JET ProgrammeProgramme- - AomoriAomori JulyApril – – September June 08 08 Edition 45 July - September 08 Message

GOOD MORNING, ! Three Months in a Glance Helen Masters ()

With the weather turning to beautiful summer days, everyone is gearing up for festivals, road trips and hitting the beach. The warm weather festivities were kicked off with Cherry Blossom Festivals. Hirosaki Castle was draped in clouds of pink and flooded with people, particularly students, or so it seemed. The hanami was augmented with such joys as a haunted castle, shaved ice, and bountiful amounts of sake. Gappo Park saw more sake, picnics and mobile karaoke. But, as all good things must come to an end, the blossoms fell and we moved on to more warm weather activities.

First up was the epic E of A Futsal tournament. Teams from across the prefecture competed throughout the day and Chris’ Small Town Legends head did not explode despite everyone’s best efforts. There were some great games, some tight finishes and some spectacu- For the Aomori Departing JETS, 2008 lar footwork on display. Speaking of spectacular, Teri and her E of A band of helpers held a great bake sale, raising a ton From the Eastern Capital we flew of money for our kids in Nepal. All in all, the futsal tournament raised 170,000 yen. A big おつかれさま to everyone who up the lengthy spine of this tall island helped out! And an especially big thank you to Chris who put his sanity on the line to make this happen. to reside between mountain peaks along the cerulean lengths of thick woodland Saint Paddy’s Day was held in spectacular fashion and a swirl of green. We started off in Misawa’s Paddy’s Bar, with good CONTENTS to teach matters of frank existence. Irish beer, followed by karaoke with renditions of U2, before we moved on to My Place (not literally MY place), for some Three Months in a For brief, blessed moments free Irish stew. A big thanks to John, Sam and Sabastian for organizing this, as well as letting everyone crawl into their Glance ...... 2 we became small town legends, houses to sleep.

something savage and renewed, Activities & Events . . . 3 our routines elegant, Keeping to a Misawa theme was the Pirates of Penzance performance, which included our very own John and Sam. John fit our normal lives spectacular. Spotlights the part with an amazing beard that he grew himself (little children everywhere wanted to know if it was real), while Sam CIR Talk ...... 4 We shook the dust in this grand blue forest, was resplendent as the Captain in vivid purple flounces. JET Community . . . . . 5 a breeze of clouds shadowing over a verdant valley, a gust of wind touching every reed and willow, In traditional JET style a myriad of other events occurred such as office leaver’s parties, sports festivals, ultimate Frisbee Year-End Wrap Up . . . . 6-7 bending through curves of rock and sloping cliffs (with spectacular injuries), Ceremonii’s xxXxx and their awesome DJs, our Group C CIRs arriving (welcome!) and Golden rippling across luminous ocean fronts. First Year Week excursions. Introductions ...... 8-11 Gathering over waves our endeavors, our accomplishments And so another JET year draws to a close, and those leaving ready themselves for a final whirlwind of activity, while those Farewell Message . . . . 12 will catch on sails—yes the ships will sail— staying on brace for the incoming new JETs. Enjoy the next few months! and the mighty ideas of a few strange teachers will be the breath to inspire a prefecture, and a nation.

- Phil Crowe (6.02.08) 2 July – September 08 Aomori Events GOOD MORNING, AOMORI! Japan Spotlights/CIR Talk

Activities – events & festivals Let’s Celebrate! MIYAGI-KEN: A SNIPPET Kevin Meek (CIR /PA in Miyagi-ken) Festival Name Location Dates Duration You have probably heard many times that because it is home to Tohoku’s number one and Japan’s 12th largest met- Kodomari Soccer Beach Tourney Kodomari 3rd weekend of July 2 days ropolitan area, Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture has an excellent profile as a tourist destination in northeastern Japan. Miyagi is also home to Matsushima Bay, famed for being one of Japan’s three most scenic spots. The famed beauty of Nango Summer Jazz Festival Nango 3rd weekend of July 1-2 days Matsushima evokes mixed feelings, but is worth trekking to for the boat ride around its 260 pine-covered islands and Hachinohe Sansha Taisai Festival Hachinohe End of July- Beg of Aug. 3-4 days the panoramic view from Saigyo Modoshi no Matsu Park, especially during the cherry blossom season around April. The resort town is easily accessible from Sendai Station via a half-an-hour train ride on the Senseki Line. Shariki Swim Competition Shariki 1st weekend in August 1 day Aomori Nebuta Matsuri Aomori 1st week in August 6-7 days As far as other resort areas go, hot spring or onsen dipping enthusiasts can let loose in Akiu and Sakunami resorts west of Sendai, accessible in less than an hour by bus from Sendai Station. Or, head further north to Naruko, at the foothills Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri Hirosaki 1st week in August 6-7 days of the Kurikoma (Mountain) Quasi National Park. Naruko and its surroundings also beckon hikers and is particularly attractive in autumn because of its breathtakingly colourful gorge. Head up the mountains and explore this hiking Tachi-Nebuta paradise during the warmer months or slide down them in winter. Skiers love Miyagi and its environs in winter. Among Matsuri Goshogawara 1st week in August 5-7 days the variety of choices are Spring Valley and Izumigatake, visible from Sendai and less than an hour away, and the Zao Kuroishi Yosare Matsuri Kuroishi 3rd weekend in August 2-3 days Mountain range, straddling Yamagata and Miyagi prefectures, among others. Zao is also a hikers’ paradise. One must- see in Zao is Lake Okama, a mystical volcanic crater filled with emerald green water. Ohma Blue Marine Festival Ohma 3rd weekend in August 1 day

Higashi Dori Mura Festival Higashi Dori 3rd weekend in August 1 day Back in the ‘City of Trees’ itself, so dubbed for its abundance of greenery, nightlife aficionados can explore the envi- rons of Sendai Station or get lost in the more youthful Kokubuncho district, the local version of Kabukicho but more Fujisaki Fireworks Festival Fujisaki 3rd weekend in August 1 day ‘innocent’, where endless pleasures hide away in over 4000 entertainment establishments. Three big festivals every year – the Festival at the beginning of August, the Jozenji Street Jazz [and whatever other kind of music the Onoe Festival Onoe Late August 1 day locals can get away with] Festival in September, and the ‘sparrow-dance’ infused Aoba Festival in May as well as the Kizukuri Umaichi Matsuri Kizukuri Late August 1 day Pageant of Starlight on Jozenji Street in December are huge people pullers and fun makers. It is difficult to lay out all of Miyagi’s virtues in one page, but hopefully this has whet your appetite for exploring the prefecture more deeply. Check Rokunohe Festival Rokunohe Early September 1 day out http://www.miyagitheme.jp/ for details about what you might want to see in fabulous Miyagi. Shichinohe Matsuri Shichinohe 1st weekend in September 1 day ......

Misawa Air Show Misawa 1st Sunday in September 1 day CIR TALK Angella Lee (Aomori)

Towada Aki Matsuri Towada 2nd weekend in September 1 day Annyong Aomori! I am Angella Jiyoung Lee working as a Korean CIR in Ao- mori prefectural office. I am happy to introduce myself and what I do. Mostly Shimoda Town Festival Shimoda Last weekend in September 2-3 days I work in the office, translating documents into Japanese and Korean, and Tanbo Rice Harvest Inakadate Last Sunday in September 1 day interpreting when Korean visitors come to meet the governor. And I am one of the few lucky people who got to go to Tokyo to meet all the new 2007 – 2008 ...... JETs earlier than anyone else! Time flies, doesn’t it? I’m already on my 3rd Work Event Schedule year on JET since this April.

EVENTS I know how much ALTs are loved by kids because I go to your schools! Some- July 4th Leavers’ Party in Aomori City July times I go to elementary schools all over Aomori, introducing Korean culture, 26th-29th Group A new JETs Tokyo Orientation food, what Korean elementary schools are like, and how to say Annyong! (Hi!) July 21st Marine Day July 30th Group A JETs arrive in Aomori. in Korean. I am teaching Korean language for grown-ups twice a month in Ao- July 24th- 2008 JET leavers departure from Let’s give them a big welcome! mori-city. I have no idea about the Korean dramas the students like, but I know August 6th Aomori. Best of endeavors! how to say Korean right. I speak 95% Korean in the class so bring your good ears if you want to join. The door is always open.

3 4 July - September 08 YEAR-END Wrap Up! GOOD MORNING, AOMORI! End-Year Wrap Up!

YEAR-END WRAP UP! “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning, but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” -Hal Borland

Photos by the Aomori JET Community and Dominic Smith 5 6 July - September 08 Introductions JET Programme - Aomori First Years

ONE YEAR in the BLUE FOREST! featuring 1st-year JETs

NAME

1. Job Description 2. One thing few people know about you RIDWAN KHAN CRYSTAL GREEN LINDSEY HURLEY 3. One word relating to 1. Rokunohe ALT (Elem. & JHS) 1. Hachinohe ALT (East & West HS) 1. Pretending to know how to teach your first year on JET SAM ARNETT ALESSANDRO CARUSO 2. I love Koala Cookies 2. I really like cheese English to Japanese HS students. 1. Misawa BOE ALT 1. Italian CIR in Aomori City 3. Different 3. Woah! 2. I took private music lessons for 2. I was a huge ROTC nerd in high 2.After I retire, I will live either in 4. Most humorous or 4. Post-Nebuta keys fiasco 4. Most memorable–seeing Osorezan six years. school. Big surprise I ended up next Okinawa or Thailand! memorable experience 5. Jus’ du ii! 3. Indescribable to a military base. 3. Revolutionary. in Aomori 4. Going to Tanabu Matsuri during 3. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! 4. The most memorable experiences my first month here, and being 4. The most memorable experiences are sometimes the little ones. 5. Words of advice pushed into the parade and told are sometimes the little ones. 5. Guys, come visit me in Italy when to dance. 5. Run until you can’t, not until I am back! you won’t.

MARTHA GAST LINDSEY KIMURA NATALIE LEONG 1. Witch Doctor...Um Aomori ALT 1. Takko ALT (Kindergarten-HS), 1. Hachinohe ALT DANA BERTE MARK BEESE JOE COLISTRO 2. I am not a recluse, regardless of Community PR 2. I like to donate blood. 1. CIR in Shariki Town 1. Kuroishi ALT (SHS), Defender of 1. Sannohe ALT (Elem. & JHS) what most of the JET community 2. Californian with parents from 3. Relaxing. 2. I have more siblings than Teri the weak, King of the Jungle 2. I currently lead the Sannohe Town may think. Hawaii and Pennsylvania-thus a bit 4. Skiing for the first time on has, and probably more siblings 2. Every time I ride my mama-chiari, Basketball Team in scoring with 3. Whirlwind of everything. Mt. Hakkoda than you have. a little part of my masculinity dies. 29.5 points per game. 4. When I answered the door while 3. Rollercoaster! 5. Be happy! 3. Chaotic! 3. Beautiful. 3. Cold-chillin.’ working on one of my makeup 4. Winning part of a garlic field in 4.5 Sitting in the back seat of 4. Having an old, drunk, Japanese 4. Floating on my back in the Mutsu creations. I’m pretty sure I scared a poetry competition and raising 3 Becky’s car for the scavenger hunt farmer fall asleep with one arm Bay, watching the ships and the the postman. chicks (random!). last August. It went by like a blur around my shoulder and the other clouds roll by. 5. “The happiest of people don’t nec- 5. Be open and try everything! but somehow I will never forget it. hand on my knee. 5. Shoot the jumper, SHOOT IT! essarily have the best of everything; 5. Don’t accept live animals from 5. About JET: Make the most out To the leavers: Good luck in the They just make the most of everything strange people. of the experience. Be pro-active! real world! that comes their way.” –Unknown

7 8 July - September 08 Introductions GOOD MORNING, AOMORI! First Years

TERESA LEPAK AMY MATTIE DOMINIC SMITH GENEVIEVE MURPHY JULIET WHITE LINDSEY BENEDICT 1. Shichinohe ALT (SHS) 1. Mutsu City ALT (JHS) 1. Stalker/Photographer/Amateur 1. Fukuoka ALT 1. Towada ALT (SHS) 1. Minister of Fruits Basket 2. I think udon is disgusting. It’s 2. I have traveled to 17 countries. Magician 2. I’m learning how to play 2. Sitting on a bus full of old ladies 2. I’m one of the few people who’s like chewing a soggy piece of bread. 3. Wow! 2. That I watch them while they sleep 3. Insightful. calms me down. written more books than they’ve read 3. It was enjoy. 4. Going to the Snow Festival in 3. Camera 4. Getting a flat tire in a rented van at 3. Dontforgetyourtowel. 3. Nomihodai. 4. Probably the time I got lost trying Sapporo with other cool people 4. Shouting at another JET at 6 in 2 a.m., while on a bridge in the middle 4. Payday Fridays in Towada (as 4. Every time I visit Inakadate ES– to find the driving school in Towada from our prefecture. the morning to, “become the sound” of nowhere, on our way to Nagano to memorable as they can be...) instead of having a bell to let the kids and accidently called my car insur- 5. I wish you all the best, wherever while he stood inside a giant bell I play in the soccer tournament. 5. Don’t forget your towel. You’ll know when recess is over, they blast ance agent because I couldn’t read you go in life. Thanks for the was attacking with a piece of wood. 5. When all else fails, do the Hokey thank me later. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA. his business card. good times! We were not sober. Pokey! To the leavers: Don’t eat the 5. If it’s brown, drink it down; if it’s 5. Don’t ignore bills you can’t read. 5. Come to my birthday party! ice packs! black, send it back!

JABARI SMITH MELISSA TEE DANIEL van de SANDT MIKE DAWSON MICHELLE NGUYEN Other 1st years are: Anne Barton (Aomori), Helen Bridges (Gonohe), 1. Fujisaki ALT (JHS, ES, Pre-school) 1. Towada ALT (JHS, Elementary) 1. Rokkasho ALT (Shokuba no hana) 1. Professional Desk-Sitter 1. Hirosaki ALT (SHS) Michael Cayas (Hirosaki), Seamus Couch 2. My ultimate goal is to own and host 2. I took one Czech lanuage course 2.There is nothing like that. I have 2. My secret love for Madonna songs. 2. I love tomatoes, but hate ketchup. (Kuroishi), William Koch (Hiranai), Melissa Nye my own internationally-syndicated in university (but forgot it all as no secrets. 3. Crunk. 3. Laughter. (Gonohe), Garret Austin (Hirakawa), Walker Bassett (Misawa), David Crawford (Kuroishi), talk show. soon as the exam was over). 3. Nagareboshi. 4. Having a great time hiking to Am- 4. There isn’t just one, but a collec- David Foley (Mutsu), Steven MacWhinnie (Nami- 3. Inspiring! 3. Whirlwind 4. Going to an onsen for the first time. mon Falls with my also-not-very-out- tion of really great weekends and oka), Carly Romano (Oma), Christopher Tate (Ajigasawa), Tina Wang (Hachinohe), *Zachary 4. Developing a tight-knit circle of 4. JHS Sports Day “Caterpillar” doorsy friends. trips to other parts of the ken. Of Bass (Aomori), Rebecca Behrendt (Aomori), Japanese friends; ONION HOUSE!!! Race: Three students crawling in a 5. Despite what some of your fellow course, I’ll never forget spending two Weldon Green (Hachinohe), John Kincheloe (Misawa), Wyomia Mouwers (Hirosaki), Stephen 5. ‘The secret of SUCCESS equals the giant cardboard cylinder like ham- teachers may think, it is never okay weeks in a Japanese hospital because Pendlebury (Aomori), Travis Emery (Tsuruta), * Right Attitude, Positive Thinking, and sters in a wheel. to wear your scuffed up, eight year I have the scars to remind me! Leon Fonseka (Rokunohe), *Alexander Gordon (Aomori), *Alisa Tobin (Hachinohe) Belief in oneself.’ 5. In any situation, the only things old white New Balances and a suit at 5. This experience is what you make of it. It’s easy to sit back and let the you can fully control are your the same time. * Coordinator of International Relations (re)actions and attitude. days roll by, but it’s a trap.

9 10 July - September 08 JET Community GOOD MORNING, AOMORI! Message

2008 Departing JETS さようなら！ Farewell Aomori! Bon Voyage!

The year has just flown by! As another JET year draws to a close, I’m reminded of the fleeting and sometimes-surreal experience Russell Aquino Jared Dano John Kincheloe Dominic Smith that is JET. The year saw the new crop of JETs arrive in Aomori at the height of summer and, for some, experience the excitement of Julia Beale Ricky Dewey Kristen Koob Jennifer Stainton* Nebuta. As the weather cooled, we took in a bit of Japanese culture for Culture Day, painting wooden horses, banging on drums, and Andrew Beattie Eric Draper Felicia Lee Thomas Tran getting to hit each other with bamboo swords for kendo. Then the mid-year conference allowed us to enjoy the big-city attractions of Claire Brown Joel Hanneman Dinah Linsangan Robert Tunstall* Hachinohe and the various talents of our kenmates at the E of A Talent Show. Winter saw us hibernating in our own little corners of the ken, or braving the conditions on majestic Hakkoda in search of perfect snow and powder. The sakura bloomed early in all their Reece Brown Travis Harper Amy Mattie Daniel Veltri pink glory, which meant that a lot of us got to experience hanami (and get drunk under the sakura trees) before we headed out on Jordina Buhay Anna Irwin Charles McMackin Veronica Villalobos our Golden Week holidays. And, finally summer, which always makes me feel sad and wistful, because this is when talk of packing, Eric Chan Kathleen Iu Mark Montgomery Erin Wight leaving, and saying goodbye starts. Mary Christensen Carlo Julian Qedile Mthembu Alyson Woolfrey This year will be different for me, because instead of being among those left behind, I will be among those leaving. I’ve had one of the Darrin Cox Helen Kenyon* Karina Pearce* Brian Yoshioka most unforgettable experiences here in Aomori, and it’s been one of the most interesting and challenging four years of my life. I’ve met Philip Crowe Lindsey Kimura Teresa Smith * Coordinator of International Relations many fantastic people, had the opportunity to experience so many amazing things, and for that I’m truly grateful...... I will miss Japan. I will miss Aomori. I will miss all the fabulous people I have met here. But, it’s time to move on. For those of you

IMPRESSIONS and GOOD-BYES! leaving, I wish you all the best with whatever you plan to do with your lives post-JET. For those of you staying, I hope you all have a fantastic 2nd/3rd/4th/5th year here in the Blue Forest. Satoshi Mikami (Board of Education- Aomori) Take care, all of you, and hopefully we will cross paths again in the future. I really appreciate the leaving ALTs. Thanks to them I could finish English Teachers’ summer seminar. Not only ALTs of Board of Education but also other ALTs in Cities and Towns have helped me. I appreciate Hebane, Dee :) their cooperation and hospitality. You contributed to heighten the communication ability of the students in . ALTs’ mid-term seminar was a hard job for me, but I enjoyed exchanging ideas and

opinions about team-teaching, lives in Aomori and so on. I hope you will start new happy lives or works ...... in your home country. Good Luck! Contribute to the next Good Morning, Aomori! newsletter! ...... Send articles, drawings, poetry, and photographs to [email protected]. Chika Kubota(Education Center- Aomori) We’d like to hear all about your adventures in the blue forest!

On behalf of all the teachers and students you have worked with in Aomori, please let me say a few words to you. We have been very lucky to have you in Aomori Prefecture, and you will be missed by those around you. Thank you very much for all your hard work here. Your contribution to your schools and communities JULY-SEPTEMBER 08 has been invaluable. You have definitely inspired the people you’ve met. There must have been ups and JET Programme – Aomori downs in your life, but you survived! So, please be proud of yourself. GOOD MORNING, AOMORI! newsletter Editor We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. MARTI DEYO Layout Designer JOANN CHO Contributors AOMORI JET and COMMUNITY

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