I've a fatal attraction for Singapore's National Day songs, I'm beginning to find.

I've always liked the official National Day songs, since the first one I could remember--《家》by Kit Chan, many years back; since then, I've always eagerly awaited the launch of the National Day songs every year come August. The songs I've always enjoyed--meaningful lyrics, nice, gentle, melodious tunes, and all; the distinct 新谣 flavour in the songs is something I've grown up with, listening to the likes of 《细水长流》, 《咖啡乌》and many other songs whose names I cannot remember anymore. And it's always nice listening to something that you can connect with, that reminds you of the past, of the innocent, carefree days we once lived in.

And National Day became even more special for me last year; despite all the complaining about lost weekends and all, waiting eagerly for the time we could leave the stadium each of the four, five times we were there, I enjoyed every minute of it--from standing in the containers manning the infra-red temperature scanners, to setting up and tearing down tentages, etc, etc. It was already exciting enough just standing outside the stadium, seeing torrents of people go by, hordes of happy, excited people--chatty, bite-sized, teeny-weeny schoolchildren, families with kids, groups of friends, and all. Seeing everyone so happy and eager with anticipation at the celebrations was pretty fun, and being in the thick of the action just as fun, even if being in containers was hardly any action.

And then there were the fireworks, those beautiful, breathtaking, exhilarating fireworks, that I never got sick of despite the countless times we saw them; each of the four times we were there (during the first public preview, National Education show, the final public preview, and on the big day itself), the exploding pyrotechnics just took my breath away as the explosions cracked in my ears and the ground shook beneath my feet, the suddenly-sweet-smelling pungence of explosives permeating my nostrils; it was a complete sensual experience.

It was even more special, National Day itself, as we got a chance to get inside the stadium, and I became an usher inside the stadium (because Singapore was declared SARS-free). It was even more fun, being INSIDE the crowds, seeing everyone up close, directing people and all. And the atmosphere inside the stadium was absolutely electrifying, as the crowds went wild at absolutely everything, at the paratroopers, the paragliders, the songs, the performances, absolutely everything. And I suppose being in green made it all the more special (as much as most of us loathe the greenness of the two and a half years and all), seeing people listen to you (even with no rank on my sleeve/shoulder! haha chao4 private also can), look up to you, saluting the National Anthem and the Colours Party, and just everything.

I really enjoyed National Day very much last year, and hearing the National Day songs just makes my heart flutter as I remember those very memorable times spent at the stadium.

No wonder I'm addicted to them--the harbinger of happy, memorable times. :)