I need to take a break from blogging about our honeymoon because yesterday was such a special day I need to blog about it. Singapore turned 50!! *whoop whoop!! bring out party hats and the local food!!*
I had the weekend planned especially now that K is away (back in SG, lucky him) and I am counting down the days. I figured it's more fun to count down the days with friends, especially on a momentous weekend such as this. Back home in Singapore, "SG50" is such a big thing and has been gaining momentum since the beginning of the year that by the time 9th August arrived, I am sure all the pent up expectations and pomp just BURST into a whole confetti of celebration, fun, and national pride. Even I felt it over here in London!
In fact Saturday morning I did a little decoration to be SG50 ready :)
Thereafter I went out for a haircut and met my church friends, who are both Malaysians, for brunch. I told them it's Singapore's birthday the next day and it's a little celebratory brunch haha..
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| Doris, Liling and me |
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| Dean Street Townhouse |
Sunday morning I woke up feeling excited. I was actually very looking forward to watch the National Day Parade online. It was to start at 5.45pm Singapore time which meant it would be just after breakfast for me. I got ready for breakfast and made sure my laptop was all ready for me to click on play. It was a beautiful and sunny Saturday.
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| Waiting to start |
Meanwhile I texted my family and friends back home. Mimi told me she was heading down to one of the big screens where the atmosphere must be so awesome; I thought of Cindy who loves Singapore so much it's common knowledge amongst us friends - she might also be headed there like Mimi. So glad I managed to share the link with Pris too, who is in Germany! It was all very exciting. Linked up by technology.
I was invited for lunch by Rachel who said she planned to cook nasi lemak for the group of us. What a treat!!
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| We arrived to a huge Singapore flag she bought off Amazon (good idea!) and heart shaped napkins. So sweet! |
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| That's the chef Rachel in the middle |
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| Deep fried prawn paste coated chicken wings - really good |
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| Table all set! |
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| The lovely Kim's: Thomas and Rongxuan |
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| We were beyond impressed: Rachel fried the peanuts and ikan billis and deep fried the kuning fish too |
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| Yup I brought the scarf and the two little flags thinking we might need some props. So wrong! |
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| Lawrence is Malaysian but we joked saying "it's ok Lolly - we embrace you our neighbour!!" He sure felt the love that afternoon ;) He spent more of his life in Singapore than Malaysia so he knew all the lyrics to the national day oldies like "Count on me, Singapore" and "Stand up for Singapore". |
We enjoyed watching NDP (see the iPad on the corner with the pink cover below?) and chatted over local food. Really thank God for technology where we could join in and feel like we are part of the celebrations even though we are miles away. I don't remember being so excited about NDP in the past few years but I guess this year is extra special and the NDP committee pulled out all stops to host the biggest and most impressive NDP - ever.
As many would agree, it is such a pity that our founding father Mr Lee Kuan Yew could not be there. He would be so proud of what the nation has achieved under his leadership. The tribute to him was done really well and brought some tears to my eyes. Looking at how far we have come with all the visual aid that played out on the screens, indeed we felt ever so proud to be Singaporeans. I mean 50 years of nation building that brought us from a small Malay fishing village of a thousand people to the sky scrapers you see today and the millions of people calling this red dot their home. It is incredible. I loved the vintage parade. So it is true that policemen of the past wore shorts!
One funny moment: after we were asked to recite the pledge and sing the national anthem as part of the NDP, I vaguely recall that Singapore is one of the very few countries where school children need to recite the pledge and sing the national anthem every day. I asked if anyone knew which other countries do that and without hesitation, someone shouted "North Korea!" Err…
MAJULAH SINGAPURA!
May the next 50 years bring us greater peace, stability and prosperity; where people live inclusively and harmoniously; and may we fly the flag of Singapore high wherever we go.
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