Jenedie
Kinser Elementary School
I have been a military child my whole life, and I love it—though it can be hard to say goodbye to friends and family. But being a military child also means exciting adventures, like traveling from California to Okinawa. Let me tell you what it’s like! Being a military child usually means living on base, but not always. For example, when I lived in Visalia, I lived off base even though my dad was a Marine. Now, I live on Kinser Base in Okinawa. Living on base is cool because it feels safe, and I have a big two-story house with plenty of space to play. I even have my own room! Sometimes, I hear airplanes and jets flying by—they are really loud! One of the best things about being a military child is moving to different places and meeting new people. In California, I had a friend named Zatana, but when I moved, we had to say goodbye. Then I met my new best friend, Anabell, and my teacher, Mrs. Crawford, who is really fun and groovy! I have lived in many places, like San Diego, Visalia, and Okinawa. Each place is different—San Diego is hot, Visalia is cold, and Okinawa is humid. Moving means adapting to new weather and climates, which can be hard sometimes. I’ve also attended different schools. I used to go to Mineral King Elementary, where we didn’t get to choose our lunch, but at Kinser Elementary, we can! I think that’s awesome. Traveling is another exciting part of military life. I’ve been to Tokyo, which was so fun! The plane ride was about two hours long, and there was a lot of turbulence. Moving to Okinawa from California took two days of travel, and I had to eat on the plane. The food was delicious! I love trying new foods. My favorite Japanese food is rice balls, which are shaped like triangles and wrapped in seaweed. Some have fillings like pork or tuna with mayonnaise. I also miss the food in California, especially Raising Cane’s—their chicken tenders, fries, and special sauce are amazing! I was born in Okinawa, though I don’t remember much since I was little. Now that I’m older, I love living here. Being a military child can be tough, but it’s also an adventure. I hope to explore even more places one day—maybe even Paris to see the Eiffel Tower! Even though moving can be rough, I wouldn’t trade being a military child for anything.