MERHABA 2 0 1 1

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Athena from the 2011 Pirelli Calendar,
created by Karl Lagerfeld,
Greco-Roman theme 'Mythology'

What makes it gorgeous is not only what I filled in by my own experience and packed into this year 2010, but what I could not. I think there is no any better expression in any language than merhaba. Merhaba is a reason that I have a lot to look forward TO. Merhaba is a reason to BE. Merhaba is hello. Happy New Year 2 0 1 1.

Sometimes It's Just One Word

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There's plenty of same news for weeks! Today I woke and read again:

sport events were canceled. temperatures dipped to -22C/-8F in Scandinavia. endless traffic jams. thousands of travelers sleeping in airports. freezing ducks in the lakes. ice storms affected as far south as Italy. heavy snow blanketed the French capital. problems in transportation in northern Europe. late trains in rail travel. deaths in central Europe from deep freeze. snow even in Australia. freezing much of the US. many travelers waiting in our Istanbul Atatürk Airport for their EU connected flights. snowy chaos.
Ouffff!

Right under of our nose, Europe is freezing however Turkey, in one word "boiling". For example today we felt it 20C in midday! In the south of country people swimming! I wear my shoes with no socks. It is true, the air has moved out the of the arctic. Replaced air in the arctic is warmer, and as a result the air is getting warmer than the same date as previous year. Feeling unlucky and lucky, at the same time, see why now:

morning sun, not flash of my camera!

Early this season I bought them with a big heart-beat. Super long, suede, leather. Wore only 2-times! Today I replaced my très chic boots to the deep back side of my wardrobe.

Just because...








All I need is: strawberry, cruising in a yacht and my flip-flops.

Yeni Yıl

Preparations inside and,

for loved ones outside my house,

are almost finished.

Made a difference this year! I thought for those poor and hungry people around the world, and also many people who are squeezed for money because of the tight economy. Instead of purchasing UNICEF or Hallmark cards, I went to create my own greeting cards, 100% hand-made. Materials simply are daily newspaper, travel brochures, buttons, pine, red felt... It was fun weekend that enjoyed so much. Result is quite satisfying, and I advice you all to give it a try.



Meanwhile, did you start practicing? "two-thousand-eleven", or dropping the thousand and simply "twenty-eleven".. In just 19 days it will be the newest of years that I am impatient to hug (in turkish) Yeni Yıl, meaning New Year.

Being Second Isn't Enough

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Behind expectations! Turkish economy grew 5.5% in the 3Q, and 8.9% in the first 9-months of 2010.



Türkiye is one of a few countries that is still able to make very good progress in a post-crisis environment that left many trying to recuperate from serious losses. Indicators say that we are Europe's the 2nd fastest growing sizeable economy after Sweden which grew 6.9%.

What could I see happening in 2011?

Well, no prediction. Because Turkey's role will be bigger than usual in 2011. To be the #1 economy in Europe and in OECD is what I expect. Follow us, or follow me:)



Read more news from:

• Businessweek

• Swedishwire

An Incident?

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I can say this hereafter:


Oh my, what a secret-less world;)

I think we are in the beginning of a new "information war" in the "information age"! WhatİKnowİsLeaks earthquake began Sunday night showed that confidential remarks, field cables, thousands of pages of data and intelligence reports can be easily made public. Easy as that?!

A sort of cake fighting for all countries at door. For what I am sure about is the diplomatic style and relationships will be influenced. Seriously. I think we are getting ready for what I might call new world order. In near term, not long. Can I expect more than it? Yes I can. Yes I do. Because it is said that there are still more documents to come, say more dirty(!) tricks on the waiting list.. We will see.

Until the day that we will see, I can't stop thinking that not they are bad guys who are behind of WikiLeaks. It is gonna be better than today. Welcome WikiDays ahead, and wondering who said them to push the button? I wish this could be made public as well.

Waka Waka This Time For TURKEY!

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There is anyone not heard the success of our "12 Giant Men"?

In news l selected from Turkish press:


hurriyet { Historic victory. Facing to USA }



fanatik { Cry or get crazy! We are in the final: 82-83 }



milliyet { Now Your Turn USA... }



vatan { We are just flying }



sabah { Not A Dream }


In news l selected from the US press:



www.cnn.com



www.washingtonpost.com



www.nytimes.com



www.heraldtribune.com


Now look at the results and see our continued tremendous run at the FIBA 2010 World Basketball Championship:


28 Aug TR vs Coste d'Ivoire: 86-47
29 Aug TR vs Russia: 65-56
31 Aug TR vs Greece: 76-65
1 Sep TR vs Puerto Rico: 79-77
2 Sep TR vs China: 87-40
5 Sep TR vs France: 95-77
8 Sep TR vs Slovenia: 95-68
11 Sep TR vs Serbia: 83-82
12 Sep TR vs USA: ..64..-..81..


On Saturday's semi-final against Serbia, the luck found our team. But it was not realized so easy. From the beginning to end, it was a head to head game! Died, died, and revived. In the last 0.5 seconds to go, again... a miracle happened! I think the half of our success lies in our faith. Noone can change this fact about our mind-boggling success! Miracle seeking shot formed to give our team one more new giant step. A giant step going to find a way to overcome the US today, oh my...

We are so proud. We are so happy. This is our very first historic success in the basketball arena. In world stage! Less than 12 hours at Istanbul's Sinan Erdem Dome. Bring us the deserved Gold medal, 12 Devadam! YOU WIN, OR WIN.

***

Update@Sep 14

What a game, what a final of giants both black and white! Left us breathless! Because of their very natural athletic advantage, no any team in the world can beat them since 1984! We being Turkish Team are of course too less for USA.

Isn't it a Happy End?! We have succeeded the hardest. We are the Best 2nd of the world and the 1st of the Europe in basketball. CONGRATS to TURKEY for the silver medal in the world basketball championship.
(Congrats to US for gold medal as well)

***

[12 Devadam, in turkish = 12 Giantmen]
[all clippings above to enlarge if you click on]

The Cup Helps?

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Top 4 of the World Cup 2010 and what they won:

Winner Spain: 30 mio$
2nd the Netherlands: 24 mio$
3rd Germany: 20 mio$
4th Uruguay: 18 mio$

July 11, 2010
Sunday
South Africa
Johannesburg
Stat Soccer City
Against The Netherlands
Spain
The great Casillas, goal keeper of Spanish team
The 116th minute goal
From Andrés Iniesta makes
The World's biggest in football:
Viva Espanaaaa!

I think I will not easily forget the World Cup Final last night! The match left me sleepless until midnight because of extratime but its worth a match even if you dislike the football. The man of the match, Iniesta, gave Spain its first World Cup title with his late but excellent goal that came after superb positioning and movement on the field! Bravo Iniesta, made history in the World Cup Championship!

Wondering if winning 30 mio$ from lifting World Cup will boost the Spanish economy? This will mean a recovery for bad signaling Spanish money markets this year?

Hey! Don't forget to give Congrats to your Spanish blogger-non blogger and real-time, even online friends:)

I Know Why I Am Missing!

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a pond in green germany

chihuahua al pasifico train crossing the copper canyon in mexico

poseidon lines in rodos, greece

matsumoto castle in central nagano, japan

yellow rose from the southeast england

newport, oregon in the us

express train approaching to santa lucia station in venezia, italy

taj mahal in india

To miss is a desire to change the current town of where I live in. Sometimes I may find myself in a soul like this. Therefore I am missing all above spots...

So it is. The Netherlands is the first semi-finalist for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. The Dutch is waiting Germany or Spain? What's your estimation for the second finalist? Who will be the winner for the Cup? I want ALMANYA to be the cup winner, Germany.

Important eve, stressful hours --am off to watch Germany vs Spain.

::updated to add 07/08::

The Netherlands 3-2 Uruguay
Germany 0-1 Spain

Final match, on Sun Jul 11, 2010

Spain vs the Netherlands

Broken Peace

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The victories of the past week(!)

photo

The colorful wings of butterfly became increasingly damaged. The wings of humanity. The wings of civilians, 16 peacemakers, unarmed. Nine of whom were Turks, viciously cruelly lost their lives by the israeli ARMY RAIDED SOLDIERS in a humanitarian aid ship fleet to Gaza.

Still regrettable enough to see terrorism as won, and quietness as preferred. One big lie who say it is a peaceful world!

All Originality Lost

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Eight reasons why I dislike Eurovision song contest:


ONE: Politically motivated voting! The most political results ever was seen in this year's 55th Eurovision Song Contest.
Remember, in particular Germany.

TWO: Started fairly common: bloc voting! Again this year was no exception. Former Soviet bloc countries supporting each other as well as Balkan countries.

THREE: If your country is in economical crisis or simply need money, then go to participate in Eurovision! Your friends will help you. Absolutely!

FOUR: She could be a winner of Junior Eurovision Song Contest!
Remember Germany. The 19 year-old Lena won.

FIVE: Why can't you be yourself?
Remember Germany. Their song written by american musicians, Julie Frost and John Gordon.

SIX: Don't re-boil the old soup! Be creative.
Remember Germany. Won with the same formula after 28-years:
1982~ Ein Bisschen Frieden by Nicole, age: 17
2010~ Satellite by Lena, age: 19

SEVEN: Be original!
Remember Denmark? Abba-smelling song.
Remember Moldova? A good reminder of Madonna style and music.
Remember France? Joined in with Club Med animation group:)

EIGHT: Be clear!
Remember Armenia's song "Apricot Stone".
A few lines from their song:
"Momma gave me apricots/ Kisses of the Earth/ Fruits of the sun/ Apricot Stone/ Hidden in my hand/ Given back to me/ From the motherland.. .. .."
May I ask, where's the motherland? Does Armenia want to say something? I am not sure what is meant.

maNga's singer Ferman and
Nathalie, British dancer taking part in the show

Belgium won the first semi-final on May 25. Our rock band, maNga won the second semi-final on May 27. As for grand Final, following Germany's winning, Turkey came second, and Romania as third. Our competing song, listen right here "We could be the same", was written and composed by the group's lead singer, Ferman Akgül. Not an imported song.

We went there to be winner. We wanted to give an important message to the world with our song. We knew we are different. We knew our song is about "peace and love" that the world is really hungry for. But as always politics won, again.

Congratulations maNga even though the blockages and unfair results.

Power of Posture in Historical Seas

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Surprisingly I was firstly meeting some nationalities in my life, like Indonesia and Oman. Was so colorful and fun days over my expectations. After seeing ships, now meet some of the cabin crew whom I enjoyed talking with during my visit. In the meantime, number of the total crew for all of the ships was around 800!

+ German:


Summer sun is burning! Cold beers at hand under wonderfully super warm, warm, warm Istanbul. Easy to understand they are german:) Girls were really warmhearted, that we had a long funny conversation!


+ Omani:

With the traditional hats, Omani young sailor. I noticed they were so sincere talking to Turkish visitors and especially the kids.


+ Russian:

Tanning and surfing the net on a sail? Who would not like to have it:) I enjoyed very much what I saw: hardworking crew;)


+ Indonesian:



Their communication was great and sweet -like Omanis. Noticed their easygoing and talkative way of being!


+ British:

Found their presentations very impressive. Highly disciplined, serious minded crew and rules in lead before visiting the ship! There was more information but no laughing or jokes in the air:)

As you know..

First leg of the race in historical seas started from the port of Volos in Greece on May 8.

The second leg of the race started in the Black Sea, and stopped to cross the Bosphorus Strait on May 26. Next day on May 27 tall ships arrived in Istanbul

4-days celebrations continued, and today is the day of ships leaving the European Capital of Culture 2010, Istanbul, starting the third leg of the race.

Now the ships are fleet cruising, and racing to Lavrion in Greece where the race will end on Jun 7th, prize giving will be held for the Historical Seas Race on a sailing mission of "peace and friendship". Surely, you will be missed Alex, Mir, Shabab, Kaliakra, Dar, Tenacious, Dewaruci and Bodrum! Come again, come.

I think all of eight ships should be awarded! I think everyone who is not into sailing should like it, getting a start-up pronto!

I love sailing,
there is too much in sailing
from sharing to many more,
the real life itself.

And, you too,
make sailing posts!
Do not forget to call me
as I'd love to read
your sailing stories:)

Noble in Historical Seas

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You can enjoy yourself spending too much. Welcome onboard. Here are seven graceful crafts, Tall and Noble Ships in Historical Seas "Soylu Boylu Yelkenliler Türkiye'de":

built in 1906

She is ALEX, as called by her so sweet and sympathetic crew. Designed by German Shipyard AG Weser in Bremen. Retired in 1986. Serves as sailing training ship. In 20 years, she traveled over 300,000 nautical miles (=560,000 km). Be reminded, 20 years = 14 times around the equator! In summer she likes to sail in North and Baltic Seas, and the Canary Islands in North Atlantic Ocean in winter.

~

built in 1932

She is DEWARUCI. A ship owned and operated by Indonesian Navy. Because of the outbreak of World War II, her shipyard was heavily damaged, then construction was finally completed in 1952. The largest tall ship in the Indonesian fleet. Also serves as a goodwill ambassador to the rest of the world. I am amazed by the wooden carvings and decorations inside, carvings giving a home warmth rather than sailing. Cultural textures, winds of Asian affects on her body... but my eyes did not want to believe and accept heavy wood as much that. Honestly I'm for classic white pearls on sea, no brown please:)

~

built in 1971

She is Sultanate's maritime ambassador and Arab world's only tall ship, SHABAB OMAN. Born in Scotland. Made from solid oak and an assortment of other fine Scottish timber. Pride of Oman's Navy is completed 20 yrs of service in the Royal Navy of Oman. It's ranked among the world's tallest ships today. Did you know this girl is the only Arab sailing ship to take part in such tall ship races?

~

built in 1984

She is barquentine KALIAKRA. Born at the Gdansk Shipyard after the plans of Polish technical designer Zygmunt Chorén. Beautiful Bulgarian sailed the Atlantic Ocean twice and finished third out of 143 ships. Onboard she welcome some VIP's like King Juan Carlos of Spain, Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, many other distinguished personalities, and "me" too:) Wow!

~

built in 1987

She is MIR. Her name has so lovely meaning in her language Russian: peace or world. Born at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk, Poland. This three masted, full-rigged ship based in St Petersburg. In the Grand Regatta Colombus -1992, celebrating the discovery of America by Christopher Colombus in 1492, the Mir came out as the absolute winner. Her sister ships are five: Druzba, Pallada, Khersones, Nadezhda and Dar Mlodziezy. Two sisters, Mir and her sister Dar Mlodziezy (of Poland) together being in Bosphorus Strait:) You can remember her here

~

built in 1996

She is SV TENACIOUS. The three masted barque gone to her first voyage in 2000. The largest wooden tall ship still afloat! Largest of her kind built in UK in the last 100 years! And, what a perfect mission: designed to accomodate the disabled people; thanks to the UK for this one of a kind aim to think those not to-move-able easily but passionate about sailing.

~

built in 2001

She is BODRUM, oh ours. The youngest, most beautiful Turkish girl among her friends:) Born in Bodrum on southern coast of the country. Her length is 35m and in Class B.

~~~

I wish I worked there!

¨My photos are klikable for bigger views.