Sitting here at this coffee shop in Batumi, surrounded by books, warm coffee, and flickering lights, I realize how much we take for granted—how fleeting stability can be and how deep the pain of displacement must feel. Continue reading Of Fireworks & Fears: The Things We Take for Granted
Cats are a lot more resilient than we think they are. If you have an anxious cat with whom you’re planning to travel, it is stressful, but it does seem worse than it actually is. You can have a successful trip by planning ahead, staying calm, and thinking of the reasons why you want your best friend with you. Continue reading Tips on Flying with Your Anxious Cat|during the coronavirus crisis
June has officially come to an end, and I’ve decided to post my first wrap-up piece as I wait for my flight back home at O’Hare. Continue reading Monthly Wrap-Up | June 2020
.. I’m from Istanbul. No, really. Originally. My great-great-great-great x great grandparents had been Ottomans. I don’t know what ethnicity, but yes, Istanbulites. No, not Arabs. Rums, you say? Maybe. I’ve always suspected that. No, not Armenian. But maybe. Continue reading Istanbul, Not Constantinople… ?
Migrant writer Aglaja Veteranyi once wrote that “[her] father says you remember the smell of your country no matter where you are but only recognize it when you’re far away.” Continue reading Leila Aboulela: Home, The Nile & Roasted Watermelon Seeds
As a self-proclaimed hyphenated spirit, I’ve dedicated my life to exploring what it means to be home. Growing up in Turkey and living in Europe and the U.S. have brought me closer to finding an answer to the complex question of home. Or so I thought. Continue reading about me
READING & WRITING TO MAKE MEANING OF THE WORLD AND BEYOND 