This Week I'm...

It's been pretty quiet around here since we're in "get ready for the move" mode, but I figured I'd post SOMETHING and it's been a while since I did one of these kinds of posts.  I always like reading them on other people's blogs, so I hope this serves as a little entertainment for you guys.

reading The Rooster Bar and honestly I just can't get into it.  It was one that was recommended to me by multiple people and multiple blogs/lists, but I find it slow.  Hopefully that will change.

listening to Luke Bryan's song "Most People are Good."  Guys, this song is everything I believe. 

I believe most people are good
And most Mama's oughta qualify for sainthood
I believe most Friday nights look better under neon or stadium lights
I believe you love who you love
Ain't nothing you should ever be ashamed of
I believe this world ain't half as bad as it looks
I believe most people are good

YESSSS! This.  Every single word. 

planning anything and everything related to our big cross country move. Mainly how we are all not going to go crazy in the car if Finn decides to scream the whole way. We will take any and all suggestions! Also, any good podcasts or audiobooks we should listen to?

teaching I have my last substitute job scheduled for next Thursday at my favorite school.  This is the part of moving I'm most sad about I think.  I have LOVED substituting and it's been so refreshing to use my brain and have something to call my own. 

eating all of the food in our refrigerator. As part of the move preparation, we are trying to clean out our pantry.  That has both its benefits and drawbacks.  For example, I'm going to make banana bread with the frozen bananas, but it also means that we might be eating ribs for the rest of our time in Groton. 

doing I'm really trying to work out regularly, which means twice during the week and once on the weekend.  I really enjoy the 21 Day Fix from Beach Body and it's the perfect amount of time for a naptime workout. 

Finn and I are heading home to Virginia this weekend while Mike goes to Washington to scope out our new crib!! We can't wait to see it in person (or on video chat for me) and for Mike to explore our new neighborhood.  I think we are both getting excited for our move out there.  It's funny.  Neither of us were too excited about Bangor when we got the initial orders, but it's really grown on us and I think we're both going to enjoy it. 

This Week I'm....

Mike is back country skiing in Kyrgystan with one of the Olmsted scholars based in China.  As disappointed as I am that he'll be getting a pin on our world map, spending my days hanging out in the yurt while they back country ski didn't sound as appealing as hanging out in the comfort of my own home. Luckily, I'm pretty okay with just hanging out by myself (although it's times like these where I really miss having friends in the same city) and have a long list of things I need and want to do.

So, without further ado, this week I'm...


reading The Color Purple.  I'm having a hard time getting into it, but really want to persevere.  It's also given me weird dreams at night, so I've had to make sure I'm not reading it before bed.

listening to the Popcast with Knox and Jamie! I love it and have recommended it to so many people! If you like pop culture, this is the podcast for you. I just listened to their 2017 predictions and they already got one right (Beyonce being pregnant, although I don't think anyone would have predicted twins). I've also been listening to Pod Save America, which is one of the many political podcasts out there.  The hosts are definitely liberal, but they have guests from both sides of the aisle.

doing all the yoga.  Anything that stretches out my lower back because it is tight.  I could sit in child's pose all day because it feels so good.

eating/drinking smoothies.  I had a craving for one the other day and have started making them for breakfast almost every day.

watching so many things!

• the pro bowl's kiss cam  this brought me to tears! The Orlando nightclub survivor! The two men! The friends! So much love!
• New Girl.  I watched the first two seasons on Netflix a while ago, but now they've added seasons 3 and 4 and I forgot how good the show is.  It's so easy and lighthearted, it's easy to watch a few episodes.
• All the Oscars movies! Mike and I saw Arrival this past week for Valentine's Day and it was better than expected.  I also went to see Jackie yesterday and really think Natalie Portman should get Best Actress.  I'm trying to figure out a time to go see Hidden Figures this week as well. Here is where you can access a lot of the different nominations. 

researching cars! We're going to need a second car when we get back to the United States.  So, the thought is that we'll drive the Golf until it's end (hopefully a few more years) and our other car will be an SUV/Mom car.  Since we'll be in Connecticut for at least one winter, we'd like something that's good to drive in the snow, but can also accommodate a baby and all of the gear that comes with him.   Suggestions?

 

In honor of National Drink Wine Day yesterday, I posted this picture on Instagram! Nine weeks (give or take) and counting....

This Week I'm....

Well, illness has hit the Hogan household in full force. Mike has been couch bound for almost a week now and the doctor asked him to come back on Wednesday for a mono or tonsillitis test. She gave him antibiotics, which seemed to have killed the virus and accompanying fever, but now he has some sort cough/congestion thing that sounds HORRIBLE and leaves him breathless every time he laughs at the 50 millionth FRIENDS episode we watch.  Mike and I, being the medical professionals we are, have ruled out mono because he doesn't have the fatigue that accompanies mono usually, which leads us think it's tonsillities.  He'll tell you it's from diphtheria since he's overdue on his shot, I say it's from the cold he's been fighting on and off for the past month. I'll let you decide. Luckily, I've managed to fend off this illness for the most part. I have a sore throat and feel a little congested, but nothing more than a normal cold would give you.  Knock on wood it stays that way.

Between the illness, cancelling our baby moon due to said illness (our life is a baby moon so we can't really complain), and reading about all that's happening in our country's politics (pre-existing conditions! A freaking civil rights leader! That press conference!), I figured we all needed a distraction.  I remembered that last year, I did a bunch of posts like this one and this one and figured it was a good opportunity to do another one!

So, here we go! This week I'm...

• reading I'll Give You the Sun.  I'm not in love.  It's a little too out there for me.  It has a good basic plot (twins who's mom dies and they are navigating being teenagers), but it's a little too artsy/day dreamy for my liking.  I'm about halfway through and am having trouble making myself read.  I hate when that happens. 
• listening  I just subscribed to a bunch of new podcasts.  Call Your Girlfriend, Still Processing, and The Popcast to name a few.  My go-to is still Story Corps, but these new ones seem promising.  Any other recommendations?
• doing  I've been able to work out throughout this whole pregnancy which I'm so thankful for.  I really think it's helped me feel better. In fact, throughout my first trimester, I really couldn't tell a difference when working out. The past few weeks though, I've been a little winded when working out.  I've been doing the Beach Body maternity workouts and they've been pretty easy, but this week I had to tone it down and do the third trimester workout (I'm almost there anyways!). I'm not upset, just trying to listen to what baby Maximus and my body is telling me.
• eating this avocado chicken salad.  So so good!
• researching new cars! We're going to need a second car when we get back to the States in August and it will most likely be a mid-sized SUV, so I've been trying to start researching so that we can test drive them right when we get back and make the big purchase soon after.  Any recommendations about what to look for, especially in a "mom car" are appreciated!
• watching The Americans.  We're about four episodes in and really enjoying it.  It's about two KGB spies who are living in the United States during the Reagan administration. Keri Russel and Matthew Rhys are the main spies, but the entire cast is great.  It's a good compromise for Mike and I because it's got the action for Mike and the drama/relationship stuff for me.  Definitely recommend it.  Thanks Matt and Katy!  I have a whole list of television shows that people have recommended, so hopefully I'll be able to knock some of those off leading up to and directly following Baby Maximus' arrival. 
• enjoying my manicure and pedicure!! In attempts to get out of the germ infested space known as our apartment, I went to get a manicure and pedicure yesterday and it was wonderful. #treatyoself
• watching/reading the Bush sisters' letter to the Obama sisters (I'm not crying, it's just the onion I'm chopping!).  Regardless of politics, I have a lot of respect for all four of these ladies.  I can't imagine what growing up with your dad as president must be like and they all handled it with grace and class (most of the time!) and have turned out to be an inspiration to women everywhere. 

"You have lived through the unbelievable pressure of the White House. You have listened to harsh criticism of your parents by people who had never even met them. You stood by as your precious parents were reduced to headlines. Your parents, who put you first and who not only showed you but gave you the world. As always, they will be rooting for you as you begin your next chapter. And so will we."  -Jenna and Barbara Bush

• passing along this image. You may have seen hearts floating around Facebook in order to raise support for breast cancer awareness.  While this is great because it makes people ask what the heart is for, I think this image does a lot more and I'm glad to see it popping up on Facebook just as much as the hearts.

Welp, that's pretty much it for around here.  Back to watching another episode of the Americans and fending off illness! Have a great week!

This week I'm...

I did this a month ago and really liked it.  I want to remember the little things as well as all of the big things we do, so this will hopefully document what a calm week in Izmir looks like.

decorating for Christmas.  We bought a (fake) Christmas tree yesterday at IKEA and if we were in the States, my Christmas loving heart would have just shriveled up because I swore I would never have a fake Christmas tree, much less one from IKEA, but desperate times call for desperate measures.  I'm trying to string out the Christmas decorating throughout the next couple weeks so I have something Christmas-y to do every day of Advent, but I might get excited and put everything up.  We shall see.

It may not have lights due to a different type of of outlets and circuits, it's crooked because the floors may be uneven and it's super fake, but it will do.  Now we just need to wrap some presents to go under the tree!

reading A Christmas Carol.  Well, I haven't started, but it's next on my list.  I'm really trying to get into the Christmas spirit here since I'm dreading the actual day of being away from family. I haven't read a Christmas Carol since I was eleven, so this is definitely overdue. I finally finished Station 11 and, while I think it was really well written, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

recovering from loads and loads of Black Friday shopping. Well, I guess this is really my bank account, but you get the idea.  I'm pretty much done with Christmas shopping, so I guess that's good.  And anytime I feel bad about how much I spent on things like clothes and Christmas presents, I just remember that Mike tried to convince me we needed an inflatable hot tub because it was half off. I convinced him otherwise.

smelling all of the scented candles my mom sent us in a Thanksgiving package! We've got all sorts of fall and Christmas candle scents! Makes me feel all warm and cozy.

enjoying cold weather! By cold, I mean in the 50s, but that's seriously cold for here.  It's so nice!  We're going to be in for quite a shock when we head to Groton in a couple of years after this "very cold" winter in Izmir.  Fifty degrees is tshirt weather for some, jacket weather for us!  It definitely makes us get in the mood for winter-y things.  We had (very spicy) chili for dinner and are currently cozying up with blankets on the sofa.

doing...I finished my last 30 day fitness challenges and really enjoyed it. I'm considering starting a few more, but our travel and visitor schedule for the month of December may get in the way.  Any suggestions would be welcome!

planning our big road trip for next summer. Well, really this is Mike, but I'm adding in my input here and there.  We're in the very early stages of planning a road trip through Eastern Europe.  Any recommendations and suggestions are welcome!

teaching a new student.  He speaks great English, but wants to take private conversation lessons a few times a week to practice speaking and learn different phrases and idioms.  Today was the first day and he's great.  Hopefully this will continue!

learning lots of Turkish...still! Wahoo! We finished the first month of class last week, so now we're on the second month of the first level.  I have an exam at the end of this month, so we'll see how much I have actually learned, but I feel like I'm learning a lot more and I feel a lot more comfortable using my Turkish in class.  The next step is to use it out in the real world....

listening has really been put on hold until I get my phone back since all of my podcasts and music is on there.  Although, yesterday, when Mike was supposed to be working on a paper, I heard Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" being played and sung from his office.  What a guy.


We'll be adding more Christmas decorations throughout the week, but Mike insisted that this guy get out of storage, stretch his legs, and have a glass of scotch!

We haven't put up any decorations besides the tree...and this guy.  Mike made sure he was comfortable in his new home....next to the scotch.  Quite fitting. 

This week I'm....

This week, I'm...

Reading: Station 11 and I just don't know how I feel about it.  It's been recommended to me by multiple people and I'm not loving it yet.  I'm about 30% through, so I'll stick with it, but it's not my favorite so far.

Listening: So many good things! The new Adele single, which I swear will never get old, has been on constant replay.  I've also rekindled my love for podcasts and have been listening to The Moth and This American Life whenever I can.  Now, if only Serial would come back....

Doing:  I decided I needed to change up my gym routine, so I've added the following 30 day challenges to my gym routine. I'm only on day three, so they're super easy, but 100 squats and 22 Up Up Downs on day 30 do not sound like fun.

 




Smelling:  I'm still obsessed with the pumpkin cheesecake candle that Matt and Katy sent us and I light it every chance I get.

Eating:  I'm not a huge quinoa fan (what is all the hype about?!?!?!), but this quinoa chicken parmesan was pretty good.

Planning:  Mike and I have wanted to host a Thanksgiving dinner for Turks ever since we found out we were moving here.  We're going to be celebrating our anniversary the weekend before and then we'll both be working or at school on the actual day.  We thought about doing it the weekend after Thanksgiving, but one of Mike's classmates who he's become good friends with is going to be out of town.  So, instead of trying to cram it into a weekday, we decided we're going to host Thanksgiving next weekend!!  As in NINE days from now.  Cue the freakout.  I've never made an entire Thanksgiving dinner myself and I feel that it is our responsibility to show our foreign friends what Thanksgiving is all about. We've invited some of Mike's classmates who are from all over Europe, so it should be interesting.  I'll keep you posted.

Learning: Lots of Turkish! This class is definitely going better than the last one, although we got split up into two classes today because there were so many of us and my teacher seems a little flighty, but oh well. I'm definitely enjoying it more and am hopeful that I can actually be able to speak with people eventually.

Teaching: We talked about the education system in Turkey in one of my classes and I think my heart was about to explode.  I could talk about the education crisis in America to anyone for hours on end, but it was fascinating to hear about education in Turkey.  They have the same problems the United States does x10.  One man, who is older and I was worried might not be as progressive when it came to education, summed it all up when he said "I don't understand why in the United States and in Turkey there is not equal education for everyone. Poor children need to learn too."  MY HEART!!

On that note, here's what I've been thankful for the past two days....

Wednesday: I'm thankful that I get to teach here, even if it's not exactly the type of teaching I want.  I saw some of my students from my Monday night class on my break last night and they were SO EXCITED to see me.  They bought me tea, gave me hugs, and were just so happy.  Mind you, they are only one floor away, but they were so excited to see me last night during the break.

Thursday:  I'm thankful for the commissary.  I know, I feel ridiculous saying that, but it's so true. When I walk into the commissary, it's like a little piece of America here in Izmir.  I went today and I was able to buy my contact lens solution right away.  Can you imagine trying to ask for that in Turkish?  It would never happen.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving dishes?  Least favorite?  Let me know so I can add/subtract them from the menu for next weekend!