Wednesday 27th November, 2013 1845
Good God, I never realised the last blog was on Friday!
So let me think - what’s been happening?
Well Saturday Lucy cleaned up the new place a bit and as a treat I took her to the sweet pork place for lunch afterwards. I eschewed my usual pork and prawn dishes so she ordered some weird chopped meat and veg thing, we shared a cabbage hotpot (very healthy and actually rather tasty - I just wish the “meat” they put in it had a bit of fat on it instead of it being fat with a bit of meat!) and I had a dozen fried dumplings. I never even knew they did them until recently, when I saw one of the women making them. Very nice they were and different to others I’ve had because they put some powdered spice on the them when they fry them. I will definitely have their jen-jowZA again.
Sunday was brutal. I had to get up at dawn in order to take Pepsi to the vets for the duration. The only good thing about the day was that the rain didn’t really start until I arrived at the little school and it finally stopped just before I finished there in the early evening. I did get a bit damp though when I went for lunch and to shop. I know I did it as a favour in an emergency but I said I wouldn’t want to do it again - 0830 start, three lessons until noon and then two more between 1450 and 1620. Three hours and twenty minutes work but a workday spanning nine and a half hours. Sod that.
Monday and Tuesday I laboured over yet another load of historical lesson plans for the business book but at least on Monday night I got to take Joanna for a Japanese dinner. It was too cold to bike it so we took the bus there and a taxi back. She surprised me by saying in response to my asking what she wanted to drink, “The warm drink”. She meant saki and to give her credit she drank two of the little jugs you get. Not only that but after the food she opened a pack of skinny menthol cigarettes. I did however discover she won’t actually leave campus until March which was welcome news. Then that will be it except for her return in June to collect her final paperwork.
Kevin bought a flatpack computer station for 250y which he assembled - rather him than me - and invited me to view it. For £25 it’s not bad so I have given him the money to buy me one and put it together as well! I do NOT want the three tonne thing I am using at present.
Qing called me last night (she does that a lot lately when she is down because apparently I always make her feel happier!) and her last words to me were to tell me to let her know when I have moved in to the new place so she can organise some time off to come and visit. I had best get cracking, and seeing as I am free tomorrow I will start moving bits and bobs over. The heavy stuff (books, appliances etc) I will ask my Friday afternoon class to shift for me on Sunday. They are my liveliest lot and as a bribe, tomorrow I am going to bake two malted fruit loaves for them to try in class. I would spring for a restaurant meal for the lot of them but that would cost me a week’s wages and I still have to order a couple of chairs, not to mention save up for a dining suite and other things. The college porters will be called for to shift the fridge-freezer though.
The weather here has gone truly potty. A fortnight ago I was in shirtsleeves, now it is a jumper, thick coat and gloves - and that’s during the day! At night it is sometimes dipping below zero (late outings for Pepsi are now a pain) yet the forecast is showing next week it will get up as high as 17C. I will believe it if it happens. That’s another good reason to move very soon - with smaller rooms it will be simple to keep them warmer. I fled indoors before five today because I felt so cold outside.
That’s all for now folks, be warned it may be a while until the next one while I root around in drawers and find things I have forgotten I had!
Wednesday, 27 November 2013
Friday, 22 November 2013
Friday 22nd November, 2013 1930
Yes I know I am sporadic but it takes time to recover when you are an old fart and when things are happening rapidly workwise as well it leaves even less time to sit down and compose something.
Ollivier has already moved home - says it took him 90 minutes which suggests youth and a wife and students to help makes a difference - Kevin has moved in but still has loads to shift from the old place and I? Well, I have gotten as far as dumping new bedding on the bed (but not removing the plastic mattress cover), buying a few fittings for Kevin to fit using his drill and the workmen coming to instal the gas bottle for the double hob. I really haven’t felt like doing anything lately, exciting though the move is.
Of late I have been an agony uncle to a Chinese dept major (Mulan) who has started attending my classes (she and her two siblings are orphans). Her 18 year old brother has met and fallen head over heels with a girl and with sisterly concern she is worried he is neglecting his high school studies. Worse, he has no time for her any more. She is happier now that I have explained that love at 18 is all-encompassing and excludes everything else, she has tried but won’t be thanked for nagging and he needs to make his own mistakes and decisions. The odd thing about Chinese students is that they will often open up with really personal problems to a foreign teacher which I believe they would never for a moment consider doing with a Chinese teacher. Maybe it’s because the Chinese teachers have no time for that, I know not.
This afternoon at four I received an SOS from Ollivier. He had called Kevin but he was downtown and I assume unwilling to help at that time so passed the problem to me. The French contingent (and yes, he reads this blog!) had run out of petrol en route to town. I retrieved a jerry can from Kevin’s place which only had about a litre of petrol in it, thought about going to a garage first to fill it and decided against as it should have been enough to get the car far enough to fill up. On arrival I did comment that the way to avoid this problem was to keep petrol in the tank but was assured the petrol gauge was faulty. Whatever, after emptying the contents of the can into the car, it would run for a second or two and then stop. My theories (and as yet I have no idea if either were right) was that there was either an airlock or perhaps because being half on the road and half on grass resulting in a starboard list the fuel was on the wrong side of the tank for the uptake.
His wife Coco called the VW garage and eventually an old Santana arrived with four chaps in boilersuits. They went along the lines of the “not enough petrol” theory and I left when they cluttered off to fill the jerry can to see if that would do the trick. I did ask to be sent a message once they were mobile again but so far have heard nothing. But he’s French.
Tomorrow Lucy is coming to the new place to clean the floors, windows and inside the wardrobes/cupboards which are covered in building dust. I have splashed out on a new broom and pan and a new mop. After that I can start transferring clothes and other items plus remove the mattress cover. Next week I will hit Kevin with the guilt trip to put my kitchen and bathroom shelves up and plumb in the washing machine. Then it will be a case of mobilising the troops (probably my last class on Fridays) and organise a crocodile file of “ants” to ferry all the heavy stuff. Except perhaps the fridge/freezer - for that I may get the school porters involved.
Sunday I have a full day at the little school. They know two lessons are all I want to do, with the odd (very odd) exception of a three-lesson day, but one of their teachers (Rock - a good old Anglo-Saxon name) has just lost a grandparent and needs Sunday off to attend the funeral. A bit of bad luck as it happens because he only got married a fortnight ago. I am wondering if I will see his new wife on Sunday because my western mind says both should be at the funeral. I suppose it makes up for my own absence last weekend though.
So that’s it from here and it may be a while before the next entry too!
Yes I know I am sporadic but it takes time to recover when you are an old fart and when things are happening rapidly workwise as well it leaves even less time to sit down and compose something.
Ollivier has already moved home - says it took him 90 minutes which suggests youth and a wife and students to help makes a difference - Kevin has moved in but still has loads to shift from the old place and I? Well, I have gotten as far as dumping new bedding on the bed (but not removing the plastic mattress cover), buying a few fittings for Kevin to fit using his drill and the workmen coming to instal the gas bottle for the double hob. I really haven’t felt like doing anything lately, exciting though the move is.
Of late I have been an agony uncle to a Chinese dept major (Mulan) who has started attending my classes (she and her two siblings are orphans). Her 18 year old brother has met and fallen head over heels with a girl and with sisterly concern she is worried he is neglecting his high school studies. Worse, he has no time for her any more. She is happier now that I have explained that love at 18 is all-encompassing and excludes everything else, she has tried but won’t be thanked for nagging and he needs to make his own mistakes and decisions. The odd thing about Chinese students is that they will often open up with really personal problems to a foreign teacher which I believe they would never for a moment consider doing with a Chinese teacher. Maybe it’s because the Chinese teachers have no time for that, I know not.
This afternoon at four I received an SOS from Ollivier. He had called Kevin but he was downtown and I assume unwilling to help at that time so passed the problem to me. The French contingent (and yes, he reads this blog!) had run out of petrol en route to town. I retrieved a jerry can from Kevin’s place which only had about a litre of petrol in it, thought about going to a garage first to fill it and decided against as it should have been enough to get the car far enough to fill up. On arrival I did comment that the way to avoid this problem was to keep petrol in the tank but was assured the petrol gauge was faulty. Whatever, after emptying the contents of the can into the car, it would run for a second or two and then stop. My theories (and as yet I have no idea if either were right) was that there was either an airlock or perhaps because being half on the road and half on grass resulting in a starboard list the fuel was on the wrong side of the tank for the uptake.
His wife Coco called the VW garage and eventually an old Santana arrived with four chaps in boilersuits. They went along the lines of the “not enough petrol” theory and I left when they cluttered off to fill the jerry can to see if that would do the trick. I did ask to be sent a message once they were mobile again but so far have heard nothing. But he’s French.
Tomorrow Lucy is coming to the new place to clean the floors, windows and inside the wardrobes/cupboards which are covered in building dust. I have splashed out on a new broom and pan and a new mop. After that I can start transferring clothes and other items plus remove the mattress cover. Next week I will hit Kevin with the guilt trip to put my kitchen and bathroom shelves up and plumb in the washing machine. Then it will be a case of mobilising the troops (probably my last class on Fridays) and organise a crocodile file of “ants” to ferry all the heavy stuff. Except perhaps the fridge/freezer - for that I may get the school porters involved.
Sunday I have a full day at the little school. They know two lessons are all I want to do, with the odd (very odd) exception of a three-lesson day, but one of their teachers (Rock - a good old Anglo-Saxon name) has just lost a grandparent and needs Sunday off to attend the funeral. A bit of bad luck as it happens because he only got married a fortnight ago. I am wondering if I will see his new wife on Sunday because my western mind says both should be at the funeral. I suppose it makes up for my own absence last weekend though.
So that’s it from here and it may be a while before the next entry too!
Monday, 18 November 2013
Monday 18th November, 2013 2120
I know it’s been a while and the reason is that I have been poorly. I didn’t feel too hot on Wednesday and I can normally tell when I am going to get hit - and get hit I certainly did.
I was so thankful Thursday was my day off, for the only times I went out were for Pepsi, I felt terrible. I slept as much as I could, praying to feel better on my worst day, Friday. I didn’t but I dragged my carcase to the teaching block at 0820 and somehow coughed, sneezed and spluttered my way through solid lessons until 1510. I really felt like just going back to bed. Saturday was as bad so I cancelled any idea of shopping for pet food and also lessons at the little school. I had intended to buy my freezer but that also went by the board.
On Sunday I was marginally better, having arrived at the cough plus sore throat stage. The alternative being four angry furry things unused to only having dry biscuits to eat compelled me to make the shopping trip, taking Yvonne as translator for the freezer purchase. Food and freezer paid for, I had to treat her to lunch - as much for my benefit as hers for I had eaten hardly anything of late. Then it was back to the Batcave again.
Today the cough and the dizziness lingers but I am on the mend. The washing machines which were due to arrive at 1530 finally came at 1830 and we have to plumb them in ourselves. The wait wasn’t hugely inconvenient though as I was sat with Joanna and Vivian deciphering what I said on the DVD recordings a month ago so they could press on with inserting Chinese subtitles - easier said than done I have to say. They are coming back at 1000 tomorrow for another session and meanwhile the school has moved the goalposts for me (and apparently every other teacher) by asking for entire semester lesson plans for books they never mentioned yet and in my case a book which is not only absolute garbage but one Kevin and I both invented our own lessons in place of it. Even worse, the school has this year abandoned the course book completely! I’m afraid I don’t do immediately when the other side has had three and a half years to get their act together and ask me in good time.
So this entry is hardly lengthy or interesting but nothing much happens when you try to confine yourself to bed for most of the day! I just thought I would let everyone know I am still extant and that I am simply suffering from the most debilitating affliction the male species can suffer - man flu.
I know it’s been a while and the reason is that I have been poorly. I didn’t feel too hot on Wednesday and I can normally tell when I am going to get hit - and get hit I certainly did.
I was so thankful Thursday was my day off, for the only times I went out were for Pepsi, I felt terrible. I slept as much as I could, praying to feel better on my worst day, Friday. I didn’t but I dragged my carcase to the teaching block at 0820 and somehow coughed, sneezed and spluttered my way through solid lessons until 1510. I really felt like just going back to bed. Saturday was as bad so I cancelled any idea of shopping for pet food and also lessons at the little school. I had intended to buy my freezer but that also went by the board.
On Sunday I was marginally better, having arrived at the cough plus sore throat stage. The alternative being four angry furry things unused to only having dry biscuits to eat compelled me to make the shopping trip, taking Yvonne as translator for the freezer purchase. Food and freezer paid for, I had to treat her to lunch - as much for my benefit as hers for I had eaten hardly anything of late. Then it was back to the Batcave again.
Today the cough and the dizziness lingers but I am on the mend. The washing machines which were due to arrive at 1530 finally came at 1830 and we have to plumb them in ourselves. The wait wasn’t hugely inconvenient though as I was sat with Joanna and Vivian deciphering what I said on the DVD recordings a month ago so they could press on with inserting Chinese subtitles - easier said than done I have to say. They are coming back at 1000 tomorrow for another session and meanwhile the school has moved the goalposts for me (and apparently every other teacher) by asking for entire semester lesson plans for books they never mentioned yet and in my case a book which is not only absolute garbage but one Kevin and I both invented our own lessons in place of it. Even worse, the school has this year abandoned the course book completely! I’m afraid I don’t do immediately when the other side has had three and a half years to get their act together and ask me in good time.
So this entry is hardly lengthy or interesting but nothing much happens when you try to confine yourself to bed for most of the day! I just thought I would let everyone know I am still extant and that I am simply suffering from the most debilitating affliction the male species can suffer - man flu.
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
Tuesday 12th November, 2013 1845
I would say the warm weather has well and truly departed for a while. Today was flipping cold at 12C with light rain and looking at the ten day prognosis there won’t be anything above twenty before next spring.
Not much to report other than the fact we are supposed to be getting the keys to our new homes on Friday. I went to have a look at mine after class this afternoon. Still no bed yet but mock wood flooring throughout with tiles on the balcony and in the bathroom. I tried out the shower for hot water and failed dismally. At present I have a large tank with heating element so I have scalding hot water which is great except you can’t spend long under the shower as when it runs out it goes cold. The new places have electric water heaters that heat on demand but I’m not sure how warm it will get. They have put some rather nifty ceiling lights in the bathroom which can double up as heaters for the winter. Importantly, they have also at my request put hasps on the outside of the room doors so they can be locked from both sides, ensuring my bedroom can stay animal free!
Kevin’s electric drill and toolkit set arrived yesterday, which means he can now put up any shelves we want (one in the bathroom for sure) and any other little jobs that need doing. I have given him the money to order my washing machine and later this week I will go to town to buy a chest freezer. I have quite warmed to the idea of moving now and although I have no idea how much longer my time here will be, I did have a chat yesterday, spoke my thoughts and hopefully persuaded the dean to fight my corner for at least another year here.
Wednesday 13th 2015
And once again everyone has been paid except the foreigners. Unbelievable. While in some areas they are bending over backwards, in others we seem not to rate even a passing thought.
Today was rather different. I had been asked a few days ago to do a twenty minute presentation on my teaching methods for this term’s book to “several” teachers and to prepare a PPP (they call it PPT here, presumably some Americanism). I had to tell Cinny to forget the PPP, not only have I no idea how to make one but I don’t recollect ever seeing one. No problem thought I, a blackboard will do me just fine.
This morning I had notification it was to take place this afternoon and accordingly I had to cancel my own class - much to their delight. However, as with most things in China, what you are told and what actually happens are often two completely different things. Several teachers became virtually the entire teaching staff of the foreign languages department (about fifty!), including Prof Fang. No classroom, ergo no blackboard, it took place in the big conference room in which the Chinese staff have their Wednesday weekly meetings.
All I had was a handwritten sheet with some bullet points, the rest being in my head. And who was the first one to give their talk? I wasn’t even sure what I was about to deliver was what was wanted (thankfully it was) but I did my best. I don’t perform as well when I am seated and much prefer to pace about using body language as I do in my classes.
Afterwards I endured about another ten Chinese teachers - most with PPPs and most speaking in Chinese so I had no idea of what was going on. Whilst I was free to leave the moment I had finished my bit I thought perhaps I should show willing and stay. Eventually Prof Fang came to me and said all the remaining talks would be in Chinese so it was fine for me to leave. I did, not least of all because after two hours I was in dire need of the loo and a cigar - in that order! I did find it odd that none of the other laowei were invited though.
Day off tomorrow and I had thought about taking the bus to town to look at freezers but I may have to give that a miss if we haven’t been paid by then - I won’t want to spend 1,000y and leave myself with nothing to live on, having already given Kevin the money for the washing machine.
That’s it from here - ravioli on toast beckons.
I would say the warm weather has well and truly departed for a while. Today was flipping cold at 12C with light rain and looking at the ten day prognosis there won’t be anything above twenty before next spring.
Not much to report other than the fact we are supposed to be getting the keys to our new homes on Friday. I went to have a look at mine after class this afternoon. Still no bed yet but mock wood flooring throughout with tiles on the balcony and in the bathroom. I tried out the shower for hot water and failed dismally. At present I have a large tank with heating element so I have scalding hot water which is great except you can’t spend long under the shower as when it runs out it goes cold. The new places have electric water heaters that heat on demand but I’m not sure how warm it will get. They have put some rather nifty ceiling lights in the bathroom which can double up as heaters for the winter. Importantly, they have also at my request put hasps on the outside of the room doors so they can be locked from both sides, ensuring my bedroom can stay animal free!
Kevin’s electric drill and toolkit set arrived yesterday, which means he can now put up any shelves we want (one in the bathroom for sure) and any other little jobs that need doing. I have given him the money to order my washing machine and later this week I will go to town to buy a chest freezer. I have quite warmed to the idea of moving now and although I have no idea how much longer my time here will be, I did have a chat yesterday, spoke my thoughts and hopefully persuaded the dean to fight my corner for at least another year here.
Wednesday 13th 2015
And once again everyone has been paid except the foreigners. Unbelievable. While in some areas they are bending over backwards, in others we seem not to rate even a passing thought.
Today was rather different. I had been asked a few days ago to do a twenty minute presentation on my teaching methods for this term’s book to “several” teachers and to prepare a PPP (they call it PPT here, presumably some Americanism). I had to tell Cinny to forget the PPP, not only have I no idea how to make one but I don’t recollect ever seeing one. No problem thought I, a blackboard will do me just fine.
This morning I had notification it was to take place this afternoon and accordingly I had to cancel my own class - much to their delight. However, as with most things in China, what you are told and what actually happens are often two completely different things. Several teachers became virtually the entire teaching staff of the foreign languages department (about fifty!), including Prof Fang. No classroom, ergo no blackboard, it took place in the big conference room in which the Chinese staff have their Wednesday weekly meetings.
All I had was a handwritten sheet with some bullet points, the rest being in my head. And who was the first one to give their talk? I wasn’t even sure what I was about to deliver was what was wanted (thankfully it was) but I did my best. I don’t perform as well when I am seated and much prefer to pace about using body language as I do in my classes.
Afterwards I endured about another ten Chinese teachers - most with PPPs and most speaking in Chinese so I had no idea of what was going on. Whilst I was free to leave the moment I had finished my bit I thought perhaps I should show willing and stay. Eventually Prof Fang came to me and said all the remaining talks would be in Chinese so it was fine for me to leave. I did, not least of all because after two hours I was in dire need of the loo and a cigar - in that order! I did find it odd that none of the other laowei were invited though.
Day off tomorrow and I had thought about taking the bus to town to look at freezers but I may have to give that a miss if we haven’t been paid by then - I won’t want to spend 1,000y and leave myself with nothing to live on, having already given Kevin the money for the washing machine.
That’s it from here - ravioli on toast beckons.
Friday, 8 November 2013
Friday 8th November, 2013 1930
Holiday? I am more tired than if I had been working!
However, I had a lovely couple of days away.
On Wednesday I had an earlier start than anticipated (although I thought it was going to be earlyish anyway) because not only did I feel guilty about not being around to watch Joanna compete in the 800m and hopefully gain a first prize for all four of her years but she told me it was a pity because she was the student speaker at the opening ceremony.
Well that started at 0830 (meaning an 0630 alarm) but despite an inward groan at an unearthly start to a day off, I could hardly not go to watch her - she won’t be here for too much longer. I have to say that despite my not understanding a word she said, I thought she did a good job and sounded confident even if her speech notes were trembling like mad!
At 1030 I left to take Pepsi to “prison” for the duration, having made arrangements to travel to Tongling with Ali, one of my sophomores whose family live there. She was going to take the train but I demurred because it was going to be absolutely mobbed with students going home and I had no intention of standing for an hour and half. She protested that the bus is twice the price - 9y on the train, 20y by coach. For the sake of what is basically £2 I decided I would pay for her. We had arranged to take the next available coach after noon but she finished her exam that morning earlier than expected and as I arrived at the station ahead of time we got a head start - and a seat each for the journey!
She saved me 4y when we got there by us leaving the coach before the station, the cab costing only 6 instead of 10y to the hotel, checked me in and then she went home. I was very tired, Qing was coming at four so I decided to have a couple of bottles and take a nap. Whilst doing that, Qing and I decided to invite Ali to join us for dinner that evening at the special fish restaurant. I then turned in on my firm but cheap (128y a night) mattress. Normally when I go to sleep I turn my phone off but in case Qing wanted to contact me I left it on. It was something I regretted because I never got a wink. Ollivier sent me a text just as I had dozed off, informing me that cream cheese and butter are now available in RT Mart - welcome news but not at that moment in time. Still, it pleased me this evening to learn he had no idea there was a holiday and had gone to class yesterday to find an empty room. Serves him right.
Ali, Qing and I had a lovely dinner at the restaurant (and I got to see Qing’s mum again) and more importantly Ali loved “my” fish. I have mentioned it in my classes but now one of their own can enthuse about it as well. Also, there is a student in her class who I call Qing due to her remarkable resemblance and now too there will be independent confirmation.
After dinner Ali went home and the pair of us were just so tired we called it a day. I grappled with the hotel computer for a while which was as slow as paint drying on a wet day and eventually succumbed to fatigue. Although this was the third time I had stayed at the hotel - and the third time in room 205 - I had never before noticed the army barracks tucked away behind it. Both mornings (even with the windows closed) I was roused to the Chinese version of Reveille played over loudspeakers at six and then exercise music at eight. This morning a bloody cockerel woke me at 0450 and it was still pitch black! Rest? This is China!
During the meal Ali had said her parents would like to invite us to lunch yesterday at their home. Not only was this to be the first time a foreigner had been to their home, it was also to be the first time I had been to one of my student’s homes. Assurances garnered from Ali that her mum was a good cook, I was asked what food I would like. The simple answer “What she would normally cook” was insufficient so after being pressured I said jen jowza (fried dumplings) and was surprised to be told “No problem.”
And so it was that Qing and I set out by taxi yesterday morning. We were dropped off some distance away because unless you know where the place is, cabs don’t either. Unfortunately for me it was an all uphill walk but thankfully the apartment was on the third floor rather than the sixth as I had feared might be the case. Ali’s family home is very nicely furnished and mum and dad made Qing and I most welcome, leaving the young ones and the old man (me) chatting and nibbling on the Tongling speciality, which is pickled ginger root.
As you will see from the photos, mum put on a good spread - too good in fact because I don’t eat anywhere the quantity Chinese folk do. I did though rate the grub highly, in particular the dumplings, sweet pork and a mushroom and cabbage dish. We had a lovely time.
When we left we got a bus to Tongling Town (distinct from the city and very select), where Qing took me into a patisserie called Amant. I couldn’t help but notice the translation/typo in the sign on the door and so when we left after having ice cream I had to take photos. I have seen some amusing signs here but that has simply got to be the best anyone has ever seen!
After an hour or so sitting by the lake we went to an hotel for a buffet meal. Whilst Qing made a good fist of it at 98y per head, I could hardly eat anything - I was still stuffed from lunch (and indeed still am not hungry) but when I found out that the all you can eat deal also included booze, well, I did my best!
This morning, my stomach, being unaccustomed to so much input, was playing up and I felt rather melancholy for some reason, not simply because it was soon going to be time to return. Qing felt the same but I think more because although she earns good money, she is not enjoying the job and now regrets not taking the opportunity to go to Sydney to study. Seeing as she insisted on paying for every meal I suggested (as I really wasn’t hungry - those dumplings sit there in the pit of your belly for ages) we go for a cheap and cheerful lunch. Shame I wasn’t hungry, for she took us to a Chinese “pasta” place where she had some in a sort of a soup while I had the fried stuff with beef and vegetables. Very nice it was too, even though I could only eat half of it.
Then it was time to go. Having just found out I should have the keys to my new apartment sometime next week, I told Qing next time she has to come here, when I shall pay. Ok, it will probably be spring festival and freezing so we won’t want to go downtown, but cooking western fare for her will be adequate recompense.
It was a real pain getting off the bus and having to go and get Pepsi out on bail from the town, then ride all the way back to school, but at least I was rewarded for the first time ever there with her going potty to see me. This time nobody thought (as they usually do) that I thrash her daily. Early night for me, long day tomorrow at the little school.
Holiday? I am more tired than if I had been working!
However, I had a lovely couple of days away.
On Wednesday I had an earlier start than anticipated (although I thought it was going to be earlyish anyway) because not only did I feel guilty about not being around to watch Joanna compete in the 800m and hopefully gain a first prize for all four of her years but she told me it was a pity because she was the student speaker at the opening ceremony.
Well that started at 0830 (meaning an 0630 alarm) but despite an inward groan at an unearthly start to a day off, I could hardly not go to watch her - she won’t be here for too much longer. I have to say that despite my not understanding a word she said, I thought she did a good job and sounded confident even if her speech notes were trembling like mad!
At 1030 I left to take Pepsi to “prison” for the duration, having made arrangements to travel to Tongling with Ali, one of my sophomores whose family live there. She was going to take the train but I demurred because it was going to be absolutely mobbed with students going home and I had no intention of standing for an hour and half. She protested that the bus is twice the price - 9y on the train, 20y by coach. For the sake of what is basically £2 I decided I would pay for her. We had arranged to take the next available coach after noon but she finished her exam that morning earlier than expected and as I arrived at the station ahead of time we got a head start - and a seat each for the journey!
She saved me 4y when we got there by us leaving the coach before the station, the cab costing only 6 instead of 10y to the hotel, checked me in and then she went home. I was very tired, Qing was coming at four so I decided to have a couple of bottles and take a nap. Whilst doing that, Qing and I decided to invite Ali to join us for dinner that evening at the special fish restaurant. I then turned in on my firm but cheap (128y a night) mattress. Normally when I go to sleep I turn my phone off but in case Qing wanted to contact me I left it on. It was something I regretted because I never got a wink. Ollivier sent me a text just as I had dozed off, informing me that cream cheese and butter are now available in RT Mart - welcome news but not at that moment in time. Still, it pleased me this evening to learn he had no idea there was a holiday and had gone to class yesterday to find an empty room. Serves him right.
Ali, Qing and I had a lovely dinner at the restaurant (and I got to see Qing’s mum again) and more importantly Ali loved “my” fish. I have mentioned it in my classes but now one of their own can enthuse about it as well. Also, there is a student in her class who I call Qing due to her remarkable resemblance and now too there will be independent confirmation.
After dinner Ali went home and the pair of us were just so tired we called it a day. I grappled with the hotel computer for a while which was as slow as paint drying on a wet day and eventually succumbed to fatigue. Although this was the third time I had stayed at the hotel - and the third time in room 205 - I had never before noticed the army barracks tucked away behind it. Both mornings (even with the windows closed) I was roused to the Chinese version of Reveille played over loudspeakers at six and then exercise music at eight. This morning a bloody cockerel woke me at 0450 and it was still pitch black! Rest? This is China!
During the meal Ali had said her parents would like to invite us to lunch yesterday at their home. Not only was this to be the first time a foreigner had been to their home, it was also to be the first time I had been to one of my student’s homes. Assurances garnered from Ali that her mum was a good cook, I was asked what food I would like. The simple answer “What she would normally cook” was insufficient so after being pressured I said jen jowza (fried dumplings) and was surprised to be told “No problem.”
And so it was that Qing and I set out by taxi yesterday morning. We were dropped off some distance away because unless you know where the place is, cabs don’t either. Unfortunately for me it was an all uphill walk but thankfully the apartment was on the third floor rather than the sixth as I had feared might be the case. Ali’s family home is very nicely furnished and mum and dad made Qing and I most welcome, leaving the young ones and the old man (me) chatting and nibbling on the Tongling speciality, which is pickled ginger root.
As you will see from the photos, mum put on a good spread - too good in fact because I don’t eat anywhere the quantity Chinese folk do. I did though rate the grub highly, in particular the dumplings, sweet pork and a mushroom and cabbage dish. We had a lovely time.
When we left we got a bus to Tongling Town (distinct from the city and very select), where Qing took me into a patisserie called Amant. I couldn’t help but notice the translation/typo in the sign on the door and so when we left after having ice cream I had to take photos. I have seen some amusing signs here but that has simply got to be the best anyone has ever seen!
After an hour or so sitting by the lake we went to an hotel for a buffet meal. Whilst Qing made a good fist of it at 98y per head, I could hardly eat anything - I was still stuffed from lunch (and indeed still am not hungry) but when I found out that the all you can eat deal also included booze, well, I did my best!
This morning, my stomach, being unaccustomed to so much input, was playing up and I felt rather melancholy for some reason, not simply because it was soon going to be time to return. Qing felt the same but I think more because although she earns good money, she is not enjoying the job and now regrets not taking the opportunity to go to Sydney to study. Seeing as she insisted on paying for every meal I suggested (as I really wasn’t hungry - those dumplings sit there in the pit of your belly for ages) we go for a cheap and cheerful lunch. Shame I wasn’t hungry, for she took us to a Chinese “pasta” place where she had some in a sort of a soup while I had the fried stuff with beef and vegetables. Very nice it was too, even though I could only eat half of it.
Then it was time to go. Having just found out I should have the keys to my new apartment sometime next week, I told Qing next time she has to come here, when I shall pay. Ok, it will probably be spring festival and freezing so we won’t want to go downtown, but cooking western fare for her will be adequate recompense.
It was a real pain getting off the bus and having to go and get Pepsi out on bail from the town, then ride all the way back to school, but at least I was rewarded for the first time ever there with her going potty to see me. This time nobody thought (as they usually do) that I thrash her daily. Early night for me, long day tomorrow at the little school.
Monday, 4 November 2013
Monday 4th November, 2013 2015
Yesterday was horrible. I spent hours cobbling up yet another term’s lesson plans but at least they are done now.
Today in contrast was a lovely one.
Firstly, late morning I had a message from Qing saying she had Friday and Saturday off, if I was free would I come to Tongling? I was hugely disappointed as I am busy all day Saturday and told her so. She changed her days off to Thursday and Friday instead, so Pepsi will be spending two nights in the care of the vet because I will go Wednesday afternoon and come back Friday afternoon. I am really looking forward to seeing her again.
Secondly, after class (as is my habit when the weather isn’t wet or too cold, although it is getting a bit chilly at 18-20 these days) I took Pepsi to the sweet pork place. Halfway into my first bottle three of my students arrived for what I assumed was a mini shopping trip. It wasn’t, they were having dinner there - at four o’clock. They invited me but I declined because I was going to make tuna pasta for myself at home and anyway it was too early. They were very persistent and eventually I caved in. It wasn’t just the three of them, there were fifteen girls from my last class on Fridays celebrating a birthday girl who had also just won a 5,000y scholarship grant. And she paid!
So tuna pasta was put on hold and I had a very nice meal as the only male in a room full of girls. At the end - now bear in mind these girls were only drinking coke, lemonade or juice because they had an evening class later - they decided to play spin the bottle/truth or dare. Actually it was a tissue holder on the lazy Susan that was spun but they picked on me. Twice girls were dared to kiss me. On the first occasion I was glad it was a peck on the cheek but on the second I would have been more than happy to do a little more! It was Amy (she is a little cutie who has been to a western Wednesday) but at the end, seeing as I had escaped being caught by the spin myself they decided I had to take a dare anyway. I had to show them how I would propose to Amy. Now Amy is the class monitor and also my wife. I have a wife in each class for role play explanations but although the reality is I would happily marry her I thought it may be too embarrassing for her so I declined on the grounds that I would have to get down on one knee and wouldn’t be able to get up again.
They were having none of it - they said they would pull me up afterwards! Amy was a good sport and I did the whole proposal thing with at least half a dozen phones taking videos (ditto with the kisses) and they did indeed help me to get to my feet afterwards. I would think by now it is plastered all over QQ - the Chinese Facebook.
I am glad that since I started a new life here I have pushed myself to accept invitations I have felt inclined to refuse because I didn’t fancy it. Sometimes you get the very best of times from the unexpected and today was a thoroughly all-round good day.
Please don’t think I am dead if you don’t see a blog until maybe Sunday - I will I hope be having a great time in Tongling with Qing.
Yesterday was horrible. I spent hours cobbling up yet another term’s lesson plans but at least they are done now.
Today in contrast was a lovely one.
Firstly, late morning I had a message from Qing saying she had Friday and Saturday off, if I was free would I come to Tongling? I was hugely disappointed as I am busy all day Saturday and told her so. She changed her days off to Thursday and Friday instead, so Pepsi will be spending two nights in the care of the vet because I will go Wednesday afternoon and come back Friday afternoon. I am really looking forward to seeing her again.
Secondly, after class (as is my habit when the weather isn’t wet or too cold, although it is getting a bit chilly at 18-20 these days) I took Pepsi to the sweet pork place. Halfway into my first bottle three of my students arrived for what I assumed was a mini shopping trip. It wasn’t, they were having dinner there - at four o’clock. They invited me but I declined because I was going to make tuna pasta for myself at home and anyway it was too early. They were very persistent and eventually I caved in. It wasn’t just the three of them, there were fifteen girls from my last class on Fridays celebrating a birthday girl who had also just won a 5,000y scholarship grant. And she paid!
So tuna pasta was put on hold and I had a very nice meal as the only male in a room full of girls. At the end - now bear in mind these girls were only drinking coke, lemonade or juice because they had an evening class later - they decided to play spin the bottle/truth or dare. Actually it was a tissue holder on the lazy Susan that was spun but they picked on me. Twice girls were dared to kiss me. On the first occasion I was glad it was a peck on the cheek but on the second I would have been more than happy to do a little more! It was Amy (she is a little cutie who has been to a western Wednesday) but at the end, seeing as I had escaped being caught by the spin myself they decided I had to take a dare anyway. I had to show them how I would propose to Amy. Now Amy is the class monitor and also my wife. I have a wife in each class for role play explanations but although the reality is I would happily marry her I thought it may be too embarrassing for her so I declined on the grounds that I would have to get down on one knee and wouldn’t be able to get up again.
They were having none of it - they said they would pull me up afterwards! Amy was a good sport and I did the whole proposal thing with at least half a dozen phones taking videos (ditto with the kisses) and they did indeed help me to get to my feet afterwards. I would think by now it is plastered all over QQ - the Chinese Facebook.
I am glad that since I started a new life here I have pushed myself to accept invitations I have felt inclined to refuse because I didn’t fancy it. Sometimes you get the very best of times from the unexpected and today was a thoroughly all-round good day.
Please don’t think I am dead if you don’t see a blog until maybe Sunday - I will I hope be having a great time in Tongling with Qing.
Saturday, 2 November 2013
Saturday 2nd November, 2013 2130
Hmmm, I have been a little slack on the blogging front of late, in my defence I have been busy with work (and will be most of the day tomorrow as well).
Absolutely sod all happened Thursday bar feverishly completing lesson plans (as indeed will be the case tomorrow) as in the next few months there will be an inspection by government education officials. The university wants to move further up the ladder and get authorised to award post-graduate degrees as well and so all must be in order.
Friday was just the usual hard work and this morning I just had one early class at the little school (three next Saturday though as two of the full time teachers there are getting married). As usual I went shopping afterwards and to my huge delight I spotted that Lottemart are (for now - once they run out they probably won’t restock) selling oven chips! Well, sort of a cross between chips and French fries but if they are any good they will be a lot more convenient than faffing about making my own oven chips. I bought a couple of bags (only half a kilo each) with the intention of defrosting a gammon steak - chips are de rigeur with them, at least for me. Pineapples won’t be in season here until mid-winter but I thought I would use some out of a tin or a jar. In there and RT I can buy peaches, pears, apricots, mandarins etc in jars but no sign of pineapple! Incredible.
From six to eight this evening the Lingdian foreign language society finally put on a show to welcome the freshmen. Three out of four foreign teachers attended, the notable absence being the Korean teacher, although I know not whether because she wasn’t interested or they forgot to invite her. As per, yours truly P T Barnum was coerced without notice into taking the stage for a game. It involved getting the audience to guess a secret word by my only using body language. I’m pretty good at that but one word, “Panda” gave me cause for consternation. How else can you get it across without sitting cross-legged miming tearing off a bamboo shoot and chewing on it? Well, yes, of course they guessed correctly but then there was the small matter of me getting up off the floor and back on my feet! No easy task, and a reminder for me that I am not the man I used to be! Slightly undignified to say the least.
Jim the hero did a very good job of motivating the newcomers I am glad to say and there were some enjoyable acts put on by the students.
Hmmm, I have been a little slack on the blogging front of late, in my defence I have been busy with work (and will be most of the day tomorrow as well).
Absolutely sod all happened Thursday bar feverishly completing lesson plans (as indeed will be the case tomorrow) as in the next few months there will be an inspection by government education officials. The university wants to move further up the ladder and get authorised to award post-graduate degrees as well and so all must be in order.
Friday was just the usual hard work and this morning I just had one early class at the little school (three next Saturday though as two of the full time teachers there are getting married). As usual I went shopping afterwards and to my huge delight I spotted that Lottemart are (for now - once they run out they probably won’t restock) selling oven chips! Well, sort of a cross between chips and French fries but if they are any good they will be a lot more convenient than faffing about making my own oven chips. I bought a couple of bags (only half a kilo each) with the intention of defrosting a gammon steak - chips are de rigeur with them, at least for me. Pineapples won’t be in season here until mid-winter but I thought I would use some out of a tin or a jar. In there and RT I can buy peaches, pears, apricots, mandarins etc in jars but no sign of pineapple! Incredible.
From six to eight this evening the Lingdian foreign language society finally put on a show to welcome the freshmen. Three out of four foreign teachers attended, the notable absence being the Korean teacher, although I know not whether because she wasn’t interested or they forgot to invite her. As per, yours truly P T Barnum was coerced without notice into taking the stage for a game. It involved getting the audience to guess a secret word by my only using body language. I’m pretty good at that but one word, “Panda” gave me cause for consternation. How else can you get it across without sitting cross-legged miming tearing off a bamboo shoot and chewing on it? Well, yes, of course they guessed correctly but then there was the small matter of me getting up off the floor and back on my feet! No easy task, and a reminder for me that I am not the man I used to be! Slightly undignified to say the least.
Jim the hero did a very good job of motivating the newcomers I am glad to say and there were some enjoyable acts put on by the students.
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