the last, lengthy US post

The next time I write here, I'll be in Paris. Weird. I'm taking a break from packing and stressing out. My friend, Cher, just gave me a cd, so I'm listening to it and importing it into itunes. I'm making my "leaving" playlist. Some songs that'll cheer me up and get me excited about leaving. I'll post it down below.

The ninja is packed!


My suitcase is...half-packed.


Kuya woke me up this morning before he went to work, and we said goodbye. I cried a bit, but I was super tired, so I fell right back to sleep. I wish he could be there to see me off, but these things happen. I told him I loved him--I rarely say stuff like that--and, that I'll see him again.

I just want to formally thank everyone for seeing me, talking to me, helping me before I go. I love you guys, and you all make it very hard to leave. Some more than others--you know who you are. Saying goodbye has never been so hard. Take care of yourselves, be well, and I'll see you when I get back.

love love love,
elaine xo

the "leaving" playlist
This playlist also includes songs from my friend Noriko's cd, but I don't have the track names or bands. These are just songs that I've been wanting to listen to right now and feel that are appropriate for my journey. Check it!

1. New by No Doubt: So energetic, hopeful. The line "And I can't believe I've had this chance now" says it all.
2. Young Folks by Peter, Bjorn, and John: Lovely like a spring day.
3. Where's My Head by Copeland: Weird at first, but interesting and reminds me of Coppola's The Virgin Suicides.
4. Snake Eyes by David Holmes: Just had to have some David Holmes in there. I love the soundtracks for the Ocean's Eleven series. Jazzy cool.
5. Someone to Call my Lover by Janet Jackson: Evokes some memories of a boy I'm leaving behind.
6. Steal My Sunshine by Len: Poppy, fruity, sticky like a popsicle melt-down.
7. Shadow of the Day by Linkin Park: Come on. Just listen to it. They wrote it for me.
8. Dashboard by Modest Mouse: I love their lyrics.
9. Here It Goes Again by OK GO: Airport treadmills. I'm just kidding. This song just pumps me up.
10. Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus: Don't know why this is here. I just like it.
11. Baby Britain by Elliott Smith: Upbeat song, soft whispery voice--lovely.
12. Such Great Heights by The Postal Service: This song never gets old to me. It was on my "leaving" playlist when I went to Cambridge.
13. Bottle Up and Explode! by Elliott Smith: Reminds me of San Francisco. Check the "XO" album.

Okay, that's it. A bientot!