Another eventful week here in Turkiye!

Let’s see … So, I moved into my new flat last week but who knew it would take an entire week to truly make it “home”. I called on a couple of friends to help me with the shopping. This may seem funny considering I am usually fairly adept at shopping but … I’ve been a tad slower in getting into the groove here. However, thanks to my friends, the shopping is now complete, I hope. The place is more “homie” (or is it “homey”), lol. And the good thing, I don’t have to share it with ANYONE! Yeah!!!

I will enjoy sleeping in/on a bed tonight – for the first time since coming to Turkiye and really, it’s even longer – the last time I slept in/on a bed was in Praha. Wow! I think it will be rather nice to sleep on something specifically meant for sleep…! J

I still haven’t bought curtains (or Perde pronounced per-da). I will eventually get to that but I haven’t found any that aren’t something out of the 1970s. You know, the beads all the way to the floor. (Unless I could find the beads that make a picture – maybe a sunset or a martini glass?? That would really announce that I am the American here, huh?) I’m sure it would be a lovely addition to the flat but I’m thinking it’s just not me. Of course, I don’t normally like curtains anyway – blinds are just fine, however, they don’t have those here either! Good thing I’m on the fifth floor (actually the 6^th since they call the first floor, “sifir” or zero!)

Some random moments from this week … you know you are an English teacher when you try to correct a student in their own language and they are laughing harder at your attempt to pronounce something than you are at their attempt to speak English! Only this job can this be funny!

While biking through the park (on the way home) today, I notice one of those industrial sized blow-up slide things. (The type at block parties and that are available for rent.) With further investigation, I saw they had six trampolines set up next to each other! It was completely enclosed. You don’t have to ask whether or not I “bounced” on over or not!! Of course, I did! Within moments, I parked my bike and found myself jumping up and down – screaming like a little kid. It was awesome. Coincidentally, some of my students were there (unbeknownst to me) and they took pictures!! OMG! So, I now have documentation of a failed front somersault! Enjoy!

The weather continues to be interesting… at my elevation, the temperature seems to be a bit cooler. I got dressed for work the other day in a turtleneck sweater (Thanks Kay! Great Christmas gift!) and my jeans (to be changed at work). By the time I made it to work, I would have preferred to be in shorts and a tee- shirt. Although, I will say – I looked good. (And we know that according to SNL – it’s better to look good than feel good, and Darling, you look Marvelous!! Ha ha ) I had no idea the breeze off the water could make such a difference! I now know better.

I will not be able to go anywhere this month thanks to moving and all of that so … I will have to content myself with working even more!! That’s right… I’m working 40 hours and still loving it. J

Enough for now, I think, I need to go put ice or heat? On my knees. Ha ha . I miss the days of dancing … BUT … some students have told me of a place close by. Stay tuned, maybe next week I’ll have gone there???