Living Nerdy in Sydney

Singaporeans celebrate National Day on 9 August each year. On 1965, 9 August, Singapore was booted out of the Malaysian Confederation and was declared independent. Many years of serious national building followed. In Australia, Australia Day (26 January) is normally celebrated with a BBQ. In the US, Independence Day (4 July) is celebrated with fireworks. Today, on Singapore's Golden Jubilee, Singaporeans celebrate in a myriad of ways. Here are the most common ones which most Singaporeans would do. 1. Hanging your Singapore Flag (Source: Chef Devagi Senmugam ) Singaporeans are encouraged to hang the Singapore Flag outside their homes between 1 and 31 August each year in celebration of National Day. Flags are provided relatively cheaply from Residents Corners (RCs). In public housing flats, which the majority of Singaporeans live in, there are even flag holders built in for this purpose.  2. National Day Celebrations in Schools (Source: DAC ) National Day Obs

Today's Singapore celebrates its 50th year of independence. This week, we have seen endless celebration in Singapore. From the broadcast of the Proclamation of Singapore's Independence, to National Day Speeches, to grassroots National Day dinners, to air force acrobatic displays, and will all culminate at the National Day Parade. Picture Source: Cheekymonkey One of the most powerful way in which Singaporeans celebrate is through song - National Day Parade Theme songs. These are patriotic songs Singaporeans sing. For Australians, they have "Waltzing Matilda", the English have "Rule Britannia" and the Americans have "The Star Spragled Banner". On the other hand, Singaporeans have songs like "Count on me Singapore" and "Home". What all these songs have in common is the power to evoke strong emotion - like what most music is able to. (Count on me Singapore) Close to each National Day, these National Day music will be play

Living abroad has made me much aware of the contributions to society different people make. I remember my first bus ride in Sydney. As I watched my fellow passengers alighted the bus, they thanked the bus driver as they were getting off. It really made me think. "If you don't study hard, you'll end up driving a bus or cleaning the streets." I'm sure many other Singaporeans have been told that when they were young by a parent, a teacher or some other older person. They did sure mean well to wanting us to have a well-paying professional job. But without people doing some of these so-called 'undesirable' jobs, society wouldn't run as it would. These people are often overlooked by Singaporeans to the important work they do for us. As we celebrate Singapore 50th year of independence this year, let's stop to thank all these people doing the so-called 'undesirable' but very important and skilled jobs making our society function so efficiently.

This year, Singapore celebrates it's 50 year of independence from Malaysia. Every year, the celebration of nationhood is celebrated on August 9, National Day. The biggest celebration is undoubtedly at National Day Parade (NDP).  Understanding the history of the National Day Parade would help us understand how the Parade came about to be what we know it as today. (Image from SG50) Here's a brief history of the National Day Parade. Year Years of Independence Events 1966 1 First NDP ·        Held at the Padang outside City Hall, home to where Singapore was declare independent. ·        Morning Parade at 9am. ·        23,000 participants including soldiers, uniformed groups, teachers, children, trade unionists, cultural groups, lion and dragon dancers. ·        Singapore's first president, Yusof Ishak, reviewed the parade on the City Hall steps. 1968 3 ·        Fondly remembered at th