...and we're back!

We made it back for our third year here in Ankara, Turkey. We landed a few weeks ago, and we hit the ground running. We are now in our second week of school, and it has been a great time thus far. I am still teaching Kindergarten, and Bo is still teaching secondary English. He has most of the same classes as last year with the addition of British Literature and College Writing. He loves teaching English, and I know the students love him. We also get to stay in the same apartment, and it was so lovely to get back to a home already set up. This is the first time we have lived in the same apartment for over a year.

My new kindergarten class has been such a joy to teach these few weeks. I have 17 students from about 10 different countries. I have two sets of twins this year, so it will be a new adventure for sure. The twin girls are easy to tell apart, but the boys are nearly identical. One of the boys told me on the first day, when I asked him what he likes to do, that he and his brother like to joke that they are each other. I am thankful for their mom who promised to always dress them differently. I try to check what each has on first thing before they can "joke" me. They have already used their trick on the computer teacher...ha. They are so funny and full of life. I only have a few students who came to school knowing no English. They have been quick and eager learners. Here are a few pictures from the first days:

 

K-5 before the students came to school.

Swinging into K-5!

 K-5 minus 4 who had not arrived in Turkey.

 Must do a silly one.

I will take an updated photo to show you the rest of my class. They are all here now, and it is definitely a full classroom. I am excited for the year ahead, and I still cannot believe that this will be my third year of teaching. I would have never thought it to be true if you told me years ago when I repeatedly said I would never be a teacher. I am so glad this was a part of the plan for us. I have enjoyed (almost) every minute of it :).

We also recently made a trip to the Black Sea during our first three day weekend. We went to a little town (and by little I mean a one street town) called Cakraz (pronounced Chakras). We went with some great friends, and one of them was even willing to drive a rental car in Turkey. It was the first time we rented a car in Turkey, and I was amazed at how much fun we had just riding in the car. We were able to drive to a nearby city to meet some other friends for dinner. I think we will have to try renting a car again :). Our hostel was right on the beach with beautiful mountains all around. The weather was perfect for a beach and hiking sort of weekend. It was a great way to get rejuvenated for the beginning of the school year. Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

The view on the drive.

 

The view from our hostel balcony.

We were brave...dinner the first night and surprisingly yummy (note Bo's OCD as he ate his hamsi).

The top of our hike.

Another picture on the hike with some great friends.

The boys on the trip.

 We went to Amasra (a town about 20 minutes away) for dinner one night.

On the way back to Ankara...one last picture of the beautiful scenery.

I will put in my usual "sorry we have not posted in so long, we promise to be better this time" statement here. We really do want to do a better job of posting, but alas we always seem to fail. Thank you all for your love and support (and patience with our lack of communicating on a regular basis). You mean the world to us, and we miss you each and every day. We could be here without you. We have learned and are learning so much during our time in Turkey. God is faithful, and He shows us every day through our family and friends. Ya'll are the best!

lots of love, 

K and B