This Christmas felt truly special because my brother, who is currently attending graduate school in Kaohsiung, finally had the chance to return home. We enjoyed a brief family getaway and spent our mealtime at an all-you-can-eat restaurant catching up. The highlight of the trip was a total surprise: my brother gave me a novel as a gift. I hadn't expected a present from him at all, making the moment even more memorable.
Reflecting on our childhood, I must admit I didn’t always enjoy having a sibling. As the older child, I felt the weight of added responsibility and often resented having less of my parents' attention, as the younger child naturally required more care. However, as the years passed, my perspective shifted, and I began to cherish our time together. This change in mindset allowed us to build beautiful memories—from watching movies and hitting the gym together to those late-night conversations that seemed to never end. Now that we are both building our careers, these precious moments are harder to replicate.
Although our busy lives mean we see each other less often, which has caused me some anxiety, I’ve realized that the time we spent together in the past was not in vain. We still understand each other's tastes, and our sense of intimacy remains strong whenever we reunite. I’ve realized I must be intentional about sparing time for us to ensure our close bond doesn't vanish as we navigate adulthood.
🔑 Vocabulary Notes & Examples
Getaway
A short holiday or a place where you can go for a holiday.
- Example: We decided to go on a weekend getaway to the mountains to escape the city heat.
Reflecting on
Thinking carefully and deeply about something that happened in the past.
- Example: Reflecting on my first year of work, I realize I have learned a lot about time management.
Resent
To feel bitterness or indignation at a circumstance, action, or person.
- Example: She used to resent her long commute, but now she uses the time to listen to inspiring podcasts.
Replicate
To make an exact copy of something; to repeat a process or an experience.
- Example: It is difficult to replicate the authentic flavor of my grandmother's cooking.
In vain
Without success or a result; useless.
- Example: I tried in vain to fix the computer before realizing it wasn't plugged in.
Intimacy
A state of having a very close relationship or personal connection with someone.
- Example: Long-distance friendships require effort to maintain the same level of intimacy.
Intentional
Done on purpose; deliberate.
- Example: To reach your goals, you must be intentional about how you spend your free time.
Spare
To give or make something available (such as time or money).
- Example: Despite her hectic schedule, she always tries to spare an hour for exercise.
Navigate
To find a way through a difficult or complex situation.
- Example: It can be hard to navigate the transition from being a student to being an employee.
⚙️ Sentence Structure & Grammar Notes
1. Non-Defining Relative Clauses
This structure allows you to add interesting background details without interrupting the main flow of your sentence.
- The Pattern: [Noun], who [extra info], [verb]...
- Example from your text: "...my brother, who is currently attending graduate school in Kaohsiung, finally had some free time to return home".
- Grammar Note: Because this information is "extra" (the sentence still makes sense without it), you must use commas on both sides of the clause.
- Example: My pharmacist license, which acts as a shield for survival, provides the financial stability I need to pursue my creative interests.
- Example: Miss Lee, who is a very encouraging swimming coach, taught me to view my failures as valuable experience.
2. Gerund Phrases as Subjects and Objects
Using "ing" phrases (gerunds) allows you to turn complex actions or states of being into the subject of your sentence, which sounds very professional.
- The Pattern: [Gerund Phrase] + [Verb] + [Gerund Phrase]
- Example from your text: "Being the older child meant having more responsibility...".
- Grammar Note: "Being the older child" acts as the noun/subject, while "having more responsibility" acts as the object.
- Example: Celebrating small wins helps me avoid being too harsh on myself when I face a hectic schedule.
- Example: Seeking out the bright side is a deliberate choice that makes navigating adulthood feel much lighter.
3. The Sentence-Relative "Which"
This is a powerful tool to comment on an entire situation rather than just a single noun.
- The Pattern: [Complete Clause], which + [Singular Verb]...
- Example 1: "...less time with my parents, which occasionally made me resent the fact that...".
- Example 2: "...we see each other less often, which has caused me some anxiety...".
- Grammar Note: Notice that "which" refers to the entire idea that came before the comma. In this structure, the verb following "which" is always singular (e.g., makes, has caused).
- Example: I finally conquered my fear and befriended a younger student, which showed me that personalities are not limited by rigid labels.
- Example: I spent five minutes every evening journaling, which acted as a mirror for my daily progress and emotional state.
4. Cleft Sentences for Emphasis
You used this to highlight the exact moment or reason your perspective changed.
- The Pattern: It was [The Emphasis] that [The Result]
- Example from your text: "It was the shift in mindset that allowed us to build beautiful memories...".
- Grammar Note: This is more impactful than saying "A shift in mindset allowed us..." because it points specifically to the mindset as the hero of the story.
- Example: It was in graduate school that I finally understood that hardship is an inevitable part of personal growth.
- Example: It was the advice from an influencer that made me realize how quickly the time we have with family counts down.
5. Past Perfect for Earlier Actions
This helps clarify the timeline of your feelings.
- The Pattern: Subject + had + [Past Participle]
- Example from your text: "I hadn't expected a present from him at all, making the moment even more memorable".
- Grammar Note: By using "hadn't expected," you show that your lack of expectation happened before the moment he gave you the gift. The use of "making..." at the end is a participle phrase that describes the result of the surprise.
- Example: I hadn't realized how much I truly cherished my family until I faced a difficult setback in the first grade.
- Example: By the time I entered the competition, I had already dedicated many hours to practicing my painting skills.
