It's important to me to be able to express myself clearly. I love words, finding the perfect meaning and choosing just the right ones to fit a description.

Learning a new language I am loving words, but I'm afraid that I will never be able to express myself clearly. I hear Tolga struggle and find creative ways to say something in English. He expresses himself very clearly and only occasionally cannot find the words to describe what he means. Even so, I doubt we share the same attention to detail.

For example, I can understand enough to know when he leaves out a detail - a detail that may alter the ENTIRE MEANING AND DEPTH OF WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY.

Probably not, but there's our difference. We are very good at working a conversation through though - and I give Tolga the credit for that. When I'm frustrated I can easily give up. When he's frustrated, he tries harder. So, communication between us is very strong because we (mostly he) works very hard at it.

But in a another language? It has been my most frustrating experience of late, particularly with those closer to me . . . like Tolga's family. My responses are entirely shallow.

"What do you think of the solar system?"

"It's nice."

"Work is hard."

"Yes, it is, but a holiday is coming."

The sea is nice."

"Yes, it is."

"There are lots of waves."

"Some."

"Let's go after we drink tea."

"Okay."

But what I really want to say is left out. Let's take today for instance:

Gokhan: Do you want to get fish?

Me: Yes, sounds good, but you say that EVERY time you come home about ten times, and then we never get it.

Gokhan: Isn't the solar system nice?

Me: Yes, but I thought it was supposed to help with the $2000 annual electric bill, and this year it was even more.

Gokhan: When we get back, let's go the sea. (7 more times). After we drink tea, let's go to the sea. (5 more times).

Me: Okay. Stop repeating yourself.