Back in March I learned that each mom of the children in Cem's
class was expected to organize and lead a craft time at school. With some
measure of trepidation, I watched April roll around and a note appear in Cem's
backpack asking me to come the next week.
Interestingly, my mom was an art major in college and an art
teacher for years afterward. Undoubtedly I was an uncooperative student,
because I don't remember learning a thing from her and I have no art skills to
boast of. So when I discovered I had to lead a craft or art project for Cem's
class, I got a knot in my stomach.
Frankly, Pinterest holds no interest for me. But I needed it to
get the job done, so I searched the boards until I found something that
required minimal skill and would be fun enough to entertain the kids. I found these:
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| Mine don't turn out like this, but it's cute, don't you think? |
And then I searched the city for the materials. It was altogether
much more simple than I anticipated. So much so that I am no longer intimidated
by the prospect of Turkish craft stores. In fact, the small corner of craft
materials was right up my alley. I walk into Hobby Lobby and have no clue where
to start. I walked into this school supply store and found all my crafting
needs--google eyes, pipe cleaners, glue, and felt. I was so inspired by the
underwhelming experience that I went ahead and planned something fancy (by my
standards) for Sunday School that week, which I was also slated for.
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| A blurry picture of our palm Sunday craft |
When I showed up at Cem's school on Thursday, armed and ready to
conquer craft time with 18 kindergarteners, the school manager looked at me in
confusion. Apparently there was some misunderstanding (silly Turkish) and she
told me I wasn't supposed to come until Friday. Having geared up all my
courage, I walked away with a mixture of relief and renewed anxiety. I'm the
sort of person who just likes to get things over with.
Anyway, the next day I returned and my time with the kids was, in
fact, grand. Cem was so cute, excited to have me there and helping me pass out
the materials. The students were adorable and it was special to step inside of
Cem's world for an hour and a half. He's a brave kid and makes me really proud.
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| Craft time fun |
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| Cem's teacher |
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| Not exactly like the original, but it works! |
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| Cem helping |
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| Cem's class and their English teacher |
I realize it's been five long months since I last posted a blog.
I search high and low for daylight hours when I'm not distracted or nighttime
hours when I'm not exhausted. There haven't been many of either. Currently I'm
sitting at an indoor playground for kids. There are probably about 150 people
around me right now, but it's the closest I've come to focusing in months.
Last night we watched X-Men First Class. Perhaps you remember the
line where Professor X coaches Magnito, "Focus is somewhere in between
rage and serenity." I'm sure
there's some sort of gold in these words for busy moms as well as mutant superheroes. And, hey, perhaps I even
accomplished it today!
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| Nothing like a little hands behind your neck sleep |
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| Simi taking a picture with Flat Stanley, who came to visit us here in Turkey |
