Why I Haven’t Started This Blog Until Now

I know, I know. I am a huge procrastinator. But Hoş Geldiniz (Welcome) to this debut post on Tiffles in Türkiye, where I, your friendly neighborhood MBA student, share the highs, lows, and “what on earth is happening” moments of moving abroad and living in Türkiye as an expat. Before you assume I’ve just been lazy about starting this blog, though, I want to set the record straight: life here has been a lot. And no, it’s not just about being too busy- it’s about adjusting to everything.

The Great Turkish Adventure (a.k.a. Why I’m Exhausted)

Moving to Türkiye has been one of the most exhilarating and daunting experiences of my life. New country, new culture, new language… new everything! Before I left the U.S., I had this fantasy: I’d move, embrace my new life as an expat in Türkiye, and immediately document every little detail in this blog. But the reality? Well, let’s just say the fantasy hit a detour when I realized I didn’t even know how to ask for a cup of coffee in Turkish, much less explain to the local market vendor that I wanted a “small” amount of olives.

Between learning basic Turkish phrases, trying to decode Turkish customs, and figuring out how not to stick out like a sore thumb, my brain has been on overload. Oh, yeah, and I started a graduate degree at a university that is more challenging than anything I have ever encountered in my life. But I’ll tell you all about METU in later posts. Writing this blog turned into the last thing on my mind- right behind figuring out how to use a Turkish washing machine (it’s harder than you think) and surviving the daily language misadventures that come with life in Türkiye as a foreigner.

A Year Later: Time Flies in Türkiye

As I sit down to finally write this post, I can’t believe it’s been one year and one day since I landed in Türkiye. A whole year! It feels like just yesterday I stepped off the plane, not just with a head full of dreams about this new exciting adventure, but also with no less than nine checked bags, one checked cat, another cat tucked in a carrier I was clutching like a lifeline (who still managed to escape in the airplane, but that story is for another time), a carry-on, and a personal item. Everything that could be was overstuffed. Needless to say, I looked like I was moving my entire life across the world – and in many ways, I was.

Reflecting on the past twelve months, I’m amazed at how much has changed. I’ve learned (and butchered) countless Turkish words, figured out how to navigate Ankara without getting hopelessly lost, and most importantly, started to feel at home in this beautiful, chaotic country. It’s been a whirlwind, but looking back, I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. Well, maybe I’d change the stress of figuring out the residence permit process here… but that’s another story for another day.

MBA? What was I thinking?

I am a glutton for punishment. As if relocating to a new country wasn’t enough of a challenge, I decided to throw in the stress of pursuing an MBA at Middle East Technical University (aka Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi). Yep, because who wouldn’t want to balance an intense academic schedule while simultaneously learning to live in an entirely new environment? Nothing says “fun” like trying to crack open a textbook after spending hours navigating the Turkish bureaucracy.

Between group projects, presentations, and the endless readings, my life became a never-ending loop of academic hustle. And man, it was hard. I was basically swimming in a sea of course materials, case studies, and the occasional panic attack when I realized I’d forgotten yet another deadline. It’s really no surprise that blogging took a backseat.

But through all the chaos, my saving grace has been my two faithful companions, Stormy and Smokey.

When my brain feels fried from trying to balance life, work, and studying, these two fluffballs remind me to take a break. Whether it’s Stormy insisting on sitting on my books or Smokey sleeping on my keyboard while I’m trying to work (clearly, they are both helping), they’ve kept me grounded. Honestly, I think they both deserve honorary MBAs at this point.

So, Why the Delay?

I could list a million reasons why it took me so long to begin this blog- busy schedule, cultural confusion, too much Netflix (hey, stress-binging is real!) But the truth is, besides everything else that was going on, I was scared. What if no one reads this? What if I can’t do justice to the madness and magic of my new life in Türkiye? What if I sound ridiculous?

The thing is, there is never a “perfect” time to start anything. Life doesn’t wait until you feel 100% ready- it throws you into the deep end, hands you a metaphorical life vest, and says, “Good luck!” So, after months of being too busy with school and the navigation of Turkish bureaucracy, the summer beginning with a month and a half of some very stressful events, and trying to recover from it all the last couple of months, I’ve finally decided to dive in, no matter how messy or imperfect my posts might be.

Stormy and Smokey: My Furry Co-Authors

Speaking of messes, let’s talk about the real stars of this show: my two cats, Stormy and Smokey. If you had asked them a year ago, they probably thought their lives in the U.S. were perfect- plenty of naps, familiar surroundings, no surprises. Then, I uprooted them and dragged them across the world to Türkiye. But you know what? They have handled the transition better than I have.

In fact, without their calming presence, I’m not sure I would have survived the roller coaster of moving, studying, and adapting. Their quiet companionship has reminded me to slow down, take deep breaths, and remember that there’s more to life than academic deadlines and cultural faux pas. Let’s just say I could write a whole blog post about Stormy and Smokey and how much they have helped me. Believe me, many “Ode to Stormy and Smokey” posts are on the way.

Moving Forward (Finally)

Now that I’ve broken the procrastination barrier and actually started this blog, I’m looking forward to sharing more stories about life in Türkiye. From my various attempts to veganize Turkish dishes (some of which have been epic fails) to navigating the nuances of Turkish customs and language, I’ve got plenty of material to work with. I’ll be writing about what it’s like to immerse yourself in a new culture while juggling the demands of grad school- and of course, I’ll be keeping you updated on Stormy and Smokey’s latest escapades.

You can also expect some musings on mindfulness and meditation, because, let’s face it, I need all the zen I can get. (Pro tip: meditating to the sound of the call to prayer is surprisingly peaceful.) Plus, I’ll be sharing tips about how I’m slowly learning to embrace the chaos of this beautiful country.

Conclusion: It’s Never Too Late to Start

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that waiting for the “right time” is a myth. Life doesn’t give you a perfect moment; you have to create it. So here I am, writing this blog, finally, after months of overthinking and avoiding. And you know what? It feels good. I’m excited to share this experience and these stories with others.

To anyone out there who has been putting something off- whether it’s a blog, a project, or even just a difficult conversation- consider this your sign to just start. Embrace the imperfection, because trust me, nothing in life is ever perfectly timed.

Thanks for reading! I promise I won’t wait another year before my next post. (Stormy and Smokey wouldn’t allow it, anyway.)

Until next time,

Tiffles (and your favorite feline sidekicks, Stormy and Smokey)