January 10, 2022

2022 Happy New Year

January 10, 2022/ Brandy C.

We start strong in 2022! Finally checked off our bucket list: see the first sunrise in Northern Okinawa. I’m grateful that the UN was well disciplined, he made sure we didn’t over-commit our NYE plans so that we didn’t have to pull an all-nighter as if we were still in college. We kicked off the start of 2022 by watching the first sunrise at Cape Hedo, visited Daisekirinzan, barbecued and played board games with friends, and even went fishing on New Year’s Day!

During the first week of the new year, it is customary for Japanese to visit different temples to pray for blessings for the year. We visited 2 out of the 8 Ryukyu Hashas - Sueyoshigu and Shikina Shrine, as well as two very popular shrines in Okinawa. As always, we didn’t worship at these shrines, we went to simply be immersed in Japanese New Year celebrations and surrounded by delicious food stalls outside of some of these shrines.

Gokoku Shrine

We were looking for Oki-gu, one of the Ryukyu Hashas, but saw the bigger crowd flooding to Gokoku Shrine. Only when we were purchasing omamori did we realize that Oki-gu is different from Gokoku Shrine. LOL Gokoku Shrine is very busy during the New Year, outside of the Shrine there are many good food options!

Sueyoshigu

Remember to bring bug spray! Hiking wasn’t part of our original plan, but we trekked through mossy stone paths and climbed flights of stairs to get to Sueyoshigu. This particular shrine is a bit hidden, if it weren’t for the New Year flags, we probably wouldn’t have found it. Direction: park here, there are stairways on the right, and another trail on the left. Don’t turn on either side, just go straight! Not far away, you will see a sign “Sueyoshigu” on the left.

Sairaiin (Daruma Temple)

I’ve long wanted to come here to see the many darumas. There are different sizes and colors darumas that you can purchase according to your wish.

Shikina Shrine

One of the Ryukyu Hashas! If you would like a Goshuin, you need to notify a shrine clerk ahead of time.

As per usual, I set a few new year’s goals for myself, hoping this year I can be even more focused on the things I set out to do, and spend more time doing things that are interesting and important to me. I wish a blessed and healthy 2022 to everyone!

Chinese Translation

2022年絕對有好的開始！我們終於完成2020年時想來沖繩北邊看日出的心願，也謝謝UN把我控制好，沒有爆肝趕場這種自以為還在身體能承受熬夜不睡覺的生活！2022年，我們不但看到日出，到沖繩本島最北邊的辺戸岬、大石林山，和好朋友們一起烤肉玩桌遊，隔天我們還去釣魚！

新年第一週，依照日本人到神社祈福的習俗，我們參觀了琉球八社裡的兩間神社，末吉宮和識名宮，和兩間在沖繩非常有名的神社。雖然我們沒在神社拜拜，濃厚的日本新年祈福裝飾和神社外好多小吃攤讓我們也好興奮。

護國神社

原訂計畫是參觀沖宮，也是琉球八社其中之一，但我們被人潮帶到護國神社。選御守時才發現我們在沖宮旁的護國神社，哈哈哈！新年的護國神社非常忙，神社外有許多小吃選項。

末吉宮

記得帶上防蚊液！原本沒計畫健行登山，但我們又爬山又走一堆樓梯才找到末吉宮。位置有點偏僻，要不是有新年旗子和標示，我們還真的找不到！（UN一開始以為我又晃點他了！）

西來院達摩寺

一間我非常想來參觀的寺廟！寺裡有好多達摩，大的小的，還有販售不同達摩來許願。

識名宮

琉球八社其中一社！如果想要御朱印，需要預先通知識名宮的工作人員。

不免俗還是訂了幾樣目標，希望新的一年能更專心做每件事，也希望能有更多充裕的時間來專研自己喜歡的事。希望大家2022一切順利，世界能更健康！

January 06, 2022

2021 December List: Merry Christmas

January 06, 2022/ Brandy C.

I love this time of the year! Despite being so cold, the numerous events kept me so busy that I couldn’t just cozy up at home if I wanted to.

我愛的月份！雖然天氣冷，但活動多讓我不能賴在家裡不想出門。（你們覺得呢？）

Tomato Plant | 家種小番茄

從種子發芽長根到紅通通，歷經這六個月，失望挫敗到欣喜諾狂。

Grown from the seed up over the past 6 month! This process took us through some emotional rollercoaster!

3 MEF Band Christmas Concert

What a performance! The music truly brought Christmas to those of us who are stationed in Japan! No wonder my clarinet teacher said this is their most popular performance!

太喜歡這次的表演了，讓住在日本的我們能好好感受聖誕氣氛、難怪我的老師說這是他們最受歡迎的表演！

Raft Fishing | 筏釣

即使這次收穫不如以往，我還是很熱衷這類能讓頭腦放空思考問題但同時不能過於發呆，且手還必須很忙一直動的活動（像刺繡！）

Even though we didn’t catch a lot of fish like we did before, I still like activities like fishing where I can think about other things while keeping my hands busy (with embroidery!)

Cake Decorating Workshop | 蛋糕裝飾課

The Naval Officer Spouse Club of Okinawa learned how to decorate a cake this month, and the product of my hard labor once again gave UN a nice surprise! Our teacher gave us step-by-step instructions, and answered many of my questions about making a cake.

軍眷團這個月來學做蛋糕，再次驚艷UN！這次有老師一步一步教課，好多以前做蛋糕遇到的疑問都被解答。

Staycation at Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island

Our wedding was held at a Hyatt hotel in San Diego, so this brand has a special place in our hearts. This Hyatt Regency in Okinawa did not disappoint! Lofted ceiling at the lobby, ocean view room, heated swimming pool and jacuzzi, and a great selection of restaurants to choose from all allowed us to relax during our staycation.

我們的婚禮辦在聖地牙哥的Hyatt，所以這家飯店一直在我們心裡有個特別的位置。在沖繩的Hyatt當然也沒讓我們失望！挑高大廳、房間外的海景和多種餐廳選擇都讓我們在這次的staycation能放鬆一下。

Christmas Party | 聖誕派對

Winner from the raffle at this year’s Christmas Party!! Hooray!

我們贏禮物耶！

3 MEF Band Chopper V Promotion

My first time witnessing the promotion of a dog! It was super cute! Chopper sang along with the band for the Marine’s anthem, and even barked once when asked to give a speech for his promotion!

我還真的第一次看到狗狗被升級，有夠可愛！Chopper在大家唱歌時也一起唱歌，當大家請Chopper致詞時，他還旺了一下！

Christmas | 聖誕節

We visited Niigata and played (and got stuck) in the snow! Post to follow!

我們去新瀉玩，大推！

December 08, 2021

2021 November List: First Wedding in Okinawa

December 08, 2021/ Brandy C.

Before you know it, we are near the end of 2021. November was quite memorable; I’m grateful for my friends who I can spend Thanksgiving with.

不知不覺已進入2021年年底了，11月過得非常精彩也很感恩能和好多朋友一起過感恩節。

Weaving Class | 日本手工編織

The Naval Officers’ Spouses’ Club Okinawa learned how to weave this month, and we made a handbasket. UN was quite impressed by the quality of this project.

軍眷團這個月學日本編織，做出一個手提包。每次帶回家這類手工藝品，UN都會不停讚嘆！

Yo-Yo Ma Concert | 馬友友演奏會

When UN sent me a picture of Yo Yo Ma’s concert poster, my immediate thought was that this concert would be in mainland Japan. But after reading the fine print, I found out it’s actually taking place here in Okinawa! In Japan, you can purchase concert tickets at convenience stores. UN and I went to Lawson to get Yo Yo Ma’s concert tickets using the ticket machine. After about 20 minutes of not being able to purchase the tickets, we asked for help. The store clerk was very helpful, but she wasn’t able to help us purchase the tickets either. Then UN pulled out the picture of the poster, and we learned that the tickets were only being sold at Family Mart. (How embarrassing!) The concert was postponed numerous times from Spring of 2021 to November due to the pandemic. The location of the concert is at the newly built Okinawa Sports Arena, not the same as at a concert hall. I hope that we will be able to see Yo Yo Ma play at a concert hall in the future.

當UN傳來一張在便利商店的馬友友演奏會海報時，我的第一反應是“這一定是在日本本島”，但仔細一讀，竟然是在沖繩！買票這事，我們出的一樁糗事，我們到L牌便利商店買票，想自己試看看用機器訂票，弄了好久卻找不到。求助店員，店員耐心幫我們找票，當我以為票已售光時，我們把當初UN拍的海報給店員看，這時店員告訴我們這票在F牌便利商店販售（尷尬到極點！）疫情關係，演奏會從年初等到年尾。原先預定3月份開演，卻一路延遲到今年11月。這次演奏地點是在沖繩新建的體育場，環境、音效和座位角度還是不如正規演奏廳。希望以後能在正式的演奏廳聽馬友友演出。

Pie Making | 派教學

I’ve always wanted to make my own pie crust, but the recipes I found online all seemed very complicated, I gave up before I even finished reading the intro. This time, my friend P offered to teach us pie making from scratch. Homemade pie crust is so crispy and delicious, no wonder my friend insists that we make our own pie crust. My first time making apple pie and chicken pot pie was a success! Thankful for my friend P’s patience with us!

以前一直想嘗試自己做派皮，但網上總是規矩一堆，讓我倒退三分。這次朋友P手把手教我們，讓我不再害怕做派皮。手工派皮香又酥脆，難怪朋友堅持手做派皮。第一次做蘋果派和雞肉派就能這麼成功，必須感謝朋友P耐心教我們！

Kimono Modeling | 沖繩服飾拍攝

Shooting location was at Yambaru Hostel, I was a bit nervous, but thankfully my friend E was there to support me!

拍攝是在Yambaru Hostel，有夠緊張，但好險好友E在旁陪伴！

Friendsgiving Dinner | 感恩節前夕聚餐

With just the 5 of us, we made enough food to feed 50! We made four kinds of desserts, and numerous dishes. No one went home hungry for sure. Instead of saying what we were thankful for the year, we ended up roasting one another. I love the energy and fun that my group of friends bring!

我們一貫作風，明明只有五人一起吃飯，食物多到能供給50人吃吧（照片上只是一部份食物！）四種甜點，和數不清的菜色，年年有餘絕對在我們家發揮的淋淋盡致。明明感恩佳節應該說點感謝的話，但我們卻不停互嗆，只能說我們感情好。但不得不說真的很感謝這群好友常常帶來歡樂氣氛！

Yanbaru | 沖繩山原

練習慢生活就來這裡！曾經有朋友問我在日本最喜歡哪場旅行，來山原這裡過生活絕對是我的最愛之一。比起城市生活，我更愛這種樸實無華又帶著悠閒的生活。喜歡走在田野間偶見工作的農夫，熱情招待我們。我愛這裡，真希望能搬來這裡！這週，朋友E帶我到他的同事和枝（Katsue San）家吃飯，用不同方法烹煮豬料理。來吃飯的一位鄰居阿姨（Yoshie San）說這可不是一般豬，是山豬和白豬生出來的混血兒。

Slow living starts here in Yambaru! I was once asked where in Japan do I like the most, I can now confidently say that staying in Yambaru is definitely one of my favorite things to do. Contrast to the busy city life, I quite enjoy the simple and leisurely life in Yambaru. I love walking by farms and chatting up the farmers, and being randomly welcomed to their home for a home cooked farm-to-table meal. I would totally move here! I went with my friend E to her co-worker's place for dinner. They prepared many pork dishes, and I learned that the pork came from a mixed line of wild boar and farm pig.

Thanksgiving Dinner | 感恩節大餐

I was quite surprised that my little home can fit 10 people for a Thanksgiving dinner! I was in charge of the turkey this year, and started marinating three days ago. I used Chinese spices for the marinade, and stuffed the turkey with mochi rice (which I learned from my friends W&E). I was worried that my friends would not like the Chinese style turkey, but everyone went for second and third servings!

無比感恩我們這小小的家竟然能辦10人感恩節大餐！這次感恩節大餐，我負責烤火雞，三天前開始醃火雞，用的是中式香料。當天準備油飯塞進火雞裡（感謝好友W&E教我），但老實說我很緊張朋友們會不習慣中式火雞，每想到大家讚不絕口！

Power Boat License | 開船執照

UN’s dream is to buy a boat in the future. I decided to give him a surprise by signing him up for a power boat driving class. There was pure joy written all over UN’s face when he was steering. He said he’s one step closer to achieving his dream!

UN常常說他以後要買船，所以我決定給他一個驚喜，幫他報名開船課！UN開船時非常開心，一直說他離夢想又更近一步了！

First Indian Wedding | 第一次印度婚禮

Congratulations to S&K on their wedding! The new couple are perfect for each other, they even accidentally picked the same Bible verse for their vows. Thanks for inviting us to your wedding. Our first time attending a wedding in Okinawa, and our first time attending an Indian wedding as well! Honored to be able to dance at your wedding! Cheers to a new beginning and to forever!

恭喜S&K！新郎和新娘好有默契，交換誓言時，選了同樣的經文！謝謝S&K邀請我們參加你們人生重要一刻，也謝謝你們讓我們第一次在沖繩參加婚禮和第一次參加印度婚禮，還讓我們在你們的婚禮裡跳舞！祝你們白頭偕老！