My parents...

are driving down to Kansas City as we speak. My stepbrother Mike got kicked out of his girlfriend's house and has nowhere to go...

If I'm not at work this weekend, that's probably why. I have to take care of my little sister first.

<3

Hee hee....

Theron's so cute.

This morning, he texts me (in the middle of my music alarm, which was playing "Head Over Feet" by Alanis Morissette no less) and asks me if I want him to come pick me up. I think it was the best way to wake up, with the exception of turning over and staring into his gorgeous brown eyes or looking at his sleepy face.

He could be doing so many other things with his time... but he's not... he's with me. He's holding me, cuddling me, being so gentle. He always pushes me to be better, to do my homework, to get stuff done early, to clean my room.

I missed him so much this weekend. Granted, I was working most of the time, but when I was home it was like I had no clue what I wanted to do. I did some homework, watched some TV, spent time with my family... played Lego Star Wars :)

Here is what I'm thankful for...

• Kelsey - No matter how much we fight and act like we hate each other, I hope you know that I wouldn't be the same without you. I love you soooo much. I'm sorry that I don't spend as much time with you as I should. I had so much fun being your big sister all weekend, and your bff! You can kick my ass on Guitar Hero any day!


• Mom - I love you. I hope that you feel better soon. I'm so thankful that you made it through the night. Please sleep and try to get better. I'll take care of what I can as far as cooking okay? You need to take care of you now, so you can get back to taking care of the rest of us. X-P


• Dad - You're super awesome! I'm sad that we don't get to spend that much time together, but I'm so glad that you're in my life.


• Nicki - You make everyday at work worth it. You are the funnest and the silliest gal I know (well, okay, maybe tied with Mama Latonya :). Thanks for all you do to try and make work funner!


• Latonya - I know you're probably not gonna read this, but you are so much fun hun. I love being at work with you because we're always on the same page and always know what to do to get stuff done. You really are like a second mommy to me, and I wanna thank you for listening to me blab on and on about Theron and his cuteness, and for giving me advice.


• Nate & Norene & Girls - I miss you guys so much. I wish that we were still around each other. I'm so excited for Munkey to graduate and be a teacher. Your girls are growing up so fast. They're so adorable and I miss every second of everyday that I used to spend with them, and you two too!


• Nette & Kiddles - I miss you guys. I worry about you a lot. You're so far away, and we don't talk as often as I wish we did. Jonathan, I can remember when you were just a teeny baby. You're such a good kid, and a great big brother. Micah, you're a princess!


• Gramma Patty - I miss you more than you'll ever know. Who else is gonna pick me up after finals and go shopping with me? Get me Dairy Queen? Talk about mommies? I love you!
  


• Theron - You brighten my days and light up my nights. You make everything I've been through worth it. I don't know what I did to be so lucky to get you, but I'll never question it. There aren't even words to describe you - that's what I resort to neology. I love how you push me to be better, how you cheer me up in two seconds, the way you look at me that just screams "I love you!". You make me want to be a better person - clean my room, do my homework, work harder. You keep me on the right track. I know that it's only been two months, but it feels like forever. I feel like I'm myself around you. You are the sweetest, kindest, gentlest man I've ever met, not to mention the most handsome, silliest, and adorable one too! You are more than I could've ever asked more, more than I could've even hoped for - you're my dream come true. I love you so much. I adore you. Be with me, not just now, but for an indeterminate amount of time... forever even. If there's one big thing that this whole weekend away taught me, it's that I can't be without you. Even if I could, I wouldn't want to. You're the only person who knows exactly what I'm thinking, exactly what to say, exactly what to do to make everything seem perfect, even if it isn't. The way you hold me, put your arms around me, kiss me... I've never seen anyone be so sweet. I love you more than you will ever know Mister Sir.

I'm thankful for so much more, but I suppose I can't find the words to say it. Even if I could, would you really want to read a blog 10 miles long? I wouldn't. X-P

Sad

Yup. I kind of am right now.

My friend Mike at work got arrested and fired all in one today.

For a while now, there've been things disappearing out of the electronics department... I guess today, somehow, they traced it back to him.

It really struck me for some reason that he'd do that. Maybe it's cos he is younger than me and has had such a hard life already. Maybe it's cos he was a fun guy to hang out with, and flirt with a little, I'll admit. Maybe it's just cos he was such a hard worker and I would've never expected that it was him. Whatever the case, I'm saddened that 1) he did it, and 2) that he has had such a hard life that would push him to that. He was working two jobs to make ends meat, and now this stealing and pawning things off? *sigh*

I'm glad that I didn't get the chance to get romantically involved with him now. For a while, I thought I might ask him out, but it seemed like something better was on it's way. And how!

The worst part was seeing him being escorted out in handcuffs with a cop at his side. Looking at him for the last time, but not in the eye... feeling his shame as he walked past... wishing I could give him a hug, tell him thank you for all the times he watched my back when there were customers who were ready for a throw-down or bending over backwards and dropping everything when I needed his help... watching them begin the conversation over where he was going now and what was gonna happen.

As Theron would say, some people's kids, eh?

I am...

I had to write this poem for Education100 a few weeks ago...

I Am

I am compassionate and helpful.
I believe that children are the future.
I wonder if my students will like me, or think I'm crazy.
I hear the giggles of kids as they learn something important through humor.
I see a classroom of kids looking up to me, waiting for the next example.
I want to help make the world a better place.
I am compassionate and helpful.

I pretend like I am a little girl every day, to escape stress.
I feel like schools don't have passionate teachers anymore.
I touch the hearts of my past teachers by taking examples from them.
I worry that I might be that one teacher every kid thinks is crazy.
I cry when I see parents belittling their children in stores.
I believe that I can make a difference in those kids' lives.
I am compassionate and helpful.

I understand that not every kid is going to like me.
I say never give up what you want most for what you want right now.
I dream about a day where I can see my students graduate.
I try to help every child that I meet.
I hope that I will be an important part of many lives.
I believe that education is the biggest investment in the future.
I am compassionate and helpful.

It seems like everything I am coincides with everything that Esmé Raji Codell is too. If you haven't read her book, Educating Esmé: Diary of a First Year Teacher yet, I suggest you get it. It's only like a 200 page paperback that'll take you maybe three hours to finish. It's really worth the ten dollars or so, depending on where you get it. It really helps to exhibit the problems inherent in the education system today. You can read more about her at her wesbite, http://www.planetesme.com/.

Phenylketuronics

Phenylalanine is the main culprit of allergies and all sorts of other problems for hundreds of thousands of people. It's in all sorts of pain medications - which, really, is just great when I need to relieve the arthritis pain, and have no more Aleve... And it's in just about any diet thing out there... and, sadly, every kind of gum aside from Dentyne fire and Big red. But I'm starting to think that there's a good side to why I'm allergic to it...

phenylketonuria
Inherited metabolic condition in which the liver of a child cannot control the level of phenylalanine (an amino acid derived from protein food) in the bloodstream. The condition must be detected promptly and a special diet started in the first few weeks of life if brain damage is to be avoided. Untreated, it causes stunted growth, epilepsy, and severe mental
disability.

So this stuff has formic acid and formaldehyde in it. Formaldehyde you should recognize as the wonderful preservative that gives grandma that freshly dead look at the altar in her coffin. Formic acid has a smell that, if you have pests, you're all too aware of. You ever squish an ant, and then wonder why your fingers smell so bad? That's formic acid. And every time you have a
diet soda or flavored water, a light yogurt, or even a piece of your favorite non-cinnamon, non-kid-oriented gum, that's what you're eating. Yum!

Although phenylalanine is somewhat of an essential thing to have in your body, the amount that's in our food today is extremely troubling.

With Turkey day coming up, try to chew on this. Although this chemical is very, very bad in high doses, when mixed with tryptophan (that additive in your holiday turkey that makes you all sleepy -- and you thought it was just your boring family!), it helps to create an intestinal hormone called cholecystokinin, which helps you to digest things via tasty intestinal mucosa. So tasty!

Phenylalanine helps to make tyrosine and, together, they makeup thyroxine or thyroid hormone and adrenaline and noradrenaline which is converted into a neurotransmitter, a brain chemical which transmits nerve impulses. This neurotransmitter is used by the brain to manufacture noradrenaline which promotes mental alertness, memory, elevates mood and suppresses the appetite very effectively. Hence its presence in diet foods.

The danger of phenylalanine to phenylketuronics [people allergic to the phenyl group] is that they are unable to metabolize phenylalanine properly. Because of their inability to metabolize phenylalanine, it builds up in the blood in the form of phenylperuvic acid. High levels of phenylperuvic acid in the blood can cause a number of problems including mental retardation, muscle aches and pains and even seizures. Because of this phenylketuronics must be very careful of their diets and avoid the ingestion of phenylalanine.

Aspartame is a compound of two amino acids -- aspartic acid and phenylalanine. Because it is essentially half phenylalanine, people who have the genetic disease phenylketonuria (PKU) and cannot metabolize phenylalanine normally need to avoid diet drinks and other products containing aspartame (trade name: NutraSweet). It has been shown that ingesting aspartame, especially along with carbohydrates, can lead to excess levels of phenylalanine in the brain even in persons who do not have PKU.

Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death. A few of the 90 different documented symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include: Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability, tachycardia (cardiac arrhythmia), insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste, tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss, and joint pain.

That's not all...

The following chronic illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame: Brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma (that's right, cancer!), birth defects, fibromyalgia, and diabetes.
Excessive levels of phenylalanine in the brain can cause the levels of seratonin in the brain to decrease, leading to emotional disorders such as depression.

Another fun study a la Supersize Me...

One account of a case of extremely high phenylalanine levels caused by aspartame was recently published the "Wednesday Journal" in an article titled "An Aspartame Nightmare." John Cook began drinking six to eight diet drinks every day. His symptoms started out as memory loss and frequent headaches. He began to crave more aspartame-sweetened drinks. His condition deteriorated so much that he experienced wide mood swings and violent rages. Even though he did not suffer from PKU, a blood test revealed a phenylalanine level of 80 mg/dl. He also showed abnormal brain function and brain damage. After he kicked his aspartame habit, his symptoms improved dramatically.

Phenylketonuria
The genetic disorder phenylketonuria (PKU) is the inability to metabolize phenylalanine. Individuals with this disorder are known as "phenylketonurics" and must abstain from consumption of phenylalanine. This dietary restriction also applies to pregnant women with hyperphenylalanine (high levels of phenylalanine in blood) because they do not properly metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine. Persons suffering from PKU must monitor their intake of protein to control the buildup of phenylalanine as their bodies convert protein into its component amino acids.

A related issue is the compound present in many sugarless gums and mints, snack foods, sugarless soft drinks (such as diet sodas including CocaCola Zero, Pepsi Max, some forms of Lipton Tea, Clear Splash flavored water), and a number of other low calorie food products. The artificial sweetener aspartame, sold under the names "Equal" and "NutraSweet", is an ester that is hydrolyzed in the body to give phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and methanol (wood alcohol). The
breakdown problems phenylketonurics have with protein and the attendant build up of phenylalanine in the body also occurs with the ingestion of aspartame, although to a lesser degree. Accordingly, all products in the U.S. and Canada that contain aspartame must be labeled: "Phenylketonurics: Contains phenylalanine." [It's not always in an easily seeable place,
however] In the UK, foods containing aspartame must carry ingredients panels that refer to the presence of 'aspartame or E951', and they must be labeled with a warning "Contains a source of phenylalanine". These warnings are specifically placed to aid individuals who suffer from PKU so that they can avoid such foods. Interestingly, the macaque genome was recently sequenced and it was found that macaques naturally have a mutation that is found in humans who have PKU.

I've taken the liberty of highlighting the best parts...

Maybe read that last part in red one more time...

Phenlylalanine actually alters your DNA... That's right, your DNA! Why would they put this in anything? Don't you think that maybe, just maybe, that's not such a good idea, altering one's
DNA?

If you still don't think that it's a hazard, unless of course you happen to be a phenylketuronic, maybe you should visit this site. ADD and ADHD, along with some emotional and behavioral disorders, are a result of too much phenylalanine in the mother's diet during pregnancy.

The Mayo Clinic website states that:

"Phenylalanine is found in protein-rich foods, such as milk, cheese, nuts, seeds, poultry, fish, as well as some leafy vegetables and whole grains. It's also found in diet foods, such as diet soda,
that contain aspartame."

which is all fine and well until you realize that there probably isn't that much in said protein-rich foods or you start studying up on all the things you consume everyday that contain the dreaded phenylalanine.

I would suggest that you guys do your own research and decide whether or not you want to continue to imbibe anything with phenylalanine. However, I would suggest that you not. It's been linked to cancer and all sorts of not fun diseases and maladies. Until further testing is done, please don't drink diet, or chew minty gum, or have any of the millions of things that now contain phenylalanine.

At least try to cut back, eh?

The history of my name...

I'd do something different today.

Here's how to spell my name in a whole buncha languages! Enjoy!

Chinese: 基尔斯 (simplified) or 基爾斯 (traditional)
Japanese: キルステン
Korean: 조종
Russian: Кирстен
Arabic: أدلت السيدة كيرستين

Fun right? I wish my name was different in more languages though.
On the subject of names...

"Kirsten Larson longs to feel at home in a strange land. In 1854, Kirsten leaves all she’s ever known to come with her family to the New World. They settle on the Minnesota frontier, a place where people don’t speak her language or wear clothes like hers—or know about the traditions she holds dear. Yet with quiet strength and an open heart, Kirsten discovers the richness of her new land—and the true meaning of home."

So totally like me. If you wanna read more about Kirsten Larson, the American Girl, go to the American Girl website.


Quite literally, my name is...

KIRSTEN
Gender: Feminine
Usage: Scandinavian
Scandinavian form of CHRISTINA
which is...

CHRISTINA
Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, German, Scandinavian
Pronounced: kris-TEEN-a (English), kris-TEE-nah (German) [key]
Feminine form of CHRISTIAN. This was the name of a Swedish queen of the 17th century who was interested in the arts and philosophy. She gave up her crown to become a Roman Catholic.
and one more back...

CHRISTIAN
Gender: Masculine
Usage: English, French, German
Pronounced: KRIS-chen (English), KRISH-chen (English), krees-TYAWN (French), kris-TEE-ahn (German) [key]
From a medieval Latin name that meant "Christian". This was the name of ten kings of Denmark. Another famous bearer of the name was Hans Christian Andersen, the Danish author of such fairy tales as 'The Ugly Duckling' and 'The Emperor's New Clothes'. In medieval England this was also a feminine name.

What about Theron?

Theron means hunter in greek (see below).

Ancient Greek: Θηρων
Arabic: ثيرون
Chinese: 塞隆 (simplified and traditional)
Japanese: セロン
Korean: 테론
Russian: Терон

Yay names!

Shambala!

Last night, we went to the Shambala center.

They were doing meditation and invited us to join them, which we gladly did.

Usually, I meditate in the corpse pose (lying on my back, arms stretched out to either side - like making a snow angel without the movement). It's easier for me because of the lack of strain on the body. I thoroughly enjoyed last night though. We sat in the half-lotus position, because we're not super experienced in that crazy feet over thighs area.

There was a birthday celebration for the founder's son, who is off doing other things. Wine, cider, cheese & crackers (oh yah!), and yummy chocolates and teas. It was awesomely fun.