Tuesday, April 3, 2012

FS2S challenge for April....

(Suggested by Nicky)

 
Ever After (A Cinderella Story)
For this challenge I'd like you to tell us about 
your Cinderella story. (If you haven't met your 
special prince or princess yet then it can be about 
someone else, maybe your parents, siblings, best
friend....)
 
 For an extra 6 bonus points :)

1) Add some bling! Use rhinestones, pearls, glitter or stickles to
give your page some fairytale magic = 1pt 

2) Use a fairytale themed title, line from a movie/book or quote
for your title. (eg. Ever After, Once upon a time, ....there lived a 
handsome prince, he woke her with a kiss.....) = 2pts

3) Journalling (can be hidden or visible) Write a sentence, a 
paragraph or more about your Cinderealla Story (eg how you met, 
how long you have been together or something significant about 
your special Prince/princess! = 3 pts
 
Here is mine...
 
Far Far Away 
 
 
and
 
 
Journaling says.....
Far Far Away….. My Cinderella Story!

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 as 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 sound great!”
Hasan and I have been together for over 10 years now, we have a wonderful time together, do a lot of travelling and a lot of cuddling (wink wink). 

This is my Cinderella story and I’m living ‘Happily Ever After

TFL
Shazza 
 

2 comments:

  1. You are such a great story teller Shazza, ending on such a high note with a chuckle from me...what a lovely life story & I loved reading it...I need to do one like this too...mine has never been written!!
    Love to you & the charming Hasan xxx

    PS your LO is great...love the paper & great photos.

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