School Days Again

Before I add more to the Summer experiences, I want to write about the first week back with students.  After a week of meetings and required tech training which was often frustrating because it wasn't high priority for most of us, but it was mandatory, classes began 5 days ago.

What a difference a year and familiarity makes.  It was so great to see familiar student faces and, as I posted on facebook, there was a lot of hugs and double-cheeked kisses and "I miss you's"  (My friend Nancy M.  relied on fb, "Here, you'd get arrested. "  Yes, it's different here.  The kids are quite affectionate.)  Here (above)  are some of the new kids on my block.

Visitors Descend

While I was away in Italy, brother-in-law Brad was the first of the large group of visitors to arrive.  Having recovered a little energy after the trip, I headed to Buyukada on Sunday and spent the night with Ron and Fusun, where Brad had been staying.  Ron was flying out the next morning, so we all left early Monday, Ron to the airport, me back to campus, and Brad and Fusun to explore the back streets of Istanbul.

Monday night was graduation, held on Konak Terrace with its panoramic view of the Bosphorus. Normally  at 5 in the evening, sitting out there could be sweltering, but it had been a cool June and we were quite chilled by the end.  Except for the setting, the smaller number of students (173) and that there were speeches in Turkish as well as English, it was very much like an Ithaca High graduation.  There was a reception for all with soft drinks and snacks.  And just like after an IHS graduation, some of the faculty got together after the offcial stuff was over.  But instead of the Ale House, we went to Karla's apartment.  The most comical (but nearly tragic)  moment was when Karla's beloved cat Loki got too near the candles on the coffee table and caught his tail on fire.  Luckily, it was just a singe.

The next day I made my first of three meet and greet trips to the airport.:   Charlotte and Monica.  I was nervous because I was a bit after their arrival time, but then I waited and waited.  I realized after many such trips that you just can't predict how long it's going to take.  I wish I had a picture of them coming through the doors, but I had long since put away my camera by the time they emerged.

We grabbed a cab  and came back to campus.  Fusun and Brad came a bit later and we sat on my terrace and had snacks and drinks.  I had invited friends to join us but many had already left or were leaving the next day.  But my visitors got to meet my next door neighbor Cecile and my great friend Allison.

lunch time on the island

Caitlin, lolling by the pool.  Is she spoiled?

Beloved b-in-law and sis

two people I love drinking champagne in a place I love

And then it was off to Buyukada for relaxation and fun in the sun. Above are some photos from the two weeks of magic on the island.  More to follow.

Italia Giugno

Before my vacation began I chaperoned 15 students (11 girls, four boys), along with my friend and colleague Michael, on a week long trip to Roma and Firenze.  These students had taken the course called Art, Society and Literature.  (And judging by the knowledge they displayed,as we toured museums and hsitorical sites, they learned a lot.)

The trip was exhasting and expensive. (Chaperones covered their own meals, museum admissions and in country transportation, which ran up quite a tab.) But I love Italy always and it was fun to get to know some older RC students in this way.  Many of these kids were really the cream of the RC crop, so I was impressed at where they were after 4 years at our school.

At the Coliseum

Dinner in a private room at a ristorante

In the Pantheon

Back again

Almost three months.  Been back to the States and now back again in Istanbul.  Start classes on Monday.  Last week was meetings, meetings, meetings.  Some frustrating IT training, and I have much to do to be ready for students next week.  It's  a sunny Saturday and I think I spend an hour or so at the office and then to the pool.

Wandering among the Fairy Chimneys in Capadoccia

Just a brief recap and some pictures of where I left off last May.  Trip to Capadoccia with Rob, Judy, Tom and Til was good.  We had some on again, off again weather and at times it was a struggle to get the group moving but some spectacular scenery and a good time at the Flintstones Cave Hotel (where the rooms are reallly caves)  with our great host Mehmet.

This was actually a double rainbow

The frescoes inside one of the painted churches at Goreme

Most of us bought carpets from this guy in Goreme

The cook at the Flinstones Cave Hotel

In the common room at the Flintstones