Dear Little iPhone (4S);
I do not know what happened to you, however, I wish that you would talk. You would have so much to talk about!
First I want to apologize for accidentally leaving you in the Women's Bathroom at the 7-11 in a really rough part of town!
I am amazed however, that you are not stolen and that you are working and functioning exactly how you should!
You were missing for exactly 25 hours and what a story you could tell if you could speak. The other thing I would like to say, and I can not express this enough, is how happy I am that the employee found you in a plastic bag under the bathroom sink. Thank you 7-11 employee for finding you under the sink in a plastic bag!!!
Thank you, 7-11 for calling me and telling me my dear sweet iPhone was found and thank you for keeping my iPhone safe until I could come back and get it!!! All round good day for us all!!!
(Amazing adventure my iPhone had, I know)
I want to say I am mostly thankful for Long Rock for getting me the iPhone to begin with. See, he had to work hard to get me the phone, and then I had to go through a bunch of stuff to get it legal there because we had to pay taxes and customs and import fees. So, we had to work hard to get it to be usable in Turkey!
Well, iPhone is found and all is well that ends well. Now if it could speak. What an adventure it would have!
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
SO:::
I have to say that I am so grateful for people who have been placed in my life, that might look like people but are really angels. There is no way that those people can be just regular people
I am also loving my job at UPS. I will have to write my experiences about it.
For now, lets say::: Dogs that are tiny do jump up and bite.
It is FREEZING cold and hard on my hands (cracking and sore and dry!)
I fell down and laughed hysterically.
I saw a woman with huge gages in her ears (It reminded me of the children's song, "Do Your Ears Hang Low"
I miss my husband more and more every day
And I want to be a UPS driver!
Well, I am super tired and have to work tomorrow about 9 am again! (WORK OUT!!)
Peace
I am also loving my job at UPS. I will have to write my experiences about it.
For now, lets say::: Dogs that are tiny do jump up and bite.
It is FREEZING cold and hard on my hands (cracking and sore and dry!)
I fell down and laughed hysterically.
I saw a woman with huge gages in her ears (It reminded me of the children's song, "Do Your Ears Hang Low"
I miss my husband more and more every day
And I want to be a UPS driver!
Well, I am super tired and have to work tomorrow about 9 am again! (WORK OUT!!)
Peace
Saturday, November 30, 2013
I Live In Utah
Las Vegas did not work out for me and so I found myself in a huge bad situation. I ended up having to leave and I was offered a place to stay until I can find a place and a steady job.
I found something seasonal, but it is for December only. It is for UPS and I am hoping that I can work on Full Time.
And so, I am continuing to look for employment and continuing to work my butt off to bring my husband here and get a place and get my kids to come see me.
I found something seasonal, but it is for December only. It is for UPS and I am hoping that I can work on Full Time.
And so, I am continuing to look for employment and continuing to work my butt off to bring my husband here and get a place and get my kids to come see me.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Halloween Story #2
My dad once inherited a house that his grandfather had owned. The house was really pretty and it needed A LOT of work to it. My uncle (my mom's brother) had agreed to help fix it up.
My uncle was married at the time and had two kids. The house had many bedrooms in it and so my uncle and his wife took the two bedrooms down on the ground level and myself, my sisters, mom and dad took the upper level rooms.
I had a guinea pig that would stay in my room with me. I had a really nice room. It had a closet, though, that was connected to a door that I could tell was blocked off. My younger sister said the house scared her, but we thought that she was just saying things to get attention.
The first night we were moved in, I found my guinea pig on my bed. And so I picked her up and put her back in her cage. This happened every night that we lived in the house. Well, this was a bit of an odd thing, and so, my mom found a lock and put in on the cage, and she still would get out. Every night.
The next thing that was really strange was the basement. It was a pretty big basement, and lots of shelves. I was afraid of rats and mice, but not too badly. One day I was asked to go down there to get some spaghetti sauce (my aunt would can things and she made a lot of it. ) As I walked down the steps I felt like a cold rush was coming over me. Just then there were rats and mice all over the basement, I mean thousands of them. They were covering the floor, the shelves, the whole basement was just covered. I ran up the stairs screaming and in a panic, and immediately my aunt ran down stairs, and there was nothing. It was empty. This was within a minute or less from the time I went barreling up the basement and when my aunt went down the stairs.
There were other things that were strange. I mentioned my closet. It was a normal closet. My floors were hard wood and I loved my room. My closet was small, but the house was built in the 1800's and was 100 years old and so the closets were fairly "new".
I once was looking in my closet when part of the closet opened to reveal a room behind my closet. but when I showed my uncle the "room" had vanished and the closet was completely "whole" again. But I knew it was there.
Years later when we moved out, but my aunt and uncle still stayed in the house to sell it, I had a conversation with her about it (when speaking to my mom she said only that my memories of the house were dreams and that there was no paranormal activity there) My aunt told the following story to me.
She was at home alone with the two babies she had. Her husband was working late, and studying late, so he was not going to be home until 2-3 in the morning. While she was sleeping she heard the China hutch shuttering. (This is the word she used for the sound of what is was like, but basically, there was someone going in the hutch and making lots of noise in it)
the sounds woke her up and so she called for her husband. Her husband was not home still and she stopped hearing the sounds from the hutch. She went back to sleep and about 5 minutes later it sounded like the hutch doors where the silverware was - someone was going through the drawers very loudly. She once again sat up and called for her husband. She, again, heard nothing and went back to sleep. The third time she sat up and went out to the hallway. Just then a knife flew right by her and hit the wall. She ran back in her room and was shook up about the incidence. She had many other stories of seeing apparitions and how she ended up removing hte babies from their room and she ended up having them sleep in her room, sounds of people walking, crying, screaming, laughing, yelling, all in the house and all "spirits" or "apparitions". It since had effected her so much that she has told her daughter (my cousin who lived there too) that it was "just a really scary house and it was haunted" but never gave her much detail than that.
The house since, is still standing. It is not occupied as far as I know
My uncle was married at the time and had two kids. The house had many bedrooms in it and so my uncle and his wife took the two bedrooms down on the ground level and myself, my sisters, mom and dad took the upper level rooms.
I had a guinea pig that would stay in my room with me. I had a really nice room. It had a closet, though, that was connected to a door that I could tell was blocked off. My younger sister said the house scared her, but we thought that she was just saying things to get attention.
The first night we were moved in, I found my guinea pig on my bed. And so I picked her up and put her back in her cage. This happened every night that we lived in the house. Well, this was a bit of an odd thing, and so, my mom found a lock and put in on the cage, and she still would get out. Every night.
The next thing that was really strange was the basement. It was a pretty big basement, and lots of shelves. I was afraid of rats and mice, but not too badly. One day I was asked to go down there to get some spaghetti sauce (my aunt would can things and she made a lot of it. ) As I walked down the steps I felt like a cold rush was coming over me. Just then there were rats and mice all over the basement, I mean thousands of them. They were covering the floor, the shelves, the whole basement was just covered. I ran up the stairs screaming and in a panic, and immediately my aunt ran down stairs, and there was nothing. It was empty. This was within a minute or less from the time I went barreling up the basement and when my aunt went down the stairs.
There were other things that were strange. I mentioned my closet. It was a normal closet. My floors were hard wood and I loved my room. My closet was small, but the house was built in the 1800's and was 100 years old and so the closets were fairly "new".
I once was looking in my closet when part of the closet opened to reveal a room behind my closet. but when I showed my uncle the "room" had vanished and the closet was completely "whole" again. But I knew it was there.
Years later when we moved out, but my aunt and uncle still stayed in the house to sell it, I had a conversation with her about it (when speaking to my mom she said only that my memories of the house were dreams and that there was no paranormal activity there) My aunt told the following story to me.
She was at home alone with the two babies she had. Her husband was working late, and studying late, so he was not going to be home until 2-3 in the morning. While she was sleeping she heard the China hutch shuttering. (This is the word she used for the sound of what is was like, but basically, there was someone going in the hutch and making lots of noise in it)
the sounds woke her up and so she called for her husband. Her husband was not home still and she stopped hearing the sounds from the hutch. She went back to sleep and about 5 minutes later it sounded like the hutch doors where the silverware was - someone was going through the drawers very loudly. She once again sat up and called for her husband. She, again, heard nothing and went back to sleep. The third time she sat up and went out to the hallway. Just then a knife flew right by her and hit the wall. She ran back in her room and was shook up about the incidence. She had many other stories of seeing apparitions and how she ended up removing hte babies from their room and she ended up having them sleep in her room, sounds of people walking, crying, screaming, laughing, yelling, all in the house and all "spirits" or "apparitions". It since had effected her so much that she has told her daughter (my cousin who lived there too) that it was "just a really scary house and it was haunted" but never gave her much detail than that.
The house since, is still standing. It is not occupied as far as I know
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
A Halloween Story, For Halloween
So, it is Halloween Time of year again. I know that Long Rock will LOVE it here. In fact, I am sure we will get a Halloween Tree and decorate it with all ghoulish ornaments. I am excited for his first Halloween here.
Anyway, I wanted to write about something scary something fitting. I decided today and tomorrow I will share true stories for Halloween.
I will begin with this:
When I was married to Mr S, we moved to New Mexico. We lived with Mr S' mother and father. His mother is a collector of many things because she was a First Grade Teacher and her room was decorated with all wonderful things for a child going to Elementary School. Now, she liked stuffed toys. She especially liked stuffed bears. within her home, Child "S" also loved (still loves) stuffed bears and in fact, she had been collecting bears all her life and had many. Child S found a white bear, with a black nose and a bright red heart. It was a cute bear and in fact, it was rather big, and soft and cuddly. Child S was a polite child and being the Bear was in her room but not hers, asked her Grandma S who the bear belonged to. "Well, nobody. Would you like the bear, S?" delighted, S took the bear. Now, the bear was special. Not only was the bear cute, and cuddly. The bear when turned on would record a few seconds of sound and play it back. It was funny. And fun. We thought.
Well, one day, S and C were playing with the bear and laughing. All the sudden, though, C (about three years younger than S: so about 2 and a half at the time) was holding and cuddling with the bear, when he screamed, threw the bear down and "HATED THE MEAN SCARY BEAR" I could not figure it out and no one else could either. I could not consul my son. Not with the bear. S thought the bear was cute and we kept the bear away from C. Now, it was those days that S was going to school in the morning and at about noon I would be waiting for her or ı would pick her up and so there were a couple of hours in the day C and I were alone. We would spend the time together doing many things. But he refused to be around "Mean Bear". My son was petrified of the Bear. Well one day, S said, I think this bear is weird. I said why? She said because when no one is talking, the Bear talks. But it says weird things. Sometimes I don't know what it is saying.
I thought OK. I will take out the batteries and things will be fine. No big deal. One night I heard the bear talking. But the problem was that I had taken the batteries out of the bear. I grabbed the bear and I looked under the bear's bottom, as that is where the battery pack was. the bear was talking as though someone was speaking and yet no one was in the kids bedroom. It was weird because there were no batteries in the battery compartment. I shrugged it off. but I moved the bear to the closet because I did not want the bear waking up the kids when they got home and went to bed. I said something to Mr S, and he sort of shrugged it off like I was not looking at a logical explanation. What is more logical than there are no batteries and the bear talked. You can not make that up.
A few nights later, my kids came in to my room really upset and scared. At this point all of them came into my bedroom and wanting to stay with me. I asked them what the problem was they said that the bear will not stop talking to them. The bear, they said, "Spoke to them". I got the bear, looking in the closet, the bear was not there. It was under the bed of the girls bedroom. I asked Son J, what he thought of the bear. He said that he never encountered anything but that he felt creepy. The two daughters, S and J were in fact creep-ed out by it, they said that it talks to them, and son S refused to go near the bear. I asked the kids how the bear came being under the bed, as I moved it tot he top of the closet in the girls room. They all said they had no idea where it was but they did not touch it. There is no way they would be able to reach it but they had no idea I put it up because they said the bear moves from time to time however, no one saw the bear moving. So, I put the bear in a plastic bag and in my closet. At this point the bear was so cute still that I did not want to throw it away. Now I have a couple of children that would tell you they threw it away but it would show up on their bed within hours whomever threw it away.
We moved out of the city about a few miles and further south of Mr S' parents. We had their own toy area and I had kept the bear in my closet. Mr S got a job opportunity of being able to work in the Border Patrol. this caused him to be gone for months and months at a time and so I was home with the kids. For a while the bear was forgotten. However, one night, the kids were asleep and I was hearing talking. It was the bear. There was a low deep voice coming from the bear, the heart was lit, this meant it was recording. I turned it over and there were yet again, no batteries in the bear, and so I took out the battery pack from the bear, and it seemed to work. For a couple of days. A couple of days later, the bear's heart had lit up again and the bear was talking again. Sometimes the bear was saying things in another language I never heard before and other times the bear was talking, and finally the bear said my name. I took the bear to the trash. This time because I was out in the desert, I could burn my trash. I doused the bear with petrol. The bear burned to a crisp. And the bear stopped talking after that. My kids never asked me what I did with the bear. I just told them I got rid of it. But the all know the "Creepy Bear".
Ready for more spooks tomorrow? (If you dare)
Anyway, I wanted to write about something scary something fitting. I decided today and tomorrow I will share true stories for Halloween.
I will begin with this:
When I was married to Mr S, we moved to New Mexico. We lived with Mr S' mother and father. His mother is a collector of many things because she was a First Grade Teacher and her room was decorated with all wonderful things for a child going to Elementary School. Now, she liked stuffed toys. She especially liked stuffed bears. within her home, Child "S" also loved (still loves) stuffed bears and in fact, she had been collecting bears all her life and had many. Child S found a white bear, with a black nose and a bright red heart. It was a cute bear and in fact, it was rather big, and soft and cuddly. Child S was a polite child and being the Bear was in her room but not hers, asked her Grandma S who the bear belonged to. "Well, nobody. Would you like the bear, S?" delighted, S took the bear. Now, the bear was special. Not only was the bear cute, and cuddly. The bear when turned on would record a few seconds of sound and play it back. It was funny. And fun. We thought.
Well, one day, S and C were playing with the bear and laughing. All the sudden, though, C (about three years younger than S: so about 2 and a half at the time) was holding and cuddling with the bear, when he screamed, threw the bear down and "HATED THE MEAN SCARY BEAR" I could not figure it out and no one else could either. I could not consul my son. Not with the bear. S thought the bear was cute and we kept the bear away from C. Now, it was those days that S was going to school in the morning and at about noon I would be waiting for her or ı would pick her up and so there were a couple of hours in the day C and I were alone. We would spend the time together doing many things. But he refused to be around "Mean Bear". My son was petrified of the Bear. Well one day, S said, I think this bear is weird. I said why? She said because when no one is talking, the Bear talks. But it says weird things. Sometimes I don't know what it is saying.
I thought OK. I will take out the batteries and things will be fine. No big deal. One night I heard the bear talking. But the problem was that I had taken the batteries out of the bear. I grabbed the bear and I looked under the bear's bottom, as that is where the battery pack was. the bear was talking as though someone was speaking and yet no one was in the kids bedroom. It was weird because there were no batteries in the battery compartment. I shrugged it off. but I moved the bear to the closet because I did not want the bear waking up the kids when they got home and went to bed. I said something to Mr S, and he sort of shrugged it off like I was not looking at a logical explanation. What is more logical than there are no batteries and the bear talked. You can not make that up.
A few nights later, my kids came in to my room really upset and scared. At this point all of them came into my bedroom and wanting to stay with me. I asked them what the problem was they said that the bear will not stop talking to them. The bear, they said, "Spoke to them". I got the bear, looking in the closet, the bear was not there. It was under the bed of the girls bedroom. I asked Son J, what he thought of the bear. He said that he never encountered anything but that he felt creepy. The two daughters, S and J were in fact creep-ed out by it, they said that it talks to them, and son S refused to go near the bear. I asked the kids how the bear came being under the bed, as I moved it tot he top of the closet in the girls room. They all said they had no idea where it was but they did not touch it. There is no way they would be able to reach it but they had no idea I put it up because they said the bear moves from time to time however, no one saw the bear moving. So, I put the bear in a plastic bag and in my closet. At this point the bear was so cute still that I did not want to throw it away. Now I have a couple of children that would tell you they threw it away but it would show up on their bed within hours whomever threw it away.
We moved out of the city about a few miles and further south of Mr S' parents. We had their own toy area and I had kept the bear in my closet. Mr S got a job opportunity of being able to work in the Border Patrol. this caused him to be gone for months and months at a time and so I was home with the kids. For a while the bear was forgotten. However, one night, the kids were asleep and I was hearing talking. It was the bear. There was a low deep voice coming from the bear, the heart was lit, this meant it was recording. I turned it over and there were yet again, no batteries in the bear, and so I took out the battery pack from the bear, and it seemed to work. For a couple of days. A couple of days later, the bear's heart had lit up again and the bear was talking again. Sometimes the bear was saying things in another language I never heard before and other times the bear was talking, and finally the bear said my name. I took the bear to the trash. This time because I was out in the desert, I could burn my trash. I doused the bear with petrol. The bear burned to a crisp. And the bear stopped talking after that. My kids never asked me what I did with the bear. I just told them I got rid of it. But the all know the "Creepy Bear".
Ready for more spooks tomorrow? (If you dare)
Saturday, October 5, 2013
It's been two weeks that I have been home
My husband and I were looking at plane tickets to USA for me. I
really liked the idea of flying on 9/11 and making it into good luck. He
really was hoping I would set another date, either before or after the
11th of Sept. I wanted to travel on this date to make it a lucky day.
This is what happened
I left my home in Turkey at 3:30am, Istanbul time and we arrived at the airport and I discovered a huge hole on one of my bags. It was too big to ignore. It was about 4 inches. (really big!)
So I wrapped it it with a "Secure Wrap" at the airport.
I went to the check in and discovered that the wrapped bag was too heavy. Then I had a huge 5 foot long bag (not too heavy!) and a 26 inch long that Erkan bought me a few days before I left. If we had discovered the hole before there is no way we would have used this. We would have thrown it away.
The agents asked me to please unwrap the one that was too heavy, and disperse the weight to the other bags.
We were able to do that. She said it would be a certain amount to get all three bags to USA. We thought... Well we have to do it, and lets just get me on the plane.
Erkan had the bag re-wrapped to make sure nothing came out. I went back to the counter with all three bags, and everything was in order. She retyped in the bags and said I can not charge you it is so much. And lowered it to more than 50% off because she was so sweet!
(THANK YOU!!)
I said my tearful good byes and thought Erkan was going to leave the airport. But his mother wanted to see me go through the customs before she left it. And they did. I was able to wave goodbye to my beloved husband and go to my gate. We went on a little tiny plane that held about 100 passengers.
I was tired so very tired and it was a 3 hour flight and so I fell asleep and missed breakfast.
I woke up 15 minutes to landing and got off the plane and walked about the Terminal 5 of the Heathrow airport.
It is not a bad place to wait four hours. Lots of shops. My critical part of the airport is this: Internet is terrible there. It is only usable to 45 minutes for free. after that you have to pay a service fee of up to 10 pounds a day. (I think that is just not right) And if you want more free, you have to join what is called "Heathrow Rewards". What this does is allow you to have 90 minutes of free internet and you then have a card that gives you discounts and discounted internet if you buy things at the shop. (good for people that go to the Heathrow and shop all the time) I found a way about that. I went on to the internet with my phone for 45 minutes. Then went on the internet with my phone with my laptop for 45 minutes. Boom. I did not have to sign up for another rewards program.
I bought some food at the food court. And of course got me a Starbucks. Would you know it the Heathrow Starbucks uses the Heathrow airport Rules so no, you don't get "Free Starbucks Wifi"
I got on the plane and we were supposed to take off. Everyone was seated when I hear, "Will Miss Jensen please make yourself known to a British Airways employee ASAP"
I found one right away and they said you need to get all your things and come with us. It was rainy in London and in my opinion a bit cold. 8I had no jacket) But I went with them. They explained to me that they were supposed to do a security screen before everyone got on the plane, and they chose a random passenger I was it. Well, they forgot to do the screening. So ,they ended up searching my carry on and me, in a tram because the ride back to the airport was a bit away. I agreed because if you don't, you cant leave.
we left about 5:30 pm London time. We were supposed to arrive in Las Vegas 7:15 pm Sept 11th.
a few hours later, as we were flying over Canada, we had about 6 hours of flying time left, the Captain came on and said, It is a federal law to not smoke in the bathrooms or anywhere on the plane. It is dangerous and you will be arrested if you smoke.
There was a lot of yelling and rukus in another section of the plane, I was in the very back, but the section ahead of me. Just then, Hostess asked if the seats two rows and to the left of me (the middle row) all four of the guys sitting there can move because there is a patient that needs more oxygen.
The woman and the 3 girls she was with were loud, and the three girls she was with were being really annoying. She (woman) said she was having a heart attack and needed oxygen. The British Airways employees were obliging. Well, she was not doing better and in fact there just happened to be a cardiologist who came on to help and said that the woman really needed to land. She felt the woman needed a Doctor. The cardiologist said that she really needed to go into the hospital especially as she kept complaining that she was so ill. The Hostess told the captain and because the plane we were in was a Boeing 747, needed to get permission from the Military to land, and because it was so big, needed special skills to land in Manitoba, Winnipeg. (The land and take off strip is too short for a 747) Well, fortunately, the Captain happened to have been experienced with landing in a short landing strip due to his experience in the Royal Air force. The Captain came on the loud speaker and asked for cooperation as he landed because he got permission to divert the plane. As soon as this was said, lady (now I have since renamed her to Crazy Lady) decided she was not that sick, and started to take off the oxygen and say that she was not ill at all and wanted to just go back to her normal seat and head on to Las Vegas. Lauren, the B.A. Hostess said, that is just not happening the plane will be diverted, and it is because she has a heart problem and said that she was having a heart attack. Crazy Lady started yelling, and said that there was nothing wrong with her and that she was just faking it, and just wanted to get to Vegas. B.A. hostess, Lauren said that that was not happening and she needed to sit down in her seat. Crazy Lady stated to get really loud and disturbing everyone around her.
The Crazy Lady would not stop yelling and would not sit down. She kept saying she was not going to Canada, but Las Vegas and that she paid for her ticket to go to Las Vegas. another thing she did was get her daughter involved and her daughter said that she was really upset and asked what they were going to to do because now her mom is fine. They were more worried about money more than anything. It was ridiculous. As we were landing the Host, Hostess and Crazy Lady were going through what was given to the patient for the hospital. They said that the Crazy Lady had told them she took two Valium, drank 4 mini bottles of wine, and then before that had 4 shots of whiskey.We landed and the EMT showed up with an ambulance on the concord. We waited to see what the verdict was. She did not want to leave the plans and she needed to be strapped. She was cursing and swearing at the EMT and everyone around her. She started cussing at the pilot also, for landing the plane.
Two hours later we found out that the planes wing flap was not moving. It was not opening closing nor locking and unlocking properly. There was a passenger that was an Engineer working for British Airways just going on holiday to Vegas on the plane who said he would look at the plane, and apparently the part needed to be replaced.
By then it was about 11pm and British Airways got permission for all 400 passengers to get permission to enter to Canada with out a Visa. (some people were from Holland and other parts of the world) We finally got to get off the plane and We had to wait in a long line for Customs, get our bags and wait in another super long long line for waiting to know where the hotel was and "further" information. And so I was the very last in line because, well I did not push my way through.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada was nice in this regards. The city worked with British Airways in getting all 399 passengers to their hotel. I was the 400th they could not. I ended up having to get a taxi from Humphy's Inn near the airport to Holiday Inn South, not near the airport. And guess what? I really liked that hotel. The downside was that I had to wait until 5:45 am to get to my room. That is 5:45 am Manitoba Time. Which was 2 pm September 12th "my time" meaning at that point I had been traveling more than 24 hours. Which meant I had been traveling 29 hours and that also meant I was awake for 36 (or more hours) I was just exhausted at that point.
I woke up at 12:15pm (Still Manitoba time) and I went to the front desk and asked when the plane was ready to take off. They said that they had no idea that I was not leaving and I made it very clear to them I was not leaving the hotel until British Airways told me it was time. The hotel thought I was paying for everything as well. I was so irritated. And Hungry. See, we were supposed to be able to eat but we had to stay on the plane the time we were supposed to be landing in Vegas. (I know! Go figure!) So we were given pretzels and water because there was nothing else on the plane.I missed free breakfast time and so now it was lunch and I was told that lunch was not paid by the airlines and that I had to save my receipts and they would reimburse me. Fine. But, I needed to get my room comped. So I went upstairs to my room, the key was switched and did not open and so I had to go back down the stairs and get new keys and open my door call the British Airways Customer Support and make a complaint and within a few minutes (ok... 45 minutes) I was up and running again. I was able to get some sight seeing in because apparently,the plane would not take off until September 12th at 10:30 pm. (I know right!!!) so I decided to enjoy Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I actually enjoyed it there and would like to go there just for a nice trip to see the Polar Bears, and spend more time buying maple syrup. But, I have to admit, I just wanted to get home to my family and cousin waiting for me in Vegas. So, got to the airport at 8pm and was one of the first in line. (which worked out great because I was having to go through security three times; that is normal when coming from Turkey and anywhere in the Middle East and Far East.) and while standing in line Lo, There standing in front of all the passengers and laughing and taking pictures of everyone was Crazy Lady and her daughters. (You read that right) She was waving and laughing and even accused a man standing in front of me threatening her, and so the more drama which she created began. Apparently, before she came to sit in front of me the night before, she was sitting in front of the man I was standing behind. He witnessed her drinking four shots of whiskey and several drinks of wine. he then saw her get up and go to the bathroom and just then many people behind him complained that it was her that was smoking in the bathrooms. She then was told to sit in her seat. She was also told that if she was caught smoking in the bathroom, she would have to go to jail upon landing in Las Vegas because it is a federal offense to smoke on planes. So, she took two Valium and then she drank more wine. At that point she did not want to get in more trouble and decided to fake her heart problems. The flight attendant, Lauren, said that she got a phone call at 2 am from the Doctors at the hospital telling her that they wanted her released from the hospital because she was not having any problems at all and causing problems and physically punching and biting the Drs and nurses. She also said that the night before (from London and to Las Vegas) she kept trying to replace the toiletries to the bathrooms and she said that 4 bathrooms were constantly complaining about nothing in the bathrooms. She was getting up about every 30 minutes to change the supplies. The Doctors said "Why does she have so much toiletries in her bags? 15 rolls of toilet paper, 20 boxes of tissues and 10 bottles of soap?" which Lauren replied, "She took it from our plane!" So when the crew saw Crazy Lady sitting there with her daughters, they had said that the night before they would refuse her on any British Airways flights and in fact, told the Canadian Police that they did not want to see her on the plane at all.
As we were flying, The Captain said that British Airways were seeking ways to compensate all us passengers and they wanted to come two hours early to the airport. So, we got there at 2 am instead of 4 am and we were able to go through customs in Winnipeg (because it is the #1 shipping port to and from the States, technically they were considered in USA and there is a port there that is in fact U.S. soil. So, the airport worked in Canadian Airways and British Airways to allow the passengers to be counted on U. S. Soil. One more delay. Because the airport was so small, it was not fitted for a Boeing 747 and therefore the checks had to be manual and not computerized, and so they had to get it done. But, we in fact landed 2 hours later, and so we landed in Las Vegas at 12am, Las Vegas time. This made it literally 76 hours from the time I started my flight from Istanbul to Las Vegas.
I am so glad to be here. And happier that I am staying.
Now, Just have to get my husband here.
This is what happened
I left my home in Turkey at 3:30am, Istanbul time and we arrived at the airport and I discovered a huge hole on one of my bags. It was too big to ignore. It was about 4 inches. (really big!)
So I wrapped it it with a "Secure Wrap" at the airport.
I went to the check in and discovered that the wrapped bag was too heavy. Then I had a huge 5 foot long bag (not too heavy!) and a 26 inch long that Erkan bought me a few days before I left. If we had discovered the hole before there is no way we would have used this. We would have thrown it away.
The agents asked me to please unwrap the one that was too heavy, and disperse the weight to the other bags.
We were able to do that. She said it would be a certain amount to get all three bags to USA. We thought... Well we have to do it, and lets just get me on the plane.
Erkan had the bag re-wrapped to make sure nothing came out. I went back to the counter with all three bags, and everything was in order. She retyped in the bags and said I can not charge you it is so much. And lowered it to more than 50% off because she was so sweet!
(THANK YOU!!)
I said my tearful good byes and thought Erkan was going to leave the airport. But his mother wanted to see me go through the customs before she left it. And they did. I was able to wave goodbye to my beloved husband and go to my gate. We went on a little tiny plane that held about 100 passengers.
I was tired so very tired and it was a 3 hour flight and so I fell asleep and missed breakfast.
I woke up 15 minutes to landing and got off the plane and walked about the Terminal 5 of the Heathrow airport.
It is not a bad place to wait four hours. Lots of shops. My critical part of the airport is this: Internet is terrible there. It is only usable to 45 minutes for free. after that you have to pay a service fee of up to 10 pounds a day. (I think that is just not right) And if you want more free, you have to join what is called "Heathrow Rewards". What this does is allow you to have 90 minutes of free internet and you then have a card that gives you discounts and discounted internet if you buy things at the shop. (good for people that go to the Heathrow and shop all the time) I found a way about that. I went on to the internet with my phone for 45 minutes. Then went on the internet with my phone with my laptop for 45 minutes. Boom. I did not have to sign up for another rewards program.
I bought some food at the food court. And of course got me a Starbucks. Would you know it the Heathrow Starbucks uses the Heathrow airport Rules so no, you don't get "Free Starbucks Wifi"
I got on the plane and we were supposed to take off. Everyone was seated when I hear, "Will Miss Jensen please make yourself known to a British Airways employee ASAP"
I found one right away and they said you need to get all your things and come with us. It was rainy in London and in my opinion a bit cold. 8I had no jacket) But I went with them. They explained to me that they were supposed to do a security screen before everyone got on the plane, and they chose a random passenger I was it. Well, they forgot to do the screening. So ,they ended up searching my carry on and me, in a tram because the ride back to the airport was a bit away. I agreed because if you don't, you cant leave.
we left about 5:30 pm London time. We were supposed to arrive in Las Vegas 7:15 pm Sept 11th.
a few hours later, as we were flying over Canada, we had about 6 hours of flying time left, the Captain came on and said, It is a federal law to not smoke in the bathrooms or anywhere on the plane. It is dangerous and you will be arrested if you smoke.
There was a lot of yelling and rukus in another section of the plane, I was in the very back, but the section ahead of me. Just then, Hostess asked if the seats two rows and to the left of me (the middle row) all four of the guys sitting there can move because there is a patient that needs more oxygen.
The woman and the 3 girls she was with were loud, and the three girls she was with were being really annoying. She (woman) said she was having a heart attack and needed oxygen. The British Airways employees were obliging. Well, she was not doing better and in fact there just happened to be a cardiologist who came on to help and said that the woman really needed to land. She felt the woman needed a Doctor. The cardiologist said that she really needed to go into the hospital especially as she kept complaining that she was so ill. The Hostess told the captain and because the plane we were in was a Boeing 747, needed to get permission from the Military to land, and because it was so big, needed special skills to land in Manitoba, Winnipeg. (The land and take off strip is too short for a 747) Well, fortunately, the Captain happened to have been experienced with landing in a short landing strip due to his experience in the Royal Air force. The Captain came on the loud speaker and asked for cooperation as he landed because he got permission to divert the plane. As soon as this was said, lady (now I have since renamed her to Crazy Lady) decided she was not that sick, and started to take off the oxygen and say that she was not ill at all and wanted to just go back to her normal seat and head on to Las Vegas. Lauren, the B.A. Hostess said, that is just not happening the plane will be diverted, and it is because she has a heart problem and said that she was having a heart attack. Crazy Lady started yelling, and said that there was nothing wrong with her and that she was just faking it, and just wanted to get to Vegas. B.A. hostess, Lauren said that that was not happening and she needed to sit down in her seat. Crazy Lady stated to get really loud and disturbing everyone around her.
The Crazy Lady would not stop yelling and would not sit down. She kept saying she was not going to Canada, but Las Vegas and that she paid for her ticket to go to Las Vegas. another thing she did was get her daughter involved and her daughter said that she was really upset and asked what they were going to to do because now her mom is fine. They were more worried about money more than anything. It was ridiculous. As we were landing the Host, Hostess and Crazy Lady were going through what was given to the patient for the hospital. They said that the Crazy Lady had told them she took two Valium, drank 4 mini bottles of wine, and then before that had 4 shots of whiskey.We landed and the EMT showed up with an ambulance on the concord. We waited to see what the verdict was. She did not want to leave the plans and she needed to be strapped. She was cursing and swearing at the EMT and everyone around her. She started cussing at the pilot also, for landing the plane.
Two hours later we found out that the planes wing flap was not moving. It was not opening closing nor locking and unlocking properly. There was a passenger that was an Engineer working for British Airways just going on holiday to Vegas on the plane who said he would look at the plane, and apparently the part needed to be replaced.
By then it was about 11pm and British Airways got permission for all 400 passengers to get permission to enter to Canada with out a Visa. (some people were from Holland and other parts of the world) We finally got to get off the plane and We had to wait in a long line for Customs, get our bags and wait in another super long long line for waiting to know where the hotel was and "further" information. And so I was the very last in line because, well I did not push my way through.
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada was nice in this regards. The city worked with British Airways in getting all 399 passengers to their hotel. I was the 400th they could not. I ended up having to get a taxi from Humphy's Inn near the airport to Holiday Inn South, not near the airport. And guess what? I really liked that hotel. The downside was that I had to wait until 5:45 am to get to my room. That is 5:45 am Manitoba Time. Which was 2 pm September 12th "my time" meaning at that point I had been traveling more than 24 hours. Which meant I had been traveling 29 hours and that also meant I was awake for 36 (or more hours) I was just exhausted at that point.
I woke up at 12:15pm (Still Manitoba time) and I went to the front desk and asked when the plane was ready to take off. They said that they had no idea that I was not leaving and I made it very clear to them I was not leaving the hotel until British Airways told me it was time. The hotel thought I was paying for everything as well. I was so irritated. And Hungry. See, we were supposed to be able to eat but we had to stay on the plane the time we were supposed to be landing in Vegas. (I know! Go figure!) So we were given pretzels and water because there was nothing else on the plane.I missed free breakfast time and so now it was lunch and I was told that lunch was not paid by the airlines and that I had to save my receipts and they would reimburse me. Fine. But, I needed to get my room comped. So I went upstairs to my room, the key was switched and did not open and so I had to go back down the stairs and get new keys and open my door call the British Airways Customer Support and make a complaint and within a few minutes (ok... 45 minutes) I was up and running again. I was able to get some sight seeing in because apparently,the plane would not take off until September 12th at 10:30 pm. (I know right!!!) so I decided to enjoy Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I actually enjoyed it there and would like to go there just for a nice trip to see the Polar Bears, and spend more time buying maple syrup. But, I have to admit, I just wanted to get home to my family and cousin waiting for me in Vegas. So, got to the airport at 8pm and was one of the first in line. (which worked out great because I was having to go through security three times; that is normal when coming from Turkey and anywhere in the Middle East and Far East.) and while standing in line Lo, There standing in front of all the passengers and laughing and taking pictures of everyone was Crazy Lady and her daughters. (You read that right) She was waving and laughing and even accused a man standing in front of me threatening her, and so the more drama which she created began. Apparently, before she came to sit in front of me the night before, she was sitting in front of the man I was standing behind. He witnessed her drinking four shots of whiskey and several drinks of wine. he then saw her get up and go to the bathroom and just then many people behind him complained that it was her that was smoking in the bathrooms. She then was told to sit in her seat. She was also told that if she was caught smoking in the bathroom, she would have to go to jail upon landing in Las Vegas because it is a federal offense to smoke on planes. So, she took two Valium and then she drank more wine. At that point she did not want to get in more trouble and decided to fake her heart problems. The flight attendant, Lauren, said that she got a phone call at 2 am from the Doctors at the hospital telling her that they wanted her released from the hospital because she was not having any problems at all and causing problems and physically punching and biting the Drs and nurses. She also said that the night before (from London and to Las Vegas) she kept trying to replace the toiletries to the bathrooms and she said that 4 bathrooms were constantly complaining about nothing in the bathrooms. She was getting up about every 30 minutes to change the supplies. The Doctors said "Why does she have so much toiletries in her bags? 15 rolls of toilet paper, 20 boxes of tissues and 10 bottles of soap?" which Lauren replied, "She took it from our plane!" So when the crew saw Crazy Lady sitting there with her daughters, they had said that the night before they would refuse her on any British Airways flights and in fact, told the Canadian Police that they did not want to see her on the plane at all.
As we were flying, The Captain said that British Airways were seeking ways to compensate all us passengers and they wanted to come two hours early to the airport. So, we got there at 2 am instead of 4 am and we were able to go through customs in Winnipeg (because it is the #1 shipping port to and from the States, technically they were considered in USA and there is a port there that is in fact U.S. soil. So, the airport worked in Canadian Airways and British Airways to allow the passengers to be counted on U. S. Soil. One more delay. Because the airport was so small, it was not fitted for a Boeing 747 and therefore the checks had to be manual and not computerized, and so they had to get it done. But, we in fact landed 2 hours later, and so we landed in Las Vegas at 12am, Las Vegas time. This made it literally 76 hours from the time I started my flight from Istanbul to Las Vegas.
I am so glad to be here. And happier that I am staying.
Now, Just have to get my husband here.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Aloha 'Oe, Turkey
I don't recall having a week of more excitement, tears, joy and sorrow. But, change is good and imminent.
Let me go back a bit.
(We never intended for me to stay this long in Turkey and so we have been constantly trying to get back to the USA and so last year) The Long Rock and I have decided for me to back to USA and for us to work and live there. This is something that we both wanted all along and I have said over and over I was only staying here for six weeks.
Well , we had a long bumpy road to get us to where we are right now.
We married. Check
Now We are going... Half a check.
See, right now it is not a "We are going" it is an "I am going".
I do not know exactly when I am going to see my husband. I have to admit... That is hard.
I do know, I need to go back because we don't have a sponsor and we need money for him to come.
It is not that we are desperate. But, see, I have a husband that is really nervous about going to a country and both of us do not have a job. This is really worrisome.
Then there is a safety issue here.
Every week, many people are dying in Turkey in direct relation to the Syrian Civil War.
(It has been a war zone for quite sometime)
Since August 1st of 2013, the U.S. embassy and/or the U.S. Consulates have been closed here. This is making it extremely difficult for us to get anything done that we need to do in order to get him to USA.
So
We have made the hard decision of me leaving Turkey and sending for him so that we can be together.
I have been shedding a lot of tears, been happy to go home and really having a hard time leaving the love of my life.
So, I will be spending my final hours (literally) cuddling on the couch with the love of my life
Husband will await my sending for him with great anticipation...
Aloha Oe
Hui:::
Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again
Chorus:::
Farewell to you, farewell to you
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace,
‘Ere I depart
Until we meet again
Let me go back a bit.
(We never intended for me to stay this long in Turkey and so we have been constantly trying to get back to the USA and so last year) The Long Rock and I have decided for me to back to USA and for us to work and live there. This is something that we both wanted all along and I have said over and over I was only staying here for six weeks.
Well , we had a long bumpy road to get us to where we are right now.
We married. Check
Now We are going... Half a check.
See, right now it is not a "We are going" it is an "I am going".
I do not know exactly when I am going to see my husband. I have to admit... That is hard.
I do know, I need to go back because we don't have a sponsor and we need money for him to come.
It is not that we are desperate. But, see, I have a husband that is really nervous about going to a country and both of us do not have a job. This is really worrisome.
Then there is a safety issue here.
Every week, many people are dying in Turkey in direct relation to the Syrian Civil War.
(It has been a war zone for quite sometime)
Since August 1st of 2013, the U.S. embassy and/or the U.S. Consulates have been closed here. This is making it extremely difficult for us to get anything done that we need to do in order to get him to USA.
So
We have made the hard decision of me leaving Turkey and sending for him so that we can be together.
I have been shedding a lot of tears, been happy to go home and really having a hard time leaving the love of my life.
So, I will be spending my final hours (literally) cuddling on the couch with the love of my life
Husband will await my sending for him with great anticipation...
Aloha Oe
Hui:::
Aloha `oe, aloha `oe
E ke onaona noho i ka lipo
One fond embrace,
A ho`i a`e au
Until we meet again
Chorus:::
Farewell to you, farewell to you
The charming one who dwells in the shaded bowers
One fond embrace,
‘Ere I depart
Until we meet again
Sunday, August 25, 2013
My Wedding Flowers
For my wedding, I had made some really beautiful wristlet corsages.
This was a very difficult task. The reason being is because here in Turkey, we don't have all the things that are needed. First of all here in Turkey there are not flowers in Weddings. That was a huge shock for me and really difficult to imagine. No flowers.
The Long Rock and I discussed this in great length and we agreed that it was more prudent and cheaper and in the end just all round better if we just had flowers for my bouquets, for wristlet corsages, and boutonnieres. We agreed that this was the best. It ended up being a lot better that way. And really quite lovely.
I gave Long rocks Female and Male Close Family members, Long Rocks mom got two corsages, I got three bouquets, the Long Rock got two boutonnieres the Wedding Helper got a wristlet and then my witness for our wedding got a wristlet.
The reason for this is because We had a Wedding Ceremony. The Ceremony was on July 4th and the Wedding Reception was on July 7th. So, The Wedding Ceremony I made flower for me, the Groom and The Groom's mother to keep things simple. On the wedding reception I made flowers for everyone. I made for his cousins, and one cousin has a wife so I made her one also.
So all in all I made 12 wrist corsages, 15 boutonnieres, and three bouquets.
The supplies were not in Turkey because no one wears them. They are just unheard. The floral wire, floral tape, everything was imported from USA because I had no way of getting something like them from Turkey. They just are not here. There is a part on the wrist corsages that has a plate. The plate is for hot gluing the flowers on the wristlet. Well, on the wristlets that are not just the plain smaller elastic, but for the beaded bracelets, when they come they are supposed to have a platform that is tied on to the bracelet.
Another thing that I discovered it wire ribbon is also not here in Turkey, so I had to just go with the regular satin ribbon. But, no matter! I made them and they looked so pretty.
On my wedding day, I wore a white lace blouse, and pinl shoes with an aqua marine colored dress. I tied a really long pınk ribbon around the waist to add some color, and it just looked really pretty. My colors on the bouquet just tied everything together. I had Gerbera daisies, pink small roses, and hygreanga, which was all greens, blues, and pinks. Oh! I loved the bouquet and how it turned out.
Everything just turned out really lovely. I love my flowers and I worked really hard on them, but they were worth it and everyone was really great about wearing them.
I am so grateful to Long Rock for highly encouraging me to make the flowers. My hair? Long crazy funny story I will have to save for another time.
I will have to add pictures to this post in a few days when I find the pictures. They appear to not have made it onto my new laptop
This was a very difficult task. The reason being is because here in Turkey, we don't have all the things that are needed. First of all here in Turkey there are not flowers in Weddings. That was a huge shock for me and really difficult to imagine. No flowers.
The Long Rock and I discussed this in great length and we agreed that it was more prudent and cheaper and in the end just all round better if we just had flowers for my bouquets, for wristlet corsages, and boutonnieres. We agreed that this was the best. It ended up being a lot better that way. And really quite lovely.
I gave Long rocks Female and Male Close Family members, Long Rocks mom got two corsages, I got three bouquets, the Long Rock got two boutonnieres the Wedding Helper got a wristlet and then my witness for our wedding got a wristlet.
The reason for this is because We had a Wedding Ceremony. The Ceremony was on July 4th and the Wedding Reception was on July 7th. So, The Wedding Ceremony I made flower for me, the Groom and The Groom's mother to keep things simple. On the wedding reception I made flowers for everyone. I made for his cousins, and one cousin has a wife so I made her one also.
So all in all I made 12 wrist corsages, 15 boutonnieres, and three bouquets.
The supplies were not in Turkey because no one wears them. They are just unheard. The floral wire, floral tape, everything was imported from USA because I had no way of getting something like them from Turkey. They just are not here. There is a part on the wrist corsages that has a plate. The plate is for hot gluing the flowers on the wristlet. Well, on the wristlets that are not just the plain smaller elastic, but for the beaded bracelets, when they come they are supposed to have a platform that is tied on to the bracelet.
Another thing that I discovered it wire ribbon is also not here in Turkey, so I had to just go with the regular satin ribbon. But, no matter! I made them and they looked so pretty.
On my wedding day, I wore a white lace blouse, and pinl shoes with an aqua marine colored dress. I tied a really long pınk ribbon around the waist to add some color, and it just looked really pretty. My colors on the bouquet just tied everything together. I had Gerbera daisies, pink small roses, and hygreanga, which was all greens, blues, and pinks. Oh! I loved the bouquet and how it turned out.
Everything just turned out really lovely. I love my flowers and I worked really hard on them, but they were worth it and everyone was really great about wearing them.
I am so grateful to Long Rock for highly encouraging me to make the flowers. My hair? Long crazy funny story I will have to save for another time.
I will have to add pictures to this post in a few days when I find the pictures. They appear to not have made it onto my new laptop
Friday, August 23, 2013
An Open Letter To The State Of Pennsylvania's Attorney General (Kathleen Kane)
Dear Attorney General of (the fine state of) Pennsylvania;
Congratulations on your winning the incumbency. I wanted to let you know I am sure you are so very happy you are now Attorney General. You know, when you were wanting to go into Politics, I am sure it is because you wanted to help people, and being a public incumbent as yourself, you were so happy that you are in office.I will just get to my point of where I am going with this letter, shall we?
Attorney General is assuming you hate crime and want to stop crime in your state. I assume that going into LAW you would be one of those types of people that want to help people in a legal bind... I mean it couldn't possibly be the money. (haha... YES, I mean, you poor politicians and lawyers) So, when people write you emails to let you knowof the crimes happening in your state, I am sure you really want to know what the heck is going on in your own state? Oh, but wait. Not so fast.
I have a family member who lives in your state, is wanted in your state, but, is also wanted in other states, and does crime in other states, you don't want to know about it?
Let me go back. (This is a good one, please, pop popcorn. )
A Certain Family member of mine for years has been using my Social Security Number for many various crimes. She has found that if she is already wanted, she can say my name, my SSN and my information, and no one is the wiser. But are they? It is actually against the law in all 50 states, and a Federal Law, and it is a serious offense. Well, you would think that in all states it is taken seriously. My fellow Americans, beware of the state of Pennsylvania, as it is not taken seriously.
Let me tell you why
My Family member (Let's call her Christine because I don't have a family member named that & I love my family but don't like this member) Christine all her teenage life and even adult life she had been in and out of prison and jail, using my SSN for various crimes through out Utah, where I am from. She also for a time did some crimes in other states, NV, CA, and used my name. All those times I have been able to write to the various police chiefs, and sheriff departments and I was able to clear my good name. Believe me, I have never committed a crime. So, the worst I have done is something like speeding. But, come on, that is all.
It is not a secret I am here in Turkey. I have never been to the (fine state of) Pennsylvania. Well I am trying to get my husband back to USA with me. I am also trying to get a job.
I have been told by my father via email that I have charges against me for various crimes:: prostitution, drugs, drug paraphernalia and the list goes on.
Well, Christina actually did these things (and several times before in the past). Now, in the State of Utah where Christina did steal my ID at first, The Police of several cities and does a check. They know that my name is used then they automatically charge Christina with those charges and Fraudulent use of my SSN. Then they inform me. Well, Christina went to the State of Pennsylvania right after getting out of prison, and went to a home where her (common law) husband lives in a the small town of Corry, Pennsylvania. She waited about a month before she started getting bored (??) and started using my name in hospitals all over her city of Erie, and Corry (and another city) of Pennsylvania. When I first was notified, AG, I emailed the Sheriff and Police Departments of the cities. I heard nothing. And so I wrote you. Your response? Basically it was a "We don't care". See, now I am here in Turkey and want my husband to come back to USA, because you refuse to look into the case, and because you are sloppy and you don't want to be bothered, I will not have an easy time bringing him to USA. I have already been turned down from jobs because, "I have or might have been involved in criminal activities". The other thing that will happen is all my IRS Tax refunds will be withheld from me, and Thank you, for your lack of looking and lack of sympathy because, Mrs Kane, if you would have spent 5 minutes to care and take very seriously Identity Theft in your state, you would see that Christine is one of hundreds of crimes in your state. But, of course, you don't care. Not until it happens to you. In the meantime, your state, because you don't care, will go down and keep deterriorating until someone finally does care enough to take Identity Theft is taken seriously.
Also, State of Pennsylvania, it stands to reason you all don't care, I mean Penn State is infamous for covering up worse crimes than Prostitution and ID Theft. (I think you know which I am referring)
For those of you planning to live or travel in Pennsylvania, beware!!! Beware because if there is an Identity Theft, if there is a crime which a victim is accused of a crime and someone else did the crime, BEWARE because Mrs Kathleen Kane and her office DOES NOT CARE. You will be told "Too Bad, Why don't you try another office".
I hope that You people in Pennsylvania be wise in electing new officials and vote this woman out of office when her time is up. I hope I don't have to have anyone in MY State of Utah like this woman. In Fact, In Utah the Attorney General Office takes ID Theft seriously. I have spoken with my Attorney General in the past over this problem family member and the state of Utah CARES.
Sincerely,
Deej Phelange
P.S. Why are you saying you are "The win made Kane the only woman ever to be elected State Attorney General in Pennsylvania,[Note 1] and the first Democrat elected to the position since it ceased being an appointed office in 1980.[3]"
on Wikipedia when Linda Kelly was elected the year before you?
and, why is it you "helped convict hundreds of cases of fraud, sex offenders," etc,etc, and yet you don't care about mine? Shame on you
Congratulations on your winning the incumbency. I wanted to let you know I am sure you are so very happy you are now Attorney General. You know, when you were wanting to go into Politics, I am sure it is because you wanted to help people, and being a public incumbent as yourself, you were so happy that you are in office.I will just get to my point of where I am going with this letter, shall we?
Attorney General is assuming you hate crime and want to stop crime in your state. I assume that going into LAW you would be one of those types of people that want to help people in a legal bind... I mean it couldn't possibly be the money. (haha... YES, I mean, you poor politicians and lawyers) So, when people write you emails to let you knowof the crimes happening in your state, I am sure you really want to know what the heck is going on in your own state? Oh, but wait. Not so fast.
I have a family member who lives in your state, is wanted in your state, but, is also wanted in other states, and does crime in other states, you don't want to know about it?
Let me go back. (This is a good one, please, pop popcorn. )
A Certain Family member of mine for years has been using my Social Security Number for many various crimes. She has found that if she is already wanted, she can say my name, my SSN and my information, and no one is the wiser. But are they? It is actually against the law in all 50 states, and a Federal Law, and it is a serious offense. Well, you would think that in all states it is taken seriously. My fellow Americans, beware of the state of Pennsylvania, as it is not taken seriously.
Let me tell you why
My Family member (Let's call her Christine because I don't have a family member named that & I love my family but don't like this member) Christine all her teenage life and even adult life she had been in and out of prison and jail, using my SSN for various crimes through out Utah, where I am from. She also for a time did some crimes in other states, NV, CA, and used my name. All those times I have been able to write to the various police chiefs, and sheriff departments and I was able to clear my good name. Believe me, I have never committed a crime. So, the worst I have done is something like speeding. But, come on, that is all.
It is not a secret I am here in Turkey. I have never been to the (fine state of) Pennsylvania. Well I am trying to get my husband back to USA with me. I am also trying to get a job.
I have been told by my father via email that I have charges against me for various crimes:: prostitution, drugs, drug paraphernalia and the list goes on.
Well, Christina actually did these things (and several times before in the past). Now, in the State of Utah where Christina did steal my ID at first, The Police of several cities and does a check. They know that my name is used then they automatically charge Christina with those charges and Fraudulent use of my SSN. Then they inform me. Well, Christina went to the State of Pennsylvania right after getting out of prison, and went to a home where her (common law) husband lives in a the small town of Corry, Pennsylvania. She waited about a month before she started getting bored (??) and started using my name in hospitals all over her city of Erie, and Corry (and another city) of Pennsylvania. When I first was notified, AG, I emailed the Sheriff and Police Departments of the cities. I heard nothing. And so I wrote you. Your response? Basically it was a "We don't care". See, now I am here in Turkey and want my husband to come back to USA, because you refuse to look into the case, and because you are sloppy and you don't want to be bothered, I will not have an easy time bringing him to USA. I have already been turned down from jobs because, "I have or might have been involved in criminal activities". The other thing that will happen is all my IRS Tax refunds will be withheld from me, and Thank you, for your lack of looking and lack of sympathy because, Mrs Kane, if you would have spent 5 minutes to care and take very seriously Identity Theft in your state, you would see that Christine is one of hundreds of crimes in your state. But, of course, you don't care. Not until it happens to you. In the meantime, your state, because you don't care, will go down and keep deterriorating until someone finally does care enough to take Identity Theft is taken seriously.
Also, State of Pennsylvania, it stands to reason you all don't care, I mean Penn State is infamous for covering up worse crimes than Prostitution and ID Theft. (I think you know which I am referring)
For those of you planning to live or travel in Pennsylvania, beware!!! Beware because if there is an Identity Theft, if there is a crime which a victim is accused of a crime and someone else did the crime, BEWARE because Mrs Kathleen Kane and her office DOES NOT CARE. You will be told "Too Bad, Why don't you try another office".
I hope that You people in Pennsylvania be wise in electing new officials and vote this woman out of office when her time is up. I hope I don't have to have anyone in MY State of Utah like this woman. In Fact, In Utah the Attorney General Office takes ID Theft seriously. I have spoken with my Attorney General in the past over this problem family member and the state of Utah CARES.
Sincerely,
Deej Phelange
P.S. Why are you saying you are "The win made Kane the only woman ever to be elected State Attorney General in Pennsylvania,[Note 1] and the first Democrat elected to the position since it ceased being an appointed office in 1980.[3]"
on Wikipedia when Linda Kelly was elected the year before you?
and, why is it you "helped convict hundreds of cases of fraud, sex offenders," etc,etc, and yet you don't care about mine? Shame on you
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Dear Turkey: I Will Be Blogging A LOT about you!
This is not a threat, it is a promise and it is not a warning. (unless you take it that way)
I will wait until my husband is at my side and boom... Stay tuned. I have a lot to say about Turkey. I have a lot to say about "work ethics", how women are treated, how Doctors are not allowed to use all their resources and how students are treated and how University students are not inspired by greatness but forced to study "according to their intelligence" so in other words, poorer kids get less opportunities for education but rich kids get lots of opportunities. I will blog about racism and how prejudism is a live and working here. So, go right ahead, Mr Prime Minister of Turkey, I welcome you to keep doing and saying what you do and say. Because us really informed and educated people do not blame foreingers for the problems of your own decisions and country.
**Stepping off my soap box... For now**
I will wait until my husband is at my side and boom... Stay tuned. I have a lot to say about Turkey. I have a lot to say about "work ethics", how women are treated, how Doctors are not allowed to use all their resources and how students are treated and how University students are not inspired by greatness but forced to study "according to their intelligence" so in other words, poorer kids get less opportunities for education but rich kids get lots of opportunities. I will blog about racism and how prejudism is a live and working here. So, go right ahead, Mr Prime Minister of Turkey, I welcome you to keep doing and saying what you do and say. Because us really informed and educated people do not blame foreingers for the problems of your own decisions and country.
**Stepping off my soap box... For now**
The Countdown Continues!
I will be moving back to the USA on the 11th of September! I am so excited. I believe it is long over due. I have always said I never intended to be here this long. I never wanted to be here three years.
I am nervous, stressed out and yet, I know it is the right thing to do and the good thing to do. I wish I would have done this 2 years ago, But, I am grateful ı am doing it now.
My wonderful husband will follow me and we anticipate getting jobs, and being able to live, work and save money for our future. I am intensely looking for a job now, but have decided to wait until I get to the USA to actually apply and go through the application process. I need to freshen up my resume and I am looking for a free and nice looking Resume Template. Anyone of my readers know of a good one?
I am having writers block, too. What do I say about myself? I am intelligent,talented self starter that has been out of the country for the last three years and bam! I am here now! Hire me! :) Well, that is all I can come up with. But it sounds stupid. And, Why did I stop working here in Turkey? Because #1 It was charity work #2 I was able to work because of the type Residence I had did not allow me to work #3 Because I was against working for men that were jerks...
My friend here in Turkey said she thinks the work I did here was volunteer work. Well, that is basically it.
Well, I am just excited to get back to USA. And more excited and more happy when I have my husband with me
I am nervous, stressed out and yet, I know it is the right thing to do and the good thing to do. I wish I would have done this 2 years ago, But, I am grateful ı am doing it now.
My wonderful husband will follow me and we anticipate getting jobs, and being able to live, work and save money for our future. I am intensely looking for a job now, but have decided to wait until I get to the USA to actually apply and go through the application process. I need to freshen up my resume and I am looking for a free and nice looking Resume Template. Anyone of my readers know of a good one?
I am having writers block, too. What do I say about myself? I am intelligent,talented self starter that has been out of the country for the last three years and bam! I am here now! Hire me! :) Well, that is all I can come up with. But it sounds stupid. And, Why did I stop working here in Turkey? Because #1 It was charity work #2 I was able to work because of the type Residence I had did not allow me to work #3 Because I was against working for men that were jerks...
My friend here in Turkey said she thinks the work I did here was volunteer work. Well, that is basically it.
Well, I am just excited to get back to USA. And more excited and more happy when I have my husband with me
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Samsung Ultrabook NP530U3B Review (Girl's Lingo, Guys!)
So, I wanted to review my new Ultrabook.
I don't know if anyone recalls but I had an Asus, and it died on me right around Christmas time. We wanted to wait to get a new laptop because we were in a Wedding Planning mode and we were researching which one we would like to get and what would be better for us, for me, etc.
We were looking at many different options. Well, we sort of gave up looking for a while because I wanted something that will last and something that was versatile, and something that was not so heavy, I had a lot of things on my mind I wanted
First::: Graphics
Second::: Storage.
Third: Speed
Fourth: Weight
Fifth: Quality
and Last: Price/Affordibility
Well, Lets not put it all in exact order. These are just what I wanted.
Like I said, not in this order. Husband is an egghead, which helped me a lot, and he has some of his own specs too.
So let's look at what I got! (Thank you Husband!)
Samsung Ultra Book NP530U3B
Graphics, Screen::
Amazing. What can I say? I will be able to play ESO when it comes out (Get ready, I want to start my own little guild. I have some followers for that!)
And I wanted to upload my pictures, blog and do things that well, in layman's terms, I want it to look pretty! This delivers. Intel HD 4000 Graphics. (pretty high tech for a little mini laptop)
The 13.3 inch screen is Ultra Thin. About think of an iPod Touch First Generation... And go a tad bit thinner. some people say bigger is better. Well, I too like big. But think, the bigger the heavier, too. This I can tote in my Coach or Gucci bags and I am off. The graphics resolution for the screen is fabulous, and flawless in my humble opinion. Indeed I am happy with it.
Multi-Media
The HD audio is good. It can get pretty loud, and I have been playing music, which sounds good. I love my music. The speakers are above the keyboard, and I like that position because there are laptops where the speakers are where the USB jacks are and I am not sure I like them there. Speakers are 2x2 Watts, so 4 watts, not bad for a little 13.3 inch Ultrabook.
Webcam is 1.3 megapixels but,HD. I have tried it on Skype and it was actually a good vision. The Husband was in one room with the ultrabook and I was on my iPhone, clear vision, good microphone, everything worked and picture was great. Microphone is a Mic "Noise Suppression Sound Alive" and it works really nicely.
Storage:
I am happy with the 500 Gigs of storage. If I need more I can pop in an External hard drive to store more things, but 500 is ample for me, with the (Express Cache 24GB) I have no idea what Express Cache means. It is just sounding really cool to me.
(Husband don't laugh. I am trying to sound cool now)
Speed and Weight
Everything is fast on this little Notebook. Fast internet. Fast to pull up my Docs, uploading is fast, downloading is fast. Downloading iTunes (64 bit with Windows, don't download the 34 bit, you will not be able to open the set up) it took me 2 minutes to download and set up. Really. That is really fast, ladies.
The weight on mine because I have HDD is 3.35 pounds (that is 1.519 kg for all my non-American readers) And really, that is light.
Battery life
This was an issue I forgot to list in my above list. My Asus eventually gave out on my and before it did eventually the battery died on me. We later found out that is was a huge complaint for that particular model and make, and so we were a little frustrated with it from time to time. This has a battery life of 5 hours when you are running just the laptop and playing music from time to time. Three and a half hours if you have other things attached that sucks battery life. I had a cooler under it to see how long it would later with it and 3 and a half hours with the cooler. I have my iPhone plugged into it right now for charging and it charges a littler slower but, I have 75% battery remaining and it seems to be about a and .5 hour battery life. Not bad either.
There are jacks on the left: HDMI, USB 3.0 External Hard Drive, Ethernet, the DC outlet, ear phones and a phone jack or for your camera. The right has two 2.0 External hard drive USB, and a card slot. The bigger Ultrabooks vary and have DVD drives. This one does not. No matter, I can use a jump drive to watch movies or an external hard drive. For traveling I can use my 500 Gig storage. and this is not meant to just sit on a desk either.
This is a sleek, high tech, great quality and affordable laptop. Did I mention the keyboard is really a nice one ans really smooth finish to it. I will be getting a protector for it, as I tend to use it a lot but that is my preference. There is also options to turn off the palm reader. So, while you are typing and the cursor acts a little crazy, it might be due to the pad. So you can make it less sensitive. I like that.
I will be converting it to English also, which is easy to do. That part is also a no big whoop.
Extras:: I bought a coolant that is USB powered, so I can use it in the bed or on my lap. My (new pink)wireless mouse is a Microsoft and works really well with the new Ultrabook.
The conclusion is that you are getting your money's worth, you are getting a really great laptop. Well, guys, there you have it. My two cents.
I don't know if anyone recalls but I had an Asus, and it died on me right around Christmas time. We wanted to wait to get a new laptop because we were in a Wedding Planning mode and we were researching which one we would like to get and what would be better for us, for me, etc.
We were looking at many different options. Well, we sort of gave up looking for a while because I wanted something that will last and something that was versatile, and something that was not so heavy, I had a lot of things on my mind I wanted
First::: Graphics
Second::: Storage.
Third: Speed
Fourth: Weight
Fifth: Quality
and Last: Price/Affordibility
Well, Lets not put it all in exact order. These are just what I wanted.
Like I said, not in this order. Husband is an egghead, which helped me a lot, and he has some of his own specs too.
So let's look at what I got! (Thank you Husband!)
Samsung Ultra Book NP530U3B
Graphics, Screen::
Amazing. What can I say? I will be able to play ESO when it comes out (Get ready, I want to start my own little guild. I have some followers for that!)
And I wanted to upload my pictures, blog and do things that well, in layman's terms, I want it to look pretty! This delivers. Intel HD 4000 Graphics. (pretty high tech for a little mini laptop)
The 13.3 inch screen is Ultra Thin. About think of an iPod Touch First Generation... And go a tad bit thinner. some people say bigger is better. Well, I too like big. But think, the bigger the heavier, too. This I can tote in my Coach or Gucci bags and I am off. The graphics resolution for the screen is fabulous, and flawless in my humble opinion. Indeed I am happy with it.
Multi-Media
The HD audio is good. It can get pretty loud, and I have been playing music, which sounds good. I love my music. The speakers are above the keyboard, and I like that position because there are laptops where the speakers are where the USB jacks are and I am not sure I like them there. Speakers are 2x2 Watts, so 4 watts, not bad for a little 13.3 inch Ultrabook.
Webcam is 1.3 megapixels but,HD. I have tried it on Skype and it was actually a good vision. The Husband was in one room with the ultrabook and I was on my iPhone, clear vision, good microphone, everything worked and picture was great. Microphone is a Mic "Noise Suppression Sound Alive" and it works really nicely.
Storage:
I am happy with the 500 Gigs of storage. If I need more I can pop in an External hard drive to store more things, but 500 is ample for me, with the (Express Cache 24GB) I have no idea what Express Cache means. It is just sounding really cool to me.
(Husband don't laugh. I am trying to sound cool now)
Speed and Weight
Everything is fast on this little Notebook. Fast internet. Fast to pull up my Docs, uploading is fast, downloading is fast. Downloading iTunes (64 bit with Windows, don't download the 34 bit, you will not be able to open the set up) it took me 2 minutes to download and set up. Really. That is really fast, ladies.
The weight on mine because I have HDD is 3.35 pounds (that is 1.519 kg for all my non-American readers) And really, that is light.
Battery life
This was an issue I forgot to list in my above list. My Asus eventually gave out on my and before it did eventually the battery died on me. We later found out that is was a huge complaint for that particular model and make, and so we were a little frustrated with it from time to time. This has a battery life of 5 hours when you are running just the laptop and playing music from time to time. Three and a half hours if you have other things attached that sucks battery life. I had a cooler under it to see how long it would later with it and 3 and a half hours with the cooler. I have my iPhone plugged into it right now for charging and it charges a littler slower but, I have 75% battery remaining and it seems to be about a and .5 hour battery life. Not bad either.
There are jacks on the left: HDMI, USB 3.0 External Hard Drive, Ethernet, the DC outlet, ear phones and a phone jack or for your camera. The right has two 2.0 External hard drive USB, and a card slot. The bigger Ultrabooks vary and have DVD drives. This one does not. No matter, I can use a jump drive to watch movies or an external hard drive. For traveling I can use my 500 Gig storage. and this is not meant to just sit on a desk either.
This is a sleek, high tech, great quality and affordable laptop. Did I mention the keyboard is really a nice one ans really smooth finish to it. I will be getting a protector for it, as I tend to use it a lot but that is my preference. There is also options to turn off the palm reader. So, while you are typing and the cursor acts a little crazy, it might be due to the pad. So you can make it less sensitive. I like that.
I will be converting it to English also, which is easy to do. That part is also a no big whoop.
Extras:: I bought a coolant that is USB powered, so I can use it in the bed or on my lap. My (new pink)wireless mouse is a Microsoft and works really well with the new Ultrabook.
The conclusion is that you are getting your money's worth, you are getting a really great laptop. Well, guys, there you have it. My two cents.
Friday, July 26, 2013
There is "Good" Stress and "Bad" Stress.
I think I am going through good stress. Sometimes it feels like bad stress, because it effects me the same way. But, It is all good.
We have been trying to figure out the best way to get back to my Homeland. I want to get back to USA. I love Turkey, but, in all actuality, there is just a different life here and I want the Long Rock to see how we live back in the USA.
Well, We found out because I have not been living in USA I am not a Resident of the country anymore. And because I have not been working, I am not eligble to be a Sponsor for my beloved. I asked my dad if he would be willing to be a joint sponsor, but, he is not going to be. I am sort of stressed about it but I am confident things will work out.
This does mean that I will have either find a joint sponsor or I will have to leave for the USA before my husband, work and bring him back to the USA. I really wanted him to come with me though. I feel really sad because all we have to do is show I have assets of 20,000 USD and while it is not much money, and his family has that (more than that) We can not use it because it is his family's money and not ours, and they have to be US Citizens to Sponsor him. (He is coming over on a Spousal Visa)
Well, we will see what time will tell. We hope time is good to us. I just want to get home .
We have been trying to figure out the best way to get back to my Homeland. I want to get back to USA. I love Turkey, but, in all actuality, there is just a different life here and I want the Long Rock to see how we live back in the USA.
Well, We found out because I have not been living in USA I am not a Resident of the country anymore. And because I have not been working, I am not eligble to be a Sponsor for my beloved. I asked my dad if he would be willing to be a joint sponsor, but, he is not going to be. I am sort of stressed about it but I am confident things will work out.
This does mean that I will have either find a joint sponsor or I will have to leave for the USA before my husband, work and bring him back to the USA. I really wanted him to come with me though. I feel really sad because all we have to do is show I have assets of 20,000 USD and while it is not much money, and his family has that (more than that) We can not use it because it is his family's money and not ours, and they have to be US Citizens to Sponsor him. (He is coming over on a Spousal Visa)
Well, we will see what time will tell. We hope time is good to us. I just want to get home .
Thursday, July 18, 2013
This Isn't About A Gucci Bag
I have been here for three years now. Well, actually more than three years. Around the corner from my home and on a somewhat busy of my city in which I live, there is a shoe maker- repair man. His shop is very tiny and obscure. In fact, if you blink, even on this busy road, you will indeed miss his little shop. It is about the size of a U. S. Master Bedroom Closet. (His little shop). The shoe maker comes everyday but Sundays, and closes everyday from 12:30-1:30 in the afternoon for lunch. He is there from about 8-9 am and is there until 7-8 pm. One Day a week he is not there.
I have had various shoes needing repair and he has always helped me and did a really good job. I have noticed her repairs all kinds of leather goods, and including leather bags. So, I had a Gucci Bag that I loved. I mean, it goes with everything I have. This Gucci bag has white leather straps, (Braided of course) and metal grommets to hold the straps on the bag. So, when my Gucci bag broke, I took it to the repair man, thinking he can take out the grommet, put the strap down, put the same grommet back on to the bag, and boom done, I thought I would pay him a little extra because it is a Gucci bag, and I would be on my way. He said he would fix it and I left. I had a few more things to give him besides the bag, and so I gave him the things. He said to come back in an hour from that time and it would be done. I had things to do, and returned. To surprise. He only charged me for the shoes and the few things I gave him and not the Gucci bag. I thought that was odd, and I came home with all my repaired things in tow. I opened the Gucci bag first and I wanted to cry. My grommet was gone and a huge ugly grommet was there in place. I cried. I sobbed. It was so ugly, I could not believe what happened to my Gucci Bag. Oh, how can I use it now??? It is such abig grommet, and smashed and ugly. I was so annoyed. And I could never replace my Gucci Bag. So, I did not ever say anything to repair man, I did continue to bring my things to him. And will continue to. But not have him fix any of my bags. (hehe)
Whenever I pass the man's shop, I wave at him, tell him hello. He is about as old as my grandpa. His shop smells of leather and shoe cleaners and shoe repair glues. It is rather welcoming. A while ago I saw him while I was looking for flowers. He was walking to his shop, carrying a simple grocery bag with some food in it for the day. This meant he would not have time to go home to eat that day, possibly, and brought food for later. The man is tall like my grandpa, very thin, with white hair and blue eyes. He just looks like a sweet kind elderly man. I told my husband, fiancé at the time, how sweet the man looked and he said how here in Turkey, shoe repair shops are dying and people just buy shoes now and not have these men make them nor do they have shoes repaired anymore. I had expressed the same is like that in USA and in fact, in Utah where I am orgianlly from, I was looking for a repair man for my shoes and couldn't find one. I remeber my mom would go to a good one in town but htat was years ago, which now seems like ages ago.
We concluded that we would have him do simple things and we would pay him more because we think that he really doesn't have a lot of money and with his age, he obviously still has to work, we will try to give him work to help him out.
We got married on July 4th and July 5th we were out doing errands for our Reception. I kept thinking how I wanted to give the Shoe Maker Man some of the "Ceremony Sweets" that we were passing out to friends and neighbors. I just felt like I had to give him some. I got a bag and put the sweets in it. I put six caramel flavored and six cherry flavored sweets that I made.
We had to pass by the shop and The Husband said you can go in and give it to him. I said, Ok. I went in his shop and he said Hello. I said in Turkish that I got married the other day and that I would like for him to have some Ceremony Sweets that I had made and I hope he has a very wonderful day. I handed it to him and I had never seen a sweeter and more heart felt Thankfulness in all my life. The man got really big tears in his eyes, and said "For me?" I said, "For you and your family". He said "Thank you" through the tears steaming down his face. I said, "I see you everytime I walk by here and my heart goes to you and your family. Thank you for making my shoes so good and for making them last a long time" He said "I have no words but Many Thank you".
And with that, I realized. That moment was worth a thousand Gucci Bags. This is what true goodness, kindness and humblness is all about. The Long Rock and I are seeking out shoes to be cleaned or repaired. Just to keep his shop going. But it isn't about a Gucci Bag.
I have had various shoes needing repair and he has always helped me and did a really good job. I have noticed her repairs all kinds of leather goods, and including leather bags. So, I had a Gucci Bag that I loved. I mean, it goes with everything I have. This Gucci bag has white leather straps, (Braided of course) and metal grommets to hold the straps on the bag. So, when my Gucci bag broke, I took it to the repair man, thinking he can take out the grommet, put the strap down, put the same grommet back on to the bag, and boom done, I thought I would pay him a little extra because it is a Gucci bag, and I would be on my way. He said he would fix it and I left. I had a few more things to give him besides the bag, and so I gave him the things. He said to come back in an hour from that time and it would be done. I had things to do, and returned. To surprise. He only charged me for the shoes and the few things I gave him and not the Gucci bag. I thought that was odd, and I came home with all my repaired things in tow. I opened the Gucci bag first and I wanted to cry. My grommet was gone and a huge ugly grommet was there in place. I cried. I sobbed. It was so ugly, I could not believe what happened to my Gucci Bag. Oh, how can I use it now??? It is such abig grommet, and smashed and ugly. I was so annoyed. And I could never replace my Gucci Bag. So, I did not ever say anything to repair man, I did continue to bring my things to him. And will continue to. But not have him fix any of my bags. (hehe)
Whenever I pass the man's shop, I wave at him, tell him hello. He is about as old as my grandpa. His shop smells of leather and shoe cleaners and shoe repair glues. It is rather welcoming. A while ago I saw him while I was looking for flowers. He was walking to his shop, carrying a simple grocery bag with some food in it for the day. This meant he would not have time to go home to eat that day, possibly, and brought food for later. The man is tall like my grandpa, very thin, with white hair and blue eyes. He just looks like a sweet kind elderly man. I told my husband, fiancé at the time, how sweet the man looked and he said how here in Turkey, shoe repair shops are dying and people just buy shoes now and not have these men make them nor do they have shoes repaired anymore. I had expressed the same is like that in USA and in fact, in Utah where I am orgianlly from, I was looking for a repair man for my shoes and couldn't find one. I remeber my mom would go to a good one in town but htat was years ago, which now seems like ages ago.
We concluded that we would have him do simple things and we would pay him more because we think that he really doesn't have a lot of money and with his age, he obviously still has to work, we will try to give him work to help him out.
We got married on July 4th and July 5th we were out doing errands for our Reception. I kept thinking how I wanted to give the Shoe Maker Man some of the "Ceremony Sweets" that we were passing out to friends and neighbors. I just felt like I had to give him some. I got a bag and put the sweets in it. I put six caramel flavored and six cherry flavored sweets that I made.
We had to pass by the shop and The Husband said you can go in and give it to him. I said, Ok. I went in his shop and he said Hello. I said in Turkish that I got married the other day and that I would like for him to have some Ceremony Sweets that I had made and I hope he has a very wonderful day. I handed it to him and I had never seen a sweeter and more heart felt Thankfulness in all my life. The man got really big tears in his eyes, and said "For me?" I said, "For you and your family". He said "Thank you" through the tears steaming down his face. I said, "I see you everytime I walk by here and my heart goes to you and your family. Thank you for making my shoes so good and for making them last a long time" He said "I have no words but Many Thank you".
And with that, I realized. That moment was worth a thousand Gucci Bags. This is what true goodness, kindness and humblness is all about. The Long Rock and I are seeking out shoes to be cleaned or repaired. Just to keep his shop going. But it isn't about a Gucci Bag.
Monday, July 15, 2013
We Said "YES"!!!
On July 4th 2013 at 4pm (Istanbul Time)
I officially became Mrs D. LongRock.
It not only is a long time over due, but I have to say that it is a very very good thing to be married to the right person. I can attest to this!
We decided to marry here in Turkey because Mr Husband wanted the Turkish Family to be with him when he married. We debated whether or not to have a Reception at the States or in Turkey. We ended up doing both in Turkey. We will have the Celebration Dinner or get together when We get back to the USA. We will have close friends and family invited.
Here is what happened.
A couple of months ago I went to the Consulate (got an appointment first) and had the US Governement sign and stamp a paper stating that I was legally able to marry and not married at the time of the paper signed.
We (LongRocks mom and I) took this Noterized paper (That cost me 50 USD) And we went to the Istanbul City Mayor that Authenticated the Noterized Paper. (Note All Americans that are Marrying a Turk, in Turkey, this is the procedure. If you have any questions about how and what we did in more detail, I urge you to comment and I can try to tell you in greater detail. Or Give you ideas)
Once that paper which is noterized was Authenticated (In the Beyazit District of Istanbul, btw)we paid more money to have it authenicated.
We then needed a Translated copy and noterized form of everythng, which costed a lot of money. Warning Americans! Noterized forms here are about 100 lira for each form needing a stamp in it.
We then got papers from the Dr stating we have no illensses that would cause us to not be able to marry. The Dr was the Family's Personal Doctor, and Authorized to do this. We had blood drawn from him and me and you pay after the test results are in, at least for us.
You must give a picture of you and your spouse to the Dr. She or He needs to put the picture on the reports and sign in and date it.
Then we had to get verification that one person lived in the city we were marrying in. This is done in the city center, there is usually a building that you go to and get a paper saying that the person you are marrying is single, and then another paper saying that in fact this person is a resident in the city that they are marrying in. Because I am a foreigner, I was supposed to show my residency in USA. However, I have not lived in USA for over three years. So, I had to show my Itkemetkah. Normally this is even enough, but this Justice was really rude and so we were forced to go to the Office in the Dept of Resiedency and we had to provide proof that I have an apt there. Well, Mr Husband has an apt that he owns but is vacant. We thought of using his Grandma's address but the girl said that sometimes the Government looks down on this and so she had me living in the apt in the building. IT was fine for him.
We also needed 6 copies of a passport worthy or passport picture. This was done at a Professional Photographer.
We then needed to take everything we had to the Justice. Who yelled at me and was somewhat rude and unkind. And had a really ugly bag. She took the papers to the Mayor and she insisted she did not need any more papers. But she was wrong and three weeks later called us up and asked us o ver and over if we wanted to marry another day. We wanted to marry July 7th the same day as our Reception. But that was not about to happen because she said "No, I don't want to marry on that date" (Really, caddy lady?!?)
So, we chose July 4th.
Note :: There are dates and times that you can chose to marry that will determine the cost of the actual ceremony (sadly, yes tehy are all about the money here) And : Here is the run down:::
Monday-Thursday:: 65 Lira
Friday: 85 Lira
Saturday: 140 Lira
Sunday: 250 lira
If you want to marry in the City, but a different place, there is a fee for that too, which is usually 15-20 lira more than the base fee.
Our fee for a Thursday, however? 110!!! And we had it in her office! She charged us the most for the basic! I mean really!! Oh well
We waited and waited to hear from her. She had never married an American before, I guess.
A few days before our actual Wedding we finally got the ok.
We bought our invitations just 4 weeks before the wedding date because the Rude Justice Lady with the ugly fake leather bag was not getting ahold of us and we did not know what to do. So, we decided to just persue the date and time we kept telling her we wanted.
We went to her office a few days before the date and we talked to her. We confirmed the date and time as the 4th of July, 2013 at 4 pm. We were set.
I had not been able to look closely at the Reception Hall that we were holding our Reception, and so I was making lace lamps to hang in the hall. I was using them afterwards, but I was thinking how pretty they would be in the wedding hall to give it a warm feeling in the hall. Well, some unforeseen things happened. And I have them nicely hanging, but we did not use them.
Music. We argued and argued about this topic. I insisted we have a mixutre of both and his mom agreed with me. His mom said there are some songs that are very shameful that she did not want to be sung nor played at the wedding. There was one song in particular that is really popular. It was not at all a good song and I was told by LongRock that the words to the song are never played in Weddings. I said I have heard the song played many times at different weddings. We argued over and over about this. We did not want a singer there either. Well, we were told that the coupleswho marry are giving the DJ music to play and he will play what you give him, on a MP3 and or iPod, iPhone, iPad. He has a computer, a really nice electric keyboard, etc etc and so it was just normal to think that we would have a cable with two male ends, you can plug one into the iPod, and one into a sound source. Right?? Well, duuuh.
We had our music in the iPod. But the Stupid DJ had no idea how to use the iPod and even said it does not work. BUT The iPhone worked??? What an utter ass. He did not want to play our music! What a pig! So, we ended up having to change our first dance. which he cut off in the middle of it and played stupid ass songs like "Careless Whisper" by George Micheal... REALLY???
No matter I loved the First Dance song we ended up playing. IT was amazing. It was fun, romantic and just us. It was the Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" It was just wonderful!
The Day of our Wedding:::
We were running around because I was supposed to get a dress for the Wedding Ceremony and for the Reception. I got one for the Reception and I was told the day before our wedding to get something for the ceremony. So I had to rush around finding something. I went all over the place for a nice dress. I found a really pretty aqua marine color skirt, Long. IT is a chiffon and then I had a white lace shirt. Simple and plain but really pretty.
We then had to focus on my hair. OMG My friend, Ay and I went to the girl that I thought she would know how to do my hair (clue: Because she said she could!) and she ended up charging me a but load of money and it was so ugly! And she did not know how to do my hair)
I was trying to get my hair and make up done (I had bruised my toe very badly two days before). I got a phone call from LongRock saying that he got a phone call from the Justice, saying, "Why are you not here today?" My husband said, "What do you mean?" She said, "you are supposed to be here at 11:00 am." "What?" He said, "you are marrying us at 4pm today." She said, "Oh, no. I have a wedding that time." (Angry Face) so, He said "Ok can you please put it at 5pm?" "Well, I have to leave my Office that time". So they arranged a new time at 4:45pm. Well that was good for me because I was freaking out about my hair.
We got married and it was really lovely.
The Reception was nice too.
Pictures:::
There is really not a good way to do pictures here in Turkey. The "professional" Photographers are really not that good and they are not that professional. Basically, they charge you a butt load of money, to tape you wedding and snap photos of you that are not that impresseive and they are not good at cropping the pictures and do not care if your eyes are closed, oopen or if your wedding quests are picking thier noses, they just snap pictures. Literally. And then they want to charge you lots of money, for really not good pictures, a really stupid dvd of your wedding, and they have you do the most stupid poses. I mean, really stupid poses.
Our Wedding Hall took place in a Military base. We were told we HAVE To hide out in a Bride and Groom room until we are "ready" to come down the stairs and be presented" . Ok. It is stupid. I am sorry. I strongly disagree with this. But whatever, we went in the room and low, it is the cheapest uglist room looking like a really cheap trashy hotel room in those B Movies. and its not far from the truth. They had us sit on the bed and get some pictures. I was like WHAT? It was so stupid I was like there is no way I want any of those pictures. I mean come on! PLEASE!!!!
They were trampy and trashy pictures. I was really disappointed with them and just annoyed. Then we waited and waited. We finally were able to go in where everyone was and we had the first dance as a couple.
Then people put money on us.
Then we had to leave and do it again and dance. It was not my idea of fun or even excitement but we were good sports.
There are pictures of us talking while we are dancing. and We are saying, I hate this music, I am saying, I know me too! I am glad you feel the same way! He was saying what the heck are they playing this song for! I cant dance to this music! hahaha
Then the Fake Cake. Americans you are forewarned. The Cakes here are fake and the cake they pass out to the guests are horrible. Really. It is disappointing that there are so many good foods in TUrkey, but their cake is not one of htem. If I would have known how stupid and bad it was, I either would have made our own cake, ordered baklava, or just had nothing. The fake cake and cutting a fake cake is really stupid. That was another huge argument I had lost. And so with much appreciation, when we were cutting the fake cake, and after wards, I was told by Mr Husband that he was sorry and relatized how stupid it was to fight me on that. I would have made a Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with really pretty sunflowers and daises on it that I would have put on myself. It would have been lovely. But there you have it. Fake Cake.
Well, we survived it and now it is focusing on getting to my home part of the marriage!
I officially became Mrs D. LongRock.
It not only is a long time over due, but I have to say that it is a very very good thing to be married to the right person. I can attest to this!
We decided to marry here in Turkey because Mr Husband wanted the Turkish Family to be with him when he married. We debated whether or not to have a Reception at the States or in Turkey. We ended up doing both in Turkey. We will have the Celebration Dinner or get together when We get back to the USA. We will have close friends and family invited.
Here is what happened.
A couple of months ago I went to the Consulate (got an appointment first) and had the US Governement sign and stamp a paper stating that I was legally able to marry and not married at the time of the paper signed.
We (LongRocks mom and I) took this Noterized paper (That cost me 50 USD) And we went to the Istanbul City Mayor that Authenticated the Noterized Paper. (Note All Americans that are Marrying a Turk, in Turkey, this is the procedure. If you have any questions about how and what we did in more detail, I urge you to comment and I can try to tell you in greater detail. Or Give you ideas)
Once that paper which is noterized was Authenticated (In the Beyazit District of Istanbul, btw)we paid more money to have it authenicated.
We then needed a Translated copy and noterized form of everythng, which costed a lot of money. Warning Americans! Noterized forms here are about 100 lira for each form needing a stamp in it.
We then got papers from the Dr stating we have no illensses that would cause us to not be able to marry. The Dr was the Family's Personal Doctor, and Authorized to do this. We had blood drawn from him and me and you pay after the test results are in, at least for us.
You must give a picture of you and your spouse to the Dr. She or He needs to put the picture on the reports and sign in and date it.
Then we had to get verification that one person lived in the city we were marrying in. This is done in the city center, there is usually a building that you go to and get a paper saying that the person you are marrying is single, and then another paper saying that in fact this person is a resident in the city that they are marrying in. Because I am a foreigner, I was supposed to show my residency in USA. However, I have not lived in USA for over three years. So, I had to show my Itkemetkah. Normally this is even enough, but this Justice was really rude and so we were forced to go to the Office in the Dept of Resiedency and we had to provide proof that I have an apt there. Well, Mr Husband has an apt that he owns but is vacant. We thought of using his Grandma's address but the girl said that sometimes the Government looks down on this and so she had me living in the apt in the building. IT was fine for him.
We also needed 6 copies of a passport worthy or passport picture. This was done at a Professional Photographer.
We then needed to take everything we had to the Justice. Who yelled at me and was somewhat rude and unkind. And had a really ugly bag. She took the papers to the Mayor and she insisted she did not need any more papers. But she was wrong and three weeks later called us up and asked us o ver and over if we wanted to marry another day. We wanted to marry July 7th the same day as our Reception. But that was not about to happen because she said "No, I don't want to marry on that date" (Really, caddy lady?!?)
So, we chose July 4th.
Note :: There are dates and times that you can chose to marry that will determine the cost of the actual ceremony (sadly, yes tehy are all about the money here) And : Here is the run down:::
Monday-Thursday:: 65 Lira
Friday: 85 Lira
Saturday: 140 Lira
Sunday: 250 lira
If you want to marry in the City, but a different place, there is a fee for that too, which is usually 15-20 lira more than the base fee.
Our fee for a Thursday, however? 110!!! And we had it in her office! She charged us the most for the basic! I mean really!! Oh well
We waited and waited to hear from her. She had never married an American before, I guess.
A few days before our actual Wedding we finally got the ok.
We bought our invitations just 4 weeks before the wedding date because the Rude Justice Lady with the ugly fake leather bag was not getting ahold of us and we did not know what to do. So, we decided to just persue the date and time we kept telling her we wanted.
We went to her office a few days before the date and we talked to her. We confirmed the date and time as the 4th of July, 2013 at 4 pm. We were set.
I had not been able to look closely at the Reception Hall that we were holding our Reception, and so I was making lace lamps to hang in the hall. I was using them afterwards, but I was thinking how pretty they would be in the wedding hall to give it a warm feeling in the hall. Well, some unforeseen things happened. And I have them nicely hanging, but we did not use them.
Music. We argued and argued about this topic. I insisted we have a mixutre of both and his mom agreed with me. His mom said there are some songs that are very shameful that she did not want to be sung nor played at the wedding. There was one song in particular that is really popular. It was not at all a good song and I was told by LongRock that the words to the song are never played in Weddings. I said I have heard the song played many times at different weddings. We argued over and over about this. We did not want a singer there either. Well, we were told that the coupleswho marry are giving the DJ music to play and he will play what you give him, on a MP3 and or iPod, iPhone, iPad. He has a computer, a really nice electric keyboard, etc etc and so it was just normal to think that we would have a cable with two male ends, you can plug one into the iPod, and one into a sound source. Right?? Well, duuuh.
We had our music in the iPod. But the Stupid DJ had no idea how to use the iPod and even said it does not work. BUT The iPhone worked??? What an utter ass. He did not want to play our music! What a pig! So, we ended up having to change our first dance. which he cut off in the middle of it and played stupid ass songs like "Careless Whisper" by George Micheal... REALLY???
No matter I loved the First Dance song we ended up playing. IT was amazing. It was fun, romantic and just us. It was the Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" It was just wonderful!
The Day of our Wedding:::
We were running around because I was supposed to get a dress for the Wedding Ceremony and for the Reception. I got one for the Reception and I was told the day before our wedding to get something for the ceremony. So I had to rush around finding something. I went all over the place for a nice dress. I found a really pretty aqua marine color skirt, Long. IT is a chiffon and then I had a white lace shirt. Simple and plain but really pretty.
We then had to focus on my hair. OMG My friend, Ay and I went to the girl that I thought she would know how to do my hair (clue: Because she said she could!) and she ended up charging me a but load of money and it was so ugly! And she did not know how to do my hair)
I was trying to get my hair and make up done (I had bruised my toe very badly two days before). I got a phone call from LongRock saying that he got a phone call from the Justice, saying, "Why are you not here today?" My husband said, "What do you mean?" She said, "you are supposed to be here at 11:00 am." "What?" He said, "you are marrying us at 4pm today." She said, "Oh, no. I have a wedding that time." (Angry Face) so, He said "Ok can you please put it at 5pm?" "Well, I have to leave my Office that time". So they arranged a new time at 4:45pm. Well that was good for me because I was freaking out about my hair.
We got married and it was really lovely.
The Reception was nice too.
Pictures:::
There is really not a good way to do pictures here in Turkey. The "professional" Photographers are really not that good and they are not that professional. Basically, they charge you a butt load of money, to tape you wedding and snap photos of you that are not that impresseive and they are not good at cropping the pictures and do not care if your eyes are closed, oopen or if your wedding quests are picking thier noses, they just snap pictures. Literally. And then they want to charge you lots of money, for really not good pictures, a really stupid dvd of your wedding, and they have you do the most stupid poses. I mean, really stupid poses.
Our Wedding Hall took place in a Military base. We were told we HAVE To hide out in a Bride and Groom room until we are "ready" to come down the stairs and be presented" . Ok. It is stupid. I am sorry. I strongly disagree with this. But whatever, we went in the room and low, it is the cheapest uglist room looking like a really cheap trashy hotel room in those B Movies. and its not far from the truth. They had us sit on the bed and get some pictures. I was like WHAT? It was so stupid I was like there is no way I want any of those pictures. I mean come on! PLEASE!!!!
They were trampy and trashy pictures. I was really disappointed with them and just annoyed. Then we waited and waited. We finally were able to go in where everyone was and we had the first dance as a couple.
Then people put money on us.
Then we had to leave and do it again and dance. It was not my idea of fun or even excitement but we were good sports.
There are pictures of us talking while we are dancing. and We are saying, I hate this music, I am saying, I know me too! I am glad you feel the same way! He was saying what the heck are they playing this song for! I cant dance to this music! hahaha
Then the Fake Cake. Americans you are forewarned. The Cakes here are fake and the cake they pass out to the guests are horrible. Really. It is disappointing that there are so many good foods in TUrkey, but their cake is not one of htem. If I would have known how stupid and bad it was, I either would have made our own cake, ordered baklava, or just had nothing. The fake cake and cutting a fake cake is really stupid. That was another huge argument I had lost. And so with much appreciation, when we were cutting the fake cake, and after wards, I was told by Mr Husband that he was sorry and relatized how stupid it was to fight me on that. I would have made a Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with really pretty sunflowers and daises on it that I would have put on myself. It would have been lovely. But there you have it. Fake Cake.
Well, we survived it and now it is focusing on getting to my home part of the marriage!
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