Dec 11

Career advice from the WSJ’s Elizabeth Garone (Saga-ken, 1993-95)

It turns out there’s a JET alum writing a career advice column for the Wall Street Journal.  Check out the latest column from Elizabeth Garone (Saga-ken, Omachi-cho, 1993-95) at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122874945537188153.html#articleTabs_comments.

It also turns out that she is a freelance journalist with more than a decade of writing for publications that have included Business Week, The Washington Post, Money Magazine, and The Wall Street Journal.  Her specialties are technology, education (specifically SAT and test prep), human interest and children.

You can learn more about Elizabeth through her website at www.garone.com or through her LinkedIn profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/lizgarone


Dec 11

Another attempt to replace ALTs

Yet another devious attempt to replace ALTs.  And this one doesn’t like being touched on the breast.  (I’m not making this up.  Read the article for yourself.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/10/aiko-the-female-robot-inv_n_149860.html)


Dec 11

From a JETAA Pacific Northwest email about Kevin Kajitani (Hyogo-ken, 2006-07) who has created Japanese Accelerator, a new online Japanese study method for keeping your Japanese skills up.  He’s offering a special discount to JET alums who want to try it out.

Research Proven Japanese Conversation Training System

Japanese Accelerator, presented by Speekit, is a unique Japanese language education tool specifically designed for Japanese. It’s method has been proven through University research to significantly improve your overall conversational fluency by putting you inside real, everyday conversations.

Japanese Accelerator will take you beyond simply “learning” the Japanese language and help you to truly *acquire* it.  To learn more about Japanese Accelerator, visit us as www.JapaneseAcceler ator.com

If you are a JETAA members, you can save more than 50% off the normal price of Japanese Accelerator. Get full, unlimited access to Japanese Accelerator and it’s growing library of content for a one-time fee of just $29.

To get in on this great deal, go to: www.JapaneseAcceler ator.com/ jetaa-sign- up Read More


Dec 11

NHK live broadcast and free synthetic ice skating today at 4pm

Kind of last second but….JET alum Marea Pariser (who is an associate producer for NHK in NY) sent me this last night, which I finally have time to post:

We’ll be broadcasting live from the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 11, for the NHK morning news. Because of the 14-hour time difference, we’ll go live at 4:15 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. (Japan time that will be 6:15 a.m. and 8:05 a.m. Friday). It will air on NHK’s “Ohayo Nippon.”

We’ll be reporting live from AMNH’s new Polar Rink, which is an outdoor skating rink made from synthetic ice. It’s good for the environment and it complements the Museum’s current Climate Change exhibit. There’s a good chance of rain tomorrow, but our live broadcast goes on-air rain or shine. We’re looking for people (who can ice skate!) who are available at either 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. — or at both times — to appear as an “ice skater” on our broadcast. Free ice skating! No close-up shots, just in the background. We’re especially interested in children ice skaters. Could you pass the word along? If anyone is interested or available could you ask them to contact me at the details below for more information?

FYI-Location: American Museum of Natural History, Polar Rink, which can be accessed from 79th Street and Columbus Avenue.

Web site: http://www.amnh.org/


Dec 11

I just found about a blog by JET alum Aaron Madlon-Kay (CIR Ehime-ken, 2006-08) that seems to do a good job of addressing translation issues.  (e.g., this post on Romanizing Japanese Addresses, this one on Translating Place Names, and this one on an attempt to translate into Japanese from English.)

Definitely a resource that other JET alums, especially other translators and those of you interested in getting into translation, might want to check out.  Wish I had found it sooner, but glad to have it the JetWit orbit now.


Dec 11

WITLife #6 – Toyota Shock

WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03).

In my previous post I mentioned that in Japan they use “Lehman shock” to refer to the crumbling of our financial institutions, and it seems like they are seeing the same phenomenon at home.

On the news yesterday morning the buzzword “Toyota shock” was used, referring to the economic woes Japan’s most famous and successful brand is having and its repercussions. (I’m waiting to see what they come up with for other countries.  Is “Samsung shock” for Korea next?).

Factories are being closed in Aichi Prefecture where Toyota headquarters is located, as well as in more far-flung locations such as Oita Prefecture in Kyushu.  There they have laid off 1,000 employees, who lose Read More


Dec 11

Bankruptcy Bill – Haiku #6

haiku_sm2From structured finance

Quietly I transfer to

The bankruptcy group

***************

(Mug with haiku available for purchase here.)

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.


Dec 10
From Craigslist Denver:

Japanese, Korean, Chinese searching syntax help (Denver (LODO))

Reply to: gigs-951821237@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-12-09, 5:26PM MST

Software company supporting multi-language document databases seeks help with Japanese, Korean, and Chinese searching. This is a short term, part time project (that could turn into longer term or more) to work with our search consultant to test how well our search engine works when searching for phrases NEAR other phrases (proximity searches), wild card searches, and understand the best way to do searching each of the CJK languages.


Dec 10

Job: Translators wanted (all languages)

From Craigslist:

Translators Wanted
Reply to: job-951792020@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-12-09, 6:02PM CST

Inexpensive and Professional Translations

Alliance Business Solutions is looking for translators of all languages. Whatever language/languages you are fluent in please contact us.
We prefer individuals with Associate Degrees or higher, obtained domestically or abroad. Our compensation is based on per contract work and a % of the work sourced, which will dependents on your education and work experience of the applicant.

Please send us your resume or contact us at translators@alliancebizsolutions.com.

For further information about our firm please visit us at www.alliancebizsolutions.com.

We look forward to hearing from you.


Dec 10

Job: Freelance translator needed (J to E)

From craigslist NY:

Freelance translator from Japanese to English (Flatiron)

Reply to: job-951723860@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-12-09, 6:08PM EST

A marketing consulting company is looking for a freelance translator from Japanese to English. A minimum of 5 years experience translating Japanese material to English required. If you have editing experience, please indicate.

Subjects are mostly marketing and strategy related . Quick delivery is sometimes required. Please send your resume and translation sample to Susan.


Dec 10

Job: Drive the Weinermobile!

Thanks to Alexei Esikoff (Fukushima-ken, 2001-02) for passing on this excellent career opportunity for JET alumni.  Note that bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply (though doesn’t really sound like they’re looking for Japanese):

Want a job you can really relish? Do you have an appetite for adventure, a friendly personality and boundless enthusiasm? Do you want to become a goodwill ambassador for Oscar Mayer, helping to organize promotions and even pitch TV, radio and print media? If the answer is “Yes”, you could qualify to be an official Oscar Mayer Hotdogger. Read on for all the juicy details.

Se Habla Espanol? Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Details here: http://brands.kraftfoods.com/oscarmayer/omm_hotdogger.htm


Dec 10

WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Interpreter/Translator/Writer Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken, 2000-03).

Starting with this post I thought I’d introduce a more behind the scenes aspect of WIT life, that being the preparation and work that takes place when I am not traveling or working on an assignment.

In order to keep my Japanese skills sharp, besides conversing with native speakers (don’t be afraid to ask to be corrected!) I enjoy the daily programming of Fujisankei.  In particular, the news airing at 7 a.m. (rebroadcast at 10) every weekday morning is especially insightful for keeping up to date on what’s going on in Japan and beyond, and how certain concepts would be expressed in Japanese.

An essential part of being a translator/interpreter is knowing the correct vocabulary for recent phenomenon, as these are words that change with the times and require constant updating of your brain.  For example, in Japan the collapse of our economic institutions is referred to as Read More


Dec 10

Reuters video article on NY de Volunteer’s recent Spa Day

Speaking of volunteering, Reuters Japan has a good video article (in Japanese) about NY de Volunteer’s recent Spa Day, where the volunteers go to a nursing home and treat the residents to a day of various beauty spa treatments.  (FYI, the segment starts at about 2:55 into the video.)

(For those of you with stronger Japanese skills, please feel free to post summary comments in English so other JetWit readers can get a sense of what’s being said.)


Dec 10

There are few more quintessentially American experiences than volunteering on Thanksgiving.  Here’s a nice photo of Fumitake “Fumi” Saijo and Koki Kimoto from the Japan Local Government Center (a/k/a

CLAIR New York) working in the kitchen with Kia Cheleen (CIR, Aichi-ken 1996-98, ALT 1998-1999) (not pictured) to prepare Thanksgiving meals through a project run by the Grand Central Neighborhood Social Services Network.


Dec 10

JETAA Chapter Beat 12.10.08

Freelance writer/editor Jonathan Trace (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-08) takes us on a walk around the JET Alumni community…

JETAA Northern California

  • Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) – Got any Japanese friends who want to volunteer to spread Japan awareness? JOI is seeking outgoing, energetic Japanese nationals interested in joining this program to volunteer.
  • South Bay Nomikai/Dinner – Friday, December 12th, 7:00 or 7:30 at Gochi. Last event of the year, so be sure to join in.
  • 9th Japanese Discussion Group – Saturday, December 13th join in the discussion about “What is Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan” moderated by Nobuko Oshima.
  • The Obama Administration and US-Japan Relations – Wednesday, December 10th at 6:00. Lecture by Dr. T.J. Pempel of the University of California, Berkeley and Mr. Ben Self of Stanford’s Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center.
  • The Totoro Forest Project (Dec. 6 – Jan. 18) Exhibition at the Cartoon Art Museum based on Hayao Miyazaki’s most celebrated film Tonari no Totoro.

JETAA UK

  • Monthly Pub Night at FLUID – Wednesday, December 10. Pushed back a bit, but not forgotten is Fluid night. Nothing like a pint to celebrate the comin’ ‘olidays!

JETAA Pacific Northwest

  • Vocalist Jazz Audition at Jazz Alley – Monday, March 23 audition with the Seattle Kobe Sister City Association (SKSCA) to be selected to perform in Kobe, Japan at the kobe Jazz Queen Vocalist Contest in May. Start practicing now and be ready for March.
  • Fun and Gaming – Looking to fight some holiday loneliness? Join JETAAPNW for some games, puzzles, movies, etc over in Kirkland. A chance to meet some new people and make some international friends.
  • Bounenkai! – Tuesday, December 16th 6:30 at Issian. Join in to forget the year and have a hand at some trivia and prizes.

JETAA Canberra

  • Bounenkai! – Friday, December 12th at 7:30.
  • MovemberDon’t forget to check out this great charity for moustaches and the fight against depression and prostate cancer.
  • Christmas Carols – Saturday, December 20th, 5:30 at Cowra Japanese Garden.  Celebrate the holiday with song and candlelight.

JETAA D.C.

  • Bounenkai! – Sunday, December 14th, 6:00 at Tono Sushi.
  • “Managing Relations with Korea and Asia: An Agenda for the Obama Administration” Lecture – Wednesday, December 10 at 11:00 a.m. Presentation and Luncheon brought to you by The Korea Society.
  • Happy Hour – Thursday, December 11th, 6:00 at 18th Amendment. Don’t miss the last Happy Hour of the year with the DC Alums.

JETAA Florida

  • Bounenkai! – Saturday, December 13th, 6:00 at Koume Japanese Restaurant. Come celebrate the end of the year with JETAA Florida.

JETAA Southeast

  • Loss of a JET Alum – Some tragic news comes to us from JET Southeast chapter that Jody Brooks, Chiba-ken 2003-05, passed away on October 11. Donations are being collected by Friends of Washington Park(FoWP) in lieu of flowers, and the goal is raise fund to hold an annual community even in Jody’s honor. The event will be held in the park and will do what Jody did best – bring people together.
  • Raise funds for Leukemia!Ingrid Garcia-Galinat is training to participate in her first half-marathon-13.1 miles for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team on March 29, 2009 to raise money for blood cancer awareness. Donate and help the cause today!
  • Yukiko Shimo Exhibition: Today’s Top Woodblock Print Artist in Japan – December 2nd through January 31. Check out these fascinating and inspired woodblock prints at the Roswell Teahouse & Gallery.
  • Triangle Taiko Performance – Saturday, December 13th, 5:00 at Pullen Park. Come listen to the performance and see the park as it is decorated into a winter wonderland from Dec. 10 through Dec 14th.

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.


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