Monday 12^th October, 2020 2100

There's nothing quite like getting back from classes at 1930 and opening an email informing you that tomorrow from 0630 to 2330 there will be no water. Fine if my classes tomorrow started at 0800 because I would be getting up at 0530 anyway but no, mine are 1430-1830. I am not getting up, taking a shower and going back to bed – purely because I wouldn't sleep again anyway. I honestly thought I had left these water cuts behind in Chizhou but no. Power cuts, mostly yes I admit but even so it is a pain in the whatnot. And this is a capital city.

So Saturday was Thursday with the catch-ups and damned hard going too. Still had the belly problems and for quite some time now I have felt tired all the time.

Yesterday the stomach eased somewhat but the lethargy persists. I had plans to either make a roast dinner (a proper dinner would be a real bonus right now!) or perhaps try a cheese and onion pie, one that I could freeze and use slices for my lunches on campus. I did neither. I was just too fatigued. Eventually I boiled up some tortellini I brought back from Shanghai. One day I will make my own ravioli and I just know it will be better than that packet stuff. Mind you, a tin of Heinz ravioli in tomato sauce from the UK would have gone down a treat.

So today I awoke early, far too early, four hours before I needed to. Couldn't nod off again. My rib pain from the hotel whoopsy is decreasing but hasn't entirely disappeared either. Got up and hallelujah, had a good “clear out”which improved my well-being. Didn't stop me being knackered though.

Before I left for class Jody texted to tell me she was in the hospital. Obviously I asked what was wrong and she said “cervical pain”. Now I consider myself a man of words and interpreted this as pain in the cervix. With smears and cancer running through my brain I Googled it, only to find it meant neck pain! She had complained yesterday about it and I gave her painkillers. I get it and so do most people, usually from sleeping badly but of course she being Chinese had to go to the hospital. Money-making institutions that they are, she had to pay for a consultation and two x-rays just to tell her it was nothing, flog her some (at least western) medicine and send her on her way. I could have given her some Ibuprofen and told her leave it for a few days for free but of course I know nothing.

Today's classes were both as dull as ditchwater. I really need that when I am feeling under par. I cannot be the showman every time even though I try. Mark my words, before this academic year is out I will have a fall in one of my classrooms and knowing my luck it will be a class of girls without the strength to lift me up! Might be fun though......