Happy birthday Little Brother

I started the month of December, thinking and believing that it would be a good month.

Come on, December means Christmas, my birthday, Bernard's turning 18, family coming, host parents coming, graduation, and my monkeys are coming to count down to the new year with me. I got the christmas tree up before its even December. I got myself fully organised at work on the 1st day of December.

But hey, deep down inside, there's this shriek of loneliness calling me. This feeling of nostalgia drives me....empty.

I have tried to be a little bit more tolerant with him. I'd let him tease me a little bit longer because less than a month from now, there won't be him to annoy me. I try to cook him breakfast without him asking because a couple more weeks from now, I won't be able to make him breakfast.

Come to think of it, it was just the beginning of the year that we both were at starbucks at the airport waiting to enter the departure terminal. It was only a while ago when we ran for our lives to the departing airplane and in the end Bernard had misplaced his wallet with the customs. It felt like a while ago when he was a newbie in town and I had to lead him to the bus stop to catch a bus to college. It was really a short while back when we had our eat-all-we-want feast with the plum trees at Ting Wei's house.

And all of a sudden, its December already, and in just matter of days, I won't have my little brother with me in Hobart. Despite how much he annoyed me initially, swapping tables and positioning things his way, I think I will miss him badly when he leaves. Even the thoughts of it tears me up. Its good that I'll have one less person to worry about, but its bad that I'm loosing such big company in the room.

I'm very glad that he was sent to me to guide him for a year before he heads on to his own journey next year. From not knowing how to pack and fold clothes, not knowing how to cook, to what he is now - fried rice, celery with egg, to his latest creation, minced beef noodle soup. I was really really impressed with his soup - it was so tasty that I even crave for it now! And I hope he has learned enough to lead him in life - how to deal and live with other people, how to appreciate that money doesn't grow on trees, and how to appreciate what Mum and Dad have given to us.

He has taught me a lot indirectly in the whole year too. I shouldn't forget to throw my face pads into the bin and not just leave it accumulating on the table. Books can be left tidy in a corner near the tables if the table surface is not big enough to work with. You should get sick with instant noodles easily so that you will find a healthier, alternative option to eat.

So my little brother, a late Happy Birthday post, I hope you will survive well next year alone, and you must always remember, if you ever need anything, che will be here for you. Except when you want to use my money.

HA! Just kidding ;))