Just got back from a huuuuuge dinner at a tapas restaurant in Evanston, which was fun (nine of us in the group) and oh so yummy! And then, just as they were thinking about what to have for dessert, Tami (the organizer and birthday girl) mentioned a chocolate bar around the corner, so we paid for dinner and headed over there. Five of the group got little chocolate truffles, etc., but the other four of us split a fondue. I never realized how good graham crackers dipped in chocolate is! The marshmallows, pound cake, and bananas were also good, but the graham crackers were addicting. And now I am so stuffed.
Oh, and Tami being the Tami she is, she told the server that we were celebrating both her and my birthdays and do we get any free chocolate for that? He gave us a choice of chocolate coins or peppermint bark (she took the first, I got the second), but when he brought them out to us, it wasn't just the little truffle-sized nugget I was expecting, but an entire package of them! Another one of the group had bought a bunch of chocolate to take back to work with her, and after the server left, she told us that the packages were worth about $10 each!
Definitely had a blast, and not only did I enjoy the company and the food, but I made a very valuable library contact--one of the group whom I've met at several of Tami's parties in the past is a librarian, which I didn't know for some reason. I asked where he worked, and he said he was the geneological librarian at the Newberry Library downtown, which is my dream library to work at!! I chatted with him about my library experience (as he said, just about everything except for medical) and asked what classes I should take in my MLS program (if I get accepted--knock on wood!), and also that he shouldn't be surprised if he gets a phone call from me in three years, looking for a job at the Newberry. He gave me his card, which I am making damn sure I hang onto!