• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Dish by Dish

SIMPLE GLUTEN-FREE RECIPES that actually taste good

  • Bread Recipes
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • By Diet
    • Gluten-free
    • Dairy-free
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Paleo
    • Grain-free
    • Egg-free
  • By Course
    • Bread Recipes
    • 30-Minute Meals
    • Breakfast
    • Brunch
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dishes
    • Lunch/Dinner
    • Snacks
    • Desserts
  • Recipe Index
  • Start Here
    • Blog
    • My Cookbook
    • Work with me
    • Portfolio
    • Resources
      • Top 30 Tips for Food Bloggers
      • Food Photography Tips
      • My Kitchen
      • My Library
      • Printables
      • Cooking Glossary
      • Kitchen Tips
    • Travels
      • Australia
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Italy
      • Singapore
      • Uruguay
      • USA
    • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Bread Recipes
  • Air Fryer Recipes
  • Gluten-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Recipe Index
  • Blog
  • Start Here
×

Home » My thoughts

Because Siblings are Like Favorite Foods

Published: Dec 5, 2012 by Felicia Lim · This post may contain affiliate links

We’re now officially in December, and just like that, 2012 is almost over.

It’s the festive season, with Christmas and New Year’s just round the corner, and everybody starts slipping into a happier, lighter mood. We’re celebrating a year well lived, despite its difficulties and hardships, and looking forward to holidays with cherished loved ones and families. We rejoice in the long weekends December brings, and there’s a crackle of joy in the air, and a kind of bubbling in our hearts, like that of champagne just before the bottle is popped.

It’s the anticipation of a table full of favorite foods waiting for your arrival, and the excitement of sharing them with those gathered together.

I’ve gotten used to travelling home to Singapore just once a year, since my vacation days are usually reserved for Chinese New Year in Singapore, which typically takes place in January or February. During those few precious days I’m back in Singapore, I stuff myself full with local Singaporean delights, such as fried carrot cake, laksa, chicken rice, and nasi lemak. I eat more than my fill of roti prata, peranakan food, and Chinese New Year goodies, and still find that I can’t get enough of them.

I think I have the same relationship with my siblings, because siblings are like favorite foods.

cornbread in a cast iron skillet
Subscribe

Get delicious GLUTEN-FREE recipes each week!

Siblings are like favorite foods because no matter what happens, you don’t get sick of them, you never stop loving them, and there is a bond between us so strong, that in the same way memories are tied to our favorite foods, we are linked to our siblings in a way only a sibling can understand.

I always miss spending Christmas and ushering in the new year with my family. And even though we might have grown apart because of the distance and differing paths in life, one of the things I miss the most is hanging out and spending time with my two siblings, Valerie and Ronald.

The Three Musketeers

We were the “three musketeers” when we were young, ganging up with each other against my parents (in a playful way of course), and we had so much fun playing together – Pepsi Cola 1,2,3, hopscotch, jumping on the swing in my garden, Marco Polo, doing hula hoop competitions. A long time ago, before we grew up and made our own friends and started doing different activities, we were the gang of three, fortified by our sibling bond, a pyramid of trust and love no one could shake. Ronald, being the youngest of us three, was always the object of our sibling jokes, but he was good sport and didn’t always complain. Valerie, my dearest and only sister, who is three years younger than I am, shared many things with me – we exchanged watches, clothes, bags, and sometimes even shoes (until her feet grew one or two sizes larger than mine).

Me val Ron - Sea Breeze

Val, Ron and I during Christmas one year

Me val Ron - Sea Breeze2

Our strong, fortified pyramid

Of course, as time passed, we entered different schools and journeys of life, and naturally we spent lesser and lesser time with each other, despite still living in the same house. It’s funny how you don’t realize the importance of having your loved ones near you until you’re literally and physically removed from them.

When I first moved to Argentina, I was busy with my new life, new job, novel environment, and am guilty to say that I didn’t call home as much as I should have. However, after settling down and getting acustomed to life in Buenos Aires, I realized that I missed the comfort of having my siblings close at hand.

VALERIE – Brave and Strong One

I miss the late night talks with Valerie, when she would sit in my room on the third floor as I packed my luggage for one of my trips to Buenos Aires. I miss her coming to me and offering me a sip of her favorite Starbucks frauppucino, or hearing the sounds of her strumming the guitar from the room next to mine. Even though we may not have hung out alot the last few years that I was still living in Singapore, it was the simple comfort of knowing she was nearby, and the proximity that made everything feel safe.

Val in La Boca

Val doing the Tango in La Boca, Buenos Aires

Valerie has always been someone I look up to and admire for her strength and determination in anything she does.

In many aspects, she lives up to the definition of her name, which means “brave and strong one”. It was her dedication to netball, to playing the guitar, and to church activities that showed the inner strength glowing inside of her. She demonstrates her love and interests through pure actions, dedicating her time to activities which stir her spirit and attract her, and she’s exactly the sort of person who can accomplish anything she sets her heart to. She’s always been the fearless one, while I, despite being three years older than her, sometimes fall in her shadows and let her guide the way. She’s the fast one at driving, I am the turtle who crawls on the road because I am afraid to drive fast; she was the one who started galloping during our horseriding course in Buenos Aires last year, while I was too fearful of letting go and falling. And she was the one who comforted me and hugged me in my room when I cried before re-locating to Buenos Aires, telling me that things would go fine, and that I would be alright.

Val on horse2

Horseriding in Buenos Aires – in the beautiful Spring meadow

Val on horse

Val loves horses – she has an affinity with them

A heart so big it could burst

Valerie is fiercely loyal and full of affection, as can be seen with her relationship with young children like Lauren. She is a girl bursting with love, and although she may not always know how to show it, it doesn’t erase the fact that she is big-hearted and generous. She has a beautiful smile that can light up any room, and I remember  the attention she would get as a kid, when all the adults would gather around her, patting her on her head and playing with this cute little bundle of joy. It was her desire to help others that made her choose to study psychology, and which motivated her to start a career in social work, where she helps teenagers find their purpose in life through music and other activities. She has composed many songs on her guitar, and some of the songs have touched me so much I cry listening to them, because you can hear her baring her heart for the world to hear, and hopefully be moved and helped by it.

Val in Tigre

Val has the ability to light up any room with her smile

Valerie is the most amazing sister anyone could ask for – her strength, determination and love are just some of the characteristics that make her so beautiful, both inside and out. I LOVE YOU VAL!!

Val & I - BA

Pretending to be in an MTV at Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires

Val & I

In Hong Kong, Feb 2011

 

RONALD – Powerful, mighty counsellor, ruler

What I miss about Ronald is our harmless bickering, our mutually narcissitic showing off of our art, blogs, and anything and everything possible. A graphics design student, Ronald has aptitude for drawing, painting, photography and digital art – he has amazing art creations which can take your breath away, and an ability to capture the essence of a circumstance in writing. In these ways, Ron and I are similar – we both love art, writing, and discussing issues over a cup of tea or coffee.

Ron with cam

Ronald shooting the world through his lenses

Ronald’s deep maturity far exceeds his young age

At 22 years old, Ron has managed to harness whatever experience he has had in life to become a deep thinking soul. There have been conversations in which he has left me amazed at his thoughts and his objectivity, as well as his ability to help me see things in a better light. Strongly devoted to church and friends, Ronald’s words, advice and spirituality are a steady branch in times of uncertainty. For that I am so grateful. He is also a gentleman – wise and gentle, treating everyone with the respect they deserve.

Ron and I

Celebrating Ron’s birthday in 2008/09

Did I mention that while digging around on Facebook for photos, I found out that Ronald might also be freelancing as a model??

Ron with horse

Where did this polo dude come from??

Ron

Abercrombie model wannabe!

Thank you Val & Ron for being the best siblings anyone could have! I love you both!!

Ron & Val

Val & Ron in Kansas Restaurant, Buenos Aires, during Val’s birthday, 21 July 2010

You see, siblings are exactly like favorite foods –
They will always be special and favorite, and no matter how far apart you are, or how much time has spanned before you spend time with each other again, you will always love them and see them for the beautiful things they are and have the potential to be.

Me val Ron - HK

I love you both!

Recipes you might also like

  • The Measure of Love is to Love Without MeasureThe Measure of Love is to Love Without Measure
  • Grain-Free Cherry Shortbread CookiesGrain-Free Cherry Shortbread Cookies
  • Mum’s Pineapple TartsMum’s Pineapple Tarts
  • 2013 Will Be A Year Of Abundance2013 Will Be A Year Of Abundance
« Brunch at Big Mamma
Cherry Chocolate Muffins »

About Felicia

Hey you! I’m Felicia, a Singaporean girl who moved to Buenos Aires for love. A couple of things about me: I love food, writing and food photography. I wrote a grain-free ecookbook that I know you’ll love and I also do freelance writing and photography if you want to work with me. Follow me on this blog as I navigate the world of cooking gluten-free, dairy-free and egg-free.

Did you make a recipe? Tag @felicialimhz on Instagram. I love to see what you cook!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lim W L says

    December 06, 2012 at 1:09 pm

    Hi Fel, I really enjoy and proud of what you mentiioned in the post for the 2012 thanksgiving message just as you had written on us (daddy & mummy) on 21 Nov.
    We thank God for the blessings He gave to all of us. Love Daddy.

    Reply
    • rosewithoutthorns says

      December 06, 2012 at 1:50 pm

      You’re most welcome daddy!!

      Reply
  2. Ronald says

    December 06, 2012 at 2:11 am

    Awww what a treasure this post is! I read it first thing in the morning and it has made my day ever since! Thank you flea, you are a lovely lovely sister far beyond words can express. I totally need to learn to be more grateful too! Haha =)

    Reply
    • rosewithoutthorns says

      December 06, 2012 at 10:12 am

      Ron….! I’m glad this most made your day!!! And thanks for saying that I’m a lovely sister!! Can’t wait to see you and Val when Im back in Feb!!

      Reply
  3. Irene says

    December 05, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    Hi Felicia! It’s such a fun and heart warming post. You look exactly the same (as cute as you were young). I like your analogy between food and sibling. I have never thought about it that way. Happy for you to have such wonderful and lovely siblings! ~Irene

    Reply
    • rosewithoutthorns says

      December 06, 2012 at 12:03 am

      Hello Irene!!

      Thanks for your compliment (that I still look cute!). Actually the analogy between food and siblings suddenly dawned on me today cos I was missing my siblings (in the same way you pine for local favorite foods) 🙂

      I’m very thankful I have such wonderful siblings too!! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Gracelimsaifong says

    December 05, 2012 at 10:09 pm

    Thank you Felicia for this wondrful post. All three of you are very special and unique in your own ways and will always have a special place in our hearts. Both Daddy and Mummy are so proud of all the three of you and know that you are still being fashioned by God into the person He has intended for each one of you. Praise and glory to Father God who loves us with an everlasting love. Love never fails! We cheer you all to move on following the Holy Spirit’s guidance to blossom with the talents and potentials God has placed inside each one of you.

    Reply
    • rosewithoutthorns says

      December 06, 2012 at 12:03 am

      Thank you mummy – you’re right, love never fails! 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hello & welcome!

Hello & welcome!

I’m Felicia: a girl from Singapore who moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina for love. My husband is Celiac so I test and share gluten-free recipes on my blog! I help people with food intolerances and allergies cook and eat delicious, healthy food! Stay a while, and let's be friends! ♥

Read my story here →

Most Popular

    Soft, Fluffy Buckwheat Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

    Microwave Lemon Curd Recipe (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)_Final1

    Easy Lemon Curd Recipe (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

    Soft, Fluffy Gluten-Free Bread (Dairy-Free)

    Easy Honey Oat Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Option)

Bread Recipes

Gluten-Free Lemon Poppy Seed Bread (Dairy-Free)

Moist Buckwheat Banana Bread (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Zucchini Bread

Soft, Fluffy Gluten-Free Burger Buns (Dairy-Free)

Latest on the blog

Easy Gluten-free Blondies (Dairy-Free)

Air Fryer Pita Chips (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Gluten-Free Lemon Poppy Seed Bread (Dairy-Free)

Gluten-Free Coconut Shrimp (Dairy-Free)

Footer

Never miss a recipe

Sign up to get recipes via email

Footer


About

  • New? Start Here
  • Latest on the Blog
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Me
  • Work with Me

Recipes by Diet

  • Gluten-Free
  • Dairy-Free
  • Vegan
  • Egg-Free
  • Vegetarian

Recipes by Course

  • Bread Recipes
  • Appetizers
  • Main Courses
  • Snacks
  • Desserts


^ back to top

© 2023 Dish by Dish. Privacy Policy. Brunch Pro Theme by Feast Design Co.