I think that a lot of "spirit" and "identity" and "sense of belonging" are constructed. Think about the NDP (for my non-Singaporean readers, [or Singaporeans who need refreshing], that'll be National Day Parade.) People who watch it tends to be more patriotic, even if it's just that passing moment or even if in the midst of patriotism we are aware that this is all "propaganda-material".

Or think about "school spirit"--which was what sparked this thought (see piesnpancakes). I wonder why I didn't feel as part of AJC as I felt for NYGH**. I think it's the WAY things were being done, the kinda lingua franca spoke, and all that stuff. I don't know, maybe it was the BRAND of NYGH. Like, Ostentious-In-Your-Face-I-Am-Branded-School-Product kinda thing. (Though it's still not as OStenTiOus as RGS).

Anyway, this is beginning to sound like a term paper. I just thought a lot of things were put in place/celebrated to inculcate/induce that sense of belonging, without which one cannot really feel much for any form of institutions. Don't you think? Like religion institutions too? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Whatever. I got my PERIOD!!!!!! =( AND it's EARLY!!!! *wailing/whining/tantrum-ing* The world is gonna totally suck like absolute CRAPSHIT for the next few days. *WISHLIST!!!!!!!!!!!*

[**AJC=Anderson Junior College; NYGH=Nanyang Girls' High School; RGS=Raffles Girls' School]