Well, just had my last day at work before leaving for China. I've been looking forward to today for a while - a bit less responsibility, a whole lot more freedom, less early mornings and it marks the beginning of the journey to China.

It's strange, though, that I'm actually quite sad at the knowledge that I won't be making the familiar trip into work, seeing those familiar faces sitting at the same desks. Only at the end have I finally realised that it's been a bit like a safety blanket. That familiar old routine. Yes it can be boring, dull, infuriating, terrible even but it's always there. It doesn't go away and it becomes something to cling to. The simple knowledge of what I would be doing the next day, the next week, the next month is not something that gets really thought about until it's not there the next day or week or month. And some dawning realisation strikes, too late, that it was a little comforting, maybe even a little soothing.

Going into the unknown, people say, is always exciting, never knowing what is around the next corner. But the unknown can be a little scary. And while I'm really looking forward to going to China, leaving behind that soothing, calming routine has made me a little sad.

An honourable mention must also go to the people as well. I suppose it's actually them, more than anything about the job, that make or break it. They form a huge part of that routine and actually make it more bearable during the bad times and more fun during the good times. They also help to soothe. And like the journey to work and the job itself, sometimes they get taken for granted, because they are always there, in plain sight everyday. And now they won't be and that is sad. I was lucky enough to work with and know some excellent folk. Some of them have even become permanent friends and I hope to stay in contact with them. But it does feel strange to think that they won't form part of my day anymore, that they won't be there to help and calm even though they don't know they are doing it.

So yes, I'm going on a big adventure, likely to be full of surprises, good and bad. It's going to be an unbelievable experience. But my most bizarre comfort blanket has now gone, making this, for the moment anyway, a little more difficult to bear.