Okinawa Living Magazine January 2020

BEHIND THE SCENES: NAF HUMAN RESOURCES January 2020 | Issue 263

SHURI CASTLE TRIBUTE

contents January 2020

8 58

62 24 features 8

58

Behind the Scenes: Non-Appropriated Fund Human Resources Office (NAF HRO) NAF HRO manages MCCS’ most valuable asset— people—by hiring candidates most suitable for the job, properly training them to perform their jobs effectively and helping them forge a path for future career growth.

Restaurant Review: Breakfast at TERRA It’s the most important meal of the day…why not make it a celebration of morning gourmandizing at TERRA?

KAILEY LAVALLIERE, MCCS PHOTO

24 On the cover 2019 USMC HITT Championship winner Sgt Alexandra Martin reaching new heights

Keep Your Resolutions (For Once) Learn how to better meet your 2020 health and fitness goals with a little help from the professionals at MCCS Health Promotion and 2019 USMC HITT Championship winner Sgt Alexandra Martin.

62 Shurijo: A Tribute to Its Majesty As a true Okinawan icon, Shurijo, or Shuri Castle, has graced the pages (and the cover) of Okinawa Living Magazine many times over the decades. Although it was devastated by an earlymorning fire on October 31, 2019, the people of Okinawa, Japan and the world are mobilizing to ensure that it rises again from the ashes.

contents January 2020

53

19 45 fitness + fun

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17 Hansen Festival The fresh, crisp air won’t be around for long, but families can experience it to the fullest at Hansen Festival!

19 Bali Tour Smoking forested volcanoes, ribbons of green rice paddies, black sand beaches and coral reefs—need we say more?

21 Hey Bikers!

Calling all road-racing cyclists! It’s time to feel the wind in your face and taste the sweet nectar of victory at the Camp Hansen Criterium or “Crit” Bike Race.

37 New. Fresh. Now. How about a bit of “New. Fresh. Now.” for lunch? Head over to Ocean Breeze for their weekday lunch buffet!

marines + families 43 Boots to Business Build upon your entrepreneurial dreams by attending this program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

45 FAFSA Fridays Stop by an MCCS Education Center and receive hands-on assistance with filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

53 A Cut Above If you’ve always dreamt about creating your own quality furniture and other wooden treasures, look to the Courtney Arts and Crafts Center.

extras 7 Feedback + Show Us!

75 Living on Okinawa

76 Marketplace Guide

79

dining + entertainment

kids + parents

35

47

Roasted Chicken To-Go It’s a delicious, simple solution to a busy night or the perfect meal when you don’t quite feel like whipping anything up. And, it’s available at Tengan Castle!

services

Help Wanted!

The 2020 youth soccer season is almost here, and MCCS Youth Sports is looking for volunteer coaches to help make it a successful one.

MCCS News

JANUARY 2020 | ISSUE 263 COMMANDING GENERAL, MCIPAC Brigadier General William J. Bowers ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS, MCIPAC Edward S. Hutsell DEPUTY ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF, MCCS DIRECTOR, MCCS, MCB CAMP BUTLER Michael S. Gieseck DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR MARINE & FAMILY PROGRAMS Carlos J. Saldaña

To our valued customers: On behalf of all of us at MCCS, I have been asked to share with you the introduction of a new value proposition for our enterprise.

DEPUTY MCCS DIRECTOR BUSINESS & SUPPORT Casey Roberts CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER Jim Kassebaum EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mike Daley MCCS ART DIRECTOR Henry C. Ortega OKINAWA LIVING ART DIRECTOR Margie Shimabukuro GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Emeline Toole, Ai Jirka, Giulia Pulvirenti EDITORIAL Amanda Carrasquillo, Eden Klinedinst DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Thomas Alan Smilie PHOTOGRAPHER Kailey LaValliere DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA Kathlene Millette, Lillion Hunt Hamilton, Hillary Taylor CULTURAL RESEARCH SPECIALIST Ayako Kawamitsu ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP MANAGER Roy Forster ADVERTISING SALES & SPONSORSHIP Yoshihiro Shinzato, Hiromitsu Horikawa Terumi Nagai, Serge Sombie, Crystal Rivas MARKETING ACCOUNTS MANAGER Andrew Menges MARKETING ACCOUNTS Alicia Sallese, Courtney Davis, Sophie Schimke DISTRIBUTION Jason Jones MARKETING INTERN Clyde Soma Pope

We welcome your comments.

Please send letters to editor@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org For advertising | 広告掲載のお問い合わせ (日本語可) 098-970-2245 (phone) | 098-970-0975 (fax) sales@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org (email) See our advertising rates at mccsokinawa.com

CPL. ALEXANDER MITCHELL

MCCS MARKETING BRANCH MCB Camp S.D. Butler. Unit 35023, FPO AP 96378-5023

Okinawa Living is published by MCCS Marketing. Its purpose is to inform the military and civilian community about events and programs offered by MCCS or available in the local market. Dates and times may change. Copyright ©2020

by MCCS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transferred in any form, by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without written permission of the copyright owner. No federal or Marine Corps endorsement of advertisers and sponsors. MCCS is not responsible for editing content of non-MCCS ads.

Okinawa Living Magazine is printed with

At first blush, these words may be seen as self-serving, but nothing could be further from the truth. Your MCCS is a revenue generating instrument inside of a not-forprofit organization. In practice, this means that every one of the dollars you entrust to us MUST be returned to you. In effect, you are our shareholders, and we pay out your stock dividend in the form of the goods and services we purvey. Some examples of how we give your money back to you are: recurring festivals; live entertainment; reduced pricing; MCCS presence (clubs, and resale activities on each Camp), and, not the least of which is, our payroll; much of which is paid out to the spouses of our Service Members and Civilian Employees. We know that you have a choice in how you spend your hard earned money. In some cases that “choice” is made for you because MCCS may not have a line of business with which to compete among your other choices. But, in those cases where we have a product offering that is desirable to you, we would hope that you would choose an MCCS activity to fulfill your needs. In so doing, of course, you will be bringing to life the Value Proposition: Investing in Us is Investing in You! I might add that our “Business Model” is one where we have One Dollar going around in a continuous circle: You give it to us, and we give it back to you. The more dollars we have to work with, the more dollars we can return to you, both in the ways previously mentioned, and other less overt ways; examples of which are the monies we will spend in opening a world class gymnastics facility, or opening a brand new Inns of the Corps at Camp Hansen. These are but two examples of how your money really does work for you.

In sum: let us show you what we can do. When we meet you at your point of need, come on back. When we fall short, help us to get better by bringing us your complaints, compliments, and suggestions for improvement. A second read of this piece will clearly reveal that MCCS really does belong to you. Hence, Investing in Us IS Investing in You. C. C. ROBERTS Deputy Director Business and Support Operations MCCS MCB Camp Butler

Take us on the road Enjoy Okinawa Living Magazine on your favorite mobile device!

Visit mccsokinawa.com/ol for the latest issue. Also, visit issuu.com/mccsokinawa to see back issues of the magazine.

feedback

from the ICE Program and Facebook After reviewing the customer surveys received from Camp Hansen’s Strikers Bowling Center, we saw a huge demand to bring back Glow Bowling on the weekends. You asked, we listened! Glow Bowling is back at Strikers on Saturdays from 6 p.m. to midnight and Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m. Glow Bowling is also available at all MCCS Bowling Centers. For more details, please visit mccsokinawa.com/ bowling. —via CSI I write with great dissatisfaction over the strategy Taiyo GC management recently implemented to accommodate non-SOFA customers with morning tee times during the weekends by sending groups off simultaneously on the front and back sides.

This has caused delays of up to 30 minutes when SOFA members make the crossover in the early mornings. I’ve talked with several other members of the morning Breakfast Club and a couple of Taiyo staff members as well, and they too, are at a loss for this decision as it makes no sense since other customers will have to wait hours for all morning groups to finish before they can play. Why can’t steady consistency of sending groups off one side all day long stay the course? Taiyo CG management seems to have lost touch with who they are here to serve. I, along with others perceive that Taiyo CG caters to nonSOFA clientele and we SOFA members are an inconvenience cutting into profits.

I respectfully request MCCS leadership reassess this decision and query SOFA golfers to determine if they are satisfied with this decision. —via ICE Greetings, You are exactly correct in your observations and your assessment of the problem. As a result of your feedback, I have reversed this policy and you will note that all future starting times (except for tournaments) will commence from the First Tee. I regret that you were subjected to the perception that the availability of SOFA status play is subservient to the scheduling of Local National players. That perception, while real, is incorrect.

Play by LN’s is to our benefit. That said, SOFA status players should and will always take precedence over LN Players.

Again, thank you for taking the time to report.

Feedback from loyal patrons, such as yourself, can only serve to make us better.

Respectfully, C.C. ROBERTS, Deputy Director, Business and Support Operations, MCCS MCB Camp Butler

@okilivingmag Show us your island adventures and favorite food finds!

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She is exactly the daughter I had always dreamed of having. Her attitude is all me and, honestly, I love it so much.#okilivingmag

@ovealwayscatherine My goofball having a blast on this swing#okilivingmag

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Magical Places#okilivingmag

Domo arigatou gozaimashita and thank you for your posts! We can’t wait to see what else you love about Okinawa!

—The Okinawa Living Staff

Give MCCS Feedback—ICE Program & Facebook Let us know how we can better serve you or thank us for a job well-done. Go to mccsokinawa.com and click on the ICE link at the bottom of the homepage or find us on Facebook to share feedback. Comments on this page may be edited for clarity or length.

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 7

Behind the Scenes:

Non-Appropriated Fund Human Resources Office (NAF HRO)

MCCS PHOTO

Support branches of any organization “maintain the machine,” enabling the operators to execute their mission. Without them providing the oil for the engine, the mission would be in danger of failing. Almost never in the spotlight, being seamless and invisible is the surest sign that a support branch is successfully executing its duties.

Behind the Scenes “pops the hood” of the machine and shines the spotlight inside, showing the untiring work of the men and women supporting Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) operations. This month we will feature the MCCS Non-appropriated Fund Human Resources Office, better known internally as NAF HRO. NAF HRO manages any organization’s most valuable asset—people— by hiring candidates most suitable for the job, properly training them to perform their jobs effectively and helping them forge a path for future career growth. They also act as intermediaries between MCCS employees and supervisors to maintain positive professional relationships and ensure employees receive all benefits and resources to which they’re entitled.

This helps cultivate an environment where employees thrive and their talents are unleashed.

This department is comprised of seven teams, which include Office Management, Human Resources Analysis, Talent Acquisition, Employee Benefits, Personnel Security, Human Resources Development and Employee/Consumer Relations.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Office Management The Office Management team consists of the Chief of HR, the Director of HR, the NAF HR Administrative Specialists, the Management Analyst Specialist and the Data Analyst Technician; all of which manage the overall day-to-day operations of the branch.

Human Resources Analysis MCCS is made up of approximately 2,000 American, Japanese and contracted personnel. The HR Analysis team collects data on these positions and studies the efficiency of programs and manpower placement in order to provide managers with objectively-based information from which to make operational decisions. Based on their findings, they make recommendations to management regarding reorganizations, realignment of functions and/or staffing level changes. HR Analysis is also responsible for administering the MCCS position classification and compensation program via on-site surveys, desk audits, market data, salary surveys and wage setting. As subject matter experts on Master Labor Contract (MLC) and Indirect Hire Agreement (IHA) personnel, the HR Analysis team initiates all MLC and IHA personnel action requests such as reassignment, recruitment and promotion.

Talent Acquisition

MCCS PHOTO

The Talent Acquisition team develops, administers and manages comprehensive programs aimed to recruit and retain talent for MCCS Okinawa. Since Talent Acquisition is a job-seeker’s first impression of MCCS, Talent Aquisition makes it their top priority to provide a positive candidate experience every step of the way. From ensuring flights are scheduled, lodging is secured and initial appointments are completed for worldwide hires to providing assistance with applications, in-processing and on-boarding for local hires, Talent Acquisition takes their position as a customer-facing department seriously. They engage with the community by hosting bi-monthly employment workshops in an effort to educate the job-searching public on MCCS hiring processes and help them improve their chances of getting hired. The Talent Acquisition team also organizes two major events each year—the MCCS Summer Hire program, which employs teens all across the organization during school summer break, and the hugely successful MCCS Okinawa Career Fair which features top companies.

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 11

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Employee Benefits The mission of the Employee Benefits team is to deliver and administer a competitive benefits and incentive program that attracts, retains and incentivizes quality employees. With respect and sensitivity, the team provides special guidance and assistance to all MCCS NAF employees on benefit programs such as major medical and dental, term life insurance plans, long-term disability programs, employee assistance programs, Flexible Spending Accounts, NAF retirement and 401(k). The Employee Benefits team ensures compliance with all rules, policies, procedures and regulations and develops cost control procedures. They diligently work to improve service levels offered to employees and ensure the accuracy of eligibility, payroll deductions and employee records as they relate to benefits.

Human Resources Development (HRD)

MCCS PHOTO

The HRD team supports transformational change initiatives by obtaining professional and personal training opportunities geared towards improving or increasing the skillsets of the diverse MCCS employee workforce. HRD provides popular courses on technology like Microsoft Office Excel, Word and PowerPoint and interpersonal skills like CrossCultural Communication, Team Building and Leadership Coaching. They also manage employee career development programs through the Learning Management System (LMS) and facilitate processes like direct billing with universities for employees who participate in the Tuition Assistance Program. MCCS values professional development and understands employees are contributing greatly to the success of the mission while increasing their own professional worth.

In addition to delivering employee services, HRD designs customized curriculum for the operational and business goals of MCCS, offers fee-based computer lab and classroom rentals and provides customized training for units and tenant agencies using state-of-the-art facilities.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Personnel Security (PSec) Not to be confused with physical security, the PSec team is responsible for mitigating risks to the organization by ensuring that all applicable laws, orders, regulations and rules are followed pertaining to personnel security. They facilitate an extensive background check for all applicants and employees which includes federal, state, local checks (including fingerprints) and the national sex offender’s database. In addition to these checks, if a record is found, the adjudicators will make an adjudication to determine if an applicant is suitable for federal employment, or in the case of current employees, is to remain as a federal employee as a result of continuous vetting in accordance with the insider threat initiative. PSec emphasizes the importance of self-reporting for employees to collect mitigating information and working with them towards a solution. Personnel Security also vets volunteers for youth sports programs and conducts background investigations for contractors who come in contact with minors.

Another part of PSec responsibilities is an annual Childcare Background Investigation. This year marks the third year in a row with no security findings, a major accomplishment for the Personnel Security team.

Employee/Consumer Relations (ER/CR)

MCCS PHOTO

The mission of the Employee/Consumer Relations team is to develop and maintain a positive professional relationship between all MCCS employees and management through various training initiatives, guidelines and policies while ensuring fairness, respect and consistent treatment. ER/CR provides a means for conflict resolution through the Alternative Dispute Resolution process and assists in proactive training and development of employees and supervisors. Through a new online system, employees can safely make an ER appointment with a neutral point of contact for any workplace issues. They also oversee the Performance Management System, a great tool and timeline for managers to set goals with employees and provide feedback. In addition, the ER/CR team manages the Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) program, a DoD sponsored program where customers can provide actionable feedback.

They manage ICE comments, which include complaints and positive acknowledgments, and forward them to the appropriate programs for review, resolution or recognition as appropriate.

The MCCS Policy Manual (MSO P1700.27B) states: “The MCCS Mission is to make significant lasting contributions to combat readiness through the personal and family readiness of our Marines and their families.” The men and women of the MCCS Non-appropriated Fund Human Resources Office team, alongside the MCCS team overall, ensure this mission statement is realized.

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FITNESS + FUN

Hansen Festival

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Bundle Up and Get Outside!

As temperatures dip into the 50s, many on Okinawa will be cranking up the thermostat, pulling sweaters out of storage and dusting off winter boots. On an island where the weather vacillates from warm to sweltering hot, the colder climate is a welcome departure from the norm and marks a distinct break in the year.

For a brief moment it doesn’t feel like Okinawa, but rather a place where all four seasons occur more discernably; which for some people, makes it feel a little more like they're back home in the United States.

For those feeling sentimental, the annual Hansen Festival on February 8 and 9 will provide classic, all-American fun with service members and their families in mind. The fresh, crisp air won’t be around for long, but families can experience it to the fullest by bundling up, grabbing a comforting cup of cocoa or tea and taking a stroll through festival grounds packed with a variety of food vendors, attractions and musical entertainment.

Kids won’t have a worry in the world as they frolic in Fun Land, an area designed just for their amusement. They can spend hours bouncing in the inflatables, testing their skills and courage on the rock wall, gliding on the zip line and taking wild rides in the Mini Disco Mini Car.

One of the best parts about a festival is the food. And with so many options available, festival-goers won’t have to choose just one and can happily satisfy every craving. Wood-fired steak tortillas topped with onions and zesty chimichurri sauce is a delicious choice from 305 Latin Bistro. Other great options include succulent BBQ pork shoulder and beef brisket from Hickory House AllAmerican BBQ as well as hot and fresh pizza served at our pizza booth. Bulldogs Burgers will be there to create juicy, grilled beef burgers topped with all the fixings and their special Devil Dog sauce. Tasty Beyond Meat© veggie burgers made with 100% plantbased patties are also available for vegetarians and the healthconscious. Additionally, patrons 20 years of age and older can enjoy refreshing adult beverages courtesy of Kanpai Lounge.

Hansen Festival is FREE and welcomes SOFA personnel, and U.S. and Japanese citizens; however, no one will be admitted with pets, outside alcohol, glass bottles or coolers. Please be prepared to show photo ID at the gate. As always, MCCS encourages everyone to drink responsibly. There will be daiko and taxi services available.

For more information, call MCCS Special Events at 645-5828 or visit them online at mccsokinawa.com/festivals. 

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FITNESS + FUN

Bali Tour The Vacation You Deserve

2020 MLK Jr. Pacific-Wide Basketball Tournament The Biggest Competition of the Year!

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Semper Fit is hosting the MLK 2020 Pacific-Wide Basketball Tournament in honor of the late civil rights leader January 16–20. The tournament is open to men’s and women’s teams from throughout the Asia Pacific region. Located at the Camp Foster Fieldhouse, the competition includes a 3-point shootout, skills competition and a dunk contest. The top four teams from each pool in the round-robin tournament will advance to the double elimination tournament. Team and individual awards will be given to the first, second and third place finisher as well

as to the All-Tournament Team, All-Tournament Coach and MVP in both the men’s and women’s division. The skills challenge, 3-point shootout and dunk contest will award a champion and runner-up.

Teams can register for $275 at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center or Eventbrite until 1 p.m. on January 10. The 2020 MLK Pacific-Wide Basketball Tournament is sponsored in part by BSN Sports, Red Lobster and DSH Resorts. For more information, email Semper Fit Adult Sports at adultsports@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. 

Nago Cherry Blossom Tour Fleeting Beauty, Lasting Memories While sakura (cherry blossoms) don’t bloom on mainland Japan until late March or early April depending on the location, those who live on Okinawa can experience the first festival as early as late January. Delicate flowers in various pink hues make for tranquil scenery and remind us of new beginnings. Celebrate the beauty of this cherished flower with hanami (literally meaning flower viewing) parties. Tours+ will provide the transportation (the most stressful part of any outing on Okinawa) to the Nago Cherry Blossom festival. This festival features food, cultural dances, parades and, of course, plenty of cherry blossoms for your viewing pleasure. Time is of the essence as the entire blooming period for cherry blossom trees lasts approximately 14 days, so make sure to plan ahead with a Tours+ agent. In the coming weeks as the cherry blossom forecast becomes more concrete, be on the lookout for more information on dates and times. Visit Tours+ online at mccsokinawa.com/tours or call them at 646-3502. 

Smoking forested volcanoes, ribbons of green rice paddies, black sand beaches and coral reefs make Bali a place synonymous with paradise.

But no matter how beautiful Bali is, actually getting there is a little daunting. After all, there’s a lot that goes into planning a trip, and many don’t even know where (or have the time) to start.

Having the experience of a lifetime shouldn’t have to be a burden. So if Bali’s a place you’d like to go, take the hassle out of planning by heading to Tours+ and signing up for our Bali Tour!

This package includes airline seats, a hotel room and a tour guide.

This tour will take place from March 23 to 28. For more information on this or other upcoming tours, call MCCS Tours+ at 646-3502 or visit mccsokinawa.com/tours. 

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FITNESS + FUN

Change is Good

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A New Logo for the New Decade It’s a new year and a new decade to boot—no better time for a refresh and a new look. Tsunami Scuba, Okinawa’s premier on-base dive facility, is doing just that! An impressive 13 drafts of the new-and-improved Tsunami Scuba logo were composed, analyzed and scrutinized before the final design was determined. Always customer-centric, MCCS was as intentional with the elements of the logo redesign as they are with the products themselves. The image of a diver’s mask and the Marine Corps’ colors not only better represent what Tsunami Scuba offers, but also the population they serve. The addition of the five stars placed beneath the refreshed typography boasts their best feature: all locations have achieved a PADI Five-Star Dive Center rating. Even more notable, Camp Foster’s location is a PADI Five-Star Instructional Development Center.

These designations mean each location offers a full range of PADI scuba diving education programs, equipment selection and experience opportunities, plus PADI instructor-level training at Tsunami Scuba on Foster.

Courses in Underwater Criminal Investigation, PADI Professional Scuba Diving and Emergency First Responders Instruction are just some of the professional level instruction you can expect. Whether you see diving as a hobby or as a future career, trust that Tsunami Scuba will help make your diving experiences the best they can be. Visit them online at mccsokinawa.com/scuba. 

Hey Bikers!

Wanna Race?

Calling all road-racing cyclists! It’s time to feel the wind in your face and taste the sweet nectar of victory! Register for the Camp Hansen Criterium or “Crit” Bike Race on January 26 beginning at 8:05 a.m. for only $30 per rider. What’s a criterium bike race you ask? For the uninitiated, a criterium bike race is one held on a short, closed course with high speeds and a lot more turns than a normal road race. Registration is open until January 20 at 1 p.m. at any staffed MCCS Fitness Center and until 1 p.m. January 24 at the Hansen House of Pain Fitness Center or Eventbrite.

During race day, check-in will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. with a mandatory brief at 7:35 a.m. The race begins at 8:05 after colors. All participants will receive a special event t-shirt and awards will be given to first, second and third place finishers in each age division for both males and females. For more information about the Camp Hansen Criterium Bike Race, call 623-5558 or visit mccsokinawa.com/adultsports. 

Taiyo Target Golf Game Put Your Accuracy to the Test Think you’re a good golfer? Then put yourself to the test at Taiyo Golf Club’s Target Golf Game on Saturday, January 25. This event will feature closest-to-the-pin, longest drive, straight drive and smart drive proximity markers. A total of 9 proxy markers will be positioned on 9 different holes to challenge your shot-making abilities.

The rules are simple: Participants will play their tee shot on the proxy holes and whoever’s ball comes to rest closest to the proxy marker will win that contest. Prizes will be awarded to all proxy winners and registration will be available for $10 on-site on the day of the event. All contestants must tee off before 9 a.m.

If you’d love to try an event like this, but you’re new to golf or just not confident enough to try a competition, the experts at Taiyo Golf Club are more than happy to help. And, with many complimentary player development opportunities, you’ll find yourself competing

in no time—you might even practically be a pro! So make sure you take advantage of the many options, such as individual lessons, group lessons and club fitting. All player development opportunities are FREE, and all necessary equipment is included. To check out their long list of offerings, visit the Taiyo Golf Club website at mccsokinawa.com/golf or call 622-2004 for more information. 

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FITNESS + FUN

Healthy Weight Month Improve Your Life

New Year Fit Camp This Time It’s Personal...Training That Is! Do you have difficulty sticking to your New Year’s fitness resolutions? Give yourself the best chance to succeed and prevent the usual temptation to quit by committing to this 6-week personal training session conducted by one of our own MCCS personal trainers. They’ll push you to do your best and help keep you accountable when your motivation starts to decline. The New Year Fit Camp features both circuit- and interval-style personal training, a type that targets multiple muscle groups, burns calories at a much faster rate and keeps workouts fresh and

exciting. This year, let New Year Fit Camp set the tone and give you a firm foundation to achieve all your 2020 fitness goals.

The cost is $199 per person, and registration and payment can be made at the front desk of where the patron intends to train. Patrons cannot register or pay at any other camp in order to prevent confusion with staff. Call 645-3910, visit mccsokinawa.com/ healthpromotion or email mccshealthpromotion@ okinawa.usmc-mccs.org for more information. 

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Kick-Start 2020 with Group Fitness!

Most of us have made getting in shape our New Year’s resolution at least one year or another. This resolution, however, rarely makes it past February for many of us. And, while it’s cool that some possess the discipline and determination we all wish we had—the rest of us are either exhausted by the thought alone of working out or intimidated by the gym.

Maybe traditional solo workouts are where some of us are going wrong; maybe it’s time to try something with a little crowd power to offer moral support—something like group fitness!

Group classes are a great way to receive expert guidance and encouragement from fellow fitness aficionados; all while letting loose and having fun. And, there’s so many different types of classes that you’ll never get bored. Here on Okinawa, staffed MCCS Fitness Centers offer 80+ weekly group fitness classes across all bases. From Cycle to Zumba, Circuit Training to Yoga and much more, you’re bound to find a class—maybe even more—that’ll help keep you on track.

All MCCS group fitness classes are open to everyone with base access. Children ages 12 to 18 may attend with a parent or legal guardian.

For more information, call 645-3910. To see what classes are offered, as well as the full schedule, visit mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness. 

One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight. However, like many resolutions, it doesn’t last very long. We get it though—maintaining or reaching a healthy weight isn’t easy. In fact, it can be downright frustrating and at times even heart wrenching.

If you need help developing healthy habits, or don’t know where to start, MCCS Health Promotion is here to help. And since January is National Healthy Weight Month, you can find a variety of resources at mccsokinawa.com/ healthpromotion. Learn about stress eating, how to build a balanced plate, healthy substitutions and much more. You can also find serving size guides and other tips.

Keep in mind that reaching a healthy weight isn’t about the numbers on a scale. It’s about reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and more.

For more information, call MCCS Health Promotion at 645-3910. 

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Keep YOUR RESOLUTIONS (FOR ONCE) TEXT: AMANDA CARRASQUILLO | LAYOUT: EMELINE TOOLE

W Make your goals SMART DEPOSITPHOTOS/HALFPOINT/ SERGEYPETERMAN

(specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time bound).

ith every new year comes reflections of the past and hope for the future. And as many consider what they’d like to accomplish in the year ahead, they make resolutions aimed at self-improvement and better health. But as we all know, most people don’t quite honor their commitments for long. In fact, a majority of us admit defeat before spring even has a chance to come around.

We might as well call it our Annual Ritual of Failure. After all, it seems impossible to start the year without at least a little disappointment in ourselves. But according to the experts at MCCS Health Promotion and HITT Champion Sgt Alexandra Martin, it’s not that we’re incapable of creating better habits, we’re just doing this whole resolution thing all wrong.

The issue is our plans tend to be vague, a bit overzealous or a lot of pressure. If we make our goals SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time bound), however, anything is possible.

So as 2020 leads us not only into a new year, but a new decade, let’s actually work on becoming better versions of ourselves. In this article you’ll find four common health and fitness goals with some advice from MCCS Health Promotion and Sgt Martin on how to stick with them:

SEPTEMBER JANUARY 2020 2019 | OKINAWA LIVING 25

Get in SHAPE Are you looking to be fit in the general sense, or do you want to gain muscle? If you don’t really want to worry about following any particular regimen, just try to find ways to stay active. You can set a goal like the walking one in the next section, or find fun activities to keep you moving. A good resolution would be to try a new activity every weekend.

Sgt Martin’s passion for nutrition and fitness certainly works to her advantage when it comes to taking care of her body. She gives a lot of credit, however, to keeping exercise fun. “I don’t punish myself for skipping the gym to do something outside,” she says, “whether it’s surfing, which is like a full body workout, or climbing. I really just try to live an active lifestyle and make it all as fun as possible. That way I won’t see fitness as a chore.” And it certainly shouldn’t be, so don’t beat yourself up if you don’t fit a workout in one day. It’s okay to be too busy, tired or even a little lazy here and there.

Fitness should be something you look forward to, not something you stress over.

A good choice for anyone who finds traditional gym workouts boring is group fitness. Make it your resolution to attend a particular class once or twice a week. There are over 80 classes across all bases to choose from at your local MCCS Fitness Center.

Check out mccsokinawa.com/groupfitness to find a class that works for you.

If gaining muscle is your objective, don’t let the fear of the gym hold you back. Sure, no one wants to be the newbie in a sea of tone and muscle, and when we find ourselves nervously searching for a bench, cable—whatever, it’s hard to remember that these fit individuals were once new themselves.

Even a champion like Sgt Martin had to start somewhere, and she admits that when she first began her fitness journey, she was reluctant to go to the gym because she didn’t want to be judged for having bad form or not really being sure what to do. “It definitely took me awhile to get comfortable,” she said, “I did a lot of research and tried to focus on the basics. I also tried to go with people I knew were big into the gym. That way I could learn things from them so that when I went on my own, I could have more of a feel of a good routine.”

But if you don’t really have someone to teach you, you can start working with an MCCS Fitness Coordinator instead.

SERGEANT ALEXANDRA MARTIN 1ST PLACE FEMALE CHAMPION 2019 HITT CHAMPIONSHIP

Marines from all across the Marine Corps competed in the 5th annual High Intensity Tactical Training (HITT) Championship September 9–12 on Marine Corps Base Quantico. The event consisted of seven events, with each Marine performing combat fitness tests, obstacle courses, weighted vest runs and more. The winner of the female division was Camp Butler’s very own, Sgt Alexandra Martin, who took the time to speak with us:

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF? I am a very positive individual who wants to excel in all aspects of my life regarding fitness, personal accomplishments and life experience. I try my best to look at all of the good in any situation and to encourage others to better themselves and branch out in every aspect of life.

HOW DID YOU TRAIN FOR THE HITT CHAMPIONSHIP? I focused on being strong but also on having good enough endurance to accomplish longer events that were more demanding. Overall, I did my best to combine my weightlifting and HITT training.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SEPARATES GOOD ATHLETES FROM GREAT ONES? Commitment, motivation and self-control in all aspects of life are important, but passion is probably the biggest factor. Having passion to better yourself physically is the best way to continuously make progress.

HOW DID YOU FEEL THE DAY OF THE COMPETITION? I was very nervous due to the demanding tasks ahead of me, but I was excited to see where I stood physically compared to my competitors.

WHAT WAS THE COMPETITION LIKE? They didn’t tell us ahead of time what we would be doing until we got there. Most of these events were some of the hardest things I’ve ever done because of the intensity and the short amount of time we had to accomplish them. The events were back-to-back and designed to really see how well we, as competitors, could recover and push ourselves.

There were a few times I asked myself, “Can I do this?” It was definitely the hardest thing physically I’ve ever had to do.

KAILEY LAVALLIERE

HOW DID IT FEEL TO WIN? It felt more rewarding than anything that I have accomplished in a long time. The amount of physical and mental fortitude that I had to have to finish the competition so successfully was tremendous, and I am proud of myself for never giving up and not letting myself quit.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN NEXT YEAR’S COMPETITION? The best advice for competing is to become as well rounded of an athlete as possible when considering strength and endurance. One more piece of advice is to be mentally able to complete physical tasks no matter how hard they become.

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 27

Lose

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Body Fat Whether you like it or not, the key to losing weight is time. Extreme habits like skipping meals or following a fad diet might help you shed a few pounds in the beginning, but because it’ll more than likely slow your metabolism down, it’ll come back and bite you.

A SMART way to approach this kind of resolution is to start by clarifying: How much weight do you want to lose and by when do you want to lose it? Don’t be overhasty and go for something like 50 pounds; start small and shoot for five instead.

Losing a pound or two a week is recommended for a safe and sustainable weight loss, so give yourself a reasonable timeline like 30 days. To make this goal measurable, weigh yourself on a particular day of the week (e.g., every Friday).

Everyone knows nutrition and exercise are important when it comes to losing weight. Don’t go on a strict meal-prepping craze or hit the gym seven days a week though—you’ll burn yourself out that way. Just take a look at some of your bad habits (like eating out for lunch every day or having a soda with every meal), pick one and slowly cut back. If eating out for lunch every day is your vice, start off by bringing food from home every other day and gradually decrease the amount of days you eat out. If soda is a big thing for you, have one less than usual for a week, then cut out another the following week.

As far as exercise goes, you don’t have to dedicate your life to some fitness regimen. Walking is actually the most effective way to burn fat, so make it a point to have a 30-minute walk at least three times a week (it’s better to have specific days, like every Monday, Wednesday and Friday)—or take a stroll every evening if you’d like.

Resources are boundless these days, so you can really learn the fundamentals anywhere. Sgt Martin went to social media: “I tried to utilize what I could to do research on my own. I ended up following a lot of nutrition pages on Instagram and Pinterest.” If you’d rather get help from a professional though, you can get FREE guidance with nutrition and weight management from MCCS Health Promotion.

To schedule an appointment with MCCS Health Promotion, call 645-3910 (098-970-3910).

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 29

KAILEY LAVALLIERE , MCCS PHOTOGRAPHY, HALFPOINT \DEPOSITPHOTOS

Run a 5k First things first, sign up for a 5k. Committing to an upcoming race will help you keep yourself accountable. Make sure the race is at least eight weeks away, since that’s the minimum amount of time it takes to train for one.

Don’t expect to be able to run that kind of distance right away; you’ll have to alternate running and walking at first. Set a goal for the amount of time you’re running every week, and always space your training days so your body can recover.

Week 1 should be running one minute and walking two minutes for about 30 minutes four times a week (it might help to break your workout into sets, so run one minute/walk two minutes 10 times). On the first day of your second week, increase your run time to two minutes (keep your walking time the same). Then, add a minute to your run time the next two training days (don't increase on the fourth day). By the time you reach race day, you should be able to run a 5k continuously. Don’t worry about speed until after your first race.

For optimal performance, you absolutely must fuel your body. That’s not an invitation to carb-load on pasta or a box of pizza though.

“I just try to be as well rounded with all the food groups as possible,” says Sgt Martin, “but it’s really trial and error for me. I just try to see how my body responds to different portions and different foods to see what helps me feel energized or recover quickly.” If taking on running and nutrition is a little much for you, at least go by this simple rule: Eat fresh, not packaged.

Here on island, there’s many 5k races held year-round, including fun runs such as the EFMP Color Me Fun Run and MCCS Mud Run.

To check out upcoming races, visit mccsokinawa.com/adultsports.

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 31

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Get rid of a bad habit You’ve probably heard it takes 21 days to make or break a habit. Unfortunately, that’s not true.

It generally takes longer, but the amount of time it actually takes depends solely on the person and habit they’re trying to make or break.

Bad habits usually come from how you deal with stress and/or boredom. Some people smoke, spend too much time on their phone, bite their nails, overspend—the list goes on. Whatever yours is, the best solution is to explore alternatives to replace it with.

If you’re a smoker, for example, who often finds yourself sitting in the smoke pit every time work stresses you out, maybe try walking instead.

But first, pick a timeframe, such as: “I’m going to be tobacco-free in 60 days.”

Make your goal measurable by tracking when you do your bad habit and when you feel like doing it. This will help you identify your triggers. You also need something action-oriented, such as joining a program or working with a friend who struggles with the same habit.

It’ll take a while for you to find something that works for you. And to be honest, you’ll probably fail at first (maybe even a few times).

But if you keep trying and learn to avoid your pitfalls, you’ll succeed. “It’s all about finding what works for you,” says Sgt Martin, “but once you see how far you’ve come, you’ll be motivated to keep going.”

Whatever your resolution is this year, just make sure to make it SMART and leave room for mistakes. If you don’t quite follow it to the T, don’t worry. Just do your best and no matter what, just keep trying.

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 33

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Roasted Chicken To-Go Available at Tengan Castle

Make Your Morning Extra Special

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Breakfasts and Brunches at an MCCS Club It’s the most important meal of the day… and that’s more the reason to make it extra special! Enjoy weekend breakfast buffets at Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster (Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.), Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma (Sundays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.) and Surfside on Camp Kinser (Sundays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.). Weekend breakfast buffets are $9.95 for adults, $4.95 for children 5–11 and FREE for kids under 5. The buffets will feature staples such as pancakes, bacon, sausage, potatoes, made-to-order omelets, pastries, biscuits and gravy and more (menu items may vary from club to club and are subject to change).

For something a bit more sumptuous, enjoy Sunday brunch at the Butler Officers’ Club in the Plaza Housing Area on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A more expansive selection is available, including breakfast favorites, hors d’oeuvres and a salad bar to carved meat entrées, pastas, fresh vegetables, delectable desserts and more (menu items may vary between clubs and are subject to change). Sunday Brunch

at the Butler Officers’ Club is $19 for adults, $9.50 for children 5–11 and FREE for kids under 5. Sunday Brunch at Tengan Castle is $17 for adults, $8.50 for children 5–11 and FREE for kids under 5. Tengan Castle also offers an à la carte menu on weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. and from 7 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays and holidays.

Weekend à la carte breakfast items, such as eggs benedict, steak and eggs and more are available at Taiyo Steakhouse located at Taiyo Golf Club. Brunch is served Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 622-2020. A full menu is available for viewing at mccsokinawa.com/ taiyosteakhouse.

TERRA, located in the Kishaba Housing Area on Camp Foster, also offers breakfast on weekdays from 7 to 10 a.m. and brunch on weekends and holidays from 8 to 11:30 a.m.

A complete menu is available for viewing at mccsokinawa.com/terra.

For more information on breakfasts and brunches at MCCS Clubs and Restaurants, visit mccsokinawa.com/clubs. 

Who doesn’t love a good roasted chicken? Especially one already made, just waiting for you to swing by to pick it up? It’s a delicious, simple solution to a busy night or the perfect meal when you don’t quite feel like whipping anything up. It’s also a quick and convenient way to get some protein—i.e. the building block of muscle—on the table. Lucky for us, Tengan Castle on Camp Courtney offers Roasted Chicken To-Go. Available on weekdays after 4 p.m., Tengan Castle sells roasted chicken cooked to perfection for just $10.

Roasted Chicken To-Go is available after 4 p.m. on weekdays. For more information, call Tengan Castle at 6229413. You can also visit them online at mccsokinawa.com/tengancastle. 

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 35

DINING + ENTERTAINMENT

Teppanyaki …at the Habu Pit

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Lunch Buffets at Ocean Breeze How about a bit of “New. Fresh. Now.” for lunch? On Mondays, Ocean Breeze offers their Fiesta Fresh Buffet featuring buildyour-own street tacos, fish tacos, nachos and more—all extra fresh. Tuesdays showcase their Marketplace Buffet, which offers healthy and fresh selections including keto-friendly, vegetarian and plenty of locally-procured salads and vegetables that will satisfy healthconscious diners. Wednesdays at Ocean Breeze offer lunch-goers a Taste of Italy Buffet with fresh and wholesome pastas, innovative neo-Italian inspired selections and much more. On Thursdays at lunchtime, hungry hordes will be stampeding to Ocean Breeze’s Mongolian Madness Buffet—meat and vegetables basted in a succulent sauce and seared at high temperatures to seal in the sauces’ flavors, leaving a culinary delight fit

for the eminent warrior Kublai Khan himself.

Mongolian Madness also features local Asian favorites. Friday is a time for celebration for many, and the Ocean Breeze’s Calabash Buffet gives diners a whole new reason to utter the magic letters “TGIF.” The Calabash Buffet features southern-comfort soul food with selections such as fried chicken and waffles, fried catfish and southern BBQ, all of which will ease diners into the weekend with a taste of southern hospitality.

New. Fresh. Now. Lunch Buffets are available in The Veranda inside Ocean Breeze weekdays from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for $9.95 for adults, $5.95 for children 5–11 and FREE for children under 5. For more information on offerings, call 645-3666. Visit Ocean Breeze online at mccsokinawa.com/oceanbreeze. 

What’s teppanyaki you ask? It’s a style of Japanese cuisine that involves skilled chefs displaying their talents as they grill high-quality meat, seafood and vegetables on a solid, flat iron griddle. These griddles are usually heated with propane and surrounded by seating so diners can enjoy the culinary exhibition.

On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the Habu Pit on MCAS Futenma hosts a Teppanyaki Night in the teppanyaki room. From 5 to 9 p.m., you can choose from a wide selection of delicious entrées, all of which come with savory lemongrass soup, a fresh garden salad (with your choice of dressing), fresh Japanese vegetables (bok choy, bell peppers and bean sprouts), grilled thyme potatoes and your choice of garlic fried rice, steamed rice or garlic toast.

Some of the entrée choices are a 12 oz. lemon herb chicken breast, a 12 oz. tender teriyaki chicken breast, eight Asian seared sea scallops, 5 oz. twin cold-water lobster tails, a 6 oz. New York strip steak and a 6 or 10 oz. filet mignon. There are also combinations (one includes four jumbo shrimp, four sea scallops and a 5 oz. cold water lobster tail), a children’s menu, a full course menu that’s served for two, add-ons and delectable desserts.

For more information or to view the menu, visit mccsokinawa.com/habupit. 

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 37

MARINES + FAMILIES

Hatsumōde

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Ring in the New Year Japanese Style Hatsumōde, the first shrine or temple visit of the year, is one of several New Year’s traditions held in Japan. The purpose is to thank the gods for blessings received the previous year and to pray for good fortune in the one ahead. It’s more common to visit on January 1, 2 or 3, but some go later to avoid the crowds. During this time, most shrines and temples are open 24 hours, with festive games and food stands outside the more popular locations. There’s also omamori (traditional Japanese lucky charms) and omikuji (a strip of paper that tells your fortune for the year ahead) available for purchase.

If you decide to participate this year, make sure to give a small bow before entering the grounds, then stick to the right or left when passing through the gate. Once you do this,

you should see a temizuya (small fountain) with ladles. This is what you use to purify yourself. To do so, wash your hands and rinse your mouth in this order: Grab a ladle with your right hand and fill it with enough water for the whole process. Pour some water over your left hand before switching the ladle to pour water over your right. Then, switch the ladle again and pour some water into your left (cupped) hand to rinse out your mouth (politely spit it out at the base of the temizuya). Finally, hold the ladle vertically to allow the remaining water to trickle down, cleanse the handle and fall to the base.

Remove any headwear when you approach the shrine or temple to pray. Throw a coin of any amount into the offertory box. If you’re at a shrine, ring the bell 2 to 3 times before

bowing 45-degrees or greater twice, clapping twice (with the left hand slightly higher than the right) and praying (with your hands aligned). Once finished, bow one more time.

This prayer ritual is almost the same at a temple, except you don’t clap your hands.

If you’re interested in participating in hatsumōde, but would rather go with a group, go with MCCS Personal & Professional Development-Resources (P&PD-R)! You can witness the beauty on January 6 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Those interested must sign up beforehand.

Participants will meet at the P&PD-R center (Bldg. 445) on Camp Foster. To register or for more information, call 645-2104 or visit mccsokinawa.com/culturalawareness. 

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 41

MARINES + FAMILIES

Command Financial Specialist (CFS) It’s Time for Your Refresher!

Boots to Business Begin Your Entrepreneurial Journey Today

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What do you want to do after the military?

Do you dream of calling the shots and creating your own success? If so, you should build upon those entrepreneurial dreams by attending Boots to Business (B2B), a two-step entrepreneurial program offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides valuable assistance to transitioning service members and their spouses who aspire to explore the vast world of self-employment opportunities. MCCS Marine and Family Programs-Resources will host a two-day introductory to B2B on January 23 and 24 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. The class will be located in Bldg. 439 on Camp Foster. B2B will teach you the key steps for evaluating business concepts and provide you with adequate

knowledge on how to develop a business plan, launch new enterprises and access start-up capital. This class will also point you in the direction of additional technical assistance and possible contracting options. After completing the introductory course, participants can further their study through Foundations of Entrepreneurship, the second part of B2B. This is an eight-week online course taught by professors. Whether you’re simply curious about self-employment or have a definitive goal already set, stop by and hear for yourself all the useful knowledge B2B has to offer.

Those interested must register online at mccsokinawa.com/fmeap. For more information, call 645-3151. 

Are you a Command Financial Specialist (CFS)? Then you probably already know that if it has been three years or more since you last attended the 40-hour CFS Training Class, you are required to attend refresher training. This is particularly important if you’re currently serving as a command-designated CFS. The next CFS Refresher Training Class will be held January 22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Bldg. 439 on Camp Foster.

For more information on this training, please contact an MCCS Personal & Professional Development-Resources (P&PD-R) Personal Financial Management (PFM) Specialist at 6453473 (Camp Foster), 637-1628 (Camp Kinser) or 623-3050 (Camp Hansen); or visit mccsokinawa.com/personal_finance_management. 

Japanese Spouse Orientation Complete Your Immigration Visa Package Join Camp Foster’s Personal & Professional Development-Resources in Bldg. 445 for the Japanese Spouse Orientation on January 24 from 9 to 11 a.m. The orientation is held once a month and covers a different topic each time to help Japanese spouses transition to the military lifestyle. This month, the United States Consulate in Naha will visit and provide information and resources involving the I-130 Immigration Visa process for foreign-born spouses. In addition, the U. S. Consulate will be accepting completed immigration visa packages at the end of the brief.

To ensure you have all required documents needed to submit your I-130 Immigration Visa package, please go to jp.usembassy.gov/ visas/immigrant-visas/130-petition-checklist to download the checklist. If any necessary and required documents, photocopies or payments are missing when submitting, the U.S. Consulate will not be able to accept the petition. This is a very popular event, so please sign up early. To register and for more information on the other cultural classes offered, visit mccsokinawa.com/culturalawareness or call 645-2104.  JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 43

MARINES + FAMILIES

FAFSA Fridays File for Financial Aid at an MCCS Education Center On January 10, 17 and 24, stop by your nearest MCCS Education Center to receive hands-on assistance with filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you plan to go to school this year, submit the FAFSA! Even the smallest amount can be used towards books and supplies, and will be a huge help in the long run. The application itself only takes about 20 minutes to fill out and all you need is the FAFSA deadline for your school, as well as information you already know about yourself and your tax returns from two years prior (for the 2020–2021 academic year, students would need to use their tax information from 2018). You can submit the FAFSA for every year that you intend to attend school. Through the FAFSA, you can gain access to three types of federal aid: loans, grants and scholarships.

Briefly, loans must be paid back with interest while grants and scholarships are funds that do not have to be paid back unless all courses are failed. All three can really help advance your schooling. When worrying about homework and tests, the last thing you need to worry about is how you’re going to pay for it all. Let MCCS Education Centers help. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/education or facebook.com/mccsokinawa.educationandlibraries. 

New Parent Support Program We’re Here to Help

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Becoming a new parent or adding a sibling to the family can be scary, not to mention overwhelming. The fact that you’re pretty far from home doesn’t help either, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a great deal of support.

The New Parent Support Program (NPSP), a program comprised of experienced nurses and clinicians, offers a variety of classes and services to all expectant parents and families with children under the age of 6.

Parents can take classes such as Baby Boot Camp (a course for the last trimester of pregnancy that teaches the basics of taking care of a newborn, infant development and safety, self-care and more), Infant Massage (helps nurture a secure bond between you and your infant, something essential to the healthy development of your baby’s sense of self and security in the world), Journey Through Pregnancy (a 12-week course that covers the evidence-based InJoy Birth and Parenting Education Program, topics such as stressors and the preparation for your baby’s arrival), Nurturing Parenting Programs (empowers individuals and families with knowledge, strategies and skills to make healthy parenting and lifestyle choices) and Parents in Uniform (for parents-to-be to learn about Marine Corps policies such as housing information, legal requirements, on-island childcare options and other family readiness concerns).

NPSP also offers Home Visiting (home visitors work with families in a one-on-one setting to provide support and enhance parenting skills) and Play Mornings (teaches parents developmentally-appropriate play techniques and helps children improve their social, cognitive and motor skills).

All NPSP services are FREE, and registration is required to attend any class. For more information, to see what other classes are offered or to register, call 645-0396, email mccsnewparentsupportokinawa@usmc-mccs.org or visit mccsokinawa.com/npsp. 

Presidential Volunteer Service Award Accolades for the Altruistic There isn’t an honor more significant to volunteers than the President’s Volunteer Service Award signed by the Commander-in-Chief himself.

Open to people ages five and up, the presidential recognition, personalized certificate and congratulatory letter is bestowed upon individuals who’ve earned a considerable number of volunteer hours over a 12-month period ( January–December).

For those who participated in 2019, submit your Letters of Appreciation (LOAs) by January 31 to be eligible for the award. For those interested in participating in 2020, reaching this goal isn’t as daunting as it appears at first glance. The young adults (16–25) goal of 250+ hours needed for the gold award, the highest level, comes out to an average of five volunteer hours per week. When broken down like this, obtaining the President’s Volunteer Service Award while maintaining a work-volunteer-life balance is well within reach. For more information, or if you need help, email MCCS Volunteer Cordinator Angela Neal at angela.neal@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or call 645-3749. 

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 45

KIDS + PARENTS

Help Wanted!

Make a Difference in a Child’s Life The 2020 youth soccer season is almost here, and MCCS Youth Sports is looking for volunteer coaches to help make it a successful one. If you have love for the game, a patient attitude and a heart for helping children, you’re strongly encouraged to apply.

In addition to teaching kids about soccer fundamentals, you can help provide a safe, positive space for them to get fit and healthy while developing good character traits. As a coach, you’ll have the power to help boost their confidence and self-esteem, instill the

beginnings of a good work ethic and create a strong sense of responsibility to the team.

Make a difference in kids’ lives by becoming a volunteer youth sports coach today!

Did you know Youth Sports accepts applications for youth coaching all year round?

Previous experience is helpful, but not required. To apply, complete a coaching application (with all background checks taken to each facility for a signature) and email a copy to youthsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org or drop it off at the Youth Sports office on

Camp Foster. Also, all applicants will be required to visit the MCCS Human Resources Office located on Camp Foster (Bldg. 5966) to have their fingerprints scanned.

If you have any questions, please contact MCCS Youth Sports at 645-3533 or youthsports@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. They will continue to recruit coaches until all vacancies are filled; however they highly recommend submitting your application as early as possible. 

Swim with the Dolphins

KAILEY LAVALLIERE, MONKEYBUSINESS/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

Winter Season Tryouts Does your kid dream of swimming in a pool of gold medals? Set them on the path to realizing their dreams by encouraging them to try out for the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST)!

Youth tryouts for the winter season ( January 7–February 22) will take place Monday, January 6 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Foster Aquatic Center (located behind Ocean Breeze). All swimmers must be at least 7 years old to participate, and registration will take place on-site on the day of the event.

Tryouts will consist of two parts based on the exit skills assessment for Level 5 American Red Cross Swimming Lessons. Part 1 will consist of nonstop 50m freestyle (front crawls).

Coaches will look for proper side breathing, head/body position and kicking techniques.

Those who move through Part 1 will then be asked to execute a 25m backstroke (back crawl) and then a 25m breaststroke for Part 2. A short rest of less than 20 seconds will be allowed in between strokes.

These tryouts are specifically open to youth swimmers who were not on the team the previous season. If you are, or if you know a youth swimmer with prior experience who is interested in becoming part of ODST after tryouts have ended, please contact the team via aquatics@okinawa.usmc-mccs.org. You can also read more about ODST online at mccsokinawa. com/swimteam. And finally, for more information on pool events, learning how to swim, swimming for health or lifeguarding, visit mccsokinawa.com/aquatics.  JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 47

KIDS + PARENTS

Winter Wonderland Storytime

ANNA.PUSTYNNIKOVA/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

Sing-Alongs, Crafts and Exciting Stories Winter’s here! That means the air is cooling, the chill is beginning to settle…and although it may not exactly snow on Okinawa, some days will be too cold and rainy to play outside.

When it’s just a little too chilly, there’s nothing better than cozying up under your favorite blanket with a good book in one hand and a warm cup of hot chocolate in the other.

So on January 24, bring your little ones down to the Camp Courtney, Camp Foster or Camp Kinser library for Winter Wonderland Storytime and celebrate the joys of winter in the warm company of new friends and exciting stories!

Winter Wonderland Storytime, which takes place beginning at 5 p.m., will feature silly sing-alongs and wonderful tales. Kids will also get a chance to express their creativity through fun arts and crafts projects they’re sure to love.

This program is geared towards children ages 4 through 9, but parents and children of all ages are welcome to attend. In addition to Winter Wonderland Storytime, there’s plenty of fun to be had at the library! Get lost in a good read or plug into an audiobook. MCCS Libraries are home to hundreds of books, periodicals, graphic novels and multimedia.

Check out DVDs and video games for Xbox, PlayStation and Wii, or hop on a computer and explore various eResources, including language learners, encyclopedias, FREE online classes and much more.

For more information about Winter Wonderland, as well as other offerings, call your local MCCS Library. You can also visit MCCS Libraries online at mccsokinawa. com/libraries. 

Winter Wonderland Family Fun Night Warm Hearts and Full Bellies This beautiful, subtropical island may not scream winter wonderland, but the inside of MCCS Clubs certainly will during their Winter Wonderland Family Fun Nights. As you come down from the holiday high, this Fun Night offers a soft landing and a cozy transition into the colder, less hectic months.

Chances are you’ve been in your kitchen nonstop between all the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s events, so now is the perfect time to put the spatula down and let the MCCS chefs do the cooking. They’ll prepare a delicious buffet dinner with a wide variety of choices to satisfy even the pickiest eater in your family. For dessert, make your version of the classic campfire treat at the build-your-own s’mores bar. Select the ideal ratio of chocolate to marshmallow, then roast to a caramelized golden brown or blacken to create a crunchy exterior and soft, gooey

center. Afterwards, take your time and indulge in the warmth of a calming cup of hot cocoa.

There will also be winter crafts and activities for your entertainment, and Mattel toys and MCCS Gift Certificates will be given away as prizes throughout the evening.

The Winter Wonderland Family Fun Night will be held at Ocean Breeze on Camp Foster on January 8, Butler Officers’ Club in Plaza Housing Area on January 9, Camp Courtney’s Tengan Castle on January 16 and Surfside on Camp Kinser on January 30. All events will occur from 5 to 9 p.m., and the cost is $7.95 for adults, $3.95 for children 5–11 and FREE for children under 5.

Call Ocean Breeze (645-3666), Butler Officers’ Club (645-7530), Surfside (637-3137) or Tengan Castle (622-9413) for more details.

You can also visit mccsokinawa.com/clubs. 

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 49

SERVICES

Typhoon Motors MLK Day Special Sale There’s no better time to upgrade your ride inside and out! Need new tires?

Typhoon Motors island wide will be offering 10% off new tires, mounting and balancing for the entire month of January. Want to supercharge your car stereo to improve the sound quality?

All Typhoon Motors locations will be offering 20% off all Sundown car audio amplifiers January 1-31 as well! Take your wheels over to Typhoon Motors on Camp Foster January 19–21 ( January 19 on Camps Kinser, Courtney & Hansen) during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and you can work on your car for next-to-free with $1 lift and stall rentals. Your local Typhoon Motors can not only help you out and provide the tools you need, they can also do it all for you as well! For more information on services available, hours of operation and more, contact a Typhoon Motors on Camps Foster (645-7169), Kinser (637-2191), Courtney (622-9546) or Hansen (6237743). Visit Typhoon Motors online at mccsokinawa.com/typhoonmotors. 

Sale!

Computers, Furniture and More!

A Cut Above KZENONDEPOSIT/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

Furniture Grade Wood for Sale Calling all carpenters and woodworking enthusiasts! If you’ve always dreamt about creating your own quality furniture and other wooden treasures, look no further than the Courtney Arts and Crafts Center. They have everything you need from a vast selection of furniture grade hardwood and plywood to a fully equipped shop available for rent by the hour. Shop domestic woods like walnut and cherry, and browse through their collection of exotic woods like African mahogany, cumaru (Brazilian teak), purpleheart and zebrawood. Take pride in building something with your own two hands, and rest assured that the furniture grade materials will be resistant to scratches, dings and nicks. If handled with care, the pieces you create can last a lifetime or even be passed down as heirlooms. Gather your woodworking project ideas and furniture plans, and head over to the Courtney Arts and Crafts Center to bring them to life. For more information, visit mccsokinawa.com/artsandcrafts or call them at 622-7492. 

Did you know that MCCS conducts weekly sales of excess Non-appropriated Fund (NAF) property every Wednesday? Items such as computers, monitors, furniture, sporting equipment, recreational equipment and more are usually available. These sales take place on Camp Foster in Warehouse 5601 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The sale is open to DoD ID card holders only from 8 to 11 a.m., and both card holders and non-DoD ID card holders may make purchases from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information about these sales, contact MCCS Supply via email at warehousesales@okinawa. usmc-mccs.org or via phone at 6454188 (098-970-4188 from off-base or a mobile phone).  JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 53

SERVICES

Bounce House Rentals Bouncing Kids = Happy Kids Seriously, what’s a children’s party without a bounce house? It certainly wouldn’t be one the kids would brag about. So if you care at all about your reputation as a party planner, you should probably get one.

Now before you go scrambling to find this most sought-after party accessory, you’ll be happy to hear that MCCS Special Events has got you covered. That’s right, we’re here to make your event one the kids will love without all the headache—we even deliver. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that!

Need a little more than just a bounce house? You can take your party to the next level by renting one of our customizable bounce houses to better fit your occasion. You can choose from 12 different themes including Marvel Avenger characters, Disney Princess, Hello Kitty, Jurassic Park and more. You can even rent bounce houses with a slide!

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, you can also rent a Slip N’ Slide (single and double lane), boxing ring, dunk tank and more.

Deliveries are on base only (pick-up is also available). Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance. For more information, call MCCS Special Events at 645-8528 or visit mccsokinawa.com/bouncers. 

Share Okinawa… …With Family and Friends Back Home!

Everyone who’s visited Okinawa has a favorite spot; the perfect place to watch the sunset, a beach that the family visited every summer, the steps to Nago Castle lined with sakura (cherry blossom) trees blooming a brilliant pink or even a stretch of beautiful coastline that was so breathtaking you had to stop the car to take a photo. Wouldn’t it be great if you could share these memories with your family and friends back home?

Well, you can by sending them a copy of Omoide: Memories of Okinawa! This full-color photobook captures these moments on Okinawa and preserves them so you can share them as well as show them how wonderful and beautiful your

home-away-from-home is. Broken down into north, central and south, Omoide contains images from Hedo Point on the northern tip of the island to Chinen Cape—the southern-most point of Okinawa.

Not only a perfect present for family and friends back in the states, Omoide: Memories of Okinawa can also serve as a bucket list of places to visit while you’re still here on the island. Omoide: Memories of Okinawa is available for $28 island-wide at Exchange retail facilities selling books. For more information on Omoide: Memories of Okinawa, visit mccsokinawa.com. 

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 55

とまりん

2-

2 -1

（ 2km ） an

0 9 8 - 8 6 0 - 9120

To Naha （ ） Airport

（3F a, J naw ）Maej ima Naha City, Oki

ap

RESTAURANT REVIEW

THOMAS ALAN SMILIE

Breakfast at TERRA There’s no better way to start off a day than with a good, hearty and tasty breakfast. It sets the tone for the day, fuels you and fills you with positive vibes. That being said, have you tried breakfast at TERRA yet? When it comes to delicious goodies for your taste buds in the a.m., TERRA takes it to a newer, higher level.

TERRA features a slew of delights on their breakfast menu that are leaving-the-stratosphere-delicious while leaving prices firmly rooted on terra firma.

All the breakfast classics are, of course, available. Try the “Two It”—as in two eggs, two slices of bacon or sausage with choice of toast for $8. Or, make it a Breakfast Sandwich with two fried eggs, bacon and smoked gouda cheese served on a toasted ciabatta for $8.

Steak & Eggs ($14), Sausage Gravy and Biscuits ($9) are available as well as the “Fork & Knife Situation” Breakfast Burrito for $12— consisting of TERRA-made chorizo sausage sautéed with onion, pepper and potatoes rolled in a flour tortilla with pepper jack cheese topped with TERRA’s own special salsa and avocado crema.

Yum. All breakfast classics are served with a choice of home fries, white rice or fruit cup.

A trio of Eggs Benedict plates are available including the TERRA Benny ($9), the Mushroom Benny ($11) and the Chorizo Benny ($11) as well as a mouthwatering selection from the griddle including

Belgian Waffles ($9), Buttermilk Pancakes ($6 for a short stack and $8 for a tall one), French Toast ($8) and Framboise French Toast ($11) smothered in sweetened cream cheese, raspberries and orange framboise butter. All griddle items are served with a choice of home fries, bacon, sausage, white rice or a fruit cup and are accompanied by maple syrup and butter.

TERRA’s omelets include the Western Omelet filled with diced ham, onions and peppers with cheddar cheese, the Veggie (broccoli, tomato, mushrooms and cheddar cheese) and the “3 Little Pigs Omelet”—bacon, ham and sausage with cheddar cheese.

All omelets are $8 and are served with a choice of home fries, white rice or a fruit cup. All omelets come with a choice of white, multigrain or rye toast.

Breakfast Flatbreads including the Denver, Spicy Jack and Bacon Egg & Cheese are available for $9, and the menu is rounded out by healthy selections such as the Caprese Egg White Omelet ($8) and the Granola Parfait—layers of Greek yogurt, granola and mixed berries with honey on the side—for $6 and more.

TERRA is open daily. Breakfast is served from 6 to 10 a.m.

Monday–Friday with brunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For complete breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, as well as upcoming specials, visit mccsokinawa.com/terra.  JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 59

Shurijo

A Tribute to Its Majesty Text by Mike Daley Layout by Ai Jirka

O31, 2019, the skies above

n the morning of October

the hills of Shuri glowed an angry red. Visible for miles by early risers, the distinct smell of smoke laid heavily in the air—something was burning. Little did anyone know, the symbolic heart of the Okinawan people was ablaze.

HENRY ORTEGA

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 63

As a true Okinawan icon, Shuri Castle has graced the pages (and the cover) of Okinawa Living Magazine many times over the decades.

The staff here, along with millions throughout Okinawa, Japan and the rest of the world, were devastated to hear the news of the fire that destroyed seven of the central buildings and burned many irreplaceable historical documents along with works of calligraphy, lacquerware and textiles.

I, as well as others who live close enough to see the glow and smell the smoke in the air, brushed away unbidden tears as we watched the walls of the Seiden crumble to the ground in flames.

Shuri Castle was considered by many the most substantial physical example of the golden age of the Ryukyu Kingdom on Okinawa. It was not only the residence of royalty, the seat of government and the spiritual center of the Sho Dynasties (which ruled the Ryukyu Archipelago from 1406 to 1879 AD), but also the pride of the island’s people and the heart of its culture.

Although the exact date is unknown, it’s thought that the original inner castle was built around 1453 AD facing west towards China on a hill overlooking the East China Sea. In the ensuing centuries, Shuri Castle was surrounded by curved walls, various structures, open areas and

By the year 1660 AD, the castle’s main building had already burned down twice (reconstruction was completed in 1671). During the year 1709, another fire consumed three major buildings including the Seiden. Reconstruction began again in 1712, and was again completed in 1715.

The castle stood as the home of the kings of Ryukyu for well over a hundred years after the 1715 remodeling. However, during the year 1879, officials of the Japanese government, accompanied by several hundred armed troops, gathered the members and officials of the last ruling class of the Ryukyu Kingdom together and presented to them a document that signified the end of an era—the official proclamation that dissolved the kingdom and made Okinawa a prefecture of Japan. The last ruler of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Sho Tai, vacated the grounds two days later and Shuri-jo fell under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Japanese Army. Off-limits signs were placed in strategic locations forbidding entrance to all unauthorized personnel.

MCCS PHOTO, KAILEY LAVALLIERE

sacred grounds or utaki—a common feature of all old Okinawan castles known as gusuku. Shuri Castle not only had religious significance, it was also the focus of many artistic and cultural activities, and the surrounding area housed many of the kingdom’s greatest musicians, dancers, artisans and craftsmen.

The castle grounds were broken into two areas—the expanse within the walls and the space between the inner and outer walls. The inner area was completed during the early fifteenth century and the outer area during the mid-sixteenth century. Each area served specific purposes: The Rôkokumon Gate contained a water tank and was used as a clock, the Sonohyan-utaki Gate was a place of prayer and the Una court in front of the Seiden was where New Year’s ceremonies, greeting ceremonies and moon viewing took place. At the height of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the grounds were often bustling with life, and trade between neighboring nations such as China, Korea and Japan enriched the kingdom’s culture.

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 65

MCCS PHOTOS

What followed was the beginning of one of Shuri Castle’s darkest periods. The Seiden, once home to kings, priceless art and hundreds of years of proud history, was converted into a barracks for troops. Decorative tapestries and fixtures were ripped away, and sleeping mats were strewn throughout the once proud halls.

Both the floorboards and the ceiling began to rot, and many portions of the wall were torn down for firewood.

Eventually, the garrison was withdrawn from Shuri Castle following Japan’s victory in the Sino-Japanese War in 1894. But when the troops left, they inflicted one last ignominy on the Seiden. Thinking to keep them as spoils of war, they tore down

the two dragon pillars that stood in front of the Seiden. However, after deciding that the pillars were too heavy to transport back to the mainland, they attempted to put them back where they found them.

The two truncated pillars faced the wrong way for many years before they were returned to their original length and direction.

The Japanese government retained ownership of Shuri Castle for another 30 years, until the land was sold back to the Okinawan ward of Shuri in 1907. Because the castle and its grounds had received little to no repairs during this period, it had deteriorated into a feeble, wispy shadow of its former glory.

The next few decades were once again a period of reconstruction.

During the late 1930s, the Seiden, as well as 26 other buildings in the vicinity, were designated as national treasures by the Japanese government. The number of cultural assets recognized by the government concentrated in one place was only eclipsed by Kyoto and Nara—which were recognized as cultural meccas throughout the world.

This temporary golden period in Shuri Castle’s history did not last very long. With the onset of WWII, the Japanese Imperial Army once again occupied Shuri Castle. Troops expanded the natural caves and dug extensive tunnel systems under the castle to make room for their headquarters and command posts. The areas surrounding Shuri were also heavily fortified (including a radar facility and a small airstrip for kamikaze planes).

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 67

KAILEY LAVALLIERE

With such a high concentration of Japanese military assets as well as “valuable targets” such as the commander of the 100,000 man strong Japanese 32nd Army, Shuri Castle (as well as the surrounding area) became the focus of intense bombardment and shelling from the land, sea and air. To say that Shuri Castle was reduced to rubble

by American forces may be one of the great understatements of the century. All recognizable traces of the once grand castle had been thoroughly erased from the earth, and with the end of the war in 1945, Shuri Castle’s designation as a national treasure was, of course, terminated.

After WWII, reconstruction once again began on the hill where Shuri Castle once stood. However, workers weren’t building a castle, they were constructing a school—the University of the Ryukyus. While Shurei-mon (the main gate of Shuri Castle which appears on the back of the ¥2,000 note) was rebuilt in 1958, and other bridges and gates followed, plans to restore the castle to its former glory remained stalled because of budgetary concerns. During the early 1970s, many voices were raised to resurrect Shuri-jo once again.

At first, these voices were drowned out by officials citing costs and feasibility. But after years of lobbying, painstakingly gathering old drawings, photos and notes about the castle design (most of which were lost or destroyed in the war) and convincing the University of the Ryukyus to move, plans to begin rebuilding the Seiden once more came to fruition in 1989. Many of the island's best artists and artisans were gathered, and their talents and skills were stretched to their limits in the reconstruction of the castle.

The exact shades of vermillion for the pillars inside the Seiden were extracted from old documents. And, the king’s throne alone, which is decorated with Raden lacquerware JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 69

SEANPAVONEPHOTO/BIGSTOCK.COM

techniques using turban shells, took two years of diligent labor by master lacquerware artisan Koin Maeda (considered one of the best on the island). The actual restoration processes themselves revitalized the Okinawan community and reignited interest in older arts from the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom just as much as the results of the reconstruction. Traditional Ryukyu arts such as lacquerware, textiles and pottery—and especially traditional Okinawan music and dance—began to spark interest among the island’s younger generation.

In November 1992, Shuri Castle Park, modeled after the eighteenth century version with a motif of “golden dragons and auspicious polychrome clouds,” was partially opened to the public. And, during the year 2000, the castle was added to the worldwide list of World Cultural Heritage Sites by the United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It quickly became Okinawa’s most popular tourist attraction—drawing more than two million visitors every year from throughout Japan until it once again burned to the ground this year.

The story of Shuri Castle, however,

is far from complete. Just one month after the fire, donations to the prefecture and the city of Naha surpassed ¥1.2 billion. Many junior and senior high school students from throughout Japan visited the grounds as a part of school excursions to Okinawa to pay respect and donate to the reconstruction of the castle. In December of 2019, members of both the prefectural as well as the national government established a counsel of experts (some of whom were involved in the original restoration project in 1992). Reconstruction has once again begun—albeit only in the planning stages.

The following was written as a conclusion for the Shuri Castle entry of the Best of Okinawa Living book, which was last republished in 2009: “The treasure that was thought lost forever so many times had once again been returned to its former glory—rising from the ashes and rubble like the golden dragons emblazoned on its vermillion pillars.”

Although this conclusion was

written over 10 years ago, it still holds true; Shuri Castle will be rebuilt.

And it will continue to embody the soul of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the heart of its people for generations to come, wherever it’s built and whatever shape it takes. Because what the castle represents—including the heart and pride of the people—cannot be destroyed by war, fire or despair. 

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 71

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LIVING ON OKINAWA

Niku Jyaga (Meat and Potatoes) Ingredients 1/2 large onion 2 medium-sized potatoes 6–8 large green beans 200g Sukiyaki beef (thinly sliced) 4 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar 1 1/2 Tbsp. mirin (sweet cooking wine) 4 Tbsp. dashi* Preparation 1. Make sauce by mixing soy sauce, sugar and dashi.

2. Peel potatoes and cut it into bite-size pieces.

3. Cut beef into bite-size pieces.

4. Boil the potatoes until al dente (fork tender). Do not over-boil.

5. Boil beans, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces and place in cold water.

6. Thinly slice onions and stir-fry beef with onions until semi-transparent, then add potatoes and sauce mixture.

7. Set heat to medium and reduce liquid (stirring constantly), then add green beans with mirin.

8. Serve with steamed white rice. *To make dashi: Bring water to a rolling boil then add a handful of katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes). After one minute, strain the liquid.

LIZA5450/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM, TORSAKARIN/DEPOSITPHOTOS.COM

Otoshidama Although Christmas is over, and all of the gifts are unwrapped and thoroughly “played out,” many children in Japan have another holiday to look forward to— New Year’s. While many in the West consider ringing in the New Year an adult’s holiday involving champagne and late-night merriment, New Year’s in Japan tends to more of a family affair.

On New Year’s Day, children in Japan receive small envelopes containing money as gifts from relatives. Called otoshidama, this monetary gift can range from ¥500 to ¥10,000 and more depending on children’s ages (and, of course, how well-to-do the family is).

It’s believed that otoshidama originated as a Shinto rite. Kagamimochi, the two round rice cakes topped with a tangerine often seen in homes during New Year’s, are also a New Year’s tradition in Japan. They were originally offered to the gods at shrines during Oshôgatsu. And, after the ceremony ended, the rice cakes were given as gifts called toshidama to the people worshipping at the shrine. It was believed that these offerings contained special holy energy, and recipients received this energy when they ate the rice cakes. As years passed, this “holy energy” was replaced with cold, hard yen. Today, some children do better during Oshôgatsu than they did during the past three Christmases combined— receiving total amounts of ¥100,000 or more from various relatives.

On average, elementary school students receive ¥1,000 to ¥3,000, and teenagers receive between ¥5,000 and ¥10,000 from each relative. Even “children” over 20 years old sometimes receive otoshidama as well if they’re still attending college. However, they’re only a step away from switching roles to being a “otoshidama-giver” as they enter the workforce.

Uchinâguchi Corner English

Japanese

Uchinâguchi

Good Morning

Ohayô Gozaimasu

Ukimi Sôchi

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 75

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MCCS NEWS

MCCS OKINAWA AQUATICS

Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team Victorious in Taiwan In November 2019, the Okinawa Dolphins Swim Team (ODST) was rewarded for their long hours of hard work and dedication, bringing home a first-place trophy from the Tigersharks Invitational Swim Meet held at the Taipei American School in Taiwan. ODST was titled “Team Points Champions.”

The team certainly brought their ‘A’game, as several members set new personal records and received awards for top-eight finishes. Three swimmers even placed in the top three of their age groups for overall scores: Macenzie Call was third place in the 13–14 group (she was first in the 200m Individual Medley and 50m Freestyle, second in the 100m Freestyle and third in the 100m Backstroke), Benjamin Winn was third place in the 13–14 group (first place in 100m Breaststroke, second in 400m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley and fifth in 100m Freestyle) and Elijah Amposta was second place in the 15–18 group (first place in 200m Freestyle, second in 400m Freestyle, third in 100m Freestyle and seventh in the 50m Freestyle).

Head coach Mathew Luebbers credits their win to the swimmers’ hard work, commitment and strong bonds: “They won because they all worked extremely hard this season and went all out for every practice.

They all really came together for this meet and did a great job supporting each other.

Everybody was cheering for everybody

the whole time.”

ODST had a combined team score of 1,684—the best result they have delivered in 10 years. Behind them was second-place finisher Xin Sheng Elementary School with a total of 1,595 points and third place Morrison Academy with 1,481.

This meet has helped some high school ODST members meet the standards for a high school varsity letter—a prestigious monogram for student-athletes on a sports team who have excelled competitively.

Kubasaki and Kadena high school students can earn one high school varsity letter or pin award per school year by fulfilling training and competition requirements with ODST. There are usually two high school letter seasons for the school year—one in the fall and one in the winter. This year, the winter season is from January 6 to February 22, with some swimmers continuing through the 2020 Tokyo Winter Champs (March 7 and 8). All requirements for a letter award must be met within the same letter season.

ODST is part of the Semper Fit Aquatics Program. Since forming in 1997, the team has had over 4,000 swimmers move through the program, including the children of former team members. The swimmers have meets on and off base, as well as on and off island in places such as Tokyo and Taiwan. Those interested in joining ODST must try out. Tryouts are

held for every season, with winter season tryouts running on January 6 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Foster Aquatic Center (located behind Ocean Breeze). To learn more about this season’s tryouts, please see p.47 of this issue.

If you would like to see more images of the swim meet, visit facebook.com/mccsokinawa.aquatics. To learn more about ODST, visit mccsokinawa.com/swimteam. 

JANUARY 2020 | OKINAWA LIVING 79