Summer 2003 Volume 9 Issue 2 by JETAABC

Vo l u m e 9 - N u m b e r 2

Summer 2003

The JET Quarterly Update IN THIS ISSUE Canadian Conference JET Preparation Seminar Consulate Updates Footprints Va n c o u v e r Mokuyokai Society J E TA A B C Ya h o o ! Group Powell Street Festival Society Membership Vs. E-list Announcements Events Calendar

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T h e J a p a n E x c h a n g e a n d Te a c h i n g A l u m n i A s s o c i a t i o n N e w s l e t t e r

Canadian Conference 2003 - b y St e p h e n i e G o l d

Despite travel warnings and lagging tourism, I a m h a p p y t o r e p o r t a s u c c e s s f u l 3 r d Annual JETAA Canadian Conference, hosted by JETAA Toronto. The purpose of the conference was to connect with other chapters, share ideas about JETAA fundraising, activities, and events, and receive information from CLAIR, New York, regarding recent changes to the JET Programme. Representatives from each of the seven chapters attended. Representing JETAABC were two members from the current steering committee, Damien Vilaysane and Stephenie Gold. The following is a summary of a few of the highlights of the conference:

generously acted as host for our welcome reception. It was an opportune time for small talk with reps from all across Canada, and swap both Japanese and JETAA stories in a relaxing atmosphere of cocktails and dining. Not surprisingly, the evening ended in front of a karaoke machine, with the The first evening, reps from CLAIR, New York, required ritual of singing Yesterday about the Toronto Consulate General, and the Canadian ten times. J E TAA c h a p t e r s w e r e s q u e e z e d i n t o a b o u t five yellow cabs and whisked away from the T h e c o n f e r e n c e s tarted bright and early Metropolitan Hotel to the not-so-humble abode the next day. First on the agenda was an of the Consul General, Mr. Koezuka. Mr. Koezuka official welcome by representatives from the Consulate General of Japan and the MC for the event, JETAA Toronto representative Dahlia Nicholson. As the principle focus of the morning was on fundrasing, each chapter gave a ten-minute synopsis of what activities have been particularly successful over the past year. For example, Northern Alberta chapter has held a Curling Workshop and Bonspiel with JETAA m e m b e r s a n d J a panese friends, led by a former JET (who happens to be a compet i t i v e c u r l e r ) . This event is an inspired way to use the existing talents of a JETAA member base (and I wonder what secret talents are lurking among our members!). To c o n c l u d e t h e i d e a - s h a r i n g m o r n i n g ...continued on page 7

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JET Preparations Seminar 2003 -by Betty Lee

The Preparation Seminar for the 2003 JETs has come and gone on Saturday June 14, 2003. Beginning l a s t y e a r, t h e 2 - d a y e v e n t h a s b e e n c o m p r e s s e d into a full 1-day seminar. Many anxious JETs began to pour in at the designated registration time of 8:45am. The event officially began with opening remarks by our President, Kristin Olsen, and humorous greeting by the Deputy Consul General, Mr. Tanaka. Spectacular presentations filled up the rest of the morning. Regional meetings were held during the 45 minutes lunch break where JETs got to mingle with each other in t h e s a m e a r e a a n d s p e a k t o v e t e r a n J E Ts o f t h a t r e g i o n . The afternoon was filled with four miniseminars, which they had ten to choose from, and a Q & A session that coincided with Parents’ and Friends’ Seminar. The seminar came to a close with a kanpai at the reception.

T h e r e w e r e a b o u t 110 JETs , 6 0 parents / f r i e n d s a n d over 30 volunteers who participated the seminar this year. F r o m t h e s u r v e y s , w e r e c e i v e d m a n y p o s i t i v e comments, along with a few constructive suggestions. Registration went smoothly. Thanks, Adele! Many (tummies) were very content with the 650 Timbits at coffee break, authentic bentos and sushi and snacks at the reception. Good job, Matt! “Speakers all had a wealth of information” and it was “definitely worthwhile to attend” the seminar. This information was compiled into an impressive handbook that they scribbled notes on throughout the day. Awesome, Greg!

To s h i m i O n o a n d St e v e C h e v a l i e r

Overall, the seminar was a great success! It was “well organized, informative and extremely useful.” J E Ts and volunteers alike noticed the “impressive organization” behind the whole event. Ye a h , Angie, you did it! T h e s e m i n a r w a s a g r e a t o p p o r t u n i t y f o r fellow JETs t o g e t t o k n o w e a c h o t h e r, v o l u n t e e r s t o answer their endless questions, and “gave [us] a reality of living in Japa n ” . O f c o u r s e , t h e s u c c e s s w o u l d n ’ t have been possible without the volunteers. T h a n k you for your precious time and valuable information. Comments and feedbacks will be reviewed for continuous success of this seminar.

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Summer 2003

Updates from the Japanese Consulate - b y St e v e C h e v a l i e r

Remember when you were heading o ff t o y o u r o w n l i t t l e c o r n e r o f J a pan? Do you remember the anticipa-tion of your new adventure, the promise of new friends and the opportunity to influence the young minds of a nation? Well, soon they’ll be off again. This year, 159 new JET participants ( 1 4 9 ALTs a n d 1 0 C I R s ) will depart from Vancouver International Airport to enjoy the summer sweat of Japan. M a n y t h a n k s t o J E TA A B C f o r organizing this year ’s Preparation Seminar and making it a great success. Every year, new JETs really appreciate your enthusiasm for the Programme and the chance to receive invaluable, first-hand knowledge from past participants.

In addition, new JETs h a v e the opportunity to register for one of two sessions of a Basic Japanese Immersion and CrossCultural Communication course sponsored by the Consulate General of Japan and the David Lam Centre for International Communication, Simon Fraser University. The David Lam Centre also offers Teaching English in Japan - Strategies and Resources and also, for the first time, gives a special seminar f o r C I R s . We t h a n k Toshimi Ono of the David Lam Centre for making these courses happen. The Consulate General of Japan will have a booth at the Powell Street Festival on August 2 n d and 3 r d . I f y o u h a v e n ’ t b e e n

Footprints... Greetings to all JETAABC members! Since Kawai-san has l e f t Va n c o u v e r f o r g o o d t w o month ago, I’ve been working along side with the JET Programme for the same amount of time as his replacement. One thing I have noticed, especially with the numerous J E TA A B C a c t i v i t i e s , i s t h a t time sure flies. My honest feeling about working with Canadians is that it is absolutely an adventure. Between the Canadian and Japanese cultures we have a lot in common, but at the same time, there are differences. This past two months brought me a lot of work, decisions, challenges, l e a r n i n g a n d j o y. M y l i f e i s now filled with fresh experiences and this is probably what some of you went through while on

to the festival, it’s a good chance to experience the Japanese community in Vancouver (and one of the few opportunities to gorge yourself on takoyaki!)

-by Akiko Fujikawa

the JET Programme and what the new JETs departing to Japan will go through. I’m really looking forward to see what kind of footprints this will leave in my heart. One thing I can feel rest assured about is that I already appreciate every moment I’ve devoted to the JET Programme. Involvement in the Programme always reminds me of my wonderful time in Vienna while on the exchange program in my third year of college. It gave me life-long friends and lessons of life. I feel that I’m meant t o b e h e r e i n Va n c o u v e r t o support people who are trying to enrich their lives and am so honoured to have this opp o r t u n i t y. T h a n k y o u a g a i n to all JETAABC Steering Com-

mittee members and alumni for welcoming and supporting me. I really hope that we can share some precious time as much as possible.

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Vancouver Mokuyokai Society The Vancouver Mokuyokai Society is an association for Canadians who have special interests in Japan, and Japanese residing in Canada. The association was established on September 13th, 1982, by a group of Canadians who had returned from Japa n a n d w e r e l o o k i n g f o r w a y s t o f a c i l i tate their conta c t w i t h J a panese people and events here in British Columbia. Mokuyokai is a dynamic organization, and as such their activities are constantly growing and evolving with the times. Some activities include: • Monthly Activities - Donwakai (informal social gatherings held the third Thursday evening of every month) - Speaker Program - Day Hiking Trips • Speaker Events - Sake Tasting - Ohanami (cherry blossom viewing) - Bonenkai (year end party) - Local Trade Events and Cultural Event Anyone with an interest in Japan and its c u l t u r e a r e w e l c o m e t o b e a pa r t o f t h i s g r o u p . O n e m a j o r b e n e f i t o f being a part of this group is the great opportunity to socialize and network with Mokuyokai members new and old. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.mokuyokai.bc.ca/

JETAABC Yahoo! Group Welcomes You! -by Andrew Eisenberg

First, I’d like to (re-) introduce myself. My name is Andrew Eisenberg and sta r t i n g v e r y s o o n , I w i l l b e the new JETAABC Yahoo! Group moderator. The more astute readers of this newsletter will remember from the last issue that I hold another position as the membership coordinator. Although this new position may sound unglamorous, believe me it isn’t. Our previous moderator, Albert Ngai (who has worked hard and has done a g r e a t j o b a t m a i n taining the group so far) will soon be handing over the JETAABC private jet and keys to the lodge in Whistler. So, when I’m not flying to exotic locations, entertaining Japanese royalty on the slopes, or updating the membership database, I’ll be moderating the JETAABC e-list on Ya h o o ! G r o u ps . M o d e r a t i n g means that I will review all new postings and all of the group’s membership requests. The JETAABC Yahoo! Group exists to provide an open f o r u m f o r i n f o r m i n g t h e J E TAA c o m m u n i t y o f B r i t i s h Columbia and the Yu k o n , a n d f o r d i s c u s s i n g i s s u e s

p e r ta i n i n g t o l i f e i n a n d a ft e r J a pa n . I f y o u h a v e a n event related to Japa n e s e c u l t u r e t h a t y o u w a n t t o a d v e r t i s e , a n y t h o u g h ts o r q u e s t i o n s r e g a r d i n g r e adjustment to Canadian life, or even general questions a b o u t J a pa n , t h i s i s t h e p l a c e t o e x p r e s s t h e m . We also welcome posts regarding housing concerns (looking for a place, tenant, etc.), career concerns, job postings, and upcoming events (JETA A B C , M o k u y o k a i , a r ts, etc.). The group’s main focus is on JET alumni living in British Columbia and the Yukon Te r r i t o r y. B u t w e encourage current JETs, the family of JET participants, and people who have previously worked and lived in Japan to join as well. So, if you want to stay connected to the JETAA community here, then joining the JETAABC Yahoo! Group is a great way to do it. If you know of an alumnus who is not connected t o ...continued on page 6

Summer 2003

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Summer 2003

Powell Street Festival Society This year, the Powell Street Festival Society will be held at Oppenheimer Park (400 block Powell St.) and Firehall Arts Centre (280 E.Cordova) on Saturday, August 2 n d , and Sunday, August 3 r d . There will be a series of workshop set up to teach curious minds how to make gyoza, shumai, ikebana, etc. For more info, please visit their website at: http://powellstfestival.shinnova.com/ For those who are unfamiliar with this society, the Powell Street Festival Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the Japanese Canadian community’s arts, culture, and heritage. They also promote the understanding of Asian Canadian arts, culture and history.

By providing opportunities for exploration and development, they encourage Asian Canadians to develop their leadership skills, which is a pa r t o f their community building. They also try to develop ties between the wide range and number of Japanese Canadian groups in the community (from m a r t i a l a r ts groups t o t h e S e n i o r s ’ Housing group and everyone in between!). In addition, they encourage Asian Canadians to be recognized as a creative force by the broader community. The Society tries to accomplish these goals by producing the Powell Street Festival every year. The Festival, which began in 1977, is a unique street festival that is free to the public and is held on Powell Street

in Vancouver, Canada, (an area where the first Japanese in Canada settled). Through the Festival, they provide a venue for Japanese Canadians to perform, display their work and gain publicity. They, in turn, inspire others t o c o n t i n u e t h e i r p u r s u i ts and pa r ticipate in the Festival. By providing an opportunity for groups and individuals to participate in various ways, they foster community development. The Festival also allows the Japanese Canadian community to show the general public the diversity that exists within the community and to share it with them. This fun-filled weekend is full of activities that will satisfy everyone young and old. Come out and celebrate the wonderful diversity of cultures!

JETAABC Membership Vs. JETAABC E-list Serve -by Damien Vilaysane

Confusing, isn’t it? Which is which? Aren’t they the same thing? Contrary to popular belief, especially a m o n g t h e n e w l y r e t u r n e d J E Ts , t h e y a r e N O T t h e same. The membership allows us to know the size and distribution of our members across BC and the Yu k o n . F r o m t h i s m e m b e r s h i p d a t a b a s e , w e k n o w w h e r e t o s e n d o u r J E TA A B C n e w s l e t t e r s . T h e e - l i s t s e r v e , w h i c h i s o u r Ya h o o ! G r o u p , a l l o w s each member who has signed on to post and receive messages, and receive JETAABC steering committee event announcements. Furthermore, this is also where some job postings and similar opportunities can be found. Messages being posted are always moderated by one of the steering committee members. While some people assume that signing on to the membership automatically means signing on to the e-list serve, it doesn’t. If you have signed on to o n e o r t h e o t h e r, b u t n o t b o t h , t h e n v i s i t o u r w e b s i t e ( h t t p : / / b c . j e ta a . c a ) a n d g e t y o u r s e l f o n b o t h l i s t s .

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Congratulations!!! We would like to congratulate our secretary and pre-departure seminar c o o r d i n a t o r, A n g i e F r e e d m a n , o n h e r recent engagement to Johnny Oshika. A small wedding is being planned for the cherry blossom season of 2004. We wish them the very best!

Book Review: The Salaryman's Wife The Salaryman’s Wife by Sujata Massey ISBN 0-06-104443-1 Book Review by Anitra Donald The very likeable protagonist of this series is genki Rei Shimura, a twenty-something Japanese-American E n g l i s h t e a c h e r, w h o l i v e s i n o n e o f To k y o ’ s s e e d i e s t neighbourhoods. However, in this first book, her winter mountain holiday is tarnished by terror when she is t h e f i r s t t o d i s c o v e r t h e b e a u t i f u l w i f e o f a n i m p o r ta n t b u s i n e s s m a n d e a d i n t h e s n o w. U n w i l l i n g t o s l i p i n t o society’s traditional role for a woman, Rei keeps searching for clues as she crashes a funeral, poses as a hostess, and somehow ends up being pursued by both police and paparazzi. Proving to herself that she’s not just a n E n g l i s h t e a c h e r, s h e m a n a g e s t o p i e c e t o g e t h e r a convoluted puzzle that’s constantly in flux – one that’s founded on deceit and held together by decades of sex and lies.

Vo l u n t e e r s N e e d e d J E TAABC is always looking for volunteers to help out with events large and small. For some of you who have always wanted to get involved with JETAABC and yet never quite found the perfect moment to do so, this is your chance! J E TAABC has been blown over by the numbers of people who have been coming out to events recently. We would like to keep up the energy of the community and continue providing these events. We appreciate any assistance you are able to off e r. Specifically, we are looking for people who are interested in helping out with organising social events and attending the occasional steering committee meeting. If you are interested in volunteering, or if you have any questions, please contact Kristin at president.bc@jetaa.ca .

ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER

From the snowy mountains of Japan to the back streets of Tokyo, Sujata Massey’s riveting, suspenseful, pageturning style will keep your interest until the very end.

The JET Quarterly Update is a newsletter that provides current information about JET Alumni Activities & Japanese Cultural Events in BC / Yu k o n .

New Moderator (continued from p. 4)

Got an idea for an article or want to post an announcement? Contact the editor via email: n e w s l e t t e r. b c @ j e ta a . c a

t h i s e - l i s t , p l e a s e l e t h i m o r h e r k n o w. S i g n - u p i s e a s y through the JETAABC website (http://bc.jetaa.ca/). Just c l i c k o n “ E - m a i l L i s t ” o n t h e m e n u o n t h e l e ft. Also, please let me know if your e-mail address changes or if you are relocating. There are JETAA chapters all across Canada and around the world. In fact, we can refer them to you. Thanks a lot! Please contact me if you want any further information: Andrew Eisenberg <membership.bc@jetaa.ca>

Thank You Contributors S t e p h e n i e G o l d , B e t t y L e e , S t e v e C h e v a l i e r, Akiko Fujikawa, Andrew Eisenberg, Anitra Donalds

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Summer 2003

Canadian Conference 2003 (continued from p. 1)

session, Deb Parent, a consultant in the area of fundraising, lead a practical and inspiring discussion on h o w t o s ta r t t h e p r o c e s s o f f u n d r a i s i n g , a s w e l l a s the steps that are important in planning events. Another major objective of the conference was to connect with CLAIR. The chapter reps had a chance to ask administrative questions to the representatives from CLAIR. We also received some clarification on some of the recent changes to the JET Programme.

These changes include: JETs are now allowed to rea p p l y t o t h e p r o g r a m a ft e r 1 0 y e a r s ; a n a p p l i c a n t i s able to re-apply to the Programme if he or she declines an accepta n c e ( a ft e r o n e y e a r ) ; a n d i n s o m e c a s e s , J E Ts a r e n o w a b l e t o w o r k a 4 th and 5 th y e a r i n Japan. The Canadian conference was a success. In particular, it was an excellent opportunity to feel connected to the rest of the JET alumni throughout Canada.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Past Events May – Career Think Tank. This is currently scheduled

to be the last session of its debut series. This workshop was an unexpectedly huge success, particularly for the final session as more than the expected crowd showed up. There have been talks about setting up another series with even more elaborate networking and guest speakers to provide inspiration and motivation. For those who are unfamiliar with this event, it is a series of workshop where participants brainstorm, discuss career issues, resumes and interview processes. The event is partially sponsored by the David Lam Centre at SFU Harbour Centre. T h e e x p e r i e n c e d c a r e e r c o u n s e l l o r, To s h i m i O n o , of SFU, guides each workshop. I f y o u w o u l d l i k e t o s e e t h e C a r e e r T h i n k Ta n k g o on to a second series, please email Kristin Olson at president.bc@jetaa.ca to add your support. The social gathering that occurred right after the C a r e e r T h i n k Ta n k a t A k i R e s t a u r a n t w a s a n o t h e r huge success. A record number of people showed up.

J u n e – 2 0 0 3 P r e p a r a t i o n S e m i n a r. T h i s e v e n t ,

which was recently changed from a two-day to o n e - d a y, w a s h i g h l y s u c c e s s f u l . T h e r e w a s a l a r g e turnout who participated in the many seminars a n d e v e n i n g r e c e p t i o n . To a l l t h e v o l u n t e e r s w h o helped out with the event, a large Thank You! Special thanks to Angie Freedman, who not only organised the event, but was the soul and strength behind all the operations. (Please see article on p. 2.)

July 17 Mokuyokai’s Donwakai Location: TC Lions Pub 8 8 8 W e s t C o r d o v a St r e e t Time: 5:30pm – whenever Fee: Free for Mokuyokai Members $2 (Guests) For more info, please contact Elizabeth St e p h e n B a b a a t : y a l i z @ u l t r a n e t . c a July 26 JET Participants. Group A leaves for Japan. July 27 Mokuyokai’s hike at Bowen Island Visit their website at h t t p : / / w w w. m o k u y o k a i . b c . c a f o r more info or email their hike captain (Ron_Foster@telus.net) to reserve your space.

August August 2

A u g u s t 2 & 3 P o w e l l St r e e t F e s t i v a l ( P l e a s e see article on p. 5) August 21

Mokuyokai’s Donwakai (please see above for more info)

August 23

Sumo Wrestling: 7th North American Amateur Championships St e v e s t o n C o m m u n i t y C e n t r e Te n n i s C o u r t , 4 111 M o n c t o n St r e e t , Richmond, BC. Phone: 604-718-8080

August 24

Mokuyokai’s Hike (Please see above for more info)

July July 12

2 0 0 3 J E Ts S e n d O f f B B Q Ti m e : N o o n Fee: $5 (JET Alumni) $10 (Guests)

JET Participants. Group B leaves for Japan.

...continued next page

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Summer 2003

Events Calender (continued from p. 7)

N/A

O k a n a g a n W i n e r y To u r. T h i s i s a weekend retreat. For those interested, please contact Angie at s e c r e t a r y. b c @ j e t a a b c . c a f o r m o r e details.

N/A

Mokuyokai Annual BBQ Location: Locarno Beach Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm w w w. m o k u y o k a i . b a . c a

September N/A

Welcome Back Social Event. More details forthcoming.

N/A

Japanese Cooking Class. More details forthcoming.

Newsletter Membership Update...

September 18

M o k u y o k a i ’ s Sp e c i a l Donwaki Location: TBA Time: 5:30pm – 7:00pm

October N/A

Re-Entry & Career S e m i n a r. M o r e d e t a i l s forthcoming.

October 18

M o k u y o k a i ’ s S a k e Ta s t i n g Location: BuschelenMowatt Art Gallery 1 4 4 5 W e s t G e o r g i a St . Time: 6:30pm – 9:00pm Cost & Details: TBA

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