Personal note, friends, sports day and burritos....

No one tells you what you need to hear about being a military spouse. You get the same stupid advice from people who have NEVER lived the life telling you the same stupid judgmental things that won't help you when you need to be uplifted. I have had immense support in the last 11 years from my sister, Ray Ray, my Nikki, Spoon-sensei, and my mother in law, Ma'ama. When I have needed support the most and when I have needed to hear encouraging words the most, these four have supported me unwavering in a way I could never have imagined. My daily conversations with my Ma'ama have gotten me through some really hard times. Don't get me wrong my family and friends have been there but not like these four.

You'll hear the same things from military spouses and civilians alike, living overseas offers you things you never knew you would experience like diverse foods, cultural experiences, breathtaking sights, and so on. The one thing I can not stress enough, and that I have never heard from anyone, is the friends you'll make. I'm not talking about other military families, though I have met some amazing military families, I'm talking about the nationals. I have met many Okinawans while living here and I consider several of them my friends but none has given my girls more joy than Kentaro-san and his family. Every time I bake or make something that the girls think he and his family may like I am hounded about it until I bring him some. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at my house where I became misty eyed because my girls loved playing with Ken's son, Justin-kun. Children don't have silly barriers like language because they speak in a universal language called, "play." Every time they see Justin-kun they immediately try to entice him to play with them.

I met Kentaro-san while visiting his food truck. Kentaro-san makes amazing burritos made to order. He always greets his customers whether they be loyal regulars or first time buyers with a smile and laughter. The Mexican music playing from his truck begs people, mostly my girls, to dance and enjoy themselves while waiting for their order. My daughters enjoy the flavorful "treats" that only "Mr. Kentaro-san" can make for them. If you are a local here on Okinawa and have heard me talk about the mouth watering authentic burritos this is where you can find him.

The Okinawan famous Guacamole Burrito truck

Kentaro-san working hard on an order

Anxiously waiting our order. You can see my girls' drawings in the background

Kentaro-san encourages his clients to write on his truck. Some keep a running track.

I was so excited that Kentaro-san and his family invited us to a sports day at his sons' school. I woke up at 0400 and I couldn't go back to bed. This was one of the things I always wanted to experience. It may not sound like much to most people but I want to experience every holiday or event with an Okinawan friend. I still have many on my list and if we extend here I hope to experience them all. I didn't know what to expect or how a sports day differed from the field days I had as a kid but I brought my camera and waited on bated breath excited at what was in store. There were amazing performances that where beautiful choreographed to Japanese music that made my girls "ooh and aww" and stunned me and my husband. We watched children race their hearts out for their classmates, perform eisa (Okinawan folk dancing which I find entrancing), and other performances. All the children looked like they were having a good time. I will say the thing that amazed me the most was the crowd. Tents full of moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and siblings! I took a long look around and was dumbfounded by the support they were giving their kids. I didn't know this but the teachers also participate. The teachers dressed up in costumes and did a relay race around the track. The girls loved seeing all the costumes and the adults trying to grab bags of chips with their mouths.

A ball race

Relay competitors

I had no idea what this kid was doing until Kentor-san told me he was a line watcher

One performance by the students. They did a fantastic job

Waiting for the giant ball

They tossed this ball from the starting point to the ending point

And had to return it to the stand

Ryoko-san made a glorious bento that was so delicious. I'm hoping to learn how to make the potato salad, chicken legs, the bacon wrapped veges, the onigiri, and the carrot tuna dish! Oiishi!!!! I didn't take a picture of mine since I thought it wasn't has impressive as Ryoko-san's.

The kids getting ready for their Eisa performance

I was so excited because it was about to start and I could see one of Kentaro's sons. We were always on the opposite side of the field when Justin-kun was participating. 

 

I have had several posts I wanted to make but never did since this kind of therapy wasn't what I needed. It seems that my blog will once again play an active role in my life for the rest of the year. I hope that I can maintain it even when it isn't a therapeutic outlet. I can't make any promises but I hope it serves a new purpose. 

Kentaro-san, Ryoko-san, Justin-kun, and Jayden-kun I can't tell you how thankful I am for the experience you gave me and my family! It was very exciting and a lot of fun!