My long-awaited, much-desired and well-deserved (at least I think so!) vacation is finally here.

YAY.

Today was the first day off I’ve had in three weeks and I maxed it out doing all the errands I’ve put off doing for awhile. It was a full day so I haven’t yet had time to fully relax but I HAVE started to get excited… finally… for our trip!

Tomorrow I’m flying to Toronto to meet up with Rob (who’s been in Montreal this past week for Neil & Lauren’s wedding) and heading up to Taboo Resort for Katie and Jordan’s wedding this Saturday, which is sure to be an absolute BLAST.

Then on Sunday we have a FANTABULOUS Kneb family reunion to look forward to, at Karolina’s place, with allllll the cousins and dearest friends which I haven’t seen for an entire YEAR. I can’t even describe how excited I am for this. I mean, there are 2 brand new little people to meet that have arrived since my last visit (Lucas and Carson) and one bun in the oven (Raf & Klaud’s). Although I get a thrill every day from this lovely city that I live in, I can’t help getting a pang of regret from time to time from not being able to see all my family out east. I can’t wait.

And THEN… just when you thought it couldn’t get more exciting… I’m headed to Prince Edward Island with Robbie for five whole days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you will remember, this was my ever-so-amazing present from Rob for my 29th birthday.

And if you know me even the slightest bit, you’ll know I am one of those gawd-awful annoying Anne Freaks.

I have all 8 books of the series (dog-eared and chewed after almost 20 years of reading and re-reading), plus almost every other tome ever published by L.M. Montgomery. I also have her published journals, and a collection of graduate essays written by Anne-of-Green-Gables “specialists” (how come the UofC didn’t offer this degree option when I was there?!). Anne of GG calendars have graced my walls. An Anne of GG jewelry box has occupied the place of honour on my dresser for ages. Anne of GG bookends have shouldered the weight of my obsession for years on my bookshelf. Three versions of the doll sit forlornly in my room at my parent’s house, awaiting my return. My second diary ever was an Anne of GG edition, the pages interspersed with inspirational quotes from the book and sketches of Anne sinking the lorry in Barry’s pond and discovering the mouse in the plum pudding that she was to serve to the minister’s wife. My best birthday ever (which may have been eclipsed this year) was when when my mom got my cousin in Chicago to track down the hard-to-find VHS videos of the Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea videos and send them to Canada in time for the party celebrating my turning 16.

I lived and breathed Anne for years. I fantasized about living in Avonlea and how the story would have went if I was there, because of course, I’d have been her best friend instead of Diana, and Gilbert would have been sorely tempted to fall in love with me instead of Anne.

And yet with all this imagination, I have a hard time imagining finally walking along those same red roads that inspired Lucy Maud to create this whole Anne-world, 100 years ago. (Next year – 2008 – will mark 100 years since its publication.)

Of course, it won’t be ALL Anne. Rob would go crazy. In fact, he may have already – I sent him a text message earlier today informing him I bought us some PREMIUM seats to see Anne & Gilbert, the musical… and I have yet to hear back from him (ha ha!). There will be lots of golfing, relaxing on the beach, going for scenic drives and eating our weight in lobsters and mussels. PEI really does have a lot to offer beyond the Anne tourist traps (which I fully intend to get caught in).

I’ll be sure to have lots to relate upon my return. Until then…

Farewell, bosom friends!