Tolga hasn't been to work for the last few days. They are preparing his new office. This morning we went into school together late in order to stop at the bank. I had to open a bank account in order for the school to pay my salary, now that I have a residence permit and a work permit. It was all arranged through the school and will only work with the school I am with now - but they covered all the costs for this, which was great.
My classes are going really well. I keep wondering what it is that makes my school a good "fit". A descriptor I hate to use because of its ambiguity. I still can't put my finger on it - but today I was thinking about how loving and expressive my students (and other teachers) are here. In America, I maintained a distance. Physical affection was clearly unacceptable, but I kept myself a little distant too. A professional distance.
I see it in our teacher's lounge - the constant showering of food, gifts, good mornings, have a good class, have a good meal, kisses, and words of kindness. Tolga doesn't think its always sincere, and I suppose it can't be - but I think I prefer the expression over not. Sometimes I catch the "native" teachers, including myself, distancing themselves from the constant chatter. I know when I distance myself, it's because I have lot of work to do - and its my work ethic taking over . . . and when I let the work ethic slide, I guess I learn a little more Turkish.
In the meantime, boys and girls, walk arm and arm. And they love to give hugs.
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