JETs AD Newsletter #10

#10 August 29, 2015

NEWSLETTER June 2016

6 ALT LifeHacks P.3 How to Survive Hot, Humid Japan

Owning a Car in Japan: Words & Phrases P.11-12

Upcoming Events, Movie Releases & Concerts

P.4-5

June-July 2016

JETs AD Newsletter

Table of Contents • 6 ALT Lifehacks…………….… 3

• How to Survive Hot, Humid

Japan………………….….… 4-5

• Receive Corner: ………… 6 • Quotes of the Month…… 7 • Brain Challenge……….… 8 • Upcoming Group Events… 9

• Events in Japan……….…. 10 • Owning a Car in Japan:

Words & Phrases…….……11-12 • JETs AD Opportunities…..13

Announcements •Happy birthday to all of the

June babies!

•Thank you to everyone who

volunteered to be a big brother/ sister for the incoming JETs participating in Sempai Connect!

•If you haven’t already, be sure to

check out last month’s Members of the Week and our two new Life After JET posts on our webpage! Looking forward to getting to know more members and hearing the experiences and wisdom of more sempais!

•CLAIR is providing internship

opportunities with Japanese companies for 3rd-5th year JETs, who have passed the N2 or N1 JLPT. The application to apply has been sent directly to your emails: *Internship Period 1: Aug. 1-5, 2016 *Internship Period 2: Sept. 5-9, 2016 *Note: Internship is non-paid

•Good luck to those who are

taking the Business Japanese Proficiency Test on June 26.

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6 ALT LifeHacks 1. Iron Away Tatami Dents- Accidentally left some heavy stuff or furniture on the tatami? Well no need to fear. Simply whip out a damp cloth and an iron. Put the cloth over the area and iron the cloth layered area for about 30 seconds and presto!

2. Refresh Headlights with Toothpaste- Who knew you could use your toothpaste for more than brushing your teeth? (Kinda makes you wonder…) Well, if your headlights are yellowing on the outside, put some toothpaste over the headlights, rub it in thoroughly all over (with a toothbrush if you like), rinse with water and wipe away.

Feel free to repeat as necessary.

3. Paper Soap (かみせっけん)- Sometimes when traveling around Japan, you happen to find yourself in one of those bathrooms that don't have soap. Rather than carrying bars of soap with you or having hand sanitizer leak in your purse, try using paper soap instead. Small, portable and easy to use.

Simply take a sheet out and wash your hands using the paper soap under water.

4. Separate Egg Yolks with a PET Bottle- Before you throw out your PET bottles next recycling day, considering keeping one as a makeshift egg yolk remover. To use as an egg yolk remover, simply hold the bottle opening over the yolk, give it a squeeze to suck the egg inside the bottle and then put the sucked up yolk in a separate bowl or container.

5. Glass Speaker- Give your iPhone or iPods a sound boost by placing them in a glass. Now you can jam to your music a little louder. Or if you're a heavy sleeper, give your phone alarms a sound boost.

6. Homemade Laminator- Laminate easily (and at home) by with some thermal laminating pouches, an iron and a towel. Place the paper you wish to be laminated inside the laminating film. Sandwich it between a towel. Go over the towel with a heated iron and voila. You can also laminate by simply covering the item you want laminated with clear tape.

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JETs AD Newsletter

How to Survive Japan

Hot, Humid

Well, it's that time of year. The time of year where if you had a dime for every time someone said, "Atsui desu, ne," you'd be a millionaire. Maybe you are originally from an area that gets hot and/or humid in the summers. So Japan's summer weather shouldn't be an issue, right? But there is something about summer in Japan that is just different from back home.

And if it's not the heat or humidity, you may encounter problems with mold or bugs. But, don't worry. Japan has got all the weapons you need to survive its heat apocalypse. Here are some ways to beat the heat, deal with humidity and crawling visitors

Heat •

Say yes to Cool Biz- Many companies in Japan practice what is called cool biz. In short, instead of being hot and sweaty in a full on suit and tie, you are able to wear much cooler business apparel such as short-sleeved collared shirts. When in doubt, just follow the lead of your coworkers.

•

Buy clothes especially made for Japanese summer. For example, go to Uniqlo and invest in some HeatTech summer wear.

•

Use that air conditioner. Or, as an alternative, try a cool air fan (冷風扇)

•

Get a portable fan or hand fan. To save on electricity expenses, some schools and offices will hold out on turning the air conditioner on. For these times having one of these will help keep you from melting away at your desk.

•

Invest in some handkerchiefs or mini towel. With all the heat and humidity, you going to bust a sweat so having a handkerchief or towel will be very handy.

•

Try some ice-pack gear. You can buy special neck and head towels that have ice pack insert packs. There’s even icepack pillows available. A popular ice-pack brand is Ice-Non (アイスノン)

•

Drink plenty of water. Make sure to stay hydrated. You could also try some barley tea（麦茶） to cool you down.

•

Hit the waters. The heat is a lovely excuse to go to the beach or swimming at the pool.

Humidity: Humidity is not just an outdoor problem. It can affect your apartment by giving birth to the dreaded mold, especially if you live on the lower floors of an apartment building. The mold is like a plague destroying anything in its path including clothes in your closets, shoes, futons and tatami. But, there are many ways to fight humidity and mold. Here are a few: • Air out your apartment.

• Invest in some shikketori (湿気取り)- You can get these practically anywhere including the 100yen shop. Lovely little contraptions that have absorbent material to remove the moisture from the air.

• Invest in some bamboo charcoal (竹炭)-Not only does it help with humidity but also removes odor from the air. There are even versions for refrigerator use and more.

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• Invest in a dehumidifier. (Note: using an AC does the same thing) Alternatively, you can make your own dehumidifier with a handful of charcoal in empty coffee can with 5-10 holes in the lid, cat litter in a bowl or sock, silica gel, a rock salt contraption, etc.

• Invest in some mold killer spray (カビキラー). Or use a vinegar & water, bleach & water, or hydrogen peroxide(オキシ ドール) & water mixture to remove mold. For tatami, it is better to use vinegar/water mixture. For non-chemical mold killer, you could possibly try tea tree oil.

• Use fresh newspapers - Remove air moisture by rolling up some recent newspapers with rubber bands and placing them in your closets. This is sad to only work with new newspapers because old newspapers have already absorbed moisture.

• Try wooden racks. (すのこ) Place the wooden racks under your futon and/or bedding in closets. Place sheets of newspapers under the racks to help as well • Buy a hygrometer to check humidity levels. You can buy cheap ones at some 100yen shops.

Bugs •Check the cockroach forecast in your area. You can check out the cockroach conditions all over Japan and even report your sitings by going to http://gokiten.varsan.jp/ •Keep your apartment clean (ex. weekly vacuuming, regularly emptying the trash, cleaning the drain pipes, etc).- I know that's a no brainer but it should be stated. However, this alone will not be enough, especially if you have messy neighbors connected to you.

• Seal up any cracks and openings in the apartment.

• Bug sprays- Buy some spray for specific bugs or multipurpose sprays. For cockroaches, a mixture of dishwashing soap and water is said to do the trick. As a natural alternative, use essential oils like peppermint or citronella.

• Bug repellent chalk (虫よけチョーク)- Use these around your doors and windows to keep away spiders and other bugs.

• Roach bait/traps • Try boric acid (ホウ酸ーhou-san)- Sprinkle boric acid in openings or bug spawning areas of your apartment.

• For spiders- Remove any cobwebs or dusts.

• For dani (tatami ticks)- You can use bug sprays such as dani-aasu（ダニアース）that you spray or inject into your tatami.

There are also anit-dani sprays for your clothes and beds. You can also use dani repellent air fresheners. Heat kills dani. So when possible put your futons in the sun or use a futon dryer（布団乾燥機） with dani killing powers (ダニ退治).

• Bug bombs- kills pretty much all creepy crawlies including dani. Just be sure to get the right one for your room size and, of course, you will have to leave your dwelling for several hours. You may need to repeat to kill off the eggs.

• Let the spiders work for you- If you really want a non-chemical way of getting rid of bugs and don’t mind these eight legged crawlers, then leave the bug maintenance to the spiders. Spiders love bugs such as cockroaches. Just make sure it’s the friendly kind of spiders. By the way, did you know it’s bad luck in Japan to kill a spider in the morning?

• If all else fails, call an exterminator- Talk to your supervisor about the situation in your apartment. You may or may not have to pay for this.

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RECIPE CORNER Easy Summer Fruit Popsicle Ingredients • fruits of your choice (ex. kiwi, strawberry, grapes, blueberries, etc) • liquid of your choice (coconut water, orange juice, Sprite, Calpis, etc) Other • popsicle mold

Directions 1.Cut the fruit up into small pieces.

2.Place them into the popsicle mold.

3.Fill the mold with your chosen liquid and insert the popsicle sticks.

4.Put in the freezer and let it freeze for a couple of hours or overnight.

5.Once the treats are frozen, take them out the freezer and enjoy!

Note: You can also make fruit ice cubes instead of popsicles.

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JETs AD Newsletter

Quotes of the Month

“I’m not saying I’m going to rule the world or change the world. But I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world”

- Tupac Shakur

Japanese Proverb: 天は自ら助くるものを助く Romaji: Ten wa mizukara tasuku mono wo tasuku Translation: Heaven helps those who make the effort to help themselves.

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BRAIN CHALLENGE

Japanese Riddle: What is something you find on the street that is expensive but you don’t have to return it to the police box?

Puzzle

What do these have in common?

apple

chess

tennis

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JETs AD Newsletter

JUNE-JULY 2016

Upcoming JETs AD Events •2016 Q & A Session for New JETs ✦

When: June 24-26th

✦

Where: Online

We’ll be having an online Q & A session to help answer any pre-departure questions or any other questions about life in Japan as a JET of African Descent.

•2016 Tokyo Meet-up & Cookout ✦

When: July 16-18 (National Holiday)

✦

Where: Tokyo

It’s time to spread the JETs AD love to Tokyo!

From sightseeing to enjoying some good BBQ, we will be able to enjoy the wonders of Tokyo! The cookout will be an opportunity for us to fundraise for a charity.

For more details see the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/ 1548034948824963/

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Events in Japan June Festivals & Events: • 6/11 Chagu Chagu UmakkoFestival (Iwate) • 6/17 Sanno Matsuri (Tokyo) Movie Releases: • Deadpool (06/01/2016) • Sadako vs Kayako (06/18/2016) Concerts: • Brian Mcknight (6/15- Osaka & 6/16 -18-Tokyo) Other: Cirque de Soleil Tokyo performances (2/3 - 6/26)

July Festivals & Events: • 7/1-15 Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival (Fukuoka) • 7/17-24 Gion Matsuri (Kyoto) • 7/20 Miyajima Kangensai Festival (Hiroshima) • 7/25 Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka) • 7/30 Sumida River Fireworks Festival (Tokyo) Movie Releases: • Independence Day: Resurgence (07/09/2016) Concerts: • Fuji Rock Festival ’16 (July 22-24) • Hot 97 Summer Jams is coming to Tokyo July 29 Other: Cirque de Soleil Osaka performances (7/14 - 10/12)

August Festivals & Events: • 8/2-7 Nebuta Matsuri (Aomori) • 8/3-6 Kanto Matsuri (Akita) • 8/6-7 One Love Jamaica Festival (Tokyo) • 8/6-7 World Summit Cosplay Championship (Nagoya) • 8/9 - 8/12 Yosakoi Festival (Kochi) • 8/11 Yokohama Reggae-sai (Yokohama) • 8/11 Miyajima Waterside Fireworks (Hiroshima) • 8/12 - 8/15 Awa Odori Festival (Tokushima) • 8/26 - 8/27 Dai-Chochin Matsuri (Aichi) • 8/27 Asakusa Samba Carnival(Tokyo) Movie Releases: • X-Men: Apocalypse (08/11/2016) • Ghostbusters (08/19/2016) • Star Trek Beyond (08/26/2016) • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows(08/26/2016) Concerts: • Beenie Man (8/9- Osaka & 8/12-Tokyo) • Maxwell (8/19- Tokyo) • Larry Graham & Graham Central Station (8/23- Osaka & 5/14, 19-20-Tokyo) • Music Soulchild (8/20 & 22- Tokyo, 8/24- Osaka) • Summer Sonic 2016 (Osaka & Tokyo 8/20-21) • SWV (8/23-24- Tokyo, 8/25- Osaka) Other: Cirque de Soleil Osaka performances (7/14 - 10/12)

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Owning a Car in Japan: Words & Phrases Car Maintenance: 修理（しゅうり） repair 整備（せいび） maintenance/ servicing 点検（てんけん） inspection 車検（しゃけん） shaken/ vehicle inspection 車検満了日（しゃけんまんりょうひ） shaken expiration date オイル交換（こうかん）

oil change

タイヤを取り換える（とりかえる）

change tires

チューンアップ tune up 冷却剤交換（れいきゃくざい）

coolant change

洗車（せんしゃ）

car wash

バッテリーを充電する（じゅうでんする） charge/recharge a battery 空気圧(くうきあつ）

tire pressure

*(タイヤの空気圧を調べてもらえますか。ーCould you check the tire pressure?)

Car Parts: 気筒（きとう）／ シリンダー

cylinder

ディストリビューターのキャップ

distributor cap

点火栓（てんかせん） ／スパークプラグ

spark plug

トランスミッション

transmission

フューエルポンプ／燃料ポンプ(ねんりょうポンプ） fuel pump フューエルフィルター

fuel filter

スターター

starter

オルタネーター

alternator

燃料系（ねんりょうけい）

fuel system

ヘッドライト

headlight

尾灯（びとう） ／ テールライト

taillight

ハイビーム

high beam headlight

ロービーム

low beam headlight

バッテリー battery ハンドル

wheel

サイドブレーキ

emergency brakes

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JETs AD Newsletter 合図（あいず）／ウィンカー turning signal 整備済製品（せいびさいせいひん）

refurbished item

補修部分（ほしゅうぶぶん）

replacement parts

純正部分(じゅんせいぶぶん）

brand-name parts

Car Problems: エンジンをかかってない／車が動かない（くるまがうごかない） engine won't start タイヤがパンクする get a flat tire タイヤがすり減っている（へっている） tires have worn down 車がエンストする

car stalls; the car engine gives out

バッテリーがあがった

battery is dead

ガソリンが切れる（きれる） run out of gas ガソリンを食う（くう）

consumes a lot of gas/ gas guzzler

漏れ（もれ） leak 摩耗（まもう） wear/ abrasion 損傷(そんしょう） damage 腐食(ふしょく） corrosion

Car Feature: 四輪駆動（よんりんくどう） four-wheel drive 前輪駆動（ぜんりんくどう） front-wheel drive 後輪駆動 （こうりんくどう） rear-wheel drive Other: 自動車税 automobile tax (white plate vehicles) 軽自動車税

automobile tax (yellow plate vehicles)

自動車重量税 vehicle weight tax

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Share With Us! Got some amazing classroom tricks, amusing comics, hair tips, delicious recipes, great teaching resource or information on an amazing festival in your town? Want to share an experience you had? Whatever it is you have, we would like to hear about it! You can write about anything your heart desires, with only a few exceptions. If you have something you would like to share with the JETsAD community or would like more information, send an email to JETsAD@ajet.net with the subject header “Newsletter Contribution.”

Exceptions: Posts about political, religious or commercial activities, posts from businesses looking for clients or employees and anything deemed inappropriate by the editor.

***Get Involved*** ✦

Open Positions: • Block Coordinators for the following blocks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 • Newsletter Editor • Website Coordinator(Webmaster)

✦

If you are interested in any of these positions, send an email to JETsAD@ajet.net.

The Block Coordinator application is located in the “Files” section of the JETsAD Facebook page.

✦

Be apart of Sempai Connect, a buddy system linking current JETsAD & former JETs AD. If you are interested, send an email to JETsAD@ajet.net. To help the pairing process, fill out and send the questionnaire. Questionnaire is also located in the “Files” section of the JETsAD Facebook page.

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What is JETs AD? 


JETs AD (JETs of African Descent) is a group that is open to all and focuses on topics related to JETs of African Descent. This group serves as a platform for discussion, support, and announcements relating to the JET community at-large. We aim to provide useful information and share resources on hard-to-find hair and beauty products, foreign foods, events, ways to stay connected, and other topics relevant to our demographic. We also plan nationwide and region-specific events.

We are affiliated with The JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme.

Join us on Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the happenings in the JETs AD community. For more information, email us at jetsad@ajet.net.

JETs AD Newsletter is newsletter for current and former JETs to share information, tips and any other information that may be deemed useful. The views expressed by contributors to this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the JETs AD Special Interest Group nor the JET Programme and its affiliates All contents retain their copyright to the respective contributor(s) and are printed by JETsAD Newsletter under special permission. Š2016 JETs AD Newsletter. All rights reserved.

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Thank you for reading!

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