Loving the Local Library

Last week I applied for and received my Singapore Library card. I love a good book, perfect for hot days to stay in and enjoy the aircon! 

The bus was almost empty, only two other riders this morning.

You can see the city view that I see from home through the window.

This is a soda machine parked in front of an old, pretty church. I have walked past it many times in the past few years and I always think it looks so out of place. 

Sidetracked by flowers on the way...

Someone else sidetracked by a smoke break in the shade.

Here it is, the Singapore National Library. No photos are allowed inside the building without written permission so my photos are all outside and whatever I find along the way. 

Another view...

Bike parking. I am way too nervous just riding my bike in the park thinking I'm going to accidentally run over some little kid, there is no way I could ride my bike on the busy city streets to the library. I do need to come up with a solution for carrying home heavy books. I can check out up to 20 books at a time but I have no way to get them home. 

Not enough bike parking I guess.

I think my soda machine was at one of those buildings across the street.

Part of my haul from this trip. 

Happy Friday!!!

Signs

I like a photo project or theme to work on. For a while now I have been collecting photos of interesting signs. Some you have seen before and some are new. 

Yes, how did you know? Lucky me :)

In case they haven't made themselves clear with four languages there is a picture showing what will happen upon entry. Crystal clear, thank you!

Got it! No touching.

This is not just a photo of motorcycles parked on a sidewalk. The sign near the middle of the photo is too small to see from here but I have a close up.

The sign says No Parking. Maybe it needs to be in four languages with a photo of a tow truck?

Another no parking sign on a sidewalk. Parking is an issue here and with so many delivery services using motorcycles they mostly ride up on the corner and park on the sidewalk. I've said it before and I'll say it again. One of these days I'll get run down by a motorcycle on the sidewalk, I just know it. 

Wow, this is sort of cool though. Its in a courtyard area for an apartment complex asking people to keep quiet to not disturb their neighbors. There must have been 6 of them all a few feet apart in this tiny space.

Who doesn't want to put the fun between their legs?

LOL! Parental approval not required.

Whoever posted this sign is a person after my own heart. We could be friends.

Don't feed the monkeys. Personally I think this sign should be much much bigger. I think it would also help to have each and every visitor to parks with monkeys sign a contract to keep them from feeding the monkeys. Maybe have security patrolling the parks to ensure the safety of the visitors who are scared of the monkeys. That would be so sweet! Or maybe have a security guard - monkey deflector - escort option? Whoa, brainstorming!

Random notice board.

Love it with the shoes on the ground and the statue barefoot. At most (if not all) temples around town you must remove your shoes before entering. Makes for some very dirty feet! 

This is a sign on a random closed door in hallway, seemingly going to nowhere anyone would want to go anyway. Politeness overkill!

Bad parking jobs are an international issue. Don't be a parking space hog. One of my favorite signs ever. I can laugh since I am not driving here and I know this is not especially for me. 

Random signs posted outside a neighborhood coffee shop. Looking closer there is something quite cute here.

A close up of the above sign. I think I've seen that lost cat at East Coast Park :)

Neighborhood block party cum Dengue Exhibition? We know how to party in Singapore!

The bubble says, "I made you a sushi but I ate it." Aaawwww. So dramatic!

Give Way Glenda is the coolest MRT rider ever. This sign is part of the Singapore Land Transport Authority Graciousness on Public Trains movement. Glenda has friends, Bag Down Benny so you aren't bumping your big bags into others, Stand Up Stacy to give your seat to someone who really needs it, Move In Martin  so you aren't in the way of the exit/entrance and Hush Hush Hannah so not everyone has to listen to your music screaming from your headphones. They all have signs on many trains around town. Could you imagine the Graciousness movement in New York City or San Fransisco? They may have a Pick it in Private Patrick and a Smell ya Later Steven, LOL! I have taken public transportation in quite a few cities now and I can say without a doubt that Singapore has the cleanest, safest and most efficient public transportation system ever. I have only seen an adult clip his toenails on the train once leaving behind a pile of yuck on the floor.  GROSS!!!

Happy Friday!!!

My Walk to the Grocery Store

Friday snuck up on me again. I have been thinking though, what will I miss when I move back to the USA? One thing I do often is walk to the grocery store. Except for the weather always being a downer I do love walking to the store. There is always something to see, new buildings under construction, light filtering through trees and buildings creating very pretty light beams. I couldn't bring my Nikon with me, too heavy so I used my iphone. Hope the photos aren't terrible.

This is right outside our condo, these are the front doors. I always think I should take the back service elevator when I get back because I am sooooo sweaty its embarrassing to walk in the front. 

Some renovations next door to our place, this used to be super crowded with a few different open air restaurants. 

Shady area. There is a giant jewelry store inside and this sidewalk gets packed with bus loads of tourists buying jewels. I don't think its open to the public though, seems like I only see tour buses here. 

Here are the new condos going up at 5 Shenton just down the street from our condo at 1 Shenton. Tons of construction all around us but it is surprisingly quiet inside our place.

The gardens in front of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra. 

At the end of the street. I love how the sunbeams are shining between the buildings. It makes the photo so pretty. I'd also appreciate some giant clouds and a cool breeze...

Two people melting on the corner waiting for the walk signal. Look at all those cranes in the background. Our area of Marina Bay is really growing.

Looking down Robinson Rd.

Here at this corner I almost always see an older man cleaning and pushing his cleaning cart. Today he wasn't here unfortunately so I didn't get his photo. He always smiles and says hello, I think in French. I wonder if he speaks French, maybe he thinks I look French? Maybe I just have terrible hearing and it is perfect English, could be. 

This is my favorite tree on this walk.

This is the longest light to wait for.

Busy bus stop.

This is the prettiest corner, the buildings are cool looking and its nice and shady.

Egg delivery :)

I always cut through this building for an aircon break. It's the dining and retail first floor of The Icon condos.

And here it is, the Amara Hotel with 4 or 5 floors of retail and my favorite grocery store, Fair Price Finest.

Here is the inside of the Amara Hotel retail section. Fair Price is in the basement. The ceiling is cool!

Here is part of my haul today. Making a new recipe for dinner tonight, thai glass noodle salad with chicken and vegies. Fingers crossed its good. 

Happy Friday!!!