Hmmmmmmmmmmmm, as 2011 begins its final quarter, so does my life. This year marks for me the third and. hopefully, last dramatic lifechange. At 58, I find myself (and probably like many others of similar age) separated from my other half (silly, I used to say "better" half) and facing the prospect of re-entering a somewhat hostile workforce after 15 years of staying home and raising four daughters.
Hostile? Yes, I think hostile is a good word for an entity that views you as over-qualified (don't you love hearing that) or not having a degree that qualifies you to type, file and make coffee (as in associates degree preferred..I'm sorry but for a clerical position you need an associates degree to qualify when 30 years of secretarial experience can't get you an interview). Yes, I think hostile is a very good word. Jaded, another very good word. And on the subject of words, who else hates the words closure and issues?
But enough of hostile and jaded. I am not a down kind of person although my opening tone sounds like it. My summer started with a remarkable trip to Turkey that was planned before my husband proclaimed his revelation of wanting to spend the rest of his life without me. This did not dampen my enthusiasm for visiting Turkey as travel is really something I should be doing professionally. I do it very well, even as my aging body complains of aches and pains in places I didn't know existed before. And I am fortunate to have a strong stomach that deals with changes in food and environment also very well.
This trip gave me the chance to meet Turkish couples and their children in their homes, to meet Turkish students and visit schools, and become friendly with Darye, a wonderful young woman who chaperoned and translated. In the late 70s I was lured to Istanbul by pictures of its exotic skyline and romantic names such as The Golden Horn and Topkapi Palace which is home to the absolutely dazzling Emerald Dagger. On this trip I spent more time in Istanbul and visited Darye's family home. Her mother gave us each a teaset to remind us that there is no other tea in the world that rivals Turkish tea! A very kind and thoughtful gift, and something that typifies the nature of the Turks.
As this is my first foray into blogging, I'm not sure how long it should be so I'm going to stop here and continue later on my Turkey travels. I hope anyone (anyone......) who reads this has liked it so far. Thank you in advance.
