Getting back up to speed...

So, I'm no longer behind by four sets of exams, one set of essays, a few homework assignments, and countless random attendance-related tasks. That feels better... now I just have to stay ahead of the game just enough to minimize the pointless stress. Really, this is about teaching more than it is about living in Turkey. In fourteen years of teaching, I've been trying to streamline my effort while still doing my best for the students' learning--sort of the "Cheaper By the Dozen" efficiency mode. If I it were up to me, I would just take more time to teach and learn at a calmer pace. Of course, it's not up to me, and so we rush to cram in as much material as possible in a semester, and the students are just as impatient to "get through" the language program. And, here it is, past seven already, so I better keep moving!