JAWing On – Life on Okinawa

Sometimes one just never knows who is going to be a guest in their home. We saved this little fellow from the middle of the road this morning. Once he has recouped, we’ll set him back on his way.

(Click on image to see large size)

Well now that we’re in the official rain season on Okinawa, I’ve been using my time to learn more about Technorati and Flicr. So far none of my submissions to the programs have appeared on the sites. I’m wondering how many other people have never had their submissions listed? Maybe I’m not doing it right.

I don’t know what the weather is looking like for you, but over here there’s been a constant struggle between the sun and the rain clouds for the past few weeks. All this never ending up and down of sun/rain, rain/sun leads to is a brief prelude of what the summertime humidity is like. In a few weeks, since it’s May, the official rain season will be announced. And along with the May announcements will be the official start of the typhoon season. (The only relief we get from the ever increasing humidity!)

This is a cute, but imperfect, picture of another one of mama’s boys…

(Click on image to see large size)

I’m not the world’s greatest anything, but every once in a while I actually capture a picture that comes out just the I want it to. Here’s a pic of one of mama’s boys…

(Click on image to see large size)

Every year at this time we are caught in the Julian and lunar calendar battle of when spring will actually be upon us. And every year there is a little, but significant, indicator of the actual beginning of springtime. Luckily for the past fifteen years we have been able to reserve a little patch of the true island naturalness in the suburbs of Okinawa City. Despite the constant construction, our own yard still possesses the micro ecology that allows fireflies, dragonflies, baby frogs, lizards, fruit bats, local species of birds, and even a mongoose occasionally frequented our little haven of Okinawan nature. In November each year, as the weather chills, the local birds of prey head south. And every year there are a few stragglers that grace our home with their awesome presence. This year there was a new falcon or hawk, I’m not sure of the exact breed, that provided a daily moment of pleasure as it landed on the electric wiring right outside our front door. The bird was a magnificent specimen of grandeur. As I glazed up with glee at the striking markings and ever-alert eyes, the bird would look down at me as if to say “What do we have here?” It is when these birds no longer visit us daily that I know that the weather has warmed enough to announce the true beginning of spring. To me this is one of the true beauties of life on the island we call Okinawa.

This year the pros are predicting this hay fever season to be one of the more drastic seasons for those of us who get congested. And even though April showers may bring May flowers stateside, on Okinawa the flowers are in full bloom already. One can view bright purples, reds, blues, yellows, pinks, and just about every combination of the colors on all over the island. Yes, the season does lead to tissue companies making extra profits, but just being able to enjoy all those blossoms and the wide array of coloration is well worth it.

Here it is the season of Easter bunnies, chicks, and baskets. This is one holiday the locals and the Japanese businesses really haven’t picked-up on yet. I find that a little surprising since I think Easter egg hunts would be just up their alley, as far as family entertainment for the kiddies. Anyway I hope everyone has a very enjoyable weekend.

Sometimes when you are in an intercultural relationship situations arise where the gist of what you are trying to get your significant other to see just doesn’t get across. It feels like you are talking to a wall because they are in denial or whatever. And yet sometimes all it takes is a movie to get the point of what you have been trying to say across. True, the movie’s situation may not be exactly the same. But if the movie has the same principle of what you have been trying to get across, somehow a little light comes over the face of the significant other as they finally get it. Give thanks for movies.