Living as an exile
Today is Singapore's birthday. It is only after leaving Singapore that I've learn how over the top and unique Singapore is when it comes to National Day, that she has a new birthday song every single year. Growing up, one of my dreams was to be part of the National Day Parade and wave the Singapore flag with pride. That to me was a normal behavior that one should have towards his country... until I left. While Americans also have a ginormous pride in their country - all the red white and blue stuff that fill all the aisles at Target after the graduation season is over and all the fireworks booths that dots the city throughout June. However, it is a day more for Americans to fire up their backyard grill than to really celebrate the country's birth. Then I moved to Taiwan, where I've learned that Taiwanese are proud of Taiwan for their ability (freedom) to mock and criticize the government. My incessant pride for Singapore is met with ??? (pikachu face) from my Taiwanes...