Weather

Weather has gone awful this week, snow, rain, ice you name it we've had it!! Unfortunately it means we can't really take Tess out sight seeing.

It's a shame, we were looking forward to taking her out to the Blue Mosque and the Palaces but it's freezing.

It's days like these that I start feeling down again, when the weather is bad I just think what am I staying for, I may as well be at home :(

Must think positive, must think positive!

It's Christmas Day

The kids have just gone to bed after a manic day of unwrapping and scoffing!

Fantastic day we went out to lunch at Tike, a Turkish kebap restaurant. Nice place, good food. Kids were made a fuss of as usual and Hannah got sweets AGAIN. The girl only has to smile in the right direction and she gets sweets. Apparently it's the blue eyes that do it.............................

It's Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve and the kids are hyper......................

Went on the bus!

Today we took Tess out on the bus, she thought it was quite an experience! The bus stop is just outside our bread shop and when we get on it it's always empty, however as you get nearer the centre it gets quite full! Do you think they miss stops out when the bus is full, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO they cram as many people on as possible, it's really quite amusing!

Tess is here!

Tess is here, she arrived at the airport before we got there! Bloody Istanbul traffic!

Ah well the kids were so pleased to see her, well we all were!!

Tess arrives tomorrow!

Tess arrives tomorrow, can't wait!!!

School!

So did we come here and send our kids to a private school for them to just party and play. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

But that is all they've done this week!

Feeling Better

It just struck me today how much better I feel suddenly!!

I am starting to see the positives in being here, kids are doing so well at school - they couldn't have this kind of education in the UK they have been given this great chance as all of us have. We really need to make the most of this opportunity.

I still miss my family and friends terribly but it's not as if I won't see them again, family members will come out here to see us and we can show them this incredible place we are living in!! Also we will go back home in the summer and see everyone - really looking forward to that!

And that Bosphorus view and sunrise in the morning really do help.................

Kids back at school

Kids went back to school for the final week before Christmas. Seems weird to have had a week off school in December!!!!

Now I can get on with my preparations for Christmas. Tess is coming next Monday, really looking forward to having her here!

Birthday!

Went out today for a lovely chinese meal in Far East. Bizarre place with Turks cooking chinese food. It just looks odd!!!!!!!!!!

Good food though.....................

Paul Home

Paul is back thank god and I have my Cadbury's. YES!!!!!!!!!

My Birthday!!

It's my birthday, OMG 39!!! Only one more year of thirties before I enter the "life begins at 40" stage.

Didn't do much, we are going out as a family on Saturday when we are all here!

Kurban Bayram

This week it is Kurban Bayram, a Muslim national holiday so the kids are off school. Kurban Bayram is the festival of the sacrifice - yesterday when travelling on the bus we saw animals cows/sheep/rams etc being dragged along the street blindfolded definitely not for the faint hearted, it's enough to make you turn vegetarian. They then donate parts of said animal to the poor. The kids of course think getting a week off now is great as they would usually be at school. Paul should have been off too but he has had to go back to the UK for a course, ho hum well at least he can pick me up some Cadbury's ha ha, he has his uses!!

Shopping Centre Shut!

The kids and I took the bus to the shopping centre but when we got there it was shut because of Kurban Bayram, it's only shut today so we'll do it again Wednesday.

Came home and put tree up instead!

Winter Bazaar

I helped out at the winter bazaar today. It was slightly different to any school winter bazaar I have ever been to.

Kids were coming in with 100 lira notes to spend it was crazy!!!!!!!!!

Had a good afternoon there though, it was nice to be part of the school community again, I really do need a car...................

Weather

The weather here is glorious. I've not known anything like it, we are having temperatures of 18 - 19oC. Weird.........................

It just struck me this morning that I'm feeling so much better here, I think the sunshine is helping but I feel my confidence is coming back..................

Went to Turkish Centre

Went to the EF Turkish Language School today with Debra. She has an exam so I went with her because I wanted to speak with the lady who runs it so I can enrol for January.

It was a bit nerve wracking, I had to do a test as I have had previous lessons so she wanted to see where I was to put me in the right class! I did the test and she marked it and then said "your Turkish is crap". I was a bit taken aback but said "I know, that is why I am here".

Can't stop laughing about it now though, gotta love the Turks!!!!!!!!!!!

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Someone has just sent me a really crappy email. Can't say who but it really upset me, I have been feeling so much better over the last couple of days and now this has just put me back to square one.

Idiot............................

Not going home for Xmas

I have decided against going home this year for Christmas. It is too soon to go home and I'm worried that if we step back into the UK we won't want to come back here, me especially!

We were supposed to be staying with Tess so we have invited her over here, not sure whether she is coming yet or not but we'll wait and see, hopefully she will because we would love to see her!

Dolmus

Forced myself out on a Dolmus today, it really wasn't that bad. The driver ushered me to the back of the bus, I wondered why he had done that at first but then I realised. The reason being that when people get on is that the person sat nearest the driver takes the money asks them where they are going and gives the change. Phew glad I got away with that.....................

Feel so much better now knowing I can get out and about........................

I will pull myself out of this......................

Breakthrough

Ok so forced myself to go out today just to the corner shop. Bought the usual fruit/veg and stuff. Smiled at the girl on the till, she smiled back.

Now that might not mean much to many but it feels like a major achievement to me!!

Now, must just ignore the rubbish that seems to be piling up outside our apartment block. WHY do they dump stuff everywhere, Turks are said to be so proud of their country but I can't see what's to be proud of, the place is like a rubbish tip.

Culture Shock

Ok so culture shock has hit. Apparently quite a common condition which affects most expats especially on the first expat experience.

Spoke to Debra and she is really encouraging me to get out and to try getting out on the buses, this just fills me with total fear.................

I know that the main problem is the language barrier, I can't communicate with anyone so feel isolated not only that if I do communicate with them they don't help but tend to look at you as if you're something they've trodden in.

Debra goes to Turkish lessons, I am determined to beat this thing and stay here for the sake of Paul and the kids. They are so happy here I can't just pack up and go home I have to be happy too. I WILL BE HAPPY HERE.....................

Don't want to go out

I can't face going out today, I've got to get bread from the bread shop but I can't face it. I shut myself in the bedroom for 2 hours and just cried because I have to buy bread?????????????? I don't feel like me anymore, I want to go home and just be able to get in the car and drive to Tesco and not feel like I have to think about every single little thing before I do anything.

I can't stand feeling like this, it's like a black cloud hovering over ahead and it won't leave me alone. I haven't felt this low before, well actually I have because I had it just after I had Alex. I pulled myself out of that and now I need to pull myself out of this but how??????????????????????????

I don't understand why I feel like this, I should be grabbing this opportunity we have been given and making the most of it but I don't feel I can...............

Not Feeling Great

Ok so I have to admit now that I'm not feeling so positive about being here. I miss my family and friends back home terribly. I should be standing in College House playground at the end of the day chatting to friends while the kids play happily but I'm not, I'm stuck in this apartment all day feeling miserable................

I want to go home..............................

International Day

It was International week this week so the school have had an International Day! Another day of no work and parties. They just seem to party at this school yet they seem to be progressing nicely too, odd!!

Unfortunately Alex missed it because he still has this virus thing, poor kid...........

Alex off school

Alex is off school today with a temperature and headache. Weird virusy type thingy!! A few kids have been off with the same thing................

Hannah!!

There was some confusion at school Friday which started off with Hannah telling her teacher she was vegetarian!! A note came home in her home communication book asking me if I wouldn't mind going in and giving a talk to the class on what it is like being a vegetarian - they are doing about healthy food this week. So I asked Hannah what it was about and she said she didn't know, anyway I put a note in her book yesterday asking what it was about and her teacher wrote back Hannah had said she was vegetarian and seemed quite definite about it. So I questioned Hannah again tonight and she said "oh yes I did say that, I said it because I like vegetables so I thought that meant I was vegetarian".

Kids gotta love 'em!!!!!!!!

Mum and Lin Coming in May

YAY just booked tickets for Mum and Lin to come over in May. Really looking forward to seeing them!!!!

Temperatures have dropped.......

The weather has changed now, it is much cooler and wetter with daily temps of around 14 - 16oC. Still not cold but getting there............................

Hmmmmmmmmmm weird no fireworks

Well it's bonfire night in UK. Seems weird that there are no fireworks going off, I mean there wouldn't be because Turks know nothing about bonfire night but it still seems strangely quiet lol!

Halloween

Kids had a fantastic day at school today, there was a performance this morning which I went to followed by trick or treating round the classrooms and a go in the haunted house which sounded like great fun. Oh and also a disco.

Kids love this school, I'm not surprised really they do have a lot more fun here than they had in the UK!!

Emirgan Park

Went to Emirgan Park today, it's a lovely park not far from us. It's a national holiday today so kids and Paul are off and it was so warm we decided to make the most of it!! Kids had a really good time running in and out the trees!

Good times.................................

Internet!!!!!!!!

Finally we have the internet up and running. At long last I can contact people once again!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank God for that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally got our stuff today, still not got internet set up so I'm still using Paul's sodding blackberry!

Hopefully the internet will be connected either tomorrow or early next week so I'll be back more often.

It's feeling a bit more homely now we have stuff in here!

Went to parents evening today too, both kids are doing well, Hannah is a lot more settled now, in fact her teacher said she has adapted really well her only weakness is maths so she probably takes after me in that department! Alex is doing really well too his teacher said he is an extremely bright boy and is working really hard and is a pleasure to teach! His only weakness is his handwriting which he has always struggled with so I wasn't surprised, she has put him into a support group for that along with another couple of boys from his class, I've already noticed some improvement.

So all in all things are good. Weather is still warm 20oC. I'm feeling a bit better about being here now but I still miss everyone back home :(

Furniture may arrive today.......................

Got to stay in all day today, our furniture may just arrive......................

Still no stuff...................

Furniture still not arrived. Getting frustrated having to cook with one pan, one knife, fed up with hand washing........................

Arggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh where is our stuff????????????????????

YAY Our Furniture is in Turkey!!!!

Just heard that our furniture/stuff has arrived in Turkey, it is in customs now!! Hopefully we should have it next week.

YAY YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pool Day

The kids had a day in the pool today on our compound, they loved it. The temperature has gone back up to 30oC, it's really hot!

Thankfully the pool gets the shade by 2pm so it's perfect!

I am feeling a lot more positive about being here now, being in our own apartment has certainly helped and also Tarabya is a beautiful place!

Exploring day

The weather hasn't been great of late, we've had a lot of rain. Apparently this weather is really unusual for September/October, it is usually still warm!

However it's a bit better today, still a little chilly 20oC - yes I know it's a lot warmer than the UK!!

We went out driving today and visited the nearest beach, Gumusdere, there are probably nicer beaches but this is the only one we've found so far! It is about 25mins drive away from us so really quite close!

Of course the kids think it's great living this close to a beach!

Not a great day

Went to Ikea today by taxi, we don't have a car yet, and Hannah decided to puke all over the back seat, great. As many of you know I am NOT good with sick and I was covered in it, ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. Poor Hannah!

It was obviously something she must have picked up from school, I just hope the rest of us don't go down with it.............................

She slept all day and woke up a bit better and demanded food, noooooooooooooooo I don't think so hunni, I gave her some water she kept that down so as she claimed she was starving I gave her a dry biscuit - she ate it but then sat on the toilet for the rest of the evening so obviously no food for 12 hours then............

Finally Moved

We moved into our lovely apartment today! We have no furniture as yet but are using an airbed to sit on in the living room, airbeds to sleep on. We are going to Ikea tomorrow to order mattresses for the beds which are currently bobbing around in the ocean somewhere........................

Didn't move!

We were supposed to move into our apartment today but it isn't yet ready - apparently this is completely normal for Turkey. Not what we wanted to hear!

The relocation agent has kindly let us stay in one of her other apartments for the time being, it has one bedroom and a sofa bed in the living room. I guess it will get us through the next couple of days and it's certainly better than a hotel room!

Moving Tomorrow!

We are moving into our apartment tomorrow so I need to get to Ikea today to pick up some bedding!

Got into taxi, said Ikea. Got the usual response of "huh" followed by blank look. I thought oh good here we go AGAIN. In the end I wrote it down, taxi driver smiled and said AH Ikea!!! Yes I thought, that's exactly what I was saying......

Blue Mosque

Paul thought it would do us good to get out today and see some sights. I agree!!

We went down to Sultanhamet to the Blue Mosque, WOW what a fascinating place, we then went to Hagia Sofia which is a museum and a mosque which is no longer in use. Photos are to be found on Flickr!

Hate it here

I've stopped feeling positive about living here I'm afraid. The traffic is driving me bonkers, everytime I go out for a walk I'm amazed I get back to the hotel in one piece. If you dare to cross a side road and someone suddenly wants to drive down it they don't slow down they just carry on. I've lost count of the number of times I've nearly been mowed down. I daren't take the kids out for a walk.

Mindless bloody ignorance if you ask me. Thank god our apartment is on a housing complex and not near a main road.

Turks just seem so ignorant, it maybe just me I don't know but I was told Turks were friendly and welcoming, ha ha I've found them to be the total opposite.....

Truth be told I want to go home.........................

Leaving Movenpick Hotel

So we are having to move hotels because we were only booked in here until today and they are fully booked and we don't have a temporary apartment to move into, great...........

So Sheraton here we come.

No Temporary Apartment yet

Well we are trying to get a temporary apartment sorted out because we can't have our "posh" one until Wednesday 24 September!

Hotel Alone

Paul has gone to work today and I've taken the kids to school by taxi, it's a nightmare trying to direct the taxi drivers who have absolutely no idea where they are going. Most of them have not heard of the school but they know the area Zekeriyakoy so that helps I guess, I can direct them from there!

Living in a hotel sounds great but it really isn't, it's not like a holiday where you go out and see sights. I'm here alone all day, kids gone, hubby gone and it's not fun :(

Looking for a potential home

Went out today with the relocation agent to look at homes. She took me to various areas Istinye, Tarabya, Kirecburnu and Emirgan. I didn't like any of the villas they were all quite old and as we've got to think about earthquake safety I decided not to go for a villa. She showed me some apartments on compounds which were all ok but there was always something missing?!? Anyway we then went to an apartment in Tarabya and the instant I walked through the door I knew it had to be this one, I just had that feeling, a vision of us living there! It had all mod cons, pool, gym, sauna, indoor pool, squash courts, playground, kids playroom/ballpit AND a fantastic view of the Bosphorus!

I mentioned it to Paul when he came home and we are going for a second look on Saturday morning, he'd better love it - OR ELSE!!!!

School Meeting

Went to the school today for the introductory meeting met both teachers properly, we're very impressed with the school so far!

It's so hot here 29oC but I'm slowly getting used to it! It's good to have some sun after the crap summer in the UK!

First day at school

Kids start their new school today, Hannah can't wait to get there but Alex isn't quite so sure! I'm sure he'll settle in fine, he takes after me in that respect he gets nervous about new things he's quite a sensitive lad! Hannah on the other hand chucks herself into anything!

Went to school and met the teachers, both teachers seem great but Hannah's teacher wasn't told she was starting today (great) so her teacher was a bit taken aback when we turned up lol! Went to pick them up after school and they had both been fine!

Movenpick Hotel

So we are in the hotel now, Paul has hired a car today so we can check out some areas.

Setting Off

Well here we are in Heathrow, everyone is so excited about starting a new life in Turkey. Personally I'm not so sure we are doing the right thing but ho hum life is too short to not take risks!!

Said my tearful goodbyes to family and friends, see you all next summer :(