Okinawa Hai!

CONTRIBUTED BY SUZIE SMITH For the New Year I’ve been looking for a fun new way to incorporate more movement into my daily life as well as do something fabulous (jazz hands)! I was so excited to find out that a new dance studio right outside Gate Street on Kadena was opening up in January. [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY KIM RUNKLE When my husband deployed a year ago and a half ago, I knew I needed something to keep me busy and my mind occupied,.  Otherwise, I’d make myself crazy thinking and worrying and thinking about worrying about and for him those 8+ months he was gone.  My daughter’s girl scout troop [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY ELIZABETH GOMEZ Brazilian SC Logo For devoted soccer families moving to Okinawa, there are a few choices for play. The best option for our family proved to be the Brazilian Soccer Club, coached by professional trainer Roberto Iwashita. Brazilian SC Play 2 We began with summer soccer camps to get a feel for [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY TARA HOWES  Tara used to live on Oki and was our Forum manager.  She now resides in Texas, but just had to write and tell us about her family’s incredible experience at this dojo. My nine year old son left his hoodie at school last week and today when he came home he [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY ADRIEKE OSMUN OYFL Kid Last December, I was sitting on the bleachers watching my son during his football practice and a wave of emotion came over me as I heard colors begin. I saw every player on that field stop running drills and snap to attention as the trumpet wafted through the Okinawa [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY LOUISE MCKERNAN Our children love lacrosse. I grew up with lacrosse, and while lacrosse is new to my husband, he embraces lax as a new sport to play with our kids. I thought being stationed in Okinawa was the end of organized youth lacrosse for a few years. In PCS prep mode, I [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY KRISTY WELLS Music Class Six months ago I found an ad on the Okinawa Yard Sales website with information regarding a new music class available on the island. Lauren Baskins had recently moved here and brought with her the amazing learning experience called Music Together. Music Together is a music and movement class [...]

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MOPS Cards CONTRIBUTED BY MEGAN PARKER Your three-year old spilled his orange juice, and while you are on your hands and knees cleaning it up, you notice the stale Cheerios from days gone by hugging the floorline that meets the wall. You crawl farther under the table, promptly bang your head, and eventually pick up [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER SHAFER  Parenting is not always a bowl of cherries, especially when you have an energetic, in-your-face, rambunctious, and all around difficult five year old son.  Don’t get me wrong, I love my children, but they can be quite the handful. Recently, I stumbled upon the new Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class at the Courtney [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY HEATHER GELORMINE When I learned that I was pregnant with a daughter, my mind immediately filled with girlie thoughts: butterflies and flowers.  Tea parties and princesses.  Pierced ears, painted toenails, and makeup (way down the road).  Tutus and ballet class. My little girl is about to turn six, and I have yet to [...]

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