Hey,

Thought it was about time to update the blog with the latest news! I have finally replaced my camera after the unfortunate stealing of the last one and have uploaded some of my pictures - more to come so I will update soon.

Time is flying by, only three weeks of teaching and Cambodia left! It has been a mixed month here of highs and lows. Teaching to start with is going well, the students are as keen and enthusiatic as ever. One of my classes is planning on taking me to a theme park next week (apparently if I go by myself I will be ripped off so they are determined to get me in on a cheaper rate!!) - I think the added bonus of being away from school also appeals to them! Not many classes left to go now - final week will be goodbye parties and games. I will be really sad to say goodbye to my students... not the 5am starts so much :-S

Other than that I have been making the most of my gym membership everyday by going to the pool in the mornings - the heat is ridiculous here at the moment and if you are out after 11am you are sweating within minutes! I have also been on more cycling adventures with the other volunteers - just about got used to the 'no traffic laws' - it really is head down and keep pedaling. I have been cycling all over the city, which is a great way to find places and see things (we stumbled upon a chocolate factory the other day which was SO exciting!!). I have also taken up kickboxing once a week which is great fun although hard work - the guys who coach us are professionals in Cambodia so work you hard! I am also going to meditation on Sunday morning - I'm not the best at sitting still for an hour in silence but I can see why people find it therapeutic. Other than that I have enjoyed trying new restaurants, buying at the markets and making the most of the cheap massages and beauty treatments on offer!

If you hadn't heard the down side of the last month is that I have not been well and ended up in hospital for a few days. I woke up one Saturday with a really bad fever and aching body - put it down to flu and rested for a few days. When I wasn't getting better I went to the doctors and blood tests confirmed I had dengue fever - caught by the mosquitos here. It's a very nasty flu that can leave you exhausted for a couple of weeks. The blood test showed my white blood cells were extremely low so I ended up in hospital for a few nights on a drip so I could be monitored. This was suprisingly ideal - a private hospital room with air conditioning suited me well! I felt so much better over the next few days and since have come out and been improving every day. I do feel my energy draining quickly and find I need to rest more during the day than I normally would but thankfully I have been recovering quickly and am still determined to make the most of my time here. All part of the experience!

Have an exciting last few weeks planned - me and another girl are having a spa weekend trip this weekend to relax, just what is needed! We also have the Water Festival approaching and so a group of us will be off to Siem Reap to visit Angkor Wat and spend a few days relaxing in the tourist area of Cambodia. Then in three weeks time I finish here and am off on the next adventure to Vietnam! I have booked onto a tour trip with a group of 15 people so am looking forward to that... although the date to come home is fast approaching - 7 weeks yesterday I believe!

Hope you are all well - thank you for all your lovely messages I have been receiving, it's great to hear from you. Will update again soon!

Sarah xx