A minute of silence for the beloved former president Devan Nair, the founder of NTUC. You will be remembered in all Singaporean's hearts.

Today I had dinner with my aunt, uncle, and my parents. Very full.
After that, thats the fun part!
We went on a ride on my uncles taxi, looking at the Orchard Road's Christmas lights. One of the worst yet, I must say. But it was nice anyway. Disappointing though. All Marina Square have up there buildings are three balls with Santa and reindeer inside. Must be low on budget this year.
Visa and Toshiba are the only sponsors for the lights. no wonder.

After that, we went back a trip on the memory lane. We went to Amoy Street (Near Tanjong Pagar Maxwell Market), the birthplace of my mom and my dad. Can you believe that they lived like 2 shophouses away and they only known each other after they moved to Telok Blankah HDB flat?
Ah, the enthusiasim to talk about their childhood. My dad has never seen my dad been happier. But I was eager to hear it all too.
They used to live in these shophouses. 2 storeys. 10 families crammed under the roof. But it was fun.
My mom said that every morning once the eyes are open they dashed out to play, until Ah Ma (her mother) shouted 'Ah Cheng ah (which is her hokkien name)' then she came back, no matter where she is.
She said this with pride on her face. Those were the days.
It was crammed, and they were lazy. So my father's family had pulley's that transfer baskets of food down from second storey to the first for my father after a hard day of playing.
My mom remembered that late at night she was too scared to shit in the toliet (it was very very dark as there were no lights) so she when out to the streets and shit at the big drains)
There was a coconut tree then but now its gone. People used to line across the street to wash their clothes. Theres the mama shop that sells grinded coffee and this soya bean milk vendor who comes every 8 o clock.
Every morning is fun and running and games. They take one mug and just go down for food.
Near the Ma Cho Temple was this storyteller who charges 5 cents per story told, and children would sit on the makeshift bench (which was just a piece of plank) and a kerosene lamp would be all the light they have.
Well, gangs were rampant but they were the only way to go. My uncle went to jail when he was 13. He was young then. Noone can know any better when they are 13.
The beds were creeky and the double deckers are so tight and the wood is so old. My dad's double decker bed collapsed one day. Thank goodness noone was sleeping there then.
Those were the days. Enthusiastically they pointed out every corner and building that used to be someplace they go to. There was the movie theatre that has become a school for arts. My mom was she was young used to sneak in with her friends family to watch movies for free. There was a bicycle rental shop that has a big compound for cycling. An old school that is now an office building.
Singapore has changed drastically.
10 years later, when the integrated resorts are finished, Singapore is gonna be even greater.
I look forward to the day which I will, like my parents, tell about my past childhood.

Mom!!!!
What, billy?
Mom, they say I'll burn in hell.
Who are they?
My classmates.
And why would you burn in hell?
Because we pray to different deities and they say that if we don't pray to God we'll go to hell.
Really? But do they know that Singapore is a multiracial society?
Whats a multiracial society?
Well, son, its a place where people can belief whatever they want, and people of different colours and language come together and work together.
That sounds like fun!
Yes it is.
What about what they say?
What they say is wrong. Their family have their own beliefs and so do we. We respect each other's beliefs and adhere to our own. We should not forcefully change other peoples beliefs. That is wrong.
Yes mama.
Now now, don't cry. I've baked chocolate cake for you!
Mama you're the best!