Two steps forward and three steps back

Well, of course it was too good to be true.

Yesterday right before lunch, as we walked by our new boss's office, we stopped him to say hello and he calmly told us we need to move out of the apartment as soon as possible (actually he said "as long as possible" but we understood him). Then he refused to talk any more with us.
...
Ok- so we're out of the apartment, and have spent a hurried and hectic 24 hours.  Our friend Galip and his father-in-law came in the clutch to help us find a new apartment-- furnished!  We hope to move on Saturday.   For now, I write you form the uni guesthouse (conveniently located next to the Erasmus Sarayi).  My winter break plans seem to be intact.  Now all I have to do is finish grading the finals before Monday!

NOTE- Ok well this is evidently an edited and G-rated version of my original post.  I guess it is probably too scintillating and disparaging to leave online for all to read.  If you're interested in hearing more of the story, email me and I'll send ya the original post.

Now, to finals.  Because- oh yeah-  we're in the middle of final exams this week!

Well, hello there...

So, not much to report.

Living room

The advanced reading midterm went pretty well, gave out a wide range of scores, from 100s to well below failing.  However, most students fell into a nice range between 65-85, and the test seemed to be a decent evaluation of our class so far.  Now we're working on our final papers (5-8 pages) and things have been a little rocky.  I spent most of class on the 23rd explaining what a "thesis statement" was, which was depressing and frustrating.  However, after holding their hand through most of these things, they usually end up exceeding my expectations, so we'll see how these papers turn out.   

Re: Life (FF)

Don't get too upset.  Because nothing is really happening.  So now I will write about that nothing, in bullet-point form, because I'm that lazy.

Here are some things that happened since our move a few weeks ago.  Don't get too excited, because if this were a conversation instead of a blog post, I'd be delivering in a deadpan monotone.

Phwew

Sorry for the alarmist message posted before the weekend-- we have indeed staved off homelessness and managed to escape the confines of the Erasmus Sarayi to boot!  What a weekend.

Catholic Church, Antakya

Wednesday began normally enough, taught my video class and then went to grab some cay with Adnan in the canteen.  Upon our return to the office, we were met by Gulbun Hanim, who was obviously upset.  She shared with us some horrible, though not unexpected news.  The lovely people at the Erasmus Sarayi have expected us to be paying rent, at 50 TL a day (that comes out to about 1500 TL a month, more than half our salary), and they are expecting back-rent from us.  HAHAHAHAHA.  Of course!  Well, since we had been told we'd be living rent free in the dorm, this was obviously a problem.  At least Gulbun Hanim had the wherewithal to be upset too, and in fact, I think she was very concerned with the development since she was partly responsible for the miscommunication (along with the vice-rector) with the dorm that allowed this to happen.

Just a little housing crisis...

Gate to campus on a sunny fall day- goodbye Erasmus Sarayi (insh'Allah)

Hi!  Just an FYI that I'll be out of the communication loop for the next couple of days due to housing crisis which is leaving me short of time and internet.  Don't worry, it is hopefully the crisis that will finally get us into a real apartment and out of the Erasmus Sarayi.

Sunshine to Snow

Bellapais Monastary, Girne, Cyprus

Well snow is in the forecast for me here in Konya over the next 24 hours-- a pretty rude welcome back to the city after a (mostly) sunny Bayram holiday.  I was gone for a week and each day was jam-packed with activity, so unfortunately I don't have the energy, desire, or space to relate all that happened.  You'll have to be content with some pictures and bullet points.  Don't forget that the picture to the left of the posts (it is a picture of the Mevlana Museum) links you to my Flikr, which I update regularly.  Bonus photos anyone?

Iyi Bayramlar

Kurban Bayraminiz kutlu olsun!

I'm off to the Turkish Republic of Cyprus, then to Hatay (ancient Antioch) and home to Konya via Tarsus.  See ya round!