then we knew we'd never be the same.

Well, here's the approximate list of dates for when we'll be studying what:

Weeks	Dates	Activites
1	Aug 21 – Aug 27	Orientation
2-5	Aug 30 – Sep 24	BLOCK 1: Foundations
6-9	Sep 27 – Oct 21	BLOCK 2: Agroecology
10-13	Oct 25 – Nov 18	BLOCK 3: Forests
14-17	Nov 22 – Dec 16	BLOCK 4: Islands
	Dec 16 – Jan 2	Holiday Break
18-22	Jan 3 – Jan 28	BLOCK 5: Intership

and a more immediate schedule for you:

August 20, 2010 Arrive in Chiang Mai; overnight at hostel

August 21, 2010 Begin orientation; move in with host families

August 23, 2010 Orientation continues; Thai language class begins



something about preparing for leaving for this long is different.
there have been plenty of times when I haven't seen friends or family for 6 months because of college and distance and life whatnot. but that's never the plan. when saying goodbye at the end of summer or after Christmas dinner I don't have the intention of being evasive for half a year.

i think that's why it's never felt like this. i feel like i've been slowly backing out the door for a week now saying good bye to friends, grandparents, cousins, and lastly tomorrow my mom.
being so alone hopping across the country by plane tomorrow will be a rude way to enter this experience. And this fall with my mom living in a new city entering a new experience of her own, leaving just feels very strange. like the timing's slightly off.

but I suppose it's like ripping off one huge band-aid. it's easier when done all at once.