The Boar's Feast

Rob's college put on a FEAST for graduate students in the Old Hall last weekend.

Elizabeth of Woodville, one of the founding Queens of Queens' College

We got all dolled up (Rob even managed to borrow a tux....thanks Dan!), and ate a 6-course meal in a room built in 1449.
It was kind of neat to eat in a place where members of Queens' College were dining 43 years before Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue!
The food was deeeelicious:

• Veloute (aka soup) of cauliflower finished with truffle oils and chives
  
• Grilled wild boar sausage, mustard mash, apple crisp, chianti sauce
• Roasted saddle of English lamb, filled with a spinach and garlic forcemeat, fondant potato, and ratatouille
• Crisp pastry tartlet filled with lemon curd ice cream, glazed with Italian meringue, with raspberry compote
• A selection of artisan British cheeses
• Fairtrade Chocolates (and coffee for those who wanted it)

Some of Rob's fellow LL.M.s (and guests) and me

After each course was cleared away, I felt like the meal should be over. Then, when it just kept going and going, I couldn't help thinking about how many dirty dishes were piling up from all of those sauces, sides, and garnishes.....I think I need to get out more.
By the end of the night we were in that happy haze that comes with bellies filled with delicious food. It might take some time (and more pants with elastic waistbands), but I could get used to this style of eating!

We Are All Worms...

...But I do believe I am a glow worm.

~Winston Churchill

On our last trip to London, Rob and I went to the Cabinet War Rooms Museum. During WWII, and especially during German bombing raids, the British War Cabinet operated in top-secret underground rooms near the Parliament Building. These rooms, including the original furniture, equipment, and decorations, are now on display.

They also have an entire section of the museum dedicated to the life of Winston Churchill.

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

~Winston Churchill

He was a remarkable man, confident in his destiny, and convinced of the importance of his role in the battle against evil (e.g. Nazism & Hitler). If you want to learn more about him, The Last Lion by William Manchester is a great book.

"The optimist sees opportunity in every danger; the pessimist sees danger in every opportunity."
~Winston Churchill

Winston was a great orator, and was (obviously) famous for his memorable one-liners. Some of our other favorites include:

• "I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
• "I am easily satisfied with the very best."
• "This report, by its very length, defends itself against the risk of being read."
• "The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
• "To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often."
• "Golf is a game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into a even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose."

And, most importantly:

"Never, never, never give up."

What are some of your favorite quotes? (They don't have to be from Good Ol' Winnie.)

A majorly Miserables Birthday

Never fear. My birthday was not actually miserable, but it definitely had a Miserables theme.

This year, we decided we'd go see the play Les Miserables in London for my birthday present!

But, before we saw the play, we wanted to read the book (all 1400 pages of it). So we did. And loooved it. For anyone who likes the play, I'd highly recommend reading the book.

Then, before we saw the play, we wanted to get the soundtrack so we'd be familiar with the music. So we did. And looooved it. We got the original London Cast recording and it's great.
Finally, a few days before my birthday, we made the trip into London. We nabbed half-price tickets for the evening show, went to see an awesome museum (more on that later), then headed up to Leicester Square for the main event.
After the show, and all the way home to Cambridge, we couldn't stop singing! It was really, really fun.

Then, on my actual birthday, I woke up to a sneaky Rob bringing me breakfast in bed:

A delicious croissant, a pastry, and an orange "cake"

That evening, we met up with friends for dinner at a great Thai restaurant. After dinner, we went back to Heather's house for delicious frozen yogurt and apple bread.

I'm starting to think birthdays need to happen more than once a year....