Shelter In Place Week 17- Typhoon Maysak | 第17周自主隔離

This morning Okinawa entered TCCOR-1, which means that we have officially entered typhoon season. I was certain Typhoon Maysak would change its course or slow down, but even my optimism succumbed to the strong wind and heavy rain that we now face. I filled our bathtub with water, charged all of our devices and portable battery. On our way home, we saw most stores boarded up their windows and placed sandbags in front of their doors. The strong wind is so strong that I can’t open my own door and I almost can’t walk straight. Thank God UN is a realist (and has more common sense), made sure we stuffed our fridge and washed all of our clothes, so that even if we lose power and water, we will have food to eat and clean clothes to wear.

今早沖繩進入TCCOR-1，就是我們必須準備防颱措施。連我這種鐵齒到極致，覺得颱風九號一定會換方向或風力減弱也開始在家中備水以防萬一。尤其是下午回家時，幾乎所有店家放上木板和沙袋，風大到有幾度我無法向前行走時，我才願意接受颱風真的要來了。幸好UN不像我這麼天兵，已經把家中糧食囤放好，家中全部清理一次，以備斷水斷電還有食物能吃和乾淨衣服穿。

Sandbox Burger

Yes, my favorite kind of food, the kind that tops your calorie chart! I fell in love with Sandbox burger at first try. I’ve tried many burger restaurants in Okinawa, but this one is definitely top 3. I love their Umami Burger and Lamb Burger. You must also try their hand-cut fries that are cooked in lard. We can’t dine-in still, so we ordered curb-side pick up and enjoyed the burgers at the seawall. The sunset after rain is so beautiful! 

是的，我就是愛這種能讓體脂肪爆表的食物！自從幾位朋友帶我來Sandbox Burger後，我就深深愛上了！吃遍沖繩漢堡店，這家絕對在我心裡排名前三。我最愛他們的Umami Burger和Lamb Burger，而且一定要加點豬油炸出來的手切薯條，香脆薯條粗細恰好，完全合我胃口。不能內用的我們，拿著外帶到海邊使用，看著雨後日落特別美。

Torri Beach

I’ve wanted to do Stand Up Paddleboard for months now! But every time I planned a trip to the beach for SUP, either the sea conditions was not good or we had a typhoon coming. It rained for days last week, but we had great weather this weekend, the calm before the storm. But due to being in TCCOR-2 at the time, no rentals were happening, so I couldn’t do SUP again. Even then, we had a lot fun with our friends at the beach. UN and I got torched under the sun! Stay tuned to my SUP experience! Oh and btw, the onion rings my friend made was yummy!

喊了好幾個月，想玩SUP，還是玩不到！每次計畫週末到海邊玩SUP，總被天氣或海況不佳而延期。連日暴雨，這週末天氣卻好到完全感覺不到颱風即將登陸，但又因颱風關係而無法玩SUP，即使這樣，我們一群朋友在海邊還是玩得超開心，我和UN還大曬傷呢！敬請期待我到底什麼時候才能玩SUP！喔還有，我朋友做的洋蔥圈超好吃！

Lulu

This is so unreal! Spent the entire weekend outdoors at the beach, but now can only stare outside from inside my apartment. Feeling sleepy. My friends who live in Okinawa, please stay safe and dry! I will see you guys next week!

實在是太不真實了！整個週末天氣好到在海邊度過，現在則是待在家裡望著窗外，睡意漸漸來襲。住在沖繩的朋友們小心安全，我們下週見囉！

Shelter In Place Week 15+16- TokyoBike | 第15+16周自主隔離

Last Friday during HITT class, we heard rumors of loosening SIP restrictions, but weren’t given any details. But even just the thoughts of a little bit more freedom excited me. That day at noon, updated restrictions came out, and we can get take-out and drive throughs at off-base restaurants again. Finally our kitchen can get a day of rest. Let’s share what happened in the last couple of weeks!

上週五上HITT時，有小道消息說疫情限制會放寬，雖然不清楚放寬內容，但還是默默的開心。自主隔離後，小小自由總讓我們開心到不行。那天中午發布限制內容，我們終於能買外賣，天啊終於能讓廚房休息一下。來分享這兩個禮拜發生的事吧！

TokyoBike

I’ve set my eyes on this brand of bicycles since I was living on the East Coast. I didn’t purchase it then because I didn’t think it was safe to ride a bike in the city jungle of New York City. But I have stopped by the New York store and admired the beauty of TokyoBike many times. We even continued to talk about it when we lived in Virginia. Since moving to Okinawa, and after James got his bike, I’ve started itching for my own bike again. We found Taira Bike Shop, an authorized TokyoBike retailer here in Okinawa. UN immediately ordered one for me. I had a hard time picking which color to get. I was mesmerized by blue jade, saffron, and blue grey, but eventually ivory won out! 

住東岸時已經看中這牌子，當時心裡沒準備好在人車爆炸的紐約騎腳踏車而沒買。但偶爾經過TokyoBike在紐約的店時，還是會停下來看幾眼。後來搬到維吉尼亞，我們時不時還是會提起這腳踏車。搬來沖繩後，UN買了腳踏車後，讓我蠢蠢欲動。找到Taira Bike Shop有代理TokyoBike，UN立刻幫我訂一台。腳踏車顏色是讓我最無法定下來的，喜歡淡綠，也愛灰藍色，有時又被黃色吸引到，最後象牙白勝出！

Mermaid Grotto

I nearly lost my GoPro in the ocean that day! During our second dive, I didn’t notice the screw holding the GoPro to the holster had come loose. Thankful that my friend M found it! If you follow me on Instagram, you probably have seen the close up video of the sea turtle that we saw that day! So cute!

那天我的GoPro差點就在大海裡不見了！第二潛時，沒發現相機與手環連接處的螺絲鬆開，好險朋友M發現（感謝感謝）！有追蹤我的IG的人一定知道我們超近距離看到海龜，怕烏龜的我都覺得好可愛！

Since getting a bike, we have been riding around our neighborhood after dinner to explore. We came across a new coffee shop and a few new restaurants opening in American Village in September. We aren’t allowed to patronize there under current restrictions, but it still feels nice to ride our bikes there.

自從我們有腳踏車後，我們常在晚餐飯後出去騎腳踏車發掘新地區。美國村九月一號有新的咖啡店和餐廳開幕，雖然目前我們去不了，但在附近騎腳踏車還是很舒服。

Shelter In Place Week 14- Snorkeling | 第14周自主隔離

Recently I haven’t been hiking as much, instead I’ve been frequenting the beach. Got sun burned and even freckles. What do I do? Swimming at the beach in Okinawa is like going to the aquarium. I am enchanted by the corals and colorful fishes. Our plan was to go do stand up paddle board on Sunday, but we had to cancel due to bad sea conditions. Besides being a beach bum, the rest of the time was spent sheltering in place at home. 

最近對於爬山這事沒什麼興趣，幾乎天天往海邊跑，皮膚除了曬傷還開始長斑，該怎麼辦啊！但每次去海邊游泳像是到水族館一樣，太喜歡沖繩海底了。原本星期日想繼續到海邊玩獨木舟和SUP，但因颱風天海況不佳而取消。這整週老樣子，除了在海邊游泳，其餘時間待家裡做防疫。

Cape Maeda | 真栄田岬

Have to try on my new fins! To the left of the parking lot is a walking trail, and to the right are stairs that lead down to the water. They sometimes close access to the stairs when weather is bad. This is a perfect spot for snorkeling. It has everything you need, and parking is only ¥100 per hour. You will see coral reefs and fishes as soon as you get in the water. Satisfaction guaranteed. 

拿到新蛙鞋怎能不馬上試一下呢！停好車左邊有健行步道，右邊往樓梯走下直通海邊。有時因天氣因素，樓梯入口會關閉禁止到海邊。但想潛水浮潛的人，這裡設施齊全方便，停車一小時100元日幣。下海後馬上見到珊瑚和各種魚類，保證你會喜歡。

Taiyo Steakhouse 

A steak house on a golf course, a very American restaurant. The generous portions aren’t very helpful for my diet. This place is great for date night or birthday party. We ordered 20 oz to share. Thank God we decided against the 40 oz. Taiyo is open to the public, we come here when we miss American food. Highly recommend their weekend brunch. 

高爾夫球場附設牛排館，標準美式餐廳，食物份量到對正在減肥的我狀況不是很有利。每次問到哪裡適合約會或生日慶生，這餐廳一定會在名單內。牛排重量20oz起跳，我倆差點點了40oz，幸好頭腦理智告訴我們別這麼做。這裡是開放給大家用餐，是我們想念美式料理時會來的地方，相當推薦週末的早午餐。

This summer is different in that there hasn’t been many typhoons. The mini typhoon that just passed by us pales in comparison to any of the ones we had last summer. Weather forecast predicts thunder and showers all week, but it’s bright and sunny outside right now, not a dark cloud in sight. Having an urge to go to the beach again! 

今年夏天不太一樣，還沒遇到任何颱風。雖然最近迷你颱風過境，強度和去年比起來差太多。原本氣象預報顯示整週下雨打雷，但現在外面陽光普照，一點烏雲都沒有。開始有點想往海邊衝了🤗