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!