Focus On New Beginnings

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The universe does not want me to set my watch, read newspapers, put up my feet, and take a nap. The planets want me to learn something and to become stronger, giver, kinder one after having weathered in different force winds:)

Taking a two-week of 'un grande tour' into the country from today. Rumi is calling me. My mother and I will also enjoy to viewing fall foliage...

Break For Swimming

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The best thing to do in summer is to take a break, a looong break if possible, and to swim. So I'm going to enjoy all about the water. Swimming for hours is what I want in my holidays. This water-birdie is asking you, why do you blog;)

Run Run Run

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I'm less than two-weeks from Apr 18th Dow Live Earth Run for Water! I will attend a 6 km running + walking at the Anatolian seaside -where I reside close by- with many others including Dow Turkey employees and environmentalists.


If you are not signed up yet, visit here to attend the Istanbul Run for Water :: Su İçin Koş event:

Sunday, Apr 18th, from 10:00AM to 11:00AM

Pazar, 18 Nisan 2010, saat: 10:00 - 11:00

Register here or simply click on above logo for the Run/Walk event in your town and join us wherever you are on the earth on Apr 18th, Sunday.

Every step counts! Invite your friends, family, colleagues to take place in this global environmental action to help solve the global water crisis.

Under The Umbrella There's

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1.express 2.evoke 3.energize 4.ignite 5.rise 6.channel 7.harmonya 8.connecta 9.excitementa anda 10.hinge

With those of you who knows, or does not know; who is new or already informed, Istanbul shelters countless opposites old and new, east and west, modern and traditional, past and future in harmony. Not only these differences protect their purity, but they can be transformed to each other and enrich themselves. This is Istanbul, that is what makes this City so unique.


While each of the above functions sound sort of new Istanbul'ish they all suggest more consideration about the "hinge city", Istanbul. My favorite definition was about the hinge!

During the Urban Age Conference held here this past November, Richard Sennett likened Istanbul to other significant "hinge cities", the cities that serve as connectors, holding together the places they bridge. He calls the hinge city "a place of location rather than a destination, a city of mobilities." Read full post Discovering Istanbul, the 'hinge city' by Jennifer Eaton Gökmen

At its heart, a themed, periodic collection of weblinks to other blog posts must be one of this community's finest innovations: interesting subculture of the web as a Carnival of Ideas! A year-long feature looking at the global niche aims to bring the hinge city Istanbul in different themes starting with +connections in first two months, then +scapes for this month for the Istanbul 2010 Blog Carnival.


Here's a small taste from the most recent post about this carnival that is what Daily Hurriyet News has to say about:

"The Istanbul 2010 Blog Carnival explores how, as a hinge location for past 4,000 years, the City encompasses and reflects elements of the places and people it connects. Providing an eclectic prospective that goes beyond what the typical tourist sees, the Istanbul 2010 Blog Carnival curates a series of web links to what it deems the 'best views of this unparalleled Turkish City from the around web and around the world'.

Anastasia, an American expat based in Istanbul, created this particular blog carnival invites you ALL to join the celebrations at this event --a traveling ideas of festival that moves from house to house, from denizens to admirers to lead the way through the "crossroads and dichotomies of the hybrid metropolis".


And and... I am so pleased to let you know that my post of Revitalized Akaretler Row Houses of Maçka featured in the current month issue of the Carnival! It's a great way for a community of bloggers to work together and unite in a form of multi-cell life which might be carnival in my opinion, rather than being a single-cell organism which is like a blogger alone in the cyberspace.


In this sense, I now encourage you to visit:

issue #1+2 (jan and feb) for past posts

issue #3 for march

My sincere thanks to darling Anastasia for her efforts and dedication such an important project in the way to celebrate its title being the Istanbul European Capital of Culture 2010. Her blog of Furthering the Worldwide Cultural Conversation is really worth to read, best is to bookmark it! I'm grateful to take this opportunity and state that how intimate communications make deep and meaningful exchanges today:)

clicking on above mask will
make your shortest way to the WebCarnival~

Schnorchel

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Write, write, write. It never comes to an end:)

So I am going to freezing time! I want to find time for my bare feet in the sand, hobbies, entertainment and leisure activities despite my hectic schedule, to refresh my mind and mood. I think it will be long-lived now.

While I am off to celebrate my first day of summer vacation, hope you are all enjoying a glorious summer.


Miss you~

You Are HERE Because...

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I can't think of a better city than here to spend as much time walking is possible. There is some obvious reasons for me to say this except to say it's pretty hard not to click on here and not find something interesting to look at here, and in most cases be inspired by:)


If you're like me..
If you've a laptop..
If you merrily live in the clouds..
If you're pretty much guaranteed to yield productivity from getting this page..

and,

If you've a minute, this should only take A SECOND!

CrossRoads is a nominee in the category of Most Inspiring Blog. Please click on the above blue coupon, or check out the BlogLuxe Nominees for more useful information that will be helpful while you placing your vote. Oh don't forget, voting will remain open until Jul 6th if you like to vote for your favorite Women bloggers for a 2009 BlogLuxe Award.

It really looks like you could use a little time on your hands to vote for the reading stuff in eye-to-heart corners as a daily exploration used to abound:) Thank you from now on your never-end-ing interest to come and visit and read here. Without you, what could I do here?

It's Quiet in Here

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Google's hosted blog service Blogspot (Blogger.com) banned in Turkey as of yesterday afternoon. When I tried to view my page I was redirected to a court decision. No reason for the ban was given. I hope that the service will be restored as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience and kind understanding on this matter.

Sortie

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There are times in life when we need to cut back somethings so we can find that perfect place.

There are times in life when we need to find something to do.

There are times in life when we need a break.

So this is one of those times for me. It's come.


What I'm going to do this summer is:

My slogan A break from technology, and breathe more.

Vacation theme I designed it to be way behind on e-mails, work, and tons of other time-wasters. Spend time swimming, and simply being outdoors.

How long Such a long break. Before hit the road for a 3-week holiday, I will spend some time here going to a few concerts as it's now 15th Int'l Jazz Festival in Istanbul. Oh I love saxophone! I love Jazz and Caz:)

Where to go With a richness in scenic beauty, agricultural wealth, and heartland of classical civilizations -many of the most famous legends from ancient Hellenic and Roman times-, it's claimed that Aegean coasts in Turquie have ''the most beautiful sky and best climate in the world''. In addition, its golden sandy beaches and clear waters surrounded by olive groves and pinewoods attract me everytime as a nature lover. Here I come, wait me darling Aegean...

What to eat If I say that olive oil has been a source of health, youth and strength throughout the history coming from ancient times Egypt, Greece and Rome... Deli-cious Aegean cuisine with virgin olive oil, plus Aegean herbs, black and green olive pastes, ohh seafood and drinks... can't wait! In short, all from my Aegean and that's all I want!

What to do While in a seaside town, lucky timing will take me to slow down! More relaxation time, catch up reading, touch the base, 'no' listening to iPOD, 'no' laptop, and closing my eyes:)


CrossRoads will be quiet than usual but I will not be so quiet;) Don't act surprised: I want to be a real kid living summer:)


I hope the Sweet Summer brings you time to rest, refresh and explore new things.

Have a great summer and
See y'ALL again in August:)

Image: iStockphoto

Be A Happy Bug!

What a divinely way to start my morning with friends!

Having read so lovely wishes and submissions, it's been another great week for me, and seem to multiply itself each day:) A million miles away from here take me easily to find a place for you and me, in another time in another place...

Pull up a chair, grab a cup of coffee, pick a piece of favorite dessert, chat with you and enjoy the Spring at a House in the roses... Am I very dreamy;)

Yes, dreams. Dreams take me to another place and time that I could feel free. Because it comes to the point where some of you really works for improving the quality of life. At those times, I cannot stop myself thinking and dreaming about good things even though I am getting kinda busy now-a-days;) This looks like being one step closer to you, and I enjoy this feeling:)


Called 'Dessert Carnival', but I think I should re-name it 'The Carnival of Improving Life' because of her contributions:)

Next week 'Dessert Carnival Day' will be up on April 30, Wednesday. Enter Cielo's world to see what she organizes in her rosy-like beautiful life.

It sounds to me like something that would curl your toes;) My stomach growled with hunger pains when I am invited to the Dessert Carnival Party by Cielo as the start-up photos were so inviting at her page.

Do yourself a favor and check out not only the recipes on Carnival Day, but the blogs themselves as I think all of us will be amazed and pleased at the wide variety of bloggers who are submitting recipes -from one to the other side of the spectrum. No doubt, a warm welcome will be awaiting us among nice roses at Cielo's:)

If you have some fabulous recipes of your own, why don't you share and submit them for next week's Dessert Carnival?

I think that watching which foods you eat can make a difference. Be a part of Coming Up Roses. Not though to be a Happy Bug:)

Three best to have in plenty
-sunshine, wisdom and generosity.
Irish Triad

In Our Hands

Sign
Talk
Breathe
Help
Loving
A picture of you
Sharing
A different sort of writing
Hugging
Finger prints
Non the same
All different
Life changes
Imagine a life story
In your hands.
poem by Sarah McGreevy

Hands, the giving hands is an extention of our charity which revolves around creating and spreading awareness on matters pertaining to well, solidarity, volunteerism and helping.

-Besoin d'un serieux coup de main-

As we know, often money is raised through the generosity of people who hold and organise fund raising events. However right now there is such an event that requires only a Hand. The goal is to get as many hands as possible to compose a a big fresco in order to serve for helping a friend in need.

I think many people can support this project called ''Needing A Hand'' by giving a Hand so that we can continue to help others less fortunate than ourselves. Coming together with the help of y'all, it would be also nice to demonstrate that the virtuality of our friendship relation is based on the reality of our friendship.

Very simple. All you need to do is as follows:

1) Take a piece of fabric, a material or a color that reminds of you.
2) Feel free of yourself for the selection of fabric quality. It can be new, or used, what counts is to understand this Project, to participate and the pleasure for making this possible.
3) On the backside of the fabric trace the contour of your hand (right or left which you like to)
4) Cut leaving from 5 upto 8cm to your arm.
5) Do not embroider, do not embellish on the hand.
6) Attach seperately a note writing with your name and country.

7) Now ready to send your hand with the note to Frederique, here is the address:

Mme Frederique Boulogne
3 Bis Rue de La Liberte
F-67114 Eschau - France


If you think I entered this year with less scraps than before, you would be very mistaken;) I do not know how it happens but scraps never decrease, they keep regenerating;) A great way to use up your leftovers for this Project as I do:)

As seen above, I picked a piece of traditional Turkish fabric from my stash. It's a piece of gabardine, which is used for night-dresses as well as home-deco. I enjoyed on it immensely with its so lovely bright colors and motifs. My left hand resulting from the combination of my favorite color mainly gold on a sweet pink background with my favorite leaf image:) While making my Hand, I felt myself happy being among people who share the love of helping, and enjoying the pleasure of life. So I gave my Hand:)

For a serene and wonderful world, JOIN US to reflect all these beautiful emotions and thoughts, and hoping to see many more participants. Do not miss to visit Frederique because she'll be posting an update the list of received hands on her blog. For the whole point of entry, my appreciation for Linda as I spotted it there, that's how I am into this Helping Project. Thank you Linda for sharing the news in your corner.

It reminds me a very well-known Turkish proverb:

''One hand does not clap. Two hands do.''

Turkish: Bir elin nesi var, iki elin sesi var.

Nothing Like A Baby

I remember having pillow fights as a kid, and always loved them. Do you? We would smack our friends upside the head for a few seconds, and then we would fall over shrieking with laughter:)

Turns out a planned, massive fight is a lot different from those of our youth;) First of all, today's pillow fight will last a lot longer (about five minutes). Secondly, you could work up such a sweat and get so out of breath just by trying to hit complete strangers with your pillow.

It's something just completely ridiculous about getting hit repeatedly by an object as soft and forgiving as a pillow:) When it's dozens of different pillows and people you have never met before doing the hitting, it would be even funnier:)

On Saturday, Mar 22nd 2008, there will be Massive Pillow Fights in cities around the world. Refer here to locate the nearest one, and also to learn for more about this event.

Rules for a Pillow Fight in the communiqués are:

* Soft pillows only!
* Swing lightly, many people will be swinging at once.
* Do not swing at people without pillows, or with cameras.
* Remove glasses beforehand!
* The event is FREE, and appropriate for ALL ages.
* Wait until the signal to begin.
* This event is more fun with feathers!

Costumes and funky pillows encouraged:)

International Pillow Fight Day 2008 will also take place in Istanbul, as scheduled above. I think that many people drawn by internet postings, reading journals and word-of-mouth will converge at the Park Bebek on Saturday afternoon for a nearly three-hour pillow fight. Here the Park Bebek below:


There is a splendid view when you walking at Park Bebek: blue and green so close to each other, oh to die for! Particularly on the weekends, it is a very desired location -see below- to relax, to brunch, and for romantic escapes such as fine restaurants and dine outs.


Bebek is one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods of Istanbul. Located on the European shores of the Bosphorus, and it's surrounded by other wealthy districts such as Arnavutkoy, Etiler and Rumeli Hisari. The direct translation of the word ''Bebek'' into Turkish language is ''Baby'':) Between, I like its name very much:) Here its glamorous Bebek Bay and Bosphorus in photos now:


Bebek was a popular residential district under the Ottoman rule. Its population reflected the multi-diverse society which is still visible today in Bebek's historic buildings. Bebek is one of my top favorite districts in the City! J'adore as Bebek is a place like 'baby':)


I can easily imagine that within minutes, pillows will be arching, feathers will be flying, the Park and hundreds of people to be covered in white down that gives the scene a wintry lustre like the photo below taken in Paris Pillow Fight-2007:


My hope that the event in the world cities' will be pretty great having reported as 'No injuries, no cops and LOTS OF SMILES' after it is all over.

Hear Them Ring

~~ I WISH YOU
A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER
AND
HOPE THE NEW YEAR WILL RING
IN HAPPINESS ~~


MAY THE NEW YEAR
BE BRIGHT AND REWARDING
FOR EVERYONE!

Tomorrow I am off to Italy on the holidays. And...

In White and Black

Istanbul... Istanbul... Istanbul...

A very old city with its history of thousands of years reaching back to 7th century BC. It has been the capital of two large empires, and has seen numerous emperors and sultans pass. Istanbul has become negligent after the disasters, victories, disappointments and excitement it has experienced that it would travel with Ara Guler's eyes if it were a photographer.

A Turkish photojournalist of Armenian descent, nicknamed ''The Eye of Istanbul'' or ''The Photographer of Istanbul'', holding France award Légion d' honneur, Ara Guler.

A few lines about him: Ara Guler travelled to all corners of the world and all parts of Turkey. The world's most famous publishers have featured his photographs. In the 1970's he held photographic interviews with such important personalities as Winston Churchill, Indira Gandhi, Maria Callas, John Berger, Bertrand Russell, Willy Brandt, Alfred Hitchcock, Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunnigham, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.

As far as his philosophy, Guler attaches the greatest importance to human presence in his photographs and describe himself as a ''visual historian''. According to him, photography should provide a memory of people, of their lives and especially their suffering. While he considers that art lies, photography to him can only reflect reality. He does not consider photography as an art. Ara Guler is one of my numero uno photographers, as he's really an intellectual beyond being a photographer, that I enjoy his exhibitions very much!

Roma celebra con una mostra al Museo dell' Ara Pacis, lungotevere in Augusta il piu grande fotografo turco vivente, che blocca nelle sue immagini in bianco e nero una Istambul sofferente, da ''cronista'' come lui stesso ama definirsi.

Ara Guler presents his photographic works called ''L'altra Istanbul'' (English: The Other Istanbul - Turkish: Istanbul'un Diger Yuzu) for the first time in Rome, Italy, as stated above. The exhibiton also features works of four other Turkish photographers who join Guler in a group show dedicated to portraying Turkey's role in Mediterranean culture. Read the news here.

Above photo by Ara Guler, -an older photo than me:)- shows Istanbul in year 1956, while tram and cart running on a snowy day in Galatasaray Avenue to Sirkeci. All the works in display are only 'white and black' like this photograph.

Do not miss out if you still have not been to Istanbul! Even if you have been to Istanbul, you should visit this exhibition because you will find it very interesting and extraordinary The Other Istanbul. No matter how but I think it is an opportunity for a better intercultural dialogue among the countries.

Senz' altro c'é solo una Istanbul!
~ There's only one Istanbul! ~

Miss December

Who says Santa Claus doesn't come in August;) Magic is about to happen early?

No, not yet of course:) We all know that Santa drops in for his annual visit in every December:)

We, being Ladies, can hardly wait for the joy of Christmas time. And, I am participating in a Christmas Exchange hosted by my friend Donna in Australia.

I think that it is such a lovely way to express creativity in these kind of exchanges -such as Pasqua, Halloween, Noel- with other friends around the world. I enjoy seeing fellow friends who can create truly unique things and who can really play with their own talents and finally create something beautiful. It's my greatest hope that it will give me a chance to know some delightful and kind spirits along the way.

I cannot wait for my Secret Santa's arrival to wrap up me in the beauty of the seasons as it's indeed a ''Secret'' till December. Many thanks to Donna for organising such an event!

Embroidery, sewing and crafts is the excuse,
but the important thing is
friendship.