2022 June List | 2022 六月清單

We bid farewell to Okinawa. I’m grateful for our friends who threw us a going away party, and even sent us off at the airport. Three years in Okinawa flew by, and we made so many great friends here that made our life in Okinawa eventful! We’ve been back in California for 3 weeks now, and the sun here hasn’t been very kind, almost making me miss the cool rainy days during our last few weeks in Okinawa.

我們離開沖繩了！謝謝朋友們對我們這麼好，不但幫我們辦歡送會，還來機場送我們。回憶起在沖繩的這三年，能在沖繩認識這麼多好朋友，讓我們的生活過的精彩！我們現在搬來加州，這裡的太陽對我們實在很不客氣！突然有點想念離開沖繩前一直下雨的日子。

Little Lapin | Lapin 小車

Selling my beloved Lapin really hit me that we were actually leaving Okinawa. When we first moved here, I immediately fell in love with the look of Lapin! The resale value on my car was great too! We got numerous interested buyers moments after we posted it online. Thank you for serving us so well the last three years, going everywhere in Okinawa with us, and letting us find precious parking spots along the Seawall. I love you and will miss you dearly Lapin!

哎，真的是要和沖繩說再見了。賣掉我的沖繩愛車那剎那，好心疼！到沖繩時，我一看到這台Lapin小車，立刻愛上！轉賣價錢也非常優秀，我們放上網賣車時，竟然出乎意料的收到一堆訊息。謝謝Lapin小車對我們這麼好，帶我們整個沖繩跑透透，還能在好擁擠的Seawall能找到車位。我愛你，Lapin小車！

TJ Tacos

802 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92025
http://www.tj-tacos.com/

Every time we arrive in San Diego, the first meal is always Mexican food! If you’ve never had tacos in San Diego, you’ve never been to San Diego. The tacos here are Baja California style, my favorite type of Mexican food. In Northern San Diego, our go-to is TJ Tacos. Here you will find grilled tortilla overstuffed with meat, cilantro, and drenched in salsa; getting your hands dirty and making a mess is the respectful thing to do. Horchata and soda are perfect companions for your tacos. Our favorite meats are: carne asada, adobada, and langua.

每次回來聖地牙哥，第一站絕對是吃墨西哥食物！來San Diego沒吃tacos就等於沒來過！這裡的tacos大部分是Baja style，也是我們最愛的墨西哥食物之一。北邊聖地牙哥，我們的最愛絕對是TJ Tacos滿滿的肉和醬汁把手弄的油膩膩是吃tacos的基本禮儀（哈哈哈），horchata和汽水是必點飲料。我們每次會點的肉類：asada, adobada, lengua.

Joe’s Crab Shack

314 Harbor Dr, Oceanside, CA 92054
http://www.joescrabshack.com/locations/10159/

After eating king crabs in Hokkaido, we continue to eat crabs here in the US. Not as juicy and tender as in Japan, but the Old Bay seasoning is mouth watering enough. Outside of the restaurant is a harbor lined with sailboats and yachts. Taking a leisurely stroll along the piers and soaking in the Vitamin D from California sunshine is a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Be sure to put on adequate sunscreen!

在日本吃螃蟹，回來美國繼續吃螃蟹！雖然不像日本這麼鮮嫩多汁，但吃到old bay口味的海鮮煮法還是讓我們流口水。餐廳外面排著滿滿的帆船，吃飽後在附近走走享受加州陽光（記得擦防曬），舒服極了。

Shancheng Lameizi Hot Pot | 山城辣妹子

4225 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 92111
http://www.shanchenglameizi.com/

Convoy Street is the Asian kitchen of San Diego. I used to come here with my upperclassmen when I was in college here. This time, we came with our family to challenge the spicy hot pot, but we were left defeated, by even the least spicy level. There is an all-you-can-eat dessert bar for you to rest your overworked palette before you get back into the fight. The purple rice porridge is definitely my favorite!

聖地牙哥的Convoy St.聚集一堆亞洲美食，我在大學時學長學姊常帶我們來這裡覓食。這次和家人來吃麻辣火鍋，竟然被小辣打敗！在山城辣妹子，中場休息時有無限甜點解辣，紫米粥絕對是最吸引我的部分！

2022 January-March List

2022 January

Happy New Year! The first half of January was filled with celebrations and get-togethers, we were off to a great start! Until the pandemic took another turn and we got hit with restrictions and state of emergency. But as of the writing of this post, the restrictions have been lifted, and we are able to enjoy a little bit of freedom again.

Cooking Class with Chef Tony

https://www.facebook.com/MoguCooking

So glad to be able to take Chef Tony’s cooking class with UN, despite the fact that I dragged him with me on his day off and he was the only guy in the class. Chef Tony is a local celebrity chef. He is knowledgeable in cooking and in his class, We learned how to make French omelet, poached egg, and hollandaise sauce.

OIWC Welcome Tea

https://www.facebook.com/OkinawaInternationalWomensClub

It was a big hit! I got a little stage fright when I got up to speak, but was really happy that Okinawa International Women’s Club (OIWC) can start again. OIWC is one of my favorite groups in Okinawa, where I got to meet with local Japanese and had many cultural exchange.

Granny Bingo

My very first time hosting/playing real bingo. I googled online and found out that there is more than one way to play bingo! Thank God for my helpful friends to help make this event a success!

Areko

https://www.instagram.com/areko.ippee/

I made this reservation for the day before a lockdown happened again. This place is reservation only, and you can contact the owner via Instagram. Owner/chef prepared the meal for us with such focus, UN said that he looked like a Taiwanese celebrity! All dishes were curated by the owner himself, using fresh local ingredients. Loved every bite!

新年快樂！2022年一月前半段過著夜夜笙歌，絕對讓2022有個非常美好的開頭。但疫情總愛突然插手，一月後半段以防疫狀態過完的。即使如此，現在寫這文章時已經防疫解除，大家能自由遊玩！

Chef Tony的煮飯課

https://www.facebook.com/MoguCooking

太開心能和UN一起上到Chef Tony的廚藝課！課裡我們學到如何煮出法式蛋餅和辨別蛋的好壞，也學到了日本奶油、歐洲奶油、和美國奶油的不同。當然，UN回家後就非常認真練習！

沖繩國際婦女協會 (OIWC)

https://www.facebook.com/OkinawaInternationalWomensClub

太成功了！雖然臨時上台講話緊張到我頭腦空白，但真的很開心OIWC能正式恢復運行。OIWC (Okinawa International Women’s Club)是我在沖繩最愛的團體之一，能和在地沖繩人一起做文化交流。

扮裝賓果

第一次辦這連我都不知道怎麼玩（正統）賓果，上網一查才知道賓果有超多玩法。從基本的五個號碼連一條線到正方形格子外圍連線。好險有神隊友幫忙，才把這活動辦得有聲有色。

Areko

https://www.instagram.com/areko.ippee/

防疫計劃實施前一天享受一下能在外面用餐的好日子（哈哈）！僅限預約制，可以在Instagram上聯繫。廚師兼老闆認真下廚，UN說他長得像金城武，請大家自行評估！菜色全是老闆設計，大多使用沖繩當地材料，每一口都是享受。

Chef Tony’s Cooking Class

Making French Omelette

Chef Tony

Making some orange decoration

Areko

Date night at Areko

Date night at Areko

Areko

Areko

Granny Bingo

OIWC Welcome Tea

2022 February

Many of our plans for February got canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. But because of this, UN and I got to explore more of Okinawa.

Mikan Picking

https://goo.gl/maps/vvdTKrixSUjhGuzX8

UN was skeptical that we would be able to pick Mikan, since according to both the internet and a restaurant owner, the Mikan picking season ended a week ago. Despite all of that, I insisted on visiting a Mikan orchard. When we arrived, we were dealt with the expected cold hard truth that there’s no more Mikans to pick. Still, I asked the orchard farmer if we could just take a stroll inside. There were still some Mikans left on the trees, but the farmer said those weren't good for picking. I’m thankful that the farmer still let us go in and even gave us some (not pretty, but sweet) Mikans to eat!

Nago Castle Park

https://goo.gl/maps/BJ9tYZ83p2Vika1E6

we’ve visited Nago Castle Park a few times before, but never this thoroughly! Okinawa begins to turn into Spring starting in February, the weather is just perfect for taking a stroll through the park. We saw many couples there, enjoying their alone time. Me and UN on the other hand, were having a jolly time at the playground. We probably weren’t too welcomed by the park goers.

The British Wine and Tea Shop

http://british.ti-da.net/

Known for their freshly baked scones and homemade jam, the portion will leave you very satisfied. The owner Maki San lived in London for 10 years, and worked at a 5-star hotel, as a pastry chef. Her story behind opening this restaurant was very touching, you should ask her yourself when you get the chance!

Yamacha Cafe

https://goo.gl/maps/BkcVKmagAU6BNnxp8

Japanese pizza is umami, especially with their signature spicy sauce, just perfect! The restaurant owner is an expert in all things fermented. Her ume is a must-try. Also, she skin is glowing!

雖然原本計畫好的旅行因一些變化而取消，但也因此我和UN能在沖繩名護玩。

採柑橘

https://goo.gl/maps/vvdTKrixSUjhGuzX8

雖然採柑橘的季節已經快結束了，即使餐廳老闆和網上都說採柑橘的季節已在上禮拜結束，連UN都覺得我們是不是要改行程，但我堅持要到柑橘園一趟。到了柑橘園時，老闆說柑橘季節已結束，但我還是不死心的問老闆可不可以進去參觀。進柑橘園後才發現其實還是有很多柑橘啊！老闆解釋這些柑橘已經不漂亮了，不方便讓客人採。最後感謝老闆給我們吃（不太漂亮但卻很甜的）柑橘！

名護城公園

https://goo.gl/maps/BJ9tYZ83p2Vika1E6

來過幾次名護城公園，但絕對沒有這次逛得這麼仔細！二月的沖繩已逐漸進入春天，天氣非常舒服，很適合來這裡散步。很多情侶都來這裡休息，但我和UN卻玩公園設施一直大笑，非常對不起這些浪漫的情侶們。

The British Wine and Tea Shop

http://british.ti-da.net/

老闆Maki San做的司康配上手工果醬，大份又好吃。老闆曾在英國住了10年，在倫敦五星級飯店當糕點師傅。開這家店的故事非常溫馨可愛，有機會可以問老闆喔！

Yamacha Cafe

https://goo.gl/maps/BkcVKmagAU6BNnxp8

日式比薩非常香！配上老闆自製辣醬，完美！老闆娘是位專研醃製發酵的廚師，老闆娘的梅子非常好吃。還有，老闆娘皮膚非常好！

Mikan Picking

Mikan Picking

Nago Castle Park

Okinawa Mikan Season

The British Wine and Tea Shop

Delicious quiche

Must order: scone!

Yamacha Cafe

Yamacha Cafe

2022 March

Spring time in Okinawa is quite charming, a delight before the humidity that summer will bring.

Kimono Dressing

Our time living in Japan is coming to an end, I’m glad to be able to dress in kimono and enjoy bento boxes with my friends.

Strawberry Picking

(previous post)

Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits. But after 40 minutes of eating strawberries, I think I’ve had enough! Now I’m craving for something savory, and maybe a hot soup.

Azalea Festival

https://www.vill.higashi.okinawa.jp

We’ve come to this Festival two years in a row now. There’s definitely more people here this year, and it was very lively!

沖繩春天天氣實在有夠迷人（太愛了一直重複這句話），絕對是進入潮濕又悶的夏天前的大享受。

穿和服

算一算住在日本的時間已經快進入尾聲，很開心能在最後這幾個月再次和朋友穿和服一起吃日式便當。

採草莓

（採草莓文章）

草莓是我愛吃的水果之一，但吃了40分鐘的草莓突然覺得有點過分的多。覺得應該來點熱湯或鹹食綜合一下味覺。

杜鵑花季

https://www.vill.higashi.okinawa.jp

已經變成我們在沖繩每年必來的活動了！感覺這次又更多人，也更熱鬧。

Fishermen’s Superstitions

Can’t wait to do it again!

We went deep sea fishing again! And the bounty was plentiful! My highlight was seeing my spirit animal: DOLPHINS!! Initially my lines kept breaking, I was afraid that would set the tone for the rest of the day. Was I standing at the wrong spot? Did I do something tabooed for fishermen? Or did I turn a fish over when I was eating it at home? (Taiwanese fishermen believe that turning a fish over will cause the ship to capsize.) If I had any reception, I would’ve googled the superstitions that fishermen believe in. I know I was desperate!

Tales of fishing superstitions are many, and can probably take days to go over all of them, even Pirates of the Caribbean mentioned some nautical taboos. Fishermen have their own superstitions. Our fishing club believes that eating convenient store fried chicken before going fishing and not taking out the cooler early will lead to a bountiful catch. I learned many other no-nos for fishermen from our deckhands. Only time will tell if these are correlated with catching bigger fish.

• Don’t bring bananas onto the boat: this originated from early days of food transport across oceans, and due to the lack of proper equipment, bananas ripen easily and often are unsellable before they get to the next port. But this has nothing to do with fishing. Our deckhand debunked this superstition, he said he ate bananas the day that he caught a 500lbs marlin. After Google search, some people even believe that anything related to bananas such as “Banana Boat” sunscreen should not be brought to sea. I now remember seeing a sign at a pier that says “no bananas”, and I thought that was to prevent people from slipping on banana peels. Lol!

• Pouring alcohol onto the line spool: After our deckhand finished setting up trolling (to fish for marlin), he asked us for beer. I thought it was because it was a hot day and he was thirsty, but he poured the whole can onto the line spool! Then he told us that it’s telling the fish that the bar is open, and fish are alcoholics too! This made me laugh, but apparently a marlin took our bait but got away! Hmmm...

To summarize this trip: initially I was disappointed by the breaking fishing lines, then became worried about committing fishing taboos. It wasn’t until my first catch (a fat tuna)! I started to become more encouraged, and could finally enjoy fishing. Even briefly forgot there’s such a thing as fishermen’s superstitions. Instead of worrying about all these things, I say don’t think too much about it and just enjoy fishing!

To find out more about deep sea fishing, please check out my first post about deep sea fishing. I talk about fishing companies, costs, packing list, and my personal experience. Hopefully you will have a lot of fun out there and catch many big fish! Enjoy!

Briefing before we started the day.

Group photo!

Selfie!

Dolphins swam around us!

UN caught a big tuna!

That’s us!

WE CAUGHT MAHI MAHI!

Sashimi on the boat!

Fresh Sashimi!

Getting ready!

Prepping for fishing

Deckhands cleaning fish.

Sunset time!

Reminds me of the show, Outer Bank.

Fish we caught that day!

Shark!

Mahi Mahi!!!!

It’s DOLPHINS!

Chinese Translation

我們又出海釣魚囉！這次收穫豐富，其中讓我最開心的是我們看到成群的海豚（我最愛的動物耶！）但一開始出海開釣時，我的線一直斷，斷到我心灰一冷，懷疑自己會不會一整天因斷線而掉不到魚，還開始懷疑我站的位置是不是風水不好（UN翻白眼），問工作人員我是不是觸犯打魚人不該做的事（工作人員一口否定）。我也開始回想思考我在家吃魚時是不是不小心把魚翻面（以前在台灣聽說打魚人吃魚時不能翻面，意指翻船）。要不是海上手機沒訊號，我應該會上網搜尋有關釣魚禁忌的事吧！

說到釣魚禁忌，三天三夜應該都說不完吧，像電影加勒比海盜裡也曾提過一些出海禁忌。每個釣魚人也有一堆不太合理的迷信，我們釣魚社認為釣魚前必須吃便利商店的炸雞和釣魚時不把冷藏箱拿出來。這次深海釣魚，我從Deckhand那學到更多打魚人的小迷信，至於釣大魚的機會有沒有變高，我們有待觀察！

• 不帶香蕉上船：起源於以前出海運送食物時，但由於船上設備不齊全，香蕉很容易在送達目的地前就壞了，因此討海人不喜歡運送香蕉，但這跟釣魚完全沒關係啊！Deckhand也推翻這理論，他說之前釣到500磅馬林那天早上就吃香蕉。上網查了一下，發現有些人認為連Banana Boat防曬油或和名字和香蕉相關的物品都不帶。讓我想到以前曾在碼頭附近看到不能帶香蕉的牌子，那時以為怕在船上踩到香蕉皮滑倒而立的告示牌！

• 在釣魚捲軸和魚線灑酒：當Deckhand放好trolling（釣馬林的用具）後，突然和我們要啤酒，原以為是Deckhand天氣熱想喝啤酒，結果Deckhand把啤酒撒在釣魚捲軸和魚線上！問了後才知道原來這是在告訴魚兒們，酒吧開張，來開喝吧！（哈哈哈，太酷了吧）至於有沒有用呢，我們的馬林上鉤後又逃走了！

總結一下這次釣魚心情：一開始不停斷線失落感直直上升，心情也開始焦慮是否觸犯釣魚禁忌。直到釣到第一隻魚（肥嘟嘟的鮪魚）心情放煙火，覺得今天任務完成能放鬆釣魚，瞬間忘記釣魚禁忌這一說詞！與其心情急切，平常心釣魚可能比較有用！

想知道深海釣魚的資訊，可以參考我的第一次深海釣魚經驗，文章裡有釣魚公司、需帶物品、費用和個人經驗，希望能幫助大家之後出海釣魚。