Pasti sudah pada baca berita (eits: I mean, baca headlines. Ya kan?) kalau Toko Buku Gunung Agung akan tutup. Well, sebenernya unlike the others yang mungkin pas kecil sering ke sana untuk bebelian alat tulis atau perintilan tugas sekolah, gue lebih ke Toko Gunung Agung yang sering disingkat dengan brand TGA di Senayan City. Guess what? Ini sempet rebranding hits sebagai toko buku yang jual buku-buku import dengan judul-judul 'berani'. Gue beli Mein Kampf sama The Communist Manifesto di sini dong.

Cuma memang gue perhatikan lambat laun buku-bukunya berkurang dan mulai sepi juga. Kemudian tiap kesana, perintilan Harry Potter itu banyak banget dan ada puzzle-puzzle lucu.

Ketika gue tau ada berita mau tutup, maka gue ke sana, walau dengan kondisi kurang sehat. Per Kamis 25 Mei 2023 waktu itu, mereka ada diskon buy 2 get 1 free untuk imported books. Tapi kalau bukunya udah diskon, nggak bisa dihitung untuk promo buy 2 get 1 free tadi ya.

Secara pilihan judul, non-fiction much less interesting. Over-priced? Agak. Fiction-nya gimana? Kurang banget. Yang bagus, udah punya. Maka nggak beli fiksi sama sekali. Ini aja yang kubeli:

Gue belom baca semua. Belom unboxing tepatnya. Tapi The Bomber Mafia ini udah jadi inceran lama.

Kondisi toko? Sepi. 

Mas-masnya sempet nyamperin ngasih tau promonya, kayaknya mau ngajak ngobrol. Tapi karena gue lagi nggak mood banget, jadi gue iya-iya aja sekenanya. 

Rencananya mau balik lagi. Mungkin mereka restock dengan judul-judul lain atau promonya nambah. We'll see.

Well, I can't believe my First Visit to Books Actually would be my last. They have moved away from Tiong Bahru area and a brouhaha about them happened.

Anyway, do not fret or be sad! Fortunately, I managed to explore other interesting indie bookstores in Singapore when I went there again after 2 years due to the pandemic.

Littered with Books

20 Duxton Road

What I also like about them is the way they set a few separate corners to highlight certain titles under different topics. Cute spot: they have a skylight and sweet decor---a total bookworm warmest spot.

Grassroot Book Room

25 Bukit Pasoh Road

The bookshop is slightly bigger than Littered with Books. They also have a cafe here.

As for the titles, they have more random picks, mixing between in Chinese and English titles. I found Brave New World in Chinese! And if you like The Little Prince/Le Petit Prince, you'd be happy here because they have a special corner dedicated to the famous story!

Besides Le Petit Prince in Chinese, you can shop anything Le Petit Prince, well mostly stationary and a few fashion items.

A small reading alley is also available for you tp enjoy while reading your new buy.

Hook on Books

115 Neil Road

I was already about to let this one go from my target visit list due to time limit. But I made it anyway, as I accidentally walked past this bookstore when I was going back to the hotel to check out. 

Once you entered, you'd be greeted by the staff as it's their procedure to give a welcome greeting and explanations about the bookstore. They sell children's books, mostly in Chinese, and handmade toys by mothers. 

If you have children, then this place is a must! There's a workshop for them to encourage their literature interest. For those who are talented to show off their creativity and publish their imagination, Hook on Books literally make that happened.

I... found stickers and Chinese version of Le Petit Prince that they publish independently. 

Tell me if I miss another interesting bookstore in Singapore. Please recommend me, then I'll visit on my next trip =)

My Europe trip was my first travel - travel, I mean, travel intended not for work. Previously, mostly it had always been about work, and in 2017, I just took off for a few countries altogether. One of them was France. I visited both Paris and Lourdes. Yet, Paris was a bit more special than the others coz I put a theme as my target.

The theme didn't limit me from enjoying other things. But these targets were my priorities and they motivated me to have better time management. Sadly, my 'call' to keep a lot of photographs wasn't up at the time. It came much later afterward. I regret it so much that I am wishing that I could come back and avenge myself by taking more photos and videos. 

So yes, I did enjoy other things too. Trying the best ice cream in Champs-Elysée in the heat of the first official day of summer, shopping at Lafayette, eating a hidden gem Pho noodles behind Lafayette, Le Jardin de Tuilleries, Arc de Triomphe, and many others. Not to forget, I did go to Disneyland Paris and had lunch at Chez Remy *wink*

Well, I am sharing with you now my past travel spots that were featured in many movies (I'm sure some of them you might have seen, too).

Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore

seen in 'Julie, Julia', 'Before Sunset', and 'Midnight in Paris'

The legendary independent bookshop that sells books in English, along with the cat and the cafe beside it. Founded by George Whitman, an American, now the bookshop is run by his daughter, Sylvia Whitman. The bookshop has welcomed readers all over the world for years and has been celebrating a wide range of writers. You can find both new and second-hand books here, although I can say it's rather a bit expensive compared to other places, but the experience makes it worth. 

Shakespeare and Co. Bookstore (Front) in July 2017

They also provide free reading space which I found very comforting and... motivating to read effectively.

Things to remember if you ever visited the bookshop and buy books there, don't forget to ask for the books to be stamped! This is a simple touch but surely I will remember what books I bought and where I bought them as I have weak memory.

 

Shakespeare and Co Bookstore is geographically interesting, too. It is located at Kilometer Zero, where all French roads begin. Find them at 37 rue de la Bûcherie.

Not to miss: 

- buy books and ask for stamps

- checkout their postcards and tote bags.

- read books at second floor

- buy coffee at the cafe next to the book shop

Pont de Bir-Hakiem

seen in 'Inception'

It is only a bridge. Yes, I know. But it's the Inception bridge!

Sadly, this is my only pic here.

You cannot miss this bridge made of huge steel, with Eiffel tower as the view. Paris has a lot of bridge that is very photogenic. You would see many people taking pictures, personal or professional ones, here. 

The bridge connects 15th and 16th arrondissement of Paris, standing over Seine river. Standing in the bridge will allow you to enjoy the one of the best view of Eiffel and Seine altogether.

Speaking of the history, formerly the name was different. But later it was changed to Pont de Bir-Hakeim to pay homage to Battle of Bir-Hakeim, between Free French forced versus German Afrika Korps.

Maison de Aurouze

seen in 'Ratatouille'

Well, Ratatouille might be an animation film, yet the creators made the city of Paris based on many real elements of the city. One of them is the existence of Maison de Aurouze, the rat poison shop!

Let me remind you of the scene:

When I arrived at the shop in 2017, I saw Ratatouille poster on the door! The whole vitrine display was exactly the same in the movie and it has been like that for years. I happened to bring my Remy toy to take a pic with.

Find the shop at 8 Rue des Halles, Paris. If you're familiar with the Les Halles area, it's nearby.

Tour d'Argent

seen in 'Ratatouille'

Ok, you might not see it exactly the same in the movie, coz this is the real restaurant of Auguste Gusteau. The real name is Tour d'Argent and it is really close to Notre Dame, a bit similar in the movie.

Remy is looking at his dream restaurant

Real classy restaurant, unfortunately, I couldn't get it coz you would need reservation in advance.

Cafe des Deux Moulins

seen in 'Amélie (Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain)'

Located in Montmartre, the cafe isn't the only view you'd see in the film. The film showcased a lot of corners of the area, which I found very romantic, calming, and peaceful neighbourhood. It's a great combination of serene space and lively crowd. 

Cafe des Deux Moulins has been an establishment that will always be remembered as Amélie's cafe. As you enter the place, you'll see the huge poster. 

I ordered their club sandwiches and it was so good! Many found the food so-so, but maybe I was lucky. 

Despite you would hear that portions in Parisian restaurant is super tiny, well, I hardly find it small for me. 

I found it quite moderately enough for me. Not too big, and definitely not small.

To be honest, the Club Sandwich was good, just like I've mentioned here, but I couldn't finish them all. One cut left =D

Pont Neuf and Pont des Arts

seen in 'Before Sunset'

As the film set in Paris, I would only point out the ones that attracted me. One of them is the
bridge with a lot of love locks. Well, I didn't make one when I was there, as I got no boyfriend at the time. Hahaha!

seen in 'Wonder Woman'

Without knowing this famous museum ever been in a movie, you should see this museum. Paris has a lot of museums and many of them are must-visits. If you're asking, which scene is this museum in the Wonder Woman movie? It's actually the beginning where Diana Prince appear to go to work.

Every 1st date every month, the government will open the museum for free. Therefore, it will be very crowded. So, for me, I will avoid that particular date.

Note to miss:

- Queue for Mona Lisa painting

- Drink and shop tea at Marriage Freres

- Shop cute items at Pylones

I will come back for more!

I miss Japan! Really hard.

With all the things that make me miss the country so bad, I haven't been able to tell when I can go back to Japan. 

Anyway, recently, I kept having thoughts of ... having slow and stable life. Then, I was reminded of my travel to Kyoto a few years ago (before the pandemic). My first impression (or judgement) is that Kyoto and its people bring the slow-life vibe. 

I took a lot of pictures during my travel. Looking at them reminded me how calm and quiet the city was, despite its almost-always crowded shops by tourists and long queue in Arabica coffeeshop near the Katsura River---let alone another long queue due to quick photo opportunities in Fushimi Inari Taisha and Arashiyama sight-seeing. You would definitely sense the peaceful energy among the locals who seem to keep low-key lifestyle yet boldly living their true unique characters. 

And what else did I feel? Safe and stable. 

I did only enjoy a small dot of Kyoto. But all I can think of was... do they have an eventful life? 

As adventurer as I always be, now I finally want to feel safe in certainty. I want that kind of Kyoto life now.

But would my life turn into what I expect if I just move to another city, even if it's Kyoto?

I am sure the people of Kyoto have interesting stories to tell, simply wrapped around their mystery. Hopefully my Japanese improved before I visit again.

View my photos on Kyoto (taken in 2019) here on my Adobe Portfolio page.

Moving forward is always difficult, especially when you have huge baggage. I found that watching films or series that are able to touch you and bring you to tears are the ones helping me to take a step. So I'm recommending you some the latest films/series in the theme where we can start thinking about accepting the presence.

Russian Doll - Season 2 | Series | Netflix 

From subway station to another, from a train ride to another.

The second season brings Nadia, not only the ability to body-switch, but also to time-travel! The whole seven episodes focused on Nadia's struggles to fix her fate, by changing the past, and mending her mother's mistake she blamed heavily, so she could have a better chance.

I cracked on the last episodes where Nadia makes her chance to thank Ruthie. Surely, the series subtly tells us to make the best version of ourselves and be with people who truly love us.

"Turns out, I was wrong about time. ... See, I thought I could change things for us, you know? If I just went back far enough. And then, I couldn't change anything at all. "

The plot is confusing at first. Compared to the first season, the storyline was easier for me to digest yet intriguing ending. Somehow, strong witty lines and a twist of history gives this second part more flavour to taste. 

7 Lives of Léa | Series | Netflix 

The story starts with Léa who found a dead body, only skeletons, with a bracelet. After that incident, she gets the ability to body-switch and time travel. First, she travels back to the past where the mysterious dead man is still alive and becomes him. Later, on another date in the past, she becomes the other people related to that guy, who also happens to be the people she knows very well, including her parents.

However, this French series takes us to another angle, by giving us the picture if Léa saves the dead guy's life and revoking the hidden regret of her parents. 

We are fastly taken by the regret of Léa, as the reality she gets back to is another story she doesn't recognize anymore. The endings make us dead empty inside enough for us to accept our reality. 

Pachinko | Series | Apple TV+

Maybe this one has more tragedies and less magical since it doesn't offer super power to time travel. Yet, this one comes from a highly successful novel that offers a deep perspective of immigrants spans to 4 generations and how the political and societal dynamic affects them.

In the first season, Sunja revisits her past by going back to her hometown and is faced with her mistakes years before. Yet her strength keeps her and her family moving forward without forgetting the hardship and twisted path that have brought her this far.

Pachinko has successfully portrayed the hardship, struggle, and dilemma of being an immigrant and the life years after for generations. The smell of home, the taste of mothers' home-cooked meals, the feel of familiar comfort that are gone and far impossible to come back to---something unthinkable for many.

Senior Year | Film | Netflix

Reminds me of Korean series where a highschooler got an accident then wakes up a few years later after a long period of coma, only to live up the life she has lost so much.

But well, this one is played by Rebel Wilson. Funny and entertaining as always. The 17-year-old Steph has to move on with her childish attitude and accept that her 37-year-old body and the people around her have moved on with their lives. There, the lesson learned: true friends don't leave.

By keeping going with her own life with the rest she has, Steph understands that the life she used to want isn't the best for her and that the accident actually gives her a chance to have better things ahead. She goes back to her high school in her older form to regain what she always wants. I love it when moving forward is also counted for moving back with everything you got. The bravery of taking whatever you dream of when things have already moved sideways.

Here’s my experience I can share where you might learn a lesson (or two) to keep your brand and reputation intact. The mistakes people made in Public Relations:

1. Being dishonest to your PR 

I have to tell you (this is the reason why I put this topic as Number 1) that this is super important, when it comes to building or even fixing a reputation, you got to be an open-book to your PR or Brand team. Your PR person has to be the first person that knows everything before everyone knows a thing about you—and it might not be good.

Let’s put it this way: if you make one sin, consider to directly have a confession to your PR buddies.

If you think no one will ever know about one single mistake by keeping every detail to yourself, you might be wrong. But, notifying one potential danger to your PR team might save you from a long ballad of crisis handling. It is important to have your PR team decides if a prevention or a standby-reaction is needed, in case of breach made way for itself.

Sometimes, it’s not something bad or ugly. It is not always like that. It could be something private that doesn’t give any impact to public yet it could still make news.

2. Being ignorant, undermining situation

It is the utmost importance to have media monitoring available everyday ideally. Twice a day, even better! The routine can warn you to any potential crisis in the early beginning, but it takes quick analysis and sharp instinct. In every situation, trust your gut!

Not in the intention to make your freak out every time something’s wrong, but taking precaution would be good.

Whenever a protest or any unfavorable sentiment comes up to the system, never look at it with one eye closed. I’ll speak from my own experience. If there’s something upsetting about your brand, never underestimate the animosity it could get by judging it as ‘no big deal’.

When your brand is accused of something negative, it’s not for you to say that it’s not big of a deal. If it’s true, you got to make mends, and if it’s not, then you got to make things straight again. When you handle it properly from the beginning, not only the smoke will be gone fast, the fire won’t be burning higher. 

In my case, I was already giddy up to prepare for the war, yet I was stopped. I was told it’s going to be okay and wouldn’t mean anything. Of course, my instinct and calculation was right, the negative sentiment caused us ‘code red’ for the next 7 days.

3. Forgot to think again ‘where’s the news value?’ 

Before you’re proud of sharing any press release or keynote speech, I really hope to think and rethink, “what’s in it for us, the media and the public?”

Nope, I don’t want to hear your defense, ‘but this is our new feature!’, ‘but we just released this new cool ad campaign’, ‘but we just changed our management and leadership’. I’ll stop and ask you, “what could all that give impact to our lives or interests?”

Tell me if your ‘whatever’:

• solves any of our issues, or 
• that it is the first of all time, 
• caters 10,000 people at the same time, 
• beats any records—world record even
• presents any weirdness, uniqueness, bravest thing our eyes could ever witness, 
• new insight that answers of our life-long question, 
• would impact our livelihood
• would support or shake the economy, large group of people or community, stock performance, government stability, or any movement
• interests many people to join or flock your place, event, or activities
• now you might have another idea

In conclusion to this point, please consider if you can give any data (or stories) that would impact us. Please take a look out of your sphere, try to test their POV and interest, and ask yourself if your ‘whatever (data, story angle, new feature, new program)’ would mean anything to any of us that you need to deliver it to the media through a press release.

4. ‘Who’s Your CEO?’

Almost similar to #3. Is it your CEO … how could I put it… that important?

Ok, let me help a little bit to connect the dots. Does he/she have any story angle that would interest us (once again)?

I had an experience where the company focused on selling out their CEO or Managing Director. In this context, the company builds new app that people have so many questions about and the quality of the work they deliver. People have so many doubts about them.

Instead of addressing these doubts, they sell more about the background of the CEO to buy assurance. My suggestion to them is to focus on the quality they have that might give their users certainty and trust, such as showing how they actually work, how they actually recruit an expert to train their service front-liners who can make sure what they deliver would beyond, or at least, meet users’ expectations.

5. Not play with a (well-thought) strategy

For this point, I think it’s pretty obvious. The reason why I’m writing this is because I have one distinguished experience. A rather weird one actually.

The new company with a CEO no one knows wanted to target international coverage and their business is B2B, which rarely attracts mainstream news outlet. 

He thought he could use the same strategy of the famous local ride-hailing app, where they also target international news coverage on their founder to ease their ASEAN expansion. Well, that startup companies have thousands of local coverage, has become a household name, and has its founder a rising star. One more thing: It runs B2B and also B2C. So the strategy could not be the same.

How would an international news outlet be interested in a company that hasn’t bring any impact that huge to their base country, only have a few percent of active users compared to their downloads in their pocket, and is managed by an unknown CEO with only a brief experience in startup? Think again before you rush.

That’s all five, but I have more! Tell me if you relate to any of these experiences or if you have other experience and tips on the comments.

Last, but not least, please also do tell me if you’d like more of my PR tips and experiences.