I sit here for one final time, my departure being this afternoon. I've just said farewell to my students and am awaiting a school photograph. The prospect of saying 'goodbye' is heartbreaking, I cannot believe the time to leave has so swiftly arrived. On Saturday last week, myself, along with top students, had planned a shopping extravaganza. I had seen many students in an amazing apple t-shirt and was determined to get it. So, in the early afternoon, we met Selina for tea and cake at the bakery and popped into a pharmacy for my sore leg and foot. After receiving a phone call from Caca, we were invited back to LongLou that evening, I declined knowing that crabbing and a big, swollen, icky wound would not be a good combination, plus I had promised to shop. I met my students and we wandered around for ages in search of anything apple related; they bought me an adorable hair tie before 'April' showed me to her junior school. There, I learnt that our little friend, known as "Computer Boy" to Zoe and myself, is a famous reporter in Hainan, his Chinese being of an excellent standard. I've been socialising with a celebrity all this time! "Rain" was concerned for my welfare that night, so came to stay with me in our otherwise empty flat. The next morning, we ventured to the Middle School where I met and talked with her friends. It was lovely. A nap was greatly needed by an exhausted Zoe and myself, but Caca's brother arrived at the door to surprise us. We went for a meal and then raced to school for the junior English competition, clutching the flower-shaped windmills he'd presented us with. Said competition was spread across two nights and on both occasions was a delight. The juniors have really worked hard, some have a natural flare for English. Their excitement at seeing us resulted in many an autograph and a queue of kids waiting to be hugged! Some even gave us gifts, having never spoken to us before. An example of the selflessness and generosity that we have found throughout. On Tuesday, we busily prepared for the Senior competion, for which we have spent weeks preparing and practicing with students. We feared the rain would ruin our night, but after much of a kerfuffle, it receded and we went ahead. Zoe and I gave an appalling performance of "So Long, Farewell", which regretfully has been recorded, and the students began what became one of the most moving evenings of my time here. To see them all on stage presenting these English songs, plays, poems and stories with such enthusiasm, filled me with pride. I was particularly emotional when our class 10 student mounted the stage; on first meeting her, she could barely say a word of English, she was shy and terrified of public speaking, but had been selected to read a story for the contest. After weeks of helping her, I saw her blossom each week. Before she approached the stage, we both nervously squeezed hands; tears rolled down my cheeks as she bounded happily around the stage, speaking loudly, clearly and without fault. Afterwards, we awarded her the prize for 'the most improvement'; she took me aside and gave me a gift, asking me never to forget her. She has since presented us with a letter, thanking us for turning her from 'a shy girl' to a person who is 'confident and outgoing'. This is what I have to leave behind.... On Wednesday, I had a girly tea drinking sesh with Selina. We drank tea, made paper birds and stars, ate corn cake, visited the pharmacy again, hugged coconut trees and bought street food. She is one of my best friends, saying goodbye will be horrible. Zoe and I were rushed into school that evening, as her class had a surprise for us; they gave us a big bag of sweets each, complete with Mickey Mouse wallet, Gucci watch and a big, cream cake, decorated with tomato. We ate the entire thing back home! Yesterday, we had a dinner party with the English department. Mr Zhang, our 'leader', gave a very moving speech, describing us as "distinguished guests" throughout. We said a few words, presented the school with our gift of thanks and ate; fish intestine, squid soup and steamed bread. So good. We then began the difficult task of bidding our students "zai jian!" My class One sang to me, Class Two showered me with gifts and the others have since bombarded me with messages of thanks and love. This morning, I saw my final few classes and played "Duck, duck, GOOSE!" with Selina's Class Eight, who were so generous to me on my dad's birthday. Later today we will complete the last of our goodbyes. We will leave behind the incredible friends we have made here, the brilliant students, welcoming locals, lovely school and our home of three months, Wenchang. Then, we will travel by bus to Haikou to get a sleeper bus to the mainland, where our travelling adventures begin. I'm excited about what's ahead, but today I feel numb. It's bizarre to be leaving my home. Strange to think I won't see this school everyday, buy fruit from the couple down the street or get yelled at in our corner shop. Never to teach these students again, sit at this computer or unlock the door to my home. The little things that have made-up my life for these months are the things that I will miss for a lifetime. So long Wenchang. Who knows where I will next write from?