How did you get the job? I'm in America currently looking for a job in Okinawa, I want to move there later this year. Did you have to know a lot of Japanese?
wonderful video. You took me on a time warp trip to 1972 when I was 18 assigned to Oki working as a Journalist while in the Army, a lifetime ago in a different world: I had to interview Vietnam Veterans returning Stateside. Guys only a year older than me at the time dumped all kinds of crap on me - I felt like a psychiatrist - and it drove me crazy. I also got to interview Omar Bradley. The article made the Stars & Stripes and The Army Times. I remember heat/humidity. You did good Man, Thanks!
Half Japanese and half English? What? Where did the curls come from? Northern Europeans nor East Asians generally have curly hair. You are a rare find.
Wow, I've been browsing through your work-holiday videos and I must say it most definitely is a great experience you must have had. I want to have a gap year to0o0o0o but(un)fortunately I go to University in September hehe oh welll...Post some more vidoes!
I was stationed on Okinawa for over a year in the mid-1960s and loved every minute. The Okinawan people are honest and fun. I am sure that much has changed since the Japanese took the island back over. I have wanted to return there once before I die. I used to hang out in Futima, and had the time of my life. It was a great place for a young, single Marine. I often think of some of the Okinawan friends I made there and would love to see them all again. I hope you enjoyed your stay on the island.
Thanks for the comment. Okinawa is still beautiful and the people are still great! I think you should definitely come back to Okinawa again and see what's changed and what's stayed the same. You should then make a video for YouTube telling everyone's who's interested in Okinawa how things have changed. I for one would watch it!
actually, on the last comment, my uncle in okinawa actually is a skinhead. but ya, i was in okinawa around the same time, and i would agree that it was fairly hot, though i was more suprised when i got to tokyo and it was even hotter than okinawa {about 107F} and these people need to stop complaining about the difference between ryukyuans and japanese since, if you look at modern okinawa/ryukyu and japan, its fairly integrated and ryukyuans/okiawans do put a lot into the culture and pop culture
Actually, I don't really have anything to back up my saying that but I've never seen a skinhead in Japan and I presumed they weren't too widely accepted as they aren't in the UK.
Politically (and officially) the Ryukyu Islands are part of Japan. Therefore, the Ryukyuan people are Japanese. They may not be mainland Japanese, or share the exact same ethnic makeup as mainland Japanese, but they are Japanese by definition and many people (including Ryukyuans themselves) would agree with me.
but maybe you should go back and spend MORE time in Okinawa. This time, talk to OLD Okinawans and ask them if they think they are "Japanese". Doubt it. For example kids at school sometimes hurl the insult "You're Japanese!" at eachother.
and that they are ruled by Tokyo, but this is by force and not choice. The Japanese did some REALLY nasty shit to the Ryukyu people during WWII, go read about it. More soon.
Although I dont like the way he has stated it, I would have to agree with ImperialPimp. My girlfriend is from Okinawa and will actually correct people who call her Japanese and say she is Okinawan. I don't think it really bothers her, but Okinawan people definitely view themselves as different from the rest of Japan. Think Taiwan and China w/o the US navy protection. The Okinawans even have a word akin to "gaijin" they use to describe other Japanese ppl not from Okinawa.
Yes, the humidity - it's worse than Hawaii! I was in Okinawa this past November, so it wasn't too bad. My last visit was 11 years ago, during the summer, and I remember not wanting to move... or breathe :) Nice haircut!
YES! Cut your own hair like me! muahaha! Actually it doesn't look that bad! The reason I went from blonde to bald is because I shaved to far up and it looked ridiculous! haha
you look a lot better with short hair, bokualec. anyways, i visited japan for a month this summer, but i wasn't able to go to okinawa. i'm gonna try to go there next summer though. i miss japan already, and it's only been a week since i came back home. it's soooooooooooooo boring here in america. yawn...
I don't believe they made you cut your hair. Wow. But it looks good both ways, just makes you look like 16 though. I am looking forward to the videos. I always wanted to see Japan from a person who spoke English and was in high school. I wish I could go.
Hehe. Some people say I look younger now, but some say I look older. Hmm. Well, I realised there weren't really any young, foreign vloggers in Japan so here I am! Thanks for the comment.
Lol! Sorry to disappoint you (>_<) I had to do it and it makes life easier anyway. When I'm finished here I might grow it again. Thanks for the comment.
wow u look so diffrent 4rm ur other videos, in my opinion u look much better wit contacts, now dun get me wrong i still liked ur glasses im jus sayin. lol sry im jus talkin to u like i kno u lol my bad. well have fun in Okinawa, im so excited!, im supposed to go there next summer for about a month myself. an now imma kno wat to expect...like the hot weather as u pointed out lol.
Glad to hear the you arrived in Japan safely (and didn't get eaten alive on the way). I hope you have a great time in Okinawa while you're there!! To be honest, the haircut doesn't look bad, I think it actually looks pretty good on you too (especially considering that you did it yourself). I don't know if I should say this, but I actually think you look "more your age" with the new hair......
Thanks for the comment! Yes, I'm glad I arrived safely too, lol. And do you think I looked a lot older with the long hair? You're not the first to say that. It's nice to be able to get wet and not worry about it because it's so short. I'll stay short for a while yet. There's a strong typhoon on at the moment so my next video will probably be about the typhoon.
hehehe ur fist vid in Japan ! at last! XDD dunn worry about the hair , i cut it short too and it was pretty long, ;P not to mention i'm a girl...but that seemed like a nasty cut, i have to see it one more time 2 decide if u did a good job XDD still..the glasses? the glasses were really cute, but hey! it's just my opinion...lol anyways, hope u haven't sold ur soul or something singing that contract loool take care and have fun, and can't wait 4 more..maybe u'll take us outside next time ;P
Thanks for another great video! Glad to hear you're enjoying your first few days in Okinawa. I'm a bit surprised that they made you change your haircut and take off your glasses. You definitely look different now! Looking forward to your next report from Okinawa.
Hehe, thanks for the comment. Yeah, they just love me for who I am! Haha. Well, it's definitely much easier living with short hair anyway. Don't have to style much, can go to bed with wet hair etc. I'm not mourning the loss.
dig the videos. we are a hip hop/rb/movement in okinawa japan and trying to show everyone the talent and beauty of okinawa. we support u
PlanetOkiTV 1 year ago
Are you gonna show us Okinawa or are you gonna jac#-of$ on the screen? Give us a break dude!!
nightfeverdotcom 1 year ago
How did you get the job? I'm in America currently looking for a job in Okinawa, I want to move there later this year. Did you have to know a lot of Japanese?
christineismyname 2 years ago
Depends on the kind of job you're looking for but in general yes. Outside of Tokyo very few Japanese speak foreign languages.
basch2020 1 year ago
hey man how are you?...you have msn...i saty in japan now.
xndybmx 2 years ago
Loved your video...i also used to live in Okinawa so seeing the mihama and the beaches you went to brought back some memories....*sigh*
thepickupchick 2 years ago
wonderful video. You took me on a time warp trip to 1972 when I was 18 assigned to Oki working as a Journalist while in the Army, a lifetime ago in a different world: I had to interview Vietnam Veterans returning Stateside. Guys only a year older than me at the time dumped all kinds of crap on me - I felt like a psychiatrist - and it drove me crazy. I also got to interview Omar Bradley. The article made the Stars & Stripes and The Army Times. I remember heat/humidity. You did good Man, Thanks!
spitfirealbuq 3 years ago
Wow!!
One of the most interesting comments I've read on YouTube (though there isn't much competition).
LaylaLaReina 3 years ago
Half Japanese and half English? What? Where did the curls come from? Northern Europeans nor East Asians generally have curly hair. You are a rare find.
Marllon 3 years ago
I am only like a little maybe 1/3 1/4? And I have curly hair, not that curly but curly. I also have blue/gray eyes :D
pieisyummi 3 years ago
okinawa is cool unless ur forced to live here because ur stationed here,not much to do but alot of ways to get in trouble
killahgorillah2288 3 years ago
LOVE okinawa, lived in an army neighborhood, Chibana
anolenina 3 years ago
Army neighborhood? That's funny.. it's an AFB housing development... XD
kazaa4876 2 years ago
tthat would be it x] I was 8 i had no Idea, to me it was just a neighborhood lol
RunningDeerRanch 2 years ago
Wow, I've been browsing through your work-holiday videos and I must say it most definitely is a great experience you must have had. I want to have a gap year to0o0o0o but(un)fortunately I go to University in September hehe oh welll...Post some more vidoes!
Subscribed and Rated 5 *s
-Zico-
TheZicoChinXperience 3 years ago
Your glasses were rockin'. I wonder what the problem was.
I want to do JET program in Okinawa *crosses fingers*. I hope to get a chance to visit there while I am in Tokyo. :D
seamonkeywater 3 years ago
You just seem like the cutiest kid ever :) I hope you had a blast while you were in Oki. Your website is really well done, too.
soulncountry 3 years ago 2
Hehe, thanks a lot for the comment and I'm really happy you like my website! =D
bokualec 3 years ago
cool, videos! I have been living in japan for 3 years (studying Japanese for 1.5 years). I like the song at the end. What is it?
250mxrider 3 years ago
Thanks for the comment. It's "arigatou" by SMAP =)
bokualec 3 years ago
i lived in okinawa for three years when the airforce base where i lived shut down.
heathersmommy 3 years ago
I was stationed on Okinawa for over a year in the mid-1960s and loved every minute. The Okinawan people are honest and fun. I am sure that much has changed since the Japanese took the island back over. I have wanted to return there once before I die. I used to hang out in Futima, and had the time of my life. It was a great place for a young, single Marine. I often think of some of the Okinawan friends I made there and would love to see them all again. I hope you enjoyed your stay on the island.
dwightinutah 3 years ago
Thanks for the comment. Okinawa is still beautiful and the people are still great! I think you should definitely come back to Okinawa again and see what's changed and what's stayed the same. You should then make a video for YouTube telling everyone's who's interested in Okinawa how things have changed. I for one would watch it!
bokualec 3 years ago
HEY i used to live in okinawa for like 4yrs. it wuz really great and im going back in december CANT WAIT!!!! how is it over there?
HKGS2k 3 years ago
Are you part of the JET program? I'm thinking about trying to do it. What do you think?
SquireCD 3 years ago
I'm not part of the JET programme and so can't really give you any thoughts or advice on it.
bokualec 3 years ago
dude how did you get that job? cuss i am trying to go back.
roytboga 3 years ago
Will send you a message now =)
bokualec 3 years ago
Upon seeing the video cover, I was like 'whoahhh' at the fro, but it looks good! so does the new one, haha
krnkiller 3 years ago
How did you like the Super Typhoon? I went there for the summer as well.
HolleySmith15 4 years ago
I loved the short hair! What brought you to Okinawa for 4 months?
HolleySmith15 4 years ago
Thanks =) I was in Okinawa for 3 months working in a hotel gift store on a summer contract (^_^)
bokualec 3 years ago
I thought your old hair looked great, but I suppose the new one suits you better :)
pagtitiyaga 4 years ago
ah! :D You're hair was a bit uneaven, but at least it grew back! :D
EastofWisdom 4 years ago
actually, on the last comment, my uncle in okinawa actually is a skinhead. but ya, i was in okinawa around the same time, and i would agree that it was fairly hot, though i was more suprised when i got to tokyo and it was even hotter than okinawa {about 107F} and these people need to stop complaining about the difference between ryukyuans and japanese since, if you look at modern okinawa/ryukyu and japan, its fairly integrated and ryukyuans/okiawans do put a lot into the culture and pop culture
Ryukyuken 4 years ago
japanese people don't like skinheads? eh?
why's that. my friend have a friend who has his head shaved...but he lives in sapporo, maybe region is a factor?
Doodsjager 4 years ago
Actually, I don't really have anything to back up my saying that but I've never seen a skinhead in Japan and I presumed they weren't too widely accepted as they aren't in the UK.
bokualec 4 years ago
dammit, you, make more videos.
Doodsjager 4 years ago
Ryukuans are not Japanese, sorry.
ImperialPimp 4 years ago
From someone who calls himself ImperialPimp, I'm surprised you feel so strongly about Ryukyuan independence.
bokualec 4 years ago
Ever heard of the concept of an ironic name choice?
But seriously Ryukuans are not Japanese, so dont call them that, its actually an insult.
ImperialPimp 4 years ago
Politically (and officially) the Ryukyu Islands are part of Japan. Therefore, the Ryukyuan people are Japanese. They may not be mainland Japanese, or share the exact same ethnic makeup as mainland Japanese, but they are Japanese by definition and many people (including Ryukyuans themselves) would agree with me.
bokualec 4 years ago
Look man, don't want to be a prick or whatever,
but maybe you should go back and spend MORE time in Okinawa. This time, talk to OLD Okinawans and ask them if they think they are "Japanese". Doubt it. For example kids at school sometimes hurl the insult "You're Japanese!" at eachother.
What does that tell you?
ImperialPimp 4 years ago
Sure, I know Okinawans hold Japanese passports
and that they are ruled by Tokyo, but this is by force and not choice. The Japanese did some REALLY nasty shit to the Ryukyu people during WWII, go read about it. More soon.
ImperialPimp 4 years ago
Although I dont like the way he has stated it, I would have to agree with ImperialPimp. My girlfriend is from Okinawa and will actually correct people who call her Japanese and say she is Okinawan. I don't think it really bothers her, but Okinawan people definitely view themselves as different from the rest of Japan. Think Taiwan and China w/o the US navy protection. The Okinawans even have a word akin to "gaijin" they use to describe other Japanese ppl not from Okinawa.
Myrdden 4 years ago
Yes, the humidity - it's worse than Hawaii! I was in Okinawa this past November, so it wasn't too bad. My last visit was 11 years ago, during the summer, and I remember not wanting to move... or breathe :) Nice haircut!
nemesis645 4 years ago
hahaha...you did a great job on your hair
doggyspace 4 years ago
Aaah your videos are excellent! What an adventure you must be having! :D Your hair didn't look too bad :)
Hope you have an awesome time! Take care.
zeph105 4 years ago
Hehe, thanks for the comment. I am having a great time!
bokualec 4 years ago
YES! Cut your own hair like me! muahaha! Actually it doesn't look that bad! The reason I went from blonde to bald is because I shaved to far up and it looked ridiculous! haha
sexymdlman 4 years ago
you look a lot better with short hair, bokualec. anyways, i visited japan for a month this summer, but i wasn't able to go to okinawa. i'm gonna try to go there next summer though. i miss japan already, and it's only been a week since i came back home. it's soooooooooooooo boring here in america. yawn...
keanujohnny 4 years ago
Thanks for the comment. Aah, anywhere can be fun if you make it! But Japan is fun. (^_^) Hehe. Thanks for the comment!
bokualec 4 years ago
I don't believe they made you cut your hair. Wow. But it looks good both ways, just makes you look like 16 though. I am looking forward to the videos. I always wanted to see Japan from a person who spoke English and was in high school. I wish I could go.
Delta150 4 years ago
Hehe. Some people say I look younger now, but some say I look older. Hmm. Well, I realised there weren't really any young, foreign vloggers in Japan so here I am! Thanks for the comment.
bokualec 4 years ago
WHAT HAVE U DONT TO UR HAIR?!
it was so nice before!!
they woman most be mad ur glasses are nice!
Eyehield2192 4 years ago
Lol! Sorry to disappoint you (>_<) I had to do it and it makes life easier anyway. When I'm finished here I might grow it again. Thanks for the comment.
bokualec 4 years ago
wow u look so diffrent 4rm ur other videos, in my opinion u look much better wit contacts, now dun get me wrong i still liked ur glasses im jus sayin. lol sry im jus talkin to u like i kno u lol my bad. well have fun in Okinawa, im so excited!, im supposed to go there next summer for about a month myself. an now imma kno wat to expect...like the hot weather as u pointed out lol.
well cant wait 4 ur next update!
Lilshortygril1990 4 years ago
Haha, I don't mind if you talk to me like you know me. Hope you have fun when you come to Okinawa! The beaches are beautiful.
bokualec 4 years ago
Glad to hear the you arrived in Japan safely (and didn't get eaten alive on the way). I hope you have a great time in Okinawa while you're there!! To be honest, the haircut doesn't look bad, I think it actually looks pretty good on you too (especially considering that you did it yourself). I don't know if I should say this, but I actually think you look "more your age" with the new hair......
Looking forward to more of your videos!!
jjkk1993 4 years ago
Thanks for the comment! Yes, I'm glad I arrived safely too, lol. And do you think I looked a lot older with the long hair? You're not the first to say that. It's nice to be able to get wet and not worry about it because it's so short. I'll stay short for a while yet. There's a strong typhoon on at the moment so my next video will probably be about the typhoon.
bokualec 4 years ago
hehehe ur fist vid in Japan ! at last! XDD dunn worry about the hair , i cut it short too and it was pretty long, ;P not to mention i'm a girl...but that seemed like a nasty cut, i have to see it one more time 2 decide if u did a good job XDD still..the glasses? the glasses were really cute, but hey! it's just my opinion...lol anyways, hope u haven't sold ur soul or something singing that contract loool take care and have fun, and can't wait 4 more..maybe u'll take us outside next time ;P
122Lilith1 4 years ago
Haha, okay. I know the videos I enjoy watching are outside so I'll take my next video sitting on the beach or something. Thanks for reminding me!
bokualec 4 years ago
Thanks for another great video! Glad to hear you're enjoying your first few days in Okinawa. I'm a bit surprised that they made you change your haircut and take off your glasses. You definitely look different now! Looking forward to your next report from Okinawa.
JMaruyama 4 years ago
Hehe, thanks for the comment. Yeah, they just love me for who I am! Haha. Well, it's definitely much easier living with short hair anyway. Don't have to style much, can go to bed with wet hair etc. I'm not mourning the loss.
bokualec 4 years ago