Türkçe Bilmiyorum

I'm at school right now and I just about died laughing. One of my students just came in and gave me a Turkish to English dictionary! I'm starting to think these kids REALLY want me to learn some Turkish! Haha. Also, I applied for a professional development conference in Italy. I know it might be a long shot, but it's been something nice to think about during the rough times! So far it's been a wonderful Friday!

Yabancı

Alright…I think I’m officially fed up. Turkey has the WORST sidewalks I have ever seen. To be honest, I don’t usually notice the beauty or even practicality of sidewalks around the world, but when they are this bad, its hard to go unnoticed. Now I need you to do some math. You all know me well and know I’m not the most poised lady in the world. Please add the fact that the sidewalks are horrible, my incredible ability to trip over a dust particle, and the reality that I cannot blend in here, no matter how hard I try (not too many girls with blonde hair and blue eyes running around Turkey! Who would’ve guessed). If your answer was EMBARASSMENT, then you are correct! I tripped 3 times…count them, 3 times on my way to the grocery store yesterday. Usually I just laugh it off, but yesterday it was just frustrating.

But anyways, I had a wonderful evening baking cookies and then having drinks with my neighbors. I was once again amazed by how many wonderful people I’m surrounded by and how lucky I truly am to be here!    

bir, iki, üç (I'm running out of Turkish!)

Alright, so it’s been a couple of crazy weeks! Last weekend I was so happy to have a little R&R! Friday night we had a rather large group of teachers all go out to dinner on campus and it was so nice to see everyone. I am quickly finding that Pre-K is in its own little world at the top of the hill, so I rarely see anybody. Sunday morning I went into town for mass at the Vatican Embassy. It was nice to have something familiar in a time where everything else is so foreign. We had to quickly rush back for the school picnic. Not exactly my idea of a good time on my day off, but it was nice to see the kids simply having fun and I got the chance to get to know some of their parents a little better.

I started my Turkish lessons this week so I’m sure I’m gong to be fluent in no time! In all reality, this is going to be difficult but we have a great teacher. I also started playing volleyball! I forgot how much fun it is and what a great stress reliever after a long day!

This Thursday I had Curriculum Night with all of the parents. I was so nervous, but it ended up going very smoothly (except for losing my voice in the middle of a slide) . I feel like I got really lucky with my group. They are all so sweet and really truly care about their child’s education.  I also had a conference with one parent on Wednesday and she said “My daughter really loves you, but she wants me to teach you Turkish so she can talk to you!” Too cute. I’m not sure if it’s merely the culture, but I’ve found that these kids are über affectionate. They are constantly coming up and kissing me on the cheek or rubbing my back. I simply adore them.

Yay! I got my box from my mom in the mail this week! So I got lots of goodies, like a camera charger, MagicJack, a toothbrush (haha…Turkey DOES have toothbrushes), and the new J.Crew catalog! Goofy goofy.

Next weekend in my first trip outside of Ankara! I can’t wait!

Iyi Günler

It was a good Monday, but a little on the hectic side. It was the first day with all 17 preschoolers and I realized this is going to be difficult. That is a lot of kids that don't understand what I'm asking them to do. In time I'm sure it will all be wonderful, but for right now it's just exhausting. Still love the kiddos and have had so many laugh attacks that I'm pretty sure I'll never have to do another sit-up in my life!  Highlight of the day: my teaching partner brought me fresh sunflower seeds from somewhere along the black sea! I can't wait to start traveling!

It's basically the size of my head!

Pazar

After a wonderful (yet tiresome) first week teaching I was ready for the weekend. It was actually somewhat comical to see the teachers drawn like magnets to the bus that goes into town. We had a huge group go to the U.S. Embassy for happy hour which was a much needed break from the school atmosphere. I am meeting so many new and fascinating personalities and its nice that I am starting to recognize people that I know around town (both expats and Turkish).

Saturday morning I went to a produce pazar in the city and had an absolutely wonderful time! It reminded me of the outdoor markets in Italy so I was feeling right at home. I surprised myself with how well I got by with my Turkish. At first I was a little nervous to buy anything but although I don't know much, I was able to ask how much something was AND understand their answer. Slowly but surely I feel like I'm figuring it out and I'm sure the preschoolers are going to be a big help! So it was a fantastic weekend and now I'm simply attempting to mentally prepare myself for the craziness this week is sure to bring. 

ÖĞRETMENİM

Translation: teacher! I heard this about 2 million times today! Yes, it was my first day as a fully certified teacher and all I can really say is...I need a nap. I didn't realize how physically expressive you have to be when you are trying to communicate with 4 year-olds who don't speak your language! It was an exhausting day but I feel like I got very lucky with my students so far. Nobody really cried much and for the must part they listened to directions. They are all very smart and knew so much more than I thought they would. I have one little friend who is fluent in both Turkish and English, so he was a big help. I forgot how much I love all of the little hugs and holding the little hands! I've missed it! Well, like I said, nap time!

Here's a picture of my little Koala Bears!



Dirslik

Welcome to my classroom! I have been dreaming about my first classroom for a long time and that dream has finally become a reality. Just as in most things in life, it isn't exactly how I pictured it, but the fact that I am a real live teacher now with the classroom to prove it makes me want to jump for joy! The process of putting everything together was long and at some points a very painful process, but it is finally complete. I've put up some before and after pictures to give you an idea of my life for the past few weeks!

Before

After

It's beautiful, right!? I can't wait to meet the kiddos tomorrow! And...I've added a picture of the yummy fresh pistachios my partner brought to school today. I highly recomend trying them at somepoint in your life!

My Lojman

I feel like such a big girl now that I finally have a place of my own! I was so worried I'd be lonely in a big two bedroom apartment, but I'm finding that it is turning into an amazing place that truly feels like my home. I've painted a few walls now a beautiful sage green and have hung up pictures of my family and adventures. I am absolutly loving my balcony. I got very lucky and am on the second floor with a wonderful view of the city and can see both the sunrise and sunset. Here are a few pictures of my lojman!

Merhaba!

Hello from Ankara, Turkey! I can't believe I am finishing my third week in this wonderful city! It is amazing how quickly such a massive place began to feel like home and yet how completely lost I can feel at the same time. Each time I step out my door I am learning something new, which is exactly why I took a job that was 6,900 miles away from where I was born and raised! When I began researching Ankara (and Turkey in general) I read that it is a place where east meets west. So far I feel like it is a place entirely its own. The language, coffee, roads, and people are different. I think this is going to be a wonderful adventure and hope I can open a few eyes to the beauty in unexpected places such as this crazy country!

 I took this video when I was on top of the Roman Castle in Ulus, which is plopped smack dab in the center of the city. Each time I walk around this part of town I am in aw of the sheer amount of history this place has. The Romans, the Greeks, the Ottoman Empire, the French. It just seems like this country has been impacted by so much of the world and yet it has created a culture all its own! I think this is an amazing view of the city where you can really see how complex it is.

Feeling like I'm on top of the world!