This one is
a throwback. I am not sure if throwbacks exists in blogs. I do not care to find
out if it is socially acceptable to do it. I am going to do this because this
event was special. This event happened when I was in Turkey. A fall
wedding. My older brother's wedding, when I took two weeks off and traveled to
Ankara to meet my new extended family. A time of stress because everything was
changing at a very fast pace. New culture, new people, new food, new
friendships, new traditions. All new for me and for them. I wrote about their
Love day and took pictures of a lot of details. Then I showed it to my
brother's now wife. She said: "These pictures look very
professional, it looks like you are doing blog" I laughed at her response.
"It should be a blog!" She insisted. I first brushed her idea off,
but in the back of my mind I was thinking about it. Maybe I could blog. Maybe I
should write and tell people what I think. Maybe this could be a way to
remember. All right. This blog, planted a seed in my mind. With all that said,
this first entry is about the details before the wedding and my outlook on how
things were. We start with a conversation with my boyfriend. We'll call him
Rafael. He is across the world from me and I send him my take on the city of Ankara.
First email
to Rafael—
My love.... How's it going?? I've been switched on time!! I don’t think
I like this new schedule too much!! Most the time I'm ok but sometimes I'm just
so sleepy!! We've been meeting a lot of pple and doing a lot of little errands
with Sara and Pedro just before the wedding. We also went to a mall they have.
Ankara is so pretty! Their arquitecture is so modern!! There is an entrance to
the city—Very majestic! And all the buildings are separated so there's a lot of
space followed by green space! Sara's sister Dülce is so sweet!! She reminds me
of my sister a lot! She's just always so enthusiastic and helpful and fun to be
around. Pedro, my older brother, is a little stressed out :( He does take some
of his stress on me--or at least it feels that way. A lot of things I do bother
him a lot. The pressure here (or altitude?) caused my nose to be a little
congested and yesterday while we were at the mall I told them I'd go to the
restroom and be back. My nose started to bleed so I stayed longer but not too
long as I didn't want to worry them. Well, I came back, naturally, with a piece
of tissue paper covering my nose. Pedro looked at me like I should have
stopped myself from bleeding! “Haven't you ever had a nose bleed?” He said
while rolling his eyes. “You should grab your nose at the top to stop it.” He
added exasperated. He was just so bothered by me, my love. My mom says he's
just be kind of nervous right before the wedding. I'm going to try and be more
supportive. Anyways, besides that I've been good. Seriously Sara's family have
been so nice! They are so kind. Sara’s mom had a feast for us when we came and
everything is natural and yummy. We also had a breakfast for kings with fig
jam, bread, cheese (their cheese is amazing!! Really soft and creamy) eggs,
pepper sauce made from scratch, grilled sandwich and tea! Every meal is finished
with hot tea or Turkish coffee. I’ll send you pictures next time.
Te amo,
-A
Rafael's
email to me:
Good morning Amor! Sounds like you are having busy and full days
there in Turkey, how is your nose now? I think your mom is right, Pedro
is about to get married in about 5 days and is his first time meeting Sara's
entire family. I could see that being a little stressful, but most likely he
will calm down the more things are settled and prepared for the big day! I made a chart for what I plan to do
while you're away. You'll be happy to know that selling the furniture is on
that list, haha. I tried to get this regimen started where I ran a little
in the mornings, but I actually think I may need to go to the doctor because my
big toe on each foot feel like there may be some injury to them. Weird
right? We'll see. Thank you for the farm basket I will pick it up in
about an hour, I'm cooking tonight! There is room in the fridge,
haha. Tonight I will go to my first neighborhood watch meeting.
My
response:
I
didn't know they had neighborhood watch meetings! I've seen the signs but
didn't think neighbors actually met! Say hello to Katy and Milady as well, if
you see them!! With joking out of the way, do tell me how the meetings go!
Here's how the restrooms look: kind of a futuristic style, since most the tubes
are hidden in the wall and shelves are also hanged on the wall:
Very glad to hear that you will exercise in the mornings!! I do
enjoy doing that (: Very nice amor!! Also glad to hear those couches are going
away soon. I love you mi amor. My
soul came back to me when I heard your voice!! I was so glad you picked up the
phone because I was 초금 (a little) worried, I hadn’t
heard from you in a while. You are so sweet, my love. Being here makes me
realize how much I love you. How much I enjoy all our times together!! I've
been learning some words here and there. For sure know how to say some basic
things!! Sometimes I just want to say things in Korean!! I want to be like
juice 주새요 (give me)! Then I remember I study Korean weekly and not Turkish.
Funny thing: 내 (yes) means what in Turkish!
Sometimes I get a little frustrated because I just want to say so many things
but need a translator to do it, either Dülce or Sara, so things take longer to
be said. Which is ok, we have time. But it does bring memories about first
moving to the US. Not all of those memories are good :/ It’s hard to make
friends when you can't speak, when you can’t have an inside joke. I know this
is temporary. So all is fine. Sara’s family is awesome; I really like Dülce; I
want to be like her. She's so fashionable, enthusiastic and wakes up so early
to help get more things for the wedding. Rafael, there are many details and
things to decide. It's like a training class for me :) jajjaajaja! Here are a
few things I have learned so far: They've got to choose four songs--for the
entrance, first dance, throwing the bouquet, and one more. Dülce picked the
bouquet.
See below:
Sara got her dress in Florida, it has a tail and a beautiful
floral design:
This morning we put a billion stickers on some gifts to say
thanks--teşekkür Ederiz!! And the inside has dried lavender, which smells
delicious!
The wedding rings will
be picked up today. They choose a photographer to take their pictures before
the ceremony. I thought was odd because
I thought the groom could not see the bride until the ceremony! I know they are
not your traditional catholic couple. Well, as you know Sara is not catholic. I like to see how they make things work out for them! And actually I guess it makes sense to have the photo-shoot before
the party!!
Pedro has already seen
the dress!! I'd say definitely not
traditional!
I hope you liked the update! Sometimes I feel I could be a
photographer on the side because I am a very visual person! So there it goes!
I'm being a reporter from Turkey--Today we've been helping with wedding
details!! Only a couple of days until the wedding! I will share some videos and
pictures also!! I’m so excited for their big day and so happy to be here!
Take care!
Love you lots.
Note: Part II will have the actual wedding day!! Coming up August 15, 2015!
