1. The Office ended last night (newsflash). I haven’t seen it yet, so no spoilers in the comments, please. I enjoyed this Grantland article about the end of the show, and how influential and significant it may have really been. I also enjoyed this farewell video:

2. Here’s a game if you love geography or just want to kill some time: GeoGuessr. Basically, they show you a picture from Google Earth and you guess where it is. The closer you get, the more points you get.

3. Andrew Ripp, Andrew Ripp, and Andrew Ripp, ladies and gentlemen:

4. How Social Media Made Me a Better Person, a very good article over at Relevant.

5. Last week, I wrote about patience and Disneyland on the Threads Life Blog. Check it out here.

1. The Office is ending next week. It’s one of those shows that had a few bad seasons, but I’ve still seen every episode. They’re wrapping it up well, I think, and I’d be lying if I said I probably won’t tear up at least a little during the last episode.

Along with all the actual wrap-up stuff, The Office stars have been making appearances places. Like, in Scranton. They’re doing The Office Farewells on NBC.com. As of this moment, it is mostly secondary characters, but I heard some of the main people also recorded some. Jenna Fischer talked with Jimmy Fallon about how she couldn’t be Pam without John Krasinski as Jim (awww…and I agree). And, finally, in the best 8 minutes and 40 seconds on the internet right now, Jimmy Fallon and John Krasinski have a Lip Sync-Off:

2. I spent several minutes scrolling through some of the fails at You Had One Job.

3. This video of a commencement speech by David Foster Wallace is very interesting. The disclaimer part of this is that I don’t agree with his ideas of Truth and the why behind this philosophy, but I do agree that we can choose how we look at others. For Christians, I think this would be that we see others as image-bearers of God and we choose to love them.

Anyway, here’s the video:

4. Like working in a coffee-shop environment? Now you can have the ambiance of a coffee shop anywhere you have your computer (or smart phone)! This website streams coffee shop background noise through the web. Maybe also light some coffee-scented candles…or, you know, actual coffee.

5. Finally, I found this gem this week and I’m not sure why I haven’t seen it before. Julie Andrews with the real-life Maria Von Trapp!

1. Tripp and Tyler are hilarious. I saw this video last year (maybe the year before?) at Catalyst and…so funny. I’m glad they finally get to share it with the masses (and I with you):

2. I don’t have kids, but I have friends who are teachers and I loved this from Jen Hatmaker: Dear Teachers Everywhere.

3. How special are you?

I learned that I’m a mutant in at least one way, so I’m waiting on my invitation, X-Men.

4. Shout out to everyone graduating anything or perhaps not graduating anything, but still trying to figure out what they’re doing with their life. It will be okay.

5. These guys are the little brother and friends of a friend of a friend. So, it’s almost like I know famous people, right? Anyway, I thought this was funny:

Bonus Thing: May 3-12, from 3-5pm is Happy Hour time at Starbucks. Half off any Frappuccino at participating stores.

I ask a question, we all answer in the comments. Conversations encouraged.

As the season wraps up, and we say goodbye to several of our favorites (Liz Lemon, Jim and Pam, Carly Shay, etc.) and look forward to seeing some great ones again (Bravermans, Mindy, Nick and Jess, etc.), let’s talk TV characters.

Which TV show character are you most like?

1. I thought these pro-literacy ads were pretty clever.

2. I could not figure out if this is an actual movie coming to theaters or, like, a tourism kind of deal. Either way, I’d like to see it. I love this town:

3. My friend teaches 6th graders how to write. I think he teaches them other things, too. He said something about ancient China once. Anyway, he started tweeting out his kids’ answers to writing assignments a while back and I told him he needed a tumblr. Well, tah-dah! Here it is. Hilarious stuff that real kids write for real assignments.

4. Lennon and Maisy have a new video out. So, of course, it’s in the Friday Five.

5. You guys, I loved American Girl Dolls growing up. I think I’ve mentioned that somewhere before. Apparently, they’re losing their historical “edge.” I read this article and this article about it this week. I’m not happy about this. Good thing my mom saved every single piece of American Girl gear we ever had, so if I have daughters, they can learn about pioneering and patriotism and the underground railroad the same way I did.

I attempted to learn things. I was moved by those who did. I wanted to change, to grow. I listened to worship music, trying to rejoice and praise Him who made a much bigger sacrifice than tea.

Around week two, after approximately 3 hours of sleep and 6 ounces of Peanut M&Ms, I told God this Lent thing was not very convenient for me right now. In case you missed the audacity there: After merely 14 days of going without my beverage of choice, I told the God of the universe who sacrificed his own Son out of love for humanity–the act of which Lent is in remembrance–that it was not a great time for me to only be able to drink clean, filtered water.

God, in his grace, chose not to strike me dead on the spot. Instead, he gently reminded me that it was not convenient to die for my sins on the cross. It was not convenient for him to come to earth as a man and die an excruciating death in order to offer forgiveness to me.

In a borrowed office, I snake my hand across the desk. One side, we’ve established, is God; the other, sin. I motion with my hands, showing the unbeliever on the other side of someone else’s desk, the walk of a Christian. It is not a straight line. Not smooth. It starts and stops, swirls. The repentances make pockets in the line I continue to draw with my fingers. U-turns, I explain.

This Lent was like that line. It was not a straight shot to God and holiness. It was twisting, winding, hard. The U-turn described above was not the only one.

Perhaps this Lent was the most real one I’ve had. This Lent, more than the others I’ve observed, demonstrated my need for forgiveness, my need for a Savior. Giving up tea showed me my depravity. In my depravity, I was reminded of God’s love.

This is another video-heavy post. My apologies. But at least I have five links this week.

1. We all love Pitch Perfect (right?) and one of everyone’s favorite parts of Pitch Perfect is when Anna Kendrick sings “Cups” (right?). There’s now a music video out for it:

2. I just thought this post by Ashley Jones about dating (or the lack thereof) was just funny.

3. You may have seen this already at this point, but here’s the Evolution of Music:

4. I don’t need to tell you that this week has been crazy for our country. There have been bombs, explosions, floods, tornadoes, and I think maybe even an earthquake? In the midst of all this craziness, there was a Boston Bruins game. I love this video of the national anthem (Americans, prepare your tissues):

5. I never know what to say during times like this, other than I’m praying, because I am. This week, this verse has been constantly on my mind:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

This Psalm, sung by Jenny and Tyler is also a lovely reminder of a God who is with us:

1. Reasons My Son Is Crying is my favorite tumblr of the week. It’s also worth noting that Jamie tweeted this link early this week and then my dad mentioned her (first name only) at the dinner table.

2. “I don’t think I have a skin disease” is how I’m describing my shins these days. They got a little burnt two weekends ago and are now peeling. Just in time for the wedding I’m in, wearing a knee-length dress. I’m a genius.

3. Also, let’s see how many of you are in/going to weddings this weekend. Because I know four people getting married today and tomorrow. Eight if you count both people in the couple (I guess they aren’t yet one person). That’s crazy, y’all.

Congrats all around!

4. In case you were wondering, this is how animals eat their food:

5. Okay, I don’t know if it’s me or the internet or what, but we’re going to crowd source this last one (and let’s face it, 2 and 3 were just sort of phoned-in. My apologies). See something funny/thought-provoking/beautiful/mildly amusing this week? Link to it in the comments. Feel free to shamelessly plug your own work. (Let’s keep it about PG-level, though, por favor.)

I am here to announce that…..

Jeff Kelly won the edhyndman.com bracket challenge and $25 Amazon gift card!

Jeff is a real-life friend/coworker/fake roommate/trivia teammate of mine. Originally, he asked to make a speech, but declined when I took him seriously.

Thanks to everyone who played this year! It was very close.

I learned a few things this year. Apparently, while Gonzaga is usually rated high, they “always” “choke” “during tournaments.” Harvard proved you can be smart and athletic. Florida Gulf Coast was not the ocean. People can get horrifically injured just jumping in the air. Kentucky people (Kentuckians?) are crazy about basketball. Like, literally, erratic behavior.

Also, quick apology to those who signed up for the tournament bracket on CBS.com. I’m not even sure how that existed, or how to check it. This is why you should always read the instructions first.

1. First of all, let me say that the last two weeks have been insane. INSANE, I tell you. But this week was “Spring Break” (hahaha) and so, I’m feeling sort of back to normal. Maybe there will even be a non-Monday/Friday post this week. Maybe. I’m making no promises. Contributing to the feelings of normalcy? I can drink tea again. You guys, this needs to be a full post. Hold me accountable.

2. I stopped watching Nashville. It just got time consuming and I had other important things to do like win* at trivia on Wednesday nights. #LetsGetTrivial (That’s our team name.)

HOWEVER, you know my feelings toward Lennon and Maisy (Laura and I are their biggest fans). And they sang this song on this week’s Nashville. I love it.

Ho Hey Cover – Stella Sisters (ABC’s Nashville) on Disney Video

3. ”Whenever you feel compassion – be thrilled! It means God is speaking to you, and that is magic. It means He trusts you and needs you.” I enjoyed this guest post: For Adam.

4. Apparently, we shouldn’t use the snooze button. I will say, I tried this a couple of mornings and I did feel better. Usually, logic isn’t my strong suit first thing in the morning, though, so I can’t say I haven’t hit the snooze button most mornings since watching this. Habits take time.

5. I’m thinking of turning the Friday Five into a link-up thing. I am fully aware that this idea didn’t originate with me, but I’ve noticed some other blogs I read also doing the five-things-on-Friday posts and I think it would be fun to make it a party. Any tips on link-ups? I have no idea what I’m doing here.

*Occasionally.