Help us sponsor a Syrian refugee family
We - a small group of JET alumni - are looking for others to join us in a life-changing project: sponsoring a Syrian refugee family. Those of us in the…
Event Report: 2015 Pottery Workshop
Back by popular demand, JETAA teamed up with Secret Teatime and hosted two back-to-back pottery workshop sessions on Saturday, Dec 5th and Sunday, Dec 6th. Since this is the 3rd year running this event, we were happy to see a mix of new and returning participants. (more…)
Report: Japanese Lessons
The recent session of JETAA Toronto’s Japanese lessons have come to a close. Once again taught by the superb Matsumoto Tomoko Sensei, these lessons were structured with a focus on conversational Japanese. They were most enjoyable and lively with many laughable moments. There were eight lessons in total, mainly held at the Toronto Reference Library on Monday nights 6:15-7:45pm. This year there were seven participants. The course is offered annually in the fall to all JET Programme alumni and is free of charge. (more…)
Report: JCCC Winter Matsuri 2016
On Sunday, December 13th the annual Fuyu Matsuri (Winter Festival) was held at the JCCC, and it was a fantastic day of food, games, prizes, and festive cheer! This was the most successful year ever for the Matsuri, with over 800 people attending the event.
Job Posting – The Japan Foundation
JOB POSTING (posting date: December 4, 2015) Administrative Assistant Application Deadline: Sunday, December 27, 2015 – 12:00 am Start Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 The Japan Foundation, Toronto (JFT), an organization…
Event Report: Career Round Table 2015
The third annual JETAA Career Roundtable was held on Thursday, November 26. This year we once again had a great turn out, with recently returned JETs, as well as more established members, looking for career inspiration. (more…)
Ramen Romp Report: Momofuku Noodle Bar
On November 18, 2015, seven Ramen Rompers checked out the classy Momofuku Noodle Bar at University & Adelaide. From the outside, once you get past the giant metallic sculpture, one would never guess that this a Japanese restaurant housed in a modern building with beautiful architecture. Each floor has its own theme: The 1st floor is the “Noodle Bar”, the 2nd floor is the “Nikai Bar” and “Milk Bar”, and the 3rd floor is a very classy “Daisho” restaurant. The feel of the interior is much like a fancy New York cocktail bar (this is a chain restaurant that started in NYC by the way), which made it feel cool but also a little strange to be eating ramen in such a setting.
Natsukashii Corner – Hangaku Hunting
Hangaku Hunting = End of Day Grocery Store Discounts
During the four adventure-filled years I spent in Japan on the JET Programme, one of the seemingly mundane activities that I found unusually fulfilling was hunting for end of day deals at local grocery stores. The thrill of the chase, competing with like-minded salary men and obaachans, the reward of a tasty dinner, and the sense that I was doing something uniquely Japanese, made this one of the most unexpectedly satisfying cultural experiences I had.
