Damn, I was one person away from taking a photograph with George W. Bush today.
I went to attend the remarks by Bush at UCC today... the waiting was a criminal waste of time. We had to gather at the Central Library 3 hours before the talk to wait for the shuttle bus...queue, queue, queue and queue somemore... and they checked out invitation cards/identification cards just about only 10 times. The talk started at 6, but we were seated by 5pm.
Nevertheless, it was quite a novel experience. The stage was ridiculous... red and white backdrop which everyone thought looked liked a getai. But I guess Bush wouldn't know what a getai is, so nevermind. And there was some gross thing painted on it, like a cross between a Chinese shophouse, perankan designs and Singapore flags... basically a picture of this thing with windows and a million (puny) singapore flags on every single tile.
And Singaporeans are so patriotic. Everyone stood up and clapped when our ministers came in (still think Senior Minister Goh really has an aura about him, probaby the height and the greying hair)... clapped when SM Goh and Tommy Koh walked to the back of the stage (probably for a little chat with Bush... clapped when they walked out of the stage. I think the Americans looked a bit amazed by how much we like to stand and clap. Some people were waving to the ministers.
For a moment, I felt like I was in a Hollywood movie. You'd expect some one to come out and make a little formal speech about how honoured we are to have the president of the United States with us, please stand up and put our hands together to warmly welcome so-and-so, etcetcetc... I guess that's just the Singaporean way of doing things. It was exactly like what you'd see in movies/American Dramas. No one came out. Just a voice booming through the speakers, 'The president of the United States of America.'
And then he just walked right out, triumphantly. No one to usher him onto stage, no bodyguards, no fanfare, just a big bright smile. I almost expected him to start waving.
The first few minutes of his speech sounded like my Social Studies textbook. 'Singapore has come a long way, from a small trading outpost to one of the most vibrant economic hubs of the world... you've belonged to the British, the Japanese... and finally, to Singaporeans... yadayadayaa...you've worked hard and proved you could do it. The world looked at Singapore with pessimism, not believing that a small country with no natural resources could survive...but you proved them wrong...' Sounds like the National Day song that goes, 'There was a time, when people said that Singapore can't make it...but we did.'
The rest of it wasn't much either... about terrorism, global warming etcetc. And lots of 'For any Asian country that is willing to stand up against terrorism and fight for freedom... you'll find a friend in America.' 'The American's displayed the kindness in their blood when we sent out relief to the Tsunami victims.' 'If you are willing to fight for freedom and democracy as opposed to totalitarianism, I promise you that America is your friends'. 'We need to stop the spread of Aids, the Avian flu, SARS..' Well, something along those lines. Basically, he didn't say anything we don't already know.
At least he didn't say anything very dumb. Except for 'We need to spark an economic revolution, to spark a revolution..' ?!! Asia and th region has been attacked by terrorists as well... hotel in Jakarta, Australian embassy in Indonesia... (blah blah blah) and bombings in RUSSIA.'
Gosh, the music that came on when he finished his speech was... attrocious. Imagine hearing Tian2 mi4 mi4 playing while the president of the United States walks down to say hi to everyone. I know we should try to promote local stuff and all, but really, tian2 mi4 mi4?!!! The students were seated in front, so quite a few lucky people got to take photographs with him. I really didn't expect that to be allowed...Bush even got his bodyguards (or whoever they are) to help us take photographs. Oh well, I was standing at the side, and just as he reached us, he got distracted by some Americans seated behind. :( Not that I'm a fan of Bush, but imagine having him with you on your MSN!
Anyway, I messaged my mum to say that I was wearing her blouse when George Bush touched my shoulder, so she can't wash it anymore. And her reply- 'Better wash with bleach, the stronger the better. He has bloody palms.'
I went to attend the remarks by Bush at UCC today... the waiting was a criminal waste of time. We had to gather at the Central Library 3 hours before the talk to wait for the shuttle bus...queue, queue, queue and queue somemore... and they checked out invitation cards/identification cards just about only 10 times. The talk started at 6, but we were seated by 5pm.
Nevertheless, it was quite a novel experience. The stage was ridiculous... red and white backdrop which everyone thought looked liked a getai. But I guess Bush wouldn't know what a getai is, so nevermind. And there was some gross thing painted on it, like a cross between a Chinese shophouse, perankan designs and Singapore flags... basically a picture of this thing with windows and a million (puny) singapore flags on every single tile.
And Singaporeans are so patriotic. Everyone stood up and clapped when our ministers came in (still think Senior Minister Goh really has an aura about him, probaby the height and the greying hair)... clapped when SM Goh and Tommy Koh walked to the back of the stage (probably for a little chat with Bush... clapped when they walked out of the stage. I think the Americans looked a bit amazed by how much we like to stand and clap. Some people were waving to the ministers.
For a moment, I felt like I was in a Hollywood movie. You'd expect some one to come out and make a little formal speech about how honoured we are to have the president of the United States with us, please stand up and put our hands together to warmly welcome so-and-so, etcetcetc... I guess that's just the Singaporean way of doing things. It was exactly like what you'd see in movies/American Dramas. No one came out. Just a voice booming through the speakers, 'The president of the United States of America.'
And then he just walked right out, triumphantly. No one to usher him onto stage, no bodyguards, no fanfare, just a big bright smile. I almost expected him to start waving.
The first few minutes of his speech sounded like my Social Studies textbook. 'Singapore has come a long way, from a small trading outpost to one of the most vibrant economic hubs of the world... you've belonged to the British, the Japanese... and finally, to Singaporeans... yadayadayaa...you've worked hard and proved you could do it. The world looked at Singapore with pessimism, not believing that a small country with no natural resources could survive...but you proved them wrong...' Sounds like the National Day song that goes, 'There was a time, when people said that Singapore can't make it...but we did.'
The rest of it wasn't much either... about terrorism, global warming etcetc. And lots of 'For any Asian country that is willing to stand up against terrorism and fight for freedom... you'll find a friend in America.' 'The American's displayed the kindness in their blood when we sent out relief to the Tsunami victims.' 'If you are willing to fight for freedom and democracy as opposed to totalitarianism, I promise you that America is your friends'. 'We need to stop the spread of Aids, the Avian flu, SARS..' Well, something along those lines. Basically, he didn't say anything we don't already know.
At least he didn't say anything very dumb. Except for 'We need to spark an economic revolution, to spark a revolution..' ?!! Asia and th region has been attacked by terrorists as well... hotel in Jakarta, Australian embassy in Indonesia... (blah blah blah) and bombings in RUSSIA.'
Gosh, the music that came on when he finished his speech was... attrocious. Imagine hearing Tian2 mi4 mi4 playing while the president of the United States walks down to say hi to everyone. I know we should try to promote local stuff and all, but really, tian2 mi4 mi4?!!! The students were seated in front, so quite a few lucky people got to take photographs with him. I really didn't expect that to be allowed...Bush even got his bodyguards (or whoever they are) to help us take photographs. Oh well, I was standing at the side, and just as he reached us, he got distracted by some Americans seated behind. :( Not that I'm a fan of Bush, but imagine having him with you on your MSN!
Anyway, I messaged my mum to say that I was wearing her blouse when George Bush touched my shoulder, so she can't wash it anymore. And her reply- 'Better wash with bleach, the stronger the better. He has bloody palms.'
Chengwei looked out at 8:31 pm
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