BAB October 2010

Being A Broad October 2010 #60

The monthly magazine for international women living in Japan

our cover girl: OAK ASSOCIATES KK’S CHARLOTTE TAKAHASHI

what’s it like to PROMOTE a COUNTRY? the MONTESSORI METHOD

the KYOTO MOUNTAIN MARATHON the season to SUPPORT TELL

visitors coming? the PASSIONATE WHERE TO TAKE THEM MAN in Japan

www.being-a-broad.com

ISSUE 4

Thanks to all who came out to the launch of my Ask Caroline book at the end of September! Dee and Tracey of 37 Frames Photography set up a fabulous photo booth for some hilarious print club-style photos, and many of our community partners joined in the fun, sending the women who came home with fabulous goody bags.

In this issue we have plenty of fun of our own (check out the event listing for Thrill the World Tokyo on page eight!), as well as the inspirational story of HOPE International Development Agency, Japan, which shows how powerful it is when women help women, our own Dee Green running a half marathon that supported charity, and an informative article reminding us that every season is the time to help TELL. Beyond that, there are women who found love, have interesting jobs, run inspiring schools, and lots more!

Enjoy!

Caroline Pover, BAB Founder

being a broad news

BAB news, BAB Career Seminar Series

Charlotte Takahashi of Oak Associates

6 7

8

our cover girl women of the world news from around the globe

things we love the little things we love in Japan

6 our cover girl image: HOPE International Development Agency, Japan

9

learning

women who fight poverty and spread HOPE

• when the ground shakes • two countries; two vastly different experiences

tackling the Kyoto Mountain Marathon

10 real-life story

12 adventure broads 14

the broads (and boys!)

working freelancer Petra A. Laptiste

9 learning image: Romany Arend

Publishers Caroline Pover & Emily Downey Editor & Designer Danielle Tate-Stratton Marketing Consultant Katy Lowen Advertisement Designer Chris May BAB Managers Stephanie Kawai & Dee Green BAB Reps Kelsey Aguirre (Shonan) kelsey@being-a-broad.com Shaney Crawford (Tsukuba) shaney@being-a-broad.com Ali Muskett (Shizuoka) ali@being-a-broad.com Arwen Niles (Chiba) arwen@being-a-broad.com Wendy Gough (Nagoya) wendy@being-a-broad.com Contributors Alena Eckelmann, Tebogo Leepile, Tracey Taylor, Petra A. Laptiste, Romany Arend, Erin Sakakibara, Hideko Takahashi Cover Model Charlotte Takahashi Cover Photographer Kerry Raftis www.keyshots.com Proofreading Renata Valz, Jane Farries Printing Mojo Print Opinions expressed by BAB contributors are not necessarily those of the Publishers.

image: Kerry Raftis/www.keyshots.com

image: David Stetson

IN THIS

message from the founder

15 mothers

Treehouse Montessori School and the Montessori method

16 feature

guests coming to Tokyo? where to go

the time to help TELL

she found love in Japan

a passionate man in Japan

18 19

community

19 she found love i in Japan

Being A Broad magazine, editor@being-a-broad.com www.being-a-broad.com tel. 03-5879-6825, fax: 03-6368-6191 Being A Broad October 2010

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BAB NEWS

From the BAB Message Boards: Member Sanyaslav asks: Hi, everyone, I came to Japan (Tokyo) about a month ago to join my husband who is living here.

Currently we are living in his one-room apartment and are looking for a new place.

We found a really great apartment near Shin-Koiwa station; however the landlord requires a guarantor and is not satisfied with my husband’s father’s income.

My husband said that there are companies that you pay a one-time (and a renewal) fee to act as your guarantor for an apartment.

However, this sent up a red flag for me and the term came to mind is “loan shark.”

My Russian mindset makes me think that companies like this are connected to or run by the mafia.

Has anyone used one of these guarantor services? Is it a legitimate thing to get involved

Subscriptions Being A Broad September 2010 #59

The monthly magazine for international women living in Japan

our cover girl: CWAJ’S NANCY LOUISE NUSSBAUM

what’s it like to be a relocation specialist? getting ready to go BACK TO SCHOOL

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JAPANESE company wives in ENGLAND

climbing FUJI from SEA to SUMMIT the women of JMEC FUJI ROCK for the first time

www.being-a-broad.com

Thanks for picking up this issue of Being A Broad. Like what you see? Then why not subscribe today? For just ¥4,500 you’ll get one year (12 issues) of Being A Broad delivered to your door. Email editor@ being-a-broad.com to subscribe today!

We now have the past several issues of BAB on our website—check them out at www.beinga-broad.com, and let us know what you think!

in? If anyone has any advice or stories to share, please do so.

On a related note, is anyone familiar with the Shin-Koiwa area? We currently live in Shinagawa, which is very quiet and safe. Shin-Koiwa, from what I’ve seen, is very different: louder and rowdier, at least near the station. Does anyone live in that area?

How do you like it?

Sasha Member girlfromipanema replies: I’ve personally used the guarantor service on one of the places I have lived in. I didn’t mind, but I also remember before these services were commonly available. There are apartments now that will let you get away without having a guarantor, but when I was still a student ten years ago, you not only had to have a guarantor, but they would also very easily deny you based on the qualifications of your guarantor. My school ended up being my guarantor (I hear schools will no longer do this), and even then the management company of the apartment complex was about to deny me because they felt the apartment was too expensive for a student.

They only agreed to let me have the place once my father (who lives in the US) paid six months of rent up front. The original guarantor I was about to use was a Taiwanese male living in Kobe (a friend of my aunt), but I was told that he was not a suitable guarantor as he was not Japanese.

I don’t recall how much the guarantor service I used was (this was years ago), but I thought it was less than a month’s rent. I paid through the realtor who took care of the final closing. I didn’t end up renewing the lease, so I don’t know what it would have cost me after. (My place after this was taken care of by my company, and we own our current place.) Either way, if going through the rounds of trying to get a guarantor, it’s pretty convenient to have this service. Otherwise, I can see why it seems coercive.

To read the rest of the discussion or to offer your own suggestions, visit us online at www.being-a-broad. com/index.php/forums.

“My encyclopedia, my translator, my phone book, my best friend!”

—Western woman living in Japan

514–page book including everything you need to make the most out of your life: case studies of Western women working in almost 50 different types of jobs; anecdotes from many of the 200 Western women interviewed; profiles of 23 women’s organisations; and essential Japanese words and phrases. An essential book for any Western woman living in Japan.

Read about: • Coping with culture shock.

• Finding clothes and shoes that fit.

• Avoiding hair disasters.

• Cooking Japanese food.

• Telling a chikan where to go.

• Dating and the singles scene.

• Organising contraception.

• Getting married and divorced.

• Adopting a baby.

• Educating your child.

• Finding a job.

• Teaching gender studies in the Englishlanguage classroom.

• Coping with reverse culture shock when you leave Japan.

Alexandra Press, 2001, ¥3,000 (inc. tax) To order email info@being-a-broad.com

You can pick BAB up here: Shibuya-ku: • British School Tokyo • Boudoir • Sin Den

tional School • Nirvana New York • Beaute Absolue • Wil-

• Nua Japan • Angell Memorial Central Hospital

lowbrook International School • ASIJ ELC • Tokyo Interna-

Minato-ku: • Suji’s • Nakashima Dentist • TELL • Nishi-

tional School • ABC International School • The Montessori

machi International School • Gymboree • Global Kids

School of Tokyo • Isetan International Customer Counter

Academy • Mitsubishi UFJ Azabujuban • Tokyo Surgi-

• Homat Viscount Akasaka

cal and Medical Clinic • National Azabu • Segafredo •

Meguro-ku: Montessori Friends Kichijoji: Shinzen Yoga Koto-ku: Toho Women’s Clinic Bunkyo-ku: Joy to the World International School Suginami-ku: JUN International School

Tokyo American Club • Nissin World Delicatessen • Crown Relocations • Temple University • Hulabootie • Krissman Tennis • PAL International School • ROTI Roppongi • Paddy Foley’s • Asian Tigers • ai Interna-

Chofu-shi: American School in Japan Yokohama: Treehouse Montessori • St. Maur Saitama: Columbia International School Nagoya: St. George Academy • BAB Rep Wendy Tsukuba: Through BAB Rep Shaney Shonan: Through BAB Rep Kelsey Shizuoka: Through BAB Rep Ali Chiba: Through BAB Rep Arwen (To contact your local BAB Rep for a copy, simply send an email. All contact details are on page three.)

BEING A BROAD

CAREER SEMINAR SERIES

by Dee Green

Advice for Renegades, A Tip From Anna: Who’s in Charge Here?

I want you to do a little spying. Just start eavesdropping on your own mind. Susan Hyatt calls this being the scientist of your own life; Martha Beck calls it being “the watcher.” Imagine that you can see all your thinky verbal thoughts running across your brain like the ticker tape at the bottom of a news program. Do you hear calm, considered, optimistic strategy? Probably not. It probably goes more like, “Ack! Crap.

Oh no, oh no….” Many of us find that fear

A selection of images from our May and August CSS events.

Images provided by Dee Green/37frames Photography

B

eing A Broad is committed to supporting the lives of international women in Japan and to providing a forum to connect, share, and get the most out of living here.

For many broads, working is a large part of life in Japan and BAB is delighted to support this through our monthly Career Seminar Series (CSS). BAB started the series last year, and designed it to kick-start, educate, inspire, and make the working lives of women in Japan even more enjoyable and productive.

These seminars are a very casual, informal affair, with each one having a different theme. BAB invites three foreign women working in a similar industry, whom we admire because of the way they have made their career in Japan and whom we think might like to share their inspirational stories, to speak with other foreign women at each event.

After a short break, the BAB CSS was restarted in May of this year at our new venue in Akasaka, generously sponsored by Hays. Following the success of the relaunch we are now moving to a monthly format.

In May, broads had the opportunity to meet four education experts and hear their stories at our Being An Education Broad session. April Sugimoto, deputy head of Kspace International Kindergarten, Shanel Catasti, elementary curriculum coordinator at Yokohama International School, Narelle English, principal, and Shelley Sacks, co-founder and director of Ohana International School, very warmly shared their many experiences. They offered career

advice, support, and tips for women interested in a career change, a career track, and ongoing professional development. Each speaker talked for about ten minutes followed by a very valuable question-and-answer session. It was a great first CSS and BAB sincerely thanks all the speakers and broads in attendance.

In August we explored what it’s like Being A Food Broad, and with bottles of wine and a fabulous group of women, we enjoyed presentations by entrepreneur and owner of The Pink Cow, Traci Consoli, cooking teacher and food guide Petra Laptiste, and food writer, certified wine and sake professional, and bar editor of Bento.com, Melinda Joe. We all left happy and hungry for more.

In September we dished up Being A Coaching Broad with the help of three fantastic life coaches.

This seminar was ideal for women looking for new direction, a life change, some inspiration, or who have a desire to help others.

We are planning to collate all the information from each subsequent BAB CSS to be available for women outside of Tokyo and unable to

attend the event in person. For those women in Tokyo, the events are generally held on the third Friday of the month. Entrance is just ¥2,000 and refreshments are served.

Make sure to check the BAB website, BAB on Facebook, and weekly newsletter for all BAB Career Seminar Series announcements, updates, and speaker profiles. We always welcome suggestions on topics and themes and if any broads are interested in presenting, please do contact Dee any time through dee@being-aBAB broad.com.

Upcoming CSS events: 2010: • October 22 Being A Technology Broad • November 19 Being A Fitness Broad 2011 • January 21 Being A Finance Broad • February 18 Being A Travel Broad We’re so looking forward to seeing you there!

has hijacked all our major media channels and is broadcasting terror all day long. That’s because our minds don’t like change, so when they find a rut that feels safe, they stick to it. The only problem: worry won’t keep you safe. Just anxious.

Your best weapon here is humour. Start asking yourself this simple question: is that even true?

Then, prepare for a benevolent overthrow.

Anna Kunnecke is a life coach living in Tokyo. www.annakunnecke.com

Being A Broad October 2010

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our cover girl

CHARLOTTE TAKAHASHI

of Oak Associates, cover photography by Kerry Raftis, www.keyshots.com

feel a deep satisfaction in being involved in both the Japanese and international intellectual and Isocial communities here...Every day I get to study Image: Kerry Raftis/www.keyshots.com

some piece of Japanese history...

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Full name: Charlotte Aline Kennedy Takahashi Nationality: American Grew up in: Kansas and the Washington DC area Time in Japan: 32 years Japanese level: Medium Works at: Chairman/CEO of Oak Associates K.K. ( Japan) and OakBridge, Inc. (USA), which are sister companies.

Why did you come to Japan?

I came with with my husband, who is a Japanese citizen. However, I always had an interest in Asia and got my MA in Chinese history, so I first worked and lived in Korea and enjoyed it very much. Japan is my second Asian home.

Why do you stay in Japan?

I just recently renewed my marriage vows to my Japanese husband of 33 years, have owned a Japanese company for 30 years (the first foreignowned KK), and have been involved in the evolution of the business since it began.

I feel a deep satisfaction in being involved in both the Japanese and international intellectual and social communities here.

Every day I get to study some piece of Japanese history—either from TV, lectures, through antiques, books, or from my husband, who originally hated history until he met me—yet who now gives me short lectures on his reading on the Meiji period.

I also have a home in the US where I am involved in the life of a college town community (a town that my family helped to establish in the 1880s). As we cannot choose which country we want most to live in, we are trying to live in both for as long as possible.

How do you manage to balance everything in your life?

I plan, prioritise, and focus on my goals for each

day, leaving a portion left over for serendipity. I was a high school and college teacher (in the US, Honduras, and Korea) and in teacher’s training we were required to plan for a day, a month, and a year. My MBA also reinforced the fact that if you record goals on an ongoing basis for what you want to do and then document the results, much more of life is available for enjoying and learning.

You can also easily see your successes and failures and the direction life is going.

What do you do to relax?

I do not like to wait for anything, so I always carry a mystery novel—then I relax while I am waiting. If a longer time is available, I read about the political and social histories of Asia, the US, Europe, and Africa—keeping the brain organised and focused relaxes me as it relieves me from the chaos of everyday business life. If I’m frustrated A Day in the Life: As daylight comes, and while I’m lying in bed, I itemise and remind myself of my goals for the coming day; somehow the night sometimes brings solutions to issues around those goals and I check whether my subconscious has been helping me.

Then I eat a healthy breakfast and walk/ water the garden. I often go to an ACCJ/TAC/ other group meeting for breakfast.

From 9am, I work with and coach as well as learn from my team, meet people, visit client offices, work with my managers on people and business issues, and check on how to improve on how everything is operating.

I leave the office around 6pm, joining my husband for yakitori or other Japanese food or go to an event or party.

I relax at home by reading and/or

and nothing else seems to work—long, long, long walks all over Tokyo.

I also like to meet close friends, to catch up with the stories of their lives since we last met, or travel and see new countries (I have been to 65 countries); seeing how others live is intellectually exciting, socially rewarding, it’s relaxing to get away, and it sometimes reminds me how fortunate I am. I also write whenever a pen comes to hand, and stay out of the kitchen as much as possible—there is nothing that makes me more tense.

Best thing about being a foreign woman in Japan?

Having Japanese taxi drivers tell me their deep dark secrets while I am practicing Japanese. I am amazed at the confessions I am told. Who else do BAB they tell their problems to in life? reviewing work papers, while at the same time trying to keep business out of my evening (unless it is an emergency).

On the weekend, I handle issues related to our US-based family farming business, call family, search for antiques (I specialise in ceramics and have collected over 300 very old pieces from many of the kilns in Japan as well as a few from China), or buy old Japanese watercolours and obi for quilt-making by a friend in the US, and take very long walks.

On those special days that are only mine, I work in the gardens and redesign them to make them more interesting.

I go to sleep around 11pm and write novels in my head as I go to sleep—a chapter a night means that the story can take a month or two to conclude.

WOMEN OF THE WORLD

compiled by Danielle Tate-Stratton

image: Steve Weaver

image: CIMMYT

California State Legislators recently and unanimously passed a new law, Chelsea’s Law, which calls for tougher sentences for those convicted of sexual abuse of a minor.

In Mexico, where abortion is punishable with jail time in half of its 32 states, seven women were recently imprisoned on charges of infanticide, the term locally used for abortion.

However, the women were recently released as they were found to be innocent—all had suffered miscarriages.

image: Leah Lockhart Rogers

By a vote of 246 to 1, the French Senate passed a law banning the wearing of burqas, becoming the first European country to do so. Women caught wearing a niqab or burqa will face a fine of up to €150 or mandatory enrolment in a citizenship course. Those found to be forcing women to wear the garments will be fined up to €15,000 or face up to a year in jail.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has released a report indicating that one third of sex education classes in America fail to cover birth control, with themes of abstinence and STI prevention being more common than learning how to put on a condom correctly or about other forms of birth control.

A study of just over 2,000 people aged 70– 89 showed that the rate of mild cognitive impairment was 1.5 times higher for men as compared to women.

image: Arturo Chigasaki

Although 53 percent of girls recently surveyed in India as part of the I am A Girl 2010 report stated that cities were the best place to find economic opportunity, 69 percent felt that cities were unsecured and unsafe, and 77 percent of women cited so-called Eve-teasing as the biggest challenge they face in cities. Eve-teasing is a euphemism generally used in India and Bangladesh to refer to sexual harassment in the streets.

Michelle Bachelet, who was the first female president of Chile, has been appointed head of the new UN agency for the advancement of women’s rights created by Ban Ki-moon. The new agency unites four previously overlapping committees that dealt with gender equality, and will be known as UN Women.

The WHO recently announced that, despite a reduction in maternal mortality rates of some 34 percent since 1990, the Millennium Development Goal that pledged to lower the death rate of mothers during childbirth by 75 percent before 2015 will not be met. Maternal deaths during childbirth are heavily concentrated in developing areas, with the WHO indicating that 99 percent of the 358,000 such deaths in 2008 occurred in developing nations. Women in these areas are 36 times more likely to die during childbirth than their contemporaries in developed areas. Women from Sub-Saharan Africa are particularly at risk, accounting for 57 percent of such deaths as compared to 5 percent from developed countries since 1990.

A study conducted by Norman Li, a psychologist at the Singapore Management School, has shown that heterosexual women feel inadequate physically in response to other women’s successes as opposed to other women’s looks.

The researchers showed women images of normal weight, normal-looking women, and asked them to read profiles of success, which caused the subjects to express a desire to eat less and become thinner. The same occurred among gay men, but among gay women and straight men, reading the profiles reading the profiles of success did not stimulate this desire.

An analysis of 2009 US Census Data completed recently by the National Women’s Law Center showed that the rate of poverty among women in the US rose to 13.9 percent, the highest percentage in nearly 15 years. For women of colour, the rates were much higher, with African American women facing poverty at a rate of 24.6 percent and Hispanic women at 23.8 percent. In addition, single mothers lived in poverty at a rate of 38.5 percent in 2009. On the other hand, the rate of poverty among elderly women dropped nearly two percent to seventeen percent.

A study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology looked at just under 1,900 women with early-stage breast cancer and found that, overall, just under 300 had their cancer return within seven years, while an additional 290 or so died from their cancer or other causes. After accounting for other factors, the researchers discovered that regular drinkers were 35 percent more likely to have a reoccurrence of their disease and 51 percent more likely to die from their cancer.

In a report entitled Girls in a changing landscape: Urban and digital frontiers, state of the girl child in India 2010, it was reported that girls in Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad received more phone calls and text messages of a harassing nature than their counterparts in major Indian cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai. Up to 75 percent of girls have received such messages, and 40 percent of girls deal with the harassment BAB by ignoring it.

Being A Broad October 2010

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THE LITTLE THINGS

WE LOVE IN JAPAN I love the sound of Thrill the World Tokyo, which is part of a world-wide event to break the record for the largest number of people simultaneously dancing to Michael Jackson’s Thriller.

Thrill the World Tokyo will also act as a fundraiser for two important charities, Living Dreams (http://livingdreams.jp/ news), which enriches the lives of orphans across Japan, and Dancing 4 Kids (http://dancing4kids.ning.com), which promotes intercultural understanding and raises funds for deserving children through dance and arts-related events.

Thrill The World Tokyo will take place on Sunday October 23 at 8pm and simultaneously all over the world. In the meantime, there are rehearsals taking place to help perspective zombies learn all the required moves. For more information, visit www.thrilltheworldtokyo.com, join their facebook group, or follow them on twitter: http://twitter.com/TTWTokyo.—DTS If you want to learn to play the taiko drum, check out master drummer Moko Igarashi’s classes. She is an experienced teacher and has been running her Miyabi Arashi Taiko Group for over ten years.

Igarashi makes sure that everyone gets the most out of their class, encouraging students to learn at their own speed. Moko’s lessons are full of energy and importantly the emphasis is on having fun!

Classes are offered to people of all ages and abilities, and are taught in English. If you are interested in more information, such as rates and class times, please email her at: stormy@w7.dion. ne.jp.—KL

A tip from Sin Den: Looking to reduce frizz?

BRAZILIAN KERATINE STRAIGHTING by Coppola is a revolutionary smoothing system used by over 10,000 salons in the US that infuses Keratin deep into the hair cuticle, reducing up to ninety-five percent of frizz and therefore leaving hair smooth, shiny, and luxurious.

Results typically last three to five months depending on your hair type, so you will enjoy nearly maintenance-free hair.

“Keratin Complex has changed my life! My daily styling takes half the time, and the result are truly amazing!”

—Barbara, Sin Den client.

Price on consultation. With this treatment, receive a ¥3,000 voucher to use with Rika, Sin Den’s Nail Artist. For more information, visit www.sinden.com or tel. 03-3405-4409.

image: Chris Gladis

BAB EVENTS THIS MONTH

22: Being A Technology Broad

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Come along to the latest in our Career Seminar Series, this time to learn all about Being a Technology Broad.

From 7:30–9:30pm, ¥2,000, at Hays Japan in Akasaka. Please let Dee (dee@being-abroad.com) know if you’re coming so we can keep track of numbers, give you a map, and answer any questions you might have.

28: girls’ night out at 57 Come along to our October Girls’ Night Out—a great way to meet new people, catch up with old friends, reunite with those who have been away, or get together with people before the fall truly sets in!

From 7pm at 57 in Roppongi. No cover, and your first drink is discounted! Let Katy know at katy@being-a-broad.com if you’ll be coming.

for more information: To learn more about these events find us on Facebook: (www.facebook.com/ being.a.broad) or Twitter: (http://twitter. com/BABBeingABroad).

The American Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center will be hosting an information session open to the public on November 6 from 9am to noon at ASIJ’s Early Learning Center near Roppongi Hills. The session aims to present the services the organisation has available to Americans experiencing domestic violence overseas, and an American Embassy representative will discuss what they can do to assist victims in their region. An optional volunteer training session will occur from 1:15–3pm and cover how to raise awareness about available services. Those who attend the volunteer training must also attend the information session.

To register for the information session, apply to become a Volunteer Ambassador, or if you have questions or comments, please contact globalcampaign@866uswomen.org.

Do you have a little thing you love in Japan?

If you know of a product, place, restaurant, event, or service that our readers would love, please let us know! Send an email with 50–150 words describing your item and a photo, if possible, to editor@being-a-broad.com and we’ll use your suggestions in a future issue of the magazine.

What’s not to love about Roller Skating? And for those broads like me with a certain ‘80s vibe, you can do it in Tokyo and other locations throughout Japan at Round 1. These are multi-level amusement centres with everything from disco and midnight bowling to all kinds of sports, karaoke, and if you are lucky a roller skating rink. Find a centre with SPOTCHA and you can skate away the years, and for a minimum of two hours use all the SPOTCHA facilities from bull-riding to video games, auto tennis, fishing, and the relaxation lounge. Weekends can be busy, but weeknights and late, late nights are best.

Nothing like a midnight skate on Saturday night with your best girlfriends. Limited English information available: www.round1.co.jp/service/spo-cha/ spo-cha.html.—DG

OF FIGHTING POVERTY

by Erin Sakakibara

W

hat is it about us gals? We are smart, caring, industrious, and intuitive. We can definitely go the extra mile and then some. Nowhere is this demonstrated more than in the developing world where, it is safe to say, women are hauling their share of the workload and more. As a result of endemic poverty and the out-migration of men, it is the women and girls who often carry the brunt of the household chores, such as fetching vital water, looking after the animals and crops, and providing food and care to the family.

A number of studies over the years have revealed that when women are in charge of household finances, more resources are spent on the family’s well-being. This is especially true in developing nations, where the more a woman earns and controls, the more likely the family is to be better nourished and the children to attend school. It is therefore considered good policy to focus on development projects for women, bringing them resources to better their lives and those of their families.

While HOPE International Development Agency doesn’t exclusively work to better women’s lives, they happen to be the majority of recipients of HOPE’s sustainable livelihood development programs. Mrs. Toek Oeun is the perfect example of how HOPE helps women to fight poverty in their own backyard. I’m sure many of you are familiar with Mrs. Ouen through the pages of BAB magazine. She is the “happy” woman depicted in many of the ads that have run this year and if you haven’t had a chance to read Mrs. Ouen’s story, let me introduce her.

In 1994, Mrs. Ouen was landless, penniless, and hopeless. She had very little means to provide for her ailing husband and two children and, because of her situation, the kids could not attend school. They were required to work with Mrs. Ouen as hired help, often earning less than $0.50 a day. Mrs. Ouen attempted to scratch out a bit of self-sustainment from the small plot of ground surrounding her house, but couldn’t devote the time to agriculture that she needed and didn’t have the water resources to be productive. At that time she could only grow enough vegetables to fill about five baskets per month, far fewer than her family needed to survive.

Fast forward five years and the picture is completely different. With the help of HOPE International Development Agency, Mrs. Ouen received a well, which has provided clean and healthy water for her family and the ability to grow more food than ever before. The well was just the stepping stone that she needed to prove her resourcefulness and start the climb out of poverty. She now grows over 40 baskets of a wide variety of produce and has surplus to sell for extra

income. In addition, she has taken part in other integrated HOPE programs and has received a cow to help in her composting and workload, ever increasing both her productivity and assets. She has started her own charcoal-making business and has purchased more land for the production of her various goods. She is a true entrepreneur in every sense and because of that her family has benefited.

Both kids are in school and the hope for the end of the poverty cycle for the Ouen family is great.

Mrs. Ouen’s story is inspiring, but it doesn’t stop there. HOPE is working to not only help women in the developing world but to connect compassionate women here with those overseas to see even more stories like Mrs. Ouen’s. Enter Anna. Here is her story: Anna is also a hard-working mom, and has been living and working in Tokyo for the past ten years. Originally from Russia, Anna has always had a desire to help make a difference in the lives of others. She and her husband had been active in sponsoring a child in Africa, which left her curious to know more about overseas development.

Even so, she couldn’t picture herself actually going to a developing country and working and living with the poor. That all changed one day when she picked up a copy of BAB [March, 2010] and read the story of Lisa Bachman and Claudia Werlin and their adventure to Cambodia to see the water projects supported by HOPE Japan.

Inspired, Anna thought that this might be her chance to connect firsthand with people in the developing world and make a difference. As a result, she reached out to HOPE and joined the 2010 UNION trip (an acronym that stands for Understanding Needs In Other Nations) to Davao on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines.

This year’s team worked with a group of special students at Pamulaan University, who are members of various tribes of indigenous peoples (IPs) and who, due to their families’ daunting poverty, would have no other opportunity to obtain a college education if it weren’t for the support of HOPE and its many generous friends.

Anna was touched by the vision and enthusiasm of the students, especially after having the opportunity to visit the home village of a few of them. There she learned of their true struggle with poverty, a life of getting by day to day, of no electricity, no water, no comforts of what she takes for granted as a working mom in Tokyo. In fact, even the road to the village put a new spin on “transportation headaches” for this Tokyoite.

The team was initially put off by the prospect of having to ride “triple” on the back of a motorbike for nearly two hours just to get there, but Anna later admitted it was one of most memorable adventures of the trip. That and being inundated

by the warm welcome of the entirety of the village children upon their arrival! Getting to understand the real issues faced by these students has inspired Anna to spread the word back in Tokyo. As she puts it, even though people from Japan can visit the Philippines, unless you get out of your hotel and out of Manila, you’ll never see the needs that exists.

Those needs do exist, but HOPE is working to meet them. Through scholarships, not only do these students have the opportunity to better their own lives but the program also includes a grant that enables these students to devote two years post-graduation back to their home village, using their education to promote sustainable development projects that improve the lives of their relatives, neighbours, and broader community.

Your story: you can also be a woman of change and make a difference to help end poverty.

One of the ways that you can help right now is to become a member of HOPE International Development Agency, Japan. It only takes a small monthly amount (¥1,000 for individuals and ¥1,500 for a family membership) to make a difference in the lives of women like Mrs. Ouen or the students of Pamulaan University. Another way is to join any number of HOPE events that are being planned in various areas of Japan (see below). HOPE International Development Agency, Japan relies almost wholly on volunteers and is always looking for eager and energetic people help organise and promote events.

You may also have a great idea for an event that you could help organise and HOPE is always interested in speaking with people who are willing to host their own events to raise money for HOPE projects abroad. According to Lowell Sheppard, director of HOPE International Development Agency in Japan, HOPE wants to “give hope away. HOPE is a community of people who have learned the joy of giving and making a difference.”

Are you inspired to help? If so, please contact the office at info@hope.or.jp or tel.

BAB 052-204-0530.

Upcoming events: • Golf tournaments: Kansai (November 27), Chubu (December 4) • Galas: Nagoya (March 4 at the Hilton), Kansai (April 2 at the Ritz Carlton) • Tokyo Celebrity Charity Cocktail Party: May 2011 (TBD) • Eighth Annual Fuji Climb: July 2011 • Coast to Coast Bicycle Challenge: Sept 2011 • 2011 UNION Trips will include Cambodia, Ethiopia, and the Philippines.

Being A Broad October 2010

learning

WOMEN AT THE FOREFRONT

9

real-life story

Image provided by Tebogo Leepile.

10

WHEN THE

Far from Botswana, Tebogo embraces life in Japan.

EARTH SHAKES

by Tebogo Leepile

“

Which would you rather have, a bursting planet or an earthquake here and there?”—John Joseph Lynch I had been jetlagged for more than three months, the night was silent, and outside Tokyo was still beaming her bright lights, a city that never sleeps.

It started as a slight shake; I was filled with excitement and consolled myself that I was not the only one who was struggling to find my sleep.

Is my neighbour moving her bed, or maybe she is cleaning? I wondered. During some nights when I could not sleep, I would use the energy to clean my room, so it was no surprise that she could be doing the same. If I was back home, maybe I would pound some sorghum grains.

The television was on; I was using it to improve my Japanese. Sometimes I would get lost in translation; then I would just look at the pictures and make my own story from them. A food program was on and the panel of mainly males was tasting some roast beef and shouting “oishii” (delicious) as they took their second bites. Then the TV set moved a bit and I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. The window pane started to rattle, the sound getting louder and louder, I jumped off my bed; everything in the room was shaking, including me. The room was filled with movement! I found my way to the door, as swiftly as I could, then I ran down to the lobby. I expected to find everyone there.

The lobby was empty, the night was asleep.

Then a piercing sound of a stray cat, and the doors shook fiercely, sending a chill down my spine. That was enough, I ran as fast as my long legs could carry me upstairs, back to my room.

“We had an earthquake last night,” Norma said.

“I felt it in my sleep.”

Relieved that she was confirming my doubts, I replied, “I came down here and there was no one in the lobby.” She smiled slightly and said insightfully “Well that is normal; you don’t necessarily need to come down unless it’s a serious one.”

Normal, she said? Normal? I had never ever felt an earthquake before; I had never imagined how it is to have the earth move under your feet. Those were just stories that I heard on the news or read about. I remembered reading somewhere that Japan was an earthquake prone country and that I had not understand what it meant.

“Tebby, those are some nice moves, why don’t you come to dance with us in Roppongi?” suggested Laura, a Colombian friend, slender, model-sized, tall with big kind eyes and the patience of a saint. I have never seen her angry. I had come to her room to ask for assistance with applying for a part-time job, as I had to fill the form in Japanese.

I acted like I did not hear and continued swaying my waist, clapping my hands, trying to move along with the rhythm of the song.

“Tebby, did you hear me?” She asked again, eager to get my attention. “Laura, do you know that you will never ever be able to convince me to go to a club?” I said with a serious face. “As long as I live in Tokyo, you will never succeed in getting me to go to Roppongi.” We stared at each other then burst out laughing.

“The same way that you will never be able to convince me about the earthquakes,” she said.

We laughed again; I slapped her on her back.

This is one of the many conversations that we have had about the earthquakes.

“You know, I wonder why on earth the earth has to move?” I asked, deliberately playing with words.

“Do you know about the big Tokyo earthquake that people have been saying is coming for years now?”

Laura asked.

“I really want to finish school fast and go home now, you know? I read about it, are you not scared?”

I asked with a shiver.

“The thing is, Tebby, death is death, whether it’s due to an earthquake or something else, I mean you can’t lose opportunities just because you are scared of death—it’s not easy to predict earthquakes,” she tried to calm me down. When I looked at her I felt peace and a temptation to surrender.

“I am going to get myself a torch,” I said calmly.

“That’s a good idea, but imagine you are in a subway train, what will you use the torch for?” She asked, looking down.

“As soon as everything stops, I will find my way out using the light,” I said between chuckles, knowing pretty well that the chances of survival would be slim.

“You might as well get a whistle,” she advised jokingly with a laugh.

“I have read somewhere that they predict Tokyo’s next big earthquake is overdue, they say this is a city on the edge,” I replied in a sad voice. My mind formed images of how it would be. I shudder to think.

We both relapsed in a great deep silence, absorbing all that we had just discussed. In that sheer quietness we connected. We are both foreign women chasing our dreams in a foreign country and we have to embrace all that Japan is. Still, in fear I get encouraged by her optimism, that courage, hope and faith; we both agree that we love this place.

Then I remembered a different conversation that I had earlier on with Norma, another Colombian friend. After a long discussion, she chipped in, obviously offering another way of looking at it. No matter how desolate the situation is, she has a way of extracting something positive from the mess.

“Come on guys, is it really bad to have an earthquake? I mean it’s magical, an amazing experience, it shows that the earth is still alive and you are a part of that moment.” Norma said with a broad bold smile.

I forcefully try to think good things; I search for

the magic in that, the pleasure, and the excitement.

I try to think positively, I mean I try really hard. Yet far away in Haiti, I can almost hear the jarring cry of a woman under the rubble, half of her body caught under a collapsed hut. An old man running around like a mad cow, the children he left inside the house are nowhere, the house has been completely flattened. I try to search again, carefully this time, with eyes wide open, for the magic therein, yet I find none, nothing at all, just despair and pain! I once saw pictures of Kobe lying in ruins in 1995, and ones of Tokyo devastated in 1923. People running in confusion and panic. Unfortunately I can’t find any pleasure; it’s frightening, it’s scary, and it’s threatening. It’s just a matter of life and death.

Then I missed my country in an instant. Resting right in the heart of Southern Africa, the only natural disasters I remember in Botswana have been droughts and floods in some parts of the country. The other year, a rare heat wave called El Nino. But nothing like a shaking planet! The big elephants splashing their backs with their long trunks in the Chobe River, the monkeys jumping from one tree to another, the giraffes proudly stretching and exhibiting those long necks, the zebras shining beautifully, panting as they take a brief rest from being chased by the predator, a roaring hungry lion! The beauty of the sunset by the Okavango delta, that relaxing breeze accompanied by the melody of birds. The sky is getting darker; is it clouds? No, it’s a wake of vultures; there must be a carcass nearby. Botswana is an image of paradise! I get terribly homesick! Yet here in Japan I have found magic too. For me it is in the shinkansen; every time I feel homesick I have to go to and see it. It is the one of those things that I will miss when I leave Japan, as well as the people, their kindness, and generosity. I remain grateful always that I have been able to embrace and BAB explore a new culture.

Exerpted from her first book Higashi Deguchi— the East Exit; when Botswana Meets Japan. Tebby is a student in Ochanomizu University studying nutrition at the postgraduate level. A native of Botswana, she is also a part-time English teacher, part-time model, and a part-time writer. You can visit her blog at: http://tumileps.blog.com.

TRANSLATION

by Hideko Takahashi

E

ach country has its own customs. Even knowing this, keeping a balance in each culture seems like quite a task. We need a lot of such balance in order to live smoothly.

A few months after I returned to Japan from France, I was asked to work as an interpreter for a political party by a gentleman who was a politician in the House of Representatives. I knew this person as I had worked for him at a conference in Paris.

One week later, in the entrance hall to the meeting, I was introduced to the Turkish ambassador. He was a nice gentleman. He said he had stayed in Paris for a few years because he was an ambassador to UNESCO. I had lived in the 7eme arrondissement (7th ward) which is well known as an international area in Paris.

In the big hall, there were more than 400 members of the party. The ambassador and I were seated in the middle of the gallery reserved for honoured guests, which included several former prime ministers.

The ambassador’s speech was five to six minutes long. He emphasised cooperation of both countries, economic aid, and so on. It was a usual speech from that sort of country longing for a better situation.

I was free to go after that. I quickly went out of the hotel and then a big black car stopped beside me. Someone opened the door of the car and called me in. I saw the ambassador on the back seat. He said he would take me to the station. We had a nice conversation about restaurants, museums, theatres, and other wonderful places and events in Paris.

Three hours later I was in my apartment enjoying a cup of coffee when suddenly my phone rang.

Somebody was shouting: “What did you do with the ambassador? Many people saw you get into the car with the ambassador from the hotel. Did you go to the restaurant or somewhere?” He asked angrily. “I didn’t go anywhere. He was nice and kind to take me to the station.” I replied. Then he added: “You should know he is a national guest. Even if he asked you to get in the car, You must not get in!” He hung up.

I made a sigh. Did I do anything wrong? No. People were irritated and infuriated because I got into the ambassador’s car. They didn’t mention the quality of my work, but the fact that I was given a lift

I was sitting at my table one early evening. The sun had already set behind the trees into the ocean and I was missing my work in Europe, where I feel like I was treated better as a person. I looked at the cup of coffee on the table. The fine porcelain bordered with purple and pink and gray flowers.

The one I bought in Monaco.

I slowly recalled my work in Monaco. It was really an unforgettable event in Europe and so different to my experience in Japan. One morning, in Paris, the phone rang sharply in my apartment. It was a woman working for the Paris branch of an American company. She said that the company, which is the biggest in its field, would be holding a one-week festival in Monaco and that they would need a translator to work for them.

I had never been to Monaco. By then, I had flown to England, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, and sometimes to the USA as an interpreter. I accepted her offer and she told me that I could work as well as enjoy every moment there.

As soon as I arrived, I was told to attend a meeting. There, we were startled by the fact that I was the only Japanese-to-English interpreter there.

How could I manage the work by myself in the booth as a simultaneous interpreter?

They said that they would immediately start to look for other interpreters. A few days later, I was told that despite of their efforts, they could not find one, even in New York and Chicago.

For the following week, they treated me very well. Maybe they were afraid that I, the only translator of English to Japanese, would run away. Or that I would become too tired to continue the work.

Anyway, they told me that I should enjoy this festival and that I would be paid as much as I requested.

Every morning, there was a lecture from 10am to 12:30pm and after that we had a great time cruising to Cannes, shopping in the city, etc. During the lectures, I was alone in the booth, though there were two Spanish-speaking interpreters near me.

On the first day, I was terrified to sit in the booth alone. However, I began to relax and enjoy the work. I’m not a negative type of person. Moreover, everyone around me encouraged me so much.

At night, the company president took the guests and me to the casino. The chairman of the board always smiled at me and stopped to say hello whenever he saw me.

One day I noticed there were even more policemen on the streets in the city and around the hotels. This was because of the arrival of many VIPs, including the former prime minister in England and a NATO general. At dinner that night I was seated

“I slowly recalled my work in Monaco...”

Image: Salvatore.Freni

In the same way that many of us experience differences between our home culture and Japan, Japanese women who go abroad naturally notice differences as well. Sometimes this new culture highlights aspects of our own that we had never noticed before. This is something that Hideko Takahashi experienced as she worked as a translator both at home and abroad. Here she recalls two similar experiences with very different outcomes based on where they occured.

by the ambassador. I found them rather childish and silly. I learned something from this about how things are expected to occur in Japan.

real-life story

A LIFE OF

next to a nice gentleman from Scotland Yard who was an escort for the former British prime minister, who was sitting at the table next to us. It was delightful to talk about many things. He seemed to be interested in my impression of England. I wanted to ask one thing of the policeman: “Are you good at martial arts?” He smiled and whispered, “I’m not.

But I try to look strong.” I laughed a lot.

On the last day, there were lectures by the prime minister and the NATO general in the morning.

They were excellent speakers. The general spoke in a low, firm voice about the military and communism.

The former prime minister talked about general views of the world economy and politics.

After that, we were invited to the prime minister’s official residence in Monaco. Enjoying the beautiful ocean view below us, we were excited by the appearance of the Royal Prince of Monaco.

(Now His Majesty). One American, who was in charge of the conference, pushed me on the shoulder and whispered, “Go and shake hands with him.” I stepped forward to him and after shaking hands, looked around. Amazingly, when I turned around, the company president, NATO general, prime minister of England, and the Royal Prince of Monaco stopped their conversation and paused for me to take a photo. It was really unbelievable. I thanked them and soon I noticed the Scotland Yard policeman nearby.

We greeted each other and had a chat for a while. He said. “Would you like me to take a photograph of you with our former prime minister?”

I was overjoyed. He came out of the reception room, looked at me, and smiled. As soon as the former prime minister heard his escort speak, he nodded and held my waist, smiling to the camera. After taking the photographs, we conversed a bit and I was offered a chance to board the same private airplane back to London, on my way to Paris.

Back in my apartment in Kanagawa, I paused to remember that trip and reflected that now I seem to live in such a different world. One where I have to compromise a lot in order to balance my pride and my job in Japan so that I may fit in with the rules set out by my culture. Rules I notice more now that I have BAB returned home once again.

Being A Broad October 2010

11

adventure broads Images: Tracey Tayler/37Frames.

12

MOUNTAIN MADNESS

AND MILESTONES

by Dee Green, photos by Tracey Taylor

Scenes from the opening of the marathon—full of hope and enthusiasm.

“

If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.”—Albert Einstein Travelling in Japan is a heady mix of welltrodden paths, mind-boggling crowds, luscious characters, delightful secrets, and instant surprises.

Kyoto is a destination that always fulfills this brief.

Even after more than ten visits in as many years, in every season, it remains an all-time favourite destination. Our most recent girlie getaway took us beyond the iconic, glittery temples, past the tourist track, and on another loved, naturally misguided adventure. This time it was for the Kyoto Mountain Marathon. So, thoroughly channelling our inner Einstein, it was to be a long haul of madness and firsts for the five broads involved.

Our shinkansen swiftly whisked us southbound, as a weekend trip for a cause and a challenge waited. Any excuse to explore beautiful, dreamy Kyoto will do. Combining travel with participating in local events, experiencing the daily life and colours of Kansai, just sweetens the deal. In this case it was for the 24th Kyoto Charity Run. Following a hilarious, ill-fated attempt at the Tokyo marathon earlier this year (see the April 2010 BAB for all the toileting hiccups and full meltdown), it was time to get back in the saddle.

Considerable thought went into planning our anticipated comeback, particularly after reflecting on the hoopla that we generate when faced with any undertaking. We are aware that things don’t usually go according to plan where we are concerned. So in a pre-emptive strike Trace and I were going for half the drama and signed up for our very first half marathon—just over 21 kilometres. Still a very big deal for us. We were as ready as we would ever be.

And this time we were taking three female friends for the ride, also for their own set of firsts. Erin, a virgin ten kilometre runner, Emma, a first-time five kilometre runner, and Marnie with her inaugural five kilometre walk in Japan.

We arrived in Kyoto separately on a Saturday, but all converged for sunset at Kiyomizu-dera as the city’s night lights winked on below. This was just after I had been randomly complimented in

the most arbitrary manner ever, by a middle-aged tourist, who was with his wife when he just had to let me know that I had, wait for it, “beautiful lips.” I failed miserably to respond, an innate decision not to encourage any further analysis of my alluring chops. Just a little reverse psychology lip service, I guess.

There were plenty of giggles and lots of powerpouting as the sun went down. Five friends wandered down quaint tea-pot lane, now deserted for the day save for the golden sunbeams that played on our path.

Not for the first time, we wondered if it wouldn’t be more productive to go back there tomorrow and poke around the backstreets when the charming, tiny boutiques were open. Perhaps there was a high tea somewhere nearby? We could certainly handle a shopping and sweets-inspired marathon.

The thought was appealing, but so was the finish line of a real race. At the heart of it we were all committed to at least attempting the charity run/ walk. Each of us was dedicated to the challenge for our own individual reasons. Whether to fulfill the next big step on a life journey now devoted to wellness, to break through the pain barrier, to increase fitness, to go from walking to running, or to be anything other than sedentary. To do something seemingly impossible and put yourself out there.

And to support each other no matter what.

This journey was never really about the destination, but all about the experience (although we did all secretly hope we’d make it to a real finish line with a real sign). That would be good. And if there were any geocaches or cake shops along the way that would be doubly fabulous.

A spectacularly cheap pasta meal on the Hachijo side of Kyoto Station sated our carb-loading desires, where remarkably you could get an M size, L size, or LL size dish all for the same price. Thank goodness we were so full by the time we rolled out that we couldn’t manage even one ¥1,600 slice of the most amazing pies—that broads would love—at the Berry Café next door. We promised ourselves a victory slice if we all made it. So it was off to digest, find our business hotel, and envy Marnie as her room

package included a free-welcoming beer. Ii na.

The location for Sunday’s 24th Kyoto Charity Fun Run was nestled in the foothills and surrounding beauty of the Kyoto Mountains, not too far from Kyoto University. Trace and I headed out there early to get ready for our 21km debut, while the other girls slept in as their races were later in the day. After several wrong turns our very friendly but superbly stressed cabbie finally left us to our own navigational devices and we used our legs to find Takaragaike Park.

The fun run course ebbs and flows around the Takaragaike pond, which is at the centre of this pretty park. We had no idea what to expect, and were only somewhat daunted by the Mountain Marathon sign welcoming us. We thought this was just a fun run and now mountains were involved.

But thankfully the course was a 3.01 kilometre loop over hills and dales, around the pond, on asphalt and mountain paths. Takaragaike is actually an artificial half-star-shaped pond, which was created as a reservoir for agriculture in the Edo period. Then it was remodelled as a recreation park for citizens.

The main area is the promenade and the pond, where boating can be enjoyed with a view to scenic Mt. Hiei-zan. We were relieved to learn that it was a loop course (we would have known this earlier if we had consulted the map and could read Japanese).

We arrived just as the full-marathoners started.

And they were fast. We were left in their dust as we had to use the same path to get to the marshalling area. We checked in, which was a comedy, but the lovely staff finally figured out who we were. Soon we were ready to stretch and limber and face what was to come. We had been blissfully ignorant up to this point, basking in our own self-important glow.

It had been nice telling people we were doing a half marathon—now we would actually have to do it.

We picked up our goods, because entering these events is nothing if not all about the goody bags. We got plastic bags for our belongings, which I promptly decorated, and we could select the bandana of our choice. Had to be pink. Then it was on to the highly technical explanation of the race rules, timing, and lap counts. In lieu of computers or timing chips, oldschool was flavour of the day. We were proudly given rubber bands. Since we were doing the half marathon that required seven laps of the course, so we received, yes, seven rubber bands. At the end of each loop, one was to be deposited in a cardboard box next to a chair at the turning point. This was all pantomimed. It took us a while to catch on but then with oohs and ahhs the rubber bands were finally wrist-bound and all kinds of scenarios were discussed. Could we ditch all seven on the first lap and this thing be over in fifteen minutes? Would anyone check? Did we really have to be our own moral compasses? Talk about a test. We thought

all we had to do was keep running. This was multitasking, movement with a conscience.

So back to limbering up and before too long it was time for our 10:30am start. Runners of all ages converged at the line, many women and several visually impaired runners. Families were starting to turn out, it was a beautiful day, and those full-marathoners were still going full speed, lapping, lapping away. Thankfully Trace had abducted my iPod and made me a female-inspired run list, with music paced for a half marathon.

Ready, set, start and we were off.

The Kyoto fun run is primarily a run for health with over 1,600 participants last year. All money collected supports three vital charities working in developing countries. Several are specifically targeted to enhance the lives of women. KIDS— supporting Thai women and children, Reborn Kyoto, which raises funds to teach sewing skills to help women become self-reliant in developing countries, and NICCO, which began in Kyoto 30 years ago and now provides assistance worldwide. At the time of the run, NICCO was assisting earthquake victims in Haiti. So with this in mind we set off, aware that others have much larger problems and daily concerns than our subsequent aches and pains.

The mountain path made dusty work of the first loop. There was a little hill at the beginning, and then it was pretty flat after that, but the uneven ground took time to get used to. All runners were in good spirits, encouraging each other every time we passed. Trace was ahead and I was just shuffling along. She high-fived me every time we passed, but got carried away about lap two and almost slapped me into the pond. The rubber band removal was kind of a game for the first few laps and then the rhythm set in. Inertia kept us moving, mind-numbing blockies, just keep twirling around the pleasant pond. The boats looked like a more enjoyable option by lap three. Then the pain set in. About lap four we had our own personal cheer squad as the girls had rocked up. I jumped and got a bit too excited when I saw them, and as such expelled whatever energy supply I had in reserve. It was at this point I was sure I could finish, no doubt, despite my discomfort. It was hot, there was chafing, I drank tea instead of water…I knew Trace would do it, she looked so strong. By lap five Erin had joined us with the ten kilometre race underway. She would do it. She looked so in the zone. Then during lap six, extreme pain in my ITB became unbearable, but for the first time ever I actually made myself work through it and keep going. There could have been tears but I’d blocked it out, much like the hurt. It’s just pain, after all.

When there’s nothing to think about but pain it takes on a new colour, and you approach it from a difference perspective. Just keep on pushing.

With one little rubber band left I started lap seven, then behind me I heard a terrific stampede.

I had almost made it to the pond for the final time when the five kilometre runners and walkers overtook me. And at the head of the bunch were a gaggle of kindy-aged kids. It was a truly humbling moment as I ate the dust of three year olds. They tore past me, their worried parents flailing behind calling: “Matte, matte!” Several crashes and tumbles later, with little legs giving way on the rocky path, there were certainly tears, but mums and dads suggested “Ganbatte” and we all did. The three year olds and me. I kept shuffling along. Em passed me on her first of two laps. I have no idea why she’s never run before, as she looked like a gazelle. At the point of no more I found myself almost finished. I threw that last gomu-band in the now-overflowing box.

Overwhelmed that aspect was done. My body felt so light without all those bands weighing me down.

There were not many runners still behind me but I didn’t care. Trace was already done and cheered my exhausted, red face over the line for the best hug ever. I actually made it to end. We finished out first half-marathon.

And there was a sign, a big one. With legs of jelly we waited first for Erin, then Emma to finish. Soon Marnie came around the last bend and we all walked with her to the line. Volunteers cheered and clapped and we got our certificates. It was clearly emotional and there were jumps for joy, jumps for relief, and jumps for the pie that we now had an excuse to buy.

We could certainly get some celebratory mileage out of this achievement for quite some time.

And we started just that evening, dining on a delicious feast of Kyoto tofu delights. The next day was spent hobbling around Kyoto taking in great sights, featuring hidden backstreets, surprise maiko encounters, elegant shrines, fabulous photo shoots, mountains of torii, secret blooming iris gardens, and dealing with lost and found cameras.

Fun running for charity in Japan—well actually anywhere—was something I never, ever thought I would do. So out of my comfort zone. But it proves that it’s never too late to try something new. That five women in their thirties, who’ve never really been inclined to run or walk,

adventure broads

The sweet feeling of success!

can. This was a great way of doing something good for ourselves, while also being able to do something for others. And doing what you never thought you could, whether it’s five kilometres or twenty one. There is a feel-good element combined with a unique local experience that just enhances the overall appeal of travel. And there’s a little sense of lunacy and improbability and adventure. All of which you may appreciate BAB more after you can walk again.

Resources and events to check-out: • Kyoto Charity Fun Run: www.kyotonicco.org/funrun.htm • Berry Café: www.cafe-commeca.co.jp/ index.html With the weather cooling down, why not set some personal fitness goals and work towards achieving your own first marathon, half-marathon, 10km, 5km run or walk at one of the many upcoming running/walking events in Japan? There are also some womenonly races to join. Grab some girlfriends, join a running group, or connect with broads online and meet at the start line.

• November 3: Nishinomiya International Half Marathon 2010 UNICEF Cup • November 27: Run for the Cure • November 27: Tsukuba Marathon • November 28: Kawaguchi Marathon • December 5: The 30th Yokohama Marathon. Distances are half and 10K. www.yokohamamarathon.jp • December 5: Run for Hope • December 5: Odaiba Seaside Marathon 12th 2010: 8km, 4km, 2km www.kissport.or.jp • January 23: Shonan International Marathon 5th www.shonan-kokusai.jp • February 20: second edition of the Yokohama Women’s Marathon • February 28: Tokyo Marathon 2010 www. tokyo42195.org/2010/index_en.html • Japan Running News: http:// japanrunningnews.blogspot.com • Runnet: http://runnet.jp

Being A Broad October 2010

13

working

PETRA A.

LAPTISTE

freelance corporate trainer, cultural promoter, and African apparel importer Image: Carlo Nicora

Image provided by Petra Lapiste.

Petra teaches Trinidadian cooking and in 2011 will be leading a tour to enjoy the colourful sights and excitement of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.

Name: Petra A. Laptiste Nationality: Canadian and Trinidadian Qualifications: BSc. Cell and Molecular Biology, CELTA Diploma Job title: corporate trainer, unofficial Trinidad & Tobago cultural promoter, and Caribbean and African apparel importer Employer: freelancer Salary: Wage depends on particular contract.

Time in this job: Seven years in corporate training and one and a half years in promotion and import.

Job description: I work on a part-time basis for a corporate training firm and I also have my own corporate clients, whom I deal with directly. While working as a corporate trainer at prestigious firms in and around Tokyo, I often come across blank stares whenever I mention my other citizenship—Trinidad and Tobago, so I decided it was time to start a blog to inform and entertain Japanese people (and everyone else) about the beautiful twin-island nation in the Caribbean. I also teach Trinidadian cooking and dancing. Furthermore, I organise Soca/Calypso (music) events and the Trinidad Carnival 2011 AllInclusive Tour (March 1–11, 2011).

I went to Ghana last year for the first time and felt an extremely strong connection to the people, food, and music. I was reminded of the legacy of my slave ancestors and the similarities between Caribbean and West African cultures.

So I decided to import accessories, apparel, and jewellery to Japan with the aim of

Image: gritts1

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showcasing the range of talent and the diversity of designers who hail from all directions of the African Diaspora. So you can say that right now I’m a promoter of the Diaspora rather than just representing a country.

General requirements: Find your passion and follow it.

Japanese requirement: You should be able to converse and write in Japanese comfortably. In my case, for more complex dealings I have a translator accompany me to meetings.

General conditions: Once you have an idea, keep notes and work towards it. You might lose some sleep once in a while but don’t make it a habit. Get your rest and check in with your family, friends, and mentors regularly. It’s hard working for yourself, but take advantage of all available resources and ask loads of questions.

Best thing: Working towards my own goals and feeling proud of my daily accomplishments.

Worst thing: Never-ending ideas that pop up at odd times of the day, and the fact that it’s sometimes lonely working by myself. Not always understanding cultural differences and embarrassing faux-pas is always a challenge.

Interesting stories: When I appeared on Tokyo MX TV to talk about Trinidad Carnival, the male announcer exclaimed in Japanese that certain parts of my body

resembled deep valleys. I didn’t catch it when he said it but I would’ve slapped him if I had.

Issues affecting her as a woman: Minor issues such as being stared and glared at and not knowing if it is an entirely good thing to be constantly asked to wear my (somewhat skimpy) Carnival costume at events.

Advice: Be yourself and don’t sweat it too much if you can’t speak Japanese well. As long as you make some effort people will generally be helpful.

Recommended resources: The JETRO library, chambers of commerce, FEW Japan, BAB, networking events.

Other jobs done in Japan: BAB I was a pre-school teacher.

For more information about the Trinidad Carnival Tour set to take place in 2011, visit Petra’s blog at: http://tokyotrinbago. b l og s p o t . c o m / 2 0 1 0 / 0 7 / t r i n i d a d tobago-carnival-2011-tour.html.

For information about the events leading up to Carnival, which will be included in the tour, visit http://tokyotrinbago.blogspot. com/2010/07/fantastic-events-to-seeat-trinidad.html.

For more information about the African apparel Petra imports, visit http:// gyenyamejapan.blogspot.com.

by Amy Seaman

Treehouse is welcoming and friendly.

forced to sit down and listen to a teacher-led discussion, the children, whose ages range from twelve months to six years old, are encouraged to work together and state their opinions. “The children learning through the Montessori Method are allowed to choose whatever they want to do in the classroom within reason, of course,” Vyvial explained. “We allow them complete freedom of choice and movement—the freedom to make their own choice and judgement. This is how we get the best out of the children, by allowing them to think deeply about what they truly want.”

As a result of this, children whose early education follows the Montessori method are often better off than their peers when they graduate and enter the first grade, according to Vyvial, who explained that her students are often able to read, write, and have acquired basic math concepts by the age of four. “Some of our students can read by the age of three, so by the time they graduate at the age of six, they can read first or even up to second grade level books without anyone helping them,” she explained.

Vyvial and the other Montessori-certified teachers at the Treehouse Montessori School also encourage children to choose books on their own in order to foster a sense of self-education and to help students pursue their interests.

This self-motivation often follows the children into their later years. “They grow up to be motivated children who do not just sit around and do nothing,” Vyvial explained proudly. “They are able to come up with their own plans and agendas and work hard to fulfill their goals throughout the day. When our students enter elementary school, they are quite advanced in many areas of their learning and are able to present themselves well, with certain poise and inner strength.”

Further, following Maria Montessori’s teachings, class size and multi-age grouping add an important factor in the child’s development. This cooperative method of education is exclusive to the Montessori method, according to Vyvial, and is key during a child’s critical years. “When children are in a group, they influence each other and this is the most important factor that can influence whether a child develops properly,” she explained. “The children help each other and the younger ones look up to their older peers and follow them, while the older children learn to respect the little ones and even try to help them.”

During “Montessori Work Time,” children at Treehouse Montessori School are encouraged to interact and socialise during snacktime and work individually with the preprepared materials on the shelves. “We want to foster independence, so we support the children by observing them constantly and

Head of Treehouse Montessori, Jenny Vyvial.

All images provided by Jenny Vyvial/Treehouse Montessori School.

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hen asked to describe exactly what the Montessori method is, Yokohama Treehouse Montessori School Head Jenny Vyvial responded simply, “the Montessori method concentrates on the children’s inner core.”

And that’s exactly what it does. According to the International Montessori Society website, Italian educator and doctor Maria Montessori first introduced the method in 1907 after she observed children in their natural playtime habitat.

Originally intended for preschool and elementary school-age children, the method focuses on honing children’s critical thinking skills during what is commonly known as the critical years—the ages before a child turns six. “Montessori believed that children are very easily influenced at this age and must be shown the most important things in their life, and that we must try to raise their curiosity from the inside,” Vyvial explained, adding that her school in Yokohama does this not by telling the children what not to do, but by asking them why they make particular decisions.

While the popularity of the Montessori method has become increasingly widespread over the past few years, the number of certified Montessori schools in Japan remains small.

“There’s a big move in Asia right now, but not many people know about it in Japan. Even though there are lots of Montessori schools, there aren’t many properly certified schools that teach in English, because most of the official certification courses are taught in Japanese, including mine,” Vyvial said.

Accredited by the Montessori Centre International, Vyvial opened Yokohama’s Treehouse Montessori School in 2001 in an effort to spread the Montessori method after realising there were few schools in Japan that both conducted classes in English and used the Montessori method. Nine years later, the school remains a strong example of the true Montessori method: rather than being

mothers

TREEHOUSE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

directing them towards the right path, but we never tell them what to do,” Vyvial explained.

“Instead of telling a child not to do something, we try to ask them the reason for doing something wrong so that the child is given the time to explain for the misbehaviour.”

During outdoor playtime at Treehouse Montessori School, the children are free to wander around the house that the school is built in, which is located in a quiet residential area and has child-safe artificial turf in the main playground as well as some backyard space to ride the tricycles and cars. “People always visit and say they find our playground quite attractive,” Vyvial said, laughing. “And we just respond that a Montessori education takes place outside as well as inside.”

Educating exclusively in English, but teaching Japanese culture through songs and special events, Treehouse Montessori School is not a far cry from a “non-Montessori, regular method” kindergarten, according to Vyvial: “Just like at any other school, children have arts and crafts and PE, recess, lunch, and circle time.” During circle time, which takes place both at the beginning and end of the day, children are encouraged to speak their minds in order to develop strong social interaction skills and critical thinking abilities. “Our children integrate well into any environment you place them in, are very calm, self-motivated, and well-informed,” she said. “All of the children who graduate from my school are easily able to take tests and enter public, private, and international elementary schools, because my school guarantees your child a great future.”

For more information about Treehouse Montessori School and the programs they offer, BAB visit www.tms-school.com.

Being A Broad October 2010

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TOURING

TO KYO

by Caroline Pover

Image: Nathan Duckworth

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Image: Spreng Ben

Odaiba and check out all the tall buildings and intertwining highways and train lines on the way.

The other side of Rainbow Bridge is a great place for photos with the bridge and the rest of Tokyo in the background, and you can then take a stroll around the shopping malls before having lunch on the deck of Sizzler (Aqua City, 5F). The salad bar is incredible so your vegetarian friends will be very happy.

You can easily spend hours in Sega’s Amusement Theme Park, Tokyo Joypolis, going on rides, playing the newest games, and having print-club photos done. The fee system is a bit confusing, though—you purchase an entrance ticket, but then later have to top up the credits to be able to use many of the rides.

After all the noise and flashing lights of “new Japan,” it’s time to give your senses a break, so head on over to the Edo-style Odaiba Onsen Monogatari (it’s actually quite difficult to find, so grab a cab from Tokyo Teleport Station).

This onsen is incredible! After choosing from a wide range of yukata, you change (keeping your underwear on and waiting to get outside the changing room before taking any photos) then meet up with the boys to explore the outdoor gardens. This is home to the famous Doctor Fish—tiny black fish that devour dry and dead skin as you sit with your feet in a large bath. You will not be able to stop giggling for the first three minutes—I had tears pouring down my face.

When your 15-minute session is up, the main onsen beckons. The onsen consists of numerous baths of varying sizes and temperatures both indoors and outdoors. (Note: Monogatari is very strict on tattoos so I would recommend covering up before entering the whole facility.)

After bathing, you can try all sorts of pampering treatments involving massage, sand, or stone, or just head straight to the hall that is designed to be like an Edo village. This is a great place to sample traditional Japanese food of all kinds, while sitting around in your yukata, drinking beer, and watching the traditional Japanese entertainers. Highly recommended.

Day Three: Around Shibuya Upon reflection, it would have been better to

visit Shibuya later in the day when the infamous crossing would have been at its busiest, but we had a long day ahead so started off by taking photos from the Inokashira Line walkway, followed by a quick pat of Hachiko. We walked through Shibuya and up to the Olympic Stadium, then through Yoyogi Park and down to David Stetson’s studio (www.davidstetson.com) to see his incredible photographs of Japan before grabbing a quick snack from a combini (I think we forget what a cultural experience even a combini can be!).

Image: Tokyo Japan Times

don’t know about you, but I rarely have the time to arrange more than clean bedding when I have guests coming to town. So when my old school friend and her husband visited from the UK during Golden Week this year, I searched for an itinerary for Tokyo that ensured my visitors would be able to sample just enough of Japan’s offerings yet not feel completely out of their comfort zone. I couldn’t find one, so in the spirit of sisterly sharing, I thought some readers might like to know the one I made up for a couple in their late 30s, one of whom is a vegetarian who doesn’t eat fish (yikes!). I hope this helps when you need to plan a week for your own visitors!

Day One: Avoiding Culture Shock I always let visitors make their own way from Narita to Ebisu’s Westin Hotel near where I live (unless they’re travelling alone) via the Limousine Bus. Not only is it easy for a non-Japanese speaker to navigate, but it also gives a view of the changing landscape that trains don’t quite match.

With convenient hotel drop-offs with lots of English-speaking staff, your friends can be gently introduced to this completely different culture.

After unpacking and catching up, a Western lunch of pasta is always my recommendation. At least that way, for the rest of the holiday, despite whatever Japanese delicacy you force upon them, your friends can rest assured that familiar food isn’t too far away. Then an afternoon of relaxation and probably a little snooze in front of a Japan-based movie is a nice way to deal with jet lag or talk through plans for the coming week.

For the first night I always take guests to yakiniku. It never fails to be a huge hit, and even though it isn’t Japanese food, it gives guests a great deal of confidence in trying out the unfamiliar and finding that it is really delicious. And with all the different vegetables and salads, yakiniku can be a big hit with vegetarians, too. The Toraji chain usually has an English menu so your friends can peruse all the different kinds of entrails inevitably on offer at a yakiniku restaurant.

Day Two: Odaiba Take the monorail from Shimbashi out to

Image: Dan Dickinson

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Studio Katsura (www.henshin-maiko. com), where people can dress up as a maiko, geisha, or samurai, has temporarily relocated from Harajuku to Tomigaya near Yoyogi Park, following a fire at their original premises at the end of last year. Having made an appointment the day before, we visited so that my friend could be made up as a maiko, and her husband as a samurai, and pose for photographs. I’ve done this myself before and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The maiko option costs ¥18,000 and the samurai ¥5,000 and you receive three photos each, plus three of you together. You can also take as many photos as you like with your own camera. It is a great way to spend a couple of hours and a lovely souvenir for your friends.

For a great night-time view of Tokyo, Kirara is a slightly high-end and very relaxing izakaya at the top of Ebisu Garden Place—a perfect end to another busy day!

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an incredible New Year’s Eve spent there and we were thrilled to discover all sorts of special performances throughout the complex. Then we were off to take photographs of the kids in their crazy outfits and to accept the free hugs on offer.

If your guests haven’t yet been overwhelmed by the mass of people in Tokyo, then a walk down Takeshita Dori will do it for them, while simultaneously tasting a Harajuku crepe and purchasing souvenirs for the teenage kids back home. For more sophisticated souvenirs, a visit to nearby Oriental Bazaar is not to be missed, followed by a walk through Omotesando to see the higher end shopping on offer in Tokyo and

Image: Katsunori Matsuo

Day Four: You’re On Your Own! Unexpected work commitments meant that my visitors were without a guide for a day, but having spent three days in Tokyo and not feeling too intimidated by everything (it actually helps if you don’t speak Japanese to Japanese people the whole time your visitors are here, but allow them to see that a lot of Japanese people in Tokyo can speak English to some extent) my friends felt happy to go off on a little adventure of their own. I think Tokyo Tower is the perfect place to send guests without a chaperone. First, it’s hard to miss it, however lost they get, and once they are there, there’s so much to do on

alancing all the different elements of what comprises Tokyo is always a bit tricky, but I think they got B a good taste of both the traditional and modern Tokyo. And now understand why I call this place my home. admire the Prada store’s architecture.

Most British people love curry, and I have yet to taste a better curry than Priya’s in Hiroo, so we went there for dinner before going to karaoke (of course!) then off into Roppongi to show my friends a bit of Tokyo nightlife and the bar in which my husband and I met (and have a plaque on the counter, I’ll admit it).

Image: scien cho

Image: Christian Kadluba

every floor that they can easily spend the best part of a day there before heading back home.

For food that night we tried a shabu-shabu restaurant near What the Dickens! in Ebisu.

Onyasai is a great restaurant, with really friendly staff and an old English menu that helps even if it isn’t current. Our waiter was so keen to provide all sorts of vegetarian options for my friend, and I would highly recommend the restaurant. You can make a reservation by calling 03-5728-5729 or just pop by and join the queue!

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Image: Alisha Vargas

Day Five: Harajuku and Omotesando We started off early as we knew we had a lot to pack in! Firstly, we joined the other tourists watching the dancing rockabillies at the entrance to Yoyogi Park, then walked through the beautiful paths to Meiji Shrine, where I recalled

Day Six: A Day of Rest AKA Hangover Having forgotten that it was almost 20 years since we last went dancing and drinking together, and while our brains may think we have the stamina, our bodies know we definitely don’t, we spent most of the day relaxing at home before my girlfriend and I had some girly time together at Boudoir. I’ve had facials and nail treatments at many different places and swear that Boudoir is the best, but my girlfriend is a connoisseur, having once been a beautician, so treating her to my favourite salon was both a pleasure and a lovely way to end a rather “delicate” day!

Day Seven: Kamakura You can get to Kamakura easily by train, but with two dogs in tow we decided to drive our two-seater along with a gorgeous Aston Martin I’d borrowed for a few days and felt no need to rush back. Needless to say, the drive down was wonderful and egos were suitably boosted when an old Japanese man yelled out “Kakoi! Kakoi!

KAKOI!” at the sight of my blonde friend and I driving the Aston Martin. (See my article in our March issue to read about how my love affair with Aston Martin began.) On a relatively short visit based only in Tokyo, Kamakura’s beaches, shrines, and villages are perfect for showing guests a glimpse of life outside the big city.

Day Eight: Loving and Leaving Finally we had such a clear sky that we thought we’d catch sight of the elusive Mount Fuji, so it was up to the top of Roppongi Hills before heading over to Shibuya and persuading my friends that they really hadn’t done Tokyo unless they’d been to a love hotel in the middle of the afternoon. I like to think that even after 24 years of being together, Tokyo can bring out the naughtiness in any couple!

With a final quiet night at a low-key neighbourhood izakaya, we reflected on everything my friends had done. I always find that nonTokyoites worry about the food but I personally think that Japan serves up the most incredible food, Japanese or otherwise, so was thrilled to hear that my friends were amazed by the quality of cuisine here. Balancing all the different elements of what comprises Tokyo is always a bit tricky, but I think they got a good taste of both the traditional and modern Tokyo. And now understand why I call this BAB place my home.

Being A Broad October 2010

community

THE SEASON TO HELP

by Alena Eckelmann

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iving in Japan, one gets used to the hype around cherry blossom season in spring and the leaves changing in the autumn. These seem to be the favourite times of the year in Japan, to the point that winter and summer get somewhat neglected in the marketing razzmatazz about the best travel spots and the latest seasonal foods.

We easily forget that not everybody can enjoy the wonders of nature or Japan’s consumer culture. There are many in Tokyo who struggle with a variety of adversities, whether they are healthrelated, relationship troubles, or an inadequate income to support themselves or loved ones.

Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) is here to listen, no matter what time of year—there is no off-season for TELL’s confidential counselling services, just as there is no better season for supporting this excellent cause than right now and as your autumn gift to others.

TELL is an accredited, registered non-profit organisation that has been providing support and Western–style counselling to the international community for almost 40 years. TELL offers three core services: the Life Line, TELL Counselling, and TELL Children and Families. All events are realised with the help of dedicated volunteers who chair, lead, and help coordinate from beginning to end.

Two TELL events, one in autumn and one in spring, are highlights on Tokyo’s charity calendar and are not to be missed.

Bid for wines for a good cause in autumn: Autumn sees a highlight on Tokyo’s event calendar when TELL’s Connoisseurs’ Auction takes place.

For 15 years, TELL has invited everybody to enjoy an evening of fine wines, delicious foods, firstclass networking, and an opportunity to bid for exquisite wines and for special items—all to raise funds for TELL’s services to both the Japanese and international communities.

This auction is TELL’s main fundraising event and all proceeds are used to support the NPO’s counselling services, which include free, daily anonymous telephone counselling on the Life Line as well as professional face-to-face assessments, counselling, and testing for adults, children, and families on a flexible fee basis. While the telephone counselling is done by trained volunteers, the face-toface counselling is offered by professional counsellors, social workers, psychologists, and family therapists.

This is a busy time for Marion Yanase, TELL’s Event, Fundraising, and Communications Coordinator who began working for the NPO this past year.

“Our telephone counsellors are all true volunteers. They do not get compensated at all, not even expenses. Since they remain anonymous they can never get on stage to get some recognition for the excellent job they are doing,” says Marion.

For many years, the Connoisseurs’ Auction has been hosted by a foreign embassy in Tokyo and

this year the 15th auction kicks off on November 5 at the Italian Ambassador’s Residence, a real historical gem in the Mita Ward of Tokyo. The residence is situated in a 17th-century garden, which is registered as a historical site in Mita. This is a unique chance to admire a superb Edo-style garden and an elegant, classic Japanese residence that is usually not accessible to the public.

Mrs. Susana Pacheco Petrone, the wife of the Italian Ambassador, His Excellency Vincenzo Petrone, will be the honorary patron of this year’s auction. A wine tasting by Japan’s noted wine vendors will be coupled with a delicious buffet.

Even better, the special item bid this year will be a dinner with Ambassador Petrone and his wife.

“The auction celebrates the good work that TELL performs daily, while raising awareness and funds for the organisation. Around 50 percent of TELL’s budget is from donations and fundraising events such as the auction. Tokyo is a big city and there are many people who suffer from loneliness and depression. Their pain is invisible; one cannot feel or see it, yet it is real and these people need help. TELL is there to listen and to empathise with them,” Yanase adds.

Although there are other wine-tasting events and charity auctions in Tokyo, TELL’s Connoisseurs’ Auction was one of the first of its kind when it started in 1995. Most years an ambassador or embassy generously provides the space and wine distributors donate their wines for tasting.

“Many attendees are wine connoisseurs, both foreign and Japanese, with their own wine collections; they donate wines to the auction and also bid on items in order to enrich their own collections.

Then there are also many representatives of large international firms in Tokyo. Participation in a charity event like this is part of their company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).”

A great variety of excellent quality wines are auctioned off across the price spectrum to give everybody a chance to try the excitement of bidding.

“Everybody who attends the annual TELL Connoisseurs’ Auction will support a good cause and you can rest assured that all proceeds of the auction are used to sustain and improve TELL’s core services and outreach programs,” Yanase concludes.

Walk or run for charity next spring: The TELL Charity Walk & Runathon in spring has also been a fixture on Tokyo’s running and charity calendar for the last ten years. This past spring, a cheerful crowd of runners and walkers gathered in the Chidorigafuchi Park at the Tokyo Imperial Palace. There were women and men, couples, groups of friends, families with young children, young and old people, foreigners, and Japanese—a colourful crowd decked out in running gear with big smiles on their faces.

Image: Alena Eckelmann

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TELL: ALWAYS

The 2010 TELL Charity Walk & Runathon.

Nancy Kroonenberg, a principal at the American School in Japan, has been on the TELL Board of Directors for 11 years and on the TELL Runathon committee for 8 of her 14 years in Japan. She has seen this race evolve over the years to become the successful charity run that it is now.

“A past executive director of TELL, Bernard Hugh, had the idea to start an event that would be a healthy choice for families. The inaugural Runathon took place in 2000 and in the following years we counted a steady climb to 300-plus participants until suddenly the numbers went up.

TELL now routinely counts an amazing 800 to 1,000 participants,” Kroonenberg says.

Not everyone who joins the race is a serious runner, but what unites the crowd is their support for TELL. “Being a non-profit organisation, TELL depends on raising funds to support all aspects of our programs. Events such as the TELL Charity Walk & Runathon are very important to us as they create awareness and a willingness to contribute donations,” Kroonenberg said.

Aleeda from Australia and Kay, her Japanese friend, did the five kilometre walk and they greatly enjoyed it. “It is the walkathon component of the race that attracted us, as we are not runners, but we still like to support the TELL cause,” said Aleeda.

For Yen from Taiwan, this was the first charity run she participated in with her boyfriend from Sweden. Yen is a regular runner and she comes to run around the Imperial Palace every weekend. “I had heard about TELL when I looked for a volunteering opportunity in Tokyo. Then I saw the poster for this race and we decided to join. Counselling is not a common concept in Japan or in Asia in general, as of yet. I think that this is a great event to raise awareness about TELL’s work,” she said.

If you are interested in participating in the upcoming TELL Connoisseur’s Auction, then please visit TELL’s website for the event at www. telljp.com. Tickets are ¥16,000 by advance sale only, because guests must be registered for security reasons. If you are involved with a company wishing to help this cause, please call to donate alongside the many established companies BAB and donors who support TELL. • TELL Life Line from 9am–11pm, 365 days (03-5774-0992) • TELL Counseling and TELL Children & Families (03-4550-1146 for English or 034550-1147 for Japanese) • TELL Business Office (03-4550-1191)

MAN IN JAPAN

by Romany Arend

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Romany and Kaz cooling off and having fun.

Image provided by Romany Arend.

e were on our way to the airport when Tie A Yellow Ribbon came on the radio. I was off home to England for my grandmother’s 90th birthday, and like on so many other occasions, Kazuo wasn’t able to join me because of his work commitments.

We talked a little about the song, how romantic it was, and I thought nothing more of it until I came back to Japan the following week.

Kaz, again owing to work, wasn’t able to meet me at the airport so I took the train home. What should be waiting for me on the living room table but a dozen small bunches of flowers tied up with yellow ribbons! This is just one of the reasons why Kaz, to me, is worth having to take all those long-haul flights back to Blighty.

When I came to Japan I had every intention of only staying for a year before moving on somewhere else, most likely South America where, if I’m honest, I thought I might fall in love with a hot-blooded Latin man. I never imagined that I’d find one trapped inside the body of a Japanese man! Kaz is a very passionate man who’s in touch with his feelings—a quality very few men, especially Japanese men, possess, and he’s not afraid to talk about them. This passion, ingrained in us both, has had both positive and negative effects on our relationship—we’ve broken up and gotten back together in spectacularly dramatic fashion—but ever since moving in together (an altogether drama-free incident decided in casual conversation in IKEA) it seems that the explosive, destructive element of that passion has disappeared. Thank goodness.

Kaz and I first met six years ago when I was working at an eikaiwa school in Chiba.

from life, so being in a couple was clearly not the best place for me. Thankfully Kaz had the maturity to see this.

We were apart for six months before getting back together. Kaz called me out of the blue and before I knew it we were seeing one another again. To think that we would break up again before moving in together sounds insane, but that what’s happened!

I’ve done a lot of growing up in Japan. In fact, it’s taken six years of living in a foreign country for me to discover what it is I actually want from life, from a relationship, and how lucky I am to

thought I might fall in love with a hot-blooded Latin man. I never imagined that I’d find one Itrapped inside the body of a Japanese man!

He was one of my students. Things between us started out very casually and although we were having fun, it wasn’t working. As a new inhabitant of Japan, I was out to discover! Allnight karaoke was a weekly, sometimes daily, event, and I spent the weekends with my new friends exploring Tokyo and beyond. Kaz didn’t really stand a chance against the allure of Shibuya’s bright lights. Our work schedules greatly conflicted, too. I started and finished late whereas he was up with the birds and in bed by 10pm. Kaz was the one to initiate the break up, which in hindsight was the right thing to do, but at the time I was devastated. I hadn’t had many relationships before so I didn’t have a clue as to how to balance work, friends, and a boyfriend.

Besides which, I was immature, self-centered, and not in the least bit sure of what I wanted

she found love in Japan

THE PASSIONATE

have found a man who, despite having seen me at my worst, still fancies me enough to give it another go...

Blimey, I didn’t intend on getting quite so philosophical when I started writing this...Let’s see...Oh, OK, so I’m going to run the risk of sounding like a whiny so-and-so by telling you about one of Kaz’s characteristics that drives me barmy. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to his politeness. I know this is inbred in every Japanese national, bar the old ladies who’d sooner see you fall beneath the train than give way when the doors open, but really, there are times it goes too far. Here’s an example: Christmas 2007, my mum gave Kaz a jumper that was so big his hands were completely obscured by the sleeves. She offered to change it and Kaz only agreed to let her after I’d spoken

to him and explained that this would not result in him being thought of as an ungrateful pig, completely undeserving of gifts and henceforth banned from ever joining us again for Christmas.

I mean, for goodness sake! It makes me wonder how many over-sized jumpers there are sitting in drawers across Japan left unworn, victims of the politeness cause.

Something that I admire Kaz enormously for is his patience, especially with me. He’s selfemployed and often has to drop everything he’s doing in order to visit one of his customers, some of whom would drive a less composed person round the bend very quickly. Kaz, however, just laughs it off. “How does he do that?” I often wonder, as I’m quick to lose my temper. Take this one time, early on in our relationship—we were packing for a weekend trip and I discovered that of the six pairs of new knickers (yes, I realise that’s a lot for a twoday trip) I’d just bought, only one pair fit. Not only did I throw a tantrum that would put my three-year-old students to shame, but I threw the five offending pairs of knickers across the room. Kaz, meanwhile, just stood there and said, “Shoganai ne. It can’t be helped. It doesn’t matter.” Those words have become somewhat of a mantra for me and my ability to laugh things off grows and grows. Except for, so far, the pushy old ladies.

Living in Japan is not something I ever imagined for myself. Kaz is not the man I ever imagined for myself. Yet I’m so content that I wonder how I could ever have imagined BAB anything different.

Being A Broad October 2010

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PAMPERING:

AUTOMOBILES: BEAUTY:

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AUTOMOBILES: BEAUTY:

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CHILDREN’S TEACHING & ACTING:

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Being A Broad October 2010

Being A Broad Resources

TAILORING:

SELF-IMPROVEMENT:

COMMUNITY:

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ASK CAROLINE:

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY:

Being A Broad Resources

FOOD & DINING: BEAUTY:

PRINTING:

FOOD & DINING:

25

PRINTING:

Being A Broad October 2010

Being A Broad Resources

PAMPERING:

FAMILIES:

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DENTAL:

AROUND THE HOUSE:

SPORTS:

e New hoemin B of the oad g A Br girls’ n.ight out : October GN,O th 8 2 Thu. 7:30pm