11 Months: Children's Day

Children's Day is a celebration of life, purity and innocence.

I remembered when i was a young girl in primary school, it was a day of excitement. For once, we can wear our home clothes to school (i must admit, for a few days, i will think of what to wear, I need to be "fashionable" right.. It does makes life a little stress"

And school activities are fun! Normally, we have a mass, and the teachers will put up a concert. And the day's celebration is ended with some small gifts from my teachers. Though i can't remember for all 6 years, i remembered in primary 3, i was given a set of stationery by Mrs Dorothy Tan and i was thrilled cos i had a pink set.

School typically ends early too, and I will return home, enjoying these little treasures of the day.

And so, at 30 years old, driving home from work one day, suddenly the radio played this all familar song.. It did tug at my heart strings. Hey, i sang the same tune in school some 20 odd years ago. Then, i didn't understand why we need to learn the song, and it was mostly tonal. But now, when i went to find the lyrics, then i realized, it is so beautiful.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semoga_Bahagia

Composed by Zubir Said. This is the official children day song in Singapore.


Semoga Bahagia


Sama-sama maju ke hadapan
Pandai cari pelajaran
Jaga diri dalam kesihatan
Serta sopan-santun dengan kawan-kawan


Dengan hati bersih serta suci
Sama-sama hormat dan berbudi
Jaga tingkah pemuda-pemudi
Adat dan budaya junjung tinggi


Capailah lekas cita-cita pemudi-pemuda
Supaya kita ada harga di mata dunia
Kalau kita lengah serta lupa
Hidup kita sia-sia

jiwa besar sihat serta segar
Rajin dengan sabar tentu bahagia
Lemah lembut perangai permudi
Vergas tangkas wataknya permuda

Suka rela selalu berbakti
Sikap yang permbela dan berjasa
Capailah nama yang mulia permudi-permuda
Rajinlah supaya berjaya semoga bahagia



English translation

May You Achieve Happiness


Together we progress
Clever at seeking knowledge
Taking care of your health
And be courteous to your friends


With a clean and pure heart
We respect and do good to each other
Watch your behaviour, oh youths
Respect and honour your customs and traditions


Quickly reach your goals/dreams, oh youths
So that we'll have our worth, in this world
If we are lazy and forgetful
Our lives are worthless

A big heart and a fresh mind
Hardworking and patience definitely brings success/happiness
Soft-spoken is the lady
Energetic and tenacious is the man

Charitable, always contributing
Having a righteous spirit and doing good
Attain a respectable position, oh youths
be hardworking so that you will succeed, may you achieve happiness

And Andre is not forgotten on this day. His Dua yi prepared 2 books for him. Isn't that so lovely?

Here's wishing all Happy Children's Day to all. Stay youthful with the happiness of a child.