Happy 43rd Birthday Singapore

Today's National Day and as usual, we stayed home and watched the near perfect (couple of still frames here and there) NDP webcast. We sang the national anthem, recited the pledge and chorused along with the nostalgic NDP songs of "Count on Me Singapore", "Stand Up for Singapore", "We are Singapore" and "One People, One Nation".

There was a section where a video clipped showed what this little island went through and achieved in the mere 43 years. From a fishing village, to a bustling cosmopolitan city. It's just amazing watching those historic images.

After living overseas for 2 years, people ask me what changed most for me. It would definitely would be having a renewed sense of appreciation for the things that I have taken for granted for so many years. Indeed, I still complain about the rising living costs, still sarcastic about the million dollar salaries our top civil servants are getting, still unhappy about the work stress and lack of work-life balance.

But amidst all this, Home is still where my family and friends are, and the freedom of walking the streets without fear; the hustling and bustling of food courts and markets; the diversity of cultures; and the years of memories. Even just by looking at the beautiful nightscape of Marina Bay and the CBD, it brings waves of thanksgiving and praise for the place that I will always call Home.

Am I proud to be a Singaporean? Always.