30.june.2010//30.haziran.2010. [181].

30.june.2010//30.haziran.2010. [181].  

we started off the day at Pamukkale, a natural site caused by hot springs and carbonate minerals. it was unlike anywhere i've ever been. we moved on to St. John's Basilica and then to the 7th church--Efes/Ephesus, before heading to our hotel on the Aegean Sea in Kuşadası.

29.june.2010//29.haziran.2010. [180].

29.june.2010//29.haziran.2010. [180].  

today we went to 4 of the 7 churches: Sardis, Thyatira, Laodicea, and Philedelphia. Every church was very different and uniquely beautiful. this is at a temple for Artemis, not related to the churches.

28.june.2010//28.haziran.2010. [179].

28.june.2010//28.haziran.2010. [179].  

today, we started the 7 churches tour. We saw two of the 7 churches--Pergamum & Smyrna. This is from Pergamum. It was a BEAUTIFUL day.

27.june.2010//27.haziran.2010. [178].

27.june.2010//27.haziran.2010. [178].  

after an all day bus ride to izmir, we went out for tea and dessert.... fun girls.

26.june.2010//26.haziran.2010. [177].

26.june.2010//26.haziran.2010. [177].  

we had a beautiful day on the beach in ağva.. this is where the river meets the sea. it was awesome.

25.june.2010//25.haziran.2010. [176].

25.june.2010//25.haziran.2010. [176].  

camping!!!!! It took a while to set up but we are getting there. Beach tommorrow!!

24.june.2010.//24.haziran.2010. [175].

24.june.2010.//24.haziran.2010. [175].

i went with the students to sabancı university today. the campus is beautiful.

23.june.2010.//23.haziran.2010. [174].

23.june.2010.//23.haziran.2010. [174]. 

one of the places i go pretty regularly... the guy recognizes me and starts the conversation with "nose?" haha. sarah was a little nervous about getting her nose pierced, but it looks so cute!

22.june.2010.//22.haziran.2010. [173].

22.june.2010.//22.haziran.2010. [173]. 

i love summer storms. he caught me taking a picture, but i liked how honest his face was.

21.june.2010.//21.haziran.2010. [172].

21.june.2010.//21.haziran.2010. [172]. 

apparently, this is the week of trying to include everyone who feels left out of the picture of the day album.. haha... esin and i on the balcony, our usual hang out place. haha.

20.june.2010.//20.haziran.2010. [171].

20.june.2010.//20.haziran.2010. [171]. 

happy, rindy? ;) me and rindy at starbucks with our matching drinks. she's a dear friend and i am so glad she's a big part of my life/year/365 album. :)

19.june.2010.//19.haziran.2010. [170].

19.june.2010.//19.haziran.2010. [170]. 

happy, tommy? you made it in the picture of the day...again... this is on the way back from the islands.. such a relaxing day!

18.june.2010.//18.haziran.2010. [169].

18.june.2010.//18.haziran.2010. [169]. one thing i will really miss about turkey: fresh, delicious fruits and veggies for super cheap. oh, and having a pazar around the corner on fridays to shop at.

17.june.2010.//17.haziran.2010. [168].

17.june.2010.//17.haziran.2010. [168]. 

i turned 25 today and this is where i spent my evening. it was hands down the most beautiful place i've ever celebrated my birthday. 20 friends and i ate at a cafe with this view and hung out until almost midnight. could not have asked for a better night (apart from brooke being here with me to enjoy it!)

16.june.2010.//16.haziran.2010. [167].

16.june.2010.//16.haziran.2010. [167]. 

today, i went to the Blue Mosque with AP... i realized how strange it is that it's not strange at all to me anymore to see so many minarets everywhere.

15.june.2010.//15.haziran.2010. [166].

15.june.2010.//15.haziran.2010. [166]. 

Anna Paige came to visit.. she got in Saturday and leaves Thursday morning... it's always fun to have friends visit! :)

14.june.2010.//14.haziran.2010. [165].

14.june.2010.//14.haziran.2010. [165]. 

had a great day taking Anna Paige & some of the students to some of my favorite places in the city. i love this place.

13.june.2010.//13.haziran.2010. [164].

13.june.2010.//13.haziran.2010. [164].

tonight, i went with my friend, julie, to the Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood concert. it was at an outdoors venue on the Bosphorus. beautiful weather, fantastic music, a fireworks show, and good company=all the works for an unforgettable evening.

12.june.2010.//12.haziran.2010. [163].

12.june.2010.//12.haziran.2010. [163]. 

today, we went to the beach for the first time this year! this is right after anastasia's first experience in the sea... hahaha..

11.june.2010.//11.haziran.2010. [162].

11.june.2010.//11.haziran.2010. [162]. 

walking home from a friend's house after a delicious bbq dinner... a combined birthday party for 5 people/excuse to eat yummy bbq together... thanks, Luke and Robyn!!! :)

10.june.2010.//10.haziran.2010. [161].

10.june.2010.//10.haziran.2010. [161]. 

i walked past the tracks today..... you can take these trains all over turkey and other places in asia..

09.june.2010.//09.haziran.2010. [160].

09.june.2010.//09.haziran.2010. [160]. 

after a productive day, i wandered around shopping with a friend for a little while before heading to English Tea Time.

08.june.2010.//08.haziran.2010. [159].

08.june.2010.//08.haziran.2010. [159]. 

with the help of six friends, i painted my livingroom and hallway today in about 5 hours. then we cleaned up and made pancakes/eggs to celebrate. :) i miss the green walls. :(

07.june.2010.//07.haziran.2010. [158].

07.june.2010.//07.haziran.2010. [158]. 

i spent most of my time with friends today.... Stazy is attacking Samantha here... hilarious...

06.june.2010.//06.haziran.2010. [157].

06.june.2010.//06.haziran.2010. [157]. 

i love summer rain... we took a walk in moda between the downpour of rain... it was beautiful.

05.june.2010.//05.haziran.2010. [156].

05.june.2010.//05.haziran.2010. [156]. 

i had my first art show tonight. it was such an amazing experience. thanks to all who came and all who helped make it a success.

03.june.2010.//03.haziran.2010. [154]. 04.june.2010.//04.haziran.2010. [155].

03.june.2010.//03.haziran.2010. [154]. 

i went to hang out with a friend and got a little lost on the way, but i saw some pretty clouds.

i forgot june 4th also....

04.june.2010.//04.haziran.2010. [155]. 

i hung out on bağdat caddesi after a crazy busy day preparing for my art show tomorrow!!! a fun tree on the way home...

02.june.2010.//02.haziran.2010. [153].

02.june.2010.//02.haziran.2010. [153]. 

a banana/honey/milk drink we decided to try. it wasn't bad, but sarah and nurettin didn't like it at all.

01.june.2010.//01.haziran.2010. [152].

01.june.2010.//01.haziran.2010. [152]. 

melinda's last day here was today. i don't know what i'll do without our third roomie who i always end up matching. sigh.