Friday 9^th March, 2018 1915

Isn't life wonderful?

I awoke to a reply from Delia informing me nothing was finalised yet re the shifting students/teachers, hoped it would not take place until next term/academic year and that they realised it would inconvenience me greatly so would ensure arrangements were made to make it easy etc etc. Terrific, what more could I hope for?

This afternoon Annie emailed me. The other vice-dean had informed her this afternoon she would be taking over the affected class (additional work for her, less for me) but instead of having to take them on Wednesdays when she teaches on main campus anyway, they insisted she go there Mondays. Nothing finalised eh? Doesn't sound like that to me. So of course while I am grateful that my well-being has been thought of I am not so enamoured with the fact someone else has been told to take up the slack. Makes me look dreadful and I never once said I couldn't or wouldn't do it, merely that their suggestion was unacceptable and another way needed to be found.

Had it been acceptable I would have assented with a grumble but agreed nonetheless, however the bald fact is, I know my teaching would have suffered and quite likely I would have missed classes through over-sleeping, not to mention my being irritable. Not exactly a good quality in a teacher.

So now I find myself in the role of villain. Annie was quite happy to help out on the day she has to be on the main campus for her own work but is understandably dismayed at having to make a special journey for extra classes on a different day and I of course am angry (if indeed the matter has been settled – this is, after all, China) because were Annie and I not good friends she would by now be sticking pins in effigies of me.

I have now had to compose another email requesting that the school give me back my students and I have offered them various solutions (if I am any more flexible I will be kissing my own arse) and all they have to do is make it happen. Never in eight years of teaching have I offloaded work to a colleague and I do not intend to start now. The day went downhill rapidly.

Then, during the break in afternoon class, Brenda called. She had spoken to the Director of Foreign Affairs regarding next year's contract. She was now 80% sure. Everything was dependent now on a letter from the deans of east and Peili campuses. I already know I will be writing the letter from the east campus (glowing of course) which makes it 90% certain, maybe 95% so I now find myself at loggerheads with one vice-dean on Peili and in accord with the other over Studentgate and oh, by the way can I expect your support for a contract renewal!

My life was never destined to be plain sailing, plane sailing or even great circle I am sure. The older I get the more I am beginning to believe Wednesday's child really is full of woe! At least I can't receive the death sentence. Yet...........