Tuesday 9th April, 2013          2030

My easy day work wise but not a good one personally. Having been under the impression Qing would be leaving Friday to stay overnight in Hefei prior to her exam, last night I was informed she would leave on Thursday. Early this evening her uncle phoned to say he would drive to pick her up, but tomorrow. I am very disappointed. I will shortly though introduce her to something else she has never had before - roast potatoes. Just as a snack (mind you, she is always eating!) because the “main meal” tonight was a bacon and cheese sandwich.

I know it is hardly haute cuisine but she had never had one of those either! I baked a fresh loaf today, reduced the flour by a fifth, guessed the amount of water and crossed my fingers I would still get lovely soft bread. I most certainly did (heavenly) but although it never hit the lid of the machine it still rose above the top of the tin. I’m not sure whether to stick with it this way or make it smaller  because to be honest there seems to be no need to bang the loaf out, all I have to do is shake the tin and it pops out anyway. I am just so happy to have finally hit on bread that is perfect even if it is so soft that just spreading sunflower margarine on it needs care not to rip the slices. A small thing to the readers of course, but certainly one of the holy grails for me in China has now been found.

Wednesday 10th      1910

Pepsi’s first birthday but no cake and candle for her!

Not a lot for me either because I am dog-tired today having stayed up far too long last night chatting with Qing. Her uncle came to collect her this morning. I was hoping to see her when I finished morning lessons at ten but when I got back she was gone. I know it sounds stupid but my home suddenly felt empty. She had in fact sent me a text to tell me but I had forgotten to turn my phone on so never saw it until after I had checked the cupboards to see if her laptop was gone, hoping she had just popped to the shops. Hopefully it won’t be long before she is back.

I have a free weekend from the kids school again this week but Sunday afternoon I am booked anyway. Someone who runs either a school or a group for children wants me to spend an afternoon there and asked one of my male students who works part time for him if he could get me to agree. The boy used his loaf because he in turn asked Joanna to ask me. He plainly knew I would never refuse her unless I absolutely had to, so yes, I am doing it!

An hour ago one of the Chinese teachers approached me while I was having a drink at the shops. He needed my help. Well that’s fine, I will help anyone, but his request was odd to say the least. This is the chap who has opened a bar - the one we played pool in a while ago. It is on the third floor but according to him it is plagued by mice. You can guess what he wants - to borrow a cat for a few days. I have agreed on the proviso that the cat is only let into the club after he closes up for the night and I have decided that if I can catch her Eeyore will be the mouser on loan. The reason being she is the one I would miss the least if she escaped and disappeared due to her erratic toilet habits. I just hope she doesn’t prove too elusive at eight when he is due to collect her otherwise Pooh (who despite his naughtiness I would miss the most) or Tigger will be the one. No way will Lottie be going after costing 700y  for an operation.

I have no idea whether any of them will actually kill a mouse as they have never seen one although presumably instinct would kick in. They certainly chase flies and anyway the mere presence of a cat usually (I believe) is enough to persuade mice to lodge elsewhere. Who knows, we may get another free evening there for the foreign teachers?!