Getting caught up in other festivities

Having the olympic hype building up intensively for the past year, finally culminated in a gathering of friends and dad at home viewing the opening ceremony yesterday. There was so much wows over the spectacular ceremony that it almost made me forget that today was my own country's National Day.

I don't feel any less Singaporean, if anything, I constantly defend her when people ask me if I dislike Singapore because xxx also said that...Singapore and 'poreans are:

- boring
- not open minded
- small AND boring, nowhere to go, nothing to do
- follow a routine or planned life
- unadventurous, not wanting to go
- always complaining
- low in humour

Same same everywhere la. Some are like that, not all. I think if you're in you are in your home country, it is inevitable that you get stuck in some routine, trying to plan for the forseeable future, which probably includes thinking about how your next paycheck is paying for family bills, apartment etc. But I also like to think that most people do want to make something better out of their lives. What is better, is relative, of course. Better car, better spanish course, better bike race timing, better LV bag. If they are relatively happy, who are we to say their clockwork life is less fufilling than a artist's angsty struggle?

Although, I have to admit, compared to my peers I'm saving more because China is much cheaper to live in. Making it much easier for me to save for Spanish lessons, quitting for gap year, not needing to worry about having my own apartment to stay with my boyfriend because there are still cheap living options.

A visiting friend today confided that she may have to delay her gap year by another four years because half of her pay goes to home bills, transport and food; hardly affording taxis and clothes. Her only indulgence is spanish lessons which she's passionate about. Singapore IS getting TOO UNAFFORDABLE to pursue my dreams. Everyone's just struggling to survive. It's no wonder everyone is pragmatic, rational and well, uncreative. Who wants to take risks when they just want to preserve some spectrum of hope by seeking one tiny interest?

There are pockets of hope.

There is hope in collective collaboration in small efforts. Like my friend's desire to stop child trafficking and raising money through cupcakes; Popagandhi and some others venturing into chaotic India and lack of stoves Nepal; Originasian's, Tan Pin Pin, and Woo Yen Yen/ Colin Goh self-funded short films. In art we have Singapore Tyler Print Institute that hosts numerous print artists and Old School art house. Even websites like Culture Push feature where the free arts exhibits and events are. Many friends are also getting into running half-marathons, trialathons as a way to continue socializing while pursueing their love for outdoors and sports. The cost of a bike is one time off mostly and an investment of maybe SGD500? That's not alot of effort to make to achieve a small dream and possibilities of happiness.

So this begs the question of: Are we willing to come up with the answers and hold on to positive thoughts with regards to the seemingly-only-belong-to-Singapore problems?


Nevertheless though, Happy Birthday Singapore!


P.S. While I don't disagree that high paying ministers are important to avoid corruption, but why oh why do these people lack so much EQ to raise THEIR OWN PAY at a time where everyone else is feeling the price increases? Utterly stupid, no political finesse. They should hire a new PR/ rainmaker.