*deep sigh*

So the weekend's over and now I actually have to start thinking about some Really Important Things(tm).

Hrm, back up. I went to Monterey this weekend with Brian. It was really awesome. We'd been talking about going for some time (several months) but never got around to seriously planning until around x-mas. Then there were other things to contend with, such as the GMAT adventure. In any event... We left for Monterey on Saturday mid-day-ish and leisurely drove down through Santa Cruz to arrive at our destination at around 3-ish. We checked in to a fabulous room on the third floor overlooking Cannery Row. Many of the rooms are advertised to have a sauna, this one, however, did not. I was bummed. (a bit) Anway, We ate lunch at this little place across the street and meandered around the town for a bit. It started raining, so we headed back to the hotel. Another nifty thing about the hotel, is that there's a fireplace in each room. *grin* We spent a good deal of time just hanging around the fireplace and chillin'.

Sunday we got up early-ish for breakfast brought up to the room (swanky, huh?) and lit a fire. After we ate, Brian phoned in for Dave Matthews Band tix, then we headed off to the Aquarium. I *love* the Monterey Bay Aquarium. If it wasn't such a madhouse (i.e. if it were more like a library), I could hang out there for hours. I love playing spot-the-exhibit and touching the tide pool critters. It reminds me that the world is strange and facinating, and there's still so much to learn. Anyway. The jellies get my vote for neat-est exhibit overall, but I should definately go back for futher research...

After the Aquarium, we headed off to Carmel via the 17-Mile Drive. Go see this site for the blurb. The road takes you around the Monterey peninsula along the coast. It was an amazing drive. We stopped about ever mile or so just to check out the scenery and tak pictures. I think I got some cool ones of the ocean...

In Carmel, theres tons of cute little specialty shops and very few chain stores. The air smelled fresh with the occational salty tang. Down by the beach, the sand was super soft. I feel a little weird saying this, but Everything there fit, perfectly. Like a picture. Like a moment frozen in time. Tourists, locals, sand, surf, and shops.

*grin* I'm waxing poetic again...

We headed back to the hotel for a bit. Lit another fire and hung out until our dinner reservation. We ate at this place called Roy's. OMG. Maine Lobster and Papaya Spring rolls, Mandarin chicken salad, Blackened Ahi and another dish with complicated ingredients (fish, macadamia nut crusted?). Wow. Food to die for. We rolled home. Lit a fire and basically sacked out.

Monday morning, we got up again to breakfast being delivered. Lit a fire (this could have been the best part). Munched while reading the local Monterey newspaper. Funny, doesn't seem like we did much, but every day felt full. I know we weren't gone long, but it felt like a vacation. :) I like that.

Oye. [wrapping up now!]

We got home and hung out with some folks and started making plans for jazzfest. I've *never* been to New Orleans. I'm really excited. Can't wait!

Anyway, this week. Planning for moving. This should be fun.