November 2000 Volume 6 Issue 6

➥ IN THIS ISSUE

Seattle AJET Conference......................1 Editor’s Rant....................2 Annual General Meeting and Shinnenkai................2 Tatami Timeshare............ 3 News from the Consulate 3 Newsletter Online@ www.jetaabc.bc.ca..................3 Whistler Ski Day and Apres Ski Activities...........3 Re-Entry and Career Seminar.........................4-5 Get Involved in the Mokuyoukai Society.........6 News from Japan.............6 Events, Events, Events....7 Hike hike hike!..................7 Japan Suitcase................7 Paul’s Nabe Party.............8 Alumni News... ................8 What is JETAABC?......... 8 Contact Information.........8

Seattle AJET Conference

by Carolyn Ali

“We’re going to Seattle for a JET conference,” announces our cheery driver to the stern-faced customs agent at the Canada/America boarder. The rest of us in the packed car smile sagely and try not to look like drug dealers.

“Oh, you’re JETs? Fine, go ahead,” the customs agent says. Years after JET, the status still works for us.

On September 17th, after a mandatory pre road-trip stop at McDonald’s and crawling through Friday rush-hour traffic, we crossed the border and headed south to the JETAA Northwest Regional conference. In total, seven of us B.C. AJET members showed up to represent the Canuck contingent of the conference. Some of us stayed with old friends and others with new friends through the Tatami Timeshare hospitality of our Seattle hosts.

The conference took place on Saturday with about fifty participants from all over the Pacific Northwest, some as far as Northern California. We learned what our fellow AJETs are up to (moonlight sea kayaking in San Francisco, anyone?) and discussed the future of AJET on the web. There was plenty of time for career networking and just chatting with former JETs. After a day of talk, we all gathered at Hale’s Ales brewery for an enkai - and what would an enkai be without copious amounts of beer?

www.jet.org

On Sunday, we breakfasted at the Pike Place market and then headed home with a brief stop in Burlington for some frenzied omiyage shopping (okay, so it was Gap omiyage from the outlet mall). All in all, a great AJET weekend.

Next Issue Deadline: December 5th, 2000

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25th, 2000

Editor’s Rant Winter is just around the corner, and that means Christmas!

This year I’m looking forward to spending my first New Years in Japan.

When I was on JET, other warm exotic Asian destinations were pretty appealing over the New Years break, but I regret not being able to partake in all the festivities and traditions that go along with ushering in the New Year in Japan.

This year, I’m looking forward to seeing my girlfriend, meeting lots of old friends, making mochi and eating lots of sushi! Hopefully we’ll even fit in some relaxing in the onsens and some skiing.

Plans for the AGM and Shinnenkai are in full swing, and I urge all JETAABC members to think about running for a committee position.

It’s a wonderful way to put something back into the JET Programme and get involved in JET and Japan related events in and around Vancouver. No experience necessary!

The upcoming Re-Entry and Career Seminar is an excellent professional development opportunity and I hope many of you will take advantage of all the expertise and networking the JET community has to offer.

See you soon!

Ogenki de, Matt

Saturday, January 27 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Medical Students’ Alumni Association Centre 2750 Heather Street, Vancouver All JET Alumni are encouraged to come to this meeting. The purpose is two fold. First, we update all members on the budget and current affairs of the association. And second, we hold a general election for the Steering Committee.

All positions are open and any JET Alumni may run for a position. No experience is necessary. Your commitment involves one two hour meeting each month as well as supporting the various events throughout the year.

Please join us at the AGM and consider running for a position. All that is required is that you stand up and introduce yourself and tell everyone in two minutes or less why you’d like to be part of the JETAABC Steering Committee.

Positions available are (check out the website or call one of the present members for detailed information): • President – Chairs meetings, oversees events, makes presentations at various consulate events, represents JETAABC to JETAA International, CLAIR, the Japanese Consulate etc..

• Treasurer – Keeps financial records of the organization, controls funds at the JET preparation seminar, prepares the budget and submission for CLAIR funding in May and December.

• Programme Coordinator – Together with the member at large – events organizes the JET Preparation Seminar, the Re-entry and Career Seminar, the Shinnenkai, the Fall Welcome back Party, bi-annual roundtable seminars, and pub nights.

• Member at large – events – assists or is the main organizer of the above events.

• Secretary – records meeting minutes, prepares meeting agendas, collects the mail.

• Newsletter editor – collects newsletter submissions, prepares the bimonthly newsletter, mails it out and makes it available on the web.

• Member at large – newsletter – assists the editor with tasks.

There are also lots of ways to get involved without being on the Steering Committee such as coordinating Vancouver Island events; the Tatami Timeshare; the Japan Suitcase Programme; the Mentor Programme; etc.

After the meeting closes, JET Alumni and their friends are invited to our annual

7:30 pm at the Medical Students’ Alumni Association Centre. Delicious food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided.

Those of you over 19 may bring your own beverages. For JET Alumni tickets are $8 in advance (send a cheque to Matt) or $10 at the door. Non-JET Alumni tickets are $15. The favour of an RSVP is requested by January 15 to Matt Fedoruk. (604) 228-2160 or e-mail at: mfedoruk@interchange.ubc.ca Address for cheques: Box 174, 6335 Thunderbird Crescent, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2G9

NEWS FROM THE CONSULATE Hello from the Consulate, I'm updating my JETAA mailing list. If you finished your contract this year and returned to Canada, please email me following information.

Also, if you think you are not on my mailing list (if you are not getting a bi-monthly JETAABC newsletter) and wish to be in, email me!

I need following information from you: full name, mailing address,tel/fax,email, year in JET (start year and end year, e.g.1999-2000) assignment place, ALT or CIR Thank you!

Ellie Nakano Consulate General of Japan 900-1177 West Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6R 2K9 Tel: 604-684-5868 ext. 240 Fax: 604-684-6939 email: programs@consuljpnvan.com

NEWSLETTER ONLINE! You can now very the JETAABC Newsletter online in full colour at www.jetaabc.bc.ca! Ready for download as a PDF file. If you would NOT like to receive a paper version in the future, e-mail me at: <mfedoruk@interchange.ubc.ca> and I will arrange it beginning with the December newsletter.

Thanks!

TATAMI TIME SHARE Tatami Time Share has arrived in Western Canada.

Get yourself on the list and start making plans for the summer!!

Easy on-line registration with utmost confidentiality at www.jetaabc.bc.ca. Or send an e-mail to tatamitimeshare@jetaabc.bc.ca to receive a Registration Form so that we can start the process.

The Coordinator will match up your request then will have the host contact you. After your visit, come back to the site and let us know how it worked out.

For now, we are trying the TTS Exchange in Western Canada. Should this prove successful, it may be expand nationally. As we get a healthy database, we may be expanding it to the US. If all goes well, we can open this up to all JETAA worldwide.

The Tatami Time Share Website now has a skeleton up at our www.jetaabc.bc.ca website.

We need you to help it run successfully.

1. We need Tatami Time Share Hosts. Contact us at tatamitimeshare@jetaa.bc.ca to get on the list.

2. We need a moderator to develop and upkeep the site. Minimum commitment is 6 months.

Contact boleyn@vcn.bc.ca for more details.

3. You need a place to stay while you visit another city? Contact tatamitimeshare@jetaabc.bc.ca to get a Host.

Ski Day at Whistler!!

Wax up them boards and prepare for a day of powder and sun at Whistler/Blackcomb! In conjunction with the Washington JETAA Chapter, we’re holding a ski day of maximum fun, minimum formality in February. Meeting location and time TBA. After skiing we all hope to compare stories of “how much air we really caught” in an apres ski location. Keep your eyes open for more info next newsletter. I’ll even give some free ski lessons for anyone who wants some pointers! But just be prepared to buy me a beer later on!

The JET Alumni Association of BC, in cooperation with the Consulate General of Japan cordially invites you to the

Morning Agenda - Re-Entry Seminar

Afternoon Agenda - Career Seminars

Need more information?

Contact Adele Pransky at 604-736-8979 or at adelesky@hotmail.com RSVP is requested by November 23rd, 2000

Re-Entry Seminar Main Presentation: ÒPursuing Your Dreams While Still Paying Your RentÒ

by Robin Pascoe-Briggs An energetic, informative and motivating keynote address that will feature today’s job market, what employers are looking for, skills to improve your chances of finding a job and receiving a job offer, and more importantly, how to retain the vision you have of your ideal job, when the reality is you need a job NOW to pay your rent.

About Our Speaker Robin Pascoe-Briggs is an author, publisher, journalist, public speaker and international consultant on issues relating to the overseas living experience. Drawing on her in-depth knowledge of expatriate concerns acquired over a 15 year residency in four Asian capitals (Bangkok, Taipei, Beijing and Seoul), Ms. Pascoe-Briggs is the author of three books on expatriate family life. Visit her web site at www.expatexpert.com .

Career Seminars Job Surfing

Paul Donovan, Pan Pacific Web Inc.

An interactive, hands-on computer seminar focusing on internet resumes, job searches, etc.. Find out how to get your name out to the people you want to reach the fastest way we know how… on the net.

Breaking into Public Education

Albert Ngai & panel of speakers

This panel of speakers, facilitated by Albert Ngai, currently working for New Westminster School District,has information and experiences galore about the public education system in the lower mainland. Get tips and advice on how you can start teaching in the field of public education.

Private ESL in Vancouver

Virginia Christopher, YMCA English Language Institute

With years of knowledge and experience in both the private and public sector, and the current director of the YMCA English Language Institute, Virginia will provide insight into ESL schools in Vancouver and trends for the future.

Networking

Darrell Ross, Business Network IntÕl.

Brush up on your skills and get some very useful pointers from someone who knows what networking is all about. More topic details to come...

Social Styles

Mary Erickson, BCTel Mobility

Social Style – everyone has one, or a combination of different styles. BC Tel Mobility Customer Relations Specialist, Mary Erickson, will provide clues on how to identify your own styles and how to recognize the styles of others. Knowing this information will help you to better communicate, reduce friction, more effectively lead a team or be a part of one.

The Pros and Cons of Government and Private Sector Work

John Powles, Consultant

With a varied background in both government and private sectors, learn about the pros and cons of each and how to get your foot in the door from someone who knows the in and outs of both sectors.

IT Industry Topic details to come....

Speaker TBA

A Welcome to All Returning JETs and an Invitation to All Current JET Alumni

by Elizabeth Stephen Baba, JETAABC President and Mokuyokai Board Member and David Wallace, Mokuyoukai President Returning JETs who come back to the Vancouver area are often looking for ways to continue their Japan connections and expand their horizons. The JET Alumni Association provides a good venue to readjust to Canada and reminisce with former colleagues. What is the next step?

The Vancouver Mokuyokai Society was formed twenty years ago by a group of Canadians who had lived and worked in Japan. Most spoke Japanese and wanted to attend business (as well as politics, economics, and culture) speaker lunches to keep themselves updated on events in Japan. Initially, these meetings were held on Thursdays, hence the name Mokuyokai. Currently the organization has a wide range of activities, business speakers, social evenings, special cultural events, and an active hiking group, to name a few.

In the past several years a number of JET Alumni have joined the Mokuyokai and we are fortunate to have several JET Alumni currently on our Board of Directors.

Mokuyokai is offering JET Alumni a special discounted membership rate of $20 for the first membership year (a 50% discount!).

Membership gives you access to a wide range of activities and introduces you to many people, who have deep connections with Japan and an active ongoing interest in Canada-Japan relations. Also, admission to the monthly brown bag lunch speaker events and the monthly hikes is FREE for Mokuyokai members.

Please visit our web site at www.mokuyokai.bc.ca to get some current information on the organization. New members are actively encouraged to participate in the organizing of the Society's programs, and find their horizons continually broadened.

The third Thursday of every month, the Vancouver Mokuyokai Society has a pub night called the "Donwakai". Our pub night is the 3rd Thursday of every month at the Spotted Prawn Bistro from 5:30 p.m. This is a casual gathering for members and those who are interested in Mokuyokai. It is a great chance to come out and chat and relax and do a little networking in a fun, casual environment. The Mokuyokai membership is made up of both Japanese and Canadians with a wide variety of interests, careers and ages. The Donwakai is a great place for JETs to learn more about Mokuyokai and meet people with common interests.

For more info (about this party or other events) check out the Vancouver Mokuyokai Society's website at www.mokuyokai.bc.ca or contact Liz Stephen at 738-3360 or email us at info@mokuyokai.bc.ca

News from Japan October 2nd declared Tofu Day in Japan

By Fuyuki Yukata From “The New Canadian”, Thursday, Oct. 12, 2000 In a bid to firm up tofu’s image, the Japan Tofu Association, which comprises 24 major tofu manufacturers, has declared October 2nd as “Tofu Day”. The choice of dates is not arbitrary. It is a pun on the kanji characters for 10 and 2, which can be pronounced as “to” and “fu” in Japanese.

According to a representative of the tofu association, tofu consumption in the home has been declining, along with that of rice, because of shrinking family sizes.

Until the mid-1980’s, the average Japanese household ate 85-90 cakes of tofu a year. That figure dropped to below 80 in 1991, and down to 77 last year.

Though not exactly optimistic about the future of tofu, neither is the association completely pessimistic. The reason is that restaurants, supermarkets and department store food sections are now offering a greater variety of tofu-based products.

At one Osaka department store, for instance, customers flock to the tofu section for doughnuts made from tofu and soymilk.

Elsewhere, tofu is becoming popular as ice cream and as an ingredient in cream puffs. And to lure health-conscious consumers, manufacturers attach labels that say their products are made of “100 percent organic, domestically grown soy beans.”

But isn’t the reason tofu has been recognized as a health food around the globe exactly because of its original properties – its high protein and low calories? Would not a tofu doughnut, loaded with calories from sugar and fat, defeat the whole purpose of eating tofu?

In the same way that such tofu products have traded in much of their true value for superficial novelty, perhaps today’s Japanese too may have traded in some of their identity by being too adaptable.

Events, Events, Events Mokuyokai November Hike Where: Buntzen Lake Trail (Anmore, North of Port Moody and East of Indian Arm) Rain or shine.

How Long: Hiking time: 4-5 hours Distance: 8 km. Elevation gain: 100 m.

When: Sunday, November 26th, 2000 We'll meet at the YWCA parking lot on Burrard street at 08:45h and be departing at 9:00 a.m. sharp! Don't be late or make your own way there.

Access is east on the Barnett Highway to a sign, which says "Ioco"; turn left (north) and follow the signs to Buntzen Lake all the way to the main parking lot near South Beach.

Why: Because it could be the last hike of the year.

What to bring: lunch, a comfortable pair of walking shoes or light grade hiking boots.

Try not to bring your new pair of white runners. Waterproof clothing!

Prepare for the worst weather and we'll hope for the best.

Any queries: call Ron Foster @ 433-7844 or e-mail me @ Ron_Foster@telus.net. See you November 26th!

NEED TO GET RID OF SOME OF YOUR JAPANESE STUFF? So you've been back from Japan for a while now and you still have a lot of cute, little Japanese items, which you couldn't bear to part with or couldn't give away as "omiyage" to your friends. They're lying around your place, cluttering up your place and basically collecting dust.

Well...here is the answer to your problem!

You can donate these wonderful items to JETAABC to go into the "JAPAN SUITCASE".

Re-Entry & Career Seminar - Saturday, November 25th What is this, you ask?

All Alumni, friends and especially newly returned Alumni from Japan Well, the JAPAN SUITwelcome CCEL - Canadian College of English Language, 1477 Pender CASE is a new program Street. Contact: Adele Pransky at 604-736-897 or at which we hope to be starting adelesky@hotmail.com soon. It is basically a suitcase full of Japanese items Annual General Meeting and Shinnenkai - Saturday, January 27th, 2001 and information about Japan which could be used to educate children in elemenFeb 2001 Skiing in Whistler- Contact Krista Watson, kwatson@sfu.ca tary schools in the Lower Mainland.

Ancient & Modern Arts of Zojyoji Temple - October 27th to January 1st (at the Greater Victoria Art Gallery Tel: 250-384-4101)

Spring 2001

LaConner Tulip Viewing Day

Summer 2001 Mariners Baseball Game Fall 2001 Salmon Spawning Viewing/Hiking Day For the upcoming 2001 events, you can contact Boleyn Relova, JETAABC at boleyn@bigfoot.com.

Always check out the JETAABC WEBSITE at www.jetaabc.bc.ca for the updated schedule of upcoming events! Get information at info@jetaabc.bc.ca Connect with Asia!

Pacific Rim Magazine http://www.langara.bc.ca/prm/2000/

If you would like to get involved, or like to donate a few items, please email us at "angelkeik@hotmail.com".

Thanks!

4th Annual New Year's Nabe Party at Paul’s Saturday, January 6th - 6pm Let's all get together and enjoy an evening of fun cooking Japanese food (Nabe and Okonomiyaki). New this year, we will add Yakiniku to the menu. We will share the cost of the food, and please bring your own beverages.Alumni and friends are welcome. Space is limited as Paul Donovan’s apartment is small, but we can still have a nice cosy time.

We'll most likely watch a movie, after eating, from Paul's extensive video (and now DVD) library. RSVP to Paul at 608-4345 or email <paul@donovan.sh> no later than January 5th.

(This is a group cooking event so plan on helping with the cooking. Also, we need a couple of NABE pots and small gas burners)

Thank You to this month’s contributors!

Carolyn Ali Raymond Nakamura Alberta Ngai Boleyn Relova Angela Tan Krista Watson

Paul Donovan Ellie Nakano Adele Pransky Liz Stephen Baba David Wallace Fuyuki Yukada

Alumni News Eve Chiang Hey just to let you know I've moved again. This time I'm in Seattle. I've been working here for about 2 months now at the Canadian Consulate General and things are REALLY busy here. I still hope to attend some stuff if I'm in town.

Do you have any exciting news to share with JETAABC? Are you getting married?

New job? Moving? Please let us know!

Send an email to: angelkeik@hotmail.com and we'll announce it in the JETAABC newsletter!

2000 Steering Committee Contact Information

President - Elizabeth Stephen Home: 738-3360 Work: 684-5868 ext.230 Fax: 684-6939 E-mail: yaliz@ultranet.ca Past President - Paul Donovan Home: 608-4345 Work: 608-6330 Fax: 608-6331 E-mail: pauld@ppw.net Secretary - Jacqueline Molinaro E-mail : jacquelinemolinaro@usa.net Treasurer - Helen Carmichael E-mail: hcarmich@yahoo.com Newsletter Editor - Matthew Fedoruk Box 174, 6335 Thunderbird Crescent, Vancouver, BC, V8S 2V5 Home: 228-2160 Work: 875-5555 ext.63227 E-mail: mfedoruk@interchange.ubc.ca Director at Large - Newsletter - Angela Tan E-mail: angelkeik@hotmail.com Programs and Events Director - Krista Watson E-mail: kwatson@sfu.ca Director at Large - Programs and Events - Adele Pransky E-mail: adelesky@hotmail.com Membership - Albert Ngai E-mail: albngai@home.com Island Representative - Alida Abbott E-mail: genkiali@yahoo.com Chapter and JETAA Canadian Representative - Boleyn Relova Home: 522-8761 Work: 522-8761 Fax: 522-2937 E-mail: boleyn@vcn.bc.ca Consulate General of Japan Contacts 900 - 1177 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6E 2K9 Tel: 684-5868 Fax: 684:6939 Mr. Kazufumi Ikeshita - telephone ext. 242 E-mail: ikeshita@intergate.bc.ca Mr. Hiro Kawai - koho@consuljpnvan.com Ms. Ellie Nakano - telephone ext. 240 E-mail: programs@consuljpnvan.com

questions or comments? info@jetaabc.bc.ca

What is this organization called JETAABC? So, you’ve signed up for JETAABC, now what? Luckily, you’ve signed on with one of the most active and organized JET Alumni associations in Canada.

This is a rough list of what we do: • Produce a newsletter every two months.

• Sponsor a pub night each month.

• Join the Mokuyokai on a hike each month.

• Organize an orientation seminar for new JETs in May. • Organize a re-entry and career prep seminar in November.

• Sponsor two roundtable discussions a year.

• Hold major gatherings in September, January, and June.

• Send a delegate to the JETAA international conference.

• Help produce the Cross Canada newsletter once per year.

• Keep a website up to date (for which we could use someone to help!!!!!!).

We do a lot, but we can always stand to improve. What are your ideas? What else would you like to see JETAABC do?

One thing I’d like to see is more contact with other alumni chapters. Does anyone have contacts they could use or ideas on how we can interact more?

Let me know! Contact Krista at kwatson@sfu.ca

JETAABC CONTACT INFO: JETAABC Bentall Centre PO BOX 48121 Vancouver, BC V7X 1N8

WEB ADDRESS www.jetaabc.bc.ca Editor’s Telephone: (604) 228-2160