Saturday 14^th September, 2019 1800

You know you must be drinking too much when the jing jo shop gives you a free moon cake at mid-autumn festival! So, two mooncakes, one with an unidentifiable (but nonetheless tasty) filling, the other with an equally tasty red bean paste. My favourites are the fruit-filled ones, particularly plum. One of my Thursday students said she would be helping her Mum to cook them on Friday and I asked her to bring me one – until she told me they don't use fruit. I said not to bother but now I am hoping she ignores what I said, although they bake huge ones. The ones in the shops are like pork pies with 2” or 3” diameter, perfect for a snack.

Since Thursday I have done absolutely nothing except ensure I was fed. Getting meals I want to eat without spending a fortune in restaurants is going to be a complicated operation this term. This is why I don't want to do English corner every week, I am too tired when I get home to bother doing anything except reheat.

So tomorrow I have set myself a busy day. Laundry, bake an apple pie, a loaf of bread and make bolognese so I can have it again after work on Monday. The bread is for taking to school for work, probably a cheese and tomato sandwich. Oh how I wish there was a Tesco I could simply pop into and buy ready-made sandwiches or a sushi box! Or better still, that I could stomach canteen food! Then I could easily eat for £1 a day.

Talking of the pound, the exchange rate may be hitting the tourists in Spain but I must say, against the yuan it has climbed. Will it ever get back to the lofty heights of ten to the pound I wonder – that's what it was when I came here.

One person the rate has affected is Kevin. He is coming over to Shenzen for an interview with a private school. When he left he swore he was finished with China but with no pension due for another two years his money won't last. I wish him well, they are offering a damned good salary (and will doubtless expect a million hours of teaching a week) and I reckon he will need it. He has found himself a woman, probably in her early thirties and she looks a bit of a sort, couple of kids who now call him their new Daddy too!

As for me, I just feel I am marking time until next summer. Sounds sad I know but I keep dreaming up grandiose holiday plans that may well not eventualise. Thank you spellchecker for telling me the ise should be ize – I am English! Bugger off!

Been checking Sri Lanka. The sensible option is Colombo and a friend has offered very helpful suggestions. But. I found a tented lodge hotel in Yala national park where hephalumps and monkeys roam freely in the grounds, the sea is nearby and it looks like paradise! I reckon I could afford a fortnight there and still have money for Shanghai.

The problem is, the closest airport is HRI (Mattala Rajapaksa) which was built to be the country's second biggest airport. All the airlines made a loss so they all stopped flying there except for Sri Lankan and Cinnamon. If, and it's a big if, I go there, sorting flights will be a nightmare. I do really have my heart set on it though, even if it means an overnight in Colombo each way. Just means they will be economy flights!

I just finished Episode 3 (last one) of China: A New World Order (available on BBC iPlayer) and it could have been produced by me! So much of what is said about the new regime mirrors my thoughts and for once it wasn't about bashing China. It doesn't matter where I live, I will always find something to moan about – and thankfully I can marvel from afar at the Brexit hash, Trumpton's trade war that's hurting his country more than here and let me not even begin with Europe. But a very interesting three hours even for someone quite familiar with the subject.

Oh! Before I go I just checked I never mentioned it last time. The Kiwi student? I emailed the Dean and asked if she could have him removed to a Chinese class (even though it is not her domain) and she spoke to whoever was in charge and called me that night.

The solution? He stays in my class but I appoint him teaching assistant! Fine by me if it is with him. Hopefully he can identify those in need of help and as he speaks Chinese he can translate. Also it takes away my nagging thoughts that he will know everything I am teaching.

If I could learn my reputation at this school I am certain it will be four letters – PEST. But at least I care about the students and not just myself. Pity not all the teachers are the same.