I seriously overdosed on milk and honey corn flakes today—relishing each perfect bite during both breakfast and dinner, polishing off the entire box! But I’ll have you know that a box of cereal here is like a third of what it is in the States—so let’s be clear! ….Ahem.
My day off today was actually much more interesting than that little tid bit. March 8th not only happens to be Women’s Day in Turkey and all of Europe, but Muslims also celebrate Mohammed’s birthday. What made the day so great for me, though, was that wonderful Vesna took me, her 5-year-old son Nicola, and her mother to Istanbul’s famed center gathering place Taksim Square. I wish I had photos of the great European buzz and cobblestones, but my dang camera laid dormant in my bedroom all day instead. Next time.
Anyway, Taksim was great. So many fun shops, of course—both the expensive and bargain kind—and incredible food selection. Tons of people, most of them wearing black (don’t ask me why), spouting all sorts of languages, and giving us two tall blondes a good stare-down (stare-up, rather?) before passing. It was fun to watch how generous Vesna was with her son, and with all of us for that matter—with food, attention, patience, and small gifts. She is away from him so much because of volleyball, so it was clear that this time with him meant a lot for both of them.
Besides these precious moments with Nicola, Vesna’s main mission was to pick up some shoes some guy in an lone alleyway shop had made for her—yeah, this is how people overseas solve the “I can’t find my size anywhere but Payless” issue. It was fun to see her flash the shiny new pumps with big-time heels. I was overwhelmed by the “borrowed” designs of Gucci, Prada, etc. nodding like snobs at my own big feet and dusty brown shoes. Anyway, I ended up ordering a couple pairs which totaled to an obscene amount of money (remember, I’m the girl who cringes if the shoes at Payless aren’t on clearance). Apparently they only need seven days to make me the “perfect shoes.” Although I still twitch a little when I think about my wallet, it was kind of fun to splurge on my feet for once. Plus, black boots and tan sandals are actually quite practical choices, wouldn’t you say? …Good answer.
So about the big important Poland match from last week… We WON! We beat a talented team in 4 sets amid a constant blare of whistles and drums. This means that when we face them again this Wednesday at home, we have to win at least 2 sets in order to move on to the European Final Four in Italy! So we will see. No word yet on the Armani warm-ups. First, we have to get better; I have to get better in practice tomorrow. Looking forward to working on my neutral read position and quick hand penetration on the block (for you volley-buffs).
And now you may be expecting the deep stuff next, right? How can Tracy actually do a blog without exposing yet another piece of her bleeding heart? Okay, okay. Of course there is much I could say here—like about how some revelations have begun to surface as to what the deeper causes are to some of my struggles here. But, lucky for you, I don’t feel like going there right now. Instead, I will leave you with a piece of truth I encountered yesterday that is both beautiful in its imagery and challenging in its depth.
If clouds are full of water,
They pour rain upon the earth.
Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
In the place where it falls, there will it lie
Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
Whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
As you do not know the path of the wind,
Or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
So you cannot understand the work of God,
The Maker of all things.
Sow your seed in the morning,
And at evening let not your hands be idle,
For you do not know which will succeed,
Whether this or that,
Or whether both will do equally well.
Ecclesiastes 11:3-6
My day off today was actually much more interesting than that little tid bit. March 8th not only happens to be Women’s Day in Turkey and all of Europe, but Muslims also celebrate Mohammed’s birthday. What made the day so great for me, though, was that wonderful Vesna took me, her 5-year-old son Nicola, and her mother to Istanbul’s famed center gathering place Taksim Square. I wish I had photos of the great European buzz and cobblestones, but my dang camera laid dormant in my bedroom all day instead. Next time.
Anyway, Taksim was great. So many fun shops, of course—both the expensive and bargain kind—and incredible food selection. Tons of people, most of them wearing black (don’t ask me why), spouting all sorts of languages, and giving us two tall blondes a good stare-down (stare-up, rather?) before passing. It was fun to watch how generous Vesna was with her son, and with all of us for that matter—with food, attention, patience, and small gifts. She is away from him so much because of volleyball, so it was clear that this time with him meant a lot for both of them.
Besides these precious moments with Nicola, Vesna’s main mission was to pick up some shoes some guy in an lone alleyway shop had made for her—yeah, this is how people overseas solve the “I can’t find my size anywhere but Payless” issue. It was fun to see her flash the shiny new pumps with big-time heels. I was overwhelmed by the “borrowed” designs of Gucci, Prada, etc. nodding like snobs at my own big feet and dusty brown shoes. Anyway, I ended up ordering a couple pairs which totaled to an obscene amount of money (remember, I’m the girl who cringes if the shoes at Payless aren’t on clearance). Apparently they only need seven days to make me the “perfect shoes.” Although I still twitch a little when I think about my wallet, it was kind of fun to splurge on my feet for once. Plus, black boots and tan sandals are actually quite practical choices, wouldn’t you say? …Good answer.
So about the big important Poland match from last week… We WON! We beat a talented team in 4 sets amid a constant blare of whistles and drums. This means that when we face them again this Wednesday at home, we have to win at least 2 sets in order to move on to the European Final Four in Italy! So we will see. No word yet on the Armani warm-ups. First, we have to get better; I have to get better in practice tomorrow. Looking forward to working on my neutral read position and quick hand penetration on the block (for you volley-buffs).
And now you may be expecting the deep stuff next, right? How can Tracy actually do a blog without exposing yet another piece of her bleeding heart? Okay, okay. Of course there is much I could say here—like about how some revelations have begun to surface as to what the deeper causes are to some of my struggles here. But, lucky for you, I don’t feel like going there right now. Instead, I will leave you with a piece of truth I encountered yesterday that is both beautiful in its imagery and challenging in its depth.
If clouds are full of water,
They pour rain upon the earth.
Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
In the place where it falls, there will it lie
Whoever watches the wind will not plant;
Whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
As you do not know the path of the wind,
Or how the body is formed in a mother’s womb,
So you cannot understand the work of God,
The Maker of all things.
Sow your seed in the morning,
And at evening let not your hands be idle,
For you do not know which will succeed,
Whether this or that,
Or whether both will do equally well.
Ecclesiastes 11:3-6
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