Cannot believe I haven't updated this since last September, slapped wristies. So much has happened since then too but I just don't seem to get round to blogging it.
The first big news is that we are going to move to a house, apartment living was fine at first but after a while becomes like a cage, you get the feeling of being trapped. Nowhere to sit out of an evening, kids don't go outside as much as they used to, noise from the neighbours etc
So we have been looking for a house or villa as they called over here, I have found several that are in our price limit set by the company, infact I do wonder what on earth we are doing here as most of the villas are actually cheaper than what we are paying, Turkish logic strikes again....
I promise to update this blog more often from now on...(yeah right)..
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Friday, September 4, 2009
One Year Anniversary Post
Right ok so we've been here a year today and boy what a year it's been! Crazy, chaotic, different sums it up quite nicely!
So one year ago today we left the UK not knowing what we were coming to, ok Paul had some idea but the rest of us didn't. Paul and the kids were excited, I was hmmmmmmm let's just say anxious. We came out of Ataturk Airport and met our taxi driver who drove us to the hotel. I looked at the surroundings, first impressions were not good, the buildings looked like somebody had been playing Jenga, concrete slab buildings that were half falling down with bits poking out, air conditioning units placed ever so not securely on the side. I said to Paul "what have you brought us to, I cannot live here it's like some run down council estate in the UK. His reply was "well it does get better".
Yes ok it did get better but only slightly! First impressions of the Turks were also not good, they seemed agressive, rude, always pushing and shoving. They were driving like maniacs jumping on their horns every two seconds - what was this crazy place we had landed in....
Another thing I did not realise was how hard it was to get things done when you can't communicate, our Turkish at that point wasn't even beginners level, we did a one week intensive course in the UK but really it was useless we didn't know any Turkish and these people didn't speak English, the language barrier was a huge challenge.
The kids adjusted well, life in a hotel for them was like a holiday. Food when they wanted, TV, swimming pool downstairs and friendly waiters. They also adjusted to school life well, they came home on the Monday already having made loads of friends so life for them was grand!
Those first few weeks were challenging to say the least, we finally got out of the hotel and into our own apartment, took another 2 weeks for our furniture and items to arrive ARGH. Life was getting better or at least I thought....
In fact life was about to get a hell of a lot worse, everything was frustrating, just going out to the shop became a huge challenge, Turks were frustrating. Things came to a head in November when I decided enough was enough and I HAD to go home - only something kept me here....
Experimenting with the public transport system opened my eyes to how the "real" Turks are. If you at least try to speak Turkish they love it, one of the phrases I used a lot here when travelling on buses is "pencereyi acar misiniz? (open the window) only when I used it the first couple of times I actually said "pencereyi acik misiniz, which translates as hungry the window please, got a few strange looks on those occasions but they did get the gist of what I was trying to say! If you ask them to open a window on a bus they do oblige but you can tell they aren't too keen, the way they start buttoning their coat back up or putting their scarves back on is usually the give away that they just don't like fresh air even when it's not cold whereas the Brits quite like being cooler well let's face it with the weather we are used to it is really no surprise!
I remember getting into taxis and saying where I wanted to go and they just didn't understand, it took me a couple of weeks to realise that if I actually wrote it down it would make life easier! I remember trying to take the kids to Emirgan Park last October and was pronouncing it as we would in English which is nothing like it actually sounds I decided to write it so they would know where I wanted to go. Funny that after a while and certainly after doing Turkish lessons you automatically start pronouncing things properly and then hear others trying to say it and thinking yeah that was me last year!
Right so what has changed in a year - well the weather for one thing, Turkish lessons are another, having come through all the frustrations I would totally recommend to anyone moving to a foreign country to learn the language, it opened a lot of doors for us and made life so much more bearable.
When I look back over the past year I can't believe how far I have come, this time last year I felt out of place and quite disorientated, I couldn't function normally I had to think about every little thing. Sometimes getting things done was successful and other times the frustration would make you want to scream.
Something else has changed now - I finally have a car YAY! I can finally just go where I want when I want I feel like a weight has been lifted. I can go up to school without having to wait around for taxis or buses - life is just getting better and better!
It was interesting though driving on the other side of the road and having everything in the car on the "wrong" side, for the first few days I kept faffing around on the wrong side for the gearstick and trying to take my seatbelt off on the wrong side. On one occasion I actually got in the passenger side and sat and thought hang on there's no steering wheel here - ah it's on the other side hmmmmmm.
So one year ago today we left the UK not knowing what we were coming to, ok Paul had some idea but the rest of us didn't. Paul and the kids were excited, I was hmmmmmmm let's just say anxious. We came out of Ataturk Airport and met our taxi driver who drove us to the hotel. I looked at the surroundings, first impressions were not good, the buildings looked like somebody had been playing Jenga, concrete slab buildings that were half falling down with bits poking out, air conditioning units placed ever so not securely on the side. I said to Paul "what have you brought us to, I cannot live here it's like some run down council estate in the UK. His reply was "well it does get better".
Yes ok it did get better but only slightly! First impressions of the Turks were also not good, they seemed agressive, rude, always pushing and shoving. They were driving like maniacs jumping on their horns every two seconds - what was this crazy place we had landed in....
Another thing I did not realise was how hard it was to get things done when you can't communicate, our Turkish at that point wasn't even beginners level, we did a one week intensive course in the UK but really it was useless we didn't know any Turkish and these people didn't speak English, the language barrier was a huge challenge.
The kids adjusted well, life in a hotel for them was like a holiday. Food when they wanted, TV, swimming pool downstairs and friendly waiters. They also adjusted to school life well, they came home on the Monday already having made loads of friends so life for them was grand!
Those first few weeks were challenging to say the least, we finally got out of the hotel and into our own apartment, took another 2 weeks for our furniture and items to arrive ARGH. Life was getting better or at least I thought....
In fact life was about to get a hell of a lot worse, everything was frustrating, just going out to the shop became a huge challenge, Turks were frustrating. Things came to a head in November when I decided enough was enough and I HAD to go home - only something kept me here....
Experimenting with the public transport system opened my eyes to how the "real" Turks are. If you at least try to speak Turkish they love it, one of the phrases I used a lot here when travelling on buses is "pencereyi acar misiniz? (open the window) only when I used it the first couple of times I actually said "pencereyi acik misiniz, which translates as hungry the window please, got a few strange looks on those occasions but they did get the gist of what I was trying to say! If you ask them to open a window on a bus they do oblige but you can tell they aren't too keen, the way they start buttoning their coat back up or putting their scarves back on is usually the give away that they just don't like fresh air even when it's not cold whereas the Brits quite like being cooler well let's face it with the weather we are used to it is really no surprise!
I remember getting into taxis and saying where I wanted to go and they just didn't understand, it took me a couple of weeks to realise that if I actually wrote it down it would make life easier! I remember trying to take the kids to Emirgan Park last October and was pronouncing it as we would in English which is nothing like it actually sounds I decided to write it so they would know where I wanted to go. Funny that after a while and certainly after doing Turkish lessons you automatically start pronouncing things properly and then hear others trying to say it and thinking yeah that was me last year!
Right so what has changed in a year - well the weather for one thing, Turkish lessons are another, having come through all the frustrations I would totally recommend to anyone moving to a foreign country to learn the language, it opened a lot of doors for us and made life so much more bearable.
When I look back over the past year I can't believe how far I have come, this time last year I felt out of place and quite disorientated, I couldn't function normally I had to think about every little thing. Sometimes getting things done was successful and other times the frustration would make you want to scream.
Something else has changed now - I finally have a car YAY! I can finally just go where I want when I want I feel like a weight has been lifted. I can go up to school without having to wait around for taxis or buses - life is just getting better and better!
It was interesting though driving on the other side of the road and having everything in the car on the "wrong" side, for the first few days I kept faffing around on the wrong side for the gearstick and trying to take my seatbelt off on the wrong side. On one occasion I actually got in the passenger side and sat and thought hang on there's no steering wheel here - ah it's on the other side hmmmmmm.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Good News!!
Paul has been promoted to................
Director of NSK Bearings Middle East Trading Company. Basically he is now the Director of NSK Turkey and the Middle East.
PROUD!!
Our future is now totally secure as he can't be sacked haha!
Director of NSK Bearings Middle East Trading Company. Basically he is now the Director of NSK Turkey and the Middle East.
PROUD!!
Our future is now totally secure as he can't be sacked haha!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Photography
I sooooooo want to do the photography course run here by the IWI (International Women of Istanbul) NOT the WI where you bake cakes, make calendars, have knitting competitions etc.......
I have been trying to improve it myself but everytime I think my photos are getting better I find my focus is not great or I haven't quite got the subject in the right place grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Anyway here are some of my "better" photos!!
My beautiful daughter
My handsome son
Together....
I have been trying to improve it myself but everytime I think my photos are getting better I find my focus is not great or I haven't quite got the subject in the right place grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Anyway here are some of my "better" photos!!
My beautiful daughter
My handsome son
Together....
Dolmuş
Went out on the Dolmuş today to Istinye Park shopping mall. The first time I did this I got lost haha but now I've got it down to a fine art! Anyway on with todays news, got to the shopping centre no problem so we come out and get on the Dolmuş to come home, paid for 3 people "Uç tane lütfen" it was absolutely packed to the rafters on the way home armpit to armpit - get the picture? Anyway people start to get off and I find we are the only ones left on. The driver turned round and blurbed some Turkish at me of which I only understood a couple of words so I said I didn't understand. He then reached into his money pot and gave me 1 lira back and said "iki tane, çocuklar something something something!!" I think he meant that children were cheaper or half or something I don't know. Anyway I was amazed that on a packed bus he'd remembered exactly how much I'd paid and how many I'd paid for and then decided to refund the extra, WOW!!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
On a guinea pig hunt!
I have decided to get the kids a guinea pig, we always had cats in the UK but a cat here isn't practical because we couldn't let it outside and that is unfair. So we go into a petshop and ask (in Turkish) if they had any, unfortunately he didn't but he told us to go into the vets down the road and ask there.
Went into said vet and asked there, the guy on the reception beckoned for another member of staff who spoke english (thank god) so I asked her and she then 'phoned round 4 different pet shops for us trying to find one for us!!! Success we have found a shop which sells them, unfortunately they don't have one at the moment but should have more next week YEAH!!!
Went into said vet and asked there, the guy on the reception beckoned for another member of staff who spoke english (thank god) so I asked her and she then 'phoned round 4 different pet shops for us trying to find one for us!!! Success we have found a shop which sells them, unfortunately they don't have one at the moment but should have more next week YEAH!!!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Alex Swimming
Alex's swimming is getting better by the day! He learned to put his head under today, something I never thought I'd ever see him do! He is also becoming more confident at swimming in the deeper end where he can't touch the floor. YEAH!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Feeling more positive!
YAY back to feeling positive again, had to drag myself out of negative mode because I cannot go back to feeling how I did last November as it was not a nice place to be.....
I have to focus on the positives of being here. The weather for one, where's the rain??? We went to the beach today, I can't tell you how wonderful that was, the kids happy all day in and out the sea now we couldn't do that in the UK, well of course we could but the beach was not 20mins up the road lol!!
The swimming pool just downstairs hmmmmmmmm do we have one in the UK NOOOOOOOOO! The lovely Turkish bread picked up warm from the shop, the lovely sea view we get from our apartment, the fact that I WILL have a car very soon YEAH!!
Beach pics!
Summer fun by the pool!
I have to focus on the positives of being here. The weather for one, where's the rain??? We went to the beach today, I can't tell you how wonderful that was, the kids happy all day in and out the sea now we couldn't do that in the UK, well of course we could but the beach was not 20mins up the road lol!!
The swimming pool just downstairs hmmmmmmmm do we have one in the UK NOOOOOOOOO! The lovely Turkish bread picked up warm from the shop, the lovely sea view we get from our apartment, the fact that I WILL have a car very soon YEAH!!
Beach pics!
Summer fun by the pool!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Rough couple of days
Had a rough couple of days, seriously wanted to be on the next plane back to the UK and decided I cannot live here in this "dump" for the next 2 or 4 years. I think a few things have contributed to this a) seeing friends/family b) having the freedom of a car c) bacon d) roast dinners. There are loads more reasons I can think of but I'd literally be here for hours.....
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Back "home"
Here we are back in Istanbul after a 3 week holiday in the UK. As we touched down in England I immediately felt "home" however with this feeling came sudden concern - how would we feel about going back would we be ok? Walking through Birmingham airport and the first person I see is Mum I've never been so pleased to see someone in my life!
The next couple of days I spent in Coventry I went to Asda to pick up a few bits for our holiday in Yorkshire, it felt wonderful to be walking round an english supermarket mmmmmmm Cadburys mmmmmmmm bacon mmmmmmmmm Walkers crisps ooooooo I could go on......I got so excited shopping I even thanked the girl on the till in Turkish hmmmm.
Seeing people I haven't seen since last summer was lovely, catching up with friends, family, the kids teachers at their old schools it felt wonderful.
We had a fantastic 3 weeks the only thing which spoilt it was the bloody weather it was awful, rain rain rain rain rain rain etc you know the score! It was that that helped me to come back here otherwise I think it would have been so much harder to leave.
The next couple of days I spent in Coventry I went to Asda to pick up a few bits for our holiday in Yorkshire, it felt wonderful to be walking round an english supermarket mmmmmmm Cadburys mmmmmmmm bacon mmmmmmmmm Walkers crisps ooooooo I could go on......I got so excited shopping I even thanked the girl on the till in Turkish hmmmm.
Seeing people I haven't seen since last summer was lovely, catching up with friends, family, the kids teachers at their old schools it felt wonderful.
We had a fantastic 3 weeks the only thing which spoilt it was the bloody weather it was awful, rain rain rain rain rain rain etc you know the score! It was that that helped me to come back here otherwise I think it would have been so much harder to leave.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Fantastic Stuff!!!
Alex learnt to swim today YAY!!! He's been close for such a long time now and today it just clicked!
So chuffed!
So chuffed!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
I've been a bad blogger!
I've been a bad blogger lately, keep thinking of things that I must blog but then forgetting about it.........
Kids school has finished now, they have 9 weeks off wow, of course 3 of those weeks will be spent in the UK with family and friends - so exciting!!!!
Kids now spend everyday in the pool, I can't keep them out of it, apparently on talking to others the novelty eventually wears off, I can't imagine that happening at the moment they love it!!
This afternoon Alex is going to a friends house to play and the rest of us are going to a fish restaurant for some lunch yummy!
Oh and I finished Turkish T2 and passed YAY!!
Kids school has finished now, they have 9 weeks off wow, of course 3 of those weeks will be spent in the UK with family and friends - so exciting!!!!
Kids now spend everyday in the pool, I can't keep them out of it, apparently on talking to others the novelty eventually wears off, I can't imagine that happening at the moment they love it!!
This afternoon Alex is going to a friends house to play and the rest of us are going to a fish restaurant for some lunch yummy!
Oh and I finished Turkish T2 and passed YAY!!
Monday, June 15, 2009
WOW
Still can't get my head around this weather. Everyday I wake up in the morning with the sun streaming into the room!!! Yesterday the kids spent practically all day in the pool!!
Looking forward to going home for 3 weeks, not looking forward to going back to crap weather though...........
Looking forward to going home for 3 weeks, not looking forward to going back to crap weather though...........
Monday, June 1, 2009
More Sad News
Just heard today that Becky has a grade 4 glioma which is incurable but can be treated and kept under control. Will start radio and chemo during next couple of weeks.
Can't stop thinking about her and her family, what does the future hold for them? Why her, she is such a lovely kind person and really does not deserve any of this. Cannot believe it.
Can't stop thinking about her and her family, what does the future hold for them? Why her, she is such a lovely kind person and really does not deserve any of this. Cannot believe it.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Mum & Lin gone home
Mum and Lin went home today so am once again feeling a bit down. I know come tomorrow I'll be fine again it's just that it reminds you of what you miss most.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
WOW hot hot hot!!!!!!!!
Weather has gone really hot now at least 29-30oC! Hannah got in the pool today and was told to get out again because it has not yet been chlorinated oops!!!
Hopefully they will do it in the next couple of days, can't wait until they can go in - well it saves baths doesn't it??? ;-)
Starting to love life out here now the weather has changed - never thought I'd say that lol!!
Hopefully they will do it in the next couple of days, can't wait until they can go in - well it saves baths doesn't it??? ;-)
Starting to love life out here now the weather has changed - never thought I'd say that lol!!
Bad News :(
Had some awful news today about one of my good friends in Nottingham. She has been unwell for a few weeks apparently with headaches and collapsed at home at the weekend. She has been diagnosed with a brain tumour and has to have an operation on Wednesday so they can do a biopsy.
How awful.
How awful.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
School Sports Day
Went up to school today as it was the kids sports day. Very enjoyable because the weather was absolutely gorgeous. I've not been to a school sports day where the temperature was 29oC before hahaha usually it's been raining or at least cloudy!
Kids enjoyed themselves, Alex did especially well with the high jump must be those long skinny legs tee hee!!
Kids enjoyed themselves, Alex did especially well with the high jump must be those long skinny legs tee hee!!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Blue Mosque & Cisterns!
Kids are sooooo happy that M&L are here, poor things didn't seem very enthusiastic about going to bed last night! They really loved playing games with Mum again and having stories read they have missed each other so much!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
YAY Mum & Lin are here!!!!
Well Mum and Lin are here at last, weather is good but not too hot thankfully so we should get touring around tomorrow!!
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