JJETAA Newsletter 2009

JJETAA NEWS V O L U M E

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From the Ambassador

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: From the Ambassador

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JET Selection 2009

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The President’s Two 2 Cents Giving Back Through 2 School Visits Ikebana Classes in Jamaica

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A Chat with Madoka 3 JJETAA Executive 2008-9

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Post-Japan...my Jamaica Experience

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Jamaican in Japan

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Who is Mihoko?

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Why Join JJETAA?

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Japanese Language Classes

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Making Sushi Rice

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Allow me to take this opportunity to commend the members of the Jamaica JET Alumni Association (JJETAA) for the significant role you are playing in the promotion of Japan and its rich culture in Jamaica.

I am indeed pleased to see that you are fostering good relations with the Embassy and the Japanese community. Since the establishment of the Alumni, you have been working assiduously to build mutual understanding between Japan and Jamaica through a number of cultural activities. Last year, for instance, you have taken the initiative to go into primary schools such as the Hope Valley Experimental School and share the Japanese experience with the children who are now studying about Japan as part of their curriculum. Another highlight of the year was Japanese language course where you could cherish fond memories and be motivated to continue to learn Japanese during three months.

I would like to thank also you for your assistance in the preparation and selection process of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET). To date, 138

His Excellency Masahiro Obata Jamaicans have benefited from the programme. Currently there are 46 JETs working alongside their Japanese counterparts as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) as well as being grass root ambassadors for Jamaica.

Through your help, you have furnished these ALTs with the

necessary guidelines for their living in Japan.

I am aware of some of the challenges you are facing in keeping the Alumni going, and I hope you will overcome these with your zeal and my Embassy is committed to support your effort in this regard. The Embassy is considering providing another short term Japanese Language Lecture Programme for you, the members of JJETAA. It will assist you in maintaining and strengthening your language skills. I hope the programme will encourage more former JETs to maintain their interests in Japan, and thereby assist the JJETAA to increase its membership.

I wish the Alumni a success in every activity especially International Meeting of JJETAA in Jamaica later in the year as you continue to build strong ties between Jamaica in Japan.

Thank you.

NEW MEMBERS Grace Williams Dawn Gregory

JET Selection 2009

Stacy-Ann Robinson Carey Reid Cameille Bartley Tanya McIntosh Dahlia Thompson Audley Green

The selection process for the Japan Exchange Teacher’s Programme began on January 13, 2009 with the first round - the application reviews. Teams comprising of representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade (Jamaica), the Ministry of Finance and the Public as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education examined the more than 130 applications. By the end of the week, 56 persons were selected for the second round - the interviews. The interviews were held February 10-13, 2009. After another round of selection, the shortlisted applications will be sent to Tokyo. The successful applicants will be informed of their status by the end of March and are scheduled to leave Jamaica by the end of July 2009.

Jamaica JET Alumni Association . P.O. Box 5447 . Kingston 6 . Jamaica Email:jamaicajetalumni@gmail.com . Website: www.jamaicajetalumni.org

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The President’s Two Cents...

UPCOMING DATES & EVENTS August 15 - AGM October 2-4 - International Meeting

Ladies and gentlemen of JJETAA, 2008/9 has been fantastic!

made it happen again. I look forward to enjoying even more next year.

It has been a year of changes and improvements. We have striven to be "likkle but tallawah" and again we have made it happen. We have grown in numbers. We have made new friends. We have ‘speakey spokey’ in Japanese. And we have been granted the opportunity to host the international meeting later on this year. Ladies and gentlemen of the JJETAA family, hats off! kudos! congratulations! We have

Here are some pictures from some events in which we participated: Celebrating the Emperor’s Birthday at Talk of the Town on December 10, 2008

Yuko, Karen and Sheril at the Calendar Sale & Exhibition at Sovereign on January 10, 2009

Mr Yoshimoto and Kevin Meeks share a light moment at Bou nen kai , December 17, 2008

Giving Back Through School Visits

Eager students of Hope Valley Experimental School

One of the exciting things about being a member of the JJETAA is the opportunity to visit various schools throughout Jamaica. In November 2008, the Alumni shared with students and teachers at the Hope Valley Experimental School in St Andrew. It

is our way of sharing the convergence of cultures between Jamaica and Japan. Japan is one of the countries that students sitting the

Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) in March 2009 will study.

Therefore, the Alumni, members from JICA, Embassy of Japan and Tomoko Uemura sharing with teacher and students will add value to the education system. The day was well spent and I encourage others to participate in this ventures in the years to come.

Ikebana Classes in Jamaica In 1970, the Ikebana International St. Andrew Chapter (156) was formed.

This Chapter is the umbrella organization for four schools of Ikebana in Jamaica: Ichiyo, Ohara, Sogetsu and Ikenobo. The Chapter seeks to promote “friendship through flowers”. In fulfillment of this objective the Chapter offers classes in the various schools and hosts ikebana exhibitions and flower seeking “adventures”. Classes in the Sogetsu school are currently offered on Wednesdays 9am - 6pm at the Hotel Four Seasons.

Please feel free to contact: Mrs Pearl Wright - 926-5430, Mrs. Monteith 927-4553, or Mrs Joy Jones - 944-2929 for classes.

Do you know why the Japanese dislike 4 and 9? Because the Japanese word for 4 (shi) is associated with death while 9 (ku) is associated with agony or torture

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A Chat with Madoka

Madoka Shimote

In the last newsletter you were introduced to Madoka, who holds several job titles including Coordinator for the JET Programme. When we introduced you to Madoka she was fresh from Japan. Now that she is a well-seasoned habitant of the “land of wood and water,” let’s learn some more about her.

1. What do you like most about living in Jamaica? Listening to 99.1 FM radio station; I can hear a wide variety of popular music 2. What are your favorite Jamaican foods? ackee and guinep 3. What is your favorite Jamaican place? I have two favorites - Negril and Mandeville 4. What is your favorite sport? I love cricket; my team is the West Indies 5. What is your motto in life? My motto is “Be different.” I find my life more interesting living by this motto.

JJETAA Executive 2008-9 Kay Dunkley President

Stacy-ann Robinson Treasurer

Returned to Jamaica in 2003 after spending 3 years in Toyonaka Returned to Jamaica in 2006 after spending 2 years in Sendai City City, Osaka, Japan. Currently works at the VTDI/HEART as a in Sendai. Currently works at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a Foreign Service Officer responsible for issues relating to the envifull-time teacher of Languages. ronment and sustainable development.

Shawn Aarons Vice President

Returned to Jamaica in 2002 after spending 2 years in Kochi City in Kochi. Currently working at Dunoon Technical High School as Vice Principal.

Sheril Morgan Secretary

Returned to Jamaica in 2006 after spending 3 years in Yonago-shi, Tottori-ken. Currently works at the International Seabed Authority.

Post Japan...my Jamaican Experience by Grace Williams Being back home during the first few days of late July felt good. ‘Twas so unexpectedly wonderful to be greeted at the airport by a warm “welcome home” from officers of the Jamaican Immigration and Customs Departments. The Customs Officer was especially helpful. While completing a particular form for me - that I may have needed to qualify for any necessary exemptions as ‘Returning Resident’ - she advised that this was the form that would be needed in the event that the predeparture boxes I had shipped from Japan required customs inspection. Her pleasant, professional manner made me feel happy to be home.

So it all started out on the ‘right footing’. Retrospectively, my first few weeks back were like a vacation. It felt a lot like the

the previous two summers when I had been home on holiday.

Alas, this time around, there was no returning to Japan…no looking forward to going back ‘home’. Strange. This was/is home.

Yet, this time was different from previous years. During the previous two visits, when things occurred that I didn’t like, I would take refuge in the thought that I’d be leaving within another few days.

With that comfort, I could take things in stride, nullifying, or at least significantly reducing, my annoyance at whatever irked me.

This time however, there was no such recourse; no such avenue of escape. This time, confrontation of the issues was necessary and meant finding ways to cope with the things that riled me most ab o ut ho me… ( to see the full ar ticle visit www.jamaicajetalumni.org).

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Jamaican in Japan by 8adine Williams

Who is Mihoko Sone-Sinclair?

mixed roots. with We are African, a people Europeans of rhythm andand Asian colroots. our and Weour arevibrancy a people isofexpressed rhythm and in colour our language, and ourmusic vibrancy andisalso expressed in our food. in our language, music and also in our food.

As a Jamaican in Japan, we’re called As Jamaicans Japan, we’re Our called upon to rise tointhe occasion. jobupon is tonot riseonly to the occasion.

Our job is not about teaching English but itonly is about English it is about repaboutteaching representing ourbut country, our tradiresenting country, our traditions our tions ourour heritage of being black, being heritage of being black, being from a from a small island in the Caribbean,small 8adine Thompson with two of her students at Oshima High School island theofCaribbean, beinginpart a minoritybeing grouppart on of theaJET minority groupbeing on the JETIndians Programme, Programme, West and beBeing a Jamaican in Japan means that being West Indians andaccepted being different ing different from the cultures of I’m giving people a slice of Jamaica from the accepted cultures of what it exwhat it means to be Western.

In my every time I come in contact with means to beI have Western.

Inthat my teaching experience, I perience, found peothem. I’m shedding new light on their have found that teaching people about my ple about my whole understanding of Jamaica and culture cultureand andcountry’s country’shistory historyhas hasgone goneaa the Jamaican culture. Some people long longway wayininhelping helpingthem themtotounderstand understand here didn’t even know where on the who I am and also it has helped who I am and also it has helpedthem themtoto map to find Jamaica so I have also appreciate and become tolerant of appreciate and become tolerant ofanother another been educating them about the Carib- culture culturethat thatisisnot notJapanese JapaneseororAmerican Ameri- … bean and the West Indies and show- (too can… see the fullvisit article visit see(too the full article ing them that we have a rich heritage www.jamaicajetalumni.com) www.jamaicajetalumni.com)

As the name indicates, this Japanese habitant of our tropical isle is married! – and to a Jamaican!

Mopolin, as she is affectionately called by her close friends in Japan, works at Cocoro International, the Japanese restaurant at the Mayfair Hotel. Let’s get to know more about her.

1. How long have you been living in Jamaica? 5 years. However, my first visit was in 2000.

2. What do you like most about living in Jamaica? the nature and the breeze, the fruit trees and the palm tree, which is my favorite. I am from Okayama and there are no palm trees there.

3. What is your favorite Jamaican place? I love to visit the countryside and in particular, I love Port Antonio, Negril and Blue Mountain.

4. What are your favorite Jamaican foods? I love to eat stew beef, breadfruit (boiled and roasted) and fried bammy.

5. What do you do in your free time? I enjoy going to the movies, shopping and the beach.

Why Join JJETAA? ∗

You will have the opportunity to travel internationally to represent the association.

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You get the chance to represent and promote the JET Programme at events and even the chance to interview potential JETS!

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You have unique experiences as a JET participant.

JJETAA activities give you the opportunity to speak with others who can relate to these experiences.

Remember that although all participants of JJETAA are alumni members, you are free to choose the degree to which you would like to become involved.

Japanese Language Classes Are you interested in continuing your Japanese language education? Was “study more Japanese” a New Year’s resolution? Maybe we can help.

Once again, JJETAA has organized Japanese classes for its members and their families, starting in October.

If you are interested, please write to jamaicajetalumni@gmail.com

Making Sushi Rice Ingredients 3 cups Japanese rice (can be purchased from the Chinese supermarket named “Fresh Approach” on Constant Spring Road) 3 1/4 cups water 1/3 cup rice vinegar (you can use whatever other type of vinegar that you have at home) 3 tbsp granulated sugar 1 tsp salt Preparation After washing and soaking the rice, cook and let it steam. Prepare sushi vinegar (sushi-zu) by mixing rice vinegar, sugar, and salt in a sauce pan. Put the pan on low heat and heat until the sugar dissolves. Cool the vinegar mixture. Spread the hot steamed rice into a large plate or a large bowl. Please use a non-metallic bowl to prevent any interaction with vinegar. Sprinkle the vinegar mixture over the rice and fold the rice quickly using a large spoon. Be careful not to smash the rice. To cool and remove the moisture of the rice, use a hand fan as you mix sushi rice. This will ensure that the rice is soaked in vinegar and it gives the sushi rice a shiny look.

Makes 4-6 servings.

Thanks to all who have supported JJETAA over the years.