Okinawhat?

My first escape of the summer was to Okinawa, courtesy of the US Department of State, SkyMark Airways, and Chez Shimizu-Bonilla-Pochito.

what's not to heart?

Okinawa is renowned for its beautiful beaches, spam, and ゴヤ (bitter melon). Based on my experience, it also needs to be renowned for its number of A&W Root Beer fast food joints--they're everywhere!

leonard 5th floor (a.k.a. the coolest floor) representin'

I went down there during rainy season, but we ended up with an entire weekend of beautiful weather. I stayed with two other Leonard Hall alums, college sweethearts who are now Mr. and Mrs.: Risa and Alex (a.k.a. Don Alejandro... it's what he tried to convince other people to call him in college, but somehow it just didn't catch on, though he claims no memory of this--feel free to chime in here, other AU folks). It was the first time for me to see Alex since college (couldn't believe it), but Risa and I have been in touch through the years in DC and NYC. We bond over our "Japanese-ness" (in big quotes in Japan) and suburbanness (Risa loves Irvine, my hometown). Alex and Risa's awesome family addition: Pochi. He and I had a special connection. I call him Pochito. He calls me the bringer of dirty laundry that apparently smells like the closest thing to heaven on Earth for dogs. What can I say? I'm the Pochito Whisperer.

risa strikes a pose by the seawall post-pedicure

Okinawa is awesome because it's like a mini-trip to America. Okay, admittedly, for many people, that's not so awesome, but for me, right now, Chili's, Target-esque and American supermarket shopping, awesome tropical white sand clear blue water beaches, and mani-pedi places that don't cost an arm, a leg, and two hair extensions, and no jet lag are all just what the doctor ordered. The main thing is that I get to stay with Risa and fam, so there's lots of reminiscing and the instant comfort you get when hanging out with friends who have known you since you were actually 18 (rather than just your mental age 18, which, of course, I still am).

Check out our pedis w/ hand-painted designs!

Even though it was rainy season, we ended up with good weather most of the time and got in a great day at the beach. And, because we wanted to be like the cool kids, we buried Alex in the sand. And we did it real classy like, giving him sand boobs and rock nipples. 

alex in his sandy repose

All this to say, it was great and I loved it... so much, that I'm heading there again this weekend!