Well, hello there Hokkaido JET world. It’s been a month or more (ok, actually much more) since I’ve updated the PA Corner, and though there has been much going on there’s been little time to tell folk about it. So for now, a couple of updates and reminders to see you through the December season.

  • Many thanks to everyone who came out for the Mid Year Conference this 1st and 2nd. I always get a kick out of seeing everyone come together in that one giant room, and this year we were particularly lucky to have an amazing roundup of really enthusiastic, willing-to-contribute JTEs. Though I sometimes think it’s a shame that JTE attendance is purely voluntary, knowing that there are folk as on the ball as those who joined us is always exciting. Thanks to everyone (JTEs and ALTs) for helping the conference to run so smoothly. Please take the time to fill out the online survey at http://www.survey.hajet.org with the password 2008MYC.
  • Winter Vacations – as you’re traveling home please remember to send me a quick email to let me know where you’re going, when, and how I can get in contact with you in case of emergency. The details you send me will be completely confidential (in case you’re concerned about your office being too involved in your travel plans) but will make a big difference if something happens that sees us needing to get in contact with you in a hurry.
  • Eat more vegetables – OK, ever on the lookout for maintenance of healthy, positive lifestyles, I feel obliged to mention that this is definitely the season where people start to suffer (I mean SUFFER) from short, cold days, a longing for home in the festive season, and a thirst for sunlight that’s hard to quench here in the winterlands. With the sun set and sleeping before 3:30pm most days, it’s easy to get into the lag of winter life…
  • Making sure that you keep your Vitamin D intake up (not too high! Toxicity = badness) is a good way to maintain your physical health, and in turn improve your state of mind. Spend as much time outside or near sunlight as possible through the day (lunchtime strolls through the snowfields, anyone?) and keep a good check on yourself to see how your mood is changing. If suddenly you’re less keen to get out of bed and it seems rooted in something other than fear of frostbite as you walk your floor, or if you’re coming home collapsing in front of the tv/computer and not moving until daybreak, well, time to get yourself into gear and make some changes. The hardest thing about living alone here is that the only person who can make the change (and sometimes the only person who can tell you that you need to) is you. So keep an eye on things, feel free to give me a call if it starts to feel out of hand, and for those of you are thrillers for the powder, enjoy your days on the slopes.
  • Winter Safety – Accidents invariably happen each winter, and tend to be the kind that involve broken bones, bumped heads, and slippery cars. Everyone knows how to be cautious, but this is an additional reminder to keep your health care card on you at all times, as well as the office and personal number of your supervisor. If you have any trouble – give them (or me) a call to ensure that you’re covered.

I hope everyone gets to make the most of their festive season – whether it be a trip home, a trip to some new exotic destination, or a friends-like-family gathering here in the Do. And in my last safety message for the year: stay safe and keep an eye out for your mates.

Chelle
090 2696 4628
alford.michelle@pref.hokkaido.lg.jp