my school

 

middle on the right, high school in the distance, administrative stuff on left

My tasks today were to take four classes, split them with a teacher, and practice speaking.  But, instead I took one class, observed the second because the teacher had something planned, substituted a third, and went to a concert the fourth.

That's a typical day in my school - you have to be flexible because things are always changing.  I'm not sure if it's due to bad planning, or bad communication.  Just another question floating around my day.  

observing a class

elementary school

my former students singing 

The concert was the first time I had seen some of my old students, and I'm still coming across lots of teachers I haven't seen since being back as well.  It's quite fun getting the enthusiastic waves from the kids and big hugs and kisses from colleagues.  I told small group I felt a bit guilty for coming back tanned and relaxed in the midst of everyone's end-of-the-year exhaustion.  And I was so graciously told, "No, it is refreshing to see you."

The kids were quite cute, singing (and clapping and stomping) with great discipline and facial enthusiasm.  There were instruments as well and while it will never match the legendary orchestra, choir and band of my high school - it always makes me so happy to see.

Except when a middle schooler inevitably tries to use the time to debut as if it's Sesiz Turkey (Turkey's version of American Idol).  This time is was two seventh grade girls singing Bang Bang - a song I had never heard before but presumably is popular now.  I usually don't listen closely to the words, but my two American colleagues kept commenting on their embarrassment over the music selections at lunchtime - how the songs made them blush.  And it was awkward with their chorus going "Bang bang into the room, you know you want it".  

CUT! CUT!

But it only got worse.  It's a good thing they ended with a jazz piece, hopefully that will stick in everyone's mind more.

At home, this evening, Zuleyha's husband came by to pick her up and say hi to the kids.  He stops by every once and a while, and we haven't seen him since the baby's been born.  He loves the kids as much as Zuleyha and Teoman jumped on him and Tomris copied after getting past her shyness.  We had Turkish coffee and then escorted them downstairs.  Teoman wanted to show Ahmet our new Toyota.  I brought the keys and Teoman and Tomris crawled around the car like bugs.  He showed them the seats, the trunk and the steering wheel.  We went out to the street to look at their new car as well - a 2013 Toyota - a big purchase for them as well.  Teoman said, "I know, we can have a picnic together - you take your car, and we'll take ours!"

So a picnic it will be.

First time seeing Tuana ... she was close to crying