. She was there since her host family was visiting their grandparents. It was raining…
I was glad to meet up with my host family. I just want to spend more time with them. I’m actually wondering why I’m up here writing this when I could be sitting downstairs with them…
Today was a weird day. I woke up at 8:45 and my host mom said they were leaving at 9 to go to Yasemin and Erim’s private tutoring. My host mom was going to her parents’ house. They insisted that I should have friends over so I basically texted and messaged everyone I know. It didn’t work out. Maybe just one of those days. So I was at home. Just our dog, Bal, and me.
I took Bal for a walk and listened to some music. I watched The Producers, Glee and Everybody Loves Raymond. I wrote some emails and responses and read my book. I made the last of my Ramen Noodles for lunch with some tomatoes and cucumbers. I went to the market to buy conditioner and body wash. I got together a list of ingredients that I needed for next weekend’s big Thanksgiving dinner with the host families. I sang really loudly. Therapeutic, actually. Sara Bareilles always seems to do the trick. I’m learning that spending time with my host family is the best way to keep from feeling sad. Being alone just isn’t the best thing for me. I think way too much. But every now and then, ok.
I was so glad to see my host mom and Yasemin walk through the door. We went to the supermarket to get food for dinner. I feel so awful when I can’t respond or understand when my host mom speaks in Turkish to me. It’s like, she’s making the effort that I asked her to make for me and I always just have to say that I don’t understand. Why don’t I understand? I mean, I really do understand so much more than I used to. I wish I could somehow show my host mom that. I just keep messing up. Me and my nervousness. It’ll get better.
When we got home from the market, we got out the Christmas tree and all the decorations. I call it Christmas, but here, it is New Years. Yasemin and I set up the tree while my host mom cooked the chili for dinner. :) Then, my host dad and Erim came home and turned on the Beşiktaş-Galatasaray futbol match. After we finished the tree, we ate some tasty chili. :) Christmas and chili. If there was any tiny bit of homesickness, it’s gone now. A good night after a weird day.
Looking forward to the holidays.
My host mom and I were talking in the car about how quickly November seemed to fly by. And how I was worried that the months would start passing just as quickly from here on out… We decided that can’t happen. And also that I would need to come back the following summer. I’ll start saving up immediately. :)
