Monday, September 30, 2013

Hidden Beach + Okinawan Food

Friday started out wonderfully. I woke up and worked on the house and relaxed all day. It was the first day in quite awhile that I have just sat for more than 30 minutes. I also decided I couldn't go another minute without trying out our bathtub.

It was glorious

Friday evening we met our sponsors for all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ. These types of restaurants are very popular on the island. It was tons of food and very delicious. You even got to cook your meet in the center of the table. It was a fun meal! 



Saturday we went on quite the adventure. If you follow me on instagram, you got a little sneak peek of what we were up to. Basically, I sit on my computer and research interesting things about Okinawa. When I find something fun, I tell Jake to hop in the car and we head on our way. Just south of us is a bridge to a couple of beautiful islands. I had found a GPS coordinate to a "hidden beach" so of course I was all over that. Jake had told me he wanted to do some 4wheelin' in his "new" safari wagon, so I delivered. We drove onto the island and then pulled off onto a little dirt road. The road winded around for awhile and then took us to a cliff. The view was gorgeous! We were seriously in awe with the blues and greens of the water. Then, we drove back the way we came and found the road down to the beach. We were 4wheelin' through bushes on a teeny tiny dirt road. We turned the corner, and there it was, the glorious Pacific ocean. We had this little tiny beach all to ourselves. There was coral, shells, and beach glass every step you took. We picked up tons of stuff to add to our collection. It was seriously the perfect moment in time. The only thing that could have made it better was if it wasn't so cloudy. 



The biggest waves we've ever seen


Our "safari wagon"



just doing some 4wheelin'

"hidden beach"




After this beach, we explored the rest of the islands. We drove around, looked at pretty beaches, beautiful cliffs, and incredibly blue water. I so, so wish I would describe the colors of the water to you. It is absolutely unreal and takes my breath away every time. 









By this time, we were getting hungry. I had planned to have lunch at this awesome cafe overlooking the bay and the cute red bridge. CLOSED. Freakin' gate blocking the driveway and everything. Disappointed would be an understatement. We had seen a couple of signs for cafes as we drove around the island. We turned at the first one we saw. Jake wasn't so sure about it, so we didn't stop. Come to fine out later, it was actually the salt factory with a delicious cafe at the top. Thanks a lot, Jake. Ok, I forgive him after the next place I dragged him to. I made him turn down another random road with a cafe sign. It was the cutest little cafe ever. We get inside, sit down, and the only menu item was soba with pig intestines. Yep, no thank you. We couldn't leave without getting anything, so I got a mango juice and Jake got a coke float. These really hit the spot after being out in the heat all day.



Cute little cafe



After this little cafe adventure, we drove back to the main island. As we were crossing over the bridge, I saw a small bridge to a small island. Of course my immediate reaction, "OOHHHH Jake look another island." He obliged and headed over the teeny tiny bridge onto an even tinier road. After what seemed like forever, the road deadended (is that a word? Well it is now) at a big wooden sign: Cave Ruins. I was down with that. We found the interesting old cave and then a path leading down to another private beach. Could this island get any cooler?






We ended the day at a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant down the street from us called Aloha. It was not Hawaiian food, if that's what you were thinking. This place was traditional Okinawan food and lots of it. 


Sunday was all about the errands and relaxing. We did hit up a new ramen place and it might be my new favorite restaurant! Ok, so I will probably say this anytime we try something new. The food here is seriously incredible, though. Supposedly, the Okinawan diet is one of the healthiest in the world. So that means I can eat as much ramen as I want?? I'm on board. I also have a new favorite store. It is like home depot and Walmart mixed together, but even better. You have to see it to understands it's wonderfulness. I have been about 4 times in the past week and I'm not done yet due to a curtain debacle involving me knowing zero Japanese. It may finally be resolved. 

yep, all for me

plus this, the "ladies" portion

Jake's ramen


Makeman, best store ever

And just like that, another weekend for the record books. Have I mentioned I love this place??

My weekly wishes for the Weekly Wishes linkup on The Nectar Collective:

Get back into a fitness routine: It has been so easy to make excuses. I did just move to a completely new country. I can't find bikram yoga, either. I need to just suck it up and get it done.

Get back into clean eating: Time to hop back on the green smoothie train. This is what I've missed most about eating clean. I can't wait to get back into a routine. 

Figure out this whole job situation: I hear jobs are kinda important for ya know, making a living. Better get on it. 

Have a fabulous week!


linking up with Sami, Sar, Meg, Leeann, and Carissa

Friday, September 27, 2013

Double High Five For Friday 9/27

This week has been a wild one (do I say that every week?)! Because I have so much to share, I am cheating a bit and giving you more than 5 things. Don't tell anyone!

{ONE}

The movers brought our stuff on Monday! It had been sitting in storage for about 3 months, so I was a bit worried about what we would discover. Mold? Mice? Let your imagination run wild. The movers showed up in this fancy truck(like I've said before, the Japanese are so efficient about everything). There was only two of them, which worried me because two guys came to move us in the States and it took over 10 hours. Yep, I was not a happy camper. The movers here arrived with our stuff at 8 a.m. and had it all in the house before 9. I was thoroughly impressed. Then, they were gone and I was left staring at unopened boxes. I had been under the impression that they unpacked for us as well. That's when Jake informs me that he thinks he accidentally waived the unpacking while signing the papers. Ok, there is a language barrier. And it is nice to be able to put things where you want it. But, I am so sick of looking at boxes. We finally have everything unpacked and the house is starting to look put together. We have a huge mountain of boxes and bags of paper outside. The trash man might hate us, not the best first impression.

Coolest truck ever

Our stuff, finally!


Let the madness begin

So much trash. Sorry Planet Earth!



{TWO}

We got another car! Jake wanted something a bit more rugged for outdoor activities. If you saw our other car, you saw how tiny it is. We wanted something bigger incase we ever needed to haul anything/anyone. I actually haven't driven it yet. I am scared to drive it on the little roads here. I will stick with my itty bitty mobile. 


{Three}

Our government furniture was delivered on Tuesday. Since they restrict the amount of stuff you can bring to the island, the military loans you furniture and appliances for your time on the island. The furniture is very plain and boring, but we appreciate it since we have more space than we have ever had before. They pay for one delivery and one pick up of furniture. While they were moving in what we had ordered, I realized we didn't order a washer and dryer! Big WHOOPS. We had to go to the housing office the next day to request them and then pay to have them delivered. It can't believe I messed up like that. Like I said in yesterdays post, I have been quite the space cadet over here.

Oh hey there cutie. NOT

A washer and dryer!

{Four}

For our first meal in our house, I grilled pork chops on our stovetop grillpan. I wanted to share this with you because it worked out great and might be a good option for some of you! We have lived in lots of apartments that don't allow grills and we haven't wanted to invest in one yet. We got this grill pan that sits on top of your burner and works like a charm! The pork chops tasted just like they were from the BBQ. I got this one for around $35 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. The other side is flat for pancakes and such.



Perfect first dinner

{FIVE}

As we were sitting on the couch, this little cat poked his head up at the back door. I screamed, out of surprise, then went to go check on him. He/she was very small and skinny. It was making this horrible meowing noise. It didn't go away for a couple of days. It sat around on our patio making that same awful noise. It made me super sad that I couldn't do anything to help it. They don't have animal control here. I haven't seen it in about a day, so maybe it found a new home. We were also visited by a cockroach and several lizards.


Just make yourself at home, why dontcha

{Six}

So we went to take a shower the first night we were here and realized there was a problem. Can anyone figure out what it might be??


 Darkness Outside. Light Inside. Large Window. Naked Person.

We did not want everyone seeing us in our birthday suits.

Problem.

Solution. Hang another shower curtain. 



It works for now. And we can still see our wonderful view whenever we want!

{Seven}

We watched our first sunrise in our house from the comfort of our bed. I might actually be a morning person now. 



{Eight}

After 4 long months, we are no longer living out of suitcases! It feels so nice to be able to walk into my (very own walk in) closet and pick something out from my entire wardrobe. I was sick of wearing the same things over and over. I was also sick of everything being wrinkly and have to rummage through everything to find something. It's the little things.

Goodbye, suitcases


{Nine}

Jake went back to work on Wednesday. He was so ready to get his job started and I love seeing him so excited. It was also time that we not spend every waking minute together. We, in general, do so much better when we have a routine. On the other hand, I already miss my partner in crime. I feel like I have a million things to tell him, want his opinion on everything, and want to show him stuff. Wah, wah, cry me a river, right? I will get used to not having him around and being my old, independent self, but right now, while every creak of our new house scares me, I miss him. 

{Ten}

Since Jake did go back to work, what did I do? Shop, of course! I have been running around the house organizing, cleaning, and starting to decorate. I wanted to get out and explore and pick up some items we needed (and some we don't). I went to our favorite dollar store and got some great stuff! I seriously love that place. I also went to a couple of clothing stores. I wanted to see what they have to offer here. I found some really cute stuff. I didn't get anything, though, because I am in a need-to-buy-stuff-for-the-house and it's-too-hot-for-fall-clothes-but-I-don't-want-to-buy-summer-clothes phase right now. Clothes shopping will just have to wait. I did, however, snag a cute porcelain deer head on sale at a boutique. I figured Jake would like it since he couldn't bring his real ones with him. 



Couldn't wait to style him on our uglier than sin  lovely dresser

So there you go, double high five for Friday! Hope y'all have a fabulous weekend. 



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