Entries Tagged 'Personal' ↓

Pinar and I are going to Barcelona tomorrow for 12 days.  This is the first time we’ve been there and we’re excited about the trip.  I know it’s last minute, but if you have any tips on places to see, food to try, or things to do, please let me know in the comments!
Updates on [...]

I’ve been spending a lot of time at the Center for Islamic Studies (ISAM) library, which is a great place to work and get to know other scholars working on Turkey, but I’ve also been spending a lot of time just getting there and back.  I’m currently staying with my in-laws on the European side [...]

…but I didn’t recognize him.  Very embarrassing.
(Check out PBS’s biography of Wallace Muhammed if you aren’t very familiar with him or need a refresher.)
I was at the Center for Islamic Studies about to have some sermons scanned when a professor I met last summer came up to me and said, “Hey Jim, what’s up?”  Next [...]

I’m in Istanbul now and about to begin fieldwork for my dissertation on Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs.  I got here on Friday, so I’m still dealing with jet lag, but it hasn’t been that bad, and I’m wondering if it has anything to do with the pound or two of cherries that I’ve eaten.  [...]

I can barely believe it, but yesterday was my 4th wedding anniversary.  It seems like only yesterday that we walked into the hall for our Turkish ceremony accompanied by an unrequested playing of the theme song from “Titanic” (maybe I can upload a video some day).  Kind of a shame that I’m now in South [...]

My wife had a successful naturalization interview yesterday and is now a U.S. citizen!  It was a really tiring day, but everything went smoothly, and we were home in time to unwind with a little Judge Judy.
I think I was probably more nervous than Pinar because instead of hiring a lawyer, I had handled almost [...]

I’ve been away from blogging once again because we’re preparing for Pinar’s naturalization interview in Newark tomorrow.  She’s mastered all the civics questions and all documents appear to be in order.  Our fingers are crossed.