A Cup Of Tea With This Crazy Nia

Came back!

2011-03-06T22:45:00.000-08:00

It is so nice to see my blogs came back :) Blogspot.com wasn't work last week... Actually it was Turkish court's decision to block the service of Turkey. But I think they solve the problem. Because there are so many people having blogs and nothing to do something wrong. Who is doing this, according to the rules or laws they should be blocked, not all the blogs. So, I am glad to see my blog came back :) But there is still a problem, I can't upload pictures, why, I don't know! Maybe technical work, or.... or....

Anyway, we are waiting for snow today, according to the weather forecast! It is very clear and sunny day this morning. But windy and cold! Very cold.

Ayran

2011-03-06T22:33:00.000-08:00

Last week, late afternoon, my youngest neighbourg visited me. She's been writing a book about beauty and health! I think, I shared one of her healthy food recipes, (broccoli and artichoke). We are planning to work together about the photographs of the book. This is exciting for both of us, and she brought "Ayran" a couple of glasses for to drink together, it was so beautiful and yes, delicious too! I am not sure, do you have this drink in your food culture, but I advice, especially with the sandwich... I prepared some sandwich from my own homemade bread!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/niasunset/5493992250/

This drink is "Ayran" in my own language, it means, water and yogurt actually! So easy to make it.

3 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon (sea)salt (but it depends on your wish, less or more)

You can mix them all in your blender, you will see bubbles at the top! This is the best part of it. Then you can drink, if you wish you can add mint leaves too as in the photograph But I also like to sprinkle a little bit dried mint leaves too, it gives a wonderful taste.

Where is my cat...

2011-03-01T07:36:00.000-08:00

Orange, Chocolate and Walnuts!

2011-03-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

I made the dessert, and I took some pictures, I hope my handsome men find it nice

I buy this one in my market, coming from Italy! Actually it is for to make cheese cake, has a recipe on the packet and it is delicious! But cheese cake is not liked in my home so, I make some changes! I prepare a syrup with orange juice instead of nescafe etc. and also I make the cream with chocolate sauce! Then I cover of the top with walnuts and grated chocolate! It's been waiting in the fridge now...

A little accident!

2011-03-01T06:37:00.000-08:00

It is very cold today but no rain and wind! Just cold. I walked down the street, but I had a little accident while I was getting out of the car, the driver moved and I fell down on my arm (elbow actually), I was afraid of to be broken, but luckily just injured, I have a little pain but that's ok! Of course I was so angry with the driver!!!!! But he was afraid too! Anyway angles saved me, I think ...

Today, I bought again some healthy foods,(dried fruits, and edible nuts) we call it in my own language "kuruyemiş") between the meals it is nice to eat them, but of course not too many,

dried prunes

raisins (dried grapes)
crude almonds
crude hazelnuts
walnuts
peanuts
pumpkin seeds
roasted chickpeas (especially for stomach so good, I made cure with this one for my reflux acid sendroms)

Madredeus

2011-02-25T06:05:00.000-08:00

http://www.madredeus.com/

It's a dark and cold day today. Raining too. I didn't go out and for a walk. I did so many things that all of them were uncompleted works :) so I finished them! Ah, yes, with my cat too :) She likes to follow me and to do something with what she can steal from my things while I was busy! But sure, I notice then and she hides! So, all works were finished, I am at my desk and she is in her basket bed! She can sleep, there is not any fun for her now :) She should be thinking like that...

A few days ago I read on internet, Oscar, the cat!

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3102541n

Dr. David Dosa talks with Richard Schlesinger about Oscar the Cat, who seems to have the ability to know when patients at a Rhode Island nursing home are about to pass away.
It was interesting! I wouldn't want to have a cat like that makes me afraid...

and another news, about another cat,

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1359059/Smokey-cats-92-decibel-purr-noisy-Boeing-737.html

Photo by Geoff Robinson

This is amazing I wished to meet with this cat!

Artichoke!

2011-02-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

We love artichoke, and there is an old saying here about it, "Even to cross the field of artichoke, so useful, you do not get sick".

One of my friends, she is busy with her new book, it would be all about useful notes for our health and beauty. I am excited for her, and impatiently I wait for her book. Maybe I will help her too, about some photographs of the recipes, etc.

I tried to cook two recipes of hers, they were delicious, (one with broccoli and the other one with artichoke) and I loved so much. It is exactly what I need in these days, because I have already changed my cook style! And foods... I wished to live in farm or in a village, and to make, to produce everything with myself. Because to find nature foods and fresh and trustable foods are not easy now, and I don't want to eat some industrial foods! Modernity and technologies bring so many problems and then it begins to take medical help with some medicines... But medicines have so many side effects too! So, there is something wrong in this invisible (or what is not thought) food chains... It begins from the plant(field) and then to come up at our eating table! So it was a radical decision for me and I changed all my way of cooking and foods. But yes, I am alone in the home, :) I cook my meal for myself, and I also cook their meals too, but I don't eat what I cook for them :) They still want to eat as usual, as before... not as mine. What do I eat? Actually the difference, just more vegetables,... not white flour (wholemeal or oat flour), not sugar (brown sugar or just honey or fruits (fresh or dried), meat just grill,... Broccoli, artichoke, carrots, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, fresh beans, spinach, leek, celery root, etc.

Artichoke recipe: Four artichokes, I bought them sorted and peeled and they give you into lemon juice! So it was easy to cook. Then I prepared sliced little potatoes and carrots. With arrichokes I salt them and then I put in my steam pan all together.

In another place, I prepare again Béchamel sauce (but as always I use oat flour or wholemeal flour with milk) when the vegetables cooks I take them into the oven pan but I put potatoes and carrots in artichokes and a little bit I pour olive oil on them and then bechamel sauce on top of them, finally again grated cheese and yes, my favurite fresh dills too Then into the oven! Not so long, just to get the golden brown colours.

I always make my own bread at home :) But it is easy to make it, not as before! Of course with my break machine! Technology in the kitchen is great :) But this time, my husband and my son, they liked too this brown bread! I used again wholemeal flour! So I haven't to be the only one who eats this bread :) Yihuuuuuu!

Another point, my yogurt machine! Well done, it was nice to eat. But I changed my milk, so it is better than before.

with my prayers...

2011-02-24T05:26:00.000-08:00

It is a mournful day, today in my apartment, one of my neighbourgs died. Rest In Peace! I had an appointment again with my dentist, and I was there early in the morning. My lovely dentist, she saved
my tooth once again :) Actually she gifted me my smile... In all my life, none of dentists found any solution for
my problem teeth, but she did. And I said to her, as if she had her dental education, master degrees etc. for me :) We smiled. Thanks for God, that I met her and I am grateful for her too...

Then I walked down to the market, as my usual market, I made some shopping for the kitchen, and then we met with my husband, he was near to me, because of the funeral of the neighbourg, he took me to the home, after the funeral in the mosque.

"He who has gone, so we but cherish his memory, abides with us, more potent, nay, more present than the living man". ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Life goes on under the gray clouds... raining and cold too! While I was waiting for my husband at the street, I watched the birds, seagulls, sparrows, doves, and crows... I just wished to have my camera with me at that moment, they seemed so beautiful in this gloomy day!

with my prayers....

A cup of (sage) tea :)

2011-02-21T06:23:00.000-08:00

A cup of sage tea... :) I almost left to drink tea and coffee! But how I miss them :) sometimes when I smell coffee, it makes me bad but yes, I decided and I won't give up for this. Because it's not good for my

reflux acid.

Last week I worked on a book cover, that would be the first poetry book of my poet friend, he is so nice person and also his poetry is amazing. His poetry was always a great inspirational reading and light for me, and also his English language is so beautiful. I love both of them, poetry and English language! This weekend I finished the book cover, he found it marvelous, but there are some little changes, and then, maybe it would be the book cover of him! Not decided yet. But I am excited for him, Good Luck my dear friend.

Last week, my youngest neighbourg, she is writing a book too! Her book is about some precious notes, informations about health and beauty. She is so excited too! And she has so beautiful recipes for naturel foods and of course for to be healthy! One of them I tried last week, it was so nice and delicious. I cook my vegetables now with the steam pan, and instead of white flour (wheaf flour) I use, wholemeal flour or oat flour can be used too. Of course I am being careful for the foods now, I choose which is the low about the glycemic index, it means foods with GI index less than 55 are considered,

http://www.glycemicedge.com/glycemic-index-chart/

The recipe of my friend:

Broccoli. I wash them, then I salt a little (but sea salt or Himalayan salt, not refined ones, unhealthy and even dangerous for the body) and I cook them in steam pan),in other place I boil a little bit macaroni, then I put them all (macaroni and broccoli, and I mix them just a little olive oil) in a oven pan and I cover them with a Béchamel sauce (but I use oat flour or wholemeal flour with milk) at the top of them grated cheese (whatever you wish) and finally sprinkling a few fresh dills... In the oven you can cook till it becomes golden brown colour! It is delicious.

Bon Appetit!

Reflux acid (coughing) and to lose weight!

2011-02-21T06:01:00.000-08:00

5th January notes:

Little notes about some foods, and my own experience with them,

I think in a few days ago I talked about hot water with lemon juice. This is really amazing, it works. Every morning, before eating and drinking anything, I drink hot water with lemon juice! Lemon is not an acidic fruit as so many thinks like that, it is oppositely alkali and neutralizes the acid!

http://www.quantumbalancing.com/news/lemon%20water.htm

But I especially drink for my reflux acid, some people around me were talking about this and I searched, and I began to do this, it works. I am better now, but I also drink carrot juice everyday, it helps for the balance of acid in my stomach. (sorry for my language I hope I am not saying funny things or wrong)

Home Remedies for Acid Reflux with lemon

The patient should take a glass of hot water with lemon forty-five minutes before meals. It will help in the digestion of the food. The potassium in lemon neutralizes the acid.

Taking a glass of hot lemon water in the evening is also useful. Dr. Albert in his book, Fruits for Health has written that people have a wrong notion that lemon is acidic. As a result, because of ignorance about its medicinal effects the patients of acidity do not use it. They should know that lemon neutralizes acids. "

http://www.total-health-care.com/hom...cid-reflux.htm

By the way, this how water with lemon juice also helps to lose weights... This is unbelievable, it works too,... I lost two sizes now! But I need to lose some more too

------------

21 February notes :

A glass of hot water with lemon juice, It exactly works! I lost seven kilos now... I need to lose 5 more too! But I should share some notes about this hot water with lemon juice. Every morning before breakfast, I drink a glass of hot water with one lemon juice! If you don't like its taste, you may put more hot water and in a very big glass I do like that! First of all, it is really good for reflux acid! You know, before I shared lemon neutralizes acids. But I drink only morning one-time. A little note for reflux acid, especially for the coughing, when it starts I eat an apple! Red apple! It makes it, stop, and helps.

On the other hand, yes, I lose weight... But you know, to drink hot water with lemon regularly is important for to get the result. In all naturel cure to take regularly is important. And also as you can read above what I quoted, it is healthy too for many things.

Actually, I almost changed my eating and my cooking ways and foods. First of all, I don't eat as before, I eat so little but frequently I eat. My meals are not breakfast, lunch and dinner, I eat less but I have more meals than before. This helps me about my reflux problem, my stomach is better like that. And also I cook and eat naturel things, nothing I eat which are having more than 55 GI, I talked about this at the above of my post.

But of course, besides our doctors, everybody is a doctor of himself/herself... I try to do the best for me, because on the other hand, I take some medicines too. And they are not good for my reflux, but I try to get the balance by my new cooking way...

Himalayan Crystal salt lamp!

2011-02-21T05:48:00.000-08:00

Maybe I can't go to Himalaya but Himalaya comes to me :) I know I am crazy but I felt like that...

My Himalayan crystal salt lamp!

http://products.mercola.com/himalayan-salt/
about Himalayan rock salt

http://www.himalayancrystalsalt.com/sole-recipe.html
about Himalayan crystal salt, sole recipe

http://www.natural-salt-lamps.com/saltcrystallamps.html
about Himalayan salt lamps

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-salt-lamp.htm
what is salt lamp?

Painting with music/painting of music :)

2011-02-21T05:41:00.000-08:00

Stephen Ward paints a picture Beethoven...

http://www.youtube.com/user/SciencesBiological?email=share_video_user#p/f/1/IysnMueBCZw

Stephen Ward painting Art set to Vangelis Spiral

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myNt-Cra958&feature=related

Stephen Ward Paintings Art set to Franz Liszt Nocturne piano music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMR8SbyjuDE&feature=related

Sleeping

2011-02-21T05:37:00.000-08:00

Constantin Brancusi, Sleeping

constantin brancusi _ the essence of things
29 January - 23 May 2004

Constantin Brancusi (1876-1957) was one of the founding figures of modern sculpture and one of the most original artists of the twentieth-century. His groundbreaking carvings introduced abstraction and primitivism into sculpture for the first time, and were as important as Picasso’s paintings to the development of modern art.

http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/brancusi/

It is so beautiful, isn't ?

We are all connected

2011-02-21T05:35:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4gLIXnlw2I

We are all connected.

Imagine!

2011-02-10T06:21:00.000-08:00

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere"

Albert Einstein.

Cat paintings

2011-02-09T06:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.lowellherrero.com/index.html
Painted by Lowell Herrero

http://www.flashcoo.com/animal/Lowel...allpaper2.html

They were all amazing art, I hope you enjoy as me Especially the Pamplona Iruna series But his figures in the pictures are so nice, I loved his style and colours... They really bring happiness and peace to my soul when I watch them, art feeds our soul as always!

Another cat paintings by Jane Diamond

http://janediamond.blogspot.com/2008...i-shaulis.html

Painter Jane Diamond, from her "With Jane In Catland" Blog

Jane and Heidi

Amazing.

Marilyn Robertson's cats :)

2011-02-09T06:13:00.000-08:00

http://www.marilynrobertson.com/

12 Beauty Secrets for ladies :)

2011-02-09T06:11:00.000-08:00

12 Ancient beauty secrets Unbelievable!!!!!

http://weeklyworldnews.com/headlines...eauty-secrets/

Cenote

2011-02-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

http://www.lacasapark.com/la/2010/02/cenote-dos-ojos/

Cenote, is one of the names which is among the most interesting and mystical places in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cenote

What a beautiful colour of blue...

Finger Monkey

2011-02-09T06:07:00.000-08:00

Finger Monkey... It was amazing.

http://scienceray.com/biology/the-ti...finger-monkey/

http://media.photobucket.com/image/m...ey-12.jpg?o=14

Harem

2011-02-09T06:04:00.001-08:00

The Sultan Suleyman Magnificent

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CYv8...eature=channel

This is a new tv series in here, and it's been 5 section now, and this video is the last one that was on Wednesday night. Usually I don't watch television, but this was very interesting for me too, because this tv film/series is being taking in Topkapi Palace, especially in Harem. This is actually an historical series, and about a love story, between Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent and Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana), actually this is a great story. Especially I watch for the decorations, and the clothings at that time, they spent much money for this, I mean customs, etc. I know so many people wondering what is Harem and how is it, this can be a little image, I mean this video, but I know it is not in English. If I try to make a short brief, Sultan Suleyman is going to fight against the Hungarian King, while he was on the way of war, the Sultan Suleyman's mother, Valide Sultan wanted Hurrem Sultan to marry with another man, because she didn't want her, in the Harem. But Hurrem and Sultan Suleyman are both in love, and in later Hurrem will be the first woman in the harem who got married. And also the first for my country too. Anyway, Hurrem Sultan didn't get marry with another man because she is pregnant, waiting for a baby of Sultan Suleyman! I hope you get enjoy to watch this video, if you wish you can find number 1, 2, 3 and 4 too in youtube list.

http://www.allaboutturkey.com/suleyman.htm
Sultan Suleyman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxelana
Hurrem Sultan (Roxelana)

Everything is mathematics :)

2011-02-09T06:03:00.000-08:00

http://socyberty.com/relationships/m...hate-and-love/

Mathematical Explanation of hate and love

*   *   *

Mathematics of Love

One rose from the right person
amounts to more than a dozen roses
from anyone else.

That's the mathematics of love. Love never adds up
to anything
that makes sense,
not even to the heart,
which defies logic.
When love begins for one
and the other,
two become one.

1+ 1=1

When love begins for one
and not the other,
nothing results.

1+ 0=0

Two loves divide
the heart
because the heart
can break
yet it's not divisible,
and when the pieces
are put back together
they never quite
add up
to the same thing.

1 ÷ 2 +x = -1

Lost love finds the heart
lessened
while a heart lost in love
sweeps the heart away.
Take love away
the heart is subtracted.
When it's over for one
it's over for two.

1–1 =2

Lock love inside,
the heart empties
and dies.
Give love away,
it multiplies.

1÷ 1=∞

Pass it on,
it's the only way
to score.

by Rayanda Arts

(The award-winning poem, Mathematics of Love, is a poetical look at love's ability to defy logic and to diminish or expand the heart)

http://www.scribd.com/doc/18358473/Mathematics-of-Love

*   *   *

The most interesting numbers in math!

1) Number e (is called “Number of Euler)

2) Number Pi

3) Number Phi (is also called “the golden ratio” or “divine proportion”.)

http://scienceray.com/mathematics/ma...mbers-in-math/

*   *   *
http://www.cut-the-knot.org/do_you_know/index.shtml

The Stone Age Diet (Prof.Dr.Ahmet Aydın)

2011-02-09T05:55:00.001-08:00

http://www.healthdetails.org/general...mited-247.html

http://www.todayszaman.com/news-2306...e-disease.html

Going back days... But I agree with his thoughts, this modern age, brought so many different things to our life, especially on about our foods and also on about to produce them... We nearly forget the natural foods, and their taste...

If you would not be forgotten,....

2011-02-09T05:54:00.000-08:00

http://kathrynvercillo.com/blog/2009/07/15/how-do-you-organize-your-favorite-quotes/

Saatli Maarif Takvimi

2011-02-09T05:48:00.000-08:00

There is a little calendar in my kitchen. Traditional Turkish Calendar 'Saatli Maarif Takvimi'! From 1860 till today. In all my life I remember there was in our homes, and I was loving to read the pages of the days... But when I was too small, my grandfather was reading me There was a little notes for about the day! Anyway, yesterday, when I read the quote of the day, it took me again to my childhood memories... Who can forget Peter Pan! Yes, the quote of the day was Sir James Barrie's one of beautiful words.

"The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one has to do."

Peter Pan Statue - Kensington Gardens

In 1912, Sir James (JM) Barrie - author of the Peter Pan books - hired sculptor Sir George Frampton to make a statue of the boy who never grew up. Barrie kept the project a secret, with only a select few, including Lewis Harcourt, the council's commissioner of works, aware of the plan. After it was finished, Barrie arranged for it to be put in Kensington Gardens in the middle of the night because he wanted people to believe it was magic. And on the morning of 1 May, 1912, there it was - and still is.

http://www.places-to-go.org.uk/kensi...s_peterpan.htm

Life

2011-02-09T05:39:00.000-08:00

http://www.jucoolimages.com/quotes.php

Kindness again

2011-02-09T05:38:00.000-08:00

http://yournewlifejourney.com/home
Blaise Pascal: Kind words do not cost much..yet they accomplish much.

The Dalai Lama: When we feel love and kindness towards others it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it also helps to develop inner happiness and peace.

Mother Teresa: Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truely endless.

Thedore Rubin: Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.

Funny quote...just a little smile!

2011-02-09T05:35:00.001-08:00

Love

2011-02-09T05:34:00.001-08:00

Kindness

2011-02-09T05:30:00.001-08:00

Cats, cats, cats...

2011-02-02T02:49:00.000-08:00

http://animals.nationalgeographic.co...cat_image.html/

Cats are the beautiful creatures, they love to be a model of us :)

Such a day....

2011-01-28T03:16:00.000-08:00

It's been fourth day, today that I've been ill. It is flu, my son was too a week ago, and then I am! Coughing and sniffles! But no high temperature, I am glad for this.

So, there is nothing special that I have done this week. Just being in the bed with my labtop and reading and writing and searching on Google. But it was a great fun to play with my beautiful friends on Trivia :) Makes my mind busy too! By the way, such a long time I didn't write anything in poetry and one of my friends, who is amazing, dear Patricia, she made me to write again :) I began to write some haiku poems, not so good but I enjoy doing this. What happened to my poetical spirit, I don't know.

This is not a usual one, I mean not the original Haiku, by 5-7-5... it is 3-5-3!!! Actually more difficult than the original, not easy to find words, especially for me! How lack my vocabulary!

*
Long nights
In the depth of dark
Talking...

*
Such A Day

Silence of my day
whispering as a new song
the wind fills my room...

Sea Lions

2011-01-21T04:01:00.000-08:00

http://thedailybite.wordpress.com/2009/12/29/san-francisos-pier-39-sea-lions-suddenly-vanished-and-remain-missing/

Don't Stop The Music!

2011-01-21T03:57:00.001-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0z1Mo7O6dE
Jamie Cullum / Don't stop the music

Piyer Loti

2011-01-21T03:43:00.000-08:00

The historical café, "Piyerloti"... It was a sunny day but there was a dry cold and we didn't sit long at the café. There is a teleferic, going up above one of the oldiest and historical cemetery (Eyüp Mezarlığı/Eyup Cemetery) and the view from the top is the Golden Horn. Of course during spring or early autumn it is much beautiful, but some people say that during snowing of the winter days it is another beauty to watch the Golden Horn from there. I haven't been actually in winter, once it was spring and the second one was just a few weeks ago.

I tried to take some pictures when I was there, you can find some details about this place and also about Piyerloti.

Piyerloti Cafe is the perfect place to drink a frothy Turkish coffee and smoke a narghile while taking in the entire Historical Peninsula from a birds eye perspective. Piyerloti Cafe, named after the famous French novelist Pierre Loti (pseudonym of Julien Viaud, 1850 - 1923) and marine attaché of the same name, is the best place from which to view the Golden Horn.

He visited many times Istanbul and wrote novels, part autobiography part romance, about Istanbul life. During his stays in Istanbul, he used to visit frequently the cafe at the heights named today after his name. This cafe still exists today

and one of the historical cafés where Loti was daydreaming frequently and was meeting secretely Mrs. Aziyade, the ottoman lady, heroine of his novel "Aziyadé".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Loti

Sahlep with full of cinnamon at top!

view from the café, between the cypress trees...The Golden Horn... There is also the historical café too, but there wasn't place there. Outside was very cold of course, My husband drunk sahlep and I drunk sage tea. Sahlep, (also know as salep)is a traditional Turkish drink. It is very common in Turkey especially in winters.

Salep is the name of a beverage made from salep flour, whose popularity spread beyond Turkey and the Middle East to England and Germany before the rise of coffee and tea and later offered as an alternative beverage in coffee houses. In England, the drink was known as "saloop". Popular in the 17th and 18th centuries in England its preparation required that the salep powder be added to water until thickened whereupon it would be sweetened then flavored with orange flower or rose waters.

Casita

2011-01-21T03:36:00.000-08:00

Beautiful meeting at lunch! We met in the morning with my friend at the Seabus port and we went to the other side, (European side of the Bosphorus) and then we went to Nişantaşı, it is one of the famous fashion/design/art center in the city. We walked there, boutigues, art galleries,

http://www.citysnisantasi.com/eng/

We visited this new shopping center, and then for the lunch we went to my favurite restorant, "Casita"

The special menu was "Feraye", it is Turkish ravioli, in this picture it is on the right and covered with yoghurt, Delicious the other one on the left its special ice-cream with wine/cherry and wafer, But we call this wafer in my own language "Paper Wafer" and also the name of this dessert "Paper Doll"...

The Tigers' Nest Monastery

2011-01-21T03:32:00.000-08:00

http://www.wayfaring.info/2008/03/15/tigers-nest-monastery/#

I wished to wake up one day and to say Good Morning from the top of the world. :)

"Start your day with a smile!"

Awake To Smile

When I blink sunshine in my eyes
And hail the amber morn,
Before the rosy dew-drop dries
With sparkle on the thorn;
When boughs with robin rapture ring,
And bees hum in the may,--
Then call me young, with heart of Spring,
Though I be grey.
But when no more I know the joy
And urgence of that hour,
As like a happy-hearted boy
I leap to land aflower;
When gusto I no longer feel,
To rouse with glad hooray,--
Then call me old and let me steal
From men away.

Let me awaken with a smile
And go to garden glee,
For there is such a little while
Of living left to me;
But when star-wist I frail away,
Lord, let the hope beguile
That to Ecstatic Light I may
Awake to smile.

by Robert William Service

Dried Linden Flowers and Dried Sage Leaves

2011-01-21T03:25:00.000-08:00

A little suggestion for our cough, herbal teas, but one is "dried flowers of Linden tree". You boil water and in other side you put some dried flowers of linden tree (not leaves just flowers) in a cup and then add the hot water on it, leave it for five minutes, if you wish you can add apple peel and honey too, then strain and you can drink. It is very good for cough... you can search on google too :)

Dried Linden Tree flowers

and Dried Sage tree leaves, sage tea

The second one is Sage tea, it is same procedure with linden flowers, but if you don't want to drink you can make gargle too...

Happy New Year!

2011-01-21T03:21:00.000-08:00

H A P P Y N E W Y E A R

Wishing a peaceful world,

Goodbye MMX and Welcome MMXI

Painted by Nicholas Roerich (Krishna under a Kulu Valley apple tree)

"Nicholas Roerich, (October 9, 1874 – December 13, 1947), was a Russian painter, philosopher, scientist, writer, traveler, and public figure. He created about 81,000 paintings (many of them are exhibited in well-known museums of the world) and about 30 literary works. Roerich was an author and initiator of an international pact for the protection of artistic and academic institutions and historical sites (Roerich’s Pact) and a founder of an international movement for the defence of culture. Roerich earned several nominations for the Nobel Prize."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Roerich

The Last Day of the Year

2011-01-21T03:18:00.000-08:00

When I was at the Baghdad Avenue, in front of the Marks and Spencer, bird poop on my shoulder!!!!! It is said that should be a good luck! It happened at first time, I don't believe these kind of things but I bought a Lotto! For the New Year... :) (nothing I won!)

There is a humorus anecdote for this, I hope I can explain without damaging the humour

Birds were talking, one of them said that, these people how stupid they are, we **** on them, they take this as a good luck.

Walking

2011-01-21T03:16:00.000-08:00

The New Year started with new decisions :) Yes, everyday I try to walk, this is important for me. I know how good for our health. I listen to my doctor, he says that I should have walked the farest place for to buy bread or milk etc.
So, I dedicated my today's morning touches to the "Walking"

"
All truly great thoughts are conceived by walking.
Friedrich Nietzsche

The longest journey begins with a single step.
Lao Tsu, Tao Te Ching

If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking.
Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.
Raymond Inmon

I can only meditate when I am walking. When I stop,
I cease to think; my mind works only with my legs.
Jean Jacques Rousseau, Confessions

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive at where we started
And know the place for the first time.
T. S. Eliot, Little Gidding

and this is one of my best poems that I've ever read, I hope you like too

"Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life,
when I was suffering from anguish,
sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints,
so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life
there has only been one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied,
“The years when you have seen only one set of footprints,
my child, is when I carried you.”

Copyright © 1984 Mary Stevenson

Bülent Ortaçgil My favurite name

2011-01-21T03:11:00.000-08:00

http://albumdinle.com/bulent-ortacgil-sen-albumu-dinle/

Bülent Ortaçgil, my favorite musician and singer. His songs and especially lyrics of his songs are so nice. Maybe later I can try to translate too This is what I found for to listen to his songs on internet, it is very new maybe later I can find on youtube too... Especially these two songs, Number 1 "Hiç Canım Yanmaz" (means not makes me hurt anymore) and Number 7 "Telefon" (Telephone).... The name of the album is "Sen" means "You"...

Figs As a delicious and healthy food

2011-01-21T03:10:00.000-08:00

"DELICIOUS AND NUTRITIOUS FIGS

WHY THE FIGS ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER FRUITS?

Because Turkish figs are just dried sun dried on racks at western Anatolia. The fig is a tiny fruit that contains hundreds of seeds which are genetically coded. If a child eats a dried fig a day, can receive all basic nutrient radicals to synthesize proteins.

WHAT ARE ITS NUTRITION VALUES?

Two important goals of human nutrition are attained at the same time with the consumption of dried figs.

About 10 % of the energy requirement is met by consuming 100 grams (4-6 figs) while meeting about 7% of protein requirement and while also meeting 17 percent of Recommended Daily Allowances for Calcium, and 30 % of Iron, and 30 % of Magnesium minerals and also meeting 5.2 % of Vitamin B1 and 4.5 % of Vitamin B2, which are all necessary for cell reconstruction.

WHY HUMAN BODY NEEDS DIETARY FIBRE?

Dietary fibres are useful for decreasing intraluminal colonic pressure, increasing gastrointestinal motility and increasing the volume and the weight of material that reaches the distal colon. Both soluble and insoluble fibres exert these physiologic effects whereas only soluble fibres exert metabolic effects, such as delayed glucose absorption, increased sensitivity to insulin, altered intestinal enzyme activity, binding of bile acids, and decrease in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Different kinds of fibres has different activities in human body. Some of them accelerate the digestive system, whereas some of them slow it down. Basically the fibres help the digestive system to clean the body.

Turkish dried figs contain all kinds of dietary fibres in high ratios. These are pectins, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and polysaccharides. Let us see how dietary fibre works like a train in the body:

Water in the foods attached to the dietary fibres eases human intake. The cholesterol taken by consumption of other foods attached to these fibres. So these components are connected to each other like a train and excreted from the body without being absorbed.

Thus the cholesterol taken is discarded before entering circulation system, i.e. to the human blood and cholesterol levels decrease.

Some of the fibres found in dried figs facilitate the discarding of harmful materials out of the body quickly, whereas some of them slow down the digestion facilitating absorption of some minerals.

Dried figs are in the class of foods containing highest quantities of dietary fibre. 100 grams of dried figs contain about 6-7 grams of dietary fibres. The American Dietetic Association recommends a daily fibre intake of 20 to 35 grams from a variety of sources combined with a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet.

IF YOU CAN NOT DRINK MILK YOU CAN EAT FIGS

Figs contain Calcium as much as milk. 100 grams of milk meets 17% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Calcium.

Calcium in the dried figs is more digestible compared to other vegetal Calcium sources. The human body needs Phosphorus with Calcium for the formation and maintenance of bones and teeth. Dried figs contain the counterbalanced amount of Phoshorus together with Calcium.

Very few foods have this nutritive balance. For this reason milk and dried figs have a distinctive importance in human nutrition.

FIGS AS A DELICIOUS AND HEALTHY FOOD

Turkish dried figs are the most natural delicious and healthy fruits. Dried figs are fast energy giving fruits. Young and active adolescents require Calcium, Iron and Vitamin B1 which is available in dried figs. Contains high proportion of dietary fibre, and Iron Magnesium, Phosphorus and Calcium. Does not contain cholesterol, fat or Sodium. Contains easily digestible natural sugars ( glucose, fructose) minerals and vitamins."

Water

2011-01-21T03:06:00.000-08:00

One of my friends, gifted a book to me, and it is very interesting and useful for me to read. The book is all about the water! How important for life... We have to drink water everyday eight glass! The book written by some academicians of nourishment science. "The Curative Power of the Water" But of course it is talked about Alcali water...

Have you heard Masaru Emoto?

http://www.masaru-emoto.net/english/ephoto.html

"Masaru Emoto (born July 22, 1943) is a Japanese author and entrepreneur known for his claim that if human speech or thoughts are directed at water droplets before they are frozen, images of the resulting water crystals will be "beautiful" or "ugly" depending upon whether the words or thoughts were positive or negative. Emoto claims this can be achieved through prayer, music or by attaching written words to a container of water.

Since 1999 Emoto has published several volumes of a work titled Messages from Water, which contains photographs of water crystals next to essays and "words of intent."

In addition to his books, Emoto also sells various water products from his websites and catalogs, which are purported to have healing properties derived from his research and experiments."
the origin of this information from :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masaru_Emoto

On Living By Nazim Hikmet

2011-01-21T03:03:00.000-08:00

" ON Living "

Living is no laughing matter:
you must live with great seriousness
like a squirrel, for example--
I mean without looking for something beyond and above living,
I mean living must be your whole occupation.
Living is no laughing matter:
you must take it seriously,
so much so and to such a degree
that, for example, your hands tied behind your back,
your back to the wall,
or else in a laboratory
in your white coat and safety glasses,
you can die for people--
even for people whose faces you've never seen,
even though you know living
is the most real, the most beautiful thing.
I mean, you must take living so seriously
that even at seventy, for example, you'll plant olive trees--
and not for your children, either,
but because although you fear death you don't believe it,
because living, I mean, weighs heavier.

II

Let's say you're seriously ill, need surgery--
which is to say we might not get
from the white table.
Even though it's impossible not to feel sad
about going a little too soon,
we'll still laugh at the jokes being told,
we'll look out the window to see it's raining,
or still wait anxiously
for the latest newscast ...
Let's say we're at the front--
for something worth fighting for, say.
There, in the first offensive, on that very day,
we might fall on our face, dead.
We'll know this with a curious anger,
but we'll still worry ourselves to death
about the outcome of the war, which could last years.
Let's say we're in prison
and close to fifty,
and we have eighteen more years, say,
before the iron doors will open.
We'll still live with the outside,
with its people and animals, struggle and wind--
I mean with the outside beyond the walls.
I mean, however and wherever we are,
we must live as if we will never die.

III

This earth will grow cold,
a star among stars
and one of the smallest,
a gilded mote on blue velvet--
I mean this, our great earth.
This earth will grow cold one day,
not like a block of ice
or a dead cloud even
but like an empty walnut it will roll along
in pitch-black space ...
You must grieve for this right now
--you have to feel this sorrow now--
for the world must be loved this much
if you're going to say "I lived" ...
written by Nazim Hikmet
Trans. by Randy Blasing and Mutlu Konuk (1993)

My Lovely Dentist :) seni çok seviyorum!

2011-01-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

http://ak.imgag.com/imgag/product/preview/flash/bws8Shell_fps24.swf?ihost=http://ak.imgag.com/imgag&brandldrPath=/product/full/el/&cardNum=/product/full/ap/3166187/graphic1

It was the most New Year Wishes postcard that I've ever received :) It was from my lovely dentist, how much I love her, Blessing and Happiness for her,

Meeting with my friend

2011-01-21T02:58:00.000-08:00

Cafe Nero, Caddebostan, Istanbul

It was a day in late December... There was a wonderful weather. We met with one of my old friends at the Cafe Nero, at the sea side of the Anatolian part of the city. We sat out side under the sun! But late afternoon we felt the coldness of the sea...

I had a wonderful gift from my friend, guess what? A photography book. It was so nice, my gifts for her lovely daugther, and she phoned me a few minutes ago that saying she loved so much. But she doesn't know I am a child too :) (my gift was a little musical box)

Have you seen this video, "The Pen Story",

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9Et7UQh1tg

Creative Minds

2011-01-21T02:53:00.001-08:00

What great idea :) I love these creative minds and world :)

http://designvagabond.blogspot.com/2008_12_01_archive.html

Peter Rabbit of Beatrix Potter

2011-01-21T02:52:00.000-08:00

To make a little suprises or to give a gift to someone, especially who you love, is the beautiful thing, and I love to make surprises to my friends. I noticed that, this last year I mostly gifted her books to my friends' children :) This is amazing! But I really love "Beatrix Potter", especially after watching her life story on TV (movie) my love was more...

By the way, one of my best! "Beatrix Potter's"...Peter Rabbit! How I love this woman, and her stories... yes, there is still a child in side of me :)

Hot Water with lemon juice !

2011-01-21T02:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.quantumbalancing.com/news/lemon%20water.htm

"Home Remedies for Acid Reflux with lemon

The patient should take a glass of hot water with lemon forty-five minutes before meals. It will help in the digestion of the food. The potassium in lemon neutralizes the acid.

Taking a glass of hot lemon water in the evening is also useful. Dr. Albert in his book, Fruits for Health has written that people have a wrong notion that lemon is acidic. As a result, because of ignorance about its medicinal effects the patients of acidity do not use it. They should know that lemon neutralizes acids. "

I have problem with my stomach, especially acid reflux, but some of my pills are not good for this and I have to take them too. And also I take another pill for my stomach too, much better but this reflux still problem, makes me cough. Anyway, I began to drink everyday carrot juice and also hot water with lemon juice in the morning. Actually my own doctor doesn't agree with me about this lemon. For him, it is acidic and I should keep away from acidic things. But this is really interesting experience for me, because lemon by itself can be problem for me, but hot water and lemon juice not a problem.

Aşure Zamanı (Time for Aşure)

2011-01-21T02:44:00.000-08:00

I was busy in the kitchen today But I enjoyed, especially to make a dessert what's one of my favourites! One is apple pie and the other one is "Aşure", in English "Ashure"... I am not sure you know this or have you ever tasted? It is delicious.

Ashure (in Turkish: Aşure) or Noah's Pudding is a Turkish dessert that is made of a mixture consisting of grains, fruits and nuts. Ashure is a part of the culinary tradition of Turkey as well as many of the surrounding countries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aşure

But not easy making, it takes time. But Dr.Oetker produced this dessert in a small package, you can only boil them in water or in milk! I usually make with milk, it becomes white... I love much more with milk. And then you can dress with all fruits, whatever you wish. As you can see at the above, everybody makes different way with the dried fruits, what you like. But as you may read in the recipe, traditionally should be at least seven ingredients. Among these are wheat, rice, beans, chick peas, sugar (or other sweetener), dried fruits, and nuts, though there are many variants.

Thank you, I wished to serve a cup of Aşure for you too

(in my culture, when somebody makes Aşure, she/he serves all their neighbours, so it means you have to make more than four or eight person This is traditional way to share with neighbours.)

These Flying wings :)

2011-01-21T02:21:00.001-08:00

Ballet dancers

2011-01-21T02:19:00.000-08:00

I always love ballet and modern dance... A few months ago I watched them on Mezzo! They were amazing,
fascinated me so much, Carolyn Carlson and musician René Aubry, but dancers and ballet too... Music, colours and Choreography I loved so much.

I hope you get enjoy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBw8fuk1spM&playnext=1&list=PL2C5B8F94DB3B162A&index=87
Carolyn CARLSON-René AUBRY. Victoire Des Signes / The Red Dress /

BLUE LADY au BATACLAN /

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x64egu_signes-carolyn-carlson_music
Signs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oR5v0VChydo
René Aubry

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8IVY2ANYIM&feature=related
René Aubry - Non ti amo più (I don't love you anymore)

After my silent days :)

2011-01-21T02:13:00.000-08:00

Time runs... The sun goes down and rises again. We are... Actually life goes on as usual between seasons :) Sometimes it is a wonderful spring day and sometimes very hard cold days! Anyway, I am here again and where should I begin I don't know! Just I try to share some of my notes from my daily notes... Then as usual I'll try to drop day by day again :)

It was the beautiful thing that I met with this little farm :) During November... It almost reminded me my childhood days, how beautiful home made foods, we bought some of them and also I can find in my city too, because they have some branches. I can imagine how it would be so nice during spring, I am patient for this. And this time when I visit this lovely farm, I want to take some pictures :) Yes, with my new camera!

http://www.evce-sapanca.com.tr/

Kindness

2010-06-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

"Wherever there is a human being there is an opportunity for kindness". ~Seneca

Kindness is my essence, from my early ages I've always tried to be kindful. My grandma always found me amazing, because, according to her, in all my tragic life stories it was surprised to be like that. I didn't hate people. Yes, I lived so many disappointed things in my life but I never lost my thoughts and my beliefs. As I say always, there is time for everyone to understand. But yes, it takes time. Even sometimes without reaching to this point you may die too... I mean without understanding the things in your life, without finding the answers why and what, you may die. As if unexplored life you leave behind you. We are all trying to establish our own stories. Destiny, yes, it is something you find yourself in a studio as if, to be born on this earth with all your circumstances means to find yourself in a kind of studio... You are there with yourself. And you can create something and you can establish your own story. If we think that life is a big puzzle, we have to find our exact place in this puzzle. This is our walking too. To explore ourselves. Who I am, where I am, what is my truth...etc. But without kindness, without love... how it would be our life walking!

This is so powerfully simple, profoundly beautiful, what Dalai Lama says: “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

When I was a little child, even knowing nothing yet, I cried while we were leaving our small town. We were moving to the big city, because of my Dad's job, he was offered to be a general manager of a new factory in the city. This was the great happiness and also proud of for my family. But I was so small to realize this, just I was thinking my trees in our garden. They were my friends as if and all my days passed under them. I really cried while talking to them. When my Dad found me under the trees, he smiled and wanted to make me feel better and told that, "Come one nia, there will be so many trees there too where we go..."

Never happened so many trees where we moved and where I lived. yes, sometimes there was a lovely gardens that we lived around them, but not for a long time... They were all cutting the trees in the big cities for to build apartments... Just a few tree remains as to show that they keep them! It was funny.

Of course my kindful part is not only about nature and animal's world... I am very kindful for everyone. I never knew to make some seperations for people,... never. They are all people/human and a part of this world, as me... under the same sky, the earth is the home for all of us. No religious discrimination, no political discrimination, no skin colour discrimination, no language discrimination and no ethnic discrimination... I never thought people in them, human is human. For me I always looked people in two ways, one is the one who is conscious about life and her/himself... the other one, who is the sleep...

But unfurtunately there is so much hatret and enimty between people... I don't like to be in these kind of problems, but in any case they make you to see and to feel this. From their actions/manners or from their words, you understand that you are the other for them. It is not easy to translate this, but in my own language we have a special word for this, and I hate. "Öteki".... (= to be other) I remember J. Habermas, his political theories on about "How do we learn to live with each other? ..."

I just thought of them today, something made me to think again. I felt myself as the other, unjustice seems some of things and I try to understand. When I talked to my son last night, he told me that I was so much kindful and I did apprecaited to the people more than they expected. And according to him, todays world is not going like that, there is a race in everywhere, in every field... The world is so much materialist and everything is being wasted so fastly nothing stays valueable... We consume everything so fast what we produced and created. and finally he told that no one could understand me. I was so possitive and so kindful for this new world.

I Gave Up...

2010-06-02T15:13:00.000-07:00

Tatsız ve üzücü bir gündü bugün! İnsanlar ne kadar kırıcı olabiliyorlar, bir kez daha yaşadım. İnancımın sınırı tükendi. Yoruldum artık.

Sözlerin anlamı yok
çabalarının da
öylesine boş ki
her şey
geriye
kalan hiç bir şey
yok.

Yok artık.

What is and where is the peace?

2010-06-01T04:35:00.000-07:00

Actually nothing goes well in here, maybe you all keep reading or watching on news of the world. I usually try to stay away from political matters, but this is so tragic and I can't understand why happens and happene. And right now our Prime Minister is talking to the world about Israel, they were just sailing for help to the people in Gazze... There were so many passengers from 32 different countries, children, women, and 60 journalists from different countries. And BM was knowing them and also their load in the ships they were all known, they were checked and controlled. This was the civil ships for bringing help for people... I am so sad this is what I will never understand. On the other hand, terrorists attacked in one of military command headquarters and our young soldiers died.

I am a woman; I am a mother and I am a human... Every part of me crying today. I can't find words.

God be with all these sad families,
I pray for them.

It was a nice day...

2010-05-29T16:22:00.000-07:00

Today we were in the Ömerli Village, it is one of the nice places around the city. And also there is Ömerli Dam there that is one of the most important reservoirs for the water supply of Istanbul.

Cleaning the room with....

2010-05-28T04:31:00.000-07:00

we tried to clean the room with my Princess :) As you can see, she doesn't help me, she just followed me and made me to have a break more than working :) she loves to be in activities at home with me!!!!

IMA

2010-05-27T02:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I thought of these points;
I take seriously everything and everyone in my life...
I do appreciate everybody and I suppose that everybody is like me and then I live disappointed. This should be my bad part. But I love people and I really appreciate and my kindfull part whispers always to me. But I lose everytime... and then I feel sad. And then you notice that you are a silly one; silly one...

Nothing changes in another language too... Life goes same with human factor. You are living in another world nia that is not on this earth :)

I need to hear something good; something nice today... I don't want to cry; I don't want to think anything...
Ah, JUNE, ah JUNE! how much I love you and how much I miss you, YOU KNOW, you know, you know...

Just today, just right now, there is! Like old Japanese wise people, think of just now. Not yesterday, not future, but today, right now.

"IMA" (means right now in Japanese)

O Sensin Değil mi?

2010-05-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

renklerin kırıldığı
sessiz bahçelerin
güneş tozları
arasından
düşüyor
sözcükler
a n l a m s ı z
b o m b o ş
ama
henüz tercüme edilmemiş
bir hikayenin
ilk sancıları
gibi;
o sensin
değil mi...

Words
are dropping
into the sundust
of silent gardens
that the colours were broken;
meaningless
and empty
but like a prime pains
of a story
not translated yet

Is that you?

Friendships

2010-05-24T07:31:00.000-07:00

Blue skies are hiding behind the clouds today. Seems that it is going to rain in somewhere else in the city. The cool touches of the rain I can feel here... But the temperature is 20 degrees not bad, this is what I want... Not so cold and not so hot!

Yesterday we were talking with one of my friends in the Ceneviz Cafe, about relationships, friendness etc. This is same problem for everyone to have a nice friend... In todays world we all live some sad events, and there is always a disappointed. And so much broken hearts... What happened to us, or what's going to be friendships... We do need more than ever now this relationship but maybe because of this modern and faster life and especially with all these technological improvements we all forget how to be a friend, especially a nice friend, a good friend... Such a long time I have been watching around my humble world and I can't see anyone who is happy about this. Yesterday I noticed once again, people in these days are making much more seperations and they make some categories for their friends, or for people who they meet... We talked about this too, with my friend. She is a young one, and she says that she can't understand people... I smiled her, and I said me too... As if I should forget everything what I learned in my life. And what I read too... Todays world seems to me very strange... Everything and every relationship is depend on some strategical points, as if everything is being planned. You are at the end being a project! Not a friend. There is always some expectations from you... If you don't have anything to give, or if you don't have anything that they can take from you, you become alone. Ironically it stands as if right. But this is not like that in friendship... shouldn't be like that. To love, to help, to share, to give, to do something for others, to listen,...etc. all these things should be waiting for nothing from the other side. Friendship is not a project, is not a businees, is not a material or tool for anything; it is an abstract concept but it appears in realities of our life.

I never seperate people according some points, there is only two kind of people for me, the good (the nice) one and the bad one... Then another questionable point openning here, what is to be a good one and what is to be a bad one... Wittgenstein says that “You cannot lead people to what is good; you can only lead them to some place or other. The good is outside the space of facts” In all my life, I've never seen a bad one became a good one; yes, with some rules, with some forcible situations they can be, at least they try to obey for some points but the essence, in side of them are standing there... The bad one is always bad and the good one is always good. On the other hand, sometimes the ignorance or unknowledgeless or unculture or unawareness can bring some bad things too but this is the easy one because when you teach them, when you break their darkness the good is going to rise like a sun.

So, friendship is so precious in any time of our life. And all times of this world. There are so many books, essays were written about this. But still we can say we are alone... or we are broken... etc. And we all still discuss who is friend, how to be a friend, etc.

I think with all these new technological improvements we establish a new style friendships, especially on these invisible cords... But I can't imagine near future what will be...

Friendship should be based on the honesty for both sides... Sharing and giving shouldn't be in a stragetical plans, "without giving you can't take" this is an old saying in eastern culture but in here to give is not making point for material world. There is not a kind of account between friends; you can only walk with your heart...

But of course, should be added this too, without expecting anything to give is the essence of good one, in my culture it is like that. To help someone, to do something for someone is the good thing, without expecting to take something back from her or him. But yes, at the end we are human and one day we can notice that we are the only one who shares, gives, helps... but when we need something we are alone. How sad for us. And then we begin to think what is the wrong... Of course should be a time for to come to face with this.

Relationships are not easy actually... but love is the only guide for us. Without love nothing can go nicely. Should be put the power of a beautiful heart. There are so many people in this world, and all of them are different... Some good, some bad... I always pray to God for a good people to meet... They are my richness in my life, but others. And I am a lucky one, I have a beautiful people (and some of them my friends too) in my life,...

Photographia

2010-05-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Photographia of my own stories... beginning at me! Me; who... who am I? Where I stopped I began; where I started I concluded... Actually there is not beginning or end, there is only try, as the poet says... And I try. But every day I feel much more tired; yes, I am tired. Tell me nia, can elephants dance... remember?

Just Birds...

2010-05-14T03:01:00.000-07:00

Good Day my humble world... It seems there is a nice weather out side, and I can hear the birds' singing... Once there were more trees around my house and it was a small forest, they were all pine trees... But in years changed and we have just a few of them now. And birds love to come and fly here, on the top of the trees... Otherwise surrounded with concrete buildings...

Yesterday... ah! yesterday, I've broken a little bit... and I don't know what to do... but this is clear, I love
beautiful people who have a wonderful heart... and who knows how to act, how to talk, etc. In all my life I missed beautiful people...

Yesterday also I finished my watercolour painting :) One of my photographer friends' photograph inspired me and I wanted to do something... Actually this one is the second once, because in the first one I spoiled the birds with their colours, but in this once, maybe the flying bird is not good as I wished. But who knows maybe I can try for third one too...

Actually the inspiration was one of my photographer friends' bird photography. He is an amazing one, and it was so beautiful his birds...

Photography By Pavel

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28084370@N03/

Thank you for all my beautiful friends :)

Gray Hair

2010-05-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

Gray hair at his temple... ! I was surprised when he told me this. My son. We talked on the phone yesterday, and he told me that I would find him older :)

Gray hair...
My hair turned gray in my youth, too :)

Remembering Tagore,
"Gray hairs are signs of wisdom if you hold your tongue, speak and they are but hairs, as in the young."

I love you my dearest, Blessing and Happiness, :)

From Birthday party, at Kumkapı!

2010-05-03T07:05:00.000-07:00

This last Saturday night we were at the "Kumkapı" (meaning 'sand gate' in Turkish) because of a birthday party of our friend. Kumkapı is a part of the Eminönü district of Istanbul. It is located along the Marmara Sea. The quarter is famous in Istanbul for its many fish restaurants.Visitors who want to have fresh fish and special food of Turkish cusine must spend an evening in this district.

and also the music is traditional Turkish songs, with the Turkish musical instruments,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUV0iZIBIIQ&feature=geosearch
And the view from the balcony of the restaraunt where we were this Saturday :)
we are waiting for our friends... in the square of the Kumkapı! and cheers for a birthday friend :)

and musicians...

Happy Birthday notes for him :)And it was so nice to drink a Turkish Raki with our friends... Actually I was drunk :) I didn't remember everything, but I was so good about taking pictures :) Happy Birthday once again dear E... Blessing and Happiness for your new age :)

I was just crying

2010-05-02T16:11:00.000-07:00

It's 01.39 here now... Silence of the night in the city! I am better now but still my knee has a pain and also my heart is so broken too. I don't know what to think or how to forget but yes, what I lived this Sunday made me so sad. I want to forget but I can't... I am not a perfect one, like a wise monks but at least I am an humble and simple one, like all others.

We were at the ferry boat with my husband. We were going to his music studio, because there was another working for their concerts. Anyway, it was a windy day and we didn't want to leave our car in the ferry boat. But when I saw the seagulls and cormorants at the port I went to take their pictures. Our car was in the mid of the ferry boat and my husband stayed in the car. I wasn't going so far from the car but there were other cars and he couldn't see me where I was... Then I was at the edge of the ferry boat and taking birds' pictures... I finished and I turned back but while I was walking in front of another car, I slipped and fell down on iron floor of the ferry boat, and I smashed my knee again. It was a very bad pain when I fell down and I couldn't stand up for a while... I stayed on the floor and the worst thing of the moment, no one came to help me!.... yes, people, they were all in their cars and some of them were up the ferryboat and sitting in the balcony... when I tried to stand up, I saw just people's eyes... they were just watching me. In pains I tried to stand up and to walk to our car, to my husband... How I walked I don't remember but I was crying... Can you imagine, you are in your car, and a woman while she is walking in front of your car, she falls down and then you can't see her suddenly!!!! What are you going to do? You run out the car and try to help this person whoever she is or he is...

My husband he was so sad and so mad too... This event made us both so sad. When we went to the studio we found ice bottles and we put them on my knee... I injured once again my knee yes it was the same knee... I fell down on my knee... Still it hurts... but to be honest the reactions of the people in the ferry boat hit me much more than my knee. People just watched. I am sure, the crew saw this too from the up,... I was in front of the ferry boat... and I am thinking now, if something happens much more serious and if I couldn't be able to stand up and to walk what will be... probably my husband would be wondering me where I am and he would come and find me.

I cried. Nothing made me happy today after this accident... I don't want to say that I hated but I just say, WHAT DID HAPPEN TO US... why we lost our human touches,... yes, I am afraid of living in this city. I felt myself so alone... But there should be a nice and kindful people... should be. This was an unlucky day for us today. It wouldn't be easy for me BUT I want to think on this way... yes, also my camera fell down too!!! It got damages but still works...

(By the way, I should add this too, before leaving our home today, something happened too. I was out side of the building and waiting for my husband, he was in the otopark... But he was late and I started to wonder about him, and I was thinking probably something happened to our car, maybe didn't work, etc. But he came then and he was very serious and very nervous, because when he went to the otopark of our apartment he noticed fire down there... some electrical cables was burning... and he immediately cut the electricity and did what he had to do. Luckily he noticed this fire at the beginning!!!! Otherwise what would have been I can't imagine. Then we made some phone calls (for the apartment manager and etc.) We told them what happened... But we lived a stressful moments. Then we were on the way of the studio.)

Today My Son's Birthday

2010-04-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how all these years passed! You are not a baby, not a child, you are a very handsome and a young man :) But you know my dearest, my love, you are always my little son, in mother's heart never growing up! I hope you can remember this photograph with our old cat, "Çılgın", he was waiting for you to play with him :) But your mother didn't let you to play till to finish your homework! And you was doing your homework... remember? How passed the years and now today you are far from me, for your military job. I miss you but I know the days will pass you will be here soon. God Bless you my dearest son!

Happy Birthday My Dearest, My Love, :)

2010-04-22T02:53:00.000-07:00

I Wished to Forget

A time of night, suddenly meets this song
with my tired mind! Ah! How full my eyes ...
To listen without crying, to cry without remembering
but I’m drowned in my own tears...

I walk in the Istiklal street just after the sunset,
how my heart is beating like a child with fever,
as if I can die there...

“Lale Plak” (Tulip Plaque)*, my first stop spot, as I planned.
I hear a song in there, I’m speechless
I listen to the song silently,
even I want them to play it once again too
as wishing to spread the moment of time there…
Then, what, who is this I say,
“Jane Birkin, Elisa”, they say
and I buy Elisa for you,
and for myself ...

Jane Birkin’s voice into my ears,
I go on to walk with the song of recalling a name
as if like mine, like yours.

A little further before coming to the church
there is a florist shop
I can’t take myself for stopping there too,
I see the tulips... All shades of red touches
my heart
I buy them for your dear wife,
they wrapped the stalks carefully
with a wet papers
for keeping them alive till you get!

Then this old passage,
The lady's hand-made rag dolls shop!
That are made by such a sweet lady with a love
As if she is making them for her own daugther...
She notices that my excitement, but not to ask why,
or to whom ... Just she helps me to find the right baby.
At the end we find the pink one!
This is a rag doll, holding a small night light…
This sweet lady packaged with care,
and I am still so excited,
as I buy for my own daughter ...

I walk again in the street,
I go to the musical instruments shop that I know very well,
I bought my son’s first guitar.
I say them what I want and where to send by courier,
They say not to worry about the safest way they'll package.
How would be surprised for your little son! I think of this.

A guitar with a big box, and the others in my hands
I come home at the end,
my own books that were published, and some of my favurite author’s books
and a few old photographs,
and at the top, I put these tulips
in the same box.
Finally, I attach a short letter
to your children who I have never been introduced,
and who I have never met,
with a note from their aunt…

I send them by courier the next day ...
....................
.....................
One day, one of of our phone calls
You talk about the orange trees
In the backyard of your home,
How impressive, I can feel the smell
of oranges…
I ask you to send me a few of them
With their leaves
Childly, purely
I say.

I s a y...
Whenever I remember this, how regretful I am…
Because to send me oranges what a big problem for you,
ten times on the phone you asked me what and how!
I do not remember the oranges ... But how hurt me,
nothing deletes what is in my heart.

I try to forget
but it is not easy
there is nothing to put any good thing
that can replace in our
relationship ...

But you know, it is not the orange!
It is only a metaphor between
Us.

Now, tonight, after all this time
while listening to Jane Birkin’s Elisa
I can not stop my tears again
longing and can not forget
loving and can not meet
a big storm
and nonsenses
of an elderly woman
that's all!

I wished to forget

2010-04-21T17:14:00.000-07:00

(I don't know can I translate this one, but I will try later :) )

Gecenin bir vakti, birden bu şarkı ile buluşuyor
yorgun zihnim! Ah! Nasıl da doluyor gözlerim...
ağlamadan dinlemek, ağlamadan hatırlamak
gözyaşlarına boğuluyorum oysa...

Gün batımından hemen sonra İstiklal caddesinde yürüyorum,
kalbim bir çocuk heyecanı ile nasıl da çarpıyor,
sanki ölebilirim o an...

Lale Plak'a giriyorum, ilk uğrayacağım yer! Planladığım gibi.
İçeriye girince, bu şarkıyı duyuyorum; donup kalıyorum
sessizce şarkıyı dinliyorum, hatta ne olur bir daha çalın diyecek kadar
zamana yayıyorum o anı...
Nedir, kimdir bu diyorum sonra,
Jane Birkin, Elisa, diyorlar
Ben de Elisa'yı alıyorum, hem sana,
hem kendime...

Kulaklarımda Jane Birkin'in sesiyle,
sanki benim, senin adını çağıran şarkısıyla
yürümeye devam ediyorum.

Biraz ileride, kiliseye gelmeden önce bir çiçekçi dükkanı var
ona uğramadan edemiyorum,
Laleleri görüyorum... Kırmızının tüm tonları yakıyor o an beni
sanki her biri ayrı işliyor yüreğime!
Bunları sevgili eşine alıyorum, itina ile saplarını nemli kağıtlara sarıyorlar,
size ulaşıncaya kadar canlı kalsınlar diye!

Sonra o eski pasaja giriyorum,
El yapımı bez bebekler yapan bayanın dükkanına!
Öyle tatlı bir bayan ki bunları yapan, sevgiyle üretiyor
her bir bez bebeği, sanki kendi kızına yapıyor gibi...
O kadar heyecanlıyım ki, farkına varıyor ama sormuyor neden, niçin,
ya da kime diye... sadece bana en doğru bebeği bulabilmem için yardımcı olmaya çalışıyor.
Sonunda buluyoruz o pembeyi!
Küçük bir gece lambasını tutan bir bez bebek bu...
İtina ile paketliyor bu tatlı bayan, bense hala heyecan içindeyim,
sanki kendi kızıma alıyorum...

Yürümeye devam ediyorum,
o çok iyi bildiğim müzik enstrümanlarının satıldığı dükkana gidiyorum.
Oğlumun ilk gitarını da buradan almıştım.
Anlatıyorum ne istediğimi ve kargo ile göndereceğimi,
merak etmeyin diyorlar en emniyetli şekilde paketleriz.
Küçük oğlun bunu görünce nasıl şaşıracak! diye düşünüyorum.

Kocaman bir gitar kutusu ile ellerim dolu eve dönüyorum,
yazdığım kitapları, okuduğum sevdiğim yazarın kitaplarını
ve bir kaç eski resimle,
en üste de laleleri koyup bir kutu hazırlıyorum.
Son olarak da kısa bir mektup iliştiriyorum
o hiç tanışmadığım,
tanıştırılmadığım çocuklarına,
"hiç tanışmadığınız halanızdan"
notuyla...

Ertesi gün kargo ile gönderiyorum...
.....................
.....................
Bir gün telefon konuşmalarımızdan birinde
söz arasında, evinizin arka bahçesinin,
portakal ağaçları ile dolu olduğunu
anlatıyorsun,
birden heyecanlanıyorum,
sanki portakalların kokusunu
hissediyorum,
çocukça, saflıkla,
ne olur bana bir iki tane portakal göndersene
yapraklarıyla,
diyorum.

d i y o r u m...
ama her hatırladığımda dediğime bin pişman oluyorum
çünkü bana portakal göndermen o kadar sorun oluyor ki,
on kere telefon edip soruyorsun!

Portakalları hatırlamıyorum bile... Öyle acıttın ki beni,
hiç bir şey silemiyor yüreğimdekileri.

Unutmak için çabalıyorum
ama kolay olmuyor
yerine koyabileceğim hiç iyi bir şey koymadın ki
ilişkimize...

Fakat biliyorsun meselemiz portakallar değildi;
portakal aramızda bir metafor aslında...

Şimdi, bu gece, onca zamandan sonra
Jane Birkin'in Elisa'sını dinlerken
gözyaşlarımı tutamıyorum yine,
özlemek ve unutamamak
sevmek ve kavuşamamak
bir kocaman fırtına
ve yaşlı bir kadının
saçmalıkları
hepsi bu!

Be Patient!

2010-04-21T13:06:00.000-07:00

In the silence, I try to paint my flower pattern :) But still my hand is not good enough... I'm still painting like watercolour paintings... It shouldn't be like that, I try to have less touches on paper... my brush is going to dance on the paper :) so it means so many touches and spreading everything... I am not sure, can I have the technique of this miniature paintings... But I am new I know, should be a time for this! Be patient nia, be patient...

I love my city

2010-04-19T05:40:00.000-07:00

With the spring, colours are coming back in my city! This weekend, there was a wonderful weather, it was a sunny blue sky! As I always I took pictures on the road. For me, the best place in Istanbul is the Bosphorus... The view, between the both sides of the Bosphorus is amazing, especially when the weather is clear... There was a wind yesterday so there wasn't any dust or misty air. But yes, it was cold too. From 18 degrees it went down to 13 degrees!

There was a very heavy traffic as always on the bridge... I can't imagine how do they solve the traffic problem in this city. Every year it becomes more and more problem. Tonight there is a discussion program on one of the television channel, I really want to listen to them, no one can reach his/her appointments on time in this city! Yesterday, there was a concert of my husband's band, and some of musicians couldn't be there on time. We waited for them :) I mean, audience and also musicians... It was going to begin on 15.00 in the afternoon, it began on 16.30!!!!!

But in spite of everything, I do love my city, my Istanbul.

Lilacs

2010-04-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

It was a very noisy day today, but it has been like that for these last few days. It is because of my neighbour. They almost change the tiles, walls, etc. The first and the old owner sold this house and we have a new owner. But before moving this new house, he changes everything. Every morning I wake up with their noise... This is problem in this apartment. And this is not the first one, I lived this problem several times. I hate. Usually we (my husband and I) don't like to give any damage to our neighbourgs... we are such a strange people, yes, we have some problems about our bathroom's tile and also some of walls... They need to get repaired but we don't make this. Because we know, how it would be... But I know, this is not right, if we need we should get this, anyway... I love to live very simple and humble... These are all so complicated for me, and makes me tired. I miss to be in the village house at the Ida Mount, I really miss... But, I am afraid to see there, because as they tell me, it becomes to look like cities... Like a small Istanbul!!!!! Everywhere was full of with new and taller apartments.... I can't believe this. While we are dreaming village and country life, they become like a small city and they lose their country life.... What a world.

In my humble days, there are some of my beautiful friends, my contacts... They are all so nice and make me happy in my day, even I don't feel alone myself with them, with their sharings. Otherwise I am always at my desk with my writing and reading and creative world. And yes, with my lovely Princess too! Today we talked a little bit with my fairy lady, (yes, her image in my mind like that, she is so nice and very kindful, so I call her like that! ) and I know, flowers, garden and nature world, how precious for British people, I know how beautiful their lovely gardens... I love so much their gardens... And also it is famous in this field. While we were talking about gardening, I took this picture in our garden (actually it is very small and around the

apartment. There are some of flowers that we planted with my husband. Lilacs, his birthday gift for me, for a few years ago :) This year I expect something more bigger than this :) Yes, for example it would be a great gift if I have a squirrel!!!!!! I hope my husband keep reading me on my blog :) )

These lovely lilac trees... They are not a big enough, they are still small but every year they give a lovely blossoms. And to watch them on their braches so beautiful. But, but, every year I live same thing, some of my neighbours wanted to cut her flowers and to have them (to put in vase, etc.) Even she is a small tree and hasn't so many blossoms... so if they cut their flowers what can I watch... I told them every time. And every year, this event is going to be repeated. How makes me sad... Once, one of them, wanted to remove these lilacs and to plant them in other side of the apartment, but we didn't let, because I told them, they were my husband's gift and they should be in front of my window, because I want to watch them... If they want lilac trees they can plant there too... Can you believe this, what am I living... I don't know what will be this year, but every time, I feel a little bit nervous about these lilacs... So, you may understand me why I hate to live in the city, why I want to be in the village... People were not like that before, in times, everything and everybody changed and changes... Appreciation, gracefulness, thoughfulness, kindness, beauties, values, empathy, respectfulness,...etc. where are they all gone?

Lilacs... my only trees... :)

Vast Blue Sky

2010-04-12T07:30:00.000-07:00

Today... The day started badly for me; when I woke up, there was the dream in my mind. Actually at first time, the dream was so nice and I felt happiness but later, when I thought of this dream deeply, I realized the
message of this dream. Maybe I am wrong... and I pray for this. But if it is not wrong... I don't know, I cried
so much.

But how strange things in our life... Something happened, as if unseen one helped me and I opened the radio, usually I don't listen to radio. There was a man on the radio and he was talking... even in English (it was one of local radio)... He was talking about life... Then I understood he was talking about life but in Budism. It was so beautiful to listen to him, especially when I needed to hear someone like him. Like a Vast Blue Sky...

Thanks God,....

Caferaga Medresseh

2010-04-12T00:44:00.000-07:00

There is a narrow street between the old houses to Caferaga Medresseh!

The entrence of the Medresseh...

The rooms (classrooms) for the Turkish handcrafts, (Ebru, Calligraphy, Ceramic/Tiles, Ney (traditional flute of Sufi musicians), Jewelery, Ottoman Language, and Miniature Painting)

There is a lovely yard in the mid of this square place and all rooms are around this yard, and also there is a cafe for everyone but tourists like to be here too. It is almost a different atmophere and you can see the traditional Turkish arts in there. At the top of the street there is also a gallery of this Medresseh, you can watch or buy some of works that are made in this historical place by the artists and also by the students.

My First Lesson!

2010-04-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

To live in a city should be something as living in the heart of the city, especially if you feel the spirit of these living streets and daily life of the city. Otherwise without feeling them, it can't say anything to you... Everything runs and passes without leaving any sign... and also maybe memories too!

Today, I think of this. It has been for a long time I forgot to breathe in this city; in her streets and to run within all others in as usualy daily life. It is almost something to feel in your heart, no words actually to express this well. I love this city within her rich histories and stories.

Right now, I'm sitting in a cafe, that's in an old place, named "Caferaga Medresesi", ( The Caferağa Medresseh), this is historical and famous one. I always wanted to be here as a student, at last my dream comes true today! Because I am starting a course in this medresseh, about traditional miniature painting.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cafera%C4%9Fa_Medresseh

The weather is not too cold but seems that it is going to rain, but the sun doesn't stay behind the clouds, :) I can see the sun light now, just a little smile for me as if under the rain clouds... I haven't taken my camera today with me, because it would have been a little bit heavy for me, there is another bag too for my painting equipments, so it would have been problem for me to carry them all!!!! But I should think of it and find a solution for this, because how I am sad for today! I've been missing so many things for my camera. Yes, really I can feel something as if lack in my day today, being without my camera! Maybe next time but remember nia! What Heraclitus said, "You cannot step twice into the same river." Everything flows... :) So, next time it won't be the same within the light and shadows... Anyway!

Where I'm sitting now is so beautiful and its historical ambience is great. In 2010, one day in April and the spirit of the old times, how nicely touches. Especially with its traditional art. There is a quite silence now in its morning hours. And I am drinking my "a cup of tea" in the cafe of Caferaga Medresseh. But into my ears Tanghetto plays (my ipod) and also I can hear the morning birds' song too... This place is a kind of yard, an open garden but around this little yard there are rooms (that can be named classes...) One of them is my class for miniature. Exactly I should take pictures of this place, Next time, I hope I can take.

"Miniature Paintings"... It sounds so exciting. But I am not sure, can it be easy for me... Actually I love to make paintings but this is almost different from what I did till today. It needs to work very carefully and also needs to be patient! Ah, how will it be, I wonder :) But yes, I'll be just trying... and I know, this also should be another experience in my life.

A few notes for about traditional Turkish miniature paintings...

http://www.ee.bilkent.edu.tr/~history/topkapi1.html

http://www.sant.ox.ac.uk/ext/melcomintl/melcom/MI08/papersox08/Rukanci&Karakas.pdf

Yes, April, welcome to my life... I hope and wish you are coming with your magical touches :)

It is 10.16 now... and the first lesson will be starting in a few minutes. Seems that I am the only student for now, as I can see there are teachers around here, I guess... but not students yet! Except me! I hope and wish I am not the only student! Good Luck nia! Nobody told you this to you yet... :) I think nobody thinks that this is a new thing and you are a student once again! :) anyway, I think I should go to the class now, it is the lesson time now!

At 10.30 the first lesson started. I supposed that I was the only student, but when I entered the class I saw that the classroom was almost full! This was so nice. But there wasn't any empty desk too! And most of the students are not new as me! We have only three new students! There are some of them, have been here for more than two years... Yes, even 8 years too! What does it mean, actually when I saw their works I understood, they are amazing... Not easy pieces they are making! So beautiful but also so tiny things that they are painting... Till today, I didn't have any idea how a miniature paintings are being done, yes, today I learned how it begins... :) I loved what they are all doing, and I enjoyed being there. This should be exactly another beautiful experience for me, but it is almost a different one! and first time I have been meeting with this.

By the way, I should add this too, I am now in "Kahve Dünyası" (The Coffee World, cafe) at the Kabatas district. And I am drinking Cappocino but they didn't bring me as usual, and I asked the waiter and he apologized from me, and they brought a new one :) And yes, with applie pie! Delicious. Why I am here... because there is time for my sea-bus for to go back home. So I wait for its time in this lovely cafe, by watching the Bosphorus and ships... :) and yes, also by writing these notes about my first lessons!

It was so enjoyable. To learn something new, always been so enjoyable for me, but if I love, more of course. The lady, who was sitting next to me, she is an old student in here (more than two years) She was making a wonderful miniature painting, when I saw it, I recognized, it was one of my best in this field, yes, it was Nusret Colpan's miniature what she was making... He was the best and great name in this field and his so many miniature paintings are taking place in so many places of this city. Amazing. But the lady, she is amazing too, not easy to copy this one too. I think, I should talk a little bit about this painting. Especially what I did today! In my first lesson :) Our teacher, she is nice one too, and she was so nice to us, to all new students. She gave us a pattern, it was like flowers... and we copied it on a tracing paper. Actually it seeemed so easy, :) yes so easy... I had to make it four times. But not enough, I have to study to copy it more, to copy is so important, also it's been a quite exercise for working hands... You get practice. And then, you carry this copy on to your main piece (there are some special papers for this, later I'll talk all about them), but in this first lesson and also in our first days, we won't make it now, I mean we won't carry them to the main paper. Because we need to learn to draw well and also to paint well. Ah, yes, to paint well! When you carry the pattern on your main paper, then you begin to paint!!!! with a brush number 0 or 00... it means very thin, very thin, like a hair, even you can't say brush too :) The painting is being done by gouache paints...

This is not a creative work for now! This is just being a craftman in this. But to be a miniaturist, means to be an artist! So seems there is a very long way to be "Nakkaş" (miniaturist)... A little note for some of you, maybe you have already read our novelist Orhan Pamuk, his Nobel prize novel, "Benim Adım Kırmızı" (My Name is Red) yes, this novel all about some miniaturists in Ottoman period... And you maybe know, red is important for miniature paintings. Because the origin of the word "Miniature" coming from this story, in the Middle Ages of Europe, especially in the handwritten books they were using red colours for the capital letters just for an art. And for this red colour, they were using the beautiful red of lead oxide! In Latin language "minimum" was the meaning of this PbO2! Probably the "miniature" coming from this.

To be honest, I have never done anything like that, before. To copy something (a pattern) and to make the same picture (miniature), is the first time for me. This is something you are not free in your working hand :) But this is the only way to learn, you follow the ways of them. In the old days, masters were teaching like that too. Actually in writing world too, I remember, Hemingway, I think, in his first years of writing life, he was copying the books that he loved... He was writing them again and again... This should have given him a wonderful writing practice and then he created his own stories,...

But this is so enjoyable... If I can try to explain my feelings, it can be in poetical way, I wrote this now,
*
Güneşin bulutlarla dans ettiği bir İstanbul günü
bugün!
Renkler nakkaşın atölyesinden kaçmış gibi;
ışık ve gölgenin hesabını veriyor!
Bir parçam burada.
Bir parçam başka bir yerde,
ama içinden hep aynı şarkının nağmeleri
geçiyor;
yolunu çiziyor nakkaşhanenin
boya hokkaları, adı "Kırmızı"
*
It is an Istanbul day, today

which the sun dances with the clouds!
Colours escaped from the studio
of the miniaturist
as if.
Giving an account of the light and shadows!
A part of me is here.
A part of me is in somewhere else,
but the same song passes through
the day;
the ink pots
plotting the course
of the Nakkashane;*
named "Red"...
*

* The Nakkaşhane used is the term for imperial artists, painters and artisan in the service of the Ottoman court. Especially for the miniaturists.

* Nusret Çolpan (October 1, 1952 – May 31, 2008) was a Turkish painter, architect and miniaturist, renowned for his paintings in Ottoman miniature style depicting cities around the world, particularly Istanbul. He painted over 300 miniatures in his 30 year career.

Anadoluhisarı (Anatolian Castle)

Tango, Poem and Astor Piazzolla

2010-04-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

http://tangowords.wordpress.com/2009...t-i-can-write/

the poem by Pablo Neruda and the reading is by Andy Garcia...

Tonight I can write the saddest lines

Write, for example,'The night is shattered
and the blue stars shiver in the distance.'

The night wind revolves in the sky and sings.
Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.
Through nights like this one I held her in my arms

I kissed her again and again under the endless sky.
She loved me sometimes, and I loved her too.

How could one not have loved her great still eyes.
Tonight I can write the saddest lines.

To think that I do not have her. To feel that I have lost her.
To hear the immense night, still more immense without her.

And the verse falls to the soul like dew to the pasture.
What does it matter that my love could not keep her.

The night is shattered and she is not with me.
This is all. In the distance someone is singing. In the distance.

My soul is not satisfied that it has lost her.
My sight searches for her as though to go to her.

My heart looks for her, and she is not with me.
The same night whitening the same trees.

We, of that time, are no longer the same.
I no longer love her, that's certain, but how I loved her.

My voice tried to find the wind to touch her hearing.
Another's. She will be another's. Like my kisses before.

Her voide. Her bright body. Her inifinite eyes.
I no longer love her, that's certain, but maybe I love her.

Love is so short, forgetting is so long.
Because through nights like this one I held her in my arms
my sould is not satisfied that it has lost her.

Though this be the last pain that she makes me suffer
and these the last verses that I write for her.

Pablo Neruda

Astor Piazzolla... I always fall in love with his music, he is the greatest one! There are so many songs, that are all my favurite ones... Tonight, I was listening to some of them, for example, "El Tango", music by Astor Piazzolla and lyrics by Borges, "Musical Poem"... all about tango! I tried to find on youtube, but I found only from a German musicians, maybe later I try again. And the next one, "Le Grand Tango" again by Astor Piazzolla and violin by Gidon Kremer, they were amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eamRlKTe7rU

Life is love; love is life... and tango is the poem of this life, between soul and body is a great dance; dance of life!

" the infinite tango takes me towards everything ".
como dice Borges: "El infinito tango me lleva hacia todo".

" and I hear the echo of those tangos of Arolas and Greco
that I have seen danced in the streets "
"Y oigo el eco de esos tangos de Arolas y de Greco
que yo he visto bailar en las veredas".
Jorge Luis Borges, poema "El tango"

"The tango is a direct expression of something that poets have often tried to state in words: the belief that a fight may be a celebration. "

“El Tango es la directa expresión de lo que comúnmente los poetas han tratado de definir en palabras como: la creencia de que la lucha puede ser un festejo” Jorge Luis Borges.

Without heart, we can’t fly; without mind we can’t land

2010-04-02T17:47:00.000-07:00

Language is what we need for to solve the stories of time that we pass through… On the text that all words are applied correctly, so many things about life meets with their meanings too. Just for this, langauge means everything but on the other hand, nothing makes sense if there is not an inner touches, or hearty owned… Mind and heart should support each others. What makes us human is this collaboration of heart and mind. Without heart, we can’t fly; without mind we can’t land… Everything is based on this great harmony between them. And language is the most important richness of human. We all die but words remain behind us… Actually they build the tallest buildings in the cities, how ironic! They don’t know what is the most important thing that human can build and how it could be the greatest one, even than these tallest buildings…

Everything runs within a language… Everything is being recorded by a language… Everything is being transferred by a language…

Language, like our atmosphere, like surrounding the earth, is surrounding the existence of human; the being of human-kind…

Language, opening us to the doors of the life that I pass through… Even what makes me strong about the the belief of the divine entity, is the power of the language again. Language makes me the meaningful entity of this earth.

And, I am, in another language, maybe the difficultiest thing I try to do; by writing everyday, I build myself into this language once again.

Starting from the heart, my mind voyage, my life path…

If this would be a mountain, like Himalaya, I could die for this… I am on this long but short way. Writing is my life. I’ve just been trying…

My soul touches my fingers… At least for now!

Without a language, you are nothing! I've never made a subject that I'm a writer/poet... I am not the one where I started to write... But also it is not the same language now with where I started to write,... Between languages nothing was easy for me. And still it is a long way and time never stops for you! As I said above, I am happy for now, because my soul drives my fingers... at least for now!

Breakfast At The Bosphorus

2010-04-02T06:13:00.000-07:00

Photographs by Nia Sunset

Breakfast at the Bosphorus... in one of the old palaces at the Bosphorus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khedive_Palace

Hidiv Kasri - Historical notes

http://www.beltur.com.tr/mutfagimiz.asp#
Hidiv Kasri -

Welcome April!

2010-04-01T04:13:00.000-07:00

“I live for little moments.” I read this in somewhere else yesterday and I thought of this; it was so true for me too… My happiness, my Peace they all come from these little moments… Life seems a great walking, or a great voyage but we all come through somewhere by living in this little moments…

But I know sometimes, days are not running nicely; you lose something, someone… or you live a big disappointment or you lose your trust or hope… or you may having a broken heart! But remember then, everything can change! Forget all the things that made you sad and broken... Close your door for all of them,
the way in your heart will always lead you. Love is great and you know this.

Suddenly a lovely bird, appears in your garden and you forget your thoughts and your pains in your heart! In these little moments, world comes back to you again… And you should learn once again, I lost and I won… :) there is no winner and loser… remember the old poet! We just only have a chance to try… I did, that’s all. It can be a mistake or a disappointment but I don’t close my heart… Because still I love this world, and beautiful people and all beautiful things that are coming from only heart…

Welcome to my life, April!

Solitude

2010-04-01T02:58:00.000-07:00

photograph by nia

Solitude by Lord Byron

To sit on rocks, to muse o'er flood and fell,
To slowly trace the forest's shady scene,
Where things that own not man's dominion dwell,
And mortal foot hath ne'er or rarely been;
To climb the trackless mountain all unseen,
With the wild flock that never needs a fold;
Alone o'er steeps and foaming falls to lean;
This is not solitude, 'tis but to hold
Converse with Nature's charms, and view her stores unrolled.

But midst the crowd, the hurry, the shock of men,
To hear, to see, to feel and to possess,
And roam alone, the world's tired denizen,
With none who bless us, none whom we can bless;
Minions of splendour shrinking from distress!
None that, with kindred consciousness endued,
If we were not, would seem to smile the less
Of all the flattered, followed, sought and sued;
This is to be alone; this, this is solitude!

Little Moments in our life

2010-03-31T16:50:00.000-07:00

photographs by nia

A little madness in the Spring
Is wholesome even for the King,
But God be with the Clown
Who ponders this tremendous scene
This whole Experiment of Green
As if it were his own!

Emily Dickinson

Through the poems

2010-03-31T07:01:00.000-07:00

Can it be a sign for me ?.... :) My pc doesn't work. I hope I didn't lose it... I don't know what happened. I have to wait for tonight, my husband will concern about this. I am here, at my son's desk and writing on his pc :) This is a little bit different but I don't want to change anything, I know he doesn't like to find changed!

A Prayer in Spring by Robert Frost

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers today;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orcahrd white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love,
To which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends he will,
But which it only needs that we fulfill.

First day of spring by Matsuo Basho

First day of spring--
I keep thinking about
the end of autumn.

I'm going to listen to the birds' song!

2010-03-31T03:31:00.000-07:00

It's smelling apricot, I try to make an apricot marmalade... And also it reminds my grandmother, and her kitchen! I think, I learned cooking from her, however she never taught me but my eyes should have caught from her kitchen hours...that I can make some of her best recipes.

This photograph, it is a window of my house and I took from out side. There are so many details actually on this picture, I didn't think of this, I just wanted to take these tulips' picture but yes, there are now all of them :) The reflections, tulips and the other things behind the window... This is not a good photograph, especially these tulips! Mistake. But on the other hand, when I look the whole picture, as if it is like a modern painting... maybe colours make me to think like that, I am not sure. But this is clear, it is something of this crazy nia :)

Writing... is a part of my humble life. I think without writing I am not being me! I like to share something(s) with a reader... But silence hits me sometimes so badly... Maybe I should get to used to this. Actually, I am a lost one between these two languages... My literary part, my poetical spirit, they never stop in my mind. Just I can't find the way to express them well... I am dealing with myself. I'm sad for many things in my life and this time, once again hit me so deeply. Should be something wrong with me, with my humble writing world. How nice I can hear right now birds' song... ah! yes, I should learn to use my camera on video mod too, and I should take their voices... This is so beautiful moment to listen to them :) Thanks God,

Great Anatolia

2010-03-31T02:08:00.000-07:00

My beautiful Anatolia! How much I miss you, my old days in the past... I was born in a small town, in the mid of Anatolia. At that time it was a small town but today... I haven't been there from the time that we left... One of my dreams is to make a visit to my small town. Yes, probably I would be crying so much, because I know, nothing remained from my memories... they have all gone, changed. But I really wish to visit once again.

This photograph is from another town and one of old houses... Anatolian villages and towns are amazing and all these historical and also traditional houses too. There is always a colourful touches and life in there. I've been searching for these houses in photography, because I know, photography can talk more than me. :)

Good Morning and Have a Good Day! Today is the last day of March, for me, it means Spring is here now :) April, beautiful April... I love you so much my dear son, you are still my baby :) My little boy! God Bless you my dear, beauties, kindness and angels be with you always...

My Poetical Spirit

2010-03-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

It is evening time here... And I'm waiting for my husband. He went to the concert with his musician friends. The concert was in one of big hotels in Ankara and their perfomance was in the late afternoon. He went by his car and some of them went by the mini-bus. The road takes 4 or 5 hours. But the weather conditions is not so good especially at the highest places. I wish them to come back in safety.

Yes, I didn't go with them and there won't be any photograph for this concert. I am not sure, maybe they found someone for this, I hope and wish they found.

We talked today with my son, he called me twice. I miss him so much, and he is counting the days for coming back :) He dreams to make a travel to Italy when he comes back home. I know, he can't forget Italy days... I don't know what will be... My brain is so tired and I don't want to think more...

My poetical spirit.... where are you? How I was happy with you :) Writing is my best thing but what happened to me, still I am in the silence...

Back to the poetry, is not easy. Nothing whispers to me; maybe I can't hear; maybe I lost my talent that I was hearing it...

Anyway, shadows are dropping on this silent evening, I whisper to myself!

She doesn't like to be taken her pictures...

2010-03-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

I didn't sleep last night and also we were so early for today. I didn't go to this short trip for their concert. I'm afraid to be problem for them with my knee problem and the road takes four or five hours, I didn't want to be in the car by hours... It was raining early in the morning but now the weather is unbelievable clear... I can see the blue skies. But cold.

I played with my camera a little bit today. Especially I wanted to take some closer shots and my subject was my Princess !!!! Ah, she doesn't trust my photography, whenever I try to take her pictures she leaves me; she escapes... So this was the only chance that I captured her while she was sleeping! After my click she went to hide from me :) One of my beautiful photographer friends says to me that to be quick!!!!! To be quick! This doesn't seem easy for this crazy Nia :) I am being so excited and in panic always, but I hope and wish, I will learn one day how to be a good photographer. I hope.

We should be ready for rain

2010-03-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Between memories and these Spring touches, someone in my heart cries... Time, and the distance how becoming inaccessible situations... How hits the feelings; how how...

As a Spring rain, comes and goes everything; between death and life there is only love! We all hold this power as ours... But whose all these love at the end... The earth awakes once again with this rain...

Gravity - When The Rain Falls

2010-03-29T13:01:00.000-07:00

Today it was a rainy day and also it was cold. But there was someting so beautiful, when the rain fell today, all these plants seemed so beautiful... Between these green colours, I tried to capture some pictures of them.

Spring should be the most beautiful one; nature world is dancing now into the colours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZYF4fnAs3c

John Mayer - Gravity

Gravity is working against me

and gravity wants to bring me down

Oh I'll never know what makes this man

with all the love that his heart can stand

dream of ways to throw it all away

Oh gravity is working against me

and gravity wants to bring me down

Oh twice as much ain't twice as good

and can't sustain like a one half could

It's wanting more

that's gonna send me to my knees

Oh gravity, stay the hell away from me

and gravity has taken better men than me

(now how can that be?)

just keep me where the light is

C'mon keep me where the light is

Oh... where the light is!

By John Mayer