For those who didn't already know, I participated in NDP this year with Singapore Soka Association in a human LED performance. And if you didn't see it (or want to watch it again just for the chillz) here it is:
So this short performance is what we worked 4 months for - first with practices at Kranji camp on Saturdays, and then with cardboard props at the Floating Platform on Wednesdays as well. And now, at the end of it all, I feel like I should say something reflective and touching.
But you know me. I don't do that well.
Instead, I'll just tell you guys that each of those 800 pixels you see there is a person - somewhere around NE Show 2, they told us that we had to wave at the end of our performance, because they wanted to prove to the audience that we were actual human beings, and I remember thinking "oh LOL that's ridiculously dumb why would anyone not know that we're humans?" until I sat at the Flyer one night eating satay beehoon and overheard some audience members speculating whether it was all done by projectors and lasers and stuff.
And every single person there had to overcome so many challenges just to stand on that stage. For some, it was memory work (we had to remember every single colour of ours. It's not like a mass dance where you can scrape by copying someone next to you; every person has a unique set of colours), and for others it was sickness, family matters, relationship issues, etc etc etc. So somehow, what meant most to me about this performance was the fact that all 800 of us managed to put aside and overcome whatever problems were troubling us, and work together in unity to produce this display. I've never been a big fan of unity, but it's quite a nice feeling.
Ahh okay well everything that I wanted to say has already been said by someone else in their many post-NDP reflections, so I shall just do what I do best and RECOUNT.
NDP this year was pretty fun with a really bonded group, and it was awesome getting to see the parade from behind the scenes. I actually haven't had a chance to watch the entire parade yet, though the Ah Boys to Men stars did walk past our group like a mere 10m away, causing a huge flurry of excitement amongst the girls, a few of whom actually ran after them to ask for a photo. I was standing next to this really... cool (there just isn't any other word for that kind of easy confidence he exudes) guy who shouted "LOBANGGGG" really loudly as his namesake walked past, and they locked eyes and gave each other a head tilt of respect in acknowledgement of their mutual coolness.
Also, cool guy bought us all Magnum pink and black before NDP yesterday! We strolled through the metal detectors happily nomming ice cream. Thank goodness for the Magnum; it took up some belly space so I didn't have to be at the mercy of KFC. NDP food is usually either KFC or Pizza Hut. Most people prefer the Pizza Hut, because KFC is really sad when it's soggy. The crispy coating turns into something not unlike doughy bread. I used to love KFC a whole lot when my parents brought home extra boxes from NDP, but I can't for the life of me understand why I used to love it so much in hindsight.
We saw a couple of NS guys carrying huge cups of chicken + drinks around, so I went to ask them where they got it. They were like, "Oh, downstairs, but you have to queue for like, 15 minutes." WHAT IS 15 MINUTES TO A TRUE BLUE SINGAPOREAN, I say, so I grabbed my buddy and we told our trainer that we were "going to the, uh, toilet," which was quite suspicious itself because he's a guy and I'm not a guy, but we got through and went downstairs to go queue! Sadly all the mega chicken cups were gone, but he got fishballs from Old Chang Kee and I got free sotong so it wasn't all wasted.
I ended up giving the chicken in my KFC box to my groupmate, who is super on about getting buff and is thus eating all the protein he can get his hands on. But even soggy KFC chicken...? I wonder if protein powder tastes better. He ended up eating about 6 pieces of chicken happily, but rejected all the other things in the box that contained carbs.
And then we trekked from our holding area in the F1 pit to the Floating Platform. It's quite a nice walk - windy and sea view, and people lined the edges to wave to the performers and take photos. Nice place for a calm date if you're cheapo too haha. There was some NS (or NCC, I'm not too sure which) guy hanging over the edge of a bridge watching us pass - unlike his other comrades who were mostly sprawled out across any flat surface with a slightly vacant look in their eyes, he was languidly waving but sadly everyone was ignoring him. I waved back and he got a shock and started waving extra hard and so did all the people next to him. Hahahaha so adorbz.
I loved watching the parade march out backstage. From where we were waiting to walk in, if you tilted your head upwards you could see the screen, and what was being projected on it. Guys in uniform are so cute squeee, and I think the band major is really cool and awesome with the way he twirls his baton or stick or WHATEVER. Jie says he's just showing off, but it's cool anyway (even if it is a little gay).
Our performance was awesome (video speaks for itself HEH) then we were out again to change for finale. We got an ugly neon orange poncho which looked quite good as part of a formation, but really guys, there are ways to look cool without looking like a pregnant orange ghost. I cried during the National Anthem and the Pledge though - can't believe I'm actually going to be leaving this lovely place so soon (less than a month now!!!) and for so long. But augh I'm getting maudlin again and I must stop.
The afterparty was fun too; they got a live DJ to mix songs for us. During Preview, he'd come out as well, but after playing 3 songs he'd been cut off by Patrick (main choreo or whatever - some guy who was always telling us what to do and where to go) and my groupmate used his favourite phrase: "F*** THE DJ!" Some of them started planning an angry dance to go with that phrase as well ahahaha. Luckily we didn't have an opportunity to use that yesterday because the afterparty went on for a decently long time. The only gripe some of us had was that the music wasn't clubby enough - no THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP for breakdancing or something, but we still managed to form impromptu stages by forming a circle of people in which others could dance in. A whole lot of mats from the BMX item were showing off, and our trainer went in (after much coercion) and owned them all whooooo. But after that the songs just weren't high enough and I was quite tired from the initial high so I went to find Jie and we awkwardly partied together - if you can call standing underneath a stairwell shouting at each other over the music partying. We camwhored (with a group of MP behind!!! #YOLO!!! But the MP also asked a group of girls if they could take a photo with them LOL) and watched the fireworks. Sadly I didn't get to go home with him yesterday because he had to stay till 1am clearing barricades.
Ahh I'm actually quite glad that I got to share this NDP experience with all these wonderful people :)
