back to work

I didn't sleep well in anticipation for my first day back.  I realize there is only a month left of school and very little for me to do - but leaving Tuana (will she take a bottle?), working out my new schedule and "milk permission",  informing people I'm leaving this year ... it all made for a restless sleep.

I had two goals for my first day: pump milk and leave early.  I had sent a message the evening before to my English Department head asking about my schedule.  In Turkey, mother's get a daily leave of an hour-and-a-half to go and feed their babies.  It's strange and insufficient for a newborn, but it's something.  My English Department head didn't want to give me a straight answer and referred me to the principal.  She didn't want to take responsibility for a decision' and communication quickly becomes oddly broken and polite at the same time when I'm searching for an answer or decision.  In the morning I said hello to the principal and she referred me to the Assistant Principal.  She said hello to me, reminded me I had an hour-and-a-half permission and referred me back to the English Department head.

My courses will be for the next two weeks supporting eighth grade teachers - pulling out half a class or individuals to do some speaking practice with them.  I only taught one class and really enjoyed it as they were all former students of mine.  I successfully pumped 225 ml of milk, and left school at 2:30.

Tuana struggled with her bottle throughout the day, but with curiosity, and eventually drank it all.

She just seemed slightly betrayed when I came home.  She didn't say so - but I could see it in her eyes...