Only Child

by Sasha Alex Sloan

If I had a sister I might be with her
Out at a bar talking ’bout a broken heart
If she was married it’d make me happy
I’d be by her side, she’d make a beautiful bride

She’d be my built-in best friend right around my age
She would know how hard it’s been ’cause we grew up the same way

People would say we look like each other
Got the same brown eyes as our mother
Someone who’s been there before
Caught sneaking in the same back door
Going back home would be a lot better
When our parents fight, we’d just smile
It gets lonely being an only child

If I had a brother a little bit younger
He might act tough every time I fell in love
He would be taller and help with our father
When we got old I wouldn’t have to do it alone

He’d be mybuilt-in best friend right around my age
Know he’d be a gentleman ’cause we grew up the same way

People would say we look like each other
Got the same brown eyes as our mother
Someone who’s been there before
Caught sneaking in the same back door
Going back home would be a lot better
When our parents fight, we’d just smile
It gets lonely being an only child
Hmm, hmm
It gets lonely being an only child

My Thoughts

As an only child, the lyrics of this song is spot on.

Not that I’m not happy as an only child, but I always had “what if” thoughts about having an older and/or younger sibling. I was always envious of other kids, or friends who had siblings, because they’ll always have a playmate when they get home from school and they’ll always have someone, either looking out for them or someone to look out for who’s not a parent.

I also longed for sibling fights where no matter how serious the fight is, they’ll still make up and talk to each other in the end because of course, they have no choice because they’re family. Then when they get older, they’re the only ones each can depend on, no matter what.

I know you can have that kind of relationship with friends, but for me, even if I have long time friends, it’s still different when it’s family. It’s something more special than just considering your friends as family. It’s one of the realities in my life that I have to accept.

Even if I have cousins who I grew up with, or even if I married into a big family and we’re all close, it’s all still different. I can never have what they have. Same thing, they can never have what I have. But they can be grateful, at least, for what they have. No matter how close you are to a family member who’s not your sibling, it’s all still different. And it truly does get lonely, at times.

I also just realized recently, when I have a child, they won’t have uncles/aunties and first cousins from my side.

Actually, I had an older sibling, an older sister, her name was Sharon. She was my half sister from my mother’s side. She died when I was 6 and she was 13, and we were raised in different places because she was left back home while my parents brought me to another country. She was supposed to move with us but unfortunately, she died unexpectedly. It’s something that changed my Mom forever.

Sad thing is, I don’t remember much about my sister. I was so young then and we didn’t get to bond that much because I lived abroad. I always imagine what and how my life would’ve been if she hadn’t died. She’s way older than I am so I’m sure that we wouldn’t really get into petty fights unless I get into my bratty mode.

My only clear memory about her was the one time we went home for a vacation, she had her arms spread wide open while waiting for me to approach her so we can hug each other.

My sister, (Ate) Sharon and I.

I remember the morning my Mom found out. I woke up from her hysterical crying. It was in our bedroom and she was being held by my Dad and our family friend, my Dad’s officemate. They were trying to calm her down. After that, I don’t remember much. I just remember she left for my sister’s funeral and left me with my Dad and my Sri Lankan nanny, Malika. I know it took her a few months before she came back to us.

And then my childhood went on. I wasn’t able to grasp the concept of death at that time even if I have attended my Grandfather’s funeral before that. I didn’t understand the concept of losing someone you love just yet.

My life moved on as an only child, but I always wondered about how different my life would be if my sister were still here. I guess I’ll never know.

The Morning Rush by RX93.1

“Monster RX 93.1… Good Morning everyone! Time for the Top 10 for today…”

Anyone in the local radio community would know what radio program The Morning Rush or TMR is. The radio show itself is about a topic for the day and picking the Top 10 entries, sent in by listeners, about or relating to the topic, be it serious or not. They also mostly talk in English which is what I liked ever since, because I’m not really a fan of those radio shows that speak in all-out Tagalog/Filipino and also discuss about local news and stuff. I’m not against it, but TagLish is just more my genre plus the topics and news TMR talks about are international showbiz which I’m more interested in as well.

Chico and Delamar are the pioneer hosts of the show, then after a while, Gino Quillamor joined in and they were called The Kikay Barkada. In time, Delamar and Gino left because they focused on their own families. Delamar even migrated to the US. Now, it’s Chico accompanied by three other hosts or DJs Hazel Hottie, RicaGGG and Markki Stroem.

I just love the dynamics of these four DJs. You can tell they’re friends even off-air. They can agree and disagree on air and it’s fine. They shade and tease each other and it’s fine. They have such good chemistry with each other that it seems like they were all meant to work together. I always find myself laughing out loud because of their witty humor, be it laughable or eye-rolling because of its corny-ness. Nonetheless, they’re really funny most of the time. Of course, they even get into serious topics about life, even scary ones but with which, they can turn into something funny in the end.

The guys and the girls each have their own bonding moments off-air. Chico and Markki get along because they’re both into Pokemon, while the girls, Hazel and Rica used to be roommates. Of course there are other factors that make their bond special aside from those I mentioned.

Since their program is scheduled from 6-10am, I don’t always get to listen to them because waking up in the morning is always a struggle to me. So I listen to them through podcasts. I started listening through Apple podcasts in 2016 but now I listen through Spotify.

Anyway,

The reason I’m writing about them is because they’re one of the groups or shows that relieve my stress and anxiety in this pandemic. I just love listening to the funny entries from listeners and banter between the hosts. They just really give me so much comfort in these trying times. I like how Markki always puts it, “it’s like therapy.”

Plus now, listeners can even interact with them live because they do a Facebook Live during the last hour of their program. They can read your comments and react to it in real time as opposed to just listening to their comments and reactions on the curated entries in the Top 10.

I guess the reason why they clicked with me, is because I can relate and also learn from them. When they talk about their experiences or about what they like and dislike, about their habits and even the TV shows they watch, I can mostly relate to them. And since they each have different preferences, they’re vocal about what they like and don’t like even if they’re the only one among the group who disagrees with the others, and the others openly accept that.

They have the kind of friendship dynamics you wish you’d have in real life. I understand that they’re co-workers and that they have to keep it that way in order not to feel awkward at work but of course, as a listener, who’s mostly alone, without much friends, it’s what I long for.

In this day and age, where people are kind of like walking on eggshells when it comes to voicing their opinions on certain social issues, you’d wish you’d have that kind of comfortable relationship where every one could just accept and understand each other, even with different opinions. And most importantly, learning to add humor and laughing things off without taking offense.

So, more power to the Shady Foursome and kudos to the laughter they bring to their listeners and Facebook Live viewers!

Kotaro Lives Alone (2021)

Japanese drama series starring Yu Yokoyama, Eito Kawahara (Kotaro) , Maiko Yamamoto

It’s about the life of a 5 year old boy who lives alone in an apartment complex with his neighbors.

We came across this Japanese series on Netflix and it did not disappoint. We finished the whole series in one sitting.
It’s such a heartwarming show. I love how bittersweet and funny the whole show is but still managed to end on a happy note.

The trailer caught our attention when we saw Kotaro, the five year old boy, offering a gift to his neighbor Shin Karino (Yu Yokoyama) because Kotaro just moved in and wanted to get to know his neighbors. Shin goes to ask if he lives by himself and Kotaro says yes. And that’s it.

It will spark your curiosity about the mystery behind Kotaro’s life story on why he ended up living alone but still has the resources to fend for himself. Not to mention, how he affects and changes the lives of his neighbors, how they each have a certain role in his life, especially with Shin.

The show highlights issues like parenting, domestic abuse, responsilibity, independence, and friendship.

I love how it’s not overly dramatic when the show wants to emphasize the sad parts. It’s very realistic, if I may say so. But they’re very hard on the disclaimer that this story is strictly fictional.

I’d rate this show a 5/5.

Other titles: Kotaro Lives By Himself, Kotaro wa Hitorigurashi