J.E.D.I Luncheon at Zanmai Sushi

March 21^st marked the Japan Exchange of Diverse Individuals (J.E.D.I.) first gathering at Zanmai Sushi restaurant here in Sunway Pyramid. The response was above expectation as more than 10 returnees showed up including a fresh returnee from Gifu prefecture, Japan. I think his name was Jeffrey. Do correct me if I’m wrong. 御免なさい。

It’s was a loud and merry luncheon and it was a great opportunity to finally introduce J.E.D.I. to the other fellow Japan returnees. Plus, members of the AGM were introduced and open discussion for future plans of J.E.D.I.

In the month of April or maybe late May, JEDI plans to have an event with joint arms of the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. AFS Malaysia will be handing out contacts and it was up to JEDI members to come up with preparations for the event to be held. In addition, JEDI looks forward to further build partnership with the Japanese Embassy and perhaps successfully organize a day trip to the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur for a one day schooling experience for chosen Japan Year Programe participants.

Coherently, JEDI also plans to have short term Japanese classes for future YP participants as a preparation, though complications such as cost factors may hold the project back. A suggestion of fund raisers such as involvement in the yearly Bon Odori festival, or partnerships with Japan-related clubs and organization seemed plausible. In addition, discussion on a performance for the World Conference/ Gala Dinner 2009 is on its way and opinions and participants are highly welcomed.

The next activity for JEDI would be a trip to the Bon Odori festival and hopefully it’ll be successful and will have more participants and joining members to the event. JEDI deems not only to carry out orientations but also to be able to organize fun and exciting activities to build a powerful bond between the Japan Exchange students alike.

お楽しみに！！！

Post contributed by Izzat, returnee 07/08

( also our temporary Secretary, see that's why his post is so report-like! :D )

First Lunch Meet - Teaser Preview

Hey people, here is an absolutely no-brainer question. What's better than enjoying Japanese food on your own? 

Why, enjoying Japanese food with friends of course! 

Exactly that, we did. On Saturday some 13 of us returnees ranging from batch 00/01 till batch 08/09 gathered at Sushi Zanmai, Pyramid for lunch and to catch up, and to make new friends, and to yap yap yap yap yap yap our heads off ....well, you get the picture ya :D 

Despite the food being sadly, averagely poor (because we can be such Japanese food nazis sometimes, being the critics that we are XD) the afternoon was fun filled with stories of our AFS days and explosions of laughter the whole table round. We also shared a little about what J.E.D.I was about, the crazy plans etc, as well as asking for opinions on how we can propel outselves forward. 

Thanks you all for the numerous (and usually outrageous!) feedbacks! And thanks to everyone who made their way to join us on our first gathering!! I really do hope there will be more to come, oh yes. *wipes tears of joy* 

Honestly honestly, I enjoyed myself tremendously getting to know everyone, how about you? :) 

Below are some pictures of the day~

(pictures courtesy of Hsien Yew)

The Ms. Lily trying to pose beautifully with her chopstick at AFS Japanese returnees first lunch meeting at Zan Mai restaurant.

in the middle of everything, Eric san had spoken. presenting JEDI's logo which is still in progress.

Oh but wait. There will be MOAR pics coming real soon. So keep watching this page!

Here's a Good Starting Place

Woohoo! We finally have our own blog. *jumps for joy*

Hum hum. Welcome to the Japanese Exchange of Diverse Inviduals Alumni blog! I've been wanting to put this up ever since we decided to form an alumni to gather everyone, now its just so exciting to see our fruit blossoming slowly. While I can't quite say how this will work out in our blog in the long run, I am thinking, hey! 

Lets make this blog BIG. BRIGHT. AND FRICKIN COLORFUL. 

Here we will *hopefully* have constant updates on:

1. Events & happenings

2. Special announcements 

3. Article entries by contribution of fellow returnees (etc)

4. Random musing of blog maintainers :D 

It's a place where you can come and pick our brains to see whats happening these days with the alumni, as well as where you can contribute thoughts, scribbles, doodles, oekaki and feedback. :) Tell us a story about your pre/during/post Japan days? 

All contributing articles shall be sent to bloodypaws88@gmail.com and we will let you know when your entry will be published. :D 

So hey, what are you waiting for? Link us today, be a follower of this blog, and remember to keep coming back for more awesome updates coming your way. 

And do drop a comment line when you're passing by. We'd totally love to hear from you! After all, we want to get to know our readers too ya. 

Welcome to JEdi!! CNU was here....minna yoroshiku!:p