Monday 2^nd September, 2019 1430

A few things I forgot to mention yesterday due to the post being somewhat lengthy.

I attempted to have lunch with Alice in the “Boy's Cafeteria”. You may be wondering why I would be so foolhardy as to try to take a girl into a male-only place, indeed I did question it myself. It is in fact not exclusively for testosterone producers, rather it is so called due to its proximity to the boys' dormitories. I shall not repeat the exercise! The food was dreadful and worse, despite being on display in what appeared to be bains marie, stone cold – and we went before official school lunchtime. There is another, smaller, place that I gather is more expensive (mass canteens are very cheap, to be fair) but does serve up grub that's hot. I shall give that a go but if not to my liking there are small eateries outside campus, failing which I shall be taking my own lunch in twice a week. Or going hungry.

I also collected a couple of gifts from Wuhu Alice, she has recently returned from a super holiday in Brisbane. She sent me some cantonese sausages (akin to salami) which I have yet to try and a beer can holder for hot days at the barbie which she bought in Oz. Except it was made in China! In her defence I recall my visit to the UK and the problems I had trying to locate souvenirs that were made in England.

Also, my expedition to Shillidian (one bus stop from here) saw me having to stop three times on the return. Glucosamine has been a failed experiment, so much so that I have abandoned my plans for a shop today as even now it pains me to walk.

1700

Hobbled up to the mail office for the first time since the end of June. Nothing there, what a surprise! Still, at least I'm not plagued by junk mail.

With nothing not frozen at home I went to the Muslim noodle place up the road for the first time in about six months. Noodles and spaghetti are not the optimum food when your teeth have gaps so I took a fork with me. I had “dry mixing”, at least that's what it said! Bit like chow mien and this time for once they gave me a small portion as requested. I actually managed to eat half of it. Whilst waiting for it to be cooked I pondered on what I would have received had I ordered “halogen surface”!!

At the jing jo shop I bought a smallish diary, which was the closest thing to a notebook they had. I need to keep a record of what we cover with each class – the unit or topic, activity or film I showed them. Then when I got home I decided to rule up my own version of an attendance book. I cannot read Chinese but it looks suspiciously as if rather than seven classes I in fact may have only three! Two classes thrice a week and one once. I have asked for clarification because that would make life very taxing indeed – three times the number of topics. I haven't forgotten my first year on the little campus when I had one class seven times a week – boy did I struggle for ideas!

Oh well, it looks as though mentally at least I am starting to gear up for back to school........

Breaking news:

Just had a call. I suppose it makes sense but it never occurred to me. The class numbers are repeated across all majors so you can teach class 191 English majors and also 191 Chinese majors. I'm still not entirely clear, no surprise there but all will become crystal next week. Also, tomorrow they hope to hear that my “problem”classroom on the 6th floor has been moved to the 1^st (or ground) floor. Looks as though I will be able to make that flask of tea after all.