Happy New Year!!!!!

Christmas is such hard work when you are a kid!. First of all there are all those parties to attend, pressing the flesh, impressing all the rellies.
This year, my first in Australia with my new family has been particularly exciting and profitable.
Cousins Toby and Sam came to Melbourne to have Christmas with Omma's Family. WE had Christmas day with them. It was great fun because Omma said it was the first time in many years that all the family were together at the same time. This included all the cousins, Ommas siblings and of course Nan and Pa.
Everyone had a wonderful time as paper wrappings flew in all directions much to the delight of the grown-ups smiling at excited squeals and cheerful games with our new toys. It would have been fine if Abba hadn't insisted on wearing his Christmas Hat. He thinks he has to stand out somehow. I know I looked much better than him.
After exchanging gifts we settled to a wonderful lunch to which all the family had contributed in some way. The idea was to reduce the workload for Nan, but she couldn't help herself, making sure everyone had plenty to eat and drink. She has always been a great caterer.
We had a second family Christmas on Boxing Day with Abba's Family at Terry, Phillip and Cassie's place. According to Omma we do it this way so the grown-ups do not need to worry about travelling to far between family functions and can then spend the time enjoying both groups. Each year we swap over the days so next year Christmas is with Abba's family.
Everybody in Abba's family was ther including cousin Riley, all Abba's brothers, sisters and of course Grumpa and Grumpma.
Aunty Rose did very well catering for everyone and Omma supplied her now famous frozen Christmas Pudding. Abba was a little brave after cousin Terry didn't want to play Foosball. Abba says that was because Terry was too scarred, but I have heard otherwise - Terry wants more serious competition than that Abba can challenge with.
After Christmas Abba had lots of work, which meant he was away alot for a while, but luckily cousin Toby, Sam with Uncle Charles and Jane came up to stay with us in Ballarat. We went to Sovereign Hill to try the new Underground mine tour. It was a little scarey in the dark at first, but as soon as the lights came on I was fine. After Abba left for work the rest of us went to Maldon, a old gold-mining era town in Central Victoria. Many of the buildings have been preserved and a group of volunteers also run a real 'olden days' steam train. Toby, Sam and I had a wonderful time waving to people as we passed by on the train and afterwards inspecting the engine shed.
Abba was away for New Years Eve, so we had a quiet time at home saving up a really good time for a visit to Port Fairy. We were invited down there by Omma's great friend and Tennis Team buddy Jane (the one who bought my Paris Dress... the green one). It was a beautiful weekend. I can tell because both Omma and Abba said they wanted to stay longer. Visiting the beach to play in the sand was fun, but I really enjoyed the new bike seat Abba put on his bike so we can exercise together as a family. Actually I sit there and look cute while Abba does all the work. Believe me he needs it. What amazed me is that he seemed to enjoy showing me the sites of Port Fairy at the relaxed pace that a bike offers. Perhaps it fits well the holiday feeling this coastal town enjoys.

THE WEDDING! & The Sanity Clause?

I am beginning to understand that December is always a busy time of year, but my Family takes this to new extremes.


Aunty Monica and Uncle Paul, two of my favourite names because I keep using them, were married on November 29th. Everybody that knows them heaved a big sigh and said "its about time!!!!!"


It was a beautiful day, Monica looked radiant and Paul suitably nervous. As you will see in the pictures the Reception was a real rage. I had just the right outfit for the day, my dress from Paris that Jane bought as a welcome to Australia present. Omma made sure to tell me I shouldn't upstage the bride on her day of days, but as Abba says that is sooo hard when you are as cute as I am. Who was the fairest was indeed a close call as you can see.

Deep down I know we all had a most enjoyable day and were impressed Monica has the right connections to hold the weather off too. Congratulations Monica and Paul.

Everybody knows that December is known as the silly season for a good reason. We all make such efforts to ensure we see all our friends, families and workmates to wish them Merry Christmas. Usually everyone has far too many people to see all at once, so this means the better part of the month is spent in parties and other celebrations.

Well I can report that Omma and Abba are no exception to this cultural practice and we have become the proverbial "Party Animals."

It all started with the news that The Bubbs received the Notice To Travel to meet their second boy from Korea, Hamish. With some wonderful help from Jung-Hee, we wrote a letter to my Foster Mother in Korea to tell her I am well and happy. It was a good opportunity to play with Eugenie. She is a lovely friend.

Of course I haven't forgotten about Han Ho Kids Club. We went there with all the other children from Korea and had a wonderful day playing on the equipment, riding the fire truck, scoffing all the yummy food..... oh yeah... and meeting Santa (you know the guy in the Red suit, big beard and presents)

Most of the kids think he is pretty cool just 'cos he gives away free stuff, but you really gotta worry about a weirdo that dresses in all that clobber during the hottest part of the Australian summer! Perhaps this is why I took the present but held on tight to Omma. No smelly gumboots and sweaty armpits just to have my photo taken yet again. I kept a tight hold on Omma to ensure she didn't hand me over for a cuddle.

Many people think I may have an artistic side due in part to my enjoyment of music. Well I sure do love to dance and the Korean drumming caused me to kick up my heals again. When the ladies had finished their performance, they invited me to have a go on their drums. After a shy start, I really got into the action. There is something special about belting the old skins to your hearts content. So Soothing.

The middle of December has finally arrived with a very welcome gift to us all. A new boy for the Bubbs. Mary and Al are such proud parents and even Lochie shows he is a caring and excited big brother. They had a wonderful time in Korea, but we are not sure if Mary is up to Michelle and Omma's standard of shopping if she gave up due to minus 10 deg Celcius outside. 'Cmon Mary!!

It was nice to see their arrival at Melbourne airport. It is so hard to believe that it is barely 8 months since we made the same journey. I think I even caught Abba with a wistful tear.

Hamish is a hansome chap and makes a fine playmate too. Welcome- Anyong Haseyo, Hamish, you'll love your new life here.

Christmas windows at Myer

This weekend Aunty Monica,Omma & Abba shared a family tradition by visiting the Myer Christmas Windows in Melbourne. This department store have been putting on a huge seasonal dispay in their windows for over eighty years so even Abba saw them when he was little.

This year the theme was from a book by Alan Snow; How Santa Really Works. Each window showed a room, or department of Santa's workshop up in the North Pole. I really enjoyed animated Elves as they worked away preparing toys or working out who is naughty or nice. Luckily I am pure, sweet and innocent so I should be inline for a really big present this year..... isn't that right Abba & Omma?

Our other adventure this weekend was the wedding (finally) of old friends Steve and Annie. When I say about time, we mean they have saved the ceremony until Melbourne really needed the rain. Yes they had planned an outdoor service in November thinking they would be safe. However we live in Melbourne and the weather here is known to be oh, so fickle.

Still we had great fun on Sunday at the after party playing with all the children. Annie and Steve have three boys and there were lots of other children too. I played quoits with the big boys, showing them that all you had to do was walk up to the pin to put the quoit on every-time. Silly Billy's they couldn't work that out themselves?

Abba say Omma has completed my initiation into decadent Western Society by introducing me to a drink called a "Bubbacino". This is a beverage made especially for children whose parents frequent cafe'sin fashionable suburbs to take savour the delights of an espresso, Latte or macchiato. A bubbacino is made from milk froth in an espresso cup and topped with a little chocolate sprinkle. The better establishments add a marshmallow on the side to create the ultimate sugar high. Judging by the phot don't you think I enjoyed the drink?

Today's bubbacino was to celebrate the good news that our friends "the Bubbs" have finally received their OK to travel to Korea to meet their second child. It has been so long since they received news of an allocation. Mary is over the moon at the prospect of a little brother for Lochie, who is in turn so excited about going to Korea on a plane. Have Fun guys, we can't wait to meet Hamish.

Long Time because We've been real busy

If you think I have packed a lot into my first five months with my family, you will be amazed to see we have kicked things up a gear or two!

Omma and I worked together to make sure Abba's first ever Fathers day was memorable. Of course Omma had to do the shopping, but as you can see in the picture, I helped by making a very special card and wrapping paper. Abba really appreciated that much more than the presents (Sorry Omma). I soon made it up to her by helping to plant our little vegetable garden. If there is one thing I like better than squashy paint, it's mucky mud.

From the 27th Sep to 4th Oct, I helped Grumpa at the Centenary Rally for the T-Model Ford Club of Victoria. Grumpa has restored a 1927 Model-T Tourer and had entered the rally. Unfortunately he suffered a stroke in between and although quite recovered, he needed help from Abba to drive over 800 kilometers in a week. There were over 250 cars taking part in the rally and we had great fun. I think Abba was a little scared at first as the olden day cars had dodgy brakes and the three peddles on the floor did different things to modern cars. Pretty soon he worked out a way to drive it and I even think he was enjoying driving it by the end of the week.

After the Rally we went to Mallacoota for 2 weeks to meet Omma's cousin Mark, his wife Cate and family of three girls. We had lots of fun playing on their play gym and going to the beach. Abba went fishing in his boat and caught lots of fish for me to eat. I love Flat head tails which have had the bones taken out. The fish were so big that Abba only needed to bring one fish home each day as it was big enough to feed all of us.

On the last day our black poodle "Bella" became sick due to a bite from a bush tick. These nasty insects put poison in the body that can make the puppy paralysed. Poor Bella woke on the last morning and could barely move her back legs. We had to drive over 100 kilometres to Orbost to a vet who kept her in hospital overnight. Even after the hospital, Bella was not allowed to run around for 4 weeks until the poison left her body entireley. The Vet said we were lucky to have given her Tick control medicine before we went because Bella would have died without it. Even still she became very sick. Abba and I got sick too. A bad cough that needed medicine , but we are all better now.

In October Omma went back to work. She now works two days a week and Abba looks after me on those days. We go to swimming lessons together and they are great fun. I have 4 friends at the pool and we play games and make big splashes kicking our feet. It is a little sad to wave to Omma when she goes to work, although on the days Abba works Omma stays home and we have great fun. She helped me to plant a small vegetable garden. I think she really wanted to play in the mud. Omma loves to get dirty in the mud.

We continue to have lots of visitors at home including; Aunty Meredith and Mark, Cousin Kohan and Wendy, Ma and Pa, Ommas Aunty Irene and her grandson Brock. We also had a visit from the Social Worker, Fiona, who makes a report back to Eastern Social Welfare in Korea to tell them how I am. I am good and home is good Too!

I also have a busy social life too. Some of the children in my International playgroup have had birthdays and invited me to their parties. They include Mikeas, Harry and Ruby. We also meet every two weeks for us to play together. Sometimes we go to music lessons, or indoor playgym, a real farm to feed the baby animals, or to someone's house just to play.

Omma's sister, Monica is getting married to Paul at the end of November. Ommas told Uncle Paul off saying "it was about time!". He is good fun and I like playing with him and their puppy Caesar. They are rushing to finish renovating their house before the wedding and we have been going to Melbourne every week to help. I distract Aunty Monica, who thinks she is looking after me, while Abba, Omma and Uncle Paul work hard stripping paint and preparing walls for painting. Aunty Monica makes sure I don't breath dangerous fumes by taking us out to walk Caesar and to go shopping. Did I say she is an expert at shopping. It may have something to do with her work arranging displays in a big department store. She has taught me alot about shopping as I showed Omma when trying on new shoes for Aunty Monicas wedding. I had to choose from two different designs, spending some time admiring their sparkle on my toes.

Stop Press: I can now walk all by myself. Omma has been helping me practice and a few solo attempts followed. Then while Abba was away working for two days, I made the change to walking. Did you know you can get accross the room much quicker on feet? Now I am getting stronger each day and walking is my first choice in transport. I made it up to Abba by dancing an excited jig when he came home. I think he loved my cheerful welcome and big hug.

Omma is amazed at my talking too. Now I surprise everyone with over 100 words that includes; my name, animal sounds, animal names, my puppies, some friend names, fruit and big words like lawn mower. I can even show Omma water in the puppy dish, the swimming pool, my drink bottle and water bottles on the shop shelves. People seem surprised that Koalas growl. Doesn't everyone know the boy Koalas have a growly voice? I do!

Ommas says that Abba is scared that I am smarter than him already! It won't be long till I have him wrapped around my little finger. Isn't that what all daughters to to their Abba's?

My it's warm in Cairns

I have been having so much fun this month. However, as a busy baby, growing is what I do best. Crawling is well and truly mastered and I can even climb stairs all by myself. The day of my first step is soon to arrive as much practice and leg stregthening has been happening in the gym (any convenient piece of furniture or grown-ups legs). I can balance all by myself for nearly a whole minute and walk the whole house holding on to Ommas hands.

To keep Omma & Abba happy I have learned to blow kisses and to cuddle sweetly. Mum has very soft lips that I like to kiss, but Abba's whiskers are very bristly and ticklish. I have taught him to do butterfly kisses instead. This is where eyelashes are used to "kiss" the cheek. It tickles softly too. I like that.

August and September can be the coldest months in Ballarat, so I pointed out that I still haven't met my cousins in Cairns (Far North Queensland). One look at the weather map to show temperatures of 27-30 degrees celcius compared to -2 to 6 in Ballarat was all it took to arrange another trip in a big plane.

Uncle Charles, Aunty Jane, Toby and Sam have been great fun. We have been to Muddies heaps of times. This is a great free playground on the beach in Cairns. There are adventure gyms and water playgrounds that are the best fun for kids of all ages. Just the best fun way to stay cool.

I loved going on the Train to Kuranda. You can stick your head outside and watch the long tail of the train chase us up the hill. Toby and Sam loved the big blue diesel locomotives that pulled us all the way up the big hill. At Kuranda we visited the Butterfly Sanctuary. I loved the blue butterflies, especially when they landed on me! They are so soft and I nearly crushed one before Omma showed me how to hold them gently.

Breakfast with the birds was noisy, especially the noisy lorikeets who flew close by very fast. I got to pat an olive python. At first I thought it would be hard but the Zoo man showed me how soft the body really is and you have to pat him gently. His scales were bumpy though and I enjoyed feeling them.

With Toby & Sam's family we went to Mission Beach to play on the sand. I had great fun finding rock pools and splashing in the water. Did you know beach water tastes different too. I found out it's kinda salty, but I had to try a couple of times to be sure.

It has been great having a boy cousin just a little older than me. Sam has been a great playmate. We play cars, dig holes in the sand-pit and bang the drums loudly together. I'm going to enjoy coming up to Cairns to play with him again, but even better he is visiting us for Christmas. I can show him all the fun places in Ballarat too.

Party, Party, Party

Wow I've had another busy month culminating in a HUGE joint First Birthday Party with my Cousin Riley.

The first Birthday in Korea is known as DOL. Like most countries, many years ago the most dangerous time for children due to disease was infancy. If a baby survived their first year the chances of a long life improved greatly. This is why so many cultures have a big One Year Old celebration.

Luckily today survival is not so much of an issue and this allowed Omma, Abba & Me together with Riley and her Omma & Abba to say thank-you to all our friends and relations for their great support in the journey to two special families.

I thought Omma looked particularly beautiful dressed in her blue Han Bok, almost as good as me in the red Han Bok my Foster Mother, Mrs Lim gave me. Abba, Riley and good friends Lochie and Sam dressed in their Han Bok as Riley and I were taken through the DOLJABEE ceremony by each of our Abbas.

The Doljabee ceremony is a Korean tradition where a child is lead around a decorated table by their Abba. The first two items picked up by the child are said to be a fortelling of the Child's future.

I chose Jujube (red dates) and a pen. This means I will be a good scholar and have many descendants. Cousing Riley chose food and money. This means she will be prosperous and rich. What wonderful and exciting prospects we have.

I had a wonderful day and want to say a big Kamsa Hamnida (thank-you) to everyone who came to our party and joined in the fun and to all those who helped make the day great with food or helping set-up or clean up. I cannot forget too, all those wonderful people who could not make it to my party but sent cards, food and gifts to Riley and Me. Thank-you to all the photographers there to help record the day too.

To Every-one, Kamsa Hamnida! Enjoy the Pictures.

The Jet Set and Home Routine

Wow,

I have been sooo busy since the last post. I went on my second plane trip to Perth to meet some friends of Omma & Abba. They are Mark & Marie and their Children Rachel & Caitlin.

Caitlin is just a little older than me so we made friends immediately. Together we raided the toy box and followed Zena, the most gentle big dog you could ever find.

Our two families drove down to Bussleton for a long weekend. I enjoyed two favourite highlights; Gnomesville, a strange place that started as a folly by one person and has blossomed as the resting place for many well travelled gnomes from all around the world. People suffer a strange humour with displays such as the Parthegnome and Gnome Improvement; I saw the beach for the first time ever. I just love playing in the sand. It may taste funny, but I cannot resist trying to eat it even if the gritty bits get stuck between my teeth.

Back home we all went to a Han-Ho kids day in Bendigo. It was great to see all those friends again. I found a way of making them visit too. I hide a toy in their picnic basket. People feel they must return them to me quickly, which means more playtime fun!

Grumpma and Gumpa came to visit for a few days. I have them well and truly worked out. Grumpma is a sucker for a smile and loves to go swimming at the pool. Grumpa is easy to keep nearby by stealing his walking stick. This makes him stay and play with me. Aren't I clever...... tee hee.

Since this fun I have moved into home life and routine. Don't think this is boring. I have much to do during these quiet times. Crawling is being perfected and I am exploring all the rooms at home. I am beginning to pull myself up on furniture to stand and steal Abba's remote. I give Omma and Abba a big thrill by using their names. "Abba" is very clear now and "Mum, Mum, Mum" is a favourite chant too.