This evening I spent time in McDonald’s doing my Chinese homework. There are too many distractions at home, such as my laptop, guitar and bed for sleeping. So when I need time to really concentrate, I go to McDonald’s.

Back in Britain, McDonald’s is a last-resort for quick nutrition but in China it is somewhat of a luxury because it is expensive compared to native Chinese food. McDonald’s is the restaurant for the aspirational middle classes.

McDonald’s makes me feel like I am back at home. Except for the menu I can’t understand and the hoards of Chinese. The staff now knows to hand me the picture menu when they see me. It’s a nice place to sit down after a long day. I am a fan of the Swedish-style furniture, wood-panelled walls and the colour-scheme that is made up of 4 shades of brown. The staff are very helpful and you are not expected to clear your own rubbish. I still do so out of habit and they awkwardly try and take it out of my hands before I get to the bin.

I come here to work, to have a chat with my friends over a coffee and to eat double-cheeseburgers. Yes, I do need my fix of processed beef and cheese.

Well, I’ve finally updated this blog and I can tell you it probably wasn’t worth the wait. My time has been consumed by teaching, learning Chinese and designing the school’s new website. Check it out at www.teachers4china.com I’m quite proud of it (though I’m sure the code is amateurish) but it has meant that this blog has been neglected. (15 Jan 09 – www.teachers4china.com has since been disbanded!)

I have spent the evening marking my student’s homework. I always appreciated the teachers take marked my homework promptly and gave me good feedback so I try to do the same for my students. Sitting on the other side of the desk has given me a greater appreciation of how utterly boring this is. Actually, I don’t sit behind a desk during my lessons because I normally stand. All my students scored As, so I must be doing something right as a teacher.

When you don’t have much money or time and need something to eat then street food is perfect. This is fried egg with some vegetables and processed meat wrapped in some thin pita-like bread. The outdoor cooks work for 12 hours or longer a day in any weather. I guess the profit margins aren’t great when it costs 17p. The food is exposed to all the air pollution in Tianjin and it could be more hygienic. But I haven’t been food-poisoned yet – bonus!