Gobble Gobble.

This time next week, I will be sitting at JFK, waiting for my flight to Istanbul, Turkey. That's right. You read correctly. I am off to Turkey for our annual family summer vacayyyy. You're probably thinking, "why the H is she going to Turkey" or "of all places?!" or "hmmm Turkey isn't all that safe these days." Well trust me, I've heard every response. Regardless, in t-minus 7 days, I will be en route to this Eurasian country.

As you may know, I am usually totally organized, well in advance, for my travels. This time, I am far from prepared. As a matter of facts, I still can't quite figure out what it is we are doing while we are there, so I don't even know where to start with the contents of my suitcase. I have, however, managed to fully research every hotel we are staying in. And since I have bored both R and HLR to tears with sending them links/pictures of our accomodations, I figure I will bring all of you to that level as well! So, here it goes....

Thursday AM we arrive in Istanbul, where we will be staying at The Marmara-Taksim Hotel for 4 nights.

I anticipate spending the majority of the first day here...

and here...

Once I get over my ambien hangover and jet-lag, I put my fate in the hands of our tour guide. (I truly have no say in this, as we typically travel in the pack of 14 on these trips...some serious QT with the fam). I am hoping that the tour guide will look something like Chris L, and we get to spend an afternoon olive oil wrestling. I mean....

After 4 days of experiencing Istanbul in similar fashion to the extremely romantic trip taken on The Bachelorette (with the addition of 13 loud family members, and a lot of complaints), we are headed to Cappadocia, a scenic cave village ( i took that straight out of the itinerary...i have no effing clue where/what Cappadocia is, but I know our hotel looks BAMF).

Regardless, the itinerary doesn't lie, and the place does look mighty scenic....

We are staying at the Cappadocia Cave Resort...

Two days of hot air ballooning and looking at landscapes and chimneys (seriously, going back to that trusty itinerary again...and in case you're wondering, these said chimneys are raaaather falic looking...should make for a few giggles at least), and we will be more than ready to head to our next destination. (Sidenote...I feel like I am narrating an episode on the Travel Channel).

We will be spending the following night (yes, just one night...due to an epidemic of ADD, my family cannot handle more than 24 hours without action) in a town called Kusadasi at the Charisma Hotel.

We have no tourist type plans this day, so if my family sends out a search party looking for me, you will most likely find me here...

or here....

Next Stop-Bodrum. While in Bodrum, we will be staying at the Marmara Bodrum Hotel for 2 nights. Once again, I have no idea what to expect from this city (if it even is a city).

Umm...Yes Please! I cannot wait to trade in my view of the conference room for this!

After two days of what I hope will be this (but in reality will be a lot of walking around and touring the city), we will be headed back to Istanbul for one last night before our flight back to reality.

While I have done a solid effort at making it seem like I will be spending 12 days pool hopping, I have a feeling it will be quite the opposite. I may or may not have left out a few details that the itin. had to offer. (Mainly for the reason that I did not understand what half of the information meant/was). I guess that will have to wait til I get back.

And now that I have completely wasted 4 hours researching, and an hour posting about my hotels, I am officially going on this trip in whatever clothes I decide to wear on the plane. Unless I get my act together and start making piles of clothes tonight! (Who am I kidding, I have a severe case of OCD...I have a very well organized mental list going on...but its not official until it's in my suitcase).

Until then, the countdown begins.

7 days!

peaceloveandturkey.

C

Stumbled Upon...

These have HLR writtten ALL over them! Nothing like a little Peek-a-boo with these Hanky Panky's new on the bop today! HA. For the classy whore in everyone.

peaceloveandpeekaboo.

C

Candwich??

This is literally disgusting. For starters, I think most things that come from a can are disgusting. They remind me of cafeteria food, or canned fruit or veggies. Just plain gross. Especially these days, now that there are so many healthy alternatives to prepared foods. On top of that, PB&J sandwichs are a poor man's food to begin with (or a 5 year olds lunch). But then, you throw the canned bbq chicken sandwich in the mix. What on earth posessed Mark Kirkland to create this concept is beyond me. GROSS.

peaceloveandpb&j.

C

If only. . .

I wish this had been around circa 2007 - 2008, senior year in college when I used to pregame with a bottle of Yellow Tail. (Highly recommended.)

peaceloveandgchat.

R

Bieber Fever

In an attempt to get out of the city, save some money, and not take advantage of my liver (AND for some QT with the family), I spent the weekend on Lake Champlain. My little bro, L (camper), and my two cousins, DOE and B (leaders), have spent the last month at camp on the lake. Pickup weekend is usually pretty fun. A chance for the kids to introduce their parents to their new friends, compete in some sporting events, and show the day to do stuff that the campers do.

Seeing as this was my bros 2nd year (and he's the youngest child), we strolled in roughly 45 minutes late for pickup. L was less than impressed that he was the last one to be standing around waiting for his parents as 3:00 slowly approached. Poor timing aside, he was pumped to see us once we arrive. Not as pumped, however, as I was when I saw what he was wearing. The campers worked on silk screening projects... L's team created the below t-shirts.

The front....


The back....


Apparently the little man (with the help of DOE), has quite the sense of humor.

peaceloveandbieberfever.

C

To all freeloading tenants

My sister, S, is working/living on Martha's Vineyard this summer. While there, she is staying in the house of the owner of the store she works in (along with a handful of other people that slave away from 9am-10pm at this man's stores). From the pictures I have seen, this house is somewhat of a dump. Not exactly the Ritz Carlton. Nevertheless, this man is appartently very protective of this house (and a total D-bag).

The note they came home to today:

Good thing S is a slob!

peaceloveandfreeloaders.

C

"they've literally transformed it."

Transformers 3 is filming in Chicago this weekend a just look what they did to Michigan Ave.!

As my friend MG put it, "they've literally transformed it." HA.

peaceloveandshialabeouf.

R