This language!

Yesterday, Brian went to the grocery store to pick up several things. I had already ordered groceries online, but these were things that I had forgotten and needed for dinner and over the next couple of days. He was able to find everything on the list except beef bouillon.. He wasn't sure where to look or what it was called in Turkish so he proceeded to try to explain to the helpful little man at the market what he was looking for.

Brian - "I'm looking these things that are beef flavored. They are shaped like cubes."
Grocer - "sugar cubes?"
Brian - "No, it is beef flavored and sometimes you put it in soups. There are also chicken flavored cubes that can go in soup."
Grocer - "bulyon?"
Brian - (feeling really stupid) "yes, bouillon."

I have also had that same experience. Right before we went back to the states I went to Starbucks with a friend. My drink was really hot so I tried to ask for the little cardboard thing that helps to insulate your hand. I tried explaining it to the nice lady, and she looked at me and said, "you would like a sleeve?" Yes, a sleeve. I didn't know what they were called in English, so I had no idea what to call them in Turkish!

I think this is why I try to plan out what I am going to say before I have to say it! When we first arrived back in America I even found myself planning conversations there so that I wouldn't have to figure out how to say something! Then I realized that my eye doctor speaks English! So did the hairdresser and the cashier at the grocery store! Now I have to remember that I am back in Turkey. Today at the mall I beeped when I went through the metal detector at the entrance. I turned and looked at the lady and said, "Am I okay?" in English. She just looked at me and waved me on. Turkish, Natalie, Turkish. One day my brain will catch up with my body!