Today we were with Ýlker Abi. For a work permit you apply to the immigration office, pay 55 $ and they stamp your passport. Look after yourself. Don´t do anything without checking it out first. Send a mail to this address now and again.

 My dear son. We are sending this mail from Çýnar´s computer. Write us a reply here. What have you been up to my boy? what´s it like there? How is school going? Have you got used to it, are you happy? Have you got a routine sorted out? What do you do about housework? What did you do about a job? What are your housemates like? Are you staying in the same house? Send us the telephone number. When can we call you? Did you sort out a cell phone? What did you do about the bank account? How are you for money? Can you tell us about there because Çýnar is thinking of going there too? We are well, don´t worry. Everyone sends you greetings. Don´t leave us without news. That´s all for now. We are waiting for news from you. Definitely write. I will check it every day. Your mother who loves you a lot.

 My dear son. My own lamb. Waatch out, what are you doing with these sharks. You can´t be friends with them. Don´t make me so worried. Definitely wear sunscreen when you go out in the sun. When your work permit comes through  you can get permission from your school for time off. If you tell the lecturers will they give you permission. Can you work comfortably at home on your lessons? How is your money situation? Tell us early before your money runs out. I am very happy you are OK. Take great care of yourself. Make more foreign friends so that you can improve your langauge skills. Lots and lots of kisses. Everyone sends you loads of greetings. When you sort out your cell phone send us the number. Kisses.

Hmm... if a Turkish parent is writing to a Turkish child, why are we translating it?

Reading someone else´s mail ... or a homework assignment ....??

 You don´t call me. I hear you have been in touch with Yiðit. Have you got used to everything? Are you happy, my little lamb, that you went? We too will probably get on the internet in a week. Tell Yiðit about the school and things there. Your father is worried about your money situation. If he puts money in your Halkbank account here, can you draw it out there with your Halkbank card? Tell us, OK? Lots of kisses. Take care..

 Agree with you. Ay! is used as an exclamation. It fits this context.

I would probably have used a freer translation to capture the Turkish expression into English:

Aah. What a lovely child! Not long left until I come.

 This film will be screening soon.

or

This film will be in the cinemas soon.

 I am well, name, thanks. Everything. What are you doing in Istanbul. I havent seen you for ages, but I was so happy to see you again. I send you kisses, too. Take care.

I learned that...
Explaining and writing relieves the soul

I learned that...
Two people can look at the same things and see something different

I learned that...
Diplomas hung on the wall

Are not enough to make someone human.


I learned that...
The word love loses its meaning with too much use.


I learned that...
It is hard to find the line between

not hurting the person opposite you and defending your beliefs.

(Is this a line for TC!!!!!! ????)

I learned that...
Nothing comes between true friends.
Or true lovers!

I learned that...
No matter how close they are

Best friends can hurt you from time to time

You have to forgive them.



I learned that...
Sometimes it is not enough just to forgive others.
Sometimes a person has to be able to forgive themselves.


I learned that...
No matter how much your heart bleeds with pain

The world doesn´t stop turning just because of you.

I learned that...
If you fall out of love quickly, you regret it for a long time

 Mayýsýn kaçýnda geleceksin?

What date in May will you come.

Kaç: comes from how many? or which number?

Mayýsýn kaçý= literally: which number of May= free: what day in May or when in May.