My life started on the 26th day of September in 1973 in Mönchengladbach, Germany. My mother is German and my father is Turkish. I have two siblings: my brother Sinan is 5 years younger than me and my sister Suzan is 9 years younger than me.

I grew up in Erkelenz, a small town in Germany which is close to the cities of Aachen, Düsseldorf, and Köln. That's where I attended elementary school and secondary school (Gymnasium). German is my native language.
Look at pictures in the Photo Album: Elementary School, Secondary School

Even as a little kid I used to travel a lot. I visit Turkey and our family there as ofen as I can. My family there lives about 60 miles east of Istanbul in a town called Izmit. After a few years I picked up the language. Besides Turkey I have traveled to several countries in Europe, especially to Italy several times.

When I was 16 I had the opportunity to participate in an exchange program and I spent my 11th grade as a senior in Florida at Melbourne High-School.
Look at pictures in the Photo Album: Exchange Student, Skydiving

After my year abroad I returned to Germany to finish my Abitur in 1993.
Look at pictures in the Photo Album: Abitur / Graduation

In the summer of 1993 I started my studies in Computer Science at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida.

The summer of 1994 I spent in Turkey again.
Look at pictures in the Photo Album: Sightseeing

During the summer of 1995 I lived in Seattle for four months to work for a big computer company.

In May 1996 I graduated from the University of Florida and after spending my summer in Turkey I moved to Curaçao, a small island in the South Caribbean. Here I am working for a Dutch software company. I'm enjoying the beaches, the sun, the good food, and simply being on an island.
Look at pictures in the Photo Album: Checking out Curaçao, Fruit Mix, In the Office, Dive Trip

In February/March 1997 I spend about five weeks in Dordrecht, Holland to work in our companie's headquarters. My family came to visit my a few times and we had a good time.
Look at pictures in the Photo Album: My Family Visiting

In October 1997 I spend about five weeks in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. I went to visit Lauri and her family and on October 10, 1997 the two of us got married. After that we spend a few days in the rainforest, far away from everything.
Look at pictures in the Photo Album: The Wedding Day, Rainforest Trip

Until July 1998 Lauri and I lived on Curaçao and enjoyed snorkeling, dancing, and many other things. Towards the end of our time in Curaçao we visited the neighboring islands Aruba and Bonaire.
Look at pictures in the Photo Album: Feeding the Sharks, Visiting Aruba, Visiting Bonaire

After Curaçao Lauri and I moved to Seattle where I'm working for the same big computer company that I have worked for before. After ocean, beaches, and lots of hot sun the mountains seem to be a nice change.
Look at pictures in the Photo Album: Seattle