Friday 28th September, 2012         2230

Well my day off yesterday was spent doing very little. I had gone to bed late as I had made no arrangements with anyone until the afternoon, yet at ten thirty there was knocking on my door. It was Joanna, early for my revision of her speech for the contest. My throat and nasal passages were almost closed and the former was on fire - far from clearing up my cold had got much worse overnight. However, I am always there whenever possible for my students and indeed, for other majors who seek help.

I questioned the wisdom of the content of the speech (deaths of loved ones) but was assured she would not become emotional during the delivery, so as it was her speech I tidied it up to the best of my ability and she left a couple of hours later. I felt like death myself so never ventured out until early evening with the dogs and with the intention of perhaps seeing if the new place with pizza and fries in pictures displayed at the entrance really did western food. In the end I didn’t bother, came back to the campus shops, bought my necessaries and ordered skewers for me and a load for the animals with no spice. Cost a fortune but I didn’t feel like cooking and wanted an early night.

Shortly after ten I hit the hay and at six thirty this morning I felt dreadful. I really didn’t want to teach but did so, taking comfort that at ten I had a four and a half hour break during which I could - and did - go back to bed. The first round of the contest didn’t start until half past three so by wrapping up my afternoon class a few minutes early I was able to flit between the two rooms it was being held. I couldn’t see Joanna, sent a message and was replied with “I failed. I am sorry”.

Now if my students enter a competition I am proud of them for having the courage to do so and they should certainly not ever apologise for not winning - not to me anyway - and I replied to that effect. I was stunned to then find blame being apportioned to me for putting her under great pressure to take part! I did no such thing and although I would draw the line at calling her a liar I certainly don’t recall her ever saying she didn’t want to enter. Apparently my encouragement to do well put her under enormous stress because she is scared witless of public speaking. I see no reason to apologise for trying to do what teachers should and encourage students to be the best they can but I do regret that she felt she had to do it so she wouldn’t let me down. No doubt after the holiday we can have a heart to heart. Speaking to Kevin earlier this evening - he was there for her speech - he told me it was dire and asked if I had actually checked her speech because the whole thing was morbid! Delivered with feeling it shouldn’t have been and I was put on the defensive, having to assert that I did indeed express my doubts but they were brushed aside.

Speaking of holidays, that’s me off until a week Monday! I have no plans other than to rest and shake this illness along with enjoying what seems to be the ending of the warm and the start of the cold weather. It was short sleeves today but this evening on the bike I needed my jacket. Again I had no desire to check out the western place, instead shortly I will cook some frozen seafood and cheese spring rolls - interesting combination - I bought months ago in Lottemart. The bike is on charge and if I feel a bit better tomorrow I will pop into town to the bank, shops and some lunch.

Saturday 29th       1100

Thankfully feeling a little improved this morning and even got up at eight thirty when I had no need. I forgot to mention  that yesterday Kevin went to Prof Fang in order to say that the three of us westerners were disappointed not to have been able to attend their dinner on Wednesday. I am glad he did, for he found out that when the Vice Chancellor asked where on earth we were he was simply told we were “busy”!!!! No mention of the fact that the foreign affairs department had as usual treated us as an afterthought and expected us to come running like obedient puppies, so he explained the reason why and the fact we were given just two hours notice, which for Prof Fang put a different slant on things. She said she will make a point of going to the VC to make him aware because as it stood he will have been treating it as a snub. Kevin made sure to put forward that we felt “disappointed” (although I would have used “disgusted”) that we were considered too trivial to be advised of events until the eleventh hour and that he was sure that in contrast the Chinese staff were told days in advance. Pity he never asked if we could still have our boxes of moon cakes though! I still have a couple though, Joanna gave me a little gift - before the competition and heaping blame on me afterwards, I would add!

Shower time now and then I will ride to town for a couple of hours.

1700

Hahaha! After I had I written my comment about the moon cakes, showered and Kevin arrived for a chat than there was a knock at my door. It was the Chinese French teacher carrying two large boxes of them that were supposed to be presented to us at the meal!

I went to town and had to wait for ages in the bank (I think it’s time I got the school to pay my wages into the account that has an ATM card) as there was only one teller working. I was so long I smoked a cigar outside and by chance Sonya emerged from the side on her way to catch a bus to her home town for the holiday. During our talk I learnt something new - the bank never closes, not even for Chinese new year which amazed me.

2200

It transpires that Joanna finished high enough to go to the final for the school to see who represents us at the provincial finals but not unexpectedly she has told me she won’t attend. It’s a shame as I had high hopes for her but I assume stage fright is awful if you suffer from it.

I think tomorrow night is organised, Kevin is trying to find a “date” so he can come with Kiki and I to check out the new restaurant sporting the pizza photo outside the door - if it is just Chinese we will probably go elsewhere but hopefully not - and then upstairs to the bar with pool tables. Well, you have to do something on mid-autumn day don’t you? Whether I will do anything special for China’s birthday on Monday remains to be seen.

Dogs are currently not my favourite animals. I just noticed Pepsi has a recurrence of mange on her chin and forelegs so I have to start treating that - if it doesn’t clear up completely then I will have to take her for a jab at the vets. Robin is sailing extremely close to the wind. She refused to come home last night and thus far is doing likewise tonight. I don’t care if she wants to freeze to death (the nights are getting chilly now) but the barking is bound to attract complaints. Worse, she is getting perilously close to actually biting someone riding a bike or simply running past. If that happens there is no question she will be destroyed. She has never been maltreated, ok she has never been trained properly but it was the same with Piggy and he was loved by all. She has the hugest amount of territory to roam at will yet persists in turning ever more feral. I can see she will be the cause of her own doom one way or another.

Anyway, supper tonight is red wine and a couple of moon cakes - here is a photo of the gift box received today. Night folks.