AlwaySane Is In Da House

I Am Singaporean

I am Singaporean because I grew up learning to say my name one way, and realizing that being in school means I have to say my name another way, and then having to change it again because the government said so.

I am Singaporean because I take a bus from my house to the MRT station, which is just 2 stops away.

I am Singaporean because I distinctly tap my wallet everytime I take the public transport, then remembering it's no longer EZ.

I am Singaporean because no matter how late I come home from abroad, I can always muster up enough energy for char kway teow, prata, and carrot cake.

I am Singaporean because taking a break means going to Bangkok for shopping and massage.

I am Singaporean because lateness can always be rectified by taxis.

I am Singaporean because everytime the taxi fares go up, my heart stops beating.

I know I am Singaporean because I have the ability to construct a coherent sentence using more than one language.

Also, I know what PIE, COE, CTE, GST, ERP, AYE, ECP, and GSS stand for.

I know I am a westernized Singaporean because I can only recite the MRT stops from Boon Lay to City Hall. And anything beyond City Hall is another country all-together.

I am Singaporean because my ideal get-together with friends is watching a movie, get a coffee at Starbucks, and sing karaoke.

I am Singaporean because I am naturally hooked to anything reality-based like American Idol, Project Runway, The Simple Life, Project Superstar, and now.... MALAYSIA Superstar! On Youtube!

I am Singaporean because I willingly let the government take away 20% of my salary, until I am 55, and me still having no control over it.

I am Singaporean and I learn that the definition of greatness is when your surname is Lee and you deck in all-white.

Being a Singaporean is also knowing a string of Malay words, singing them in-tune, but not knowing what they mean.

I know I am a Singaporean when I have to learn how to spell "democracy", "prosperity", and "progress" when I was seven, but still not knowing what they mean when I'm 26.

I am Singaporean because the meaning of going to school means to take exams.

I am Singaporean also because the quality of the school is directly proportionate to the price tag on the canteen food. And also whether if the school has an ice cream stall.

I know, for sure, that I am a Singaporean when I buy 3 things that I don't need because Buy 3 Get 1 free.

I know I am Singaporean because despite all the craziness, the following lines still resonates:
在我心中 我知道
这是永恒的长跑
好不容易来到这里
明天还要追更多荣耀

I know I'm a Singaporean because my Birth Cert says so.

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I am a Sanegaporean

Sane reflects @ this location permanently