Oslo Maker Faire

So I'll skip the introduction and cut to the chase. This past week we went to Maker Faire in Oslo. What is Maker Faire you ask? It's a fair where makers from all over the region get to come and bring what they do to show off and meet like minded people. Pretty cool.

There was everything from 3D printers

to vacuum formed Storm Trooper uniforms,

(And yes, Jango Fett made an appearance along with Darth Vader a snow trooper and a pilot.)

 and people making Steam punk and other types of costumes.

There was also a miniature Carnival that lit up and had music and rides that moved.

And a man making things out of bike parts

A Gecko Puzzle

And all of this was housed in the Oslo teknisk museum which contained among other things a full sized train, most of a passenger type jet and this unique little biplane that I'm guessing is one of the ones that can land on water.

 

So that was Maker Faire, it lasted two days, just enough time to go to all the speeches and talk to all the people who caught your interest.

If Maker Faire seems like something you want to see or participate in here's a link to their website. http://makerfaire.com/ They also have a write up of the Oslo Maker Faire here.

We Visited The Dolmabahçe Palace!

We went to Istanbul last weekend, we visited the Grand Bazaar, and the Dolmabahçe Palace.
The palace was amazing! So much detail, and gold and crystal, just wow! They have a giant crystal chandelier that weighs 4 tons!
We toured the Palace and the Harem, both were neat, but I liked the Harem tour because there was a guy in our group that looked like Andy Serkis. Sadly they don't allow pictures inside, but here are some snaps of the outside.

 The front

 The side

Hey! We were there!

 

What is that on top of the gate??

Oh, hi random seagull!

The palace is only 150 years old (only!), but the beloved Ataturk lived there for five years, and it was also the residence of six Sultans.

The palace is right on the water (you might be able to click on the picture and in large it)

-Nicole =)

Going Home?

It's hard to know where home is right now. Are we going home today or leaving home?  Either way there are things I am looking forward to and things I will miss.

I will miss:

My mom.  We've spent loads of time together this summer.  I am very grateful.

Hanging with my brothers.

My girlfriends - especially the laughter and the heart connection.

Singing worship songs to Jesus in a larger group.  While we do this as a family, I will miss the large group experience.

Crisp cool fall mornings and evenings.

My crockpot.

The clothes dryer.  Push the button and thirty minutes later clothes will be dry.

I am looking forward to:

Fresh fruits and vegetables from the market.

The feeling of accomplishment when I use a new Turkish word or phrase and a Turk understands!

The ever changing ocean view from the table where I eat breakfast.

Mercimek soup. Yum.

A full time husband.  Cam and I chat on he phone everyday, but it is not the same.