Saturday 17^th August, 2019 1440

Well, I brought back a gift courtesy of China Eastern. Yesterday I developed a dreadful cough and sore throat that is highly likely to have been circulating from some dirty, infected economy class passenger! At my age coughs and sore throats are mercifully few and far between but this cough last night actually became a little worrying. I would start hacking but you know when you need a good cough to ease the blockage or irritation and you need a strong inhalation to take in sufficient air to do so? Well, I couldn't! All I could do was cough but not inhale so I did wonder if I was going to asphyxiate in front of my desk! I still have it but it is abating thanks to liberal soaking of the throat with jing jo.

After I posted yesterday I suddenly realised that next term I am teaching freshmen. They have ten days military training normally before starting classes. Well, by military training I mean learning patriotic motherland songs and learning how to march appallingly in tissue-thin “uniforms” whilst chanting tributes to Beijing or Mao or whatever.

So I asked the question, am I actually having my first lessons on 2^nd September when the new academic year commences. Imagine my despondency when I learnt I have a further week of holiday and start instead on the 9^th! I might go to the campus the week before though, nobody has provided me with a map of which building is which and I still only know building 4 – I need to know 3 and 5 too and being China I wouldn't bet my shirt on them being adjacent or even remotely near each other.

Quite apart from the unexpected extra time off, it does afford me the opportunity to lodge my residence permit application on the 5^th rather than the end of August (although with Tuesdays off I could have done 3^rd) which is crucial. You never seem to get the full twelve months so renewal is always a few days earlier each year. Being now in a position to have been holidaying and travelling for all of August had I chosen I would like to maintain that, especially when it cost me a bloody fortune going to Hong Kong to make it happen three years ago.

After Shanghai it is hard to work up enthusiasm for cooking, maybe after Monday when I shop. Seriously thinking of going around the corner for dinner but worrying whether I can find something I can eat that won't erupt in my mouth. I suppose tomorrow I should haul arse and get the makings of a solo roast chicken Sunday dinner. Alice is with Mum so I have no playmates but I expect that may become the norm during the forthcoming year. What the hell, as long as I am happy!