Happy Birthday Singapore!

The last few days have been pretty exciting I must say. On the home front, we were so excited, and were preparing for the arrival of Ah Ma and Ah Gong. The house was cleaned, beds rearranged, and made(!). And yes! I survived 1 whole week on my own with the girls! Woohoo! Also, yesterday was the opening ceremony of the Olympics. I can't believe how precise it had to be that it started at 8.08pm on 08/08/08. Must be chinese! I didn't get to watch it, but I've been scanning through the wondering images on the internet. I was still wondering why they would keep the athletes up till such unearthly hour(12am-4hr ceremony), especially when there are events happening the next day. Couldn't they start earlier and then do something prominent like light the flame at 8.08pm? No wonder half of the NZ team did not march in the ceremony... I'm sure there were many others who gave it a miss... 

Then of course, today, it's Singapore's National Day! Happy 43rd birthday Singapore. It's funny how 9th of August in Singapore seems to be another public holiday, great for a break from work, sit in front of TV, or try to catch a glimpse of fireworks from somewhere. I really just kinda noticed that being so far away, without a hint of any celebrations, I kinda miss all of that buzz that starts way before in June/July with the rehearsals and all. I don't claim to be super patriotic. Neither do I have really any sentiments about the day Singapore gained independence those years ago... It's just kinda nice that everyone is involved, yet not really involved in something as a whole community (if you know what I mean). I think it's been more so in the last year or so for me since we now have kids to bring to the previews/actual show. I get all excited trying to point out and explain the things that go on for Jie K... Not sure at the end of the day it's worth all that sweat, queueing, walking etc, but I sure did enjoy myself last year! The Singapore High Commission did invite us to a National Day celebration, but since K is not around, and I didn't think it'll be appropriate for me to bring 2 small kids to such an official function, where there would be foreign dignitaries etc, we decided not to go. 

Anyway, since we've been living here for 4 months now, and getting to know the ins and outs of the NZ govt/system, we start to appreciate what our govt has done/been doing for us. Sure, there are great benefits living here in this welfare state. I'll just list some of the more pertinent ones to me.

1. There's a minimum wage of $18/hr for anyone. Students and unskilled labour included. That's so much more than I was earning as a newly qualified physio! Notwithstanding the high taxes, of course.

2. Immunisation that falls within their programme, is free for children (foreigners included. You just have to prove that you live in the area).

3. Every 3-4 year-old gets 20-free hours of early childhood education. Standard/quality???

4. There's hardly any homeless people here. ie you don't see many people sleeping in the streets. Then again, I have not been to Auckland... but the impression is that it's quite the same.

There's always the downside... such as people taking advantage of welfare, misusing the money on drugs and alcohol; super high taxes, so the rich are actually paying for the poor. Just general 'poorness' that's felt amongst the Kiwis. 

Yeah... so we could go on about the negatives of the Singapore govt... but there are times when I actually am proud to be an ambassador of my little island state. 

ok so here are more photos:P I can start my exercise regime again! Thank goodness...