PP Committee Members Suspended

We regret to inform you that all members of the P&P committee have been removed from their committee positions temporarily pending an internal investigation.

This follows an incident earlier this month in which committee members attempted to disseminate communist propaganda to other F.I.A. trainers over the Yazaki fax system.

This is a clear violation of company policy as stated in the Employee Handbook (Section 5, Paragraph 10 – Improper Use of Fax Machine and Section 19, Paragraph 4 – Deviant Political Thought). We sincerely regret the incident and apologize to those trainers that were offended.

Further Fraternal Bulletins from the International Communist and Workers Parties

• HAJJAR WINS BASKETBALL POOL
• Steve Fossett became the first person to fly a plane solo, non-stop around the globe without refueling.
• 14,000 Syrian troops pull-out of Lebanon after suspected links to the assassination of the former Lebanese Prime Minister.
• Larry claimed to have seen a peacock cross the Gotemba-sen train tracks… again.
• Canada resumes its infamous annual seal hunt.
• The world mourns the Pope; millions make the pilgrimage to pay final respects.
• Japan announces revised history texts against which China launches demonstrations.
• End of Danshi Jidai! Danshi 54 torn down in Y-city.

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Fukui Crabs and Onsen

I recently made a trip to Fukui Prefecture for a 2 day onsen and sightseeing trip. Fukui Prefecture is on the Sea of Japan side just north of Shiga and Gifu Prefectures. Fukui is best known for its crab and sesame tofu. I am not a big fan of tofu but I really enjoyed the sesame tofu with a small amount of miso sauce on the top. We stayed at an onsen spa named Matsuya SenSen. http://www.matuyasensen.co.jp/

It is near the town of Awara Onsen in Fukui. Awara Onsen is a small town with not much to look at but has a large number of onsen spas. I have not been to that many onsens in my time in Japan but this was by far the largest onsen I had ever seen. There were 2 main baths inside and about 3 or 4 different baths outside. For those professional onseners I strongly recommend it.

Also we had the chance to visit Eiheiji Temple in Fukui. Located in the mountains of Fukui, Eiheiji is a main training facility for the Sōtō Zen sect of Buddhism. As you walk through the many buildings and hallways you see many young bald monks training and working around the temple. If you are at all interested in Zen or temples I recommend this web site and especially the “Life of Zen” movie which will describes more about Zen and about Eiheiji. http://global.sotozen-net.or.jp/ Another extremely interesting fact about this temple is that anyone can participate in the training. My understanding is for about 3 days up to one week, you can do the exact same training as the young monks.

For those who want a truly unique experience it sounds extremely interesting. I did see a picture of the meal that you receive three times daily while in training which consisted of a small bowl of rice and some miso soup and some Japanese pickles. It also might be an exceptional diet plan!

If you are looking to get off the main tourist roads and spend some quiet time relaxing and enjoying temples Fukui is a great place to visit.

By Brian W.

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Seibu vs. Tobu

I had finally made it! After teaching in FIA for nth years, it was such relief and joy to achieve the final goal. I finally had climbed the mountain top, made it to the big top, rounded the bend in the river, turned the curve. The apex had been achieved, making the grade. I had made my mark. Heaven ascended. No more gulags, no more isolation. No more being looked down upon. Finally I would be living in a cultural center. In one word: relief! Some say it is their proximity to the main office, others say it because of being close to Mt. Fuji, and others say it is simply brazen arrogance. The epitome of snobbery, I could now ride the high horse. I will the big one. Kiss my ring, wash my feet, eat my dirt. Living in the lap of luxury.

Yes, I had finally gotten to teach at WHQ!

By Dale.

Words of Solidarity

`Sweet are the uses of adversity...
And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees; books in running brooks
Sermons in stones and good in everything.`

- As You Like It, WS, Submitted by Karen

Meet Comrade Jimmy Chen

Where are you from and what is it like there?

I was born and raised in Hawaii.  What is it like there?  Well, to a lot of people, it’s beautiful beaches, palm trees, sunshine, and warm weather.  To me, it’s just home, with good food, an easy going life on a small island, and of course, family and friends.

When did you first arrive in Japan?

Very first visit to Japan was in March 1999 for vacation.  But I officially started living and working here since August 2003.

What’s the most interesting trip you have ever taken? Why?

I haven’t really traveled much to other countries.  Besides, Japan, the only other country I have visited is Taiwan and I visited it twice, the first time when I was a little kid, and most recently, about a year ago.  The second time to Taiwan was much much more interesting to me in the sense that it was my first visit to another Asian country since living in Japan, and I was able to compare both countries.  I was very surprised to see how much of an influence Japan has on Taiwan in their everyday life, even though it is still very much Chinese.  Everywhere I went, there some form of Japanese pop culture you would come across like music, food, seeing Japanese on signs, as well as seeing the fashion that the young people wear there.  It was pretty crazy to see that, and I hope to be able to visit there again sometime soon.

What was your first impression of FIA?

Hard to say since I haven’t really had a chance to meet a lot of people on my first visit to Susono, but everybody I met at that time were really cool and receptive.  Basically, the impression I got was an easy-going atmosphere that really resembles that of Kaneko “son-cho”.

What was on your mind when they took your profile picture?

Actually the picture was taken by my girlfriend, and I was sick with the flu at the time, so as you can probably tell, I look quite miserable.  So what was on my mind at that time?  Just wanted to die and roll over and go to sleep.  Sorry, not such a good impression for my first picture for FIA eh?

What do you think of Shizuoka?

I have only visited Shizuoka twice.  Once to Hamamatsu, just to eat unagi, and the other time, ironically and quite recently, to the Makinohara area to do the steam train tour up to Oikawa.  But what do I think of Shizuoka?  It’s quite similar to Gifu where everything is a little more laid back but the difference is that the ocean is nearby, unagi is awesome, green tea is abundant, and of course, Fuji-san.

What do you do only on Sundays?

I usually just spend time with my girlfriend and in the evenings, play volleyball for fun with my friends in Gifu.  Unfortunately, both will change somewhat since I’ll be living away from it soon.  Anyone know where I could go play some recreational volleyball?

What is your favorite waste of time?

Sleeping, playing video games on my PS2 or XBOX (sorry not up to date on the next gen consoles yet), YouTube (very addicting), or trying to catch up on DVD’s I haven’t seen yet.

What is your favorite midnight snack?.

That’s actually a difficult question because it varies for me, depending on the mood I’m in, but I would say it’s a toss between ice cream, or having rice with Korean nori (seaweed).

What piece of clothing do you own at least 5 of? Why?  

Underwear cause, um, it’s needed (well maybe not for some people).  Oh, and of course socks.

If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why? Pick one man, and one woman.

Man – Ichiro has always been someone I wanted to meet along with the members of Metallica whom I’m a fan of, but recently with the US now having a historical new president in charge, I would say I wouldn’t mind having a chance to meet Barack Obama.  It’s mainly in the interest that he has a Hawaii connection of growing up there and would love to just have a chance to “talk story” about Hawaii stuff with him.

Woman – This choice is no one famous but rather someone I knew but passed away a few years ago.  She is my old boss from my part-time job I had while in college.  She was a woman who passed away too early for her age (50) due to cancer, and was always like a 2nd mother to me while I was in college.  Would love to be able to see her again and show her where my life is now.

What motivates you?

I never intended to be a teacher, but in doing it for the past 5 years of my life, seeing students succeed has made me want to work harder for them which has been a great motivation for me to become better at what I’m relatively still learning at to get better.

Where do you go after work?

Usually home.  I guess you could call it a part of getting a little older, but I’m happy to end a day of work by just relaxing at home.  Of course in the past, it was always heading out to hang with friends and whatnot.  But nowadays, home is a nice place to be after work.

How do you feel about Facebook? Martial Arts? Music? Karaoke? Movies? Lifting weights? Surfing? Skiing? Cross country biking? Gaming? Shopping? (feel free to pick and choose^-^)

Facebook – initially, quite interesting and fun to get in touch with old friends from long ago, but after a while, it starts to get too time consuming and sometimes, a little irritating.

Music – Music is always a nice to have with you anywhere, anytime.  Helps me to both relax or get going to do something.

Gaming – Been out of the loop in gaming for a while, but always enjoyed it as a side thing to do.  It’s not all geeky related anymore, where everyone is now a part of it which is great to see in this current generation.  For anyone in the know, you should visit the Tokyo Game Show (every September).  Even if you are not into gaming, it is something you should go, see, and experience while in Japan.

What’s you favorite Japanese word or phrase?

Hmm, don’t really have one favorite one, but there is one I always liked to use in Gifu during the winter with former students because they would always wonder how I knew it.  It’s “Shibareru Na”, which basically means “it’s really freaking cold” but that expression is mainly said in the Tohoku region.  Another one is “Saraba” which is an old Samurai way of saying “Sayonara”.

What would you recommend those of us in Japan do in our free time?

Travel and see as much of Japan you can while you are here.  I have been here for over 5 years now and never get tired of traveling and exploring different areas all over Japan.  Japan is a small country, but it’s always crazy and interesting to see how diverse it is anywhere you go!

- By Kinsella

What to Look For in April

• Cherry Blossoms: April
• Takayama Spring Matsuri: April 14-15
• Golden Week: April 29-May 6
• Showa Day: April 29

The Back Page!

Getting to know Jenny

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last month (or in Tenryu), then you should know by now that we have some new trainers joining the ranks. Jenny has been with us for about a month now and Jimmy is due to arrive later in March. While anyone who hasn’t met Jenny will have the chance to do so at the meeting this 27th, I got to know Jenny during one week in Haibara of Team Teaching survival. So, between our many conversations interrupted by a few of my members’ questions, here are some interesting facts about our newest trainer…

Jenny hails from Dallas, Texas, though she spent a fair amount of time in Austin. She has a degree in Architecture and worked for an architecture company before coming over to Japan. She lived in Yamagata for a year before joining F.I.A. in Shizuoka. She originally came to Japan wanting a break from architecture and wanting to learn the language but wants to stay on because there are so many things that she can do in Japan that she can’t do back home, like skiing, or seeing lots of Japanese people everyday. Jenny also enjoys hiking, scuba diving and mountain climbing and would like to try surfing.* She has tried Natto (many a member asked this question) and didn’t really like it. Jenny considers her best experience in Japan so far is team teaching in Haibara (quote: “Nothing compares to team teaching with Michael.”) and considers her most unusual experience here (and NO, not the same answer!) to be the odd cuisine, crickets and baby bees, sometimes served in Yamagata restaurants as appetizers.

*We assume this is the kind that involves water.

So, let’s give Jenny a warm welcome to F.I.A.

By Michael D.

Outdoor Activity: Mishima Taisha

Where?  Mishima Taisha,  Walking tour: from Mishima station to Hirokoji station, Bowling at “Sun to Moon.”

What? Meet members at the station in the morning.  From there take trains to Mishima, then walk from the station to Mishima Taisha.  Have handouts with questions ready for the members. They will try to find the answers during your time at Mishima Taisha.  If the members aren’t able to find the answers, tell them during lunch.

After visiting the temple, walk back to the station to have lunch at a nearby restaurant.

After lunch take a walking tour, following signs in and around the small streets on the way from Mishima station toHirokoji station.  The signs feature photos of the way the area looked 80-100 years ago.  Stop for a coffee and discuss what you’ve just seen and/or learned. 

Bowling is a good option for the next activity of the day.  It gives members who might only be able to join the Outdoor Activity in the afternoon, a chance to join the group for a short time. 

If you would like to hear more about this Outdoor Activity, please contact  Jesse.

Joke Contest Results

The Results are in! The FIA PP Com "Laugh it Up" Joke Contest Winner is....

VAN!!!