ok my first reflection in a long while on FB :) As Singapore celebrates Childrens Day today, I felt totally blessed as I reminisced my own childhood. I was overwhelmed with gratitude as my pupils sparkled with laughter watching the concert, as their eyes twinkled as they rummaged thru their goodie bags. Children in Singapore have it so lucky and they have no idea. (I wont go to places where children arent that lucky). Then came the all too classic song Semoga Bahagia. Now this I feel is uniquely Singapore. Maybe it was embedded as part of our National Education. But its become a tradition. And yes this song reminds us of the same composer who composed our National Anthem. All children in school regardless of ethnicity are made to sing this song. In light of recent global events, with a rise in all sorts of bigotry especially in other parts of the world, Singapore is a gem. It was where my beloved primary school was and at that school we were not even conscious of our racial differences..we had students so diversed from Nepal to Pakistan to....u name it. There I was part of Folk Dance and remembered our Malay Dance group which did well for SYF comprising of not only Malay pupils but Chinese and Indian pupils. Ive actually taken all this for granted until I realise how to some, living in a multi-ethnic society is unfathomable. To top this, my father in his 80s has a loyal Chinese friend who doesnt fail to send us goodies come Hari Raya (yes! delivered in boxes). My father speaks endearing of their years of friendship. Cant remember where this is going but I guess the point is when we become human first any other differences fade away. Compassion and treating others well are actually natural mechanisms in us. Its prolly up to us to empower it. In light of WISH and MISH (women and men in solidarity with hijabis), I know I dont owe any of my friends any gratitude but still a HUGE THANX to my friends, many of who are non-muslims who didnt at all flinch at my transtion from a non-hijabi to a hijabi. In fact some of you were really supportive so far as to say (quote) well u cld be a goth chic like now and i wldnt care to we love you anyways. I will go so far as to say that nothing has changed between us. It hasnt jeopardised anything and we are still hangin out together. Yes, WISH and MISH are positive initiatives but u guys totally ROCK coz u guys r the veterans of WISH and MISH full on! :) alritey! see some of u soon! If youre a Singaporean maybe this isnt much to brag about like a Chinese girl singing a Malay song. But hmm if u r from coutries which are inflicted with all sorts of phobia, lemme introduce Singapore to you.
Posted on: Thu, 02 Oct 2014 15:00:11 +0000
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