Akemashite Omedetou (Happy New Year)!
There is a very common saying here in regards to the US military families living here in Okinawa. I have heard it from just about every different type of person I have encountered, not as a saying, but more as a rule:
"You either plus one or minus one when you come to this island."
What this means is that for a lot of families here there is one of two fates: babies, babies, and more babies or, sadly, relationships end.
The first of these fates, I immediately noticed the first week here. I have never in my life seen so many pregnant women-pushing strollers and at the same time attempting to hold hands with other children, manage a grocery cart, their mail, and usually a small toy-dog dressed in clothes. After the tsunami/earthquake on mainland japan, many of the pregnant women living in ml japan were sent here to safety give birth away from the radiation. One day, while in the exchange I actually counted 10 pregnant women on the escalator at
once. ......I do suspect the good part of these babies result from activities that take place when trapped inside for 2-3 days during the Oki typhoons.
The second of these two fates, I had only heard nasty and juicy rumors of, and it was not until recently, when personally affected by it, that I realized what a horrible issue divorce is in Okinawa. After 2 months of searching for a hair stylist who could do decent highlights, I found a wonderful person to do my hair and she only cost $40 (including the style and cut). (Everyone in California just passed out right? What is the going rate right now in Cali for this $160?) Additionally she lived in my neighborhood. Life was good. I was going in every 4 weeks and coming out with a ton of great gossip and looking fabulously blonde. But then, the evil hand of fate swept in and bitch slapped me----the minus one!!!!! My hair stylist moved back to the states while her soon to be ex husband stays here, and now it has been 5 weeks since I have had my hair highlighted and I haven't found a new stylist. Oh the horror of the minus one!
And so, my adoring public, you are probably wondering which of these fates I am
succumbing to......
The truth is, I didn't mean to fall in love. Honestly, I was just a little bored and lonely and thought I wanted to have a little fun with someone that would cuddle with me and go for walks with me. And trust me, I never in a million years thought I would fall in love with an Okinawan and so quickly after meeting her.
Ladies and gentleman-I would like you to officially meet
Joey Turner---my plus one.
Joey was a young homeless mother living on the streets of Kokosai-- hanging outside the many strip clubs to shake her tail for a little food. She somehow got snatched up by the police and she and her two bastard children ended up at the Ozato (Kill) Shelter. I had gone in
there looking for something a bit more classy- a bit more refined. But, as you who know me know too well, I am a bleeding heart, and when I heard that she was to be gassed and the dog I was originally supposed to get had another home waiting. I took a chance on this dirty, slutty, ill-mannered, homeless chick.
We spend each morning with a little cuddling, then a walk along the seawall or up behind the junk yard. On evenings and weekends, we explore the many ruins, beaches, and parks on the island. She even LIKES it when I dance around in my underwear singing horrible pop songs. I understand that sometimes she might pee on the floor, and she understands that I am a little crazy, but in the end--all we really need is each other.
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