Great surprises!

Last night's birthday dinner was fantastic. We went to the India House with Alberto, Magda, and Chad. The food was the spiciest we have had yet while in Britain, and it was really good! Matt tried vindaloo for the first time, despite being warned by the menu that it was like the hottest thing in the world. He was expecting to sweat profusely, or at least have a burnt tongue, but neither of these things happened. We have found that our taste buds are skewed to handle spice thanks to Mexican food, Buffalo Wild Wings, and our inclination to put crushed red pepper on everything.

The India House, which (surprise!) looks more like an English Tudor house. Whatever, it was yummy.

After dinner was over, Alberto and Magda told us that Sir Roger Moore was giving a talk at the Cambridge Student Union. Seriously??? The 007??? How did we not know about this?

Bond, James Bond.

Unfortunately, when we arrived at the union where Roger gave his talk, we were about a half an hour too late. He had already finished speaking! No worries, we would still track him down. We headed down a hallway where we heard lots of voices, and I was asking everyone I ran into, "Is Sir Roger still in the building?" I'm sure they couldn't tell I was a celebrity-craving American. I restrained myself from asking if James Bond was around there somewhere. Kelsey, he has done more than just be in movies, hence the reason he is a "Sir." Anyway, someone finally pointed me toward a particular closed door at the end of the hallway. Of course, I opened it, and there before me, surrounded by an entourage and several other James-Bond-loving fans, was this man:

(Surprise!) Sir Roger Moore. This was not a picture we snapped because we were too starstruck to grab our cameras, but this is pretty much what he looked like. Plus, you suddenly feel really rude for wanting to shove your Kodak in the face of such a regal and distinguished guest.

His entourage was not about to let anyone else in the room, and so we backed out respectfully and closed the door. However, we did know that this particular door was the only way out of that room, so Sir Roger had to pass through it at some point. We loitered around for a few minutes, and then the door opened from the inside. Since I was standing right there, I grabbed the door and held it open. Yes, I held the door open as people streamed out of the room, and about 6 inches in front of me passed Sir Roger Moore and Mrs. Sir Roger Moore!!! I held the door for James Bond. I was giddy but trying to play it cool. I eavesdropped as he passed and learned that the poor guy was trying to find his way to the bathroom and then to the back exit. We contemplated boldly asking if he would take a picture with Matthew for his birthday, but decided against it. I'm sure he has never heard that before, "Hey, Roger! Can you take a pic with me? It's my birthday." Uh huh. Nevertheless, it was a celebrity encounter. We felt cool. When we visited here in March, Julian Assange (the founder of WikiLeaks) was giving a speech in that very same building. What can we say? We are magnets for the famous. Now if Will and Kate come here, I will pee my pants and make an absolute fool of myself, but I don't care...as long as I get to see them in person.

Here's Julian. Thought you might recognize him more by face than by name.

Also, this is kind of random, but after we saw Sir Roger, I kept thinking he looked an awful lot like James Garner. My generation would know this fellow-Okie as the older Noah character in the movie The Notebook.

Maybe it's just me, but there is something similar about them.

So anyway, we spent a few more hours hanging out at the bar in the union just talking, discussing politics and health care in the US, Greece, Italy, and the UK. It truly was a fun night and a good actual birthday day for Matt. (PS - I had a dream last night that my dad and I met Michael Jordan outside a grocery store as he was getting into his pickup truck. I guess my subconscious was still focused on our celeb sighting and the fact that Matt and I listened to part of the Space Jam soundtrack the other day.)

This morning, I assumed that my surprising and exciting events quota had been met for the next few weeks, but then I was awoken by the door buzzer. I shot out of bed, threw on my robe and glasses, and found a lovely package waiting for me. (Surprise!)

I knew my mom had sent us this box, but I had no idea what treasures awaited me on its interior.

I felt a twinge of guilt as I looked at how much it cost to send such a small box such a long way. Thanks, mom! I know it was expensive, but I wish you could have seen me ripping into it. I was like a kid on Christmas morning!

Evidence of the box mutilation that occurred due to my enthusiasm.

Makeup, Tide To Go pens, Static Guard, funfetti cookie mix and icing, peanut butter M&Ms, Reese Cups, Kit Kats, and fuzzy socks!!! All things that are good and right from my dear U-S of A!!! Best nation in the world on so many levels.

My mother knows me and my affinity for chocolate too well. So much for the weight I have lost since we got here. I should be back to being a fat American in no time! Totally worth it. I just love good surprises. The past 24 hours have been stellar. Can't wait to see what the next 24 hold.