Little things Mon & Dad did for me...

An art studio/shop on Montmartre, Paris.

1. First ever cream-top birthday cake with my name on it. It blew my mind. The Taste was to die for... I was six. Before that, I never saw or ate any birthday cakes at any of my friends' home. I didn't know such a thing existed. My Mom was kind of trailblazer.

2. The red light-air balloon tethered to the front of my Dad's bike. He was coming home from work, and I was playing with other kids in the neighborhood. So excited to see the dot of flaming red hanging over my Dad, approaching. It was one of those long hot but shiny summer days.

3. The thick compilation of abbreviated classic adventurous stories my Mon bought for me at a market stall. It got me interested in reading. Those were masterpieces adapted to children's capability. I felt closer to the sort of intellectual I always wanted to pull off.

4. When I got intoxicated in reading all kinds of children's monthly magazines, Mom was incredibly supportive. She had hopes, dreams and faith in me.

5. Mom encouraged me to reach for the stars when I decided to apply for graduate studies. "You aim for the best school. If you fail, you look for a job." I should've taken her advice. Though it was her instinct not rationality talking.