WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Nice to be back in chilly New York, but a bit of an adjustment after the final stop on my business trip last week being balmy LA. I always love going to this southern California destination for the chance to visit Little Tokyo! Besides great cultural institutions such as the Japanese American National Museum and the Geffen MOCA, it has delicious mochi flavors that I am yet to find here in the city. My first two stops when in town are always the sweet shops carrying these creations, Mikawaya in the Japanese village and Fugetsu-do on the main drag.
The more expansive Mikawaya carries a greater selection of mochi, including Read More
Many JETs and JET alumni find themselves at a crossroads regarding their careers and career options. Nicole D. Mignone (Akita-ken, 1991-1993), a certified life coach, will be periodically posting articles for the benefit of the JET Community. You can read more of her life-related articles at her blog thealchemyofbalance.blogspot.com. She also offers individual life and business coaching. For more information, email Nicole at drmuse@jetwit.com.
Dear Dr. Muse:
I feel so stuck and frustrated in my current job, but I can’t quit and don’t know what else I want to do. What if I feel the same in my next job and I will never be happy? –N.H., Long Island, NY
Dear N.H.:
This common issue resonates with many people who hire a life coach. Over the next few columns, I will break down some of the layers of this question and give you some tools to determine what changes you can make to feel less “stuck” in your life.
Step One: Gathering Information.
In any construction project you first have a plan, and it should be no different when it comes to building a life you want, including the profession you want. So, to begin, you need to assess your starting point and the resources at hand. Often a feeling of dissatisfaction at work is actually a distraction from dissatisfaction in other areas of life, so it is important to evaluate your life as a whole. Moreover, before you embark on a journey that involves change, implement measures to ensure your health and wellbeing remain balanced.
For this first week, take some time to assess where you are right now. First, obtain a blank notebook or journal to record your thoughts, ideas, and progress. On that first page, write your full name and then write out your commitment to make any changes necessary to create the life you want. Now, agree to have fun with the exercises and start with the Rating System.
The Rating System
First, rate each of the following, as it pertains to your life at this moment, on a scale of zero [absolutely stinks] to ten [could not get any better]:
- fitness/health
- money
- career
- friends/family
- fun/recreation
- personal growth/spiritual development
- physical environment/home
- romance/significant other
Next, on the other sheets of paper, put each label from above at the top of a page. Take time to look at each section and write a description of what a perfect ten would look like. Describe your perfect TEN in an uninhibited, entitled, and passionate way. In other words, you may not write what you think you can have, you must write what you really WANT.
Stay tuned for the next Dr. Muse post where I’ll expand on this exercise.
JETAA Technology Regional Conference – Jan 29-31 (Portland, OR)
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This is going on this weekend! Follow updates on the official website and also via Twitter: http://twitter.com/jetaarc
FYI, JETAA Portland will be hosting a very unique and cool JET Alumni Conference at the end of January that is intended to focus specifically on technology issues and challenges facing JET alumni chapters.
A blog/website has been set up for the JETAA Technology Regional Conference at http://regionalconference.jetaaportland.com if you’d like to see what’s going on and perhaps even find ways to contribute.
Contact US Chapter Representative Ryan Hart with any questions at us1.jetaausa [at] yahoo.com.
Brainstorm Crew: Request for article writers from JQ Editor Justin Tedaldi
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The latest issue of JQ (JETAA NY Quarterly) Magazine has hit the stands, and now Editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2000-01) working on the next issue and seeking writers. Read on for more info. (It also actually stands on its own as a great list of JET-relevant things and interesting JET alums.)
Hi, Brainstorm Crew!
Hope everyone’s enjoying the start of the new year (a link to JQ’s current issue is here in case you haven’t seen it yet, thanks always for your contributions and ideas and feel to link the new issue to your own sites/blogs to promote us). Below are the story ideas needing takers for our March 2010 issue and beyond. De wa…
Deadlines are as follows:
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5: Registering a story assignment with me at magazine@jetaany.org, or pitching an idea of your own for approval. All suggestions are welcome. We’ve been picking up more new writers with each issue, and I encourage all first-timers whether you consider yourself a seasoned writer or not. (Just mind the deadlines!)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14: Deadline for submitting a final draft of your story. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis, less so for new writers.
I would also greatly appreciate added assistance with the following:
AD SALES CALLS: More sales means more JETAANY-sponsored events. It takes under two minutes to get an answer in most cases. Write for more info.
COPY EDITING/PROOFREADING: For those of you who like reading this thing cover to cover. Multiple times.
YOUR OWN STORY IDEAS: Anything’s fair game! Some of our most interesting material comes from suggestions from our more dedicated readers.
Now the fun stuff. Below are the story ideas. Thanks for reading and providing your support, and e-mail at magazine@jetaany.org with any other questions/ideas.
**************************************
CONSULATE GENERAL JAPAN CARAVAN
This is a decade-plus program run by New York’s Consulate General of Japan that sends consulate staff (American and Japanese) to New York high schools and junior high schools to introduce students to Japanese culture. Earlier this month, I participated as a volunteer and enjoyed taking part in a Q&A with a very enthusiastic anime/manga club and faculty. The purpose of this article will be to increase awareness of the program so more JETAA members can get involved.
ASIA SOCIETY
Earlier this month NYC’s Asia Society held a concert called “Hogaku,” or Japanese folk instruments played with modern flair. We’ve never profiled Asia Society, so this would be a great time to find out more about how they select their Japanese attractions and exhibitions. www.asiasociety.org
TENRI CULTURAL INSTITUTE
Tenri Cultural Institute is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote the study of Japanese language and the appreciation of international art forms. Based in Greenwich Village, it also houses the Tenrikyo Church, which has its own interesting history. http://www.tenri.org/
Japan Nite 2010 at Bowery Ballroom
Annual concert featuring indie acts from Japan. This year’s edition will be held Sunday, 3/21 at Bowery Ballroom. I’m looking for a preview piece con the history of the festival with quotes from either members of one of the groups or the promoters. (Info for all acts at ticket homepage below.
Lineup: Red Bacteria Vacuum / Omodaka / JinnnyOops! / Okamato’s
http://www.boweryballroom.com/event/4053
Japan Society’s Spring 2010 Performing Arts Schedule
This season features kyogen, live theater and music. Am open to profiles/reviews of any of the following listed at the page below.
http://www.japansociety.org/performingarts
Exhibit: Kuniyoshi Monster Prints at Japan Society – PREVIEW OR REVIEW
Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters: Japanese Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi from the Arthur R. Miller Collection, March 12-June 13, 2010, at Japan Society Gallery
Thrashing sea creatures, samurai warriors, and a giant, looming skeleton are among the distinguishing subjects of the brashest of Japan’s Ukiyo-e masters, Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), whose populist oeuvre is to be presented by Japan Society Gallery from March 12 to June 13, 2010.
Fresh from its spring 2009 showing at London’s Royal Academy of Arts, where it was the surprise smash hit of the season, Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters: Japanese Prints by Utagawa Kuniyoshi from the Arthur R. Miller Collection marks the first major exhibition of Kuniyoshi’s work in the United States in nearly 30 years. The exhibition has been organized by the Royal Academy in collaboration with Arthur R. Miller and The British Museum. The vast majority of the 150 color woodblock prints on display are from the Arthur R. Miller Collection, New York, generously loaned to Japan Society by the American Friends of the British Museum.
ISSHONI LONDON – JET Alum Vanessa Villalobos
London JET alum’s blog: events, news, review and interviews. I met her back in December and this would be a good Q&A piece for any JETs wanting to learn more about how our alumni groups operate overseas.
http://www.isshonilondon.co.uk/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Isshoni-London/119415767689
http://twitter.com/IsshoniVanessa
JQ Magazine’s Winter 2010 “Food and Film” Issue Is Out Now!
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JQ Editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02) has worked hard to put out another fantastic issue of JETAA NY Quarterly Magazine (aka JQ). O-tsukare sama deshita, Justin-san!
Start the decade off right!JAN/FEB 2010 ISSUE: Click image below for our homepage
Click here to SUBSCRIBE via PayPal
Editor: Justin Tedaldi – magazine@jetaany.org
JAN/FEB 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page 3……..Letter From the Editor / Letter From the Secretary
Page 4……..Nippon News Blotter / JetWit Baby
Page 5……..Peace Corps Calls Out to JETs by Marea Pariser
Page 6……..Gearing Up for Grad School by Aly Woolfrey
Page 6……..At the ISE Cultural Gallery by Michael Glumac
Page 7……..Harumi Kurihara: The JQ Interview by Yukari Sakamoto
Page 8……..Nihonjin in New York – Featuring Filmmaker Takayuki Tanaka by Stacy Smith
Page 9……..Lisa Katayama on 2-D Love, Japan Pop by Crystal Wong
Page 9……..The Legacy of Tokyo Story by David Kowalsky
Page 10……JETlog – Featuring John Ellis-Guardiola
Page 10……The Language(s) of Love: Wendy Nelson Tokunaga by Nichole Knight
Page 11…….Bridge Building with Filmmaker Aaron Woolfolk by Lyle Sylvander
Page 12……The Funny Page
WIT Life #72: Base blues
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WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
Quick follow-up to my last post re. the Okinawa base debate. An editorial in yesterday’s NYT discusses the importance of a meeting that will take place this week between the Obama administration and two visiting Japanese senior officials. The article urges both countries to not let this contentious issue get in the way of their valuable alliance. It will be interesting to see what emerges from these security talks.
Also check out Roger Cohen’s editorial in today’s Times which talks about the imagined results of a future America (circa 2040) that has withdrawn from world affairs (or been supplanted by China in this role). He discusses the frightening ramifications in regard to Japan and the Asian region in the middle of the article. Happy reading!
Job: Bilingual Japanese Marketing Assistant (New York)
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Lloyd Staffing is looking for a full-time bilingual marketing assistant for a New York City firm.
DUTIES:
- Provide administrative support to Marketing Department of Downtown NYC firm, reporting to VP of Marketing.
- Candidate will get involved in client relations having direct contact with clients.
- Will assist with prospect lists, database work, marketing reports, planning events, purchasing supplies, and more.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ideal candidate will have proficiency in Word and Excel.
- Must be proficient in communicating in both English and Japanese languages.
- Must be able to speak, read and write in both languages.
- 1-3 years administrative experience.
For immediate consideration, please call Barbara Cohen Farber, Executive Director at 631-777-7600 ext 778. Or email your resume to bcohenfarber@ lloydstaffing. com
Japan America Society Roundup 1.28.10
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Current Hiroshima-ken JET Gail Meadows, Editor of Hiroshima JET webzine the Wide Island View, shines a light on some of the upcoming events of Japan America Societies…
Japanese Table Manners 101 — Quick quiz! Can you answer these true or false questions about Japanese table manners? 1.) When your soup bowl is hot, it is a good idea to squeeze it to help open the lid.
2.) When someone offers you sake during a meal, it is good manners to put your sake cup down on the table to allow him/her to pour it for you.
3.) When eating a whole fish, you should carefully turn it over to eat the other side. Not sure of the answers? Then this free Japanese culture salon could be for you.
- Date: Monday, Feb. 1
- Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Place: Casa de Luz, 1701 Toomey Road, Austin
- For more information, click here.
- U.S. Immigration Basics and Hot Topics — This seminar will cover the latest in U.S. immigration law, updates, and other employment issues related to hiring and retaining foreign workers.
- Date: Friday, Feb. 12
- Time: 2:30 to 5 p.m.
- Place: Ice Miller LLP, Conference Room 29A/B, One America Building – 29th Floor, One American Square, Indianapolis
- For more information, click here.
Whale Watch Cruise — Join JASSC for the annual migration of the Pacific Grey Whales as they make their 12,000 mile journey along the North American coast. There will be narration in English and Japanese.
- Date: Sunday, Feb. 28
- Time: Registration at 9:30 a.m., departure at 10 a.m., return to harbor at 12:30 p.m.
- Place: Long Beach Marina Sport Fishing (Seaport Village in Alamitos Bay), 180 Marina Drive, Long Beach
- For more information, click here.
Does your Japan America Society have an upcoming event that you’d like to share with JetWit readers? Email Gail Meadows the info.
Job: Administrative Assistant at International Access Corporation (DC)
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International Access Corporation is looking for an Administrative Assistant in Washington D.C.
DUTIES:
- Support position with a Japanese transportation association.
- Requires excellent English communication and writing skills
- Some Japanese language or cultural exposure to Japan is desirable.
- Planning Washington D.C. seminars and study groups as well as general office support.
- Word, Excel required; PowerPoint, Quicken desired
- Bilingual English/Japanese
- Salary Range: $37,000
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send resume WITH COVER LETTER to Elizabeth McCarthy – mccarthy@iacdc.com
Position includes FULL health insurance, dental and life insurance, 401(k) and proftsharing plan, generous vacation and holidays. Stimulating international office in downtown D.C. near two Metro stops.
Job: Japanese/English bilingual General Manager (Chicago)
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This job opportunity comes from the Chicago Craigslist, from the JET Alumni Association of Chicago.
Our client, Japanese Media company seeks a Japanese/English bilingual General Manager. This position will be responsible for entire operation of the publishing weekly community paper and supervise both sales/marketing and editing department including sales forecast, budgeting, sales report, HR, General Affairs, liaison with the President, etc. Management experience must. Experience in publishing industry strongly preferred but not must.
Please forward your resume and cover letter in an MS Word format to apply (to this e-mail address). We will review your application and will get back to qualified candidates to set up a preliminary interview with our recruiter in charge of this position. We are a recruiting company currently working for one of our client companies mentioned above. Please understand that we do not pass resumes to the hiring company without this process, and we take this process seriously. Look forward to your application.
* Location: North Chicagoland
* Compensation: Up to 50K(DOE)
******************
Joshikai SF: A new meet-up for Japanese women and women connected to Japan
女子力アップ！「女子会サンフランシスコ」
Next meeting: Thursday, 2/11
For February’s Joshikai, the author of Shortchanged: A Japanese Women’s Guide to International Romance（www.sonsuru-japan.com), Mieko Mochizuki Swartz will give advice about international relationships and romance, addressing differences in communication styles and cultural expectations. The talk will be followed by time for networking, chatting and drinking.
(See full details below)
JetWit Note: Apparently the first event they held was wonderful–they had about 35 women in attendance, with a good mix of Japanese and American women including a number of JET alums!
About Joshikai SF
Are you a Japanese woman or a woman with an interest in Japan? Maybe you just moved here from Tokyo this summer and want to make new friends… Maybe you taught English in Osaka a few years ago and want to revive your rusty Japanese… Whether you are a native Japanese woman or an American (or other nationality) woman with an interest in Japan, Joshikai may be for you!
女子による女子のための女子限定ネットワークイベント「女子会サンフランシスコ」を始動しました。女子同士ならではのよさ、赤裸々な本音トークなどを楽しんで、一緒に女子力アップを目指しませんか？
We are creating a community of Japanese women and women with an interest in Japan, gathering for a monthly meet-up to make friends, share stories and learn from each other. On the second Thursday of each month, we’ll meet at a location that is chic, reasonably priced, and conveniently located (near a BART station and other public transportation) for an evening of drinks and girl talk, where our members can connect and relax over a cocktail.
Why women only? We want to create a relaxed atmosphere, with the opportunity to speak freely and connect with each other in a supportive environment.
———–
Here is the information about our February event (in Japanese then English): Read More
JETAA Chapter Beat 1.27.10
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Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community for another edition of JETAA Chapter Beat.
- Happy Hour – Friday, January 29th, 6:00 at Fleming’s. Join NEJETAA for their first happy hour of the new year this Friday.
- Career Workshop – Wednesday, February 17th NEJETAA will be holding it’s career workshop for JET alumni. This year’s theme is, “Marketing Yourself in a Tough Economy,” so come on out and get a leg up on that new career. Location and times to be announced.
- Eugene Subchapter Event – Friday, January 29th, 7:00 at Sakura Japanese Restaurant. Spend the evening out with the JETAA Eugene Subchapter group this Friday night.
- Technology Regional Conference – January 29th through the 31st at the Mark Spencer Hotel. JETAA Portland is hosting a regional conference on “Technology and Implementation” to discuss technology and how it can benefit all JETAA Chapters around the world.
- J-Lunch – Friday, February 5th, 12:00 at Thai Kingdom. Come share your love of Japan over lunch with others in the DC area.
- Happy Hour – Tuesday, February 16th, 5:30 at the Hawk and Dove. Get together and share some laughs with the group in DC.
- JBook Meeting – Monday, February 22nd, 6:30 at a location yet to be determined. This month’s selection will be “The Makioka Sisters” by Junichiro Tanizaki.
- Kaiwa – Thursday, January 28th, 5:30 at 43 Below. Practice your Japanese with old friends and some tasty snacks.
- Family Okonomiyaki BBQ – Sunday, February 21st, 11:30 at Synergy Parkland in Kings Park. Free BBQ and soft drinks in the park, as well as dessert and watermelon provided by the Consulate General. Spend the day outdoors and catch up with old friends.
- Japanese Conversation Club – Thursday, January 28th, 6:30 to 8:30 at 1424 Weller St. JCCCW is extending a special invitation to JETAA members who are interested in a conversation get together.
- Shakuhachi Workshop – Saturday, February 6th, 1:00 to 4:00 at the Renfrew Park Community Centre. Mr. Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos will be performing a musical workshop on the Shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese bamboo flute. Participants will learn how to play and will receive their very own hand carved flute made by Mr. Ramos himself.
- Come-and-Try Gateball Day – Sunday, January 31st, 3:30 at the Canberra Croquet Club. JETAA Canberra is hosting its annual Come-and-Try Gateball afternoon. Come try your hand at this little-known Japanese sport.
- O-Shaberikai – Wednesday, February 3rd, 5:30 at the Holy Grail in Civic. Join in and meet Japanese people living in Canberra and other locals interested in Japan.
What happened at your chapter’s event? If you attend(ed) any of these exciting events, JetWit would love to hear about them. Just contact Jonathan Trace with any info, stories or comments.
C-DOC: Learn Chinese NYC – Basics for Pronounciation and the Four Tones
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The Chinese Doctor is a recurring feature written by Friend Of JET, Jon Hills, who maintains the blog for Hills Learning (www.hillslearning.com).
Hills Learning is a NY-based language learning services company offering customized and personal Chinese, Japanese and Korean language learning options. Their main service is private one on one language lessons in the NYC area.
Congratulations on choosing to learn the new buzz language in New York City, Chinese. When learning Chinese it’s important to first learn the pronunciation of the language. Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, with 4 tones that can change and distinguish the meaning of words. It’s important to become familiar with the tones in the beginning, mastering the tones will take time and energy with a trained teacher. Don’t worry though, Cantonese has 7 tones, and Vietnamese has 9 tones, so comparatively learning Mandarin should seem quite easy!
When learning Mandarin we’ll use the word “ma.” Ma can mean four different things, depending on which tone you pronounce it with. Without further ado, here’s the tones you’ll use when pronouncing Mandarin…
Click here for the rest of the article, including other Chinese language and culture articles
Job: Program Associate at the Asian Cultural Council (NYC)
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The Asian Cultural Council is looking for a Program Associate to start immediately. The foundation was established thirty years ago to promote cultural exchange between the United States and Asian countries through individual artistic grants and local programs. Fluency in an Asian language and a graduate degree are preferred, but not required. Compensation is $35,000-$40,000 per year plus full benefits including medical, dental, vision and transit. A 401K plan will begin after six months of employment.
DUTIES:
• Manages online application process, sending out applications, processing completed applications, (letters of references, grant notification letters, etc.)
• Supports Program Officers in New York on all aspects of day-to-day program activities
• Arranges individual overall program plans that will enable grantees to meet their goals and develop in their careers, including arranging meetings, residencies, and travel etc.
• Creates and manages grantee budgets and tracks overall program budget
• Works closely with Manager of Grantee Programs to handle grantee logistical plans, including apartment set up, local travel, setting up of bank accounts, visas etc.
• Works with program staff to evaluate applications, meet applicants, correspond with references, make funding recommendations and write grant notification letters
• Writes reports recommending candidates for fellowships for review by ACC Board of Trustees
• Maintains grantee entries in the ACC database; assists in generating declination and postponement letters, lists, reports, etc.
• Regularly attends performances/exhibitions
QUALIFICATIONS:
• At least three years of arts administration, programming, and/or related experience
• Professional experience working with artists from Asia, travel and/or work in Asia
• Excellent writing/verbal communication skills, computer skills (both PC and Mac platforms)
• Familiarity with data base systems (Filemaker Pro, GIFTS, etc.)
• Work experience in cultural exchange and non-profit organizations a plus
• Spoken fluency and written proficiency in an Asian language a plus
• Graduate degree preferred
HOW TO APPLY: Please send cover letter and resume to opportunitiesataccandtmu@accny.org. We will contact applicants whom we wish to interview. Please no phone calls.
This job listing comes from idealist.org, a website for non-profit, educational and other community-related employment information.
Posted by Machiko Yasuda, a senior at UCLA and Friend of JET.
“Make your own bento!” by Fuji Catering in NYC
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Of late, we’ve been ordering bentos for JETAA New York Exec meetings from Fuji Catering. (It’s the one all the Japanese companies use in NYC, so you know it’s the honmono!)
However, after always choosing from the pre-set menu of bento options for a given day, I just noticed that they have a rather fun “make your own bento” option–with visuals!
Here’s the link, so make your own bento and order away: http://www.fuji-catering.com/Questionnaire/index.html
And while you’d think this would only be for New Yorkers out there, I have to think it would be a half-decent substitute for all the JET alums out there in Idaho, Mississippi and elsewhere who are at least a 3-day drive from the nearest bento but could use a dose of natsukashii.
