http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100810-231279.html
Tue, Aug 10, 2010
my paper
I'm Ang Moh and proud to call Singapore home
THIS year's National Day was truly a special one for me. Sure, it wasn't the first time I'd watched the National Day Parade (NDP) - I attended one back in 2004.
However, yesterday's parade was the first one I viewed as a bona-fide Singapore citizen.
You see, I was formerly an American from Pampa in Texas, but I gave it up to take on Singapore citizenship last year.
I moved to Singapore with my parents when I was 15 years old and stayed for four years before going back to the United States. I graduated from the Singapore American School.
As I grew up in Singapore, it holds a special place in my heart. It was always a place I wanted to return to and live in.
Once I came back in 2003 with my wife, Susan, 48, we applied for permanent-resident status straight away.
Susan was also here when she was 12 years old and graduated from Singapore American School as well.
I was then invited twice by the Government to apply for citizenship.
by the third go-around I decided to go ahead and submit my application.
I've been a citizen since last June.
This is the place I plan to live in for the rest of my life and where I want to raise my daughter, Asia, who's nine years old.
We own a home here and I have no desire to go back to the US. Most of my family are here as well.
I have returned to the US a few times since I got my Singapore passport, and sometimes I jokingly say that it's easier for me to enter the US now than it was as an American citizen.
My biggest frustration is that most people assume the reason I gave up my American citizenship was because of the high income-tax rate there, but it wasn't a big reason for me.
I was feeling a bit cynical and disillusioned with the US, its policies and Americans' attitudes.
Society there faces challenges but I don't live there, so it's hard for me to effect change.
Here, I identify with the people, the society and its moral values - this is where I want to be.
As long as I live here, I want to be a part of Singapore and to be involved in every little way that I can.
So, this year, I'm proud to have been a part of something special. Not only did I watch the parade as a new citizen, but my daughter and I also helped kick off the show by roaring down the parade square on a swanky Harley-Davidson bike along with fellow members of the Harley Owners Group here.
It was definitely a parade that is very dear to me.
Yesterday, I woke feeling excited at 7.30am and immediately thought about getting prepared and washing my bike.
At 2pm, I set off with Asia to meet up with the gang at the Harley-Davidson dealership in Alexandra Road. We then regrouped at Beach Road at 3pm to get ready before heading off to the Padang at 5pm.
At gate 4, Asia and I waited in anticipation for our drive-in at 5.45pm.
We've gone to every rehearsal since they began six weeks ago, so I was glad to see it all come together.
The NDP gave us an opportunity to understand more about Singapore's military, its society and its people.
I cheered and took photos when the Red Lions landed. I also applauded with gusto when the planes flew overhead.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride seeing the participants, the fly-past, the paratroopers and the mobile column.
This is a part of who we are and what we are.
And my favourite part of the NDP? Every time the national flag is flown.
This year, when the helicopters flew by with the flag, tears literally came to my eyes. It's a symbol of our identity and what we stand for.
Although some people here might still call me an ang moh, it doesn't faze me one bit.
I'm truly a Singaporean - I love the spicy food, the hawker centres here and I'm even a tad kiasu. And sitting there, surrounded by a sea of red, made me feel more of a Singaporean than ever.
So, from a citizen to my country: Happy birthday, Singapore.
Gregory Rutledge is the director of Candy Stand, a company which installs and operates chocolate vending machines.
For more my paper stories click here.
Tue, Aug 10, 2010
my paper
I'm Ang Moh and proud to call Singapore home
THIS year's National Day was truly a special one for me. Sure, it wasn't the first time I'd watched the National Day Parade (NDP) - I attended one back in 2004.
However, yesterday's parade was the first one I viewed as a bona-fide Singapore citizen.
You see, I was formerly an American from Pampa in Texas, but I gave it up to take on Singapore citizenship last year.
I moved to Singapore with my parents when I was 15 years old and stayed for four years before going back to the United States. I graduated from the Singapore American School.
As I grew up in Singapore, it holds a special place in my heart. It was always a place I wanted to return to and live in.
Once I came back in 2003 with my wife, Susan, 48, we applied for permanent-resident status straight away.
Susan was also here when she was 12 years old and graduated from Singapore American School as well.
I was then invited twice by the Government to apply for citizenship.
by the third go-around I decided to go ahead and submit my application.
I've been a citizen since last June.
This is the place I plan to live in for the rest of my life and where I want to raise my daughter, Asia, who's nine years old.
We own a home here and I have no desire to go back to the US. Most of my family are here as well.
I have returned to the US a few times since I got my Singapore passport, and sometimes I jokingly say that it's easier for me to enter the US now than it was as an American citizen.
My biggest frustration is that most people assume the reason I gave up my American citizenship was because of the high income-tax rate there, but it wasn't a big reason for me.
I was feeling a bit cynical and disillusioned with the US, its policies and Americans' attitudes.
Society there faces challenges but I don't live there, so it's hard for me to effect change.
Here, I identify with the people, the society and its moral values - this is where I want to be.
As long as I live here, I want to be a part of Singapore and to be involved in every little way that I can.
So, this year, I'm proud to have been a part of something special. Not only did I watch the parade as a new citizen, but my daughter and I also helped kick off the show by roaring down the parade square on a swanky Harley-Davidson bike along with fellow members of the Harley Owners Group here.
It was definitely a parade that is very dear to me.
Yesterday, I woke feeling excited at 7.30am and immediately thought about getting prepared and washing my bike.
At 2pm, I set off with Asia to meet up with the gang at the Harley-Davidson dealership in Alexandra Road. We then regrouped at Beach Road at 3pm to get ready before heading off to the Padang at 5pm.
At gate 4, Asia and I waited in anticipation for our drive-in at 5.45pm.
We've gone to every rehearsal since they began six weeks ago, so I was glad to see it all come together.
The NDP gave us an opportunity to understand more about Singapore's military, its society and its people.
I cheered and took photos when the Red Lions landed. I also applauded with gusto when the planes flew overhead.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride seeing the participants, the fly-past, the paratroopers and the mobile column.
This is a part of who we are and what we are.
And my favourite part of the NDP? Every time the national flag is flown.
This year, when the helicopters flew by with the flag, tears literally came to my eyes. It's a symbol of our identity and what we stand for.
Although some people here might still call me an ang moh, it doesn't faze me one bit.
I'm truly a Singaporean - I love the spicy food, the hawker centres here and I'm even a tad kiasu. And sitting there, surrounded by a sea of red, made me feel more of a Singaporean than ever.
So, from a citizen to my country: Happy birthday, Singapore.
Gregory Rutledge is the director of Candy Stand, a company which installs and operates chocolate vending machines.
For more my paper stories click here.
