On the top of your head, can you name all the stages of photosynthesis? The date of the storming of the Bastille in the French Revolution? Or what it is? What about the lyrics of a new Gaga hit, even? Yes? … No? … Google?

In olden times, it is usually mistaken that intelligence meant knowledge. At school, the “smart” ones were always the ones who memorized all the algebra equations, aced all the tests and remembered the periodic table of elements by heart; they were the ones with the Ivy League within reach and stood out in their classes, petted by teachers and students alike. But when put to the test, can these smart ones really put their knowledge to use?

“So, you’re not Korean.”
“Absolutely.”

I wish I could get a penny ever time I heard that.
My grandparents – all of them – are Chinese. All my ancestors are, but somehow a massive migration occurred out the blue and my parents were both born in Indonesia. I popped out in Jakarta, the capital city.
I was barely four years-old the morning Deandra stepped into the spotlight – turning my once oh-so-peaceful life upside-down. I ponder at times how my life would be without my vexatious sibling.