Because Singapore is so small...

1) Because Singapore is so small, we can't find enough enthusiastic people to perform for our national day parade, unlike the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. If you look at the scale of their performance for the Opening, you'll be blown away!

For Singapore, we even have to resort to getting spectators, yes, spectators of the NDP (at the Padang) to do a formation as part of the programme. -_-"

2) Because Singapore is so small, we don't have a huge pool of people to pick to nurture as sports talents. No Michael Phelps (He is so amazing I think God created him to inspire the world).
No Yao Ming.
So we import.

But you may say, hey Esther, don't be narrow-minded. The world is our home. It doesn't matter where the athletes are born, as long as they are willing to fight for Singapore.

But let's face it, in our globalised world, contradictary to popular claims, boundaries matter so much more. Afraid to lose our identity to the ever-changing globalised culture, many are scrambling to demarcate ourselves; to be different. We want so much to protect our identity as a Singaporean (or at least for me).

So does Li Jiawei or Tao Li know how is it like to take the old, non-air-conditioned SBS bus, with wooden seats?
Or to brush their small, milk teeth beside the drain during primary school?
Or experienced the pressure of PSLE?

And that's what being a Singaporean is about - having gone through the history of everyday life, right in the land we call Singapore.

Despite this being said, I have to admit, I'm still proud that Tao Li got into the finals of the Olympics, especially when Singapore's name was mentioned.

*cue Majulah Singapura*

3) Because Singapore is so small, I managed to get acquainted with my primary school classmate once again, through my uni friends. He has been made famous (or maybe infamous... Hmm.) for his performance during our Primary Six post-PSLE class concert as Doraemon, prancing around outside the canteen with his Doraemon towel. Just imagine.

He really was comical and entertaining, and still is now.
I was laughing so hard at his LAME quips during our recent dim sum buffet outing (the dim sum buffet was blah, quite a letdown... So guys, don't go to River City Restaurant at Peninsula Excelsior Hotel for dim sum okay!).

Still the joker, aren't you, Qun Bao?