I'm awake after 5.5 hours of sleep. I don't feel too tired (last night was devoted to grading, tallying grades, recording grades, and a recommendation...Finished in a wee hour of the morn).
I must cajole myself back to sleep, for my general health. I took some cough medicine for my non-productive cough. That may have been keeping me up.
~~~
Less than an hour later @ 7.50, I'm up and tulog girl.
posted by Grace @ 2/28/2010 06:57:00 AM
0 comments
So, after grading 2/3 of my papers for this weekend, Maureen, Karina, and I went out for Scottish and Mexican fast food and then clothes shopping and to the movie Leap Year. A charming, romantic little chick flick, Maureen and I thanked Karina for inviting us to see it. We then went for grocery shopping (cereal and perishables, staples). We visited the street that Maureen's late hubby lived on and saw the construction of a cantilevered home.
We are all tired and Mom, Dad, and I will enjoy a pizza from my expeditions this afternoon.
Labels: cinema, dine, dining, friends, school, shopping, work
posted by Grace @ 2/27/2010 06:52:00 PM
0 comments
Mom, Dad, and I watched the Winter Olympics from Vancouver after choir practice tonight. We watched the men's Nordic skiing long-distance wins by two Americans and an Austrian. We watched the women's free skate program, in which the favored Kim Yu-Na dazzled the audience and was taken by her own scores. She was joined by Mao Asada from Japan, and Joannie Rochette of Canada on either side of her on the podium. More women's figure skating results are linked here.
Mom, Dad, and I were dazzled by the Olympics tonight, or thee Elympics, as Joyce's kids used to call them. A nice way to unofficially end the bulk of my work week.
Labels: games, international culture, sports
posted by Grace @ 2/26/2010 12:28:00 AM
0 comments
So, I went to bed early last night and was up an hour ago after eight hours of sleep. I've been on the computer getting work done and replying to email messages, and getting some phone calls out of the way. I think it's time for a nap.
Labels: computer, phone, sleep, work
posted by Grace @ 2/25/2010 06:06:00 AM
0 comments
Today after work (teaching in the morning and office hours in the afternoon), I headed home to make phone calls, had dinner with Mom and Dad of
Hipon at kamatis at kanin
after a snack of potstickers at home.
Maureen, Karina, and I went for a walk to the library (I returned two CDs) and I inquired about the book + disc that I had returned with two other items that were due last week. I indicated that it appears that I am accruing fines when I log in to my account. Abby at customer service/ checkout assured me/adamantly insisted that that was not the case, that I am NOT accruing fines on that item. She printed out when I requested my outstanding items on my account.
Maureen spotted Dad at the computer, and I said, "Let's sneak up on him!" I "became skinny" behind a column pillar and both of us snuck up on him. He shared the medical mission pictures with Maureen, Karina, and me. Karina looked at the surgical photos out the corner of one eye. We left him at the library.
We walked back (in our MBTs, Maureen and I) to my parents' home via the Indian grocery store, where Karina grabbed some dinner. Karina and I enjoyed slices of pound cake with thick chocolate icing for dessert. All of us enjoyed looking at fashion magazine pictures (thanks to Karina's library account), until Karina received a phone call from the garage about her car. She and Maureen then departed for Maureen's car to go to the shop.
I think I'm going to call it an early night tonight.
posted by Grace @ 2/24/2010 08:05:00 PM
0 comments
For the past few mornings I've been awakening at about four or five in the morning for about an hour, working on computer stuff, then heading back to bed. It's probably NOT best that I do computer stuff, as the light may be slightly stimulating to me. But there you have it.
~~~~
About 1 hour later:
Okay, back to the warm bed. Back to sleep.
posted by Grace @ 2/24/2010 04:28:00 AM
0 comments
After singing at noon Mass yesterday, I took a nap and went for a walk to the computer lab with Karina and Maureen. While they went shopping for small dried fruit, I went to print out administrative stuff from work.
We then went to the pan-Asian restaurant for snacks and smoothies.
~~~~~
I ran into C, my supervisor, in the hall today before my morning class.
I helped Mom and Dad with medical society administrative work after returning from work this afternoon. Tired, I made some phone calls and then took a nap. Soon it will be time for dinner.
Labels: biology, dining, Mass, medical mission, Philippines, phone, sleep, teaching, work
posted by Grace @ 2/22/2010 05:34:00 PM
0 comments
Yesterday was Dad and Uncle Aling's birthday. Which makes me wonder, what is old?
Old is a function of the person looking at 'cha.
When I was a youngster in Ohio (before we moved to the big house), I thought sixteen years old was old. At sixteen, you could drive!
Somewhere in my twenties, fifteen years older than I was seemed a faraway land.
And hey, when did the definition of middle age start to mean "a decade older than I am"?
I look at Dad, and he's not a "spring chicken" (why would ANYone want to be a chicken, any kind of chicken, at that?), but he's rather sprightly. I hope to be as sprightly as he is, on that birthday.
Labels: Birthday
posted by Grace @ 2/20/2010 10:31:00 AM
0 comments
I awoke ~4am this morning to work on some thank you letters for the medical society and on a recommendation, as well.
~~~
Let's roll back to what has happened since the last posting.
Mom made chicken noodle soup. Yum.
Andy and Owen hosted snacks. Yum. From Saucalito (Quinoa-stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, fruit salad, and varied juices, etc.).
I lectored on Friday, John De served, Don provided music ministry, and Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass. John De's birthday was Ash Wednesday. About forty-eight parishioners received the sacrament of the Eucharist. I wished Dad a happy birthday after Mass.
Friday after work, which included meeting with a couple of students about their presentation, with a colleague over tea about a recommendation (what a lovely place she works in), and returning the protocols from this week to the students I went home for lunch and a nap. I returned to work to prepare for the quizzes for next week, to prepare the "room and board," and to enter grades in the grade sheet. I returned ~17:20 and arrived at ~17:45. Mom indicated we would meet William's family at the pan-Asian restaurant to celebrate Dad's birthday at 18.30. I quickly sneaked off to get a chocolate-iced pound cake (with colorful curly candles) for our celebration. We all enjoyed our dinner, sharing gifts made by the children (mobiles!), photos taken by Dad, and dinner, of course. It was the first try of milk-diluted smoothies by the children. They seemed to enjoy them in their own ways. Solomon seemed to be teething.
~~~
I went back to sleep ~6.30 this morning and awoke again ~9.10. I haven't been sleeping as regularly as I used to for about a month now, but the irregularity is less obvious for the past week and a half now.
Labels: biology, Birthday, dine, dining, family, friends, Mass, photos, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, teeth, thankfulness, work
posted by Grace @ 2/20/2010 09:30:00 AM
0 comments
Full day. Taught all morning, office hours to mid-afternoon. Picked up Mom and Dad at the airport, and we went to Mass (officiated by Bishop David Zubik) at six in the evening. Many many people were there (SRO), and it took until past six forty-five to just to distribute the ashes, with many ministers helping. Then it was time for the liturgy of the Eucharist.
We enjoyed a dinner of salmon (marinated), corn, salad, rice, and stewed tomatoes. Yum. Mom and Dad began to unpack their bags, and then I departed to an early bedtime.
Just sent some emails, will crawl back into the warmth of my bed soon.
Labels: dine, Mass, seasons, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, TV, Zubik
posted by Grace @ 2/18/2010 03:29:00 AM
0 comments
Today is Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday / Shrove Tuesday. I almost forgot to indulge in sweet, fat food until Maureen reminded me of it this evening. We made a run for sweets and groceries (to stock the pantry and larder for Ash Wednesday). Maureen treated me to chocolate-covered peanut butter pretzels on the way to the store. I just enjoyed ein Berliner [apologies to JFK].
Yesterday I told a few of my friends that I was concerned about my sleep cycle interruption lately, mostly due to my lack of work during the snow storms. I vowed to do more about it.
After work yesterday, I helped Maureen with some administrative tasks---mostly reports and tables that she needs to have in place for the visitors to her classroom later this week. It was fun preparing them, and looking at the progress of her students over time. We dined on chicken sandwiches and lemon-pepper steamed vegetables. Yum.
Labels: dine, school, seasons, sleep, visitor, work
posted by Grace @ 2/16/2010 09:44:00 PM
0 comments
Today was a choir day, a Day O' Choir. We had practice right before Mass, sang Alleluia, Song of Gladness (with bells and percussion) during Mass, ten of us met up after Mass for lunch at the Union Grill restaurant, and I sold some Easter candy for our choir fundraiser.
Alleluia, Song of Gladness was greatly appreciated by Margaret, my neighbor. She just LOVED the bells and percussion. Linda, the cantor, was holding herself back from breaking out in liturgical dance. I enjoyed a salad with craisins and Gorgonzola cheese with raspberry vinaigrette dressing for lunch, and we all enjoyed the company of Rocco, who is visiting for the weekend. 
Easter candy is the current fundraiser for the choir, and I've orders from five friends to date.
I enjoyed a good nap this afternoon.
Labels: Choir, dining, friends, music, singing, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral
posted by Grace @ 2/14/2010 08:30:00 PM
0 comments
I borrowed some DVDs from the public library near the end of this week. The first I attempted to watch after dinner, entitled The Children of Theatre Street, is the story of the Kirov Ballet School. I got to the fourth track of the DVD when it froze.
So, I attempted to watch another DVD--Rhythm of the Dance, with the National Dance Company of Ireland (2001, kultur.com). This one skipped only occasionally, but the editing of the piece was choppy. It seems that the choreography should take first billing for the visuals, with the music taking first billing for sound. The sound was fine, but the edits away from the dancers or their feet was not timed/done well.
Labels: Carnegie, cinema, dance, dancing, international culture, library
posted by Grace @ 2/13/2010 09:12:00 PM
0 comments
Slow day today. I finished my loads of laundry early and then Maureen and I beat the crowds to brunch for French toast (regular and croissant caramel walnut, for Maureen and for me, respectively). We walked to my home for hot Irish tea and to warm up and dry out from the cold, slushy streets.
We looked at my atlas and travel journal notes and talked about our travel experiences. I just received a call from her that she is home safe.
Labels: dining, friends, laundry, tea, travel
posted by Grace @ 2/13/2010 03:05:00 PM
0 comments
Yesterday after morning Mass (~28) I met up with A (a new student up the street), Matt, and Carmella and Bob. We chatted and welcomed A warmly to cold Pittsburgh.
After a hearty breakfast, Maureen and I ventured out to the great beyond known as Robinson Township. We started at Costco (where we also had lunch, and where we spent two hours), went to the Mall, and walked around a bit, shopped a bit. We returned to Pittsburgh after the usual dinner hour, and we both enjoyed our chicken independently. I'm thankful that Maureen has a heavy automobile with snow tires.
Makin' plans for the weekend, as well.
I'm currently beating the rush for the laundry machines on Saturday mornings by doing a few loads right now.
Labels: automobile, laundry, Mass, shopping, student
posted by Grace @ 2/13/2010 05:05:00 AM
0 comments
Hi all from (currently slushy-road) Pittsburgh,
I live in the same town as my brother, WIlliam, and experienced the snows slightly differently.
I live near the campus where I work and have been taking photos every day until Wednesday (after the second wave of storms--see Wm's comment, below). Bundling up and wearing sufficient traction (early on after the snows) and sufficient traction and waterproof footgear (now) has been important. Having had two total hip replacements, I use a cane for security from falling in the snow and icy slush.
I've been to Mass at St. Paul Cathedral every morning since Monday. The 10.00 am Mass on Sunday was well-attended, but it seemed composed mostly of students / people arriving on foot.
I didn't venture out in a car until Friday (yesterday) at lunchtime, with a friend who has a heavy automobile with snow tires.
I was on a bus from downtown Pittsburgh Friday night when the first wave of storms hit--I ended up walking ~1mile from the highway exit to home, as cars and buses were stuck in the snow.
I am thankful...I remember the days growing up in Ohio when I was the main snow shoveller in my immediate family and REVELLED in it (!)
Labels: cold, family, seasons, weather
posted by Grace @ 2/13/2010 05:02:00 AM
0 comments
This is the first day the University of Pittsburgh will resume normal operations.
I went to morning Mass this morning. Fr. Utz celebrated the Mass, Fred lectored, John served at the altar, and Don provided music ministry. Approximately ~24 people received the Eucharist in the congregation. I talked to Don after Mass about choir practic, travel, travelling the roads, and preparedness for snow storms.
I plan to stop by campus today.
~~~
19.15
After breakfast, I promptly went home and took a long nap. Auntie Benita woke me up with a phone call. We chatted for a bit, mostly about being snowbound.
I went to M + D's to make some photocopies before heading to campus with Maureen to drop off my students' papers and to notify them of that fact.
We dropped off my DVDs at the Carnegie public library, and then we looked for travel books and DVDs. I saw and said hello to Kathy, head of the music library, and chatted for a bit with her and HK, one of my students who was glad that we were off from class this week.
Maureen and I peeled off our boots/clogs to warm up (with the help of some tea), and then I asked her to take some of my magazines. We headed out, she to her home and me to meet Charles for dinner.
Charles and I enjoyed dinner and I a coconut smoothie at the pan-Asian restaurant. I gave him a keep-the-house-warm housewarming gift, and we chatted for a while.
I stopped by Mom and Dad's place, and am checking my email and catching up on my blog.
Labels: blogs, Carnegie, cold, dining, email, library, Mass, music, school, seasons, traction, transportation, travel, weather, work
posted by Grace @ 2/11/2010 09:25:00 AM
0 comments
Announcements...Maureen found out yesterday afternoon that Pittsburgh Public Schools were closed Thursday, as well. She found this out on Facebook.com, and I noted that that site is currently ranked as the fourth most popular site for receiving news...it apparently used to be Google.com News, but the position has been usurped by people getting information from the online grapevine, instead. (from the WSSH radio airwaves, Wednesday morning)
Posted on both the pitt.edu and the my.pitt.edu websites Wednesday night was the following announcement:
In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, the University will resume full operations tomorrow, Thursday, February 11.
This announcement was accompanied by an attached one-page letter from the Chancellor, Mark Nordenberg's desk.
~~~
I spotted a Humvee on the bus ride home Wednesday early evening. Must've been the National Guard helping to clear the streets of snow, slush, and ice.
Labels: cold, radio, school, seasons, weather, work
posted by Grace @ 2/11/2010 01:37:00 AM
0 comments
This morning the Cathedral was locked up except for two entrances on the side. I entered Mass and Fr. Bill was saying the Kyrie (in English). Audrey C. was the lector, and John was the server. Seventeen parishioners received the Sacrament of the Eucharist this morning.
I took some photos after Mass, and noticed that there were traction marks from the Trax on shoes in front of the Cathedral. I made phone calls this morning and walked with Maureen after noon Mass to Panera, where she had lunch and I bought bread.
We pondered the concept of taking a 54C bus to the ends of the line. I said, "I'll take the bus to the Allegheny [North side], but I won't go to the end of the South Side line." We discussed the possibility of selecting a bus that would slip and plunge to the depths of the South Side slopes. "What would our obituaries say?!" We talked about a possible headline and first sentence:
Pittsburgh Educators
Two Pittsburgh educators were found DOA at the hospital after using the 54C bus line to stake out road conditions during this past snowstorm. This was a natural extension from their daily walk to escape cabin fever in this, the sixth day of the state of emergency in the 'Burgh. The bus they were riding was found at the bottom of a ravine below the South Side slopes.
We plan to watch the DVD of Herb Alpert: Live at Montreaux.
~~~
19.50
We watched the DVD and chatted over white tea, as well. Maureen worked on a Reflection (I acted as administrative assistant and typist extraordinaire), and we enjoyed her brother-in-law's chili for dinner.
I waited for a bus, and one came fairly quickly. The snow was plowed clear to the curb sometime between when I had last travelled from that bus stop.
Labels: cold, humor, Mass, photos, Pittsburgh, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, transportation, weather
posted by Grace @ 2/10/2010 02:51:00 PM
0 comments
Bring it on! The snows start again at about noon today. Half a foot ~= six inches is predicted. We shall see. We shall see what foot gear I wear for this storm. The Doc Martens with crampons have given me small, quarter-coin-size blisters on each heel at the attachment of my Achilles tendon, despite double socks.
~~~
Just returned from morning Mass. Approximately 25 people in the congregation received Communion. We were sans music ministry this morning. Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass. He delivered a homily on tradition and how human constructs such as these do not trump the heart. John served, and Joan L. lectored. I spoke with Carmella about parish pastoral council issues at the beginning and after Mass.
Time for a hearty breakfast.
~~~~~
18.35
After cleaning a bit of my bedroom and a nap, I met Maureen after noon Mass for Eucharistic adoration (at the Oratory) and a walk to her home to view the movie "My Architect." Very interesting documentary produced by Nathaniel Kahn about finding his father's life. Louis Kahn was a man married to his work in many varied ways, including sleeping on a carpet in his office, in the way he treated his closest personal relationships, and in his passion for every detail of his work.
His son focussed on his hands, even in his last goodbye to his father. This reminds me of a short story entitled "The Hand" or "Le Main" from Colette's collection of short stories entitled L'Autre Femme. In one of the scenes which did not make it into the movie Louis Kahn is quoted as saying, "Our lives are accidental and filled by circumstance."
I caught a bus back home and am enjoying a dinner of pasta, meatballs, juice mix, and salad.
~~~~~~~
19.15
"...closed on February 10th...Full operations to resume Thursday February 11th."
---voice message from the campus Emergency Messaging Service
Pitt is again closed on Wednesday February 10, 2010. Essential personnel
are to report. Full operations to resume on Thursday February 11.
---email message from the campus Emergency Messaging Service
Labels: cinema, cold, dine, health, Mass, Pittsburgh, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, traction, weather
posted by Grace @ 2/09/2010 06:29:00 AM
0 comments
So Maureen and I met up at the morning Mass this morning. Fr. Daniele celebrated, John was the altar server, and J.R. provided the music ministry, sans microphone from the choir loft. The homily examined the Gospel reading, how deep faith is necessary for true healing to occur. Approximately ~19 parishhioners in the congregation received the Eucharist.
We called Karina, who is busy studying, for breakfast, and ended up stopping near the Cathedral for Maureen's latte and continuing into the heart of Oakland for breakfasts of cinnamon crunch bagel and puff bacon and spinach souffle for breakfast. We did a little shopping, then took photos all the way home. Maureen found out soon after lunchtime that Pittsburgh Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, as well.
I went home to do some administrative work for my class, then took a brief nap around three o'clock right before all three of us decided to head to the public library for an outing. We found ourselves in the video section, and I borrowed two nonfiction videos, and Karina insisted that I watch one particular entertaining video. I said hello to Scott and Richard K, and Don W. in the "Reference" area, Tim in the Music Department, and Lisa R. in the administrative offices.
We headed up Craig Street for pizza slices and casserole serving, and then continued up the street for some more shopping, including at the new Indian grocery mart. WE ran into Jen and her daughter K. walking down Karina's street. They were on their way home. We shared tea and sympathy chez Karina, and then Maureen and I continued home.
I received a call shortly before 18.00 from the University indicating it would be closed an additional day, and that essential personnel need to report (I guess I'm non-essential).
The message on the pitt.edu websites state:
News 2/8/10
Given the increasing likelihood of more severe weather tomorrow and in light of a request from the city's public safety director, the University of Pittsburgh will remain closed tomorrow, Tuesday, February 9.
Because of our continuing need to maintain critical services, essential personnel are again asked to report for work.
We urge all members of the University to exercise caution and to make safety their top priority.
~~~~~
23.10
Just finished watching the movie Karina recommended for me, He's just not that into you. An all-star cast. Right now, I'm very tired and I'm not certain that I "got" the lesson I was supposed to learn from this movie, except that the rule is that the guy is supposed to go after you if he really likes you. [That's it, isn't it, Karina?]
Labels: Carnegie, cinema, cold, dining, Faith, library, Mass, school, seasons, sleep, St. Paul Cathedral, weather, work
posted by Grace @ 2/08/2010 08:17:00 PM
0 comments
...no mail delivery this weekend (past few days). I am NOT surprised.
posted by Grace @ 2/08/2010 07:23:00 AM
0 comments
Here's part of a letter I sent overseas:
...[T]he snowstorm has created a state of emergency in Pgh.
They have cancelled ...my class... for the WEEK. We received 1.5 feet = 0.5 m of snow total, and some melted, and it is currently 4 degrees F out. Needless to say, I am wearing my YakTrax on my Doc Martens. Bishop Zubik gave a dispensation from Mass this past weekend. Many people attended 10 am Mass Sunday at the Cathedral, but they were mostly students, arriving on foot. Only Noreen and Sally [neighbors] were Eucharistic Ministers.
And late last night:
All Pittsburgh campus classes have been cancelled for Monday, February 8. Offices will be closed. Essential personnel are to report to work.
---from the www.pitt.edu website, late last night.
Labels: cold, computer, diocese of Pittsburgh, email, neighbors, Pittsburgh, seasons, St. Paul Cathedral, weather, work
posted by Grace @ 2/08/2010 07:09:00 AM
0 comments
All Pittsburgh campus classes have been cancelled for Monday, February 8. Offices will be open.
---from the WWW.pitt.edu news on the www.my.pitt.edu website
The sun melted the snow and the deicer applied to the sidewalk did, as well. It's going to be seven Fahrenheit tonight. Thus, there will be ICE on the sidewalks tomorrow.
~~~~~
22.04
All Pittsburgh campus classes have been cancelled for Monday, February 8. Offices will be closed.
---from the www.pitt.edu website, NEWS section.
~~~~~
22.30
All [of our class] labs are cancelled for the week. All labs will be pushed back one week for the remainder of the semester. You will be completing Lab #4 the week of Feb. 15. The last week of the semester, the week of April 12, was to be a review week. The review week will now be replaced with the last lab exercise of the semester... If you have any questions, please let me know. Thank you.
---from Meredith, one of our course coordinators
Labels: cold, Pittsburgh, school, seasons, weather, work
posted by Grace @ 2/07/2010 09:39:00 PM
0 comments
So, in the sun the snow is beginning to melt, with the help of deicer salts (calcium I imagine) and without the help of temperatures, but with the help of the sun. Tonight, temperatures will go to the single digits.
The Pittsburgh Public Schools website announces that school is cancelled for Monday the 8th of February. Maureen is thrilled.
We went to ten o'clock Mass, and then walked to the pancake place to get breakfast. We then walked to the computer lab for me to print out [administrative] sheets and for us to check the status of the public schools.
A walk back home, save some snow photos for Maureen on her USB key / jump drive, then time for a nap.
~~~~~
17.45
A few buses were seen to be running this afternoon in the heart of Oakland....Port Authority has restored service and restored changed service for some routes.
Labels: cold, computer, dining, Mass, school, seasons, traction, transportation, walking, weather, work
posted by Grace @ 2/07/2010 02:22:00 PM
0 comments
Wore my Rocket Dog clogs last night because my hiking boots---despite their sufficient tread---lacked the material on the soles (Rubber Soles) to prevent slipping. Wore the thick-soled clogs again today with jeans and gaiters to keep the snow out.
Haven't yet used my YakTrax crampy-crampon thingys. I'm waiting for more ice...
Labels: cold, Pittsburgh, seasons, traction, weather
posted by Grace @ 2/06/2010 10:31:00 PM
0 comments
Today I saw:
a bootless immigrant (grad?) student walking around with plastic grocery bags around his shoes.
a cross-country (Nordic) skier heading north on Craig Street
a tobogganer on his belly heading south on Craig Street
Today I heard:
"Pittsburgh...a state of emergency."
In response to my singing on Bayard Street, "You're much too [joyful] about this," from a shoveller.
Bus service cancelled for the city.
Labels: cold, Pittsburgh, seasons, transportation, weather
posted by Grace @ 2/06/2010 08:17:00 PM
0 comments
According to an email from Don, our music director,
"If you haven’t heard via the media: Bishop Zubik has cancelled the obligation to attend mass this weekend. He will not be at Sunday’s 10am and/or noon mass."
meaning an off-day or snow day from choir. Don't have to pop a side shovelling, so to speak.
Well, it is a Good Thing Maureen and I made it to Mass this morning at ten.
Labels: cold, Mass, seasons, weather, Zubik
posted by Grace @ 2/06/2010 05:07:00 PM
0 comments
Maureen telephoned me soon after I posted my last post...she invited me and also Karina to ten o'clock morning Mass at the Newman Center. As I walked up the street, I sang "I'll be home for Christmas." We were two of the five parishioners who celebrated Mass with Fr. Drew. I prayed during the general intercessions for my parents' current mission. Then, we walked south on Dithridge to Fifth Avenue, taking photos all along. We enjoyed the warmth of the Cathedral of Learning, and Maureen dried off and applied a plastic bag to her foot. We walked south to Forbes Avenue, headed east to Craig Street, where Maureen got a cappuccino at Kiva Han. We enjoyed lunch at the pan-Asian restaurant, and invited Karina to join us. We enjoyed telling stories and looking at pictures/photos.
I am tired from my slight lack of sleep and my escapades in the snow. I will take a nap before I continue along in my day.
Labels: cold, dining, Faith, Mass, medical mission, Philippines, prayer, seasons, sleep, tea, weather
posted by Grace @ 2/06/2010 02:17:00 PM
0 comments
Time to buckle down and grade and do administrative work sometime today.
posted by Grace @ 2/06/2010 09:10:00 AM
0 comments
As a foot and a half (half a meter) of snow fell and stuck last night, there were a number of comments about it:
"I am from Austria, the Alps, so, ... the snow." --Manfred Honeck addressing the Pitt crowd.
"If you have to get off the bus, be careful." --Annabelle Clippinger addressing our bus of students as we discovered that we were snow- gridlocked at Forbes just east of Craft Avenue.
"Snow! It's snowing! It's so beautiful." --me, exclaiming with delight at the outset of our evening.
"It's still snowing out there." --me at intermission at the PSO.
Labels: cold, PSO, school, seasons, weather
posted by Grace @ 2/06/2010 08:59:00 AM
0 comments
How telling were some of our buzzed-in answers for TV honor society back in high school. Practically anyone on our four-person team could have answered any question that our team got correct, but the fastest-fingered ones were for questions in our future (now current) fields of work:
Charles--features of European architecture
me--anatomy,
Then there were the questions that we just "got":
Ed--a math question
me--knowledge about a boxer from the first half of the Twentieth Century.
Labels: art, biology, friends, philosophical, school, TV, work
posted by Grace @ 2/06/2010 08:41:00 AM
0 comments
Maureen and I braved the snow to go to the Pittsburgh Symphony tonight. We met up at the Student Union to get our tickets and to board the buses to Heinz Hall. Anne-Sophie Mutter accompanied the PSO in Brahms's Concerto in D for violin and orchestra. Manfred Honeck conducted, with Andres Cardenes as concertmaster. Maureen and I recognized the theme in the third (last) movement. Absolutely wonderful, Ms. Mutter's chords were played clearly. A rousing standing ovation ensued, which welcomed her back for a solo encore.
The second half of the evening featured the PSO in Mahler's Symphony No.1 in D major. There was a movement reminiscent of "Where is Thumbkin" or "Frere Jacques." The PSO will take the Mahler Symphony on tour to Carnegie Hall in New York, and further afield. We were pleased to be the hometown audience, and the whooping for the standing ovation showed it.
A post-concert dessert and brief talk by Manfred Honeck (Well, if you have no questions to raise, then, it is time for cake) who asked a very young musician,
Do you play an instrument? Violin, perhaps?
(quietly and shyly) Piano
We rode the buses to Forbes and Craft Avenues, and we all disembarked after asking Annabelle if we could ("If you walk, go carefully.") I was glad that I had my cane, and took photos the whole way home.
Labels: cold, Honeck, music, photography, photos, PSO
posted by Grace @ 2/06/2010 12:37:00 AM
0 comments
I lectored at the early Mass today. First Friday and the memorial for Saint Agatha. The day they shear the sheep for the priests' garb. Father Breier celebrated the Mass and read the Gospel (sad, so sad the reading). John was the altar server, and Ken provided music ministry at the portative organ. (I asked him about the music for the preparation of gifts after Mass.) Over fifty people received the Eucharist in the congregation. I spoke with Elaine and Mary Lou after Mass was over.
After a phone call from Beatrice informing me that they would pick me up at nine forty-five, I waited out front for them to pick me up to head south for toddler ball play. We met lots of little kids, and played with puzzles, balls, 
scooters, 
and books. We washed up after play and headed with their playmate and her mom, Jenny, to eat at the diner. I got pumpkin pancakes. Mmmm Good.
After a nap at home and a stop by Mary Lou's, I had dinner and spoke with Maureen about the event tonight. Nancy called, as well, happy to hear that someone could go with me this evening.
Labels: dining, Mass, music, niece and nephew, phone, read, sleep
posted by Grace @ 2/05/2010 04:52:00 PM
0 comments
I went in search of mango butter today, and did not find any. So I ended up at work, with one student absent. I walked home afterwards, and returned on foot to take care of administrative issues for next week. I walked home afterwards, as well.
I enjoyed a green salad with cheese for a snack before choir practice. Deeelicious.
Labels: Choir, dine, health, home, walking, work
posted by Grace @ 2/04/2010 06:22:00 PM
0 comments
After teaching and having a handful of students visit my office hours, I went home, made some phone calls and left a message for Maureen. I called Karina and invited her, as well, to a Mass for the memorial of Saint Blaise. Father David ended the afternoon Eucharistic Adoration, celebrated the Mass, and blest each of our throats.
Karina and I walked through the dry flurries to the burger shop in Oakland to meet up with Maureen for dinner. We then walked back to the Newman Center to warm up and to chat and look at books. Called Marissa, to check on her and her "Di" move she took (this phrase brought a smile to her voice), to make certain that she is okay.
Labels: biology, cold, dining, Faith, health, Mass, phone, weather, work
posted by Grace @ 2/03/2010 08:46:00 PM
0 comments
Work. Stress. Napping. Exercise. Retail therapy.
This first couple of days of this week I've been spending at work, and stressed out by health insurance and by the renovations adjacent to my parents' unit. I've been coping by napping, exercise, and retail therapy.
The renovations adjacent to my parents' unit are loud and vibrating. A porcelain soap dish broke by falling into their sink, and the clock on their commode fell. TOO LOUD! and TOO VIBRANT!! I've been avoiding spending time in their unit...and by napping at home.
Each day for the past two days Maureen and I have exercised. We walk to the gym, where I spend ten minutes on the bicycle, ~ ten minutes doing ball exercises, doing (20 X 2) OR (10 + 5) lat pull downs (at level 4 and 3, respectively), and doing 10 to 15 wall squats in demi plie. We then walk back to my home. Today at the gym I saw Ellen from work.
This afternoon, after Maureen sent me an email, I purchased some health shoes for my hips, and a pair of thick-soled black mules/clogs as well. I saw Al on the way there, and we chatted. I told Maureen about the healthy shoes during our walking session and she and I stopped by in the evening to purchase a couple of pairs for her. (She had told me about this brand initially.)
We had some mocha hot chocolate at her home after our shopping outing.
It was warmer today, it got up to freezing. The ground hog / ground pig saw his shadow and that means six more weeks of winter. I think it means that the poor li'l animal was frightened by the flashes from the cameras and the lights of the television cameras, saw his shadow, and THUS six more weeks of winter. There's a parallel here between our human perturbations of weather through our manipulations of nature.
Labels: American history, animals, chocolate, email, exercise, family, health, home, light, seasons, shoes, shopping, sleep, stress, walking, weather, work
posted by Grace @ 2/02/2010 09:40:00 PM
0 comments
Days in the life of me.
