*reminisces*

[cancerouselflvr]

Hi, I`m Denise, and I lived on Okinawa from 4th grade (fall 93) until a week before 10th grade (fall 99), as PCS schedules always decide. I went to AEIS and was in Mrs. Cahill`s, Mrs. Morris`s, and Ms. Von Bon`s classes. I went to Lester Middle and then was at Kubasaki for a year

Comments

[a_o_i]

Welcome to our sleepy little community! I really admire that you went back to Japan to study. I'm half-Okinawan, and I've lost most of my Japanese-speaking abilities. I'm trying to relearn, but I have a hard time on my own. As much as I hated school, it turns out that I learn much better in a classroom setting.

And just imagine how much fun you'd have on Okinawa again, especially when you're old enough to really enjoy yourself, without parents and high school.

[cancerouselflvr]

Were your parents/one of your parents in the military that you had to leave Okinawa?

Heh heh, I`m planning out my schedule now. It`s a shame I can`t go back to the places like Cinderella Park or the park behind Navel Kadena and play around on the playground like I did back when I was a kid...perhaps if I sneak out there reeeeeaaaal early on a Sunday morning I`ll have it to my strange gaijin self

Correction:

[cancerouselflvr]

"my younger brother and I (who started kindergarten there) "

I meant that to say "my younger brother (who started kindergarten there) and I".

[a_o_i]

It`s kind of funny how that little island makes you wish you were anywhere but in the states.

That is so true. Five years after I left the island, and I still feel that way. The longing has died somewhat, but it flares up at least once a day. My dad is in the Navy, and his time on the island was up, so we had to leave. I couldn't find a job that would give me SOFA status to stay, so I had to ship out. I've been bitter ever since. ^_^

...I didn`t identify myself so much with the people living in the actual United States.

I still feel that way. And not just because I'm half-Okinawan. I think it's just a side-effect of living in paradise.

I Remember Miss Von Bon!

[ryuken]

I worked for her my senior year of high school. She moved to Florida I believe. Yeah she started training me and my buddy on different ways to teach kids with dyslexia. Damn, I can't spell. She was a cool lady, dressed a little crazy though. Yo welcome to the fam!

Hooway!

[chiisai_d]

I'm half Okinawan.
Haisai!
My cousins often visit us in the states.
For some reason they like watching
BET all day. *grins*
I miss the rock!
My father was in the Army.
He works for Honeywell now.
I guess if I could learn Japanese
fluently I could go live with my
cousins and take on a small job
somewhere...
Wouldn't mind visiting just for a
holiday tho.
I'm trying to find all my old pictures
of Okinawa... so far I only
have my school pictures.
Any pictures here?
I've got mine posted on my photobucket
page.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/cindy4444/Myself/zukeran81.jpg
and
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v429/cindy4444/Myself/zukeran1982.jpg

Hai, atto deh neh.

~ Cindy

Re: Hooway!

[a_o_i]

Try posting this as a journal entry, that way all of us will be more likely to see it. We wouldn't want to overlook you! Nice to meet you, by the way.

[mo0se]

ok so i whipped out the good old lester yearbook and looked for a denise in the 8th grade and what do you know?...i found one!...first three letters of your last name wouldn't be wit, now would it?...small world if it is huh?...i didn't know you or anything but hey, nice seeing ya here!!

Close, but no cigar

[cancerouselflvr]

No, sch. Eighth grade was the first (and only) year of my grade school life where I had another Denise in my class. I don't really remember her, though I do think she had dark hair.