Wednesday 9^th May, 2018 2020

Whoops, put 1956 in and had to emend when I was typing the date above! Having had a fair few emails, Facebook messages and texts today on the occasion of my birthday I wouldn't call that a Freudian error though.

Monday morning Stephanie texted to apologise that she could not come for dinner, her school was finally being inspected by the ministry of education and they were holding a meal to discuss battle plans.

Having seen the demented chickens in Chizhou when it happened there and suffered all the bullshit that is suddenly required, I had a quiet chuckle. Stephanie on the other hand, had been infected with the same panic virus as the Chinese teachers. I have yet to hear but I almost guaranteed they wouldn't show up in her class to observe because 1) they cannot see but a few teachers in two or three days 2) they have no idea how western teachers ply their craft and 3) they can't speak bloody English.

It seemed to reassure her and on the off chance I simply told her if she was chosen (wouldn't happen) carry on as normal. I wouldn't expect her to do what I would do though. I am King of my classroom so anyone sitting in becomes a student and is expected to participate. Oddly, I would love that to happen, I would either be sacked afterwards or I would be the stuff legends are made of! Maybe both......

So anyway, she missed one of her favourite meals, lasagne, yet it gave me chance to tell Alice she could bring her mate Miranda, who jumped at the chance. I decided to make currant buns instead of a traditional dessert. Never made them before but getting adventurous now. I was actually quite pleased with the result in the end, golden brown tops and very soft and fluffy inside. Boy, they were going to love these!

Annie gave her verdict. “Bread” was what she said. “NO, hot cross buns without the cross” (no idea where to get icing sugar here). “Still bread”.

After everyone had left I finally understood. That IS what American bread tastes like! They don't know what real bread is! I was pleased anyway. In fact they were all I ate all day on Tuesday, didn't want to throw the leftovers away.

A decent day today for my birthday even though it was a long one. I celebrated by having lunch in Pizza Hut where I chose omurice with beef curry sauce. Never heard of omurice and I assumed it was a spelling mistake on the menu but it is real and Japanese. Really weird, you get the rice with an omelette filled with yellow stuff draped on top, they bring it to table and slit the omelette to allow the innards to spill out. Actually quite nice with a Tsingtao beer!

I also bought a full corona which I am smoking now, should last another two hours but other than that, celebrations have been somewhat muted. I think I prefer it that way these days.