NDD (Nihongo Dake Dinner) Southern Cali Style
Events, JETAA Chapter Beat, JETAA Chapters, Translating/Interpreting 
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From JETAA Southern California. (Not that you’re going to fly in to LA just for the event, but I think it’s interesting to see how different chapters do their versions of the nihongo dake dinner.)
It’s time for another NDD! For those not familiar with the NDD (Nihongo Dake Dinner = Japanese Only Dinner), it’s a chance to meet up and practice your great Japanese ability. But whatever your ability, all levels of Japanese are welcome. Whew! We will start with a potluck dinner at about 6pm, and continue with fun and games ’till the early morn!
The NDD will be on Dec 6th in San Gabriel. Co-President Christine Chow has volunteered her house for the event, so let’s thank her with a great genki turnout. For those coming from afar, or for those who drink a little too much, she welcomes anyone who would like to stay over to do so. Directions will be provided to those who RSVP.
To RSVP, please reply to jim /atto/ jetaasc /dotto/ org with NDD RSVP in the subject, and note:
-What food you will bring for the potluck (salad/appetizer, entree, dessert); your city/ken’s “famous” dish is most welcome!
-2 interesting things about your home/host prefecture in Japan
-Your favorite J-music singer/group
-If you are interested in carpooling and where you’ll be coming from
Hope to see you there! NDD de aimashou!!
Jim Smith, ’08-09 JETAASC Co-President
P.S. This is NOT the bonenkai. Details for that are coming!
Job Listing: Assistant Director for Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture at Columbia University (NY)
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Position with the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture at Columbia University. Seeking an organized, dynamic individual to fill the position of Assistant Director.
From Miho Walsh, Associate Director, Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture www.donaldkeenecenter.org
Center, founded in 1986, supports the study of diverse aspects of Japanese culture at Columbia University by organizing lectures, workshops, conferences, film screenings, exhibitions, performances, and other events throughout the year. It also hosts visiting scholars, administers fellowship competitions and prize programs, and collaborates with other academic departments and organizations across campus. At the same time, the Keene Center maintains an active presence on New York’s broader cultural scene, coordinating its activities with academic and non-academic institutions throughout the city, as well as nationwide and abroad.
The Assistant Director is the senior administrator of the Keene Center. He/she is supervised by the Center’s faculty director, works closely with Columbia’s Japan studies faculty, and supervises a research associate and part-time staff. As a full-time officer of the University, the Assistant Director is entitled to comprehensive employment benefits as well as tuition exemption. Among his/her responsibilities are fundraising and representing the Keene Center at national meetings, which require periodic travel to Japan and elsewhere.
Strong Japanese language ability is necessary for the job. Individuals who are fully bilingual in Japanese and English are especially encouraged to apply. Previous fundraising experience is also highly desirable. For further details about this position, including application procedures, please follow the link below.
http://jobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=113446
Translation Scam
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The below posting was from Craigslist Cincinnati, yet it has no connection to Cincinnati. Odds are it’s a variation of a common scam. The London connection and the writing style are clues, plus I’ve seen scams with similar feels in other contexts. Just something to be aware of since the same listing may likely pop up at some point in connection with a Japanese translation gig.
language translator needed
Reply to: goodlordaka@yahoo.com [?]
Date: 2008-11-25, 11:39AM EST
I am an amrican but I am presently in london and will be going to work soon in italy and i will need some one who can help me translate from italian to english and this is a work that can be done by emails with not much of stress or qualification.and i am willing to pay per word.
Interesting job listing from Craigslist Boston. Something every JET has done at some point.
Wanted: copy editing translated material (Anywhere)
Reply to: review.translations@gmail.com [?]
Date: 2008-11-21, 7:45PM EST
I’m looking for copy editors who are interested in editing materials translated from a foreign language by non-native English speakers.
Qualification: – Native English speakers with college level writing; Telecommuting ok
Rate: – $10 / 1000 original words
Anyone interested please copy edit the following short paragraph and send it to: review.translations /atto/ gmail /dotto/ com
Your attention is appreciated!
Sample:
At the age of six, my son was full of “you must” all day long. Very often he goes like “You must do this or that” when speaking to us. After noticing this, I tried to correct him by telling him “you must” was not a good word. If someone uses “you must” frequently enough people will gradually depart him and he will no longer be able to receive help and strength from his surroundings. Not quite see the reasoning, my son asked “why is that a bad word? And why won’t I receive help if I say that?” I told him that is because behind this word “must” there is no spirit of negotiation. We have to have negation in mind when working together. Using words like “must” to demand other people will only provoke their hostility, rather than to accumulate their strength. Nothing can be achieved without negotiation in mind.
Tadaima! #2 – Networking, Karate and Stocks, Oh My!
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My name is Rick Ambrosio (Ibaraki-ken, 2006-08). And whether readjusting to post-JET life is something you’re facing now, will deal with in the future or if you just enjoy reconnecting with that awkwardly uncertain feeling you had when you got back from Japan, come along with me as I look for a new job, a new apartment, and yes, mow the lawn of my parent’s house. Tadaima!
My cousin recently published a mystery/horror novel called “Once Upon a Nightmare,” which I read exclusively at night because that’s generally when scary stories are most poignant. She asked me to review it, so I am. But like most books you get really into, you forget what time it is, and I ended up staying up really late. So I end up waking up late.
First I checked e-mails for leads and responses with jobs. A fellow JETAANY member (Steven) needed help with the Kintetsu Essay Contest, and at this point he and I were working on a title for this series. The back and forth was a great way to keep myself engaged and feeling like I was doing something. The Essay Contest data was formatted quickly, but Steven and I went back and forth several more times brainstorming for a name for this series.
Downstairs I went for brunch in my deserted house. Carefully placed on the kitchen table was my daily note from Mom. Tuna in the Fridge. She’s going to Lowes when she gets home. Vacuum all the leaves in the front of the house.
I thought of calling my mother at work and telling her that many houses in Japan lack yards and doing yard work would severely cripple my cultural transition. Instead I threw on my weird leather and faux fur hat (I have a habit of wearing odd hats during chores) and began on the leaves. While doing this my neighbor Tony sauntered over.
Tony is about my fathers age and has two loves: Cigars and Sinatra. Read More
Holiday Memories from Days of JET
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To get everyone in the mood for the holidays (or reflect back on your JET days), here’s a selection from the JetWit Library, an anecdote article from the Fall 2004 JETAA NY Newsletter.
Living in Japan posed some unique challenges during our favorite holidays. But we know that’s also what brings the best out in us. Below are some of the ways your fellow alums celebrated their traditional holidays in Japan.
Lyle Sylvander (Yokohama-shi, 2001-02)
I had Thanksgiving at the ambassador’s residence with about 100 other JETS from the Tokyo area. Ambassador Howard Baker, former Senator from Tennessee and Chief of Staff under Reagan, and his wife Nancy Kasslebaum who was a former Senator from Kansas, greeted us as we entered the door. It was a real Thanksgiving feast with a choice of Turkey, Roast Beef, Ham – all layed out in display style. After dinner, we got to mingle with the ambasador and his wife as well as talk with numerous marines who were also invited. The ambassador and his wife were both very down to Earth. We could also see the room where the famous picture of MacArthur and Hirohito was taken.
******************
Nicole Hebert
Saga Ken 1998-2000
My most memorable holiday had to be Thanksgiving. A group of us from AJET decided to put together a Thanksgiving Dinner just for us- the gaijin. We ordered food about a month in advance from that foreign food shop in Kobe…or was it Osaka?? Surely you know what I’m talking about. It was an ordeal to find a place in my city that would hold us all for some reason that had a working kitchen and tatami room available. Eventually, a JET in another town found one through her Board of Ed. We had it all planned out, how much was needed for the lot of us and it looked like had enough food. Although it was two days after
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Job Opportunities Shifting Overseas?
Career, Japan Trends Comments Off on Job Opportunities Shifting Overseas?
As the US economy slides (crashes?) and the job market seems less and less supportive here in the US, many JET alums are likely starting to look back to Japan for work opportunities. Sure Japan is in a recession, but they don’t seem to have quite the negative exposure that the US financial institutions have had and in several instances Japanese finance has helped bail out some struggling US banks and auto companies.
An article in today’s NY Times seems to support this trend, taking about lawyers increasingly moving to their firms’ offices in Asia and the Middle East. Notably, the article starts off with a female lawyer who decided to accept her firm’s suggestion to move to their Tokyo office.
Are you in a similar boat? If you’re a JET alum who’s moving (or considering moving) back to Japan or elsewhere for better opportunities, get in touch and share you’re story. Just e-mail stevenwaseda /atto/ jetwit /dotto/ com.
JETAA DC reports opening of a new Japanese grocery store
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Hana Grocery recently opened at the corner of 17th and U Street, NW. I went there for the first time today, and it’s a small store, but it has a good assortment of products and the prices are reasonable. The store hours are 10am – 7pm, 7 days a week. Nearest metro stops are Dupont Circle (red line) and U Street/Cardozo (green line).
Bankruptcy Bill #5: Law Firm Publications
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Bankruptcy Bill is a cartoon created by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) and Gideon Kendall. To see more strips as well as bankruptcy haiku, go to bankruptcybill.wordpress.com.
JETAA Philly Mud Shack Social Night – Photos!
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The JETAA Philly subchapter Mud Shack Social Night on Saturday, November 15 was a big hit! Subchapter rep Renay Loper reports, “”We painted pottery, made jewelry, enjoyed some Japanese food, traded JET stories, and laughed the night away! Everyone was excited that the Philly group was re-awakening! Based on the feedback – even from those who couldn’t make it – I am already looking forward to our next event!”
To be in the loop on future Philly events, just e-mail PhillyRep atto jetaany dotto org
JETAA Chapter Beat – 11.24.08
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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JETAA community…
Texoma (aka JETAA Chapter 9)
* Friday, November 28th — Beaver’s BBQ – Come support a local legend-in-the-making at Beaver’s BBQ around 7pm.
* November 1, 2008 — December 17, 2008 Madame Kawakita, ongoing film series
Cinema Japan: A Wreath for Madame Kawakita ($5.50 – 9.50 per movie)
– Friday, November 28 — 8:40 p.m. Her Brother
Kon Ichikawa’s powerful family drama, set in the Taisho era, with virtuoso performances by Kinuyo Tanaka and Keiko Kishi
– Saturday, November 29 — 5:00 p.m. Zigeunerweisen
Seijun Suzuki weds surrealism to ghost story to evoke the late 1920s in Japan as a period of changing mores akin to Weimar Germany.
– Sunday, November 30 — 3:00 p.m. Tora-san’s Sunrise and Sunset
A Japanese populist classic from Yoji Yamada’s Tora-san series. Our bumbling proletarian hero has adventures in the Tokyo suburbs and in the arts.
Check out the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive for more dates!
* Saturday, December 6 — Nihongo Dake Dinner. Time and place TBA
* Saturday, December 13 — JETAASC Bonenkai. Time and place TBA
* Saturday, December 6 — 2008 JETAA Portland Bonenkai.
Time: 6:30 p.m., Location: Bush Garden, Cost: $12 per person.
Join JETAA Portland’s end of the year party. Make sure you bring a gift for the White Elephant Gift Exchange. Bring your unwanted or most hilarious omiyage from Japan (ike a dancing Pocari Sweat can). One of our most attended events of the year, reserve your spot now. Seating limited!
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just email Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
JET alum Lars Martinson, author of the graphic novel Tonoharu: Part 1, just completed a 10-part series on his site (larsmartinson.com) all about self-publishing. While he writes from an “alternative cartoonist” perspective, he offers valuable insight and experience for any JET alums in the writing or publishing business.
Perspectives include:
- Cartooning is a poor career choice, so make sure you have alternative revenue streams
- Seek funding such as the Xeric Grant, Monbusho scholarships and other sources of funding
Taking advantage of Amazon Associates, and selling related merchandise- Suggestions on how to create an effective online presence
- How to find established distributors in your field
- How to manage sales and money
- Plus plenty of other helpful concrete suggestions gleaned from personal experience and struggle
You can also read a nice article about Lars from the Winter 2008 “Digital Media” Issue of the JETAA NY Newsletter, written by Alexei Esikoff (Fukushima-ken, 2001-02).
Two Upcoming Events with Sake Sommelier Chris Johnson (Oita-ken, 1992-95)
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Sake sommelier Chris Johnson (Oita-ken, 1992-95) will be sommelier-ing at two upcoming events. FYI, Chris is also the owner of Bao Noodles, the Vietnamese-style restaurant on 2nd Ave. between 22nd & 23rd Sts., and has provided gift certificates for several JETAA NY Newsletter contests.
Zagat’s Presents
THE ART OF SAKE PAIRING
December 8, 2008, 6 PM & 8:30 PM
Kyotofu, 705 Ninth Ave. (bet. 48th & 49th Sts.)
Join infamous New York sake sommelier Chris Johnson at this award-winning Midtown Japanese spot for a an informative six-course dinner pairing food and sake.
Event Details: $75 for six courses with sake and cocktails, tax and tip not included. More information here.
ASIA SOCIETY PRESENTS
Panel Discussion
Wine and Spirits with Asian Cuisine: A Perfect Pairing! (with live webcast)
Savory Productions / Saveur Magazine
Date: December 1st
6:30 – 9:00 pm
Location: New York
Asia Society and Museum, Auditorium, 725 Park Avenue, New York
Cost: $15 students; $15 members; $30 nonmembers
Buy Tickets Online
Phone: 212-517-ASIA
Web: http://www.savoryproductions.com/
Panelists:
– Cynthia Sin-yi Cheng, Founder, cyn-et-vin; Wine Editor, Cravings, New York
– Chris Johnson, Mixologist and Sake Master, Bao 111, New York
– Litty Mathew, Mixologist, Modern Spirits, Monrovia, California
Moderator:
– James Oseland, Editor in Chief, Saveur Magazine
Get more information here.
Top 10 List: Ways JETAA Would be Different If Obama or McCain Were Your JETAA Chapter President
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(From the Fall 2008 JETAA NY Quarterly Newsletter) (Click here to see previous JETAA Top 10 Lists.)
Who would be a better president, McCain or Obama? Maybe that’s the wrong question. Perhaps the focus should be on what presidency they should really be running for. And thus the question is begged, what would be…
The Top 14 Ways JETAA Would be Different If
Obama or McCain Were Your JETAA Chapter President
14. Early bird special nihongo-dake dinners
13. JETAA Delaware’s Tax-Free Shopping Day
12. Beach Boys parodies about genocide replaced by Morning Musume parodies about market turmoil
11. General skepticism about president’s claim that while on JET he “could see South Korea” from his school’s window.
10. Promises of lower noodle taxes for Joe the Ramenya-san
9. Onsen trips…in Maui
8. President shows off “maverick” side by putting tonkatsu sauce on okonomiyaki
7. Chicago deep dish served at Newsletter stuff n’ mails
6. Softball Tournament in Brooklyn replaced by Moose Hunting Tournament in Staten Island
5. Next happy hour destination: USS Intrepid!
4. Election opponent branded as a terrorist after admitted to having bought a phone card from an Iranian guy in Ueno Park in 1995
3. Uniqlo shopping spree for the veep
2. Position on yaki-niku enkai? “Grill, baby, grill!”
1. “I’m Barack Obama, and I approve this sake”
(Want to see more? Click here to see previous JETAA Top 10 Lists.)
JETAA Update: Cincinnati/Kentucky taking off
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Jimmy Jackson reports from Cincinnati that he’s now in touch with Thad Johnson across the river in Lexington, Kentucky, and that Thad has been working on an upcoming JET alum event for people in the area.
If you’re in the area and want be a part of it, contact Jimmy Jackson at jimmyj1640 /atto/ yahoo /dotto/ com.
