I've been fairly slack on updating this week and I apologise. I am always the one giving the guilt trip on keeping in contact and I am especially bad at doing this. Ive started about a million letters and written ten postcards but they are now littered around the room waiting to be finished/sent.

Well this week has been quite eventful. Firstly my foundation ran out but I got over that, but when the face wipes were finally finished it was close to a tragedy. I dont think I can ever get used to washing my face every night in that minus degrees water but sadly this is the reality of the situation and I must get used to it.

Week started well though can't really remember it to be fair. Think school was okay apart from a truly hideous event that took place on Tuesday. There is a creepy teacher at school who all the kids are marched to for an especially unpleasant beating if theyve been really bad. Hes always been pleasant enough to me but I never warmed to him as he is just creepy. On Tuesday I brought in some balloons from home but loads of them popped. Iwas left with one of the tubular shaped ones and upon seeing me holding it he ran in, grabbed it out my hands and started licking it and saying "you like?!" Clearly I did not "like" and told him that I wasnt particularly fond of it to which he said "I think you love me". I did think about it for a while before deciding I definitely was not in love with him. I told him that actually I did need some more time to think and he said he would drop round tomorrow to my house and ask. Well he didnt cole round the next day but on Friday he called me over and said he thought that marriage was on the horizon. Now you might think this flattering but if you saw him (weighs about 2 stone, dresses in lime green and orange and makes beating little kids up until theyre crying their eyes out look like its his favourite hobby) you would definitel probably have nightmares for the rest of your life. So im not sure where things stand now but as long as there are no more balloons involved Ill be content.

On Wednesday I felt fine all day until the evening. Came home, convinced myself I was just dehydrated and downed two rehydration drinks and a jar of chocolate spread. We were due to go to a pub quiz that night run by the project directors and with all the other volunteers and despite previous pub quiz defeats I was feeling very positive, especially in the field of celbrity gossip. Got myself ready, ate about 50 boiled sweets (was sure I wasnt ill and eating is a sure way of testing the theory). Felt gradually worse through dinner but managed to force down some mash and staggered out the door. The taxi drive was particularly horrendous as we took a very long route and when we finally got to the bar I felt a little bit like I might be dying. Got in said hi to everybody, established myself a team (and yes, the hottie WAS on it) but the happiness was short lived - the next half an hour was spent throwing up in the most hideous bathroom you have ever set foot in. I did appreciate that everyone at least tried to pretend that they hadnt heard thoug Lucy kindly informed me the doors were very thin. Got back to the table, answered about two questions before realising that I must return to see the rest of dinner. Lets just say my chancs with the hottie are well and truly ruined and now have aquired the nickname vom face - thanks for that Susannah. On a positive note, we did win the quiz and I got to miss work the next day though the hopst family got pissy and told me I had to eat - fish and rice was the absolute LAST thing I wanted.

At school not much happening, though the teacher has taught them all the word for breasts and the boys are having a field day thinking that one day they too will have them. I think its time the teacher to breaks it to them that sadly this will never happen but shes evidently finding it quite amusing to watch them walk around clutching their chests all morning shouting "regardez mes seins!"

Bought some absolutely GORGEOUS material yesterday and am now on the topshop website finding inspiration for a dress. All we have to do is give a picture to the taylor and he does it for 4 pounds or less. Bought some african print stuff and some very western embroidery anglaise but I love it and cant wait to have a new dress as have seriously run out of clothes - who would have thought 46 kilos wouldnt be sufficient.

Found a really cute anorexic kitten yesterday on the street so ran to super u to buy it some whiskas. Got back and solebody claimed to own it. Blatant lie but decided not to argue and they did try to sell it to us. Would have been tempted but our host mother has a pathological fear of cats so left it but am definitely going to check it every week and buy it at least a tin a week - i want it to be fat by the time I leave. Also saw cute puppies and chicks and as all the others were backing away in fear I was finally pleased that the 150 pounds spent on rabies jabs was a good investment.

Not much else going on. Spent a day at Mermoz again today and ate too much. Sat on my own at the beach for a while which was so nice just to have a little bit of time to yourself to actually appreciate that youre here and how good it is. Beach is beautiful and so deserted so is the perfect place to be philosophical at the risk of being a hideous cringe.

Going to Mauretania next week and as one of the other volunteers pointed out it should be good "bondage" time. I really hope thats not what it is, but a bondING experience will be very nice. It was 60 pounds though and the finances arent looking too great but ill worry about that some other time and it is easy to budget when you want to.

Slightly offended as Simon was here for approx half a day and at least 7 people in the last two days have asked where he is and they wish he was still here. I try to console them with the fact that I am still very much here but they look kind of put out and walk away mourning for "sam" - they couldnt pronounce Simon.

Well must go, got to get home for anothherrr heavy dinner of fish - of course I al appreciative (cant you tell?) but chicklen and chips would go down rather nicely.

Hope all is well and not too windy there still,

Love you all xxx

p.s. I hope Helena will be proud that ive worn trousers out at least 3 times.... but felt especially gross at least three times.