This is what Pinar means in Turkish. In fact, I have three names. Raife Duru Pinar. First one is my grandma’s name. An old, rare Turkish name. I have heard it only two more times in my entire life. Grandma and I were born on the same day. May 6th. Like our names and birthdays, we shared many things in our lives, until she passed away and left a void.

‘Duru’ means clear, which my father wanted to call me. My mom wanted ‘Pinar’. So they called me both: Duru Pinar, Clear Spring Water.

I was born in Istanbul. In 1998 I went to Germany to stay only for 1 year to learn German. Fast forward, I now have a PhD in Computational Linguistics and I dance the Argentine tango. I had planned for none.

I am a curious person by nature. People matter to me. So do different cultures. I have lived in Turkey, Germany, Italy, USA Spain, Switzerland and Sweden. I embrace diversity and different mindsets. I am experimental. I like risks, changes, and challenges. I continuously question the current state of things. My goal in life is to make a difference. For the better.

That is why this blog. I am seeking human connection. We all want to be seen and heard and understood. Sometimes an anonymous person far away may give us that beautiful feeling more than the ones who are closest to us.

If even one person in this world feels inspired, relieved, questioning, encouraged, curious, calm because of what I share here, I will be happy and peaceful. Now and when I am no longer around.