Tuesday 1st September, 2015                             0140

Yes I know it’s either late or early depending on whether you are half full or empty or whether you work shifts but more on that later.

Indeed on Sunday the business street was all I saw and then only for five minutes. As I was feeling positively weak from lack of nourishment I paid a visit to the fruit stall in search of bananas, a good source of instant energy. I can’t say I have used them very much (ever) although I will in the future because they sell the biggest eggs I have seen for sale to the likes of me - the supermarket eggs would be the smallest grade in the UK and you can’t beat a nice big egg, can you?

Anyway, despite the skins not being black (I have to have bright yellow, firm ones, any black and it’s in the bin) when I pressed on the best looking ones the insides felt as if they were liquid! It is rare for me to even contemplate eating bananas but I do miss the ones the sweet pork place sold, they were always fresh and slightly underripe. Anyway, I passed.

That left me still feeling awful with a dodgy stomach and no appetite. I bought a packet of crackers and once home had five of them with some cheese. It was at least food and later I downed an ice cream cornet which I suppose could vaguely be considered such. It was enough.

This morning I felt no better than when I went to bed but given the need to go shopping and knowing the necessity to at least eat something. I took the bus to town. The plan had been a McBreakfast but when I got there I knew I would be wasting my money on the big one or even a McMuffin. I tried a first - the breakfast wrap, a pancake with scrambled eggs, bacon and barbecue sauce rolled inside. I managed half of it and to be honest it wasn’t too bad. Fortified, I did my shop and bought another loaf of bread for when I finally have chance to make French toast, the other one having turned blue waiting.

I also bought a baguette and was thankful when a couple of hours later the “breakfast” had done the job of stimulating an appetite so that I could have a bit of it with the Chinese equivalent of Dairylea spread. I resisted the desire for a nap and held out until just after seven, at which time I set my alarm for two-thirty (now thirty minutes hence) to get up and go and collect Joan from the station, which is why I am awake at this time. Today will doubtless be completely skewed for both of us because she will shower when we get back and I will make her a frozen pizza - all gourmet here, she can choose any of the three the supermarket sells, I have them all! For my part I think I may just have a bit more of the baguette - it’s nice to be feeling almost up to scratch.

1900

I duly collected Joan from the station, surprised there were still a few cars out at 0330 and when we got back she showered and I cooked her a pizza. She went to bed at about five, I of course was wide awake and sat watching YouTube until past nine. Thinking I would wake up again around noon, I didn’t set my alarm. It wasn’t until three that I surfaced!

The Chinese French teacher I believe took the two newbies to Jiuhua Mountain, which I am sure they enjoyed. I have never been because I would never be able to climb all the steps but they are both young enough. Their teaching rotas are not online yet, leading me to believe perhaps they both have all freshmen classes, in which case they will get nigh on another two weeks off. With Kevin and I, in that situation they have always given us one older class just to make sure we taught something!

My schedule is up and I was disappointed to see that unless it changes between now and Monday I have to work four days a week rather than the three I did last term. Monday is my “busy” day with two classes, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday I have one. However, the secretary has been kind in allocating me the same classroom for all of them, meaning I can leave my bag in there permanently. I am now wondering if the supervisor will do what she promised and provide me with my own key - there is nothing worse than the entire class and teacher standing outside with no sign of the keyholder.

Poor old Kevin has not fared as well in his new school. He has seven classes, none of which are English majors. What that basically means is that the school are completely wasting his talent because the students won’t have the slightest interest in learning oral English. It wouldn’t surprise me if he looks for new pastures after one year, loyal as he was to here.

Tonight at long last I will have my first try at French toast. I am feeling better and with Joan here I have a reason to cook, I have done very little of that all holiday.

Student numbers increase daily (meaning the ultimate plan to ensure getting a seat on the bus will have to be implemented - meaning riding up to the new end of the line) and more and more businesses are reopening. Sadly though, not China Mobile. I have but 8y credit on my phone so I will have to go out into the country to top up.