4 Months

I've been living in Istanbul for 4 months now and barely know any Turkish.  I know the basics like hello, good morning, please and thank you.  I can also count to 4.  Not 5, just 4.  I think the problem is I'm living with a British/New Zealand family.  So instead of learning Turkish, I'm learning British.  And it wouldn't matter so much if I didn't know British, except that the girls can't figure out what I'm talking about if I  don't use the right words.  They don't want suckers, but they do want lollipops.  They look puzzled when I ask where their pants have gotten to, but know exactly where their trousers are located.  And don't get me started on the french fries are chips, chips are crisps saga.  There shouldn't be this much of a language barrier when you speak the same language.  

The only up side in all of this is that since the girls are so young, they still mimic what you say.  I've been trying to teach them American sayings and I didn't think it was sticking until the other day when Ruby said to me, "You're killing me, Smalls!"  Success!!!!  

Sadly though, the opposite is happening as well.  The other day I wanted chips and asked where the crisps were.  I've officially been here too long.