Marshmallow Popcorn Bars

Marshmallow Popcorn Bars, is a great idea for delicious treats during summer and they are not heavy for stomach too and the best of all they are easy to make!

Makes 24 Bars | Hands-On Time: 10 minutes
| Total Time: 20 minutes 

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup popcorn kernels or one 3.5-ounce package plain microwave popcorn 

1 10-ounce bag marshmallows 

Directions 

Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. 

Pop the popcorn according to the package directions. 

Melt the butter and marshmallows in a large saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth, 5 to 7 minutes.

Fold in the popcorn until coated. Press into the prepared dish and let sit for 10 minutes before cutting into 24 bars.

I will try with colorful marshmallows and flavored ones! Let's see how they will come out! 

The Zombie Next Door: Zombie Zappers Book 3 by Nadia Higgins: Book Review

Today, here is a children's book review! We always have a inner-child  that wants to come out occasionally!

I had a chance to read a new release of "The Zombie Next Door: Zombie Zappers Book 3" by Nadia Higgins. It is published by Enslow Publishers which they sent my copy, thank you very much by the way!

It is the third book of the series of Zombie Zappers and here is my review on it;

I must say I love the adventurous friendship the book has and the strong friendship as well that helps each other and community. Eventually you see that technological devices and our young generation's interest in technology has a very big place in the story. Leo who is the main character, is very kind hearted and very imaginative. The story is enjoyable to read for I would suggest 10+ ages. Thank you for the fun read!

Heavenly Henna by Melanie Tramont

Today's feature is a very talented artist and my dear friend, Melanie Tramont. She has been working for a different businesses as henna tattoo artist and now she started her own business! If you are around Cleveland, Ohio area, you should make an appointment! Her price range is VERY reasonable and she adds her own magical touches for your ideas on your henna tattoos!

Here is her flyer;

And this is my henna tattoo that I got today! I wanted a jasmin tattoo because my mom's name is Jasmine and she added little touches so it looks gorgeous!

 Honestly I found henna so much better and fun than actual tattoo because after a week or longer I can have whatever design I want on me. It is up to my mood! They also look amazing for summer too!

Make your appointment today!
Here is her facebook page : www.facebook.com/heavenlyhennabymelanie

Once upon a Mulberry Field by C.L.Hoang

I've received the copy of "Once upon a Mulberry Field" written by C.L.Hoang. This is the first novel of the author and he spent 6 years to finish to this novel, so I believe that this love story will definitely touch me by heart!

The description follows;

"As Roger Connors, a widower with no children, ponders whether to pursue aggressive treatment for his cancer, a cryptic note arrives from a long-lost USAF buddy announcing the visit of an acquaintance from Vietnam. The startling news resurrects ghosts of fallen comrades and haunting memories of the great love he once knew.
Shocking revelations from his visitor uncover a missing part of Roger’s life he never dreamed possible. Peeling back one layer at a time, he delves into a decades-old secret in search of answers and traces of a passion unfulfilled.
From the jungles of Vietnam through the minefields of the heart, "Once upon a Mulberry Field" follows one man’s journey to self-discovery, fraught with disillusionment and despair but ultimately redeemed by the power of love."

I have won my copy on a giveaway at Goodreads.com, I am currently reading "The City Son" so I can't wait to start this story very soon!

A Demon in Waiting Book Review

"A Demon in Waiting" is light to read and very pleasing and sexy story, it is a story that you wonder what happens next! The characters are very influential. You fall in love with John, his romantic heart and you find something related to yourself in Ariel, her experiences in the life and her grandmother's protectiveness.

Their adventures become your adventure. You start to think that if Ariel did the right decision or wrong, if John is that innocent pure virgin or not or will he change once he discovers what the world offers him through his father and his brothers! How about his brothers? Will they help or will they back-stab him and report to their father?

After exhausting day it was great to read a sweet romance and their adventures. I honestly would love to read more about John's family, especially his father’s evilness hits the spot!

Author, Holley Trent, is from the location where the story takes you, therefore she is very well-built with local information she adds on the story. In my opinion this makes the story exceptionally alive to continue reading!

I believe it is a great series to read during summer and enjoy the hot temperature not from the season, also from the book!

I can't wait to read the second book of the series which is "A Demon in Love" which is released today!!!

Happy Spring! Celebrating Hıdırellez!

Hıdırellez is a celebration of arrival of spring! Starts on the night of May 5th and falls on May 6th. It is generally celebrated in Turkey and in Turkic world.

As my memories, we meet at the night of the May 5th and get together with friends and family. We start a decent high camp fire that we can jump over.

Another tradition I have heritage from my family is that finding a rose bush which I personally pick pink rose, and write the wishes you have and dig near by the roots and plant the paper right there. It is well believed that the wishes come true this time of the year, occasionally.

However this tradition is known as the wishes written on a piece of paper and thrown at a river or sea nearby as well.

Well Happy Spring y'all and hopefully it will be great summer! That is my the top wish since we in Ohio had a horrifying never-ending winter!

Happy Birthday, my darlin'!

She is talented amazing actress and a kindness humanitarian. She is Audrey Hepburn. Today is her 85th birthday and she is in our memories to live on.

Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’! 

                                           - Audrey Hepburn

When you have nobody you can make a cup of tea for, when nobody needs you, that’s when I think life is over.

- Audrey Hepburn 

Living is like tearing through a museum. Not until later do you really start absorbing what you saw, thinking about it, looking it up in a book, and remembering – because you can’t take it in all at once.

- Audrey Hepburn

The City Son by Samrat Upadhyay

Today I've received my copy of  "The City Son" by Samrat Upadhyay through Goodreads.com. He is the first Nepali-born fiction writer writing in English.

The author's other books are Arresting God in Kathmandu, The Guru of Love, The Royal Ghost, Buddha's Orphans which are translated into different languages for readers to meet. His new book The City Son I have received published by Soho Press, so I'm honored to be the one of the first reader of this novel by such a powerful author.

He is currently teaching classes of Humanities at Indiana University. You can purchase his books through Amazon or Soho Press and you can also pre-order the "The City Son" on Amazon as well!

Purchase Samrat Upadhyay's and more great authors books go to SohoPress.com

I can't wait to start this book to read and share the review soon!

“Upadhyay tells his story with simple and direct prose. . .the multicharacter narration adds dramatic depth.” 
—Publishers Weekly  

İngilizce mi nasıl geliştirebilirim?

Günümüzde o kadar çok fırsat var ki aslında! Biz gençken böyle değildi, peh!

1. Ben ingilizce öğrenmeye şarkı dinleyerek başladım. Yonca Evcimikten sonra Türkçe şarkılar pek sarmadı beni. Şaka maka Twitter mwitter derken şarkıların anlamını öğrenme açısından kelime hazinem genişledi.

2. Penpal, yurtdışında yaşayan bir çok mektup arkadaşı edindim. Ilk mektup arkadaşım bir İngiliz idi. Daha sonra pek çoğu Asya'dan ve Avrupa'dan asıllı olmak üzere bir çok mektup arkadaşım vardı. Merhaba, nasılsın? benim günüm şöyle geçti. Senin günün nasıldı? Benim en sevdiğim ....vs vs derken iki sayfa ingilizce döktürüyorsun. Pratik açıdan mikemmel.

3. Oynadığın oyunları İngilizce kur. Bak bakalım o zindandan çıkana kadar nasılda bir İngiliz ya da Amerikalı oluveriyorsun. Ya da kahramansan kahramanlığını bil de görevini başarıyla (ve İngilizce) tamamla. O da olmadı health veya mana lazımsa nasıl "Help!"diye bülbül kesiliyorsun!

4. Sosyal medya artık çok hızlı ve dünyanın bir ucuyla bağlanabiliyorsun. Evden çıkmayıp bilgisayar başında oturacaksan bari aç bir iki yabancı arkadaş bul. Bunun için Facebook da takılabilirsin ya da Google+ aslında pek daha hızlı bu konuda yeni kişileri çemberine ekleyebilirsin.

5. Flash cards! Öğreneceğin veya öğrenmek istediğin kelimeleri kartlar haline getir. Bunları zaman zaman yanında taşı ve oku, otobüste, dolmuşta...

6. Dil kurslarına servetler ödeme! Cidden pratik yapmadığın sürece dil kurslarından sadece öğreneceğin dil bilgisi. Dil bilgisini zaten zamanla lisede, üniversitede kapıyorsun. Fakat pratik çok önemli. Kendine güven ve konuş. Hepimiz hata yaptık, ilk cümleleri hebele hübele çıkardık ağzımızdan, biraz ingilizce biraz beden dili derken şimdi her şey değişti!

Benim en çok dilimi geliştirdiğim yöntem bilgisayar oyunlarıydı. Rol yapma oyunları ve savaş oyunları nedeniyle grubundakilerle bir takım halinde hareket etmek için konuşmak şart idi.

Uzun lafın kısası, eğer ki içinden geliyorsa kendin yolunu bulacaksın kesinlikle ama kendine güven. Sen bir başla bir iki cümleyle bak bakalım nasıl devamı gelecek!

Nostaljik İstanbul ve İzmir Fotoğrafları

O anı ölümsüzleştiren fotoğraflara değer veriyorum. Her fotoğraf güzel aslında, amatör, profesyonel, siyah & beyaz ya da renkli, bazıları ciddi, bazıları komik.

Eski fotoğraflara olan hayranlığım nereden geldi bilmiyorum ama o fotoğraflarda daha çok kendimi buluyorum. Çok eski kafalı olduğum da söylenemez gerçi.

Ohio’da yaşıyorum ve dün antikalar satan bir alışveriş merkezi olan Aunties Antique Mall'dan altı adet Türkiye fotoğrafı bulunca dört köşe oldum!

Fotoğrafların arkasında ki notta el yazısıyla tarih 27 Aralık 1955’de satın alındığı ve şehirlerin isimleri yer alıyor. Kart postal niyetinde mat ve parlak kağıtlara basılmışlar: beş tanesi İstanbuldan bir tanesi ise İzmirden.

Baktıkça fotoğraflara aklımda sorular, Amerika’dan Türkiyeye neden gitti, nasıl gitti? Nereden aldı acaba? Nasıl biriydi ki bu fotoğrafları satın aldı? Türkiyeyi beğenmiş kanısına vardım, çünkü kahramanımız her gittiği yerden sadece 2 ya da 3 adet fotoğrafa sahipken, Türkiyeden altı tanesine sahip.
Ben İzmir’de büyüdüm ama bu fotoğrafın nerede çekildiğini bir süre çıkaramadım. Fark ettiğimde ise tabii “Aaaa aaaa!!”

 Bakın bakalım siz de beğenecek misiniz?

İstanbul

İzmir

Aunties Antique Mall, Parksman OH

On the way to the family party, Aunties Antique Mall have caught my eye at the right side of the road and of course we just had to stop it at this beautiful mall! We had only 45 minutes to close unfortunately but now I know that they are open 10 am to 5 pm every day!

Inside the mall, they sell from clothing, decorations, books, accessories, collectibles, furniture, records, to old photographs and many many more! There are 140 booths to visit. The antiques are sold by 100 sellers who can help with an old furniture to repair and to restore. Therefore they are the experts in their profession.

Here are the information booklet pictures:

These are some photos from outside! 

  

What did I purchase today from this amazing mall? 

These two rings I paid only $3 from the booth 81. So in conclusion the mall has variety of price ranges and most of the items in there were in great condition or MINT condition. 

Below you will find Betty Boop Stamps in Mint Condition which have individually authentic certificates and numbers by International Society of Worldwide Stamp Collectors.  

Now these are something to have in my collection and they were not overpriced at all, purchased from the booth 8. 

If you pass through this amazing mall and if you are interested in some antique beauties, don't miss the chance to stop by!

The facebook page of the mall to show some love and get more information!

Aunties Antique Mall on Facebook!
The official page of Aunties Antique Mall : http://www.auntiesantiquemall.com/

Massive Open Online Course, Coursera

The Coursera is a great source for the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). It is FREE.

You can get variety of classes from different important valuable universities. The forums on each class are all active for open discussions and information exchange.

The lectures are mainly posted weekly by profs and after lectures there are generally a week to finish the quiz or the assignment.

I have finished three classes and received my certificate on one of them already! :

• Understanding Europe: Why It Matters and What It Can Offer You by HEC Paris - Statement of Accomplishment with distinction 
• Internet History, Technology, and Security by University of Michigan 
• Model Thinking by University of Michigan 

Also you can add these to your Linkedin profile through the website itself. It is a way to prove your certification. 

Unfortunately these classes are not credited to your future school studies however it is a great way to explore your limitations to learn more and what you are interested in! 

Nonetheless you can be more social and meet people, don't EVER forget connections are important! Sometimes it doesn't matter what you know but who you know! 

Go check it out and let me know what do you think?

Stamp collecting isn't just collecting.

As the title does the honor of this post, stamp collecting isn't just collecting. It helps you learn more about the different cultures, countries, history, important events, even the television series, movies and many more.

Moreover what excites me, you can have pen pals and exchange stamps through writing your pal who lives the other end of the continent. There are many websites which can help you find your next bff somewhere in the world.

Well, I have received my USA Philatelic Catalog of Volume 19 by The Postal Store and honestly I love the new stamp collection they have on this volume! The name of the collection is Vintage Circus Posters, how amazing is that!

I shall order in no time! If you like them as well, you can probably find them nearest post office or hey here is the ebay page of US Postal Service for you! US-Postal-Service-Store

Here is also page of information they have had in their catalog which I have enjoyed reading it.

Also stamp collecting can be a great pick-up line with your charm! It can be very cheesy I admit.

- Would you like to see my stamp collection? It has many varieties *winks* 

Have a great day and keep smiling! 

A Demon in Waiting by Holley Trent

The package I've received today in mail, was the book of Holley Trent; A Demon in Waiting.

The author describe herself

Carolina girl gone west. She writes sassy, sexy contemporary romances and paranormal romances set in her home state.

To be honest, after couple of chapters through the story line, I can totally see her description and it just hits the spot!

Also, she went above and beyond and signed for me. Such an honor!

I have received the book through the giveaway on the Goodreads.com If you are looking for summer readings and can't decide which book to read, giveaways are the best. Furthermore, you can also read the reviews about books at the website too!

As soon as I finished the book, I share my review as well!