The X-Pat Files -  February 2007

 (Brought to you by H&R Consultants)

  The X-Pat Files Community E-Newsletter provides a forum for the spread of information useful for English speakers living in Aichi.  You can use the newsletter as an informational resource, and of course you can send in information you would like to share.
  This newsletter is a community service from The Japan Real Estate and Relocation company, H&R Consultants (www.japanhomesearch.com), and is edited by Sue Conolly (www.sueconolly.net).

  Contents for This Edition

  1.  Babysitters
  2.  Snow Play - Heavens Sonohara
  3.  Getting Out There - Support Groups & Clubs
  4.  Natalia Language School
  5.  Pottery Classes
  6.  Hope International Events
  7.  Music Together
  8.  Meet & Greet Luncheon
  9.  Organic Supermarket and Cafe
 10. Embracing Imperfection

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   1. Babysitters
Jenny Elsby

H&R Consultants/ ReloJapan have been collecting information on local exchange students who can speak English and work part-time as babysitters for the expat community. We currently have some babysitters who have registered with us and we can
send you their contact details for you to arrange directly with them their hours and fees. 

For more information please email: 

Babysitting@relojapan.com or Babysitting@hrconslt.com

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  2. Snow Play - Heavens Sonohara
(thank you to Helen Braithwaite for information contained within this submission)

We recently went to this place on the suggestion of our friend, and really loved it!  We took a large gondola from the car park to the bottom of the ski slopes.  Here there were some places to eat and a few small shops, one of which was providing craft activities for children.  We then took a small chair lift to Kids World, where there are a couple of special slopes just for kids to go sledding.  There is even a small conveyor belt to get them to the top of the slopes which Josh (nearly two) could manage on his own.  Hello Kitty was everywhere to greet the kids in the snow.  It is not so far from Nagoya, and was an easy day trip that was enjoyable for our whole family.

Editors Note:  This snow park is where the Washinkan Orphanage children went with money from the Meet & Greet Christmas party.  Heavens Sonohara has a website (Japanese), and Snow Japan has its own page in English for Heavens Sonohara, where you can get address and weather information.

Heavens Sonohara Snow World
Address: 3731-4 Chisato, Achi-mura, Nagano Prefecture
Official website: http://www.mt-heavens.com
Access: 30 minutes by taxi from Iida Station on the Chuo Line, or 2.5 km from Sonohara Interchange on the Chuo Expressway.
Telephone: 0265-44-2311
Fax: 0265-44-2331
Opening Times: 23rd December to 1st April, 8:30 to 16:30
Ticket Prices:  500 yen for entry into Kids World, and 500 yen for sled rental, various different prices for gondola lift passes, up to 4300 yen for a full day adult pass.  Children under school age ride the gondola lift for free.  To get a discount for lift passes, fill out this form with your name, e-mail address, sex and the area in which you live (uncheck the box beforehand if you do not wish to receive promotional materials in your inbox), and hit send.  Print this out and take it with you to get the discount (from 4300 yen to 3800 yen for a full day lift pass - up to five people can get the same discount from one ticket).


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  3.  Getting Out There - Support Groups, Social Clubs, Classes

When you're new to town, it's so important to get out there and meet people.  If you're not a social butterfly, and you don't just want to attend just anything, it pays to put some thought into what kind of people you would like to meet.  Once you've got that in your mind, think about what you hope to gain from being a member of the group, and what you've got to contribute.  You only get out of any experience what you put in, so get out there and start putting in!

Note:  The following list of groups has been compiled by the editor for informational purposes only.  The X-Pat Files does not take repsonsibility for good or bad experiences that you have when contacting or joining these groups.  However, we would like to hear about your experiences, good and bad.  Please e-mail: info@xpat-file.com.


1.  ACCJ - American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, featuring events in Chubu such as the Champagne Ball in autumn, Charity Walkathon in May, and "Nomunication" meetings scheduled.  Click here for the Chubu page.
2.  TJCS - Tokai Canada Japan Society, co-hosted the Champagne Ball with ACCJ, holds monthly Street Hockey events as well as other social events.
3.  ANZCCJ - Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan, to promote business and strengthen cultural ties between Japan, Australia and New Zealand. A smaller group in Nagoya, this group mainly hosts social events.
4.  CCEA - Cross Cultural Exchange Association (e-mail President Joan Stewart for information: joan@stewartnudo.com).  Half of the membership is Japanese, half are foreigners.  The main language of this group is English and they hold monthly meetings on the first Friday of most months.  Within the group, there are smaller interest groups such as bookclub, discussion group, ikebana, trips etc.
5.  JALT - Japan Association for Language Teaching - professional development and social networking opportunities for English teachers.  There is also a website for the Nagoya group. 
6.  Nagoya Foreign Mothers Group   An essential group to belong to if you plan to give birth in Japan!  This group offers information and social networking for young English-speaking mothers in Nagoya.  Run by a foreign mother, and an English speaking midwife, it has supported new mothers over the years.
7.  AFWJ - Association of Foreign Wives of Japanese, a support group for if you are a foreign woman in a long-term relationship with a Japanese man.  Local events such as ladies nights out and family days, national events such as the annual National Convention, and a good number of special interest e-mail groups.  More than 500 members worldwide.
8.  AMF - Association of Multicultural Families, is mainly made up of Japanese wives of foreign men, but there is no qualification for membership.  Events are held in Japanese.  This group gets involved in issues such as dual nationality for children and fingerprinting.
9.  Nagoya Players    Nagoya's premiere English theatre company have put on comedies, dramas and even a musical. New members are always welcome, whether you want to act, direct, design scenery, sound, lighting, props, costumes, make up  etc..... come and join the fun!
10.  Nagoya Writers   Produces journal of collaborative work, "Nagoya Writes". Next open reading is in March.
11.  Marafiki   The name of the group comes from Swahili and it stands for "friendship and art".  Promoting international friendship and understanding through art is the main purpose of the group.  Marafiki is composed of artists from various countries who have close ties to Japan.
12.  NIPCC - Nagoya International Personal Computer Club - meets at noon on the third Saturday of every month to discuss PCs in English.
13.  Nagoya Macintosh Users Group - a group of individuals living in and around the Nagoya area who are interested in Macintosh computers. Meets once a month on the 3rd Saturday to discuss things happening in and around the world of Apple.
14.  Nagoya International Club    We are building a community in Nagoya dedicated to international communication; where people of different backgrounds can meet and connect at social events hosted by members. Our members are Japanese people interested in international people, and international people interested in Japan. Our events are arranged and hosted by members and as a result, are as varied and interesting as our members themselves are!
15.  Nagoya Life  Nagoya-Life.com aims to be your source for what's happening NOW in and around Nagoya, Japan. We will be providing fresh information about entertainment, events and food & drink specials on a daily basis.  Also hosts www.MixerParty.jp , where you will find information on upcoming and past parties and you will also be able to register online.
16.  Nagoya Friends Club   Find Japanese pen pals and pen pals from around the world.  International Parties in Nagoya!
17.  Nagoya Barbarians Rugby  - Nagoya Barbarians are the only international rugby club in Nagoya, Japan featuring players from Australia, Canada, England, France, Fiji, New Zealand, Fiji, U.S.A and Wales.
18.  Nagoya Luck Luck Club  A gathering of people who love nature and the great outdoors !! Come and join us to meet new people and enjoy nature!
19.  Meet and Greet luncheon  (e-mail Helen Braithwaite: helenagg@yahoo.co.uk) - held on the second Tuesday of every month at Shooters in Fushimi, this is a great place to meet new friends and chat with old friends!
20.  Alliance Francaise Association France-Aichi  - L'Alliance Française Association France Aichi (AFAFA) est née en 1979, avec l'aide de la Société Franco-Japonaise de Nagoya (SFJN) .
21.  Music Together (Children's Music Group) Classes meet once a week for 45 minutes. During the class you and your child will have the opportunity to use your voice, your hands, your body, (and your heart!) as well as sticks, shakers, scarves, and more! Dress comfortably!
22.  Anointed and Brighton Mass Choir   Send e-mail to info@anointed.jp for more information on joining this choir which has branches all over Japan.
23.  Chubu Hiking International Club (CHIC)  - caters for nature enthusiasts and those who wish to make new friends in the Nagoya area. There is no obligation when coming for a hike with CHIC as a visitor and they have hikes suitable for all levels.
24.  Shonai FC (Nagoya Soccer League)  the friendliest and best amateur football team in Nagoya, made up of people from all over the world. 
25.  Social Tennis Club in Toyota    Recommended age group: 18-45, NTRP 2.5-5.0. Welcomes both males and females of different nationalities.
26.  Chayagasaka Cooperative Playgroup  - established in April 1987 with the intention of bringing together families who required an English speaking environment for their children.  English must be one of the main languages used at home.
27.  Nakamura English Playgroup  -  meets Saturdays (excl 3rd Saturday of the month) from 10:00 to noon at the Nakamura Lifelong Learning Center. All foreign & bi-cultural families, returnees, & other parents dedicated to raising their children bilingually are invited to join; 300 Yen per child, the first time is free! To join, please fax 052-412-2514 or email neplaygroup@hotmail.com
28.  Fukiage English Family Group  - fostering bi-lingual & bi-cultural child-raising through socialization & academics with activities such as swimming, skating, & sleepovers. For children of aged 6 to 12 from families which have at least 1 non-Japanese parent, or recent returnees; meets the 2nd & 4th Saturday at Fukiage Sports Center; 500 Yen per month. For more information call Nasci at 090-2944-4954.
29.  Aichi International Association    The AIA was established to promote exchange and internationalization of this region and to promote friendly relations and mutual understanding among people of foreign countries and the citizens of Aichi.  Includes Japanese classes and a volunteer system.
30.  Seto City International Association - includes Japanese classes and a voluntary homestay system
31.  International Ladies Club  - website is only in Japanese, but this group holds regular meetings and is a good way of meeting Japanese people.
32.  Knights Templar   With all the conflict in the world, both political and religious based, the Knights Templar strive to be a becon and force for good. As Knights Templar in Japan, we come from different occupations and races, and we understand that differences in race and religion can be erased by love and understanding, to lead to peace for all of society.
33.  Karate/Fitness Classes    call Pat Taniguchi on 090-1622-4420
34.  Hope International Development Agency     HOPE extends compassion to the neglected poor. In more than 30 years of service to the poor, HOPE has raised 200 million dollars in support of sustainable development projects that have forever changed the lives of more than 13 million people.  HOPE's Japanese office organizes fund-raising events to this end.
35.  Democrats Abroad in Japan Tokai Chapter - Democrats Abroad Japan supports the goals and ideals of the American Democratic Party. We are the official Democratic Party organization for American citizens living in Japan. Contact us for: voter assistance, concerts, film screenings, speaker events, and other politically-focused events and resources connecting Americans who are interested in pragmatic progressive politics.  e-mail for information: tokai-membership@demsjapan.jp
36.  Alcoholics Anonymous (support group in English) - Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.  The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor opposes any causes.
37.  Nagoya International Al-anon Family Group -  Are you troubled by someone's drinking? Al-anon is for you! Al-anon is a 12 step program for family and friends of alcoholics. Meetings every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Please email ellie@mib.org for more information.
38.  Meito Christ International Church   www.meitochurch.com
39.  Mikokoro (Sacred Heart) International Catholic Center Nagoya   www.mikokoro.net
40.  Other church groups, groups and activities around Nagoya can be found on the International Center website bulliten board. 


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  4. Natalia Language School
(Thank you to Erin Sakakibara for this submission)

I recently visited the shop of a friend of mine, Gaby Oi from Mexico.  The shop name is Natalia, in front of Shin-Moriyama Station on the Chuo Line, and it sells accessories (jewelry, handbags, shoes, scarves etc) from Mexico as part of her import business, Mejore.  However, I was also interested to see that attached to the shop is a little language school that teaches English and Spanish.  Now Gaby tells me that they have also started hosting Japanese classes from January.  The classes are on Monday evening from 6pm to 7pm.

Natalia Language School

One minute walk from the JR Chou Line Shinmoriyama
Address: Nagoya, Moriyama-ku, Shinmoricho 14, 1 Floor
Phone Number: 052-795-5922
Website: http://www.mejore.jp/
  
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  5. Pottery Classes in Seto

Hiroshige Kato is a twelfth generation potter in the Akazu area in Seto, whose family made pottery for the shoguns in years gone by.  However, his greatest quality is his dedication to the profession and his wonderful smile.  His lovely style of teaching pottery in English makes one reminisce of Pat Morita in the Karate Kid - wax on, wax off!  He is obviously a master at the wheel (watching him work is like a dream!), but he never condecends to his students.  Learning at this studio is a beautiful and quintessentially Japanese experience.

Icing on the cake is that Kato-Sensei is more than willing if he has the time, to take you on a tour of "his" mountain.  The Seto area is one of only two districts in Japan where the clay is so pure it can be dug straight from the earth and used.  From the earth you can actually see broken pieces of pottery which are left over from the remains of the 400 year old Kato kiln, decorating the ground just beneath the family altar which looks off the mountain right over Nagoya to the twin towers.  You can actually imagine standing there and having a view of the old Nagoya Castle in the days before Nagoya Castle had an elevator!

Pottery classes cost 2500 yen for adults, and 1500 yen for children.  Each piece that you keep will cost you extra, starting from 500 yen per piece.  You choose the glaze and design for your work, and Kato-Sensei will call you in about a month when it is ready.

e-mail Kato Sensei directly for more informaiton at: kasen@ra2.so-net.ne.jp, or call on 090-3554-4462.  There is a website in Japanese.

Editors note:  I am also writing an article about Hiroshige Kato and the Akazu area for the upcoming edition of Avenues.  There are two events coming up in Akazu - the third Saturday and Sunday of April is a display and market of all the local potters, and the second Sunday in May is an open day for all the potters’ studios.  Don't miss this beautiful display of Seto pottery and potter hospitality!

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  6. Hope International Events

HOPE at the Hilton Week: March 4th - 11th

Travel Leisure & Charity Auction
Browse and bid on our collection of travel and leisure items worth of 5 million yen. Products include:
2 Business tickets to San Francisco (courtesy of United Airlines)
2 economy tickets to Guam (courtesy of Northwest Airlines)
Overnight Stays at over 30 Hilton Hotels in Japan & overseas
A CAR (courtesy of Motorworld Corporation), and lots of other great products.

All proceeds go to HOPE for work with the poor. There will be a special gift for those who bid on site at the Hilton. You can also bid on line and keep track of what items are selling for. Bid Early and Bid Often.  There will be special gifts for everyone who bids on the 2nd floor of the Hilton.

Hilton Nagoya 2F:
3/4 - 11: Noon to 6:30pm

Online: www.hope-auction.com
3/4 - 10: 24hr Open &
3/11: until 6pm

Auction closes at 6:30pm on 3/11(Sun).

Charity Cut

Date: March 5th (Mon)
Time: 10am to 6pm
Venue: Hilton Nagoya 2F 
Cost: 1,500yen
For men and women!! Courtesy of some of Nagoya's top hair stylists, you can get your hair cut for only 1,500 yen and help the poor at the same time. Please make a reservation by phone (0561-54-5560) or email (info@hope-international.jp).
 
Dine at the Hilton Nagoya and help the poor

March 4th - 11th
Enjoy a fine meal at The Terrace or The Seasons (2F) all week, and 5% of your bill will be used to eradicate poverty around the globe. 
 
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  7. Music Together
(thank you to Asarel Herr for this submission)

Music Together is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and the adults who take care of them. It pioneered the concept of a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement.

Music Together classes are based on the recognition that all children are musical. All children can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, learn to develop rythm and participate with confidence in the music of our culture, provided that their early environment supports such learning.

Research done out of the University of Toronto by Sandra Trehub shows that the average North American family knows only 3-5 songs to sing to their children. These few songs often include that sturdy classic, "Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall". Even if you could settle a baby to sleep by the time you got to, say, seventeen bottles of beer on the wall, you'd have to wonder if this where the best you could offer the coming generation. There's a timeless quality to singing to a child. That's why my husband and I decided to go to Music Together.

Taking classes with Liz Sato in Music Together is the best thing that could have happened to us. She is very dedicated to the children, fun and energetic you can see she takes pleasure doing this. If you come to Nagoya and take her class, not only does she include you into the class but also helps you adapt into the Nagoya environment. I have seen how welcoming she is to all the newcomers in the area and how she tries to make everyone miss home a little less.

Her classes are phenomenal. They are fun and it's for children all ages, fathers and grandparents are always welcome and this makes a nice environment for families to participate together. Some women go with both children so that siblings can share the music class. Others are pregnant and feel how the baby moves to the music.

I particularly like the singing and playing of rhythm instruments is always done for joy and adventure of it and is not associated IN any way with "performance" or doing it "right". We are making music together - no child (or adult!) is put on the spot to perform in front of others. I guess I would say that the atmosphere is one of celebration rather than performance.

The music making is almost always accompanied by movement- marching, dancing with beautiful scarves, shaking various rhythm instruments, etc. I've learned a lot about how to create such whole-body-music-expression for my child. I want not just his fingers and brain to hear and play music but for it to be part of his core sense of Self. I want him to both feel joy and to know how to express that fully and articulately, thus my delight in gaining tools at Music Together for sharing this with my son at home. The program it's self enhances the child's learning and development skills through the book and CD's.

Classes are both fun for me as an adult, and age appropriate for the toddlers on up in our class.

I like the variety of instruments, etc. that we all (kids and adults) play in each class and I like the variety of colors of things we use. (scarves, music books, etc.) I enjoy the music as well as the variety of rythms.

I also like the other parents in the class and the location with easy parking. There is also a wide variety of classes offered during the mornings and evenings each week.

I highly recommend the Music Together classes which I have been taking with my 14 month old son. I have learned a lot from these classes about how to bring the musical dimensions of the human adventure into his world in a way that is fun for both of us.

http://www.musickids.jp/

Email: Liz@MusicKids.jp
Phone: 052 931 5898

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  8.  Meet & Greet
(thank you to Helen Braithwaite for this submission)

Are you new to town?  Do you want to get out and meet new people?  Or do you just want a nice lunch in a quiet, relaxing atmosphere where you can chat with new friends and old friends?  The Meet & Greet lunch is held on the second Tuesday of the month at Shooters Sports Bar and Grill in Fushimi. 

 Date:  Tuesday, 13th of February
 Time: 11:30am -
 Place: http://www.shooters-nagoya.com/
 Price: 1500 yen for buffet lunch and a drink
 RSVP:  Please RSVP by Saturday the 10th of February 2007.  RSVP to Helen Braithwaite at helenagg@yahoo.co.uk or by phone 090-2186-3717 during office hours.

Shooters has a relaxed atmosphere and is closed during the day except for our event, so we have the run of the place.  This means that it is a VERY easy event for mothers with  babies or small children.  It also means, however, that I must ask for an RSVP so that Shooters can cater for the correct number of people.  Since they are opening the restaurant especially for us, I want to keep these Meet & Greet lunches well attended as they are a valuable resource for newcomers to the area.  Please mark it on your calendar - every month on the second Tuesday, and let me know if you can come.

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  9. Organic Market and Cafe
(Thank you to Marie Langlois for this submission)

I've been going to Poran Cafe in Issha for 4 or 5 years now and it just keeps getting better. Every Friday after my yoga class I look forward to dropping in for a relaxing late lunch and having a selection of delicious healthy food made with care.  I'm always greeted with a smile and given a glass of water or tea, (whichever I prefer) while I wait for my order, which never takes long.  They change the goodies with the seasons so there's always something new to try.  The interior of the restaurant is a light honey-coloured wood with windows on each wall so it's not only a bright, cheery place to sit and eat but also extremely relaxing.  I love it there and look forward to Fridays knowing I can rest in "my sanctuary" and enjoy a great lunch that won't leave me feeling heavy or throw me into a sugar coma after teaching 2 yoga classes in a row.

This is a map to Poran Cafe and the sister organic goods (food, books, clothing, homeware) store, Sonne Garten.  In the same street is a bread shop called Sonne, and in the same chain is a bread shop in Hoshigaoka called Meister Kakinumas Backstube, in between Hoshigaoka Bus terminal and Chikusa Sports Center (click here for a map). 


Hours of Operation for all stores: 10am to 7pm (around 6pm on Sundays and holidays)
On Saturdays only, Poran Cafe is open until 8pm.
All Stores Closed Thursdays

Sonne Garten            Tel/Fax(052)703-4469
Sonne Bread Shop    Tel/Fax(052)703-4467
Poran Cafe                Tel(052)703-4465

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  10. Embracing Imperfection
   Sue Conolly

Deadlines are breathing down my neck.  A weight loss marathon that I undertook for breast cancer is being threatened by my old friend Mister Donuts as he helps me to work my way through the week.  I have sick friends in hospital.  I am missing my children's all important school presentation on Friday to be the president of a Board Meeting for which I have not yet read the agenda.  The house is not too messy, but definitely too messy for visitors.  Too bad that it's my daughter's birthday party tomorrow after school.  I'm not sure how many children she has actually invited.  Perhaps eight.

Still I can see the beauty of my situation.  My husband's not coming home from work until late so an easy dinner and a hot bath are waiting for me and the kids.  The deadlines might be strangling me right now, but give me three days, and the deadlines will have come and gone whether I have met them or not, and I probably will have.  The weekend ahead of the Board Meeting involves a lot of friends, healthy food and an onsen.  Life is still good.

Letting go of perfection is not only essential in my current situation, it's actually a good idea for my own mental health.  I can choose to focus on my short-comings, or I can see that I am doing the very best that I can in a tight situation.  I can beat myself up for missing the kids school presentations, or I can remind myself that I have made several rather breakthrough career choices in order to provide a warm and loving home for my children.  What I am writing for these deadlines - what they may lack in word length they certainly make up for in heart. 

Do you think you need more reasons to let go of your obsession for perfection?  Try these on for size:

*  The less perfect you are, the more comfortable people will be around you.  Perfect people are irritating!
*  More imperfections = more opportunities for growth
*  Passing the perfection gene on to your children is actually a curse - who actually aims to lower a child's self esteem?
*  When you put a lot of thought into something, when you do your best, it doesn't matter if the outcome is less than perfect - you'll get pay-offs in other ways
*  The less perfect you are, the less demanding of perfection you are in other people.  That makes you a whole lot easier to be around!
*  The more perfect you aim to be, the bigger the crash when expectations don't meet reality.

Try sitting down to think in what ways you expect perfection from yourself.  Then, deliberately think of some ways that you can challenge that personal view.  If you are supposed to be the most productive in your office, take a day off work just because you have some holidays accrued.  If your inner demons are telling you that you can't leave the house without make-up, leave the house without make-up anyway.  What could be the worst that could happen?

Embracing imperfection is not the same as slacking off.  You know in your heart of hearts, that just because you haven't reached your weight loss goal it's not in your best personal interests to plough through three buckets of ice-cream.  The difference is that when you embrace imperfection, you are accepting yourself warts and all, as a member of the human race.  And what could be more perfect than that?

http://www.sueconolly.net/

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  That`s it for this edition of the newsletter. We hope you found it informative - please let us know what you would like to see in future editions, and we will attempt to address your issues.

  A disclaimer - While we do try to check submissions when they come to me, we do not take responsibility for the accuracy of any donated information.  Nor do we take responsibility if your experience of places and services you find through this newsletter are not as rewarding as they were for the person who originally sent in the information. Obviously everyone`s experience is different.

  If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, please do so online at http://www.xpat-files.com, where in the future we would like to archive information contained in this newsletter.

  If have some information you feel might be of benefit to the Expat community, please send as much information as you can to info@xpat-files.com.

  The newsletter will be as good as the contributions made to it, so please send in ideas and materials!