Jason and I didn’t except to end up in Vegas less than two months after our last visit but we did. Jason was asked to attend some meetings at the Consumer Electronics Show, the largest show of its kind in the world, at the last minute and my winter semester hadn’t started yet so I agreed to tag along with him to Sin City.

You already know my tenacious opinions of Vegas so I’ll skip the psych analysis on humanity and just get to the happenings on this particular trip.

Jason and I wasted no opportunities to eat well while in Vegas. We dined at Javier’s, Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, and Bobby’s Burger Palace. Emeril’s was a little disappointing to be honest, probably because I have high expectations when it comes to grits.

Additionally, we went to a couple shows. David Copperfield’s magic was full of childish wonder and, unexpectedly, had a plot line. I think little kids would love his program and we big kids liked it too. We also caught the Jabbawockeez production called Dreamz. The Jabbawockeez crew, with their signature white masks and gloves, put on quite an entertaining show. Their mix of hip-hop, popping, b-boying, and humor was easy to watch.

I spent an afternoon wandering the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) while Jason was there hobnobbing with potential clients. Incidentally, in case you are ever inclined to attend CES, be aware that it is not open to the public and it is terribly difficult to convince the registration personnel of your credentials if you don’t have a business card. I’m a published scientist and it’s a lot harder to feign publication than to fabricate a business card. Yet, without a card, they were not going to let me in regardless. Fortunately, an overseer saw my logic and granted me a pass. CES was massive and sent me into overload mode quickly but it was fun drifting through the booths full of everything from talking ovens to guitar-playing robots.

My favorite thing about Vegas on this occasion wasn’t the food or entertainment but the sunshine. It was unusually overcast in Vegas during our stay but the sun did come out one afternoon for a bit and so did I. It felt decadent to read a book in a tank top by the pool in the middle of winter. Forget gambling and other debauchery, just give me some sunshine and I will feel like I won the jackpot.

Vegas wouldn’t have been my first vacation choice but, I have to admit, the sunshine was incredible and the restaurants and diversions weren’t half bad either.

Sometimes you need a break, a break that’s an actual break not just doing homework somewhere else. This December, after my semester ended, that is exactly what I needed. So, per my demands, Jason and I took a few days off from life and headed to Disneyland.

Our first hour in Disneyland it rained a lot. I was under the impression that California never received precipitation anymore but, apparently, that isn’t exactly true. We got completely drenched and then waited in a long line to buy ponchos just in time for it to let up.

I was also under the mistaken impression that Decembers at Disneyland were warm because they have been for us on every other occasion. However, this time, the shorts I packed did not get used. If it looks like I’m wearing the same thing in all of this post’s pictures, it’s because I am wearing the same thing… everything I brought with me. Yes, in the evenings I wore a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, a sweater, a hoodie, a jacket, one of Jason’s jackets, a scarf, and gloves. One afternoon I did strip down to a t-shirt for about an hour though.

So my preconceptions about weather and precipitation were off. Now, let me address your incorrect preconceptions. People often have a notion that Disneyland is no fun without kids. That is false. Jason and I have been there on many occasions as a couple and we consistently have a fabulous time. Sorry, your kids really aren’t as useful as you think.

You can always find new amusements at Disneyland, no matter how many times you’ve come. During this trip, we discovered Disney Animation, a whole interactive area in California Adventure we didn’t know existed. There, in addition to talking with Crush the turtle, we learned what Disney characters we would be. I would be EVE from WALL-E and Jason would be Syndrome from The Incredibles. (Jason a villain? No surprise there.)

The Force Awakens was opening just days after our visit and Disneyland was hopping like a cantina party in anticipation. Tomorrowland had been converted to Season of the Force. Hyperspace Mountain traveled to a galaxy far, far away. Instead of sparkly princesses, you could get cozy with Darth Vader, Chewbacca, or Boba Fett at the Star Wars Launch Bay. As we are sci-fi nerds, we were totally down with all of these galactic alterations. I might have bought a little too much Star Wars merchandise… or I might not have bought enough really. Would you call a dress, a couple t-shirts, some Christmas tree ornaments, a few comic books, a wallet, a book, and a Luke doll enough?

We always have a long list of places and foods we need to eat when we go to Disneyland. Jason made sure we had reservations at Napa Rose, Storytellers Café, and Blue Bayou. We also devotedly chowed corn dogs, churros, pineapple floats, asparagus and bacon skewers, and hand-dipped ice cream bars. You know, just the healthy stuff.

Disneyland wasn’t exactly paradise this trip. It was cold and occasionally wet. However, it was also a much needed breather from the occupational and scholastic summersaulting I’ve been doing the last six months. Twenty layers or not, we had a great time being the big little kids that we are. Plus, it snowed back home the whole time we were gone so that made Disneyland’s disagreeable weather seem far less nasty.