Thursday 27th June, 2013 1345
The rains are dragging on. I made a foray into town yesterday and the first port of call was Ke Bi Wang following the news that they had started the sweet pork again. Mind you, I was very nearly disappointed because I bagged the last portion. Next was the bike shop to buy some bungee straps (needed to hold the top box down to stop it rattling) and then the bank of China to put money on Joanna’s card. She wasn’t best pleased as I put it on the wrong card but I shall know better next time! At least now I shall have enough baked and kidney beans to last until school reopens in September after the shutdown - it’s inconvenient when parcels are sent downtown as they go to different places dotted around the city.
Next was Lottemart, where I found another shirt that fits - well as long as it doesn’t shrink in the wash! I had intentions of going to east street to buy my laptop bag but when I came out it was raining again so it seemed eminently more sensible to come home and leave that for another, dryer, day.
It has only now stopped raining today. I had made arrangements to meet Joanna in town at lunchtime, she was having lunch with classmates and going on to KTV for an afternoon of karaoke but said she would help me at the bank with the currency exchange. That was the plan until Kevin visited me and informed me he was there with Daisy yesterday and they were there for two hours. Clearly that would have ruined Joanna’s party so I cancelled it and unless I can find another student who is free in the next few days I won’t be able to do it until the exams have finished. Nothing is ever easy here.
Friday 28th 2200
Today was a nothing day, not least because I stayed up until 0400 this morning drinking Jing Jo and consequently never got up until eleven!
The rain stayed away all day and disappointingly it will probably do likewise tomorrow, which will mean the scheduled all day blackout will proceed. I will be spending some time in the city in that case but annoyingly it means I have to set an early alarm to be sure of getting a shower before the water fails. I really wish they could have arranged it for when I am away but at least they warned us.
I went to the shops earlier with Muttley and was joined by Shadow. She is a rather beautiful lass of 26 (sadly getting married next term) and whenever she sees me on campus she sits and chats with me, tonight for over two hours. She is a teacher at the nurses college opposite and they don’t have shops and restaurants as we do so often comes to buy bits and bobs - mainly boring healthy stuff that the Chinese like such as drinking yoghurt, fruit etc.
During the proceedings we were joined by YoYo (I think her real name is pronounced YouYow or similar but YoYo is easier to remember). She is a 19 year old hairdresser who can’t keep away from me and who is actually very cute. She is a bad influence on me because I have promised that this weekend I will go in for my final haircut to last me until next term and she can do it. If my usual barber Barry Manilow in the other shop sees me (which he will because they are 50 yards apart) I won’t be able to look him in the eye!
Friday, 28 June 2013
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Tuesday 25th June, 2013 1230
Yesterday was less wet than of late (and anyway the rain doesn’t seem to have that much impact on the temperatures) and we were told we could go and collect our new contracts, foreign expert certificates and our expenses. Except shortly after receiving that message the money part was rescinded. We duly collected our documents and with Cinny’s help (she really is a gem) we were told that the money might not be available until next week or a little later.
I duly pointed out that if the cash wasn’t in our paws by Sunday at the latest the school was in breach of contract and that we should be free to actually board an aircraft home on Monday without having the worry of not knowing if we will be skint. The cash means a lot to all of us, although admittedly considerably less to Ollivier because his Chinese in-laws would help plus his wife is the Sino equivalent of an eBay trader, selling imported baby clothes and milk. In fact he is cluttering off before Monday to another province to be with the wife’s family and show some of his French relatives the sights while they are here on holiday.
I then left and waited for Amy, who I had invited as my companion for the meal Email and LJ had invited me for at the Tsingtao restaurant. Email encountered bad traffic and was consequently late in picking us up, however we got there in the end. When LJ told me the place sold fruit flavoured beers I had a suspicion I had been there once before and I was right. The four of us were joined by Zoe who is studying media at Sydney university (I must get her phone number from LJ to pass on to Qing) and we sat down to a rather nice meal which included Chinese “pizza” which is nothing of the sort but I quite like it. The trouble is I can only eat a little before flames engulf my tongue.
Our hosts wanted to go somewhere else after the meal and so I reiterated my dislike of KTV (karaoke places) and they said they would take us to a bar. I agreed knowing that Amy has no exams today although I did point out that her dormitory is locked at eleven. Said bar was quite pleasant but very loud music was playing and the beat of the music gave my stomach a most unpleasant sensation but I did become accustomed to it. Although it was impossible to have a conversation in there we did have quite a bit of fun playing liar dice. I think LJ paid for the entire evening which was extremely generous although I did attempt to pay for a round of drinks and was refused. Amy did get back in time - I think the entire experience was an eye-opener for her - and during the course of the evening I learnt that Email had been a student of mine for the first two months I was here. Stupidly though, I neglected to take my camera. Sorry folks.
This morning Cinny called and it seems either she has worked her magic, our comments hit home or a combination of both. We can go and pick up our monies this afternoon. Now I need to decide whether to take Joanna to the bank of China and change it into sterling, it would make sense unless I want to lug a six inch pile of banknotes all the way to Blighty.
1945
We are now the happy owners of our spending money and indeed I had a result. Whereas after my first year I was stiffed on whatever exchange rate the school used by 150y, this time I benefited by 400y! That’s the laptop bag more than covered.
Kevin is going to get his English money tomorrow so I have asked him to order some for me, which due to convoluted regulations making it nigh on impossible for foreigners to obtain foreign currency from mainstream banks, will see me having to take Joanna. With her Chinese ID card she can get as much as she likes with no questions.
The flipping rain Gods frowned on me today, just before we went to get the money it rained having been dry all day and just now as I was about to leave the shops to come home it started again. I hope I have better luck tomorrow because I fancy a ride to town.
Yesterday was less wet than of late (and anyway the rain doesn’t seem to have that much impact on the temperatures) and we were told we could go and collect our new contracts, foreign expert certificates and our expenses. Except shortly after receiving that message the money part was rescinded. We duly collected our documents and with Cinny’s help (she really is a gem) we were told that the money might not be available until next week or a little later.
I duly pointed out that if the cash wasn’t in our paws by Sunday at the latest the school was in breach of contract and that we should be free to actually board an aircraft home on Monday without having the worry of not knowing if we will be skint. The cash means a lot to all of us, although admittedly considerably less to Ollivier because his Chinese in-laws would help plus his wife is the Sino equivalent of an eBay trader, selling imported baby clothes and milk. In fact he is cluttering off before Monday to another province to be with the wife’s family and show some of his French relatives the sights while they are here on holiday.
I then left and waited for Amy, who I had invited as my companion for the meal Email and LJ had invited me for at the Tsingtao restaurant. Email encountered bad traffic and was consequently late in picking us up, however we got there in the end. When LJ told me the place sold fruit flavoured beers I had a suspicion I had been there once before and I was right. The four of us were joined by Zoe who is studying media at Sydney university (I must get her phone number from LJ to pass on to Qing) and we sat down to a rather nice meal which included Chinese “pizza” which is nothing of the sort but I quite like it. The trouble is I can only eat a little before flames engulf my tongue.
Our hosts wanted to go somewhere else after the meal and so I reiterated my dislike of KTV (karaoke places) and they said they would take us to a bar. I agreed knowing that Amy has no exams today although I did point out that her dormitory is locked at eleven. Said bar was quite pleasant but very loud music was playing and the beat of the music gave my stomach a most unpleasant sensation but I did become accustomed to it. Although it was impossible to have a conversation in there we did have quite a bit of fun playing liar dice. I think LJ paid for the entire evening which was extremely generous although I did attempt to pay for a round of drinks and was refused. Amy did get back in time - I think the entire experience was an eye-opener for her - and during the course of the evening I learnt that Email had been a student of mine for the first two months I was here. Stupidly though, I neglected to take my camera. Sorry folks.
This morning Cinny called and it seems either she has worked her magic, our comments hit home or a combination of both. We can go and pick up our monies this afternoon. Now I need to decide whether to take Joanna to the bank of China and change it into sterling, it would make sense unless I want to lug a six inch pile of banknotes all the way to Blighty.
1945
We are now the happy owners of our spending money and indeed I had a result. Whereas after my first year I was stiffed on whatever exchange rate the school used by 150y, this time I benefited by 400y! That’s the laptop bag more than covered.
Kevin is going to get his English money tomorrow so I have asked him to order some for me, which due to convoluted regulations making it nigh on impossible for foreigners to obtain foreign currency from mainstream banks, will see me having to take Joanna. With her Chinese ID card she can get as much as she likes with no questions.
The flipping rain Gods frowned on me today, just before we went to get the money it rained having been dry all day and just now as I was about to leave the shops to come home it started again. I hope I have better luck tomorrow because I fancy a ride to town.
Sunday, 23 June 2013
Sunday 23rd June, 2013 2100
And what a bloody day it was too.
I delayed my trip downtown until one fifteen because I had promised Joanna if it wasn’t raining I would take her in. On the way I asked her if she wanted me to wait to bring her back as well but she said it wasn’t necessary. I then said I would have to eat alone instead because I thought we could dine together. No it’s ok. It’s just that I haven’t eaten Korean for a while. Korean? Oh ok, if you’re sure! The truth is I love her company and I would rather eat with her than on my Jack Jones.
That left me with two hours to kill and because of the heat I didn’t dare buy the meat too early so I found a restaurant and sat having a couple of cold ones and wishing I had had the foresight to take a book to read. Eventually I did buy meat and left it in a locker outside the supermarket, which is in the basement of the commercial centre as is the Korean place.
I wanted to buy some liver but there was none on display. That’s not a problem in Lottemart as A) they know what I buy and B) if I point to the correct area of my body they know their anatomy. Not in that place! By the time I had exchanged messages with Yvonne asking her to text me the Putonghua for liver I had lost the will to live and bought chicken breasts instead.
And guess what? When I went to go to the bike to go and fetch Joanna it was chucking it down. I waited until it eased somewhat and decided to head off but first I had to get the bike out of the space where two others had very kindly put their contraptions so close to mine it was impossible for me to access it. In high dudgeon I selected the lighter of the two vehicles and dragged it out. It was fitted with an umbrella (they are more for keeping the sun off than rain because Chinese girls consider tanned skin ugly) with a tail that tilted upwards, creating a natural reservoir which most annoyingly emptied about two gallons of water straight onto my head. In view of the lack of consideration displayed by the owner and the uncomfortable indignity I suffered, rather than returning it to the space I simply left it in the way of any cars and never had the slightest pang of guilt.
We both got wet backsides but at least we were fed a little while later and I enjoyed the chat. Upon leaving we found it was still raining and I briefly mused on the idea of giving her the cape plus my pocket contents to put in her handbag and simply getting drenched as we rode but then I considered the fact that whatever happened she would still get damp and so gave her the money for a cab. This time she flatly refused and insisted on taking the bus, so while I got yet further wet, when I got back I waited at the south gate so I could take her to her dormitory block.
It is still raining a little even now and because I took Pepsi out to the campus shops my bum is still damp. Still, it’s not as hot as it has been although it’s a trifle depressing looking at the forecast which is for rain all week. But then until Friday I only need to go out for leisure/pleasure.
And what a bloody day it was too.
I delayed my trip downtown until one fifteen because I had promised Joanna if it wasn’t raining I would take her in. On the way I asked her if she wanted me to wait to bring her back as well but she said it wasn’t necessary. I then said I would have to eat alone instead because I thought we could dine together. No it’s ok. It’s just that I haven’t eaten Korean for a while. Korean? Oh ok, if you’re sure! The truth is I love her company and I would rather eat with her than on my Jack Jones.
That left me with two hours to kill and because of the heat I didn’t dare buy the meat too early so I found a restaurant and sat having a couple of cold ones and wishing I had had the foresight to take a book to read. Eventually I did buy meat and left it in a locker outside the supermarket, which is in the basement of the commercial centre as is the Korean place.
I wanted to buy some liver but there was none on display. That’s not a problem in Lottemart as A) they know what I buy and B) if I point to the correct area of my body they know their anatomy. Not in that place! By the time I had exchanged messages with Yvonne asking her to text me the Putonghua for liver I had lost the will to live and bought chicken breasts instead.
And guess what? When I went to go to the bike to go and fetch Joanna it was chucking it down. I waited until it eased somewhat and decided to head off but first I had to get the bike out of the space where two others had very kindly put their contraptions so close to mine it was impossible for me to access it. In high dudgeon I selected the lighter of the two vehicles and dragged it out. It was fitted with an umbrella (they are more for keeping the sun off than rain because Chinese girls consider tanned skin ugly) with a tail that tilted upwards, creating a natural reservoir which most annoyingly emptied about two gallons of water straight onto my head. In view of the lack of consideration displayed by the owner and the uncomfortable indignity I suffered, rather than returning it to the space I simply left it in the way of any cars and never had the slightest pang of guilt.
We both got wet backsides but at least we were fed a little while later and I enjoyed the chat. Upon leaving we found it was still raining and I briefly mused on the idea of giving her the cape plus my pocket contents to put in her handbag and simply getting drenched as we rode but then I considered the fact that whatever happened she would still get damp and so gave her the money for a cab. This time she flatly refused and insisted on taking the bus, so while I got yet further wet, when I got back I waited at the south gate so I could take her to her dormitory block.
It is still raining a little even now and because I took Pepsi out to the campus shops my bum is still damp. Still, it’s not as hot as it has been although it’s a trifle depressing looking at the forecast which is for rain all week. But then until Friday I only need to go out for leisure/pleasure.
Saturday, 22 June 2013
Thursday 20th June, 2013 1900
Just one more class to test in the morning and then an end to the six-thirty alarms, at least for a while.
When I took Pepsi out this afternoon after work, whilst sitting on my bike watching the world, I wondered about the inordinate number of trucks turning into the road leading to the south gate and simply parking up for a while. I don’t think any of the bigger lorries wasn’t overloaded and mused that VOSPA in the UK would have a field day with them. Eventually they all started up, turned around and headed off in the direction of the west gate. That road is heavily used by trucks and there is rarely a day that goes by without me hearing the explosion of a tyre blowing out.
When I left myself I went that way and wondered why on earth there was a veritable convoy of lorries parked up with the drivers sitting on the roadside grass. Then I realised. Further up the road near the west gate was a police checkpoint! They were stopping goods vehicles and my best guess is that the drivers saw it, knew they would be in trouble and decided to wait it out. I have no idea how long the police intended to stay but if I were one of the coppers I would have driven down and detained all of them for inspection. As it is I suspect the old bill will do nothing except stop those brave (or foolhardy) enough to continue further.
Saturday 22nd 1700
Whoops - I do apologise folks, I didn’t realise it had been so long.
Yes, I did finish before lunch yesterday and it was quite a good feeling. Previously it has not been quite so welcome but after a very hard semester (self inflicted I should remind everyone) it was akin to banging your head against a brick wall - it’s good when you stop.
When I completed the very last student test I suddenly had a handful of previous examinees enter the classroom. Knowing full well what they were after, I asked why they hadn’t gone for an early lunch. They had waited so they could find out their marks. I advised them to wait until I entered them on the computer system next week like everyone else and their response was “But you are kind!” My answer was “not that flipping kind!”
This morning was an 0630 alarm which saw an overcast sky but no sign of the forecast rain. I collected Joanna at 0815 and we set off for my two hours work (which became two and a half) in the playground near town. First though’ Joanna being just 21 and normal (unlike me), we had to procure some breakfast for her. I remembered from taking Qing in the spring festival holidays that there were roadside stalls very close to the school and so we stopped whist she bought a takeaway, then arrived early at the playground so we could sit on some playthings while she ate. I had been remiss seeing as I had promised to spring for her breakfast but she refused my money - breakfast had cost 2y (20p). Not that it was large mind you, she had a meat jowza and a fritter affair with a green vegetable filling which she informed me is called “bing”.
When we set out it had been pleasantly cool at about 85F so I had loaded the cool bag with drinks and ice packs but decided I wouldn’t need my little towel to mop my head. Mistake. About half an hour in, far from remaining cool as expected, it got a lot warmer and it was humid. I ended up with the slightly embarrassing situation whereby Joanna and Helen (the school owner) took it in turns to fan me.
The kids were as always terrifically well-behaved and I didn’t mind that we overran, although I was flagging a bit towards the end. The problem was, this time she has five different levels of student and so instead of three lots I had five. She was highly apologetic but as a free lunch was awaiting for both of us at Win Qing neither of us was overly concerned.
Lunch was actually quite nice, with Helen and her high school teacher husband plus the lawyer who insisted on cooking for us last summer. Win Qing is renowned for its jowza (there are three in the city) and it is a while since I have had any fried ones. There were other dishes such as sweet chicken (complete with bones of course), tofu hotpot, pork and vegetables etc but unusually for a Chinese meal, no fish.
Unbeknown to me previously, Joanna was supposed to be teaching a couple of pupils at home later so she asked me if I would give her a lift after lunch. No problem. She called to see what time they wanted her to come and was disappointed when they cancelled due to other arrangements - nothing to do with today’s events I hasten to add. She was due to teach for two hours and earn 50y for it (the going rate for student teachers is 25y/hour here) and I know she struggles at times to make ends meet. Remember she took that dodgy night job in the bar that I was desperately unhappy about?
I offered to ensure she was no worse off today and would pay her for being so kind as to afford me her company, and indeed at times her help. It took me almost the entire twenty minute ride back to get her to accept but I am glad to say that ultimately she did. I also have a request for another two hour stint towards the middle of August as Helen is running a small summer school, so as Joanna should still be staying here in Kevin’s place then hopefully she can come that time - even if it’s just for the meal afterwards.
Just before we came through the south gate we stopped for her to buy half a chilled watermelon and then I took her back to her dormitory. By now Pepsi had been indoors for eight hours after her last bladder break so I was praying she had held on. She had and she was the least of my worries! I can only assume I neglected to put the chair against my desk cupboard door, for the cats had opened it, removed half the contents (mouse, charging cables, camera etc) and systematically shredded a new large pack of tissues. There was snow everywhere.
After cleaning up the mess I went to the shops with the mutt and sat in the oppressive heat and humidity while the aircon at home started to cool the place down. I heard rumbles of thunder in the distance just as Joanna sent me a text to say my final parcel had arrived from this month’s internet shop - the sausage rolls. To say I am dubious about them would not be an understatement, they look like no sausage rolls I have ever seen and I can’t recall how much they cost but there are only four and they are hardly jumbo ones. No doubt in the week I will make them for Kevin and me and pray that the only decent food that night is not simply mash and peas!
When I got home it did eventually bucket down for ten minutes but looking outside now you would never know, nor has it done much because my bathroom is still an oven. I just hope it doesn’t do that tomorrow as I want to go shopping and take Joanna to teach and hopefully bring her back again. For now, it’s a quiet night in and sadly an early one because I am tired - annoying when you don’t have to get up early…….
Just one more class to test in the morning and then an end to the six-thirty alarms, at least for a while.
When I took Pepsi out this afternoon after work, whilst sitting on my bike watching the world, I wondered about the inordinate number of trucks turning into the road leading to the south gate and simply parking up for a while. I don’t think any of the bigger lorries wasn’t overloaded and mused that VOSPA in the UK would have a field day with them. Eventually they all started up, turned around and headed off in the direction of the west gate. That road is heavily used by trucks and there is rarely a day that goes by without me hearing the explosion of a tyre blowing out.
When I left myself I went that way and wondered why on earth there was a veritable convoy of lorries parked up with the drivers sitting on the roadside grass. Then I realised. Further up the road near the west gate was a police checkpoint! They were stopping goods vehicles and my best guess is that the drivers saw it, knew they would be in trouble and decided to wait it out. I have no idea how long the police intended to stay but if I were one of the coppers I would have driven down and detained all of them for inspection. As it is I suspect the old bill will do nothing except stop those brave (or foolhardy) enough to continue further.
Saturday 22nd 1700
Whoops - I do apologise folks, I didn’t realise it had been so long.
Yes, I did finish before lunch yesterday and it was quite a good feeling. Previously it has not been quite so welcome but after a very hard semester (self inflicted I should remind everyone) it was akin to banging your head against a brick wall - it’s good when you stop.
When I completed the very last student test I suddenly had a handful of previous examinees enter the classroom. Knowing full well what they were after, I asked why they hadn’t gone for an early lunch. They had waited so they could find out their marks. I advised them to wait until I entered them on the computer system next week like everyone else and their response was “But you are kind!” My answer was “not that flipping kind!”
This morning was an 0630 alarm which saw an overcast sky but no sign of the forecast rain. I collected Joanna at 0815 and we set off for my two hours work (which became two and a half) in the playground near town. First though’ Joanna being just 21 and normal (unlike me), we had to procure some breakfast for her. I remembered from taking Qing in the spring festival holidays that there were roadside stalls very close to the school and so we stopped whist she bought a takeaway, then arrived early at the playground so we could sit on some playthings while she ate. I had been remiss seeing as I had promised to spring for her breakfast but she refused my money - breakfast had cost 2y (20p). Not that it was large mind you, she had a meat jowza and a fritter affair with a green vegetable filling which she informed me is called “bing”.
When we set out it had been pleasantly cool at about 85F so I had loaded the cool bag with drinks and ice packs but decided I wouldn’t need my little towel to mop my head. Mistake. About half an hour in, far from remaining cool as expected, it got a lot warmer and it was humid. I ended up with the slightly embarrassing situation whereby Joanna and Helen (the school owner) took it in turns to fan me.
The kids were as always terrifically well-behaved and I didn’t mind that we overran, although I was flagging a bit towards the end. The problem was, this time she has five different levels of student and so instead of three lots I had five. She was highly apologetic but as a free lunch was awaiting for both of us at Win Qing neither of us was overly concerned.
Lunch was actually quite nice, with Helen and her high school teacher husband plus the lawyer who insisted on cooking for us last summer. Win Qing is renowned for its jowza (there are three in the city) and it is a while since I have had any fried ones. There were other dishes such as sweet chicken (complete with bones of course), tofu hotpot, pork and vegetables etc but unusually for a Chinese meal, no fish.
Unbeknown to me previously, Joanna was supposed to be teaching a couple of pupils at home later so she asked me if I would give her a lift after lunch. No problem. She called to see what time they wanted her to come and was disappointed when they cancelled due to other arrangements - nothing to do with today’s events I hasten to add. She was due to teach for two hours and earn 50y for it (the going rate for student teachers is 25y/hour here) and I know she struggles at times to make ends meet. Remember she took that dodgy night job in the bar that I was desperately unhappy about?
I offered to ensure she was no worse off today and would pay her for being so kind as to afford me her company, and indeed at times her help. It took me almost the entire twenty minute ride back to get her to accept but I am glad to say that ultimately she did. I also have a request for another two hour stint towards the middle of August as Helen is running a small summer school, so as Joanna should still be staying here in Kevin’s place then hopefully she can come that time - even if it’s just for the meal afterwards.
Just before we came through the south gate we stopped for her to buy half a chilled watermelon and then I took her back to her dormitory. By now Pepsi had been indoors for eight hours after her last bladder break so I was praying she had held on. She had and she was the least of my worries! I can only assume I neglected to put the chair against my desk cupboard door, for the cats had opened it, removed half the contents (mouse, charging cables, camera etc) and systematically shredded a new large pack of tissues. There was snow everywhere.
After cleaning up the mess I went to the shops with the mutt and sat in the oppressive heat and humidity while the aircon at home started to cool the place down. I heard rumbles of thunder in the distance just as Joanna sent me a text to say my final parcel had arrived from this month’s internet shop - the sausage rolls. To say I am dubious about them would not be an understatement, they look like no sausage rolls I have ever seen and I can’t recall how much they cost but there are only four and they are hardly jumbo ones. No doubt in the week I will make them for Kevin and me and pray that the only decent food that night is not simply mash and peas!
When I got home it did eventually bucket down for ten minutes but looking outside now you would never know, nor has it done much because my bathroom is still an oven. I just hope it doesn’t do that tomorrow as I want to go shopping and take Joanna to teach and hopefully bring her back again. For now, it’s a quiet night in and sadly an early one because I am tired - annoying when you don’t have to get up early…….
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Monday 17th June, 2013 1945
Another day where it has been 95 but feels like 107F but the difference today was that I had to examine the second halves of three classes. Two flasks of tea were drunk (English - Twinings) and a bottle of Fanta. The Fanta I froze overnight and which within an hour had melted and started to go warm. I really feel for the students because their dormitories must be ovens at night. This is reminiscent of waking up in an air-conditioned cabin and then going into a ship’s engine room in the tropics. The difference then of course was that I was young, now it knocks the stuffing out of me.
When I finished this afternoon I came home, cooled the place down (much, I suspect, to the disgust of the cats) and waited until some of the sun’s heat had dissipated. I took the dog for my usual two bottles at my outside office (the sweet pork place) then came back to the campus office outside the supermarket. Not long after I sat down with some bin pijou (cold beer) Joanna called. She had collected one of my packages - which turned out to be the Bisto so I hope the cheese isn’t languishing in transit - and she was especially grateful when I said I would come and collect her on the bike, she is feeling the heat as well and I do believe she will appreciate the use of my bike when I am away even if it is just to get to the south gate to take the 29 bus. That of course has gone from 1y a trip to 2y because the aircon is now running, although I can’t say how effective it must be when it leaves chock-a-block.
Nice easy day tomorrow with just a bit of afternoon work so the Fanta is in the freezer and yours truly is staying firmly in situ barring the late night loo outing for Pepsi.
Tuesday 18th 1250
At eight o’clock this morning when I took the dog out it was already a scorcher. Just now I checked the weather site and it was showing 97F but feels like 113F! I found out they were right when we went out for the lunchtime loo outing. Absolutely roasting but as the humidity is way down at 52% I never broke sweat, although quite what it will be like in the classroom this afternoon is anyone’s guess. I have the frozen bottle of orange pop which I don’t think will remain that way for long. I think it might be an idea if tonight I stick some gel packs in the freezer and for the remainder of the week use my cool bag. Oh, and the cheese arrived.
Wednesday 19th 1015
Well that was awful.
This morning saw the testing of the second half of Joanna’s class, without doubt the finest bunch any teacher could be blessed with. It was always going to be a sad affair because never again will I teach them but it was made a hundred times more emotional by some of the students themselves.
I don’t consider myself to be a top flight teacher (although in truth I could probably lay claim to being the most memorable they have encountered!) but the things they were saying at times truly choked me. God only knows what I will be like at their graduation dinner…..
Still, six classes to go and then it’s holiday time!
1815
After lunch was a trial. Although not as hot as yesterday at a mere 90F, the humidity has shot up to 80% so perhaps you can imagine the discomfiture I - along with most others here - experienced. There is rain on the way, which although it won’t do much for the temperatures should bring the humidity down. The trouble is I think it will rain on Saturday morning when I am due to spend a couple of hours at the little school. If the weather is fair it will be outside, if it rains it will be inside and I prefer outdoors because of the fresh air. Yes we do attract a sizeable audience of passing geriatrics but they cause no disturbance, they simply stand, stare and grin. Also if it rains Joanna may not want to come on the bike and I really would like her company that day for lunch. We shall see.
LJ and Email want to meet for dinner again so we have arranged it for Monday evening. I am now trying to find a girl who is not going to be doing last minute swotting for the other exams commencing next week. LJ reckons the place we are going has many different varieties of ales, so I am curious to try them!
Another day where it has been 95 but feels like 107F but the difference today was that I had to examine the second halves of three classes. Two flasks of tea were drunk (English - Twinings) and a bottle of Fanta. The Fanta I froze overnight and which within an hour had melted and started to go warm. I really feel for the students because their dormitories must be ovens at night. This is reminiscent of waking up in an air-conditioned cabin and then going into a ship’s engine room in the tropics. The difference then of course was that I was young, now it knocks the stuffing out of me.
When I finished this afternoon I came home, cooled the place down (much, I suspect, to the disgust of the cats) and waited until some of the sun’s heat had dissipated. I took the dog for my usual two bottles at my outside office (the sweet pork place) then came back to the campus office outside the supermarket. Not long after I sat down with some bin pijou (cold beer) Joanna called. She had collected one of my packages - which turned out to be the Bisto so I hope the cheese isn’t languishing in transit - and she was especially grateful when I said I would come and collect her on the bike, she is feeling the heat as well and I do believe she will appreciate the use of my bike when I am away even if it is just to get to the south gate to take the 29 bus. That of course has gone from 1y a trip to 2y because the aircon is now running, although I can’t say how effective it must be when it leaves chock-a-block.
Nice easy day tomorrow with just a bit of afternoon work so the Fanta is in the freezer and yours truly is staying firmly in situ barring the late night loo outing for Pepsi.
Tuesday 18th 1250
At eight o’clock this morning when I took the dog out it was already a scorcher. Just now I checked the weather site and it was showing 97F but feels like 113F! I found out they were right when we went out for the lunchtime loo outing. Absolutely roasting but as the humidity is way down at 52% I never broke sweat, although quite what it will be like in the classroom this afternoon is anyone’s guess. I have the frozen bottle of orange pop which I don’t think will remain that way for long. I think it might be an idea if tonight I stick some gel packs in the freezer and for the remainder of the week use my cool bag. Oh, and the cheese arrived.
Wednesday 19th 1015
Well that was awful.
This morning saw the testing of the second half of Joanna’s class, without doubt the finest bunch any teacher could be blessed with. It was always going to be a sad affair because never again will I teach them but it was made a hundred times more emotional by some of the students themselves.
I don’t consider myself to be a top flight teacher (although in truth I could probably lay claim to being the most memorable they have encountered!) but the things they were saying at times truly choked me. God only knows what I will be like at their graduation dinner…..
Still, six classes to go and then it’s holiday time!
1815
After lunch was a trial. Although not as hot as yesterday at a mere 90F, the humidity has shot up to 80% so perhaps you can imagine the discomfiture I - along with most others here - experienced. There is rain on the way, which although it won’t do much for the temperatures should bring the humidity down. The trouble is I think it will rain on Saturday morning when I am due to spend a couple of hours at the little school. If the weather is fair it will be outside, if it rains it will be inside and I prefer outdoors because of the fresh air. Yes we do attract a sizeable audience of passing geriatrics but they cause no disturbance, they simply stand, stare and grin. Also if it rains Joanna may not want to come on the bike and I really would like her company that day for lunch. We shall see.
LJ and Email want to meet for dinner again so we have arranged it for Monday evening. I am now trying to find a girl who is not going to be doing last minute swotting for the other exams commencing next week. LJ reckons the place we are going has many different varieties of ales, so I am curious to try them!
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Saturday 15th June, 2013 1905
I hated exams as a student and I still hate them as a teacher. The only difference now is that I can’t fail them but they do really drain me for some reason. Still, I have broken the back of them so the coming week should be a bit easier. And as of Friday I am finished until September.
It was apparently 33C here but I have to say it felt hotter - ah, just checked the weather site and it says it feels like 35C even at this time of night. A fine day for a ride to town though which started off with something I felt was unusual. Whilst riding along the little shortcut dirt track I approached an avocado coloured snake making its way across. It was two thirds of the way over when it realised I was in proximity and instead of simply carrying on and taking the shortest route it virtually somersaulted back on itself and slithered from whence it came. I can only assume its nest was that side and it didn’t want to be cut off.
After the cash point I went to the chemist to try the new card we were given. It worked - no password required - and there is more than enough credit on it to see me probably never having to fork out for medicine again. I like that card. I also liked the way the shop staff were amazed I even had one!
Next visit was the bike workshop. There was no more adjustment left on the front brakes and I am particular in that I like there only to be minor travel on the grips, rather than most Chinese who are quite content to ride round with virtually no stopping power at all. Although I felt sure the pads had enough meat left for the shop to simply adjust the lever (and it certainly looked to me as if there was plenty left even after a year of ownership) the mechanic simply changed them for new ones. This involved the wheel coming off and being put back on again. It took five minutes and I parted with the princely sum of 20y for the privilege. I was happy as it wasn’t just for me, Joanna will be using it while I am away and I would hate to be responsible for a novice injuring herself.
I did the shopping and went for a steak and dumpling platter because I hadn’t had one for ages. This time it was so awful it may be the case that I never bother again. As it is, the steaks are “plastic” mini ones but today it was full of gristle. Awful.
On my return I arranged to meet Joanna so we could put money on her card for my internet shopping (sausage rolls - hope they are better than the sausages - cheese and Bisto plus more snuff for the plane) and afterwards I gave her a lift to a new restaurant just off campus so she could have her dinner and I sat and chatted with her. Now that looked even worse than my lunch! A sort of rice soup with some cabbage and a few bits of chicken feet in it, rather her than me. While she was eating I received a call from Helen who runs the little school - the one I enjoy doing once in the winter and once in the summer. I have two hours next Saturday morning to be followed by a free lunch and I am welcome to bring a friend. Yes, you guessed correctly, Joanna agreed to sit through it provided that as recompense for her having to get up earlier than 1100 that day I spring for her breakfast. That will probably be two bowze and set me back 2y.
Now I am inside and will remain so until tomorrow bar taking Pepsi out for a wee. Aircon is on and I have had my second shower of the day. For the foreseeable future it seems we are set for the thirties so I must dig out a small hand towel to take with me to classes next week.
I hated exams as a student and I still hate them as a teacher. The only difference now is that I can’t fail them but they do really drain me for some reason. Still, I have broken the back of them so the coming week should be a bit easier. And as of Friday I am finished until September.
It was apparently 33C here but I have to say it felt hotter - ah, just checked the weather site and it says it feels like 35C even at this time of night. A fine day for a ride to town though which started off with something I felt was unusual. Whilst riding along the little shortcut dirt track I approached an avocado coloured snake making its way across. It was two thirds of the way over when it realised I was in proximity and instead of simply carrying on and taking the shortest route it virtually somersaulted back on itself and slithered from whence it came. I can only assume its nest was that side and it didn’t want to be cut off.
After the cash point I went to the chemist to try the new card we were given. It worked - no password required - and there is more than enough credit on it to see me probably never having to fork out for medicine again. I like that card. I also liked the way the shop staff were amazed I even had one!
Next visit was the bike workshop. There was no more adjustment left on the front brakes and I am particular in that I like there only to be minor travel on the grips, rather than most Chinese who are quite content to ride round with virtually no stopping power at all. Although I felt sure the pads had enough meat left for the shop to simply adjust the lever (and it certainly looked to me as if there was plenty left even after a year of ownership) the mechanic simply changed them for new ones. This involved the wheel coming off and being put back on again. It took five minutes and I parted with the princely sum of 20y for the privilege. I was happy as it wasn’t just for me, Joanna will be using it while I am away and I would hate to be responsible for a novice injuring herself.
I did the shopping and went for a steak and dumpling platter because I hadn’t had one for ages. This time it was so awful it may be the case that I never bother again. As it is, the steaks are “plastic” mini ones but today it was full of gristle. Awful.
On my return I arranged to meet Joanna so we could put money on her card for my internet shopping (sausage rolls - hope they are better than the sausages - cheese and Bisto plus more snuff for the plane) and afterwards I gave her a lift to a new restaurant just off campus so she could have her dinner and I sat and chatted with her. Now that looked even worse than my lunch! A sort of rice soup with some cabbage and a few bits of chicken feet in it, rather her than me. While she was eating I received a call from Helen who runs the little school - the one I enjoy doing once in the winter and once in the summer. I have two hours next Saturday morning to be followed by a free lunch and I am welcome to bring a friend. Yes, you guessed correctly, Joanna agreed to sit through it provided that as recompense for her having to get up earlier than 1100 that day I spring for her breakfast. That will probably be two bowze and set me back 2y.
Now I am inside and will remain so until tomorrow bar taking Pepsi out for a wee. Aircon is on and I have had my second shower of the day. For the foreseeable future it seems we are set for the thirties so I must dig out a small hand towel to take with me to classes next week.
Wednesday, 12 June 2013
Sunday 9th June, 2013 1900
The end of a heavy weekend of examining and now the start of the three day dragon boat holiday. My plans? Relax! I want to pop to town tomorrow to shop but other than cooking on Tuesday I just want to do as little or as much as I feel like. Apparently our passports, replete with new permits, are at the police station but Kevin is making the trip to collect them seeing as he will be staying downtown tonight.
Sadly I have little else to say today other than the fact I have a jam jar in my bathroom with red liquid in it. The woman from 305 knocked on my door to give it to me this morning. Very occasionally I bake her a loaf of bread so sometimes she brings me strange offerings, this being less odd than most. Apparently it is Chinese wine but not perhaps as we know it. It has some sort of fruit in it and she informed me if I drank it all I would be drunk. I do rather hope that not only is she right but also that it is palatable and indeed later tonight I will try it and report back - provided I survive the ordeal!
Monday 10th 1830
As feared, it was raining when I got up. Not a great deal but enough to make me question the wisdom of riding to town at all. Late morning though it dried up and got warmer so after noon I decided to chance it. I got halfway before I had to stop and get the cape out. Still, it’s done now and I don’t need to go in until Wednesday when it is forecast to be nice - I even had nuggets and chips in KFC for lunch.
We got to the bottom of all the decorating and knocking down of walls on the 1st and 2nd floor below us. They are moving all the medical facilities/consultation rooms to here from the shopping centre. Actually, “medical facilities” is too grand a term, when I went to see a doctor all he had was a thermometer and a stethoscope.
Tuesday 11th 1530
Toad in the hole day. It occurred to me last night that not only have I not made it with limited resources in China but in fact I have only ever made it once before! Admittedly it was fine that time but I am also trying something different - onions. There will be onions in the toad and I am also attempting to concoct homemade onion gravy. Kevin meanwhile has been appointed officer i/c peas and carrots seeing as I can’t be running between the two flats tending to two different hotplates. It will be hard enough trying to time the mash and the gravy seeing as they can’t both cook at the same time. It’s a shame the bangers aren’t great shakes.
Dragon boat day 1900
I had better post this before the regulars start thinking I am dead.
It’s not often I have a complete disaster in the culinary department and to be fair last night wasn’t one of them. Disappointing (preceded by extremely) would be nearer the mark. Take ten allegedly British butchers sausages that had the consistency of sawdust, an oven which is hit and miss on temperature and batter which steadfastly refused to rise or even set properly and you can imagine! The result was bangers that were black on top and batter that wasn’t crispy and golden. The mash was fine as was the onion gravy - my first ever attempt. Ollivier’s chocolate mousses were, I have to confess, really good - if a little on the sweet side. I think that may well be the last time I ever try to buy authentic sausages in China. You may see the result in the photo.
After two days of holiday rain today was gorgeous. I rode to town in the full knowledge (as we expected) that payday would be late this month and bought some chicken breasts for the brood. For lunch I went to the newly refurbished place in the Lottemart mall. I had a burger type thing with chicken mince & chilli that was fine but the noodles were a different matter. In the photo the dish looked great but in reality not so. I think (and hope) the meat was chopped chicken livers but it tasted so awful I left the vast majority of it. If I ever go there again I will just order two of the burger dooberries.
Back on campus Coco returned from home equipped with four zongs for me that her mother made. Very sweet of her and her mum but I can’t see me eating them tonight so they are in the fridge for lunch tomorrow.
That’s it for now. Three days off haven’t done me the slightest good but at least I have just seven more working days until the long holiday!
The end of a heavy weekend of examining and now the start of the three day dragon boat holiday. My plans? Relax! I want to pop to town tomorrow to shop but other than cooking on Tuesday I just want to do as little or as much as I feel like. Apparently our passports, replete with new permits, are at the police station but Kevin is making the trip to collect them seeing as he will be staying downtown tonight.
Sadly I have little else to say today other than the fact I have a jam jar in my bathroom with red liquid in it. The woman from 305 knocked on my door to give it to me this morning. Very occasionally I bake her a loaf of bread so sometimes she brings me strange offerings, this being less odd than most. Apparently it is Chinese wine but not perhaps as we know it. It has some sort of fruit in it and she informed me if I drank it all I would be drunk. I do rather hope that not only is she right but also that it is palatable and indeed later tonight I will try it and report back - provided I survive the ordeal!
Monday 10th 1830
As feared, it was raining when I got up. Not a great deal but enough to make me question the wisdom of riding to town at all. Late morning though it dried up and got warmer so after noon I decided to chance it. I got halfway before I had to stop and get the cape out. Still, it’s done now and I don’t need to go in until Wednesday when it is forecast to be nice - I even had nuggets and chips in KFC for lunch.
We got to the bottom of all the decorating and knocking down of walls on the 1st and 2nd floor below us. They are moving all the medical facilities/consultation rooms to here from the shopping centre. Actually, “medical facilities” is too grand a term, when I went to see a doctor all he had was a thermometer and a stethoscope.
Tuesday 11th 1530
Toad in the hole day. It occurred to me last night that not only have I not made it with limited resources in China but in fact I have only ever made it once before! Admittedly it was fine that time but I am also trying something different - onions. There will be onions in the toad and I am also attempting to concoct homemade onion gravy. Kevin meanwhile has been appointed officer i/c peas and carrots seeing as I can’t be running between the two flats tending to two different hotplates. It will be hard enough trying to time the mash and the gravy seeing as they can’t both cook at the same time. It’s a shame the bangers aren’t great shakes.
Dragon boat day 1900
I had better post this before the regulars start thinking I am dead.
It’s not often I have a complete disaster in the culinary department and to be fair last night wasn’t one of them. Disappointing (preceded by extremely) would be nearer the mark. Take ten allegedly British butchers sausages that had the consistency of sawdust, an oven which is hit and miss on temperature and batter which steadfastly refused to rise or even set properly and you can imagine! The result was bangers that were black on top and batter that wasn’t crispy and golden. The mash was fine as was the onion gravy - my first ever attempt. Ollivier’s chocolate mousses were, I have to confess, really good - if a little on the sweet side. I think that may well be the last time I ever try to buy authentic sausages in China. You may see the result in the photo.
After two days of holiday rain today was gorgeous. I rode to town in the full knowledge (as we expected) that payday would be late this month and bought some chicken breasts for the brood. For lunch I went to the newly refurbished place in the Lottemart mall. I had a burger type thing with chicken mince & chilli that was fine but the noodles were a different matter. In the photo the dish looked great but in reality not so. I think (and hope) the meat was chopped chicken livers but it tasted so awful I left the vast majority of it. If I ever go there again I will just order two of the burger dooberries.
Back on campus Coco returned from home equipped with four zongs for me that her mother made. Very sweet of her and her mum but I can’t see me eating them tonight so they are in the fridge for lunch tomorrow.
That’s it for now. Three days off haven’t done me the slightest good but at least I have just seven more working days until the long holiday!
Friday, 7 June 2013
Friday 7th June, 2013 1300
The illegal alien story got better.
Our foreign expert certificates get sent away for renewal and are yet to arrive back. With our passports we were given paperwork with which to apply for our new resident permits, included in which were photocopies of the FEC. Ollivier sent me a text saying we needed the originals and so I checked with the school and was told we didn’t. Unbeknown to me, Ollivier had just spent an hour at the police station with his Chinese wife as interpreter and had been refused. On finding this out I cancelled my siesta and started sending messages everywhere as the spectre of becoming illegal in 12 hours was somewhat uncomfortable.
Apparently phone calls were made and subsequently I was assured we would not be declined. Ollivier is not too concerned as he still has a fortnight’s validity. And yes, we had to pay and claim back later. This was a problem for Kevin as he has changed all his money into Sterling or used it on his flight. At 800y each it was hardly a piffling amount but thankfully for once I had enough money to cover both of us. I look forward to getting reimbursed in good time although with the way things are going with the foreign affairs dept (and previous experience) I have misgivings. Anyway, off we trotted to the police station to do the deed at two o’clock, taking Daisy along for translation.
Happily the young WPC who speaks English was on duty and she helped enormously. These people are the ones who visit the school to have a meeting with us every now and again and normally afterwards we all go for dinner. The WPC is my “girlfriend” on these occasions although she is happily married and as it has been a while since they last came I asked when they would come again. I like free dinners. It may be that it will happen towards the end of this month, which will be good as I will be off and they can’t do the usual thing whereby it is always my free afternoon or day they pick to come.
Everything is now sorted and we should be able to retrieve our passports on Sunday. However, our heroine the FAO screwed up the paperwork and it needs to be rectified - but at MaYa police station, not that one. You can sense - can’t you - that the waste of space will try to rectify the papers and get us to go and sort it? Well she screwed up so as far as we are concerned, she should have the inconvenience of putting it right, not us. There is no leverage for her this time as it won’t prevent our permits being updated! Watch this space.
Both yesterday and today I have been labouring under a bad cold (or man flu as wimps may term it) and had I been a student I would have asked myself for leave from my classes but of course I didn’t. Two more weeks and I am done for three months. I swear I have had more colds in the past three years than I have in the thirty preceding ones. Surely I must be running out of new strains to catch?
The rain is back so the temperature is low to mid twenties. Thankfully I am free for the afternoon and may well snooze for a while, we are working over the weekend to make up for the dragon boat holiday and from tomorrow onwards it will be pure examinations. The only good thing about that is that I get to sit down all day.
1600
Well I am done in. I am cooking half a duck for the four legged ones then bacon, eggs, mash and HP for me. A seriously early night is called for and I honestly don’t care if I wake up at four, I just want to shake this thing off. If I wasn’t so hungry I would be in bed now - pity I don’t have anyone here to bring me food and drinks in bed! I have to hang until eight or so of course for Pepsi, whilst she is very good now I can’t torture her bladder that much but will chance an early last outing at eight. Enjoy your weekend.
The illegal alien story got better.
Our foreign expert certificates get sent away for renewal and are yet to arrive back. With our passports we were given paperwork with which to apply for our new resident permits, included in which were photocopies of the FEC. Ollivier sent me a text saying we needed the originals and so I checked with the school and was told we didn’t. Unbeknown to me, Ollivier had just spent an hour at the police station with his Chinese wife as interpreter and had been refused. On finding this out I cancelled my siesta and started sending messages everywhere as the spectre of becoming illegal in 12 hours was somewhat uncomfortable.
Apparently phone calls were made and subsequently I was assured we would not be declined. Ollivier is not too concerned as he still has a fortnight’s validity. And yes, we had to pay and claim back later. This was a problem for Kevin as he has changed all his money into Sterling or used it on his flight. At 800y each it was hardly a piffling amount but thankfully for once I had enough money to cover both of us. I look forward to getting reimbursed in good time although with the way things are going with the foreign affairs dept (and previous experience) I have misgivings. Anyway, off we trotted to the police station to do the deed at two o’clock, taking Daisy along for translation.
Happily the young WPC who speaks English was on duty and she helped enormously. These people are the ones who visit the school to have a meeting with us every now and again and normally afterwards we all go for dinner. The WPC is my “girlfriend” on these occasions although she is happily married and as it has been a while since they last came I asked when they would come again. I like free dinners. It may be that it will happen towards the end of this month, which will be good as I will be off and they can’t do the usual thing whereby it is always my free afternoon or day they pick to come.
Everything is now sorted and we should be able to retrieve our passports on Sunday. However, our heroine the FAO screwed up the paperwork and it needs to be rectified - but at MaYa police station, not that one. You can sense - can’t you - that the waste of space will try to rectify the papers and get us to go and sort it? Well she screwed up so as far as we are concerned, she should have the inconvenience of putting it right, not us. There is no leverage for her this time as it won’t prevent our permits being updated! Watch this space.
Both yesterday and today I have been labouring under a bad cold (or man flu as wimps may term it) and had I been a student I would have asked myself for leave from my classes but of course I didn’t. Two more weeks and I am done for three months. I swear I have had more colds in the past three years than I have in the thirty preceding ones. Surely I must be running out of new strains to catch?
The rain is back so the temperature is low to mid twenties. Thankfully I am free for the afternoon and may well snooze for a while, we are working over the weekend to make up for the dragon boat holiday and from tomorrow onwards it will be pure examinations. The only good thing about that is that I get to sit down all day.
1600
Well I am done in. I am cooking half a duck for the four legged ones then bacon, eggs, mash and HP for me. A seriously early night is called for and I honestly don’t care if I wake up at four, I just want to shake this thing off. If I wasn’t so hungry I would be in bed now - pity I don’t have anyone here to bring me food and drinks in bed! I have to hang until eight or so of course for Pepsi, whilst she is very good now I can’t torture her bladder that much but will chance an early last outing at eight. Enjoy your weekend.
Wednesday, 5 June 2013
Wednesday 5th June, 2013 1930
Today was the sort of day alpha and beta blockers were invented for.
As per the plan I examined just over half of the students in today’s two classes. When I finished Kevin popped in for a chat. Shortly thereafter a chap came in, an ugly looking brute, and he started to talk to us but in Chinese. Upon being informed we don’t speak the lingo he disappeared and returned with a boy I had just tested, who tried to translate but was only partially successful and so departed to find a more fluent student. At this point Kevin disappeared to test his own students elsewhere.
Translator number two fared better and I managed to glean that the chap wanted to be tested on his English. He had left the school some years earlier to join the army and had never had a final English exam, ergo he was unable to complete his graduation from here. He has never been a student of mine and as it transpired, Kevin’s either. You may understand my confusion? On further three-way questioning I found out that his teacher had told him to come to me to get a pass mark and had been assured (in not so many words) that it was a mere formality.
1. The teacher has not approached me.
2. The student can’t speak English!!!!
Whilst I have sympathy for the chap’s predicament I pointed out that as a teacher I could not in all conscience issue an exam pass mark in English to someone who doesn’t speak a word of it! I suggested he return to his teacher and get them to come and speak to me to explain what exactly was going on. The boy/man was only here for the day but I had no option other than to stand firm. I now wonder if the other teacher will in fact approach me or if indeed the lad will receive a pass with “my” blessing via someone’s intervention on the school computer system. There is always something to stun me here.
As I was leaving Ollivier was passing in his car and he stopped and gave me our passports and what I thought were our copies of the contracts. As I was late to meet a girl who was coming with me when I took Pepsi out, on my return I simply put them in a cupboard and left to collect the student. En route I received a message from Kevin’s assistant. You may remember I predicted there would be a problem with the passports when the time came?
Well there is.
At midnight tomorrow we will both be illegal aliens because far from the FAO getting off of her bone idle arse and getting new resident permits, WE have to go to the police station tomorrow to do it. Not only that but she expects us to pay 400y each and claim it back later. Every mortal thing that woman is involved in ends up being a last minute crisis. The depths her incompetence plumb appear to be limitless and it beggars belief that she is still retained in a position for which she is manifestly incapable.
I was of course irate, as was Kevin, but at least I hadn’t got exams scheduled for tomorrow. I had to either cancel my morning class or my afternoon classes in order to go and because Kevin is testing in the morning but free in the afternoon I have cancelled 4 lessons after lunch - all due to the waste of oxygen supposed to be looking after us. We have resolved that should our expenses and flight reimbursements not appear before about the 23rd of this month we will constantly harangue and if that doesn’t work we will camp outside her office. This one person destroys all the good things about this place and even though people are aware they do nothing.
Today was the sort of day alpha and beta blockers were invented for.
As per the plan I examined just over half of the students in today’s two classes. When I finished Kevin popped in for a chat. Shortly thereafter a chap came in, an ugly looking brute, and he started to talk to us but in Chinese. Upon being informed we don’t speak the lingo he disappeared and returned with a boy I had just tested, who tried to translate but was only partially successful and so departed to find a more fluent student. At this point Kevin disappeared to test his own students elsewhere.
Translator number two fared better and I managed to glean that the chap wanted to be tested on his English. He had left the school some years earlier to join the army and had never had a final English exam, ergo he was unable to complete his graduation from here. He has never been a student of mine and as it transpired, Kevin’s either. You may understand my confusion? On further three-way questioning I found out that his teacher had told him to come to me to get a pass mark and had been assured (in not so many words) that it was a mere formality.
1. The teacher has not approached me.
2. The student can’t speak English!!!!
Whilst I have sympathy for the chap’s predicament I pointed out that as a teacher I could not in all conscience issue an exam pass mark in English to someone who doesn’t speak a word of it! I suggested he return to his teacher and get them to come and speak to me to explain what exactly was going on. The boy/man was only here for the day but I had no option other than to stand firm. I now wonder if the other teacher will in fact approach me or if indeed the lad will receive a pass with “my” blessing via someone’s intervention on the school computer system. There is always something to stun me here.
As I was leaving Ollivier was passing in his car and he stopped and gave me our passports and what I thought were our copies of the contracts. As I was late to meet a girl who was coming with me when I took Pepsi out, on my return I simply put them in a cupboard and left to collect the student. En route I received a message from Kevin’s assistant. You may remember I predicted there would be a problem with the passports when the time came?
Well there is.
At midnight tomorrow we will both be illegal aliens because far from the FAO getting off of her bone idle arse and getting new resident permits, WE have to go to the police station tomorrow to do it. Not only that but she expects us to pay 400y each and claim it back later. Every mortal thing that woman is involved in ends up being a last minute crisis. The depths her incompetence plumb appear to be limitless and it beggars belief that she is still retained in a position for which she is manifestly incapable.
I was of course irate, as was Kevin, but at least I hadn’t got exams scheduled for tomorrow. I had to either cancel my morning class or my afternoon classes in order to go and because Kevin is testing in the morning but free in the afternoon I have cancelled 4 lessons after lunch - all due to the waste of oxygen supposed to be looking after us. We have resolved that should our expenses and flight reimbursements not appear before about the 23rd of this month we will constantly harangue and if that doesn’t work we will camp outside her office. This one person destroys all the good things about this place and even though people are aware they do nothing.
Monday, 3 June 2013
Sunday 2nd June, 2013 1600
No rain today although cool enough to warrant a jacket for the morning ride to town, said jacket needing to be dispensed with on the return journey because by that time it was too warm.
My two classes turned into three, due in part I think to the fact the owner (who is somewhat absent minded) suddenly remembered I am unavailable next weekend and we agreed today would be my last. Rather gratifyingly all the kids behaved and I “lost” five minutes of each one because the owner’s wife presented him with a baby boy on Friday night, their first and probably last. The custom here does not involve wetting the baby’s head, instead the father distributes sweets to all and sundry so the kids were pleased as he came to all of them acting like Willie Wonka.
I had lunch in KFC of an unusual kind - rice, chicken fritters, Italian vegetables, sweet corn salad and fishball soup. Better than their coriander-laden burgers! For once when I shopped in Lottemart I spent more on myself than the animals. I actually found three shirts which near enough fit me! Usually when that happens they are of the dearer variety and between 150-200y but these were only 59y each. Had they had more colours I would have snapped them up as well.
Monday 3rd 1830
And back up to thirty degrees. I flipping woke up at 0530, an hour before I needed to, so wasn’t happy. Today was the last class of term for all the three classes today and my activity for this week was what I believed to be a stroke of genius - something along the lines of “Catchphrase” where I slowly pieced pictures together on the board and the students had to guess which proverb it was. In half an hour the first lot only managed to get three right so I allowed them to use their phones for the internet in the subsequent ones which produced a better hit rate.
When I finished and Kevin and I were sitting on our bikes chatting his phone rang. His assistant. It didn’t take me long to guess that the conversation concerned our passports - remember we handed them in in good time but then they were returned? Suddenly our breathtakingly incompetent foreign affairs officer has twigged our residents permits expire in two days and she has to take them to the police station tomorrow for renewal. We of course are supposed to drop everything for this complete waste of office space who is incapable of looking after three foreigners.
Of course, we need up to date papers so are over a barrel but it didn’t stop either of us having some fun by not simply asking “how high” when asked to jump. In fact when Kevin’s assistant contacted me by text (never heard her phone call) I really milked the panic. If either of us were as abysmal at our jobs as that woman our feet wouldn’t touch the ground until we were on the next departing China Southern flight.
Anyway, I have all but decided to utilise the remaining sausages by attempting toad in the hole one evening during the dragon boat holiday. A western Wednesday with a difference because we won’t invite students this time - not enough food - although I have said to Kevin if Daisy is still around she can come. She will leave for good soon and I know it will affect him badly as they are very close. I just hope nobody thinks it will be any great shakes because the bangers have skins like rhinos and the stuffing; while edible; is rather dry. I wish I could simply go and buy even Tesco Value ones!
No rain today although cool enough to warrant a jacket for the morning ride to town, said jacket needing to be dispensed with on the return journey because by that time it was too warm.
My two classes turned into three, due in part I think to the fact the owner (who is somewhat absent minded) suddenly remembered I am unavailable next weekend and we agreed today would be my last. Rather gratifyingly all the kids behaved and I “lost” five minutes of each one because the owner’s wife presented him with a baby boy on Friday night, their first and probably last. The custom here does not involve wetting the baby’s head, instead the father distributes sweets to all and sundry so the kids were pleased as he came to all of them acting like Willie Wonka.
I had lunch in KFC of an unusual kind - rice, chicken fritters, Italian vegetables, sweet corn salad and fishball soup. Better than their coriander-laden burgers! For once when I shopped in Lottemart I spent more on myself than the animals. I actually found three shirts which near enough fit me! Usually when that happens they are of the dearer variety and between 150-200y but these were only 59y each. Had they had more colours I would have snapped them up as well.
Monday 3rd 1830
And back up to thirty degrees. I flipping woke up at 0530, an hour before I needed to, so wasn’t happy. Today was the last class of term for all the three classes today and my activity for this week was what I believed to be a stroke of genius - something along the lines of “Catchphrase” where I slowly pieced pictures together on the board and the students had to guess which proverb it was. In half an hour the first lot only managed to get three right so I allowed them to use their phones for the internet in the subsequent ones which produced a better hit rate.
When I finished and Kevin and I were sitting on our bikes chatting his phone rang. His assistant. It didn’t take me long to guess that the conversation concerned our passports - remember we handed them in in good time but then they were returned? Suddenly our breathtakingly incompetent foreign affairs officer has twigged our residents permits expire in two days and she has to take them to the police station tomorrow for renewal. We of course are supposed to drop everything for this complete waste of office space who is incapable of looking after three foreigners.
Of course, we need up to date papers so are over a barrel but it didn’t stop either of us having some fun by not simply asking “how high” when asked to jump. In fact when Kevin’s assistant contacted me by text (never heard her phone call) I really milked the panic. If either of us were as abysmal at our jobs as that woman our feet wouldn’t touch the ground until we were on the next departing China Southern flight.
Anyway, I have all but decided to utilise the remaining sausages by attempting toad in the hole one evening during the dragon boat holiday. A western Wednesday with a difference because we won’t invite students this time - not enough food - although I have said to Kevin if Daisy is still around she can come. She will leave for good soon and I know it will affect him badly as they are very close. I just hope nobody thinks it will be any great shakes because the bangers have skins like rhinos and the stuffing; while edible; is rather dry. I wish I could simply go and buy even Tesco Value ones!
Saturday, 1 June 2013
Childrens day Sunday 1st June, 2013 1900
Yesterday, as so many days, didn’t go as planned. Pop’o’Fish became a no-go because they didn’t have big enough tables for nine of us to all sit together and the girls wouldn’t entertain adjacent ones. Instead my discount card was brought into play again at the barbecue restaurant, where they simply rearrange the furniture to put two or even three tables together.
As my bike wasn’t charged (having anticipated all of us taking the No 7 bus) I ended up having to take the cattle truck aka No 29. Having declined the invitation to accompany eight young ladies shopping (as would any sane man) as I wanted a snooze I travelled on my own. I was not impressed at having to stand for the entire journey and not just because I am a lazy sod but as I ended up on the left side of the bus and with a port arm that still refuses to rise even to horizontal it was difficult to hang on to a support. I suppose had I wanted I could have pulled rank and demanded a student vacate a seat but I didn’t.
In the event I arrived 25 minutes too early and so took the opportunity of getting some spare keys cut. Joanna has got herself a summer job and so will stay in Kevin’s apartment for the holidays. This makes me very happy for various reasons but one of them is that my cat sitting problem is solved but she will need keys. Due to Pepsi being such an odd little thing I will still leave her with the vets, which for two weeks should come in at under 300y which won‘t hurt too much and that can be combined with the annual jab and a bath.
I rarely eat much in that restaurant normally anyway but last night I ate hardly anything simply because most of what was on offer didn’t appeal to me but I will say I enjoyed the evening regardless as indeed did the girls as you will see from the photos. I enjoyed it even more when I received a call from Qing to tell me she had her IELTS result from the resit. I was over the moon to learn she did indeed increase her score from 6.0 to 6.5 meaning she won’t have to take extra English lessons when she gets there. Maybe I should take up coaching for that exam as a sideline!
I had promised one of my other students I would go to the philately exhibition in the library today but last night she said the opening ceremony was at nine this morning. Today being the only day I could sleep late I said I wouldn’t be there before eleven but last night I felt guilty and set my alarm for early. Yes I was there for the opening “ceremony” which was rather comical. There were more speakers than guests! The exhibition itself was small and I have to say disappointing. 95% of the stamps on show were Chinese and the only European ones were two from Poland but it was still interesting for a while.
I was so tired that later I grabbed another hour before going to town. It was spitting with rain when I was ready to leave and I thought I would take the No 7 bus but changed my mind and rode in instead because I wanted to get an early dinner there. I wished I hadn’t as by the time I had eaten it was raining hard - despite the forecast saying minimal precipitation. I got wet. I hope it clears by morning as I must shop regardless and thankfully I will be finished in the little school for eleven.
Yesterday, as so many days, didn’t go as planned. Pop’o’Fish became a no-go because they didn’t have big enough tables for nine of us to all sit together and the girls wouldn’t entertain adjacent ones. Instead my discount card was brought into play again at the barbecue restaurant, where they simply rearrange the furniture to put two or even three tables together.
As my bike wasn’t charged (having anticipated all of us taking the No 7 bus) I ended up having to take the cattle truck aka No 29. Having declined the invitation to accompany eight young ladies shopping (as would any sane man) as I wanted a snooze I travelled on my own. I was not impressed at having to stand for the entire journey and not just because I am a lazy sod but as I ended up on the left side of the bus and with a port arm that still refuses to rise even to horizontal it was difficult to hang on to a support. I suppose had I wanted I could have pulled rank and demanded a student vacate a seat but I didn’t.
In the event I arrived 25 minutes too early and so took the opportunity of getting some spare keys cut. Joanna has got herself a summer job and so will stay in Kevin’s apartment for the holidays. This makes me very happy for various reasons but one of them is that my cat sitting problem is solved but she will need keys. Due to Pepsi being such an odd little thing I will still leave her with the vets, which for two weeks should come in at under 300y which won‘t hurt too much and that can be combined with the annual jab and a bath.
I rarely eat much in that restaurant normally anyway but last night I ate hardly anything simply because most of what was on offer didn’t appeal to me but I will say I enjoyed the evening regardless as indeed did the girls as you will see from the photos. I enjoyed it even more when I received a call from Qing to tell me she had her IELTS result from the resit. I was over the moon to learn she did indeed increase her score from 6.0 to 6.5 meaning she won’t have to take extra English lessons when she gets there. Maybe I should take up coaching for that exam as a sideline!
I had promised one of my other students I would go to the philately exhibition in the library today but last night she said the opening ceremony was at nine this morning. Today being the only day I could sleep late I said I wouldn’t be there before eleven but last night I felt guilty and set my alarm for early. Yes I was there for the opening “ceremony” which was rather comical. There were more speakers than guests! The exhibition itself was small and I have to say disappointing. 95% of the stamps on show were Chinese and the only European ones were two from Poland but it was still interesting for a while.
I was so tired that later I grabbed another hour before going to town. It was spitting with rain when I was ready to leave and I thought I would take the No 7 bus but changed my mind and rode in instead because I wanted to get an early dinner there. I wished I hadn’t as by the time I had eaten it was raining hard - despite the forecast saying minimal precipitation. I got wet. I hope it clears by morning as I must shop regardless and thankfully I will be finished in the little school for eleven.
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