June 23, 2016 • mccsokinawa.com
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he air is thickening into a soup; even the leaves are damp with sweat, and the cries of the cicadas are growing more desperate with the climbing temperatures. Really, we’re all growing more desperate as Okinawa is entering its oppressively hot stages of summer. So, how do you stay cool in the summer in Japan? Here are a few tips to surviving the swelter (most of these items can be purchased at a ¥100 store): 1. Carry a parasol—everywhere. Leave it to Japan to keep Victorian era fashion…fashionable. (Can this also include afternoon tea?) 2. The answer is yes if it’s barley tea. You’ll often find iced mugicha (Japanese roasted barley tea) served as the complimentary drink in the summertime at restaurants. This is because it’s believed to have cooling properties. 3. Along with parasols, long gloves and big
inside
hats are more than a fashion statement. Skin protection is very important in Japan, and the women, especially, will remain covered up against the sun. Some wear the gloves only while driving, while others keep them on at the beach or anytime they’re outside. 4. Ice pillows. A refreshing Japanese invention: it’s an icepack with an insulated cover that can be used as a pillow. 5. Buy one of those Japanese hand fans. Classy, compact and cool. One day you’ll swear this was the best ¥100 ever spent. 6. Our favorite way to stay cool (and one we are hoping to adopt!): Japan’s Cool Biz fashion. The Japanese government initiated an annual energysaving campaign for the hotter months. Cool Biz encourages workers to shed the typical business attire of suits and ties for open-neck, short-sleeve
Cool Down with a Swim Meet | 3 Independence Day Scuba Sale | 3 Why Does Everyone Wear Those Masks? | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5
“Here are a few tips to surviving the swelter...” shirts. This year the campaign is encouraging polo shirts and aloha shirts. How much more appropriate would that be on Okinawa? That is the island life we were hoping for! Looking for other ways to beat the heat? Sign up for a swim meet, details on page 3. The unsuspecting problem with summer—it’s like a meat locker inside! Check out our pick of the week on page 7, featuring ways to beat the freeze.
Pick of the Week: Office Climates | 7 Foster Framing's Christmas in July Sale | 9 Off-Base Events | 11 Semper Fit Events | 11
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livingatlarge
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Cool Down with a Swim Meet
alling all mermen and mermaids and even water-loving land dwellers—the MCCS Aquatics’ Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team is hosting five swim meets this year. If you find yourself in a summer rut from too much lazing at the beach or the summer heat is cramping your style, perhaps you should shake things up a bit by working toward your fitness goals and cooling off at one of the summer swim meets. You’ll have three different chances: July 9, August 13 and September 23, all hosted at the Camp Foster 50M Pool. Later in the year, go for one of the polar options: December 3 or 17, both at the Camp Foster 25M Pool. All meets are from 6 to 10 a.m. The meets are FREE and open to athletes of all ages and island-wide. Runs will cover various swim strokes such as freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and more. The SOFA-status entry period opens 14 days prior and
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Caylee Reid ART DIRECTOR | Catherine Newquist CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Kelli Davis, Hector Nieves 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, Kelli Kreider MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER | Andrew Menges ACCOUNTS & RESEARCH | Jennifer Dowd, Marissa DeSmet, Ashley Herring, Katherine Melrose, Jenessa Reutov BROADCAST | Victor Mercado, Kathlene Millette, Gabriel Archer
closes five days prior to the meet date. The non-SOFA-status entry period opens 35 days prior and closes 30 days prior to the meet date. Required entry information includes swimmer’s
name and date of birth. Email odst@hotmail.com to enter for FREE. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/swimteam or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.odst.
events&happenings
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.
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Independence Day Scuba Sale
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xploring the underwater wonderland is a definite perk to enjoying the island-life. With its rich underwater landscapes, diversity of sea life and pleasant temperatures year-round, Okinawa attracts scuba divers from around the world. It is difficult to grow bored diving in the waters around Okinawa. There
are a number of dive sites to discover ranging from beginner to expert level. Whether you prefer colorful reefs teeming with life or adventurous shipwreck dives, the island waters have it all. Plus, with all the classes and certifications you can earn through Tsunami Scuba, you’re in a position to always advance your skills as a diver.
To help you explore all the ocean has to offer without breaking the bank, check out the Independence Day sale from July 1 to 5. Save 10 percent off everything in store and up to 30 percent on select items. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/tsunamiscuba or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.scuba.
This publication printed with
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japanese phrase
whyisthat?
of the week
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Boushi wo wasurenaide. Don't forget your hat.
Clockwise from the top left: Javier Brosch/bigstock.com, Nicholas Han/bigstock.com
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs-Resources at 645-2104/2106.
Why Does Everyone Wear Those Masks?
etween 1918 and 1950, four significant events affected Japan’s air. The solution each time? Face masks. They were first used to prevent illness during the 1918 flu pandemic and reappeared a few years later after the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, which left smoke and ash in the air for weeks. In 1934, masks became part of life again with the second global flu epidemic. In the 1950s, post-war industrialization led to more air pollution, and the higher levels of carbon dioxide in the air led to pollen-rich Japanese cedar to grow rapidly. The masks returned and stayed. Of course, the issues of airborne illness, pollution and allergens are not specific to Asia, so why has the mask become so commonplace in East Asia? It could be traced all the way back to Taoism and traditional Chinese medi-
cine, wherein breath and breathing are key elements to good health. We can guess that on one level, mask wearing predates medicine but has some roots in East Asian philosophy. As people continued to wear masks its purpose evolved. Masks have become a fashion accessory and social crutch. Some women prefer the “eyes only” look; one model told reporters that she wears a mask after removing makeup at the end of photo shoots to conceal her natural
face in public. Many women wear masks for a similar purpose, reasoning that slipping on a mask is easier than applying makeup. Psychologically, people claim to wear masks because they find comfort in the barrier it builds between them and outside world. Some wear masks because they have grown to fear showing who they really are to other people. Another aspect is the anonymity it provides by blending in with the crowd.
If you have any burning questions about Japanese culture, please send them to OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org.
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adapt to your B climate
Cold: Jacket Blanket Beanie
Warm: Hand fans Cool Biz Iced mugicha
pickoftheweek Office Climates
eing outside is hot. And our offices are too cold. Or too warm. Even with the advances of air conditioning, we find it difficult to achieve the perfect temperature for a large number of people working in an office space. A true dilemma for developed nations in the 21st century. The typical office worker spends at least 40 hours in a temperature that is regulated by someone else. Who, we don’t know. It’s as mysterious as the weather outside. How can one survive these conditions? Consider the long term damage that must accumulate onto your thermoregulatory system when one steps out of temperatures of slight discomfort, into slighter discomfort. It truly is a Kafkaesque existence. How can we stay warm when it’s too cold inside? It can be as simple as a blanket for your workspace. Cold air is what takes away our body heat. A blanket creates a
barrier between you and the cold air, keeping cold air out and the heat in. What if we are too warm inside? There are plenty of applicable tips on our cover story.
Clockwise from left: graphicphoto/bigstock.com, kjekol/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
Stay safe in the heat. Pay attention to the flag color, keep hydrated and exercise in the cooler parts of the day.
No matter how you regulate temperature, there is no reason anyone should be too warm or too cool with the resources we have now.
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spotlight
more details Hours of Op e Tuesday– ration: Satur 10 a.m.–7 day p.m.
Hannamariah/Bigstock.com (2), Daxiao Productions/Bigstock.com
C l os e d: & Sunday a d Mon y
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Foster Framing’s Christmas in July Sale
ingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way to Foster Framing & Fine Arts, located in the Community Center, because Santa came early this year. Foster Framing is hosting its annual Christmas in July Sale, so you can beat the Christmas rush. Save 20 percent on all frames from July 12 to 16. This sale is so early that, in December, you’ll have forgotten you already took care of everything. When you’re about to dash around the island like mad, fighting the frenzy for gifts, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to remember you’re already done. What family member doesn’t love a nice custom framed picture of their family that is half a world away? Soak up the sweet air-conditioning instead of doing something hot and sticky outside. Then, in December,
you can put your feet up and snuggle up to a good holiday film (and then another) with all your free time. This is the kind of sale that’ll keep you feeling the warm holiday glow even in the middle of the year.
For more information on the Christmas in July Sale or their services, call 645-3674 or visit mccsokinawa.com/framingandfinearts. This sale excludes class and service fees.
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tours+
adventure begins here Japanese Tea Ceremony June 24, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Adults $35; Children (3–11) $28 (under 3) FREE Experience a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. Learn the steps to making tea, and eat Japanese sweets in a very traditional manner. After tea, eat lunch and go shopping on Kokusai Street. Yanbaru Kayaking June 25, 8 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Adults $55, Children (6–12) $33 Get your muscles moving while kayaking between the roots of mangrove trees for approximately two-and-a-half hours.
Spelunking Tour June 25, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Adults $47; Children (6–11) $37 Become a spelunker at the Gyokusendo Caves located at Okinawa World. Crawl through chest-high water and narrow passages filled with stalactites and stalagmites. Northern Highlights June 26, 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. Later enjoy a buffet lunch (included) at Yanbaru Ikoi no Mori.
The June 16 issue of Okinawa Living Weekly incorrectly listed the Tours+ Bali tour date as June 21–27. The correct Bali tour date is September 1–7. *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
Nanbu Bullfighting Tournament June 26, 1:30 p.m. Ishikawa Multipurpose Dome Uruma City Tickets: ¥2,500
Proud sponsor of MCCS Youth Sports
Athletics/Adult Sports
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
Eisa Night June 26, 7:30 p.m. Koza Music Town, Okinawa City FREE
Manza Dragon Boat Race June 26, 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort FREE
upcoming semperfitevents Semper Fit has events every day this month.
Contact your nearest fitness center or visit mccsokinawa.com/semperfit to find out what’s going on.
Open Basketball Tournament July 8–10 Camp Hansen House of Pain Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on July 5 for $100. The tournament rules and schedule will be emailed to each participant. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to top three individuals and teams. Details: 623-5569/5558.
Open Gladiator Games July 17 Camp Kinser Field #4 Register at any MCCS Fitness Center by 1 p.m. on July 11 for $30 per team. The tournament rules and schedule will be emailed to each participant. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to top three individuals and teams. Details: 637-1869.
classof theweek Prenatal Yoga Yoga poses for pre- and postnatal women, focusing on strength and flexibility throughout your pregnancy. (You don’t have to be pregnant to go to this class.)
Camp Foster Tuesdays & Thursdays 10–11 a.m. For a full class schedule and times, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness.