Got Pumpkin Pie???
If you do, then SHARE SOME!!! I can’t remember the last time I got some good ol’ pumpkin pie from back home. Anyways, as you can see, this month’s issue is a very Halloween-ish type of issue, and we got a good mix of submittals this time. First off, and sad to see happening, but one of our fellow long time FIA’ers, Dan “the man” officially says his farewell with a final message in this issue. Jenny gives some advice on a place to check out the next time you are in Tokyo. Brian B. got some suggestions for things to do in the Susono area. And finally, Michael D. provides some “FIA Monthly” advice for our incoming new PP committee members, Dale and Chris. In addition, Michael provides some bonus material to make you reconsider going to Halloween costumes parties.Oh, and forgot to note the Word Find and the Hawaiian Word of the Month in this issue too, which will be the final one since the duties of the Monthly will be in the hands of a new crew next month. Happy Halloween!!
Good Food in Korea Town in Tokyo
By Jenny
Don’t have time or money to go to Korea? Near Shin-Okubo and Seibu-Shinjuku (1 stop above Shinjuku Station) is Korea Town in Tokyo. Here stores and restaurants line the streets from both stations and the alleys lying between (which tend to be crowded with customers). From stores stacked with your favorite K-pop singers, actors and actresses` print-outs, posters, CDs, and trinkets to supermarkets of various Korean ingredients; there are restaurants filled with sizzling meats, kimichi, and Korean customers. In the evening, tourists and locals are crammed in small shops eating and drinking merrily. Prices for a standard meal here (for 2 people because really you don’t want to enjoy this alone) of 2-4 slabs of meat with half an onion and sizzling kimchi on a grill dripping with oil, small dishes, Korean pancake, kimchi fried rice, a bowl of kimchi soup, and lettuce wraps will set you back 3000 yen total, which in my opinion is a fairly good amount of food and a great deal.
They will give you a bib, and I would suggest wearing it because the meat does sizzle and when you are done, the bib is pretty much soaked with oil. After the meal some stores will spray you down with some freshener so you won’t smell like bacon and have a pack of dogs running alongside you. Others will also offer Korean gum and/or Korean salty nori (seaweed) packs. Sometimes after a huge meal here it does really start to feel like Korea, except for the Japanese being spoken. If you’re looking for really good Korean food or souvenirs, this is the best place to go, especially if you can’t go to Korea just yet.
Autumn in Susono
by Brian
After you’ve tired of the onsens, karaoke bars, izakayas, and finally, really, had all-you-can-drink at the Kogen beer hall, why not try something different? While the draw of the big cities may be strong, don’t overlook the local options when planning a fun day out! For folks in Susono, here are a few to consider that are close to home:
Fuji Safari Park - Cleaner and wider than most zoological attractions in Japan, this park allows very up-close observation of many kinds of large animals. While information regarding the creatures’ natural habitats, ranges, and behaviors is unfortunately lacking, being so near such un-caged beasts is still quite a thrill. Great photographs guaranteed! (http://www.fujisafari.co.jp/)
Hakone Helicopter Tours - Hakone was once a volcano much larger than Mt. Fuji, and the area is magnificent even if not so tall… Terrestrially, Hakone can be best enjoyed through the natural onsens, hiking trails, the quiet lake (or, much less naturally, the golf courses). It is difficult to imagine these elements as a single volcano, but a 5-minute helicopter ride reveals the geologic formation clearly, and really puts it into perspective! Toho Air Service runs the tours, from the Hakone Skyline. (http://www.tohoair.co.jp/business/index.html)
Kintoki Hiking- The legend of Kintaro is well known across Japan but especially in this area, and the so-named Kintoki mountain is a relatively easy day hike from Gotemba or Hakone. Autumn weather with clear air allows the best views of the Hakone caldera, Mt. Fuji, and autumn leaves from the rocky peak. See this link for more info in English (http://www.hakone.or.jp/english/osusume/hike_12-e.html)
Snow Town Yeti Skiing- This one I haven’t tried, but the slope is visible from M K Garden, and the season is already underway! Open until 10pm in October and November, and then open all night (on weekends) from December. (http://www.yeti-resort.com/)
Hawaiian Word of the Month
“Hawai’i Pono’i”
“Actually, this isn’t a “word of the month” but rather a “phrase of the month”. “Hawai’i Pono’i” is the title of the state song for Hawaii and is often sung along with the Star Spangled Banner at events around Hawaii. The title of the song literally means “Hawaii’s own…” and was written by King Kalakaua. It’s general meaning is to remember the spirit and history of Hawaii. It’s a song that nearly all Hawaii people know how to sing since we are taught it from childhood in school.
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Large Fonts, Lots of Pictures!
by Michael
It’s been a while since I’ve written anything for the newsletter, having long since given up my editorial position. So when Jimmy called me the other week and asked for a submission, I said that I’d be happy to, even though I had no idea what I would write for him. After all, I know the demands of putting together the FIA Monthly and getting together enough submissions isn’t the easiest thing in the world. So, what should I submit?
Well, we recently had our PP Committee elections and that got me thinking. This means that Jimmy gets his reprieve and there are two new editors coming our way; Chris and Dale. And to the best of my knowledge, neither has edited the newsletter before. Believe me, it’s a different game than writing a single entry. I remember long Sunday afternoons in Makinohara staring at the computer screen wondering how I was going to fill six pages with only two submissions (Sound familiar, Jimmy?). So, I thought a little sagely advice from a former editor might be in order. Here it goes.
Do whatever you can to get submissions. When I was editing, FIA had over thirty people that you could go to. There are a lot less now. Ask, beg and otherwise coerce your colleagues into giving you something. Do not be afraid to exploit your friendship with other trainers. Hone the art of the guilt trip, it is a very effective means of manipulation. Why else do our mothers use it so often?
Themes are wonderful, so put them to good use. There are plenty of seasons and holidays that will serve in a pinch. We have Halloween coming soon and I wouldn’t be surprised to see a pumpkin somewhere on the newsletter. With themes, clipart can be your greatest friend and the internet has even more resources at hand. You don’t even have to stay with holidays. I remember a newsletter we collaborated on that was very Marxist in nature. Don’t worry if a submission doesn’t quite match the theme. Sometimes the irony works for you, let’s say for example, placing an article questioning why Japanese women are always pouring tea at the workplace side by side with the latest review of a Tokyo maid café.
Finally, I’ll pass along a little piece of advice that former editor and dear friend Kinsella passed along to me when she relinquished her duties…
“Large font, lots of pictures"
Halloween Word Search!!
Here’s something to kill sometime with if you need to. Can you find all 18 Halloween words? If you are wondering what those 18 words are, they are listed somewhere in this issue. Good luck!
A Farewell Message from Dan...
Some reminiscing...
After an eight-year adventure exploring the delights of Japan it is now time to embark on my next challenge in life’s journey. I can clearly remember my first introduction to FIA - a candid presentation on the hardships of life after FIA given by a former DOP frankly titled “Do You Want Fries With That?” - a true inspiration of the benefits a career in FIA could bring! A quick redemption, however, came in the form of some wild nights of debauchery with my members at YSC, of which I am sure our current trainer there is now reveling in the delights, or maybe it’s the other way round and maintaining old FIA traditions…!
Although intimately familiar with every apartment at FIA through moving various trainers over the years I have, I am unfortunate and sad to say, also become familiar with many personal items some trainers possess. I would suggest never accepting a pre-departure meeting without thoroughly checking what might be viewable and while no names can be mentioned, I am sure you know who you are…maybe it’s the air in Shimada…
Prior to joining the team at FIA, ‘jazzy’ was a term I thought I had left behind in the 80’s, along with “rad”, “brill, “spiffy” and “O-rama”. Yet here it was alive and kicking and over time has now quite possibly become one of the most frequently used words in my fax-writing lexicon, not forgetting a hearty weather intro, of course. But I cannot think of a more befitting term than “jazzy” to wholly sum up both FIA itself and our own experiences working here.
Living in Japan and working at FIA has certainly been an adventure which will remain with me for a long time to come. It has certainly been a most interesting experience working with all of the trainers who have passed through FIA during my time here, and has provided many memories to reflect on.
Whatever length of our tenure with FIA we will each take some part of it with us when we move on to our next step. It can sometimes provide us with frustrations and low points, but in my opinion the personal growth we can gain from our experience far outweighs any negative aspect we encounter along the way. Make the most of the rest of the time you have with FIA, enjoy the experience and I hope it helps everyone reach their own career aspirations.
Finally I am happy that I will never have to announce a change in meeting dates just two days prior!
