So today was the second day of school and the first day of actual classes. What I did not know, though, is that although my schedule says that classes start at 8, school actually begins at 7:45 with an entire school gathering/ listen to the Headmaster speak time. So when I got to school at 7:50, I thought that I was going to be early, but when I walked into the courtyard, the entire school was already lined up according to class and the Headmaster was waiting for me to join my class so that he could begin his speech. I had no clue where to stand, and when one of the teachers asked me a question, I had no clue what he said. One student knew what class I was in, so they told the teacher, and then I finally found the class. It was a pretty scarring experience, the entire school was staring at me. After that experience, however, the day got better.

At my school, we have 8 periods, but Monday is the only full 8 period day. On Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday I have 7 classes, and on Wednesday I only have 6. I also do not have the same classes everyday, they change depending on the day of the week. Sometimes the classes are two periods long and sometimes they are only 1 period long. I am taking Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. I also have English, German, a Turkish Language and Expression class, and a Turkish Literature Class. My schedule also includes Geometry as well as a totally different class called Mathematics, which, from looking through the textbook, kind of looks like Pre-Calc. I am taking History, Geography, and Health. I also have a Religion, Culture, and Ethics Class and three classes called Projects, National Security, and Guidance respectively. I had to translate my entire schedule with the use of my handy-dandy dictionary, so it's possible that these names are a little off. I am wondering what I am going to be learning in these classes...

Today I had Geometry, Turkish Language, Physics, and Math, and although the teachers didn't really begin to teach (they just talked) I completely have no clue what they were saying. This is going to be a very interesting school year. The other students were very nice, though. They seemed concerned that I didn't understand anything, and that made them think that I was having a bad day. Word travels very quickly around my school, however, because an hour later, other students (not in my class) and some teachers came up to me saying that they had heard that I was having a bad day and asking me how I was doing. I reassured them that I was fine, I just had no clue what was going on in my classes. The teachers are being really supportive, though, and I think that I will learn Turkish soon enough. Özge (Aslı's cousin who lives in Ankara) sent me a Turkish-for-beginners Handbook, which will definitely help me learn more of the language.

Well, I'm off to bed now so that I can be fully awake for more classes tomorrow, iyi geceler! (good night)