We tend to think the grass is greener on the other side, that Singapore isn’t good enough a country to live in and that like everything we complain. Even <a href=" parking at HDB carparks can also kena complain. But on the other hand, we are also quick to defend our home whenever someone else comes close to misrepresenting us – like when we’re asked if Singapore is in China. There’re gazillion things that we do complain about, but deep down, we still call Singapore our home. With Singapore’s 52nd birthday just a day away, we reminisce on 9 symbolic National Day moments. Throughout the years, these are moments that have not only brought out the Singaporean Spirit in even the least patriotic of us, but are also important moments that are significant to the history of Singapore and her birthday.

1. When Mr. Lee Kuan Yew Appeared For His Last NDP

We all know how devoted our late founding father, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, was to Mrs Lee. As much as it was a private affair, the nation watched as Mr Lee gradually grew frail after Mrs Lee’s passing.

With reports surrounding Mr Lee’s deteriorating health leading up to National Day in 2014, rumours spread on whether he was going to attend the National Day Parade (NDP). And when Mr Lee did make his appearance, many of us were filled with a comforting sense of relief to see him. As we would for our own ah kong (grandfather), we were also concerned to see that he had aged substantially.

2. When It Rained Heavily On The Parade But Nobody Left

For as long as most of us millennials can remember, every NDP has been ‘blessed’ with good weather, with the only exception in 2008, where it started drizzling before the parade started. However, for the older folks, it was a reminder of how stoic everyone was at the 1968 NDP in the face of a storm. Even with a heavy downpour, everyone stood their ground. <a href=" Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong best puts it, “Those of you who were there will never forget it. It was a downpour, we froze, we were drenched. Our instruments had to be turned upside down to pour the water out. We watched to see if we stood or if we ran for cover. Nobody ran for cover, we shivered but we stood there and we marched with pride.”

3. When There Were No Red Lions At NDP

Of all the highlights of an NDP, one of the most popular segments is when the Red Lions make their jump. So when their segment got cancelled in 2015 due to poor weather, we were really upset. On one hand, we were sad for not being able to witness a critical part of NDP. On the other, we felt sorry for the Red Lions - can you imagine having trained for months to perfect your jump yet not be able to perform it on the actual day? Moreover, for something as monumental as SG50. Yet again, we were pretty bummed that Red Lions was forgone at SG51 due to safety concerns of parachuting down to the National Stadium. That’s two years in a row that we’re missing them. And we’re really looking forward to seeing them this year.

4. When Mr Lee Kuan Yew Wasn't Around At SG50

On the first NDP after Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s passing, we couldn’t have Mr Lee here with us, so in his seat taking his place was a bouquet of yellow orchids - a heartwarming act by the organisers (or whoever it was). This video tribute dedicated to Mr Lee tugged at our heartstrings as well: Watch from 21:21 onwards.

Also, a recording of Mr Lee reading the Proclamation of Independence was played for the first time ever to public. What makes the message even more meaningful is that this recording was played at exactly 9am on 9th August through local radio, TV channels, and across 82 grassroots-led National Day observance ceremonies islandwide.

5. Whenever We Do The Kallang Wave

Legend has it that it all started with a football match at Kallang Stadium. If you’ve ever had the chance to watch the parade live, you’d know how fun it is to be part of a Kallang Wave. No matter how ‘old’ or cliché this tradition is, since NDP has already ‘outgrown’ Kallang Stadium for years, the feeling of doing the wave altogether with the crowd gives you an inexplicable sense of pride and joy.

6. Whenever They Bring Out The Big Guns At The Parade

Another popular favourite of ours is the Dynamic Defense Display. Probably the only time most of us get to marvel at tanks, helicopters, and a myriad of other special land, air, and sea vehicles that we will never remember the names of.

We got even more excited when some of the troops down the aisle right beside the audience at the parade, even though we may be watching it from home.

7. Whenever “Home” Comes On

“Home” is still, hands down, the best NDP song, ever. It’s the only song that everyone knows and remembers by heart. Discounting the songs before the 2000s, there are really only a handful of other catchy ones that we remember off the top of our heads, like We Will Get There and Where I Belong. But ultimately, nothing can compare to the familiarity, happiness, pride, and love of the nation when you sing the legendary chorus, “This is home, truly, where I know I must be...”

8. When You Catch The State Flag Fly Past Wherever You Are

Not everyone gets the privilege of seeing our state flag fly past with its Chinook entourage. But those who do, love it.

Young or old, we’d run to the window to catch a glimpse of the flag as the Chinooks fly past our house before running back to the TV to continue watching the parade. And if we caught it on its way to the parade, we’d point at the TV in excitement when it appears on TV, and we’ll feel damn proud that we saw the flag before everyone else did.

9. Wearing Red Or White On 9^th August

It doesn’t matter that you’re not going attending the parade, or that you’re merely out to da bao your dinner home to watch the parade on TV. But when you see everyone in Red or White, you’ll feel proud of Singapore and Singaporeans. For once, you’ll be proud of yourself for dressing up like the rest of Singapore, even though you’re spending the day at home. Not forgetting the annual Giordano T-shirt sales for national day - where else are you going to get cool tees perfect for 9th August right?

Happy 52nd Birthday Singapore!

It could be the fireworks at the end of NDP, or as simple as watching the parade at home with your family, but there are definitely a lot more little moments that have brought out the Singaporean spirit within us. How about you? Share with us the moments that have brought out the Singaporean pride in you! Also read, Don’t Know What The Heck To Do After You Graduate? That’s Okay, We Didn’t Either. (Top Image Credit: <a href=" La)

After over 20 years of rushing assignments and mugging for papers, you’ll heave a euphoric sigh of relief that you’ve finally graduated. Then come the questions from friends, lecturers, and family: “So what’re going to do next?” or “Have you applied for jobs yet?” For some, you’ve got your ideal path charted out for yourself – good on you! But for many, those questions are as dreadful as the “why are you still single” questions at every family gathering, because honestly, you don’t really know. In the case that you’re stepping out into the ‘working world’, you do have interests of course. You’re keen to learn and grow in a job somewhere, somehow. Yet, you’re filled with doubts. Whether you’ve just graduated and feeling lost, or (like me) have been unsure and hopping from one job to another, know that that’s fine. There’re many Singaporeans who’ve gone through this phase as well, and that doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re flaky. We reached out to 5 Singapore millennials, who shared their journey in finding themselves and their career path.

“Time is so important, so do something you truly find satisfaction in.”

I don't think I had any idea of what I really wanted to do after graduation. I went into procurement, HR, and corporate services on my first job, which wasn't something I expected to be doing at all since I studied Sociology. I then moved on to PR, and today I’m an editor at an online publication. Switching between jobs is something pretty common among peers, and it's not because we're 'soft' or anything. We're just taking more time to find a path that truly suits us. I have switched to different work scopes myself, as I was finding a field I could truly excel and find satisfaction in. Personally, I leave the moment I feel like I'm stagnating, because time is so important. And after going through three jobs, I kind of know where I find the most job satisfaction and which path I can embark on.

It’s Alright…

Don't be afraid to try different jobs, but always know what you're looking for in the long term and work towards it. Don't waste yours, or anyone else's time. – Melissa, 27, Graduated 2013, on the 3rd job

“Everyone’s got a different mindset, so don’t get pressured by others”

Since I graduated with a degree in Banking and Finance, I've changed three jobs and am on my fourth now. I was a bank teller for a year and a service ambassador for another. Afterthat, I taught at an enrichment centre – I used to give tuition during my poly days and I love kids. It was a fulfilling two years before I joined Singapore Airlines as a stewardess. I am a mortgage broker today and my job is to find the best private home loan for homeowners. One of my reasons for switching jobs is to seek new challenges in life. I also felt that I needed to explore different careers before settling on one. I feel that everyone has a different mindset. My parents, spouse, friends, and colleagues have all been very supportive and they would encourage me to go for what I want instead of staying stagnant. However, there were interviewers I met who'd comment on how I changed jobs too quickly and that my experience in different industries varies too much (to be useful).

It’s Alright…

Take your time to find the right career. Your first job may not be your last. Learn as much as you can from every job. Lastly, don't get pressured by anyone, just follow your heart. – Patrina, 27, Graduated 2014, on the 4th job

“If You Are Unsure, Just Try Everything.”

I wanted to be a Radio DJ when I started studying Mass Communication in poly, but my interest pivoted to advertising while there and that stuck until when I was in uni. I got an internship in events management when I left uni, and stayed on in events for about 3 years in 3 different companies. I eventually left in 2016 to pursue something entirely different: standup comedy. I am currently freelancing as an AV crew and emcee, but it’s more to feed myself while I pursue standup comedy. Ultimately, I see standup as my long-term goal. My parents weren’t too pleased with my hopping around from one job to another. They'd say that prospective employers will think I’m not loyal or capable enough to stay in a company. And I do agree. I’ve had bosses who would tend to comment things like, “aiya, all these young kids now like that one la” whenever a (millennial) colleague leaves the company. I think it’s normal for older generations to ‘compare’ and stereotype because we all do. Concurrently, I do think there are people our generation who are pampered.

It’s Alright…

If you are unsure, just try everything. Within my limited scope of experience, I feel there are only two types of people who won’t succeed: Lazy people who blame everything on everyone else. And close-minded people who are unwilling to accept change or criticism. Go into every job with an open mind. You never know where it will lead you and what you may suddenly find interest in. As the Chinese saying goes, "船到桥头自然直", which translates to mean ‘when the boat reaches the harbour, it will naturally go straight’. In other words, everything will be alright. – Eugene Soh, 26, Graduated 2015, on the 3rd job

“You’ll Learn More About Yourself Along The Way”

I only vaguely knew what I liked but had no concrete idea of what I wanted to do after I graduate. Not counting the first internship, I'm on my third job after graduation in 2013. From the different jobs that I have done, I learnt a lot more about what I enjoyed and what I wanted to dedicate myself to. And honestly, once you experience the joy of doing something that you truly like, it changes how you view work. I did Sociology in school, started working in the community sector, and now I'm on my second job in the arts industry. And even now, there are still many things that I want to try.

It’s Alright…

Remember that who you are isn’t only reflected by how well you do at work. There’s a lot more that makes up who you are as a person. So it’s okay to not know what you want to do. Just keep trying new things and you’ll learn more about yourself along the way. – Michelle, 27, Graduated 2013, on the 3rd job

“You Will Eventually Find Your Path”

I wanted to become a pre-school teacher when I was young. I even took an early childhood education cert before my Diploma in Business Admin. But after a 3-month internship, I realised it wasn’t something I could do for a long time. At first, I didn’t know what I wanted to do so I just did whatever gave me a better salary. I was practical. But I always find myself getting bored after a year or less. After Poly, I jumped from being a Distributor Support Representative to a Sales Coordinator to a Bank Assistant in an IT dept to  doing admin work at another bank. I finally found my career path on my fifth job, in events management. It’s a job that constantly challenges me to innovate and improve, and that gives me great satisfaction, especially when I hear feedback from all the happy clients I work for.

It’s Alright…

You don’t have to worry or think too much about switching jobs. What you’re studying now may not apply to what you’re going do in the real world and work experiences are way more important. Your first job may not be what you like to do and you may end up feeling lost. But it’s just part and parcel of our life. Eventually, you will find a job you like – I did. – Kristin, 29, Graduated 2009, on the 5th job

“Don't Be Afraid To Explore”

One thing for sure, you shouldn’t be afraid to dabble in different things. At the end of the day, if you’re going to be spending all those hours working to survive, make your time worthwhile – do something meaningful for you. Admittedly, we are a generation blessed with a lot more opportunities and possibilities than our moms and dads. So, what better way to take advantage of that than to go forth and explore! Also read, Baristas From 6 Singapore Cafes Spill The Beans On The Weirdest Customer Requests.

So, you’ve just graduated from polytechnic or junior college. For the guys, that means you’re one step closer to national service. While some of you may be excited for the next two years of your lives, some of you are probably nervous about what’s to come. Maybe your mind is buzzing with questions regarding the first 2 (or 4, depending on your physical fitness) months of Basic Military Training (BMT) — we’ve all been there. We asked some of our ex-NSF friends for some of the tips they wish someone had told them prior to enlisting and here are some of our top tips to survive BMT. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

1. Always have a bottle of prickly heat/powder with you

 

This powder is going to be a lifesaver, especially if your feet tend to get sweaty. The prickly heat/talcum powder will keep your feet dry, and foot rot (i.e. Athlete’s Foot) at bay. We’ve seen our fair share of foot rot; it’s itchy, it’s painful… You don’t want to have to deal with it while undergoing your training. Also, there will be times when you don’t get to take a shower, like when you’re outfield, or when there is just not enough time. In these cases, a powder bath will help keep you clean(er) and smelling better.

2. Have a bottle of fabric refresher in your room

As we mentioned earlier, personal time (or ‘admin time’) can be tight. You usually have just an hour or so, sometimes even lesser, which means there will be days when you have no time to wash your clothes. Imagine wearing a smart 4 or long 4 that smells like three-day old sweat. It does not feel good. Spraying your clothes with fabric refresher will keep them smelling nice and feeling fresh, even if you haven’t washed them in days. It also has anti-bacterial qualities, so your clothes do actually get cleaner, even if slightly. Go ahead and spray it on anything else that starts to stink—your socks, your bed, your field pack.

3. Bring a portable charger in with you

Gone are the days when NS boys needed to get a no-camera phone for NS, which usually came with a longer battery life. These days, you can bring your smartphones in, and we all know how weak the battery life can be. Unlike in the outside world where you can conveniently stick your charger into an outlet and charge your phone whenever, you don’t get this luxury in NS. You won’t be allowed to use the wall sockets in camp (Tekong) to charge your phones. Officers and sergeants have shared that there’s limited electrical power in Tekong, so it’s to prevent the island from possible power shortage. So it’s best to bring additional battery packs or a portable charger to power your phone and keep you in contact with your loved ones on the outside.

4. You can never have too much black tape

Buy and bring as much black tape as you want into camp because in the army, there’s no such thing as too much black tape. Whatever the amount of black tape SAF is providing you, buy more, because you’ll need it. Black tape is one of the handiest, most multi-functional tools you can have with you in the army. If anything breaks or tears, that’s your solution. Glasses broken? Black tape. Sandals snapped? Black tape. They also come in very handy during marches. When out on a march, one way to make your field pack feel lighter is to tighten all the adjustable straps all the way. To keep the straps from dangling off and slapping you as you march, fold them up and tape them up with black tape.

5. Bring plenty of coins

Bring plenty of coins into camp. Collect whatever coins you have lying around your room or loose change your family members want to offload, and take them into camp with you. After being in the sun all day, there’s nothing like downing a refreshing, ice cold drink. You’ll be able to get your hands on these at the vending machines in camp.

6. Bring more hangers—especially those with clips

While fabric refreshers, powder, and deodorant are great for keeping your clothes smelling and feeling relatively fresh, nothing beats putting on some clothes that are actually clean. Given your limited personal area, and the strict rule that you have to keep it neat and tidy, drying your laundry can be a pain without the right tools. Having plenty of hangers means you can hang all your clothes neatly, without taking up too much space. If you can, bring in hangers that come with clips; they’re great for small items like socks and underwear. Also, use a marker to mark all your hangers. This will help you distinguish your own clothes from the rest because it’s not uncommon for NSFs’ clothes—admin tees, admin shorts, pants—to get mixed up and for pieces to go missing.

7. Go in with a good attitude and an open mind

When it comes to BMT, attitude makes all the difference. There will be tough times. The training and going outfield can all be tough. But try going into all these things with an open mind, free of preconceived notions. You’ll be surprised by how much better the experience will be.

8. Love your mates because they will be your friends for a lifetime

NS is the time you make mates that are for life. Many of us have made friendships in there that are still going strong to this day. After seeing each other every day and enduring tough times together, you forge a bond you truly can’t find elsewhere. Love your mates and don’t take lightly the relationships you make in the army. You never know how long these guys will stick around in your life.

9. Don't spend all your money during your time in NS 

Being in camp all week, virtually everything you need is provided for. That means it’s actually the best time to save money for more important or necessary things in the future, like a driver’s license, a laptop, or even a house, further down the line. From an old NSmen to a young NSF, one of the things we wish we had done more of was save the money we made while in NS. Partying a little less hard could have done our bank accounts a world of good. With that, our final tip is to save at least some money during your 2 years of NS. You never know when you’ll need it. These days, it is easier for NSFs to save money and grow their savings with POSB Save As You Serve (SAYS).

POSB SAYS

This savings programme is the only initiative in Singapore that is designed specifically for NSFs. It consists of a POSB Save As You Earn (SAYE) savings account which allows you to earn 2% p.a. interest on your monthly savings, AND your choice of having the SAFRA DBS or HomeTeamNS-PAssion-POSB Debit Cards to enjoy 2% cash rebate on contactless MasterCard^® transactions! Here’s how: Step 1: Choose a debiting POSB/DBS account to be linked to your POSB Save As You Earn (SAYE) Account Step 2: Open a POSB SAYE Account

• Save any amount monthly (min. of S$50)
• Pick your preferred date for the savings to be credited into the POSB SAYE Account

Step 3: Chill and watch your monthly savings grow. And if you’re keen to enjoy the additional benefits that come with the debit cards, Step 4: Apply for a SAFRA DBS or HomeTeamNS-PAssion-POSB Debit Card, and enjoy access to SAFRA or HomeTeamNS facilities. Plus, exclusive privileges at over 3,000 merchants islandwide! For a limited time only, sign up for POSB SAYS and get up to S$74 worth of rewards, including a pair of Shaw Theatres IMAX^® movie vouchers worth S$44, and up to S$30 cashback (promo T&Cs apply). So the next time you book out, you can reward yourself with a treat to the next blockbuster at Shaw Theatres IMAX^®! What’s more, look out for special monthly deals in celebration of POSB’s 140^th anniversary and NS50 from now till November!

<a href=" Out More About POSB Save As You Serve Here!

This post was brought to you by POSB.

When you step into the working world, you’ll realise that you’d see your bosses and colleagues more than your family and friends. And with most of your waking hours spent at work, what you do at work makes a big difference to your daily well-being and mental health. While you probably want to be doing something you enjoy yet pays you enough to survive, there are other deal-breakers to look out for in a job. No matter how much you love what you do or how chummy you are with your colleagues, you'll still go nuts if you have a micro-manager nitpicking every single piece of your work, or a perpetually PMS-ey boss who lashes out at you for no particular reason. For the lucky ones, everything has been smooth-sailing. But for most of us, we’ve had to suck it up with difficult bosses at some point of our working lives. We reached out to some Singapore millennials on the most terrible experiences they have had with bosses. Here are their horror stories. *Names have been changed for privacy reasons.

1. “They made staff pay for 'errors', and spread rumours”

They’d ask staff to compensate monetarily for errors, even if it's not exactly the staff's fault. For example, if we had to spend more for a project than we initially budgeted for because client expected more or a vendor increased their charges, we have to pay that amount ourselves. It's also worth noting that we weren't getting any allowance, neither were we get commission for any sales closed or project done. More often than not, these are small amounts that the company can cover without making a loss. The bosses cut down money on a lot of things to save money for the company, are very stingy in pay increment, and they’d even cut the pay of part-timers. Yet, they were able to buy new branded cars themselves - although not directly linked, this didn't reflect well on their generosity towards staff. I was getting a form of non-monetary benefit as part of my remuneration package. Back then, my boss promised me that if that benefit happened to be removed, I’d get a pay increment of $200 - $300. When that benefit got removed because a colleague found out about it and made noise, my boss said that he never mentioned the pay increment. To that, I said to him, “you said that you remember (about the benefit when we started talking about this) earlier!” To which he replied, “I changed my mind.” When I resigned, there were rumours about my resignation and the disagreements between the boss and me spreading in the office. To regain the trust of the staff in them, my bosses started spreading fake stories about me after I left. They told the whole company about me being ungrateful to them and stealing their clients, making themselves look like the 'victim'. They even told my ex-colleagues not to be friends with me because I was no longer a friend of theirs and the company. I knew about it because I was close with my ex-colleagues and they told me. – Charlene, 28, Events

2. “She didn’t let me mingle with colleagues, and didn’t want to pay me”

I wasn’t too keen on settling on this job but I was kind of pressured into it. The boss seemed to really need someone and I decided to help. She wanted me to sign the contract on the day of the interview, but I requested time to consider. I eventually agreed the next day. The moment I entered, I was clearing so many backlog from the previous staff, such as re-organising all my boss' documents and tidying her office, which were all in a big mess. Admittedly, the load wasn't too unmanageable. However, I did make mistakes as a newcomer. One of my daily tasks was to send reminder texts to consultants who had sessions with my boss that day, even though they already knew their schedules with the boss. Once, I missed out one of the consultants, and my boss started making snide remarks at me, like how my focus seem to be on dance and not on work. I do admit to the few blunders I made during my first few days on the job, but I was honestly doing my best to fulfill her expectations. Those personal remarks really weren’t necessary. Furthermore, the mistakes didn't result in anything major. I also learnt from my colleague that my boss was already intending to replace me, even on my first few days there. Moving forward, things didn’t get better. I wasn’t allowed to mingle with colleagues from other departments. As a HR and PA, I had access to my boss’ schedule and other personal details, so she feared that it’d be a conflict of interest for me to hang out with others in the company. The ‘best part’ came when she told me about a work trip she was going on. She believed that when she was away, I would have nothing to do, and she wasn’t willing to pay me for that. She said that since I was under probation, she wouldn’t need me around anyway. Nowhere in the contract was it stated that this could be done. That was the last straw. I wasn’t going to sit around and be treated like trash, so I told her that I quit. – Shi Min, 26, HR and PA

3. “He 'spoils' the machines and keeps quiet about it”

We often have to do maintenance in the engineering line. Whenever that happens, this supervisor would go around meddling with tools and will seem to be physically working on various equipment. But it’s obvious to everyone in the department that he does that to put on a show that he is "helping". He'll then sit in front of the computer for the entire day, and nobody knows what he actually does. He has very ‘itchy hands’ and will try to modify our machines to make them work more efficiently. But if the machines stop working after his ‘modification’, he will just return to his office quietly, leaving us to figure out what happened to the machines. Most of the time he makes our work tougher than it should be, as we often end up spending half our day fixing his ‘modification’. We couldn't question him either, because he will just reply with a lot of rubbish to shut us up. He'll criticise others before acknowledging his own mistakes. He’s a typical ‘all talk, no action’ character. As a supervisor and boss, you should lead by example and not be irresponsible like this. – Aaron, 25, Engineering

4. "She insisted that she's a good friend and boss but messed with my private life"

I was about 4 months old with the hotel and she was my new marketing manager who came aboard when I was on a holiday trip. We were initially on very good terms and bonded well as we were both from girls school. She was very nice and we were close friends. Then, she started becoming very bossy and bitchy. She'd mentally torture me by making complaints to my GM that I was rude to her (I shouted at her), adding that I wasn't producing quality work and insisted on getting me fired or even hiring a more suitable intern to take over my role (note that I was at an executive level). She made me do all her dirty work and would claim credit whenever opportunity arose. But all these are still not the main point. Throughout this whole ordeal, she insisted that she's a really good friend. However, she had probed into and meddled with my personal life and not in a good way (so much that I had to block her on Facebook). I had the misfortune of introducing her to my then boyfriend's mother when we bumped into each other on our work trip. She went to the extent of badmouthing me behind my back to my then boyfriend's mother, accusing me of being rude, lazy, irresponsible and very difficult to work with. I loved my job and the people there, but she made me give it all up. When I tendered, she was exceptionally nice to me when I was serving notice. Then on my very last day, she gave me hell, releasing her anger on me because she haven't found someone to take over me. It was so bad, my HR in-charge stepped in and stood up for me. And it didn't just stop when I left. She still had the balls to message and invite my then boyfriend's mother to her housewarming party. – Elly, 27, Hospitality and Tourism Marketing

5.“I was was paid peanuts to be a one-man show”

I worked as a marketing executive, managing branding and promotions for a new cafe chain. However, I ended up being a one-man show who does opening and closing, washing the cups, mopping the floor, handling renovation works, hire part-timers, order ingredients, and was also the cashier, barista and overall F&B manager. As a fresh grad then, I was very eager and willing to learn. My boss had a way with manipulating that mindset, making everything seem like it was part of my job. Whenever he suddenly needed something, he will just throw me in to get it done. When he hired a chef, he made me go through and learn all the F&B SOPs together with the chef. Overtime, it became clear that he only cared about the success of the cafe. He never bothered about welfare. Every time he appeared, he'll only ask about the sales for that day, or whether I've picked up latte art yet. When I resigned, I didn’t even have time to go back to office to pack my things, I was still stuck in the cafe all day. Bear in mind that I was literally doing everything but only getting paid for the marketing executive job that I signed up for.” – Shirlyn, 28, Marketing and Branding

If you are fortunate enough to not have experience any of such office nightmares, good for you! And if you have, we’re with you. Perhaps you can even share your tales with us – just don’t get yourself into any trouble! Also read, 10 Brutal Punishments We Suffered As Kids – As Told By Singaporeans. (Top Image Credit: Quick and Dirty Tips)

Singapore is known for being one of the safest countries in the world. However, nothing (or no place) is perfect. Like the tag line we all know by heart, low crime doesn’t mean no crime. While countries like the US are rife with stories of everyday instances of sexual harassment, this is not all that unusual closer to home, right here in Singapore; we just don't hear about them as often. Enter the cheekopek (pervert). We see stories of cheekopeks on our news feeds every so often. Recently, a female NUS graduate was sentenced to jail for <a href=" unsuspecting victims in a gym’s changing room. There was also the instance of a man trying to film a woman secretly on the MRT. While some cases make the news and make headlines, many other instances of sexual harassment go unreported and are left untold. We reached out to Singaporeans and asked if they've ever had a run-in with a cheekopek and we were surprised by the response. Only 3 of the 21 people asked said they had never had such an experience. With the promise of  anonymity, here are some of the personal accounts of people who've experienced or seen sexual harassment first-hand. TRIGGER WARNING: This article contains information about sexual harassment which may be triggering or uncomfortable. 

"He was masturbating while taking photos of my lower body"

I was studying at one of the study tables at Jurong Library. There was a middle-aged man who looked a bit pai kia, sitting opposite me at another table. He kept his fanny pack on, took his time to fish out his mobile phone and put it on the table before opening a book to read with just one hand. No problem with that. But I looked up a few times and found it funny that he was reading his book upside down. A few minutes later, a library makcik tapped my shoulder and asked me to follow her. When we were out of earshot of that man, she told me, "I think you should move to another table." I asked why. She said, "The guy in front of you is using his other hand [to masturbate] and another phone to take pictures of your lower body." – T, 26

"He tried to take photos of me discreetly"

I was in the train on the way to work one morning and there was this guy sitting opposite me, holding up his phone in my direction. It wasn’t very crowded and I could clearly see the reflection of his phone on the train window – he was trying to take photos of me discreetly. I glared at him and he stopped. I wasn’t even wearing anything revealing, so it’s even more disgusting to think that I could be a target like this. – F, 25

"They took advantage of 'Free Hugs' and touched our breasts"

I was about 16. A group of us (guys and girls) were giving out free hugs at Orchard Road during Christmas eve – complete with our Christmas hats and big “Free Hugs!” placards. Back then, the crowds at Orchard Road on Christmas eve were overwhelming. There were policemen stationed along the streets for crowd control. There were even barricades to prevent people from spilling onto the roads. We were all having a lot of fun. Then there was this group of men who came up for our free hugs and photos. But when these men posed for the photos, they put their arms tightly around me and they had their hands on the sides of my breasts. It really sickened me that they were taking advantage of this jolly occasion to molest me. It was extremely packed then, so nobody could really see what we were each doing. I shook it off as we were there to have fun. It was only after we started talking about our experiences on the way home that we realised it wasn’t just me, but all the girls in the group had been molested by that same group of men. It's just a disgusting thought and I felt quite ‘dirty’ from that experience. – E, 26

"I saw the Bishan Gay smirking as he eyed a boy up and down"

A few years ago, I always took a certain bus to Bishan and I saw the <a href=" Gay on the bus quite often. He always gave off this suspicious vibe. He liked to sit near the entrance of the bus and check out whoever's boarding. He’d outrightly eye his targets from top to toe and smirk. I often saw him recording his targets on his phone too. There was this one time when I was standing facing the exit doors of the bus, and there was a lower secondary school boy in front of me – the Bishan Gay seemed to have a thing for lower secondary boys, maybe because they wear short pants. Nearing one of the bus stops, the Bishan Gay walked up to that exit door, smirking at the boy as he did so. When he stepped out, he just stood there facing us, smirking while eyeing the secondary school boy up and down. He stared at the boy all the way, even when the doors closed and the bus drove off. It was so creepy and I felt sorry for that boy. – J, 21

"We were stalked by a guy for a long time"

A girl friend and I were walking home and we noticed this guy following us. We got nervous as we were still quite far away from home and it was late at night. It became very obvious that he was stalking us, so we made our way to this mama shop nearby. We made rounds in there hoping that we would shake him off, but no, he followed us out. By then, he had followed us for quite a long time and we were getting really scared. It was dark and there wasn’t anyone around. It wasn’t until we bumped into a guy friend and asked him to walk with us that the stalker went off. On hindsight, there was more that we could have done but back then, we just didn’t think of it. It was a scary experience. – M, 27

"My good 'friend' put his hands up my pants when I was vulnerable"

I’ve had a few personal encounters. I was molested twice at an event, both times by foreigners. It happened really quickly and both guys touched my butt. I didn't know how to react and they just laughed it off. Some of my guy friends said, "Aiyo, it's normal for angmoh [to do this] one la.” However, it really doesn’t feel good to be molested at all, much less have my concerns be brushed away because ‘it’s normal’. I was also touched by my own ‘friend’ before. I went through a terrible break up and my good friend, who happened to be a guy, offered to be a listening ear. Since I saw him as a good friend and really needed to talk to someone about it, I headed over to his hostel to look for him. I cried a lot and got very tired. He asked me if I wanted to lie down to rest for awhile, and I did. As I was resting on the bed, I felt a hand going up my pants. I thought I was dreaming for awhile, then as I shifted my body, I heard him say, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to.” He had taken advantage of my vulnerability and tried to make a move on me physically. I didn't dare to share this with anyone because I was afraid people would think that I was at fault since I went over in the first place. – M, 25

"This weird uncle was pressing his genitals against my knee"

I was sitting at the seats on the bus facing the middle aisle, and this weird uncle was standing in front of me, facing me and pressing his genitals against my knee. The bus wasn’t even that crowded but he kept acting like someone behind him was pushing him towards me. I felt so violated. When I shifted, he adjusted his position and pretended nothing happened. There were a lot of people around but no one helped or said anything. If it were me today, I would have kicked him. – C, 28

"He whipped his d*ck out as I held the door for him"

I stay in a condo and once, when I was entering through the side gate to the estate, I held the door open for this guy whom I thought wanted to enter too. As I stood there and waited, he whipped out his d*ck suddenly and I was like, 'oh okay'. I just walked in and closed the gate, and I saw him scurrying away while zipping his pants. – R, 26

"He was brushing against my ass"

Earlier this year, I was in the train and it was a little crowded. As usual, everyone on the train was standing close to each other. Then at one point, I felt something brushing against my ass. I looked up and saw the reflection on the glass of the train door. This guy standing behind me was in a weird ‘leaning back with pelvis out’ kind of position, looking down, half smirking. I tried moving away, but he kept coming closer every time I did. I finally couldn’t take it and alighted at the next stop. When I stepped out of the train, I realised he had more than enough space behind him to move backwards, but he didn’t. This experience made me afraid to take the train for awhile really. I felt super disgusted and violated. I would have confronted him if I wasn’t too freaked out to react. – P, 24

"He pressed his boner against my butt and started grinding me"

Two years ago, there was a road block along the whole Orchard Road for a festival. Someone touched my butt and I thought it was by accident since it was so crowded. But this guy just kept moving closer to me and continued stroking my butt. Every time I moved away, he followed. At one point, he started pushing his body up against mine. I felt his boner pressed up against my butt, then he started grinding me. I felt so disgusted. I turned around and took a good look at him but he just had his eyes on the stage. My friend was so angry on my behalf and just kept glaring at him up and down. Then she pulled me to get the security on patrol. I told them what happened but by then, the guy was long gone. My friend was relentless though. She remembered what he wore and searched through the sea of people. We eventually found the pervert and called the police on him. It took a while for the whole thing to sink in – that I was physically harassed and molested. I always thought this kind of thing wouldn't happen to me. When I see ads from SPF saying not to stay silent about such matters, I'd think to myself that if it ever happened to me, I definitely would not let the guy go quietly. But when it really happened, it got me in a state of shock. I wasn’t traumatised but my mind just couldn’t comprehend what had happened. – S, 25

Be Careful

Not all men are sleazy and bad, of course. But given that it's not unusual to encounter a cheekopek here, we should all be more aware of our surroundings. Not many of us will know how to react when caught in this unfortunate position ourselves, so next time you notice someone being harassed or targeted by a pervert, do your part and help them out! And to those who’ve been a victim of these cheekopeks, we’re with you. Also read I Became A Dad At 22 – Our Parents Opposed But We Kept The Baby

An article has been making its rounds on the Internet, and this time, it has to do with the use of the words ‘bro’, ‘dude’, and ‘mate’. And no, it’s not being shared for commendable reasons. Straightforwardly titled ‘Guys, please stop saying ‘bro’, ‘dude’, and ‘mate’’, writer John Lui condemned the use of these terms that are commonplace in our everyday conversations. In what reads like an open letter to Singaporeans, he called out users of these terms for doing so to “act superior [without wanting to] to sound like a prat, even when he is being a gigantic prat”, also implying that people tend to use terms like ‘bro’ when asking for a favour. We’re not sure if the article drew inspiration from Mr Tan Kin Lian’s famous Facebook comment from a while back: “I find the word dude to be rather rude.”

A statement that was made innocently enough, it attracted a mob of troll commenters poking fun at him. The post has since been taken down, but as we all know, once you do something remotely embarrassing online, the trail never disappears. You would think one would know better than to make such a remark from this example. It therefore comes as no surprise that this particular #justsaying opinion piece drew the ire of Singapore’s netizens. We broke down the article in all its thoughtful observations, and here’s what we have to say:

This Is Our Social Fabric, Mate

1. To “Bro” Is To Ask For A Favour

"Bro" is often followed by "can I get a discount?" after a deal is set. It is invoking the bro code at the last minute, which is strictly brohibited unless there has been a brolific and brogressive display of broactive behaviour. Get with the brogramme, guys.

The writer suggests the word ‘bro’ is often used in the context of asking a favour. The truth is the word appears in far more varied contexts. We use ‘bro’ to start a conversation amicably with people. “Bro, long time no see!” creates a sense of friendship that's not strictly restricted to people blood-related to you. When you forget someone’s name, ‘bro’ is your savior. You don’t want to come across as indifferent. Be polite. When you are feeling paiseh or are talking about something that might be slightly embarrassing, ‘bro’ helps to tone it down. “Bro, your fly is open.” When you are giving advice or are trying to calm a friend down, ‘bro’ helps keep the conversation cordial and relaxed. “Eh bro, don’t angry lah!” versus “Oi, don’t angry lah!” While the first may be annoying, the second will surely fuel your rage.

2. Punctuating your sentences with "Bro"

Another thing about "bro" - it is the favourite of drive-time deejays. It is used in the sorts of ways - as punctuation, as a punchline, as a time-filler - that make me want to punch the car radio.

One thing the writer does get right is that ‘bro’ is often used as a sort of punctuation. While ‘dude’ and ‘mate’ aren’t as common (who says ‘mate’ in Singapore, anyway?), ‘bro’ is so widely used in Singapore, it is a part of our social fabric. Just like we use Singlish terms such as ‘lah’ and ‘lor’ to express things no other words can, ‘bro’ has come to be a way we ‘prefix’ our conversations. What other word carries the same meaning and essence as 'bro'? None that I can think of.

3. To “Bro” is to give a false sense of closeness

For women, I've been told their equivalent of "mate" or "bro" is "babe". Like "bro", "babe" is meant to flatter, implying that the speaker has granted the other the wonderful gift of closeness, thus giving the user of the word the right to be a total donkey.

What’s wrong with using ‘mate’, ‘bro’, or ‘babe’ to “grant the other party the wonderful gift of closeness”? Is it such a terrible thing to build rapport in conversations? Should we instead be keeping our conversational partners at arm's length? Last I checked, no one benefits from that. No one enjoys that interaction, no new relationships can bud from there... And really, that would be an awkward interaction.

To Bro Or Not To Bro 

So what do you think? Passionately believe the word 'bro' should be abolished? Don't really care? To bro or not to bro? You decide. Also read The Breakup Reasons These 10 S’poreans Gave Their Ex-es Will Make You Say ‘WTF’

It seems Singaporeans are not quite done with picking on our men in uniform. In a letter published on All Singapore Stuff recently, contributor Elaine ranted about the recurring massive jams around the White Sands area on Friday nights. Blaming parents who drive and park around to pick up their sons from army, she wants “these parents and army boys to know what kind of confusion and delays they have caused”, and that they “are enjoying their conveniences at the expense of other innocent motorists!” Airing grievances such as having to “get stuck for at least 15 minutes to get out of that place,” she calls for MINDEF to take action. She then reproaches the parents for “pampering their boys whom are serving their NS”, even making remarks like “Are these boys paralysed? Or need to be spoon fed?” and “So these army boys are what? VIPs?” Perhaps this is what she expects from all of us:

Constant Public Scrutiny

Thanks to ‘Stomp culture’, our poor NSFs have gotten their unfair share of being slammed and ridiculed for the most ludicrous reasons. How many times have you seen reports calling out soldiers for taking up seats on public transport? Our soldiers deserve a seat as much as we do. There is no law stating that they cannot take up a seat on the train, and yet it's not rare for them to be shamed for doing just that. Like in this report, where the writer so conveniently crops the empty seat out of the photo, making the NSF look inconsiderate for not giving up his seat to an elderly woman.

Or this lady commuter, who is so affected by the “air pollution” from NSFs who book out every Friday.

The Adverse Effect Is Real

These young men go through grueling weeks in camp serving the nation, and when they're out, they have to put up with such criticism. Because of the constant public scrutiny, the fear of public condemnation among NSFs is real. A post on SAF Confessions tells of how two recruits were standing hesitantly, unsure of whether or not to sit, even though the train was empty.

Evidently, they are not the only ones. This photo shared by Facebook user Teguh Budiman, is captioned “Sad what public media has done isn’t it.”

This social experiment by The Hidden Good is another good example of how uncomfortable our NS men are when in the public eye. Even when a seat was put up just for them, no one took a seat. Sad, isn’t it?

Going Beyond Military Duties

The NSFs in our country have done plenty of good and we thought it would be good to shine a light on their service to the nation, even when off-duty.

Like this soldier, who walked hand-in-hand with an elderly man as he went to purchase a tooth brush. It is especially heartwarming as it was a random stranger who grabbed onto his arm out of the blue.

Kudos to these men for their acts of kindness too: Noticing Madam Loh Ngiuk Lan with her wheelchair-bound mother-in-law, this group of RSAF soldiers physically carried the wheelchair-bound elderly up the stairs because the lift wasn’t working. These soldiers, who weren't in uniform, even offered to return to carry Mdm Loh’s mother-in-law down the stairs again when they were done.

This group of off-duty SAF medics spotted an elderly woman with a bandaged head and immediately stepped forward, using their professional skills to help her.

There was also this kind NSF soldier who found a wallet and went all the way to the owner's home to return it to her.

And this sweet lieutenant, Tee Chze Hao, who helped carry a little girl as her mother's hands were full with things and their destination was quite a distance away.

Give Them A Break

The next time you go off on a tirade about these NSFs, spare a thought for them. Stop snapping and shaming. While it may seem like nothing, such hurtful remarks can have a big impact on the countless men who toil to protect us. Give them a break, and more importantly, give them the respect they deserve. Also read 10 Brutal Punishments We Suffered As Kids – As Told By Singaporeans

People say kids say the darndest things. I say we were told the darndest things. We’ve all heard stories like how we've been picked up from the long kang, or that the mangali or the police will catch us if we’re naughty. We asked millennials what other ridiculous things they believed as gullible kids and here are their hilarious stories.

The Classic Tales

1. “A tree will grow out from my stomach and my mouth if I swallow seeds.” – Celine 2. “That the moon is a spy because it follows us everywhere.” – Alvin 3. “If you sleep beside a boy, you will get pregnant.” – Carmela 4. “I shouldn’t hold the chopsticks too high when I eat noodles, or else I will marry someone from far, far away. Who knows, I’m dating a Malaysian now, so quite true?” – Natasha 5. “The amount of rice left in your bowl after a meal will determine how many pimples your future wife/husband's face will have.” – Daniel 6. “If you point at the moon and don’t apologise, the moon will cut your ear.” “Cannot shake leg, if not money will fly away.” – Roger 7. “That sweets can grow ants! The very first time, my mum told me in Mandarin “生蚂蚁” (literally translated to mean grow ants), and after that, really seeing sweets with ants, I believed it.” “I used to believe that when I tell lies, my nose will grow like Pinocchio. When I was young, I would always hold my nose after I told a lie, and when adults kept saying that I have a really high nose, I believed it was because of lies.” – Wynn

The Monsters

8. “I believed in the Window Monster. My mom said that if I lean on the window, the Window Monster will grab me.” – Annabelle 9. “You know those black, round manhole covers on the floor of wet markets? I used to think that there are crocodiles inside. My sister told me she lied to me back then because she just wanted to scare me.” – Kristin 10. “It was very popular for those Chinese zombie movies to be playing on TV back then. The zombies are those that will hop around with a yellow talisman on their foreheads. My mom wanted me to bring a talisman to school as a form of protection, non-related to the zombies. When I refused, she told me it was to stop a zombie if I encountered one, just so I would bring the talisman out with me.” – Wen 11. “My brother used to believe in the Toilet Ghost. His back faces the toilet when he uses the computer at home, so he's afraid of it. He still keeps the toilet door closed today, and he’s still scared of bathing at night.” – Mindy

The Dental Stories

12. “My mom made me believe that if I don’t finish my rice, my teeth will start dropping. I remember there was once I didn’t finish my rice and the next day my baby tooth came loose and dropped out. I kept crying and went to the rice container and said sorry and I wanted my tooth back.” – Kenny 13. “When your baby teeth fall off, if it’s the upper set of teeth, you have to throw it out of the window downwards, and if it’s the lower set of teeth, then you have to throw it upwards. This is so that when you grow up, you will have prefect, straight teeth.” 14. “My parents also made me believe in the Tooth Fairy. They would secretly stash coins under my pillow in place of my tooth.” – Daphnie

The Innocent Ones

15. “My grandma used to have the Rediffusion radio box, and the wire ran into one of the other rooms in her house. Like, it ran up the wall to the ceiling then all the way into another room. It seemed like that room was always locked so I used to think someone was inside doing the show, until we moved and they unlocked the room. I found out it was just a storeroom with a power socket.” – Eugene 16. “My preschool teacher would scare me, saying that if I was naughty, she would put a cone over me and make my head disappear.” - Kenny 17. “I used to believe the MSG packets in Mamee Noodles were silicon packets. My mom said it's to keep the noodle dry and that I will die if I ate it. One day I saw a friend open and pour the MSG packet in and I was so horrified, I told him he will die. That's when I learnt I was cheated by my mom.” – Bling

The Ones About Nature

18. “My friend believed that plants have blood too, like animals.” – Bing Han 19. “I used to believe rock sugar came from real rocks. I found out it was a lie when I scrubbed a random rock for a long time.” – Wendy 20. “If you step on a snail and the shell cracks, it will become huge and eat you up.” – Mai 21. “Back in my mother's kampong in Malaysia, she would give me a small plate of salt and told me to feed the snails when they appear. She said it's their favourite food. I didn't understand why they would disappear after I fed them but she assured me the snails are just shy. Turns out she just didn't want them to ruin her vegetable garden and made me do the dirty work instead.” – Samantha

The Truly Singaporean Ones

22. “I used to believe that Santa Claus would come from the rubbish chute because HDBs got no chimneys and the chute was the closest thing.” – Samantha 23. “I stay in Bukit Batok and used to think Tampines was just next door, because whenever my father drives us out to Tampines, I would sleep in the car and wake up already there.” – Jeremy

The Very Weird Ones

24. “If you bite your fingernails, those leftover fingernails will run to a corner by themselves and when there's enough, it will make a clone of you and take over you – thanks Mr Midnight.” – Jun Yuan 25. “I believed my parents didn't pull my limbs as much as they did for my brothers when we were babies, that's why I'm so short.” “Last time I thought that if I don't shit out from below, the shit will accumulate and come out from my mouth.” – Yun Jie What are some ridiculous or silly things you believed as a kid? Share them with us in the comments below! Also read, The JC Merger Marks The End Of An Era – These Ex-Students Share Their Last Goodbye

Those of you familiar with American TV shows will probably be familiar with kids getting grounded or being made to eat veggies when they misbehaved. For us Singaporeans, discipline takes on quite a different shape and form. We spoke to some Singaporeans about the way they were punished as kids. Some of these are so extreme, you'll realize how good you had it as a kid!

1. Kena whack by all sorts of things

A classic punishment most of us have been through and survived is caning. Some of our parents were so sadistic, they made us choose our own canes at the mama shop. We happily chose our favourite colour and the smallest one because child logic says the smaller, the better. We would eventually come to realise how very wrong we were. Some of us would hide the canes or secretly break them or throw them away, but that wouldn't stop our parents. Even if the cane broke mid-whooping, the horror would continue and we would run around the house, screaming as our parents chased us down with belts, rulers, hangers, feather dusters, and even back scratchers. #goodtimes One girl, Samantha, was even forced to wear a short-sleeved shirt and shorts to school to show the marks from her caning, leaving one to wonder if the pain from the caning or the public shaming was the real punishment.

2. Being made to kneel everywhere, on everything

Kneeling on a washing board, kneeling on coins, being made to kneel through the night without sleep, facing the wall or in front of the altar... Eugene's dad made him kneel on an abacus! And that's not all. After half an hour, when his skin seemed like it was about to tear, his dad got him to kneel on sandpaper! And the offence? Failing his Primary 6 Chinese exam.

3. Being locked in

As a child, getting locked in can be terrifying, as in the case of 3-year-old Daniel, who was locked in the toilet at night, with no lights on. It could have been just 5 minutes, but it felt like a lifetime, leaving him with a fear of the dark to this day. For Melissa, who refused to go to school because they changed her teacher, her mum tied her leg to a table's leg and left her in the room for hours.

4. Being locked out

Breaking curfew usually led to us being locked out. For Oliver, it was an especially cold punishment as he was locked out in the freezing London weather. Ubaidah, who used to fight verbally with her younger brother often, got locked out with her brother by her dad so they could fight as much as they wanted. He told them they won’t be allowed in until he saw blood, although of course, that didn't happen. Some fathers take ‘throwing you out’ quite literally, as did Chun Seng's, who was physically carried and thrown out of the house.

5. Being used as target practice

Jamie lost her wallet and didn’t dare to tell her parents. Her mum got so angry when she found out, she threw a dictionary at her.

6. The passive aggressive treatment

Some of our parents would ignore us, filling us with guilt by saying absolutely nothing at all. We'd question if they've stopped loving us and end up apologising. Clarice ended up with no dinner because she fiddled with food previously.

7. These ones are just sibei jialat

Eugene thought kneeling on an abacus and sandpaper was enough a punishment for failing his Chinese exam, but his dad didn’t think so. At 12 years old, he was picked up from school by his dad, driven further away from home, and then told to get off the car and to walk home himself. One mum learnt from some of her friends to force-feed daughter, Belle, chili-padi. When she refused to open her mouth, she ended up rubbing it all over her lips. As a Primary school kid, the spiciness stung horribly. Wen suffered a similar demise, with her mum applying chili sauce on her lips like lip gloss.

8. The prize for most creative punishment goes to...

As shared by Annabelle, her dad wrapped her up with a cloth and hung her on the wall when she was about 2 years old. What are some unforgettable (or unorthodox) methods your parents have used to punish or discipline you? Let us know in the comments! Also read, 15 S’poreans Share The Sweetest Thing Their Partner Has Done That Will Make You Say ‘Spoil Market’ (Top Image Credit: Oi Vietnam)

Since news broke of the <a href=" of Anderson JC and Serangoon JC; Meridian JC and Tampines JC; Yishun JC and Innova JC; and Pioneer JC and Jurong JC yesterday, social media has been abuzz with mixed reactions. While the 2019 merger is important to deal with issues of falling enrolment, to many students and ex-students, it also means losing a part of who they are. We asked some of the ex-students of the affected JCs to share their thoughts on the merger and pay their tributes to their alma maters. This is what they had to say.

Serangoon JC

1. “When I entered SRJC, we were the last choice. A JC nobody wanted to be identified with. Look how far we've come as a JC, largely because of one man's faith and plans – Principal Tan Teck Hock, who came and made sweeping changes, initiating events such as the Will Run, Teachers' concert as well as Mr Tan's immense work in not only improving grades across the board but also teaching valuable life lessons, instilling self-belief in many students, and creating a bonded, healthy culture in SRJC. Thank you to all the teachers who were genuinely concerned about students and who worked really long hours in order to help students with their grades, character and performance. We'll miss the good ol' days and the canteen! On the merger, I hope they will keep the Will Run event at least.” – Andy, Class of 2008. 2. “I feel that it’s a pity, but it can’t be helped. I think the statement that the merged JC will have an equal share of staff is irrelevant. Many of our memories are tied to the location of the campus. I'll visit SRJC before it moves, but that’s about it. I probably won’t donate or be able to call SRJC my alma mater anymore. Thanks for the caring teachers who never gave up on me. Without them, I wouldn’t have gotten into uni. I hope SRJC will exist again in the future” –  Barry Choo, Class of 2010. 3. “WHY NEED TO MERGE. Walau! SRJC was really special to me. It was where I had the fondest memories. I made such great friends there, both students and teachers, ran my first 13km because of Will Run, had the opportunity to perform in the 25^th Anniversary musical, became a more cultured lady because of literature night. Laughed so much during Thanksgiving, went to Li Jiang, picked up rock climbing... there is so much more I love about SR. To think that SR will be no more is SUPER SAD.” – Anonymous, Class of 2015.

Tampines JC

4. “Holistically, it’s benefiting for TPJC to be merged with MJC. The former trails behind the latter in most aspects, hence it benefits from being absorbed into an institution with a renowned academic and co-curricular system. Despite its shortcomings, TPJC has been an integral aspect of my personal development. Life goes on, aim and achieve.” – Anonymous, Class of 2011. 5. “I’m ambivalent. It’s sad to see that a part of our memories with the college will be gone, given that the merger would result in the new JC taking the current site of MJC. However, I'm heartened to know that the merger would mean the ability to offer a good range of subject combinations and CCAs for future students.” – Shanen, Class of 2010. 6. “I just think that it basically overrides all the years of culture and memories that have been built there. Demolishing it is one thing, but to merge with another school? It's just like a slap in the face. I've long graduated from the school, and many of those I interacted with then are now already in other places, but I believe that we all have a special place for TPJC in our hearts. The school might be physically demolished eventually, the name might be gone, but the memories will never fade.” – Mel, Class of 2008.

Innova JC

7. “I'm quite reluctant for IJC to merge with YJC because IJ had a very unique culture where all 4 houses, though competitive, were very close! I don't know how the culture will change with the introduction of YJC. Our uniform and school facilities are also nicer. I really enjoyed my time at IJC and I hope that things don't change too much!” – Deborah, Class of 2013. 8. “The merging of our JC shocks many Innovians, partially because our school is relatively 'new'. Many of us remember the journey of trying to establish an 'Innovian identity' together and trying to explain to others where 'Innova JC' is to many of our friends and family. All Innovians definitely have great memories of Innova, and we definitely hope that Innova won't be forgotten. Innovian pride and memories, forever and always.” – Valerie, Class of 2009. 9. “It takes away the unique culture of every JC. There will be so many changes people need to adapt to with the JC merger, and it will dishearten many. Change can be good, but personally, it's just the way the change was done that did not sit well with me – a change that was made without consulting with the people in the JC community, like it was just said and done like that, without any prior notice. Those in the JCs are just expected to follow it. Thanks for the experience you've given me, IJC. I was really blessed to have had the teachers I got. Thank you for your endless efforts to arrange slots for extra classes, consultations and just giving that extra help. Honestly, A-Levels is not just an exam that tests one's knowledge and capability in the academics. For me, it was also a test of my physical, emotional and mental aptitude and resilience. Thank you Mr DeSilva for always guiding us with your leadership advice! Honourable mentions to Ms Marian Thng, Ms Wani, Mdm Chitra, and Ms Krystle Lau.” – Annabelle, Class of 2017

Jurong JC

10. “As alumni, I'm not in favour of the idea, because the merger will affect the school's original culture and a change in the school's building means the loss of many memories I have there. JJC provided me a platform for self-improvement through my CCA touch rugby, as well as a great faculty to help me achieve the best A-Level grades I could possibly wish for. To current students, I sincerely hope that you will enjoy your stay there, even if great changes are about to happen.” – X.Tan, Class of 2012. 11. “I feel sad that our school will merge because of low intake. But I hope our future juniors will still enjoy their time in this newly merged school. I'll forever remember the Funan hard times because I learnt a lot there, both in academics and in character. JJ JJ is the best!” – Ye Min Sunn, Class of 2010. 12. “It’s sad that I won't be able to visit Jurong JC campus anymore and that my teachers will be reshuffled. Thanks JJ for the two years, you made my life complete.” – Anonymous, Class of 2016.

Anderson JC

13. “It definitely feels weird, as it would likely be a mix of different cultures. But if this move is really needed to better the JC experience, then Non Mihi Solum (not for myself alone - the AJC motto). I hope AJC can continue to achieve as a merged entity, and strive for greater heights.” – BW, Class of 2009. 14. “I will definitely miss the days I've spent there. I guess since AJ is rather prestigious, its prestige will be diluted if merged with another JC.” – Min, Class of 2013.

Meridian JC

15. “I feel a little sad, but coming from an educator's point of view, it is the logical thing to do. Many secondary schools have merged recently and it was only a matter of time before it happened to the JCs. It was a great time being in MJC, and while MJC and TPJC may merge in 2019, fond memories of being in Meridian will not be tainted!” – Anonymous, Class of 2010. 16. “I’m quite taken aback. I had two wonderful, fulfilling years with Meridian and it's sad to hear that they'll be merging with another school. It would be difficult for the teachers who want to stay in Meridian but end up getting redeployed. With this merger, there will also likely be a change of school name, and the identity and culture of the school might get diluted, which is an unsettling thought. It's not enough to have a dedicated heritage site, because physical objects can only do so much. It's the everyday life and spirit that makes the difference. I will always be proud to be a Meridian.” – Angela, Class of 2007.

Yishun JC

17. “I’m slightly upset. I feel that the culture of the JC might be gone. YJ felt like a second home to me. YJ itself had a rich history and to merge with another JC means a change in that. And it'll never be the same again. Florescat Concordia” – Anonymous, Class of 2012. 18. “I don't like it. The merger would change the culture YJ has built in the past 29/30 years. YJ will do well without Penguin” – Germaine, Class of 2012.

Pioneer JC

19. “I have mixed feelings about it as it feels as if my JC will not be around anymore even though I know this isn’t the case. But it also means a new beginning for the school, so I look forward to seeing what the future holds for it. I had a good time during my time there, thank you for the memories!” – Anonymous, Class of 2014. 20. “This is too out of the blue. Hopefully, they will still be able to retain part of our school's name in the new name for the merged school. Hopefully the teachers from both schools will adapt well in the new school.” – Anonymous, Class of 2014. “A little bit sad because there’s no more alma mater and there's no place you can 'return to' in future. Nonetheless, thank you for the beautiful memories!” – Ika, Class of 2008. Are you from one of the 8 merging JCs? Let us know your thoughts or pay your tributes in the comments below! Also read 15 S'poreans Share The Sweetest Thing Their Partner Has Done That Will Make You Say 'Spoil Market'