I am Singaporean

I grew up in a three room flat, on the eight floor. I got my first education with the PAP kindergarten. I wore a full piece pinafore with a red tie and my mum would bring me to the classroom which was only a block away.

I went to a neighbour primary school with a big school bag. Throughout my 6 years of primary education, there would be 2 huge photographs of our president and his wife on top of the black board of the classroom.

I never know how to speak English until I went to primary school. Even going to the toilet was tough cos the teacher would only recognize English and would not allow me to go unless I converse what I wanted to her in English and that included telling her I need to pee in English.

My results were average and I went to a local secondary school and then proceeded to a neighbourhood junior college. I never could distinguish between "neighbourhood schools" and the 'non-neighboourhood schools' cos all schools are located in neighbourhoods. The only thing that I can make sense of is that they are just politically correct terms for good and bad schools. Implying that I went to bad schools.

I am a Chinese girl, bred by Chinese speaking parents who talk to each other in Teochew. I can handle English better than Chinese. Most of the Chinese characters recognize me but I never recognize them.

I am a Hock Chew but I never know how to speak in my native tongue. I was told that my mother tongue is Chinese though my own mother don even speak Mandarin nor write Chinese well.

After graduating with honors and was in the workforce for 4 years, I still have not save enough to own an apartment or a car. I distinctly remembered my parents telling me to study hard so that I can earn big bucks. I studied very hard, graduated but still have yet to find my big bucks.

I had the chance to vote when I turned 21 but lost the chance when I lost my identity card 3 days before the voting day.

My parents paid my school bills in full and I do not have any debts unlike my peers who already are in debts before they even enter the workforce.

I got my membership for the SDU automatically after I graduate without knowing how or why. I never really understand why me getting into a relationship is the business of my government.

I survived my PSLE, O levels, almost did not survive my A Levels and then got through my degree.

I am a true blue Singaporean, born and brought up with kopitiams, SBC/TCS chinese drama serials, HDB flats and the Singlish language. Tranportation fare increments are known as fare revision. Casinos are known as Integrated Resorts, a strong mandate is 66.6%, and a peanut here is worth $600,000.

I grew up in a 3 room HDB flat and had my education in neighbourhood schools.

I have 3 names; Chinese name, English name and Dialect name.

I am 张晶华 and Zhang Jing Hua and Teo Chin Wah.

And I am a Singaporean.

So says we all.

So says we all.

(In response to mr brown's iamsingaporean entry)