Happy Birthday Singapore!

August 9th 2005 is Singapore's 40th birthday. It's been almost two years since I've been in Singapore. One of the most fascinating things whenever I go back is the fact that although everything looks so similar, there's always something new like a new bus service or a new building here and there. It's always nice to just spend the first few days discovering all the little changes (and trying to acclimatize to the heat and humidity!). I remember coming home the last time and trying to figure out EZ-Link... I still remember the old farecards with the 2 black strips at the back. They even had a huge arrow on the top to indicate which way to insert it... old school.

So what do I remember about National Day? Back during school days it would mean a holiday, and having some kind of celebration in school too. There would be songs in all 4 languages, with teachers trying to make us sing the ones we couldn't pronounce properly. The celebration itself would inevitably be somewhat boring but having a day off the relentless schedule of homework and lessons was worth it! When it came to NS, I remember helping assemble halfpipes and ramps for some stunt performance thing, and then having to watch them over the weekend because no one could find locks for the blasted things!

Since moving to Vancouver, I haven't done anything significant for National Day. It doesn't feel the same being 8000 miles away from home. Sure the local Vancouver Singapore Club has a dinner event to commemorate the occasion but it's kind of directed towards their members, who are mainly emigrant families rather than international students. Besides it's helluva expensive at $35. Am I not being patriotic or am I just plain lazy? Maybe I got overly brainwashed as a youngster.

Anyway happy birthday Singapore... 40 years ain't no small feat!