Shelter in place: Week 7 Check In-Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ | 第七週自主隔離

Praise God that Japanese Government has lifted state of emergency from Okinawa! However, since we are US military personnel, we follow US guideline. Yep, that means we will continue to cook at home and binge watch TV most of the time. I break my record for watching so many shows in such a short time. Coronavirus is turning me to a couch potato! 

Little Fires Everywhere (Hulu): Our recent favorite show! It is artistic and thought-provoking. Based on a fiction novel, it’s about the relationship between two women: Mia, who is a single mom and Elena, a mother of four. The two mothers’ lives become intertwine in a small Ohio suburb called Shaker Heights. If you have watched it, let me know your thoughts.

The Sound of Music (Disney+) One of my favorite childhood movies. I’d say this is a great movie for your stay-at-home date night. This movie needs no introduction. The music is classic and timeless. In fact, I’m listening the sound track while writing this post. I’m sure you will enjoy it as well! If you have been living underneath a rock and haven’t seen this film before (like UN), there is no better time than now. 

Mary Poppins (Disney+)  Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!! Let’s repeat that one more time! UN can’t stop repeating this word after we watched Mary Poppins. Since we subscribed to Diensy+, we had watched many old school movies. Warning: you’ll start humming the songs after this movie! 

The Sinner (Netflix) One of my favorite shows on Netflix, but it always gives me nightmare. Similar to season one, the show has an intense opening with unexpected plot twists. I love every clue and connection in each episode. Can’t wait for Season three to come out! 

Outer Banks (Netflix) Last year this time, we were at Outer Banks. Perfect timing to watch this show. To people who have watched this show, isn’t Outer Banks connected to land? Why can’t they simply drive, but had to take a boat all the time? Hate to say this, but I can’t believe we actually finished the show. Fast-paced plot, but lots of confusion in the show. 

UN and I agree that next time when we move, we will upgrade our sofa to those big L-shape one. Also, I regret I didn’t listen to UN and get that 80 inches TV. It would be perfect for this time, but we won’t watch that much tv after pandemic is over. Such a dilemma. 

Shelter In Place: Week 6 Check In- Flashback | 第六週自主隔離

Despite the daily Zoom meetings, I’m still not yet used to this high tech mode of communication. Normally I don’t watch a lot of TV, but I’ve finished 5 series so far. I’ve cooked countless meals, and even burned myself a a few time. I call these burn marks on my arm my souvenir of COVID-19. I can’t wait for everything to go back to normal, when we can host friends, and can attend church. Okinawa has not seen any new COVID cases for some time now. Let us revisit what life was life one and a half months ago in the old normal:  

即使天天一場Zoom視訊，還是沒習慣這種高科技生活。不愛追劇的我也已經看完5部影集，煮了數不清的早中晚餐，手也多幾道煮飯時燙傷痕跡，我稱這些傷痕為COVID-19紀念品。期待恢復正常生活，朋友能來家中作客，我們能去教會。沖繩當地已經好幾天沒有增加COVID-19的人數了（歡呼中），我們來回顧一個半月前的生活，複習一下如何正常過日子。

Tou Cafe and Gallery

About 15 minutes north of Kadena Air Force Base on Route 58, drive through the narrow Okinawa alleyways intertwining between residences, you will find this modern looking building that seems very out of place in its neighborhood. Part cafe and part art gallery. After your meal, you can admire and purchase some potteries made by local artists. Its leisurely environment is enjoyed by patrons who bring a book to read with an order of dessert and coffee. Such is the pace of Okinawa. 

從嘉手納基地58號公路往北約15分鐘，往左穿進每次必須非常擔心車子會被刮到的沖繩小路，會非常意外看到這家現代感強烈的建築。咖啡店兼藝廊，飯後能到後面參觀一下。氣氛相當悠閒，有客人看著書吃著點心，非常沖繩步調。

Oujima | 奧武島

Nicknamed the “Cat Island”, you can find friendly stray cats strolling on the beach enjoying the breeze here. Oujima is very small, can be explored by car in just 10 minutes, yet you can also spend an entire afternoon here. Many visitors bring cat food to feed the cats here, and the cats aren’t afraid of strangers either. Besides cats, Oujima is also known for affordable tempura and ¥500 kaisendon. You can order your food to go and enjoy them at the beach. Such was our relaxing yet eventful weekend staycay. 

人稱貓之島完全無誤，路上隨處能看到貓咪吹著海風休息。奧武島非常小，開車不到10分鐘就能繞完一圈，但卻能待在這一整下午。好多遊客帶著貓食來，貓兒們完全不怕生，幾次想幫貓咪照相卻被一直靠過來的貓嚇到。奧武島除了貓出名外，超便宜天婦羅和只要500日幣的海鮮丼飯都是來這裡不能錯過的。買完能坐在海提吃飯欣賞風景，這就是我們週末悠閒卻充實的行程。

記得那時人真的好多，但現在卻空無一人。

mofgmona

First time we came here they sold out of lunch. This time we came straight here after church. Okinawa has many earth-themed cafe like this. Usually there’s a few selection of savory foods. Portions don’t look big, but believe me you will be full after. When we first moved to Oki, UN thought cafes are for coffees and desserts only, but the cafes here offer many delicious food options. 

上次想來這吃午餐卻賣光，這次我們教會結束馬上來。在沖繩有許多這類非常森林系咖啡店，大概有兩到三種鹹食選擇。份量看起來不多，但每次一定會吃超飽。剛搬來沖繩時，UN以為在這的咖啡店只賣咖啡和點心，但這裡的咖啡店食物種類相當多也非常好吃。

Peace Memorial Park | 平和公園

Due to COVID-19, Peace Memorial Park Art Museum is temporarily closed. Located on the southern part of Okinawa, it commemorates the fallen soldiers during WWII in the Battle of Okinawa. Their names inscribed onto rows and rows of marble stones. Lately I’ve been reading Above the East China Sea by Sarah Bird, it talks about relations between Americans and Okinawans during WWII. Somehow being here stirs up emotions within me. I must come back and learn more about Okinawa history when the museum opens again!

由於COVID-19疫情，平和公園資料館和美術館暫時關閉。位在沖繩南邊，紀念二戰”Battle of Okinawa”傷亡戰士們，一排一排石碑(Cornerstone of Peace) 刻著去世人們的名字。最近正在讀Above the East China Sea by Sarah Bird，是在二戰期間有關美國和沖繩人的事，內容和平和公園類似覺得特別有感覺。等資料館恢復正常運作時間後，一定要回來認識沖繩歷史！

仲地山羊料理店

Ever since my world traveler friends and I had goat cuisine, I’ve grown fond of the gamey taste of Okinawa goat. These restaurants aren’t necessary known for beautiful decor or photogenicity. Their menus are written on paper that are pasted onto the walls. You feel like you are eating at someone’s house. The hostess speaks very little English, but still very hospitable. I like ordering goat soup with rice. You can add some ginger paste to mask the gamey taste. I shall dedicate another post to the goat restaurants that I’ve tried! 

自從和我的環遊世界朋友們一起吃山羊料理後，我竟然愛上騷味超重的沖繩山羊店。這種店絕不是華麗網美店，是家庭式需要裝修那種，通常門面低調幾張手寫海報寫著山羊料理四個字。但就是這種感覺讓我很愛來，語言不通但老闆娘熱情不減。山羊汁配飯是我每次必點的，記得加薑末去腥。等疫情好了，這一定是我首選外食之一！

This post was written a few weekends ago, but I have been too lazy to upload it.

這是幾個週末前寫的，但遲遲沒上傳。希望不久的將來我們能在回到這些地方參觀和用餐！

Shelter In Place: Weeek 5 Check In- Instagram | 第五週自主隔離

Hello May! How’s everyone holding up? I hope we can get back to normal soon, and we all get to hug and kiss our friends! I bet by the time you’re reading this post, you already learn so many ways to increase productivity at home. This blog post is definitely not teaching you another way to be more productive because I know you already are. Instead, I want to share a couple Instagram accounts that I found and LOVE during shelter in place!

2020進入五月了！你們還好嗎？希望這世界快點正常運作，恢復能與人正常見面交流。朋友常討論COVID-19結束後要做什麼、要去哪玩，你們呢？但在解放前，大家都做些什麼事？實在是等不及見到朋友時可以給朋友們大擁抱！當各個政府宣佈居家隔離，許多關於如何利用時間的圖文紛紛出來，當然我已經讀了好幾篇，也努力善用這得來不易的時間。當然這篇文章不會繼續教你如何利用時間，畢竟我還在學習，但我想推薦大家幾個在居家隔離時很實用的Instagram帳號。

@kickassyoga

Lots of step by step inversion step by step from her account. Since we get so much time now at home, @kickassyoga is a great account for you to try different pose on instagram. If you don’t feel like practicing inversion, she has many videos about beginner yoga and other short and simple yoga practice to brighten up your day. 

想練倒立瑜珈，但無法上課的學生們能參考這個帳號。有清楚分析每個動作，能在家裡一步步練習，說不定當我們出關時，我們就會倒立瑜珈了！如果不想練習倒立瑜珈，帳號裡的IGTV有許多簡易瑜珈，從不到五分鐘到約三十分鐘的影片都有，很適合在家做些伸展，讓身體舒服點！

@zoebakes

I probably spent 80% of my Instagram time adored Zoë François’s account. She is not hesitate to share her baking skill and tips. I learn so much from her IGTV, and that Pavlova is always a must try during this pandemic season. It will definitely cheer you up! 

如果說我花太多時間在Instagram上，大概80%時間應該都是在看他做甜點。這是我愛的甜點師傅其中之一，他不吝嗇的在IGTV上教大家如何做超美Pavlova，我也在防疫期間做了許多次。他的網站和食譜有很多做甜點技巧能學。他的甜點總是能讓人開心！

@cooking__therapy

Need your Asian craving fixed while staying at home. This account offers lots of Asian recipes that can challenge your cooking spectrum. Her recipes are detailed and informative. You get to learn lots of Asian dishes that you never knew before! 

在家想吃亞洲食物嗎？下雨天想吃Pho，大熱天想吃越南春捲，這個帳號有好多亞洲料理挑戰你的烹煮能力！Cooking Therapy的網站最特別的是每道菜一定會解釋各個材料的功能，不但能學到如何煮亞洲食物，還能學到新知識！

@bontraveler

Why not plan your next destination when everything is back to normal? From photography skills to travel credit card, Jessica Wright covered wide range of travel information. I love her photography style, it’s always so calm and well crafted. I enjoy her account and website, and can’t wait til our next trip!

雖然現在不是出國玩的時機，但我們還是能在家計畫下個想去的地點。從照相技術到信用卡點數換住宿這類的文章，@bontraveler 的帳號和網站有許多旅行相關訊息可以讓我們的旅行變得更簡單輕鬆。我非常欣賞版主Jessica Wright的照相風格，也時常點閱他的文章來擷取一些旅行小技巧。好期待下個旅行！

@okilivingmag

Look up your local Instagram! See how you can impact your community while shelter in place. Places you didn’t know it exists, maybe you can put it on your to-do list. Of course, don’t forget your delicious local restaurants that are waiting for you when everything is done! #supportlocal

許多關於自己居住城市的Instagram會定期分享如何在這非常時段幫助當地商家，或許你能找到一些你居住城市裡的新地方列入清單。當然別忘了還有好多非常棒的餐廳等著你去呢！我們一起支持這些小型公司吧！

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What’s your favorite Instagram accounts that you check regularly? Any recommendations for tv shows and movies to watch? Leave your comment below and I’d love to connect with you! Stay safe and healthy! I’ll see you next week!

你有最喜歡的Instagram嗎？有推薦的電視劇或電影嗎？在下面留言讓我知道。希望大家注意安全，我們下週見！