

Until next time, New York City.
For anyone who doesn’t feel like reading all of this, here’s a short, unedited recording from the trip—no narration, no polish, just New York. For anyone who does feel like reading all of this, here’s where it starts. I won’t say “a dream came true,” but it feels fair to say that a long-term plan finally did. Last April, during a particularly difficult period at work, I bought a refundable ticket to Waiting for Godot —a Broadway play starring THE Keanu Reeves—scheduled for D
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Dec 20, 20258 min read


September Recap
Speaking at the GLSIAM 2025 Conference, September 27, 2025. Confidence = hand in pocket. What a month it has been! I want to share what...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Oct 2, 20253 min read


One Year In: Stronger, Wiser, and Enough
From my very first walk on the Walnut Street Bridge (also known as the Walking Bridge) on October 10, 2024. It has been one year since I...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Sep 1, 20255 min read


A New Chapter, 6000 Miles Away
Me and my unrealistic goals—always scheduled to start on a tomorrow that never comes. I don’t know where to start. It’s been quite a...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Apr 23, 20255 min read


2024: A Spanish Odyssey
As an academic from a developing country, traveling requires much more preparation compared to colleagues from more developed nations....
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Aug 10, 20246 min read


Leap Day - Part II
Anyways, since the logistics were impossible, we agreed for an on-site zoom interview. On leap day, early in the morning, I had a class...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
May 28, 20243 min read


Leap Day - Part I
How did you spend your leap day this year? I hope you got the most out of it, because you know, the next one won’t happen for four years,...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Apr 1, 20243 min read


In the rearview mirror
It’s been a while since I put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard in this case). Although I do feel obligated to “catch you up” on...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Nov 1, 20233 min read


Let's leave God out of the equation
On February 6, one of the strongest earthquakes in a century struck Turkey and Syria and shook us from our beds at around 4 a.m. Nine...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Feb 26, 20233 min read


Walks and thoughts
As the world continues to spin despite everything, it is vital for my sanity to distance myself from the pressure of my responsibilities.
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Jan 31, 20234 min read


Cheers to a happy new year!
In the first week of December, we took a break from our fortnightly seminars on inverse problems which I have been co-organizing since...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Dec 31, 20223 min read


I have literally nothing to report
The fall semester is almost over. By the end of next month the classes will end to make way for the final exams. After teaching online...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Nov 30, 20221 min read


Happiness despite the obstacles
One particular highlight of the month was the national workshop where I was a keynote speaker. “Spring Mathematics Meetings” is an...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Oct 31, 20224 min read


My Boulevard of Broken Dreams
If there is anyone waiting to wake up when September ends, well, it is time. Rise and shine! As the autumn weather has turned the leaves...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Sep 30, 20224 min read


Back into my life in Turkey.*
“Stories happen only to those who are able to tell them, someone once said. In the same way, perhaps, experiences present themselves...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Aug 26, 20224 min read


Happily Never After. A Statement.
When I first started writing blog posts, the first idea was to write about the daily life applications of mathematics. (Boring and can be...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Jul 25, 20224 min read


Wrapping things up
“You’re averaging more steps a day this year than last year,” is what the health app on my phone said when I hit that little heart icon....
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Jun 26, 20225 min read


Reflections and celebrations
April showers bring May flowers, as well as so many days to celebrate. In addition to Hıdırellez and Mother’s Day, it also holds the...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
May 28, 20223 min read


Finish line on the horizon. Almost farewell.
After suffering at the hands of a cold winter, spring has finally sprung. In early April, I booked my plane tickets back to Turkey....
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Apr 28, 20222 min read


Was it really wonderful? Exploring my self-doubt.
March began by giving talks to two different universities in two different parts of the world. The first one was for an online seminar...
fatmaaycacetinkaya
Mar 27, 20223 min read






