3 replies to this topic

[Petunia846]

Just wanted to poke my head in and say hi. Everything is going marvelously here. Work is hard because there are so many students, but everyone is so friendly and helpful that I can't help but remain in good spirits. I'm getting a feel for the city and settling into routines. I've been braving the buses recently, and so far I haven't had any huge problems. My apartment is filling up with all those little things we need to get by like sheets and towels, pots and pans, and some decorations. I finally got my boxes of winter clothes that I shipped from the US, so I don't freeze in the mornings anymore when I walk to work. In my free time I've been trying to travel and see all the things there are to see around here. I've been to Ankara and most recently Izmir over the bayram, and locally I've seen Laodicea, Pamukkale, and Aphrodisias. For fun I'm working on learning Turkish and of course it also comes in handy outside of work. I've been going to the class they have at school for the foreign exchange students and I practice with my co-workers and students sometimes as well as over tea with the apartment manager and cleaning lady for my apartment building. Everyone seems very impressed with my progress, so I think it's worthwhile just to show them that I appreciate and value their culture. My program is already asking about my plans for next year, and while I was very firmly in the 'this is just a one year thing' camp before I got here, I now find myself wanting to make it two. I don't have to tell them for sure until the end of this month, so I figure I'll see how I feel after missing Thanksgiving. That'll be a big test.

[Cukurbagli]

glad it's going well for you Petunia, you sound very happy.

[Petunia846]

Yes, I am definitely happy right now. In a way, it's making my decision harder. I didn't expect to be this happy here (or anywhere), so I can't tell if it's really just this great here or if I'm still in the honeymoon period. I'm pretty sure I'm past the honeymoon stage, but who knows!

[samanthaozkara]

so glad everything is going well for you too xxx