Just had to mention that American Sign Languge (ASL) doesn't always work well in the Turkish classroom. I used "bathroom" in ASL - this does NOT mean bathroom/
That is all.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Besiktas vs Galatasaray Football Match
After Dustin and I parted I made my way to meet up with Onur and Emilia. Together we grabbed some brunch before making our way out to Lexie's for some socializing before the football match between Besiktas and Galatasaray. A little prelude to this game first: this is a derby match (teams from the same area), Besiktas is the home team and no visitors from the opposing team are allowed in the stadium, Besiktas' field is under construction, so the Ataturk Olympic Stadium is being used for the Besiktas home games, and people at work were surprised I was going to this game.
Anyways, fast forward here a bit, arriving in our taxis to the stadium I was blown away by the sheer size. I read the stadium holds approximately 76,000. This game was completely sold out and many more got in. In general I thought the teams both played poorly, but the fans made up for that in more than one way. The chants, flags and actions done by the fans gave me goose bumps.
Besiktas Goooooooooal!
Unfortunately, Besiktas and from the a riot broke out. Thankfully I was on the side of the stand that did not storm the pitch. I was not pleased with the actions of the Basiktas fans but this was an experience.
I'll attend another games, just maybe not Besiktas games :)
Anyways, fast forward here a bit, arriving in our taxis to the stadium I was blown away by the sheer size. I read the stadium holds approximately 76,000. This game was completely sold out and many more got in. In general I thought the teams both played poorly, but the fans made up for that in more than one way. The chants, flags and actions done by the fans gave me goose bumps.
Besiktas fan club getting revved up near the brunch location
Onur
Emilia
Go Besiktas!!
Ataturk Olymic Stadium- WOW it's big
Fans with flags
Traditional Besiktas song with Eagle Claws
Kick Off!
Celebrate with flares, duh
Saturday, September 21, 2013
"The Boys are Back in Town"
Two weekends ago Dustin flew from overseas for a lacrosse tournament to be held in Alanya, Turkey located on the Mediterranean Sea. Of course I reaped the benefits when he stayed in Istanbul for a hand full of days. When Dustin arrived it actually was my first full week of teaching my 5th grade and kindergarten classes - not the most convenient but I powered through it. On Friday afternoon I took the trip to the Europe side of Isatnbul to Eminounu, where Dustin and Ali's hotel was. That evening I took the two to Galata tower, where we sat atop the surrounding wall and viewed the many people visiting the same spot. From Galata Tower we walked down Istikalal street to Taksim Square. We stopped at different shops and took in the atmosphere. (Last night a friend said on average 2 million people walk Istikalal a day). From Taksim Square the tour guide lead us through a zig-zag of streets to a hidden gem of a view overlooking the Bosphorous and Golden Horn. After gazing for a while we walked the boardwalk at the Bosphorous and took the ferry to Kadikoy on the Asia side. We toured some of my favorite streets in Kadikoy and met up with Gulsen. From here we ventured to "bar street" for adult beverages. We made some new friends that night too!
Galata Tower
Taksim Square
Dustin and Ali sitting at the Vantage Point
Drinks in Kadikoy
New Friends
The following day, Saturday, Dustin, Ali and I spent some time recuperating at the
hotel in Eminounu before heading out with the majority of the lacrosse
team who now had finally arrived in Istanbul. We hung out on the rooftop
of the hotel taking in the view before going out for dinner with the
gang - 20 strong. We had a delicious meal. I shared a 2 person order
with Mike Livingston, who happened to be a coach of mine when I was in
junior high. After dinner we went out for a drink as a whole group, but
in the back of my mind I knew I wanted to take the adventurous kind to
Taksim/Istikalal for the night life scene and I did. Once these adventurists were torn from the large pack we took taxis to a short distance from Taksim Square, since traffic was backed up. I feel like this maneuver built up the presentation for what these folks were going to walk into, literally. Again, 2 million people walk this street per day. When we rounded the corner to Taksim, there they were, 2 million strong, walking in every direction. I knew we would have a fun night.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Home Coming and State Fair?
During the events in this post I couldn't help but think about how funny it sounded to be at a "home coming" and to have "state fair" food... Gulsen invited me to the Bogazici University Home Coming, where she graduated college. Of course I went. I couldn't resist attending a Turkish home coming. I wanted to experience it. What I experienced was yet another lively atmosphere and another group of wonderful people.
(I do want to mention the time it took me to travel from Cekmekoy to Bogazici University. Normally a destionation this far away wold have taken more than two hours, but I managed to arrive in only 1.75 hours. I was very pleased with myself.)
Anyways, walking down the beautiful, scenic, university road into campus I could hear music becoming louder and louder. Rounded the last corner of that road Gulsen and I were enlightened with a courtyard of graduates dancing, eating, socializing and enjoying themselves. Kiosks and booths were set up with free foods, items, and information. Gulsen led me around the courtyard, while I took it all in. We ventured around untill we stubled upon the free Turkish coffee and tea lounge, set up in a smaller grassy knoll area where, Gulsen had mentioned, was in an area university couples snuck off to, sitting on a bench to overlook the Bosphorous - similar to that iconic American hill top parking spot. While Gulsen and I sat and drank coffee, a handful of her friends from the university joined us in conversation. We sat on cousions in the grass underneath a conopy of trees. Though her friends could speak English to an extent, I found myself seperated, in contempt, just soaking up the atmosphere and surroundings. Multiple times througout the night this happend and an aquatance would ask if I were board or doing alright, my response could never really satify their curiosity. I really did enjoy my time, talking or not.
At another time I stumbled upon a food stand I could not pass up. I stood in line thinking, "this is the closest thing I will have the the Great Minnesota Get Together". Here is my picture to help you along to understand my feelings:
Miss you, MN.
(I do want to mention the time it took me to travel from Cekmekoy to Bogazici University. Normally a destionation this far away wold have taken more than two hours, but I managed to arrive in only 1.75 hours. I was very pleased with myself.)
Anyways, walking down the beautiful, scenic, university road into campus I could hear music becoming louder and louder. Rounded the last corner of that road Gulsen and I were enlightened with a courtyard of graduates dancing, eating, socializing and enjoying themselves. Kiosks and booths were set up with free foods, items, and information. Gulsen led me around the courtyard, while I took it all in. We ventured around untill we stubled upon the free Turkish coffee and tea lounge, set up in a smaller grassy knoll area where, Gulsen had mentioned, was in an area university couples snuck off to, sitting on a bench to overlook the Bosphorous - similar to that iconic American hill top parking spot. While Gulsen and I sat and drank coffee, a handful of her friends from the university joined us in conversation. We sat on cousions in the grass underneath a conopy of trees. Though her friends could speak English to an extent, I found myself seperated, in contempt, just soaking up the atmosphere and surroundings. Multiple times througout the night this happend and an aquatance would ask if I were board or doing alright, my response could never really satify their curiosity. I really did enjoy my time, talking or not.
View from the campus road
Main Courtyard
Enjoying Company over Turkish Coffee
Yes, food on a stick!!! Corn Dog
Twin Cities Love
Miss you, MN.
Grill Out
Over this last weekend Molly and Volkan invited me to their apartment complex's grill out. I met many Turkish and was introduced to one college man who goes to school in Sile, locate don the Black Sea. He and I traded contact info. I'm excited to be in contact with him since he is around my age and he lives 5 minutes from me. I haven;t found my of theose people - around my age and lives near by - oh yeah, he speaks a bit of English, too. While I was there I had my first taste of Raki, a black liquorish liquor. I think I enjoyed it .
Chicken was the main course served at the grill out. Side items included the traditional Turkish salad, hot peppers and chips. Other drinks included beer (the Turkish beer is pretty nice), wine, water and pop. Again, the people are so very generous, taking pride in being hospitable, all the while feeling satisfaction in doing so. I like that. I think we all can. And we all do that too.
Chicken was the main course served at the grill out. Side items included the traditional Turkish salad, hot peppers and chips. Other drinks included beer (the Turkish beer is pretty nice), wine, water and pop. Again, the people are so very generous, taking pride in being hospitable, all the while feeling satisfaction in doing so. I like that. I think we all can. And we all do that too.
Where have you been? Teaching - Duh!
Sorry, folks.
Life is moving fast and I forgot to check in on the blog.
Today was the second day of school included all students from K-12th grade. The school can get very loud being that there are not many surfaces that cushion the noise. Yesterday felt like a very long day even though I had only taught for a grand total of 20-25 minutes. Today I taught for about 4 hours and walking away from school, I feel energized.
In Kindergarten class I have 6 students. These students are 4-5 years old, where as the 6 year old students are in a different kindergarten class - 7 students total. Just about all of them are wonderful. I only phrase it this was because two of the kindergartens were new to yesterday and only today I was able to reach to them in an educational way... Red! Yellow! Green! Circle! Triangle! Hello! I've only been teaching 20-30 minutes at a time with these guys. If it were to be any long their attention span would drive ME crazy. I'm excited for when things get rolling.
The fifth graders have been great. I have been playing games with them, such as Simon Says, Two Truths and a Lie, and Dirt-Bag/Hacky-Sack, yes, I pulled out my dirt-bag and we have been playing with it. These students vary at reading, writing and speaking in English. This diversity will be my greatest challenge, but I know I will be able to differentiate at meet the needs of the students. Today I mainly corrected behavior issues and set expectations with these children. Even when I mistakenly forgot the let the class go for snack break, I managed the class thru school, up four flights of stairs, into the lunch room and into seats, I set expectations and built respect for each other, the school, its staff, and myself. Its very important you are grateful two everyone but especially two people - the lunch workers and the custodians.- my mom taught me that.
My schedule varies very much per day. For instance, Wednesday, I will teach straight through the entire day ending with a prep period, whereas Friday, I start with a prep hour, teach 3 periods and have last 4 periods off for prep. I like my Fridays :)
I do have my own classroom. I received it last week on Thursday, so I spent the all that Thursday preparing posters and pictures, then Friday I hung them up. The classroom still looks a little bear - that's just how Turkish schools look - but its fun. I colored Disney pictures of many great characters including Snowhite, Winnie the Poo, Goofy, Donald Duck, Ariel, and other, in which I placed on the students lockers. I do not have a homeroom class, so these lockers can be used for my supplies or better yet used for students materials that I wish to keep in the classroom. I'm grateful to have this room.
Life is moving fast and I forgot to check in on the blog.
Today was the second day of school included all students from K-12th grade. The school can get very loud being that there are not many surfaces that cushion the noise. Yesterday felt like a very long day even though I had only taught for a grand total of 20-25 minutes. Today I taught for about 4 hours and walking away from school, I feel energized.
In Kindergarten class I have 6 students. These students are 4-5 years old, where as the 6 year old students are in a different kindergarten class - 7 students total. Just about all of them are wonderful. I only phrase it this was because two of the kindergartens were new to yesterday and only today I was able to reach to them in an educational way... Red! Yellow! Green! Circle! Triangle! Hello! I've only been teaching 20-30 minutes at a time with these guys. If it were to be any long their attention span would drive ME crazy. I'm excited for when things get rolling.
The fifth graders have been great. I have been playing games with them, such as Simon Says, Two Truths and a Lie, and Dirt-Bag/Hacky-Sack, yes, I pulled out my dirt-bag and we have been playing with it. These students vary at reading, writing and speaking in English. This diversity will be my greatest challenge, but I know I will be able to differentiate at meet the needs of the students. Today I mainly corrected behavior issues and set expectations with these children. Even when I mistakenly forgot the let the class go for snack break, I managed the class thru school, up four flights of stairs, into the lunch room and into seats, I set expectations and built respect for each other, the school, its staff, and myself. Its very important you are grateful two everyone but especially two people - the lunch workers and the custodians.- my mom taught me that.
My schedule varies very much per day. For instance, Wednesday, I will teach straight through the entire day ending with a prep period, whereas Friday, I start with a prep hour, teach 3 periods and have last 4 periods off for prep. I like my Fridays :)
I do have my own classroom. I received it last week on Thursday, so I spent the all that Thursday preparing posters and pictures, then Friday I hung them up. The classroom still looks a little bear - that's just how Turkish schools look - but its fun. I colored Disney pictures of many great characters including Snowhite, Winnie the Poo, Goofy, Donald Duck, Ariel, and other, in which I placed on the students lockers. I do not have a homeroom class, so these lockers can be used for my supplies or better yet used for students materials that I wish to keep in the classroom. I'm grateful to have this room.
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