Exploring Dim Cave- Finding my Childhood

 Today we headed into the mountains to check out Dim Cave.  Something about those crazy rock formations, hiding down there in a mysteriously lit cave, brought out child like wonder in me.

Alan: Can you imagine being the first person to discover this place?  What would you think?!?

Me: THE CAVE OF WONDERS! Raw! Cave of wonders!

 So maybe I actually turned back into a child while I was in there, because all of a sudden I was living in all of my favourite movies and games.  Every where I looked was another beloved character...

 

Gloppy, from Candyland.

 

Not the most coveted spot on the board, but easily the most delish.  Who doesn't love fudge-sicles? 

 

Most definitely NOT my favourite movie, but even I can see Jabba-the-hut here.

 

NEVER thought this guy would make the blog. 

I'm so much less embarrassed by this movie reference. Can you see him?  The cutest alien EVER?  He's the only reason I'd ever want to go to space.  I used to fantasize about braving the... wild black yonder?... to find this little guy, and bring him home.  

 

Too bad I'm such an incompetent Navigator. 

 

When I started to get hungry, all I could see was Christmas candy.

 

You know, the kind that is so lovely to look at, but whose taste is a mystery because it always sticks together like one giant tin-shaped candy. 

 

But mostly, at every turn I was just sure we were going to run into Chester Copperpot.

 Poor treasure hunter, caught in one of One-Eyed-Willie's traps. 

Or maybe an organ made out of bones...

And then we found this... and I knew...

"Chester Copperpot! Don't you guys see? Don't you realize? He was a pro. He never made it this far. Look how far we've come. We've got a chance."

I knew One-Eyed-Willie's treasures were within our reach.

But then Alan said it was time to go.  And I realized I was hungry. 

My treasure hunting days will have to wait...

As we emerged from the Cave-O-Wonders, I could feel my childhood slipping back into my past.  But I was relieved to know that it wasn't out of reach.  All I needed was a little magic to bring it back.

On our way home we passed by some real live children on the side of the road.  The were playing together in the grass, and when they heard our car coming they ran over to their flower stand, beckoning us over.  We stopped to buy some daisies they had picked in the field and squeal at their adorableness. 

When Alan asked how much, the older one held up one finger, recognizing us as tourists.  The little one shouted "Bir lira!"  Best lira I've spent in a long time. 

Children are great.

Spreading the Love...

February 14th is Sevgililer Günü (Lovers' Day) in Turkey. Hallmark's power over the world, and what we spend our money on should never be underestimated.

To celebrate, my students and I spent time, not money, reflecting on love. 

My friend Diana and I started an international video email program between our classes, so on Tuesday we sent her class a little video of things we love: family, chicken, Cartoon Network, you know... the important things in life.   Somehow they forgot to mention their love for their English teacher, which I think ranks fairly high.

Here's to all the people and things that you love. And to appreciating chicken.

Feeling the Love...

Yesterday, Alan got this Facebook message from one of our dear friends:

Can you see the google doodle for Valentine's Day? It could totally be associated with how you and Erin first got together, well except for that whole bowling thing, but you can totally extrapolate and it's the same thing! Happy heart day to you and Erin Moschetti too! :)

 So of course we both dutifully went to check out the doodle, which was absolutely darling. (If you haven't seen it yet you should.  Click here. Even the Washington Post loved it.)

 But to be honest, when I was finished watching it I couldn't help but wonder what it had to do with our story. So I challenged Alan to figure it out.  To which he responded "Am I the girl in this video?"  

Maybe.  Because it was I who pursued Alan.  And it was Alan who cluelessly rebuffed me again and again.  But even that... I pursued him flirtatiously.  Not so much with gifts.  

Maybe it has to do with the fact that they're little kids?  Cus we both work with children, and people always associate child like things with us?  Maybe it's my mad jump-roping prowess? Maybe she knows that we both adore Norah Jones, and that she does a cover of this song? Maybe cus I love paper airplanes and magic, and cus Alan would look awesome in a dinosaur sweatshirt?  She couldn't have been referring to my "Cold Cold Heart." Right?

What ever it is that reminded you of us, Sandra, we're missing it.  Do tell.

But then I started thinking about it differently. Maybe it's the sweet, genuine, and palpable love that the boy and girl feel.  Maybe we exude that?  I decided that regardless of the plot, a romance between two people that shines so brightly (or oozes so sappily) that friends and family are reminded of them while witnessing true love between strangers, is the kind of romance I would be proud to share with my husband. High-five, Alan.

 So thank you, Sandra.  Maybe I don't want to know what it was about that cute little doodle that reminded you of us.  I'm happy about it either way. 

Also, thank you Google, for including a variety of couples in your homage to love. Perfect.

Cooking up some Love

To celebrate our first married Valentine's Day (or "lovers day" as it is known in Turkish) we decided to make a special dinner complete with chocolate cake from skinnytaste.com. Here are some pictures:

MMMMMMM, notice the beet-pink mashed potatoes. 

Our annual bowling trip was postponed till the weekend. We don't want to stay out so late on a school night. Such an old married couple already.

New Albums Posted

Hello Friends and Followers,

If you are interested in seeing all of our pictures from our recent holiday I have added them to the links on the left. Enjoy.

Beware, shameless promotion follows:

Erin and I have also been busy working on our other blog projects:

Erin's craft blog: thecraftcouch.blogspot.com

Alan's photo blog: afuzzyconcept.blogspot.com