January

In the light of having just finished my monthly reports on my students, I've decided life needs a monthly report. What exactly have we all accomplished this month?

Work: After a mental conversation with myself about how disorganized this school is, I was drawn into a conversation with a co-worker who insisted that this year has taken a giant leap forward from last year. I decided to keep my comments to myself as every day they seem to present us with newly cooked up bullshit. "Oh, by the way, there are only 15 minutes left of class but you've got to squeeze in this crab art project so we can show the parents how much we've accomplished even though our lessons this month had absolutely nothing to do with sea life!" This leads to us doing on the spot prep work while the children sit at the table staring at us. Yes, quite productive.
Anyway though, I have had a revelation that this could be my last year of teaching (at least for some time) so I had better enjoy the children while I can. After all, how can I not laugh and smile as they shout "Don't do that!" at each other, the first full sentence in English that most of them have ever made. What a proud teacher I should be.

In-laws: We were recently visited by my mother-in-law this week. She is a Turkish mom aka Super woman with an apron instead of a cape. She cleaned, cooked, wiped and straightened her way around our apartment for 7 days. Although having her around was sometimes a bit like being in high school again and trying to quietly make out with your boyfriend while your parents are watching television in the next room, she is a lovely woman and we get along great. At least she thinks using baking soda and lemon juice is a good idea on your hair whereas every other person I have told has rolled on the floor laughing about how my hair is going to fall out.

Visa: We officially started to collect our materials for Levent's immigrant visa, our key to unlocking that huge iron gate known as the USA border control. No, let me be serious for a moment. In actuality we have accomplished quite a lot in a few short days - birth certificate, criminal record, criminal record from Switzerland where he spent two years . . . in prison.








Did you believe that?? hehehehehe
Anyway, needless to say, we are well on our way, and I am feeling quite optimistic. After all, we are married, and it's our right to move to the US if we want so there, you silly embassy people! No, really, embassy people if you are reading I highly respect you and need you on our side. :) Thank you for your unending list of needs, I mean for your assistance.

What I feel most excited about is bringing two worlds - the world of my travels and the world I grew up in, together. Basically no one I have ever met while traveling has ever been to my home in the USA or met my family before. The life I know in the USA is so different from the one I know abroad. I am looking forward to seeing that home world through different eyes, through Levent's eyes. I can't wait for him to meet my family members, to ride a bike through Stone Harbor, to be a part of Christmas, to have his own culture shock.

However, for the time being, I am still in Turkey and must enjoy it to the fullest!