Weekend in Chilham

Earlier this week I received a phone call from none other than Charlotte (Charlie) Wheeler, a friend of mine that I met on the ski trip at the end of last semester. She had recently turned 21 and was celebrating down at her house that upcoming Saturday (yesterday). The theme of the party was "Hollywood Icons" and featured such stars as Jimmy Stewart, Katharine Hepburn, Angelina Jolie (as Lara Croft), and Matt Damon (myself). Let me warn you that my costume was neither creative nor in any way resembling the Good Will Hunting star. In my defense I didn't have very much time to go out shopping or think of anything clever...and I'm also very lazy. Charlie still let me attend, and I'm extremely glad she did, because her "house" is actually called Chilham Castle and is pictured below:

A view of Chilham Castle from the grounds

The Birthday Girl herself

The Wheelers were extremely generous and amazing hosts. We began the night with champagne in the "drawing room," where I managed to scoop handfuls upon handfuls of cashews (what the Brits call "cashew nuts"...redundant?) into my mouth. Not only was it already 8:30, but I love cashews and they are so expensive in London that I've never even considered buying them. Then came a three course steak dinner capped off not only with some of the best chocolate pudding I've ever had, but also chocolate cake. Nevermind the surroundings (indoor pool, poker room, in-house cinema), which were awe-inspiring, to say the least. It was a great night with great friends.

Dave (Brando) and Me (Damon), surveying the selection of drinks

Tom (changed out of his Tom Cruise jumpsuit from Top Gun) and Alex (Bridget Bardot, but more importantly, the other token American) laughing at something

I'd just like to say thank you very much to Charlie and the Wheeler family for putting up with 40 of us for one night. Definitely one of those nights that lives on forever in your stories.

Also Happy New Year to everyone out there. May it bring you all good health and happiness. No, I'm not 29 days too late, for the less cultured readers out there. (Funny story though, someone asked me what this year's zodiac sign was, and I had no idea. Only after reading a reminder e-mail from my mom back home did I find out....the dog).