I’ll Make It Myself!: Homemade Sakura “Latte” (Sakura Steamer)
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L.M. Zoller (CIR Ishikawa-ken, Anamizu, 2009-11) is the editor of The Ishikawa JET Kitchen: Cooking in Japan Without a Fight. A writer and web administrator for The Art of Travel, ze also writes I’ll Make It Myself!, a blog about food culture in Japan, and curates The Rice Cooker Chronicles, a series of essays by JETs and JET alumni on the theme of cooking/eating and being alone in Japan, and The JET Alumni Culinary Group in LinkedIn.
New Rice Cooker Chronicles submissions always welcome. Just e-mail it to jetwit [at] jetwit.com.
Nothing heralds spring like seasonal menu changes! Starbucks’ sakura latte (henceforth not italicized) is much like the pumpkin spice latte in the US: people go crazy for it and it sells out long before sakura season is over. Or, in Kanazawa and the rest of northern Japan, before it even starts.
This year, the latte was replaced by a sakura white hot chocolate, which I really liked, but unfortunately it’s been gone for a month and the sakura only started blooming this week. Luckily, a sakura “latte” (technically it’s a steamer since there’s no coffee) is really easy to make at home. All you need is preserved edible sakura, boiling water, and milk.
CLAIR Magazine “JET Plaza” series: Dr. Mark Williams (Gunma)
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Each month, current and former JET participants are featured in the “JET Plaza” section of the CLAIR Forum magazine. The May 2012 edition includes an article by Dr. Mark Williams, a former British English Teachers Scheme (BETS), the forerunner to the JET Programme. Posted by Celine Castex (Chiba-ken, 2006-11), currently programme coordinator at CLAIR Tokyo.
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“Think of your JET experience with a long-term view. […] As time passes, you will realize that your experience left you with the desire to accomplish or attain something. Do not rush, but be patient as you seek to do so.”
After graduating from the University of Oxford with a a BA in Japanese Studies, Dr. Mark Williams (Gunma-ken, Maebashi-shi, 1979-81) came to Japan to work as a member of the British English Teachers Scheme (BETS) in Gunma Prefecture. He moved from there to California to pursue a Ph.D. in postwar Japanese literature then joined the University of Leeds, UK, as a Lecturer in Japanese, to become Professor of Japanese Studies a few years later. He has just completed a 4-year term as President of the British Association for Japanese Studies and 5 years as Head of the School of Modern Languages and Cultures at Leeds and is currently on secondment as Vice President for Academic Affairs at Akita International University, Japan.
The Japan I Came to Know
Two Years in Gunma Prefecture
I participated on the British English Teachers Scheme (BETS) Programme for two years from 1979 to 1981. The BETS Programme was proposed by Nicholas MacLean and is also known as the MacLean Scheme. In Gunma Prefecture, I worked four days per week for two years at one base school each year (Maebashi Minami Senior High School my first year and Shibukawa Girl’s Senior High School my second year). The remaining day of the work week I spent visiting senior high schools throughout the prefecture, and I can say I likely visited every senior high school in the prefecture.
At the time, team-teaching classes were not as established as now, and no matter how enthusiastic, attempts to conduct entire classes in English were unfortunately often short-lived. The classes I conducted at the school I visited on Wednesdays were rich in variety resulting in a trial-and-error approach on my behalf. The several hundred-student school body would gather at once, and I would speak to them in English about my home country England, or explain the origin of English vocabulary words or the characteristics of the English language.
I was one of only a handful of foreigner instructors in Gunma Prefecture at the time. As such, I stood out greatly and even made front-page headlines in a local newspaper. My experience began with my arrival in Japan. The principal of my school came to meet me at Narita Airport, and we traveled from there to Maebashi Station. As soon as I exited Maebashi Station, I found myself surrounded by news reporters. One of them asked about my hobbies, and I replied “I enjoy music.” The headlines of the next morning’s newspaper reported, “New foreign instructor likes to sing.”
Job: Travel Consultant with InsideJapan Tours (CO)
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Thanks to JET alum Matthew Eccles who works for the company. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Travel Consultant
Posted by: InsideJapan Tours
Type: N/A
Location: Boulder, CO
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
InsideJapan Tours is a young and dynamic travel company. Formed in the UK, we also have an office in Japan and in 2010 opened our first US Branch in Boulder, Colorado. We are now looking for a fourth person to join this pioneering office and form part of the integral team.
This position presents the perfect opportunity for a former JET to begin a career in the travel industry and use their knowledge and love of Japan. Boulder and the surrounding area is a fantastic place in which to live and work, and the Pearl Street location couldn’t be better!
For more information about the company, role, great benefits and to apply, please see our website:
http://www.insidejapantours.com/about-us/jobs/
Job: Global Pathways at Pace University Student Advisor (NY)
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Via INDEED.com. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Student Advisor
Posted by: Kaplan
Type: Full-time
Location: New York, NY
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Position Summary
The Global Pathways Student Advisor will process enrollments and sales for the Global Pathways program. The Pathways Advisor is responsible for processing bookings, providing customer service to agents and students, and coordinating all on-site student support services.
Key Job Responsibilities
– Develop existing and new streams of applications for Global Pathways programs – Process applications and forward to university personnel to obtain admission decision – Field questions (via phone and email) about the Global Pathways program from Kaplan’s sale force and prospective students – Develop and maintain excellent relationships with our partner agents – Build strong relationships with colleagues at the Global Pathways program – Provide efficient, friendly, and proactive customer Read More
Job: Japanese Speaking Executive Assistant (OH)
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Thanks to JETAA Southeast alum, Mellissa Takeuchi. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Executive Assistant
Posted by: Honda Motor Co.
Type: Full-time
Location: Marysville, OH
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Responsibilities:
1.Coordinate and prioritize all activities of HAM President & CEO who also acts as NA-E Leader as well as Honda Motor Co. Senior Managing Officer on a daily basis.
2. Interfaces with all of HAM’s plants and divisions, NA-E companies, as well as Honda Motor Japan to coordinate business functions.
3. Arrange travel plans and all means of transportation for president, including limo service, taxi service, rental car, domestic/international commercial flights, chartered plane, etc. Read More
JET alum children’s book author Rob Weston keeps producing
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Rob Weston (Nara-ken, 2002-04), author of the one-of-a-kind children’s novel Zorgamazoo, continues his uniquely rhyming ways. In February, he published Prince Puggly of the Spiff and the Kingdom of Spud. And in November he will be publishing a phosphorescent children’s book–The Creature Department.
About Prince Puggly:
Prince Puggly of Spud and the Kingdom of Spiff is the story of Puggly, a commoner chosen to be the prince—not the king, definitely not the king—of the extremely unfashionable Kingdom of Spud.
The newly-crowned Puggly is surprised to receive an invite to a party in the kingdom next door, the painfully chic Kingdom of Spiff. When Puggly shows up in plaid trousers and a polka-dot cape, the stylish Spiffians are not amused—especially when when it turns out Puggly’s invite is a forgery.
But hark! All is not lost. Puggly soon discovers an unexpected ally in Francesca, the bookish Princess of Spiff. Together, the two friends set out to teach the Spiffs an absurd lesson in style…
For more info, go to: http://robertpaulweston.com/
Here are clips of Rob from the 2009 JETAA NY JET Alumni Author Showcase.
JETAA DC elects new officers
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Via the JETAA DC Google Group:
We would like to thank everyone who voted at elections during our general business meeting last night at the Embassy of Japan. Congratulations to the following individuals who will comprise the 2013-2014 JETAADC Board:
- President – Leigh Ann Mastrini
- Vice-President – Becky Solem
- Treasurer – Ryan Bedford
- Secretary: – Joanna Blatchly
- Social – Sara Haider & Joel Zara
- Volunteer – Paul Schuble
- Outreach – Joy Young
- JET Ambassadors – Sarah Lyons & Sarah Tillotson
- Online – Brandon Wright
- Returnee Handbook – Chrissie Skodon
- Thought Leadership: Shana Tischler
- Newsletter – TBD
Job: Actus – New Retail Store Manager at a Japanese Fashion/Apparel Firm (Long Island, NY)
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Via Actus Consulting. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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**Note: Please indicate that you learned of the position via JETwit if you apply.**
Position: Retail Store Manager
Posted by: Actus Consulting
Type: Full-time
Location: Long Island, NY
Salary: $33~35K(DOE) + Benefit
Start Date: N/A
Company Information:
The parent company was founded in Kobe, Japan in 1998. Within just 14 years, we have become the largest baby and children’s clothing company in Japan with 187 retail stores nationwide and maintaining robust wholesale business with over 1200 distributions. Addition to Japanese market, we operate 40 stores in China and expanding. Read More
Tohoku Tomo Update 03.26.13
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Wesley Julian (Miyagi-ken, 2008-10) is now in Japan with a small film crew making a video that will share the story of JET alums and others who have made and continue to make a difference in Tohoku, Japan. Below is a video update from Wesley regarding his Tohoku Tomo project:
Tohoku Tomo Update from Philip Holbrook on Vimeo.
Via JETAA UK. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Senior Broadcast Co-ordinator, BBC World News, Japanese Service
Posted by: TVT Japan
Type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Tokyo
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
TVT Japan is responsible for providing the Japanese service of BBC World News. It is part of the TVT group of companies with headquarters in London and offices in Tokyo and Singapore. The group provides translation, versioning and post-production services to Broadcasters all over the world including BBC World News, BBC Worldwide Channels, BBC World Service, UKTV, NBC Universal and Disney.
Responsibilities:
As Senior Broadcast Co-ordinator you will play a vital role in ensuring the overall success of the Japanese Service of BBC World News. Reporting to the Operations Manager you will lead the team responsible for the Japanese versioning of live news and current affairs programming. Read More
Via JETAA DC. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Associate Producer
Posted by: TV ASAHI America
Type: N/A
Location: DC
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
The Washington, D.C. Bureau of TV Asahi, a national Japanese broadcasting company (similar to ABC, NBC or CBS) is currently seeking candidates for a full-time Associate
Producer position:
The Associate Producer will assist the Bureau in its newsgathering, reporting, and production activities for news broadcasts in Japan.
Requirements:
- BA degree minimum; MA degree preferred
- English language fluency required, with strong oral and written communication skills; Japanese language ability a plus, but not required Read More
Job: Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta Employment Opportunity Receptionist (GA)
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Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Receptionist
Posted by: Consulate General of Japan
Type: N/A
Location: Atlanta, GA
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Overview:
Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is seeking an individual for the position of Receptionist (including Telephone Operator, Assistant for Accounting Section and Translation).
Candidate must be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. green card holder, must be fluent in Japanese and English, and possess computer skills (Microsoft Word and Excel etc. preferred).
To apply for this position, please send your resume to katsumi.isoda@mofa.go.jp.
http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/cgjaodop.html
Job: CUNY Start – Cooperating Teacher and Writing Assistant (NY)
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Thanks to JET alum and JetWit founder Steven Horowitz for sharing this post. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Various positions including Cooperating Teacher and Writing Assistant
Posted by: The City University of New York
Type: Various
Location: New York, NY
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Note from Steven:
CUNY Start is a unique and innovative adult education program, and I thought it may be of interest to any JETs or JET alumni seeking to work in adult education. More information available at the website listed above. Additionally, I’m currently teaching in this program and would be happy to answer questions for any JETs or alumni interested in applying.
– Steven
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Program Overview:
CUNY Start provides intensive preparation in academic reading/writing, math, and “college success.” The program enrolls prospective CUNY students who have been accepted to college because they have a high school or GED diploma, but are not ready for college-level work based on their scores on the CUNY Assessment Tests.
Students who have enrolled in CUNY Start re-take the required CUNY Assessment Tests. Past students have shown significant skill gains when they re-test; many have bypassed required remedial coursework entirely.
Spring 2013 and Fall 2013 Job Opportunities at CUNY:
- Associate Program Director – CUNY Start
- Cooperating Advisor
- Cooperating Math Teacher
- Cooperating Reading/Writing Teacher
- Writing Assistant
http://www.cuny.edu/academics/programs/notable/CATA/cti-cunystart/cunystart-employmentopps.html
Job: Coordinator for CAPAS (Center for Asian Pacific American Students)
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Thanks to JET alum Maria Valenzuela for sharing this post. Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Coordinator for CAPAS (Center for Asian Pacific American Students)
Posted by: Pitzer College
Type: Full-time
Location: Claremont, California
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Company Information:
CAPAS (Center for Asian Pacific American Students) provides programs and services that focus on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) issues for a multicultural campus community. The Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the Center’s daily operations, serving as a resource and facilitating programs for AAPI students, raising awareness of issues affecting the AAPI community, training and developing student leaders. Read More
Job: Marketing Intern at POPSUGAR Japan (SF)
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Posted by Kay Monroe (Miyazaki-shi, 1995 -97). Click here to join the JETwit Jobs Google Group and receive job listings even sooner by email.
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Position: Marketing Intern
Posted by: POPSUGAR
Type: Summer Internship
Location: San Francisco
Salary: N/A
Start Date: N/A
Company Information:
POPSUGAR, the leader in online media for women and recently named to the “10 San Francisco Tech Companies You Wish You Worked For” by WIRED (http://www.wired.com/business/2012/10/best-san-francisco-tech-companies?…), is looking for an exceptional and passionate individual to join the POPSUGAR Japan team as our Intern! Read More
