NDP

Isabel seems specially anxious about this year's NDP. For me, I've watched 36 of the previous 43 parades, nothing can really surprise me any more.

But I've always admire those Red Lions Parachute team, with their thousands drops experience, the way they are able to land perfectly on the designated spot without missing an inch. Simply amazing.

Anyway, one reason that Isabel is specially anxious is that her school principle has told them that they are to participate the reciting of the National Pledge at 8.22pm toward the end of the parade. In fact the school has given a notice to all parents that we are to show "Patriotism" and set good example to the young children, and are "encouraged" to participating of the recitation of the National Pledge at that particular time.

For the whole night, she has been watching the clock...

And sure enough, at 8.22pm the parade was coming to an end and they started to lead us in the reciting of the Pledge.

At that moment of time, I had a few guests in my place. The fathers were in the living room watching the NDP while the Mommys were in the room talking about children. When the pledge started, Isabel gingerly stood up, feeling uneasy as she felt a little embarrassed to do it in front of us.

But I showed her the support by standing next to her and started saying the pledge out-loud. The other fathers started to stand and joined in while the mommys stood behind us and laughed at us.

I guessed the most important thing is to show Isabel that there's nothing wrong with showing a little patriotism.

God Bless Singapore.

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