Vanessa's Birthday & South Korea

It seems no time that she was a cute little baby but just before Christmas Vanessa turned 15.  Being so close to Christmas we still make sure that she celebrates and her birthday isn’t forgotten in all the Christmas hype.  This year, after so many rich, decadent cakes, Vanessa decided she wanted something simple, so it was my turn to bake. It’s not often I get in the kitchen these days to make a cake. Vanessa chose a Ginger Fluff Sponge, simply decorated with cream and chocolate icing (and perhaps Rachel did get in there with some smarties).

On Saturday the 7th January we headed off to the Adelaide Airport and at an hour that you would never normally see me up to farwell Vanessa as she headed off to South Korea for two weeks.  Vanessa, along with 42 other Adelaide school students and 10 teachers, was fortunate enough to go on a trip to South Korea. 

As a mother there seems to be so many times that you are learning to let go, to give your children independence. That first time you leave them at kindergarten, when they start school, but this one was a biggy.  At first Vanessa did not want me to go to the airport, said that Garry could just drop her off.  But Rachel and I won out in the end and she said we could come and you will be pleased to know that I did her proud and didn’t cry.  I was so proud of her has she walked through to the Customs Hall and waived with a huge grin on her face.  This is the same child that all through her time at kindergarten I had to find a teacher to put her hand in, put my sunglasses on and just walk away and leave her crying.  Oh it was so hard, I felt terrible everytime.  It is wonderful to see her growing up into such a beautiful person, ready to experience all that life has to offer her.

We have missed her so much, the house is so quite without her presence.  We are counting the days until once again we are up at in what feels like the middle of the night to go and collect her from the airport.  She arrives home Saturday morning and we can’t wait to see her and to hear about all the wonderful experiences she has enjoyed.   Vanessa has been kept pretty busy but we have received a few brief emails, she has experienced snow for the first time and temperatures under zero in the daytime, met knew friends, enjoyed food that is so different from our own (although she says she is over rice for the moment).

Comments

[Amanda]

I can simpathise with the find crying when you say good bye. I had that until grade one with daniel now I don't see him for dust when I drop him off. The teachers assured me that once I was out of eye contact the crying stopped. What an exciting adventure Vanessa is having.