January 21, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
Caylee Reid
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hese days, the Internet knows us better than we know ourselves. It is a sad symptom of our time. Technology can be a great thing but can take away some of what makes us human. The space between our electronic devices and our real lives is narrowing. Consumer culture in the digital age makes “real life” authenticity a marketing tool. So ironic that this blight in our lives goes by the same moniker as one of the purest forms of human creation and will—Spam. If only the life we were given was as welldressed as Spam: the meat, the myth, the shoulder of pork, et cetera. The glistening off-
inside
pink and rectangular-every-time formation of swine is so supple in its can. And it’s adaptability—the quiet and restrained elegance of a Spam musubi—a slice of spam and a chunk of rice wrapped in a strip of seaweed with enough heft and flavor to fulfill the palate and appetite with only three basic, earthy ingredients. It’s a welcome guest on iconic Okinawan dishes like Okinawa soba and gōyā champurū, and even American icons like corndogs and burgers. Spam, the revisionist food. For as simple and unassuming a food as Spam is, its culture on Okinawa runs deep. Spam was
Cherry Blossom Festival | 3 A Swim Event for Humans | 3 Culture Corner: Coffee Lovers | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
introduced to Okinawa by the U.S. military during WWII when pork was limited. The canned product was a success with Okinawans, a people who “eat every part of the pig except its squeal.” Spam, or “special ham” as some may refer to it, perhaps finally allows one to taste a pig’s squeal. Try Spam today, tomorrow and forever. Never had Spam? Join MFP-R (mccsokinawa.com/ culturalawareness) on a Japanese grocery store tour and pick up a can to add to your favorite dish, or eat it straight. —Ryan Anastoplus
Pick of the Week: Drop the Beat(s) | 7 FAFSA: Fact or Fiction? | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge
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Cherry Blossom Festival
kinawa hosts the earliest hanami (flower viewing) in all of Japan; it is an event that represents the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The cherry blossom’s short-lived beauty is representative of the concept of mono no aware (the pathos of things), a Japanese term describing the transient nature of beauty and the bittersweet sadness of their passing. The cherry blossoms, which bloom for no more than two weeks per year, are said to represent mortality and are a common symbolic device in Japanese art. They are also a symbol of love, affection, good fortune, and the coming of spring. Hanami is a centuries-old tradition in Japan. It is believed to have started in the Nara Period (710–794 A.D.) when people gathered for the viewing of ume (plum) blossoms. By the Heian Period (794–1185), sakura, or cherry blossoms, began to attract more atten-
tion and the term hanami became synonymous with a festival to celebrate cherry blossoms exclusively. Today, thousands of people flock to the flowering trees to feast under the cotton candy-like foliage while watching eisa dancers and taiko drummers march through the dreamy scenery.
On January 30 and 31, let MCCS Tours+ take you on a tour of this year’s Nago Cherry Blossom Festival. Come and enjoy family fun with food, cultural dances, parades, and the beautiful cherry blossoms. The tour will run from 11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Bring yen for food and spending.
events&happenings
Top: Aya Chilcote Bottom: Maridav/bigstock.com
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A Swim Event for Humans
his event is called the Polar Bear Open Ocean Swim, but please be advised, no polar bears are allowed. The Polar Bear Open Ocean Swim, despite its title, is for humans only. We apologize to any polar bears that were planning to participate. We hope any bears confused by the title of our event will forgive us by accepting free Coca-Colas. This event is on February 27, from 9 a.m. at Oura Wan Beach on Camp Schwab with 1500, 750 or 250 meter races. This event is fun for the whole family and, again, there are absolutely no polar bears allowed. Human swimmers are more than welcome, however, to join us for this fun winter event. Sign-up onsite at 8 a.m. All swimmers must wear a swim cap and attend the safety brief at 8:55 a.m. Full species checks will be in effect. As a side note, we ask that the polar bears responsible for the vandalism on the beach grounds to please desist. None of this behavior will make Polar
Bear Open Ocean Swim open to bears. Participants will be eligible for prizes and Red Lobster gift certificates. Drinks will be provided, and we will respectfully ignore any requests for seal-blubber chowder.
This event will be cancelled under sea condition Warning, Red, persistent thunder/lightning storms or if polar bears show up. Call 625-2023, visit mccsokinawa.com/aquatics or find us on Facebook for details.
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Ryan Anastoplus 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 | Caylee Reid 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.
This publication printed with
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japanese phrase
culturecorner
of the week
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Tetsudatte kuremasuka? Can you help me?
Clockwise from the top left: kadmy/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs–Resources at 645-2104/2106.
uckily for caffeine-addicts and coffee-gurus alike, Japan is full of cafés and coffee shops on just about every corner. It’s no joke that people love their coffee, and it rings no less true for Japanese and Okinawans. With unique coffee shops scattered all around this beautiful island, coffee lovers have a lot to choose from between coffee type, café style, location or all of the above. Before Starbucks was introduced to Japan in 1996, the coffee culture was rudimentary. The majority of coffee shops allowed smoking; few allowed to-go orders and customers had little ability to customize their drinks. The first Starbucks in Japan opened in Tokyo, causing expansion and growth in the Japanese coffee industry. Starbucks implemented a no-smoking policy in their shops, which influenced the younger Japanese. They also offered the ability to customize drinks, which was a new concept for Japanese custom-
Coffee Lovers
ers. These improvements drastically enhanced and expanded the coffee culture in Japan. More cafés started introducing non-smoking atmospheres, customizable beverages and sit-in or to-go orders. Cafés in Okinawa offer something for everyone. From the coffee connoisseur to the one-cup-a-week drinker, all
are guaranteed to be satisfied. Browse the island and don’t limit yourself to only one location for your coffee fix. Whether it’s a little basement shop, outdoor café, or someone’s house converted into a coffee bistro, you can discover new places you’ve never been while also enjoying a nice cup of joe. —Jenessa Reutov
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getting there
pickoftheweek
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AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom
Check out Bic Camera inside the AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom for a variety of headphone choices. Head left out of the Camp Foster Legion gate and continue straight on Route 330 until you reach the intersection for Route 85. Turn right. The mall will be on your right side. Google Maps 26°18’51.1”N 127°47’44.9”E
Drop the Beat(s)
here are five things one should not skimp on in life: a comfortable place to sleep, well-made shoes, a cast-iron pan, your health and a good set of headphones. Hearing things the right way is as important as a good night’s sleep, a well-seared ribeye, good cholesterol and shoes that you can be buried in. For example, listening to Radiohead’s Amnesiac through the earbuds that came with your iPhone is an experience akin to reading Moby Dick with random chapters removed, or eating a cheeseburger with no meat. Where lower-quality headphones miss some of the intricacies or nuances of a certain song, a nice pair of headphones allows you to hear the music as it was intended to be heard. Japan is a mecca for headphone culture. Why? Some of it is out of necessity. Since most Japanese homes don’t have space for high-end sound systems, the focus is placed on personal audio. Almost any major elec-
tronics store such as Bic Camera in the AEON Mall Okinawa Rycom has multiple aisles dedicated to high-end headphones from brands such as Audio Technica, Grado, AKG, Sennheiser, Breyerdynamic and more—all hooked up for customers to sample. Choosing the right headphone is dependent on a number of factors: what type of music you listen to, where you will be playing your music from, what sort of sound balance you
want and, of course, budget. Prices for high-quality headphones range from $100 to upwards of $2,000 for a set of over-ear headphones and slightly less for in-ear monitors (IEMs). Why splurge on headphones? Because if you’re going to spend a lot of money on the way you listen to music, they should sound better than a foam speaker played through a pillow. Or Beats by Dre. —Ryan Anastoplus
Top: Mike Daley Bottom: Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
Heiwa Dori, a covered arcade-style market located off of Kokusai Street in Naha, is a great place to experience Okinawan culture—especially on a rainy day.
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more details
spotlight
I • With all the great opportunities for financial aid, service members will not have to worry about student debt. • Currently, nearly two-thirds of all college students graduate with a student loan. • Student debt is increasing at a rate of almost $3,000 per second, totaling over $875 billion in the U.S. alone.
Clockwise from the top left: dolgachov, Flynt/bigstock.com
Sources: Wall Street Journal, FinAid.
FAFSA: Fact or Fiction?
f you’re like most students, the idea of college can be daunting—just a gray nebula of impending doom. Throw in the term “non-traditional student” and college may feel even more out of reach. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Your local MCCS Education Center can be the torch that guides you through the maze of enrollment. Sit down with one of their guidance counselors to set up a career and education plan. Then determine your ideal school, with degree plans that fit both your schedule and goals. But, let’s be honest. The most important question on your mind is probably funding-related. It’s no secret that college is expensive, and many service members join the military with the main goal of earning a funded education. However, you don’t have to wait to go back to school; there are other funding options besides Tuition Assistance. Navigate your way through the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the FAFSA: Fact or Fiction? brief to be held at the Camp Kinser Education Center on January 28 at 5:30 p.m. At FAFSA: Fact or Fiction?, experts in the field will sift through and separate the facts from the seas of rumor and myth. After the brief,
participants can fill out their FAFSA with the assistance of MCCS Education Center staff members. For the best service, participants should bring their recent tax forms. For more information, contact Education and Career Services at 6457160 or visit mccsokinawa.com/ educationandcareerservices.
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tours+
adventure begins here. Ice Skating* January 23 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $35; Children (13–17) $32 (7–12) $26, (3–6) $22, (under 3) FREE More than just an ice skating rink, Southern Hills offers batting cages, a bowling alley, video games and more.
Ryukyu Mura and Zakimi Castle* January 24 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $33; Children (3-11) $21 (under 3) FREE Visit Ryukyu Mura, Zakimi Castle Ruins, the Yomitan Museum and Cape Zanpa, one of the most beautiful and scenic spots on Okinawa.
Sweet & Salty* January 24 8:30 a.m,–1:30 p.m. Adults $20; Children (3-11) $13 (under 3) FREE Visit a sugar cane factory and learn how Okinawa’s healthy brown sugar is made. Then visit a sea salt refinery to find out what goes into producing salt.
Japanese Tea Ceremony with Kimono Dressing* January 29 3–8:30 p.m. Adults $48; Children (3–11) $38, (under 3) FREE Take part in a traditional tea ceremony and learn the history of kimonos by dressing the traditional Japanese garment. To commemorate the day, a photo of your immersion into Japanese culture will be provided by the Tea House.
*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.
Okinawa City Industrial Festival January 23–24 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Okinawa Comprehensive Park Okinawa City
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
Tomigusuku Industrial Festival January 23–24 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Michino Eki Toyosaki Tomigusuku City
Nakijin Castle Cherry Blossom Festival January 23–February 7 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Nakijin Castle Ruins, Nakijin Village Adults ¥400, Children (6-17) ¥300
upcoming semperfitevents New Year’s Resolution 5K Fun Run January 31 Gunners Fitness Center Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on January 25 for $20 or at Gunners on the day of the event from 6:30 to 7:15 a.m. for $25. This event is open to all participants island wide. Awards will be given to first, second and thirdplace winners in male & female divisions. A mandatory participants’ brief will be held at 7:45 a.m. on the day of the event. Details: 645-3003.
Southern Camp Commanders’ Cup Bowling Tournament February 3 Camp Foster Bowling Center Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on January 25 for FREE. This event is open to eligible units aboard Camps Foster, Kinser and MCAS Futenma. Details will be emailed to participants on January 25. Team awards will be given to 1st and 2nd place teams.
classof theweek Yoga for Beginners
If you’ve always been intrigued by yoga but have never taken the first step to attend a class, this is the class for you. Basic yoga movements and stretches will help you to feel confident and strong. Fridays at 9 a.m. on Camp Foster For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness