My sisters do love me

I am the youngest child in my family. Not only am I the youngest child, I am the only male descendent that carries the family name in my entire extended family. For readers who are not aware of the Chinese tradition, let me just say that to be the youngest male in the family itself is already a big thing. Amplify that effect 10 times will be how it is to be the only male descendent in the family; extremely privileged and doted on, especially by my grand parents.

Without me even demanding or simply asking, I'll be given the things, toys and food my cousins can only wish to have. The act of munching on special treats alone will invite stares of jealousy, envy and anger from any and everyone in the family, adults and children alike. Maybe because of these special treatments I got from my grand parents, nobody likes me, not even my sisters. I don't consider myself a spoilt brat honestly, I don't demand a lot and never put on a bad behavior if I don't get what I wanted. I was taught young to work for the things I want; spending less than what I'm given for food to get the toy I was eyeing on, and later, saving on bus fares to school by walking 10km daily for months to buy the Nike shoes my schoolmates were already wearing.

I do admit that I was a naughty boy, playing pranks on my sisters, always. My sisters, especially my 2nd sis, didn't like me when I was young (I think). Being the strongest academically, my 2nd sis was always asked by my parents to teach me school work, but she profoundly refused. We seldom talked, we lived in our own world for most of my childhood, literally.

Things changed only when I was enlisted into the Army. Perhaps it was my absence from home, or perhaps, I've really grown up to be a better person since; Her attitude towards me changed. She would listen attentively whenever I shared my enthusiasm, my frustrations and my experiences in camp. Communication progressed to another level when I was reading Engineering in the University; exchanging ideas and concepts of technical and analytical topics in depth, it was the first time I experienced her regarding me as equal!

It might be perceived that she was nonchalant to my existence when I was young, but things happened has proven me wrong. She actually noticed all along that I am a big fan of watches, especially G-shocks and those classic vintage styled watches with analogue display. She bought me an antique looking Swatch that looks exactly like what I am fond of, and a rare titanium 'Mr.G' during one of her exchange program trip to Japan. Even though they are no longer in working condition, I still keep them fondly to date.

Swatch Croccante

1994 Fall Winter Collection

1996 G-Shock MGR-1B-1
in Titanium case
with titanium nitride coated 'gold' pushers and buckle

She has been paying attention to her brother all along, knowing my likes and dislikes exactly. Perhaps, it was her deliberate act of refuse to feed my desires, over and on top of the attention I've already been receiving. Or perhaps, just like many Asians, she just doesn't know how to express her love for her siblings. Right here right now, I just want to say, "Thank you for your love sister(s), I know you'all do, and I love you'all too!"