NICE is truly underrated
Jenny S just left, after a visit of three and a half (almost four) days. I told her that, of all her family members that I have met, she has a NICE family (and that niceness is severely underrated). I'm really glad that she came to visit. I told S that I have Hotel Grace (which LS upgraded to B&B Grace). JS said I rate at SIX stars, and that I have "Grace's Adventures and Tea Party." We had great fun together.
Labels: adventure, Pittsburgh, transportation
Preparing for Jenny's Arrival
After Luce departed early Monday morning, I took a brief nap. Mom, Dad, and I went to Greentree for the Chinese Buffet, and went straight to Dr. Pat's office to pick up supplies for the medical mission. We stopped at Tuesday Morning for some shopping, and I went home and did some laundry and dishes in between a cool lemonade break with Maureen. I dropped off the pill cutter for mom late Monday night.
Tuesday I lectored and also attended the evening Mass with Maureen. I had my physical therapy in the afternoon, as mentioned in my previous entry.
Today I went Downtown to pick up shoes I had dropped off for repair, went to Mom & Dad's, then picked up my meds and ran into Jenn, who will meet with Jenny Friday. Spoke with Jenny, some other friends, and took a bus home. SR gave me little magnetic words!
I must vacuum and empty the dishwasher before tonight is over...
Labels: cleaning, friends, health, Mass, medical mission, music, phone, repair, shoes, St. Paul Cathedral, walking, writing, Zubik
Memorial/Feast of Saint Philip Neri
This morning I lectored, with Matt serving, Fr. Andrew celebrating, and Ken at the portative organ. I read Acts 20:17-27 and Psalm 68. The Mass intention was for a relation of Mrs. Mary T., a neighbor.
I went to physical therapy, with K. and with Rachel, the PT intern. I mailed a letter out right before my exercise session.
This afternoon Maureen and I went to the solemn Mass on the Feast of St. Philip Neri (founder of the Oratorian Order) in union with the Knights and Dames of Malta (honoring their patron, St. John the Baptist). The main celebrant was the Most Reverend David Zubik, with the priests from the Ryan Catholic Newman Center and Fr. Fischer. Don played
Bach's Air on a G String as a prelude,
with the opening hymn being "The Church's One Foundation."
Christina sang the Kyrie, Gloria, the responsorial psalm. The Offertory hymn was "Firmly I Believe and Truly God Is Three, and God is One" (J.H. Newman), "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," and the recessional hymn, "God the Omnipotent."
Br. Paul Werley read the first reading well. The homily by the bishop was about names and being an only child (as Christ was an only child). The presentation of the gifts was by the knights and dames of the Order of Malta.
Maureen and I joined everyone to celebrate with refreshments afterwards. We saw and spoke with Carmella (and Bob), Lisa H and Chris, Eric and Amanda and Alex and ?, Br. Paul, etc. etc.
Labels: exercise, friends, health, Mass, neighbors, ordination, Pittsburgh, singing, St. Paul Cathedral
Luce visits last week
Last week Luce visited from LA, NM. She arrived on Thursday afternoon during rush hour.
Before she arrived, on Monday and Wednesday I had physical therapy early in the day, and on Wednesday at noon I joined a meeting at Shiloh for the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers. It was a planning meeting for the marketing and publicity. Also, there was a meeting Thursday morning at the Pittsburgh Foundation about the new website, Pittsburgh Gives.
Luce's plane arrived about two hours late, so we stopped at the Pan Asian restaurant for dinner for her, and went directly (with suitcase in tow) to choir practice.
Friday morning we walked about 800m to Pamela's (whew!) for breakfasts of a waffle with whipped cream for me and an egg and corned beef hash and potatoes breakfast for her. We stopped at the 24/7 computer lab, dropped off materials at the Carnegie Library, stopped into Heinz Chapel, and visited half of the nationality rooms (south & 1/2 of west aspect) on one floor of the Cathedral of Learning. We had lunch with Marissa, William, and their children at the Thai restaurant in Bloomfield. The afternoon brought a siesta, a walk to a mailbox for one of my clearances, etc. then we had appetizer and smoothies at the Pan Asian restaurant on Craig Street. We drove up to Mount Washington, took the Easternmost Incline to Station Square, where we went shopping, went home, and had snacks at home.
Saturday Luce awoke to climb to the uppermost public floor of the Cathedral of Learning. We then went to Penn Avenue of the Strip District, where we had a late breakfast at Delucca's...I had the caramel apple crepe (YUM). We had a siesta from noon-two, went to the bead shop and the Pan Asian restaurant (for her fave drink) and to the craft & Irish store. I went home and to Mom & Dad's, she to the New Balance store. At about 5:15 we headed to Squirrel Hill to check out the shops. We dined with William, Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon at the Filipino restaurant. I selected the Filipino sampler, which was as Mom described.
Sunday Luce was a guest with us during Mass. Mom, Dad, and I took her to Eat N Park at the Waterfront for a late brunch. We stopped at Marshall's, TJ Maxx, and headed home to either nap or work on medical history paperwork for a future doctor's appointment.
Monday morning we took the early bus at seven to get to the airport. We did some last minute shopping (to spend her dollars--!) and she blew me a kiss from security (TSA).
Labels: exercise, friends, visitor, water exercise
St. Anthony's Chapel Novena
Maureen and I went to St. Anthony's Chapel to pray the novena (this week was the tenth Tuesday of the novena). I mentioned K & her family, who lost their mother, and M. and her family, as well as a special intention.
We went grocery shopping at Trader Joe's and Giant Eagle afterwards.
Labels: Faith, Pittsburgh, prayer, rosary
Marc's graduation celebration
Last night a bunch of choristers got together to celebrate Marc's graduation from Carnegie Mellon University. We initially were to go to the Hofbrauhaus, and because the wait there was five hours, we ended up at the Cheesecake Factory (wait only two hours). Part of the reason for the long wait was the size of our group (thirteen to fourteen, at last count). We had a lovely dinner, with Mary Ann, Gabe, Judi, Jess, and I at one end of the table. I enjoyed the ahi avocado (somewhat spicy).
As the rest of the group departed at 11-11:30 for the Hofbrauhaus, Mary Ann and I headed to our respective homes.
Labels: Carnegie, Choir, dining, diocese of Pittsburgh, friends, school
Sighted...May 2009
"To Jen
I seen your t***
in movies"
--Spotted in Brooklyn
13 May 2009
Times Square (with a clock) sign
--New Jersey
May 2009
on the back of a truck:
"VIETNAM VET ON BOARD
WHEN I LEFT
WE WERE
WINNING"
--New Jersey
Back in the Burgh
Mom, Dad, and I returned to Pittsburgh late yesterday afternoon. It was good to:
See Donough again,
See Gaby, Chrissy, Uncle Dodong, Maria, and Anna,
See (and stay with) Kelly in her neighborhood
Shop at China Town, Manhattan
See Angela Lansbury in Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit
Go to the Met (Museum)
Enjoy Mother's Day in New York
Shop around NYU (including at Strand Books and the street fair)
Listen to an organ meditation at Grace Church
See (and stay with) Ben & Benita, Linda, Bill, and Alex at their home
Be treated to amazing food by Foodie relatives
Drive back with minimal precipitation/rain
Be back in time for choir practice yesterday evening
Nap practically every day
Labels: art, Choir, dining, family, friends, jewelry, museum, music, New York, photography, photos, reunion, seasons, shoes, shopping, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, theater, weather
NYC-Checkin' email Ia
Back to the library with dad after I had lunch and siesta at Kelly's home...Mom & Dad joined Kelly and her employers for a leisurely lunch. Listened to some music on the CD player...Telemann, etc. Dad and I departed for the library (main branch of the public library), and arrived just minutes before a torrential downpour. Took care of correspondence to folks back in Pittsburgh, now am blogging.
We're planning a relaxing evening with Kelly tonight. Mom will contact her family and friends in the area.
Labels: dine, family, library, New York, sleep, weather
NYC-Checkin' email I
Sitting in the main Brooklyn public library branch, checking email, seeing Julie, Larry, and Chloe's pics, and bloggin' (here). Kelly, Mom, and Dad will have lunch together.
Heard Kelly's accordian group perform yesterday night. What a great group of women + Walter.
To NYC
I awoke at six o'clock to get ready to go to the City. I threw out the trash and lowered the windows. Arriving at Mom & Dad's with my luggage, I was surprised to hear that Mom had slept an hour prior (preparing for the trip). I loaded most of my luggage into the car. I stopped by the computer lab at work to print out the directions (from here to Donough's, ...to Uncle Dodong's, and ...to LSC; from Kelly's to Donough's homes) for our trip, which I had prepared last night. Stopped by to get hand cream at the drugstore...it was still closed, with newspapers strewn in front of the door.
I need to call to reschedule a medical appointment on Monday the 18th...must wait for their office to open this morning.
As Donough said, it will be nice to get together and to see each other after all these years: To meet his family, to see Aine and Eamon (and their spouses), again, too.
Labels: computer, email, family, friends, health, home, international culture, Ireland, New York, reunion, sleep, transportation, work
Pittsburgh Marathon 2009
Mom, Dad, and a bunch of their PAMS friends are volunteering for the Pittsburgh Marathon Medical team at the Carnegie Institute...many people from the Pacquiao party last night (KO in 2nd round, Hatton down).
I awoke early today to pack for our trip to visit Kelly. Got it down to:
my small overnight red bag
my fabric bag for my calendar and journal notebook
my small red over-the-shoulder daily bag
my exercise ball
my sport seat/ cane
Kelly called, looking for Mom. (She is still at the medical station).
I'll go outside to watch the race...
~~~
14:15
Karina and I had masala chai (made with Irish tea) and Mexican hot chocolate cookies. We chatted, I admired the bracelet with saints she had fashioned, and we enjoyed the tea we had made together. (Water with sugar and masala boiled first, then milk and tea added last.)
We were pleased with the way the day had turned out: Sunny, bright, and clear.
~~~
20:00+ (After six o'clock evening Mass, when I saw Nancy and Tom McA., Stephanie (from Christmas choir), Ed, and Ken and Lisa's brood, and during which Fr. Utz served. Today was Ken & Lisa's anniversary.)
Showed up at the Newman Center for Eucharistic Adoration. Met up with Maureen, and we went to Karina's for masala chai, homemade chocolate cake, and conversation. Maureen and I walked to my parents' home, and I drove her to her home. The evening ended with the girls at about 23:00.
Labels: anniversary, family, friends, Mass, medical mission, Pacquiao, St. Paul Cathedral, tea, volunteering
The Road to Impressionism: Barbizon Landscapes from the Walters Art Museum
This morning I ran errands at the Waterfront and in Squirrel Hill.
After lunch/smoothies at Craig Street, Christina P. and I went to the Frick Museum to see The Road to Impressionism: Barbizon Landscapes from the Walters Art Museum exhibit. We were just in time for the 14:00 tour. We passed by the French tables, replete with French natives conversing whilst in costume, to enter the exhibit.
Many of the tableaux in the exhibit were from the Frick and Walters collections. Most were landscapes, or landscapes with figures in it. Having read Hans Jenny's paper on Soil in Landscape Art this past week, I was taken by the erosive soil elements on the hillcuts in certain pieces. Namely two pieces: "Le Puy du Dome" (circa 1866-1868, Jean-Francois Millet) and "Landscape with Wild Buffalo" (circa 1865, Jean-Achille Benouville), of a Roman campagna.
We applied gold leaf to a picture frame. We met Benedicte, her former Spanish teacher, who is now director of Alliance Francaise. Then she dropped me off, and I took a nap.
Helped out with dinner preparations at Mom & Dad's place. Tina, Leila, Dr. Pat, Tessie and Ernie, and Dr. Larry arrived to have dinner of ground beef torta, kare-kare, rice, baked calamari, lo mein noodles, watermelon, (corn on the cob), and homemade pineapple upside-down cake. Dad popped the cork on the champagne. They are now watching Manny Pacquiao via pay-per-view. Tina brought my birthday gift of eyebrow pencil, eyeliner, and Hippy Fizz fragrance. MMmmm.
Labels: art, dining, excited, friends, gift, glass, international culture, museum, Pacquiao, painting, surprise, water
Baby Squirrel at UCLA
Check out this baby squirrel and big squirrel at UCLA.
Labels: animals, California, dance, school
