Well, two weeks of my three month HSM has gone by. Its early days still but things are all going really well and easily. My birthday has came and gone without a drink, and while there have been a few moments where I've stopped and wondered why I'm doing all this, largely I've been glad that I've made the commitment. Something thats been interesting to note is the reactions I've got to my decision. They've ranged from firm approval from my mum to confused shock from others. But not all of the reactions have been predictable; some friends who I thought might be puzzled and maybe even disappointed by my decision have been very forthcoming in their support. And the three weeks has been very successful in general, I've been going for lots of runs, keeping a daily journal and feeling optimistic and clear minded. Alcohol is sometimes seen as a defining characteristic of being Australian and of being a student, both of which I am. I think that alcohol may have also sometimes been seen as defining me personally. This became clear to me once last year, on an occasion where others were drinking but I was not as I was on antibiotics. "You don't seem like Gerry without a beer in your hand, you're just Ger", said one of my mates. Of course this was only meant as a bit of a laugh and a good natured joke, but I didn't really feel comfortable with the fact that drinking was seen as something that made me me. I'm hoping that this 3 months can show to others and myself that drinking is not an essential aspect of who I am and my character.