~ Article and photos from JETAA Auckland~
JETAA Auckland has been busy over the past few months. On the 4th of October 2015 we joined the annual New Zealand Japan Society Hanami at the Cherry Blossom Grove in Cornwall Park, Auckland.
The weather was just right which meant a good turnout. It was a lovely opportunity to meet up with friends and get some sun after the winter months hibernating indoors.
The following weekend, the 9th to the 11th of October 2015, a small group travelled down to Rotorua for another annual event, the Rotorua Ekiden.
This year we had a team of five runners, including Hayashi-san from the Consulate-General at Auckland.
Our Ouen team did a wonderful job of keeping us going through the 42km course around Lake Rotorua but alas we lost the trophy to the New Zealand Japan Society this year. We will be training hard for a rematch next year.
The following weekend, yes it was a busy month, the 16th to the 18th of October 2015 was the annual Oceania Conference hosted by JETAA South Island and held in Christchurch this year. We had two representatives attend the Conference. It was a productive weekend discussing ‘Staying Connected’.
Personally I believe there is great value in these conferences; in making personal connections with other JETAA chapters throughout Oceania, sharing stories and experiences, getting advice and feedback. Conference delegates also had the opportunity to hear about and discuss the 30th Anniversary celebrations CLAIR is planning for next year.
In November things quietened down a little for us. We arranged an informal group attendance at the final film at the Japanese Film Festival on Friday the 20th of November 2015, the Floating Castle.
The film was enjoyed by all, with bits of humour throughout and a good story.
As we move towards the end of the year, of course it is party time. Our final event will be our Boun
enkai set for Saturday the 5th of December 2015.
A tradition in recent years has been ‘Stealing Santa’ so we are looking forward to some laughs over this as well as good company and good food.