If this is your first time reading these monthly life updates, welcome!
I am happy that you are here. These life update posts are a way to share things that I am working on, enjoying, and struggling with. They are honest conversations about my life in a particular month. But I think more than anything, they are a diary of where I was, am, and now are heading.
My Dad Goes Back Home
After a year and a half of living in the US, we decided that it would be best for my father to go back home. While he enjoyed his time here with me, he found it challenging to live in a country where he doesn’t speak the language.
I was the only person that he could talk to and since I am working all the time, he was having to spend all his time by himself. We did look for a Turkish community in Atlanta but that meant that he would have to drive, which he was not comfortable with.
Plus, the high cost of health insurance (especially for a 75-year-old man) in the US made it an easy decision for us. He already has great insurance and a group of doctors in Turkiye he can visit whenever he needs to.
When I tell you how hard it is to establish that from scratch here in the US, I.mean.it.
Long story short, he is now home. I saw his face literally light up when he entered his house, which made me so happy.
Istanbul Is Always So Beautiful
After I dropped him off, I decided to take a few days off and stay in Istanbul to be with friends and family.
To me, there is something so magical about Istanbul. I don’t know if it is the memories, food, or just the charm of the city, I can never get enough of it. Also, I think being so far away from it and being able to only see it every few years make me miss and appreciate it more.
While there I went to a few popular restaurants and of course, to the grand bazaar. I did some shopping and a lot of eating. I am listing a few of the places below in case you decide to go there someday:
- Meroddi Barnathan Roof Top: The best views of Istanbul and Galata Tower. It was hard to get in but the views were breathtaking. You can have a bite to eat there but I would recommend it for drinks and views more so than the food.
- Lokanta 1741: Believe it or not, this restaurant is located in a historical Hamam (aka Turkish Bath). The restaurant is located on the top floor and offers outdoor seating. It is an open patio surrounded by brick walls. It feels like you go back in time and are now in Ottoman times. The menu consists of traditional Turkish dishes made with a modern approach. With every bite, you first recognize the taste, and then as you chew more you feel like this new version is better.
- Muutto – Anatolian Tapas Bar: Located in a new-to-me area called Galataport, Muutto is a restaurant located right on the coast with Bosphorus views. It is one of the many restaurants on that strip. Small yet high-end space with a very creative menu. As the name suggests, they serve Turkish food with a modern twist, tapas-style. It is great because you can taste a lot of different dishes without feeling full right away.
If you want to see more photos of my trip, watch this and this video I shared on Instagram.
While restaurants around Istanbul were wonderful, I have to say, nothing in the world beats my aunt’s cooking. Just like my mom, she is an incredible cook. All of the Turkish recipes I share on my site are ones that I learned from my mom and her sister.
One evening, the whole family gathered in her house and she treated us to some of the old family recipes. Needless to say, not only I ate SO much but also had to best time seeing my extended family members.
Dwight Is Home
You know what they say, one door closes and another one opens. After living and working in Maine for a year and a half, Dwight moved down to Atlanta. He made the decision to move after my dad decided to go back.
Even though it has been just a few days, I already love having him home. We bought our house almost a year and a half ago and he never got to live in it. As you can imagine, we are so excited to spend time together as a couple and enjoy our house together.
What Is Working
Now that you are up to date with life things, I will continue in my usual format and talk about what is working and what is not working. Let’s talk about the positives first:
- Planning & organizing around the house: I wouldn’t consider myself an organized person. It just doesn’t come naturally to me. But I am realizing that I get frustrated in chaos so I have been very diligent about taking the time to organize things around the house. Of course, watching Netflix shows related to organizing definitely helps.
I recently organized my pantry and recorded myself as I did. You know, vlog style. It is currently being edited and I plan to publish it within the next few weeks. I have never done a vlog before and I cannot wait to hear what you think. - New Outdoor Furniture: If you have ever shopped for outdoor furniture you know that it can be super expensive. I have been saving up for it throughout the year but looking at some of the stores I like I was worried that it would have to wait another year. Oh well… We got lucky and found exactly what we were looking for at a Home Goods store. And it is totally within our budget!! Don’t you love it when you find something you really like at a good price?
What Is Not Working?
- Shootings & Children: Like many of you, I had a very tough time last week. I felt for the families who lost their loved ones. It was hard to get out of bed knowing that there is a parent out there having to wait on a DNA test to find out if her kid was killed. I am sad and angry about gun violence in America. While I know that it is not my job to talk about politics, I couldn’t help but acknowledge what happened in an email I sent to my subscribers. It was interesting to see that some people appreciated it while others asked me to stay in my own lane and only share recipes. I didn’t answer those emails as I just didn’t have the bandwidth for it but it showed me once again that this issue is not going to be resolved any time soon.
- Adapting to things takes a long time: I don’t know if it is an age thing but I am finding it harder to adapt to change. Going to Turkiye for 7 days, leaving my dad behind, getting ready for Dwight moving back, and running an online business at the same time, I am tired and overwhelmed. I know it is all good things, but it feels too much. I used to be able to do it all but I just can’t anymore. Nowadays, I am taking long breaks in between things. I guess that is what getting old means. It really hits you.
I Leave You With This
If you have been following me for a while you know that I lost my mom to a sudden heartache at the age of 59 (you can learn more about it in this video). It was so unexpected that when it happened I felt like a rug was pulled under me.
Going back home, to the house that I grew up in, was difficult because being there without her in it is just so hard. When I am here in the US, it feels like she is back home (not dead just far away) but when I am physically there it feels like she is actually dead.
I don’t know if what I am writing makes sense but I know one thing for sure: Tomorrow is not granted and anything can happen at any time to any of us.
Give a tighter hug to your family today. Tell them you love them. And write down those family recipes. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?
Until next month… Be safe friends.
Aysegul
Laura Czinski
Thank you once again for opening your heart. I enjoyed your photos and stories about traveling to see your relatives. Best wishes to your dad. So happy Dwight is back to enjoy your cooking.
Enjoy the summer with your new patio furniture.
Hugs, Laura
Aysegul Sanford
Thank you Laura. I appreciate your sweet words.
Elisabeth
Always touches my heart to read your words 🙂 And your recipes make my multi-cultural household so happy!
Aysegul Sanford
This note warms my heart Elisabeth. Thanks for taking the time to read it. 🌷
Jessica
Love this sweet thing and love you! Always here for you and with you!
Aysegul Sanford
I love you too my friend. <3
Sonja
Hi Aysegul-
I have been following your cooking posts for many years but somehow this was the first Life Update. Thank you for sharing. I loved it and will definitely follow as well now! My father is from Tehran and every time he goes back home he gets that same smile. America has some wonderful qualities but affordable healthcare is not one of them. Additionally, gun violence has become as American as apple pie—hopefully your followers can understand that in addition to making marvelous food, you are a human, with a heart, and our children are being murdered in their schools. Thank you for talking about it. Thank you for caring. We need more of that in this country. ❤️
Aysegul Sanford
Hi Sonja,
I felt so vulnerable sharing some of this stuff, but I am so tired of social media portraying everyone’s life so perfectly that I felt the need to be true to who I am and what I am going through. Reading your words made me feel understood. Sadly, life is not always made up of peaches and cream. Some things are just hard. And at least in this small corner of the internet, I get to say what I feel. The fact that it resonated with you makes my day.
Thank you for your beautiful words and for taking the time to write. Sending you peace and sunshine.
Aysegul
pmetros
Thank you for a very interesting informative article about events in your life!
I Enjoy your recipes also!
Aysegul Sanford
So happy to hear it resonated with you Pmetros. Thanks for taking the time to read.
Linda B
Thank you so much for your honesty and willingness to share your feelings. I think we are all hurting and have been for some time. I also appreciate your courage in sharing your concerns and feelings – it’s a comfort to know someone across the country faces the same challenges. I also appreciate your beautiful and healthy recipes. I only recently signed up with you, but look forward to every email, thought, and recipe. Please take care.
Aysegul Sanford
Hi Linda,
It warms my heart to know that my words resonated with you. You are right, we are all hurting in some shape or form. Between the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, kids dying, and general life stuff, it is easy to feel like everything is just bad, but I guess sharing feelings helps.
I am so happy that our paths crossed. If you ever have any questions about any of the recipes I am just an email away.
cheers!
Aysegul