Family gathering & misc

Had dinner (usual monthly affair) with my family last nite at Chin Chin's eating house, just around Purvis street (not far from my office). Left the office ard 5.35pm and walked all the way to Bugis Junction then to the library. Nothing to shop ard thus tot will just spend my time at the library. Managed to borrow 4 novels (by Danielle Steel of coz). Was so surprised and overwhelmed that so many shelves of her novels are available but I had more or less read them so took a while to find those I have not read. Had intended to sit around and read abit but the library environment was too noisy.

When I was still browsing, there was this group of teenagers sitting on the floor at one corner and were giggling and whispering like nobody's business. I stared at them several times but none seem to notice. I think they were treating the library as a gathering place. Really dunno what this library has become. The concept used to be no talking and no disturbance and librarians will go around scolding those people who does. Now librarians are becoming redundant with self service borrowing kiosks around and they probably are too comfortably seated at the counter to not bother about anything else.

As wireless is now available in the library, I see alot of people bringing their laptops to use. Some however could not find a table or decent corner, so sat on the floor, leaving the laptop power cable along the walkway, as they plugged it into the power socket there. I cannot imagine if someone were to trip over, whose responsibility would it be?

Finally found a single seat sofa at a quieter side of the big library and settled down. Took a feedback form earlier and started filling it in. Started reading a few pages of one of the novels when an ah pek came sitting beside me (in another single sofa). He was trying to position himself comfortably that he made so much noise with his newspapers and bags etc. Feeling already quite irritated after he settled down, there was a guy beside e pillar on my left who received an sms and starting replying His stupid phone made so much noise as he switched his key tone on. Imagine "ti ti toot toot.." for quite a while until I cannot stand it and stood up to leave while starring back at him. He looked up and gave me an innocent look and I just simply walked away...what the heck..

Had to cut short my stay at the library in case I go mad and go around scolding people. Walked out of the library and settled down at a seat outside. It was only about 6.25pm and my family wun arrive until around 6.50pm. My brother picked up my parents from home, went to fetch my sis from her workplace at Mediacorp and then to Redhill to fetch my sister-in-law (what a big round!) and then finally to Bugis area. Managed to read more pages from my novel and only started walking over around 6.45pm.

Arrived to find them just reached too and got a table without waiting. It was still not so crowded yet as the crowd usually comes in ard 7pm+. Ordered about 6 dishes (1. Foo Yong Omelette 2. Kung Po Chicken 3. Prawn Fritters 4. Baby Kailan 5. Sweet and Sour Fish 6. Hotplate Beancurd) and they turned out to be pretty big portions and we were so damn full and the dinner only costs $58, definitely very worth the money coz the food was great!

While we were walking to the car, dad spotted a pool salon right across the road and looked interested. So I suggested we go for a round of pool and had intended to head to Gullimard road where we went before. Then I recalled this pool place at Toa Payoh central near the library, above Shop N Save and we decided to try. I have been there before with Web and like the environment as its a much higher class place (not so rowdy) with strict rules enforced, good service as well as a very clean place (they wipe the tables after every change).

Played for a good 1.5 hrs before leaving as both Peggy (my sis-in-law) and sis were tired. Looked like dad hadn't had enough so brother suggested to me to send them (the other 3 ladies of coz) home 1st but as dad din wan to continue coz he had to be home to book court at 10pm, we left ard 9.30pm. It was a good gathering, maybe next time should do this more (bringing dad to play pool).

Woke up very early this morning at 6.40am (before sis) so I could bathe before her. Left home ard 7.25am and reached the bugis bus stop ard 7.50am and obviously too early for the 1st shutter bus at 8am. Thus sat at the bus stop reading my novel and in between my morning sales updates and breakfast (chicken ham and egg sandwich bought from Hans at the library yesterday). I already finished reading 4 chapters of the novel by 9am. Can't wait until lunch to read more as I have bread for lunch (bought 2 days back).