HAPPY 9TH AUGUST,
WEAR THOSE REDS AND WHITES WITH PRIDE.


And there you go. 9th August has come and past (I always think of the end of this day when the last of the fireworks die out). Now it is once again time for us to think about the term "patriotism".

Do you love your country, fellow Singaporeans? Whether you be mugging the comfort of your HDB flat, strolling Orchard for bright red stilettos to go with your National Day ensemble, feverishly waiting for that opening of Singapore's IR, or conquering Canada in black chucks (squee), have you thought about your country, your contributions to this GREAT NATION, your part in society?




I have not. Gosh.

Truthfully, as a student in Singapore, I would not deny that I haven't had thoughts of flying off on the first jet out of here. What I lead now is definitely a mundane life, and what dreamer living in a mundane life doesn't find faults about their home to pick at?

Yet every school day, I stand before our flag, sing that song (hardly audible), and say that pledge. We all know the anthem and pledge by heart, we all keep those National Day songs well memorised in a corner of our minds.

Ask yourself. WHY?


Face it, this country gives us identity. Some of us may not find special pride in being Singaporean, but I know, and I find no reason to deny that I am Singaporean. It is, indisputably, a part of me. And even if I do jet off one day, I will not do so without looking back. At least a glance.

And as Mr. Lobster-Fish-SkaterDude of NDP '07 said : "I am Singapore."


Cheesy, but true.