3 full public holidays spent in SMU....

Labour Day, election polling day and Vesak day- 3 public holidays and 3 days I spent in university with 2 other friends. And i mean the whole day, 10- 12hours each time. Each day i was working on something concerned with the summer module i am doing. One day i was studying for an upcoming test. The other two days I was working on projects. I have to tell you it is very depressing spending the whole day in university on a public holiday. Other than the 3 of us, no one else, the shops all closed, people walking around (going for movies, having fun)...

After going through all the 3 days, I've been thinking what good are public holidays? i mean some people are still working (hawkers, cleaners, shop owners, corporate workers), universities are still open (students like us go back), the bus and taxi drivers are still working i mean is it really a public holiday? When do these people get their holidays? i mean they also deserve to enjoy the holidays especially Labour day!!

But the sad fact is that this is just an unrealistic dream. The city cannot function without these people. Imagine having no public transport or restaurants open on public holidays? Won’t that be very sad? It certainly will. However it is also true that they deserve a day off when the rest of us are enjoying a day off too.

So what can we do to appreciate them? I really have no idea if something is being done as of now. But I think they should be paid a special bonus for working on public holidays or given gifts. Moreover even we as enjoy their service, we can say thank you and be nice to them. I’m sure this small gesture will make a difference.

Anyways till then i am looking forward to enjoying the next public holiday anywhere but working in university.