July 14, 2022

2022 June List | 2022 六月清單

July 14, 2022/ Brandy C.

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！

June 06, 2022

2022 April-May List

June 06, 2022/ Brandy C.

2022 April

April was so eventful! There was Easter Sunday, Staycation with friends, friend’s birthday party, and UN returning from Philippines. UN was gone for more than half of the month, but my friends kept me occupied. To be honest, I’m still in denial that we are leaving Okinawa. It wasn’t until UN scheduled our household goods move that I finally came to terms with the reality that we need to start packing.

復活節、和朋友Staycation、朋友生日、UN從菲律賓回來，雖然四月有一大半UN都不在，但感謝朋友們讓我生活不孤單。老實說我還是無法接受我們要搬離開沖繩，一直呈現選擇性失憶狀態，直到UN把我們的搬家日期訂好。好吧，開始收拾家裡了！

Staycation at Kafuu | 沖繩度假

Kafuu Resort Fuchaku Condo Hotel
https://goo.gl/maps/GYgkMgV91Qwh3PWMA

We finally went on a staycation before the big move! Kafuu’s rooms were huge, and every room had an ocean view, great for families! For dinner, we went to a nearby Tapenyaki place. The next morning, we took a stroll around town and did some shopping at local gift shops. We also went to Halekulani to buy the limited time only Leonard’s Bakery Hawaiian donuts!

我們終於在大家搬家前一起來個staycation！Kafuu的房間有夠大，每間房間都有海景，很適合全家來沖繩住。我們晚上到附近餐廳吃鐵板燒，隔天到附近的一些小店逛，還到Halekulani買限時的Leonard's Bakery夏威夷甜甜圈（超好吃！）

Visit our friend before we head to Kafuu

Ryukyu Kings Basketball Game | 琉球國王隊

https://goldenkings.jp

Can you believe it?! Loud cheering was prohibited due to the pandemic! Cheering was replaced by applause. This game was between Ryukyu Golden Kings and Shiga Lakestars. The game was very intense in the beginning, but in the second half Ryukyu Golden Kings pulled away. With their winning record, it was no surprise that Ryukyu Golden Kings won this one! A big thank you to the Okinawa Taiwan Association for treating us to this game!

什麼！因疫情關係，竟然大聲歡呼是禁止的，完全用掌聲代表一切。這場比賽是沖繩琉球和滋賀對打，一開始比數激烈，但第二節下半沖繩隊開始把比分拉開。幾乎沒輸過的琉球隊當然也是贏了這場比賽啦！謝謝琉球台灣協會讓我們免費看賽！

Easter Lunch | 復活節午餐

Happy Easter! Every Easter was packed with activities, and this year was no different! After church, we went to an Easter potluck at our friend’s place, surrounded by so many good friends and so much good food! I even got to meet a one-week old baby at the potluck!

復活節快樂！每年復活節一定是行程滿滿，今年也不意外！教會結束後就到朋友家開吃，超多朋友聚再一起，還有剛出生不到一個禮拜的小寶寶一起參加！

Kana-Gushi | 金串

金串 KANA-GUSHI
https://goo.gl/maps/Fw7cVzbNK3Aftbjn9

Happy birthday to E! It has been so long since I’ve had Sichuan dishes. The food was so spicy that I couldn’t talk. But I love the taste so much! If you are craving for Sichuan dishes, you must try this place!

生日快樂朋友E！太久沒吃川菜，辣到一度我講不出話來，但有夠想念這味道！在沖繩想吃川菜，這裡絕對會滿足你！

Mamma Lella Pasta & Pizza | 約會日

Mamma Lella Pasta & Pizza
https://g.page/mamma-lella-pasta-pizza?share

Every time UN and I drive by this place on our way up to Yanbaru, we talk about dining here. After almost three years, we finally made a reservation and came! This place is quite cozy and the atmosphere is perfect for date night! Love their pizza! The dough is on point!

我和UN每次經過都說絕對要來這家用餐，說了快三年，我們終於來了！比薩餅皮非常Q彈，小小一家餐廳非常有氣氛，生意也非常好，絕對適合約會日來。

2022 May

In May we went on a road trip in Mainland Japan with our friends. There were too many LOL moments that I will need to write a separate post to document that trip!

五月和好朋友們一起到本島玩，搞笑事實在太多了，我一定會寫一篇文章來紀錄我們的旅行！

PCS Packing | 搬家

(Previous PCS experience: New York and Virginia) Soon after we returned from our Mainland trip, we switched into moving mode. As the Japanese movers were packing, UN and I felt a rush of sadness. Okinawa is not only the place that we have lived together the longest since we got married, we really love it here. I’m extremely grateful for this million-dollar balcony view that we get to enjoy.

I can’t sing enough praises for the Japanese movers! They were efficient and careful. The entire team packed up and moved everything onto the truck within 4 hours! But I had a huge scare because soon after they shut the crates, I realized that I was missing my wedding and engagement rings! When I told the movers, they carefully opened back up the crate and knew exactly which box the rings were in. Talk about great customer service!

（之前搬家經驗：紐約、維吉尼亞）從本島回來後，我們立刻進入搬家狀態。搬家人員到家收拾時，我和UN突然一擁而上的不捨。沖繩不但是我們結婚後住最久的地方，我們也很喜歡這裡，尤其陽台美景讓我們每次看到都覺得很感恩，被我稱為億萬美景。

這次搬家，一定要大稱讚日本搬家公司！整齊快速又乾淨，完全不拖泥帶水的打包過程，竟然4小時內全部打包乾淨！結束時，我鬧了一個大包，我忘了把婚戒和訂婚戒收起來（開始搬家前美軍特別派人來提醒我們要把重要文件和物品收好）。發現時，搬家工人小心翼翼打開準備空運的木箱子。日本搬家工人真的很細心，完全記得東西擺放位置，非常有效率地找到我的戒指。太謝謝了！！！！！

Graduation Party | 畢業派對

Neighborhood AG Church
https://goo.gl/maps/j6aXGdhaJtRtZHpv8

UN and I serve as the youth group leaders at our church, ministering to middle and high school students. What joy it is to celebrate the graduates of 2022! It was definitely not easy for them as they spent the last almost three years either doing virtual learning through a computer screen, or wearing a mask for more than 7 hours a day in class. But they did it! Congratulations are in order!

我和UN在沖繩教會負責國高中部門，好為這些畢業生開心。經歷了COVID天天戴口罩上課和將近一年無法到校上課，真的是辛苦大家了。

Last Dive | 最後一潛

This was UN’s last dive in Okinawa before we move! When we first moved here, UN signed us up for scuba diving lessons within the first week. I nearly gave up halfway through the class. Looking back, UN made the right call to push me to get certified. We were able to dive in Phuket and other remote islands around Okinawa. Every dive was memorable in its own way. UN always says that I am a better diver than him, and I would have to concur, haha.

UN離開沖繩的最後一潛！想起我們剛搬來沖繩時，UN第一週就幫我倆報名潛水課程，上課過程一度差點放棄。回頭看，UN這決定絕對是對的，後來我們到泰國和沖繩離島潛水。每次潛水都超好玩，也超開心。套一句UN常說的話：你比我潛的更好。（我也這麼覺得，哈哈哈！）

April 25, 2022

2022 January-March List

April 25, 2022/ Brandy C.

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。

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！

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.