Two suitcases, both of which probably weigh more than I do, a backpack that weighs nearly as much (or might as well, once I wear it on my shoulders), a purse, and a winter coat. And there's still more to go. Did you know that if you want to take a suitcase that weighs 70 or more pounds to Asia, there is an extra charge of $450?

It's been a frustrating day.

But there have been a few good points. First off, it's Friday, my favorite day of the week, so that's always a good way to start the day. And this afternoon, I unexpectedly found my favourite necklace that I thought I'd lost my freshman year of college -- found it in a cell phone pocket of a purse that I haven't really used since then. That was pretty cool. And since this is my last Friday in the Western hemisphere for a while, Scifi Channel (I refuse to call it "Syfy") decided to honor the occasion with a fan favorites marathon of my favorite show ever (besides Fullmetal Alchemist), Stargate SG-1. Yay!

Trip out of town postponed until tomorrow morning. Frustrating because I spent all day literally running back and forth trying to get ready to leave by this evening, but I really can use the extra time, so it's okay. And more Stargate, of course. :D

Tomorrow, road trip and relatives. Sunday, last minute throwing things together and making checklists and generally stressing out. Monday, airplanes followed by more airplanes. Tuesday, Tokyo.

I like Tuesday.

Okay -- I've been examining the difference between "desu" and "da" in Japanese. Usually in textbooks, they say that "da" is just the plain (informal) form of "desu," and then they leave it at that. Tae Kim's wonderful Japanese guide, which I generally prefer over the textbooks, takes a slightly different approach and basically says that "desu" and "da" are not entirely interchangeable and therefore it can't simply be said that one is the polite form of the other. For example, you can ask, "Sou desu ka" but not "Sou da ka;" the da must be removed from the second sentence to make "Sou ka," in order to be correct. (This example is explained in greater detail on Tae Kim's site.)

So, how can the difference between "desu" and "da" be explained?

Honestly I can't say for sure, but I've been doing a little investigating and I have a theory on this difference. I have no idea if it's actually true or not, but I hope it's at least partly correct.

( The fox can haz grammarz?... )

I leave for Japan in exactly one week.

First off, while I certainly haven't lost interest, 'Japanese Names in Okami' is indefinitely postponed due to numerous interruptions, some tragic and some awesome beyond all reason. I just won't have time to work on it until after I get back from Japan.

This week is going to be a bit chaotic, if the past weekend is any indication. I don't mind being busy -- it'll be a nice change from the last few weeks -- but  I'm trying to remember approximately 1,592 things before I leave, and currently topping the list is the reason why on earth I don't just use a planner. Also, I have less time to pack because I have to be ready to leave town to visit relatives by Friday afternoon. I'd really like to finish the chapter of the fanfiction that I'm working on so I can post that before I go, too. But we'll see.

And so, seven days remain until the Epic Quest for Engrish begins.

Currently I am playing through Okami (PS2 version) for the first time, thanks to my good friend eeveebethfejvu, who has been dying to watch me play through her favorite game in the world probably since I met her. :) I'm certainly not complaining, since I've wanted to play this game for quite some time now, given my longtime obsession with wolves and somewhat newer, though no less fervent, obsession with Japan, where I am about to spend several months studying abroad. Right now I'm at the part where *spoiler*: Okami has defeated Orochi and just arrived in Sei-an City.

First off, a note about the whole Zelda vs. Okami thing: I am a lifelong Zelda addict, so that is where my loyalties lie. But regarding the minor controversy over whether Okami is a Zelda rip-off or vice versa, the answer is NO. Yes, they have similarities. The fact is that if you enjoy Okami or any of the Zelda games, chances are you will enjoy the other as well. Does that make them the same game? Hardly. Even if it did, does it really matter? They're both very good, very fun games. Go play them if you haven't.

And now, the point of this post: ( Japanese names and history in Okami )

Moss creeping down bark
Rain-drenched leaves open skyward
Soaking up the blue

~Me (~DarkScrivener)

Probably, most people who read this won't have any idea what my LJ name actually means (unless, of course, they are Japanese). I expect a fair percentage will know that gaijin means "foreigner," and many of those will also recognize kitsune as "fox" (bet you never coulda guessed that one, huh?). But what about the rest of it?

( Read more... )

I'm starting this livejournal in the hope that I will be studying abroad in Japan this fall, and I will try to keep a travel blog here. However, it is currently, oh say about nine months too early for me to actually start my travel blog at the moment, so who knows, maybe this will become more of a general homepage for me in the meantime. I really do love to write, so random things may appear from time to time, especially if I'm bored.