EE FR
November 26, 2015 • mccsokinawa.com
okinawalivingweekly Illuminating the Season
Clockwise from the top: Thomas Alan Smilie, Subbotina Anna/bigstock.com
Dare to Test Your Limits
E
T
ach year when the nights get a little longer and the days a little cooler, some places shine a little brighter. The colorful lights glowing into the night sky of Okinawa are a sure sign that Christmas is right around the corner. Businesses decorate their storefronts and hotels light up their properties, displaying decorations for all to see. However, there are some places that take Christmas lights to a whole new level—places you won’t want to miss. Whether you want to bring the whole family out for some holiday fun, take that special someone on a romantic date, or maybe just stroll around solo while enjoying the beautiful sights, these illumination events are for everyone. From north to south, the lights seem to brighten the island. Visit one— or all—and you’re guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face. Peaceful Illumination takes place in Itoman City, just south of Naha. This incredible event is meant to
inside
send prayers of peace to the whole world from Okinawa. There will be a variety of different programs such as concerts, fireworks and laser shows. The venue will display over 1.3 million lights which represents each citizen of Okinawa. Next you can head over to Kanucha Stardust Fantasia, a resort transformed into an illumination event, marked with a 40-foot tree and more than 100,000 colorful lights engulfing the hotel. Bring a camera and dress warm, but mostly, enjoy yourself, the pretty lights and the joyous holiday season. Last but not least, visit the Southeast Botanical Gardens near Chibana and gaze at their annual illumination show. Enter through a tunnel of lights and enjoy a dinner buffet in their restaurant, Peace. Tens of thousands of lights dramatically transform the gardens to a magnificent illumination show. For details on these attractions, contact your local Tours+ office or visit mccsokinawa.com/tours.
Living at Large: Intersession Courses | 3 Culture Corner: Mayo Craze | 5 Japanese Phrase of the Week | 5 Off Base Events: Okinawa International Carnival | 7
est your swimming skills and sign up your four-person team to compete in a two-hour relay race at the Distance Dare Unit Challenge. The goal is to cover the most distance within the time limit—a true test of speed and endurance. This free event will take place at the Camp Schwab 50-Meter Pool on December 12 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. To participate, teams must sign up at the Camp Schwab 50-Meter Pool at 7:30 a.m. the morning of the race. Participation will be limited to 16 teams. Ribbons will be awarded to the top finishing teams within each division and age group. For more information, call the Camp Schwab 50-Meter Pool at 625-2023 or visit mccsokinawa. com/aquatics.
Photo of the Week | 7 Spotlight: Okinawan Gift Wrapping | 9 Your Home for the Holidays | 11 Class of the Week: Hot Hula Fitness | 11
2 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 26, 2015
3 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 26, 2015
livingatlarge
W
Intersession Courses
hether you’re a recent high school graduate or a college senior, enroll now for intersession college courses. Make the most of your time and squeeze in some extra credits during this short, four-week session that runs from December 14 to January 10. What else do you have to do? No matter where you are in your college career, MCCS Education and Career Services are here to make your college journey as successful and smooth as possible. They provide assistance in completing your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and for spouses, they offer MyCAA (Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts Programs). The education centers will
also help with scholarships. All Marines must attend a College 101/Tuition Assistance brief prior to receiving Tuition Assistance for the
first time. For more information call your local education center or visit mccsokinawa.com/educationandcareerservices.
mccsevents&happenings Education Center Walk-In Services November 27, 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Education Centers, all camps 645-3486
Federal Resume Writing November 30, 1–4 p.m. MFP-R, Camp Foster 645-2104
Art Club: Making Christmas Decorations December 1, 4–6 p.m. Teen Center, Camp Kinser 637-1755
Accessing Higher Education November 30, 8 a.m. Education Center, Camp Foster 645-3486
Career Launch: Basic Employment Skills November 30, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Teen Center, Camp Foster 645-1004
Basic Anger Management December 3, 10 a.m.–noon MCFTB, Camp Foster 645-3689
Sponsorship Workshop December 1, 9–11 a.m. MFP-R, Camp Courtney 645-2104
Smooth Move December 7, 8 a.m.–noon MFP-R, Camp Foster 645-2104
Tuition Assistance & College 101 Brief November 30, 10 a.m. & 2:30 p.m. Education Centers, Camps Courtney, Foster, Hansen, Schwab & MCAS Futenma 645-3486
Questions? Comments? Please e-mail OLW@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org To advertise in Okinawa Living Weekly, 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
Various Camps
Camp Foster
December 1–16 Fill your sleigh with top Kenwood products at a deep discount! mccsokinawa.com/typhoonmotors
November 27, 8 a.m.–noon Work off those holiday calories with four fitness classes: nightclub cardio, body blast, cycle and yoga. mccsokinawa.com/wellness
Kenwood Christmas Sale
Top photo: VCreativa Images/bigstock.com
CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER | Jim Kassebaum MANAGING EDITOR | Ryan Anastoplus ART DIRECTOR | Corrinne McKenna CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST | Ayako Kawamitsu GRAPHIC ARTS MANAGER | Henry Ortega GRAPHIC DESIGNERS | Margie Shimabukuro, Lisa Miyagi, Kelli Davis, Corrinne McKenna Catherine Newquist EDITOR-IN-CHIEF | Mike Daley PHOTOGRAPHER | Thomas Alan Smilie AD/SPONSORSHIP MANAGER | Roy Forster AD SALES | Yoshihiro Shinzato, Aya Chilcote, Yoriko Yamashiro, Carina Fils-Julien, Lisa Hicks, Michael Johnson 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 INTERN | Skylor Stevens
Black Friday Aerobathon
Camp Foster
Camp Hansen
November 28, 8 p.m. Prepare to be “wowed” as the best square off ! Join the action and choose the music genre for the final three rounds. mccsokinawa.com/entertainment
Every last Saturday of the month from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Enjoy trance, techno, Hardcore, acid house, rave and more! Open to E-5 and below, their civilian equivalents and authorized guests. mccsokinawa.com/thepalms
Mega Karaoke Finals
EDM Nights
4 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 26, 2015
5 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 26, 2015
japanese phrase
culturecorner
of the week
T
Good night. Oyasumi nasai.
Clockwise from the top left: lithian, Nosnibor137/bigstock.com
For details about FREE Japanese language classes, please call Marine & Family Programs– Resources at 645-2104/2106.
he magical egg and oil based condiment first arrived in Japan over 90 years ago. Japan took to mayonnaise wonderfully, with 7-11 unveiling the Tuna Mayo onigiri in 1983 and McDonald’s introducing the mayo-rich Teriyaki Burger in 1989. It didn’t take long before people couldn’t help but put mayonnaise on everything. These people, the mayonnaise fanatics, are known as mayora. Mayonnaise has been paired most famously in onigiri. In addition to tuna mayo, you can find shrimp mayo, cod roe mayo, chicken mustard mayo and crab mayo. It won’t be long before it’s just a glob of mayo wrapped in some seaweed. One of the most renowned mayonnaises in the world, Kewpie, is produced in Japan. What makes it so great? MSG. But there’s a little more to it, too. Kewpie mayo
Mayo Craze
only uses egg yolks, while other mayos use the whole egg. Kewpie also opts for rice vinegar instead of distilled vinegar. It’s umami in a bottle. You can find recipes on Kewpie’s website for anything from cake (mayonnaise cake) to sautés. But you can always use
Kewpie as a dip for vegetables or French fries. A Tokyo restaurant called Mayonnaise Kitchen uses the white gold in every dish, including cocktails and desserts. True mayoras buy a personal bottle of mayo to keep at the restaurant.
6 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 26, 2015
7 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 26, 2015
off-base events get out and explore.
Okinawa International Carnival November 28–29, noon–9 p.m. Gate 2 street, Okinawa City FREE Okinawan Hamburger Festival November 29, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Kanna Dam, Ginoza Village FREE Asian International Harii (Dragon Boat) Tournament November 28, 10 a.m. Nago fishing port, Nago City FREE
tours+
adventure begins here. Tea Ceremony with Kimono Dressing* December 4, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Adults $48, Children (3–11) $38 (under 3) FREE Experience a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony. After tea, have lunch and go shopping on Kokusai Street.
Ocean Expo Park & Churaumi Aquarium* December 5, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $37, Children (16–17) $32, (12–15) $26; (6–11)$22; (under 6) FREE Visit Okinawa’s four-story Churaumi Aquarium and watch a free dolphin show, visit an Okinawan Village or relax on Emerald Beach.
Pizza in the Sky & Nakijin Castle* December 6, 9:30 am–5 p.m. Adults $23, Children (3–11) $16 (under 3) FREE Visit café restaurant “Pizza in the Sky,” located in the hills of Motobu Village. Afterwards, stop by the Nakijin Castle Ruins and learn the history of the Ryukyu Islands.
Battle Sites Tour* December 5, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $28, Children (3-11) $18, (under 3) FREE Visit the Battle of Okinawa Historical Society’s museum on Camp Kinser. Explore the Japanese Naval Underground Headquarters and end the day at Peace Prayer Park.
Northern Highlights* December 6, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $39, Children (3–12) $24, (under 3) FREE Visit Nago Pineapple Winery, Nago Glass Factory and the Orion Beer Factory. Enjoy a buffet lunch at Yanbaru Ikoi no Mura.
Ice Skating at Southern Hill* December 7, 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 Hill offers batting cages, a bowling alley, video games and more.
*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
Clockwise from the top left: curaphotography/bigstock.com, Thomas Alan Smilie
photooftheweek
One of the native arts of Okinawa, kumi odri is a mixture of Okinawan, Chinese and Japanese dance styles. The style of dance merges storytelling, music and song for dramatic effect.
8 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 26, 2015
9 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 26, 2015
spotlight
Okinawan Gift Wrapping
O
mircea_dfa/bigstock.com
pening gifts on Christmas morning is one of the most exciting holiday activities. To make this occasion even more special, come attend the Okinawan Gift Wrapping class on December 4 to learn new, unique and ornamental Japanese gift wrapping techniques. The class will be located at Building 495 on Camp Foster from 5 to 7 p.m. This class will provide the skills you need to make your gift wrapping more distinctive while learning Japanese culture. “Japanese gift wrapping is more detail-oriented” explains class attendee Michelle
Jenkins. “In Japanese gift wrapping, you try to hide every sign of tape or crease marks, and use a lot more decorative ornaments like sticks and flowers.” Using these distinctive features can turn any gift into a special one. “The creativity of the wrapping can make the wrapping itself a present,” Jenkins adds. The Okinawan Gift Wrapping Class is a wonderful way of starting off your holiday. Call 645-9237 to register. —Skylor Stevens
10 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 26, 2015
11 | OKINAWA LIVING WEEKLY | November 26, 2015
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
semperfitevents Southern Camps Commander’s Cup Racquetball Tournament December 4–6 Camp Kinser Fitness Center Register at any MCCS fitness center on Camps Foster, Kinser or MCAS Futenma by 1 p.m. on November 30. This FREE event is open to participants on Camps Foster, Kinser, and MCAS Futenma. Awards will be given to first and second place winners. Tournament brackets and rules will be e-mailed to each player. Details: 637-1869.
classof theweek
Open Basketball Competition December 4–7 Camp Schwab Power Dome Register at any MCCS fitness center by 1 p.m. on November 30 for $95. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams. Tournament brackets and rules will be e-mailed to each player. Details: 625-2654/2442.
Open Basketball Tournament December 11–13 Camp Foster Gunners Fitness Center Register at any MCCS fitness center by 1 p.m. on December 7 for $95. This event is open to participants island-wide. Awards will be given to first, second and third place teams. Tournament brackets and rules will be e-mailed to each player. Details: 625-3003/4866.
Hot Hula Fitness®
Inspired by the dances of the Pacific Islands, Hot Hula Fitness incorporates dance movements set to the sounds of traditional Polynesian drum beats fused with reggae music. This class isolates your larger muscle groups and increases strength in your core.