The Hokkaido Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching
Posts tagged PA Corner
Post-Winter Holiday Reappointment Season
Jan 24th
Happy 2011 everyone! This brings me to my third New Year’s celebration in as many years in Japan: Okayama (Kansai, Honshu), 2009; Shimokawa (Northern Hokkaido), 2010; Sapporo, 2011. The reasons I have been ushering in the New Year in different locations each year is not because I like to keep things fresh, although this is also true. Instead, the main reason is each of the past three years has presented me with unexpected circumstances to which I could only react as best as I could at the time.
I begin in Canada, where I first heard that I would be employed through JET in Hokkaido. Far from my desired placement near my grandmother in Okayama, but much closer than Canada, I readily accepted the offer. Hoping that I would be able to transfer without much difficulty in my second year, I quickly learned my request would not be readily approved. Simply put, interprefectural transfers are essentially impossible. More precisely, being deadly allergic to something in my town, having a spouse elsewhere in Japan, being a caregiver for family elsewhere in Japan, or the equivalent of such circumstances were required to be considered for an interprefectural transfer. Having not looked into the interprefectural transfer process beforehand and assuming that I would be able to transfer without much hassle based on simple-minded hearsay served to teach me a now well understood lesson: do not count on hearsay if something sounds too good to be true because it probably is.
Fall Reminiscing & Winter Holiday Traveling
Dec 6th
December? December?! DECEMBER!!
As an autumn-ophile, some may expect me to be upset that fall came and went as most hope the flu season would do during winter! Indeed, autumn ended before I could even say, ‘‘Trick or Treat!’’ Well, that’s I lie. The Halloween Party thrown in Takikawa on November 6 by CIR Krystal Cooley gave me plenty of chances to do so. An impressive turnout of volunteer ALTs and 260 children made for some Halloween-eriffic good times! I don’t think I’ll ever again distribute as much candy in a single day as I did that Saturday afternoon… at least not from Doraemon’s pouch. Only in Japan!
The Red Brick Bulletin
Dec 4th
Beginning in October 2009, the Hokkaido Government has been publishing Korean and Chinese language versions of The Red Brick Bulletin (Akarenga Tsushin) – a monthly newsletter informing readers about Hokkaido covering topics ranging from history and daily life to tourist attractions and cuisine. The Coordinator of International Relations from Canada working in the International Affairs Division of the Hokkaido Government has recently put together the first publication of The Red Brick Bulletin in English. Reflecting the writer’s perspective and experience, the English version will make connections mainly between Hokkaido and Canada, while focusing primarily on the province of Alberta with which Hokkaido has shared friendship and affiliation since 1980.
However, the English version also aims to explore ties which Hokkaido shares beyond Canada, endeavouring to inform readers in English-speaking regions around the world!
Getting Ready for a Fun and Safe Winter!
Nov 5th
As I write nearing the end of October, days are relatively warm, humidity levels are blissful, and fall colours create a beautiful backdrop for all to enjoy! Although I am admittedly an autumn-o-phile, I also love what each of the seasons has to bring: blossoming flowers and songbirds waking me up in the spring; camping, BBQing and early sunrises waking me up in the summer; and yes, frolicking in winter’s white, fluffy version of rain while manipulating it to make sculptures, snow forts, and small tennis-sized balls to throw at others, all in the name of fun! Indeed, it won’t be long before temperatures drop below zero, and fall colours become a faded memory whited out by equally beautiful winter scenery.
Winter is Coming…
Oct 27th
Winter, and all that comes with it
It’s that time of year again – the leaves are fast falling from the trees and the temperature is steadily dropping. Within a few short weeks, some of us will be seeing the first snowfall of the year. And snow is a mixed bag; while first snow means snowboarding, skiing, and other delightful Hokkaido adventures, it also means freezing temperatures, sickness, slipping, sliding and assorted accidents.
Get some tips on how to best handle the coming winter after the break.
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