Dairy/ Diary: Bad Bad News...

Unfortunately, I had a very low point in last KPSS examination which was on Oct. 31. I wish I could explain this by using more flowery words; however, I can't. Such words don't change the constant truths. On the other hand, I've studied harder for a whole month since this was my last chance in this year. I believe, I did my best and I'm fine with my effort. The thing is... I'm just quite broken and I don't know whether I take the same exam in the future.

Enough!... I really got bored with all these examinations. Yet, there's another test I will have in December: ALES. I don't know, I can't think about it. Solving the previous ALES tests is good way. This gives me a few clues about the form of the test and about the questions, subjects. I don't know how... Anyway, life still goes on and... Just ENOUGH!

Second bad news is sad, mad and dangerous (for mum) to know. Mum's 30- year- old mixer is broken! She has mourned for a week and after that we began a search for a new, good, well qualified, ergonomic, economic and easy to use mixer. Though, mum is reluctant as she couldn't find any of these qualifications in the mixers which she tested in shops. There's one she liked in fact; a multi- usable thing: Kenwood Chef, a kitchen aid. But... I'll mention it later.

Methinks, mourning for a kitchen utensil is very bizzare. Probably, the mixer meant much to mum. Otherwise, this isn't the mood of our mum.

There's a good news apart from the other boring ones: Mum has a job! Instead, I was looking for a job and... :p I'm kidding. On December, mum is gonna start working in a bistro- cafe's as a chef, in Cihangir. That's why she's looking for such a perfect kitchen aid, to use at work!

Mum seems happy as she met the lady who is responsible with the cafe last week. She and mum are gonna work together in the kitchen. Well, mum keeps the details of the job for herself and I respect her "not telling to anybody now" tempt. I'm as happier as she is because I know how she got bored with staying at home and cleaning our mess. Additionally, she is an expert in cooking and she always prefers natural and healthy things in the kitchen. All these make her preferable. I can't think of anybody replaced by mum in this world. Meanwhile, I must learn how to cook some practical things because mum won't be at home.

Nowadays, there's a rush in home. Mum and I are doing preparation for Kurban Bayramı (Festival of Sacrifices: a traditional feast which is celebrated by sacrificing a cow, a calf, a sheep or a goat to God in order to thank for the goods He has given) We're cleaning every corner of the house. It's injustice, a cruelty to do all stuff and be tired when dad is peacefully sitting at his office and my brother is studying for university entrance exam and going out with his friends to courses. Such work isn't good for me as it gives me a spine ache!

That's all for this week. Me?... Well, as I said, I'm broken and I missed old school days and friends. Hope I'll see them soon.

ATATÜRK, ATA'M

Ata'mızın 72. vefat yıldönümünde, sevdiği şarkılarla anmak istedim ve soldaki player a Harmandalı, Yanık Ömer, Cana Rakibi Handan Edersin, Manastır Türküsü ve Vardar Ovası'nı ekledim. Hepimizin bugün Atatürk'ü hatırlarken, anarken bu şarkıları ve ses sahiplerini hatırlamamız dileğiyle...

Ulu Önder'i anlatabilecek kelime bulmakta zorluk çekiyorum. Türk Devleti'ni çağdaş devletler seviyesine yükseltmiş, milletimize egemenliğini kazandırmış ve Cumhuriyet'i hediye etmiş; Türk insanına sonuna kadar güvenmiş; insana, bilime, eğitime, sanata, geleceğe sevgisi çok büyük olan bu ileri görüşlü mükemmel lideri anlamak ve anlatmak bir eğitimci olarak benim için çok önemli diye düşünüyorum. Hele ki şu son birkaç yılda şiddeti artan terör olayları vb. daha burada yazamayacağım tartışmalar göz önüne alınırsa...

Her fotoğrafında ve resminde; heybeti, masmavi bakan gözleri ile beni olduğum yere mıhlayan, içimi titreten, hiç görmeden özlediğim eşsiz insanı çok büyük bir saygıyla anıyor; kendime, onun bize bıraktığı en büyük mirasa sahip çıkacağıma söz veriyorum.

Bu son şarkıyı player a eklemedim. Biraz da internette gezinip siz bulun, sahibinin sesinden dinleyin.

Sözlerini ve söyleyeni aşağıya yazıyorum.

Hamiyet Yüceses

Nihansın Dideden Ey Mest-i Nazm

Nihansın Dideden ey mest-i nazım

Bana sensiz cihanda can ne lazım

Benim sensin felekde çaresazım

Bana sensiz cihanda can ne lazım

Revadır matemim tutsa felekler

Bana insan değil ağlar melekler

Havaya gitti hep bunca emekler

Bana sensiz cihanda can ne lazım

Dairy/ Diary. A good day...

Winter's comin' huh? I've been dealing with flu for a week. Be careful with your health!

Me, myself & studying again... KPSS examination will be repeated on October 31. Today, I'm on my off- day and searching for templates on the net; for my blog. I'd like to personalize my blog nowadays. But how?...

I've found a job! I'm going to start working at my old high school for a year. It's a private school and many of the teachers I love and respect are still working there, in high school English teaching department. So, I will be in comfort! This job will enable me to do my teacher trainee and gain experience. However, the school couldn't offer me any money as they claim, the trainees aren't paid in any of private schools. Somehow, I accepted the job and I'm beginning in December.

There's a controversy on my left foot which I had operation 3 years ago. There's been an oedema effect and pain since last summer. So, I've been visiting my doctor for 3 weeks and having some injections on my foot. It seems this treatment will help. Otherwise, I will have an operation again.

Meanwhile, I've made my mind up: I'm going to go to England in summer! In fact, I'm in England. I feel like I'm in England. Well, there's a book I've been reading and the author has inspired me a lot. Yet, I'm not drunken! I'll mention my plans after I have the exam. Now, just know that I'm happy, happy, happy...

I met with a friend today. We walked in Moda, Kadıköy; the place where I live. I haven't had such a great time for a month. Now, I'm home. Home sweet home... Home warm home... It's bizarre but I feel lonely. What's wrong with me?

I'm listening Damien Rice nowadays, as usual. This song is one of my favourite. If I were to produce a film, I prefer it to play in some of the scenes. I hope, the link is linkable!

Hey Everyone, DUYDUK DUYMADIK DEMEYİN!!!

I've come across with this news on the Internet. Click on the following links and read more please. I hope I'll have time to translate the news into Turkish, soon, so that Turkish bloggers can understand. The project makes sense; especially for linguists, English teachers and my friends and instructors in universtiy. Perhaps, yo can find something suits to you. Videos which are on the actual site can tell more.

This is the article's link on an online newspaper:
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=young-european-filmmakers-on-roads-with-istanbul-express-2010-09-28

And this one is the project's actual link:
http://www.nisimasa.com/istanbulexpress/

On Oct. 10, the filmmakers are to be arrived in Istanbul.

Dairy/ Diary: KPSS Again?

When I first heard the news of KPSS Education Exam cancelation, I wasn't very surprised. I just tried to figure out how I would study after a year of hardwork and unhappiness and the word in the title became an enemy to me. "AGAIN!!!???" It's a kind of word we say if we/a friend has a gratis love affair to someone. Or we say it if we do the same mistake we usually do, like forgetting key of the house at home. It's a nightmare!

On the other hand, it's a big chance, an advantage for me to increase my grade to be appointed. I believe, I can do it well in the next examination. This is not only studying; but also thinking positive. Wanting is the half of achieving! Yes, I can do well...

As you guess, I've begun studying to make my lacks up. I'm doing tests, reading all day. Luckily, I have nothing else to do. Or... Do I? I prefer spending some days with some friends, shopping and going to a theatre to watch a movie or even reading. However, I'm cancelling them all till November 1. As soon as I heard the news, I knew I would cancel my entire social life! And it makes me sad sometimes. :(((

Wish me luck, everyone!

PODCASTING...

Hi,

This new idea has struck me since I've been thinking about watching, listening, reading in English. And maybe dreaming... I've just registered to BBC Podcasts and chosen this for you. Please, leave a comment after watching.

This is the first podcast I've published; but I've a plan: I'm planning to do an online- listening activity. (or so- called a listening lesson) I'll select a podcast each month and publish it on my blog by giving a hyperlink on the title. You can leave your comments or ask questions when you couldn't understand something. Or, simply, you can ask some basic listen& understand questions. For instance, who is speaking?, who is the story about?, what happens when...? English Language Teachers!!!! This is for you also.

Have a nice week.

Dairy/Diary

HAHAA!

Mum& Dad are coming back today. I cleaned and tidied the house yesterday. Today, I'm baking a cake for my parents so that they will eat in the afternoon, when they come. I'm planning to make the cake with youghurt as there's no milk left and I've googled a bit. I'm gonna try one of mum's blogger friends receipt: Hünerli Bayanlar I'll publish the cake's photos on this post later; of course, if it will be accomplished.

Thank you for the receipt, Hünerli Bayanlar!


Here are the photos and the receipt of the cake! As I promised...
Ingredients:


1) 4 eggs
2) a pinch of salt
3) 2 cups of sugar (I used glasses, to measure each liquid ingredient, instead of cups.)*
4) a half cup of oil ( I used olive oil)
5) a cup of yoghourt
6) 3 cups of flour (the receipt says 2.5 cups but I preferred 3 cups as the yoghourt was a bit juicy, saucy or watery, whatever you call it.)
7) some lemon zest (it gives both good smell and good taste.)
8) a packet of baking powder and a packet of powdered vanilla
9) a half table spoon of nescafe (a half of it is enough. The receipt says 80 gr. bitter sweet chocolate. Yet, I also like nescafe in the cake.)


Method:


Beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and then add the sugar. Continue beating until the sugar is mixed well in the mixture. It takes 5 or 10 minutes.

(You must be sure whether it is mixed well. So, dip your index finger's tip and take a little mixture. Then rub it with the index finger and thumb. There mustn't be any crystall of sugar.)*


Add the olive oil, a little lemon zest and a half spoon of nescafe. In this step, you must take a risk: do you want a very sweet cake? Or do you prefer the sugar amount in this receipt? Just give it a try and taste the mixture. If you think it is so bitter, add a bit sugar.




After that, prepare the granulated mixture (flour, powdered vanilla and baking powder) by sifting them together. Sifted flour always puffs the cake up. Add this dry mixture to the one you make before. (eggs, sugar, oil,nescafe mixture) Pour the hole mixture into a baking pan or a cake mold.


(Mum has an old sheet iron mold which she prefers to bake cakes. I didn't give up this tradition and I used this same old sheet iron mold. I applied some butter inside of this mold before I pured the mixture into it. Butter or oil, it doesn't make any difference; but each of them prevents the mixture to stick on the mold. If you prefer to use silicone molds, then you're lucky.)*


Preheat the oven 180 Centigrate and bake the cake in 45/ 50 minutes.

(Observe whether the cake is puffed and becomes brown a bit or not. Do not open the oven before 45th minute. After this period, you can check it by sticking a knife. If the knife is clean when it comes out of the cake, it means the cake is baked.)*


Well... Bonne Appetite!