My British Post

All of this Royal Wedding coverage is making me pine for another trip to England, and I've been there three times already! Can you say spoiled brat?

I wasn't going to post on all the hoopla of the wedding, or even watch it; however, I caught a little of the pre-ceremony and ceremony, and I actually enjoyed watching it. It's nice to see something so jubilant amidst reports of war, riots and tornados. Sometimes we as humans need to overindulge in moments of happiness when everything else is falling apart; it's not a distraction, but rather, a saving grace.

On a more superficial note, I adore Kate's dress. Grace Kelly much?

This is exactly the kind of wedding dress I would wear. Understated, elegant and not overly showy or pretentious.

Love, love, love.

Like, I said, all this U.K. footage is making me want to visit England again. I'll refrain, for awhile at least. In the meantime, I got the urge to post old photos of when I visited in 2009.

Who doesn't love being nostalgic??

I miss England!!

Music Challenge, Day 2: Your Least Favorite Song

I hate this song so much I don't even want to put it on my blog.

I HATE THIS SONNNNNNG!!!!! How did anyone ever like this godforsaken song?!?

The Challenge so far:

day 01 - your favorite song

***

It's almost incredibly rude of me to say that the South (and well, half the U.S.) is having a "bad day" with all the tornados demolishing EVERYTHING over there. In all seriousness, I'm praying for all of you in those dangerous tornado zones. Hurricanes and tornados scare the HELL out of me, and I don't know how you guys deal with it!!

Music Challenge, Day 1: Your Favorite Song

To copy Miss Felicia, I've decided to do a 30-day music challenge. I'm not planning on participating everyday, but mixing in the music posts with regular posts.

Day One: Your Favorite Song

It is extremely hard for me to list my favorite song. Like Rob Gordon, I'm more keen on doing a top 5, as moods change with each day and it's so hard to have a song that is your favorite favorite. It's like having 5 children and picking one as your favorite child, a ludicrous idea. But for the sake of this challenge, I will provide you with my favorite song today, and a constant top 5 favorite of mine:

I will always be in love with Motown, and Marvin is probably my favorite Motown artist. They just don't make voices like his anymore. I don't like any remake of this song, including that 2001 travesty of a remake that a bunch of subpar artists did to honor 9/11.

My father played Motown in the car early on, and I remember loving "What's Going On" even then. Without knowing the subject matter of the music, I was still drawn to the sincerity and pain in Marvin's voice. This song still draws me in. Whatever it is that makes an artist a GREAT artist, Marvin always had it.

The list, if you are interested in joining the challenge:

day 01 - your favorite song
day 02 - your least favorite song
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
day 04 - a song that makes you sad
day 05 - a song that reminds you of someone
day 06 - a song that reminds you of somewhere
day 07 - a song that reminds you of a certain event
day 08 - a song that you know all the words to
day 09 - a song that you can dance to
day 10 - a song that makes you fall asleep
day 11 - a song from your favorite band
day 12 - a song from a band you hate
day 13 - a song that is a guilty pleasure
day 14 - a song that no one would expect you to love
day 15 - a song that describes you
day 16 - a song that you used to love but now hate
day 17 - a song that you hear often on the radio
day 18 - a song that you wish you heard on the radio
day 19 - a song from your favorite album
day 20 - a song that you listen to when you’re angry
day 21 - a song that you listen to when you’re happy
day 22 - a song that you listen to when you’re sad
day 23 - a song that you want to play at your wedding
day 24 - a song that you want to play at your funeral
day 25 - a song that makes you laugh
day 26 - a song that you can play on an instrument
day 27 - a song that you wish you could play
day 28 - a song that makes you feel guilty
day 29 - a song from your childhood
day 30 - your favorite song at this time last year

By the way, Happy Easter =)

Perfectly Acceptable Ashley

It's totally acceptable...

• to be fine with over-indulgence, like dipping a hershey's bar into peanut butter and having no problem with it what-so-ever. I have an inner fat kid.

• to stop talking in mid-conversation when a good song comes on the radio. DON'T TALK TO ME! I'm listening to my jam. We can resume our convo after the song is over, thanks.

• to, on the subject of music, completely waste the day finding new musical loves. I think this a perfectly productive way to spend the day. I'm stealing this video from the musically-enlightened Donny, who is always schooling me on new bands. I love it. This song is peculiar and beautiful, to describe it one breath.

Favorite Thing Thursday: Gettin' a Job

It only seemed appropriate to post my news on a Favorite Thing Thursday.

I got a new job!

This comes at a great time seeing as I have a little debt from Turkey (from the over-priced plane ticket back, to be exact).

I don't want to post too much about where I'm working, as we all know that many have gotten in trouble by posting too much info about work on their blogs. But what you can know is that I'm going to be an Admissions Advisor for a university that specializes in online education. This is a great opportunity for me because I've been interested in the advising role, and possibly getting a Masters in Educational Counseling.

So, here's to not being a broke-ass dead beat and for having a job, yo.

I'm Likin' It

Oooo...I'm liking this gritty, primal, bluesy song a whole hell of a lot.

I'm not usually one for country-flavored music, but this definitely has my attention. It makes my skin crawl just a bit, but in a good way.

Happy Easter!

Like the eggs that my friend Rachel and I made??

photo by Rachel

I made the one with the flowers and the one with wine :D

To learn how to do it, visit Rachel's blog, for she is my crafty friend!

My All Time, Top 5

In true Rob Gordon fashion, I thought it would be fun every now and again to do a Top 5 list. I know Donny sympathizes with me.

So, just to catalogue it, here are my Top 5 favorite concerts that I've attended in my life:

5. The Fray (The Fray Summer Tour, 2009): To be honest, I didn't expect a lot from this band, but they kind of blew me away. Some bands are just really good at live performances, and The Fray put some kind of mellow trance over their audience. I felt refreshed and energized after the concert.

4. Foo Fighters (Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace Tour, 2008): This was the first time I went to a concert and was only feet away from the stage. What an experience! Dave Grohl commands the stage like a boss, and I was delighted to be close enough to literally feel Dave's sweat. Kind of gross, but why not brag?

3. Robyn (All Hearts Tour, 2010): Another concert where we were lucky enough to be right by the stage. Robyn held my hand at one point (YEAH, held my hand). That pint-sized blondie is a FORCE to be reckoned with. Hard to take your eyes off of her. And she adores her fans.

2. A tie between Justin Timberlake (FutureSex/LoveShow, 2007) and Maroon 5 (Hands All Over Tour, 2010): I know it's a cop out to list two shows, but this is one where I can't decide! We caught Justin's show at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, and Justin was brighter than the strip. I was mesmerized by his dance moves, his voice, the lasers and the fact that I was in the same room (er, stadium) as my first love! Fast forward to Maroon 5. I was in love with the energy of this concert. Adam Levine sounded perfect. Oh, and there was that time during the encore when he pointed at me. I will never forget being sexily pointed at.

1. Smokey Robinson (Live at the Del Mar Fair, 2009): Motown Legend. True seasoned perfromer. Charming as hell. Nuff said.

There are a few concerts that almost made the list: Boyz II Men, Incubus and John Mayer.

Part Three: Alaçatı, Turkey

Alaçatı was very close to Çeşme and reminded me a little of Greece from the village-y, stone feel of the whole place (not that I've been to Greece).

This place had lots and lots of charm. So instead of telling you about it, I'll shut up and just show you now:

Colorful doors might be my favorite :)

Cute spaces filled with bright colors and rustic touches.

More shots of the village...

Bazaars!! I love all the extremely fresh produce I found in this place :)

Turkey is famous for nuts and dried fruits.

Hey what's up Mr. Cock-a-doodle-doo?

Don't know why I was so drawn to this table, but I feel as though I could spend hours there drinking many cups of delicious Turkish tea (right up there with English tea).

Basically, Alaçatı was just plain adorable. I saw old village women in worn dresses with scarves tied around their heads, carrying their groceries as they navigated their way around the cobblestone streets, and I felt as though I was walking in a past time. I liked the simplicity of this place, as if technology hasn't reached the bright doorsteps; however, I hope it stays that way--simple and pure.

One Nation, One Flag, Nothing Else

I'm feeling a little feisty this week, and I felt like venting about something that has bothered me for quite sometime. With it being the 150th anniversary of the Civil War (today), it seems appropriate.

We are the UNITED States. United. So why is it, when I visit the south, I still see the Confederate Flag up?

I've been given many excuses for this: it's about Southern pride, tradition, heritage. But you cannot leave out that it is a blatant symbol of slavery. You cannot remove a flag from its original intended purpose, that is, to be a symbol.

I, more than anyone, understand wanting to connect to your heritage. I am all about Turkish culture. However, when something from your heritage (i.e. a flag) emits emotions of fear and pain from more than half of the population, one should not be so proud of that thing.

Furthermore, all regional flags in the U.S. should have been thrown out when we created the AMERICAN FLAG. We are not regions with different flags, but one nation with one flag. I would have the same rant if the Union decided they were gonna fly their Civil War flag. Because, as we all know, the Civil War is OVER and has been settled. So why still carry symbols from that blood bath? We need to move forward with one flag that unites us.

I'll leave you with a line from my Dad...whenever he would visit the South, he would inevitably hear, "The South shall rise again!" To which, he would respond with, "High enough to kiss a Yankee's ass!" But hey guys, really, let's try to get along.

Perfectly Acceptable Ashley

It's perfectly acceptable...

• to be overly grateful to the clever fellow that thought to put a radio inside a car. Someone, long ago, thought of this FAB idea so that I could rock out to Foo Fighters in my Honda. Rock on, Dude. You might be one of my favorite persons ever to have danced on this earth (in your car).

• to feel extremely proud of yourself after making your first batch of fresh strawberry jam. Who knew it was so easy? I'm never buying icky jam from the store again!

• to relish taking a shower in YOUR shower after being in a foreign country and using foreign showers for almost a month. I'm picky about showers (a weird quirk of mine?) and my shower is juuuust right.

• to pick up, move to another country, expect to stay a year, realize that it's not right to stay a year, then move back home. Basically, it's PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE to change your mind...do what's right for YOU. And don't let anyone tell ya otherwise!

(Wrote this post to break up all the picture posts, which is perfectly acceptable. More pictures to come!)

Favorite Thing Thursday: Çeşme, Turkey

It was only fitting to put Çeşme in my Favorite Things series. It's one of those places that will forever have a piece of my heart, in all its dazzling beauty.

It was the one "city" in Turkey I knew I could live in, but didn't have much to offer in the way of jobs. If I am ever so lucky to have extra money to kill, I am so buying a summer home in this place!!!

Top: The town; Middle: Shimmering sea all around; Bottom: I loved all the colorful houses by the water!

I was soooo wishing I could sunbathe but it was a little chilly that day. The sand was calling my name!

An old Ottoman Fort, very well in tact.

Inside the Ottoman fort is a museum, full of old cannons, keys, buttons and many artifacts. FASCINATING.

View from top of the fort!

I have so many more pictures of this place, but I won't show my 25 pictures (or so) of the water. Why am I so mesmerized by the water?!? It also killed me to be so close to Greece (a 30 minute ferry ride) and not go...not enough time in the day!

I almost didn't want to advertise Çeşme. Its charm is in its quaintness. Not many foreigners know about it, only Turkish citizens. It gets packed in the summer, so I suppose I shouldn't call it quaint, but it's still oh-so-charming. There's something other-wordly about the idea of laying next to a sea (of this beauty) and seeing Greece in the distance. It is a huge fantasy of mine to hang out for weeks on this beach, writing my days away, exploring ruins, only shedding my bathing suit for my pajamas.

I know I'll come back to it someday.

Part Two: Izmir

Now when I think of this city, so many thoughts flood my mind. It is not a city in a far away land, but a place I actually tried to reside in for a small time. I had placed a lot of dreams and fantasies here, but instead was greeted with reality, sometimes an unwelcome but necessary acquaintance.

I learned so much about myself in Izmir, and for that I am grateful.

The photo tour:

Clockwise from top left: Sitting by the Aegean Sea; The famed clock-tower in the center of Izmir; Efes, the beer of Turkey; Turkish friends that I met through couchsurfing.

The Turkish flag, EVERYWHERE. I love it.

A park in the middle of the city.

Proof that I am a Turkish Gangstaaaaa.

Some picture proof of the crowdedness of the city. Perfectly fine for some, smothering for me.

A Michael Jackson bar & restaurant. I WAS IN HEAVEN!

A very intense warning on a cigarette pack. haha!

Turkish motto: If you ain't gotta place to park, use the sidewalk. :D

Top: Kordon, the wavy walkway by the sea. Middle: My couchsurfing roommate's kitty. Bottom: An AWESOME puppet show we attended. One of the best performances I have ever seen.

And so my Izmir post comes to an end. There's not much more to say, other than it's been real!

**Listening to "Last Goodbye" by Jeff Buckley.

"Oh the bells in the church tower chime, burning clues into this heart of mine."

Let the Pictures Commence! Part One: Istanbul

So, I've been to Istanbul too many times to remember (I think 6?); therefore, I don't have that many pics of old buildings and touristy things...I have those all in hard copy, old school form. Maybe I shall scan them one day to show you all (like the Aya Sofia, my favorite building of all time, I think).

So here was my experience in Istanbul, 2011 edition:

On the plane to Turkey.

My cousin Begüm =) Probably the family member I am closest to!

View of Istanbul from my family's window.

My uncle Semih.

Delicious and healthy Turkish breakfast. Turkish cheese is a lot like French cheese, basically WAY TOO GOOD!! On top of this, I adore Turkish tea. Mmmm...I'm having cravings.

A Turkish desert, called keşkül, a kind of vanilla/custard/pudding dish. It's mighty tasty!

Mo (the Morning Monster) came to Turkey with me to act as my travel gnome, a la Amelie. Here he is deathly afraid the birds are going to eat him alive *gulp*

Istanbul! The Asian Side in all its glory (since there is a European side too).

That's all for Istanbul, actually. I was only there a few days, so, hope you enjoyed a small glimpse!