Ace and I have both been busy bees lately. He is continuing with the endless stream of job applications, planning, and grading. He’s had some success with his students lately though- through a ton of hard work, he’s gotten some of them producing pretty decent 5 paragraph essays! Our friend Erin is taking her Model United Nations club to Russia next week for a competition- both cool and terrifying. I picked up yet another-also awesome- student in my area, and am probably going to be getting a few more hours with a former student- so I’m doing really well, and about to be doing even better. Hooray!

I’ve also been working on resumes and cover letters, as I found a job advertised online for an Online Writing Lab Tutor starting in August or September. It’s through SMARTHINKING, Inc.- a really reputable American company that provides online tutoring services to high schools and universities, and I’d basically be doing exactly what I did in the writing center. If I got the position, I could work anywhere from 9-35 hours a week (I think 10 or 15 would be plenty, though- don’t want to spend all day on the computer) from anywhere in the world with a reliable internet connection. So that would guarantee me at least some work at a decent wage while in South America next year! They look like they’re pretty choosy, but here’s hoping!

Last weekend I got to hang out with some new friends- a bunch of Americans working at various language schools. It was really great to find some people who are on similar schedules as me- it’s been hard knowing mostly high school teachers who are working hardest when I have free time! I’m planning to go on a weekend trip to Bulgaria with two of the girls soon  Ace and I also had a Mexican food night at Anna’s on Friday, worked and celebrated Missy and Hussein’s birthdays on Saturday night, and lazed around the house all day Sunday. I cooked up a massive batch of super-veggie pasta sauce to keep us fed for those busy days. I also started up my Turkish lessons again- I know I don’t have that much time left, but I really feel like I should leave here knowing more than I do.

This weekend we’re looking forward to a scavenger hunt planned by a friend I met while subbing at the international school and yet another birthday (another teacher we met on the last Bulgaria trip). The weather is supposed to start looking up again this weekend, so I’m hoping we’ll be able to start exploring again- it’s just been too icky and cold lately to try to climb to any viewpoints or visit nearby cities or anything.

Anyways, things are good here-Ace is surviving school and squeezing in some fun on the weekends, and I’m getting more work and getting to spend more time with friends. Keep your fingers crossed for our future job prospects, please!
All our love!