The B-Roll #12 (copy 01)

This is the thirteenth edition of my weekly newsletter, The B-Roll. Thank you for coming along for the ride. If you think someone in your life might also enjoy these letters, please share this with them.

Hi friend,

First, let me begin by saying Chag Pesach Sameach and Happy Easter, and thanks to everyone who sent me good wishes for Ramadan. I love it when these holidays fall at the same time because it's a reminder that while most people like to think of it as simply Judeo-Christian, it's actually Judeo-Christian-Islamic and we have more in common than differences (Like the fact that we believe in the same god). Even if you're not religious, don't actively practice, or are of another faith (also, please feel free to share this with me), I hope you're having a peaceful weekend. 

As you're reading this, I'll probably already be on the road to Portland. I'm driving down to see my friend Doni, who I haven't actually spent a ton of time with even though she's the one who lives in my apartment and takes care of my cat when I'm in Turkey. I'll also get to see a couple of my other Portland friends, plus go to a zero-proof cocktail bar. I've been looking forward to this weekend for a while now.

Of course, I'm also excited about going on a road trip. If you're not familiar, I love road trips. There was a point in my life where a few people asked me if I was afraid of flying because I chose driving to certain places over flying (like driving across the country to the East Coast or down the PCH to California). When I'm driving, I get to see the country from a completely different perspective, and of course, I have more control. Unfortunately, a couple of experiences during the pandemic soured me from road trips, so I'm slowly reigniting my love for them. 

Since the moment I got my driver's license, my car has been refuge. During turbulent and uncertain times, the only place I would feel in control was behind the wheel, and I would sometimes take the long way home from school or work to stay in that safe space. Of course, as with anything in life, it doesn't always stay so positive. The last time I was planning on going to Portland, I had the worst car accident of my life the night before. The fact that I walked away uninjured is an actual miracle. But that's a story for another day.

So, naturally, this trip is layered with meaning. It's my first drive to Portland since before my accident. The first road trip I'm excited about since the pandemic.

Thankfully, I'll have my trusted co-pilot, McLovin, with me.

***

McLovin is my Emotional Support Penguin. 

McLovin came into my life in August 2008, when life was not great. I remember it vividly because it was the weekend that the fourth Twilight book came out and I was spending the weekend at my cousin's house. For some reason, I decided that I would buy all of the books and read them that weekend while I was staying there. It was a time in my life when I needed to find as many mindless escapes as possible.

In one of the bathrooms of the house was this stuffed penguin with a green hoodie. I immediately took it and had it with me the entire weekend. When it was time to leave, I asked my cousin if I could keep it and she said yes. And of course, I named him McLovin.

It's funny the things that can become a source of comfort during turbulent times. McLovin has been a constant in my life, during the drive from DC to Seattle when I first moved here. When I would go to conferences and felt anxious, so I took pictures of him instead of myself. Of course, he's also now a part of my identity and how I present to the world.

I used to be embarrassed about being a grown woman with a stuffed penguin.

Now, I ask people to hold him when I'm taking scenic pictures and put him in the empty seat next to me on planes (with his mask on, of course).

Life is overwhelming.

Find the comforts that ground you and don't ever let others shame you for it.

CULTURE CORNER: Turkish holidays, pt. 1

Last week, Joanna asked about non-religious holidays in Türkiye and we actually have quite a few. Today, I'll talk about the one coming up next. 

Children and youth are a huge part of our culture. Which is why it shouldn't be surprising that the day the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was founded is also celebrated as a children's holiday. The Grand National Assembly was founded on April 23, 1920, became the "National Sovereignty Day"  on May 2, 1921 and has been celebrated as a children's day since 1927. Türkiye became the first country to officially declare children's day as a national holiday.

So, April 23 is 

Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı

(National Sovereignty and Children's Day), and it's been celebrated internationally since UNESCO proclaimed 1979 as the International Year of the Child. Every year, children from all over the world come to Türkiye for the

festival

.

SHARING CORNER:

• Nic Cage reading tweets. That's it. That's the link.

• Article: The organization bringing back the "environmental spirit of Islam"

• Article: American Women Are Not Okay

• Article: Take off your shoes! (Will talk about this in a future culture corner) 

• Song: I'm 100 Years Old by Amanda Winterhalter. A friend of mine told me that this song reminds her of me and then I got to hear the artist sing it live the other night and it is just beautiful.

• A LinkedIn post: I've been sharing more on LinkedIn lately and this dives into why I feel like I'm not a good teacher.

What have you been reading, watching, listening to lately? 

***

Thanks for reading this far, friend. As with everything in life, this will be a work-in-progress and you can always hit "Reply" to give me feedback, commentary, or your thoughts on the topic of the letter.Until next time, I wish you a sane and healthy week.With love,