Sister Alionushka & Brother Ivanushka

After my morning jog at the park, I saw a few happy families having a combined picnic of some sort, in the cooling shade under the trees. It was almost like a typical english countryside scene- a clear blue sky, plenty of sun shine, with happy children playing near a pretty stream. So, amongst the thrills & shrills of young children and their kanjiong parents, I saw a pair of brothers at the stream. The older one(prolly about 4/5) easily crossed the stream (it was barely 15cm wide), while the younger one (prolly 2/3) looked hesistant. He dipped the first foot in, and started to cry. He continued to brawl, reaching his right hand out to his brother. He stop crying, sniffled abit and stared at his brother. His brother just stayed quiet and merely looked at him. The little boy's lip started to tremble and he continued his crying. I was surprised that these two kids were being ignored by the adults, but anyway... The toddler continued to cry & cry & cry & his brother still remained motionless, which left me wondering... Why not? Even if i wanted my lil bro to "be a man, do the right thing", seeing him brawl his eyes out will just make me pull him over anyway, even if he just needed to walk through the water without any danger. Honestly, I have no idea whether the toddler crossed the stream or whether the brother helped him across. Since I have overstayed my welcome, if i dwell there any longer, someone will label me a paedophile, so i continued on my way home.

This reminds me of my younger bro & I when we were kids. I was happily sucking on ice during one of the HOT months. Next, I thought i'll be nice to my lil bro too, since the relief from the ice was so blissful. I took an ice cube from the icebox and gave it him. Then, that smart-ass CHOKED on it. My mom rushed over to pat him frantically on the back, instructing him to cough it out blah blah blah, my younger bro was in a state of hysteria & i was panicking but i could only watch on helplessly. It never occurred to me that one can choke on ice. So, when peace was finally restored, I got an earful from my mom... Brothers!!!

I was out at VIVOcity today with my salsa-mates. Btw, its really, really crowded! After everyone arrived fashionably late, we had Dunch and then became Tracy's personal shopping assistants. haha. So the main point was that, T(26+) and her lil bro(17+) are really close, despite the age gap. I happened to notice them holding hands when they were walking to the carpark. My brothers & I would never do that, because i guess displaying affection isnt in my family culture. The last time i saw T & her bro together at Lao Pa Sat, having supper, her bro will prepare cockles for her, even when she was being difficult. CAN U SEE FLASHING GREEN LIGHTS? THEY'RE MY EYES. Gosh, i am so envious. I COVET their relationship. In my case, (unfortunately) I'm resigned to the one providing for my younger bro. In contrast to the above example, I help prepare his meals. In fact, he popped into my room at 12+am yesterday, asking," Is there anything to eat? " Then, instinctively, like a mother hen, i went down the kitchen to forage for food & fixed something for him. Oh well... Brothers!!!

Another random food for thought: Guess what I saw in my newest neighbour's house interiors through the master bedroom windows? A HUGE crystal chandelier. I was wondering about the irony of this. The people (Bangladeshi & other foreign workers) have to build opulent houses for the wealthy people here, while they live in long-term hardships, dreaming to build similar houses for themselves & their families back home at the same time.