i enjoyed ndp (my first) more than i thought i would. true, there were periods of time when i was merely sitting still while my mind wandered elsewhere. true, kallang after the parade is not anybody's idea of agreeable. (we ended up taking the river taxi) and oh god yes the emcees were more cringe-inducing than humanly possible. but it is different being at the stadium than watching it on tv. the fireworks were spectacular, and we were girlishly excited about the commando freefall displays and airforce salute, and singing the national anthem with a whole stadium of people made me feel good. the weather was mild, the view clear. it was great fun trying to whack those giant balloons that they sent tumbling down the stands, and addy managed to nab a large piece of confetti out of the air. but i was tired too. i guess all the bits i have always liked about the parade were greatly enhanced by my being there - and the bits i hated or were indifferent to were more annoying or boring when i can't simply walk out of the room. and i hadn't realise how good my seats were. i suspect if i hadn't had those seats i might not have had as comfortable a time. and i didn't realise they were vip seats either, until choonping asked where i was sitting and i told him and there was a silence and he said, how did you get red sector seats?! for that matter, i thought all ndp tickets looked like mine, until i showed them to tjan who said idiot girl that's an invite not a ticket. well of course before i got there i knew they were "grandstand seats" and that would mean they had to be good, but never having been to an ndp before, and, for that matter, not having gone into the national stadium since secondary school (thus not even remembering the stadium layout) until i actually got to the stadium i had no idea how good they were. we were in the section directly to the right of the members of parliament, and sitting right in front of all the military attaches. the seating was unhurried but smooth and we could people watch. would i go again next year? i wouldn't say i haven't reservations, although i think yes, if we could get grandstand seats again.