First Impressions, Long Overdue

It is hard to believe that I have already been in Turkey for over two months, and that I have NOT yet made the time to post an update here. I keep waiting for things to S-L-O-W D-O-W-N. But it seems that may not be something that will happen. There is always someone new to meet or get to know, some place new to jet off to for the weekend, and if you can believe it, I’ve already had my first visitors!! (More on that later.)

I landed in Turkey on August 2nd; I began work with new teacher orientation on August 12th. In two weeks we will have our Fall Break. I will attempt to give you a brief post now with plans to add another one every two weeks or so. Thanks for being patient with me while I settled in and got going in the new position.

My first impressions are that Turkey is a lovely place to live! The people are kind and warm and helpful. The food is incredible–fresh, local produce on every block! The weather, though it was HOT in August when I arrived, has settled into a lovely temperate and mild range. I leave my apartment windows open day and night. No need for A.C. anymore and we are yet far from needing heat. Today I was walking around in shorts, a t-shirt, and Teva sandals while I did my grocery shopping for the week. While most of the locals were in pants, I didn’t get too many stares. But considering it snowed in Ulaanbaatar THREE weeks ago, I’m LOVING this mild climate. I’m not sure when I will need to pull out my sweaters.

My job is a dream come true! Those of you that have known me a long time know that I believed my job at Fountain Valley School was a dream job. And it was, for that time and space and iteration of “me.” But now, THIS is my dream job.

The American Collegiate Institute has approximately 800 students in grades Prep through Grade 12. Prep is an extra year of high school that occurs AFTER grade 8 (middle school) and BEFORE grade 9. Every week I teach multiple lessons with Grade 9 PLUS whomever else has booked sessions with me. To date I’ve worked with Prep, Grade 9, Grade 10, and Grade 12. I’ve been on an overnight camping trip with our Hiking Club. And I’m now facilitating some Conversational English Club sessions with some of our Turkish Faculty. My days and weeks speed by because I am busy doing that which I love to do–teaching students and teachers how to research effectively and efficiently. I know…..that may not sound thrilling to you…..but hey, it’s what I get-my-geek-on-about! 🙂 

My apartment is spacious and bright. I have a balcony which I feel is another room as it is where Ziggy and I spend time every morning and every evening. I am a 10 minute walk from the seaside as well as any host of stores and restaurants. And the kicker is that I live a five minute walk from my library/school. 

There is so much I want to tell you. If you followed me before on my previous blog you know that the past year was a challenge. I suffered heartbreak and health issues. I struggled to hold tight to my integrity while working at a place that was ethically and morally bankrupt. I endured and enjoyed my last summer in Mongolia the best I could. I was grateful to Selena Travel Mongolia for hiring me to write about ALL the places in Mongolia that I visited during my three years in the country. I loved the landscapes of Mongolia.

But now I am here, in Turkey. I am once again single and untethered. I do what I want, when I want, with whom I want. I am learning what it’s like to be me. Alone. My health issues have nearly disappeared. In a few more weeks I expect them to be a distant memory (as they were emotional stress induced after all). I am on the road to recovery, I guess you could say. I have no doubt that I will heal my heart in this land. And I expect I’ll make some great friends, visit historic and beautiful places, and eat amazing food most every day along the way.

I’ll be back soon, I promise, to give you posts with a focus. Until then–journey on my fellow travelers. The last year taught me that grit and good friends are the keys to surviving dark days. Now I’m enjoying the sunshine. Thanks for traveling with me.