okinawa hai!

 CONTRIBUTED BY MARY RICHARDSON Years ago, when pictures of Michael Jackson sleeping peacefully, if not bizarrely, in an oxygen chamber hit the media, the American public simply passed off the “treatment” as just another wacky stunt from the late eccentric pop singer. However, what may be viewed as “on the fringe” in the States is [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY JILL STAGGS   I recently needed a new pair of eye glasses.  I had heard about this store from a friend, but it sounded too good to be true.  I went to the concessionaire mall first, so I could compare prices.  With my prescription, the cheapest pair of frames and lenses at the optical shop on Camp Foster would [...]

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Many thanks to Joelle for sharing her experience with us! First, I grabbed my name tag and folder and said hi to everyone.  Next, I got on the scales – always my favorite part (sarcasm!) – charted my weight gain on the cool graph that allowed me to see my progress over time.  Then I [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY DASHA GARIEPY I can’t help it: when I first heard the word “Hippotherapy” this is what came to mind: Hyacinth Hippo (from Disney’s Fantasia) lounging on a couch, Dr. Freud lurking just out of sight behind an imaginary desk. So functions my colorfully chaotic brain… if you ever run into my husband now, [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY STACI HAWLEY When I first moved to Japan, I was stunned by the amount of people wearing face masks. Was there some recent communicable disease outbreak that I had not heard of? What was I catching as a result of being mask-less? It’s no surprise to find out that in Japan, as well as other [...]

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She loves having babies. No, really. She loves being pregnant. She loves laboring and birthing her children into this world. So much that she’s done it three times. Each time she chose to experience things naturally, without drugs, and with little to no intervention or assistance. As I listen to her speak I realize that [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY NICOLE INGRAHAM Acupuncture has always fascinated me. The thought of all these points in your body being affected by needles is rather interesting. Check for more scientific information here: acupuncture So being miserably pregnant, I thought I would solicit some help in finding relief. Luckily, a faithful reader, Nicole Ingraham has shared her [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY KANDY Emergencies are inevitable and usually unexpected. (Like we’d actually plan them, right?)  Add in the foreign country or newbie factor, and emergencies can feel overwhelming.  But with the proper readiness, getting through an emergency will be a little less daunting. To reach emergency services from on base, just dial 911.  To reach [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY KANDY While packing luggage at my parents’ home, before we PCS-ed to Okinawa, I remember my mother meticulously stuffing baby Tylenol, Pepto-Bismol and Dramamine into every available space in my suitcase.  Now, having been a military brat, an active duty member and now a military dependent, I am traumatized fully aware that rules [...]

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CONTRIBUTED BY LAN If you live here on Okinawa, you’re bound to see a few expanded bellies that are probably not from good eats.  Call it living the island life, post-deployment marital activities, or just ol’ wanting to expand the happy family, there always seems to be an abundant number of expecting moms here on [...]

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