Being Berrak
“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?…