Tuesday 22^nd December, 2020 2030

The Star of Bethlehem has passed me by. I looked last night and tonight and couldn't see it. I saw the moon though! Guess I will have to wait another 800 years for another opportunity.

Life is not just hectic but just now, complicated. So I had classes Saturday and Sunday and then yesterday and today the same classes to start their exams. Tomorrow and Thursday I have classes again followed by exams this weekend and next weekend and exams during next week. Nothing is ever simple.

Today a student gave me an apple for Christmas. It might seem a strange gift to an outsider but apples are given as a sign of respect in China. Pity I don't have any teeth with which to actually eat it! Jody will be getting it along with the other one a few other students gave me in this special gift pouch (along with some sucking sweets I can actually eat!). I have also been warned one of my classes has a surprise for me on Thursday. Should I quake or look forward to it?

The one thing that springs to my mind is Brenda's comment that as long as I am popular with the students I will be fine. Please don't think I actively court their friendship because I certainly do not, they step out of line, they incur my wrath but always with justification. They know where they stand with me. I wish I had thought of the light sabre years ago – that torch I bought? It has an adjustable beam that you can narrow down to become a really, really bright ray. I don't even need to move from where I am sitting now, just light someone up!

Put it this way, Dean Bitch has kept well clear all term and on the odd occasion we have encountered each other she has been sweetness and light.

Anyway, last night I was supposed to meet Jason in McDonald's. I got there, ate and waited, wondering why he was late. Just after seven I gave up and left. In the taxi he sent me a message asking if I was almost there!

He said he's never there until seven. Then I realised I had finished my testing early, forgotten my classes finish at 1830 instead of 1800 and made a bit of a blooper. I am going to finish even earlier next Monday so have cancelled our McMeeting, while he has cancelled our Christmas drink due to increased workload after a colleague left unexpectedly. We will however meet up for a pint sometime in January.

As for my Christmas Day? To be honest I was just going to stay at home. Grinch Jody stole the day and my enthusiasm waned. However today a freshman student changed all that. On the spur of the moment I invited her to Christmas dinner at Charlie's Burger. She's 18 or 19 and she was unbelievably made up, clapping her hands. I had to injunct her not to tell anyone else in case the green-eyed monster appeared. So my date this Christmas is Melody. She's a sweet little thing and more importantly is one of the few students I have that always contribute to the class. You will see her in the blog after Christmas day.

Right now I can't wait for term to finsh. Mind you, Jody told me last night although I finish 2^nd January, next term doesn't start until 8^th March. Not a bad vacation......