Merry Christmas, Jackie...!

At the beginning of December 2011, Anne sent Jackie this package, with Christmas presents carefully nestled inside of it. Off they went with time to get there and to spare.

At the end of January 2012, the package returned to our home, as you see it, except that it was still sealed. Reading the notations on the package, we learned that it had gone all the way to Ankara, and back again, and in fact had arrived in Ankara on December 9th. But it had not been delivered to Jackie, which is still a mystery considering that it was addressed impeccably and correctly. We will not mention the cost of the envelope's long journey of 12,228 miles, round trip.

So, among the things in Anne's luggage are, you guessed it, Jackie's 2011 Christmas presents. I did mention to Anne that since she will not have to use that space for these items on the way home, she might like to pick up some interesting items in the Grand Bazaar when in Istanbul, or in her other travels. As I like to say, "They have room!"

Anne also has a few flavor requests for Jackie--including the special sauce from Chick-Fil-A and some taco seasonings that Jackie cannot find at Bilkent University or anywhere else in all of Ankara. A little taste of back home!

Bilkent University is one of Turkey's leading research universities. It enrolls 10,840 students at the sprawling campus in Ankara. Jackie is teaching there, for a period of two years. Anne will be her first visitor from home.

By the way, it is 30 degrees F and snowing in Ankara, at the moment.