Merry Christmas!

On behalf of the Finn clan, a merry Christmas to you! I hope you had a terrific time with your family and friends. I certainly did.

This was naturally my first Christmas, and I learnt a lot. Here's the plot of Christmas (I think):

1. Make cookies

2. Bathe in the kitchen

3. Get presents (that bit, I like a lot)

Wonder what's in the box.

4. Find out. The very best bit. I got my first Duplo from Daniel. Yay!

Although clearly, others have been there before. Under the kind offer to 'show me how it's done', Daniel spent the afternoon playing with my Duplo...

... and I have evidence he kept going past my bed time. Geek.

Anyway. I love it. Awesome present.

Also got a ball. And showed some joy.

Mum was at her usual best.


Merry Christmas!

I'm back!

Friends - It's been a while.

Stay tuned for more action

Finny

Welcome to Sydney

Sydney here I come.

The trip from Switzerland was fine, if long, and worth it.

We're home!

The sound of the waves crashing is new. Or maybe I've forgotten about it while up north.

Other than that, things are very much the same. I'm a merry chap going about my routine.

Behold: I have a new chair. How good is that? Sitting up with the so-called adult crowd.

Sweet

Come and visit!

Finn Festival!

Friends -

I very much look forward to meeting you on the 22nd on mum's old hunting grounds, St.Gallen.

First, a little reminder of what the day is all about:

• It's about having a good, casual time together
• Mum & dad celebrate their 10 years together (what took them so long?!?)
• I'm getting a holy shower

Then some logistics. In a nutshell: We'll have a couple of things going on the day - my baptism at 9:30am and a party from 11am. Come to either or both, I'm really relaxed about it. Dress code is casual, although you're welcome to dress up (mum certainly plans to!).

Please do not bring gifts and presents, other than those we can consume on the day. We're already at maximum take-off weight for the flight back! We'll find some other way if you really want to - talk to mum, she has a few ideas.

Call dad on +41 79 79 41 666 if you run into any worry. More details below.

9:30 - baptism

The address is:

Evangelische Kirche Vogelherd
Vogelherdstrasse
Wittenbach / SG

Park at the bottom of the street (Vogelherdstrasse) and walk up for a couple of minutes.

Use the map here for a full itinerary from your place.

From 11 - party

The address is:

Wirtschaft Ruggisberg
Lömmenschwil /SG
+41 71 298 54 64

http://www.ruggisberg.ch/

Directions

Those of you navigating by GPS, punch in Wattstrasse, Roggwil (TG) then follow the sign "Ruggisberg" to the restaurant.

If you're trusting your good old map and gut feel, track on the A1 through St.Gallen, then

• take the A1.1 at exit 84-Meggenhus, to Kreuzlingen/Arbon/Rorschach
• leave the motorway at the second exit, to Arbon-Süd/Steinach/Roggwil/Berg
• turn left to Roggwil
• By the baker, turn right to Watt and follow the "Ruggisberg" sign

If everything else fails, call dad on +41 79 79 41 666.

See ya!

Finn Festival - coming soon!

Another week to go

Ze Swiss-German side of things

After a merry Swiss National Day on 1st August, it was time for me to head to the land of my forefathers.

The trip was a walk in the park: giggle, sleep, giggle.

I now understand what dad was on about. That landscape... those Singapore girls...

After a trip that would just not end, I met my grandparents and Uncle Reli. Awesome.

We soon went off to a proper tour of friends and family.

Daniel 'The Godfather' was a joy to meet.

But my award goes to s'Grossmami and s'Grosspapi. Endless patience, continuous discovery. Love'em.

Goodbye Auckland

As you guessed, things have been fairly busy lately. What with the move to Sydney and so on.

In their usual 'let's play it by ear' fashion, my parents decided early July they'd ship our stuff across the Tasman by the end of July. Yeah right, as I knew all along, that proved to be easier said than done.

As is so often the case, it was lots of work for mum while dad was dandying overseas. We got help from serious chaps who did most of the packing...

...and dad was his usual helpful self.

We did manage to fill a container.

At which point my earthly possessions were fairly basic. I was pretty much down to my stroller.

We ended up in a hotel for a couple of nights. Time for me to kick back and do what boys do best.

WHERE'S THAT MILK?

Idol

Mum wanted to be a rock idol in the 80s. I am devastated.

Kitted up for action

Friend -

Good to see you here again.

It's official. I am a citizen of Aotearoa, according to Wikipedia 'an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean known as the Land of the Long White Cloud'. And I have the documents to prove it.

I'm not too sure how I feel about this, but so be it.

I'm living the Kiwi life. I wake up with my chums...

... endure the changing ritual with attitute ...

... then move over to the living room ...

... and chat with friends on Skype (in this case, granny and pop)

Chill out

...and - most importantly - stick it to the Spaniards.

See you soon for more adventures.