As quite many people have got 'interested' in me living in Turkey for the last year, I thought Id post this in public, also to save me from sending everyone a PM on this topic, as time is precious

Some of you know that, against all odds, I passed the mathematics/İQ exam YÖS, that is used to accept foreign students to Turkish universities. However, when making up a plan B in case I couldnt pass, I realised that plan B might be a better plan after all.

And that is why I decided to do my first year of Turkish Language and Literature in Holland at the Dutch State University of Leiden. It is a high-accredited university and has a centre for the middle-eastern world. I have educational reasons to do this (the subjects in the first year are of a wider range in Holland because we start from 0 and this basic knowledge of history, politics, islam, osmanlıca and media might make me a more successful student at EGE Ãœniversitesi in İzmir), but can't say that my ratio is in a fight with my heart. But I hope that this reason will also make a more guaranteed future for the both of us (for as far as possible).

I have gone to EGE Ãœniversitesi yesterday, and asked if I can go from year 1 in Holland to year 2 in İzmir, and they say that if the programme is the same or if I take extra classes, I will be accepted at the second year of EGE

Just thought you'd all like to know how this goes on. Its not official or definite yet, but it looks like Im gonna start my propedeuse in Holland and graduate in Turkey

Can someone translate these sentences with bağlaçlar for me?


01. Her mihnet kabulüm.

02. Tek güm eksilmesin penceremden.

03. Ben senin her dediğini yaparım, yeter ki sen iyi çalış!

04. Beni senden hiçkimse ayrılmaz, illâ ki ecel!

05. Öğrenciler sınıfta bağırıştılar, gürültü ettiler, tâ ki öğretmen geldi, sustular.

06. Ben ona öyle bir söz söylemedim, velveki söyledim, bundan ne çıkar?



I can sort of translate them but would like a native to translate so I can be more sure!

Yes. Turkish hospitality is the thing that can make me feel both welcome and unwanted at the same time. What do you do when someone insists on you staying, though you know they have something to do or anything else?

If I ask Kadirs housemate if I can stay a bit longer, if its no problem, I expect an honest answer. After all as a guest you dont want to bother someone and I wont be offended if someone honestly says he is tired and would rather sleep. As a matter of fact, I long for someone to finally say that to me again

Once we were waiting at the busstop in the rain with groceries. A friend saw us and brought us home by car. The fuel-light already was lit up red and he himself lived on the other side of the city.

I wonder where hospitality ends and socially-desirable behavior starts. We all have it, but what is so wrong with saying 'No' every once in a while? As a foreigner, I havent been able to distinguish my own limits as a guest. When is leaving early rude, when does 'too long' start?
Will I be ruder not accepting the offered goods and leave at a 'desirable' hour, or will I be unknowingly rude when I keep accepting and dont object the 'stay a bit longer' words?

Id feel more comfortable to know someone is honest with me, than sitting somewhere and not being sure if my host would rather do something else.

Sezen Aksu - Yanmışım sonmuşum (at powerturk tv channel right now This is the firs t time I see a music video of her!!!!)

The programme makes it look like we all use drugs in Holland We may have a bit of a freedom problem and youth starts smoking young, but I have never used any drugs, nor have any of my friends