Okay, so I have been promising for months that I would get my blog up and running, and I am only just getting round to doing that.. sorry guys.. (and just a pre-warning.. this blog post will be relatively long due to the sheer amount of things that have happened.. sorry for my rambling, but oh well.. I guess that's what a blog is for.)

Well, the last few months have been hectic to say the least! If you have found your way onto my blog then you are probably already aware that this is to document all the highs and lows of my year in China! Again, most will know that I am going to China with the registered charity Project Trust as of August 2014! Pretty daunting considering China is around 5000 miles away from my home, which is in the tiny town of Ayr, on the west coast of Scotland.

It all started last year when Project Trust came and did a talk at my school, and I was instantly drawn to it! From there I attended a selection course in April 2013 up on the Isle of Coll, where PT is based! The week was intensive.. we faced different challenges that allowed us to work independently and as a group, which allowed the staff to decide who would be suitable as an overseas volunteer! It was about a week after selection that i found out I had been selected.. and it was possibly one of the best moments of my life!

Part of my task before going to China has been to raise £5600. Now, I'm not going to lie.. I may have underestimated this task last year when I first started out at fundraising.. Its a lot easier said than done, thats for sure!! But hey, we are getting there.. All the leaflets, coffee mornings, bbqs, racenights etc will eventually pay off!

Recently I found out exactly where I will be going! I will be working in Shawan No.1 school, in Xinjiang, where I will be teaching English! The school has around 1000 pupils aged 5-13 , and has a strong emphasis on arts and crafts, which is perfect for me! Do love a wee bit of art..

Now for a wee bit about Xinjiang (I'm dreading trying to say all these places.. it does sound pretty funny in a Scottish accent..) Xinjiang is the far western province of China (2 days or so away from Beijing in a sleeper train..) and has an interesting history that has shaped the politics of the region. The region also has some of the most dramatic landscapes in the world, including the Turfan Depression and K2, as well as the Taklamakan and Gobi Deserts! The region itself is split by the Tianshan Mountains, and lies at the heart of the Silk Road, so it's fair to say I will have plenty to do outside of my project time!

Well, I now have until the end of July to finish raising my funds, attend the training course, and ensure all my visas etc are ready.. oh and not to mention I need to fit exams in there somewhere!

Anyway, the next time I'm here will probably be around training time, where I'm sure I'll be able to amuse everyone with some great stories!

In the meantime, why not go check out what Project Trust is all about?!

See ya!