I'm going to start getting into the swing of posting. There'll usually be a small reflection before I go crazy posting pictures and videos of the past couple days.
The strangest thing happens when you are pitted with a new situation. Your body, your every reaction, your mind, your entire self -- adapts. It adapts stronger than you could ever adapt if you tried. In this case, meeting people is something I have come to involuntarily adapt.
Yesterday I took no pictures, because it was an unannounced designated "study day" for those who were taking the placement exam. I ventured into Nanzan University for the first time and found the building where I would be taking the exam that I took today. Then I chatted with my roommates pretty late instead of studying. I also learned that, on T.V., kids are learning English faster than we (Americans) could ever learn another language, especially Japanese. It was baffling.
Yesterday I also ventured to the bank. And I vaguely remember walking to Lawson last night. It was nondescript. I swear you can find a Lawson at every street corner in Nagoya.
. . . . .
Today was placement exam / orientation / exploration day. The placement exam was the most difficult Japanese exam I've ever taken. It is meant to be grueling enough to determine where you should be placed in the program. The listening section was ridiculously fast, but the multiple choice was actually manageable despite not knowing many kanji. Near the end I simply gave up.
Afterwards there was the orientation. Here's pictures of the presentation stage.
The president of Nanzan, Michael Calmano gave a very powerful speech in Japanese and ended with, "that was your first lesson."
He also gave an abridged translation of his speech. Being the man that introduced the international Japanese program to Nanzan, he talked about his trials of having come here as a Jesuit missionary. He told us, that learning Japanese isn't enough. That reading Japanese isn't enough. And that speaking Japanese isn't enough.
"It is what you say, you must have something to say."
His posture wasn't domineering; he didn't tell us to become missionaries like himself. He simply wants us to have a reason. And now, a suitable quote about travel!
"Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light" -Yogi Bhajan
I took it that we should tell others about the joy of traveling. That's the least we can do after intruding on their hospitality.
Two beautiful girls (students) led us around the campus, then we had a welcome party. One of the girls is pictured here.
And here are other international students that I got the chance to chat with.
I then decided to wander around with my roommates.
I passed the 7-eleven...
... the 100 yen shop I went to yesterday...
And then arrived at the Aeon shopping mall (entrance not pictured, it's pretty plain). Unlike the time I went there on my first day, I was able to freely explore, and found that there was an awesome ARCADE IN the department store! It was like I was in Dave and Busters without even going anywhere special!!
I played Taiko ... IN A DEPARTMENT STORE ...
... and there was Evangelion pachinko!
In fact the whole floor was dedicated to selling toys, trading cards, cute hats and trendy trinkets. I took a picture of a hat. I wonder if this is funny to you? Just place your mind in the gutter for a second.
And then later I went on an impromptu trip to Sakae, one of the more urban areas of Nagoya-shi. I took only a few pictures, and a short video of walking around. It reminded me a lot of New York back home, except cleaner and less hobos.
Familiar?
This picture will make more sense eventually, promise!
I hope these adventures can last forever! So far I have really great things to talk about when I get back home. Also, I'm expecting the part of culture shock where I'm supposed to feel vulnerable and useless. I wonder if I'll just skip it altogether?
