Turkey: The Land of...a very busy Fulbrighter who is very sorry to leave you hangin'

Well folks, it seems that this blog has taken a back burner for...oh...about 3 months now. Sorry! But you do know that I am still breathing or haven't been eaten by the wild dogs and cats on the streets of Eskişehir, because I have been updating the FB photos! Again, so much has been accumulating: work, travel, household chores, etc. I just haven't made time for you all, but now I am repenting and coming back to the homeland!

 So...over the past 3 months I have taught one module, a pre-intermediate class of such enthusiastic students. And might I toot my own horn and say that all 28 passed! :) Woo-hoo. Point for me! They really were the best class to begin with. They were so happy to be in class, when they were awake or didn't have a headache, which happens quite frequently. And even though they grumbled about having to get out of their seats to play games, afterward they told me how much they loved it!

During a unit on complaints, two students wrote the best letter of complaint, and I must share some highlights (completed from memory):

Dear Allison,

We have some problems. You need to get your watch fixed. We are so hungry and need to get out of class on time. Two students died of starvation. Please have mercy on us! Also, we have desks for a reason. We like to sit in our desks. Please don't make us move around the room. Have mercy on us!

...and so on. What kooks! These two guys were the best! (And extremely bright for their level!)


Hmm...I am now in my second module of teaching. I have now moved on up to the B2.2 side, or the most advanced students in the prep-school. Or at least they claim to be....we'll see....they are definitely less eager than my previous class. No funny letters here.

But, I'm almost done! One more week left and then exams. After that is break!! I get about 7 or so days. (I'm biting my thumb at those with a month or so, or heck even two weeks!! Which is nearly every other Fulbrighter!!!) But, all of that aside. I'm going to Gaziantep to see the lovely ladies and then maybe travel around...we'll see. Oh, the adventures in Turkey. And the great Turkish mentality of planning at the last minute!