Gettin' Peppered

September nineteenth brings with it some new experiences. As you know, yesterday was my birthday and it was an amazing one at that. I don't know if it was because I turned thirty or if it was because I am temporary or it is simply occurred because I have very good friends, but it was hands down one of the best days of my life. I woke up yesterday morning with Megan in my arms: always a fantastic way to start the day. She wished me a happy birthday and we opened presents while mom listened in on skype despite the 7 hour time difference. As the morning grew old, Megan kept asking the time and around 10:25 suggested I may want to put pants on. This roused my suspicion to say the least but at 10:35 I heard a knock on the door and opened it to see a group of my floor mates singing a Danish happy birthday song and waiving little Danish flags.

As soon as they were done singing, we headed to the kitchen where they had prepared an amazing and very large breakfast. It was truly touching. I nearly was brought to tears that these people, who have known me for only a short time would care enough to do such a thing. Sitting at the middle of the table was a birthday card they had made for me telling me that they were going to be making dinner for me and having a party so be sure to be back by seven.

After breakfast, Megan passed out for a while but when she woke back up (I had to pull her physically out of bed) we hit Copenhagen and walked around town until 6:30 hitting the Castle, the Palace, and of course the little mermaid.

We got back home close to 7 and got ready for the dinner and party my Danish floor mates had prepared for me. Jon, the resident chef (and professional one) had made curried chicken and rice for the whole floor. Dinner was wonderful with champagne and wine and just general goodness.

After the meal, the dished were cleared and the party started. These things always begin a little slow but once they start moving....look out! This was no different. We danced on the tables, drank a lot, laughed and had fun.

Previously, my friends had made mention of a long standing Danish tradition. At 25 if you are not married, they cover you and your belongings in cinnamon. At thirty, if you are still unwed it is pepper. Well Megan disappeared to the room for a bit and when she was gone for too long I decided to leave the party and hunt her down. I opened my door and Megan looks up from the floor and says "You're going to wish you locked your door." It was then the smell hit me. My friends had covered my floor and bed and bathroom in pepper! (I can still smell it.) I have to admit that I found even this touching.

About 11:00 the music cut off and they brought in my "present." This was, despite being wrapped, very obviously a man in drag. I could only imagine but since my friend Tim was missing I assumed. And was proven right when he began to strip for me with large artificial breasts (see the pictures).

This was hilarious. And everyone loved it.

Around 12, Hans (one of my Danish friends) decided to change clothes. This was an inexplicable act but inexplicably, Megan and I followed suit. I donned a coat and tie over my teeshirt and Megan was assigned a dress from Charlotte. We returned to the party and Megan looked very sexy. I looked like a cast off from "Saved by the Bell."

At some point, and we are a little fuzzy, Charlotte managed to get my room keys and once again, my room was doused in pepper. Please see photos of me vacuuming. After this I was confident I was not going to be peppered again if for no other reason than the kitchen is now completely out of pepper.

When the booze ran out, we all went down to the bar to have a few more. I drank for free down there which was very nice of the bartenders.

All in all this was a birthday that will stay in mind forever. I will always remember the feeling of belonging, and happiness that my Danish floor mates gave me. It was better than any gift they could have bought and I will have this forever.

I am so glad Megan was able to experience this with me. I would have had a hard time explaining it and I think could only be lost in trying to. But since she gave me the best present of coming up to visit, we now have this memory to share.

Ah, and at one point I gave Megan an engagement ring, made from a cocktail straw, on the wrong finger, on the wrong hand, but the sentiment was the same :)