a photo a day

Ruby helps me write comments for my students - such a considerate kitty cat.

what i'm listening to right now

"heartbeat song," by kelly clarkson.  try not to dance to this song - i dare you:

a photo a day

At my school there is a lower school community service club called KOCI Kids (don't ask me what that stands for because I have no idea) and one of their projects is making notepads for teachers every year as a way to use up scrap paper (one side is blank and the other side is bad copies from the copier). They glue together one end to make a notepad and then write each teacher's name on the front and draw a picture. I got my annual notepad this week and I am CRACKING UP. 

1. My name was longer than expected. Happens to the best of us, kiddo. 

2. Excellent flower! If that is a flower. 

3. Yes, that's right: inside the flower are the words "egg salad." Please note that the cafeteria has egg salad every two weeks or so and I, being obsessed with egg salad, scan the menu for this day and put it on my calendar. Like you do. Because you wouldn't want to accidentally bring your lunch on egg salad day and miss it. My whole office knows about my obsession and shares my excitement when the day rolls around. And I miiiiiight have been excited at the salad bar one day a few months ago when a lower school teacher - who just happens to run the community service club - was there, and hence: this notepad happened. 

I will clearly be treasuring this artwork forever.

a photo a day

Because I work at an awesome school, on Monday morning we had a choice between normal professional development sessions or just fun workshops. I clearly signed up as soon as possible so I could get a spot in jewelry making, and I made these earrings!!! They are silver, made from a malleable clay made of silver, water, and chemicals. You shape it, then blow torch it, and the water and chemicals disappear and you're left with 99% silver! My colleague who taught the class made me feel so competent and confident and I looooove the earrings. Art class = awesome.

Pre-blow torching (I rolled out, cut, and stamped the clay with a pattern):

Post-blow torching and post-sanding/scrubbing/buffing:

Assembled!

I can tell if I'm early or late to work by where a certain runner is on the main road near school. Do I see him as I wait to turn into school? Then I'm on time. Is he further down the road? Then I'm a little late. He's not a small guy, and the story I've concocted in my head is that he has committed himself to getting in shape. Every day I cheer him on (silently) from my car. 

a photo a day

Tulips at the Dallas Arboretum, where we had brunch on Sunday. I hope it looks this beautiful in three weeks for Becky's wedding!

a ruby a day

"Scratch my chin some more and I'll forgive you for leaving me for ten days."

some photos I haven't shared yet, part II

Istanbul pictures I didn't post yet!

Looking up into the dome of the German Fountain in one of the main squares - so beautiful! There are lots of public fountains in Turkey - that are still in use! We saw several people filling up jugs with water while we were there. 

Selfie with Jenny in the Hagia Sophia!

The entrance from the Bosphorus Strait into the Black Sea, taken from the ruined castle we went to on our Bosphorus cruise. Can you guess what those structures are on either side?

Ferry ride back to Istanbul. 

At Topkapi Palace in Istanbul there were four little animal statues in a row. So of course we had a German tourist take this picture of us. 

The dome and the ceiling of the Blue Mosque. 

The Blue Mosque. I was initially surprised not to see any benches on the floor - but of course not, right?  This is where the men pray. Don't get me started on where the women pray. 

Selfie outside the Blue Mosque! Carrie Mathison is my muse. In fact, I am embarrassed to admit that a fair bit of what I know about Muslim culture came from Homeland. 

Up next: Observations by Miss Claire. 

some photos I haven't shared yet, part I

I love this picture from our hot air balloon day, taken from the ground, of another balloon headed up!

Hiking in Goreme on our first day! 

I didn't blog about going to an underground city near Goreme, but here are some pictures of that. The first two levels below ground were dug using bronze tools 4,000 years ago! Then six levels below that were dug more like 2,000 years ago. The people in the area would hide in these caves when enemy tribes invaded every few years. They would stay underground for up to six months at a time! They stored grain and animals in the caves, too, and made wine there, too. So cool.

This is a ramp between levels, showing how short these people were! We REALLY had to squat down to move between floors. 

Okay, this is incredibly cool. The people who lived here carved huge circular stones when they were digging out the caves and then placed them near all the exits. If enemies attacked, 8 or 10 strong men could roll the stone in front of the exits, protecting the people inside. Amazing!

Part II to come!

I am in the Toronto airport's border control waiting area, also known as airport purgatory. 

Pros:

I am not on the plane anymore. 

There is free wifi. 

I am not on the plane anymore. 

Cons:

They release you out of purgatory and into the border control line by flight. The Istanbul flight has been "processing" for half an hour. 

There is basketball on and I am not watching it. 

I will miss the Duke game while on my flight to Dallas. 

I already ate my emergency toblerone, because yes, I had an emergency toblerone in my bag. 

I have now resorted to talking to the TV screen THAT WILL NOT SHOW ISTANBUL AS COMPLETE. I am the crazy lady at this airport. I just want to enter your country, Canada!

There is a baby who is more sad than me. I will shut up now. 

a photo a day

Our last meal in Turkey was the best Italian food of my life, in a five table restaurant where the owner was born on the bottom floor, cooks on the third floor, and serves food on the fourth. Thank you, Trip Advisor! And only in Istanbul will the owner's cat be roaming the restaurant and it isn't weird when he comes by to be petted and then jumps up on your lap. This was what I had to reach over to eat my tiramisu. Zorro, you sweetheart!

(Only one of my three friends thought I was weird for allowing/enjoying this. I'd say I have some excellent friends.)

a photo a day

Last day in Istanbul! We went to the Topkapi Palace this morning, which the Ottomans built in the 15th century and is where the sultans lived until the 19th century. It is known for its tile work, which was incredible!

a photo a day

Today's adventure: a Bosphorus cruise! That sounds fancier than it was...we took the ferry north up the Bosphorus Strait to the little fishing village at the point where it meets the Black Sea, ate lunch (fish sandwiches for the others, roasted eggplant and bread for me) and explored a ruined castle at the top of a hill (excellent lookout point for bad guys coming in from the Black Sea), and then took the ferry back to central Istanbul. All told, it took about 5 hours and was time very well spent. (I love little adventures like finding this castle - when the ferry landed, the other tourists began hiking up a hill, so we followed them. Castle at the top! Victory!)

Here's the four of us at the top of the hill - there was a conveniently placed cafe right below the ruins where we stopped for a cup of cay (c makes a "ch" sound and changes the vowel after it from a short vowel to a long vowel - say it out loud, and you'll understand why "cay" is Turkish for "tea"!).

Another great day! Tomorrow is our last day in Istanbul (frowny face), so we have a lot we want to see before we leave!

a photo a day

We went to the Basilica Cistern this afternoon, an underground water storage space built in the 6th century. Like other tourist sites in the area, entrance was about 20 Turkish lira (about 8 dollars). And it was SO worth it. The columns are lit up in a way that makes it incredibly beautiful (and a tiny bit creepy, in a secret underground way), and I'm so impressed by the architecture which has survived for 1500 years. This city has been occupied - and important! - for a very long time, and I'm in awe of its history. 

We had dinner tonight with a grad school friend of mine who is Turkish and lives here in Istanbul. It was so good to see her and to ask questions and share our observations of the city and the culture. She was the perfect guide for the evening, taking us to a different part of the city than we'd been to so far. We laughed our way through dinner (kumpir - a super loaded baked potato that is a popular quick dinner here - and a waffle with Nutella and fruit).  I continue to love this country!

a photo a day

Day 1 in Istanbul! The Hagia Sophia ("Ayasofya" in Turkish) was amazing! It is 6th century Christian church that was later converted to a mosque and is now a museum. It was so cool (and odd) to see a mosaic of Jesus and Mary...and right next to it a huge calligraphied "Mohammed" written in Arabic.

Also, there was a cat inside. Because of course there was. Melissa gave him a scratch behind the ears. There are stray (but friendly and affectionate) cats and dogs everywhere in Turkey. I have loved on three cats and one dog since we arrived because, no, I haven't learned my lesson about touching animals I don't know. All my new cat and dog friends are sweethearts, though, so don't worry. 

Good news, team. "Vegetarian" in Turkish is "vejetaryen."  I don't think I can screw that one up too badly!  And so far I am eating really well. So much bread, beans (in soup and hummus form), and cheese in various forms. I had a hard boiled egg as part of breakfast both mornings because I know I'm not getting as much protein as usual. And there aren't a LOT of vegetables, but we've had salad with lunch both days, so that's something. I had manti (dumplings) stuffed with cheese for dinner last night,  which was delicious. The dumplings are served warm in a yogurt sauce and normally have meat inside, but the restaurant had cheese ones, too. Victory!

Elizabeth took a picture of the mezzi plate we got as an appetizer before dinner last night. So good! I could have eaten the whole plate. 

a photo a day

The view from the top floor of our hotel. I'm going to miss Goreme! The hotel owner is the cousin of one of Elizabeth's coworkers, and she and her husband have been SO good to us while we've been here. We feel like family!

On to Istanbul tonight.

a photo a day

A cave church from the 6th or 7th century!

The church is carved into the rock that makes up a high plateau around the city. Carved! A whole church! And you can just stroll in and look around. Amazing!  In the first photo (from the outside) you can see a bunch of tiny holes up high on the left. Any guesses about what they are? (They are everywhere and our hot air balloon guide told us about them.) 

In the second photo you can see the pulpit (again, carved into the hillside) at the center of the church where the minister would stand. This church is from before people in this area painted frescos in the churches. On our walk this afternoon we literally stumbled upon a cave church with frescos - so cool. 

a photo a day

It might have been 40 degrees and sprinkling rain during our hike this morning, but spring is coming! The flowering trees here are gorgeous. 

a photo a day

I woke up at 4:40am today, to the sound of the mosque next door calling people to prayer, and I did not complain once about how early it was, because a sunrise hot air balloon ride was on the agenda. Truly incredible. The airfare to get to Turkey has already been worth it!

a photo a day

Goreme, Turkey! The town and surrounding area are a Unesco World Heritage site. We're staying in a room that is a cave from the 16th century, originally used as a stable. The family who farmed here then lived in this room in the summer months. BEYOND COOL. And only 30 euros a night!

Istanbul bound, via Frankfurt!

do you guys know about the skimm?  it's an email newsletter that summarizes the important stories of the day in a fun manner and gives you the background information you need to understand news stories.  it was started by some ladies, but it isn't a lady-newsletter.  you should sign up!  it's free!  there's no reason not to.  i love it.

a photo a day

The worst part of going away on vacation is leaving Ruby behind.

Ruby thinks that if she hides under the bed in the exact middle where she is hard to reach, she doesn't have to go to the boarding place. In the past, I have been able to lure her out with food. Not today. Today got messy...

...but I (eventually) dragged her out, proving in the process that I will tear apart my apartment if necessary.

I'll miss my sweet girl!

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
—Buddha

a ruby a day

i am a horrible blogger.  oops sorry.

i am going to turkey on friday!  hooray for exciting spring break plans!  boo for not being able to bring this sweetheart along:

but sweet girl took a nap on me this afternoon, so we got some high quality snuggles in and we will both be okay.

i hereby promise photos from turkey as often as possible (aka as often as i have wifi).

onward!

what i'm listening to right now

people, are you watching transparent on amazon instant video?  because you should be.  it is a ten episode tv show that is original content for amazon.  i started watching because it won a few golden globes this fall and i put it on my list (alongside birdman, an honourable woman, and jane the virgin, which also won awards and seemed intriguing).

the premise of transparent is that a 65ish year old divorced father of three adult children comes out as transgendered and starts living life as a woman.  but unlike other movies like this that i have seen (boys don't cry, transamerica), this tv show is a comedy, and it is HILARIOUS.  the dad is perhaps the most normal character…the three kids are all train wrecks in their own way, the mom is remarried and has her own problems.  i laughed out loud at points in this show, which i binge-watched over a weekend.  it's not all funny - there are poignant moments, and it's a very thoughtful show - but perhaps we've moved into a place in our society where movies and tv shows about transgendered characters can have some humor in them, too.

one episode ends with this song, which i'd heard before but took on a new meaning in the context of the show:

"oh, sister," by bob dylan:

february: 3 & 4

in february i read:

into thin air, by jon krakauer (this was a re-read…or rather, a re-listen, since this time around i listened to the audiobook version in the car.  this book is the frontrunner for my school's all-upper school summer read.  i hadn't read it in 10 years, so i wanted to make sure it was as good as i remembered.  IT WAS.  omg the suspense!  and there are a lot of great things we could talk about with the kids: sherpa culture, the ethical obligations you have to others in a crisis, the role of journalism, the science of what happens to our bodies at high altitudes.  i think we have a winner!  if you haven't read this book, you must!)

dragonfly in amber, by diana gabaldon (oh yeah, that's right: i read the second book in this historical fiction-romance-time-travel adventure.  you read that genre right.  at 700 pages, this book took me a while to read, but i really enjoyed it.  i will certainly be reading book number three in this series…after a break to read some other things on my list!  and at $4.99 for the kindle version, this is basically the cheapest entertainment money can buy.)

what i'm listening to right now

a few weeks ago i saw the movie still alice, which is a fictional story of a 50-ish year old woman who finds out she has early-onset alzheimer's disease.

based on that description, you would never see that movie.

but my friend kate had read the book and wanted to see it, so i went with her.  and when we walked out, i said that it wasn't nearly as depressing as i thought it would be.  it is SO. SAD.  but it is about more than just the sadness.  and julianne moore does an incredible job as the main character.  i saw her interviewed on the daily show with jon stewart, and she said she didn't want to do anything in the movie that she hadn't witnessed an alzheimer's patient do in real life.  she did her research, and the part is beautifully acted.  so i would really recommend this movie!

the film ends with the credits rolling over this song, which i loved:

"if i had a boat," written by lyle lovett, covered by karen elson:

a Ruby a day

Ruby loooooooves to sleep on my lap while I knit, and she is enough of a grown up kitty now that she usually doesn't attack the yarn. I just knit over her sleeping body and everyone is happy!