So Sunday was rather short, given my time in bed but in the late afternoon I began to become very glad I hadn’t eaten the majority of the chicken burger the night before. My instincts had been right and I found myself spending a fair amount of time seated an a throne I generally only like to sit atop once a day. I think that was the last time I shall visit that little eatery.
Knowing that I had a full day’s teaching ahead of me on Monday, I cooked some chicken legs to take to work. It may seem idiotic to continue with food that upset my bowels previously but of course this way I was certain to know it was cooked properly - and it was. I played safe with my evening meal too, salmon fillet, spuds, peas and mayonnaise. Can’t go far wrong with that unless you make your own mayonnaise. I didn’t.
And so it came to pass that I actually went to bed on Sunday night at 2230. A little later than anticipated but not so late as to have left me debilitated all the following day.
I have no idea why but if I slept more than two hours in fits and starts then I will be amazed. I can’t recall ever experiencing such a catalogue of mini-nightmares in one session without being in the grip of a fever in my life.
Amazingly though, I managed to make it through Monday’s classes with just the one gigantic yawn in the first class. You become a good actor when you become a teacher.
A handful of students are now beginning to rise to the surface to be recognised and that is good to see. It shows that they care and better still, they want me to notice them. I can ask for little more. In fact in one of the classes I was getting more answers to my questions than in some of my English major classes in Chizhou. I couldn’t care less if the answers are wrong, give me ten wrong ones and I am a lot happier than getting none at all. I am now thinking of getting an official certificate with the school stamp embossed on it to give to all the students who pass my exam at the end of term. Unrelated to their BA of course but the Chinese love a certificate and although it will not be officially recognised by the board of education, it may well serve as a little extra feather in their caps. Additionally, it may spur the less motivated ones to shift their arses.
So today was cigar day. I awoke at 1000 and had only just made a coffee when Brenda phoned. She was calling to tell me the school didn’t think my idea of them linking up with that seafaring film company was really for them. That’s fine, I just thought some of the engineering students may have thought about it but no problem. Then it was can you come and meet me at the campus security gate?
Hold on, I have only just woken up? I have plans today, I am making my monthly cigar trip and that takes three hours or so. Why do I need to meet you?
I will take you to get more gas.
Well I did that myself on Saturday and I have enough now to last until June.
Oh, you can bring the receipt so we can pay you the money.
Sorry, you will think I am strange but am not dressed and I haven’t showered and I don’t like leaving home before a shower, can we do it another time - it’s only 102y and I can wait?
Brenda decided to come and see me within half an hour at home. This being China I did entertain fleeting thoughts that perhaps she was also coming to wield the axe regarding my staying another year but I thought well, if it is to be then at least I have plenty of notice to find another place. My experience is that there is always another motive and I was right but not as aforementioned.
They want me to give a couple/few seafaring career talks to students on Peili campus, which is not where I teach. Now that I will happily do for them with enough notice to get someone to prepare a PPP or slide show for me because I am incapable. I really should find out how to do such things but then this will be the first time I have really WANTED one, far less needed one. It could prove interesting.
Early afternoon saw me head off for my cigars. I have been there twice before. Just twice, a month apart. My liking for Wang Guan cigars and being the only one in the city to do so has clearly marked me out because as soon as I walked into China Tobacco I heard people saying “Sway-Jar” (cigar) and almost immediately the security man produced 500 of them! Oh well, at least it appears while I am here I shouldn’t have any problem getting them any more!
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