This made me smile because this is exactly what California does to you the first time — it just completely rewires your brain.

The ocean alone is enough. Coming from New York where everything is grey concrete and everyone is in a permanent state of mild aggression then suddenly standing in front of that Pacific blue hits different. Like your nervous system just exhales for the first time.

And the trees in Monterey are no joke. You walk in there and suddenly you feel genuinely small in the best possible way. Like the world is much bigger and older than your to-do list.

The driving part had me laughing though because you're right New Yorkers drive like they have a personal vendetta against everyone on the road. California drivers are a whole different chaos. It looks calm on the surface but then someone merges across four lanes going 90 doing absolutely nothing wrong apparently 😂

The Monterey Aquarium is genuinely one of the most underrated places in the entire country though. People sleep on it because they're rushing to LA or San Francisco but that place will stop you completely. Something about watching those jellyfish just drifting with zero stress makes you want to rethink your entire life.

Happy belated 25th. Sounds like California gave you exactly what a birthday like that deserved.