SG50 - Singapore's Golden Birthday

Sunday, 9 August marks a place in history for Singapore as it celebrates its 50^th Birthday. Singapore became a sovereign nation in 1965 under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew. In its very short history Singapore has grown into a modern and dynamic first world country.

As we celebrate National Day of our adopted country we would be remiss if we didn’t highlight what it’s like to celebrate our home country’s birthday, 4th of July, in Singapore as told by our guest writer, Loren Freckles.* 

I awake to music vibrating the bed beneath me. Before I can place the song, the mental picture of a F-14 preparing for take off with engines burning as the plane prepares to launch from an aircraft carrier's deck comes into my mind. Top Gun’s "Highway to the Danger Zone" blares throughout the apartment.  It's the 4th of July, America's Independence Day.

As I walk toward the music, I see the bright light of day through the room’s floor to ceiling high rise windows. This could be a high rise in any major city. I could easily be waking up in Chicago, San Francisco, or New York. Although this view is different, it's the silhouette of the Marina Bay Sands Casino. I realize this is going to be an Independence Day celebration different from anyone other. 

The morning progresses in stereotypical 4th of July form with preparation of an assortment of BBQ favorites - sausages, chicken, and ribs.  Alas several seemingly insignificant challenges arise that I’ve never faced at home. Potato salad for example, the creamy cool accompaniment to its grilled surroundings, is on the menu but we need more potatoes and French dressing for Great Grandma's potato salad. In the States the solution is easy, hit the local grocery store and with one small basket the list is checked - crisis averted.  Not today my friends. Potato purchases must be well planned and the half day adventure to the hawker market must be executed early, before the masses grab the last available spud.  Now onto the French dressing. One might think, hit the store and buy a bottle, but instead this requires another trip to the market along with a Google search as this common place dressing is not so common here. Instead it must be made from scratch with ketchup, mayo, spices which all must be individually collected. The balance of BBQ prep goes off without a hitch and the guests begin to arrive. 

At first glance, no disparaging difference is evident from any other 4th of July celebration. Dressed in red, white, and blue they smile and exchange pleasantries over Budweiser, margaritas and an American flag berry cake.

The entertainment of the evening was not meant to celebrate American Independence but yet practicing for a much younger nation’s birthday – Singapore’s 50th. From the patio we lived our own version on Top Gun with F-16 flyovers by the Black Nights and we finished off the night with a fireworks show that would make Francis Scott Key proud.

Thank you to our guest writer Loren Freckles and Happy 50th Birthday Singapore! 

Until then,

Amy & Raegen

*Still not their real name.