Drinking is Hazardous to My Health

Seems like drinking could truly be hazardous to my health. First, read the following article.

'Asian Flush' is a red flag for risk of cancer

For those who know me, if I have alcohol, even a small amount (think 1/2 glass of wine), I immediately flush red in the face. If I continue to drink, I start to get warm and may even start to sweat. With increased amounts my eyes and chest turn red. Then my heart starts beating really fast and I sometimes worry that I'll actually pass out. So...I don't often drink. Turns out that it's probably a smart choice.

As a parent, I never want Keira to drink, but in the course of life, I'm sure it will happen. I wonder if she'll experience the 'Asian Flush' since it's a crap shoot for which genes she inherited. Guess we'll see...

And that is the little morsel of info I wanted to share with you in case you know others who experience the "Asian Flush".

Summer is Off to a Great Start!

It's been awhile, hasn't it? Keira finished off her school year and will be entering 1st grade this fall. Where on earth does the time go? She's been spending time at various camps and has Zoo camp, YMCA day camp and KinderCare under her belt already. She was lucky and has been able to be at home this week with Mark. He took the week off to hang out with her. It's been a lot of fun for both of them. They're enjoying the weather, going to the park, riding bikes and taking walks, making trips to DQ - life is good. Hopefully after this summer we'll get a better feel for what Keira enjoys for next summer. That should make planning easier. For this summer we have a pretty detailed spreadsheet to keep track of where she's going and what she needs for each place she's going on a weekly basis.

One special treat she's enjoyed this summer was attending a pre-screening of Despicable Me 2 in 3D. She really enjoyed the special effects and the Minions in the movie kept her (and the other kids in the theater) entertained and laughing out loud. It's been awhile since I've been to a movie where the kids were enjoying themselves so much. I think it's the first time Keira didn't ask, "How much longer?" The last time that happened in the theater was for Disney's Princess and the Frog. To the left is a photo op she had with the Minions before the movie began. Clearly she's a fan (note the Edith doll she brought along)!

We've been really excited for summer to arrive in MN. I think this past winter has been one of the longest ones I've ever experienced in terms of cold and the duration of snow falling. If I remember correctly, we even got snow in early May. Pretty sure that's never happened and I've lived my entire life in MN. Then it was a really rainy May and June which was also unusual. So, we try to get out for at least a walk, anything really, when it's nice out. Before we know it, it'll be fall and then winter...(sigh).

Have a wonderful summer!

World War Z - Loved It!

I was lucky and got to see World War Z yesterday before it opens in theaters nationwide tomorrow. I'm writing this as a recommendation to go and see it. If you enjoy suspense thrillers and don't mind zombies, you should go see this one in the theater. If you're okay with spending the extra money for 3D, it'd be worth it for this one. There are some fly-at-you moments, but more importantly, the 3D experience will allow you to really take in the cinematic brilliance of this movie. No, I'm not a movie critic, so cinematic brilliance might be a reach by their standards, but the panoramic shots were truly amazing on the big screen. This movie kept me on the edge of my seat. I was so wound up that by the end of the movie I felt as though I needed to get a massage therapy session to relax me. Brad Pitt has never been more confident and convincing as the hero who's going to save himself, his family and well, the world. If you go see it, let me know what you think!