Day I was born, Turkey in the morn

In Denmark, it's my birthday for 2.5 more hours. In Toronto, 8.5 more. And perhaps in the distant land of Liechtenstein, April 30th hasn't even arrived yet.

Either way, Kimberly Ivany is 21!

It was a rather strange birthday, being on a different continent than my family. I don't think I ever felt "homesick," but it was really wierd waking up and READING happy birthday wishes from my parents instead of actually hearing them in person.

I did get to skype them though, we well as my sisters and grandparents!!! Together from the little Goergetown living room, they sang to me, and I successfully blew out the candle via computer screen ;) It was magical.

But birthday celebrations didn't just start today. I am a firm believer in birthday weeks, and it's been a fun one :) Festivities included sunny lunch breaks at school, karaoke, a massive boat race party in the park, a bbq birthday party (skjoldhoj style), an afternoon by the lake, more drinks in a sunset, and some lovely presents from both Denmark and Canada :)








...and the COLOURS of April in Denmark!!! I just can't over them! I really do love being a spring baby :)



But Kimberly, why aren't you off sipping free birthday drinks right now, you may ask?

Well. This ain't no Thanksgiving -

...but it's TURKEY TIME!!!

Oh yes. In precisely 6 hours, my trip to Istanbul begins!!!

Marieke, Hugo and I are departing from Copenhagen airport tomorrow at noon to head to Istanbul to film our final project - a short documentary about the identity of Turkey, told through the perspective of students.

We'll be staying on the Asian side of the city for the first week on an actual univeristy campus, and then heading to the main city centre of Istanbul for the last 4 days of our trip!!!

HA! I was actually laughing out loud this afternoon as I was packing. Since I've been to Denmark, I've been to Berlin, Copenhagen, Oslo, Perugia, Rome, and Barcelona. Packing for Turkey just seemed like a normal, daily activity...HAHA! Oh. MAN! Kimberly, just hang on a mo and think about it!!! You're going to TURKEY in the morning!!!

I remember meeting a guy from Turkey in Toronto about a year and a half ago. He raved about his city, and told me that I HAVE to visit it at some point. I remember responding really enthusiastically, but in my head, I was thinking that it would never happen. Why would I ever have reason to go there, or even a big desire to!?

And now, what is the first thing I'm doing as a 21-year-old?

Going to Istanbul for 10 days.

HA!!! But, of course.

We've got some interviews lined up, and some possible people we want to use as our main case studies to tell our story...but our storyline is a little hazy at the moment, and I'm feeling the pressure. We have 10 days to film enough material to make a solid 15 minute documentary and I want it to be GRAND! I've never made a doc before, nor have I ever been to Turkey, but I do hope - and think! - that we're going to create something delicious...hee ;) I'll keep you posted.

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes :) Next blog post, I'll be is Asia...HAHA! Just have a think about THAT one!

-Kimberly Ivany, 21 years of age.