The Outrageous "Office" 30th Birthday Party!

I love "The Office." It is easily my favorite show EVER. So what happens when you have a 30th birthday, a favorite show, and creative friends challenged by "bring it on"? You get an "Outrageous Office" Party!

I didn't know much about the evening. I knew when I was being picked up, where dinner was, and that it was an Office theme. I knew there would be MUCH more than that, but had no idea what. Was I in for a surprise!

I first met the group at Chili's, which is where Dunder Mifflin (the company from The Office) has their hang-outs. I was greeted by nearly 20 of my closest friends. I immediately had to tape a sign on my shirt that read, "it's my 30th birthday!"


My friend, Amanda, made up these business cards. They had a picture of me in my 80's outfit from a previous party, then there were different names on the cards: "Mrs. Zac Efron" (High School Musical), "Diehard Dallas Cowboy Fan," "Desperate Housewife of Collin County," "Russian Mail Order Bride," and "Paris Hilton's New BFF." Hilarious, until I was told I had to network by handing out the cards to other customers in Chili's. EMBARRASSING! But, I was forced. Julie videotaped the entire thing.

We had dinner, and afterwards Julie presented me with a "Dundee," the Office's version of an Oscar. Julie made it out of a Ken doll!


Giving my thanks for the award:


After dinner, we all went to Julie's house. Everyone (except me, of course!) was given a Performance Review Sheet. They were told to review me on four different tasks that I would complete that evening. All of the tasks were related to an Office episode. Here's Lauri, Leigh Ann, and Margaret with their sheets.


Task #1: Identifies post-it note terminology within certain time period (from Diversity Day). The group was split into two teams. I had a stack of post-it notes taped to my forehead. Each post-it note had an office related item on it (Xerox, receptionist, water cooler, etc.). I had to turn to a team, they would give me clues, and I had to guess the items. I was very quick on this one! :)


Task #2: Extracts self from box with only a dull pencil (season one episode). I could NOT believe this one! I had to get into this cardboard box, they taped it shut, and I had to get out with only a pencil. It was close quarters, but absolutely hysterical!!

"I really can't believe you're making me do this."


"But don't worry, because I'm already plotting my revenge!"


Amanda and Joy taping it up with an evil laugh.


Both hands peeking through!


Joy, Ashley, and Zoe rocking the box. It freaked me out just a bit!


I made it out! I think this task was nearly everyone's favorite!


Task #3: Demonstrates products creatively and coherently (pick and Office episode!). The group was divided into teams and given random office supplies with the instructions to create anything they wanted. I was taken into another room so I could not see, and when the teams were done, I had to guess what they made and give an impromptu sales pitch, infomercial style!

Joy and Stewart diligently working on their creation.


Team #1's creation: a helicopter that flies around the office dropping supplies.


Here I am trying to sell team #2's creation, a family.


Task #4: Removes stapler from Jello without using hands (an early Office episode). What? Wasn't the box enough? :) Oh no, of course not! I did this pretty quickly too, but it was sloppy!

Trying to figure out how to do this! Dwight the Bobblehead is watching closely!


Here goes....


Got it! :)


What do you have at an office? Donuts! So instead of cake, I blew out my candle from a Krispy Kreme donut!


I read aloud all of the evaluations, opened my cards, answered some fun questions and we all sat around talking for a long time. Julie has the entire evening video taped and is going to try to make my own Office episode. Just what I need, huh? :) It was the perfect evening. I had an absolute blast. I am so thankful and fortunate to have such fantastic friends, both who planned and came to the party. What a great way to start the 30s!



The group (minus Brandon and Cheri, and Jessica - click to make larger):


The Party Planning Committee - these girls are AMAZING!!! (Front - Julie, Joy, Back - Lauri, me, Amanda)


Thanks everyone! It is easily one of the most memorable birthdays ever! Thanks for making it so special! And Kristi, thanks for taking so many pictures! :)

Road Tripping to Kansas!

Amanda has been one of my dearest friends since I arrived here in Dallas. We met in a Bible study and our friendship grew out of a shared love for football, queso, and authentic conversation. In the same breath we can go from ridiculing the other's football team to dreaming about being stay-at-home moms together. She's one of those people you know without a shadow of doubt will be a life friend.

Last summer, Amanda was working briefly in Kansas, and on the way home from my summer in Iowa, we met in Kansas City for the weekend. You wouldn't believe the amount of fun we had unless you experienced it with us. While there, we ate at this place called Stroud's, which we fell in love with. There's three locations: two in Kansas City and one in Wichita. We joked that when she was back in Dallas we would take a road trip to Wichita just to eat at Strouds.

We took that road trip this weekend. Reminisce with me....

Saturday morning we left in Amanda's car with coffee to go and nothing stopping us. Conversation was nonstop as we headed up I-35 to Oklahoma City to make our first stop. Neither of us had seen the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial for the Murrah Building:



Someone had recommended that we visit the riverwalk area in downtown Oklahoma City, so we hopped a trolley and took it to Bricktown.



Bricktown is where the city made a canal through an old business district. It's now a hot spot with a plethora of restaurants (including Toby Keith's), shopping, and entertainment. Outside the baseball field, there's a statue of one of my grandpa's favorite baseball players - Mickey Mantle.



Of course, you can't go to a riverwalk without taking water taxi cruise....



After we finished at Bricktown, we went to a BBQ restaurant called County Line. It's one of Amanda's favorite places from growing up in Lubbock, but there's not a location in DFW. It was fantastic! We both had the #1 food NOT to have on a date - barbeque ribs!

Early in the evening we drove to Wichita, which was about two hours from OKC. We had noticed plenty of lightning while we were driving, but didn't think much of it. We checked into the hotel and then went to a mall. We noticed a few stores were closed, but others were open. Turns out we were in a tornado warning at the time, which we found ironic! The worst of the storm was in a different section of the county, so we weren't in danger, but we joked about getting red slippers. :) We also witnessed a theft - a guy running off with belts from a kiosk. Craziness!

Sunday we ate at the long-awaited Strouds for lunch and were not disappointed! It was definitely worth the drive. In Kansas City I also introduced Amanda to the clothing store, Maurices. I've known it forever, but it's not around in Dallas. She loved it, so we made a stop at FOUR Maurices - three in Wichita, one in Oklahoma City. I know, crazy! We're planning to make this trip a couple times a year!



The weekend could not have went any better! We kept saying how much fun we had. Silly spontaneity - a benefit of singleness! :)

A Full Happy Tank!

Can I just say, the last couple of weeks have just been amazing, refreshing, joyful, smiling, (insert any positive adjective). I'm just plain happy. I find myself smiling at random points of the day. I don't know what's gotten into me, but I love it! I haven't felt like this in a long time. After a rough year+ of various things, I feel like I'm becoming me again.

A list reflecting on the good things in life lately:

1. Admittedly, I had been thinking for the past few months of making a move to St. Louis to be closer to home. Very few people knew that because I didn't want to make a big deal out of it unless it was happening for sure. I had started looking into school districts and applying for jobs. But, I have decided not to move, at least this year. I realized things are going too well here and there's too many opportunities going for me. So, I'm here in Dallas to stay!

2. I know I've mentioned it before, and I can't tell you how much I love my job. It's a big reason I'm staying here. It's a perfect fit for me.

3. I'm going to grad school! I'm going to be getting my Master's in Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a literacy emphasis through the University of Texas - Arlington. That's a mouthful! :) I've been thinking about it for awhile and have decided it's time. The bonus is that my school district will pay for it! woo hoo! Disclaimer: going to a University of Texas system school in no way, shape or form makes me a Longhorn!

4. Without going into details, I got up the nerve to have a difficult conversation with someone this past week. While there was some sadness there, I can now get back on track to living a life glorifying to God, something I was having trouble doing the past year.

5. Friends - oh my, I think this is what has helped me smile the most. I went through a weird time last fall where I felt disconnected socially. Many of my closer friends were in different places, I left my long-time singles group at church because I didn't feel like I "fit" and I was finding myself lonely. This past month I have had such meaningful times with friends, whether it's a concert, girl time, conversations, and Sunday lunch. It's been a huge help!

6. Exercise - I'm now halfway through bootcamp and surviving! I've also successfully avoided fast food for two weeks now! While I'm not totally eating healthy yet, I'm making small changes one step at a time that will hopefully lead to bigger changes down the road.

Ran out of time! In the meantime, I'm :) :) :) :)

Randomness....

Where did the last two weeks go?? This year is already moving faster than any other year. There's only three weeks until spring break. While I'm excited about that, I can't believe it. We're already talking about end-of-the-year procedures at school. What?! I feel like I just started the year!

So, yes, three weeks until spring break!! Which means three weeks until I go to Iowa!!! YAY! Can't wait. There's been so much progress on the house and I'm so eager to see it. Plus, I'll see my nephews, family, friends, and go shopping for dresses for Nate's wedding! woo hoo!

I started something new last week - fitness boot camp! I successfully lost 25 pounds two years ago and so want to get back on that track. One of the local gyms was offering a "mini camp" specifically designed for women and I quickly signed up. I go on Tuesday/Thursday mornings at 6 a.m. (yes, that's crazy!). It flat out kicked my rear, but in a good way. I've finally shaken the muscle soreness, just in time to go again! I'm excited about it, and am going to the gym on my own on the other days. yay!

I went to a Chris Tomlin concert last night. AMAZING. It was basically just a big worship night. Incredible. I miss that type of worship. I need it. But that's another post. :)

I'm sitting here waiting for Slumdog Millionaire to win Best Picture. It's won six already!! Spectacular movie. If you haven't seen it, you should!

"He's Just Not That Into You" Movie Review

**SPOILER WARNING - I will be talking about quite a bit of the plot, so if you don't want to know, read this after you see it!**

I, like many of my single girlfriends, have been eagerly anticipating the opening of the new movie, "He's Just Not That Into You." Great cast, great book, great previews, story of our lives - what is there not to be excited about, especially with a not-so-fun-holiday just around the corner? This was one movie I wanted to go to opening weekend.

Now, let me preface this by saying I rarely get riled up by movies. This is very unusual. Plus, I can usually let negative things in movies slide. What's alarming to me in this movie is that the message is so blatant and romanticized. Keep reading for more on that.

HJNTIY follows several characters around in their quest for "true love." One girl never receives call backs from dates, one wants her live-in boyfriend to marry her, another is searching. There are many positive elements to the film - open, honest, and caring friendships, the encouragement for singles to be who they are. It has several funny lines, and it's easy to get swept up by the feel-goodness of it.

However, the negative elements:

1. Neil, who is living with his girlfriend Beth, comments that they don't need to be married because married people can't be trusted, and that the only reason people get married is because they have something to "prove to others."

2. Later, Neil tells Beth that they are more committed than married people and he's more of a husband than the others. They don't need marriage. She agrees. Now, there is a somewhat redeemable ending, but it doesn't reverse the message given just moments before.

3. Sex - this is, of course, common in movies today. It's everywhere, and every couple is doing it, and usually immediately into the relationship. Granted, everyone is looking for a meaningful, intimate relationship (which is positive), but it appears that type of relationship is to be attained by the physical.

4. Ben and Janine are a married couple. At first, it looks like they have a solid marriage. The Ben meets Anna, and she immediately catches his eye. Anna's friend tells her to pursue Ben even though he's married, saying, "many married people realize they belong with someone else." Ben does hold out on Anna briefly, claiming marriage (positive), but the next thing we see is them in bed together. They continue their affair, even after Ben has admitted it to his wife.

5. Not a single husband in the movie is portrayed in a positive light. Ben has an affair and is made out to be a liar. Beth's brothers-in-law are shown being lazy slobs that don't help out around the house.

I know, these things aren't necessarily new in entertainment. Although, off the top of my head, I can't think of a movie where an affair was essentially positively portrayed, and marriage not really uplifted. It was like the movie version of Cosmopolitan magazine.

What struck me the most was the audience reaction. Our large theatre was filled with women, and many, many teenage girls. In one scene, Ben and Anna are about to have sex when Ben's wife interrupts them (unknowingly). Anna hides, and Janine tries to seduce Ben. She asks Ben if he wants to save their marriage, and he tentatively says yes. At that moment, I heard many girls gasp and say "no!" showing they would rather see Ben continue his affair with Anna. When Neil states he's more of a husband than a real husband and that they don't need marriage, I heard the girls cheer and clap. Sure, they're clapping because Neil and Beth were getting back together, but there's more to it.

Is this the message we want to portray to our young women? Where is the sanctity of marriage? In an age where young women are already very sexually active, the message is "marriage is not a necessity, marriage does not have to be forever because it's ok if you find someone better, and sex while dating is fine and encouraged." With movies like this, how in the world do we expect solid marriages to happen? Our young women are going to pursue relationships like the ones in the movie and others, thinking it's normal, only to find emptyness.

More than ever we, as a society, need to showing what a committed marriage looks like. Kudos to you in youth ministry because I believe there is no greater need right now than for godly men and women of integrity to step up and guide our youth. You have an enormous, but not an impossible task!

Blow it off as another fun movie if you want. It's easy to do if you're mature in your convictions and beliefs. But realize there is another whole generation and culture that does not have stability at home, and is turning to their Hollywood role models for direction in life. This is why "He's Just Not That Into You" is really a movie I'm just not into - at all.

Culture Thought #3 - Three Things

As I mentioned in my last post, I mentioned that there are three ways believers can/should live in our culture. Again, these were presented to us by Mark Young.

1 Peter 2:11-12 (New International Version)

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

How Now Do I Live in This Culutre?

1. First, we must live with a commitment to do what's right. Obviously, we as believers, must follow God's law. But it also includes doing what's right in our society, workplace, relationships, etc.

2. Next, whatever we are, say, and do, we must be relevant, or understandable. We need to use "their" (as in, another culture or the unsaved) language and behaviors. This is where it can be tricky and controversial. Some would say, "so does that mean I can go and do ________?" Well, remember, first we must be right. If you're not right, you're blowing your whole testimony. What is right/wrong is a whole other post, if not a whole other BLOG! :)

3. Finally, we have to be redemptive. We need to live in a way that calls people to want to be with God. It's the whole "something's different about you; what is it?" deal. A person that carries around a placard saying "God hates fags" is not going to be redemptive to those around him. On the flipside, a person that is loving, humble, caring, etc, etc, etc, is naturally going to invite those to learn more.

Mark ended with this statement - "Live in such a way that you're rooted in the way that is right, but live in a way that is beneficial to those around you." Good stuff. Easy to say, many times hard to do.

One final quote, which could lead to another discussion...... :)

“Christians often just don’t believe, in our heart of hearts,
that what happens in the workplace, in school, on
playgrounds, really has the same kind of eternal
significance as the work we do in the church. We tend to see
“the world” largely as a place from which we call people
into the life of the church, rather than as a place to which
God calls people from the church.”

Andy Crouch

Culture Thought #2 - Defining It

Before I start blogging even more about culture and the oh-so-fun things I'm learning and discovering, allow me to define culture. This definition comes from Dr. Mark Young, missions pastor at my church, Stonebriar Community Church. He is also professor of missions at Dallas Theological Seminary. He taught our culture class this past Sunday.

On a personal note, I had the privilege to travel to India on mission trip with Mark's wife, Priscilla. I have a huge respect for them and their love and commitment to missions. Every time I talk to Priscilla she challenges me, and my chat with her on Sunday was no different. More on that later.

Culture is a way of life marked by shared beliefs, shared values, shared behaviors, and shared structures.

Society is a higher structure which encompasses more than one culture.

For example, take the United States. We are all a society in that we share the same President, same federal laws, currency, interstates, basic educational structure, flag, etc.

However, under the American society, there are many cultures. El Paso, Texas has a different way of life than New York City. People up north call the fizzy drink "pop." In the south it's "soda" or "coke" (even if it's Dr. Pepper!). A rural farmer from Iowa and a businessman from Los Angeles both live in the same society, but live in completely different cultures.

Why is this important? It affects how believers think about culture and how to appropriately live in it. In my next post, I'll talk about how Paul talks about culture and three ways how believers can live in their own culture and others.

For now, I love this quote. Food for thought.

“God hasn’t called us to be culture haters. We hate the
world system, not the culture. God actually celebrates
culture – speaking of men and women from every tongue,
tribe, and nation. Preaching against culture – as we often
do – is like preaching against someone’s house. It is just
where they live. There is good in it, and there is bad in it –
preach discernment, not culture condemnation.”
Ed Stetzer

Culture Thought #1

I've been taking a class at church called "Christ and Culture" and WOW have I enjoyed it! It's only six weeks long, and today was the second week. It's really got me thinking. Here's something that was presented to us the first week. I'm curious to see what you think. Post your answer in the comment section. You can just put the letter or explain it!

Scenario: Your church is starting a new outreach ministry called the "Magdalene Project." As a female participant, you will put together gift baskets full of lotions and other girly products. One Friday or Saturday night, you and the other women go to different strip clubs in your area. You may need to walk through the main stage area, but you go straight to the dressing rooms, where you present the gift baskets to the strippers. You spend some time talking to them and sharing the Gospel. (By the way, the strip club knows you are coming and approve of it). Meanwhile, your husband/boyfriend is standing outside the strip club to make sure you are safe. They never enter, unless there's a problem of course.

This project is announced at church and seeks volunteers. As a woman, do you:

A. Sign up that day and become very involved.
B. Think and pray about it, discuss it with your spouse and come to a joint decision to both be involved.
C. Decide to partially participate by donating items or putting together the baskets, but not go to the club.
D. Decide it's not the right ministry for you, but support those getting involved.
E. Disagree with the ministry, saying the church should not go to a strip club.
F. Other - which you must explain! :)

As a man, do you:

A. Immediately encourage your wife/girlfriend to become involved if she desires, and support her by also going.
B. Think and pray about it, discuss it with your spouse and come to a joint decision to both be involved.
C. Allow your wife to become involved, but discourage her from going to the strip club.
D. Support the ministry, but decide not to get involved.
E. Flat-out tell your wife you would prefer she doesn't participate in the project.
F. Other - which you must explain!

This is an actual ministry at a church in Austin, Texas (and in other places I would imagine).

C'mon! Post your answer! Like I said, you only have to post a letter, but I'm interested in your thoughts. I will post my initial answer soon, along with the discussion we had in class.

Life These Days....

Hello Blogosphere. Been awhile hasn't it? I know, I'm a blog slacker.

Here's a rundown on the past few months:

House

This is what the house looked like the morning of June 14, 2008.


Of course, later that same day, the house was nearly covered with water. Six weeks later, when the water had finally receded, this is what we were left with:



Now, seven months after the levee break, the house looks like this!



Mom and Dad made the decision to rebuild last October and haven't looked back since. We're all thrilled to be back! They made some adjustments to the floorplan to make it perfect for them. Mom and Dad will now have a master bath and walk-in closet, the laundry was moved from the basement to the main floor, and the former living room is being converted into two bedrooms. The biggest change is the addition being put on the south side of the house, where the deck used to be. This will now be the living room and comes straight off the kitchen. It's full of windows, so it's going to be pretty!

I can't say enough about the Apostolic Christian Church, which is the church I grew up in. Their mission/outreach group, World Relief, adopted my family and have been providing all of the labor to rebuild. You can't even begin to describe the appreciation for this. They've been working so hard on the house, through cold, snowy weather. I really shoud devote a whole blog post to that! The expected completion date is late spring/early summer. I'm hoping I'll be able to come up and help them move into our old, but new house!

Life in General

I can't believe how time is flying. We're already at the end of January!! Before I know it, it will be spring break, and usually after spring break it's all downhill from there. I LOVE my job. If you don't know, I teach preschool special education in a public school district. I have two classes - a morning and afternoon session. My morning session is integrated, which means I have kids with special needs and "typically developing" kids. I have 10 in that session, and six in the afternoon. I love seeing every one of them every day. They are an absolute delight. Every day I'm guaranteed 16 goodbye hugs and kisses, plus lots of hand holding. Does it get any sweeter than that? :)

Honestly, it's just been a weird few months. I enjoy my job and have lots of good friends, but miss Iowa, especially with the flood, nephews, and other family. It's just been one of those "dry" times in life. I don't really have any major stress or complaints, it's just been, well, dry. Life has changed in several ways and I'm trying to keep up and adjust to all of those changes, some of which has been easy, and some that's been hard. I'm working on some of my own changes, too, which is good! I have no idea what life is going to hold for this year, but am attempting to trust God with that!

Enough for now! I'm in a new Sunday school class studying Christ and Culture and have some thoughts on that. I'll post some thoughts after tomorrow's class!

Thanks for reading!