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SINGAPORE: As the month of August draws to a close, it seems appropriate to reflect on the past 31 days which is often punctuated by much soul-seraching by Singapore and Singaporeans as the young nation celebrates National Day.

Whether it's the songs of home on the airwaves or the flags that fly from street lamps and buildings, there is a sense of pride that seems to swell when the right buttons are pressed.

When channelnewsasia.com asked in a recent poll "what makes me proud of Singapore", 671 or 34% chose the "chilli padi factor - a little red dot that's only small in land size".

What drew the most votes (953 or 48%) was the way the point that the community respected and accepted Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasians and foreigners. It also drew the most debate amongst those who chose to leave comments.

A number of those who wrote in were Singaporeans who were living or have lived abroad such as Abdul Ghani, who said he is proud to call Singapore home as it's one place in the world where children can walk on the street peacefully after mid-night.

Another writer named Char said: "I never felt that I had always been living in a comfort zone until I moved overseas. To think about it now, there's really no place like home, like Singapore."

Similar thoughts were sent by a Singaporean who now lives in New Zealand, who said: "When a friend asked me recently how's NZ, my answer was NZ is great, but Singapore is home. There is so much I miss about Singapore. No place is perfect. But I guess I love the little red dot enough to accept all its imperfection. After all, I am not perfect and I am privileged to be a Singaporean."

Back in the Lion City, a young man fresh from serving National Service is all set to pack his bags for China. Sam Wee, a graduate in Graphic Design from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) wants to pursue his dreams of being a graphic/interior designer in a new environment.

More importantly, he has plans to stay in China for good, if things go well for him.

Although Sam is just 24 years old, the move is not simply a young man's dream or an impulsive decision. "Basically, the reason I want to go over to China is because of the job opportunity over there and the market, which is much bigger than Singapore," he says.

Looking at how the dollars make sense in going abroad, is nothing new to Singaporeans. Many have chosen to pursue careers outside of the republic due to the market size and the chance to pursue new challenges.

"Some of the design elements are already developed, therefore there's no point being here to be a designer if everything is being done" is the reasoning that Sam puts forward. "You have to do something new to have a breakthrough, so I want to try my luck over there to see I can do a so-called 'different thing' in China."

Sam who sees Singapore as a diamond that's been polished and perfectly cut, reasons that "China is very big piece of diamond, maybe only half or three quarter of which is being exposed. It is not fully developed yet, as in the market value, whether you can make money out of it or not, it is still with a lot of chances."

It's almost a leap of faith for this Singapore-born, since he has never been away from home for more than one week.

But with local hairspray, as well as food, family and friends, on his list of what he'll miss most, Sam who describes himself as a "Mama's boy with young guts" remains determined.

"I have to strive to have a future," says Sam.

On another part of the island, another Singaporean who's sometimes called Sam, is also thinking of China.

"There is this Chinese saying - 'luo ye gui gen', wherever you are, you must always remember your roots," says Samantha Chang whose father came to Singapore from China at the age of five. With retirement on the cards in about two years, the plan is to return to his hometown in Guangdong, China.

"I think right now he needs to attain his personal goals, which is to gain a self-fulfillment," says Samantha who has rationalised her future.

But for the 21 year old Ngee Ann Polytechnic student, there has only been one home for her, Singapore. "I don't understand Chinese culture very well, I mean all my life I've been learning and reading about Singapore history and culture."

Unlike others who see more opportunities outside of Singapore, the choice for Samantha is to stay in Singapore where she says she's comfortable.

It's clear that Singapore has become woven into the fabric of Samantha's life, with the Singlish accent, food and even national campaigns, being on her list of things she'll miss. "I think Singapore is the only government that would have a campaign encouraging us to smile, I see this as a good thing and will miss it because it is really heartwarming and silly," she said.

Although given the choice to choose food in the channelnewsasia.com poll on Singapore, few opted for it.

Perhaps, the food-loving Singaporean when faced with having to leave his island home may come to agree with 'Jini' who left this comment with the channelnewsasia.com poll on Singapore: "I have traveled all over the world and nowhere I have felt so accepted and so at home. Right when you enter from the immigration, on your way home, the taxi driver, the neighbours, the hawker centre uncle.... Everyone makes u feel like a big huge family! Singapore is the bestest!" - CNA/ym