Sunday, February 28, 2010

One Year Anniversary

I have been in Turkey for one year.  A full year of living in a country where I am not part of the hegemonic culture.  Being an outsider in a different land has allowed me to observe Turkish culture closely and learn more about my own.  When your culture is not the mainstream culture, it is easy to see what your own culture is, since it contrasts with the culture around you.  It has been a great year, and a fun one, filled with food, travels and excitement.  Things have changed a little since I started working again, become more routine.  However, life is still fun and exciting.  We are finding our niche, making friends.  It always takes a while to make a new city “home.”  We are finding our favorite places, our favorite restaurants, bars and hangouts.  The process in itself is fun and exciting. I am sure the next year in Turkey will be just as great as the first.

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Sunday, February 14, 2010

Settling In

I had a fantastic time at home with my friends and family.  It was really fantastic to see everyone.  However the transition was rough.  I flew back on Saturday night.  I landed in Turkey Sunday night, my bags were still in London.  After filling out the lost baggage paperwork we drove home.  I went straight to bed and Monday I dragged my behind out of bed at 6 to go to work.  It is difficult to have the necessary patience for 6th graders when you are tired and jet-lagged.  The first two days of the week were tough, and the next few I was used to catch up on life, sleep and laundry.  I am finally back….Which also means Back to Blogging!  Yay!  It might take me a while to get back into the swing of things, but no more long absences. 

Here is a souvenir of my trip home…January 2010 029 This is my super cool little brother.  Right after this was taken he swung me up on his shoulders kind of like a yoke, head facing one way, my behind the others.  As I was struggling to get down, using my only weapon (the tickle),  his friends walked in.  Thankfully being a mature person he dealt with this tactfully.  Did he put me down?  No.  He turned so my face was facing them instead of the other end.  We may be adults, but some things never change.