New From Planned Parenthood: Last night when I walking through Davis Square I noticed a Planned Parenthood logo. Since I have never seen PP in Davis, I looked closer. They have opened an Express Clinic. "A Planned Parenthood Express Center offers convenient access to a number of Planned Parenthood’s services including birth control, emergency contraception and screening for sexually transmitted diseases. Plan provides clothes-on consultations with experienced medical professionals." I think this an awesome idea! Yeah good sexual health!

Did You Know: Col. Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin ScD '63 , IM Pei '40, John Sununu '87, Benjamin Netanyahu '75, Tom Magliozzi '58 and Ray Magliozzi '72 (Click'n'Clack), and 23 Nobel Prize winners went to MIT? Check out a full list of the extraordinary people who went to MIT!

Special Note: Did you get married last year? Do you take a swallow of soda? Do you NOT have your ears pierced? If so, thanks for the VERY sweet card. I put it up by my computer to remind me how blessed I am to have friends like you. Let's catch up soon!

New York in the News: It was announced that the city of New York is issuing 1 million condoms labeled NYC to promote safe sex. They will most likely be the colors of the subway lines! (I can't find an article that mentions all of the detials I heard on the radio this morning.) And in other news, Miss Em, the stench in New York yesterday is being "blamed" on New Jersey. (the headline made me laugh)

Ringing In the New Year
1. What events shaped your life in 2006? Meeting Jeff (aka Dr. Feelgood), stregthened friendships with several women, continued AMAZING friendships, a less tumultuous relationship with my mom, babies/children, travel, delicious food
2. How about you proudest/biggest achievement of the year? my amazing friendships and my Graduate Alumni Convocation and Reunion
3. Did you keep any of your new year's resolutions? Don't think I made any that I intended to keep
4. What is your fondest memory of 2006? My trip to Istria (Slovenia, Croatia and Venice), winter break with Jeff, Emily's wedding weekend, Shelby's wedding weekend
5. What are you looking forward to most in the new year? See what happens with my love life, work life, location etc...all connect I would assume

VERY Brief Update: Yes, I am still alive...and well. But busy. I had a great eleven days with Jeff over the holidays...which included 5 states (MA, ME, CT, NH and FL), a holiday party, and engagement party, family, friends, playing in the ocean, and some R&R. I am back to reality, and planning a retreat for tomorrow, the registraiton for my two big events go live on Tuesday and life is busy. However, I remain happy and healthly What more is there?

Inspiration: Following in my father's footsteps, I read the obituaries almost every day. Today there was a particularly touching tribute to a man who grew up in Ohio, made a lot of money, and spent the rest of his life sharing his good fortune with others. On the first day of Chanukah, and as I get ready for Christmas in the City this weekend, this is a touching reminder of how wonderful the world can be.

Two Weeks Late But...: List five things you are thankful for and tell us why.
1. My community of family and friends. I have been truly blessed with a family that are also friends, and friends that feel like a family. I am thankful for this each and every day.
2. My sweetie. He is loving, fun, thoughtful, communicative, honest, kind and a great friend.
3. My health. Although I have more headaches than I would like, and my back causes me quite a bit of pain, overall, I am sooo fortunate to be generally healthy and strong. When I really feel like complaining, I think about all the people who REALLY have a right to complain but don't. When you are healthy and loved, there isn't much more to ask for.
4. Living in a free country. Now, at other times I would complain (RIGHTFULLY) about our President, the decisions that this nation is making, and the direction in which we are moving. But again, when I look at the ways some others are living, I am very lucky.
5. Self-esteem. I am thankful that I generally feel good about myself, who I am, who I continue to become, and where I am heading. Always room for improvement and reflection, but there is a lot of peace and happiness in overall feeling good about my life.

Global Orgasm: (see, got your attention) A couple is planning a global synchronized orgasm for peace. By promoting what they hope to be a synchronized global orgasm, they hope to get people to channel their sexual energy into something more positive. The couple have studied evolutionary psychology and believe that war is mainly an outgrowth of men trying to impress potential mates, a case of "my missile is bigger than your missile."

Friday Five: Make a Wish
1. When is your birthday? October 20
2. When you blow out the candles on your cake, do you make a wish? Have any of them come true? Yes, often the same one. Yes.
3. How do you feel about birthdays and birthday celebrations? I love birthdays! Mine, yours, whoever. I think everyone should have a day that their loved ones celebrate them and have an "excuse" to tell them how much they are loved.
4. What has been your favorite birthday gift? What kind of gifts really blow you away? Thoughtful ones. Sometimes that's money from my parents when they know I have bills to pay. Sometimes its a book about girls' overnight camp because the friend knows how much I loved camp. Sometimes it's a phone call or card from a friend who I didn't even know knew my birthday or with whom I had not spoken in a long time.
5. What flavor cake do you prefer? For birthday cake, yellow/white cake with chocolate frosting.

Meme:
1. Explain what ended your last relationship? um, to simplify it I'd say "not in the same place"...in the relationship, not georgraphically
2. When was the last time you shaved? Sunday (3 days ago)
3. What were you doing this morning at 8 a.m.? Putting on make-up and leaving for work in 3 minutes
4. What were you doing 15 minutes ago? sending emails to people I met with last week on my work trip
5. Are you any good at math? Yes. Not fast at doing math in my head but good enough that I took AP math and like numbers.
6. Your prom night? Third time I met a guy from BBYO. Not a high school highlight.
7. Do you have any famous ancestors? Don't think so.
8. Have you had to take a loan out for school? Thankfully very small loan for undergrad.
9. Do you know the words to the song on your myspace profile? Huh???
10. Last thing received in the mail? New charger for my digital camera.
11. How many different beverages have you had today? Water, coffee, Diet Coke
12. Do you ever leave messages on people's answering machine? Yes, often very detailed ones.
13. Who did you lose your CONCERT virginity to? Either Peter, Paul and Mary, Blood, Sweat and Tear (both with parents) or Billy Joel (for bat mitzvah)
14. Do you draw your name in the sand when you go to the beach? didn't know people did this. Maybe I'll try it when I go to Florida in December
15. What's the most painful dental procedure you've had? Uncomfortable-- getting my veneers. Painful-- braces for 6 years!!!
16. What is out your back door? Porch and my car.
17. Any plans for Friday night? Maybe drinks with former co-worker (and current co-workers) and then Dr. Feelgood comes!
18. Do you like what the ocean does to your hair? "Like" may be a strong word, but I love the ocean so don't care what it does to my hair.
19. Have you ever received one of those big tins of 3 different popcorns? My parents did...and I helped eat it.
20. Have you ever been to a planetarium? Yes, very cool. I haven't been to a planetarium since I was a teenager though.
21. Do you re-use towels after you shower? Definitely. Nuf said.
22. Some things you are excited about? Playing with Dr. Feelgood this weekend and Thanksgiving in Cleveland with friends and family
23. What is your favorite flavor of JELLO? red
24. Describe your keychain(s)? Simple circle with keys, nail clippers and car clicker.
25. Where do you keep your change? Wallet, piggy bank, quarters in "ashtray" of car
26. When was the last time you spoke in front of a large group of people? Define large...I led a meeting for 8 last week. Gave a presentation to 50 at the Alumni Leadership Conference in Septmeber. (and another 30-40 the following week at a conference in Tahoe)
27. What kind of winter coat do you own? Many!
28. What was the weather like on your graduation day? Rainy...people wore rain ponchos that made them look like they were wearing a condom
29. Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed? closed.

Kim Update: OK, so its been way too long since I have posted. Here is the abridged version of what I have been up to, and what I plan to do...
Past
- Many trips to Maine to see Dr. Feelgood. It's so nice to have him in my life.
- Dr. Feelgood gets his white coat (at the White Coat Ceremony).
- Trip to Tahoe and San Fran for work. Successful (and fun) trip.
- Fabulous time at Shelby and Seth's wedding.
- Topsfield Fair (the oldest fair in the country). Lots of junk food, a few fun rides, good friends, huge pumpkins, cows, sheet, elephants, little kids.
- Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. Met Mr. and Mrs. Feelgood (and other family members) for Rosh Hashana.
Future
- Birthday tomorrow. Already had great birthday dinner at Tu Y Yo with Kathryn, got a funny card from Kevin, and there will be cake at work today.
- Atlanta, Raleigh/Durham, Princeton and Philly next week
- Chicago and Ann Arbor in three weeks
- Cleveland for Turkey Day. Dr. Feelgood will come for the first 2 days. I will stay through Monday so I can play with Rebecca on Monday!!
- Off-season gathering of the Whybunts (softball team) to play pool (and drink beer)

I will try to be more consistant on my updates.

But Before I Go:
1. Are you named after anyone? If so, explain. I was named after my yet-to-be born brother, Kevin (see next answer). I was GOING to be named Heather but Papa Abbie nixed that. My middle name is my mom's maiden name.
2. Do you have your children's names picked out already? If so, is there any significance? If its a girl, Maya, Siri or Kyla. (spellings still up in the air) Not sure about a boy.
3. If you were born a member of the opposite sex what would your name have been? Kevin. My parents knew that before they were married.
4. If you could re-name yourself what name would you pick and why? That's a hard one. Although I don't hate my name, I would not remain Kim. I don't know what I would prefer though. So I guess I'll stick with Kim. After all, my name is such fun alliteration.
5. Are there any mispronunciations/typos that people do w/ your name constantly? Not much to mess up with my name. My nickname is spelled Kimi though. And sometime when I say my name quickly (me? talk fast? never!) people can't understand what my name is.

Going on Hiatius: Tahoe & San Fran for work (if you can call it that), Rosh Hashana, Shelby and Seth's wedding in Maine and a stop of Dr. Feelgood's on the way back to Boston. Catch ya later....(Oh, and Happy New Year and Congrats to S&S!!)

As Sally Fields Said: I like you, I really really like you! Care of PSD. Right back attcha.

Let's Talk About Sex Baby...: This woman has my dream job! Writing about, and talking about, healthy sexuality in a fun, frank way. As I said to Em when she sent it to me, although I am slightly jealous, the more people who are talking about sex and sexuality in an honest, informative, non-shaming way, the better. You go girl!

Sweet Tooth:
1. How often do you indulge in something sweet? Every day. I try to only have a little bit, but I have something sweet after dinner basically every night. Sometimes only a mini candy bar, sometimes a Slim-a-Bear ice cream sandwich (lower fat and portion control), and sometimes 10 cookies!
2. What is your favorite kind of sweet food/beverage? No question here-- ice cream!
3. Do you have a preferred sweetener (artificial or natural)? Good ole regular sugar. I don't like artifical sweeteners, although I do drinnk diet soda with it.
4. Chocolate or fruity? Chocolate. Or cheesecake or ice cream. Although I like fruity, not usually my choice, if there is one. Don't care for flan, brulee, or bread pudding kind of things.
5. What is the sweetest thing someone has done for you recently? Unhesitantly, and unfalteringly, telling me how much he likes me and enjoys being with me

I Am Excited About:
- A four day weekend! (I'm taking tomorrow off and Monday is Labor Day.)
- Dr. Feelgood coming down for three nights from Maine!
- Having a picnic (and Em's fried chicken) and watching Back to the Future outside at the Hatchshell tomorrow night
- Going to the Museum of Science to see the Body World 2 exhibit, with really anatomy (perfect for Dr. Feelgood to combine studying and fun with me)
- Shelby and Seth's wedding in a few weeks...and seeing Kathryn, Chris, and Kirsten!!

Dumb: Awareness, good...destroying your body in the process, not so good. A man is running 50 marathons in 50 day in 50 states...raising awareness for Katrina survivors, and prehaps permanently screwing up his body in the process.

Plan B Is Sometimes a Good Option: Access to Plan B, the so-called morning after pill, was approved as an over-the-counter drug for those over 18 yesterday. Of course, this should always be Plan B, but this is an important step in access to good resporductive health for women.