National Day and I was at work..
How was everyone's national day? How was the national day parade? I was trying to catch the parade
online but unfortunately I can't get it up and running. Work wasn't too busy today, guess the folks at London knew it was a apecial day here in sunny Singapore and decided to be kind. :)
The crowds near City Link and
Esplanade are almost impossible today. Seas of people clad in red were swarming across to the theatres on the bay. Albeit feeling pretty dazzled and dizzy by the crowds, I must say it was nice seeing families consisting from old folks to kiddos coming together to celebrate our nation's birthday. It warms my heart.
There is a chinese saying which is loosely translated as 'Without nation, there is no home'. How true and apt that is. I believe one's duty to nation comes first before one's obligation to the family. People often questioned the issue of conscription in Singapore. Why make it compulsory for the Singaporean males to serve in national defence? Why waste 2 years of these people's lives? Perhaps coming from me (a Singaporean female who is not legally binded to enrol in the army), this would sound totally abracadabrant.. but I honest believe and subscribe that we should ask what not the nation can do for us, but what we can do for the country. Back then in Australia, I've heard (and met) some Singaporean guys who had 'ran away' from Singapore to avoid national service. In doing so, they have to sever their ties with Singapore and never ever to step foot in this country or they will be charged and possibly imprisoned.. Really extreme and foolish decision to make, if you ask me. I remembered not being the least impressed with these runaways.
Taxi drivers
Just because I got off work at 2am in the morning and am waiting for a taxi outside a hotel (insert.. my office building is next to a hotel), it does not mean I am engaged in some hanky panky sorta work. Grrr! I hate taxi drivers who give you the look and ask where you work. Totally uncalled for, and its not like I'm scantily dressed or what. And boy, do I look like a Chinese National???? (no offence meant if you are a Chinese National reading this) I tell ya, if any taxi driver would be so daring to ask me 'how much', I am calling the 999 to report harrassment. bLAH.
The taxi driver just now must have thought it a tad strange to see me waiting for a cab outside the hotel. Never mind he didn't go by the way I wanted (idiot went by the long way), he had an irritating grin when he spoke and asked "eh Miss, where you work.."
"Bank.. " I was cursing and swearing quietly. For a brief moment, I thought of saying something stupid like I am a undercover policewoman.
"Oh bank ah.. bank got work so late one meh"
"Yah" I was not going to go into a discussion about my work.
"You know, my brother-in-law works in a bank too... he blah blah blah...."
"......."
"He wanted me to go pick him up at Tampines.. but siao lah, too far away..."
"......." frowning and wondering when he would just shut up.
"Go by this way not that much different right.. "
"........"
By the time we reached the exit of the expressway, I stole a glance at the meter and noticed that it was about $1.50 more than usual. I was determined not to pay him the extra charge.
Finally, we reached my place.
"How much you normally pay ah Miss.. "
"$17.25 if we had gone by the SHORTER way.." The meter shows $18.60.
"Ok, you pay me $17 dollars lah.. " Sure I was going to do that!! Handed him a fifty, grabbed my change and hopped out of the cab, with him mumbling to himself. It was undoubtedly an uncomfortable ride home!
Thank God there aren't that many weirdo cabbies around!
My new toy
Got this today from my colleague. Although it looks like a car remote key, it is unfortunately not one. Its a pocket alarm. Once the red button is activated, it lets out a shrieking alarm of 115 decibels! I was testing it in the office and I almost went deaf! Ouch. Silly ole me.
This is the next best thing to a electric zapper and pepper spray. I heard these two are illegal in Singapore (?!) But I pray I don't ever have to activate this alarm..
