A humble group of us gathered at Pembridge Hall in Notting Hill, where we feasted on pizzas, chips (fries), and tubfulls of ice-cream. And watched BBC's repeated broadcasts of the capture of Saddam Hussein. We watched as Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator in Iraq, addressed the conference room with a calm, "Ladies and gentlemen, we got him." It sounded so funny under the circumstances that we laughed. Some commented that Saddam looks like an Iraqi Santa. The media says he's an X'mas pressie for Bush. Being *cough cough* scientists, we questioned the integrity of the use of DNA to identify him - how and where did they get his DNA? Are they 101% certain that it is his DNA? And yadda yadda. Politics. America... What's up next on their list?
Most of the night was spent singing Christmas songs... those that we sung in the choir, those that we heard being sung by the HTB choir, plus more. Our 'chief musician' Zi Ming was simply wonderful with the piano... he played so beautifully and effortlessly! It was fun. The hall's common room was so cosy and warmish... and there's the smell of pine from the Christmas tree.
Besides those, we also sung... erm... Singapore songs... like Home, I will get there, Together, Stand up for Singapore... and some others. If we did this back home, we'd have felt it so silly. But here, *waves S'pore flag* there is such a strong sense of national identity and belonging. We really feel united as one. *mutters something about 'propaganda' in schools... instilling patriotism...* Singing theme songs from long-ago local Chinese TV series also brought back memories.
When the residents had gone back to their rooms, we few who were left, all Christians, spent some quality time fellowshipping in singing hymns and praises. The peace and the lightness of heart that we felt... good stuff. :)
<< Home