Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Went to choir practice and sang at Mass this noon (Sunday). William's family was already at Lolo and Lola's when we arrived after Mass. I combed Solomon's hair after his bath and detangled Beatrice's hair after her bath.
We all went for lunch at Eat 'N' Park in Squirrel Hill. Lolo, Lola, and I went to Giant Eagle for groceries afterwards. Caught up with some correspondence, and will take a nap shortly.
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Yesterday night, Mom and I watched WQED-FM's fortieth anniversary on television.
Weeding Files, Brunch, Shopping, Nap, Prep for Work, et al.
This morning I awoke early to weed a file for Arts & Sciences. Maureen, Nancy, and I had brunch on McKnight Road. I had a kielbasa, mushroom, and green pepper omelette (SIX EGGS!) and a side of three buttermilk pancakes. Only ate about half of my meal. Maureen and I tucked the rest in the trunk and bid Nancy adieu for a little window shopping. We found some very very good bargains, too.
Maureen told Nancy her updates about her Mom and work.
I went home for a looong nap, then work to prepare for next week. I mentioned to Mom WQED radio's fortieth anniversary, which will be celebrated on WQED-TV tonight!
Weeding, Organizing, Consolidating Books, Papers, and School Supplies, Stepping Out to Shop
Today after morning Mass I had breakfast and weeded my living room and study bookshelves. I purged/ weeded some papers, and consolidated files (and also consolidated school supplies when Maureen came by to visit after the 5.15pm Mass).
After dinner Maureen and I went to Staples (she to take care of office papers, me to check out notebooks), then we went to Trader Joe's for some grocery shopping.
It was slushy outside on the roads. I used my cane. I encouraged her to use one, too.
New Seating Charts & The Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, the Apostle
Last night Maureen and I enjoyed some hot cocoa and conversation and company whilst I remade my seating charts for the semester.
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This morning I arrived earliest at church, prepared for the second of two readings, the one on the ambo, a reading from Acts (Acts 9:1-22). I saw Martha (on her way to the control room) and Don (who indicated that we would be singing verse 2 for January 25 for the opening hymn) and saw Audrey (who helped me with pronunciation of Anaias), greeted Jim (the server today), and greeted Fr. Joe, who indicated that the reading would be the first (Acts 22:3-16) today.
We sang "By All your Saints Still Striving" for the entrance hymn and "Go to the World" for the recessional hymn. We also sang the Lee "Gloria" and sang various acclamations (with tunes from chant to harmony by R. Proulx). During this Mass we prayed especially for Gervasio Valdes.
It was great to celebrate the Conversion of Saint Paul with approximately thirty-three people in the congregation on a cold, sub-freezing morning. My neighbor, Judy, commented on my reading after Mass, and I thanked her.
Homebound because COLD-bound
After 60 degree temperatures last week, a COLD front has taken over most of the northeastern part of the U.S.A. and we have had highs in the teens this week since Tuesday. I ventured out for my office hours yesterday, taking the bus both ways.
Since Tuesday I've been organizing my home, checking the electronically turned in papers (by students), doing laundry, throwing out papers, recycling and preparing to donate items, interviewing organizers, suggesting edits to next week's PowerPoint presentation (due to error), NOT going to choir practice, throwing out papers, recycling and preparing to donate items (O, did I already say that? I must be doing that more than usual...), talking to Nancy and Maureen by phone, and generally staying out of trouble.
Medical Day/ Inauguration Day
So, as is the case, my annual medical appointments have rotated around the calendar from (originally) around Thanksgiving to Christmas, to New Year, to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. So I spent MLK Day taking care of those typical yearly appointments for women. I graded up a storm in the waiting/ holding area while waiting for tests and waiting for results.
Mom and I made chicken noodle soup with a bit of milk. I supplied the farfalle (bowtie pasta).
Mom and I watched the highlights of Inauguration Day on NBC. Al Roker shook Vice President Biden's hand during the parade. President Obama looked back as he exited the Inaugural platform, taking it all in, and noting such to his family. Sasha and Malia looked sharp in their outfits, as did Mrs. Obama in her dress inspired by a man's tie. Quite the well-put-together----or is it well-appointed?----family.
Italian Night at the Symphony
Last night Charles, Susan, and I met Deb at the symphony. We had scored tickets for Italian Night at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, thanks to my work. Gianandrea Noseda conducted, with Benjamin Hochman at the piano for the second piece.
Charles, Susan, and I (as well as Deb, I found out later) had arrived early enough to listen to about two pieces by the young pianist in the lobby before the concert.
The program consisted of:
La Notte di Platon (Plato's Evening, by Victor de Sabata)
Concerto in D Major for Piano (Left Hand Alone) and Orchestra (with Benjamin Hochman, by Maurice Ravel)
~~~brief intermission~~~
Aus Italien, Op. 16 (by Richard Strauss)
I. In the Country
II. Amid the Ruins of Rome
III. On the Shore at Sorrento
IV. Neapolitan Folk Life
Apparently, Strauss, whilst visiting Napoli, mistook the ubiquitous strains of "Funiculi, Funicula" for a folk music tune.
We all enjoyed the first piece greatly, and thought highly of the concert. Noseda was especially animated, and Deb and I pondered whether his suit were bias-cut.
Turns out Deb lives close by in the apartment building that Charle's grandparents lived in, so we gave her a lift home. Charles was nice enough to do the same for the rest of us.
Photography art show opening with Deb
After work yesterday I went with Deb to Pittsburgh Filmmakers to a photography art show opening, Revealing Place: Photographs from Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Texas (http://pittsburgharts.org/revealing-place-photographs-missouri-pennsylvania-and-texas). We saw some of my neighbors there. Photographs were taken by students from Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Missouri, and St. Edward’s University. Some of the sets of photographs were blase, yet, the accompanying descriptions were powerful, or, in some cases, disturbing.
Deb and I went to Panera for dessert cookie and carrot cake cupcake. We had a pleasant evening last night.
Japanese / Chinese Buffet
Last night, when Mom and Dad came home from New Jersey, they invited William's family and me for the Japanese / Chinese Buffet we went to on the 8th. Great fun, with lots of crab legs, sushi, and ice cream!
Choir holiday!
Yay! A choir holiday! (Don went to Roma and we have a holiday! I told him where a North End priest told me the BEST gelato EVER is to be found---in Roma...Maybe he is exploring this whilst overseas!)
I'll probably go to noon Mass, anyway.
Stayed up so late last night it was early...probably due to the fact that I had a coffee smoothie after 14.00 yesterday! (Mea culpa!)
Foodies...
This morning Maureen and I went to the French bakery in Lawrenceville. I feasted my eyes and a camera lens on les vitrines entre les patisseries et moi. Maureen a achete des croissants aux amandes pour ses soeurs, et un galette aux poires, que sa mere aime. Elle a departe pour sa famille apres nous avons achete les patisseries.
This evening after preparing for class this week, I carpooled with Marissa and the children for Mexican food in Aspinwall, where we saw Amrita and her family. We also worked on returning items at two shops and I got some office supplies for work, sticky notes and hand lotion for my dry (gloved) hands.
Had to Share This Link...
Had to share this link on YouTube, New Zealand children telling the story of Christmas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kWq60oyrHVQ
Quite darling.
Wednesday Bible Study, End of the Week
Went to Wednesday Bible Study this week. It was good, as I have a break from choir this week, as well.
Been working on getting Mom and Dad to Uncle Dodong's funeral all of the last part of this week. William went with them, as did Kelly. I emailed Mom and Dad via William:
I hope you all are able to properly grieve Uncle Dodong's passing, and I hope Dad is "giving hugs on my behalf" to our relatives (I asked him such before you boarded the bus). Please tell them the hugs are from me.
William replied:
We've been hugging everyone and telling them the hugs are from Joyce. Oops.
O Well.
It Turns Out...
So, it turns out that Ruth and I follow each other teaching twice each week. How fortuitous!
Preparations for Mom, Dad, Kelly, and William's going to Uncle Dodong's wake and funeral are being made. I will drive some of them to the bus stop, and will pick them up, as well.
Mom and I did laundry this afternoon, and I prepared for next week's teaching load.
I'll go to sleep early to get work done, as well. Maureen and I will probably go for girl's night out tomorrow.
First Days Back at Work, Uncle Dodong Passed on, The Chief
Just taught two classes in the past two days. I observed Heather M Monday morning, prepared for Monday afternoon, then taught in the same classroom Monday afternoon. Adam observed me.
I wished Ruth a good class Monday evening. We noted that we teach "after each other" and that we would "scratch each others' backs."
I taught in the same room this morning.
When I stopped by my parents' home Monday night, they told me Uncle Dodong had had a heart attack last week.
~~~
When I returned from work today, Mom noted that Uncle Dodong had passed away.
~~~
I waited for a bus this evening, and saw LS, a former student who had spent last semester in Thailand. We greeted each other and spoke about her last semester and this semester.
After catching the bus downtown to Sixth and Wood Street, I walked to the O'Reilly/ Pittsburgh Public Theater to meet Nancy. Our timing could not have been more perfect. We sat in row L, 241 and 242---great seats on the aisle. We watched "The Chief", as portrayed by Tom Atkins. The role, in fact, was written for him by Rob Zellers and Gene Collier (after interviewing the Rooney family). Ted Pappas directed.
Back to Choir, Eat and Park, Prepare for Lab
Today was my first day back at choir---Epiphany, the manifestation! Told Don about where to go for gooood gelato in Roma. Mom, Dad, and I went to Eat N Park for lunch, then to Walmart and grocery shopping in Bloomfield. Prepared for work tomorrow (tonight), and will go to sleep soon. Been up early...
Groceries and Up Super Early
Last night Maureen and I went grocery shopping at Giant Eagle and at Whole Foods. We enjoyed food at Whole Foods and hot cocoa at her house.
This morning I awoke about 2.00 and could not get back to sleep. I went to Mom and Dad's and worked on work and personal calendars. I'm feeling sleepy now (at ~7.00) and will take a nap before choir.
Annual Wellesley Gathering 2013
Today was the annual Wellesley gathering. We filled approximately one and a half tables, with alums from various classes, as well as two Early Decision prospective students (with their moms). Service was tea, Victorian tea, or Royal tea. We all enjoyed ourselves, and those who stayed until the end viewed the large gingerbread model of the hotel in the lobby.
Work Meeting and Phipps Conservatory
Went to the beginning-of-semester work meeting this afternoon. After some snacks, I met up with Stacy in our parents' building and we enjoyed a grand evening at Phipps Conservatory and Gardens. I took lots of photos and we shared stories over delicious hot chocolate in the Serpentine Room after being awestruck by the drippling---and other---lights in the garden. A friendly bystander took our photo in the rotunda, as well. Quite the evening out :n)
Letting Jay Go
Judi and I went to the funeral home in Forest Hills yesterday evening. We met up with Karen, Don and Rick, and Jessica and Betty to say goodbye to Jay. He was a lively influence on choir, but had suffered near the end. His sister, Judy, was full of life, too, and chatted with our little group as we reminisced about Jay. The Mass is currently being celebrated.
Stopping by Work on a Snow-Bright Day
I went to work this afternoon after watching Cash Cab (with Ben Bailey) with Mom after eating my lunch.
Went in to work to print some items indicated by one of the course coordinators, M.
I gave my harness bells a shake
To ask if there were some mistake
(in my printing method of class rosters.)
Bud helped me out,
and that was that.
I printed them,
no asking what.
I'm somewhat tired,
don't want to snap.
It's really time to take a nap.
Mona Lisa Smile
After preparing / reviewing lesson plans for next week (choreographing the beads' dance and the corresponding spoken word with them), I ate a prolonged meal of little bits. Mom and I watched Mona Lisa Smile in its entirety, and I called out the locations of the Wellesley College scenes (as well as calling out "Not filmed at Wellesley" during the appropriate scenes).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0304415/
Mom and I are watching the Flip Wilson Show from the 1970s.
Cabin in the Sky
Mom, Dad, and I saw the last 40 minutes of Cabin in the Sky, a 1943 musical with an all-Black cast...with Ethel Waters and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson in the lead roles. Mom picked out Duke Ellington and his Orchestra in the dance hall scenes, and I pointed out that the children were African-American, too. I spotted Lena Horne, Butterfly McQueen, as well, and when peering at the credits,
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035703/fullcredits#cast
Vincente Minnelli was one of the directors (with Busby Berkeley directing the choreographed "Shine" sequence), Louis Armstrong was on trumpet, Bill Bailey was in the cast as Bill, and Ruby Dandridge, mother of Dorothy Dandridge, was in the cast, as well.
~~~
Time to get some reviewing/prep work done for the next 2 and a half weeks.
Great Performances Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy
I just watched on public access television (WQED locally) an episode of Great Performances "Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy." Quite the overview of musical theater history, explaining how these erstwhile immigrants set the stage (and populated it, and gave it a voice, a universal--through music---voice) for the acceptance and tolerance of more than just Jews, but of many groups of people.
~~~
Just received an email from Les and Cherie, a tribute to Irving Berlin---a flashmob in Moscow in 2012:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/KgoapkOo4vg?rel=0
Happy New Year, 2013
This noon Mass Mom, Dad, and I attended, with Fr. Steve P celebrating. There were several altar servers, Christina Mc cantored. Afterwards, we went for Mexican food and to gas up the car in Aspinwall. We brought William's family tacos and smoked salmon dip, and we played several card games and flip-tac-toe, at which Solomon is VERY good. Lolo took a brief nap, and we made in home in time for the Rose Bowl kickoff.
