JETsAD Newsletter #7

#7 August 29, 2015

NEWSLETTER March 2016

6 DIY Hairstyles & Hair-care Tips P.4-5

Sakura Jello Recipe

How to Enjoy Cherry Blossom Season

Upcoming Events, Movie Releases & Concerts

March 2016

JETs AD Newsletter

Table of Contents

Announcements •Happy birthday to everyone

• How to Enjoy Cherry Blossom

Season………………………….. 3 • 6 DIY Hairstyles and Hair-Care

Tips…………………………….4-5

• Recipe Corner……..……..…6 • Quotes of the Month…..….

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• Brain Challenge…………… 8 • Upcoming Group Events… 9 • Events in Japan……………. 10 • JETs AD Opportunities…… 11

born in March!

•If you haven’t already, be sure to

check out last month’s Members of the Week and our Life After JET Q & A with Monique Dehaney on our webpage!

Looking forward to getting to know more members and hearing the experiences and wisdom of more sempais!

•Application period for the

Business Japanese Proficiency Test opens March 1 to May 20.

•This month we will have our

spring trip in Kyoto! See you all soon.

•School staff shifts will be made

starting this month. Be ready for the upcoming changes.

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March 2016

How To Enjoy Cherry Blossom Season

It’s that time of year again! The time when the cherry blossoms, or sakura, begin to bloom. Prepare for the numerous hanami celebrations and seasonal goodies. Here are some tips on how you can get the most out of this magical time of year:

1. Check the forecast. Every year, the estimated blooming of the cherry blossoms for each region is posted online. Checking these sites first will reduce the chance of you arriving too soon or too late to view the flowers. Cherry blossom forecasts are available here: http://sakura.weathermap.jp 2. Taste the sakura. No, don’t literally eat the cherry blossoms, unless you just want to. One traditional hanami sweet is sakura mochi. Basically, a sweet purple colored rice cake wrapped with a leaf. There’s also sakura (or pink colored) soba noodles. Many companies will be releasing cherry blossom themed and flavored food. Every year, Starbucks releases their Sakura Frappuccino and other hanami themed goods. This year, Baskin Robbins will be rereleasing its sakura flavored ice cream after its almost 20 year hiatus. Also, Pepsi will be releasing a new pink sakura flavored soda.

3. Check for local hanami parties. One of the easiest and best ways to get into the spirit of the season is to attend a hanami event. With sites like Facebook, Meetup.com and more, finding local hanami events is as easy as 1-2-3. You may have to bring your own food and booze, however.

4. Go off the beaten path. Although many cherry blossoms can be viewed at many popular parks and castles, you will often find cherry blossoms in places you least expect it and without the crowds. Just stroll around sometimes and explore.

5. Ask locals or coworkers. People who are familiar with the area can recommend really good places for cherry blossom viewing as well as the best time to go. Sometimes the people with this info are people you’d least expect it. For example, a math teacher informed me of a nearby place in my town that had beautiful cherry blossoms.

6 DIY Hairstyles & Hair-care Tips 3

March 2016

JETs AD Newsletter Written By: Davia Bedward

Many of you may have been struggling with what to do with your hair here in Japan with little or no resources and possibly no one close by to do it for you. If this is your case, I may be able to help. Just like you when I came to Japan a few months ago I was disheartened at the fact that there was no hair or hair products store around. I do my own hair and LOVE changing it as often as I can so finding someone to do it was not an issue.

However, this desperation for change and not having the luxury of products or hair led me to IMPROVISE a lot. So, I will share with you a few DIY hairstyles and hair-care tips that I use below.

#1) Yarn Braids (A life-saver) Things needed 1) Yarn (Preferably Acrylic yarn, it burns easier) 2) Latch-hook Needle or Hairpin 3) Wire-Hanger 4) Scissors 5) Lighter (optional) This hairstyle is easy to do and very cost-effective, once you can twist and possibly cornrow. Purchase yarn at any 100 yen store (whichever colour you want). Cut the yarn to desired length. Twist the hair on to the hanger then tie or burn the ends. Afterwards, remove yarn from hanger and install to your corn-rowed hair using the latch-needle or hairpin. If you can`t cornrow however, you can just twist or plait directly to your own hair.

#2) Bantu Knots (Attention Grabber) Things needed 1) Elastic bands (optional) 2) Comb (optional) I usually do these on the weekends when I don’t want to leave my hair out, and I have a quick supermarket or in-town run. It also gives me beautiful curls for work on a Monday. To do this section and twist hair in desired size and wrap each one around each other until it forms a knot and secure with an elastic band. I get lazy sometimes so I don’t always section my hair with a comb, you can choose to! This hairstyle when worn out sparks a lot of attention and interest so, be prepared to get questions or stares, lol!

#3) Twist Out and Bantu Knots (Curly-sue) Things needed 1) Elastic bands (optional) To do this, twist your hair really small (I prefer not to section with a comb, the results are better) then make small Bantu knots using a few of the previously done twists. Secure with elastic bands.

Tie hair and the next morning undo the bantu knots and fluff hair. I usually undo each twist to get a fuller look with cuter curls, use your hand or a comb to lift hair from the roots and create your desired style (I normally slick my edges and leave it how it is).

#4) Colour (Change!)

Things Needed 1) Hair Bleach

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2) Hair Colour You can purchase Hair bleach or hair colour at any Drug Store and apply to your hair, I usually do this when I am feeling a bit Adventurous or have a holiday!

#5) Thermal Hair-Straightening Things Needed 1) Blow-dryer 2) Flat-Iron 3) Hair oil/ Moisturizer 4) Comb To accomplish this hairstyle, wash and blow dry your hair straight. Apply a small amount of hair moisturizer/hair oil, then flat iron small sections of the hair until straightened to your desire. (You can also add curls.)

#6) Crochet Braids Things Needed 1) Marley Hair, Kanekalon braids or Yarn etc.

2) Latch-Hook Needle/hair-pin 3) Comb 4) Needle and thread (optional) 5) Wire hanger 6) Hair rods (optional) To do this cornrow your hair, twist yarn or hair on to wire hanger and install to cornrows using needle or hair pin. For the Marley hair, you can also twist and install in the same manner or pre-curl the hair using rods. Place it in hot water for a few seconds, then towel dry and remove the hair from the rods and install to your hair. The Marley hair can also be straightened to look like a weave!

Tips for moisturizing or oiling your hair: 1) In the event you do not have hair oil/moisturizer don’t be afraid to apply Virgin Olive Oil to your hair.

Yes! The one in the supermarket! You can also apply coconut milk, it works wonders!

2) Petroleum Jelly can also be used in your hair( small amount) if your hair is in desperate need of oil.

3) Conditioner can be used to soften your hair overnight and give you beautiful curls.

I have MANY other tips (hair hacks as I like to call it) and styles for your hair. If you want to know more feel free to contact me. *Purchase, scarves, head-bands, hair-accessories and hats to “spice” up your hair. it’s not as difficult to maintain your hair in Japan as it seems. If you have any other questions or suggestions feel free to send me a message, I will be sure to help!

Embrace your hair. Love it. Do it!

If you are in the Fukuoka (Kitakyushu) area and need your hair to be done, get in touch.

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March 2016

JETs AD Newsletter

RECIPE CORNER Sakura Jello Since cherry blossoms will be blooming soon, what better way to kick of the season than with some cherry blossom themed gelatin. It’s time to give Jello a kawaii makeover.

Ingredients •

2~2 1/2 tbsp sugar

•

300 ml water

•

2grams of gelatin ( かんてん粉)

•

some pickled sakura (塩漬け桜)

Other •

mold or container dish

•

toothpick

•

red food coloring (optional)

1. Remove the salt from the sakura by soaking it. After soaking it, dry the flowers using paper towels.

2. Combine the remaining ingredients in a pot and slowly bring to a boil.

3. Stir until all of the gelatin and sugar has dissolved.

4. Take it off the heat and put the mixture into your mold or container. If you want to add color, now is the time to add the food coloring to get the color you desire.

5. Once the mixture is in the mold or container, add the sakura flowers, using the toothpick to position the flowers as you like.

6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until the gelatin is firm.

7. Voila! Cute,sakura “jello”!

This is a basic recipe so let your imagination run wild. Add fruits, mousse, whip cream or whatever your heart desires.

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March 2016

JETs AD Newsletter

Quotes of the Month

“I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.”

- Michael Jordan

Japanese Proverb: 言わぬが花 Romaji: Iwanu ga hana.

Translation: Silence is a flower./ Somethings are better left unsaid.

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March 2016

JETs AD Newsletter

BRAIN CHALLENGE Japanese Tongue Twister: Hiragana:コショウ少々、塩少々、醤油少々。 Romaji: Koshou shoushou, she shoushou, shouyu shoushou.

Commonality Puzzle

Look at the word list.

What do they all have in common? star far car bus sea fee I go boo die shoo table 8

JETs AD Newsletter

March March2016 2016

Upcoming JETs AD Events •2016 Spring Trip: Kyoto ✦

When: March 19-21 (National Holiday)

By popular vote, the spring trip will be in Kyoto!

Ready to see those famous Kyoto temples?

From temple sightseeing, exploring the beauty of Arashiyama and its bamboo groves to seeing the Light & Blossoms Pathway Illumination, we will be able to enjoy the wonders of Kyoto!

Come join us by clicking “Going” on our Facebook event page!

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March March 2016 2016

Events in Japan March Sunday

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Monday

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Curry Bread Exhibition (Tokyo)

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Game on Exhibition starts (Tokyo)

Saito Festival (Ibaraki)

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Friday

Saturday

Hina Nagashi 3 (Wakayama) Naked Man Festival (Niigata) Water Drawing Ritual at Todaiji begins(Nara)

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Hote Festival (Miyagi)

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Yuzawa Onsen Ski Trail Snow Festival (Niigata) Nakazawa Snow Resort Snow Festival (Nagano)

12 Sagicho Festival starts (Shiga)

s 13 Tarou Tarou Festival (Kagoshima)

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Water Drawing Ritual at Todaiji ends(Nara)

Yamada Spring Festival (Saitama)

20 JETsAD Kyoto Trip Nipponbashi Street Festa (Osaka) Nouji Spring Festival (Hiroshima)

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Mt. Also Fire Festival

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(Kumamoto)

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Golden Dragon Festival

JETsAD Kyoto Trip

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(Asakusa, Tokyo)

Hounen Festival (Aichi)

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National Holiday

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JETsAD Kyoto Trip Yoga Rave (Tokyo)

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25 Tokyo International Anime Fair starts Kitano Odori starts (Kyoto)

Nouji Spring Festival (Hiroshima)

31 Plum Blossom Festival ends (Ibaraki)

Mud Throwing Festival (Fukuoka) Movie Releases: • The Big Short (マネーショット) (03/04/2016) • The Good Dinosaur (アーロと少年) (03/12/2016) • Batman Vs Superman (03/25/2016) Concerts: • D’Angelo (Yokohama- 3/28; Osaka-3/29) • The Supremes (Tokyo- 3/18) Other: Cirque de Soleil Tokyo performances (2/3 - 6/26)

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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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JETs AD Newsletter

March 2016

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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