je me souviens

the day is hot and bright and wet all at once and puts you into a glorious slumber. i remember being little and sitting in the passenger's seat of my grandmother's skin-colored tank of a car as we drove to the bank. so hot inside that we were practically breathing in liquid, there was nothing better. i'd be handed a green lollipop (flavor still unknown), and my grandmother would tell stories about the trials of youth in Evergreen, Louisiana. learning to drive at 13, shorts only for tennis, skimming curds off the top of the cream. i miss my grandmother. she still spins a tale like a proper Irish dame.

i am leaving Aceh a week from tomorrow. i can hardly believe it.. the calendar is full of engagements. dinner this night, and this, and meetings here and there.

the airline tickets are all bought. here is the tentative schedule:

2 august
Banda Aceh -> Medan -> Kuala Lumpur

3 august
meet duc in KL and have loads of adventures in Malaysia for seven days. these will surely include exotic animals, beaches, and shopping.

10 august
Kuala Lumpur -> Bangkok

13 august
Bangkok -> Tokyo

14 august
Tokyo -> Dulles