Author: Leyla Yvonne Ergil
The Pacific Palisades is where I spent my childhood. What could have been considered Los Angeles’ best-kept secret is no longer that. Not only is it now far from an unknown town, it is also arguably ceasing to exist. Since the fires have continued to blaze into the fifth day, I have seen only a single photo from friends and acquaintances showing a home still intact, with buildings in the background engulfed in flames. The other stories from my hometown describe the complete annihilation of homes, businesses, landmarks and state parks. While the area may have been ripe for such…
The Pacific Palisades is where I spent my childhood. What could have been considered Los Angeles’ best-kept secret is no longer that. Not only is it now far from an unknown town, it is also arguably ceasing to exist. Since the fires have continued to blaze into the fifth day, I have seen only a single photo from friends and acquaintances showing a home still intact, with buildings in the background engulfed in flames. The other stories from my hometown describe the complete annihilation of homes, businesses, landmarks and state parks. While the area may have been ripe for such…
New Year’s Eve is one of the most entertaining, exciting and somewhat confusing celebratory occasions in Türkiye. I say “entertaining” because many street squares, concert halls and luxurious hotels feature performances by the nation’s most beloved musicians. The evening is especially fun as people host feasts, throw parties, attend galas or head to popular neighborhoods to enjoy the festivities and watch fireworks. The confusion arises because, in Türkiye, New Year’s Eve is referred to as “Noel,” and the streets are decorated with Christmas-themed colors and imagery while gifts are exchanged between family and friends. This can be surprising for many…
For many regions around the world, Türkiye is certainly no exception, as the end of the year marks a time of celebration and gift-giving. While not a historical holiday in Türkiye, like Christmas in many Western countries, New Year’s Eve and the first day of the year have become occasions for presenting gifts or small tokens of appreciation to family, friends, loved ones and colleagues. Fortunately, Türkiye offers a wide range of traditional items that make great gifts, while also helping to lift moods and making recipients feel especially good. From self-care to nutrition, aromatherapy and even games, check out…
Meditation, the practice of calmly and intentionally silencing the body and mind to be in the present moment, offers a wide array of benefits and has been around for millennia. We’ve all heard of it and some of us actually practice it, but for many, the concept of meditation remains a mystical idea that can be difficult to fully grasp. Saturday, Dec. 21, marks the inaugural World Meditation Day, as appointed by the United Nations in a unanimous decision earlier this month. To celebrate this honor, here are some interesting facts about this ever-so-beneficial practice. Dates back over 5,000 years…
Earlier this month, on Dec. 6, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution co-sponsored by India to designate Dec. 21 as World Meditation Day. This historic event marks the beginning of an annual global celebration of this age-old practice, revered for its benefits to both physical and mental health, and overall well-being. To commemorate the occasion, global spiritual leader and humanitarian Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar will lead a live World Meditation on Saturday. The draft resolution, entitled Global Health and Foreign Policy, was proposed jointly by the core group countries, India, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Mexico…
Last Thursday, the prestigious Michelin Guide announced its selection of Türkiye’s contenders at the third annual ceremony held in Istanbul, at the Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at the Bosporus. It was only two years ago that restaurants in Türkiye were first included in the Michelin Guide, a globally recognized restaurant rating system considered the ultimate accolade for gourmet cuisine. The restaurants in Türkiye that have made the list so far are located in Istanbul, Izmir and Muğla, with a concentration in the latter two provinces, particularly in the popular holiday destinations of Urla and Bodrum. This year’s selection included 32…
Black Friday was originally known as the day following Thanksgiving in the United States, which is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season and is notorious for being the biggest shopping day of the year. It was characterized by deep discounts, with retailers offering steep price cuts to attract customers, as well as ‘doorbusters’ – special limited-time offers available only for a few hours at the start of the day. This led to aggressive crowds, with stores opening early to accommodate the long lines of shoppers seeking to score a…
Black Friday was originally known as the day following Thanksgiving in the United States, which is traditionally celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season and is notorious for being the biggest shopping day of the year. It was characterized by deep discounts, with retailers offering steep price cuts to attract customers, as well as ‘doorbusters’ – special limited-time offers available only for a few hours at the start of the day. This led to aggressive crowds, with stores opening early to accommodate the long lines of shoppers seeking to score a…
The word “diabetes” can be intimidating, especially for those who haven’t yet encountered someone affected by the condition. As a diabetic myself, I understand how confusing it can be. Not only are there different types of diabetes, but the rising prevalence of high blood sugar in modern society is leading to a growing number of related health issues. Diabetes includes Type 1, where the pancreas fails to produce insulin and Type 2, which is caused by insulin resistance, typically the result of overeating and a sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, Alzheimer’s disease is now being referred to as Type 3 diabetes due…