They just called me this afternoon!!! *who?*
NDP Organizing Committee Personnel!!! Short form: NDP OCP
Phone Rings *ring ring*
Me: Ohaiyo, Moshi, Moshi?
NDP OCP: *wonders who is this Japanese fellow?* Hi, I am calling on behalf of the National Day Parade Organizing Committee, can I speak owner of NRIC of S8****55B?
Me: Hai! Its me. Can I help you?
NDP OCP: Oh, can you please tell me your NRIC number again?
Me: huh? but u just told me my number. *ponders*
NDP OCP: Ya, but I need to verify your NRIC.
ME: oh, *recites* S 8 * * * * 55 BRAVO
NDP OCP: Congratulations Sir, You won 6 tickets to this year's NDP.
Me: ok. Thanks.
NDP OCP: Collection would be from 13th June till 22nd June. Our opening hours starts from 9am till 9pm.
Me: ok, where to collect?
NDP OCP: Our Collection center is at Marina Bay, Multipurpose Facility Function Room 2.
Me: wait arh, I write down, M-a-r-i-n-a B-a-y, M-u-l-t-i-p-u-r-p-o-s-e . . . .
NDP OCP: Yeah, it’s on the floating platform on level 1.
Me: ok. I am done.
NDP OC: you need to bring your IC for us to verify. And there will not be any parking spaces available, so please park elsewhere.
Me: Hmm. ok, but which is the nearest MRT arh?
NDP OC: That would be City Hall Mrt.
Me: ok. Thanks you.
NDP OC: Ok, that’s all. Have a nice day.
Cool right? Its the 1st time I won tickets since the e-balloting of national day tickets started. But anyway, I am going to give some of the tickets to my auntie and her family. It was her who told me to try my luck and see if I can get the tickets. The last time I watched a live NDP is 2003 and I want to relive the live NDP feeling.
My record of watching Live NDPs are the following years, 1998 (preview), 1999(preview + live), 2001(live), 2002(live) and 2003(live) In all my past live NDP experiences my favorite part of NDPs are neither the dancing nor the fanciful costumes but it’s the Marching In and Marching Pass!
I assure you, watching NDP live is different from watching it on the television as the feeling is really different. Let me relate some of my experiences watching live NDP. While the Marches played by the SAF band fills the "stadium". The Smartness of the contingents and the regimental togetherness makes me feel awed each time I watch the marching in and during the march pass.
I love the part when the parade commander asks, "Mr President Sir, May I ask for your permission to inspect the parade, Sir." then the President nods, then the parade commander does the "hormat" to the president with his sword, by kissing the sword.
Who says people are united only in times of disasters? Singaporeans are united both physically and in spirit, especially so, when the president goes around the "stadium" on the little buggy, Singaporeans will then stand and wave the Singapore Flags at the president, followed by doing the Kallang wave which is unique only to Singapore.
And the even more heartwarming moment would be when the whole "stadium" stands up together to Sing the National Anthem followed by reciting of the Pledge. I don't know why but usually at this moment, I would be moved to tears or feeling all the goose pimples all over me because, of the Singapore Spirit. The oneness of our people, people of different race, religion and background, together making a stand, to set aside their differences and to pledge themselves to be Singaporean. This is truly a moment of wonderment despite our cultural differences.
As the NDP comes to the ending part, Songs like with lyrics like, "Five Stars Rising, out of a stormy sea", "Count on me Singapore", "Stand up for Singapore" and “We are Singapore" rings through-out the stadium, with everyone, brothers, sisters, family and friends and even strangers join together in the choruses. Once again, the nostalgic feelings comes to pass, and the Singapore Spirit makes everyone, thus truly, One people, One nation, One Singapore while watching the beautiful display of fireworks.
stay-tuned for more blog updates as i collect the tickets next week.
*Banner and Photos coutesy of www.ndp.org.sg*
NDP Organizing Committee Personnel!!! Short form: NDP OCP
Phone Rings *ring ring*
Me: Ohaiyo, Moshi, Moshi?
NDP OCP: *wonders who is this Japanese fellow?* Hi, I am calling on behalf of the National Day Parade Organizing Committee, can I speak owner of NRIC of S8****55B?
Me: Hai! Its me. Can I help you?
NDP OCP: Oh, can you please tell me your NRIC number again?
Me: huh? but u just told me my number. *ponders*
NDP OCP: Ya, but I need to verify your NRIC.
ME: oh, *recites* S 8 * * * * 55 BRAVO
NDP OCP: Congratulations Sir, You won 6 tickets to this year's NDP.
Me: ok. Thanks.
NDP OCP: Collection would be from 13th June till 22nd June. Our opening hours starts from 9am till 9pm.
Me: ok, where to collect?
NDP OCP: Our Collection center is at Marina Bay, Multipurpose Facility Function Room 2.
Me: wait arh, I write down, M-a-r-i-n-a B-a-y, M-u-l-t-i-p-u-r-p-o-s-e . . . .
NDP OCP: Yeah, it’s on the floating platform on level 1.
Me: ok. I am done.
NDP OC: you need to bring your IC for us to verify. And there will not be any parking spaces available, so please park elsewhere.
Me: Hmm. ok, but which is the nearest MRT arh?
NDP OC: That would be City Hall Mrt.
Me: ok. Thanks you.
NDP OC: Ok, that’s all. Have a nice day.
Cool right? Its the 1st time I won tickets since the e-balloting of national day tickets started. But anyway, I am going to give some of the tickets to my auntie and her family. It was her who told me to try my luck and see if I can get the tickets. The last time I watched a live NDP is 2003 and I want to relive the live NDP feeling.
My record of watching Live NDPs are the following years, 1998 (preview), 1999(preview + live), 2001(live), 2002(live) and 2003(live) In all my past live NDP experiences my favorite part of NDPs are neither the dancing nor the fanciful costumes but it’s the Marching In and Marching Pass!
I assure you, watching NDP live is different from watching it on the television as the feeling is really different. Let me relate some of my experiences watching live NDP. While the Marches played by the SAF band fills the "stadium". The Smartness of the contingents and the regimental togetherness makes me feel awed each time I watch the marching in and during the march pass.I love the part when the parade commander asks, "Mr President Sir, May I ask for your permission to inspect the parade, Sir." then the President nods, then the parade commander does the "hormat" to the president with his sword, by kissing the sword.
Who says people are united only in times of disasters? Singaporeans are united both physically and in spirit, especially so, when the president goes around the "stadium" on the little buggy, Singaporeans will then stand and wave the Singapore Flags at the president, followed by doing the Kallang wave which is unique only to Singapore.
And the even more heartwarming moment would be when the whole "stadium" stands up together to Sing the National Anthem followed by reciting of the Pledge. I don't know why but usually at this moment, I would be moved to tears or feeling all the goose pimples all over me because, of the Singapore Spirit. The oneness of our people, people of different race, religion and background, together making a stand, to set aside their differences and to pledge themselves to be Singaporean. This is truly a moment of wonderment despite our cultural differences.
As the NDP comes to the ending part, Songs like with lyrics like, "Five Stars Rising, out of a stormy sea", "Count on me Singapore", "Stand up for Singapore" and “We are Singapore" rings through-out the stadium, with everyone, brothers, sisters, family and friends and even strangers join together in the choruses. Once again, the nostalgic feelings comes to pass, and the Singapore Spirit makes everyone, thus truly, One people, One nation, One Singapore while watching the beautiful display of fireworks.
stay-tuned for more blog updates as i collect the tickets next week.
*Banner and Photos coutesy of www.ndp.org.sg*
