JAWing On – Life on 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.

On Okinawa fads seem to govern the masses, whatever is the new thing rules until the next new thing comes along. Whatever that current fad is, there are always people who try to jump on the wagon. Is there an understanding of the difference between really liking something that one has no say in and being obsessed with something one has no say in?

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.

Okinawans have very many charming sayings. Some of which are “Children are for playing, money isn’t;” “Once we have talked we are friends;” and “A smooth talker is no good.” But if you talk once to a person who is a smooth talker, is that person a friend who is no good? What if you talk to the smooth talker many times? Does that make the person a close friend who is no good? Is there a word in the local dialect for acquaintance? I haven’t been able to find that particular phrase.

Last night I read an article in an English language Japanese newspaper that discussed the Japanese female view of youthfulness and adulthood. The article raised some interesting thoughts. Somehow the article seemed to hit a note in my observations of the local society. In Japan is youthfulness viewed merely as a state of physical appearance and outward childish behavior? Is being an adult viewed as a status where females substitute the direction of consumerism from inexpensive bobbles to “prove” their maturity by displaying expensive trinkets? Or, on the other hand, is youthfulness a state of mind where a person retains the inquisitiveness of a child constantly seeking a better understanding of the world that they live in? And maturity merely a progression of the mental state where a person has learned to apply past experiences to their and society’s advantage when facing the challenges of life?

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.

Just when a person thinks we’re heading for a few weeks of bone- chilling weather, the sun pops out and provides a week of almost spring-time. No sooner had I explained how the weather was following the lunar calendar, and then the sun decides it’s time to follow the Julian calendar and throw those pre-springtime days at us. I doubt if it will stay this way much longer though. Usually what happens is another bone-chilling week or two follows this brief intro to spring. That’s just the way the wind blows on Okinawa.

As I said previously, when a person goes through something as awakening as a death of a person they have known for 30 years it tends to force one to face the realities of life. So if you are not into a female reminiscing about the past important people in her life you may as well just log off now.

In the tradition of “All the Girls I’ve Loved Before” I wish to acknowledge all the men I’ve loved before, because they symbolize different passages of my life.

To my first serious love, Mark Anthony Earle of Mrs. Slaughter’s third grade class in Schertz, Texas. (Sorry, I can’t remember the name of the school.) I’m sorry I accidentally smashed a tuna sandwich in your face in 9th grade at Samuel Clemens High. (You weren’t supposed to turn your face!) By the way, I’m soooo glad Steve made it to where he was going.

To L.B.Rosser II, I can only hope what I heard isn’t true. I will always remember our fifth grade attempt to perform the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” at the annual talent show.

To Kurt Vander Wahl, (I’m not too sure of the spelling.) Hon, I loved you but let’s get real, it was always obvious where and what you were after.

To Clint Gardner, you probably didn’t even know I existed. (After all I was a very skinny and nerdy redhead when that just wasn’t what life for a young male was about.) But I will never forget you and your Kawasaki bike.

Universal City, Texas in the ’60’s

The Okinawan snow season has begun. At least that is what I call it. Although it is nearly spring according to the Julian calendar, the lunar calendar indicates we are just entering into the thralls of winter. The lunar calendar is similar to what Americans think of when we think of Poor Richard’s Almanac. The seasons are based more on the actual weather than on a given date. So what is Okinawan snow you may ask? Okinawan snow is when the North Wind blows and light dewlets of rain scatter in every direction. I call it snow because I think the only reason it isn’t snow is because the temperature isn’t at freezing point.