Another Majullah

Yesterday Singapore celebrated her 44th Birthday.

The usual National Day Parade was on, with the usual spectacular combination of pomp and ceremony with glorious costumes, mind-boggling mass displays and amazing showmanship from our uniformed men (I love those hot navy divers), culminating in the 8:22 moment when we were all supposed to stop wherever we were to recite the pledge together....

In today's papers, among the recap of yesterday's celebrations, an interpid reporter went around asking folks who didn't participate in the 8:22 moment, and I was sad at the responses - "don't see the point", "no one else was doing it".

Maybe our founding fathers - Lee Kuan Yew and company - have done too good a job, in making our nation progress from a little dot that was kicked out of a federation due to a combination of fear and prejudice - to a 1st world nation that prides (too much?) itself for punching above her weight in whatever she sets her mind to do. Maybe we Singaporeans have become so complacent and lethargic, and have too much of the mindset that we can always go somewhere else if life gets too tough here.

This year's National Day song was "What do you see?" - which drew the usual combination of yeahs - "cool" "a song for today's generation" and nays - "can't sing along" "nonsensical lyrics". I was reminded of the past, when "Count on Me" and "We are Singapore" also drew cries of derison, and yet have become classics that we sing at every NDP. The very words that drew derison in the past have now become prophetic words that have come true - we did have a vision for tomorrow, and all of us, regardless of race, language or religion, have become a nation of Singaporeans.

Where else in the world do we have friends of other races, religions, languages, living, working and playing together? I have lived for years in Canada, and believe me, multiculturalism results in a Bable of people who live and die in their own communities, never venturing forth to befriend "the Other". One can die of loneliness in a beautiful country, surrounded by nice people.

At this point, some of you may be wondering "Heather, do you have a point?"

Yes, I'm getting to it. You see, about 14 years ago, I came thisclose to giving up my pink IC for Canadian citizenship. All I had to do was take the Oath of allegiance and that was it - I would have been a Canadian. It was my dream, to live and die in Canada, in the city that I fell in love with the first time I saw it, when I was just a young teenager. To this day, sometimes I wonder if I should have taken that Oath....then I remember all the reasons that stopped me from doing so - my mother's fantastic cooking, life-long friends that knew me so well they could recount my primary school mishaps, a verbal shorthand with fellow Singaporeans that start with "Can or not?" and the ending of every sentence with "lah" or "leh". I once tried to teach a Canadian friend the difference between lah and leh, and that lesson did not cross the Pacific too well.

You see, there is nowhere else on this earth that I belong, not really. I still yearn at times for the cool fresh air and the beautiful mountains of "my" Vancouver, especially on those hot muggy days when you need a shower 5 minutes after stepping out of your home on the way to work. And we all complain about those nasty Singaporean drivers who don't give way and don't signal, forever complaining about how people in other countries aren't like this.

But then, people in other countries really aren't like Singaporeans. We are truly unique, a nation still struggling to find and embrace her own identity. Give us time, we are still very young, a mere 44 years old. Where else on earth do we belong? A transplanted Singaporean will still hunger for chao kway teow and kopi-c. All the pastas and capucinos in the world don't quite equate to our local food. Admit it, just like me, don't you feel a certain peace and serenity in your heart whenever you come home from abroad and see the beautiful flowers and greenery lining the ECP?

This is Singapore. And I am proudly SINGAPOREAN!

Singapore - the most desirable city in Asia?

SINGAPORE: According to the latest Country Brand Index, Singapore is – among Asian cities – the country that most people want to live in. Singapore also came up tops among Asian countries in this annual global survey when it came to shopping and fine dining. On the global stage, Singapore was number three in this category. It was also placed in the third spot, after Sweden and New Zealand, for being environmentally conscious. The survey has also sealed Singapore's reputation as an attractive business destination. Singapore was ranked within the world's top 10 countries for best and easiest places to do business. These were the choices made by over 2,600 international travellers who participated in this year's survey.

The above was lifted (with apologies!) from the CNA website today....I'm trying hard to think where in the world did the researchers find the "2600 international travellers"! Ok, I love Singapore, but I can think of better places to live in, such as my beloved Vancouver, or even Bali, which is my favourite Asian destination...or Hong Kong for all that yummy food and gorgeous shopping places....or Tokyo which is so funky! And HOW in the world can anyone rank Singapore as being 3rd in the world for being "environmentally conscious"???? Singaporeans complain about having to pay for plastic bags at the supermarket and buy huge SUVs when the whole island is paved with pothole-free tarmac and I can run up the highest hill (ie Bukit Timah Hill) in less than 30 minutes! I think the researchers were sponsored by STB!

Proudly Singaporean?

I've been thinking about patriotism and what makes me a Singaporean lately. Guess that's cos I read and heard various people talking about how they would move to another country for better quality of life and more freedom, and how they wouldn't die for Singapore. But would they die for an adopted country? Or would they just move on again should troubles strike them in their adopted land?

I admit I've thought about and even tried to move permanently to another country when I was younger. But when push came to shove, I returned home to Singapore. Why? Well, my mother needed me, and I realised that "home" is where I belonged, and that home is where my family, friends and loved ones were. Of course, I still think occasionally about moving away, especially when the weather gets hot or I get irritated by stupid Singaporeans...but there are stupid and irritating people everywhere in the world!

I am proud to be Singaporean and of my PINK IC. Yeah, guess it's a bit embarrassing when I see that in black and white,and I'm sure some people will think I'm mad! I've received a good basic education for the first 12 years of my academic life, I'm able to walk the roads safely even at 3 in the morning, and I am free to travel the world with my little red biometric passport. If I was a Malaysian (those poor souls!), I wouldn't be able to go to Israel just because my government didn't recognise it and would be frowned at if I wore a short-sleeved tee outside of my home. In many countries, I would be grateful just to have 3 meals a day, while in others, I would be glad just to live to the end of each day.

That's why I always wonder what the heck people are complaining about when they talk about having no freedom in Singapore! Like what sort of freedom do they want? Freedom to own a gun?? Freedom to vote in a crappy politician who is smooth and suave (just think "Bill Clinton") but can't deliver on his/her promises and would have sex with anything in a skirt?? Freedom to throw tomatoes at your MP when he can't give you a lift on every floor? Grow up folks! Be grateful for what you have. I know I am....that don't mean I don't complain every now and then (I'm a Singaporean after all!), but I thank God that I have a safe haven in which I can dream dreams and envision a better future.

My mum and me always joke about how we're always happy to be back to our "Home Sweet Home" after each overseas trip. Corny, but the sight of the straight rows of trees and flowery bushes lining the straight, pothole-free ECP would soothe my tired spirits, and I'd look forward to opening the door to my home. Bliss indeed.

To all those who would give up their Singaporean ID for another country's in a flash....let me just say that there is no perfect country or perfect government in this world. And this country is not all that bad, just open your eyes and your heart to it, and you'll see what I mean.