My first full week back at school in Siem Reap and it's has been incredible; I can't say I'm surprised. I cycle from my guesthouse each day, saying hello to the locals along the way. The children cycle and walk past me shouting 'cha Bess' whilst waving and smiling, more often than not they are in their angry bird pj's. I've been working closely with my Khmer teacher Soky helping her with her lesson plans to enable her to have time to herself at the weekend. She said "I am so happy you're back to help, can you stay all year?" "I will adopt you so that you can", we had a little giggle together over this one.

So a week has passed and already it's going too quickly! Story time with my class has been a dream. I love finding new ways to teach them different aspects of the book; a favourite of mine is using miniature whiteboards for various activities such as drawing the setting, characters and storyboards within the book. Cha Soky sat watching and making notes and told me that my lesson was awesome and that she had copied some ideas. This means that I've not only taught the kids but also provided a teacher with ideas; she however Is an amazing teacher and has fantastic ways with the children, I can't speak highly enough of her.

We had a surprise on Friday when the first ever music teacher returned 'Cha Dave'. He's a very talented man and the kids love to sing along to his songs - it was great to see him again after a year and I got featured in one of his songs whilst he played to the kids. I also met another very talented person this week; the author of Winnie the Witch children's book. Whilst myself and Rosie were having our feet nibbled by fish at a fish spa we got talking to a couple of Australian ladies who decided to join us. Long story short, the topic of where I was from arose and where I went to university etc. to which she replied by saying her publisher lives In Oxford which was where she was heading to next…..I was a tiny bit star struck! I had another fab quiz night at 'Warehouse' on Thursday where an amazing $190 dollars was raised for ABC's and Rice. A very emotional and passionate Tammy couldn't thank everybody more if she tried - an inspirational woman indeed.

Progress has been made with my music idea for this visit. I plan to create an 'outside music wall'. On this wall I'll attach recycled materials such as pots and pans to enable music lessons to take place outside of the classroom. It will also enable music to take place even if there isn't a music teacher volunteer present. I bought the paints today and have organised a plasterer to plaster the outside wall tomorrow ready for me to paint at the end of next week. I have been lucky enough to receive two donations for this project. I don't want to jinx it as I shall wait till tomorrow morning to see if he turns up as my English/ attempted Khmer/ gestures may have been somewhat confusing. So my fingers are crossed for tomorrow…

x