what to do!?!?

so, my internship in madagascar will happen. it will start at the beginning of august, and it will cost between 2000 and 2500 to get there. i'll be doing various interesting things, (including fieldwork) and on the 'contract' of sorts that's been written up, i must bring: a laptop computer, a digital camera, and a tent and sleeping bag! it will be great. but, the duration will be either 4 or 6 months. so:

Pros to 6 month internship:
* I get back February 1st, having missed most of winter.
* I can't defend my thesis till the end of that semester anyway, so what's the rush?
* I get experience in 2 or 3 cities (as well with staff in those cities) instead of 1
* The more contacts I make, the more likely it is that one of them will be a networking connection for me to find a real job upon my return.
* Once I get there, it's cheap, so might as well stay another 2 months to get my money's worth.
* The longer I'm there, the more I can see and learn.

Cons to 6 month internship:
* missing Patrick another 2 months
* possibly missing out on money I could earn if I'd be able to get a job in the kzoo area.
* missing Christmas
* spending another 500-700 dollars
* not having enough time to finish theis? (doubtful)
* 2 months less of hardcore Ironman training

So
comments?

Sometimes I feel sort of weirdly alone, like there are certain things about me that people just don't 'get'. I suppose it's just been a longish week of too much winter...