Goodness

Yeah, I just stole that off Wikipedia.

I figured the last few posts were about some of the challenges with my job, so here are some goodies. First, today was beautiful. It truly felt like a spring day in Colorado -- blue skies, low 70s, mountains in the background (ok, not as big as the Rocky Mountains, but the Tarsus Mountains aren't too shabby!)

Today I wore a dress and my sandals --without any tights. The Turks were convinced I was crazy! Didn't I know it was still winter?? Um, yeah. I sat on my rooftop grading papers for the afternoon in shorts and a t-shirt. Fabulous way to spend the day -- despite the grading. Nice winter day. (Sorry Coloradans; I know you're under some serious cold and snow.)

Here are a few funny things kids have said recently; after practicing the "th" sound (this is not a sound in Turkish), one girl said, "My tongue tickles!" Yep. Sounds about right. ;0  Another student explained what she meant when she told her friend, "You are tomato sauce!" Huh? :) First, you must know most -- almost all-- Turkish cuisine has a tomato base. Therefore, if you are tomato sauce, your are in everyone's business. Good to know! Finally, one student asked me just today, "Ms. Brown, when can I talk to you about girl problems? These are the only problems I have." Really, no grammar problems I could help you with instead? :) "Any time," I replied. "Any time."

I've gotten connected with the local photography club, and they organize hikes every other weekend. Have been enjoying expanding my circle of friends outside of school. Still limited language, but I'm working on it. Another hike scheduled this weekend. Hope to see this bridge this weekend! Supposed to be sunny and 70s the rest of the week.

Also, met some teachers who teach with the Department of Defense in connection with the base in Adana. Sounds like a margarita party with limes just might happen soon! :0 Oh, big find at the grocery............drum roll.................taco shells!!! I have not eaten a hard shell taco since I left. Mexican food is really foreign in Turkey! Hmmmm....imagine that! ;0

Oh, how I miss these!

Yes, I still need to post pictures and a blog entry from Botswana, but honestly, I keep looking at my pictures, and I still can't believe I was there. I miss it. Too surreal for me to even contemplate trying to explain my adventure. For those of you non-Facebookers, I'll post just
pictures soon.

This Friday is the first language exchange between the Turkish teachers and the foreign teachers. There are about 15 Turkish teachers who have been taking English class and about the same number of foreign teachers who have been taking Turkish. Those of us who teach a class (I get to teach English to the Turkish teachers once a week. It really is just a big party) decided to get both groups together to have some fun and practice. It's going to be fun! Another big party!

Just over a month until spring break (first week in April in case anyone is making travel plans! ;0) not sure where I'm headed. Thinking Istanbul for a few days and then London. We'll see. I also have another trip to London in March. Going to see Book of Mormon, Quartermaine's Terms with Rowen Atkinson, and Peter and Alice with Judi Dench. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm not going to get much sympathy from anyone any more. The goodness really is pretty good here in Turkey.


*composed while listening to Ed Sheeran Radio on Jango. Good stuff people. Check it out. Kate Nash. The Frames. Ed Sheeran. Jon McLaughlin.