プロジェクト･ワーク

The first week back after the brief holiday! It was only four days long, though, and we weren't doing normal lessons. Stress relating to non-academic matters was rather piling up, but otherwise it was a jolly nice week. On to the bus. of Project Work. As I mentioned briefly a while back, this week our class was visited by a number of students (plus one teacher - best friend of one of our own sensei) from M.G. Uni of Sendai. Dividing into groups, each was assigned a place of interest in Nagoya - Wednesday was spent exploring it, Thursday crafting a presentation about the expedition, then on Friday the presentations were given. It was sort of relaxing not having homework or tests, but that's beside the main point. Our group's location was Sakae, so off we shot in the next underground train toward bustling busy downtown-ness.

First stop was Oasis 21, for a quick look at the shops and more importantly (as it seemed to us at the time) a bite to eat. Unfortunately all the people in our group had a passive, "anything's fine" attitude, so we wandered in a haze for some time before taking the easy option - MacDonalds! Not exactly an adventurous choice, I'll admit, but it was the first time I'd frequented such an establishment in Japan, and I was much impressed with the limited edition "Big Miami" burger (topped with nachos and salsa - epic win!). We follow this up with a walk in the park which I now know is called 久屋大通(hisayaoodoori), not Central Park. During our travels we happened upon the Nagoya TV Tower, and decided to venture inside, something that I'd not done before, so it became a nice new experience.

The first thing to strike me on entering was the elevator attendant. That is today, her presence made an impression on me, not that she assaulted me. There just aren't enough lift attendants around these days, even in Japan. Yes, it feels like an unnecessary privilege to have someone press the button for you, but it does wonders for one's mood and the image of the establishment in question to have a cheery, polite person in a spiffy uniform greet people. From the entrance we ascended to the fourth floor, where we gained access to another elevator which took us to a height of 90 meters. This was the main observation deck, with various comfy sofas and signs detailing different varieties of hugs and which season they suited, for it is apparently quite a popular spot for lovers. In that same vein there was one wall full of tiles commemorating couples who had got married there. A staircase up to the open air, 100-meters-high balcony (open air but protected by a wiry cage) was also to be found, but that was as high as we members of the public could climb. The views of the city were certainly very impressive, but I somehow found them rather sad as well.

Upon exiting the tower I realised that time was getting on - that same day I was scheduled to see a Kabuki performance. I barely had time to stop and talk to a cat, then made my excuses and rushed off to the theatre. I was a few minutes late, but not so as anyone would notice, and since it was the same place I went last time I wasn't feeling at all bewildered. Again, I think the performance itself deserves an entry all its own, so for the moment I'll just say that I went to the theatre and returned home much later, rather tired. The next day we collaborated together to write something interesting about our adventures (we had trouble just at first getting past "There was a cat!") and make some kind of Power Point presentation to go with the commentary.

Friday arrived before I knew it, and it was time to give the presentations! It was not at all painful, and I was able to find out some interesting things about Nagoya, including places I've not yet been but may go to in future. The assessment method was a bit strange - we were required to vote on three presentations we found interesting, and the marks given would reflect the number of votes received. Somehow this rubbed me the wrong way - I don't mind a competitive edge in studies, but not if it everyone doesn't have the potential to get the same amount of points. Still, it was only worth 1 or 2 per cent of the final grade, so I swallowed my protests and voted anyway.

End of P.W., huzzah!

Later that day a farewell party was scheduled - realising I would have to go their directly after Culture & Art, I dashed home and changed into something party-worthy. One "Modernising in the Arts" and "Anti-Buddhism"-themed lecture later I was hurtling toward a strange building owned by the University, and got there just in time for the opening toast. Fun times were had all around - I ate lots of delicious food, met a few new people, learned that the American Way can be summed up as "Beer and Fried Chicken," and won a coupon that entitles me to give a massage to the teacher of my choice. This project work was quite fun, and I think I shall remember it fondly for the fact that it was a unique experience born of a link of friendship.