Saturday 27^th April, 2019 1730

It's been a bit of a mixed bag of a week. The first Wednesday class I left after fifteen minutes, exasperated and frustrated because they sat dumbly the entire time, not one of them willing to answer the simple question, “Which days do we have off next week?”

Had there been a possibility they may not have known then it would have been different but they knew full well, it was me who was unsure. And they are the worst of the classes anyway. Should make for an interesting start when I see them again a week on Wednesday!

The afternoon class suffered a similar fate but to a lesser extent. The cause of my ire? Two girls sitting at the front of the class started giggling while I was addressing the room. Considering what I was saying wasn't the remotest bit humorous, I knew something was amiss. Then I saw the shared earphones they were using to watch and listen to something on a phone behind their books.

I requested I be given the phone and the owner simply kept her head cast down and never budged. I then said she either gave me the phone or she could leave the class. No response whatsoever. I could hardly resort to turning into PC326 and dragging her bodily from the seat and after the morning's episode I had really had enough.

I dismissed the class and informed them whose fault it was together with my reason. I then went to the toilet, wondering why I had bothered turning up for work that day. When I returned and on my way to my office on the floor above, I was met by the two girls outside the classroom. Apologies were given, I was entreated to return and did so. Peer pressure had clearly worked in this case and I never mentioned the incident further.

On Thursday you may recall I had volunteered to give a presentation for Jody on main campus. She had advised it was to initially start at 1000 but then it was brought forward to 0930. I arrived just before nine to find she herself wasn't even on campus. Even worse, she turned up at 0945 and confessed it was in fact starting at the original time of ten. Obviously she wanted to make sure I wasn't late and hadn't heard about British punctuality!

The morning itself went very well indeed, it seemed all the students had at least a slightly higher than basic level of English, which was a relief to say the least. I finished my hour and another guest speaker, Ace from the Philippines who appears to wear a maroon Texan stetson everywhere (including indoors), took over for the next hour. He has been in China for thirteen years but get this – all of them in Lanzhou with his Philippino wife! I think he teaches at a high school nearby.

And I thought I was loud!! He was twice as vocal as me! While he was commanding the stage it gave rise to the opportunity for Brenda to bring my medical expenses reimbursement, which was much needed I assure you!

When she did so, she asked me if I had signed a contract with the agricultural university. Odd question, for that cannot happen until I get a release letter from this school but then the reason became clear. Was I decided on changing schools? Well, the decision had not been mine, it had been Zhang's. She now says she wants to speak to him to have him change his mind and increase the salary! I said I was “open” and remained non-committal.

I don't want the upheaval but I am tired of teaching kids with hardly any English. What I do want however is somewhere I can probably be guaranteed three more years and if Zhang has done it once, what's to stop him doing the same next year? It will be interesting to see what transpires because if they do ask me to stay on enhanced rates I will demand a three year guarantee. If I let down the Ag Uni then surely (and quite rightly) they will not consider me again if this place disposes of me. And no doubt word will spread to the other universities in town.

After the presentations Jody treated us to lunch at what turned out to be a lamb restaurant. I hate lamb! They did though have a really nice dish of gigantic prawns prepared in a sauce I have never encountered, they were so huge I was stuffed after four of them and ended up with a doggy bag. So stuffed in fact I didn't want to eat that evening.

Friday was a complete contrast to Wednesday, relatively active students (ok the afternoon class seems to become ever more diminished as the weeks pass but those that turn up do take part) and a decent day of teaching. I did go for lunch at McDonald's and had a new menu item, it came in a black and gold box (and was the most expensive item on the menu) and was a large single patty with bacon, cheese and salad on top. I couldn't even finish the burger let alone the chips.

Whether overeating was the cause I know not but last night and so far today I have had gut-ache. I thought perhaps a relapse but this time it was different so I am hoping I simply ingested more than I should over two days. The old appetite is nothing like it used to be.

I am hoping fervently I will feel fine tomorrow, I have the dinner for Alice, Annie and Audrey (the Three As!!) and I am pushing the boat out with minestrone, fresh salmon/pasta/potato and cream bake followed by the strawberry fool complemented by mulberries. The strawberries are starting to get a bit ropey so maybe they will be out of season soon.

Tonight I am taking a chance on a bacon and fried egg sandwich. I just baked a loaf with my “Goldfish brand” flour and without trying it, I think it may be as good as that I used to make in Chizhou.

For now, I am off until next Sunday for the Labour holiday, lazy days ahead!