Bursa

And so it begins! Now that I've finished this semester of sped. classes I took the opportunity to travel this weekend. First on the list was....BURSA!

We watched a football match, I went inside a mosque for the first time, and wandered around the bazaars. We ate. We walked. And I simply enjoyed experiencing Turkey. 

 wash your feet inside

  wash your feet outside

This was one of those restaurants that serves one thing and one thing only: Iskender Kebap. Meat over bread, tomato sauce, yogurt, and...melted butter! Below is the server pouring the butter on at the table! yummmm 

 

I loved getting out of Ankara for the weekend and getting to do what I really love. Bursa was beautiful and I can't wait to see more of Turkey!

Bitti

Done and done! This weekend I completed my first four classes towards my Sped. Certification. Two more and I'll be one step closer to the dream. Speaking of the dream, I just updated my DoDDS application because it is officially hiring season.

Saturday was another busy day at school, but this time it was for Council of International School training. It was a long day, but afterwards a good group of teachers all went out for dinner and I can't even begin to explain how nice it was just to relax and talk with some of the wonderful people I don't get to see very often. It was one of those moments that I looked around and was really happy with where I was. So many different people from all corners of the world and each of them bring so many different experiences to the table. We all looked over at the table next to us, and there was a group of Turkish children (seriously looked like some of them could've been 12) all drinking and smoking away. At first we were all horrified. It's unbelievable, and yet not surprising. This phrase has been getting a lot of use lately as I discover more about the Turkish culture and the school at which I'm working.

Without homework to worry about, at around 2:30 on Sunday I became sooooo bored! I can only sit on Pinterest for so long! I'm ready to get out and see more of Turkey!

Look who I found at the pet shop. I don't know... he's pretty cute! j/k

I just really get a kick out of how they really can't spell my name...ever! :)

Ankaragücü

Great week at work! Yay! I have the smartest preschoolers ever! I love them!

I did have to work Saturday morning...not happy about that one but don't worry, I didn't let it stop me from going out dancing on Friday night! It was great getting out of Bilkent and seeing some friends who I hadn't seen for a while. Saturday afternoon (after working...grr) Andrew and Brennan took me to my first football match! YAY! And what an experience that was. Take a look for yourself...

It was almost more fun to watch all of the Turkish men with funny haircuts jumping up and down, cheering, all with their arms all over each other than watching the game. Things were constantly being thrown onto the field, including little firework popper things! People in the stands had flares and at the end of the game, a few people had managed to climb the fence out onto the field. Definitely an experience! I feel like it was another taste of Turkey I had yet to try, and I loved it!

Irish Roadtrip

I'm done with my second trip to Ireland within the year, and I'm still begging for more! Who would've guested that I would love this place so much! We arrived in Dublin on St. Patrick's day after an interesting start. Christina and I got bumped up to first class on our flight to Istanbul (mimosas at 4:00am...I think yes!) and meeting a very grumpy customs officer who clearly did not want us in the country welcoming us into Ireland. After watching the parade and getting some grub, we headed over to the Guinness Storehouse and enjoyed a pint poured by yours truly. I met up with some Aviano boys in Temple Bar which was a wonderful reminder of how wonderful that whole experience was. I had made so many great friends in Italy and seeing them was like getting a little piece of my heart back for a few hours. I still miss it tons. But of course it came time to say “see you later” once again but only a few tears were shed on the way back to the hotel. Another day in Dublin and then the road trip began!

We explored the Wicklow National Park and the Cliffs of Moher. Both stunning, but absolutely loved the cliffs. The sun peaked out for the first time that day!

Driving up through Northern Ireland and into Bushmills was incredible. There are so many beautiful places in the country that you could not possibly see without a car, like random castles and sheep blocking the road. It was like a movie! We met the friendliest people who were so eager to steer us to hidden treasures only known by the locals. We sat in a pub, listened to traditional music, and got a bit of a history lesson on the politics in Northern Ireland...and it was fascinating! 

We then went over to Belfast and had a tour of the murals. Sad city. “Cities are erected on spiritual columns. Like giant mirrors, they reflect the hearts of their residents. If those hearts darken and lose faith, cities will lose their glamour.” This something that I read in “The Forty Rules of Love” by Elif Shafak the day that we drove through the city and I think it's perfectly fitting. 

I love Ireland dearly, and just can't seem to get enough! Dublin still holds strong for one of my favorite cities! I'll go back someday soon, but for now it's time to focus on the next three months and making summer plans!

Now sweetly lies old Ireland

Emerald green beyond the foam,
Awakening sweet memories,
Calling the heart back home.

-Irish proverb

Your feet will bring you where your heart is.

-Irish proverb

...

It has been a rough couple of months, my friends. I’ve definitely learned a lot about myself. I feel like normal girls cry over boys, but my tears have been over a much greater heartbreak in my life. I have never felt so lost and confused in a classroom before, and unfortunately I feel as though I have no power to change it. I know what I have been taught and what I believe in, but sadly that gets pushed aside day after day. I’m proud I’ve lasted this long. I feel as though I have lost the fight, so I will begin the endless crafts and mindless tracing that has been consuming my days. I will use this as a learning experience and move on.  The following video is something I like to watch to remind myself of the kind of teacher I am deep down inside (and because I love Alfie Kohn). My mantra for the next few months: breathe and let it go. Good news: I’m off to Ireland on Saturday for spring break. When I return, I will focus on finishing my classes, getting back into fantastic shape, and familiarizing myself with this beautiful county.

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am in.-- Phillipians 4:11

sıcak çikolata içiyorum ve ödev yapiyorum

Translation: I drink hot chocolate and do homework. My Turkish is getting pretty good, eh? So I don’t know past tense yet…but baby steps, right?!

Well it was a wonderful week for me here in Ankara. On Friday afternoon my class had a dance party with the class next door. We had some pretty talented brake dancers! I absolutely love the unit we are teaching right now. It’s all about how we express ourselves through the arts. They are singing, dancing and just being so very creative I could cry!

On Saturday night, my friend Rasha cooked a few of us a wonderful Syrian feast! I don’t remember what everything was called, but it was certainly delicious! It was nice to just chill out with friends and enjoy some good food.

Today was spent doing tons of homework! I asked for it I guess. I really need to stop putting my assignments off until the weekend. But I must say, these classes have been wonderful for the self esteem! I’ve gotten full points on everything and all of my instructors leave such wonderful comments!

Anyways, it was a good week. We are mixing some things up in our classroom this week so I’m really looking forward to seeing out this all plays out!

It's All Good

Finally we had a snow day! Yay! We had one full day and an early release, so it was nice to have some extra time to finish up report cards that were due this week.

I’ve been thinking a lot about things that I miss back in the states. The obvious is family and friends, Skippyjon Jones and Max, cheddar cheese, Oreos, Phoenix Suns, desert hiking, swimming, English, being in the same time zone as people back home, big English book stores, teaching resources, dollar stores, my guitar, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, good coffee in general, pork, MEXICAN FOOD! frozen yoghurt, driving to the gym, good sidewalks, diversity, my car and just generally knowing where I can go to get anything I need.

It might sound silly, and some of the things aren’t a big deal at all, but these are just some conveniences of home that I miss. But there is always a flip side, right?! Here are the things that I really like about Turkey: history, hospitality, tea, beautiful people, national pride, expat community, location, fruits and veggies, cultural opportunities, and my students. As much as I complain sometimes, I do like Turkey and am thankful for the opportunities that I have.  

On Saturday, I joined some girlfriends for a Sex and the City day! We went shopping for a while, went out to a nice dinner, Novembers Pub to hear a friend sing, and then out dancing (of course)! Sometimes life is funny. By the end of our evening, we had made friends with a few American professional basketball players who are currently playing for a team in Ankara. So much for my idea to blend in as much as possible! These guys were all 6’10” and I felt that everybody else knew who they were! All I could do is giggle a little, thinking about how weird my life has become. Who knew that this is where I’d end up? Just a year ago I was on my way to Italy and here I am somewhere in the middle of Turkey! It’s rough at times, but I also like to remember that I’ve been very fortunate and that I’m quite lucky to be where I am today. J

Now back to the homework! Ugh!