Been trying to find out when the last ferry is from the other side so we can go to the fireworks over there. There doesn't seem to be anything organised for this side at all. The last ferry (which has been added just for tonight) is at midnight! What a stroke of genius!! Guess we will be watching them from a vantage point over here.
It is also the first day of Eid today - the slitting throats one. People are confined to designated throat-cutting centres. Yesterday there was a thing in the news about a bull getting away from some men who were trying to get it back into their truck (yes truck) so they could take it home for today's celebrations. Anyway the bull got away and about 5 men were hanging onto the rope. One man was throwing rocks at the poor thing! I do not know what happened next but there were people on the ground and it was quite a rammy! No doubt they will be visiting casualty along with all the others who really should be more careful wielding a knife.
So we are off until Thursday (Umut though is off all week - jammy ##%%$#!) What to do...?
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas over...
Had a great time over Christmas. Mum was here so got double spoilt! and looked after and cooked for. Basically I have had a wonderful week. I have loads of face packs and chocolate (I see the connection now!)
Umut pulled out all the stops and I am now the proud owner of EVERYTHING!!!! We need a bigger house!!
Unfortunately back the the stresses of work today. It is the year 3 play tomorrow and Thursday night and peps (NOT I!!) are getting very stressed about it. Deary me! I always thought that school plays were ways for children to have fun with what they had learnt - seem to have got that very wrong... Never mind it is snowing now. I could pray for a snowday!
Hope all had a great Christmas and that you are all warm and well!
New Photos
Umut pulled out all the stops and I am now the proud owner of EVERYTHING!!!! We need a bigger house!!
Unfortunately back the the stresses of work today. It is the year 3 play tomorrow and Thursday night and peps (NOT I!!) are getting very stressed about it. Deary me! I always thought that school plays were ways for children to have fun with what they had learnt - seem to have got that very wrong... Never mind it is snowing now. I could pray for a snowday!
Hope all had a great Christmas and that you are all warm and well!
New Photos
Sunday, December 17, 2006
funny
So I have replaced all that tv with youtube clearly
I have been giggling at this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmSawdPhzCM
I have been giggling at this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmSawdPhzCM
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Istanbul
Have been messing around on YouTube while someone watches the footy and found this. (The music is by Sezen Aksu if you are interested)
It of course shows Istanbul in a very idyllic light and one bathed in sunlight (which is missing at the mo!) It also does not show the terrible traffic and the streets full of whopping great big holes. I don't actually take the piss out of those with 4x4s here. The hill next to our house from the motorway in front of our house has to be taken at speed otherwise cars slide back down!! I'm not joking. You see them in the morning taxiing to starting positions as if it were some kind of runway.
It of course shows Istanbul in a very idyllic light and one bathed in sunlight (which is missing at the mo!) It also does not show the terrible traffic and the streets full of whopping great big holes. I don't actually take the piss out of those with 4x4s here. The hill next to our house from the motorway in front of our house has to be taken at speed otherwise cars slide back down!! I'm not joking. You see them in the morning taxiing to starting positions as if it were some kind of runway.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Vomit
Those of you who spend time with children either your own or the variety that you return at the end of the day will know that there are lots of smells and a whole manner of vile excretions and emissions, alive and dead which come out of them at various velocities. I can deal with most of them, but stringy snot and vomit really give me trouble!!
Today I met with one of them - projectile vomit!!
I was on corridor duty which starts at 8.30. First child up the stairs says morning and then promptly empties her breakfast all over the floor. Fabby start to the day! - Little girl well btw. A cuddle, a back rub and a glass of water go a long way!
Today I met with one of them - projectile vomit!!
I was on corridor duty which starts at 8.30. First child up the stairs says morning and then promptly empties her breakfast all over the floor. Fabby start to the day! - Little girl well btw. A cuddle, a back rub and a glass of water go a long way!
End of the Season
What to do!!! House and NCIS finish this week! They were on every day. Lost season 3 is starting but I cannot really be arsed with it! Bones hmmm not so much! He's not Angel anymore! Don't get me started on Numb3rs!! BOLLOCKS!!!
We have Digiturk which means that I get all some 'no bad TV'. We even get Sea of Souls from home!! We get quite up-to-date series and it beats BBC Prime anyday (really how many home improvement shows can you watch!!!?) But seasons are coming to an end an our shows are finishing. What will I do without House and NCIS of an evening? How will I possibly wind down now? Oh my God how sad am I?
We have Digiturk which means that I get all some 'no bad TV'. We even get Sea of Souls from home!! We get quite up-to-date series and it beats BBC Prime anyday (really how many home improvement shows can you watch!!!?) But seasons are coming to an end an our shows are finishing. What will I do without House and NCIS of an evening? How will I possibly wind down now? Oh my God how sad am I?
Crimble tree
Got the crimble tree up at the weekend.
We have had a tiny little one which would cope with the moving house for ages and this time decided to get a bigger one (mums coming over - better make an effort!!) You cannot really get very big ones here and I have never seen real ones anywhere so I got a fake one just over a meter and put it one a table to give it some extra height. Its got the gifts under it and some quite tasteful decorations on it even if I do say so myself.
When I was in the store a group of young Carrefour employees were decorating a tree in the shop! I really had to force myself not to go over and give them a hand. It was terrible!! The decorations were not coordinated and they hadn't pulled all the branches out so it looked really moth eaten. Deary me!
We have had a tiny little one which would cope with the moving house for ages and this time decided to get a bigger one (mums coming over - better make an effort!!) You cannot really get very big ones here and I have never seen real ones anywhere so I got a fake one just over a meter and put it one a table to give it some extra height. Its got the gifts under it and some quite tasteful decorations on it even if I do say so myself.
When I was in the store a group of young Carrefour employees were decorating a tree in the shop! I really had to force myself not to go over and give them a hand. It was terrible!! The decorations were not coordinated and they hadn't pulled all the branches out so it looked really moth eaten. Deary me!
Friday, December 08, 2006
Making complaints and shopping
I hate making complaints - please don't confuse this with complaining cos I will happily do that til the cows come home - and then moan about the time they got home and the mess they made when they came in!
I finally made a complaint at work. I cannot believe I did it cos I spend most of my time worrying about getting into trouble for standing up to others. Anyway, I did it and I feel wonderful for doing it - I wonder if I am going to turn into one of those people?
Started the Christmas shopping today!!! Got quite a bit of it done actually which is quite an achievement since it doesn't even exist here. No jolly music sweeping you through the shops - no carefully laid out areas of gifts for him and her and absolutely nothing that I could use as stocking fillers!!! but I have done my best and will no doubt have to do my best a couple of more times in the near future before I get it right!
I finally managed to find some cards which could pass as Christmas cards so will be doing that tomorrow night - after work another Saturday at work - I should complain more me thinks!!!
I finally made a complaint at work. I cannot believe I did it cos I spend most of my time worrying about getting into trouble for standing up to others. Anyway, I did it and I feel wonderful for doing it - I wonder if I am going to turn into one of those people?
Started the Christmas shopping today!!! Got quite a bit of it done actually which is quite an achievement since it doesn't even exist here. No jolly music sweeping you through the shops - no carefully laid out areas of gifts for him and her and absolutely nothing that I could use as stocking fillers!!! but I have done my best and will no doubt have to do my best a couple of more times in the near future before I get it right!
I finally managed to find some cards which could pass as Christmas cards so will be doing that tomorrow night - after work another Saturday at work - I should complain more me thinks!!!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
one of those days
Excuse me while I moan. Feel free to skim this to the happier parts (which I hope will come once I have wined a bit and the G&T has kicked in)
crap day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have wanted to punch and kick things from the second I opened my eyes this morning and the feeling has been pretty much encouraged to stay, fester and even develop over the course of the day. No one likes to be given extra work (especially when those around them spend their day IMing and generally fannying about.) I have always thought that I had an expressive face and that it was easy to tell when it was a good time to ask me to do something and when it is a good time to give me a wide berth. But no! one of my co workers always seems to ask me to 'help'. What do I have to do before I am left alone - spit venom?
There was a fashion show today which we took the kids to. I seems that little boys begin to letch after blondes in short skirts from a very early age. I was much impressed to see the 8-year-old girls glaring at their male counterparts for cheering the totty!! Shame they didn't clip them off the back of the head. Might save them doing it later in life.
crap day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have wanted to punch and kick things from the second I opened my eyes this morning and the feeling has been pretty much encouraged to stay, fester and even develop over the course of the day. No one likes to be given extra work (especially when those around them spend their day IMing and generally fannying about.) I have always thought that I had an expressive face and that it was easy to tell when it was a good time to ask me to do something and when it is a good time to give me a wide berth. But no! one of my co workers always seems to ask me to 'help'. What do I have to do before I am left alone - spit venom?
There was a fashion show today which we took the kids to. I seems that little boys begin to letch after blondes in short skirts from a very early age. I was much impressed to see the 8-year-old girls glaring at their male counterparts for cheering the totty!! Shame they didn't clip them off the back of the head. Might save them doing it later in life.
Monday, December 04, 2006
Buses and Bust Ups
You'll never guess what I saw this weekend!
As you will no doubt have gathered from my ramblings - we live next to a motorway. Well, on this motorway there are bus stops where buses stop and just like in Edinburgh they pull out willy nilly! However, unlike on Princes Street, here the cars are going MUCH faster. Yesterday I saw a great big BMW 4x4 thingy get pulled out in front of and he came to a halt in front of the bus and there started a right royal argy bargy!!! Hands waving, punches flying, women fainting, rocks smashing windows, passengers joining in - getting on another bus and that bus' driver feeling the need to get involved too!! It kept me entertained for a good ten minutes!!!
On the 'ahhh' meter: Today I did some hand painting in the Kindergarten (everyone but one child is off sick!!). We had a cracking time spodging paint about, having a blether about colours and the sounds the paint was making going splat on the paper. Now, I always measure pleasure with painting on the muck scale - the more the better!! So, off we went to wash our hands and faces which were covered in every colour under the sun. And what did my adorable little womble do? Did she wash her face or her hands first? Yep, she washed her face with her green hands! Hehehehe. I love working with children! They don't half make you smile!!!
As you will no doubt have gathered from my ramblings - we live next to a motorway. Well, on this motorway there are bus stops where buses stop and just like in Edinburgh they pull out willy nilly! However, unlike on Princes Street, here the cars are going MUCH faster. Yesterday I saw a great big BMW 4x4 thingy get pulled out in front of and he came to a halt in front of the bus and there started a right royal argy bargy!!! Hands waving, punches flying, women fainting, rocks smashing windows, passengers joining in - getting on another bus and that bus' driver feeling the need to get involved too!! It kept me entertained for a good ten minutes!!!
On the 'ahhh' meter: Today I did some hand painting in the Kindergarten (everyone but one child is off sick!!). We had a cracking time spodging paint about, having a blether about colours and the sounds the paint was making going splat on the paper. Now, I always measure pleasure with painting on the muck scale - the more the better!! So, off we went to wash our hands and faces which were covered in every colour under the sun. And what did my adorable little womble do? Did she wash her face or her hands first? Yep, she washed her face with her green hands! Hehehehe. I love working with children! They don't half make you smile!!!
Friday, December 01, 2006
A would be weekend
I really should have that yippee it is Friday feeling but it has escaped - I must do the unspeakable and go to work tomorrow. We don't have parents evenings here! Noooo we have parents Saturday!!!
What sucks even more is that I have it next weekend too!!!
Parents can come to speak to us during 2 one hour blocks during the week and just in case they miss that they can pop along on a Saturday too!!! Can you imagine the reaction to that in a British staffroom!
Ach well, I have sausage eggs and chips to look forward to. Well sausages...? Not proper ones - more like meat forced into a cylindrical shape (get that smile off!!!) But I do have HP Sauce!!!
What sucks even more is that I have it next weekend too!!!
Parents can come to speak to us during 2 one hour blocks during the week and just in case they miss that they can pop along on a Saturday too!!! Can you imagine the reaction to that in a British staffroom!
Ach well, I have sausage eggs and chips to look forward to. Well sausages...? Not proper ones - more like meat forced into a cylindrical shape (get that smile off!!!) But I do have HP Sauce!!!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Visitors
Mum and Dad have come to visit this month!Had a wonderful time with them and finally got out of the house and managed to go exploring.
Hopefully will find out how to add more photos to this blog. Apparently there is something called bloggerbod or something - if you see more than one photo here you will know that I have cracked it.
Their coming has cheered me up no end and for the first time since I got here I actually feel like I could stay here. Though something needs to give..... More later in another blog hopefully!!!!
OR THIS ONE! PLEASE CLICK ON THE PHOTO OF ME AND MUM TO SEE MORE!!!
Umut has his Phd exam next week and I am looking into finishing my MA so I can start too. Think I will go for Applied Linguistics too. That will be an MSc!!
Have fun all miss you loads....
Friday, November 03, 2006
No More Baklava
Just back from the dentist and my mouth is tingling and not in a good way. I was in the chair for over an hour and I really don't think it could have done my wrinkles any good.Another week is up and I am getting ready for mum and dad coming next week. Some of Umut's friends are coming at the same time - I think even on the same plane, so we will be spoilt for company and I will be able to speak in full Jockenese and be understood. What joy!!!!!
The weekend. The magic two days when I can do what I want (when everything else leaves me with the energy and or the inclination to do so) Last week I didn't get to have a full weekend cos I needed to go into school for the Republic Day celebrations. Not sure what to do with myself though... We'll see.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Ramadan Holidays
This holiday we went to Ankara to see the in laws.
We have not really had a good look at Ankara since we left 3 years ago and it has changed so much. It is like a real city now. The shopping is cracking and that is from some one who does not shop! I'm not sure if this is something I like or not but many of the shops are British Top Shop Next River Island Dorothy Perkins M&S Claire Accessorize Clarks etc. Very stange at least I understand the sizes of the clothes there!! And they are clothes designed for Brits! ie big bums!!!!!!
We had a great time at Umuts mums and is was a treat to be looked after and to eat yummy Turkish food. After a few months of eating rushed cooked-after-work-and-too-tired-to-care food and was a welcomed treat!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Weekend over
That Sunday feeling has struck.
bugger!!! back to work tomorrow
Listening to Jonathon Ross on the radio hoping that will cheer me up but the music is crap - no idea what it is - something to do with black country rock = has that got something to do with Birmingham? googled it = david bowie - still crap.
changed the hair colour today. first time around tried to do some subtle bits of ginger but instead got a big blob of pillarbox red so had to put the rest of the dye on my whole head. now most of it is red and there are some very red bit now - this stuff normally fades after a couple of washes anyway....
nope jonathon ross is nipping my head one minute please...
lets try dermot.
started to make our own web page. http://richyaman.bravehost.com/
hope to get some good stuff on it soon.
bugger!!! back to work tomorrow
Listening to Jonathon Ross on the radio hoping that will cheer me up but the music is crap - no idea what it is - something to do with black country rock = has that got something to do with Birmingham? googled it = david bowie - still crap.
changed the hair colour today. first time around tried to do some subtle bits of ginger but instead got a big blob of pillarbox red so had to put the rest of the dye on my whole head. now most of it is red and there are some very red bit now - this stuff normally fades after a couple of washes anyway....
nope jonathon ross is nipping my head one minute please...
lets try dermot.
started to make our own web page. http://richyaman.bravehost.com/
hope to get some good stuff on it soon.
Friday, October 06, 2006
First Month
Have been here just about a month now and beginning to get it.
Getting around is quite easy and folks are so helpful = not like Ankara where people just stare!! In fact, a notable absence of staring - thank fuck!!! - odd, Ive just noticed that peps here don't stare... (should I worry - have i lost it?) Anyway enough of the staring thing.
Living next to the motorway - cannot be healthy, slowly trying to fill the house with plants in a blond attempt to negate the fumes - no idea if it will work but looks good and makes me feel a bit better so who cares. However, the motorway and the ability to flag a bus down on the motorway (and to walk along the motorway if you like) means I can get anywhere fast! Though I have not really gone anywhere. Still haven't gone over to the other european side no boat trips or anything.
Finally up and running though on the internet front took a while because
Moved to temporary accomodation when we first got here - a tiny flat in a cool location in Acibadem. we didn't do anything there cos we knew we would be moving. Then we moved to a not so cool flat in a horrid area with the world's most noisy dogs and no heating!! for crying out loud it had a stove thing in the living room - very village meets city and hnot in a good way. AND We could hardly ourselves think over the noise from the street and don't get me strarted on the nights when Fener were playing at home - that close to the stadium. Started to get things going there - phone, digital TV etc and then we moved YIPPEE.
Now we have a home - finally. more about that later.
The area is alright. A short walk to school and a market on a thursday so lots of yummy fresh fruit and veg.
Getting around is quite easy and folks are so helpful = not like Ankara where people just stare!! In fact, a notable absence of staring - thank fuck!!! - odd, Ive just noticed that peps here don't stare... (should I worry - have i lost it?) Anyway enough of the staring thing.
Living next to the motorway - cannot be healthy, slowly trying to fill the house with plants in a blond attempt to negate the fumes - no idea if it will work but looks good and makes me feel a bit better so who cares. However, the motorway and the ability to flag a bus down on the motorway (and to walk along the motorway if you like) means I can get anywhere fast! Though I have not really gone anywhere. Still haven't gone over to the other european side no boat trips or anything.
Finally up and running though on the internet front took a while because
Moved to temporary accomodation when we first got here - a tiny flat in a cool location in Acibadem. we didn't do anything there cos we knew we would be moving. Then we moved to a not so cool flat in a horrid area with the world's most noisy dogs and no heating!! for crying out loud it had a stove thing in the living room - very village meets city and hnot in a good way. AND We could hardly ourselves think over the noise from the street and don't get me strarted on the nights when Fener were playing at home - that close to the stadium. Started to get things going there - phone, digital TV etc and then we moved YIPPEE.
Now we have a home - finally. more about that later.
The area is alright. A short walk to school and a market on a thursday so lots of yummy fresh fruit and veg.
School... My voice box is buggered!!! The kids like to talk talk talk and it doesn't seem to matter what I do (or anyone else it seems) they do not want to listen. Makes teaching a challenge but it is anyway!
Im also teaching in the nursery which is cool - the age goup i like working with.
Today is a holiday - Saving of Istanbul Day. We we are off today but back to school tomorrow to meet the parents. I am giving a presentation too!! presenting what the yabancis (foreigners) do. Need to dress smartly and get my hair done (argh!!!)
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