April 2003
Regardless, we managed quite a bit of relaxation on this trip. Well it was relaxing for me! For the kids it was a frenzy of new discovery. Saray saw many Australian animals (koalas, echidnas, kangaroos) in the bush around my Mum's house. And Vitha adored being able to cut wood and poke around in the dirt with sticks and things. And of course there was Grandma and Rennie to give them lots of attention.
We had a few days at Macka's Farm (a holiday farm on the Great Ocean Road in Victoria). We saw a calf born within 30 minutes of our arrival and the kids loved playing with the baby pigs, chickens and various other assorted animals. We also saw the fairy penguins one evening at a beach a few minutes drive away. The cabin was equipped with a large balcony (see their website). What a change from Taipei and much cheaper than any holiday we could have here.
Dateline....19 April 2003
The Kids...
Saray continues to settle in.....(Settle in? Ha! It's like she's always been here!) She is now the proud owner of a green bike. I've started referring to it as the "Princess-mobile" as she can be seen tootling around the apartment block wearing her tiara and Tinkerbell dress.
Saray's "I like" list ("I like ice-cream, I like noodles") has expanded dramatically to include "I like Australia" and "I like EVERYTHING" and she isn't joking (provided the "everything" is either pink or edible). She is happy to be back at school and NOT impressed by the fact they had 4 days off for easter. I don't know what she will do with herself over the long summer break.
I was pretty amazed to note that we had lasted exactly 4 weeks without a major meltdown. Of course as soon as I realised this, a small incident set off a major screaming session. Saray doesn't kick or scream at all - just stands (or sits) and sobs with her whole soul for a long, long time. At least she's stopped scratching but somehow the whole floppy-doll routine is more scary.
Saray has learnt to write several letters now, including a,e,i, o, s, t. She inscribes "st" (for Saray Tickner) wherever she goes. I keep finding cheque books and school library books with signatory doodles in them. Goodness knows what my bank thinks I'm doing!
The looong hair is gradually coming, it's past her ears now and she has started her list of "things to do in Cambodia" which includes going to the market (surprise surprise) and eating crab (I'm with her on that one).
Vitha
Vitha is back at school and counting down the months until he turns 13 (a REAL teenager). He recently went to his first mixed sex sleepover (a friend's birthday party). It was a real eye-opener! The following day he recounted with horror that they played Truth, Dare, Kiss or Promise until 2am. Of course many of the kids placed an emphasis on kissing, which Vitha claimed was "so GROSS". I'm keeping that comment on record for future reference!
School-wise there is only 1 more month until the dreaded SAT exams for Year 6 students. Although the results won't means a heck of a lot to Vitha (in fact, he will have left Taiwan before the results are released), it has been an "experience" for him.
And me!
Less than 6 months until we head back to Australia. I am ready to move NOW. We have had some great moments here but in some respects I feel like life has been on hold. It's a strange way to feel after I being so "alive" on my previous posting. The extra year here has enabled me to adopt Saray and Vitha will be able to finish primary school. And I got promoted. So it ain't been all bad but it's TIME TO GO!
And on that note I'm off to balance my credit card bills (extra kid = lots of extra vouchers to reconcile!)
