Tuesday 20th September, 2013           2210

Suddenly I have little time to do anything.

Today was teachers day and apart from numerous texts from my students saluting me I was given a gift of an assorted bag of fruit by Amy’s class, who I teach on Fridays. Very sweet of them and completely unnecessary.

I was supposed to be taken to dinner last night by a young lad but that was cancelled because he had been sent to mount Jiuhua for work, so it was rescheduled for today. I had thought he was a graduate of this school but in fact he studied at Huainan university. He and his 35 year old brother (the one with the Buick - most convenient!) took me out for dinner just now along with three girls. The boys had English names, Michael the young one and brother Kevin, two of the girls never had a name so I had to baptise them after my sisters Lisa and Sarah, the third girl had her own name. Soda!!!!!!

I doubt I differ much from most in that when a complete stranger contacts you to socialise there is a fear it will be awkward and ultimately you will be left with the unpleasant task of refusing further invitations. For obvious reasons I receive many such unsolicited invitations yet in the main I enjoy the occasions and only one person - Gary who left a note on my door the first week I was in China - I have really taken a dislike to and actively avoid and ignore phone calls from.

Tonight I must say was really enjoyable. Initially Michael suggested we eat at one of the campus restaurants but I expressed my lack of enthusiasm for the food on offer here in school so I suggested the sweet pork place, having ascertained he had no car and at least I could take him on the bike. He called the cavalry instead, his brother, and proceeded to invite the three girl students here who he knows, all of whom struggle with their weight but are really nice. He decided we would go to town and asked me where I would like to go. We ended up at the Japanese place, from whence our Kevin had departed not three minutes previously by the time we arrived. I really had a great time and they want to take me out again - I hope they do.

This afternoon I received notification of a meeting tomorrow afternoon to which the foreigners are (unusually) invited, following which the school will take us for dinner. Apparently we can offer our opinions on the teaching and also our life here. I wonder if indeed we will be taken for dinner afterwards, for I intend to raise the subject of the appalling manner in which the laowei ceased to exist for admin over the bank change, while Kevin is going to bring up other topics such as us being invited an hour before a dinner, the fact last term we were within hours of being illegal aliens etc. We may never be invited again, if - that is - we are allowed to say our piece.

This meeting caused a slight problem for me for I will be late as I am teaching and also I had invited Joanna out to the western restaurant. Arriving late doesn’t bother me though and Joanna was quite happy to move our date to Thursday instead.

As you can see, what with the freshmen weekend of joining groups (I believe it is this Saturday and Sunday) and doubtless I will be collared for a stint on the language stall, life has become temporarily hectic.

I am now looking forward to next Thursday Friday and Saturday and the three day break for mid autumn festival, not though the Sunday when we have to make up Friday’s classes. I have six periods then…….