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I have been living in the UAE for the past three years, and apart from the Eid celebrations that happen twice a year, National Day is just incredible. The way in which locals celebrate is just so colourful and you can always see their love for their country, it make you want don the Emirati colours and join them on the street.

And this just goes to show, that UAE's culture is still very much intact. A lot has been said about how the UAE has become Western than ever before. I would completely disagree by looking at the way this year's National Day has been presented.

Being the 40th Year since UAE was formed, its risen literally from desert to being on the tip of everyone's tongue. And as much as the expatriates, like myself, love being here, the locals love it even more. And I think that is because the government has been able to keep the culture very much side by side, as its grown.

Culture and tradition is something very easy to leave behind, as thinking has evolved. Yet, by keeping a simple thing language alive within the local community, the UAE has really stuck to its guns and honestly, I can't to see the car annual car parades with the UAE flag draped, kids' faces coloured with the national flag and people just having a good time in general.

I really think as expats, we should all just join the bandwagon, and enjoy the festivities.