St. Paul Cathedral Choir--Wreaths 2008
Last night Doug, Judi, and I handed out wreaths for the annual fundraiser for St. Paul Cathedral Choir, as I did for the choir fundraiser two years ago. Don and Rocco were at Mass as we handed out wreaths and I sliced up pumpkin pie and salabat tea for the troop. Meanwhile, Doug quizzed me on how I would be the head "hat/coat check girl" for the conference in January, and my duties...I replied with a description of the organization of the racks, tickets, coats/hats/bags/umbrellas etc. We agreed that I should check out purchasing claim tickets at a store in the Strip District. We also talked about his parents' kitchen (!)
After exchanging fond goodbyes and hugs, we all departed for our homes...Me in Judi's car, safe and sound to say goodnight to Mom and Dad at their home.
Labels: Choir, family, friends, music, organ, organizing, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, tradition, volunteering, weather
Mumbai, November 2008
Many postings about the terrorism in Mumbai have been made on the Internet. Two postings ago from two nights ago, Karina had mentioned the terror in her mom's neighborhood. And CNN mentions the current intelligence on the Mumbai attacks. A recent report from 12 hours ago lists the death toll at close to 160 and shows hostages walking to safety.
Labels: international culture, politics
Thanksgiving 2008
Thanksgiving 2008 was spent chez William, Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon. Mom, Dad, and I were greeted by Charles kindly sweeping the gingko berries off the front walk, and William and Charles with open arms to help us carry the food inside. Marissa was busy preparing side dishes in the kitchen.
After opening remarks by William,
we dined on:
corn bread muffins with butter by Marissa,
sweet potato brulee (mashed) by Marissa,
homemade mashed potatoes [command performance] by Marissa,
cranberry molded vegan gelatin by Marissa,
green bean casserole by Marissa
drinks were
filtered water and sparkling blood orange juice
We all retired to the living room after this first "course" for a game of Apples 2 Apples, during which I was determined to be "distinguished."
The second course added these items to the first course:
herb-roasted whole turkey (from Market District)
mashed potatoes (from Market District)
herbed stuffing (from Market District)
carrot souffle (from Market District)
green beans with walnuts and gorgonzola (from Market District)
gravy (from Market District)
cranberry orange sauce (from Market District)
dinner rolls (from Market District)
pie (from Market District)
iced sugar cookies (by Beatrice and friends)
It was all so delicious. After chatting for a while with Charles, Dad and I went for a walk down to the end of the street and back. Some wrapping of leftovers ensued, Charles departed after dark, and a short course of snacks followed. Dad, Mom, and I carried some leftovers home to Oakland. What a wonderful holiday--William's favorite!
Labels: dining, family, friends, seasons, thankfulness, tradition, walking
Thanksgiving Mass 2008
The Thanksgiving Mass 2008 morning Mass was celebrated by Frs. Michael and Timothy Kesicki, who are in town visiting their parents and aunt. Jeff and Keith were the altar servers, Don provided the music ministry, and I was the lector. The first reading was from Sirach, there was a second reading after the responsorial psalm, and the Gospel reading was about the ten lepers, and the one who returned to thank Jesus for healing him. We all chatted after Mass, and I spent some time chatting with Carmella and Bob after Mass, too.
I'm preparing to pick up our Thanksgiving Day order from the store...on what is turning out to be a clear, sunny, cold day.
Labels: dining, lector, Mass, pastoral council, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, thankfulness
Physical Therapy, November 2008; Jeff back for Thanksgiving
This month I made some strides in physical therapy. I went back to therapy in October, and use the Physio Ball to do two exercises on my back (with my lumbar region flattened): bending and straightening the knee, and going from noon to 10 or 2 o'clock with either leg.
I also do pool exercises, including:
water walking (20 minutes)
side stepping while centered (12 minutes)
20 plies/releves x 3
15 front/side/back (ronde de jambe) x each leg
lunges (20 seconds) x 3 @ leg
and will add weight shifting from leg to leg when the pool is no longer under maintenance.
This week, I did some upright bicycling (5 minutes up to 10 minutes).
Yesterday, I walked approximately half a mile (800-1000 meters), going from St. Paul Cathedral up Craig Street to the museums, to the Carnegie Public Library, uphill on Bellefield to work, then back to the Cathedral. I also walked with Joe and Tina to to Heinz Chapel from their home, and back.
I am pleased as punch that I am tolerating more distance, with minor complaints from my body (incipient shin splint-y feelings), as if I'm before training for a season.
~~~~~
Jeff was back for Thanksgiving tonight. Karina, Maureen, and I joined him in celebration of the 5:15 afternoon Mass with Fr. David and Deacon Joshua, who said the homily. After Mass, we met up with Alroy at Aladdin's Eatery in Squirrel Hill (where I enjoyed the lamb wrap) and then piled into Jeff and Alroy's vehicles to go to Dozen in Lawrenceville, where most of us had a pumpkin strudel muffin. Karina had mentioned the terrorism at the two fancy hotels in Mumbai, two blocks from her mom's home. Alroy asked her what will happen, how will she get groceries? And a discussion of the infrastructure network within her neighborhood ensued.
Labels: Carnegie, dreams, exercise, friends, international culture, library, neighbors, politics, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery, thankfulness, walking, water exercise, weather, work
Heinz Chapel Choir Winter Concert 2008
After the first part of the afternoon at work, Joe, Tina, Don, and I enjoyed the Heinz Chapel Choir's faculty concert: Music for the 2008 Holiday Season late this afternoon. The music was predominantly choral music from around the world, mostly European, and directed by John Goldsmith.
The program consisted of:
Prelude--Vivace, Grave, Pastorale (Corelli) by the Hilal String Quartet, four siblings who are middle-school-aged talented players.
Choral (from the loft)
O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Medieval Chant, arr. Goldsmith)
Bogoroditse Djevo (Estonian, Part)
Ave Maria (Latvian, Dubra) solo: Chad Slyman
The Shepard's Carol (English, Chilcott)
Choir and Audience
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Organ Interlude (Steven Anisko)
Desseins Eternals (La Nativite du Seigneur) (Messiaen)
Choir (from the side aisles, lit by lantern light)
Jesus, the Light of the World (American folk hymn, arr. G.D. Elderkin)
Hymn to Mary (Icelandic, Sigurbjornsson) Solo: Alyssa Thatcher
O Filii et Filiae (German, Leising/Quaid & Leninger
Carol of the Bells (Ukrainian, Leontovich/ Wilhousky)
Choir and Audience
Silent Night
Choir (from the altar)
Jesus Christ, The Apple Tree (English, Poston) Solo: Jane Henkels
The Gift to Be Simple (trad. Shaker tune, arr. Chilcott)
Fum, fum, fum (Spanish, arr. Mechem)
Oy, v Yerusalem (Russian, sung in Ukrainian, Yatsynevich)
Ocho Kandelikas (Yugoslavian, arr. J. Jacobsen) Instruments: Nicholas Fleury & Leigh Anne Miguelez
Christmas Time Is Here (V. Guaraldi/Snyder/Goldsmith)
Santa Claus is Coming to Town (LTVC)
Mary Had a Baby (Spritual, arr. C. Courtney) Solo: Sarah Ivins
Choir and Audience
Joy to the World
Organ Postlude
Toccata in F (Buxtehude)
The program was thoroughly enjoyable, and this morning I was pleased to indicate to Evan, my current student from the Bass I section, that I was attending this evening's concert with my friends after he emailed me a reminder of the concert tonight.
The German/Latin "Sons and Daughters" piece was familiar, but set for echoing with this year's large choir. Alyssa Thatcher's voice was particularly beautiful and haunting in the "Hymn to Mary." The traditional Shaker tune ("Lord of the Dance") was lovely. "Ocho Kandelikas" had Ms. Miguelez handing off her French horn and scatting the horn parts, particularly interesting and humoresque. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" found Mr. Goldsmith wagging his finger at audience members at appropriate times in the piece.
~~~
Dinner was hearty at Joe and Tina's place, with mixed green salad with tomatoes; lentil, sausage, and tomato soup with whole wheat bagels; vanilla ice cream with raspberry and chocolate; and decaf coffee. Dinner conversation spanned various topics political and liturgical, but ended with a short, requested lecture by Don of the inner workings of a pipe organ. I asked if my statement this summer to Miranda and Benny that "[Ken] is like the conductor of an orchestra who is playing all the instruments at the same time that he's conducting" rang true. Don indicated that was so. We all enjoyed the discussion, and bid farewell to each other announcing that the Heinz Choir Concert is a great, annual introduction to the holiday season.
Labels: Choir, Christmas, Pittsburgh, seasons, singing, St. Paul Cathedral, student, work
Feast of Christ the King 2008, Auntie Mimang's Birthday
Today was the Feast of Christ the King. Despite this fact, and a baptism of a little boy (William James), Fr. Breyer made the Mass short for the Lt. Governor's wake directly after Mass.
After Mass many of us wished a "Happy Thanksgiving," to each other. I saw the choir's international contingent heading for coffee at the corner. Mom and Dad and I had lunch outside and called Auntie Mimang to wish her a "Happy Birthday," replete with singing. After I had a chance to speak with her, I took a well-deserved nap.
I've been napping with greater frequency since the cold weather kicked in.
We'll be babysitting Solomon and Beatrice at their home after dinner tonight.
Labels: Birthday, dining, Mass, niece and nephew, Pittsburgh, sleep
FAAP Board Meeting
Mom, Dad, and I babysat Beatrice and Solomon yesterday afternoon while William and Marissa saw Sondheim's "Into the Woods" at Carnegie Mellon University. Solomon caught a nap at the end, and Beatrice enjoyed playing with the maracas, piano, keyboard, and bells.
Dad (a FAAP board member) and I (a special board member) attended the FAAP board meeting last night at Dr. Pat's home. We enjoyed appetizers, wine, and drinks. The meeting commenced at 7:15PM and ran until 11 PM. I reported near the end of the meeting on the upcoming Philippine Nationality Room Open House ("briefly," as insisted by Warren). Some of us stayed to chat into the wee hours of the night afterwards; it was a good,productive, congenial meeting.
Labels: Beatrice, Carnegie, family, international culture, meeting, music, niece and nephew, Pilipino culture, PNR, school, singing, theater
Amelie
Tonight, after work and a nap Karina and I went to the afternoon Mass at the Newman Center. We watched a movie she borrowed from the public library, Flannel Pajamas. Then, we watched a movie I had borrowed from the public library, Amelie...Maureen joined us to watch the second movie.
After the movie, we walked to Mom and Dad's home in the bitter windy night, and Karina and Maureen walked to Karina's home, then Maureen is walking home. We saw friends of ours on the way to and from the Newman Center, as there was the "Diaconization" of Bros. Steven and Joshua tonight at St. Paul Cathedral.
Labels: celebration, Choir, Church, cinema, friends, Mass, St. Paul Cathedral, weather
Lectoring, 20 November 2008
I lectored at a morning Mass, with Matt serving, Fr. Brian celebrating, and with Ken providing music ministry. The reading was from Revelation, and Fr. Brian delivered a homily on the past, future, and present coming of Christ. Forty parishioners received Holy Communion on the cold, windy, wintry hour that started with miniature hail and ended with small clumps of flakes of snow being blown about before landing.
Labels: Church, cold, lector, Mass, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, voice
Wellesley Alumnae Event, Fall 2008
After work Nancy C. and I went to Vic's restaurant for dinner. I had the chicken biriyani, Nancy had the vegetable chick pea balls in yogurt sauce. Afterwards, I went to Mom and Dad's to change out of my photosynthesis week work clothes and to pick up my copy of Kim Dozier's book and a camera.
Kim Dozier was back in Pittsburgh to deliver a lecture entitled "Breathing the Fire: Fighting to Report---and Survive---the War in Iraq." The talk was sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Honors College and I received my invitation through the Pittsburgh Wellesley Club. Nancy and I sat a row in front of Michelle L, with whom we chatted before the talk. Kim was introduced by Cindy Skrzycki of the University of Pittsburgh and of Bloomberg News. Kim's talk was more lively and less formal in tone and delivery than her acceptance speech and talk just a year ago at Carlow University. Tonight she read rarely from a reporter's stenographer-type spiral notebook during her talk, delivering it largely from memory. She spoke about how she was fortunate not to have suffered post traumatic stress disorder. Kim claimed to find her interview by Katie Couric to be difficult [from the other side of the microphone], but showed aplomb during the question-and-answer session after her lecture. During the question-and-answer session, Nancy asked her if the book's title had any more meaning for her beyond the war in Iraq.
It was a joy to meet Kim after the lecture, when I chided her for not attending reunion, and Nancy took a couple photos of us before she signed my copy of her book. Nancy and I enjoyed cookies, punch, and decaf afterwards, I brought Kim a drink of punch, and I had a chance to meet with Abby Mc from the University Honors College, another alumna. Nancy and I enjoyed the artwork reproductions in this Italian villa-style campus building.
Nancy and I walked back to our parking spot at Carnegie Mellon University, and enjoyed the walk with the steam rising from the fountain in front of the Frick Fine Arts building, as well as the steam from the steam plant behind the Carnegie Library complex. The frosty/icy bridge caused us to shuffle in small steps, and we enjoyed the cold night air on the way to her car.
Labels: art, career, Choir, dining, Faith, friends, photos, Pittsburgh, research, reunion, stars, TV, walking, water, Wellesley, work
Confused Forsythia Flowers
This Saturday I was having a discussion about the fall season. This past week we had temperatures ranging from freezing to the high 60's Fahrenheit (the next day). I commented that I have seen the rose bushes/shrubs on Fifth Avenue, and some had still had blossoms remaining on them. My friend had commented that he had seen the "forsythia blooming this week,"
They're spring flowers! I exclaimed.
"Poor flowers," he said, "They're confused."
Labels: biology, garden, global warming, science, seasons, soils, St. Paul Cathedral, surprise, weather
Tea with Fannie and Don, Les Parapluies de Cherbourg
After spending time grading and doing administrative work for my classes, I spent a wonderful afternoon with Fannie and Don in their magnificent apartment with the Views south and west of Oakland. We enjoyed
Black Turkish tea with sugar and lemon juice;
tea sandwiches with cucumber and mascapone cheese OR
savory chickpea spread;
Auntie Belle's slivered almond tea bread;
homemade applesauce (from local apples and Vietnamese cinnamon);
and lively conversation.
We spoke about GASP, a local group, our observations of Oakland and Pittsburgh, politics in general, and Pittsburgh visitors' groups. Tom was supposed to join us for high tea, having acknowledged the event early the in week but never getting back to me, after a reminder Friday morning.
We chatted until after dark, then I called Maureen and Karina and we watched The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (Les Parapluies de Cherbourg). A lovely movie, with tunes familiar to me through their English lyrics. I commented how the movie, from just a generation ago, showed the social issues of the day in broad, bold brushstrokes: How the condition of the protagoniste resulted in responses from her family and others that were typical of that day, and how similar conditions today would elicit very different responses, be they of the conditions of characters/actors or of the actors themselves.
Labels: cinema, citizenship, dining, friends, international culture, philosophical
Friday Spaghetti Dinner, Memorial Mass
Last night Karina and I dined with Jen, an MPH student at the Friday Spaghetti Dinner at the Newman Center. Fabiola joined us briefly, then left to help with the food delivery with Chad and Fr. Mike. Maureen joined us later and we went to Giant Eagle Market District (where I went in search of pickled herring!) and then to Starbucks near Maureen's home for a snack, enjoying people watching (especially the significant other of one of the counter workers), and the big band/50's crooner music.
~~~~~
This morning I called Alroy from the sacristy to remind him that today was the choir's memorial Mass for his Dad. I lectored, John served, and Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass. Alroy stopped by after the Mass to thank me---he was still at home when I called him...Kay will be here today, and so he will be cleaning his home. I reminded him of the Nationality Rooms Open House in December.
Labels: Choir, Church, dining, lector, Mass, Pilipino culture, Pittsburgh, PNR, read, St. Paul Cathedral, volunteering
Pinch-Hitting Lector, Thursday 13th November 2008
I left for Mass early, and Matt (the altar server) asked me if I would lector. We celebrated the Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini (Mother Cabrini), and Fr. Brian celebrated. There was no organ music ministry. We sang the acclamations mostly in English (save the Kyrie and Agnus Dei), and the recessional hymn led by Fr. Brian was "Holy God, We Praise Thy Name." About 50 people received Communion in the congregation at that Mass.
I will grade yesterday's papers this morning.
Labels: Church, lector, music, read, singing, St. Paul Cathedral
Chocolat
After work and dinner, I sat at the parents' computer to watch the DVD of Chocolat. What a great film...a favorite of our neighbors in Ohio.
Labels: cinema, dining
The Grapes of Wrath, Les Triplettes de Belleville
After work, I went to an opera lunch hosted by Annabelle and Linnea of Pitt Arts. Opera Lady (Beth Parker) was there, as was Ricky Ian Gordon, who wrote the music for The Grapes of Wrath, playing this season at the Pittsburgh Opera. We were treated to a number of musical selections from this opera/musicalische, as well as lunch trays of sliced meats and cheeses with salads. Roberta and I chatted before the luncheon, were joined by Ethan, and enjoyed talking to Ricky after the talk. It turns out he knows and has worked with a family friend, J.
Soon after I drove to physical therapy for about an hour of exercises with the physioball and the usual pool exercises. It always feels like flying in the pool! I stopped by the library and picked up a number of DVDs and VHS tapes to watch. Before and after dinner I watched The Triplets of Bellville, a movie that Susan E. recommended to me. Absolutely lighthearted and suspenseful at the same time!
Labels: art, Atlantic Ocean, Carnegie, cinema, dining, dog, exercise, library, Mozart, opera, pool, water exercise
Lysistrata
After a long afternoon nap, Nancy C. and I went to the Studio Theatre at the Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh for the Repertory Theatre's version of Lysistrata by Aristophenes, and directed by Kaitlyn Wittig, who was last seen in Big Love last season, which Nancy and I also saw. We enjoyed some dishes (paneer for me) at Victor's restaurant afterwards.
Labels: humor, international culture, Pittsburgh, school, Songs, theater
Michael Cavanaugh: Billy Joel Songs, etc.
Last night after Tom's office hours we stopped by my place to pick up a car. We went to his home so that he could walk the doggie, and then at 6:15 we went to the Newman Center for First Friday Feast for students and faculty. We enjoyed pasta, salad, bread, and drinks before heading for Heinz Hall.
We parked, then I headed for Will Call while Tom paid for parking. We enjoyed the program, "Michael Cavanaugh: The Songs of Billy Joel and More." Selections included:
Movin' Out
Uptown Girl
Longest Time
Tell Her about It
My Life
Carousel/Waltz No. 1
Air (Dublinesque)
New York State of Mind
Just the Way You Are
Great Balls of Fire
and the encores included:
Piano Man
We headed to Eat & Park afterwards for burgers (and Mac&Cheese on my part).
Labels: Church, dining, dog, music, PSO, work
Russet and Gold...
The landscape of trees about Pittsburgh consists of russet and gold tones, primarily. There is still that verdant tree across my building at work, on the north side of the Cathedral of Learning---same as last year.
~~~~~
Spoke with my friend, C, this afternoon/tonight, who teaches French near Paris to 16-year-olds. It was refreshing to talk with her.
Labels: biology, color, science, seasons, surprise
Lab Birthday Party, November 2008
One of my students, DF, contacted me on Wednesday night, writing that she and one of her lab partners, CMc, had obtained a cake to celebrate the birthday of their lab partner, AS. They were asking for permission to celebrate in lab Thursday [yesterday].
I wrote to DF--
You all can eat the cake outside the lab--maybe you could snag a couple of chairs and set up outside the lab: the cake on one chair, on another chair the paper plates/sturdy napkins and forks.
I suggest you serve the cake after the [first past of the] lab has been started and you are preparing to do the [second part of the] lab. There is a small window of time, but everyone who wants to partake should be able to.
That said, you two can decide when you want to sing to A.! You can keep the cake in a paper bag/under wraps outside our door with a note on it until you are ready to serve.
Tom had stopped by the stockroom to purchase some supplies, and asked me, "What do you do [that makes them celebrate birthdays]?" I replied, "I don't do anything! They ARE that way."
I facilitated the party by providing two chairs in the hallway just outside our lab door, and even sang with a group of students "Happy Birthday" to AS. What a great light cake, with white frosting and berry-filled icing between layers.
Labels: biology, Birthday, singing, student, work
Ma Famille Belge
A couple of hours ago I spoke with ma maman et mon papa belges. We caught up after over a dozen years, sharing ideas, thoughts on this week's election, their grandchildren (!), my family, and I got C's contact information.
J'ai [vous] manque, I said, in broken French. It was good to talk to them and to hear how they are doing. They told me they do not have the Internet...Ah, c'est bon, I replied, agreeing, explaining Je n'ai pas l'Internet a mon appartement parce que a mon travaille j'ai utilise l'Internet.
Labels: family, international culture, languages, Pittsburgh, politics
Mom & Dad Home Again, November 2008
I sit, patiently awaiting the return of Mom and Dad to their home. They are getting a ride from the airport from a transport company. Their flight was scheduled to arrive at 9:48pm and arrived at ~10:35PM. So, if they still need to go through customs, there is quite a bit to do before they are safe & sound at home.
~~~~~
I enjoyed choir practice, despite the fact that I did not sit on stage and sing with the rest of my section. Near the end, I did sing a Near piece, and followed along, taking notes, while the sections sang.
Labels: alarm, Choir, Christmas, family, Pittsburgh, singing, St. Paul Cathedral, surprise, travel
Lectoring November 2008 I
This morning I lectored at Mass. This was my first day back at Mass after my bout with laryngitis. Fr. Brian Welding celebrated, Matt was altar server, and Don provided music ministry. All of us noted after Mass that there were a number of people in addition to the "normal crowd" at Mass this morning---this was Matt's first week as the primary altar server, and he indicated that it started yesterday. (At today's Mass I counted 56 individuals in the congregation receiving Holy Commmunion.) I also noted a number of college-aged students.
Labels: Church, lector, Mass, read, St. Paul Cathedral, surprise
Obama Celebrations
Luce sent me a website that has photos of Obama election celebrations.
Talked to Miss Ida, and Mark (my neighbor) about the "hope of fewer wars and more money for health care and other such interests."
Labels: celebration, citizenship, friends, neighbors, politics
Many Happy Returns
338:156
Obama:McCain
Labels: celebration, citizenship, politics
Early Returns II, November 4th , 2008
More results are in
333:156 Obama:McCain
Wow.
Labels: celebration, politics, voice
Children and Election Day
Here's info on the Scholastic News as a predictor of Presidential candidates' success.
[I like Beatrice's take on Election Day: Her mom wrote, blogging, "The place where we vote is next to a playground. After we finished voting, Beatrice said, 'Now we can go play with Obama in the playground. Then he will vote for us.'")
Labels: Beatrice, celebration, children, family, friends, games, global warming, politics, school, voice
Early Returns, November 4th , 2008
Many Happy (early) returns...270 electoral votes required to win: Barack Obama has 284 votes, against Mr. McCain's 146.
We provided students with a web site to check whether they were registered to vote, and where their polling place was.
In the time it took me to type this, it became 297:146, Obama:McCain, 51%:48%.
So many people will be pleased, if the Hill stays blue. So much work to be done in the next administration. Here's where it all begins...
Labels: citizenship, global warming, politics, voice
Voting: Decision 2008
I took the bus to go the doctors office and pick up a prescription. On the way, I saw a T-shirt under a student's sweater, that seemed to read, "Bush's last day 1-20-2009." I told her that my undergraduate advisor has a website that counts down the SECONDS.
I voted today after stopping by the pharmacy to pick up a new prescription. I took the bus there and saw Mary T. and her daughter. I picked up some items at the bake sale, and then voted..."You're welcome," I sang out, reading, "Thank you for voting," from the computerized voting machine.
I stopped back at work, making photocopies of data from today's presenting student group on respiration. Tom and I shared some brownies and cupcakes before he taught. Oscarlitoria stopped by the lab, too, and we told the students that we were having a party.
I had some carry out sushi from down Craig Street for dinner.
Election News on NBC is currently being shown....preempting Mom's favorite show, Jeopardy!
At right before 7 am I spoke to Mom and Dad right before they went on their first walkabout Istanbul today.
Labels: blogs, excited, international culture, Pittsburgh, politics, TV, walking
Choir Outings
After the noon Mass a group of us (Judi, Amy, Jess, Ornella, Marc, Christoph, Andrew, Stacy, and I) sat outside a sidewalk cafe and enjoyed the 65+ degree Fahrenheit weather. We departed after I had gathered a handful of us to meet at the Jonathan Borofsky sculpture on the Carnegie Mellon campus before heading to the Carnegie Mellon Jazz Vocal Ensemble concert this evening.
After a full afternoon of emailing, prepping for work this week, and a nice nap, Ornella picked me up to meet Andrew (who left for office hours) and Christoph. Mark showed up after the first song in the program.
The program included
My Funny Valentine
Take the A train
[I Get a Kick out of You]
Try to Remember
A Groovy Kind of Love
Stay
Mystery
The vocal ensemble consisted of several undergraduate students, Jessica, Laura, Pat, Nick, Sergi, Tim, and Ryan; and was directed by Thomas Douglas.
After, we went to a bar in Ornella and Marc's neighborhood for drinks. We DIDN'T talk for two hours about politics. We spent three hours at the pub, enjoying each others' company and also discussing the social luciole's role in the choir. We shared secrets, such as who is on my speed dial, who is on Marc's speed dial, how I came to fly a plane, et al.
Labels: art, Carnegie, Choir, music, politics, school, tea, weather
Philippine Nationality Room Fundraising; The Nightmare Before Christmas
This morning, after doing a load of laundry after Enzymes II week, I headed to Tita Tina and Tito Larry's for a meeting of the Philippine Nationality Room Fundraising committee. We had a great brainstorming session, and shared ideas over a potluck breakfast. I ran an errand after the meeting and returned in time to receive a phone call from Mom. She and Tita Tina chatted, and I chatted with her, too. Dad was resting at the time.
I stopped at the Mount Lebanon library to check out their collection development. I stopped at home to pick up some work papers, and then Tom and I headed to the Main Carnegie Library to collect a video (Amelie). We stopped at the video store in Bloomfield and picked up Nightmare Before Christmas, shopped at Giant Eagle for dinner fixings, and made certain to get some pumpkin cookies, too.
After a dinner of mixed green salad, beef stroganoff, broccoli crowns, and juices, I proceeded to play the movie Amelie. "Subtitles?" said Tom, "It's too much work to watch a movie like that," he exclaimed, thereby reminding me of his poor eyesight.
"Fine," I conceded, "we can watch your movie after I do a little work," He happily helped me with tabulating and plotting the data for two inhibitor groups from two of my lab sections last week.
We then had pumpkin cookies (being careful to keep them away from the doggie, Midnight), and watched the movie Nightmare before Christmas.
I like his doggie, who seemed to take after me, leaning against me and resting his head on me, all for attention.
Labels: biology, Carnegie, cinema, dining, dog, international culture, languages, laundry, library, list, organizing, Philippines, phone, Pilipino culture, Pittsburgh, PNR, student, teaching, work
