the big island

The "big island" is one of 4 islands and obviously - the biggest. It is a popular place to visit, picnic, walk around, and just hang out for the day.

I flew a kite! for only a little bit

Almost the whole group!

The view from our picnic area

Over the edge.

Cherries are in season!

One of the things I really love about my city is that there is a weekly bazaar, and I get a bunch of fruit for a good price. Right now the cherries are in season and they are so good!

Sometimes there are some weird ones in the batch. But they are still good.

My Sister Graduated!

I am so proud of my little sis! She finished strong and is now the 4th Alumni in our family! (My uncle and dad, now me and her!)

Yep she was in that massive group!

she is the one to the far right! sorry em! but i don't have any.

Emma and I chatting and taking pictures together!

Slumber Party with Ms. Catie

Slumber Party with Ms. Julie and Ms. Catie.

I don't know if I have really communicated this yet, but now is the perfect time. I love my supervisor and his family. They are wonderful to me. I am included in their family. 

So what is better way to show them how much I love them by having a huge slumber party!

We had pizza, made some pictures, and watched a movie.  They are great!

Some Great Friends Eating American Style

I think of you every time Rae!

Benim Doğum Günüm

Yeah  I looked like a little flower child that day.

yum picnic lunch.

At the top of the river!

Tulip River

We tried. Really we did. My fun friends from the great state of Iowa.

Mexican food for dinner with some great friends who flew in that day! Hopefully I will get a picture soon.

I had the best birthday I could possibly imagine for my first time being away from home. And why, you are probably wondering, am I just now writing about it? Well, I really have no excuse. I LOVE to put pictures up with my blog post. And well... I didn't have pictures and well... I still don't have some, but what I do have will have to do!

My boss and his family surprised me at 8 AM with all the goodies from my parents and friends and we celebrated with delicious Carrot Cake and ice cream. They are so good to me! 

I then headed to  the park with a great group of friends for a picnic in the Park. It was tulip festival time and the park was gorgeous! 

Afterwards I headed to the airport to pick up some friends who came to visit for a week. Some other friends met me at the airport to hang out until they got there and we chatted over some nice airport starbucks. 

When the girls arrived, we headed to dinner for some mexican food and great conversation. 

I finally was able to talk to my family that night. It was so great. My family was so excited that I had a great 1st birthday away from home!