Weekend Update!

Well, not of this weekend. But it's an update occurring on the weekend.

I've experienced some pretty interesting things in the past few weeks that really didn't have a place in any of the (read as: one) blog posts that I've written recently. I guess we can just call this a smorgasbord of mini Turkish adventures.

(Side-note: smorgasbord. What a great word!)

Okay, so on with the mini-adventures.

Mini-Adventure #1: First Trip to Kipa.

Oh my gosh, Kipa, you guys. It's like the best thing of all things. It's like Target, except none of the labels are in English, and there's only Turkish food, with the exception of one display case of all other ethnic food ingredients a Turk might need if they're going wild and trying to make tacos or teriyaki chicken. They had salad dressing. SALAD DRESSING. And SOY SAUCE. This was a big deal. Also, I bought Christmas lights, because Turks have something called New Years' trees. Can't wait for this experience.

Mini-Adventure #2: Whack Whack?
So, a few weeks ago, I had a student come into one of my Speaking Skills classes early to ask me about slang. As in, to teach him slang. On the spot. Right then and there. So, in my prime Rowan form, I try and do a little pre-assessment to figure out what he knows. He starts going on about all the different words for money he knows, and he actually knows a lot of them; I was impressed.

So he asked for more slang vocabulary, and the only thing I could think of was the word jawn.

I mean, who isn't familiar with this West Philadelphian? 

I'm sure you can predict that this didn't go over too well. I think "jawn" is just too vague of a topic. So building of this Fresh Prince foundation, I decide to go with "whack," as in "That's whack." (Side-note: Did you know there's a debate regarding the proper spelling of whack/wack?" Hmm.)

The following is the dialogue that occurs between the two of us.
(Side-note: Let me emphasize that this is in no meant to make my student look stupid. He's actually one of the smartest students in my class.)

Me: Okay, so this is a pretty popular phrase: "That's whack." Have you heard it before?
Student: "'That's whack?'"
Me: Yeah. It means, like, "That's really bad."
Student: "Whack."
Me: Yes.
Student: Like "whack whack?"
Me: Like what now?
Student: Like whack whack. Whack whack.
Me: I don't think I understand.
Student proceeds to pick up a dry-erase marker and draw on the board.
Me: ... Is that a duck?
Student: Yes! A duck. Duck says, "whack whack."

Whack whack. Quack quack.
This is cross-cultural exchange at its finest, boys and girls.

Mini-Adventure #3: Thanksgiving!
Over Thanksgiving weekend, Team Balıkesir visited our good friends in Yalova for some good old bonding over American traditions. I won't lie to you, dear readers, being away from home for Thanksgiving was difficult, so I'm not going to dwell on it. It did make me so very thankful for my family and friends that I am missing and the new friends that I've made.


So anyways, here's our spread!

It was extra delicious.

... and the lovely crew I got to celebrate with!

Top row: Margot, new friend Fırat, Russell, and Greg.
Bottom row: Annika, new friend Deven, yours truly, Shannon, and new friend Imge.

So, it was the best Thanksgiving I could have imagined four thousand miles away from home.


Mini-Adventure #4: Internet in Our Apartment!
Anyone who has tried to get into contact with me within the last three months is well aware of this challenge. But the solution has been found... life is good. All that jazz.


I felt like I had more adventures to tell you about... but I guess I don't... for now.