Hello big city!

Yesterday, I traveled to Phnom Penh to see a doctor about the trouble I've been having with my stomach. For the past 12 days I have been in pain, when eating, pooing or lack thereof (sorry for the graphics chaps!)! With a fever this past weekend, and being unable to keep my food down on Monday night, I decided that I needed to get checked out by a good doctor.

I don't want to worry anyone back home reading this, so I'll keep you all updated on my prognosis, so for the moment, it seems as if I may either have a strong food intolerance or worms/parasites/Giardia. I was prescribed a mild laxative (which definitely did it's job this morning-winning!) and was asked to come back on Friday morning with a stool sample (eek) for another exam and potentially an x-ray.

For the time being, I have been told to relax, sleep, de-stress, and to stay away from rice/noodles/bread/(everything basically)[ Side note: as of late, I have formed a mild addiction to fried chicken. This latest food ban has put a cramp on my newest foodie bond, to say the least]. I am sleeping in the same guest house that I stayed in last time I was in PP and it's feeling surreal. Last time I was here, was with all my gang, from Mondulkiri as well as Ratanakiri and Stung Treng. The alone time I currently overdosing in, is supremely weird and discomforting? Very weird!

Now the cool thing is, that tomorrow marks 1 month since I left the UK. In retrospect it seems to have gone by so quickly, but while I was living it, time could not have gone slower. Doing a little mental recap of what I have experienced, wished for, done and felt, I have to say I am extremely proud of myself. Here is a list of the things I am most proud of:

• My ability to stand for what I believe in, and not let people take advantage of my strong character.
• To have found my center, in a new country, surrounded by different people, and completely out of my comfort zone.
• To have made some life long friends, that I can joke around with, regardless of how dire and funny our situation is.
• To have proven to myself that I am able to stretch and adapt to things I don't like, and still produce quality work (on time!).

Before coming to Cambodia, I haven't had many moments where I could stand back from a situation and with 100% honesty say that I was proud of the person I have presented myself to be. But sitting in this guest room, with a strong sense of deja vu, I am happy with how I have behaved and acted while in Cambodia. This trip is centered around personal development, and while day to day, it may not seem (to myself) that I am changing. Having stepped back (only in reflection, I promise!), I have seen a difference in the way I have attacked problems, and dealt with less than ideal situations.

I am really excited about having finally found a subject that I am really crazy about. In doing so, I have re-awakened my leadership and "take charge" abilities. Thinking towards graduation next year, and the upcoming job market scare, I am glad to have "found" myself again. With this perspective, I am now crystal clear on what I want from the academic year ahead, and what I expect from myself.

Amidst all this soul searching, I am dearly missing my loved ones (all of you!!) and cannot wait to share a meal, drink or fabulous piece of cake with you all very soon. Lots of love from your budding philosopher xx