For Christmas, I ordered a set of DNA ancestry and health testing kits for everyone in my family. It used to be your relatives who helped maintain the family tree; that’s how you knew where your ancestors came from. For our family, it was the family stories that circulated at Thanksgiving that told us where we were from. If you could get information from 100 years ago, you were lucky.
I guess in a few weeks we will all find out where we came from on a much bigger scale. And, I’m curious about the health part. What health issues have I passed down to my children, and what am I likely to suffer from in the future?
It is amazing that science has cooked all of this up in my lifetime. I noticed that DNA ancestry testing was on the “best gifts” list from Oprah. Maybe I’m just part of the herd, but I’m very curious about what we will find and how it might affect everyone in my family.
MOXI – A New Place to Explore
Looking for a fun place to take kids of any age? I heartily recommend MOXI – the Museum of Exploration and Innovation at 125 State Street, adjacent to the Amtrak Train Station. It is in the heart of the new entrance to Santa Barbara on lower State Street.
I enjoyed the experience immensely. I visited the week after Christmas with my newly married son, Brian, and daughter-in-law, Melissa, both 30 years old. They enjoyed it every bit as much as I did.
My son is handy and Melissa admitted to taking wood shop in high school. They both like to build things and maintain their home. Building skills aren’t necessary, there is plenty you can build or make if you are willing. Brian said, “It helps keep your imagination active.”
It is the willingness to participate and explore that is the glue that sticks this museum together. The more you join in with the exhibits, the more fun you will have. Kids do this spontaneously. Adults may hold back. Funny how that happens as we grow older! But, coming away with a smile on your face is nearly guaranteed.
My imagination was struck with all of the hands-on experiments you could involve yourself in. There is a subtle mix of cooperation and competition worked into many exhibits where two or more people can participate.
If you don’t resonate with one of the experiences, you can always move on to the next. I’m attracted to powerful magnets, fast moving air, and innovative ways to make sounds, so those exhibits kept me busy.
I loved watching 7-10 year olds play with some super-charged computers that offered them experiences they could not get with their home video gaming. It was amazing to see how quickly the kids adapted to what the computers threw at them. This is all without being attached to any equipment. The computers “see” you and interact—with lots of color and sound. The kids loved participating as much as I loved watching them.
Put the MOXI on your list of great places for a few hours of fun. And share it with your family and friends!
Client Talk…
“Scott Williams helped us buy a second home. He was very accommodating due to the fact that we were coming in from Orange County. Always answered phone calls promptly. He emailed potential properties that we might be interested on a daily basis. He took care of some things that the sellers and/or their agent were suppose do and did not. He was very helpful and professional. We would definitely work with Scott Williams again in the future.”
– Bea Castro
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