March 24, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
Bigstock.com/Rasulov, Bigstock.com/Bimbimkha
T
hey say virtuosos are masters of the simple. One cannot simply go from breast milk to happy meals or carrot mulch to a fifth helping of bread pudding. No, it takes years before one even thinks of stepping near a buffet, and it can take even longer to master the elite class of dining. The patronage of a buffet is not only an excuse to wear your elastic pants, it is the truest form of dining— in tune with the mind, body and spirit—it’s the lunch of a savant. Step one: Survey the area. With its grottoes of bottomless grub, an all-you-can-eat buffet is the only way any self-respecting hedonist eats—the platters of steaming food are like a line of delicious volcanoes. Approach the buffet line with tact, a discerning eye and the humility of a knight. Remember the first rule: take small (roughly the size of a monocle) samples of each dish. Certainly one need not be reminded to cleanse the palate with a
inside
pinch of lemon sorbet between each tasting. Step two: Choose a few items from step one and build a plate of food that compliments one another. Scholars of the buffet must only build a dish with items worthy of resting on your plate. If the urge finds you, take a small scoop of the seasonal vegetables as a side dish and mind the second rule: a bon vivant’s plate should be as heavy in your hand as your summer ascot collection or one boating shoe. Step three: Dessert. Surely you, a discerning epicure, have room for dessert. Go forth, Alexander of confection, Napoleon of bonne bouche, Gengis Khan of sweetmeat and sugarplums. Handmade cake breaks apart in your mouth as if they were angel fingers plucking a harp of kitten fur. The fresh cookies are perfectly baked chunks of Cupid’s cheek. The fruits—jewels ransacked from the lips of Aphrodite herself.
Daddy Daughter Date Night | 3 Hop In for Easter Family Fun Nights | 3 Why is the Abacus Still Taught? | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
"...it is the truest form of dining..." As you select your dessert, be mindful of the third rule: the appropriate amount of dessert should fit within the bounds of a top hat’s crown. After dessert, offer your compliments to the chef, tip your hat to the staff, and call for your carriage. I say, old bean, ‘tis time for a nap! MCCS holds buffets every weekend at its clubs. Check one out this weekend, plus special Easter Brunch Buffets on March 27. —Ryan Anastoplus
Pick of the Week: Bunnies Appeal for Peace | 7 Exceptional Family Member Program | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
2 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | March 24, 2016
3 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | March 24, 2016
livingatlarge
I
Daddy Daughter Date Night
t’s no secret that parents have a major impact on the development of their children. How the parent treats the child and how the child views the parent are key variables in development. A number of studies have been done on father-daughter relationships and how it impacts a woman’s life. In 2012, researchers for the Journal of Family Psychology studied two groups of women: one group had relationships with their fathers that were marked by experiences of warmth, autonomy and support. The second group had relationships marked by rejection, chaos and coercion. Researchers found that the second group was more sensitive to emotional changes and had higher cortisol levels. However, the autonomic nervous system functions between the two groups were the same, suggesting that despite one’s father-daughter relationship, it may not affect quality of life as much as she thinks.
According to another study, examining a daughter’s perception of her father—not what he actually did or didn’t do—found that perception mattered more than the facts. These studies conducted by Utah State University in 2012 suggested that daughters simply perceiving their fathers in a more positive light could lead to more fulfilling lives. A great way to have your daughter perceive you in the best possible way
is to treat her like a princess at Daddy Daughter Date Night. On April 16 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Surfside on Camp Kinser, enjoy an elegant three-course meal, live entertainment, dancing and a fun photo booth. The dress code is semi-formal. Tickets go on sale March 28 at Surfside. Adults are $30, children 5 to 11 are $15 and children under 5 are $7. For more details visit mccsokinawa.com/surfside.
events&happenings
Hop In for Easter Family Fun Nights
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, Kelli Kreider 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 INTERN | 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.
Top to bottom: d13/bigstock.com, FikMik/bigstock.com
S
pring is that wonderful time of year when everything begins to bloom again. Winter has ended and the world is slowly coming out of hibernation. Spring brings warmer weather, beautiful flowers and quality time spent time with family and friends. What better way to enjoy spring with your loved ones than to share a delicious meal together? Don’t waste another minute deciding where to go because MCCS has the perfect event for the whole family at two different locations. Grab the kids and head over to the Easter Family Fun Night Celebration with the Easter Bunny at Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney. The Easter Bunny has been waiting all winter and is finally hopping into town to spend time with you and your family on March 24 from 5 to 9 p.m. Kids can enjoy their favorite foods at this buffet-style dinner. Further south, Kinser Surfside will host their Easter Super Family
Fun Night the same evening. Prices for the Easter Family Fun Nights are $7.95 for adults, $3.95 for children ages 5 to 11 and FREE for children under 5. No reservations
are required for these events. Don’t miss out on this fun, family-friendly event. It’s a wonderful way to start spring off right. For details, visit mccsokinawa.com/clubs.
This publication printed with
4 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | March 24, 2016
5 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | March 24, 2016
japanese phrase
whyisthat?
of the week
T
Goshinpai naku. Don’t worry! For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Why is the Abacus Still Taught?
he abacus, an ancient manual calculator, is still popular in Japan. On top of being taught in third grade and higher of public school, there are specialized cramschool, known as juku, that are dedicated entirely to teaching abacus skills. Parents and teachers believe this manual calculation helps students better understand the concept of numbers and visualize their value because the numbers have a concrete representation. Known to the Japanese as the soroban, the abacus was introduced to Japan from China in the 15th century. The modern version used today has parallel rods containing five beads, or counters, each. According to the soroban website, some of the benefits of learning a more manual math include improved memorization and concentration, speed reading and listening
and information processing. Once a student is a skilled abacus user, he or she can complete complex computations much faster than with pencil and paper and almost as fast as (and sometimes as fast as) an electronic calculator. It has turned into a national sport. At certain stages you can earn differ-
ent rankings, similar to karate, and there are abacus tournaments hosted around Asia. Japan and other Asian countries continue to score high on the global mathematics ranking—perhaps their secret is the abacus. —Caylee Reid
Clockwise from the top left: dolgachov/bigstock.com, Cmcderm1/bigstock.com
If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
6 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | March 24, 2016
7 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | March 24, 2016
getting there
Ōkunoshima is a small island near Hiroshima prefecture. It is accessible via a short ferry from Tadanoumi and Omishima.
pickoftheweek
T
Bunnies Appeal for Peace
he sign at the entrance of the poison gas museum on Ōkunoshima reads, “War is meaningless and the production of poison gas is tragic. We make an appeal for everlasting peace.” The island of Ōkunoshima was home to 6,500 workers who developed chemical weapons during WWII including six kilotons of mustard gas, tear gas (some of which is still buried throughout the island) and sneezing gas, a compound which induced uncontrollable sneezing, coughing, vomiting and, eventually, death. The island was kept a secret, not even appearing on maps until about 50 years ago. Throughout the program, the weapons were tested on bunny rabbits and after the war ended, the weapons program was abolished and the workers abandoned the factories, but the rabbits stayed and multiplied. Today, the only thing inhabiting Ōkunoshima are abandoned
weapons factories reclaimed by nature and hundreds of rabbits with a somber past. The public has been assured that the critters inhabiting the island are not dangerous nor are they mutant beings created by the folly of man—they are as cuddly as you would expect any bunny rabbit
Clockwise from the top left: Melpomene/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie (2)
photooftheweek
You don't need to visit rabbit island to pet lots of bunnies. They are a staple at most petting zoos on Okinawa.
to be, bouncing right up to tourists in search of food. Visitors are still advised to stay on official paths since there has never been a decontamination of the island and some areas may still have buried weapons. —Ryan Anastoplus
8 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | March 24, 2016
9 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | March 24, 2016
more details
spotlight
Exceptional Family Member Program
T
Clockwise from the top left: Yastremska/bigstock.com, Marmion/bigstock.com
Discover how your perspective is shaded at EFMP’s 4 Lenses Workshop on April 29. Registration is recommended: 622-9794.
he Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a program designed to safeguard the assignment process of Marine families with specialized medical, educational or mental health needs. These needs can range anywhere from asthma to autism. The Installation EFMP Coordinator is available to help special-needs families before, during and after their relocation by offering support and assistance during their tour of duty. Some families may hear “EFMP” and assume it is a one-way ticket back to the states. But EFMP is first and foremost a resource centered on the military family. The staff does everything possible to ensure exceptional families stay together but also have the resources necessary to continue a tour in a safe and healthy way. EFMP tackles this by confirming the availability and accessibility of services for families
while also balancing the mission of the Marine Corps. And once a family is living on the island, EFMP works with other military and civilian agencies to provide a comprehensive, multi-agency approach for community support on Okinawa. EFMP Coordinators have established a framework for effective communication and collaboration between families and professionals, between TRICARE, and public healthcare systems, among agencies
at the state and community levels and among public agencies and voluntary organizations. EFMP provides a monthly forum to connect families with medical or educational needs. In a comfortable setting, meet others that walk in your shoes and empower yourself with their knowledge and experiences. For more information about the program, please call 645-9237 or visit mccsokinawa.com/efmp.
10 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | March 24, 2016
11 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | March 24, 2016
tours+
adventure begins here Okinawa West Coast Tour April 2, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $43, Children (6–12) $26 (3–5) $11, (under 3) FREE Visit Cape Manzamo, one of the most beautiful and scenic spots on Okinawa. After stopping by Cape Manzamo, visit Okinawa Marriott Resort for a delicious lunch buffet. Last stop will be at the Okinawa Sweets Factory where you can taste more sweets while overlooking the beautiful East China Sea. Itoman Farm & Fish Tour April 2, 9 a.m.–2 p.m Adults $20, Children (4–11) $13, (under 4) FREE The best food is what’s grown closest to you. Explore and shop the freshest foods available where you can buy a variety of fresh seafood and vegetables at Itoman.
Battle Sites Tour April 3, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $28, Children (3–11) $18 (under 3) FREE Visit Kakazu Ridge, the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters, and end the day at Peace Prayer Park. Northern Highlights April 3, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $39, Children (3–11) $24 (under 3) FREE Visit Nago Pineapple Winery, Nago Glass Factory and the Orion Beer factory. Then enjoy a buffet lunch at Yanbaru Ikoi no Mori.
*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
BJ League Basketball Tournament March 26, 7:30 p.m. & March 27, 6 p.m. Ryukyu Golden Kings vs. Shiga Lake Stars Tomishiro City Gym, Tomishiro City Call Tours+ at 646-3502 for tickets.
Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports
Athletics/Adult Sports
Clockwise from the top left: Mike Daley, Thomas Alan Smilie
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
Yanbaru Food Festival March 26, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 21st Century Forest Park, Nago City FREE
Piece of Peace World Heritage Exhibit built with Lego Bricks March 24 - April 10, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Urasoe City Museum, Urasoe City Tickets: Adults ¥800, Children (3–16) ¥600, (under 3) FREE
upcoming semperfitevents Open Racquetball Tournament April 2–3 Camp Kinser Fitness Center Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on March 28 for $10. Late registration in available on-site on April 2 until 9 a.m. for $15. A mandatory participants’ brief will be held on April 2 at 8:45 a.m. Awards will be given to first, second and third place winners. This event is open to participants island wide. Details: 637-1869.
Open Power Lifting April 2 Camp Hansen House of Pain Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on March 28 for $10. Late registration is available on-site until 9 a.m for $15 on April 2. A mandatory participants’ brief will be held at 9:45 a.m. Awards will be given to first, second and third place winners in all weight categories. This event is open to participants island wide. Details: 623-5569.
classof theweek Interval Training This "Tabata" style interval training class is a great way for you to improve your cardiovascular ability. Each set is four minutes—an exercise is done in intervals of 20 seconds on and 10 seconds off, repeated eight times. Camps Foster and Kinser For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.