15 June, 2011

Last Post

Three years has come to an end. I just had my final staff meetings this morning. My house is even more bare and empty than normal. I leave for the states in two days time. Things are somewhat bittersweet but it is beyond time to move on.

Most of the folks who read this already know how difficult this year has been for me and I don't think I would have made it through without some fantastic friends both here and abroad. I did what I came to do -- I saw my kids graduate and I sat there watching like a proud parent as each of my nine advisees received their diploma and especially when one of them got up to give her valedictorian speech. Those kids alone made all of the hardships and difficulties worth it here.

So, this is my final post to this blog. Do not fret, however, because I will surely have a new one set up for my adventures in Istanbul. I'll post a link when I come up with a clever title for that blog. Suggestions are welcome.

Until then I'll leave you with the corny line I wrote in the kids' yearbooks:

"Go where your heart takes you and never look back."



--James

5 comments:

Maggie said...

It's been a privilege following you on your journey. I look forward to the next chapter.

Yankeefan said...

Wow so cool! So Istanbul hmm do you think its ready for you? =0)

hapi said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
niftysunburn said...

So am I Mags--so am I.

I'm not so sure Istanbul is ready. It does have enough history of foreigners coming in though that I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't end up taking ME for a ride. I'll just sit back and enjoy it.

BL said...

i never knew that this year, or rather last year, has been such a hardship for you
but now itd passed and youd gone through it well

i think that we, as advisees, might have helped you out or at least given you a bit of support if we were told about it, yet, at the same time it wouldnt have been so easy for you to go ahead and told us about it, too (not to mention that we were, we still are, bunch of kids)

beside i remember seein you being happy--smilin, most of the times so i never ever expected or even think about you havin any problems, whether it was personal or... school related...

well
anyway its all over
theres a fresh new start waitin for you
so i hope those hard times wont hold you back