January 10, 2022

2022 Happy New Year

January 10, 2022/ Brandy C.

We start strong in 2022! Finally checked off our bucket list: see the first sunrise in Northern Okinawa. I’m grateful that the UN was well disciplined, he made sure we didn’t over-commit our NYE plans so that we didn’t have to pull an all-nighter as if we were still in college. We kicked off the start of 2022 by watching the first sunrise at Cape Hedo, visited Daisekirinzan, barbecued and played board games with friends, and even went fishing on New Year’s Day!

During the first week of the new year, it is customary for Japanese to visit different temples to pray for blessings for the year. We visited 2 out of the 8 Ryukyu Hashas - Sueyoshigu and Shikina Shrine, as well as two very popular shrines in Okinawa. As always, we didn’t worship at these shrines, we went to simply be immersed in Japanese New Year celebrations and surrounded by delicious food stalls outside of some of these shrines.

Gokoku Shrine

We were looking for Oki-gu, one of the Ryukyu Hashas, but saw the bigger crowd flooding to Gokoku Shrine. Only when we were purchasing omamori did we realize that Oki-gu is different from Gokoku Shrine. LOL Gokoku Shrine is very busy during the New Year, outside of the Shrine there are many good food options!

Sueyoshigu

Remember to bring bug spray! Hiking wasn’t part of our original plan, but we trekked through mossy stone paths and climbed flights of stairs to get to Sueyoshigu. This particular shrine is a bit hidden, if it weren’t for the New Year flags, we probably wouldn’t have found it. Direction: park here, there are stairways on the right, and another trail on the left. Don’t turn on either side, just go straight! Not far away, you will see a sign “Sueyoshigu” on the left.

Sairaiin (Daruma Temple)

I’ve long wanted to come here to see the many darumas. There are different sizes and colors darumas that you can purchase according to your wish.

Shikina Shrine

One of the Ryukyu Hashas! If you would like a Goshuin, you need to notify a shrine clerk ahead of time.

As per usual, I set a few new year’s goals for myself, hoping this year I can be even more focused on the things I set out to do, and spend more time doing things that are interesting and important to me. I wish a blessed and healthy 2022 to everyone!

Chinese Translation

2022年絕對有好的開始！我們終於完成2020年時想來沖繩北邊看日出的心願，也謝謝UN把我控制好，沒有爆肝趕場這種自以為還在身體能承受熬夜不睡覺的生活！2022年，我們不但看到日出，到沖繩本島最北邊的辺戸岬、大石林山，和好朋友們一起烤肉玩桌遊，隔天我們還去釣魚！

新年第一週，依照日本人到神社祈福的習俗，我們參觀了琉球八社裡的兩間神社，末吉宮和識名宮，和兩間在沖繩非常有名的神社。雖然我們沒在神社拜拜，濃厚的日本新年祈福裝飾和神社外好多小吃攤讓我們也好興奮。

護國神社

原訂計畫是參觀沖宮，也是琉球八社其中之一，但我們被人潮帶到護國神社。選御守時才發現我們在沖宮旁的護國神社，哈哈哈！新年的護國神社非常忙，神社外有許多小吃選項。

末吉宮

記得帶上防蚊液！原本沒計畫健行登山，但我們又爬山又走一堆樓梯才找到末吉宮。位置有點偏僻，要不是有新年旗子和標示，我們還真的找不到！（UN一開始以為我又晃點他了！）

西來院達摩寺

一間我非常想來參觀的寺廟！寺裡有好多達摩，大的小的，還有販售不同達摩來許願。

識名宮

琉球八社其中一社！如果想要御朱印，需要預先通知識名宮的工作人員。

不免俗還是訂了幾樣目標，希望新的一年能更專心做每件事，也希望能有更多充裕的時間來專研自己喜歡的事。希望大家2022一切順利，世界能更健康！

January 06, 2022

2021 December List: Merry Christmas

January 06, 2022/ Brandy C.

I love this time of the year! Despite being so cold, the numerous events kept me so busy that I couldn’t just cozy up at home if I wanted to.

我愛的月份！雖然天氣冷，但活動多讓我不能賴在家裡不想出門。（你們覺得呢？）

Tomato Plant | 家種小番茄

從種子發芽長根到紅通通，歷經這六個月，失望挫敗到欣喜諾狂。

Grown from the seed up over the past 6 month! This process took us through some emotional rollercoaster!

3 MEF Band Christmas Concert

What a performance! The music truly brought Christmas to those of us who are stationed in Japan! No wonder my clarinet teacher said this is their most popular performance!

太喜歡這次的表演了，讓住在日本的我們能好好感受聖誕氣氛、難怪我的老師說這是他們最受歡迎的表演！

Raft Fishing | 筏釣

即使這次收穫不如以往，我還是很熱衷這類能讓頭腦放空思考問題但同時不能過於發呆，且手還必須很忙一直動的活動（像刺繡！）

Even though we didn’t catch a lot of fish like we did before, I still like activities like fishing where I can think about other things while keeping my hands busy (with embroidery!)

Cake Decorating Workshop | 蛋糕裝飾課

The Naval Officer Spouse Club of Okinawa learned how to decorate a cake this month, and the product of my hard labor once again gave UN a nice surprise! Our teacher gave us step-by-step instructions, and answered many of my questions about making a cake.

軍眷團這個月來學做蛋糕，再次驚艷UN！這次有老師一步一步教課，好多以前做蛋糕遇到的疑問都被解答。

Staycation at Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island

Our wedding was held at a Hyatt hotel in San Diego, so this brand has a special place in our hearts. This Hyatt Regency in Okinawa did not disappoint! Lofted ceiling at the lobby, ocean view room, heated swimming pool and jacuzzi, and a great selection of restaurants to choose from all allowed us to relax during our staycation.

我們的婚禮辦在聖地牙哥的Hyatt，所以這家飯店一直在我們心裡有個特別的位置。在沖繩的Hyatt當然也沒讓我們失望！挑高大廳、房間外的海景和多種餐廳選擇都讓我們在這次的staycation能放鬆一下。

Christmas Party | 聖誕派對

Winner from the raffle at this year’s Christmas Party!! Hooray!

我們贏禮物耶！

3 MEF Band Chopper V Promotion

My first time witnessing the promotion of a dog! It was super cute! Chopper sang along with the band for the Marine’s anthem, and even barked once when asked to give a speech for his promotion!

我還真的第一次看到狗狗被升級，有夠可愛！Chopper在大家唱歌時也一起唱歌，當大家請Chopper致詞時，他還旺了一下！

Christmas | 聖誕節

We visited Niigata and played (and got stuck) in the snow! Post to follow!

我們去新瀉玩，大推！

October 20, 2021

Fishermen’s Superstitions

October 20, 2021/ Brandy C.

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!

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。