Last Day of School

June 18th was a very good day. It was the day I finished my 1st full year of teaching. And it felt so good! The last week of school was full of fun things – making a memory book, watching a movie, pizza party, cleaning the classroom, awards assembly, and just fun times with my kids. We have both worked hard this year and I feel so good about the way things ended. It was a good end to a very good year. Here is a picture of my kids. I will miss them over the summer, but am also glad for the break!
This is a picture of my roommate (5th grade teacher) and me. We both had the opportunity to teach these cute sisters. At least once a week we would have some conversation at dinner about how much we love “The Waters Sisters.'”
After a fun day at school (and a 2 hour nap) a few teachers headed to Istiklal for dinner and karaoke. Istiklal is a street on the European side that has really fun restaurants and a good night life. As we were walking from dinner to karaoke, we noticed at the there was a lot of music coming from the Tram that runs along Istiklal. Turns out that they had cleared out the passengers and seats, taken out the windows, and set up a band inside the Tram. They would stop and play a song, and then ride about 50 yards up the street and stop again to play another song. As it traveled we ran along side it and sang and danced. It was so fun.

As of lately...

The last few weekends have been busy with really, fun things! The weekend before school finished a few friends and I went to see Lord of the Dance. It was a great show and fun evening. It made me miss taking Tap when I was younger.

The next day we had our staff appreciation banquet at a lovely restaurant on the Bosphorus. It was a bittersweet time, as several teachers are leaving to go back to their home country. Since moving here, goodbyes have become a normal part of life. It is hard, but makes me grateful for all I have been given.
This is a picture of me and the 4th grade teacher. Her and her family are moving to another part of Turkey. I will miss her friendship and guidance so much next year.

ACTS Students

The end of May a few college students from Raleigh arrived in my city. I only knew the leader (we grew up together) of the group, but I really enjoyed getting to know the others. It was great to spend time with old and new friends! They were only in my city for a week before heading down south. It worked out great though, because the week they were here I was out of school 2 days. I was able to spend a good amount of time with them and help show them around.

This is a picture of Britt, Ben, and me. Ben and I have known each other our whole lives - we went through school together (even college), RHBC together, and his parents help raise me. He met Britt a few years ago at a summer camp. Before I moved here he told her that I was coming and we should met and hang out. So we did. She is one of my greatest friends here and I am so thankful for her friendship. It was really fun that the 3 of us finally got to all hang out together.