Singapore fest in London made her Day, keep it going, please
I REFER to Sunday's report, 'Singapore Day in London draws the crowds'. Singapore Day 2009 in London was well-planned, thoughtful and oh so Singaporean. The gorgeous location at Hampton Court Palace, with beautiful weather we did not expect (the weather forecast predicted rain), made the day enjoyable and memorable.
We were among 12,000 people who turned up, looking forward to chwee kway, roti prata, Hokkien mee, laksa and chicken rice. Yes, we can find some hawker fare in London in restaurants (unfortunately at restaurant prices), but nothing beats queueing up for food with fellow Singaporeans in a foreign land, and hearing 'Mai tu liao' (Don't delay in Hokkien) and 'Jialat (horrors), you think got enough when it's our turn or not?' at the same time.
I believe in speaking proper English. But Singlish is a part of me, so it was great to hear the mix and match of sentences formed with our various languages and dialects.
I told my colleagues from other countries working in London that I was looking forward to Singapore Day and what kind of event it would be, and they asked why such a day was not organised for them.
Kudos to everyone who put on such an awesome event. This is my list of what made the day memorably Singaporean:
An Electronic Road Pricing gantry as the entrance;
Listing the hawker names of the food;
Balloons showing Ah Meng, Singa the courtesy lion, and all the signs prohibiting things like durians;
Watching Dim Sum Dollies and Hossan Leong perform a hilarious History Of Singapore, Sebastian Tan as Broadway Beng, and Taufik Batisah singing;
Hearing Singaporeans speak Singlish;
Being 'boringly' civilised, queueing up in an orderly fashion and not making trouble;
A goodie bag in the shape of a mooncake paper bag;
Booths emphasising the importance of national service and showcasing our clean and green city, and;
Water stations with a sign, 'Thirsty or not?'
I hope we continue to have Singapore Day for overseas Singaporeans. I would love all overseas Singaporeans to be able to enjoy a day with friends from home in the city where they are living, studying or working.
Stefanie Koh (Ms)
I REFER to Sunday's report, 'Singapore Day in London draws the crowds'. Singapore Day 2009 in London was well-planned, thoughtful and oh so Singaporean. The gorgeous location at Hampton Court Palace, with beautiful weather we did not expect (the weather forecast predicted rain), made the day enjoyable and memorable.
We were among 12,000 people who turned up, looking forward to chwee kway, roti prata, Hokkien mee, laksa and chicken rice. Yes, we can find some hawker fare in London in restaurants (unfortunately at restaurant prices), but nothing beats queueing up for food with fellow Singaporeans in a foreign land, and hearing 'Mai tu liao' (Don't delay in Hokkien) and 'Jialat (horrors), you think got enough when it's our turn or not?' at the same time.
I believe in speaking proper English. But Singlish is a part of me, so it was great to hear the mix and match of sentences formed with our various languages and dialects.
I told my colleagues from other countries working in London that I was looking forward to Singapore Day and what kind of event it would be, and they asked why such a day was not organised for them.
Kudos to everyone who put on such an awesome event. This is my list of what made the day memorably Singaporean:
An Electronic Road Pricing gantry as the entrance;
Listing the hawker names of the food;
Balloons showing Ah Meng, Singa the courtesy lion, and all the signs prohibiting things like durians;
Watching Dim Sum Dollies and Hossan Leong perform a hilarious History Of Singapore, Sebastian Tan as Broadway Beng, and Taufik Batisah singing;
Hearing Singaporeans speak Singlish;
Being 'boringly' civilised, queueing up in an orderly fashion and not making trouble;
A goodie bag in the shape of a mooncake paper bag;
Booths emphasising the importance of national service and showcasing our clean and green city, and;
Water stations with a sign, 'Thirsty or not?'
I hope we continue to have Singapore Day for overseas Singaporeans. I would love all overseas Singaporeans to be able to enjoy a day with friends from home in the city where they are living, studying or working.
Stefanie Koh (Ms)
