On Sunday My Brother Told Me...
That our childhood ballet teacher had passed away. He had seen the obituary on Facebook earlier, this past weekend.
Among other childhood patterns and practices, I can be very very thankful for the healthy practices and habits instilled by ballet. It probably set the groundwork for other kinds of exercise that I participated in during junior high, high school, college, graduate school, and after. These physical exercises were instrumental in keeping me, in my poorly-formed-hips state, together and walking, dancing, running, aerobic exercising, horseback riding, rockclimbing, martial arts-ing, etc. etc. etc. It was the "string and tape" that held me together all these years, until it was necessary to go to physical therapy back in 2004.
Thank you, Marge Loreman. You were an important part of my formative years.
Monday- Ophthalmology appointment
I had my ophthalmologic appointment on Monday (yesterday) afternoon. Dad drove me and dropped me off. Jill, the technician, measured the Rx for my glasses. Dr. Deborah was the resident, and Dr. Evan was the last doctor I saw before leaving the office. He is a good teacher, with a sense of humor. They also adjusted my glasses' fit, before I left, at the Optical Center.
I took the bus back home.
Sunday-- Mass, Cello Fury, and Beatrice's Piano Recital
I went to early (televised) Mass this morning at the Cathedral and met up with Susan after Mass. Charles was outside, waiting for us. Here was our interchange outside Saint Paul Cathedral:
"How's God?"
"God is good---you can talk to God, too; it works that way."
We all headed to Whole Foods whilst I read the front-page story on GMO oranges in the Times.
Then we headed to Mellon Park with our food and chairs to take in the sunshine and Cello Fury. Their program was:
Tundra
Never Done
Pain of the Fallen
Going Against All Odds
Turmoil
Down the Road
Pins and Needles
Anarchy
~~~ INTERMISSION ~~~
Nightfall/Daybreak
Silenced
Middle Ground (We departed here)
Pathos
Symphony of Shadows
This Sunday's Brunch recipe was BLINTZ LOAF, which we enjoyed reading about and discussing throughout the morning.
~~~~~~~
Beatrice's Piano Recital was at 2.00 in the afternoon at the Carnegie Mellon School of Music. She performed "Jungle Sunset Glowing" by George.
We all went out for frozen yogurt for snack afterwards. The children and family went to practice, and stopped by for dinner and television, and magic DVD and games of Boggle. They will depart shortly.
Saturday- Beading with Nancy
Saturday (yesterday) I left to go to beading with Nancy near where she lives. The teacher, Betty, and I knew a lot of the same people because she works at Carnegie Library, as well. It is a small world, after all. The piece I made was from green and white stones acquired from the Philippines and bamboo coral and small red spherical beads, as well. I got most of the supplies from Michael's craft stores, as well as the clasps.
Afterwards, Nancy and I went to look at cellular phones and to purchase a cell phone case for her, too.
Friday-- Kyle stops by on his way to New York
Kyle stopped by this evening on his way to New York. We had a real Filipino banquet prepared for his arrival. Dad and I picked him up at the bus stop.
Marissa and Solomon had stopped by on their way. They just called as they made their way home.
We had: Green peppers stuffed with beef, green beans with bagoong, seaweed salad with clams, marinated salmon, rice, crab torta. And then sweets of: two types of cassava bibinka, sticky rice squares, buko pandan, leche plan. They just left to deliver him to his next bus, this one heading to New York City.
Thursday-- Library, Carnegie Mellon Research, Ali Baba Dips
Yesterday (Thursday) I walked to the Carnegie Library to return the Brick Bible (the New Testament). I sat in Schenley Plaza waiting for the time that Stacy and I would go to the Carnegie Mellon Research---and she stopped by my table. We mosied to the research site, and then went to Ali Baba with our spoils, for dip & salad (baba ghanoush and fatoosh).
Wednesday- Physical Therapy and Bakery Square
I walked to physical therapy this afternoon, which precluded my need to warm up at the gym then. After a half hour of exercises, Maureen picked me up and we went window shopping at Bakery Square, Trader Joe's, and Target. The focaccia was a great addition to my basket.
Mom and I had dinner, as Dad had gone to a Knights of Columbus meeting. They had both gone to visit with Gene and Phyllis in Cranberry earlier in the afternoon.
Tuesday--- Print at campus, fax an app
I awoke before 5.00 this morning. Dee Dee gave me a ride to campus (for me to print out documents). I walked back and faxed an application. Took a looong nap this afternoon. Finished reading the Brick Bible.
Monday-- Ride to Appointments, Work on App
Yesterday (Monday) morning and evening I worked on an application. I got a ride to Oakland from Dee Dee, and saw some friends, as well as tackling some new physical therapy moves, including riding the stationary bicycle for ten minutes. Boy, I can tell I've not been doing aerobic exercise!
Sunday--- Mom's reunion class Mass and BBQ
Sunday, Mom's reuniting class attended Mass at the Cathedral. There were six rows of pews on the front on the east side of the main aisle full of graduates and their families. This was all possible due to Fr. Kris and Fr. Steve P. Fr. Steve had reserved the rows of pews and had celebrated Mass. Don and Linda provided the music ministry (we said hi to both of them before Mass), and Elizabeth B lectored.
Right after Mass, the group returned to the hotel to change into cowboy wear, and to join Uncle Prunying and family at their home in the North Hills for a barbeque and homemade apple pie. I took pictures of the group, and the "kids table" had photos taken of us, as well.
The last people are leaving today (Tuesday).
Saturday, Luau--Medical Class Reunion
Yesterday, Saturday, after shopping with Maureen at Robinson and Settler's Ridge (jcP and Michaels), I changed into my Hawaiian togs and Mom, Dad, Dr. Celi and her daughter Angela, and I went to the class's luau, replete with dancing and performances by PAPAGP. I met Angela's sister's family, and we chatted whilst the class held their meeting. The moon was full and beautiful. The desserts were, as usual, plenteous and filling.
Mom's Medical School Class Reunion 2013
Went at noon to help set up for Mom's medical class reunion. Dra./ Tita Cely and her daughter Angela arrived first. Angela and I put up the banderitas, with help for the highest banners from Glenn, a staff person. Mom and I greeted the arrivees, and Dad and I drove back twice, the first time behind a "cursive slowput," the second time for his barong and also for the banana leaves. It was quite the spread they enjoyed after welcoming remarks from my mom. Much of the dinner was thanks to PAPAGP.
I sat at the "kid's table" with Solomon and Beatrice and their parents. After dinner, I chatted with Maricel and Rita. We all had great fun!
WED- Dad to Medical Appointment, Dinner and Grocery Shopping with Maureen
Yesterday (Wednesday) I spent by driving Dad to his medical appointment in the morning. I helped Mom make homemade spaghetti sauce for Beatrice and Solomon, whom we were children-sitting. Solomon showed his creative spirit as he told stories about the "pirate penguins" on the ship Nana and Papa had given him for his birthday. I had named two of them (which two?) Peter and Pogo.
Marissa brought mango sorbet bars for us! She and the children gave me a ride to my first (evaluative) physical therapy appointment. I have some weak areas, and strengthening is ordered. Need to work on that daily. Trevor gave me activities to do daily. I took the bus home.
Maureen and I went to McKnight for dinner (I had liver and onions), and to pay one of her bills, and to go grocery shopping at Good Cents, a subsidiary of Giant Eagle.
Monday- Mom's Eye Appointment, William's Family at Dinner
I drove Mom to her optometry appointment with Dr. S-R. We had lunch at home of egg salad sandwiches.
William and his family came over for dinner. Solomon and I read a book That Is NOT a Good Idea. I loved it! He had no problem with the word "ingredient," but had problem with "certainly," probably because of the first syllable.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday- The End of this Week
Thursday I went with Marissa and the children to the Main library for stories, predictions, and activities centered around fireflies. We got drinks and had a snack in the cafe area, then headed for the museum of natural history. We explored the Discovery Base Camp boxed kits, microscopes, and drew various specimens.
Friday Dad and I accompanied Mom as she went for a haircut at Mary Jane's.
Saturday I was Mom's personal secretary as she and Dad went to the medical society annual golf event in Blairsville. Mom and I made series of banderitas during down time moments.
Today is Benny's birthday.
Last Sunday, Christina and I spoke...
Last Sunday, over frozen yogurt with toppings Christina and I spoke about what God wants for us. We spoke about what one of my friends said ("If you want a joke, ask God what is in store for you...if you want a really good joke, ask God what is in store for you in five years,") as well as how God revealed to me that I would make a better Mom than a nun....despite the fact that I have no partner. Christina stated that she and Regina had watched the movie Under the Tuscan Sun (which Mom and I viewed this evening), and Diane Lane's character asks for a home, a wedding, and a family, which comes to pass before the end of the movie.
"Things happen as expected, if one is willing to think outside the box," I tell Christina.
You Know Who Your Friends and Family Are...
...when you become a victim of an email scam. The second person who is close to me in a month has become a survivor of an email scam today. Their friends and family subsequently receive emails from "Cyprus" of their friend, a visitor there, who has had their bag stolen with their money and passport!
Mom to the Dentist
I took Mom to the dentist, Dr. Larry, for her regular cleaning. We went shopping and for burgers and sweet potato fries afterwards.
I took a nap when I got home. Dinner with Dad and Mom was paksiw pata, marinated lemon salmon, and more.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day
Made my marinated, broiled salmon with lunch and dinner today. Mom and I watched a Frances McDormand movie, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, afterwards.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970468/?ref_=sr_1
Dad spent the good portion of the day repairing dining set chairs, and squeezing calamansi before dinner.
The Notebook, Movie version
Mom, Dad, and I went to noon Mass, and then we went for burgers, fries, and soft drinks on Baum Blvd for lunch. A visit to Big Bird's Palenke for groceries ensued.
I met Christina and Regina after the 6.00 PM Mass for frozen yogurt and toppings treats. Christina shared her vacation photos of Kentucky with me.
Caught the end of a movie with Salma Hayek and Matthew Perry that Mom was watching. Watched most of The Notebook with her and Dad.
Two cinema movies/ films: The Locket, Saboteur
Watched The Locket last night with Mom. Vanessa Redgrave starred. Good movie.
Just finished watching the last half of Hitchcock's 1942 Saboteur with Mom and Dad,
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035279/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Independence Day 2013
After enjoying a dinner of Filipino food with Mom and Dad, I departed to watch fireworks with William's family and with Charles and Susan. My last email to William and Marissa before I left is below:
Must wait to see the weather closer to the time, as my lightning rods are awful (or good,depending on your pt of view) in T'storms...
The children chased fireflies ("Stay on this side of the fence," I told them), Solomon and I saw a bunny, and I handed off a couple of fireflies in series to them and their friends. Right before the fireworks actually started, Marissa warned me of impending lightning storms, so I moved WAY back in the audience, which was a smart move, as it started to pour rain, as well, soon after the start of the fireworks at ~20.25. The fireworks lasted about 25 to 30 minutes, and the sky was brightened despite the weather.
I watched the end of the PBS television show from the Capital with Mom and Dad. We were all impressed with hometown girl Jackie Evancho, and with how she has grown into a lovely teenager. We were pleased to watch Neil Diamond, as well.
Wednesday- William and family for dinner
William's family came over for dinner at Lolo and Lola's yesterday (Wednesday). We watched their vacation photos on the television afterwards.
Today is the Fourth of July, Independence Day...
Mom and I watched Anchors Aweigh, with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra playing Navy men on shore in Hollywood. Jose Iturbi played himself.
I am copying photos from my computer to the portable hard drive, and I am charging my camera batteries for more adventures tonight, the Fourth.
Laundry this Morning
Did Laundry this morning, made an appointment for physical therapy.
Tuesday- Correspondence, Dinner with Pratima, Ellen, and Roger
After catching up with personal and Mom's reunion correspondence today, Pratima and her boyfriend Roger picked me up to meet Ellen at Mitchell's Fish Market in the Waterfront. I had the broiled Icelandic char with smashed redskin potatoes, market vegetables and shallot butter, with sourdough bread. Roger, Pratima, and I continued up McArdle Parkway to the lookouts on Mount Washington. We captured many photos of the changing lightscape, the changing clouds, and the changing city skyline lights. We also took in the sounds/strains from a concert at Point State Park.
From: http://www.threeriversregatta.net/
Dance to the Music—swing, sway and stroll as the OneMain Financial Main Stage presents a
rollicking cast of music makers including the “Jersey Four”
[Frankie Valli tribute band], and the incomparable and original
“Jefferson Starship.”
I think we heard the Jersey Four from Mt. Washington....
Sunday- Beef and also Turkey Sandwiches, Monday- Grocery Shopping
After Mass Mom, Dad, and I went for beef sandwiches and for turkey sandwiches. It was pouring out when we headed home, where they dropped me off before proceeding to the PAPAGP.
Monday, I was appalled that a woman behind me in the parking lot wanted to take the spot which I had designated with my turn signal and with the hangtag. She audibly told her elementary-school aged daughter that "that [spot] is for people with special..." I guess that was the only reason she didn't steal the spot from me---because she did not qualify for the spot.
