Tree of Life

Today marks my 14th year in the USA. In 4 short years, I will have lived in the US more than Turkey (18 years), where I was born. Here is a brief summary: F1 Student Visa (Summer 1998 - Bachelors), OPT - Optional Practical Training (Summer 2002), F1 Student Visa (2003 - Masters), OPT (Summer 2003), H1-B non-Immigrant Visa (Late 2003), H1-B renewal (2004 August - Job Change), PERM application for Green Card (2005), I-140 (Oct 21, 2005), H1-B Renewal (2006), H1-B Renewal (new job), PERM application for Green Card (2008 - new job), I-140 (2009 new job), H1-B renewal (2011), I-485 (2011 Aug - Adjustment of Status), I-765 (2011, Application of Employment Authorization), I-131 (2011, Application of Travel Document), I-765 renewal (2012 June), I-131 renewal (2012 June), Service Request for I-485 (2012 June), Service Request for Service Request for I-485 (2012-August, not kidding), Service Request for I-765 and I-131 renewals (2012 August) ... still an alien...

After about 2.5 years of on and off reading, I finally finished the 5 book pentalogy of A Song of Ice and Fire (which is still missing a few books). Without a doubt, this was the second best adventure/fiction novel I read after Hobbit/LoTR series. The detailed account of histories that go back up to 8000 years (according to the White Book of the Kingsguard), the variety of inhabitants, places, family trees it does take you away into a world full of wonder. I like the brutal reality of the book as well; the most beloved character, Ned Stark, dies half way of the first book!! I read that chapter 5 times to make sure I understood it correctly. Families split, villains all powerful, weak characters suffering; I am not a sadist, but this made the read much more captivating than the usual sunshine-and-bubblegum storylines. Following the HBO Series along with the books was another joy that is a priviledge to only a few generations yet. Looking forward to The Winds of Winter and A Dream of Spr