on this date 17 years ago, my sister came into our life. i was 4, and i vaguely remember at the moment me and my dad on a wooden bench, and then my dad stood up and walked into that room and i followed briskly after him. and when my dad was all into my mom, i took careful teps onto the bed, towards that little thing... but i didn't manage to carry the thing; what a pity, but my mom was firm i'd better not attempt anything funny.

i can't remember how it all really started. in psychology, it's said that we can't quite recall events that happen before the age of 3 to 4 so yeah, that's how i'd like to remember the first moments of our little thing. but there are moments to remember through the 17 years that little thing's been with us; say, me and her used to love playing on the escalator at An Dong Market eons ago, or this one time when i accidentally pushed her off the stairs and my dad gave me a real bad blast, or the time i was late picking her up after her primary one class and she got lost and my mom was real mad. things like that, cute and kind.

after 17 years, that little thing's still very little. physically and psychologically. i've always thought it's been unfair to her. as if i've always had the good stuff and she has to make do with the left-overs. see, i used to get to go on field trips to places and she didn't. i've always had more friends than her. and i've always been this smart and popular and good-looking big brother of hers. i'd be the talk of the town, both good and bad, but not her. when i've grown up since a young age, she's still very little, innocent of what life is about. my little sister's not academically inclined, not outgoing, not pretty, not fit.

but you're beautiful, that's for sure. for i never thought you'd fight for me when i was simply casually bullied in a game. for all the thoughts you've had for me and our mom, unsaid and precious. for the sacrifices you've made. for you love me, and for i love you too. you know something, you might not be a top student, a scholar, or a gifted person. that doesn't matter to me. in fact, scholarship and the academics don't impress your brother baby. it's your values, and the value of you. and i'll be here for you all the way, and make sure that my little thing's not ever bullied in this cruel world of comparative advantage and natural selection.

how i love 17. and how i love my sister!! happy birthday baby. i'd be home soon.