Today is officially my last day here, and its already half way over. Last night as I said Colleen and I met up for dinner. We decided to go to Kömbe for dinner and then our usual cafe for dessert. I ordered my last tavuk durüm. As always we got something free. They brought us the most delicious salad, it was chopped tomatoes, cucumber, and carrot with some amazing dressing on top. We have no clue what it was other than delicious! After we left there all sad thinking it was our last time there we walked down the street and then crossed over to go to our favorite little spot in the city I think. We decided to sit in the big comfy chair and couch one last time. We each got a piece of chocolate cake...wow. It was like fudge and so good. Then again as usual they brought us free çay and a free little pastry!! We left so full and on a big sugar high again! Before we left we asked to take a picture with our favorite waiter who is always there and always gives us free stuff...hes too cute. Sadly I forgot my cord to upload the pictures so depending on how late I get back tonight I might upload them. We decided to walk around campus at night since we hadnt really done that and we also decided to make it a photo shoot with all of our favorite dogs. We found Abraham and Jacko first and then they just follwed us around on our walk. Im going to miss those two!

Today I started the day off hanging out in Colleen and Robyns room because Brittney was still sleeping and I didnt want to wake her up. So I hung out with them while they finished packing and we just watched comedians on youtube and talked. Once Brittney woke up me and her began our packing which was not fun. Who knew I got so many things, I sure didnt! Some how I got everything in my suitcases. However I still have the clothes im wearing now and my pjs and my chocolate thats in the fridge. Oh man I hope it all fits since its super crammed now and I hope to god its not over the weight limit otherwise hello $150 fee! After packing all us girls met up for lunch and Miles joined us. We went back to Kömbe, I got my last pide ever and again some free çay! Man im going to miss getting something free everywhere. Now im just waiting around for 6:30 when we all meet up for our last dinner. We are going somewhere nicer for our last group meal. Then tomorrow is an early morning and leaving campus no later than 7am to get to the airport to fly out at 11am.

Sorry this is long but I kind of wanted to do a reflectionsummary of my time here.

I really feel that everything happens for a reason. Yes I know this is a LOST quote but I have always felt that way. My original plan was not to come to Istanbul I didnt even know about it. I randomly found it on the study abroad site for SIUE. So im here. Why? I dont know. But I really feel this is one of the best decisions I have made for myself. I also believe that every single experience we encounter and every single person we encounter affects and changes us. Either for the positive or negative. We may not know what these changes are immediately and we may actually never know. I know for a fact Istanbul has changed me. How exactly Im not sure. Maybe Ill be able to figure it out when Im home or maybe I will never really know. Either way I know I have been changed.

Istanbul is such an amazing city. I wish I could bring all of you here to experience it because pictures and stories can only do so much. They cannot tell the full story of a place or of the people. Which the people are a whole other story. First though the city. I wasnt sure what to expect of Istanbul before coming. Most people I told that I was coming here clearly had no clue. This city is full of so much life and color and history. Everywhere I look Im amazed at where I am. It never gets old to just be walking around and oh theres the Aya Sophia. I will never get sick of hearing the call to prayer, in fact Im going to miss it. How could you not miss something that is so beautiful and calming? The people of Istanbul...where to even begin. Ive said it before and Ill say it again. The most giving and caring of people. The other day I was on the bus and it was really crowded so I was standing like a ton of other people. All of sudden I though I felt something tap me but I ignored it since we were all so crammed. Then I felt it again and I looked and it was this little old lady sitting down and she pointed to the empty seat next to her telling me to come sit. So I smiled and said thank you in turkish and took that seat! She was so cute. Little things like this are always done. Just like these free things. Its not because Im a tourist, because of a lot of times people come up to me speaking in Turkish. This is just how they are. I wish more people were this way.

So I come home tomorrow...insane. I dont want to leave but I am looking forward to the following. MY BED and Pillow! My family and friends. My DOGS. non botteled water, foods i cant get here, air conditioning when i want it, my car and that might be it!

Things I will NOT miss about Istanbul - botteled water, crowded busses, giant hills,

Things I WILL miss about Istanbul - riding the ferry, hearing the call to prayer, çay, desserts, food in general, the people, my doggies, free things haha, being surrounded by such amazing architecture and history, being surrounded by another language, I know there are a million other things I will miss but Im dont for now. Now its dinner time so I will see you all when I get back!!!!! I might post more pictures later just depends how late we are. Love you all!