Don's Concert
After singing in choir at noon Mass, I continued to help Mom with her weekly homework and quiz for this week (from this morning). We had lunch of bagels, Neufchatel cheese, and oven-smoked maple lox with tomato slices. I hurried off to the Cathedral Concert Series concert performed by our very own organist and music director, Don. The program consisted of:
~Marche Pontificale (from Sonata I) by Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens
~Two works for organ
Trio in D minor, BWV 678
Toccata in D minor (Dorian) BWV 538 by J. S. Bach
~Two Choral Preludes
Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silent
Salve Mater by Robert Farrell
~Sonata I in F minor, Opus 65 by Felix Mendelssohn - Bartholdy
~Ciacona in D minor (16 variations) by Johann Pachelbel
~Piece Heroique, Opus 7 by Cesar Franck
We greeted the performer in the narthex after the concert, seeing Dan the musicologist, Renee the executive administrator, Linda (who cantored today's noon Mass), Mariann, and Bob (who composed the choral preludes), et al. A group of over a dozen of us headed to our (Don's) favorite pub, and enjoyed dinner together. We met Jess's boyfriend, Sean, as well. The altos were well-represented at our end of the "Mickey Mouse" table configurations, with my being sandwiched between Monica and Donna.
As we walked back to the Cathedral, I told the story of how we serendipitously sang at the Protestant Cathedral in Dublin, and how I overheard two administrative assistants talking:
A (hushed): What did they sing?
B (hissing): Stabat [sic] Mater!
Time for email communications and grading!!
Teaching for Stacey
This Thursday was a looong day: I covered for Stacey's early morning (8.30 AM) lab class, and also taught at 3.30 PM. Between the two classes I had lunch and took a nap. Choir practice followed my afternoon lab class. The day started at ~ 7.00 and ended after 22.00.
We didn't mention Stacey's departure, and some of us found that odd, but time marches on...
Those Proposals to Grade
The lab group proposals loom next to be graded: I finished grading the prelab assignments for this week right before dinner.
We told Stacey that we had a "Proposal Extravaganza" (words not mine) to grade her proposals. Heather, Ruth, and I graded three of hers over donuts and apple cider.
Heather pointed out that there is a "research" Foundations of Biology 2 class for students being offered this spring. Soil micro and pharm themes. Should be fun for the students involved.
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Mass readings
This Wednesday I went to Fr. Drew's discussion of this coming Sunday's Mass readings. We read Sirach 35: 12-14, 16-18; 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18; and the Gospel reading, a parable from Luke 18:9-14. A lively discussion ensued after each reading. We talked about how God's Day was/is Good Friday, and I noted that God's Day really was Good Friday through the Resurrection (at least)...not the Triduum, but a Triad of days, a Trinity of Days.
Last Sunday: Bea Bea's Birthday Fest
Last Sunday evening Mom, Dad, and I met up with Bea Bea's family for varied noodles for dinner, then Nana and Papa caught up with us at Chuckie Cheese. Lola and Beatrice had a computer-generated photo taken of them together. Lolo liked "Deal or No Deal." William, Beatrice, and Marissa liked the rockin' guitars. I am NOT a talented skee ball Roller.
Nana had brought a letter for Beatrice to read.
Pittsburgh's Big Duckie, Beata's class-y Birthday Party
This afternoon after lunch Maureen, her friend Pat, and I all took a 71B bus downtown to Wood Street and found our way to Point State Park, where the Big Duckie is moored. It was visible from the wooded trail above, as it is forty feet tall. Crowds of people milled about the duck and a few kayakers in duckie yellow shells were visible. I made certain that I had various angles of the duck, me with the duck, duck without me, me in front of the duck hamming it up, me in front of the duck making duck faces...etc. etc.
We stopped at Prantls on Market Street to pick up Duckie cookies, but to no avail. We hopped on a 61 bus back to Oakland, and enjoyed our walk back.
I met up with William's family at Karaoke on Craig Street for fourteen children singing, dancing, playing maracas and tambourine to the large-screen karaoke television experience. I later explained to Marissa that it was just like teaching a lab, except the kids can select what they want to do, and you have less control over the outcome...and it's louder. And they're all 10 years younger!
We organized the picking up of jackets, the depositing of gifts in bags, and the picking up of gift bags for each child. Then, the whole gang headed across the street to frozen yogurt treats. The party ended within a half hour of arriving at the fro yo location. Much fun was had by all involved.
I took an hour-long nap after, had dinner, and worked on preparing for next week's teaching: I will teach six classes next week (hopefully) ONLY.
Friday (Lunar Eclipse) Night at the Allegheny Observatory
William gave a lecture at the Allegheny Observatory last night. I drove, and Mom and Dad and I were greeted by the large, full moon, which was to eclipse that night. We saw William and his family walking up to the front entrance as we found our parking spot.
We joined the rest of the audience in snacks beforehand, and the lecture/slideshow on extraterrestrial communication started promptly at 7.30. The talk was educational and entertaining, and involved some audience participation.
After the talk, we ventured upstairs to peer at the moon through the telescope. We each took our turn, and the astronomer in charge of the telescope even repositioned the wooden movable steps for the children.
We descended the steep steps to the main floor, where we rubbed the statue's toe for good luck.
We followed William's family car downhill to the highway and found our way home.
Today...Tuesday
I got up very early this morning and made allspice-clove-vanilla French toast for Mom, Dad, and myself.
I worked on grading an assignment online, and finished grading approximately a third of all my students' assignments.
I had an open-face bagel sandwich for lunch, along with apples, homemade banana cake, and dulce de leche. I took a nap, then headed to campus at the same time as Mom. I went to a computer lab to take care of some administrative items, watered the plants in one of the lab rooms, and went to meet up with Mom, who was photocopying at her workplace. An Arabic TA helped us, as did Gretchen. Mom copied her midterms.
We headed back home on the bus.
Columbus/ Native People's Day 2013, Bead Night
Yesterday was Columbus Day/ Native People's Day. In the morning I dropped off graded papers for my students. They were from our current project, a group proposal for deep-sea research. I hope they pick them up before their proposals are due next week. I also met with a student about math issues.
I helped Mom with online/ computer problems re: her class, et al. early yesterday afternoon.
Yesterday was Bead Night with Betty. I designed and made a set (necklace, bracelet, earrings) composed of beads from the Philippines, Austria, and China. It is denim blue, champagne Swarovski crystal, and glass jasper beads. I also made a set of black and gold earrings of acrylic beads and golden-colored beads, with the help of Betty. Quite a productive night, all over a peanut butter and banana sandwich half.
Dad went fishing with Tito Larry and Tita Tina yesterday afternoon.
After Mass
After singing in the choir Sunday Mass, Mom, Dad, and I went down to the Social Hall for coffee and donuts. We joined a choir table, with Derek and Erin and Chuck. Jeannette from Dad's Bible study group joined us, as well. We had some lively conversation.
We went to Shadyside for burgers, fries, and salad afterwards. I will take a nap and finish grading lab notebooks this afternoon.
Laundry, papers for Monday's class, and Grocery Shopping with Mom
I spent from ~ 8.45 until about noon doing two large loads of laundry. After about 10 am I caught up on work communication. I had lunch and then dropped off papers for my Monday class to pick up before Fall break. Mom and I went grocery shopping in Bloomfield and the Strip District today.
Gala apples and dulce de leche are wonderfully tasty together!
Bible Study this morning
This morning at Bible study we read the passages for the 28th week in Ordinary Time. One of my favorite readings is this Sunday's Gospel reading, which is one of the five places in the Bible wherein Jesus is addressed as "Jesus." It is the passage from Luke in which the ten lepers call out to Jesus, "Jesus, Master," and they are healed on the way to the priests, and only one comes back to thank Jesus.
I spoke to Stephanie, a fairly new member to join our group, about the music program at St. Paul Cathedral.
End of a week of Student-driven Experimentation for Proposals
Yesterday was the end of a week of student-driven experiments for group grant proposals. After an introduction to the lab, a tour of the lab, and a review of safety, students huddled over their notebooks and conducted group-driven experimental activity.
Thursday afternoon I was evaluated for about 1.5 hours by Joel from CIDDE on campus. Friday morning we debriefed.
My frosh programs class met with ZOU Xiuying at Hillman Library for a tour and library instruction yesterday.
Thursday I invited my folks and Maureen to Pitt night at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, which was yesterday. Mom was tired and was having complications after her visit to an eye doctor, so she declined for herself and Dad.
Maureen and I met the group for transportation via buses to Heinz Hall. Amy helped us find our tickets, and Linnea made announcements. From http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org/production/36362/carmina-burana
comes the following information:
~~~~~
Artists
Manfred Honeck,
conductor
Lisette Oropesa, soprano
Andrey Nemzer, tenor
Hugh Russell,
baritone
Mendelssohn Choir
of Pittsburgh
Program
| Beethoven: |
Overture to Fidelio, Opus 72 |
|
|
| Stock: |
Sixth Symphony (World Premiere/PSO Commission) |
|
|
| Orff: |
Carmina Burana |
|
|
About This Performance
The 2013-2014 BNY Mellon Grand Classics season opens with one of the most
recognizable works of all time –
Carmina Burana. Based on 24 of the
poems found in the medieval collection
Carmina Burana, this
20th-century choral masterpiece has been heard countless times in film,
television and even at professional sports events. Also on this dynamic
program: Acclaimed composer David Stock, one of the PSO's Pittsburgh Composers
of the Year, premieres a work written specifically for his hometown orchestra.
~~~~~
To follow tradition for the first night of the PSO season, we all stood for the Star-Spangled Banner, followed by the moving Beethoven piece. The Stock piece sounded like film music, followed by an intermission before the performance of the Orff piece.
Dave B from choir had mentioned to fellow choristers that he was now on the BOD of the Mendelssohn Choir, as well as singing in its bass section. I spotted him on the top row last night. The Orff piece rolled over the audience as a wall of sound, powerful and moving. The secular lyrics, the cycle of the piece, and the interpretive color of the soloists was notable. The soprano, Lisette, emoted well throughout her solo movements, as she deftly sang a three-octave range. The high movement was was notable. The tenor Andrey gave a fine first performance of the roasting swan, and the baritone Hugh R sang and acted out the part of a drunken tavern-goer, bringing the audience to laughter. The orchestra (especially the percussion section, which rang out as a tight ensemble) and Mendelssohn choir operated as a tight, well-practiced group. Almost all movements were candidates for recordings. The audience leapt to its feet soon after the last strains of "O Fortuna" at the close of the piece.
Maureen and I took the elevators down from the Gallery (where I spotted Leona S), and chatted with Debbie S and Leona over dessert pastries and beverages for Pitt Night. After some short introductory remarks, Manfred Honeck spoke and Maureen and I met Andrey, Lisette, and Manfred.
I spotted Caitlyn , a student from work, in the lobby and on the bus on the way home. Maureen and I made plans to see the forty-foot duck Saturday (today).
