Noon Mass, Nicole Constable, Heinz Chapel, and an evening walk
Yesterday after work I attended noon Mass, celebrated by Fr. Drew Morgan. He discussed the impact of the three archangels during the Michaelmas service.
I went to a lecture by Prof. Nicole Constable (A & S, Anthropology and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research). She spoke on "Telling Tales of Migrant Workers: Religion, Activism, and Women's Life Scripts." I zoomed from the post-talk reception to...
...Heinz Chapel for our class tour of Heinz Chapel (by Jackie), including my leading a discussion of how three out of four of the main nave windows refer directly to concepts of Academic Integrity.
Maureen and I went for a post-dinner walk in Shadyside.
Labels: diaspora, Faith, Mass, Philippines, Pilipino culture, school, walking, work
Bible Study, September 2010
I went to the Newman Center last night for Bible Study. Fr. Steve led the discussion, as Fr. Josh was resting up from a cold. We discussed Num 1:1-13; and Dt 3:23-29; then we related it all to a writing by Cardinal Newman. I contributed a point about the Numbers passage that "Moses had done bigger things with water [earlier]," which brought a chuckle to the group. It was good to see my friends there, and we discussed after the bible study the Underground and dancing, as well.
Labels: Bible, dancing, Faith, friends, music
Dr. Zoot, September 2010
Christina and I were the only ones from our group enjoying the band called Dr. Zoot tonight. Karina, Maureen, Regina, and Stacy all could not make it. I danced with Francois a couple of times and with Zack. I also bought a slice of pepperoni pizza to enjoy during the line dancing. I saw Frankie and Lisa, as well.
Christina and I left at the same time.
Labels: dancing, dining, friends, music, Pittsburgh
Carnegie Museum of Art, September 2010
Yesterday before work Marissa, Beatrice, Solomon, and I visited the Carnegie Museum of Art. Marissa had the stack of cards with images/facsimiles of items from the permanent collection (that I had given her about a decade ago. She had us play "treasure hunt" with each of us assigned a separate card. We even asked the security guards for help. There was an art history class from the University of Pittsburgh, and the children engaged with one of the students from the class. We even had time for a second card each. I greeted some the security help whom I know from having worked there.
Labels: art, Beatrice, Carnegie, games, museum, niece and nephew, school
Swing Dancing, September 2010
Maureen and I met up with Christina, Regina, and John at swing dancing tonight. Kevin joined us all later in the evening. Five Guys Named Moe (I counted four guys...) played tonight. I saw and danced with some of my dance friends who are now considered regulars: Philip, Ralph, and Andrew. I scared some unsuspecting guy away who was asking, "Can I dance with you?" by answering, "With one caveat...I have fake hips." (The next thing I knew, he was running away from me.)
I just enjoyed some cantaloupe, pasta salad, and chicken soup before writing this post. Time to turn into a pumpkin....
Labels: BAD, dance, dancing, dine, Faith, music, sleep
Last Sunday/House Rules
Beatrice visited last Sunday whilst Marissa was teaching Sunday school with Solomon in tow. We visited the bathroom, and after washing hands the "House Rules" counted cross-stitch made by Lola was noted hanging at Beatrice-level. Beatrice indicated to me that she did not get it or understand it.
"Let's see," I said, reading. If you drop it, pick it up.
If you open it, close it. "That's like a door," I said.
If you empty it, fill it up.
If it rings, answer it. "Like the doorbell," "Or a phone," Beatrice and I said, respectively.
If it barks, feed it. "That's a dog," Beatrice said.
If it cries, love it. "That's a child," Beatrice indicated.
She is quite perceptive.
Labels: Beatrice, family, niece and nephew, read
Diocesan YA dinner2
Last night, went to a diocesan YA dinner hosted by Christina. I dined with Regina, John, Christina and her brother, Kevin from Bianca's Oratory group, Laura, Kathy, Michael, and Joel on pasta in the Strip District. We enjoyed good company and lively conversation. Some of us decided to meet to go dancing the next night (tonight). Maureen will join us.
I awoke early today to run errands. From 8-10 am I spent writing at the computer. Then I saw Maureen's potential outfit for next weekend, spoke with Christina and Nancy, and evaluated Maureen's need for a wireless mouse. We purchased her mouse at Staples, and we then went grocery shopping at Big Bird's palenke.
I need to get some work done before having dinner and heading out with Maureen and my other friends for dancing fun.
Teeth Cleaning!
My teeth feel clean...the dental hygienist Leah cleaned my teeth (again) for my bi-yearly cleaning. The dentist checked my teeth, and I headed back on the rapidly crowded bus to type this entry/post.
Labels: teeth, transportation
Michael Grimm--America's Got Talent
Maybe it's better that Michael Grimm will be touring the country, will win a $1M prize, and become a Las Vegas act. Jackie Evancho's parents can better direct her career as a young operatic vocalist if she didn't partake in Michael's future scenario (above).
Labels: music, singing, talent, TV
Jackie Evancho in the top two.....
...Michael Grimm and Jackie Evancho are in the top two after the two obviously Las Vegas-type acts were in 4th and 3rd place: Prince Poppycock and Fighting Gravity, respectively.
Channel 11 news at 11 o'clock p.m. will interview Jackie Evancho.
~~~~
9.52pm
I think it will be Jackie, the girl with pure, unadulterated talent.
~~~~~
9.57pm
Michael Grimm won America's Got Talent.
~~~~~~
22.21
I hope that Jackie will get a scholarship, maybe to someplace like Carnegie Mellon, Yale School of Music, or Julliard....such a talented young person!
Labels: music, singing, talent, TV
Jackie Evancho in the final four
I watched NBC's America's Got Talent, the final four episode. Kelly and her accordian group were in the NYC audition, visible at the beginning of this season.
Tonight in the final four episode were Prince Poppycock, Michael Grimm, Jackie Evancho, and Defying Gravity. Jackie exhibited new young raw talent not seen [anywhere else] in the world, to paraphrase Peers. In the episode that landed her in the top four, she thanked "Pittsburgh and everyone [who voted]." I was so moved by her rendition of Schubert's "Ave Maria" that I took to the website to vote multiple times. She has a fresh, youthful outlook that hasn't been squelched. What a gifted, hardworking young lady!
Labels: music, talent, TV
Snackberry
Yesterday evening I introduced (for the fifth time this semester) the term "Snackberry" to a group of my students...this was in my Frosh Studies class, and they found the term humorous. I've already introduced my term to my four sections of biology laboratory.
"Snackberry," I said, "describes the device you use to retrieve and send little snacks or snippets---not whole emails." Amanda, my teaching assistant, noted that the class liked the term.
Labels: biology, computer, phone, student, work
Labor Day Weekend and Week
It was fun to go to a potluck cookout for Sunday before Labor Day. There was "really good Corn," too.
Labor Day I renewed my library books due the following day (Tuesday, today).
Today I met with a student, M, to make-up the first lab. I then walked to get a Blue Bunny ice cream cone and to meet with my friend and discuss various things, including some recent writing I have been doing. Also had an appointment. I helped Mom with the laundry, and then we had dinner, which Dad joined us for after his Bible study. We also watched America's Got Talent, as well.
Labels: biology, Carnegie, dine, Faith, laundry, library, TV, work
Jackie Evancho
Just watched the semi-finals of America's Got Talent, which finished with Jackie Evancho singing Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Pie Jesu." How wonderful was that! What a lovely ten-year-old girl with a BIG voice...how emotionally touching and what amazing breath control. She deserves the best.
..and she's from Pittsburgh!
Labels: music, singing, TV
End of the First Week of Classes, Fall 2010
I met with my undergraduate teaching assistant, Amanda, on Tuesday to prepare for class on Wednesday. I also taught Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Still waiting for an email response from my friend S, and we're still waiting to see if we can get access to various campus resources.
Wednesday, had an early class. I returned my interlibrary loan tome from Hillman Library on Tuesday as well. Must wait to borrow it again; next time I will borrow it from campus, when I am approved for access to library materials. The earliest that will be is Tuesday the 7th of September.
Met with Amanda Wednesday after class, which went well. I attended a building talk by Dr. Marlin Mickle, who spoke on "Historically How Pittsburgh Connected People and the World." AFter, I helped Maureen with spreadsheet set-up for her students.
Thursday, I called my neighbor who sent me a note after the building picnic on Sunday. I paid some bills!!
Friday I attended First Friday Mass by Fr. Breier, with John serving and Matt H. lectoring. Don provided music ministry from the von Beckerath. I attended my meeting for work, found Mom and Dad napping when I stopped by their home afterwards, and napped myself before all three of us went to 'Swonderful, which will close its first run in Pittsburgh this weekend.
Today (Saturday) I Went to Get breakfast items at the Big Bird Get Go, to the bank, and then to take care of emails to those registered in my classes. I got some Rita's Ice later in the afternoon, and sent emails to friends and family this evening.
end of day
