January 14, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
Caylee Reid
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ide elephants through the rainforest, explore Buddhist temples, scale limestone cliffs jutting out of emerald waters and swim in bowls of sour, sweet and spicy Thai food. Thailand, also known as the Land of Smiles, almost glitters with enchantment. Let MCCS Tours+ take you there: sign up by January 20 for their nine-day, eightnight vacation from March 1 to 9. The tour begins in bustling Bangkok. On March 2, visit the famous Damnern Saduak Floating Market. At this 100-year-old market, float on the river between boat “shops” while purchasing handcrafted goods, souvenirs and fresh fruit, or simply sit back and take in the Thailand tradition. Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing lunch at the picturesque Rose Garden, and then watch a colorful Thai village show.
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Continue the next day in Bangkok with the City and Temples Tour. Among the dazzling wats (or temples) to explore is Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. At 150-feet long, Wat Pho holds the world’s largest reclining Buddha. If there is time, work out all your kinks with an hour-long traditional Thai massage from Wat Pho’s medicinal school for around $13. At the end of the day, fly out to Thailand’s northern hills of Chiang Mai. Near Chiang Mai, visit an elephant camp in Maetang, and see how elephants were used for lumber work and other skills. Then stroll through the rainforest on an elephant’s back to Lisu hilltribe village. Take a short ride on an oxcart formerly used to transport garden produce. After lunch, cruise down the river on a bamboo raft before returning to the hotel.
MLK Jr. Basketball Tournament | 3 Get Ready For Babies | 3 Why is That?: Why is Sushi Eaten Raw? | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
On March 5, explore Chaing Rai’s stunning and modern White Temple, peer across the river at Myanmar and Laos at the Golden Triangle and visit a Karen Long Neck Village to learn about traditional hill tribe culture. End your last couple days in Thailand in Phuket. Spend a day exploring multiple islands or join in on the MCCS optional tour to Phi Phi Island. Here, stunning limestone cliffs sit like jewels, and longtail boats zip in and out of a sea that changes color from emerald to sapphire. Soak in the last few rays of sunshine, and then on March 9 return to Okinawa, satiated by your spicy Thailand adventure. For more information about this trip, please contact Tours+ at 646-3502 or stop by your local Tours+ office. —Caylee Reid
Pick of the Week: Mother Coffee | 7 Spotlight: Let's Get Creative | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
2 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | January 14, 2016
3 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | January 14, 2016
livingatlarge
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MLK Jr. Basketball Tournament
he annual Martin Luther King Jr. Pacific-Wide Basketball Tournament is the biggest, mostanticipated basketball tournament hosted by MCCS Okinawa. It’s a five-day event consisting of teams from all over the Pacific. Teams consist of active duty and club teams, so there is no reason for you to not show up and cheer for your favorite team. The tournament is held at the Camp Foster Fieldhouse and will start on January 14 at 6 p.m. and lasts until the championship game on January 18. There is no fee to watch. There’s a lot more to do than just watch basketball games. The tournament is full of fun activities for participants and spectators to enjoy such as giveaways, prizes, contests, vendors and more. Food will be available for both players and spectators alike. Games are played on three courts, giving the spectators many options to watch.
You don’t have to be a basketball fan to come support your community. Whether you have a friend or spouse playing, or just want to participate in the fun, the
MLK Jr. Basketball Tournament is the perfect event to do so. For more information, contact Semper Fit Athletics at 645-3521 or mccsokinawa.com/semperfit.
events&happenings
Top: Nosnibor137/bigstock.com Bottom: famveldman/bigstock.com
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Get Ready For Babies
regnancy is hard. As mothers already know, the journey of pregnancy gets more challenging, exciting and honestly, uncomfortable, as the weeks, months and trimesters pass. By the time women enter the third trimester (28 weeks into the pregnancy) some may think she’d be a whiz. But every trimester brings new challenges: from 28 weeks onward, mothers can expect fatigue, back pain, weird dreams, clumsiness, and needing to pee all the time. Amid mom-to-be’s pregnancy glow, she might feel a loss in vitality, though her child is growing his or her bones, skin, digestive system, brain and all five senses. For this, future sons and daughters should be eternally grateful. And at around 40 weeks into the journey, most parents’ pregnancy woes are replaced by something else altogether: parenthood. It’s a lot to handle in less than a year. That’s why MCCS Baby Boot Camp is here to help.
Baby Boot Camp will prepare parents-to-be on what to expect during the third trimester and the first six weeks of their baby’s life. Parents will learn how to prepare for delivery, the basics of infant development, selfcare, infant safety, newborn care and more. It will also connect parents to available community resources. This class is open to first-time or “first-time-again” parents, as well
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Caylee Reid ART DIRECTOR | Hector Nieves CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Kelli Davis, Catherine Newquist EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Mike Daley EDITOR | Ryan Anastoplus PHOTOGRAPHER | Thomas Alan Smilie AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Aya Chilcote, Yoriko Yamashiro, Carina Fils-Julien, Lisa Hicks DISTRIBUTION | Gideon Juko, Sho Vivas MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Amanda Bakun, Katherine Melrose, Kayla Christen, Jenessa Reutov, Jennifer Dowd, Marissa DeSmet BROADCAST | Victor Mercado, Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer CAREER PRACTICUM INTERNS | Michael Johnson, Skylor Stevens
Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. To advertise in Okinawa LivingWeekly, call 645-2245, fax 645-0975, or email sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. MCCS is not responsible for designing and editing outside ads. No Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps or Marine Corps Community Services endorsement of commercial advertisers or sponsors implied.
as parents awaiting the arrival of their adopted infant. It is recommended to register for this monthly class as early as your second trimester. The next session is on February 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants are eligible to win prizes from Mattel. For more information and to register, call 645-0396 or visit mccsokinawa.com/npsp. This publication printed with
4 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | January 14, 2016
5 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | January 14, 2016
japanese phrase
whyisthat?
of the week
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Kore wa don-na ryouri desu ka? What kind of dish is this?
Clockwise from the top left: Ostancov/bigstock.com, Jag_cz/bigstock.com
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs–Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Why is Sushi Eaten Raw?
his may surprise you, but sushi does not refer to raw fish. That’s sashimi. Sashimi was originally eaten with a vinegar-based dressing by working fishermen, but nobility formed a taste for it in the Muromachi Period. Interestingly (but not surprisingly), once soy sauce was accessible to the common person, sashimi’s popularity followed suit. Although eating raw fish may be strange (even disgusting) to some, for a country surrounded by the sea, it’s a tribute to daily life. So what’s sushi, then? Sushi refers to a type of dish: vinegared rice topped with raw fish, cooked egg, shellfish or, really, anything. Many believe sushi originated in China as a means to preserve fish. Rice and salt were packed around the fish and left to ferment (this could last from two months to a whole year); once ready,
the rice was ditched, and only the pickled fish was eaten. This process traveled through Southeast Asia and reached Japan; slowly, this practice included eating the rice, too. The pickling process continued until the Edo Period—this is when people started using freshcaught fish on hand-rolled rice balls called nigiri-zushi or sushi. Sushi is now divided into four sections: the classic nigiri-zushi (the one we just covered); makizushi, or the familiar
“sushi roll”; chirashizushi, cooked or uncooked fish, shellfish or egg served over a bowl of rice; and oshizushi, a regional sushi popular in the Kansai area—bite-sized pieces are made with a wooden box mold. Grab a couple pieces of tuna sashimi with a dash of soy sauce or try a new makizushi (roll) and wash it down with some plum sake or awamori with a new appreciation. Itadakimasu! (Let’s eat!) — Caylee Reid
If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
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7 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | January 14, 2016
getting there
pickoftheweek
W Mother Coffee Turn left out of Camp Foster’s Legion gate. Continue straight, passing the 130 intersection. On the left (just past the brown soba restaurant), you will see a sign for Mother Coffee. Parking is limited.
Accepts ¥, $ and major credit cards. Open 7 a.m.—5 p.m., every day. Google Map 26.309123, 127.781229
Mother Coffee
ith the recent dip in temperature and lazy onagain, off-again rain, all we want to do is curl up inside a cozy café with a good book. This week’s pick is a place to do just that: Mother Coffee. Flooded with character and natural light, it’s a darling café with handdrawn menus and a dozy calico cat. Their specialty is the Dutch baby pancake, a soft, eggy and custardy pancake baked in a cast-iron skillet. Similar to a soufflé, it puffs up while baking, but once removed from the oven, it falls—creating a perfect crater (with walls still so fluffy they’re almost gravity-defying) to fill with berries, sweets, whatever your heart desires—although we doubt those desires will be anything besides what Mother Coffee already offers. And those options include Chocolate & Banana, the traditional dynamic duo; Apple & Caramel, with apples baked right into the pancake (!); and Berry & Berry, a punctuating tart
to the sweet. All are lightly dusted with powdered sugar and involve a mountain of whipped cream. Hardier pancake options include Bacon, Sausage and Sweet Teriyaki Chicken. That brings us to the coffee. The Mother Coffee Latte is a nice balanced blend, and the frothed milk is
Top: Caylee Reid Bottom: Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
Originating in Shuri, kumi odori is a type of a narrative dance which entertained Chinese diplomats in the 1700s.
a work of art. But, rest assured, you can’t go wrong because all of the coffee drinks are made from beans by a great local roaster: Mame Pore Pore (a pick for another week). Take a book, take a friend or just take your own dreamy thoughts. Check out Mother Coffee. —Caylee Reid
8 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | January 14, 2016
9 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | January 14, 2016
more details
spotlight
C Play-&-Learn 10–11 a.m. 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month Camp Foster Library 2nd Wednesday of each month Camp Kinser Marine & Family Programs’ building
Clockwise from the top left: dolgachov, iordani/bigstock.com
P.A.S.S. Proactive Advocates Sharing & Supporting 5–6 p.m. Support for families with special needs 1st Thursday of each month Bob Hope Elementary on Kadena AB
Let’s Get Creative
reativity is something that is not absolutely defined, but is an important trait to develop nonetheless. Creativity can be seen through one’s imagination, originality, productivity or problem-solving skills. Years of research establishes that creativity and creating makes people happier, healthier, more resilient and adaptable to change. So if creativity is so great for us, how do we attain it? While some people believe that creativity is something you either have or you don’t, this is untrue. Creativity is a learned skill, a skill which takes practice to maintain and refine, starting from early childhood. Most theories view children as naturally creative, inherently curious and experimental. This trait initially declines around kindergarten age. From then on, a person’s creativity rises and falls throughout his or her life depending on numerous, immeasurable factors. For a person of
any age to be creative, they must be encouraged by engaging in various types of “play” that invite imagination, experiencing emotions, problem solving and divergent thinking. To help foster your child’s creativity, join EFMP at Let’s Get Creative where, for two hours, anything goes. Interacting with adults and peers is
said to be one of the best environments for creative development. At this event, from 10 a.m. to noon on February 13, let your kids do just that by creating crafts, artwork or wherever their imagination leads them. Call 645-9237 or visit mccsokinawa.com/ efmp for details. Register by February 11.
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11 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | January 14, 2016
tours+
adventure begins here. Forest Adventure Park January 17, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $49, Children (7–17) $34 If you’ve ever looked upon a forest in the early morning light, tasted the fog as it rolled back into the dark and thought, “I would like nothing more than to zip-line though all these trees” then this is the tour for you.
Tunnel Rats January 17, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $23, Children (7–11) $16 Explore numerous caves that served as bunkers and shelter during WWII, and then stop by the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society’s museum. Shrines and Gardens January 18, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $20, Children (3–11) $13 (under 3) FREE Explore Okinawa’s most famous gardens: Shikina-en and Fukusyu-en. Afterwards, travel to Futenma Shrine. Also included is shopping and lunch on Kokusai Street.
*Bring yen for additional food, drinks and/or purchases. For more information, contact MCCS Tours+: Camp Foster 646-3502 | Camp Hansen 623-6344 | Camp Kinser 637-2744
off-baseevents get out and explore.
Ogimi Industrial Festival January 16–17, 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Ogimi Elementary School Ogimi Village FREE
Athletics/Adult Sports 645-3521/3522 Aquatics 645-3180 Courtney Ironworks 622-9261/7297 Futenma Semper Fit 636-2672 Gunners Fitness Center 645-3985/2235 Hansen House of Pain 623-5558/4831 Health Promotion 645-3484/3910 Kinser Fitness Center 637-1869/1114 Schwab Power Dome 625-2654/2442 Taiyo Golf Club 622-2004 Tsunami SCUBA 645-9500 Youth Sports 645-3533/3534
BJ League Basketball Tournament January 16, 7 p.m. & January 17, 6 p.m. Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Higashi Mikawa Phoenix Okinawa City Gym, Okinawa City Call Tours+ at 646-3502 for tickets.
Tonan Night Decorations January 14–February 14, 5–10 p.m. Southeast Botanical Gardens, Okinawa City Ticket: ¥1,200
upcoming semperfitevents Open 6-on-6 Soccer Tournament January 22–24 Camp Kinser Fitness Center Register at any MCCS fitness center by 1 p.m. on January 19 for $80. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third-place finishers. Tournament schedule and rules will be emailed to each participant. Details: 637-1869.
Open Hansen Volleyball Tournament January 22–24 Camp Hansen House of Pain Register at any MCCS fitness center by 1 p.m. on January 18 for $95. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third-place finishers. Tournament schedule and rules will be emailed to each participant. Details: 623-5569/5558.
classof theweek Bokwa Bokwa is a new and different approach to exercise. Participants draw letters and numbers with their feet while performing an energizing workout routine. TM
Camps Courtney & Foster For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/wellness.