childhood memories

This is a memory from the time when I am five and my little brother is two. On weekday evenings, my mother, brother, and I do a small reading time before bedtime. After dinner and a bath, we all sit on the floor in our pajamas next to our family couch – because the couch […]

This memory is from the time when I am five and my little brother is two. Autumn deepens, and it is that time of the year again when we start thinking about Santa Claus and what we want for the upcoming Christmas. This year, I know exactly what I want. It is another toy from

I am five in this memory. On weekends, there is something I look forward to: a library visit. There is a public library not far from our home, and my mother takes me and my brother there once a week. Sometimes, my father also joins us. The library is about a 5-minute drive away. After

I am three years old in this memory. My favourite anime character is Anpanman. Not just me. All my friends are passionate about Anpanman. This anime character, who is made of a red bean paste bun and goes out to help people in need, is our hero and our dream. Both boys and girls watch

I am three in this memory. Shortly after my brother learns to sit by himself, I start engaging him in my favourite activity – playing house. I have a collection of small plates and cups, and I have been waiting to have a playmate who can enjoy my imaginary meal with me whenever I play

The summer when I am three, I stay at my grandmother’s house in the countryside for a month away from home. My grandmother loves sparkling juice. Her favourite is the brand called Mitsuya Cider, (despite the name, it is a non-alcoholic drink) and it comes in a thin, tall can with a shiny green lettering.

I am four years old in this memory. One day, at my local YAMAHA music school, we are assigned a homework to compose a little music piece from a given prompt. The prompt is a short melody, and we are expected to expand it, add some harmony, and make it into a full piece. As

I am four in this memory. I am at the local YAMAHA music school with my two best friends, attending the weekly group lesson. In the middle of the one-hour lesson, there is always a short break when people can use the washroom and refresh themselves. My friends and I usually go out on the

It is winter and I am five years old in this memory. The skating season has arrived. When my family go for the regular weekend shopping, my father starts taking me to the skating rink Orange Range again. Though excited, because it has been many months since I stood on the rink last time and

I am five in this memory. Autumn. The day of my kindergarten’s sport festival. Another race is designed for our young siblings. When they are called to the track with their parents, my brother also stands at the start line with my mother. Many of them do not seem to understand what is going on,