Lazy Saturday

Happy Republic Day Turkish people!

Today is a national holiday, therefore no work this morning. I was planning on catching up with my writing, enjoy November's Vogue in bed, drink cups of tea and take photos of my new children books... BUT, my neck is totally stiff and even moving my head hurts, let alone taking photos and everything. So here I am, sitting in my bed with a hot water bag on my neck and back, trying not to move fast and worrying about the girls night out tonight. The weather is beautiful but oh well. Hope I can recover till then. Here are some lovely lazy weekend photos from Flickr, all linked back to their rightful owners. Have a great weekend and expect some real posts this week.

Bad Times

Actually I was planning on posting photos of Greece and my weekend today but there's been some terrible things going on in Turkey and I just couldn't make myself to pick up photos of fancy places while people are suffering there. Sorry.

In case you don't know, this is what happened:

There're terror attacks going on in eastern regions of Turkey and many soldiers were killed by PKK early this week. There are people dying everyday. And 2 days go there's been a huge earthquake in Van and hundreds of people are dead or under the ruins. Snow is expected in Van this week so people need clothes, drinking water, heaters, baby supplies and food. Immediately. If there's anyone who wants to/able to help, please do.

For international donations:
Donation page for Turkish Red Crescent:

https://secure.kizilay.org.tr/nakdibagis.aspx?kodu=3

IBAN can be used to donate local search and rescue team (AKUT):

http://www.akut.org.tr/?sf=icerik&icerikktg=72

Donation by US Mobile Phones:

Text GIVE TURKEY to 80088 to donate $10 to Turkey Earthquake Relief Fund. Message and data rates may apply.

http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/turkey-earthquake-relief-and-recovery-fund/

These are the international donation links and possibilities as far as I know.

National Donations/ Yurt içi bağışlar ve yardımlar için:

Kızılay'ın sayfasından 55 TL'ye gıda paketi alıp yardımcı olabilirsiniz (You can purchase a food kit for 55TL and help people):

https://secure.kizilay.org.tr/kampanyaDetay.aspx?kodu=6&rurl=/urunbagisi.aspx%3Fkodu%3D&

Bölgenin en çok ihtiyaç duyduğu malzemeler için:

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/19063290.asp

Cep telefonlarından yapılacak bağışlar ve banka hesap numaraları:

AkBank: 560004600456888000109028

DenizBank: 400013400000553733100001

AKUT: 2930′a AKUT yazan bir SMS mesaj ile AKUT’a 5TL katkıda bulunabilirsiniz.

KIZILAY: 2868′e boş bir SMS atarak Kızılay'a 5TL bağışta bulunabilirsiniz.

Daha fazla detay http://yalnizdegilsinvan.wordpress.com/ adresinde mevcut. Ayrıca bir sürü üniversitede yardım kampanyaları başlatıldı. PTT, Yurtiçi ve Aras Kargo bölgeye gönderimleri ücretsiz yapmış.

Gönderiler için adres (Address: for your donations): Van Merkez Belediye Garajı, Kriz Masası.

So these are a few ways of helping people there. It will be appreciated.

But what drives me crazy is that I'm still a part of a nation that can feel good about human death. I cannot belive it. People are actually happy about those deaths and suffering, claiming that those Kurdish people are killing us, so they deserve death.

I am as sad as anyone about the loss in south-eastern Turkey, so I cannot imagine what it's like for their family to lose their sons, brothers, friends, fathers to that vicious disgusting terrorists and I am so very sorry about this war going on. I hate terror and I hate that news on TV are just like the news that I had to watch when I was growing up in 90s. The region is a war zone. People are scared. Families lost their prescious babies to a bunch of fucking raging murderers. But I still cannot understand the joy that people get when they hear about innocent children, babies, women and men are under tons of rocks and dirt, waiting to die. I just hate to be a part of humankind when I see that those creatures are content and wishing worse for them. My whole body literally aches.

Try to help if you can, I'll be sending clothes to the region and make a donation if I can afford it.

Terörden ve depremden etkilenen herkesin başı sağolsun.

PS: Oh and... Happy birthday to me! I'm 23 now.

Yours Truly, x! - Doodle

Kerry writes the glorious blog Yours Truly, x - which is absolutely a favourite of mine. Her cheerful nature combined with lovely findings from charity shops as well as her adorable style, makes it hard not to love her blog (and probably herself too.) I've never met her but I couldn't resist the temptation of another doodle. Sadly I picked a look that is mostly dark coloured but if you want to see the outfit, go check her page! Not her signature style but a win anyways.

I am not an artist by any means, I just enjoy this little big headed drawings; so I hope you like it Kerry!

Kerry's blog: Yours Truly, x
Kerry's outfit in the doodle: These Are Mad Times We Live In...

Questions Answered

Last night I received a message from Katie who was nice enough to reach me through Tumblr and she had some questions. Thank you Katie! Comments and questions always motivate me. I don't know if you have a blog or any place that I can contact you but here are your answers.

1- What camera do you use?

I have a Nikon D3000 that I love very very much which I received as a birthday present from mum. Every single photo that I take comes from that magical little black box. I am no professional and I’m sure one can find a much more qualified camera if they need to, but this is more than enough for me, and probably for the beginners.

2- Did you take a class for photography?

No, I’m a self-taught ‘photographer’. I’ve always loved photography but I’m into actually taking the photos for 4-5 years and most of this period was spent with a compact Nikon (L3 if I’m not mistaken).

3- Why don’t you do any outfit posts?

Well, basically because I’m not comfortable in front of a camera and recently I’ve gained around 25 lbs (in 5-6 months) after my graduation while sitting at home and procrastinating (I know!). I really don’t enjoy my image in pretty clothes nowadays. Most of my cute outfits don’t fit me anymore but I’m losing weight and once I’m back to feeling comfortable in my skin, I may do a few posts to try. I doubt I’ll ever be comfortable posing for a camera though. I feel too self-conscious.

4- Where are you from?

Ankara, Turkey. A very dull place, 2-3 days (at the most) will be enough for our capital city. Visit Istanbul if you’re planning to come to Turkey. (She is infact coming to Istanbul this November, yay!)

5- How old are you?

Going to be 23 on October 24th. (6 days to gooo~)

6- What do you do for living?

I work in advertising for the moment, as a very very new copywriter.

7- What should I bring with me to be comfortable and chic in Istanbul?

Basically this is the key question and the main thing she wants to learn so here I go.

Istanbul can be deadly cold and riddiculously hot in autumn but this year we all go through a much colder fall. You should bring a nice warm coat that is not too heavy. Nowadays it’s pretty rainy and I don’t see a brighter month on the horizon so make sure that you have reliable shoes-comfortable ones! I wish I could say that we have smooth pavements and nice roads but the truth is, they are terrible. There are lots of unstable and broken parts so if you insist on wearing heels, carry a pair of brogues or strong ballet flats or any shoe with you that will keep your feet dry and happy. (Rain and mud may ruin bright coloured shoes and suedes, keep that in mind.)

I understand that people abroad are weird about mini skirts and stuff here in Turkey, but relax. There are neighbourhoods that are full of weirdos but you’ll hardly pass through them and I’m sure you’ll be comfortable. Although, avoid wearing super micro skirts without any underwear, this may provoke some people. (But I’m sure you know that.)

Bring a scarf since the wind in Istanbul will cut your throat off if you don’t keep it warm. I don’t know if it’s the humidity but I’ve never seen a colder wind except in London (Ok, Ankara is colder but I still feel the cold more in Istanbul, wonder why). Since you live in the UK, you’ll be used to chilly weather but still, take a scarf with you. Night life is fun in Istanbul and you’ll be wearing more or less the same things that you keep wearing in London (I just realized that I don't know if you're from London or not but, oh well), no need to cover yourself up too much. You'll be doing a lot of walking and using transportation (busses' steps are pretty high, you may not be comfortable with short/narrow skirts which is the reason you may need some covarage there, lol) so put on clothes that are easy to move in. And remember to bring comfy shoes since the roads and the pavements are nightmares. Have fun!

xx

PS: 50 followers! Happy day, thank you people. <3

Mid-day Images

A short break from all the travel photos. Absolutely beautiful bedrooms that I all adore and want to be mine. Also a break from work, killing time with pretty decoration with my early afternoon tea and lemon biscuits. Almost Friday!

Regards,
The girl who works also on Saturdays.



All images from weheartit.com

Oxford Lover - II

England is my kind of place, definately my cup of tea. By every means. The weather was delightful - at least for me since I really don't enjoy hot weather and too much sunshine. I need chilly wind and dark clouds and rain. Too much rain. Thankfully it was never hot in England so I was able to enjoy my trip. Oh Oxford. I will be back. (For Grand Cafe's ceasar salad, if for nothing else.)

Oxford Lover - I

I loved Oxford. Loved, loved, loved. And I did something I wanted to do since middle school, for almost 10 years, since I read Lord of the Rings and Silmarillion and Hobbit and the others. I've visited Tolkien's grave and accomplished one of my life goals. Couldn't be happier, couldn't be more satisfied. I still get goosebumps thinking about it. Unbelievable. I had the opportunity to thank the man who gave me a new world, brought out a new talent, introduced me new and amazing people who are some of my best friends right now, and pretty much carried me to the point that my life is at right now. Yes, he affected that much. And I doubt that someone who never experienced such a life-long fandom would understand this dedication so I will not keep bragging about it. Here, the photos.

Busy weeks-

I've became invisible again and this is because my computer broke down, I was too lazy to upload my travel photos to the other pc which I don't like that much, I kinda started a new job and I am trying to arrange my time at home wisely. Which means watching Friends, Game of Thrones and Sherlock Holmes over and over again as I procrastinate. Oops.

I started to miss my camera a lot, my hands literally miss the hold of it nowadays. I don't know what to shoot since I live in a dull city instead of an architectural and historical miracle. I WILL shoot something, I just haven't figured it out yet.

If there's anyone who's been waiting for a new post, I am sorry for the delay. And thank you for waiting for a new post! You are amazing. You really are. You make me happy.

And those two-three people who unfollowed me just because of a little procrastination; shame on you. Not nice.

That'll be all for now, I'll finish my London and Oxford photos this week, AND post Greece Islands photos as well. Then maybe I can accept the fact that it is fall now and not summer holiday anymore. I cannot give my word for that. In the meantime, enjoy this hilarious gif that I've found. Oh Star Trek.

Your fellow lazy-ass blogger.