Bukan Siapa Siapa (Nobody)

:)

That night, I felt a sense of peace and emptiness. Emptiness here, in a good way, in the sense that nothing held me down from whatever feelings and emotions that used to bother me a lot, sending me to the roller-coaster ride kind of mood, plus attachment filled with care, worry, and at the same time, love. It took time to get rid and brush off whatever bit that was left behind in the corner of my brain and heart.

As I turned pages of old notes, it brought me to the past for a while. But this time, I could laugh myself off, instead of feeling fury or disappointed. It was all the matter of the past. No longer break me down. No longer affect the present time. 

I lie down freely on my bed. Freedom. Peace. And love, for myself and those who deserved it. 

Bukan Siapa Siapa (Nobody) by Ajahn Brahm

I picked the book from my bed side - Bukan Siapa Siapa (Nobody) - written by Ajahn Brahm, which I found it from book corner in Clarke Quay last month. It was in Indonesian language, perhaps fated for me to pick and read. I had just started reading it, so could not comment much. But let me share with you the review done by one of the readers posted in Goodreads:

"Ajahn Brahm gives a brilliantly cogent and captivating case for developing nibbida--repulsion-- toward all attachments, particularly the body, and the "I, me, and mine" that are at the root of all suffering. Be a "nobody", Ajahn Brahm extols. Who can be the biggest nobody? By being nobody, by not expecting from life what it cannot provide, you can release yourself from suffering. A truly counter-intuitive viewpoint from a culture that enhances the "I, me and mine", Brahm argues for monastic life, and to "extinguish the flame" of rebirth that continually perpetuates the inherent suffering in life. Yes, his case for monastic life presumes the function and reiteration of karma, but Brahm distills Buddha's insights to show that life is STILL suffering, and that suffering is increasing exponentially. The brilliance of Brahm's (the Buddha's) insight is the universal power that comes from simplicity. Brahm uses accessible arguments that belie the complex simplicity of Buddhist metaphysics and psychology. I'm not sure how deeply I will practice the art of disappearing, but it has provided me with unforgettable alternatives for the suffering which is at the heart of existence. If I do not disappear, I have nonetheless gained powerful tools to lessen the grasp of the id and ego, which promise satisfaction, but produce only pain."

"I, me, and mine" - represented ego, the root of all suffering. If it happened to others, 'I' would not feel the pain. But when it happened to 'me', it hurt like hell. And as long as what was lost or broken was not 'mine', I would not feel the pinch either. That was the easiest way to tell you what attachment was. 

But theory was always easier to understand. When things really happened to ourselves, it was really difficult to overcome. And it took time for us to accept the reality, to adjust our mindset, and to relieve the pain. It was fine to be absorbed by sadness, but do not let it hold too long. Many pain in our heart created disease to our physical body without we realized. 

Living and focusing at the present moment. Be aware and mindful of our own feeling. And aim towards something better. Remember, you are not the only one experiencing all the pain. Everyone else does too. Let us heal as time goes by. Time is the best medicine to forgive and forget. Grow wiser, be a better human being. Live, love, and laugh, make others happy in any way that you can. Let go the past. Let bygones be bygones.

Last day of 2024

Thank you to you know who you are :)

After finishing a bowl of mee hoon kway yesterday afternoon, I opened a message from my Boss. She said if there was nothing, I could close the office for half day and tomorrow too. Wow!!! I was really grateful and thankful for having such a wonderful Boss. I finished whatever I was doing, informed her to approve the payment, packed my stuffs and went back home. 

And today, it was the last day of the year 2024.

What would you do on this day? Some went to office (mostly half day) to work. Some had to work overtime (not that they wanted to, but it was just one of the busiest days of the year). Some went shopping. Some went to religious places like church, temple, mosque, and so on, to pray and to thank their God for the passing 2024.

Quiet morning doing what I love doing :)

As for me, this morning I chose to spend my time at the coffee shop ordering a cup of kopi-o and my favorite hazelnut munchi pancake (the filling was just like the one inside Ferrero Rocher chocolate). I brought the book that I currently read to the coffee shop too. I ate, drank, and read at the same time. I sat down at one corner and quietly enjoyed my morning :)

"Intermezzo"by Sally Rooney

I checked the opening time of the library. After clearing my empty cup, I walked there. I returned one book through the return book machine then I checked the library apps for the available book that I was eyeing for, and yessss!!!, there was one available. I immediately walked towards the shelf, grabbed it, and scanned it using the apps! Yihaaaa!!! So happy to finally find it!!! :)

Peaceful, calm, and quiet library :)

I found a seat near the shelf, sat myself down comfortably, with both legs folded, and continued reading my book. It was a peaceful, calm and quiet. Not many people chose to spend the last day of their year to read inside the library. But I was happy that I did. 

I went back home around 1pm, heading to the fridge and steaming the food that came from my hometown. There was nothing better than hometown food, I guessed. Added some sweet sauce, squeeze dried the lime, added some bawang goreng and Kerupuk, and it was perfect!!! :)

The weather was cloudy today and it was perfect to sit at my favorite spot at home, which was balcony. I opened my journal. My hand was moving non-stop as my mind did. It poured up with words that just came out of my mind. Every single thing that came up, I just wrote it down. Soon, 8 pages was filled up. Haha....

As the age increased, I really learned and experienced many things. I changed and evolved too. I used to think that I would never grow up, and always behaved so childish. But I realised, I was no longer who I was before. 

My thought on many aspects in life had incredibly changed too!! Especially in friendship and relationship. 

And as the age increased, things in mind often went backwards. Negative thought sometimes appeared uninvited. But then, one morning when you woke up, suddenly gratefulness was all over. If those things that you regretted never happened, you would never experience the beautiful things that came along with too. And things that seemed to be regrets, were no longer regrets. It was actually enhancer, the betterment, the add points for the current situation, the immense gratitude for what you were actually having at the present moments. It was like "there would be no rainbows without sunshine and rain" quote. 

My 2025 resolutions

Whatever things were, beautiful and sad, it was no longer there. It was all in the past and no longer need to occupy any space in our heart. Let it go. Just like those beautiful friendships that could no longer be retained, just let them go. Many times, I thought I could retain them as much effort and heart I could give, but I was wrong. Not everyone thought the same way and had the same intention. So what I could do was to let them go and treasure those who stay.

I jotted down my 2025 resolutions on my journal too. I have already had in mind places i wanted to visit this year and I want to spend solitude time more or otherwise with people whom deserve it. So, wish everyone a wonderful year ahead, with whatever goals, resolutions and plans of yours. It is all different for each individual but whatever it is, I really wish you all a smooth sailing of year 2025, may you be blessed with good health and tons of happiness ahead!!! Cheers..... :)

Great Reminders from the How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies and Before the Coffee Gets Cold

How to make millions before grandma dies (Pic source: Google.com)

"How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies premiered on April 1, 2024, and is now hitting cinemas worldwide. It is currently rated at 8.5/10 on IMDb, with 97% positive rating from Google users, and has made THB 320.7 million in Thailand alone, as of June 2, 2024." - Lifestyle Asia

I heard about this when I was staycation in Batam with my friend two weeks ago. She had been wanting to ask me to watch this together since it was cheaper to watch movie there. But since we both were busy, we could not watch. Until yesterday, finally I grabbed my hubby to watch it together with me.

He was wondering what kind of movie it was. I just told him it was a Thai movie and I bet, he believed my taste, so he just agreed and joined. He was struck in awe upon seeing a fully occupied theater on Thursday evening (not even weekend), and people was willing to sit at the most front rows because every where else was occupied. "It must be really good," he claimed inside his heart.

After finished watching, I understood how it had become really famous not only in Thailand, but worldwide, especially in Southeast Asia. The movie depicted Thai Chinese life and culture, which was also applicable to any other Chinese immigrants in Southeast Asia countries like Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia.

Filial piety, favoritism upon boys, and greed upon wealth/ inheritance came hand-in-hand and usually appeared when someone old and sick was going to die - realistically and sadly. The young "good for nothing" boy - who had initial intention to benefit something from the upcoming grandma's death, changed his heart through love and over time as he spent more time together and closely with his Amah (grandma). 

It was heart wrenching. I could hear sob sounds somewhere inside the theatre when the movie was almost ended. I did not cry though, in fact, I laughed more while watching it. Thanks to the boy's character that was lighthearted and always wanted to see his Amah smiled :) 

Before the Coffee Gets Cold Quotation - Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Our parents were getting old each and every day. One day, soon or later, one thing or another, we might have to face such thing in life. I hope my parents would be blessed with good health all the time and they could spend the rest of their days happily and full of love despite living away from their children. Hope they can gain happiness from travelling and seeing the world, spending time together with their children, grandchildren, friends, and families.

The above picture was taken from the "Before the Coffee Gets Cold" book by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. Three sequels were published with the almost same stories over and over again, on how customers had the opportunity to travel to a time of their choosing, as long as they followed a long list of rules.

"There is only one seat in the café that allows time travel; the seat is only available when the ghost that usually occupies it goes for a toilet break; once back in time, customers can't leave the seat; the only people in the past who can be met are people who have visited the café; whatever happens in the past, the present won't change; and, most importantly, the customer has to return to the present before their cup of coffee goes cold (around 1 hour)." - Source: Wikipedia.org

In real life, whatever had passed, would never return. Just like a broken vase that could not return to its initial form. As Amah said, "What has been done, cannot be undone." 

Hope the movie and the book would be a great reminder to all of us to always treasure the people surrounding us, to feel grateful of their existence, and in any way possible, to spend more quality time with them - be it near or far, and to love with all of our hearts, not because we expect something in return.

My Types of Books

Find your right book - J.K. Rowling quote (Source: Google.com)

I love reading but I do not just love any books that come into my hands. If I would say, it requires fate to be able to read my type of books. Recently I realize that only my type of books would give me a kick, a motivation to keep reading it, until the end.

I did try reading just any book. It was not thick. It was not heavy (in terms of topic and content). By right, in my opinion, it should be easy to read and fast to finish. However, despite it was being just beside me, for one and half month the post it notes that I pasted into, was still stuck there at the same page and finally I decided to return it back to the library. The book did not call me to open. My heart was not willing to open it as well, to continue where it had stopped. I bet any fellow reader would also feel this way before.

So, my type of book. I could say I was very lucky to be met with them. Let me share them with you.

1) The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

  

The Little Liar - Mitch Albom

" A powerful novel that moves from a coastal Greek city during the Holocaust, to America, where the intertwined lives of three survivors are forever changed by the perils of deception and the grace of redemption. Eleven-year-old Nico Krispis never told a lie. When the Nazi’s invade his home in Salonika, Greece, the trustworthy boy is discovered by a German officer, who offers him a chance to save his family. All Nico has to do is convince his fellow Jewish residents to board trains heading to “new homes” where they are promised jobs and safety. Unaware that this is all a cruel ruse, the innocent boy goes to the station platform every day and reassures the passengers that the journey is safe. But when the final train is at the station, Nico sees his family being loaded into a large boxcar crowded with other neighbors. Only after it is too late does Nico discover that he helped send the people he loved—and all the others—to their doom at Auschwitz. Nico never tells the truth again. In The Little Liar, his first novel set during the Holocaust, Mitch Albom interweaves the stories of Nico, his brother Sebastian, and their schoolmate Fanni, who miraculously survive the death camps and spend years searching for Nico, who has become a pathological liar, and the Nazi officer who radically changed their lives. As the decades pass, Albom reveals the consequences of what they said, did, and endured. A moving parable that explores honesty, survival, revenge and devotion, The Little Liar is Mitch Albom at his very best. Narrated by the voice of Truth itself, it is a timeless story about the harm we inflict with our deceits, and the power of love to ultimately redeem us." - Goodreads

You must have heard or familiar with the author. This American author is not only a book writer, he is too a musician and a journalist. He has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, books and stories that inspired people all around the world. Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, For One More Day, Have a Little Faith, The Time Keeper, The First Phone Call from Heaven, The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, The Next Person You Meet in Heaven, Finding Chika, The Stranger in the Lifeboat, and the most recent one, The Little Liar. 

I believe you may have read at least one of the titles I mentioned above. And some, might have read all of them :)

The Little Liar was not only inspirational. It was very sad too. How sadistic war was. How could human behave in such ways. So many how I questioned as there was no humanity, no love, no compassion, nothing. Instead, there were many lies spoken that many people believed, just to dupe them into life that they had never imagined. 

It was my type of book because I could relate the story and the places mentioned with those I had travelled to before - the shoes on the Danube River bank, the exhibit inside the Hungarian Jewish Museum and Archives, next to the Dohány Street Synagogue and the Raoul Wallenberg Holocaust Memorial Park, and so on. 

2) From a Mountain In Tibet: A Monk’s Journey by Yeshe Losal Rinpoche

From a mountain in Tibet - Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche

"The extraordinary story of how a wayward boy escaped his war-torn country, found himself, and became the leading Tibetan monk in the West. Lama Yeshe didn't see a car until he was 15-years-old. In his quiet village, he and other children ran in fields with yaks and mastiffs. The rhythm of life was anchored by the pastoral cycles. Food was carefully apportioned and eaten together, everyone was family. The arrival of Chinese army cars one day in 1959 changed everything. In the wake of the deadly Tibetan Uprising, he escaped to India through the Himalayas to start over as a refugee. One of only 13 survivors out of 300 travellers, he spent the next few years in America, experiencing the excesses of the Woodstock generation before reforming in Europe. Now in his seventies and a leading monk at the Samye Ling monastery in Scotland—the first Buddhist centre in the West—Lama Yeshe casts a hopeful look back at his momentous life. From his learnings on self-compassion and discipline to his trials and tribulations with loss and failure, his poignant story mirrors our own struggles. Written with erudition and humour, From a Mountain in Tibet shines a light on how the most desperate of situations can help us to uncover vital life lessons and attain lasting peace and contentment." - Goodreads

This book told us the story what the Tibetan went through during the Chinese army's arrival to Tibet. It changed fate of many. Lama Yeshe was lucky enough being able to escape, although he had to go through difficult times - food scarcity, sickness, uncertainty, no clue where to head to, etc. He also told us the story on how he could change himself to where he is now. I enjoyed his story very much and very grateful that he could share his life journey to all of us in this book. Many things I could learn from him. By now, you must have already known what type of books I love reading.

3) A Fortune-Teller Told Me: Earthbound Travels in the Far East by Tiziano Terzani

A Fortune-Teller Told Me by Tizian Terzani

"Warned by a Hong Kong fortune-teller not to risk flying for an entire year, Tiziano Terzani—a vastly experienced Asia correspondent—took what he called “the first step into an unknown world. . . . It turned out to be one of the most extraordinary years I have ever spent: I was marked for death, and instead I was reborn.”

Traveling by foot, boat, bus, car, and train, he visited Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Mongolia, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Geography expanded under his feet. He consulted soothsayers, sorcerers, and shamans and received much advice—some wise, some otherwise—about his future. With time to think, he learned to understand, respect, and fear for older ways of life and beliefs now threatened by the crasser forms of Western modernity. He rediscovered a place he had been reporting on for decades. And reinvigorated himself in the process." - Penguin Random House

I found out about this book from one forum in Facebook. Not knowing what it was about, the title and the picture were enough to draw my attention. As I unfolded each page, I fell in love with the way the author telling his story. And yes, fortune-teller, phii or spirit, war story, Buddhism, travel journey to places I had ever been to, were among the topics that I had interest with. Plus life learning from other people's story and experience, inspirational story, they were priceless!!! That was how I loved and enjoyed reading his book. I would check the google map too sometimes for the places he mentioned to imagine where they were located as he moved around to many places in Southeast Asia and I bet many readers also did the same :D

I am hoping to read more on these types of books. If you happen to have any books to recommend me to read, please drop your message below. Who knows I will have fate with that books. 

Books quote (Pic source: Google.com)

So, what have you read lately? I hope all of you read too sometimes, despite your business in life, in study, family obligations, traveling, and so on. Reading is really good for our mind. It can give our life inspiration and reminder to keep going upward and moving our butts off!!! Hehehe... if you know what I mean. Anyway, I hope you can find your types of books to read and enjoy reading ya!!! Cheers!!! :)

Most favorite time

Loot of the day :P

One day, upon looking at the handwritten weekly school schedule, a man asked a young kid, "What is your favorite subject in school?"

The kid was innocently answered loudly with so much proud, "Recess is my favorite!!!", and 'Recess' was really written there in between English and Math between 12 to 12.45pm from Monday to Friday.

Hahahaha..... ^^"

And if you asked me what is my most favorite time of the day during work, that would be 'lunch break.' Lol!!!

I think I mentioned before the location of my office in previous blog post. If you could not remember, it was located at the Singapore's famous shopping belt area. Apart from Uniqlo, Zara, Iora, and so on, there was my most favorite place to browse during my lunch break. 

Guess what???

Jeng jreng jeng jreng.....

One of the boutique library in Singapore :)

Yessssshhhhh!!! It was library!!!

It was such a beautiful one!!! I wrote about it last time here, just less than a month after it was opened. It was still clean, beautiful, quiet, with many book collections, and many seats available too!!!

Book browsing at local bookstore :)

Sometimes when I browsed bookstore on weekends, I would check books on shelves, flipped those that were gaining my attention and checked if it was according to my taste or not. I would take photo, browse its title in the Library apps, and checked if such book were available (both e-book or physical one).

So when I had time, I would first check the availability of the book in advance. If it was there, I would walk there, get it, scanned, and brought back home.

Browsing healthy recipes :)

When I had too much time, I would sometime browse and read the book until my lunch break was over. Especially when the book was too thick and only few pointed things I would like to know, then I would capture its content in my camera phone and I could browse it again when I needed it without having to borrow.

Capture the beauty of knowledge :)

There was just too many things to learn from the books, the beauty of the knowledge that the authors shared with us :)

Thank you Singapore 🇸🇬 ☺️ 

So, I am truly grateful for everything that happens :) For the easy access for such beauty in life, and everything else. I hope you all enjoy your most favorite time of the day too, just like me :)

As of now, I wish you all a wonderful week ahead as I had to get back to work :) See you again!!! 

Books read in the year 2021

Book Quote (Pic source: Google.com)

Below please find the list of the book I read for the whole year 2021:

January 2021

January 2021

1.The Travelling Cat Chronicles - Hiro Arikawa

2. The Christmas Swap - Sandy Barker

July 2021

July 2021

1. Burn You Twice - Mary Burton

2. If I Had Your Face - Frances Cha

3. Crazy Stupid Bromance - Lyssa Kay Adams

August 2021

August 2021

1. Somebody I Used to Know - Wendy Mitchell

2. The Last Thing He Told Me - Laura Dave

3. Her Last Flight - Beatriz Williams

September 2021

September 2021

1. A Sweet Mess - Jayce Lee

2. Arsenic and Adobo - Mia P. Manassas

3. Recipe for Persuasion - Sonali Dev

October 2021

October 2021

1. First Singular Person - Haruki Murakami

November 2021

November 2021

1. The Woman in the Purple Skirt - Natsuko Imamura

2. Whereabouts - Jhumpa Lahiri

December 2021

December 2021

1. The Stranger in the Lifeboat - Mitch Albom

2. Beautiful World, Where Are You - Sally Rooney

As you could see above, last year I have read quite less number of books (only 17 per year), a major decrease comparing to the previous years.

It was mainly due to the rising of the new passion towards crystals in the first half of the year - spent my time watching "Facebook live" most of the time (February to June).

Other than that, the part time job had also taken parts of my time. And when I was tired and wanted to distress, I was watching many Korean dramas. Hahahahaha.... :P

Anyway, just take it easy lah!!! Just do what I love doing, I think that is more important ;) ;P (another excuse!!!) Lol!!!

The pattern seems like going to follow the same this year. Just hope that I would not lose this passion! See how! 

For now, I hope you still keep passionately reading books and wish you all have a wonderful year of 2022!!!

Books read for the second half of the year 2020

Quote by Lloyd Alexander (Pic source: Google.com)

Hi hi, how have you been readers? Have you managed to read much for the second half of the year 2020?

I read lesser than the first half as since August, I had started working. With more hours spent at work plus the Korean drama I had binged to run myself away from reality,  the lesser time I had spent on reading.

Nevertheless, it was not too bad. 

Below please find the lists of books I had read for the second half of the year 2020:

July 2020

July 2020:

1. Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi
2. My True Love Gave To Me (Twelve Winter Romance)
3. The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down - Haemin Sunim

August 2020

August 2020:

1. 1984 - George Owell
2. Sex and Vanity - Kevin Kwan
3. Last Tang Standing - Lauren Ho

September 2020

September 2020:

1. The Two Lives of Lydia Bird - Josie Silver
2. Love In No Man's Land - Duo Ji Zhuo Ga

October 2020

October 2020:

1. Hidden Bhutan - Martin Urlz

2. The Hating Game - Sally Thorne

November 2020

November 2020:

1. The Perfect World of Miwako Sumida - Clarissa Goenawan

2. The Other Mrs - Mary Kubica 

3. The Good Girl - Mary Kubica 

December 2020

December 2020:

1. The Glass Hotel - Emily St. John Mandel

2. Sleeping on Jupiter - Anuradha Roy

3. What Lies Between Us - John Marrs

4. Never Look Back - Mary Burton

Quote by Margaret Atwood (Pic source: Google.com)

Btw. how was 2020 treating you? It was not a easy year to pass through right? And yet, it flew so fast. It was a transformation year which affected so many people around us. It was tough but we all went through it. 

Year 2021 did not promise a better life either. Perhaps, it could get worse as apart from the pandemic (more countries around the world had to be locked down), many calamities had happened too at some parts of the world (the missing plane and earthquakes in Indonesia).

The vaccines has come but the bad news is, not everyone is able to get it (especially those who have immune-related problems, allergy problems, and so on). Haiz... Even then, it was not proven to protect human from the virus 100% yet, especially when the new variant had also appeared lately in Europe. 

Nevertheless, I am thankful for what have happened into my life so far, and will continue to be thankful more what we have so far. My prayers and wishes that we all can survive and go through it all with positive mind, one step at a time. I believe everything happens for good reasons and whatever reasons, it always teaches us something and makes ourselves stronger each and every day. 

In the end, I hope book writers can publish more books at this point of time so that we can continue reading despite the pandemic. Fighting!!!

Tampines Regional Library - Singapore

Our Tampines Hub (OTH) - Singapore

Located at Our Tampines Hub or also known as OTH (Singapore's first-ever integrated community and lifestyle hub), the Tampines Regional Library is the first regional library in Singapore

It is housed together with the Tampines Stadium (a 5,000-seat stadium with a FIFA-endorsed "2 Star Quality Pro football pitch - can be used for both football and rugby match plus other community events), Sport Halls, Swimming Complex (with 6 different swimming pools including the largest rooftop pool in Singapore), 5,000 sq ft playground, bowling centre, sports clubs,wall climbing theme park, jogging track, Public Service Centres (such as: People’s Association, North East Community Development Council, Housing Development Board, Workforce Singapore, and Ministry of Social and Family Development, and ActiveSG), hawker center, child care centre, senior care centre, enrichment centres, wellness centre, gym, community club, auditorium, health centre, clinic, theater (with free movie screening), karaoke, restaurants, cafe, supermarket, rooftop garden with BBQ pits, and so on.

If you are interested to check more on the variety of restaurants or facilities available, you can click here.

Tampines Regional Library Entrance - Level 2

Our Tampines Hub was officially opened on 6 August 2017, but the Tampines Regional Library was re-opened a day earlier. Despite being opened for almost 3 years ago, I visited it for the very first time only few days ago. From overall things available at the OTH, the library is the only thing I was attracted most, and that was why I went.

There are 2 entrance to enter the library. First one is from Tampines Ave. 5 (main road). You can reach there using the bridge connected to the opposite side (following the signage) or simply using the escalator up. The second entrance is from Tampines Ave. 4. Both are located at the level 2.

Covid-19 is still around here in Singapore, therefore upon entrance we have to scan the QR code using our mobile phone to register our visit (for easy trace tracking purpose) and have our body temperature checked. Colorful label is given and pasted onto our clothes.

We are given 30 minutes time to enter and have to get out when the time is up (no seating and reading are allowed at this period of time). Many seating and reading areas are blocked and no activities (such as: storytelling, culinary learning class, PIXEL Labs activities, WISHers reading club - a language learning group for senior citizens and housewives, etc.) are held until further notice.

Returning book machines on the left and Adults Audiovisuals (DVDs) borrowings on the right - Tampines Library Level 2

As it was my first time, I had no idea how the library looked like. I went with handful lists of books that I planned to borrow (after checking for its availability using the NLB Mobile apps). I opened up the apps upon entering and looked for the book that I wanted to borrow. After clicking up the Tampines Library, I would be able to find out the location of the book stored (since some libraries were huge and contained many shelves).

I stopped the library staff and asked for her advice about the shelf's location and I was surprised when she mentioned that the book that I was looking for was located at the sixth floor. What??? Sixth floor??? And the entrance was at second floor only. The lifts and escalators were available at the back (near the entrance from Tampines Ave. 4).

Directory shown at the lift door - Tampines Regional Library

You could see the above directory for the faster access to reach your destination. 

Wow, it was huge and impressive!!! No wonder it was called Regional Library. One thing that came up from my mind almost immediately was... how tiring its staffs must be (or cleaning staffs) to go up and down around the area to do their jobs :D They must have a strong pair of legs. Hehehe.... 

Things got more interested and I decided to take few pictures around and shared with you my amazement. Let us start from the level 2 and slowly go up.

Adults magazines (the racks on the wall are Tamil language magazines) - Tampines Regional Library Level 2

Adults magazines varieties (culinary, business, fashion, travel magazines, etc.) - Tampines Regional Library Level 2

3 Culinary studios on the left and books related to culinary on the right - Tampines Regional Library Level 2

The culinary studios are managed by PA (People's Association). It was first time for the library to integrate the community learning space with another agency's space within the library. Cooking classes are to be held here. Looks clean and neat inside! 

Tampines Stadium - View from Tampines Regional Library Level 2

Tampines Stadium - View from Tampines Regional Library Level 4

You can see the view of the stadium from inside the library (from level 2 to 4). Imagine when there are football or rugby matches going on!!! :)

Picture books borrowing (Early literacy) - Tampines Regional Library Level 3

This will be a great place for parents with toddler. Pictures books, interactive books, folktale story books, and early literacy books are available for borrowing. Those books focus on key areas that are vital to children’s learning and development. Cosy seating area is available too (for non-Covid-19 time, this place will be a heaven for a very young children).

Fyi, many of these children books (32,000 Chinese children's titles) were donated by Chou Sing Chu Foundation (a non-profit organisation founded in 2004 by Mr Chou Cheng Ngok, Popular Holdings Limited’s Group CEO, in honor of his late father, Mr Chou Sing Chu (1905-1986), founder of Cheng Hing Company, World Book Company and Popular Book Company) in an effort to promote learning and reading in Chinese. It conducts programs and activities to encourage reading of Chinese materials in children as well. It is great to know this!!! :)

Indoor playground (run by Playtopia) is available too at Level 3 (currently closed due to Covid-19) at additional cost. Check for the rates here.

Teens' Fiction - Heaven for teens at Tampines Regional Library Level 4

Reading Box inside Teens' Fiction at Tampines Regional Library Level 4

This will be a wonderful place to visit after school or during school holiday time where you can read and borrow any books that you like, and sit at this cool library!!! English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil language books are all available here. We are indeed very lucky to live in this multi-racial harmony country :)

Children's Novels Shelves at Tampines Regional Library Level 4

Children are also pampered with wide varieties of books available too!!! 

Pixel Labs@NLB - a dedicated space that enables patrons to learn, create, invent, and share skills using tools, equipment, and hardware kits -  is also located at Level 4. 3D printing and Arduino workshops (open-source electronic prototyping platform enabling users to create interactive electronic objects), arts and multi-media production, coding lessons, can be learned over here. It is a collaboration between Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore and National Library Board

Terrace on 4 - Seating staircase at Level 4

When Covid-19 is over, they can choose to sit at this cool place too - Terrace on 4. And if you notice, there are power sockets available too at each stair near the seating area, which suits well for those who are using laptop while reading, studying, or researching in this library.

Terrace on 5 - Seating staircase at Level 5

Terrace on 5 is available at level 5 too!!! :)

Study Lounge at Tampines Regional Library Level 5

If you need a more quiet place to study, study lounge is available at level 5.

Singapore Collection (both fiction and non-fiction) at Tampines Regional Library Level 5

At level 5 you can find the Singapore collection books (both fiction and non fiction in 4 different languages) and other non-fiction books.

Reading space at Tampines Regional Library Level 5

Non-fiction collections e.g. Travel, business, etc. - Tampines Regional Library Level 5

The library has a great collections of non-fiction books starting from business, computer, travel, art, recreation, comic, etc.

Reading space at Tampines Regional Library Level 6

My favorite place will be the above reading space at level 6. With carpet and sofa, this will be a great place to read my book comfortably and quietly (quiet reading space). Fiction books from many different languages are available here.

Outdoor space at Tampines Regional Library Level 6

When feeling sleepy and in need of fresh air, the door towards fresh air is just near the escalator. There are seats where you can read your book outdoor too!!! (Currently closed due to Covid-19).

Large print books shelves are located very near to this area. Newspaper reading place is also available at this level 6 with a window view facing outside (currently not available due to Covid-19). 

At this level there is a dedicated space for volunteers to share knowledge and plan activities to promote the love for reading to other users. The whole 6th floor is currently a volunteer-run floor where volunteers assist with the shelving of books as well as attending to user inquiries. Cool right?

Cute mobile carts to transfer the books back to shelves - Tampines Regional Library Singapore

If you cannot wait to visit, below is the info that you need to know.

Tampines Regional Library

Address:

1 Tampines Walk

#02-01 Our Tampines Hub

Singapore 528523

Opening Hours: 

Mon - Sun: 10:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Closed at 5.00pm on eves of Christmas,

New Year and Chinese New Year

Closed on Public Holidays

24-hour Bookdrop

To find more information about the Tampines Regional Library and to check their maps on each floor, click here. Please read important notice on the website before visiting. Hope you enjoy your time there as I did :)

Dream place (IG: Rimareyka.writes)

P.S.: Currently there are 3 regional libraries available across Singapore, which are in Jurong, Woodlands, and Tampines. One is coming soon, which is in Punggol, very near from where I stay. I really cannot wait to find it out as well (too bad the construction is being held due to the recent Covid-19). But I really wonder how it will look like. Will it as nice as this Tampines Regional Library? But for sure, once it is opened, this place will be my second home where I can spend my time reading and do other things there :)

And if you want to find out more about other libraries that I have written up before, you can click on the link here: Sengkang Library, Library@HarbourFront, and Library@Orchard. Happy browsing!!! :)