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Exciting Things to Experience in Japan

Oh, the Land of the Rising Sun! I recently returned from my trip to Japan, and I’m still overflowing with emotions.

From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto, Japan captured my heart with its fascinating culture and friendly people. I found myself constantly mesmerized by the blend of traditional and modern attractions, and each day offered a new adventure.

The thrill of trying new foods and exploring vibrant neighborhoods left me feeling excited and curious, while visiting historic sites filled me with a sense of awe and wonder. Japan truly is a captivating country, offering a unique and unforgettable experience for every visitor.

If you are visiting Japan, anytime soon, here are some activities that you must consider.

#1: GO AMUSEMENT PARK HOPPING

Discover the excitement of Tokyo’s amusement parks! Disneyland, DisneySea, Universal Studios Japan, Sanrio Puroland, and Tokyo Dome City offer rides and attractions for all ages.

I couldn’t contain my joy as I rode each thrilling attraction, watched the vibrant shows, and indulged in delicious treats. I highly recommend arriving early to avoid long queues and to maximize your time at each park. My personal favorites were the magical Harry Potter’s Forbidden Journey ride at Universal Studios Japan and the unforgettable Journey to the Center of the Earth at Tokyo DisneySea. Don’t forget to enjoy the delicious treats at every park.

#2: VISIT SHRINES & TEMPLES

As you search for things to do in Japan, you will undoubtedly come across pictures of tourists posing in front of the vibrant facades of Fushimi Inari Shrine. This shrine is renowned for its thousands of striking red torii gates, which symbolize vitality and protection against evil in Japanese culture. In addition to the shrine, be sure to visit the Kinkaku-ji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

During my visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine, my family and I had to seize the opportunity to capture the perfect pictures, even during the busy Golden Week period.

#3: EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY OF MT. FUJI

As a UNESCO World Heritage site, Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan. The magnificent mountain appeared before us in all its majestic beauty, and I couldn’t help but feel in awe. We were so lucky to see some of the Sakura trees there too.

A cable car ride to the summit of Mount Hakone provides breathtaking views, while the Chureito pagoda or any of the five surrounding lakes offer equally stunning panoramas. Visiting Mount Fuji is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s a must-see for any Singaporean traveler. From the picturesque views to the refreshing breeze, it’s an unforgettable destination.

#4: SHOP TILL YOU DROP

Japan is renowned for its exceptional shopping experience, with popular areas like Tokyo’s Ginza district, Shibuya Center Street, Osaka’s Shinsaibashi and Umeda areas, and Kyoto’s Shijo-dori and Teramachi shopping arcades.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

If you’re a shopping enthusiast, you’ll love exploring the discounted luxury items at Gotemba Premium Outlets and the second-hand luxury items at BOOKOFF. And to top it off, most of the shopping outlets offer tax-free shopping, making it a budget-friendly experience. From luxury brands to traditional Japanese crafts, electronics, and unique souvenirs, you’ll find a wide range of shopping options that will make you go crazy. We certainly did!

#5: FEED THE DEERS

Nara is a city renowned for its stunning parks and friendly deer population. The city’s centerpiece is Nara Park, which is home to over a thousand deer that roam freely. While there, be sure to visit the Todai-ji temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to the world’s largest bronze statue of Buddha. I was in awe of how huge it was up close!

Don’t forget to bow respectfully before feeding the deer, as they will often bow back in appreciation.

#6: INDULGE IN GOOD FOOD

Japan’s incredible food culture left me immensely satisfied. As a tourist, you can indulge in a wide variety of delicious dishes, including sushi, ramen, udon, tempura, wagyu, okonomiyaki, and yakitori. I couldn’t resist trying matcha in different forms every day, from matcha tiramisu cake to matcha ice cream.

Don’t forget to sample the delectable street food such as takoyaki, mochi, and Kobe beef skewer. Japan’s diverse and unique food culture is a must-try experience for any Singaporean foodie.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and book a flight to Japan!

Sources: 1 & 2

The mid-careerist guide to entering the early childhood industry in Singapore

So you want to enter the early childhood industry?

Hold your horses.

As someone with a foot in and enough research, I would advise you to know the requirements before jumping in.

And even if you have enough theoretical knowledge on the ins and outs of the early childhood sector, my tip for you would be to try it out as a career part-time/full-time first.

I’ll let you in on the “stories” when the time is right but for this particular post, let’s focus on the nitty-gritty of how to enter the early childhood industry as a mid-careerist.

Ready? Let’s get into it.

Where to get trained?

Many institutions are offering early childhood programs but if there’s one that I would recommend for “name’s sake”, it would be the National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC).

Why, you may ask.

Well, mainly because it’s a training institute set up by MOE itself and it’s also the place where trainee teachers get trained to become full-fledged teachers in MOE schools.

You’re likely in good hands.

But don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that the other recognized institutions are subpar; I’m just recommending one that I think would look nice on your resume.

Course & career preview by NIEC

We’re just in time for NIEC’s upcoming event, a course & career preview—like a sharing session of sorts to help you find out more information.

It’s coming up this week, 6 May 2023, on a Saturday.

There are two sharing sessions, one at 10 am, and another after lunch, at 1 pm.

It’s specially created for mid-careerists who are keen to enter the early childhood sector so this event is a perfect chance for you to get enlightened on more.

There are also partner preschool operators on-site where you can even get to speak to potential employers and learn more about existing job opportunities!

If you’re keen to attend, you can register at this link: bit.ly/CCP6MAY

Here’s the official post from NIEC themselves:

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A post shared by National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) (@niecsingapore)

What courses do you qualify for?

We’ve still got some time left till the course preview by NIEC so maybe you can take this time to read up more on the courses you qualify for.

The good thing is that there is a clear career progression in the early childhood industry in Singapore so you immediately know what courses to take if you’re serious about entering the sector.

And that is based on your academic qualifications.

Here’s the breakdown and details.

If you’ve completed your Secondary 4 Education, you can enroll in these courses:

Advanced Certificate in Early Years (ACEY)
幼儿保育高级证书 [ACEY in Chinese]

ACEY will take 8 months or 14 months respectively (depending on your intake) to complete. Upon completion of the course, you will be certified as an EY2 educator by ECDA and be qualified to care for infants and kids from 2 months to 3 years of age.

Course fees

For those with 3 O-level credits:

Advanced Certificate in Early Childhood Care & Education (ACECCE)

ACECCE is a 13- or 20-month course that will certify you as an L1 teacher. With ACECCE, you will be eligible to teach pre-nursery and nursery children from 18 months to 4 years old. Depending on the childcare or preschool needs, you may also be assisting K1 and K2 classes.

Course fees

For those with 5 O-level credits:

Diploma in Early Childhood Care & Education – Teaching (DECCE-T)
幼儿教育专业文凭课程 [DECCE-T in Chinese]

DECCE-T will take 18 to 30 months to complete. Upon graduation, you will gain an L2 certification that allows you to care for and teach children aged 18 months to 6 years old. Those who do not have a minimum B4 grade for English Language (EL1) will need to obtain a minimum band of 6.5 in IELTS (General) or other ELAA within 2 years.

Course fees

Folks with a degree or local poly diploma:

Diploma (Conversion) in Early Childhood Care & Education-Teaching [DECCE-T (Conversion)]
幼儿保育与教育专业文凭（转业课程）[DECCE-T (Conversion in Chinese)]

DECCE-T (Conversion) is the last on this list for mid-careerist. It’s similar to the DECCE-T, except that it’s shorter in the training period. It will take you just 9 to 13 months to complete training.

Looks attractive, isn’t it? But as short as the training period is, be mindful that it’s going to be 10x more stressful since the knowledge that needs to be imparted to you is cramped within that short period.

I’ve seen friends and acquaintances undergo the DECCE-T while working at an early childhood center full-time and honestly, it’s not something I would want to go through. But if you’re serious about making that switch and don’t mind a stressful ride for long-term “gain”, go ahead!

Course fees

What if you’re not sure about making the switch?

Making a mid-career switch can be scary and if you’re 100% sure about being a full-fledged early childhood educator, I would advise you NOT to go for training just yet.

Look out for assistant teacher job opportunities first, where you play an assistant role to a trained teacher. By being an assistant teacher first, you will be aiding alongside the main teachers, which gives you a firsthand account of what your life is going to be like when you have to finally lead a class.

As with most jobs, being a “teacher” is not just about “teaching”. There are lots of things that go behind the scenes that most won’t see unless they’ve been through it. So I urge you to get yourself in the game first and give yourself some time to be fully immersed in the life of an early childhood educator before you decide if you want to spend that money/sign a bond and go for training.

Good luck with your new journey!

Singapore Airlines conducting walk-in interviews for cabin crew on Saturday, 6 May 2023.

Are you looking for an exciting career that takes you around the world? Do you have a passion for providing exceptional customer service? Look no further than Singapore Airlines!

They are thrilled to announce their upcoming recruitment drive at Singapore Expo on Max Atria on 6 May 2023. They are searching for talented individuals to join their world-class team as cabin crew members. As a cabin crew member, you will be given an attractive salary package with allowances based on your flight patterns and flying hours. You will also have the opportunity to travel to any SIA destination once a year, meet new people, and provide the passengers with the best possible experience.

To get you started, they will be offering a comprehensive training program to prepare you for your role as a cabin crew member. You will learn essential skills such as safety procedures, customer service, and more.

Screengrab from Singapore Airlines’s Facebook Post

If you are ready to take the next step in your career and join a world-class team, you are encouraged to attend their upcoming recruitment drive at Singapore Expo on Max Atria on 6 May 2023.

To be eligible for the walk-in interviews, you will need to meet the following requirements:

Singaporeans only
Minimum age of 18 years old due to legislative requirements
Minimum qualification of 5 GCE ‘O’ Level credits (including English) or Higher Nitec and above
Minimum height requirement of at least 1.58m for females and 1.65m for males in order to carry out safety and emergency procedures onboard
Pleasant personality and service-oriented
Fluent in English with good communication skills

Successful candidates must be able to commence employment with them within three months from the date of application.

Application Details: The details of their walk-in interviews are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 6 May 2023

Venue: Singapore EXPO Max Atria
Garnet 212
1 Expo Drive Singapore 486150

Registration will be open from 8.30am to 2.00pm.

Interested applicants are requested to download and complete this application form in hardcopy. You will also need to bring along ALL the originals and photocopies of the following documents:

Identity Card
Birth Certificate
Passport
Marriage Cert (if any)
Deed Poll (where applicable)
Entry/Re-entry Permit (if applicable)
All Educational Certificates
Vaccination Report
National Service Certificate and Transcripts (if applicable)

*For candidates wearing contact lenses, please come to the interview in clear contact lenses (i.e. no coloured contact lenses or iris enhancers.)

* Due to space constraints, candidates are advised to refrain from bringing companions to the interview. There will be no waiting area for those who are not attending the interviews.

For more information, visit https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/sg/careers/cabin-crew-career/

3 newly opened cafes near Seongsu & Ttukseom Stations to visit in South Korea

If you take an interest in South Korea, you would have known that the cafe culture in Korea is seriously not a joke.

Trends come and go in the land of kimchi and cafes are opening and closing within months.

Not to mention that prices have generally gone up.

But if it’s a well-deserved trip you’re making soon, go ahead and spend within your budget!

Here are 3 newly opened cafes near two train stations of Line 2 (green line)—Seongsu & Ttukseom—so drop by if you’re visiting the area.

BILLOWY | 빌로위 성수

Image Credits: blog.naver.com/jjh30417

Opening hours: 10 am to 12 am (last order at 10.30 pm)

Prices: Starting from 4,500 KRW (4.49 SGD) for drinks

Address: 15 Seongsuil-ro 12-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Directions: An 8-minute walk (567 m) from Exit 1 of Seongsu Station

BILLOWY makes a good brunch place so if you’re short on time (which most of us are while on holiday), consider dropping by this cafe/brunch place.

Image Credits: blog.naver.com/prejiii

The brunch menu ranges from 14,000 to 30,000 KRW (13.97 to 29.94 SGD) so it’s a little on the high side. But I love the aesthetics of this place.

Image Credits: blog.naver.com/jjh30417

The greyish-white interior colors with pops of greens are easy on the eyes and make perfect backdrops for selfie lovers.

FLOPPY | 플로피

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A post shared by FLOPPY 플로피 (@cafe.floppy)

Opening hours: Mondays to Fridays 10 am to 6 pm; Saturdays to Sundays 11 am to 6 pm

Prices: Starting from 3,500/4,500 KRW (3.49/4.49 SGD) for drinks

Address: 10 Achasan-ro 1 ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Directions: A 2-minute walk (150 m) from Exit 2 of Ttukseom Station

You will immediately spot this coffee & dessert place from afar thanks to its black exterior and clean white interior with unique mini tables and wooden chairs near the entrance. It’s not a huge space so you may not get seats if you’re unlucky.

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A post shared by FLOPPY 플로피 (@cafe.floppy)

To guarantee a seat, you may want to visit them close to the opening hours, which are 10 am on weekdays and 11 am on weekends.

Prices are pretty wallet-friendly, considering it’s in Seoul.

BREADYPOST | 브레디포스트 성수

Image Credits: blog.naver.com/qqq86

Opening hours: 10 am to 8 pm daily

Prices: Starting from 5,000 KRW (4.99 SGD) for drinks

Address: 5 Sangwon 1-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea

Directions: Head to Exit 5 of Ttukseom Station and walk along Sangwon-gil. It’s just 259 m away from the exit.

BREADYPOST specializes in freshly made pretzels with a decent variety of jams and sauces as add-ons you can purchase.

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A post shared by 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓 | 브레디포스트 (@breadypost_bakery)

The cafe itself somehow gives off some old-school vibes so it would make good vintage additions to your social feeds.

Image Credits: blog.naver.com/xenia5779

One visitor added that the pastries are out at 10 am, 1 pm, and 4 pm. So if you want the freshest treats right out of the oven, you know what time you should visit.

And that’s all from me for this short post!

As mentioned in the opening, cafes in Korea open and close at lightning speeds. So I’ll probably be able to bring you another similar post soon.

See you then! 🙂

3 things that have gone/going digital in Singapore recently

More things have gone/going digital recently, as part of the Singapore government’s efforts to digitalize its services to provide greater conveniences to the public.

While going through the news today, I came across these 3 things that have gone/going digital on our sunny island recently, hence this post.

Want to know what they are?

Keep your eyes peeled on this page.

#1: Vocational licenses

This one comes first because it has already launched at the start of this month.

To be exact, 1 April 2023.

According to LTA and the Government Technology Agency, vocational licenses for bus, taxi, and private-hire drivers have gone digital alongside digital identification cards and driver’s licenses.

Image Credits: todayonline.com

They can be found in the “My Cards” section in the Singpass app.

But thankfully for folks who can’t seem to get used to going digital, they can still apply for a physical vocational license at a fee of (ahem) $21.60.

Know of friends and loved ones who will be affected by this change?

Pass the message, ya?

#2: CHAS subsidy cards

Next up on our list, we have CHAS subsidy cards, which are hot off the press.

From today (28 April), CHAS cardholders 15 and above will be able to access their digital CHAS subsidy cards on the Singpass app. It’s also parked under the “My Cards” section.

Image Credits: MOH

Similar to vocational licenses, physical CHAS cards will still be issued. But unlike an extra fee charged for the above, physical CHAS cards will continue to be issued free for eligible Singaporeans.

They will be mailed to cardholders as usual, with the digital CHAS card made available on Singpass a day after being notified via SMS of successful application.

MOH has advised the public NOT to keep a screenshot of their digital CHAS card, to avoid unauthorized usage.

So no convenient screenshots, yeah?

#3: CapitaVouchers

We’ve still got some time left on this one since we will only say our official goodbye to physical CapitaVouchers on 30 June 2023.

From 1 July, only eCapitaVouchers will be accepted.

So it’s good that you start clearing your physical CapitaVouchers by 30 June.

Alternatively, you can convert them to equivalent STAR$ value from 2 May to 30 September 2023 at these customer service counters:

Bedok Mall
Bugis Junction
IMM
ION Orchard
Jcube
Junction 8
Lot 1
Raffles City
Singpost Centre
Tampines Mall
Westgate

Be sure to visit during off-peak hours (if you cannot tahan waiting), between 11 am to 9 pm.

Here’s an infographic for all you need to know regarding the conversion:

And there we have it, 3 things that have gone/going digital in Singapore: vocational licenses, CHAS subsidy cards, and CapitaVouchers.

What do you think is coming up next on the government’s radar?

Where to get trained?

Course & career preview by NIEC

#1: Vocational licenses

#2: CHAS subsidy cards

#3: CapitaVouchers

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