Spaghetti (!) and Go West to the Gym
I made some spaghetti pasta and doctored a frozen spaghetti sauce with freshly-sautéed-in onion lean ground beef, Italian spices, and mini Roma tomatoes. Mom, Dad, and I had that for lunch.
This morning, Mom told me that Uncle Nani had passed away earlier this week.
Spent ~twenty minutes in the outdoor cool pool. I spent ~8 minutes pool walking, ~8 minutes side stepping, and battement tendus to the affected leg to the front, side, and back 2 X 10 reps. It was nice to get back some ROM, albeit gingerly/ gently.
Let Dad know (he was in the gym area) that I was heading to the showers, then emerged to find him sleepy on the sofa. We went back chez Mom and Dad.
Early Morning Soup with Quinoa!
I awoke this morning for early morning soup and quinoa. Yum, num!
War Drobe and Bicycles!
Yesterday was the day of bicycles and wardrobes/cabinets. A new bicycle rack was installed, and my bicycle was right there on the rack with the others. The cabinet and the bike space rental fee was paid yesterday. Mom, Dad, and I went for Japanese/ Chinese buffet, and I went to get my hair cut across the road as they finished lunch. Dave S, of FAAP, was exiting the haircut floor as I was called for my haircut.
Dave: Grace?
me: Yes.
Dave: It's Dave, Dave S. Are you off from work today?
me: I teach at Pitt...
Dave: ...they just ended [the Spring semester].
[pause]
me: God bless you.
The woman who cut my hair, Donna, manages two stores. She regaled me with her story of wearing an orthotic boot, too.
Saw Debbie yesterday after work. We chatted, and she had sad news about her Southern friend, S.
More cleaning and organizing at home, Star Trek movie!
Spent the early morning cleaning and organizing, mainly under the macaroni table in the living room. Mom and Dad went to Tito Larry's birthday celebration in the Laurel Highlands, where Dad played golf with Tito Larry. Took a nap. Deb and I went to Waterworks to see the NEW Star Trek movie in 3D! It was awesome! Mom and Dad arrived back late last night.
Sunday Dinner with BeaBea and Solomon (and Marissa!)
Sang at Sunday Mass. Dad drove us all to Taco Bell. I took them out for burritos and grilled wraps. Sunday dinner was more Mexican food in South Oakland with Marissa, Beatrice, and Solomon. I decided on a chicken mole burrito and we all shared a burrito sundae! William was enjoying time with Benny and Miranda and their family out west at the weekend. He returned Monday mid-morning.
Visiting with Beatrice and Solomon
Before dinner until 21.00 Beatrice and Solomon came by to visit at Lolo and Lola's. After we calmed them down, they watched a children's show "On Demand," and Dad and I slipped out to get all of us dinner at Wendy's. They enjoyed children's meals with chocolate milk.
After dinner, Lola, Beatrice, and I practiced the Philippine National Anthem, focusing on pronunciation of the first third of the song. We learned it in both Tagalog and English. Then we sang it via the technology of minus one/ karaoke. Other songs followed. Meanwhile, Solomon and Lolo played chess in the study. Marissa arrived, bearing whole milk yogurt, for which I reimbursed her and thanked her. They departed soon after.
The Passing of E. L. Konigsburg
I am saddened by the fact that one of my most favorite young adult/children's book authors passed away just a little over a month ago: E. L. Konigsburg.
see
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2713.E_L_Konigsburg
The first book I read by her, when I was a middle-schooler, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, was sheer delight, and I am proud to say that I was able to be a coordinator/ administrator of a program which ran (and runs) every weekend at a large East Coast science center: the Camp-In program. Basically, I coordinated this program which permits children and their youth groups to sleep overnight at a museum! Just like Claudia and Jamie in the Newbery-medal-winning book.
The last book I read by her was Father's Arcane Daughter. Quite quizzical. Mysterious. One of the reviewers wrote it was like another book called The Westing Game, with which I am unfamiliar. Must look up a copy.
E.L. Konigsburg---what a gifted storyteller, who crafted dialogue, details, and environment to draw us in to savor her pages individually!
der Boot orthotik 2
Now, I'm convinced that I have a stellar pain threshold. I write this because when I described a precipitating pain incident in early March, my doctors say that did not cause all the problems they see in the X ray sets.
They really had to convince me to wear the boot---I think I have a high tolerance for pain and just have been walking in pain for a loooong time. The doctors do not think it is a very very old injury (from ballet or gymnastics or rockclimbing), but they think the main fracture is due to something other than my sudden pain in March. I am just used to living with pain, I suppose, from my hip problems.
Osteophytes---there are osteophytes in that ankle (as well as a Bouchard's node in my hand), and the resident who examined the X rays seemed to think that there was evidence of my ankle bones trying to mend themselves between March and this week.
Thus, the request that I wear the boot, to immobilize and take weight/ pressure off the joint.
Penguins onward to the Finals!
Dad, Mom, and I watched the Penguins make the Finals for the Stanley Cup. Deb and I watched two games near her home before the semi-finals. Mom, Dad, and I watched all the Pens semi-final games. Tonight, we won 6-2 against the Ottawa Senators, bringing the matches won to 4-1 for les series eliminations du Coupe Stanley.
Really great to see the Pens win on home ice...the sound in the Consol Energy Center was immense! The fan base was incredible. Each goal the Sens made was followed by palpable silence, then by background music on the PA system.
ON TO THE FINALS FOR THE STANLEY CUP, PENS!
Heaven is for Real
Just finished reading Heaven is for Real, the true story of Todd Burpo's son, Colton, and his encounters with Heaven and God. This very young boy's near-death experiences are related to his family and babysitter, and his dad, Todd, authored the book with Lynn Vincent. Quite moving, and very detailed.
der Boot
A new wardrobe accessory...the boot (der Boot)! Added this afternoon, due to a medical problem, which started in early March.
Bible Study, Wednesday
In Bible Study yesterday at the Oratory ten of us read and discussed this coming Sunday's readings, on the Trinity. Clare G and I walked back together, she with her walker and I with my cane.
Clare: Just like children, we need correction.
me: We are children, we are all children of God.
Told Mom and Dad of our walk's discussion, too.
Organizing: Living Room and Study areas
Monday and Tuesday I spent organizing my living room and study areas. Mom said, "Throw away papers." Monday and Tuesday were mostly devoted to weeding my Fall and Spring semester filing cabinets. I also worked one afternoon on my study space, organizing and weeding papers while talking on the phone with Nancy. I also organized my sleeveless, short-sleeved, and 3/4- to long-sleeved tops in a large plastic bin. Earlier this summer I organized my new crafts (that I had fashioned in studio with Melinda) in a rollaway plastic bin in the bedroom.
Tuesday, while sitting on the carpeting, my ankle again gave me problems upon trying to get up. All part of getting old! The fun lingers...
Sheila and Christian's Wedding Weekend
This past Friday and Saturday I helped navigate and drive Mom and Dad to Sheila and Christian's wedding near where William used to work in the Hudson Valley.
Friday we drove and checked in to our hotel. Dinner was at the Red Line Diner. I had beef brisket BBQ sliders, Mom and Dad enjoyed cheeseburgers. Our waiter recommended we visit Tarrytown, as it has changed much since the 1980s. Mom explained that she and Dad had honeymooned there, overlooking the Hudson River, about fifty years ago.
Saturday, I drove us to little stops in Tarrytown, up the hill to "the Castle," where we stopped to marvel at the additional architecture added to the main hotel structure since the late 1960s: The fountain surrounded by landscaped flowers, and, overlooking the hillside, the stone building which is adorned by the massive turret. It turns out the complex is now owned by a Japanese firm, and there is a spa there, as well. We picked up the rates for a future visit.
The next major stop was at Graymoor, the Franciscan retreat community. We visited the Holy Spirit chapel up on the hill, and the retreat center, as well. Then, we went for lunch on Main Street where we were staying---pulled pork sliders for Dad and me, and a hot dog for Mom. We all shared fries.
Mom and Dad dressed in Filipiniana wear for the wedding at the Roundhouse, and reception afterwards. Mom wore a red long dress with a terno graced with the traditional butterfly sleeves. Dad wore a barong tagalog.
When they returned from the reception, we talked about perhaps eating at the Culinary Institute of America for Sunday brunch, but the restaurants are closed on the weekends. After a big breakfast, we packed the car to head home, and then drove out through the misty rain.
The sky cleared as we entered Pennsylvania, and about an hour and a half after that, Marissa arrived, with the children in tow, and a concerned friend and her daughter. Her "lost" spouse was soon located, but not before Pittsburgh's finest were called, and not before a slew of tears were shed. All was well afterwards. This adventure pre-empted our attempt to go to the latest Mass with Dad at the Oratory.
More Student Issues; Walking...
Yesterday I received another email from a student who had issues which needed addressed. I took care of them during the day and evening, and went for a walk with Deb around Oakland. We even saw the home plate from Forbes Field, as well as the carousel and Conflict Kitchen.
Today, Mom and I purchased a non-stick pan after a lunch of hot dogs with Dad. The Tenas came by to visit them, and then we went shopping for the pan. A snack of boiled sweet potatoes with dark amber maple syrup was next.
Tonight is the last choir practice of the season. Gotta go (after dinner, which I am heating up).
Sunday, Mother's Day 2013
Yesterday was Mother's Day. I skipped choir today for Beatrice's piano recital: Carnegie Mellon School of Music, Music Preparatory School, Beginning Piano for Children. She played a one-page piece by Pearse entitled, "Gentle Breeze."
We dined on-campus with the whole family, except for Cherie, who could not make it to the concert.
Everyone napped at home, then Mom and I saved seats for William and his family at the Peter Yarrow concert sponsored by Hope Academy at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church's main church gathering space. The opening act was by the music department of the Hope Academy, which presented vocal songs performed by their guitar- and percussion-accompanied choir. The young people were quite talented, and one of them is going to Memphis for a Blues conference there. Their last piece performed by themselves was "Puff the Magic Dragon," which was a perfect segue to the introduction of Peter, originally from the group Peter, Paul, and Mary. At the conclusion of "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," he asked about where all the graveyards had gone...and he asked Beatrice, who answered in her little dulcet voice.
At the end of the concert, he invited Beatrice, any of her brothers or sisters, parents, aunties, or grandparents who may want to join you to come up and join the Hope Academy musicians and Peter up above on the altar. Beatrice was joined by Solomon. When they got to "I've Got a Hammer," Mom said that she wanted to join them. We left soon after the end of the concert, as the children and Lola were tired after a long day, a long Mother's Day this year.
Saturday, Mother's Day Shopping
Saturday Mom and I went to the Waterfront for some Mom's Day shopping. We stopped in Macy's to get some small home appliances (to fry up lumpia) and jewelry, and at Costco for groceries. Saw Stephanie W and her family there, it was so nice to see her after about six years. She is at a large multinational firm in the South Hills now, after she left from my current work place. She met Mom, and I had a chance to meet her folks.
We went to the anticipated Mass Saturday night, as I would be missing choir Sunday for Beatrice's piano recital.
Dad fried up some tapa and plantains for our dinner Saturday night, whilst Mom and I prepared the fixings.
Friday Brunch with My Friends
Had a great brunch with Maureen and Nancy at the pancake place in the North Hills. I had a cheeseburger with wedding soup and home fries. Afterwards, Maureen and I went to the Ross Park Mall. We almost forgot to get her a card for her friend, so stopped by East Liberty at the Target store there (where I got cold cuts/ sliced sandwich meat). What a full day!
Yesterday morning, Penultimate choir practice
Yesterday early morning I evaluated my locker, bicycle, and cabinet and I cleaned out the front of my locker. Mom, Dad, and I went to 12.03 Mass. I called the orthopedic surgeon's office regarding a procedure I will undergo later, this summer. Mom and I went shopping in the Strip District and at the new Aldi. Mom and I chatted with Ray, Charles's dad, for a while there. Then it was time for me to gather materials for Mom and Dad's talk for Solomon, dinner, and our penultimate choir practice.
Seeing the Madz Off
Wednesday I paid my bill early in the morning. I saw my parents drive the Madz off after they all had a chance to talk to Joe and Tina, my folks' neighbors. I took care of some correspondence for a student with a problem, sent it off, and then after Mom and Dad arrived, I went for a walk with Maureen to the Cathedral of Learning (to deliver a hard copy of a letter), and then in Shadyside. We also looked at Facebook. She dropped me off as she went to the anticipated evening Mass for Ascension Thursday.
Madrigal Singers Day Off 2
Dad and I went to Mass on Tuesday morning. Tuesday after their breakfast the two Madrigal singers staying with Mom and Dad had breakfast, and we departed after 11.00AM for the Tanger Outlets. We left there by 13.15, and were at the Andy Warhol Museum by 13.45. I dropped them off, then checked my messages, and relaxed for a bit. We agreed to leave from the Museum in an hour, and I waited until 14.50, then sent them an email and had Mom call them. We departed from the Museum and arrived at my parents by 15.30, and I drove all to the picnic in Fox Chapel. Delicious burgers and potluck! We brought Filipino macaroni chicken salad. Om Nom!
Afterwards, I drove Bianca and Jacquey to Waterworks Mall. They wanted to go to Cold Stone Creamery afterwards, and I drove them there, too. I also picked up my parents from the picnic, as well. Dad drove us home.
Madz Day Off 1
Went to Mass Monday morning with Dad. Fr. Kris S and Fr. Joe F celebrated the Mass, with Ed S lecturing and J.R. providing music ministry.
After a late wake-up, Jacquie and Bianca and I headed out into the Oakland landscape. The first stop was at the frozen yogurt shop, then to the Carnegie Museums, closed to us until Memorial Day. So we went to the Carnegie Library and stopped in the first floor (said hi to Karen and Terri), saw the magazine nook and the bamboo garden. The visit to the second floor was greeted by the trompe d'oeuil art in the hallway. The second floor visit highlighted the music and art room (said hi to Tim), home to the first Carnegie International. The next visit was under the tent in Schenley Plaza, and a visit for bubble tea and tokens for the carousel ride. A stop at the Pitt Stop ensued, with Bianca purchasing a pair of shorts from Sam.
The highlight of our Oakland tour was the visit to the Cathedral of Learning, and to the Nationality Room Classrooms on the third floor. I pointed out how far the Bigelow Conference Center was from where we were. We stopped in briefly at my work, to see a sample classroom. Also saw St. Paul Cathedral and the Mellon Institute on the way. A short period of rest and freshening up followed, then jaunt to dinner at the Bigelow Conference Center (after a couple of songs for good measure). A liturgical song for a visiting priest was sung before departure for a short concert at the lobby lecture series at Mom and Dad's organized by Mom and Roseanne S. Some CDs were purchased. The Madz gathered for a reception at Roseanne's place. Some of the Madz came over to use the internet service, and then Bianca and Jacquie settled in for the night.
Cinco de Mayo with PAPA and the Madz!
Yesterday, I watched the marathon runners and cheered them on in front of my building and my folk's building...until shortly before 9am, when I drove Mom, Dad, and their two Madrigal singer guests to Sewickley so that they could sing at the Mass at Fr. Tom's parish. We arrived early, so we dined at Burger King (love those breakfast wraps!), and the Madz pre-Mass, Offertory, and post- Communion music were lovely, producing a wall of sound upon their forte passages. Fr. Tom's parents were celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary, and I saw Nancy afterwards. Tito George O retrieved sandwich platters for the choir, and all dined. Jacq, Bianca, and their fellow choristers Sel and Pearl relaxed and caught some shut-eye chez Mom and Dad before we headed to the Kelly-Strayhorn theatre for the performance.
When we arrived, PAPAGP was running through their paces of the seagull dance (Lapay Bantigue), and soon after the Madz warmed up briefly. Meanwhile, we ushers were preparing the reserved seating.
Our strolling accordionist, Kevin Solecki, provided music in the lobby before seating. Upon getting settled, the U.S. National Anthem was sung by Beatrice, the Philippine National Anthem was sung by the Madz. Then the Philippine American Performing Arts of Greater Pittsburgh (PAPAGP) was introduced by Tita Baby Ravano, and they performed
Lapay Bantigue (Dance of the Seagulls)
Bagobo Tribal Dance
Bulaklakan (Floral Dance)
Pandanggo sa Ilaw/ Wasiwas (Dance of the Lights)
These four dances were followed by the choral music portion of the program, performed by the Madz. They performed
Part I
* In the Mood (Joe Garland, arr. Peter Gritton)
* Night and Day (Cole Porter, arr. Christopher Borela)
* Contigo En La Distancia (Cesar Portillo de la Luz, arr. Saunder Choi)
* I'm Yours (Jason Mraz, arr. Christopher Borela)
* No Dejes De Cantar (Argentina, arr. Ily Matthew Maniano)
~Intermission~
Part II
* Mga Katutubong Awitin (Philippine Traditional Songs): Polka sa Nayon (arr. Fabian Obispo), Bahay Kubo, Nipa Hut (arr. Christopher Borela), Chichirichit (arr. Annie Nepomucheno)
* Cebuano Medley (Bisaya, arr. Eudenice Palaruan)
* Tong Tong Pakitong (arr. Anna Piquero)
* William Tell Overture (Gioaccchino Rossini, arr. Julie Eschliman)
* Italian Salad, parody of an opera scene (Richard Genee)
~Intermission~
Part III
* Africa (David Paich, Jeff Porcaro, arr. Philip Lawson)
* Ihip ng Hangin (Nori Villena, arr. Christopher Borela)
* Change the World (Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick, arr. Paul Langford)
* Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka (Ryan Cayabyab)
* Da Coconut Nut (Ryan Cayabyab)
* Circle of Life (Elton John/ Tim Rice, arr. Anna Piquero)
The Madz are directed by Mark Anthony Carpio. PAPAGP is led by Judith Portugal, artistic director, choreographer, and president of the organization.
After the performance, the Madz were treated to a home-cooked chef meal at one of our homes. I drove to Carnegie Mellon University to show off the artwork there to our two guests before heading home. We took plenteous photos whilst there.
A Photograph in my Mind...
after Mass today, I passed by the bench at the bus shelter. There, in a clear plastic bag, lay nested two to three dozen bagels. How kind was that!
Dad and I went to First Friday Mass this morning. Fr. Steve P celebrated, Loretta S read, and Don provided music ministry from the loft.
Museo/ Musee/ Museum time
Visited the Carnegie Museums in Oakland today. Stopped in Discovery Basecamp, but not before saying hi to Pat on the way there. Terri there pointed out some interesting boxes containing animal artifacts. I found William's dog's name on the plaque on the wall by the elevator, a plaque entitled "Adopt-a-Bone." Soon after I arrived on the first floor, I explored the Adopt-a-Bone touch screen computer, and found that they had adopted the Tylosaurus bone. I walked through the dinosaur exhibit to spot the Tylosaurus, to no avail (even with help from a gallery attendant). On the way past the Forum Gallery, the docent complimented me on my necklaces. I got a brochure from the art museum front desk, and headed for the Empowering Women exhibit on the third floor as well as Charlie and Kiwi's Evolutionary Adventure adjacent to it. Both were in the Simmons Family Gallery. (On the way there I commented to a family about a case in the Birds exhibit.)
Back down to the ground / first floor to go visit the natural history museum shop, up to the re-mastered (oops, I mean re-mixed) galleries on the second floor of the art museum. Some of those included "audio-guided" art works which you could access via cell phone or headset. I looked at Manet's Still Life with Brioche (finding it took help from a gallery attendant), and then I looked and listened to descriptions of Cezanne's Landscape near Aix, the Plain of the Arc River, and van Gogh's Wheat Fields after the Rain (The Plain of Auvers). A brief visit to the art museum gift shop right before they closed was necessary before visiting the security desk at fountain entry to drop off my badge.
Worked on organizing things after that, so I'll be ready for anything (hah).
Wednesday morning Bible Study, Libraries and Conflict Kitchen
This morning I stopped in for Bible Study with Fr. Drew. We read and discussed the Sunday readings for the next two weeks. Clare and I walked to the corner, she with her walker and quilty-lined jacket, and I sans both. I went to the main library at campus's computer room to read my emails, etc.
I headed to the public library to find the book about the little boy (Todd Burpo) entitled Heaven is for Real. This will be my reading for early this summer. On the way, I stopped by Conflict Kitchen, which is currently an Iranian Kubideh Kitchen.
After saying hello to Ms. Mae and Melissa, who helped me find my paperback, I selected a kebab (spiced ground meat) on noon with parsley and other veggies. There was a yogurt sauce, too, reminiscent of raita. A cool, tart lemonade drink accompanied it, as did the little dolce with sliced nuts atop it.
I'm just relaxing and organizing now.
