Okinawa Bull Fighting

A few months back there was a big ol hooplah on facebook about Anthony Bourdain doing an episode purely on Okinawa. So, of coarse Alvie and I jumped on the bandwagon and checked out the episode. It showed a lot of things that we thought were kinda silly ( like a family mart obsession) and then of coarse it showed the traditional Okinawan Bull Fighting. Now, I didn't realize this was a tradition purely Okinawan, NOT Japanese... which if you know anything about Okinawa, it was once it's own country until Japan took over. So, most of the people still identify with being Okinawan, not Japanese.

MORAL of that one is that once I saw that I put a bull fight on my Oki Bucket list before we go. Surprisingly most of the people I know who live here have never been! Blasphemy.

I am pretty sure today was the last fight of the season (I could be wrong), so I grabbed all the kids, solo, and decided to head out. Thankfully my sweet friend and her hubs showed up to help me keep the kiddos out of the ring.


Before the fights started there was awesome music (traditional) and a bull/dog looking thing. It was two guys in the costume and really it was pretty intense!




The fighting started and I realized these bulls are not crazy fighting ravenous beasts. They had to be provoked (most of them) by their trainers through stomping and yelling to get them to fight.



I am all about being humane etc. So, this was definitely not a good way to model that for the kids. Plus side is that these bull fights are just until the other bull pulls away or retreats. There is no fight to the death etc. Only once did we see one bull who just seemed out for blood, and that is when we packed it up and left.

 

Overall I think it is definitely an experience you should check out if you're on Okinawa! So traditional and honestly pretty crazy. They just walked these bulls right through the parking lot, like RIGHT next to my kids! I made Stella jump back in the car because it made me so nervous! They also let you walk through the stalls and pet the bulls. We kept our hands back but we did check them out. Buff stuff.

 


Something you will never ever see or get to experience in the states. So, go out and do it, get out of your comfort zone and experience a true Okinawan tradition.

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Okinawa Bull Fighting

Trash beach / Zanpa cove

So, Mickelle had a friend who had been to this gorgeous beach up by Cape Zanpa. So, of coarse as soon as the sun poked out we decided to head over there.

It was definitely gorgeous... but the beach was covered in trash. Now, not like sea glass beach where it's just beautiful sea glass everywhere. This was straight up, old shoes and TRASH.  Stella found a coconut! Which, I have never ever seen any trees with coconuts on the island ever, so we are thinking all this stuff washed up from somewhere. The ocean was gorgeous but sadly with 4 kiddos who wanted to play, we couldn't stay. So we headed over to Zanpa, walked down a little path and found our own little secluded spot. Perfect for the kids!  #winning

First pictures are from the little trash beach.  

We said bye to that beach, maybe it will be nicer another day. But somehow we don't think so. 

Here's some from Zanpa. 

  I mentioned I've been obsessed with Yoga right??? hah 

I think a beach day was just what the doctor ordered. Thank you God for sending us such a beautiful day, and me such a good friend. :)

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Trash beach / Zanpa cove

What makes you Happy??

So, this is going to be a little different than my usual posts full of pictures.

The last month has been pretty trying for me. We know we are moving this summer, however we still don't know where. We know Alvie is leaving for a month around the same time. I am still not working so I am home with the boys all day.

I'm not throwing a pity party. I have it good. I know I do. I have a beautiful wonderful life.

But have you ever been surrounded by people, but feel.. lonely??

That's how I've been feeling. Melancholy. I don't really have anything to focus on, since I don't know where we are moving to, we don't have any vacations I can dream about. My Dad is just getting sicker and sicker by the day, Every week I wonder if this is going to be the week I get 'that' phone call.

I'm just stuck.

So, I have been trying to really think up what makes me happy.  You think about it too, what REALLY makes you happy.

I was thinking. I don't really love watching movies or TV. I really don't love to read (I kinda find it tedious unless it is about nursing). I went on two girls nights in the past 2 weeks. (Something I hadn't done the entire time on the island.) It was an okay time, but I don't really like going out and drinking very much...... I used to LOVE running. Besides the pain afterwards I would be elated during a run. Now with my hip I can't run. So I had to cross that one off. I got the mirena IUD a month ago, so I don't know if it's the hormones, the being at home all day or the not getting to work but mannnnnn it was hard to think of stuff.

I like:
chocolate chip cookies
karaoke
fresh pressed lemonade
sitting in the sand on the beach
cuddles with my babies
hiking
sticking people with needles (lucky for me when I'm working this gets satisfied more often! ha)
helping people, listening to their problems and talking with them
musicals
dancing to music
pedicures
mochi ice cream
mashed potatoes and gravy

But do the things you like make you happy???

After lots of thinking I realized I truly love seeing new things, and taking my kids on 'adventures.' I love watching their little faces light up when they see the beach, or a new park/playground. I love watching them be so happy.  But that isn't really ME being happy is it, I think it is but when they grow up I guess that's where people have problems..?? I love going places I don't know, just adventuring around. It really makes me look back at my life and see how different the world is, how unique we all are and how grateful I am to be healthy.  So I've taken up doing yoga. I really think it's my next happy place.

Sitting on the cold mat focusing on my inner self. It helps me to be more gratified in my everyday life. Its a good feeling definitely. But I want to share it with someone. I want someone to talk about it. I think maybe that's my final discovery is that I love to talk with people.

Not always strangers, except in nursing. I love talking to people in nursing. I feel like it's my calling. I can sit and listen to their issues and for some reason people confide in me. I've had many people tell me they had considered suicide and they felt comfortable enough to tell me. I got them help! It made me feel sooo good when I could help people.

So I guess ultimately this post is just about finding yourself. For me, I need people. I need to feel needed maybe??

I can't wait to find out where we are going so that I can find another job. I love my kids, I love staying home with them and spending so much time with them. But I need my happy place, and luckily I found that happy place in a profession I can do forever.

If you're my friend. I miss you. I love talking to you and whenever you have anything you wanna talk about. I'm here, ready and eager to listen.

I would love to hear about some of the things that truly make you happy.

Thanks for listening.

Katelyn
xoxo

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What makes you Happy??