I woke up around 10 a.m. today since I had another insomniac night. I prepared some tea, put it in my thermos and packed the couple slices of cheese pie along with a good book and off I went to the shoreline.
It was very crowded so, I did not dare to rent a bike this time.
I walked, had my brunch, walked some more, read my book, enjoyed the sunshine, watched the people who were out to enjoy the nice day.
7236 steps and 4 hours later, I came home, made a cup of Turkish Coffee and started typing this. It feels good. In an hour or so, I will hit the shower, read and rest some more till dinner time.
My dinner is ready; all I have to do is to fix a salad. So, I am all set for the day. On days like this, I feel that life is a blessing all through my bones.
Hope, everybody is having a great time this weekend.
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Spring is in the air!
Today is a gorgeous day but I did not spend time outdoors as I should have. It was 62 degrees F, 17 degrees C.
Tomorrow I intend to get up early and go for a long walk by the sea. I will take a book with me so, when I feel tired, I can sit and rest a while. I intend to pack a small picnic brunch. I just made a cheese/onion/parsley pie by using fillo dough. I can pack a couple slices and a small thermos of tea.
I just snacked on a green aplle and a slice of gouda cheese with cumin seeds. Does that sound odd? It tastes good!
I will start seeing a dietician on Monday. I must focus on my health as I now have lots of time in my hands. I am trying to move as much as I can but that is not nearly enough. I will make a schedule to walk at least 30 minutes every day for two weeks and then, I will try to walk 30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes in the afternoon.
I bought some chicken breasts and minced/chopped meat. I will make meat patties and freeze them today. I have salad fixings and the amount of food at home will last me at least a whole week if not more.
The cheese pie was something I missed lately and since, I will get back on a diet on Monday, I will have a few slices and freeze the rest although, it is a fairly healthy version.
Have a great weekend! Hope the weather is as good as it is in your neck of the woods.
Tomorrow I intend to get up early and go for a long walk by the sea. I will take a book with me so, when I feel tired, I can sit and rest a while. I intend to pack a small picnic brunch. I just made a cheese/onion/parsley pie by using fillo dough. I can pack a couple slices and a small thermos of tea.
I just snacked on a green aplle and a slice of gouda cheese with cumin seeds. Does that sound odd? It tastes good!
I will start seeing a dietician on Monday. I must focus on my health as I now have lots of time in my hands. I am trying to move as much as I can but that is not nearly enough. I will make a schedule to walk at least 30 minutes every day for two weeks and then, I will try to walk 30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes in the afternoon.
I bought some chicken breasts and minced/chopped meat. I will make meat patties and freeze them today. I have salad fixings and the amount of food at home will last me at least a whole week if not more.
The cheese pie was something I missed lately and since, I will get back on a diet on Monday, I will have a few slices and freeze the rest although, it is a fairly healthy version.
Have a great weekend! Hope the weather is as good as it is in your neck of the woods.
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Interesting Stats about a Few Countries
As I was replying to a comment to JJ from Canada, I came across some interesting statistics so, I felt compelled to dig in further and prepared a summary below.
Population and Size of the Countries (per Wikipedia)
|
I did not know how small the population of Australia and Canada were, so, that was quiet amazing information for me.
Also, I did not know that the UK was more densely populated than Turkey.
How about the Currency Exchange rates? (per Central Bank of Turkey March 6, 2019)
| 1 Australia Dollar | 3.77 TL | |
| 1 Canada Dollar | 4.02 TL | |
| 1 UK Pounds Sterling | 7.06 TL | |
| 1 USA Dollar | 5.38 TL |
Gas Prices (GlobalPetrolPrices.com) per LITER quoted in USD March 4, 2019
| Australia | 0.97 USD/lt. | |
| Canada | 0.93 USD/lt. | |
| Turkey | 1.23 USD/lt. | |
| UK | 1.54 USD/lt. | |
| USA | 0.72 USD/lt. |
United Kingdom seems to be the most expensive but, the standard of living in Turkey and the UK are very different so, it is safe to say that we are using the most expensive gas in here.
And here is one amusing stat: Amount of tea consumption per person per year! (www.theatlantic.com)
| Australia | 1.65 lb/person | ||
| Canada | 1.12 lb./person | ||
| Turkey | 6.9 lb./person | ||
| UK | 4.28 lb./person | ||
| USA | 0.50 lb./person | ||
As a tourist you can do very well in Turkey unless you rent a car and drive long distances. You can drink lots and lots of tea too:) I must admit I am not one of the people contributing much to the tea statistics. I doubt if I consume two pounds a year. I do drink more coffee. Probably four pounds a year.
What do you think of the statistics?
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Idiot Mobile Operator!
A while ago, I was contacted by my mobile operator about my contract being up today and they offered me the same package MINUS 5 GB of Internet at a small price bump. Why? Lesser package, higher price? Can anyone care to explain?
Anyway, I really do not need that much data and minutes so, I told them I no longer need that big expensive package and I would be content with a smaller one. They said that is the smallest package they can offer. As this conversation was going on I was looking at their website on my computer. There are smaller and much more interesting plans that they can offer for newcomers but not to current customers. Being a loyal customer is penalized. Really? So, I hung up without comitting to a new package.
I sent them an e-mail explaining the situation and asked for help. Two useless e-mails later, I decided to change my operator. This one is not better than the other by any means but at least, they treat me as a newcomer and I can get to choose a plan more to my liking. This is going to be a 1 year contract so, most likely, I will keep on going back and forth between operators to be able to use a plan I like. There is a third operator but I am not sure about their coverage. May be next time I am gonna try them.
Today I went to the nearest mall where there is this operator's rep office and got my new SIM card. In the next 5 days, my operator will be changed. It took me less than 10 minutes to process my request amd there!
I will be paying 35 TL instead of 96 monthly. The 96 TL plan has 15 GB of Internet, 2000 minutes and 2000 sms. I surely do not need that. When I was working full time and had a second apartment with no TV, it was a need (may be). Now, 3 GB of Internet and 500 minutes are more than enough.
What an idiotic wat to treat a customer...
Anyway, I really do not need that much data and minutes so, I told them I no longer need that big expensive package and I would be content with a smaller one. They said that is the smallest package they can offer. As this conversation was going on I was looking at their website on my computer. There are smaller and much more interesting plans that they can offer for newcomers but not to current customers. Being a loyal customer is penalized. Really? So, I hung up without comitting to a new package.
I sent them an e-mail explaining the situation and asked for help. Two useless e-mails later, I decided to change my operator. This one is not better than the other by any means but at least, they treat me as a newcomer and I can get to choose a plan more to my liking. This is going to be a 1 year contract so, most likely, I will keep on going back and forth between operators to be able to use a plan I like. There is a third operator but I am not sure about their coverage. May be next time I am gonna try them.
Today I went to the nearest mall where there is this operator's rep office and got my new SIM card. In the next 5 days, my operator will be changed. It took me less than 10 minutes to process my request amd there!
I will be paying 35 TL instead of 96 monthly. The 96 TL plan has 15 GB of Internet, 2000 minutes and 2000 sms. I surely do not need that. When I was working full time and had a second apartment with no TV, it was a need (may be). Now, 3 GB of Internet and 500 minutes are more than enough.
What an idiotic wat to treat a customer...
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Perseverance for Success
As I was channel surfing yesterday, I came across the Simone Biles story and enjoyed watching it. Today, I watched Borg vs McEnroe.
Both movies made me realize that all of these athletes faced difficulties when they were young. Their families or coaches helped them move through rough patches and they all became very successful at the end. Quitting was not an option for any of them. They worked on their problems. Borg for instance had anger issues. Imagine that! The guy was called Ice Man. So, he was able to deal with it.
I think, I prefer to quit when push comes to shove in many occassions. I have changed several jobs because I felt stuck, I gave up exercise and diets many times because I don't know why.
If people were all like me, I guess we would not have Edison, Albert Einstein, Da Vinci, Malala Yousafzai, Venus and Serena Williams, Socrates, Vincent Van Gogh and many more who excelled in their passion. These people had all sorts of troubles from dyslexia, disadvantages, health problems, injuries, to people who outright went after them to kill. However, they persevered.
Yet, I think most people are like me and the above are just extraordinary. Why is that? What makes a person never to give up a goal or a dream?
Same thing with finances too. Thank God, I have done fairly well in this but it could have been much better if I had more patience.
Both movies made me realize that all of these athletes faced difficulties when they were young. Their families or coaches helped them move through rough patches and they all became very successful at the end. Quitting was not an option for any of them. They worked on their problems. Borg for instance had anger issues. Imagine that! The guy was called Ice Man. So, he was able to deal with it.
I think, I prefer to quit when push comes to shove in many occassions. I have changed several jobs because I felt stuck, I gave up exercise and diets many times because I don't know why.
If people were all like me, I guess we would not have Edison, Albert Einstein, Da Vinci, Malala Yousafzai, Venus and Serena Williams, Socrates, Vincent Van Gogh and many more who excelled in their passion. These people had all sorts of troubles from dyslexia, disadvantages, health problems, injuries, to people who outright went after them to kill. However, they persevered.
Yet, I think most people are like me and the above are just extraordinary. Why is that? What makes a person never to give up a goal or a dream?
Same thing with finances too. Thank God, I have done fairly well in this but it could have been much better if I had more patience.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Just a Saturday post
My shower doors were installed yesterday. Two guys showed up on time which was a nice surprise. It took them less than an hour. They told me not to use the shower for 24 hours. The silicone they used smelt really bad. So, I put a plate of baking powder and some vinegar in a wide mouth container. I also lit a couple of nice scented candles. It is much better today.
Yesterday, I worked on a new project and participated in a teleconference.
It is very cold and cloudy today but, I must move so, I am thinking of doing some beginner tai-chi movements with YouTube and may be walk for a half hour on the treadmill. It has been more than 24 hours since the shower door installation and I can take a nice long shower.
I do not have to cook today but, I must take some frozen meat out for tomorrow. I am thinking grilling chicken breasts to go with a salad. Last time I bought chicken breasts, I had cut them up and put them in ziplock bags. It is very easy to let them thaw and marinate in the bag. I have some frozen veggie dishes too. So, I do not think I need to shop till Wednesday or so. I do need bread and milk though.
My friend's wife called me to say that he is out of surgery and it went well. He is still sleeping. I think this time it was the other carotide artery plus a by-pass. No details just yet.
Yesterday, I worked on a new project and participated in a teleconference.
It is very cold and cloudy today but, I must move so, I am thinking of doing some beginner tai-chi movements with YouTube and may be walk for a half hour on the treadmill. It has been more than 24 hours since the shower door installation and I can take a nice long shower.
I do not have to cook today but, I must take some frozen meat out for tomorrow. I am thinking grilling chicken breasts to go with a salad. Last time I bought chicken breasts, I had cut them up and put them in ziplock bags. It is very easy to let them thaw and marinate in the bag. I have some frozen veggie dishes too. So, I do not think I need to shop till Wednesday or so. I do need bread and milk though.
My friend's wife called me to say that he is out of surgery and it went well. He is still sleeping. I think this time it was the other carotide artery plus a by-pass. No details just yet.
Friday, March 1, 2019
Unexpected Upsetting News
A friend of mine, an ex-co-worker had been hospitalized and he has already been in one surgery. His next surgery will be tomorrow and another will be within a month. All his major arteries are clogged including both his carotid arteries. He is in good hands and his wife and his son are taking very good care of him.
I talked to him yesterday and he was fine, doing some work in his hospital bed.
I like his wife as much as I like him so, today I called her to see how she is doing because taking care of a loved one is a tough job and the caregivers need empathy, encouragement and the feeling that they are also cared about as well.
As I was talking to her, I mentioned how I will go visit them once this ordeal is over and suddenly she said, she wouldn't be there at the house where they have moved to after retirement. I did not get it at first, thinking she was joking but, then she said that they are separated and will soon be getting a divorce. My mouth must have remained open for several minutes.
They have a young adult son who lives in Europe and these two seemed like a happy and dedicated couple. I always thought they have been very lucky to have found each other.
I am so sad about this. She told me a few things and her heart is broken for good reason. However, she says she still loves him as a friend and the father of her son and that she will take care of him through his recovery. I thought, may be they could work things out but, she says it is time to let go. They have both tried very hard but apparently my ex-co-worker has some anger issues which I never knew and he is reluctant to seek help.
I could not be more upset. I just wish them well the rest of their lives. May be this will be better for both of them, may be not, who knows?
I talked to him yesterday and he was fine, doing some work in his hospital bed.
I like his wife as much as I like him so, today I called her to see how she is doing because taking care of a loved one is a tough job and the caregivers need empathy, encouragement and the feeling that they are also cared about as well.
As I was talking to her, I mentioned how I will go visit them once this ordeal is over and suddenly she said, she wouldn't be there at the house where they have moved to after retirement. I did not get it at first, thinking she was joking but, then she said that they are separated and will soon be getting a divorce. My mouth must have remained open for several minutes.
They have a young adult son who lives in Europe and these two seemed like a happy and dedicated couple. I always thought they have been very lucky to have found each other.
I am so sad about this. She told me a few things and her heart is broken for good reason. However, she says she still loves him as a friend and the father of her son and that she will take care of him through his recovery. I thought, may be they could work things out but, she says it is time to let go. They have both tried very hard but apparently my ex-co-worker has some anger issues which I never knew and he is reluctant to seek help.
I could not be more upset. I just wish them well the rest of their lives. May be this will be better for both of them, may be not, who knows?
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