National Day Parade 2008

Happy National Day!!

Yesterday is really tiring but I am still able to take it. Went home with tired lower limbs and a sore throat. All bay ambassadors get to have a funpack after the event. We took a combined photo together with the chairman of the NDP at the road below the lime green sector. Was hoping to take it at the steps on the floating platform but it's taken by the PA people. Just hope that I can be seen in the picture. I left there at around 11pm, missed the first bus and have to wait for the next one. I keep having a feeling to continue partying.

I went there early yeaterday hoping to take some pictures. But it ended up that I helped the EXCO to carry the drinks. Sian, KS got free ride because he helped the EXCO people while I don't have. So ironic while I live so near their office. =.= Anyway, because I carry those drinks, I dirtied my uniform. I haven't start work and my uniform turn from white to black. Zzzzz..

I am given a ticket because I had full attendance for the NE shows. Gave it to my auntie. Too bad that I can't find the second one for my brother. Went to the gallery to look for my auntie during dinner time. Watched the flight show together with my auntie. So happy! The black knights did the heart-shape despite the bad weather. Whee~

I saw Yushi while I was looking for my auntie. Gave her a chocolate coated mashmallow. It took me a while to recognise her though. Smart of her to take off her cap as she realise that I can't recognise her in the NDP cap. Specially bought those mashmallows on Friday because I want to give it to my group and other friends made there. So nice of Dad to make a special trip to drive me to the shop to buy those mashmallows even though he is still not happy with the idea that I took part in the NDP.

For my job, I didn't get to give out breads or funpacks. I was posted to marina square carpark intially. Switched with KS to be outside so that I can see fireworks. Wanted to switch because I am rather sensitive to smell too. Exhaust gases can make me vomit. Got to be the VIP usher at outside. At my position, together with Shangari, we waited for sooooooo long till two VIPs appear. The rest of the VIPs took the other entrance. We were chatting and crapping when these two VIPs appear. We were so shock as we thought that all the VIPs would take the other entrance. The reason is that the staircase we were in-charge of is the staircase that the performers would come down from. Cheered and waved to the line-dancing people though. We were lethargic because there are no people for us to get engaged with while we see public moving in at opposite side of the road, which is the promenade. Lucky that the two VIPs didn't say anything. Phew..

After the two VIPs were escorted across the road, Shangari and I are back to our self-entertainment. Glad that Jolene called me later to go to the other position. I escorted two VIPs! Wow! Found out that they are not really VIPs as they are just invited guests. Well, not bad la. Still don't like the communications and instructions given. After escorting the two invited guests, I stand awkwardly at my position. The outside sector leader that redeployed me just ignored me. I feel like a pillar. I do not know how to engage with the public when there are two people using the loud hailer and that leader ask me to stand there and wait as the invited guests will look for me. How do they know that I am their usher? Odd. It ended up that I didn't usher anyone after that two invited guests.

It rained while I was waiting for the invited guests to look for me. As it's just a drizzle, I decided not to wear my poncho as wearing that poncho is a little troublesome. Alex shouted at me for that. =.= Anyway, good thing for being at that area is that the marching contingent march from suntec to gate 2! Since I am at gate 1, they have to march past me! Woohoo! Took a video of them marching past. They are really cool and well-coordinated.

After the marching contingent marched in, it's dinner time. Ate a little and went to look for my auntie. The connection at the promenade is really bad. I wonder why. I have problem making phone calls and people have problems calling me. It took me a while to locate Shangari. The PA performers and the silat performers just finished their items and are walking pass the dispersal plan group to prepare for their finale. I waved and cheered for them, saying that they had done a great job. After some shouting and waving, together with some other ushers of course, we went to take position for the dispersal. I am the third usher from the entrance! Fighted for that position though. Haha. Everybody wanted to be able to watch the fireworks display. So glad that I managed to view it. Woohoo!

After the fireworks is the surge out of the public. I shout so much that I finish one bottle of water within thirty minutes. Didn't drink that much while I was in the hot sun in the afternoon. Some lovely public had fun together with me. One uncle want a hi-5, he hit it so hard till my left palm hurt for the rest of the night. one auntie wanted a hi-5 too. But we are not so coordinated. End up me counting one, two, thre, hi-5! Haha. Got a family very cute. Ask me whether they can take picture with me. Haha. The camera flash blinded me for some time. =S My voice turn so weird after shouting for one and a half hour. A bit off tune and I had some problem controlling it.

The dispersal job is easier than my job in the afternoon as I am not very familiar with the jobscope for my afternoon posting even though it's simple as I just need to walk with the invited guests.

It's combined photo-taking as promised by Mr Raymond Huang. Spend some time waving goodbye to other people and doing some crazy stuffs before proceeding to the road below the lime green sector. There are many unconsiderate people that raise their hands to block people at the back despite they were told to put down their hands. Height is biological issue that can solved by the rearrangement but the EXCO doesn't really care as they are in the front row and it is confirmed that they will be in the picture. Feel so bad that volunteers are not that important just because our 'rank' is the lowest. Keep hearing things like how important the ushers are and yet to me, their action are so not the same as what they say. Guess this is the problem of a production line management, workers feeling of alienation. Standing on flat ground is not as nice as having the picture taken on the steps as there is a higher probability that everybody can be seen.

Anyway, the NDP chairman tell us that this is his last year with NDP as the chairman. The talk given to us by him is good I must say. He don't sounds like he rehearsed those sentences though. Haha.

Overall, I enjoyed myself even though I am not as high as NE show 1 and 2. Everybody has done a great job. The bay ambassadors, the police officers, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel, those involved in the performances, the motivators, the organisers, the technicians, the cleaners, the spectators and those that I have not heard of that play a part in this parade.

I love Singapore!!