It’s time.
Hard to believe my Golden Week is about over.
Tomorrow, I head back to Luzhou to start up my teaching once again on Monday. While it’s been nice to get away, the dreaded part of this 1-week off is that I am required to make up all the classes that I’ve missed. This is a standard practice in China but most schools get off official National Holidays and don’t have to make up the workload.
I mean, isn’t that the definition of a holiday?
But at our school, the 5 days off is not a luxury. I will be adding 14 extra hours into my teaching schedule at some point to make up for the courses I missed this past week. This is really a pain to do. I have to check with all my monitors to see when the class is free, compare it to when I am free, and then stick in the lessons missed wherever I can.
Just adds a great burden onto both teachers and students but nothing much to do about it.
If I were in America, I’d go on strike, probably along with the entire school student population and my colleagues to boot.
The key phrase being “If I were in America, . . . ”
But I’m not, so I do as all the Chinese do: “Eat bitterness” (a phrase used quite often here), hunker down, don’t cause trouble, accept my sad plight and do what I’m told.
Yes, teaching in China is not for everyone!
“Anyone for a Buck-fifty Haircut?”
Just had to add this: Golden Week brought out a few private groups to cash in on the hustle and bustle of those on holiday. This included a hair dresser whose salon had a great idea of giving hair-cuts on the street.
They set up in front of the Walmart: 10 yuan ($1.50) a cut. What a bargain! As you can see, their sanitation was quite impressive. They’ve already folded up shop but while they were here, in such a great location next to the Walmart’s entrance, they did quite well.
Someone was thinking!
Little Beanie on the Mend
Little Beanie (Xiao Dou-dou), is on the mend from her spay and hernia repair. This little dog needs a happy, forever home. Her information has already been posted by friends and rescue groups so let’s hope she finds a wonderful family to adopt her.
Take care, everyone! Until next entry, here’s wishing you Ping An (Peace) for your upcoming weekend.
connie's space 
So 2nd attempt at a note – comtuper 1 – me 0. Salon very tidy. Don’t remember the mask from Fuyang, but perhaps the outdoor venue. Cute pup….hope a loving forever family is found. Am at my sister’s in KS where I’m being loved up by her 2 Australian Shelties. Last Monday Don/I attended our very 1st ever dog training class….this next week Gracie & Emmie will join us…..keep your fingers crossed for us.
The K-State vs UT game is on in the background – my sister being a diehard fan and me being a non fan of football. I have, however, supported those taking a knee during the anthem as a non-violent form of protest.
I’m in KS to attend a baby shower for my niece-in-law…..games played included using a string to guess the mom-to-be’s current development – my sister won, but she’s an L&D nurse. The new gift was a package of disposable sacks for a dirty diaper when out in public. Think I just used used plastic bread bags back in the day of cloth diapers.
Am late with Mid-Autumn.& National Day greetings – glad you have had a little holiday though I do remember the “fun” of make-up classes.🐶