And so it begins...

Hey everyone!
After much thought and contemplation, I decided to create a blog for while I am away the next four months studying in Thailand. I am studying at the International Sustainable Development Studies Institute (ISDSI), which is located in Chiang Mai. If you would like to read more about the programs I will be doing you can visit www.isdsi.org.
I leave in two days and I still have many things to do... of course, I haven't started packing, but I am in that stage of making piles that eventually end up in my suitcase. The last few days have been rather crazy running around doing errands and saying goodbyes. Right now, I only know one word in Thai, which is Sawadee Ka (hello/welcome/bye)... that will only get me so far, but hopefully Thai will be easy to pick up and understand.
I you would love to hear from you while I am gone! You can email, write, facebook, or skype me...
My address is:

Ally Johnson
ISDSI
PO Box 222
Prasingh
Chiang Mai, 50205
THAILAND

Or... for packages:

Ally Johnson

ISDSI

48/1 Chiang Mai-Lampang Road (Superhighway)

Muang, Chiang Mai, 50300

THAILAND

Here is my itinerary:

Leave Weds, Feb 4, 2009
United 5875 1 hr 6 min 196 miles
Depart: 9:36 am Cedar Rapids, IA (CID)
Arrive: 10:42 am Chicago, IL (ORD)

United 0881 13 hr 5 min 6,274 miles
Depart: 12:00pm Chicago, IL (ORD)
Arrive: (Feb 5th) 4:05 pm Tokyo, Japan (NRT)

United 0891 7 hr 10 min 2,887 miles
Depart: 6:35 pm Tokyo, Japan (NRT)
Arrive: 11:45 pm Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)

Thai Airways 100 1 hr 10 min
Depart: (Feb 6th) 9:20 am Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)
Arrive: 10:30 am Chiang Mai INTL

Return Friday, June 12, 2009
Thai Airways 117 1 hr 10 min
Depart: 7:15 pm Chiang Mai INTL
Arrive: 8:25 pm Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)

United 0890 6 hr 10 min 2,887 miles
Depart: (June 13th) 6:50 am Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)
Arrive: 3:00 pm Tokyo, Japan (NRT)

United 0882 11 hr 25 min 6,274 miles
Depart: 4:55 pm Tokyo, Japan (NRT)
Arrive: 2:20 pm Chicago, IL (ORD)

United 5980 1 hr 3 min 196 miles
Depart: 4:55 pm Chicago, IL (ORD)
Arrive: 5:58 pm Cedar Rapids, IA (CID)

I pray that you have a blessed next few months and I will see you in June!

ally j