Well I am now a resident of China (at least for the next year). After approx 20 hours of queue, interview, form filling; 1 inch thick pile of forms and papers; I have been given my resident's visa. It does mean that I can go in and out of China as many times as I like and I won't need additional visa if I travel to Hong Kong. (Chinese citizens have to have a visa to get from the mainland to HK and back again). I think the world supply of red ink is in grave danger of depletion simply by Chinese paperwork.

I have been getting braver in travelling around the city and trying my (extremely limited) Chinese. Wandered into expat area the other day and it really is a different world. Shop prices rise by about 10 fold and there are row upon row of designer brand shops; (as opposed to the 'designer brands - or any brand of anything' you can get here. Found a German supermarket where I can buy cheese! - oh heaven!.

I find I am sticking to breakfast of fruit and yoghurt or porridge (oat that is not rice porridge). Occasionally treat myself to the bakery offering of a (slightly sweet) bread roll with a strip of bacon on top, outrageous priced at 6.5 yuan (65p) ...it shouldn't work but it does. Other meals are at the project office or eating out. Much easier to eat out than to try and vy for the single hob cooker in the flat. Not much more expensive either. You can get a good meal here for about 40 yuan - about £4.

This week I have been working with various teams on some strategies for volunteer development; but I am still struggling to understand the organisation and how it works; still keep soldiering on! Did an English class with 4 x 9 year old dyslexic boys which was terrifying!. I am working with the teachers on devising activities for learning English. I have no experience of teaching or of dysexia! I start the classes for adults this week - much more my comfort zone. The 'basic' class have asked that there is not an interpreter in the class as they want to rely on their own knowledge and my ability to present to them - ooh er!.

Also this week a trip to the zoo which turned into a bit of an English class. Canyou is very well known in this city and people are really very good at offering their services. Travel to the zoo was either by adapted cars (donated by local company) or by taxi _ simply flag them down in front of the office and they will take you no charge. trip home was in three local buses brought by the drivers at then end of their shift.

Canyou was shortlisted for International Social Enterprise of the Year in the SE British awards, I have been helping the group with come communication and pr and we await the news as to whether we have won next week. Sadly a trip back to the UK to receive the award is out of the question.

People in my block of flats are getting to know me a bit more now. I find that parents of teenagers follow me into the lift - I am expecting knocks on my door I am sure for help with English homework. Temperature dropping a little - I swear I felt a little cold during the night!