British... Naval... Aviators. Trouble!

So, we'll just say it. My friend Rachel is a legend. About a month ago, she invited me and our teammate Lia to a Christmas ball with her friend Dan, who is a helicopter pilot at RAF Shawbury (yep, a Naval helo pilot named Dan, nothing more needs to be said about this). I think we can all imagine the squeals of glee that shook all of London when I received that text message! Anyway, that was this past weekend. Rachel and I took the train up from Euston at about 2pm on Friday (Lia caught up a little later), and arrived in Shrewsbury at 5:30 (by the by, English people think a 3 1/2 hour journey is like traveling to the ends of the earth. I'd go that far and back in a day at home!). Dan met us wearing his flight suit (swoon), and we went back to base to get ready. For all those questioning whether they can wear their flight suits off base, I asked: they recently changed the rules because they say military presence in public areas is a deterrent to terrorism. Lia joined us about an hour later.

The ball was fun, or what we can all remember of it when we pieced it back together the next day. Dan was a real sweetheart to all of us (he said it was the least he could do for allowing him to take the three hottest girls to the ball... which we totally were!). The one big disappointment was that because it was a masked ball, the Air Force opted to have it be a black tie ball rather than uniformed - ugh! But the masks were good fun. Anyway, the ball. We had dinner, where we ate little, but drank much (each guest got a free bottle of wine - I heart England!). At dinner there was some amusing anti-American abuse, but when they realized I actually know what I'm talking about both regarding the US military and US politics, they shut up... There was a bar and a dance floor and we basically just rocked out all night. The dancing ended about 2 and then the party recommenced upstairs (here, all the officers live on base until they're in the upper ranks, or married, probably). We got into our pajamas and threw a rugby ball around (how things did not get destroyed, I am at a loss). We probably got to bed at about 4:30am. Me, Lia, Dan & Rachel in masksAnd withoutThe girls. Sober. Clearly!Dan and me

The next morning was a classic hangover recovery day. I actually didn't feel too bad because I think I drank the least of all present (despite my PINT of wine - winner!). But Dan and I were horrified that Lia and Rachel hadn't seen Top Gun, so we watched that, then Anchorman (which they had also not seen), then some comedy, and then Casino Royale. We also went out to an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet. It was great. It was also great to be back with military boys - I miss mine (Rothman, Kyle, Mike and our Annapolis/DC weekends in particular). There's really nothing that can match the banterous abuse that one can engage in with military men... I feel very at home in that. ;) Now, I HAVE to go to Hawaii to see my Kyle!!

The girls, recovering and rockin' the Navy kit (note Lia is in USNA kit)

Anyway, Sunday morning we slept late, got ready in a hurry and took the train back to Londres. I arrive home at around 4:30 and sat around for the rest of the day feeling lazy and looking forward to coming home...