Hello Everyone!
Once again, it has been awhile. And for the first time in six months I have spent more than six days in my house in Anchorage, Alaska. As there are moments of daylight left here in this cold, dark place I like to call home, it is soon to be New Years Eve, and tomorrow after the world is tired of partying and wakes up with hangovers, it will be the first of a new year, the first of 2014.
But I don't want to think about the future- at least that's not the purpose of this blog. The purpose of this blog is to reflect on the year 2013.
This has no doubt been the most significant, life-changing, unexpected year of my life. Life isn't just about numbers, it's not just about experiences you have, it's about how you feel, how you've changed and how you have grown and what you have learned from those experiences and numbers.
To recap in the year 2013:
I got accepted into six out of the seven colleges I applied to.
I graduated with honors from high school
I learned Turkish and went to Turkey with NSLI-Y
I moved to Wisconsin for college
I've joined numerous clubs and have been to numerous and amazing on campus events.
But it's not just about the things that I've done that I've listed above. Those are things to put on a resume. What matters more- what matters to me, at least is how these have changed me, of what I've learned from this. And let me tell you I've learned a lot. I've learned how to just be there for people and listen. I've learned that working in a group is just as important as working individually. I've learned that everywhere people have different stories and backgrounds. I've learned not to judge people as I truly cannot understand where they are coming from. And I've tried to help as many people as I can.
Needless to say I've changed over this year. Why does this matter? After all people change all the time, I've changed as a person before. What does changing as person really even mean?
While there are no concrete answers to these questions, here is what I think. I know myself better than anyone else. I know that this year I have experienced the most radical, rapid, brutal and beautiful changes of my life. I turned eighteen and then two days later I went to Turkey. I moved to college six days after I got back, leaving me to figure out everything. I am really independent now. I decide when to study, what groups to join, who my friends are, what I want to eat, everything is all up to me. This is scary, but it is also beautiful. I hope I've expressed in former entries how difficult, yet amazing my college experience has been. The things I've learned there, the conversations I've had and the people I've meet have all left there mark. I'm not the same person I was in August and I'm not the same person I was before I left for Turkey. Experiences in life have the potential to change people for the better, but only if you let them. I have been trying not to care to much what people think of me- after all it doesn't matter, but to go beyond that I have been trying to learn something and gain something positive out of every interaction I have with someone. No doubt I've made mistakes, I've hurt people, but every day I try to be better than the day before. I try to improve myself, not so people will like me, but if I never try, if I never try to improve, to make myself better and to help other people, I don't know what I would be doing with my life.
What does it mean to really change as a person? This question is not as philosophical as it sounds. For me, I've changed a lot, but what that means is I have has more experiences which I've decided to take, learn from and think about than before. To me, changing as a person isn't having a divine prophecy or epitome, it's choosing to think about your experiences and life in a different way- a way you hadn't thought of them before. It's also deciding what defines you rather than letting experiences and things that have happened to you define you.
So, in conclusion, this year has been amazing and needless to say I've changed a lot. I've become more independent, I've learned to be comfortable on my own, but I've also faced a lot of challenges. I am still trying to figure out how to balance family and my newfound independence. I am figuring out what I want to study and who is truly worth my time. I am figuring and finding out who I am and who I want to be. What I want to do and how I want to get there. While this sounds trivial and cheesy, it is important to me, important for me to think about and the most important questions I will answer in my life.
525,600 minutes, how do you measure a year? I'm not sure how to measure a year- if a year can be measured. I feel as though I have done more, gained more, cried more, and laughed more this year than any other. Oftentimes I have felt way to young to be doing what I'm doing, to be on my own, in college, to handle my own friendships with people and make my own decisions and habits, but I'm not. I'm exactly where I want and need to be. And yes things will be different next year, in 2014, not right away, but soon enough. And rather than focus on what will be different and embrace the way things will before, I will embrace and take advantage of every beautiful and amazing moment regardless of what it may be.
So here's to living life, here's to change, here's to different, here's to beauty and here's to you 2014. I'm not afraid of what will be, I'm excited to see what is to come.
To everyone, have a safe a happy New Years!
Till next time,
Sarah
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Everything After
Hello Readers,
It's been a while.
As anyone who has read this blog before knows that by this point I am in college. What you might not know is that I am not continuing Turkish, but I will address this in a moment.
It is raining as the changing of the leaves on the trees brighten up the gray sky. I walk back to my dorm after work as I do not have class this afternoon and I know...
I know that this is where I am suppose to be right now. Right here, in this moment.
It is needless to say that I am and have changed again, since I left Turkey, but Turkey and my experiences there are still meaningful and the language I learned is still important to me. But this is also important. It is difficult to describe my college experience, so far and I don't know if I will ever be able to explain it fully to anyone and no doubt it will change, again. But in this moment, this is my attempt.
Being here is one of the most challenging, frustrating, and difficult things I've done. It is also one of the most beautiful, incredible and amazing experiences of my life. Every moment of every day, every interaction I have with someone, I learn something, I gain something from that experience. I have learned just as much in the classroom as I have by talking to people at dinner or just trying something new. And I have made incredible friends by doing this.
College has also been incredibly frustrating. I came into college thinking that I knew what I want to do, not only as a major, but I (thought) I knew who I wanted to work for, as well. This is still more or less the same, I find myself not knowing exactly what I want in life. On a more personal level I came to college not expecting anything. I thought I would get my degree, graduate, and that would be the end of the story. Needless to say I was wrong. I have learned so much. I have come to love this place and I am constantly learning and relearning how to love myself, the place I am at in my life and others.
During this thing called college, I have found that my experiences in Turkey haven't left me. What I can express in words that I have gained from studying abroad is that well your experience does come to an end, the place(s) you go never truly leave you, they stay with you, influence you and help you understand. Also independence. It is hard to explain what I mean by this, but if I hadn't gone to Turkey I would not be as comfortable being as independent as I am in college. And then there is Turkish. I would love to continue studying Turkish and eventually become fluent in it, but unfortunately I do not have the time nor is it possible for me to take Turkish at another university. However I do plan on studying it during winter and summer breaks, depending on how much free time I have.
I guess my point, my reason for writing this is, I wanted to write something about how a study abroad experience doesn't just stay in the country when you leave. It comes with you, you take pieces of that life you had for a summer/semester/year and incorporate it into your current ever changing life. I also wanted to give anyone/everyone who still reads this an update on how college is going.
"Either writes something worth reading or do something worth writing."
-Benjamin Franklin
I find a lot of truth in this quote and even though I am still figuring out how to express my thoughts, ideas and actions in writing. I know I am doing something worth writing about every minute of every day, or I try to at least. While I don't know where my life is going and I don't see my life coming together any time soon, I am learning how to cherish the moment. It was easier in Turkey because six weeks is such a short amount of time compared to four years. I am learning, though that this moment is a moment already passed and might never come again. Which is why I am working to do everything I possibly can here, take advantage of all the opportunities as they come to me, because they may never come again. And this is scary, but it's a lot scarier to think about what you could've done, when the moment is already past.
In short I am just doing everything I love and I'll let life work itself out. I'll figure it out. Somedays it feels like I will have no time to do everything that I want, but I get through those. I am starting to view life as an unexpected beautiful journey and I, for the time being, am just here to enjoy the ride.
That's all I really wanted to say.
Till next time,
Sarah
It's been a while.
As anyone who has read this blog before knows that by this point I am in college. What you might not know is that I am not continuing Turkish, but I will address this in a moment.
It is raining as the changing of the leaves on the trees brighten up the gray sky. I walk back to my dorm after work as I do not have class this afternoon and I know...
I know that this is where I am suppose to be right now. Right here, in this moment.
It is needless to say that I am and have changed again, since I left Turkey, but Turkey and my experiences there are still meaningful and the language I learned is still important to me. But this is also important. It is difficult to describe my college experience, so far and I don't know if I will ever be able to explain it fully to anyone and no doubt it will change, again. But in this moment, this is my attempt.
Being here is one of the most challenging, frustrating, and difficult things I've done. It is also one of the most beautiful, incredible and amazing experiences of my life. Every moment of every day, every interaction I have with someone, I learn something, I gain something from that experience. I have learned just as much in the classroom as I have by talking to people at dinner or just trying something new. And I have made incredible friends by doing this.
College has also been incredibly frustrating. I came into college thinking that I knew what I want to do, not only as a major, but I (thought) I knew who I wanted to work for, as well. This is still more or less the same, I find myself not knowing exactly what I want in life. On a more personal level I came to college not expecting anything. I thought I would get my degree, graduate, and that would be the end of the story. Needless to say I was wrong. I have learned so much. I have come to love this place and I am constantly learning and relearning how to love myself, the place I am at in my life and others.
During this thing called college, I have found that my experiences in Turkey haven't left me. What I can express in words that I have gained from studying abroad is that well your experience does come to an end, the place(s) you go never truly leave you, they stay with you, influence you and help you understand. Also independence. It is hard to explain what I mean by this, but if I hadn't gone to Turkey I would not be as comfortable being as independent as I am in college. And then there is Turkish. I would love to continue studying Turkish and eventually become fluent in it, but unfortunately I do not have the time nor is it possible for me to take Turkish at another university. However I do plan on studying it during winter and summer breaks, depending on how much free time I have.
I guess my point, my reason for writing this is, I wanted to write something about how a study abroad experience doesn't just stay in the country when you leave. It comes with you, you take pieces of that life you had for a summer/semester/year and incorporate it into your current ever changing life. I also wanted to give anyone/everyone who still reads this an update on how college is going.
"Either writes something worth reading or do something worth writing."
-Benjamin Franklin
I find a lot of truth in this quote and even though I am still figuring out how to express my thoughts, ideas and actions in writing. I know I am doing something worth writing about every minute of every day, or I try to at least. While I don't know where my life is going and I don't see my life coming together any time soon, I am learning how to cherish the moment. It was easier in Turkey because six weeks is such a short amount of time compared to four years. I am learning, though that this moment is a moment already passed and might never come again. Which is why I am working to do everything I possibly can here, take advantage of all the opportunities as they come to me, because they may never come again. And this is scary, but it's a lot scarier to think about what you could've done, when the moment is already past.
In short I am just doing everything I love and I'll let life work itself out. I'll figure it out. Somedays it feels like I will have no time to do everything that I want, but I get through those. I am starting to view life as an unexpected beautiful journey and I, for the time being, am just here to enjoy the ride.
That's all I really wanted to say.
Till next time,
Sarah
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Hello Everyone!
So to whomever is still reading this, I am sorry, but I have been really busy ever since I've got back from Turkey.
First of all since I've returned home, my life has changed again. I have been in college for three weeks now! So far it is mostly fun. If anyone cares I am taking intro to Anthropology, Spanish, International Politics and a first year seminar course. As much fun as college is, it is also a lot of work, which is mostly why I haven't been updating because I really haven't had time.
As I am in college after studying abroad I've realized a few things, 1) I am use to this sense of independence that I have. Of course I am still slightly adjusting because I have more independence than I did in Turkey, but I feel like if I hadn't had that experience adjusting to this would be harder. 2) I seem to be better at resolving conflict. I am way more direct with people now about what I want and how I am feeling. This is really good and my communication with people I feel is much better than before I left. 3) I am just generally better at connecting with people. There is a guy in my first year seminar class from Istanbul and we get along super well, aside from that I find that I am just better to relating and understanding people as a whole.
I'm not really sure what else to say in this post. In case you are wondering I have only talked to my host sister through Facebook a few times. I really want to stay in communication with my host family, but I have been so busy here it is really hard. On the plus side I am getting more use to the courseload which is good.
Here is the reflection part. There are some aspect of Turkey that stay with me. When I walk off my quite college campus to go to the bookstore I expect crowed Turkish streets, people hustling about and cars that won't stop for you. And in these moments I miss Turkey, I miss Bursa and I miss constantly learning. Don't get me wrong I am constantly learning here, it is just a different type of learning. My point is that no matter what happens to me in this month, year and in life Turkey will always be a part of me.
I'm not sure how often I'll be blogging from now on. I might update occasionally if something really exciting in my life happens. I just wanted to update saying that all is well, I am having an amazing time in college and I wanted to write saying that even though my study abroad experience is over my life is not. I will continue existing in this vast world trying and hoping to make a difference. Leaving places and people better than I found them and most importantly enjoying the ride known as life.
I also might decide to continue blogging in a few years when I have the opportunity to go abroad again.
First of all since I've returned home, my life has changed again. I have been in college for three weeks now! So far it is mostly fun. If anyone cares I am taking intro to Anthropology, Spanish, International Politics and a first year seminar course. As much fun as college is, it is also a lot of work, which is mostly why I haven't been updating because I really haven't had time.
As I am in college after studying abroad I've realized a few things, 1) I am use to this sense of independence that I have. Of course I am still slightly adjusting because I have more independence than I did in Turkey, but I feel like if I hadn't had that experience adjusting to this would be harder. 2) I seem to be better at resolving conflict. I am way more direct with people now about what I want and how I am feeling. This is really good and my communication with people I feel is much better than before I left. 3) I am just generally better at connecting with people. There is a guy in my first year seminar class from Istanbul and we get along super well, aside from that I find that I am just better to relating and understanding people as a whole.
I'm not really sure what else to say in this post. In case you are wondering I have only talked to my host sister through Facebook a few times. I really want to stay in communication with my host family, but I have been so busy here it is really hard. On the plus side I am getting more use to the courseload which is good.
Here is the reflection part. There are some aspect of Turkey that stay with me. When I walk off my quite college campus to go to the bookstore I expect crowed Turkish streets, people hustling about and cars that won't stop for you. And in these moments I miss Turkey, I miss Bursa and I miss constantly learning. Don't get me wrong I am constantly learning here, it is just a different type of learning. My point is that no matter what happens to me in this month, year and in life Turkey will always be a part of me.
I'm not sure how often I'll be blogging from now on. I might update occasionally if something really exciting in my life happens. I just wanted to update saying that all is well, I am having an amazing time in college and I wanted to write saying that even though my study abroad experience is over my life is not. I will continue existing in this vast world trying and hoping to make a difference. Leaving places and people better than I found them and most importantly enjoying the ride known as life.
I also might decide to continue blogging in a few years when I have the opportunity to go abroad again.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Leaving
As you can tell by the post title these wonderful six weeks have come to an end. On Friday I will leave, with my bags packed once again and travel almost half way around the world to return home. This blog post is only an attempt at describing my feelings.
Six weeks, if you think about it, it really isn't that much amount of time, I mean really, what can happen in six weeks? A lot. In these past six weeks I have moved half way across the world, gotten lost and have effectively communicated with people who don't speak English. And this my friends, is just the beginning.
People are so amazing. People who were just names on a piece of paper six weeks ago have accepted me into their home and have done so much for me, it is unbelieveable. And of course I have changed. I've grown up. I've become way more independent. I can work the public transportation system in a country where I can barely speak the langauge. There's more to this though.
Here you're actions speak 100X louder than words. Why? Because you can't speak the language. Even subtle things that you wouldn't even notice at home can be a big deal here. Imagine having everyone judge you based on what you do and not what you say. Words help a lot, but this has also taught me something. You can say anything you want, but until you actually do it, what you say doesn't mean anything.
Before I left a friend gave me this quote "Travel is more than the seeing of sights. It is change deep and permant in the ideas of living". I think I understand this quote better now. I have had the opportunity to live in a city that is over 1000 years old. I have learned history, gained a better understanding of a major world religion, and met people who have completely different views from me. And I have barely scratched the surface.
I know now, that this is what I want to do. I want to travel, I want to learn languages, meet and understand people from all over the world. I don't neccessarily want to change the world, though. I want the world to change me and help as many people as I can along the way.
"Exchange is change, rapid, brutal, beautiful change." I've changed, not a lot, I am still me, but I think I am starting to understand better. Understand that I should pay attention to what I do as well as what I say and understand that people everywhere are more or less the same. We all want to love and be loved in return, we all have wants, hopes, desires and dreams. Of course it has taken me a while to get here. And this experience has been the most difficult experience of my life. Not being able to express myself fully and not being able to communicate effecitively is hard, really hard.
No one has to go anywhere and no one has to learn another language I mean after all it's comfortable over there, why would you ever want to change, go somewhere different? Because you learn, love, laugh and cry so much. Coming to Turkey, I had no idea what to expect or what I would find. And all I have found is that people are really friendly, even when you don't speak Turkish they are still really friendly. By coming here, my mind and heart have been opened a little more.
I don't want to pack and leave. I want to stay here longer because I feel as though I am jurtst starting to understand. Unfortnately that is not an option. If anyone who has thought about going abroad, go for as long as you can. It might not always be easy, but it will be one of the best experiences of your life.
As I am typing this, two days from now I will have said goodbye to my host family and be on a bus and then a farry headed for İstanbul. It's amazing how much your life can change in one day, one week and one month. Sooner than I would like to, I will be back home, packing for another adventure.
As the sunsets upon this ancient, mountanious city it is poetic. Bursa has left an impression upon me, an impression that I don't want to fade or forget. And going home after this has it's own challenges, but like coming here I am neither prepared nor ready for what lies ahead.
The next time I post, I will be back home, in Alaska, speaking English. To the people who helpeisd me get here, mom, dad, Haley and any friends who are reading this, thank you so much, I honestly don't know what I would do without you. To anyone else who reads this. Thanks for reading, however these words do not even express half of what I have experienced and what it is truely like to study abroad.
Till next time,
-Sarah
Six weeks, if you think about it, it really isn't that much amount of time, I mean really, what can happen in six weeks? A lot. In these past six weeks I have moved half way across the world, gotten lost and have effectively communicated with people who don't speak English. And this my friends, is just the beginning.
People are so amazing. People who were just names on a piece of paper six weeks ago have accepted me into their home and have done so much for me, it is unbelieveable. And of course I have changed. I've grown up. I've become way more independent. I can work the public transportation system in a country where I can barely speak the langauge. There's more to this though.
Here you're actions speak 100X louder than words. Why? Because you can't speak the language. Even subtle things that you wouldn't even notice at home can be a big deal here. Imagine having everyone judge you based on what you do and not what you say. Words help a lot, but this has also taught me something. You can say anything you want, but until you actually do it, what you say doesn't mean anything.
Before I left a friend gave me this quote "Travel is more than the seeing of sights. It is change deep and permant in the ideas of living". I think I understand this quote better now. I have had the opportunity to live in a city that is over 1000 years old. I have learned history, gained a better understanding of a major world religion, and met people who have completely different views from me. And I have barely scratched the surface.
I know now, that this is what I want to do. I want to travel, I want to learn languages, meet and understand people from all over the world. I don't neccessarily want to change the world, though. I want the world to change me and help as many people as I can along the way.
"Exchange is change, rapid, brutal, beautiful change." I've changed, not a lot, I am still me, but I think I am starting to understand better. Understand that I should pay attention to what I do as well as what I say and understand that people everywhere are more or less the same. We all want to love and be loved in return, we all have wants, hopes, desires and dreams. Of course it has taken me a while to get here. And this experience has been the most difficult experience of my life. Not being able to express myself fully and not being able to communicate effecitively is hard, really hard.
No one has to go anywhere and no one has to learn another language I mean after all it's comfortable over there, why would you ever want to change, go somewhere different? Because you learn, love, laugh and cry so much. Coming to Turkey, I had no idea what to expect or what I would find. And all I have found is that people are really friendly, even when you don't speak Turkish they are still really friendly. By coming here, my mind and heart have been opened a little more.
I don't want to pack and leave. I want to stay here longer because I feel as though I am jurtst starting to understand. Unfortnately that is not an option. If anyone who has thought about going abroad, go for as long as you can. It might not always be easy, but it will be one of the best experiences of your life.
As I am typing this, two days from now I will have said goodbye to my host family and be on a bus and then a farry headed for İstanbul. It's amazing how much your life can change in one day, one week and one month. Sooner than I would like to, I will be back home, packing for another adventure.
As the sunsets upon this ancient, mountanious city it is poetic. Bursa has left an impression upon me, an impression that I don't want to fade or forget. And going home after this has it's own challenges, but like coming here I am neither prepared nor ready for what lies ahead.
The next time I post, I will be back home, in Alaska, speaking English. To the people who helpeisd me get here, mom, dad, Haley and any friends who are reading this, thank you so much, I honestly don't know what I would do without you. To anyone else who reads this. Thanks for reading, however these words do not even express half of what I have experienced and what it is truely like to study abroad.
Till next time,
-Sarah
Monday, July 29, 2013
Bu Hafta
Merhaba!
So this blog title translate to This Week!
Pazartesi ve Salı: These days I didn't really do much, just school and home mostly. It is really nice though and I appreciate these days because I have time to relax. But not much happene.
Çarşamba: This day was awesome. After school we went as a group to volunteer at an underprivliged childrens center. While we mostly played games, it was really nice to interact with them and it was really fun.
Perşambe: Thursday was so much fun. I went out with my host sister and her friends for İftar. It was great to meet all of her friends and they really liked me and I really liked them. It was such a fun evening and that made me really wish I was staying here for a year and going to a Turkish high school, but I am in no way complaining. The amount of time I have been giving here is amazing. It's just hard not to wish it was longer.
Cuma: On Friday, after school I went shopping with some of the other Americans to Kosa Han, the İpek pazar. It was great to go shopping and I got more gifts for my family and friends. I think I am going to bring back an entire suitcase of gifts for people, either way I need another one because my one is already overweight. But anyway, shopping was fun and Kosa Han is çok güzel.
Cumartesi: This day I slept in and went to a cousins house for İftar. İftar in the evening was really fun because I am starting to speak more Turkish and am able to understand way more. I am still a beginner, of course, but my Turkish is a million times better than it was before I came. I really don't want to leave Turkey, I want to stay and become fluent in Türkçe. Oh well, it is what it is. After İftar we went to our summer house and then we went home. I got home at 1:30, slept for two hours, woke up at 3 for kahvaltı then slept until nine.
Pazar: On Sunday we went to Yalova, which is a town about an hour and a half away from Bursa. It was by the sea and so pretty. We only stayed there for a few hours, though. We then went food shopping, went to our summer house for İftar then a few hours later came back home. It was a good and relaxing day. There was a lot of driving, though.
That was pretty much my week. I know I didn't write much, and believe me, I could've written way more. I am just trying not to spend too much time on the computer. All in all it was a really good week. I can't believe that in less than two weeks I will be back in the U.S. This is really crazy. I also didn't write much because things here are more or less normal and I have settled into what is more or less of a routine here.
I love it here and I love Turkey. This truely is an experience of a lifetime and I am going to spend this next week and a half learning as much as I can and seeing as much as I can.
Till next time
-Sarah
So this blog title translate to This Week!
Pazartesi ve Salı: These days I didn't really do much, just school and home mostly. It is really nice though and I appreciate these days because I have time to relax. But not much happene.
Çarşamba: This day was awesome. After school we went as a group to volunteer at an underprivliged childrens center. While we mostly played games, it was really nice to interact with them and it was really fun.
Perşambe: Thursday was so much fun. I went out with my host sister and her friends for İftar. It was great to meet all of her friends and they really liked me and I really liked them. It was such a fun evening and that made me really wish I was staying here for a year and going to a Turkish high school, but I am in no way complaining. The amount of time I have been giving here is amazing. It's just hard not to wish it was longer.
Cuma: On Friday, after school I went shopping with some of the other Americans to Kosa Han, the İpek pazar. It was great to go shopping and I got more gifts for my family and friends. I think I am going to bring back an entire suitcase of gifts for people, either way I need another one because my one is already overweight. But anyway, shopping was fun and Kosa Han is çok güzel.
Cumartesi: This day I slept in and went to a cousins house for İftar. İftar in the evening was really fun because I am starting to speak more Turkish and am able to understand way more. I am still a beginner, of course, but my Turkish is a million times better than it was before I came. I really don't want to leave Turkey, I want to stay and become fluent in Türkçe. Oh well, it is what it is. After İftar we went to our summer house and then we went home. I got home at 1:30, slept for two hours, woke up at 3 for kahvaltı then slept until nine.
Pazar: On Sunday we went to Yalova, which is a town about an hour and a half away from Bursa. It was by the sea and so pretty. We only stayed there for a few hours, though. We then went food shopping, went to our summer house for İftar then a few hours later came back home. It was a good and relaxing day. There was a lot of driving, though.
That was pretty much my week. I know I didn't write much, and believe me, I could've written way more. I am just trying not to spend too much time on the computer. All in all it was a really good week. I can't believe that in less than two weeks I will be back in the U.S. This is really crazy. I also didn't write much because things here are more or less normal and I have settled into what is more or less of a routine here.
I love it here and I love Turkey. This truely is an experience of a lifetime and I am going to spend this next week and a half learning as much as I can and seeing as much as I can.
Till next time
-Sarah
Monday, July 22, 2013
Half Way There
So, as you can tell from the title, I have been in Turkey for three weeks and have three weeks left.
My blog entry today is going to be about last week.
Monday- On Monday I went to school, like normal. School is normal at this point. It is constant and doesn't change along with lunch. Anyway after school I went to a bizarre to go shopping and get present for my family and friends, unfortunately I didn't bring enough money, so I'll just have to come back. We got home around four and then watched T.V until we went to my host Uncle's place for İftar. My host family and extended host family is great. They are all so nice and my little host cousins are adorable.
Tuesday- On Tuesday's we have peer language tutoring at a park. After this I walked around Bursa with my host sister and her friend. This was way better than it sounds. We just walked around Bursa for an hour or so. Bursa is so pretty and it was so much fun. I really want to go exploring\shopping again before I leave, so I will have to make that a priority.
Wednesday- This was a really interesting day. After school we took a bus to İznik, which is about an hour outside of Bursa. İznik was so pretty and we also had some time to go shopping. It was wonderful. However my host sister didn't come because she had English class. We got back to Bursa at 8 in the evening and I took the bus home. The bus didn't stop where it usually stops, meaning I got slightly lost. I use the word slightly because I had a general idea of where I was. Again this seems totally fine, but it was getting dark and it was after the evening call to prayer meaning a lot of people were having İftar, so there weren't a lot of people on the streets. I made it back home safe, but still I was so nervous and scared I wouldn't make it back.
Thursday- I can't really remember what I did on Thursday after class and peer language tutoring. Sorry.
Friday- On Friday after school, I came home and after my sister finished her homework we watched films until İftar, it was a muh needed relaxing evening. I also went to a mosque with my host family during prayer time. This was a very interesting experience. I can't really describe it, but I'm glad I went.
Saturday- On Saturday we had the option of going with the group to a seramik studio. It was so much fun! We got to paint our own pots and it was really cool to see a very traditional art of Turkey. I am also excited to see how mine turns out. After that we went to the sinema and then we went home and I did my homework. It was a very fun, but also a very long day.
Sunday- Yesterday my host family hosted this big İftar party at our summer house, so we spent all day getting ready. The party itself was fun and I got home at 1:30 in the morning. I fell alsleep for about an hour and a half, but generally here I am staying up so much later. Hopefully that will make that will make the first few weeks of college easier.
All in all these three weeks in Turkey have been amazing and I can't wait to see what these next few weeks will bring. Also I will post pictures when I get back, as I didn't bring my own computuer.
Till next time,
-Sarah
My blog entry today is going to be about last week.
Monday- On Monday I went to school, like normal. School is normal at this point. It is constant and doesn't change along with lunch. Anyway after school I went to a bizarre to go shopping and get present for my family and friends, unfortunately I didn't bring enough money, so I'll just have to come back. We got home around four and then watched T.V until we went to my host Uncle's place for İftar. My host family and extended host family is great. They are all so nice and my little host cousins are adorable.
Tuesday- On Tuesday's we have peer language tutoring at a park. After this I walked around Bursa with my host sister and her friend. This was way better than it sounds. We just walked around Bursa for an hour or so. Bursa is so pretty and it was so much fun. I really want to go exploring\shopping again before I leave, so I will have to make that a priority.
Wednesday- This was a really interesting day. After school we took a bus to İznik, which is about an hour outside of Bursa. İznik was so pretty and we also had some time to go shopping. It was wonderful. However my host sister didn't come because she had English class. We got back to Bursa at 8 in the evening and I took the bus home. The bus didn't stop where it usually stops, meaning I got slightly lost. I use the word slightly because I had a general idea of where I was. Again this seems totally fine, but it was getting dark and it was after the evening call to prayer meaning a lot of people were having İftar, so there weren't a lot of people on the streets. I made it back home safe, but still I was so nervous and scared I wouldn't make it back.
Thursday- I can't really remember what I did on Thursday after class and peer language tutoring. Sorry.
Friday- On Friday after school, I came home and after my sister finished her homework we watched films until İftar, it was a muh needed relaxing evening. I also went to a mosque with my host family during prayer time. This was a very interesting experience. I can't really describe it, but I'm glad I went.
Saturday- On Saturday we had the option of going with the group to a seramik studio. It was so much fun! We got to paint our own pots and it was really cool to see a very traditional art of Turkey. I am also excited to see how mine turns out. After that we went to the sinema and then we went home and I did my homework. It was a very fun, but also a very long day.
Sunday- Yesterday my host family hosted this big İftar party at our summer house, so we spent all day getting ready. The party itself was fun and I got home at 1:30 in the morning. I fell alsleep for about an hour and a half, but generally here I am staying up so much later. Hopefully that will make that will make the first few weeks of college easier.
All in all these three weeks in Turkey have been amazing and I can't wait to see what these next few weeks will bring. Also I will post pictures when I get back, as I didn't bring my own computuer.
Till next time,
-Sarah
Monday, July 15, 2013
Weekend Trips and Cutural Differences
Merhaba!
First of all this week has been great! The longer I am here the more I love it.
Now I would like to aplogize for my last entry. I realized I didn't say much, but I really had to go to school. But don't worry, everything here has been great.
First of all this week has by been really good. But I am going to talk about the weekend.
Over the weekend we went to Troia (Troy) and Çanakkale. Çanakkale was really fun. It was a long trip, though. Çanakkale is a very important town where a lot of Word War I battels took place. It was really great to see all of this history up close. However like I said it was really long. At midnight we took a seven hour bus ride there and came back to Bursa at midnight Sunday.
On Sunday my host family ans I visited Uludağ. The mountain in Bursa. Again it was so much fun. We just went exploring. It was great and I took lots of pictures!
This place and this experience is truely amazing. I am so so glad I have this amazing opportunity. I am also sorry because I can't\don't have time to write about everything that has happened. I will maybe try writing about everthing that has happened this week next week. Although since Ramadan\Ramazan has started I have been over to a lot of people's houses for İftar- or the breaking of the fast.
Since I have been in Turkey for two weeks here are some cultural differences I have noticed:
1. Call to Prayer:
This is absolutely beautiful and yes it does play five times a day.
2. Food:
Obviously the food here is different, but it is not just that. There is so much food here and people offer you so much it is ridiculous. Along with this Turkish tea is served at every meal. I love Turkish tea so much. I don't know how I am going to live without it in the states.
3. Ramazan:
For those of you who don't know Ramadan- or Ramazan as the Turks call it Ramazan- has started. This means people are going all day without food or water. It is really amazing and I can't imagine what it would be like to fast for an entire month. Anyway, this means İftar, the breaking of the fast. Along with İftar there is also drumming in the street at 3 a.m to wake people up for breakfeast. The drumming is actually reall cool and I like it a lot.
4. Driving:
The driving here is a lot more crazy and crossing the street is jay walking when there is no trafik. Mom don't worry I am safe and completely fine.
5. Time:
This is realated to doing stuff. Turkish time is much more relaxed and sometimes people will say they will do something and we'll end up doing something else. I actually really like this. It's fun to just go with the flow and I love waking up and not knowing what is going to happen. It's great.
That's about all for now. Tomorrow I will take the bus by myself. I am really excited. I will also sort through pictures when I get back to the states.
Hope to update in a week!
Görüşürüz
-Sarah
First of all this week has been great! The longer I am here the more I love it.
Now I would like to aplogize for my last entry. I realized I didn't say much, but I really had to go to school. But don't worry, everything here has been great.
First of all this week has by been really good. But I am going to talk about the weekend.
Over the weekend we went to Troia (Troy) and Çanakkale. Çanakkale was really fun. It was a long trip, though. Çanakkale is a very important town where a lot of Word War I battels took place. It was really great to see all of this history up close. However like I said it was really long. At midnight we took a seven hour bus ride there and came back to Bursa at midnight Sunday.
On Sunday my host family ans I visited Uludağ. The mountain in Bursa. Again it was so much fun. We just went exploring. It was great and I took lots of pictures!
This place and this experience is truely amazing. I am so so glad I have this amazing opportunity. I am also sorry because I can't\don't have time to write about everything that has happened. I will maybe try writing about everthing that has happened this week next week. Although since Ramadan\Ramazan has started I have been over to a lot of people's houses for İftar- or the breaking of the fast.
Since I have been in Turkey for two weeks here are some cultural differences I have noticed:
1. Call to Prayer:
This is absolutely beautiful and yes it does play five times a day.
2. Food:
Obviously the food here is different, but it is not just that. There is so much food here and people offer you so much it is ridiculous. Along with this Turkish tea is served at every meal. I love Turkish tea so much. I don't know how I am going to live without it in the states.
3. Ramazan:
For those of you who don't know Ramadan- or Ramazan as the Turks call it Ramazan- has started. This means people are going all day without food or water. It is really amazing and I can't imagine what it would be like to fast for an entire month. Anyway, this means İftar, the breaking of the fast. Along with İftar there is also drumming in the street at 3 a.m to wake people up for breakfeast. The drumming is actually reall cool and I like it a lot.
4. Driving:
The driving here is a lot more crazy and crossing the street is jay walking when there is no trafik. Mom don't worry I am safe and completely fine.
5. Time:
This is realated to doing stuff. Turkish time is much more relaxed and sometimes people will say they will do something and we'll end up doing something else. I actually really like this. It's fun to just go with the flow and I love waking up and not knowing what is going to happen. It's great.
That's about all for now. Tomorrow I will take the bus by myself. I am really excited. I will also sort through pictures when I get back to the states.
Hope to update in a week!
Görüşürüz
-Sarah
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
About These Past Two Weeks
Merhaba!
I am safely in Tukey!!!!! Sorry I have not posted sooner I wanted to wait to ging tet setteled. So I am just go to start from the begining.
Orientation:
So getting to D.C was a bit of an adventure. Long story short my flight to Chicago got delayed three or four times, but everything worked out in the end.
Actual orientation was so much fun. It was really nice to meet everyone, even though we did spend all of our time in hotel meeting rooms. It was also nice to meet the China kids.
Paris:
Before actually making it to İstanbul we had a five hour layover in the Paris airport. It was suprisingly fun, but also tiring because all of us were sleep deprived. But I tried macroones for the first time and they were delicious.
İstanbul:
We got in to İstanbul Saturday evening and on Sunday we went sight seeing and to the Eyptian Bizarre. It was much fun. On Monday we went to a security briefing at the U.S consolate and then boarded a fairy to Bursa.
This past week:
Has been great. My host family is so sweet and school going well. On the weekend we went to their summer home and it was so nice to spend time with them. Everything here is great so far. There is a post I want to write about culturlal differences that I have noticed, but that can wait because I have to go to school.
I just wanted to update this for anyone who reads it.
Görüşürüz,
-Sarah
I am safely in Tukey!!!!! Sorry I have not posted sooner I wanted to wait to ging tet setteled. So I am just go to start from the begining.
Orientation:
So getting to D.C was a bit of an adventure. Long story short my flight to Chicago got delayed three or four times, but everything worked out in the end.
Actual orientation was so much fun. It was really nice to meet everyone, even though we did spend all of our time in hotel meeting rooms. It was also nice to meet the China kids.
Paris:
Before actually making it to İstanbul we had a five hour layover in the Paris airport. It was suprisingly fun, but also tiring because all of us were sleep deprived. But I tried macroones for the first time and they were delicious.
İstanbul:
We got in to İstanbul Saturday evening and on Sunday we went sight seeing and to the Eyptian Bizarre. It was much fun. On Monday we went to a security briefing at the U.S consolate and then boarded a fairy to Bursa.
This past week:
Has been great. My host family is so sweet and school going well. On the weekend we went to their summer home and it was so nice to spend time with them. Everything here is great so far. There is a post I want to write about culturlal differences that I have noticed, but that can wait because I have to go to school.
I just wanted to update this for anyone who reads it.
Görüşürüz,
-Sarah
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
The Day
Hello! If you've been reading this for any amount of time, you'll know that today is the day I am leaving.
Before I talk about that, I want to talk about Sunday! Sunday was my eighteenth birthday. I would like to thank everyone who was part of that, especially my parents and sister. You really didn't have to get me all of those. It's hard to believe how far I've come in one year. This time last year I was watching the Euro Cup, enjoying comfort in the great familiar and studying abroad was only a dream. Now it is a reality.
Anyway, leaving. For those of you who have been reading you will know that six days after I get back from Turkey I will leave for college. Normally leaving for six weeks wouldn't be a big deal, but it is. This is the reason why my blog is called Turkey and Everything After because this, this journey, adventure, whatever you want to call it marks the beginning of change for me. When I get back life won't be normal, all of my friends will be getting ready to go to college and so on.
Leaving, part of me really wants to leave another part doesn't. The part that doesn't is the part that wants more time in the familiar before my life changes completely. And so it is in this way that I am stuck in a paradox of wanting to leave, but not wanting to leave. I can't really explain the feeling.
Another thought is, even though I am leaving today it still feels like this adventure is far away. It feels like I will never leave Anchorage, Alaska and that Turkey is still a distant thought. I guess it hasn't hit me yet, I am still in disbelief that this amazing opportunity is actually going to happen and I don't think it will hit, not until I'm at the airport, maybe not even until I am in D.C.
I guess I am writing this, not only because I said I would write another post before I left, but because no matter how much you read, you can never imagine what exactly it is like to study abroad. I still can't and I won't until I'm there. It's impossible to imagine going into the complete unknown.
By this time tomorrow I will have touched down in D.C and might possibly be at my hotel. Do I know what is going to happen? Of course not. Am I ready? Not in the least, but nevertheless this moment is here. This moment I have been dreaming of for over a year and I still can't believe this is happening. In ten hours I will board a plan that will take me from Anchorage to Chicago and I don't look at it as a six hour plan flight. I look at it as the beginning.
I can't promise or tell you when or where my next post will be from, that all depends on how much time and internet I have, but the next time you read this I will be somewhere different, having an adventure.
As always thanks for reading.
Till next time,
-Sarah
Before I talk about that, I want to talk about Sunday! Sunday was my eighteenth birthday. I would like to thank everyone who was part of that, especially my parents and sister. You really didn't have to get me all of those. It's hard to believe how far I've come in one year. This time last year I was watching the Euro Cup, enjoying comfort in the great familiar and studying abroad was only a dream. Now it is a reality.
Anyway, leaving. For those of you who have been reading you will know that six days after I get back from Turkey I will leave for college. Normally leaving for six weeks wouldn't be a big deal, but it is. This is the reason why my blog is called Turkey and Everything After because this, this journey, adventure, whatever you want to call it marks the beginning of change for me. When I get back life won't be normal, all of my friends will be getting ready to go to college and so on.
Leaving, part of me really wants to leave another part doesn't. The part that doesn't is the part that wants more time in the familiar before my life changes completely. And so it is in this way that I am stuck in a paradox of wanting to leave, but not wanting to leave. I can't really explain the feeling.
Another thought is, even though I am leaving today it still feels like this adventure is far away. It feels like I will never leave Anchorage, Alaska and that Turkey is still a distant thought. I guess it hasn't hit me yet, I am still in disbelief that this amazing opportunity is actually going to happen and I don't think it will hit, not until I'm at the airport, maybe not even until I am in D.C.
I guess I am writing this, not only because I said I would write another post before I left, but because no matter how much you read, you can never imagine what exactly it is like to study abroad. I still can't and I won't until I'm there. It's impossible to imagine going into the complete unknown.
By this time tomorrow I will have touched down in D.C and might possibly be at my hotel. Do I know what is going to happen? Of course not. Am I ready? Not in the least, but nevertheless this moment is here. This moment I have been dreaming of for over a year and I still can't believe this is happening. In ten hours I will board a plan that will take me from Anchorage to Chicago and I don't look at it as a six hour plan flight. I look at it as the beginning.
I can't promise or tell you when or where my next post will be from, that all depends on how much time and internet I have, but the next time you read this I will be somewhere different, having an adventure.
As always thanks for reading.
Till next time,
-Sarah
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Host Family!!!!!
Here is the post, most if not all, exchange students who blog write about. I got my host family!!!! I have a host mom and dad and a sixteen year old sister!
I am so excited, I can't believe I leave for D.C in a week.
I will write more about this week and pacing and leaving and stuff like that. I can't wait!
Till next time,
-Sarah
I am so excited, I can't believe I leave for D.C in a week.
I will write more about this week and pacing and leaving and stuff like that. I can't wait!
Till next time,
-Sarah
Monday, June 17, 2013
Turkey and Everything Before
Hello my lovely readers!
Hope it's been a wonderful week for you, as it has for me. As I said, I didn't do much last week, I was hoping to be more productive, but...
Anyway, so this is a post that I really wanted to write. This post will describe how I am going to Turkey, virtually for free, why Turkey and how I found out about exchange programs in general. So here we go.
I guess my first experience with learning that I wanted to be an exchange student, was the end of my sophomore year. Rotary exchange came and gave a presentation. I really liked it and really wanted to do it, but I couldn't because it was to late to apply and go abroad as a junior. I didn't think much of it, because that summer we were going to Portugal. At that time it was an idea that I excepted that wasn't going to happen. I also could have easily applied for a different program my senior year, but I really wanted to graduate with my class, I can't explain why, I just did.
It started last April, I don't know why or how, or what was going through my head, but I decided to look up gap year programs, I really wanted to go on a gap year and thought it was a great opportunity for me. I spent so much time looking for an affordable program and found one. I wrote an essay, consisting of financial proof as to why my dad should let me go on a gap year exchange program. Unfortunately I missed one very important and expensive financial detail unique to our family situation. The point was that I couldn't study abroad for a year after I graduated high school and I could only go abroad in the summer if it was free. This wasn't the end, though, it was just the beginning.
When I first started searching is when I started reading exchange blogs. Even though I couldn't go abroad, I still kept reading blogs, all summer long and even when school started again. In September I was reading a blog, from the beginning and the girl made a post about all these free exchange programs. One of them included NSLI-Y. When I found out that NSLI-Y had summer programs that were open to high school graduates, I asked my dad if I could apply. Both of my parents let me apply because they thought there was no way I could get it. If you're reading this and thinking about applying for NSLI-Y do it, but be aware it is a really competitive scholarship.
To those of you who don't know NSLI-Y offers programs in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, and Turkish. On your application you are allowed to put down your top three choices. Why did I put down Turkish as my first choice? I wasn't really that interested in Chinese, Korean or Russian while I would love to visit those places I didn't really want to go right now. I also feel I wouldn't be ready for Hindi because English is so common in India, I thought it'd be really easy for me to use English if I was frustrated. Anyway, so that leaves Arabic, Persian and Turkish. I'm not sure why, but I didn't put down Arabic as one of my choices at the time. My dad told me to put down Turkish as my first choice, I put down Persian as my second and any as my third. I put down Persian because I really want to visit remote places and Tajikistan is so remote, but I am so glad to be going to Turkey and so excited.
Obviously, I applied, but it wasn't that simple. Before I did the NSLI-Y application, I had to finish all of my early action college application. I think I submitted my application, the day before it was due. Anyway, my essays weren't as good as they could have been because I did them last minute. Then I waited.
During this time of waiting, I read NSLI-Y blogs. Reading these blogs didn't help much. Everyone who wrote a blog seemed to have more international and/or language experience than I did. That made me really nervous. However on December 18, 2012. I got an e-mail saying I was selected as a semi-finalist. I was so happy.
Again, for those of you who don't know, if your selected as a NSLI-Y semi-finalist you have an interview, which counts for 20 per-cent. I had been doing interviews with colleges all year, so I think I was prepared. Anyway, the interview itself was interesting. To be honest that was the only interview I had where I wasn't sure how well it went. After the interview I was expecting not to get NSLI-Y, not because of the interview, I just wasn't expecting to get a NSLI-Y scholarship. Because I wasn't expecting to get NSLI-Y and I really wanted to go abroad, I applied for two full scholarships to go to Japan with YFU-USA.
After my NSLI-Y interview I waited. If you ever become an exchange student, be prepared to wait, a lot. Thankfully I had a lot to distract me during this wait. Then on March 25th, 2013, my dad called me from school and said "Congratulations you're going to Turkey!". I was so excited. After that I cancelled my YFU application. And started writing this blog.
That's pretty much the story. I just wanted my readers, especially if you are thinking or will apply for NSLI-Y next year to do it. Yes it is competitive and be prepared not to get it, but if you really want it, you can and will get it.
With that being said, I have eight days left before I leave. I'm not sure when I'll be posting next, if I will post this week, again, or next week. I do promise to write another post before I leave. And since I'm feeling productive I want to go through everything today, so I can just worry about packing. I also need to learn more Turkish.
That's about it for now. As always thanks for reading.
Till next time,
-Sarah
Hope it's been a wonderful week for you, as it has for me. As I said, I didn't do much last week, I was hoping to be more productive, but...
Anyway, so this is a post that I really wanted to write. This post will describe how I am going to Turkey, virtually for free, why Turkey and how I found out about exchange programs in general. So here we go.
I guess my first experience with learning that I wanted to be an exchange student, was the end of my sophomore year. Rotary exchange came and gave a presentation. I really liked it and really wanted to do it, but I couldn't because it was to late to apply and go abroad as a junior. I didn't think much of it, because that summer we were going to Portugal. At that time it was an idea that I excepted that wasn't going to happen. I also could have easily applied for a different program my senior year, but I really wanted to graduate with my class, I can't explain why, I just did.
It started last April, I don't know why or how, or what was going through my head, but I decided to look up gap year programs, I really wanted to go on a gap year and thought it was a great opportunity for me. I spent so much time looking for an affordable program and found one. I wrote an essay, consisting of financial proof as to why my dad should let me go on a gap year exchange program. Unfortunately I missed one very important and expensive financial detail unique to our family situation. The point was that I couldn't study abroad for a year after I graduated high school and I could only go abroad in the summer if it was free. This wasn't the end, though, it was just the beginning.
When I first started searching is when I started reading exchange blogs. Even though I couldn't go abroad, I still kept reading blogs, all summer long and even when school started again. In September I was reading a blog, from the beginning and the girl made a post about all these free exchange programs. One of them included NSLI-Y. When I found out that NSLI-Y had summer programs that were open to high school graduates, I asked my dad if I could apply. Both of my parents let me apply because they thought there was no way I could get it. If you're reading this and thinking about applying for NSLI-Y do it, but be aware it is a really competitive scholarship.
To those of you who don't know NSLI-Y offers programs in Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian, and Turkish. On your application you are allowed to put down your top three choices. Why did I put down Turkish as my first choice? I wasn't really that interested in Chinese, Korean or Russian while I would love to visit those places I didn't really want to go right now. I also feel I wouldn't be ready for Hindi because English is so common in India, I thought it'd be really easy for me to use English if I was frustrated. Anyway, so that leaves Arabic, Persian and Turkish. I'm not sure why, but I didn't put down Arabic as one of my choices at the time. My dad told me to put down Turkish as my first choice, I put down Persian as my second and any as my third. I put down Persian because I really want to visit remote places and Tajikistan is so remote, but I am so glad to be going to Turkey and so excited.
Obviously, I applied, but it wasn't that simple. Before I did the NSLI-Y application, I had to finish all of my early action college application. I think I submitted my application, the day before it was due. Anyway, my essays weren't as good as they could have been because I did them last minute. Then I waited.
During this time of waiting, I read NSLI-Y blogs. Reading these blogs didn't help much. Everyone who wrote a blog seemed to have more international and/or language experience than I did. That made me really nervous. However on December 18, 2012. I got an e-mail saying I was selected as a semi-finalist. I was so happy.
Again, for those of you who don't know, if your selected as a NSLI-Y semi-finalist you have an interview, which counts for 20 per-cent. I had been doing interviews with colleges all year, so I think I was prepared. Anyway, the interview itself was interesting. To be honest that was the only interview I had where I wasn't sure how well it went. After the interview I was expecting not to get NSLI-Y, not because of the interview, I just wasn't expecting to get a NSLI-Y scholarship. Because I wasn't expecting to get NSLI-Y and I really wanted to go abroad, I applied for two full scholarships to go to Japan with YFU-USA.
After my NSLI-Y interview I waited. If you ever become an exchange student, be prepared to wait, a lot. Thankfully I had a lot to distract me during this wait. Then on March 25th, 2013, my dad called me from school and said "Congratulations you're going to Turkey!". I was so excited. After that I cancelled my YFU application. And started writing this blog.
That's pretty much the story. I just wanted my readers, especially if you are thinking or will apply for NSLI-Y next year to do it. Yes it is competitive and be prepared not to get it, but if you really want it, you can and will get it.
With that being said, I have eight days left before I leave. I'm not sure when I'll be posting next, if I will post this week, again, or next week. I do promise to write another post before I leave. And since I'm feeling productive I want to go through everything today, so I can just worry about packing. I also need to learn more Turkish.
That's about it for now. As always thanks for reading.
Till next time,
-Sarah
Thursday, June 13, 2013
It's a Go!
So, normally I wouldn't be posting right now, especially since I haven't been doing much this week.
Anyway the point of this entry is the I am going to Turkey!!!!!
I know what you might be thinking, that I already was going to Turkey. Well yes, that is true; however there have been protests and clashes with police in Turkey, these last few weeks. But today I got a confirmation e-mail saying ACES and the U.S Department of State is going through with the program!
I am so excited, I just thought I would share this with whomever reads this blog.
As always, thanks for reading.
Till next time,
-Sarah
Anyway the point of this entry is the I am going to Turkey!!!!!
I know what you might be thinking, that I already was going to Turkey. Well yes, that is true; however there have been protests and clashes with police in Turkey, these last few weeks. But today I got a confirmation e-mail saying ACES and the U.S Department of State is going through with the program!
I am so excited, I just thought I would share this with whomever reads this blog.
As always, thanks for reading.
Till next time,
-Sarah
Monday, June 10, 2013
Lunch and Renaissance Fair
Hello my lovely readers!
I know I haven't been blogging much, but there isn't a lot going on in my life right now that is interesting. However I am writing this because there were two things that happened, that I consider interesting, so I am going to write about them.
First of all, on Friday I had a lunch for a scholarship that I won. This lunch was a big deal. I'm not exaggerating. There was the mayor of Anchorage, the Governor of Alaska, and the Secretary of the U.S Department of Commerce there. Now because I won a scholarship, I had to give a speech. Normally I am not really nervous about public speaking because it's something that comes naturally to me, but I was. Aside from those people that I just listed above there were a lot of important people from a lot of different companies there, as well. Needless to say I was nervous. My speech only had to be about a minute. I did really well apparently, someone from BP came up to me after and told me that I did a really good job, which was flattering. I am really happy that that is something I got to experience because by winning this scholarship (it was for high school graduates and college undergraduates who want to/are studying International Relations.) I can really see my life coming together. I don't know how to explain that further, but I can see all of the potential I have and I can see the direction my life is headed in and that's a really good feeling.
Aside from the lunch, yesterday I went to the Renaissance Fair with my sister. It was really fun. We probably would've stayed longer had it not been so hot. Keep in mind, hot to Alaskans in 70'F. I'm going to die in Turkey, when it's 80 and 90 everyday, having to where long clothes. Oh well, it is so worth it. I also got to see two of my friends who were volunteering there and I really want to volunteer there next year. It looks so much fun, although they were dying because it was so hot outside. I also got my fortune told, which was an interesting experience to say the least.
Aside from that, working, learning Turkish, reading and practicing my viola is all I've really been up to. Vowel harmonization is awesome! I wish the English language did that.
As I write this, I have 15 days left before I leave for D.C! I'm really excited, actually that's an understatement. This week I plan on going through everything, clothes, toys, etc... And then next week will be packing week. Next week will also be more exciting because I'll be doing more. Next weeks post will be Turkey specific, explaining more in-depth about why I am going to Turkey because, as you can tell I really haven't been doing that much and this week I have nothing planned. I also really want to write a Turkish specific post, so that will be in seven days.
I think that pretty much covers everything for this week!
Till next time,
-Sarah
I know I haven't been blogging much, but there isn't a lot going on in my life right now that is interesting. However I am writing this because there were two things that happened, that I consider interesting, so I am going to write about them.
First of all, on Friday I had a lunch for a scholarship that I won. This lunch was a big deal. I'm not exaggerating. There was the mayor of Anchorage, the Governor of Alaska, and the Secretary of the U.S Department of Commerce there. Now because I won a scholarship, I had to give a speech. Normally I am not really nervous about public speaking because it's something that comes naturally to me, but I was. Aside from those people that I just listed above there were a lot of important people from a lot of different companies there, as well. Needless to say I was nervous. My speech only had to be about a minute. I did really well apparently, someone from BP came up to me after and told me that I did a really good job, which was flattering. I am really happy that that is something I got to experience because by winning this scholarship (it was for high school graduates and college undergraduates who want to/are studying International Relations.) I can really see my life coming together. I don't know how to explain that further, but I can see all of the potential I have and I can see the direction my life is headed in and that's a really good feeling.
Aside from the lunch, yesterday I went to the Renaissance Fair with my sister. It was really fun. We probably would've stayed longer had it not been so hot. Keep in mind, hot to Alaskans in 70'F. I'm going to die in Turkey, when it's 80 and 90 everyday, having to where long clothes. Oh well, it is so worth it. I also got to see two of my friends who were volunteering there and I really want to volunteer there next year. It looks so much fun, although they were dying because it was so hot outside. I also got my fortune told, which was an interesting experience to say the least.
Aside from that, working, learning Turkish, reading and practicing my viola is all I've really been up to. Vowel harmonization is awesome! I wish the English language did that.
As I write this, I have 15 days left before I leave for D.C! I'm really excited, actually that's an understatement. This week I plan on going through everything, clothes, toys, etc... And then next week will be packing week. Next week will also be more exciting because I'll be doing more. Next weeks post will be Turkey specific, explaining more in-depth about why I am going to Turkey because, as you can tell I really haven't been doing that much and this week I have nothing planned. I also really want to write a Turkish specific post, so that will be in seven days.
I think that pretty much covers everything for this week!
Till next time,
-Sarah
Monday, June 3, 2013
Hiking, Yogurt, Goodbyes and Dinner
Hello everyone!
I had a lot going on last week, that I wish to tell you about.
To begin:
The weather in Anchorage was really nice, so on Wednesday I went hiking with my sister and a few friends. It was great fun and really pretty. I want to do more stuff like that before I leave. I got a few pictures, but I don't feel like posting them because I'm lazy. I promise that won't be the case when I'm in Turkey!
Then on Thursday I had frozen yogurt with some friends as a goodbye party. It was really fun, the yogurt was yummy and the weather was nice.
On Friday, I went to the airport to say goodbye to one of my close friends who was going back to Germany. She was an exchange student this year. That was really emotional and I miss her already. Also the next time I go to the airport I will be the one that is leaving, which is weird to think about. After saying goodbye I had dinner with my sister and a friend. The dinner was good and I had a nice evening.
That's about it. I don't really know what is going to happen this week. I only have a few things planned. I know I need to do more Turkish. I really want to be busy everyday, which is why I wish school was still in session. I know I'm crazy, but I do because then I could see my friends everyday and time would move so much faster. Oh well. This free time I have is necessary because I probably won't have much free time once I leave until Christmas break.
Also one more thing, I found out last week I won a scholarship. The scholarship is for high school graduates and college undergraduates who want to study International Relations. I have a lunch on Friday for that so I will post about that.
When I said one more thing, I lied. If you have been following world news then you will know that Turkey is having protest right now. There have not been protest in Bursa and on Sunday they seemed less violet than on Friday and Saturday. This shouldn't have an effect on whether or not I can go to Turkey. I think/hope I'll still be able to go. All in all it's really interesting, but I'm not too concerned.
So, that's about it for now. I still need to write more specific Turkey post and that sort of thing, but I'm sure I will the closer it gets. I am leaving this month, which again is odd for me to think about. There will be more post soon! Oh... And 23 more days until I leave!
Till next time,
-Sarah
I had a lot going on last week, that I wish to tell you about.
To begin:
The weather in Anchorage was really nice, so on Wednesday I went hiking with my sister and a few friends. It was great fun and really pretty. I want to do more stuff like that before I leave. I got a few pictures, but I don't feel like posting them because I'm lazy. I promise that won't be the case when I'm in Turkey!
Then on Thursday I had frozen yogurt with some friends as a goodbye party. It was really fun, the yogurt was yummy and the weather was nice.
On Friday, I went to the airport to say goodbye to one of my close friends who was going back to Germany. She was an exchange student this year. That was really emotional and I miss her already. Also the next time I go to the airport I will be the one that is leaving, which is weird to think about. After saying goodbye I had dinner with my sister and a friend. The dinner was good and I had a nice evening.
That's about it. I don't really know what is going to happen this week. I only have a few things planned. I know I need to do more Turkish. I really want to be busy everyday, which is why I wish school was still in session. I know I'm crazy, but I do because then I could see my friends everyday and time would move so much faster. Oh well. This free time I have is necessary because I probably won't have much free time once I leave until Christmas break.
Also one more thing, I found out last week I won a scholarship. The scholarship is for high school graduates and college undergraduates who want to study International Relations. I have a lunch on Friday for that so I will post about that.
When I said one more thing, I lied. If you have been following world news then you will know that Turkey is having protest right now. There have not been protest in Bursa and on Sunday they seemed less violet than on Friday and Saturday. This shouldn't have an effect on whether or not I can go to Turkey. I think/hope I'll still be able to go. All in all it's really interesting, but I'm not too concerned.
So, that's about it for now. I still need to write more specific Turkey post and that sort of thing, but I'm sure I will the closer it gets. I am leaving this month, which again is odd for me to think about. There will be more post soon! Oh... And 23 more days until I leave!
Till next time,
-Sarah
Sunday, May 26, 2013
One Month
Hello all!
So I know it's only been a few days since I last posted, but this is something I really wanted to write about and you'll find out why soon.
If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time then you will know that I already graduated and I'm going to Turkey to study abroad for six weeks, you should also know I plan to attend college out of state. Anyway, six weeks, that's half a summer, it's not a terribly long time to be away from friends and family in the U.S. However, when I get back from Turkey I will have (approximately) a week before I leave for college.
My point: this one month I have left, here in Alaska, is all the time I have left to spend it with my friends and family, before my life changes for good.
This is such a weird concept for me to grasp. I really want to go to Turkey, in fact that is an understatement, but I also want more time with my friends. I am counting down to the days until I leave for Turkey and Turkey, in general, is on my mind 24/7, but when I spend time having fun with people I care about, this changes. I had a friends graduation party on Friday and we went driving, we went to get frozen yogurt and we went to the mall. During that time I was spending with my friends, I was thinking about things in that moment and doing things in that moment.
I guess what I'm trying to get at is, while most people don't see six weeks as being a long amount of time to be gone, leaving for Turkey signifies me leaving everything behind and (almost) moving out. When I come back I know things will be different. I mean, everything changes with time, but it's not just that. This Turkish experience will change me for the better, but people at home will have changed too. When I come back two of my best will be at basic training for the Army Reserve and Air National Guard. I will have had limited contact with everyone, and some of my friends I won't have talked to at all.
Indeed, it is weird going off into the complete unknown, coming back, only to go off into the unknown, again. I only have thirty, wonderful, precious, beautiful days left in the normal and the known. I am going to spend these thirty days working, spending as much time as possible with all my friends and family, and learning Turkish.
I have the rest of my life ahead of me, my future is unbelievably bright and my dream of travelling the world seems that much closer. These next thirty days are going to be incredible. I have nothing planned so anything could happen. I don't know what I'm going to blog about, but I will update. I am ready to enjoy myself, love life and take nothing for granted. I'm not ready or prepared for the adventures ahead, but I am ready to live and make mistakes.
To anyone who reads this,
This will be an amazing month, I hope you will continue to follow me through the normality of life, before it absolutely and completely changes for me.
As always,
Till next time
-Sarah
So I know it's only been a few days since I last posted, but this is something I really wanted to write about and you'll find out why soon.
If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time then you will know that I already graduated and I'm going to Turkey to study abroad for six weeks, you should also know I plan to attend college out of state. Anyway, six weeks, that's half a summer, it's not a terribly long time to be away from friends and family in the U.S. However, when I get back from Turkey I will have (approximately) a week before I leave for college.
My point: this one month I have left, here in Alaska, is all the time I have left to spend it with my friends and family, before my life changes for good.
This is such a weird concept for me to grasp. I really want to go to Turkey, in fact that is an understatement, but I also want more time with my friends. I am counting down to the days until I leave for Turkey and Turkey, in general, is on my mind 24/7, but when I spend time having fun with people I care about, this changes. I had a friends graduation party on Friday and we went driving, we went to get frozen yogurt and we went to the mall. During that time I was spending with my friends, I was thinking about things in that moment and doing things in that moment.
I guess what I'm trying to get at is, while most people don't see six weeks as being a long amount of time to be gone, leaving for Turkey signifies me leaving everything behind and (almost) moving out. When I come back I know things will be different. I mean, everything changes with time, but it's not just that. This Turkish experience will change me for the better, but people at home will have changed too. When I come back two of my best will be at basic training for the Army Reserve and Air National Guard. I will have had limited contact with everyone, and some of my friends I won't have talked to at all.
Indeed, it is weird going off into the complete unknown, coming back, only to go off into the unknown, again. I only have thirty, wonderful, precious, beautiful days left in the normal and the known. I am going to spend these thirty days working, spending as much time as possible with all my friends and family, and learning Turkish.
I have the rest of my life ahead of me, my future is unbelievably bright and my dream of travelling the world seems that much closer. These next thirty days are going to be incredible. I have nothing planned so anything could happen. I don't know what I'm going to blog about, but I will update. I am ready to enjoy myself, love life and take nothing for granted. I'm not ready or prepared for the adventures ahead, but I am ready to live and make mistakes.
To anyone who reads this,
This will be an amazing month, I hope you will continue to follow me through the normality of life, before it absolutely and completely changes for me.
As always,
Till next time
-Sarah
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Tourism in Alaska and Flight Itinerary
Hello my lovely readers!
Here is another sporadic update!
First order of business, I got my flight itinerary today! It looks like I will be flying from Anchorage to Chicago to D.C, and then as a group we fly to Paris and then Istanbul! Also we have a seven hour layover in Paris, so I am hoping we will go out into the city, even if it's only for an hour. Getting my itinerary today, is weird. This adventure seem so far away, but these are thoughts for another post.
Onward! So my grandparents came up for my graduation, they're from upstate New York. Since they came up, we went fishing and yesterday we went downtown! Looking at all of the tourist shops and everything. It was really fun because I have great ideas for host family gifts! Also the fishing was really great, we went Halibut fishing and, unfortunately we didn't catch that many fish because it was early in the season, but it was still fun! So here are pictures from the fishing trip and from going downtown yesterday!
Warning: This blog contains pictures of dead fish, if you do not believe in killing/eating animals and do not want to/look at pictures of dead ones, stop reading. If this warning doesn't apply to you, then read on!
Here is another sporadic update!
First order of business, I got my flight itinerary today! It looks like I will be flying from Anchorage to Chicago to D.C, and then as a group we fly to Paris and then Istanbul! Also we have a seven hour layover in Paris, so I am hoping we will go out into the city, even if it's only for an hour. Getting my itinerary today, is weird. This adventure seem so far away, but these are thoughts for another post.
Onward! So my grandparents came up for my graduation, they're from upstate New York. Since they came up, we went fishing and yesterday we went downtown! Looking at all of the tourist shops and everything. It was really fun because I have great ideas for host family gifts! Also the fishing was really great, we went Halibut fishing and, unfortunately we didn't catch that many fish because it was early in the season, but it was still fun! So here are pictures from the fishing trip and from going downtown yesterday!
Warning: This blog contains pictures of dead fish, if you do not believe in killing/eating animals and do not want to/look at pictures of dead ones, stop reading. If this warning doesn't apply to you, then read on!
Mountains on the drive down to Seward!
First fish caught of the day! This isn't a Halibut, we caught other fish on the boat, as well!
The earnings from our trip!
In order of left to right: me, Haley, my dad, Hal, and my grandma.
Then yesterday we went downtown. It was super fun, we got Reindeer sausage (yes they are actual Reindeer) from this vendor who is famous in Anchorage for sauteing onions in Coke-Cola! It was really good. Here pictures from yesterday!
This is a really historic sign. It was one of the few things standing after the 1964 earthquake.
Here is the famous Reindeer vendor. On the left of the picture is my dad and sister, on the right is the vendor.
My food! It was so nice sitting downtown, eating this and the sun was shinning, it was fabulous!
Spring has sprung! Okay maybe not spring, but definitely summer!
So that's about it. It was really nice to do touristy things and hang out down town. In other news on Friday I have a graduation party for my friend, and I'll probably make a post about that. After that I will write a post about studying abroad and my feelings and that sort of thing. I have 34 days left until I leave!
Till next time,
-Sarah
Friday, May 17, 2013
Graduation
Hello everyone!
How's your week been? Mine has been pretty fabulous because I had a wonderful graduation, on Wednesday and then a wonderful party yesterday evening!
The actual graduation was pretty fun. Our ceremony started at 2:00 p.m and we had to be there at one. Before the ceremony I was just hanging backstage talking with all of my friends! The ceremony itself was just all right, the speeches weren't terribly inspiring, but it was still fun! So now pictures of graduation. I'm sorry I didn't get many pictures after or with my friends because it was so chaotic after the ceremony.
How's your week been? Mine has been pretty fabulous because I had a wonderful graduation, on Wednesday and then a wonderful party yesterday evening!
The actual graduation was pretty fun. Our ceremony started at 2:00 p.m and we had to be there at one. Before the ceremony I was just hanging backstage talking with all of my friends! The ceremony itself was just all right, the speeches weren't terribly inspiring, but it was still fun! So now pictures of graduation. I'm sorry I didn't get many pictures after or with my friends because it was so chaotic after the ceremony.
My sister and I before graduation!
Class of 2013! In case you can't tell our school colors are green and gold!
Yesterday was our graduation party! My family took six of our friends to a restaurant in a town about 45 minutes away from Anchorage. The restaurant is called The Double Musky Inn and it looks like a fishing bar, but do not be fooled because they have amazing food! It was really good!
This is a group picture (minus Mariah) before we left. In the back (from left to right) there is Regina and Thea. Then on the couch (from left to right) is Zach and Haley, Anna, Kendall and me.
Unfortunately we didn't all get to sit together at the restaurant because there were twelve of us. My grandparents from upstate New York are here. They came for our graduations, but anyway the party was still super fun.
Here is a small taste of the delicious! It's a virgin pina colada that I had.
At the restaurant my sister and I opened up are graduation gifts! I got earrings from Anna, a computer lock, for my laptop from Kendall and I got a wonderful picture frame with a picture of Thea and I at prom, all the gifts were really sweet and amazing! I also got a one of a kind, handmade bracelet from my parents!
This is the bracelet my parents got me! This bracelet was made by Lisa Nortz. She makes lots of pretty jewelry. Here is her website, if you are interested: http://www.silverbenchjewelry.com/
I would like to thank all of my friends and family and everyone at my high school for their love and support. I have gone so far this past year and it's just the beginning, thank you so much, everyone!
Tomorrow my family leaves for Seward, where on Sunday we will go Halibut fishing. I will take lots of pictures and post about it and after that, I will try to make this blog more about Turkey and that sort of thing. To anyone who reads this, thank you so much for reading and I will leave you with a picture of my graduation cards. :)
Also appearing in this picture is the cactus Christiano Ronaldo!
Till next time
-Sarah
Friday, May 10, 2013
School's Out
Hello everyone!
If you've noticed by my title and read the last post, you'll know that I am posting because I am done with school! No more finals or AP tests, I graduate on May 15th, until then I have nothing to do. Now I can focus on learning Turkish, but it's not all fun and I'm not terribly happy to be graduating, it's really bittersweet. In the past four years I have met incredible people (both students and teachers) and it'll be really hard to leave. So I'm just going to go through the craziness of these past two weeks!
Monday, April 29th- I had my last orchestra concert this day. It was really fun, I preformed a violin trio on my viola with two other lovely ladies, and of course I played in the group, watched my sister play her cello in her quartet. Since we were seniors, we got to where whatever we wanted, instead of concert black, it was so much fun! Also there is this girl who is a junior and she is a violin virtuoso. I'm not kidding or exaggeration. She's been in all state, all northwest and this summer is playing with a national youth orchestra in Carnegie Hall. She is amazing, anyway I watched her preform a solo and needless to say, it was awesome! Here are some pictures from that night:
If you've noticed by my title and read the last post, you'll know that I am posting because I am done with school! No more finals or AP tests, I graduate on May 15th, until then I have nothing to do. Now I can focus on learning Turkish, but it's not all fun and I'm not terribly happy to be graduating, it's really bittersweet. In the past four years I have met incredible people (both students and teachers) and it'll be really hard to leave. So I'm just going to go through the craziness of these past two weeks!
Monday, April 29th- I had my last orchestra concert this day. It was really fun, I preformed a violin trio on my viola with two other lovely ladies, and of course I played in the group, watched my sister play her cello in her quartet. Since we were seniors, we got to where whatever we wanted, instead of concert black, it was so much fun! Also there is this girl who is a junior and she is a violin virtuoso. I'm not kidding or exaggeration. She's been in all state, all northwest and this summer is playing with a national youth orchestra in Carnegie Hall. She is amazing, anyway I watched her preform a solo and needless to say, it was awesome! Here are some pictures from that night:
From left to right: Mariah, Haley, Jorge (pronounced like George), Kendall, me, and Gene. These were all the seniors in orchestra this year! It's been great, we've all become close over four years, you guys are awesome!
The lovely senior ladies who are all my friends and awesome! In order from left to right: me, Kendall, Haley, Mariah. I love you all so much!
Tuesday, April 30th- This day was honor graduation at my school! My sister and I are both graduating with honors meaning we've kept a cumulative 3.5 GPA or above! It was really fun because there are about seventy people graduating with honors out of our class. Our class consists of about 380 people. The students got to talk and thank people, it was really neat to see everyone speak, especially considering I knew most people there! We also got an honor cord, which is super cool! It was really fun, unfortunately I didn't get any pictures from this event, but it was still awesome!
Wednesday, May 1st- I had nothing going on this day, except normal school, it was probably fun, but I don't remember much about it. It was my only not busy day out of the week!
Thursday, May 2nd- I had the annual awards ceremony for the organization I volunteer with. It was great, not a lot of people showed up, though, except younger kids. We're a youth organization and take volunteers from 7th-12th grade. Anyway, but I did get a lot of awards, including a $500 scholarship, which they only gave to three other seniors. So that was awesome, again I didn't take any pictures, oh well, I'll remember it!
Friday, May 3rd- Since all of the music concerts are finished (except for graduation), we had a music department awards banquet. It was fun, but really long with a lot of people. However everyone got these dream catchers, which are hand made by a native organization, with beads representing the different things people have done in band, orchestra, and choir. It was really nice and my sister won a national orchestra award, I was so happy for her, even though she didn't think she deserved it, she definitely did.
Then there was the weekend, not much happened, just work and homework and music lessons, it was nice to have a bit of a break. I'm also doing really well at work, so that is awesome!
Monday, May 6th- So again, not much happened that day, it was just school and homework. I think it was pretty relaxing, except I was nervous about something.
Tuesday, May 7th- The thing I was nervous about was the AP Spanish test. I wanted to do really well on this test because I want to major in Spanish and international relations in college. I think I got either a three or four. I didn't have time to answer a lot of the multiple choice questions, but I did well enough not to get a one or two on the free response questions. Also this day I went to the library to practice with my oral final group for our philosophy final (our final is a group oral final that lasts fifty minuets). It was fun, but I was drained after. At the library we decided to map out quick notes on all of the papers on the white board. Here was the result:
Before Mapping out all the papers.
After mapping. There is also a lot of randomness on the board because the person we elected as writer went crazy and drew randomness on it (she had a Rockstar as we were working).
Wednesday, May 8th- For AP Spanish we had a rest day ans my teacher (whom I've had for three years) brought in amazing food for all of us, including warm chai tea! I am such a tea person and am so excited to try Turkish tea in Turkey! Anyway I also had my oral final in philosophy that day. It went pretty well, I had been nervous about this all year though, it was forty per-cent of our total grade. I was expecting to get a B, but I checked my grades online and it turns out I got 50/50! I was not expecting that at all. This day was also the day when seniors had to clean out their lockers! I have pictures of things:
The lovely food my Spanish teacher brought for us!
More food!
The outside of my locker before I cleaned it! The signs are for swimming (top) and cross-country skiing (bottom).
The inside of my locker before I cleaned it.
The outside of my locker after I cleaned it.
The inside of my locker after I cleaned it, it looks so different!
Thursday, May 9th- So in order to do this I need to explain something, first. There is this program in my school called the seminar program or the seminar school. It is based off of the Socratic method for English classes and they count as honors classes. For an English class there are freshmen, sophomores juniors, and seniors in the same English class, five teachers teach English for this program and there are about 200 students in it. We have a lot of focus on community and I have a close relationship with all of the teachers in this program. There are two senior philosophy classes that are part of this program. Every year, the seniors of this program stand up on our school stage and do whatever they want to do, with everyone else watching. We call them senior statements. So on Thursday, I had mine and they were so emotional. I was the last to go and (partially because of everyone else's) I broke down crying, thanking my sister (who is also part of the program) for everything. It was really emotional and apparently I made a lot of people cried. Even my philosophy teacher was teary-eyed at the end. We also had seminar graduation that evening! All of the teachers who are part of the program gave us awards and it was great. I meant to bring my camera and yearbook, but unfortunately I forgot both. Anyway it was fun and emotional. I got the monkey award, the point of this award is that the monkey is irrepressible, like me, so that was super sweet!
Friday, May 10th- I had a math test first hour today and I did way better than I thought, considering I didn't study nor understand the concept. We also had a half day and I went down to watch the other classes senior statements. They were fun, but no where near as emotional as ours. All the seniors had graduation practice and then we were dismissed. They also locked us out of the school, but I got back in because I dropped a note a teacher gave me. I then went and had other teacher sign my yearbook, quickly and left. I walked home with my sister and her boyfriend and we ate lunch at Subway. The walk was nice and I had a relaxing afternoon, watching T.V and reading everything on Facebook.
So that's been my life these past two weeks! I hope you can tell that I've been too busy to update, hopefully I'll find time to update in Turkey! Anyway I will probably update next Friday, I might not be able to because my grandma is coming into town on this Monday for graduation! I graduate on May 15th, which is really weird. Anyways, I will definitely update about graduation and everything I do while my grandma is in town. After that I promise this blog will be more Turkey related.
Till next time,
-Sarah
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Busyness
Hello world!
Sorry if you didn't understand my last post, it was just a reflection for me, a way to get my thoughts out. I am not busy yet, but I have two weeks of school left, which is crazy. I get out of school on May 10th. This is probably my last post until then.
Here is what the next two weeks of my life look like:
April 29th- Concert (if I haven't mentioned it already, I play viola)
April 30th- Honor Graduation
May 1st- Nothing, except school...
May 2nd- Awards for the place I volunteer at.
May 3rd- School, again...
Weekend
May 6th- School
May 7th- AP Spanish test
May 8th- Oral final for philosophy
May 9th- Not sure
May 10th- Math final and last day of school
I only have a few normal days these next two weeks! Oh... And I decided on a college! I decided to attend Beloit College in Wisconsin! Not the greatest location, but the school's amazing!
That's about it for now, I just wanted to say that I will be back to talk about the end of school, sometime after May 10th. I'm excited to be done with the AP Spanish test because then I can focus on learning Turkish! Oh... And another thing, the snows melting and it's been really nice outside!
One more thing before I leave:
On Friday we had the annual cross-over assembly/pig roast. It was really fun and all of our teachers gave the senior class dog tags that have our class color (red), our school name, and our class year! The pig roast was fun, except their wasn't much to do.
And yesterday my sister had a concert (she plays cello) and it was amazing as always!
Like I said that's pretty much it in my life right now. I have a post in mind about why I chose Turkey as my first choice and applying for this scholarship, but that'll come after my life calms down. If I write to you before May 10th then I'm doing something wrong with my life...
Anyway, till next time
-Sarah
Sorry if you didn't understand my last post, it was just a reflection for me, a way to get my thoughts out. I am not busy yet, but I have two weeks of school left, which is crazy. I get out of school on May 10th. This is probably my last post until then.
Here is what the next two weeks of my life look like:
April 29th- Concert (if I haven't mentioned it already, I play viola)
April 30th- Honor Graduation
May 1st- Nothing, except school...
May 2nd- Awards for the place I volunteer at.
May 3rd- School, again...
Weekend
May 6th- School
May 7th- AP Spanish test
May 8th- Oral final for philosophy
May 9th- Not sure
May 10th- Math final and last day of school
I only have a few normal days these next two weeks! Oh... And I decided on a college! I decided to attend Beloit College in Wisconsin! Not the greatest location, but the school's amazing!
That's about it for now, I just wanted to say that I will be back to talk about the end of school, sometime after May 10th. I'm excited to be done with the AP Spanish test because then I can focus on learning Turkish! Oh... And another thing, the snows melting and it's been really nice outside!
One more thing before I leave:
On Friday we had the annual cross-over assembly/pig roast. It was really fun and all of our teachers gave the senior class dog tags that have our class color (red), our school name, and our class year! The pig roast was fun, except their wasn't much to do.
And yesterday my sister had a concert (she plays cello) and it was amazing as always!
Like I said that's pretty much it in my life right now. I have a post in mind about why I chose Turkey as my first choice and applying for this scholarship, but that'll come after my life calms down. If I write to you before May 10th then I'm doing something wrong with my life...
Anyway, till next time
-Sarah
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Moving On
Hello world!
So I know I would said I would post after my college trip to Oregon, but I decided to put my two college trips into one post so here it is.
College trip number one:
Last week I went to Oregon to visit Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon and Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.
At both colleges I stayed overnight with a host and went to classes in the morning. Overnight at both schools, I didn't do much, but that was because it was the beginning of the week. I'm sure if I visited both schools on Friday and Saturday there would've been much more going on regarding activities, but I still had fun. The classes I took at both schools were good and overall I had fun!
I could write more about this experience, but it's not the main point of my entry.
College trip number two:
Yesterday and Sunday, I was in Wisconsin, looking at Beloit College. Again I had an awesome time and there was a lot going on, on Sunday evening because it was an admitted students day. I had fun and took classes in the morning, again. I also took a tour of the campus.
Again it was fun. It's amazing how different the social environment is in college than high school.
Deciding:
I really liked Linfield and Beloit. I've decided not to go to Willamette because it's just not my place, I guess. I'm sure a lot of people succeed there and good luck to anyone who's going there next year. So now it's between two and I have to decided by May 1st, that's less than ten days!
I know I would say I would take pictures from those trips, but I didn't have time. Oh well, I have amazing memories from all of the places and both my trips.
Moving on:
The real purpose of this post is not to talk about college. I graduate high school May 15th and my last day of high school, ever is May 10th. Graduating from high school has been a really bittersweet experience for me. I think I'm ready to move on, ready to graduate, go out and see the world. But it's also the point where you realize that you're becoming an adult. I'm going to college in about four months, that's crazy soon. I guess it's just weird to see yourself become an adult. I can't describe how I'm feeling with words, but to think that this is the point where my life changes is to feel every emotion all at once.
I said I was going to college in four months, but I leave my family, my friends, everything in about two months to go to Turkey.
I decided to call this post moving on because weather I want to or not I'm going to have to. This summer is going to be amazing. I know I'm going to change a lot and learn a lot. I've also been doing a lot of self-reflection about who I am, where I'm going and what growing up actually means.
There are a lot of things I need to do before I graduate. There are also a lot of things I need to do before I go to Turkey. Thankfully time is constant, it will continue to move forward. I will be in Turkey sooner than I think and know where I am going to college sooner than I think, as well. I guess that's the weird thing about graduating high school, you see your life come together, fall into place. You can see who you are and where you're going. To be honest that's where I have mixed feelings, it's a paradox that I can't explain.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this is my first blog post. I decided to call my blog Turkey and everything after because going to Turkey represent the point in my life where everything changes and I hope to continue writing this blog after I get back from Turkey.
This is something I want to share with you. My U.S gov teacher showed this to us back in November. I almost cried because all of my friends in my life are going to college and I just assumed that it was an opportunity most people have the chance to take. This is also why I want to travel in my life, to help people. Here it is:
50 would be male, 50 would be female
So I know I would said I would post after my college trip to Oregon, but I decided to put my two college trips into one post so here it is.
College trip number one:
Last week I went to Oregon to visit Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon and Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.
At both colleges I stayed overnight with a host and went to classes in the morning. Overnight at both schools, I didn't do much, but that was because it was the beginning of the week. I'm sure if I visited both schools on Friday and Saturday there would've been much more going on regarding activities, but I still had fun. The classes I took at both schools were good and overall I had fun!
I could write more about this experience, but it's not the main point of my entry.
College trip number two:
Yesterday and Sunday, I was in Wisconsin, looking at Beloit College. Again I had an awesome time and there was a lot going on, on Sunday evening because it was an admitted students day. I had fun and took classes in the morning, again. I also took a tour of the campus.
Again it was fun. It's amazing how different the social environment is in college than high school.
Deciding:
I really liked Linfield and Beloit. I've decided not to go to Willamette because it's just not my place, I guess. I'm sure a lot of people succeed there and good luck to anyone who's going there next year. So now it's between two and I have to decided by May 1st, that's less than ten days!
I know I would say I would take pictures from those trips, but I didn't have time. Oh well, I have amazing memories from all of the places and both my trips.
Moving on:
The real purpose of this post is not to talk about college. I graduate high school May 15th and my last day of high school, ever is May 10th. Graduating from high school has been a really bittersweet experience for me. I think I'm ready to move on, ready to graduate, go out and see the world. But it's also the point where you realize that you're becoming an adult. I'm going to college in about four months, that's crazy soon. I guess it's just weird to see yourself become an adult. I can't describe how I'm feeling with words, but to think that this is the point where my life changes is to feel every emotion all at once.
I said I was going to college in four months, but I leave my family, my friends, everything in about two months to go to Turkey.
I decided to call this post moving on because weather I want to or not I'm going to have to. This summer is going to be amazing. I know I'm going to change a lot and learn a lot. I've also been doing a lot of self-reflection about who I am, where I'm going and what growing up actually means.
There are a lot of things I need to do before I graduate. There are also a lot of things I need to do before I go to Turkey. Thankfully time is constant, it will continue to move forward. I will be in Turkey sooner than I think and know where I am going to college sooner than I think, as well. I guess that's the weird thing about graduating high school, you see your life come together, fall into place. You can see who you are and where you're going. To be honest that's where I have mixed feelings, it's a paradox that I can't explain.
I'm not sure if I mentioned this is my first blog post. I decided to call my blog Turkey and everything after because going to Turkey represent the point in my life where everything changes and I hope to continue writing this blog after I get back from Turkey.
This is something I want to share with you. My U.S gov teacher showed this to us back in November. I almost cried because all of my friends in my life are going to college and I just assumed that it was an opportunity most people have the chance to take. This is also why I want to travel in my life, to help people. Here it is:
50 would be male, 50 would be female
75 would be non-white; 25 white
67 would be non-Christian; 33 would be Christian
80 would live in substandard housing
16 would be unable to read or write
50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation
33 would be without access to a safe water supply
39 would lack access to improved sanitation
24 would not have any electricity (And of the 76 that do
have electricity, most would only use it for light at night.)
have electricity, most would only use it for light at night.)
8 people would have access to the Internet
1 would have a college education
1 would have HIV
2 would be near birth; 1 near death
5 would control 32% of the entire world's wealth; all 5 would be US citizens
48 would live on less than US$ 2 a day
20 would live on less than US$ 1 a day
Sorry about this post. It barely makes sense to me, just some thoughts I needed to write out. I wanted to express my thoughts at this crucial time in my life.
I think most posts after this will be more upbeat/relevant.
Till next time
-Sarah
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