Week # 6 - from Erika Martins Journaling 101 Course

Week # 6 Telling a Story without Pictures

Yummy Turkish Delight

Challenge = No challenge for this assignment



Journalling says:

Yummy Turkish Delight!

In September of 2000, I had travelled to the city to do some shopping with a girlfriend. Little did I know that my life would change forever this day! The company I worked for back then had a Centre for Staff Health and Wellbeing. We had stopped in there for a short while and I was chatting to the receptionist about my friend who had recently visited Turkey, and had described to me the fantastic experiences she had there.

As I was about to leave, a young man walked up to the counter. He was the Physiotherapist at the centre, and I must admit had a cheeky look in his eye. He turned to me and said, “I heard you talking about Turkey. “ I replied that my friend had recently been there. He asked me if I had ever been and I mentioned I hadn’t. “Do you like Turkish food?” He asked. I replied that I had never had authentic Turkish food. He stared ahead of me for a few long moments, seeming lost in thought. He then turned to me and said “Would you like to go to a Turkish restaurant?!” I was a bit surprised. This young man appeared to be in his early twenties. I was 42 at the time and had been separated from my husband for about a year... I guess it would be nice to go out on a dinner date I thought. I replied to the young man, “That sounds nice!” He then told me about the fluffy Turkish bread, the lovely shaved lamb, layered with spices and different sauces. He then took the time to properly introduce himself. His name was Hasan. He was of Turkish Cypriot heritage. I asked him how old he was and got both a shock and surprised little thrill when he told me he was 24, almost 25. I imagined telling my girlfriends how I was going to have a date with a handsome 24 year old man. We agreed to meet the next evening at Alasya Restaurant on Sydney Road. Back in 2000, this restaurant was still occupied by its original owners, and was the most famous Turkish Restaurant in Melbourne.

I was a bit nervous, but also excited – I was really looking forward to trying Turkish food. I met Hasan at the Restaurant at 7pm. He gave me a traditional 2-cheek kiss and welcomed me inside. He explained all the items on the menu – and recommended a selection of dips and some shaved lamb. One of the highlights of going to a Turkish restaurant is the beautiful bread. Fluffy and sliced into strips, it arrives straight from the oven, and is the perfect accompaniment for dips. The lamb was succulent, but nice and trim - it was delightful! Hasan and I chatted about work and a bit about our background. He mentioned his parents had arrived in Australia as refugees from the Civil War in Cyprus on the mid 70s. He was born here not too long after they had arrived. He has been a Physio for the last 2 years and had been working at the place I met him for about a year. I told him that I had 3 kids and was separated from my husband. Whilst I was talking, he smiled a lot and made eye contact. Despite our age difference, we both felt totally relaxed. I started to wonder what would eventuate when our dinner date came to an end. We had some lovely Turkish desserts, and sat to watch the Belly dancer that performed that night. At the end of the evening, when it was time to get going, he came close to me and said, “Hey Shazza. I think you’re gorgeous! How about we catch up again?” I blushed a little. Hasan suggested we go for a picnic the following day. I had such a lovely night with him, I answered “That sounds great!”

Hasan and I have been together for almost 10 years now, we have a wonderful time together, do alot of travelling and a lot of cuddling (wink wink). He truly is my Yummy Turkish Delight!

Stampin UP! products used:
Belle Bleu Designer series paper 12x12
yummy stamp used from Yummy Set
Filagree Brads sml
Black Card stock used for silohuette

Non Stampin' UP! product:
'Turkish Delight title cut from 'Walkers' milk chocolate Turkish delights box
Mini Flower button

Cheers
Shazza