Okay, Jason and I have never been as nervous as we were in that car ride going to rendezvous with Hank after 13 months of being apart. Was he going to remember us? May he was going to be angry and spiteful at us? Maybe he’d look skinny and emaciated, and we’d feel bad we left him with these strangers for the last 6 months of the year? There were so many things going through our head. It kind of felt like we were walking into our 10-year high school reunion, and we just didn’t know what to expect. I think the video clip speaks for itself that Hank certainly was an excited doggie to see his mommy and daddy.

It has now been a week of having him back in our lives, and we can’t believe we went as long as we did without him with us. He has fallen right back into his routine and of course that means lots of hanging out and cuddling on the bed. However, one concern is it seems like the bladder of steal he used to have, where he could go 12 hours easily without going, seems to have weakened. I learned this the hard way this morning when as soon as he ran out onto our indoors carpeted building hallway, he couldn’t help but begin to relieve himself. Thank god I had a plastic bag in hand that I could collect the rest of his lovely urine specimen in -- I've gotten realy good at that being pregnant and all. I guess that’s what happens when a dog goes from city living, to suburban living, to country/farm living where he could go to the bathroom as he pleased. The only other thing he needs to learn is to sit down when people are playing the Wii, since he almost got smacked in the head last night on more than one occassion – Hank seems to think the videogame controller is a toy, so when someone is swinging it around he wants to get it!

It feels like it’s been non-stop going since we got back home. I thought traveling around the world was exhausting, but I must have forgotten how tiring being back in our routine’s here at home were. I must say though, here we have the added bonus of living out of just one place -- the constant moving was so stressfull on the road. 

So, what exactly have we been doing!?!?! Well, many evenings have been devoted to catching up with friends and family, since it takes a lot of get togethers with people to recount the details of a year on the road. We had a wonderful reunion with a large group of friends at Madrone Lounge a couple weeks ago, where we got to connect with about 30 of our friends. It was so much fun not only seeing old friends, but also meeting some new, interesting people that night.

On the nights that we’re not out and about, we’ve managed to spend a disproportionate amount of time playing Wii Nintendo. In particular, both Jason and I have gotten really into Guitar Hero. I know this may sound juvenile, but I must say I’ve tapped into some musical talent I never knew I had. Of course, I have to temper Jason and my tandem jam sessions with the fact that Jason gets REALLY into the game, and kind of stresses me out sometimes. “Come on baby, stay on beat” is what I hear him uttering to me many a time.  We've even managed to convert quite a few friends to the Wii playing ways, as most after-dinner events end up back at our pad playing the game. You know there's something pretty unique to the Wii when even my mom and dad are planning on buying one!!!

Last week we did many fun things.  I had a lovely afternoon walk with Katie and Hank along the water looking out onto the Golden Gate.  Jason and I also went to see Mika at The Warfield, a musical sensation we got really into on our trip. The funny thing is most people abroad, and especially in Europe knows who Mika is, but almost no one here has any clue – anyway, the concert was really fun, and I think the little baby in my tummy was grooving to the tunes as well.

Tonight we’re hitting up our favorite music venue in the world, The Fillmore to see Sia (from Zero 7). Josh and Caroline are our dates tonight, which will be great fun in deed.