Pay it Forward

Over the last month or so, my class has had to opportunity to be involved in a really neat project. The 2nd grade teacher at my school told me about this “Pay it Forward” project that her teacher friend in the states was heading up and asked if I wanted to be involved. They got a $500 grant to send Pay It Forward boxes to other third grade classes and asked if we wanted to be involved. I told them absolutely!

A few weeks ago my class received the Pay it Forward box in the mail from the 3rd grade class in New York. Inside the box was:
-A letter explaining everything
-Copy of the book, Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed
-Envelope with $20 (to help with our class pay it forward project)
-Snack for our class (there was not room in the box to send 20 blueberry muffins, so they sent a little cash and I bought Krispy Kreme donuts for the kids!)
-Pay it Forward cards

I had never heard of the book before, but it was so cute and did a wonderful job of explaining the idea of pay it forward. It is about a little girl named Mary who picks some blueberries and randomly gives them to 5 people. One of those 5 people is a nice lady who uses them to bake some blueberry muffins and gives them to 5 different people. One of those five people is a paper boy who says “Good Morning” to each of his customers on his paper route. And the cycle just keeps going.

Most of my kids had never heard of the concept of Pay it Forward. So it was really cool to discuss the idea with them of paying a kindness forward to people and encouraging them to do the same. As a class we brainstormed ways that we could Pay it Forward individually, as well as Pay it Forward as a class. We decided we would use our $20 to buy flowers for our school secretary and treat her to lunch one day off of campus. It was so fun to watch my kids get excited about doing something kind for someone else. We talked a lot about how we are called to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Last week, at assembly we took the opportunity to share with the elementary school about Pay it Forward. We sang some fun songs about love, I read the book, and each of the kids shared about their individual Pay it Forwards. Then they performed a song I had taught them by Amy Grant. On one of her hymns CDs, she does a Medley of Jesus Loves Me/They’ll Know We Are Christians/Helping Hand. All 3 are great songs that beautifully present the joy of Christ’s love and importance of sharing that love with others.

Kindness

I experienced the kindness of my Father today in a real and simple way. My morning started off kinda hectic (like most mornings). I overslept just a bit and didn’t get my QT in. I was going to wear these new shoes I bought last week but the clasp broke as I was putting them on. I ran out of my apartment in a whirlwind, ready to start the day.

Then I got to school.

I turned on my classroom computer and logged in. A message popped up welcoming me to the “New Windows XP” and congratulating me on the upgrade. I didn’t think much of it, until I opened Internet Explorer and the homepage was different. I then noticed that my desktop looked very empty and the background picture was gone. And when I opened up My Documents, I found nothing. All my documents were gone - lesson plans, worksheets, year plan, and most importantly all the stuff I have been working on for my school’s accreditation. I have spent hours and hours writing curriculum, creating unit plans, etc. All gone.

I just sat there staring at my computer. Frustrated and confused. It was almost like someone had come in and wiped my computer clean - there was NOTHING on it. I started tearing up just thinking about all the time I had spent on these documents that were now gone. At this point one of my students came in and asked if I was tired. I told her no and then she asked if I was sad. I told her yes, that I had lost some very important things and didn’t know if I would ever get them back. She just nodded her head and went back outside.

I continued sulking and throwing myself a pity party. I wanted so desperately to complain to someone and for them to make it better! I even sent out a few pathetic emails. Later that morning when we were doing PR that same student asked that we pray for “Miss Price to find her documents.” Out of the mouth of babes, now why hadn’t I thought of that? Pray. There is an idea.

As the day went on it I finally got out of the daze I was in and accepted that the documents were gone, but that it was going to be okay. I would just have to rearrange a few things in my schedule to find time to catch up on the work load. After lunch I was typing another document and my computer suddenly said it needed to restart. I saved the document and decided to leave the computer alone for a while. Later that afternoon when I went to sign back on, I noticed my background picture was back!! I thought to myself, NO WAY! And then I opened up My Documents and they were all there! Everything was back to normal, from my picture albums to my favorites folder in Internet Explorer.

I don’t understand it or know why/how it happened. All I can figure is that my Father was being extra kind to me. I know for some of you this may sound a bit ridiculous or dramatic, but it greatly affected me and my day. I think it just goes to show how my Father is involved in the big and small things. He cares about me and all his children. Lamentations 3 says:

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I am looking forward to experiencing His compassions in a new and sweet way tomorrow morning. GREAT IS HIS FAITHFULNESS

A Lot of Things Different

I was recently talking with a friend about my time in Turkey, and she asked me, "In what ways have you changed since you moved here?" I gave her some quick, generic answer about being more culturally aware of things or something like that. But it really got me thinking about the ways in which I have changed over the last year and a half. No matter where you are in life or what you are doing, life is full of changes. I've learned that, not just because I have lived overseas. Many of the changes I have experienced this year are a result of my relationship with the Father and with the people He has placed in my life. But, some of these changes are a direct result of living in a big city in a foreign country.

For instance, last weekend we went to Rainforest Cafe to celebrate my birthday. We left my apartment at 11:30am and after 3 hours and multiple modes of transportation (bus, boat, and taxi) we arrived at the restaurant! In that amount of time I could have driven from Raleigh to Rose Hill. In the states, I would never plan to go eat at a place that is 3 hours away from my house, but here it is what I do. Riding and depending on public transportation is a part of my life and I expect it to take me at least an hour to get anywhere in the city...if not more.

Another significant change in my life: my tolerance for heat and cold. In the states when I get cold I start complaining and jack the heat up. Or in the summer I freak out and ask why the air is not on! Well here I just kinda deal with it. Unless I am miserable (which hasn't happened much) I don't change the temperature and I just learn to be a little bit uncomfortable.

It is very Turkish to take off your shoes when you enter someone's house. We started doing that at our apartment and I love it. It is such an easy way to keep the apartment clean. When I was home last summer I felt so weird walking around the house in my shoes. As soon as I walk in the door I automatically slip off my shoes without even thinking about it.

I have learned when I eat at restaurants here to make my drinks last. In the states we have unlimited refills. Not so here. Regardless of if I ordered a coke or a water I get about 12oz that needs to last me the whole meal. I find myself drinking less and saving it until I get my food.

Long gone are the days of talking on my cell phone. It costs so much that I normally just text. In the states I could easily talk for 45 minutes on my phone. The other day I was got anxious because the conversation lasted almost 5 minutes.

I eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies here. They are so cheap and so good, no perservatives! As a result I have to go to the market every week. I use a little cart to carry my groceries to my house.

Kids Say.

One of my favorite things about teaching is the things my kids say. I will say it is annoying when I explain a situation or activity, and then get a million questions about what I just explained! At the moment it is not funny, but later it is. For example:

The other day I told the kids, "This afternoon they are going to be setting up for the school play in the Multi-Purpose Room, so you have to eat lunch outside." Immediately afterwards I hear a resounding, "WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY?"

And now for some funny/cute kid conversations I have had recently.

Example #1

Student: You know those blue sport drinks?

ME: Yea, like Powerade?

Student: Yes, that. My mom says girls are not suppose to drink them. But Brittany does!!

ME: Really? Well, when I was younger I drank them.

Student: That is not good (looks me over). That is why you are so short!

Example #2

I asked the kids if anyone knew how many states were in the USA.

Student 1: 50!!

Student 2: There used to be 51 until Texas left the US.

ME: No, Texas is still part of the US.

Student 2: Yea...but not really.

ME: No, Texas IS A part of the United States, right now.

Student 2: Okay (still not convinced)

Example #3

Last week I noticed a few ESL students writing homework like this:

Math - Complete Workshit page 89

Example #4

At recess, a pigeon was flying around with a nail stuck to his foot. The kids were trying to help him.

Teacher: Does anyone know pigeon? (looks at a student) Do you speak pigeon??

Student: No...I speak cat. (like DUH!)

They make me smile :)

Crazyness

I can go for weeks with having nothing out of the ordinary planned...just school, church, and being at my apartment. And then there are times when everything I want to do is planned for the same day or week. This past week was one of those times. For months I had been looking forward to attending the High School Dinner Theatre, a performance of "The Importance of Being Earnest." I found out about a month ago that several friends were planning a trip down to Cappadocia the same weekend. I felt torn between doing both, and finally decided to attend the dinner theatre on Friday night, and fly out early Saturday morning for Cappadocia with a few girls (the others left Friday evening on an overnight bus). Anyways to say that it was a crazy, busy weekend would be an understatement. My weekend went something like this:

Wake up at 6am for school Friday.

Find out that my kids won't go to their only special for the day because the Music teacher is sick. Therefore, I don't get a break, since I also have recess duty AND my kids have to eat outside because of the school play.

Help parents set up for our Roman Banquet (in celebration of the end of our Roman Empire Unit).

Get a notice that school will dismiss 30 minutes early due to roads closing at 4pm.

Stay after school until 6pm grading papers and working on report cards.

Attend Dinner Theatre (SO WONDERFUL!)

Get home around 11pm and in bed after midnight.

Wake up at 4:30am to leave for 6:30 flight to Cappadocia.

Meet up with the rest of the group at 9am at our hotel to begin our tour.

After lunch rent mopeds and drive around. The rain/hail stopped us, but only for a short while

Dinner and in bed by midnight.

Wake up at 5am for the Hot Air Balloon Ride. I cannot even describe it except to say that it was incredible and if any of you ever get the chance DO IT!

Back to hotel for Turkish breakfast and a tour starting at 9am.

Private tour ALL DAY with a tour guide...saw underground cities, monastaries, beautiful parks/valleys, caves, etc.

Back at hotel by 5:30 pm to leave for airport at 6.

Land back in Istanbul at 10pm, take a taxi to my apartment.

In bed by midnight. Up again at 6am and start one of the longest weeks of my life (report cards, field trip, parent conference, and teaching!)

Needless to say, it was a great weekend and I am glad I did it all.

a few weeks ago....

I am really bad with blogging about things when they happen. A few weeks ago...March 19th to be exact...I had my 3rd grade girls over for a sleepover. My roommate, who happens to be the 5th grade teacher, and I thought it would be fun to have our girls over one weekend. At first we were going to do it together, but her 14 girls and my 11 girls would make a total of 25 girls. AND that would have been ridiculous. So we decided to have them over 2 seperate weekends. Her 5th grade girls came the weekend before mine. Both weekends were a lot of fun and I am so glad we did it. I was a little worried with my group, that they may be too young, feelings could get hurt, girls get homesick, etc. But it was a very exciting and memorable night, as you can see from the pictures. The girls stayed after school with me and rode the teacher bus home. We put in the movie, UP, right away, while I ordered the pizza! After pizza, I jokingly said that I was going to send them outside to play in the dark. Next thing I know, they are all putting on shoes and jackets. Haha. So out we went....no worries we just played around in the garden area right behind my apartment and told stories. It was a really sweet time. I taught them how to play mafia, but that only lasted a few rounds (can be quite difficult and complicated with 8 year olds, and half of them are ESL). A night of pillow fights and dancing followed. My girls COULD NOT believe that their teacher danced. They said I was a good teacher, but that I should have been a dancer and singer. I was that good :)At 11pm, we put in Pippy Longstocking to watch (it was going to be Annie, but it is rated PG for language!) I slept in the room with them incase there were any problems. At 6am they started stirring and talking, I very calming told them it was WAY to early to be awake and there was to be no talking. That lasted an hour. At 7, I turned the movie back on and kept sleeping on the couch. At 8 I finally got up to fix pancakes.
While waiting for parents to arrive we danced. The night before I had taught them all kinds of lines dances (Tush Push, Cha Cha Slide, Cupid Shuffle, Hoedown Throwdown). It was a fun and exhausting weekend. I look forward to doing it again, but not for another year!!

Spring Break!

Well spring break is officially over...I go back to school and back to reality tomorrow. The past 10 days were incredible. I had such a wonderful time with my friends from America and it was a truly a delight to be with them. I could go on and on about how great it was to spend time with friends from college, to have them in my city for a week, to catch up, etc - but instead I'll just comment briefly on a few highlights from the week.

First off, I have lived here for over a year now and this past week I experienced my city in a way I never have before. We spent the entire week with Turks who were intent on showing us a good time. They took us everywhere - a few places I had been before and several new places. It was awesome. The eating feast and talking never stopped, I loved every minute. We literally went from one restaurant or cafe to another - eating waffles, chocolate, pasta, meat, sandwiches and drinking coffee, tea, ayran, etc. Almost every night we had to take a taxi back home because by the time we stopped fellowshiping the buses had quit running. This gave me A LOT of practice with my Turkish :)

New favorite things to do: Nargile and Tavla, Singing Karoke in Taksim
New places to go: Caddebostan Parki, KOÇ UNIVERSITY
New foods: Kokoreç (not my favorite), Sütiş Restaurant in Emirgan
More fun stuff: Riding bikes around Prince's Islands, going to football games/practices, Hamam (Turkish Bath), Terayki Cafe and Park

All in all it was a fabulous week. I grew to love this country and the people here even more and am grateful my friends were able to experience a part of my life. Here are a few pictures...I'll put more on facebook soon.