Saturday 20^th April, 2019 1000

Wednesday was my first work for a fortnight.

I presented myself at the school bus pick-up point far too early but as it was a warm day I enjoyed a leisurely smoke whilst waiting. Then another. Until it became apparent Schumacker had forgotten about me. Again.

That meant taking a taxi and this broke the camel's back. I sent a text to Janet asking her to tell the driver never to call for me, ever. I would far rather pay 2¥ and guarantee getting to work than take a chance on him actually turning up and then being treated to a white-knuckle ride. Or paying 30-40¥ for a cab.

With a bad start to my day I was in bleak mood by the time I got to my office. That mood became even darker when I discovered the lock tumblers had loosened and it took ten minutes to actually insert my key. It wasn't going well.

At 1830 I breathed a sigh of relief and took the bus to Five Streams. At the time I arrive home on Wednesdays there's no way I want to cook so the routine now is a chicken curry in Dicos. After queueing for fifteen minutes, when I ordered I was told “mayo”. That, I thought, just rounded off the day I had been having. I walked out, I didn't want wings or chicken burgers and I had really been looking forward to a curry. They are nothing special, typical Chinese Ruby with yellow sauce but scoffable and the steamed rice fills a hole. Dinner that day was destined to be some fruit loaf and some M&Ms – the Smarties type. I like the peanut ones but they hurt now where I have gaps that teeth used to occupy!

But the day was done and consigned to history and best forgotten, was it not? It was dark by the time I got back and I went into the kitchen to get a glass for my wine. As I slid back the door I was immediately struck by how warm it was in there. I had only left a gas burner on after I poached a couple of eggs to put on my bubble'n'squeak the night before! Twenty-four hours it had been lovingly cremating the leftover albumen, encrusting the inside of the pan with industrial strength residue I am still labouring to chisel off. My day was then definitely complete.

Yesterday I fared considerably better, I even had that curry on the way home even though I could have cooked had I wanted.

But then after eight I received a phone call which left me wondering whether I am either an idiot or a mug.

Jody was the caller. She said her campus has no lessons during the coming week but they have activities instead. She has been asked to organise various things for one of her classes and the students are studying to become teachers of Chinese to foreign students – basically what I do but in reverse. Monday and Tuesday are already mapped out but am I free Wednesday, Thursday or Friday? Would I go to her campus and give a presentation? Where is her campus, which university? I didn't know at that point but I do now - it's OUR main campus!

So I have agreed to spend my Thursday morning making a speech to students who don't speak English, in my own free time, for no extra money and for the school which, in three months time is firing me!!! Maybe I am both the above.........