Fall 2009 Volume 14 Issue 2

Newsletter, Fall 2009 ‐ Volume 14, Issue 2

In this issue…

After a great summer of beaches, barbecues, and beer, it is now time for the arrival of the most beautiful of seasons. As the weather cools and we begin to prepare for what will hopefully be a mild winter in Vancouver, this time of year reminds me of the start of the new JET year. In cities, towns, and villages, 43 of our JET peers from Vancouver are settling into their lives in their little corner of Japan, while some of us here are trying to re-settle into our lives post-JET. Here’s to a productive season for all, as we enjoy the rest of 2009.

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News from the JET Desk Japan Film Night JETAABC Career & Networking Seminar 3 Fall 2009 JETAABC Events 2009 Board of Directors 4 - 5 Interview with JET Alumni Yumiko Hayashi 5 Kimono de Vancouver 6 Spotlight on Kumamoto 7 There is more to Tokyo, than just Tokyo Neat Eats: Ichiro Restaurant 8 Let’s Forking!

JETAABC Cooking Class with Naomi-sensei

2009 JETAABC Welcome Back Reception

About JETAABC:

We welcome all recently returned JETs and previously-returned JETs from the Lower Mainland in this casual reception for great food, drinks, and company!!

The JET Alumni Association of British Columbia and Yukon (JETAABC) is one of Canada's most active chapters, with 620 members. Its mission is to: *Provide a community for alumni returned from Japan *Foster a connection between Japan and the BC/Yukon community *Support and promote the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme

Date: Friday, October 9, 2009 Time: 6:30pm until late Cost: free appetizers and finger food

We welcome your participation and ideas for events, activities and contributions to this newsletter… check us out at www.jetaabc.ca for contact information and upcoming events! If you would like to get involved, drop us a line!

Location: Kingston Taphouse and Grille 755 Richards Street, Vancouver (Between West Georgia and Robson) RSVP: email Emily at volunteer@jetaabc.ca.

Kindly include your name, JET year, prefecture, and contact number.

RSVP Deadline: Sunday, October 4, 2009.

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News from the JET Desk at the Consulate General of Japan Departure, 2010 Recruitment and Volunteer Opportunities Steve Chevalier “The adventure of a lifetime.” That’s how some of the recently departed JET participants gauged their upcoming experience in Japan. Of the 177 Canadians accepted onto the JET Programme, this year, 43 eager participants (42 ALTs and 1 CIR) departed from Vancouver on August 1. They will join another 304 Canadians already in Japan, bringing the total number of Canadian participants to 481. Canada has the second largest number of participants behind the U.S. and ahead of the U.K. On behalf of the Consulate and the new participants, I would like to thank all of the JETAABC members who helped us with recruitment, interviews, and pre-departure preparations this past program year. Your efforts are much appreciated.

If you who know someone who would be interested in living and working in Japan with JET, or for some of you wanting to re-experience JET, recruitment begins this September for the 2010 JET Programme. Alumni who have not participated since 2007 and also not participated for more than five years total, can now re-apply, as long as they meet the other eligibility requirements. The application form and information session schedule will be available on-line in mid-to-late September at www.vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp, or in later September by contacting the Consulate at culturalcentre@consuljpnvan.com.

We are also looking for alumni who would like to

The Consulate General of Japan in Vancouver "become the face of JET" .....at least for BC applicants.

800 – 1177 West Hastings Street Alumni are invited to submit photos of their JET experience for use on the JET Programme pages of the ConsuVancouver, BC V6E 2K9 www.vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp

late website and information session presentations. To volunteer or submit photos, send an email to culturalcentre@consuljpnvan.com.

So what can JETAABC do for you? Contact us!

By Email:

www.jetaabc.ca/Main/BoardOfDirectors for a list of email addresses

On the Web:

www.jetaabc.ca

By Mail:

JETAABC, Bentall Centre, PO Box 48121, Vancouver, BC, V7X 1N8

2009 JETAABC Career and Networking Seminar Save the Date: October 23, 2009 (Friday Evening) This is an event designed to help returning JET alumni re-enter the job market. A panel of alumni members will be on hand to talk about their different jobs and job-search experiences, in addition to offering resumewriting tips to highlight your skills.

You won’t want to miss this opportunity to jump-start your career and network with other alumni.

If you would like to participate in this event, or are interested in volunteering and talking about your career with other alumni, please RSVP to Wanda at career@jetaabc.ca. * Time and venue TBA. More details will be posted on the JETAABC website and Facebook group as they become available.

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Fall 2009 JETAABC Events Nina Inaoka Lee

2009 Board of Directors

Ready, JET, Go! in Kelowna Racing on Saturday, September 19 and 20 BBQ at Seclusion Bay

President: Greg Joughin president@jetaabc.ca

Pub-Karaoke Night Friday, September 25 Details on www.jetaabc.ca (TBA)

Treasurers: Greg Joughin & Ann Yamashita treasurer@jetaabc.ca

GlobeTrotters Run for the Cure!

Sunday, October 4 We have a group titled GlobeTrotters for the CIBC Run for the Cure. It is a 5km run/walk to raise awareness, and funds for Breast Cancer research, education and and treatment. It is not a race with a timing chip, so you can go at any speed you want. Run for a 5km record or have fun casually jogging/ walking with friends! You can bring your dog and even push your baby in a stroller. Invite your friends and family. *Date: Sunday October 4, 2009 *Time: 9:15am *Location: Concord Pacific Place – Pacific Blvd at Carrall Street *Register online by September 18, 2009 – to receive a team t-shirt. Team name is GlobeTrotters https:// www.cibcrunforthecure.com/html/en/about.asp *E-mail nina@jetaabc.ca for more information. Nina will email you to confirm details and meet to pick up your t-shirt.

***We will also meet up after the run for brunch!

Newsletter Editor: Dinah Linsangan newsletter@jetaabc.ca

Membership Coordinator: Carlos Tolentino membership@jetaabc.ca

Volunteer Coordinator: Emily Wu volunteer@jetaabc.ca

Social and Cultural Coordinator: Russell Aquino social@jetaabc.ca

External Liaison: Nina Inaoka Lee external@jetaabc.ca Career & Personal Development: Wanda Yee career@jetaabc.ca

JETAABC Wagashi Cooking Class with Naomi-Sensei Saturday, October 17 Back by popular demand! Naomi-sensei will demonstrate how to make Japanese sweets, her cooking secrets and tips! *Date: Saturday October 17, 2009 *Time: 11:45am - 2:45pm *Location: National Nikkei Heritage Centre 6688 Southoaks Crescent , Burnaby (2nd Floor, Cooking & Crafts Room) *Menu: Mushi-Manju - steamed rice cake sweets Mikasa - Japanese pancake sandwich Yomogi-mochi - grass mochi *Cost: $20/person includes all cooking supplies and ingredients. Recipes will be provided. Don't forget to bring an apron and some tupperware to bring home leftovers! *Sign-up: Email Emily at volunteer@jetaabc.ca by October 4, 2009 and complete payment to secure your spot. In your email please include your name, email, JET year/prefecture, and phone number. *Payment: Make cheques out to JETAABC (Address: JETAABC, Bentall Centre, Box 48121 , Vancouver , BC V7X 1N8 ) by Oct. 4th, 2009.

***Sign-up today - class size is limited to the first 15 people!

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2009 JETAABC Welcome Back Reception Friday, October 9 ***See the front page of this newsletter for details.

2009 JETAABC Career and Networking Seminar Friday, October 23 ***See page 2 of this newsletter for details.

Secretary: Ann Yamashita secretary@jetaabc.ca

Senior Advisor: Chris Bailey senioradvisor@jetaabc.ca

Technical Coordinator: Eric Chan technical@jetaabc.ca JETAABC-Mokuyokai Bowling Taikai Saturday, November 14 JETAABC members and friends will be playing alongside Mokuyokai friends. Even if you haven't bowled in ten years, come and join us for this fun event! Space is limited so sign up early! *Date: Saturday November 14, 2009 *Time: 1:30pm - 3:00pm *Cost: $10/person (including shoe rentals) *Location: Rev's Bowling Centre 5502 Lougheed Highway, Burnaby, BC *Directions by Skytrain: take Millenium Line to Holdom Station and is across the street (lots of parking if you are driving!) *RSVP: Please RSVP by November 8 to Emily Wu (volunteer@jetaabc.com) and complete payment to secure your spot. *Payment: Make cheques out to JETAABC (Address: JETAABC, Bentall Centre, Box 48121 , Vancouver , BC V7X 1N8 ) by November 8, 2009.

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JETs Then and Now: An Interview with JET Alumni Yumiko Hayashi

Former JET Yumiko Hayashi discusses her life post‐JET with JETAABC. Enjoy!

1) Why did you join the JET Programme?

I was looking for something to do after graduating from UBC. As a first generation Japanese‐Canadian, my parents would tell me stories of growing up in the "inaka" of Japan. I had been to Japan many times be‐ fore, but had always wanted to live there to get a glimpse of the life my parents once lived. Since I had always wanted to work overseas, JET seemed to be a perfect option.

2) What were your most memorable moments on JET? I wouldn't even know where to start! Going to school and seeing my students every day, exploring the win‐ ter mountains, dancing in the summer festivals...I could go on all day! I'm sure anyone who goes to live in a foreign country is going to have loads of memora‐ ble moments, but I think it is the people we encoun‐ ter that separate our moments from others.

There is this kind and gentle spirit in Japan that leads to unpredictable interaction. Whether Japanese or not, the friends I made in Japan are some of the most intelligent and inspiring people I have ever met.

3) Before you joined the JET Programme, where did you see yourself in the future (career‐wise, personal goals etc.). Has being on JET helped you achieve any of your personal and professional goals?

I applied for JET during my last year of university. I was getting ready to graduate with a degree in Piano Performance. Most of my colleagues were off to pur‐ sue careers in the performing arts, so I was often asked why I had decided to apply for a teaching pro‐ gramme in Japan. One of my main reasons for going to Japan was to improve my Japanese, but I also wanted some time to really get into some of the hob‐ bies I had picked up in university. Little did I know I would be coming back with twice as many!

JET also brought out my passion for teaching. I will be opening a piano studio at the end of the year where I will be teaching again full‐time.

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4) What was it like adjusting to life post‐JET? How did you handle it?

I missed my life in Japan quite a bit when I came back; in fact, I still do. But adjusting was not as difficult as I had thought it out to be. I had made sure to set up some things to do before I got back, and I was lucky enough to find a job immediately, which I thought was all very helpful in the "re‐adjusting" process. Set‐ ting personal goals I think are very important, too. For me, trying out for the National Kendo team was one of them.

5) How long have you been practicing Kendo? What was your inspiration for practicing Kendo?

My father is a teacher at the Vancouver Kendo Club, so Kendo always has had a strong presence in our house. Like many children of instructors, I actually didn't have much of an option when it came to prac‐ ticing! I would be lying if I told you I was never "dragged" to practice, but I'd also be lying if I told you I wasn't completely in love with the art. Whether you like it or not, Kendo is something that slowly becomes a part of your life. I have been practicing Kendo for 18 years now, and can't even imagine the person I would be without it!

6) How did you come to join Canada's Kendo National Team?

Making the team is about a year long proc‐ ess. Coaches and management take their time in choosing the best‐fit candidates for the team. Good performance at practices, local tournaments and at the Nationals is key.

7) The World Kendo Championships will be held in Brazil this August. You must be very busy preparing for that! What's your practice/training regimen like?

There are only two more months left until the big day, so I'm on a pretty hard schedule. For the past year, my schedule has consisted of Kendo practice 5‐6 times a week along with 2‐3 days of dry land/gym

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(Continued on next page)

Kimono de Vancouver Nick Hall Continued from previous page

I had experienced tea ceremony a number of times before going to Japan, but it was during my time as an ALT in Kawaguchi, Saitama in training. Eating healthy, mental training and stretch‐ 2003-2004 that I began studying it at a small school related to the Omotesenke tradition. This was also when I acquired my first traditional ing are also part of my daily routine. It sounds ex‐ Japanese clothes (wafuku), starting with a kimono custom-made at a treme, but I have been able to work full‐time and small shop in Asakusa because I couldn’t find a premade one long train all this time. I am quite pleased with what I have enough to fit. accomplished so far.

While living in Japan, I wore my kimono regularly at tea classes and various tea events. I also had the opportunity to attend an event by Kimono de Ginza, a loosely-formed group that meets on the second Saturday of each month in front of the Wako Department Store in Ginza, and then embarks on some activity—a visit to a famous temple, a walk in a park—followed by drinks at an izakaya, with most of the participants wearing kimono and other Japanese clothing.

I have continued taking tea classes since returning from Japan, and have acquired more items of traditional clothing. Like many of the students in my school, I wear kimono to tea classes and tea events, but almost never have a chance to wear them outside the tea room. So, inspired by the Tokyo club, I recently decided to start a similar group in Vancouver, which I’ve called Kimono de Vancouver.

Background photo and above photo by Thomas Tran

8) Is practicing Kendo something that will always be a part of your life?

I think after this experience, I really will have no choice! There have been plenty of bad days where there is nothing I want more than to get out of a workout or practice, but I know that if I walk away after all of this is done, I'm going to definitely miss it.

The journey to Brazil has been intense, and an in‐ credible experience. I am excited to see how compet‐ ing in the World's will contribute not only to my Kendo but also to my everyday life‐physically, men‐ tally and spiritually.

Editor’s Note:

Yumiko placed in the top 8 for Canada at the World Kendo Championships in Brazil, which were held from August 28 ‐ 30.

Congratulations, Yumiko!!!

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As with the Tokyo group, the aim is to provide an opportunity for people to wear their wafuku—to get together around once a month with other people who like wearing traditional Japanese clothing, and do some activity. I’ve created a website for the group at www.japancirclevancouver.com/kimono.html. The first event will probably take place near the end of September, and will be announced on the site. Suggestions for activities are most welcome!

A Very Special Thanks to: Steve Chevalier Hana Dethlefsen Steven Evans Nick Hall Yumiko Hayashi Michael Holsworth Greg Joughin Nina Inaoka Lee Carlos Tolentino Emily Wu Wanda Yee for your contributions to this edition!

Thank you!!!

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Spotlight on Kumamoto Steven Evans

*SNOUT

*HIND QUARTERS

All Japanese prefectures should physically resemble their names. That way they would be easy to locate and easy to remember. Kumamoto, where I lived, is just this way. The prefecture is shaped distinctly like a bear (kuma), with its snout pointing west towards Saga and Nagasaki and its hindquarters planted firmly on Kagoshima and Miyazaki. I like this. It gives the prefecture character, even if the only bears to be found are located in zoos (including the horribly tacky “Cuddly Dominion” petting zoo/amusement park that blighted the landscape of one of my neighbouring towns.)

Recently I heard that a friend moved from Kumamoto to Miyagi prefecture. I spent minutes searching a map of Japan for a karate sensei shaped prefecture, but to no avail.

Miyagi-ken looks like nothing at all. In my mind a full round of redrawing and renaming is in order. Ideally all prefectures in Japan would be both shaped like and named after animals. The map would be much easier to remember and the resulting “super-animal” might finally be the thing that strikes fear in the hearts of the North Korean regime.

Now, I’ll admit that my vision for Japan may stem from a slight Kumamoto bias. I love my former prefecture; it’s easily the best animal-shaped prefecture in Japan. I once met a pair of girls from Tokyo who looked on my having lived in Kumamoto with some mixture of confusion and contempt. “Why live there? Why not live in Tokyo? Tokyo is so much better,” they said. It’s a refrain probably anyone who lived far from the major metropolitan areas has heard at one point or another.

To city dwellers, the countryside (and Kumamoto is very country—it even has its own country music festival) is just a backwater.

And it’s true: Kumamoto is a bit of a backwater—an awesome backwater. The prefecture has no bullet train access, but fly into Kumamoto Airport and you’ll find yourself just minutes away from the largest active volcano in Japan. Sure, Tokyo has Fuji and Tokyo has Disney, but for me, Mount Aso, with its endlessly steaming crater, unpopulated hiking trails and relaxing onsens, is more than an equal trade. Aso-san, as it’s known, features one of the world’s largest calderas, the result of four huge eruptions that occurred somewhere between 90,000 and 300,000 years ago. Stretching 25 kilometres from north to south and 18 kilometres from east to west, the caldera is home to lush farmland, rustic towns, five volcanic peaks and more hot springs than you can shake a giant daikon radish at.

Now I’ll admit that the rustic country life isn’t for everyone. While my city friends complained half-heartedly about the small size of their apartments and the high cost of living, I was engaging in daily life-ordeath struggles with giant poisonous centipedes and spiders the size of my first-year shogakusei. I spent my first month in Japan hearing nothing but the loud drone of cicadas by day and the fearsome clatter of giant moths trying to break down my window screens at night (I strongly suspect that the creator of Mothra must have lived in the inaka.) Eventually, my mornings became a guessing game of just what creature would greet me when I opened my bathroom door: centipede, mantis or gecko.

Come to think of it, there are some things about Kumamoto that I could do without: the overabundance of pachinko parlours (it’s said that neighbour to the south Kagoshima has the most per capita, but I suspect Kumamoto is a close second), the culinary “delicacy” that is raw horsemeat, and the aforementioned Cuddly Dominion, to name but a few.

But still, I wouldn’t trade my former adopted home for anywhere. While I love Tokyo and have a crush on Hokkaido (which, incidentally, looks a little bit like a devil ray), there’s only one prefecture that’s shaped like a large carnivorous mammal and there’s only one active volcano that earns the title “biggest in Japan”. So if any other prefectures want to step up and take Kumamoto on, they’ve been warned.

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There is more to Tokyo, than just Tokyo Michael Holsworth

I was an ALT that had the dumb luck of being placed in Tokyo. I was there from 2002 to 2005 and worked at a junior high school in Musashimurayama City. Well, it was a great time, but needless to say, after only three years I wanted more. My problem was that Tokyo is loaded with foreign English teachers who are willing to work for peanuts, so finding a job was going to be a tough challenge. I also had enough of big city life, so I started searching elsewhere. This is when I found Niijima!

Niijima is a small island in the Izu-shichito chain that is part of Tokyo. It is about a 10-hour ferry, 2.5 hour jetfoil or 35 minute flight from Tokyo. There are about 2500 people on this 24-km2 island of paradise. It is loaded with beaches, onsens and other great things to do. I found myself a job there as a junior high ALT, that soon became more than just teaching. I became the volleyball coach, the assistant home room teacher and main video/photographer for all school events…including all the official stuff!!

If you are need a quick getaway from the mainland, this island is the place to go. There are three onsens. Mamashita onsen is a beautiful traditional style onsen that will set you back only 300 yen. At the same location is the sand-bath. It is a great way to enjoy the onsen with a twist of being covered in warm (ok, hot) crushed volcanic rock that was covered in hot spring water. Then there is Yunohama onsen. It is free, and is open 24/7 all year! You only need a bathing suit and you are good to go.

If onsens are not your thing, how about surfing? Niijima is host to the National Championships and even hosted the Quick Silver World Cup! Surfing not your thing? How about diving? Fishing? Triathlon? Bowling? (yep, 4 x 10pin lanes). If sports are not your thing, Niijima also plays host to some great festivals. Each July/August is host to WAX, a weekend reggae festival. Then there is the 3-day rave that also comes to town every other year, and brings along about 1000 people!

The final point of interest of Niijima is the Glass Centre. You can come here to learn about glass blowing and even make your very own glass! There is only one more island in the world, Lipari Sicily, which has the same volcanic rock that produces the unique green glass.

If you are looking for a great getaway from Tokyo, I would suggest Niijima to anyone! The locals are friendly, the food is great and there is no need to bring your watch…let island time take care of you.

Here are some weblinks to check out: • Niijima Island: http://www.niijima.com/ • Niijma Glass Centre: http://www.niijimaglass.com/indexj.html • Wax Festival: http://www.wax2005.com/ • Anoyo: http://www.anoyo.net/pastevent/index.html

Got something to say?

We’d love to hear from you!

Email newsletter@jetaabc.ca.

Next issue - Winter 2009/2010! Deadline TBA.

Neat Eats: Ichiro Restaurant Carlos Tolentino

Most would not think of Richmond as a destination for fine Japanese food. But this hidden gem in the heart of Steveston village is just waiting to be discovered.

One recent Friday evening, my companion and I paid a visit to Ichiro Restaurant (12011 2nd Avenue at Chatham). It took us a while to get seated, so I would highly recommend making advance reservations or coming early, especially on a weekend.

Inside, although a bit cramped, the place is neat and tidy, with origami scattered throughout the restaurant.

But of course, we came here for the food. Given my love for sashimi, the first thing I ordered was one of their specials for the evening: blue fin tuna sashimi. According to our server, these came fresh from Japan. I’m pleased to say they didn’t lie. I could almost taste Japan as each piece melted in my mouth.

They only advertise the full order (8 pieces for $32), but you could ask for a half order as well. As you would expect in authentic Japanese restaurants, they also had other types of tuna available that evening.

Apart from the sashimi, I was also particularly impressed with their selection and originality. Their Ichiro-don combined all the great toppings – ebi tempura, unagi and chicken karrage – ALL in one bowl! We also tried two of their maki sushi, namely the crab tempura and the tuna avocado rolls, to which they added some crispy noodles.

All in all, I would describe our dining experience as sumptuous, satisfying and relatively light on the wallet, although I probably could have used more sashimi at that price. The service was also above par. Aside from the initial confusion with my order – the server thought I had asked for mackerel instead of maguro – I found them helpful and available.

So, if you’re looking for great value and some fresh fish offerings, this place is a must-visit restaurant in the Lower Mainland that will leave you asking for more.

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Let’s Forking!

Hana Dethlefsen Welcome to the first JETAABC episode of “Let’s Forking!” a recipe column for those of you “natsukashii” for the forking delicious food of Japan. Speaking of natsukashii, I am natsukashii for the last days of summer, and want to re-invoke those hot, sunny August days by forking with a cool noodle. Join me for some summer lovin’ with this delicious and waistline-friendly Summer Somen Salad. [Warning: this dish is extremely tasty; once created, prepare to beat off potential forking partners.]

Ingredients for Summer Somen Salad (per person): Salad: (Substitute with your favourite toppings, but stay fresh and light) *Somen noodles, one bundle (rice noodles are a good substitute if you can’t find somen noodles) *Cooked shrimp or crabmeat, about ½ - ¾ cup (optional) *Thinly sliced, salt-massaged hard vegetable, about ½ - ¾ cup. I use cucumber, but you can use thinly sliced daikon radish, julienned *carrot, etc. *Roughly chopped soft leafy veg or herb, about ¼ - ½ cup. I used chopped shiso leaves, but you can use spinach, cilantro, butter lettuce, etc. *Reconstituted dried wakame (kelp) (soak 1 Tbsp dry wakame in ¼ cup water for 5 minutes, and drain excess water once reconstituted) Daikon sprouts to garnish (optional) Fresh Sesame-Ginger Dressing: *Sushi vinegar, 1 Tbsp. (or rice vinegar, 1 Tbsp. + sugar, ½ tsp) *Water, 2 Tbsp. *Ponzu, 1 Tbsp. *Sesame oil, 1 tsp.

Photos by Hana Dethlefsen *Grated fresh ginger, 1 tsp.

How to make Summer Somen Salad: 1. Give your hard veg a good massage. To soften up harder veg like cucumber, daikon, or carrot, julienne or slice them in paper-thin rounds, throw into a bowl, salt generously (about ½ - ¾ tsp. per 2 cups chopped veg.) and then massage (yes, massage) the salt into your veg. After a good going-over with the salt, your veg will start to weep (its moisture). Leave it to weep for 10 – 15 minutes, and then drain excess water, squeezing your veg to get out a good portion of the moisture.

2. Take out your noodle. While your veg is weeping, boil some noodles according to package directions. While they are boiling, prepare a large bowl of cold water with plenty of ice cubes. It sounds cruel, but once boiled, drain your noodles out in a colander, and then plunge them into the ice-water, using your hand to roughly and vigorously shake about your noodle. This will cool it right away and stop your noodle from becoming too limp. Refresh the ice-water, and keep noodles in cold water until ready to use.

3. Prepare your veg. Chop up your leafy veg, re-constitute the wakame (kelp).

4. Get on top. Strain your noodles, and pile them into a shallow bowl or plate. Arrange the toppings artfully on the bed of noodles.

5. Lube up and caNoodle. Throw together the dressing ingredients, and pour on top or around the sides. Present to your forking friends, and prepare for some canoodling. ***You can find this recipe and others by Hana at http://twogirlsforking.wordpress.com/

JETAABC Cooking Class with Naomi-sensei Emily Wu On July 25, 15 JET alumni and friends gathered at Nikkei Centre to learn from Naomi-sensei and her assistant Kayo-san, how to make crab and beef croquettes and tofu salad with three dressings (sesame, peanut butter, and wasabi/vinegar/miso sauce).

Participants divided themselves into two groups to see who could make the best-shaped croquettes. Naomi-sensei and Kayo-san witnessed our creativity, as one group made onigirishaped potato croquettes. Naomi-sensei prepared tea, sushi and desserts for every participant before the class, and shared many of her valuable cooking tips and secrets!

Want to learn more about Japanese food from Naomi-sensei? Join us on Saturday, October 17th to learn how to make wagashi (Japanese sweets) with Naomi-sensei! (For details, see Fall 2009 JETAABC Events on page 3).

Photo by Wanda Yee

About Naomi-sensei: Instructor Naomi Shimizu owned "Naomi's Cafe" in New Westminster for 25 years, and is an expert in Canadian and Asian cuisine. In addition to instructing cooking classes at National Nikkei Heritage Centre, Vancouver School Board, and for the ConsulateGeneral of Japan's day program for high school students, she currently hosts a cooking show on ICAS Nikkei Japanese TV. Naomi-sensei is a frequent guest on local television network shows such as City Cook with Simi Sara, Loving Spoonful with David Gale, and Cafe M with Denis Simpson.

Photo by Wanda Yee

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