I have yet to commit to any religious affliation. I was raised Catholic, but I can't find myself able to separate the spiritualism and tradition of the church from its politics (which I find considerably hypocritical). I'm working on getting passed this, but it's hard to clear this image of religion in the U.S. as insincere.
Don't worry about becoming an elitist. You don't strike me as the kind who would ever loose their head over fame. Be who you are, and do what you love, that's all.
My email is [email protected]. If you want, feel free to send anything.
Have a good Monday. -Chloe

Dreams are curious forces. Maybe they are windows into the future... Though, I wouldn’t always want certain dreams to come true.
I’m currently in a state of indecision. I have not a clue what I want to do with my life in terms of a career. I thought I knew a year ago, but I find that each day I become more confused and disillusioned by the talk of my future, especially as college nears and I increasing become more impatient with school. So, I’m trying a new thing. I’m letting things just be.. (I’m way too high-strung for my own good and need to break myself of this habit of control). Lately, I’ve increasingly become more reliant on the power of “fate”….If things are meant to be, they’ll work out somehow. Though, life’s too complicated for this to always work.. Sometimes I get trampled under foot by this method and shouldn’t wait for nature to take its course. Like Beirut states, “Ferris wheels carried us away not so long ago. Times I’ve betrayed. Where would we be now if I had taken your hand? Well the years they pass by slow don’t they?” It’s a vicious cycle, but I still believe fate and destiny are important to believe in, or else, everything would seem so hopeless at times, right?
On another note, I’m sure you are a great musician and your performance was no reflection upon your true ability. You’ll find a great school.
Have you ever seen the film, Amores Perros? I was reminded last night how interesting a film it was. I’d recommend it. Well, I’m going to head out and go into town. I want to look around in some used book stores and do other shopping before my weekend passes me by.
P.S: Is your girlfriend the one on your friends list above.. she's very pretty.

Salutations de la californie. The weather has turned to rain this weekend here in the North of the state. I find myself feeling a little dreary with the absence of the sun , but it is good to hear from you. It’s been awhile. I found myself thinking of you once after having a dream about Portugal a few weeks ago. I was sitting in a quaint, yellow cafe in Lisbon, drinking coffee, speaking to a Norwegian man. How it all fits together, I have no clue. But it seemed real, and it was a place I would have rather been. I get off school in a month and am already looking forward to escaping on vacation.. New sights, tastes, sounds.
I’m sorry to hear about your terrible loss. How is your mother getting along?
In addition, I have a few questions. Are you graduating from the music academy in Portugal this year? If so, what are your future plans? Travels?
I am very happy to hear about you and your girlfriend. Some things are meant to be. Enjoy Geneva.

Always, Chloe.

I'm sorry to hear that things aren't going so well for you. Just remember, at a certain point, things can only get better. And if you ever need an impartial party to vent to, I'm always here :)
In addition, please, you do not have to apologize for any kind of lack of communicatio­n. I understand your reasons. It would be nice to keep in contact though.

I hope your music is going well.

Hi. It's lovely to know that your heart's still beating. You could have dropped off the edge of the earth, and I assume I would have never known.
I feel like things are going really well for me. Inevitably there have been some changes, but only in good terms. School's been busy, but with fingers crossed, I'm hoping to be accepted into a program that allows me to finish high school at the local college, which would be a great opportunity for me and might allow me to study in Spain or Italy in a year or so. I've started to read Murakami, after seeing he was one of your favorite authors. I've yet to read most of his works, though I've recently finished with Sputnik Sweetheart and earlier I read Kafka on the shore. Both I enjoyed greatly. Anymore recommendations? I've also started driving, which I feel so horrible about, but it really was needed if I was going to have to commute everyday to the college. I did get a small, german made car though, which helps stop some of the guilt.
Enough about me though, how are you? Does it feel like winter yet in Portugal?

Yet again, my message has been cut off but to continue...I’d love to hear whatever you have to say….I’m always in the mood. I’ve also have much to update you on, but I’ll reserve it for the next note, as I have homework to begin on (sigh..).
Please write back.. But I’ll forgive you, even if it takes you a year to respond.
It's great to hear from you and know you're doing safe and sound.

First off, please, don’t apologize. You have nothing to apologize about. Life is hectic and one can’t always find the time for everything. I won’t hold anything against you, you’re human, and quite frankly, this summer has kept me quite busy as well. I’ve so often found it hard to make time for certain, usually basic, things. For instance, keeping in touch with others like yourself, but I’m trying to make a better effort with such things, now that life has finally begun to slow down (Did I say slow? I meant slightly slower, but manageable).
School has started back up for me and though it’s been hard adjusting back into the normal routine of things (something more monotonous and restricting), I’m trying to look at it in a more positive manner. I suppose everyday becomes a day closer to the summer and graduation, which in my eyes, represents supreme freedom and I’m not one who likes to be tied down. Also, I don’t mind my classes too much this year.
I’m so sorry to hear that your social situation at school won’t be the greatest this coming year and that you have had some complications this summer (I.E loosing your wallet), but I’m glad to hear you’ve made it to Germany safely. Reading and hiking in southern Germany sounds so wonderful. By the way, how is your family? It must be great to see your little brothers.
I came back from France two weeks ago and I just miss Europe so much! I’ve fallen in love not solely with France, though Paris is such a beautiful, romantic city, but in Europe in general. Europeans really know how to live and to live well, they so beautifully cherish the smaller things in life. Americans rarely, if ever, do this. And, it seems that everyday I miss Paris even more, but I know I’ll be back (maybe next summer!) and now I just can’t imagine a life not spent in Europe (at least a portion of a life). I purchased a Milan Kundera book while I was there and one of my goals is to be able to read it in its entire

Ola!
Estou a escrever-te d'Alemanha, mais propriamente do Eurocamp. Se tivesse de te explicar como se respiram as horas e te desecrever todos os acontecimentos (como um dente um bocadinho partido) passaria entao horas em frente deste pc, coisa que nao me e permitido, uma vey que so posso passar aqui dez minutos, dos quais poucos outros minutos me restam. De qualquer das formas: estou a adorar isto por aqui. Assim que chegar a Viana a gente tem de se reencontrar e contar/falar/conversar/rir, etc.

SAUDADES!

Sara

Poor David... Só tem um único amigo! Eu :D

Things have calmed down and are fine now. This hasn't been the first fire in Northern California during my lifetime but it's been the first that I actually had to pack up things and leave. It really was an odd experience having to figure out exactly what it was that I should take with me and having to judge what was of real, unreplaceable importance to me. Photos? Records? Clothes? It was hard. And the whole experience makes one realize yet again how fragile we all our in the face of uncontrollable and unpredictable forces.

Anyways, your Summer plans sound beautiful. What charming countries to have the opportunity to explore. My good friend and I are in the works of planning a trip together for the following summer or if not, the next for a graduation present. So far, we've decided that we'd like to go to Munich, Germany (we have a few friends there that we met while they were here on a foreign exchange program), France, Spain (this being why I would like to learn Spanish, as well as the fact that it is very necessary in the U.S nowadays), and I was hoping Porto and Lisbon, Portugual (charming little places, right?)
Well, enjoy Summer; the sunshine, freedom, and relative relaxation that comes with it.
Be well.