Showing posts with label Library. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Library. Show all posts

Monday, August 21, 2023

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 πŸ‡ΈπŸ‡¬ ☺️ 

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!!! 

Thursday, November 03, 2022

One Punggol

One Punggol - Singapore

It still feels like a dream. 

We moved to this area ten years ago and that time there was nothing surrounding our housing block. Our block was kind of pioneer buildings in the area. I still remembered how we could see sunset from inside the Punggol MRT station. But now, we saw only buildings around. 

The building above was what we were hoping for since we moved and finally, after a decade of waiting, it started to operate slowly, starting first from the hawker center. 

One Punggol Hawker Centre

It was finally here!!! We had only one food shop at bus interchange when we first moved in. Around 1 to 2 years later, there was another alternative nearby our house and few years later, another one or two. We had very limited choices of food to buy but we had to live with it. And then the Waterway Point (shopping mall) was opened in January 2016.

I still remembered that almost everyone who stayed nearby were walking to the shopping mall first few days and weeks of its opening day. The feeling was like we were all exciting that finally something like this came to our neighbourhood. 

So this time, One Punggol too. As I came today, I saw many people like me were curious about this new building. We all walked around, level by level, tried finding out what were available now, and what would open in the near future. 

Just like me, they too clicked photos here and there, and perhaps, shared it to social media. The hawker center has been opened days ago. It was crowded this afternoon. 

"A total of 34 stalls will be available when the hawker centre is fully functioning, with more than 700 seats," as written by mothership.sg 

I might buy something later but earlier, I was just walking and looking around. I saw some familiar shops, but many were new brands. Eating area on the side was airy. Perhaps because today was such a cloudy and rainy day. If weather was hot, the big celling fan would be very useful. 

Blood donation center would also available at this floor. 

One Punggol Directory

The building had 5 levels with car park area at the basement. You could check the detail in the photo above. 

For now, we could only visit up to fourth storey. They blocked the access to fifth level. It took some time ba!

The content looked exciting though!!! Karaoke! BBQ pits! Community garden! Sun deck? Sky deck? I was looking forward into it!!!

I heard it would have four badminton courts at the multi purpose hall. I was not a badminton fans and not a player either, but I was happy for them. 

Dance Studio - One Punggol

Dance studio at level 3 had already functioned. I saw people bringing yoga mat earlier. And now they used the room for dancing. Wah, one day, I would be able to join them as well. Would check the One Punggol website soon!!! :)

At fourth floor, there would be dialysis center, KKH department of child development, culinary studio, music studio, Senior care center and so on. It would be useful for everyone who needed it. 

Punggol Regional Library coming soon in 2023

For those who knew me, would have guessed correctly of what I was waiting for!!! Yes, the Punggol Regional Library!!! Waaaaa..... I was really looking forward!!! But it would not be ready that soon. It was expected to open in early 2023. Now they were still under construction. 

Punggol Library under construction

One Punggol was only 8-minute away from Waterway Point and it took around 10 minutes from my house to Waterway Point. A brief walk would be fine as a form of exercise. 

Playgrounds between Waterway Point to One Punggol

Covered walkway was available from Waterway Point to One Punggol with many seats, playgrounds, and exercise grounds built along the way. 

Basket ball ground and other facilities

Basket ball grounds and many other facilities were also available near One Punggol. Students could use it during their school holiday. It could benefit any ages from the very young to the senior range. 

Even just to sit and relax, enjoy their break or lunch, these places would be beneficial for everyone. 

The miniature of One Punggol

For now the space looked so big. Seats were everywhere. As I wrote this post, I was sitting at one of the benches provided. With the cloudy weather and giant ceiling fan above me, I could sitting and writing this post comfortably :)

Just realised even my shirt was matching with building colour ^^"

Hahahaha.... After this, I would go up to the hawker and have a bowl of ah balling peanut soup. So convenient. I did not have to go faraway place to have it :)

So, free free, go and visit this place ok? Even as foreigner who comes to Singapore. Wish everyone a good day ahead!!! ;)

Friday, July 24, 2020

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!!! :)

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Visiting Jeju Island during Typhoon Mitag - Day 1

Flight from Busan to Jeju Island by Jeju Air (Experiencing local domestic flight) - South Korea

From Busan, we flew using Jeju Air (domestic airline) to Jeju Island, on October 1st, 2019. In the evening after we reached Jeju, I heard about the typhoon Mitag. From the internet, they said the typhoon would pass by China, Japan, and South Korea, and that too to area where we went - Busan and Jeju.

Safe flight - Busan to Jeju Island :)

Omg!!! Months of September and October were not really good to travel around Southeast of China, Japan, and Korea. The typhoon came more often these past few years.

So upon reaching Jeju, I immediately sent the message to Mr Won (who would drive us around Jeju island on our second day in Jeju) about the possibility of the typhoon. He too conveyed his concern since safety was the most important issue that he had while traveling with his guests, and he was willing to cancel our arrangement if the typhoon was getting bad the next day.

Welcome to Jeju Island - South Korea

It was raining when we flew from Busan and it was still raining even after reaching Jeju Island. After putting our luggage at the hotel, rain did not deter us from walking all the way to Dongmun Market - a must visit place when you go to Jeju. Everyone wanted to have lunch inside the air-conditioned restaurant and have proper meal (in their case, rice set), while I insisted of eating at my favorite stall selling more like Korean street food kind.

I went there last time with hubby on my first visit to Jeju and still reminisced the taste and feeling we both had on the food served. Even if I had to be alone, the Universe decided otherwise. As I chose my seat - I sat and shared table with one granny - she smiled at me, and even offered me the Kimbab (rolled rice) that she was having together with her Tteobbokki (spicy rice cake).

Lunch at my favorite stall in Dongmun Market - Jeju Island, South Korea

I ordered one plate of Tteobbokki as well and hesitated of ordering the Kimbab - which was my favorite. I was afraid I could not finish it as it was too filling - carbohydrates from rice and rice cake. Therefore, I ordered one portion of Odeng (fish cake with soup) - 3 sticks were served. She still offered me her Kimbab, so in return, I offered her my Odeng. Hahaha.... This way, both of us could eat more variety without having to eat too full!!! Thank you Ahjumma for your kindness!!! I could not stop smiling while eating the food :)

Try their mandarin orange juice - Jeju specialty fruit and Hotteok (sweet pancake) at Dongmun Market - Jeju Island

Finished my meal with a bottle of cold mandarin orange juice - the Jeju specialty fruit - with its cute bottle at KRW 3,000 each, and Hotteok (sweet pancake) from one of the stalls near the exit.

Dongmun Market - Jeju Island

There were many other snacks available and souvenir shops too. It was better to buy the Jeju souvenir here. The price was slightly cheaper than the souvenir shops at touristic area.

Afterwards we took taxi to visit the Yongduam Rock. It was located not too far from the Dongmun Market. By taxi it cost us KRW 3,400 only. The wind was very big once we went down from our taxi. But miraculously, the rain stopped, and so did the wind. It allowed us to take photos with no hassle and kept us dry!!! Thank SB!!! :)

With Dol Hareubang (Grandfather rock) at Yongduam Rock - Jeju Island

Or perhaps it were Dol Hareubang (Grandfather rock) who were protecting us from the wind and the rain when we visited the place. Fyi, Dol Hareubangs were the two large rock statues, considered to be gods offering both protection and fertility and were placed outside of gates for protection against demons travelling between realities (usually found only in Jeju Island) - see the above photo :)

Posed with the Mermaid at Yongduam Rock - Jeju Island

Yongduam Rock is a popular oceanfront volcanic rock formation in the shape of a dragon's head, a must visit place if you go to Jeju Island. Legend said it serves as the symbol of the dragon's unfulfilled dream. Read more of its story here.

Yongduam Rock (the volcanic rock in the shape of Dragon's Head) in Jeju Island

We went back to hotel to have some rest and at night, we asked the hotel staff on where to eat the Jeju black pork BBQ. Lucky that he pointed us to the local restaurant located not too far from where we stayed as the rain was still there on and off, and all was the effect from the Typhoon Mitag that happened at the surrounding area.

Donsachon - Korean BBQ Black Pork in Jeju Island

We ordered a portion of white pork and three portion of black pork (two portions were rejected as it was too little). Four portions were still too much for five of us as we were all ladies and some ate very less. So, as the youngest, I had to try my best not to waste the food, and that was why I gained so much weight from this trip :P

The BBQ white and black pork with Hallasan Soju and Terra Beer - Donsachun in Jeju Island

I used to detest the taste of Korean Soju, until Sam (our driver in Seoul - who was actually a very rich businessman) introduced us "Bum" - the mixture of Soju and beer. When mixed together, the taste of Soju was not that obvious and both combination became tastier. So that day onwards, I always had Bum mixture instead of Soju or beer alone :) And if you go to Jeju, Hallasan Soju is a must have!! :)

Not forgetting the Korean ramen at aside :D - Donsachun, Jeju Island

Yes, not forgetting to order the Korean noodle soup at aside. It tasted really delicious in such cold night. Perfect with the BBQ pork :)

See our happy faces??? :D

Mom and sisters :)

Our happy faces as per shown above, before we became overeating. Hahahahahaha..... :P So, will share another post on where to visit during Typhoon Mitag in Jeju Island!! Oh, as for additional info, after going back to hotel and watching news, we found out that many flights were cancelled flying from Busan and Jeju Island on that day. Luckily we reached Jeju the day before from Busan and it did not affect us. SB was really helping us and let our journey went on smoothly. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!!! :)
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