A week ago one of my friends's father passed away and I learned about it by reading her blog. A week earlier she told me in her email that he's ill but was recovering. The news of his death really made me sad even though I didn't know him personally. I hesitated to call her at that moment to give my condolences. I think in a situation like this whatever you say won't make it better or easier for that person. I know from my own experience when I lost my grandparents. I got the courage to call her only by the end of the day. She was in the airport on her way here with her husband to bury her father in his village in the North-Western Azerbaijan. I suddenly remembered how my mother used to tell me that people from that part of the country are more progressive and literate, probably due to the fact that it is close to Georgia. I know in the west there are very different traditions for the funerals but here in the east you need to go to that person's house and give your condolences. I have never done this before in my life so I wasn't sure what to say in general and what to talk about. Even though I think that most of the traditions here have to be "updated", I kind of justify this one. It lets the grieving person to be busy with the people coming to her house and doesn't let her to cry all day long and grieve constantly. I think it kinda eases the pain. My friend and her bother who came later told their childhood memories about their father, how cheerful and fun person he was, how he played on musical instruments without knowing any notes. It all went well and I felt that even though I couldn't really help my friend, at least I was there to share her pain. Today she wrote a new post about her father. After reading I thought that it is so nice that she has such fond memories of her father. He was a great man and she must feel proud to have a father like him, to learn from him. 

Today is an international women's day. I guess no one celebrates this day except post soviet union countries. While living in Turkey usually only communists kind of remembered this day. It doesn't really mean anything for me. It is a tradition here so I must say  Happy Women's Day to all the female readers of this blog.
I'm doing good today, finally finished reading Museum of Innocence. I think I will read russian Boris Akunin's book next. I guess I'm just having mood swings, one day I'm really sad but the next day the sun is shining (actually it snowed last night)  and I'm OK. I'm trying to change my "philosophy of waiting" by thinking only positive things and planning for future. I'm really scared of rejection but when I sit and cry that "what I'll do if I get rejection" just tired me and I'm sure all my readers too. So from now on no sulky posts only happy posts. After all I have a fiance whom I love dearly and who loves me very much. What can be better than that?
I'd like to share one of my favorite songs by Pink Martini- Tuca Tuca. I'm just in love with their singer who can almost sing in every language. I love the song although don't understand a word of it and the video is super cool, again shot in Italy.... We must go there with Miika! (after visiting Finland of course :))