T - 4 days

1. Went to the vet to get Bella all up to date on her shots. It turns out that her 3-year rabies shot expired two months ago. When traveling internationally with a dog, this is a "You had one job !!!" kind of thing. Fortunately, the CDC has this to say:

   Rabies vaccination is required for all dogs entering the United States from a country where rabies is present. Dogs that have never been vaccinated against rabies must be vaccinated at least 30 days prior to arrival. Adult dogs older than 15 months of age that have previously received a rabies vaccination given no earlier than 3 months of age and that has since expired may be imported immediately following booster vaccination, without the need to wait for 30 days.

   So I think we're good to go. (Charge for rabies vaccine and some other booster shot, plus a sign off on good health for travel, €57.31.)

2. Went in to the AEI for my last group meeting, which was really sweet. I got to report on my nice lab accomplishments from last week, Fu made a delicious cake, and the group got the most amazing present for me: a piece of artwork on a tile by Olf and Lupin ("The Banksy of Linden-Nord"), autographed "für Tobin, alles gute, Olf Lupin 2014" on the back. An even nicer and more appropriate present than I would have thought of myself! How exactly they procured it is something of a mystery. Also, we drank scotch whisky, as is the tradition to mark milestones in the lab. 15-year Aberlour, personally imported by Conor. And there's Laphroaig quarter cask left over from the previous such event!

3. Any Halloween costume ideas?