A Very Special 1-Up

I want you to imagine someone you know, someone who's about forty-five years old. Sorta past their prime, maybe with a few grey hairs, but perhaps still energetic?

Singapore turned 45 today. If it was a person, it would look something like the one you just imagined.

Sorta puts into perspective how new this country is, doesn't it? It's younger than my father, even.

The apartments where I live decided to put on a dine-in to celebrate "Singapore Day," which was pretty nice. I have to say though, my fellow Singaporeans are fairly jaded. I was the only one to stand up to recite the pledge, and then to sing the national anthem. Some of them have apparently even forgotten the words which they must have repeated hundreds of times in the school assembly ground, every morning.

Is it really so strange to have loyalty to one's own country? Is there something wrong with wanting to feel a single moment of unity, singing a single song with millions of others, all at once? Is it now the cool thing to make a running commentary of snide remarks on the parade which is arguably Singapore's single most important annual event, to belittle the efforts of all the people who plan and practice for months for this one day?

I would think not, judging from all the happy, cheering people gathered at the Padang and various other locations, both across the island and overseas.

Majulah, Singapura.
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