The Homefront

"She's gone, gone, gone, she been gone so long..." Okay, it's only day one. But a long day one. We miss YOU! We got a good lesson in what this adventure is going to be shortly after we dropped you off at the airport. As it was around lunchtime, we went to picnic down near where we grocery shop. Getting out of the vehicle, we hear what sounds like U2 wafting through the trees. Not a recording... live! Could it be??? Of course not, it was a cover band. And they were belting it out along the tree-lined avenue inspiring marathon runners onward toward the finish line. Ah, yes... our marathon has begun. So, we sat down and cheered the runners on. Some passed by and pumped their fists to the music, and some were dejected and needed some cheering up. All were going well beyond their limits and inspired us. Thanks again for the life-like "Mom" pillow. That experiment has now ended. Although made to comfort, it only served to remind Holden how much he missed his real Mom. And it freaked me out. Peering in on your child (who is supposed to be alone in bed), and finding what appears to be another adult human being proved very disconcerting. Having done our research... we have a slew of cultural questions for you to answer between work assignments. The first is... do the Japanese really have Super Colossal Toast? We hear it's twice the size of American toast. Is this really true or urban legend?!