28 on the 28th December 30, 2008

I just had another birthday. Happens every year around this time. I am not the kind of person who gets all excited about it, but I do not loathe birthdays either. I received phone calls from my family and many messages on facebook. I am so blessed to have all of you as my friends and family. You make me feel warm and fuzzy in spite of the zero degree temp outside *brrrrrr*.

My birthday celebration began the night before when Mehmet, Suna, Kadir, Ugur, Bekir, and Murat met (my) Murat and I at a new place in Tünel called 23. It is actually part owned by Murat’s boss and is a very enjoyable place to go out with friends. Good music, not too loud or crowded, and nice atmosphere. I just wish Turkey would hurry the #*^! up and ban smoking inside everywhere (now it is just banned in government buildings and on the ferries). That is one fabulous thing about America, you do not have to inhale someones smoke when you go out on the town. I was given a beautiful new purse/bag as a gift that is made from 100% yak wool (I will post a pic soon). It is my new favorite fashion accessory.

On the actual day of my birthday Murat got off work early. He said he was taking me somewhere special for a surprise dinner. I was so excited when we arrived at TGI Fridays! Ahhh a little piece of home. Two years without broccoli cheese soup is too long. We both got steaks and proceeded to stuff ourselves. Afterwards we went to Kahve Dünyası (Coffee World) for some cheesecake and hot chocolate (with their signature chocolate spoons!). Murat gave me a beautiful delicate butterfly necklace. It is so precious and I love it. He also got me a few games for my Nintendo DS my sister gave me . I am not quite finished with Zelda, but next up shall be Assassin’s Creed. My DS is so cool and I am not even a video game nut! Overall I would have to rate this as one of the top 3 best birthdays ever. It could only have been better if my family and friends flew over for it.

Tomorrow is New Years Eve and I will be spending it in Bakırköy with Murat’s family. I have the 1st off of work so it will be a great time to get started on my 52 books!

Murat and I at 23

Murat’s Birthday and Down with Starbucks! November 17, 2008

Murat’s birthday was this Friday. He said he did not want to do anything big, so we spent a quite dinner together and I gave him his gifts: a Lacoste shirt and tickets to the Fenerbahçe v. Porto (from Portugal) match on the 25th. Our forms and scarves are already cleaned, pressed, and ready to go. It has been over a year since we last went to the stadium, so we are hoping for a good game. Murat also gave me a gift, a very beautiful, one-of-a-kind, bracelet from Erzurum. Erzurum, in north eastern Turkey, is famous for making things out of Oltu stone. Oltu is a kind of black amber that can only be found in this area.

On Saturday we had a birthday party in Bakırköy with Mehmet, Kadir, and some close friends. It was low key and very nice. Mehmet, Kadir, and Suna (Mehmet’s girlfriend) made these wonderful slide shows for Murat. They had lots of pictures, with cute animations added to them, and funny commercials or clips interspersed throughout. They were so wonderful!

The next day, Murat and I arrived in Kadıköy and had Starbucks for a late breakfast. Murat and I both had Chai Lattes and then I ordered a Very Berry Muffin (as usual). Murat went to work and I stayed and read my book while leisurely eating my muffin. I headed home after an hour. When I arrived home I started to feel funny but went about my chores. An hour later I definitely knew something was wrong and spent the rest of the day, night, and following morning in a terrible way. Murat made me soup, salad and eggs which was great. But It was a terrible way to end a very lovely weekend. I have finally decided that I shall no longer be visiting Starbucks and will instead patronize the lovely Kahve Dünyası (Coffee World) or small local shops. It is just not safe anymore since this is the second time in a year this has happened from Starbucks!

P.S. When I get a chance, I will try to snag some pics from Kadir of the birthday party .