Watching
Sermon 22 from Cardinal John Newman's Anglican period
We studied the beginning of this sermon. Several of us shared our ideas of what it means to watch. After Franco spoke of "Exodus 12, of the Passover, like being 'in flight': This is the New Passover." And Jennifer spoke, too. I referred back to Franco's statement about Pesach, that a child asks the question, "What makes this night different from all other nights?" I quoted from Newman's sermon 22, "We are not simply to ... love, but to watch." I mentioned How Jesus says we should be child-like. That it is like a parent watches a child, which is different than a sibling loving the child. A young sibling cannot watch the child, but an older person or a parent can, even while sleeping, turn their attention toward the child, like a rudder. Fr. Steve mentioned that watchfulness implies a certain maturity.
Mark 13:33 (All for the love of God)
I shared a thought that One must open one's heart to be moved by God, to be attentive [to the Spirit].
Fr. Steve mentioned pridefulness vs. humbleness: To be in loving conversational communion, malleable union with Christ.
Marriage takes three: Two persons, pointed toward God.
Newman wrote near the end of his five-page sermon:
"Pray Him to give you what Scripture calls 'an honest and good heart,' or 'a perfect heart,' and, without waiting, begin at once to obey Him with the best heart you have."
and
"...in one or other way we take our portion with this world.... We kindle our own fire and delight ourselves in the sparks of it.... Life is short. Death is certain, and the world to come is everlasting."
Labels: Faith, friends
Sa Chen at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
This afternoon Mom and I went shopping across the Highland Park Bridge and had dinner at Taco Bell.
Tonight was Jeff M's first jaunt to a Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performance. And what a night to go! Manfred Honeck directed a program with twenty-nine-year-old Sa Chen at the piano, playing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No.1---Ms. Chen was stunningly brilliant in her interpretation, as evident from the first movement forward. 
After she played an encore, I met the featured artist at intermission, being within the first ten people to meet with her. Jeff, meanwhile, chatted with Matt H. and Lisa on the sidelines. I joined them and met Lisa.
The second half of the program was predominantly Strauss Family waltzes and polkas. I recognized those *ed pieces below:
*Fruhlingsstimmen (Voices of Spring)
Frauenherz (A Woman's Heart)
*Tritsch-Tratsch (Chit-Chat) Polka
*Annen-Polka
Wein, Weib, und Gesang (Wine, Women, and Song) Waltz
Eljen a Magyar! (Hail, Hungary!)
Pizzicato-Polka Op. 464
Agyptischer Marsch (Egyptian March)
Unter Donner und Blitz (Thunder and Lightning) Polka
The PSO played three encores, including a recursive/repetitive piece, the Anvil chorus (with accompanying humorous visuals), and the Radetsky march.
Labels: photos, PSO
The Blind Side
I awoke early this morning to check email; arrange a meeting with Ellen, my coworker; and to prepare for next week's plant lab. I looked over the lab exercise as well as the powerpoint presentation. I took a long (two hour) nap. Then Mom, Dad, and I went to the noon Mass to celebrate J & T's fortieth wedding anniversary. We walked together with the celebrants to More's restaurant for a celebratory lunch. Mom, Dad, and I enjoyed the ground steak with pasta and salad. Coffee ice cream and T's homemade pecan and coconut cookies were for dessert. T's sister, J, lost her balance and took a spill after dessert. She was relatively okay after that incident.
We all walked to Mom and Dad's building after, and I studied the plant anatomy and physiology lab for about half an hour before calling Ellen at about 16.15. I met her at work after walking through the brisk, windy day and we shared notes, ideas, and organization of the lab for the next hour and a quarter or so. I shared my email to my students, which included: Changes to the plant lab, Agenda for the Plant Lab, and Clean Up for the Plant Lab.
I then walked to Mom and Dad's to pick up my purse. Jeff and Christina picked me up for a mini-reunion of Faith-sharing group: We dined out at Damon's and enjoyed a movie afterwards. I enjoyed a salmon salad with cheese and sliced hard-boiled egg with ranch dressing. We then purchased tickets for the movie The Blind Side. Excellent movie with Sandra Bullock (the latest I had seen with her was The Lake House, with Mom).
Thanksgiving Days 2009
Our family has been eating since Kelly arrived in the wee hour of the morning Wednesday from her home in New York.
We packed for Ohio and met William's family for lunch at the sushi buffet for a pre-Thanksgiving celebration. We all enjoyed, but I deftly avoided the dairy products, as we left after a short jaunt to Target for lactase and a camera chip. The children enjoyed watching the fish and "tut-tuh" as Solomon called out and pointed.
Dad adeptly drove us down river to our hometown. Kelly was dropped off at Holly's home, where her dad greeted us and welcomed Kelly. We continued to mom and dad's friend, T, and greeted her son and his girlfriend Amanda. After, we drove to the Blennerhassett Hotel in downtown, changed and napped before I drove across the river to the graduation celebration of Jay. [We met Kelly there.] We saw plenty of our long-time friends from our hometown. We had a grand buffet, of which the venison stew was a big hit---as well as the cake with fresh strawberries. We headed home at half past twelve and enjoyed the evening immensely.
Thanksgiving morning brought some prep by me of notes for the students, breakfast buffet at the Atrium, followed by a leisurely drive around our hometown. I drove us past the college to our hometown Church. We met with Msgr. Mike, who toured us around, as well as a parishioner who was praying who was a former patient of Dad's. The Church is wonderfully beautiful, with the paintings being restored, added artwork, and the altar holding relics.
We drove around, did a little shopping, and ended up looking at our childhood house.
We returned to the hotel in time to see and chat with Mattie and his wife Amy before we joined up with our group for the 2:30 Thanksgiving buffet. Lovely to behold, and even lovelier to digest.
Dad and I drove us home.
I sent the notes to my students via email this evening.
Hair Cut Day November 2009
Yesterday I finished grading my quizzes from last week. I'll drop them off today for the students to pick up before the Thanksgiving holiday.
Yesterday Mom and I watched "Dancing with the Stars" with Donny Osmond, Kelly Osbourne, and Mya. We commented heavily on their performances.
This morning I'll go for some bloodwork, then Mom and I will go for our hair cuts, too.
~ ~ ~
~9:30
This morning I dropped off the graded quizzes, notified my students by email of the papers, entered the grades on my electronic grade sheet, and went for bloodwork. I saw some of Dad and Mom's neighbors, as well as Janice from the development office where I used to work, and we exchanged current information.
I returned to work to print my electronic grade sheet, enter my (third) recommendation for a student applying to a PharmD program this semester, and enjoyed my walk back.
~ ~ ~
18:10
Went for my hair appointment with Mom (Dad came along, too). As she finished cutting my hair, Mom and Dad took off to run some errands. Phyllis came in, we greeted each other, and commented on how long it's been since we have seen each other. Mom and Dad arrived shortly thereafter. Our stylist had purchased a choir CD, and we all chatted for a while. Mom will stop by Phyllis and Gene's home next Monday.
I typed in the change to Mom and Dad's Victorian party this season, and emailed Mom. I took the bus to work and mailed some student athlete recommendations. I spoke with Zusana for a while, then took care of some printing for the lab next week.
Labels: biology, Carnegie, Choir, computer, dancing, hair, health, student, TV, walking, work
Feast of Christ the King 2009 (B)
Yesterday was the Feast of Christ the King. A grand day in the Church, the beginning of the last week in the Liturgical year. I wore a white sparkly cotton top with my sunny monstrance-looking pendant.
After Mass Jennifer H, Diana, and I went to lunch at the Orient Express. I tried the shrimp with tomato, which was pretty good. We all carried out our leftovers.
I took a two-hour nap, taking my sleep time up to thirteen hours.
I attended the last concert in the Saint Paul Cathedral re-inaugural concert series, given by Ken Danchik, our Associate Organist. He opened and closed with pieces by Vierne and Langlais (both blind organists); he played the Carmelite suite by Jean Francaix, Prelude and Fugue in D Major by J.S. Bach, Venus (transcribed for organ by Arthur Wills) by Holst, and the Suite Francaise (including dances, fanfares, and street scenes) by Poulenc.
After the concert we had a chance to chat with Ken. I took a photo of his family for them, and then Nancy C and I went out to Ali Baba for a snack.
~~~
This morning Fr. Daniele concelebrated with another priest the Mass. John was the altar server. Some of us ladies chatted after Mass about Fr. Andrew's send-off party. Karina called about getting a ride to the station for her trip East.
Labels: automobile, celebration, Choir, Church, dining, friends, Mass, music, organ, photos, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral
Laundry, Right Before Thanksgiving 2009
I awoke about two and a half hours ago to start my laundry...three big loads! Whites, lights/brights, and dark colors. Sort and load, sort and load.
I like doing laundry because it is generally relaxing. It doesn't stress like some household chores do. In fact, when I was working full-time and going to graduate school concurrently, I considered laundry to be my mini-vacation! Pour in the clothes, hear the water pour into the cylinder, listen to the drone of the machine. go away to take a short nap or to read a magazine, take the wet clothes from the washer, load the dryer, go away for a little longer, ANNNNNNNNND voila! fresh clothes!
I luff it.
~~~~~
I read the epistle and psalm and general intercessions at yesterday's morning Mass. John greeted me, Emily stopped by the sacristy to chat with him, Don was happy to see that I was reading, and Father Kim celebrated the Mass. He always says a little prayer before we get started...very nice.
Labels: Church, laundry, Mass, read, school, St. Paul Cathedral, work
Walk after a Nap
I took a 3+ hour nap after work, after lunch. Then I went for a walk to Carnegie Mellon University, past the Carnegie Library, and saw Karen, a co-worker, waiting at the bus stop. We talked about how I can walk now, my feeling that I have gone to heaven (I'm in a better place now!), and my plans for next summer.
Also spoke with Judy H about our individual plans for this Thanksgiving.
I graded some prelab protocols, had dinner, and will call it an early night.
Labels: Carnegie, dine, library, school, thankfulness, walking, work
List VII
From Oprah's website:
A relationship is only as strong as its weakest link — how a couple handles their challenges.
True love is not a wish list but a "wish feeling." And the number one feeling — even before the feeling of love — is the feeling of safety. Without feeling safe, you will never feel true love. You must have trust in your partner's character and prioritize finding a partner who is honest, communicative, and empathic — someone who values growing — so you can feel safe to vulnerably be your truest core self with him — and then together the two of you can support one another to grow into your best possible selves. --Karen Salmansohn
Karen Salmansohn is a best-selling author known for creating self-help for people who wouldn't be caught dead reading self-help. Get more information on finding a loving happier-ever-after relationship in her book Prince Harming Syndrome.
~ ~ ~
About that list I've made...I guess most of my wish list captures a desire to know that the Other's character is good: Nice and available, reliable, honest, good character and monogamous, etc. etc.
Labels: list, love
At the close of Liturgical Year 2009
Today in choir Don made a point of pointing out that I always say "God's [holy] Church," whereas the liturgy is written as "God's church." "You always say that," he noted.
After Ken's organ voluntary I told Don, "Yeah, I always say that, and there are other parts of the Mass that I say differently." I highlighted the Creed line "and us men, and our salvation." I told Don, "I NEVER say men. I'm not a man!" I also mentioned that in other languages that "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter into my house/home" translates differently than the English "Lord, I am not worthy to receive You." Don talked about how that line will change soon.
This Sunday was the announcement of Fr. Andrew's departure for St. Alphonsus in Wexford.
Next Sunday is the Feast of Christ the King! [everybody celebrate here]
Labels: Choir, Church, Faith, prayer, St. Paul Cathedral
Swing Dancing, November 2009
Went swing dancing with Maureen and Christina tonight. There were a number of regulars there: Andrew, Philip, Larry, and I also danced with Maureen's new acquaintance, Bob, and a couple of other guys. We saw Marie and Julie on the way out.
We stopped at Eat N Park and enjoyed lemonade and a chocolate shake as well. I saw one of my current students, and we spoke with each other for a bit. I stressed that to enter Pitt one must have the mental capability to do the work...it's just a matter of focussing and working. I paraphrased the eulogy for Ted Kennedy given by his son: That his dad said we will win the sailing competition not because we are the best sailors or the smartest...we will will the competition because we work the hardest and are the best prepared.
"You have the ability. You just have to be willing to work really hard."
It's obvious to me that you enjoy the lab and are good at it...you just have to apply yourself and work.
We talked of a number of other issues, and then I left to enjoy my lemonade.
"Just your Voice"
I had a discussion with my choir friends over Snacks about the movie The Little Mermaid. I was describing what Wawa asked me after I saw the movie:
WA: So, what did you think of the movie?
ME: It was nice, it had nice songs in it.
WA: But What did you think of the movie?
ME: ...I thought that scene where she sings "Part of my World" and rises up out of the surf onto a rock was a lot like a shampoo commercial.
WA: What did you think of the message of the movie?...
ME: What?
WA: The message...that to get the man you have to lose your voice?
ME: O....That's a pretty deep message to be sending little girls through a cartoon movie.
Labels: Choir, cinema, dine, family
Nothing Was the Same
I just finished this week Kay Redfield Jamison's memoir, Nothing Was the Same. She is currently Professor of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University.
Her book addressed her life with and without her now-deceased husband and the joyous times they had together, as well as their battle with his cancer, and her ensuing throes of grief and despair from the loss. Definitely an interesting read. She contrasts her grief with the moods of the depression she has experienced.
~ ~ ~
I found some quotes from the book particularly interesting to share:
from "Mourning and Melancholia":
Hope can find a place in a mind missing love. It cannot find a place in a mind taken over by depression. In grief, one finds the absence of a life, not life itself. In depression, it is otherwise: one cannot access the beat of life.
from "Fugitive Dyes":
I had often said to my patients who were struggling in the wake of mania or suicidal despair: We are each an island. It is your task to bring to your own island what you need to live long and well: love, beauty, diversion, friends; work that sustains; a meaningful life. Look at Maui, I would say: everything was brought in by man, insect, bird, or wind. It is your life; it is short. Treat your island with regard. Do not let it go to weed; do not give it over to anyone else. Understand the possibilities. Know the dangers. Keep away the ungenerous and unkind.
~ ~ ~
I have had two students who have lost family members this past week. I found myself listening to their stories, then quietly saying, "He's at peace now," or "She's at peace now" to them, as well as reminding them to tell their lab partners of their loss (they may be surprised to find that their lab partners are accepting, accomodating, and human about their situation).
Labels: accessibility, color, encyclopedia, farewell, flowers, friends, health, meditate, moving, read, sleep, work
Friday Night Live!
I spent the afternoon chatting with Constanza and grading papers. I returned papers to the students' section packets, then headed home for a snack.
Maureen and I dropped Karina off at a wedding reception in Highland Park, then continued to get burgers in Fox Chapel. We went clothes shopping afterwards, and picked up Karina for an additional adventure for desserts of tiramisu and dark chocolate creme brulee in Shadyside.
It was quite fun, and we talked about life passages: Weddings and family burial plots. Steve welcomed us to the restaurant, and his partner Mike was there, as well. Dan served us our desserts. We chatted until it was time to take leave from the restaurant.
A Light Shines in Bethlehem
I just arrived from choir practice---we each received our copy of "A Light Shines in Bethlehem," the Choir of Saint Paul Cathedral of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's first CD. (I suppose our CD release party is the noon Mass celebration every Sunday!) We heard the first track, "Christmas Lullaby" by John Rutter, which is where the CD title arises. Liz Danchik did the wonderfully colorful, deep artwork.
The CD music is nothing short of delightful. We enjoyed singing for the CD and all the Advent and Christmas songs. The work of all the caring people came together well. What a lovely project for the holidays.
Auntie Chi reserved a copy for herself well in advance, and I purchased two more. I opened my copy and we listened to selections from the CD with Mom and Dad after choir practice tonight.
Labels: Choir, diocese of Pittsburgh, family, Pittsburgh, singing, St. Paul Cathedral
Walk, Work, Snack, Mass, Painting
Maureen and I went for a walk to Shadyside this morning...she purchased a blouse at Ann Taylor which I pointed out to her. We enjoyed the crunchy leaves on the way to and back from there.
I had a light lunch and then went to work today, had a snack and talked to Doug about the CD which is now available to choristers. Karina and I went to Mass at the Newman Center (Feast of Saint Martin of Tours), and we enjoyed the Gospel reading and the homily by the priest from Green Bay. He spoke about St. Martin of Tours, who gave half of his cloak to a beggar, then later dreamed that the beggar was Christ. He spoke of the Gospel, which was from Luke, of Jesus meeting the ten lepers, healing them, and then only the one Samaritan leper returned to thank Christ. The priest reminded us that at the beginning of the story the lepers stayed their distance and called out loudly to Jesus, whereas the one who returned in gratitude approached Jesus and went to his feet: That gratitude brings one closer to God.
Karina and I will paint tonight with a group from the Newman Center. I have already started to think of a design.
Carnegie Mellon University Philharmonic
Last night I invited Jen and Brian to the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Ronald Zollman, a Belgian, directed the group (along with the men's chorus for a piece by Schoenberg) in selections banned during the Nazi regime. It was the eve of Kristallnacht (as well as the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall), and the Snyders spoke, as well as a woman whose family escaped before the exterminations in her small town.
The program consisted of:
Memorial to Lidice (Bohuslav Martinu, a Czech)
Symphony No. 1 (Erwin Schulhoff, a Czech Jew of German descent)
~INTERMISSION~
Adagio for Strings (Samuel Barber, Irish-American and Pennsylvania-born)
A Survivor from Warsaw, Op. 46 (Arnold Schoenberg)
Totenfeir / "Burial Ceremony" (Gustav Mahler)
All in all, an evening of powerfully moving music. The familiar adagio by Barber (from the movie Platoon), and the Schoenberg piece featured the philharmonic with the men's chorus and Douglas Ahlstedt, an Associate Professor of Voice, singing and speaking. According to the program notes, the high point of the piece was the spontaneous prayer and singing that "[took] place during moments of spiritual anguish."
Labels: Carnegie, friends, music, school
Last Outpatient Physical Therapy Session: November 2009
Today was my last physical therapy session. I graduated from PT today! I thanked Keelan and Cara, did my home exercises and home pool exercises, and Keelan also tested my range of motion.
~~~
Before physical therapy I went to noon Mass after work (my section ended early today). Father Joshua said the Mass.
First Sunday in November 2009
First, I saved a spot for William and Beatrice in line for the tour of Mister Rogers Neighborhood in Studio A at WQED. I was joined by them and we got to the front walk of WQED before I had to depart for choir practice.
After Mass Mom and Dad and I headed to Monroeville for a Chinese buffet. We then did some clothes shopping. I was tired, but prepared for this week's teaching of anatomy and physiology using animal models. I also spoke with Grace in California, Linda in Cleveland, and Maureen (who just returned from a visit with her family).
Jewelry Making for Make-A-WIsh
Yesterday, I went with Maureen and Karina to Whole Foods for grocery shopping and dining. I ate some pear, Cabot sharp cheese, and we chatted. Karina had brought a camera, so we took some pictures of us.
This morning Mom and I went to a church bazaar. I then rode the bus downtown to the Rivers Club for a Jewelry Making party. On the way there (on foot) I stopped in a CD store to purchase a copy of the Quattro Stagioni. I arrived slightly late for the event, but quickly got to work on my first chunky necklace. Cheryle L. helped several tables to start and to finish our projects. Nancy appeared soon after I completed my necklace. 
We ate a buffet lunch of sandwiches, wraps, homemade potato chips, pasta and greens salads, and a selection of desserts from the dessert tray (cream puffs, chocolate-dipped strawberries, lemon curd tarts, etc.) I sipped Earl Grey tea, too. I then completed a matching bracelet. Then, the drawing for the Chinese auction benefitting the Make-A-Wish foundation followed. I won a statuette called "Crysalis" by Willow Tree. I paid for the jewelry projects I completed, and then Nancy and I went to the CD store for more purchases, to the Point Park University Library to observed the aquarium in the lobby, and then to a store on Forbes Avenue for a purchase of fashion jewelry and gifts.
Tonight Karina and I will observe a matchmaking festival.
This is my third go at typing this post(!)
~~~
Karina and I went to the fest, and found that there is no folk dancing or live folk music, but that there WAS a cover charge. We departed to pick up my dancing shoes and to go dancing in Squirrel Hill with a live band. We both had a grand time, dancing with regulars and others, as well.
Labels: Church, dancing, dining, family, friends, international culture, jewelry, photos
Weathered Rock, Soil
Bob's talk was on weathered rock and its potential to hold water and support life. Quite interesting. Afterwards, Brian and Rosemary hosted a snack time and a dinner at Kaya with Mike R., and their grad students James and Katie. I enjoyed the conch chowder and the baby back ribs, as well as the atmosphere and company.
I left at half past eight for choir practice, and enjoyed a cuppy cake, too.
I'm relaxing, checking email and writing my blog.
Another Thursday, Fall 2009: Bob talks at University of Pittsburgh
Bob is giving a talk at the top of the hour in the geology department here at the University of Pittsburgh. I'll be walking up the hill to attend the talk. This should be good, I'm looking forward to hearing it.
Thursdays are my long days, starting at eight in the morning at work and going without a break until mid-afternoon, then continuing during choir practice to about ten thirty at night....
Bob's talk will be a refreshing respite in my day.
Labels: California, Pittsburgh, science, soils, walking, work
Graham Clan Reunion: SSSA National Meetings
Met up last night with the Graham clan at August Henry's for dinner. Spotted April and Debbie first, met Doug, saw Bob, Tanya, Tom R. from CP-SLO, Rosemary, and Brian; sat next to Ron T. from SLO and across from April and Debbie for dinner. I had a Pittsburgh steak salad for dinner.
The three girls headed to salsa and drinks after dinner---I danced thrice after speaking with Bobby, the DJ. Tanya, Sylvie, and Brad met up with us.
A fun night that ended with my two former labmates walking me to the bus stop.
~~~~
Met up with April at the bus stop downtown for a tour of the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Music Hall, and Carnegie Library Main, and Carnegie Mellon University. We saw the Cathedral of Learning, the outside of Heinz Chapel, Carnegie Music Hall, the Carnegie Library (said hi to Lisa R. there), and took the bus to Carnegie Mellon University, 
where we stopped at Entropy, the Randy Pausch bridge, the Gates building, the School of Fine Arts, and other places.
We met up with Debbie and Susan for dinner at Sonoma Grill. I enjoyed the crab cakes and fettucine. We headed to a bar, Seviche, for drinks afterwards, and saw Tanya, Brad, Paul, and a fellow from Alaska, too. My two former lab mates walked me to my bus stop before bidding me adieu.
Labels: career, Carnegie, dining, friends, meeting, museum, photos, Pittsburgh, soils, visitor
Riverside Reunion
Tonight I have a riverside (Allegheny River) reunion with the Riverside (California) clan. I'm really looking forward to it...haven't seen the Riverside folks (save Grace, Jason, and their little family) since graduation!
The annual Soil Science society of America national meetings are in Pittsburgh this year, with the theme being sustainability. Pittsburgh was chosen as the site specifically for that reason.
Labels: California, Pittsburgh, Point, research, reunion, soils
Heaven on Earth: A Second Life
When at a street fair in Philadephia this past month, I overheard someone saying, "And when dancers stop dancing...." referring to the second career of dancers after their oft-times truncated performing life is over. I turned to my friend Sara and said, "There's not a whole lot of us dancers who dance again after stopping. [and, as in explanation:] Now, my new hips let me dance again."
I know that my original acetabular structure should not have allowed me to dance--no, wait, to WALK. But I was able to dance (en pointe), run, hurdle, rockclimb, horseback ride, ski (downhill and nordic), do aikido (including taking high falls), and a multitude of other activities. It's a wonder that I could even walk (and I've been told that by others, too). I was blessed.
Then the structures became arthritic, and I am fortunate that I live in a time and place on this planet that I could get physical therepy, then subsequently obtain operations to "repair" my hips. I'm older now, and can't do most of the activities I mentioned that I could do fifteen or more years ago, due to limitations on my new bionic hips. But I'm doubly blessed, because I've been given a second chance on life. I can still walk. I can still dance. One of my friends calls my situation a "second life." And it is so. You hear people talk about Heaven as a place where there is no pain, and where one can dance and play like when younger, and where you are surrounded by people who love you. My, my, my, then: I am now living a Heaven on Earth! [*Pyuh, pyuh, may I not be jinxed*]
It reminds me of the song sung by Lee Ann Womack, "I Hope You Dance."
Labels: BAD, dance, exercise, love, music, Songs, surgery, walking
