An Early End

Today felt like the end of my holiday. Erin drove me and Yukina to the airport today, and we all said goodbye to Yukina, who I won't see again for probably a couple of years. It was very sad, but it made us realise how fast our two weeks together had been and how quickly time goes when you're having one of the most fun times ever. Our road trip, our Starbucks, all the junk food, the shopping, the singing, the beach... everything went faster than I would have wanted. It's horribly sad, and I'm going to miss this time so much. The three of us just had a really good time, and it was so brilliant to see Yukina and Erin again. I am saddened that, fittingly, our trio's down to two. Oh.

I managed to be up and awake and ready early enough to go to the airport with them, and we listened to a variety of Erin's CDs and songs. Lots of 70s music, lots of singing along, everything. We also had the Lion King Soundtrack to guide us to SFO. We had been singing the songs last night, but altering the lyrics to be something else entirely. For instance, The Circle of Development, I Just Can't Wait to Drive a Truck, and brilliantly, Please Pass the Butter (use your imagination).

This was after a wonderfully large meal at a Spaghetti house that filled us with wonderful desserts. I had some kind of Caramel cake that was bigger than I was. Yukina had a Strawberry Cheesecake that she honourably offered me part of (see picture, coming soon), while Erin enjoyed half a scoop of what appeared to be the remnants of the bottom of the ice cream tray (she said it was Spumoni or something). This was indeed after a parking adventure that I am not at liberty to discuss as it is part of an ongoing investigation.

Before we went out, Erin and I had a hike up the mountains near her house. As I am usually opposed to hiking, I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable this particular hike was. We had a fun time up the mountain, I climbed a tree and discussed my epitaph, and we said hello to everyone that walked by. This was while Yukina was shopping in San Francisco, as I had done the day before.

Good morning.

Good morning. In less than an hour, aircraft from here will join others from around the world, and you will be launching the greatest aerial battle in the history of mankind. Mankind. The word should have new meaning for us today. We can't be consumed by our petit differences any longer. It's perhaps fate that today is the fourth of July, and you will once again be fighting for our freedom. Not from tyranny, oppression or persecution, but from annihilation. We're fighting for our right to live, to exist. And should we win the day, the fourth of July will no longer be known as an American holiday, but as the day we stood up and said we will not go quietly into the night, we will not vanish without a fight, we're going to live on, we're going to survive. Today, we celebrate our Independence Day.

That was just from memory. But it's suitable. I'm going to read back on my blog and see what I was doing exactly one year ago. I remember that July 3rd 2005, I spent the evening laughing with the group, I think, and that it was a great time. I'm glad I could spend the evening of July 3rd this year having as much fun, with the same group.

Yukina's gone back to Japan, and I'm leaving Erin's place tomorrow. These two weeks have gone so fast. I still have holiday left, but it feels like I don't. I'll see Erin again before I go, but she's starting work and I should move on.

When you land in Tokyo and you check the internet and stuff, know what a fun time I had, Yukina. What a fun time we had. A seriously fun time. Oh, and as soon as we sat back in the car after you were gone, I said, "Looks like it's just you and me, kid.".