Forgetful

These are a couple of recent things I forgot to mention...

• My younger sister in the Netherlands turned seven last Monday, March 30. Although I didn't see how she celebrated the day she turned seven and what our mom and her dad (my step-dad) gave her for that day, I am with them in heart, happy for her having another year in her growing life. I wanted to be there though, despite the massive distance between me and them. Well then, Happy 7th Birthday to her!

And... sad to say, I have never been beside her on any of her past birthdays, plus this one. She has always been residing in that country, and I live here on the other side of the globe. We've been together a few times before, for barely a month being the longest, whenever my mom or all of them come here.

• I have received the special academic award (gold medal+enormous certificate) last Tuesday, March 31 (just a day after my sister's 7th birthday). I went to school with only myself, so when my name was called I went up on stage to get the award by myself as well. Well I was to blame for going all alone and not bringing even my grandma with me. I did not bother to bother them about that whole award/awarding thing because I thought that was just a simple formality to recognize someone's achievement, and nothing more. I just had to get the award, then that's it. But I felt sad and quite surprised seeing other awardees take it seriously and importantly, even bringing one or more relatives/loved ones on the side. Although it turned out I would've preferred that someone was with me during that time too, in the end it was joyous, because as usual, my grandma (along with the whole family here, and later on the family in the Netherlands too) appreciated my achievement with joyful pride and, well, appreciation.

I also wouldn't forget the smile I put on my grandma's face when, by the time I got home, while she was kind of half-asleep/half-awake during her afternoon nap, I woke her up and hung the thick-blue-laced, gold medal on her neck. It said, "I'm proud of you."