I was suggested by a Chinese girl in Prague who I help sometimes with Czech and English to describe every day, simply write a composition like you. I found out it was quite difficult and takes a lot of time to write it in Chinese because I have to find some new words I don't know and I use incorrect grammar and so on. So I don't do it and learn by little steps but I think it is a good way to improve if you hold on. As I started to study Japanese in a language school in September every morning for 3 hours and then I go to work, I don't have so much time for Chinese but I still keep meeting my Chinese friends and learn in little pieces. And when I study Japanese, I always try to find out how it is said in Chinese, so I still learn it and will not forget it. You don't have to write a composition every day, especially with the long working time. I am happy I can do my private things (including writing this) at work, so I use my working time efficiently for some other things if there are no tasks to be worked on. Maybe you can write a short composition once a week and keep learning some new words and phrases every day on your way to work. I can send you an English dictionary with pictures which you will remember better than single words only.