Happy National Day to all Singaporeans with 3D Crystal Jigsaw Puzzle Astro Boy on August 9

Every year I try to do a post just for Singapore's National Day which is on August 9. It has special significance because I was born in the same year Singapore gained her independence so as the nation gets younger, so do I

I am very proud of my country and even though many people like to complain about our government, I think we are most blessed with a very good government that takes care of most of our needs. Sure the prices of cars are ridiculous but at least I'm not stuck in traffic jams every time I decide to drive on the roads. Public Transport is most efficient and lifestyle is GREAT. Crime is low and there are no natural disasters to worry about because we are very well protected. Everything is clean (a big part to the credit of our city's cleaners) and everything works (most of the time). I wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world. It's always nice to be able to go on holidays (thanks to Singapore's economy and strong currency which we have to give the government credit for) but it's always feels nice to come home to where family and friends are. There's a lot to be thankful for!

This year I chose Astro Boy to celebrate with the nation's birthday. Every year Singapore celebrates her birthday with a National Day Parade organized by Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) with the involvement of a multitude of public and private organizations. In every parade, there are always two main segments: the traditional parade and ceremony followed by the show segment. This particular 3D Crystal Jigsaw Puzzle Astro Boy is in the marching pose which fits in nicely with the parade segment. Scroll down to see more pictures

I grew up watching Astro Boy on television so it does invoke some nostalgia when it comes to Astro Boy.

Astro Boy (鉄腕アトム Tetsuwan Atomu, "Mighty Atom," lit. "Iron Arm Atom") is a Japanese manga series first published in 1952. The story follows the adventures of a robot named Astro Boy and a selection of other characters along the way. Astro Boy was adapted into the first popular animated Japanese television series that embodied the aesthetic that later became familiar worldwide as anime.

Frank Miller definitely had Astro Boy in mind when he wrote the 1995 comic book "The Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot". The story revolves around an attack on Tokyo by a giant reptilian creature that is originated in an experiment gone wrong, and the failure of the newly-commissioned Rusty the Boy Robot to stop the threat. Subsequently, Japan requested help from the U.S. Armed Forces, whose ultimate defense, the robot Big Guy, launches from his air carrier base and uses his awesome arsenal and good old-fashioned American know-how to save the day.

I also have a fascination with transparent and see-through stuff and this 3D Crystal Jigsaw Puzzle Astro Boy certainly fits in well for me.

This 3D Crystal Jigsaw Puzzle Astro Boy consists of 40 puzzle pieces which you stack and join from the bottom up layer by layer and this is the end result. Pretty neat :)

Astro Boy's arms can be raised and lowered and the head can be turned as well.

Astro Boy marching proudly in celebrating Singapore's National Day

The Astro Boy 3D Crystal Jigsaw Puzzle also comes with a sticker sheet that lets you put on the eyes and mouth plus his green belt but I prefer mine this way

I like that they made the base unique in the distinct head shape of Astro Boy with his name on it as well

Here's a look at the box it came in with the stickers applied

Previous National Day posts:
August 9, 2009 - Singapore's National Day, August 9
August 9, 2010 - Happy National Day!
August 10, 2010 - Red, White and WOW :)
August 9, 2011 - Celebrating National Day with G.I. Joe Golden Knight
August 9, 2012 - Happy National Day to all Singaporeans with Playmobil

Other Astro Boy posts:
April 29, 2008 - Astro Boy by Hot Toys 2005
July 20, 2008 - Mechablock DX Astro Boy by Takara
July 20, 2008 - Flying Astro Boy © NTV, 1981