No “Clue” updates are available today from BISS.  Judy is still working on her strategy to get her “mark,” Matt.  She has some ideas, but it’s going to take cooperation from a few other faculty members to pull it off.

When she’s not working on her Clue strategy, Judy’s teaching her classes and trying to get ahead on planning for next week.  She’s going on a “Girls Weekend” to Shanghai with a couple of the other teachers from BISS.  Alexis, one of the “girls,” is celebrating her birthday.  They’ll be meeting a former BISS teacher, who’s now teaching in South China.  They’re flying out on Friday afternoon, right after school.  Lots of work has to get done before they can leave.

I have a Faculty Potluck Dinner at my school on Saturday afternoon (sort of a Thanksgiving get-together).  We brought some good recipes to China, but finding the right ingredients (it took me 2 months to find salt) in the stores requires a better understanding of Mandarin than I possess.  Also, we don’t have an oven.  That severely limits my options.  I’ve decided to go to a German bakery nearby and buy a good cake, and some breads.

Of course, this requires that I go to the bakery and personally sample some of the foods.  It’s a price I’m willing to pay.  A combination train ride and lengthy walk (gotta burn some calories) get me to the bakery.  I try out the brunch they’re known for.  Man, they loaded the potatoes up on the plate.  After the meal and a little contemplation and people watching, I order a cake.  I’ll pick it up Saturday.   Here’s hoping I get what I think I ordered?  I’m never sure how much they really understand.

I leave the bakery and walk and “train” over to Sanlitun.  I need to do a little Christmas shopping.  The Yashow Market is a good, and cheap place (depending on my bargaining skills) to look for ideas.  I make a few deals, walking out feeling like I did okay on the prices.  Back home, I lay out the stuff for Judy’s approval, and get back to work on class planning.  I actually have to work tomorrow.