πŸ˜‹ Foodie Fun in Istanbul


Happy Aloha Friday!

Welcome to this week's roundup of tasty tidbits specially curated for you from Hawaii to Istanbul and everywhere in between...

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πŸ‘‹ Hi Reader,

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How is YOUR week going?

I feel like whenever I've asked or been asked this week, the answer is busy.

With the holidays fast approaching, it seems like every one is in a hurry and of course the news headlines seem to get crazier and crazier by the minute.
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I've been trying to give myself grace this week in that I have accepted that I won't get everything done this week that I intended to.

And that's ok.

Also, "done is better than perfect" is probably the most important lesson I learned in 2024!

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I'm curious, what are your plans for the holidays?
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Will you be celebrating with loved ones or perhaps traveling?
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Hit "reply" and let me know!

πŸ€“ Exciting updates for language lovers

Something I've been working on all month is a new mini course that I'm launching for language learners!
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I've been teaching English online for the past 8 years and I'm a lifelong language lover -- say that ten times fast! πŸ˜†

So I'm finally putting together all the "greatest hits" of strategies that have worked for my students over the years and that I've used in my own language studies.

I'm still putting the finishing touches on the course but I'll be opening it up for pre-sale this week at 50% off.
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Doors will open on January 1st and the regular price at that time will be $49.

But if you'd like to get in at the early bird price of $25, click below to get on the wait list by December 31st!

**And, for the first 10 to sign up, I'm offering super early bird pricing of only $10!**

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✨ You can also take a FREE 5-day Language Challenge that I finally finished! I've really enjoyed hearing from those who have made it through the sequence.

If your New Year's Resolutions include learning a new language, this challenge is going to be perfect for you! ✨

πŸ˜‹ Foodie fun in Istanbul!

The highlight of my week was getting to join in on a local food tour with new friends Jedd & Michelle, who happen to be hosting the DIY Trip Summit, where I'll be speaking in just a few weeks!

I got to take them to my favorite restaurant in the city and the following day, we did an amazing tour with Culinary Backstreets - probably one of the best food tours I've taken in the world!

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It makes me realize how much I still love this city and it's layers of history, culture, and of course food. There are still things to discover even after nearly ten years!
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A full post will be coming soon about Culinary Backstreets and their food tour options in Istanbul, but for now you can get the idea from my YouTube clip about the highlights.

🀫 I'm also working on some freebies to help foodies to explore Istanbul! If you'd like to be on the list for those updates, click here and I'll send them as soon as they are finished!
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(Spoiler alert: the first will be a street food scavenger hunt! πŸ˜‹)

Mindset & Motivation going into 2025...

I can't believe we're this close to the end of 2024!

It's that time when my thoughts turn to the tradition my friends and I started way back in 2008 of writing a Letter to the Universe and choosing a word for the year.

✨ Will you pick a word this year?

Count down to 2024-12-21T04:59:00.000Z​

⏰ Just a few hours left to get your copy of the Mindset & Motivation Bundle, a selection of 38 curated resources to help you to care for your mind, body and spirit. I contributed a set of Daily Inspiration Cards for Your Language Journey to help those who want some help getting over that language learning plateau that we all hit at some point!
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The bundle includes my cards + a selection of 38 curated courses, ebooks and printables to help you wrap up this year and approach 2025 refreshed and relaxed. πŸ‘‰ Get yours here.

Feeling LuckyπŸ€

  • Alaska Airlines is giving away two tickets to you and your travel bestie in their holiday sweater sweepstakes! Enter here by 12/20.
  • InDepartures is giving away a Β£40 Trip.com gift certificate. Read the instructions here, giveaway closes 12/30.
  • Point.me is giving away memberships and luggage gift cards in their Ultimate Luggage Giveaway here. Enter by 1/20.

Have a great weekend & Merry Christmas for those who are celebrating!

✈ Planning a trip to Europe in 2025?

Don't miss this summit (Yes, I'll be speaking too!)

​Get your FREE Ticket β†’ ​

🎁 Check out my Amazon Storefront

Gift ideas for Hawaii & Turkiye lovers

​Shop now →​

πŸ§‘β€πŸŽ„ Winter in Hawaii

The best things to do in December & January

​Read more β†’ ​

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Shoyu Sugar

Malia Yoshioka is a freelance Food & Travel Writer and ESL Tutor from Hawaii. She's slowly eating her way around the world, 43 countries and counting so far! Get behind the scenes news, travel tips and the best food stories from around the web in her weekly Savor the Journey newsletter.

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