The Yamato Summer

A Knight’s Pilgrimage

To Touch and be Touched

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E!tor’s Notehe  chorus   of  “atsui”  instead  of  “ohayo”,  the   pointless   paper   fanning,   and   the  desperate  glances  at  the  dead  silent  AC.  Summer’s  back.    

Despite   the   heat,   I’m   really   excited   to   introduce  this   summer   issue   of   the   Nara   JETs’   newsletter:              The  Yamato  (retitled  from  Yamato  Newsletter).  

It’s  gone   through  a   huge  makeover,   starting   from  the  layout   design  to   the  website  I  will  be  using  to  upload   the   newsletter.     It   only   took   me   3   issues  (=whole   JET   year)   to   ditch   Word   and   get   away  with  using  different  software.  

Unfortunately   with   the   timing   of   this   newsletter,  we  will   have  to   say   goodbye   to   some  of  our  JETs.    It’s  already  been  a  year  since  I  arrived  in  Nara  with  the  other  Nirst  years,  and  I  think  it’s  safe  to  say  that  we  had  a  great  year  thanks  to  the  senpai   JETs  who  answered  all  those  small  questions  and  showed  us  around  to  all  the  top  JET  hangouts.  

Safe  trip  back  home  and  good  luck  with  your  post-­‐JET  careers!

To  all  the  new  Nara  JETs,  you’re  in  for  a  great  run!  From  playing  on  sports  teams  to   showing  off  your  artistic  talents  on  stage  or  writing  for  The  Yamato,  the   Nara   JET   community   won’t   fall   below   your  expectations.  

Check   out   our   new   Nara   JET   forum   (thanks   to  Grant  K)  to   talk   to   other  Nara   JETs,   ask  questions  about  living  in  Nara,  and  share  ideas  or  interests:

http://narajets.editboard.com/

For   anyone   with   suggestions   or   ideas   for   The  Yamato,  please  email  me  at  jen.yj.kim@gmail.com  

Thanks  for  reading,  

Jen K

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Contents03 Nara Map

PA Corner

Nara AJET Welcome

A Knight’s Pilgrimage

Goodbye from NIFS

I’m fine thank you, and you?

Overaged, Uncaged & Enraged

0405091315161833

Jet Profiles (Kat, Adrienne, Josh, Sabrina)

Recipe: Express Ice Cream

35 Movie Reviews

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MAP OF NARA PREFECTURE

1. Nara-shi 奈良市 2. Ikoma-shi 生駒市 3. Yamato Koriyama-shi 大和郡山市 4. Tenri-shi 天理市 5. Sakurai-shi 桜井市 6. Kashihara-shi 橿原市 7. Yamato Takada-shi 大和高田市 8. Kashiba-shi 香芝市 9. Gose-shi 御所市 10. Gojo-shi 五條市 11. Katsuragi-shi 葛城市 Ikoma-gun 生駒郡 12. Heguri-cho 平群町 13. Sango-cho 三郷町 14. Ikaruga-cho 斑鳩町 15. Ando-cho 安堵町 Shiki-gun 磯城郡 16. Kawanishi-cho 川西町 17. Miyake-cho 三宅町 18. Tawaramoto-cho 田原本町 Kitakatsuragi-gun北葛城郡 19. Kanmaki-cho 上牧町 20. Oji-cho 王寺町 21. Koryo-cho 広陵町 22. Kawai-cho 河合町 Takaichi-gun高市郡 23. Takatori-cho 高取町 24. Asuka-mura 明日香村 Yamabe-gun山辺郡 25. Yamazoe-mura 山添村 26. Uda-shi 宇陀市 Uda-gun 宇陀郡 27. Soni-mura 曽爾村 28. Mitsue-mura 御杖村 Yoshino-gun吉野郡 29. Yoshino-cho 吉野町 30. Oyodo-cho 大淀町 31. Shimoichi-cho 下市町 32. Kurotaki-mura 黒滝村 33. Tenkawa-mura 天川村 34. Nosegawa-mura 野迫川村 35. Totsukawa-mura 十津川村 36. Shimokitayama-mura 下北山村 37. Kamikitayama-mura 上北山村 38. Kawakami-mura 川上村 39. Higashi Yoshino-mura 東吉野村

Leaving JETs (New JETs)

Kyoto

Osaka

Wakayama

03

pa corner

(Do   you   know   where   your   li/le,   blue  Pension  Book  is?!)    All  par'cipants   in  the  JET  Programme  pay  into  the   Japanese   Pension   Insurance   via   monthly  deduc'ons   from   their   salary.     When  JETs   return   to   live   in   their   home   countries,  they   may   apply   for   a   Lump   Sum  Withdrawal  Payment  (pension  refund)!    MORE  INFORMATION  is  found  in  the  General  Informa:on  Handbook,  (2011)  pgs.  199  -­‐  205.  

Departing JETs: Claim Your Pension REFUND

How   to   Successfully   Apply   For   &  Receive   the   Lump   Sum   Withdrawal  Payment  (Tax  Refund):  1.     Before   leaving,   get   the   necessary   forms  and  designate  a  Japanese  Tax  Representa've2.     Give   your   Alien   Registra:on   Card   to  Immigra:on   at   your   Japanese   airport   of  departure3.    AOer  leaving  Japan,  and  within  two  years,  mail   the   necessary   forms   (*and   your   liQle,  blue   pension   book)   to   the   Japan   Pension  Service4.     (six   to   twelve  months   later)   the  refund   is  received   in   your  bank   account   in   your   home  country5.    Mail  no'ce  of  the  refund`s  receipt  to  your  Tax  Representa've  in  Japan  6.    Your  Tax  Rep.  files  for  a  refund  of  the  tax  paid  on  your  Pension  Refund7.     Your  Tax  Rep.  receives   the  refund   of   the  tax8.    Your  Tax  Rep.  transfers  the  money  to  your  bank  account  in  your  home  country9.    Thank  your  Tax  Rep.  profusely  from  afar10.    Enjoy  your  cash!

Allison Lanthrum

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NARA  AJET  WELCOMES  YOU!!

A  Taste  of  Things  to  Come:  • Bunkasai  (Culture  Fes0val):    Got  talent?  Show  it  

off  at  our  annual  Nara  AJET  Bunkasai.  • Halloween  Party:    Dress  up  and  dance  the  

hallowed  eve  away  in  Osaka.• Naked  Man  Fes0val:  Run  around  the  streets  of  

Okayama  in  a  fundoshi.  • Ramen  Challenge:    You  vs.  a  giant  bowl  of  

Ramen.  Time  limit:  30  minutes.  Can  you  meet  the  challenge?  

• Hanami:  Welcome  spring  by  ea0ng,  drinking  and  being  merry  under  the  cherry  blossoms.

• Pub  Quizzes:  Challenge  the  Quiz  Master  with  drink  in  hand.  

What  is  Nara  AJET?  

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Smile  Kids:  Nara  AJET   is  proud   to  be   part   of   Smile  Kids,   a  volunteer  program   that   visits   orphanages   throughout   Japan.   This  year   we   will   regularly   visit   a   foster   home   and   hopefully  expand   the   program   to   other   homes   in   Nara.   Join   our  volunteer  team  and  be  part  of  this  wonderful  program!    

Nara  AJET  Scholarship  Fund: Every   year,   Nara   AJET   raises  money   to   help   Nara   high  school   and   junior  high   school  students  study  English  abroad.  This  past   year,   we  awarded  a  scholarship   to   a   Totsukawa  High   School   student   studying  i n   E n g l a n d .   T h r o u g h  fundra i s i ng   event s   and  publicity,   you   can   help   more  Nara  students  study  abroad!  

WELCOMES  YOU!Nara  AJET  is  a  social  and  occasionally  philanthropic  organiza:on  by  Nara  JETs  for  Nara  JETs.      

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Meet  the  Nara  AJET  Officers!!!To  quote  our  secretary,  Dr.  Ming:  “This  year,  our  Council  consists  of  the  four  lovely  ladies  from  the  Goon,  the  two  likely  lads  from  the  ‘Daij,  and  the  awesome  Commonwealth  couple  from  the  Kash’.”  

My  name  is  Marissa.  I’m  from  sunny  Hawaii.  I  will  be  ac:ng  as  the  Nara  AJET  President  this  year,  although  I  think  many  will  agree  that  “Mom”  might  have  been  a  be\er  :tle.  I’m  really  looking  forward  to  working  with  you  all!!  Let’s  make  some  magic  happen!

Bonjour!  My  name  is  Ma\  and  I  come  from  the  beau:ful  town  of  Poole  in  Englandshire.  I'm  the  communica:ons  director  for  Nara  AJET,  which  means  you'll  be  hearing  from  me  about  the  many  upcoming  events  that  we  plan  throughout  the  year.  I'm  also  co-­‐captain  of  the  Nara  Knights  touch  rugby  team  (alongside  the  wonderful  Ms.  Hirsch)  and  I'm  looking  forward  to  seeing  some  new  faces  on  the  field  of  ba\le  this  year!  I  like  boxing,  touch  rugby,  paragliding,  reading,  running,  and  you.

Howzit,  everyone!  My  name  is  Claire  Hirsch  and  I  am  a  second  year  ALT  from  Cape  Town,  South  Africa.  As  AJET's  events  coordinator  this  year  I  will  be  organizing  some  great  trips,  ou:ngs  and  par:es.  Nara  JETs  are  a  fun-­‐loving  bunch  so  please  join  in  and  have  a  lekker  :me!  Totsiens.”

Hi  folks,  I'm  Blair,  the  not  so  mean,  not  so  lean,  haggis  ea:ng  machine.  I'm  in  charge  of  Smile  Kids  this  year,  where  you  can  visit  a  children's  home  (NOT  an  orphanage)  and  play  games  or  tutor  the  children  and  young  people.  I've  also  had  the  :tle  of  outreach  coordinator  bestowed  upon  me,  so  if  you  know  an  idea  of  how  JETs  can  engage  with  the  community,  I  can  help  with  that  too.  Expect  to  see  messages  from  me  soon,  and  if  you  are  willing  to  help,  I  look  forward  to  speaking  to  you  soon.  Lets  making  the  a  smile  kid.

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Hello  all!  I  hail  from  the  colorful  city  of  New  Orleans  in  the  USA,  home  of  jazz  music  and  creole  cuisine.  In  college,  I  studied  Philosophy-­‐Neuroscience-­‐Psychology,  but  have  always  had  a  strong  interest  in  Japanese  literature,  history  and  language.  I  have  spent  2  years  volunteering  with  a  non-­‐profit  tutoring  organiza:on  and  am  extremely  excited  to  be  involved  in  the  Nara  AJET  scholarship.  My  philosophy  is  that  good  music,  good  food  and  good  people  are  the  key  to  happiness.

Hello,  my  name  is  Neetha  and  I’m  originally  from  California.  The  treasurer  gets  to  keep  track  of  the  AJET  funds  and  makes  sure  bills  are  paid.  When  needed,  I'll  be  collec:ng  money  at  AJET  events,  whether  it  be    dues,  scholarship    dona:ons,    or  travel  fees.  My  highligh:ng  qualifica:ons  are  that  my  last  name  is  Mony  (pronounced  "money")  and  I  like  making  pie  charts.  ^_^”

“マヨーナース  カレーです。ナイス  ツー  ミートユー。”  

(Romaniza:on:  Mayoonaasu  karee  desu.  Naisu  tsuu  miito  yuu.)

G'day  everyone,  my  name  is  Dr  Ming  Tan,  and  I'm  Nara  AJET's  secretary  and  resident  philosopher.  I  hail  from  the  land  Down  Under...  hence  the  clichéd  gree:ng.  I'm  a  first-­‐going-­‐on-­‐second  year  ALT  in  Saidaiji,  where  I  teach  at  elementary  and  junior  high  school  levels.  I  have  a  passionate  love  for:  a)  philosophy,  b)  the  puzzling-­‐to-­‐those-­‐from-­‐non-­‐Commonwealth-­‐countries  sport  of  cricket,  c)  my  students,  d)  the  Nara  JET  community,  and  e)  the  wonderful  country  of  Japan.

Meet  the  Nara  AJET  Officers!!!

On  behalf  of  everyone  on  the  Nara  AJET  Council,  よろしくお願いします。  

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nce I’d settled into life as a Nara JET, one of my top priorities was to find a sport to fill the gaping void left by no longer being able to play

my beloved sport of cricket. So when the call went out to attend the Nara Knights’ touch rugby team’s first practice session last September, there was no hesitation and a veritable truckload of enthusiasm on my part. After all, I had the advantage of hailing from a rugby playing nation, albeit from a state where the undisputed football code of choice is the idiosyncratic sport of Australian Rules football. Granted also that I’d never played rugby in any of its incarnations before. But I was well acquainted with the basic rules from having watched a not insignificant number of league and union games on television, and one live.

So it was with no small measure of excitement that I fronted up to the first practice, accompanied by several other eager newbies. And from the first drill to the last play, I had an unqualified blast. The game showcased all of the skills of the unabridged version, without the physical danger of tackling and scrums. But the most appealing aspect of the session was the priceless camaraderie of playing a team sport with one’s Nara JET colleagues.

Thereafter, I was a regular at Knights’ practices, though like most outdoor activities, we went on hiatus as autumn gave way to winter. Upon resumption in February, when the weather started to become more hospitable, we hit the ground running. The intensity of the sessions noticeably

A Knight’s Pilgrimage:

O

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To Touch or Be Touched.

lifted as the main event towards which we were all working drew ever closer - the touch rugby tournament in the beautiful inaka of Tokushima, Shikoku.

The weekend that we had all been anticipating finally arrived in May. Spirits were high upon our arrival on Friday evening, which coincided with Kat’s birthday - an occasion that was suitably celebrated with a delicious cake.

The next morning dawned bright and sunny. The sense that we were about to participate in a competitive game of touch rugby was palpable - and in the case of us newbies, slightly nerve-wracking. And what a first assignment it was. Captain Aileen’s scouting report had drawn the perfectly reasonable inference that our initial hitout against the less-than-fearsome sounding Nagoya

Grass Muckers was the perfect opportunity to ease the newcomers into tournament play.

Instead, our mostly rookie starting line up was confronted with a row of buff Australians, who wouldn’t have looked out of place in an episode of Survivor. I was placed in the pressure cooker position of guarding the wing, and from the first whistle, found myself charged with the task of repelling wave upon wave of attacks from the Grass Muckers’ gun player. In what was my best game of the tournament by some margin, I somehow managed to do so (with quality support from my substitute for the game, Derek), and the team came away with a commendable 3-0 loss, when a real thumping was on the cards.

Ming  Tan

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The team’s fortunes over the day’s remaining four games were mixed. It soon became apparent that some of the university teams performed with the efficiency of well-oiled machines, while teams that we looked capable of providing with a close contest on paper proved to be made of sterner stuff. Finally, though, we broke through for a victory in the last match of the day, thanks to a maiden tournament try by Kat, following a memorable breakaway run, a reward try to Anup for his tireless efforts, and another, courtesy of the Grant/Jo dynamic duo.

More by accident than design, we snuck into the second tier after the first day’s play, and the barbeque on the Saturday night was enjoyed by all and sundry. However, we let our guard down in our first game on Sunday against hosts Tokushima, which put paid to any hopes we had of progressing any further. To our credit, though, we finished the tournament as we had started it, by

holding a powerful Hyogo team - which boasted a player who appeared to have lightning

bolts where his legs should have been - to a 2-0 scoreline.

All in all, the tournament lived up to expectations for this Knight. I’ll

be back next year without a shadow of a doubt, and I’m sure that the

other recontracting JETs on this year’s team will follow suit. To all of the

newbies out there, keep an eagle eye out for the resumption of practice, and

come and join in the fun. Go Knights!

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Nara Knights

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Goodbye from NIFSSo Long and Thanks for All the Kakinohazushi

NARA

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n April 1988, just over a year after I was born in County Down, Northern Ireland, an event took place in the ancient capital of Japan, which brought together

scholars and tourists from around the globe. That event was The Silk Road Exposition. For a brief while, it was truly a sight to behold in the park of the old capital. There were historical artifacts, cultural exhibits, dancers and food from the civilizations that

made up the route of Silk Road, from China to India, and Persia to Rome. The centerpiece was a faux-deser t created in the middle of Nara Park, with 30 tonnes of real sand i m p o r t e d f r o m Northeast China. This extravagant display marked the apex of J a p a n ’ s f e a r l e s s ambition to rediscover and redefine its place in the international community, in a period when the country was seemingly invincible.

In commemoration of the event that year, The Nara International F o u n d a t i o n Commemorating the Silk Road Exposition ( N I F S ) w a s established, with the pu rpose t o fo s t e r international relations in the spirit of the

traders and travelers of old. Over the course of two

decades the foundation was involved with supporting foreign residents of Nara Prefecture, organizing a multitude of international events from seminars to sushi parties, and of course was host to several CIRs from various countries.

Unfortunately, I have the dubious honour of being the last of those CIRs. Last year the government of Nara Prefecture decided to dissolve the foundation due to the unfavourable economic climate, a true contrast to the heady days of the Exposition in the late 80s. The foundation closed its doors at the end of March this year, leaving quite an impact on the local community of Nara, especially the hundreds of volunteers who helped the foundation achieve its goals through their hard work and kindness. Even as I am writing this my new office still receives several calls a week enquiring about homestays and volunteering opportunities, yet unfortunately we are no longer able to accommodate them. I hope that in the years to come the international cooperation based in the ideals of the Silk Road will live in Nara again.

As for me, I was lucky enough to be reassigned to Hiroshima City Hall, where I will continue my work as a CIR on the JET Programme. To the JETs leaving this year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the brief time worked together and knew each other. To the incoming JETs this summer - you probably won’t notice anything different, but I would like to remind you that unusually, your prefecture has only one English-speaking CIR - the lovely Jennifer Kim, so please go easy on her! Finally, to everyone else, come and see me in Hiroshima. I guarantee good times, drinking, and possibly some platonic spooning.

Take it easy,

James Wilson, June 2012

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ne  of  the  main  frustra0ons  that  many  an  　　Assistant  Language  Teacher  (ALT)  feels  about  English  educa0on  in  Japan  could  be  summed  up  in  

one  of  the  most  basic  of  exchanges:  Q:  “How  are  you?”A:  “I’m  fine  thank  you,  and  you?”It  is  the  most  basic  example  of  the  crea0vity  and  variety  that  seems  generally  lacking  in  English  language  educa0on  in  Japan.

I   remember   the   first   0me   that   I  taught  a  senior  high  school  class.    I  was  more  than  a  li]le  unse]led  by  the   monotone   chorus   of   42  students  answering  me   in  perfect  unison.     I  thought   that   it  was  the  ‘standard   response’   to   what   is  perhaps  one  of   the  first   dialogues  a  student  of  any   foreign   language  would  be  taught   from   their   ini0al  exposure  to  the  language.     I  tried  to  encourage  my  students  to  think  before   they   answered,   but   it  seemed   that   the   drilling   and   rote  learning  had  been  too  effec0ve.     I  also   felt   uncomfortable   covering  this  basic  topic  with  my  senior  high  school   students,   who   in   their  English   reading   classes   were  tackling   textbook   chapters   about  global  warming  and  the  cloning  of  DNA.    I  didn’t  want  to  come  across  as  condescending.

I  was  excited  to  teach  some  primary   school  classes  of  小学校1年―2年生   during  the  senior  high  school  exam  

periods.    The  students  were  so  full  of  energy,  ques0ons  and   confidence.     This   was   in   stark   contrast   to   my  experiences  at  senior  high  schools,  where  the  students  seemed  too  overwhelmed  and  anxious  about   crea0ng  gramma0cally   perfect   sentences   to   a]empt   class  ac0vi0es  in  a  relaxed  manner.    At  the  primary   school,  I  found   it   refreshing   that   when   we   embarked   on   our  journey   to   answer   the  ques0on   “How   are  you?”,   we  had  a  variety  of  flashcards  with  responses  such  as  “I’m  

great!”,   “I’m   hungry”,   “I’m   0red”   and   “I’m   hot”,  alongside   the   standard   “I’m   fine”.     Ager   the   ini0al  teaching   and   review   of   the   sentences   and   the  vocabulary,   I  began  to  ask  students  individually   “How  

are  you?”.     Interes0ngly,   not   one  single   child   chose   the   ‘standard’  response   to   express   how   they  were  feeling   that   day.     I  began  to  harbour   hope  that,   maybe,   things  would   slowly   change   as   these  students   progressed   through   the  educa0on  system.

A   chance  mee0ng  of   some  of  my  primary   school   students   at   a  community   event   somewhat  dented  my  op0mism.    A  group  of  2年生   students  came  up  to  me,  and  

said  “Good  morning  Carly  先生!”   I  

returned   the   gree0ng,   adding  “How   are   you   today?”     I   was  basking   in   the  glow   of   the   variety  of   responses  that   I   heard,   feeling  very   sa0sfied   and   proud   of   the  students   for   remembering   our  lesson,   when   a   mother   sternly  corrected  her   son.   “No,   no,   that’s  wrong.    Its  ‘I’m  fine  thank  you,  and  you?”    My   heart   sank  as  I  saw  my  groundwork  crumble.

As   I   have   progressed   and   gained  confidence   as   a   teacher,   and   in  crea0ng   and   carrying   out   lesson  plans,   my   target   sentences   and  

vocabulary  have  become  much  more  simple  and  basic.    I   have   slowly   come   to   realise   that,   even   though   the  textbook   may   be   dealing   with   issues   such   as   global  warming  and  DNA,   students  can  by   no  means  grapple  with   the   language   needed   to   discuss   their   personal  interests  and  point  of  view  in  a  natural  way.    As  an  ALT,  I  need  to  expose  my  students  to  natural  English,  and  if  this  means  going   ‘back   to   basics’   in  order   to   elicit   a  more   ‘natural’   response   to   such   a   common   English  gree0ng,  then  that  is  the  role  I  will  gladly  fulfill.    

“I’m fine thank you, and you?”The Role of the ALT in English Education in Japan

Carly  Amber  

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e Kat HartleyAge:  24  Hometown:  Tulsa,  OKCurrent  Placement:  Totsukawa-­‐mura

What  I  was  doing  before  JET:  College.  Psych  major,  Japanese  minor.

One  thing  I  wish  I  knew  before  coming  to  Japan:  How  to  teach.

First  impression  of  Nara:Totsukawa  is  ages  away   from  Nara  City,   so  when  the  girl  from  the  BOE  picked  me  up  at  the  kencho  I  think  I  started  the  ride  with,  “Wow,  deer!”  and  ended  it  three  or  four  rainy,  carsick,  jetlagged  hours  later  with,  “What  is  this  godforsaken  place?”  And  then  I  passed  out  on  a  bare  tatami  floor.

Favourite  combini  purchase:  Onigiri,  mostly  of  the  takana  and  umeboshi  variety.

Favourite  karaoke  song:    Impossible   to   choose.     During   my   last   karaoke   sesh  0me  ran  out  when  I  had  just  begun  “You  Make  Me  Feel  Like  Dancing”  by  Leo  Sayer,  and  I  could  tell  it  was  going  to  be  a  winner.    Regret  s0ll  lingers.

Something  that  seemed  strange  when  I  got  here,  but  is  now  “normal”:Teachers  humbly   apologizing   for   taking  vaca0on  days,  or   even   for   being   away   from   school   for   required  seminars  or  class  trips.

If  I  were  a  Japanese  beverage,  I  would  be:    Shiso  cider.      

Weirdest  quesEon  I’ve  been  asked  in  Japan:    “Do  you  get  0red  of  reading  and  wri0ng   in  English  all  the  0me?”  (asked  by  another  teacher,  not  a  student).    

Most   shocking/funny   ALT   experience   to   date:    One   of   my   HRTs   proposed   to   me   in   class,   with   a  camcorder   pointed  at  my   face.   Then   he  no0ced  how  uncomfortable   I   looked   and   started   popping   the  ques0on  to  everybody  else  in  the  room,  too.

Any  memorable  mistakes  made  during  JET:    That  0me  I  didn’t  no0ce  when  the  kids  put  mercury   in  my  kyushoku  whale  meat.    Those  li]le  rascals!  

Any  last  words  of  goodbye  to  recontracEng  Nara  JETs:    Thanks  to  all  the  people  who  have  given  me  a  place  to  crash  up  north   over   the  past   two  years.     Y’all   keep  dazzling   the   people  of   this  fine   prefecture  with   your  chops0ck  skills.

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eHometown:  Brooklyn,  NYCurrent  Placement:  Oji-­‐Town  (I’ve  got  JR  and  two  Kintetsu  lines  at  my  disposal.)

What  I  was  doing  before  JET:  Senior  Interna0onal  Licensing  Manager  at  HBO.     If  you  watch   shows   like   True   Blood,   Game   of   Thrones,   or  Boardwalk  Empire,   it  has  absolutely  nothing  to  do  with  me.     It   was  my   department,   but   Japan   wasn’t   my  territory.     Now,   if  you  happen  to  see  these  shows  in  any   Spanish-­‐speaking   country,   or   Israel,   that   was  all  me.

One  thing  I  wish  I  knew  before  coming  to  Japan:  1. I   vaca0oned   in   Japan   every   year   for   five   years  

before  JET,   so  nothing   really   shocked  me.     BUT,   I  wish  I  knew  that  summer  sunrise  can  be  as  early  as  4:18am.    We  have  Daylight  Savings  (spring  ahead,  fall  back),  so  sunlight  at   that  hour  doesn’t  happen.    Besides,   I  had  curtains  in  my   bedroom.    Here,  my  bedroom  has  shoji  doors  in  front  of  the  window.     I  saw   these   bamboo   screen   things   in   front   of  windows   and   always   assumed   that   meant   an  apartment  was  vacant.     No.    People  use  them  to  keep   sunlight   out   of   their   rooms.     I   considered  buying  one,  but   I  am  a  firm  believer   in  star0ng  my  day  with  the  sun,  so  I  just  deal  with  it.    And  I  don’t  believe  in  sleeping  with  an  eye  mask.

2. Japan  is  the  world’s  leading   producer   of   dust.     If  there  was  a  market  for   it,  you  could  bag  it  and  sell  it.    Alas,  there  isn’t  one.

3. I’d   start   watching   television  programs  here   that   I  didn’t  watch  back  home  -­‐  How  I  Met  Your  Mother,  Bones,  Big  Bang  Theory,  The  Mentalist,  CSI:  Miami  (thank  God  CBS  has  the  smarts  to  finally  cancel  that  

trash),   Garfield,   Ben   10,   Ben  10:   Alien   Force  and  Ben   10:   Ul0mate  Alien   and  Generator   Rex.     (The  last  five  are  cartoons.  You’d  be  amazed  at  how  li]le  comes  on  television  between  5:00am  and  6:00am.)

4. Greek   yogurt   is   impossible   to   find!     And   that  Caspian  Sea  yogurt  crap  isn’t   even  fit   to  be  called  yogurt!     I’m   pre]y   sure   that   there’s   nothing  remotely   dairy   about   it.     Typing  this,   I  just   figured  out   what   it   reminds   me   of:   Elmer’s   Glue   –   a  substance   that   manages   to   never   adhere   to   the  sides  of  its  container.  FYI  –  I  never  actually  tasted  it.    The   consistency   was   just   too   off-­‐punng   to   risk  punng  that  in  my  mouth.

First  impression  of  Nara:As  a  tourist,   I   loved   the  deer   and  the  history.     As  a  resident,  I  s0ll  love  the  deer  and  the  history.    I’m  pre]y  sure   that   when   I  exited   Kintetsu-­‐Nara   Sta0on,   there  was  a  sign  that   read  “Abandon  all  hope,  ye  who  enter  here.”    It  was  wri]en  in  kanji,  so  my  transla0on  may  be  off  by  a  bit.    I’m  not  sure  what  the  temperature  in  hell  is,   but   I’m   sure  that  Nara’s  is  pre]y   damn  close  to  it.    I’ll  have  to  keep  my  sinning  to  a  minimum.

Nara  has   its   shortcomings.     In  most   major   ci0es   in  Japan,   there  are  these  really   cute  Hello  Ki]y   souvenir  cans  that   have  flat,  wafer   sandwich  cookies  (the  only  souvenir   food   that   my   sister   will  eat).     Not   Nara,   or  Hikone  or   anyplace  in  Hokkaido.     Nara  has  Sento-­‐kun  stuff;   Hikone   has   Hikoneya   crap,   and   Hokkaido   has  marimo.    However,   these  are  all  great   places  to   visit  and  go  sightseeing.

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Favourite  combini  purchase:  This  is  difficult   because  I  don’t  have  one.     I  go  to  the  combini  to  pay  my  bills.    Beyond  that,  it’s  usually  just  to  pick  up  something  to  eat  on  the  go.    Like  when  there’s  a  JET  event   and  people  tell  you  to  pick  something  up  because  there  are  no  combinis  wherever   it   is  that  we  are  going.

Although,  whenever  I  travel  throughout  Japan,  I  always  stop  in  combinis  for  local  Kit  Kats.    I’ve  been  doing  this  for  almost   eight  years.    We  only   have  dark  chocolate,  milk  chocolate  and  white  chocolate  at  home.    But  here,  the  flavors  are  plen0ful.    So,  I  like  to  buy  between  four  and  six   boxes,  or   a  couple  of  bags,   and  send  them  to  my   sister.     She   then  officiates  the  Kit   Kat   Taste  Test,  which  I   implemented  ager  my   first   trip  here.     It  may  shock  you,  but   I  don’t  eat  them.    The  fun  is  in  buying  them  and  watching  other  people  eat  them.    The  taste  tests  are  blind  taste  tests,  so  the  official  doesn’t  reveal  the  flavor   un0l  all  par0cipants  have  eaten  the  Kit  Kat.    Par0cipants   also   have   the   opportunity   to   guess   the  flavor.    The  cheese-­‐flavored  Kit  Kat  is  quite  fragrant,  so  it  was  an  easy  guess.

Favourite  karaoke  song:    I  cannot  stress  this  enough  –   I  DON’T  DO  KARAOKE!!!    Are  you  kidding  me?    I  was  bamboozled  into  going  to  Karaoke  with   some  teachers  ager   the  Parent-­‐Teacher  enkai.    I  would  never  have  gone  to  the  party,  but  it  was  in   Oji   (four   minutes   from  my   apartment),   and   I   felt  some  level  of  obliga0on.     I  was  begging  to  go  home,  but  saying  no  to  karaoke  wasn’t  working.    Dammit!     I  could  see  my   front  door!    Anyway,  I  ended  up  doing  a  duet   with   my   Kyoto-­‐sensei   -­‐   “Yesterday”   by   The  Beatles.    If  you  saw,  or  heard  about,  my  presenta0on  at  the   Skills   Development   Conference,   then   you   know  how  much  I  love  The  Beatles  and  that  song.

But,  a  select   group  of  Nara  JETs  has  witnessed  me  do  pseudo-­‐karaoke/lip-­‐sync   to   the   soundtrack   of   the  greatest  movie  of  all  0me!    It’s  one  of  two  soundtracks  that   I  will  ever   sing   publicly.     “Grease”   is   the  other.    Performances  ogen  include  original  choreography  from  the  movies  –   Fräulein  Maria  roaming   about   Salzburg  with   the   Von   Trapp  children,   all   clad   in  the  play  clothes  made  from   the  drapes  that  used   to   hang   in   her  bedroom.    Hand  jive,  anyone?     In   fact,  “Grease”   recently  came   on   one   of   the  m o v i e   c h a n n e l s  (which  I  only   recently  discovered   I   had)!     I  was  bel0ng  out   those  s o n g s   l i k e   y o u  wouldn’t  believe.

Now,  I  cannot  express  to  you  the  level  of  hurt  and  anger  I  felt  when  fellow  2nd  year,   Oji  Town  JET,  GRANT  KONDO,   didn’t   even  think  to  tell  me  about  a  performance  of  the  Sound  of  Music  in  Osaka.    I  had  to  find  out  about  it  on  the  streets.    And  

as  luck  would  have  it,  I  happened  to  be  with  him  at  the  0me  of   said  discovery.     He  forgot.     Yes,   Grant   has  a  horrible   memory,   and   probably   doesn’t   even  remember   that   he   does.     But   nobody   forgets   “The  Sound  of  Music.”     It   was  a  deliberate  and   inten0onal  act  to  inflict  severe  emo0onal  distress.    Grant  has  done  a  lot   of   things  that   I  find  less  than   favorable,   like  his  Group  B  Dinners.    But  not  telling  me  about  “The  Sound  

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of   Music”   is   truly   unforgivable.     We   are   no   longer  Facebook   friends.     Or   we   wouldn’t   be   if   I   had   a  Facebook  account.

Something  that  seemed  strange  when  I  got  here,  but  is  now  “normal”:Make  no  mistake,   if  I  thought   something  was  strange,  it’s  s0ll  strange.     No   amount   of   0me  here   can   help  these  things  achieve  any  level  of  normalcy.

Being  groped  or   fondled  by   females.    The  first  0me  it  happened,  I  thought  it  was  an  accident.    When  too  may  “accidents”  happen  and  almost  happen,   they   begin  to  become   “on-­‐purposes”.     “Adorian,   you   touch   your  friends  in  America?”    Hell  no!    Just  to  confirm  that  I  was  not  out  of  touch  with  16-­‐year  old  mentality,   I  emailed  people.    Yeah,  I  was  right.

The   amount   of   mayonnaise   used   in   foods   is   really  insane!    Pizza.    Really?    It’s  become  a  condiment  god,  second  only  to  soy   sauce.    I  detest  mayonnaise,  and  all  white  sauces.     The  way   it’s  used,   I  have  to  wonder   if  the   Japanese  think   that   people  in   other   countries  sit  around  with  a  jar  of  mayo  in  one  hand  and  a  spoon  in  the   other.     Damn!     There   isn’t   a  single  food  whose  flavor   cannot   be   enhanced   with   or   by   mayonnaise.    There’s  nothing  worse  than  bi0ng  into  an  egg  sandwich  from  the  bakery,  only   to  reach  a  layer   of  nothing   but  mayonnaise.     The   people   from   the   bakery   who   sell  their  bread  products  at  my  school  know  that  Adrienne-­‐sensei   doesn’t   eat   mayonnaise   or   custard.     So  whenever   they   want   to   recommend   something,   they  shake  their   heads  because  nine  0mes  out   of   ten,   it’s  got  mayonnaise  in   it   or   on  it.     Heck,   it   was  in  one  of  their  products  that  I  found  that  layer  of  mayonnaise.

The  changing  of  the  seats  at   the  beginning  of  the  new  school  year.    I  only  witnessed  this  for  the  first  0me  this  year.    As  with  most  things,  I  just  laughed.    Next  year,  I’ll  be  sure  to  bring  my  camera.

When  senng  up  the  chairs  in  the  gym  for  any   number  of   mee0ngs   or   events,   THEY   USE   RULERS   AND  TAPE  MEASURES!!!     This   is   to   ensure   proper   and   exact  spacing.    God  forbid  is  row  3  seat  6  is  off  by  a  couple  of  cen0meters.    Is  it  really  that  serious?

Gross  stuff.    By  far,  this  is  not  normal,  but  now,  I’ve  just  come  to  expect  it.

• Personal   grooming   at   the  desk.     Clipping   nails  (on  fingers  and  TOES)  should  be  done  at  home!    I  cannot  emphasize  this  enough.

• People  coughing  and  sneezing  without  covering  their  mouths.    Especially  coughing  and  sneezing  in  my  face.    The  alcohol  pads  I  keep  in  my   bag  can  only  ward  off  topical  bacteria.     But   when  you  cough   in  my   face,  there’s  nothing  an  alcohol  pad  can  do.    So  cover  your  damn  mouth.

• Nose  picking!     Taken   to   all   new   levels.     With   the  amount  of   free  0ssue  available  from  random  people  at  train  sta0ons,  banks  and  post  offices,  would  it   kill  some  people  to  grab  a  few  packs  and  blow?    I’ve  had  students  who  would  insert  a  finger   into  and  proceed  to  “explore”   for   the  first   15  minutes  of   class.     And  good   God,   all   I   think   about   is   of   avoiding   those  students’  hands  and  papers.

I  might  be  the  only  Nara  JET  with  the  Cartoon  Network  Japan   channel.     Click   on   the   link   below.     Make   no  mistake,  what  you  are  about   to  watch  is  odd,   at  best.    And  whoa,  is  it  hilarious.    The  song  is  kind  of  cute.h]p://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv2EKgMKR1w  

If  I  were  a  Japanese  beverage,  I  would  be:    Kirin   Agernoon   Lemon   Tea.     Cold   or   room  temperature,   it’s  really   good.     Oddly   enough,   I  don’t  keep  it  in  my   fridge.    I  don’t  even  drink  it  regularly,  but  it’s  my  go-­‐to  beverage  when  I  have  to  buy  lunch  from  the  combini   (see  above)  or   if   I’m   out   and  about   and  want  something  from  a  vending  machine.    

Weirdest  quesEon  I’ve  been  asked  in  Japan:    Have  you  been  in  American  adult  movies?    Duh!      How  else  do  you  think   I  paid  for  my   Ivy  League  educa0on?  (sarcasm)  1.   If   X   =   kiss  and  O   =   hug,   does  ∆   =   sex?   (This  was    during  a  Valen0ne’s  Day  class.)

2.Do   you   take  the   temperature  of   the   turkey   in   the  a**hole?     (Referring   to   a   picture   from   my  Thanksgiving  lesson.)

3.Why   did   you   just   put   on   your   gloves?     I  wash  my  hands  a  lot.    One  of  my  JTEs  no0ced  and  men0oned  it.     I  keep  liquid  soap   in  my   purse  because  I  abhor  foaming   hand   wash!     Rubbing   my   hands  together  and  making  my   own  suds  is  half  the  job  of  making  my  hands  clean.    If  it  already  comes  out  of  the  bo]le  that  way,  what  do  I  really   need  to  do?    How  much  washing   is   really   genng   done?     Anyway,  immediately   ager   washing  my   hands,   I  hate  having  to  touch  things  I  deem  dirty.    So,  in  winter,  I’ll  put  on  my  gloves  just  to  open  a  door.    Also,   if  I  am  ea0ng  

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and  then  need  to  touch  something  dirty,  like  money,  I’ll  put  on  my  gloves.

4.Do   you   have  OCD?     Well,   that   depends   on   your  defini0on.    The  first   thing  I  do  when  I  get  inside  my  home  is  wash  my  hands.    I  can’t  touch  anything  un0l  my   hands  are  clean.     In   my   home,   I  never   sit   on  furniture  in   clothes  that   have  seen  or   touched  the  outside,   especially   public   transporta0on.     They   are  officially   dirty   and   will   not   touch   my   couch   un0l  laundered.     Nothing   goes   into   my   refrigerator   or  cabinets  un0l  it’s  been  wiped  with  an  an0bacterial  wipe  (Lysol  or  Clorox  preferably)  or   soap  and  water.    My  whole  family  does  this!    Do  you  know  how  many  unwashed  hands  have  touched  that   item?     It’s  like  watching   people   eat   unwashed   fruit   in   the  supermarket.    Disgus0ng.    I  always  keep  alcohol  pads  in  my   bag.     Never   a  moment  passes  that   having   a  good,  saturated  alcohol  pad  isn’t  needed  –  my  finger  accidentally   touches  a  pole  on  the  train;   I’m  ea0ng  something  and  have  no  access  to  soap  and  water;   I  just  used  the  computer  or  copier  at  school;  someone  writes  on  a  white  board  with  permanent  marker.    So,  do  I  have  OCD?    You  tell  me.

Most  shocking/funny  ALT  experience  to  date:  Sadly,   once   I   email   stories   to   entertain   friends   and  family   back  home,   I  file  them  away,   never   to  be  told  again.     But   this  one  is   fresh.     For   the  school  hike   in  February,   we   hiked   Ikoma   Mountain,   ending   up   at  Shigisan,  where  my  school  is.    Honestly,  there  are  0mes  when  I  don’t   recognize  students  if  they  aren’t  wearing  their  uniforms.    Especially  the  ones  who  aren’t  vocal  in  my  class.     Anyway,  a  group  of   students  starts  walking  and  talking  with  me.     I  suspected  that   something  was  up,   but   I   couldn’t   put   my   finger   on   it.     They   were  channg   and   asking   ques0ons   as   though   we’d   never  met.     In  fact,  we  hadn’t.     It   just   so  happened  that   on  that  par0cular  day,  two  schools  were  hiking  that  trail.    They  weren’t  my   students.    However,   it  was  nice.    We  even  exchanged  Japanese  and  American  candy.    Taking  candy  from  strangers  –  only  in  Japan.

At   my   visit   school,   I   some0mes   eat   lunch   in   the  cafeteria  with   the  students.     I  can   eat   a  whole  meal  with  gum  in  my  mouth,  and  never  mix   them  together.    I’m   very   par0cular   about   disposing   of  chewed  gum  –  either   in  the  wrapper  of  the  gum  that  is  replacing  it   in  my  mouth,  or  in  a  piece  of  0ssue.    During  meal0me,  if  proper   disposal  isn’t  possible,   I’ll  keep  it   in  my  mouth  and  just  eat.     I  don’t   believe  in  purposely   swallowing  gum.     Anyway,   I  ate  lunch  with  the  gum,   and   those  

boys  can  gossip!    All  of  my   students  eventually   heard  the  story.  

Any  memorable  mistakes  made  during  JET:    None.     I  don’t  make  mistakes.    Everything  is  a  learning  experience.     (This   is   the   kind   of   posi0ve-­‐spin   crap  people  put  on  their  weaknesses  during  a  job  interview.    For   you   people   leaving   to  enter   the  real  world,   keep  this  in  mind.)

I  was  very  frustrated  last  school  year,  so  I  said  the  hell  with  it   and  let   it   rain  favori0sm  in  my   good  classes.     I  made  Rice  Krispies  Treats  for   Valen0ne’s  Day   for   the  girls  in  those  classes.    It  was  my  Valen0ne’s  Day  lesson,  but   I  turned   that   Friday   into  White  Day   because  the  girls  get   so  screwed  when  it  comes  to  White  Day.    It’s  ridiculous.     Compare   the   vast   store   displays   for  Valen0ne’s   Day   to   the   almost   nonexistent   ones   for  White  Day.     (How  convenient   that  there  is  no  school,  so  no  need  for  the  boys  to  give  girichoko  to  all  the  girls  in  the  class.)     Anyway,   the  girls  from  the  rude  classes  had  the  audacity  to  ask  where  their  Rice  Krispies  Treats  were.    I  laughed  and  said  they  were  s0ll  in  the  store.    I  guess   they   were   good   because   I   s0ll   get   special  requests  for  them.  

Most  importantly,  saying  yes  to  everything!    What  kind  of   jacka$$   does  that?!     I’m   tempted   to   amend   last  year’s  SDC   seminar  with  a  new  one  called  “Keep  Your  Mouth  Shut  and  Nobody  Will  Ask  You  Anything.”    Or  “No  Means  No!”

Any  last  words  of  goodbye  to  recontracEng  Nara  JETs:  May   the  force  be  with  you.     Is  that   the  line?     I  never  saw  Star  Wars.

For  those  returning  to  jobs  (in  the  US),  remember:

• A  sick  day  usually  requires  an  official  note  from  your  physician   only   ager   three  to  five  consecu0ve  days.    Before   JET,   I   was   never   sick   enough   to   require  medical  a]en0on  or  a  note.

• Souvenirs  are  not   a  requirement   for   all  co-­‐workers.    Give  to  whomever  you  want.

• Gone   will   be   the   days   of   McDonald’s   employees  bringing   your   food   to   you   on   a   tray.     During   the  lunch0me   rush,   you’ll  be   lucky   if   you   get   anything  close  to  what  you  ordered.

• Welcome   back   to   the   world   of   the   24-­‐hour   ATM.    Pre]y  cool,  huh?

• Learn  how  to  make  okonomiyaki  because  unless  you  make  it  yourself,  you  won’t  be  genng  any.

JET Profile

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Age:  24  Hometown:  Bradenton,  FLCurrent  Placement:  Ikaruga  Town(Horyuji  InternaJonal  High  School)JE

T Pro

file Joshua Small

First  impression  of  Nara:

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What  I  was  doing  before  JET:

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One  thing  I  wish  I  knew  before  coming  to  Japan:

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Favourite  combini  purchase:

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Something  that  seemed  strange  when  I  got  here,  but  is  now  “normal”:

If  I  were  a  Japanese  beverage,  I  would  be  a...

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Weirdest  ques:on  I’ve  been  asked  in  Japan:

Funniest  ALT  experience  to  date:

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Weirdest  ques:on  I’ve  been  asked  in  Japan:

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Favourite  karaoke  song:

Last  words  of  wisdom  to  leaving/recontrac:ng  JETs:

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JET P

rofil

eAge:  24Hometown:  Coboconk  (North  of  Toronto),  ON,  CanadaCurrent  Placement:  Tenri  City,  Nara  AKA  The  Centre  of  the  Universe

What  I  was  doing  before  JET:  I   was   comple0ng   my   Double   Major   in   Cogni0ve  Linguis0cs   Science   and   History   with   a   fun   Minor   in  German.  In  my  spare  0me,  I  was  dreaming  about  living  Japan  but   fearing   the  invincible  mukade.  

One   thing   I   wish   I   knew  before  coming  to  Japan:  I  wish  someone  men0oned  Cool  Biz.   Cliché   I   know   but   I   also  wiiiish   I   studied   Japanese   a   bit  more.  

First  impression  of  Nara:A   lot   of   frilly   socks  with   heels.  Then,   I   realized   they   were   the  smart   ones  once  my   legs  were  filled  with  giant,  mysterious  bug  bites  that  sort  of  scar.  

Favourite  combini  purchase:  Lo]e   chocolate   covered   almonds!  They   aren’t   cute   but   a   classic   to  fulfill  that  sweet  tooth  craving.    

Recommended   restaurant   in  your  town:  First,   a   make-­‐shig   outdoor   restaurant   set   up   at  everyday  at  dusk  called  “Stamina  Ramen”  ;)  Second,  XV  Sports  Bar   in  Tenri  is  only   2mins  from  sta0on.   If  you  want   live   music,   to   watch   an   important   match   or  interact  with  sporty  Uni  students  or   interna0onals,  it’s  

a  good  break  from  the  usual  Izakaya.  

Something  that  seemed   strange  when   I   got   here,  but  is  now  “normal”:  

1.   Sleeping   on   strange  people  on  the  train.  2.   Having   no   public   outlets  a n y w h e r e   t o   c h a r g e  electronics.    3.  Musical  garbage  trucks4.   No  garbage  can/  trash  can/li]er  bin  anywhere!I’m   s0ll   not   used   to   the  overwhelming   amount   of  plas0c   used   daily   to   package  even  one  item  :S

If  I  were  a  Japanese  beverage,  I  would  be:  

Instant  coffee.

Most  awkward  quesEon:  I  was  asked  in  the  cafeteria  from  a  group   of   school   girls   “Saburina  sensei,   CUPU   SI-­‐ZE   WA….”   Adding  in  cupped  hand  mo0on  like  the  air  is  heavy  in  front  of  their  chest.  

Most  shocking/  funny  ALT  experience  to  date:  Either…   claiming   the  only   Western  toilet   on   the   train  from  Amritsar   to  Delhi,   India  because  earlier  I  decided  to   eat   the   Golden   Temple  Gudwara   free   communal  meal.   Or…   playing  Peek-­‐a-­‐boo   with   a  kid   at   the  mall  

Sabrina Silk

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and  he  was  laughing  so  hard  he  flipped  his   stroller   (was  ok)!   Mother   knew  we  were  the  culprits.   But   come  on   guys….  We  have  them   daily.   Think  we  need  to  start  a  chat  group!

Any  last  words  of  goodbye:  I  was  an  ALT  at  two  senior  high  schools,  but   through   the  year   there   have   been  too  many   moments  when   the  student-­‐teacher  role  had  been  undis0nguishable.  It   was   a   give   and   take   for   language,  culture,   and   friendship.   Their   kindness  and   hospitality   will   persist   in   memory  and   my   future   ac0ons.   As   for   JETS,   I  could   not   have  done  this  without   you!  Just  an  amazing  crowd!!  My  love  goes  to  Maria   and   Bri]any   for   being   the  spontaneous   t rave l   buddy ,   the  suppor0ve   friend,   the   work   colleague  and  having  somewhere  to  crash  for   the  night  :P

You   say   goodbye   to   good   friends   you  make   in   that   moment   in   life   but   I  guarantee  you  will  see  them  again  <3  

JET Profile

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Recipes: Express Ice CreamLucie  Rocheville

Hi  fellow  Nara  JETs!    Summer   is  back  and   it’s  geTng  difficult   to  find  a  cool  place   to   relax.   This   issue’s  recipe   will  help   you   cool  down   in   a  delicious  way;   let  me   present   to   you   the   express   ice  cream  recipe.

I   love   this   recipe   because   it’s   incredibly   easy   and   it  doesn’t   require   an   ice   cream   maker.   All  you   need   is  an  electric  mixer,  few  ingredients  and  4  hours  of  paJence.

Vanilla  ice  cream:2  tablespoons  vanilla  extract

Stracciatella:1/2  cup  chocolate  shavings  (to  make  chocolate  shavings,  run  a  peeler  on  a  chocolate  tablet)

Melon  :2  tablespoons  melon  liqueur3/4  cup  of  melon  cubes

McFlurry  style:1  cup  crushed  M&Ms  (bash  the  M&Ms  in  a  plas0c  bag  with  a  rolling  pin  or  a  pan)

Strawberry  swirl:3/4  cup  strawberry  jam  (mix  it  very  roughly  using  one  chops0ck  to  create  swirls)

1  teaspoon  strawberry  extract

Lemon:2  teaspoons  lemon  extract  (do  not  use  lemon  juice  because  it  will  make  the  cream  curdle)2  tablespoon  finely  grated  lemon  peel  

Green  tea:3  teaspoons  powdered  green  tea  (matcha)

Rum  raisin:1  teaspoon  vanilla  extract1  cup  raisins  macerated  in  50ml  of  rum  and  30ml  of  boiling  water  then  drained

Note:  quan00es  are  for  a  whole  batch  (500ml  whipping  cream)

Ingredients

-­‐500ml  whipping  cream-­‐1  can  (360g)  sweetened  condensed  milk-­‐Mix-­‐ins  of  your  choice  (see  sugges0ons  below)

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The  cast  of  characters:  whipping  cream,  sweetened  condensed  milk,  flavors  and/or  mix-­‐ins  of  your  choice.  (I  chose  lemon,  strawberry  and  chocolate  swirl)

Put   the   whipping   cream   in   a   large   bowl   and  mix  it  unMl  it’s  firm.

This  is  the  consistency  you’re  looking  for Add   the   sweetened   condensed   milk   and  whip  for  another  minute.

　If  you  want  to  make  several  flavors  with  one  

batch,  divide  the  mixture  into  several  containers.

Add   flavors   of   your   choice   and   whisk   un4l   it’s   well  combined.  Gently  s4r  with  a  spatula  if  you  chose  a  mix-­‐in  with  morsels.   (I  added  strawberry   jam  to  the  strawberry   ice  cream  but  I  didn’t  take  a  picture  of  this  step  because  I’m  an  airhead)

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P o u r   i n t o  c o n t a i n e r s   a n d  stash   them   in   the  freezer  for  at  least  4  hours.  Enjoy!

erhaps the highest compliment that one can pay Drive, the breakthrough American film for Danish director, Nicolas Winding Refn, is that it lingers in the memory while too many other

films are instantly forgotten upon leaving the cinema.

The plot revolves around an enigmatic character known only as “The Driver” (Ryan Gosling), who is a stunt driver for film crews. But he also has a side job as a courier for hardened criminals, in which he cannily gives himself a five minute window - if the “clients” fail to complete the job within that window, they’re left to fend for themselves.

One day he befriends the young woman, Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son (Kaden Leos), who live down the corridor, and an awkward but touching relationship develops. However, matters become complicated when Irene’s husband, Standard, (Oscar Isaac) is released from prison, and his past almost immediately catches up with him. In an act of kindness, the driver offers his services to help Standard complete a final job. But things don’t go according to plan, and continue to spiral out of control in unexpected ways thereafter.

Drive is a unique blend of genres, and predicting its next move is a frequently elusive art. In the filmmaking stakes, Refn brings a fresh pair of eyes to the L.A. landscape, with more grit displayed on the screen than glamour. Yet at the same time, the film is exceptionally stylish. The action sequences pack a serious punch, as do the sudden outbursts of violence that punctuate the second half of the film. And the eclectic soundtrack, with its distinctly 1980’s vibe, complements the film to perfection.

The performances are uniformly outstanding. Gosling is a revelation in a potentially career-defining role, Mulligan earns the audience’s sympathy in an honest performance, Brooks is perfectly cast as a sinister mob boss, and quality support is provided by the likes of Ron Perlman and Bryan Cranston.

In summary, the virtues of originality and superb execution in all departments collectively make Drive a deserved sleeper hit of contemporary American cinema.

Drive Leaves Pretenders in the DustMovie Reviews

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n Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, the mysterious Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) is wreaking havoc upon London, in the form of large-scale attacks on public places and figures,

and the efforts of Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his loyal sidekick Dr. Watson (Jude Law), to bring Moriarty’s evil acts to an end, ensure that a deadly game of cat and mouse unfolds.

Director Guy Ritchie’s career trajectory has been a notoriously uneven one. From the early triumphs of his hip, London gangster comedies, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) and Snatch (2000), to his abominable remake of Swept Away (2002), starring his then-wife Madonna, his commercial fortunes have taken a turn for the better since he took the helm of the

Sherlock Holmes-for-a-modern-audience franchise, launched with the initial film three years ago.

However, Ritchie’s critical fortunes have remained mixed, and it’s not difficult to see why this has been the case. On the positive side of the ledger, the films bring something fresh to the table, in virtue of Holmes’ reasoning in piecing together the evidence, and anticipation of events to come, which simulate the brain cells more than the average thriller.

On the negative side, one can’t help but feel that something is missing - that an opportunity to create a franchise of lasting value has been foregone in the pursuit of style over substance. For example, the anachronistic touches, such as the modern styles of hand-to-hand combat, could have made way for a more considered approach to the material. But such decisions are doubtlessly inevitable when everyone involved has one eye on the target audience at all times.

Downey Jr. at his irascible best holds the film together, and it’s refreshing to see Law playing a raconteur. But Rachel McAdams’ appearance this time round is so fleeting that the end credits are needed to remind us that she was in the film at all, while Noomi Rapace is shackled as little more than a damsel in distress. And perhaps most crucially, Harris lacks menace as Moriarty.

Overall, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is another missed opportunity in a franchise that seems determined to fritter away its potential.

Sherlock Misses Some Vital Clues Once Again

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Ming Tan

Rebuspuzzles

The wrong end of the stick

Forgive and Forget

Hijacking Back to square one

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