“My attic is full of bones and full of hopeless young emotions that just won’t grow up”
It’s been 25 years since my family left our home to become immigrants in a foreign land. This was the first time that I’m home on that anniversary. There were a lot of feelings.
“When I find ground to rest my feet on, I will lay my weapons down”
As the flames rose, the rational voice in my head told me that it was getting late and I should go inside. The louder voice in my head kept whispering, “But I don’t…
You Can Go Home Again
Eleven years. It had been eleven years since the last time I stepped foot in Turkey. Somewhere along the way, I decided that I wasn’t worthy of returning home. Part of me felt…
I keep a record of the wreckage of my life
I was supposed to be in Seattle for Thanksgiving. I wanted to be in Seattle the day after I called off my engagement. But instead, I lived in the same apartment with my…
Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself
(Updated in Nov 2023 – I definitely need to write a more updated version of this but ya know, life) So, there’s this funny thing that happens when you’ve spent 20 years talking…
How I Found My Groove in the Orange Zone
Growing up in Turkey, I was used to running around all the time. Our days in elementary school were long because we had recess between every single class. So I would spend half…
“My heart it is racing, but afraid I am not”
“I’m going through a rough patch,” I told one of my best friends last night as we sipped our nightcaps after a great meal and a show at one of our favorite venues.…
“The moon stays bright when it doesn’t avoid the light”
When I set out to clean my apartment this morning, I never imagined the kinds of breakthroughs I would have while picking crud out of my dishwasher filter with a toothpick. It wasn’t…
My Very Grown-Up Birthday Wish List
On the eve of my 33rd birthday, I’ve been thinking a lot about presents, experiences, and the people in my life. One of my biggest goals over the past few years has been…
Hi, I’m Berrak and I get awkward crazy eyes when I meet celebrities
My very first comic con was in Seattle in 2013. I was struggling with adjusting to life in my new home, and I was beyond excited about comic con. The most exciting part?…