It's now November and I haven't written in here a great deal.

Well, I managed to finish the CELTA course in New York and stay sane while doing so. I got a B grade which I was very pleased with.

I stayed in New York for 10 days after the course ended and thoroughly enjoyed being a tourist. I did all the usual touristy things - Top of the Rock, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Central Park, Chicago on Broadway - plus a dog show and much pizza at Grimaldi's under the Brooklyn Bridge.

I went back to England for a week and almost fainted at the prices and almost froze to death in the snow and sub zero temperatures. I had just got used to wearing a hat, scarf and gloves...until....

Three days ago I moved to Istanbul! I have a 9-month contract with English First on the Asian side of the city. I start teaching tomorrow so can't write too much as I really should be lesson planning.

So far I like it a lot here. I'm planning to start running in the mornings (maybe not EVERY morning but a few times a week). I live in a nice neighbourhood just a few blocks from the seaside and promenade.