Friday, September 07, 2007

Who is she?

Some of you may know about me from my comments on this blog or may have even been reading my blog The Armenian Odar. For those who don't I'll just tell you a bit about me.

Like Hans, I am originally from Holland, and like him, I left my native country and ended up living on the other side of Europe, in Armenia in my case. I moved to Yerevan almost three years ago, after traveling back and forth between Holland and Armenia for over four years.

I guess there's something I like about the country and the people, otherwise I wouldn't have stayed and made my home there. ;-) This doesn't mean that I am not critical about Armenia, its people, its leaders and its Diaspora. There is lots of room for change without the country losing its character and culture. But that's for later posts.

When Hans asked me about my profession to put in the sidebar, I send a text message back: That's a good question: What IS my profession? I work part time at an international IT-company, this is the job that pays the bills and that I would trade in any time for something more interesting and less brain-killing. I work part time at an NGO in Yerevan that works on women's (rights) issues as a program manager, website-administrator and general IT-savvy person around. This is the job that I do because I love it, the people are nice, the work is interesting and I learn things and new skills. Finally, I teach Dutch to private students, which is something I rolled into by accident, but I ended up enjoying teaching. I guess Hans picked the right one (even though I am not a practicing lawyer), as that is the job I like best and that is in the direction of what I really want to do for a living.

When Hans asked me to join him, Vasilli and Yasemin as co-blogger, it wasn't hard to say yes. But at the same time part of me was thinking: "What am I getting myself into?" What with all the problems and the history between Turkey and Armenia. I am sure sensitive subjects or discussions will sooner or later come up, but I am not here to impose my opinions on anyone, let alone spread hatred. I just want to share with you pieces of life in Armenia, the way I see things here and issues that are 'in the news' here. Things like that.

So, I hope you'll enjoy my posts here.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome here Myrthe!
Looking forward to further postings of you.
regards

Vassili - Mike said...

Well i am already looking forward to your posts. Welcome...

Anonymous said...

I am going to love this blog more than my newspaper..))
Welcome Myrthe from Izmir!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, guys! I am looking excited about blogging here as well! And cem, more than your newspaper? That's putting a heavy burden on us all! ;-)

Yasemin said...

Hi myrthe, welcome to our blog :-) I am waiting impatiently for your posts. This blog needs the hands of more women ;-)

Anonymous said...

How interesting to have an adopted Turk and an adopted Armenian here to give their views. It will certainly help the two groups understand each other as we get the views and ways of life for these two people, but since they are being made by people not ethnic members of those two groups it's without so much of the ethnic bias which certainly takes root in many from childhood. Don't be afraid Myrthe, just go into it and help Turks here to get to know what real Armenians are like, not the spectre of an evil monster so many of them think of. Armenians need the same thing about Turks so together they can understand each other better. This is very important, congratulations.

Unknown said...

Thanks Paul,
But I am not an 'adapted' Turk..))
Still a Dutch.
On the short time, I hope, and pray, that we can create a platform, where people can discus - without fear - with each and each other. So much time is wasted.
Kindest

Anonymous said...

No I mean adopted Turk, in that you are a foreigner living in their country as Myrthe is with Armenia. Not sure if you picked up on that or not since you wrote adapted, which would imply you've turned into a Turk.

Anonymous said...

Myrthe,
I have been enjoying reading your posts at your Armenian Odar site.

Good luck with this new project. Just keep on writing:-)

Anonymous said...

sorry Paul,
I read it wrong...
for sure, I am not Turkified, altough nothing wrong to be a Turk.
kindest

Anonymous said...

Paul, that is exactly the reason that I decided to accept Hans' invitation and if I am not mistaken, that is also the reason why Hans invited me. I'll do my best.

Unknown said...

yes Myrthe, that's why...))

Anonymous said...

I welcome you, Myrthe.
Its great to have someone like you on this blog. Vassili, Yasemin and Hans, take care.

Anonymous said...

Welcome Myrthe! Looking forward your postings:)

Anonymous said...

Dear Myrthe,
I am looking forward to your postings.
This blog, didn't check it for over one week, sounds more and more a professinal and unique platform where people of the SE. Europe and Armania, Georgia etc. can freely express their opinions.
Bravo!