I am home

Day 137

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 23:14:00 +0300

I’ve never been this exhausted in a while, both physically and mentally. Moving from the US meant getting rid of almost everything, the process was long but not too difficult. It was a matter of deciding what was worth taking with me and what wasn’t. But here, moving into my first apartment in Turkey, the process feels more tiring. Besides all the fixings that need to be done to the house, I also have to re-buy every single thing. As this is more or less for the long long term, I noticed that I have become extremely picky as I don’t want to just create a crappy Ikea home for myself. Yes, like many other people I have already been there (more then once), but for basics. I hope to be moved in by the 15th and for a while will happily live with just a bed, a couch, a dresser and my computer. I’m looking forward to this new chapter of my life.

Late Saturday shopping with bf Shirley.

Sat, 02 Jun 2012 21:36:05 +0300

Late Saturday shopping with bf Shirley.

Day 135

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 22:46:35 +0300

I miss this beast.

After 3,5 hours at Ikea and not having had dinner at 11pm, a...

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 00:30:05 +0300

After 3,5 hours at Ikea and not having had dinner at 11pm, a stop by the dürüm guy on the street was the best part of day 134.

Day 133

Wed, 30 May 2012 13:34:00 +0300

I am this close to moving into my own place. I’m hoping to be in within 2 weeks and start the adjustment process all over again as I think living on my own in Turkey for the first time ever will be a whole process on its own.

Day 132

Tue, 29 May 2012 12:31:00 +0300

It only took several phone calls, checking the map a couple of times and a few hours internet search, but I found the type of kettle I’ve used in the US. Certain material items bring a type of comfort that is hard to describe and I’m glad at how persistent I was because I am now content and I refuse to settle.

Day 131

Mon, 28 May 2012 19:36:04 +0300

Put a bunch of smelly men in a room, wait till your number is called (30 people ahead of me), put on your headphones and listen to Drive’s soundtrack, try to ignore the possibly alcoholic man next to you (I can smell the alcohol protruding from his jacket) and you are at a government agency in Istanbul.

Day 130

Sun, 27 May 2012 21:46:58 +0300

Sunny Sunday.

Auntie-nephew night on day 129.

Sat, 26 May 2012 22:25:39 +0300

Auntie-nephew night on day 129.

Day 128

Fri, 25 May 2012 22:22:11 +0300

Can’t complain about a night when the whole family is together, my sister-in-law and I preparing the little one’s first birthday decorations, browsing through IKEA’s website for my new place –which I have memorized top to bottom at this point, and getting in bed early with a book in hand.

Day 127

Thu, 24 May 2012 22:35:33 +0300

Do you know what happens when they blow strong air into your ear? Your whole world starts spinning and you feel like you’re drunk off of your ass. It is the weirdest feeling in the world but this is how they found that I have an inner ear cold; something I didn’t even know existed. It completely messes up your balance and makes you feel useless –really not the best time to feel this way as I’m preparing to move in a few weeks and have a lot of decision making to do.

Day 126

Wed, 23 May 2012 22:34:15 +0300

The continuous cough, itchy throat, stuffy nose and scratchy voice I had the past week has proceeded with a constant dizziness I had been feeling since yesterday. I got to a point today where I couldn’t focus and the thought of passing out at work was quite unattractive. I checked in to the nearest clinic where I got checked out by 3 different doctors, hooked up to serum and got an injection on my butt before I was sent home with a prescription and a long list of blood works to be done. It is probably a mix of feeling sick and exhausting myself over the last few weeks that led to this unpleasant day; I have never slept so rock solid in the last few months than I did during the 2 hour nap I took today.

Day 125

Tue, 22 May 2012 22:20:00 +0300

I’ve never seen so many people dolled up for an opening. There is certainly a different kind of art scene here, I don’t think I’m feeling it but I know I have to be part of it.

Day 124

Mon, 21 May 2012 22:29:33 +0300

Today marks an important first; I am for the first time ever a renter in Istanbul. I have lived in many rentals in the US, but never in Istanbul as I had only lived her until I was 19 –basically never as an adult. Today, I signed the lease on my first apartment and am way excited. It really feels like I can start settling and slowly build a home for myself. This time I really want to take my time and have a slow process of decorating, furniture shopping and making the place my own. I am already browsing the pages of interior design magazines, IKEA catalogs and design blogs. Can’t wait for the fun to begin!

Day 123

Sun, 20 May 2012 22:48:10 +0300

I made the mistake of staying out a bit too late last night while I had a sore throat and stuffy nose. I’m paying for the result today as I am completely unable to speak. 4 months ago, you couldn’t have paid me to go out while sick but here I am more than ready to be out and about; there is really something about the energy of the city here that just sucks you in. I sometimes find myself thinking that I’m way past my party days, but I can also see the excitement of a new social life bringing back old habits.

Finishing day 122 at Pera Museum.

Sat, 19 May 2012 23:44:55 +0300

Finishing day 122 at Pera Museum.

Day 121

Fri, 18 May 2012 23:32:07 +0300

It’s quite the fantastic night when you get to hear Taryn Simon speak about her work in person in Istanbul. I would have thought this was more likely to happen in the US but I can’t complain about this inspiring surprise.

Day 120

Thu, 17 May 2012 22:39:43 +0300

Delicious quesedilla with goat cheese, black beans, zucchini, sun dried tomatoes and arugula. Nothing like home cooked meals.

Day 119

Wed, 16 May 2012 22:59:16 +0300

These two quotes keep me going these days.

Do something, do something to that, and then do something to that. - Jasper Johns

Very important that you keep working even if nothing interesting seems to be happening. - Richard Misrach

Day 118

Tue, 15 May 2012 22:54:07 +0300

I’m not particularly fond of weeks where I have a commitment for every single night of the week. Social life and events are important at this stage of the adjustment process, but some days I just want to hide at home and spend the night focused on my own work, read a book and cook. Introverting is just what I need sometimes.