Little Stories 256 : About Walking Last Week (and book search, of course)

 

Last week I decided to watch Barbie, after spending many days working in front of the computer. I think I deserve a rest, so I got ready, went out early in the morning in the hard rain, and took the Grab to IOI. On the way to IOI, suddenly my sister texted me, asking what I was doing (on that random morning, on a weekday) and I told her that I was on my way to watch Barbie. At that exact moment, the plan instantly changed and she was there with me to watch Barbie. I was somewhat annoyed because she invited herself (I thought it was my personal day off), but later on, I was glad because:

1. GSC no longer accepts cash, they don't even have a manual ticket counter and on that particular day, I only had cash. So she saved the plan and we managed to buy tickets to watch Barbie. 
2. We bought a 1030 am movie on a weekday, so there was literally no one else except for us in the cinema. Imagine if I only went there alone, in a dark secluded place, if anything happens, then no one would know. 

So I learned 3 things on that day: 

1. Cash alone is no longer reliable, always bring along digital money with you. 
2. Don't watch movies during the off-peak time, alone. If you are alone, watch it during peak time instead. Or at least see if anyone else already booked any other seats so you won't be literally alone in there.  
3. Things happen because they need to happen, you might feel annoyed at first because you didn't expect it, but eventually, the right reasons will reveal themselves and you'll be glad that it happened *hopefully.

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Ok.

Moving forward several days later, I was supposed to meet my boss that afternoon. Like any normal person meeting her employer, I prepared early, called in Grab on another rainy morning, and headed to the office on a train. Halfway to the office, my boss postponed the meetup, again. 

I was prepared mentally to spend the day in the city after the meetup, right. So I didn't want to go home just yet. Yes, I was again, somewhat annoyed by the change of plan. I made a stop at Pasar Seni, went to a random cafe, and spent several hours reading Conversations with Friends until the very last page. It was a blissful silent morning, having to read without distraction. I had a matcha latte and a plain croissant (and apparently, that was my only food of the day). I sat there until I finished reading and then there were a couple of people who decided to sit next to my table and spent the entire time trying to get the nicest selfies to post on social media, they were loud and happy, and I felt that I should go. 

I didn't have any plans, I was in the middle of the busy city on a Friday afternoon. So I walked and walked and walked. I know about the Junk Book Store in Bukit Bintang, but the last time I went there, the used books were quite pricy, even more expensive than new books in Bookxcess. I walked from Pasar Seni station to Central Market, I tried to find the Used Bookstore in CM but apparently, it was closed down. I explored the place, it's been a while since I spent time in CM (*it held histories). Then from CM, I went back to Pasar Seni, I needed cheap books, so I headed to The Garden to go to Artfriend and Bookxcess. Bought some supplies and some books, and walked some more until it was late in the afternoon, it rained heavily again, and felt like I used up the time to recharge well that day.

There, a good day was spent on books and walking.

I wish I was in a city where cheap used books can be found everywhere, but I'm not and books are really expensive in Malaysia. Too bad my hobby is expensive to maintain. 

Here are some of the bookstores I went to this year:

• Eslite at Bukit Bintang
• Kinokuniya at KLCC
• MPH at Nu Sentral
• Tsutaya Bukit Jalil
• Books & Bobs, GMBB
• Bookxcess at The Garden
• Bookxcess at REX KL
• Bookxcess at MyTown

Okay, I will try the National Library next time and see if their book listing improved over the years.

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And on Sunday, I went out for a hilly run. 

Specifically a hill run because I needed the training and the hardship of doing something I didn't like so I could rise above. Later I was sore all over the whole day.