This is the first of four blogs I'm planning to write in the coming year. My plan is to read the last blog from three months ago each time (at three, six, nine and twelve months in China) and comment on how my feelings have differed or opinions changed since then. So before you read this blog I ask you go back to the very beginning with me and re-read my blog from August 20th 'On a wild week, goodbyes and a love letter'; the day before I left for China. Today (21st November) is officially my third month in China. These blogs may take a more serious tone, they may even be a little sad but this is a milestone in my big adventure and I plan to make sure I never forget my feelings at these times.

The first thing I comment about in my last blog is apprehension. The fear of leaving home, friends and family. Was I right to be so? Of course, arrival in China was nerve racking but exciting. Do I miss friends and family at home? Yes, I do, I misss some people very, very much. But when I ask myself the question "If you we're told you were leaving tomorrow, how would you react?" I truly shudder. The thought makes me feel ill. I miss my family. I miss my friends. I especially miss my girlfriend. But I will miss my friends in China. Over the past three months I've managed to make bonds with people in so short a time I didn't think it was possible. I united with Lee over Metal and he has become a good friend to me. I united with the La Rouxs in my initial weeks in Fukang and that bond id still strong; they are truly an asset to my year. And I've befriended Mike who, without, I truly believe the past few months would have been ten times as painstaking. I miss home but I will truly miss these people. My apprehension has shifted. I will miss China. At three months in I truly feel I can call Fukang home, something I did not think I'd achieve for at least another six months. That is something special.

Next I talked about my excitement; Beijing, the language course and teaching. Was I right to be excited? No, I should have been more so. China has turned out to be more than I could ever imagine in terms of exciting opportunity and development as a person. Beijing was great and the language course interesting but teaching has well and truly been a pleasure. I never thought in all the time leading up to coming to china I would adapt to the role, and come to love the job, as much as I have. This is as much a credit to the kids I'm teaching as to the job. I have more than 'adjusted to life as an English teacher' as I modestly put it; I have embraced it. Teaching has brought me some much wonderful experience and given me a real sense of responsibility. I've come to feel responsible for these kids. What I thought would be a job has become a driving force for me to better myself in order to be a better teacher for them . There are many with no interest in learning at all but equally as many that try so hard to learn; they are the ones driving me forward.

I also thanked everyone for supporting me in my decision. You all have my continued thanks (also a special mention to Project Trust, they have been excellent). All of you at home have continued to support me and help me wherever you can. Whether that be a quick email or over Skype I know people back home still care. Thank you. The 'reassurance you will be there when I get back' is still there.

Has this been 'the best decision of my life so far'? I have no doubts. In the short period since I arrived so much has happened. I've embraced teaching, been traveling all around China and made some great friends. Everything I hoped to achieve in my first few months has been. Ands yet there is so much time to go. There are no doubts in my mind this has been a great decision.

At the moment I still feel, although I am very comfortable in Fukang I'm still adjusting to certain things. I still find myself trying to thank waiters, say sorry if i bump into people and help clean up after meals at peoples houses. All of those things are considered unnecessary or offensive by the locals. I'm still shy about using the few words of Chinese I know. I do try, but it can be nerve racking when getting a tone wrong can lead to insulting people here (though they often seem to ignore tones). And though I've been a teacher for two and a half months now it still feels strange to me at times. Only six months ago I was a student and now I'm the teacher. The day that no longer feels bizarre is the day I have truly embraced the role. And though many of my priorities have changed In still don't feel 'grown up' (the fact I even think about shows I'm not). I wasn't excepting there to be a sudden transition form boy to man. Hell, some people never make the transition tehre whole lives. But I still wish I felt more 'mature'.

So what do I hope to achieve in the next three months? Thus far I've learned enough of the language to occasionally, maybe understand a littler bit of what people are saying. By the next time I write one of these blogs I hope to occasionally understand people and then respond (i'm ok at this, just not brilliant). I hope my teaching standards continue to improve and that I can continue being an asset to these kids school careers and lastly I hope to integrate myself more into the community and continue to make friends with the locals.

That is all I have to say really. This has been an incredible three months; some of the best of my life. Though I miss home, I miss my friends and the luxuries that come with a comfort zone it turns out being removed from your comfort zone gives you so many more opportunities. So here's to the last three months; cheers. And to the next three, i'm more than ready.