Telling stories, Palo Alto 2008
Yesterday I awoke early and finished reading a story from the Children's Book of Virtues with Miranda. Some of the stories we read include:
St. George and the Dragon
The King and the Hawk
The Little Hero of Holland
Legend of the Dipper
The Boy who Cried Wolf
After breakfast, she, Lola, and I designed hari accessories. Lolo, Lola, Miranda, Benny, and I walked to the park and played, including with the rocket launcher toy. We went home for lunch, did some aikido rolls, and then it was time for some creative writing.
At 5pm Grandma Phyllis, Lola, and I joined Miranda for her first communion rehearsal, during which time Lola and I left for In N Out Burgers and fries. We returned just in time to pick up Grandma and Miranda. Joyce and Greg had escaped for an evening of Mamma Mia, the ABBA musical. I read books to Benny, and told Sir Chipmunk stories with Miranda, and said evening prayer with her. (earlier that evening she was rolling; I dubbed her Lumpia Girl).
Labels: Church, family, games, niece and nephew, travel
Palo Alto, April/May 2008
Arrived late last night after a layover in Phoenix. Benny was sick at home, so he had me, Mom and Dad, and Phyl and Gene watching him today. We transplanted a mini mandarin orange tree, played with dinosaurs, read books, waited for his Daddy to come home for lunch, and took a "nap," for all of five minutes. Joyce arrived bearing a Thank You/appreciation basket from work. Baseball/whiffle ball was played by Grandma Phyl, Lolo, and Benny at bat. He really has a good eye!! I took some photos of the backyard activity.
When Joyce and Miranda arrived from school, we examined the silkworms, and I told them about the trees in our yard growing up. Mom and I gained a whole wardrobe each from Joyce, who is now a size zer0! We had dinner of corned beef, ciabatta, steamed broccoli, and salad. I gave the kids showers, during which time Miranda asked me about how hair grows...we discussed it before bedtime reading. Then Miranda practiced her part reading the general intercessions/petitions for Sunday.
Getting ready for bed and a big day tomorrow!
Labels: baseball, dining, family, niece and nephew, read, sports
Off to visit Benny and Miranda...
...and their parents, too, of course!
Labels: niece and nephew, travel
Tracking...
...Solomon began tracking with his eyes (as his Daddy noted this evening). Mom, Dad, Les, Chere, William, Marissa, Beatrice, Solomon, and I enjoyed a lovely dinner together prepared by (ahem) Mom's Catering! Thin spaghetti with white clam sauce, a shrimp and veggie dish, two kinds of eggplant dishes, dressed and tossed salad, rice, and green tea or sodas were the spread. Beatrice had some gawdawful diaper rash, and was a good sport about her baby lapsit songs. The adults noted differences in the tune for "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes."
Today I also posted grades for my students. I was generally pleased, with an average that made sense/jived statistically, and a fair testing procedure...I was actually ready to post Monday afternoon, but was sent away for Tuesday. Mom went to the Bill and Hill rally downtown in Market Square yesterday.
I also voted in the primary today.
Yesterday I received a fun postcard in the mail, which made me chortle. It was definitely one NOT to throw back to the fishes. Pretty funny...I may have to start a brand-new category just for this postcard! (Besides the fact that it took a while to arrive).
Labels: children, deltiology, family-Marissa, philosophical, politics, singing, surprise, thankfulness
Hillary Gathering with Loida Lewis
This morning we attended a gathering in support of Hillary Clinton organized by Tita Tina at a buffet restaurant. Loida Nicolas Lewis spoke eloquently about Hillary Rodham Clinton, her ongoing contributions--including as a New York Senator with people like Loida as her constituents, and her platform. Approximately fifty people attended, mostly Pilipino/a-Americans and their spouses. After her talk, some very pointed questions were handled deftly by Loida. Mom, Dad, and I had the pleasure of dining with her at table after the talk.
After the talk, Mom and I donated many bags at a drop-off center on the South Side, and I drove Mom to her PAMS meeting at Panera Bread. I went home for dinner and a well-deserved nap, and graded practical finals papers. I need to tally points for the exams and for the semester, and report grades next week.
Labels: biology, dining, dreams, Philippines, Pilipino culture, politics, Wellesley, work
CMU Carnival 2008
Today, after a bout of grading exams, Dad dropped me off at CMU's Carnival, where I met William and Beatrice near the booths. William was filling out raffle coupons, and Beatrice and I went to a booth that was largely letters. A student ("man!") from the booth took some pictures of her there, naming and playing with the letters. We even formed a word (M-A-D-E), and she informed him of some of the letters.
After a search for cold liquid refreshment at the Underground, she turned the cup away. We took the bus to her home, singing verses from "The Wheels on the Bus," and her exclaiming "WHOA!" every so often, as we went "bumpety bump." Marissa and Solomon were upstairs, and Beatrice was alternately excited and cranky to be home. She thrilled to walk with my cane, and William attempted to take a picture with her.
William and I had ice cream cups and shakes at Cold Stone Creamery for his birthday before I headed for home, and a bout of more grading.
Labels: Beatrice, Birthday, CMU, family, ice cream, niece and nephew, transportation
Run, run, run, run....sleep sleep sleep sleep
After adminstering two exams yesterday, I visited William, Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon, happily bearing food from Mom. Beatrice and I went to the back deck and she "sweep"s with the "booom." We also played with her mini-house with a slide ("he[l]p, he[l]p") and she ran around (run, run, run, run, run...) the deck. We came inside to have mac 'n' cheese and I, some of Wawa's cake and ice cream. Peaceful Solomon slept through all of this. Beatrice has taken to quickly naming "people in the room," doing a quick roll call.
Right before I departed, Elmo, Beatrice, and I sat on the bottom steps of their landing...one of our favorite places.
A fun evening was had by all.
Labels: Beatrice, berries, Birthday, children, dining, dolls, games, ice cream, niece and nephew
Birthday Cake, Tax time, WELCOME
Today after dinner Mom, Dad, and I went over to William, Marissa, Beatrice, and her little brother's home to partake of homemade double chocolate cake iced with chocolate and raspberry icing with ice cream and tea. Over cake and tea, William introduced Solomon Clemente to us. We were all pleased by the name (like "Haim Solomon," Mom and Dad intoned, where Dad had worked in Brooklyn), and its many meanings to our family and to Pittsburgh.
We also discussed how Beatrice makes associations to family members when we mention sentences to her...anything about a van gets mention of Papa, "You have a nice personality" gets a mention of Mimi.
I had a chance to feed him 4 ounces of milk after his regular feeding (followed by two loud burps!) He loves to feed, sleep, and he has long fingers: "Like a pianist's--like Lola's fingers." Dad said, "He has a surgeon's fingers."
William also filed an extension to his taxes.
What a great way to spend a birthday!!
Labels: Birthday, children, family, genealogy, ice cream, New York, niece and nephew
The Wedding Singer
Dad drove Mom and me to the Benedum Center for "The Wedding Singer" musical comedy. William's family had given me tix to Don Carlos at CMU, but I pointed out that I would be out of town during the time...so they substituted the Wedding Singer tickets. Mom and I enjoyed the show---a walk back in time to the mid-1980's in New Jersey. The Vegas impersonators included a shoebox-wielding Imelda Marcos, and a great, shakin' Tina Turner.
We had tea at Christo's, having hot drinks, the spanakopeta, and got the signature house dessert! Dad was nice to pick us up after our afternoon outing.
Labels: Birthday, dining, Pittsburgh, theater
Big Love
Yesterday (Friday) I reviewed the practical, met with a student, took care of some forms at the Cathedral of Learning (ran into a student on the way into the C of L, and answered some last-minute questions), had lunch of sopas atsaka bola bola, then FINALLY took the HIPAA and OSHA tests for UPMC (again). Took a tiramisu ice cream for my birthday scoop at Baskin-Robbins.
Mom, Dad, and I went to the hospital to visit with William, Marissa, Beatrice (who wore a "I'm the Big Sister" T-shirt) and her bunsu baby brother. It was fun to visit with them, eat goldfish crackers with Beatrice, and generally have a good time.
Nancy C. picked me up and we met Amy C.M. for the show "Big Love" at the University of Pittsburgh Repertory Theater. A (re)make of The Danaids by Aeschylus. An amazingly acted and directed (Melissa Rynn Porterfield) script by Charles Mee. Each of the actors understood the context of his/her part in the whole story. Amazing Movement during the play.
We departed for Victor's restaurant after the show, for a meal of chicken biriyani accompanied by drinks (a real dancing "Indian dancing doll"!), roti, and fried cauliflower.
Labels: dining, dreams, love, niece and nephew, Pittsburgh, theater
I held him...
...several times today--once at the beginning of visitation hours, then again after my re-recording of an RIS show at the station.
Mom and Dad and I went to visit Marissa and William and their new baby boy right at the beginning of visiting hours at the hospital. It was good to hold him, to see his healthy little self being passed from relative to relative, with photos taken all around. Our slight worry that he hadn't peed yet was alleviated at the beginning of my second visit today, which was with just me and Marissa and him.
My second visit allowed Marissa to take a ten-minute nap (interrupted by the two nurses taking vitals of first him, then Marissa), and for him to take an hour-and-a-half hour nap resting with me.
~~~
I was happy that the Oratory/Newman Center group I attend had included Marissa and her delivery in their prayer requests. Several group members have emailed me, telling me that they were praying for Marissa and baby.
~~~
Due to a slight misunderstanding, Don thought I was a "GREAT" aunt! eeep!
Labels: children, Church, Faith, niece and nephew
Six pounds, nine ounces
Beatrice has a new baby brother today. Dad and I spoke to William just a few moments ago. Marissa is fine.
Labels: Beatrice, excited, family, niece and nephew
Birthday Celebrations 2008
Yesterday, after morning Mass and a nice nap, I met Marissa, Beatrice, Les and Chere for an afternoon in Schenley Plaza. I had some snacks from the Asian Tea House, Les picked up a tape of Don Juan De Marco (another Johnny Depp movie recommended by Laurie) for me, and retrieved a number of other items from the library, too.
The evening included ceili dancing in the Strip District! Mary Louise wished me a happy birthday there. Vickie, Jen and Bri, Marie M (from C&L at the Newman Center), and Nancy (from choir) and Tom all turned out to celebrate. Mike had asked me a couple of times to dance; I said hello to Joyce (his wife) at the same time as declining for later dances in the evening. I was pleased to dance
Sweets of May
Waves of Tory
Keel Row
all favorite dances of mine, after dosing away on acetaminophen for the night. Marissa had lent me her videocam for the night, and Jen videographed moments from throughout the night. What fun!
~~~~~
Today were office hours, administrative matters with Carole and Mayte, handing off my completed project to Carole (from her request on Monday, in my last posting), then a nap, a visit with Les, Chere, and Beatrice (during which time Beatrice resisted sleep like a well-wound spring). Marissa was induced to labor this evening. The evening was started with a visit to the Greentree Inn, for a PNR meeting, replete with RFPs, emails, Props, reports of the trip to the Philippines by various members, and a slick slide show of the Philippines visit by Warren. The evening was topped off by the presence of Tito Andy and Tita Fely, who spearheaded the PNR project with seed money back in the day.
I am back at M&Ds waiting for the time to depart for the airport to retrieve them from their voyages to Jerusalem/the Holy Land.
Labels: art, Beatrice, children, dining, excited, Faith, family, international culture, Ireland, Mass, niece and nephew, Philippines, photography, photos, Pilipino culture, Pittsburgh, PNR, prayer, travel
Cheshire smile
Upon leaving Wawa, Marissa, Beatrice and Jujube's home about twenty minutes ago, I spied a Cheshire cat smile in the sky--just a thin sliver of fingernail in the night sky. I had stopped by to pick up the video cam for this week.
My birthday started off great---I lectored for an early Mass, with Fr. Brian W. celebrating, Ed S. serving, and J.R. providing music ministry on the Wickes organ. The reading was from Acts 6:8-15, with the psalm 119:Iab. I then had breakfast, dropped off graded papers for my students (who are having lab away from their lab classroom this week); headed to the computer lab for recording grades electronically; ran into my supervisor, Carole, who made a request of me for the end of this week; attempted to take two online quizzes for my work at UPMC (they didn't work); and stopped at the Main branch of the library to pick up a video on hip replacement, and spoke with Mary Ellen. I had lunch (mostly leftovers at M&D's), headed to RIS to read a show (which inadvertently was taped over another episode--darn!), stopped by the UPMC office to retrieve some paperwork. I then met Marissa, Beatrice, Chere, Les, and later William for ice cream at Ben and Jerry's in Squirrel Hill. I had a cupcake of New York Super Fudge Chunk topped by a layer of brownie, ONE Cheesecake Brownie, icing, and Oreo MMMMM! William, Marissa, Beatrice, and I stopped by the Squirrel Hill branch of the library. I saw some great luminous paintings by Yuriy Mudrenko there. Then we were off to meet Les and Chere for dinner at Aladdin's. I had the Baba garden wrap with a side salad. All were delicious. Chere particularly enjoyed her meal. We then met up at William and Marissa's, where Beatrice shared some of her flashcards with me. We then shared a banana, and it was time for Beatrice to retire. Charles called to sing me a happy birthday, and then I departed shortly thereafter for home.
What a wonderful way to start another year. I hope to live a long life--as long as some of the sentences in this particular posting.
Labels: art, BAD, biology, Birthday, cinema, dining, family, family-Marissa, ice cream, lector, library, Mass, painting, read, RIS, science, St. Paul Cathedral, work
Elephant Self-Portrait
Check out the video of the elephant making a self-portrait. Quite amazing.
Labels: art, painting
Beatrice right before Jujube
Beatrice is an intelligent, sweet, good kid. I went to go visit her and her parents yesterday at their home after I ran some errands in Squirrel Hill. It was good to visit with her, and her puzzles, books, and scoot around the first floor after her.
Today, I saw Beatrice, too, when Les and Cherie, William, Marissa, and Beatrice, and Charles met me for dinner at Carnegie Mellon. We spent some time walking around the restaurant, watching the "soccer ladies" kick the ball, and generally enjoying good food and company. Marissa recounted the time at her study, and showed us the books they gave her.
~~~~~
Yesterday was our first return to choir after Easter. We practiced, then practiced some more in front of the BVM altar (where the temporary Wickes organ is stationed). The sound is good.
Today at lunchtime William and I attended Charles's colloquium at Carnegie Mellon on Henry Hornbostel and the Skyscraper. It was nice to see people we know again--Chris from when I had started working in Pittsburgh (at the PCM), and Helen Faye and Ray. Helen Faye is certain I will have a good "bionic woman" experience, since many of her students have had the same surgery and are much older than I am. I told her what I have told many of my well-wishers: That I am REALLY looking forward to this surgery.
Labels: art, BAD, Beatrice, family-Marissa, friends, Marietta, niece and nephew
