For the last month and a bit there has been a pleasant cool respite for a few hours first thing in the day, but the sadly this morning upon leaving my apartment building just before 6, the air was already heavy with warmth and moisture. The slow summer stew begins. (New reports today of several places in the North of China already over 40 degrees)
Students have been required to wear masks during all classes and have been confined to one classroom for the majority of their lessons. Lots of 1m distance lines stuck to the ground in the school shop and around drinking fountains, but little adherence to these. Blisters on the top of my ears from having a mask on for nearly half the day. Less than half the foreign staff on the ground (those not here recording material for students or doing live video lessons) so additional role-taking and class minding for the next few weeks.
Heading to Hunan at the beginning of July which means and even hotter, sweatier and wetter summer than it would be in Beijing.
Nana Miao reports of Arthur becoming even more boisterous when playing with kids in our apartment complex, seizing toys from older children. I saw one video of such an occurrence with the parent encouraging their child “are you going to lose to a foreigner?”. Despite it being meant as a joke, I can help but think if such comments continue (which I fear they will) the kind of emotional influence it might have on Arthur.
We have bought Arthur a seat for one of our bicycles so hopefully can make better use of the parks in our vicinity though I think he presently enjoys the rides more than the destinations.
Big Go match coming up at the weekend, the Ireland team fighting for promotion in the European online league, playing against the top Swedish player. With the next 2 Saturdays in work as well, my updates in June are likely to be delayed by a day or so!
