CONTRIBUTED BY KAHO
Onigiri means a triangular shaped "rice ball" in Japanese and it is a typical lunch food that Japanese people take in their lunch box.
Left: Onigiri bought at "CO-OP"
Right: Onigiri bought at LAWSON Convenience Store
You can make onigiri at home, but you can also find them at convenience stores and supermarkets. Salmon is my favorite!
All the pictures...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
I thought I had been invited to watch a Japanese tea ceremony at Henry's daycare. That's what I concluded after stringing together the five words his sensei said that I understood. And I was right except that when I arrived two petite elderly Japanese women scurried around trying to deal with my girth and one put-upon...
CONTRIBUTED BY LAN
I think pretty much everyone agrees that a good haircut isn't absolutely essential for living like say, oxygen is, BUT a good haircut can definitely increase one's quality of life or level of cheeriness. Don't we all feel better when we've had a good "hair day?" So, on that note, let's help out Rebecca's quest for more...
CONTRIBUTED BY KAHO
Kaho's Japanese Corner: Mensore
It's the PCS season again. It's the time to say "sayonara" to many of your friends. Sad. I know.
At the same time, you'll welcome many new people. When I first arrived at the Naha Airport, I was greeted with MENSORE! So, this is the word to learn for you.
I'm not from Okinawa, so I...
CONTRIBUTED BY JEN PRESTON
A few weeks ago, I posted about the various avenues to getting in shape on this island, with an emphasis on Risner Gym's Extreme Fitness Challenge. Well, I am 5 weeks into the 8 week program, and I have to say, I am a better woman for it.
I had lofty goals of dropping 15 lbs to...
CONTRIBUTED BY KAHO
Kaho's Japanese Corner: Chotto matter kudasai
Today I would like to teach "chotto matte kudasai" today. It means "please wait for a second."
If you are paying at a cashier and you forgot something that you wanted to buy, you can say "sumimasen, chotto matte kudasai!". "Excuse me. Please hold on!"
Chotto = a little
matte = wait (imperative form)
kudasai =...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
A few moons ago two wonderful ladies, Sue Hoppin and Tanya Biank, reached out to us and said nice things about our little blog. They sent us love across lakes, rivers and one ocean straight from the United States. We welcomed the love and we loved the love. Then Tanya wrote an article for the Military...
CONTRIBUTED BY KELLYERACE
So, I didn’t know that just outside of Kadena Gate 1 next to AU, a cozy little nook of a yakitori bar sat. Patiently. Quietly. Awaiting exploration. And I’ve probably passed it a thousand times. So I must give a little hoorah for friends Ruka and Yoshitomo, for taking the blindfold off and introducing us to it,...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
My house is quiet. And quiet is better than chocolate these days. The last thing Eli said to me before collapsing into a boneless pile of sleep was I DON'T WANT TO SLEEP, IT TAKES TOO LONG! I envy that passion to be awake and roaring until the tank is empty. The way I look forward...
CONTRIBUTED BY KIMBERLY MITCHELL
Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms-to-be out there! Did you know this year is the 100th anniversary of the holiday? Anna Jarvis founded the holiday after the death of her mother with the intent that one would present their mom with a white carnation to signify the purity of a mother's love along...
CONTRIBUTED BY JEN PRESTON
Spring is finally here! What an amazing place this island is! We've been kayaking and snorkeling two weekends in a row over on Torii Beach. Here's a fun tip: rent a double kayak for $4 over at Torii Beach, then have your partner row while you hang off the end of the boat with your snorkel...
CONTRIBUTED BY LAN
Unfortunately, BYOB in this case doesn't mean "Bring Your Own Beer", but instead refers to a "Bring Your Own Buddy" promotion sponsored by Tsunami Gear through Memorial Day to encourage people to get their PADI scuba...
Editor's Note: If you've been to this restaurant recently and would like to provide us with an updated report about the food and your experience (with pictures) please email our Submissions Manager! We'd love an update about Kabab's.
CONTRIBUTED BY SUZY
I know that there is another Indian restaurant listed here on Okinawa Hai but I wanted to give yet...
CONTRIBUTED BY DIANA MIDDLETON
Some of you may have heard of Rainbow House. It's an amazing two-story fabric/craft store. It's way easy to get to and they have loads of stuff the base craft stores have never carried. The bottom floor is parking. The second floor is filled with fabrics galore, a wide variety I might add, and all the...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
A couple episodes ago Sara suggested a Dozo Box as a way to get rid of big trash when you live off-base. A way to get rid of it without paying that is. A stroke of brilliance so bright and shiny that I went ahead and proper noun-ed the idea.
Behold my Dozo Box. Today's box is...
CONTRIBUTED BY KIMBERLY MITCHELL
I got a little glimpse into the future this weekend. We hosted a dinner party with an extra 4-year old, 5-year old, and 7-year old. That's in addition to my nearly 3-year old and the two babies I neglected to mention. At times, chaos was not quite strong enough of a word to describe the scene....
CONTRIBUTED BY JEN PRESTON
This job is tickling my jealousy bone. My neighbor Staci took what sounds to have been a fantastic trip to Taiwan a month or so ago, and was sweet enough to share the details with us. She even let us see a photo of her husband in a shower cap. Oh, the goofy things husbands do...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Three things this post WAS going to be about until exhaustion punched me in the ear.
Our last deployment has begun and that is groovy, hum-drum and infuriating all in one tidy ball that I think I threw out the window or left in the car or something.
Henry has an upcoming field trip to the Orion Brewery...
CONTRIBUTED BY LAN
If you live here on Okinawa, you're bound to see a few expanded bellies that are probably not from good eats. Call it living the island life, post-deployment marital activities, or just ol' wanting to expand the happy family, there always seems to be an abundant number of expecting moms here on Okinawa. ( I was actually...
Note: We have been informed that this preschool in no longer operating. We are leaving this post in our archives for those of you who may be looking for it.
For all you parents looking for a preschool that suits your kids, we’re hoping to add a little something to aid in your search. Parents of children who attend various...
CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
Heidi has family coming to town who have a specific interest:
My two aunts are coming to town in May. They are intrested in Japanese fabrics and such. I have heard about Bingata here in Okinawa. So my question is where can you go to look at, buy, and try bingata. I have heard there is a...
CONTRIBUTED BY JULIA
Hotel Nikko Alivila’s Kinshasa restaurant serves a deliciously satisfying dim sum lunch buffet. They have dishes that you can choose from at the buffet table and then a cart that is filled with dim sum goodies. The last time I was there with hubby and the kids the buffet table included mapo tofu, congee, a scallop and...
CONTRIBUTED BY DIANA MIDDLETON
I recently found a nifty thrift store on the island and I think you will like it, too. In previous discussions about thrift stores on the island, there was limited information out there. However, I think most of you will like this store “Total Reuse.” If you have traveled to Tokyo, you know there is a chain...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH NOVARIO
Yesterday morning before Joe and I headed off to the Smooth Move Workshop, we dropped the boys off into the hands of other people. Good people whom I love dearly and do not even for a second want to imagine saying good-bye to in two months. Gulp.
So it was like a hot date at eight in...
Living overseas has its challenges, and a commonly agreed upon one is finding that perfect place to live. To help those of us who are curious about the different options for living on Okinawa, readers have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about on-base housing. If you live in an off-base house that has not yet been...
CONTRIBUTED BY KIMBERLY MITCHELL
Who can help out fellow faithful reader?
In the beginning of May I will be traveling with my 3 month old back to the states. How on earth do you switch a 3 month old time wise. 13 hours seems impossible as it completely switches night and day! I also want to know how flying that far...
CONTRIBUTED BY DANIELA WELBORN
Alright, we did it! We gave in and paid the money...and....it was totally worth it!!!! Today was our anniversary and since we been together for some time now we don't do the jewelry/flowers/chocolate/dinner thing. Well, we still do the dinner thing, but not today.
So, here is the deal.
OMRC Dolphin program has different programs throughout the day....
CONTRIBUTED BY JOELLE YAMADA
I have no clue what time it is -- my brain has jumped forward to Okinawa, but my body, my luggage, my kiddos and husband are all still in Seattle at the marvelous little USO in the family room complete with beds, crib, changing table, toys, videos, etc. If we make the Patriot Express Space-A in...
CONTRIBUTED BY KAHO
Kaho's Japanese Corner: Dozo vs. Domo
Dozo is a very useful word. It means "here you go" or "go ahead". How can we use this word?
You're in a food court with some friends. It's crowded and your table has one empty chair. A Japanese person comes and asks if she/he can take the empty chair. (More likely that...
CONTRIBUTED BY MEREDITH
Dear You who solves all of my problems with tender words and soft shoulders,
This is Rick Maltsby P.I. Our very own Privates Investigator. He's also a jungle gym, a thief and my first dog ever. I have loved him long time. And now that we know for absolute-ness that we are leaving Okinawa, I have to draft...