National Day 9th August 2011

I have always noticed the way people look like during the National Day Parade---Happy, exhilarated and ... Well, I never feel extremely happy or anything about National Day Parade. I have always felt that the Parade is about the same all the time, with the same marches, same performances and etc. I never felt a true sense of belonging in this country. I always treated it like a land where I have to abide the rule, a land where I will study and spend my life at. Thus, people always say that I am not loyal to my country, a betrayal and etc. Well, I believe I am, in a way. If the country is involved in a war, I may not actually risk my life to save "our"country after all. Is it worth it to risk our life for something that is only a house but may not actually represent a home. There is a huge difference between home and house. However, I believe there is still a certain gratitude that I bear for Singapore. It has helped me in one way or another. For example, Singapore has a great education system that allows me to actually come into such great schools like Hwa Chong Institution. Singapore has also provided me a house where I can live without fear of high crime rates or dirty living environments. Therefore, I would still like to thank Singapore for what it has given me throughout the fourteen years of my life.