Friday 18th December, 2015               0300

Certainly I have not been sleeping well of late, more to do with having to uproot again and find other gainful employment.

As with everything, as time passes you get used to the reality and now I feel as Kevin did last term. Had enough of their shenanigans and maybe time for a fresh start. Of course I will miss my students terribly, in the vast majority of cases a hell of a sight more than they will me! The latest contretemps with the new dean have rather killed any desire to fight the 60 limit, this place has turned into a most unwelcoming environment since she took the helm and she will probably be the dean for some years to come and I have no desire to work under someone so vindictive until I see out my working days. Were I in the UK I could and would  be a thorn in her side with impunity if I played it right but this is here, where I have no protection and previous good deeds and staunch behaviour can often be cast aside.

The die is cast.

As of today my key to the classroom was requested to be returned. Petty in extremis because after the  latest events and needing to at least stay employed until my previously notified date for the boot rather than before, is she that thick that she thought I would repeat the mortal sin?

I also cancelled every Santa appearance I was scheduled to make (a lot of kids) for free so it would be no breach of my contract but New Boss is breast beating and I am damned if I will get fired early because she can trump up an excuse.

However, John from the little school and with whom I have been friends all the time I have been here, is desperate for me to be his Santa and judge at his speaking competition on Sunday. He’s on dialysis three times a week now but who I feel sorry for are the estimated 500 parents and children who are going to attend expecting to see Father Christmas. It’s been broadcast.

I have to hand it to him. Later today he is coming to campus to meet my assistant Anthony and they will both go to Prof Fang to try and get permission for me to do it after all. It is utterly ridiculous that I can be threatened over volunteering in my free time when a fat bloke in a red costume with a beard is craved by so many places. Does anyone think I actually want to turn out in the freezing cold to any of them besides my own brainchild, the hospital? Of course not but I don’t want to disappoint the children.

I have insisted though that if Prof Fang is all for me doing John’s gig then the Grinch also has to be in agreement. I ain’t getting fired before I have time to job hunt.

You know, if a Chinese teacher had borrowed a classroom absolutely nothing would have happened. Because I am a foreigner she must have been watching the internet like a hawk for photos of me and ultimately found them. A few years ago the police on their routine visit asked about my teaching at a school in town where my images were plastered all over their reception. I don’t even know where the school is exactly, far less have I been there. They find my images online and use them - I can’t control people grabbing my images from the internet.

But what happened when I had death threats on my phone? Yes, Anthony stopped them for a few weeks and recently they started up again. What happened then? Stuff all, yet  I use a classroom and suddenly I am Harold Shipman. After more than five years loyal service I expected better. Time to look elsewhere but if I am successful this time I will simply consider it a year at a time, I will do my best not to get too attached to a place - difficult though when your students are in large part so endearing.

So depending on what happens later today I may be going to John’s gig and if that happens I would at least like to do the Boxing Day party as well I was asked to do and without fear of parents posting pictures of Santa with their little darlings online.