tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45226192732322497742011-11-28T02:21:37.003+02:00challenging creative entrepreneursTarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.comBlogger811100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-18749021746653911492011-07-20T18:25:00.003+03:002011-07-20T18:25:46.177+03:00

Read this week’s blog post on my brand new site.A big thanks to Erica Schreiber for getting me moved to Wordpress.There’s still a lot of tweaking to do and my head is spinning with all the new things to learn, but I’m excited for the chance to grow.Keep watching www.taraagacayak.com as Rose Deniz works on my trade dress.See you over there!

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-70949078867064042412011-07-12T17:12:00.000+03:002011-07-12T17:12:43.438+03:00

MOMENT #2 by alainalele What is the biggest excuse holding you back from doing what you really want? Be aware that it may not actually look like an excuse. Instead it might look like: Distraction Procrastination Confusion Chaos Illness Allergies Helpfulness Habituation Phobia Indecision Uncertainty Charity Addiction __________ (fill in the blank) How do you know that it’s

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-62013880631130206352011-07-06T15:16:00.000+03:002011-07-06T15:16:09.247+03:00

Color Hearts by Inoc I’m working with someone who is about to take a certification exam for a career she loathes. You can see it in her face.When I ask her what she loves, she replies, "decorating".“What if you pursued decorating?” I asked her.And her face lit up at the possibility."There are two year programs to get licensed and you could start doing jobs now to build your portfolio."

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-8218521055061063992011-06-28T18:52:00.000+03:002011-06-28T18:52:40.686+03:00

A question I hear over and over again is: How much should I charge? Macro Dollar by Chris Dlugosz Recently I received an offer to sign up for a summer coaching course. This course promised six-weeks of one-on-one coaching with the goal of helping me achieve my grandest dream. The price tag? $55. I declined the offer. If that’s her idea of thinking big, I thought to myself, that’s

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-3422163015953155182011-06-22T18:00:00.004+03:002011-06-28T14:35:56.824+03:00

I’m working on a little campaign to build up the community on my Facebook Page. Here’s the deal … Post a link to your site, event, project, Facebook page, photo of your business card etc. on my wall I’ll promote it on Twitter.  It’s a good opportunity to promote who you are and what you’re doing and a great chance for me to highlight the creative entrepreneurs in my professional

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-47419033143500433902011-06-16T16:56:00.001+03:002011-06-16T16:57:07.806+03:00

Rain over Street Lights by S Marcu On Tuesday I was supposed to meet a friend on the European side of Istanbul. To get there from where I live on the Asian side I take a train, and a ferry, and a funicular with lots of walking in between. The minute I stepped outside of my house the rain came down in torrents. I wasn’t going anywhere. So I went back inside and I waited. An hour later

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-60058575720748718952011-06-08T18:00:00.002+03:002011-06-08T18:00:03.877+03:00

Abstract Lightbulb by Paul Tomlin If what you’re doing isn’t working, change what you’re doing. To change what you’re doing, learn.   To learn, find someone who is doing it better than you are, and take their class.   Joining Lindsay Wilson’s program was one of the best investments of time and money I’ve made in myself and my business. She did for me in six weeks what I couldn’t do

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-59069927431570124152011-05-31T19:00:00.001+03:002011-05-31T19:00:09.788+03:00

Last week I asked you what one step you’re taking to move forward in your business and you shared some very inspiring responses. One forward step that I’ve taken is to sign up for a small business class with Lindsay Wilson and it has been a turning point for Turquoise Poppy Consulting. I’ve learned tons from Lindsay in areas where I’ve struggled and I know the new skills I’ve developed

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-32636316131062133352011-05-23T18:00:00.003+03:002011-05-23T18:00:07.792+03:00

“One of the most powerful ways to establish peace in your life and restore your beauty is to live in harmony with your inner rhythms.” - from Awakening Beauty the Dr. Hauschka Way. During my month-long trip home to California for my sister’s wedding I found a book that tapped into what I’ve intuitively believed about beauty, but never consciously acknowledged - that when all the areas of

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-63775961170989440312011-04-11T18:00:00.000+03:002011-04-11T21:41:24.920+03:00

"Deprivation is the mother of failure."  "Make choices that are meaningful to you." - Mirelle Guiliano author of French Women Don’t Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure Rainbow Circus Candy by D Sharon Pruitt When I turned ten years old, I suddenly began having trouble with my weight. I’ve been on my fair share of diets since then and the only thing the diets have done is make me

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-51423433939468786792011-04-04T18:00:00.012+03:002011-04-04T18:00:08.233+03:00

Sarah Shaw likes to say "When in doubt, take the next step." When you don't know what to do next, start with what you do know. What you love What you want Where you see yourself What you wear What you eat Where you live What you drive How you work Then put that in contrast: What you hate What you don't want What style doesn't suit you What you don't want to eat Where you don't want to live

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-62238263276826072692011-03-29T16:00:00.002+03:002011-03-31T00:13:38.011+03:00

Blowing Underwater Circles by Christian Haugen  Do not limit yourself with: I can't I don't know how I don't understand I’m too old I’m too inexperienced I’ve never done this before It’s too late I don’t have the energy I don’t have the time I don’t have the money I'm sick Whatever it is that you want to do, know that it’s enough just to want to do it. The rest is simply a matter of

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-20962720490044005732011-03-22T16:00:00.008+02:002011-03-23T19:39:57.531+02:00

When you embark on the path to do what you love you will no doubt encounter a number of challenges akin to trudging through thick, dense snow in the dark of winter.  Some of these challenges might include: naysayers (people who’ll say you can’t do it) skeptics (people who don’t believe you can do it) temptation (to go for easy money doing something you hate) doubt (that what you want is even

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-91434494155150165022011-03-15T16:00:00.000+02:002011-03-15T16:00:17.407+02:00

What does it mean to be productive? Poppy Wall by A National Acrobat   Next month I’m traveling back home to California for my sister’s wedding. Not only do I have two years of catching up to do, but I’ve got to make every second of this special ocassion count. So I think productivity is doing the things that are worthwhile when you’ve only got a limited amount of time.   It’s about

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-79673765929835581232011-03-08T16:00:00.004+02:002011-03-08T16:00:03.677+02:00

You don’t have to do anything.   Explored by Nina Matthews It is perfectly acceptable to sit around all day and dream worry complain wonder fester cry sulk whine wish wander perfect research brainstorm It’s OK. Really. We all do it. But I have a feeling there’s something in you that you really want to do. Go and do that. I dare you. ….. Now through March 31, 2011 sign up for a

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-75572929361867150632011-03-01T16:00:00.003+02:002011-03-01T16:00:14.955+02:00

I have a secret - I love American Idol. Over and over in the show you hear contestants proclaim how being a performer is what they love to do - it’s their dream. Rainbow Clouds by Karen White But you know what? I don’t think doing what you love is about living your dreams.   I think doing what you love is about being who you are. Your dreams are just one way to gain insight into

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-23825462823021591992011-02-22T16:35:00.000+02:002011-02-22T16:35:01.431+02:00

One of the three things I plan to work into my life this year is how to be more productive.  Toward that end, two weeks ago Rose invited me to explore ways to manipulate time to my advantage. Time Flies by Neal Fowler One of my conclusions was that if I flipped time on its side and lived moments vertically (by diving into them) rather than horizontally (by counting them linearly) that I’

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-2833574667092331622011-02-01T16:00:00.002+02:002011-02-03T23:11:39.033+02:00

I’m used to living in duality. I live in two places, two religions, two cultures, two continents, two languages, two countries. Two of Arts by qthomasbower Living in between requires you to find a way to be both - to navigate your way between the two, and neither - to discover yourself amidst the division. Some say digital space is unreal, that it is a place to escape. But there are

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-72897517067079782432011-01-25T17:11:00.000+02:002011-01-25T17:11:39.117+02:00

The question was asked, “Why do all cities die while all companies survive?” City Inside Raindrops by taiyofj It reminded me of the question an English professor once asked us: “Why do languages die?” And the answer is that languages die not when they aren’t spoken, but when they stop changing. The things that die are things that cannot (or choose not to) maneuver or twist or bend or

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-76350192708377123132011-01-18T16:00:00.009+02:002011-01-18T22:31:31.437+02:00

DEFENSE When tensions run high and people start drawing lines between “us” and “them” I recall one of the things I learned as a psychology student - people tend to segregate themselves when they perceive a shortage of resources. At times when it appears there isn’t enough to go around, people feel vulnerable and threatened. To counter, they hoard, defend, segregate, differentiate. It is an

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-26970739409188819072011-01-11T16:09:00.000+02:002011-01-11T16:09:30.639+02:00

What is all this frivolous nonsense about following your passion? And what of this sappy talk about doing what you love? What kind of work is that? Heart Canopy from Mari Robeson* Who are you to follow your own path? And the different drummer? Please. Spare me. Who do you think you are? A free spirit? Able to do whatever you please? Wherever and however you like? Are you

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-78329375638460993412011-01-04T16:24:00.000+02:002011-01-04T16:24:23.581+02:00

If you have not met Oliver Sacks, let me introduce you. He’s a neurologist/author who has a fascinating and practical way of explaining how the brain works that helps us better understand how we work. abalone shell by featherlite In this NYT article, he describes some ways in which brain damage and cognitive deficiency can redefine our understanding of human capacity. His research and

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-11572168602833657932010-12-28T15:56:00.000+02:002010-12-28T15:56:50.718+02:00

Creative entrepreneurs are good communicators. Or at least they should learn to be. In The Science of Blogging, Dan Zarella suggests that you “talk as yourself, not about yourself”. But perhaps just a little side note that we’re going through a significant life challenge might be worthwhile. Golden Lights by EJMPhoto Because sometime in the course of your professional life you may be called

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-35117161407484970682010-12-14T23:53:00.000+02:002010-12-14T23:53:26.752+02:00

I’m currently reading and am fascinated by the book The Millionaire Next Door*. First published in 1996, authors Thomas Stanley and William Danko describe the counterintuitive habits of America’s wealthy as observed through their research. Reading this book has reassured me that building wealth is possible for anyone regardless of their income level. In fact, the amount of income you earn

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-25617223291914200012010-12-07T16:40:00.000+02:002010-12-07T16:40:59.400+02:00

We moved in September and I’m still trying to unpack. Seriously. The apartment building we moved into is brand new and for some reason unrevealed to me no one thought to wire the flats for telephone service when they were laying the foundation two years ago. In Turkey many people don’t even use land lines any more, but we rely on it for our internet service which means I was completely

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-73873430276488334812010-08-27T12:27:00.000+03:002010-08-27T12:27:22.714+03:00

Tuesday was my late grandfather's birthday. He was a rockhound. He loved rocks so much that he once left my mother at her aunt's house for a month because there wasn't room for her and his collection of Monterey jade in the car. And he left us these three pieces of Morgan Hill Poppy Jasper, found only in the small town where I grew up. I keep them in my Turkish home connecting me to my

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-83250526069045206502010-08-16T22:44:00.001+03:002010-08-16T22:50:11.516+03:00

You are in unfamiliar territory. All the rules have changed. To survive you write new rules. And you sense that something inside of you is superior to your circumstances. By digging to find more, you discover yourself. With that spark you craft a self-based endeavor that turns into a project, a business, a movement. Pink by Vincent Lock That’s what it means to bloom where you’re

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-20430129972927824432010-08-11T17:30:00.019+03:002010-08-11T17:42:37.635+03:00

This post, though a reaction to this one asking for white ambassadors to aid a black writer cross over, is not about race. This post is about the perception that we're on the outside of something. Or that we're in the margins. Or that we flow in rivulets parallel to, but never destined to unite with, the mainstream. And it’s about choice. And it proposes that we get to declare what

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-78939541705346894072010-08-02T08:00:00.006+03:002010-08-02T11:06:38.531+03:00

It's OK to want less. To shed yourself of the burdens you carry. To discard the weight in your pack. Relieve yourself of your sorrow and your worry and your need-to-be-there, need-to-do-that obligations. Because I know what you really want is more. More you. More of yourself. --- Words for you. Image: Turquoise Poppy

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-71842234014832482262010-07-26T08:00:00.005+03:002010-07-26T08:00:05.261+03:00

It's OK to want more. It's ok to leave the confines of your home; to listen to the stir of your heart and journey where it leads. Staying breeds longing. Going feeds wonder. Go. See. Tell us what you find. --- Words for my middle-aged friend from the village. Married so young with undying curiosity. Image: Turquoise Poppy

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-12549343019418889802010-07-19T08:00:00.001+03:002010-07-19T08:00:03.407+03:00

Whenever you are called, go. And wherever you go, be. Whatever you are, grow. And however you grow, be fruit for others. ---  Words for a Turquoise Poppy. Image: Elevage hors sol by alpha du centaure. Used under Creative Commons license.

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-38331451761059766792010-07-16T17:31:00.001+03:002010-07-18T13:16:16.676+03:00

~ You ~  work with words, colors, shapes, textures, tastes, technology, fabric, clay, light, shadow.  use your hands, your senses, your wit, your intuition, your calling.  And you are in motion, often uprooted, not resigned to one place or modality. ~ I ~ am a catalyst. A diviner of solutions. A designer of projects. A framer of ideas. An organizer of thoughts. hold up the mirror so

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-18058231219401200522010-07-05T08:00:00.001+03:002010-07-05T08:00:03.580+03:00

I wrote the first part of this list in 2008, six years after I'd moved to Turkey. Now, as we begin preparing for our move to the big city from the tiny town where I've lived my whole Turkish life, I decided to add more items to the list. I have learned (con't) ... Enjoying kunefe at Petek Pastanesi in Iskenderun the value of a summer house and the need to take some serious time away from work.

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-81013437271507594372010-06-08T12:09:00.001+03:002010-06-08T12:11:14.473+03:00

Last week I took a trip to Eski Foça, a tranquil coastal town built around several small inlets. While my husband worked, I spent Monday sitting on the beach, watching the sea. My friend and I jumped into the water and swam and swam and swam. On Tuesday, a motorboat went to work anchoring a small pontoon to the sea floor a few yards from the shore where we were sitting. Suddenly there was a

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-48710811987115351322010-05-24T18:11:00.002+03:002010-05-26T17:31:42.106+03:00

Last week I returned to a place that served as a major turning point in my entrepreneurial life. It was while dining with two ceramic artist friends of ours in Antalya five years ago that I realized how much I hated teaching English and how much I loved the company of creative people. That juxtaposition provided me a way out of the career misery I was in. I didn't know what I was going to

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-1238402502440282682010-05-11T13:03:00.004+03:002010-05-11T21:09:03.177+03:00

Two weeks ago ... Her: Tara, I want to apply to speak at this conference, based on the work I'm doing, what do you think my pitch should cover? I can't decide between these three things. Me: Why not find a way to pitch the three things together?  Her: Hmm ... let me go off and think about that. One week ago ... Her: Tara, thanks for your advice. I had some unexpected connections and have

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-3731272166150567662010-05-05T14:57:00.002+03:002010-05-05T14:57:30.421+03:00

Before she went on maternity leave, fellow ex-pat Amanda van Mulligen put out a call for submissions for her blog. The request was for posts describing the highs and lows of expat-life. I decided to write about how the lowest point of my life abroad was actually a gift that allowed me to reach the highest point. In this post Amanda inspired called Lost and Found, I described how in the throes of

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-14435648503473749122010-03-15T16:18:00.000+02:002010-03-15T16:18:16.199+02:00

My dear friends, if you do not hear from me for awhile, I have run away to London with Figen Cakir. We will be testing our wings at the Stitch & Craft Show in Olympia, London. Please wish us good luck, and if you are in London, please say hello. When I return in ten days, I wonder what amazing things you will have accomplished as you take root where you are. You will have to let me know ...

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-44995478018398935572010-03-01T16:17:00.001+02:002010-03-03T17:27:32.261+02:00

On Sunday I joined in the inaugural Art is Dialogue conversation with nine other expat women. Curated by Rose Deniz and hosted by expat+HAREM, the conversation dubbed Dialogue 2010 centered around the subject of living a hybrid lifestyle. Sezin even pushed the envelope to declare that not only was she living a hybrid life, but that as a third culture kid, she is a hybrid. I chose to name this

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-83411049654098129932010-02-24T17:46:00.004+02:002010-02-24T17:52:06.909+02:00

Words inspire me. When I hear or read something that stops me in my tracks, I scribble it down on whatever scrap of paper I can find and pin it to the bulletin board above my desk. Toward the end of last year my bulletin board got completely out of hand, so I took down the notes, but didn't want to get rid of them before recording them somewhere. Somewhere is here. And these are the notes

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-4593310599441188982010-01-13T15:16:00.001+02:002010-01-13T23:25:57.196+02:00

The world changes conversation by conversation. - Daniel Pink Last night I was lucky to catch the interview between Elizabeth Marshall and Daniel Pink on Author Teleseminars.  They were discussing his new book, Drive*. Originally I thought I would tweet some of my notes, but later I decided I'd list them here so I can come back to them later. The main topic of the conversation was

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-78295534925729481282010-01-05T16:54:00.000+02:002010-01-05T16:54:36.129+02:00

My friend and colleague Anastasia Ashman and I collaborated on this article for ExpatWomen.com. The article discusses how, as expat women and creative entreprneurs, we use different social media tools and applications to expand our businesses and platforms. Highlights: A summary of why social media is useful to people with mobile careers An example of using social media tools for online

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-36043514997006749762010-01-04T16:24:00.001+02:002010-01-04T16:26:17.862+02:00

I hope you had a nice New Year's celebration and are settled in, ready to tackle 2010. I'm looking at old projects with new eyes and continue to explore how to take them to the next level as well as how to develop myself professionally. This year I'm going to try something different with Citara's that has been simmering in the idea pot for awhile. It's uncertain how it will turn out, but I've

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-6371665392786197802009-12-28T17:21:00.002+02:002010-01-04T11:40:25.130+02:00

One of the things I love about being raised Catholic are the rituals. I also love going into the new year with a fresh start. In Henriette Anne Klauser's book Write It Down, Make It Happen* she describes a Native American celebration held during the solstice where tribes used an arrow ceremony to usher in the new year.   Let's Cheers Happy New Year by nImAdestiny CC BY 2.0 Several years ago

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-55161884211341446392009-12-22T22:56:00.003+02:002009-12-23T13:15:47.870+02:00

#377 from Back Alley Christmas by Darwin Bell / CC BY-NC 2.0 Warm wishes for a season filled with Joy, Hope, Peace and a little music.

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-39276101081310684552009-12-16T10:00:00.002+02:002009-12-16T10:45:31.402+02:00

First let me explain what a Turkish "Gold Day" (altin gunu) is. It's when a group of women decide to come together at set intervals (usually once or twice a month) to chat, eat, and exchange gold (or lira or dollars ... whatever they agree upon). Every woman in the group takes her turn hosting her friends so that by the end of the year everyone has been a hostess and a guest. And the hostess

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-25623873899820303572009-12-08T21:44:00.000+02:002009-12-08T21:44:00.236+02:00

 T Paperweight from Bixler and Johnson No doubt your holiday shopping is currently underway (mine should be but such is the life of a transplanted American with little holiday buzz to prod her). A Garden Affair by Candace Anderson Nonetheless, I would like to share the Holiday Gift Guide I created over at our Intarsia Concept blog. (All these images are from submissions we received)

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-55555096374559869232009-11-30T17:43:00.000+02:002009-11-30T17:43:18.336+02:00

You may have read last week's post I wrote for Behind the Bazaar. It focuses around the studio exhibit (in a palace no less) of a favorite Turkish painter, Reyyan Somuncuoğlu. Hürrem Specifically I highlighted four of the paintings (included here) from her harem works. These paintings are of four women who were married to sultans and had sons who became sultans. Interestingly, all women were

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-51638991451154007712009-11-22T19:52:00.000+02:002009-11-22T19:52:39.318+02:00

I'm both excited and daunted by the week ahead. On one hand, there are many fun activities in store for me this week. On the other it means I have to work double-time to make sure I can enjoy them. On Monday I'll be attending a TEDx event in Istanbul dubbed TEDx Bosphorous. I love the TED concept and am looking forward to spending the day meeting new people and discussing the videos we'll see.

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-24172455291751616512009-11-16T19:28:00.000+02:002009-11-16T19:28:44.842+02:00

Last week I wrote this post on how I use social media for my businesses. My panel partner Anastasia Ashman wrote a thought-provoking companion piece about how social media is an effective tool in self-actualization which created a great discussion (be sure to read the comments). On one of the forums I participate in someone asked about how to use Facebook Pages in conjunction with a blog. Rather

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-5930190973930206342009-11-09T23:35:00.000+02:002009-11-09T23:35:10.856+02:00

My friend Anastasia Ashman and I have been asked to speak on a panel addressing a group of expat women in Istanbul. The subject of the panel is using social media to develop your professional potential, so I've been thinking more critically about how I do that. For reference, I have started three online businesses focused mainly on handmade products and creative entrepreneurship.  I rely

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-59719780179291085592009-10-09T11:59:00.000+03:002009-10-09T11:59:28.619+03:00

It begins with a thought that passes like the faintest breeze: "I need music back in my life." And the thought persists for a time. Not discontented, just the feeling that something is missing. And then she sees the movie August Rush and the thought turns to a burning desire that is difficult to ignore. "There must be music," she declares. "Where is the music?" Just at the point of despair

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-1262763385295127612009-09-20T11:32:00.000+03:002009-09-20T11:32:25.152+03:00

Today marks the first day of celebrations at the end of Ramadan. Cihan's parents are here with us and my mother-in-law and I are busy in the kitchen preparing holiday goodies. So I will keep this post short and sweet. If you came to visit us at our home, we would offer you chocolate from this dish in celebration of Şeker Bayramı (The Sugar Holiday). Since you are a virtual visitor, I will

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-81420139355505435302009-09-18T17:49:00.000+03:002009-09-18T17:49:47.866+03:00

Person I Just Met: It's nice to meet you. Me: Me too. *See image note below* PIJM: Since you're American, do you give English lessons? My daughter is in fourth grade and she's just started learning English in school but I want her to have private lessons. Me: Oh, I would love to help you, but I'm so busy with work. PIJM: Oh, where do you work?  What do you do? Me: I work at home. PIJM:

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-44754119459897757272009-09-16T16:30:00.000+03:002009-09-16T16:30:54.548+03:00

Today Cihan's parents arrive and will stay with us for a couple of weeks coinciding with the end of Ramadan. This is a very big holiday and as in most holidays that I know, it is best spent with family, so I'm glad they'll be here soon (like one hour from now). Yesterday Cihan and I did some shopping to prepare for their visit and also to get ready for the holiday. Since it was Tuesday, most

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-61314574558131654172009-09-09T15:18:00.000+03:002009-09-09T15:18:34.190+03:00

Earlier in the spring I planted some herbs, lettuce, and tomatoes on two of our three balconies and flowers on the third.  Though it hasn't been the harvest I dreamed about, I have had some mild success.  Last weekend while my husband was away I decided to treat myself to Turkish breakfast to help me miss him less (yes I admit to having an unhelpful habit of using food for comfort). What is

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-18973516867169000962009-09-07T20:06:00.000+03:002009-09-07T20:06:29.985+03:00

If you follow our Intarsia Concept blog, you might have noticed that we've been working with a group of artisans affiliated with the Municipality of Golcuk. My friend Dilek who is the Director of the art gallery asked us if we would take the group on one of our artisan excursions. We happily agreed and set about making our plans. With everyone on tight budgets, we wanted to arrange the day to

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-39204240266091777292009-09-01T14:41:00.007+03:002009-09-03T21:03:30.063+03:00

My dad often says, "It's great to be alive today." Specifically he is referring to advances in technology and the amazing ways they allow us to do things and connect with each other. As an American in Turkey living far away from my family and my culture, Information Technology is my lifeline. There are so many opportunities online and there is so much to do and discover. And there are so many

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-45565391921781160232009-08-31T14:49:00.007+03:002009-09-01T14:45:00.570+03:00

I once heard that the reason the olive branch is the symbol for peace is that it takes seven years for an olive tree to produce fruit. Places where olive trees are to flourish must not only be suitable for their growth, but must have also remained free of conflict in order for them to have enough time to develop. If you need more proof that olive trees grow in peaceful regions, read my friend

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-60070003624479929072009-07-29T13:26:00.008+03:002009-07-30T13:37:19.479+03:00

Growing up in California, I'd never heard the concept of "summer house".  I mean, it was sunny California for heaven's sake!  And we always enjoyed summer where we were whether going to our neighbors' pools, heading to any number of beaches, or taking small camping and backpacking trips.So when I moved to Turkey and started hearing about people off to their summer homes on the Aegean or

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-14550434137827450852009-07-22T16:30:00.004+03:002009-07-30T13:36:18.339+03:00

Several years ago, my paternal uncle, a retired doctor who has taken up painting, asked if he could paint something for me.  Normally I prefer to let the artist choose his inspiration, but he left it up to me, so I thought for awhile about what I'd like to have hanging on my walls in Turkey (strangely devoid of artwork considering that my mom is a painter too).  California Poppies by George

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-38079391392286328612009-07-13T16:23:00.003+03:002009-07-30T13:34:52.991+03:00

Here is a piece I wrote some time ago.  I shared it with my friend Anastasia who, among tons of things, has a blog that is a cultural conversation of "raising the feminine voice on issues of culture and history, self improvement and the struggle for identity".  She suggested I post it somewhere, but where I asked.  My BYW friends recommended that I write more about expat life in Turkey, which has

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-40487408218674427452009-05-22T11:28:00.005+03:002009-05-22T12:36:50.310+03:00

I recently completed a blogging course given by the illustrious Holly Becker of Decor8.  During part of the course we were placed in groups in order to take a more critical look at our blogs.  I was fortunate enough to land in a group of creative, talented, and very supportive women bloggers and would like to acknowledge each of them and their beautiful blogs.Robin- Luxe Earth: Robin's blog is

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-82123427885903764172009-04-18T09:42:00.006+03:002009-07-30T13:33:38.947+03:00

Hi! No, I have not fallen off the face of the planet,  but I do feel like I've been hibernating since last fall.  I tend to do that in the winter.  And during my hibernation I've been doing quite a bit of work over at Intarsia Concept (IC) which has restructured my work-life in general.  I've also been doing tons of tweeting both as myself and for IC.  So I guess I haven't really been hibernating

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-28106237737982296922008-10-17T08:57:00.008+03:002009-07-30T13:32:08.139+03:00

I've been urging my mom for awhile now to get her artwork online and she's finally done it.  You can click here to see for yourself.  She specializes in pastels and concentrates on local (Northern California) landscapes.  Of course I'm biased, but I think my mom is very talented, and after growing up amidst her artwork in various forms, from ceramics to mixed-media, I do believe she's really come

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-26266647766252801862008-10-05T19:46:00.011+03:002009-07-30T13:29:25.758+03:00

On the ferry with Topkapi Palace on the hill behind meI just finished reading Turkish Reflections by Mary Lee Settle. This book was recommended to me by an American ex-pat who I met on the plane home from my first trip to Turkey. Part of the Destination Series put out by Touchstone Books, Turkish Reflections is Mary Lee Settle's journey through time and place in Turkey. As my friend Mary Ann

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-75667462084769597002008-09-22T20:16:00.006+03:002009-07-30T13:28:09.664+03:00

photo credit: The Martha BlogI have been a fan of Martha Stewart since my senior year of college when I first discovered her magazine (not yet published monthly at that time) at the home of a woman I nannied for.  It really resonated with me as I've always been very connected to "home".  Well why, I can hear you ask, would someone so enamored of home move half-way across the world in a place so

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-33102510728469100572008-09-06T19:01:00.004+03:002009-07-30T13:25:22.926+03:00

I recently learned about BookMooch and think it's fabulous.  You create an inventory of books you want to give away and a wishlist of books you want to receive.  Using a point system you get to partake in this big, global book exchange.  It's a pretty simple system and a great way to give and receive books - all you pay for is the cost of shipping your books!My clever friend Rose even mooches

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-83900183221020289292008-08-13T10:11:00.009+03:002009-07-30T13:23:49.816+03:00

Photo of Walter Cunningham, author of LAUNCH Magazine's Viewpoint columnPhoto Credit: http://launchmagonline.com My dad, a nuclear engineer, sent me this link to Launch Magazine today which I would like to share because I think it is an interesting contribution to the conversation on Global Warming and illustrates the significant role of science.  To this conversation I would like to add

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-75901416087649508442008-07-20T09:49:00.009+03:002009-07-30T13:22:28.846+03:00

Last night as I was falling asleep, I was inspired to begin this list of all the things I've learned since living in Turkey.With our family in CappadocciaI have learned ...how to hang laundryhow to make souphow to bake bread from scratchtaking off your shoes before entering the house keeps floors cleanthe joys and perils of body waxingto compromisewhy tolerance is imporantwhat to wear for tea the

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-88669652262777192052008-02-21T09:53:00.005+02:002009-07-30T13:10:26.957+03:00

from www.animalvegetablemineral.comThanks to my friend Rose, who lent me the book I just finished reading: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. It is funny that the year I decide to grow herbs and some summer veggies from seed on our balconies that this book would fall into my hands (Rose knows me so well).For some time now I'd been yearning to eat seasonally. It started when my

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-1404431853988070632007-11-19T21:17:00.002+02:002009-07-30T10:55:13.067+03:00

Maureen and Mom in front of First Street CoffeeMy mom is an artist who specializes in pastels. She has several pieces on display at Leedo Gallery in Gilroy, California. Leedo Gallery concentrates on local subjects and landscapes, so the pieces she has in the gallery are all of local subjects.Recently, the owner of Leedo Gallery, Jerri Kuehn, approached my mom about hanging some of her pieces at

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-80515342677628963642007-11-09T09:15:00.001+02:002009-07-30T10:50:39.870+03:00

Today as I was hunting for something and I found this article about 50 Reasons to Love Turkey from the Turkish Daily News that Sema had forwarded to me back in March. I decided to add it to my blog as I think it's a cute little article and fun for anyone who wants a small taste of the joys of living in Turkey.

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-16806031040509860932007-11-06T23:58:00.002+02:002009-07-30T10:49:43.766+03:00

Karrie & RoseKarrie and Rose had their art opening on Tuesday, November 6th at the Golcuk Art and Cultural Center. Entitled Uyanik Ruya: Dream Awake, it was quite exciting as the mayor and governor were both present for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Also showing photographs from his travels to South America was travel journalist, Mustafa Andic.Mustafa Andic, Mayor, Rose smiling in the doorway,

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-1700683453168052832007-09-13T21:22:00.002+03:002009-07-30T10:45:59.415+03:00

Today is the first day of Ramazan - the holy month of fasting. We wish "Hayirli Ramazanlar" to all of our friends.I hate to admit it, but before I lived in Turkey, I naively thought that Muslims fasted for the entire month without eating. Now I know better of course.Early in the morning, before the sun rises, a drummer strolls the streets calling to people to wake up for "sahur". Sahur is like

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-23585603597273294332007-09-09T17:13:00.001+03:002009-07-30T10:41:50.233+03:00

We've had a really hot summer and have been living with all the windows open for the past several months. But in the last week or so I have found myself closing various windows around the house as the temperature has been getting cooler (thankfully). Despite this window-closing behavior, I hadn't really been paying attention to the changing weather.When we woke up this morning, Cihan said, "It's

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-28517827190055158052007-08-13T15:59:00.001+03:002009-07-30T10:35:42.391+03:00

On Thursday, August 9th, my friend, Rose, treated me to lunch for my birthday. We typically meet up once a week anyway, but she made this day extra-special for me by planning a lunch by the sea. It was a great day spent with a dear friend. Thank you Rose!Rose is by training and by talent a painter. She created this card for me which is a nice example of her artwork. When I first met Rose, I

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-85559617852386951652007-07-30T15:54:00.002+03:002009-07-30T10:24:01.861+03:00

We spent the past weekend on Heybeliada visiting friends Mary Ann and Ben Whitten. It's always an adventure getting to the islands from our home as there is no direct route. From the base, we get on a bus to Yalova. From Yalova we get on a seabus to Kartal. Once in Kartal we get on a ferry to Heybeliada. It is an exercise in planning to make sure each mode of transportation gets us to the

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-51447073417840202602007-07-25T19:30:00.001+03:002009-07-30T10:21:07.381+03:00

I was tickled by this article from the Monterey County Herald that Lou Pales sent to me yesterday. Apparently Kusadasi, Turkey, and Monterey, California are now sister cities. We have personal connections with both places.Cihan and I met at graduate school in Monterey, California. We were in the same class. He helped me with my C++ homework, and the rest is history.The year we got engaged, we

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-81391784853433376832007-07-20T17:54:00.003+03:002009-12-11T10:13:02.587+02:00

Today my friends Karrie, Rose, Figen and I met with Dilek Percin, the Mayor's Advisor and International Projects Coordinator at the Golcuk Art and Cultural Center. I should make some introductions here. Karrie is my kanka from California. Her husband is also Turkish. Rose is another American friend of mine who lives nearby in Izmit and with whom I meet regularly. We encourage each other in

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4522619273232249774.post-18425636828298500242007-07-20T00:17:00.002+03:002009-07-30T10:12:57.733+03:00

During a fundraising event for the Global Women's Leadership Network, I met Deepika Bajaj, founder and President of Invincibelle Inc. She has created an online forum for multi-cultural women to gather together, learn from each other, and share their experiences. Normally she interviews women who have immigrated to the United States, but after hearing my personal story of emmigrating to Turkey,

Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16707473559945628750noreply@blogger.com0