Where's the Party?

That's how I answered the phone for 2 years of my adolescence while working at a party supply store. Regardless of what Emily Post might say in response to answering the phone with such a casual question, I happened to love it.

So, it's been quite the walk down memory lane to hear that same question repeated over and over . . . and over again. In McKay (the dining hall) all one hears over a Thursday lunch is "Where's the party?"

Surprised as some of you might be, I've only made it to one. I've been battling a cold, training for the marathon, and taking some fun (and okay - a little scary) trips to New York City. But please do let me share with you what my first 'Seminary Party' was like. I heard about it on my first night here at Princeton. I was in a car filled with girls and the conversation went something like:

"Well, I don't want my costume to be funny because it's my birthday. I want to look hot. But I don't want to go as a prostitute." huh?

It was the kick-off event of the year, and I was invited to the "Come as your favorite bible character/theme/phrase/reference."

If I doubted for one moment that I was in seminary, this put it all to rest. Oh - I'm at seminary. Despite the plethora a genius (and disturbing) ideas from friends at home, I decided not to dress up. I still don't know anyone, none of the other Juniors (first years) were dressing up, and yeah - I'm a big chicken.

But I found a group to walk over with - the party was being held in basement of Hodge (a neighboring dorm). As I approached, the music was bumping (50 Cent, Kayne, Outkast, Missy). Girls were dancing and someone ushered me to beverage area. My options were Mike's Lemonade or something pink in a trash bag lined cooler. Maybe I'm not in Seminary?

As I anticipated, not everyone was in costume. I fit in just fine in my jeans - although I decided that if I came next year, I would fill a water bottle with wine (a version of Julie's idea) and go as an original Wedding at Cana guest.

Yet, this idea would pale compared to what I saw.

• The was a sexy 'fallen' angel
• Vanity (a girl with pictures of herself taped all over)
  
• The Whore of Babylon (although I'm quite certain this young lady doesn't know Ladies of the Night (as Granny would say) dress - she was very tame)
• the JPED source and Moses (who is very angry that he no longer gets credit for writing the Pentateuch) I AM DEFINITELY AT SEMINARY
• Some t-shirts that referenced some obscure Old Testament passages in Ezekiel and Genesis (I don't really want to elaborate)
• And at last - my favorite. A tall guy wearing all khaki came in with a cone on his head that was painted red at the tip. He was Jael's tent peg!

I'm still not too sure what to think about the whole experience. It was fun. I had some nice conversations and some good laughs. I don't know if I'll go down in the record books as a partying seminarian - but I'm certainly having fun watching the others!

A Day In The Life

So Sarah . . . you no longer work at church holding down 3 positions. What do you do with your time? Why am I so surprised that I haven't gotten that question more frequently? Oh, that's right. You all knew that studying full time at Princeton would in fact be a lot of work. Well, as my dear uncle told me this evening - 'Ignorance is not a plea.'

Silly me, I thought I would have copious amounts of time to journal, run, and take up indoor planting. Let's just say that the 'copious' part has yet to arrive.

Not surprisingly, I've started on an ambitious note. 16 semester units. Here is what's in store for the Fall of 07:

Speech Communication 101- It's required for EVERYBODY. Doesn't matter if you're on an ordination track or not. However, I'm excited about the course. The professor has a background in theater (and he's British so I shall type theatre).


OT 101 - This is your basic Intro to Old Testament. I have great professors (Olson and Lapsley). So far I really like the text. Encountering Ancient Voices, Corrine
Carvalho.





Philosophy of the Arts - This class is taking me out of my element. I get to use some philosophy from my undergrad. However, the final is not a paper - rather it's a 4 person art/literature/media project. I certainly hope that I'll be able to describe it in better detail after class tomorrow.


Ethics of Human Sexuality: This is the controversial one! Ordaining women, chastity, homosexuality - if it's controversial, it's on the syllabus.



Exegesis of Hebrews (the book not the language): And yes, I'm holding on for dear life in this one. The professor is great but this course is taking a lot of prep time!



Religion and Society: I think this one is my favorite. We're reading all the old guys from Sociology [Freud, Weber, Durkheim]. We are graded on ONE paper - and the task is to define 'the sacred.' I have a feeling there will be more posts on this topic.

So, there's my schedule for the next few months. . .

I can use all the prayer I can get!

Chapter II

I'll start with a disclaimer. It is very likely that this blog will sound like a audio book. You see, I just completed my first cross-country drive. Between frantically checking maps, singing off key to my mother, and playing the Hollywood trivia game (thank you Michelle), we listened to an audio book. It wasn't extraordinary. But the narrator spoke in a British accent. And after 10 hours, her voice was in my head.

In contemplating alternatives to generic group emails, I heard that voice in my head. "Chapter Two" [heard with subtle, feminine British accent]. And thought, not for the first time since my Princeton arrival, that I find myself at the second chapter of my adult life.

My friends can tell you that I took the autobahn to adulthood. Having 'done' the college thing in my Freshman year. I moved back to Newport, got an apartment and began working - and completed my undergraduate degree on the side. Mentors and concerned family members all chided that I was to have fun and not to rush this time in my life. Well, I found that the two weren't mutually exclusive. For me, the adult responsibilities were fun (as was the decorating of the apartment, hosting parties, and the like). I was at the grown-up table. And, I loved it.

Yet here I am. Twenty five. Six years of professional experience.
And I am typing from a dorm room, having just rinsed my hot pot in the communal bathroom sink. It's not humbling. It's not a step down. It's just different. I get to have a second young adulthood.

I hope that this blog will be a way for me to stay connected to the people I so dearly love at home. And I hope it's a little of something for everyone. Theological musings for my colleagues back at the church. Funny anecdotes for friends - my next post may very likely be on my first seminary part [the theme was to come dressed as one's favorite bible character]. And updates on relationships (of all varieties) for interested parties.

So please do stay tuned. I will try to update regularly.

If I forgot to tell you before I left:
"Thank you for your support. I do miss you. See you at Christmas!"