Make-A-Wish Happy Hour, closing of Right by Nature store, Lunch at Pastitio, Preparing for summer via Maggie & Stella's
Yesterday Regina and John, and I met up with Christina for a Make-A-Wish Happy Hour benefit at the Hard Rock Cafe. We enjoyed the music, the drawings for prizes, and the drink and food.
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After chatting with my friend Judy from Marietta this morning, I went with William and Marissa's family to a grocery store in the Strip District which is closing its doors. I only had a single hand basket until Marissa found me a small cart. We enjoyed shopping, then lunch via Groupon at Pastitio in Lawrenceville. Marissa and I shared the gyro and the pastitio. MMMmmm good. William's lemonade was particularly good, as well.
I took a nap, then took the bus (running into a student, Kaarin, and her boyfriend), prepared for the summer with a gift, etc. from Maggie & Stella's in Oakland, which also had an email coupon for already-discounted merchandise.
Then to the computer labs to find out about summer hours and about faculty software.
Great Walk, the Royal Wedding
Yesterday Maureen and I went for a walk, saw a studnet, Alex., past the library (met a doggie named Wally and his owners), past and through Carnegie Mellon University (where we attempted to visit Wa's office and heard a piper band play, back to Saint Paul Cathedral and to Maureen's home (where we spotted another student, Shawn) to view her photos from last week.
~~~
Maureen and I promised to call each other to wake up around five o'clock this morning---we both slept lightly last night. I showered, dressed, and made my way to view the Royal Wedding on HDTV, the NBC local affiliate. Of the three high-definition stations I viewed, I liked their seamless coverage of guests arriving at Westminster Abbey and their walk down the aisle and to their seats.
The second hymn sung by the choir (before Ubi Caritas) seemed to be the one that John Rutter may have composed for the event. Jerusalem was sung, as well, which mentions the "satanic mills" before it mentions the "green" landscapes of Britain...never could understand why that song was so popular. "God Save the Queen" was sung next (is that based on a traditional drinking tune?) and QEII gracefully abstained from singing. The parents of the couple, along with the couple themselves, retired briefly to the chapel of Saint Edward the Confessor (the only English saint) to sign the registry.
As they arrived at Buckingham Palace for breakfast, the crowds from around the city closed in to see "the Kiss." Meredith Viera's NBC team noted that the ceremony started five minutes late (unlike British, and more like island time), and the egress to the balcony began a tad later than usual. After the two brief busses on the lips, QEII departed from the balcony, the RAF planes flew overhead (causing the youngest wedding party member, Grace van K, to cover her ears).
Kate's parents started an internet party store, with some of the products focusing on children's princess party and play supplies. A tad ironic, if you ask me. How does her family's position in society differ from any other Silicon Valley start-up magnate? It's newER money, but built on entrepreneurial wits.
~~~~~
I have met with two students this morning. I have one more to meet with today.
...and here begins Summer Break 2011
I just posted the course grades to PeopleSoft late this morning. Individual students should be able to view their course grades after this evening.
I scored two tickets to a play downtown tonight. I hope Maureen can join me.
Finished Scoring Finals, Time for a Meeting
This morning I finished scoring the finals, entered the grades in the database, and need to meet with the course coordinator about grades tomorrow.
Mom, Dad, and I went to their dentist, we had lunch of burgers, and dropped off donation items at Larry & Tina's office. We then headed east to get mom's hair cut and styled.
The annual building meeting for my cooperative was this evening, with color-coded ballots and ballots claimed at the building manager's office. Les madeleines sont tres delicieuses!
Mom, Dad, and I watched Dancing with the Stars, the first hour of which I double-checked summation of scores on the final practical.
~ 18/19ths Finished Grading Exams, Spring 2011
Just finished watching Dancing with the Stars, and finished grading ~ 18/19ths of the exams this semester.
Went for a walk with Maureen last night after dinner.
Helped Dad with shipping of their entertainment unit today.
Welcome to the Church (RCIA candidates)! Easter Vigil Mass 2011
Tonight's Easter Vigil was the first Mass that I viewed as an observer (at the very beginning, at least) at the first, then went to the choir loft to sing after receiving light for my small candle from the Easter Vigil Fire.
The church was steeped in darkness throughout the first three readings (and Psalms, sung and rung by Daphne and Linda, rung by the bell-bearing choir members, and the refrains sung by the choir) and then suddenly bathed in light as we sang the Gloria (Peter Jones).
After the Homily by Bishop Zubik, a litany of saints was sung by Daphne, the water was blest by Bishop Zubik and was sung by Linda O. and the choir (Springs of Water, by Don), and Alleluias were sung after each baptism (Maggie was among those baptized, confirmed, and receiving her first Eucharist tonight).
For the preparation of gifts we sang Hallelujah from the Mount of Olives (Beethoven). Eucharistic acclamations were by Proulx. Communion music included Schalk's Be Known to Us, Lord Jesus and Handel's Hallelujah from Messiah, interspersed by organ and brass music. A blessing and dismissal was sung by Bishop Zubik and the choir, and followed by an organ, brass, and SATB choir rendition of Jesus Christ is Risen Today. The postlude played by Ken was the Toccata from Symphony V for organ (C.M. Widor). Owen won the choir pool (peeps!) and Freda brought treats for us from a bakery near her home.
I spoke with a bunch of Oratory people (including Maggie and Kyle, Jennifer P., a novice, Kristen, formerly of choir, etc.) after Mass. Franco and Joey chatted with me, and Joey revealed that his girlfriend is a soprano. I encouraged her to contact our (fearless) director about times we practice.
I made my way home and am helping to prepare for Easter dinner tomorrow chez maman et papa.
9/18ths Finished Grading Spring 2011
Yay! I'm 9/18ths finished grading (about halfway) ALL of my classes/ lab sections' exam papers. My hope is to post grades well before the 4th of May 2011 deadline.
Dad was a cameraman for the television ministry for the Tenebrae service tonight at the Cathedral. It was sponsored by the Diocese of Pittsburgh, but invited the Christian Leadership community leaders, who participated, as well. The schola led by Don provided music ministry, and "Pie Jesu" by Webber was sung tonight, as well.
I think I will turn in early tonight, as I was up late last night chatting with my friend Grace on the West Coast.
Good Friday 2011, Ocular Migraine
Good Friday today. The music was particularly moving during the afternoon service that followed the Seven Last Words of Christ at noon. We sang, among other pieces, "Into Your Hands I Commend my Spirit," "Crucifixus," by Bob Farrell, and Rebecca and Karen sang the "Pie Jesu" duet by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
From the General Intercessions until Pie Jesu I was experiencing an ocular migraine, with all the shimmery effects that accompany it.
The very first time I experienced an ocular migraine I thought
1./ That I was seeing the Virgin Mary , or
2./ That I was losing my retina
I was greatly relieved to find that the second was NOT the case, but I was disappointed to find that I had to decrease my intake of fermented foods, such as fish or shrimp paste and perhaps chocolate (eeeep!) to alleviate the possibility of another one occurring.
Today I did not eat anything fermented (to my knowledge). And yet, there it was, that shimmery feeling that took over a great portion of my right eye's field of vision. I dabbed at my eyes after the Pie Jesu, which was particularly moving. The ocular migraine left rapidly then.
I apologized to Don if I had been ignoring his directing for part of the service, as I had an ocular migraine. He stated that he didn't notice that I had ignored him. (Whew! Or maybe he doesn't notice when I ignore him---who knows?)
I saw Carmella and Dave after the service, and Dave revealed that he and his wife are expecting a baby boy this summer. We chatted with him, and congratulated them and their families.
I slipped out into the rain, in time to try to fax to Uncle Sonny the front-page large photo from the Post Gazette today.
What a busy End-Of-Lent.
3/8ths Finished Grading, Spring 2011
I'm ~ 3/8ths completed grading the final papers from my classes. Since I grade the final in parts, I have graded over 1/4 of the first questions for all papers, and an additional 1/4 of the questions for another half of the classes/sections. I look forward to the day when I will post the grades.
Spoke with Mrs. F. from the 8th floor of Mom and Dad's building---we talked about how matzoh brei is like Jewish French toast, how it is sometimes made, and how I love it! Also ran into Barbara, who is visiting Mary L., this afternoon, too. She is president of a co-association of two schools now, and very busy. I told her how Mom is participating in the Mass tonight, and she said to say hello to the parents.
I look forward to singing "Ubi Caritas" this evening, and told Mom about it, as well.
Had a coffee smmmooooothie this afternoon, probably to get me through this afternoon's grading and this evening's Mass.
Holy Week and Practical Week, Spring 2011: 1/4 Finished Grading!!
It's practical week,
It's practical week again.
It brings stress into my students' lives
and paper into my life and living space.
~~~
I've started grading during practical administration week;
thus, I'm about a quarter finished with grading. Translation: I'm practically halfway done grading half of my sections.
Celebration! Ooop...not quite yet. There is still Holy Week (which this year coincides with practical week) to survive and sing my way through, as well.
~~~
I walked to work today, and went for a walk with Maureen to Walnut Street. On the way, we spotted Fr. Mike on a bike, and Fr. Daniele looking snazzy, as usual.
Choir Visiting Singers
Today Sara visited choir to sing with us for Palm Sunday. Jonathan started his week of Holy Week singing with us.
~~~
I handed off Maureen's candy for her. Regina, Regina's parents, her brother, and Mom and Dad and I went to pick two (soup/salad/half a sandwich) at a nearby restaurant. We also enjoyed bear claws and sticky pecan buns.
A nap ensued afterwards.
Mom watched Fiddler on the Roof, and I administered a drop into her healing eye. I spilled orange juice on the dining room table (which was, thankfully, covered).
Choir Candy for Easter 2011
I gathered my wits (or something) and retrieved, organized, picked up, and even delivered some of my choir candy yesterday afternoon. (I needed an extra box to accomplish this task.) WAOW! All that chocolate, all that filling, and all those nuts!
This candy pick up was made possible through the generosity of our great choral director, Don and our fearless choir librarian, Judi.
All of last night's deliveries were made in my neighborhood. Also emailed people who had purchased candy, who live far away...and called some people to set up pick ups.
What a great fund-raiser that was.
Des Hommes et Des Dieux (Of Gods and Men); Scotch and Soda's Cabaret
Our gang set up the practical exam for Monday morning. Abby and I "took" the exam, checking to make certain that there were no missing parts.
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Lunch at Mom and Dad's followed, then a brief nap, then we went to Squirrel Hill to see Of Gods and Men, a movie based on the true story of a Roman Catholic monastic community intertwined with their Muslim Algerian villager neighbors when terrorism strikes. The movie story line covered up to their kidnapping. One of the monks from the community is alive today. The credits thanked the Monastery of Tamie's. Lisa from choir and Jim from Race and Reconciliation had both recommended the movie; we all went away spiritually moved.
~~~~~
Maureen and I went to Cabaret by Scotch and Soda last night. We chatted with Jess, Don, and Judi before the show, as well as Chris W., who was running the light board. Alex Di. played Herr Schultz across from Fraulein Schneider. Other parts included the Emcee, played brilliantly by Matt Zurcher. All the main and supporting characters were played well, and the cabaret girls and boys danced and performed with just the right amount of professionalism.
Notable numbers included "Mein Herr" (a selection found on the MSO's first album), and of course, "Cabaret," which was performed with pathos by Sally Bowles (Shannon Deep). There was a notable change to the ending (from the version I saw in the last few shows of the last season at Studio 54), which left us feeling a tad anticlimactic.
~~~~~~~
Maureen and I enjoyed a snack at Eat and Park afterwards, and I chatted with my friend Grace on the West Coast, too.
I had a dream this week....
...about Eucharistic Adoration.
Preparation for Holy Week - Saint Paul Cathedral Choir
Last night was the choir's preparation for Holy Week, which starts Saturday night. We whirled through the music of five holidays in Lent / Easter: Palm (Saturday/) Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Mass. Led by our fearless (fearsome?) leader, Don, we practiced lots of tunes. Techniques used included the "counting," "nu, nu, nu-"ing, and keeping beat over our hearts. We were tired and ready for refreshments, provided by Michael, after our practice.
I told William about Holy Week, and he duly noted, "Isn't every week holy?"
...Regina gave me a ride home from choir practice, and we agreed to get together and meet Saturday.
This...Is...Jeopardy!.....(week)
This ... is ... JEOPARDY! ..... week for the class I am teaching.
Lindsey gave Meredith a template for a JEOPARDY! game, and we have four rounds to play per class.
I particularly enjoy introducing the game (see the title for this blog entry), and "Dun, dun, dun" -ing / humming the JEOPARDY! tune during final Jeopardy!
I am relieved that we do not require the students to couch their responses in the form of a question...
My class today is especially keen to learn, and I gave them plenty of opportunity:
I also played the game "What did you have for dinner last night?" with them, which has supplanted / usurped "What I had for Thanksgiving dinner..." from last semester.
I also asked them if they had any questions for me (as I told them to "BYOQ" last week).
My Dry Hands
I do so much with my hands, my choir friend Karen noted that they are SOOO dry. Teaching lab classes, even when one wears powder-free gloves during key procedures, makes my hands dry, due to all the handwashing.
Despite rinsing thoroughly and drying my hands with paper towels thoroughly afterwards, I find myself washing my hands often.
For the past few weeks I have had to wash my hands to administer eye drops for my Mom, as well.
Above is my resulting explanation for my dry hands.
Now, what to do about them....
I have filled a little jar with hand cream, and apply when necessary.
I think I need to change the product I use, though....Marissa uses Gold Bond, Lisa P distributes Cerave samples! Both are great. There is also a French product I have tried in aluminum tubes, as well.
Solomon's Third Birthday
Before choir practice today I told Gabe that I met his brother's choir director. I also handed off a CD for Don's listening pleasure. Before Mass during choir practice there was a joint happy birthday singing by the choir!
After Mass Lolo and Lola left their conference early. Lolo, Lola, and I joined Solomon's immediate family and Marissa's parents for a lunch of juices, soda, & milk and three kinds of pizza. We sang "Happy Birthday" to Solomon and he blew out the candles on the cupcake made by BeaBea, him, and his mom. We all subsequently enjoyed cupcakes made, iced, and decorated with animal crackers by them. We opened presents, and BeaBea received a doll from Les & Chere of the make by one of Lola's patients. What fun!
After presents, Solomon turned in for a nap, and Lolo, Lola, and I departed for naps at our respective homes.
Second weekend of April 2011: PAMS
Mom, Dad, and I attended the Induction Ball for PAMS with Robin Torres and other officers (including Mom as treasurer and Tita Tina as BOD member) being induced! Robin Torres's children spoke, with his son making the point that he didn't know what an OB/gyn was when an elementary school student, and couldn't understand why he couldn't go with his dad to "bring your child to work day" as a youngster.
Tito Larry & Tita Tina (and her auntie), as well as Nilda, Dr. Pat, and the evening's star tenor, Leo (who is the choir director for Gabe Z's brother's choir), were at our table for dinner. The food was delicious, the conversation lively and flowed openly.
We all enjoyed dancing after the speeches and induction ceremony.
It was also great to catch up with Nilda, and with other PNR friends tonight.
We practiced the art of the Filipino goodbye after the band stopped for the night.
We just arrived home, but not until after meeting a small group in the lobby who inquired of Mom why she was walking so slowly (one of them in their party has never danced, allegedly...), and waiting on the portico and spotting a "Kennywood-like" stuffed gorilla!
Shear Genius
This morning I awoke early to see Mom and Dad off to their continuing medical education / conference.
In between eating meals, I finished grading the last quiz of the semester, and watched the Style Channel's morning episodes of Shear Genius. I also sent off a bill with correspondence. Now time to run a couple of errands in my part of town.
Up Early Saturday
I'm up early Saturday, supposedly to administer Mom's eye drops (which Dad had already done) and to drive Mom and Dad to their weekend continuing medical education conference (which we determined is more cost-effective for them to park). So, I'll just have my breakfast then finish grading the last quiz of the semester.
Also, I must catch up on correspondence today.
There you have it.
Skype to Benny!
Mom and I called Joyce's family and ended up hanging up after we made a Skype connection to them. It was just Joyce, Greg, and Benny, as Miranda was at the gym practicing. We met Benny's latest trade made on the playground, a Go-go figure, with just as much value as the last trend, which was Pokemon.
Mom invited Benny to a party, as well!
Mexican Food and Italian Ice!
Mom, Dad, and I met Les, Chere, Marissa, and the children for Mexican food across the Allegheny River in Aspinwall. We had a great lunch, and returned home in time for me to administer drops to Mom's healing eye.
I have just returned from meeting William for Italian ice & frozen custard in Oakland. I had received a coupon in my email for a free Italian Ice for my birthday. The younger lady who helped us wished me well twice!
We caught a bus on Fifth Avenue, which William continued on to reach his home.
Now time for choir practice!
O Happy Day!
Today I told one of my students, Kelly, that I am having lunch with my family when she commented that I looked nice today. I arrived home from work to Mom's making a carrot cake with walnuts, coconut, and pineapple.
I spoke with Les and he indicated that he and Chere were waiting at the Mexican restaurant. We will be there at about noon. The children and Marissa will arrive, as well.
O Festive Day!
The Notebook
Mom and I saw a great, moving picture this evening on Oxygen Network: The Notebook, with James Garner and Gena Rowlands. The movie is about love and loss, love and gain, love and deep loss, and just LOVE.
Fewer Naps, Spring 2011
Leading up to and since the vernal equinox, I've noticed that I've spent less time sleeping /napping.
Sleep means a lot to me. I need to guard my sleep schedule (like Golem?! Precious-ly?)
Lent 2011 Fish Fry
William, Beatrice, Solomon, and I went to Oakmont for a fish fry, which we enjoyed immensely. Then, we went to artists & scientists at work on Penn Ave.
We had a great time, and enjoyed the Salt of the Earth-type culinary delights organized by Das, a colleague of William's!!
What a wonderful way to end the evening out, with a belly full of tasty treats.
