the cultural divide

I could write a lot on this topic because I am living it everyday.
But I'm also trying to bridge it everyday.

At my former school - it was always fighting that feeling of being an outsider.  It's an inevitable feeling, no matter how much I try to connect - it's like walking around with a big question mark.  Did I understand this right? Did they understand me?  What is going on here?  Conversely, I inevitably feel something in me relax when I'm around people of my culture.  I feel more confident, as if I understand that thoughts and intentions, which is ridiculous - but hey, they even get my jokes.

At my current school, there should be more people I connect with culturally, but instead I kind of don't like my culture anymore.  I don't like how we obsess over rules, regulations and order.  I don't like how we no longer sing the national anthem on Mondays and Fridays.  I don't like how our students sit on the floor (a Turkish faux pa) but can't sit in the classrooms at lunchtime unattended.

The elementary school principal sent out a letter to all the parents explaining that cold weather, or change in weather specifically, doesn't cause sickness.  The letter explained that on cold but sunny days above -5 degrees Celsius we would be playing outside, and it included five researched reasons why this was part of the curriculum.

I don't like the divide in the teachers.  Newcomers to the country view everything as interesting.  Those that stay, get comfortable with their ways and their international friends - and tired of the Turkish ways.  The Turkish teachers drink their tea and coffee, socialize, and watch the foreigners come and go, or stay - but stay distant - as if they were the ones uprooted.

I also know I am good at my part because I like being here.  I like my culture, and I like the Turkish-ness I've learned.  I always believe community if for bringing out the best, and I'm always looking for it.