Monday 5^th March, 2018 1145

It has taken from Friday evening until now to recover! Yesterday I was up at 0730, today I was awake early but managed to doze for a while longer. I'll probably sleep late tomorrow, just in time to have to be up in the dark again!

Last night I was sent a text to say that Delia, the Peili campus dean, would sit in on my class next Thursday from 0800-0850. I immediately replied to complain that they never observe the second period which is when the fun is! A rapid response fired back said “Sorry I made a mistake, she is coming to the second period.”

There will be no film. Delia will have to join in the activity though. Methinks I shall go to the little supermarket sometime, jot down various prices and have a game of The Price Is Right. The observation is not merely about my contract renewal, for Annie is also having a visitation but I want to give the best impression everywhere for obvious reasons.

Also last night I decided to make my first Madeira cake. It meant I wouldn't have such a workload today. With no scales or self-raising flour it was pure guesswork but then all my cooking is! The recipe never called for milk but I think maybe I should have used some because while the outside rose, the centre was concave. I tried some and while it is not as light as I wanted, it is not going to be used as foundations for affordable housing. In fact it tasted good and with a bit of custard I reckon it will go down well tonight.

2030

So dinner is done, as they say. The parsley sauce was a success (Stephanie's request for ketchup was denied) and there was hardly room left for cake and custard but of course I hadn't reckoned with Annie. Oh yes, she still wanted her cake and custard! It has to be better than people refusing what you've cooked, surely?

And hahaha! It turns out the observation was originally to be me for period one and Annie second. After I sent off my text Annie was informed of a change to reverse the order of play – that could only have been prompted by my comments! My tenure here may be uncertain but it seems I still have a minor amount of influence. Maybe there are a few in China who appreciate accrued wisdom through years – even if possibly there is no wisdom.....

Tomorrow is a nothing day. I may wash my trainers and vacuum flask carry-case, pop to the jing jo shop but generally do bugger all and hope I can get a decent night's sleep ahead of Wednesday.