Tuesday 22^nd October, 2019 1400

Still bloody cold and still waiting for the communal heating to be turned on. Also, still the shit potato season. To be fair, I could order some online from elsewhere but I am rather hoping the decent ones will return soon. If they don't, well.........

On Sunday Alice sent me a text asking me to save some garlic bread for her next time. Clearly she had seen a Wechat post/photo from Pat on Friday when I cooked lasagne. I told her I never make just garlic bread, it's an accompaniment but then felt guilty. I told her I would buy some French baguette when I shopped after class today (my new shopping day) and have it for Wednesday, although who the hell wants cold, day-old garlic bread is beyond me. Then I remembered that at 1030 the buggers still haven't baked any!

So last night at 1700 I alighted the 66 bus, went and bought a baguette and then took another bus home. I made garlic bread, this time, being out of mixed herbs I used chives instead, hoping she would like it. She met me shortly before eight this morning to collect it and by break time at 0900 I received a text saying, quote, “This is the taste I wannnnt!!!!”

It's nice when you are appreciated, even if it was old and cold.

So far I have had two of the pronunciation classes. If the remaining three are likewise then I think there will be no more “complaints” to the Dean. They don't want to be treated like primary school students (as I am sure some Chinese teachers treat them). They now have the easiest homework they will ever have – each week bring me stories from what happened to them since I saw them last. I have told them that the more stories they bring, the less boring work we do. I am inventing the course because there is no book or curriculum, ergo I can do whatever I want. Regardless, so far (and indeed is the case with the other classes) no students can honestly say they do not have the opportunity to practise. Additionally, if they do it, the classes pass so much more swiftly for them and me and more importantly they are fun!

I have been through the tattle-tale stages a few times in the past, they still rankle when superiors take it to heart (that will never change) but always I emerge unscathed.

After I finished this morning I waited for the bus to do my proper shop. As usual the French teacher Nordine joined me (poor bugger also had class at 1430 and had to return later, sod that) and to my surprise, one of my Thursday pupils, Clary. She now loves me because I showed part of Galaxy Quest and she recognised Alan Rickman but couldn't remember who he played in Harry Potter. I had no idea, not my bag but I did find out it was Prof Severus Snape and told her. She is mine for life now!

I am still washing dishes from Friday! Procrastination is my motto and I intended to do the dessert bowls after class but despite turning in early last night I am still knackered, so shortly I will take a nap. But then then not only washing-up to do but I need to make sausage rolls for dinner (and school lunches) and I need to go to bed late, class tomorrow is after lunch.

On Friday if they are still on I have a Chinese mum and dad with small son coming for dinner. I shall not do cordon bleu but cottage pie and bread and butter pudding. Different for them and I suspect palatable for the toddler too, after all, I like them too! Sadly neither Pat nor Alice can come due to competition/going home respectively. No matter.

Oh, and it's definitely economy class flights next summer now S Africa knocked Japan out!