Developing Allergies as an Adult

It really sucks. That about sums up what I feel that this topic. Last year, out of nowhere, I developed allergies to my mother-in-law's cat. I remember the exact day it happened. I was lying in bed in my husband's old room where the cat apparently likes to take naps. I started having trouble breathing and then noticed that I had a rash all over my face. Now, the allergies have gotten to a point where I get every symptom imaginable--wheezing, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes. I can't stay in my mother-in-law's house for more than a few hours. If she has the heat or air condition turned on, I can't bear it for more than 15 minutes. I know what you are thinking--I am just trying to find an excuse to not visit my in-laws. Yuck it up. But it really is the worse feeling ever.

Now I've learned that I am officially allergic to soy milk. I feel really nauseous after drinking even a little. I've always loved soy milk. Now I can't have any. All I can think about is what else am I going to develop allergies to. I read that allergies are usually inherited. My dad was allergic to dogs and cats, and my brother is allergic to soy. That explains it. Well, good-bye, cats (never really liked them anyway). So long, wonderfully delicious soy milk.

Here is some information about allergies:
- Allergies can develop at any age.
- Genetics play a role. If one of your parents has allergies, then you have a one in three chance of developing allergies too.
- Age is also a factor in developing allergies. People may develop allergies over time after repeated exposure to certain allergens.

The Dark Knight Has a Potty Mouth

Turns out Christian Bale can be one mean SOB. A tape turned up today with Bale cursing out a cinematographer during the filming of his new movie, Terminator Salvation, with Bryce Dallas Howard. Supposedly during a scene, the cinematographer walked onto the set behind Howard in Bale's line-of-sight, which is a big no-no. Bale totally went off on him. Click here for some of the dialogue on the tape.

I am one of those people who become disenchanted with celebrities when I hear stuff like this. Am I being too harsh? Don't all people have bad days? Isn't everyone entitled to a pass? Maybe it's that these stories completely validate the stereotypes we have about stars--big-egos and self-important. I guess I'll forget about it soon because really...who cares?

Little tidbit about Bale: He is NOT English! Did anyone know that? He is just proficient at accents and keeps an accent all through filming and even during promotions for the movie. So tricky...

Hunger Games

I recently read this young adult novel, because my all-time favorite author, Stephenie Meyer, had recommended it. And yes, I listen to her every word. Why? Well, because I worship her, that's why! Simple as that!

Anyway, back to the subject. I read this novel, and I really liked it. It can be best described as a futuristic distopia. It's not exactly a sci-fi per say, but it has elements of one. I thought it was really entertaining. It never got boring, there was always some type of action. The story was really different from anything I have ever read. Although in the beginning, I thought some sentences were written a little awkward, the writing really improved as the story went on. (FYI, I'm a real critic about construction.)

My only warning is that it's a trilogy. I did not know that going in, so at the end I was extremely disappointed, because they definitely leave you wanting more. I think people down the hall of my dorm heard me when I shouted, "Noooooo". But it's definitely still worth the read!

The sequel, Catching Fire, comes out in September, so be prepared to wait a while to read more.

United States of Tara

I've been watching United States of Tara since it premiered three weeks ago. It has my name in the title, so I had to check it out. It's on Showtime at 10pm on Sundays. The show is about a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)--formerly named Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). What is also interesting is that Tara has a family--a husband and two teenage kids. It's fascinating watching how her family deals with her alters--what they call the other personalities. It's normal everyday life for them when one of Tara's alters shows up. Her husband is played by John Corbett who is absolutely great in it. You really believe that he loves Tara despite her disorder and the hardships that come with it.

I really wanted to give this show a chance because the concept is so different. But I find that I don't really like Tara when she is Tara. She is more interesting and fun when she becomes one of her three alters--1) T - a teenager, 2) Alice - old-fashioned house wife, and 3) Buck - a very masculine man. When Tara is herself, she looks terrible, washed out and tired. She looks depressed and hardly has any meaningful contact with her family. I don't get the love her family has for her and her love for them. The only interactions she has with her family cause her stress and end with her switching to one of her alters. I hope this show gets better because the cast and concept are great.

After watching United States of Tara, I looked up DID. Here is some things I learned:
- Someone with DID can have up to 100 alters.
- The alters can be different ages, gender, or race. Each has his or her own personality, including postures, gestures, and distinct way of talking.
- Sometimes the alters are aware of each other. But one is always in control.
- A primary symptom of DID is memory loss beyond the normal forgetfulness.

Mucinex Warning

I've had this horrible disgusting phlegmy cough for three weeks. I got it from my husband who recovered in a couple days, and when it got to me, it turned into some sort of superbug. So I was finally fed up and bought mucinex. If my mucus could walk and talk, I guess it'll look a little like the guy pictured on the right--yucky and slimey. So I was ready to get him out.

When I bought Mucinex DM at CVS, I got a warning with my receipt--"Must be 18 or older to purchase. Teens abuse drugs with dextromethorphan." or something to that affect. I took it the next day and swore that I felt a little light headed and cloudy for several hours. How I described it all day was "woozy and fuzzy"--like I said, I was a little loopy that day. Before that the only symptom I had was the cough, and my cough did not get any better with the medicine.

So the question is whether it was all in my head. My husband thinks it was all psychological. Or it could be worse--I am the only sad person on earth who is affected by a little cough medicine. One thing is for sure I am not taking Mucinex again.