A Turkish Poet: Yunus Emre

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkzBQpqX_5M

       YunusEmre (1240?–1321?) was a Turkish poet and Sufi mystic. He exercised immense influence on Turkish literature. He is considered by many to be one of the most important Turkish poets. Not so much knowledge is available for certain about his life other than he was a Sufi dervish of Anatolia. The love of people toYunusEmre caused that many villages claim to be his birthplace, and many others claim to hold his tomb. He probably lived in the Karaman area.

       He is one of the first known Turkish poets to have composed works in the spoken Turkish in his own age and region not in Persian or Arabic, his diction was close to the popular speech of his contemporaries in Anatolia. In the age of YunusEmre, there is a struggle for purifying Turkish language. In these days,  Yunus’ poetry became the prime example of the pure Turkish. Many authors declare that many idioms in everyday language are actually verses from his poetry. Yunus’ poetry demonstrates a deep personal mysticism, humanism and love for God. He loved people due to the  love of God. He wandered around Anatolia with torn clothing, called a dervish robe. He was a Sufi dervish of Islam and affected people with his own mystic and good ideas.

       He was a contemporary of Rumi, who lived in the same region. Rumi composed his collection of stories and songs for a well-educated urban people of Sufis, writing in the literary language of Persian. On the other hand, YunusEmretraveled and taught the rural poor, singing his songs in the Turkish language of the common people.

      Several examples from YunusEmre’sPoems :

Yunus Emre the mystic is my name,

Each passing day fans and rouses my flame,

What I desire in both worlds is the same:

You're the one I need, you're the one I crave.

ASK THOSE WHO KNOW

Ask those who know,

what's this soul within the flesh?

Reality's own power.

What blood fills these veins?

Thought is an errand boy,

fear a mine of worries.

These sighs are love's clothing.

Who is the Khan on the throne?

Give thanks for His unity.

He created when nothing existed.

And since we are actually nothing,

what are all of Solomon's riches?

Ask Yunus and Taptuk

what the world means to them.

The world won't last.

What are You? What am I?

Hagia Sophia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcAayiFkSPo

       Hagia Sophia ( its name comes from the Greek meaning  “Holy Wisdom” ) is a former Orthodox basilica, later a mosque, and now a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. From the date of its dedication in 360 until 1453, it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople, except between 1204 and 1261. It was converted to a Roman Catholic cathedral under the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople of the Western Crusader between these dates. The building was a mosque from 29 May 1453 until 1931. In 1931, it was secularized. Then, it was opened as a museum on 1 February 1935.

        The Church was dedicated to the Logos, the second person of the Holy Trinity, its dedication feast taking place on 25 December, the anniversary of the birth of the incarnation of the Logos in Christ.

        Hagia Sophia is said to have changed the history of architecture. It was the largest cathedral in the world for nearly a thousand years, until Seville Cathedral’s construction was completed in 1520.The current building was originally constructed as a church between 532 and 537 on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor and it was the third construction of it, the previous two construction was damaged by the rioters.It was designed by the Greek scientists Isidore of Miletus.

         In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks under Sultan Mehmed II, who ordered the building converted into a mosque.The bells, altar, iconostasis, and sacrificial vessels were removed and many of the mosaics were changed. Islamic features such as the mihrab, minbar and four minarets were added. . It remained as a mosque until 1931. Then, it was closed to the public for four years. It was reopened in 1935 as a museum by the Republic of Turkey.

       For almost 500 years, Hagia Sophia is a model for many Ottoman mosques. As it is seen in this video, The mosque has an historical parts which gives admiration who visit it. It is worth visiting.

Cappadocia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWE4iSv-OgQ&feature=related

         Cappadocia’s name was traditionally used in Christian sources throughout history. It is known for its fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage.Cappadocia lies in eastern Anatolia, in the centre of what is now Turkey. It consists of a high plateau over 1000 meter in altitude with volcanic peaks and with Mount Erciyes near Kayseri being the tallest  mount at 3916 meter. Due to its inland location and high altitude, Cappadocia has a continental climate, with hot dry summers and cold snowy winters. Rainfall is sparse and the region is largely semi-arid.

         Cappadocia’s place in the Turkish history begins with the Battle of Manzikert in 1071, and then various Turkish clans under the leadership of the Seljuks began settling in Anatolia. With the rise of Turkish power in Anatolia, many people converted into Islam.By the end of the early 12th century, Anatolian Seljuks had begun to found their dominance. With the fall of Seljuk’s empire, Ottomans had the power in the 15^th century instead of Seljuks. Since this time, Cappadocia is the part of Ottoman Empire and only it changed with the modern city of Turkey. Now, it is part of the Turkey and it is part of the city of Nevşehir.

The area is a popular tourist destination, because it has many areas with unique geological, historic and cultural features. The region is located southwest of the city of Kayseri, which has airline and railway service to the city of Ankara and Istanbul. The most important towns and destinations in Cappadocia are Urgup, Goreme, Ihlara Valley, Selime, Guzelyurt, Uchisar, Avanos, and Zelve. These are the underground cities :Derinkuyu, Kaymakli, Gaziemir, and Ozkanak. The best historic mansions and cave houses for tourists are in Urgup, Goreme, Guzelyurt, and Uchisar. Cappadocia has also touristic entertainments such as hot air ballooning and trekking. Hot-air ballooning is very popular in Cappadocia and is available in Goreme. Trekking is enjoyed in Ihlara Valley, Guzelyurt, Urgup, and Goreme.

         As we can see in this video, Cappadocia is an amazing place for every interest. I went there and advise to people who enjoy discovering new and untouched places.

Body Language

                                      

        Communication is the transfer of senses, thoughts, knowledge in many ways. Body language engages the great part of communication. Even if we don’t care much about body language, it explains so much to listener. There are some people, no matter what s/he speaks, their speaking is listened willingly. It is the symbol of how much body language is important.

        Body language is divided into some parts to be understood much clearly: facial expression, gestures, the movements of head, eye contact and wearing. Facial expression is main factor because face is the most interesting part of our body and it is indicated that 6 face expressions are the same in several cultures. So, it would be good to be careful about our face expressions while using body language.

        Gestures are the movements of hands and arms. As it is seen in the picture, gestures explain to listener what is felt to each other. For example; while kissing one’s hand means respect for him/her, shaking one’s hand means equality between them.

       With the movements of head, people express each other whether they are agree with the person spoken to or not. That’s why, it is important to be careful about movements of head. As well as it encourages the listener, it may discourage her/him.

       Eye contact is the most important part of body language. Because looking at the listener’s eyes will get the conversation easier, eye contact is important. Also, not having eye contact properly, it will reveal in the listener that speaker doesn’t care much about him/her. Moreover, eye contact is a rule of good manner.

       The last factor of body language is wearing. It also shows the value which is given to listener. Wearing is important because wearing forms the first impression in the listener’s mind. Don’t forget that  it will be impossible to have a chance to change our first impression. First impression is the last impression.

       In conclusion, body language covers the great part of communication and the communication covers the great part of life.

Plastic Surgery

                                      

            This picture shows a person who has a plastic surgery and the slight change is obvious. There is an increase in the number of undergoing plastic surgery andplastic surgery makes an obvous change but it is debatable to it is necessary or not.

            People undergo plastic surgery to satisfy themselves. So, they search for a way to be more attractive and beautiful. They undergo plastic surgery and change themselves while there is no need to do that. I think they feel undergoing plastic surgery as if it is an obligation. I think it is reason is that if there are people who have plastic surgery around them, they want to have it even if it is not necessary. Even there are people undergoing plastic surgery just as an hobby. The another reason is that people always have a desire to appear younger. They see it as a necessity of modern life but I think it is waste of money.  Moreover, the people who save from their wearing, eating and needs and have a plastic surgery with this money are available.

          Nevertheless, there are some occasions which the plastic surgery is an obligation. There are some people who are undergoing plastic surgery just for need. They want to get rid of the injuries they have because of the accidents. Also, they may want to lose their injuries coming from birth.

       In conclusion, having a plastic surgery is a luxury for people I think and it is not necessary to have it again and again except for obligations. People should be themselves and naturality is an important thing. These exercises damage naturality.  There is no need to change themselves just as a hobby. There is no need to be afraid of aging because every stage of life is nice and it is worth living.

Internet Using

In this picture, the cartoonist wants to say that internet using has such an immense effect that people don’t know what to do without internet. I agree with the writer because internet became an important tool in our lives. Its using is so common that if people don’t have an internet in this age, it is nearly impossible to even pass time for them.

First, in the schools internet using are getting so important that children are doing their homework on it and also they learn their grades from it. Also, it is easy for teachers to prepare lessons with it and it is a helpful source in lectures for teachers.

Second, internet has an important role in communication. In the past, it was very difficult to see or speak with each other and there was no fast tool for communication. Now, we have mobilephones and internet for this purpose. So, the people who are away from their relatives or friends are using internet eccessivelyinstead of those days. They exxaggerated so much that they even gossiping each other onthe internet J

     On the other hand, internet has a negative effect on people. As I mentioned before, children are affected from internet negatively if they use it so much. If they exaggerate its using, they will be addicted to it and they will probably forget their basic duties.

      Moreover, internet may change relationships. The people in the past say that they have more tight relationships because they don’t have any television or internet. Internet was replaced with their nice evening chats. In addition, people even ignore their own duties, wives and children because of internet addiction. That’s why, internet is damaging social interconnection.

     The other negative point of internet is that it is harmful to people’s health. It may cause people to have eye problems in an early age. For example, it can be seen people who are using glasses for illness everywhere. So, it is not so beneficial to our both physicological and physical health.

    In conclusion, internet may be useful and benefical sometimes but if it is exxaggerated, it won’t be good for user from many aspects.