I'm reading a book from high school - Ender's Game. It might be Young Adult, but it's fantastic!! :o) I love sci fi / fantasy, but I need some suggestions of good books... anyone have any?

Also, I just got on Twitter, and it's pretty exciting.

I <3 KimOEsq

I'm not sure if I could possibly be more excited for my wedding... although I bet the closer it gets, the more excited I will become... I literally can barely wait!! Over Spring Break, I got so many planning details done. I love planning my wedding so much. I think I might be sad when I get back from Jamaica just because it's all over... :( Here is my To Do list that I've been going through:

- Address Inner Envelopes X
- Burn CDs, put together favors X
- Write ceremony programs X
- Print Response Cards X
- Print Reception Cards X
- Plan Bridesmaids meeting(s) X
- Make Wedding Day Schedule for important peeps
- Make Guest List into cards [with all information] X
- Get stamps X
- Make guest baskets X
- E-mail Aunt her reading X
- Order Table Linens X
- Order cake topper X
- Honeymoon playlist
- E-mail Kelti her reading X
- Start Honeymoon packing list X
- Think of a ring inscription X [Totus Tuus]
- Finish mybella website
- Find out about sodering/engraving X
- Add Nathan's music to ITunes X
- Reception playlists
- Take full invite to post office... # of stamps? X
- Cut Reception Cards X
- Get wedding bands engraved X
- Call Notre Dame... resend info X
- Order M&Ms

I still have 4 items left to complete. 80 more days.......

Also, I am not supposed to know about my bridal shower, but I'm excited for it. I have deduced when it will be which just makes me more excited. I also know my bridesmaids are involved, and so I know it's going to be great. There is something exciting happening almost every weekend until the wedding:

- THIS Saturday: I get to try on my dress!! First Fitting. EEEEEEEE!!!
- Nothing the following weekend...
- May 9th No Wedding-related things, but it is my sister's graduation; Mother's day/Mom's bday
- May 16th MY BRIDAL SHOWER!! & my sister's graduation
- May 23rd send wedding invitations :-D
- May 29th Last Day of School
- June 6th Probably date of the Bridesmaids meeting
*** ONE MONTH UNTIL THE WEDDING ***
- June 19th Expecting Response Cards back. -> At this point, I will be able to figure out where people will be sitting (I get to fill out a diagram!!! I already have the colors of the table runners figured out) and I will get to write out the place cards. I will be so close.

Right now, I'm still 80 days away, but already, I can almost taste the wedding cake. *Le sigh* I really can't wait until my wedding, but at the same time, I feel like when it's all over, I'm going to miss being engaged. :( It's a pickle. I love Calvin... I'm just going to try to take it one step at a time...

God, please give me patience!

<3 SQ

Empty Shoes by Rich Dittus http://www.richdittus.com/

This is a good question.... I might have to think about it a little more, but it's probably the song I listed above. This artist isn't very well known, but he is absolutely amazing, and I'm sure he is going to be GREAT!

I realize the election is over, but this is something I have to get off my chest; it's been stirring around for a long time. I guess now that the Inauguration has happened, it's finally sinking in what we've gotten ourselves into...

I've heard several people tell me 'you can't be a single-issue voter.' In normal circumstances, I would agree. However, since we have the abortion issue to deal with, being a single-issue voter was not only justifiable, but we had a moral obligation to do it. Picture this...

We're in Nazi Germany, and have an opportunity to vote in someone to replace Hitler (I realize that Nazi German was not a democracy by any stretch, but just bare with me please) with someone else and there are 2 candidates. Candidate A says: "I will do everything I can to end the Holocaust." and the Candidate B says: "I will pass laws solidifying our right to exterminate Jews and other non-white, non-Protestants, and I will repeal any anti-Holocaust policies or legislation." Let's also say that both candidates have track records to back up what they're saying.
Maybe the economy in Nazi German wasn't the greatest, maybe there were concerns about immigration or welfare, but to vote for any issue other than the Holocaust would be lunacy. We would be morally obligated to vote for the person who would end the killing because it is overwhelmingly more important than any other issue.

The Holocaust resulted in the brutal death of 12 million people. It was a terrible and shameful time in our history. I can't say enough about how disgusting the Holocaust was.

Now in America, we have killed 50 million people, and we have elected the most pro-abortion candidate possible. He is already repealing pro-life policies, just as he promised. I am upset with the way Catholics voted in this election. The US Council of Catholic Bishops told us of 5 non-negotiable issues that we had to keep in mind in the ballot box: 1. abortion 2. embryonic stem cell research 3. human cloning 4. euthanasia 5. gay marriage. As Catholics, we could have - and should have - been a united front, a strong voice in this horrible time in American history. We were one Supreme Court Justice away from having a pro-life majority on the bench; we could have overturned Roe v. Wade! However, it seems that we ignored the council of Bishops and voted the wrong way in this crucial election. As far as I'm concerned, everyone who voted for Barak Obama has hands soaked in the blood of the innocents. As we kill 4,000 children every day, we are up to our elbows in their innocent blood. We all need to do everything we can to stop this American Holocaust, and by voting for this extreme pro-abortion candidate, we have let those children down. I think Catholics should go to Confession if they voted for Obama.

May God have mercy on all of us; may God have mercy on this country.

We must be vigilant! Even if you voted for Obama, we can all stand together now against his pro-abortion policies. Watch out for the Freedom of Choice Act, which he has said will be his first priority as far as legislation to pass. Watch also for other legislation where ideals of the Freedom of Choice Act will be buried or hidden - especially in any health care or economic bills. I know there is a post card campaign going on right now in parishes all over the country - that is one way to fight this.

God bless.

Today is the anniversary of Roe v Wade... The court made the decision, legislating from the bench (instead of interpreting the law) that killing children is a "right" of women. Well, in actuality, abortion kills children and hurts women, sometimes scarring them for life. It destroys families and is breaking down our society. 50 million babies have been brutally killed in the name of 'choice'. Women don't want to have abortions. Abortion is in fact, the greatest exploitation of women. There are so many holes in our world; how can we go on when so many are missing? We are so lucky - everyone and anyone who is reading this - to have survived this genocide. Abortion is truly the United States' Holocaust. But it is hidden, although the abortion mills are not. We MUST stand up and fight. We have to fight like the abolitionists, the civil rights workers, and the good Germans who stood up to the Nazis. This is URGENT! Abortion has to end NOW!



We have just sworn in the most extreme pro-abortion candidate possible to the office of United States President... Here is a quote from Father Frank Pavone, Priests for Life:
"It is a time to reflect on the purpose of government, which is the protection of the rights of the citizens, rights which – as the Declaration of Independence states – come from God rather than from government. Senator Hubert Humphrey once said, (quote) “The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and handicapped.” (end quote). Let’s pray for our new President, that he may understand that to push for more abortion rights would be the most harmful thing he could do, and would turn the purpose of government on its head."

Fr. Frank

Dear God,
Please help our nation, and the people who are supposed to be serving the common good of the people. Have mercy on this country and all of us in it who are up to our heads in the blood of millions of innocent babies. We pray in reparation for the sins against humanity that we and our fellow countrymen have committed either with or without intent. These are our little brothers and sisters. Please remind us that it is our DUTY as Catholics, as Christians, as faithful, as fellow HUMAN BEINGS to STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT AND PROTECT THEM. Help us to pick up the cross and fight for an end to abortion. Please help us to end this Holocaust. Enter into the hearts of women, men, and families facing crisis pregnancies. Give them the courage to choose life. Help anyone who is considering abortion and convince them to do the right thing. Please be with all women and men who have participated in or had abortions. Reveal yourself to them and help them to come to you for mercy and forgiveness. Let them heal from their grief. Amen.

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us
Saint Joseph, pray for us
Saint Gianna, pray for us
Saint Maximillion Kolbe, pray for us
Saint Gerard, pray for us
Blessed Theresa of Calcutta, pray for us
John Paul the Great, pray for us
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us


Eternal Father, we offer to you the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.... in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
Jesus, I trust in you. <3

Warrior Creed
Lansing Catholic Central

Before I can lead others, I must first conquer myself.

To conquer myself I need a firm commitment in my heart and a steady reliance on God.

I will battle myself and seek to control the self-destructive impulses in me.

I understand that this battle begins and ends with the little things, and they are the focus of my battle.

I summarize this attitude with the expression:

“I will act as I wish I felt”

If I do this every day in the little battles, I will be an awesome, powerful force on the field of competition, in the classroom, at my home and in my daily life.

Thus, with the help of God, I will be the best man I can be.

Once I lead, I must be someone worth following, and make sure that I am leading people to a good place.

To assist me in becoming the man I need to be, I have goals, which I will strive for everyday. I have my daily battles that I will fight with all my heart.

I truly know that we, as warriors, are one and will support each other in striving for their goals. If one fails, we all fail. If one rises, we all rise.

Lastly, I pray to the Lord that I will never give up, with the strength He has given me, in conquering myself and striving to be a warrior.

First, as a group, we commit to the following goals:

- Women and authority figures will be treated with respect and honor.

- The weak and defenseless get my protection and care.

- I will never disrespect my parents.

- I will admit when I am wrong.

- I will not lie.

I realize that this is late but whatev, I love poetry <3

KIM SLEEPS WITH THE SNOW
JACK FROST IS A DIRTY DIRTY WHORE
KIM SOMEONE ELSE PLEASE

Kim, Jack is lucky to have you, but you need to move on because your relationship is hurting me. I don't mean to be possessive, but have you seen it outside?!! Please, find someone else. Thanks in advance, Jamie

P.S. If you're happy, I'm happy though. Don't hate me. I just thought I'd ask. I'm... so... cold... lol All in fun all in fun

Ok here is a better one...

SNOWING IN WIDE CHUNKS
EASILY FLOATING DOWN COVER
CONSUMING ALL LIFE

FROZEN COLD CAPSULES
LOCKED INSIDE CANNOT GO OUT
TRAPPED FIVE LONG MONTHS LONG

BUT I HAVE TO GO
MY SKIN HURTS THE COLD PEIRCES
OUT INTO THE COLD

.........................................................

Oh global warming
swarming cool flakes everywhere
cold crisp and biting

Al Gore is a man
of broken promises of
warmth and happiness

ohmigosh! VOLLYBALL!!! I sucked at it and it hurt my arm real bad! I dreaded going to gym everyday, but it was much worse during the Vollyball unit. Ugh. My favorite thing about college when I first got there was no gym class. I guess my favorite would be hockey, but I wasn't very good at that either. My high school had some amazing alternatives though... my two favorites were 1.) Yoga and 2.) Bowling. There was also golf somethings... Taibo was fun (sp?) and "fitness" was okay because we got to do whatever we wanted in the weight room. Oh I hate running too!!! The Mile day (twice a year) was the worst day of my life each day. Thank you for asking. I feel like I needed to get that off my chest.

I have too many tags :( How do I get rid of them?? I went in and deleted them from the entries, but they're still there... it just says "0 entries" now :-/ HELP!

So I was watching TBS with the Cal-future hubbyface and they had "The 50 Funniest Movies of 2008". I TOTALLY disagree with the order that the movies were broken down by! The worst is that the people voted for them!! [I should expect no less... people in this country suck at voting for things apparently lol] Anyway, I decided to make my OWN list!! However, this will only have movies that I have seen. Here we go:

9.) Forgetting Sarah Marshall
8.) 27 Dresses
7.) Wall-E
6.) Step Brothers
5.) Role Models
4.) Hancock
3.) An American Carol
2.) Pineapple Express
1.) Get Smart

I haven't even seen 10 funny movies this year... but this is the order of the ones I have seen. Pineapple Express and Get Smart were freakin hilarious!! They had Forgetting Sarah Marshall as number 1, but that movie was TERRIBLE! People are dumb. What do YOU think the funniest movie of 2008 was?

Love you,
Shaq

P.S. I've seen Twilight 3 times. It's AMAZING! Go see it!! <3

It's so effin cold at my house! It's so effin cold where I work! Ugh! 5 more months...

This is a note my fiance published on facebook. It makes me feel so loved <3

As my wedding day approaches, I find myself getting more and more anxious. Not anxious in a bad way, like "oh no what have I done, is it too late to back down?". But anxious in a good way, like "Oh man, can I get just get married already? How much longer do I have to wait?".

One thing that crosses my mind from time to time is my bachelor party. So I just wanted to write a note to express what I think a bacelor party is all about.

The thoughts that most everyone get when they hear the words bachelor party are images of strip clubs and other organizations of sin. This however is not my image of what this party should be, and the thought of these so called "traditional" bachelor parties fill me with saddness and disgust.

Many men see this party as a celebration of being single and unmarried. As if being single is the best of the best and matromony is something negative. I see my bachelor party as being a celebration of the end of being single, welcoming marriage with open arms because it is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I no longer have to spend my life alone but will be able to share all I am and have with the woman I love.

Christ's Peace

This is a great Writer's Block question, and hmmm.... I don't have an answer. :-/ I am going to come up with something though! I want to write some Memoirs [of my life!] What words can sum up my life? I feel like I am so blessed and so happy with the way things are right now. My life is seemingly too good to be true. It wasn't always that way... I feel like this is going to be a major work in progress. So 1st... The happiest woman in the world. Hmm... kind of blah? I want it to be cute and funny and twisty though. Not lame and corny.

There was definitely a turning point in my life. It was like a switch was flipped. Good news! I am a religious person. My Catholic identity is the biggest part of who I am. That also wasn't always the case, but a big chunk of my memoirs would be about my faith. My life is so good now because I am free. I am free because I have given my life to God. It sounds contradictory, but it's not. Maybe my title would be something like that. Sin enslaves us. The only way to truly be free is to do God's Will. That doesn't sound like freedom because to us, in our culture, freedom means doing whatever you want whenever you want with whomever you want. That is not what it is meant to be... we are free to do what is right, and that is what will make us truly happy. That is what will set us free. I am living proof. My life was a trainwreck before I gave it to God. Since then, I have met the love of my life, finished college in one piece, gotten the greatest ever job, gotten along with my family, and been good to myself as well as my friends... at least better than I was. In general, I am so much happier.

My life is SO good that I feel like it could come tumbling apart at any moment. It's kind of paranoid, but I can't shake it. Like I said before, it seems too good to be true. I am getting married in July, and I am so impatient. I think it might be unfair to come up with a title so soon. The best is yet to come. I have so much to look forward to! Married life with the most amazing husband, and I want a family. My life will be completely different. Maybe the title should come later.

Now that I've said all of that serious stuff that means so much to me. But I love to laugh. I want there to be humor in it... the memoirs and the title. Something clever. Kim is great at thinking up clever things like this, but I am not. Jeez what else is there about me... I love to laugh, I love to have a good time, I love code words, I love my friends, I love the outdoors, but hate the cold, I love springtime, I love holidays, I love teaching preschool, I love watching movies... I love lifetime movies, I LOVE to read, write, and draw....

The answer to this question will clearly not be answered tonight. I have a movie to watch on TV.... I'll let you know if I come up with anything else. . .

gotta go,
Pears

Oh jeez... it's been a while since I've written anything. Needless to say [to my fan(s)] anyway, I am hurting... struggling to trust that everything is going to be okay. Faltering a little.

I'm guessing it will take a little while for me to recover, get back to normal. My little preschoolers are helping. I love them so much.

I'm watching the CMAs right now. Biggest Night in Country Music. <3 Brad Paisley is hosting. He's my favy. Best concert of my life!!!! I love when country guy singers wear jeans with a shirt and tie and jacket. :o) Regs?

This is what my fiance said about his Bachelor Party: "Most guys have one to cherish being single. But mine is celebrating the end of it." Sweetest of my life! We were texting back and forth about it and this is one I got. :o) I am SOO IMPATIENT for my wedding day to come!! I got my dress this past weekend and it's absolutely perfect! :o) I brought all my bridesmaids with me and we also went to look at their dresses at David's Bridal. :o) It was a really good one. 8 more months.

2 weeks until Thanksgiving. :o)

See ya,
<3 Pears

Phlegmatic 83%
Melancholic 17%

The phlegmatic-melancholic is introverted (though less so than the melancholic-phlegmatic), which means that his deep emotions and anxieties tend not to be clearly expressed. They tend to react extremely slowly when confronted by antagonism or strong emotions. They are personable, quiet, and gentle. They value harmonious relationships. When you are first entering a relationship with a phlegmatic-melancholic, you may be struck by how easy-going and agreeable they are, but be aware that they are not revealing the depth of their emotions to you. They are deeply sensitive and value harmony and high ideals within a relationship. As a result of his delayed and sometimes dull response, a phlegmatic-melancholic will be slower to speak out, tempted to procrastinate, and reticent. They may appear – or believe themselves -- at times to be “lazy.” At times when the melancholic aspect dominates, he will have plenty of time in which mull over in his mind what his response should have been. He may become easily offended (though he may not reveal this to you) or discouraged. The phlegmatic attentiveness to relationships, and to getting along and keeping the peace, will “take the edge off” some of the melancholic tendency to perfectionism and critical judgments of others. On the other hand, because he may be more easily offended, he may want to be critical of others yet hesitant to confront directly. The dominance of the phlegmatic temperament may also drive the melancholic proclivity to order and neatness out of the picture.
If you are a phlegmatic-melancholic, you will show a cooperative spirit and a desire to please, and will value harmonious relationships. You are particularly gifted in teaching, mediating among groups, and at counseling individuals. And though yours isn’t the most dynamic temperament, your lack of defensiveness, calmness under pressure, and gift for mediation in critical situations can make you a very effective servant-leader, one who is willing to roll up his sleeves and work along with those he leads by example.
This temperament combination can face at times a greater challenge to his confidence than other temperaments (especially the choleric or sanguine). For this reason, when you are facing a major challenge or have been given a multi-faceted and demanding project, it will be absolutely critical for you to maintain your level of energy and motivation — not to mention your prayer life-- to complete the project. You will want to anticipate the way your moods can get you off track, and take concrete steps to maintain accountability in order to remain focused and energized throughout the task. Motivational tapes, exercise and a healthy diet, spiritual guidance, and a strong sacramental life will be critical. You will also need to maintain your focus on the big picture at all times, and not be distracted by the “urgent” demands of the moment, or by what other people may ask of you. To this end, it is always wise to seek regular professional, personal, and spiritual guidance from qualified individuals. In order for the phlegmatic temperament to achieve success and reach his goals, he should always work with a motivational program that provides structure, inspires confidence, and ensures accountability.
If you are phlegmatic-melancholic, it’s likely that you are a bit more upbeat than the melancholic-phlegmatic, a little less introverted, more trusting, slightly less moody, more generous with your time, and a more gracious host. You will rarely find yourself angry (though your feelings may be easily hurt), forgive more readily, and do not hold onto hurts in the same way that a more dominantly melancholic temperament would. You are compassionate, sensitive, caring, and tend to gravitate to the helping professions. You are a patient and caring teacher. You are not as “perfectionist” as a pure melancholic, and generally struggle with organization, planning, and a tendency to procrastinate. You find it difficult to set limits or turn someone down who asks a favor of you; you may be especially drawn to volunteer or missionary work, the apostolate, or other works of mercy. Though very generous, you may find it difficult to set priorities or limits. Your phlegmatic side makes it hard to say “no” – although you really want to. Sometimes your generosity can result in not enough time to “get organized,” be prepared, or to relax. Burn-out and feeling overwhelmed may result.
If your temperament is phlegmatic-melancholic, for a better understanding of your temperament it is recommended that you read the full descriptions of the phlegmatic and melancholic.

OH MY GOSH THAT'S TOO EASY!

Kim-o, do you even have to read on to know?!?!?!











JIM AND PAM, obvi! Have you SEEN the recent episodes!??!?!?!?!?!? OMG! <3

The version found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

-this version is credited to Mother Teresa

"He's like so big. He's like so big. He's like big big. Look at him! Look how big he is! He could explode my head. If he was in my head, all my blood would pop out. He's like so big. My head would fall to pieces!"

-one of my students talking about his teddy bear. Today was the day of the Teddy Bear Picnic.

Ug debating............

Sarah Palin ended with a bang quoting the greatest president in United States history:

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free" -- Ronald Reagan

*tear*

... They are so good. Why are they so short? I guess it's the age-old question. :-/ I had a pretty good day, although I don't know where it went. It started out good... read some chapters of my Pierced By a Sword book. [excellent book] Then we had some breakfast, I hung out with my family, and then we were off for some exciting times. TheCal and I went to Leah and Lisa's garage sale and hung out. I colored some pictures for Lisa... although I forgot them in my car. Yikes. Then we took a break to go to Michaels and Target for some food. After that we went back to the garage sale and ate over at Leah's. Too bad Lisa had to go off to her sister's birthday and Leah had to go to work. It's aight though. Calvin and I have a good one planned for tonight --> Watch Heros and then a horror movie. :o) Fun times. I'm mainly enjoying the relaxation.

AND!!!!!!! Tomorrow is Calvin and I's Engagement Ceremony. I can't wait. It will be a really good one. :o) I'll write about it afterwards. My brother, sister, and two of my bridesmaids plus a groomsman is going to be there... I hope it's worth it for them. It will mean a lot to me.

Signing off... sorry if my post is lame. I'm having a good end-of-summer weekend though. I am SUPER excited for Fall & Halloween. :o) I just ate a Taffy Apple. :o)

<3 SHQ

Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, pray for us
Saint Padre Pio, pray for us