Yesterday in Manila
there was an attempted coup by disgruntled soldiers, who took over the Peninsula Hotel in Manila. The military stormed the hotel, causing surrender by the dissidents. They were expressing discontent with Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government.
Labels: Peace, Philippines, Pilipino culture
posted by Grace @ 11/29/2007 07:13:00 AM
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My orthopedist did not see any AVN (avascular necrosis)/collapse of the hip capsule in my MRI or Xrays. HOOOray! I will be going to the pool today and a couple of times this week and doing abbreviated versions of my PT exercises from now on. Yeah! Surgery is further delayed!
My friend Jeff also has a congenital hip problem. We will probably meet at the gym tomorrow.
Labels: BAD, friends, thankfulness, water exercise
posted by Grace @ 11/28/2007 07:57:00 AM
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In addition to the professional brain drain that my parents and their siblings (doctors, lawyers, engineers, dentists, chemists, nurses, and other professionals) contributed to during the 1960s and 1970s in the Philippines, there has been an exodus of "guest workers" from the Philippines since that time. An article appearing in the European Pilipino newletter, Munting Nayon; written by my uncle and aunt, describes the life of some of these workers near the German border in the Nederlands. My aunt was secretary to the Philippine Consul General in the Nederlands during that time.
Some attribute the beginning of the diaspora to a changing political climate, others, to an excess of professionally-trained workers. Whatever the reasons, within a decade or so the diaspora of the Philippines is projected to be greater than the actual population of the country.
Labels: diaspora, international culture, Philippines, Pilipino culture, work
posted by Grace @ 11/26/2007 07:58:00 AM
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Today marks the end of the ecclesiastic year, the Solemnity of Christ the King. Sara Louise P. was in the narthex before Mass to say a fond farewell to us before heading to the Sarasota Opera Company tomorrow. After Mass, I spoke with Anjali, Amy, and to Stacy, whose friend Amy was visiting from North Carolina. I spoke with Amy N. at length about her current experiences, and was pleased to see her again.
William and Beatrice joined us for lunch of the three fishes (salmon with onion and tomato, rainbow trout with ginger, and fried butterfish), pancit, and vegetables.
Mom, dad, and I had a relaxing afternoon and early evening.
Labels: celebration, Choir, Church, dining, family, work
posted by Grace @ 11/25/2007 08:31:00 PM
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gaining ground internationally. My aunt in the Nederlands shared this hypertext link with us Stateside. It gives an example of high-tech confession.
posted by Grace @ 11/24/2007 10:32:00 PM
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Mom, Dad, and I went to the matinee show of Plaid Tidings today. A follow-up from their first show, Forever Plaid, there were holiday songs, including a take on Gloria in Excelsis Deo, which called on audience participation as the song took on a Caribbean flavor. Dad engaged in the participation. We happily munched on cookies and flavored coffees and teas, supplied by our server, Brian. The Ed Sullivan portion of the program had us lovin' it.
Mom, Dad, and I visited the Strip District afterwards, getting fish from Wholey's, and ginger and other supplies from Lotus Store. I'll take them out for soup and salad bar when Mom returns from Mass tonight.
Labels: dining, Mass, music, Pittsburgh, theater
posted by Grace @ 11/24/2007 06:12:00 PM
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via MRI and Xray to rule out avascular necrosis (AVN). My orthopedist has ordered imaging to determine if I have AVN. I am in more pain than I have been in the past. I think part of it is the change in weather and seasons. My cane is my friend since Thanksgiving.
I'm thankful that I have a
congenital condition
fairly common condition
treatable condition
I'm just worried about how slow I'll be getting up the steps to the choir loft this Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King. I'll just have to join the "slow train" group from now on.
~~~
10:40am
Just returned from my Xrays and MRI.
The Xray technician asked me, "What do they call what you have?"
"Bilateral (both sides) acetabular dysplasia."
"You really don't have an acetabulum on the right side. There's a slight one on the left, but there's really nothing on the right."
"I 'm held together by string and muscles!"
(laughs) "I've never seen anything like that."
"Yeah, I'm pretty much textbook case--about 60% uncovered femoral head on the right."
I told the intake nurse, Shelly, at the MRI department, "I thank God that they can treat whatever I have---just put in a new one! My condition is treatable."
(we had a chuckle over that)
"It's good to have a thankfulness moment," she said.
I watched the parade in downtown Pittsburgh while waiting my turn, then I was rolled into the General Electric MRI--the ceiling had a lit scene of sky and trees. Very relaxing. So relaxing that I took a nap with my earplugs in place while the MRI machine clunked and chunked away.
Stopped in the gift shop on my way out. Dad was kind enough to pick me up in this cold weather, as he had dropped me off.
Labels: BAD, Choir, family, seasons, singing, thankfulness, weather
posted by Grace @ 11/24/2007 07:13:00 AM
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...am I after playing some Apples 2 Apples with Mom, Dad, Marissa, and Beatrice last night. Beatrice is quite adept at handling cards, after watching her Grandma play bridge: She holds her hand and tucks cards into it, too.
Labels: Beatrice, family, family-Marissa, games
posted by Grace @ 11/23/2007 06:52:00 AM
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Yesterday after morning Mass, I spent some time taking photos around central campus of the leaves. It was 66 Fahrenheit according to the bank clock at Forbes and McKee about 11:30 am. I got some hair care supplies for mom at the drugstore, and printed some documents at Hillman Library. I communicated with my orthopedist some of my current problems with my hips, and she would like me to get some more imaging evaluation.
Today is Thanksgiving and Dad and I brought some food donations to morning Mass (it was ~60 Fahrenheit) (after hearing the power was out in William's neighborhood). Fr. Kesicki were the visiting priest (we sat in front of the parents), and Matt H. was the lector. Jim was one of the servers, and Don supplied the music ministry. I spoke to Angela after Mass and walked with Joe and Tina after Mass.
I am finishing some work, and Dad, Mom, and I watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV. Mom commented that it must be cold for the Rockettes, but I countered that it was above 60 Fahrenheit in New York City currently. (Mom called during the first half hour and William indicated that his neighborhood has power again).
~~~
We dined on
croissants and corn bread muffins with butter,
crackers with dips by Marissa and I,
Trader Joe's turkey prepared by Les,
green bean casserole by William,
two versions of sweet potato brulee (sliced and mashed) by Mom and Marissa,
homemade mashed potatoes by Marissa,
stuffing by Les,
two versions of cranberry sauce (the schloop and the TJ's),
drinks were
filtered water and sparkling ciders (domestic and imported).
We all retired to the living room before we indulged in desserts, consisting of:
black and tan cookies (PB cookies with chocolate kisses),
sugar cookies (not Beatrices, this time) (both by Marissa),
and Pumpkin Pie University Squares (by me).
I decided to use the cane this evening to supplement my funky, custom shoes.
Labels: BAD, dining, excited, family, family-Marissa, Mass, seasons, thankfulness, tradition, work
posted by Grace @ 11/22/2007 10:58:00 AM
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Sheila sent me a wonderful, "perfect moment" from Britain's Got Talent, the British equivalent of American Idol---quite a stunning performance by a mobile telephone worker, Paul Potts, from South Wales.
I wonder if my friends Liz and Chris in Cardiff have had an opportunity to view this.
~~~
Mom and I spent the morning getting supplies for Thanksgiving all around town...ShurFine, the Strip District, and Giant Eagle. I also got my form to renew my American Passport. That, completed; along with my passport photos taken by Aimee at the local drugstore; and a check; and my unexpired passport will renew my passport.
Labels: citizenship, email, singing, thankfulness, TV
posted by Grace @ 11/20/2007 09:21:00 PM
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My friend Jessica sent me this great website--she sent me the following email:
If you’re looking to test/improve your vocabulary and combat world hunger, here’s the website for you! It’s kind of like the GREs – for every vocab word that you get correct, a more difficult vocab word comes up , BUT in addition, for every vocab word that you get correct, the site donates 10 grains of rice to the World Food Program. A co-worker double checked to make sure this is legit (it is) and WFP has also released info about the program on their website: So pass the word and beware it’s addicting!!!
I got addicted--in five minutes I had donated 520 grains of rice--ten minutes later, I had donated a total of 1000 grains of rice.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Labels: dining, email, thankfulness
posted by Grace @ 11/19/2007 09:58:00 PM
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Today at three in the afternoon the choir sang at the Mass to Bless the Saint Paul Cathedral Addition. Bishop David Zubik was the Principal Celebrant and Homilist. The music ministry included the Carnegie Brass and Percussion ensemble, as well as Ken accompanying us on the organ and Christina cantoring.
Don called for our rehearsal for the Mass at 1:30 in Synod Hall, where we met up with the brass and Ken at the piano. We practiced the vocal pieces, and the order of worship included:
Festival Piece on Ut Queant Laxis (G. Farrell)
Canzona from the 'Folkloric Suite' (J. Langlais, arr. by Ken Danchik)
Locus Iste (Bruckner) for the actual blessing
For Builders Bold (Stuempfle, Ellacombe)
Gloria (P. Jones)
Michelle was the first reader/lector, and
The responsorial psalm was psalm 84, "How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place" (D. K. Fellows)
We sang the Gospel Processional (J. Chepponis)
The homily addressed the fact that we are all temples of God, and are called to pray for each other, to listen to each other, and to DO---to actively live the word of God.
At the preparation of gifts we sang The Heavens are Telling (F.J. Haydn), with Karen, Kelly, and Alex singing the solos of Gabriel, Uriel, and Raphael, respectively.
The acclamations were from a Community Mass (R. Proulx), save the chanted Agnus Dei.
At Communion we sang Church of God (Sr. Pamela Stotter, Sr. Margaret Daly) and How Lovely is Thy Dwelling-Place from the "Requiem" (J. Brahms)
The recessional hymn was Holy God, We Praise Thy Name
The exit voluntary was Canzon Primi TOni from "Sacrae Symphoniae" (G. Gabrieli)
~~~
I could spot Mom and Dad in the congregation, and I joined them for snacks and fellowship in the renovated social hall in the basement.
~~~
The addition itself is quite handy for accessibility to street, worship, and social hall levels. There are stained glass windows from other churches that were renovated, as well as new stained glass windows, including one of Archbishop Wuerl's coat of arms. There are accent elements seen in the interior of the Cathedral, as well. A great addition to the Cathedral.
Labels: accessibility, Choir, Church, diocese of Pittsburgh, music, singing, St. Paul Cathedral, Zubik
posted by Grace @ 11/18/2007 08:03:00 PM
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Yesterday, William, Marissa, Beatrice, Dad, Mom, and I had lunch at Mom and Dad's home. Mom had prepared the lumpia filling, which I dutifully wrapped in the lumpia wrappers. In addition to the lumpia with suka at bawang, there were spare ribs, egg torta with crab meat, pork and beans, and sweeeeet potatoes/camote (all with rice/kanin, of course). We enjoyed our meal, and Beatrice was signing for drink. We gave her water, since she was sweaty. She also had some spare ribs, and was signing "more"/ reaching for more while waiting to be fed.
~~~
Beatrice knows many of her facial features. She has been responding to
"Where's your tongue?"
"Where's your mouth?"
"Where's your hair?"
"Where's your nose?" (sometimes, by showing her mouth)
for at least a week now;
and she has words/sounds for
Mama
Dada (which she also exclaims when she is having a blast!)
ball
Snowball/Milo/small furry friendly animal: "Baba,"
(among others, as posted by Wa at Outpost Beatrice;
and she can walk quite well at least a dozen steps before needing assistance.
She has a definite personality--she crawled up to her daddy, who was taking a nap, "kissed/hugged" him, and lay her head next to his. "She does that to me all the time," William stated. "She even does that to Snowball. [She's very loving.]"
It was a definite joy to see them yesterday.
Labels: Beatrice, blogs, dining
posted by Grace @ 11/18/2007 09:00:00 AM
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This morning I read at morning Mass, the Memorial for Sts. Margaret of Scotland and Gertrude. Fr. Tom celebrated the Mass, with John serving and Don supplying the music ministry. I received calls from the campus Emergency Notification Service (E.N.S.) about a threat to my work building complex, so delayed going there for a while.
Later, mid-morning, as I was dropping off graded papers at my work building, and after sitting in on a colleague's soil class in the geology building at midday; I noticed the diversity of trees once again. On the north side of the academic quad: Scarlet, orange-rust, and green; each tree bedecked in its own color. In front of the SRCC the trees were green with golden yellow and red tips, as paintbrushes. Most every tree still had all its full layers of glory. The sparse but thick flakes falling and blowing from the sky added an additional layer on my own bright red coat, which further enchanted me.
As there was no work in-service meeting this week, I took a well-deserved nap.
We are enjoying an enchanting Autumn, albeit late.
Labels: biology, color, geology, Mass, Pittsburgh, read, science, seasons, sleep, soils, St. Paul Cathedral, weather, work
posted by Grace @ 11/16/2007 05:25:00 PM
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There was a fire noticed southeast of Oakland (heading south on Bigelow Blvd from Fifth to Forbes Avenues), as one gazed across Schenley Plaza beyond Schenley Park. I guess I will have to wait until the news tomorrow morning to hear where it was located. A large, thick, dark gray plume of smoke arose during rush-hour traffic.
Labels: alarm, light, Pittsburgh
posted by Grace @ 11/13/2007 08:22:00 PM
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There are two oaks on either side of a path that ends on a sidewalk on the north side of the academic quad. The easternmost oak is dark green, and glorious. The oak on the west side of the path (within 10m of the other oak) is vaingloriously golden yellow and orange rust in color. The similarities and stark differences are striking. Both have most all their leaves, and I have been observing them both for about a month now.
O it's Fall.
~~~
18:20 Tuesday 13 November 2007
So, it was in the low 60's Fahrenheit today. The trees around town are a patchwork of colors, of fade-ins and fade-outs, and of degrees of bareness. What strikes me this year is how much the hillslopes that face the Monongahela River are still largely green, with yellow. I saw that today as I headed to RIS and then back home before dark.
The trees around town tell the story of scarlet, orange, yellow, rust, with some stalwarts which are still largely green, with leaves tipped in yellow.
Labels: biology, color, science, seasons, weather
posted by Grace @ 11/12/2007 12:41:00 PM
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Today Jim and Joan renewed their wedding vows and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Their daughter Michelle was present for the Mass. I had an opportunity to wish them well before Mass, and Dad and Oscar were on television ministry.
~~~
My parents' former neighbor, Joan, will be laid to rest after a funeral Mass later this morning.
~~~
Ornella celebrates her birthday at a restaurant this evening. There will be a guest from far away, Rocco!
~~~
...Some of the non-professional events in my life today.
Labels: Birthday, celebration, farewell, friends, St. Paul Cathedral
posted by Grace @ 11/09/2007 09:06:00 AM
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There was the body of a little toddler found in Texas this week. The child's identity is not known, but she has been called Baby Grace. The link above tells the story of the community that has been galvanized by this little girl. A large cross was built by a father, who, several years ago built one for his own daughter who was missing and whose body was then found. Many parents brought their children to mourn Baby Grace's passing.
I said a prayer for this little girl, for all the families with young children, and especially for the person(s) who last saw her alive.
Truly,
Grace
~~~
26 November 2006 7:50am
I heard on the radio that a possible identity of Baby Grace has been established. Now, perhaps, a story behind the tragic incident. May what had happened to her not happen to other children.
posted by Grace @ 11/07/2007 06:29:00 PM
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The phenomenon of "no Fall(ing of leaves) before Winter" may be one of the leaves "burning" (due to wind burn and frost burn) rather than actually changing color due to decreasing production of chlorophyll, which usually reveals the underlying photosynthetic accessory pigments. This, despite the start of solar Winter on Monday. This may be occurring because the leaves' color change may be due to many different factors: day length, temperature, water availability, etc.
Labels: biology, science, seasons, weather
posted by Grace @ 11/07/2007 07:35:00 AM
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This morning's Gospel reading was a parable of the Feast...God invites us to partake of the feast, to get involved, but many have excuses. A good reading.
Labels: Faith, read, St. Paul Cathedral
posted by Grace @ 11/06/2007 09:12:00 AM
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Some trees on the northeast side of the academic quad (the green around the Cathedral of Learning and Heinz Chapel) are still pretty much green--the individual leaves may have changed color on their edges, but the whole experience of the tree is green. Same with two oak trees on the west (Tennyson) entrance of Clapp Hall....and same with the two gingkos southwest of St. Paul Cathedral, between the Cathedral and the rectory. The sycamores in the neighborhood (notably, the ones by the Holiday Inn on Tennyson St....I didn't note the older ones by the Carnegie Library when I dropped books off yesterday) have already turned yellow and pale brown, many of their leaves have been lost to the wind. Sycamores are riparian trees and the warm, dry weather of the last two months has not been kind to them.
So we'll have to see what happens to the trees since it has rained last night and we are expecting---despite clear blue skies currently---rain showers followed by snow showers tonight.
~~~
12:15pm
I saw few, very fine flakes from the sky. We're having winter with barely an autumn.
~~~
5:15pm
I noted more specifics about trees in my travels to/from the South Side this afternoon: Many oaks are still fully green, though not all of them. The mulberry trees in front of the Carnegie Main Branch Library are still fully green. The two locust trees in front of my parent's home (in the crook of the elbow of the building) are mostly green, with some leaves golden yellow in color, probably due to their increased exposure to the elements. The sycamores in front of the Carnegie Library are mostly green, from what I could tell at 5:15pm EST through the tinted and untinted bus windows.
It looks as if we'll have winter, with no fall(ing of leaves).
Labels: biology, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, weather
posted by Grace @ 11/06/2007 08:59:00 AM
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Yesterday, it was fun to have Sunday lunch at Victor's restaurant with Judi, Amy, Alroy, and Kay. We dined buffet-style and enjoyed the stories regaled by Kay of her new job, and by Amy about her boys. We all particularly enjoyed the desserts. This moment was made possible by my parents' attending a medical mission meeting, as our tradition is to have Sunday lunch together.
Choir was special because Lisa's dad visited---with Lisa and Ken's children---choir practice and the loft. I even heard his deep bass tones emanating from the alto/tenor side of the loft.
Mom and I watched Curb Your Enthusiasm last night: The shopping/Paul Simon/Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen episode. We agree that Larry David has a wry sense of humor.
Labels: Choir, family, St. Paul Cathedral, TV
posted by Grace @ 11/05/2007 07:43:00 AM
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of my parents is causing us health problems. There are lots of upper respiratory problems that the smoke is causing, including raspy voices, coughs, and occasional blood in the sputum of those exposed to the second-hand smoke.
There's a lot we have tried, including mentions at building meetings, writing letters, and other gentle forms of persuasion. No luck.
I arrived this afternoon to the whole floor at my parents' building smelling of cigarette smoke. The neighbor's door was open; the whole corridor reeked of cigarette smoke. I don't know what the fate of the smoker is. I truly don't. But I know that the grande machina known as the tobacco industry will continue to peddle their wares to people, who continue to get addicted, smoke up our planet, and pass on [to the next smoker]. The industry is bigger than any one individual addicted smoker.
I don't know what happened to their neighbor. But I don't want to have people I care about to be addicted that badly to tobacco. And I sigh every day that I hear the raspy voice of a neighbor of the smoker.
~~~
~9pm
We were informed that the smoker is no longer with us.
posted by Grace @ 11/04/2007 04:00:00 PM
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In addition to the workshop that Folly Patterson, '86, presented for the Pittsburgh Wellesley Alumnae group, there have been other recent events with Wellesley alumnae. Namely, tonight my former classmate Kim Dozier received the 2007 Marie Torre award after delivering a lecture. Kim works as a CBS News correspondent in Baghdad. She had survived a car bomb on Memorial Day 2006 that killed her cameraman and soundman, as well as the US Army captain and his Iraqi translator whom they were following.
Marie Torre was a nationally respected broadcast journalist who first gained notoriety in 1959 by going to jail for refusing to reveal her source for a story about Judy Garland in the New York Herald-Tribune. She went on to work for KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. She won awards for her documentaries. She also appeared on the Mister Rogers show.
Marie Torre's grown children and her grandchildren were present and they showed a well-produced DVD on her life as a journalist and as a family woman/mom/grandmother. Two of her grandchildren had a chance to speak, too.
Pittsburgh councilman Bill Peduto read a city proclamation making November 3, 2007 Marie Torre Lecture Series Day, followed by Carlow University's president, Dr. Mary Hines's introduction of Kim Dozier. The introduction was followed by a video short that reported on the events in Kim's life on Memorial Day 2006. Kim also described for us what had happened that day (cf. to her comments within a year of injury).
Kim Dozier quotable quotes:
She likened US presence to "a bull in a Middle Eastern china shop that now has no idea how to pick up the pieces."
"Whether we like it or not, perception is 90% of reality."
Answering a question from a nurse in the audience: "Doctors put you back together, and nurses heal you...." Corpsmen (physician's assistants) also do a key job in healing. At Bethesda hospital her main patient advocate was a wound nurse.
How long do we view people as "the other"? "If you view your particular path as the [only] one to salvation, then there exists a gap [between you and others with differing views]."
She discussed the Fundamentalism project, which aims to link the three [Abrahamic] faiths.
About her time in hospital, as related to a family question: "I healed double-time....I was never alone. I always had a family member there"
About her feelings, particularly hate: "I really didn't hate...the man who hit us: did he lose his wife or daughter?" What brought him to set off a car bomb?
She has a deep respect for military and diplomatic corps who have spent time there, and taught her more than she already knows about the culture. There is also "an increased sensitivity to culture: One must respect the culture, or one cannot help them."
~~~
Lynne Hayes-Freeland of KDKA-TV News delivered the opening and closing remarks.
I spoke with Gina and her mom before the program, and shared ideas of the Eucharistic sacrament with her mom. A nurse sat next to me, and I spotted Roberta from the museum. I also saw Cecile, whose husband Eric gave us a ride home. After the lecture, I had a chance to meet some of Cecile's friends there, including Sr. Elizabeth McMillan, who, in her 70's has yet to retire.
Labels: career, diocese of Pittsburgh, photography, Pittsburgh, research, TV, Wellesley, work
posted by Grace @ 11/03/2007 10:37:00 AM
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It's still not quite fall. The academic quad has many green trees, although the one robed in yellow and scarlet has lost its colorful foliage. In front of St. Paul Cathedral there is a gingko tree, whose most of its branches' foliage have turned yellow, save for the branches closest to the trunk, which remain verdant.
The weather, though, has turned from the 70's to 80's to the 50's the past few days, with evenings in the 30's. Perhaps here in the city the leaves will just drop, from the frost at night. That has already started.
On the way up to Bab's a week ago, Judi and I saw the beautiful multicolored patchwork quilt of colors on either side of the highway.
Whither the change in seasons?
Labels: Choir, friends, poetry, seasons, St. Lucy, weather
posted by Grace @ 11/02/2007 08:32:00 PM
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Beatrice, after being the sole trick-or-treater at the CMU haunted house, travelled in her bee outfit with her dad and mommy (the Wicked Witch of the West) for some Halloween fun at Lolo and Lola's home. After pictures with Dorothy and Toto, all of us except Lolo headed out into the night of Lolo and Lola's co-op. We visited Sally, Eleanor, George and Lillian, Joe and Tina, Rita, Mary Jane, Mary Lou, Eleanor, and Dotty. She was quite the sociable girl in her bee costume (made of a fleece-like material): The busy bee, the social bee. She didn't complain one bit, enjoyed walking from door to door, and waved bye-bye at every location. Dotty taught her how to blow kisses, and she was practicing when we returned to Lolo and Lola's home.
~~~
At work, I was Dorothy from the movie "The Wizard of Oz," replete with Toto, bright slippers, pigtails, ruffled jumper, and basket. I asked my students,
me: "What character am I?"
most of the students: "Dorothy!!"
me: "From the book, or the movie?"
H: "From the movie, because her shoes are a different color in the book."
me: "Good. That's right. Now, this relates to part of our lab..."
I then went on to introduce the alcoholic fermentation portion of the lab, then went on to discuss my Halloween character.
me: "So, how does alcoholic fermentation relate to my character? The woman who played Dorothy in the movie became an alcoholic later in life, in her 40's. Many alcoholics lack an enzyme which breaks down alcohol, called alcohol dehydrogenase. So they poison themselves to death."
Labels: Beatrice, biology, Church, cinema, work
posted by Grace @ 11/02/2007 04:39:00 PM
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Days in the life of me.
