What I Learned When I Planned a Trip to Singapore: Focus on MRT and Hawkers

As someone who prides herself on meticulous travel planning, my four-day reconnaissance mission to Singapore was nothing short of enlightening. The goal? Master the MRT system and pinpoint the best hawker centers, all to ensure that my visit wouldn't involve hemorrhaging money on taxis.

Spoiler: taxis in Singapore are the real budget busters. A ride to a nearby area would cost around 12 dollars, which was equivalent to three meals in a hawker's center or one fancy meal in a sit-down restaurant.

Intimidated by the MRT System in Singapore

The MRT map initially looked like a rainbow spaghetti dish—a chaotic tangle of lines that seemed impossible to decipher. North-South Line, East-West Line, Circle Line... the names alone were daunting.

But my perspective changed as soon as I realized how EASY it was to move around the entire city using this system. It's not lauded as one of the best MRT systems in the world for nothing.

I'll break down the steps I used to use MRT and to find the best places to eat in SG ... hawker's centers!

3 Steps to Use the MRT to Find Hawker's Centers in Singapore

1, Determine which Hawker's center you want to eat in (Lau Pa Sat, Maxwell, People's Center, Albert Hall, etc.).

2. Ask ChatGPT or google which MRT station is closest to that Hawker's center. Travel to that MRT station.

3. Use Google Maps for exact directions (as in foot steps) toward the Hawker's center.

Walking, walking. It's all we did. It was tiring but we didn't spend much. The airfare and the attraction fees were the ones that we really spent on. We didn't spend much on food and shopping (we didn't shop). Even the "cheap" foods were DELICIOUS!

Your City Needs Its Writers: 3 Steps to Improve the Writing Culture in Your City

There is a La Union Books and Arts Exhibit right now at the SM City La Union, and this got me thinking. Every city has its share of storytellers. Some write novels. Some write long social media captions that probably should have been novels. I personally think a city with no active writers feels a bit empty, like a place that only knows traffic and billboards but has no imagination. A writing culture is not optional. It is the difference between a town that thinks and a town that merely exists. If you want to encourage a writing culture where you live, start by following these 3 steps: Step 1: Make writers visible. Invite local authors to your library, schools, community centers, and yes even your neighborhood book clubs. In fact, book clubs are one of the easiest groups to involve, because they already read, already discuss stories, and usually already have snacks. A sponsored book club event featuring a hometown author can do more for visibility than a month of posters. And honestly,...

Better Library Shelfing by Colocation: Grouping Similar Items

As librarians, we've all faced the challenge of making the most of our shelf space. It's like a puzzle, figuring out where each book belongs so that people can find what they need without a treasure map. This is where colocation – or putting similar things together – comes into play. It's a simple idea, but it can make a huge difference in how we manage our shelves and help our library users find their way around. Let's talk about how this approach can make our libraries more user-friendly and efficient. Why Colocation Matters Imagine you're looking for a cookbook. You go to the section where cookbooks are supposed to be, but instead of finding them all in one spot, they're scattered all over. Some are with the gardening books, others are near the science fiction. Frustrating, right? That's the problem colocation solves. By keeping similar items together – all the cookbooks in one place, all the science fiction in another – we make life easier for everyone....

10 Benefits of Becoming a Board Topnotcher in the Philippines

Becoming a board topnotcher in the Philippines is a highly esteemed achievement that can have significant benefits for an individual's professional and personal life. These benefits span across various aspects, including career opportunities, personal growth, and societal impact. 10 Reasons Board Topnotchers are a Big Deal in the Philippines 1. Enhanced Career Opportunities : Achieving topnotcher status in board exams in the Philippines often opens doors to a plethora of career opportunities. Many employers, particularly in competitive fields such as engineering, accountancy, and law, view topnotchers as individuals with exceptional capabilities and a strong work ethic. As a result, topnotchers often receive job offers from prestigious firms, government agencies, and private corporations. Additionally, they are frequently offered higher starting salaries, leadership roles, and opportunities for advanced training and education. 2. Professional Recognition and Credibility : Topnotche...

Being a Document Control Officer to Manage Archives: Are You the Office Librarian?

In many workplaces, there's someone who seems to know where everything is. They can pull up the latest policy revision, retrieve an outdated client file, or point you to that mysterious "blue folder" from three years ago that somehow still matters. This person may not wear glasses or whisper "shhh"—but in essence, they are the office librarian . In most cases, this role falls to the Document Control Officer . But what does being a Document Control Officer really mean? And how close is it to being the keeper of a corporate library? Let’s unpack it. What Is a Document Control Officer? A Document Control Officer (DCO) is responsible for managing how documents are created, reviewed, stored, accessed, and archived within an organization. In many cases, the DCO is the quiet force behind regulatory compliance, internal consistency, and institutional memory. In short, if your company ever says, “We have a paper trail,” the DCO is why. Their duties typically incl...

Content Creators Need to Try Creative Fabrica

Hey there, fellow creators! Whether you're a seasoned artist, a passionate designer, or a content creator just starting your journey, you know that the right tools and resources can make a world of difference. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Creative Fabrica , a fantastic platform that's like a treasure trove for all your creative needs. Why Creative Fabrica? You might be wondering, "What makes Creative Fabrica so special?" Well, let me tell you: 1. Endless Resource s: Creative Fabrica offers an extensive library of fonts, graphics, templates, and even digital crafts. It's like having a bottomless toolbox, ready to help you bring your wildest ideas to life. 2. Affordable Pricing : Quality resources can be expensive, but Creative Fabrica provides budget-friendly options, including subscription plans that give you unlimited access to their vast collection. It's a small investment for a huge creative payoff. 3. ...

Short Story: Backward Day

ASIAN AMERICAN HOLIDAY PEOPLE OF COLOR A young twenty-something man was waving at people gawking at him in the parking lot while loading several pounds of burgers, loaves of bread, and cartons of beer into the trunk of our car. My boyfriend Tony was a sight to behold in any crowd, with his blonde hair and muscular build. But today, what was catching the crowd’s attention was his inside-out shirt, pants, and canvas hat. I’m not too worried about people reporting my eccentrically clad hunny-bunny to the police. Rambling, crazy locals were normal for the day before the Superbowl when every adult in our town was on shopping duty. The crazier you looked, the less likely anyone would disturb you while you were taking all the beer. Only, today wasn’t a normal one for my crazy family, who we’re visiting for the Superbowl weekend. It’s Backward Day, a tradition that our family kept going for as long as I could remember. Despite its name, it was not just one ...

Short Story: The Vampire Next Door

Categories: FRIENDSHIP, TEENS & YOUNG ADULT, ROMANCE Nineteen-year-old vampire billionaire Welton Perry III stepped inside his new townhouse in suburban Maine already bored with the droning voice of the realtor. He held up one hand to stop the lady’s overeffusive description of the basement kitchen with the cold storage facility for his special dietary needs. He didn’t really need a fancy house, but his parents insisted. They wanted him to get as much rest as he needed after the ruckus he went through when his girlfriend and childhood friend sued him for assault, which was ludicrous.

Check Out My New Creative Fabrica Store Banner

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my brand-new banner on Creative Fabrica! If you’ve never heard of Creative Fabrica, it’s time to introduce you to this teeming and thriving community of artists, educators, entrepreneurs, and crafters. Whether you’re a creator looking for inspiration or someone who loves to support independent artists, Creative Fabrica is the place to be. What is Creative Fabrica? Creative Fabrica is an online marketplace where creators like me can share and sell digital designs, fonts, crafts, and more. But it's not just a store—it's a hub for collaboration, learning, and growing your creative skills. Imagine a place where you can find everything from SVG cut files to crochet patterns to teaching tools. The best part? The community is always buzzing with activity, full of creators sharing their work and buyers looking for unique designs to bring their projects to life. Why I Love Creative Fabrica One of the reasons I love being part of Creative Fabrica is...

The Importance of Monitoring Access to Organizational Archives

In any organization, the preservation and management of archives is a task that requires meticulous attention and responsibility, particularly when it comes to monitoring who accesses these valuable records. As a record manager, one of the crucial aspects of the role is ensuring that the access to archives is both controlled and recorded. This blog post explores why it's essential for record managers to keep track of who accesses organizational archives and the benefits this control brings. By the way, I designed an Archives Log Book that can help record keepers monitor who accesses their archives, especially the ones stored on-site in boxes or file cabinets: https://www.amazon.com/Archives-Log-Book-Organizational-Unauthorized/dp/B0B35H8P6L Protecting Sensitive Information Organizational archives often contain sensitive information, which could include personal data, confidential business strategies, legal documents, and financial records. Unauthorized access to such informa...

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