TGIF

Hello blog readers!

I'm settling into a nice routine here, which has been particularly nice this week due to some class cancellations. As I result I've had a bit more free time than I anticipated, especially after last week's series of 13-hour days. What have I done in my spare time, you ask? Well, I've taken some long walks, I've watched some episodes of Studio 60 (I'm so glad I put off watching that show till I got here), and I've taken some much-needed naps. I feel like I'm still trying to catch up on sleep from last week.

Istanbul is doing well. After a week of frigid weather, the temperature is back up to mid 40s-50s (F), making it extremely pleasant for walking and exploring. I've done quite a bit of both with Suzie. It's nice to have someone my age around. Also, speaking of weather, I went to my local cinema to see "An Inconvenient Truth" on Valentine's Day (alone, thank you) after lying around in pain after a mildly unfortunate lunch. I knew what I was in for, so I was prepared to be shocked and awed, but I was also pleased to see Al Gore doing something he clearly loves to do. Certainly this must suit him better than being president. Later, I talked about the film with my CNN weather reporter student, who is now the person I come to with any questions I have about Turkey (truly anything, except Armenia). He confirmed everything Al Gore had to say, and even provided me with extra information.

The same student took me to see the CNN Turkey headquarters on Sunday afternoon, a massive building in the middle of nowhere with impressive security. I got to see all the sets and broadcasting equipment, which made me as excited as a seventh grader. I forgot my camera, of course, but actually there wasn't much to photograph. Radio and TV stations always seem so exciting to me, maybe because they are so obviously participating in our lives in real time with immediate results. On that particular Sunday only the techies and minions were working, so the average age in the cafeteria was probably about 30. In fact, I don't think I saw anyone over 40. It was amazing, more like being back at McGill's cafeteria than the Turkish headquarters of a multinational corporation.

CNN weather guy is only one example of how great all my students are. No matter how deadly my schedule is, or how frustrating living here can be, my actual students make every day hilarious and unique, and I'm grateful for that.

I've been getting some complaints that I don't write often enough so I'll try to work on that. Until next time!