Often, I really feel that residing in Singapore is like residing in a bubble. A well-sheltered bubble. So I crave to have completely different experiences, not keen to settle on this protected zone.
Thus with my free-spirit nature, I wander the world to be taught completely different cultures, meet new individuals, broaden my thoughts and to expertise life.
A wild little one
So I see myself as a wilful little one of the nation; the one who’s all the time attempting to run away. Wherever I’m going, I could be as wild and rebellious as I could be as a result of on the finish of the day, I do know I can return to this secure harbour. Upon my return, Singapore is a mom who receives me together with her open arms and in the end accepts me for who I’m.
I’m not probably the most patriotic individual within the nation, however it doesn’t imply I like her any much less. Like most households, I battle with the love-hate relationship. But it doesn’t matter what, I do know my root is right here.
Saving for wet days
Decades we’ve invested in nation-building weren’t simply the facade of Singapore we showcase to the world. Over the years, we’ve got additionally collected our nationwide reserves.
There have been numerous events the place we questioned when can we withdraw our cash from the reserves. Is it time but? It is for wet days the federal government stated.
That leads us to ponder how a lot cash is inside our reserved funds. We will marvel if the cash has already been squandered away as a consequence of poor funding foresight. You can not blame a Singaporean to entertain such ideas since they by no means disclosed the precise quantity.
Since independence, we managed to navigate by means of completely different crises. From the Asian monetary disaster in 1997 to SARS in 2003 and the worldwide monetary disaster in 2009.
2009 was the yr we dipped into our nationwide reserve for the primary time to save lots of our economic system.
Today marks the historical past because the second time we attain deep into our pockets as our Finance Minister, Mr Heng Swee Keat introduced an S$48 billion Covid-19 Resilience Budget to assist save jobs and giving some monetary assist to assist Singaporeans.
Covid-19 Resilience Budget 2020
This finances is concentrating on to assist employees and to guard their livelihoods, assist self-employed freelancers, provide some monetary assist to households, assist companies permitting them to remain afloat and supporting the CoVid-19 affected sectors.
Naturally, this considerations me as a result of I’m on the entrance of the pack getting the primary blow. I made the conscientious option to be a freelancer realizing that I’m taking the chance with no job safety. I’m grateful for the truth that in troublesome occasions like this, the federal government strikes swiftly providing this resilience finances 2020 protecting freelancers as properly.
While the handouts will assist to ease off the monetary load, alternatively, I’m not was once on the receiving finish as a result of it’s not a small quantity both.
You can argue that that is rightfully our cash so we shouldn’t be pai seh* about taking it again. Since younger, we’ve got been “brain-washed” that we earn our retains. We have realized to not rely upon the federal government or anybody for handouts. Thus, each Singaporean works laborious for our cash.
For now, each little bit counts.
#SGUnited
With the worldwide economic system at jeopardy and persons are requested to remain house on a big scale foundation is a wierd time the place nobody has skilled earlier than. We are additionally navigating on the unknown as we be taught new details about the virus daily.
Since January, our authorities are working laborious to maintain the CoVid-19 state of affairs underneath management. Some make the laborious choices implementing measures to regulate the coronavirus unfold, whereas others guarantee we’ve got sufficient meals provides and well-stocked supermarkets. Also, not forgetting those that have helped put our supplementary finances collectively.
Our frontline medic crew faces our invisible enemy head-on whereas many unsung heroes who work behind the scene. For instance, the individuals doing contact tracing, individuals cracking mysteries of latest clusters and airline crew who convey our individuals again house from everywhere in the world and plenty of extra! Everyone contributing in a method or one other. #SGUnited
Tough time don’t final however robust individuals do
The cupboard of ministers has not been by means of Singapore’s independence, the early days of nation-building and days the place Singapore tries to make a mark on the world stage. However, they show their capabilities and show management qualities as we proceed to battle this invisible enemy collectively as a nation.
If Mr Lee Kuan Yew continues to be alive, he can be very happy with our individuals.
No one is aware of how laborious or how lengthy this rain goes to maintain going for. All I do know is, that is the wet day the federal government has been speaking about. And that is the interval we had been preparing for.
This is a bubble I name house
Putting our variations apart, right this moment, I stand as a proud Singaporean. That Singaporean who lives contained in the bubble. Thankful to be on this bubble that shelters me from the thunderstorms. When the storm is over, the sky is evident, watch me fly. I’ll take off to wherever my coronary heart (& pockets) takes me. No matter the place I can be, I do know I’ll return to this place I name house.
* a way of disgrace