Thursday 11th May, 2017                1245

I could really have done with that medical card! A spit off 300y in the chemist! Mind you, I did decide to get some more laxatives (I’m running out of the UK ones) and of course they had no idea what I wanted specifically. They got the gist of it but I have a feeling bicosadyl is not available in China, normally they find an equivalent but not this time. Whatever it is I bought, I doubt very much it has the same strength - it was on the “public” shelves, meaning it would be “over the counter” in the west.

Why do I mention this item?

Because the only English words on the bottle say “Colon Cleanse”!!!!! I shudder to think what would be emblazoned on a box of Viagra…………

Anyway, I have now “moulted” courtesy of my girl in the barbers and feel a lot tidier for it. As always, I left their floor resembling the picture on a monochrome television. I always get a kick from that. She and the owner on this occasion wanted to take photographs together. I duly obliged but couldn’t help wondering if perhaps I was going to end up in some advertising campaign. If I do I want a discount.

It’s really warm today. I put my fleece on  when I went out but should have left it at home and tomorrow it‘s supposed to be 26C (hope I can dispense with a jacket at 0700). Very fortuitously on my return I decided to start the soup off and filled my witch’s cauldren with water before slinging allsorts into it. What with chopping garlic, onion, celery, spuds etc I wanted to wash my hands once done and discovered the water is off. At least my dinner is guaranteed.

Friday 12th                                  1400

This morning, on the basis that it would heat up later, I went out in short sleeves. Another degree or two warmer would have been better but it wasn’t unpleasant and meant I never had to carry my fleece later.

Did all my morning classes and retired to my office for a cuppa and my lunch of chicken salad wraps. At 1230 my phone rang. It was Janet. She wanted to know if I was in my office and I confess it was tempting to lie and say no in order to prevent a visitation. I didn’t.

She was calling to tell me my afternoon class was cancelled and I could go home. “Oh” said I, “the bus left half an hour ago.” No, another bus would come soon and she would wait for me at the campus entrance, be “quickly”. With visions of a busload of people waiting for me, I hastened out, only to remember all my books, USB sticks etc were still in my classroom. Earlier I had heard a lot of scrooping from my room and I merely thought some students were rearranging the seating.

Well they were, for when I burst in, strange faces were sitting as if swotting for an exam and the entire room had been altered. And no sign of my belongings. Eventually I found everything, books on a windowsill, USB sticks and pen in a cupboard and I threw them into my office and legged it down to the toilet on the 3rd floor. The bus would have to wait for me to take a leak because I doubted I could make the trip without relieving the pressure.

There was no bus when I emerged. Apparently the time is flexible (anytime between 1230 and 1300, depending on traffic). It arrived just before one but during the wait I discovered the students sitting in my classroom were waiting to defend their theses. Janet had asked my students if they wanted their class in another room (why the defences could not have been done in a spare room and not displaced me is beyond me but this is China) but they had said they would like to sit in and listen to those about to graduate give their defences. They are only sophomore4s and wanted to get an idea of what to expect in two years themselves. Fair enough and a result for me. Afternoon off.

I then asked her to arrange for the bus to pick me up on Wednesday morning next week as I wanted to watch the opening ceremony for the sports festival. Oh no, that will be held on the west campus. How do I get there? Take the big school bus (it’s a proper coach) at 0730. Ok great, thought I, then I can go home at noon. Janet on the other hand, had other ideas. All the teachers from all the campuses (foreigners excepted unless they want to) have to attend and many students from all campuses will also go. Then afterwards “you can come to east campus (mine) and watch our own opening ceremony“! Wish I’d kept quiet because now I have set myself up for a full day on two campuses. Ah well, at least the leaders will see me making the effort, which won’t do any harm.