We’ve just had our first in-school SARS briefing. The reason? 5 (yes, count ‘em, 5!) cases have been ‘discovered’ in Yun Lin county, where we’re located. By ‘discovered’, this in fact means that 5 students from Taipei have been brought back to the nearest city to us (Toulio, pronounced Do-Lee-Oh) so they can be quarantined near their families, rather than up-country.

The key changes at school are outlined below. They are more important than teaching, we’re told, because (as my boss just put it) “protect life will be the first priority”.

* Disinfection of the entire school. Too right, it bloomin’ needs it!

* Everyone will have their temperature taken when they arrive – if it’s below 37.5C then they’re allowed in (I’m currently trying to think of ways to engineer a high temperature for prolonged periods of time for those days when I have 5 classes!)

* Everyone must wash their hands, pretty much all the time.

* The air conditioning throughout the school will be turned OFF (which should be really nice and improve the already noxious Taiwanese aroma no end). Shame, sorry, I’m being facetious, but it certainly will be sticky!

* We are allowed to wear medical masks if we so desire.

In a VERY Taiwanese turn of events, midway through our SARS briefing the boss’s voice was drowned out by a huge college parade going past the front door, consisting of a marching band and several hundred students chanting and wearing costumes ranging from transvestite nurses to Egyptian pryramids, insects and ancient warriors. I noticed there were no accompanying nuclear-strength firecrackers though (they must have had a run on)…

Well, thus far, I think 3 peope have died from this killer virus in Taiwan. That's 3 out of a total 26 million.

However, when Clare got the bus out of here, from downtown Huwei up North to the airport, they still gave her THREE medical masks and took her temperature!

I just hope the UK SARS scaries don't decide to quarantine me when I arrive back in July!

Oh, the latest product line was found yesterday on a box of herbal tea:

'Rose House - Sweet Dream'
A tropical tasted beverage that can help you
improve your silhouette!

More soon...

Need some advice please..

I have these slip-on-half-trainers shoes that are simply The Fave, and I wear them all the time. But they stink. Proper putrid. I had to leave halfway through the day yesterday to change shoes and spare the poor students. How can I get rid of the pong? I've tried disinfectant, soap, vinegar (I know) but nothing is working. If you know of a solution, let me know!!

Thanks =)

Two really terrible things happened today.

The first was that I woke up early - even before my alarm which was set for 6:00am. "This is nice" I thought as I lay in bed, "it's not so bad getting up early, I feel great, and I don't have to be at school until 8:00." Then I looked at the clock which said 8:16am.

The second terrible thing was that I finally succumbed to the seductive bright lights and polished plastic of McDonalds.
I ate, it was revolting, I feel sick, I will never do it again.

today's efforts

sleeping *****	exercising ***	veggie-ing *
watering ***	handwashing ***	laughing *