The last time I had the opportunity to watch NDP was back in 2009.
Pardon me for my ageing brain, I couldn’t recall much of the details already but I have immensely enjoyed every moment of it. I have sang along, waved our flag, cheered and clapped to every programme and I deeply appreciate the lengthy efforts that were putted in for the parade. I salute the hard work of each and every participant as well as the enthusiasm of every volunteer.
NDP 2009
I am so blessed to be second time lucky to watch NDP again this year, never mind that it was a preview and I have enjoyed myself as much as I did 4 years ago with the same appreciation.
Permit to entry
Again, I sang, waved, cheered, clapped and of course, took a few pictures for memorial sake.
After all, with the limited tickets so highly sought after, it is much an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch NDP live for ordinary folks like myself. Never being a lucky person, having a chance to win from the balloting system is as good as striking lottery so I would really want to preserve this precious experience in digital and hopefully, when my memory fails me, my hard disk will not.
Having lived in this little island by all my life, I am ashamed to admit for taking everything for granted. I didn’t know how much Singapore has meant to me until our pledge and Majulah Singapura transported me down the memory lane. I was overwhelmed by emotions as the bits and pieces of history flashed in my mind and at that instance, I was thankful and felt so fortunate to being a Singapore child.
In any case, thanks to the good teaching and discipline from my early schooling years, I am who take our vow and our National Anthem very seriously. Personally I feel that even if you do not wish to recite the pledge, one should at least stand at attention when the National Anthem is being played.
As much it irked me to see people refusing to get off their bum, talking and wriggling like they are ready for the dance floor, nothing pissed me off more than by these photo/video enthusiasts turning here and there trying to capture a 360o view during this solemn moment. Worst of all, this man in front of me was still continuing chopping down his Char Bee Hoon like he is eating in a crowded hawker centre!
What kind of example is he trying to set for his child next to him? And don’t these people, whether they are Singaporeans or not,, have a little respect for the country that they are setting foot on, or at least have a little self-respect for themselves at all?
To these people NDP is perhaps just an event for them to practice their photography skills or a family picnic with the enjoyment free performance.
Thank you for the lovely smile!
These youths’ enthusiasm are so infectious!
I did not bothered to watch the much circulated youtube video‘ One Singapore starring Stephen Chow’ when someone sent me the link some weeks ago so I have heard ‘One Singapore’ for the first time at the parade. While watching the performance, it never occur to me that this is the theme song and I had went home asking around, “why there isn’t any theme song for this year’s National Day?”
The song was over ambitiously long and unmemorable. I couldn’t relate to the lyrics and the tune has failed to catch my attention. Besides that, I don’t appreciate the ‘whooahh..whooahh..ah and the awkward rapping in between.
Hmm…shall we bring “Home” back the next year?
Nonetheless, I applaud to the efforts and here’s the link to this year’s theme song in case you are interested:
NDP 2013 Theme Song – One Singapore
Happy Birthday Singapore!
Life Little Tales 