We’re just one month into the 2011/2012 year for JETAA Toronto, and this year’s executive committee has already been toiling away in their lair, concocting plans and crafting excellent events, fundraisers and activities.
You may be wondering: who is this crew? This cabal? This league of distinguished gentlemen and gentlewomen? Well, wonder no longer. Continue reading to find out everything you wanted to know about your JETAA Toronto team, but just didn’t care to ask.
David Namisato
CIR, Ajigasawa-machi Aomori-ken, 2002-2004
JETAA Toronto Position: Website Coordinator
What’s your favorite destination or best place you have ever been?
Any onsen in the middle of nowhere, Japan.
What’s your weirdest / oddest nick name?
Debbie (My office in Japan couldn’t pronounce the ‘v’ in David, and
then they decided to drop the second ‘d’)
What song are you embarrassed to admit that you know all the words to?
Gina G’s Ooh Aah… Just A Little Bit
Janel Kulenkamp
ALT, Okayama-shi, Okayama-ken, 2008 – 2010
Position on JETAA Toronto: Conference Support
What’s your favourite destination or best place you have ever been?
This is a difficult one since there are so many cool places. One of my all time favourite places would have to be Palau. It is probably one of the most gorgeous places in the world, and I got to spend my time there scuba diving and cruising around the many rock islands.
What animal would you like to come back as in your next life?
I would come back as an Otter. They love to play and they love the water. Who doesn’t want to spend their life like that?
What’s your zodiac sign, and Chinese animal?
My zodiac sign is Aries and my Chinese animal is the rat (the first to cross the finish line!)
Angela Libby
ALT, Kochi-ken, 2003-2006
JETAA Toronto Position: Membership Coordinator
What 3 things would you bring to a desert island?
Art supplies, chocolate, and the complete works of Jane Austen
Who’s your favourite hero / superhero?
The Tick
What’s the first thing would you do with 1 billion dollars?
Call a travel agent.
Zach Nunes
JETAA Toronto Position: Membership Support
What 3 things would you bring to a desert island?
An airplane, a pilot, and enough gas to get us home.
What’s on your Ipod?
A lot of Classic Rock.
What’s the first thing would you do with 1 billion dollars?
Travel around the world, visit every country, and scuba dive a lot.
Samantha Tena-Russell
ALT, Nara, 2004-2006
JETAA Toronto Position: Treasurer Support
What am I up to now?
Currently working for the man (aka Citizenship and Immigration Canada)
What’s the first thing you do in the morning?
Press the snooze on my alarm 3 or 4 times…
What movie changed your life?
A Time to Kill — That movie was the reason I decided to go to law school
Do you have any pet peeves?
YES! 1) Slow walkers; 2) CROCS as street shoes (ugh) and 3) People who chew gum like cows (manners people!!!!!!!)
Fun fact:
I did judo for 17 years before going on an extended sabbatical
Afia Van Horne
ALT, Iwamizawa-shi, Hokkaido from 2008-2010
JETAA Toronto Position: Events Support
What am I up to now?
Headed straight for the student life upon my return to Toronto and hope to pursue nursing studies.
What’s your favourite sandwich?
Smoked salmon and avocado on rye
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Just like my mom
What’s your zodiac sign, and Chinese animal?
Scorpio and Rooster
Eunice Leung
ALT, Yatsushiro-shi, Kumamoto-ken, 2007-2009
JETAA Toronto Position: Secretary
What am I up to now?
I am currently finishing up my Bachelor of Education at Tyndale University College and Seminary. A fun fact about myself is that I like anything and everything related to Hello Kitty.
What’s your favourite sandwich?
Grilled Cheese with ketchup
What’s your favourite destination or best place you have ever been?
Bali, Indonesia
What song are you embarrassed to admit that you know all the words to?
Baby ft. Ludacris – Justin Bieber
Kaki Narh
ALT, Gifu (Neo-mura, Motosu-shi), 2005-2007
JETAA Toronto position: Conference Coordinator
What am I up to now?
After two wonderful years as a ALT in my little inaka, I kept my wanderlust alive by moving to the UK with a Scotsman I originally met at Tokyo orientation. Nearly 6 years later, I’ve decided to make Toronto my home and keep my connection to Japan alive by joining JETAA. I’m currently finding my feet in university administration and having a good time having a life.
What’s your favorite piece of clothing?
Any skirt or dress that fits perfectly.
What’s on your Ipod?
Lots of things but Janelle Monae and Florence + the Machine are on a constant loop.
What’s the first thing you do in the morning?
Hit the snooze button. Twice.
Hitoshi Murakami
ALT Nagasaki-ken, 2006-2008
JETAA Toronto position: Website Support
What animal would you like to come back as in your next life?
Cyborg T-Rex/Black Mamba/Falcon hybrid. Or a Unicorn with lasers.
What song are you embarrassed to admit that you know all the words to?
“I Want it That Way” by the Backstreet Boys. I think any ALT who has been to an Enkai that involved Karaoke knows all the words. Oh wait, you said “embarrassed to admit”. hmm…
What movie changed your life?
“Up”. If you didn’t cry during the opening sequence, you’re probably a Unicorn with lasers.
Ben Singer
ALT, Takaki-cho, Nagasaki-ken, 2001-2003
JETAA Toronto position: Communications Support
What’s on your Ipod?
Podcasts! This American Life, Wiretap, Writers And Company…
What song are you embarrassed to admit that you know all the words to?
“Ice, Ice, Baby” though actually I’m kind of proud.
Do you have any pet peeves?
Many. But at the moment? Toronto drivers who don’t check to see if any cyclists are coming before opening their car doors in my face..
Sonia Cheng
ALT, Yachiyo-shi, Chiba-ken, 2000-2003
JETAA Toronto Position: Treasurer
Sign: Capricorn
Chinese horoscope: snake
nickname: lasagna
favourite neighbourhood: The Annex
What am I up to now?
Sonia is beginning her third term as Treasurer after serving a year and a half as Membership Coordinator. See you at the next event!
Chris Draenos
ALT, Saga-ken, 2006 – 2008
JETAA Toronto position: Chair
Who’s your favorite hero / superhero?
Professor Xavier – who needs to walk when you’re the most powerful telepath in the entire world?
What’s your weirdest / oddest nick name?
C-note…haha, don’t ask
What’s on your Ipod?
It’s really nerdy, but I have a lot of music www.ocremix.org – I even have a hoodie from that site
Juliene Lima
ALT, Hiroshima-shi, 2001-2003
JETAA Toronto position: Events Support
What I’m up to now:
I’m a financial planner; I loves my job and my vacation time even more. Try to explore the world 3-4 weeks at a time. Always looking for somewhere new to explore, learn a few new words in a new language and just take in the culture in general.
What’s on your Ipod?
Chemistry – gotta support my Hiroshima homeboy!!
What’s your favorite destination or best place you have ever been?
Jordan; the food is delicious, the scenery breath-taking and the people so friendly and kind.
What’s the first thing would you do with 1 billion dollars?
Take a trip around the world. Would even stay at a couple schwanky places, but stick mostly to hostels as they’re always the most fun.
Yuriko Fujita
ALT, 2007-2010, Izumi City, Kagoshima-ken
JETAA Toronto position: Events Coordinator
What am I up to now?
Questioning my sanity by attempting to go back to school.
Song I know the words to:
Sir Mix-a-Lot – Baby Got Back
What I do in my free time:
Salsa, PS3, run, eat family sized poutine, ballroom dance with my 79-year-old Dad, watch zombie movies.
When I grow up I want to be:
The best person I can possibly be. Failing that, a ballerina/disaster relief trauma doctor/musician/philanthropist 🙂
Natalie Bay
ALT, 2002-2003 Unakami-machi, Chiba-ken
JETAA Toronto position: Community Liaison
Natalie is currently in her 5th year of being on the JETAA Toronto executive and is in the new position of Community Liaison. Previously she has also been co-chair and the events coordinator.
What’s your favourite sandwich?
A big messy, spicy falafel.
Do you have any pet peeves?
It makes me really angry when people late up two seats on a crowded street car.
What’s your favorite neighborhood in Toronto?
Kensington Market!
Nadine Bukhman
ALT, 2008-9 Kagoshima City
JETAA Toronto Position: Communication Coordinator
What’s on your Ipod?
BBC Radio productions of Agatha Christie books.
What’s your favorite neighborhood in Toronto?
Hands up for Parkdale!
What animal would you like to come back as in your next life?
A cat (house cat by day, adventure seeking cat burglar by night).