JARO

I visited JARO in May 2023, and it's still one of my favourite places in Johor Bahru. There's always something about that place that gives me the feeling of calm and nostalgia. Or maybe I just love rattan.

Here are some pictures.

I covet!

They still make this kampung house, with mini rattan sofa sets! There is also a single-storey house.

Cute table and chair set for children.

I fall in love with this place over and over again...

Day Trip in Singapore 2023 - Sentosa Skyline Luge, 4D Adventureland, Headrock VR - Funan Digital Mall - Vivo City - Orchard Road

This trip was 100 percent customised for my boys. I took one week to plan our itinerary and routes, same as when I planned for our Japan trip last time, LOL. Post-pandemic holiday planning is very different, you know. Must have objectives, targets and plan Bs, and mine was:

Objectives: Fun thrills, memory refresher of Singapore and introduction to Singapore's specialty F&Bs

Targets: Sentosa, Funan digital mall, Orchard Road, Mr.Bean, MOS burger, Don Don Donki

I wasn't so anxious about the Causeway traffic this time even though it was the start of Johor's school holidays and also Singapore's one-month long school holidays. We woke up casually at 8am, ding-dong here, ding-dong there and started our drive in. Traffic was surprisingly good; Malaysia customs were clear, and just the usual slight jam approaching Singapore immigration counters. We arrived at Vivo City mall at around 10.30am and headed first to Mr.Bean stall for their pancakes. Boys gave thumb's up, heh.

After brunch, we walked to Sentosa via the Sentosa Boardwalk. I read there are walkalators along the route but when we got there, ALL OF THEM were under maintenance. In fact it looked like they had no plans to make them work again. That part looked like Malaysia. The boardwalk was close to 600m and is sheltered all the way, so it wasn't bad. When we reached the end of the boardwalk, the area looked abandoned. I couldn't find the way to enter the Resorts World Sentosa, and no one was around so I got a bit creeped out. We walked further and it was a relief when I saw some humans at a distance! Really, it was a rare sight to see an area without any people, IN Singapore, that was what creeped me out.

Once we got in Sentosa, we sprang into action. First in the checklist, Skyline Luge! It's a fun thrilled activity where you sit on a luge and ride downhill on 4 different track variation, relying on gravitational pull, and at the end of the ride, you return to the starting point by chairlifts to repeat the ride if desired.

Looks like this.

Source: Klook.com.sg

I got them the 4-in-1 ride tickets for S$35/pax at the counter. Many holiday-planning experts book by klook as it is discounted, but I didn't want to risk it, manatau tak jadi masuk Singapore. By the way, I came across this news that Skyline Luge is set to open in Malaysia end of 2023, hurray!

Next, they watched two 4D shows at the 4D Adventureland; the Extreme Log Ride and Journey 2 Mysterious Island. 2 shows for 2 adults=S$61.80. Again, book with klook if you can.

Last activity on the checklist, VR games at Headrock VR. How can we miss this right.

3-games-for-2-pax combo ticket for S$68, plus S$5 for non-playing person aka me.

Daniel only played this Action VR. He said 'the rest looks boring'.

Darren played the Beat Saber and Action VR.

These are the other games that my boys find 'too boring' *roll eyes*

Jungle Rafting

Jump Jump

Skyscraper

Zombie Busters

Extreme Train

Storm Blizzard. If you love to experience super strong wind blasting at you, try this one.

We did it, 3 target activities fulfilled! We headed back to Vivo City by monorail this time (so much faster and comfortable) for some commonly found local food ie. MOS burger and Old Chang Kee.

This boy fell in love with Old Chang Kee's cheesy cocktail sausages. 

Taking the MRT to City Hall to get to Funan Digital Mall.

This is not even peak hour.

Underground link to Funan mall. 

Must have a look at the Singapore-born gaming accessories brand here. 

"Everything so expensive", he said.

Hunting for Legend of Zelda Tears of the Kingdom

We saw a girl taking a picture here, and Darren wondered what if he took one standing BESIDE the wings instead. This is him joking around. Hahah, he is a funny guy.

Next, we wandered purposely to Orchard, specifically Far East SC, in aim to find the lowest priced Legend of Zelda game.

A brief walk along one part of Orchard road.

And we found it in Qisahn! It was a cozy gaming shop in this old old shopping building, a stark contrast to the other malls around it, especially ION Orchard. 

Happy boy here.

Mission accomplished! So all we needed to do now is head back to Vivo City. Gosh I am so glad the MRT brown TEL line is in operation now. No need to go through many stops and transfers. It was just 3 stops from Orchard to Outram Park, a transfer to the purple line, and one stop to Harbourfront.

Even though it was just the last short route back, at this point, my legs were starting to sore already.

Last stop, Don Don Donki! The boys weren't as bright-eyed as I thought they'd be, considering it was their first time here, I think we were all very tired already.

I was still excited to be here anyway, haha.

We then dragged our poor sore feet back to my car. The traffic back to JB via Causeway was also surprisingly ok, not the massive type you'd expect on a Friday night, also at the start of Singapore school holidays. 

I thank God for this fruitful day and a wonderful bonding with my boys.

A Year's Update of My Handmade Adventure

I've never felt so contented in my designing and crafting journey these 2 years, all because I had all the time and freedom to focus on it a.k.a no longer have full-time employment. Hahah.

In a nutshell, my days revolve around chauffeuring my sons from school, settling their lunches, help with homework, laundry, cooking dinner Mon-Fri, house-cleaning and in between those activities I design, paint, draw and sew. The highlight of my 2022 was participating in two craft market in JB.

Two amazing years of this routine and I'm still not tired of it yet! I guess crafting is really in my blood. 

SO... I will let these photos speak for me now.

I took these shots to showcase a themed collection of all my small creations ie. pouches, mini drawstring pouches, five stones game, wooden beads necklaces, card tags and decor trays.

These 2 years, I made a lot of bags too.

Tried this new bag type, the dainty rounded corner bag.

I also tried the 'drop' bag as it resembles a water drop. Kinda cute.

Wooden handle bags

Patchwork totes

And then there's this minimalist bags made by Tejika who also published a book, which I managed to get at a discounted staff price, yippee! I was quite obsessed with making some of the bags in this book.

So very happy with these!

At the same time, I was also trying out this bag style with a rather special handle made from bias tape. There was more manual stitching involved for this style, but it turned out very pretty!

And then my inspiration turned to these navy / indigo sling bags from a buyer who requested a custom order. 

Other bag designs and little projects along the way...

In 2022, I participated in two craft markets, quite unplanned actually! Checked one of my biggest bucket list..woo hoo!

Jio Market at Jalan Tan Hiok Neem 13-14 Aug 2022

This is literally my dream come true. I had always wanted to have a shop in this heritage retro area, and setting a pop-up here is good enough!

 

Weekend Mercado Market at Horizon Hills Clubhouse, 22 Oct 2022

This post feels like a fun performance review, haha, and I honestly feel like I have achieved my KPI with flying colours. Many of these projects and events just came along with the flow, and I don't think there anything more fulfilling than this kind of life. But I do need to improve a lot more on the marketing side as I'm not reaching more people as I should. I always imagine that there are more folks out there who loves what I create, and one day they will stumble upon my platforms. Jia you aruri!