After I finished teaching yesterday afternoon I went to the office for a wet with Ollivier. Whilst in there I received a phone call. A woman with limited English informed me she worked for Chizhou public education bureau. Wondering what on earth it was about, I let her continue.
She explained that the school had given her my phone number and that “as you know” (they always say that or “as we all know” and invariably I don’t bloody know, as in this case) every year Chizhou city holds an English speaking competition for all the high schools to compete in. Right. You are very famous in the city and we would like to invite you to be a judge. Really?
With my mind in overdrive I was thinking if the school gave them my number and I were to refuse, it could potentially cause them embarrassment so I asked when it was to be held. Monday from 0830-1530 (all sodding day!) and I had to say I’m sorry but I can’t, I have class in the morning, thinking perhaps they will be content with just the afternoon. Nope, they wanted me all day, could I reschedule my class for another day. I told her I would have to check and let her know tomorrow (now today).
I duly sent Cinny a message, assuming it would be fine and I sent the text because now they have implemented a set of books where every teacher and student signs for every lesson, were I to do it off my own bat it wouldn’t take a Sherlock to figure out I had been up to something as nobody would have signed the book. Previously it wasn’t a problem. I was taken aback when the reply came that I had to ask Prof Fang for permission and then fill in a form. With only one day to do it in, this seemed silly, but I sent a message to the dean, assuming she knew all about it. She knew nothing!
I ended up getting the woman from the PEB to call her. It was then given the green light.
After the initial call Kevin sent a message asking where I was and once he knew, to wait a few minutes and he would come. I thought he had also received the same call but he hadn’t, he just wanted to bring me his five spice powder before he forgot. I am going to attempt salt’n’pepper squid for Wednesday’s starter. It is reasonable to believe I will be the only laowei at this famous event. A bit of a bind having to get up ridiculously early but at least they are sending a car and have agreed to bring me back briefly at lunchtime to let Pepsi out for a wee. I hope they give me some beer and a free lunch for this! Sitting through and scoring four and a half hours worth of speeches all on the same topic is going to be buttock-numbing. Plus it has spoilt my Wednesday off because I have had to reschedule the lesson for then. It’s a good job what I am cooking for western Wednesday requires more preparation than cooking and the former can be done in the morning.
For now though I am going to head into town to pick up my cigars and have dinner.
Saturday 2000
Joan and I had a nice dinner although it must be said since the first time, the sweet and sour pork has deteriorated. She ordered what she thought were rice “cylinders” coated in something but which were banana segments covered in what tasted like a curry powder - weird! At least I got to use a discount voucher so only paid 43y. Just as well really, I didn’t fancy waiting in the cold for a bus so we took a taxi back which cancelled out my savings.
This morning I got up early again to go for breakfast and go shopping. This time I remembered shoelaces (the ones on my trainers are decidedly ropey) and floor cleaner for Lucy. After yesterday’s failed attempt with Joan to buy bubble bath for our Christmas do in Hefei - buddle bath seems an alien concept here - I didn’t even try to look for it. I think the Hilton offers bath salts anyway but it was just something I wanted to get to ensure someone’s first ever bath was one to remember. It will be anyway, I am sure.
I really wanted a kip this afternoon but Anna had her hostess competition final starting at two, so I spent nearly three hours watching it in the auditorium. Of ten contestants, all were going to be awarded a certificate for getting that far and eight given glass statuettes. In disbelief I watched as Anna was one of the two who never got a statuette! She was certainly the most beautiful by far and the only one who smiled whilst dancing and speaking. I feel like tracking down the judges and eliminating them - of all things, she at least deserved to be in the top eight of ten. And no - this is not just loyalty to friend talking, the judging in China seems completely nonsensical regardless of what the competition is for.
For now, it’s a luncheon meat baguette for dinner, early walk for Pepsi and an early night for me. Tomorrow is going to be one hell of a long day.
Oh, and just for good measure I ripped my trousers, as evidenced by the photo - more expense! I have gone from comfortable to skint in just two weeks!
No comments:
Post a Comment